diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/pet-window.ts b/apps/desktop/src/pet-window.ts
index 74a1217e..d2ffe891 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/pet-window.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/pet-window.ts
@@ -154,25 +154,33 @@ async function buildPetContextMenuTemplate(action: { readonly label: string; rea
   if (!action.defaultPet) return [{ label: action.label, click: action.click }];
   const commands = await getDefaultPetPluginCommands();
   const topLevel: Electron.MenuItemConstructorOptions[] = [];
-  const plugins = new Map<string, { name: string; commands: Electron.MenuItemConstructorOptions[] }>();
+  const plugins = new Map<string, { name: string; commands: Electron.MenuItemConstructorOptions[]; menuItems: Electron.MenuItemConstructorOptions[] }>();
   const sorted = [...commands].sort((a, b) => (b.priority ?? 0) - (a.priority ?? 0));
   for (const command of sorted) {
     const item: Electron.MenuItemConstructorOptions = { label: command.commandTitle, click: () => { if (command.form) openPluginCommandForm(command).catch((error) => logError("pet.window", "plugin command form failed", error)); else executeDefaultPetPluginCommand(command.pluginId, command.commandId).catch((error) => logError("pet.window", "plugin command failed", error)); } };
     if (command.placement === "top" || command.featured) { topLevel.push(item); continue; }
-    const group = plugins.get(command.pluginId) ?? { name: command.pluginName, commands: [] };
+    const group = plugins.get(command.pluginId) ?? { name: command.pluginName, commands: [], menuItems: [] };
     group.commands.push(item);
     plugins.set(command.pluginId, group);
   }
-  // Fully dynamic per-plugin menu sections (ui.menu.setItems).
+  // Fully dynamic per-plugin menu sections (ui.menu.setItems) — show status labels first.
   const menuItems = await getDefaultPetPluginMenuItems();
   for (const item of menuItems) {
-    const group = plugins.get(item.pluginId) ?? { name: item.pluginName, commands: [] };
-    group.commands.push({ label: item.title, enabled: item.enabled !== false, type: item.checked === true ? "checkbox" : "normal", checked: item.checked === true ? true : undefined, click: () => { executeDefaultPetPluginMenuSelect(item.pluginId, item.itemId).catch((error) => logError("pet.window", "plugin menu select failed", error)); } });
+    const group = plugins.get(item.pluginId) ?? { name: item.pluginName, commands: [], menuItems: [] };
+    group.menuItems.push({ label: item.title, enabled: item.enabled !== false, type: item.checked === true ? "checkbox" : "normal", checked: item.checked === true ? true : undefined, click: () => { executeDefaultPetPluginMenuSelect(item.pluginId, item.itemId).catch((error) => logError("pet.window", "plugin menu select failed", error)); } });
     plugins.set(item.pluginId, group);
   }
   const template: Electron.MenuItemConstructorOptions[] = [];
   if (topLevel.length > 0) template.push(...topLevel.slice(0, 8), { type: "separator" });
-  if (plugins.size > 0) template.push(...[...plugins.values()].map((plugin) => ({ label: plugin.name, submenu: plugin.commands })), { type: "separator" });
+  if (plugins.size > 0) {
+    template.push(...[...plugins.values()].map((plugin) => {
+      const submenu: Electron.MenuItemConstructorOptions[] = [];
+      if (plugin.menuItems.length > 0) submenu.push(...plugin.menuItems);
+      if (plugin.menuItems.length > 0 && plugin.commands.length > 0) submenu.push({ type: "separator" });
+      if (plugin.commands.length > 0) submenu.push(...plugin.commands);
+      return { label: plugin.name, submenu };
+    }), { type: "separator" });
+  }
   template.push({ label: t("pet.menu.openControlCenter"), click: () => { import("./windows.js").then(({ openControlCenterWindow }) => openControlCenterWindow()).catch((error) => logError("pet.window", "open control center failed", error)); } }, { label: action.label, click: action.click });
   return template;
 }
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/plugin-service.ts b/apps/desktop/src/plugin-service.ts
index e4b7f727..c603543b 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/plugin-service.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/plugin-service.ts
@@ -72,8 +72,8 @@ export type PluginServiceOptions = {
   readonly capabilities?: PluginHostCapabilities;
 };
 
