diff --git a/Benchmarks/PortForwarding/main.swift b/Benchmarks/PortForwarding/main.swift
index 0b5aeca2..4945fa29 100644
--- a/Benchmarks/PortForwarding/main.swift
+++ b/Benchmarks/PortForwarding/main.swift
@@ -165,10 +165,11 @@ private struct BenchmarkRunner {
         let connectionRequest = request(jumps: jumps)
         try await session.connect(connectionRequest, progress: nil)
         if effectiveMaximum > 1 {
-            await session.configureAdditionalConnections(
-                SSHConnectionRequest(
-                    configuration: connectionRequest.configuration,
-                    interactionPolicy: .forbidden))
+            await session.configureAdditionalConnections {
+                var request = self.request(jumps: jumps)
+                request.interactionPolicy = .forbidden
+                return request.enforcingInteractionPolicy()
+            }
         }
         do {
             let rule = try rule(kind)
@@ -268,10 +269,11 @@ private struct BenchmarkRunner {
 
     private func request(jumps: Int) -> SSHConnectionRequest {
         let username = fixture.username ?? "none"
-        let credentials: [SSHCredentials] =
+        func credentials() -> [SSHCredentials] {
             fixture.username.flatMap { _ in fixture.privateKey }.map {
                 [.privateKey(privateKey: $0, publicKey: nil, passphrase: nil)]
             } ?? []
+        }
         let expectedHostKeys: Set<SSHHostKeyIdentity> =
             fixture.hostKeyFingerprint.map {
                 [SSHHostKeyIdentity(algorithm: .ed25519, fingerprint: $0)]
@@ -281,7 +283,7 @@ private struct BenchmarkRunner {
             host: "127.0.0.1",
             port: fixture.port,
             username: username,
-            credentials: credentials,
+            credentials: credentials(),
             expectedHostKeys: expectedHostKeys)
         configuration.jumps = (0..<jumps).map { _ in
             SSHRouteHopConfiguration(
@@ -290,7 +292,7 @@ private struct BenchmarkRunner {
                 host: "127.0.0.1",
                 port: fixture.port,
                 username: username,
-                credentials: credentials,
+                credentials: credentials(),
                 expectedHostKeys: expectedHostKeys)
         }
         return SSHConnectionRequest(configuration: configuration, authorizeHostKey: { _ in .accept })
diff --git a/FrameworkTests/SSHAuthenticationSubmissionTests.swift b/FrameworkTests/SSHAuthenticationSubmissionTests.swift
index 9c0c41a3..043dc90b 100644
--- a/FrameworkTests/SSHAuthenticationSubmissionTests.swift
+++ b/FrameworkTests/SSHAuthenticationSubmissionTests.swift
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import Testing
 @Suite @MainActor
 struct SSHAuthenticationSubmissionTests {
     @Test(arguments: [String?.none, "", "supplied"])
-    func selectedPasswordFallbackRecordsOnlySavedCredentialAccess(_ password: String?) throws {
+    func selectedPasswordRemainsReferenceOnlyUnlessExplicitlySupplied(_ password: String?) throws {
         let secrets = InMemorySecretStore()
         let identity = Identity(name: "Deploy", username: "deploy", credentialRef: "password")
         let store = HostLibraryModel(identities: [identity], secrets: secrets)
@@ -16,10 +16,10 @@ struct SSHAuthenticationSubmissionTests {
             username: "deploy", password: password, passphrase: "one-use", keyID: identity.keyID,
             selectedIdentity: identity)
 
-        #expect(submission.password == (password ?? "saved"))
+        #expect(submission.password == password)
         #expect(submission.passphrase == "one-use")
         #expect(submission.identityID == identity.id)
-        #expect((store.identity(identity.id)?.lastUsedAt != nil) == (password == nil))
+        #expect(store.identity(identity.id)?.lastUsedAt == nil)
         #expect(try store.passwordCredential(for: identity) == "saved")
     }
 
@@ -41,14 +41,14 @@ struct SSHAuthenticationSubmissionTests {
     }
 
     @Test
-    func failedPasswordReadThrowsButExplicitInputBypassesIt() throws {
+    func selectingIdentityDefersUnreadablePasswordUntilConnectionResolution() throws {
         let identity = Identity(name: "Deploy", username: "deploy", credentialRef: "unreadable")
         let store = HostLibraryModel(identities: [identity], secrets: UnreadableAuthenticationSecrets())
 
-        #expect(throws: CocoaError.self) {
-            try store.authenticationSubmission(
-                username: "deploy", password: nil, passphrase: nil, keyID: nil, selectedIdentity: identity)
-        }
+        let referenced = try store.authenticationSubmission(
+            username: "deploy", password: nil, passphrase: nil, keyID: nil, selectedIdentity: identity)
+        #expect(referenced.password == nil)
+        #expect(referenced.identityID == identity.id)
         let submission = try store.authenticationSubmission(
             username: "deploy", password: "supplied", passphrase: nil, keyID: nil, selectedIdentity: identity)
         #expect(submission.password == "supplied")
@@ -139,6 +139,26 @@ struct SSHAuthenticationSubmissionTests {
         #expect(updated.identityID == identity.id)
         #expect(try store.passwordCredential(for: identity) == "replacement")
     }
+
+    @Test
+    func takingAttemptSecretsLeavesOnlyReentryMarkersInSessionState() {
+        let hostID = UUID()
+        var retained = [
+            hostID: SSHAuthenticationSubmission(
+                username: "deploy", password: "one-use-password",
+                passphrase: "one-use-passphrase", keyID: UUID()
+            )
+        ]
+
+        let attempt = retained.takeAuthenticationSecrets()
+
+        #expect(attempt[hostID]?.password == "one-use-password")
+        #expect(attempt[hostID]?.passphrase == "one-use-passphrase")
+        #expect(retained[hostID]?.password == nil)
+        #expect(retained[hostID]?.passphrase == nil)
+        #expect(retained[hostID]?.requiresPasswordReentry == true)
+        #expect(retained[hostID]?.requiresPassphraseReentry == true)
+    }
 }
 
 private struct UnreadableAuthenticationSecrets: SecretStoring {
diff --git a/FrameworkTests/SSHConnectionPreparationTests.swift b/FrameworkTests/SSHConnectionPreparationTests.swift
index affe8d03..ab03f64d 100644
--- a/FrameworkTests/SSHConnectionPreparationTests.swift
+++ b/FrameworkTests/SSHConnectionPreparationTests.swift
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ struct SSHConnectionPreparationTests {
     }
 
     @Test
-    func protectedKeyReadIsReportedBeforePassphraseIsRequested() async {
+    func protectedKeyIsNotReadBeforePassphraseIsRequested() async {
         let key = SSHKeyRef(
             label: "Protected", publicKey: "ssh-ed25519 test",
             credentialRef: "key.protected", hasPassphrase: true
@@ -155,8 +155,8 @@ struct SSHConnectionPreparationTests {
         await #expect(throws: TermindSSHError.self) {
             _ = try await preparation.resolve(trustPolicy: .allowChallenge)
         }
-        #expect(recorder.identityIDs == [identity.id])
-        #expect(recorder.callCount == 1)
+        #expect(recorder.identityIDs.isEmpty)
+        #expect(recorder.callCount == 0)
     }
 
     @Test
diff --git a/FrameworkTests/SSHInteractionPolicyTests.swift b/FrameworkTests/SSHInteractionPolicyTests.swift
index f38c42f8..d4cab150 100644
--- a/FrameworkTests/SSHInteractionPolicyTests.swift
+++ b/FrameworkTests/SSHInteractionPolicyTests.swift
@@ -185,6 +185,62 @@ struct SSHInteractionPolicyTests {
         }
         #expect(password == "saved-password")
     }
+
+    @Test func runtimeSecretCanBeConsumedOnlyOnceAcrossAllReferences() throws {
+        let secret = SSHSecret("one-use")
+        let alias = secret
+        var observedCount = 0
+
+        try secret.withUnsafeCStringAndConsume { buffer, count in
+            observedCount = count
+            #expect(buffer[0] == CChar(bitPattern: Character("o").asciiValue!))
+        }
+
+        #expect(observedCount == 7)
+        #expect(secret.isConsumed)
+        #expect(alias.isConsumed)
+        #expect(throws: SSHSecret.Consumed.self) {
+            try alias.withUnsafeCStringAndConsume { _, _ in }
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test func clearingAConfigurationInvalidatesEveryCredentialCopy() {
+        let password = SSHSecret("password")
+        let privateKey = SSHSecret("private-key")
+        let passphrase = SSHSecret("passphrase")
+        let proxyPassword = SSHSecret("proxy-password")
+        let configuration = SSHConnectionConfiguration(
+            hostID: UUID(), host: "example.invalid", port: 22, username: "user",
+            credentials: [
+                .password(password),
+                .privateKey(
+                    privateKey: privateKey, publicKey: nil,
+                    passphrase: passphrase, requiresPassphrase: true
+                ),
+            ], expectedHostKeys: [],
+            proxy: SSHTransportProxy(
+                kind: .socks5, hostname: "proxy.invalid", port: 1080,
+                username: "proxy", password: proxyPassword
+            )
+        )
+        let copy = configuration
+
+        copy.clearSecrets()
+
+        #expect(password.isConsumed)
+        #expect(privateKey.isConsumed)
+        #expect(passphrase.isConsumed)
+        #expect(proxyPassword.isConsumed)
+        #expect(
+            configuration.credentials.allSatisfy { credential in
+                switch credential {
+                case .password(let value): value.isConsumed
+                case .privateKey(let value, _, let phrase, _):
+                    value.isConsumed && phrase?.isConsumed == true
+                case .secureEnclave, .interactionRequired: true
+                }
+            })
+    }
 }
 
 private nonisolated final class CountingSecretStore: SecretStoring, @unchecked Sendable {
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/Connections/RemoteSessionHostStore.swift b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/Connections/RemoteSessionHostStore.swift
index f5c36218..5381ac19 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/Connections/RemoteSessionHostStore.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/Connections/RemoteSessionHostStore.swift
@@ -45,7 +45,9 @@ public protocol RemoteSessionHostStore: AnyObject, Sendable {
     func transportProxy(for host: Host) throws -> SSHTransportProxy?
     func sshCredentials(for identity: Identity) -> SSHCredentialResolution
     func passwordCredential(for identity: Identity) throws -> String?
+    func passwordSecret(for identity: Identity) throws -> SSHSecret?
     func keyCredential(for key: SSHKeyRef) throws -> StoredSSHKeyCredential?
+    func keySecretCredential(for key: SSHKeyRef) throws -> SSHResolvedKeyCredential?
     func recordIdentityCredentialAccess(_ identityIDs: Set<Identity.ID>, at date: Date)
     func setConnectionStatus(_ status: ConnectionStatus, connectionID: UUID, hostID: Host.ID)
     func recordRemoteSystemInfo(_ systemInfo: RemoteSystemInfo?, for hostID: Host.ID)
@@ -57,15 +59,16 @@ public protocol RemoteSessionHostStore: AnyObject, Sendable {
 }
 
