diff --git a/RenderPipeline2.md b/RenderPipeline2.md
index 3c7c18f..a18c8d6 100644
--- a/RenderPipeline2.md
+++ b/RenderPipeline2.md
@@ -1179,6 +1179,16 @@ Not every export is framed like its review. A deliverable rendered unscaled or w
 
 With no earlier export to inherit from, the export still reaches READY_FOR_QC and the timeline records that it has no review media.
 
+### 9.5 Handles in review (metadata only)
+
+Renders run past the cut at each end (8 + 8 by house convention). Handles ship with the EXRs and stay in the preview, but reviewers must be able to tell them from the cut, or a glitch in a handle gets flagged as a problem in the shot. **Nothing is trimmed or burned in** — this is deliberately not the reverted picture-lock trim (which desynced the overlay timecode); the render and every delivered file are unchanged.
+
+- **Panel:** "Includes handles [8] frames each end" (default on, prefilled from Handle Frames) sends `manifest.review = { handleHead, handleTail }`; unticked sends 0/0. Manifests without `review` (older panels) fall back to `source.handleFrames` (`manifestHandles`, exports.ts).
+- **Export → Version:** `createExport` stores `Export.handleHead/handleTail`; `finalizePreview` copies them onto the Version, plus `pictureStartFrame` = the head slate length from the build's `pictureStartSeconds` (worker ≥ 1.6.4). Left null, the player infers the slate as MP4 frames − `frameCount` (the EXR count), within 0–5 frames.
+- **Player** (`lib/handles.ts` → `computeEditRange`): the timeline hatches the handles amber and labels them HANDLE (the slate, SLATE); while the playhead is in a handle the picture gets an amber frame and a "HEAD/TAIL HANDLE · NOT IN EDIT" tag; notes on handle frames carry a HANDLE badge. "Edit range only" (scissors) keeps play, reverse and go-to-start/end inside the cut — on by default in the client portal, off for staff.
+- **Staff override:** the review page's Handles button edits a version's head/tail/slate — for manual uploads, or to correct a render.
+- **Backfill** (`20260922000000_version_handles`): every existing export takes its manifest's `source.handleFrames` (else 8), and the Versions they produced take the same.
+
 ---
 
 ## 10. QC Workflow
diff --git a/RenderWorker/VFXReviewWorker/JobExecutor.cs b/RenderWorker/VFXReviewWorker/JobExecutor.cs
index 50c1c24..4e320f9 100644
--- a/RenderWorker/VFXReviewWorker/JobExecutor.cs
+++ b/RenderWorker/VFXReviewWorker/JobExecutor.cs
@@ -461,6 +461,9 @@ public sealed class JobExecutor
                     ["frameCount"] = result.Build?.FrameCount,
                     ["fps"] = manifest.Fps,
                     ["fileName"] = Path.GetFileName(result.Mp4Path!),
+                    // Slate length, so the review player can place the handle
+                    // markers exactly instead of inferring it (server ≥ 2026-09-22).
+                    ["pictureStartSeconds"] = result.Build?.PictureStartSeconds,
                 },
             });
 
diff --git a/RenderWorker/VFXReviewWorker/VFXReviewWorker.csproj b/RenderWorker/VFXReviewWorker/VFXReviewWorker.csproj
index ed9a71b..bae8a92 100644
--- a/RenderWorker/VFXReviewWorker/VFXReviewWorker.csproj
+++ b/RenderWorker/VFXReviewWorker/VFXReviewWorker.csproj
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
       every change that gets published. publish.ps1 appends the git SHA via
       SourceRevisionId, giving "1.1.0+feb1c7b".
     -->
-    <Version>1.6.3</Version>
+    <Version>1.6.4</Version>
   </PropertyGroup>
 
   <ItemGroup>
diff --git a/VFXReviewConnector.jsx b/VFXReviewConnector.jsx
index e6dffde..7851172 100644
--- a/VFXReviewConnector.jsx
+++ b/VFXReviewConnector.jsx
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ var PANEL_VERSION = "2.6.2";
         pipelineStatusText: null,
         urgentCheckbox: null,
         skipPreviewCheckbox: null,
+        handlesCheckbox: null,
+        handleFramesField: null,
         submissionNoteField: null,
         qcList: null,
         qcNotesField: null,
@@ -3476,6 +3478,9 @@ var PANEL_VERSION = "2.6.2";
             CONFIG.bannerImagePath = trimText(fBanner.text);
             CONFIG.artistEmail     = trimText(fEmail.text);
             CONFIG.handleFrames    = parseInt(fHandles.text, 10) || 8;
+            if (uiState.handleFramesField) {
+                uiState.handleFramesField.text = String(CONFIG.handleFrames);
+            }
             CONFIG.pathMappings    = trimText(fMappings.text);
             CONFIG.sequenceStart   = parseInt(fSeqStart.text, 10) || 1001;
             saveConfig();
@@ -4196,7 +4201,23 @@ var PANEL_VERSION = "2.6.2";
         return manifest;
     }
 
+    // Handles the render carries past the cut. Review metadata only: the web
+    // player marks these frames as "not in edit". Nothing in the comp or the
+    // render changes — unticked just means the frames are all in the edit.
+    function reviewHandles() {
+        var frames;
+        if (!uiState.handlesCheckbox || !uiState.handlesCheckbox.value) {
+            return { handleHead: 0, handleTail: 0 };
+        }
+        frames = parseInt(uiState.handleFramesField ? uiState.handleFramesField.text : "", 10);
+        if (isNaN(frames) || frames < 0) {
+            frames = CONFIG.handleFrames;
+        }
+        return { handleHead: frames, handleTail: frames };
+    }
+
     function submitExport(manifest, urgent, force) {
+        manifest.review = reviewHandles();
         var body = {
             manifest: manifest,
             force: force ? true : false
@@ -4803,6 +4824,25 @@ var PANEL_VERSION = "2.6.2";
             "un-punched-in EXRs — where a preview rebuilt from these frames\n" +
             "would be the wrong picture.";
 
