diff --git a/frontend/src/components/GraphCanvas.svelte b/frontend/src/components/GraphCanvas.svelte
index 93a702c..a6bfdf7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/GraphCanvas.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/components/GraphCanvas.svelte
@@ -1,10 +1,16 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import { onMount, onDestroy } from 'svelte';
   import {
-    nodes, ports, links, connected,
+    nodes, ports, links, connected, patchbay,
     portById,
     initGraph, destroyGraph,
     connectPorts, disconnectPorts,
+    togglePin,
+    addHideRule, removeHideRule,
+    addMergeRule, removeMergeRule,
+    setActivated, setExclusive,
+    setAutoPin, setAutoDisconnect,
+    saveProfile, loadProfile, deleteProfile,
   } from '../lib/stores';
   import type { Node, Port, Link } from '../lib/types';
 
@@ -12,12 +18,12 @@
   let viewBox = $state({ x: -100, y: -40, w: 1200, h: 700 });
   let svgEl: SVGElement | null = null;
 
-  // Interaction state
+  // Interaction
   let dragging = $state<{ type: string; startX: number; startY: number; origX: number; origY: number; nodeId?: string } | null>(null);
   let connecting = $state<{ outputPortId: number; outputX: number; outputY: number; mouseX: number; mouseY: number; portType: string } | null>(null);
   let hoveredPort = $state<number | null>(null);
   let selectedEdge = $state<string | null>(null);
-  let contextMenu = $state<{ x: number; y: number; outputPortId: number; inputPortId: number } | null>(null);
+  let contextMenu = $state<{ x: number; y: number; linkId: number; outputPortId: number; inputPortId: number; pinned: boolean } | null>(null);
 
   // Filters
   let showAudio = $state(true);
@@ -25,17 +31,21 @@
   let showVideo = $state(true);
   let showOther = $state(true);
 
-  // Patchbay
-  let patchbayName = $state('');
+  // Dialogs
+  let showHideDialog = $state(false);
+  let showMergeDialog = $state(false);
+  let showProfileDialog = $state(false);
+  let showRuleDialog = $state(false);
+  let newHideRule = $state('');
+  let newMergeRule = $state('');
+  let newProfileName = $state('');
 
   // Positions
   let nodePositions = $state<Record<string, { x: number; y: number }>>({});
   const POS_KEY = 'pwweb_positions';
 
   function loadPositions() {
-    // Try localStorage first
     try { nodePositions = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(POS_KEY) || '{}'); } catch { nodePositions = {}; }
-    // Also load from server
     fetch('/api/positions').then(r => r.json()).then(data => {
       if (data && typeof data === 'object' && !data.error) {
         nodePositions = { ...data, ...nodePositions };
@@ -46,8 +56,7 @@
   function savePositions() {
     try { localStorage.setItem(POS_KEY, JSON.stringify(nodePositions)); } catch {}
     fetch('/api/positions', {
-      method: 'PUT',
-      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+      method: 'PUT', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
       body: JSON.stringify(nodePositions),
     }).catch(() => {});
   }
@@ -87,20 +96,56 @@
     pt.x = e.clientX; pt.y = e.clientY;
     const ctm = (svgEl as SVGGraphicsElement).getScreenCTM();
     if (!ctm) return { x: e.clientX, y: e.clientY };
-    const svgP = pt.matrixTransform(ctm.inverse());
-    return { x: svgP.x, y: svgP.y };
+    return pt.matrixTransform(ctm.inverse());
   }
 
-  // Computed layout
+  function isNodeHidden(nodeName: string): boolean {
+    for (const rule of $patchbay.hide_rules) {
+      try {
+        if (new RegExp(rule, 'i').test(nodeName)) return true;
+      } catch {
+        if (nodeName.toLowerCase().includes(rule.toLowerCase())) return true;
+      }
+    }
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  function getMergedName(nodeName: string): string {
+    for (const prefix of $patchbay.merge_rules) {
+      if (nodeName.startsWith(prefix)) return prefix;
+    }
+    return nodeName;
+  }
+
+  // Build computed layout
   let graphNodes = $derived.by(() => {
     const n = $nodes;
     const p = $ports;
+    const pb = $patchbay;
     const portMap = new Map<number, Port>();
     for (const port of p) portMap.set(port.id, port);
 
-    const out = n.filter(nd => nd.mode === 'output');
-    const inp = n.filter(nd => nd.mode === 'input');
-    const other = n.filter(nd => nd.mode !== 'output' && nd.mode !== 'input');
+    // Filter hidden nodes
+    let visible = n.filter(nd => !isNodeHidden(nd.name));
+
+    // Merge nodes by prefix
+    const merged = new Map<string, typeof visible[0]>();
+    for (const nd of visible) {
+      const mergedName = getMergedName(nd.name);
+      const existing = merged.get(mergedName);
+      if (existing) {
+        // Merge port IDs
+        existing.port_ids = [...new Set([...existing.port_ids, ...nd.port_ids])];
+        existing.name = mergedName;
+      } else {
+        merged.set(mergedName, { ...nd, name: mergedName });
+      }
+    }
+    visible = Array.from(merged.values());
+
+    const out = visible.filter(nd => nd.mode === 'output');
+    const inp = visible.filter(nd => nd.mode === 'input');
+    const other = visible.filter(nd => nd.mode !== 'output' && nd.mode !== 'input');
 
     const defaults: Record<string, { x: number; y: number }> = {};
     let i = 0;
@@ -112,10 +157,8 @@
 
     const pos = { ...defaults, ...nodePositions };
 
-    return n.map(nd => {
+    return visible.map(nd => {
       const ndPorts = nd.port_ids.map(pid => portMap.get(pid)).filter(Boolean) as Port[];
-      const inPorts = ndPorts.filter(pp => pp.mode === 'input' && isPortVisible(pp.port_type));
-      const outPorts = ndPorts.filter(pp => pp.mode === 'output' && isPortVisible(pp.port_type));
       const allInPorts = ndPorts.filter(pp => pp.mode === 'input');
       const allOutPorts = ndPorts.filter(pp => pp.mode === 'output');
 
@@ -145,13 +188,21 @@
   let graphLinks = $derived.by(() => {
     const l = $links;
     const p = $ports;
+    const pb = $patchbay;
     const portMap = new Map<number, Port>();
     for (const port of p) portMap.set(port.id, port);
     return l.map(link => {
       const outPort = portMap.get(link.output_port_id);
       const inPort = portMap.get(link.input_port_id);
-      return { ...link, outPort, inPort };
-    }).filter(l => l.outPort && l.inPort && isPortVisible(l.outPort!.port_type)) as Array<Link & { outPort: Port; inPort: Port }>;
+      if (!outPort || !inPort) return null;
+      // Check if both endpoint nodes are visible
+      const outNode = $nodes.find(n => n.id === outPort.node_id);
+      const inNode = $nodes.find(n => n.id === inPort.node_id);
+      if (outNode && isNodeHidden(outNode.name)) return null;
+      if (inNode && isNodeHidden(inNode.name)) return null;
+      const pinned = pb.pinned_connections.includes(link.id);
+      return { ...link, outPort, inPort, pinned };
+    }).filter(Boolean) as Array<Link & { outPort: Port; inPort: Port; pinned: boolean }>;
   });
 
   function getPortPos(portId: number): { x: number; y: number } | null {
@@ -165,7 +216,7 @@
   // Mouse handlers
   function onMouseDown(e: MouseEvent) {
     contextMenu = null;
-    if (e.button === 2) return; // right-click handled by oncontextmenu
+    if (e.button === 2) return;
     const pt = svgPoint(e);
     const target = e.target as HTMLElement;
 
@@ -181,16 +232,14 @@
       return;
     }
 
-    if (target.classList.contains('node-header') || target.closest('.node-group')) {
+    if (target.closest('.node-group')) {
       const nodeGroup = target.closest('.node-group') as HTMLElement;
-      if (nodeGroup) {
-        const nodeId = nodeGroup.dataset.nodeId!;
-        const nd = graphNodes.find(n => String(n.id) === nodeId);
-        if (nd) {
-          dragging = { type: 'node', startX: pt.x, startY: pt.y, origX: nd.x, origY: nd.y, nodeId };
-        }
-        return;
+      const nodeId = nodeGroup.dataset.nodeId!;
+      const nd = graphNodes.find(n => String(n.id) === nodeId);
+      if (nd) {
+        dragging = { type: 'node', startX: pt.x, startY: pt.y, origX: nd.x, origY: nd.y, nodeId };
       }
+      return;
     }
 
     if (target.classList.contains('edge-path')) {
@@ -205,13 +254,11 @@
   function onMouseMove(e: MouseEvent) {
     if (!dragging && !connecting) return;
     const pt = svgPoint(e);
-
     if (connecting) {
       connecting = { ...connecting, mouseX: pt.x, mouseY: pt.y };
       return;
     }
     if (!dragging) return;
-
     if (dragging.type === 'node' && dragging.nodeId) {
       const dx = pt.x - dragging.startX;
       const dy = pt.y - dragging.startY;
@@ -235,9 +282,7 @@
       }
       connecting = null;
     }
-    if (dragging?.type === 'node' && dragging.nodeId) {
-      savePositions();
-    }
+    if (dragging?.type === 'node' && dragging.nodeId) savePositions();
     dragging = null;
   }
 
@@ -261,17 +306,17 @@
       const link = $links.find(l => String(l.id) === edgeId);
       if (link) {
         selectedEdge = edgeId || null;
-        contextMenu = { x: e.clientX, y: e.clientY, outputPortId: link.output_port_id, inputPortId: link.input_port_id };
+        contextMenu = {
+          x: e.clientX, y: e.clientY,
+          linkId: link.id,
+          outputPortId: link.output_port_id,
+          inputPortId: link.input_port_id,
+          pinned: $patchbay.pinned_connections.includes(link.id),
+        };
       }
     }
   }
 
-  function doDisconnect() {
-    if (!contextMenu) return;
-    disconnectPorts(contextMenu.outputPortId, contextMenu.inputPortId);
-    contextMenu = null;
-  }
-
   function onKey(e: KeyboardEvent) {
     if ((e.key === 'Delete' || e.key === 'Backspace') && selectedEdge) {
       const link = $links.find(l => String(l.id) === selectedEdge);
@@ -279,26 +324,6 @@
     }
   }
 
