diff --git a/js/ui/components/EditModal.js b/js/ui/components/EditModal.js
index 51fdd842..c441a00a 100644
--- a/js/ui/components/EditModal.js
+++ b/js/ui/components/EditModal.js
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ export class EditModal {
     storageService = null,
     getCurrentPubkey = null,
     safeEncodeNpub = null,
+    ensureSigner = null,
     eventTarget,
     container,
   } = {}) {
@@ -39,6 +40,9 @@ export class EditModal {
     this.storageService = storageService || null;
     this.getCurrentPubkey =
       typeof getCurrentPubkey === "function" ? getCurrentPubkey : null;
+    // Shared signer gate (#56): lets the "Replace file" pickers unlock storage
+    // inline (cached keep-unlocked key or one passphrase prompt).
+    this.ensureSigner = typeof ensureSigner === "function" ? ensureSigner : null;
     this.mediaUploader = new MediaUploader({
       r2Service,
       s3Service,
diff --git a/js/ui/components/UploadModal.js b/js/ui/components/UploadModal.js
index 05787993..28d45373 100644
--- a/js/ui/components/UploadModal.js
+++ b/js/ui/components/UploadModal.js
@@ -27,6 +27,11 @@ import {
 } from "../../nostrClientFacade.js";
 import { UI_FEEDBACK_DELAY_MS } from "../../constants.js";
 import { showConfirm } from "../confirmDialog.js";
+import {
+  ensureStorageUnlockedForUpload,
+  resetThumbnailPicker,
+  promptStoredNsecUnlock,
+} from "./uploadModalStorageUnlock.js";
 
 const INFO_HASH_PATTERN = /^[a-f0-9]{40}$/;
 
@@ -55,6 +60,7 @@ export class UploadModal {
     container,
     onRequestStorageSettings,
     onRequestUnlock,
+    ensureSigner,
     getHashtagSuggestions,
   } = {}) {
     this.authService = authService || null;
@@ -96,6 +102,10 @@ export class UploadModal {
     // Opens the login modal's unlock-saved-key (passphrase) flow — used when a
     // persisted nsec session is locked after a reload.
     this.onRequestUnlock = typeof onRequestUnlock === "function" ? onRequestUnlock : null;
+    // Shared signer gate (app.ensureEncryptionCapableSigner): silently restores a
+    // kept-unlocked key or shows ONE passphrase prompt, so the file pickers can
+    // unlock storage inline instead of dead-ending (#56).
+    this.ensureSigner = typeof ensureSigner === "function" ? ensureSigner : null;
 
     this.root = null;
     this.isVisible = false;
@@ -530,9 +540,13 @@ export class UploadModal {
           return;
       }
       if (!this.isStorageUnlocked) {
-          this.showError("Please unlock storage before selecting a file.");
-          e.target.value = "";
-          return;
+          // #56: unlock inline (silent restore or one passphrase prompt) and
+          // continue with this same file pick instead of erroring.
+          const unlocked = await this.ensureStorageUnlockedForUpload();
+          if (!unlocked) {
+              e.target.value = "";
+              return;
+          }
       }
 
       // Start new session
@@ -628,12 +642,19 @@ export class UploadModal {
   }
 
   async handleThumbnailSelection(file) {
-      if (!this.storageConfigured || !this.isStorageUnlocked) {
-          // We can't upload yet. Just hold it in state or warn?
-          // Since UI disables the browse button until unlocked (mostly), we assume safe.
-          // But if they just unlocked, we're good.
+      if (!this.storageConfigured) {
+          this.showError("Configure storage before uploading a thumbnail.");
+          this.resetThumbnailPicker();
           return;
       }
+      if (!this.isStorageUnlocked) {
+          // #56: prompt to unlock inline instead of silently dropping the pick.
