diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/HermesControlApp.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/HermesControlApp.kt
index 0bd00987..c451fd3d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/HermesControlApp.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/HermesControlApp.kt
@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
 package com.m57.hermescontrol
 
 import android.app.Application
+import coil.ImageLoader
+import coil.ImageLoaderFactory
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.local.AuthManager
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.NetworkMonitor
+import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.OkHttpProvider
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.ui.analytics.AnalyticsPreloader
 
-class HermesControlApp : Application() {
+class HermesControlApp :
+    Application(),
+    ImageLoaderFactory {
     override fun onCreate() {
         super.onCreate()
         AuthManager.init(this)
@@ -18,4 +23,11 @@ class HermesControlApp : Application() {
         // cold backend). Fire-and-forget; never blocks UI startup.
         AnalyticsPreloader.preload(this)
     }
+
+    override fun newImageLoader(): ImageLoader =
+        ImageLoader
+            .Builder(this)
+            .okHttpClient(OkHttpProvider.base)
+            .crossfade(true)
+            .build()
 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/data/model/Attachment.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/data/model/Attachment.kt
index 1cc12774..001feb73 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/data/model/Attachment.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/data/model/Attachment.kt
@@ -1,28 +1,40 @@
 package com.m57.hermescontrol.data.model
+
 import kotlinx.serialization.Serializable
 
 /**
  * Represents a file attached to a chat message.
  *
- * @param uri Content URI or file path to the attachment
+ * @param uri Content URI or file path to the attachment. For gateway-sourced
+ *   attachments this is the authenticated `/api/files/download?...` URL, which
+ *   Coil can load directly for images.
  * @param name Display name of the file
  * @param mimeType MIME type (e.g., "image/jpeg", "application/pdf")
- * @param size File size in bytes
- * @param localPath Optional local file system path for direct access
+ * @param size File size in bytes (0 when unknown, e.g. gateway-hosted files)
+ * @param gatewayUrl When non-null, the authenticated gateway download URL for a
+ *   file that lives on the *gateway host* (agent-delivered `MEDIA:` directive).
+ *   Null for locally-picked attachments.
+ * @param source Where the attachment originated.
  */
 @Serializable
 data class Attachment(
     val uri: String,
     val name: String,
     val mimeType: String,
-    val size: Long,
+    val size: Long = 0,
+    val gatewayUrl: String? = null,
+    val source: AttachmentSource = AttachmentSource.LOCAL,
 ) {
     val isImage: Boolean
         get() = mimeType.startsWith("image/")
 
+    val isGateway: Boolean
+        get() = source == AttachmentSource.GATEWAY
+
     val formattedSize: String
         get() =
             when {
+                size <= 0 -> "—"
                 size < 1024 -> "$size B"
                 size < 1024 * 1024 -> "${size / 1024} KB"
                 else -> "%.1f MB".format(size.toDouble() / (1024 * 1024))
@@ -31,3 +43,13 @@ data class Attachment(
     val fileExtension: String
         get() = name.substringAfterLast('.', "").lowercase()
 }
+
+/** Origin of an [Attachment]. */
+@Serializable
+enum class AttachmentSource {
+    /** Picked by the user on this device (content URI / local path). */
+    LOCAL,
+
+    /** Delivered by the agent via a gateway-hosted `MEDIA:` directive. */
+    GATEWAY,
+}
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/data/remote/GatewayFileClient.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/data/remote/GatewayFileClient.kt
index 6ebb27a4..4129370b 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/data/remote/GatewayFileClient.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/data/remote/GatewayFileClient.kt
@@ -41,11 +41,15 @@ object GatewayFileClient {
         path: String,
     ): String? {
         val trimmedBase = baseUrl.trimEnd('/')
-        if (trimmedBase.isBlank() || token.isBlank()) return null
+        if (trimmedBase.isBlank()) return null
         val norm = normalizePath(path) ?: return null
         val encPath = URLEncoder.encode(norm, StandardCharsets.UTF_8.name()).replace("+", "%20")
-        val encToken = URLEncoder.encode(token, StandardCharsets.UTF_8.name()).replace("+", "%20")
-        return "$trimmedBase$DOWNLOAD_PATH?path=$encPath&token=$encToken"
+        return if (token.isNotBlank()) {
+            val encToken = URLEncoder.encode(token, StandardCharsets.UTF_8.name()).replace("+", "%20")
+            "$trimmedBase$DOWNLOAD_PATH?path=$encPath&token=$encToken"
+        } else {
+            "$trimmedBase$DOWNLOAD_PATH?path=$encPath"
+        }
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatBubble.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatBubble.kt
index 0608c401..b160dd78 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatBubble.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatBubble.kt
@@ -114,6 +114,7 @@ fun ChatBubble(
     searchQuery: String = "",
     isCurrentMatch: Boolean = false,
     onRespondApproval: (String) -> Unit = {},
+    onOpenAttachment: (Attachment) -> Unit = {},
     modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
 ) {
     val screenWidth = LocalConfiguration.current.screenWidthDp.dp
@@ -129,17 +130,25 @@ fun ChatBubble(
     ) {
         when (message.role) {
             MessageRole.USER -> {
-                UserBubble(message, maxBubbleWidth, searchQuery, isCurrentMatch, modifier)
+                UserBubble(
+                    message = message,
+                    maxWidth = maxBubbleWidth,
+                    searchQuery = searchQuery,
+                    isCurrentMatch = isCurrentMatch,
+                    onOpenAttachment = onOpenAttachment,
+                    modifier = modifier,
+                )
             }
 
