diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/billing/index.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/billing/index.tsx
index 4bd8e70a968..040d37b3b43 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/billing/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/billing/index.tsx
@@ -6,11 +6,19 @@ import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input'
 import { Progress } from '@/components/ui/progress'
 import { SegmentedControl } from '@/components/ui/segmented-control'
 import { Select, SelectContent, SelectItem, SelectTrigger, SelectValue } from '@/components/ui/select'
+import { Skeleton } from '@/components/ui/skeleton'
 import { BarChart3, CreditCard, ExternalLink, Package, Wrench } from '@/lib/icons'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 
 import { useRouteEnumParam } from '../../hooks/use-route-enum-param'
-import { ListRow, SectionHeading, SettingsContent, SettingsSection } from '../primitives'
+import {
+  ListRow,
+  ListRowSkeleton,
+  SectionHeading,
+  SectionHeadingSkeleton,
+  SettingsContent,
+  SettingsSection
+} from '../primitives'
 
 import { RowValue } from './account-row-value'
 import { BillingApiProvider } from './api'
@@ -412,6 +420,34 @@ function BillingHeader({
   )
 }
 
+// Loading shape for the billing overview: three summary cards over the Plan /
+// Payment & credits / Usage sections. Rendered under the real header.
+function BillingSkeleton() {
+  return (
+    <>
+      <div className="@container mb-6">
+        <div className="grid gap-3 @2xl:grid-cols-3">
+          {[0, 1, 2].map(i => (
+            <div className="min-w-0 space-y-2" key={i}>
+              <Skeleton className="h-3 w-24" />
+              <Skeleton className="h-6 w-20" />
+            </div>
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+      {[0, 1, 2].map(section => (
+        <section className="mb-6" key={section}>
+          <SectionHeadingSkeleton />
+          <div className="grid gap-1">
+            <ListRowSkeleton />
+            <ListRowSkeleton />
+          </div>
+        </section>
+      ))}
+    </>
+  )
+}
+
 function BillingSettingsContent({
   fixtureName,
   onFixtureChange
@@ -426,6 +462,18 @@ function BillingSettingsContent({
   // fixture short-circuit here.
   const billingState = useBillingState()
   const subscriptionState = useSubscriptionState()
+
+  // First load keeps the page's shape via a skeleton instead of flashing "—"
+  // summary cards (background refetches leave `isPending` false, so no flicker).
+  if (billingState.isPending) {
+    return (
+      <SettingsContent>
+        <BillingHeader fixtureName={fixtureName} onFixtureChange={onFixtureChange} />
+        <BillingSkeleton />
+      </SettingsContent>
+    )
+  }
+
   const billingResult = billingState.data
   const subscriptionResult = subscriptionState.data
   const view = deriveBillingView(billingResult, subscriptionResult)
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/config-settings.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/config-settings.tsx
index 1d8a2de0127..18fa33d744a 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/config-settings.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/config-settings.tsx
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import { enumOptionsFor, getNested, isExternalMemoryProvider, sectionFieldEntrie
 import { MemoryConnect } from './memory/connect'
 import { ProviderConfigPanel } from './memory/provider-config-panel'
 import { ModelSettings, ModelSettingsSkeleton } from './model-settings'
-import { EmptyState, LoadingState, SettingsContent, ToggleRow } from './primitives'
+import { EmptyState, SettingsContent, SettingsSkeleton, ToggleRow } from './primitives'
 
 // On the Voice page, only surface the sub-fields of the *selected* TTS/STT
 // provider — otherwise every provider's options render at once (the "totally
@@ -264,8 +264,8 @@ export function ConfigSettings({
       )
     }
 
-    // Model keeps its shape via a skeleton (its catalog fetch is the slow part);
-    // other sections are quick config/schema reads, so a light loader is fine.
+    // Every section keeps its shape via a skeleton; model gets its bespoke one
+    // (its catalog fetch is the slow part), the rest the shared field rhythm.
     if (activeSectionId === 'model') {
       return (
         <SettingsContent>
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ export function ConfigSettings({
       )
     }
 
-    return <LoadingState label={c.loading} />
+    return <SettingsSkeleton sections={[{ rows: 6 }]} />
   }
 
   const visibleFields = activeSectionId === 'voice' ? fields.filter(([key]) => voiceFieldVisible(key, config)) : fields
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/custom-endpoints-settings.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/custom-endpoints-settings.tsx
index 5943b1a7918..bea02e2bce7 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/custom-endpoints-settings.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/custom-endpoints-settings.tsx
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 import { notify, notifyError } from '@/store/notifications'
 import type { CustomEndpoint, CustomEndpointUpdate } from '@/types/hermes'
 
-import { EmptyState, LoadingState, Pill, SectionHeading, SettingsContent } from './primitives'
+import { EmptyState, Pill, SectionHeading, SettingsContent, SettingsSkeleton } from './primitives'
 
 interface CustomEndpointsSettingsProps {
   onConfigSaved?: () => void
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ export function CustomEndpointsSettings({ onConfigSaved, onMainModelChanged }: C
   }
 
   if (loading) {
-    return <LoadingState label="Loading custom endpoints..." />
+    return <SettingsSkeleton sections={[{ heading: true, rows: 3 }]} />
   }
 
   const allModelOptions = Array.from(new Set([...discoveredModels, form.model].filter(Boolean)))
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/gateway-settings.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/gateway-settings.tsx
index 008bd44d2ea..7f8b45c0e78 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/gateway-settings.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/gateway-settings.tsx
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ import { notify, notifyError } from '@/store/notifications'
 import { $profiles, refreshActiveProfile } from '@/store/profile'
 
 import { CONTROL_TEXT } from './constants'
-import { EmptyState, ListRow, LoadingState, Pill, SettingsContent } from './primitives'
+import { EmptyState, ListRow, Pill, SettingsContent, SettingsSkeleton } from './primitives'
 import { enrichSelectedSshHost, selectSshHost } from './ssh-host-selection'
 
 type Mode = 'local' | 'remote' | 'cloud' | 'ssh'
@@ -985,7 +985,7 @@ export function GatewaySettings({ embedded = false }: { embedded?: boolean } = {
   }
 
   if (loading) {
-    return <LoadingState label={g.loading} />
+    return <SettingsSkeleton sections={[{ heading: true, rows: 3 }, { heading: true, rows: 3 }]} />
   }
 
   if (!window.hermesDesktop?.getConnectionConfig) {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/keys-settings.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/keys-settings.tsx
index 15f33ca7b60..b180689a841 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/keys-settings.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/keys-settings.tsx
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import type { EnvVarInfo } from '@/types/hermes'
 import { CredentialKeyCard, credentialPlaceholder, credentialRowLabel } from './credential-key-ui'
 import { useEnvCredentials } from './env-credentials'
 import { asText } from './helpers'
-import { LoadingState, SettingsContent } from './primitives'
+import { SettingsContent, SettingsSkeleton } from './primitives'
 import { useDeepLinkHighlight } from './use-deep-link-highlight'
 
 // Sub-views surfaced as sidebar subnav under Tools & Keys (see settings/index.tsx).
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ export function KeysSettings({ view }: KeysSettingsProps) {
   }, [vars])
 
   if (!vars) {
-    return <LoadingState label={t.settings.keys.loading} />
+    return <SettingsSkeleton sections={[{ rows: 5 }]} />
   }
 
   const visible = groups.filter(g => g.category === view)
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/pet-settings.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/pet-settings.tsx
index 6c2932cd545..c02b6619375 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/pet-settings.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/pet-settings.tsx
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { ConfirmDialog } from '@/components/ui/confirm-dialog'
 import { Dialog, DialogContent, DialogFooter, DialogHeader, DialogTitle } from '@/components/ui/dialog'
 import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input'
 import { SegmentedControl } from '@/components/ui/segmented-control'
+import { Skeleton } from '@/components/ui/skeleton'
 import { Tip } from '@/components/ui/tooltip'
 import { useI18n } from '@/i18n'
 import { triggerHaptic } from '@/lib/haptics'
@@ -139,7 +140,21 @@ export function PetSettings() {
               {/* Fixed-height scroll area so filtering never grows/shrinks the
                   page (no layout thrash); the grid scrolls inside it. */}
               <div className="mt-3 h-72 overflow-y-auto pr-1">
-                {pets.length === 0 ? (
+                {status === 'loading' && pets.length === 0 ? (
+                  // First load keeps the grid's shape rather than flashing the
+                  // "unreachable" copy before the gallery has even arrived.
+                  <div className="grid gap-2 sm:grid-cols-2 xl:grid-cols-3">
+                    {Array.from({ length: 6 }, (_, i) => (
+                      <div className="flex items-center gap-2.5 px-2.5 py-2" key={i}>
+                        <Skeleton className="size-10 shrink-0 rounded-md" />
+                        <div className="min-w-0 flex-1 space-y-1.5">
+                          <Skeleton className="h-3.5 w-24 max-w-full" />
+                          <Skeleton className="h-3 w-16 max-w-full" />
+                        </div>
+                      </div>
+                    ))}
+                  </div>
+                ) : pets.length === 0 ? (
                   <p className="text-[length:var(--conversation-caption-font-size)] text-(--ui-text-tertiary)">
                     {copy.unreachable}
                   </p>
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/primitives.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/primitives.tsx
index 8654ce784f7..11d169f5298 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/primitives.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/primitives.tsx
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import type { ReactNode } from 'react'
 
-import { PageLoader } from '@/components/page-loader'
 import { Badge } from '@/components/ui/badge'
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
+import { Skeleton } from '@/components/ui/skeleton'
 import { Switch } from '@/components/ui/switch'
 import { triggerHaptic } from '@/lib/haptics'
 import type { IconComponent } from '@/lib/icons'
@@ -180,16 +180,55 @@ export function ToggleRow({
   )
 }
 
-// The settings panels render this as the sole child of the top-padded
-// OverlayMain (pt = titlebar + 1rem, no bottom pad — see settings/index.tsx).
-// Cancel that top pad so the loader centers in the whole card, not just the
-// band beneath it. Inline loaders (mid-panel) should use <PageLoader> directly.
-export function LoadingState({ label }: { label: string }) {
+// Skeleton primitives mirroring the settings layout rhythm — a loading page keeps
+// its shape (like ModelSettings) instead of collapsing to a centered spinner.
+export function SectionHeadingSkeleton() {
   return (
-    <PageLoader
-      className="-mt-[calc(var(--titlebar-height)+1rem)] h-[calc(100%+var(--titlebar-height)+1rem)]"
-      label={label}
-    />
+    <div className="mb-2.5 flex items-center gap-2 pt-2">
+      <Skeleton className="size-4" />
+      <Skeleton className="h-4 w-36 max-w-full" />
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
+export function ListRowSkeleton({ wide = false }: { wide?: boolean }) {
+  return (
+    <div className="@container">
+      <div className={cn('grid gap-3 py-3', !wide && '@2xl:grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_minmax(15rem,22rem)] @2xl:items-center')}>
+        <div className="min-w-0 space-y-1.5">
+          <Skeleton className="h-3.5 w-40 max-w-full" />
+          <Skeleton className="h-3 w-64 max-w-full" />
+        </div>
+        {!wide && <Skeleton className="h-8 w-full @2xl:w-72 @2xl:justify-self-end" />}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
+// A full settings page in its loading shape: an optional leading search field
+// over one or more sections, each an optional heading above a run of rows.
+// `<SettingsSkeleton search sections={[{ heading, rows }]} />`.
+export function SettingsSkeleton({
+  search = false,
+  sections = [{ rows: 4 }]
+}: {
+  search?: boolean
+  sections?: { heading?: boolean; rows: number }[]
+}) {
+  return (
+    <SettingsContent>
+      {search && <Skeleton className="mb-3 h-8 w-full" />}
+      {sections.map((section, i) => (
+        <section className={cn(i > 0 && 'mt-6')} key={i}>
+          {section.heading && <SectionHeadingSkeleton />}
+          <div className="grid gap-1">
+            {Array.from({ length: section.rows }, (_, r) => (
+              <ListRowSkeleton key={r} />
+            ))}
+          </div>
+        </section>
+      ))}
+    </SettingsContent>
   )
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/providers-settings.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/providers-settings.tsx
index 8bf5cf65db0..9fb69784ec4 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/providers-settings.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/providers-settings.tsx
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ import { isKeyVar, ProviderKeyRows } from './credential-key-ui'
 import { CustomEndpointsSettings } from './custom-endpoints-settings'
 import { SettingsCategoryHeading, useEnvCredentials } from './env-credentials'
 import { providerGroup, providerMeta, providerPriority } from './helpers'
-import { LoadingState, SettingsContent } from './primitives'
+import { SettingsContent, SettingsSkeleton } from './primitives'
 
 // The embedded terminal (and thus the "run disconnect command" path) only
 // exists in the Electron desktop shell, not the web dashboard.
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ export function ProvidersSettings({
   }
 
   if (!vars) {
-    return <LoadingState label={t.settings.providers.loading} />
+    return <SettingsSkeleton search sections={[{ rows: 6 }]} />
   }
 
   const hasOauth = oauthProviders.length > 0
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/sessions-settings.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/sessions-settings.tsx
index 06df90e6bac..9102014b8ed 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/sessions-settings.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/settings/sessions-settings.tsx
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import { untombstoneSessions } from '@/store/projects'
 import { applyConfiguredDefaultProjectDir, ensureDefaultWorkspaceCwd, setSessions } from '@/store/session'
 import type { SessionInfo } from '@/types/hermes'
 
-import { EmptyState, ListRow, LoadingState, SectionHeading, SettingsContent } from './primitives'
+import { EmptyState, ListRow, SectionHeading, SettingsContent, SettingsSkeleton } from './primitives'
 import { useDeepLinkHighlight } from './use-deep-link-highlight'
 
 const ARCHIVED_FETCH_LIMIT = 200
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ export function SessionsSettings() {
   })
 
   if (loading) {
-    return <LoadingState label={s.loading} />
+    return <SettingsSkeleton sections={[{ rows: 1 }, { heading: true, rows: 4 }]} />
   }
 
   return (