+          const unlocked = await this.ensureStorageUnlockedForUpload();
+          if (!unlocked) {
+              this.resetThumbnailPicker();
+              return;
+          }
+      }
 
       const currentUploadId = ++this.thumbnailUploadId;
 
@@ -1011,41 +1032,18 @@ export class UploadModal {
       }
   }
 
-  // Returns true if a locked persisted-nsec session was detected (for the active
-  // account) and the re-unlock (passphrase) flow was opened, so the caller can stop.
+  // #36 / #56 storage-unlock glue lives in uploadModalStorageUnlock.js (file-size
+  // budget); these stay as instance methods so callers/tests are unchanged.
+  async ensureStorageUnlockedForUpload() {
+      return ensureStorageUnlockedForUpload(this);
+  }
+
+  resetThumbnailPicker() {
+      resetThumbnailPicker(this);
+  }
+
   promptStoredNsecUnlock(pubkey) {
-      const client = this.authService?.nostrClient;
-      if (!client || typeof client.getStoredSessionActorMetadata !== "function") {
-          return false;
-      }
-      let meta = null;
-      try {
-          meta = client.getStoredSessionActorMetadata();
-      } catch (err) {
-          return false;
-      }
-      if (!meta || meta.hasEncryptedKey !== true || meta.source !== "nsec") {
-          return false;
-      }
-      const metaPubkey =
-          typeof meta.pubkey === "string" ? meta.pubkey.trim().toLowerCase() : "";
-      const activePubkey =
-          typeof pubkey === "string" ? pubkey.trim().toLowerCase() : "";
-      if (activePubkey && metaPubkey && metaPubkey !== activePubkey) {
-          return false;
-      }
-      if (typeof this.onRequestUnlock !== "function") {
-          return false;
-      }
-      this.showError(
-          "Your saved key is locked after reloading. Re-enter your passphrase to unlock it, then try the upload again.",
-      );
-      try {
-          this.onRequestUnlock();
-      } catch (err) {
-          userLogger.warn("[UploadModal] Failed to open saved-key unlock flow:", err);
-      }
-      return true;
+      return promptStoredNsecUnlock(this, pubkey);
   }
 
   updateLockUi() {
diff --git a/js/ui/components/editModalUpload.js b/js/ui/components/editModalUpload.js
index 5317e731..d75a3ca2 100644
--- a/js/ui/components/editModalUpload.js
+++ b/js/ui/components/editModalUpload.js
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@
 // and its rendered root (`context`).
 
 import { devLogger, userLogger } from "../../utils/logger.js";
+import {
+  getActiveSigner,
+  requestDefaultExtensionPermissions,
+} from "../../nostrClientFacade.js";
 
 // Set a field's value AND mark it edited/unlocked so EditModal.collect treats it
 // as a user change (isEditing() reads readOnly===false || dataset.isEditing).
@@ -24,7 +28,8 @@ function setStatus(el, text) {
 
 // Resolve the active storage connection and surface a user-facing reason when
 // upload isn't possible. Returns the connection on success, null otherwise.
-async function ensureUploadable(modal) {
+// `deps` are injectable for tests only.
+export async function ensureUploadable(modal, deps = {}) {
   if (!modal.mediaUploader) {
     modal.showError("Uploads are unavailable in this view.");
     return null;
@@ -40,7 +45,88 @@ async function ensureUploadable(modal) {
     return null;
   }
   if (!conn.unlocked || !conn.credentials) {
-    modal.showError("Unlock your storage in the profile modal, then try again.");
+    // #56: unlock inline (kept-unlocked restore or one passphrase prompt) and
+    // continue with this same file pick instead of bouncing the user to the
+    // profile modal.
