diff --git a/ebox-incremental.el b/ebox-incremental.el
index f39263a..bf1bf10 100644
--- a/ebox-incremental.el
+++ b/ebox-incremental.el
@@ -10452,7 +10452,14 @@ role, and outside-complement compatibility before publication."
                 (plist-get candidate-state :runtime-revision)
                 :display-signature (plist-get prepared :display-signature)
                 :source-index (plist-get candidate-state :source-index)
-                :scroll-state-table (plist-get prepared :scroll-state-table))
+                :scroll-state-table (plist-get prepared :scroll-state-table)
+                :previous-layer-composition-cache
+                (plist-get old-state :layer-composition-cache)
+                :layer-composition-cache (make-hash-table :test 'equal)
+                :layer-composition-context
+                (list (plist-get candidate-state :viewport-width)
+                      (plist-get candidate-state :viewport-height)
+                      (plist-get prepared :display-signature)))
           (ebox-incremental--native-runtime-overrides candidate-state)
           (list :source-path-copied-p source-path-copied-p
                 :runtime-index-prepared-p
@@ -11279,6 +11286,13 @@ When RETAIN-NATIVE-P is non-nil, preserve its committed native frame bases."
         :layout-fragments-reuse-p
         (plist-get state :layout-fragments-reuse-p)
         :render-signature-cache (plist-get state :render-signature-cache)
+        :previous-layer-composition-cache
+        (plist-get state :layer-composition-cache)
+        :layer-composition-cache (make-hash-table :test 'equal)
+        :layer-composition-context
+        (list (plist-get state :viewport-width)
+              (plist-get state :viewport-height)
+              (plist-get state :display-signature))
         :flex-content-min-widths (plist-get state :flex-content-min-widths)
         :viewport-height-dependent-subtree-cache
         (plist-get state :viewport-height-dependent-subtree-cache)
diff --git a/ebox-layer.el b/ebox-layer.el
index d3f4b13..1271539 100644
--- a/ebox-layer.el
+++ b/ebox-layer.el
@@ -44,6 +44,27 @@ Keys are source strings by identity.  Never retained between renders.")
 Retained publication supplies a known boolean; isolated rendering resolves
 the fact once for its spatial root.")
 
+(defvar ebox-layer--previous-composition-cache nil
+  "Read-only retained host composition ledger for the current candidate.
+The ledger is an opaque hash table owned by the Surface runtime.  Entries are
+keyed by host identity and composition phase and contain immutable row
+signatures plus their already composed rows.  A missing ledger disables reuse.")
+
+(defvar ebox-layer--composition-cache nil
+  "Candidate-local host composition ledger populated during rendering.
+Callers should bind this to a fresh hash table for one candidate; this module
+never mutates `ebox-layer--previous-composition-cache'.  Use an `equal' hash
+table because ledger keys are freshly allocated HOST/PHASE cons cells.")
+
+(defvar ebox-layer--composition-context nil
+  "Immutable context token for host composition reuse.
+The Surface runtime should include every display and allocation fact that can
+change pixel measurement.  Reuse is disabled when this token is nil.")
+
+(defvar ebox-layer--composition-phase 'final
+  "Composition phase used as the default host ledger key.
+Anchor prepasses and final paints must use distinct phase values.")
+
 (defun ebox-layer-active-p (&optional node)
   "Return the current candidate's layer capability without repeated scans."
   (if (eq ebox-layer--active-p 'unknown)
@@ -214,15 +235,82 @@ Nested scroll changes and source updates cannot use this root-only proof."
            (not (ebox-layer-positioned-p an)))
           (t (< (gethash an order 0) (gethash bn order 0)))))))))
 
-(defun ebox-layer--compose-rows (host records width height)
-  "Compose HOST's visible RECORDS in a WIDTH by HEIGHT content canvas."
-  (let ((rows (make-vector height nil)))
-    (dolist (record (ebox-layer--ordered-records host records))
+(defun ebox-layer--stable-node-id (node)
+  "Return NODE's retained identity, or nil when it cannot be proven stable."
+  (or (plist-get node :node-id)
+      (and ebox--render-source-index
+           (ebox-tree-node-id ebox--render-source-index node))))
+
+(defun ebox-layer--record-signature (record)
+  "Return immutable comparison facts for one paint RECORD.
+Do not retain NODE itself: copied candidate nodes can have mutable transient
+attachments.  The sliced text is compared with its complete text properties,
+which captures display geometry, paint and interaction values."
+  (let ((node (plist-get record :node)))
+    (list :node-id (ebox-layer--stable-node-id node)
+          :x (plist-get record :x)
+          :y (plist-get record :y)
+          :z-index (or (plist-get node :z-index) 0)
+          :positioned (and (ebox-layer-positioned-p node) t)
+          :text (plist-get record :text))))
+
+(defun ebox-layer--compose-cache-key (host phase)
+  "Return the retained-ledger key for HOST and composition PHASE.
+Use the retained node id so copied candidate nodes can reuse their prior
+host's rows; an unidentifiable host disables the cache."
