diff --git a/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/App.vue b/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/App.vue
index 171810a..a1efadd 100644
--- a/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/App.vue
+++ b/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/App.vue
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import code from './assets/snippet?raw';
-import ShikiCode from './ShikiCode/ShikiCode.vue';
+// Подсветка выполняется на этапе сборки — в браузер уходит готовый HTML,
+// без Shiki/грамматик в бандле.
+import codeHtml from './assets/snippet.ts?shiki';
+import ShikiStatic from './ShikiCode/ShikiStatic.vue';
 </script>
 
 <template>
   <main class="h-full w-full flex">
     <div class="m-auto max-w-136 rounded-3xl overflow-clip">
-      <ShikiCode :code line-numbers />
+      <ShikiStatic :html="codeHtml" line-numbers />
     </div>
   </main>
 </template>
diff --git a/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/ShikiCode.vue b/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/ShikiCode.vue
index 9d44a34..79dc69d 100644
--- a/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/ShikiCode.vue
+++ b/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/ShikiCode.vue
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 import { computed } from 'vue'
 import type { ShikiTransformer } from 'shiki/core'
 import { useShikiHighlight } from './useShikiHighlight'
+import './shiki-host.css'
 
 const props = withDefaults(
   defineProps<{
@@ -47,33 +48,4 @@ const gutterStyle = computed(() => {
   <slot v-else name="loading">
     <pre class="shiki-fallback"><code>{{ code }}</code></pre>
   </slot>
-</template>
-
-<style>
-.shiki-host .shiki {
-  padding: 1rem;
-  overflow-x: auto;
-  scrollbar-width: thin;
-  scrollbar-color: var(--color-zinc-300) var(--color-zinc-950);
-}
-
-.shiki-host[data-line-numbers] .shiki code {
-  counter-reset: shiki-line calc(var(--shiki-line-start, 1) - 1);
-}
-
-.shiki-host[data-line-numbers] .shiki code .line::before {
-  counter-increment: shiki-line;
-  content: counter(shiki-line);
-  display: inline-block;
-  width: var(--shiki-gutter-width, 2ch);
-  margin-right: 1.25rem;
-  text-align: right;
-  color: color-mix(in srgb, currentColor 40%, transparent);
-  user-select: none;
-}
-
-/* shiki иногда оставляет пустую финальную строку — прячем её номер */
-.shiki-host[data-line-numbers] .shiki code .line:last-child:empty::before {
-  content: none;
-}
-</style>
\ No newline at end of file
+</template>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/ShikiStatic.vue b/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/ShikiStatic.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27753f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/ShikiStatic.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { computed } from 'vue'
+import './shiki-host.css'
+
+// HTML приходит из импорта `*?shiki` — подсветка уже сделана на этапе сборки.
+// Этот компонент не тянет ни Shiki, ни грамматики в клиентский бандл.
+const props = withDefaults(
+  defineProps<{
+    html: string
+    lineNumbers?: boolean
+    startLine?: number
+  }>(),
+  { lineNumbers: false, startLine: 1 },
+);
+
+const gutterStyle = computed(() => {
+  const lines = props.html.match(/class="line"/g)?.length ?? 1;
+  const total = props.startLine + lines - 1;
+  return {
+    '--shiki-line-start': String(props.startLine),
+    '--shiki-gutter-width': `${String(total).length}ch`,
+  };
+});
+</script>
+
+<template>
+  <div
+    class="shiki-host"
+    :data-line-numbers="lineNumbers ? '' : undefined"
+    :style="gutterStyle"
+    v-html="html"
+  />
+</template>
diff --git a/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/shiki-host.css b/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/shiki-host.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e690d4b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/shiki-host.css
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+.shiki-host .shiki {
+  padding: 1rem;
+  overflow-x: auto;
+  scrollbar-width: thin;
+  scrollbar-color: var(--color-zinc-300) var(--color-zinc-950);
+}
+
+.shiki-host[data-line-numbers] .shiki code {
+  counter-reset: shiki-line calc(var(--shiki-line-start, 1) - 1);
+}
+
+.shiki-host[data-line-numbers] .shiki code .line::before {
+  counter-increment: shiki-line;
+  content: counter(shiki-line);
+  display: inline-block;
+  width: var(--shiki-gutter-width, 2ch);
+  margin-right: 1.25rem;
+  text-align: right;
+  color: color-mix(in srgb, currentColor 40%, transparent);
+  user-select: none;
+}
+
+/* shiki иногда оставляет пустую финальную строку — прячем её номер */
+.shiki-host[data-line-numbers] .shiki code .line:last-child:empty::before {
+  content: none;
+}
diff --git a/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/vite-plugin-shiki.ts b/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/vite-plugin-shiki.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47ee82e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/ShikiCode/vite-plugin-shiki.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+import { readFile } from 'node:fs/promises';
+import type { Plugin } from 'vite';
+import {
+  createHighlighterCore,
+  type HighlighterCore,
+  type ShikiTransformer,
+} from 'shiki/core';
+import { createJavaScriptRegexEngine } from 'shiki/engine/javascript';
+
+const SHIKI_QUERY = 'shiki';
+
+/** Расширение файла -> id грамматики Shiki. */
+const EXT_TO_LANG: Record<string, string> = {
+  js: 'javascript', mjs: 'javascript', cjs: 'javascript', jsx: 'jsx',
+  ts: 'typescript', mts: 'typescript', cts: 'typescript', tsx: 'tsx',
+  vue: 'vue', json: 'json', jsonc: 'jsonc', css: 'css', scss: 'scss',
+  html: 'html', md: 'markdown', py: 'python', rs: 'rust', go: 'go',
+  sh: 'bash', bash: 'bash', yml: 'yaml', yaml: 'yaml', toml: 'toml', sql: 'sql',
+};
+
+export interface ShikiPluginOptions {
+  /** Одиночная тема (по умолчанию aurora-x). Игнорируется, если задан `themes`. */
+  theme?: string;
+  /** Парные темы — Shiki отдаёт HTML с CSS-переменными для light/dark. */
+  themes?: { light: string; dark: string };
+  /** Доп. соответствия расширение -> язык поверх дефолтных. */
+  langAlias?: Record<string, string>;
+  /** Трансформеры Shiki (номера строк, диффы и т.п.). */
+  transformers?: ShikiTransformer[];
+}
+
+/**
+ * Импорт `./snippet.ts?shiki` возвращает строку с уже подсвеченным HTML.
+ * Вся работа Shiki происходит в Node на этапе сборки/дева — в бандл клиента
+ * не попадает ни движок, ни грамматики. Zero runtime.
+ *
+ * Язык берётся из расширения файла, либо из `?shiki&lang=...`.
+ */
+export function shiki(options: ShikiPluginOptions = {}): Plugin {
+  const { theme = 'aurora-x', themes, transformers } = options;
+  const extToLang = { ...EXT_TO_LANG, ...options.langAlias };
+
+  let highlighter: Promise<HighlighterCore> | null = null;
+  const loadedLangs = new Set<string>();
+  const loadedThemes = new Set<string>();
+
+  const getHighlighter = () => {
+    highlighter ??= createHighlighterCore({
+      langs: [],
+      themes: [],
+      engine: createJavaScriptRegexEngine(),
+    });
+    return highlighter;
+  };
+
+  const ensureLang = async (hl: HighlighterCore, lang: string) => {
+    if (loadedLangs.has(lang)) return;
+    const mod = await import(`shiki/langs/${lang}.mjs`);
+    await hl.loadLanguage(mod.default);
+    loadedLangs.add(lang);
+  };
+
+  const ensureTheme = async (hl: HighlighterCore, name: string) => {
+    if (loadedThemes.has(name)) return;
+    const mod = await import(`shiki/themes/${name}.mjs`);
+    await hl.loadTheme(mod.default);
+    loadedThemes.add(name);
+  };
+
+  return {
+    name: 'vite-plugin-shiki',
+    enforce: 'pre',
+
+    async load(id) {
+      const [filepath, rawQuery] = id.split('?', 2);
+      if (!rawQuery) return;
+
+      const params = new URLSearchParams(rawQuery);
+      if (!params.has(SHIKI_QUERY)) return;
+
+      const ext = filepath.split('.').pop()?.toLowerCase() ?? '';
+      const lang = params.get('lang') ?? extToLang[ext] ?? ext ?? 'text';
+
+      // Перечитываем исходник сами + регистрируем как зависимость для HMR.
+      const source = await readFile(filepath, 'utf8');
+      this.addWatchFile(filepath);
+
+      const hl = await getHighlighter();
+      await ensureLang(hl, lang);
+      if (themes) {
+        await ensureTheme(hl, themes.light);
+        await ensureTheme(hl, themes.dark);
+      } else {
+        await ensureTheme(hl, theme);
+      }
+
+      const html = hl.codeToHtml(source.replace(/\n$/, ''), {
+        lang,
+        ...(themes ? { themes } : { theme }),
+        transformers,
+      });
+
+      return { code: `export default ${JSON.stringify(html)}`, map: null };
+    },
+  };
+}
diff --git a/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/shiki.d.ts b/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/shiki.d.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e9cb667
--- /dev/null
+++ b/shiki-vue-wrapper/src/shiki.d.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+/** Импорт `*?shiki` отдаёт уже подсвеченный HTML (см. vite-plugin-shiki). */
+declare module '*?shiki' {
+  const html: string;
+  export default html;
+}
diff --git a/shiki-vue-wrapper/vite.config.ts b/shiki-vue-wrapper/vite.config.ts
index 1cd32ad..503eb5f 100644
--- a/shiki-vue-wrapper/vite.config.ts
+++ b/shiki-vue-wrapper/vite.config.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
 import { defineConfig } from 'vite';
 import vue from '@vitejs/plugin-vue';
 import tailwind from '@tailwindcss/vite';
+import { shiki } from './src/ShikiCode/vite-plugin-shiki';
 
 export default defineConfig({
-  plugins: [vue(), tailwind()],
+  plugins: [
+    vue(),
+    tailwind(),
+    shiki({ theme: 'aurora-x' }),
+  ],
 });
diff --git a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/__tests__/composables.test.ts b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/__tests__/composables.test.ts
index dda5236..6d40531 100644
--- a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/__tests__/composables.test.ts
+++ b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/__tests__/composables.test.ts
@@ -125,6 +125,36 @@ describe('useQuery', () => {
     m.unmount()
   })
 
+  it('data switches to the new subscription result after args change', async () => {
+    const list = vi.fn(async (a: { search?: string }): Promise<ListUsersResp> => ({
+      items: a.search ? [{ id: '2', name: 'Bob', age: 25 }] : [{ id: '1', name: 'Ada', age: 30 }],
+      nextCursor: null,
+    }))
+    const { engine, defs } = buildEngine({ list, update: vi.fn() })
+
+    const search = ref('')
+    let api!: ReturnType<typeof useQuery<{ search?: string }, ListUsersResp, { ids: string[] }>>
+    const C = defineComponent({
+      setup() {
+        api = useQuery(defs.usersList, () => ({ search: search.value }))
+        return () => h('div')
+      },
+    })
+    const m = mountWith(engine, C)
+    await flush()
+    await flush()
+    expect(api.data.value).toEqual({ ids: ['1'] })
+
+    search.value = 'b'
+    await nextTick()
+    await flush()
+    await flush()
+    // Computeds must follow the swapped-in subscription ref, not stay bound to the old one.
+    expect(api.data.value).toEqual({ ids: ['2'] })
+    expect(api.isSuccess.value).toBe(true)
+    m.unmount()
+  })
+
   it('releases handle on unmount', async () => {
     const list = vi.fn(async () => ({ items: [], nextCursor: null }))
     const { engine, defs } = buildEngine({ list, update: vi.fn() })
@@ -194,6 +224,33 @@ describe('useInfiniteQuery', () => {
     expect(list.mock.calls.length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(2)
     m.unmount()
   })
+
+  it('pages switch to the new subscription result after args change', async () => {
+    const list = vi.fn(async (a: { search?: string }): Promise<ListUsersResp> => ({
+      items: a.search ? [{ id: '2', name: 'B', age: 2 }] : [{ id: '1', name: 'A', age: 1 }],
+      nextCursor: null,
+    }))
+    const { engine, defs } = buildEngine({ list, update: vi.fn() })
+    const search = ref('')
+    let api!: ReturnType<typeof useInfiniteQuery<{ search?: string }, ListUsersResp, string | null, { ids: string[]; nextCursor: string | null }>>
+    const C = defineComponent({
+      setup() {
+        api = useInfiniteQuery(defs.usersInfinite, () => ({ search: search.value }))
+        return () => h('div')
+      },
+    })
+    const m = mountWith(engine, C)
+    await flush()
+    await flush()
+    expect(api.pages.value[0]?.ids).toEqual(['1'])
+
+    search.value = 'q'
+    await nextTick()
+    await flush()
+    await flush()
+    expect(api.pages.value[0]?.ids).toEqual(['2'])
+    m.unmount()
+  })
 })
 
 describe('useEntity', () => {
diff --git a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/__tests__/engine.test.ts b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/__tests__/engine.test.ts
index fee431f..770f046 100644
--- a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/__tests__/engine.test.ts
+++ b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/__tests__/engine.test.ts
@@ -8,15 +8,21 @@ import { memoryAdapter } from '../adapters/storageAdapter'
 import { Status } from '../core/flags'
 import { flush, makeUserDefs, type ListUsersResp, type User, UserEntity } from './fixtures'
 
