diff --git a/packages/studio/src/App.tsx b/packages/studio/src/App.tsx
index cd696541c1..5152f9ac08 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/App.tsx
+++ b/packages/studio/src/App.tsx
@@ -525,6 +525,7 @@ export function StudioApp() {
                   handleTimelineElementSplit={timelineEditing.handleTimelineElementSplit}
                   handleRazorSplit={timelineEditing.handleRazorSplit}
                   handleRazorSplitAll={timelineEditing.handleRazorSplitAll}
+                  placementOps={timelineEditing.placementOps}
                   onCopyClip={handleCopy}
                   onPasteClip={handlePaste}
                   onDuplicateClip={handleDuplicate}
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/components/EditorShell.tsx b/packages/studio/src/components/EditorShell.tsx
index f7b2b9295b..69eab0ac8c 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/components/EditorShell.tsx
+++ b/packages/studio/src/components/EditorShell.tsx
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ export function EditorShell({
   handleTimelineElementSplit,
   handleRazorSplit,
   handleRazorSplitAll,
+  placementOps,
   onCopyClip,
   onPasteClip,
   onDuplicateClip,
@@ -151,6 +152,7 @@ export function EditorShell({
     handleTimelineElementSplit,
     handleRazorSplit,
     handleRazorSplitAll,
+    placementOps,
   });
 
   return (
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/components/nle/TimelinePane.tsx b/packages/studio/src/components/nle/TimelinePane.tsx
index ed1dbf4e8d..d03af819c1 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/components/nle/TimelinePane.tsx
+++ b/packages/studio/src/components/nle/TimelinePane.tsx
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ export function forwardRebasedTimelineMoveElements(
   );
 }
 
+type TimelineResizeCommitOptions = { coalesceKey?: string; coalesceMs?: number };
+
 type TimelineResizeChange = {
   element: TimelineElement;
   start: number;
@@ -49,10 +51,10 @@ type TimelineResizeChange = {
 
 export function forwardRebasedTimelineResizeElements(
   changes: TimelineResizeChange[],
-  options: { coalesceKey?: string } | undefined,
+  options: TimelineResizeCommitOptions | undefined,
   onResizeElements: (
     changes: TimelineResizeChange[],
-    options?: { coalesceKey?: string },
+    options?: TimelineResizeCommitOptions,
   ) => Promise<void> | void,
 ) {
   return onResizeElements(
@@ -222,7 +224,7 @@ export function TimelinePane({
         duration: number;
         playbackStart?: number;
       }>,
-      options?: { coalesceKey?: string },
+      options?: TimelineResizeCommitOptions,
     ) => {
       if (!onResizeElements) return;
       if (changes.some(({ element }) => element.expandedParentStart !== undefined)) {
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/components/nle/useTimelineEditCallbacks.ts b/packages/studio/src/components/nle/useTimelineEditCallbacks.ts
index 788b56282b..7f68419901 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/components/nle/useTimelineEditCallbacks.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/components/nle/useTimelineEditCallbacks.ts
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import {
   splitTimelineElementKey,
 } from "../../player/lib/timelineElementHelpers";
 import type { TimelineKeyframeTarget } from "../../player/components/timelineKeyframeIdentity";
+import type { PlacementOps } from "../../player/components/timelinePlacementCommit";
 
 export interface TimelineEditCallbackDeps {
   handleTimelineElementMove: (
@@ -46,6 +47,8 @@ export interface TimelineEditCallbackDeps {
   handleTimelineElementSplit: (element: TimelineElement, splitTime: number) => Promise<void> | void;
   handleRazorSplit: (element: TimelineElement, splitTime: number) => Promise<void> | void;
   handleRazorSplitAll: (splitTime: number) => Promise<void> | void;
+  /** Split and remove writes for a clip drop that overwrites a neighbour. */
+  placementOps?: PlacementOps;
   /** C1's ungrouped-track FX pointer — same auto-grouping write B6's carve uses. */
   handleGroupClips?: (
     clipIds: readonly string[],
@@ -124,6 +127,7 @@ export function useTimelineEditCallbacks({
   handleTimelineElementSplit,
   handleRazorSplit,
   handleRazorSplitAll,
+  placementOps,
   handleGroupClips,
   setElementFxAttribute,
 }: TimelineEditCallbackDeps): TimelineEditCallbacks {
@@ -207,6 +211,7 @@ export function useTimelineEditCallbacks({
       onMoveElements: handleTimelineElementsMove,
       onResizeElement: handleTimelineElementResize,
       onResizeElements: handleTimelineGroupResize,
+      onPlacementOps: placementOps,
       onToggleTrackHidden: handleToggleTrackHidden,
       onSetAudioGroupAttributeLive: setAudioGroupAttribute.setLive,
       onSetAudioGroupAttributeQuiet: setAudioGroupAttribute.setQuiet,
@@ -405,6 +410,7 @@ export function useTimelineEditCallbacks({
       handleTimelineElementsMove,
       handleTimelineElementResize,
       handleTimelineGroupResize,
+      placementOps,
       handleToggleTrackHidden,
       setAudioGroupAttribute,
       handleGroupClips,
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/contexts/TimelineEditContext.tsx b/packages/studio/src/contexts/TimelineEditContext.tsx
index 4bdedcfbbc..d22bfc0d88 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/contexts/TimelineEditContext.tsx
+++ b/packages/studio/src/contexts/TimelineEditContext.tsx
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ export function TimelineEditProvider({
       value.onMoveElement,
       value.onMoveElements,
       value.onResizeElement,
+      value.onPlacementOps,
       value.onToggleTrackHidden,
       value.onSetAudioGroupAttributeLive,
       value.onSetAudioGroupAttributeQuiet,
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/hooks/useRazorSplit.ts b/packages/studio/src/hooks/useRazorSplit.ts
index 91bc44b2cf..9bd1fe902f 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/hooks/useRazorSplit.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/hooks/useRazorSplit.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import { trackStudioRazorSplit } from "../telemetry/events";
 import { canSplitElementAt, selectSplittableElements } from "../utils/timelineElementSplit";
 import { buildAtomicCutIntents, runAtomicCutTransaction } from "../utils/razorSplitTransaction";
 import type { RecordEditInput } from "./timelineEditingHelpers";
+import type { PlacementFold } from "../player/components/timelinePlacementCommit";
+import { getStudioSaveErrorMessage } from "../utils/studioSaveDiagnostics";
 
 interface UseRazorSplitOptions {
   projectId: string | null;
@@ -50,7 +52,12 @@ export function useRazorSplit({
   }, [forceReloadSdkSession, reloadPreview]);
 
   const runCut = useCallback(
-    async (elements: readonly TimelineElement[], splitTime: number, mode: "single" | "all") => {
+    async (
+      elements: readonly TimelineElement[],
+      splitTime: number,
+      mode: "single" | "all",
+      fold?: PlacementFold,
+    ) => {
       const pid = projectIdRef.current;
       if (!pid || elements.length === 0) return;
       const intents = buildAtomicCutIntents(elements, splitTime, activeCompPath);
@@ -64,6 +71,7 @@ export function useRazorSplit({
         projectId: pid,
         intents,
         label,
+        ...fold,
         writeProjectFile,
         recordEdit,
         observeProjectFileVersion,
@@ -114,6 +122,19 @@ export function useRazorSplit({
     [isRecordingRef, runCut, showToast],
   );
 
+  /** One cut inside a clip drop: recorded under the drop's fold key, true once it landed. */
+  const handlePlacementSplit = useCallback(
+    async (element: TimelineElement, splitTime: number, fold: PlacementFold) => {
+      try {
+        return (await runCut([element], splitTime, "single", fold)) !== undefined;
+      } catch (error) {
+        showToast(getStudioSaveErrorMessage(error), "error");
+        return false;
+      }
+    },
+    [runCut, showToast],
+  );
+
   const handleRazorSplitAll = useCallback(
     async (splitTime: number) => {
       if (isRecordingRef?.current) {
@@ -135,5 +156,5 @@ export function useRazorSplit({
     [isRecordingRef, runCut, showToast],
   );
 
-  return { handleRazorSplit, handleRazorSplitAll };
+  return { handleRazorSplit, handleRazorSplitAll, handlePlacementSplit };
 }
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/hooks/useTimelineDeleteOps.ts b/packages/studio/src/hooks/useTimelineDeleteOps.ts
index 5c0a297dd7..a1d2178bab 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/hooks/useTimelineDeleteOps.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/hooks/useTimelineDeleteOps.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import {
   resolveMainTrackDeleteRippleShifts,
   resolveShiftedElements,
 } from "../player/components/timelineGapCommit";
+import type { PlacementFold } from "../player/components/timelinePlacementCommit";
 import type {
   TimelineGroupCommitOptions,
   TimelineGroupMoveChange,
@@ -78,17 +79,17 @@ export function useTimelineDeleteOps({
   // named in words instead.
   const rippleNoticeShownRef = useRef(false);
   // fallow-ignore-next-line complexity
-  const handleTimelineElementsDelete = useCallback(
+  const deleteTimelineElements = useCallback(
     // fallow-ignore-next-line complexity
-    async (selection: TimelineElement[]) => {
+    async (selection: TimelineElement[], overwrite?: PlacementFold): Promise<boolean> => {
       if (isRecordingRef?.current) {
         showToast("Cannot edit timeline while recording", "error");
-        return;
+        return false;
       }
       const pid = projectIdRef.current;
       if (!pid) throw new Error("No active project");
       const [element] = selection;
-      if (!element) return;
+      if (!element) return false;
       const label =
         selection.length === 1 ? getTimelineElementLabel(element) : `${selection.length} clips`;
 
@@ -151,7 +152,8 @@ export function useTimelineDeleteOps({
         // Shared with the ripple move below so a folded ripple is one undo
         // step with the delete, not two (editHistory.ts coalesces by key +
         // window across separate recordEdit calls, not by label).
-        const coalesceKey = `main-track-ripple-delete:${deleteGestureSeq++}`;
+        const coalesceKey =
+          overwrite?.coalesceKey ?? `main-track-ripple-delete:${deleteGestureSeq++}`;
         const deleteHistoryLabel = "Delete timeline clip";
         try {
           await saveProjectFilesWithHistory({
@@ -159,6 +161,7 @@ export function useTimelineDeleteOps({
             label: deleteHistoryLabel,
             kind: "timeline",
             coalesceKey,
+            coalesceMs: overwrite?.coalesceMs,
             files: { [targetPath]: patchedContent },
             readFile: async () => originalContent,
             // remove-element already wrote the removal, so disk holds THAT — not the
@@ -179,11 +182,14 @@ export function useTimelineDeleteOps({
         // first (resolveMainTrackDeleteRippleShifts — off, no main-track clip
         // deleted, already gapless, or a locked survivor all resolve to null),
         // then the one write, folded into the delete's undo entry above.
-        const rippleShifts = resolveMainTrackDeleteRippleShifts(
-          survivors,
-          sameFile,
-          usePlayerStore.getState().rippleEditEnabled,
-        );
+        // An overwrite never ripples: the dropped clip fills the span it removed.
+        const rippleShifts = overwrite
+          ? null
+          : resolveMainTrackDeleteRippleShifts(
+              survivors,
+              sameFile,
+              usePlayerStore.getState().rippleEditEnabled,
+            );
         let rippleApplied: TimelineGroupMoveChange[] | null = null;
         let rippleFailed = false;
         if (rippleShifts) {
@@ -212,13 +218,15 @@ export function useTimelineDeleteOps({
         }
 
         usePlayerStore.getState().setElements(applyRippleShifts(survivors, rippleApplied));
-        usePlayerStore.getState().setSelectedElementId(null);
-        usePlayerStore.getState().setSelectedElementIds(new Set());
+        if (!overwrite) {
+          usePlayerStore.getState().setSelectedElementId(null);
+          usePlayerStore.getState().setSelectedElementIds(new Set());
+        }
         forceReloadSdkSession?.();
         reloadPreview();
         // A failed ripple already showed its own toast above; the user did one
         // thing (delete), so they get one message, not this generic follow-up too.
-        if (!rippleFailed) {
+        if (!rippleFailed && !overwrite) {
           showToast(
             `Deleted ${label}. Use Undo to restore ${sameFile.length === 1 ? "it" : "them"}.`,
             "info",
@@ -232,9 +240,11 @@ export function useTimelineDeleteOps({
             "info",
           );
         }
+        return true;
       } catch (error) {
         const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Failed to delete timeline clip";
         showToast(message);
+        return false;
       }
     },
     [
@@ -252,13 +262,25 @@ export function useTimelineDeleteOps({
     ],
   );
 
+  const handleTimelineElementsDelete = useCallback(
+    async (selection: TimelineElement[]) => {
+      await deleteTimelineElements(selection);
+    },
+    [deleteTimelineElements],
+  );
+
   /** Single-clip delete — the context menu and clip chrome path. */
   const handleTimelineElementDelete = useCallback(
     async (element: TimelineElement) => {
-      await handleTimelineElementsDelete([element]);
+      await deleteTimelineElements([element]);
     },
-    [handleTimelineElementsDelete],
+    [deleteTimelineElements],
   );
 
-  return { handleTimelineElementsDelete, handleTimelineElementDelete };
+  return {
+    handleTimelineElementsDelete,
+    handleTimelineElementDelete,
+    /** The delete a clip drop uses to remove an overwritten clip: no ripple, folded into its undo step. */
+    deleteTimelineElements,
+  };
 }
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/hooks/useTimelineEditing.ts b/packages/studio/src/hooks/useTimelineEditing.ts
index ab6b37df18..cba4f45eb6 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/hooks/useTimelineEditing.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/hooks/useTimelineEditing.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 // fallow-ignore-file complexity
-import { useCallback, useRef } from "react";
+import { useCallback, useMemo, useRef } from "react";
 import type { TimelineElement } from "../player";
 import { useRazorSplit } from "./useRazorSplit";
+import type { PlacementOps } from "../player/components/timelinePlacementCommit";
 import { useTimelineAssetDropOps } from "./useTimelineAssetDropOps";
 import {
   applyTimelineStackingReorder,
@@ -402,19 +403,20 @@ export function useTimelineEditing({
     isRecordingRef,
   });
 
