diff --git a/ptlinux/gamebox.py b/ptlinux/gamebox.py
index af8157e..92a87e2 100644
--- a/ptlinux/gamebox.py
+++ b/ptlinux/gamebox.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-"""Native X11 command construction for the clean borderless game window."""
+"""Native X11 command construction for the managed game window."""
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
diff --git a/ptlinux/gamebox_runtime.py b/ptlinux/gamebox_runtime.py
index 8fb3b13..c0b3a16 100644
--- a/ptlinux/gamebox_runtime.py
+++ b/ptlinux/gamebox_runtime.py
@@ -19,8 +19,20 @@ from .desktop_identity import (
 WINDOW_TITLE = APPLICATION_NAME
 WINDOW_DISCOVERY_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 60.0
 WINDOW_READY_DELAY_SECONDS = 0.5
-WINDOW_RESTORE_DELAY_SECONDS = 0.15
-WINDOW_REMAP_DELAY_SECONDS = 0.05
+WINDOW_BORDERLESS_SETTLE_SECONDS = 0.1
+WINDOW_SURFACE_REFRESH_DELAY_SECONDS = 0.15
+WINDOW_FOCUS_DELAY_SECONDS = 0.2
+WINDOW_STARTUP_GUARD_SECONDS = 12.0
+WINDOW_STARTUP_POLL_SECONDS = 0.1
+WINDOW_ACTIVATION_DELAY_SECONDS = 0.2
+WINDOW_STARTUP_RECOVERY_LIMIT = 3
+_X_REVERT_TO_PARENT = 2
+_X_CURRENT_TIME = 0
+_X_CLIENT_MESSAGE = 33
+_X_SUBSTRUCTURE_NOTIFY_MASK = 1 << 19
+_X_SUBSTRUCTURE_REDIRECT_MASK = 1 << 20
+_X_WM_STATE_ICONIC = 3
+_MOTIF_HINTS_DECORATIONS = 1 << 1
 _X_ERROR_HANDLER = ctypes.CFUNCTYPE(ctypes.c_int, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p)
 
 
@@ -80,6 +92,35 @@ class _XClassHint(ctypes.Structure):
 	]
 
 
+class _XClientMessageData(ctypes.Union):
+	_fields_ = [
+		("bytes", ctypes.c_char * 20),
+		("shorts", ctypes.c_short * 10),
+		("longs", ctypes.c_long * 5),
+	]
+
+
+class _XClientMessageEvent(ctypes.Structure):
+	_fields_ = [
+		("type", ctypes.c_int),
+		("serial", ctypes.c_ulong),
+		("send_event", ctypes.c_int),
+		("display", ctypes.c_void_p),
+		("window", ctypes.c_ulong),
+		("message_type", ctypes.c_ulong),
+		("format", ctypes.c_int),
+		("data", _XClientMessageData),
+	]
+
+
+class _XEvent(ctypes.Union):
+	_fields_ = [
+		("type", ctypes.c_int),
+		("client_message", _XClientMessageEvent),
+		("padding", ctypes.c_long * 24),
+	]
+
+
 class _X11:
 	def __init__(self) -> None:
 		library_path = ctypes.util.find_library("X11") or "libX11.so.6"
@@ -96,6 +137,7 @@ class _X11:
 		if not self.display:
 			self._restore_error_handler()
 			raise GameboxRuntimeError("could not open the host X11 display")
+		self._atoms: dict[bytes, int] = {}
 
 	def close(self) -> None:
 		try:
@@ -165,8 +207,34 @@ class _X11:
 			queue.extend(self._child_windows(candidate))
 		return window
 
