diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/api/placeholders.ts b/frontend/src/lib/api/placeholders.ts
index 5fad80e..530b7a6 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/api/placeholders.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/api/placeholders.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import type {
 	CompletedPayload,
 	DashboardFoldersPayload,
 	DashboardSummaryPayload,
+	FolderPayload,
+	FolderStatusPayload,
 	HostsPayload,
 	QueueLane
 } from './types';
@@ -46,6 +48,62 @@ export const initialFoldersPayload: DashboardFoldersPayload = {
 
 export const initialHosts: HostsPayload = { compact: true, hosts: [] };
 
+export function initialFolderPayload(prefix: string): FolderPayload {
+	return {
+		prefix,
+		pending: true,
+		metric_support: { vmaf: false, xpsnr: false, ssim: false },
+		metric_status_copy: 'loading',
+		workflow_state: {
+			prefix,
+			state: 'loading',
+			primary_lane: 'none',
+			label: 'Loading',
+			tone: 'active',
+			detail: 'Fetching folder state, worker readiness, and workflow status.',
+			counts: {},
+			lane_counts: {},
+			state_counts: {},
+			next_action: {
+				kind: 'review_scope',
+				label: 'Open folders',
+				enabled: true,
+				target_prefix: prefix
+			},
+			blockers: []
+		}
+	};
+}
+
+export function initialFolderStatusPayload(prefix: string): FolderStatusPayload {
+	return {
+		prefix,
+		polling_active: false,
+		calibration_status: 'loading',
+		folder_scan_status: 'loading',
+		calibration_job: null,
+		folder_scan_job: null,
+		workflow_state: {
+			prefix,
+			state: 'loading',
+			primary_lane: 'none',
+			label: 'Loading',
+			tone: 'active',
+			detail: 'Fetching folder state, worker readiness, and workflow status.',
+			counts: {},
+			lane_counts: {},
+			state_counts: {},
+			next_action: {
+				kind: 'review_scope',
+				label: 'Open folders',
+				enabled: true,
+				target_prefix: prefix
+			},
+			blockers: []
+		}
+	};
+}
+
 export const initialCompleted: CompletedPayload = {
 	folders: [],
 	completed_count: 0,
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/workstation/FolderStudioView.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/workstation/FolderStudioView.svelte
index 6f95680..93f5747 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/workstation/FolderStudioView.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/workstation/FolderStudioView.svelte
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 <script lang="ts">
-	import { invalidateAll } from '$app/navigation';
 	import { resolve } from '$app/paths';
 	import { postJson } from '$lib/api/client';
 	import { folderRoutePath, folderRoutePrefix } from '$lib/folder-display';
@@ -57,11 +56,17 @@
 	let {
 		folder,
 		status,
-		hosts
+		hosts,
+		folderPending = false,
+		onMutate = async () => {},
+		loadError = null
 	}: {
 		folder: FolderPayload;
 		status: FolderStatusPayload;
 		hosts: HostsPayload;
+		folderPending?: boolean;
+		onMutate?: () => Promise<void>;
+		loadError?: string | null;
 	} = $props();
 
 	let benchNote = $state('');
@@ -136,7 +141,8 @@
 			calibrationJob,
 			encodeJob,
 			reviewPackReady,
-			approvalReviewReady
+			approvalReviewReady,
+			folderPending
 		)
 	);
 	const workflowSteps = $derived(buildWorkflowSteps(workflow));
@@ -269,7 +275,7 @@
 			localPendingProposal = null;
 			localProposalPrefix = prefix;
 			benchMessage = response.message || 'Queued the sample run from the draft.';
-			await invalidateAll();
+			await onMutate();
 		} catch (error) {
 			benchError = error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Sample could not be queued.';
 		} finally {
@@ -302,7 +308,7 @@
 							}
 						);
 			profileMessage = response.message || 'Approved the draft and queued the folder encode.';
-			await invalidateAll();
+			await onMutate();
 		} catch (error) {
 			profileError =
 				error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Folder profile could not be approved.';
@@ -324,7 +330,7 @@
 				{ prefix }
 			);
 			profileMessage = response.message || 'Queued retry for this folder.';
-			await invalidateAll();
+			await onMutate();
 		} catch (error) {
 			profileError =
 				error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Folder processing could not be retried.';
@@ -347,7 +353,7 @@
 				{}
 			);
 			profileMessage = response.message || workflow.primary;
-			await invalidateAll();
+			await onMutate();
 		} catch (error) {
 			profileError = error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Folder action could not run.';
 		} finally {
@@ -368,7 +374,7 @@
 				{}
 			);
 			benchMessage = response.message || 'Stopped running and queued sample work.';
-			await invalidateAll();
+			await onMutate();
 		} catch (error) {
 			benchError = error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Sample work could not be stopped.';
 		} finally {
@@ -435,6 +441,12 @@
 			</nav>
 