-  const { handleTimelineElementsDelete, handleTimelineElementDelete } = useTimelineDeleteOps({
-    projectIdRef,
-    activeCompPath,
-    timelineElements,
-    showToast,
-    writeProjectFile,
-    recordEdit,
-    reloadPreview,
-    isRecordingRef,
-    forceReloadSdkSession,
-    previewIframeRef,
-    handleTimelineGroupMove: groupEditing.handleTimelineGroupMove,
-  });
+  const { handleTimelineElementsDelete, handleTimelineElementDelete, deleteTimelineElements } =
+    useTimelineDeleteOps({
+      projectIdRef,
+      activeCompPath,
+      timelineElements,
+      showToast,
+      writeProjectFile,
+      recordEdit,
+      reloadPreview,
+      isRecordingRef,
+      forceReloadSdkSession,
+      previewIframeRef,
+      handleTimelineGroupMove: groupEditing.handleTimelineGroupMove,
+    });
 
   const { handleTimelineAssetDrop, handleTimelineFileDrop, handleTimelineCompositionDrop } =
     useTimelineAssetDropOps({
@@ -433,7 +435,7 @@ export function useTimelineEditing({
 
   const handleBlockedTimelineEdit = useBlockedTimelineEditToast(showToast);
 
-  const { handleRazorSplit, handleRazorSplitAll } = useRazorSplit({
+  const { handleRazorSplit, handleRazorSplitAll, handlePlacementSplit } = useRazorSplit({
     projectId,
     activeCompPath,
     showToast,
@@ -445,7 +447,17 @@ export function useTimelineEditing({
     forceReloadSdkSession,
   });
 
+  const placementOps = useMemo<PlacementOps>(
+    () => ({
+      split: handlePlacementSplit,
+      remove: deleteTimelineElements,
+      toast: (message) => showToast(message, "error"),
+    }),
+    [handlePlacementSplit, deleteTimelineElements, showToast],
+  );
+
   return {
+    placementOps,
     handleTimelineElementMove,
     handleTimelineElementResize,
     handleToggleTrackHidden,
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineCallbacks.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineCallbacks.ts
index ad206205e6..a4e29ff3a1 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineCallbacks.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineCallbacks.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import type { TimelineMoveOperation } from "../../hooks/timelineMoveAdapter";
 import type { BlockedTimelineEditIntent } from "./timelineEditing";
 import type { PropertyGroupName } from "@hyperframes/core/gsap-parser";
 import type { TimelineKeyframeTarget } from "./timelineKeyframeIdentity";
+import type { PlacementOps } from "./timelinePlacementCommit";
 
 export interface TimelinePropertyGroupKeyframeToggle {
   animationId: string;
@@ -54,6 +55,8 @@ export interface TimelineEditCallbacks {
     operation?: TimelineMoveOperation,
     coalesceMs?: number,
   ) => Promise<void> | void;
+  /** Split and remove writes a clip drop needs when it cuts a neighbour (one shared undo step). */
+  onPlacementOps?: PlacementOps;
   onResizeElement?: (
     element: TimelineElement,
     updates: Pick<TimelineElement, "start" | "duration" | "playbackStart">,
@@ -65,7 +68,7 @@ export interface TimelineEditCallbacks {
       duration: number;
       playbackStart?: number;
     }>,
-    options?: { coalesceKey?: string },
+    options?: { coalesceKey?: string; coalesceMs?: number },
   ) => Promise<void> | void;
   /**
    * `displayNumber` is the row the CLICKED control announced. It travels with
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineClipDragCommit.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineClipDragCommit.ts
index e8bcc409f3..9321df432b 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineClipDragCommit.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineClipDragCommit.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ import {
 import { runLaneZGesture } from "../../components/nle/zLaneGesture";
 import { refreshAfterDurableLaneMove } from "./timelineLaneMoveRefresh";
 import { authoredTrackForLane } from "./timelineAuthoredTrack";
+import { commitPlacementDrop, type PlacementOps } from "./timelinePlacementCommit";
+import type { TimelineEditCallbacks } from "./timelineCallbacks";
 
 type StartTrack = Pick<TimelineElement, "start" | "track">;
 export interface TimelineMoveEdit {
@@ -76,6 +78,12 @@ export interface DragCommitDeps {
   onStackingPatches?: (patches: StackingPatch[], coalesceKey?: string) => Promise<unknown> | void;
   /** Converge the preview manifest after the complete lane + z transaction. */
   refreshAfterLaneMove?: () => void;
+  /** Trims for a drop that cuts a neighbour. */
+  onResizeElements?: TimelineEditCallbacks["onResizeElements"];
+  /** Split and remove writes for a drop that cuts a neighbour. */
+  placementOps?: PlacementOps;
+  /** Alt or Cmd held at pointer-up: push what follows instead of overwriting. */
+  insertMode?: boolean;
 }
 
 const keyOf = (e: TimelineElement) => e.key ?? e.id;
@@ -240,6 +248,22 @@ export function commitDraggedClipMove(rawDrag: DraggedClipState, deps: DragCommi
   const isVertical = isInsert || aimTrack !== drag.element.track;
   const multi = resolveMultiSelection(drag, deps);
 
+  if (!isInsert && !multi) {
+    const mode = deps.insertMode ? "insert" : "overwrite";
+    const move = (edits: TimelineMoveEdit[], fold: { coalesceKey: string; coalesceMs: number }) =>
+      refreshAfterDurableLaneMove(
+        persistMoveEdits(
+          edits,
+          deps,
+          fold.coalesceKey,
+          edits.some((e) => e.updates.track !== e.element.track) ? "lane-reorder" : "timing",
+          fold.coalesceMs,
+        ),
+        deps,
+      );
+    if (commitPlacementDrop(drag, deps, mode, move)) return;
+  }
+
   // ── Pure time-move (dragged clip keeps its lane, no insert) ─────────────────
   if (!isInsert && !laneChanged) {
     const delta = drag.previewStart - drag.element.start;
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineClipDragGestureLifecycle.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineClipDragGestureLifecycle.ts
index 674b1f360a..2fd737ed1b 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineClipDragGestureLifecycle.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineClipDragGestureLifecycle.ts
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ interface TimelineClipDragGestureLifecycleInput {
     ((patches: StackingPatch[]) => Promise<unknown> | void) | undefined
   >;
   refreshAfterLaneMoveRef: RefObject<(() => void) | undefined>;
+  onPlacementOpsRef: RefObject<TimelineEditCallbacks["onPlacementOps"]>;
 }
 
 export function mountTimelineClipDragGestureLifecycle({
@@ -109,6 +110,7 @@ export function mountTimelineClipDragGestureLifecycle({
   readZIndexRef,
   onStackingPatchesRef,
   refreshAfterLaneMoveRef,
+  onPlacementOpsRef,
 }: TimelineClipDragGestureLifecycleInput): () => void {
   const clearSuppressedClick = () => {
     requestAnimationFrame(() => {
@@ -277,7 +279,7 @@ export function mountTimelineClipDragGestureLifecycle({
     if (blocked.started) clearSuppressedClick();
   };
 
-  const commitDragPointerUp = (drag: DraggedClipState) => {
+  const commitDragPointerUp = (drag: DraggedClipState, insertMode: boolean) => {
     if (!drag.started) return;
     suppressClickRef.current = true;
     clearSuppressedClick();
@@ -291,6 +293,9 @@ export function mountTimelineClipDragGestureLifecycle({
       readZIndex: readZIndexRef.current,
       onStackingPatches: onStackingPatchesRef.current,
       refreshAfterLaneMove: refreshAfterLaneMoveRef.current,
+      onResizeElements: onResizeElementsRef.current,
+      placementOps: onPlacementOpsRef.current,
+      insertMode,
     });
   };
 
@@ -333,12 +338,12 @@ export function mountTimelineClipDragGestureLifecycle({
     return claimed;
   };
 
-  const commitClaimedGesture = (gesture: TimelineGestureCommit) => {
+  const commitClaimedGesture = (gesture: TimelineGestureCommit, insertMode: boolean) => {
     try {
       if (gesture.kind === "resize" && gesture.resize) {
         commitResizePointerUp(gesture.resize, gesture.groupResize);
       } else if (gesture.kind === "drag" && gesture.drag) {
-        commitDragPointerUp(gesture.drag);
+        commitDragPointerUp(gesture.drag, insertMode);
       }
     } finally {
       const lifecycle = lifecycleRef.current;
@@ -352,7 +357,7 @@ export function mountTimelineClipDragGestureLifecycle({
     const claimed = claimActiveGesture(event);
     if (claimed === "ignored") return;
     if (claimed) {
-      commitClaimedGesture(claimed);
+      commitClaimedGesture(claimed, event.altKey || event.metaKey);
       return;
     }
     const blocked = blockedClipRef.current;
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineClipDragPreview.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineClipDragPreview.ts
index a53f7e8764..51362a745b 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineClipDragPreview.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineClipDragPreview.ts
@@ -104,7 +104,9 @@ function resolveDropPlacement(
   desiredTrack: number,
   ctx: DragPreviewContext,
 ): { track: number; insertRow: number | null } {
-  const { scroll, trackOrder, rowHeights, elements } = ctx;
+  const { scroll, trackOrder, rowHeights, elements, selectedKeys } = ctx;
+  const dragKey = drag.element.key ?? drag.element.id;
+  const isGroupDrag = selectedKeys.size > 1 && selectedKeys.has(dragKey);
   // rowFloat = the pointer's position in track-heights from the top lane; a
   // near-boundary hover requests a deliberate new-track insert. Uses the
   // shared row→y inverse so the top breathing pad is subtracted consistently.
@@ -134,9 +136,10 @@ function resolveDropPlacement(
     deliberateInsertRow: rawInsertRow,
     start: previewStart,
     duration: drag.element.duration,
-    dragKey: drag.element.key ?? drag.element.id,
+    dragKey,
     isAudio: isAudioTimelineElement(drag.element),
     preferInsertAbove,
+    relocateOnOverlap: isGroupDrag,
   });
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineCollision.test.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineCollision.test.ts
index 328c875708..4ae48d5e99 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineCollision.test.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineCollision.test.ts
@@ -285,6 +285,7 @@ describe("resolveZoneDropPlacement (the whole drop decision, no same-track overl
     duration: 2,
     dragKey: "x",
     isAudio: false,
+    relocateOnOverlap: true,
   };
 
   it("lands on the aimed track when it is free at that time", () => {
@@ -516,3 +517,45 @@ describe("resolveMainTrackDropStart (magnetic first clip on an empty main track)
     expect(resolveMainTrackDropStart([], 1, 0, true, 7)).toBe(7);
   });
 });
+
+describe("resolveZoneDropPlacement overwrite (a single clip does not relocate)", () => {
+  const base = {
+    order: [0, 1, 2, 3],
+    audioTracks: new Set([3]),
+    deliberateInsertRow: null as number | null,
+    start: 2,
+    duration: 2,
+    dragKey: "x",
+    isAudio: false,
+  };
+
+  it("stays on the aimed lane over an overlapping clip", () => {
+    expect(
+      resolveZoneDropPlacement({ ...base, elements: [el("a", 1, 0, 5)], desiredTrack: 1 }),
+    ).toEqual({ track: 1, insertRow: null });
+  });
+
+  it("stays on the aimed lane when every lane is occupied", () => {
+    const full = [el("a", 0, 0, 9), el("b", 1, 0, 9), el("c", 2, 0, 9)];
+    expect(resolveZoneDropPlacement({ ...base, elements: full, desiredTrack: 1 })).toEqual({
+      track: 1,
+      insertRow: null,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("still honours a deliberate new-track insert", () => {
+    expect(
+      resolveZoneDropPlacement({
+        ...base,
+        elements: [el("a", 1, 0, 5)],
+        desiredTrack: 1,
+        deliberateInsertRow: 1,
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({ track: 1, insertRow: 1 });
+  });
+
+  it("still creates a track for an aim that is not a real lane", () => {
+    const result = resolveZoneDropPlacement({ ...base, elements: [], desiredTrack: -1 });
+    expect(result.insertRow).not.toBeNull();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineCollision.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineCollision.ts
index ab24667610..23a6e4b99c 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineCollision.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineCollision.ts
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ function outOfRangeZoneInsertRow(
   return desired < Math.min(...zoneTracks) ? zoneTop : zoneBottom;
 }
 
+// fallow-ignore-next-line complexity
 export function resolveZoneDropPlacement(input: {
   order: number[];
   audioTracks: ReadonlySet<number>;
@@ -95,6 +96,8 @@ export function resolveZoneDropPlacement(input: {
   dragKey: string;
   isAudio: boolean;
   preferInsertAbove?: boolean;
+  /** Group drags keep the old bump-to-a-free-lane rule; a single clip overwrites in place. */
+  relocateOnOverlap?: boolean;
 }): { track: number; insertRow: number | null } {
   const { order, audioTracks, elements, desiredTrack, deliberateInsertRow } = input;
   const { start, duration, dragKey, isAudio, preferInsertAbove } = input;
@@ -108,6 +111,9 @@ export function resolveZoneDropPlacement(input: {
   }
 
   const desired = clampTrackToZone(desiredTrack, order, audioRow, isAudio);
+  if (!input.relocateOnOverlap && order.includes(desired)) {
+    return { track: desired, insertRow: null };
+  }
   const zoneTracks = order.filter((t) => audioTracks.has(t) === isAudio);
   const placement = resolvePlacement({
     elements,
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineGroupEditing.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineGroupEditing.ts
index e5ec36d7ca..18e8f073be 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineGroupEditing.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelineGroupEditing.ts
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ function elementKey(element: TimelineElement): string {
   return element.key ?? element.id;
 }
 
-function hasSourcePlaybackOffset(element: TimelineElement): boolean {
+export function hasSourcePlaybackOffset(element: TimelineElement): boolean {
   const tag = element.tag.toLowerCase();
   return element.kind === "composition" || tag === "audio" || tag === "video";
 }
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelinePlacementCommit.test.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelinePlacementCommit.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2b1f4e6823
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelinePlacementCommit.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,510 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import type { TimelineElement } from "../store/playerStore";
+import type { DragCommitDeps, TimelineMoveEdit } from "./timelineClipDragCommit";
+import type { DraggedClipState } from "./timelineClipDragTypes";
+import type { PlacementResult } from "./timelinePlacement";
+import {
+  buildPlacementSteps,
+  commitPlacementDrop,
+  placementRefusal,
+  runPlacementSteps,
+  type PlacementFold,
+  type PlacementOps,
+  type PlacementResizeChange,
+} from "./timelinePlacementCommit";
+import {
+  buildEditHistoryEntry,
+  createEmptyEditHistory,
+  hashEditHistoryContent,
+  pushEditHistoryEntry,
+  undoEditHistory,
+  type EditHistoryState,
+} from "../../utils/editHistory";
+
+function clip(id: string, start: number, duration: number, extra: Partial<TimelineElement> = {}) {
+  return { id, domId: id, tag: "video", start, duration, track: 1, ...extra } as TimelineElement;
+}
+
+const dragged = clip("d", 20, 2);
+const draggedEdit = (start: number): TimelineMoveEdit => ({
+  element: dragged,
+  updates: { start, track: 1 },
+});
+const result = (r: Partial<PlacementResult>): PlacementResult => ({
+  track: 1,
+  start: 0,
+  cuts: [],
+  shifts: [],
+  ...r,
+});
+
+describe("buildPlacementSteps", () => {
+  const a = clip("a", 0, 4);
+  const b = clip("b", 4, 4, { playbackStart: 1, playbackRate: 2 });
+
+  it("removes a covered clip and then moves the dragged clip", () => {
+    const steps = buildPlacementSteps({
+      result: result({ start: 0, cuts: [{ kind: "remove", key: "a" }] }),
+      mode: "overwrite",
+      laneClips: [a],
+      draggedEdit: draggedEdit(0),
+    });
+    expect(steps).toEqual([
+      { kind: "remove", elements: [a] },
+      { kind: "move", edits: [draggedEdit(0)] },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("trims a tail without touching its start", () => {
+    const steps = buildPlacementSteps({
+      result: result({ start: 2, cuts: [{ kind: "trim-tail", key: "a", duration: 2 }] }),
+      mode: "overwrite",
+      laneClips: [a],
+      draggedEdit: draggedEdit(2),
+    });
+    expect(steps[0]).toEqual({
+      kind: "resize",
+      changes: [{ element: a, start: 0, duration: 2 }],
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("trims a head and moves its source in-point by the cut at the clip's own rate", () => {
+    const steps = buildPlacementSteps({
+      result: result({
+        start: 2,
+        cuts: [{ kind: "trim-head", key: "b", start: 6, duration: 2, sourceShift: 2 }],
+      }),
+      mode: "overwrite",
+      laneClips: [b],
+      draggedEdit: draggedEdit(4),
+    });
+    // 1s in-point + 2s of timeline cut at 2x rate = 5s into the source.
+    expect(steps[0]).toEqual({
+      kind: "resize",
+      changes: [{ element: b, start: 6, duration: 2, playbackStart: 5 }],
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("leaves the playback start of a clip with no source alone", () => {
+    const text = clip("t", 4, 4, { tag: "div" });
+    const steps = buildPlacementSteps({
+      result: result({
+        cuts: [{ kind: "trim-head", key: "t", start: 6, duration: 2, sourceShift: 2 }],
+      }),
+      mode: "overwrite",
+      laneClips: [text],
+      draggedEdit: draggedEdit(4),
+    });
+    expect(steps[0]).toMatchObject({
+      changes: [{ start: 6, duration: 2, playbackStart: undefined }],
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("splits at the end of the drop range, then trims the original with its post-split length", () => {
+    const steps = buildPlacementSteps({
+      result: result({
+        start: 1,
+        cuts: [
+          {
+            kind: "split",
+            key: "a",
+            headDuration: 1,
+            tail: { start: 3, duration: 1, sourceShift: 3 },
+          },
+        ],
+      }),
+      mode: "overwrite",
+      laneClips: [a],
+      draggedEdit: draggedEdit(1),
+    });
+    expect(steps).toEqual([
+      { kind: "split", element: a, at: 3 },
+      {
+        kind: "resize",
+        changes: [{ element: { ...a, duration: 3 }, start: 0, duration: 1 }],
+      },
+      { kind: "move", edits: [draggedEdit(1)] },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("insert pushes later clips before the dragged clip lands", () => {
+    const steps = buildPlacementSteps({
+      result: result({ start: 4, shifts: [{ key: "b", start: 6 }] }),
+      mode: "insert",
+      laneClips: [b],
+      draggedEdit: draggedEdit(4),
+    });
+    expect(steps).toEqual([
+      { kind: "move", edits: [{ element: b, updates: { start: 6, track: 1 } }] },
+      { kind: "move", edits: [draggedEdit(4)] },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("insert into a straddled clip pushes it, splits at the pushed drop end, moves the head back", () => {
+    const steps = buildPlacementSteps({
+      result: result({
+        start: 6,
+        cuts: [
+          {
+            kind: "split",
+            key: "b",
+            headDuration: 2,
+            tail: { start: 8, duration: 2, sourceShift: 2 },
+          },
+        ],
+      }),
+      mode: "insert",
+      laneClips: [b],
+      draggedEdit: draggedEdit(6),
+    });
+    const pushed = { ...b, start: 6 };
+    expect(steps).toEqual([
+      { kind: "move", edits: [{ element: b, updates: { start: 6, track: 1 } }] },
+      { kind: "split", element: pushed, at: 8 },
+      {
+        kind: "move",
+        edits: [
+          { element: { ...pushed, duration: 2 }, updates: { start: 4, track: 1 } },
+          draggedEdit(6),
+        ],
+      },
+    ]);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("placementRefusal", () => {
+  const cutA = result({ start: 0, cuts: [{ kind: "remove", key: "a" }] });
+
+  it("allows a clean overwrite", () => {
+    expect(placementRefusal(cutA, "overwrite", [clip("a", 0, 4)])).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("refuses when a clip that would be cut is locked", () => {
+    expect(
+      placementRefusal(cutA, "overwrite", [clip("a", 0, 4, { timelineLocked: true })]),
+    ).toMatch(/locked or expanded/);
+  });
+
+  it("refuses when a clip that would be cut is an expanded child", () => {
+    expect(
+      placementRefusal(cutA, "overwrite", [clip("a", 0, 4, { expandedParentStart: 2 })]),
+    ).toMatch(/locked or expanded/);
+  });
+
+  it("refuses when a clip that would be pushed is locked", () => {
+    const push = result({ start: 0, shifts: [{ key: "a", start: 2 }] });
+    expect(placementRefusal(push, "insert", [clip("a", 0, 4, { timelineLocked: true })])).toMatch(
+      /locked or expanded/,
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("refuses a split closer to a clip edge than the split epsilon", () => {
+    const split = result({
+      start: 0,
+      cuts: [
+        {
+          kind: "split",
+          key: "a",
+          headDuration: 3.98,
+          tail: { start: 3.99, duration: 0.01, sourceShift: 3.99 },
+        },
+      ],
+    });
+    expect(placementRefusal(split, "overwrite", [clip("a", 0, 4)])).toMatch(/split/);
+  });
+});
+
+interface Doc {
+  [id: string]: { start: number; duration: number; playbackStart?: number };
+}
+
+/** A tiny stand-in for the project file plus the history recorder, driven by the real reducer. */
+function createFakeProject(initial: Doc) {
+  let doc: Doc = structuredClone(initial);
+  let history: EditHistoryState = createEmptyEditHistory();
+  let clock = 0;
+  const serialize = (d: Doc) =>
+    JSON.stringify(Object.entries(d).sort(([x], [y]) => (x < y ? -1 : 1)));
+  const record = (mutate: () => void, label: string, fold: PlacementFold) => {
+    const before = serialize(doc);
+    mutate();
+    history = pushEditHistoryEntry(
+      history,
+      buildEditHistoryEntry({
+        id: `e${clock}`,
+        projectId: "p",
+        label,
+        kind: "timeline",
+        coalesceKey: fold.coalesceKey,
+        coalesceMs: fold.coalesceMs,
+        now: (clock += 1000),
+        files: { "index.html": { before, after: serialize(doc) } },
+      }),
+    );
+  };
+  const current = (element: TimelineElement) => {
+    const found = doc[element.id];
+    if (!found) throw new Error(`${element.id} is not in the document`);
+    // The element a step hands over must describe what the document holds right now.
+    expect({ start: element.start, duration: element.duration }).toEqual({
+      start: found.start,
+      duration: found.duration,
+    });
+    return found;
+  };
+  const ops: PlacementOps = {
+    split: async (element, at, fold) => {
+      record(
+        () => {
+          const target = current(element);
+          const end = target.start + target.duration;
+          doc[`${element.id}-split`] = {
+            start: at,
+            duration: end - at,
+            playbackStart: (target.playbackStart ?? 0) + (at - target.start),
+          };
+          target.duration = at - target.start;
+        },
+        "split",
+        fold,
+      );
+      return true;
+    },
+    remove: async (elements, fold) => {
+      record(
+        () => {
+          for (const element of elements) {
+            current(element);
+            delete doc[element.id];
+          }
+        },
+        "delete",
+        fold,
+      );
+      return true;
+    },
+    toast: vi.fn(),
+  };
+  const resize = async (changes: PlacementResizeChange[], fold: PlacementFold) => {
+    record(
+      () => {
+        for (const change of changes) {
+          const target = current(change.element);
+          target.start = change.start;
+          target.duration = change.duration;
+          if (change.playbackStart != null) target.playbackStart = change.playbackStart;
+        }
+      },
+      "resize",
+      fold,
+    );
+  };
+  const move = async (edits: TimelineMoveEdit[], fold: PlacementFold) => {
+    record(
+      () => {
+        for (const edit of edits) {
+          const found = doc[edit.element.id];
+          if (found) found.start = edit.updates.start;
+          else
+            doc[edit.element.id] = { start: edit.updates.start, duration: edit.element.duration };
+        }
+      },
+      "move",
+      fold,
+    );
+    return true;
+  };
+  return {
+    ops,
+    resize,
+    move,
+    doc: () => doc,
+    history: () => history,
+    undo: () => {
+      const undone = undoEditHistory(
+        history,
+        { "index.html": hashEditHistoryContent(serialize(doc)) },
+        0,
+      );
+      if (!undone.ok) throw new Error(`undo refused: ${undone.reason}`);
+      return undone.filesToWrite["index.html"];
+    },
+    serializeInitial: () => serialize(initial),
+  };
+}
+
+function dragOf(element: TimelineElement, previewStart: number, previewTrack = 1) {
+  return {
+    element,
+    previewStart,
+    previewTrack,
+    insertRow: null,
+  } as unknown as DraggedClipState;
+}
+
+function depsOf(elements: TimelineElement[], project: ReturnType<typeof createFakeProject>) {
+  return {
+    elements,
+    trackOrder: [1],
+    updateElement: vi.fn(),
+    placementOps: project.ops,
+    onResizeElements: project.resize,
+  } as unknown as DragCommitDeps;
+}
+
+describe("commitPlacementDrop: one undo step for the move and every cut", () => {
+  // Lane 1: a [0,4) and b [4,8) video (b reads its source from 1s at rate 1), dragged d [20,22).
+  const a = clip("a", 0, 4);
+  const b = clip("b", 4, 4, { playbackStart: 1 });
+  const d = clip("d", 20, 2);
+  const start: Doc = {
+    a: { start: 0, duration: 4 },
+    b: { start: 4, duration: 4, playbackStart: 1 },
+    d: { start: 20, duration: 2 },
+  };
+
+  async function drop(at: number, mode: "overwrite" | "insert" = "overwrite", lane = [a, b]) {
+    const project = createFakeProject(start);
+    const placed = commitPlacementDrop(
+      dragOf(d, at),
+      depsOf([...lane, d], project),
+      mode,
+      project.move,
+    );
+    expect(placed).not.toBeNull();
+    await placed;
+    return project;
+  }
+
+  it("trimmed head: the clip underneath starts later and reads its source later", async () => {
+    const project = await drop(4);
+    // d [4,6) leaves a alone and trims b to [6,8), reading the source from 3s.
+    expect(project.doc()).toEqual({
+      a: { start: 0, duration: 4 },
+      b: { start: 6, duration: 2, playbackStart: 3 },
+      d: { start: 4, duration: 2 },
+    });
+    expect(project.history().undo).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(project.undo()).toBe(project.serializeInitial());
+  });
+
+  it("removed: a clip the drop fully covers is deleted and the drop lands", async () => {
+    const project = createFakeProject({ ...start, d: { start: 20, duration: 6 } });
+    const long = clip("d", 20, 6);
+    await commitPlacementDrop(
+      dragOf(long, 4),
+      depsOf([a, b, long], project),
+      "overwrite",
+      project.move,
+    );
+    expect(project.doc()).toEqual({
+      a: { start: 0, duration: 4 },
+      d: { start: 4, duration: 6 },
+    });
+    expect(project.history().undo).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(project.undo()).toBe(project.serializeInitial());
+  });
+
+  it("trimmed tail: the drop over a tail shortens the clip underneath", async () => {
+    const project = await drop(2);
+    // d [2,4): a loses [2,4) so it ends at 2.
+    expect(project.doc().a).toEqual({ start: 0, duration: 2 });
+    expect(project.doc().d).toEqual({ start: 2, duration: 2 });
+    expect(project.history().undo).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(project.undo()).toBe(project.serializeInitial());
+  });
+
+  it("split: a drop inside a clip leaves a head and a tail, one undo removes the tail too", async () => {
+    const project = await drop(1, "overwrite", [a]);
+    // d [1,3) inside a [0,4): head [0,1), tail [3,4) reading the source from 3s.
+    expect(project.doc()).toEqual({
+      a: { start: 0, duration: 1 },
+      "a-split": { start: 3, duration: 1, playbackStart: 3 },
+      d: { start: 1, duration: 2 },
+    });
+    expect(project.history().undo).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(project.undo()).toBe(project.serializeInitial());
+  });
+
+  it("insert: what follows is pushed right and the straddled clip is split around the drop", async () => {
+    const project = await drop(6, "insert", [b]);
+    // d [6,8) into b [4,8): head [4,6), tail [8,10) reading the source from 3s.
+    expect(project.doc()).toEqual({
+      b: { start: 4, duration: 2, playbackStart: 1 },
+      "b-split": { start: 8, duration: 2, playbackStart: 3 },
+      d: { start: 6, duration: 2 },
+    });
+    expect(project.history().undo).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(project.undo()).toBe(project.serializeInitial());
+  });
+
+  it("refuses the whole drop when a clip it would cut is locked, writing nothing", async () => {
+    const project = createFakeProject(start);
+    const locked = clip("b", 4, 4, { timelineLocked: true });
+    await commitPlacementDrop(
+      dragOf(d, 4),
+      depsOf([a, locked, d], project),
+      "overwrite",
+      project.move,
+    );
+    expect(project.history().undo).toHaveLength(0);
+    expect(project.doc()).toEqual(start);
+    expect(project.ops.toast).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.stringMatching(/locked or expanded/));
+  });
+
+  it("leaves a drop that touches nothing to the plain move paths", () => {
+    const project = createFakeProject(start);
+    expect(
+      commitPlacementDrop(dragOf(d, 10), depsOf([a, b, d], project), "overwrite", project.move),
+    ).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("leaves a drop that did not move to the plain move paths", () => {
+    const project = createFakeProject(start);
+    expect(
+      commitPlacementDrop(dragOf(d, 20), depsOf([a, b, d], project), "overwrite", project.move),
+    ).toBeNull();
+  });
+});
+
+describe("runPlacementSteps failures", () => {
+  const steps = [
+    { kind: "split", element: clip("a", 0, 4), at: 2 },
+    { kind: "move", edits: [] },
+  ] as const;
+
+  it("names a partial apply and stops when a later step fails", async () => {
+    const toast = vi.fn();
+    await runPlacementSteps(steps, {
+      ops: { split: async () => true, remove: async () => true, toast },
+      resize: vi.fn(),
+      move: async () => false,
+    });
+    expect(toast).toHaveBeenCalledWith("Overwrite partly applied, Undo restores it");
+  });
+
+  it("says nothing extra when the first step fails, since nothing was applied", async () => {
+    const toast = vi.fn();
+    const move = vi.fn(async () => true);
+    await runPlacementSteps(steps, {
+      ops: { split: async () => false, remove: async () => true, toast },
+      resize: vi.fn(),
+      move,
+    });
+    expect(toast).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(move).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("treats a rejected step as a failure", async () => {
+    const toast = vi.fn();
+    vi.spyOn(console, "error").mockImplementation(() => undefined);
+    await runPlacementSteps(steps, {
+      ops: { split: async () => true, remove: async () => true, toast },
+      resize: vi.fn(),
+      move: async () => {
+        throw new Error("write failed");
+      },
+    });
+    expect(toast).toHaveBeenCalledWith("Overwrite partly applied, Undo restores it");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelinePlacementCommit.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelinePlacementCommit.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..dc0e6c1d91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/timelinePlacementCommit.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,236 @@
+import type { TimelineElement } from "../store/playerStore";
+import type { DraggedClipState } from "./timelineClipDragTypes";
+import type { DragCommitDeps, TimelineMoveEdit } from "./timelineClipDragCommit";
+import { canMoveTimelineElement } from "./timelineAuthoredMoveTarget";
+import { authoredTrackForLane } from "./timelineAuthoredTrack";
+import { round3 } from "./timelineGaps";
