diff --git a/Packages/iOS/CmuxConversation/Sources/CmuxConversationGeometry/ConversationReplyThread.swift b/Packages/iOS/CmuxConversation/Sources/CmuxConversationGeometry/ConversationReplyThread.swift
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..76bf750dc943
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Packages/iOS/CmuxConversation/Sources/CmuxConversationGeometry/ConversationReplyThread.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+import CoreGraphics
+
+/// The thread line that joins an inline reply's quote to the reply, as
+/// Messages draws it: it drops from under the quoted bubble's tail (or, in a
+/// group, the avatar column beside the quote) and, when the reply sits on
+/// the other side of the transcript, turns toward it in a short curve level
+/// with the reply's middle. It never starts beside the quote or crosses it.
+/// Top-left-origin coordinates, the cell's.
+public struct ConversationReplyThread: Equatable, Sendable {
+    /// The quoted bubble's body (its tail drops `quoteTailDrop` below it).
+    public var quoteBody: CGRect
+    /// The side the quoted message was sent from (its tail's side).
+    public var quoteSide: ConversationBubbleGeometry.Side
+    public var quoteTailDrop: CGFloat
+    /// The reply's bubble (or its first piece of content).
+    public var reply: CGRect
+    public var replySide: ConversationBubbleGeometry.Side
+    /// A group's avatar column center for an incoming quote; nil threads
+    /// under the quote's own tail.
+    public var column: CGFloat?
+    /// Where a line on the reply's own side stops (a group reply's avatar
+    /// top); nil stops just above the reply.
+    public var stopY: CGFloat?
+
+    /// How far in from the quote's body edge the line drops (under the tail).
+    public static let tailInset: CGFloat = 6
+    /// Space between the line and what it leaves or meets.
+    public static let gap: CGFloat = 3
+    /// The turn toward a reply on the other side, and the level run after
+    /// it (Messages: the line ends pointing at the reply, short of it).
+    public static let turnRadius: CGFloat = 12
+    public static let run: CGFloat = 8
+    /// The room a row keeps for a straight line to a reply on the quote's
+    /// own side (between the gaps above and below it).
+    public static let minimumStraightRun: CGFloat = 12
+
+    public init(
+        quoteBody: CGRect,
+        quoteSide: ConversationBubbleGeometry.Side,
+        quoteTailDrop: CGFloat,
+        reply: CGRect,
+        replySide: ConversationBubbleGeometry.Side,
+        column: CGFloat? = nil,
+        stopY: CGFloat? = nil
+    ) {
+        self.quoteBody = quoteBody
+        self.quoteSide = quoteSide
+        self.quoteTailDrop = quoteTailDrop
+        self.reply = reply
+        self.replySide = replySide
+        self.column = column
+        self.stopY = stopY
+    }
+
+    /// The thread for one transcript row. `avatarColumnCenter` is the
+    /// center of a group's avatar column; `replyAvatarTop` the top of an
+    /// incoming group reply's avatar.
+    public static func row(
+        quoteBody: CGRect,
+        quoteSide: ConversationBubbleGeometry.Side,
+        quoteTailDrop: CGFloat,
+        reply: CGRect,
+        replySide: ConversationBubbleGeometry.Side,
+        isGroup: Bool,
+        avatarColumnCenter: CGFloat,
+        replyAvatarTop: CGFloat?
+    ) -> ConversationReplyThread {
+        ConversationReplyThread(
+            quoteBody: quoteBody, quoteSide: quoteSide, quoteTailDrop: quoteTailDrop,
+            reply: reply, replySide: replySide,
+            // A group threads an incoming quote through the avatar column
+            // beside it; otherwise the line drops from under the quote's tail.
+            column: isGroup && quoteSide == .leading ? avatarColumnCenter : nil,
+            stopY: replyAvatarTop.map { $0 - 6 }
+        )
+    }
+
+    /// The x the line drops along.
+    public var columnX: CGFloat {
+        column ?? (quoteSide == .leading ? quoteBody.minX + Self.tailInset : quoteBody.maxX - Self.tailInset)
+    }
+
+    /// The line's top: under the quote and its tail.