+        var handlesGroup = pipelinePanel.add("group");
+        handlesGroup.orientation = "row";
+        handlesGroup.alignChildren = ["left", "center"];
+        handlesGroup.spacing = 6;
+        uiState.handlesCheckbox = handlesGroup.add("checkbox", undefined, "Includes handles");
+        uiState.handlesCheckbox.value = true;
+        uiState.handleFramesField = handlesGroup.add("edittext", undefined, String(CONFIG.handleFrames));
+        uiState.handleFramesField.characters = 3;
+        handlesGroup.add("statictext", undefined, "frames each end");
+        uiState.handlesCheckbox.helpTip =
+            "The render runs past the cut at both ends (handles). The review\n" +
+            "player marks those frames HANDLE / NOT IN EDIT so a glitch in a\n" +
+            "handle isn't mistaken for a problem in the shot.\n\n" +
+            "Review-only: nothing is burned in and the EXRs are unchanged.\n" +
+            "Untick for a render cut exactly to the edit.";
+        uiState.handlesCheckbox.onClick = function () {
+            uiState.handleFramesField.enabled = uiState.handlesCheckbox.value;
+        };
+
         var slateNoteGroup = pipelinePanel.add("group");
         slateNoteGroup.orientation = "row";
         slateNoteGroup.alignChildren = ["fill", "top"];
diff --git a/actions/versions.ts b/actions/versions.ts
index f223388..a065259 100644
--- a/actions/versions.ts
+++ b/actions/versions.ts
@@ -259,3 +259,35 @@ export async function getVersionComments(versionId: string) {
     orderBy: { frameNumber: "asc" },
   });
 }
+
+const updateVersionHandlesSchema = z.object({
+  versionId: z.string().cuid(),
+  /** 0/0 = no handles (every frame is in the edit). */
+  handleHead: z.number().int().min(0).max(1000),
+  handleTail: z.number().int().min(0).max(1000),
+  /** Slate frames before the picture; null = infer from the media. */
+  pictureStartFrame: z.number().int().min(0).max(1000).nullable(),
+});
+
+/**
+ * Marks which frames of a version are handles (past the cut at each end), so
+ * the review player can flag them. Review metadata only — the media and any
+ * delivered files are untouched. Staff only: a client can't redefine the cut.
+ */
+export async function updateVersionHandles(data: z.infer<typeof updateVersionHandlesSchema>) {
+  const session = await auth();
+  if (!session?.user) throw new Error("Unauthorized");
+  if (session.user.role === "CLIENT") throw new Error("Forbidden");
+
+  const parsed = updateVersionHandlesSchema.parse(data);
+  const none = parsed.handleHead === 0 && parsed.handleTail === 0;
+  await db.version.update({
+    where: { id: parsed.versionId },
+    data: {
+      handleHead: none ? null : parsed.handleHead,
+      handleTail: none ? null : parsed.handleTail,
+      pictureStartFrame: parsed.pictureStartFrame,
+    },
+  });
+  revalidatePath(`/review/${parsed.versionId}`);
+}
diff --git a/app/(dashboard)/playlist/PlaylistClient.tsx b/app/(dashboard)/playlist/PlaylistClient.tsx
index 1ce25f9..1528d9d 100644
--- a/app/(dashboard)/playlist/PlaylistClient.tsx
+++ b/app/(dashboard)/playlist/PlaylistClient.tsx
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@ interface PlaylistVersion {
   thumbnailUrl: string | null;
   posterUrl: string | null;
   fps: number;
+  frameCount?: number | null;
+  handleHead?: number | null;
+  handleTail?: number | null;
+  pictureStartFrame?: number | null;
   approvalStatus: string;
   taskTitle: string;
 }
@@ -276,6 +280,7 @@ export function PlaylistClient({ projects, userRole }: PlaylistClientProps) {
               fps={activeShot.latestVersion.fps}
               comments={[]}
               annotations={[]}
+              handles={activeShot.latestVersion}
             />
           ) : (
             <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-3 text-zinc-600">
diff --git a/app/api/playlist/route.ts b/app/api/playlist/route.ts
index 9ed52ff..1f9caf7 100644
--- a/app/api/playlist/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/playlist/route.ts
@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@ export async function GET(req: NextRequest) {
               thumbnailUrl: true,
               posterUrl: true,
               fps: true,
+              frameCount: true,
+              handleHead: true,
+              handleTail: true,
+              pictureStartFrame: true,
               approvalStatus: true,
               mimeType: true,
               createdAt: true,
@@ -85,6 +89,10 @@ export async function GET(req: NextRequest) {
           thumbnailUrl: latest.thumbnailUrl,
           posterUrl: latest.posterUrl,
           fps: latest.fps,
+          frameCount: latest.frameCount,
+          handleHead: latest.handleHead,
+          handleTail: latest.handleTail,
+          pictureStartFrame: latest.pictureStartFrame,
           approvalStatus: latest.approvalStatus,
           taskTitle: latest.taskTitle,
         },
diff --git a/app/client/[token]/review/[versionId]/page.tsx b/app/client/[token]/review/[versionId]/page.tsx
index f6168ef..1c234d5 100644
--- a/app/client/[token]/review/[versionId]/page.tsx
+++ b/app/client/[token]/review/[versionId]/page.tsx
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import {
 } from "lucide-react";
 import { useReviewStore } from "@/hooks/use-review-player";
 import { ReviewPasswordGate } from "@/components/clients/ReviewPasswordGate";
+import { HandleBadge } from "@/components/player/HandleBadge";
 
 interface Comment {
   id: string;
@@ -58,6 +59,10 @@ interface Version {
   fileUrl: string;
   fps: number;
   duration: number | null;
+  frameCount?: number | null;
+  handleHead?: number | null;
+  handleTail?: number | null;
+  pictureStartFrame?: number | null;
   approvalStatus: string;
   notes: string | null;
   // Top-level high-res flags (normalised from either shot or task.shot)
@@ -513,6 +518,10 @@ export default function ClientReviewPage({
             comments={comments as any}
             versionId={version.id}
             onAddComment={handlePlayerAddComment}
+            handles={version}
+            // The director watches the cut as cut; handles are still one
+            // toggle away, and flagged whenever the playhead is in one.
+            defaultEditRangeOnly
             saveAnnotationFn={async (data) => {
               const res = await fetch(`/api/client/${token}/annotation`, {
                 method: "POST",
@@ -644,6 +653,7 @@ export default function ClientReviewPage({
                         <span className="ml-auto font-mono text-xs text-amber-400/80">
                           {frameToTimecode(comment.frameNumber, version.fps)}
                         </span>
+                        <HandleBadge frame={comment.frameNumber} />
                       </div>
                       <p className="text-sm text-zinc-200 leading-relaxed">{comment.text}</p>
                       {comment.canEdit && (
@@ -692,8 +702,9 @@ export default function ClientReviewPage({
 
           {commentsOpen && commentFrame !== null ? (
             <div className="border-t border-zinc-800 p-3 space-y-2">
-              <p className="text-xs text-zinc-500 font-mono">
+              <p className="flex items-center gap-2 text-xs text-zinc-500 font-mono">
                 Frame {commentFrame} · {frameToTimecode(commentFrame, version.fps)}
+                <HandleBadge frame={commentFrame} />
               </p>
               <Textarea
                 placeholder="Add your note..."
diff --git a/app/review/[versionId]/ReviewPageClient.tsx b/app/review/[versionId]/ReviewPageClient.tsx
index 85283f0..f96d875 100644
--- a/app/review/[versionId]/ReviewPageClient.tsx
+++ b/app/review/[versionId]/ReviewPageClient.tsx
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import { submitApproval } from "@/actions/approvals";
 import { internallyApproveShot } from "@/actions/shots";
 import { useToast } from "@/components/ui/use-toast";
 import { ShareWithClientButton } from "@/components/versions/ShareWithClientButton";
+import { VersionHandlesButton } from "@/components/versions/VersionHandlesButton";
 import {
   CheckCircle2,
   XCircle,
@@ -50,6 +51,9 @@ interface ReviewPageClientProps {
     fps: number;
     duration: number | null;
     frameCount: number | null;
+    handleHead: number | null;
+    handleTail: number | null;
+    pictureStartFrame: number | null;
     approvalStatus: string;
     notes: string | null;
     isClientVisible: boolean;
@@ -283,6 +287,20 @@ export function ReviewPageClient({
           </DropdownMenu>
         </div>
 
+        {/* Handles — outside the breadcrumb so it never gets squeezed */}
+        {userRole !== "CLIENT" && (
+          <div className="shrink-0">
+            <VersionHandlesButton
+              key={version.id}
+              versionId={version.id}
+              handleHead={version.handleHead}
+              handleTail={version.handleTail}
+              pictureStartFrame={version.pictureStartFrame}
+              onSaved={() => router.refresh()}
+            />
+          </div>
+        )}
+
         {/* Approval status */}
         <span
           className={cn(
@@ -361,6 +379,7 @@ export function ReviewPageClient({
             versionId={version.id}
             onAddComment={handleAddComment}
             onAnnotationSaved={handleAnnotationSaved}
+            handles={version}
           />
         </div>
 
diff --git a/components/comments/CommentPanel.tsx b/components/comments/CommentPanel.tsx
index 7691eec..a8a8460 100644
--- a/components/comments/CommentPanel.tsx
+++ b/components/comments/CommentPanel.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { getInitials, formatRelativeDate } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { frameToTimecode } from "@/lib/frame-utils";
+import { HandleBadge } from "@/components/player/HandleBadge";
 import {
   CheckCircle2,
   Circle,
@@ -151,6 +152,7 @@ export function CommentPanel({
             <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
               {frameToTimecode(activeCommentFrame, fps)}
             </span>
+            <HandleBadge frame={activeCommentFrame} />
           </div>
           <Textarea
             ref={inputRef}
@@ -348,6 +350,7 @@ function CommentThread({
               >
                 F{String(comment.frameNumber).padStart(4, "0")}
               </button>
+              <HandleBadge frame={comment.frameNumber} />
               <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground ml-auto">
                 {formatRelativeDate(comment.createdAt)}
               </span>
diff --git a/components/player/FrameTimeline.tsx b/components/player/FrameTimeline.tsx
index 83096b8..2a20ca4 100644
--- a/components/player/FrameTimeline.tsx
+++ b/components/player/FrameTimeline.tsx
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ interface FrameTimelineProps {
 export function FrameTimeline({ fps, comments, annotations = [], videoRef, onSeek }: FrameTimelineProps) {
   const canvasRef = useRef<HTMLCanvasElement>(null);
   const isDragging = useRef(false);
-  const { currentFrame, totalFrames } = useReviewStore();
+  const { currentFrame, totalFrames, editRange } = useReviewStore();
 
   const draw = useCallback(() => {
     const canvas = canvasRef.current;
@@ -32,6 +32,42 @@ export function FrameTimeline({ fps, comments, annotations = [], videoRef, onSee
     ctx.fillStyle = "hsl(0 0% 6%)";
     ctx.fillRect(0, 0, W, H);
 
