diff --git a/apps/web/src/lib/use-live-feed.ts b/apps/web/src/lib/use-live-feed.ts
index 4098d38..940435a 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/lib/use-live-feed.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/lib/use-live-feed.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,14 @@ type WsMessage =
   | { kind: "plate-recognized"; plate: { identity: string; plate: string; direction: "entry" | "exit" } };
 
 
-export function useLiveFeed(): void {
+/**
+ * @param enabled Gate on the WATCHER permission (`report:read` — mirrors the server's
+ *   WS guard in routes/ws.ts). A user whose role lacks it (e.g. a merchant validator
+ *   with only `validation:create`) must not attempt the socket at all: the server
+ *   403s the upgrade and the capped-backoff reconnect would otherwise hammer it
+ *   forever, filling the server log with a 403 every few seconds.
+ */
+export function useLiveFeed(enabled: boolean = true): void {
   const qc = useQueryClient();
   const { setStatus, setOccupancy, pushEvent, setDevices, upsertDevice, setLanes, setRadar, patchPlate } =
     useLiveStore();
@@ -34,6 +41,10 @@ export function useLiveFeed(): void {
   const closedRef = useRef(false);
 
   useEffect(() => {
+    if (!enabled) {
+      setStatus("closed");
+      return;
+    }
     closedRef.current = false;
 
     const connect = () => {
@@ -117,7 +128,8 @@ export function useLiveFeed(): void {
       sockRef.current?.close();
       sockRef.current = null;
     };
-    // qc / store setters are stable; run once on mount.
+    // qc / store setters are stable; re-run only if the permission gate flips
+    // (login as a different role without a full reload).
     // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
-  }, []);
+  }, [enabled]);
 }
diff --git a/apps/web/src/router.tsx b/apps/web/src/router.tsx
index 08cbabe..0c99fa4 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/router.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/router.tsx
@@ -448,11 +448,17 @@ function ConfirmFigure({ label, value, bold, sub }: { label: string; value: stri
 function RootLayout() {
   const { user, setUser } = rootRoute.useRouteContext();
   const { t } = useTranslation();
-  // One app-wide WebSocket for the live feed (booth + any live widget).
-  useLiveFeed();
   // Nav is gated by PERMISSION, not role — a tab shows iff the user's role grants
   // the permission its screen needs (the route guards enforce the same server-side).
   const show = (perm: Permission) => can(user, perm);
+  // One app-wide WebSocket for the live feed (booth + any live widget) — but ONLY
+  // for roles the server would accept (routes/ws.ts gates on report:read). A
+  // merchant validator must not even attempt it: the 403'd upgrade would reconnect
+  // on backoff forever and spam the server log. Same rule for the widgets that feed
+  // off it (StatusDot) or make their own gated calls (ShiftButton → shift:read,
+  // DeviceFooter → device:read).
+  const canWatch = show("report:read");
+  useLiveFeed(canWatch);
 
   return (
     <div className="flex h-screen flex-col bg-term-bg text-term-text">
@@ -489,11 +495,11 @@ function RootLayout() {
             show("shift:read")) && <NavLink to="/setup" label={t("nav.setup")} />}
         </nav>
         <div className="ml-auto flex items-center gap-3">
-          {user && <ShiftButton />}
+          {user && show("shift:read") && <ShiftButton />}
           {user && <LanguageToggle user={user} setUser={setUser} />}
           {user && <ThemeToggle user={user} setUser={setUser} />}
           {user && <FontScaleToggle user={user} setUser={setUser} />}
-          <StatusDot />
+          {canWatch && <StatusDot />}
           {user && (
             <Link
               to="/profile"
@@ -518,8 +524,10 @@ function RootLayout() {
       <main className="min-h-0 flex-1 overflow-auto p-3">
         <Outlet />
       </main>
-      {/* Fixed device-status footer — relays, readers, cameras, printers. */}
-      {user && <DeviceFooter />}
+      {/* Fixed device-status footer — relays, readers, cameras, printers. Its REST
+          seed needs device:read (and its live updates ride the report:read WS), so
+          it's hidden for roles without device visibility (e.g. merchant validators). */}
+      {user && show("device:read") && <DeviceFooter />}
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/wiki/concepts/validation-discounts.md b/wiki/concepts/validation-discounts.md
index a39396b..21c2a52 100644
--- a/wiki/concepts/validation-discounts.md
+++ b/wiki/concepts/validation-discounts.md
@@ -100,7 +100,11 @@ priced at booth check-in, inside the normal walk-back-grace flow).
   both; mode/params/caps/receipt-label/bound-users). `/validate` (`ValidateScreen.tsx`) is the
   merchant's whole surface (scan/key → apply → void own unused), mobile-friendly, autofocused
   input works with HID scanners; merchant-only users (no `session:read`) land there on login and
-  the permission-gated nav shows them nothing else. Booth pay modal shows gross → lines → net;
+  the permission-gated nav shows them nothing else. The app SHELL also degrades by permission
+  (2026-07-13 follow-up): the live-feed WebSocket connects only with `report:read` (the server's
+  WS guard — a merchant's socket would 403 and the capped-backoff reconnect would spam the server
+  log forever), and the StatusDot / ShiftButton / DeviceFooter widgets render only with their
+  backing permissions (`report:read` / `shift:read` / `device:read`). Booth pay modal shows gross → lines → net;
   the zero-net comp settles through the normal pay path (grace starts, voucher/exit unchanged).
   Feed label `VALIDIM`/`VALIDATION`. RolesManager picks the new resource up generically.
 - **Verified**: 8 route-level integration tests (guards, signed events, money cycle, void locks,