diff --git a/apps/code/src/main/di/container.ts b/apps/code/src/main/di/container.ts
index 04c245598f..b91d5fd8e6 100644
--- a/apps/code/src/main/di/container.ts
+++ b/apps/code/src/main/di/container.ts
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ import {
 import { oauthModule } from "@posthog/core/oauth/oauth.module";
 import { PROVISIONING_SERVICE } from "@posthog/core/provisioning/identifiers";
 import { ProvisioningService } from "@posthog/core/provisioning/provisioning";
+import { recentsCoreModule } from "@posthog/core/recents/recents.module";
 import { SLEEP_SERVICE } from "@posthog/core/sleep/identifiers";
 import { SleepService } from "@posthog/core/sleep/sleep";
 import { UI_AUTH } from "@posthog/core/ui/identifiers";
@@ -808,6 +809,7 @@ container.bind(MAIN_DISCORD_PRESENCE_SERVICE).to(DiscordPresenceService);
 // live in @posthog/core (bound via canvasCoreModule) and resolve through
 // ctx.container in the host-router routers.
 container.load(canvasCoreModule);
+container.load(recentsCoreModule);
 
 // Browser tabs for the Channels canvas surface. Authoritative sqlite-backed
 // service in the main process; resolved by the host-router browserTabs router.
diff --git a/apps/code/src/main/trpc/router.ts b/apps/code/src/main/trpc/router.ts
index 362a9de753..4294b41aa0 100644
--- a/apps/code/src/main/trpc/router.ts
+++ b/apps/code/src/main/trpc/router.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ import { osRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/os.router";
 import { piSessionRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/pi-session.router";
 import { processTrackingRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/process-tracking.router";
 import { provisioningRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/provisioning.router";
+import { recentsRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/recents.router";
 import { releaseFeedRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/release-feed.router";
 import { secureStoreRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/secure-store.router";
 import { shellRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/shell.router";
@@ -71,6 +72,7 @@ export const trpcRouter = router({
   channelTasks: channelTasksRouter,
   claudeCliSessions: claudeCliSessionsRouter,
   dashboards: dashboardsRouter,
+  recents: recentsRouter,
   cloudTask: cloudTaskRouter,
   connectivity: connectivityRouter,
   contextMenu: contextMenuRouter,
diff --git a/apps/web/src/web-container.ts b/apps/web/src/web-container.ts
index 1321eafa37..72685cc1a3 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/web-container.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/web-container.ts
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ import {
   type PiSessionFactory,
   type PiSessionProvider,
 } from "@posthog/core/pi-runtime/piSessionController";
+import { recentsCoreModule } from "@posthog/core/recents/recents.module";
 import {
   type BundleLocalSkill,
   CLOUD_ARTIFACT_BUNDLE_LOCAL_SKILL,
@@ -488,6 +489,7 @@ container.bind(CLOUD_TASK_AUTH).toDynamicValue((ctx) => ({
 // API), so the web host binds them by loading the same core module desktop does;
 // the web host router forwards its canvas routers to these.
 container.load(canvasCoreModule);
+container.load(recentsCoreModule);
 container.load(taskThreadCoreModule);
 
 // SessionService is built from host-agnostic deps (host tRPC client + UI
diff --git a/apps/web/src/web-host-router.ts b/apps/web/src/web-host-router.ts
index 07f148b42d..8615163b3b 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/web-host-router.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/web-host-router.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import { canvasTemplatesRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/canvas-templ
 import { channelTasksRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/channel-tasks.router";
 import { cloudTaskRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/cloud-task.router";
 import { dashboardsRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/dashboards.router";
+import { recentsRouter } from "@posthog/host-router/routers/recents.router";
 import { publicProcedure, router } from "@posthog/host-trpc/trpc";
 import {
   type CloudRegion,
@@ -494,6 +495,7 @@ export const webHostRouter = router({
   channelTasks: channelTasksRouter,
   cloudTask: cloudTaskRouter,
   dashboards: dashboardsRouter,
+  recents: recentsRouter,
   deepLink: deepLinkStubRouter,
   folders: foldersStubRouter,
   fs: fsStubRouter,
diff --git a/packages/core/src/canvas/dashboardSchemas.ts b/packages/core/src/canvas/dashboardSchemas.ts
index 39bf7053ec..807281207e 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/canvas/dashboardSchemas.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/canvas/dashboardSchemas.ts
@@ -89,7 +89,6 @@ export const dashboardSummarySchema = z.object({
 export type DashboardSummary = z.infer<typeof dashboardSummarySchema>;
 
 export const listDashboardsInput = z.object({ channelId: z.string().min(1) });
-
 export const createDashboardInput = z.object({
   channelId: z.string().min(1),
   name: z.string().min(1),
diff --git a/packages/core/src/recents/identifiers.ts b/packages/core/src/recents/identifiers.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9b43d006b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/src/recents/identifiers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+import type { RecentsService } from "./recentsService";
+
+export const RECENTS_SERVICE = Symbol.for("posthog.core.recents.service");
+export type IRecentsService = Pick<RecentsService, "list" | "record">;
diff --git a/packages/core/src/recents/recents.module.ts b/packages/core/src/recents/recents.module.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7241ceed72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/src/recents/recents.module.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+import { ContainerModule } from "inversify";
+import { RECENTS_SERVICE } from "./identifiers";
+import { RecentsService } from "./recentsService";
+
+export const recentsCoreModule = new ContainerModule(({ bind }) => {
+  bind(RecentsService).toSelf().inSingletonScope();
+  bind(RECENTS_SERVICE).toService(RecentsService);
+});
diff --git a/packages/core/src/recents/recentsService.test.ts b/packages/core/src/recents/recentsService.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..637c8ace08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/src/recents/recentsService.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import type { DesktopFsClient, FsEntryBase } from "../canvas/desktopFsClient";
+import { RecentsService } from "./recentsService";
+
+function serviceWith(rows: Array<FsEntryBase & Record<string, unknown>>) {
+  const listByQuery = vi.fn(async () => rows);
+  const getEntry = vi.fn(async (id: string) => ({
+    id,
+    path: `Canvases/${id}`,
+    type: "dashboard",
+    ref: null,
+  }));
+  const fetch = vi.fn(async () => new Response(null, { status: 204 }));
+  const fs = { listByQuery, getEntry, fetch } as unknown as DesktopFsClient;
+  return { service: new RecentsService(fs), listByQuery, getEntry, fetch };
+}
+
+describe("RecentsService", () => {
+  it("returns the latest 20 task and canvas engagements from the backend", async () => {
+    const rows = Array.from({ length: 24 }, (_, index) => ({
+      id: `row-${index}`,
+      path: `Space/Item ${index}`,
+      type: index % 2 === 0 ? "task" : "dashboard",
+      ref: `entity-${index}`,
+      last_viewed_at: new Date(index * 1_000).toISOString(),
+      meta: { channelId: "channel-1", templateId: "freeform" },
+    }));
+    const { service, listByQuery } = serviceWith(rows);
+
+    const result = await service.list();
+
+    expect(listByQuery).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      "order_by=-last_viewed_at&limit=100&not_type=folder",
+      "recent items",
+    );
+    expect(result).toHaveLength(20);
+    expect(result[0]).toMatchObject({ id: "entity-23", kind: "canvas" });
+    expect(result.at(-1)).toMatchObject({ id: "entity-4", kind: "task" });
+  });
+
+  it("makes a canvas hydratable before logging its engagement", async () => {
+    const { service, fetch } = serviceWith([]);
+
+    await service.record({ kind: "canvas", id: "canvas-1" });
+
+    expect(fetch).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
+      1,
+      "canvas-1/",
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        method: "PATCH",
+        body: JSON.stringify({ ref: "canvas-1" }),
+      }),
+    );
+    expect(fetch).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(
+      2,
+      "log_view/",
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        method: "POST",
+        body: JSON.stringify({ type: "dashboard", ref: "canvas-1" }),
+      }),
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("logs task engagement without rewriting its existing file-system row", async () => {
+    const { service, getEntry, fetch } = serviceWith([]);
+
+    await service.record({ kind: "task", id: "task-1" });
+
+    expect(getEntry).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(fetch).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    expect(fetch).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      "log_view/",
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        body: JSON.stringify({ type: "task", ref: "task-1" }),
+      }),
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("does not rewrite a non-canvas row supplied as a canvas id", async () => {
+    const { service, getEntry, fetch } = serviceWith([]);
+    getEntry.mockResolvedValue({
+      id: "task-row",
+      path: "Tasks/task-row",
+      type: "task",
+      ref: "task-row",
+    } as never);
+
+    await expect(
+      service.record({ kind: "canvas", id: "task-row" }),
+    ).rejects.toThrow("Canvas not found");
+
+    expect(fetch).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/core/src/recents/recentsService.ts b/packages/core/src/recents/recentsService.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..797849e76c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/src/recents/recentsService.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+import {
+  DESKTOP_FS_CLIENT,
+  type DesktopFsClient,
+  type FsEntryBase,
+} from "@posthog/core/canvas/desktopFsClient";
+import { inject, injectable } from "inversify";
+import type { RecentEngagementInput, RecentItem } from "./schemas";
+
+const RECENTS_LIMIT = 20;
+const RECENTS_SCAN_LIMIT = 100;
+
+interface RecentFsEntry extends FsEntryBase {
+  last_viewed_at?: string | null;
+  meta?: {
+    channelId?: string;
+    templateId?: string;
+  } | null;
+}
+
+@injectable()
+export class RecentsService {
+  constructor(
+    @inject(DESKTOP_FS_CLIENT)
+    private readonly fs: DesktopFsClient,
+  ) {}
+
+  async list(): Promise<RecentItem[]> {
+    const entries = await this.fs.listByQuery<RecentFsEntry>(
+      `order_by=-last_viewed_at&limit=${RECENTS_SCAN_LIMIT}&not_type=folder`,
+      "recent items",
+    );
+    return entries
+      .flatMap((entry) => this.toRecentItem(entry))