-function setup(api: { list: any; update: any }) {
+function setup(
+  api: { list: any; update: any },
+  options?: { defaultMaxPages?: number; entityCap?: number; entityGc?: boolean; defaultGcTime?: number },
+) {
   const defs = makeUserDefs(api)
   const storage = memoryAdapter()
   const { client, server } = createInlineTransport()
   let onlineCb: (() => void) | null = null
   let online = true
-  createQueryGraph({
+  const graph = createQueryGraph({
     storage,
     endpoint: server,
+    defaultMaxPages: options?.defaultMaxPages,
+    entityGc: options?.entityGc,
+    defaultGcTime: options?.defaultGcTime,
     registry: {
       entities: new Map([[UserEntity.name, UserEntity]]),
       queries: new Map<string, AnyQueryDef>([
@@ -31,12 +37,13 @@ function setup(api: { list: any; update: any }) {
       return () => {}
     },
   })
-  const mirror = createMirror()
+  const mirror = createMirror({ entityCap: options?.entityCap })
   const runtime = createTabRuntime({ transport: client, mirror, staleSubGcMs: 10 })
   return {
     runtime,
     defs,
     storage,
+    graph,
     setOnline(v: boolean) {
       online = v
       if (v && onlineCb) onlineCb()
@@ -200,6 +207,48 @@ describe('useInfiniteQuery', () => {
     expect(state.value.data?.pages[1].ids).toEqual(['2'])
     scope.stop()
   })
+
+  it('windows pages to maxPages, dropping the oldest page and its entity refs', async () => {
+    let call = 0
+    const list = vi.fn(async (): Promise<ListUsersResp> => {
+      call++
+      if (call === 1) return { items: [{ id: '1', name: 'A', age: 1 }], nextCursor: 'c1' }
+      if (call === 2) return { items: [{ id: '2', name: 'B', age: 2 }], nextCursor: 'c2' }
+      return { items: [{ id: '3', name: 'C', age: 3 }], nextCursor: null }
+    })
+    const { runtime, defs, graph } = setup({ list, update: vi.fn() }, { defaultMaxPages: 2 })
+
+    const scope = effectScope()
+    let handle!: ReturnType<typeof runtime.subscribeQuery>
+    scope.run(() => {
+      handle = runtime.subscribeQuery(defs.usersInfinite.name, defs.usersInfinite.key({}), {})
+    })
+    await flush()
+    await flush()
+
+    type R = { ids: string[]; nextCursor: string | null }
+    const state = runtime.mirror.ensureQuery<{ pages: R[]; pageParams: unknown[] }>(handle.subId)
+
+    handle.fetchNextPage()
+    await flush()
+    await flush()
+    expect(state.value.data?.pages.length).toBe(2)
+
+    handle.fetchNextPage()
+    await flush()
+    await flush()
+
+    // Only the last two pages are retained; the first (id '1') is dropped.
+    expect(state.value.data?.pages.length).toBe(2)
+    expect(state.value.data?.pages.map((p) => p.ids)).toEqual([['2'], ['3']])
+    expect(state.value.data?.pageParams.length).toBe(2)
+
+    // The worker node's entity refs are windowed in lockstep with the pages.
+    const node = [...graph.nodes.values()].find((n) => n.def.name === defs.usersInfinite.name)!
+    expect(node.entityRefs.map((r) => r.id)).toEqual(['2', '3'])
+    expect(node.pageRefCounts).toEqual([1, 1])
+    scope.stop()
+  })
 })
 
 describe('GC', () => {
@@ -217,3 +266,78 @@ describe('GC', () => {
     }
   })
 })
+
+describe('worker entity GC', () => {
+  const users = () => ({ items: [{ id: '1', name: 'A', age: 1 }, { id: '2', name: 'B', age: 2 }], nextCursor: null })
+
+  it('keeps worker entities forever when entityGc is off (default)', async () => {
+    const { runtime, defs, graph } = setup({ list: vi.fn(users), update: vi.fn() }, { defaultGcTime: 15 })
+    const handle = runtime.subscribeQuery(defs.usersList.name, defs.usersList.key({}), {})
+    await flush()
+    await flush()
+    expect(graph.entitiesInMemory.get('user')?.size).toBe(2)
+
+    handle.release()
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 60))
+    await flush()
+    expect(graph.entitiesInMemory.get('user')?.size).toBe(2) // not reclaimed
+  })
+
+  it('frees entities once their only query node is garbage-collected', async () => {
+    const { runtime, defs, graph } = setup({ list: vi.fn(users), update: vi.fn() }, { entityGc: true, defaultGcTime: 15 })
+    const handle = runtime.subscribeQuery(defs.usersList.name, defs.usersList.key({}), {})
+    await flush()
+    await flush()
+    expect(graph.entitiesInMemory.get('user')?.size).toBe(2)
+
+    handle.release()
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 60))
+    await flush()
+    expect(graph.entitiesInMemory.get('user')?.size ?? 0).toBe(0) // reclaimed
+  })
+
+  it('keeps an entity alive while another query still references it', async () => {
+    const list = vi.fn(async () => ({ items: [{ id: '1', name: 'A', age: 1 }], nextCursor: null }))
+    const { runtime, defs, graph } = setup({ list, update: vi.fn() }, { entityGc: true, defaultGcTime: 15 })
+    const h1 = runtime.subscribeQuery(defs.usersList.name, defs.usersList.key({}), {})
+    const h2 = runtime.subscribeQuery(defs.usersInfinite.name, defs.usersInfinite.key({}), {})
+    await flush()
+    await flush()
+    expect(graph.entitiesInMemory.get('user')?.size).toBe(1)
+
+    h1.release()
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 60))
+    await flush()
+    expect(graph.entitiesInMemory.get('user')?.size).toBe(1) // infinite query still holds it
+
+    h2.release()
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 60))
+    await flush()
+    expect(graph.entitiesInMemory.get('user')?.size ?? 0).toBe(0)
+  })
+
+  it('an in-flight mutation pins its entity against eviction until it settles', async () => {
+    let resolveMut!: (v: User) => void
+    const update = vi.fn(() => new Promise<User>((r) => { resolveMut = r }))
+    const list = vi.fn(async () => ({ items: [{ id: '1', name: 'A', age: 1 }], nextCursor: null }))
+    const { runtime, defs, graph } = setup({ list, update }, { entityGc: true, defaultGcTime: 15 })
+
+    const handle = runtime.subscribeQuery(defs.usersList.name, defs.usersList.key({}), {})
+    await flush()
+    await flush()
+    expect(graph.entitiesInMemory.get('user')?.size).toBe(1)
+
+    // Start an optimistic mutation (pins user '1'), then drop the only query referencing it.
+    void runtime.mutate(defs.updateUser.name, { id: '1', patch: { name: 'X' } })
+    await flush()
+    handle.release()
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 60))
+    await flush()
+    expect(graph.entitiesInMemory.get('user')?.size).toBe(1) // pinned -> survived node GC
+
+    resolveMut({ id: '1', name: 'X', age: 1 })
+    await flush()
+    await flush()
+    expect(graph.entitiesInMemory.get('user')?.size ?? 0).toBe(0) // unpinned + unreferenced -> freed
+  })
+})
diff --git a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/__tests__/mirror.test.ts b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/__tests__/mirror.test.ts
index c39ba1b..ecf7cc5 100644
--- a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/__tests__/mirror.test.ts
+++ b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/__tests__/mirror.test.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
 import { effectScope, nextTick, watchEffect } from 'vue'
 import { createMirror } from '../tab/mirror'
+import { entityKey } from '../core/queryKey'
 import { Op, Status } from '../core/flags'
 
 describe('mirror.applyEntityPatches', () => {
@@ -20,22 +21,22 @@ describe('mirror.applyEntityPatches', () => {
     expect(m.getEntity('user', '1')).toBeUndefined()
   })
 
-  it('triggers reactivity for all touched types', async () => {
+  it('triggers reactivity for every touched entity in a batch', async () => {
     const m = createMirror()
-    const seen = { user: 0, post: 0, tag: 0 }
+    const seen = { u1: 0, p1: 0, t1: 0 }
     const scope = effectScope()
     scope.run(() => {
       watchEffect(() => {
-        m.getEntity('user', 'noop')
-        seen.user++
+        m.getEntity('user', '1')
+        seen.u1++
       })
       watchEffect(() => {
-        m.getEntity('post', 'noop')
-        seen.post++
+        m.getEntity('post', 'p1')
+        seen.p1++
       })
       watchEffect(() => {
-        m.getEntity('tag', 'noop')
-        seen.tag++
+        m.getEntity('tag', 't1')
+        seen.t1++
       })
     })
     await nextTick()
@@ -49,9 +50,59 @@ describe('mirror.applyEntityPatches', () => {
     ])
     await nextTick()
 