 extension RemoteSessionHostStore {
-    /// Resolves a desktop authentication form without saving its input. Only a
-    /// selected Identity can supply a saved password; explicit input wins.
+    /// Captures a desktop authentication form without saving its input. A
+    /// selected Identity stays reference-only so its saved password is read
+    /// directly into a one-shot buffer only when the connection is resolved.
     public func authenticationSubmission(
         username: String, password: String?, passphrase: String?, keyID: SSHKeyRef.ID?,
         selectedIdentity: Identity?
     ) throws -> SSHAuthenticationSubmission {
         SSHAuthenticationSubmission(
             username: username,
-            password: try password ?? selectedIdentity.flatMap { try connectionPasswordCredential(for: $0) },
+            password: password,
             passphrase: passphrase, keyID: keyID, identityID: selectedIdentity?.id
         )
     }
@@ -162,7 +165,7 @@ extension RemoteSessionHostStore {
             guard let identity = identity(identityID) else {
                 throw TermindSSHError.missingCredential
             }
-            let password = try connectionPasswordCredential(for: identity)
+            let password = try connectionPasswordSecret(for: identity)
             guard let password else { throw TermindSSHError.missingCredential }
             return SSHTransportProxy(
                 kind: value.kind, hostname: value.hostname, port: value.port,
@@ -193,7 +196,7 @@ extension RemoteSessionHostStore {
                         credentials.append(.interactionRequired)
                     } else {
                         do {
-                            if let stored = try connectionKeyCredential(
+                            if let stored = try connectionKeySecretCredential(
                                 for: key, identityID: resolvedIdentity?.id
                             ) {
                                 credentials.append(
@@ -218,7 +221,7 @@ extension RemoteSessionHostStore {
 
             if let resolvedIdentity, resolvedIdentity.usesPassword {
                 do {
-                    if let password = try connectionPasswordCredential(for: resolvedIdentity) {
+                    if let password = try connectionPasswordSecret(for: resolvedIdentity) {
                         credentials.append(.password(password))
                     } else {
                         failures.append(TermindSSHError.missingCredential)
@@ -267,6 +270,14 @@ extension RemoteSessionHostStore {
         return password
     }
 
+    public func connectionPasswordSecret(for identity: Identity) throws -> SSHSecret? {
+        let password = try passwordSecret(for: identity)
+        if password != nil {
+            recordIdentityCredentialAccess([identity.id], at: Date())
+        }
+        return password
+    }
+
     public func connectionKeyCredential(
         for key: SSHKeyRef, identityID: Identity.ID?
     ) throws -> StoredSSHKeyCredential? {
@@ -277,6 +288,16 @@ extension RemoteSessionHostStore {
         return credential
     }
 
+    public func connectionKeySecretCredential(
+        for key: SSHKeyRef, identityID: Identity.ID?
+    ) throws -> SSHResolvedKeyCredential? {
+        let credential = try keySecretCredential(for: key)
+        if credential != nil, let identityID {
+            recordIdentityCredentialAccess([identityID], at: Date())
+        }
+        return credential
+    }
+
     public func expectedHostKeys(
         for host: Host, temporaryHostKeys: [Host.ID: SSHHostKeyIdentity]
     ) throws -> Set<SSHHostKeyIdentity> {
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/Connections/SSHConnectionPreparation.swift b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/Connections/SSHConnectionPreparation.swift
index d7bfaf12..4eab9278 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/Connections/SSHConnectionPreparation.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/Connections/SSHConnectionPreparation.swift
@@ -132,9 +132,12 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHConnectionPreparation: Sendable {
         var result: [SSHCredentials] = []
         var retrievalFailure: (any Error)?
         if let key = node.key {
-            let stored: StoredSSHKeyCredential?
+            if key.requiresPassphraseEntry, node.submission?.passphrase?.isEmpty != false {
+                throw TermindSSHError.keyPassphraseRequired
+            }
+            let stored: SSHResolvedKeyCredential?
             do {
-                stored = try secrets.keyCredential(for: key.credentialRef, storage: key.storage)
+                stored = try secrets.sshKeyCredential(for: key.credentialRef, storage: key.storage)
                 if stored != nil, let identity = connectionIdentity(for: node) {
                     accessedIdentityIDs.insert(identity.id)
                 }
@@ -143,9 +146,6 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHConnectionPreparation: Sendable {
                 retrievalFailure = error
             }
             if let stored {
-                if key.requiresPassphraseEntry, node.submission?.passphrase?.isEmpty != false {
-                    throw TermindSSHError.keyPassphraseRequired
-                }
                 result.append(
                     stored.sshCredential(
                         publicKey: key.publicKey, certificate: key.certificate,
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHConnectionPreparation: Sendable {
             let identity = node.identity, identity.usesPassword
         {
             do {
-                if let password = try secrets.string(
+                if let password = try secrets.sshSecret(
                     for: identity.credentialRef, storage: identity.passwordStorage
                 ) {
                     result.append(.password(password))
@@ -187,12 +187,12 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHConnectionPreparation: Sendable {
         guard proxy.isValid else {
             throw TermindSSHError.proxy(String(localized: "The proxy configuration is incomplete."))
         }
-        var password: String?
+        var password: SSHSecret?
         if proxy.identityID != nil {
             guard let identity = node.proxyIdentity, identity.usesPassword else {
                 throw TermindSSHError.proxy(String(localized: "The proxy password identity is unavailable."))
             }
-            password = try secrets.string(for: identity.credentialRef, storage: identity.passwordStorage)
+            password = try secrets.sshSecret(for: identity.credentialRef, storage: identity.passwordStorage)
             guard password != nil else {
                 throw TermindSSHError.proxy(String(localized: "The proxy password is unavailable."))
             }
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/FeatureModels/HostLibraryModel.swift b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/FeatureModels/HostLibraryModel.swift
index 114d7efe..003f0a3e 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/FeatureModels/HostLibraryModel.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/FeatureModels/HostLibraryModel.swift
@@ -662,15 +662,15 @@ public final class HostLibraryModel: RemoteSessionHostStore {
     ) throws -> [SSHCredentials] {
         var credentials: [SSHCredentials] = []
         if let keyID = submission.keyID, let key = key(keyID) {
-            if let stored = try keyCredential(for: key) {
+            if key.requiresPassphraseEntry,
+                submission.passphrase?.isEmpty != false
+            {
+                throw TermindSSHError.keyPassphraseRequired
+            }
+            if let stored = try keySecretCredential(for: key) {
                 if let identityID = submission.identityID {
                     accessedIdentityIDs.insert(identityID)
                 }
-                if key.requiresPassphraseEntry,
-                    submission.passphrase?.isEmpty != false
-                {
-                    throw TermindSSHError.keyPassphraseRequired
-                }
                 credentials.append(
                     stored.sshCredential(
                         publicKey: key.publicKey, certificate: key.certificate,
@@ -681,7 +681,15 @@ public final class HostLibraryModel: RemoteSessionHostStore {
                 )
             }
         }
-        if let password = submission.password { credentials.append(.password(password)) }
+        if let password = submission.password {
+            credentials.append(.password(password))
+        } else if let identityID = submission.identityID,
+            let identity = identity(identityID), identity.usesPassword,
+            let password = try passwordSecret(for: identity)
+        {
+            credentials.append(.password(password))
+            accessedIdentityIDs.insert(identityID)
+        }
         return credentials
     }
 
@@ -700,12 +708,12 @@ public final class HostLibraryModel: RemoteSessionHostStore {
         guard proxy.isValid else {
             throw TermindSSHError.proxy(String(localized: "The proxy configuration is incomplete."))
         }
-        var password: String?
+        var password: SSHSecret?
         if let identityID = proxy.identityID {
             guard let identity = identity(identityID), identity.usesPassword else {
                 throw TermindSSHError.proxy(String(localized: "The proxy password identity is unavailable."))
             }
-            password = try passwordCredential(for: identity)
+            password = try passwordSecret(for: identity)
             guard password != nil else {
                 throw TermindSSHError.proxy(String(localized: "The proxy password is unavailable."))
             }
@@ -737,12 +745,12 @@ public final class HostLibraryModel: RemoteSessionHostStore {
 
         if let keyID = identity.keyID {
             if let key = key(keyID) {
-                do {
-                    if let credential = try keyCredential(for: key) {
-                        accessedIdentityIDs.insert(identity.id)
-                        if key.requiresPassphraseEntry {
-                            requiredPassphraseKeyID = key.id
-                        } else {
+                if key.requiresPassphraseEntry {
+                    requiredPassphraseKeyID = key.id
+                } else {
+                    do {
+                        if let credential = try keySecretCredential(for: key) {
+                            accessedIdentityIDs.insert(identity.id)
                             credentials.append(
                                 credential.sshCredential(
                                     publicKey: key.publicKey, certificate: key.certificate,
@@ -750,15 +758,15 @@ public final class HostLibraryModel: RemoteSessionHostStore {
                                     requiresUserPresence: key.requiresUserPresence
                                 )
                             )
+                        } else {
+                            failures.append(
+                                String(localized: "The selected key has no saved private key.")
+                            )
                         }
-                    } else {
-                        failures.append(
-                            String(localized: "The selected key has no saved private key.")
-                        )
+                    } catch {
+                        storageError = error.localizedDescription
+                        failures.append(error.localizedDescription)
                     }
-                } catch {
-                    storageError = error.localizedDescription
-                    failures.append(error.localizedDescription)
                 }
             } else {
                 failures.append(
@@ -769,7 +777,7 @@ public final class HostLibraryModel: RemoteSessionHostStore {
 
         if identity.usesPassword {
             do {
-                if let password = try passwordCredential(for: identity) {
+                if let password = try passwordSecret(for: identity) {
                     credentials.append(.password(password))
                     accessedIdentityIDs.insert(identity.id)
                 } else {
@@ -1215,6 +1223,13 @@ public final class HostLibraryModel: RemoteSessionHostStore {
         )
     }
 
+    public func passwordSecret(for identity: Identity) throws -> SSHSecret? {
+        guard identity.usesPassword else { return nil }
+        return try keychain.sshSecret(
+            for: identity.credentialRef, storage: identity.passwordStorage
+        )
+    }
+
     public func passwordAvailability(for identity: Identity) -> SecretAvailability {
         guard identity.usesPassword else { return .notConfigured }
         do {
@@ -1394,6 +1409,10 @@ public final class HostLibraryModel: RemoteSessionHostStore {
         try keychain.keyCredential(for: key.credentialRef, storage: key.storage)
     }
 
