diff --git a/.changeset/feat-dm-message-preview.md b/.changeset/feat-dm-message-preview.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..46cbcff81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/feat-dm-message-preview.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+default: minor
+---
+
+feat(dm-list): show last-message preview below DM room name
diff --git a/.changeset/room-message-preview.md b/.changeset/room-message-preview.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3f8587b85
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/room-message-preview.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+default: minor
+---
+
+feat(room-nav): show topic and last-message preview for rooms in the sidebar, fetching enough timeline events to handle reactions and edits correctly
diff --git a/src/app/features/room-nav/RoomNavItem.tsx b/src/app/features/room-nav/RoomNavItem.tsx
index 22886c224..68ead11d8 100644
--- a/src/app/features/room-nav/RoomNavItem.tsx
+++ b/src/app/features/room-nav/RoomNavItem.tsx
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ import { useAutoDiscoveryInfo } from '$hooks/useAutoDiscoveryInfo';
 import { livekitSupport } from '$hooks/useLivekitSupport';
 import { Presence, useUserPresence } from '$hooks/useUserPresence';
 import { AvatarPresence, PresenceBadge } from '$components/presence';
+import { useRoomLastMessage } from '$hooks/useRoomLastMessage';
 import { RoomNavUser } from './RoomNavUser';
 
 /**
@@ -258,6 +259,9 @@ type RoomNavItemProps = {
   showAvatar?: boolean;
   direct?: boolean;
   customDMCards?: boolean;
+  roomTopicPreview?: boolean;
+  roomMessagePreview?: boolean;
+  dmMessagePreview?: boolean;
 };
 
 export function RoomNavItem({
@@ -266,6 +270,9 @@ export function RoomNavItem({
   showAvatar,
   direct,
   customDMCards,
+  roomTopicPreview = false,
+  roomMessagePreview = false,
+  dmMessagePreview = true,
   notificationMode,
   linkPath,
 }: RoomNavItemProps) {
@@ -287,8 +294,12 @@ export function RoomNavItem({
   const matrixRoomName = useRoomName(room);
   const roomName = (dmUserId && nicknames[dmUserId]) || matrixRoomName;
   const presence = useUserPresence(dmUserId ?? '');
+  const showPreview = direct ? dmMessagePreview : roomMessagePreview;
+  const lastMessage = useRoomLastMessage(showPreview ? room : undefined, mx);
   const getRoomTopic = useRoomTopic(room);
-  const roomTopic = direct ? ((customDMCards && getRoomTopic) ?? presence?.status) : undefined;
+  const roomTopic = direct
+    ? (customDMCards && getRoomTopic) || lastMessage || presence?.status
+    : (roomTopicPreview && getRoomTopic) || (roomMessagePreview ? lastMessage : undefined);
 
   const { navigateRoom } = useRoomNavigate();
   const navigate = useNavigate();
diff --git a/src/app/features/settings/cosmetics/Themes.tsx b/src/app/features/settings/cosmetics/Themes.tsx
index f543a19ea..0df6e5ade 100644
--- a/src/app/features/settings/cosmetics/Themes.tsx
+++ b/src/app/features/settings/cosmetics/Themes.tsx
@@ -482,11 +482,17 @@ function PageZoomInput() {
 export function Appearance() {
   const [twitterEmoji, setTwitterEmoji] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'twitterEmoji');
   const [customDMCards, setCustomDMCards] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'customDMCards');
+  const [dmMessagePreview, setDmMessagePreview] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'dmMessagePreview');
   const [showEasterEggs, setShowEasterEggs] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'showEasterEggs');
   const [closeFoldersByDefault, setCloseFoldersByDefault] = useSetting(
     settingsAtom,
     'closeFoldersByDefault'
   );
+  const [roomTopicPreview, setRoomTopicPreview] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'roomTopicPreview');
+  const [roomMessagePreview, setRoomMessagePreview] = useSetting(
+    settingsAtom,
+    'roomMessagePreview'
+  );
 
   return (
     <Box direction="Column" gap="700">
@@ -529,6 +535,43 @@ export function Appearance() {
           />
         </SequenceCard>
 
+        <SequenceCard className={SequenceCardStyle} variant="SurfaceVariant" direction="Column">
+          <SettingTile
+            title="DM Message Preview"
+            focusId="dm-message-preview"
+            description="Show a preview of the last message below DM room names."
+            after={
+              <Switch variant="Primary" value={dmMessagePreview} onChange={setDmMessagePreview} />
+            }
+          />
+        </SequenceCard>
+
+        <SequenceCard className={SequenceCardStyle} variant="SurfaceVariant" direction="Column">
+          <SettingTile
+            title="Room Topic Preview"
+            focusId="room-topic-preview"
+            description="Show the room topic below room names in spaces and Home."
+            after={
+              <Switch variant="Primary" value={roomTopicPreview} onChange={setRoomTopicPreview} />
+            }
+          />
+        </SequenceCard>
+
+        <SequenceCard className={SequenceCardStyle} variant="SurfaceVariant" direction="Column">
+          <SettingTile
+            title="Room Message Preview"
+            focusId="room-message-preview"
+            description="Show the latest message below room names in spaces and Home."
+            after={
+              <Switch
+                variant="Primary"
+                value={roomMessagePreview}
+                onChange={setRoomMessagePreview}
+              />
+            }
+          />
+        </SequenceCard>
+
         <SequenceCard className={SequenceCardStyle} variant="SurfaceVariant" direction="Column">
           <SettingTile
             title="Show Easter Eggs"
diff --git a/src/app/hooks/useRoomLastMessage.test.tsx b/src/app/hooks/useRoomLastMessage.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4e3065583
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/hooks/useRoomLastMessage.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,246 @@
+import { act, renderHook } from '@testing-library/react';
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+import {
+  stripReplyFallback,
+  eventToPreviewText,
+  getLastMessageText,
+  useRoomLastMessage,
+} from './useRoomLastMessage';
+
+// -------- helpers --------
+
+function makeEvent(overrides: {
+  type?: string;
+  content?: Record<string, unknown>;
+  sender?: string;
+  roomId?: string;
+  redacted?: boolean;
+}) {
+  return {
+    getType: () => overrides.type ?? 'm.room.message',
+    getContent: () => overrides.content ?? { msgtype: 'm.text', body: 'hello' },
+    getSender: () => overrides.sender ?? '@alice:test',
+    getRoomId: () => overrides.roomId ?? '!room:test',
+    isRedacted: () => overrides.redacted ?? false,
+  } as never;
+}
+
+// -------- stripReplyFallback --------
+
+describe('stripReplyFallback', () => {
+  it('returns the body unchanged when there is no fallback', () => {
+    expect(stripReplyFallback('hello world')).toBe('hello world');
+  });
+
+  it('strips lines starting with > and the blank separator', () => {
+    const body = '> reply line 1\n> reply line 2\n\nactual message';
+    expect(stripReplyFallback(body)).toBe('actual message');
+  });
+
+  it('strips fallback with no separator line', () => {
+    const body = '> quoted\nrest';
+    expect(stripReplyFallback(body)).toBe('rest');
+  });
+
+  it('returns empty string when the entire body is a fallback', () => {
+    expect(stripReplyFallback('> only quote\n')).toBe('');
+  });
+
+  it('handles multi-line actual message after fallback', () => {
+    const body = '> quote\n\nline 1\nline 2';
+    expect(stripReplyFallback(body)).toBe('line 1\nline 2');
+  });
+});
+
+// -------- eventToPreviewText --------
+
+describe('eventToPreviewText', () => {
+  it('returns body for m.text message', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ content: { msgtype: 'm.text', body: 'hi' } });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBe('hi');
+  });
+
+  it('returns body for m.emote message', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ content: { msgtype: 'm.emote', body: 'waves' } });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBe('waves');
+  });
+
+  it('returns body for m.notice message', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ content: { msgtype: 'm.notice', body: 'notice' } });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBe('notice');
+  });
+
+  it('returns image icon for m.image', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ content: { msgtype: 'm.image', body: 'photo.png' } });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBe('📷 Image');
+  });
+
+  it('returns video icon for m.video', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ content: { msgtype: 'm.video', body: 'clip.mp4' } });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBe('📹 Video');
+  });
+
+  it('returns audio icon for m.audio', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ content: { msgtype: 'm.audio', body: 'song.mp3' } });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBe('🎵 Audio');
+  });
+
+  it('returns file icon for m.file', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ content: { msgtype: 'm.file', body: 'doc.pdf' } });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBe('📎 File');
+  });
+
