diff --git a/apps/backend/internal/task/dto/dto.go b/apps/backend/internal/task/dto/dto.go
index 6af7d29386..51d0f56d68 100644
--- a/apps/backend/internal/task/dto/dto.go
+++ b/apps/backend/internal/task/dto/dto.go
@@ -309,6 +309,13 @@ type RepositoryBranchesResponse struct {
 	Branches      []BranchDTO `json:"branches"`
 	Total         int         `json:"total"`
 	CurrentBranch string      `json:"current_branch,omitempty"`
+	// FetchedAt is the timestamp of the most recent `git fetch` for this
+	// repository (RFC3339). Empty when no refresh has been requested in the
+	// process lifetime.
+	FetchedAt string `json:"fetched_at,omitempty"`
+	// FetchError is the human-readable error from the last fetch attempt for
+	// this request, if one was attempted and failed. Empty otherwise.
+	FetchError string `json:"fetch_error,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // LocalRepositoryStatusResponse reports current branch + dirty paths for a
diff --git a/apps/backend/internal/task/handlers/repository_handlers.go b/apps/backend/internal/task/handlers/repository_handlers.go
index aa4fdf6030..3971517169 100644
--- a/apps/backend/internal/task/handlers/repository_handlers.go
+++ b/apps/backend/internal/task/handlers/repository_handlers.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"net/http"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
 
@@ -274,7 +275,20 @@ func (h *RepositoryHandlers) httpGetRepository(c *gin.Context) {
 
 func (h *RepositoryHandlers) httpListRepositoryBranches(c *gin.Context) {
 	repoID := c.Param("id")
-	branches, err := h.service.ListRepositoryBranches(c.Request.Context(), repoID)
+	ctx := c.Request.Context()
+
+	repo, err := h.service.GetRepository(ctx, repoID)
+	if err != nil {
+		handleNotFound(c, h.logger, err, "repository not found")
+		return
+	}
+
+	var fetchedAt, fetchError string
+	if c.Query("refresh") == queryValueTrue {
+		fetchedAt, fetchError = h.refreshBranchesAtPath(ctx, repoID, repo.LocalPath)
+	}
+
+	branches, err := h.service.ListLocalRepositoryBranches(ctx, repo.LocalPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		if errors.Is(err, service.ErrPathNotAllowed) {
 			c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, gin.H{"error": "repository path is not allowed"})
@@ -284,7 +298,7 @@ func (h *RepositoryHandlers) httpListRepositoryBranches(c *gin.Context) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "failed to list repository branches"})
 		return
 	}
-	current := h.currentBranchForWorkspaceRepo(c.Request.Context(), repoID)
+	current := h.currentBranchAtPath(ctx, repo.LocalPath)
 	dtoBranches := make([]dto.BranchDTO, len(branches))
 	for i, branch := range branches {
 		dtoBranches[i] = dto.FromBranch(branch)
@@ -293,18 +307,37 @@ func (h *RepositoryHandlers) httpListRepositoryBranches(c *gin.Context) {
 		Branches:      dtoBranches,
 		Total:         len(dtoBranches),
 		CurrentBranch: current,
+		FetchedAt:     fetchedAt,
+		FetchError:    fetchError,
 	})
 }
 