+import { hasSourcePlaybackOffset } from "./timelineGroupEditing";
+import {
+  placeClip,
+  type PlacementMode,
+  type PlacementResult,
+  type PlacementShift,
+} from "./timelinePlacement";
+import { canSplitElementAt } from "../../utils/timelineElementSplit";
+
+/** One shared history key and an unbounded window: every write of a drop is one undo step. */
+export interface PlacementFold {
+  coalesceKey: string;
+  coalesceMs: number;
+}
+
+export interface PlacementResizeChange {
+  element: TimelineElement;
+  start: number;
+  duration: number;
+  playbackStart?: number;
+}
+
+/** The two writes a drop needs beyond move and resize; both must record with the fold key. */
+export interface PlacementOps {
+  split: (element: TimelineElement, at: number, fold: PlacementFold) => Promise<boolean>;
+  remove: (elements: TimelineElement[], fold: PlacementFold) => Promise<boolean>;
+  toast: (message: string) => void;
+}
+
+export type PlacementStep =
+  | { kind: "split"; element: TimelineElement; at: number }
+  | { kind: "remove"; elements: TimelineElement[] }
+  | { kind: "resize"; changes: PlacementResizeChange[] }
+  | { kind: "move"; edits: TimelineMoveEdit[] };
+
+const keyOf = (e: TimelineElement) => e.key ?? e.id;
+
+const moveEdit = (element: TimelineElement, start: number): TimelineMoveEdit => ({
+  element,
+  updates: { start, track: element.track },
+});
+
+/** Where a trimmed-in clip starts reading its source: later by the cut time, at its own rate. */
+function trimmedPlaybackStart(el: TimelineElement, sourceShift: number): number | undefined {
+  if (!hasSourcePlaybackOffset(el)) return el.playbackStart;
+  return round3((el.playbackStart ?? 0) + sourceShift * (el.playbackRate ?? 1));
+}
+
+interface PlacementPlanInput {
+  result: PlacementResult;
+  mode: PlacementMode;
+  laneClips: readonly TimelineElement[];
+  draggedEdit: TimelineMoveEdit;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Placement to ordered writes, needing no new clip id: an overwrite splits at the drop end then
+ * trims the original; an insert pushes the straddled clip, splits it, then moves the head back.
+ */
+export function buildPlacementSteps({
+  result,
+  mode,
+  laneClips,
+  draggedEdit,
+}: PlacementPlanInput): PlacementStep[] {
+  const byKey = new Map(laneClips.map((e) => [keyOf(e), e]));
+  const clip = (key: string): TimelineElement => {
+    const found = byKey.get(key);
+    if (!found) throw new Error(`Placement referenced ${key}, which is not on the target lane`);
+    return found;
+  };
+  const shiftEdits = result.shifts.map((s: PlacementShift) =>
+    moveEdit(clip(s.key), round3(s.start)),
+  );
+  const splits: PlacementStep[] = [];
+  const removes: TimelineElement[] = [];
+  const resizes: PlacementResizeChange[] = [];
+  const settle: TimelineMoveEdit[] = [];
+
+  for (const cut of result.cuts) {
+    const el = clip(cut.key);
+    switch (cut.kind) {
+      case "remove":
+        removes.push(el);
+        break;
+      case "trim-tail":
+        resizes.push({ element: el, start: el.start, duration: round3(cut.duration) });
+        break;
+      case "trim-head":
+        resizes.push({
+          element: el,
+          start: round3(cut.start),
+          duration: round3(cut.duration),
+          playbackStart: trimmedPlaybackStart(el, cut.sourceShift),
+        });
+        break;
+      case "split": {
+        const at = round3(cut.tail.start);
+        if (mode === "overwrite") {
+          splits.push({ kind: "split", element: el, at });
+          resizes.push({
+            element: { ...el, duration: round3(at - el.start) },
+            start: el.start,
+            duration: round3(cut.headDuration),
+          });
+          break;
+        }
+        const pushed = { ...el, start: round3(el.start + (at - result.start)) };
+        shiftEdits.push(moveEdit(el, pushed.start));
+        splits.push({ kind: "split", element: pushed, at });
+        settle.push(moveEdit({ ...pushed, duration: round3(cut.headDuration) }, el.start));
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  const steps: PlacementStep[] = [];
+  if (shiftEdits.length > 0) steps.push({ kind: "move", edits: shiftEdits });
+  steps.push(...splits);
+  if (removes.length > 0) steps.push({ kind: "remove", elements: removes });
+  if (resizes.length > 0) steps.push({ kind: "resize", changes: resizes });
+  steps.push({ kind: "move", edits: [...settle, draggedEdit] });
+  return steps;
+}
+
+/** Reason the whole drop must be refused, or null. Nothing is written when this is set. */
+export function placementRefusal(
+  result: PlacementResult,
+  mode: PlacementMode,
+  laneClips: readonly TimelineElement[],
+): string | null {
+  const byKey = new Map(laneClips.map((e) => [keyOf(e), e]));
+  const touched = [...result.cuts, ...result.shifts].map((c) => byKey.get(c.key));
+  if (touched.some((el) => !el || !canMoveTimelineElement(el) || el.expandedParentStart != null)) {
+    return "Cannot overwrite a locked or expanded clip";
+  }
+  const unsplittable = result.cuts.some((cut) => {
+    if (cut.kind !== "split") return false;
+    const at = mode === "overwrite" ? cut.tail.start : result.start;
+    const el = byKey.get(cut.key);
+    return !el || !canSplitElementAt(el, at);
+  });
+  return unsplittable ? "Cannot split a clip at the drop point" : null;
+}
+
+let placementGestureSeq = 0;
+
+interface PlacementRunner {
+  ops: PlacementOps;
+  resize: (changes: PlacementResizeChange[], fold: PlacementFold) => Promise<void> | void;
+  move: (edits: TimelineMoveEdit[], fold: PlacementFold) => Promise<boolean>;
+}
+
+function runStep(step: PlacementStep, fold: PlacementFold, run: PlacementRunner) {
+  switch (step.kind) {
+    case "split":
+      return run.ops.split(step.element, step.at, fold);
+    case "remove":
+      return run.ops.remove(step.elements, fold);
+    case "resize":
+      return run.resize(step.changes, fold);
+    case "move":
+      return run.move(step.edits, fold);
+  }
+}
+
+/** Each step awaits the previous: the history fold needs every write to start from the last one's output. */
+export async function runPlacementSteps(
+  steps: readonly PlacementStep[],
+  run: PlacementRunner,
+): Promise<void> {
+  const fold: PlacementFold = {
+    coalesceKey: `clip-overwrite:${placementGestureSeq++}`,
+    coalesceMs: Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY,
+  };
+  for (const [index, step] of steps.entries()) {
+    let applied = false;
+    try {
+      applied = (await runStep(step, fold, run)) !== false;
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error("[Timeline] Overwrite step failed", error);
+    }
+    if (applied) continue;
+    if (index > 0) run.ops.toast("Overwrite partly applied, Undo restores it");
+    return;
+  }
+}
+
+/** Commit a single-clip drop onto its lane's clips; null when it touches none, so plain moves apply. */
+export function commitPlacementDrop(
+  drag: DraggedClipState,
+  deps: DragCommitDeps,
+  mode: PlacementMode,
+  move: PlacementRunner["move"],
+): Promise<void> | null {
+  const { placementOps, onResizeElements, elements } = deps;
+  const dragKey = keyOf(drag.element);
+  const laneChanged = drag.previewTrack !== drag.element.track;
+  if (!placementOps || !onResizeElements) return null;
+  if (!laneChanged && drag.previewStart === drag.element.start) return null;
+
+  const laneClips = elements.filter((e) => e.track === drag.previewTrack && keyOf(e) !== dragKey);
+  const result = placeClip({
+    clips: laneClips.map((e) => ({ key: keyOf(e), start: e.start, duration: e.duration })),
+    track: drag.previewTrack,
+    start: drag.previewStart,
+    duration: drag.element.duration,
+    mode,
+  });
+  if (result.cuts.length === 0 && result.shifts.length === 0) return null;
+
+  const refusal = placementRefusal(result, mode, laneClips);
+  if (refusal) {
+    placementOps.toast(refusal);
+    return Promise.resolve();
+  }
+  const draggedEdit: TimelineMoveEdit = {
+    element: drag.element,
+    updates: { start: result.start, track: drag.previewTrack },
+    ...(laneChanged
+      ? { persistTrack: authoredTrackForLane(drag.previewTrack, elements, drag.element) }
+      : {}),
+  };
+  const steps = buildPlacementSteps({ result, mode, laneClips, draggedEdit });
+  return runPlacementSteps(steps, {
+    ops: placementOps,
+    resize: (changes, fold) => onResizeElements(changes, fold),
+    move,
+  });
+}
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/useTimelineClipDrag.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/components/useTimelineClipDrag.ts
index 7c49eda117..3b84594762 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/components/useTimelineClipDrag.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/useTimelineClipDrag.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { useRef, useState, useCallback, useMemo, useEffect } from "react";
 import { useMountEffect } from "../../hooks/useMountEffect";
+import { useTimelineEditContextOptional } from "../../contexts/TimelineEditContext";
 import {
   applyTimelineAutoScrollStep,
   resolveTimelineAutoScrollLoopAction,
@@ -243,6 +244,9 @@ export function useTimelineClipDrag({
   // It owns a projection only; canonical store timing changes at commit.
   const groupResizeRef = useRef<TimelineGroupResizeSession | null>(null);
 