+  (when-let* ((id (ebox-layer--stable-node-id host)))
+    (cons id phase)))
+
+(defun ebox-layer--compose-rows (host records width height &optional phase)
+  "Compose HOST's visible RECORDS in a WIDTH by HEIGHT content canvas.
+When the caller binds the retained and candidate ledgers and an immutable
+composition context, rows whose ordered record signatures are unchanged are
+returned directly without calling `ebox-composite-line'.  PHASE separates
+anchor prepasses from final composition so neither can reuse the other."
+  (let* ((phase (or phase ebox-layer--composition-phase))
+         (ordered (ebox-layer--ordered-records host records))
+         (rows (make-vector height nil))
+         (signatures (make-vector height nil))
+         (key (ebox-layer--compose-cache-key host phase))
+         (previous (and ebox-layer--composition-context
+                        (hash-table-p ebox-layer--previous-composition-cache)
+                        (gethash key ebox-layer--previous-composition-cache)))
+         (old-context (and previous (plist-get previous :context)))
+         (old-signatures (and previous (plist-get previous :signatures)))
+         (old-rows (and previous (plist-get previous :rows)))
+         (cacheable-p (and key ebox-layer--composition-context
+                           (hash-table-p ebox-layer--composition-cache))))
+    (dolist (record ordered)
       (let ((row (plist-get record :y)))
-        (when (and (>= row 0) (< row height))
+        (when (and (integerp row) (>= row 0) (< row height))
           (push record (aref rows row)))))
-    (cl-loop for row across rows collect
-             (ebox-composite-line "" (nreverse row) width))))
+    (dotimes (row height)
+      (let* ((placements (nreverse (aref rows row)))
+             (signature (mapcar #'ebox-layer--record-signature placements))
+             (reusable-p
+              (and cacheable-p previous
+                   (equal old-context ebox-layer--composition-context)
+                   (= width (plist-get previous :width))
+                   (= height (plist-get previous :height))
+                   (vectorp old-signatures) (vectorp old-rows)
+                   (= (length old-rows) height)
+                   (cl-every (lambda (entry)
+                               (plist-get entry :node-id))
+                             signature)
+                   (= (length old-signatures) height)
+                   (equal-including-properties
+                    signature (aref old-signatures row)))))
+        (aset signatures row signature)
+        (aset rows row
+              (if reusable-p
+                  (aref old-rows row)
+                (ebox-composite-line "" placements width)))))
+    (when cacheable-p
+      (puthash key (list :context ebox-layer--composition-context
+                         :width width :height height
+                         :signatures signatures :rows rows)
+               ebox-layer--composition-cache))
+    (append rows nil)))
 
 (defun ebox-layer--anchor-node (host id)
   "Find one logical anchor ID under HOST, rejecting ambiguous IDs."
@@ -393,7 +481,8 @@ Only candidate-local lists of visible paint records are sorted."
           ;; Anchor geometry follows relative movement and visible clipping,
           ;; not the original flow slot.  This extra composition is needed
           ;; only by anchored panels.
-          (setq lines (ebox-layer--compose-rows host records width height)))
+          (setq lines (ebox-layer--compose-rows host records width height
+                                                'anchor-prepass)))
         (setq records (nconc (ebox-layer--absolute-records host absolute lines width height)
                              records))
         (ebox--record-rendered-intrinsic-size
diff --git a/ebox-state-contract.el b/ebox-state-contract.el
index 2f3cf34..a0d9d1e 100644
--- a/ebox-state-contract.el
+++ b/ebox-state-contract.el
@@ -319,6 +319,12 @@ rather than relying on an implicit default.")
     (:symbol ebox-layer--piece-width-cache
      :reason dynamically-bound-composition-index
      :evidence let-bound-per-layer-host-and-never-retained-between-renders)
+    (:symbol ebox-layer--composition-cache
+     :reason dynamically-bound-candidate-composition-ledger
+     :evidence candidate-local hash table is published through the render state plist)
+    (:symbol ebox-layer--previous-composition-cache
+     :reason dynamically-bound-committed-composition-ledger
+     :evidence read-only prior ledger supplied by committed render state and discarded on replacement)
     (:symbol ebox--string-pixel-width-cache-ring-index
      :reason numeric-eviction-cursor
      :evidence value-is-an-integer-ring-position)
diff --git a/ebox-surface.el b/ebox-surface.el
index f60a691..4be7fff 100644
--- a/ebox-surface.el
+++ b/ebox-surface.el
@@ -44,6 +44,9 @@
 (defvar ebox--render-root-parent-kind)
 (defvar ebox--render-cache-table)
 (defvar ebox--render-cache-signature-cache)
+(defvar ebox-layer--previous-composition-cache)
+(defvar ebox-layer--composition-cache)
+(defvar ebox-layer--composition-context)
 (defvar ebox--layout-fragments-table)
 (defvar ebox--layout-fragments-reuse-p)
 (defvar ebox--flex-content-min-width-table)
@@ -1313,7 +1316,15 @@ FRAMEWORK-PARTICIPANT owns paired framework publication when non-nil."