-// currentBranchForWorkspaceRepo is best-effort; failures (repo not found,
-// detached HEAD, IO error) return an empty string so the branches response
-// still ships.
-func (h *RepositoryHandlers) currentBranchForWorkspaceRepo(ctx context.Context, repoID string) string {
-	repo, err := h.service.GetRepository(ctx, repoID)
-	if err != nil || repo == nil || repo.LocalPath == "" {
+// refreshBranchesAtPath runs `git fetch` for the already-resolved repository
+// path and returns the timestamp + error string suitable for the response
+// body. Failures are best-effort: the branches are still returned so a
+// transient network error doesn't blank the dropdown.
+func (h *RepositoryHandlers) refreshBranchesAtPath(ctx context.Context, repoID, localPath string) (fetchedAt, fetchError string) {
+	res, err := h.service.RefreshBranchesAtPath(ctx, localPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		h.logger.Warn("branch refresh failed", zap.String("repo_id", repoID), zap.Error(err))
+		return "", err.Error()
+	}
+	if !res.FetchedAt.IsZero() {
+		fetchedAt = res.FetchedAt.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
+	}
+	if res.Err != nil {
+		fetchError = res.Err.Error()
+	}
+	return fetchedAt, fetchError
+}
+
+// currentBranchAtPath is best-effort; failures (empty path, detached HEAD,
+// IO error) return an empty string so the branches response still ships.
+func (h *RepositoryHandlers) currentBranchAtPath(ctx context.Context, localPath string) string {
+	if localPath == "" {
 		return ""
 	}
-	branch, err := h.service.LocalRepositoryCurrentBranch(ctx, repo.LocalPath)
+	branch, err := h.service.LocalRepositoryCurrentBranch(ctx, localPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return ""
 	}
diff --git a/apps/backend/internal/task/service/repository_fetch.go b/apps/backend/internal/task/service/repository_fetch.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..55763acdba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backend/internal/task/service/repository_fetch.go
@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+package service
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"go.uber.org/zap"
+	"golang.org/x/sync/singleflight"
+)
+
+// branchFetchCooldown is the minimum interval between successive `git fetch`
+// invocations for the same repository when triggered via the branches API.
+// The branches dropdown auto-refreshes on every dialog open, so the cooldown
+// keeps a noisy UI from spamming the network and the local git index.
+const branchFetchCooldown = 30 * time.Second
+
+// branchFetchTimeout bounds a single fetch invocation. Long-lived auth prompts
+// or unreachable remotes must not stall the dropdown beyond this window.
+const branchFetchTimeout = 30 * time.Second
+
+// BranchRefreshResult reports the outcome of a `git fetch` issued by the
+// branches API. Skipped is true when the cooldown short-circuited the fetch;
+// in that case FetchedAt and Err are copied from the previous attempt so
+// callers see the same outcome until the cooldown expires.
+type BranchRefreshResult struct {
+	FetchedAt time.Time
+	Skipped   bool
+	Err       error
+}
+
+// branchFetcher serializes `git fetch` calls for a repository path with a
+// per-path cooldown and single-flight deduplication. Concurrent callers for
+// the same path observe the same result; callers within the cooldown window
+// receive the cached result without re-fetching.
+type branchFetcher struct {
+	group     singleflight.Group
+	mu        sync.Mutex
+	lastByKey map[string]BranchRefreshResult
+	logger    *zap.Logger
+}
+
+func newBranchFetcher(log *zap.Logger) *branchFetcher {
+	return &branchFetcher{
+		lastByKey: make(map[string]BranchRefreshResult),
+		logger:    log,
+	}
+}
+
+// Fetch runs `git fetch --all --prune --no-tags` for repoPath unless the
+// cooldown is still active, in which case the previous result is returned
+// with Skipped=true. Concurrent calls for the same path coalesce.
+//
+// The singleflight closure deliberately uses a context detached from the
+// caller's: if the first caller's HTTP request is cancelled mid-flight (e.g.
+// browser tab closed), waiting callers must still get a real result and the
+// cooldown cache must not be poisoned with context.Canceled.
+func (f *branchFetcher) Fetch(ctx context.Context, repoPath string) BranchRefreshResult {
+	if cached, ok := f.checkCooldown(repoPath); ok {
+		return cached
+	}
+	v, _, _ := f.group.Do(repoPath, func() (any, error) {
+		// Re-check inside the singleflight to avoid running back-to-back fetches
+		// when many callers arrived during the previous flight.
+		if cached, ok := f.checkCooldown(repoPath); ok {
+			return cached, nil
+		}
+		res := f.runFetch(context.WithoutCancel(ctx), repoPath)
+		f.mu.Lock()
+		f.lastByKey[repoPath] = res
+		f.mu.Unlock()
+		return res, nil
+	})
+	return v.(BranchRefreshResult)
+}
+
+func (f *branchFetcher) checkCooldown(repoPath string) (BranchRefreshResult, bool) {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+	prev, ok := f.lastByKey[repoPath]
+	if !ok {
+		return BranchRefreshResult{}, false
+	}
+	if time.Since(prev.FetchedAt) >= branchFetchCooldown {
+		return BranchRefreshResult{}, false
+	}
+	return BranchRefreshResult{FetchedAt: prev.FetchedAt, Skipped: true, Err: prev.Err}, true
+}
+
+func (f *branchFetcher) runFetch(ctx context.Context, repoPath string) BranchRefreshResult {
+	fetchCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, branchFetchTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	cmd := newNonInteractiveGitFetchCmd(fetchCtx, repoPath)
+	output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
+	res := BranchRefreshResult{FetchedAt: time.Now()}
+	if err != nil {
+		res.Err = fmt.Errorf("git fetch: %w", err)
+		if f.logger != nil {
+			// Avoid logging raw git output: it can contain remote URLs with
+			// embedded credentials or other sensitive data. Surface only the
+			// length and a sanitized summary instead.
+			f.logger.Warn("branch refresh fetch failed",
+				zap.String("path", repoPath),
+				zap.Int("output_bytes", len(output)),
+				zap.Error(err))
+		}
+	}
+	return res
+}
+
+// newNonInteractiveGitFetchCmd builds a `git fetch --all --prune --no-tags`
+// command with the same non-interactive environment used by the worktree
+// manager. Auth prompts are disabled so missing credentials surface as fast
+// failures rather than hanging the dropdown.
+func newNonInteractiveGitFetchCmd(ctx context.Context, repoPath string) *exec.Cmd {
+	cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, "git", "-C", repoPath, "fetch", "--all", "--prune", "--no-tags")
+	cmd.Env = append(os.Environ(),
+		"GIT_TERMINAL_PROMPT=0",
+		"GCM_INTERACTIVE=Never",
+		"GIT_ASKPASS=echo",
+		"SSH_ASKPASS=/bin/false",
+		"GIT_SSH_COMMAND=ssh -oBatchMode=yes",
+	)
+	cmd.WaitDelay = 500 * time.Millisecond
+	return cmd
+}
+
+// RefreshRepositoryBranches resolves the repository's local path and runs
+// `git fetch` for it, subject to a per-repository cooldown and single-flight
+// deduplication. Returns ErrPathNotAllowed when the repository's path is not
+// inside an allowed discovery root.
+func (s *Service) RefreshRepositoryBranches(ctx context.Context, repoID string) (BranchRefreshResult, error) {
+	repo, err := s.repoEntities.GetRepository(ctx, repoID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return BranchRefreshResult{}, err
+	}
+	return s.RefreshBranchesAtPath(ctx, repo.LocalPath)
+}
+
+// RefreshBranchesAtPath validates an already-resolved repository path and runs
+// `git fetch` for it, subject to the same cooldown and single-flight as
+// RefreshRepositoryBranches. Use this when the caller already has the path in
+// hand to avoid a redundant repository lookup.
+func (s *Service) RefreshBranchesAtPath(ctx context.Context, localPath string) (BranchRefreshResult, error) {
+	if localPath == "" {
+		return BranchRefreshResult{}, errors.New("repository local path is empty")
+	}
+	absPath, err := filepath.Abs(localPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return BranchRefreshResult{}, fmt.Errorf("invalid repository path: %w", err)
+	}
+	if !isPathAllowed(absPath, s.discoveryRoots()) {
+		return BranchRefreshResult{}, ErrPathNotAllowed
+	}
+	if info, statErr := os.Stat(absPath); statErr != nil || !info.IsDir() {
+		return BranchRefreshResult{}, errors.New("repository path is not a directory")
+	}
+	return s.branchFetcher.Fetch(ctx, absPath), nil
+}
diff --git a/apps/backend/internal/task/service/repository_fetch_test.go b/apps/backend/internal/task/service/repository_fetch_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9f9943ae93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/backend/internal/task/service/repository_fetch_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,140 @@
+package service
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// TestBranchFetcher_CooldownSkipsRepeatedFetches verifies that a second call
+// inside the cooldown window returns the cached result instead of re-running
+// `git fetch`.
+func TestBranchFetcher_CooldownSkipsRepeatedFetches(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	repoPath := makeRepoWithCommit(t, filepath.Join(root, "repo"))
+
+	f := newBranchFetcher(nil)
+	first := f.Fetch(context.Background(), repoPath)
+	if first.Skipped {
+		t.Fatalf("first fetch should not be skipped")
+	}
+	if first.FetchedAt.IsZero() {
+		t.Fatalf("first fetch should set FetchedAt")
+	}
+
+	second := f.Fetch(context.Background(), repoPath)
+	if !second.Skipped {
+		t.Fatalf("second fetch within cooldown should be skipped")
+	}
+	if !second.FetchedAt.Equal(first.FetchedAt) {
+		t.Fatalf("skipped fetch should report the prior FetchedAt: got %v, want %v",
+			second.FetchedAt, first.FetchedAt)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestBranchFetcher_SingleflightCoalesces verifies that concurrent callers
+// share a single fetch invocation.
+func TestBranchFetcher_SingleflightCoalesces(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	repoPath := makeRepoWithCommit(t, filepath.Join(root, "repo"))
+
+	f := newBranchFetcher(nil)
+	const N = 8
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	results := make([]BranchRefreshResult, N)
+	start := make(chan struct{})
+	for i := 0; i < N; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(idx int) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			<-start
+			results[idx] = f.Fetch(context.Background(), repoPath)
+		}(i)
+	}
+	close(start)
+	wg.Wait()
+
+	// All results should share the same FetchedAt — if singleflight is working,
+	// only one runFetch ran and its timestamp is broadcast to every caller.
+	first := results[0].FetchedAt
+	for i := 1; i < N; i++ {
+		if !results[i].FetchedAt.Equal(first) {
+			t.Fatalf("result %d FetchedAt mismatch: got %v, want %v", i, results[i].FetchedAt, first)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// TestBranchFetcher_RecordsErrorOnInvalidRepo verifies that fetch failures
+// are reported in the result without panicking.
+func TestBranchFetcher_RecordsErrorOnInvalidRepo(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir() // no .git inside
+
+	f := newBranchFetcher(nil)
+	res := f.Fetch(context.Background(), root)
+	if res.Err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected error fetching non-git directory")
+	}
+	if res.FetchedAt.IsZero() {
+		t.Fatalf("FetchedAt should be set even on error so the cooldown applies")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestBranchFetcher_BothCooldownAndError verifies that callers within the
+// cooldown window after a failed fetch get the cached error instead of
+// triggering a new fetch attempt.
+func TestBranchFetcher_BothCooldownAndError(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	f := newBranchFetcher(nil)
+	first := f.Fetch(context.Background(), root)
+	if first.Err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("first fetch should have errored")
+	}
+	second := f.Fetch(context.Background(), root)
+	if !second.Skipped {
+		t.Fatalf("second call within cooldown should be skipped")
+	}
+	if second.Err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("skipped result should preserve the prior error")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestBranchFetcher_FirstCallerCancelDoesNotPoisonCache verifies that a
+// caller cancelling its context after triggering the singleflight does not
+// cause the cached result to record a context.Canceled error. The fetch must
+// run to completion using a detached context so subsequent waiters see a real
+// outcome.
+func TestBranchFetcher_FirstCallerCancelDoesNotPoisonCache(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	repoPath := makeRepoWithCommit(t, filepath.Join(root, "repo"))
+
+	f := newBranchFetcher(nil)
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	cancel() // cancel before Fetch even runs
+
+	res := f.Fetch(ctx, repoPath)
+	if errors.Is(res.Err, context.Canceled) {
+		t.Fatalf("cached result must not record context.Canceled from caller's ctx; got %v", res.Err)
+	}
+}
+
+// makeRepoWithCommit initializes a real git repo with a single commit so that
+// `git fetch --all` succeeds (it has nothing to do but exits cleanly).
+func makeRepoWithCommit(t *testing.T, path string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	if err := exec.Command("git", "init", "-q", path).Run(); err != nil {
+		t.Skipf("git unavailable: %v", err)
+	}
+	for _, args := range [][]string{
+		{"-C", path, "config", "user.email", "t@t.test"},
+		{"-C", path, "config", "user.name", "t"},
+		{"-C", path, "commit", "--allow-empty", "-q", "-m", "init"},
+	} {
+		if err := exec.Command("git", args...).Run(); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("git %v: %v", args, err)
+		}
+	}
+	return path
+}
diff --git a/apps/backend/internal/task/service/service.go b/apps/backend/internal/task/service/service.go
index 740c4e1197..322e6f815a 100644
--- a/apps/backend/internal/task/service/service.go
+++ b/apps/backend/internal/task/service/service.go
@@ -135,6 +135,7 @@ type Service struct {
 	workflowStepGetter  WorkflowStepGetter
 	startStepResolver   StartStepResolver
 	quickChatDir        string // Directory for quick-chat workspaces (e.g., ~/.kandev/quick-chat)
+	branchFetcher       *branchFetcher
 }
 