-export const bundledOfficialPluginIds = ["openpets.reminders"] as const;
-const bundledEnabledByDefault = new Set<string>(["openpets.reminders"]);
+export const bundledOfficialPluginIds = ["openpets.reminders", "openpets.virtual-pet"] as const;
+const bundledEnabledByDefault = new Set<string>(["openpets.reminders", "openpets.virtual-pet"]);
 const staleBundledPluginIds = ["openpets.daily-reminders", "openpets.pomodoro", "openpets.ambient-companion", "openpets.break-buddy", "openpets.focus-buddy", "openpets.github-notifications", "openpets.pet-pal", "openpets.quick-reminders", "openpets.wander-buddy"] as const;
 
 export class PluginService {
diff --git a/plugins/official/openpets.virtual-pet/index.js b/plugins/official/openpets.virtual-pet/index.js
index 13556200..da4d0f65 100644
--- a/plugins/official/openpets.virtual-pet/index.js
+++ b/plugins/official/openpets.virtual-pet/index.js
@@ -2,17 +2,6 @@
 
 export const SCHEDULE_ID = "virtual-pet-tick";
 
-const pinnedBubbles = new WeakMap();
-
-function getPinnedBubble(ctx) {
-  return pinnedBubbles.get(ctx) ?? null;
-}
-
-function setPinnedBubble(ctx, handle) {
-  if (handle) pinnedBubbles.set(ctx, handle);
-  else pinnedBubbles.delete(ctx);
-}
-
 export function cleanState(state = {}) {
   const current = state && typeof state === "object" ? state : {};
   const careCounts = current.careCounts && typeof current.careCounts === "object" ? current.careCounts : {};
@@ -76,24 +65,24 @@ export function addXp(state, amount) {
 
 export function applyDecay(state, elapsedMs, now) {
   const lastSeen = state.lastSeenAt || now;
-  
+
   let sleepMs = 0;
   if (state.sleptUntil > lastSeen) {
     const sleepEnd = Math.min(state.sleptUntil, now);
     sleepMs = sleepEnd - lastSeen;
   }
   const wakeMs = Math.max(0, elapsedMs - sleepMs);
-  
+
   const sleepHours = sleepMs / 3600000;
   const wakeHours = wakeMs / 3600000;
-  
+
   // Stats decay per hour: hunger (-2), energy (-3), happiness (-2), affection (-1)
   // During sleep: hunger (-2), energy reacts (+15), happiness (-0.5), affection stays same
   const newHunger = state.hunger - wakeHours * 2 - sleepHours * 2;
   const newEnergy = state.energy - wakeHours * 3 + sleepHours * 15;
   const newHappiness = state.happiness - wakeHours * 2 - sleepHours * 0.5;
   const newAffection = state.affection - wakeHours * 1;
-  
+
   return {
     ...state,
     hunger: Math.max(0, Math.min(100, newHunger)),
@@ -112,40 +101,21 @@ async function playActionSound(ctx) {
   } catch {}
 }
 