        (with-current-buffer buffer
          (setq-local ebox-surface--buffer-surface surface))
        (if new-state
-           (puthash buffer new-state ebox--buffer-render-state-table)
+           (progn
+             ;; Preserve the committed layer ledger for the next candidate.
+             ;; The renderer owns the fresh candidate cache; this fallback
+             ;; keeps it alive across publication paths that do not render.
+             (when (and old-mirror
+                        (null (plist-get new-state :layer-composition-cache)))
+               (plist-put new-state :layer-composition-cache
+                          (plist-get old-mirror :layer-composition-cache)))
+             (puthash buffer new-state ebox--buffer-render-state-table))
          (remhash buffer ebox--buffer-render-state-table))
        (ebox-incremental--replace-hash-entries
         ebox--region-box-table region-keys
@@ -1715,7 +1726,14 @@ PREVIOUS-STATE's node-object table."
           :style-binding-states style-state-table
           :stylesheet-signature stylesheet-signature
           :selector-tree-snapshot selector-tree-snapshot
-          :selector-tree-token selector-tree-token)))
+          :selector-tree-token selector-tree-token
+          :previous-layer-composition-cache
+          (plist-get previous-state :layer-composition-cache)
+          :layer-composition-cache (make-hash-table :test 'equal)
+          :layer-composition-context
+          (list (plist-get state-overrides :viewport-width)
+                (plist-get state-overrides :viewport-height)
+                (plist-get state-overrides :display-signature)))))
 
 (defun ebox-surface--project-stable-node-table
     (context nodes node-root old-objects objects-by-node)
@@ -3306,8 +3324,9 @@ available during planning; replacements here belong only to the candidate."
     (ebox-surface--refresh-rendered-layout-snapshots state)
     rendered))
 
-(defun ebox-surface--render-candidate-node (state node)
-  "Render NODE from candidate STATE in isolated Ebox side tables."
+(defun ebox-surface--render-candidate-node (state node &optional complete-lines-p)
+  "Render NODE from candidate STATE in isolated Ebox side tables.
+COMPLETE-LINES-P requires a proven physical line origin for every output row."
   (let ((scroll-table
          (or (plist-get state :scroll-state-table)
              (make-hash-table :test 'equal)))
@@ -3351,6 +3370,18 @@ available during planning; replacements here belong only to the candidate."
            (plist-get state :layout-fragments-reuse-p))
           (ebox--render-cache-signature-cache
            (plist-get state :render-signature-cache))
+          ;; Layer composition is a candidate-local ledger.  Previous rows
+          ;; are read-only; the fresh table is retained only after commit.
+          (ebox-layer--previous-composition-cache
+           (plist-get state :previous-layer-composition-cache))
+          (ebox-layer--composition-cache
+           (or (plist-get state :layer-composition-cache)
+               (make-hash-table :test 'equal)))
+          (ebox-layer--composition-context
+           (or (plist-get state :layer-composition-context)
+               (list (plist-get state :viewport-width)
+                     (plist-get state :viewport-height)
+                     (plist-get state :display-signature))))
           (ebox--scroll-window-initial-lookahead-lines-override
            (ebox-surface--retained-scroll-lookahead state))
           (ebox--viewport-dependent-node-ids-cache
@@ -3374,6 +3405,12 @@ available during planning; replacements here belong only to the candidate."
                         (ebox-native-commit-render state node))
                    (let ((ebox--surface-materialization-active t))
                      (ebox--render-layout node)))))
+          (when (and complete-lines-p
+                     (ebox--fractional-pixel-spaces-p rendered))
+            ;; Untouched buffer rows are already quantized.  Their raw
+            ;; fractional evidence cannot be disproved by this local render.
+            (plist-put state :fractional-pixel-output-p t)
+            (setq rendered (ebox--quantize-pixel-spaces rendered)))
           (ebox-surface--check-local-pixel-output rendered)
           (unless (plist-get state :native-render-p)
             (ebox--record-render-output-provenance rendered))
@@ -3385,6 +3422,8 @@ available during planning; replacements here belong only to the candidate."
                      (ebox-surface--hash-keys scroll-table))
           (plist-put state :render-owned-text-values
                      ebox--render-owned-text-values)
+          (plist-put state :layer-composition-cache
+                     ebox-layer--composition-cache)
           rendered)))))
 
 (defun ebox-surface--attach-retained-node-objects (state)
@@ -3499,6 +3538,24 @@ old allocated width while the owner changes its natural content length."
       (push (substring source (- cursor origin)) pieces)
       (apply #'concat (nreverse pieces)))))
 
+(defun ebox-surface--changed-span-pairs (source origin pairs)
+  "Return only changed SOURCE/replacement PAIRS.
+PAIRS contains buffer-position spans paired with candidate replacement lines.
+Compare both characters and text properties, so a row whose composed pixels
+and ownership are unchanged is omitted from the edit set.  Keeping unchanged
+rows out of the transaction is the damage-region optimization for layer moves:
+the candidate may still be rendered for proof, but publication touches only
+the old/new affected rows."