 // NewService creates a new task service
@@ -156,6 +157,7 @@ func NewService(repos Repos, eventBus bus.EventBus, log *logger.Logger, discover
 		eventBus:         eventBus,
 		logger:           log,
 		discoveryConfig:  discoveryConfig,
+		branchFetcher:    newBranchFetcher(log.Zap()),
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/web/components/branch-refresh-button.tsx b/apps/web/components/branch-refresh-button.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..22e8dee547
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/web/components/branch-refresh-button.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useState } from "react";
+import { IconRefresh } from "@tabler/icons-react";
+import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipTrigger } from "@kandev/ui/tooltip";
+
+type BranchRefreshButtonProps = {
+  onRefresh: () => void;
+  refreshing?: boolean;
+  fetchedAt?: string;
+  fetchError?: string;
+};
+
+export function BranchRefreshButton({
+  onRefresh,
+  refreshing,
+  fetchedAt,
+  fetchError,
+}: BranchRefreshButtonProps) {
+  // Controlled open so the tooltip only reacts to hover, not focus.
+  // Radix Popover auto-focuses the first focusable child when it opens, which
+  // would otherwise trigger this tooltip the moment the dropdown is opened.
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  const hasError = Boolean(fetchError);
+  const tooltip = formatRefreshTooltip(fetchedAt, refreshing, fetchError);
+  return (
+    <Tooltip open={open} onOpenChange={setOpen}>
+      <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          aria-label="Refresh branches"
+          data-testid="branch-refresh-button"
+          onClick={(e) => {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            e.stopPropagation();
+            onRefresh();
+          }}
+          onMouseEnter={() => setOpen(true)}
+          onMouseLeave={() => setOpen(false)}
+          disabled={refreshing}
+          className={`inline-flex h-6 w-6 items-center justify-center rounded-md hover:bg-muted/40 ${
+            hasError
+              ? "text-amber-500 hover:text-amber-600"
+              : "text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground"
+          } ${refreshing ? "cursor-not-allowed opacity-50" : "cursor-pointer"}`}
+        >
+          <IconRefresh className={`h-3.5 w-3.5 ${refreshing ? "animate-spin" : ""}`} />
+        </button>
+      </TooltipTrigger>
+      <TooltipContent>{tooltip}</TooltipContent>
+    </Tooltip>
+  );
+}
+
+function formatRefreshTooltip(
+  fetchedAt: string | undefined,
+  refreshing: boolean | undefined,
+  fetchError: string | undefined,
+) {
+  if (refreshing) return "Refreshing branches...";
+  if (fetchError) return `Last refresh failed: ${fetchError}`;
+  if (!fetchedAt) return "Refresh branches (git fetch)";
+  const date = new Date(fetchedAt);
+  if (Number.isNaN(date.getTime())) return "Refresh branches (git fetch)";
+  return `Refresh branches (last fetched ${date.toLocaleTimeString()})`;
+}
diff --git a/apps/web/components/combobox.tsx b/apps/web/components/combobox.tsx
index c570a7a08b..0c70c7cc1e 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/combobox.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/combobox.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { memo, useState } from "react";
-import { IconCheck, IconChevronDown } from "@tabler/icons-react";
+import { IconCheck, IconChevronDown, IconLoader2 } from "@tabler/icons-react";
 
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { Button } from "@kandev/ui/button";
@@ -19,9 +19,14 @@ export type ComboboxOption = {
   value: string;
   label: string;
   description?: string;
+  keywords?: string[];
   renderLabel?: () => React.ReactNode;
 };
 
+// Custom filter compatible with cmdk's `<Command filter>` prop.
+// Returns a number in [0, 1]; >0 means the option is included, sorted desc.
+export type ComboboxFilter = (value: string, search: string, keywords?: string[]) => number;
+
 interface ComboboxProps {
   options: ComboboxOption[];
   value: string;
@@ -39,6 +44,12 @@ interface ComboboxProps {
   popoverAlign?: "start" | "center" | "end";
   /** When true, the trigger always renders the plain label text instead of renderLabel. */
   plainTrigger?: boolean;
+  /** Optional custom filter; defaults to cmdk's built-in command-score. */
+  filter?: ComboboxFilter;
+  /** Optional node rendered to the right of the dropdown label (e.g. refresh button). */
+  headerAction?: React.ReactNode;
+  /** When true, swap the trigger chevron for a spinner to indicate loading. */
+  loading?: boolean;
 }
 
 function TriggerLabel({
@@ -71,7 +82,7 @@ function OptionsList({
         <CommandItem
           key={option.value}
           value={option.value}
-          keywords={[option.label, option.description ?? ""]}
+          keywords={option.keywords ?? [option.label, option.description ?? ""]}
           onSelect={() => onSelect(option.value)}
           className="relative pr-7"
         >
@@ -106,6 +117,9 @@ export const Combobox = memo(function Combobox({
   popoverSide,
   popoverAlign = "start",
   plainTrigger = false,
+  filter,
+  headerAction,
+  loading = false,
 }: ComboboxProps) {
   const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
   // Track the highlighted item. Defaults to the selected value so the current
@@ -138,7 +152,11 @@ export const Combobox = memo(function Combobox({
               placeholder={placeholder}
             />
           </div>
-          <IconChevronDown className="ml-2 h-4 w-4 shrink-0 opacity-50" />
+          {loading ? (
+            <IconLoader2 className="ml-2 h-4 w-4 shrink-0 animate-spin opacity-50" />
+          ) : (
+            <IconChevronDown className="ml-2 h-4 w-4 shrink-0 opacity-50" />
+          )}
         </Button>
       </PopoverTrigger>
       <PopoverContent
@@ -150,10 +168,11 @@ export const Combobox = memo(function Combobox({
         align={popoverAlign}
         portal={false}
       >
-        <Command value={highlighted} onValueChange={setHighlighted}>
-          {dropdownLabel ? (
-            <div className="text-muted-foreground px-2 py-1.5 text-xs border-b">
-              {dropdownLabel}
+        <Command value={highlighted} onValueChange={setHighlighted} filter={filter}>
+          {dropdownLabel || headerAction ? (
+            <div className="text-muted-foreground flex items-center justify-between gap-2 px-2 py-1 text-xs border-b">
+              <span>{dropdownLabel}</span>
+              {headerAction}
             </div>
           ) : null}
           {showSearch && <CommandInput placeholder={searchPlaceholder} className="h-9" />}
diff --git a/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-form-body.tsx b/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-form-body.tsx
index 92b80b883a..6b4aee819e 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-form-body.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-form-body.tsx
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ type CreateEditSelectorsProps = {
   branch: string;
   onBranchChange: (value: string) => void;
   branchesLoading: boolean;
+  onRefreshBranches?: () => void;
+  branchesFetchedAt?: string;
+  branchesFetchError?: string;
   localBranchesLoading: boolean;
   agentProfiles: AgentProfileOption[];
   agentProfilesLoading: boolean;
@@ -52,6 +55,11 @@ type CreateEditSelectorsProps = {
     placeholder: string;
     searchPlaceholder: string;
     emptyMessage: string;
+    onRefresh?: () => void;
+    refreshing?: boolean;
+    fetchedAt?: string;
+    fetchError?: string;
+    loading?: boolean;
   }>;
   AgentSelectorComponent: React.ComponentType<{
     options: SelectorOption[];
@@ -137,6 +145,9 @@ export const CreateEditSelectors = memo(function CreateEditSelectors(
     branch,
     onBranchChange,
     branchesLoading,
+    onRefreshBranches,
+    branchesFetchedAt,
+    branchesFetchError,
     localBranchesLoading,
     executorProfileOptions,
     executorProfileId,
@@ -182,6 +193,11 @@ export const CreateEditSelectors = memo(function CreateEditSelectors(
             searchPlaceholder="Search branches..."
             emptyMessage="No branch found."
             disabled={branchDisabled}
+            onRefresh={!isLocalWithoutGitHubUrl ? onRefreshBranches : undefined}
+            refreshing={branchesLoading}
+            fetchedAt={branchesFetchedAt}
+            fetchError={branchesFetchError}
+            loading={branchesLoading || localBranchesLoading}
           />
         </div>
         {isLocalWithoutGitHubUrl && (
diff --git a/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-options.tsx b/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-options.tsx
index da5b4376e0..40713c1e45 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-options.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-options.tsx
@@ -87,9 +87,13 @@ export function useBranchOptions(branchOptionsRaw: Branch[]) {
         branchObj.type === "remote" && branchObj.remote
           ? `${branchObj.remote}/${branchObj.name}`
           : branchObj.name;
+      // Keywords give the scorer extra surfaces to match against: the leaf
+      // branch name, every path segment, and (for remotes) the remote name.
+      const keywords = buildBranchKeywords(branchObj.name, branchObj.remote);
       return {
         value: displayName,
         label: displayName,
+        keywords,
         renderLabel: () => (
           <span className="flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center justify-between gap-2">
             <span className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-1.5">
@@ -108,6 +112,20 @@ export function useBranchOptions(branchOptionsRaw: Branch[]) {
   }, [branchOptionsRaw]);
 }
 
