diff --git a/crates/oa-desktop/src/app/process_canvas.rs b/crates/oa-desktop/src/app/process_canvas.rs
index 8db6ec68..39d87d53 100644
--- a/crates/oa-desktop/src/app/process_canvas.rs
+++ b/crates/oa-desktop/src/app/process_canvas.rs
@@ -143,6 +143,18 @@ impl App {
                             Err(e) => self.status = e,
                         }
                     }
+                    CanvasEvent::AppendExchange(_) => {
+                        let mut state = std::mem::take(&mut self.behavior.topology);
+                        let result = state.append_exchange(self.project(), context.owner);
+                        self.behavior.topology = state;
+                        match result {
+                            Ok(()) => {
+                                self.canvas_epoch = self.canvas_epoch.wrapping_add(1);
+                                self.status = "Choose the next exchange; Create appends it with an explicit sequence link.".into();
+                            }
+                            Err(e) => self.status = e,
+                        }
+                    }
                     CanvasEvent::Connect { source, target, .. } => {
                         let mut state = std::mem::take(&mut self.behavior.topology);
                         let result = state.connect(self.project(), context.owner, source, target);
@@ -222,6 +234,114 @@ mod tests {
         }
     }
     #[test]
+    fn direct_process_append_empty_first_second_exchange_has_exact_source_history() {
+        for layer in [Layer::Oa, Layer::Sa] {
+            let (f, next) = direct_tests::empty_exchange_fixture(layer);
+            let mut app = App::with_project(f.p.clone());
+            let _ = app.update(Message::Select(f.owner));
+            let _ = app.update(Message::Page(Page::Behavior));
+            let empty = app.document.snapshot();
+            let context = app.topology_context().unwrap();
+            let _ = app.update(Message::TopologyCanvas(CanvasEvent::Begin {
+                context,
+                tool: Tool::Exchange,
+                control: ControlKind::Choice,
+                insertion: Insertion::default(),
+            }));
+            assert!(app.behavior.has_pending());
+            form(
+                &mut app,
+                Event::Target(Choice {
+                    id: f.exchange,
+                    label: "Assessment".into(),
+                }),
+            );
+            form(&mut app, Event::Name("First contribution".into()));
+            form(&mut app, Event::Submit);
+            assert!(!app.behavior.has_pending(), "{}", app.status);
+            let first_id = app.selected;
+            let first = app.document.snapshot();
+            assert_eq!(
+                app.project().elements[&f.owner].steps().unwrap(),
+                &[first_id]
+            );
+            assert_eq!(app.project().relations, empty.decoded.project.relations);
+            let context = app.topology_context().unwrap();
+            let _ = app.update(Message::TopologyCanvas(CanvasEvent::AppendExchange(
+                context,
+            )));
+            assert!(
+                app.behavior.has_pending(),
+                "reachable single-exchange continuation: {}",
+                app.status
+            );
+            assert!(Arc::ptr_eq(&first, &app.document.snapshot()));
+            form(
+                &mut app,
+                Event::Target(Choice {
+                    id: next,
+                    label: "Response".into(),
+                }),
+            );
+            form(&mut app, Event::Name("Second contribution".into()));
+            form(&mut app, Event::Submit);
+            assert!(!app.behavior.has_pending(), "{}", app.status);
+            let second_id = app.selected;
+            let second = app.document.snapshot();
+            assert_ne!(first_id, second_id);
+            assert_eq!(
+                app.project().elements[&f.owner].steps().unwrap(),
+                &[first_id, second_id]
+            );
+            let links = app
+                .project()
+                .relations
+                .values()
+                .filter(|r| r.kind() == RelationKind::SequenceLink)
+                .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+            assert_eq!(links.len(), 1);
+            assert_eq!(
+                (links[0].source(), links[0].target()),
+                (first_id, second_id)
+            );
+            assert_eq!(
+                app.project().elements.len(),
+                empty.decoded.project.elements.len() + 2
+            );
+            for (id, relation) in &empty.decoded.project.relations {
+                assert_eq!(app.project().relations[id], *relation);
+            }
+            for work in f.work {
+                assert_eq!(
+                    app.project().elements[&work],
+                    empty.decoded.project.elements[&work]
+                );
+            }
+            let reopened = Document::from_bundle(
+                second.bundle.clone(),
+                oa_core::source_project::ProjectLimits::default(),
+            )
+            .unwrap();
+            assert_eq!(reopened.project(), app.project());
+            assert_eq!(reopened.bundle(), &second.bundle);
+            for expected in [&first, &empty] {
+                let _ = app.update(Message::Undo);
+                assert_eq!(app.document.bundle(), &expected.bundle);
+                assert_eq!(app.project(), &expected.decoded.project);
+            }
+            assert!(
+                !app.document.can_undo(),
+                "each Create must add exactly one history entry"
+            );
+            for expected in [&first, &second] {
+                let _ = app.update(Message::Redo);
+                assert_eq!(app.document.bundle(), &expected.bundle);
+                assert_eq!(app.project(), &expected.decoded.project);
+            }
+            assert!(!app.document.can_redo());
+        }
+    }
+    #[test]
     fn direct_process_app_stale_context_dirty_source_and_properties_never_mutate() {
         let (mut app, _) = setup();
         let snapshot = app.document.snapshot();
diff --git a/crates/oa-desktop/src/behavior/topology/direct.rs b/crates/oa-desktop/src/behavior/topology/direct.rs
index b60ccd9c..2fd2d8ed 100644
--- a/crates/oa-desktop/src/behavior/topology/direct.rs
+++ b/crates/oa-desktop/src/behavior/topology/direct.rs
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ pub enum CanvasEvent {
     Scrolled(Context, scenario::ScrollArea, iced::Vector),
     Choose(Context, CanvasTool),
     Select(Context, Id),
+    AppendExchange(Context),
     Begin {
         context: Context,
         tool: Tool,
@@ -67,6 +68,7 @@ impl CanvasEvent {
             | Self::Expand(c, ..)