 			<section class="decision decision--{workflow.tone}" aria-labelledby="decision-title">
+				{#if loadError}
+					<div class="route-error" role="status">
+						<strong>Folder state could not be refreshed.</strong>
+						<span>{loadError}</span>
+					</div>
+				{/if}
 				<div class="decision__summary">
 					<StateBadge tone={workflow.tone} label={workflow.label} />
 					<h2 id="decision-title">{workflow.title}</h2>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/workstation/folder-studio-view.test.ts b/frontend/src/lib/components/workstation/folder-studio-view.test.ts
index cc5b89d..e212d5d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/workstation/folder-studio-view.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/workstation/folder-studio-view.test.ts
@@ -118,6 +118,31 @@ function folderSummary(overrides: Partial<NonNullable<FolderPayload['summary']>>
 }
 
 describe('Folder Studio review request mapping', () => {
+	it('keeps pending route placeholders in a loading workflow state', () => {
+		const workflow = resolveWorkflow(
+			folderPayload({ pending: true, summary: undefined }),
+			folderStatusPayload({ calibration_status: 'loading', folder_scan_status: 'loading' }),
+			null,
+			null,
+			null,
+			null,
+			null,
+			false,
+			false,
+			true
+		);
+
+		expect(workflow).toMatchObject({
+			tone: 'active',
+			label: 'Loading',
+			title: 'Loading folder state',
+			primary: 'Open Folders',
+			primaryAction: 'open-folders',
+			secondary: 'Open Ops',
+			secondaryAction: 'open-ops'
+		});
+	});
+
 	it('uses only folder-scoped host options and removes empty keys', () => {
 		const options = buildBenchHostOptions([
 			{ key: 'sample-host', label: 'Sample host', detail: 'folder match', available: true },
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/workstation/folder-studio-view.ts b/frontend/src/lib/components/workstation/folder-studio-view.ts
index 5c98296..aac02ea 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/workstation/folder-studio-view.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/workstation/folder-studio-view.ts
@@ -1515,8 +1515,21 @@ export function resolveWorkflow(
 	calibrationJob: FolderCalibrationJob | null,
 	encodeJob: EncodeQueueJob | null,
 	reviewPackReady = false,
-	approvalReviewReady = Boolean(calibration?.review_media_ready)
+	approvalReviewReady = Boolean(calibration?.review_media_ready),
+	folderPending = false
 ): WorkflowState {
+	if (folderPending) {
+		return {
+			tone: 'active',
+			label: 'Loading',
+			title: 'Loading folder state',
+			copy: 'Folder metadata, worker readiness, and workflow status are loading. The workspace will hydrate in place when the route data returns.',
+			primary: 'Open Folders',
+			primaryAction: 'open-folders',
+			secondary: 'Open Ops',
+			secondaryAction: 'open-ops'
+		};
+	}
 	const backendWorkflow = folder.workflow_state ?? status.workflow_state ?? null;
 	if (backendWorkflow) {
 		const resolvedBackendWorkflow = resolveBackendWorkflow(folder, backendWorkflow);
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/folders/[...prefix]/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/folders/[...prefix]/+page.svelte
index c632c5e..80b4f9f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/folders/[...prefix]/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/folders/[...prefix]/+page.svelte
@@ -1,26 +1,137 @@
 <script lang="ts">
+	import { fetchJson } from '$lib/api/client';
+	import {
+		initialDashboard,
+		initialFolderPayload,
+		initialFoldersPayload,
+		initialFolderStatusPayload,
+		initialHosts
+	} from '$lib/api/placeholders';
+	import type {
+		DashboardFoldersPayload,
+		DashboardSummaryPayload,
+		FolderPayload,
+		FolderStatusPayload,
+		HostsPayload
+	} from '$lib/api/types';
 	import FolderStudioView from '$lib/components/workstation/FolderStudioView.svelte';
 	import HomeWorkbenchView from '$lib/components/workstation/HomeWorkbenchView.svelte';
 