+      .sort((a, b) => b.engagedAt - a.engagedAt)
+      .slice(0, RECENTS_LIMIT);
+  }
+
+  async record(input: RecentEngagementInput): Promise<void> {
+    const type = input.kind === "canvas" ? "dashboard" : "task";
+    if (input.kind === "canvas") {
+      await this.ensureCanvasReference(input.id);
+    }
+    const response = await this.fs.fetch("log_view/", {
+      method: "POST",
+      headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ type, ref: input.id }),
+    });
+    if (!response.ok) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Failed to record recent engagement (${response.status})`,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  private async ensureCanvasReference(id: string): Promise<void> {
+    const entry = await this.fs.getEntry<RecentFsEntry>(id, "canvas");
+    if (!entry || entry.type !== "dashboard")
+      throw new Error("Canvas not found");
+    if (entry.ref === id) return;
+    const response = await this.fs.fetch(`${encodeURIComponent(id)}/`, {
+      method: "PATCH",
+      headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ ref: id }),
+    });
+    if (!response.ok) {
+      throw new Error(`Failed to prepare canvas recents (${response.status})`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  private toRecentItem(entry: RecentFsEntry): RecentItem[] {
+    const engagedAt = entry.last_viewed_at
+      ? Date.parse(entry.last_viewed_at)
+      : 0;
+    if (!entry.ref || engagedAt <= 0) return [];
+    const title = entry.path.slice(entry.path.lastIndexOf("/") + 1);
+    if (entry.type === "task") {
+      return [{ kind: "task", id: entry.ref, title, engagedAt }];
+    }
+    if (entry.type === "dashboard" && entry.meta?.channelId) {
+      return [
+        {
+          kind: "canvas",
+          id: entry.ref,
+          channelId: entry.meta.channelId,
+          title,
+          templateId: entry.meta.templateId ?? "freeform",
+          engagedAt,
+        },
+      ];
+    }
+    return [];
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/core/src/recents/schemas.ts b/packages/core/src/recents/schemas.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f41b7042e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/src/recents/schemas.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+import { z } from "zod";
+
+export const recentEngagementInputSchema = z.object({
+  kind: z.enum(["task", "canvas"]),
+  id: z.string().min(1),
+});
+export type RecentEngagementInput = z.infer<typeof recentEngagementInputSchema>;
+
+export const recentItemSchema = z.discriminatedUnion("kind", [
+  z.object({
+    kind: z.literal("task"),
+    id: z.string(),
+    title: z.string(),
+    engagedAt: z.number(),
+  }),
+  z.object({
+    kind: z.literal("canvas"),
+    id: z.string(),
+    channelId: z.string(),
+    title: z.string(),
+    templateId: z.string(),
+    engagedAt: z.number(),
+  }),
+]);
+export type RecentItem = z.infer<typeof recentItemSchema>;
diff --git a/packages/host-router/src/router.ts b/packages/host-router/src/router.ts
index fe5934f569..94262194c8 100644
--- a/packages/host-router/src/router.ts
+++ b/packages/host-router/src/router.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ import { osRouter } from "./routers/os.router";
 import { piSessionRouter } from "./routers/pi-session.router";
 import { processTrackingRouter } from "./routers/process-tracking.router";
 import { provisioningRouter } from "./routers/provisioning.router";
+import { recentsRouter } from "./routers/recents.router";
 import { releaseFeedRouter } from "./routers/release-feed.router";
 import { secureStoreRouter } from "./routers/secure-store.router";
 import { shellRouter } from "./routers/shell.router";
@@ -67,6 +68,7 @@ export const hostRouter = router({
   connectivity: connectivityRouter,
   contextMenu: contextMenuRouter,
   dashboards: dashboardsRouter,
+  recents: recentsRouter,
   deepLink: deepLinkRouter,
   enrichment: enrichmentRouter,
   environment: environmentRouter,
diff --git a/packages/host-router/src/routers/recents.router.ts b/packages/host-router/src/routers/recents.router.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..048a0c3cbc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/host-router/src/routers/recents.router.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+import {
+  type IRecentsService,
+  RECENTS_SERVICE,
+} from "@posthog/core/recents/identifiers";
+import {
+  recentEngagementInputSchema,
+  recentItemSchema,
+} from "@posthog/core/recents/schemas";
+import { publicProcedure, router } from "@posthog/host-trpc/trpc";
+import { z } from "zod";
+
+export const recentsRouter = router({
+  list: publicProcedure
+    .output(z.array(recentItemSchema))
+    .query(({ ctx }) =>
+      ctx.container.get<IRecentsService>(RECENTS_SERVICE).list(),
+    ),
+  record: publicProcedure
+    .input(recentEngagementInputSchema)
+    .output(z.void())
+    .mutation(({ ctx, input }) =>
+      ctx.container.get<IRecentsService>(RECENTS_SERVICE).record(input),
+    ),
+});
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/analytics-events.ts b/packages/shared/src/analytics-events.ts
index 2952a5e012..c1b5a1ee0a 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/analytics-events.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/analytics-events.ts
@@ -250,6 +250,7 @@ export type SidebarNavItem =
   | "command_center"
   | "contexts"
   | "activity"
+  | "recents"
   | "configure"
   | "loops"
   | "more"
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/components/ChannelNav.test.tsx b/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/components/ChannelNav.test.tsx
index fe2da703cb..dbd224203f 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/components/ChannelNav.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/components/ChannelNav.test.tsx
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ vi.mock("@posthog/ui/shell/analytics", () => ({ track: vi.fn() }));
 vi.mock("./ActivityHoverCard", () => ({
   ActivityHoverCard: () => <div>Recent activity card</div>,
 }));
+vi.mock("@posthog/ui/features/recents/RecentsHoverCard", () => ({
+  RecentsHoverCard: () => <div>Recent items card</div>,
+}));
 