             MessageRole.ASSISTANT -> {
                 AssistantBubble(
-                    message,
-                    maxBubbleWidth,
-                    isDarkTheme,
-                    searchQuery,
-                    isCurrentMatch,
-                    modifier,
+                    message = message,
+                    maxWidth = maxBubbleWidth,
+                    isDarkTheme = isDarkTheme,
+                    searchQuery = searchQuery,
+                    isCurrentMatch = isCurrentMatch,
+                    onOpenAttachment = onOpenAttachment,
+                    modifier = modifier,
                 )
             }
 
@@ -164,6 +173,7 @@ private fun UserBubble(
     maxWidth: androidx.compose.ui.unit.Dp,
     searchQuery: String = "",
     isCurrentMatch: Boolean = false,
+    onOpenAttachment: (Attachment) -> Unit = {},
     modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
 ) {
     val clipboard = LocalClipboard.current
@@ -263,6 +273,7 @@ private fun UserBubble(
                             InlineAttachment(
                                 attachment = attachment,
                                 textColor = userBubbleTextColor,
+                                onOpen = { onOpenAttachment(it) },
                             )
                             Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(4.dp))
                         }
@@ -325,6 +336,7 @@ private fun AssistantBubble(
     isDarkTheme: Boolean,
     searchQuery: String = "",
     isCurrentMatch: Boolean = false,
+    onOpenAttachment: (Attachment) -> Unit = {},
     modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
 ) {
     val bubbleColor = if (isDarkTheme) AssistantBubble else AssistantBubbleLight
@@ -414,6 +426,7 @@ private fun AssistantBubble(
                             InlineAttachment(
                                 attachment = attachment,
                                 textColor = textColor,
+                                onOpen = { onOpenAttachment(it) },
                             )
                             Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(4.dp))
                         }
@@ -2293,24 +2306,30 @@ private fun buildHighlightedString(
 private fun InlineAttachment(
     attachment: Attachment,
     textColor: Color,
+    onOpen: (Attachment) -> Unit = {},
 ) {
+    val clickable = Modifier.clickable { onOpen(attachment) }
     if (attachment.isImage) {
-        // Image attachment — show as a rounded thumbnail
+        // Image attachment — show as a rounded thumbnail (Coil loads the
+        // gateway download URL directly when gateway-sourced).
         AsyncImage(
             model = attachment.uri,
             contentDescription = attachment.name,
             modifier =
                 Modifier
                     .fillMaxWidth()
-                    .clip(RoundedCornerShape(12.dp)),
+                    .clip(RoundedCornerShape(12.dp))
+                    .then(clickable),
             contentScale = ContentScale.FillWidth,
         )
     } else {
-        // Non-image file — show a card with file icon and name
+        // Non-image file — show a card with file icon and name. Tapping fetches
+        // the bytes (gateway-sourced) or opens the local URI.
         Surface(
             shape = RoundedCornerShape(8.dp),
             color = textColor.copy(alpha = 0.1f),
             border = BorderStroke(1.dp, textColor.copy(alpha = 0.2f)),
+            modifier = clickable,
         ) {
             Row(
                 modifier = Modifier.padding(8.dp),
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatScreen.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatScreen.kt
index 19cef023..29027dba 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatScreen.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatScreen.kt
@@ -334,6 +334,7 @@ fun ChatScreen(
         messages = state.messages,
         errorMessage = state.errorMessage,
         backgroundCompleteMessage = state.backgroundCompleteMessage,
+        openError = state.openError,
         isSearchActive = state.isSearchActive,
         currentSearchMatchIndex = state.currentSearchMatchIndex,
         searchMatchIndices = state.searchMatchIndices,
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatViewModel.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatViewModel.kt
index 54adbc75..2d47ff1b 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatViewModel.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatViewModel.kt
@@ -10,10 +10,14 @@ import androidx.lifecycle.viewModelScope
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.local.AuthManager
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.local.HermesDatabase
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.model.Attachment
+import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.model.AttachmentSource
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.model.ModelProvider
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.model.PinnedModel
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.model.SessionMessage
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.ApiClient
+import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.GatewayFile
+import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.GatewayFileClient
+import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.GatewayFileResult
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.NetworkResult
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.OkHttpProvider
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.safeApiCall
@@ -66,6 +70,8 @@ data class ChatUiState(
     val errorMessage: String? = null,
     // Background job completion toast (issue #527) — non-blocking snackbar
     val backgroundCompleteMessage: String? = null,
+    // Attachment open failure — surfaced as a non-blocking snackbar (issue #724)
+    val openError: String? = null,
     val clarifyRequest: ClarifyUi? = null,
     // Sudo / secret prompts — surfaced as dialogs (issue #524)
     val sudoPrompt: SudoPromptUi? = null,
@@ -415,6 +421,16 @@ class ChatViewModel(
                     // than waiting up to 5s for the next session-sync poll.
                     viewModelScope.launch { fetchContextUsage() }
                 }
+
+                is ReducerEffect.AttachHostMedia -> {
+                    // Issue #724: turn host-path MEDIA: directives into real
+                    // attachments (images inline, every other file tappable)
+                    // via the gateway /api/files/download endpoint. Works on a
+                    // remote phone too.
+                    viewModelScope.launch(Dispatchers.IO) {
+                        attachHostMedia(effect.sessionId, effect.messageId)
+                    }
+                }
             }
         }
 
@@ -1052,10 +1068,11 @@ class ChatViewModel(
                 // #576). For those we fall back to slash.exec, which runs the
                 // full COMMAND_REGISTRY through the worker.
                 val result =
-                    wsClient.request(
-                        WsMethods.COMMAND_DISPATCH,
-                        mapOf("name" to name, "arg" to arg, "session_id" to sessionId),
-                    ).await()
+                    wsClient
+                        .request(
+                            WsMethods.COMMAND_DISPATCH,
+                            mapOf("name" to name, "arg" to arg, "session_id" to sessionId),
+                        ).await()
                 handleDispatchResult(result)
             } catch (e: HermesWsClient.HermesRpcException) {
                 val msg = e.message.orEmpty()
@@ -1068,13 +1085,14 @@ class ChatViewModel(
                     // which routes the full CLI command set through the worker.
                     try {
                         val result =
-                            wsClient.request(
-                                WsMethods.SLASH_EXEC,
-                                mapOf(
-                                    "command" to "/$name${if (arg.isNotEmpty()) " $arg" else ""}",
-                                    "session_id" to sessionId,
-                                ),
-                            ).await()
+                            wsClient
+                                .request(
+                                    WsMethods.SLASH_EXEC,
+                                    mapOf(
+                                        "command" to "/$name${if (arg.isNotEmpty()) " $arg" else ""}",
+                                        "session_id" to sessionId,
+                                    ),
+                                ).await()
                         val output = (result as? Map<*, *>)?.get("output") as? String
                         if (!output.isNullOrBlank()) addAssistantMessage(output)
                     } catch (e2: HermesWsClient.HermesRpcException) {
@@ -1698,6 +1716,9 @@ class ChatViewModel(
                 .filter { it.reasoningText.isNotBlank() }
                 .associateBy { it.content }
 
+        val baseUrl = AuthManager.getBaseUrl()
+        val token = AuthManager.getToken().orEmpty()
+
         return messages.mapIndexed { index, msg ->
             val role =
                 when (msg.role?.lowercase()) {
@@ -1714,25 +1735,249 @@ class ChatViewModel(
                     ?.toLong()
                     ?: System.currentTimeMillis()
 
-            val content = msg.contentText
+            val rawContent = msg.contentText
             val reasoning =
                 if (msg.reasoningText.isNotBlank()) {
                     msg.reasoningText
                 } else {
-                    existingReasoningMap[content]?.reasoningText.orEmpty()
+                    existingReasoningMap[rawContent]?.reasoningText.orEmpty()
                 }
 
+            var finalContent = rawContent
+            var attachments: List<Attachment>? = null
+            if (role == MessageRole.ASSISTANT && rawContent.contains("MEDIA:")) {
+                val items = HostMediaExtractor.extract(rawContent)
+                if (items.isNotEmpty()) {
+                    finalContent = HostMediaExtractor.strip(rawContent)
+                    attachments =
+                        items
+                            .mapNotNull { item ->
+                                val url =
+                                    GatewayFileClient.buildDownloadUrl(
+                                        baseUrl,
+                                        token,
+                                        item.path,
+                                    ) ?: return@mapNotNull null
+                                Attachment(
+                                    uri = url,
+                                    name = mediaNameFromPath(item.path),
+                                    mimeType = mediaMimeForPath(item.path),
+                                    size = 0,
+                                    gatewayUrl = url,
+                                    source = AttachmentSource.GATEWAY,
+                                )
+                            }.takeIf { it.isNotEmpty() }
+                }
+            }
+
             ChatMessage(
                 id = "rest-$sessionId-$globalIndex",
                 role = role,
-                content = content,
+                content = finalContent,
                 reasoningText = reasoning,
+                attachments = attachments,
                 timestamp = timestamp,
                 isStreaming = false,
             )
         }
     }
 
+    // ── Issue #724: attach host-path MEDIA: files as real attachments ────
+    //
+    // The gateway's WebSocket stream delivers the raw `MEDIA:<path>` directive
+    // the desktop app turns into an authenticated `/api/files/download?...`
+    // URL. We parse every directive, build the download URL via
+    // [GatewayFileClient], classify it (image / audio / video / file) using
+    // [mediaKindForPath], and attach it to the message. Images render inline
+    // (Coil loads the URL); every other type becomes a tappable, fetchable
+    // attachment. The directive text is stripped from the message body. Works
+    // on a remote phone (real HTTP). Mobile-only; backend untouched. Pure
+    // parsing lives in [HostMediaExtractor].
+
+    /**
+     * ViewModel-side handler for [ReducerEffect.AttachHostMedia]: find the local
+     * message by id, convert any `MEDIA:<path>` directives into [Attachment]s
+     * (via the gateway download URL) and strip them from the text. Role,
+     * reasoning, timestamp and existing attachments are preserved; new gateway
+     * attachments are appended. Idempotent — skips if gateway attachments for
+     * the same paths already exist.
+     */
+    private fun attachHostMedia(
+        sessionId: String,
+        messageId: String,
+    ) {
+        val current = _uiState.value.messages.find { it.id == messageId } ?: return
+        val content = current.content
+        val items = HostMediaExtractor.extract(content)
+        if (items.isEmpty()) return
+
+        val baseUrl = AuthManager.getBaseUrl()
+        val token = AuthManager.getToken()
+        if (baseUrl.isBlank() || token.isNullOrBlank()) return
+
+        val existingUrls =
+            current.attachments
+                .orEmpty()
+                .mapNotNull { it.gatewayUrl }
+                .toSet()
+        val newAttachments =
+            items.mapNotNull { item ->
+                val url = GatewayFileClient.buildDownloadUrl(baseUrl, token, item.path) ?: return@mapNotNull null
+                if (url in existingUrls) return@mapNotNull null
+                Attachment(
+                    uri = url,
+                    name = mediaNameFromPath(item.path),
+                    mimeType = mediaMimeForPath(item.path),
+                    size = 0,
+                    gatewayUrl = url,
+                    source = AttachmentSource.GATEWAY,
+                )
+            }
+        if (newAttachments.isEmpty()) return
+
+        val stripped = HostMediaExtractor.strip(content)
+        _uiState.update { state ->
+            state.copy(
+                messages =
+                    state.messages.map { msg ->
+                        if (msg.id == messageId) {
+                            msg.copy(
+                                content = stripped,
+                                attachments =
+                                    (msg.attachments.orEmpty() + newAttachments)
+                                        .distinctBy { it.gatewayUrl ?: it.uri },
+                            )
+                        } else {
+                            msg
+                        }
+                    },
+            )
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Open an attachment when its chip/thumbnail is tapped.
+     *
+     * - LOCAL (user-picked) files: open the original `content://` URI
+     *   directly via [android.content.Intent.ACTION_VIEW] — the resolver
+     *   already grants read access for the picked document. If that fails
+     *   (e.g. the permission lapsed), we copy to cache and retry via
+     *   FileProvider so the tap is never a silent no-op.
+     * - GATEWAY (agent `MEDIA:`) files: fetch the bytes via
+     *   [GatewayFileClient], write them to a cache file, and open with
+     *   [android.content.Intent.ACTION_VIEW] through FileProvider — so a
+     *   remote phone can view agent-delivered files in-place.
+     *
+     * Failures surface through [ChatUiState.openError] (non-blocking
+     * snackbar); the tap is never swallowed.
+     */
+    fun openAttachment(attachment: Attachment) {
+        val ctx = getApplication<Application>().applicationContext
+        if (attachment.source == AttachmentSource.LOCAL) {
+            // Best-effort direct open of the picked content URI.
+            runCatching { openWithView(ctx, android.net.Uri.parse(attachment.uri), attachment.mimeType) }
+                .onSuccess { return }
+                .onFailure { /* fall through to cache-copy below */ }
+        }
+        // GATEWAY, or LOCAL direct-open failed → fetch/copy then open.
+        val path =
+            attachment.gatewayUrl?.let { url ->
+                runCatching {
+                    java.net
+                        .URL(url)
+                        .query
+                        .split('&')
+                        .firstOrNull { it.startsWith("path=") }
+                        ?.removePrefix("path=")
+                        ?.let { java.net.URLDecoder.decode(it, "UTF-8") }
+                }.getOrNull()
+            } ?: attachment.name
+        viewModelScope.launch(Dispatchers.IO) {
+            when (val result = GatewayFileClient.fetch(path)) {
