Instant record banner from widget tap; fix ghost notification + main-thread recorder prep

- ensureForeground() posts the FGS banner at the top of onStartCommand on a
  cold-start START only (was: every action -> raced stopForeground(REMOVE)
  and re-flipped the discard-confirm card back to the plain card)
- MediaRecorder prepare()/start() moved to Dispatchers.IO (StrictMode:
  disk I/O was on the main thread); start failure reverts UI
- discardRecording() tears the banner down synchronously before stopSelf()
  so a scope cancel in onDestroy can't leave a ghost notification
- ensureChannel() memoized + legacy channel cleanup kept (one IPC pass per
  process instead of per call)
- restore migrateRestoreTimes() + runCatching around refreshRoot() in
  Application.onCreate (dropped accidentally during timing instrumentation)
- Home screen: Column+verticalScroll -> LazyColumn with keyed items
- Notification layouts: explicit textColor for lockscreen/shade legibility
- Widget tap PendingIntent: FLAG_RECEIVER_FOREGROUND for prompt delivery
- All ShonarTiming instrumentation probes removed

On-device (Pixel 8 Pro): widget tap -> banner ~195ms; recording file grows
in .in-progress/; Discard->No survives, Discard->Yes removes service, temp,
and notification with nothing left live; no StrictMode recorder violation.

android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/ShonarApplication.kt

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import android.app.Application
 import androidx.room.Room
 import com.shonar.recording.PlaybackController
 import com.shonar.recording.PlaybackOwner
+import com.shonar.recording.RecordingNotificationHelper
 import com.shonar.recording.RecordingRepository
 import com.shonar.recording.ShonarDatabase
 import com.shonar.settings.DataStoreSettingsStore
@@ -69,6 +70,10 @@ class ShonarApplication : Application(), PlaybackOwner {
                     .detectCustomSlowCalls().penaltyLog().build()
             )
         }
+        appScope.launch {
+            RecordingNotificationHelper.ensureChannel(this@ShonarApplication)
+            database
+        }
         appScope.launch {
             runCatching { recordingRepository.refreshRoot() }
             runCatching { recordingRepository.migrateRestoreTimes() }

android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/recording/RecordingNotificationHelper.kt

@@ -39,31 +39,33 @@ object RecordingNotificationHelper {
     private const val LEGACY_CHANNEL_ID_V1 = "shonar_recording_ongoing"
     const val NOTIFICATION_ID = 1001
 
+    @Volatile
+    private var channelReady = false
+
     fun ensureChannel(ctx: Context) {
-        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < Build.VERSION_CODES.O) return
+        if (channelReady) return
+        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
+            channelReady = true
+            return
+        }
         val mgr = ctx.getSystemService(NotificationManager::class.java)
         runCatching { mgr.deleteNotificationChannel(LEGACY_CHANNEL_ID) }
         runCatching { mgr.deleteNotificationChannel(LEGACY_CHANNEL_ID_V1) }
         val existing = runCatching { mgr.getNotificationChannel(CHANNEL_ID) }.getOrNull()
-        if (existing == null || existing.importance != NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_HIGH ||
+        if (existing == null) {
-            existing.sound != null
+            mgr.createNotificationChannel(
-        ) {
+                NotificationChannel(
-            runCatching { mgr.deleteNotificationChannel(CHANNEL_ID) }
+                    CHANNEL_ID,
+                    ctx.getString(R.string.notif_channel_recording),
+                    NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_HIGH,
+                ).apply {
+                    description = ctx.getString(R.string.notif_channel_recording_desc)
+                    setSound(null, null)
+                    enableVibration(false)
+                },
+            )
         }
-        mgr.createNotificationChannel(
+        channelReady = true
-            NotificationChannel(
-                CHANNEL_ID,
-                ctx.getString(R.string.notif_channel_recording),
-                // HIGH: a heads-up banner on record start is the visible
-                // confirmation that recording began. Ongoing FGS rows stay
-                // top-ranked.
-                NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_HIGH,
-            ).apply {
-                description = ctx.getString(R.string.notif_channel_recording_desc)
-                setSound(null, null)
-                enableVibration(false)
-            },
-        )
     }
 