+const BRANCH_SEGMENT_RE = /[/_.\-\s]+/;
+
+function buildBranchKeywords(name: string, remote?: string): string[] {
+  const out = new Set<string>();
+  out.add(name);
+  const leafIdx = name.lastIndexOf("/");
+  if (leafIdx >= 0) out.add(name.slice(leafIdx + 1));
+  for (const seg of name.split(BRANCH_SEGMENT_RE)) {
+    if (seg) out.add(seg);
+  }
+  if (remote) out.add(remote);
+  return Array.from(out);
+}
+
 export function useAgentProfileOptions(agentProfiles: AgentProfileOption[]): OptionItem[] {
   return useMemo(() => {
     return agentProfiles.map((profile: AgentProfileOption) => {
diff --git a/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-selectors.tsx b/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-selectors.tsx
index 09c26341bf..3099092e8f 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-selectors.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-selectors.tsx
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+/* eslint-disable max-lines -- groups all create-dialog selector subcomponents; splitting per-selector files is a separate refactor. */
 "use client";
 
 import { useEffect, useRef, useState, memo, useCallback, useMemo } from "react";
@@ -5,6 +6,8 @@ import { Textarea } from "@kandev/ui/textarea";
 import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipTrigger } from "@kandev/ui/tooltip";
 import { IconPaperclip } from "@tabler/icons-react";
 import { Combobox } from "./combobox";
+import { scoreBranch } from "@/lib/utils/branch-filter";
+import { BranchRefreshButton } from "./branch-refresh-button";
 import {
   processFile,
   formatBytes,
@@ -70,6 +73,7 @@ export const RepositorySelector = memo(function RepositorySelector({
 type BranchOption = {
   value: string;
   label: string;
+  keywords?: string[];
   renderLabel: () => React.ReactNode;
 };
 
@@ -81,6 +85,11 @@ type BranchSelectorProps = {
   placeholder: string;
   searchPlaceholder: string;
   emptyMessage: string;
+  onRefresh?: () => void;
+  refreshing?: boolean;
+  fetchedAt?: string;
+  fetchError?: string;
+  loading?: boolean;
 };
 
 export const BranchSelector = memo(function BranchSelector({
@@ -91,7 +100,20 @@ export const BranchSelector = memo(function BranchSelector({
   placeholder,
   searchPlaceholder,
   emptyMessage,
+  onRefresh,
+  refreshing,
+  fetchedAt,
+  fetchError,
+  loading,
 }: BranchSelectorProps) {
+  const headerAction = onRefresh ? (
+    <BranchRefreshButton
+      onRefresh={onRefresh}
+      refreshing={refreshing}
+      fetchedAt={fetchedAt}
+      fetchError={fetchError}
+    />
+  ) : undefined;
   return (
     <Combobox
       options={options}
@@ -104,6 +126,9 @@ export const BranchSelector = memo(function BranchSelector({
       dropdownLabel="Base Branch"
       className={disabled ? undefined : CURSOR_POINTER_CLASS}
       testId="branch-selector"
+      filter={scoreBranch}
+      headerAction={headerAction}
+      loading={loading}
     />
   );
 });
diff --git a/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-state.ts b/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-state.ts
index 0efb0006b1..2982dc96b6 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-state.ts
+++ b/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog-state.ts
@@ -532,10 +532,13 @@ export function useTaskCreateDialogData(
 
   useSettingsData(open);
   const { repositories, isLoading: repositoriesLoading } = useRepositories(workspaceId, open);
-  const { branches, isLoading: branchesLoading } = useRepositoryBranches(
-    fs.repositoryId || null,
-    Boolean(open && fs.repositoryId),
-  );
+  const {
+    branches,
+    isLoading: branchesLoading,
+    refresh: refreshBranches,
+    fetchedAt: branchesFetchedAt,
+    fetchError: branchesFetchError,
+  } = useRepositoryBranches(fs.repositoryId || null, Boolean(open && fs.repositoryId));
   const computed = useDialogComputed({
     fs,
     open,
@@ -560,6 +563,9 @@ export function useTaskCreateDialogData(
     repositoriesLoading,
     branches,
     branchesLoading,
+    refreshBranches,
+    branchesFetchedAt,
+    branchesFetchError,
     computed,
   };
 }
diff --git a/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog.tsx b/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog.tsx
index 8fc240bd67..cb63ab9b9c 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/task-create-dialog.tsx
@@ -84,6 +84,9 @@ type DialogFormBodyProps = {
   onLinearImport?: (issue: LinearIssue) => void;
   branchOptions: ReturnType<typeof useBranchOptions>;
   branchesLoading: boolean;
+  onRefreshBranches: () => void;
+  branchesFetchedAt?: string;
+  branchesFetchError?: string;
   agentProfileOptions: ReturnType<typeof useAgentProfileOptions>;
   executorProfileOptions: Array<{
     value: string;
@@ -110,6 +113,7 @@ type DialogFormBodyProps = {
   onToggleFreshBranch: (enabled: boolean) => void;
 };
 
+// eslint-disable-next-line max-lines-per-function -- thin pass-through; each section already factored into its own component
 function DialogFormBody({
   isSessionMode,
   isCreateMode,
@@ -122,6 +126,9 @@ function DialogFormBody({
   onLinearImport,
   branchOptions,
   branchesLoading,
+  onRefreshBranches,
+  branchesFetchedAt,
+  branchesFetchError,
   agentProfileOptions,
   executorProfileOptions,
   agentProfiles,
@@ -164,6 +171,9 @@ function DialogFormBody({
           hasRepositorySelection,
           branchOptions,
           branchesLoading,
+          onRefreshBranches,
+          branchesFetchedAt,
+          branchesFetchError,
           agentProfiles,
           agentProfilesLoading,
           agentProfileOptions,
@@ -212,6 +222,9 @@ type CreateEditSelectorsRenderArgs = Pick<
   | "hasRepositorySelection"
   | "branchOptions"
   | "branchesLoading"
+  | "onRefreshBranches"
+  | "branchesFetchedAt"
+  | "branchesFetchError"
   | "agentProfiles"
   | "agentProfilesLoading"
   | "agentProfileOptions"
@@ -237,6 +250,9 @@ function renderCreateEditSelectors(args: CreateEditSelectorsRenderArgs) {
       branch={fs.branch}
       onBranchChange={args.onBranchChange}
       branchesLoading={args.branchesLoading}
+      onRefreshBranches={args.onRefreshBranches}
+      branchesFetchedAt={args.branchesFetchedAt}
+      branchesFetchError={args.branchesFetchError}
       localBranchesLoading={fs.localBranchesLoading}
       agentProfiles={args.agentProfiles}
       agentProfilesLoading={args.agentProfilesLoading}
@@ -392,6 +408,9 @@ function useTaskCreateDialogSetup(props: TaskCreateDialogProps) {
     repositoriesLoading,
     branches,
     branchesLoading,
+    refreshBranches,
+    branchesFetchedAt,
+    branchesFetchError,
     computed,
   } = useTaskCreateDialogData(open, workspaceId, workflowId, defaultStepId, fs);
   const repositoryLocalPath = (() => {
@@ -439,6 +458,9 @@ function useTaskCreateDialogSetup(props: TaskCreateDialogProps) {
     snapshots,
     repositoriesLoading,
     branchesLoading,
+    refreshBranches,
+    branchesFetchedAt,
+    branchesFetchError,
     computed,
     handlers,
     submitHandlers,
@@ -457,7 +479,8 @@ type DialogFormProps = {
 function DialogForm({ setup, workspaceId }: DialogFormProps) {
   const { fs, isSessionMode, isCreateMode, isTaskStarted, workflows, agentProfiles } = setup;
   const { snapshots, branchesLoading, computed, handlers, handleKeyDown } = setup;
-  const { handleJiraImport, handleLinearImport } = setup;
+  const { handleJiraImport, handleLinearImport, refreshBranches, branchesFetchedAt } = setup;
+  const { branchesFetchError } = setup;
   const { handleSubmit, handleUpdateWithoutAgent, handleCreateWithoutAgent } = setup.submitHandlers;
   const { handleCreateWithPlanMode, handleCancel } = setup.submitHandlers;
   return (
@@ -474,6 +497,9 @@ function DialogForm({ setup, workspaceId }: DialogFormProps) {
         onLinearImport={handleLinearImport}
         branchOptions={computed.branchOptions}
         branchesLoading={branchesLoading || (fs.useGitHubUrl && fs.githubBranchesLoading)}
+        onRefreshBranches={refreshBranches}
+        branchesFetchedAt={branchesFetchedAt}
+        branchesFetchError={branchesFetchError}
         agentProfileOptions={computed.agentProfileOptions}
         executorProfileOptions={computed.executorProfileOptions}
         agentProfiles={agentProfiles}
diff --git a/apps/web/e2e/tests/task/create-task-branch-selector.spec.ts b/apps/web/e2e/tests/task/create-task-branch-selector.spec.ts
index eb34e55e0b..97a1650de0 100644
--- a/apps/web/e2e/tests/task/create-task-branch-selector.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/web/e2e/tests/task/create-task-branch-selector.spec.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@ import { test, expect } from "../../fixtures/test-base";
 import { KanbanPage } from "../../pages/kanban-page";
 import { makeGitEnv } from "../../helpers/git-helper";
 
+function escapeRe(s: string) {
+  return s.replace(/[.*+?^${}()|[\]\\]/g, "\\$&");
+}
+
 test.describe("Branch selector behavior with executor types", () => {
   test.describe.configure({ retries: 1 });
 
@@ -236,10 +240,6 @@ test.describe("Fresh-branch flow", () => {
       .click();
   }
 
-  function escapeRe(s: string) {
-    return s.replace(/[.*+?^${}()|[\]\\]/g, "\\$&");
-  }
-
   test("toggle off (default) — branch selector disabled, placeholder shows current branch", async ({
     testPage,
     apiClient,
@@ -518,3 +518,147 @@ test.describe("Fresh-branch flow", () => {
     }
   });
 });
+
+test.describe("Branch refresh + filter", () => {
+  test.describe.configure({ retries: 1 });
+
+  test("refresh button in branch dropdown triggers ?refresh=true request", async ({
+    testPage,
+    apiClient,
+    seedData,
+  }) => {
+    if (!seedData.worktreeExecutorProfileId) {
+      test.skip(true, "No worktree executor profile in seed data");
+      return;
+    }
+    const { executors } = await apiClient.listExecutors();
+    const worktreeProfileName = executors
+      .flatMap((e) => e.profiles ?? [])
+      .find((p) => p.id === seedData.worktreeExecutorProfileId)?.name;
+    if (!worktreeProfileName) {
+      test.skip(true, "Could not resolve worktree profile name");
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Resolve the seeded repo's name via the workspace API so we can select
+    // it explicitly — earlier specs in this worker may have registered extra
+    // repos in the same workspace, and we need the asserted ?refresh URL to
+    // be unambiguous.
+    const repoListRes = await apiClient.rawRequest(
+      "GET",
+      `/api/v1/workspaces/${seedData.workspaceId}/repositories`,
+    );
+    const repoList = (await repoListRes.json()) as {
+      repositories: Array<{ id: string; name: string }>;
+    };
+    const seededRepoName = repoList.repositories.find((r) => r.id === seedData.repositoryId)?.name;
+    if (!seededRepoName) {
+      test.skip(true, "Could not resolve seeded repository name");
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const kanban = new KanbanPage(testPage);
+    await kanban.goto();
+    await kanban.createTaskButton.first().click();
+    await expect(testPage.getByTestId("create-task-dialog")).toBeVisible();
+    await testPage.getByTestId("task-title-input").fill("Refresh button test");
+    await testPage.getByTestId("task-description-input").fill("triggers git fetch");
+    await testPage.getByTestId("repository-selector").click();
+    await testPage
+      .getByRole("option", { name: new RegExp(`^${escapeRe(seededRepoName)}\\b`, "i") })
+      .first()
+      .click();
+    // Worktree executor → branch selector enabled and refresh button visible.
+    await testPage.getByTestId("executor-profile-selector").click();
+    await testPage.getByRole("option", { name: worktreeProfileName }).click();
+
+    const branchSelector = testPage.getByTestId("branch-selector");
+    await expect(branchSelector).toBeEnabled({ timeout: 5_000 });
+    await branchSelector.click();
+
+    const refreshButton = testPage.getByTestId("branch-refresh-button");
+    await expect(refreshButton).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+
+    // Wait until the cold-load refresh request finishes so the button isn't
+    // disabled when we click it.
+    await expect(refreshButton).toBeEnabled({ timeout: 10_000 });
+
+    const refreshRequest = testPage.waitForRequest(
+      (req) =>
+        req.url().includes(`/repositories/${seedData.repositoryId}/branches`) &&
+        req.url().includes("refresh=true") &&
+        req.method() === "GET",
+    );
+    await refreshButton.click();
+    await refreshRequest;
+  });
+
+  test("branch filter ranks exact match above substring matches", async ({
+    testPage,
+    apiClient,
+    backend,
+    seedData,
+  }) => {
+    if (!seedData.worktreeExecutorProfileId) {
+      test.skip(true, "No worktree executor profile in seed data");
+      return;
+    }
+    const { executors } = await apiClient.listExecutors();
+    const worktreeProfileName = executors
+      .flatMap((e) => e.profiles ?? [])
+      .find((p) => p.id === seedData.worktreeExecutorProfileId)?.name;
+    if (!worktreeProfileName) {
+      test.skip(true, "Could not resolve worktree profile name");
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Seed an isolated repo with branches that contain overlapping substrings
+    // so the filter has something interesting to rank.
+    const repoName = "E2E Filter Repo";
+    const repoDir = path.join(backend.tmpDir, "repos", "e2e-filter-branches");
+    fs.mkdirSync(repoDir, { recursive: true });
+    const env = makeGitEnv(backend.tmpDir);
+    execSync("git init -b main", { cwd: repoDir, env });
+    execSync('git commit --allow-empty -m "init"', { cwd: repoDir, env });
+    // -B creates or resets the branch so the test is idempotent across retries.
+    for (const name of ["develop", "feature/develop-helpers", "feature/auth-develop-flow"]) {
+      execSync(`git checkout -B ${name}`, { cwd: repoDir, env });
+      execSync(`git commit --allow-empty -m "${name}"`, { cwd: repoDir, env });
+      execSync("git checkout main", { cwd: repoDir, env });
+    }
+    await apiClient.createRepository(seedData.workspaceId, repoDir, "main", { name: repoName });
+
+    const kanban = new KanbanPage(testPage);
+    await kanban.goto();
+    await kanban.createTaskButton.first().click();
+    await expect(testPage.getByTestId("create-task-dialog")).toBeVisible();
+    await testPage.getByTestId("task-title-input").fill("Filter ranking test");
+    await testPage.getByTestId("task-description-input").fill("exact match wins");
+    await testPage.getByTestId("repository-selector").click();
+    await testPage
+      .getByRole("option", { name: new RegExp(`^${repoName}\\b`, "i") })
+      .first()
+      .click();
+    await testPage.getByTestId("executor-profile-selector").click();
+    await testPage.getByRole("option", { name: worktreeProfileName }).click();
+
+    const branchSelector = testPage.getByTestId("branch-selector");
+    await expect(branchSelector).toBeEnabled({ timeout: 5_000 });
+    await branchSelector.click();
+
+    // Wait for the cold-load fetch to populate the dropdown with our branches.
+    await expect(testPage.getByRole("option", { name: /feature\/develop-helpers/ })).toBeVisible({
+      timeout: 10_000,
+    });
+
+    await testPage.getByPlaceholder("Search branches...").fill("develop");
+
+    // After filtering, the exact match "develop" must rank first. cmdk renders
+    // matched options in descending score order, so the first [role="option"]
+    // in the DOM is the top-ranked branch. Options carry the branch name in
+    // data-value; the visible text also contains a "local" badge so we assert
+    // on the attribute rather than text content.
+    const firstOption = testPage.getByRole("option").first();
+    await expect(firstOption).toHaveAttribute("data-value", "develop", { timeout: 5_000 });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/apps/web/hooks/domains/workspace/use-repository-branches.ts b/apps/web/hooks/domains/workspace/use-repository-branches.ts
index 306d1d2664..05bf41f5c0 100644
--- a/apps/web/hooks/domains/workspace/use-repository-branches.ts
+++ b/apps/web/hooks/domains/workspace/use-repository-branches.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,15 @@
-import { useEffect, useRef } from "react";
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef } from "react";
 import { useAppStore } from "@/components/state-provider";
 import { listRepositoryBranches } from "@/lib/api";
 import type { Branch } from "@/lib/types/http";
 
 const EMPTY_BRANCHES: Branch[] = [];
 
+// Stale-while-revalidate: when the cache is older than this we fire a
+// background refresh on hook mount/repo change. The backend additionally
+// enforces a per-repo cooldown so this is the soft, client-side check.
+const CLIENT_STALE_MS = 60_000;
+
 export function useRepositoryBranches(repositoryId: string | null, enabled = true) {
   const branches = useAppStore((state) =>
     repositoryId
@@ -17,30 +22,69 @@ export function useRepositoryBranches(repositoryId: string | null, enabled = tru
   const isLoading = useAppStore((state) =>
     repositoryId ? (state.repositoryBranches.loadingByRepositoryId[repositoryId] ?? false) : false,
   );
+  const fetchedAt = useAppStore((state) =>
+    repositoryId ? state.repositoryBranches.fetchedAtByRepositoryId[repositoryId] : undefined,
+  );
+  const fetchError = useAppStore((state) =>
+    repositoryId ? state.repositoryBranches.fetchErrorByRepositoryId[repositoryId] : undefined,
+  );
   const setRepositoryBranches = useAppStore((state) => state.setRepositoryBranches);
   const setRepositoryBranchesLoading = useAppStore((state) => state.setRepositoryBranchesLoading);
-  const inFlightRef = useRef(false);
+  const setRepositoryBranchesFetchError = useAppStore(
+    (state) => state.setRepositoryBranchesFetchError,
+  );
+  const inFlightRef = useRef<string | null>(null);
+
+  // Stable fetcher closed over the store actions; the repo id is a parameter
+  // so the same identity works for both mount-time fetches and refresh().
+  const runFetch = useCallback(
+    (repoId: string, refresh: boolean) => {
+      if (inFlightRef.current === repoId) return;
+      inFlightRef.current = repoId;
+      setRepositoryBranchesLoading(repoId, true);
+      listRepositoryBranches(repoId, { refresh }, { cache: "no-store" })
+        .then((response) => {
+          setRepositoryBranches(repoId, response.branches, {
+            fetchedAt: response.fetched_at,
+            fetchError: response.fetch_error,
+          });
+        })
+        .catch((err: unknown) => {
+          // Stale-while-revalidate: keep any previously-cached branches in
+          // place on transport failure so the dropdown stays usable. Only the
+          // fetchError is updated so callers can surface the failure.
+          const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : "request failed";
+          setRepositoryBranchesFetchError(repoId, message);
+        })
+        .finally(() => {
+          if (inFlightRef.current === repoId) inFlightRef.current = null;
+          setRepositoryBranchesLoading(repoId, false);
+        });
+    },
+    [setRepositoryBranches, setRepositoryBranchesLoading, setRepositoryBranchesFetchError],
+  );
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!enabled || !repositoryId) return;
-    if (isLoaded || inFlightRef.current) return;
-    inFlightRef.current = true;
-    setRepositoryBranchesLoading(repositoryId, true);
-    // Capture the repositoryId at effect start for the closure
-    const fetchRepoId = repositoryId;
-    listRepositoryBranches(fetchRepoId, { cache: "no-store" })
-      .then((response) => {
-        // Safe to always store: data is keyed by repositoryId in the store
-        setRepositoryBranches(fetchRepoId, response.branches);
-      })
-      .catch(() => {
-        setRepositoryBranches(fetchRepoId, []);
-      })
-      .finally(() => {
-        inFlightRef.current = false;
-        setRepositoryBranchesLoading(fetchRepoId, false);
-      });
-  }, [enabled, isLoaded, repositoryId, setRepositoryBranches, setRepositoryBranchesLoading]);
+    // Cold load: nothing in the cache, do a foreground fetch with refresh so
+    // the user sees fresh remote branches the first time the dialog opens.
+    if (!isLoaded) {
+      runFetch(repositoryId, true);
+      return;
+    }
+    // Warm cache, possibly stale: revalidate in the background. The backend
+    // cooldown ensures this doesn't hammer git when the dialog is reopened
+    // in quick succession.
+    const ageMs = fetchedAt ? Date.now() - new Date(fetchedAt).getTime() : Infinity;
+    if (ageMs >= CLIENT_STALE_MS) {
+      runFetch(repositoryId, true);
+    }
+  }, [enabled, isLoaded, repositoryId, fetchedAt, runFetch]);
 
-  return { branches, isLoading };
+  const refresh = useCallback(() => {
+    if (!repositoryId) return;
+    runFetch(repositoryId, true);
+  }, [repositoryId, runFetch]);
+
+  return { branches, isLoading, fetchedAt, fetchError, refresh };
 }
diff --git a/apps/web/lib/api/domains/workspace-api.ts b/apps/web/lib/api/domains/workspace-api.ts
index f95558307f..1259073b32 100644
--- a/apps/web/lib/api/domains/workspace-api.ts
+++ b/apps/web/lib/api/domains/workspace-api.ts
@@ -37,9 +37,14 @@ export async function listRepositories(
   return fetchJson<ListRepositoriesResponse>(url, options);
 }
 
-export async function listRepositoryBranches(repositoryId: string, options?: ApiRequestOptions) {
+export async function listRepositoryBranches(
+  repositoryId: string,
+  params?: { refresh?: boolean },
+  options?: ApiRequestOptions,
+) {
+  const qs = params?.refresh ? "?refresh=true" : "";
   return fetchJson<RepositoryBranchesResponse>(
-    `/api/v1/repositories/${repositoryId}/branches`,
+    `/api/v1/repositories/${repositoryId}/branches${qs}`,
     options,
   );
 }
diff --git a/apps/web/lib/state/slices/workspace/types.ts b/apps/web/lib/state/slices/workspace/types.ts
index 942e350fe9..b66297e5f0 100644
--- a/apps/web/lib/state/slices/workspace/types.ts
+++ b/apps/web/lib/state/slices/workspace/types.ts
@@ -26,6 +26,10 @@ export type RepositoryBranchesState = {
   itemsByRepositoryId: Record<string, Branch[]>;
   loadingByRepositoryId: Record<string, boolean>;
   loadedByRepositoryId: Record<string, boolean>;
+  // RFC3339 timestamp of the most recent successful refresh from the backend.
+  fetchedAtByRepositoryId: Record<string, string | undefined>;
+  // Last fetch error for each repository, when a refresh attempt failed.
+  fetchErrorByRepositoryId: Record<string, string | undefined>;
 };
 