+    // Slate and handles — under the ruler so ticks still read across them
+    const regions: { from: number; to: number; kind: "slate" | "handle" }[] = [];
+    if (editRange && totalFrames > 0) {
+      const { pictureStart, cutIn, tailStart, pictureEnd } = editRange;
+      if (pictureStart > 0) regions.push({ from: 0, to: pictureStart, kind: "slate" });
+      if (cutIn > pictureStart) regions.push({ from: pictureStart, to: cutIn, kind: "handle" });
+      if (pictureEnd > tailStart) regions.push({ from: tailStart, to: pictureEnd, kind: "handle" });
+    }
+    const xOf = (f: number) => Math.round((f / totalFrames) * W);
+    for (const r of regions) {
+      const x0 = xOf(r.from);
+      const x1 = xOf(r.to);
+      if (x1 <= x0) continue;
+      if (r.kind === "slate") {
+        ctx.fillStyle = "hsl(0 0% 2%)";
+        ctx.fillRect(x0, 0, x1 - x0, H);
+        continue;
+      }
+      ctx.fillStyle = "hsl(38 92% 50% / 0.14)";
+      ctx.fillRect(x0, 0, x1 - x0, H);
+      // Diagonal hatching, clipped to the region
+      ctx.save();
+      ctx.beginPath();
+      ctx.rect(x0, 0, x1 - x0, H);
+      ctx.clip();
+      ctx.strokeStyle = "hsl(38 92% 50% / 0.28)";
+      ctx.lineWidth = 1;
+      for (let x = x0 - H; x < x1; x += 7) {
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        ctx.moveTo(x, H);
+        ctx.lineTo(x + H, 0);
+        ctx.stroke();
+      }
+      ctx.restore();
+    }
+
     // Frame ruler ticks
     if (totalFrames > 0) {
       const tickInterval = Math.max(1, Math.floor(totalFrames / (W / 40)));
@@ -59,6 +95,31 @@ export function FrameTimeline({ fps, comments, annotations = [], videoRef, onSee
       }
     }
 
+    // Region labels and cut points, over the ruler
+    for (const r of regions) {
+      const x0 = xOf(r.from);
+      const x1 = xOf(r.to);
+      const label = r.kind === "slate" ? "SLATE" : "HANDLE";
+      ctx.font = "bold 9px monospace";
+      if (x1 - x0 >= ctx.measureText(label).width + 8) {
+        ctx.fillStyle = r.kind === "slate" ? "hsl(0 0% 45%)" : "hsl(38 92% 60%)";
+        ctx.textAlign = "center";
+        ctx.fillText(label, (x0 + x1) / 2, H / 2 + 8);
+      }
+    }
+    if (editRange && totalFrames > 0) {
+      ctx.strokeStyle = "hsl(38 92% 55%)";
+      ctx.lineWidth = 1;
+      for (const f of [editRange.cutIn, editRange.tailStart]) {
+        if (f <= editRange.pictureStart || f >= editRange.pictureEnd) continue;
+        const x = xOf(f) + 0.5;
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        ctx.moveTo(x, 0);
+        ctx.lineTo(x, H);
+        ctx.stroke();
+      }
+    }
+
     // Annotation markers — amber diamonds at top
     const seenAnnotationFrames = new Set<number>();
     annotations.forEach((ann) => {
@@ -121,7 +182,7 @@ export function FrameTimeline({ fps, comments, annotations = [], videoRef, onSee
       ctx.closePath();
       ctx.fill();
     }
-  }, [currentFrame, totalFrames, comments, annotations]);
+  }, [currentFrame, totalFrames, comments, annotations, editRange]);
 
   // Resize observer to match canvas to container
   useEffect(() => {
diff --git a/components/player/HandleBadge.tsx b/components/player/HandleBadge.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d7650f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/player/HandleBadge.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useReviewStore } from "@/hooks/use-review-player";
+import { isHandleFrame } from "@/lib/handles";
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+
+/**
+ * "HANDLE" tag for a note left on a handle frame, so whoever picks it up can
+ * see at a glance that it's about a frame outside the edit.
+ */
+export function HandleBadge({ frame, className }: { frame: number; className?: string }) {
+  const editRange = useReviewStore((s) => s.editRange);
+  if (!isHandleFrame(editRange, frame)) return null;
+  return (
+    <span
+      className={cn(
+        "rounded border border-amber-400/40 bg-amber-400/10 px-1 py-px font-mono text-[9px] font-bold tracking-wide text-amber-400",
+        className
+      )}
+      title="This frame is a handle — outside the edit"
+    >
+      HANDLE
+    </span>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/components/player/HandleOverlay.tsx b/components/player/HandleOverlay.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..094cf2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/player/HandleOverlay.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+"use client";
+
+import type { FrameRegion } from "@/lib/handles";
+
+/**
+ * Flags a handle frame on the picture: an amber frame round the player and a
+ * "HANDLE · NOT IN EDIT" tag. Shown only while the playhead is in a handle so
+ * a reviewer can't mistake a glitch there for a problem in the cut.
+ *
+ * Purely a viewing aid over the player — it never reaches the media, passes
+ * every pointer event through, and sits outside the zoom layer so it stays
+ * readable at any zoom.
+ */
+export function HandleOverlay({ region }: { region: FrameRegion }) {
+  if (region !== "head" && region !== "tail") return null;
+  return (
+    <div
+      className="pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 ring-4 ring-inset ring-amber-400/80"
+      data-testid="handle-overlay"
+    >
+      <div className="absolute left-1/2 top-3 -translate-x-1/2 whitespace-nowrap rounded bg-amber-400 px-2.5 py-1 font-mono text-[11px] font-bold tracking-wide text-black shadow">
+        {region === "head" ? "HEAD" : "TAIL"} HANDLE · NOT IN EDIT
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/components/player/PlaybackControls.tsx b/components/player/PlaybackControls.tsx
index 4bf3a69..41015cc 100644
--- a/components/player/PlaybackControls.tsx
+++ b/components/player/PlaybackControls.tsx
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import {
   Eye,
   EyeOff,
   RectangleHorizontal,
+  Scissors,
 } from "lucide-react";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import {
@@ -74,8 +75,20 @@ export function PlaybackControls({
     setShowAnnotations,
     setAspectPresetId,
     setBlankingMode,
+    editRange,
+    editRangeOnly,
+    setEditRangeOnly,
   } = useReviewStore();
 
+  // Keeping to the edit, the ends of the transport are the cut points.
+  const keepToEdit = editRangeOnly && !!editRange;
+  const goToFrame = (frame: number) => {
+    const video = videoRef.current;
+    if (!video) return;
+    video.pause();
+    video.currentTime = frame / fps;
+  };
+
   const handleRateChange = (val: string) => {
     const rate = parseFloat(val);
     if (videoRef.current) videoRef.current.playbackRate = rate;
@@ -115,13 +128,14 @@ export function PlaybackControls({
                 size="icon-sm"
                 className="text-zinc-400 hover:text-white"
                 onClick={() => {
-                  if (videoRef.current) videoRef.current.currentTime = 0;
+                  if (keepToEdit && editRange) goToFrame(editRange.cutIn);
+                  else if (videoRef.current) videoRef.current.currentTime = 0;
                 }}
               >
                 <ChevronFirst className="h-4 w-4" />
               </Button>
             </TooltipTrigger>
-            <TooltipContent>Go to start</TooltipContent>
+            <TooltipContent>{keepToEdit ? "Go to cut in" : "Go to start"}</TooltipContent>
           </Tooltip>
 
