diff --git a/backend/Cargo.lock b/backend/Cargo.lock
index 8ee1d71..0d51ccb 100644
--- a/backend/Cargo.lock
+++ b/backend/Cargo.lock
@@ -1558,7 +1558,7 @@ checksum = "c41e0c4fef86961ac6d6f8a82609f55f31b05e4fce149ac5710e439df7619ba4"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "mangalord"
-version = "0.118.1"
+version = "0.119.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "argon2",
diff --git a/backend/Cargo.toml b/backend/Cargo.toml
index b1a8515..0492bf5 100644
--- a/backend/Cargo.toml
+++ b/backend/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "mangalord"
-version = "0.118.1"
+version = "0.119.0"
 edition = "2021"
 default-run = "mangalord"
 
diff --git a/frontend/e2e/search-skeleton.spec.ts b/frontend/e2e/search-skeleton.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c8bf68
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/e2e/search-skeleton.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+import { test, expect, type Page } from './fixtures';
+
+// The search page streams its results: the chip cloud / controls stay put
+// while a re-query shows a results skeleton, which then swaps for the list.
+
+const mangaId = 'a9999999-9999-9999-9999-999999999999';
+const chapterId = 'c9999999-9999-9999-9999-999999999999';
+const pageId = 'p11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111';
+
+async function mockCommon(page: Page) {
+    await page.route('**/api/v1/auth/config', (r) =>
+        r.fulfill({
+            status: 200,
+            contentType: 'application/json',
+            body: JSON.stringify({ self_register_enabled: true, private_mode: false })
+        })
+    );
+    await page.route('**/api/v1/auth/me', (r) =>
+        r.fulfill({
+            status: 200,
+            contentType: 'application/json',
+            body: JSON.stringify({ user: { id: 'u1', username: 'tester', created_at: '2026-01-01T00:00:00Z', is_admin: false } })
+        })
+    );
+    await page.route('**/api/v1/auth/me/preferences', (r) =>
+        r.fulfill({ status: 200, contentType: 'application/json', body: '{}' })
+    );
+    await page.route('**/api/v1/me/page-tags/distinct*', (r) =>
+        r.fulfill({
+            status: 200,
+            contentType: 'application/json',
+            body: JSON.stringify({ items: [{ tag: 'funny', count: 38 }] })
+        })
+    );
+    await page.route('**/api/v1/files/**', (r) => r.fulfill({ status: 200, body: '' }));
+}
+
+test('shows a results skeleton while the tagged pages stream, then the list', async ({ page }) => {
+    await mockCommon(page);
+
+    let release: () => void = () => {};
+    const gate = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+        release = resolve;
+    });
+    await page.route('**/api/v1/me/page-tags?**', async (route) => {
+        await gate;
+        await route.fulfill({
+            status: 200,
+            contentType: 'application/json',
+            body: JSON.stringify({
+                items: [
+                    {
+                        tag: 'funny', page_id: pageId, chapter_id: chapterId, manga_id: mangaId,
+                        page_number: 5, chapter_number: 1, chapter_title: null, manga_title: 'Berserk',
+                        storage_key: `mangas/${mangaId}/chapters/${chapterId}/pages/0005.png`,
+                        tagged_at: '2026-01-01T00:00:00Z'
+                    }
+                ],
+                page: { limit: 100, offset: 0, total: 1 }
+            })
+        });
+    });
+
+    await page.goto('/search?tag=funny');
+    // The chip cloud / active tag renders immediately (distinct resolved).
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('search-active-tag')).toBeVisible();
+    // Results skeleton while the tagged-pages query is pending.
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('search-results-skeleton')).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('search-pages-list')).toHaveCount(0);
+
+    release();
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('search-pages-list')).toContainText('Berserk');
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('search-results-skeleton')).toHaveCount(0);
+});
diff --git a/frontend/package.json b/frontend/package.json
index 9e84fd5..c2a54d9 100644
--- a/frontend/package.json
+++ b/frontend/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "mangalord-frontend",
-  "version": "0.118.1",
+  "version": "0.119.0",
   "private": true,
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/SearchResultsSkeleton.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/SearchResultsSkeleton.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c25b349
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/SearchResultsSkeleton.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+    import Skeleton from './Skeleton.svelte';
+
+    /**
+     * Placeholder for a tagged-page / chapter / manga results list while a
+     * search re-queries. Mirrors the TaggedPageRow shape (56px 2/3 cover +
+     * two text lines) so the list keeps its height as results swap in.