 import { ChannelNav } from "./ChannelNav";
 
@@ -51,6 +54,16 @@ describe("ChannelNav", () => {
     ).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
+  it("opens recents after the hover delay", async () => {
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    render(<ChannelNav />);
+
+    await user.hover(screen.getByLabelText("Recents"));
+    expect(
+      await screen.findByText("Recent items card", {}, { timeout: 1_000 }),
+    ).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
   it("closes promptly after the pointer leaves", async () => {
     const user = userEvent.setup();
     render(<ChannelNav />);
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/components/ChannelNav.tsx b/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/components/ChannelNav.tsx
index fe76afeb19..a3ced8e975 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/components/ChannelNav.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/components/ChannelNav.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import {
   BellIcon,
+  ClockCounterClockwiseIcon,
   EnvelopeSimple,
   Lightning,
   SlidersHorizontal,
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ import {
 import { useCommandCenterActiveCount } from "@posthog/ui/features/command-center/useCommandCenterActiveCount";
 import { useFeatureFlag } from "@posthog/ui/features/feature-flags/useFeatureFlag";
 import { useInboxAllReports } from "@posthog/ui/features/inbox/hooks/useInboxAllReports";
+import { RecentsHoverCard } from "@posthog/ui/features/recents/RecentsHoverCard";
 import { openSettings } from "@posthog/ui/features/settings/hooks/useOpenSettings";
 import { CountBadge } from "@posthog/ui/primitives/CountBadge";
 import { LoopIcon } from "@posthog/ui/primitives/LoopIcon";
@@ -137,6 +139,7 @@ export function ChannelNav() {
   const view = useAppView();
   const loopsEnabled = useFeatureFlag(LOOPS_FLAG, import.meta.env.DEV);
   const [activityOpen, setActivityOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [recentsOpen, setRecentsOpen] = useState(false);
 
   const { counts } = useInboxAllReports({
     ignoreFilters: true,
@@ -216,6 +219,30 @@ export function ChannelNav() {
             />
           )}
         </Popover>
+        <Popover open={recentsOpen} onOpenChange={setRecentsOpen}>
+          <PopoverTrigger
+            openOnHover
+            delay={300}
+            closeDelay={100}
+            render={
+              <NavButton
+                icon={<ClockCounterClockwiseIcon size={16} />}
+                label="Recents"
+                isActive={false}
+                onClick={() => {
+                  withTrack("recents", () => {})();
+                  setRecentsOpen((value) => !value);
+                }}
+              />
+            }
+          />
+          {recentsOpen && (
+            <RecentsHoverCard
+              side="bottom"
+              onClose={() => setRecentsOpen(false)}
+            />
+          )}
+        </Popover>
         <NavIcon
           icon={
             <Lightning
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/components/WebsiteDashboard.tsx b/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/components/WebsiteDashboard.tsx
index 0af43d10cf..9526beae6d 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/components/WebsiteDashboard.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/components/WebsiteDashboard.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { FreeformCanvasView } from "@posthog/ui/features/canvas/freeform/Freefor
 import { useDashboard } from "@posthog/ui/features/canvas/hooks/useDashboards";
 import { useIsDashboardEditing } from "@posthog/ui/features/canvas/stores/dashboardEditStore";
 import { useFreeformChatStore } from "@posthog/ui/features/canvas/stores/freeformChatStore";
+import { useRecordRecentEngagement } from "@posthog/ui/features/recents/useRecents";
 import { useEffect } from "react";
 
