diff --git a/LOTUS_TODO.md b/LOTUS_TODO.md
index 2c3c0d07c..47349de0b 100644
--- a/LOTUS_TODO.md
+++ b/LOTUS_TODO.md
@@ -105,10 +105,10 @@ Genuine Matrix client-spec / MSC features Lotus does **not** yet implement (audi
 - [x] **Disappearing Messages — MSC1763 `m.room.retention`.** PL-gated room-settings `SettingTile` to set `{ max_lifetime }`; retention badge; a client-side sweep hides/self-redacts own expired events (pattern like the mute-timer restore in `ClientNonUIFeatures.tsx`). True server deletion also wants Synapse `retention:` (LXC 151).
 - [x] **QR Device Verification — reciprocate QR.** Add the QR path beside emoji-SAS in `components/DeviceVerification.tsx`: render with `qrcode.react` (already a dep), scan via `BarcodeDetector` (fallback `jsQR`); uses the SDK `VerificationRequest` QR/reciprocate support.
 
-**Phase C (Room Widgets ✅ 2026-07; Sliding Sync pending — its own session):**
+**Phase C (Room Widgets ✅ 2026-07; Sliding Sync ❌ evaluated — parked):**
 
 - [x] **Room Widgets — MSC1236 + widget API.** No general widget UI exists (only the PL entry `im.vector.modular.widgets`; the EC call widget is hardcoded). Read `im.vector.modular.widgets`/`m.widget` state, add an Add/Manage panel + sandboxed iframe renderer via `matrix-widget-api` — **extend the existing EC widget plumbing** (`plugins/call/CallEmbed.ts`). Enables Etherpad/notes/dashboards/integrations.
-- [ ] **Sliding Sync — MSC3575 / simplified MSC4186.** Lotus is on **legacy full `/sync`** though the server advertises `simplified_msc3575`. matrix-js-sdk ships `SlidingSync`; migration → near-instant cold start + low memory + huge-account scale. Touches the sync/room-list/spaces/unread core — behind a feature flag with a legacy fallback. **Plan separately before touching.**
+- **[PARKED] Sliding Sync — MSC3575 / simplified MSC4186** (evaluated 2026-07, 3 research passes). Server side is GA (`simplified_msc3575`), but the **client** side is not viable for a safe rollout: matrix-js-sdk's `SlidingSync`/`SlidingSyncSdk` are `_internal_`/`@experimental` (Element shipped labs-only, never GA in ~2 yrs, moved to the Rust SDK); **presence isn't delivered over sliding sync** (regresses Lotus presence badges/rings/status); **no upstream Cinny impl** to follow; and Cinny's whole nav (sidebar/spaces/DM/unread) is derived from the **full local room set** (`allRoomsAtom` ← `mx.getRooms()`), so ~14 subsystems (4 core) need re-architecting to a server-windowed list. ~10% confidence a full rollout wouldn't break/regress (missing rooms/messages/unread = worst failure class). **Revisit only if we adopt the Rust SDK or accounts grow large enough that startup latency is a real complaint; an off-by-default experimental spike is possible but not recommended.** Full assessment: git plan history.
 
 **Room Widgets v1 follow-ups:** capability-approval consent prompt (let widgets request send/read room events); Jitsi/stickerpicker special types; account-data (user/sticker) widgets; per-widget popout / always-on-screen. Requires the prod CSP `frame-src` widening (done in `matrix/cinny/nginx.conf` → **`nginx -s reload`**) or external widgets are blocked.