     private fun svcIntent(ctx: Context, action: String, req: Int): PendingIntent {
@@ -96,6 +98,7 @@ object RecordingNotificationHelper {
         elapsedMs: Long,
         fileName: String = "Shonar",
         confirmingDiscard: Boolean = false,
+        alertOnce: Boolean = true,
     ): Notification {
         val openApp = PendingIntent.getActivity(
             ctx, 10,
@@ -150,7 +153,7 @@ object RecordingNotificationHelper {
             // name in the system header.
             .setContentText("$elapsed  •  $fileName")
             .setOngoing(true)
-            .setOnlyAlertOnce(true)
+            .setOnlyAlertOnce(alertOnce)
             .setCategory(NotificationCompat.CATEGORY_SERVICE)
             // PRIVATE + publicVersion below: the secure lockscreen shows the
             // simplified single-icon row instead of the full card.

android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/recording/RecordingService.kt

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.StateFlow
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.asStateFlow
 import kotlinx.coroutines.isActive
 import kotlinx.coroutines.launch
+import kotlinx.coroutines.withContext
 
 /**
  * Foreground microphone owner. Single-flight: START while active is a
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ class RecordingService : Service() {
     private var accumulatedMs = 0L
     private var resumedAtElapsed = 0L
     private var ticker: Job? = null
+    private var starting = false
 
     private lateinit var stateStore: RecordingStateStore
 
@@ -80,6 +82,14 @@ class RecordingService : Service() {
     }
 
     override fun onStartCommand(intent: Intent?, flags: Int, startId: Int): Int {
+        val action = intent?.action
+        // Only a cold-start START posts the banner. Re-posting on every
+        // action raced the stopForeground(REMOVE) in discard/save and left
+        // a ghost "Recording" notification after the service was gone; it
+        // also flickered the discard-confirm card back to the plain card.
+        if (action == ACTION_START && _snapshot.value.phase == RecordingSnapshot.Phase.IDLE && !starting) {
+            ensureForeground()
+        }
         scope.launch { recoverIfNeeded() }
         when (intent?.action) {
             ACTION_START -> startRecording()
@@ -97,7 +107,7 @@ class RecordingService : Service() {
     // ---------- public API used by widget / ViewModel ----------
 
     private fun startRecording() {
-        if (_snapshot.value.phase != RecordingSnapshot.Phase.IDLE) return // no duplicates
+        if (_snapshot.value.phase != RecordingSnapshot.Phase.IDLE || starting) return // no duplicates
         if (ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO) !=
             PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED
         ) {
@@ -106,74 +116,64 @@ class RecordingService : Service() {
             stopSelf()
             return
         }
+        starting = true
         val app = application as ShonarApplication
         val id = app.recordingRepository.newRecordingId()
-        val temp = app.recordingRepository.tempFile(id)
-        runCatching { temp.parentFile?.mkdirs() }
 
-        try {
+        createdAtMs = System.currentTimeMillis()
-            createdAtMs = System.currentTimeMillis()
+
-            val notif = RecordingNotificationHelper.build(
+        // prepare() touches the filesystem (and the codec HAL) — off the
-                this, RecordingSnapshot.Phase.RECORDING, 0L,
+        // main thread. The FGS banner from ensureForeground() already told
-                displayFileName(),
+        // the user recording started; a start() failure reverts the UI.
-            )
+        scope.launch(Dispatchers.IO) {
-            if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.Q) {
+            val temp = app.recordingRepository.tempFile(id)
-                startForeground(
+            val ready = try {
-                    RecordingNotificationHelper.NOTIFICATION_ID, notif,
+                recorder = (if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 31) MediaRecorder(this@RecordingService) else MediaRecorder()).apply {
-                    ServiceInfo.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_TYPE_MICROPHONE,
+                    setAudioSource(MediaRecorder.AudioSource.MIC)
-                )
+                    setOutputFormat(MediaRecorder.OutputFormat.MPEG_4)
-            } else {
+                    setAudioEncoder(MediaRecorder.AudioEncoder.AAC)
-                startForeground(RecordingNotificationHelper.NOTIFICATION_ID, notif)
+                    setAudioEncodingBitRate(128_000)
+                    setAudioSamplingRate(44_100)
+                    setOutputFile(temp.absolutePath)
+                    prepare()
+                    start()
+                }
+                true
+            } catch (e: Exception) {
+                android.util.Log.w("ShonarRec", "mic unavailable", e)
+                recorder?.release()
+                recorder = null
+                runCatching { if (temp.exists() && temp.length() == 0L) temp.delete() }
+                false
             }
-        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            withContext(Dispatchers.Main) {
-            // API 31+ background-start race: bail cleanly, widget stays idle.
+                starting = false
-            android.util.Log.w("ShonarRec", "FGS start denied", e)
+                if (!ready) {
-            broadcast()
+                    stopForeground(STOP_FOREGROUND_REMOVE)
-            stopSelf()
+                    broadcast()
-            return
+                    stopSelf()
-        }
+                    return@withContext
+                }
 