+    public func keySecretCredential(for key: SSHKeyRef) throws -> SSHResolvedKeyCredential? {
+        try keychain.sshKeyCredential(for: key.credentialRef, storage: key.storage)
+    }
+
     public func keyAvailability(for key: SSHKeyRef) -> SecretAvailability {
         do {
             return try keyCredential(for: key) == nil ? .missing : .available
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/Metrics/ServerMetricsModel.swift b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/Metrics/ServerMetricsModel.swift
index 4524aa14..58adb684 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/Metrics/ServerMetricsModel.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/Metrics/ServerMetricsModel.swift
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ public final class ServerMetricsModel: MetricsSnapshotReading {
     }
     private nonisolated struct RunAttempt: Sendable {
         var host: Host
-        var preparation: SSHConnectionPreparation
+        var preparation: SSHConnectionPreparation?
         var sampler: any MetricsSampling
     }
     private nonisolated struct HostKeyAuthorization: Sendable {
@@ -307,10 +307,13 @@ public final class ServerMetricsModel: MetricsSnapshotReading {
         finishHostKeyAuthorization(for: server.id, decision: .accept)
     }
 
-    private func preparation(for host: Host, server: ServerMetric) throws -> SSHConnectionPreparation {
+    private func preparation(
+        for host: Host, server: ServerMetric,
+        submissions: [UUID: SSHAuthenticationSubmission]
+    ) throws -> SSHConnectionPreparation {
         try hosts.prepareSSHConnection(
             for: host,
-            submissions: submissions[server.id] ?? [:],
+            submissions: submissions,
             temporaryHostKeys: temporaryKeys[server.id] ?? [:]
         )
     }
@@ -320,7 +323,10 @@ public final class ServerMetricsModel: MetricsSnapshotReading {
         let staged = submissions[server.id]?[host.id]
         let identity = staged?.identityID.flatMap { hosts.identity($0) } ?? hosts.identity(for: host)
         let keyID = staged?.keyID ?? identity?.keyID
-        let passphrase = keyID.flatMap { hosts.key($0) }?.requiresPassphraseEntry == true && staged?.passphrase == nil
+        let passphrase =
+            staged?.requiresPasswordReentry != true
+            && keyID.flatMap { hosts.key($0) }?.requiresPassphraseEntry == true
+            && staged?.passphrase == nil
         server.authenticationHost = host
         server.authenticationPrompt = SSHAuthenticationPrompt(
             host: host, selectedIdentityID: identity?.id, username: staged?.username ?? identity?.username ?? "",
@@ -339,6 +345,7 @@ public final class ServerMetricsModel: MetricsSnapshotReading {
 
     public func suspend() {
         sleeping = true
+        submissions.removeAll()
         for server in servers {
             cancel(server.id)
             server.isConnecting = false
@@ -533,7 +540,7 @@ public final class ServerMetricsModel: MetricsSnapshotReading {
     private nonisolated func run(_ serverID: UUID, token: UUID, clock: MetricsClock) async {
         var delay = 2.0
         while await isCurrent(serverID, token: token) {
-            let attempt: RunAttempt
+            var attempt: RunAttempt
             do {
                 guard let next = try await beginRunAttempt(serverID, token: token) else { return }
                 attempt = next
@@ -547,7 +554,9 @@ public final class ServerMetricsModel: MetricsSnapshotReading {
 
             let sampler = attempt.sampler
             do {
-                let configuration = try await attempt.preparation.resolve(
+                guard let preparation = attempt.preparation else { throw CancellationError() }
+                attempt.preparation = nil
+                let configuration = try await preparation.resolve(
                     trustPolicy: .allowChallenge
                 )
                 guard await isCurrent(serverID, token: token) else {
@@ -659,7 +668,36 @@ public final class ServerMetricsModel: MetricsSnapshotReading {
         server.status = String(localized: "Connecting…")
         server.collectionState = .connecting
         server.isConnecting = true
-        let preparation = try preparation(for: host, server: server)
+        let route = hosts.route(for: host)
+        if let passwordHost = route.first(where: { routeHost in
+            submissions[server.id]?[routeHost.id]?.requiresPasswordReentry == true
+        }) {
+            throw TermindSSHError.routeHost(
+                hostID: passwordHost.id, authentication: true,
+                serverChallenge: false, hostKey: false,
+                message: TermindSSHError.missingCredential.localizedDescription
+            )
+        }
+        if let passphraseHost = route.first(where: { routeHost in
+            guard let submission = submissions[server.id]?[routeHost.id],
+                submission.passphrase == nil,
+                let keyID = submission.keyID,
+                let key = hosts.key(keyID)
+            else { return false }
+            return key.requiresPassphraseEntry
+        }) {
+            throw TermindSSHError.routeHost(
+                hostID: passphraseHost.id, authentication: true,
+                serverChallenge: false, hostKey: false,
+                message: TermindSSHError.keyPassphraseRequired.localizedDescription
+            )
+        }
+        var retained = submissions[server.id] ?? [:]
+        let attemptSubmissions = retained.takeAuthenticationSecrets()
+        submissions[server.id] = retained
+        let preparation = try preparation(
+            for: host, server: server, submissions: attemptSubmissions
+        )
         let sampler = makeSampler()
         samplers[serverID] = sampler
         return RunAttempt(host: host, preparation: preparation, sampler: sampler)
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHConnectionTypes.swift b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHConnectionTypes.swift
index 8d2a2014..f9cf6565 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHConnectionTypes.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHConnectionTypes.swift
@@ -114,11 +114,13 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHConnectionRequest: Sendable {
 nonisolated extension SSHCredentials {
     fileprivate var withoutInteraction: SSHCredentials {
         switch self {
-        case .privateKey(_, _, _, requiresPassphrase: true),
-            .secureEnclave(_, _, requiresUserPresence: true):
-            .interactionRequired
+        case .privateKey(_, _, _, requiresPassphrase: true):
+            clearSecrets()
+            return .interactionRequired
+        case .secureEnclave(_, _, requiresUserPresence: true):
+            return .interactionRequired
         default:
-            self
+            return self
         }
     }
 }
@@ -215,9 +217,9 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHHostKeyPrompt: Hashable, Sendable {
 }
 
 public nonisolated enum SSHCredentials: Sendable {
-    case password(String)
+    case password(SSHSecret)
     case privateKey(
-        privateKey: String, publicKey: String?, passphrase: String?,
+        privateKey: SSHSecret, publicKey: String?, passphrase: SSHSecret?,
         requiresPassphrase: Bool = false
     )
     case secureEnclave(
@@ -227,6 +229,60 @@ public nonisolated enum SSHCredentials: Sendable {
     /// A public-key credential exists, but the current policy may not obtain it
     /// without presenting Touch ID, a device-password prompt, or a passphrase form.
     case interactionRequired
+
+    public static func password(_ value: String) -> Self {
+        .password(SSHSecret(value))
+    }
+
+    public static func privateKey(
+        privateKey: String, publicKey: String?, passphrase: String?,
+        requiresPassphrase: Bool = false
+    ) -> Self {
+        .privateKey(
+            privateKey: SSHSecret(privateKey), publicKey: publicKey,
+            passphrase: passphrase.map(SSHSecret.init),
+            requiresPassphrase: requiresPassphrase
+        )
+    }
+
+    public func clearSecrets() {
+        switch self {
+        case .password(let password):
+            password.clear()
+        case .privateKey(let privateKey, _, let passphrase, _):
+            privateKey.clear()
+            passphrase?.clear()
+        case .secureEnclave, .interactionRequired:
+            break
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+public nonisolated enum SSHResolvedKeyCredential: Sendable {
+    case software(SSHSecret)
+    case secureEnclave(SecureEnclaveKeyCredential)
+
+    public func sshCredential(
+        publicKey: String, certificate: String = "", passphraseOverride: String? = nil,
+        requiresPassphrase: Bool = false, requiresUserPresence: Bool = false
+    ) -> SSHCredentials {
+        switch self {
+        case .software(let privateKey):
+            .privateKey(
+                privateKey: privateKey,
+                publicKey: certificate.isEmpty
+                    ? (publicKey.isEmpty ? nil : publicKey)
+                    : certificate,
+                passphrase: passphraseOverride.map(SSHSecret.init),
+                requiresPassphrase: requiresPassphrase
+            )
+        case .secureEnclave(let credential):
+            .secureEnclave(
+                credential: credential, publicKey: publicKey,
+                requiresUserPresence: requiresUserPresence
+            )
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 nonisolated extension StoredSSHKeyCredential {
@@ -236,17 +292,17 @@ nonisolated extension StoredSSHKeyCredential {
     ) -> SSHCredentials {
         switch self {
         case .software(let secret):
-            .privateKey(
-                privateKey: secret.privateKey,
-                publicKey: certificate.isEmpty
-                    ? (publicKey.isEmpty ? nil : publicKey)
-                    : certificate,
-                passphrase: passphraseOverride,
-                requiresPassphrase: requiresPassphrase
+            SSHResolvedKeyCredential.software(SSHSecret(secret.privateKey)).sshCredential(
+                publicKey: publicKey, certificate: certificate,
+                passphraseOverride: passphraseOverride,
+                requiresPassphrase: requiresPassphrase,
+                requiresUserPresence: requiresUserPresence
             )
         case .secureEnclave(let credential):
-            .secureEnclave(
-                credential: credential, publicKey: publicKey,
+            SSHResolvedKeyCredential.secureEnclave(credential).sshCredential(
+                publicKey: publicKey, certificate: certificate,
+                passphraseOverride: passphraseOverride,
+                requiresPassphrase: requiresPassphrase,
                 requiresUserPresence: requiresUserPresence
             )
         }
@@ -312,6 +368,14 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHConnectionConfiguration: Sendable {
             )
     }
 
+    /// Invalidates every authentication secret shared by copies of this
+    /// one-shot configuration. Network and provenance fields remain readable.
+    public func clearSecrets() {
+        for credential in credentials { credential.clearSecrets() }
+        proxy?.clearSecret()
+        for jump in jumps { jump.clearSecrets() }
+    }
+
 }
 
 public nonisolated struct SSHCredentialResolution: Sendable {
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHRouteEvent.swift b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHRouteEvent.swift
index 9721781b..ad7d0d37 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHRouteEvent.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHRouteEvent.swift
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHAuthenticationSubmission: Hashable, Sendable {
     public var passphrase: String?
     public var keyID: SSHKeyRef.ID?
     public var identityID: Identity.ID? = nil
+    public var requiresPasswordReentry = false
+    public var requiresPassphraseReentry = false
     public init(
         username: String, password: String? = nil, passphrase: String? = nil, keyID: SSHKeyRef.ID? = nil,
         identityID: Identity.ID? = nil
@@ -30,4 +32,23 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHAuthenticationSubmission: Hashable, Sendable {
         self.identityID = identityID
     }
 
+    public mutating func clearSecrets() {
+        if password != nil { requiresPasswordReentry = true }
+        if passphrase != nil { requiresPassphraseReentry = true }
+        password = nil
+        passphrase = nil
+    }
+
+}
+
+nonisolated extension Dictionary where Value == SSHAuthenticationSubmission {
+    /// Moves plaintext answers into one connection attempt while leaving only
+    /// non-secret selection metadata in the session's retry state.
+    public mutating func takeAuthenticationSecrets() -> Self {
+        let result = self
+        for key in keys {
+            self[key]?.clearSecrets()
+        }
+        return result
+    }
 }
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHRouteHopConfiguration.swift b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHRouteHopConfiguration.swift
index 79dc4fd1..274e49d3 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHRouteHopConfiguration.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHRouteHopConfiguration.swift
@@ -35,4 +35,9 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHRouteHopConfiguration: Sendable {
             )
     }
 
+    public func clearSecrets() {
+        for credential in credentials { credential.clearSecrets() }
+        proxy?.clearSecret()
+    }
+
 }
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHSecret.swift b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHSecret.swift
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..368a6c36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHSecret.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+import Darwin
+import Foundation
+
+/// A one-shot UTF-8 secret used only while authenticating a connection.
+///
+/// Copies of an `SSHSecret` share one backing object. Consuming or clearing any
+/// reference therefore invalidates every reference instead of creating another
+/// plaintext lifetime through Swift value copying. The backing bytes are
+/// overwritten with `memset_s` after use and again from `deinit` as a
+/// defensive fallback.
+public nonisolated final class SSHSecret: @unchecked Sendable {
+    public struct Consumed: Error, Sendable {
+        public init() {}
+    }
+
+    private let lock = NSLock()
+    private var storage: Data?
+
+    public init(_ value: String) {
+        var bytes = Data(value.utf8)
+        bytes.append(0)
+        storage = bytes
+    }
+
+    /// Transfers a freshly read UTF-8 buffer into wipeable ownership without
+    /// first materializing an immutable Swift `String`.
+    public init(consumingUTF8 bytes: inout Data) {
+        bytes.append(0)
+        storage = bytes
+        bytes = Data()
+    }
+
+    deinit { clear() }
+
+    public var isConsumed: Bool {
+        lock.withLock { storage == nil }
+    }
+
+    /// Exposes the UTF-8 bytes once, including a trailing NUL outside `count`.
+    /// The memory is wiped before this method returns or throws.
+    public func withUnsafeCStringAndConsume<Result>(
+        _ body: (UnsafePointer<CChar>, Int) throws -> Result
+    ) throws -> Result {
+        var bytes = try take()
+        defer { Self.wipe(&bytes) }
+        return try bytes.withUnsafeBytes { raw in
+            guard let base = raw.baseAddress?.assumingMemoryBound(to: CChar.self) else {
+                throw Consumed()
+            }
+            return try body(base, max(0, raw.count - 1))
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Test and diagnostic support without extending the secret's lifetime.
+    /// Production authentication should use `withUnsafeCStringAndConsume`.
+    public func matches(_ value: String) -> Bool {
+        let expected = Array(value.utf8)
+        return lock.withLock {
+            guard let storage, storage.count == expected.count + 1 else { return false }
+            return storage.dropLast().elementsEqual(expected)
+        }
+    }
+
+    public func clear() {
+        guard
+            var bytes = lock.withLock({ () -> Data? in
+                let value = storage
+                storage = nil
+                return value
+            })
+        else { return }
+        Self.wipe(&bytes)
+    }
+
+    private func take() throws -> Data {
+        try lock.withLock {
+            guard let value = storage else { throw Consumed() }
+            storage = nil
+            return value
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static func wipe(_ bytes: inout Data) {
+        bytes.withUnsafeMutableBytes { (raw: UnsafeMutableRawBufferPointer) in
+            guard let base = raw.baseAddress, raw.count > 0 else { return }
+            _ = memset_s(base, raw.count, 0, raw.count)
+        }
+        bytes.removeAll(keepingCapacity: false)
+    }
+}
+
+public nonisolated func == (lhs: SSHSecret, rhs: String) -> Bool {
+    lhs.matches(rhs)
+}
+
+public nonisolated func == (lhs: String, rhs: SSHSecret) -> Bool {
+    rhs.matches(lhs)
+}
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHTransportProxy.swift b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHTransportProxy.swift
index 94366638..354336a0 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHTransportProxy.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SSHTransportProxy.swift
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHTransportProxy: Sendable {
     public var hostname: String
     public var port: Int
     public var username: String
-    public var password: String?
+    public var password: SSHSecret?
     public var identityID: Identity.ID?
     public init(
         kind: HostProxy.ProtocolKind, hostname: String, port: Int, username: String,
-        password: String? = nil, identityID: Identity.ID? = nil
+        password: SSHSecret? = nil, identityID: Identity.ID? = nil
     ) {
         self.kind = kind
         self.hostname = hostname
@@ -22,4 +22,16 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHTransportProxy: Sendable {
         self.identityID = identityID
     }
 
+    public init(
+        kind: HostProxy.ProtocolKind, hostname: String, port: Int, username: String,
+        password: String?, identityID: Identity.ID? = nil
+    ) {
+        self.init(
+            kind: kind, hostname: hostname, port: port, username: username,
+            password: password.map(SSHSecret.init), identityID: identityID
+        )
+    }
+
+    public func clearSecret() { password?.clear() }
+
 }
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SecretStoring.swift b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SecretStoring.swift
index 6f5234d1..9b627cb3 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SecretStoring.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindApplication/SecretStoring.swift
@@ -11,10 +11,14 @@ public nonisolated struct SSHPrivateKeySecret: Codable, Hashable, Sendable {
 
 public nonisolated protocol SecretStoring: Sendable {
     func string(for account: String, storage: PasswordStorage) throws -> String?
+    func sshSecret(for account: String, storage: PasswordStorage) throws -> SSHSecret?
     func setString(_ value: String?, for account: String, storage: PasswordStorage) throws
     func keyCredential(
         for account: String, storage: KeyStorage
     ) throws -> StoredSSHKeyCredential?
+    func sshKeyCredential(
+        for account: String, storage: KeyStorage
+    ) throws -> SSHResolvedKeyCredential?
     func setKeyCredential(
         _ value: StoredSSHKeyCredential?, for account: String, storage: KeyStorage
     ) throws
@@ -22,6 +26,22 @@ public nonisolated protocol SecretStoring: Sendable {
     func removeKeyCredential(_ account: String, storage: KeyStorage) throws
 }
 
+nonisolated extension SecretStoring {
+    public func sshSecret(for account: String, storage: PasswordStorage) throws -> SSHSecret? {
+        try string(for: account, storage: storage).map(SSHSecret.init)
+    }
+
+    public func sshKeyCredential(
+        for account: String, storage: KeyStorage
+    ) throws -> SSHResolvedKeyCredential? {
+        switch try keyCredential(for: account, storage: storage) {
+        case .software(let secret): .software(SSHSecret(secret.privateKey))
+        case .secureEnclave(let credential): .secureEnclave(credential)
+        case nil: nil
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 public nonisolated final class InMemorySecretStore: SecretStoring, @unchecked Sendable {
     public init() {}
 
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindPresentation/ConnectionDecisionForms.swift b/Frameworks/TermindPresentation/ConnectionDecisionForms.swift
index 255f7844..a2243ba3 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindPresentation/ConnectionDecisionForms.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindPresentation/ConnectionDecisionForms.swift
@@ -269,9 +269,13 @@ public struct SSHAuthenticationForm: View {
     }
 
     private func commit(save: Bool) {
+        let submittedPassword = password.isEmpty ? nil : password
+        let submittedPassphrase = passphrase.isEmpty ? nil : passphrase
+        password = ""
+        passphrase = ""
         submit(
-            identityID, username, password.isEmpty ? nil : password,
-            passphrase.isEmpty ? nil : passphrase, keyID, save
+            identityID, username, submittedPassword,
+            submittedPassphrase, keyID, save
         )
     }
 
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/Agent/AgentConnections.swift b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/Agent/AgentConnections.swift
index 8d5077dc..0b8f149c 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/Agent/AgentConnections.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/Agent/AgentConnections.swift
@@ -354,14 +354,13 @@ public final class AgentHostResolver: Sendable {
             guard let identity = store.identity(identityID) else {
                 throw TermindSSHError.missingCredential
             }
-            let password = try store.connectionPasswordCredential(for: identity)
             if answer.save {
                 var updated = host
                 updated.identityID = identity.id
                 store.upsert(updated)
             }
             return SSHAuthenticationSubmission(
-                username: identity.username, password: password,
+                username: identity.username,
                 passphrase: answer.passphrase, keyID: identity.keyID,
                 identityID: identity.id
             )
@@ -560,11 +559,11 @@ public actor AgentSSHAuthenticationContext {
         guard failedGeneration == generation else { return }
         let target = error.routeHostID ?? hostID
         if var retained = submissions[target] {
-            retained.password = nil
-            retained.passphrase = nil
+            retained.clearSecrets()
             submissions[target] = retained
         }
         generation &+= 1
+        cached?.clearSecrets()
         cached = nil
         pending?.task.cancel()
         pending = nil
@@ -572,6 +571,15 @@ public actor AgentSSHAuthenticationContext {
         failure = error.localizedDescription
     }
 
+    public func didAuthenticate(generation authenticatedGeneration: UInt64) {
+        guard authenticatedGeneration == generation else { return }
+        submissions.removeAll()
+        cached?.clearSecrets()
+        cached = nil
+        pending?.task.cancel()
+        pending = nil
+    }
+
     private func makeAttempt(
         configuration: SSHConnectionConfiguration, generation: UInt64
     ) -> Attempt {
@@ -861,7 +869,9 @@ public actor AgentSSHAuthenticationRegistry {
         open: @Sendable (AgentSSHAuthenticationContext.Attempt?) async throws -> Client
     ) async throws -> Client {
         var attempt: AgentSSHAuthenticationContext.Attempt?
-        if await authentication.canResolveTarget() {
+        if await pool.isConnected(hostID: hostID) {
+            attempt = nil
+        } else if await authentication.canResolveTarget() {
             attempt = try await authentication.configurationAttempt()
         }
         while true {
@@ -874,7 +884,9 @@ public actor AgentSSHAuthenticationRegistry {
                 attemptedGeneration = await authentication.currentGeneration
             }
             do {
-                return try await open(attempt)
+                let client = try await open(attempt)
+                await authentication.didAuthenticate(generation: attemptedGeneration)
+                return client
             } catch let error as TermindSSHError where error.shouldRequestAuthentication {
                 if cancellation?.isCancelled == true { throw SFTPError.cancelled }
                 if evictsPooledConnection { await pool.disconnect(hostID: hostID) }
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/PortForwardingController.swift b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/PortForwardingController.swift
index f4c633c2..a41a5cce 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/PortForwardingController.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/PortForwardingController.swift
@@ -327,7 +327,41 @@ public final class PortForwardingController {
                 host: host, route: hosts.route(for: host), purpose: .portForwarding,
                 username: context.submissions[host.id]?.username ?? hosts.identity(for: host)?.username)
             update(context, state: .preparing)
+            if let passwordHost = context.route.first(where: { routeHost in
+                context.submissions[routeHost.id]?.requiresPasswordReentry == true
+            }) {
+                requestAuthentication(
+                    context,
+                    error: .routeHost(
+                        hostID: passwordHost.id, authentication: true,
+                        serverChallenge: false, hostKey: false,
+                        message: TermindSSHError.missingCredential.localizedDescription
+                    )
+                )
+                context.attemptID = nil
+                return
+            }
+            if let passphraseHost = context.route.first(where: { routeHost in
+                guard let submission = context.submissions[routeHost.id],
+                    submission.passphrase == nil,
+                    let keyID = submission.keyID,
+                    let key = hosts.key(keyID)
+                else { return false }
+                return key.requiresPassphraseEntry
+            }) {
+                requestAuthentication(
+                    context,
+                    error: .routeHost(
+                        hostID: passphraseHost.id, authentication: true,
+                        serverChallenge: false, hostKey: false,
+                        message: TermindSSHError.keyPassphraseRequired.localizedDescription
+                    )
+                )
+                context.attemptID = nil
+                return
+            }
         }
+        let attemptSubmissions = silently ? [:] : context.submissions.takeAuthenticationSecrets()
         let forwardingConnection = makeConnection(
             context.maximumConnections,
             { [weak self, weak context] id, generation, count in
@@ -365,7 +399,7 @@ public final class PortForwardingController {
                     configuration = try hosts.additionalConnectionRequest(from: snapshot).configuration
                 } else {
                     let preparation = try hosts.prepareSSHConnection(
-                        for: host, submissions: context.submissions,
+                        for: host, submissions: attemptSubmissions,
                         temporaryHostKeys: context.connection.temporaryHostKeys)
                     configuration = try await preparation.resolve(trustPolicy: .allowChallenge)
                 }
@@ -472,7 +506,10 @@ public final class PortForwardingController {
         let staged = context.submissions[host.id]
         let identity = staged?.identityID.flatMap(hosts.identity) ?? hosts.identity(for: host)
         let keyID = staged?.keyID ?? identity?.keyID
-        let passphrase = keyID.flatMap(hosts.key)?.requiresPassphraseEntry == true && staged?.passphrase == nil
+        let passphrase =
+            staged?.requiresPasswordReentry != true
+            && keyID.flatMap(hosts.key)?.requiresPassphraseEntry == true
+            && staged?.passphrase == nil
         context.setPrompt(
             SSHAuthenticationPrompt(
                 host: host, selectedIdentityID: identity?.id, username: staged?.username ?? identity?.username ?? "",
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SFTPClient.swift b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SFTPClient.swift
index 095b629f..c66682ab 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SFTPClient.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SFTPClient.swift
@@ -246,6 +246,7 @@ nonisolated extension SFTPClientProtocol {
         progress: SSHRouteProgressHandler?,
         connectionFailure: (@Sendable (String) -> Void)?
     ) async throws {
+        defer { request.configuration.clearSecrets() }
         try await connect(
             using: request.configuration, progress: progress,
             connectionFailure: connectionFailure
@@ -342,6 +343,7 @@ public actor SFTPClient: SFTPClientProtocol {
         progress: SSHRouteProgressHandler?,
         connectionFailure: (@Sendable (String) -> Void)?
     ) async throws {
+        defer { request.configuration.clearSecrets() }
         generation &+= 1
         let token = generation
         let previousChannel = channel
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHConnection.swift b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHConnection.swift
index 7e3b0688..e0674d4e 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHConnection.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHConnection.swift
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ public nonisolated protocol SSHConnectionProtocol: AnyObject, Sendable {
 
 nonisolated extension SSHConnectionProtocol {
     public func connect(using request: SSHConnectionRequest) async throws {
+        defer { request.configuration.clearSecrets() }
         try await connect(using: request.configuration)
     }
 }
@@ -86,6 +87,7 @@ public actor SSHConnection: SSHConnectionProtocol {
         progress: SSHRouteProgressHandler?,
         connectionFailure: (@Sendable (String) -> Void)?
     ) async throws {
+        defer { request.configuration.clearSecrets() }
         try await worker.connect(
             using: request.withKeyboardInteractiveFallback(keyboardInteractive),
             progress: progress, connectionFailure: connectionFailure)
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHForwardingConnection.swift b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHForwardingConnection.swift
index a8ddabe3..498bd10f 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHForwardingConnection.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHForwardingConnection.swift
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ public actor SSHForwardingConnection: SSHForwardingConnectionProtocol {
     }
 
     public func connect(_ request: SSHConnectionRequest, progress: SSHRouteProgressHandler? = nil) async throws {
+        defer { request.configuration.clearSecrets() }
         try await worker.connect(request, progress: progress)
     }
 
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHPTYChannel.swift b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHPTYChannel.swift
index 94adf0a1..1d2fe3ad 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHPTYChannel.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHPTYChannel.swift
@@ -632,6 +632,7 @@ public actor SSHPTYChannel {
         rows: UInt16,
         progress: SSHRouteProgressHandler? = nil
     ) async throws {
+        defer { request.configuration.clearSecrets() }
         try await worker.connect(
             using: request.withKeyboardInteractiveFallback(keyboardInteractive),
             shellIntegrationEnabled: shellIntegrationEnabled,
@@ -734,6 +735,7 @@ nonisolated final class SSHPTYChannelWorker: @unchecked Sendable {
         logger: Logging.Logger = ApplicationLogger.disabled("termind.ssh-authentication")
     ) throws -> SSHAuthenticatedConnection {
         _ = initialization
+        defer { configuration.clearSecrets() }
         let operationID = UUID().uuidString.lowercased()
         logger.info(
             "ssh.authentication.started",
@@ -808,6 +810,7 @@ nonisolated final class SSHPTYChannelWorker: @unchecked Sendable {
         let operationID = UUID().uuidString.lowercased()
         let request = request.enforcingInteractionPolicy()
         let configuration = request.configuration
+        defer { configuration.clearSecrets() }
         logger.info(
             "ssh.authentication.started",
             metadata: [
@@ -1071,11 +1074,11 @@ nonisolated final class SSHPTYChannelWorker: @unchecked Sendable {
                 if methods.contains("password") {
                     attempted = true
                     lastMethod = "password"
-                    let result = username.withCString { user in
-                        password.withCString { password in
+                    let result = try username.withCString { user in
+                        try password.withUnsafeCStringAndConsume { password, passwordLength in
                             libssh2_userauth_password_ex(
                                 session, user, UInt32(username.utf8.count),
-                                password, UInt32(strlen(password)), nil
+                                password, UInt32(passwordLength), nil
                             )
                         }
                     }
@@ -1085,25 +1088,25 @@ nonisolated final class SSHPTYChannelWorker: @unchecked Sendable {
                 guard methods.contains("publickey") else { continue }
                 attempted = true
                 lastMethod = "public_key"
-                let result = username.withCString { user in
-                    privateKey.withCString { privateBuffer in
-                        let call: (UnsafePointer<CChar>?) -> Int32 = { publicBuffer in
+                let result = try username.withCString { user in
+                    try privateKey.withUnsafeCStringAndConsume { privateBuffer, privateKeyLength in
+                        let call: (UnsafePointer<CChar>?) throws -> Int32 = { publicBuffer in
                             if let passphrase {
-                                return passphrase.withCString { passphraseBuffer in
+                                return try passphrase.withUnsafeCStringAndConsume { passphraseBuffer, _ in
                                     libssh2_userauth_publickey_frommemory(
                                         session, user, username.utf8.count,
                                         publicBuffer, publicKey?.utf8.count ?? 0,
-                                        privateBuffer, privateKey.utf8.count, passphraseBuffer
+                                        privateBuffer, privateKeyLength, passphraseBuffer
                                     )
                                 }
                             }
                             return libssh2_userauth_publickey_frommemory(
                                 session, user, username.utf8.count,
                                 publicBuffer, publicKey?.utf8.count ?? 0,
-                                privateBuffer, privateKey.utf8.count, nil
+                                privateBuffer, privateKeyLength, nil
                             )
                         }
-                        return publicKey?.withCString(call) ?? call(nil)
+                        return try publicKey?.withCString(call) ?? call(nil)
                     }
                 }
                 if result == 0 { return lastMethod }
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHSocketConnector.swift b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHSocketConnector.swift
index 63b61f31..40666376 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHSocketConnector.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/SSH/SSHSocketConnector.swift
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ public nonisolated enum SSHSocketConnector {
         host: String, port: Int, proxy: SSHTransportProxy? = nil,
         timeout: TimeInterval = 20
     ) throws -> Int32 {
+        defer { proxy?.clearSecret() }
         let socket = try openTCP(
             host: proxy?.hostname ?? host,
             port: proxy?.port ?? port,
@@ -72,6 +73,7 @@ public nonisolated enum SSHSocketConnector {
     public static func negotiate(
         socket: Int32, host: String, port: Int, proxy: SSHTransportProxy
     ) throws {
+        defer { proxy.clearSecret() }
         switch proxy.kind {
         case .http:
             try negotiateHTTP(socket: socket, host: host, port: port, proxy: proxy)
@@ -84,13 +86,31 @@ public nonisolated enum SSHSocketConnector {
         socket: Int32, host: String, port: Int, proxy: SSHTransportProxy
     ) throws {
         let authority = host.contains(":") ? "[\(host)]:\(port)" : "\(host):\(port)"
-        var request = "CONNECT \(authority) HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: \(authority)\r\nProxy-Connection: Keep-Alive\r\n"
-        if let password = proxy.password, !proxy.username.isEmpty {
-            let token = Data("\(proxy.username):\(password)".utf8).base64EncodedString()
-            request += "Proxy-Authorization: Basic \(token)\r\n"
-        }
-        request += "\r\n"
-        try writeAll(socket, Data(request.utf8))
+        try {
+            var request = Data(
+                "CONNECT \(authority) HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: \(authority)\r\nProxy-Connection: Keep-Alive\r\n".utf8
+            )
+            defer { wipe(&request) }
+            if let password = proxy.password, !proxy.username.isEmpty {
+                var plaintext = Data(proxy.username.utf8)
+                plaintext.append(UInt8(ascii: ":"))
+                defer { wipe(&plaintext) }
+                try password.withUnsafeCStringAndConsume { buffer, count in
+                    plaintext.append(
+                        buffer.withMemoryRebound(to: UInt8.self, capacity: count) {
+                            UnsafeBufferPointer(start: $0, count: count)
+                        }
+                    )
+                }
+                var token = plaintext.base64EncodedData()
+                defer { wipe(&token) }
+                request.append(Data("Proxy-Authorization: Basic ".utf8))
+                request.append(token)
+                request.append(Data("\r\n".utf8))
+            }
+            request.append(Data("\r\n".utf8))
+            try writeAll(socket, request)
+        }()
 
         var response = Data()
         while response.range(of: Data("\r\n\r\n".utf8)) == nil {
@@ -127,15 +147,21 @@ public nonisolated enum SSHSocketConnector {
                 throw TermindSSHError.proxy("The SOCKS5 proxy requires a password.")
             }
             let username = Data(proxy.username.utf8)
-            let secret = Data(password.utf8)
-            guard username.count <= 255, secret.count <= 255 else {
-                throw TermindSSHError.proxy("The SOCKS5 username or password is too long.")
+            try password.withUnsafeCStringAndConsume { buffer, count in
+                guard username.count <= 255, count <= 255 else {
+                    throw TermindSSHError.proxy("The SOCKS5 username or password is too long.")
+                }
+                var auth = Data([0x01, UInt8(username.count)])
+                defer { wipe(&auth) }
+                auth.append(username)
+                auth.append(UInt8(count))
+                auth.append(
+                    buffer.withMemoryRebound(to: UInt8.self, capacity: count) {
+                        UnsafeBufferPointer(start: $0, count: count)
+                    }
+                )
+                try writeAll(socket, auth)
             }
-            var auth = Data([0x01, UInt8(username.count)])
-            auth.append(username)
-            auth.append(UInt8(secret.count))
-            auth.append(secret)
-            try writeAll(socket, auth)
             let result = try readExactly(socket, count: 2)
             guard result[1] == 0 else {
                 throw TermindSSHError.proxy("SOCKS5 proxy authentication failed.")
@@ -180,6 +206,14 @@ public nonisolated enum SSHSocketConnector {
         _ = try readExactly(socket, count: addressLength + 2)
     }
 
+    private static func wipe(_ data: inout Data) {
+        data.withUnsafeMutableBytes { (raw: UnsafeMutableRawBufferPointer) in
+            guard let base = raw.baseAddress, raw.count > 0 else { return }
+            _ = memset_s(base, raw.count, 0, raw.count)
+        }
+        data.removeAll(keepingCapacity: false)
+    }
+
     private static func openTCP(host: String, port: Int, timeout: TimeInterval) throws -> Int32 {
         var hints = addrinfo()
         hints.ai_family = AF_UNSPEC
diff --git a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/Security/KeychainSecretStore.swift b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/Security/KeychainSecretStore.swift
index c9447a14..c93091b4 100644
--- a/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/Security/KeychainSecretStore.swift
+++ b/Frameworks/TermindRemoteInfrastructure/Security/KeychainSecretStore.swift
@@ -51,10 +51,25 @@ public nonisolated struct KeychainSecretStore: SecretStoring, Sendable {
         return value
     }
 
+    public func sshSecret(for account: String, storage: PasswordStorage) throws -> SSHSecret? {
+        try validateStringReference(account)
+        guard
+            var data = try data(
+                for: account, service: Self.passwordService,
+                synchronizable: storage == .iCloud
+            )
+        else { return nil }
+        return SSHSecret(consumingUTF8: &data)
+    }
+
     public func setString(_ value: String?, for account: String, storage: PasswordStorage) throws {
         try validateStringReference(account)
+        var data = value?.data(using: .utf8)
+        defer {
+            if data != nil { Self.wipe(&data!) }
+        }
         try setData(
-            value?.data(using: .utf8), for: account, service: Self.passwordService,
+            data, for: account, service: Self.passwordService,
             synchronizable: storage == .iCloud,
             accessible: storage == .iCloud
                 ? kSecAttrAccessibleWhenUnlocked
@@ -81,11 +96,32 @@ public nonisolated struct KeychainSecretStore: SecretStoring, Sendable {
         }
     }
 
+    public func sshKeyCredential(
+        for account: String, storage: KeyStorage
+    ) throws -> SSHResolvedKeyCredential? {
+        try validate(account, prefix: "termind.key.")
+        guard
+            var data = try data(
+                for: account, service: service(for: storage),
+                synchronizable: storage == .iCloud
+            )
+        else { return nil }
+        switch storage {
+        case .thisDevice, .iCloud:
+            defer { Self.wipe(&data) }
+            var privateKey = try Self.decodePrivateKeyBytes(from: data)
+            return .software(SSHSecret(consumingUTF8: &privateKey))
+        case .secureEnclave:
+            guard !data.isEmpty else { throw KeychainSecretError.unexpectedValue }
+            return .secureEnclave(SecureEnclaveKeyCredential(dataRepresentation: data))
+        }
+    }
+
     public func setKeyCredential(
         _ value: StoredSSHKeyCredential?, for account: String, storage: KeyStorage
     ) throws {
         try validate(account, prefix: "termind.key.")
-        let data: Data?
+        var data: Data?
         switch (value, storage) {
         case (.software(let secret), .thisDevice), (.software(let secret), .iCloud):
             data = try JSONEncoder().encode(secret)
@@ -96,6 +132,9 @@ public nonisolated struct KeychainSecretStore: SecretStoring, Sendable {
         default:
             throw KeychainSecretError.unexpectedValue
         }
+        defer {
+            if data != nil { Self.wipe(&data!) }
+        }
         try setData(
             data, for: account, service: service(for: storage),
             synchronizable: storage == .iCloud,
@@ -105,6 +144,87 @@ public nonisolated struct KeychainSecretStore: SecretStoring, Sendable {
         )
     }
 
+    private static func wipe(_ data: inout Data) {
+        data.withUnsafeMutableBytes { (raw: UnsafeMutableRawBufferPointer) in
+            guard let base = raw.baseAddress, raw.count > 0 else { return }
+            _ = memset_s(base, raw.count, 0, raw.count)
+        }
+        data.removeAll(keepingCapacity: false)
+    }
+
+    /// Decodes the synthesized `SSHPrivateKeySecret` JSON directly into a
+    /// mutable byte buffer so connection setup never materializes another
+    /// immutable Swift `String` containing the private key.
+    private static func decodePrivateKeyBytes(from data: Data) throws -> Data {
+        let key = Data("\"privateKey\"".utf8)
+        guard let keyRange = data.range(of: key) else {
+            throw KeychainSecretError.unexpectedValue
+        }
+        var index = keyRange.upperBound
+        func skipWhitespace() {
+            while index < data.endIndex, [0x20, 0x09, 0x0A, 0x0D].contains(data[index]) {
+                index = data.index(after: index)
+            }
+        }
+        skipWhitespace()
+        guard index < data.endIndex, data[index] == 0x3A else {
+            throw KeychainSecretError.unexpectedValue
+        }
+        index = data.index(after: index)
+        skipWhitespace()
+        guard index < data.endIndex, data[index] == 0x22 else {
+            throw KeychainSecretError.unexpectedValue
+        }
+        index = data.index(after: index)
+
+        var result = Data()
+        while index < data.endIndex {
+            let byte = data[index]
+            index = data.index(after: index)
+            if byte == 0x22 { return result }
+            guard byte == 0x5C else {
+                result.append(byte)
+                continue
+            }
+            guard index < data.endIndex else { throw KeychainSecretError.unexpectedValue }
+            let escape = data[index]
+            index = data.index(after: index)
+            switch escape {
+            case 0x22, 0x5C, 0x2F: result.append(escape)
+            case 0x62: result.append(0x08)
+            case 0x66: result.append(0x0C)
+            case 0x6E: result.append(0x0A)
+            case 0x72: result.append(0x0D)
+            case 0x74: result.append(0x09)
+            case 0x75:
+                var value: UInt32 = 0
+                for _ in 0..<4 {
+                    guard index < data.endIndex, let digit = hex(data[index]) else {
+                        throw KeychainSecretError.unexpectedValue
+                    }
+                    value = value * 16 + UInt32(digit)
+                    index = data.index(after: index)
+                }
+                guard let scalar = Unicode.Scalar(value), !(0xD800...0xDFFF).contains(value) else {
+                    throw KeychainSecretError.unexpectedValue
+                }
+                result.append(contentsOf: String(scalar).utf8)
+            default:
+                throw KeychainSecretError.unexpectedValue
+            }
+        }
+        throw KeychainSecretError.unexpectedValue
+    }
+
+    private static func hex(_ byte: UInt8) -> UInt8? {
+        switch byte {
+        case 0x30...0x39: byte - 0x30
+        case 0x41...0x46: byte - 0x41 + 10
+        case 0x61...0x66: byte - 0x61 + 10
+        default: nil
+        }
+    }
+
     public func removePassword(
         _ account: String, storage: PasswordStorage = .thisDevice
     ) throws {
diff --git a/Memory/ARCHITECTURE.md b/Memory/ARCHITECTURE.md
index dafd9766..9307a4d0 100644
--- a/Memory/ARCHITECTURE.md
+++ b/Memory/ARCHITECTURE.md
@@ -93,6 +93,11 @@ sibling working tree is not the app dependency. Follow `AGENTS.md` for package r
 - SSH/SFTP/mobile Workspaces/Metrics share preparation/recovery policy. Host-key approval occurs inside the actual
   socket/libssh2 handshake-to-auth attempt, never a discovery connection. Generations reject retired callbacks,
   credential results and timers.
+- Every resolved Password, software Private Key, Key Passphrase and proxy Password is one-shot per physical connection
+  attempt. Runtime copies share a wipeable byte buffer; the transport clears it after the authentication call and every
+  success, failure and cancellation boundary clears it again. Retry/session/Agent/Metrics/transfer state retains only
+  non-secret Identity/Key provenance. Saved material is reread from Keychain for another physical connection; temporary
+  Passwords and every Passphrase must be entered again. UI authentication fields clear synchronously on submission.
 - Desktop SSH/SFTP submission uses `RemoteSessionHostStore`: explicit password wins; custom input never borrows an
   unselected Identity password. Only explicit input changes selected credentials; custom input reuses the Host Identity.
   Identity/secret writes precede separate Host association. Keep temporary credentials, validation/passphrase ordering,
diff --git a/TFI/Features/Workspaces/MobileWorkspace.swift b/TFI/Features/Workspaces/MobileWorkspace.swift
index f9fa19e3..19735106 100644
--- a/TFI/Features/Workspaces/MobileWorkspace.swift
+++ b/TFI/Features/Workspaces/MobileWorkspace.swift
@@ -284,13 +284,16 @@ final class MobileWorkspace: Identifiable {
             host: host, selectedIdentityID: identity?.id, username: username,
             selectedKeyID: keyID, failureMessage: connectionFailure,
             requiresPassphrase: keyID.flatMap { hosts.key($0) }?.requiresPassphraseEntry == true
+                && staged?.requiresPasswordReentry != true
                 && staged?.passphrase == nil,
             mode: authenticationMode)
     }
 
     var hostKeyPrompt: SSHHostKeyPrompt? { connection.pendingHostKey }
 
-    private func preparation(for host: Host) throws -> SSHConnectionPreparation {
+    private func preparation(
+        for host: Host, submissions: [UUID: SSHAuthenticationSubmission]
+    ) throws -> SSHConnectionPreparation {
         try hosts.prepareSSHConnection(
             for: host,
             submissions: submissions,
@@ -306,6 +309,7 @@ final class MobileWorkspace: Identifiable {
         let name = (identity?.username ?? username).trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
         guard !name.isEmpty else { return }
         if authenticationPrompt?.requiresPassphrase == true, var staged = submissions[host.id] {
+            guard let passphrase, !passphrase.isEmpty else { return }
             staged.passphrase = passphrase
             submissions[host.id] = staged
         } else {
@@ -555,6 +559,40 @@ final class MobileWorkspace: Identifiable {
             purpose: descriptor.kind == .ssh ? .sshSession : .sftpChannel,
             username: hosts.identity(for: host)?.username,
             mode: reconnecting ? .reconnection : .connection)
+        if let passwordHost = route.first(where: { routeHost in
+            submissions[routeHost.id]?.requiresPasswordReentry == true
+        }) {
+            authenticationRequired = true
+            authenticationMode = .localIdentity
+            authenticationHostID = passwordHost.id
+            username =
+                submissions[passwordHost.id]?.username
+                ?? hosts.identity(for: passwordHost)?.username ?? ""
+            authenticationPrompt = makeAuthenticationPrompt()
+            journey.waitForLocalIdentity(at: passwordHost.id)
+            busy = false
+            return
+        }
+        if let passphraseHost = route.first(where: { routeHost in
+            guard let submission = submissions[routeHost.id],
+                submission.passphrase == nil,
+                let keyID = submission.keyID,
+                let key = hosts.key(keyID)
+            else { return false }
+            return key.requiresPassphraseEntry
+        }) {
+            authenticationRequired = true
+            authenticationMode = .localIdentity
+            authenticationHostID = passphraseHost.id
+            username =
+                submissions[passphraseHost.id]?.username
+                ?? hosts.identity(for: passphraseHost)?.username ?? ""
+            authenticationPrompt = makeAuthenticationPrompt()
+            journey.waitForLocalPassphrase(at: passphraseHost.id)
+            busy = false
+            return
+        }
+        let attemptSubmissions = submissions.takeAuthenticationSecrets()
         let progressHandler = connection.progressHandler(attemptID: token) { [weak self] in
             self?.generation == $0
         }
@@ -564,7 +602,7 @@ final class MobileWorkspace: Identifiable {
             defer { if generation == token { busy = false } }
             guard generation == token, !Task.isCancelled else { return }
             do {
-                let preparation = try preparation(for: host)
+                let preparation = try preparation(for: host, submissions: attemptSubmissions)
                 let config = try await preparation.resolve(
                     trustPolicy: .allowChallenge
                 )
diff --git a/TFM/Application/FeatureModels/TransferLibraryModel.swift b/TFM/Application/FeatureModels/TransferLibraryModel.swift
index 75d542c2..e2eba226 100644
--- a/TFM/Application/FeatureModels/TransferLibraryModel.swift
+++ b/TFM/Application/FeatureModels/TransferLibraryModel.swift
@@ -88,9 +88,17 @@ extension TransferLibraryModel: RemoteSessionHostStore {
     func passwordCredential(for identity: Identity) throws -> String? {
         try library.passwordCredential(for: identity)
     }
+
+    func passwordSecret(for identity: Identity) throws -> SSHSecret? {
+        try library.passwordSecret(for: identity)
+    }
     func keyCredential(for key: SSHKeyRef) throws -> StoredSSHKeyCredential? {
         try library.keyCredential(for: key)
     }
+
+    func keySecretCredential(for key: SSHKeyRef) throws -> SSHResolvedKeyCredential? {
+        try library.keySecretCredential(for: key)
+    }
     func recordIdentityCredentialAccess(_ identityIDs: Set<Identity.ID>, at date: Date) {
         library.recordIdentityCredentialAccess(identityIDs, at: date)
     }
diff --git a/TFM/Features/SFTP/SFTPChannelModel.swift b/TFM/Features/SFTP/SFTPChannelModel.swift
index 5d9850bd..767efc0b 100644
--- a/TFM/Features/SFTP/SFTPChannelModel.swift
+++ b/TFM/Features/SFTP/SFTPChannelModel.swift
@@ -308,12 +308,21 @@ final class SFTPChannelModel: Identifiable {
         let attemptID = UUID()
         connectionAttemptID = attemptID
         let route = store.route(for: host)
-        let suppliedAuthentication = suppliedAuthentications[host.id]
+        let stagedAuthentication = suppliedAuthentications[host.id]
         connectionJourney.begin(
             host: host, route: route, purpose: .sftpChannel,
-            username: suppliedAuthentication?.username ?? store.identity(for: host)?.username,
+            username: stagedAuthentication?.username ?? store.identity(for: host)?.username,
             mode: reconnecting ? .reconnection : .connection
         )
+        if let passwordHost = route.first(where: { routeHost in
+            suppliedAuthentications[routeHost.id]?.requiresPasswordReentry == true
+        }) {
+            requestAuthentication(
+                host: passwordHost, store: store,
+                requiresPassphrase: false
+            )
+            return
+        }
         if let passphraseHost = route.first(where: { routeHost in
             guard let submission = suppliedAuthentications[routeHost.id],
                 submission.passphrase == nil,
@@ -328,10 +337,12 @@ final class SFTPChannelModel: Identifiable {
             )
             return
         }
-        if reconnecting, usesEphemeralCredentials, suppliedAuthentication == nil {
+        if reconnecting, usesEphemeralCredentials {
             requestAuthentication(host: host, store: store)
             return
         }
+        let attemptAuthentications = suppliedAuthentications.takeAuthenticationSecrets()
+        let suppliedAuthentication = attemptAuthentications[host.id]
         status = reconnecting ? .reconnecting : .connecting
         hint =
             reconnecting
@@ -348,7 +359,7 @@ final class SFTPChannelModel: Identifiable {
                     var credentials: [SSHCredentials] = []
                     if let keyID = suppliedAuthentication.keyID,
                         let key = store.key(keyID),
-                        let stored = try? store.connectionKeyCredential(
+                        let stored = try? store.connectionKeySecretCredential(
                             for: key, identityID: suppliedAuthentication.identityID
                         )
                     {
@@ -362,6 +373,13 @@ final class SFTPChannelModel: Identifiable {
                     }
                     if let password = suppliedAuthentication.password {
                         credentials.append(.password(password))
+                    } else if let identityID = suppliedAuthentication.identityID,
+                        let selectedIdentity = store.identity(identityID), selectedIdentity.usesPassword
+                    {
+                        guard let password = try store.connectionPasswordSecret(for: selectedIdentity) else {
+                            throw TermindSSHError.missingCredential
+                        }
+                        credentials.append(.password(password))
                     }
                     configuration = SSHConnectionConfiguration(
                         hostID: host.id, host: host.host, port: host.port,
@@ -370,7 +388,7 @@ final class SFTPChannelModel: Identifiable {
                         expectedHostKeys: expectedHostKeys,
                         proxy: try store.transportProxy(for: host),
                         jumps: try store.sshJumpConfigurations(
-                            for: host, submissions: suppliedAuthentications,
+                            for: host, submissions: attemptAuthentications,
                             temporaryHostKeys: temporaryHostKeys,
                             trustPolicy: .allowChallenge
                         ),
@@ -387,7 +405,7 @@ final class SFTPChannelModel: Identifiable {
                     )
                 } else {
                     configuration = try store.sshConnectionConfiguration(
-                        for: host, submissions: suppliedAuthentications,
+                        for: host, submissions: attemptAuthentications,
                         temporaryHostKeys: temporaryHostKeys,
                         trustPolicy: .allowChallenge
                     )
@@ -470,7 +488,8 @@ final class SFTPChannelModel: Identifiable {
                 }
                 let submitted = self.suppliedAuthentications[authenticationHost.id]
                 let retryNeedsPassphrase =
-                    submitted?.passphrase == nil
+                    submitted?.requiresPasswordReentry != true
+                    && submitted?.passphrase == nil
                     && (submitted?.keyID ?? store.identity(for: authenticationHost)?.keyID)
                         .flatMap { store.key($0) }?.requiresPassphraseEntry == true
                 let returnsToIdentity = submitted?.passphrase != nil
diff --git a/TFM/Features/Terminal/SSHSessionModel.swift b/TFM/Features/Terminal/SSHSessionModel.swift
index 74610376..3f34ab35 100644
--- a/TFM/Features/Terminal/SSHSessionModel.swift
+++ b/TFM/Features/Terminal/SSHSessionModel.swift
@@ -480,15 +480,24 @@ final class SSHSessionModel: Identifiable {
         homeResolution = isShellIntegrationEnabled ? .pending : .unavailable
         let route = connectionRoute?.hosts ?? store.route(for: host)
         let identity = store.identity(for: host)
-        let suppliedAuthentication = suppliedAuthentications[host.id]
+        let stagedAuthentication = suppliedAuthentications[host.id]
         let username =
-            suppliedAuthentication?.username
+            stagedAuthentication?.username
             ?? identity?.username
             ?? usernameHint
         connectionJourney.begin(
             host: host, route: route, purpose: .sshSession, username: username,
             mode: reconnecting ? .reconnection : .connection
         )
+        if let passwordHost = route.first(where: { routeHost in
+            suppliedAuthentications[routeHost.id]?.requiresPasswordReentry == true
+        }), let submission = suppliedAuthentications[passwordHost.id] {
+            requestAuthentication(
+                for: passwordHost, username: submission.username,
+                selectedKeyID: submission.keyID, requiresPassphrase: false
+            )
+            return
+        }
         if let passphraseHost = route.first(where: { routeHost in
             guard let submission = suppliedAuthentications[routeHost.id],
                 submission.passphrase == nil,
@@ -511,6 +520,8 @@ final class SSHSessionModel: Identifiable {
             )
             return
         }
+        let attemptAuthentications = suppliedAuthentications.takeAuthenticationSecrets()
+        let suppliedAuthentication = attemptAuthentications[host.id]
         var credentials: [SSHCredentials] = []
         var credentialFailures: [String] = []
         var hasConfiguredCredential = false
@@ -524,10 +535,11 @@ final class SSHSessionModel: Identifiable {
             hasConfiguredCredential =
                 suppliedAuthentication.keyID != nil
                 || suppliedAuthentication.password != nil
+                || suppliedAuthentication.identityID.flatMap(store.identity)?.hasSecret == true
             if let keyID = suppliedAuthentication.keyID {
                 if let key = store.key(keyID) {
                     do {
-                        if let credential = try store.connectionKeyCredential(
+                        if let credential = try store.connectionKeySecretCredential(
                             for: key, identityID: suppliedAuthentication.identityID
                         ) {
                             credentials.append(
@@ -554,6 +566,20 @@ final class SSHSessionModel: Identifiable {
             }
             if let password = suppliedAuthentication.password {
                 credentials.append(.password(password))
+            } else if let identityID = suppliedAuthentication.identityID,
+                let selectedIdentity = store.identity(identityID), selectedIdentity.usesPassword
+            {
+                do {
+                    if let password = try store.connectionPasswordSecret(for: selectedIdentity) {
+                        credentials.append(.password(password))
+                    } else {
+                        credentialFailures.append(
+                            String(localized: "The saved password is no longer available.")
+                        )
+                    }
+                } catch {
+                    credentialFailures.append(error.localizedDescription)
+                }
             }
         } else if let identity {
             let resolution = store.sshCredentials(for: identity)
@@ -586,12 +612,12 @@ final class SSHSessionModel: Identifiable {
             proxy = try store.transportProxy(for: host)
             if let connectionRoute {
                 jumps = try store.sshJumpConfigurations(
-                    for: connectionRoute, submissions: suppliedAuthentications,
+                    for: connectionRoute, submissions: attemptAuthentications,
                     temporaryHostKeys: temporaryHostKeys, trustPolicy: .allowChallenge
                 )
             } else {
                 jumps = try store.sshJumpConfigurations(
-                    for: host, submissions: suppliedAuthentications,
+                    for: host, submissions: attemptAuthentications,
                     temporaryHostKeys: temporaryHostKeys, trustPolicy: .allowChallenge
                 )
             }
@@ -687,7 +713,8 @@ final class SSHSessionModel: Identifiable {
                         submitted?.keyID
                         ?? authenticationIdentity?.keyID ?? (authenticationHost.id == host.id ? selectedKeyID : nil)
                     let retryNeedsPassphrase =
-                        submitted?.passphrase == nil
+                        submitted?.requiresPasswordReentry != true
+                        && submitted?.passphrase == nil
                         && authenticationKeyID.flatMap { store.key($0) }?
                             .requiresPassphraseEntry == true
                     let returnsToIdentity = submitted?.passphrase != nil
diff --git a/TFMTests/AgentHostAuthenticationTests.swift b/TFMTests/AgentHostAuthenticationTests.swift
index 32de9a31..b6d44a51 100644
--- a/TFMTests/AgentHostAuthenticationTests.swift
+++ b/TFMTests/AgentHostAuthenticationTests.swift
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ struct AgentHostAuthenticationTests {
             Issue.record("Expected a private-key credential")
             return
         }
-        #expect(passphrase == "one-use")
+        #expect(passphrase?.matches("one-use") == true)
         guard configuration.credentials.count == 2,
             case .password(let password) = configuration.credentials[1]
         else {
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ struct AgentHostAuthenticationTests {
             Issue.record("Expected a private-key credential")
             return
         }
-        #expect(passphrase == "one-use")
+        #expect(passphrase?.matches("one-use") == true)
         #expect(coordinator.pending.isEmpty)
     }
 