+	def _intern_atom(self, name: bytes, *, only_if_exists: bool) -> int:
+		"""Return one atom ID without repeating X-server lookups."""
+
+		try:
+			atoms = self._atoms
+		except AttributeError:
+			# Keep helpers usable in isolated tests that construct the mapper without
+			# opening a real X11 display.
+			atoms = {}
+			self._atoms = atoms
+		cached_atom = atoms.get(name)
+		if cached_atom is not None:
+			return cached_atom
+		atom = int(
+			self.library.XInternAtom(
+				self.display,
+				name,
+				int(only_if_exists),
+			)
+		)
+		# A missing only-if-exists lookup must remain retryable: a later call may
+		# create the atom or another client may publish it.
+		if atom != 0:
+			atoms[name] = atom
+		return atom
+
 	def _has_wm_state(self, window: int) -> bool:
-		wm_state = self.library.XInternAtom(self.display, b"WM_STATE", 1)
+		wm_state = self._intern_atom(b"WM_STATE", only_if_exists=True)
 		if wm_state == 0:
 			return False
 		actual_type = ctypes.c_ulong()
@@ -194,42 +262,198 @@ class _X11:
 			if value:
 				self.library.XFree(ctypes.cast(value, ctypes.c_void_p))
 
-	def map_window(self, window: int, *, borderless: bool) -> None:
+	def window_state(self, window: int) -> int | None:
+		"""Return the ICCCM WM_STATE value for a managed client."""
+
+		values = self._long_property(window, b"WM_STATE", 2)
+		if not values:
+			return None
+		return values[0]
+
+	def window_is_borderless(self, window: int) -> bool | None:
+		"""Return whether the client currently requests no Motif decorations."""
+
+		hints = self._long_property(window, b"_MOTIF_WM_HINTS", 5)
+		if hints is None or len(hints) < 3:
+			return None
+		if hints[0] & _MOTIF_HINTS_DECORATIONS == 0:
+			return False
+		return hints[2] == 0
+
+	def _long_property(
+		self,
+		window: int,
+		name: bytes,
+		maximum_items: int,
+	) -> tuple[int, ...] | None:
+		atom = self._intern_atom(name, only_if_exists=True)
+		if atom == 0:
+			return None
+		actual_type = ctypes.c_ulong()
+		actual_format = ctypes.c_int()
+		item_count = ctypes.c_ulong()
+		bytes_after = ctypes.c_ulong()
+		value = ctypes.POINTER(ctypes.c_ubyte)()
+		status = self.library.XGetWindowProperty(
+			self.display,
+			window,
+			atom,
+			0,
+			maximum_items,
+			0,
+			0,
+			ctypes.byref(actual_type),
+			ctypes.byref(actual_format),
+			ctypes.byref(item_count),
+			ctypes.byref(bytes_after),
+			ctypes.byref(value),
+		)
+		try:
+			if (
+				status != 0
+				or actual_type.value == 0
+				or actual_format.value != 32
+				or not value
+			):
+				return None
+			longs = ctypes.cast(value, ctypes.POINTER(ctypes.c_ulong))
+			return tuple(
+				int(longs[index] & 0xFFFFFFFF)
+				for index in range(min(item_count.value, maximum_items))
+			)
+		finally:
+			if value:
+				self.library.XFree(ctypes.cast(value, ctypes.c_void_p))
+
+	def window_size(self, window: int) -> tuple[int, int] | None:
+		"""Return the current X11 client dimensions."""
+
+		root = ctypes.c_ulong()
+		x = ctypes.c_int()
+		y = ctypes.c_int()
+		width = ctypes.c_uint()
+		height = ctypes.c_uint()
+		border_width = ctypes.c_uint()
+		depth = ctypes.c_uint()
+		if self.library.XGetGeometry(
+			self.display,
+			window,
+			ctypes.byref(root),
+			ctypes.byref(x),
+			ctypes.byref(y),
+			ctypes.byref(width),
+			ctypes.byref(height),
+			ctypes.byref(border_width),
+			ctypes.byref(depth),
+		) == 0:
+			return None
+		return width.value, height.value
+
+	def map_window(
+		self,
+		window: int,
+		*,
+		borderless: bool,
+	) -> tuple[int, int] | None:
+		target_size = self.window_size(window) if borderless else None
 		if borderless:
 			self._remove_decorations(window)
 		self.library.XMapRaised(self.display, window)
 		self.library.XFlush(self.display)
+		return target_size
 
-	def refresh_render_surface(self, window: int) -> bool:
-		"""Recreate the minimize/restore event sequence after borderless styling.
+	def refresh_render_surface(
+		self,
+		window: int,
+		*,
+		target_size: tuple[int, int] | None = None,
+	) -> bool:
+		"""Nudge the mapped client size once after borderless styling.
 