             | Self::Open(c, ..)
             | Self::Back(c)
+            | Self::AppendExchange(c)
             | Self::Zoom(c, ..)
             | Self::Viewport(c, ..) => *c,
             Self::Begin { context, .. }
@@ -204,6 +206,15 @@ impl State {
         }
         Ok(())
     }
+    pub(crate) fn append_exchange(&mut self, p: &Project, owner: Id) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let last = legacy_order(p, owner)
+            .last()
+            .copied()
+            .ok_or("Choose an ordered exchange path to append to.")?;
+        self.update(p, Event::Start(owner, Tool::Exchange, Some(last)))?;
+        self.draft.as_mut().expect("started form").fixed = true;
+        Ok(())
+    }
     pub(crate) fn connect(
         &mut self,
         p: &Project,
diff --git a/crates/oa-desktop/src/behavior/topology/direct_tests.rs b/crates/oa-desktop/src/behavior/topology/direct_tests.rs
index 8d2129c1..cbf9a5c8 100644
--- a/crates/oa-desktop/src/behavior/topology/direct_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/oa-desktop/src/behavior/topology/direct_tests.rs
@@ -848,3 +848,123 @@ fn direct_process_real_picker_stays_bounded_and_search_keeps_selection() {
     assert_eq!(state.draft.as_ref().unwrap().target, Some(f.work[0]));
     assert_eq!(state.draft.as_ref().unwrap().browsers[0].page, 0);
 }
+
+pub(crate) fn empty_exchange_fixture(layer: Layer) -> (Fixture, Id) {
+    let mut f = fixture(layer);
+    let mut commands = f.nodes.into_iter().map(Command::Delete).collect::<Vec<_>>();
+    commands.push(Command::Connect(
+        f.p.relations[&f.exchange].kind(),
+        "Response".into(),
+        f.work[1],
+        f.work[2],
+    ));
+    f.p = execute_batch(&f.p, &commands).unwrap();
+    let next =
+        f.p.relations
+            .values()
+            .find(|r| r.name == "Response")
+            .unwrap()
+            .id;
+    assert!(f.p.elements[&f.owner].steps().unwrap().is_empty());
+    (f, next)
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn direct_process_append_preserves_existing_order_and_rejects_incompatible_exchange() {
+    for layer in [Layer::Oa, Layer::Sa] {
+        let (mut f, next) = empty_exchange_fixture(layer);
+        let kind = f.p.relations[&f.exchange].kind();
+        f.p = execute_batch(
+            &f.p,
+            &[Command::Connect(
+                kind,
+                "Recovery".into(),
+                f.work[2],
+                f.work[0],
+            )],
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        let final_exchange =
+            f.p.relations
+                .values()
+                .find(|r| r.name == "Recovery")
+                .unwrap()
+                .id;
+        for exchange in [f.exchange, next] {
+            let e = occurrence(
+                &f.p,
+                f.owner,
+                "Ordered contribution",
+                OccurrenceBody::Exchange {
+                    exchange: Some(exchange),
+                    sender: None,
+                    receiver: None,
+                    message_kind: MessageKind::default(),
+                    reply_to: None,
+                    values: vec![],
+                },
+            );
+            f.p = execute_batch(&f.p, &[Command::CreateElement(e)]).unwrap();
+        }
+        let before = f.p.elements[&f.owner].steps().unwrap().clone();
+        assert_eq!(legacy_order(&f.p, f.owner), before);
+        assert!(sequence_links(&f.p, f.owner).is_empty());
+        let mut state = State::default();
+        state.append_exchange(&f.p, f.owner).unwrap();
+        let draft = state.draft.as_ref().unwrap();
+        assert!(draft.fixed);
+        assert_eq!(draft.before, before.last().copied());
+        assert_eq!(draft.after, None);
+        assert!(!compatible_source(&f.p, draft, f.exchange));
+        assert!(compatible_source(&f.p, draft, final_exchange));
+        state
+            .update(
+                &f.p,
+                Event::Target(Choice {
+                    id: f.exchange,
+                    label: "Incompatible".into(),
+                }),
+            )
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(state.prepare_pending(&f.p).is_err());
+        assert!(state.draft.is_some());
+        state
+            .update(
+                &f.p,
+                Event::Target(Choice {
+                    id: final_exchange,
+                    label: "Recovery".into(),
+                }),
+            )
+            .unwrap();
+        let command = state.prepare_pending(&f.p).unwrap();
+        let Command::Batch(commands) = &command else {
+            panic!("one ordinary batch")
+        };
+        assert_eq!(
+            commands.len(),
+            4,
+            "materialize old path + occurrence + append link + order"
+        );
+        let serialized = serde_json::to_value(command).unwrap();
+        let result = execute_batch(&f.p, &[serde_json::from_value(serialized).unwrap()]).unwrap();
+        let after = result.elements[&f.owner].steps().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(&after[..2], &before);
+        assert_eq!(after.len(), 3);
+        let links = sequence_links(&result, f.owner);
+        assert_eq!(links.len(), 2);
+        for pair in after.windows(2) {
+            assert_eq!(
+                links
+                    .iter()
+                    .filter(|r| r.source() == pair[0] && r.target() == pair[1])
+                    .count(),
+                1
+            );
+        }
+        assert!(uses_explicit_topology(&result, f.owner));
+        for (id, relation) in &f.p.relations {
+            assert_eq!(result.relations[id], *relation);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/oa-desktop/src/behavior/topology/view.rs b/crates/oa-desktop/src/behavior/topology/view.rs
index 0df64063..e5cad97d 100644
--- a/crates/oa-desktop/src/behavior/topology/view.rs
+++ b/crates/oa-desktop/src/behavior/topology/view.rs
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ pub(super) fn view<'a>(
                 .spacing(6),
             );
     }
-    out=out.push(label(if pending{"Pending contribution · apply or cancel below"}else{match state.tool{
+    out=out.push(label(if pending{"Pending contribution · apply or cancel below"}else if !explicit{"Ordered contributions · Append exchange continues the path"}else{match state.tool{
         CanvasTool::Select=>"Select local contributions and paths · drag path endpoints to reconnect · ↕ reorders within a column",
         CanvasTool::Connect=>"Sequence link · click or drag from preceding to following contribution · Escape cancels",
         CanvasTool::Add(..)=>"Choose a highlighted path or contribution position · existing work stays shared · Escape cancels"}}));
@@ -226,8 +226,14 @@ pub(super) fn view<'a>(
         );
     } else {
         out = out.push(label(
-            "Ordered exchange path · convert explicitly before drawing topology.",
+            "Ordered exchange path · append the next exchange or convert to explicit links.",
         ));
+        if !pending {
+            out = out.push(
+                button("Append exchange…")
+                    .on_press(Message::TopologyCanvas(CanvasEvent::AppendExchange(context))),
+            ).push(label("Append creates the next exchange contribution and an explicit sequence link from the final contribution in one undo step."));
+        }
         let commands = preserved_order(p, owner, None);
         if !commands.is_empty() {
             out = out.push(
@@ -235,7 +241,7 @@ pub(super) fn view<'a>(
                     .on_press(Message::Command(unique_batch(p, commands))),
             );
         } else {
-            out=out.push(label("A single exchange has no path link to convert. Involve work, a control or a reusable process to begin explicit topology."))
+            out=out.push(label("A single exchange has no path link to convert. Append the next exchange, or involve work, a control or a reusable process."))
             .push(row![button("Add work…").on_press(event(Event::Start(owner,Tool::Work,selected))),
                 button("Add control…").on_press(event(Event::Start(owner,Tool::Control,selected))),
                 button("Reuse…").on_press(event(Event::Start(owner,Tool::Reuse,selected)))].spacing(6));
@@ -309,6 +315,14 @@ pub(super) fn view<'a>(
                 p.named(link.target()),
                 guard
             )));
+        } else if d.fixed
+            && d.tool == Tool::Exchange
+            && let Some(before) = d.before
+        {
+            form = form.push(label(format!(
+                "Append after {} → new exchange · Create adds an explicit sequence link",
+                p.named(before)
+            )));
         } else if d.fixed && d.tool != Tool::Connect {
             form = form.push(label(
                 d.insertion