+                is GatewayFileResult.Success -> {
+                    openBytes(ctx, result.file)
+                }
+
+                is GatewayFileResult.NotFound -> {
+                    showOpenError("File not found on gateway: ${attachment.name}")
+                }
+
+                is GatewayFileResult.Forbidden -> {
+                    showOpenError("Access denied: ${attachment.name}")
+                }
+
+                is GatewayFileResult.TooLarge -> {
+                    showOpenError("File too large to open: ${attachment.name}")
+                }
+
+                is GatewayFileResult.Unauthorized -> {
+                    showOpenError("Session expired — reconnect to open: ${attachment.name}")
+                }
+
+                is GatewayFileResult.Failure -> {
+                    showOpenError("Could not open ${attachment.name}: ${result.throwable.message}")
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /** Open bytes written to a cache file via FileProvider + ACTION_VIEW. */
+    private fun openBytes(
+        ctx: android.content.Context,
+        file: GatewayFile,
+    ) {
+        runCatching {
+            val dir = java.io.File(ctx.cacheDir, "gateway_files").also { it.mkdirs() }
+            val safeName = file.name.replace(Regex("[/\\\\]"), "_").ifBlank { "file" }
+            val out = java.io.File(dir, safeName)
+            out.writeBytes(file.bytes)
+            val uri =
+                androidx.core.content.FileProvider.getUriForFile(
+                    ctx,
+                    "${ctx.packageName}.fileprovider",
+                    out,
+                )
+            openWithView(ctx, uri, file.mimeType)
+        }.onFailure { showOpenError("Could not open ${file.name}: ${it.message}") }
+    }
+
+    /** Fire an ACTION_VIEW intent; throws if no activity can handle the type. */
+    private fun openWithView(
+        ctx: android.content.Context,
+        uri: android.net.Uri,
+        mimeType: String,
+    ) {
+        val viewIntent =
+            android.content.Intent(android.content.Intent.ACTION_VIEW).apply {
+                setDataAndType(uri, mimeType.ifBlank { "*/*" })
+                addFlags(android.content.Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION)
+                addFlags(android.content.Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK)
+            }
+        try {
+            ctx.startActivity(viewIntent)
+        } catch (e: Throwable) {
+            val fallbackIntent =
+                android.content.Intent(android.content.Intent.ACTION_VIEW).apply {
+                    setDataAndType(uri, "*/*")
+                    addFlags(android.content.Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION)
+                    addFlags(android.content.Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK)
+                }
+            val chooser =
+                android.content.Intent.createChooser(fallbackIntent, "Open file").apply {
+                    addFlags(android.content.Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK)
+                }
+            ctx.startActivity(chooser)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private fun showOpenError(message: String) {
+        _uiState.update { it.copy(openError = message) }
+    }
+
+    fun clearOpenError() {
+        _uiState.update { it.copy(openError = null) }
+    }
+
     private fun serverMessageIndex(
         id: String,
         sessionId: String,
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatWsEventReducer.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatWsEventReducer.kt
index eaf1a0b2..55d7fac6 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatWsEventReducer.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatWsEventReducer.kt
@@ -255,6 +255,13 @@ object ChatWsEventReducer {
         // Refresh the context meter immediately on completion instead of
         // waiting for the next 5s session-sync poll.
         effects.add(ReducerEffect.RefreshContextUsage)
+        // Mobile-only media fix (issue #724): the WS stream delivers the raw
+        // `MEDIA:<host-path>` directive. Turn it into real attachments (images
+        // inline, every other file tappable) via the gateway /api/files/download
+        // endpoint — works on a remote phone too.
+        if (msg.role == MessageRole.ASSISTANT && sid != null) {
+            effects.add(ReducerEffect.AttachHostMedia(sid, msg.id))
+        }
         return ReducerResult(
             state =
                 state.copy(
@@ -288,6 +295,12 @@ object ChatWsEventReducer {
         if (sid != null) {
             effects.add(ReducerEffect.PersistMessage(msg, sid))
         }
+        // Mobile-only media fix (issue #724): attach any `MEDIA:<path>` file
+        // carried in the finalized assistant message as a real attachment. See
+        // the ReducerEffect.AttachHostMedia KDoc for the rationale.
+        if (msg.role == MessageRole.ASSISTANT && sid != null) {
+            effects.add(ReducerEffect.AttachHostMedia(sid, msg.id))
+        }
         return ReducerResult(
             state =
                 state.copy(
@@ -669,4 +682,22 @@ sealed class ReducerEffect {
     data object RefreshSessions : ReducerEffect()
 