 		Some Wine/DXVK combinations retain the host desktop-sized render surface
-		after the top-level game window becomes borderless. A normal user-driven
-		minimize and restore makes Wine reconcile the surface with the real window.
-		Request that same standard X11 lifecycle once without changing geometry.
+		after the top-level game window becomes borderless. A one-pixel resize followed
+		by an exact restore makes Wine reconcile the surface with the real window.
+
+		Never iconify or unmap a Wine client for this refresh. Wine can process the
+		resulting state change after startup and minimize the game at its login screen.
 		"""
 
-		screen = self.library.XDefaultScreen(self.display)
-		if self.library.XIconifyWindow(self.display, window, screen) == 0:
+		if target_size is None:
+			target_size = self.window_size(window)
+		if target_size is None:
 			return False
+		original_width, original_height = target_size
+		if original_width > 1:
+			nudged_width = original_width - 1
+			nudged_height = original_height
+		elif original_height > 1:
+			nudged_width = original_width
+			nudged_height = original_height - 1
+		else:
+			return False
+
+		self.library.XResizeWindow(
+			self.display,
+			window,
+			nudged_width,
+			nudged_height,
+		)
 		self.library.XSync(self.display, 0)
 		try:
-			time.sleep(WINDOW_RESTORE_DELAY_SECONDS)
+			time.sleep(WINDOW_SURFACE_REFRESH_DELAY_SECONDS)
 		finally:
-			# Mutter keeps an iconified client's own X window mapped beneath an
-			# unmapped frame, so XMapRaised alone cannot deiconify it. An explicit
-			# client unmap/remap generates a fresh MapRequest for the window manager.
-			# Always finish the remap if either short wait is interrupted, so the
-			# game cannot be stranded as a hidden window.
-			self.library.XUnmapWindow(self.display, window)
+			# Always restore the exact starting dimensions if the short wait is
+			# interrupted. The game remains mapped for the entire operation.
+			self.library.XResizeWindow(
+				self.display,
+				window,
+				original_width,
+				original_height,
+			)
 			self.library.XSync(self.display, 0)
-			try:
-				time.sleep(WINDOW_REMAP_DELAY_SECONDS)
-			finally:
-				self.library.XMapRaised(self.display, window)
-				self.library.XSync(self.display, 0)
 		return True
 
+	def focus_window(self, window: int) -> None:
+		"""Raise the mapped game client and give it keyboard focus."""
+
+		self.library.XMapRaised(self.display, window)
+		self.library.XSetInputFocus(
+			self.display,
+			window,
+			_X_REVERT_TO_PARENT,
+			_X_CURRENT_TIME,
+		)
+		self.library.XSync(self.display, 0)
+
+	def activate_window(self, window: int) -> bool:
+		"""Ask the window manager to restore and activate one client."""
+
+		active_window = self._intern_atom(
+			b"_NET_ACTIVE_WINDOW",
+			only_if_exists=False,
+		)
+		if active_window == 0:
+			return False
+		event = _XEvent()
+		event.client_message.type = _X_CLIENT_MESSAGE
+		event.client_message.serial = 0
+		event.client_message.send_event = 1
+		event.client_message.display = self.display
+		event.client_message.window = window
+		event.client_message.message_type = active_window
+		event.client_message.format = 32
+		event.client_message.data.longs[0] = 1
+		event.client_message.data.longs[1] = _X_CURRENT_TIME
+		status = self.library.XSendEvent(
+			self.display,
+			self.library.XDefaultRootWindow(self.display),
+			0,
+			_X_SUBSTRUCTURE_NOTIFY_MASK | _X_SUBSTRUCTURE_REDIRECT_MASK,
+			ctypes.byref(event),
+		)
+		self.library.XSync(self.display, 0)
+		return status != 0
+
 	def set_window_identity(
 		self,
 		window: int,
@@ -259,7 +483,7 @@ class _X11:
 