-  // Patchbay
-  async function savePatchbay() {
-    const name = patchbayName.trim() || new Date().toISOString().replace(/[:.]/g, '-');
-    const data = { name, connections: $links.map(l => ({ output_port_id: l.output_port_id, input_port_id: l.input_port_id })) };
-    await fetch('/api/patchbay', { method: 'PUT', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' }, body: JSON.stringify(data) });
-    patchbayName = name;
-  }
-
-  async function loadPatchbay() {
-    try {
-      const res = await fetch('/api/patchbay');
-      const data = await res.json();
-      if (data.connections && data.connections.length > 0) {
-        for (const conn of data.connections) {
-          await fetch('/api/connect', { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' }, body: JSON.stringify(conn) });
-        }
-      }
-    } catch {}
-  }
-
   onMount(() => { initGraph(); loadPositions(); });
   onDestroy(() => { destroyGraph(); });
 </script>
@@ -309,19 +334,37 @@
   <div class="toolbar">
     <span class="dot" class:on={$connected}></span>
     <span>{$connected ? 'Connected' : 'Disconnected'}</span>
-
     <span class="sep"></span>
+
+    <!-- Port type filters -->
     <label class="filter" class:active={showAudio}><input type="checkbox" bind:checked={showAudio} /> <span class="fc audio"></span> Audio</label>
     <label class="filter" class:active={showMidi}><input type="checkbox" bind:checked={showMidi} /> <span class="fc midi"></span> MIDI</label>
     <label class="filter" class:active={showVideo}><input type="checkbox" bind:checked={showVideo} /> <span class="fc video"></span> Video</label>
     <label class="filter" class:active={showOther}><input type="checkbox" bind:checked={showOther} /> <span class="fc other"></span> Other</label>
-
     <span class="sep"></span>
-    <button onclick={savePatchbay} title="Save current connections">Save Patchbay</button>
-    <button onclick={loadPatchbay} title="Load saved connections">Load Patchbay</button>
-    <input class="pbname" bind:value={patchbayName} placeholder="patchbay name" />
 
-    <span class="stats">{$nodes.length} nodes | {$ports.length} ports | {$links.length} links</span>
+    <!-- Patchbay toggles -->
+    <button class="toggle" class:active={$patchbay.activated} onclick={() => setActivated(!$patchbay.activated)} title="Activated Mode: auto-restore connections">
+      {$patchbay.activated ? 'Active' : 'Inactive'}
+    </button>
+    <button class="toggle" class:active={$patchbay.exclusive} onclick={() => setExclusive(!$patchbay.exclusive)} title="Exclusive Mode: disconnect unprofiled links">
+      {$patchbay.exclusive ? 'Exclusive' : 'Permissive'}
+    </button>
+    <button class="toggle" class:active={$patchbay.auto_pin} onclick={() => setAutoPin(!$patchbay.auto_pin)} title="Auto-Pin new connections">
+      {$patchbay.auto_pin ? 'Auto-Pin ON' : 'Auto-Pin OFF'}
+    </button>
+    <button class="toggle" class:active={$patchbay.auto_disconnect} onclick={() => setAutoDisconnect(!$patchbay.auto_disconnect)} title="Auto-Disconnect pinned on deactivate">
+      {$patchbay.auto_disconnect ? 'Auto-Disc ON' : 'Auto-Disc OFF'}
+    </button>
+    <span class="sep"></span>
+
+    <!-- Dialogs -->
+    <button onclick={() => { showHideDialog = !showHideDialog; showMergeDialog = false; showProfileDialog = false; showRuleDialog = false; }} title="Node hiding rules">Hide Nodes</button>
+    <button onclick={() => { showMergeDialog = !showMergeDialog; showHideDialog = false; showProfileDialog = false; showRuleDialog = false; }} title="Node merging rules">Merge Nodes</button>
+    <button onclick={() => { showRuleDialog = !showRuleDialog; showHideDialog = false; showMergeDialog = false; showProfileDialog = false; }} title="Manage patchbay rules">Rules</button>
+    <button onclick={() => { showProfileDialog = !showProfileDialog; showHideDialog = false; showMergeDialog = false; showRuleDialog = false; }} title="Save/load profiles">Profiles</button>
+
+    <span class="stats">{$nodes.length}N {$ports.length}P {$links.length}L {#if $patchbay.pinned_connections.length > 0}{$patchbay.pinned_connections.length}p{/if}</span>
   </div>
 
   <!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
@@ -347,15 +390,21 @@
       {@const inPos = getPortPos(link.input_port_id)}
       {#if outPos && inPos}
         {@const color = portColor(link.outPort.port_type)}
+        {@const isSelected = selectedEdge === String(link.id)}
         <path
           d={bezierPath(outPos.x, outPos.y, inPos.x, inPos.y)}
-          stroke={selectedEdge === String(link.id) ? '#fff' : color}
-          stroke-width={selectedEdge === String(link.id) ? 3.5 : 2}
+          stroke={isSelected ? '#fff' : color}
+          stroke-width={isSelected ? 3.5 : link.pinned ? 2.5 : 2}
           fill="none"
           class="edge-path"
           data-edge-id={String(link.id)}
           stroke-linecap="round"
+          stroke-dasharray={link.pinned ? 'none' : 'none'}
+          opacity={link.pinned ? 1 : 0.7}
         />
+        {#if link.pinned}
+          <circle cx={(outPos.x + inPos.x) / 2} cy={(outPos.y + inPos.y) / 2} r="3" fill="#ff0" opacity="0.8" />
+        {/if}
       {/if}
     {/each}
 