-    expect(seen.user).toBeGreaterThan(before.user)
-    expect(seen.post).toBeGreaterThan(before.post)
-    expect(seen.tag).toBeGreaterThan(before.tag)
+    expect(seen.u1).toBeGreaterThan(before.u1)
+    expect(seen.p1).toBeGreaterThan(before.p1)
+    expect(seen.t1).toBeGreaterThan(before.t1)
+    scope.stop()
+  })
+
+  it('does NOT re-run readers of unaffected sibling entities (fine-grained)', async () => {
+    const m = createMirror()
+    let reads1 = 0
+    let reads2 = 0
+    const scope = effectScope()
+    scope.run(() => {
+      watchEffect(() => {
+        m.getEntity('user', '1')
+        reads1++
+      })
+      watchEffect(() => {
+        m.getEntity('user', '2')
+        reads2++
+      })
+    })
+    await nextTick()
+    const before2 = reads2
+
+    // Mutating user/1 must not invalidate the reader of user/2.
+    m.applyEntityPatches([{ type: 'user', id: '1', patch: { op: Op.Set, path: [], value: { v: 1 } } }])
+    await nextTick()
+
+    expect(reads1).toBeGreaterThan(0)
+    expect(reads2).toBe(before2)
+    scope.stop()
+  })
+
+  it('triggers a reader that initially saw undefined when its entity is created', async () => {
+    const m = createMirror()
+    let value: unknown
+    let runs = 0
+    const scope = effectScope()
+    scope.run(() => {
+      watchEffect(() => {
+        value = m.getEntity('user', 'late')
+        runs++
+      })
+    })
+    await nextTick()
+    expect(value).toBeUndefined()
+    const before = runs
+
+    m.applyEntityPatches([{ type: 'user', id: 'late', patch: { op: Op.Set, path: [], value: { id: 'late' } } }])
+    await nextTick()
+
+    expect(runs).toBeGreaterThan(before)
+    expect(value).toEqual({ id: 'late' })
     scope.stop()
   })
 
@@ -60,6 +111,53 @@ describe('mirror.applyEntityPatches', () => {
     expect(() => m.applyEntityPatches([])).not.toThrow()
   })
 
+  it('prunes the version ref when an entity is deleted', () => {
+    const m = createMirror()
+    // A read creates the per-entity version ref.
+    m.getEntity('user', '1')
+    m.applyEntityPatches([{ type: 'user', id: '1', patch: { op: Op.Set, path: [], value: { id: '1' } } }])
+    expect(m.versions.has(entityKey('user', '1'))).toBe(true)
+
+    m.applyEntityPatches([{ type: 'user', id: '1', patch: { op: Op.Delete, path: [] } }])
+    expect(m.versions.has(entityKey('user', '1'))).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('does not create version refs for entities that are written but never read', () => {
+    const m = createMirror()
+    m.applyEntityPatches([{ type: 'user', id: '99', patch: { op: Op.Set, path: [], value: { id: '99' } } }])
+    expect(m.versions.has(entityKey('user', '99'))).toBe(false)
+    expect(m.getEntity('user', '99')).toEqual({ id: '99' })
+  })
+
+  it('stays reactive after a delete prunes and the entity is re-created', async () => {
+    const m = createMirror()
+    let value: unknown
+    let runs = 0
+    const scope = effectScope()
+    scope.run(() => {
+      watchEffect(() => {
+        value = m.getEntity('user', '1')
+        runs++
+      })
+    })
+    await nextTick()
+
+    m.applyEntityPatches([{ type: 'user', id: '1', patch: { op: Op.Set, path: [], value: { v: 1 } } }])
+    await nextTick()
+    expect(value).toEqual({ v: 1 })
+
+    m.applyEntityPatches([{ type: 'user', id: '1', patch: { op: Op.Delete, path: [] } }])
+    await nextTick()
+    expect(value).toBeUndefined() // reader re-ran and re-created its ref
+
+    const after = runs
+    m.applyEntityPatches([{ type: 'user', id: '1', patch: { op: Op.Set, path: [], value: { v: 2 } } }])
+    await nextTick()
+    expect(runs).toBeGreaterThan(after) // still reactive on the re-created entity
+    expect(value).toEqual({ v: 2 })
+    scope.stop()
+  })
+
   it('handles non-root delete by merging the path', () => {
     const m = createMirror()
     m.applyEntityPatches([
@@ -105,3 +203,97 @@ describe('mirror.query state', () => {
     expect(r2.value.status).toBe(Status.Idle)
   })
 })
+
+describe('mirror LRU cap', () => {
+  const set = (id: string, value: unknown = { id }) => ({
+    type: 'user',
+    id,
+    patch: { op: Op.Set, path: [] as never[], value },
+  })
+
+  it('evicts the least-recently-used entity when over cap', () => {
+    const m = createMirror({ entityCap: 2 })
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('1')])
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('2')])
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('3')]) // overflow -> evict oldest ('1')
+
+    expect(m.getEntity('user', '1')).toBeUndefined()
+    expect(m.getEntity('user', '2')).toEqual({ id: '2' })
+    expect(m.getEntity('user', '3')).toEqual({ id: '3' })
+  })
+
+  it('a read marks an entity recently-used so it survives eviction', () => {
+    const m = createMirror({ entityCap: 2 })
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('1')])
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('2')])
+    m.getEntity('user', '1') // touch '1' -> now '2' is the LRU
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('3')]) // evicts '2'
+
+    expect(m.getEntity('user', '1')).toEqual({ id: '1' })
+    expect(m.getEntity('user', '2')).toBeUndefined()
+    expect(m.getEntity('user', '3')).toEqual({ id: '3' })
+  })
+
+  it('a write marks an entity recently-used so it survives eviction', () => {
+    const m = createMirror({ entityCap: 2 })
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('1')])
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('2')])
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('1', { id: '1', v: 2 })]) // touch '1' -> '2' is LRU
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('3')]) // evicts '2'
+
+    expect(m.getEntity('user', '1')).toEqual({ id: '1', v: 2 })
+    expect(m.getEntity('user', '2')).toBeUndefined()
+    expect(m.getEntity('user', '3')).toEqual({ id: '3' })
+  })
+
+  it('caps each type independently', () => {
+    const m = createMirror({ entityCap: 2 })
+    m.applyEntityPatches([
+      { type: 'user', id: 'u1', patch: { op: Op.Set, path: [], value: 1 } },
+      { type: 'user', id: 'u2', patch: { op: Op.Set, path: [], value: 1 } },
+      { type: 'user', id: 'u3', patch: { op: Op.Set, path: [], value: 1 } },
+      { type: 'post', id: 'p1', patch: { op: Op.Set, path: [], value: 1 } },
+      { type: 'post', id: 'p2', patch: { op: Op.Set, path: [], value: 1 } },
+    ])
+    expect(m.entities.get('user')!.size).toBe(2)
+    expect(m.entities.get('post')!.size).toBe(2)
+    expect(m.getEntity('user', 'u1')).toBeUndefined() // oldest user evicted
+    expect(m.getEntity('post', 'p1')).toBe(1) // posts within cap
+  })
+
+  it('cap of 0 (default) never evicts', () => {
+    const m = createMirror()
+    for (let i = 0; i < 100; i++) m.applyEntityPatches([set(String(i))])
+    expect(m.entities.get('user')!.size).toBe(100)
+  })
+
+  it('eviction prunes the version ref of an unobserved entity', () => {
+    const m = createMirror({ entityCap: 1 })
+    m.getEntity('user', '1') // create the version ref (no persistent reader)
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('1')])
+    expect(m.versions.has(entityKey('user', '1'))).toBe(true)
+
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('2')]) // evicts '1' and prunes its ref (nothing re-reads it)
+    expect(m.versions.has(entityKey('user', '1'))).toBe(false)
+    expect(m.entities.get('user')!.has('1')).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('eviction re-runs a stale reader (reactivity preserved)', async () => {
+    const m = createMirror({ entityCap: 1 })
+    let value: unknown
+    const scope = effectScope()
+    scope.run(() => {
+      watchEffect(() => {
+        value = m.getEntity('user', '1')
+      })
+    })
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('1')])
+    await nextTick()
+    expect(value).toEqual({ id: '1' })
+
+    m.applyEntityPatches([set('2')]) // evicts '1'
+    await nextTick()
+    expect(value).toBeUndefined() // reader re-ran on eviction
+    scope.stop()
+  })
+})
diff --git a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/composables/useInfiniteQuery.ts b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/composables/useInfiniteQuery.ts
index 5a7d10c..147bfe8 100644
--- a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/composables/useInfiniteQuery.ts
+++ b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/composables/useInfiniteQuery.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { computed, onScopeDispose, watch, type ComputedRef, type MaybeRefOrGetter, toValue } from 'vue'
+import { computed, onScopeDispose, shallowRef, watch, type ComputedRef, type MaybeRefOrGetter, toValue } from 'vue'
 import type { InfiniteQueryDef, QueryStatus } from '../core/types'
 import { Status } from '../core/flags'
 import { hashKey } from '../core/queryKey'
@@ -26,7 +26,9 @@ export function useInfiniteQuery<TArgs, TResp, TPageParam, TResult>(
 
