diff --git a/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/Cell/TimelineCellData.swift b/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/Cell/TimelineCellData.swift
index 8bf69264e..71705f8af 100644
--- a/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/Cell/TimelineCellData.swift
+++ b/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/Cell/TimelineCellData.swift
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import Images
 	let showIcon: Bool // Make space even when icon is nil
 	let read: Bool
 	let starred: Bool
+	let thumbnailURL: URL? // Article thumbnail URL
 
 	init(article: Article, showFeedName: TimelineShowFeedName, feedName: String?, byline: String?, iconImage: IconImage?, showIcon: Bool) {
 
@@ -59,6 +60,13 @@ import Images
 
 		self.read = article.status.read
 		self.starred = article.status.starred
+
+		// Prefer the article's imageURL; fall back to the first image in its content.
+		if let imageURL = article.imageURL {
+			self.thumbnailURL = imageURL
+		} else {
+			self.thumbnailURL = article.extractFirstImageURL()
+		}
 	}
 
 	init() { // Empty
@@ -73,5 +81,6 @@ import Images
 		self.read = true
 		self.starred = false
 		self.attributedTitle = NSAttributedString()
+		self.thumbnailURL = nil
 	}
 }
diff --git a/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/Cell/TimelineModernCellLayout.swift b/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/Cell/TimelineModernCellLayout.swift
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8d60a47d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/Cell/TimelineModernCellLayout.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+//
+//  TimelineModernCellLayout.swift
+//  NetNewsWire
+//
+//  Copyright © 2026 Ranchero Software, LLC. All rights reserved.
+//
+
+import AppKit
+import RSCore
+
+// Rects for the modern timeline cell. Table-view cells in NetNewsWire use manual
+// frame layout (not Auto Layout), so this computes every subview frame.
+@MainActor
+struct TimelineModernCellLayout {
+
+	let feedIconRect: NSRect
+	let metadataRect: NSRect
+	let titleRect: NSRect
+	let summaryRect: NSRect
+	let thumbnailRect: NSRect
+	let separatorRect: NSRect
+	let height: CGFloat
+
+	private static let horizontalPadding: CGFloat = 16.0
+	private static let verticalPadding: CGFloat = 12.0
+	private static let thumbnailSize: CGFloat = 72.0
+	private static let leftRightGap: CGFloat = 12.0
+	private static let iconHeight: CGFloat = 20.0
+	private static let iconToTitleGap: CGFloat = 6.0
+	private static let titleToSummaryGap: CGFloat = 4.0
+	private static let iconToMetadataGap: CGFloat = 8.0
+
+	init(width: CGFloat, cellData: TimelineCellData) {
+		let titleFont = NSFont.systemFont(ofSize: 14, weight: .semibold)
+		let summaryFont = NSFont.systemFont(ofSize: 12, weight: .regular)
+
+		let hasThumbnail = cellData.thumbnailURL != nil
+		let availableWidth = width - Self.horizontalPadding * 2
+		let leftWidth = hasThumbnail ? (availableWidth - Self.thumbnailSize - Self.leftRightGap) : availableWidth
+		let leftWidthInt = max(1, Int(leftWidth))
+
+		// Coordinates run top-down (the cell view is flipped).
+		var y = Self.verticalPadding
+
+		self.feedIconRect = NSRect(x: Self.horizontalPadding, y: y, width: Self.iconHeight, height: Self.iconHeight)
+
+		let metadataX = self.feedIconRect.maxX + Self.iconToMetadataGap
+		self.metadataRect = NSRect(x: metadataX, y: y, width: width - metadataX - Self.horizontalPadding, height: Self.iconHeight)
+
+		y = self.feedIconRect.maxY + Self.iconToTitleGap
+
+		// Title (up to 2 lines); its actual line count drives the summary line count.
+		let titleInfo = MultilineTextFieldSizer.size(for: cellData.title, font: titleFont, numberOfLines: 2, width: leftWidthInt)
+		let titleLines = max(1, titleInfo.numberOfLinesUsed)
+		self.titleRect = NSRect(x: Self.horizontalPadding, y: y, width: leftWidth, height: titleInfo.size.height)
+
+		y = self.titleRect.maxY + Self.titleToSummaryGap
+
+		// Summary: 1 line when the title is 2 lines, otherwise 2 lines.
+		let summaryLines = titleLines >= 2 ? 1 : 2
+		let summaryHeight = MultilineTextFieldSizer.size(for: cellData.text, font: summaryFont, numberOfLines: summaryLines, width: leftWidthInt).size.height
+		self.summaryRect = NSRect(x: Self.horizontalPadding, y: y, width: leftWidth, height: summaryHeight)
+
+		y = self.summaryRect.maxY + Self.verticalPadding
+		self.height = y
+
+		if hasThumbnail {
+			let thumbX = Self.horizontalPadding + leftWidth + Self.leftRightGap
+			let thumbY = (self.height - Self.thumbnailSize) / 2.0
+			self.thumbnailRect = NSRect(x: thumbX, y: thumbY, width: Self.thumbnailSize, height: Self.thumbnailSize)
+		} else {
+			self.thumbnailRect = .zero
+		}
+
+		self.separatorRect = NSRect(x: 0, y: self.height - 0.5, width: width, height: 0.5)
+	}
+
+	static func height(for width: CGFloat, cellData: TimelineCellData) -> CGFloat {
+		return TimelineModernCellLayout(width: width, cellData: cellData).height
+	}
+}
diff --git a/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/Cell/TimelineModernCellView.swift b/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/Cell/TimelineModernCellView.swift
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..94d976513
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/Cell/TimelineModernCellView.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,248 @@
+//
+//  TimelineModernCellView.swift
+//  NetNewsWire
+//
+//  Copyright © 2026 Ranchero Software, LLC. All rights reserved.
+//
+
+import AppKit
+import RSCore
+
+// Modern horizontal-split timeline cell (left: text / right: thumbnail) for macOS.
+// Uses manual frame layout per NetNewsWire guidelines (no Auto Layout in table cells).
+final class TimelineModernCellView: NSView {
+
+	// MARK: - UI Components
+
+	private let feedIconView: NSImageView = {
+		let imageView = NSImageView()
+		imageView.imageScaling = .scaleProportionallyUpOrDown
+		imageView.wantsLayer = true
+		imageView.layer?.cornerRadius = 10
+		imageView.layer?.masksToBounds = true
+		imageView.layer?.backgroundColor = NSColor.systemRed.cgColor
+		imageView.autoresizingMask = []
+		return imageView
+	}()
+
+	private let metadataLabel: NSTextField = {
+		let label = NSTextField(labelWithString: "")
+		label.font = .systemFont(ofSize: 11, weight: .regular)
+		label.textColor = .secondaryLabelColor
+		label.lineBreakMode = .byTruncatingTail
+		label.cell?.truncatesLastVisibleLine = true
+		label.autoresizingMask = []
+		return label
+	}()
+
+	private let titleLabel: NSTextField = {
+		let label = NSTextField(labelWithString: "")
+		label.font = .systemFont(ofSize: 14, weight: .semibold)
+		label.textColor = .labelColor
+		label.maximumNumberOfLines = 2
+		label.lineBreakMode = .byWordWrapping
+		label.cell?.wraps = true
+		label.cell?.truncatesLastVisibleLine = true
+		label.autoresizingMask = []
+		return label
+	}()
+
+	private let summaryLabel: NSTextField = {
+		let label = NSTextField(labelWithString: "")
+		label.font = .systemFont(ofSize: 12, weight: .regular)
+		label.textColor = .secondaryLabelColor
+		label.maximumNumberOfLines = 2
+		label.lineBreakMode = .byWordWrapping
+		label.cell?.wraps = true
+		label.cell?.truncatesLastVisibleLine = true
+		label.autoresizingMask = []
+		return label
+	}()
+
+	private let thumbnailImageView: NSImageView = {
+		let imageView = NSImageView()
+		imageView.imageScaling = .scaleProportionallyUpOrDown
+		imageView.wantsLayer = true
+		imageView.layer?.masksToBounds = true
+		imageView.layer?.cornerRadius = 6
+		imageView.layer?.backgroundColor = NSColor.controlBackgroundColor.cgColor
+		imageView.imageAlignment = .alignCenter
+		imageView.autoresizingMask = []
+		return imageView
+	}()
+
+	private let separatorView: NSView = {
+		let view = NSView()
+		view.wantsLayer = true
+		view.layer?.backgroundColor = NSColor.separatorColor.cgColor
+		view.autoresizingMask = []
+		return view
+	}()
+
+	// MARK: - Properties
+
+	var cellData: TimelineCellData! {
+		didSet {
+			configureWithCellData()
+			needsLayout = true
+		}
+	}
+
+	private var imageLoadTask: URLSessionDataTask?
+
+	// Flipped so layout coordinates run top-to-bottom.
+	override var isFlipped: Bool {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	// MARK: - Initialization
+
+	override init(frame frameRect: NSRect) {
+		super.init(frame: frameRect)
+		setupViews()
+	}
+
+	required init?(coder: NSCoder) {