@@ -403,9 +452,7 @@
               onmouseenter={() => { hoveredPort = port.id; }}
               onmouseleave={() => { hoveredPort = null; }}
             />
-            <text x={nd.x + 8} y={py + 3.5} font-size="9" font-family="monospace" fill="#999">
-              {shortName(port.name)}
-            </text>
+            <text x={nd.x + 8} y={py + 3.5} font-size="9" font-family="monospace" fill="#999">{shortName(port.name)}</text>
           {:else}
             <circle cx={nd.x} cy={py} r="3" fill="#333" />
           {/if}
@@ -414,9 +461,7 @@
         {#each nd.outPorts as port, i (port.id)}
           {@const py = nd.y + 22 + i * 16 + 8}
           {#if isPortVisible(port.port_type)}
-            <text x={nd.x + nd.width - 8} y={py + 3.5} font-size="9" font-family="monospace" fill="#999" text-anchor="end">
-              {shortName(port.name)}
-            </text>
+            <text x={nd.x + nd.width - 8} y={py + 3.5} font-size="9" font-family="monospace" fill="#999" text-anchor="end">{shortName(port.name)}</text>
             <circle
               cx={nd.x + nd.width} cy={py} r="4"
               fill={portColor(port.port_type)}
@@ -435,9 +480,122 @@
     {/each}
   </svg>
 
+  <!-- Context menu -->
   {#if contextMenu}
     <div class="ctx" style="left:{contextMenu.x}px;top:{contextMenu.y}px" role="menu">
-      <button onclick={doDisconnect}>Disconnect</button>
+      <button onclick={() => { disconnectPorts(contextMenu!.outputPortId, contextMenu!.inputPortId); contextMenu = null; }}>Disconnect</button>
+      <button onclick={() => { togglePin(contextMenu!.linkId); contextMenu = null; }}>{contextMenu.pinned ? 'Unpin' : 'Pin'}</button>
+    </div>
+  {/if}
+
+  <!-- Hide Nodes Dialog -->
+  {#if showHideDialog}
+    <div class="dialog">
+      <div class="dialog-header">
+        <span>Node Hiding Rules</span>
+        <button class="close" onclick={() => { showHideDialog = false; }}>X</button>
+      </div>
+      <div class="dialog-body">
+        <p class="hint">Hide nodes matching pattern (regex or plain text).</p>
+        <div class="input-row">
+          <input bind:value={newHideRule} placeholder="e.g. Dummy|Freewheel or .*Driver.*" class="dlg-input" />
+          <button onclick={() => { if (newHideRule.trim()) { addHideRule(newHideRule.trim()); newHideRule = ''; } }}>Add</button>
+        </div>
+        <div class="rule-list">
+          {#each $patchbay.hide_rules as rule}
+            <div class="rule-item">
+              <span>{rule}</span>
+              <button onclick={() => removeHideRule(rule)}>Remove</button>
+            </div>
+          {/each}
+          {#if $patchbay.hide_rules.length === 0}
+            <div class="empty">No hiding rules.</div>
+          {/if}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  {/if}
+
+  <!-- Merge Nodes Dialog -->
+  {#if showMergeDialog}
+    <div class="dialog">
+      <div class="dialog-header">
+        <span>Node Merging Rules</span>
+        <button class="close" onclick={() => { showMergeDialog = false; }}>X</button>
+      </div>
+      <div class="dialog-body">
+        <p class="hint">Merge nodes sharing a common name prefix into one block.</p>
+        <div class="input-row">
+          <input bind:value={newMergeRule} placeholder="e.g. Built-in Audio" class="dlg-input" />
+          <button onclick={() => { if (newMergeRule.trim()) { addMergeRule(newMergeRule.trim()); newMergeRule = ''; } }}>Add</button>
+        </div>
+        <div class="rule-list">
+          {#each $patchbay.merge_rules as rule}
+            <div class="rule-item">
+              <span>{rule}</span>
+              <button onclick={() => removeMergeRule(rule)}>Remove</button>
+            </div>
+          {/each}
+          {#if $patchbay.merge_rules.length === 0}
+            <div class="empty">No merge rules.</div>
+          {/if}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  {/if}
+
+  <!-- Profile Dialog -->
+  {#if showProfileDialog}
+    <div class="dialog">
+      <div class="dialog-header">
+        <span>Profile Management</span>
+        <button class="close" onclick={() => { showProfileDialog = false; }}>X</button>
+      </div>
+      <div class="dialog-body">
+        <div class="input-row">
+          <input bind:value={newProfileName} placeholder="Profile name" class="dlg-input" />
+          <button onclick={() => { if (newProfileName.trim()) { saveProfile(newProfileName.trim()); } }}>Save Current</button>
+        </div>
+        <div class="rule-list">
+          {#each Object.entries($patchbay.profiles) as [name, profile]}
+            <div class="rule-item">
+              <span class:active-profile={name === $patchbay.active_profile}>{name} ({profile.connections.length} rules)</span>
+              <button onclick={() => loadProfile(name)}>Load</button>
+              <button onclick={() => deleteProfile(name)}>Delete</button>
+            </div>
+          {/each}
+          {#if Object.keys($patchbay.profiles).length === 0}
+            <div class="empty">No saved profiles.</div>
+          {/if}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  {/if}
+
+  <!-- Rule Management Dialog -->
+  {#if showRuleDialog}
+    <div class="dialog">
+      <div class="dialog-header">
+        <span>Rule Management</span>
+        <button class="close" onclick={() => { showRuleDialog = false; }}>X</button>
+      </div>
+      <div class="dialog-body">
+        {#if $patchbay.active_profile && $patchbay.profiles[$patchbay.active_profile]}
+          {@const profile = $patchbay.profiles[$patchbay.active_profile]}
+          <p class="hint">Active profile: <strong>{profile.name}</strong> ({profile.connections.length} rules)</p>
+          <div class="rule-list scrollable">
+            {#each profile.connections as rule, i}
+              <div class="rule-item small">
+                <span>{rule.output_node_name}:{shortName(rule.output_port_name)} => {rule.input_node_name}:{shortName(rule.input_port_name)}</span>
+                <span class="type-badge {rule.output_port_type}">{rule.output_port_type}</span>
+                {#if rule.pinned}<span class="pin-badge">PIN</span>{/if}
+              </div>
+            {/each}
+          </div>
+        {:else}
+          <div class="empty">No active profile. Save a profile first via Profiles.</div>
+        {/if}
+      </div>
     </div>
   {/if}
 </div>
@@ -448,19 +606,20 @@
 