+     */
+    let { count = 6, testid = 'search-results-skeleton' }: { count?: number; testid?: string } =
+        $props();
+</script>
+
+<ul class="list" data-testid={testid} aria-hidden="true">
+    {#each Array(count) as _}
+        <li class="row">
+            <Skeleton width="56px" aspectRatio="2 / 3" radius="sm" />
+            <div class="meta">
+                <Skeleton variant="text" width="60%" radius="sm" />
+                <Skeleton variant="text" width="40%" radius="sm" />
+            </div>
+        </li>
+    {/each}
+</ul>
+
+<style>
+    .list {
+        list-style: none;
+        padding: 0;
+        margin: 0;
+        display: flex;
+        flex-direction: column;
+        gap: var(--space-3);
+    }
+
+    .row {
+        display: grid;
+        grid-template-columns: 56px 1fr;
+        gap: var(--space-3);
+        align-items: center;
+    }
+
+    .meta {
+        display: flex;
+        flex-direction: column;
+        gap: var(--space-2);
+        min-width: 0;
+    }
+</style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/SearchResultsSkeleton.svelte.test.ts b/frontend/src/lib/components/SearchResultsSkeleton.svelte.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ae45a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/SearchResultsSkeleton.svelte.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, afterEach } from 'vitest';
+import { render, screen, cleanup } from '@testing-library/svelte';
+import SearchResultsSkeleton from './SearchResultsSkeleton.svelte';
+
+afterEach(() => cleanup());
+
+describe('SearchResultsSkeleton', () => {
+    it('renders the requested number of row placeholders', () => {
+        render(SearchResultsSkeleton, { props: { count: 3, testid: 'sk' } });
+        expect(screen.getByTestId('sk').querySelectorAll('.row').length).toBe(3);
+    });
+
+    it('defaults to 6 rows', () => {
+        render(SearchResultsSkeleton, { props: { testid: 'sk' } });
+        expect(screen.getByTestId('sk').querySelectorAll('.row').length).toBe(6);
+    });
+
+    it('is decorative (aria-hidden)', () => {
+        render(SearchResultsSkeleton, { props: { testid: 'sk' } });
+        expect(screen.getByTestId('sk').getAttribute('aria-hidden')).toBe('true');
+    });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/search/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/search/+page.svelte
index ce2b133..1c81311 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/search/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/search/+page.svelte
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
     import TaggedPageRow from '$lib/components/TaggedPageRow.svelte';
     import TaggedChapterRow from '$lib/components/TaggedChapterRow.svelte';
     import TaggedMangaRow from '$lib/components/TaggedMangaRow.svelte';
+    import SearchResultsSkeleton from '$lib/components/SearchResultsSkeleton.svelte';
     import { CONTENT_WARNINGS, type ContentWarning } from '$lib/api/page_tags';
     import X from '@lucide/svelte/icons/x';
 
@@ -176,21 +177,25 @@
     </section>
 
     {#if data.contentSearch}
-        {#if data.results.length === 0}
-            <p class="hint" data-testid="search-content-empty">
-                No pages match this search.
-            </p>
-        {:else}
-            <ul class="list" data-testid="search-content-list">
-                {#each data.results as p (p.page_id)}
-                    <TaggedPageRow
-                        item={{ ...p, tag: '', tagged_at: '' }}
-                        showTagPill={false}
-                        testid={`search-result-${p.page_id}`}
-                    />
-                {/each}
-            </ul>
-        {/if}
+        {#await data.results}
+            <SearchResultsSkeleton />
+        {:then r}
+            {#if r.results.length === 0}
+                <p class="hint" data-testid="search-content-empty">
+                    No pages match this search.