 // Renders a canvas's React app in a sandboxed iframe (view + edit). Edit mode
@@ -10,9 +11,14 @@ export function WebsiteDashboard({ dashboardId }: { dashboardId: string }) {
   const editing = useIsDashboardEditing(dashboardId);
   const { dashboard } = useDashboard(dashboardId);
   const syncFromRecord = useFreeformChatStore((s) => s.syncFromRecord);
+  const recordEngagement = useRecordRecentEngagement();
 
   const threadId = `dashboard:${dashboardId}`;
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    recordEngagement({ kind: "canvas", id: dashboardId });
+  }, [dashboardId, recordEngagement]);
+
   // Seed the thread from the saved record (code + version history) when its data
   // lands, so undo/redo and the live render reflect what's stored — and adopt a
   // version a generation task just published.
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/hooks/useGenerateFreeformCanvas.ts b/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/hooks/useGenerateFreeformCanvas.ts
index 3ae5404d7b..b1425d7cc2 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/hooks/useGenerateFreeformCanvas.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/canvas/hooks/useGenerateFreeformCanvas.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import {
 import { useFolderInstructions } from "@posthog/ui/features/canvas/hooks/useFolderInstructions";
 import { useCanvasGenerationTrackerStore } from "@posthog/ui/features/canvas/stores/canvasGenerationTrackerStore";
 import { toastError } from "@posthog/ui/features/notifications/errorDetails";
+import { useRecordRecentEngagement } from "@posthog/ui/features/recents/useRecents";
 import { useCreateTask } from "@posthog/ui/features/tasks/useTaskCrudMutations";
 import { toast } from "@posthog/ui/primitives/toast";
 import { useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ export function useGenerateFreeformCanvas(args: {
   const { invalidateTasks } = useCreateTask();
   const { fileTask } = useChannelTaskMutations();
   const { setGenerationTask, renameDashboard } = useDashboardMutations();
+  const recordEngagement = useRecordRecentEngagement();
   // The channel's CONTEXT.md, passed to the agent as optional background so the
   // generated canvas starts with the shared context. Absent/empty is fine.
   const callerOwnsContext = "channelContext" in args;
@@ -113,6 +115,7 @@ export function useGenerateFreeformCanvas(args: {
         // local build of these features before merging.
         workspaceMode = "cloud",
       } = opts;
+      recordEngagement({ kind: "canvas", id: dashboardId });
       setIsStarting(true);
       try {
         // A cloud run requires an explicit adapter + model (the API rejects a
@@ -221,6 +224,7 @@ export function useGenerateFreeformCanvas(args: {
       fileTask,
       setGenerationTask,
       renameDashboard,
+      recordEngagement,
       channelId,
       channelName,
       channelContext,
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/recents/RecentsHoverCard.test.tsx b/packages/ui/src/features/recents/RecentsHoverCard.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..dc899bda72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/recents/RecentsHoverCard.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+import { render, screen } from "@testing-library/react";
+import type { ReactNode } from "react";
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+vi.mock("@posthog/quill", () => ({
+  Empty: ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => <div>{children}</div>,
+  EmptyDescription: ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => (
+    <div>{children}</div>
+  ),
+  EmptyHeader: ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => <div>{children}</div>,
+  EmptyMedia: ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => <div>{children}</div>,
+  EmptyTitle: ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => <div>{children}</div>,
+  PopoverContent: ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => (
+    <div>{children}</div>
+  ),
+  Spinner: () => <div>Loading</div>,
+}));
+vi.mock("@posthog/ui/features/sidebar/components/SidebarItem", () => ({
+  SidebarItem: () => <div>Recent item</div>,
+}));
+vi.mock("./useRecents", () => ({
+  useRecents: () => ({
+    data: [],
+    error: new Error("backend unavailable"),
+    isLoading: false,
+  }),
+}));
+
+import { RecentsHoverCard } from "./RecentsHoverCard";
+
+describe("RecentsHoverCard", () => {
+  it("distinguishes a failed query from an empty history", () => {
+    render(<RecentsHoverCard onClose={vi.fn()} />);
+
+    expect(screen.getByText("Couldn't load recents")).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByText("No recents yet")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/recents/RecentsHoverCard.tsx b/packages/ui/src/features/recents/RecentsHoverCard.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0ee75112eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/recents/RecentsHoverCard.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+import { ClockCounterClockwiseIcon, FileTextIcon } from "@phosphor-icons/react";
+import {
+  Empty,
+  EmptyDescription,
+  EmptyHeader,
+  EmptyMedia,
+  EmptyTitle,
+  PopoverContent,
+  Spinner,
+} from "@posthog/quill";
+import { formatRelativeTimeShort } from "@posthog/shared";
+import { iconForTemplate } from "@posthog/ui/features/canvas/components/canvasTemplateIcon";
+import { SidebarItem } from "@posthog/ui/features/sidebar/components/SidebarItem";
+import {
+  navigateToChannelDashboard,
+  navigateToTaskDetail,