 	def suppress_wm_ping(self, window: int) -> bool:
 		"""Stop the WM hang prompt for one window, preserving its other protocols."""
-		ping_atom = int(self.library.XInternAtom(self.display, b"_NET_WM_PING", 0))
+		ping_atom = self._intern_atom(b"_NET_WM_PING", only_if_exists=False)
 		if ping_atom == 0:
 			return False
 		protocols = self._wm_protocols(window)
@@ -310,7 +534,7 @@ class _X11:
 				self.library.XFree(ctypes.cast(protocols, ctypes.c_void_p))
 
 	def _remove_decorations(self, window: int) -> None:
-		atom = self.library.XInternAtom(self.display, b"_MOTIF_WM_HINTS", 0)
+		atom = self._intern_atom(b"_MOTIF_WM_HINTS", only_if_exists=False)
 		if atom == 0:
 			return
 		hints = _MotifWmHints(
@@ -353,8 +577,6 @@ class _X11:
 		self.library.XSetErrorHandler.restype = ctypes.c_void_p
 		self.library.XOpenDisplay.argtypes = [ctypes.c_char_p]
 		self.library.XOpenDisplay.restype = ctypes.c_void_p
-		self.library.XDefaultScreen.argtypes = [ctypes.c_void_p]
-		self.library.XDefaultScreen.restype = ctypes.c_int
 		self.library.XDefaultRootWindow.argtypes = [ctypes.c_void_p]
 		self.library.XDefaultRootWindow.restype = ctypes.c_ulong
 		self.library.XQueryTree.argtypes = [
@@ -426,14 +648,40 @@ class _X11:
 		self.library.XSetWMProtocols.restype = ctypes.c_int
 		self.library.XMapRaised.argtypes = [ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_ulong]
 		self.library.XMapRaised.restype = ctypes.c_int
-		self.library.XUnmapWindow.argtypes = [ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_ulong]
-		self.library.XUnmapWindow.restype = ctypes.c_int
-		self.library.XIconifyWindow.argtypes = [
+		self.library.XGetGeometry.argtypes = [
+			ctypes.c_void_p,
+			ctypes.c_ulong,
+			ctypes.POINTER(ctypes.c_ulong),
+			ctypes.POINTER(ctypes.c_int),
+			ctypes.POINTER(ctypes.c_int),
+			ctypes.POINTER(ctypes.c_uint),
+			ctypes.POINTER(ctypes.c_uint),
+			ctypes.POINTER(ctypes.c_uint),
+			ctypes.POINTER(ctypes.c_uint),
+		]
+		self.library.XGetGeometry.restype = ctypes.c_int
+		self.library.XResizeWindow.argtypes = [
+			ctypes.c_void_p,
+			ctypes.c_ulong,
+			ctypes.c_uint,
+			ctypes.c_uint,
+		]
+		self.library.XResizeWindow.restype = ctypes.c_int
+		self.library.XSetInputFocus.argtypes = [
 			ctypes.c_void_p,
 			ctypes.c_ulong,
 			ctypes.c_int,
+			ctypes.c_ulong,
 		]
-		self.library.XIconifyWindow.restype = ctypes.c_int
+		self.library.XSetInputFocus.restype = ctypes.c_int
+		self.library.XSendEvent.argtypes = [
+			ctypes.c_void_p,
+			ctypes.c_ulong,
+			ctypes.c_int,
+			ctypes.c_long,
+			ctypes.POINTER(_XEvent),
+		]
+		self.library.XSendEvent.restype = ctypes.c_int
 		self.library.XSync.argtypes = [ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_int]
 		self.library.XSync.restype = ctypes.c_int
 		self.library.XFlush.argtypes = [ctypes.c_void_p]
@@ -475,11 +723,19 @@ def _prepare_game_window(
 					file=sys.stderr,
 					flush=True,
 				)
-	mapper.map_window(window, borderless=borderless)
+	target_size = mapper.map_window(window, borderless=borderless)
 	if not borderless:
 		return
+	if target_size is not None:
+		time.sleep(WINDOW_BORDERLESS_SETTLE_SECONDS)
 	try:
-		refreshed = mapper.refresh_render_surface(window)
+		if target_size is None:
+			refreshed = mapper.refresh_render_surface(window)
+		else:
+			refreshed = mapper.refresh_render_surface(
+				window,
+				target_size=target_size,
+			)
 	except Exception as exc:
 		print(
 			f"Warning: could not synchronize the borderless game surface ({exc}); "
@@ -515,6 +771,107 @@ def _apply_game_window_identity(mapper: _X11, window: int) -> None:
 		)
 