   .toolbar {
     position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; z-index: 10;
-    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px;
-    padding: 4px 12px;
+    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px;
+    padding: 4px 10px;
     background: rgba(16, 16, 24, 0.97);
     border-bottom: 1px solid #333;
     font-size: 11px; color: #aaa; font-family: monospace;
+    flex-wrap: wrap;
   }
   .dot { width: 7px; height: 7px; border-radius: 50%; background: #a44; flex-shrink: 0; }
   .dot.on { background: #4a9; }
-  .sep { width: 1px; height: 16px; background: #444; margin: 0 4px; }
+  .sep { width: 1px; height: 16px; background: #444; margin: 0 2px; flex-shrink: 0; }
 
   .filter {
     display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 3px; cursor: pointer;
-    padding: 2px 5px; border-radius: 3px; font-size: 10px;
+    padding: 2px 5px; border-radius: 3px; font-size: 10px; user-select: none;
   }
   .filter:hover { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05); }
   .filter input { display: none; }
@@ -472,31 +631,86 @@
   .filter:not(.active) { opacity: 0.4; }
   .filter:not(.active) .fc { background: #555 !important; }
 
-  .toolbar button {
-    padding: 2px 8px; background: #2a2a3e; border: 1px solid #444;
+  .toolbar button, .toggle {
+    padding: 2px 7px; background: #2a2a3e; border: 1px solid #444;
     color: #aaa; font-size: 10px; cursor: pointer; border-radius: 3px; font-family: monospace;
+    white-space: nowrap;
   }
-  .toolbar button:hover { background: #3a3a4e; }
-
-  .pbname {
-    width: 100px; padding: 2px 6px; background: #1a1a2e; border: 1px solid #444;
-    color: #aaa; font-size: 10px; border-radius: 3px; font-family: monospace;
-  }
+  .toolbar button:hover, .toggle:hover { background: #3a3a4e; }
+  .toggle.active { background: #1a3a2a; border-color: #4a9; color: #6c9; }
 
   .stats { margin-left: auto; color: #555; }
 
+  /* Context menu */
   .ctx {
     position: fixed; z-index: 100;
     background: #2a2a3e; border: 1px solid #555;
     border-radius: 4px; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.6);
   }
   .ctx button {
-    display: block; width: 100%; padding: 6px 20px;
+    display: block; width: 100%; padding: 5px 20px;
     background: none; border: none; color: #ccc;
     font-size: 12px; cursor: pointer; text-align: left; font-family: monospace;
   }
   .ctx button:hover { background: #444; }
 
