diff --git a/frontend/dashboard.css b/frontend/dashboard.css
index 536f7ed..1d31196 100644
--- a/frontend/dashboard.css
+++ b/frontend/dashboard.css
@@ -841,6 +841,8 @@ textarea { resize: vertical; min-height: 120px; }
 .create-issue-sheet.open { display:flex; }
 .create-issue-panel { width:min(560px,100%); height:100dvh; overflow:auto; overflow-x:hidden; display:grid; align-content:start; gap:12px; padding:18px; padding-bottom:calc(18px + env(safe-area-inset-bottom)); background:#0b1526; border-left:1px solid #2a496e; }
 .create-issue-header { display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between; gap:10px; }
+.today-capture-interruption { display:grid; gap:2px; padding:10px 12px; border:1px solid #3f6f9f; border-radius:10px; background:#10243b; }
+.today-capture-interruption[hidden] { display:none; }
 .create-issue-header button, .create-issue-actions button, .create-issue-capture-actions button { min-height:44px; }
 .mobile-create-issue-nav { display:none; }
 .create-issue-form { display:grid; gap:12px; }
diff --git a/frontend/dashboard.js b/frontend/dashboard.js
index c521ca2..02c4d82 100644
--- a/frontend/dashboard.js
+++ b/frontend/dashboard.js
@@ -1851,6 +1851,7 @@
       const item = todayMyWork.find(entry => todayWork.identity(entry) === identity);
       return completeTodayItem(item);
     },
+    onCapture:() => openCreateIssueSheet(),
   });
   todaySessionSync = attachTodaySessionHandoff({
     fetchJson:fetchReviewJson, storage:localStorage, timer, qs,
@@ -4871,6 +4872,8 @@
     creatingIssue = false;
     issueCaptureModal().close({restore:!followUpSourceUpdate});
     createIssueLauncher = null;
+    if (createAndStartRequested) timerView.transferCapture();
+    else timerView.finishCapture();
     if (followUpSourceUpdate) {
       const source = followUpSourceUpdate;
       followUpSourceUpdate = null;
@@ -5941,7 +5944,6 @@
       event.currentTarget.disabled = false;
     }
   });
-  qs('#new-issue').addEventListener('click', openCreateIssueSheet);
   qs('#create-update-follow-up').addEventListener('click', async () => {
     if (!selectedUpdate || !selectedUpdateDetail || !await ensureIssueCapture()) return;
     const source = {item: selectedUpdate, detail: selectedUpdateDetail};
@@ -5982,16 +5984,19 @@
         await unfiledCaptures.completeResume(rUC);
         rUC = '';
       }
+      const capture = timerView.finishCapture();
       issueCapture.clearDraft();
       qs('#create-issue-title').value = '';
       qs('#create-issue-body').value = '';
       createIssueAttachmentController.clear();
       closeCreateIssueSheet(true, false);
-      qs('[data-work-filter="draft"]').click();
-      mobileTaskDock.select('queues');
+      if (!capture) {
+        qs('[data-work-filter="draft"]').click();
+        mobileTaskDock.select('queues');
+      }
       refreshMyWorkView();
       const savedCard = qs('[data-capture-id="' + CSS.escape(savedCapture.id) + '"]');
-      requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+      if (!capture) requestAnimationFrame(() => {
         savedCard?.scrollIntoView({block:'nearest'});
         savedCard?.focus({preventScroll:true});
       });
diff --git a/frontend/index.html b/frontend/index.html
index 6e4c17e..c1f4450 100644
--- a/frontend/index.html
+++ b/frontend/index.html
@@ -964,6 +964,10 @@
       <h3 id="create-issue-heading">Capture work</h3>
       <button id="cancel-new-issue" type="button">Cancel</button>
     </div>
+    <aside class="today-capture-interruption" id="today-capture-interruption" role="status" hidden>
+      <strong id="today-capture-interruption-label">Today paused</strong>
+      <span class="small">Capture this thought, then return without counting interruption time.</span>
+    </aside>
     <nav class="mobile-create-issue-nav" aria-label="New issue sections">
       <button type="button" data-create-issue-section="describe">Describe</button>
       <button type="button" data-create-issue-section="evidence">Evidence</button>
diff --git a/frontend/today-timer.js b/frontend/today-timer.js
index 57c21f9..c04c808 100644
--- a/frontend/today-timer.js
+++ b/frontend/today-timer.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ function createTodayTimer({ storage, getLogin, now = () => Date.now(), onChange
   };
   const empty = () => ({
     version:1, active_identity:'', entries:{}, away_at:null,
-    pending_interruption:null, attention_interruption:null, timed_break:null,
+    pending_interruption:null, attention_interruption:null, capture_interruption:null, timed_break:null,
   });
   const read = () => {
     const ownerKey = key();
@@ -42,6 +42,12 @@ function createTodayTimer({ storage, getLogin, now = () => Date.now(), onChange
       typeof pending.resume === 'boolean' ?