           <Tooltip>
@@ -198,14 +212,15 @@ export function PlaybackControls({
                 size="icon-sm"
                 className="text-zinc-400 hover:text-white"
                 onClick={() => {
-                  if (videoRef.current)
+                  if (keepToEdit && editRange) goToFrame(editRange.tailStart - 1);
+                  else if (videoRef.current)
                     videoRef.current.currentTime = videoRef.current.duration;
                 }}
               >
                 <ChevronLast className="h-4 w-4" />
               </Button>
             </TooltipTrigger>
-            <TooltipContent>Go to end</TooltipContent>
+            <TooltipContent>{keepToEdit ? "Go to cut out" : "Go to end"}</TooltipContent>
           </Tooltip>
         </div>
       </div>
@@ -282,6 +297,32 @@ export function PlaybackControls({
           )}
         </div>
 
+        {/* Edit range only — only for versions with handles marked */}
+        {editRange && (
+          <Tooltip>
+            <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+              <Button
+                variant="ghost"
+                size="icon-sm"
+                className={cn(
+                  "text-zinc-400 hover:text-white",
+                  editRangeOnly && "text-amber-400 bg-amber-400/10"
+                )}
+                onClick={() => setEditRangeOnly(!editRangeOnly)}
+                aria-pressed={editRangeOnly}
+                aria-label="Edit range only"
+              >
+                <Scissors className="h-4 w-4" />
+              </Button>
+            </TooltipTrigger>
+            <TooltipContent>
+              {editRangeOnly
+                ? "Playing the edit only — click to include handles"
+                : "Play the edit only (skip handles)"}
+            </TooltipContent>
+          </Tooltip>
+        )}
+
         {/* Annotation toggle */}
         <Tooltip>
           <TooltipTrigger asChild>
diff --git a/components/player/ReviewPlayer.tsx b/components/player/ReviewPlayer.tsx
index 7cc908f..3dac56a 100644
--- a/components/player/ReviewPlayer.tsx
+++ b/components/player/ReviewPlayer.tsx
@@ -15,10 +15,12 @@ import { AnnotationTools } from "@/components/annotations/AnnotationTools";
 import { AspectOverlay } from "./AspectOverlay";
 import { FrameTimeline } from "./FrameTimeline";
 import { PlaybackControls } from "./PlaybackControls";
+import { HandleOverlay } from "./HandleOverlay";
 import { useZoomPan } from "@/hooks/use-zoom-pan";
 import { Minus, Plus } from "lucide-react";
 import { timeToFrame, frameToTime, durationToFrameCount } from "@/lib/frame-utils";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+import { computeEditRange, frameRegion, type VersionHandles } from "@/lib/handles";
 import type { CommentWithReplies } from "@/types";
 
 export interface ReviewPlayerRef {
@@ -40,6 +42,10 @@ interface ReviewPlayerProps {
   saveAnnotationFn?: (data: { versionId: string; frameNumber: number; drawingData: unknown; color: string }) => Promise<void>;
   /** Override the default server action used to create the companion comment */
   addCommentFn?: (data: { versionId: string; frameNumber: number; timestamp: number; text: string }) => Promise<void>;
+  /** The version's handle metadata — frames past the cut get flagged. */
+  handles?: VersionHandles | null;
+  /** Start with playback kept to the edit (the client portal's default). */
+  defaultEditRangeOnly?: boolean;
 }
 
 export const ReviewPlayer = forwardRef<ReviewPlayerRef, ReviewPlayerProps>(
@@ -55,6 +61,8 @@ export const ReviewPlayer = forwardRef<ReviewPlayerRef, ReviewPlayerProps>(
       onAnnotationSaved,
       saveAnnotationFn,
       addCommentFn,
+      handles,
+      defaultEditRangeOnly = false,
     },
     ref
   ) {
@@ -66,6 +74,7 @@ export const ReviewPlayer = forwardRef<ReviewPlayerRef, ReviewPlayerProps>(
     const stageRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
     const zoomLayerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
     const reverseIntervalRef = useRef<ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null>(null);
+    const openedAtCut = useRef(false);
     const [isReversing, setIsReversing] = useState(false);
 
     const {
@@ -81,8 +90,38 @@ export const ReviewPlayer = forwardRef<ReviewPlayerRef, ReviewPlayerProps>(
       setDuration,
       setFps,
       setTotalFrames,
+      totalFrames,
+      editRange,
+      editRangeOnly,
+      setEditRange,
+      setEditRangeOnly,
     } = useReviewStore();
 
+    // ── Handles ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    // Where the cut sits in this media. Recomputed from primitives so a parent
+    // re-render with a fresh `handles` object does not churn the store.
+    const handleHead = handles?.handleHead ?? null;
+    const handleTail = handles?.handleTail ?? null;
+    const pictureStartFrame = handles?.pictureStartFrame ?? null;
+    const handleFrameCount = handles?.frameCount ?? null;
+    useEffect(() => {
+      setEditRange(
+        computeEditRange(
+          { handleHead, handleTail, pictureStartFrame, frameCount: handleFrameCount },
+          totalFrames
+        )
+      );
+    }, [handleHead, handleTail, pictureStartFrame, handleFrameCount, totalFrames, setEditRange]);
+    useEffect(() => () => setEditRange(null), [setEditRange]);
+
+    useEffect(() => {
+      setEditRangeOnly(defaultEditRangeOnly);
+    }, [defaultEditRangeOnly, setEditRangeOnly]);
+
+    // Read inside event handlers / intervals without re-binding them.
+    const keepToEdit = useRef<{ range: typeof editRange; on: boolean }>({ range: null, on: false });
+    keepToEdit.current = { range: editRange, on: editRangeOnly && !!editRange };
+
     const zoom = useZoomPan(stageRef, zoomLayerRef, {
       gesturesEnabled: !isAnnotating,
     });
@@ -102,6 +141,7 @@ export const ReviewPlayer = forwardRef<ReviewPlayerRef, ReviewPlayerProps>(
       setDuration(0);
       setTotalFrames(0);
       resetZoom();
+      openedAtCut.current = false;
     }, [videoUrl, setCurrentFrame, setCurrentTime, setDuration, setTotalFrames, resetZoom]);
 
     // ── Playback state sync ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -121,6 +161,57 @@ export const ReviewPlayer = forwardRef<ReviewPlayerRef, ReviewPlayerProps>(
       setTotalFrames(frames);
     }, [fps, setDuration, setTotalFrames]);
 