+    return tryInlineStorageUnlock(modal, deps);
+  }
+  return conn;
+}
+
+const UNLOCK_FALLBACK_MESSAGE =
+  "Unlock your storage in the profile modal, then try again.";
+
+async function tryInlineStorageUnlock(modal, deps = {}) {
+  const getSigner =
+    typeof deps.getSigner === "function" ? deps.getSigner : getActiveSigner;
+  const requestPermissions =
+    typeof deps.requestPermissions === "function"
+      ? deps.requestPermissions
+      : requestDefaultExtensionPermissions;
+
+  const pubkey =
+    typeof modal.getCurrentPubkey === "function" ? modal.getCurrentPubkey() : null;
+  if (!pubkey || !modal.storageService) {
+    modal.showError(UNLOCK_FALLBACK_MESSAGE);
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  if (typeof modal.ensureSigner === "function") {
+    let gate = null;
+    try {
+      gate = await modal.ensureSigner({
+        pubkey,
+        need: "encrypt",
+        promptMessage:
+          "Re-enter your PIN / passphrase to unlock storage for this upload.",
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      devLogger.warn("[editModalUpload] Signer gate failed:", error);
+    }
+    if (gate && gate.ok !== true) {
+      // Cancel aborts quietly; a bad passphrase already showed its own toast.
+      if (gate.reason !== "cancelled" && gate.reason !== "bad-passphrase") {
+        modal.showError(UNLOCK_FALLBACK_MESSAGE);
+      }
+      return null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  const signer = getSigner();
+  if (
+    !signer ||
+    (typeof signer.nip44Decrypt !== "function" &&
+      typeof signer.nip04Decrypt !== "function")
+  ) {
+    modal.showError(UNLOCK_FALLBACK_MESSAGE);
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  try {
+    if (signer.type === "extension" || signer.type === "nip07") {
+      const permissionResult = await requestPermissions();
+      if (!permissionResult?.ok) {
+        modal.showError("Extension permissions are required to unlock storage.");
+        return null;
+      }
+    }
+    await modal.storageService.unlock(pubkey, { signer });
+  } catch (error) {
+    userLogger.error("[editModalUpload] Storage unlock failed:", error);
+    modal.showError(
+      "Failed to unlock storage: " + (error?.message || String(error)),
+    );
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  let conn = null;
+  try {
+    conn = await modal.mediaUploader.resolveActiveConnection();
+  } catch (error) {
+    devLogger.warn("[editModalUpload] Failed to re-resolve storage connection:", error);
+  }
+  if (!conn?.unlocked || !conn?.credentials) {
+    modal.showError(UNLOCK_FALLBACK_MESSAGE);
     return null;
   }
   return conn;
diff --git a/js/ui/components/uploadModalStorageUnlock.js b/js/ui/components/uploadModalStorageUnlock.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f5b4a1f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/js/ui/components/uploadModalStorageUnlock.js
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+// js/ui/components/uploadModalStorageUnlock.js
+//
+// Storage-unlock glue for the Upload modal (#36 / #56), kept out of
+// UploadModal.js to stay within its file-size budget. Every function operates
+// on the UploadModal instance (`modal`); UploadModal exposes them as thin
+// prototype delegates so callers and tests keep using the instance methods.
+
+import { devLogger, userLogger } from "../../utils/logger.js";
+
+// #56: the file pickers unlock storage inline instead of dead-ending. The
+// shared signer gate (app.ensureEncryptionCapableSigner) restores a cached
+// keep-unlocked key silently or shows ONE passphrase prompt; handleUnlock
+// then unlocks storage with the restored signer (extension permissions +
+// credential reload included). Returns true when the upload can proceed.
+// Cancel / bad-passphrase abort quietly (the gate surfaces its own toast for
+// a wrong passphrase); other gate failures fall through to handleUnlock so
+// its existing messaging (saved-key flow / "no signer") still applies.