       { identity:pending.identity, resume:pending.resume } : null;
   };
+  const validCapture = state => {
+    const pending = state.capture_interruption;
+    return pending && typeof pending.identity === 'string' && pending.identity &&
+      typeof pending.resume === 'boolean' ?
+      { identity:pending.identity, resume:pending.resume } : null;
+  };
   const validBreak = state => {
     const value = state.timed_break;
     return value && typeof value.identity === 'string' && value.identity &&
@@ -188,6 +194,44 @@ function createTodayTimer({ storage, getLogin, now = () => Date.now(), onChange
       state.away_at = null;
       return write(state) ? { identity:pending.identity, resumed:pending.resume } : null;
     },
+    beginCapture() {
+      const state = read();
+      const existing = validCapture(state);
+      if (existing) return existing;
+      const identity = state.active_identity;
+      const entry = state.entries[identity];
+      if (!identity || !entry) return null;
+      const resume = Boolean(entry.running);
+      if (resume) settle(state);
+      state.away_at = null;
+      state.capture_interruption = { identity, resume };
+      return write(state) ? { ...state.capture_interruption } : null;
+    },
+    captureInterruption() {
+      return validCapture(read());
+    },
+    abandonCapture() {
+      const state = read();
+      const pending = validCapture(state);
+      if (!pending) return null;
+      state.capture_interruption = null;
+      state.away_at = null;
+      return write(state) ? { identity:pending.identity, resumed:false } : null;
+    },
+    returnFromCapture() {
+      const state = read();
+      const pending = validCapture(state);
+      const entry = pending && state.entries[pending.identity];
+      if (!pending || !entry) return null;
+      const resumed = pending.resume && state.active_identity === pending.identity;
+      if (resumed && !entry.running) {
+        entry.started_at = now();
+        entry.running = true;
+      }
+      state.capture_interruption = null;
+      state.away_at = null;
+      return write(state) ? { identity:pending.identity, resumed } : null;
+    },
     markAway() {
       const state = read();
       const entry = state.entries[state.active_identity];
@@ -259,13 +303,20 @@ function createTodayTimer({ storage, getLogin, now = () => Date.now(), onChange
   };
 }
 
-function createTodayTimerView({ timer, isActive, queryAll, formatEstimate, getRunway, getItem, onReopen, onResume, onComplete }) {
+function createTodayTimerView({ timer, isActive, queryAll, formatEstimate, getRunway, getItem, onReopen, onResume, onComplete, onCapture }) {
   let progress = null;
   let runway = null;
   let breakView = null;
   if (typeof createTodayBreak === 'function') {
     breakView = createTodayBreak({timer, qs:selector => queryAll(selector)[0], queryAll, onChange:() => render(), onResume:onResume || onReopen});
   }
+  const captureView = createTodayCaptureInterruption({
+    timer,
+    banner:queryAll('#today-capture-interruption')[0],
+    label:queryAll('#today-capture-interruption-label')[0],
+    getItem,
+    onReturn:() => render(),
+  });
   queryAll('[data-mobile-today-open]').forEach(button =>
     button.addEventListener('click', () => {
       const identity = timer.snapshot().identity;
@@ -366,7 +417,7 @@ function createTodayTimerView({ timer, isActive, queryAll, formatEstimate, getRu
       button.setAttribute('aria-pressed', String(!snapshot.running));
     });
   };
-  return {
+  const view = {
     open(identity, active) {
       const current = timer.snapshot();
       if (active && current.identity !== identity) timer.activate(identity);
@@ -377,8 +428,28 @@ function createTodayTimerView({ timer, isActive, queryAll, formatEstimate, getRu
     update(nextProgress, nextRunway) { progress = nextProgress; runway = nextRunway; render(); },
     reset() { progress = null; runway = null; render(); },
     toggle() { const state = timer.snapshot(); state.running ? timer.pause() : timer.resume(); render(); },
+    beginCapture() {
+      const result = captureView.open();
+      this.restoreCapture();
+      render();
+      return result;
+    },
+    restoreCapture() {