+    /**
+     * Play — when keeping to the edit, from the cut in-point if the playhead
+     * is outside the cut (slate, a handle, or parked on the last cut frame).
+     */
+    const startPlayback = useCallback(() => {
+      const video = videoRef.current;
+      if (!video) return;
+      const { range, on } = keepToEdit.current;
+      if (on && range) {
+        const frame = timeToFrame(video.currentTime, fps);
+        if (frame < range.cutIn || frame >= range.tailStart - 1) {
+          video.currentTime = frameToTime(range.cutIn, fps);
+        }
+      }
+      // A pause() or power-saving pause before playback starts rejects this;
+      // that's expected, not an error.
+      video.play().catch(() => {});
+    }, [fps]);
+
+    // Keeping to the edit: stop on the last frame of the cut rather than
+    // playing into the tail handle. Checked every animation frame — the
+    // video's own timeupdate only fires ~4x a second.
+    useEffect(() => {
+      if (!isPlaying || !editRangeOnly || !editRange) return;
+      const lastCutFrame = editRange.tailStart - 1;
+      let raf = 0;
+      const tick = () => {
+        const video = videoRef.current;
+        if (!video || video.paused) return;
+        if (timeToFrame(video.currentTime, fps) >= editRange.tailStart) {
+          video.pause();
+          video.currentTime = frameToTime(lastCutFrame, fps);
+          return;
+        }
+        raf = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
+      };
+      raf = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
+      return () => cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
+    }, [isPlaying, editRangeOnly, editRange, fps]);
+
+    // Keeping to the edit: open on the first frame of the cut rather than on
+    // the slate. Once per video, so it never moves the playhead afterwards.
+    useEffect(() => {
+      const video = videoRef.current;
+      if (!video || openedAtCut.current || !editRangeOnly || !editRange) return;
+      openedAtCut.current = true;
+      if (video.paused && timeToFrame(video.currentTime, fps) < editRange.cutIn) {
+        video.currentTime = frameToTime(editRange.cutIn, fps);
+      }
+    }, [editRange, editRangeOnly, fps]);
+
     const handlePlay = useCallback(() => setPlaying(true), [setPlaying]);
     const handlePause = useCallback(() => setPlaying(false), [setPlaying]);
 
@@ -132,7 +223,7 @@ export const ReviewPlayer = forwardRef<ReviewPlayerRef, ReviewPlayerProps>(
         video.currentTime = frameToTime(frame, fps);
         if (!video.paused) video.pause();
       },
-      play: () => videoRef.current?.play(),
+      play: () => startPlayback(),
       pause: () => videoRef.current?.pause(),
     }));
 
@@ -163,11 +254,14 @@ export const ReviewPlayer = forwardRef<ReviewPlayerRef, ReviewPlayerProps>(
       video.pause();
       setIsReversing(true);
       reverseIntervalRef.current = setInterval(() => {
-        if (!videoRef.current || videoRef.current.currentTime <= 0) {
+        // Keeping to the edit, reverse stops at the cut in-point.
+        const { range, on } = keepToEdit.current;
+        const floor = on && range ? frameToTime(range.cutIn, fps) : 0;
+        if (!videoRef.current || videoRef.current.currentTime <= floor) {
           stopReverse();
           return;
         }
-        videoRef.current.currentTime = Math.max(0, videoRef.current.currentTime - 1 / fps);
+        videoRef.current.currentTime = Math.max(floor, videoRef.current.currentTime - 1 / fps);
       }, 1000 / fps);
     }, [fps, stopReverse]);
 
@@ -176,11 +270,11 @@ export const ReviewPlayer = forwardRef<ReviewPlayerRef, ReviewPlayerProps>(
       if (!video) return;
       stopReverse();
       if (video.paused) {
-        video.play();
+        startPlayback();
       } else {
         video.pause();
       }
-    }, [stopReverse]);
+    }, [stopReverse, startPlayback]);
 
     // ── Keyboard shortcuts (JKL + arrows + space + F) ───────────────────────
     useEffect(() => {
@@ -213,7 +307,7 @@ export const ReviewPlayer = forwardRef<ReviewPlayerRef, ReviewPlayerProps>(
           case "l":
             e.preventDefault();
             stopReverse();
-            if (videoRef.current?.paused) videoRef.current.play();
+            if (videoRef.current?.paused) startPlayback();
             break;
           case "arrowleft":
             e.preventDefault();
@@ -250,11 +344,13 @@ export const ReviewPlayer = forwardRef<ReviewPlayerRef, ReviewPlayerProps>(
       };
 
       window.addEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
-      return () => {
-        window.removeEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
-        stopReverse();
-      };
-    }, [isReversing, stepFrame, startReverse, stopReverse, togglePlayback, zoomBy, resetZoom]);
+      return () => window.removeEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
+    }, [isReversing, stepFrame, startReverse, stopReverse, togglePlayback, startPlayback, zoomBy, resetZoom]);
+
+    // Stop a running reverse only on unmount. This used to live in the
+    // cleanup above, which re-runs whenever isReversing changes — so starting
+    // reverse immediately stopped it, and J never did anything.
+    useEffect(() => stopReverse, [stopReverse]);
 
     // ── Fullscreen ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
     const toggleFullscreen = () => {
@@ -350,6 +446,9 @@ export const ReviewPlayer = forwardRef<ReviewPlayerRef, ReviewPlayerProps>(
           />
           </div>
 
+          {/* Handle flag — drawn over the player, never into the media */}
+          <HandleOverlay region={frameRegion(editRange, currentFrame)} />
+
           {/* Zoom badge — only while zoomed */}
           {zoom.zoomed && (
             <div
diff --git a/components/versions/VersionHandlesButton.tsx b/components/versions/VersionHandlesButton.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ebb70d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/versions/VersionHandlesButton.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,178 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useState } from "react";
+import { Scissors } from "lucide-react";
+import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import {
+  Dialog,
+  DialogContent,
+  DialogDescription,
+  DialogFooter,
+  DialogHeader,
+  DialogTitle,
+} from "@/components/ui/dialog";
+import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
+import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
+import { useToast } from "@/components/ui/use-toast";
+import { updateVersionHandles } from "@/actions/versions";
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+
+interface VersionHandlesButtonProps {
+  versionId: string;
+  handleHead: number | null;
+  handleTail: number | null;
+  pictureStartFrame: number | null;
+  onSaved?: () => void;
+}
+
+const DEFAULT_HANDLES = 8;
+
+function toInt(value: string): number | null {
+  if (value.trim() === "") return null;
+  const n = Number(value);
+  return Number.isInteger(n) && n >= 0 ? n : NaN;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Top-bar control showing a version's handles, and a dialog to set them —
+ * for manual uploads, or to correct a render. Review metadata only.
+ */
+export function VersionHandlesButton({
+  versionId,
+  handleHead,
+  handleTail,
+  pictureStartFrame,
+  onSaved,
+}: VersionHandlesButtonProps) {
+  const marked = (handleHead ?? 0) > 0 || (handleTail ?? 0) > 0;
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [includes, setIncludes] = useState(marked);
+  const [head, setHead] = useState(String(handleHead ?? DEFAULT_HANDLES));
+  const [tail, setTail] = useState(String(handleTail ?? DEFAULT_HANDLES));
+  const [slate, setSlate] = useState(pictureStartFrame == null ? "" : String(pictureStartFrame));
+  const [saving, setSaving] = useState(false);
+  const { toast } = useToast();
+
+  const openDialog = () => {
+    setIncludes(marked);
+    setHead(String(handleHead ?? DEFAULT_HANDLES));
+    setTail(String(handleTail ?? DEFAULT_HANDLES));
+    setSlate(pictureStartFrame == null ? "" : String(pictureStartFrame));
+    setOpen(true);
+  };
+
+  const headN = toInt(head);
+  const tailN = toInt(tail);
+  const slateN = toInt(slate);
+  const invalid =
+    (includes && (headN == null || Number.isNaN(headN) || tailN == null || Number.isNaN(tailN))) ||
+    Number.isNaN(slateN);
+
+  const save = async () => {
+    if (invalid) return;
+    setSaving(true);
+    try {
+      await updateVersionHandles({
+        versionId,
+        handleHead: includes ? headN! : 0,
+        handleTail: includes ? tailN! : 0,
+        pictureStartFrame: slateN,
+      });
+      setOpen(false);
+      onSaved?.();
+    } catch {
+      toast({ title: "Couldn't save handles", variant: "destructive" });
+    } finally {
+      setSaving(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const label = marked
+    ? handleHead === handleTail
+      ? `Handles ${handleHead}`
+      : `Handles ${handleHead ?? 0}/${handleTail ?? 0}`
+    : "No handles";
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Button
+        variant="ghost"
+        size="sm"
+        className={cn("h-7 gap-1 text-xs", marked ? "text-amber-400" : "text-muted-foreground")}
+        onClick={openDialog}
+        title="Frames past the cut that aren't in the edit"
+      >
+        <Scissors className="h-3 w-3" />
+        <span className="hidden sm:inline">{label}</span>
+      </Button>
+
+      <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={setOpen}>
+        <DialogContent className="sm:max-w-sm">
+          <DialogHeader>
+            <DialogTitle>Handles</DialogTitle>
+            <DialogDescription>
+              Frames rendered past the cut at each end. The player marks them “Handle · Not in
+              edit” so reviewers don&apos;t flag them. Nothing is burned in.
+            </DialogDescription>
+          </DialogHeader>
+
+          <label className="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm">
+            <input
+              type="checkbox"
+              checked={includes}
+              onChange={(e) => setIncludes(e.target.checked)}
+              className="h-4 w-4 accent-amber-500"
+            />
+            This version includes handles
+          </label>
+
+          <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-3">
+            <div className="space-y-1">
+              <Label htmlFor="handle-head" className="text-xs">Head (frames)</Label>
+              <Input
+                id="handle-head"
+                inputMode="numeric"
+                value={head}
+                disabled={!includes}
+                onChange={(e) => setHead(e.target.value)}
+              />
+            </div>
+            <div className="space-y-1">
+              <Label htmlFor="handle-tail" className="text-xs">Tail (frames)</Label>
+              <Input
+                id="handle-tail"
+                inputMode="numeric"
+                value={tail}
+                disabled={!includes}
+                onChange={(e) => setTail(e.target.value)}
+              />
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="space-y-1">
+            <Label htmlFor="handle-slate" className="text-xs">Slate frames before the picture</Label>
+            <Input
+              id="handle-slate"
+              inputMode="numeric"
+              placeholder="Auto"
+              value={slate}
+              onChange={(e) => setSlate(e.target.value)}
+            />
+            <p className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+              Leave blank to detect it (pipeline previews have a 1-frame slate).
+            </p>
+          </div>
+
+          <DialogFooter>
+            <Button variant="ghost" onClick={() => setOpen(false)}>
+              Cancel
+            </Button>
+            <Button onClick={save} disabled={saving || invalid}>
+              {saving ? "Saving…" : "Save"}
+            </Button>
+          </DialogFooter>
+        </DialogContent>
+      </Dialog>
+    </>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/hooks/use-review-player.ts b/hooks/use-review-player.ts
index 15f1428..17000b1 100644
--- a/hooks/use-review-player.ts
+++ b/hooks/use-review-player.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { create } from "zustand";
 import type { AnnotationTool } from "@/types";
 import { ASPECT_OFF, type BlankingMode } from "@/lib/aspect-overlays";
+import type { EditRange } from "@/lib/handles";
 
