diff --git a/daw-backend/src/audio/engine.rs b/daw-backend/src/audio/engine.rs
index 2aed285..b129a5f 100644
--- a/daw-backend/src/audio/engine.rs
+++ b/daw-backend/src/audio/engine.rs
@@ -645,8 +645,10 @@ impl Engine {
                     // every pass and — because this block also resizes the backend clip instance
                     // below — shrank the instance back to nothing, so the notes just merged into it
                     // were never scheduled and you overdubbed against silence.
+                    // Pinned only once a pass has actually completed — until then the bar still grows.
                     let duration = recording
                         .cycle_loop_len
+                        .filter(|_| recording.wrapped)
                         .unwrap_or(current_time - recording.start_time);
                     // In separate-takes mode the preview shows only the pass being played now — the
                     // earlier passes are alternative takes, not layers, so drawing them all on top of
@@ -1490,9 +1492,9 @@ impl Engine {
                     None => {}
                 }
             }
-            Command::StartRecording(track_id, start_time) => {
+            Command::StartRecording(track_id, start_time, force_takes) => {
                 // Start recording on the specified track
-                self.handle_start_recording(track_id, start_time);
+                self.handle_start_recording(track_id, start_time, force_takes);
             }
             Command::StopRecording => {
                 // Stop the current recording
@@ -1510,9 +1512,9 @@ impl Engine {
                     recording.resume();
                 }
             }
-            Command::StartMidiRecording(track_id, clip_id, start_time) => {
+            Command::StartMidiRecording(track_id, clip_id, start_time, force_takes) => {
                 // Start MIDI recording on the specified track
-                self.handle_start_midi_recording(track_id, clip_id, start_time);
+                self.handle_start_midi_recording(track_id, clip_id, start_time, force_takes);
             }
             Command::StopMidiRecording => {
                 eprintln!("[ENGINE] Received StopMidiRecording command");
@@ -3264,7 +3266,7 @@ impl Engine {
     }
 
     /// Handle starting a recording
-    fn handle_start_recording(&mut self, track_id: TrackId, start_time: Beats) {
+    fn handle_start_recording(&mut self, track_id: TrackId, start_time: Beats, force_takes: bool) {
         use crate::io::WavWriter;
         use std::env;
 
@@ -3348,6 +3350,7 @@ impl Engine {
                                 loop_len_frames: (le - ls).max(0) as usize,
                                 lead_pad_frames: (self.playhead - ls).max(0) as usize,
                                 wrap_count: 0,
+                                force_takes,
                             }
                         })
                     } else {
@@ -3552,12 +3555,23 @@ impl Engine {
     }
 
     /// Handle starting MIDI recording
-    fn handle_start_midi_recording(&mut self, track_id: TrackId, clip_id: MidiClipId, start_time: Beats) {
+    fn handle_start_midi_recording(&mut self, track_id: TrackId, clip_id: MidiClipId, start_time: Beats, force_takes: bool) {
         // Check if track exists and is a MIDI track
         if let Some(crate::audio::track::TrackNode::Midi(_)) = self.project.get_track_mut(track_id) {
             // Create MIDI recording state
             let mut recording_state = MidiRecordingState::new(track_id, clip_id, start_time);
 
+            // Note the cycle region up front. `wrapped` stays false until a pass actually completes,
+            // so the clip bar still grows with the playhead through the first pass.
+            if self.loop_enabled {
+                if let Some((ls, le)) = self.loop_region {
+                    if le > ls {
+                        recording_state.cycle_loop_len = Some(le - ls);
+                        recording_state.force_takes = force_takes;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
             // Inject any notes currently held on this track (pressed during count-in pre-roll)
             // so they start at t=0 of the recording rather than being lost
             if let Some(held) = self.midi_held_notes.get(&track_id) {
@@ -3598,12 +3612,13 @@ impl Engine {
 
             // ---- Separate takes: one pool clip per cycle pass ----
             //
-            // Only when the transport actually wrapped; a recording that stopped inside the first
-            // pass is an ordinary single recording and falls through to the merge path below, just
-            // as it does for audio.
-            if let (true, Some(loop_len)) =
-                (self.cycle_midi_separate_takes, recording.cycle_loop_len)
-            {
+            // Normally only when the transport actually wrapped: a recording that stopped inside the
+            // first pass is an ordinary single recording and falls through to the merge path below,
+            // just as it does for audio. `force_takes` overrides that, because the region already
+            // holds takes and this is another one however short it ran.
+            let takes_mode = self.cycle_midi_separate_takes
+                && (recording.wrapped || recording.force_takes);
+            if let (true, Some(loop_len)) = (takes_mode, recording.cycle_loop_len) {
                 let loop_start = recording.start_time; // a cycle recording is anchored at the region
                 let passes = recording.pass_count();
                 let buckets = recording.notes_by_pass(passes);
@@ -3667,10 +3682,11 @@ impl Engine {
 
             let notes = recording.get_notes().to_vec();
             let note_count = notes.len();
-            // A cycle MIDI recording is anchored at the region start and every pass overdubs into
-            // the same clip (MERGE), so the clip is exactly one region long — not however long the
-            // user held the record button, which would run past the loop end.
-            let recording_duration = match recording.cycle_loop_len {
+            // A cycle MIDI recording that came round is anchored at the region start and every pass
+            // overdubs into the same clip (MERGE), so the clip is exactly one region long — not
+            // however long the user held the record button, which would run past the loop end. One
+            // that stopped inside the first pass is just an ordinary recording.
+            let recording_duration = match recording.cycle_loop_len.filter(|_| recording.wrapped) {
                 Some(loop_len) => loop_len,
                 None => end_time - recording.start_time,
             };
@@ -4206,8 +4222,11 @@ impl EngineController {
     }
 
     /// Start recording on a track
-    pub fn start_recording(&mut self, track_id: TrackId, start_time: Beats) {
-        let _ = self.command_tx.push(Command::StartRecording(track_id, start_time));
+    /// `force_takes`: cut takes even if the transport never wraps, because the cycle region already
+    /// holds takes and this recording is another one. Whether that's so is document state, so only
+    /// the editor can answer it.
+    pub fn start_recording(&mut self, track_id: TrackId, start_time: Beats, force_takes: bool) {
+        let _ = self.command_tx.push(Command::StartRecording(track_id, start_time, force_takes));
     }
 
     /// Stop the current recording
@@ -4226,8 +4245,9 @@ impl EngineController {
     }
 
     /// Start MIDI recording on a track
-    pub fn start_midi_recording(&mut self, track_id: TrackId, clip_id: MidiClipId, start_time: Beats) {
-        let _ = self.command_tx.push(Command::StartMidiRecording(track_id, clip_id, start_time));
+    /// `force_takes`: see [`EngineController::start_recording`].
+    pub fn start_midi_recording(&mut self, track_id: TrackId, clip_id: MidiClipId, start_time: Beats, force_takes: bool) {
+        let _ = self.command_tx.push(Command::StartMidiRecording(track_id, clip_id, start_time, force_takes));
     }
 
     /// Stop the current MIDI recording
diff --git a/daw-backend/src/audio/recording.rs b/daw-backend/src/audio/recording.rs
index 504f69a..652d603 100644
--- a/daw-backend/src/audio/recording.rs
+++ b/daw-backend/src/audio/recording.rs
@@ -24,9 +24,20 @@ pub struct CycleRecordInfo {
     /// punch-in (record while already rolling); take 1 gets this much silence prepended so it still
     /// spans the whole region.
     pub lead_pad_frames: usize,
-    /// How many times the transport wrapped during this recording. Zero means the user stopped
-    /// before completing a pass, which stays an ordinary single recording.
+    /// How many times the transport wrapped during this recording. Zero normally means the user
+    /// stopped before completing a pass, which stays an ordinary single recording — unless
+    /// `force_takes` says otherwise.
     pub wrap_count: usize,
+    /// Cut takes even if the transport never wrapped.
+    ///
+    /// Set when the region already holds takes: a further recording there is another take, however
+    /// short, and it gets padded out to the region like any partial pass. Without this a run that
+    /// stopped before the loop came round would land as a separate overlapping clip instead of
+    /// joining the take list.
+    ///
+    /// The editor decides this at record start, because whether takes already exist is document
+    /// state the engine can't see.
+    pub force_takes: bool,
 }
 
 /// Min/max waveform peaks for a finished buffer of interleaved samples.
@@ -130,7 +141,7 @@ impl RecordingState {
     /// single recording, which keeps the existing path untouched).
     pub fn slice_takes(&self) -> Option<Vec<Vec<f32>>> {
         let cycle = self.cycle?;
-        if cycle.wrap_count == 0 || cycle.loop_len_frames == 0 {
+        if (cycle.wrap_count == 0 && !cycle.force_takes) || cycle.loop_len_frames == 0 {
             return None;
         }
 
@@ -295,13 +306,19 @@ pub struct MidiRecordingState {
     active_notes: HashMap<u8, ActiveMidiNote>,
     /// Completed notes: (time_offset, note, velocity, duration) — all times in beats
     pub completed_notes: Vec<(Beats, u8, u8, Beats)>,
-    /// The cycle region's length in beats, when recording into a cycle.
+    /// The cycle region's length in beats, if one was armed at record start.
     ///
     /// A cycle MIDI recording is anchored at the region start (`start_time == loop_start`), which is
     /// what makes MERGE fall out for free: the transport always wraps back into the region, so every
     /// note's offset already lands inside `[0, loop_len)` and successive passes overdub onto each
-    /// other with no folding needed. Set only if the transport actually wrapped.
+    /// other with no folding needed.
     pub cycle_loop_len: Option<Beats>,
+    /// Whether the transport actually came round. Distinct from `cycle_loop_len`, which only says a
+    /// region was armed: the clip only pins to the full region once a pass has completed, so until
+    /// then the bar still grows with the playhead.
+    pub wrapped: bool,
+    /// Cut takes even if the transport never wrapped — see [`CycleRecordInfo::force_takes`].
+    pub force_takes: bool,
     /// Which cycle pass is currently being recorded (0-based). Bumped at each wrap.
     current_pass: usize,
     /// The pass each completed note belongs to, parallel to `completed_notes`.
@@ -320,6 +337,8 @@ impl MidiRecordingState {
             active_notes: HashMap::new(),
             completed_notes: Vec::new(),
             cycle_loop_len: None,
+            wrapped: false,
+            force_takes: false,
             current_pass: 0,
             note_pass: Vec::new(),
         }
@@ -450,9 +469,10 @@ impl MidiRecordingState {
             self.note_on(note, velocity, region_start);
         }
 
