diff --git a/chat-summaries/2026-03-09_06-00-summary.md b/chat-summaries/2026-03-09_06-00-summary.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c551db52
--- /dev/null
+++ b/chat-summaries/2026-03-09_06-00-summary.md
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+# Fix Idle Freeze: NTP Power Lock and Clock Refresh Hardening
+
+**Date**: 2026-03-09
+
+## Task Description
+
+Fix device freeze during idle, where the device stops responding to button presses after idling on the Home screen and requires a hard reset. Root cause was the mod-specific clock refresh logic in the main loop triggering a display render while the CPU is at reduced frequency (10 MHz low-power mode), combined with the background BootNtpSync task running WiFi/NTP operations without holding a power lock.
+
+## Root Cause
+
+The freeze coincides with the clock minute boundary. The mod's clock refresh code detects the minute change and calls `activityManager.requestUpdate()`, triggering a Home screen render while the CPU is at 10 MHz. SPI display operations at reduced APB frequency can deadlock the display communication. Additionally, `BootNtpSync` runs WiFi/NTP on a background task with no power lock, risking instability during WiFi teardown when the main loop may enter low-power mode.
+
+## Changes Made
+
+### 1. `src/util/BootNtpSync.cpp`
+- Added `#include <HalPowerManager.h>` 
+- Added `HalPowerManager::Lock powerLock;` at the top of `taskFunc()` to keep the CPU at full speed for the entire duration of WiFi scanning, connection, NTP sync, and teardown
+
+### 2. `src/main.cpp` (clock refresh block, ~lines 408-428)
+- In the `sawInvalidTime` branch: added `lastActivityTime = millis()` and `powerManager.setPowerSaving(false)` before calling `requestUpdate()`
+- In the minute-change branch: added `lastActivityTime = millis()` and `powerManager.setPowerSaving(false)` before calling `requestUpdate()`
+- This ensures the CPU is restored to 160 MHz before any render-related code executes and prevents immediate re-entry into low-power mode
+
+## Follow-up Items
+
+- Verify on device that the freeze no longer occurs after idling for extended periods
+- Monitor heap usage to confirm the power lock doesn't introduce memory issues
+- Test that NTP sync still completes successfully with the power lock in place
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 0924681f..110e95d7 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -416,9 +416,13 @@ void loop() {
       if (lastRenderedMinute < 0) {
         lastRenderedMinute = currentMinute;
         if (sawInvalidTime) {
+          lastActivityTime = millis();
+          powerManager.setPowerSaving(false);
           activityManager.requestUpdate();
         }
       } else if (currentMinute != lastRenderedMinute) {
+        lastActivityTime = millis();
+        powerManager.setPowerSaving(false);
         activityManager.requestUpdate();
         lastRenderedMinute = currentMinute;
       }
diff --git a/src/util/BootNtpSync.cpp b/src/util/BootNtpSync.cpp
index c4627201..61ef904c 100644
--- a/src/util/BootNtpSync.cpp
+++ b/src/util/BootNtpSync.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 
 #include "CrossPointSettings.h"
 #include "WifiCredentialStore.h"
+#include <HalPowerManager.h>
 #include "util/TimeSync.h"
 
 namespace BootNtpSync {
@@ -93,6 +94,7 @@ static bool tryConnectToSavedNetwork(const TaskParams& params) {
 }
 
 static void taskFunc(void* param) {
+  HalPowerManager::Lock powerLock;
   auto* params = static_cast<TaskParams*>(param);
 
   bool connected = tryConnectToSavedNetwork(*params);