   const initial = toValue(args)
   let handle = engine.subscribeQuery(def.name, def.key(initial), initial)
-  let stateRef = engine.mirror.ensureQuery<InfinitePayload<TResult>>(handle.subId)
+  // Track the active subId reactively and resolve via ensureQuery (see useQuery for rationale).
+  const subId = shallowRef(handle.subId)
+  const state = () => engine.mirror.ensureQuery<InfinitePayload<TResult>>(subId.value).value
 
   if (!def.staticHash) {
     watch(
@@ -35,7 +37,7 @@ export function useInfiniteQuery<TArgs, TResp, TPageParam, TResult>(
         const next = toValue(args)
         const prev = handle
         handle = engine.subscribeQuery(def.name, def.key(next), next)
-        stateRef = engine.mirror.ensureQuery<InfinitePayload<TResult>>(handle.subId)
+        subId.value = handle.subId
         prev.release()
       },
     )
@@ -44,11 +46,11 @@ export function useInfiniteQuery<TArgs, TResp, TPageParam, TResult>(
   onScopeDispose(() => handle.release())
 
   return {
-    pages: computed(() => stateRef.value.data?.pages ?? []),
-    pageParams: computed(() => stateRef.value.data?.pageParams ?? []),
-    status: computed(() => stateRef.value.status),
-    error: computed(() => stateRef.value.error),
-    isLoading: computed(() => stateRef.value.status === Status.Pending),
+    pages: computed(() => state().data?.pages ?? []),
+    pageParams: computed(() => state().data?.pageParams ?? []),
+    status: computed(() => state().status),
+    error: computed(() => state().error),
+    isLoading: computed(() => state().status === Status.Pending),
     fetchNextPage: () => handle.fetchNextPage(),
   }
 }
diff --git a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/composables/useQuery.ts b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/composables/useQuery.ts
index ce91668..a03072f 100644
--- a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/composables/useQuery.ts
+++ b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/composables/useQuery.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { computed, onScopeDispose, watch, type ComputedRef, type MaybeRefOrGetter, toValue } from 'vue'
+import { computed, onScopeDispose, shallowRef, watch, type ComputedRef, type MaybeRefOrGetter, toValue } from 'vue'
 import type { InfiniteQueryDef, QueryDef, QueryStatus } from '../core/types'
 import { Status } from '../core/flags'
 import { hashKey } from '../core/queryKey'
@@ -21,7 +21,11 @@ export function useQuery<TArgs, TResp, TResult>(
 
   const initial = toValue(args)
   let currentHandle = engine.subscribeQuery(def.name, def.key(initial), initial)
-  let currentRef = engine.mirror.ensureQuery<TResult>(currentHandle.subId)
+  // Track the active subId reactively (not the state ref itself — passing a ref into shallowRef
+  // unwraps it). Resolving through ensureQuery() inside each computed means the computed tracks
+  // both `subId` and the resolved ref, so it re-runs on both an args switch and a data update.
+  const subId = shallowRef(currentHandle.subId)
+  const state = () => engine.mirror.ensureQuery<TResult>(subId.value).value
 
   if (!def.staticHash) {
     watch(
@@ -30,7 +34,7 @@ export function useQuery<TArgs, TResp, TResult>(
         const next = toValue(args)
         const prev = currentHandle
         currentHandle = engine.subscribeQuery(def.name, def.key(next), next)
-        currentRef = engine.mirror.ensureQuery<TResult>(currentHandle.subId)
+        subId.value = currentHandle.subId
         prev.release()
       },
     )
@@ -39,11 +43,11 @@ export function useQuery<TArgs, TResp, TResult>(
   onScopeDispose(() => currentHandle.release())
 
   return {
-    data: computed(() => currentRef.value.data),
-    status: computed(() => currentRef.value.status),
-    error: computed(() => currentRef.value.error),
-    isLoading: computed(() => currentRef.value.status === Status.Pending),
-    isSuccess: computed(() => currentRef.value.status === Status.Success),
-    isError: computed(() => currentRef.value.status === Status.Error),
+    data: computed(() => state().data),
+    status: computed(() => state().status),
+    error: computed(() => state().error),
+    isLoading: computed(() => state().status === Status.Pending),
+    isSuccess: computed(() => state().status === Status.Success),
+    isError: computed(() => state().status === Status.Error),
   }
 }
diff --git a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/core/types.ts b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/core/types.ts
index e66434f..6964f94 100644
--- a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/core/types.ts
+++ b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/core/types.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ export interface InfiniteQueryDef<TArgs = any, TResp = any, TPageParam = any, TR
   readonly kind: typeof Kind.Infinite
   readonly initialPageParam: TPageParam
   readonly getNextPageParam: (lastPage: TResult, allPages: TResult[]) => TPageParam | null | undefined
+  /** Keep at most this many pages in memory; older pages are dropped as new ones load. 0/undefined = unlimited. */
+  readonly maxPages?: number
   readonly fetch: (args: TArgs, ctx: FetchCtx & { pageParam: TPageParam }) => Promise<TResp>
   readonly normalize?: (resp: TResp, args: TArgs, pageParam: TPageParam) => { entities?: Record<string, ReadonlyArray<unknown>>; result: TResult }
   readonly exec?: (args: TArgs, ctx: ExecCtx) => Promise<ExecResult>
@@ -85,6 +87,8 @@ export interface QuerySnapshot<TResult = unknown> {
   error?: { message: string }
   updatedAt?: number
   entityRefs?: ReadonlyArray<{ type: string; id: EntityId }>
+  /** Per-page entityRef counts for infinite queries; lets page windowing survive hydration. */
+  pageRefCounts?: ReadonlyArray<number>
 }
 