-        // The transport wrapped, so this is a cycle recording: the clip spans the whole region
-        // rather than however long the user happened to hold the record button.
+        // A pass has completed, so from here the clip spans the whole region rather than however long
+        // the user happens to hold the record button.
         self.cycle_loop_len = Some(region_end - region_start);
+        self.wrapped = true;
     }
 }
 
@@ -462,6 +482,14 @@ mod cycle_tests {
 
     /// A recording state holding `audio_data`, armed for cycle recording. Mono, 100 Hz, so a frame
     /// is a sample and 5 frames is 50 ms (exactly the min-take threshold).
+    fn rec_forced(audio: Vec<f32>, loop_len_frames: usize, lead_pad_frames: usize, wraps: usize) -> RecordingState {
+        let mut r = rec(audio, loop_len_frames, lead_pad_frames, wraps);
+        if let Some(c) = r.cycle.as_mut() {
+            c.force_takes = true;
+        }
+        r
+    }
+
     fn rec(audio: Vec<f32>, loop_len_frames: usize, lead_pad_frames: usize, wraps: usize) -> RecordingState {
         let mut r = RecordingState::new(
             0,
@@ -480,6 +508,7 @@ mod cycle_tests {
             loop_len_frames,
             lead_pad_frames,
             wrap_count: wraps,
+            force_takes: false,
         });
         r
     }
@@ -492,6 +521,18 @@ mod cycle_tests {
         assert!(r.slice_takes().is_none());
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn force_takes_makes_a_partial_pass_a_take() {
+        // Recording over a region that already holds takes: this run is another take however short
+        // it ran, so it's cut and padded like any partial pass rather than landing as a separate
+        // overlapping clip. Two real frames of an 8-frame region -> one take, silence for the rest.
+        let takes = rec_forced(vec![1.0, 2.0], 8, 0, 0)
+            .slice_takes()
+            .expect("forced takes");
+        assert_eq!(takes.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(takes[0], vec![1.0, 2.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0]);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn takes_are_cut_at_exact_loop_multiples() {
         // 12 frames of audio, 4-frame loop, started at the region start => 3 clean takes.
diff --git a/daw-backend/src/command/types.rs b/daw-backend/src/command/types.rs
index e475179..a87d58a 100644
--- a/daw-backend/src/command/types.rs
+++ b/daw-backend/src/command/types.rs
@@ -142,7 +142,9 @@ pub enum Command {
 
     // Recording commands
     /// Start recording on a track (track_id, start_time)
-    StartRecording(TrackId, Beats),
+    /// (track, start_time, force_takes — cut takes even if the transport never wraps, because the
+    /// region already holds takes and this is another one)
+    StartRecording(TrackId, Beats, bool),
     /// Stop the current recording
     StopRecording,
     /// Pause the current recording
@@ -152,7 +154,8 @@ pub enum Command {
 
     // MIDI Recording commands
     /// Start MIDI recording on a track (track_id, clip_id, start_time)
-    StartMidiRecording(TrackId, MidiClipId, Beats),
+    /// (track, clip, start_time, force_takes — see [`Command::StartRecording`])
+    StartMidiRecording(TrackId, MidiClipId, Beats, bool),
     /// Stop the current MIDI recording
     StopMidiRecording,
 
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/action.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/action.rs
index 4ac3547..2c96842 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/action.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/action.rs
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ impl BackendContext<'_> {
             .get(layer_id)
             .ok_or_else(|| format!("Layer {} not mapped to backend track", layer_id))?;
 
-        let resolved = clip.resolve(instance.active_take);
+        let resolved = instance.resolve(clip);
         let content = clip.content_duration();
         let internal_start = instance.trim_start;
         let internal_end = instance
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/append_takes.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/append_takes.rs
index b32626e..24f9bf4 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/append_takes.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/append_takes.rs
@@ -9,17 +9,16 @@
 //! plays, which has to be repointed at the newly-active take.
 
 use crate::action::{Action, BackendClipInstanceId, BackendContext};
-use crate::clip::{AudioClipType, AudioTake};
+use crate::clip::AudioTake;
 use crate::document::Document;
 use crate::layer::AnyLayer;
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
-/// Action that appends takes to a take-folder clip and selects the last of them.
+/// Action that appends takes to an instance's take list and selects the last of them.
 pub struct AppendTakesAction {
     layer_id: Uuid,
-    /// The instance whose folder is being extended (and whose active take changes).
+    /// The instance whose take list is being extended (and whose active take changes).
     instance_id: Uuid,
-    clip_id: Uuid,
     /// The takes to add, in recording order.
     new_takes: Vec<AudioTake>,
 
@@ -30,11 +29,10 @@ pub struct AppendTakesAction {
 }
 
 impl AppendTakesAction {
-    pub fn new(layer_id: Uuid, instance_id: Uuid, clip_id: Uuid, new_takes: Vec<AudioTake>) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(layer_id: Uuid, instance_id: Uuid, new_takes: Vec<AudioTake>) -> Self {
         Self {
             layer_id,
             instance_id,
-            clip_id,
             new_takes,
             old_take_count: 0,
             old_active_take: None,
@@ -71,32 +69,11 @@ impl AppendTakesAction {
 
 impl Action for AppendTakesAction {
     fn execute(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
-        let clip = document
-            .audio_clips
-            .get_mut(&self.clip_id)
-            .ok_or_else(|| format!("Audio clip {} not found", self.clip_id))?;
-
-        let AudioClipType::TakeFolder { takes, .. } = &mut clip.clip_type else {
-            return Err("Can only append takes to a take folder".to_string());
-        };
-
-        // Only record the pre-state on the first execute; a redo must not overwrite it with the
-        // post-state left behind by the previous run.
-        if !self.executed {
-            self.old_take_count = takes.len();
-        }
-        takes.extend(self.new_takes.iter().cloned());
-        // Renumber so the names stay in step with the take indices the badge shows.
-        for (i, take) in takes.iter_mut().enumerate() {
-            take.name = format!("Take {}", i + 1);
-        }
-        let new_active = takes.len() - 1;
-
         let layer = document
             .get_layer_mut(&self.layer_id)
             .ok_or_else(|| format!("Layer {} not found", self.layer_id))?;
         let AnyLayer::Audio(audio_layer) = layer else {
-            return Err("Take folders only exist on audio layers".to_string());
+            return Err("Takes only exist on audio layers".to_string());
         };
         let instance = audio_layer
             .clip_instances
@@ -104,31 +81,38 @@ impl Action for AppendTakesAction {
             .find(|ci| ci.id == self.instance_id)
             .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not found", self.instance_id))?;
 
+        // Only record the pre-state on the first execute; a redo must not overwrite it with the
+        // post-state left behind by the previous run.
         if !self.executed {
+            self.old_take_count = instance.takes.len();
             self.old_active_take = instance.active_take;
         }
+
+        // Number the new takes on from what's already there. Existing names are left alone — the
+        // user may well have renamed them, and renumbering would clobber that.
+        let base = instance.takes.len();
+        for (i, take) in self.new_takes.iter().enumerate() {
+            let mut take = take.clone();
+            if take.name.is_empty() {
+                take.name = format!("Take {}", base + i + 1);
+            }
+            instance.takes.push(take);
+        }
+
         // Land on the take just recorded, GarageBand-style.
-        instance.active_take = Some(new_active);
+        instance.active_take = Some(instance.takes.len() - 1);
         self.executed = true;
         Ok(())
     }
 
     fn rollback(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
-        if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get_mut(&self.clip_id) {
-            if let AudioClipType::TakeFolder { takes, .. } = &mut clip.clip_type {
-                takes.truncate(self.old_take_count);
-                for (i, take) in takes.iter_mut().enumerate() {
-                    take.name = format!("Take {}", i + 1);
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
         if let Some(AnyLayer::Audio(audio_layer)) = document.get_layer_mut(&self.layer_id) {
             if let Some(instance) = audio_layer
                 .clip_instances
                 .iter_mut()
                 .find(|ci| ci.id == self.instance_id)
             {
+                instance.takes.truncate(self.old_take_count);
                 instance.active_take = self.old_active_take;
             }
         }
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/loop_clip_instances.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/loop_clip_instances.rs
index a68795a..4def017 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/loop_clip_instances.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/loop_clip_instances.rs
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ impl LoopClipInstancesAction {
                 let external_start = instance.timeline_start - left_duration;
 
                 let get_backend_clip_id = |inst_id: &Uuid| -> Result<u32, String> {
-                    match &clip.resolve(instance.active_take) {
+                    match &instance.resolve(clip) {
                         ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => Ok(*midi_clip_id),
                         ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
                             let backend_id = backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.get(inst_id)
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/manage_takes.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/manage_takes.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4790a2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/manage_takes.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,419 @@
+//! Take management: delete and rename the takes on a clip instance.
+//!
+//! Takes live on the INSTANCE, so both of these are naturally scoped to the one the user clicked —
+//! deleting a take from one half of a comped split leaves the other half's list alone.
+
+use crate::action::{Action, BackendClipInstanceId, BackendContext};
+use crate::clip::{AudioTake, ClipInstance};
+use crate::document::Document;
+use crate::layer::AnyLayer;
+use uuid::Uuid;
+
+/// The instance a take action targets, looked up mutably.
+fn instance_mut<'a>(
+    document: &'a mut Document,
+    layer_id: &Uuid,
+    instance_id: &Uuid,
+) -> Result<&'a mut ClipInstance, String> {
+    let layer = document
+        .get_layer_mut(layer_id)
+        .ok_or_else(|| format!("Layer {} not found", layer_id))?;
+    let AnyLayer::Audio(audio_layer) = layer else {
+        return Err("Takes only exist on audio layers".to_string());
+    };
+    audio_layer
+        .clip_instances
+        .iter_mut()
+        .find(|ci| ci.id == *instance_id)
+        .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not found", instance_id))
+}
+
+/// Swap an instance's backend clip to whatever take the document now says is active.
+///
+/// The same remove + re-add as `SetActiveTakeAction` — there's no in-place pool-swap command.
+fn resync(
+    backend: &mut BackendContext,
+    document: &Document,
+    layer_id: &Uuid,
+    instance_id: &Uuid,
+) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let instance = document
+        .get_layer(layer_id)
+        .and_then(|l| match l {
+            AnyLayer::Audio(al) => al.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == *instance_id),
+            _ => None,
+        })
+        .cloned()
+        .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not found", instance_id))?;
+
+    let existing: Option<BackendClipInstanceId> = backend
+        .clip_instance_to_backend_map
+        .get(instance_id)
+        .copied();
+    let track_id = backend.layer_to_track_map.get(layer_id).copied();
+    if let (Some(backend_id), Some(track_id)) = (existing, track_id) {
+        backend.remove_clip_instance(track_id, backend_id, *instance_id);
+    }
+
+    backend.add_clip_instance(document, layer_id, &instance)?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Remove a take from an instance's take list.
+///
+/// The take's recorded audio/MIDI stays in the backend pool — undo has to be able to put it back,
+/// and other instances (the other half of a split, say) may still be playing it.
+pub struct DeleteTakeAction {
+    layer_id: Uuid,
+    instance_id: Uuid,
+    take_index: usize,
+
+    // Stored during execute for rollback.
+    removed: Option<AudioTake>,
+    old_active_take: Option<usize>,
+}
+
+impl DeleteTakeAction {
+    pub fn new(layer_id: Uuid, instance_id: Uuid, take_index: usize) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            layer_id,
+            instance_id,
+            take_index,
+            removed: None,
+            old_active_take: None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Action for DeleteTakeAction {
+    fn execute(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let instance = instance_mut(document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)?;
+
+        if self.take_index >= instance.takes.len() {
+            return Err(format!("Take {} does not exist", self.take_index + 1));
+        }
+        // An instance with no takes at all would fall back to the clip's own content, which for a
+        // cycle recording is a take we may just have deleted. Refuse rather than strand it.
+        if instance.takes.len() == 1 {
+            return Err("Can't delete the only take".to_string());
+        }
+
+        self.old_active_take = instance.active_take;
+        self.removed = Some(instance.takes.remove(self.take_index));
+
+        // Everything above the removed take shifts down one, so the selection has to move with it.
+        // Deleting the *active* take lands on the one that took its place (or the new last take, if
+        // it was at the end) — that keeps the clip sounding rather than silently picking take 1.
+        let active = instance.active_take.unwrap_or(0);
+        instance.active_take = Some(if active > self.take_index {
+            active - 1
+        } else if active == self.take_index {
+            self.take_index.min(instance.takes.len() - 1)
+        } else {
+            active
+        });
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn rollback(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let Some(take) = self.removed.take() else {
+            return Ok(());
+        };
+        let instance = instance_mut(document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)?;
+        let at = self.take_index.min(instance.takes.len());
+        instance.takes.insert(at, take);
+        instance.active_take = self.old_active_take;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn description(&self) -> String {
+        format!("Delete take {}", self.take_index + 1)
+    }
+
+    fn execute_backend(
+        &mut self,
+        backend: &mut BackendContext,
+        document: &Document,
+    ) -> Result<(), String> {
+        resync(backend, document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)
+    }
+
+    fn rollback_backend(
+        &mut self,
+        backend: &mut BackendContext,
+        document: &Document,
+    ) -> Result<(), String> {
+        resync(backend, document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)
+    }
+}
+
+/// Throw away every take except the one that's playing.
+///
+/// The tidy-up once you've picked your keeper. Scoped to this instance, so on a comped split it
+/// prunes the half you clicked and leaves the other half's alternatives intact.
+pub struct DeleteUnusedTakesAction {
+    layer_id: Uuid,
+    instance_id: Uuid,
+
+    // Stored during execute for rollback.
+    old_takes: Vec<AudioTake>,
+    old_active_take: Option<usize>,
+}
+
+impl DeleteUnusedTakesAction {
+    pub fn new(layer_id: Uuid, instance_id: Uuid) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            layer_id,
+            instance_id,
+            old_takes: Vec::new(),
+            old_active_take: None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Action for DeleteUnusedTakesAction {
+    fn execute(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let instance = instance_mut(document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)?;
+        if instance.takes.len() < 2 {
+            return Err("Nothing to delete".to_string());
+        }
+
+        let keep = instance.active_take_index();
+        self.old_takes = instance.takes.clone();
+        self.old_active_take = instance.active_take;
+
+        let kept = instance.takes.remove(keep);
+        instance.takes.clear();
+        instance.takes.push(kept);
+        instance.active_take = Some(0);
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn rollback(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let instance = instance_mut(document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)?;
+        instance.takes = std::mem::take(&mut self.old_takes);
+        instance.active_take = self.old_active_take;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn description(&self) -> String {
+        "Delete unused takes".to_string()
+    }
+
+    // The take that plays doesn't change, so the backend clip is already correct.
+}
+
+/// Rename a take. Document-only — which take *plays* doesn't change, so the backend is untouched.
+pub struct RenameTakeAction {
+    layer_id: Uuid,
+    instance_id: Uuid,
+    take_index: usize,
+    new_name: String,
+    old_name: String,
+}
+
+impl RenameTakeAction {
+    pub fn new(layer_id: Uuid, instance_id: Uuid, take_index: usize, new_name: String) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            layer_id,
+            instance_id,
+            take_index,
+            new_name,
+            old_name: String::new(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Action for RenameTakeAction {
+    fn execute(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let instance = instance_mut(document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)?;
+        let take = instance
+            .takes
+            .get_mut(self.take_index)
+            .ok_or_else(|| format!("Take {} does not exist", self.take_index + 1))?;
+        self.old_name = std::mem::replace(&mut take.name, self.new_name.clone());
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn rollback(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let instance = instance_mut(document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)?;
+        if let Some(take) = instance.takes.get_mut(self.take_index) {
+            take.name = self.old_name.clone();
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn description(&self) -> String {
+        format!("Rename take to \"{}\"", self.new_name)
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::clip::TakeContent;
+    use crate::layer::AudioLayer;
+
+    /// A document with one audio layer holding one instance with 4 takes (pools 10..13).
+    fn doc_with_takes() -> (Document, Uuid, Uuid) {
+        let mut document = Document::new("Test");
+        let clip = crate::clip::AudioClip::new_sampled("Cycle rec", 10, 2.0);
+        let clip_id = document.add_audio_clip(clip);
+
+        let mut instance = ClipInstance::new(clip_id);
+        instance.takes = (10..14)
+            .map(|pool| AudioTake {
+                name: format!("Take {}", pool - 9),
+                content: TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: pool },
+            })
+            .collect();
+        let instance_id = instance.id;
+
+        let mut layer = AudioLayer::new("Layer");
+        layer.clip_instances.push(instance);
+        let layer_id = document.root.add_child(AnyLayer::Audio(layer));
+        (document, layer_id, instance_id)
+    }
+
+    fn takes_of(document: &Document, layer_id: &Uuid, instance_id: &Uuid) -> ClipInstance {
+        let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer(layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+        al.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == *instance_id).unwrap().clone()
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deleting_a_take_below_the_active_one_shifts_the_selection_down() {
+        // Everything above the removed take shifts down one, so a selection above it has to move
+        // with it — otherwise the instance silently starts playing a different take.
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        {
+            let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer_mut(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+            al.clip_instances[0].active_take = Some(3); // playing pool 13
+        }
+
+        DeleteTakeAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, 1)
+            .execute(&mut document)
+            .expect("delete");
+
+        let inst = takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id);
+        assert_eq!(inst.takes.len(), 3);
+        assert_eq!(inst.active_take, Some(2), "index shifted down with the take");
+        assert_eq!(
+            inst.takes[inst.active_take_index()].content,
+            TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: 13 },
+            "still playing the same take it was",
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deleting_the_active_take_lands_on_its_replacement() {
+        // Deleting what you're listening to should hand you the take that took its place, not
+        // silently jump you back to take 1.
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        {
+            let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer_mut(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+            al.clip_instances[0].active_take = Some(1); // playing pool 11
+        }
+
+        DeleteTakeAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, 1)
+            .execute(&mut document)
+            .expect("delete");
+
+        let inst = takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id);
+        assert_eq!(inst.active_take, Some(1));
+        assert_eq!(
+            inst.takes[1].content,
+            TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: 12 },
+            "the take that slid into the deleted one's place",
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deleting_the_last_take_in_the_list_steps_back() {
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        {
+            let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer_mut(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+            al.clip_instances[0].active_take = Some(3);
+        }
+
+        DeleteTakeAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, 3)
+            .execute(&mut document)
+            .expect("delete");
+
+        let inst = takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id);
+        assert_eq!(inst.active_take, Some(2), "there is no take 4 to land on");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn the_only_take_cannot_be_deleted() {
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        {
+            let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer_mut(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+            al.clip_instances[0].takes.truncate(1);
+        }
+        assert!(DeleteTakeAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, 0)
+            .execute(&mut document)
+            .is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn undoing_a_delete_puts_the_take_back_where_it_was() {
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        {
+            let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer_mut(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+            al.clip_instances[0].active_take = Some(2);
+        }
+
+        let mut action = DeleteTakeAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, 1);
+        action.execute(&mut document).expect("delete");
+        action.rollback(&mut document).expect("undo");
+
+        let inst = takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id);
+        assert_eq!(inst.takes.len(), 4);
+        assert_eq!(
+            inst.takes[1].content,
+            TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: 11 },
+            "restored at its original index",
+        );
+        assert_eq!(inst.active_take, Some(2), "and the selection with it");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deleting_unused_takes_keeps_the_one_thats_playing() {
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        {
+            let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer_mut(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+            al.clip_instances[0].active_take = Some(2); // pool 12 — the keeper
+        }
+
+        let mut action = DeleteUnusedTakesAction::new(layer_id, instance_id);
+        action.execute(&mut document).expect("prune");
+
+        let inst = takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id);
+        assert_eq!(inst.takes.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(inst.active_take, Some(0));
+        assert_eq!(
+            inst.takes[0].content,
+            TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: 12 },
+            "the take that was playing survives, and nothing else",
+        );
+
+        action.rollback(&mut document).expect("undo");
+        let inst = takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id);
+        assert_eq!(inst.takes.len(), 4);
+        assert_eq!(inst.active_take, Some(2), "back to what was playing before");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn renaming_a_take_round_trips() {
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        let mut action =
+            RenameTakeAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, 2, "The good one".to_string());
+
+        action.execute(&mut document).expect("rename");
+        assert_eq!(takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id).takes[2].name, "The good one");
+
+        action.rollback(&mut document).expect("undo");
+        assert_eq!(takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id).takes[2].name, "Take 3");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/mod.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/mod.rs
index 148c1f6..a848cab 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/mod.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/mod.rs
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ pub mod paint_bucket;
 pub mod remove_effect;
 pub mod set_cycle_region;
 pub mod append_takes;
+pub mod manage_takes;
 pub mod set_active_take;
 pub mod set_document_properties;
 pub mod set_instance_properties;
@@ -55,6 +56,7 @@ pub mod resize_text_box;
 pub use add_clip_instance::AddClipInstanceAction;
 pub use set_cycle_region::SetCycleRegionAction;
 pub use append_takes::AppendTakesAction;
+pub use manage_takes::{DeleteTakeAction, DeleteUnusedTakesAction, RenameTakeAction};
 pub use set_active_take::SetActiveTakeAction;
 pub use add_effect::AddEffectAction;
 pub use add_layer::AddLayerAction;
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/move_clip_instances.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/move_clip_instances.rs
index 0439e04..20aa7ef 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/move_clip_instances.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/move_clip_instances.rs
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ impl Action for MoveClipInstancesAction {
                     .ok_or_else(|| format!("Audio clip {} not found", instance.clip_id))?;
 