+  /* Dialogs */
+  .dialog {
+    position: absolute; top: 40px; right: 10px; z-index: 20;
+    background: #1e1e2e; border: 1px solid #555; border-radius: 6px;
+    box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.6);
+    width: 360px; max-height: 80vh; overflow: hidden;
+    display: flex; flex-direction: column;
+    font-family: monospace;
+  }
+  .dialog-header {
+    display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;
+    padding: 8px 12px; background: #2a2a3e; border-bottom: 1px solid #444;
+    font-size: 12px; color: #ddd; font-weight: bold;
+  }
+  .close { background: none; border: none; color: #888; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; padding: 0 4px; }
+  .close:hover { color: #fff; }
+  .dialog-body { padding: 10px; overflow-y: auto; }
+  .hint { font-size: 10px; color: #666; margin: 0 0 8px; }
+
+  .input-row { display: flex; gap: 6px; margin-bottom: 8px; }
+  .dlg-input {
+    flex: 1; padding: 4px 8px; background: #14141e; border: 1px solid #444;
+    color: #ccc; font-size: 11px; border-radius: 3px; font-family: monospace;
+  }
+  .input-row button {
+    padding: 4px 10px; background: #2a2a3e; border: 1px solid #444;
+    color: #aaa; font-size: 11px; cursor: pointer; border-radius: 3px; font-family: monospace;
+  }
+  .input-row button:hover { background: #3a3a4e; }
+
+  .rule-list { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 2px; }
+  .rule-list.scrollable { max-height: 300px; overflow-y: auto; }
+  .rule-item {
+    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px;
+    padding: 3px 6px; background: #14141e; border-radius: 3px;
+    font-size: 10px; color: #aaa;
+  }
+  .rule-item span:first-child { flex: 1; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; }
+  .rule-item button {
+    padding: 1px 6px; background: #2a2a3e; border: 1px solid #444;
+    color: #888; font-size: 9px; cursor: pointer; border-radius: 2px; font-family: monospace;
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+  }
+  .rule-item button:hover { color: #f88; border-color: #a44; }
+  .rule-item.small { font-size: 9px; }
+  .active-profile { color: #6c9; font-weight: bold; }
+
+  .type-badge {
+    font-size: 8px; padding: 0 4px; border-radius: 2px; color: #fff;
+  }
+  .type-badge.audio { background: #4a9; }
+  .type-badge.midi { background: #a44; }
+  .type-badge.video { background: #49a; }
+  .pin-badge { font-size: 8px; padding: 0 3px; background: #aa4; color: #000; border-radius: 2px; }
+
+  .empty { font-size: 11px; color: #555; padding: 8px 0; text-align: center; }
+
   .port-circle { cursor: crosshair; }
   .port-circle:hover { filter: brightness(1.5); }
   .edge-path { cursor: pointer; pointer-events: stroke; }
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/stores.ts b/frontend/src/lib/stores.ts
index 6d13e81..73e2fbf 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/stores.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/stores.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-import { writable, derived, get } from 'svelte/store';
-import type { Node, Port, Link, GraphMessage } from './types';
+import { writable, derived } from 'svelte/store';
+import type { Node, Port, Link, GraphMessage, PatchbayState, PatchbayProfile, ConnectionRule } from './types';
 import { subscribe, connectPorts, disconnectPorts } from './ws';
 
 // Raw graph stores
@@ -8,21 +8,33 @@ export const ports = writable<Port[]>([]);
 export const links = writable<Link[]>([]);
 export const connected = writable(false);
 
-// Port lookup map
+// Patchbay state
+export const patchbay = writable<PatchbayState>({
+  profiles: {},
+  active_profile: '',
+  activated: false,
+  exclusive: false,
+  auto_pin: false,
+  auto_disconnect: false,
+  pinned_connections: [],
+  hide_rules: [],
+  merge_rules: [],
+});
+
+// Port/node lookups
 export const portById = derived(ports, ($ports) => {
   const map = new Map<number, Port>();
   for (const p of $ports) map.set(p.id, p);
   return map;
 });
 
-// Node lookup map
 export const nodeById = derived(nodes, ($nodes) => {
   const map = new Map<number, Node>();
   for (const n of $nodes) map.set(n.id, n);
   return map;
 });
 
-// Initialize: fetch via REST immediately, then subscribe to WS for updates
+// SSE init
 let unsubscribe: (() => void) | null = null;
 
 function applyGraph(graph: GraphMessage) {
@@ -30,23 +42,61 @@ function applyGraph(graph: GraphMessage) {
   ports.set(graph.ports);
   links.set(graph.links);
   connected.set(true);
+
+  // Auto-restore if activated
+  const pb = get_store_value(patchbay);
+  if (pb.activated && pb.active_profile) {
+    applyPatchbay(pb);
+  }
+  // Auto-pin new connections
+  if (pb.auto_pin) {
+    const current = get_store_value(links);
+    const pinned = [...pb.pinned_connections];
+    for (const link of current) {
+      if (!pinned.includes(link.id)) {
+        pinned.push(link.id);
+      }
+    }
+    patchbay.update(pb => ({ ...pb, pinned_connections: pinned }));
+  }
+  // Exclusive mode: disconnect unpinned links not in profile
+  if (pb.activated && pb.exclusive && pb.active_profile) {
+    enforceExclusive(pb);
+  }
+}
+
+// Simple store value getter (for reading outside components)
+function get_store_value<T>(store: { subscribe: (fn: (val: T) => void) => () => void }): T {
+  let val: T;
+  const unsub = store.subscribe(v => { val = v; });
+  unsub();
+  return val!;
 }
 
 export async function initGraph() {
   if (unsubscribe) return;
 
