diff --git a/client/public/version.js b/client/public/version.js
index 36a1176..8252c1d 100644
--- a/client/public/version.js
+++ b/client/public/version.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // Maintainer-controlled web client version.
 // Format: YYYY.MM.DD Rn (example: 2026.02.20 R2)
-window.CHGRID_WEB_VERSION = "2026.02.22 R166";
+window.CHGRID_WEB_VERSION = "2026.02.22 R167";
 // Optional display timezone for timestamps. Falls back to America/Detroit if unset/invalid.
 window.CHGRID_TIME_ZONE = "America/Detroit";
diff --git a/client/src/main.ts b/client/src/main.ts
index 07ad8e1..588e039 100644
--- a/client/src/main.ts
+++ b/client/src/main.ts
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ const MIC_CALIBRATION_ACTIVE_RMS_THRESHOLD = 0.003;
 const MIC_INPUT_GAIN_SCALE_MULTIPLIER = 2;
 const MIC_INPUT_GAIN_STEP = 0.05;
 const HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_MS = 10_000;
-const RECONNECT_DELAY_MS = 2_000;
+const RECONNECT_DELAY_MS = 5_000;
 const RECONNECT_MAX_ATTEMPTS = 3;
 
 declare global {
@@ -515,9 +515,14 @@ function handleSignalingStatus(message: string): void {
     return;
   }
   if (message === 'Disconnected.' && state.running && !reconnectInFlight) {
+    pushChatMessage('Disconnected from server. Reconnecting...');
     void reconnectAfterSocketClose();
     return;
   }
+  if (message === 'Disconnected.') {
+    pushChatMessage('Disconnected from server.');
+    return;
+  }
   pushChatMessage(message);
 }
 
@@ -1140,7 +1145,7 @@ async function reconnectWithRetry(reason: 'heartbeat' | 'socketClose'): Promise<
       return;
     }
     if (attempt < RECONNECT_MAX_ATTEMPTS) {
-      pushChatMessage(`Reconnect attempt ${attempt} failed. Retrying...`);
+      pushChatMessage(`Reconnect attempt ${attempt} failed. Retrying in 5 seconds...`);
     }
   }
   pushChatMessage('Reconnect failed after 3 attempts. Press Connect to retry.');
@@ -1256,7 +1261,9 @@ async function onSignalingMessage(message: IncomingMessage): Promise<void> {
   if (message.type === 'welcome') {
     const incomingInstanceId = String(message.serverInfo?.instanceId ?? '').trim() || null;
     const incomingVersion = String(message.serverInfo?.version ?? '').trim() || 'unknown';
-    connectedAnnouncement = `Connected. Version ${incomingVersion}.`;
+    connectedAnnouncement = reconnectInFlight
+      ? `Reconnected to server. Version ${incomingVersion}.`
+      : `Connected to server. Version ${incomingVersion}.`;
     if (
       !reloadScheduledForVersionMismatch &&
       APP_VERSION &&
@@ -1278,13 +1285,13 @@ async function onSignalingMessage(message: IncomingMessage): Promise<void> {
     startHeartbeat();
   }
   await onAppMessage(message);
-  if (connectedAnnouncement) {
-    pushChatMessage(connectedAnnouncement);
-  }
   if (restartAnnouncement) {
     pushChatMessage(restartAnnouncement);
     audio.sfxUiConfirm();
   }
+  if (connectedAnnouncement) {
+    pushChatMessage(connectedAnnouncement);
+  }
 }
 
 /** Toggles local microphone track mute state. */
diff --git a/docs/protocol-notes.md b/docs/protocol-notes.md
index 4620baa..77410e0 100644
--- a/docs/protocol-notes.md
+++ b/docs/protocol-notes.md
@@ -63,7 +63,8 @@ This is a behavior guide for packet semantics beyond raw schemas.
 - Heartbeat pings use negative `clientSentAt` ids and are internal (not user-visible ping status).
 - If websocket close is observed unexpectedly, client starts reconnect flow.
 - If a heartbeat `pong` is missed for one interval (10 seconds), client also starts reconnect flow.
-- Reconnect flow waits 2 seconds and retries up to 3 times before stopping.
+- Reconnect flow waits 5 seconds and retries up to 3 times before stopping.
 - After reconnect, if `welcome.serverInfo.instanceId` changed, client announces `Server restarted.`
-- Client emits `Connected. Version <version>.` after each `welcome`.
+- Client emits `Connected to server. Version <version>.` on initial `welcome` and
+  `Reconnected to server. Version <version>.` after reconnect.
 - If `welcome.serverInfo.version` differs from running client version, client auto-reloads.
diff --git a/docs/runtime-flow.md b/docs/runtime-flow.md
index b7e449a..22ed750 100644
--- a/docs/runtime-flow.md
+++ b/docs/runtime-flow.md
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ Core incoming message effects:
 - If websocket closes unexpectedly, client starts reconnect flow immediately.
 - While running, client also sends heartbeat `ping` every 10 seconds (fallback for silent half-open cases).
 - If one heartbeat `pong` is missed (10-second interval), client starts reconnect flow.
-- Reconnect flow waits 2 seconds and retries up to 3 times.
+- Reconnect flow waits 5 seconds and retries up to 3 times.
 - If reconnect lands on a different `welcome.serverInfo.instanceId`, client announces server restart.
 - Connect/reconnect status message is emitted from `welcome` and includes server version.