+		super.init(coder: coder)
+		setupViews()
+	}
+
+	deinit {
+		imageLoadTask?.cancel()
+	}
+
+	// MARK: - Setup
+
+	private func setupViews() {
+		addSubview(feedIconView)
+		addSubview(metadataLabel)
+		addSubview(titleLabel)
+		addSubview(summaryLabel)
+		addSubview(thumbnailImageView)
+		addSubview(separatorView)
+	}
+
+	override func layout() {
+		super.layout()
+
+		guard let cellData, bounds.width > 0 else {
+			return
+		}
+
+		let layout = TimelineModernCellLayout(width: bounds.width, cellData: cellData)
+		feedIconView.frame = layout.feedIconRect
+		metadataLabel.frame = layout.metadataRect
+		titleLabel.frame = layout.titleRect
+		summaryLabel.frame = layout.summaryRect
+		thumbnailImageView.frame = layout.thumbnailRect
+		thumbnailImageView.isHidden = layout.thumbnailRect == .zero
+		separatorView.frame = layout.separatorRect
+	}
+
+	// MARK: - Configuration
+
+	private func configureWithCellData() {
+		guard let cellData else {
+			return
+		}
+
+		// NSTableView reuse has no prepareForReuse callback, so cancel any in-flight
+		// load and clear the image to avoid flashing the previous article's thumbnail.
+		imageLoadTask?.cancel()
+		imageLoadTask = nil
+		thumbnailImageView.image = nil
+
+		if let iconImage = cellData.iconImage {
+			feedIconView.image = iconImage.image
+			feedIconView.layer?.backgroundColor = NSColor.clear.cgColor
+		} else {
+			feedIconView.image = nil
+			feedIconView.layer?.backgroundColor = NSColor.systemRed.cgColor
+		}
+
+		metadataLabel.stringValue = "\(cellData.feedName) • \(cellData.dateString)"
+
+		titleLabel.stringValue = cellData.title
+		titleLabel.textColor = cellData.read ? .secondaryLabelColor : .labelColor
+
+		summaryLabel.stringValue = cellData.text
+
+		if let url = cellData.thumbnailURL {
+			loadImage(from: url)
+		}
+	}
+
+	private func loadImage(from url: URL) {
+		imageLoadTask?.cancel()
+
+		if let cachedImage = MacImageCache.shared.image(for: url) {
+			thumbnailImageView.image = cachedImage
+			return
+		}
+
+		imageLoadTask = URLSession.shared.dataTask(with: url) { [weak self] data, response, error in
+			guard let self,
+				  let data = data,
+				  let image = NSImage(data: data),
+				  error == nil else {
+				return
+			}
+
+			// Cropping is CPU work; stay off the main thread.
+			let croppedImage = image.cropToSquare()
+
+			// MacImageCache is MainActor-isolated.
+			DispatchQueue.main.async { [weak self] in
+				MacImageCache.shared.storeImage(croppedImage, for: url)
+				self?.thumbnailImageView.image = croppedImage
+			}
+		}
+
+		imageLoadTask?.resume()
+	}
+}
+
+// MARK: - Image Cache for macOS
+
+@MainActor
+final class MacImageCache {
+	static let shared = MacImageCache()
+
+	private let cache = NSCache<NSURL, NSImage>()
+
+	private init() {
+		cache.countLimit = 100
+		cache.totalCostLimit = 50 * 1024 * 1024 // 50 MB
+	}
+
+	func image(for url: URL) -> NSImage? {
+		return cache.object(forKey: url as NSURL)
+	}
+
+	func storeImage(_ image: NSImage, for url: URL) {
+		cache.setObject(image, forKey: url as NSURL)
+	}
+}
+
+// MARK: - NSImage Extension for Square Cropping
+
+extension NSImage {
+	/// Crops the image to a centered square.
+	func cropToSquare() -> NSImage {
+		guard let cgImage = self.cgImage(forProposedRect: nil, context: nil, hints: nil) else {
+			return self
+		}
+
+		let width = cgImage.width
+		let height = cgImage.height
+		let minDimension = min(width, height)
+		let x = (width - minDimension) / 2
+		let y = (height - minDimension) / 2
+
+		if let croppedCGImage = cgImage.cropping(to: CGRect(x: x, y: y, width: minDimension, height: minDimension)) {
+			return NSImage(cgImage: croppedCGImage, size: NSSize(width: minDimension, height: minDimension))
+		}
+
+		return self
+	}
+}
diff --git a/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/TimelineViewController.swift b/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/TimelineViewController.swift
index 357565607..01d97d0d5 100644
--- a/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/TimelineViewController.swift
+++ b/Mac/MainWindow/Timeline/TimelineViewController.swift
@@ -162,6 +162,12 @@ final class TimelineViewController: NSViewController, UndoableCommandRunner, Unr
 