+    public var startY: CGFloat {
+        quoteBody.maxY + (column == nil ? quoteTailDrop : 0) + Self.gap
+    }
+
+    /// The line's bottom: level with the reply's middle when it turns toward
+    /// a reply on the other side, else just above the reply (or `stopY`).
+    public var endY: CGFloat {
+        let end = turnsTowardReply ? reply.midY : (stopY ?? reply.minY - Self.gap)
+        return max(startY + 1, end)
+    }
+
+    /// The reply sits on the other side: the line ends in a turn toward it.
+    public var turnsTowardReply: Bool { quoteSide != replySide }
+
+    public var path: CGPath {
+        let x = columnX
+        let start = startY
+        let end = endY
+        let path = CGMutablePath()
+        path.move(to: CGPoint(x: x, y: start))
+        guard turnsTowardReply else {
+            path.addLine(to: CGPoint(x: x, y: end))
+            return path
+        }
+        let direction: CGFloat = quoteSide == .leading ? 1 : -1
+        let radius = min(Self.turnRadius, end - start)
+        path.addLine(to: CGPoint(x: x, y: end - radius))
+        path.addQuadCurve(to: CGPoint(x: x + direction * radius, y: end), control: CGPoint(x: x, y: end))
+        path.addLine(to: CGPoint(x: x + direction * (radius + Self.run), y: end))
+        return path
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Packages/iOS/CmuxConversation/Sources/CmuxConversationUI/MessageCellLayout.swift b/Packages/iOS/CmuxConversation/Sources/CmuxConversationUI/MessageCellLayout.swift
index 7650e9fc69c6..5ac38a252942 100644
--- a/Packages/iOS/CmuxConversation/Sources/CmuxConversationUI/MessageCellLayout.swift
+++ b/Packages/iOS/CmuxConversation/Sources/CmuxConversationUI/MessageCellLayout.swift
@@ -331,6 +331,13 @@ extension MessageCellLayout {
         return (value * scale).rounded() / scale
     }
 
+    /// How far the quote's tail drops below it: the quote draws the bubble
+    /// outline with its corner radius capped to half its body.
+    static func quoteTailDrop(quoteHeight: CGFloat, quoteBodyWidth: CGFloat) -> CGFloat {
+        let radius = min(ConversationTheme.bubbleCornerRadius, quoteHeight / 2, quoteBodyWidth / 2)
+        return ConversationBubbleGeometry.iOSTailDrop(radius: radius)
+    }
+
     static func measure(_ text: NSAttributedString, maxWidth: CGFloat) -> CGSize {
         let rect = text.boundingRect(
             with: CGSize(width: maxWidth, height: .greatestFiniteMagnitude),
@@ -389,7 +396,12 @@ extension MessageCellLayout {
             quoteFrame = frame
             let bodyMinX = quote.isOutgoing ? frame.minX : frame.minX + t.tailWidth
             quoteTextFrame = CGRect(x: bodyMinX + 12, y: y + 7, width: bodyWidth - 24, height: textHeight)
-            y += h + t.transcriptSpace(ConversationTranscriptMetrics.smallSpace)
+            // The quote's tail hangs below it, and the thread line leaves from under the tail.
+            // A reply on the quote's own side (outside a group's avatar column) also needs
+            // room for the line that drops between them.
+            let straightLine = quote.isOutgoing == model.isOutgoing && !(model.isGroup && !quote.isOutgoing)
+            y += h + Self.quoteTailDrop(quoteHeight: h, quoteBodyWidth: bodyWidth) + t.transcriptSpace(ConversationTranscriptMetrics.smallSpace)
+                + (straightLine ? ConversationReplyThread.minimumStraightRun : 0)
         }
 
         var senderNameFrame: CGRect?
@@ -585,20 +597,23 @@ extension MessageCellLayout {
 
         var threadPath: CGPath?
         if let quoteFrame, let quote = model.replyQuote {
-            // A thread line on the leading side joins the quote to the reply.
-            let x = margin + t.avatarSize / 2
-            let path = UIBezierPath()
-            let quoteBodyLeading = quote.isOutgoing ? quoteFrame.minX : quoteFrame.minX + t.tailWidth
-            path.move(to: CGPoint(x: min(quoteBodyLeading - 4, x + 14), y: quoteFrame.midY))
-            path.addQuadCurve(to: CGPoint(x: x, y: quoteFrame.midY + 14), controlPoint: CGPoint(x: x, y: quoteFrame.midY))
-            if model.isOutgoing || !model.reservesAvatarColumn {
-                let endY = max(quoteFrame.midY + 28, primary.midY)
-                path.addLine(to: CGPoint(x: x, y: endY - 14))
-                path.addQuadCurve(to: CGPoint(x: x + 14, y: endY), controlPoint: CGPoint(x: x, y: endY))
-            } else {
-                path.addLine(to: CGPoint(x: x, y: max(quoteFrame.midY + 16, (avatarFrame?.minY ?? primary.maxY) - 6)))
-            }
-            threadPath = path.cgPath
+            let pieces = imageFrames + fileFrames + [bubbleFrame, emojiFrame, audioFrame, linkCardFrame].compactMap { $0 }
+            let replyTop = pieces.min { $0.minY < $1.minY } ?? primary
+            // The thread line drops from under the quote and joins the reply.
+            var quoteBody = quoteFrame
+            quoteBody.size.width -= t.tailWidth
+            if !quote.isOutgoing { quoteBody.origin.x += t.tailWidth }
+            threadPath = ConversationReplyThread.row(
+                quoteBody: quoteBody,
+                quoteSide: quote.isOutgoing ? .trailing : .leading,
+                quoteTailDrop: Self.quoteTailDrop(quoteHeight: quoteFrame.height, quoteBodyWidth: quoteBody.width),
+                // The reply's first piece of content: the line meets it, never crosses it.
+                reply: replyTop,
+                replySide: model.isOutgoing ? .trailing : .leading,
+                isGroup: model.isGroup,
+                avatarColumnCenter: margin + t.avatarSize / 2,
+                replyAvatarTop: !model.isOutgoing && model.reservesAvatarColumn ? (avatarFrame?.minY ?? primary.maxY) : nil
+            ).path
         }
 
         var content = imageFrames.reduce(bubbleFrame ?? emojiFrame ?? .null) { $0.union($1) }
diff --git a/Packages/iOS/CmuxConversation/Tests/CmuxConversationGeometryTests/ConversationReplyThreadTests.swift b/Packages/iOS/CmuxConversation/Tests/CmuxConversationGeometryTests/ConversationReplyThreadTests.swift
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..01ab9f6de9ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Packages/iOS/CmuxConversation/Tests/CmuxConversationGeometryTests/ConversationReplyThreadTests.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+import CoreGraphics
+import Testing
+@testable import CmuxConversationGeometry
+
+/// The inline reply's thread line, as Messages draws it (iOS 14 to 26
+/// screenshots): it drops from under the quoted bubble (its tail, or a
+/// group's avatar column) and turns toward a reply on the other side. It
+/// never starts beside the quote at its middle, which drew a hook out of
+/// the quote's side and through its tail (Chief, 2026-10-21).
+@Suite struct ConversationReplyThreadTests {
+    typealias Thread = ConversationReplyThread
+    let tailDrop: CGFloat = 6.8
+
+    /// A 440 pt phone, 20 pt margins, 32 pt avatars.
+    func row(
+        quote: CGRect, quoteSide: ConversationBubbleGeometry.Side,
+        reply: CGRect, replySide: ConversationBubbleGeometry.Side,
+        isGroup: Bool = false, replyAvatarTop: CGFloat? = nil
+    ) -> Thread {
+        Thread.row(quoteBody: quote, quoteSide: quoteSide, quoteTailDrop: tailDrop,
+                   reply: reply, replySide: replySide, isGroup: isGroup,
+                   avatarColumnCenter: 36, replyAvatarTop: replyAvatarTop)
+    }
+
+    @Test func aOneToOneReplyThreadsFromUnderTheQuotesTailTowardTheReply() {
+        // "u sure?" (outgoing) replying to Chief's message (incoming).
+        let quote = CGRect(x: 20, y: 0, width: 280, height: 34)
+        let reply = CGRect(x: 330, y: 47, width: 90, height: 36)
+        let thread = row(quote: quote, quoteSide: .leading, reply: reply, replySide: .trailing)
+        let box = thread.path.boundingBoxOfPath
+        #expect(box.minY >= quote.maxY + tailDrop, "the line starts under the quote and its tail")
+        #expect(box.minX >= quote.minX, "nothing sticks out of the quote's leading side")
+        #expect(box.maxX < reply.minX, "the turn points at the reply without reaching it")
+        #expect(thread.path.currentPoint.y == reply.midY)
+        #expect(thread.path.currentPoint.x > thread.columnX)
+    }
+
+    @Test func aReplyToAnOutgoingQuoteThreadsDownTheTrailingSide() {
+        // Chief (incoming) replying to my message (outgoing quote).
+        let quote = CGRect(x: 240, y: 0, width: 180, height: 34)
+        let reply = CGRect(x: 20, y: 47, width: 200, height: 36)
+        let thread = row(quote: quote, quoteSide: .trailing, reply: reply, replySide: .leading)
+        let box = thread.path.boundingBoxOfPath
+        #expect(box.minY >= quote.maxY + tailDrop)
+        #expect(box.minX >= quote.minX)
+        #expect(box.maxX <= quote.maxX)
+        #expect(thread.path.currentPoint.x < thread.columnX, "turns toward the reply on the leading side")
+        #expect(thread.path.currentPoint.y == reply.midY)
+    }
+
+    @Test func aSameSideReplyGetsAStraightLineThatStopsAboveIt() {
+        let quote = CGRect(x: 20, y: 0, width: 200, height: 34)
+        // The row's own spacing: the tail, the 6 pt small space, and the straight run's room.
+        let reply = CGRect(x: 20, y: 34 + tailDrop + 6 + Thread.minimumStraightRun, width: 160, height: 36)
+        let thread = row(quote: quote, quoteSide: .leading, reply: reply, replySide: .leading)
+        let box = thread.path.boundingBoxOfPath
+        #expect(box.width < 0.01)
+        #expect(box.minY >= quote.maxY + tailDrop)
+        #expect(box.maxY <= reply.minY)
+        #expect(box.height >= 10, "a visible line, not a dot")
+    }
+
+    @Test func aGroupReplyThreadsDownTheAvatarColumnToTheRepliersAvatar() {
+        // Incoming group rows: avatar column centered at 36, bubbles at 59.
+        let quote = CGRect(x: 59, y: 0, width: 200, height: 34)
+        let reply = CGRect(x: 59, y: 60, width: 160, height: 36)
+        let thread = row(quote: quote, quoteSide: .leading, reply: reply, replySide: .leading,
+                         isGroup: true, replyAvatarTop: 64)
+        let box = thread.path.boundingBoxOfPath
+        #expect(box.width < 0.01)
+        #expect(box.minX == 36)
+        #expect(box.minY >= quote.maxY)
+        #expect(box.maxY == 58)
+    }
+
+    @Test func aGroupOutgoingReplyTurnsOutOfTheAvatarColumn() {
+        let quote = CGRect(x: 59, y: 0, width: 200, height: 34)
+        let reply = CGRect(x: 330, y: 47, width: 90, height: 36)
+        let thread = row(quote: quote, quoteSide: .leading, reply: reply, replySide: .trailing, isGroup: true)
+        let box = thread.path.boundingBoxOfPath
+        #expect(box.minX == 36)
+        #expect(box.minY >= quote.maxY)
+        #expect(thread.path.currentPoint == CGPoint(x: 56, y: reply.midY))
+    }
+
+    @Test func aReplyRightUnderTheQuoteStillDrawsDownward() {
+        let quote = CGRect(x: 20, y: 0, width: 200, height: 34)
+        let reply = CGRect(x: 330, y: 36, width: 90, height: 10)
+        let thread = row(quote: quote, quoteSide: .leading, reply: reply, replySide: .trailing)
+        #expect(thread.endY > thread.startY)
+        #expect(thread.path.boundingBoxOfPath.minY >= quote.maxY)
+    }
+}