+export async function ensureStorageUnlockedForUpload(modal) {
+  if (!modal.storageService) return false;
+  const pubkey = modal.getCurrentPubkey ? modal.getCurrentPubkey() : null;
+  if (!pubkey) return false;
+
+  if (!modal.storageService.isUnlocked(pubkey)) {
+    if (typeof modal.ensureSigner === "function") {
+      let gate = null;
+      try {
+        gate = await modal.ensureSigner({
+          pubkey,
+          need: "encrypt",
+          promptMessage:
+            "Re-enter your PIN / passphrase to unlock storage for this upload.",
+        });
+      } catch (error) {
+        devLogger?.warn?.("[UploadModal] Signer gate failed:", error);
+      }
+      if (
+        gate &&
+        gate.ok !== true &&
+        (gate.reason === "cancelled" || gate.reason === "bad-passphrase")
+      ) {
+        return false;
+      }
+    }
+    await modal.handleUnlock();
+  }
+
+  const unlocked = modal.storageService.isUnlocked(pubkey);
+  if (unlocked && (!modal.isStorageUnlocked || !modal.activeCredentials)) {
+    modal.isStorageUnlocked = true;
+    modal.updateLockUi();
+    await modal.loadFromStorage();
+  }
+  modal.isStorageUnlocked = unlocked;
+  return unlocked;
+}
+
+// Undo the picker-side effects of a thumbnail selection that couldn't upload
+// (placeholder shows the picked filename and the URL input is disabled).
+export function resetThumbnailPicker(modal) {
+  if (modal.inputs?.thumbnailFile) {
+    modal.inputs.thumbnailFile.value = "";
+  }
+  const thumbnail = modal.inputs?.thumbnail;
+  if (thumbnail) {
+    thumbnail.placeholder = "https://example.com/thumbnail.jpg";
+    thumbnail.disabled = false;
+  }
+}
+
+// Returns true if a locked persisted-nsec session was detected (for the active
+// account) and the re-unlock (passphrase) flow was opened, so the caller can
+// stop instead of dead-ending with "No signer available".
+export function promptStoredNsecUnlock(modal, pubkey) {
+  const client = modal.authService?.nostrClient;
+  if (!client || typeof client.getStoredSessionActorMetadata !== "function") {
+    return false;
+  }
+  let meta = null;
+  try {
+    meta = client.getStoredSessionActorMetadata();
+  } catch (err) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (!meta || meta.hasEncryptedKey !== true || meta.source !== "nsec") {
+    return false;
+  }
+  const metaPubkey =
+    typeof meta.pubkey === "string" ? meta.pubkey.trim().toLowerCase() : "";
+  const activePubkey =
+    typeof pubkey === "string" ? pubkey.trim().toLowerCase() : "";
+  if (activePubkey && metaPubkey && metaPubkey !== activePubkey) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (typeof modal.onRequestUnlock !== "function") {
+    return false;
+  }
+  modal.showError(
+    "Your saved key is locked after reloading. Re-enter your passphrase to unlock it, then try the upload again.",
+  );
+  try {
+    modal.onRequestUnlock();
+  } catch (err) {
+    userLogger.warn("[UploadModal] Failed to open saved-key unlock flow:", err);
+  }
+  return true;
+}
diff --git a/js/ui/initEditModal.js b/js/ui/initEditModal.js
index 2f4cc9bb..78244c7d 100644
--- a/js/ui/initEditModal.js
+++ b/js/ui/initEditModal.js
@@ -51,6 +51,12 @@ export function initEditModal({
       storageService,
       getCurrentPubkey,
       safeEncodeNpub,
+      // Shared signer gate (#56): lets the "Replace file" pickers unlock storage
+      // inline (cached keep-unlocked key or one passphrase prompt).
+      ensureSigner: (options) =>
+        typeof app?.ensureEncryptionCapableSigner === "function"
+          ? app.ensureEncryptionCapableSigner(options)
+          : null,
       eventTarget: events,
       container,
     });
diff --git a/js/ui/initUploadModal.js b/js/ui/initUploadModal.js
index 06ccc9e8..c70e9d6d 100644
--- a/js/ui/initUploadModal.js
+++ b/js/ui/initUploadModal.js
@@ -61,6 +61,12 @@ export function initUploadModal({
           app.profileController.show("storage");
         }
       },
+      // Shared signer gate (#56): restores a kept-unlocked key silently or shows
+      // one passphrase prompt so the file pickers can unlock storage inline.