     data object RefreshContextUsage : ReducerEffect()
+
+    /**
+     * Ask the ViewModel to turn any `MEDIA:<host-path>` directives in the
+     * just-finalized assistant message into real [Attachment]s (images inline,
+     * every other file type tappable) and strip the directives from the text.
+     *
+     * Why: the gateway's WebSocket stream delivers the raw `MEDIA:<path>`
+     * directive (the same one the desktop app resolves via `mediaExternalUrl`
+     * to the authenticated `/api/files/download` endpoint, which streams the
+     * host file over HTTP). Attaching them lets the renderer show images inline
+     * and offer every other file as a fetchable attachment — even on a remote
+     * phone (real HTTP, unlike a host-local file read). Mirrors desktop's
+     * `mediaExternalUrl`; mobile-only, backend untouched. See issue #724.
+     */
+    data class AttachHostMedia(
+        val sessionId: String,
+        val messageId: String,
+    ) : ReducerEffect()
 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/HostMediaExtractor.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/HostMediaExtractor.kt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d969dc58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/HostMediaExtractor.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+package com.m57.hermescontrol.ui.chat
+
+/**
+ * Issue #724: parse agent-delivered `MEDIA:<path>` directives out of message
+ * text so they can be attached (and rendered) as real files.
+ *
+ * The gateway's WebSocket stream delivers the raw `MEDIA:<path>` directive the
+ * desktop app resolves via `mediaExternalUrl` — an authenticated
+ * `/api/files/download?path=<enc>&token=<enc>` URL that streams the host file's
+ * bytes over HTTP. Mobile turns each directive into an [Attachment] (see
+ * [com.m57.hermescontrol.ui.chat.ChatViewModel.attachHostMedia]) so the
+ * renderer can show images inline and offer every other file type as a
+ * tappable, fetchable attachment — including on a *remote* phone.
+ *
+ * Matches ANY absolute (or `~/`) host path regardless of extension, so images,
+ * audio, video, CSV, PDF and arbitrary files are all supported. The pure parse
+ * logic lives here so it can be unit-tested without an Android context.
+ */
+internal object HostMediaExtractor {
+    /** A single `MEDIA:<path>` directive found in message text. */
+    data class Item(
+        val match: String, // the full matched directive (for stripping)
+        val path: String, // normalized absolute path
+    )
+
+    /** Matches `MEDIA:<path>` (any extension), supporting quotes/backticks around the path. */
+    private val MEDIA_TAG_RE =
+        Regex(
+            """[`"']?MEDIA:\s*(?:"([^"]+)"|'([^']+)'|`([^`]+)`|((?:~|/|[A-Za-z]:)[^\s`"')]*))[`"']?""",
+            RegexOption.IGNORE_CASE,
+        )
+
+    /** Extract every `MEDIA:<path>` directive from [text] as a normalized item. */
+    fun extract(text: String): List<Item> {
+        if (!text.contains("MEDIA:")) return emptyList()
+        return MEDIA_TAG_RE
+            .findAll(text)
+            .mapNotNull { m ->
+                val raw = m.groupValues.drop(1).firstOrNull { it.isNotBlank() } ?: return@mapNotNull null
+                val path = normalizePath(raw) ?: return@mapNotNull null
+                Item(match = m.value, path = path)
+            }.toList()
+    }
+
+    /** Remove all `MEDIA:<path>` directives from [text] (leaves other content). */
+    fun strip(text: String): String {
+        if (!text.contains("MEDIA:")) return text
+        return MEDIA_TAG_RE
+            .replace(text) { "" }
+            .replace(Regex("""[ \t]+"""), " ")
+            .replace(Regex("""\n{3,}"""), "\n\n")
+            .trim()
+    }
+
+    /** Expand ~/ and verify the path is absolute. Null if not an absolute path. */
+    internal fun normalizePath(raw: String): String? {
+        val trimmed =
+            raw
+                .trim()
+                .removeSurrounding("`")
+                .removeSurrounding("\"")
+                .removeSurrounding("'")
+        val expanded =
+            if (trimmed.startsWith("~")) {
+                val home = System.getenv("HOME") ?: return null
+                home + trimmed.removePrefix("~")
+            } else {
+                trimmed
+            }
+        if (!expanded.startsWith("/") &&
+            !Regex("^[A-Za-z]:[/\\\\]").containsMatchIn(expanded)
+        ) {
+            return null
+        }
+        return expanded
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/MarkdownText.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/MarkdownText.kt
index c48762d7..1e598505 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/MarkdownText.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/MarkdownText.kt
@@ -43,6 +43,8 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.text.style.TextDecoration
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.withStyle
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.sp
+import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.local.AuthManager
+import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.GatewayFileClient
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.theme.LocalHermesStatusColors
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.theme.SearchHighlightColors
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.theme.searchHighlightColors
@@ -268,7 +270,7 @@ fun MarkdownText(
                     // AsyncImage is a Compose runtime composable — load it lazily
                     // behind remember so the parser stays pure and testable (the
                     // parseBlocks/parseInline unit tests never touch Compose).
-                    val model: Any = block.uri
+                    val model: Any = remember(block.uri) { resolveImageUrl(block.uri) }
                     androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box(
                         modifier =
                             Modifier
@@ -1000,3 +1002,26 @@ internal enum class TableAlign {
     CENTER,
     RIGHT,
 }
+
+private fun resolveImageUrl(uri: String): String {
+    val trimmed = uri.trim()
+    if (trimmed.isBlank()) return uri
+    if (trimmed.startsWith("http://") || trimmed.startsWith("https://") || trimmed.startsWith("data:image/")) {
+        return trimmed
+    }
+    val baseUrl = runCatching { AuthManager.getBaseUrl() }.getOrDefault("")
+    val token = runCatching { AuthManager.getToken() }.getOrNull().orEmpty()
+    val downloadUrl = GatewayFileClient.buildDownloadUrl(baseUrl, token, trimmed)
+    if (downloadUrl != null) return downloadUrl
+
+    if (baseUrl.isNotBlank() && (trimmed.startsWith("/api/") || trimmed.startsWith("api/"))) {
+        val cleanPath = if (trimmed.startsWith("/")) trimmed else "/$trimmed"
+        val sep = if (cleanPath.contains("?")) "&" else "?"
+        return if (token.isNotBlank() && !cleanPath.contains("token=")) {
+            "${baseUrl.trimEnd('/')}$cleanPath${sep}token=$token"
+        } else {
+            "${baseUrl.trimEnd('/')}$cleanPath"
+        }
+    }
+    return uri
+}
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/components/ChatLifecycleEffects.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/components/ChatLifecycleEffects.kt
index 7ac05e48..66eaeca3 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/components/ChatLifecycleEffects.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/components/ChatLifecycleEffects.kt
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ fun ChatLifecycleEffects(
     messages: List<ChatMessage>,
     errorMessage: String?,
     backgroundCompleteMessage: String?,
+    openError: String?,
     isSearchActive: Boolean,
     currentSearchMatchIndex: Int,
     searchMatchIndices: List<Int>,
@@ -127,6 +128,14 @@ fun ChatLifecycleEffects(
         }
     }
 