 export type RepositoryScriptsState = {
@@ -46,8 +50,13 @@ export type WorkspaceSliceActions = {
   setWorkspaces: (workspaces: WorkspaceState["items"]) => void;
   setRepositories: (workspaceId: string, repositories: Repository[]) => void;
   setRepositoriesLoading: (workspaceId: string, loading: boolean) => void;
-  setRepositoryBranches: (repositoryId: string, branches: Branch[]) => void;
+  setRepositoryBranches: (
+    repositoryId: string,
+    branches: Branch[],
+    meta?: { fetchedAt?: string; fetchError?: string },
+  ) => void;
   setRepositoryBranchesLoading: (repositoryId: string, loading: boolean) => void;
+  setRepositoryBranchesFetchError: (repositoryId: string, error: string | undefined) => void;
   setRepositoryScripts: (repositoryId: string, scripts: RepositoryScript[]) => void;
   setRepositoryScriptsLoading: (repositoryId: string, loading: boolean) => void;
   clearRepositoryScripts: (repositoryId: string) => void;
diff --git a/apps/web/lib/state/slices/workspace/workspace-slice.test.ts b/apps/web/lib/state/slices/workspace/workspace-slice.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..80733114a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/web/lib/state/slices/workspace/workspace-slice.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { create } from "zustand";
+import { immer } from "zustand/middleware/immer";
+import { createWorkspaceSlice } from "./workspace-slice";
+import type { WorkspaceSlice } from "./types";
+import type { Branch } from "@/lib/types/http";
+
+function makeStore() {
+  return create<WorkspaceSlice>()(
+    // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-explicit-any
+    immer((...a) => ({ ...(createWorkspaceSlice as any)(...a) })),
+  );
+}
+
+const REPO = "repo-1";
+const BRANCHES: Branch[] = [{ name: "main", type: "local" }];
+const FETCHED_AT = "2026-04-30T10:00:00Z";
+
+describe("setRepositoryBranches", () => {
+  it("stores branches and marks loaded without meta", () => {
+    const s = makeStore();
+    s.getState().setRepositoryBranches(REPO, BRANCHES);
+    const state = s.getState().repositoryBranches;
+    expect(state.itemsByRepositoryId[REPO]).toEqual(BRANCHES);
+    expect(state.loadedByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBe(true);
+    expect(state.loadingByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBe(false);
+    expect(state.fetchedAtByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(state.fetchErrorByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("records fetchedAt + clears prior fetchError on success", () => {
+    const s = makeStore();
+    s.getState().setRepositoryBranches(REPO, BRANCHES, { fetchError: "boom" });
+    expect(s.getState().repositoryBranches.fetchErrorByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBe("boom");
+    s.getState().setRepositoryBranches(REPO, BRANCHES, { fetchedAt: FETCHED_AT });
+    const state = s.getState().repositoryBranches;
+    expect(state.fetchedAtByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBe(FETCHED_AT);
+    expect(state.fetchErrorByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("preserves the prior fetchedAt when meta omits it", () => {
+    const s = makeStore();
+    s.getState().setRepositoryBranches(REPO, BRANCHES, { fetchedAt: FETCHED_AT });
+    s.getState().setRepositoryBranches(REPO, BRANCHES);
+    expect(s.getState().repositoryBranches.fetchedAtByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBe(FETCHED_AT);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("setRepositoryBranchesLoading", () => {
+  it("toggles only the loading flag", () => {
+    const s = makeStore();
+    s.getState().setRepositoryBranchesLoading(REPO, true);
+    expect(s.getState().repositoryBranches.loadingByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBe(true);
+    s.getState().setRepositoryBranchesLoading(REPO, false);
+    expect(s.getState().repositoryBranches.loadingByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("setRepositoryBranchesFetchError", () => {
+  it("records the error without touching cached branches", () => {
+    const s = makeStore();
+    s.getState().setRepositoryBranches(REPO, BRANCHES, { fetchedAt: FETCHED_AT });
+    s.getState().setRepositoryBranchesFetchError(REPO, "network down");
+    const state = s.getState().repositoryBranches;
+    expect(state.fetchErrorByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBe("network down");
+    // Cached branches and fetchedAt are preserved so the dropdown stays usable
+    // (stale-while-revalidate semantics).
+    expect(state.itemsByRepositoryId[REPO]).toEqual(BRANCHES);
+    expect(state.fetchedAtByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBe(FETCHED_AT);
+  });
+
+  it("clears the error when called with undefined", () => {
+    const s = makeStore();
+    s.getState().setRepositoryBranchesFetchError(REPO, "boom");
+    s.getState().setRepositoryBranchesFetchError(REPO, undefined);
+    expect(s.getState().repositoryBranches.fetchErrorByRepositoryId[REPO]).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/apps/web/lib/state/slices/workspace/workspace-slice.ts b/apps/web/lib/state/slices/workspace/workspace-slice.ts
index c6a1b7b67a..f5b5ab3d7f 100644
--- a/apps/web/lib/state/slices/workspace/workspace-slice.ts
+++ b/apps/web/lib/state/slices/workspace/workspace-slice.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ export const defaultWorkspaceState: WorkspaceSliceState = {
     itemsByRepositoryId: {},
     loadingByRepositoryId: {},
     loadedByRepositoryId: {},
+    fetchedAtByRepositoryId: {},
+    fetchErrorByRepositoryId: {},
   },
   repositoryScripts: {
     itemsByRepositoryId: {},
@@ -48,16 +50,26 @@ export const createWorkspaceSlice: StateCreator<
     set((draft) => {
       draft.repositories.loadingByWorkspaceId[workspaceId] = loading;
     }),
-  setRepositoryBranches: (repositoryId, branches) =>
+  setRepositoryBranches: (repositoryId, branches, meta) =>
     set((draft) => {
       draft.repositoryBranches.itemsByRepositoryId[repositoryId] = branches;
       draft.repositoryBranches.loadingByRepositoryId[repositoryId] = false;
       draft.repositoryBranches.loadedByRepositoryId[repositoryId] = true;
+      if (meta?.fetchedAt !== undefined) {
+        draft.repositoryBranches.fetchedAtByRepositoryId[repositoryId] = meta.fetchedAt;
+      }
+      // fetchError is replaced on every successful response (empty string clears it).
+      draft.repositoryBranches.fetchErrorByRepositoryId[repositoryId] =
+        meta?.fetchError ?? undefined;
     }),
   setRepositoryBranchesLoading: (repositoryId, loading) =>
     set((draft) => {
       draft.repositoryBranches.loadingByRepositoryId[repositoryId] = loading;
     }),
+  setRepositoryBranchesFetchError: (repositoryId, error) =>
+    set((draft) => {
+      draft.repositoryBranches.fetchErrorByRepositoryId[repositoryId] = error;
+    }),
   setRepositoryScripts: (repositoryId, scripts) =>
     set((draft) => {
       draft.repositoryScripts.itemsByRepositoryId[repositoryId] = scripts;
diff --git a/apps/web/lib/state/store.ts b/apps/web/lib/state/store.ts
index c082946a6d..393874c5bd 100644
--- a/apps/web/lib/state/store.ts
+++ b/apps/web/lib/state/store.ts
@@ -291,8 +291,13 @@ export type AppState = {
   setAgentProfiles: (profiles: AgentProfilesState["items"]) => void;
   setRepositories: (workspaceId: string, repositories: Repository[]) => void;
   setRepositoriesLoading: (workspaceId: string, loading: boolean) => void;
-  setRepositoryBranches: (repositoryId: string, branches: Branch[]) => void;
+  setRepositoryBranches: (
+    repositoryId: string,
+    branches: Branch[],
+    meta?: { fetchedAt?: string; fetchError?: string },
+  ) => void;
   setRepositoryBranchesLoading: (repositoryId: string, loading: boolean) => void;
+  setRepositoryBranchesFetchError: (repositoryId: string, error: string | undefined) => void;
   setRepositoryScripts: (repositoryId: string, scripts: RepositoryScript[]) => void;
   setRepositoryScriptsLoading: (repositoryId: string, loading: boolean) => void;
   clearRepositoryScripts: (repositoryId: string) => void;
diff --git a/apps/web/lib/types/http.ts b/apps/web/lib/types/http.ts
index 68f9bf6083..56913885c7 100644
--- a/apps/web/lib/types/http.ts
+++ b/apps/web/lib/types/http.ts
@@ -495,6 +495,12 @@ export type RepositoryBranchesResponse = {
   branches: Branch[];
   total: number;
   current_branch?: string;
+  // RFC3339 timestamp of the most recent `git fetch` for this repository,
+  // when refresh was requested. Empty if no refresh has been performed.
+  fetched_at?: string;
+  // Human-readable error from the last fetch attempt for this request, if
+  // one was attempted and failed. Empty otherwise.
+  fetch_error?: string;
 };
 