+  (cl-remove-if
+   (lambda (pair)
+     (let* ((span (car pair))
+            (line (cdr pair))
+            (start (- (car span) origin))
+            (end (- (cdr span) origin)))
+       (and (<= 0 start end (length source))
+            (equal-including-properties (substring source start end) line))))
+   pairs))
+
 (defun ebox-surface--span-patch-details
     (_buffer snapshot node spans rendered
              &optional variable-content-p variable-content-max-width)
@@ -4260,7 +4317,8 @@ Render STATE's candidate into BUFFER's retained owner allocation."
            (t node)))
          (rendered
           (and render-node
-               (ebox-surface--render-candidate-node state render-node)))
+               (ebox-surface--render-candidate-node
+                state render-node (plist-get proof :complete-physical-lines-p))))
          (rendered
           (if (and rendered (plist-get proof :nested-scroll-patch-p))
               (ebox-surface--nested-scroll-owned-lines
@@ -4285,7 +4343,9 @@ Render STATE's candidate into BUFFER's retained owner allocation."
           (and rendered
                (or (ebox-buffer--rendered-in-existing-slots
                     spans rendered nil t)
-                   (and (plist-get proof :scroll-content-coordinate-p)
+                   (and (or (plist-get proof :scroll-content-coordinate-p)
+                            (plist-get proof :complete-physical-lines-p))
+                        (= (length spans) (length (ebox-string-lines rendered)))
                         (cl-every #'ebox--span-whole-line-p spans)
                         rendered))))
          (lines (and replacement (ebox-string-lines replacement)))
@@ -4564,11 +4624,85 @@ local; a declined visible proof leaves the committed scroll prefix untouched."
             (cl-remf state :scroll-content-proof))))
       output)))
 
-(defun ebox-surface--span-patch-output (buffer previous-state state)
-  "Return a proven local patch in BUFFER or its retained scroll content."
-  (if (plist-get state :scroll-content-proof)
-      (ebox-surface--scroll-content-patch-output buffer previous-state state)
-    (ebox-surface--buffer-span-patch-output buffer previous-state state)))
+(defun ebox-surface--complete-line-allocation-p (state proof)
+  "Prove PROOF's detached slot preserves STATE's raw containing width.
+Published pixels have already been rounded.  Restrict this proof to the root
+and its ordinary flow/Column children, with the same containing viewport."
+  (let* ((root (plist-get state :root-node))
+         (root-id (plist-get root :node-id))
+         (owner-id (plist-get proof :owner-id))
+         (node (ebox-runtime-index-get owner-id (plist-get state :node-table)))
+         (width (plist-get
+                 (plist-get (plist-get proof :snapshot) :external-footprint-signature)
+                 :max-line-pixel-width))
+         (ebox-viewport-width (plist-get state :viewport-width))
+         (ebox-viewport-height (plist-get state :viewport-height)))
+    (and node (numberp width)
+         (memq (ebox-tree-display-inner root) '(flow column))
+         (or (equal owner-id root-id)
+             (and (equal (ebox-runtime-index-get
+                          owner-id (plist-get state :parent-table)) root-id)
+                  (eq (ebox-tree-display-outer node) 'block)
+                  (memq (ebox-get node :position) '(nil static))))
+         (cl-every
+          (lambda (box)
+            (cl-every (lambda (value)
+                        (or (memq value '(nil auto stretch none))
+                            (numberp value) (ebox-size-value-p value)))
+                      (mapcar (lambda (key) (ebox-get box key))
+                              '(:width :min-width :max-width))))
+          (list root node))
+         (let ((root-width (ebox--wrapper-content-viewport-pixel root)))
+           (and (numberp root-width) (numberp ebox-viewport-width)
+                (= root-width ebox-viewport-width)
+                (let ((raw-width
+                       (if (equal owner-id root-id)
+                           (+ root-width (ebox--side-pixel root))
+                         (ebox--call-with-box-content-context
+                          root
+                          (lambda ()
+                            (when-let* ((content (ebox--wrapper-content-viewport-pixel node)))
+                              (+ content (ebox--side-pixel node))))))))
+                  (and (numberp raw-width) (= raw-width width))))))))
+
+(defun ebox-surface--span-patch-output
+    (buffer previous-state state &optional complete-lines-only-p)
+  "Return a proven local patch in BUFFER or its retained scroll content.
+COMPLETE-LINES-ONLY-P admits layer composition only at complete physical rows;
+detached horizontal owners keep the ordinary fractional-origin fallback."
