diff --git a/apps/web/components/connection-status.tsx b/apps/web/components/connection-status.tsx
deleted file mode 100644
index 04e5f82af6..0000000000
--- a/apps/web/components/connection-status.tsx
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,46 +0,0 @@
-'use client';
-
-import { Badge } from '@kandev/ui/badge';
-import { IconCircleFilled } from '@tabler/icons-react';
-import { useAppStore } from '@/components/state-provider';
-
-export function ConnectionStatus() {
-  const status = useAppStore((store) => store.connection.status);
-  const error = useAppStore((store) => store.connection.error);
-
-  const getStatusConfig = () => {
-    switch (status) {
-      case 'connected':
-        return { color: 'text-emerald-500', text: 'Connected', variant: 'default' as const, pulse: false };
-      case 'connecting':
-        return { color: 'text-amber-500', text: 'Connecting', variant: 'secondary' as const, pulse: true };
-      case 'reconnecting':
-        return { color: 'text-orange-500', text: 'Reconnecting', variant: 'secondary' as const, pulse: true };
-      case 'error':
-        return { color: 'text-red-500', text: 'Error', variant: 'destructive' as const, pulse: false };
-      case 'disconnected':
-      default:
-        return { color: 'text-yellow-500', text: 'Disconnected', variant: 'secondary' as const, pulse: true };
-    }
-  };
-
-  const config = getStatusConfig();
-
-  const getTooltipContent = () => {
-    const errorLine = error ? `\nError: ${error}` : '';
-    return `Status: ${config.text}${errorLine}`;
-  };
-
-  return (
-    <Badge
-      variant={config.variant}
-      title={getTooltipContent()}
-      className={`flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2 py-1 text-xs cursor-default ${
-        config.pulse ? 'animate-pulse' : ''
-      }`}
-    >
-      <IconCircleFilled className={`h-2 w-2 ${config.color}`} />
-      <span>{config.text}</span>
-    </Badge>
-  );
-}
diff --git a/apps/web/components/kanban-board-grid.tsx b/apps/web/components/kanban-board-grid.tsx
index aeabf11c70..dc30d297bb 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/kanban-board-grid.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/kanban-board-grid.tsx
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ export function KanbanBoardGrid({
           </div>
         ) : (
           <div
-            className="grid gap-2 rounded-lg overflow-hidden h-full p-[2px]"
+            className="grid gap-2 rounded-lg h-full"
             style={{ gridTemplateColumns: `repeat(${columns.length}, minmax(0, 1fr))` }}
           >
             {columns.map((column) => (
diff --git a/apps/web/components/kanban-card.tsx b/apps/web/components/kanban-card.tsx
index 36a5b3046c..6faf9b067e 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/kanban-card.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/kanban-card.tsx
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ function KanbanCardBody({
         {actions}
       </div>
       {task.description && (
-        <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mt-1 leading-tight line-clamp-3">
+        <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mt-1 leading-tight line-clamp-1">
           {task.description}
         </p>
       )}
diff --git a/apps/web/components/kanban-column.tsx b/apps/web/components/kanban-column.tsx
index ecf8e71a69..0760f87f97 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/kanban-column.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/kanban-column.tsx
@@ -49,15 +49,15 @@ export function KanbanColumn({ column, tasks, onPreviewTask, onOpenTask, onEditT
     <div
       ref={setNodeRef}
       className={cn(
-        'flex flex-col h-full min-w-0  p-4 min-h-[600px] rounded-sm border border-border',
+        'flex flex-col h-full min-w-0  p-3 min-h-[300px] rounded-sm border border-border',
         isOver && 'ring-2 ring-primary'
       )}
     >
       {/* Column Header */}
       <div className="flex items-center justify-between border-b border-border/70 pb-3 mb-4 px-1">
         <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-          <div className={cn('w-3 h-3 rounded-full', column.color)} />
-          <h2 className="font-semibold text-base">{column.title}</h2>
+          <div className={cn('w-2 h-2 rounded-full', column.color)} />
+          <h2 className="font-semibold text-sm">{column.title}</h2>
           <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-xs">
             {tasks.length}
           </Badge>
@@ -65,24 +65,21 @@ export function KanbanColumn({ column, tasks, onPreviewTask, onOpenTask, onEditT
       </div>
 
       {/* Tasks */}
-      <div className="flex-1 min-h-0 overflow-y-auto overflow-x-hidden space-y-2 px-1 pt-4">
-        {tasks.length === 0 ? (
-          <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground text-center mt-8">No tasks yet</p>
-        ) : (
-          tasks.map((task) => (
-            <KanbanCard
-              key={task.id}
-              task={task}
-              repositoryName={getRepositoryName(task.repositoryId)}
-              onClick={onPreviewTask}
-              onOpenFullPage={onOpenTask}
-              onEdit={onEditTask}
-              onDelete={onDeleteTask}
-              showMaximizeButton={showMaximizeButton}
-              isDeleting={deletingTaskId === task.id}
-            />
-          ))
-        )}
+      <div className="flex-1 min-h-0 overflow-y-auto overflow-x-hidden space-y-2 px-1">
+        {tasks.map((task) => (
+          <KanbanCard
+            key={task.id}
+            task={task}
+            repositoryName={getRepositoryName(task.repositoryId)}
+            onClick={onPreviewTask}
+            onOpenFullPage={onOpenTask}
+            onEdit={onEditTask}
+            onDelete={onDeleteTask}
+            showMaximizeButton={showMaximizeButton}
+            isDeleting={deletingTaskId === task.id}
+          />
+        ))
+        }
       </div>
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/apps/web/components/kanban-display-dropdown.tsx b/apps/web/components/kanban-display-dropdown.tsx
index 8aec783ff2..802a8c253a 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/kanban-display-dropdown.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/kanban-display-dropdown.tsx
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import { IconAdjustmentsHorizontal } from '@tabler/icons-react';
 import { useKanbanDisplaySettings } from '@/hooks/use-kanban-display-settings';
 import type { Workspace, Repository } from '@/lib/types/http';
 import type { BoardState } from '@/lib/state/slices';
+import { Badge } from '@kandev/ui/badge';
 
 export function KanbanDisplayDropdown() {
   const {
@@ -126,7 +127,10 @@ export function KanbanDisplayDropdown() {
                   onTogglePreviewOnClick?.(!!checked);
                 }}
               />
-              <span className="text-sm">Open preview on click</span>
+              <span className="text-sm">
+                Open preview on click {" "}
+                <Badge variant="secondary" className="mr-1">beta</Badge>
+              </span>
             </label>
             <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground pl-6">
               When enabled, clicking a task opens the preview panel. When disabled, clicking navigates directly to the session.