+      ensureSigner: (options) =>
+        typeof app?.ensureEncryptionCapableSigner === "function"
+          ? app.ensureEncryptionCapableSigner(options)
+          : null,
       // Open the login modal's unlock-saved-key (passphrase) flow when a persisted
       // nsec session is locked after a reload.
       onRequestUnlock: () => {
diff --git a/tests/upload-edit-storage-unlock-gate.test.mjs b/tests/upload-edit-storage-unlock-gate.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a90912e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/upload-edit-storage-unlock-gate.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,247 @@
+// #56: when storage is locked, the upload modal's file pickers and the edit
+// modal's "Replace file" pickers must unlock inline — silent kept-unlocked
+// restore or ONE passphrase prompt via the shared signer gate — and continue
+// with the same file pick, instead of dead-ending ("Please unlock storage…",
+// a silent no-op, or "Unlock your storage in the profile modal").
+//
+// test_integrity_note:
+//   change_type: ["new_tests"]
+//   scenarios:
+//     - id: SCN-upload-picker-inline-unlock
+//       given: "storage locked for the active pubkey; a signer gate that succeeds / is cancelled / fails"
+//       when: "ensureStorageUnlockedForUpload / handleThumbnailSelection run"
+//       then: "gate ok -> storage unlocked and pick proceeds; cancel/bad-passphrase -> quiet abort; other failures fall through to the regular unlock messaging"
+//     - id: SCN-edit-replace-file-inline-unlock
+//       given: "the edit modal's resolved storage connection is locked"
+//       when: "ensureUploadable runs"
+//       then: "the gate + storageService.unlock run and the re-resolved unlocked connection is returned; cancel aborts without unlocking"
+//   observable_outcomes:
+//     - "storageService.unlock called exactly when the gate allows it"
+//     - "cancelled gate -> no unlock attempt, no error toast"
+//     - "thumbnail picker state reset when the unlock is refused"
+//   determinism_controls:
+//     - "pure fake ctx objects; no DOM, no timers, no network"
+//   anti_cheat_rationale:
+//     prevents: ["hard-coded return value", "over-mocking internal logic"]
+//   relaxation:
+//     did_relax_any_assertion: false
+
+import test from "node:test";
+import { strict as assert } from "node:assert";
+import { UploadModal } from "../js/ui/components/UploadModal.js";
+import { ensureUploadable } from "../js/ui/components/editModalUpload.js";
+
+const PUBKEY = "a".repeat(64);
+const ensureUnlocked = UploadModal.prototype.ensureStorageUnlockedForUpload;
+const handleThumb = UploadModal.prototype.handleThumbnailSelection;
+
+// --- UploadModal.ensureStorageUnlockedForUpload ---
+
+function makeUploadCtx({ unlockedAfterHandleUnlock = true, gate } = {}) {
+  const calls = { handleUnlock: 0, loadFromStorage: 0, errors: [], gates: [] };
+  let unlocked = false;
+  const ctx = {
+    getCurrentPubkey: () => PUBKEY,
+    storageService: { isUnlocked: () => unlocked },
+    ensureSigner:
+      gate === undefined
+        ? null
+        : async (options) => {
+            calls.gates.push(options);
+            return gate;
+          },
+    handleUnlock: async () => {
+      calls.handleUnlock += 1;
+      if (unlockedAfterHandleUnlock) unlocked = true;
+    },
+    updateLockUi: () => {},
+    loadFromStorage: async () => {
+      calls.loadFromStorage += 1;
+      ctx.activeCredentials = { accessKeyId: "k" };
+    },
+    showError: (m) => calls.errors.push(m),
+    isStorageUnlocked: false,