+  (if complete-lines-only-p
+      (let ((proofs (plist-get state :owner-scoped-proofs)))
+        (when (and proofs
+                   (not (plist-get state :scroll-content-proof))
+                   (cl-some (lambda (proof) (plist-get proof :layer-recompose-p))
+                            proofs)
+                   (with-current-buffer buffer
+                     (save-restriction
+                       (widen)
+                       (cl-every
+                        (lambda (proof)
+                          (let ((spans (plist-get (plist-get proof :snapshot)
+                                                 :buffer-spans)))
+                            (and spans
+                                 (ebox-surface--complete-line-allocation-p state proof)
+                                 (not (plist-get proof :scroll-content-coordinate-p))
+                                 (not (plist-get proof :nested-scroll-patch-p))
+                                 (not (plist-get proof :range-splice-p))
+                                 (cl-every #'ebox--span-whole-line-p spans))))
+                        proofs))))
+          (plist-put state :owner-scoped-proofs
+                     (mapcar (lambda (proof)
+                               (if (plist-get proof :layer-recompose-p)
+                                   (plist-put (copy-sequence proof)
+                                              :complete-physical-lines-p t)
+                                 proof))
+                             proofs))
+          (let ((ebox-surface--integral-local-output-required-p t))
+            (catch 'ebox/fractional-local-output
+              (ebox-surface--buffer-span-patch-output buffer previous-state state)))))
+    (if (plist-get state :scroll-content-proof)
+        (ebox-surface--scroll-content-patch-output buffer previous-state state)
+      (ebox-surface--buffer-span-patch-output buffer previous-state state))))
 
 (defun ebox-surface--buffer-span-patch-output (buffer previous-state state)
   "Return a proven single- or multi-owner local patch output, or nil."
@@ -4691,10 +4825,22 @@ local; a declined visible proof leaves the committed scroll prefix untouched."
                   (sort pairs
                         (lambda (left right)
                           (< (car (car left)) (car (car right))))))
+            ;; A layer owner is rendered as a complete set of rows so that
+            ;; occlusion can be proven correctly.  Publishing that candidate
+            ;; need only touch rows whose bytes or properties actually
+            ;; changed; unchanged rows remain mounted in place and therefore
+            ;; do not participate in the TP edit or fragment rebuild.
+            (setq pairs (ebox-surface--changed-span-pairs source origin pairs))
+            ;; The paint-origin ledger restores hidden provenance on retained
+            ;; rows before this point.  Rows that are then byte-and-property
+            ;; identical need no buffer splice or fragment reconstruction;
+            ;; keep their old carriers in place for a future expose operation.
             (when-let* ((output
-                        (ebox-surface--replace-buffer-spans
-                         source origin (mapcar #'car pairs)
-                         (mapcar #'cdr pairs))))
+                        (if pairs
+                            (ebox-surface--replace-buffer-spans
+                             source origin (mapcar #'car pairs)
+                             (mapcar #'cdr pairs))
+                          source)))
               (plist-put state :content-base-extent (length source))
               (plist-put
                state :content-coordinate-patches
@@ -4731,7 +4877,12 @@ local; a declined visible proof leaves the committed scroll prefix untouched."
                                (ebox-surface--materialized-fragment-ledger
                                 previous-state)))
                           (fragments
-                           (if retained-properties-p
+                           (if (null pairs)
+                               ;; No visible row changed.  Keep the exact
+                               ;; fragment ledger object and avoid scanning or
+                               ;; rebasing any text properties.
+                               old-fragments
+                             (if retained-properties-p
                                (if (and (not coordinate-shift-p)
                                         (eq old-fragments
                                             (plist-get previous-state
@@ -4745,7 +4896,7 @@ local; a declined visible proof leaves the committed scroll prefix untouched."
                              (ebox-surface--incremental-patched-fragments
                               output old-fragments
                               (plist-get state :content-coordinate-patches)
-                              state))))
+                              state)))))
                 (plist-put state :span-patch-fragment-data fragments)
                 (plist-put state :span-patch-content-p t)
                 (when (and retained-properties-p (not coordinate-shift-p))
@@ -7120,6 +7271,10 @@ published runtime and must be consumed without clearing those shared nodes."
                                     (not (plist-get state :native-scroll-materialize-p))
                                     (ebox-surface--scroll-patch-output
                                      (ebox-surface--signals-buffer signals) state t))
+                               (and (memq projection-kind '(span-patch owner-scoped))
+                                    (ebox-surface--span-patch-output
+                                     (ebox-surface--signals-buffer signals)
+                                     previous-state state t))
                                ;; A detached fractional owner cannot recover
                                ;; the remainder spent by preceding siblings.
                                (unless (plist-get previous-state
diff --git a/tests/ebox-core-render-tests.el b/tests/ebox-core-render-tests.el
index 720ee9c..d1920ae 100644
--- a/tests/ebox-core-render-tests.el
+++ b/tests/ebox-core-render-tests.el
@@ -14600,4 +14600,5 @@ face patch must match that exactly (issue014)."
                     "#674795"))
      (should (ebox-test--buffer-propertized-matches-runtime-render-p)))))
 
+
 ;;; ebox-core-render-tests.el ends here
diff --git a/tests/ebox-css-layout-tests.el b/tests/ebox-css-layout-tests.el
index 42cf2a8..19a9679 100644
--- a/tests/ebox-css-layout-tests.el
+++ b/tests/ebox-css-layout-tests.el
@@ -179,6 +179,184 @@
                              (ebox-css-layout-test--display
                               (ebox-render next)))))))))))
 
+(defun ebox-css-layout-test--fractional-layer (&optional partial left)
+  "Build a layer at LEFT with a disjoint status; PARTIAL shares its rows."