diff --git a/apps/web/components/kanban/kanban-header.tsx b/apps/web/components/kanban/kanban-header.tsx
index c6e5782d9e..c72debc43e 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/kanban/kanban-header.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/kanban/kanban-header.tsx
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import { Button } from '@kandev/ui/button';
 import { ToggleGroup, ToggleGroupItem } from '@kandev/ui/toggle-group';
 import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipProvider, TooltipTrigger } from '@kandev/ui/tooltip';
 import { IconPlus, IconSettings, IconList, IconLayoutKanban } from '@tabler/icons-react';
-import { ConnectionStatus } from '../connection-status';
 import { KanbanDisplayDropdown } from '../kanban-display-dropdown';
 import { TaskSearchInput } from './task-search-input';
 import { linkToTasks } from '@/lib/links';
@@ -35,9 +34,8 @@ export function KanbanHeader({ onCreateTask, workspaceId, currentPage = 'kanban'
     <header className="relative flex items-center justify-between p-4 pb-3">
       <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
         <Link href="/" className="text-2xl font-bold hover:opacity-80">
-          KanDev.ai
+          KanDev
         </Link>
-        <ConnectionStatus />
       </div>
       {onSearchChange && (
         <div className="absolute left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2">
diff --git a/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog.tsx b/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog.tsx
index b66553dc87..e6d59d52af 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog.tsx
@@ -398,7 +398,17 @@ export function TaskCreateDialog({
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!open || !workspaceId) return;
-    if (!repositoryId && !selectedLocalRepo && repositories.length === 1) {
+    if (repositoryId || selectedLocalRepo) return;
+
+    // Priority 1: Last used repository
+    const lastUsedRepoId = getLocalStorage<string | null>(STORAGE_KEYS.LAST_REPOSITORY_ID, null);
+    if (lastUsedRepoId && repositories.some((repo: Repository) => repo.id === lastUsedRepoId)) {
+      setRepositoryId(lastUsedRepoId);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Priority 2: Auto-select if only one repository
+    if (repositories.length === 1) {
       setRepositoryId(repositories[0].id);
     }
   }, [open, repositories, repositoryId, selectedLocalRepo, workspaceId]);
@@ -436,11 +446,22 @@ export function TaskCreateDialog({
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!repositoryId) return;
-    if (!branch) {
-      const preferredBranch = selectPreferredBranch(branches);
-      if (preferredBranch) {
-        setBranch(preferredBranch);
-      }
+    if (branch) return;
+
+    // Priority 1: Last used branch
+    const lastUsedBranch = getLocalStorage<string | null>(STORAGE_KEYS.LAST_BRANCH, null);
+    if (lastUsedBranch && branches.some((b: Branch) => {
+      const displayName = b.type === 'remote' && b.remote ? `${b.remote}/${b.name}` : b.name;
+      return displayName === lastUsedBranch;
+    })) {
+      setBranch(lastUsedBranch);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Priority 2: Preferred branch (main/master)
+    const preferredBranch = selectPreferredBranch(branches);
+    if (preferredBranch) {
+      setBranch(preferredBranch);
     }
   }, [branch, branches, repositoryId]);
 
@@ -458,6 +479,7 @@ export function TaskCreateDialog({
     const workspaceRepo = repositories.find((repo: Repository) => repo.id === value);
     if (workspaceRepo) {
       setRepositoryId(value);
+      setLocalStorage(STORAGE_KEYS.LAST_REPOSITORY_ID, value);
       setDiscoveredRepoPath('');
       setSelectedLocalRepo(null);
       setLocalBranches([]);
@@ -473,6 +495,12 @@ export function TaskCreateDialog({
     setLocalStorage(STORAGE_KEYS.LAST_AGENT_PROFILE_ID, value);
   }, []);
 
+  // Memoized callback for BranchSelector to save selection to localStorage
+  const handleBranchChange = useCallback((value: string) => {
+    setBranch(value);
+    setLocalStorage(STORAGE_KEYS.LAST_BRANCH, value);
+  }, []);
+
   const hasRepositorySelection = Boolean(repositoryId || selectedLocalRepo);
   const branchOptionsRaw = repositoryId
     ? branches
@@ -592,6 +620,18 @@ export function TaskCreateDialog({
   useEffect(() => {
     if (repositoryId || localBranches.length === 0) return;
     if (branch) return;
+
+    // Priority 1: Last used branch
+    const lastUsedBranch = getLocalStorage<string | null>(STORAGE_KEYS.LAST_BRANCH, null);
+    if (lastUsedBranch && localBranches.some((b: Branch) => {
+      const displayName = b.type === 'remote' && b.remote ? `${b.remote}/${b.name}` : b.name;
+      return displayName === lastUsedBranch;
+    })) {
+      setBranch(lastUsedBranch);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Priority 2: Preferred branch (main/master)
     const preferredBranch = selectPreferredBranch(localBranches);
     if (preferredBranch) {
       setBranch(preferredBranch);
@@ -931,34 +971,34 @@ export function TaskCreateDialog({
                     disabled={!workspaceId || repositoriesLoading || discoverReposLoading || isEditMode}
                   />
                 </div>
-              <div>
-                <BranchSelector
-                  options={branchOptions}
-                  value={branch}
-                  onValueChange={setBranch}
-                  placeholder={
-                    !hasRepositorySelection
-                      ? 'Select repository first'
-                      : repositoryId
-                        ? branchesLoading
-                          ? 'Loading branches...'