+} from "@posthog/ui/router/navigationBridge";
+import { useRecents } from "./useRecents";
+
+export function RecentsHoverCard({
+  onClose,
+  side = "right",
+}: {
+  onClose: () => void;
+  side?: "bottom" | "right";
+}) {
+  const { data: items = [], error, isLoading } = useRecents();
+  return (
+    <PopoverContent
+      side={side}
+      align="start"
+      sideOffset={8}
+      className="w-[380px] gap-0 overflow-hidden p-0"
+    >
+      <div className="flex min-h-12 items-center border-border border-b px-3 font-semibold text-sm">
+        Recents
+      </div>
+      <div className="max-h-[480px] overflow-y-auto p-1.5">
+        {isLoading && items.length === 0 ? (
+          <div className="flex justify-center py-10">
+            <Spinner />
+          </div>
+        ) : error ? (
+          <Empty className="border-0 py-8">
+            <EmptyHeader>
+              <EmptyMedia variant="icon">
+                <ClockCounterClockwiseIcon />
+              </EmptyMedia>
+              <EmptyTitle>Couldn't load recents</EmptyTitle>
+              <EmptyDescription>
+                Check your connection and try again.
+              </EmptyDescription>
+            </EmptyHeader>
+          </Empty>
+        ) : items.length === 0 ? (
+          <Empty className="border-0 py-8">
+            <EmptyHeader>
+              <EmptyMedia variant="icon">
+                <ClockCounterClockwiseIcon />
+              </EmptyMedia>
+              <EmptyTitle>No recents yet</EmptyTitle>
+              <EmptyDescription>
+                Tasks and canvases you engage with will appear here.
+              </EmptyDescription>
+            </EmptyHeader>
+          </Empty>
+        ) : (
+          <div className="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
+            {items.map((item) => (
+              <SidebarItem
+                key={`${item.kind}:${item.id}`}
+                depth={0}
+                icon={
+                  item.kind === "canvas" ? (
+                    iconForTemplate(item.templateId, {
+                      size: 15,
+                      className: "text-violet-9",
+                    })
+                  ) : (
+                    <FileTextIcon size={15} className="text-blue-9" />
+                  )
+                }
+                label={<span>{item.title || "Untitled task"}</span>}
+                isActive={false}
+                endContent={
+                  <span className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+                    {formatRelativeTimeShort(item.engagedAt)}
+                  </span>
+                }
+                onClick={() => {
+                  onClose();
+                  if (item.kind === "canvas")
+                    navigateToChannelDashboard(item.channelId, item.id);
+                  else navigateToTaskDetail(item.id);
+                }}
+              />
+            ))}
+          </div>
+        )}
+      </div>
+    </PopoverContent>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/recents/useRecents.ts b/packages/ui/src/features/recents/useRecents.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7ebcc631bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/recents/useRecents.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+import type { RecentEngagementInput } from "@posthog/core/recents/schemas";
+import { useHostTRPC, useHostTRPCClient } from "@posthog/host-router/react";
+import { AUTH_SCOPED_QUERY_META } from "@posthog/ui/features/auth/useCurrentUser";
+import { logger } from "@posthog/ui/shell/logger";
+import { useMutation, useQuery, useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
+import { useCallback, useEffect } from "react";
+
+const log = logger.scope("recents");
+
+export function useRecents() {
+  const trpc = useHostTRPC();
+  const query = useQuery(
+    trpc.recents.list.queryOptions(undefined, {
+      meta: AUTH_SCOPED_QUERY_META,
+      staleTime: 30_000,
+    }),
+  );
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (query.error) {
+      log.warn("Failed to load recents", { error: query.error });
+    }
+  }, [query.error]);
+  return query;
+}
+
+export function useRecordRecentEngagement(): (
+  input: RecentEngagementInput,
+) => void {
+  const trpc = useHostTRPC();
+  const client = useHostTRPCClient();
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+  const { mutate } = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (input: RecentEngagementInput) =>
+      client.recents.record.mutate(input),
+    onSuccess: () =>
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries(trpc.recents.list.pathFilter()),
+    onError: (error, input) => {
+      log.warn("Failed to record recent engagement", { error, input });
+    },
+  });
+  return useCallback((input: RecentEngagementInput) => mutate(input), [mutate]);
+}
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/sessions/hooks/useSessionCallbacks.test.tsx b/packages/ui/src/features/sessions/hooks/useSessionCallbacks.test.tsx
index 672e733655..1d15e1d63c 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/sessions/hooks/useSessionCallbacks.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/sessions/hooks/useSessionCallbacks.test.tsx
@@ -41,6 +41,10 @@ const taskViewed = vi.hoisted(() => ({
 vi.mock("@posthog/ui/features/sidebar/useTaskViewed", () => ({
   useTaskViewed: () => taskViewed,
 }));
+const recordEngagement = vi.hoisted(() => vi.fn());
+vi.mock("@posthog/ui/features/recents/useRecents", () => ({
+  useRecordRecentEngagement: () => recordEngagement,
+}));
 