                 // Handle move based on clip type
-                match &clip.resolve(instance.active_take) {
+                match &instance.resolve(clip) {
                     ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                         // For MIDI: move_clip expects the pool clip ID
                         controller.move_clip(*track_id, *midi_clip_id, *new_start);
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ impl Action for MoveClipInstancesAction {
                     .ok_or_else(|| format!("Audio clip {} not found", instance.clip_id))?;
 
                 // Handle move based on clip type (restore old position)
-                match &clip.resolve(instance.active_take) {
+                match &instance.resolve(clip) {
                     ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                         // For MIDI: move_clip expects the pool clip ID
                         controller.move_clip(*track_id, *midi_clip_id, *old_start);
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/split_clip_instance.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/split_clip_instance.rs
index c234510..2f19b85 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/split_clip_instance.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/split_clip_instance.rs
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ impl Action for SplitClipInstanceAction {
             .ok_or_else(|| "Audio clip not found".to_string())?;
 
         use crate::clip::ResolvedContent;
-        if matches!(clip.resolve(original_instance.active_take), ResolvedContent::Recording) {
+        if matches!(original_instance.resolve(clip), ResolvedContent::Recording) {
             return Err("Cannot split a clip that is currently recording".to_string());
         }
 
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ impl Action for SplitClipInstanceAction {
 
                             // Restore based on clip type
                             use crate::clip::ResolvedContent;
-                            match &clip.resolve(instance.active_take) {
+                            match &instance.resolve(clip) {
                                 ResolvedContent::Midi { .. } => {
                                     if let Some(crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Midi(orig_backend_id)) =
                                         backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.get(&self.instance_id)
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/trim_clip_instances.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/trim_clip_instances.rs
index ef97fee..7e99d94 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/trim_clip_instances.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/trim_clip_instances.rs
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ impl Action for TrimClipInstancesAction {
                     .unwrap_or(ContentTime(clip.content_duration().native()));
 
                 // Handle trim based on clip type
-                match &clip.resolve(instance.active_take) {
+                match &instance.resolve(clip) {
                     ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                         // For MIDI: trim_clip expects the pool clip ID
                         controller.trim_clip(*track_id, *midi_clip_id, clip.trim_range(internal_start, internal_end));
@@ -584,7 +584,7 @@ impl Action for TrimClipInstancesAction {
                 };
 
                 // Handle trim based on clip type
-                match &clip.resolve(instance.active_take) {
+                match &instance.resolve(clip) {
                     ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                         // For MIDI: trim_clip expects the pool clip ID
                         controller.trim_clip(*track_id, *midi_clip_id, clip.trim_range(internal_start, internal_end));
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/clip.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/clip.rs
index 447fbfe..f39da7c 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/clip.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/clip.rs
@@ -472,39 +472,20 @@ pub enum AudioClipType {
     /// Placeholder for a clip that is currently being recorded.
     /// The audio_pool_index will be assigned when recording stops.
     Recording,
-    /// A folder of alternate takes, produced by cycle recording.
-    ///
-    /// Each pass of the transport around the cycle region becomes one take. Every take spans the
-    /// **full** cycle region (partial passes are padded with silence at capture time), so all takes
-    /// are the same length and share this clip's `duration` — which in turn means switching takes
-    /// never changes the clip's geometry, and splitting a take-folder instance yields two halves
-    /// whose takes still line up. Which take actually sounds is per-*instance*
-    /// ([`ClipInstance::active_take`]), not per-clip, so a split can play take 1 on the left and
-    /// take 3 on the right. That's comping.
-    TakeFolder {
-        /// The takes, in the order they were recorded. Never empty in practice.
-        takes: Vec<AudioTake>,
-        /// The cycle region's length in beats at the time of recording.
-        ///
-        /// Audio takes are segmented geometrically (by sample count), so they're only meaningful
-        /// against the tempo they were cut at. Keeping the recorded length lets a future
-        /// time-stretch/conform feature reconcile the takes if the tempo changes underneath them.
-        recorded_loop_beats: Beats,
-    },
 }
 
-/// One take in a [`AudioClipType::TakeFolder`].
+/// One take of a cycle recording — see [`ClipInstance::takes`].
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct AudioTake {
-    /// Display name, e.g. "Take 1".
+    /// Display name, e.g. "Take 1". User-editable.
     pub name: String,
     /// The recorded content this take points at.
     pub content: TakeContent,
 }
 
-/// What a take actually holds. A folder's takes are all the same kind — one cycle-record session
+/// What a take actually holds. An instance's takes are all the same kind — one cycle-record session
 /// captures either audio or MIDI, never a mix.
-#[derive(Clone, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum TakeContent {
     /// Sampled audio: index into the audio pool.
     Audio { audio_pool_index: usize },
@@ -608,18 +589,8 @@ impl AudioClip {
     }
 
     /// Whether this clip's `duration` is measured in beats (MIDI) rather than seconds.
-    ///
-    /// A take folder inherits the domain of its takes, which are all the same kind — one
-    /// cycle-record session captures either audio or MIDI, never a mix. An empty folder can't
-    /// happen in practice; call it seconds so the fallback is the common case.
     fn is_midi_domain(&self) -> bool {
-        match &self.clip_type {
-            AudioClipType::Midi { .. } => true,
-            AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } | AudioClipType::Recording => false,
-            AudioClipType::TakeFolder { takes, .. } => {
-                matches!(takes.first().map(|t| &t.content), Some(TakeContent::Midi { .. }))
-            }
-        }
+        matches!(self.clip_type, AudioClipType::Midi { .. })
     }
 
     /// Create a new sampled audio clip
@@ -706,34 +677,11 @@ impl AudioClip {
         }
     }
 
-    /// The clip's takes, if it's a take folder.
-    pub fn takes(&self) -> Option<&[AudioTake]> {
-        match &self.clip_type {
-            AudioClipType::TakeFolder { takes, .. } => Some(takes),
-            _ => None,
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// The take an instance's `active_take` actually selects.
+    /// The clip's own content, ignoring takes.
     ///
-    /// `None` means take 0, which is also what an out-of-range index falls back to — an index can
-    /// go stale (an old `.beam`, an undo that shrank the folder), and silently playing the first
-    /// take beats refusing to play anything.
-    fn take_for(&self, active_take: Option<usize>) -> Option<&AudioTake> {
-        let takes = self.takes()?;
-        takes
-            .get(active_take.unwrap_or(0))
-            .or_else(|| takes.first())
-    }
-
-    /// What this clip plays *for a given instance*, with take folders collapsed to the instance's
-    /// active take.
-    ///
-    /// This is the sanctioned way to ask "what content do I hand the backend for this instance?".
-    /// Matching on `clip_type` directly will see a `TakeFolder` and have to handle it separately;
-    /// matching on this won't, because a folder is never a distinct case here — it's just an audio
-    /// or MIDI clip whose identity depends on which take is active.
-    pub fn resolve(&self, active_take: Option<usize>) -> ResolvedContent {
+    /// Callers that are handing content to the backend want [`ClipInstance::resolve`] instead — an
+    /// instance with takes overrides the clip's content with whichever take is active.
+    pub fn resolve(&self) -> ResolvedContent {
         match &self.clip_type {
             AudioClipType::Sampled { audio_pool_index } => ResolvedContent::Audio {
                 audio_pool_index: *audio_pool_index,
@@ -742,17 +690,6 @@ impl AudioClip {
                 midi_clip_id: *midi_clip_id,
             },
             AudioClipType::Recording => ResolvedContent::Recording,
-            AudioClipType::TakeFolder { .. } => match self.take_for(active_take).map(|t| &t.content) {
-                Some(TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index }) => ResolvedContent::Audio {
-                    audio_pool_index: *audio_pool_index,
-                },
-                Some(TakeContent::Midi { midi_clip_id }) => ResolvedContent::Midi {
-                    midi_clip_id: *midi_clip_id,
-                },
-                // An empty folder has nothing to play. Treat it like a recording placeholder:
-                // the backend gets nothing, rather than a bogus pool index.
-                None => ResolvedContent::Recording,
-            },
         }
     }
 
@@ -787,49 +724,19 @@ impl AudioClip {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Whether this clip owns the given audio pool index — either as a plain sampled clip, or as
-    /// *any* take of a take folder. Reverse lookups (backend resource → document clip) must use
-    /// this: a folder owns one pool file per take, not just the active one.
+    /// Whether this clip's own content is the given audio pool index.
     pub fn owns_audio_pool_index(&self, pool_index: usize) -> bool {
-        match &self.clip_type {
-            AudioClipType::Sampled { audio_pool_index } => *audio_pool_index == pool_index,
-            AudioClipType::TakeFolder { takes, .. } => takes.iter().any(|t| {
-                matches!(t.content, TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index } if audio_pool_index == pool_index)
-            }),
-            _ => false,
-        }
+        self.audio_pool_index() == Some(pool_index)
     }
 
-    /// Whether this clip owns the given backend MIDI clip ID. See [`Self::owns_audio_pool_index`].
+    /// Whether this clip's own content is the given backend MIDI clip ID.
     pub fn owns_midi_clip_id(&self, id: u32) -> bool {
-        match &self.clip_type {
-            AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => *midi_clip_id == id,
-            AudioClipType::TakeFolder { takes, .. } => takes.iter().any(|t| {
-                matches!(t.content, TakeContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } if midi_clip_id == id)
-            }),
-            _ => false,
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// The audio pool index this *instance* should play. See [`Self::resolve`].
-    pub fn resolved_audio_pool_index(&self, active_take: Option<usize>) -> Option<usize> {
-        match self.resolve(active_take) {
-            ResolvedContent::Audio { audio_pool_index } => Some(audio_pool_index),
-            _ => None,
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// The backend MIDI clip ID this *instance* should play. See [`Self::resolve`].
-    pub fn resolved_midi_clip_id(&self, active_take: Option<usize>) -> Option<u32> {
-        match self.resolve(active_take) {
-            ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => Some(midi_clip_id),
-            _ => None,
-        }
+        self.midi_clip_id() == Some(id)
     }
 }
 
-/// What a clip instance actually plays, once take folders are resolved to their active take.
-/// Produced by [`AudioClip::resolve`].
+/// What a clip instance actually plays, once takes are resolved to the active one.
+/// Produced by [`ClipInstance::resolve`].
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq)]
 pub enum ResolvedContent {
     Audio { audio_pool_index: usize },
@@ -942,14 +849,34 @@ pub struct ClipInstance {
     #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub loop_before: Option<Beats>,
 
-    /// Which take of a [`AudioClipType::TakeFolder`] clip this instance plays.
+    /// Alternate takes from cycle recording. Empty = an ordinary instance with no takes.
     ///
-    /// Per-instance rather than per-clip so two instances of the same folder — e.g. the two halves
-    /// of a split — can play different takes. That's how comping works. `None` means take 0;
-    /// meaningless (and ignored) on non-folder clips.
+    /// The takes live on the INSTANCE, not the clip, so managing them is per-instance: deleting or
+    /// renaming a take on one instance leaves every other instance alone. Splitting clones the list
+    /// along with the rest of the instance, so the two halves get independent take lists — and,
+    /// since they can each select a different take, comping still falls out for free.
+    ///
+    /// Every take spans the full cycle region (partial passes are padded with silence at capture
+    /// time), so they're all the same length as the clip's own content. That uniformity is what lets
+    /// a take switch leave the instance's geometry untouched.
+    ///
+    /// When non-empty, these OVERRIDE the clip's own content — see [`Self::resolve`].
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Vec::is_empty")]
+    pub takes: Vec<AudioTake>,
+
+    /// Which of [`Self::takes`] plays. `None` (or a stale index) means take 0.
     /// Default: None
     #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub active_take: Option<usize>,
+
+    /// The cycle region's length in beats when these takes were recorded.
+    ///
+    /// Audio takes are cut geometrically (by sample count), so they're only meaningful against the
+    /// tempo they were recorded at. Keeping the recorded length lets a future time-stretch/conform
+    /// feature reconcile them if the tempo moves underneath, and lets a new recording tell whether
+    /// it belongs in this take list or a fresh one.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub recorded_loop_beats: Option<Beats>,
 }
 
 /// High 64-bit sentinel used to identify UUIDs that encode a backend audio clip instance ID.
@@ -1008,7 +935,9 @@ impl ClipInstance {
             playback_speed: 1.0,
             gain: 1.0,
             loop_before: None,
+            takes: Vec::new(),
             active_take: None,
+            recorded_loop_beats: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -1027,7 +956,9 @@ impl ClipInstance {
             playback_speed: 1.0,
             gain: 1.0,
             loop_before: None,
+            takes: Vec::new(),
             active_take: None,
+            recorded_loop_beats: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -1087,6 +1018,55 @@ impl ClipInstance {
         self
     }
 
+    /// The take this instance plays, if it has any.
+    ///
+    /// A `None`/stale `active_take` falls back to take 0 — an index can go stale (an undo that
+    /// shrank the list, an old `.beam`), and silently playing the first take beats playing nothing.
+    pub fn active_take(&self) -> Option<&AudioTake> {
+        self.takes
+            .get(self.active_take.unwrap_or(0))
+            .or_else(|| self.takes.first())
+    }
+
+    /// The index [`Self::active_take`] actually resolves to, clamped into range.
+    pub fn active_take_index(&self) -> usize {
+        let i = self.active_take.unwrap_or(0);
+        if i < self.takes.len() { i } else { 0 }
+    }
+
+    /// What this instance plays: its active take if it has takes, otherwise the clip's own content.
+    ///
+    /// This is the sanctioned way to ask "what content do I hand the backend for this instance?".
+    /// Takes are never a distinct *case* at the call site — an instance with takes is just an audio
+    /// or MIDI instance whose identity depends on which take is live.
+    pub fn resolve(&self, clip: &AudioClip) -> ResolvedContent {
+        match self.active_take().map(|t| &t.content) {
+            Some(TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index }) => ResolvedContent::Audio {
+                audio_pool_index: *audio_pool_index,
+            },
+            Some(TakeContent::Midi { midi_clip_id }) => ResolvedContent::Midi {
+                midi_clip_id: *midi_clip_id,
+            },
+            None => clip.resolve(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The audio pool index this instance plays. See [`Self::resolve`].
+    pub fn resolved_audio_pool_index(&self, clip: &AudioClip) -> Option<usize> {
+        match self.resolve(clip) {
+            ResolvedContent::Audio { audio_pool_index } => Some(audio_pool_index),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The backend MIDI clip ID this instance plays. See [`Self::resolve`].
+    pub fn resolved_midi_clip_id(&self, clip: &AudioClip) -> Option<u32> {
+        match self.resolve(clip) {
+            ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => Some(midi_clip_id),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Content window (`trim_end - trim_start`) in the clip's own content domain.
     /// Used for internal looping calculations.
     pub fn content_window(&self, clip_content: ClipDuration) -> ClipDuration {
@@ -1328,79 +1308,89 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(instance.gain, 0.8);
     }
 
-    /// Build a take folder of `n` audio takes with the given pool indices.
-    fn take_folder(pool_indices: &[usize]) -> AudioClip {
-        let mut clip = AudioClip::new_sampled("Cycle rec", 0, 2.0);
-        clip.clip_type = AudioClipType::TakeFolder {
-            takes: pool_indices
-                .iter()
-                .enumerate()
-                .map(|(i, &audio_pool_index)| AudioTake {
-                    name: format!("Take {}", i + 1),
-                    content: TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index },
-                })
-                .collect(),
-            recorded_loop_beats: Beats(8.0),
-        };
-        clip
+    /// A clip whose own content is pool 10, plus an instance carrying takes over the given pools.
+    fn with_takes(pool_indices: &[usize]) -> (AudioClip, ClipInstance) {
+        let clip = AudioClip::new_sampled("Cycle rec", pool_indices[0], 2.0);
+        let mut instance = ClipInstance::new(clip.id);
+        instance.takes = pool_indices
+            .iter()
+            .enumerate()
+            .map(|(i, &audio_pool_index)| AudioTake {
+                name: format!("Take {}", i + 1),
+                content: TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index },
+            })
+            .collect();
+        instance.recorded_loop_beats = Some(Beats(8.0));
+        (clip, instance)
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn active_take_selects_the_pool_file() {
-        let clip = take_folder(&[10, 11, 12]);
-        assert_eq!(clip.resolved_audio_pool_index(Some(0)), Some(10));
-        assert_eq!(clip.resolved_audio_pool_index(Some(2)), Some(12));
+        let (clip, mut instance) = with_takes(&[10, 11, 12]);
+        instance.active_take = Some(0);
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(10));
+        instance.active_take = Some(2);
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(12));
         // None means take 0.
-        assert_eq!(clip.resolved_audio_pool_index(None), Some(10));
+        instance.active_take = None;
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(10));
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn out_of_range_take_falls_back_to_the_first() {
-        // An index can go stale (an old .beam, an undo that shrank the folder). Playing the first
-        // take beats playing nothing.
-        let clip = take_folder(&[10, 11]);
-        assert_eq!(clip.resolved_audio_pool_index(Some(99)), Some(10));
+        // An index can go stale (an undo that shrank the list, an old .beam). Playing the first take
+        // beats playing nothing.
+        let (clip, mut instance) = with_takes(&[10, 11]);
+        instance.active_take = Some(99);
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(10));
+        assert_eq!(instance.active_take_index(), 0);
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn take_folder_owns_every_takes_pool_file() {
-        // Reverse lookups (backend resource -> document clip) must find the folder via ANY take,
-        // not just the active one.
-        let clip = take_folder(&[10, 11, 12]);
-        assert!(clip.owns_audio_pool_index(10));
-        assert!(clip.owns_audio_pool_index(12));
-        assert!(!clip.owns_audio_pool_index(13));
+    fn an_instance_without_takes_plays_the_clips_own_content() {
+        let clip = AudioClip::new_sampled("Plain", 42, 2.0);
+        let instance = ClipInstance::new(clip.id);
+        assert!(instance.takes.is_empty());
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(42));
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn midi_take_folder_measures_duration_in_beats() {
-        // A folder inherits its takes' domain: MIDI takes mean the duration is beats, not seconds.
-        let mut clip = AudioClip::new_sampled("Cycle rec", 0, 4.0);
-        clip.clip_type = AudioClipType::TakeFolder {
-            takes: vec![AudioTake {
-                name: "Take 1".into(),
-                content: TakeContent::Midi { midi_clip_id: 7 },
-            }],
-            recorded_loop_beats: Beats(4.0),
-        };
+    fn midi_takes_resolve_to_midi_content() {
+        let clip = AudioClip::new_midi("Cycle rec", 7, Beats(4.0));
+        let mut instance = ClipInstance::new(clip.id);
+        instance.takes = vec![AudioTake {
+            name: "Take 1".into(),
+            content: TakeContent::Midi { midi_clip_id: 7 },
+        }];
         assert_eq!(clip.content_duration(), ClipDuration::Beats(Beats(4.0)));
-        assert_eq!(clip.resolved_midi_clip_id(Some(0)), Some(7));
-        assert_eq!(clip.resolved_audio_pool_index(Some(0)), None);
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_midi_clip_id(&clip), Some(7));
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), None);
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn takes_are_per_instance_so_a_split_can_comp() {
-        // The whole point of putting active_take on the instance: two instances of the same folder
-        // (which is what a split produces) can play different takes.
-        let clip = take_folder(&[10, 11, 12]);
-        let mut left = ClipInstance::new(clip.id);
-        let mut right = left.clone();
+    fn splitting_gives_each_half_an_independent_take_list() {
+        // Takes live on the INSTANCE, so a split (which clones the instance) hands each half its own
+        // list. Two consequences, both wanted: the halves can select different takes (comping), and
+        // deleting a take from one leaves the other alone.
+        let (clip, left_src) = with_takes(&[10, 11, 12]);
+        let mut left = left_src.clone();
+        let mut right = left_src.clone();
         right.id = Uuid::new_v4();
+
         left.active_take = Some(0);
         right.active_take = Some(2);
+        assert_eq!(left.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(10));
+        assert_eq!(right.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(12));
 
-        assert_eq!(clip.resolved_audio_pool_index(left.active_take), Some(10));
-        assert_eq!(clip.resolved_audio_pool_index(right.active_take), Some(12));
+        // Delete take 2 (pool 11) from the left half only.
+        left.takes.remove(1);
+        assert_eq!(left.takes.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(right.takes.len(), 3, "the other half keeps its own takes");
+        assert_eq!(
+            right.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip),
+            Some(12),
+            "and its selection still points where it did",
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/document.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/document.rs
index a7b8d67..72bde66 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/document.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/document.rs
@@ -944,31 +944,27 @@ impl Document {
     /// would break the uniform-take invariant comping depends on.
     ///
     /// `exclude` is the in-progress recording's own instance, which is on the layer but isn't a
-    /// candidate. Returns (instance id, clip id).
+    /// candidate. Returns the instance id.
     pub fn take_folder_at(
         &self,
         layer_id: &Uuid,
         loop_start: Beats,
         loop_len: Beats,
         exclude: &Uuid,
-    ) -> Option<(Uuid, Uuid)> {
+    ) -> Option<Uuid> {
         let Some(AnyLayer::Audio(audio_layer)) = self.get_layer(layer_id) else {
             return None;
         };
         const EPS: f64 = 1e-6;
         audio_layer.clip_instances.iter().find_map(|ci| {
-            if ci.id == *exclude || (ci.timeline_start - loop_start).beats_to_f64().abs() > EPS {
+            if ci.id == *exclude
+                || ci.takes.is_empty()
+                || (ci.timeline_start - loop_start).beats_to_f64().abs() > EPS
+            {
                 return None;
             }
-            let clip = self.audio_clips.get(&ci.clip_id)?;
-            match clip.clip_type {
-                crate::clip::AudioClipType::TakeFolder { recorded_loop_beats, .. }
-                    if (recorded_loop_beats - loop_len).beats_to_f64().abs() < EPS =>
-                {
-                    Some((ci.id, ci.clip_id))
-                }
-                _ => None,
-            }
+            let recorded = ci.recorded_loop_beats?;
+            ((recorded - loop_len).beats_to_f64().abs() < EPS).then_some(ci.id)
         })
     }
 
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/main.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/main.rs
index f9bfe5c..5a4aa5a 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/main.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/main.rs
@@ -1112,6 +1112,11 @@ struct PendingTakeAppend {
     /// The throwaway clip + instance the recording itself was captured into.
     recording_instance_id: Uuid,
     recording_clip_id: Uuid,
+    /// The recording's backend clip, which has to be torn down or it keeps playing alongside the
+    /// take folder we're appending to. Carried explicitly rather than looked up in
+    /// `clip_instance_to_backend_map`, because on the audio path the recording instance isn't in
+    /// that map yet — it's only added after promotion, which the append path skips.
+    recording_backend_id: Option<lightningbeam_core::action::BackendClipInstanceId>,
     loop_start: Beats,
     loop_len: Beats,
     takes: Vec<lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake>,
@@ -2069,11 +2074,12 @@ impl EditorApp {
         layer_id: uuid::Uuid,
         recording_instance_id: uuid::Uuid,
         recording_clip_id: uuid::Uuid,
+        recording_backend_id: Option<lightningbeam_core::action::BackendClipInstanceId>,
         loop_start: Beats,
         loop_len: Beats,
         takes: Vec<lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake>,
     ) -> bool {
-        let Some((target_instance_id, target_clip_id)) = self.action_executor.document().take_folder_at(
+        let Some(target_instance_id) = self.action_executor.document().take_folder_at(
             &layer_id,
             loop_start,
             loop_len,
@@ -2082,9 +2088,12 @@ impl EditorApp {
             return false;
         };
 
-        // Drop the recording's backend clip; the target instance's own clip gets repointed at the
-        // new active take by the action's backend sync.
-        let backend_id = self.clip_instance_to_backend_map.remove(&recording_instance_id);
+        // Tear down the recording's own backend clip. Without this it keeps playing on top of the
+        // take folder we're appending to — two takes sounding at once. The target instance's clip is
+        // separately repointed at the new active take by the action's backend sync below.
+        let backend_id = recording_backend_id
+            .or_else(|| self.clip_instance_to_backend_map.remove(&recording_instance_id));
+        self.clip_instance_to_backend_map.remove(&recording_instance_id);
         let track_id = self.layer_to_track_map.get(&layer_id).copied();
         if let (Some(backend_id), Some(track_id), Some(controller_arc)) =
             (backend_id, track_id, self.audio_controller.as_ref())
@@ -2112,7 +2121,6 @@ impl EditorApp {
         let action = lightningbeam_core::actions::AppendTakesAction::new(
             layer_id,
             target_instance_id,
-            target_clip_id,
             takes,
         );
 
@@ -6692,6 +6700,13 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                                             layer_id,
                                             recording_instance_id: instance_id,
                                             recording_clip_id: clip_id,
+                                            // The engine's recording clip. It isn't in
+                                            // clip_instance_to_backend_map yet (that only happens on
+                                            // promotion, which we're skipping), so hand it over
+                                            // directly or it'll keep sounding alongside the folder.
+                                            recording_backend_id: Some(
+                                                lightningbeam_core::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(backend_clip_id),
+                                            ),
                                             loop_start,
                                             loop_len: loop_len_beats,
                                             takes: new_takes,
@@ -6701,22 +6716,18 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                                         continue;
                                     }
 
-                                    // Promote the in-progress recording clip to a take folder.
+                                    // Finalize the recording clip, and hang the takes off the INSTANCE.
                                     {
                                         let doc = self.action_executor.document_mut();
                                         if let Some(clip) = doc.audio_clips.get_mut(&clip_id) {
-                                            clip.clip_type = lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioClipType::TakeFolder {
-                                                takes: takes.iter().enumerate().map(|(i, &(pool_index, _))| {
-                                                    lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake {
-                                                        name: format!("Take {}", i + 1),
-                                                        content: lightningbeam_core::clip::TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: pool_index },
-                                                    }
-                                                }).collect(),
-                                                recorded_loop_beats: loop_len_beats,
-                                            };
-                                            // Audio takes are seconds-domain, and every take is
-                                            // exactly one cycle region long.
-                                            clip.set_content_duration(ClipDuration::Seconds(loop_len_seconds));
+                                            // The clip's own content is take 1; the instance's take
+                                            // list overrides it with whichever take is active. Every
+                                            // take is exactly one cycle region long, so the clip's
+                                            // duration is the region.
+                                            clip.finalize_recording(
+                                                takes[0].0,
+                                                loop_len_seconds.seconds_to_f64(),
+                                            );
                                             clip.name = format!("Cycle recording ({} takes)", takes.len());
                                         }
 
@@ -6735,7 +6746,14 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                                                 inst.trim_start = daw_backend::ContentTime::ZERO;
                                                 inst.trim_end =
                                                     Some(daw_backend::ContentTime(loop_len_seconds.seconds_to_f64()));
+                                                inst.takes = takes.iter().enumerate().map(|(i, &(pool_index, _))| {
+                                                    lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake {
+                                                        name: format!("Take {}", i + 1),
+                                                        content: lightningbeam_core::clip::TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: pool_index },
+                                                    }
+                                                }).collect();
                                                 inst.active_take = Some(last_take);
+                                                inst.recorded_loop_beats = Some(loop_len_beats);
                                             }
                                         }
                                     }
@@ -7029,6 +7047,9 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                                             layer_id,
                                             recording_instance_id: rec_inst,
                                             recording_clip_id: doc_clip_id,
+                                            // The MIDI path maps its recording instance during
+                                            // MidiRecordingProgress, so the map has it.
+                                            recording_backend_id: None,
                                             loop_start,
                                             loop_len: loop_len_beats,
                                             takes: new_takes,
@@ -7046,17 +7067,10 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                                     {
                                         let doc = self.action_executor.document_mut();
                                         if let Some(clip) = doc.audio_clips.get_mut(&doc_clip_id) {
-                                            clip.clip_type = lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioClipType::TakeFolder {
-                                                takes: clip_ids.iter().enumerate().map(|(i, &mid)| {
-                                                    lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake {
-                                                        name: format!("Take {}", i + 1),
-                                                        content: lightningbeam_core::clip::TakeContent::Midi { midi_clip_id: mid },
-                                                    }
-                                                }).collect(),
-                                                recorded_loop_beats: loop_len_beats,
-                                            };
-                                            // MIDI takes are beats-domain, and every take spans exactly
-                                            // one cycle region.
+                                            // The clip's own content stays take 1 (the clip the
+                                            // recording started on); the instance's take list
+                                            // overrides it with whichever take is active. MIDI takes
+                                            // are beats-domain and each spans one cycle region.
                                             clip.set_content_duration(ClipDuration::Beats(loop_len_beats));
                                             clip.name = format!("Cycle recording ({} takes)", clip_ids.len());
                                         }
@@ -7071,7 +7085,14 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                                                 inst.timeline_duration = None;
                                                 inst.trim_start = daw_backend::ContentTime::ZERO;
                                                 inst.trim_end = Some(daw_backend::ContentTime(loop_len_beats.beats_to_f64()));
+                                                inst.takes = clip_ids.iter().enumerate().map(|(i, &mid)| {
+                                                    lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake {
+                                                        name: format!("Take {}", i + 1),
+                                                        content: lightningbeam_core::clip::TakeContent::Midi { midi_clip_id: mid },
+                                                    }
+                                                }).collect();
                                                 inst.active_take = Some(last_take);
+                                                inst.recorded_loop_beats = Some(loop_len_beats);
                                             }
                                         }
                                     }
@@ -7263,6 +7284,7 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                 req.layer_id,
                 req.recording_instance_id,
                 req.recording_clip_id,
+                req.recording_backend_id,
                 req.loop_start,
                 req.loop_len,
                 req.takes,
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/mobile/icons.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/mobile/icons.rs
index f1b0e21..7132ce8 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/mobile/icons.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/mobile/icons.rs
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ pub const CHEVRONS_UP: &str = "\u{e074}";
 pub const PLAY: &str = "\u{e13c}";
 pub const PAUSE: &str = "\u{e12e}";
 pub const REPEAT: &str = "\u{e146}"; // cycle / loop region toggle
+pub const TRASH: &str = "\u{e18d}"; // delete a take
 pub const SETTINGS: &str = "\u{e154}";
 pub const SEARCH: &str = "\u{e151}";
 pub const PLUS: &str = "\u{e13d}";
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/asset_library.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/asset_library.rs
index 5cfc40c..3506beb 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/asset_library.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/asset_library.rs
@@ -7,17 +7,7 @@
 //! - Image Assets (static images)
 