+  it('returns encrypted placeholder for encrypted events', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ type: 'm.room.encrypted', content: {} });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBe('🔒 Encrypted message');
+  });
+
+  it('returns sticker text', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ type: 'm.sticker', content: { body: 'party' } });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBe('🎉 party');
+  });
+
+  it('returns undefined for redacted events', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ redacted: true });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it('returns undefined for reaction events', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ type: 'm.reaction', content: {} });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it('returns undefined for edit events (m.replace)', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({
+      content: {
+        msgtype: 'm.text',
+        body: 'edited',
+        'm.relates_to': { rel_type: 'm.replace', event_id: '$orig' },
+      },
+    });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it('strips reply fallback from text body', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({
+      content: { msgtype: 'm.text', body: '> quoted\n\nreal message' },
+    });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBe('real message');
+  });
+
+  it('returns undefined for unknown event types', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ type: 'm.room.power_levels', content: {} });
+    expect(eventToPreviewText(ev)).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+});
+
+// -------- getLastMessageText --------
+
+describe('getLastMessageText', () => {
+  const makeMx = (userId = '@alice:test') =>
+    ({ getUserId: () => userId }) as never;
+
+  const makeRoom = (events: ReturnType<typeof makeEvent>[], members?: Record<string, string>) =>
+    ({
+      roomId: '!room:test',
+      getLiveTimeline: () => ({
+        getEvents: () => events,
+      }),
+      getMember: (id: string) => (members?.[id] ? { name: members[id] } : null),
+    }) as never;
+
+  it('returns "You: text" when the sender is the current user', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ sender: '@alice:test', content: { msgtype: 'm.text', body: 'hi' } });
+    expect(getLastMessageText(makeRoom([ev]), makeMx())).toBe('You: hi');
+  });
+
+  it('returns "DisplayName: text" for another user', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ sender: '@bob:test', content: { msgtype: 'm.text', body: 'hey' } });
+    const room = makeRoom([ev], { '@bob:test': 'Bob' });
+    expect(getLastMessageText(room, makeMx())).toBe('Bob: hey');
+  });
+
+  it('falls back to userId when no display name is available', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ sender: '@bob:test', content: { msgtype: 'm.text', body: 'hey' } });
+    const room = makeRoom([ev]);
+    expect(getLastMessageText(room, makeMx())).toBe('@bob:test: hey');
+  });
+
+  it('skips reactions and picks the last real message', () => {
+    const msg = makeEvent({ content: { msgtype: 'm.text', body: 'real' } });
+    const reaction = makeEvent({ type: 'm.reaction', content: {} });
+    expect(getLastMessageText(makeRoom([msg, reaction]), makeMx())).toBe('You: real');
+  });
+
+  it('returns undefined when there are no displayable events', () => {
+    const reaction = makeEvent({ type: 'm.reaction', content: {} });
+    expect(getLastMessageText(makeRoom([reaction]), makeMx())).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it('returns undefined for an empty timeline', () => {
+    expect(getLastMessageText(makeRoom([]), makeMx())).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+});
+
+// -------- useRoomLastMessage hook --------
+
+describe('useRoomLastMessage', () => {
+  const makeMx = (userId = '@alice:test') => ({
+    getUserId: () => userId,
+    on: vi.fn(),
+    off: vi.fn(),
+  });
+
+  const roomListeners = new Map<string, ((...args: unknown[]) => void)[]>();
+
+  const makeRoom = (events: ReturnType<typeof makeEvent>[]) => ({
+    roomId: '!room:test',
+    getLiveTimeline: () => ({ getEvents: () => events }),
+    getMember: () => null,
+    on: vi.fn().mockImplementation((event: string, handler: (...args: unknown[]) => void) => {
+      const list = roomListeners.get(event) ?? [];
+      list.push(handler);
+      roomListeners.set(event, list);
+    }),
+    off: vi.fn(),
+  });
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    roomListeners.clear();
+  });
+
+  it('returns undefined when room is undefined', () => {
+    const mx = makeMx();
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useRoomLastMessage(undefined, mx as never));
+    expect(result.current).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it('returns the last message preview on mount', () => {
+    const ev = makeEvent({ content: { msgtype: 'm.text', body: 'hello' } });
+    const room = makeRoom([ev]);
+    const mx = makeMx();
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useRoomLastMessage(room as never, mx as never));
+    expect(result.current).toBe('You: hello');
+  });
+
+  it('updates when a Timeline event fires', () => {
+    const ev1 = makeEvent({ content: { msgtype: 'm.text', body: 'first' } });
+    const events = [ev1];
+    const room = makeRoom(events);
+    const mx = makeMx();