-  // 1. Fetch initial state via REST API (works immediately, no WS needed)
+  // Load patchbay state from server
+  try {
+    const res = await fetch('/api/patchbay');
+    if (res.ok) {
+      const data = await res.json();
+      if (data && data.profiles) {
+        patchbay.set(data as PatchbayState);
+      }
+    }
+  } catch {}
+
+  // Fetch initial graph
   try {
     const res = await fetch('/api/graph');
     if (res.ok) {
-      const graph: GraphMessage = await res.json();
-      applyGraph(graph);
+      applyGraph(await res.json());
     }
   } catch (e) {
     console.warn('[graph] REST fetch failed:', e);
   }
 
-  // 2. Subscribe to WebSocket for live updates
   unsubscribe = subscribe((graph: GraphMessage) => {
     applyGraph(graph);
   });
@@ -60,5 +110,252 @@ export function destroyGraph() {
   }
 }
 
-// Re-export connection functions
+// Patchbay operations
+function linkKey(link: { output_port_id: number; input_port_id: number }): string {
+  return `${link.output_port_id}:${link.input_port_id}`;
+}
+
+function ruleKey(rule: ConnectionRule): string {
+  return `${rule.output_node_name}:${rule.output_port_name}=>${rule.input_node_name}:${rule.input_port_name}`;
+}
+
+export async function savePatchbayState() {
+  const pb = get_store_value(patchbay);
+  await fetch('/api/patchbay', {
+    method: 'PUT',
+    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+    body: JSON.stringify(pb),
+  });
+}
+
+async function applyPatchbay(pb: PatchbayState) {
+  if (!pb.active_profile || !pb.profiles[pb.active_profile]) return;
+  const profile = pb.profiles[pb.active_profile];
+  const currentNodes = get_store_value(nodes);
+  const currentPorts = get_store_value(ports);
+  const currentLinks = get_store_value(links);
+  const existingKeys = new Set(currentLinks.map(linkKey));
+
+  // Build name lookup for current graph
+  const portByName = new Map<string, Port>();
+  const nodeByIdMap = new Map<number, Node>();
+  for (const n of currentNodes) nodeByIdMap.set(n.id, n);
+  for (const p of currentPorts) {
+    const node = nodeByIdMap.get(p.node_id);
+    if (node) {
+      const key = `${node.name}:${p.name}:${p.mode}:${p.port_type}`;
+      portByName.set(key, p);
+    }
+  }
+
+  for (const rule of profile.connections) {
+    const outKey = `${rule.output_node_name}:${rule.output_port_name}:output:${rule.output_port_type}`;
+    const inKey = `${rule.input_node_name}:${rule.input_port_name}:input:${rule.input_port_type}`;
+    const outPort = portByName.get(outKey);
+    const inPort = portByName.get(inKey);
+    if (outPort && inPort) {
+      const lk = `${outPort.id}:${inPort.id}`;
+      if (!existingKeys.has(lk)) {
+        connectPorts(outPort.id, inPort.id);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+async function enforceExclusive(pb: PatchbayState) {
+  if (!pb.active_profile || !pb.profiles[pb.active_profile]) return;
+  const profile = pb.profiles[pb.active_profile];
+  const currentNodes = get_store_value(nodes);
+  const currentPorts = get_store_value(ports);
+  const currentLinks = get_store_value(links);
+  const nodeByIdMap = new Map<number, Node>();
+  for (const n of currentNodes) nodeByIdMap.set(n.id, n);
+
+  // Build set of allowed connection keys from profile
+  const allowed = new Set<string>();
+  const portByName = new Map<string, Port>();
+  for (const p of currentPorts) {
+    const node = nodeByIdMap.get(p.node_id);
+    if (node) {
+      portByName.set(`${node.name}:${p.name}:${p.mode}:${p.port_type}`, p);
+    }
+  }
+  for (const rule of profile.connections) {
+    const outKey = `${rule.output_node_name}:${rule.output_port_name}:output:${rule.output_port_type}`;
+    const inKey = `${rule.input_node_name}:${rule.input_port_name}:input:${rule.input_port_type}`;
+    const outPort = portByName.get(outKey);
+    const inPort = portByName.get(inKey);
+    if (outPort && inPort) {
+      allowed.add(`${outPort.id}:${inPort.id}`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Also keep pinned connections
+  for (const linkId of pb.pinned_connections) {
+    const link = currentLinks.find(l => l.id === linkId);
+    if (link) allowed.add(linkKey(link));
+  }
+
+  // Disconnect everything else
+  for (const link of currentLinks) {
+    if (!allowed.has(linkKey(link))) {
+      disconnectPorts(link.output_port_id, link.input_port_id);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+export function togglePin(linkId: number) {
+  patchbay.update(pb => {
+    const idx = pb.pinned_connections.indexOf(linkId);
+    if (idx >= 0) {
+      pb.pinned_connections.splice(idx, 1);
+    } else {
+      pb.pinned_connections.push(linkId);
+    }
+    return { ...pb };
+  });
+  savePatchbayState();
+}
+
+export function addHideRule(pattern: string) {
+  patchbay.update(pb => {
+    if (!pb.hide_rules.includes(pattern)) {
+      pb.hide_rules.push(pattern);
+    }
+    return { ...pb };
+  });
+  savePatchbayState();