 interface ReviewPlayerStore {
   // Playback
@@ -28,6 +29,11 @@ interface ReviewPlayerStore {
   fps: number;
   totalFrames: number;
 
+  // Handles — where the cut sits in the media (null: no handles marked), and
+  // whether playback keeps to it. Viewing aids only; the media is untouched.
+  editRange: EditRange | null;
+  editRangeOnly: boolean;
+
   // Actions
   setPlaying: (playing: boolean) => void;
   setCurrentFrame: (frame: number) => void;
@@ -46,6 +52,8 @@ interface ReviewPlayerStore {
   setBlankingMode: (mode: BlankingMode) => void;
   setFps: (fps: number) => void;
   setTotalFrames: (frames: number) => void;
+  setEditRange: (range: EditRange | null) => void;
+  setEditRangeOnly: (on: boolean) => void;
   reset: () => void;
 }
 
@@ -67,6 +75,8 @@ const initialState = {
   blankingMode: "solid" as BlankingMode,
   fps: 24,
   totalFrames: 0,
+  editRange: null as EditRange | null,
+  editRangeOnly: false,
 };
 
 export const useReviewStore = create<ReviewPlayerStore>((set) => ({
@@ -88,5 +98,7 @@ export const useReviewStore = create<ReviewPlayerStore>((set) => ({
   setBlankingMode: (blankingMode) => set({ blankingMode }),
   setFps: (fps) => set({ fps }),
   setTotalFrames: (totalFrames) => set({ totalFrames }),
+  setEditRange: (editRange) => set({ editRange }),
+  setEditRangeOnly: (editRangeOnly) => set({ editRangeOnly }),
   reset: () => set(initialState),
 }));
diff --git a/lib/frame-utils.test.ts b/lib/frame-utils.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2b9e563
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/frame-utils.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { frameToTime, timeToFrame } from "./frame-utils";
+
+describe("timeToFrame", () => {
+  it("round-trips every frame through frameToTime", () => {
+    for (const fps of [23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30]) {
+      for (let f = 0; f < 5000; f++) {
+        expect(timeToFrame(frameToTime(f, fps), fps)).toBe(f);
+      }
+    }
+  });
+
+  it("reads a seek target rounded to microseconds as that frame", () => {
+    // Browsers can report currentTime rounded, e.g. 4/24 as 0.166666
+    expect(timeToFrame(0.166666, 24)).toBe(4);
+  });
+
+  it("still floors positions inside a frame", () => {
+    expect(timeToFrame(4.5 / 24, 24)).toBe(4);
+    expect(timeToFrame(4.99 / 24, 24)).toBe(4);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/lib/frame-utils.ts b/lib/frame-utils.ts
index 7a4d848..a782c0a 100644
--- a/lib/frame-utils.ts
+++ b/lib/frame-utils.ts
@@ -9,9 +9,17 @@ export function frameToTime(frame: number, fps: number): number {
   return frame / fps;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Tolerance (in frames) for float error at a frame boundary. Seeking to
+ * frameToTime(4, 24) = 0.1666… reads back as 3.9999… frames; without this it
+ * floors to frame 3, so every seek landed one frame early. Far smaller than
+ * any real position inside a frame.
+ */
+const FRAME_EPSILON = 1e-3;
+
 /** Convert video currentTime to frame number (0-based) */
 export function timeToFrame(time: number, fps: number): number {
-  return Math.floor(time * fps);
+  return Math.floor(time * fps + FRAME_EPSILON);
 }
 