@@ -318,8 +318,10 @@ struct AgentHostAuthenticationTests {
 
         #expect(requestedHosts == [jump.id, destination.id])
         let configuration = try #require(await backend.sftpConfigurations.first)
+        let destinationPassword = try #require(await backend.observedDestinationPasswords.first)
+        let jumpPasswords = try #require(await backend.observedJumpPasswords.first)
         #expect(configuration.username == "files-user")
-        #expect(password(in: configuration) == "files-secret")
+        #expect(destinationPassword == "files-secret")
         #expect(configuration.jumps.count == 1)
         #expect(configuration.jumps[0].id == jump.id)
         #expect(configuration.jumps[0].username == "jump-user")
@@ -328,7 +330,8 @@ struct AgentHostAuthenticationTests {
             Issue.record("Expected a jump-host password")
             return
         }
-        #expect(jumpPassword == "jump-secret")
+        #expect(jumpPasswords == ["jump-secret"])
+        #expect(jumpPassword.isConsumed)
     }
 
     @Test
@@ -377,12 +380,14 @@ struct AgentHostAuthenticationTests {
         #expect(!result.isError)
         #expect(await backend.sftpOpens == 1)
         let configuration = try #require(await backend.sftpConfigurations.first)
+        let observedPassword = try #require(await backend.observedDestinationPasswords.first)
         #expect(configuration.username == "deploy")
         guard case .password(let password) = configuration.credentials.first else {
             Issue.record("Expected the one-use password in the SFTP configuration")
             return
         }
-        #expect(password == "secret")
+        #expect(observedPassword == "secret")
+        #expect(password.isConsumed)
     }
 
     @Test
@@ -491,8 +496,14 @@ struct AgentHostAuthenticationTests {
         #expect(await setup.backend.execOpens == 2)
         #expect(await setup.backend.sftpOpens == 1)
         let configurations = await setup.backend.sftpConfigurations
-        #expect(password(in: configurations[0]) == "old-secret")
-        #expect(password(in: configurations[1]) == "new-secret")
+        #expect(await setup.backend.observedDestinationPasswords == ["old-secret", "new-secret"])
+        #expect(
+            configurations.allSatisfy { configuration in
+                configuration.credentials.allSatisfy { credential in
+                    guard case .password(let password) = credential else { return true }
+                    return password.isConsumed
+                }
+            })
     }
 
     @Test
@@ -536,10 +547,50 @@ struct AgentHostAuthenticationTests {
         )
         let retained = try await session.configurationAttempt()
         #expect(retained.generation == second.generation)
-        #expect(password(in: retained.configuration) == "new-secret")
+        #expect(password(in: retained.configuration, matches: "new-secret"))
         #expect(await interaction.requestCount == 2)
     }
 
+    @Test
+    func successfulAuthenticationConsumesAgentSecretsAndPromptsForAnotherConnection() async throws {
+        let host = Host(name: "Server", host: "server.example")
+        let store = HostLibraryModel(
+            hosts: [host],
+            knownHosts: [KnownHostEntry(hostname: host.host, fingerprint: "SHA256:test")]
+        )
+        var requests = 0
+        let interaction = AuthenticationResponder { _ in
+            requests += 1
+            return .submit(
+                AgentSSHAuthenticationAnswer(
+                    username: "deploy", password: "one-use-\(requests)", save: false
+                ))
+        }
+        let session = AgentSSHAuthenticationContext(
+            resolver: AgentHostResolver(store: store), hostID: host.id,
+            invocationID: UUID(), interaction: interaction.sshInteraction
+        )
+
+        let first = try await session.configurationAttempt()
+        guard case .password(let firstPassword) = first.configuration.credentials.first else {
+            Issue.record("Expected the first one-shot password")
+            return
+        }
+        #expect(firstPassword.matches("one-use-1"))
+
+        await session.didAuthenticate(generation: first.generation)
+        #expect(firstPassword.isConsumed)
+
+        let second = try await session.configurationAttempt()
+        guard case .password(let secondPassword) = second.configuration.credentials.first else {
+            Issue.record("Expected a newly entered password")
+            return
+        }
+        #expect(requests == 2)
+        #expect(secondPassword.matches("one-use-2"))
+        #expect(!secondPassword.isConsumed)
+    }
+
     @Test
     func connectionLossEvictsSFTPWithoutReplayingTheOperation() async throws {
         let setup = authenticationSetup(sftpOperationFailures: 1)
@@ -1081,11 +1132,13 @@ struct AgentHostAuthenticationTests {
         )
     }
 
-    private func password(in configuration: SSHConnectionConfiguration) -> String? {
+    private func password(
+        in configuration: SSHConnectionConfiguration, matches expected: String
+    ) -> Bool {
         for credential in configuration.credentials {
-            if case .password(let password) = credential { return password }
+            if case .password(let password) = credential { return password.matches(expected) }
         }
-        return nil
+        return false
     }
 }
 
@@ -1220,6 +1273,8 @@ private actor AuthenticationConnectionBackend {
     private(set) var sftpSiblingChannels = 0
     private(set) var sftpOperations = 0
     private(set) var sftpConfigurations: [SSHConnectionConfiguration] = []
+    private(set) var observedDestinationPasswords: [String?] = []
+    private(set) var observedJumpPasswords: [[String?]] = []
     private var sftpAuthenticationFailures: Int
     private var sftpOperationFailures: Int
     private var remoteFiles: [String: Data]
@@ -1236,6 +1291,10 @@ private actor AuthenticationConnectionBackend {
 
     func openConnection(configuration: SSHConnectionConfiguration) throws -> AuthenticationSSHConnection {
         execOpens += 1
+        observedDestinationPasswords.append(Self.passwordLabel(in: configuration.credentials))
+        observedJumpPasswords.append(
+            configuration.jumps.map { Self.passwordLabel(in: $0.credentials) }
+        )
         sftpConfigurations.append(configuration)
         if sftpAuthenticationFailures > 0 {
             sftpAuthenticationFailures -= 1
@@ -1244,6 +1303,17 @@ private actor AuthenticationConnectionBackend {
         return AuthenticationSSHConnection(backend: self)
     }
 
+    private static func passwordLabel(in credentials: [SSHCredentials]) -> String? {
+        guard
+            case .password(let password)? = credentials.first(where: {
+                if case .password = $0 { return true }
+                return false
+            })
+        else { return nil }
+        return ["files-secret", "jump-secret", "secret", "old-secret", "new-secret", "fallback-password"]
+            .first(where: password.matches)
+    }
+
     func openSFTP(
         configuration: SSHConnectionConfiguration
     ) throws -> AuthenticationSFTPClient {
diff --git a/TFMTests/SSHForwardingWireTests.swift b/TFMTests/SSHForwardingWireTests.swift
index af696135..c7c0b613 100644
--- a/TFMTests/SSHForwardingWireTests.swift
+++ b/TFMTests/SSHForwardingWireTests.swift
@@ -125,9 +125,12 @@ nonisolated struct SSHForwardingWireTests {
         primary.authorizeHostKey = nil
         try await pool.connect(primary, progress: nil)
         await pool.configureAdditionalConnections {
-            SSHConnectionRequest(
-                configuration: primary.configuration, interactionPolicy: .forbidden
-            ).enforcingInteractionPolicy()
+            var additional = request(fixture, jumps: 0)
+            additional.configuration.expectedHostKeys = [
+                SSHHostKeyIdentity(algorithm: .ed25519, fingerprint: fingerprint)
+            ]
+            additional.interactionPolicy = .forbidden
+            return additional.enforcingInteractionPolicy()
         }
         let local = try rule(.local, fixture: fixture)
         try await pool.start(local, generation: UUID())
@@ -276,21 +279,22 @@ nonisolated struct SSHForwardingWireTests {
 
     private func request(_ fixture: Fixture, jumps: Int, username: String = "none") -> SSHConnectionRequest {
         let user = fixture.username ?? username
-        let credentials: [SSHCredentials] =
+        func credentials() -> [SSHCredentials] {
             fixture.username.flatMap { _ in fixture.privateKey }.map {
                 [.privateKey(privateKey: $0, publicKey: nil, passphrase: nil)]
             } ?? []
+        }
         let expectedHostKeys: Set<SSHHostKeyIdentity> =
             fixture.hostKeyFingerprint.map {
                 [SSHHostKeyIdentity(algorithm: .ed25519, fingerprint: $0)]
             } ?? []
         var configuration = SSHConnectionConfiguration(
-            hostID: UUID(), host: "127.0.0.1", port: fixture.port, username: user, credentials: credentials,
+            hostID: UUID(), host: "127.0.0.1", port: fixture.port, username: user, credentials: credentials(),
             expectedHostKeys: expectedHostKeys)
         configuration.jumps = (0..<jumps).map { _ in
             SSHRouteHopConfiguration(
                 id: UUID(), name: "Fixture", host: "127.0.0.1", port: fixture.port, username: user,
-                credentials: credentials, expectedHostKeys: expectedHostKeys)
+                credentials: credentials(), expectedHostKeys: expectedHostKeys)
         }
         return SSHConnectionRequest(configuration: configuration, authorizeHostKey: { _ in .accept })
     }