+    // Show attachment-open failures as a non-blocking snackbar (issue #724)
+    LaunchedEffect(openError) {
+        openError?.let { message ->
+            snackbarHostState.showSnackbar(message)
+            viewModel.clearOpenError()
+        }
+    }
+
     // Sudo / secret prompt dialogs (issue #524)
     sudoPrompt?.let { prompt ->
         SudoPromptDialog(
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/components/ChatMessageList.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/components/ChatMessageList.kt
index 20a37878..9a84d2fe 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/components/ChatMessageList.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/components/ChatMessageList.kt
@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@ fun ChatMessageList(
                         searchQuery = if (isSearchActive) searchQuery else "",
                         isCurrentMatch = isCurrentMatch,
                         onRespondApproval = viewModel::respondToApproval,
+                        onOpenAttachment = viewModel::openAttachment,
                     )
                 }
             }
@@ -127,6 +128,7 @@ fun ChatMessageList(
                             isDarkTheme = isDark,
                             searchQuery = "",
                             isCurrentMatch = false,
+                            onOpenAttachment = viewModel::openAttachment,
                         )
                     }
                 }
diff --git a/app/src/test/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/data/remote/GatewayFileClientTest.kt b/app/src/test/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/data/remote/GatewayFileClientTest.kt
index 25b701d3..27942aed 100644
--- a/app/src/test/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/data/remote/GatewayFileClientTest.kt
+++ b/app/src/test/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/data/remote/GatewayFileClientTest.kt
@@ -25,9 +25,15 @@ class GatewayFileClientTest {
     }
 
     @Test
-    fun `buildDownloadUrl rejects blank base or token`() {
+    fun `buildDownloadUrl rejects blank base`() {
         assertNull(GatewayFileClient.buildDownloadUrl("", tok, "/tmp/x.png"))
-        assertNull(GatewayFileClient.buildDownloadUrl(base, "", "/tmp/x.png"))
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `buildDownloadUrl permits blank token for cookie auth`() {
+        val url = GatewayFileClient.buildDownloadUrl(base, "", "/tmp/x.png")!!
+        assertEquals("$base/api/files/download?path=%2Ftmp%2Fx.png", url)
+        assertFalse(url.contains("token="))
     }
 
     @Test
diff --git a/app/src/test/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatViewModelTest.kt b/app/src/test/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatViewModelTest.kt
index d6a5fe89..938065cf 100644
--- a/app/src/test/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatViewModelTest.kt
+++ b/app/src/test/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/ChatViewModelTest.kt
@@ -2,18 +2,27 @@ package com.m57.hermescontrol.ui.chat
 
 import android.app.Application
 import android.content.ContentResolver
+import android.content.Intent
 import android.net.Uri
 import android.util.Log
+import androidx.core.content.FileProvider
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.local.AuthManager
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.local.HermesDatabase
+import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.model.Attachment
+import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.model.AttachmentSource
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.ApiClient
+import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.GatewayFile
+import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.GatewayFileClient
+import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.remote.GatewayFileResult
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.ws.ConnectionStatus
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.ws.HermesWsClient
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.ws.JsonRpcError
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.ws.WsEvent
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.data.ws.WsMethods
 import com.m57.hermescontrol.ui.chat.fakes.FakeChatPersistenceRepository
+import io.mockk.*
 import io.mockk.coEvery
+import io.mockk.coVerify
 import io.mockk.every
 import io.mockk.mockk
 import io.mockk.mockkObject
@@ -1946,4 +1955,83 @@ class ChatViewModelTest {
             assertEquals(1, messages.size)
             assertEquals("{\"status\":\"ok\"}", messages[0].content)
         }
+
+    // ── Attachment open (issue #724) ─────────────────────────────────────
+
+    @Test
+    fun `openAttachment GATEWAY success fires ACTION_VIEW with FileProvider uri`() =
+        runTest {
+            val cacheDir =
+                java.io.File(System.getProperty("java.io.tmpdir"), "hermes_open_test_${System.nanoTime()}")
+            cacheDir.mkdirs()
+            every { app.cacheDir } returns cacheDir
+
+            mockkObject(GatewayFileClient)
+            val bytes = "hello".toByteArray()
+            coEvery {
+                GatewayFileClient.fetch(any())
+            } returns GatewayFileResult.Success(GatewayFile("note.txt", "text/plain", bytes))
+
+            val intentSlot = slot<Intent>()
+            // android.jar stubs Intent ctor/setters to throw "not mocked" in unit tests;
+            // mock the Intent constructor so openWithView can build + deliver it,
+            // and capture the constructed instance to assert on its setters.
+            mockkConstructor(Intent::class)
+            every { anyConstructed<Intent>().setDataAndType(any(), any()) } answers { self as Intent }
+            every { anyConstructed<Intent>().addFlags(any()) } answers { self as Intent }
+            mockkStatic(FileProvider::class)
+            every {
+                FileProvider.getUriForFile(any(), any(), any())
+            } returns mockk(relaxed = true)
+            every { app.getApplicationContext() } returns app
+            every { app.applicationContext } returns app
+            every { app.startActivity(capture(intentSlot)) } returns Unit
+
+            val vm = createViewModel()
+            val attachment =
+                Attachment(
+                    uri = "unused",
+                    name = "note.txt",
+                    mimeType = "text/plain",
+                    gatewayUrl = "https://gw/api/files/download?path=%2Ftmp%2Fnote.txt&token=t",
+                    source = AttachmentSource.GATEWAY,
+                )
+
+            vm.openAttachment(attachment)
+            advanceUntilIdle()
+
+            // fetch was invoked (proves we entered the IO launch)
+            coVerify { GatewayFileClient.fetch(any()) }
+            // ACTION_VIEW intent delivered, with the right type + grant flag.
+            verify { app.startActivity(any()) }
+            verify { intentSlot.captured.setDataAndType(any(), eq("text/plain")) }
+            verify { intentSlot.captured.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION) }
+            assertNull(vm.uiState.value.openError)
+            cacheDir.deleteRecursively()
+        }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `openAttachment GATEWAY not-found surfaces openError`() =
+        runTest {
+            mockkObject(GatewayFileClient)
+            coEvery {
+                GatewayFileClient.fetch(any())
+            } returns GatewayFileResult.NotFound
+
+            val vm = createViewModel()
+            val attachment =
+                Attachment(
+                    uri = "unused",
+                    name = "missing.pdf",
+                    mimeType = "application/pdf",
+                    gatewayUrl = "https://gw/api/files/download?path=%2Ftmp%2Fmissing.pdf&token=t",
+                    source = AttachmentSource.GATEWAY,
+                )
+
+            vm.openAttachment(attachment)
+            advanceUntilIdle()
+
+            assertNotNull(vm.uiState.value.openError)
+            assertTrue(vm.uiState.value.openError!!.contains("missing.pdf"))
+        }
 }
diff --git a/app/src/test/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/HostMediaExtractorTest.kt b/app/src/test/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/HostMediaExtractorTest.kt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3eca86d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/test/java/com/m57/hermescontrol/ui/chat/HostMediaExtractorTest.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+package com.m57.hermescontrol.ui.chat
+
+import org.junit.Assert.assertEquals
+import org.junit.Assert.assertFalse
+import org.junit.Assert.assertTrue
+import org.junit.Test
+
+class HostMediaExtractorTest {
+    @Test
+    fun `extracts single image path`() {
+        val items = HostMediaExtractor.extract("Here: MEDIA:/tmp/foo.png")
+        assertEquals(1, items.size)
+        assertEquals("/tmp/foo.png", items[0].path)
+        assertEquals("MEDIA:/tmp/foo.png", items[0].match)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `extracts multiple directives of any type`() {
+        val text = "MEDIA:/a/report.pdf and MEDIA:/b/clip.mp3 and MEDIA:/c/x.png"
+        val items = HostMediaExtractor.extract(text)
+        assertEquals(3, items.size)
+        assertTrue(items.any { it.path == "/a/report.pdf" })
+        assertTrue(items.any { it.path == "/b/clip.mp3" })
+        assertTrue(items.any { it.path == "/c/x.png" })
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `returns empty when no MEDIA directive`() {
+        assertEquals(0, HostMediaExtractor.extract("just text").size)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `ignores relative paths`() {
+        assertEquals(0, HostMediaExtractor.extract("MEDIA:relative/path.png").size)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `strips directives from text`() {
+        val out = HostMediaExtractor.strip("See MEDIA:/tmp/a.png for details")
+        assertEquals("See for details", out)
+        assertFalse(out.contains("MEDIA:"))
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `strips multiple directives`() {
+        val out = HostMediaExtractor.strip("MEDIA:/a/x.pdf MEDIA:/b/y.mp3 end")
+        assertEquals("end", out)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `handles quoted paths`() {
+        val items = HostMediaExtractor.extract("MEDIA:\"/tmp/a b.png\"")
+        assertEquals(1, items.size)
+        assertEquals("/tmp/a b.png", items[0].path)
+    }
+}