-        try {
+                currentId = id
-            recorder = (if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 31) MediaRecorder(this) else MediaRecorder()).apply {
+                currentTemp = temp
-                setAudioSource(MediaRecorder.AudioSource.MIC)
+                accumulatedMs = 0L
-                setOutputFormat(MediaRecorder.OutputFormat.MPEG_4)
+                resumedAtElapsed = SystemClock.elapsedRealtime()
-                setAudioEncoder(MediaRecorder.AudioEncoder.AAC)
+                acquireWake()
-                setAudioEncodingBitRate(128_000)
+                requestFocus()
-                setAudioSamplingRate(44_100)
+                watchCalls()
-                setOutputFile(temp.absolutePath)
+                // startForeground() above already posted this exact card: pushing a
-                prepare()
+                // second notify() here hands SystemUI fresh RemoteViews while it is
-                start()
+                // still inflating the first set, so an instant shade pull shows the
+                // plain system row until inflation restarts and completes. The 1s
+                // ticker covers subsequent updates.
+                setPhase(RecordingSnapshot.Phase.RECORDING, push = false)
+                scope.launch {
+                    stateStore.save(id, RecordingPhase.RECORDING, 0L, resumedAtElapsed, createdAtMs)
+                }
+                startTicker()
             }
-        } catch (e: Exception) {
-            // Mic busy (another app) or HW error: keep temp (0 bytes -> sweep
-            // later), release, go IDLE. Never crash the widget tap.
-            android.util.Log.w("ShonarRec", "mic unavailable", e)
-            recorder?.release()
-            recorder = null
-            runCatching { if (temp.exists() && temp.length() == 0L) temp.delete() }
-            stopForeground(STOP_FOREGROUND_REMOVE)
-            broadcast()
-            stopSelf()
-            return
         }
-
-        currentId = id
-        currentTemp = temp
-        accumulatedMs = 0L
-        resumedAtElapsed = SystemClock.elapsedRealtime()
-        acquireWake()
-        requestFocus()
-        watchCalls()
-        // startForeground() above already posted this exact card: pushing a
-        // second notify() here hands SystemUI fresh RemoteViews while it is
-        // still inflating the first set, so an instant shade pull shows the
-        // plain system row until inflation restarts and completes. The 1s
-        // ticker covers subsequent updates.
-        setPhase(RecordingSnapshot.Phase.RECORDING, push = false)
-        scope.launch {
-            stateStore.save(id, RecordingPhase.RECORDING, 0L, resumedAtElapsed, createdAtMs)
-        }
-        startTicker()
     }
 
     private fun pauseRecording() {
@@ -292,18 +292,52 @@ class RecordingService : Service() {
         shutdownRecorder(releaseOnly = false, keepTemp = false)
         ticker?.cancel()
         ticker = null
+        starting = false
         runCatching { temp?.delete() }
         setPhase(RecordingSnapshot.Phase.IDLE)
+        // Tear the banner down NOW, synchronously: a later scope.cancel()
+        // in onDestroy would otherwise kill the cleanup coroutine before
+        // stopForeground() runs and leave a ghost notification behind.
+        runCatching { stopForeground(STOP_FOREGROUND_REMOVE) }
+        runCatching {
+            getSystemService(android.app.NotificationManager::class.java)
+                .cancel(RecordingNotificationHelper.NOTIFICATION_ID)
+        }
         scope.launch {
             stateStore.clear()
             ShonarWidgetUpdater.refresh(applicationContext)
-            stopForeground(STOP_FOREGROUND_REMOVE)
             stopSelf()
         }
     }
 