+    activeCredentials: null,
+  };
+  return { ctx, calls, setUnlocked: (v) => (unlocked = v) };
+}
+
+test("upload picker: gate ok -> unlocks via handleUnlock and proceeds", async () => {
+  const { ctx, calls } = makeUploadCtx({ gate: { ok: true } });
+  const result = await ensureUnlocked.call(ctx);
+  assert.equal(result, true);
+  assert.equal(calls.gates.length, 1, "signer gate consulted once");
+  assert.equal(calls.gates[0].need, "encrypt");
+  assert.equal(calls.gates[0].pubkey, PUBKEY);
+  assert.equal(calls.handleUnlock, 1, "storage unlock ran after the gate");
+  assert.equal(ctx.isStorageUnlocked, true);
+  assert.equal(calls.errors.length, 0);
+});
+
+test("upload picker: cancelled gate aborts quietly (no unlock, no toast)", async () => {
+  const { ctx, calls } = makeUploadCtx({
+    gate: { ok: false, reason: "cancelled" },
+  });
+  assert.equal(await ensureUnlocked.call(ctx), false);
+  assert.equal(calls.handleUnlock, 0, "no unlock attempt after cancel");
+  assert.equal(calls.errors.length, 0, "cancel is silent");
+  assert.equal(ctx.isStorageUnlocked, false);
+});
+
+test("upload picker: bad passphrase aborts without a second toast", async () => {
+  const { ctx, calls } = makeUploadCtx({
+    gate: { ok: false, reason: "bad-passphrase" },
+  });
+  assert.equal(await ensureUnlocked.call(ctx), false);
+  assert.equal(calls.handleUnlock, 0);
+  assert.equal(calls.errors.length, 0, "the gate already showed its own toast");
+});
+
+test("upload picker: non-user gate failures fall through to handleUnlock's messaging", async () => {
+  const { ctx, calls } = makeUploadCtx({
+    gate: { ok: false, reason: "no-stored-key" },
+    unlockedAfterHandleUnlock: false,
+  });
+  assert.equal(await ensureUnlocked.call(ctx), false);
+  assert.equal(calls.handleUnlock, 1, "regular unlock path still runs");
+});
+
+test("upload picker: already-unlocked storage loads credentials without any gate", async () => {
+  const { ctx, calls, setUnlocked } = makeUploadCtx({ gate: { ok: true } });
+  setUnlocked(true);
+  assert.equal(await ensureUnlocked.call(ctx), true);
+  assert.equal(calls.gates.length, 0, "no prompt when storage is already unlocked");
+  assert.equal(calls.handleUnlock, 0);
+  assert.equal(calls.loadFromStorage, 1, "stale credentials refreshed");
+  assert.ok(ctx.activeCredentials);
+});
+
+test("thumbnail pick while locked: refused unlock resets the picker, no upload", async () => {
+  const calls = { reset: 0, uploads: 0 };
+  const ctx = {
+    storageConfigured: true,
+    isStorageUnlocked: false,
+    ensureStorageUnlockedForUpload: async () => false,
+    resetThumbnailPicker: () => {
+      calls.reset += 1;
+    },
+    mediaUploader: {
+      uploadThumbnail: async () => {
+        calls.uploads += 1;
+        return { url: "https://x/thumb.jpg" };
+      },
+    },
+    showError: () => {},
+  };
+  await handleThumb.call(ctx, { name: "t.jpg" });
+  assert.equal(calls.reset, 1, "picker state restored");
+  assert.equal(calls.uploads, 0, "upload never started");
+});
+
+// --- editModalUpload.ensureUploadable (Edit modal "Replace file") ---
+
+function makeEditCtx({ gate, unlockThrows = false } = {}) {
+  const calls = { unlock: [], errors: [], gates: [], resolves: 0 };
+  let unlocked = false;
+  const conn = () => ({
+    configured: true,
+    unlocked,
+    credentials: unlocked ? { accessKeyId: "k" } : null,
+    provider: "s3",
+  });
+  const modal = {
+    mediaUploader: {
+      resolveActiveConnection: async () => {
+        calls.resolves += 1;
+        return conn();
+      },
+    },