 	var undoableCommands = [UndoableCommand]()
 
+	// MARK: - Layout Configuration
+	private var useModernLayout: Bool {
+		// Modern layout is on by default.
+		return true
+	}
+
 	private var fetchSerialNumber = 0
 	private let fetchRequestQueue = FetchRequestQueue()
 	private var exceptionArticleFetcher: ArticleFetcher?
@@ -888,6 +894,16 @@ extension TimelineViewController: NSTableViewDataSource {
 	func tableView(_ tableView: NSTableView, heightOfRow row: Int) -> CGFloat {
 		// Keeping -[NSTableViewDelegate tableView:heightOfRow:] implemented fixes
 		// an issue that the bottom inset of NSTableView disappears on macOS Monterey.
+
+		// Modern layout: self-size the height from the actual content (title up to 2 lines + summary up to 2 lines), with symmetric vertical padding.
+		if useModernLayout {
+			guard let article = articles.articleAtRow(row) else {
+				return tableView.rowHeight
+			}
+			let cellData = configureTimelineCellData(for: article)
+			return TimelineModernCellLayout.height(for: tableView.bounds.width, cellData: cellData)
+		}
+
 		return tableView.rowHeight
 	}
 }
@@ -907,9 +923,15 @@ extension TimelineViewController: NSTableViewDelegate {
 	}
 
 	private static let timelineCellIdentifier = NSUserInterfaceItemIdentifier(rawValue: "timelineCell")
+	private static let modernCellIdentifier = NSUserInterfaceItemIdentifier(rawValue: "modernTimelineCell")
 
 	func tableView(_ tableView: NSTableView, viewFor tableColumn: NSTableColumn?, row: Int) -> NSView? {
+		// Modern layout.
+		if useModernLayout {
+			return configureModernCell(tableView, row: row)
+		}
 
+		// Legacy layout, kept for compatibility.
 		func configure(_ cell: TimelineTableCellView) {
 			cell.cellAppearance = showIcons ? cellAppearanceWithIcon : cellAppearance
 			if let article = articles.articleAtRow(row) {
@@ -930,6 +952,36 @@ extension TimelineViewController: NSTableViewDelegate {
 		return cell
 	}
 
+	private func configureModernCell(_ tableView: NSTableView, row: Int) -> NSView? {
+		guard let article = articles.articleAtRow(row) else {
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		let cellData = configureTimelineCellData(for: article)
+
+		if let cell = tableView.makeView(withIdentifier: TimelineViewController.modernCellIdentifier, owner: nil) as? TimelineModernCellView {
+			cell.cellData = cellData
+			return cell
+		}
+
+		let cell = TimelineModernCellView()
+		cell.identifier = TimelineViewController.modernCellIdentifier
+		cell.cellData = cellData
+		return cell
+	}
+
+	private func configureTimelineCellData(for article: Article) -> TimelineCellData {
+		let iconImage = article.iconImage()
+		return TimelineCellData(
+			article: article,
+			showFeedName: showFeedNames,
+			feedName: article.feed?.nameForDisplay,
+			byline: article.byline(),
+			iconImage: iconImage,
+			showIcon: true
+		)
+	}
+
 	func tableViewSelectionDidChange(_ notification: Notification) {
 		if selectedArticles.isEmpty {
 			selectionDidChange(nil)
diff --git a/Shared/Extensions/ArticleImageExtractor.swift b/Shared/Extensions/ArticleImageExtractor.swift
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a62c47f5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Shared/Extensions/ArticleImageExtractor.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+//
+//  ArticleImageExtractor.swift
+//  NetNewsWire
+//
+//  Copyright © 2026 Ranchero Software, LLC. All rights reserved.
+//
+
+import Foundation
+import Articles
+
+@MainActor
+extension Article {
+
+	/// Returns the article's `imageURL`, or the first image found in its HTML or text content.
+	func extractFirstImageURL() -> URL? {
+		if let imageURL = self.imageURL {
+			return imageURL
+		}
+		if let html = contentHTML ?? summary {
+			return extractFirstImageFromHTML(html)
+		}
+		if let text = contentText ?? summary {
+			return extractFirstImageFromText(text)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	private func extractFirstImageFromHTML(_ html: String) -> URL? {
+		let pattern = "<img[^>]+src=[\"']([^\"'<>]+)[\"']"
+
+		guard let regex = try? NSRegularExpression(pattern: pattern, options: .caseInsensitive),
+			  let match = regex.firstMatch(in: html, range: NSRange(location: 0, length: html.utf16.count)) else {
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		if match.numberOfRanges > 1 {
+			let range = match.range(at: 1)
+			if let swiftRange = Range(range, in: html) {
+				return URL(string: String(html[swiftRange]))
+			}
+		}
+
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	private func extractFirstImageFromText(_ text: String) -> URL? {
+		let pattern = "(https?://[^\\s<>]+\\.(?:jpg|jpeg|png|gif|webp|bmp)(?:\\?[^\\s<>]*)?)"
+
+		guard let regex = try? NSRegularExpression(pattern: pattern, options: .caseInsensitive),
+			  let match = regex.firstMatch(in: text, range: NSRange(location: 0, length: text.utf16.count)) else {
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		if let swiftRange = Range(match.range, in: text) {
+			return URL(string: String(text[swiftRange]))
+		}
+
+		return nil
+	}
+}
diff --git a/iOS/MainTimeline/Cells/MainTimelineCellData.swift b/iOS/MainTimeline/Cells/MainTimelineCellData.swift
index fc39d0733..617fe6492 100644
--- a/iOS/MainTimeline/Cells/MainTimelineCellData.swift
+++ b/iOS/MainTimeline/Cells/MainTimelineCellData.swift
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import Images
 	let starred: Bool
 	let numberOfLines: Int
 	let iconSize: IconSize
+	let thumbnailURL: URL? // Article thumbnail URL
 
 	init(article: Article, showFeedName: ShowFeedName, feedName: String?, byline: String?, iconImage: IconImage?, showIcon: Bool, numberOfLines: Int, iconSize: IconSize) {
 
@@ -64,6 +65,12 @@ import Images
 		self.numberOfLines = numberOfLines
 		self.iconSize = iconSize
 
+		// Prefer the article's imageURL; fall back to the first image in its content.
+		if let imageURL = article.imageURL {
+			self.thumbnailURL = imageURL
+		} else {
+			self.thumbnailURL = article.extractFirstImageURL()
+		}
 	}
 
 	init() { // Empty
@@ -80,6 +87,7 @@ import Images
 		self.starred = false
 		self.numberOfLines = 0
 		self.iconSize = .medium
+		self.thumbnailURL = nil
 	}
 
 }
diff --git a/iOS/MainTimeline/Cells/MainTimelineModernCell.swift b/iOS/MainTimeline/Cells/MainTimelineModernCell.swift
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cc2cc9199
--- /dev/null
+++ b/iOS/MainTimeline/Cells/MainTimelineModernCell.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,377 @@
+//
+//  MainTimelineModernCell.swift
+//  NetNewsWire-iOS
+//
+//  Copyright © 2026 Ranchero Software, LLC. All rights reserved.
+//
+
+import UIKit
+
+final class MainTimelineModernCell: UICollectionViewCell {
+
+	// MARK: - Layout Constants
+
+	private let thumbnailSize: CGFloat = 72.0
+	private let horizontalPadding: CGFloat = 16.0
+	private let verticalPadding: CGFloat = 12.0
+	private let leftRightGap: CGFloat = 12.0
+	// Used when estimating title line count, since bounds may not be laid out yet.
+	private let estimatedLeftTextWidth: CGFloat = 270.0
+
+	// MARK: - UI Components
+
+	private let containerView: UIView = {
+		let view = UIView()
+		view.backgroundColor = .clear
+		view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
+		return view
+	}()
+
+	private let leftContentContainer: UIView = {
+		let view = UIView()
+		view.backgroundColor = .clear
+		view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
+		return view
+	}()
+
+	private let feedIconView: UIImageView = {
+		let imageView = UIImageView()
+		imageView.contentMode = .scaleAspectFit
+		imageView.clipsToBounds = true
+		imageView.layer.cornerRadius = 10
+		imageView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
+		imageView.backgroundColor = .systemRed
+		return imageView
+	}()
+
+	private let metadataLabel: UILabel = {
+		let label = UILabel()
+		label.font = .systemFont(ofSize: 12, weight: .regular)
+		label.textColor = .secondaryLabel
+		label.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
+		label.lineBreakMode = .byTruncatingTail
+		return label
+	}()
+
+	private let titleLabel: UILabel = {
+		let label = UILabel()
+		label.font = .systemFont(ofSize: 17, weight: .semibold)
+		label.textColor = .label
+		label.numberOfLines = 2
+		label.lineBreakMode = .byTruncatingTail
+		label.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
+		return label
+	}()
+
+	private let summaryLabel: UILabel = {
+		let label = UILabel()
+		label.font = .systemFont(ofSize: 15, weight: .regular)
+		label.textColor = .secondaryLabel
+		label.numberOfLines = 2
+		label.lineBreakMode = .byTruncatingTail
+		label.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
+		return label
+	}()
+
+	private let thumbnailContainerView: UIView = {
+		let view = UIView()
+		view.backgroundColor = .clear
+		view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
+		view.clipsToBounds = true
+		view.layer.cornerRadius = 6
+		return view
+	}()
+
+	private let thumbnailImageView: UIImageView = {
+		let imageView = UIImageView()
+		imageView.contentMode = .scaleAspectFill
+		imageView.clipsToBounds = true
+		imageView.backgroundColor = .systemGray6
+		imageView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
+		return imageView
+	}()
+
+	private let separatorView: UIView = {
+		let view = UIView()
+		view.backgroundColor = .separator
+		view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
+		return view
+	}()
+
+	// MARK: - Properties
+
+	var cellData: MainTimelineCellData! {
+		didSet {
+			configureWithCellData()
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Two mutually exclusive leftContent.trailing constraints, swapped based on whether
+	// a thumbnail is shown. The thumbnail container itself uses a fixed size + position,
+	// which avoids conflicts with width=height-style constraints.
+	private var isShowingThumbnail = false
+	private var leftContentTrailingToContainer: NSLayoutConstraint?
+	private var leftContentTrailingToThumbnail: NSLayoutConstraint?
+
+	private var imageDataTask: URLSessionDataTask?
+
+	// MARK: - Initialization
+
+	override init(frame: CGRect) {
+		super.init(frame: frame)
+		setupViews()
+	}
+
+	required init?(coder: NSCoder) {
+		super.init(coder: coder)
+		setupViews()
+	}
+
+	override func prepareForReuse() {
+		super.prepareForReuse()
+		imageDataTask?.cancel()
+		imageDataTask = nil
+		thumbnailImageView.image = nil