 /** Format a frame number as a timecode string: MM:SS:FF */
diff --git a/lib/handles.test.ts b/lib/handles.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47f53f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/handles.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { computeEditRange, frameRegion, isHandleFrame } from "./handles";
+
+describe("computeEditRange", () => {
+  it("is null when no handles are marked", () => {
+    expect(computeEditRange(null, 100)).toBeNull();
+    expect(computeEditRange({}, 100)).toBeNull();
+    expect(computeEditRange({ handleHead: 0, handleTail: 0 }, 100)).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("is null until the media length is known", () => {
+    expect(computeEditRange({ handleHead: 8, handleTail: 8 }, 0)).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("marks 8+8 on media with no slate", () => {
+    expect(computeEditRange({ handleHead: 8, handleTail: 8, frameCount: 100 }, 100)).toEqual({
+      pictureStart: 0,
+      cutIn: 8,
+      tailStart: 92,
+      pictureEnd: 100,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("infers a 1-frame head slate from the media being one frame longer than the EXRs", () => {
+    // Pipeline preview: 100 EXR frames + 1 slate frame = 101 in the MP4
+    expect(computeEditRange({ handleHead: 8, handleTail: 8, frameCount: 100 }, 101)).toEqual({
+      pictureStart: 1,
+      cutIn: 9,
+      tailStart: 93,
+      pictureEnd: 101,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("uses a recorded picture start over inference", () => {
+    const r = computeEditRange(
+      { handleHead: 8, handleTail: 8, frameCount: 100, pictureStartFrame: 2 },
+      102
+    );
+    expect(r).toEqual({ pictureStart: 2, cutIn: 10, tailStart: 94, pictureEnd: 102 });
+  });
+
+  it("anchors the tail on the picture when the container rounds a frame short", () => {
+    // Recorded 1-frame slate, 100 EXRs, but the MP4 duration floors to 100
+    const r = computeEditRange(
+      { handleHead: 8, handleTail: 8, frameCount: 100, pictureStartFrame: 1 },
+      100
+    );
+    expect(r).toEqual({ pictureStart: 1, cutIn: 9, tailStart: 92, pictureEnd: 100 });
+  });
+
+  it("doesn't mistake a large unexplained length difference for a slate", () => {
+    const r = computeEditRange({ handleHead: 8, handleTail: 8, frameCount: 50 }, 100);
+    expect(r?.pictureStart).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it("supports unequal and one-sided handles", () => {
+    expect(computeEditRange({ handleHead: 12, handleTail: 0, frameCount: 100 }, 100)).toEqual({
+      pictureStart: 0,
+      cutIn: 12,
+      tailStart: 100,
+      pictureEnd: 100,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("never lets the handles overlap on a very short shot", () => {
+    const r = computeEditRange({ handleHead: 8, handleTail: 8, frameCount: 10 }, 10)!;
+    expect(r.cutIn).toBe(8);
+    expect(r.tailStart).toBe(8);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("frameRegion", () => {
+  const range = computeEditRange({ handleHead: 8, handleTail: 8, frameCount: 100 }, 101);
+
+  it("classifies slate, handles and edit", () => {
+    expect(frameRegion(range, 0)).toBe("slate");
+    expect(frameRegion(range, 1)).toBe("head");
+    expect(frameRegion(range, 8)).toBe("head");
+    expect(frameRegion(range, 9)).toBe("edit");
+    expect(frameRegion(range, 92)).toBe("edit");
+    expect(frameRegion(range, 93)).toBe("tail");
+    expect(frameRegion(range, 100)).toBe("tail");
+  });
+
+  it("treats everything as edit when handles are unknown", () => {
+    expect(frameRegion(null, 0)).toBe("edit");
+    expect(isHandleFrame(null, 0)).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("does not count the slate as a handle", () => {
+    expect(isHandleFrame(range, 0)).toBe(false);
+    expect(isHandleFrame(range, 1)).toBe(true);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/lib/handles.ts b/lib/handles.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d32ada4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/handles.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+/**
+ * Handles: the extra frames rendered and delivered at each end of a shot that
+ * are not in the edit (8 + 8 by house convention). Reviewers need to see them
+ * — they ship — but must be able to tell them apart from the cut, so a glitch
+ * in a handle isn't flagged as a problem with the shot.
+ *
+ * Nothing here touches the media: the player draws the distinction on top.
+ *
+ * All frame numbers are 0-based frames of the review media (the MP4), which
+ * may open with a slate before the picture:
+ *
+ *   [ slate ][ head handle ][ ——— in edit ——— ][ tail handle ]
+ *   0        pictureStart   cutIn              tailStart      totalFrames
+ */
+
+/** What a Version records about its handles (all nullable: unknown/unmarked). */
+export interface VersionHandles {
+  handleHead?: number | null;
+  handleTail?: number | null;
+  /**
+   * Frames of slate before the picture. Null = not recorded; derived from the
+   * media length vs `frameCount` (see below).
+   */
+  pictureStartFrame?: number | null;
+  /** Picture frames (the rendered EXR range), excluding any slate. */
+  frameCount?: number | null;
+}
+
+export interface EditRange {
+  /** First picture frame (frames before it are slate). */
+  pictureStart: number;
+  /** First frame in the edit — the cut in-point. */
+  cutIn: number;
+  /** First frame of the tail handle — one past the cut out-point. */
+  tailStart: number;
+  /** One past the last picture frame. */
+  pictureEnd: number;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The largest slate we will infer from a length mismatch. Anything bigger is
+ * not a slate but a mismatch we can't explain, and guessing would put the
+ * handle markers on the wrong frames.
+ */
+const MAX_INFERRED_SLATE = 5;
+
+/**
+ * Where the slate, handles and edit fall in the review media, or null when the
+ * version has no handles marked (or the media length isn't known yet).
+ *
+ * The slate length is taken from `pictureStartFrame` when recorded. Otherwise
+ * it is inferred as `totalFrames - frameCount`: pipeline previews record the
+ * EXR frame count, and the MP4 is that plus the head slate.
+ */
+export function computeEditRange(
+  handles: VersionHandles | null | undefined,
+  totalFrames: number
+): EditRange | null {
+  if (!handles || !(totalFrames > 0)) return null;
+  const head = Math.max(0, Math.floor(handles.handleHead ?? 0));
+  const tail = Math.max(0, Math.floor(handles.handleTail ?? 0));
+  if (head === 0 && tail === 0) return null;
+
+  const frameCount =
+    handles.frameCount != null && handles.frameCount > 0 ? Math.floor(handles.frameCount) : null;
+
+  let pictureStart: number;
+  if (handles.pictureStartFrame != null && handles.pictureStartFrame >= 0) {
+    pictureStart = Math.floor(handles.pictureStartFrame);
+  } else if (frameCount != null) {
+    const lead = totalFrames - frameCount;
+    pictureStart = lead > 0 && lead <= MAX_INFERRED_SLATE ? lead : 0;
+  } else {
+    pictureStart = 0;
+  }
+  pictureStart = Math.min(pictureStart, totalFrames);
+
+  // Anchor the tail on the picture, not on the media's end: a container's
+  // duration can round a frame either way, the EXR count cannot.
+  const pictureEnd =
+    frameCount != null ? Math.min(totalFrames, pictureStart + frameCount) : totalFrames;
+
+  const cutIn = Math.min(pictureStart + head, pictureEnd);
+  const tailStart = Math.max(cutIn, pictureEnd - tail);
+
+  return { pictureStart, cutIn, tailStart, pictureEnd };
+}
+
+export type FrameRegion = "slate" | "head" | "edit" | "tail";
+
+export function frameRegion(range: EditRange | null, frame: number): FrameRegion {
+  if (!range) return "edit";
+  if (frame < range.pictureStart) return "slate";
+  if (frame < range.cutIn) return "head";
+  if (frame >= range.tailStart) return "tail";
+  return "edit";
+}
+
+/** True for a frame in either handle (not the slate, not the edit). */
+export function isHandleFrame(range: EditRange | null, frame: number): boolean {
+  const r = frameRegion(range, frame);
+  return r === "head" || r === "tail";
+}
diff --git a/lib/render-pipeline/exports.test.ts b/lib/render-pipeline/exports.test.ts
index 0ecc890..25a7103 100644
--- a/lib/render-pipeline/exports.test.ts
+++ b/lib/render-pipeline/exports.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, it, expect } from "vitest";
-import { renderOutputBase } from "./exports";
+import { manifestHandles, renderOutputBase } from "./exports";
+import type { RenderManifest } from "./manifest";
 import { nextTaskTitle } from "./preview";
 
 describe("renderOutputBase", () => {
@@ -17,3 +18,22 @@ describe("renderOutputBase", () => {
     expect(nextTaskTitle(title, "v003")).toBe(title);
   });
 });
+
+describe("manifestHandles", () => {
+  const base = {} as RenderManifest;
+
+  it("uses the panel's explicit handles, including an explicit none", () => {
+    expect(manifestHandles({ ...base, review: { handleHead: 8, handleTail: 12 } })).toEqual({ head: 8, tail: 12 });
+    expect(
+      manifestHandles({ ...base, review: { handleHead: 0, handleTail: 0 }, source: { handleFrames: 8 } })
+    ).toEqual({ head: 0, tail: 0 });
+  });
+
+  it("falls back to the handle length older panels sent with the plates", () => {
+    expect(manifestHandles({ ...base, source: { handleFrames: 8 } })).toEqual({ head: 8, tail: 8 });
+  });
+
+  it("is unknown when the manifest says nothing", () => {
+    expect(manifestHandles(base)).toBeNull();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/lib/render-pipeline/exports.ts b/lib/render-pipeline/exports.ts
index 2eb636d..d4f08bd 100644
--- a/lib/render-pipeline/exports.ts
+++ b/lib/render-pipeline/exports.ts
@@ -53,6 +53,18 @@ export function renderOutputBase(shotCode: string, versionString: string): strin
   return `${shotCode}_cmp_TT_${versionString}`;
 }
 