+  (let ((canvas
+         `(box :id canvas :height (lh 6) :background-color "#112233"
+               (box :id card :position absolute :left ,(or left '(% 15)) :top (lh 1)
+                    :width (px 35) :height (lh 3) :border "red"
+                    :background-color "#334455" :help-echo "Moving card"
+                    :pointer hand :keymap (keymap (13 . ignore))
+                    "CARD"))))
+    (ebox-build
+     `(column :width (px 101)
+              (box :height (lh 1) "Header")
+              ,(if partial
+                   `(row (box :width (% 50) ,canvas)
+                         (box :width (% 50) "Sibling"))
+                 canvas)
+              (box :id status :height (lh 1) "0")))))
+
+(defun ebox-css-layout-test--assert-fresh-properties ()
+  "Compare retained geometry, paint and interactions with a fresh render."
+  (let ((actual (buffer-string))
+        (fresh (ebox-render
+                (plist-get (ebox-surface-buffer-snapshot (current-buffer))
+                           :input))))
+    (should (equal (substring-no-properties actual)
+                   (substring-no-properties fresh)))
+    (dotimes (position (length actual))
+      (dolist (property '(face font-lock-face display help-echo keymap
+                         mouse-face pointer))
+        (ert-info ((format "Property %S at character %d" property position))
+          (should (equal (get-text-property position property actual)
+                         (get-text-property position property fresh))))))))
+
+(ert-deftest ebox-css-layout-fractional-layer-moves-in-complete-rows ()
+  "Complete-row composition keeps local updates and per-line pixel origins."
+  (ebox-css-layout-test--with-pixel-display
+    (let ((ebox-viewport-width 101) (ebox-viewport-height 8))
+      (with-temp-buffer
+        (ebox-render-to-buffer
+         (current-buffer) (ebox-css-layout-test--fractional-layer))
+        (should (plist-get (ebox--buffer-render-state (current-buffer))
+                           :fractional-pixel-output-p))
+        (dolist (position '(16.5 4.5 -3.5 15.15))
+          (cl-letf (((symbol-function 'ebox-surface--render-candidate)
+                     (lambda (&rest _) (ert-fail "Complete layer rerendered root"))))
+            (ebox-call-with-update-batch
+             (lambda ()
+               (ebox-region-update 'card :left `(px ,position))
+               (ebox-region-update 'status :content (format "%s" position)))))
+          (ebox-css-layout-test--assert-pixel-lines (buffer-string) 101)
+          (should
+           (equal (ebox-css-layout-test--display (buffer-string))
+                  (ebox-css-layout-test--display
+                   (ebox-render (plist-get (ebox-surface-buffer-snapshot
+                                           (current-buffer)) :input))))))))))
+
+(ert-deftest ebox-css-layout-fractional-layer-keeps-partial-row-fallback ()
+  "A layer sharing a physical row cannot discard its sibling's remainder."
+  (ebox-css-layout-test--with-pixel-display
+    (let ((ebox-viewport-width 101) (ebox-viewport-height 8))
+      (with-temp-buffer
+        (ebox-render-to-buffer
+         (current-buffer) (ebox-css-layout-test--fractional-layer t))
+        (let ((render (symbol-function 'ebox-surface--render-candidate)) (calls 0))
+          (cl-letf (((symbol-function 'ebox-surface--render-candidate)
+                     (lambda (&rest args) (cl-incf calls) (apply render args))))
+            (ebox-region-update 'card :left '(px 16.5)))
+          (should (> calls 0)))
+        (should
+         (equal (ebox-css-layout-test--display (buffer-string))
+                (ebox-css-layout-test--display
+                 (ebox-render (plist-get (ebox-surface-buffer-snapshot
+                                         (current-buffer)) :input)))))))))
+
+(ert-deftest ebox-css-layout-fractional-layer-keeps-raw-allocation-fallback ()
+  "Whole rows preserve both unrounded widths and the containing CSS basis."
+  (ebox-css-layout-test--with-pixel-display
+    (let ((ebox-viewport-width 101) (ebox-viewport-height 4))
+      (dolist (input
+               '((column :width (px 100.5)
+                         (box :id host :width (% 100) :height (lh 2)
+                              (box :id card :position absolute :left (% 67.7)
+                                   :width (px 7) :height (lh 1) "X")))
+                 ;; Published and raw widths both equal 150 here.  Detached
+                 ;; padding must still resolve against 150, not viewport 101.
+                 (column :width (px 150)
+                         (box :id host :width (% 100) :padding-inline (% 10)
+                              :height (lh 2)
+                              (box :id card :position absolute :left (px 0)
+                                   :width (px 7) :height (lh 1) "X")))))
+        (ert-info ((format "Containing width %S" (plist-get (cdr input) :width)))
+          (with-temp-buffer
+            (ebox-render-to-buffer (current-buffer) (ebox-build input))
+            (let ((render (symbol-function 'ebox-surface--render-candidate)) (calls 0))
+              (cl-letf (((symbol-function 'ebox-surface--render-candidate)
+                         (lambda (&rest args) (cl-incf calls) (apply render args))))
+                (ebox-region-update 'card :top '(lh 1)))
+              (should (> calls 0)))
+            (ebox-css-layout-test--assert-fresh-properties)))))))
+
+(ert-deftest ebox-css-layout-fractional-layer-retains-new-raw-fraction-flag ()
+  "Local layers retain newly observed raw fractions after integral movement."
+  (ebox-css-layout-test--with-pixel-display
+    (let ((ebox-viewport-width 101) (ebox-viewport-height 8))
+      (with-temp-buffer
+        (ebox-render-to-buffer
+         (current-buffer) (ebox-css-layout-test--fractional-layer nil '(px 0)))
+        (should-not (plist-get (ebox--buffer-render-state (current-buffer))
+                               :fractional-pixel-output-p))
+        (dolist (left '(16.5 0))
+          (cl-letf (((symbol-function 'ebox-surface--render-candidate)
+                     (lambda (&rest _) (ert-fail "Complete layer rerendered root"))))
+            (ebox-region-update 'card :left `(px ,left)))
+          (should (plist-get (ebox--buffer-render-state (current-buffer))
+                             :fractional-pixel-output-p))
+          (ebox-css-layout-test--assert-pixel-lines (buffer-string) 101)
+          (ebox-css-layout-test--assert-fresh-properties))))))
+
+(ert-deftest ebox-css-layout-fractional-layer-rolls-back-normalized-output ()
+  "Failed mixed publication restores raw provenance and retries local layers."
+  (ebox-css-layout-test--with-pixel-display
+    (let ((ebox-viewport-width 101) (ebox-viewport-height 8))
+      (with-temp-buffer
+        (ebox-render-to-buffer
+         (current-buffer) (ebox-css-layout-test--fractional-layer nil '(px 0)))
+        (let ((state (ebox--buffer-render-state (current-buffer)))
+              (revision (ebox-surface-buffer-revision (current-buffer)))
+              (contents (buffer-string)))
+          (should-not (plist-get state :fractional-pixel-output-p))
+          (cl-labels ((update ()
+                        (ebox-call-with-update-batch
+                         (lambda ()
+                           (ebox-region-update 'card :left '(px 16.5))
+                           (ebox-region-update 'status :content "Moved")))))
+            (cl-letf (((symbol-function 'ebox-surface--render-candidate)
+                       (lambda (&rest _) (ert-fail "Layer retry rerendered root"))))
+              (dolist (failure-step '(text client-state))
+                (let* ((failed-step nil)
+                       (tp--surface-publication-step-function
+                        (lambda (step _surface)
+                          (when (eq step failure-step)
+                            (setq failed-step step)
+                            (error "Reject normalized layer %S" step)))))
+                  (should-error (update))
+                  (should (eq failed-step failure-step)))
+                (should (= (ebox-surface-buffer-revision (current-buffer)) revision))
+                (should (eq (ebox--buffer-render-state (current-buffer)) state))
+                (should-not (plist-get state :fractional-pixel-output-p))
+                (should (equal-including-properties contents (buffer-string))))
+              (update)))
+          (should (= (ebox-surface-buffer-revision (current-buffer)) (1+ revision)))
+          (should (plist-get (ebox--buffer-render-state (current-buffer))
+                             :fractional-pixel-output-p))
+          (ebox-css-layout-test--assert-pixel-lines (buffer-string) 101)
+          (ebox-css-layout-test--assert-fresh-properties))))))
+
+(ert-deftest ebox-css-layout-fractional-layer-move-and-paint-preserve-interactions ()
+  "Normalized movement and later paint keep visible interaction properties."
+  (ebox-css-layout-test--with-pixel-display
+    (let ((ebox-viewport-width 101) (ebox-viewport-height 8))
+      (with-temp-buffer
+        (ebox-render-to-buffer
+         (current-buffer) (ebox-css-layout-test--fractional-layer))
+        (dolist (update '((:left (px 16.5)) (:background-color "#556677")))
+          (cl-letf (((symbol-function 'ebox-surface--render-candidate)
+                     (lambda (&rest _) (ert-fail "Layer paint rerendered root"))))
+            (apply #'ebox-region-update 'card update))
+          (should (plist-get (ebox--buffer-render-state (current-buffer))
+                             :fractional-pixel-output-p))
+          (ebox-css-layout-test--assert-pixel-lines (buffer-string) 101)
+          (ebox-css-layout-test--assert-fresh-properties)
+          (goto-char (point-min))
+          (search-forward "CARD")
+          (should (equal (get-text-property (1- (point)) 'help-echo) "Moving card"))
+          (should (eq (get-text-property (1- (point)) 'pointer) 'hand))
+          (should (eq (lookup-key (get-text-property (1- (point)) 'keymap) (kbd "RET"))
+                      #'ignore)))))))
+
 (defun ebox-css-layout-test--fractional-scroll (offset &optional boundary mixed)
   "Build a centered percentage scroll at OFFSET with optional BOUNDARY.