+		feedIconView.image = nil
+	}
+
+	// MARK: - Setup
+
+	private func setupViews() {
+		contentView.addSubview(containerView)
+		containerView.addSubview(leftContentContainer)
+		containerView.addSubview(thumbnailContainerView)
+		containerView.addSubview(separatorView)
+
+		leftContentContainer.addSubview(feedIconView)
+		leftContentContainer.addSubview(metadataLabel)
+		leftContentContainer.addSubview(titleLabel)
+		leftContentContainer.addSubview(summaryLabel)
+
+		thumbnailContainerView.addSubview(thumbnailImageView)
+
+		setupConstraints()
+	}
+
+	private func setupConstraints() {
+		let trailingToContainer = leftContentContainer.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: containerView.trailingAnchor)
+		let trailingToThumbnail = leftContentContainer.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: thumbnailContainerView.leadingAnchor, constant: -leftRightGap)
+		leftContentTrailingToContainer = trailingToContainer
+		leftContentTrailingToThumbnail = trailingToThumbnail
+
+		NSLayoutConstraint.activate([
+			containerView.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: contentView.topAnchor, constant: verticalPadding),
+			containerView.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: contentView.leadingAnchor, constant: horizontalPadding),
+			containerView.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: contentView.trailingAnchor, constant: -horizontalPadding),
+			containerView.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: contentView.bottomAnchor, constant: -verticalPadding),
+
+			separatorView.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: contentView.leadingAnchor),
+			separatorView.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: contentView.trailingAnchor),
+			separatorView.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: contentView.bottomAnchor),
+			separatorView.heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 0.5),
+
+			leftContentContainer.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: containerView.topAnchor),
+			leftContentContainer.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: containerView.leadingAnchor),
+			leftContentContainer.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: containerView.bottomAnchor),
+			trailingToContainer,
+
+			thumbnailContainerView.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: containerView.trailingAnchor),
+			thumbnailContainerView.centerYAnchor.constraint(equalTo: containerView.centerYAnchor),
+			thumbnailContainerView.widthAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: thumbnailSize),
+			thumbnailContainerView.heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: thumbnailSize),
+
+			feedIconView.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: leftContentContainer.topAnchor),
+			feedIconView.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: leftContentContainer.leadingAnchor),
+			feedIconView.widthAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 20),
+			feedIconView.heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 20),
+
+			metadataLabel.centerYAnchor.constraint(equalTo: feedIconView.centerYAnchor),
+			metadataLabel.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: feedIconView.trailingAnchor, constant: 8),
+			metadataLabel.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: leftContentContainer.trailingAnchor),
+
+			titleLabel.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: feedIconView.bottomAnchor, constant: 8),
+			titleLabel.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: leftContentContainer.leadingAnchor),
+			titleLabel.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: leftContentContainer.trailingAnchor),
+
+			// Pinned to the container bottom to complete the vertical chain so the list
+			// layout can compute the self-sizing height.
+			summaryLabel.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: titleLabel.bottomAnchor, constant: 4),
+			summaryLabel.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: leftContentContainer.leadingAnchor),
+			summaryLabel.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: leftContentContainer.trailingAnchor),
+			summaryLabel.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: leftContentContainer.bottomAnchor),
+
+			thumbnailImageView.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: thumbnailContainerView.topAnchor),
+			thumbnailImageView.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: thumbnailContainerView.leadingAnchor),
+			thumbnailImageView.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: thumbnailContainerView.trailingAnchor),
+			thumbnailImageView.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: thumbnailContainerView.bottomAnchor),
+		])
+
+		thumbnailContainerView.isHidden = true
+	}
+
+	// MARK: - Configuration
+
+	private func configureWithCellData() {