-                          : 'Select branch'
-                        : localBranchesLoading
-                          ? 'Loading branches...'
-                          : branchOptions.length > 0
-                            ? 'Select branch'
-                            : 'No branches found'
-                  }
-                  searchPlaceholder="Search branches..."
-                  emptyMessage="No branch found."
-                  disabled={
-                    isEditMode ||
-                    !hasRepositorySelection ||
-                    (repositoryId && branchesLoading) ||
-                    (!repositoryId && (localBranchesLoading || branchOptions.length === 0))
-                  }
-                />
-              </div>
+                <div>
+                  <BranchSelector
+                    options={branchOptions}
+                    value={branch}
+                    onValueChange={handleBranchChange}
+                    placeholder={
+                      !hasRepositorySelection
+                        ? 'Select repository first'
+                        : repositoryId
+                          ? branchesLoading
+                            ? 'Loading branches...'
+                            : 'Select branch'
+                          : localBranchesLoading
+                            ? 'Loading branches...'
+                            : branchOptions.length > 0
+                              ? 'Select branch'
+                              : 'No branches found'
+                    }
+                    searchPlaceholder="Search branches..."
+                    emptyMessage="No branch found."
+                    disabled={
+                      isEditMode ||
+                      !hasRepositorySelection ||
+                      (repositoryId && branchesLoading) ||
+                      (!repositoryId && (localBranchesLoading || branchOptions.length === 0))
+                    }
+                  />
+                </div>
                 {startAgent && (
                   <div>
                     {agentProfiles.length === 0 && !agentProfilesLoading ? (
@@ -969,19 +1009,19 @@ export function TaskCreateDialog({
                         </Link>
                       </div>
                     ) : (
-                    <AgentSelector
-                      options={agentProfileOptions}
-                      value={agentProfileId}
-                      onValueChange={handleAgentProfileChange}
-                      placeholder={
-                        agentProfilesLoading
-                          ? 'Loading agents...'
-                          : agentProfiles.length === 0
-                            ? 'No agents available'
-                            : 'Select agent'
-                      }
-                      disabled={agentProfilesLoading || isCreatingSession}
-                    />
+                      <AgentSelector
+                        options={agentProfileOptions}
+                        value={agentProfileId}
+                        onValueChange={handleAgentProfileChange}
+                        placeholder={
+                          agentProfilesLoading
+                            ? 'Loading agents...'
+                            : agentProfiles.length === 0
+                              ? 'No agents available'
+                              : 'Select agent'
+                        }
+                        disabled={agentProfilesLoading || isCreatingSession}
+                      />
                     )}
                   </div>
                 )}
diff --git a/apps/web/lib/settings/constants.ts b/apps/web/lib/settings/constants.ts
index 2aebc158b8..3a74075438 100644
--- a/apps/web/lib/settings/constants.ts
+++ b/apps/web/lib/settings/constants.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ export const STORAGE_KEYS = {
   BACKEND_URL: 'kandev.settings.backendUrl',
   ONBOARDING_COMPLETED: 'kandev.onboarding.completed',
   LAST_AGENT_PROFILE_ID: 'kandev.dialog.lastAgentProfileId',
+  LAST_REPOSITORY_ID: 'kandev.dialog.lastRepositoryId',
+  LAST_BRANCH: 'kandev.dialog.lastBranch',
 } as const;
 
 export const DEFAULT_BACKEND_URL = 'http://localhost:8080';