 export type LocalRepositoryStatusResponse = {
diff --git a/apps/web/lib/utils/branch-filter.test.ts b/apps/web/lib/utils/branch-filter.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..756b152e7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/web/lib/utils/branch-filter.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from "vitest";
+import { scoreBranch } from "./branch-filter";
+
+function rank(values: string[], q: string, keywords?: Record<string, string[]>): string[] {
+  return values
+    .map((v) => ({ v, s: scoreBranch(v, q, keywords?.[v]) }))
+    .filter((x) => x.s > 0)
+    .sort((a, b) => b.s - a.s)
+    .map((x) => x.v);
+}
+
+describe("scoreBranch", () => {
+  it("returns a positive score for empty query so all options stay visible", () => {
+    expect(scoreBranch("origin/main", "")).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    expect(scoreBranch("anything", "   ")).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+  });
+
+  it("scores exact full match highest", () => {
+    const exact = scoreBranch("main", "main");
+    const leafExact = scoreBranch("origin/main", "main");
+    const prefix = scoreBranch("mainline", "main");
+    expect(exact).toBeGreaterThan(leafExact);
+    expect(leafExact).toBeGreaterThan(prefix);
+  });
+
+  it("ranks the leaf-name match above a mid-string substring", () => {
+    const ranked = rank(["origin/feature/foo-bar", "barometer/main"], "bar");
+    expect(ranked[0]).toBe("barometer/main"); // full prefix wins over leaf substring
+    // But leaf-segment match still scores
+    expect(scoreBranch("origin/feature/foo-bar", "bar")).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+  });
+
+  it("ranks segment-boundary matches above mid-word matches", () => {
+    const segment = scoreBranch("feature/auth/login", "auth");
+    const midWord = scoreBranch("zauthority/login", "auth");
+    expect(segment).toBeGreaterThan(midWord);
+  });
+
+  it("treats /, -, _, . as segment separators", () => {
+    expect(scoreBranch("feature_auth-login", "auth")).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    expect(scoreBranch("feature.auth.login", "auth")).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+  });
+
+  it("falls back to fuzzy subsequence match when no substring matches", () => {
+    const score = scoreBranch("feature/foobar", "ffb");
+    expect(score).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    // ...but a substring match outranks the fuzzy fallback
+    const sub = scoreBranch("feature/foobar", "foo");
+    expect(sub).toBeGreaterThan(score);
+  });
+
+  it("returns 0 when no signal is present at all", () => {
+    expect(scoreBranch("main", "xyz")).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it("is case-insensitive", () => {
+    expect(scoreBranch("Origin/Feature/Foo", "FEATURE")).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    expect(scoreBranch("MAIN", "main")).toBe(scoreBranch("main", "MAIN"));
+  });
+
+  it("uses keywords as a secondary signal when value doesn't match", () => {
+    const noKeywords = scoreBranch("origin/release-1.2.3", "auth");
+    const withKeywords = scoreBranch("origin/release-1.2.3", "auth", ["auth-feature"]);
+    expect(noKeywords).toBe(0);
+    expect(withKeywords).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+  });
+
+  it("prefers shorter haystacks among substring matches (length penalty)", () => {
+    const shortHit = scoreBranch("foo-bar", "bar");
+    const longHit = scoreBranch("a".repeat(900) + "bar", "bar");
+    expect(shortHit).toBeGreaterThan(longHit);
+  });
+
+  it("ranks long branch list realistically", () => {
+    const list = [
+      "main",
+      "origin/main",
+      "origin/feature/auth/login",
+      "origin/feature/auth/logout",
+      "origin/feature/billing/checkout",
+      "origin/release/2026-04-15",
+      "origin/some-very-long-branch-name-that-mentions-auth-somewhere",
+    ];
+    const ranked = rank(list, "auth");
+    // Segment-boundary matches come before the mid-name occurrence.
+    expect(ranked.indexOf("origin/feature/auth/login")).toBeLessThan(
+      ranked.indexOf("origin/some-very-long-branch-name-that-mentions-auth-somewhere"),
+    );
+    expect(ranked.indexOf("origin/feature/auth/logout")).toBeLessThan(
+      ranked.indexOf("origin/some-very-long-branch-name-that-mentions-auth-somewhere"),
+    );
+  });
+});
diff --git a/apps/web/lib/utils/branch-filter.ts b/apps/web/lib/utils/branch-filter.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1d251bf476
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/web/lib/utils/branch-filter.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+// Custom scorer for the branch combobox in the new-task dialog.
+//
+// cmdk's default `command-score` filter is biased toward short strings and
+// doesn't understand path-like separators (`/`, `-`, `_`, `.`), so long
+// branches such as `origin/feature/foo-bar-baz` rank poorly when the user
+// types a fragment like `bar`. This scorer is path-aware, ranks word-boundary
+// matches above mid-word matches, and falls back to a plain subsequence
+// (fuzzy) match so misspellings still surface results.
+//
+// The signature matches the cmdk `<Command filter>` prop: returns a number
+// in [0, 1]; cmdk treats >0 as "include" and sorts items in descending order.
+
+const SEGMENT_RE = /[/_.\-\s]+/g;
+
+const SCORE_EXACT = 1.0;
+const SCORE_LEAF_EXACT = 0.95;
+const SCORE_FULL_PREFIX = 0.9;
+const SCORE_LEAF_PREFIX = 0.85;
+const SCORE_SEGMENT_PREFIX = 0.75;
+const SCORE_FULL_SUBSTRING = 0.65;
+const SCORE_SEGMENT_SUBSTRING = 0.5;
+const SCORE_KEYWORD_PREFIX = 0.7;
+const SCORE_KEYWORD_SUBSTRING = 0.45;
+const SCORE_SUBSEQUENCE_BASE = 0.3;
+
+function leafSegment(value: string): string {
+  const idx = value.lastIndexOf("/");
+  return idx >= 0 ? value.slice(idx + 1) : value;
+}
+
+function segments(value: string): string[] {
+  return value.split(SEGMENT_RE).filter((s) => s.length > 0);
+}
+
+function isSubsequence(needle: string, haystack: string): boolean {
+  if (needle.length === 0) return true;
+  let i = 0;
+  for (let j = 0; j < haystack.length && i < needle.length; j++) {
+    if (haystack[j] === needle[i]) i++;
+  }
+  return i === needle.length;
+}
+
+// Subsequence density: how tightly the matched chars cluster in the haystack.
+// 1.0 means contiguous, lower means more spread out.
+function subsequenceDensity(needle: string, haystack: string): number {
+  if (needle.length === 0) return 1;
+  let first = -1;
+  let last = -1;
+  let i = 0;
+  for (let j = 0; j < haystack.length && i < needle.length; j++) {
+    if (haystack[j] === needle[i]) {
+      if (first < 0) first = j;
+      last = j;
+      i++;
+    }
+  }
+  if (i < needle.length || first < 0) return 0;
+  const span = last - first + 1;
+  return needle.length / span;
+}
+
+function scoreSegments(segs: string[], q: string, prefixScore: number, subScore: number): number {
+  let best = 0;
+  for (const seg of segs) {
+    if (seg === q) return prefixScore + 0.05;
+    if (seg.startsWith(q)) best = Math.max(best, prefixScore);
+    else if (seg.includes(q)) best = Math.max(best, subScore);
+  }
+  return best;
+}
+
+function scoreKeywords(keywords: string[] | undefined, q: string): number {
+  if (!keywords || keywords.length === 0) return 0;
+  let best = 0;
+  for (const raw of keywords) {
+    if (!raw) continue;
+    const k = raw.toLowerCase();
+    if (k === q) best = Math.max(best, SCORE_KEYWORD_PREFIX + 0.05);
+    else if (k.startsWith(q)) best = Math.max(best, SCORE_KEYWORD_PREFIX);
+    else if (k.includes(q)) best = Math.max(best, SCORE_KEYWORD_SUBSTRING);
+  }
+  return best;
+}
+
+// scoreBranch returns a numeric match score between value+keywords and the
+// search query. Returns 0 when no signal at all is found.
+export function scoreBranch(value: string, search: string, keywords?: string[]): number {
+  const q = search.trim().toLowerCase();
+  if (q.length === 0) return SCORE_SEGMENT_SUBSTRING; // keep current order; show all
+  const v = value.toLowerCase();
+  const leaf = leafSegment(v);
+
+  if (v === q) return SCORE_EXACT;
+  if (leaf === q) return SCORE_LEAF_EXACT;
+  if (v.startsWith(q)) return SCORE_FULL_PREFIX;
+  if (leaf.startsWith(q)) return SCORE_LEAF_PREFIX;
+
+  const segScore = scoreSegments(segments(v), q, SCORE_SEGMENT_PREFIX, SCORE_SEGMENT_SUBSTRING);
+  if (segScore > 0) return segScore;
+
+  // Note: a leaf-substring case is intentionally absent — `leaf` is a suffix
+  // of `v`, so any substring match in the leaf is also a match in `v` and is
+  // already caught by the SCORE_FULL_SUBSTRING branch above.
+  if (v.includes(q)) return SCORE_FULL_SUBSTRING - lengthPenalty(v);
+
+  const kwScore = scoreKeywords(keywords, q);
+  if (kwScore > 0) return kwScore;
+
+  // Last resort: subsequence (fuzzy) match. Density tightens the score so
+  // a clustered match outranks a wildly spread one.
+  if (isSubsequence(q, v)) {
+    const density = subsequenceDensity(q, v);
+    return SCORE_SUBSEQUENCE_BASE * density;
+  }
+  return 0;
+}
+
+// lengthPenalty subtracts a tiny amount so that, between two substring
+// matches, the shorter haystack ranks higher. Capped to avoid pushing a
+// genuine match below the subsequence tier.
+function lengthPenalty(s: string): number {
+  const p = Math.min(s.length / 1000, 0.05);
+  return p;
+}