+/**
+ * The handles an export's render carries: the panel's explicit `review` block,
+ * else the `source.handleFrames` older panels always sent (the house handle
+ * length the plates were cut with), else unknown.
+ */
+export function manifestHandles(manifest: RenderManifest): { head: number; tail: number } | null {
+  if (manifest.review) return { head: manifest.review.handleHead, tail: manifest.review.handleTail };
+  const legacy = manifest.source?.handleFrames;
+  if (typeof legacy === "number" && legacy >= 0) return { head: legacy, tail: legacy };
+  return null;
+}
+
 export interface CreateExportInput {
   manifest: unknown;
   submittedByEmail?: string | null;
@@ -210,6 +222,7 @@ export async function createExport(input: CreateExportInput) {
             : manifest.outputPattern;
 
         const resolvedManifest: RenderManifest = { ...manifest, outputDir, outputPattern };
+        const handles = manifestHandles(manifest);
 
         // Supersede older non-terminal exports (T1/T17); cancel their open jobs.
         const toSupersede = await tx.export.findMany({
@@ -242,6 +255,8 @@ export async function createExport(input: CreateExportInput) {
             vfxScope,
             submissionNote,
             skipPreview: input.skipPreview === true,
+            handleHead: handles?.head ?? null,
+            handleTail: handles?.tail ?? null,
             submittedById: submittedBy?.id ?? null,
             submittedByName: submittedBy?.name ?? input.submittedByEmail ?? null,
           },
diff --git a/lib/render-pipeline/manifest.ts b/lib/render-pipeline/manifest.ts
index 2d4f298..8658ad4 100644
--- a/lib/render-pipeline/manifest.ts
+++ b/lib/render-pipeline/manifest.ts
@@ -91,6 +91,18 @@ export const renderManifestSchema = z
         burnins: z.boolean().optional(),
       })
       .optional(),
+    /**
+     * Handles the render carries past the cut, from the panel's "Includes
+     * handles" setting (0/0 = none). Review metadata only — the player flags
+     * these frames; nothing is trimmed. Absent (older panels): falls back to
+     * `source.handleFrames`, which every panel export has sent.
+     */
+    review: z
+      .object({
+        handleHead: z.number().int().min(0).max(1000),
+        handleTail: z.number().int().min(0).max(1000),
+      })
+      .optional(),
   })
   .refine((m) => m.frameEnd >= m.frameStart, {
     message: "frameEnd must be >= frameStart",
diff --git a/lib/render-pipeline/preview.ts b/lib/render-pipeline/preview.ts
index 3ac9c37..1398cfc 100644
--- a/lib/render-pipeline/preview.ts
+++ b/lib/render-pipeline/preview.ts
@@ -297,7 +297,15 @@ export interface FinalizeInput {
     logFileKey?: string;
   };
   renderStats?: { renderSeconds?: number; previewSeconds?: number };
-  media?: { width?: number; height?: number; frameCount?: number; fps?: number; fileName?: string };
+  media?: {
+    width?: number;
+    height?: number;
+    frameCount?: number;
+    fps?: number;
+    fileName?: string;
+    /** Where the picture starts after the head slate (worker ≥ 1.6.4). */
+    pictureStartSeconds?: number | null;
+  };
 }
 
 /**
@@ -350,15 +358,25 @@ export async function finalizePreview(jobId: string, machineId: string, body: Fi
     let versionCreated = false;
     let inheritedApproval: string | null = null;
     if (artifacts.previewMovKey) {
+      const fps = media.fps ?? exportRow.fps;
       const mediaFields = {
         fileUrl: `/api/files/${artifacts.previewMovKey}`,
         fileName: media.fileName ?? `${exportRow.versionString}.mp4`,
         mimeType: "video/mp4",
         thumbnailUrl: artifacts.thumbnailKey ? `/api/files/${artifacts.thumbnailKey}` : undefined,
-        fps: media.fps ?? exportRow.fps,
+        fps,
         frameCount: media.frameCount ?? exportRow.frameEnd - exportRow.frameStart + 1,
         width: media.width ?? exportRow.width,
         height: media.height ?? exportRow.height,
+        // Review metadata for the player's handle markers. The slate length is
+        // measured by the build when the worker reports it; left null the
+        // player infers it from the MP4 length vs frameCount.
+        handleHead: exportRow.handleHead,
+        handleTail: exportRow.handleTail,
+        pictureStartFrame:
+          typeof media.pictureStartSeconds === "number" && media.pictureStartSeconds >= 0
+            ? Math.round(media.pictureStartSeconds * fps)
+            : null,
       };
 
       // Regenerating a preview (T11b) re-delivers the *same* export version, so
diff --git a/prisma/migrations/20260922000000_version_handles/migration.sql b/prisma/migrations/20260922000000_version_handles/migration.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5917659
--- /dev/null
+++ b/prisma/migrations/20260922000000_version_handles/migration.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+-- Handles: frames rendered past the cut at each end of a shot. They ship with
+-- the EXRs but are not in the edit, so the review player flags them. Purely
+-- metadata — nothing renders differently.
+ALTER TABLE "versions" ADD COLUMN "handleHead" INTEGER;
+ALTER TABLE "versions" ADD COLUMN "handleTail" INTEGER;
+ALTER TABLE "versions" ADD COLUMN "pictureStartFrame" INTEGER;
+
+ALTER TABLE "exports" ADD COLUMN "handleHead" INTEGER;
+ALTER TABLE "exports" ADD COLUMN "handleTail" INTEGER;
+
+-- Backfill pipeline exports. Every render so far was queued by the panel with
+-- its Handle Frames setting (8 unless changed); the value is in the render
+-- manifest when the panel found a timing plate, otherwise use the house 8.
+UPDATE "exports" e
+SET "handleHead" = h.frames, "handleTail" = h.frames
+FROM (
+  SELECT e2."id",
+         COALESCE(
+           (SELECT (rj."manifest"->'source'->>'handleFrames')::int
+              FROM "render_jobs" rj
+             WHERE rj."exportId" = e2."id"
+               AND rj."type" = 'AE_RENDER'
+               AND jsonb_typeof(rj."manifest"->'source'->'handleFrames') = 'number'
+             ORDER BY rj."createdAt" DESC
+             LIMIT 1),
+           8
+         ) AS frames
+    FROM "exports" e2
+) h
+WHERE h."id" = e."id";
+
+-- ...and the preview Versions they produced. pictureStartFrame stays null:
+-- the player infers the head slate from the MP4 length vs the EXR frameCount.
+UPDATE "versions" v
+SET "handleHead" = e."handleHead", "handleTail" = e."handleTail"
+FROM "exports" e
+WHERE e."versionId" = v."id";
diff --git a/prisma/schema.prisma b/prisma/schema.prisma
index 152fdc8..a969792 100644
--- a/prisma/schema.prisma
+++ b/prisma/schema.prisma
@@ -541,6 +541,13 @@ model Version {
   frameCount      Int?
   width           Int?
   height          Int?
+  /// Handles: frames rendered past the cut at each end (not in the edit). Null
+  /// = not marked. The player flags them; the media is never changed.
+  handleHead        Int?
+  handleTail        Int?
+  /// Frames of slate before the picture in this media. Null = not recorded
+  /// (the player infers it from the media length vs frameCount).
+  pictureStartFrame Int?
   notes           String?        @db.Text
   approvalStatus  ApprovalStatus @default(PENDING_REVIEW)
   reviewStatus    ReviewStatus   @default(PENDING)
@@ -924,6 +931,12 @@ model Export {
   /// correct preview, and rebuilding it from these EXRs would be wrong.
   skipPreview Boolean @default(false)
 
+  /// Handles the render carries (frames past the cut at each end), from the
+  /// panel's "Includes handles" setting. Copied onto the preview Version so
+  /// the player can flag them; never used to trim or alter any render.
+  handleHead Int?
+  handleTail Int?
+
   /// Skip picture-lock trimming and the picture-lock reference render for this
   /// export — set when picture lock is missing or wrong for the shot, so the
   /// preview build falls back to the untrimmed full render range instead of