     // ---------- internals ----------
 
+    /**
+     * Post a foreground notification immediately. Called at the top of
+     * onStartCommand so the banner appears instantly — no waiting for
+     * MediaRecorder setup, file I/O, or DB access.
+     */
+    private fun ensureForeground() {
+        try {
+            val notif = RecordingNotificationHelper.build(
+                this, RecordingSnapshot.Phase.RECORDING, 0L, displayFileName(),
+                alertOnce = false,
+            )
+            if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.Q) {
+                startForeground(
+                    RecordingNotificationHelper.NOTIFICATION_ID, notif,
+                    ServiceInfo.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_TYPE_MICROPHONE,
+                )
+            } else {
+                startForeground(RecordingNotificationHelper.NOTIFICATION_ID, notif)
+            }
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            android.util.Log.w("ShonarRec", "FGS start denied", e)
+            broadcast()
+            stopSelf()
+        }
+    }
+
     private fun elapsedMs(): Long = when (_snapshot.value.phase) {
         RecordingSnapshot.Phase.RECORDING ->
             accumulatedMs + (SystemClock.elapsedRealtime() - resumedAtElapsed)

android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/ui/home/HomeScreen.kt

@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxWidth
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.height
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.padding
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.size
-import androidx.compose.foundation.rememberScrollState
+import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.LazyColumn
-import androidx.compose.foundation.verticalScroll
+import androidx.compose.foundation.lazy.items
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.Icons
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.Mic
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.MoreVert
@@ -129,56 +129,71 @@ fun HomeScreen(
             )
         },
     ) { padding ->
-        Column(
+        LazyColumn(
             modifier = Modifier
                 .fillMaxSize()
                 .padding(padding)
-                .padding(24.dp)
+                .padding(horizontal = 24.dp),
-                .verticalScroll(rememberScrollState()),
             verticalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(16.dp),
             horizontalAlignment = Alignment.CenterHorizontally,
+            contentPadding = androidx.compose.foundation.layout.PaddingValues(vertical = 24.dp),
         ) {
-            Text("SHONAR", style = MaterialTheme.typography.headlineMedium)
+            item { Text("SHONAR", style = MaterialTheme.typography.headlineMedium) }
-            Text(
+            item {
-                "Oral Notes and Audio Recorder — everything stays on this phone",
+                Text(
-                style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyMedium,
+                    "Oral Notes and Audio Recorder — everything stays on this phone",
-                color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                    style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyMedium,
-            )
+                    color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
-            StorageChip()
-            if (storageOk == false) {
-                val ctx = context
-                StorageAccessCard(onGrant = {
-                    runCatching {
-                        ctx.startActivity(
-                            android.content.Intent(
-                                android.provider.Settings.ACTION_MANAGE_APP_ALL_FILES_ACCESS_PERMISSION,
-                                android.net.Uri.parse("package:${ctx.packageName}"),
-                            ).addFlags(android.content.Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK)
-                        )
-                    }
-                })
-            }
-            Spacer(Modifier.height(24.dp))
-            QuickCard("Settings", "Appearance, custom settings",
-                Icons.Filled.Settings, onOpenSettings)
-            if (recorderState.phase != com.shonar.recording.RecordingSnapshot.Phase.IDLE) {
-                RecordingStatusCard(
-                    state = recorderState,
-                    onPause = vm::pause,
-                    onResume = vm::resume,
-                    onStop = vm::stop,
-                    onDiscard = vm::discard,
                 )
             }
-            if (recordings.isNotEmpty()) {
+            item { StorageChip() }
-                Text("Your recordings", style = MaterialTheme.typography.titleLarge,
+            if (storageOk == false) {
-                    modifier = Modifier.align(Alignment.Start))
+                item {
-                notice?.let {
+                    val ctx = context
-                    Text(it, color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.error,
+                    StorageAccessCard(onGrant = {
-                        style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
+                        runCatching {
-                        modifier = Modifier.align(Alignment.Start))
+                            ctx.startActivity(
+                                android.content.Intent(
+                                    android.provider.Settings.ACTION_MANAGE_APP_ALL_FILES_ACCESS_PERMISSION,
+                                    android.net.Uri.parse("package:${ctx.packageName}"),
+                                ).addFlags(android.content.Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK)
+                            )
+                        }
+                    })
                 }
-                recordings.forEach { recording ->
+            }
+            item { Spacer(Modifier.height(8.dp)) }
+            item {
+                QuickCard("Settings", "Appearance, custom settings",
+                    Icons.Filled.Settings, onOpenSettings)
+            }
+            if (recorderState.phase != com.shonar.recording.RecordingSnapshot.Phase.IDLE) {
+                item {
+                    RecordingStatusCard(
+                        state = recorderState,
+                        onPause = vm::pause,
+                        onResume = vm::resume,
+                        onStop = vm::stop,
+                        onDiscard = vm::discard,
+                    )
+                }
+            }
+            if (recordings.isNotEmpty()) {
+                item {
+                    Text("Your recordings", style = MaterialTheme.typography.titleLarge,
+                        modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth())
+                }
+                notice?.let { msg ->
+                    item {
+                        Text(msg, color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.error,
+                            style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
+                            modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth())
+                    }
+                }
+                items(
+                    items = recordings,
+                    key = { it.id },
+                ) { recording ->
                     RecordingRow(
                         recording = recording,
                         playing = playingId == recording.id,
@@ -189,11 +204,13 @@ fun HomeScreen(
                     )
                 }
             } else {
-                Text(
+                item {
-                    "Your recordings will appear here and stay on this device.",
+                    Text(
-                    style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
+                        "Your recordings will appear here and stay on this device.",
-                    color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                        style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
-                )
+                        color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                    )
+                }
             }
         }
     }

