diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/animation.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/animation.rs
index 0a0a16b..ba8ad50 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/animation.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/animation.rs
@@ -322,6 +322,20 @@ impl AnimationCurve {
         }
     }
 
+    /// True when `time` lies strictly between two keyframes — an in-between frame of a
+    /// tween (not on a keyframe, not in the pre/post-extrapolation tails).
+    pub fn is_tween_inbetween(&self, time: f64, tol: f64) -> bool {
+        if self.keyframes.len() < 2 {
+            return false;
+        }
+        let first = self.keyframes.first().unwrap().time;
+        let last = self.keyframes.last().unwrap().time;
+        if time <= first + tol || time >= last - tol {
+            return false;
+        }
+        !self.keyframes.iter().any(|kf| (kf.time - time).abs() <= tol)
+    }
+
     /// Extrapolate before the first keyframe
     fn extrapolate_pre(&self, time: f64, first_kf: &Keyframe) -> f64 {
         match self.pre_extrapolation {
@@ -516,6 +530,17 @@ impl AnimationData {
         self.curves.remove(target)
     }
 
+    /// True when the object (e.g. a clip instance) is mid motion-tween at `time` — any of
+    /// its curves has `time` strictly between two keyframes. Used to lock out editing on
+    /// in-between frames (editing there would silently insert a keyframe and disturb the tween).
+    pub fn is_object_tweened_at(&self, id: uuid::Uuid, time: f64) -> bool {
+        const TOL: f64 = 0.001;
+        self.curves.iter().any(|(target, curve)| {
+            matches!(target, AnimationTarget::Object { id: oid, .. } if *oid == id)
+                && curve.is_tween_inbetween(time, TOL)
+        })
+    }
+
     /// Evaluate a property at a given time
     pub fn eval(&self, target: &AnimationTarget, time: f64, default: f64) -> f64 {
         self.curves
@@ -545,3 +570,51 @@ impl AnimationData {
         (t, opacity)
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tween_lock_tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn curve_in_between_detection() {
+        let mut c = AnimationCurve::new(
+            AnimationTarget::Object { id: uuid::Uuid::nil(), property: TransformProperty::X },
+            0.0,
+        );
+        c.set_keyframe(Keyframe::linear(0.0, 0.0));
+        c.set_keyframe(Keyframe::linear(10.0, 100.0));
+
+        assert!(c.is_tween_inbetween(5.0, 0.001), "strictly between keyframes");
+        assert!(!c.is_tween_inbetween(0.0, 0.001), "on a keyframe");
+        assert!(!c.is_tween_inbetween(10.0, 0.001), "on a keyframe");
+        assert!(!c.is_tween_inbetween(15.0, 0.001), "past the last keyframe (extrapolation tail)");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn single_keyframe_is_never_in_between() {
+        let mut c = AnimationCurve::new(
+            AnimationTarget::Object { id: uuid::Uuid::nil(), property: TransformProperty::X },
+            0.0,
+        );
+        c.set_keyframe(Keyframe::linear(10.0, 100.0));
+        assert!(!c.is_tween_inbetween(5.0, 0.001));
+        assert!(!c.is_tween_inbetween(20.0, 0.001));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn object_tweened_when_any_curve_is_in_between() {
+        let id = uuid::Uuid::new_v4();
+        let mut data = AnimationData::new();
+        let mut cx = AnimationCurve::new(
+            AnimationTarget::Object { id, property: TransformProperty::X },
+            0.0,
+        );
+        cx.set_keyframe(Keyframe::linear(0.0, 0.0));
+        cx.set_keyframe(Keyframe::linear(10.0, 100.0));
+        data.set_curve(cx);
+
+        assert!(data.is_object_tweened_at(id, 5.0));
+        assert!(!data.is_object_tweened_at(id, 0.0));
+        assert!(!data.is_object_tweened_at(uuid::Uuid::new_v4(), 5.0), "different object");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/layer.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/layer.rs
index 9616519..ef845c8 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/layer.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/layer.rs
@@ -493,30 +493,53 @@ impl VectorLayer {
         &mut self.keyframes[insert_idx]
     }
 