+                </p>
+            {:else}
+                <ul class="list" data-testid="search-content-list">
+                    {#each r.results as p (p.page_id)}
+                        <TaggedPageRow
+                            item={{ ...p, tag: '', tagged_at: '' }}
+                            showTagPill={false}
+                            testid={`search-result-${p.page_id}`}
+                        />
+                    {/each}
+                </ul>
+            {/if}
+        {/await}
     {:else}
     <!-- Tag filter. When a tag is selected it's shown as a chip with
          an x to clear; when none is, the input doubles as the entry
@@ -280,53 +285,57 @@
             </div>
         {/if}
 
-        {#if data.view === 'pages'}
-            {#if data.pages.length === 0}
-                <p class="hint" data-testid="search-pages-empty">
-                    No pages tagged with "{data.tag}".
-                </p>
+        {#await data.results}
+            <SearchResultsSkeleton />
+        {:then r}
+            {#if data.view === 'pages'}
+                {#if r.pages.length === 0}
+                    <p class="hint" data-testid="search-pages-empty">
+                        No pages tagged with "{data.tag}".
+                    </p>
+                {:else}
+                    <ul class="list" data-testid="search-pages-list">
+                        {#each r.pages as p (p.page_id)}
+                            <TaggedPageRow
+                                item={p}
+                                showTagPill={false}
+                                testid={`search-page-row-${p.page_id}`}
+                            />
+                        {/each}
+                    </ul>
+                {/if}
+            {:else if data.view === 'chapters'}
+                {#if r.chapters.length === 0}
+                    <p class="hint" data-testid="search-chapters-empty">
+                        No chapters contain pages tagged with "{data.tag}".
+                    </p>
+                {:else}
+                    <ul class="list" data-testid="search-chapters-list">
+                        {#each r.chapters as c (c.chapter_id)}
+                            <TaggedChapterRow
+                                item={c}
+                                testid={`search-chapter-row-${c.chapter_id}`}
+                            />
+                        {/each}
+                    </ul>
+                {/if}
             {:else}
-                <ul class="list" data-testid="search-pages-list">
-                    {#each data.pages as p (p.page_id)}
-                        <TaggedPageRow
-                            item={p}
-                            showTagPill={false}
-                            testid={`search-page-row-${p.page_id}`}
-                        />
-                    {/each}
-                </ul>
+                {#if r.mangas.length === 0}
+                    <p class="hint" data-testid="search-mangas-empty">
+                        No mangas contain pages tagged with "{data.tag}".
+                    </p>
+                {:else}
+                    <ul class="list" data-testid="search-mangas-list">
+                        {#each r.mangas as m (m.manga_id)}
+                            <TaggedMangaRow
+                                item={m}
+                                testid={`search-manga-row-${m.manga_id}`}
+                            />
+                        {/each}
+                    </ul>
+                {/if}
             {/if}
-        {:else if data.view === 'chapters'}
-            {#if data.chapters.length === 0}
-                <p class="hint" data-testid="search-chapters-empty">
-                    No chapters contain pages tagged with "{data.tag}".
-                </p>
-            {:else}
-                <ul class="list" data-testid="search-chapters-list">
-                    {#each data.chapters as c (c.chapter_id)}
-                        <TaggedChapterRow
-                            item={c}
-                            testid={`search-chapter-row-${c.chapter_id}`}
-                        />
-                    {/each}
-                </ul>
-            {/if}
-        {:else}
-            {#if data.mangas.length === 0}
-                <p class="hint" data-testid="search-mangas-empty">
-                    No mangas contain pages tagged with "{data.tag}".
-                </p>
-            {:else}
-                <ul class="list" data-testid="search-mangas-list">
-                    {#each data.mangas as m (m.manga_id)}
-                        <TaggedMangaRow
-                            item={m}
-                            testid={`search-manga-row-${m.manga_id}`}
-                        />
-                    {/each}
-                </ul>
-            {/if}
-        {/if}
+        {/await}
     {/if}
     {/if}
 {/if}
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/search/+page.ts b/frontend/src/routes/search/+page.ts
index cf6f7f5..0cc2e01 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/search/+page.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/search/+page.ts
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ export const load: PageLoad = async ({ url }) => {
     // backend; cw_exclude alone can't drive a search.
     const contentSearch = text !== '' || cwInclude.length > 0;
 
-    const empty = {
+    const base = {
         authenticated: true,
         tag,
         view,
@@ -70,6 +70,10 @@ export const load: PageLoad = async ({ url }) => {
         cwExclude,
         contentSearch,
         distinct: [] as PageTagSummary[],
+        error: null as string | null
+    };
+
+    const emptyResults = {
         pages: [] as TaggedPageItem[],
         chapters: [] as TaggedChapterAggregate[],
         mangas: [] as TaggedMangaAggregate[],
@@ -78,55 +82,53 @@ export const load: PageLoad = async ({ url }) => {
         error: null as string | null
     };
 
+    // The chip cloud + auth gate come from `distinct`, so it's awaited. A 401
+    // here means "not signed in"; any other error is surfaced inline. The
+    // view-specific results are streamed (see below).
+    let distinct: PageTagSummary[];
     try {
-        const distinct = await listMyDistinctPageTags(undefined, 100);
-
-        // Content search takes precedence over tag browsing.
-        if (contentSearch) {
-            const r = await searchPages({
-                text: text || undefined,
-                cwInclude,
-                cwExclude,
-                limit: 100
-            });
-            return { ...empty, distinct, results: r.items, total: r.page.total ?? 0 };
-        }
-
-        // No tag selected → just the chip cloud.
-        if (!tag) return { ...empty, distinct };
-
-        if (view === 'chapters') {
-            const r = await listTaggedChapters({ tag, order, limit: 100 });
-            return {
-                ...empty,
-                distinct,
-                chapters: r.items,
-                total: r.page.total ?? 0
-            };
-        }
-        if (view === 'mangas') {
-            const r = await listTaggedMangas({ tag, order, limit: 100 });
-            return {
-                ...empty,
-                distinct,
-                mangas: r.items,
-                total: r.page.total ?? 0
-            };
-        }
-        const r = await listMyPageTags({ tag, limit: 100 });
-        return {
-            ...empty,
-            distinct,
-            pages: r.items,
-            total: r.page.total ?? 0
-        };
+        distinct = await listMyDistinctPageTags(undefined, 100);
     } catch (e) {
         if (e instanceof ApiError && e.status === 401) {
-            return { ...empty, authenticated: false };
+            return { ...base, authenticated: false, results: Promise.resolve(emptyResults) };
         }
         if (e instanceof ApiError) {
-            return { ...empty, error: e.message };
+            return { ...base, error: e.message, results: Promise.resolve(emptyResults) };
         }
         throw e;
     }
+
+    // Streamed so the results list shows a skeleton while it (re-)queries on
+    // every tag / view / sort / text change instead of freezing the old list.
+    const results = (async () => {
+        try {
+            // Content search takes precedence over tag browsing.
+            if (contentSearch) {
+                const r = await searchPages({
+                    text: text || undefined,
+                    cwInclude,
+                    cwExclude,
+                    limit: 100
+                });
+                return { ...emptyResults, results: r.items, total: r.page.total ?? 0 };
+            }
+            // No tag selected → just the chip cloud, no results.
+            if (!tag) return emptyResults;
+            if (view === 'chapters') {
+                const r = await listTaggedChapters({ tag, order, limit: 100 });
+                return { ...emptyResults, chapters: r.items, total: r.page.total ?? 0 };
+            }
+            if (view === 'mangas') {
+                const r = await listTaggedMangas({ tag, order, limit: 100 });
+                return { ...emptyResults, mangas: r.items, total: r.page.total ?? 0 };
+            }
+            const r = await listMyPageTags({ tag, limit: 100 });
+            return { ...emptyResults, pages: r.items, total: r.page.total ?? 0 };
+        } catch (e) {
+            if (e instanceof ApiError) return { ...emptyResults, error: e.message };
+            throw e;
+        }
+    })();
+
+    return { ...base, distinct, results };
 };