-export async function updatePinned(ctx, state, now = Date.now()) {
-  const spec = {
-    tone: "info",
-    sticky: true,
-    pin: true,
-    priority: "normal",
-    hud: {
-      items: [
-        { icon: "food", value: state.hunger, tone: "amber", label: ctx.t("hud.food") },
-        { icon: "zap", value: state.energy, tone: "blue", label: ctx.t("hud.energy") },
-        { icon: "play", value: state.happiness, tone: "green", label: ctx.t("hud.play") },
-        { icon: "heart", value: state.affection, tone: "pink", label: ctx.t("hud.bond") },
-      ],
-    },
-  };
-  
-  const pinnedBubble = getPinnedBubble(ctx);
-  if (pinnedBubble) {
-    try {
-      await pinnedBubble.update(spec);
-      return;
-    } catch {
-      setPinnedBubble(ctx, null);
-    }
-  }
-  
+function buildStatusMenuItems(ctx, state, now = Date.now()) {
+  const mood = getMood(state, now);
+  return [
+    { id: "mood", title: `${ctx.t("menu.mood")}: ${ctx.t(`mood.${mood}`)}`, enabled: false },
+    { id: "food", title: `${ctx.t("menu.food")}: ${Math.round(state.hunger)}%`, enabled: false },
+    { id: "energy", title: `${ctx.t("menu.energy")}: ${Math.round(state.energy)}%`, enabled: false },
+    { id: "play", title: `${ctx.t("menu.play")}: ${Math.round(state.happiness)}%`, enabled: false },
+    { id: "bond", title: `${ctx.t("menu.bond")}: ${Math.round(state.affection)}%`, enabled: false },
+    { id: "level", title: `${ctx.t("menu.level")}: ${state.level}`, enabled: false },
+  ];
+}
+
+async function updateMenu(ctx, state, now = Date.now()) {
   try {
-    const nextBubble = await ctx.ui.bubble(spec);
-    nextBubble.onDismiss(() => {
-      if (getPinnedBubble(ctx)?.id === nextBubble.id) {
-        setPinnedBubble(ctx, null);
-      }
-    });
-    setPinnedBubble(ctx, nextBubble);
+    await ctx.ui.menu.setItems(buildStatusMenuItems(ctx, state, now));
   } catch {}
 }
 
@@ -154,19 +124,19 @@ export async function maybeNudge(ctx, state, now = Date.now()) {
   const isTired = state.energy < 30;
   const isBored = state.happiness < 30;
   const isNeglected = state.affection < 30;
-  
+
   if (isHungry || isTired || isBored || isNeglected) {
     const nudgeCooldown = 6 * 3600_000;
     if (state.lastNudgeAt === 0 || now - state.lastNudgeAt >= nudgeCooldown) {
       state.lastNudgeAt = now;
       await ctx.storage.set("state", state);
-      
+
       let speechKey = "nudge.neglected";
       if (isHungry) speechKey = "nudge.hungry";
       else if (isTired) speechKey = "nudge.tired";
       else if (isBored) speechKey = "nudge.bored";
       else if (isNeglected) speechKey = "nudge.neglected";
-      
+
       try {
         await ctx.pet.speak(ctx.t(speechKey));
       } catch {}
@@ -186,11 +156,11 @@ async function scheduleNextTick(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
 export async function feed(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
   const state = cleanState(await ctx.storage.get("state"));
   const cleanActive = wakeUpIfSleeping(state, now);
-  
+
   const hunger = Math.min(100, cleanActive.hunger + 25);
   const xpInfo = addXp(cleanActive, 5);
   const careCounts = { ...cleanActive.careCounts, fed: cleanActive.careCounts.fed + 1 };
-  
+
   const newState = {
     ...cleanActive,
     hunger,
@@ -200,10 +170,10 @@ export async function feed(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
     lastActionAt: now,
     lastSeenAt: now,
   };
-  
+
   await ctx.storage.set("state", newState);
   await playActionSound(ctx);
-  
+
   try {
     await ctx.pet.react("celebrating", { showMessage: false });
     if (xpInfo.leveledUp) {
@@ -213,20 +183,20 @@ export async function feed(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
       await ctx.pet.speak(ctx.t(`speech.feed.${idx}`));
     }
   } catch {}
-  
-  await updatePinned(ctx, newState, now);
+
+  await updateMenu(ctx, newState, now);
   return newState;
 }
 
 export async function play(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
   const state = cleanState(await ctx.storage.get("state"));
   const cleanActive = wakeUpIfSleeping(state, now);
-  
+
   const happiness = Math.min(100, cleanActive.happiness + 25);
   const energy = Math.max(0, cleanActive.energy - 15);
   const xpInfo = addXp(cleanActive, 5);
   const careCounts = { ...cleanActive.careCounts, played: cleanActive.careCounts.played + 1 };
-  
+
   const newState = {
     ...cleanActive,
     happiness,
@@ -237,10 +207,10 @@ export async function play(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
     lastActionAt: now,
     lastSeenAt: now,
   };
-  
+
   await ctx.storage.set("state", newState);
   await playActionSound(ctx);
-  
+
   try {
     await ctx.pet.react("celebrating", { showMessage: false });
     if (xpInfo.leveledUp) {
@@ -250,20 +220,20 @@ export async function play(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
       await ctx.pet.speak(ctx.t(`speech.play.${idx}`));
     }
   } catch {}
-  
-  await updatePinned(ctx, newState, now);
+
+  await updateMenu(ctx, newState, now);
   return newState;
 }
 