+  const { onPlacementOps } = useTimelineEditContextOptional();
+  const onPlacementOpsRef = useRef(onPlacementOps);
+  onPlacementOpsRef.current = onPlacementOps;
   const onMoveElementRef = useRef(onMoveElement);
   onMoveElementRef.current = onMoveElement;
   const onMoveElementsRef = useRef(onMoveElements);
@@ -418,6 +422,7 @@ export function useTimelineClipDrag({
   useMountEffect(() =>
     mountTimelineClipDragGestureLifecycle({
       onStackingPatchesRef,
+      onPlacementOpsRef,
       refreshAfterLaneMoveRef,
       readZIndexRef,
       onBlockedEditAttemptRef,
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/utils/razorSplitTransaction.ts b/packages/studio/src/utils/razorSplitTransaction.ts
index 77054df21c..e1e04a4555 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/utils/razorSplitTransaction.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/utils/razorSplitTransaction.ts
@@ -166,6 +166,9 @@ interface RunAtomicCutInput {
   projectId: string;
   intents: CutFileIntent[];
   label: string;
+  /** Folds this cut into the undo entry of the writes that share the key. */
+  coalesceKey?: string;
+  coalesceMs?: number;
   writeProjectFile: ProjectFileWriter;
   recordEdit: (input: RecordEditInput) => Promise<void>;
   observeProjectFileVersion?: (path: string, version: string | null) => void;
@@ -181,7 +184,13 @@ export function runAtomicCutTransaction(input: RunAtomicCutInput): Promise<Atomi
       result.files.map((file) => [file.path, { before: file.before, after: file.after }]),
     );
     try {
-      await input.recordEdit({ label: input.label, kind: "timeline", files: snapshots });
+      await input.recordEdit({
+        label: input.label,
+        kind: "timeline",
+        coalesceKey: input.coalesceKey,
+        coalesceMs: input.coalesceMs,
+        files: snapshots,
+      });
     } catch (error) {
       try {
         await rollbackUnrecordedCut(result.files, input.writeProjectFile);