 export interface QueuedMutation {
diff --git a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/createEngine.ts b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/createEngine.ts
index 10ef000..f079942 100644
--- a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/createEngine.ts
+++ b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/createEngine.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ export interface WorkerBootstrapOptions {
   endpoint: ServerEndpoint
   defaultStaleTime?: number
   defaultGcTime?: number
+  /** Default page cap for infinite queries without their own `maxPages`. 0 = unlimited. */
+  defaultMaxPages?: number
+  /** Reclaim worker-memory entities once no live query references them. Default false. */
+  entityGc?: boolean
 }
 
 export function bootstrapWorker(opts: WorkerBootstrapOptions): void {
@@ -33,16 +37,20 @@ export function bootstrapWorker(opts: WorkerBootstrapOptions): void {
     registry,
     defaultStaleTime: opts.defaultStaleTime,
     defaultGcTime: opts.defaultGcTime,
+    defaultMaxPages: opts.defaultMaxPages,
+    entityGc: opts.entityGc,
   })
 }
 
 export interface TabEngineOptions {
   transport: Transport
   staleSubGcMs?: number
+  /** Max entities kept per type in the tab cache (LRU eviction). 0 = unlimited. */
+  entityCap?: number
 }
 
 export function createTabEngine(opts: TabEngineOptions): TabRuntime {
-  const mirror = createMirror()
+  const mirror = createMirror({ entityCap: opts.entityCap })
   return createTabRuntime({ transport: opts.transport, mirror, staleSubGcMs: opts.staleSubGcMs })
 }
 
@@ -53,6 +61,12 @@ export interface EngineOptions {
   storage?: StorageAdapter
   defaultStaleTime?: number
   defaultGcTime?: number
+  /** Default page cap for infinite queries without their own `maxPages`. 0 = unlimited. */
+  defaultMaxPages?: number
+  /** Max entities kept per type in the tab cache (LRU eviction). 0 = unlimited. */
+  entityCap?: number
+  /** Reclaim worker-memory entities once no live query references them. Default false. */
+  entityGc?: boolean
 }
 
 export function createEngine(opts: EngineOptions): TabRuntime {
@@ -66,8 +80,10 @@ export function createEngine(opts: EngineOptions): TabRuntime {
     endpoint: server,
     defaultStaleTime: opts.defaultStaleTime,
     defaultGcTime: opts.defaultGcTime,
+    defaultMaxPages: opts.defaultMaxPages,
+    entityGc: opts.entityGc,
   })
-  return createTabEngine({ transport: client })
+  return createTabEngine({ transport: client, entityCap: opts.entityCap })
 }
 
 export interface InstallEngineOptions {
diff --git a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/tab/mirror.ts b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/tab/mirror.ts
index dbd77fb..118b177 100644
--- a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/tab/mirror.ts
+++ b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/tab/mirror.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { shallowRef, triggerRef, type ShallowRef } from 'vue'
 import type { EntityId, EntityPatch, Patch, QueryStatus } from '../core/types'
 import { Op, Status } from '../core/flags'
 import { applyPatch } from '../core/patches'
+import { entityKey } from '../core/queryKey'
 
 export interface QueryState<T = unknown> {
   status: QueryStatus
@@ -9,16 +10,29 @@ export interface QueryState<T = unknown> {
   error: { message: string } | undefined
 }
 
-export function createMirror() {
+export interface MirrorOptions {
+  /**
+   * Max entities kept per type. When exceeded, the least-recently-used entity is evicted.
+   * 0 (default) = unlimited. Reads and writes bump recency; set this above your largest
+   * live working set so eviction only ever reclaims off-screen (orphaned) entities.
+   */
+  entityCap?: number
+}
+
+export function createMirror(opts?: MirrorOptions) {
+  const cap = opts?.entityCap ?? 0
   const entities = new Map<string, Map<EntityId, unknown>>()
+  // Per-entity version refs (keyed by `type id`) give fine-grained reactivity:
+  // a reader of one entity only re-runs when *that* entity changes, not when any
+  // sibling of the same type does.
   const versions = new Map<string, ShallowRef<number>>()
   const queries = new Map<string, ShallowRef<QueryState>>()
 
-  function typeVersion(type: string): ShallowRef<number> {
-    let v = versions.get(type)
+  function entityVersion(key: string): ShallowRef<number> {
+    let v = versions.get(key)
     if (!v) {
       v = shallowRef(0)
-      versions.set(type, v)
+      versions.set(key, v)
     }
     return v
   }
@@ -32,38 +46,97 @@ export function createMirror() {
     return b
   }
 
+  // Write a value, moving the key to the most-recently-used position when a cap is active.
+  // (Map.set on an existing key keeps its original position, so we delete first.)
+  function setVal(bucket: Map<EntityId, unknown>, id: EntityId, val: unknown): void {
+    if (cap !== 0) bucket.delete(id)
+    bucket.set(id, val)
+  }
+
   function getEntity<T>(type: string, id: EntityId): T | undefined {
-    typeVersion(type).value
+    // Lazily create + track this entity's version so that a later create/update/delete
+    // of exactly this entity re-runs the calling effect — even if it currently reads undefined.
+    entityVersion(entityKey(type, id)).value
     const b = entities.get(type)
-    return b === undefined ? undefined : (b.get(id) as T | undefined)
+    if (b === undefined) return undefined
+    const v = b.get(id)
+    if (cap !== 0 && v !== undefined) {
+      // LRU touch: a read marks the entity as recently used so it survives eviction.
+      b.delete(id)
+      b.set(id, v)
+    }
+    return v as T | undefined
+  }
+
+  // Notify the entity's readers, then drop its version ref if the entity no longer exists.
+  // Readers re-run synchronously on the trigger, call getEntity, and lazily re-create a fresh
+  // ref (seeing undefined) — so pruning is safe and keeps `versions` from growing on churn.
+  // Refs for entities written-but-never-read are never created, so this is a no-op for them.
+  function bumpEntity(type: string, id: EntityId, key: string): void {
+    const v = versions.get(key)
+    if (v === undefined) return
+    triggerRef(v)
+    const b = entities.get(type)
+    if (b === undefined || !b.has(id)) versions.delete(key)
+  }
+
+  // Evict least-recently-used entities (the front of the Map) until the type is within cap.
+  function evictOverflow(type: string): void {
+    const b = entities.get(type)
+    if (b === undefined || b.size <= cap) return
+    while (b.size > cap) {
+      const oldest = b.keys().next().value as EntityId
+      b.delete(oldest)
+      const key = entityKey(type, oldest)
+      const vref = versions.get(key)
+      if (vref !== undefined) {
+        triggerRef(vref)
+        versions.delete(key)
+      }
+    }
   }
 