 use eframe::egui;
-use lightningbeam_core::clip::{AudioClip, ResolvedContent, VectorClip};
-
-/// Library label for an audio clip: a take folder advertises how many takes it holds, anything else
-/// just names its kind. The library lists *clips*, not placements, so there's no active take here —
-/// a folder is previewed by its first take.
-fn take_label(clip: &AudioClip, kind: &str) -> String {
-    match clip.takes() {
-        Some(takes) => format!("{} ({} takes)", kind, takes.len()),
-        None => kind.to_string(),
-    }
-}
+use lightningbeam_core::clip::{ResolvedContent, VectorClip};
 use lightningbeam_core::document::Document;
 use lightningbeam_core::layer::AnyLayer;
 use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
@@ -928,9 +918,9 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                 continue;
             }
 
-            let (extra_info, drag_clip_type) = match &clip.resolve(None) {
-                ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => (take_label(clip, "Sampled"), DragClipType::AudioSampled),
-                ResolvedContent::Midi { .. } => (take_label(clip, "MIDI"), DragClipType::AudioMidi),
+            let (extra_info, drag_clip_type) = match &clip.resolve() {
+                ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => ("Sampled".to_string(), DragClipType::AudioSampled),
+                ResolvedContent::Midi { .. } => ("MIDI".to_string(), DragClipType::AudioMidi),
                 ResolvedContent::Recording => {
                     // Skip recording-in-progress clips (and empty take folders) from asset library
                     continue;
@@ -1128,12 +1118,12 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
 
                 for (id, clip) in &document.audio_clips {
                     if !linked_audio_ids.contains(id) && clip.folder_id == current_folder {
-                        let (extra_info, drag_clip_type) = match &clip.resolve(None) {
+                        let (extra_info, drag_clip_type) = match &clip.resolve() {
                             ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
-                                (take_label(clip, "Sampled"), DragClipType::AudioSampled)
+                                ("Sampled".to_string(), DragClipType::AudioSampled)
                             }
                             ResolvedContent::Midi { .. } => {
-                                (take_label(clip, "MIDI"), DragClipType::AudioMidi)
+                                ("MIDI".to_string(), DragClipType::AudioMidi)
                             }
                             ResolvedContent::Recording => {
                                 // Skip recording-in-progress clips (and empty take folders)
@@ -1775,7 +1765,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
             let prefetched_waveform: Option<Vec<(f32, f32)>> =
                 if asset_category == AssetCategory::Audio && !self.thumbnail_cache.has(&asset_id) {
                     if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&asset_id) {
-                        if let Some(audio_pool_index) = clip.resolved_audio_pool_index(None).as_ref() {
+                        if let Some(audio_pool_index) = clip.audio_pool_index().as_ref() {
                             shared.raw_audio_cache.get(audio_pool_index)
                                 .map(|raw| peaks_from_raw_audio(raw, THUMBNAIL_SIZE as usize))
                         } else {
@@ -1800,7 +1790,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                     AssetCategory::Audio => {
                         if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&asset_id) {
                             let bg_color = egui::Color32::from_rgba_unmultiplied(40, 40, 40, 200);
-                            match &clip.resolve(None) {
+                            match &clip.resolve() {
                                 ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
                                     let wave_color = egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 200, 100);
                                     if let Some(ref peaks) = prefetched_waveform {
@@ -2354,7 +2344,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                 AssetCategory::Audio => {
                     if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&asset_id) {
                         let bg_color = egui::Color32::from_rgba_unmultiplied(40, 40, 40, 200);
-                        match &clip.resolve(None) {
+                        match &clip.resolve() {
                             ResolvedContent::Audio { audio_pool_index } => {
                                 let wave_color = egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 200, 100);
                                 let waveform: Option<Vec<(f32, f32)>> = shared.raw_audio_cache.get(audio_pool_index)
@@ -2491,7 +2481,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                 AssetCategory::Audio => {
                     if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&asset_id) {
                         let bg_color = egui::Color32::from_rgba_unmultiplied(40, 40, 40, 200);
-                        match &clip.resolve(None) {
+                        match &clip.resolve() {
                             ResolvedContent::Audio { audio_pool_index } => {
                                 let wave_color = egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 200, 100);
                                 let waveform: Option<Vec<(f32, f32)>> = shared.raw_audio_cache.get(audio_pool_index)
@@ -2812,7 +2802,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                         let prefetched_waveform: Option<Vec<(f32, f32)>> =
                             if asset_category == AssetCategory::Audio && !self.thumbnail_cache.has(&asset_id) {
                                 if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&asset_id) {
-                                    if let Some(audio_pool_index) = clip.resolved_audio_pool_index(None).as_ref() {
+                                    if let Some(audio_pool_index) = clip.audio_pool_index().as_ref() {
                                         let waveform: Option<Vec<(f32, f32)>> = shared.raw_audio_cache.get(audio_pool_index)
                                             .map(|raw| peaks_from_raw_audio(raw, THUMBNAIL_SIZE as usize));
                                         if waveform.is_some() {
@@ -2852,7 +2842,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                                     // Check if it's sampled or MIDI
                                     if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&asset_id) {
                                         let bg_color = egui::Color32::from_rgba_unmultiplied(40, 40, 40, 200);
-                                        match &clip.resolve(None) {
+                                        match &clip.resolve() {
                                             ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
                                                 let wave_color = egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 200, 100);
                                                 if let Some(ref peaks) = prefetched_waveform {
@@ -3197,7 +3187,7 @@ impl PaneRenderer for AssetLibraryPane {
             println!("🎨 [ASSET_LIB] Checking for thumbnails to invalidate (pools: {:?})", shared.audio_pools_with_new_waveforms);
             let mut invalidated_any = false;
             for (asset_id, clip) in &document_arc.audio_clips {
-                if let Some(audio_pool_index) = clip.resolved_audio_pool_index(None).as_ref() {
+                if let Some(audio_pool_index) = clip.audio_pool_index().as_ref() {
                     if shared.audio_pools_with_new_waveforms.contains(audio_pool_index) {
                         println!("❌ [ASSET_LIB] Invalidating thumbnail for asset {} (pool {})", asset_id, audio_pool_index);
                         self.thumbnail_cache.invalidate(asset_id);
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/infopanel.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/infopanel.rs
index 0df4edf..e894887 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/infopanel.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/infopanel.rs
@@ -1807,16 +1807,10 @@ impl InfopanelPane {
                             ui.label("Name:");
                             ui.label(&clip.name);
                         });
-                        let take_count = clip.takes().map(|t| t.len()).unwrap_or(0);
-                        let take_folder_label;
                         let type_name = match &clip.clip_type {
                             lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } => "Audio (Sampled)",
                             lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioClipType::Midi { .. } => "Audio (MIDI)",
                             lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioClipType::Recording => "Audio (Recording)",
-                            lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioClipType::TakeFolder { .. } => {
-                                take_folder_label = format!("Audio ({} takes)", take_count);
-                                &take_folder_label
-                            }
                         };
                         ui.horizontal(|ui| {
                             ui.label("Type:");
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/piano_roll.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/piano_roll.rs
index 5586901..7a81053 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/piano_roll.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/piano_roll.rs
@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ impl PianoRollPane {
                     if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&instance.clip_id) {
                         // Resolve through the instance's active take, so a MIDI take folder edits
                         // whichever take it's actually playing.
-                        if let Some(midi_clip_id) = clip.resolved_midi_clip_id(instance.active_take) {
+                        if let Some(midi_clip_id) = instance.resolved_midi_clip_id(clip) {
                             let duration = instance.effective_duration(clip.content_duration(), document.tempo_map());
                             // A MIDI clip's content time IS beats, which is what the piano roll's
                             // x-axis uses.
diff --git a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/timeline.rs b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/timeline.rs
index 798180c..15d08b2 100644
--- a/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/timeline.rs
+++ b/lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/timeline.rs
@@ -298,6 +298,9 @@ pub struct TimelinePane {
     take_badge_hits: Vec<(egui::Rect, uuid::Uuid, uuid::Uuid, usize, usize)>,
     /// The take-folder instance whose take menu is open, if any.
     open_take_menu: Option<(uuid::Uuid, uuid::Uuid)>,
+    /// The (instance, take index) being renamed inline in the take menu.
+    renaming_take: Option<(uuid::Uuid, usize)>,
+    take_rename_buffer: String,
     /// Seconds between the cycle region's start and where the current recording actually began.
     /// Zero unless the user punched in mid-region. Used to line the live waveform preview up with
     /// the region on each pass.
@@ -741,6 +744,8 @@ impl TimelinePane {
             keyframe_diamond_hits: Vec::new(),
             take_badge_hits: Vec::new(),
             open_take_menu: None,
+            renaming_take: None,
+            take_rename_buffer: String::new(),
             cycle_record_lead_secs: 0.0,
             duration: 10.0,  // Default 10 seconds
             is_scrubbing: false,
@@ -1148,6 +1153,28 @@ impl TimelinePane {
         // The backend records in the beats domain; start_time is the seconds playhead.
         let start_beats = shared.action_executor.document().tempo_map().seconds_to_beats(Seconds(start_time));
 
