diff --git a/DESIGN.md b/DESIGN.md
index 63e8b37c49f..068a7e4530b 100644
--- a/DESIGN.md
+++ b/DESIGN.md
@@ -116,6 +116,9 @@ an answer fallback only after the run ends and its final transcript fetch
 completes without a provider reply. Preserve the reply through persistence.
 
 Task chat shows execution errors and waits only while they remain relevant.
+Exhausted attempts use a padded, rounded notice with a destructive-tinted background,
+an error icon, and foreground text. The surrounding layout supplies separation from
+the conversation. Automatic retry countdowns keep their quieter inline styling.
 Completing or cancelling a task hides its old execution notices. A newer attempt by
 the same agent or an explicit successor supersedes earlier run notices; an
 unresolved execution hold remains visible. Historical turns keep their responses,
diff --git a/maps/feature-map/recovery.md b/maps/feature-map/recovery.md
index a5b8431f6cf..b97ac0d9a08 100644
--- a/maps/feature-map/recovery.md
+++ b/maps/feature-map/recovery.md
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ Agent access: [companion](../agent-access-map/recovery.md).
 - `source-action`: `recovery/source-action` — source-scoped recovery actions remain attached to the task;
   independent repair work may have its own issue and return owner.
 - `exhaustion`: `recovery/exhaustion` — an exhausted infrastructure attempt offers ordinary Retry.
+  The failed-attempt notice has padding, a tinted background and an error icon;
+  its message and Retry remain readable on narrow screens in both themes. Verify
+  with [the browser layout checks](../../tests/e2e/execution-recovery/failed-attempt-notice.spec.ts)
+  against an owned Storybook server using `RECOVERY_STORYBOOK_URL`.
   Internal repair stays system-owned; genuine user decisions retain their
   specific action.
 - `workspace`: `recovery/workspace` — workspace divergence/export failures show the applicable repair,
diff --git a/tests/e2e/execution-recovery/failed-attempt-notice.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/execution-recovery/failed-attempt-notice.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..fcb8588483e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/execution-recovery/failed-attempt-notice.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import { test, expect } from "@playwright/test";
+
+const base = process.env.RECOVERY_STORYBOOK_URL;
+
+test.describe("failed-attempt notice", () => {
+  test.skip(!base, "Set RECOVERY_STORYBOOK_URL to an owned Storybook server.");
+
+  for (const theme of ["light", "dark"]) {
+    for (const width of [320, 1280]) {
+      test(`readable failure and Retry at ${width}px in ${theme}`, async ({ page }) => {
+        await page.setViewportSize({ width, height: 720 });
+        await page.goto(`${base}/iframe.html?id=task-chat-recovery-notice--failed-in-conversation&viewMode=story&globals=theme:${theme}`);
+
+        const notice = page.getByRole("status", { name: "Task status" });
+        const icon = notice.locator('svg[aria-hidden="true"]');
+        const message = notice.getByText("Couldn’t finish this attempt. Your message is saved.");
+        const retry = notice.getByRole("button", { name: "Retry", exact: true });
+        await expect(icon).toBeVisible();
+        await expect(message).toBeVisible();
+        await expect(retry).toBeVisible();
+
+        const surface = await notice.evaluate(element => {
+          const style = getComputedStyle(element);
+          return {
+            background: style.backgroundColor,
+            padding: [style.paddingTop, style.paddingRight, style.paddingBottom, style.paddingLeft].map(parseFloat),
+          };
+        });
+        expect(surface.background).not.toBe("rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)");
+        expect(surface.padding.every(value => value > 0)).toBe(true);
+
+        const iconBounds = (await icon.boundingBox())!;
+        const textBounds = (await message.boundingBox())!;
+        const retryBounds = (await retry.boundingBox())!;
+        const iconCenter = iconBounds.y + iconBounds.height / 2;
+        expect(iconCenter).toBeCloseTo(textBounds.y + textBounds.height / 2, 0);
+        expect(iconCenter).toBeCloseTo(retryBounds.y + retryBounds.height / 2, 0);
+        expect(textBounds.x + textBounds.width).toBeLessThanOrEqual(retryBounds.x);
+        expect(retryBounds.x + retryBounds.width).toBeLessThanOrEqual(width);
+        expect(await page.evaluate(() => document.documentElement.scrollWidth)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(width);
+      });
+    }
+  }
+});
diff --git a/ui/src/components/ExecutionBlockerNotice.tsx b/ui/src/components/ExecutionBlockerNotice.tsx
index 17bd169750c..da88e57fe2e 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/ExecutionBlockerNotice.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/components/ExecutionBlockerNotice.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import type { TaskInterruptionPresentation } from "@paperclipai/shared";
+import { AlertCircle } from "lucide-react";
 import { Button } from "./ui/button";
 import { cn } from "../lib/utils";
 import { useSecondTick } from "../hooks/useSecondTick";
@@ -27,11 +28,16 @@ export function ExecutionBlockerNotice({ presentation, canRetry, onRetry, optimi
       !["failed", "retry_scheduled"].includes(presentation.state)) return null;
   const seconds = Math.max(0, Math.ceil((Date.parse(presentation.nextRetryAt ?? "") - Date.now()) / 1000));
   return (
-    <div role="status" aria-label="Task status" className={cn("flex items-center justify-between gap-2 text-sm text-muted-foreground", className)}>
-      <span>{presentation.state === "retry_scheduled"
+    <div role="status" aria-label="Task status" className={cn(
+      "flex items-center justify-between gap-3 text-sm",
+      presentation.state === "failed" ? "rounded-lg bg-destructive/10 p-4 text-foreground" : "text-muted-foreground",
+      className,
+    )}>
+      {presentation.state === "failed" && <AlertCircle className="size-5 shrink-0 text-destructive" aria-hidden="true" />}
+      <span className="min-w-0 flex-1">{presentation.state === "retry_scheduled"
         ? `Trying again in ${seconds > 60 ? `${Math.ceil(seconds / 60)}m` : `${seconds}s`}…`
         : "Couldn’t finish this attempt. Your message is saved."}</span>
-      {canRetry && presentation.canRetry && <Button variant="outline" size="sm" onClick={onRetry}>Retry</Button>}
+      {canRetry && presentation.canRetry && <Button variant="outline" size="sm" className="shrink-0" onClick={onRetry}>Retry</Button>}
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/ui/storybook/stories/recovery/execution-blocker-notice.stories.tsx b/ui/storybook/stories/recovery/execution-blocker-notice.stories.tsx
index 36a79e9a7a7..414763a22d9 100644
--- a/ui/storybook/stories/recovery/execution-blocker-notice.stories.tsx
+++ b/ui/storybook/stories/recovery/execution-blocker-notice.stories.tsx
@@ -30,6 +30,14 @@ const ordinaryRetry: NonNullable<Story["play"]> = async ({ canvasElement }) => {
   await expect(canvas.queryByRole("checkbox")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
 };
 export const Stopped: Story = { play: ordinaryRetry };
+export const FailedInConversation: Story = {
+  render: (args) => <>
+    <TaskChatBubble item={{ id: "saved-request", kind: "message", author: "human", authorName: "Alex",
+      text: "Summarize the project's progress and list the next steps." }} />
+    <ExecutionBlockerNotice {...args} />
+  </>,
+  play: ordinaryRetry,
+};
 export const FileRecovery: Story = { play: ordinaryRetry };
 export const RecoveringSavedWork: Story = {
   args: { presentation: { ...failed, state: "working" } },