 vi.mock("@posthog/ui/features/sessions/hooks/useMessagingMode", () => ({
   useMessagingMode: () => "queue",
@@ -143,6 +147,7 @@ describe("useSessionCallbacks.handleSendPrompt while editing a queued message",
     expect(sessionService.sendPrompt).toHaveBeenCalledWith(TASK, "my edit", {
       steer: false,
     });
+    expect(recordEngagement).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ kind: "task", id: TASK });
   });
 
   it("updates in place and never sends when the edit saves", async () => {
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/sessions/hooks/useSessionCallbacks.ts b/packages/ui/src/features/sessions/hooks/useSessionCallbacks.ts
index f4b29a3e90..e8cc1f3756 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/sessions/hooks/useSessionCallbacks.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/sessions/hooks/useSessionCallbacks.ts
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import {
   tryExecuteCodeCommand,
 } from "@posthog/ui/features/message-editor/commands";
 import { useDraftStore } from "@posthog/ui/features/message-editor/draftStore";
+import { useRecordRecentEngagement } from "@posthog/ui/features/recents/useRecents";
 import { useMessagingMode } from "@posthog/ui/features/sessions/hooks/useMessagingMode";
 import {
   type AgentSession,
@@ -54,6 +55,7 @@ export function useSessionCallbacks({
   const shellClient = useService<ShellClient>(SHELL_CLIENT);
   const hostClient = useHostTRPCClient();
   const { markActivity, markAsViewed } = useTaskViewed();
+  const recordEngagement = useRecordRecentEngagement();
   const { requestFocus, setPendingContent } = useDraftStore((s) => s.actions);
 
   const sessionRef = useRef(session);
@@ -132,6 +134,7 @@ export function useSessionCallbacks({
       }
 
       try {
+        recordEngagement({ kind: "task", id: taskId });
         markAsViewed(taskId);
         markActivity(taskId);
         await sessionService.sendPrompt(taskId, promptText ?? text, {
@@ -164,6 +167,7 @@ export function useSessionCallbacks({
       messagingMode,
       setPendingContent,
       requestFocus,
+      recordEngagement,
     ],
   );
 
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/CustomizeSidebarDialog.test.tsx b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/CustomizeSidebarDialog.test.tsx
index 811b2f4d6c..aa8610e604 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/CustomizeSidebarDialog.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/CustomizeSidebarDialog.test.tsx
@@ -173,6 +173,7 @@ describe("CustomizeSidebarSettings", () => {
       "loops",
       "inbox",
       "activity",
+      "recents",
       "command-center",
       "configure",
     ]);
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/CustomizeSidebarDialog.tsx b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/CustomizeSidebarDialog.tsx
index 00d855ff46..afbe3114dd 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/CustomizeSidebarDialog.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/CustomizeSidebarDialog.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { type DragDropEvents, DragDropProvider } from "@dnd-kit/react";
 import { useSortable } from "@dnd-kit/react/sortable";
 import {
   Bell,
+  ClockCounterClockwise,
   DotsSixVertical,
   EnvelopeSimple,
   Lightning,
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ const ITEM_ICONS: Record<
   inbox: EnvelopeSimple,
   "command-center": Lightning,
   activity: Bell,
+  recents: ClockCounterClockwise,
   configure: SlidersHorizontal,
   loops: LoopIcon,
 };
@@ -72,7 +74,7 @@ export function CustomizeSidebarSettings() {
   const items = orderedNavItems(previewOrder ?? navItemOrder).filter(
     ({ id }) => {
       if (id === "loops") return loopsEnabled;
-      if (id === "activity") return bluebirdEnabled;
+      if (id === "activity" || id === "recents") return bluebirdEnabled;
       return true;
     },
   );
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/SidebarNavSection.test.tsx b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/SidebarNavSection.test.tsx
index 47da00ef51..8e183f7ac1 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/SidebarNavSection.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/SidebarNavSection.test.tsx
@@ -75,6 +75,9 @@ vi.mock("@posthog/ui/features/tasks/useTasks", () => ({
 vi.mock("@posthog/ui/features/canvas/hooks/useTaskActivity", () => ({
   useTaskActivity: () => ({ items: [], unreadCount: 0, isLoading: false }),
 }));
+vi.mock("./items/RecentsItem", () => ({
+  RecentsItem: () => <button type="button">Recents</button>,
+}));
 vi.mock("@tanstack/react-router", () => ({
   useRouterState: () => false,
 }));
@@ -114,6 +117,7 @@ describe("SidebarNavSection", () => {
     ["inbox", "Inbox"],
     ["command-center", "Command Center"],
     ["activity", "Activity"],
+    ["recents", "Recents"],
     ["configure", "Configure"],
     ["loops", "Loops"],
   ] as const)("removes %s from the sidebar when hidden", (id, label) => {
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/SidebarNavSection.tsx b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/SidebarNavSection.tsx
index 8901c91a0a..ac66dd35b8 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/SidebarNavSection.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/SidebarNavSection.tsx
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import { ConfigureItem } from "./items/ConfigureItem";
 import { InboxItem } from "./items/InboxItem";
 import { LoopsItem } from "./items/LoopsItem";
 import { NewTaskItem } from "./items/NewTaskItem";
+import { RecentsItem } from "./items/RecentsItem";
 import { SearchItem } from "./items/SearchItem";
 