   function applyEntityPatches(patches: EntityPatch[]): void {
-    if (patches.length === 0) return
+    const n = patches.length
+    if (n === 0) return
+
+    // Fast path: a single patch (the common optimistic-update case) needs no Map.
+    if (n === 1) {
+      const p = patches[0]
+      const bucket = entityBucket(p.type)
+      const patch = p.patch
+      if (patch.op === Op.Delete && patch.path.length === 0) bucket.delete(p.id)
+      else setVal(bucket, p.id, applyPatch(bucket.get(p.id), patch))
+      bumpEntity(p.type, p.id, entityKey(p.type, p.id))
+      if (cap !== 0) evictOverflow(p.type)
+      return
+    }
+
     let lastType = ''
     let bucket: Map<EntityId, unknown> | undefined
-    let touchedFirst: string | undefined
-    let touchedRest: Set<string> | undefined
-    for (let i = 0; i < patches.length; i++) {
+    // Dedupe touched entities so one patched twice in a batch fires once; retain type+id
+    // so pruning can check current existence.
+    let touched: Map<string, { type: string; id: EntityId }> | undefined
+    let touchedTypes: Set<string> | undefined
+    for (let i = 0; i < n; i++) {
       const p = patches[i]
       if (p.type !== lastType) {
         lastType = p.type
         bucket = entityBucket(lastType)
-        if (touchedFirst === undefined) touchedFirst = lastType
-        else if (lastType !== touchedFirst) {
-          if (touchedRest === undefined) touchedRest = new Set()
-          touchedRest.add(lastType)
-        }
       }
       const patch = p.patch
       if (patch.op === Op.Delete && patch.path.length === 0) {
         bucket!.delete(p.id)
       } else {
-        bucket!.set(p.id, applyPatch(bucket!.get(p.id), patch))
+        setVal(bucket!, p.id, applyPatch(bucket!.get(p.id), patch))
       }
+      const key = entityKey(p.type, p.id)
+      if (touched === undefined) touched = new Map()
+      if (!touched.has(key)) touched.set(key, { type: p.type, id: p.id })
+      if (cap !== 0) (touchedTypes ??= new Set()).add(p.type)
     }
-    if (touchedFirst !== undefined) triggerRef(typeVersion(touchedFirst))
-    if (touchedRest !== undefined) for (const t of touchedRest) triggerRef(typeVersion(t))
+    if (touched !== undefined) for (const [key, { type, id }] of touched) bumpEntity(type, id, key)
+    if (touchedTypes !== undefined) for (const t of touchedTypes) evictOverflow(t)
   }
 
   function ensureQuery<T>(subId: string): ShallowRef<QueryState<T>> {
@@ -89,7 +162,7 @@ export function createMirror() {
     queries.delete(subId)
   }
 
-  return { entities, getEntity, applyEntityPatches, ensureQuery, applyQueryPatch, dropQuery }
+  return { entities, versions, getEntity, applyEntityPatches, ensureQuery, applyQueryPatch, dropQuery }
 }
 
 export type Mirror = ReturnType<typeof createMirror>
diff --git a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/worker/mutationQueue.ts b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/worker/mutationQueue.ts
index 010d1fa..e75ea3f 100644
--- a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/worker/mutationQueue.ts
+++ b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/worker/mutationQueue.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ export interface MutationQueueDeps {
   buildCtx: (forward: EntityPatch[], inverse: EntityPatch[]) => OptimisticCtx
   buildPostCtx: (post: EntityPatch[]) => OptimisticCtx
   invalidate: (def: MutationDef, input: unknown, resp: unknown) => void
+  pinEntities: (patches: ReadonlyArray<EntityPatch>) => void
+  unpinEntities: (patches: ReadonlyArray<EntityPatch>) => void
   isOnline: () => boolean
   onOnline: (cb: () => void) => () => void
   onResult: (mutId: string, ok: boolean, data?: unknown, error?: { message: string }) => void
@@ -32,7 +34,9 @@ export function createMutationQueue(deps: MutationQueueDeps) {
     const persisted = await deps.storage.mutations.readAll()
     for (const m of persisted) {
       if (m.seq > seq) seq = m.seq
-      inflight.set(m.id, { queued: m, inverse: m.inversePatches ?? [] })
+      const inverse = m.inversePatches ?? []
+      inflight.set(m.id, { queued: m, inverse })
+      deps.pinEntities(inverse) // protect restored optimistic entities until they settle
     }
     void drain()
     deps.onOnline(() => void drain())
@@ -52,6 +56,7 @@ export function createMutationQueue(deps: MutationQueueDeps) {
     if (def.optimistic) {
       def.optimistic(input, deps.buildCtx(forward, inverse))
       if (forward.length) deps.emitEntityPatches(forward)
+      if (inverse.length) deps.pinEntities(inverse) // protect until the mutation settles
     }
 
     const queued: QueuedMutation = {
@@ -105,6 +110,7 @@ export function createMutationQueue(deps: MutationQueueDeps) {
       deps.invalidate(def, entry.queued.input, resp)
       inflight.delete(entry.queued.id)
       await deps.storage.mutations.delete(entry.queued.id)
+      deps.unpinEntities(entry.inverse)
       deps.onResult(entry.queued.id, true, resp)
     } catch (err) {
       const networkLike = !deps.isOnline() || isNetworkError(err)
@@ -124,6 +130,7 @@ export function createMutationQueue(deps: MutationQueueDeps) {
       }
       inflight.delete(entry.queued.id)
       await deps.storage.mutations.delete(entry.queued.id)
+      deps.unpinEntities(entry.inverse)
       deps.onResult(entry.queued.id, false, undefined, { message: (err as Error)?.message ?? String(err) })
     }
   }
diff --git a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/worker/queryGraph.ts b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/worker/queryGraph.ts
index 04fb937..56dfb1e 100644
--- a/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/worker/queryGraph.ts
+++ b/vue-sync-engine/lib/src/worker/queryGraph.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import type { StorageAdapter } from '../adapters/storageAdapter'
 import type { EntityDef, EntityId, EntityPatch, InfiniteQueryDef, MutationDef, OptimisticCtx, QueryDef, QuerySnapshot, QueryStatus } from '../core/types'
 import { Op, Status, Msg, Kind } from '../core/flags'
-import { hashKey } from '../core/queryKey'
+import { hashKey, entityKey } from '../core/queryKey'
 import type { ServerEndpoint, ClientMsg } from '../transport/protocol'
 import { createMutationQueue } from './mutationQueue'
 import { DEV } from '../__dev'
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ interface QueryNode {
   abort: AbortController | null
   gcTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null
   entityRefs: Array<{ type: string; id: EntityId }>
+  // Number of entityRefs contributed by each retained page (infinite queries only),
+  // so page windowing can drop the right slice of refs alongside the page.
+  pageRefCounts: number[]
 }
 
 interface Registry {
@@ -36,6 +39,14 @@ export interface QueryGraphOptions {
   registry: Registry
   defaultStaleTime?: number
   defaultGcTime?: number
+  /** Default page cap for infinite queries that don't set their own `maxPages`. 0 = unlimited. */
+  defaultMaxPages?: number
+  /**
+   * Reclaim worker-memory entities once no live query references them (and no in-flight
+   * mutation pins them). Uses exact reference counts from each node's entityRefs, so it
+   * only ever frees provably-orphaned entities. Default false.
+   */
+  entityGc?: boolean
   isOnline?: () => boolean
   onOnline?: (cb: () => void) => () => void
 }
@@ -44,6 +55,11 @@ export function createQueryGraph(opts: QueryGraphOptions) {
   const { storage, endpoint, registry } = opts
   const defaultStaleTime = opts.defaultStaleTime ?? 30_000
   const defaultGcTime = opts.defaultGcTime ?? 5 * 60_000
+  const defaultMaxPages = opts.defaultMaxPages ?? 0
+  // Entity GC bookkeeping. When disabled, the maps are null and every retain/release/pin
+  // call short-circuits on the first line — zero overhead on the hot fetch path.
+  const entityRefCount = opts.entityGc ? new Map<string, number>() : null
+  const entityPins = opts.entityGc ? new Map<string, number>() : null
   const isOnline = opts.isOnline ?? (() => (typeof navigator !== 'undefined' ? navigator.onLine : true))
   const onOnline =
     opts.onOnline ??
@@ -71,6 +87,71 @@ export function createQueryGraph(opts: QueryGraphOptions) {
     return entityBucket(type).get(id)
   }
 
+  function evictEntity(type: string, id: EntityId): void {
+    const b = entitiesInMemory.get(type)
+    if (b !== undefined) b.delete(id)
+  }
+
+  type Ref = { type: string; id: EntityId }
+
+  // Increment the query-reference count for each ref. Always called before releaseRefs so an
+  // entity present in both the old and new ref sets never transiently drops to 0.
+  function retainRefs(refs: ReadonlyArray<Ref>): void {
+    if (entityRefCount === null) return
+    for (let i = 0; i < refs.length; i++) {
+      const k = entityKey(refs[i].type, refs[i].id)
+      entityRefCount.set(k, (entityRefCount.get(k) ?? 0) + 1)
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Decrement counts; an entity that reaches 0 references and isn't pinned is freed immediately.
+  function releaseRefs(refs: ReadonlyArray<Ref>): void {
+    if (entityRefCount === null) return
+    for (let i = 0; i < refs.length; i++) {
+      const r = refs[i]
+      const k = entityKey(r.type, r.id)
+      const c = (entityRefCount.get(k) ?? 0) - 1
+      if (c <= 0) {
+        entityRefCount.delete(k)
+        if (entityPins === null || !entityPins.has(k)) evictEntity(r.type, r.id)
+      } else {
+        entityRefCount.set(k, c)
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Atomically swap a node's referenced entities, retaining the new set before releasing the old.
+  function setNodeRefs(node: QueryNode, newRefs: Ref[]): void {
+    retainRefs(newRefs)
+    releaseRefs(node.entityRefs)
+    node.entityRefs = newRefs
+  }
+
+  // Pins protect entities touched by an in-flight mutation from eviction until it settles.
+  function pinEntities(patches: ReadonlyArray<{ type: string; id: EntityId }>): void {
+    if (entityPins === null) return
+    for (let i = 0; i < patches.length; i++) {
+      const p = patches[i]
+      const k = entityKey(p.type, p.id)
+      entityPins.set(k, (entityPins.get(k) ?? 0) + 1)
+    }
+  }
+
+  function unpinEntities(patches: ReadonlyArray<{ type: string; id: EntityId }>): void {
+    if (entityPins === null) return
+    for (let i = 0; i < patches.length; i++) {
+      const p = patches[i]
+      const k = entityKey(p.type, p.id)
+      const c = (entityPins.get(k) ?? 0) - 1
+      if (c <= 0) {
+        entityPins.delete(k)
+        if (entityRefCount === null || !entityRefCount.has(k)) evictEntity(p.type, p.id)
+      } else {
+        entityPins.set(k, c)
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
   function emitEntityPatches(patches: EntityPatch[]): Promise<void> {
     if (patches.length === 0) return Promise.resolve()
     const writesByType = new Map<string, Array<{ key: EntityId; value: unknown }>>()
@@ -142,6 +223,7 @@ export function createQueryGraph(opts: QueryGraphOptions) {
         abort: null,
         gcTimer: null,
         entityRefs: [],
+        pageRefCounts: [],
       }
       nodes.set(key, node)
     } else if (node.gcTimer !== null) {
@@ -156,6 +238,8 @@ export function createQueryGraph(opts: QueryGraphOptions) {
     const gc = node.def.gcTime ?? defaultGcTime
     node.gcTimer = setTimeout(() => {
       if (node.subscribers.size === 0) {
+        releaseRefs(node.entityRefs) // free entities this node was the last to reference
+        node.entityRefs = []
         nodes.delete(node.key)
         void storage.queries.delete(node.key)
       }
@@ -187,7 +271,8 @@ export function createQueryGraph(opts: QueryGraphOptions) {
         return
       }
       if (patches.length > 0) endpoint.broadcast({ type: Msg.EntityPatch, patches })
-      node.entityRefs = stored.entityRefs.slice()
+      setNodeRefs(node, stored.entityRefs.slice()) // node started empty; retains restored refs
+      if (stored.pageRefCounts) node.pageRefCounts = stored.pageRefCounts.slice()
     }
     node.result = stored.result
     node.status = Status.Success
@@ -289,14 +374,43 @@ export function createQueryGraph(opts: QueryGraphOptions) {
         })
         if (entities !== null) await emitEntityPatches(ingestEntities(entities, pageRefs))
         if (isInfinite) {
+          const maxPages = (node.def as InfiniteQueryDef).maxPages ?? defaultMaxPages
           const prev = (node.result as { pages: unknown[]; pageParams: unknown[] } | undefined) ?? { pages: [], pageParams: [] }
-          node.result = append
-            ? { pages: [...prev.pages, pageResult], pageParams: [...prev.pageParams, effectivePageParam] }
-            : { pages: [pageResult], pageParams: [effectivePageParam] }
-          node.entityRefs = append ? node.entityRefs.concat(pageRefs) : pageRefs
+          if (append) {
+            // Incremental retain: only the new page's entities, never re-touching the window —
+            // keeps append O(page) rather than O(total) for long infinite lists.
+            retainRefs(pageRefs)
+            const pages = [...prev.pages, pageResult]
+            const pageParams = [...prev.pageParams, effectivePageParam]
+            let refs = node.entityRefs.concat(pageRefs)
+            // Counts stay aligned with pages unless they drifted (e.g. a hydrated snapshot
+            // without per-page counts). When aligned we can drop the exact ref slice.
+            const counts = node.pageRefCounts.length === prev.pages.length ? node.pageRefCounts.concat(pageRefs.length) : null
+            if (maxPages && pages.length > maxPages) {
+              const dropN = pages.length - maxPages
+              pages.splice(0, dropN)
+              pageParams.splice(0, dropN)
+              if (counts) {
+                let dropRefs = 0
+                for (let i = 0; i < dropN; i++) dropRefs += counts[i]
+                counts.splice(0, dropN)
+                if (dropRefs > 0) {
+                  releaseRefs(refs.slice(0, dropRefs))
+                  refs = refs.slice(dropRefs)
+                }
+              }
+            }
+            node.result = { pages, pageParams }
+            node.entityRefs = refs
+            node.pageRefCounts = counts ?? []
+          } else {
+            node.result = { pages: [pageResult], pageParams: [effectivePageParam] }
+            setNodeRefs(node, pageRefs)
+            node.pageRefCounts = [pageRefs.length]
+          }
         } else {
           node.result = pageResult
-          node.entityRefs = pageRefs
+          setNodeRefs(node, pageRefs)
         }
         node.status = Status.Success
         node.updatedAt = Date.now()
@@ -305,6 +419,7 @@ export function createQueryGraph(opts: QueryGraphOptions) {
           result: node.result,
           updatedAt: node.updatedAt,
           entityRefs: node.entityRefs,
+          pageRefCounts: isInfinite ? node.pageRefCounts : undefined,
         }
         await storage.queries.write([{ key: node.key, value: snap }])
         pushSnapshotToSubscribers(node)
@@ -463,6 +578,8 @@ export function createQueryGraph(opts: QueryGraphOptions) {
     buildCtx,
     buildPostCtx,
     invalidate,
+    pinEntities,
+    unpinEntities,
     isOnline,
     onOnline,
     onResult: (mutId, ok, data, error) =>
@@ -478,7 +595,7 @@ export function createQueryGraph(opts: QueryGraphOptions) {
     else if (msg.type === Msg.FetchNextPage) fetchNextPage(msg.subId)
   })
 
-  return { nodes, subscribe, unsubscribe, fetchNextPage, queue }
+  return { nodes, entitiesInMemory, subscribe, unsubscribe, fetchNextPage, queue }
 }
 
 function shallowEqual(a: Record<string, unknown>, b: Record<string, unknown>): boolean {