+      const result = captureView.restore();
+      const button = queryAll('#save-unfiled-issue')[0];
+      if (button) button.textContent = result ? 'Save & return to Today' : 'Save to Drafts';
+      return result;
+    },
+    finishCapture() { return captureView.finish(); },
+    transferCapture() { return captureView.transfer(); },
     render,
   };
+  queryAll('#new-issue').forEach(button => button.addEventListener('click', () => {
+    view.beginCapture();
+    onCapture?.();
+  }));
+  if (timer.captureInterruption) view.restoreCapture();
+  return view;
 }
 
 function createTodayBudgetReplan({ timer, openPlan }) {
@@ -430,9 +501,44 @@ function createTodayInterruptionPrompt({ timer, sheet, description, getItemLabel
   };
 }
 
+function createTodayCaptureInterruption({ timer, banner, label, getItem, getItemLabel, onReturn }) {
+  banner ||= typeof document === 'undefined' ? null : document.querySelector('#today-capture-interruption');
+  label ||= typeof document === 'undefined' ? null : document.querySelector('#today-capture-interruption-label');
+  const render = pending => {
+    if (!banner || !label) return;
+    banner.hidden = !pending;
+    label.textContent = pending ? 'Today paused · ' +
+      String(getItem?.(pending.identity)?.title || getItemLabel?.(pending.identity) || 'Current Today item') : '';
+  };
+  return {
+    open() {
+      const pending = timer.beginCapture();
+      render(pending);
+      return pending;
+    },
+    restore() {
+      const pending = timer.captureInterruption();
+      render(pending);
+      return pending;
+    },
+    finish() {
+      const result = timer.returnFromCapture();
+      render(null);
+      if (result) onReturn?.(result);
+      return result;
+    },
+    transfer() {
+      const result = timer.abandonCapture();
+      render(null);
+      return result;
+    },
+  };
+}
+
 if (typeof module !== 'undefined' && module.exports) {
   createTodayTimer.createView = createTodayTimerView;
   createTodayTimer.createInterruptionPrompt = createTodayInterruptionPrompt;
   createTodayTimer.createBudgetReplan = createTodayBudgetReplan;
+  createTodayTimer.createCaptureInterruption = createTodayCaptureInterruption;
   module.exports = createTodayTimer;
 }
diff --git a/tests/e2e/test_mobile_today_handoff_release.py b/tests/e2e/test_mobile_today_handoff_release.py
index f588cbe..d97c1e1 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/test_mobile_today_handoff_release.py
+++ b/tests/e2e/test_mobile_today_handoff_release.py
@@ -94,6 +94,32 @@ def test_release_artifact_plans_hands_off_and_opens_next_mobile_issue(tmp_path:
             if page.locator("#plan-today-sheet").is_visible():
                 page.locator("#cancel-plan-today").click()
             expect(page.locator("[data-mobile-today-hud]")).to_be_visible()
+
+            page.locator('[data-mobile-task="new"]').click()
+            expect(page.locator("#create-issue-sheet")).to_have_class("create-issue-sheet open")
+            expect(page.locator("#today-capture-interruption")).to_be_visible()
+            expect(page.locator("#today-capture-interruption-label")).to_contain_text("Ship mobile capture")
+            expect(page.locator("#save-unfiled-issue")).to_have_text("Save & return to Today")
+            paused_timer = page.evaluate("""() => {
+              const key = Object.keys(localStorage).find(value => value.startsWith('stackchain.today-timer.v1.'));
+              const state = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(key));
+              return state.entries[state.active_identity];
+            }""")
+            assert paused_timer["running"] is False
+            page.locator("#create-issue-title").fill("Remember release note")
+            page.locator("#save-unfiled-issue").click()
+            expect(page.locator("#create-issue-sheet")).not_to_have_class("create-issue-sheet open")
+            expect(page.locator("[data-mobile-today-hud]")).to_be_visible()
+            resumed = page.evaluate("""() => {
+              const key = Object.keys(localStorage).find(value => value.startsWith('stackchain.today-timer.v1.'));
+              const timer = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(key));