+    storageService: {
+      unlock: async (pubkey, opts) => {
+        calls.unlock.push({ pubkey, signer: opts?.signer });
+        if (unlockThrows) throw new Error("boom");
+        unlocked = true;
+      },
+    },
+    getCurrentPubkey: () => PUBKEY,
+    ensureSigner:
+      gate === undefined
+        ? null
+        : async (options) => {
+            calls.gates.push(options);
+            return gate;
+          },
+    showError: (m) => calls.errors.push(m),
+  };
+  return { modal, calls };
+}
+
+const capableSigner = { nip44Decrypt: () => "x" };
+
+test("edit replace-file: locked connection unlocks inline and returns the live connection", async () => {
+  const { modal, calls } = makeEditCtx({ gate: { ok: true } });
+  const conn = await ensureUploadable(modal, { getSigner: () => capableSigner });
+  assert.ok(conn, "connection returned");
+  assert.equal(conn.unlocked, true);
+  assert.ok(conn.credentials, "credentials present after inline unlock");
+  assert.equal(calls.gates.length, 1, "signer gate consulted");
+  assert.deepEqual(calls.unlock[0].pubkey, PUBKEY);
+  assert.equal(calls.errors.length, 0);
+  assert.equal(calls.resolves, 2, "connection re-resolved after the unlock");
+});
+
+test("edit replace-file: cancelled gate aborts without touching storage", async () => {
+  const { modal, calls } = makeEditCtx({
+    gate: { ok: false, reason: "cancelled" },
+  });
+  const conn = await ensureUploadable(modal, { getSigner: () => capableSigner });
+  assert.equal(conn, null);
+  assert.equal(calls.unlock.length, 0, "no unlock attempt after cancel");
+  assert.equal(calls.errors.length, 0, "cancel is silent");
+});
+
+test("edit replace-file: no gate + no capable signer keeps the actionable profile-modal message", async () => {
+  const { modal, calls } = makeEditCtx({});
+  const conn = await ensureUploadable(modal, { getSigner: () => null });
+  assert.equal(conn, null);
+  assert.equal(calls.unlock.length, 0);
+  assert.equal(calls.errors.length, 1);
+  assert.match(calls.errors[0], /profile modal/i);
+});
+
+test("edit replace-file: extension signer requests permissions before unlocking", async () => {
+  const { modal, calls } = makeEditCtx({ gate: { ok: true } });
+  let permissionAsks = 0;
+  const conn = await ensureUploadable(modal, {
+    getSigner: () => ({ type: "extension", nip04Decrypt: () => "x" }),
+    requestPermissions: async () => {
+      permissionAsks += 1;
+      return { ok: true };
+    },
+  });
+  assert.ok(conn);
+  assert.equal(permissionAsks, 1, "permissions requested for extension signers");
+  assert.equal(calls.unlock.length, 1);
+});
+
+test("edit replace-file: unlock failure surfaces the error and returns null", async () => {
+  const { modal, calls } = makeEditCtx({ gate: { ok: true }, unlockThrows: true });
+  const conn = await ensureUploadable(modal, { getSigner: () => capableSigner });
+  assert.equal(conn, null);
+  assert.equal(calls.errors.length, 1);
+  assert.match(calls.errors[0], /Failed to unlock storage/);
+});
+
+test("edit replace-file: an already-unlocked connection passes straight through", async () => {
+  const { modal, calls } = makeEditCtx({ gate: { ok: true } });
+  modal.mediaUploader.resolveActiveConnection = async () => ({
+    configured: true,
+    unlocked: true,
+    credentials: { accessKeyId: "k" },
+    provider: "s3",
+  });
+  const conn = await ensureUploadable(modal, { getSigner: () => capableSigner });
+  assert.ok(conn);
+  assert.equal(calls.gates.length, 0, "no prompt when already unlocked");
+  assert.equal(calls.unlock.length, 0);
+});