+		guard let cellData = cellData else {
+			return
+		}
+
+		imageDataTask?.cancel()
+		imageDataTask = nil
+		thumbnailImageView.image = nil
+
+		if let iconImage = cellData.iconImage {
+			feedIconView.image = iconImage.image
+			feedIconView.backgroundColor = .clear
+		} else {
+			feedIconView.image = nil
+			feedIconView.backgroundColor = .systemRed
+		}
+
+		metadataLabel.text = "\(cellData.feedName) • \(cellData.dateString)"
+
+		titleLabel.text = cellData.title
+		titleLabel.textColor = cellData.read ? .secondaryLabel : .label
+
+		// A long title wraps to 2 lines; the summary then shrinks to 1 line to keep the
+		// overall height balanced (1-line title → 2-line summary).
+		let titleLines = calculateTitleLines(cellData.title)
+		summaryLabel.numberOfLines = titleLines >= 2 ? 1 : 2
+
+		summaryLabel.text = cellData.summary
+
+		configureThumbnail(cellData.thumbnailURL)
+	}
+
+	/// Number of lines the title occupies (1 or 2).
+	private func calculateTitleLines(_ text: String) -> Int {
+		guard !text.isEmpty else {
+			return 1
+		}
+
+		let label = UILabel()
+		label.font = .systemFont(ofSize: 17, weight: .semibold)
+		label.text = text
+		label.numberOfLines = 2
+
+		let actualSize = label.sizeThatFits(CGSize(width: estimatedLeftTextWidth, height: .greatestFiniteMagnitude))
+		let lineHeight: CGFloat = 22
+
+		return min(Int(ceil(actualSize.height / lineHeight)), 2)
+	}
+
+	private func configureThumbnail(_ url: URL?) {
+		guard let url = url else {
+			hideThumbnailAndExpandLeft()
+			return
+		}
+		showThumbnailWithSplitLayout()
+		loadImage(from: url)
+	}
+
+	private func hideThumbnailAndExpandLeft() {
+		guard isShowingThumbnail else {
+			return
+		}
+
+		isShowingThumbnail = false
+		thumbnailContainerView.isHidden = true
+
+		leftContentTrailingToThumbnail?.isActive = false
+		leftContentTrailingToContainer?.isActive = true
+
+		setNeedsLayout()
+		layoutIfNeeded()
+	}
+
+	private func showThumbnailWithSplitLayout() {
+		guard !isShowingThumbnail else {
+			return
+		}
+
+		isShowingThumbnail = true
+		thumbnailContainerView.isHidden = false
+
+		leftContentTrailingToContainer?.isActive = false
+		leftContentTrailingToThumbnail?.isActive = true
+
+		setNeedsLayout()
+		layoutIfNeeded()
+	}
+
+	private func loadImage(from url: URL) {
+		imageDataTask?.cancel()
+
+		if let cachedImage = ImageCache.shared.image(for: url) {
+			thumbnailImageView.image = cachedImage
+			return
+		}
+
+		imageDataTask = URLSession.shared.dataTask(with: url) { [weak self] data, response, error in
+			guard let self,
+				  let data = data,
+				  let image = UIImage(data: data),
+				  error == nil else {
+				return
+			}
+
+			// Cropping is CPU work; stay off the main thread.
+			let croppedImage = image.cropToSquare()
+
+			// ImageCache is MainActor-isolated.
+			DispatchQueue.main.async { [weak self] in
+				ImageCache.shared.storeImage(croppedImage, for: url)
+				self?.thumbnailImageView.image = croppedImage
+			}
+		}
+
+		imageDataTask?.resume()
+	}
+
+	override var isHighlighted: Bool {
+		didSet {
+			containerView.alpha = isHighlighted ? 0.7 : 1.0
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// MARK: - Image Cache
+
+@MainActor
+final class ImageCache {
+	static let shared = ImageCache()
+
+	private let cache = NSCache<NSURL, UIImage>()
+
+	private init() {
+		cache.countLimit = 100
+		cache.totalCostLimit = 50 * 1024 * 1024 // 50 MB
+	}
+
+	func image(for url: URL) -> UIImage? {
+		return cache.object(forKey: url as NSURL)
+	}
+
+	func storeImage(_ image: UIImage, for url: URL) {
+		cache.setObject(image, forKey: url as NSURL)
+	}
+}
+
+// MARK: - UIImage Extension for Square Cropping
+
+extension UIImage {
+	/// Crops the image to a centered square.
+	func cropToSquare() -> UIImage {
+		let minDimension = min(size.width, size.height)
+		let x = (size.width - minDimension) / 2.0
+		let y = (size.height - minDimension) / 2.0
+
+		let cropRect = CGRect(x: x, y: y, width: minDimension, height: minDimension)
+
+		if let cgImage = self.cgImage?.cropping(to: cropRect) {
+			return UIImage(cgImage: cgImage, scale: scale, orientation: imageOrientation)
+		}
+
+		return self
+	}
+}
diff --git a/iOS/MainTimeline/MainTimelineModernViewController.swift b/iOS/MainTimeline/MainTimelineModernViewController.swift
index 2025945f9..5001f84c9 100644
--- a/iOS/MainTimeline/MainTimelineModernViewController.swift
+++ b/iOS/MainTimeline/MainTimelineModernViewController.swift
@@ -23,6 +23,13 @@ final class MainTimelineModernViewController: UIViewController, UndoableCommandR
 		static let standardIndex0 = "MainTimelineCellIndexZero"
 		static let icon = "MainTimelineCellIcon"
 		static let iconIndex0 = "MainTimelineCellIconIndexZero"
+		static let modern = "MainTimelineModernCell"
+	}
+
+	// MARK: - Layout Configuration
+	private var useModernLayout: Bool {
+		// Modern layout is on by default.
+		return true
 	}
 