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useRoomLastMessage(room as never, mx as never));
+    expect(result.current).toBe('You: first');
+
+    // Simulate a new message arriving.
+    const ev2 = makeEvent({ content: { msgtype: 'm.text', body: 'second' } });
+    events.push(ev2);
+
+    const timelineHandlers = roomListeners.get('Room.timeline') ?? [];
+    act(() => {
+      timelineHandlers.forEach((h) => h());
+    });
+
+    expect(result.current).toBe('You: second');
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/hooks/useRoomLastMessage.ts b/src/app/hooks/useRoomLastMessage.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7f773ec97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/hooks/useRoomLastMessage.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import {
+  MatrixClient,
+  MatrixEvent,
+  MatrixEventEvent,
+  MsgType,
+  Room,
+  RoomEvent as RoomEventEnum,
+} from '$types/matrix-sdk';
+import { MessageEvent } from '$types/matrix/room';
+
+/**
+ * Strip the legacy reply fallback (lines starting with `> `) that some
+ * clients prepend when replying to a message.
+ */
+export function stripReplyFallback(body: string): string {
+  const lines = body.split('\n');
+  let i = 0;
+  while (i < lines.length && lines[i].startsWith('> ')) i++;
+  // Skip the blank separator line that follows the fallback block.
+  if (i > 0 && i < lines.length && lines[i] === '') i++;
+  return lines.slice(i).join('\n');
+}
+
+export function eventToPreviewText(ev: MatrixEvent): string | undefined {
+  if (ev.isRedacted()) return undefined;
+
+  const type = ev.getType();
+
+  // Skip reactions and edits — they aren't standalone messages.
+  if (type === MessageEvent.Reaction) return undefined;
+  const relType = ev.getContent()?.['m.relates_to']?.rel_type;
+  if (relType === 'm.replace') return undefined;
+
+  if (type === MessageEvent.RoomMessageEncrypted) return '🔒 Encrypted message';
+
+  if (type === MessageEvent.RoomMessage) {
+    const content = ev.getContent();
+    const { msgtype } = content;
+    if (msgtype === MsgType.Text || msgtype === MsgType.Emote || msgtype === MsgType.Notice) {
+      return stripReplyFallback(content.body);
+    }
+    if (msgtype === MsgType.Image) return '📷 Image';
+    if (msgtype === MsgType.Video) return '📹 Video';
+    if (msgtype === MsgType.Audio) return '🎵 Audio';
+    if (msgtype === MsgType.File) return '📎 File';
+  }
+
+  if (type === MessageEvent.Sticker) {
+    return `🎉 ${ev.getContent().body ?? 'Sticker'}`;
+  }
+
+  return undefined;
+}
+
+export function getLastMessageText(room: Room, mx: MatrixClient): string | undefined {
+  const events = room.getLiveTimeline().getEvents();
+  const match = [...events].reverse().find((ev) => eventToPreviewText(ev) !== undefined);
+  if (!match) return undefined;
+  const text = eventToPreviewText(match);
+  if (!text) return undefined;
+
+  const senderId = match.getSender();
+  let prefix: string;
+  if (senderId === mx.getUserId()) {
+    prefix = 'You';
+  } else {
+    prefix = room.getMember(senderId ?? '')?.name ?? senderId ?? 'Unknown';
+  }
+  return `${prefix}: ${text}`;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Reactively returns a human-readable preview of the last message in a room's
+ * live timeline, prefixed with "You:" or the sender's display name.
+ * Listens to Timeline and Decrypted events so the preview updates as messages
+ * arrive or are decrypted.
+ * Pass `undefined` for room to disable (returns `undefined`).
+ */
+export function useRoomLastMessage(
+  room: Room | undefined,
+  mx: MatrixClient | undefined
+): string | undefined {
+  const [text, setText] = useState<string | undefined>(() =>
+    room && mx ? getLastMessageText(room, mx) : undefined
+  );
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!room || !mx) {
+      setText(undefined);
+      return undefined;
+    }
+    setText(getLastMessageText(room, mx));
+
+    const update = () => setText(getLastMessageText(room, mx));
+    room.on(RoomEventEnum.Timeline, update);
+    room.on(RoomEventEnum.LocalEchoUpdated, update);
+
+    // Re-check when any event in this room is decrypted (encrypted → plaintext).
+    const onDecrypted = (ev: MatrixEvent) => {
+      if (ev.getRoomId() === room.roomId) update();
+    };
+    mx.on(MatrixEventEvent.Decrypted, onDecrypted);
+
+    return () => {
+      room.off(RoomEventEnum.Timeline, update);
+      room.off(RoomEventEnum.LocalEchoUpdated, update);
+      mx.off(MatrixEventEvent.Decrypted, onDecrypted);
+    };
+  }, [room, mx]);
+
+  return text;
+}
diff --git a/src/app/pages/client/ClientRoot.tsx b/src/app/pages/client/ClientRoot.tsx
index 1a653e950..754c28bef 100644
--- a/src/app/pages/client/ClientRoot.tsx
+++ b/src/app/pages/client/ClientRoot.tsx
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ import { useSyncNicknames } from '$hooks/useNickname';
 import { useAppVisibility } from '$hooks/useAppVisibility';
 import { getHomePath } from '$pages/pathUtils';
 import { useClientConfig } from '$hooks/useClientConfig';
+import { getSettings } from '$state/settings';
 import { pushSessionToSW } from '../../../sw-session';
 import { SyncStatus } from './SyncStatus';
 import { SpecVersions } from './SpecVersions';
@@ -212,12 +213,18 @@ export function ClientRoot({ children }: ClientRootProps) {
 
   const [startState, startMatrix] = useAsyncCallback<void, Error, [MatrixClient]>(
     useCallback(
-      (m) =>
-        startClient(m, {
+      (m) => {
+        const s = getSettings();
+        const needsPreviewTimeline = s.dmMessagePreview || s.roomMessagePreview;
+        return startClient(m, {
           baseUrl: activeSession?.baseUrl,
-          slidingSync: clientConfig.slidingSync,
+          slidingSync: {
+            ...clientConfig.slidingSync,
+            listTimelineLimit: needsPreviewTimeline ? 5 : undefined,
+          },
           sessionSlidingSyncOptIn: activeSession?.slidingSyncOptIn,
-        }),
+        });
+      },
       [activeSession?.baseUrl, activeSession?.slidingSyncOptIn, clientConfig.slidingSync]
     )
   );
diff --git a/src/app/pages/client/direct/Direct.tsx b/src/app/pages/client/direct/Direct.tsx
index 11eae40c3..3b78f43aa 100644
--- a/src/app/pages/client/direct/Direct.tsx
+++ b/src/app/pages/client/direct/Direct.tsx
@@ -178,6 +178,7 @@ export function Direct() {
   const roomToUnread = useAtomValue(roomToUnreadAtom);
   const navigate = useNavigate();
   const [customDMCards] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'customDMCards');
+  const [dmMessagePreview] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'dmMessagePreview');
 
   const createDirectSelected = useDirectCreateSelected();
 
@@ -296,6 +297,7 @@ export function Direct() {
                         showAvatar
                         direct
                         customDMCards={customDMCards}
+                        dmMessagePreview={dmMessagePreview}
                         linkPath={getDirectRoomPath(getCanonicalAliasOrRoomId(mx, roomId))}
                         notificationMode={getRoomNotificationMode(
                           notificationPreferences,
diff --git a/src/app/pages/client/home/Home.tsx b/src/app/pages/client/home/Home.tsx
index c25d99e30..5ceda0a1e 100644
--- a/src/app/pages/client/home/Home.tsx
+++ b/src/app/pages/client/home/Home.tsx
@@ -199,6 +199,8 @@ export function Home() {
   const notificationPreferences = useRoomsNotificationPreferencesContext();
   const roomToUnread = useAtomValue(roomToUnreadAtom);
   const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const [roomTopicPreview] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'roomTopicPreview');
+  const [roomMessagePreview] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'roomMessagePreview');
 
   const selectedRoomId = useSelectedRoom();
   const createRoomSelected = useHomeCreateSelected();
@@ -344,6 +346,8 @@ export function Home() {
                       <RoomNavItem
                         room={room}
                         selected={selected}
+                        roomTopicPreview={roomTopicPreview}
+                        roomMessagePreview={roomMessagePreview}
                         linkPath={getHomeRoomPath(getCanonicalAliasOrRoomId(mx, roomId))}
                         notificationMode={getRoomNotificationMode(
                           notificationPreferences,
diff --git a/src/app/pages/client/space/Space.tsx b/src/app/pages/client/space/Space.tsx
index 4eb7b117c..2ccd15171 100644
--- a/src/app/pages/client/space/Space.tsx
+++ b/src/app/pages/client/space/Space.tsx
@@ -533,6 +533,9 @@ export function Space() {
    * Determines the depth limit for the joined space hierarchy and the SpaceNavItems to start appearing
    */
   const [subspaceHierarchyLimit] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'subspaceHierarchyLimit');
+  const [roomTopicPreview] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'roomTopicPreview');
+  const [roomMessagePreview] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'roomMessagePreview');
+  const [dmMessagePreview] = useSetting(settingsAtom, 'dmMessagePreview');
   /**
    * Creates an SVG used for connecting spaces to their subrooms.
    * @param virtualizedItems - The virtualized item list that will be used to render elements in the nav
@@ -826,6 +829,9 @@ export function Space() {
                         selected={selectedRoomId === roomId}
                         showAvatar={mDirects.has(roomId)}
                         direct={mDirects.has(roomId)}
+                        roomTopicPreview={roomTopicPreview}
+                        roomMessagePreview={roomMessagePreview}
+                        dmMessagePreview={dmMessagePreview}
                         linkPath={getToLink(roomId)}
                         notificationMode={getRoomNotificationMode(
                           notificationPreferences,
diff --git a/src/app/state/settings.ts b/src/app/state/settings.ts
index 05bb8e0fb..36dba8cb0 100644
--- a/src/app/state/settings.ts
+++ b/src/app/state/settings.ts
@@ -118,6 +118,9 @@ export interface Settings {
   mentionInReplies: boolean;
   showPersonaSetting: boolean;
   closeFoldersByDefault: boolean;
+  roomTopicPreview: boolean;
+  roomMessagePreview: boolean;
+  dmMessagePreview: boolean;
 
   // furry stuff
   renderAnimals: boolean;
@@ -219,6 +222,9 @@ const defaultSettings: Settings = {
   mentionInReplies: true,
   showPersonaSetting: false,
   closeFoldersByDefault: false,
+  roomTopicPreview: false,
+  roomMessagePreview: false,
+  dmMessagePreview: true,
 
   // furry stuff
   renderAnimals: true,
diff --git a/src/client/slidingSync.ts b/src/client/slidingSync.ts
index 43fdf39ea..802157123 100644
--- a/src/client/slidingSync.ts
+++ b/src/client/slidingSync.ts
@@ -34,9 +34,11 @@ export const LIST_SEARCH = 'search';
 export const LIST_ROOM_SEARCH = 'room_search';
 // Dynamic list key used for space-scoped room views.
 export const LIST_SPACE = 'space';
-// One event of timeline per list room is enough to compute unread counts;
-// the full history is loaded when the user opens the room.
-const LIST_TIMELINE_LIMIT = 1;
+// A small number of timeline events per list room. Unread counts come from
+// the server-side notification_count field, so a full history isn't needed.
+// When message previews are enabled, a higher limit (e.g. 5) avoids empty
+// timelines caused by reactions/edits whose parent event is absent.
+const DEFAULT_LIST_TIMELINE_LIMIT = 1;
 const DEFAULT_LIST_PAGE_SIZE = 250;
 const DEFAULT_POLL_TIMEOUT_MS = 20000;
 const DEFAULT_MAX_ROOMS = 5000;
@@ -50,7 +52,7 @@ const LIST_SORT_ORDER = ['by_recency', 'by_name'];
 // Encrypted rooms get [*,*] required_state; unencrypted rooms also request lazy members.
 const UNENCRYPTED_SUBSCRIPTION_KEY = 'unencrypted';
 // Timeline limit for the active-room subscription (full history load).
-// List entries always use LIST_TIMELINE_LIMIT=1 for lightweight previews.
+// List entries use a small timeline limit (default 1) for lightweight previews.
 const ACTIVE_ROOM_TIMELINE_LIMIT = 50;
 
 export type PartialSlidingSyncRequest = {
@@ -64,6 +66,7 @@ export type SlidingSyncConfig = {
   proxyBaseUrl?: string;
   bootstrapClassicOnColdCache?: boolean;
   listPageSize?: number;
+  listTimelineLimit?: number;
   timelineLimit?: number;
   pollTimeoutMs?: number;
   maxRooms?: number;
@@ -144,7 +147,7 @@ const buildUnencryptedSubscription = (timelineLimit: number): MSC3575RoomSubscri
   ],
 });
 
-const buildLists = (pageSize: number, includeInviteList: boolean): Map<string, MSC3575List> => {
+const buildLists = (pageSize: number, includeInviteList: boolean, listTimelineLimit: number): Map<string, MSC3575List> => {
   const lists = new Map<string, MSC3575List>();
   const listRequiredState = buildListRequiredState();
 
@@ -156,7 +159,7 @@ const buildLists = (pageSize: number, includeInviteList: boolean): Map<string, M
   lists.set(LIST_JOINED, {
     ranges: [[0, Math.max(0, initialRange - 1)]],
     sort: LIST_SORT_ORDER,
-    timeline_limit: LIST_TIMELINE_LIMIT,
+    timeline_limit: listTimelineLimit,
     required_state: listRequiredState,
     slow_get_all_rooms: true,
     filters: { is_invite: false },
@@ -166,7 +169,7 @@ const buildLists = (pageSize: number, includeInviteList: boolean): Map<string, M
     lists.set(LIST_INVITES, {
       ranges: [[0, Math.max(0, initialRange - 1)]],
       sort: LIST_SORT_ORDER,
-      timeline_limit: LIST_TIMELINE_LIMIT,
+      timeline_limit: listTimelineLimit,
       required_state: listRequiredState,
       slow_get_all_rooms: true,
       filters: { is_invite: true },
@@ -176,7 +179,7 @@ const buildLists = (pageSize: number, includeInviteList: boolean): Map<string, M
   lists.set(LIST_DMS, {
     ranges: [[0, Math.max(0, initialRange - 1)]],
     sort: LIST_SORT_ORDER,
-    timeline_limit: LIST_TIMELINE_LIMIT,
+    timeline_limit: listTimelineLimit,
     required_state: listRequiredState,
     slow_get_all_rooms: true,
     filters: { is_dm: true },
@@ -248,6 +251,8 @@ export class SlidingSyncManager {
 
   private readonly listPageSize: number;
 
+  private readonly listTimelineLimit: number;
+
   private readonly roomTimelineLimit: number;
 
   private readonly onConnectionChange: () => void;
@@ -300,12 +305,13 @@ export class SlidingSyncManager {
     this.maxRooms = clampPositive(config.maxRooms, DEFAULT_MAX_ROOMS);
     this.listPageSize = listPageSize;
     const includeInviteList = config.includeInviteList !== false;
+    this.listTimelineLimit = clampPositive(config.listTimelineLimit, DEFAULT_LIST_TIMELINE_LIMIT);
 
     const roomTimelineLimit = clampPositive(config.timelineLimit, ACTIVE_ROOM_TIMELINE_LIMIT);
     this.roomTimelineLimit = roomTimelineLimit;
 
     const defaultSubscription = buildEncryptedSubscription(roomTimelineLimit);
-    const lists = buildLists(listPageSize, includeInviteList);
+    const lists = buildLists(listPageSize, includeInviteList, this.listTimelineLimit);
     this.listKeys = Array.from(lists.keys());
     this.slidingSync = new SlidingSync(proxyBaseUrl, lists, defaultSubscription, mx, pollTimeoutMs);
 
@@ -717,7 +723,7 @@ export class SlidingSyncManager {
       list = {
         ranges: [[0, 20]],
         sort: LIST_SORT_ORDER,
-        timeline_limit: LIST_TIMELINE_LIMIT,
+        timeline_limit: this.listTimelineLimit,
         required_state: buildListRequiredState(),
         ...updateArgs,
       };