+        // Does this layer already hold takes over the cycle region? If so this recording is another
+        // take, however short it runs — without this, stopping before the loop came round would land
+        // it as a separate overlapping clip instead of joining the take list. The engine can't work
+        // this out for itself: whether takes exist is document state.
+        let force_takes: std::collections::HashMap<uuid::Uuid, bool> = {
+            let doc = shared.action_executor.document();
+            let region = match (doc.cycle_enabled, doc.cycle_region) {
+                (true, Some((ls, le))) if le > ls => Some((ls, le - ls)),
+                _ => None,
+            };
+            candidates
+                .iter()
+                .map(|&(layer_id, _, _)| {
+                    let forced = region.is_some_and(|(loop_start, loop_len)| {
+                        doc.take_folder_at(&layer_id, loop_start, loop_len, &uuid::Uuid::nil())
+                            .is_some()
+                    });
+                    (layer_id, forced)
+                })
+                .collect()
+        };
+
         // Step 4: Dispatch recording for each candidate
         for &(layer_id, ref cat, _) in &candidates {
             match cat {
@@ -1171,7 +1198,7 @@ impl TimelinePane {
                         }
                         if let Some(controller_arc) = shared.audio_controller {
                             let mut controller = controller_arc.lock().unwrap();
-                            controller.start_recording(track_id, start_beats);
+                            controller.start_recording(track_id, start_beats, force_takes.get(&layer_id).copied().unwrap_or(false));
                             println!("🎤 Started audio recording on track {:?} at {:.2}s", track_id, start_time);
                         }
                         shared.recording_layer_ids.push(layer_id);
@@ -1184,7 +1211,7 @@ impl TimelinePane {
                         if let Some(controller_arc) = shared.audio_controller {
                             let mut controller = controller_arc.lock().unwrap();
                             let clip_id = controller.create_midi_clip(track_id, start_beats, Beats::ZERO);
-                            controller.start_midi_recording(track_id, clip_id, start_beats);
+                            controller.start_midi_recording(track_id, clip_id, start_beats, force_takes.get(&layer_id).copied().unwrap_or(false));
                             shared.recording_clips.insert(layer_id, clip_id);
                             println!("🎹 Started MIDI recording on track {:?} at {:.2}s, clip_id={}",
                                      track_id, start_time, clip_id);
@@ -1695,9 +1722,7 @@ impl TimelinePane {
             return;
         };
 
-        // The instance's *stored* selection, which is what rollback must restore — not `active`,
-        // which is that value clamped for display.
-        let old_take = document
+        let Some(instance) = document
             .get_layer(&layer_id)
             .and_then(|l| match l {
                 lightningbeam_core::layer::AnyLayer::Audio(al) => {
@@ -1705,7 +1730,14 @@ impl TimelinePane {
                 }
                 _ => None,
             })
-            .and_then(|ci| ci.active_take);
+        else {
+            self.open_take_menu = None;
+            return;
+        };
+        // The instance's *stored* selection, which is what rollback must restore — not `active`,
+        // which is that value clamped for display.
+        let old_take = instance.active_take;
+        let take_names: Vec<String> = instance.takes.iter().map(|t| t.name.clone()).collect();
 
         let mut close = false;
         let area = egui::Area::new(ui.id().with(("take_menu", instance_id)))
@@ -1715,22 +1747,53 @@ impl TimelinePane {
                 egui::Frame::popup(ui.style()).show(ui, |ui| {
                     for i in 0..count {
                         let is_active = i == active;
-                        if ui
-                            .selectable_label(is_active, format!("Take {}", i + 1))
-                            .clicked()
-                        {
-                            if !is_active {
-                                pending_actions.push(Box::new(
-                                    lightningbeam_core::actions::SetActiveTakeAction::new(
-                                        layer_id,
-                                        instance_id,
-                                        i,
-                                        old_take,
-                                    ),
-                                ));
+                        let renaming = self.renaming_take == Some((instance_id, i));
+
+                        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
+                            if renaming {
+                                let edit = ui.add(
+                                    egui::TextEdit::singleline(&mut self.take_rename_buffer)
+                                        .desired_width(110.0),
+                                );
+                                edit.request_focus();
+                                // Commit on Enter or on clicking away; Escape abandons.
+                                let enter = ui.input(|i| i.key_pressed(egui::Key::Enter));
+                                let escape = ui.input(|i| i.key_pressed(egui::Key::Escape));
+                                if enter || edit.lost_focus() && !escape {
+                                    let name = self.take_rename_buffer.trim().to_string();
+                                    if !name.is_empty() && name != take_names[i] {
+                                        pending_actions.push(Box::new(
+                                            lightningbeam_core::actions::RenameTakeAction::new(
+                                                layer_id, instance_id, i, name,
+                                            ),
+                                        ));
+                                    }
+                                    self.renaming_take = None;
+                                } else if escape {
+                                    self.renaming_take = None;
+                                }
+                                return;
                             }
-                            close = true;
-                        }
+
+                            let label = ui.selectable_label(is_active, &take_names[i]);
+                            if label.clicked() {
+                                if !is_active {
+                                    pending_actions.push(Box::new(
+                                        lightningbeam_core::actions::SetActiveTakeAction::new(
+                                            layer_id, instance_id, i, old_take,
+                                        ),
+                                    ));
+                                }
+                                close = true;
+                            }
+                            // Double-click a take to rename it in place. Deleting lives on the clip's
+                            // right-click menu, not here — a trash icon per row is a small target
+                            // sitting right next to the one you actually meant to click.
+                            if label.double_clicked() {
+                                self.renaming_take = Some((instance_id, i));
+                                self.take_rename_buffer = take_names[i].clone();
+                            }
+                        });
                     }
                 });
             });
@@ -1743,6 +1806,7 @@ impl TimelinePane {
         }
         if close {
             self.open_take_menu = None;
+            self.renaming_take = None;
         }
     }
 
@@ -3971,7 +4035,7 @@ impl TimelinePane {
                             if let Some(clip) = document.get_audio_clip(&clip_instance.clip_id) {
                                 // Resolve through the instance's active take, so a take folder draws
                                 // whichever take it actually plays.
-                                match &clip.resolve(clip_instance.active_take) {
+                                match &clip_instance.resolve(clip) {
                                     // MIDI: Draw piano roll (with loop iterations)
                                     lightningbeam_core::clip::ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                                         if let Some(events) = midi_event_cache.get(midi_clip_id) {
@@ -4357,12 +4421,10 @@ impl TimelinePane {
                         // only. Records a hit rect so the click that opens the take menu can be
                         // dispatched after rendering (the usual two-phase pattern), rather than
                         // mutating the document mid-paint.
-                        if let Some(take_count) = document
-                            .get_audio_clip(&clip_instance.clip_id)
-                            .and_then(|c| c.takes().map(|t| t.len()))
-                            .filter(|n| *n > 0)
-                        {
-                            let active = clip_instance.active_take.unwrap_or(0).min(take_count - 1);
+                        // Only worth showing when there's actually a choice to make.
+                        if clip_instance.takes.len() > 1 {
+                            let take_count = clip_instance.takes.len();
+                            let active = clip_instance.active_take_index();
                             let label = format!("Take {}/{}", active + 1, take_count);
                             let text_color = theme.text_color(
                                 &["#timeline", ".take-badge"],
@@ -6596,6 +6658,22 @@ impl PaneRenderer for TimelinePane {
                 enabled
             };
 
+            // Take management for the clip that was right-clicked. Only offered when there's more
+            // than one take — with a single take there's nothing to choose between, and "delete the
+            // only take" would leave the instance with nothing to play.
+            let take_target: Option<(uuid::Uuid, uuid::Uuid, usize, String)> = ctx_clip_id.and_then(|instance_id| {
+                let context_layers = document.context_layers(shared.editing_clip_id.as_ref());
+                for (layer, instances) in all_layer_clip_instances(&context_layers) {
+                    if let Some(ci) = instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == instance_id) {
+                        if ci.takes.len() > 1 {
+                            let active = ci.active_take_index();
+                            return Some((layer.id(), instance_id, active, ci.takes[active].name.clone()));
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                None
+            });
+
             let area_id = ui.id().with("clip_context_menu");
             let mut item_clicked = false;
             let area_response = egui::Area::new(area_id)
@@ -6661,6 +6739,34 @@ impl PaneRenderer for TimelinePane {
                             shared.pending_menu_actions.push(crate::menu::MenuAction::Delete);
                             item_clicked = true;
                         }
+
+                        // Take management, on the clip that was right-clicked. Takes live on the
+                        // INSTANCE, so on a comped split this prunes the half you clicked and leaves
+                        // the other half's alternatives alone.
+                        if let Some((take_layer_id, take_instance_id, active_index, active_name)) = &take_target {
+                            ui.separator();
+                            // Deletes the take that's PLAYING — the one the badge is showing — so
+                            // it's named rather than just "Delete Take".
+                            if menu_item(ui, &format!("Delete \"{}\"", active_name), true) {
+                                shared.pending_actions.push(Box::new(
+                                    lightningbeam_core::actions::DeleteTakeAction::new(
+                                        *take_layer_id,
+                                        *take_instance_id,
+                                        *active_index,
+                                    ),
+                                ));
+                                item_clicked = true;
+                            }
+                            if menu_item(ui, "Delete Unused Takes", true) {
+                                shared.pending_actions.push(Box::new(
+                                    lightningbeam_core::actions::DeleteUnusedTakesAction::new(
+                                        *take_layer_id,
+                                        *take_instance_id,
+                                    ),
+                                ));
+                                item_clicked = true;
+                            }
+                        }
                     });
                 });