 	// MARK: Private Variables
@@ -210,6 +217,11 @@ final class MainTimelineModernViewController: UIViewController, UndoableCommandR
 		if #available(iOS 26, *) {
 			navigationItem.subtitleView = navigationBarSubtitleTitleLabel
 		}
+
+		// Enforce a minimum width so the thumbnail and title are not too cramped.
+		if let collectionView = collectionView {
+			collectionView.widthAnchor.constraint(greaterThanOrEqualToConstant: 320).isActive = true
+		}
         // Do any additional setup after loading the view.
     }
 
@@ -679,6 +691,9 @@ private extension MainTimelineModernViewController {
 	}
 
 	private func configureCollectionView(_ dataSource: UICollectionViewDiffableDataSource<Int, Article>) {
+		// Register the modern cell.
+		collectionView?.register(MainTimelineModernCell.self, forCellWithReuseIdentifier: CellIdentifier.modern)
+
 		var config = UICollectionLayoutListConfiguration(appearance: .plain)
 		config.showsSeparators = false
 		config.headerMode = .none
@@ -846,7 +861,17 @@ private extension MainTimelineModernViewController {
 				guard let self else {
 					return nil
 				}
+
 				let cellData = self.configure(article: article)
+
+				// Modern layout.
+				if self.useModernLayout {
+					let cell = collectionView.dequeueReusableCell(withReuseIdentifier: CellIdentifier.modern, for: indexPath) as! MainTimelineModernCell
+					cell.cellData = cellData
+					return cell
+				}
+
+				// Legacy layout, kept for compatibility.
 				if self.showIcons {
 					if indexPath.row == 0 {
 						let cell = collectionView.dequeueReusableCell(withReuseIdentifier: CellIdentifier.iconIndex0, for: indexPath) as! MainTimelineCollectionViewCell