+              const captures = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('stackchain.unfiled-issues.v1') || 'null');
+              return {running:timer.entries[timer.active_identity].running,
+                saved:JSON.stringify(captures).includes('Remember release note')};
+            }""")
+            assert resumed == {"running": True, "saved": True}
+            assert page.evaluate("document.documentElement.scrollWidth <= window.innerWidth")
+
             page.locator("[data-mobile-today-more]").click()
             expect(page.locator("#mobile-today-actions")).to_be_visible()
             blocked = page.locator("[data-mobile-today-blocked]")
diff --git a/tests/test_today_capture_flow.py b/tests/test_today_capture_flow.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5bad1f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_today_capture_flow.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).parents[1]
+DASHBOARD = ROOT / "frontend" / "dashboard.js"
+INDEX = ROOT / "frontend" / "index.html"
+TIMER = ROOT / "frontend" / "today-timer.js"
+
+
+def test_quick_capture_wires_timer_interruption_to_all_exit_paths():
+    source = DASHBOARD.read_text()
+    timer_source = TIMER.read_text()
+    html = INDEX.read_text()
+
+    assert 'id="today-capture-interruption"' in html
+    assert 'id="today-capture-interruption-label"' in html
+    assert "view.beginCapture();" in timer_source
+    assert "timerView.transferCapture()" in source
+    assert "timerView.finishCapture()" in source
+    assert "result ? 'Save & return to Today' : 'Save to Drafts'" in timer_source
+    assert "if (!capture)" in source
+
+
+def test_capture_save_returns_only_after_durable_admission():
+    source = DASHBOARD.read_text()
+
+    saved = source.index("const savedCapture = await unfiledCaptures.save(captureDraft);")
+    returned = source.index("timerView.finishCapture()", saved)
+    failure = source.index("} catch (error) {", saved)
+    assert saved < returned < failure
diff --git a/tests/test_today_timer_handoff.py b/tests/test_today_timer_handoff.py
index a5e2985..a373a9e 100644
--- a/tests/test_today_timer_handoff.py
+++ b/tests/test_today_timer_handoff.py
@@ -49,3 +49,127 @@ process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify(changes));
         {"identity": "issue:r:42:", "elapsed_ms": 0, "running": True},
         {"identity": "issue:r:42:", "elapsed_ms": 5000, "running": False},
     ]
+
+
+def test_quick_capture_pauses_only_its_running_item_and_restores_once():
+    script = SOURCE.read_text() + r"""
+const values = new Map();
+const storage = {getItem:key=>values.get(key)||null,setItem:(key,value)=>values.set(key,value)};
+let now = 1000;
+const timer = createTodayTimer({storage, getLogin:()=> 'timmy', now:()=>now});
+timer.activate('issue:r:42:');
+now = 6000;
+const interruption = timer.beginCapture();
+now = 16000;
+const paused = timer.snapshot();
+const returned = timer.returnFromCapture();
+now = 18000;
+const restored = timer.snapshot();
+const repeated = timer.returnFromCapture();
+process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify({interruption, paused, returned, restored, repeated}));
+"""
+    completed = subprocess.run(["node", "-e", script], capture_output=True, text=True)
+
+    assert completed.returncode == 0, completed.stderr
+    assert json.loads(completed.stdout) == {
+        "interruption": {"identity": "issue:r:42:", "resume": True},
+        "paused": {"identity": "issue:r:42:", "elapsed_ms": 5000, "running": False},
+        "returned": {"identity": "issue:r:42:", "resumed": True},
+        "restored": {"identity": "issue:r:42:", "elapsed_ms": 7000, "running": True},
+        "repeated": None,
+    }
+
+
+def test_quick_capture_does_not_resume_an_already_paused_or_replaced_item():
+    script = SOURCE.read_text() + r"""
+const values = new Map();
+const storage = {getItem:key=>values.get(key)||null,setItem:(key,value)=>values.set(key,value)};
+let now = 0;
+const timer = createTodayTimer({storage, getLogin:()=> 'timmy', now:()=>now});
+timer.adopt('issue:r:1:', 3000, false);
+const pausedInterruption = timer.beginCapture();
+const pausedReturn = timer.returnFromCapture();
+const stayedPaused = timer.snapshot();
+timer.activate('issue:r:1:');