-    /// Insert a new keyframe at time by cloning the DCEL from the active keyframe.
+    /// Insert a new keyframe at time, taking the geometry the layer shows there.
     /// If a keyframe already exists at the exact time, does nothing and returns it.
+    ///
+    /// Inside a shape-tween span this captures the *interpolated* geometry at `time` (not
+    /// the left keyframe's), and inherits the span's `tween_after` so the new keyframe keeps
+    /// tweening toward the next one — i.e. splitting a tween in two leaves the motion intact.
     pub fn insert_keyframe_from_current(&mut self, time: f64) -> &mut ShapeKeyframe {
         let tolerance = 0.001;
         if let Some(idx) = self.keyframe_index_at_exact(time, tolerance) {
             return &mut self.keyframes[idx];
         }
 
-        // Clone graph and clip instance IDs from the active keyframe
-        let (cloned_graph, cloned_clip_ids) = self
+        // Geometry shown at `time` (interpolated if mid-tween, else the held keyframe).
+        let cloned_graph = self
+            .tweened_graph_at(time)
+            .map(|g| g.into_owned())
+            .unwrap_or_else(VectorGraph::new);
+        // Inherit tween + clip instances from the active (left) keyframe.
+        let (tween_after, cloned_clip_ids) = self
             .keyframe_at(time)
-            .map(|kf| {
-                (kf.graph.clone(), kf.clip_instance_ids.clone())
-            })
-            .unwrap_or_else(|| (VectorGraph::new(), Vec::new()));
+            .map(|kf| (kf.tween_after, kf.clip_instance_ids.clone()))
+            .unwrap_or((TweenType::None, Vec::new()));
 
         let insert_idx = self.keyframes.partition_point(|kf| kf.time < time);
         let mut kf = ShapeKeyframe::new(time);
         kf.graph = cloned_graph;
+        kf.tween_after = tween_after;
         kf.clip_instance_ids = cloned_clip_ids;
         self.keyframes.insert(insert_idx, kf);
         &mut self.keyframes[insert_idx]
     }
 
+    /// True when `time` falls strictly inside a shape-tween span — i.e. an in-between frame
+    /// (the left keyframe has `tween_after == Shape` and `time` is not on either keyframe).
+    /// Editing such a frame would silently modify the left keyframe, so the editor blocks it.
+    pub fn is_tween_inbetween(&self, time: f64) -> bool {
+        let tol = 0.001;
+        let idx = self.keyframes.partition_point(|kf| kf.time <= time);
+        if idx == 0 || idx >= self.keyframes.len() {
+            return false;
+        }
+        let (a, b) = (&self.keyframes[idx - 1], &self.keyframes[idx]);
+        a.tween_after == TweenType::Shape
+            && (time - a.time).abs() > tol
+            && (b.time - time).abs() > tol
+    }
+
     /// Remove a keyframe at the exact time (within tolerance).
     /// Returns the removed keyframe if found.
     pub(crate) fn remove_keyframe_at(&mut self, time: f64, tolerance: f64) -> Option<ShapeKeyframe> {
@@ -1136,6 +1159,53 @@ mod tests {
         assert!((g.vertices[0].position.x - 0.0).abs() < 1e-6);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn inserting_keyframe_mid_tween_captures_interpolated_geometry_and_inherits_tween() {
+        use crate::vector_graph::{Direction, FillRule, ShapeColor};
+        use kurbo::{CubicBez, Point};
+
+        let mk = |x: f64| {
+            let mut g = VectorGraph::new();
+            let v0 = g.alloc_vertex(Point::new(x, 0.0));
+            let v1 = g.alloc_vertex(Point::new(x + 10.0, 0.0));
+            let c = CubicBez::new(
+                Point::new(x, 0.0),
+                Point::new(x + 3.0, 0.0),
+                Point::new(x + 7.0, 0.0),
+                Point::new(x + 10.0, 0.0),
+            );
+            g.alloc_edge(c, v0, v1, None, Some(ShapeColor::rgb(0, 0, 0)));
+            g.alloc_fill(vec![(crate::vector_graph::EdgeId(0), Direction::Forward)],
+                ShapeColor::rgb(255, 0, 0), FillRule::NonZero);
+            g
+        };
+
+        let mut layer = VectorLayer::new("L");
+        layer.keyframes.clear();
+        let mut kf_a = ShapeKeyframe::new(0.0);
+        kf_a.graph = mk(0.0);
+        kf_a.tween_after = TweenType::Shape;
+        let mut kf_b = ShapeKeyframe::new(10.0);
+        kf_b.graph = mk(100.0);
+        layer.keyframes.push(kf_a);
+        layer.keyframes.push(kf_b);
+
+        // Insert keyframe C at the midpoint of the A→B shape tween.
+        layer.insert_keyframe_from_current(5.0);
+
+        let c = layer.keyframe_at(5.0).expect("keyframe C exists");
+        // C took the interpolated geometry (x=50), not A's geometry (x=0).
+        assert!((c.graph.vertices[0].position.x - 50.0).abs() < 1e-6,
+            "C should hold interpolated geometry, got {}", c.graph.vertices[0].position.x);
+        // C inherits the shape tween so it still morphs toward B.
+        assert_eq!(c.tween_after, TweenType::Shape, "C should inherit the shape tween");
+
+        // The frame between C and B is still an in-between (tween continues past C).
+        assert!(layer.is_tween_inbetween(7.0));
+        // C itself is a keyframe, not an in-between.
+        assert!(!layer.is_tween_inbetween(5.0));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn test_layer_creation() {
         let layer = Layer::new(LayerType::Vector, "Test Layer");
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/stage.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/stage.rs
index 823b094..bbf139b 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/stage.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/stage.rs
@@ -3671,6 +3671,11 @@ impl StagePane {
 
         let point = Point::new(world_pos.x as f64, world_pos.y as f64);
 
+        // On a shape-tween in-between frame the displayed geometry is interpolated, not a
+        // real keyframe — editing it would silently mutate the left keyframe. Lock out
+        // geometry selection/editing there; clip-instance interaction stays available.
+        let inbetween = vector_layer.is_tween_inbetween(*shared.playback_time);
+
         // Double-click: enter/exit movie clip editing
         if response.double_clicked() {
             // Hit test clip instances at the click position
@@ -3710,16 +3715,21 @@ impl StagePane {
         // Scope this section to drop vector_layer borrow before drag handling
         let mouse_pressed = self.rsp_primary_pressed(ui);
         if mouse_pressed {
-            // VECTOR EDITING: Check for vertex/curve editing first (higher priority than selection)
+            // VECTOR EDITING: Check for vertex/curve editing first (higher priority than
+            // selection). Skipped on tween in-between frames — geometry isn't editable there.
             let tolerance = EditingHitTolerance::scaled_by_zoom(self.zoom as f64);
-            let vector_hit = hit_test_vector_editing(
-                vector_layer,
-                *shared.playback_time,
-                point,
-                &tolerance,
-                Affine::IDENTITY,
-                false, // Select tool doesn't show control points
-            );
+            let vector_hit = if inbetween {
+                None
+            } else {
+                hit_test_vector_editing(
+                    vector_layer,
+                    *shared.playback_time,
+                    point,
+                    &tolerance,
+                    Affine::IDENTITY,
+                    false, // Select tool doesn't show control points
+                )
+            };
             // Priority 1: Vector editing (vertices immediately, curves deferred)
             if let Some(hit) = vector_hit {
                 match hit {
@@ -3756,6 +3766,9 @@ impl StagePane {
 
             let hit_result = if let Some(clip_id) = clip_hit {
                 Some(hit_test::HitResult::ClipInstance(clip_id))
+            } else if inbetween {
+                // Geometry not selectable on an in-between frame.
+                None
             } else {
                 // No clip hit, test DCEL edges and faces
                 hit_test::hit_test_layer(vector_layer, *shared.playback_time, point, 5.0, Affine::IDENTITY)
@@ -3806,8 +3819,16 @@ impl StagePane {
                         }
                         *shared.focus = lightningbeam_core::selection::FocusSelection::ClipInstances(shared.selection.clip_instances().to_vec());
 
-                        // If clip instance is now selected, prepare for dragging
-                        if shared.selection.contains_clip_instance(&clip_id) {
+                        // A clip mid motion-tween shows an interpolated position; moving it
+                        // there would silently insert a keyframe and disturb the tween. Allow
+                        // selecting it, but don't start a drag.
+                        let clip_motion_locked = vector_layer
+                            .layer
+                            .animation_data
+                            .is_object_tweened_at(clip_id, *shared.playback_time);
+
+                        // If clip instance is now selected (and editable), prepare for dragging
+                        if !clip_motion_locked && shared.selection.contains_clip_instance(&clip_id) {
                             // Store original positions of all selected clip instances
                             let mut original_positions = std::collections::HashMap::new();
                             for &clip_inst_id in shared.selection.clip_instances() {
@@ -9430,6 +9451,20 @@ impl StagePane {
             return;
         }
 
+        // Block transforming a clip instance that's mid motion-tween (on an in-between
+        // frame) — it would silently insert a keyframe and disturb the tween.
+        if is_vector_layer {
+            let locked = match shared.action_executor.document().get_layer(&active_layer_id) {
+                Some(AnyLayer::Vector(vl)) => shared.selection.clip_instances().iter().any(|id| {
+                    vl.layer.animation_data.is_object_tweened_at(*id, *shared.playback_time)
+                }),
+                _ => false,
+            };
+            if locked {
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+
         let point = Point::new(world_pos.x as f64, world_pos.y as f64);
 
         // For video layers, transform the visible clip at playback time (no selection needed)
@@ -10688,6 +10723,17 @@ impl StagePane {
         if !alt_held {
             use lightningbeam_core::tool::Tool;
 
+            // On a shape-tween in-between frame the active vector layer's geometry is an
+            // interpolated preview, not a real keyframe — lock out the editing tools.
+            let vector_inbetween = shared.active_layer_id.and_then(|id| {
+                match shared.action_executor.document().get_layer(&id) {
+                    Some(lightningbeam_core::layer::AnyLayer::Vector(vl)) => {
+                        Some(vl.is_tween_inbetween(*shared.playback_time))
+                    }
+                    _ => None,
+                }
+            }).unwrap_or(false);
+
             match *shared.selected_tool {
                 Tool::Select => {
                     let is_raster = shared.active_layer_id.and_then(|id| {
@@ -10699,13 +10745,13 @@ impl StagePane {
                         self.handle_select_tool(ui, &response, world_pos, shift_held, shared);
                     }
                 }
-                Tool::BezierEdit => {
+                Tool::BezierEdit if !vector_inbetween => {
                     self.handle_bezier_edit_tool(ui, &response, world_pos, shift_held, shared);
                 }
-                Tool::Rectangle => {
+                Tool::Rectangle if !vector_inbetween => {
                     self.handle_rectangle_tool(ui, &response, world_pos, shift_held, ctrl_held, shared);
                 }
-                Tool::Ellipse => {
+                Tool::Ellipse if !vector_inbetween => {
                     self.handle_ellipse_tool(ui, &response, world_pos, shift_held, ctrl_held, shared);
                 }
                 Tool::Draw => {
@@ -10715,7 +10761,7 @@ impl StagePane {
                     }).map_or(false, |l| matches!(l, lightningbeam_core::layer::AnyLayer::Raster(_)));
                     if is_raster {
                         self.handle_unified_raster_stroke_tool(ui, &response, world_pos, &crate::tools::paint::PAINT, shared);
-                    } else {
+                    } else if !vector_inbetween {
                         self.handle_draw_tool(ui, &response, world_pos, shared);
                     }
                 }
@@ -10735,19 +10781,19 @@ impl StagePane {
                 Tool::Transform => {
                     self.handle_transform_tool(ui, &response, world_pos, shared);
                 }
-                Tool::PaintBucket => {
+                Tool::PaintBucket if !vector_inbetween => {
                     self.handle_paint_bucket_tool(&response, world_pos, shared);
                 }
-                Tool::Line => {
+                Tool::Line if !vector_inbetween => {
                     self.handle_line_tool(ui, &response, world_pos, shift_held, ctrl_held, shared);
                 }
-                Tool::Polygon => {
+                Tool::Polygon if !vector_inbetween => {
                     self.handle_polygon_tool(ui, &response, world_pos, shift_held, ctrl_held, shared);
                 }
                 Tool::Eyedropper => {
                     self.handle_eyedropper_tool(ui, &response, mouse_pos, shared);
                 }
-                Tool::RegionSelect => {
+                Tool::RegionSelect if !vector_inbetween => {
                     self.handle_region_select_tool(ui, &response, world_pos, shift_held, shared);
                 }
                 Tool::Warp => {