 export async function pet(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
   const state = cleanState(await ctx.storage.get("state"));
   const cleanActive = wakeUpIfSleeping(state, now);
-  
+
   const affection = Math.min(100, cleanActive.affection + 15);
   const happiness = Math.min(100, cleanActive.happiness + 10);
   const xpInfo = addXp(cleanActive, 3);
   const careCounts = { ...cleanActive.careCounts, petted: cleanActive.careCounts.petted + 1 };
-  
+
   const newState = {
     ...cleanActive,
     affection,
@@ -274,10 +244,10 @@ export async function pet(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
     lastActionAt: now,
     lastSeenAt: now,
   };
-  
+
   await ctx.storage.set("state", newState);
   await playActionSound(ctx);
-  
+
   try {
     await ctx.pet.react("waving", { showMessage: false });
     if (xpInfo.leveledUp) {
@@ -287,19 +257,19 @@ export async function pet(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
       await ctx.pet.speak(ctx.t(`speech.pet.${idx}`));
     }
   } catch {}
-  
-  await updatePinned(ctx, newState, now);
+
+  await updateMenu(ctx, newState, now);
   return newState;
 }
 
 export async function nap(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
   const state = cleanState(await ctx.storage.get("state"));
-  
+
   const energy = Math.min(100, state.energy + 40);
   const sleptUntil = now + 15 * 60_000;
   const xpInfo = addXp(state, 5);
   const careCounts = { ...state.careCounts, napped: state.careCounts.napped + 1 };
-  
+
   const newState = {
     ...state,
     energy,
@@ -310,10 +280,10 @@ export async function nap(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
     lastActionAt: now,
     lastSeenAt: now,
   };
-  
+
   await ctx.storage.set("state", newState);
   await playActionSound(ctx);
-  
+
   try {
     await ctx.pet.react("waiting", { showMessage: false });
     if (xpInfo.leveledUp) {
@@ -323,15 +293,15 @@ export async function nap(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
       await ctx.pet.speak(ctx.t(`speech.nap.${idx}`));
     }
   } catch {}
-  
-  await updatePinned(ctx, newState, now);
+
+  await updateMenu(ctx, newState, now);
   return newState;
 }
 
 export async function showStatus(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
   const state = cleanState(await ctx.storage.get("state"));
-  await updatePinned(ctx, state, now);
-  
+  await updateMenu(ctx, state, now);
+
   const mood = getMood(state, now);
   try {
     await ctx.pet.speak(ctx.t(`speech.status.${mood}`));
@@ -341,7 +311,7 @@ export async function showStatus(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
 export async function reconcile(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
   const rawState = await ctx.storage.get("state");
   const state = cleanState(rawState);
-  
+
   let updatedState;
   if (state.lastSeenAt > 0) {
     const elapsedMs = Math.max(0, now - state.lastSeenAt);
@@ -349,12 +319,12 @@ export async function reconcile(ctx, now = Date.now()) {
   } else {
     updatedState = state;
   }
-  
+
   updatedState.lastSeenAt = now;
   const savedState = cleanState(updatedState);
   await ctx.storage.set("state", savedState);
-  
-  await updatePinned(ctx, savedState, now);
+
+  await updateMenu(ctx, savedState, now);
   await maybeNudge(ctx, savedState, now);
   await scheduleNextTick(ctx, now);
   return savedState;
@@ -364,18 +334,18 @@ export function register(OpenPetsPlugin) {
   OpenPetsPlugin.register({
     async start(ctx) {
       await reconcile(ctx);
-      
+
       try {
         ctx.events.on("pet:clicked", () => pet(ctx));
       } catch {}
-      
+
       const icon = ctx.assets.icon("virtual-pet");
-      
+
       await ctx.commands.register({ id: "feed", title: "$t:command.feed.title", description: "$t:command.feed.description", icon }, () => feed(ctx));
       await ctx.commands.register({ id: "play", title: "$t:command.play.title", description: "$t:command.play.description", icon }, () => play(ctx));
       await ctx.commands.register({ id: "pet", title: "$t:command.pet.title", description: "$t:command.pet.description", icon }, () => pet(ctx));
       await ctx.commands.register({ id: "nap", title: "$t:command.nap.title", description: "$t:command.nap.description", icon }, () => nap(ctx));
-      await ctx.commands.register({ id: "status", title: "$t:command.status.title", description: "$t:command.status.description", icon }, () => showStatus(ctx));
+      await ctx.commands.register({ id: "status", title: "$t:command.status.title", description: "$t:command.status.description", icon, placement: "top" }, () => showStatus(ctx));
     },
     async stop() {},
   });
diff --git a/plugins/official/openpets.virtual-pet/locales/en.json b/plugins/official/openpets.virtual-pet/locales/en.json
index b3d0cceb..827bbe0c 100644
--- a/plugins/official/openpets.virtual-pet/locales/en.json
+++ b/plugins/official/openpets.virtual-pet/locales/en.json
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
   "hud.bond": "Bond",
   "config.sound.label": "Action sound",
   "config.sound.description": "Optionally play a sound for direct care actions like feeding, playing, petting, or resting.",
-  
+
   "command.feed.title": "Feed snack",
   "command.feed.description": "Feed your pet a snack.",
   "command.play.title": "Play game",
@@ -19,6 +19,20 @@
   "command.status.title": "Check on pet",
   "command.status.description": "Check how your pet is feeling.",
 
+  "menu.mood": "Mood",
+  "menu.food": "Food",
+  "menu.energy": "Energy",
+  "menu.play": "Play",
+  "menu.bond": "Bond",
+  "menu.level": "Level",
+
+  "mood.sleeping": "Sleeping",
+  "mood.hungry": "Hungry",
+  "mood.tired": "Tired",
+  "mood.bored": "Bored",
+  "mood.happy": "Happy",
+  "mood.content": "Content",
+
   "speech.feed.0": "Thanks for the food!",
   "speech.feed.1": "*munch munch munch*",
   "speech.feed.2": "Yum, tasty!",
diff --git a/plugins/official/openpets.virtual-pet/test.js b/plugins/official/openpets.virtual-pet/test.js
index e26ff401..5ce566f3 100644
--- a/plugins/official/openpets.virtual-pet/test.js
+++ b/plugins/official/openpets.virtual-pet/test.js
@@ -91,35 +91,13 @@ const LOCALES = { en: JSON.parse(await readFile(new URL("./locales/en.json", imp
   h.expectStored("state", (s) => s.lastSeenAt === 100_000_000_000 && s.hunger === 80);
   // Expect schedules to contain tick schedule
   assert.ok(h.calls.schedules.has(SCHEDULE_ID));
-  // Expect pinned status bubble to show HUD
-  h.expectBubble({ sticky: true, pin: true });
-  
-  // Verify that the bubble contains the correct HUD items/values rather than text
-  const lastBubble = h.calls.bubbles[h.calls.bubbles.length - 1];
-  assert.ok(lastBubble, "Should have a bubble");
-  assert.ok(lastBubble.spec.hud, "Bubble should have a HUD spec");
-  assert.equal(lastBubble.spec.hud.items.length, 4);
-  
-  const [food, energy, play, bond] = lastBubble.spec.hud.items;
-  assert.equal(food.icon, "food");
-  assert.equal(food.value, 80);
-  assert.equal(food.tone, "amber");
-  assert.equal(food.label, "Food");
-  
-  assert.equal(energy.icon, "zap");
-  assert.equal(energy.value, 80);
-  assert.equal(energy.tone, "blue");
-  assert.equal(energy.label, "Energy");
-  
-  assert.equal(play.icon, "play");
-  assert.equal(play.value, 80);
-  assert.equal(play.tone, "green");
-  assert.equal(play.label, "Play");
-  
-  assert.equal(bond.icon, "heart");
-  assert.equal(bond.value, 50);
-  assert.equal(bond.tone, "pink");
-  assert.equal(bond.label, "Bond");
+  // Expect status labels in the dynamic context menu (no on-pet HUD overlay)
+  const menu = h.calls.menuItems;
+  assert.ok(menu.length > 0, "Should populate the context menu with status labels");
+  assert.ok(menu.some((item) => item.id === "food" && item.title.includes("80%")), "Menu should show food status");
+  assert.ok(menu.some((item) => item.id === "energy" && item.title.includes("80%")), "Menu should show energy status");
+  assert.ok(menu.some((item) => item.id === "play" && item.title.includes("80%")), "Menu should show play status");
+  assert.ok(menu.some((item) => item.id === "bond" && item.title.includes("50%")), "Menu should show bond status");
 
   h.expectNoErrors();
 }
@@ -132,7 +110,7 @@ const LOCALES = { en: JSON.parse(await readFile(new URL("./locales/en.json", imp
   const oldState = cleanState({ hunger: 100, energy: 100, happiness: 100, affection: 100, lastSeenAt: 101_000_000_000 - 2 * 3600_000 });
   await h.ctx.storage.set("state", oldState);
   await h.start();
-  
+
   // 2 hours elapsed = hunger -4 (96), energy -6 (94), happiness -4 (96), affection -2 (98)
   h.expectStored("state", (s) => s.hunger === 96 && s.energy === 94 && s.happiness === 96 && s.affection === 98);
   h.expectNoErrors();
@@ -143,7 +121,7 @@ const LOCALES = { en: JSON.parse(await readFile(new URL("./locales/en.json", imp
   const h = createTestHarness(register, { permissions: PERMISSIONS, locales: LOCALES, nowMs: 102_000_000_000 });
   activeHarness = h;
   await h.start();
-  
+
   // Feed command: hunger +25, xp +5
   await h.runCommand("feed");
   h.expectStored("state", (s) => s.hunger === 100 && s.xp === 5 && s.careCounts.fed === 1);
@@ -180,7 +158,7 @@ const LOCALES = { en: JSON.parse(await readFile(new URL("./locales/en.json", imp
   await h.start();
   await h.runCommand("nap"); // sleeping until 103B + 15M
   h.expectStored("state", (s) => s.sleptUntil > 0);
-  
+
   // Running play should wake up pet
   await h.runCommand("play");
   h.expectStored("state", (s) => s.sleptUntil === 0);
@@ -192,7 +170,7 @@ const LOCALES = { en: JSON.parse(await readFile(new URL("./locales/en.json", imp
   const h = createTestHarness(register, { permissions: PERMISSIONS, locales: LOCALES, nowMs: 104_000_000_000 });
   activeHarness = h;
   await h.start();
-  
+
   // Emit click event
   await h.emit("pet:clicked", {});
   h.expectStored("state", (s) => s.affection === 65 && s.careCounts.petted === 1);
@@ -208,7 +186,7 @@ const LOCALES = { en: JSON.parse(await readFile(new URL("./locales/en.json", imp
   const neglectedState = cleanState({ hunger: 10, lastSeenAt: 105_000_000_000 - 15 * 60_000 });
   await h.ctx.storage.set("state", neglectedState);
   await h.start();
-  
+
   // check if nudge triggered
   h.expectSpoke(/hungry/);
   h.expectStored("state", (s) => s.lastNudgeAt === 105_000_000_000);
@@ -217,7 +195,7 @@ const LOCALES = { en: JSON.parse(await readFile(new URL("./locales/en.json", imp
   const previousSpeakCount = h.calls.speak.length;
   await h.clock.advance("5m");
   assert.equal(h.calls.speak.length, previousSpeakCount, "nudge should not spam");
-  
+
   h.expectNoErrors();
 }