diff --git a/client/src/pages/Home.tsx b/client/src/pages/Home.tsx
index 48b9bb3..22cc6c6 100644
--- a/client/src/pages/Home.tsx
+++ b/client/src/pages/Home.tsx
@@ -1052,7 +1052,11 @@ export default function HomePage() {
   const currentQuery = useQuery<HomeResponse>({
     queryKey: ['home', tab, debouncedSearch, filtersStr, sortStr, offset],
     queryFn: () => fetchHomeTasks(tab, debouncedSearch, filters, sort, offset),
-    staleTime: isOnline ? 0 : 30000,
+    // Recent tab should always be fresh: a viewed task must appear immediately
+    // when the user returns to Home. Other tabs keep the previous offline-friendly
+    // behavior.
+    staleTime: tab === 'recent' ? 0 : (isOnline ? 0 : 30000),
+    refetchOnWindowFocus: tab === 'recent',
   });
 
   useEffect(() => {
diff --git a/client/src/pages/TaskDetail.tsx b/client/src/pages/TaskDetail.tsx
index 275e635..28b0d2b 100644
--- a/client/src/pages/TaskDetail.tsx
+++ b/client/src/pages/TaskDetail.tsx
@@ -3108,7 +3108,9 @@ const TaskDetail = () => {
     apiRequest('POST', `/api/tasks/${taskIdNumber}/view`)
       .then(() => {
         if (!cancelled) {
-          queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['home'] });
+          // Refetch Home queries in the background, including inactive ones,
+          // so the Recent tab is already fresh when the user comes back.
+          queryClient.refetchQueries({ queryKey: ['home'], type: 'all' });
         }
       })
       .catch((err) => {