-	let { data } = $props();
+	let { data }: { data: { mode: 'directory' | 'studio'; prefix: string } } = $props();
+	const mode = $derived(data.mode);
+	const prefix = $derived(data.prefix);
+
+	let dashboard = $state<DashboardSummaryPayload>(initialDashboard);
+	let foldersPayload = $state<DashboardFoldersPayload>(initialFoldersPayload);
+	let folder = $state<FolderPayload>(initialFolderPayload(''));
+	let status = $state<FolderStatusPayload>(initialFolderStatusPayload(''));
+	let hosts = $state<HostsPayload>(initialHosts);
+	let foldersPending = $state(false);
+	let folderPending = $state(false);
+	let loadError = $state<string | null>(null);
+	let hydrationGeneration = 0;
+
+	function encodePrefix(prefix: string): string {
+		return prefix
+			.split('/')
+			.map((segment) => encodeURIComponent(segment))
+			.join('/');
+	}
+
+	async function hydrateDirectory() {
+		const generation = ++hydrationGeneration;
+		foldersPending = true;
+		loadError = null;
+		try {
+			const [dashboardPayload, foldersPayloadResult, hostsPayload] = await Promise.all([
+				fetchJson<DashboardSummaryPayload>('/api/dashboard?preview_limit=0'),
+				fetchJson<DashboardFoldersPayload>('/api/dashboard/folders'),
+				fetchJson<HostsPayload>('/api/hosts?compact=1')
+			]);
+			if (generation !== hydrationGeneration) return;
+			dashboard = dashboardPayload;
+			foldersPayload = foldersPayloadResult;
+			hosts = hostsPayload;
+		} catch (error) {
+			if (generation === hydrationGeneration) {
+				loadError = error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unable to load folder index.';
+			}
+		} finally {
+			if (generation === hydrationGeneration) foldersPending = false;
+		}
+	}
+
+	async function hydrateStudio(currentPrefix: string) {
+		const generation = ++hydrationGeneration;
+		folderPending = true;
+		loadError = null;
+		const encodedPrefix = encodePrefix(currentPrefix);
+		try {
+			const [folderPayload, statusPayload, hostsPayload] = await Promise.all([
+				fetchJson<FolderPayload>(`/api/folders/${encodedPrefix}`),
+				fetchJson<FolderStatusPayload>(`/api/folders/${encodedPrefix}/status`),
+				fetchJson<HostsPayload>('/api/hosts?compact=1')
+			]);
+			if (generation !== hydrationGeneration) return;
+			folder = folderPayload;
+			status = statusPayload;
+			hosts = hostsPayload;
+			folderPending = false;
+		} catch (error) {
+			if (generation === hydrationGeneration) {
+				loadError = error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unable to load folder state.';
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	async function refreshStudio() {
+		await hydrateStudio(prefix);
+	}
+
+	$effect(() => {
+		const currentMode = mode;
+		const currentPrefix = prefix;
+		loadError = null;
+
+		if (currentMode === 'studio') {
+			folder = initialFolderPayload(currentPrefix);
+			status = initialFolderStatusPayload(currentPrefix);
+			hosts = initialHosts;
+			void hydrateStudio(currentPrefix);
+		} else {
+			dashboard = initialDashboard;
+			foldersPayload = initialFoldersPayload;
+			hosts = initialHosts;
+			void hydrateDirectory();
+		}
+
+		return () => {
+			hydrationGeneration += 1;
+		};
+	});
 </script>
 
 <svelte:head>
-	<title
-		>{data.mode === 'studio'
-			? `${data.folder.prefix} · Mediaforce Folder Studio`
-			: 'Mediaforce Folders'}</title
-	>
+	<title>{mode === 'studio' ? `${prefix} · Mediaforce Folder Studio` : 'Mediaforce Folders'}</title>
 </svelte:head>
 
-{#if data.mode === 'studio'}
-	<FolderStudioView folder={data.folder} status={data.status} hosts={data.hosts} />
+{#if mode === 'studio'}
+	<FolderStudioView
+		{folder}
+		{status}
+		{hosts}
+		{folderPending}
+		loadError={loadError ?? undefined}
+		onMutate={refreshStudio}
+	/>
 {:else}
 	<HomeWorkbenchView
 		crumb="/folders"
-		dashboard={data.dashboard}
-		foldersPayload={data.foldersPayload}
-		hosts={data.hosts}
+		{dashboard}
+		{foldersPayload}
+		{hosts}
+		{foldersPending}
+		loadError={loadError ?? undefined}
 		mode="folders"
 	/>
 {/if}
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/folders/[...prefix]/+page.ts b/frontend/src/routes/folders/[...prefix]/+page.ts
index f35eabe..f5cddc7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/folders/[...prefix]/+page.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/folders/[...prefix]/+page.ts
@@ -1,43 +1,4 @@
-import { fetchJson } from '$lib/api/client';
-import type {
-	DashboardFoldersPayload,
-	DashboardSummaryPayload,
-	FolderPayload,
-	FolderStatusPayload,
-	HostsPayload
-} from '$lib/api/types';
-
-function encodePrefix(prefix: string): string {
-	return prefix
-		.split('/')
-		.map((segment) => encodeURIComponent(segment))
-		.join('/');
-}
-
-export async function load({
-	fetch,
-	params
-}: {
-	fetch: typeof window.fetch;
-	params: { prefix?: string };
-}) {
+export function load({ params }: { params: { prefix?: string } }) {
 	const prefix = params.prefix ?? '';
-	if (!prefix) {
-		const [dashboard, foldersPayload, hosts] = await Promise.all([
-			fetchJson<DashboardSummaryPayload>('/api/dashboard', fetch),
-			fetchJson<DashboardFoldersPayload>('/api/dashboard/folders', fetch),
-			fetchJson<HostsPayload>('/api/hosts?compact=1', fetch)
-		]);
-
-		return { mode: 'directory' as const, dashboard, foldersPayload, hosts };
-	}
-
-	const encodedPrefix = encodePrefix(prefix);
-	const [folder, status, hosts] = await Promise.all([
-		fetchJson<FolderPayload>(`/api/folders/${encodedPrefix}`, fetch),
-		fetchJson<FolderStatusPayload>(`/api/folders/${encodedPrefix}/status`, fetch),
-		fetchJson<HostsPayload>('/api/hosts?compact=1', fetch)
-	]);
-
-	return { mode: 'studio' as const, folder, status, hosts };
+	return { mode: prefix ? ('studio' as const) : ('directory' as const), prefix };
 }