android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/widget/ShonarWidget.kt

@@ -79,7 +79,8 @@ class ShonarRecordWidget : AppWidgetProvider() {
             val tap: PendingIntent = if (phase == com.shonar.recording.RecordingSnapshot.Phase.IDLE) {
                 PendingIntent.getBroadcast(
                     ctx, 50,
-                    Intent(ctx, ShonarRecordWidget::class.java).setAction(ACTION_WIDGET_RECORD),
+                    Intent(ctx, ShonarRecordWidget::class.java).setAction(ACTION_WIDGET_RECORD)
+                        .addFlags(Intent.FLAG_RECEIVER_FOREGROUND),
                     PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT or PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE,
                 )
             } else {

android/app/src/main/res/layout/notification_confirm_delete.xml

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
             android:layout_width="wrap_content"
             android:layout_height="wrap_content"
             android:text="Shonar"
+            android:textColor="@color/shonar_widget_text"
             android:textSize="15sp"
             android:textStyle="bold" />
 
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@
             android:layout_width="wrap_content"
             android:layout_height="wrap_content"
             android:text="Delete current recording?"
+            android:textColor="@color/shonar_widget_text"
             android:textSize="14sp" />
 
         <LinearLayout

android/app/src/main/res/layout/notification_recording.xml

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
                 android:layout_height="wrap_content"
                 android:singleLine="true"
                 android:text="Recording"
+                android:textColor="@color/shonar_widget_text"
                 android:textSize="16sp"
                 android:textStyle="bold" />
 
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@
                 android:layout_height="wrap_content"
                 android:singleLine="true"
                 android:text="Shonar"
+                android:textColor="@color/shonar_widget_text"
                 android:textSize="14sp" />
         </LinearLayout>
 
@@ -53,6 +55,7 @@
             android:layout_marginStart="8dp"
             android:singleLine="true"
             android:text="00:00"
+            android:textColor="@color/shonar_widget_text"
             android:textSize="28sp"
             android:textStyle="bold" />
     </LinearLayout>

android/app/src/main/res/layout/notification_recording_small.xml

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
             android:layout_height="wrap_content"
             android:singleLine="true"
             android:text="Recording"
+            android:textColor="@color/shonar_widget_text"
             android:textSize="14sp"
             android:textStyle="bold" />
 
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@
             android:ellipsize="end"
             android:singleLine="true"
             android:text="Shonar"
+            android:textColor="@color/shonar_widget_text"
             android:textSize="12sp" />
     </LinearLayout>
 
@@ -53,6 +55,7 @@
         android:layout_marginStart="8dp"
         android:singleLine="true"
         android:text="00:00"
+        android:textColor="@color/shonar_widget_text"
         android:textSize="16sp"
         android:textStyle="bold" />
 </LinearLayout>