diff --git a/src/browser/hooks/useReviewRefreshController.test.ts b/src/browser/hooks/useReviewRefreshController.test.ts
index ccbb42c5e4..003d273ae6 100644
--- a/src/browser/hooks/useReviewRefreshController.test.ts
+++ b/src/browser/hooks/useReviewRefreshController.test.ts
@@ -59,7 +59,9 @@ describe("useReviewRefreshController design", () => {
 
   test("visibility contract: hidden tab queues refresh for later", () => {
     // Contract: When document.hidden is true, refresh is queued.
-    // When visibilitychange fires and document.hidden becomes false, queued refresh executes.
+    // When visibilitychange fires or window.focus fires (and document is visible),
+    // queued refresh executes. Uses both events since visibilitychange alone is
+    // unreliable in Electron when app is behind other windows or on different desktop.
     // This prevents wasted git operations when user isn't looking.
     expect(true).toBe(true);
   });
diff --git a/src/browser/hooks/useReviewRefreshController.ts b/src/browser/hooks/useReviewRefreshController.ts
index 106e279d35..0a37ffbb2b 100644
--- a/src/browser/hooks/useReviewRefreshController.ts
+++ b/src/browser/hooks/useReviewRefreshController.ts
@@ -238,17 +238,23 @@ export function useReviewRefreshController(
     // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
   }, [api, workspaceId, isCreating]);
 
-  // Handle visibility changes - flush pending refresh when tab becomes visible
+  // Handle visibility/focus changes - flush pending refresh when user returns.
+  // Uses both visibilitychange (for browser tab hidden state) and window focus
+  // (for Electron app focus) since visibilitychange alone is unreliable in Electron
+  // when the app is behind other windows or on a different desktop/space.
   useEffect(() => {
-    const handleVisibilityChange = () => {
+    const handleReturn = () => {
+      // Only flush if document is actually visible
       if (!document.hidden) {
         flushPending("hidden");
       }
     };
 
-    document.addEventListener("visibilitychange", handleVisibilityChange);
+    document.addEventListener("visibilitychange", handleReturn);
+    window.addEventListener("focus", handleReturn);
     return () => {
-      document.removeEventListener("visibilitychange", handleVisibilityChange);
+      document.removeEventListener("visibilitychange", handleReturn);
+      window.removeEventListener("focus", handleReturn);
     };
     // flushPending is stable (only uses refs internally)
     // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps