diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 0a76c10..3d4290c 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -13,9 +13,14 @@ ENVIRONMENT=development
 DATABASE_URL=postgresql://controlcenter:controlcenter@localhost:5432/controlcenter?sslmode=disable
 
 # Gateway (OpenClaw) connection
-# URL to the OpenClaw gateway API for polling agent states
-GATEWAY_URL=http://localhost:18789/api/agents
-# Polling interval for agent state updates
+# WebSocket gateway config (primary path)
+WS_GATEWAY_URL=ws://host.docker.internal:18789/
+# Gateway auth token — same as OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN (set in environment)
+GATEWAY_TOKEN=
+
+# REST poller config (fallback, only used if WS fails to connect)
+GATEWAY_URL=http://host.docker.internal:18789/api/agents
+# Polling interval for agent state updates (fallback only)
 GATEWAY_POLL_INTERVAL=5s
 
 # ── Frontend Variables (via Vite) ───────────────────────────────────────
diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/build-dev.yaml b/.gitea/workflows/build-dev.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4bd6b6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/build-dev.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+name: Build (Dev)
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [dev]
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [dev]
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+env:
+  GO_VERSION: "1.23"
+  NODE_VERSION: "22"
+  BINARY_NAME: server
+
+jobs:
+  build-go-backend:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Setup Go
+        uses: actions/setup-go@v5
+        with:
+          go-version: ${{ env.GO_VERSION }}
+
+      - name: Test Go backend
+        working-directory: go-backend
+        run: go test ./...
+
+      - name: Build Go binary
+        working-directory: go-backend
+        run: |
+          CGO_ENABLED=0 GOOS=linux GOARCH=amd64 \
+            go build -ldflags="-s -w -X main.version=${GITHUB_SHA:0:8}" \
+            -o ${{ env.BINARY_NAME }} ./cmd/server
+
+      - name: Upload Go binary
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: go-backend-binary
+          path: go-backend/${{ env.BINARY_NAME }}
+          retention-days: 3
+
+  build-frontend:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Setup Node
+        uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: ${{ env.NODE_VERSION }}
+
+      - name: Install and build frontend
+        working-directory: frontend
+        run: |
+          npm ci
+          npm run build
+
+      - name: Upload frontend dist
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: frontend-dist
+          path: frontend/dist/
+          retention-days: 3
+
+  trigger-deploy:
+    if: github.event_name == 'push'
+    needs: [build-go-backend, build-frontend]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Trigger deploy workflow
+        uses: actions/github-script@v7
+        with:
+          github-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          script: |
+            await github.rest.repos.createDispatchEvent({
+              owner: context.repo.owner,
+              repo: context.repo.repo,
+              event_type: 'dev-build-success',
+              client_payload: {
+                sha: context.sha,
+                ref: context.ref
+              }
+            })
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/deploy-dev.yaml b/.gitea/workflows/deploy-dev.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72240f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/deploy-dev.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+name: Deploy (Dev)
+
+on:
+  repository_dispatch:
+    types:
+      - dev-build-success
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+env:
+  BINARY_NAME: server
+  DEV_HOST: ${{ secrets.DEV_HOST }}
+  DEV_USER: ${{ secrets.DEV_USER }}
+  DEPLOY_BINARY_PATH: /opt/control-center/server
+  DEPLOY_FRONTEND_PATH: /usr/share/nginx/html
+  SERVICE_NAME: control-center-server
+  FRONTEND_SERVICE: nginx
+
+jobs:
+  deploy:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Download Go binary
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: go-backend-binary
+
+      - name: Download frontend dist
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: frontend-dist
+          path: dist
+
+      - name: Make binary executable
+        run: chmod +x ${{ env.BINARY_NAME }}
+
+      - name: Generate deploy script
+        run: |
+          cat > deploy.sh <<'SCRIPT'
+          #!/usr/bin/env bash
+          set -euo pipefail
+
+          BINARY="${1}"
+          FRONTEND_DIST="${2:-dist}"
+          BINARY_PATH="${3:-/opt/control-center/server}"
+          FRONTEND_PATH="${4:-/usr/share/nginx/html}"
+          BINARY_SERVICE="${5:-control-center-server}"
+          FRONTEND_SERVICE="${6:-nginx}"
+
+          TIMESTAMP=$(date +%Y%m%d%H%M%S)
+          BACKUP="${BINARY_PATH}.${TIMESTAMP}.bak"
+
+          echo "=== deploy backend ==="
+
+          if [ -f "$BINARY_PATH" ]; then
+            echo "backing up current binary"
+            cp "$BINARY_PATH" "$BACKUP"
+          fi
+
+          echo "installing new binary"
+          cp "$BINARY" "$BINARY_PATH"
+          chmod +x "$BINARY_PATH"
+
+          echo "restarting service"
+          systemctl reload-or-restart "$BINARY_SERVICE" || systemctl restart "$BINARY_SERVICE"
+
+          sleep 3
+
+          if ! systemctl is-active --quiet "$BINARY_SERVICE"; then
+            echo "FAILED: $BINARY_SERVICE did not start — rolling back"
+            if [ -f "$BACKUP" ]; then
+              cp "$BACKUP" "$BINARY_PATH"
+              systemctl restart "$BINARY_SERVICE"
+            fi
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+          echo "backend deploy ok — keeping last 3 backups"
+          ls -t "${BINARY_PATH}."*.bak 2>/dev/null | tail -n +4 | xargs -r rm -f
+
+          echo "=== deploy frontend ==="
+          if [ -d "$FRONTEND_DIST" ] && [ -n "$(ls -A "$FRONTEND_DIST" 2>/dev/null)" ]; then
+            rsync -a --delete "$FRONTEND_DIST/" "$FRONTEND_PATH/"
+            systemctl reload "$FRONTEND_SERVICE" 2>/dev/null ||:
+            echo "frontend deploy ok"
+          fi
+
+          echo "=== deploy complete ==="
+          SCRIPT
+          chmod +x deploy.sh
+
+      - name: Copy artifacts to dev server
+        uses: appleboy/scp-action@v0.1.7
+        with:
+          host: ${{ env.DEV_HOST }}
+          username: ${{ env.DEV_USER }}
+          key: ${{ secrets.DEV_SSH_KEY }}
+          source: "${{ env.BINARY_NAME }},deploy.sh,dist"
+          target: "/tmp/control-center-deploy"
+
+      - name: Execute deploy on dev server
+        uses: appleboy/ssh-action@v1
+        with:
+          host: ${{ env.DEV_HOST }}
+          username: ${{ env.DEV_USER }}
+          key: ${{ secrets.DEV_SSH_KEY }}
+          script: |
+            set -euo pipefail
+            cd /tmp/control-center-deploy
+            sudo ./deploy.sh \
+              "${{ env.BINARY_NAME }}" \
+              "dist" \
+              "${{ env.DEPLOY_BINARY_PATH }}" \
+              "${{ env.DEPLOY_FRONTEND_PATH }}" \
+              "${{ env.SERVICE_NAME }}" \
+              "${{ env.FRONTEND_SERVICE }}"
+            rm -rf /tmp/control-center-deploy
+
+      - name: Notify on failure
+        if: failure()
+        uses: appleboy/ssh-action@v1
+        with:
+          host: ${{ env.DEV_HOST }}
+          username: ${{ env.DEV_USER }}
+          key: ${{ secrets.DEV_SSH_KEY }}
+          script: |
+            echo "deploy failed — commit ${{ github.sha }}" > /tmp/control-center-deploy-failure.log
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 2e3c5bb..4591b81 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ services:
       - ENVIRONMENT=production
       - PORT=8080
       - GATEWAY_URL=http://host.docker.internal:18789/api/agents
+      - WS_GATEWAY_URL=ws://host.docker.internal:18789/
+      - GATEWAY_TOKEN=${GATEWAY_TOKEN:-}
     depends_on:
       db:
         condition: service_healthy
diff --git a/go-backend/cmd/server/main.go b/go-backend/cmd/server/main.go
index dc760b4..cc96fb1 100644
--- a/go-backend/cmd/server/main.go
+++ b/go-backend/cmd/server/main.go
@@ -63,15 +63,29 @@ func main() {
 		Broker:     broker,
 	})
 
-	// ── Gateway client (polls OpenClaw for agent states) ───────────────────
+	// ── Gateway clients (WS primary, REST fallback) ───────────────────
+	// WS gateway client (primary path)
+	wsClient := gateway.NewWSClient(gateway.WSConfig{
+		URL:       cfg.WSGatewayURL,
+		AuthToken: cfg.WSGatewayToken,
+	}, agentRepo, broker, logger)
+
+	// REST gateway client (fallback — only polls if WS fails to connect)
 	gwClient := gateway.NewClient(gateway.Config{
-		URL:          cfg.GatewayURL,
-		PollInterval: cfg.GatewayPollInterval,
+		URL:          cfg.GatewayRestURL,
+		PollInterval: cfg.GatewayRestPollInterval,
 	}, agentRepo, broker)
 
+	// Wire them together: REST defers to WS when WS is connected
+	wsClient.SetRESTClient(gwClient)
+	gwClient.SetWSClient(wsClient)
+
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	defer cancel()
 
+	// Start WS client first (primary)
+	go wsClient.Start(ctx)
+	// Start REST client (will wait for WS, then stand down or fall back)
 	go gwClient.Start(ctx)
 
 	// ── Server ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
diff --git a/go-backend/go.mod b/go-backend/go.mod
index 4b9db15..91bad3e 100644
--- a/go-backend/go.mod
+++ b/go-backend/go.mod
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/go-chi/cors v1.2.1
 	github.com/go-playground/validator/v10 v10.24.0
 	github.com/google/uuid v1.6.0
+	github.com/gorilla/websocket v1.5.3
 	github.com/jackc/pgx/v5 v5.7.2
 )
 
diff --git a/go-backend/go.sum b/go-backend/go.sum
index f4041e3..448723d 100644
--- a/go-backend/go.sum
+++ b/go-backend/go.sum
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ github.com/go-playground/validator/v10 v10.24.0 h1:KHQckvo8G6hlWnrPX4NJJ+aBfWNAE
 github.com/go-playground/validator/v10 v10.24.0/go.mod h1:GGzBIJMuE98Ic/kJsBXbz1x/7cByt++cQ+YOuDM5wus=
 github.com/google/uuid v1.6.0 h1:NIvaJDMOsjHA8n1jAhLSgzrAzy1Hgr+hNrb57e+94F0=
 github.com/google/uuid v1.6.0/go.mod h1:TIyPZe4MgqvfeYDBFedMoGGpEw/LqOeaOT+nhxU+yHo=
+github.com/gorilla/websocket v1.5.3 h1:saDtZ6Pbx/0u+bgYQ3q96pZgCzfhKXGPqt7kZ72aNNg=
+github.com/gorilla/websocket v1.5.3/go.mod h1:YR8l580nyteQvAITg2hZ9XVh4b55+EU/adAjf1fMHhE=
 github.com/jackc/pgpassfile v1.0.0 h1:/6Hmqy13Ss2zCq62VdNG8tM1wchn8zjSGOBJ6icpsIM=
 github.com/jackc/pgpassfile v1.0.0/go.mod h1:CEx0iS5ambNFdcRtxPj5JhEz+xB6uRky5eyVu/W2HEg=
 github.com/jackc/pgservicefile v0.0.0-20240606120523-5a60cdf6a761 h1:iCEnooe7UlwOQYpKFhBabPMi4aNAfoODPEFNiAnClxo=
diff --git a/go-backend/internal/config/config.go b/go-backend/internal/config/config.go
index fe6c9f6..c6a26b3 100644
--- a/go-backend/internal/config/config.go
+++ b/go-backend/internal/config/config.go
@@ -10,13 +10,15 @@ import (
 
 // Config holds all application configuration.
 type Config struct {
-	Port              int
-	DatabaseURL       string
-	CORSOrigin        string
-	LogLevel          string
-	Environment       string
-	GatewayURL        string
-	GatewayPollInterval time.Duration
+	Port                int
+	DatabaseURL         string
+	CORSOrigin          string
+	LogLevel            string
+	Environment         string
+	GatewayRestURL          string
+	GatewayRestPollInterval time.Duration
+	WSGatewayURL            string
+	WSGatewayToken          string
 }
 
 // Load reads configuration from environment variables, applying defaults where
@@ -28,8 +30,10 @@ func Load() *Config {
 		CORSOrigin:          getEnv("CORS_ORIGIN", "*"),
 		LogLevel:            getEnv("LOG_LEVEL", "info"),
 		Environment:         getEnv("ENVIRONMENT", "development"),
-		GatewayURL:          getEnv("GATEWAY_URL", "http://localhost:18789/api/agents"),
-		GatewayPollInterval: getEnvDuration("GATEWAY_POLL_INTERVAL", 5*time.Second),
+		GatewayRestURL:          getEnv("GATEWAY_URL", "http://host.docker.internal:18789/api/agents"),
+		GatewayRestPollInterval: getEnvDuration("GATEWAY_POLL_INTERVAL", 5*time.Second),
+		WSGatewayURL:            getEnv("WS_GATEWAY_URL", "ws://host.docker.internal:18789/"),
+		WSGatewayToken:          getEnv("OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN", ""),
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/go-backend/internal/gateway/client.go b/go-backend/internal/gateway/client.go
index 4258a84..4b2d520 100644
--- a/go-backend/internal/gateway/client.go
+++ b/go-backend/internal/gateway/client.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"log/slog"
 	"net/http"
+	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"code.cubecraftcreations.com/CubeCraft-Creations/Control-Center/go-backend/internal/handler"
@@ -17,13 +18,18 @@ import (
 )
 
 // Client polls the OpenClaw gateway for agent status and keeps the database
-// and SSE broker in sync.
+// and SSE broker in sync. When a WSClient is set, the REST poller becomes a
+// fallback: it waits for the WS client to signal readiness, and only starts
+// polling if WS fails to connect after initial backoff retries.
 type Client struct {
 	url          string
 	pollInterval time.Duration
 	httpClient   *http.Client
 	agents       repository.AgentRepo
 	broker       *handler.Broker
+	wsClient     *WSClient     // optional WS client; when set, REST is fallback only
+	wsReady      chan struct{}  // closed once WS connection is established
+	wsReadyOnce   sync.Once     // protects wsReady close from double-close race
 }
 
 // Config holds gateway client configuration, typically loaded from environment.
@@ -48,22 +54,64 @@ func NewClient(cfg Config, agents repository.AgentRepo, broker *handler.Broker)
 		httpClient:   &http.Client{Timeout: 10 * time.Second},
 		agents:       agents,
 		broker:       broker,
+		wsReady:      make(chan struct{}),
 	}
 }
 
-// Start begins the polling loop. It runs until ctx is cancelled.
-func (c *Client) Start(ctx context.Context) {
-	slog.Info("gateway client starting",
-		"url", c.url,
-		"pollInterval", c.pollInterval.String())
+// SetWSClient wires the WebSocket client so the REST poller knows to defer
+// to it. When set, the REST client waits for WS readiness before deciding
+// whether to poll.
+func (c *Client) SetWSClient(ws *WSClient) {
+	c.wsClient = ws
+}
 
+// MarkWSReady signals that the WS connection is live and the REST poller
+// should stand down. Called by WSClient after a successful handshake.
+func (c *Client) MarkWSReady() {
+	c.wsReadyOnce.Do(func() {
+		close(c.wsReady)
+	})
+}
+
+// Start begins the gateway client loop. When a WS client is wired, it
+// waits up to 30 seconds for the WS connection to become ready. If WS
+// connects, the REST poller stands down and only logs periodically. If WS
+// fails to connect within the timeout, REST polling activates as fallback.
+func (c *Client) Start(ctx context.Context) {
+	if c.wsClient != nil {
+		slog.Info("gateway client waiting for WS connection", "timeout", "30s")
+
+		select {
+		case <-c.wsReady:
+			slog.Info("gateway client using WS — REST poller standing down")
+			// WS is live; keep this goroutine alive but idle. If WS
+			// disconnects later, we could re-enter polling, but for now
+			// the WS client handles its own reconnection.
+			<-ctx.Done()
+			slog.Info("gateway client stopped (WS mode)")
+			return
+		case <-time.After(30 * time.Second):
+			slog.Warn("gateway client: WS not ready after 30s — falling back to REST polling",
+				"url", c.url,
+				"pollInterval", c.pollInterval.String())
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			slog.Info("gateway client stopped while waiting for WS")
+			return
+		}
+	} else {
+		slog.Info("gateway client using REST polling (no WS client configured)",
+			"url", c.url,
+			"pollInterval", c.pollInterval.String())
+	}
+
+	// REST fallback polling
 	ticker := time.NewTicker(c.pollInterval)
 	defer ticker.Stop()
 
 	for {
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
-			slog.Info("gateway client stopped")
+			slog.Info("gateway client stopped (REST fallback)")
 			return
 		case <-ticker.C:
 			c.poll(ctx)
diff --git a/go-backend/internal/gateway/events.go b/go-backend/internal/gateway/events.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a0f660e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go-backend/internal/gateway/events.go
@@ -0,0 +1,287 @@
+// Package gateway provides real-time event handlers for the Control Center
+// WebSocket client. Handlers process gateway events (sessions.changed,
+// presence, agent.config), persist state changes via the repository, and
+// broadcast updates through the SSE broker.
+//
+// Rule: DB update first, then SSE broadcast. This keeps REST API responses
+// consistent with SSE events.
+package gateway
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"time"
+
+	"code.cubecraftcreations.com/CubeCraft-Creations/Control-Center/go-backend/internal/models"
+)
+
+// ── Event payload types ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// sessionChangedPayload represents a single session delta from a
+// sessions.changed event.
+type sessionChangedPayload struct {
+	SessionKey     string          `json:"sessionKey"`
+	AgentID        string          `json:"agentId"`
+	Status         string          `json:"status"` // running, streaming, done, error
+	TotalTokens    int             `json:"totalTokens"`
+	LastActivityAt string          `json:"lastActivityAt"`
+	CurrentTask    string          `json:"currentTask"`
+	TaskProgress   *int            `json:"taskProgress,omitempty"`
+	TaskElapsed    string          `json:"taskElapsed"`
+	ErrorMessage   string          `json:"errorMessage"`
+}
+
+// presencePayload represents a device presence update event.
+type presencePayload struct {
+	AgentID        string `json:"agentId"`
+	Connected      *bool  `json:"connected,omitempty"`
+	LastActivityAt string `json:"lastActivityAt"`
+}
+
+// agentConfigPayload represents an agent configuration change event.
+type agentConfigPayload struct {
+	ID       string          `json:"id"`
+	Name     string          `json:"name"`
+	Role     string          `json:"role"`
+	Model    string          `json:"model"`
+	Channel  string          `json:"channel"`
+	Metadata json.RawMessage `json:"metadata"`
+}
+
+// ── Handler registration ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// registerEventHandlers sets up all live event handlers on the WSClient.
+// Call this once after a successful handshake + initial sync.
+func (c *WSClient) registerEventHandlers() {
+	if c.agents == nil || c.broker == nil {
+		c.logger.Info("event handlers skipped (no repository or broker)")
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Clear existing handlers to prevent duplicates on reconnect
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	c.handlers = make(map[string][]eventHandler)
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	c.OnEvent("sessions.changed", c.handleSessionsChanged)
+	c.OnEvent("presence", c.handlePresence)
+	c.OnEvent("agent.config", c.handleAgentConfig)
+
+	c.logger.Info("event handlers registered",
+		"events", []string{"sessions.changed", "presence", "agent.config"})
+}
+
+// ── sessions.changed ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// handleSessionsChanged processes sessions.changed events from the gateway.
+// The payload may be a single session object or an array of session deltas.
+// For each changed session: map the gateway status to an AgentStatus, update
+// the agent in the DB, then broadcast via SSE.
+func (c *WSClient) handleSessionsChanged(payload json.RawMessage) {
+	c.logger.Debug("handleSessionsChanged start", "payload", string(payload))
+
+	// Try array first, then single object
+	var deltas []sessionChangedPayload
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(payload, &deltas); err == nil && len(deltas) > 0 {
+		// Array of deltas
+	} else {
+		// Try single object
+		var single sessionChangedPayload
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(payload, &single); err != nil {
+			c.logger.Warn("sessions.changed: unparseable payload, skipping", "error", err)
+			return
+		}
+		deltas = []sessionChangedPayload{single}
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	for _, d := range deltas {
+		if d.AgentID == "" {
+			c.logger.Debug("sessions.changed: skipping delta with empty agentId")
+			continue
+		}
+
+		agentStatus := mapSessionStatus(d.Status)
+
+		// Build partial update
+		update := models.UpdateAgentRequest{
+			Status: &agentStatus,
+		}
+
+		// Session key
+		if d.SessionKey != "" {
+			// SessionKey is not in UpdateAgentRequest directly, but we set
+			// status and task fields that are available.
+		}
+
+		// Current task
+		if d.CurrentTask != "" {
+			update.CurrentTask = &d.CurrentTask
+		}
+
+		// Task progress
+		if d.TaskProgress != nil {
+			update.TaskProgress = d.TaskProgress
+		} else if d.TotalTokens > 0 {
+			// Derive progress from token count as fallback
+			prog := min(d.TotalTokens/100, 100)
+			update.TaskProgress = &prog
+		}
+
+		// Task elapsed
+		if d.TaskElapsed != "" {
+			update.TaskElapsed = &d.TaskElapsed
+		}
+
+		// Error message
+		if d.ErrorMessage != "" {
+			update.ErrorMessage = &d.ErrorMessage
+		}
+
+		// If session ended (done or empty status), set agent to idle and
+		// clear the current task
+		if agentStatus == models.AgentStatusIdle {
+			emptyTask := ""
+			update.CurrentTask = &emptyTask
+			zeroProg := 0
+			update.TaskProgress = &zeroProg
+		}
+
+		// Update DB first
+		updated, err := c.agents.Update(ctx, d.AgentID, update)
+		if err != nil {
+			c.logger.Warn("sessions.changed: DB update failed",
+				"agentId", d.AgentID, "error", err)
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Then broadcast
+		c.broker.Broadcast("agent.status", updated)
+		if d.TaskProgress != nil || d.CurrentTask != "" {
+			c.broker.Broadcast("agent.progress", updated)
+		}
+
+		c.logger.Debug("sessions.changed: agent updated",
+			"agentId", d.AgentID,
+			"status", string(agentStatus))
+	}
+
+	c.logger.Debug("handleSessionsChanged end")
+}
+
+// ── presence ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// handlePresence processes presence events from the gateway. Updates the
+// agent's lastActivity timestamp and broadcasts status if the connection
+// state changed.
+func (c *WSClient) handlePresence(payload json.RawMessage) {
+	c.logger.Debug("handlePresence start", "payload", string(payload))
+
+	var p presencePayload
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(payload, &p); err != nil {
+		c.logger.Warn("presence: unparseable payload, skipping", "error", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if p.AgentID == "" {
+		c.logger.Debug("presence: skipping event with empty agentId")
+		return
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	// The Update method always sets last_activity = now, so a no-op update
+	// (just triggering the last_activity refresh) is sufficient. We send
+	// an empty-ish update — the repo always bumps last_activity.
+	// If connection state is reported, also update status.
+	update := models.UpdateAgentRequest{}
+
+	if p.Connected != nil && !*p.Connected {
+		// Device disconnected — set agent to idle
+		idle := models.AgentStatusIdle
+		update.Status = &idle
+	}
+
+	// Pass lastActivityAt from the event so DB and SSE stay consistent
+	if p.LastActivityAt != "" {
+		update.LastActivityAt = &p.LastActivityAt
+	}
+
+	// Update DB first
+	updated, err := c.agents.Update(ctx, p.AgentID, update)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.logger.Warn("presence: DB update failed",
+			"agentId", p.AgentID, "error", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Then broadcast
+	c.broker.Broadcast("agent.status", updated)
+
+	c.logger.Debug("presence: agent updated",
+		"agentId", p.AgentID,
+		"connected", p.Connected)
+}
+
+// ── agent.config ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// handleAgentConfig processes agent.config events from the gateway. Updates
+// agent metadata (name, channel) in the DB and broadcasts a fleet.update
+// with the full fleet snapshot.
+func (c *WSClient) handleAgentConfig(payload json.RawMessage) {
+	c.logger.Debug("handleAgentConfig start", "payload", string(payload))
+
+	var cfg agentConfigPayload
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(payload, &cfg); err != nil {
+		c.logger.Warn("agent.config: unparseable payload, skipping", "error", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if cfg.ID == "" {
+		c.logger.Debug("agent.config: skipping event with empty id")
+		return
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	// Build partial update with available fields.
+	update := models.UpdateAgentRequest{}
+
+	if cfg.Name != "" {
+		update.DisplayName = &cfg.Name
+	}
+	if cfg.Role != "" {
+		update.Role = &cfg.Role
+	}
+	if cfg.Channel != "" {
+		update.Channel = &cfg.Channel
+	}
+
+	// Update DB first
+	updated, err := c.agents.Update(ctx, cfg.ID, update)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.logger.Warn("agent.config: DB update failed",
+			"agentId", cfg.ID, "error", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Then broadcast fleet snapshot
+	allAgents, err := c.agents.List(ctx, "")
+	if err != nil {
+		c.logger.Warn("agent.config: failed to list fleet for broadcast",
+			"error", err)
+		// Still broadcast the single agent update as fallback
+		c.broker.Broadcast("agent.status", updated)
+		return
+	}
+
+	c.broker.Broadcast("fleet.update", allAgents)
+
+	c.logger.Debug("agent.config: fleet updated",
+		"agentId", cfg.ID,
+		"name", cfg.Name)
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/go-backend/internal/gateway/sync.go b/go-backend/internal/gateway/sync.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3352ed3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go-backend/internal/gateway/sync.go
@@ -0,0 +1,196 @@
+// Package gateway provides the initial sync logic that fetches agent and
+// session data from the OpenClaw gateway via WS RPCs after handshake,
+// persists to the repository, merges session state into agent cards, and
+// broadcasts the merged fleet to SSE clients.
+package gateway
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
+
+	"code.cubecraftcreations.com/CubeCraft-Creations/Control-Center/go-backend/internal/models"
+)
+
+// ── RPC response types ───────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// agentListItem represents a single agent returned by the agents.list RPC.
+// Fields are extracted gracefully from json.RawMessage so unknown fields
+// from the gateway are silently ignored.
+type agentListItem struct {
+	ID       string          `json:"id"`
+	Name     string          `json:"name"`
+	Model    string          `json:"model"`
+	Role     string          `json:"role"`
+	Channel  string          `json:"channel"`
+	Metadata json.RawMessage `json:"metadata"`
+}
+
+// sessionListItem represents a single session returned by the sessions.list RPC.
+type sessionListItem struct {
+	SessionKey     string `json:"sessionKey"`
+	AgentID        string `json:"agentId"`
+	Status         string `json:"status"` // running, done, streaming, error
+	TotalTokens    int    `json:"totalTokens"`
+	LastActivityAt string `json:"lastActivityAt"`
+}
+
+// ── Sync logic ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// initialSync fetches agents and sessions from the gateway via WS RPCs,
+// persists them, merges session state into agent cards, and broadcasts
+// the merged fleet as a fleet.update event.
+func (c *WSClient) initialSync(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if c.agents == nil {
+		c.logger.Info("initial sync skipped (no repository)")
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	c.logger.Info("initial sync starting")
+
+	// 1. Fetch agents
+	agentsRaw, err := c.Send("agents.list", nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("agents.list RPC: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var agentItems []agentListItem
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(agentsRaw, &agentItems); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("parse agents.list response: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	c.logger.Info("agents.list received", "count", len(agentItems))
+
+	// 2. Persist each agent
+	for _, item := range agentItems {
+		card := agentItemToCard(item)
+
+		existing, err := c.agents.Get(ctx, card.ID)
+		if err != nil {
+			// Agent doesn't exist — create it
+			if createErr := c.agents.Create(ctx, card); createErr != nil {
+				c.logger.Warn("sync: agent create failed", "id", card.ID, "error", createErr)
+				continue
+			}
+			c.logger.Info("sync: agent created", "id", card.ID)
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Agent exists — update if display name or role changed
+		if existing.DisplayName != card.DisplayName || existing.Role != card.Role {
+			newName := card.DisplayName
+			newRole := card.Role
+			_, updateErr := c.agents.Update(ctx, card.ID, models.UpdateAgentRequest{
+				DisplayName: &newName,
+				Role:        &newRole,
+			})
+			if updateErr != nil {
+				c.logger.Warn("sync: agent update failed", "id", card.ID, "error", updateErr)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// 3. Fetch sessions
+	sessionsRaw, err := c.Send("sessions.list", nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("sessions.list RPC: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var sessionItems []sessionListItem
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(sessionsRaw, &sessionItems); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("parse sessions.list response: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	c.logger.Info("sessions.list received", "count", len(sessionItems))
+
+	// 4. Build a map of agentId → session for merge
+	sessionByAgent := make(map[string]sessionListItem)
+	for _, s := range sessionItems {
+		if s.AgentID != "" {
+			sessionByAgent[s.AgentID] = s
+		}
+	}
+
+	// 5. Merge session state into agents and update + broadcast
+	mergedAgents := make([]models.AgentCardData, 0, len(agentItems))
+
+	for _, item := range agentItems {
+		card := agentItemToCard(item)
+
+		if session, ok := sessionByAgent[item.ID]; ok {
+			// Merge session state
+			card.SessionKey = session.SessionKey
+			card.Status = mapSessionStatus(session.Status)
+			card.LastActivity = session.LastActivityAt
+
+			// Use totalTokens as a rough progress indicator
+			if session.TotalTokens > 0 {
+				prog := min(session.TotalTokens/100, 100) // normalize to 0-100
+				card.TaskProgress = &prog
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Persist merged state
+		existing, err := c.agents.Get(ctx, card.ID)
+		if err == nil && existing.Status != card.Status {
+			status := card.Status
+			_, updateErr := c.agents.Update(ctx, card.ID, models.UpdateAgentRequest{
+				Status: &status,
+			})
+			if updateErr != nil {
+				c.logger.Warn("sync: agent status update failed", "id", card.ID, "error", updateErr)
+			}
+		}
+
+		mergedAgents = append(mergedAgents, card)
+	}
+
+	// 6. Broadcast the full merged fleet
+	c.broker.Broadcast("fleet.update", mergedAgents)
+	c.logger.Info("initial sync complete", "agents", len(mergedAgents))
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// mapSessionStatus converts a gateway session status string to an AgentStatus.
+//   - "running" / "streaming" → active
+//   - "error"               → error
+//   - "done" / "" / other   → idle
+func mapSessionStatus(status string) models.AgentStatus {
+	switch status {
+	case "running", "streaming":
+		return models.AgentStatusActive
+	case "error":
+		return models.AgentStatusError
+	default:
+		return models.AgentStatusIdle
+	}
+}
+
+// agentItemToCard converts an agentListItem from the gateway RPC into an
+// AgentCardData suitable for persistence and broadcasting.
+func agentItemToCard(item agentListItem) models.AgentCardData {
+	role := item.Role
+	if role == "" {
+		role = "agent"
+	}
+	channel := item.Channel
+	if channel == "" {
+		channel = "unknown"
+	}
+	name := item.Name
+	if name == "" {
+		name = item.ID
+	}
+
+	return models.AgentCardData{
+		ID:           item.ID,
+		DisplayName:  name,
+		Role:         role,
+		Status:       models.AgentStatusIdle, // default; will be overridden by session merge
+		SessionKey:   "",
+		Channel:      channel,
+		LastActivity: time.Now().UTC().Format(time.RFC3339),
+	}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/go-backend/internal/gateway/wsclient.go b/go-backend/internal/gateway/wsclient.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..322d551
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go-backend/internal/gateway/wsclient.go
@@ -0,0 +1,460 @@
+// Package gateway provides WebSocket client integration with the OpenClaw
+// gateway using WS protocol v3. The WSClient handles connection, handshake,
+// frame routing, request/response correlation, and automatic reconnection
+// with exponential backoff.
+package gateway
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"code.cubecraftcreations.com/CubeCraft-Creations/Control-Center/go-backend/internal/handler"
+	"code.cubecraftcreations.com/CubeCraft-Creations/Control-Center/go-backend/internal/repository"
+
+	"github.com/gorilla/websocket"
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+)
+
+// WSConfig holds WebSocket client configuration, typically loaded from
+// environment variables. AuthToken must be set to a valid OpenClaw gateway
+// operator token.
+type WSConfig struct {
+	URL       string // e.g. "ws://host.docker.internal:18789/"
+	AuthToken string // from OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN
+}
+
+// DefaultWSConfig returns sensible defaults for local development.
+func DefaultWSConfig() WSConfig {
+	return WSConfig{
+		URL:       "ws://localhost:18789/",
+		AuthToken: "",
+	}
+}
+
+// eventHandler is a callback invoked when a named event arrives from the
+// gateway.
+type eventHandler func(json.RawMessage)
+
+// WSClient connects to the OpenClaw gateway over WebSocket, completes the
+// v3 handshake, routes incoming frames, and automatically reconnects on
+// disconnect with exponential backoff.
+type WSClient struct {
+	config       WSConfig
+	conn         *websocket.Conn
+	connMu       sync.Mutex // protects conn for writes
+	pending      map[string]chan<- json.RawMessage
+	mu           sync.Mutex // protects pending and handlers
+	agents       repository.AgentRepo
+	broker       *handler.Broker
+	logger       *slog.Logger
+
+	handlers     map[string][]eventHandler
+	connId       string       // set after successful hello-ok
+	restClient   *Client      // optional REST client to notify on WS ready
+	wsReadyOnce  sync.Once    // ensures MarkWSReady close is one-shot
+}
+
+// NewWSClient returns a WSClient wired to the given repository and broker.
+func NewWSClient(cfg WSConfig, agents repository.AgentRepo, broker *handler.Broker, logger *slog.Logger) *WSClient {
+	if logger == nil {
+		logger = slog.Default()
+	}
+	return &WSClient{
+		config:   cfg,
+		pending:  make(map[string]chan<- json.RawMessage),
+		agents:   agents,
+		broker:   broker,
+		logger:   logger,
+		handlers: make(map[string][]eventHandler),
+	}
+}
+
+// SetRESTClient wires the REST fallback client so the WS client can notify
+// it when the WS connection is ready. Call this before Start.
+func (c *WSClient) SetRESTClient(rest *Client) {
+	c.restClient = rest
+}
+
+// OnEvent registers a handler for the given event name. Handlers are called
+// when an incoming frame with type "event" and matching event name is
+// received. This is safe to call before Start.
+func (c *WSClient) OnEvent(event string, handler func(json.RawMessage)) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	c.handlers[event] = append(c.handlers[event], handler)
+}
+
+// ── Frame types ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// wsFrame represents a generic WebSocket frame in the OpenClaw v3 protocol.
+type wsFrame struct {
+	Type   string          `json:"type"`             // "req", "res", "event"
+	ID     string          `json:"id,omitempty"`      // request/response correlation
+	Method string          `json:"method,omitempty"` // method name (req frames)
+	Event  string          `json:"event,omitempty"`  // event name (event frames)
+	Params json.RawMessage `json:"params,omitempty"`
+	Result json.RawMessage `json:"result,omitempty"`
+	Error  *wsError        `json:"error,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// wsError represents an error in a response frame.
+type wsError struct {
+	Code    int    `json:"code"`
+	Message string `json:"message"`
+}
+
+// connectRequest builds the initial connect handshake payload.
+type connectRequest struct {
+	MinProtocol int              `json:"minProtocol"`
+	MaxProtocol int              `json:"maxProtocol"`
+	Client      connectClientInfo `json:"client"`
+	Role        string           `json:"role"`
+	Scopes      []string         `json:"scopes"`
+	Auth        connectAuth      `json:"auth"`
+}
+
+type connectClientInfo struct {
+	ID       string `json:"id"`
+	Version  string `json:"version"`
+	Platform string `json:"platform"`
+	Mode     string `json:"mode"`
+}
+
+type connectAuth struct {
+	Token string `json:"token"`
+}
+
+// helloOKResponse represents the expected response to a successful connect.
+type helloOKResponse struct {
+	ConnID  string `json:"connId"`
+	Features struct {
+		Methods []string `json:"methods"`
+		Events  []string `json:"events"`
+	} `json:"features"`
+}
+
+// ── Start loop ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// Start connects to the gateway, completes the handshake, and begins the
+// read loop. On disconnect it reconnects with exponential backoff. On
+// ctx cancellation it performs a clean shutdown.
+func (c *WSClient) Start(ctx context.Context) {
+	initialBackoff := 1 * time.Second
+	maxBackoff := 30 * time.Second
+	backoff := initialBackoff
+
+	for {
+		err := c.connectAndRun(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			if ctx.Err() != nil {
+				c.logger.Info("ws client stopped (context cancelled)")
+				return
+			}
+			c.logger.Warn("ws client disconnected, reconnecting",
+				"error", err,
+				"backoff", backoff)
+		} else {
+			// Reset backoff on successful connect+run completion
+			backoff = initialBackoff
+		}
+
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			c.logger.Info("ws client stopped during backoff (context cancelled)")
+			return
+		case <-time.After(backoff):
+			// Exponential backoff: 1s, 2s, 4s, 8s, 16s, max 30s
+			backoff = backoff * 2
+			if backoff > maxBackoff {
+				backoff = maxBackoff
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// connectAndRun dials the gateway, completes the handshake, and runs the
+// read loop until an error occurs or ctx is cancelled.
+func (c *WSClient) connectAndRun(ctx context.Context) error {
+	c.logger.Info("ws client connecting", "url", c.config.URL)
+
+	dialer := websocket.Dialer{
+		HandshakeTimeout: 10 * time.Second,
+	}
+
+	conn, _, err := dialer.DialContext(ctx, c.config.URL, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("dial failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	c.connMu.Lock()
+	c.conn = conn
+	c.connMu.Unlock()
+
+	// When context is cancelled, close the conn to unblock ReadJSON in readLoop.
+	go func() {
+		<-ctx.Done()
+		c.connMu.Lock()
+		if c.conn != nil {
+			c.conn.Close()
+		}
+		c.connMu.Unlock()
+	}()
+
+	defer func() {
+		conn.Close()
+	}()
+
+	// Step 1: Read the connect.challenge frame
+	if err := c.readChallenge(conn); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("handshake challenge: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Step 2: Send connect request
+	helloOK, err := c.sendConnect(conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("handshake connect: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	c.logger.Info("ws client handshake complete",
+		"connId", helloOK.ConnID,
+		"methods", helloOK.Features.Methods,
+		"events", helloOK.Features.Events)
+
+	// Store connId for reference
+	c.connMu.Lock()
+	c.connId = helloOK.ConnID
+	c.connMu.Unlock()
+
+	// Notify REST client that WS is live so it stands down
+	if c.restClient != nil {
+		c.restClient.MarkWSReady()
+		c.logger.Info("ws client notified REST fallback to stand down")
+	}
+
+	// Reset wsReadyOnce so MarkWSReady can fire again after a reconnect
+	c.wsReadyOnce = sync.Once{}
+
+	// Step 2b: Initial sync — fetch agents + sessions from gateway
+	if err := c.initialSync(ctx); err != nil {
+		c.logger.Warn("initial sync failed, will continue with read loop", "error", err)
+	}
+
+	// Step 2c: Register live event handlers
+	c.registerEventHandlers()
+
+	// Step 3: Read loop
+	return c.readLoop(ctx, conn)
+}
+
+// readChallenge reads the first frame from the gateway, which must be a
+// connect.challenge event.
+func (c *WSClient) readChallenge(conn *websocket.Conn) error {
+	var frame wsFrame
+	if err := conn.ReadJSON(&frame); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("read challenge: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if frame.Type != "event" || frame.Event != "connect.challenge" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("expected connect.challenge, got type=%s event=%s", frame.Type, frame.Event)
+	}
+
+	c.logger.Debug("received connect.challenge", "params", string(frame.Params))
+	return nil
+}
+
+// sendConnect sends the connect request and waits for the hello-ok response.
+func (c *WSClient) sendConnect(conn *websocket.Conn) (*helloOKResponse, error) {
+	reqID := uuid.New().String()
+	params := connectRequest{
+		MinProtocol: 3,
+		MaxProtocol: 3,
+		Client: connectClientInfo{
+			ID:       "control-center",
+			Version:  "1.0",
+			Platform: "server",
+			Mode:     "operator",
+		},
+		Role:   "operator",
+		Scopes: []string{"operator.read"},
+		Auth: connectAuth{
+			Token: c.config.AuthToken,
+		},
+	}
+
+	paramsJSON, err := json.Marshal(params)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("marshal connect params: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	reqFrame := wsFrame{
+		Type:   "req",
+		ID:     reqID,
+		Method: "connect",
+		Params: paramsJSON,
+	}
+
+	if err := conn.WriteJSON(reqFrame); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("write connect request: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read response
+	var resFrame wsFrame
+	if err := conn.ReadJSON(&resFrame); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("read connect response: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if resFrame.Error != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("connect rejected: code=%d msg=%s", resFrame.Error.Code, resFrame.Error.Message)
+	}
+
+	if resFrame.ID != reqID {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("response id mismatch: expected %s, got %s", reqID, resFrame.ID)
+	}
+
+	// Check for hello-ok method in the result
+	// The gateway responds with method "hello-ok" on success
+	var helloOK helloOKResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(resFrame.Result, &helloOK); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("parse hello-ok: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return &helloOK, nil
+}
+
+// readLoop continuously reads frames from the connection and routes them.
+// It returns on read error or when the connection is closed by the ctx-done
+// goroutine started in connectAndRun.
+func (c *WSClient) readLoop(ctx context.Context, conn *websocket.Conn) error {
+	for {
+		var frame wsFrame
+		if err := conn.ReadJSON(&frame); err != nil {
+			if ctx.Err() != nil {
+				return ctx.Err()
+			}
+			// Check if it's a close error
+			if websocket.IsCloseError(err, websocket.CloseNormalClosure, websocket.CloseGoingAway) {
+				c.logger.Info("ws connection closed by server")
+				return nil
+			}
+			if websocket.IsUnexpectedCloseError(err) {
+				c.logger.Warn("ws connection unexpectedly closed", "error", err)
+				return err
+			}
+			return fmt.Errorf("read frame: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		c.routeFrame(frame)
+	}
+}
+
+// routeFrame dispatches a received frame to the appropriate handler.
+func (c *WSClient) routeFrame(frame wsFrame) {
+	switch frame.Type {
+	case "res":
+		c.handleResponse(frame)
+	case "event":
+		c.handleEvent(frame)
+	default:
+		c.logger.Warn("unknown frame type", "type", frame.Type, "id", frame.ID)
+	}
+}
+
+// handleResponse correlates a response frame to a pending request channel.
+func (c *WSClient) handleResponse(frame wsFrame) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	ch, ok := c.pending[frame.ID]
+	if ok {
+		delete(c.pending, frame.ID)
+	}
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if !ok {
+		c.logger.Warn("received response for unknown request", "id", frame.ID)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if frame.Error != nil {
+		// Send nil to signal error; caller checks via Send return
+		ch <- nil
+		return
+	}
+
+	ch <- frame.Result
+}
+
+// handleEvent dispatches an event frame to registered handlers.
+func (c *WSClient) handleEvent(frame wsFrame) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	handlers := c.handlers[frame.Event]
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if len(handlers) == 0 {
+		c.logger.Debug("unhandled event", "event", frame.Event)
+		return
+	}
+
+	for _, h := range handlers {
+		h(frame.Params)
+	}
+}
+
+// ── Send ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// Send sends a JSON request to the gateway and returns the response payload.
+// It is safe for concurrent use. Returns an error if the client is not
+// connected.
+func (c *WSClient) Send(method string, params any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+	reqID := uuid.New().String()
+
+	paramsJSON, err := json.Marshal(params)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("marshal params: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Register pending response channel
+	respCh := make(chan json.RawMessage, 1)
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	c.pending[reqID] = respCh
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	defer func() {
+		c.mu.Lock()
+		delete(c.pending, reqID)
+		c.mu.Unlock()
+	}()
+
+	// Build and send frame
+	frame := wsFrame{
+		Type:   "req",
+		ID:     reqID,
+		Method: method,
+		Params: paramsJSON,
+	}
+
+	c.connMu.Lock()
+	if c.conn == nil {
+		c.connMu.Unlock()
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("gateway: not connected")
+	}
+	err = c.conn.WriteJSON(frame)
+	c.connMu.Unlock()
+
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("write request: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Wait for response with timeout
+	select {
+	case resp := <-respCh:
+		if resp == nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("gateway returned error for request %s", reqID)
+		}
+		return resp, nil
+	case <-time.After(30 * time.Second):
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("request %s timed out", reqID)
+	}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/go-backend/internal/gateway/wsclient_test.go b/go-backend/internal/gateway/wsclient_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..92a1d66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go-backend/internal/gateway/wsclient_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,484 @@
+package gateway
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"log/slog"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"strings"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"code.cubecraftcreations.com/CubeCraft-Creations/Control-Center/go-backend/internal/models"
+
+	"github.com/gorilla/websocket"
+)
+
+// ── Mock WebSocket server helper ─────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// newTestWSServer creates an httptest.Server that upgrades to WebSocket and
+// delegates each connection to handler. The server URL can be converted to
+// a ws:// URL by replacing "http" with "ws".
+func newTestWSServer(t *testing.T, handler func(conn *websocket.Conn)) *httptest.Server {
+	t.Helper()
+	upgrader := websocket.Upgrader{
+		CheckOrigin: func(r *http.Request) bool { return true },
+	}
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		conn, err := upgrader.Upgrade(w, r, nil)
+		if err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		handler(conn)
+	}))
+	return srv
+}
+
+// wsURL converts an httptest.Server http URL to a ws URL.
+func wsURL(srv *httptest.Server) string {
+	return "ws" + strings.TrimPrefix(srv.URL, "http")
+}
+
+// ── Handshake helper for mock server ─────────────────────────────────────
+
+// handleHandshake performs the server side of the v3 handshake:
+//  1. Send connect.challenge
+//  2. Read connect request
+//  3. Send hello-ok response
+//
+// Returns the connect request frame for inspection.
+func handleHandshake(t *testing.T, conn *websocket.Conn) map[string]any {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	// 1. Send connect.challenge
+	challenge := map[string]any{
+		"type":   "event",
+		"event":  "connect.challenge",
+		"params": map[string]any{"nonce": "test-nonce", "ts": 1716180000000},
+	}
+	if err := conn.WriteJSON(challenge); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("server: write challenge: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// 2. Read connect request
+	var req map[string]any
+	if err := conn.ReadJSON(&req); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("server: read connect request: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if req["method"] != "connect" {
+		t.Fatalf("server: expected method=connect, got %v", req["method"])
+	}
+
+	// 3. Send hello-ok response
+	// Note: helloOKResponse expects ConnID at the top level of the result,
+	// matching the WSClient's JSON struct tags.
+	result := map[string]any{
+		"type":     "hello-ok",
+		"protocol": 3,
+		"connId":   "test-conn-123",
+		"features": map[string]any{"methods": []string{}, "events": []string{}},
+		"auth":     map[string]any{"role": "operator", "scopes": []string{"operator.read"}},
+	}
+	res := map[string]any{
+		"type":   "res",
+		"id":     req["id"],
+		"ok":     true,
+		"result": result,
+	}
+	if err := conn.WriteJSON(res); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("server: write hello-ok: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	return req
+}
+
+// keepAlive reads frames from the connection until an error occurs
+// (e.g., the client disconnects). Used as the default "do nothing"
+// server loop after handshake.
+func keepAlive(conn *websocket.Conn) {
+	for {
+		var m map[string]any
+		if err := conn.ReadJSON(&m); err != nil {
+			break
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// ── 1. Test: Full handshake ──────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+func TestWSClient_Handshake(t *testing.T) {
+	srv := newTestWSServer(t, func(conn *websocket.Conn) {
+		handleHandshake(t, conn)
+		keepAlive(conn)
+	})
+	defer srv.Close()
+
+	client := NewWSClient(WSConfig{URL: wsURL(srv), AuthToken: "test-token"}, nil, nil, slog.Default())
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		client.Start(ctx)
+		close(done)
+	}()
+
+	// Wait briefly for handshake to complete
+	time.Sleep(200 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	// Verify connId was set
+	client.connMu.Lock()
+	connID := client.connId
+	client.connMu.Unlock()
+
+	if connID != "test-conn-123" {
+		t.Errorf("expected connId 'test-conn-123', got %q", connID)
+	}
+
+	cancel()
+	select {
+	case <-done:
+		// Client exited cleanly
+	case <-time.After(3 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("WSClient did not shut down after context cancellation")
+	}
+}
+
+// ── 2. Test: Send() with response matching ───────────────────────────────
+
+func TestWSClient_Send(t *testing.T) {
+	srv := newTestWSServer(t, func(conn *websocket.Conn) {
+		handleHandshake(t, conn)
+
+		// Read RPC requests and respond to each
+		for {
+			var req map[string]any
+			if err := conn.ReadJSON(&req); err != nil {
+				break
+			}
+			reqID, _ := req["id"].(string)
+			method, _ := req["method"].(string)
+
+			var result any
+			switch method {
+			case "agents.list":
+				result = map[string]any{
+					"agents": []map[string]any{
+						{"id": "otto", "name": "Otto"},
+					},
+				}
+			default:
+				result = map[string]any{}
+			}
+
+			res := map[string]any{
+				"type":   "res",
+				"id":     reqID,
+				"ok":     true,
+				"result": result,
+			}
+			if err := conn.WriteJSON(res); err != nil {
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	})
+	defer srv.Close()
+
+	client := NewWSClient(WSConfig{URL: wsURL(srv), AuthToken: "test-token"}, nil, nil, slog.Default())
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	go client.Start(ctx)
+
+	// Give the client time to complete handshake
+	time.Sleep(300 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	resp, err := client.Send("agents.list", nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Send() returned error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify the response payload
+	var result map[string]any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(resp, &result); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unmarshal response: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	agents, ok := result["agents"].([]any)
+	if !ok || len(agents) != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 1 agent in response, got %v", result)
+	}
+
+	cancel()
+}
+
+// ── 3. Test: Event handler routing ───────────────────────────────────────
+
+func TestWSClient_EventRouting(t *testing.T) {
+	eventReceived := make(chan json.RawMessage, 1)
+
+	srv := newTestWSServer(t, func(conn *websocket.Conn) {
+		handleHandshake(t, conn)
+
+		// After handshake, send a test event
+		evt := map[string]any{
+			"type":   "event",
+			"event":  "test.event",
+			"params": map[string]any{"greeting": "hello from server"},
+		}
+		if err := conn.WriteJSON(evt); err != nil {
+			t.Logf("server: write event: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+
+		keepAlive(conn)
+	})
+	defer srv.Close()
+
+	client := NewWSClient(WSConfig{URL: wsURL(srv), AuthToken: "test-token"}, nil, nil, slog.Default())
+
+	// Register event handler BEFORE starting the client
+	client.OnEvent("test.event", func(payload json.RawMessage) {
+		eventReceived <- payload
+	})
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	go client.Start(ctx)
+
+	// Wait for the event handler to fire
+	select {
+	case payload := <-eventReceived:
+		var data map[string]any
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(payload, &data); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("unmarshal event payload: %v", err)
+		}
+		if greeting, _ := data["greeting"].(string); greeting != "hello from server" {
+			t.Errorf("expected greeting 'hello from server', got %q", greeting)
+		}
+	case <-time.After(3 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timed out waiting for event handler to fire")
+	}
+
+	cancel()
+}
+
+// ── 4. Test: Concurrent Send ─────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+func TestWSClient_ConcurrentSend(t *testing.T) {
+	var reqCount atomic.Int32
+
+	srv := newTestWSServer(t, func(conn *websocket.Conn) {
+		handleHandshake(t, conn)
+
+		// Read RPC requests and respond to each
+		for {
+			var req map[string]any
+			if err := conn.ReadJSON(&req); err != nil {
+				break
+			}
+			reqID, _ := req["id"].(string)
+			n := reqCount.Add(1)
+
+			res := map[string]any{
+				"type":   "res",
+				"id":     reqID,
+				"ok":     true,
+				"result": map[string]any{"index": n, "method": req["method"]},
+			}
+			if err := conn.WriteJSON(res); err != nil {
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	})
+	defer srv.Close()
+
+	client := NewWSClient(WSConfig{URL: wsURL(srv), AuthToken: "test-token"}, nil, nil, slog.Default())
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	go client.Start(ctx)
+
+	// Give the client time to complete handshake
+	time.Sleep(300 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	// Fire 3 concurrent Send() calls
+	type sendResult struct {
+		method  string
+		payload json.RawMessage
+		err     error
+	}
+	results := make(chan sendResult, 3)
+
+	methods := []string{"agents.list", "sessions.list", "agents.config"}
+	for _, method := range methods {
+		go func(m string) {
+			resp, err := client.Send(m, nil)
+			results <- sendResult{method: m, payload: resp, err: err}
+		}(method)
+	}
+
+	// Collect all results
+	for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
+		select {
+		case r := <-results:
+			if r.err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("Send(%q) returned error: %v", r.method, r.err)
+				continue
+			}
+			var result map[string]any
+			if err := json.Unmarshal(r.payload, &result); err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("Send(%q) unmarshal error: %v", r.method, err)
+				continue
+			}
+			gotMethod, _ := result["method"].(string)
+			if gotMethod != r.method {
+				t.Errorf("Send(%q) got response for %q (mismatched)", r.method, gotMethod)
+			}
+		case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+			t.Fatal("timed out waiting for concurrent Send results")
+		}
+	}
+
+	cancel()
+}
+
+// ── 5. Test: Clean shutdown ──────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+func TestWSClient_CleanShutdown(t *testing.T) {
+	srv := newTestWSServer(t, func(conn *websocket.Conn) {
+		handleHandshake(t, conn)
+		keepAlive(conn)
+	})
+	defer srv.Close()
+
+	client := NewWSClient(WSConfig{URL: wsURL(srv), AuthToken: "test-token"}, nil, nil, slog.Default())
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		client.Start(ctx)
+		close(done)
+	}()
+
+	// Let the client connect and complete handshake
+	time.Sleep(200 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	// Cancel context — should trigger clean shutdown
+	cancel()
+
+	select {
+	case <-done:
+		// Client exited cleanly — pass
+	case <-time.After(3 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("WSClient did not shut down cleanly within timeout")
+	}
+}
+
+// ── Pure utility tests (from CUB-205) ─────────────────────────────────────
+
+func TestMapSessionStatus(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		input    string
+		expected models.AgentStatus
+	}{
+		{"running", models.AgentStatusActive},
+		{"streaming", models.AgentStatusActive},
+		{"done", models.AgentStatusIdle},
+		{"error", models.AgentStatusError},
+		{"", models.AgentStatusIdle},
+		{"garbage", models.AgentStatusIdle},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		result := mapSessionStatus(tt.input)
+		if result != tt.expected {
+			t.Errorf("mapSessionStatus(%q) = %q, want %q", tt.input, result, tt.expected)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAgentItemToCard(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("full fields", func(t *testing.T) {
+		item := agentListItem{
+			ID:      "dex",
+			Name:    "Dex",
+			Role:    "backend",
+			Channel: "telegram",
+		}
+		card := agentItemToCard(item)
+		if card.ID != "dex" {
+			t.Errorf("ID = %q, want %q", card.ID, "dex")
+		}
+		if card.DisplayName != "Dex" {
+			t.Errorf("DisplayName = %q, want %q", card.DisplayName, "Dex")
+		}
+		if card.Role != "backend" {
+			t.Errorf("Role = %q, want %q", card.Role, "backend")
+		}
+		if card.Channel != "telegram" {
+			t.Errorf("Channel = %q, want %q", card.Channel, "telegram")
+		}
+		if card.Status != models.AgentStatusIdle {
+			t.Errorf("Status = %q, want %q", card.Status, models.AgentStatusIdle)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("empty fields use defaults", func(t *testing.T) {
+		item := agentListItem{
+			ID: "otto",
+		}
+		card := agentItemToCard(item)
+		if card.ID != "otto" {
+			t.Errorf("ID = %q, want %q", card.ID, "otto")
+		}
+		if card.DisplayName != "otto" {
+			t.Errorf("DisplayName = %q, want %q (should fallback to ID)", card.DisplayName, "otto")
+		}
+		if card.Role != "agent" {
+			t.Errorf("Role = %q, want %q (default)", card.Role, "agent")
+		}
+		if card.Channel != "unknown" {
+			t.Errorf("Channel = %q, want %q (per Grimm requirement)", card.Channel, "unknown")
+		}
+		if card.Status != models.AgentStatusIdle {
+			t.Errorf("Status = %q, want %q", card.Status, models.AgentStatusIdle)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("empty name falls back to ID", func(t *testing.T) {
+		item := agentListItem{
+			ID:   "hex",
+			Name: "",
+			Role: "database",
+		}
+		card := agentItemToCard(item)
+		if card.DisplayName != "hex" {
+			t.Errorf("DisplayName = %q, want %q (ID fallback)", card.DisplayName, "hex")
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestStrPtr(t *testing.T) {
+	s := "hello"
+	p := strPtr(s)
+	if p == nil {
+		t.Fatal("strPtr returned nil")
+	}
+	if *p != s {
+		t.Errorf("strPtr(%q) = %q, want %q", s, *p, s)
+	}
+
+	empty := ""
+	ep := strPtr(empty)
+	if *ep != empty {
+		t.Errorf("strPtr(empty) = %q, want %q", *ep, empty)
+	}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/go-backend/internal/models/models.go b/go-backend/internal/models/models.go
index 8480b41..2844cff 100644
--- a/go-backend/internal/models/models.go
+++ b/go-backend/internal/models/models.go
@@ -63,12 +63,15 @@ type CreateAgentRequest struct {
 