 MIXED starts with three integral rows before the fractional cached rows."
diff --git a/tests/ebox-layer-publication-tests.el b/tests/ebox-layer-publication-tests.el
index c35fae1..69d2c01 100644
--- a/tests/ebox-layer-publication-tests.el
+++ b/tests/ebox-layer-publication-tests.el
@@ -138,6 +138,87 @@
       (should (= full-renders 0))
       (ebox-layer-publication-test--assert-fresh-render))))
 
+(ert-deftest ebox-layer-publication-drag-recomposes-only-damaged-rows ()
+  "Moving an overlay recomposes its old and new rows and reuses the rest.
+
+This is the focused regression for retained composition during a drag: the
+overlay moves from row one to row two while three underlying rows stay
+unchanged.  Count calls to `ebox-composite-line' to prove that only the two
+damaged rows are recomposed, then compare the result with a cold composition
+including all text properties."
+  (let* ((base-0 (list :node-id "base-0" :ebox-kind 'box))
+         (base-1 (list :node-id "base-1" :ebox-kind 'box))
+         (base-2 (list :node-id "base-2" :ebox-kind 'box))
+         (overlay (list :node-id "overlay" :ebox-kind 'box
+                        :position 'absolute :z-index 1))
+         (host (list :node-id "drag-host" :ebox-kind 'box
+                     :children (list base-0 base-1 base-2 overlay)))
+         (face-base '(foreground-color "white"))
+         (face-overlay '(foreground-color "red" :weight bold))
+         (base-records
+          (list (list :node base-0 :x 0 :y 0
+                      :text (propertize "BASE-0" 'face face-base
+                                        'help-echo "base-0"))
+                (list :node base-1 :x 0 :y 1
+                      :text (propertize "BASE-1" 'face face-base
+                                        'help-echo "base-1"))
+                (list :node base-2 :x 0 :y 2
+                      :text (propertize "BASE-2" 'face face-base
+                                        'help-echo "base-2"))))
+         (first-records
+          (append base-records
+                  (list (list :node overlay :x 2 :y 1
+                              :text (propertize "DRAG" 'face face-overlay
+                                                'keymap '(keymap (13 . ignore)))))))
+         (moved-records
+          (append base-records
+                  (list (list :node overlay :x 2 :y 2
+                              :text (propertize "DRAG" 'face face-overlay
+                                                'keymap '(keymap (13 . ignore)))))))
+         (context '(drag-test 12 3))
+         (ebox-layer--composition-context context)
+         (first-cache (make-hash-table :test #'equal))
+         (moved-cache (make-hash-table :test #'equal))
+         (first-calls 0)
+         (moved-calls 0)
+         (first-lines nil)
+         (moved-lines nil)
+         first moved cold)
+    ;; Cold render seeds the retained ledger for the initial drag position.
+    (let ((ebox-layer--previous-composition-cache nil)
+          (ebox-layer--composition-cache first-cache)
+          (original (symbol-function 'ebox-composite-line)))
+      (cl-letf (((symbol-function 'ebox-composite-line)
+                 (lambda (&rest args)
+                   (cl-incf first-calls)
+                   (push (plist-get (car (cadr args)) :y) first-lines)
+                   (funcall original (car args) (cadr args) (caddr args)))))
+        (setq first (ebox-layer--compose-rows host first-records 12 3))))
+    ;; The moved candidate reuses row zero and recomposes exactly old/new rows.
+    (let ((ebox-layer--previous-composition-cache first-cache)
+          (ebox-layer--composition-cache moved-cache)
+          (original (symbol-function 'ebox-composite-line)))
+      (cl-letf (((symbol-function 'ebox-composite-line)
+                 (lambda (&rest args)
+                   (cl-incf moved-calls)
+                   (push (plist-get (car (cadr args)) :y) moved-lines)
+                   (funcall original (car args) (cadr args) (caddr args)))))
+        (setq moved (ebox-layer--compose-rows host moved-records 12 3))))
+    (should (= first-calls 3))
+    (should (= moved-calls 2))
+    (should (equal (nreverse first-lines) '(0 1 2)))
+    (should (equal (sort moved-lines #'<) '(1 2)))
+    ;; A cold render at the moved position is the oracle for text properties.
+    (let ((ebox-layer--previous-composition-cache nil)
+          (ebox-layer--composition-cache nil))
+      (setq cold (ebox-layer--compose-rows host moved-records 12 3)))
+    (should (equal-including-properties moved cold))
+    ;; The retained row is the same object, proving ledger reuse rather than
+    ;; merely an equivalent recomposition.
+    (should (eq (nth 0 moved) (nth 0 first)))
+    (should-not (eq (nth 1 moved) (nth 1 first)))
+    (should-not (eq (nth 2 moved) (nth 2 first)))))
+
 (ert-deftest ebox-layer-publication-rejected-hidden-commit-rolls-back ()
   "Rejected hidden updates leave retained input, revision and text unchanged."
   (ebox-layer-publication-test--with-buffer