 const SIDEBAR_INBOX_REFETCH_INTERVAL_MS = 60_000;
@@ -137,6 +138,7 @@ export function SidebarNavSection({
     inbox: true,
     "command-center": true,
     activity: bluebirdEnabled,
+    recents: bluebirdEnabled,
     configure: true,
     loops: loopsEnabled,
   };
@@ -170,6 +172,12 @@ export function SidebarNavSection({
         onClick={withNavTrack("activity", navigateToActivity, depth)}
       />
     ),
+    recents: (depth) => (
+      <RecentsItem
+        depth={depth}
+        onClick={withNavTrack("recents", () => {}, depth)}
+      />
+    ),
     configure: (depth) => (
       <ConfigureItem
         depth={depth}
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/items/RecentsItem.tsx b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/items/RecentsItem.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..97ae4b6bac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/components/items/RecentsItem.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import { ClockCounterClockwiseIcon } from "@phosphor-icons/react";
+import { Popover, PopoverTrigger } from "@posthog/quill";
+import { RecentsHoverCard } from "@posthog/ui/features/recents/RecentsHoverCard";
+import { useState } from "react";
+import { SidebarItem } from "../SidebarItem";
+
+export function RecentsItem({
+  depth = 0,
+  onClick,
+}: {
+  depth?: number;
+  onClick: () => void;
+}) {
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  const item = (
+    <SidebarItem
+      depth={depth}
+      icon={<ClockCounterClockwiseIcon size={16} />}
+      label="Recents"
+      isActive={false}
+      onClick={() => {
+        onClick();
+        setOpen((value) => !value);
+      }}
+    />
+  );
+  return (
+    <Popover open={open} onOpenChange={setOpen}>
+      <PopoverTrigger openOnHover delay={300} closeDelay={100} render={item} />
+      {open && <RecentsHoverCard onClose={() => setOpen(false)} />}
+    </Popover>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/constants.test.ts b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/constants.test.ts
index 6a09f96131..341f73f985 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/constants.test.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/constants.test.ts
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ describe("orderedNavItems", () => {
       "inbox",
       "loops",
       "command-center",
+      "recents",
       "configure",
     ]);
   });
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/constants.ts b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/constants.ts
index ef08be90bd..117b8c857a 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/constants.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/sidebar/constants.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,12 @@ export const CUSTOMIZABLE_NAV_ITEMS = [
     analyticsId: "activity",
     defaultVisible: true,
   },
+  {
+    id: "recents",
+    label: "Recents",
+    analyticsId: "recents",
+    defaultVisible: true,
+  },
   {
     id: "loops",
     label: "Loops",
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/features/task-detail/components/TaskDetail.tsx b/packages/ui/src/features/task-detail/components/TaskDetail.tsx
index 458b6d954a..eaf0d458cd 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/features/task-detail/components/TaskDetail.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/features/task-detail/components/TaskDetail.tsx
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import { PanelLayout } from "../../panels/components/PanelLayout";
 import { usePanelLayoutStore } from "../../panels/panelLayoutStore";
 import { getLeafPanel, parseTabId } from "../../panels/panelStoreHelpers";
 import { PiSessionView } from "../../pi-sessions/PiSessionView";
+import { useRecordRecentEngagement } from "../../recents/useRecents";
 import { MIN_CHAT_WIDTH } from "../../sessions/constants";
 import { useCwd } from "../../sidebar/useCwd";
 import { useRenameTask } from "../../tasks/useTaskMutations";
@@ -51,10 +52,15 @@ export function TaskDetail({
   channelId,
 }: TaskDetailProps) {
   const taskId = initialTask.id;
+  const recordEngagement = useRecordRecentEngagement();
   const { task } = useTaskData({ taskId, initialTask });
   const runtime = task.runtime === "pi" ? "pi" : "acp";
   const selectedTaskRunId = task.latest_run?.id;
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    recordEngagement({ kind: "task", id: taskId });
+  }, [recordEngagement, taskId]);
+
   const effectiveRepoPath = useCwd(taskId);
 
   const activeRelativePath = usePanelLayoutStore((state) => {