+}
+
+export function removeHideRule(pattern: string) {
+  patchbay.update(pb => {
+    return { ...pb, hide_rules: pb.hide_rules.filter(r => r !== pattern) };
+  });
+  savePatchbayState();
+}
+
+export function addMergeRule(prefix: string) {
+  patchbay.update(pb => {
+    if (!pb.merge_rules.includes(prefix)) {
+      pb.merge_rules.push(prefix);
+    }
+    return { ...pb };
+  });
+  savePatchbayState();
+}
+
+export function removeMergeRule(prefix: string) {
+  patchbay.update(pb => {
+    return { ...pb, merge_rules: pb.merge_rules.filter(r => r !== prefix) };
+  });
+  savePatchbayState();
+}
+
+export function setActivated(active: boolean) {
+  patchbay.update(pb => {
+    const newPb = { ...pb, activated: active };
+    if (active && pb.active_profile) {
+      setTimeout(() => applyPatchbay(newPb), 100);
+    }
+    if (!active && pb.exclusive) {
+      // Auto-disconnect: remove all pinned connections when deactivated
+      if (pb.auto_disconnect) {
+        const currentLinks = get_store_value(links);
+        for (const linkId of pb.pinned_connections) {
+          const link = currentLinks.find(l => l.id === linkId);
+          if (link) disconnectPorts(link.output_port_id, link.input_port_id);
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    return newPb;
+  });
+  savePatchbayState();
+}
+
+export function setExclusive(exclusive: boolean) {
+  patchbay.update(pb => ({ ...pb, exclusive }));
+  if (exclusive) {
+    const pb = get_store_value(patchbay);
+    if (pb.activated) enforceExclusive(pb);
+  }
+  savePatchbayState();
+}
+
+export function setAutoPin(val: boolean) {
+  patchbay.update(pb => ({ ...pb, auto_pin: val }));
+  savePatchbayState();
+}
+
+export function setAutoDisconnect(val: boolean) {
+  patchbay.update(pb => ({ ...pb, auto_disconnect: val }));
+  savePatchbayState();
+}
+
+export async function saveProfile(name: string) {
+  const currentLinks = get_store_value(links);
+  const currentPorts = get_store_value(ports);
+  const currentNodes = get_store_value(nodes);
+  const pb = get_store_value(patchbay);
+
+  const portByIdMap = new Map<number, Port>();
+  for (const p of currentPorts) portByIdMap.set(p.id, p);
+  const nodeByIdMap = new Map<number, Node>();
+  for (const n of currentNodes) nodeByIdMap.set(n.id, n);
+
+  const connections: ConnectionRule[] = [];
+  for (const link of currentLinks) {
+    const outPort = portByIdMap.get(link.output_port_id);
+    const inPort = portByIdMap.get(link.input_port_id);
+    if (!outPort || !inPort) continue;
+    const outNode = nodeByIdMap.get(outPort.node_id);
+    const inNode = nodeByIdMap.get(inPort.node_id);
+    if (!outNode || !inNode) continue;
+    connections.push({
+      output_node_name: outNode.name,
+      output_port_name: outPort.name,
+      output_port_type: outPort.port_type,
+      input_node_name: inNode.name,
+      input_port_name: inPort.name,
+      input_port_type: inPort.port_type,
+      pinned: pb.pinned_connections.includes(link.id),
+    });
+  }
+
+  const profile: PatchbayProfile = {
+    name,
+    connections,
+    hide_rules: [...pb.hide_rules],
+    merge_rules: [...pb.merge_rules],
+  };
+
+  patchbay.update(pb => ({
+    ...pb,
+    profiles: { ...pb.profiles, [name]: profile },
+    active_profile: name,
+  }));
+  savePatchbayState();
+}
+
+export function loadProfile(name: string) {
+  patchbay.update(pb => ({ ...pb, active_profile: name }));
+  const pb = get_store_value(patchbay);
+  if (pb.activated) {
+    applyPatchbay(pb);
+  }
+  savePatchbayState();
+}
+
+export function deleteProfile(name: string) {
+  patchbay.update(pb => {
+    const profiles = { ...pb.profiles };
+    delete profiles[name];
+    return {
+      ...pb,
+      profiles,
+      active_profile: pb.active_profile === name ? '' : pb.active_profile,
+    };
+  });
+  savePatchbayState();
+}
+
 export { connectPorts, disconnectPorts };
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/types.ts b/frontend/src/lib/types.ts
index 02c3057..454a3c9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/types.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/types.ts
@@ -45,3 +45,33 @@ export interface DisconnectMessage {
 }
 
 export type WsMessage = ConnectMessage | DisconnectMessage;
+
+// Patchbay types
+export interface ConnectionRule {
+  output_port_name: string;
+  output_node_name: string;
+  output_port_type: string;
+  input_port_name: string;
+  input_node_name: string;
+  input_port_type: string;
+  pinned?: boolean;
+}
+
+export interface PatchbayProfile {
+  name: string;
+  connections: ConnectionRule[];
+  hide_rules?: string[];
+  merge_rules?: string[];
+}
+
+export interface PatchbayState {
+  profiles: Record<string, PatchbayProfile>;
+  active_profile: string;
+  activated: boolean;
+  exclusive: boolean;
+  auto_pin: boolean;
+  auto_disconnect: boolean;
+  pinned_connections: number[];
+  hide_rules: string[];
+  merge_rules: string[];
+}