+const runningInterruption = timer.beginCapture();
+timer.activate('issue:r:2:');
+const replacedReturn = timer.returnFromCapture();
+const replacement = timer.snapshot();
+process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify({pausedInterruption, pausedReturn, stayedPaused, runningInterruption, replacedReturn, replacement}));
+"""
+    completed = subprocess.run(["node", "-e", script], capture_output=True, text=True)
+
+    assert completed.returncode == 0, completed.stderr
+    assert json.loads(completed.stdout) == {
+        "pausedInterruption": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "resume": False},
+        "pausedReturn": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "resumed": False},
+        "stayedPaused": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "elapsed_ms": 3000, "running": False},
+        "runningInterruption": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "resume": True},
+        "replacedReturn": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "resumed": False},
+        "replacement": {"identity": "issue:r:2:", "elapsed_ms": 0, "running": True},
+    }
+
+
+def test_create_and_start_abandons_the_interrupted_timer():
+    script = SOURCE.read_text() + r"""
+const values = new Map();
+const storage = {getItem:key=>values.get(key)||null,setItem:(key,value)=>values.set(key,value)};
+const timer = createTodayTimer({storage, getLogin:()=> 'timmy', now:()=>5000});
+timer.activate('issue:r:1:');
+timer.beginCapture();
+const abandoned = timer.abandonCapture();
+const snapshot = timer.snapshot();
+const repeated = timer.returnFromCapture();
+process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify({abandoned, snapshot, repeated}));
+"""
+    completed = subprocess.run(["node", "-e", script], capture_output=True, text=True)
+
+    assert completed.returncode == 0, completed.stderr
+    assert json.loads(completed.stdout) == {
+        "abandoned": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "resumed": False},
+        "snapshot": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "elapsed_ms": 0, "running": False},
+        "repeated": None,
+    }
+
+
+def test_capture_interruption_view_names_work_and_returns_to_today():
+    script = SOURCE.read_text() + r"""
+const values = new Map();
+const storage = {getItem:key=>values.get(key)||null,setItem:(key,value)=>values.set(key,value)};
+const timer = createTodayTimer({storage, getLogin:()=> 'timmy', now:()=>1000});
+const banner = {hidden:true};
+const label = {textContent:''};
+const returns = [];
+const view = createTodayTimer.createCaptureInterruption({
+  timer, banner, label,
+  getItemLabel:identity=>identity === 'issue:r:1:' ? 'Ship release' : '',
+  onReturn:result=>returns.push(result),
+});
+timer.activate('issue:r:1:');
+const opened = view.open();
+const shown = {hidden:banner.hidden, text:label.textContent, timer:timer.snapshot()};
+const finished = view.finish();
+const closed = {hidden:banner.hidden, timer:timer.snapshot(), returns};
+timer.beginCapture();
+const transferred = view.transfer();
+process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify({opened, shown, finished, closed, transferred, final:timer.snapshot()}));
+"""
+    completed = subprocess.run(["node", "-e", script], capture_output=True, text=True)
+
+    assert completed.returncode == 0, completed.stderr
+    assert json.loads(completed.stdout) == {
+        "opened": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "resume": True},
+        "shown": {
+            "hidden": False,
+            "text": "Today paused · Ship release",
+            "timer": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "elapsed_ms": 0, "running": False},
+        },
+        "finished": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "resumed": True},
+        "closed": {
+            "hidden": True,
+            "timer": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "elapsed_ms": 0, "running": True},
+            "returns": [{"identity": "issue:r:1:", "resumed": True}],
+        },
+        "transferred": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "resumed": False},
+        "final": {"identity": "issue:r:1:", "elapsed_ms": 0, "running": False},
+    }