 // UpdateAgentRequest is the payload for PUT /api/agents/{id}.
 type UpdateAgentRequest struct {
-	Status       *AgentStatus `json:"status,omitempty" validate:"omitempty,agentStatus"`
-	CurrentTask  *string      `json:"currentTask,omitempty"`
-	TaskProgress *int         `json:"taskProgress,omitempty" validate:"omitempty,min=0,max=100"`
-	TaskElapsed  *string      `json:"taskElapsed,omitempty"`
-	Channel      *string      `json:"channel,omitempty" validate:"omitempty,min=1,max=32"`
-	ErrorMessage *string      `json:"errorMessage,omitempty"`
+	Status         *AgentStatus `json:"status,omitempty" validate:"omitempty,agentStatus"`
+	DisplayName    *string      `json:"displayName,omitempty"`
+	Role           *string      `json:"role,omitempty"`
+	LastActivityAt *string      `json:"lastActivityAt,omitempty"`
+	CurrentTask    *string      `json:"currentTask,omitempty"`
+	TaskProgress   *int         `json:"taskProgress,omitempty" validate:"omitempty,min=0,max=100"`
+	TaskElapsed    *string      `json:"taskElapsed,omitempty"`
+	Channel        *string      `json:"channel,omitempty" validate:"omitempty,min=1,max=32"`
+	ErrorMessage   *string      `json:"errorMessage,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // AgentStatusHistoryEntry represents a point-in-time status change for an agent.
diff --git a/reference/CONTROL_CENTER_CONTEXT.md b/reference/CONTROL_CENTER_CONTEXT.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81bee91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/reference/CONTROL_CENTER_CONTEXT.md
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+# Control Center — Architecture Context
+
+## Current State
+
+The Control Center backend uses a **dual-path gateway client** architecture:
+
+- **Primary path**: WebSocket client (`gateway.WSClient`) connects to the OpenClaw gateway using WS protocol v3. It handles handshake, initial sync (agents.list + sessions.list RPCs), live event routing (sessions.changed, presence, agent.config), and automatic reconnection with exponential backoff.
+- **Fallback path**: REST poller (`gateway.Client`) polls the gateway `/api/agents` endpoint on an interval. It only activates if the WS client fails to connect within 30 seconds of startup.
+
+## Live Gateway Connection
+
+### Startup Sequence
+1. Both WS client and REST client start concurrently
+2. REST client waits 30s for WS readiness signal (`wsReady` channel)
+3. If WS connects successfully → REST client stands down (logs "using WS — REST poller standing down")
+4. If WS fails within 30s → REST client falls back to polling (logs "WS not ready — falling back to REST polling")
+5. If no WS client configured → REST client polls immediately
+
+### WebSocket Client (Primary)
+- Config: `WS_GATEWAY_URL` (default: `ws://host.docker.internal:18789/`), `OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_TOKEN`
+- Protocol: v3 handshake (challenge → connect → hello-ok)
+- Initial sync: `agents.list` + `sessions.list` RPCs → persist → merge → broadcast `fleet.update`
+- Live events: `sessions.changed`, `presence`, `agent.config`
+- Reconnection: exponential backoff (1s → 2s → 4s → ... → 30s max)
+
+### REST Poller (Fallback)
+- Config: `GATEWAY_URL` (default: `http://host.docker.internal:18789/api/agents`), `GATEWAY_POLL_INTERVAL` (default: 5s)
+- Only used when WS is unavailable
+- Polls the `/api/agents` endpoint and syncs agent status changes
+
+### Wiring
+```
+main.go
+  ├── wsClient = NewWSClient(...)
+  ├── restClient = NewClient(...)
+  ├── wsClient.SetRESTClient(restClient)  // WS notifies REST on ready
+  ├── restClient.SetWSClient(wsClient)    // REST defers to WS
+  ├── go wsClient.Start(ctx)              // primary
+  └── go restClient.Start(ctx)            // fallback (waits for WS)
+```
+
+## Key Design Decisions
+- **Push over poll**: WS is preferred for real-time updates; REST is a safety net
+- **DB first, then SSE**: All event handlers persist to DB before broadcasting
+- **Graceful degradation**: System works without WS; REST provides basic functionality
+- **No hard dependency on REST /api/agents**: If WS is connected, REST endpoint is never called
\ No newline at end of file