 
+def _focus_game_window(mapper: _X11, window: int) -> None:
+	"""Let the dashboard process its ready event before focusing the game."""
+
+	time.sleep(WINDOW_FOCUS_DELAY_SECONDS)
+	try:
+		mapper.focus_window(window)
+	except Exception as exc:
+		print(
+			f"Warning: could not focus the game window ({exc}); continuing normally",
+			file=sys.stderr,
+			flush=True,
+		)
+
+
+def _guard_game_window_startup(
+	mapper: _X11,
+	process: subprocess.Popen[bytes],
+	window: int,
+	*,
+	borderless: bool,
+) -> None:
+	"""Recover Wine's login-screen window transition without hiding the client."""
+
+	deadline = time.monotonic() + WINDOW_STARTUP_GUARD_SECONDS
+	try:
+		initial_borderless = (
+			mapper.window_is_borderless(window) if borderless else None
+		)
+		# A readable decorated value can already be Wine's fast login reset. The
+		# initial preparation immediately before this guard requested borderless.
+		borderless_was_applied = borderless and initial_borderless is not None
+	except Exception as exc:
+		print(
+			f"Warning: could not monitor the game startup window ({exc}); "
+			"continuing normally",
+			file=sys.stderr,
+			flush=True,
+		)
+		return
+	recovery_count = 0
+	while process.poll() is None and time.monotonic() < deadline:
+		try:
+			state = mapper.window_state(window)
+			borderless_now = (
+				mapper.window_is_borderless(window) if borderless else None
+			)
+		except Exception as exc:
+			print(
+				f"Warning: could not inspect the game startup window ({exc}); "
+				"continuing normally",
+				file=sys.stderr,
+				flush=True,
+			)
+			return
+		became_iconic = state == _X_WM_STATE_ICONIC
+		login_style_reset = borderless_was_applied and borderless_now is False
+		if not became_iconic and not login_style_reset:
+			time.sleep(WINDOW_STARTUP_POLL_SECONDS)
+			continue
+
+		recovery_count += 1
+		reason = "was minimized" if became_iconic else "changed its window layout"
+		print(
+			f"Game startup window {reason}; restoring and refocusing it.",
+			file=sys.stderr,
+			flush=True,
+		)
+		try:
+			mapper.activate_window(window)
+			time.sleep(WINDOW_ACTIVATION_DELAY_SECONDS)
+			_prepare_game_window(
+				mapper,
+				window,
+				borderless=borderless,
+				suppress_wm_ping=False,
+			)
+			mapper.activate_window(window)
+			mapper.focus_window(window)
+			if borderless:
+				borderless_was_applied = (
+					mapper.window_is_borderless(window) is True
+				)
+		except Exception as exc:
+			print(
+				f"Warning: could not recover the game startup window ({exc}); "
+				"continuing normally",
+				file=sys.stderr,
+				flush=True,
+			)
+			return
+		if recovery_count >= WINDOW_STARTUP_RECOVERY_LIMIT:
+			print(
+				"Warning: the game repeatedly changed its startup window; "
+				"stopped automatic recovery.",
+				file=sys.stderr,
+				flush=True,
+			)
+			return
+		time.sleep(WINDOW_STARTUP_POLL_SECONDS)
+
+
 def run_game_window(
 	command: Sequence[str],
 	window_title: str = WINDOW_TITLE,
@@ -583,6 +940,13 @@ def run_game_window(
 					file=sys.stderr,
 					flush=True,
 				)
+				_focus_game_window(mapper, game_window)
+				_guard_game_window_startup(
+					mapper,
+					process,
+					game_window,
+					borderless=borderless,
+				)
 				return int(process.wait())
 			time.sleep(0.1)
 		if process.poll() is None: