diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 32cf9f0..bbcddf8 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -6,6 +6,15 @@ full engineering record.
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.3.38] — 2026-08-01
+
+- Kept Farcaster's native Back control visible inside the Realm, including for
+  returning keepers who enter Genesis 001 directly from the Mini App.
+- Made root Back return to Warpkeep's menu without signing out, while nested
+  Realm records still close one step at a time.
+- Left the ordinary browser experience, authentication, admission, Terms,
+  ownership, resources, and persistent world state unchanged.
+
 ## [0.3.37] — 2026-08-01
 
 - Latched Request Access at the button boundary before the parent state round
@@ -409,7 +418,8 @@ full engineering record.
   Lowlands, a first keep, Farcaster sign-in, and an admission-gated shared-world
   foundation.
 
-[Unreleased]: https://github.com/ael-dev3/Warpkeep/compare/v0.3.37...HEAD
+[Unreleased]: https://github.com/ael-dev3/Warpkeep/compare/v0.3.38...HEAD
+[0.3.38]: https://github.com/ael-dev3/Warpkeep/compare/v0.3.37...v0.3.38
 [0.3.37]: https://github.com/ael-dev3/Warpkeep/compare/v0.3.36...v0.3.37
 [0.3.36]: https://github.com/ael-dev3/Warpkeep/compare/v0.3.35...v0.3.36
 [0.3.35]: https://github.com/ael-dev3/Warpkeep/compare/v0.3.34...v0.3.35
diff --git a/docs/farcaster-integration.md b/docs/farcaster-integration.md
index 13e3069..aaec3d6 100644
--- a/docs/farcaster-integration.md
+++ b/docs/farcaster-integration.md
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ ordinary browsers use Sign In with Farcaster (SIWF), while a verified Farcaster
 Mini App host may use Quick Auth. Neither path is a wallet connection,
 client-owned identity, admission grant, or Terms acceptance.
 
-Alpha 0.3.37 keeps backend protocol 3 and authentication contract v2; admission
+Alpha 0.3.38 keeps backend protocol 3 and authentication contract v2; admission
 remains gated. Production configuration and founder identities belong in the
 private operator record, not this guide.
 
diff --git a/docs/releases/versioning.md b/docs/releases/versioning.md
index 3582b20..9864b83 100644
--- a/docs/releases/versioning.md
+++ b/docs/releases/versioning.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Versioning and releases
 
 Warpkeep uses semantic versions for the product and Git commit SHAs for builds.
-Alpha `0.3.37` is the live **The Gate Heeds Once** release. A version is
+Alpha `0.3.38` is the live **The Way Back** release. A version is
 described as live only after its protected review, matching client deployment,
 and production smoke test all succeed.
 
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 1e3e55b..147f7c6 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "warpkeep",
-  "version": "0.3.37",
+  "version": "0.3.38",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "warpkeep",
-      "version": "0.3.37",
+      "version": "0.3.38",
       "license": "Apache-2.0",
       "dependencies": {
         "@farcaster/auth-client": "0.7.1",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 91b3c82..6ab6161 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "warpkeep",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "0.3.37",
+  "version": "0.3.38",
   "description": "A Farcaster-connected persistent strategy world in active Alpha development.",
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
   "homepage": "https://warpkeep.com",
diff --git a/src/components/menu/latestPatchNotes.ts b/src/components/menu/latestPatchNotes.ts
index bb5e6ba..1d29dbc 100644
--- a/src/components/menu/latestPatchNotes.ts
+++ b/src/components/menu/latestPatchNotes.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,20 @@ export type LatestPatchNotes = Readonly<{
   alphaNotice: string;
 }>;
 
+const ALPHA_0_3_38_PATCH_NOTES: LatestPatchNotes = Object.freeze({
+  releasedOn: '1 AUG 2026',
+  title: 'THE WAY BACK',
+  summary:
+    'The Realm now keeps one clear road back to Warpkeep’s gates, even when Farcaster carries a keeper straight inside.',
+  highlights: Object.freeze([
+    'Farcaster’s native Back control now remains available at the Realm root for keepers who enter Genesis 001 directly.',
+    'Back closes nested Realm records one step at a time, then returns to Warpkeep’s menu without signing the keeper out.',
+    'The route adds no new map overlay and leaves authentication, admission, Terms, keeps, Workers, resources, and world state untouched.'
+  ]),
+  alphaNotice:
+    'Alpha 0.3.38 remains an invite-only, unfinished world. This navigation release changes no admission decision, ownership record, balance, or persistent Realm data.'
+});
+
 const ALPHA_0_3_37_PATCH_NOTES: LatestPatchNotes = Object.freeze({
   releasedOn: '1 AUG 2026',
   title: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE',
@@ -289,6 +303,7 @@ const ALPHA_0_3_22_PATCH_NOTES: LatestPatchNotes = Object.freeze({
 
 export const WARPKEEP_PATCH_NOTES_BY_VERSION: Readonly<Record<string, LatestPatchNotes>> =
   Object.freeze({
+    '0.3.38': ALPHA_0_3_38_PATCH_NOTES,
     '0.3.37': ALPHA_0_3_37_PATCH_NOTES,
     '0.3.36': ALPHA_0_3_36_PATCH_NOTES,
     '0.3.35': ALPHA_0_3_35_PATCH_NOTES,
diff --git a/src/components/realm/RealmMapScreen.tsx b/src/components/realm/RealmMapScreen.tsx
index dba5b8b..67701c6 100644
--- a/src/components/realm/RealmMapScreen.tsx
+++ b/src/components/realm/RealmMapScreen.tsx
@@ -545,11 +545,16 @@ function CanonicalRealmMapScreen(props: RealmMapScreenProps) {
     if (fullscreenDestinations) pushSurface(route);
   }, [fullscreenDestinations, pushSurface]);
   const handleMiniAppBack = useCallback(() => {
-    if (surfaceNavigation.depth > 0) backSurface();
-  }, [backSurface, surfaceNavigation.depth]);
-  // The host owns Back at the Realm root. Only nested destinations bind an
-  // application handler; consuming root Back here would prevent native exit.
-  useMiniAppBackNavigation(surfaceNavigation.depth, handleMiniAppBack);
+    if (surfaceNavigation.depth > 0) {
+      backSurface();
+      return;
+    }
+    onRequestReturn();
+  }, [backSurface, onRequestReturn, surfaceNavigation.depth]);
+  // Direct-entry Mini Apps skip Warpkeep's menu, so keep the native host Back
+  // control available at the Realm root as their explicit route to it. Nested
+  // destinations still consume one navigation step before the root can leave.
+  useMiniAppBackNavigation(surfaceNavigation.depth + 1, handleMiniAppBack);
   const workerProjectionTelemetryEnabled = import.meta.env.DEV
     ? props.localQaWorkerProjectionTelemetry === true
     : false;
diff --git a/tests/WarpkeepExperienceRealm.test.tsx b/tests/WarpkeepExperienceRealm.test.tsx
index c576a9d..2857454 100644
--- a/tests/WarpkeepExperienceRealm.test.tsx
+++ b/tests/WarpkeepExperienceRealm.test.tsx
@@ -611,16 +611,18 @@ describe('Warpkeep Farcaster Mini App direct entry', () => {
     expect(authority.beginSignIn).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(encodeQrCode).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(backend.runtime.acceptAlphaTerms).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    await settle();
+    expect(sdk.back?.show).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(sdk.back?.onback).not.toBeNull();
 
-    const traverseHistory = vi.spyOn(window.history, 'go');
-    returnToMainMenuThroughPlayerProfile();
+    act(() => sdk.back?.onback?.());
     await act(async () => vi.advanceTimersByTime(20));
     await settle();
-    expect(traverseHistory).toHaveBeenCalledWith(-1);
     expect(container.querySelector('.warpkeep-experience')?.getAttribute('data-phase')).toBe('menu');
     expect(window.location.hash).toBe('#menu');
     expect(window.history.state?.warpkeepDirectRealm).toBeUndefined();
     expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'ENTER REALM' })).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(bridge.logoutSession).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
 
     act(() => window.history.back());
     await act(async () => vi.advanceTimersByTime(20));
diff --git a/tests/buildInfo.test.ts b/tests/buildInfo.test.ts
index 5ae09d0..45a9564 100644
--- a/tests/buildInfo.test.ts
+++ b/tests/buildInfo.test.ts
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ describe('Warpkeep build identity', () => {
     );
   });
 
-  it('reads the 0.3.37 product version from package metadata', () => {
+  it('reads the 0.3.38 product version from package metadata', () => {
     const packageJson = JSON.parse(
       readFileSync(resolve(process.cwd(), 'package.json'), 'utf8')
     ) as { version?: unknown };
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ describe('Warpkeep build identity', () => {
       readFileSync(resolve(process.cwd(), 'package-lock.json'), 'utf8')
     ) as { version?: unknown; packages?: Record<string, { version?: unknown }> };
 
-    expect(readWarpkeepProductVersion(packageJson.version)).toBe('0.3.37');
+    expect(readWarpkeepProductVersion(packageJson.version)).toBe('0.3.38');
     expect(packageLock.version).toBe(packageJson.version);
     expect(packageLock.packages?.['']?.version).toBe(packageJson.version);
     expect(readWarpkeepProductVersion('1.0.0-alpha.1+build.7')).toBe('1.0.0-alpha.1+build.7');
diff --git a/tests/latestPatchNotes.test.ts b/tests/latestPatchNotes.test.ts
index ffd4bce..7c6e683 100644
--- a/tests/latestPatchNotes.test.ts
+++ b/tests/latestPatchNotes.test.ts
@@ -18,26 +18,30 @@ describe('latest in-menu patch notes', () => {
     expect(Object.keys(WARPKEEP_PATCH_NOTES_BY_VERSION)).toContain(packageJson.version);
     expect(getLatestPatchNotes(packageJson.version)).toMatchObject({
       releasedOn: '1 AUG 2026',
-      title: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE'
+      title: 'THE WAY BACK'
     });
     expect(getLatestPatchNotes(packageJson.version)?.highlights.join(' ')).toMatch(
-      /Request Access.*Request Sent.*first gesture.*network round trip.*second tap/i
+      /native Back control.*Realm root.*Genesis 001 directly/i
     );
     expect(getLatestPatchNotes(packageJson.version)?.highlights.join(' ')).toMatch(
-      /gold strike.*violet water-like echo.*exact admission resonance.*first accepted gesture/i
+      /nested Realm records.*one step.*menu.*without signing.*out/i
     );
     expect(getLatestPatchNotes(packageJson.version)?.highlights.join(' ')).toMatch(
-      /SpacetimeDB.*Request Received.*closed across refreshes.*status-first retry/i
+      /no new map overlay.*authentication.*admission.*Terms.*world state untouched/i
     );
     expect(getLatestPatchNotes(packageJson.version)?.highlights.join(' ')).not.toMatch(
       /released to players|deployed to players|public balances|guaranteed rewards/i
     );
-    expect(getLatestPatchNotes(packageJson.version)?.summary).toContain('petition');
+    expect(getLatestPatchNotes(packageJson.version)?.summary).toContain('road back');
     expect(getLatestPatchNotes(packageJson.version)?.alphaNotice).toContain('unfinished');
     expect(getLatestPatchNotes(packageJson.version)?.alphaNotice).toContain(
-      'does not grant admission'
+      'changes no admission decision'
     );
 
+    expect(getLatestPatchNotes('0.3.37')).toMatchObject({
+      title: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE'
+    });
+
     expect(getLatestPatchNotes('0.3.36')).toMatchObject({
       title: 'THE GATE RESOUNDS'
     });
diff --git a/tests/menuFarcasterAuthIntegration.test.tsx b/tests/menuFarcasterAuthIntegration.test.tsx
index 9e201c7..f83a50b 100644
--- a/tests/menuFarcasterAuthIntegration.test.tsx
+++ b/tests/menuFarcasterAuthIntegration.test.tsx
@@ -1112,7 +1112,7 @@ describe('WarpkeepMainMenu Farcaster authentication integration', () => {
       'CREDITS'
     ]);
     expect(screen.getByRole('button', {
-      name: 'Open patch notes for Warpkeep ALPHA 0.3.37'
+      name: 'Open patch notes for Warpkeep ALPHA 0.3.38'
     })).not.toBeNull();
 
     expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'CONTINUE' })).toBeNull();
diff --git a/tests/menuMainMenu.test.tsx b/tests/menuMainMenu.test.tsx
index 416c5b6..0b864ca 100644
--- a/tests/menuMainMenu.test.tsx
+++ b/tests/menuMainMenu.test.tsx
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ function installMotionPreference(matches = false) {
 function getPatchNotesTrigger(options: { hidden?: boolean } = {}) {
   return screen.getByRole('button', {
     ...options,
-    name: 'Open patch notes for Warpkeep ALPHA 0.3.37'
+    name: 'Open patch notes for Warpkeep ALPHA 0.3.38'
   });
 }
 
@@ -131,11 +131,11 @@ describe('WarpkeepMainMenu', () => {
 
     act(() => patchNotes.focus());
     expect(screen.getByRole('status').textContent).toContain('living frontier');
-    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).toBeNull();
 
     fireEvent.click(patchNotes, { detail: 0 });
     expect(screen.queryByRole('status')).toBeNull();
-    expect(screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).not.toBeNull();
     expect(document.activeElement).toBe(patchNotes);
   });
 
@@ -239,25 +239,25 @@ describe('WarpkeepMainMenu', () => {
 
     expect(patchNotes.getAttribute('aria-expanded')).toBe('false');
     expect(patchNotes.getAttribute('aria-controls')).toBe('warpkeep-latest-patch-notes');
-    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).toBeNull();
 
     act(() => patchNotes.focus());
-    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).toBeNull();
 
     fireEvent.click(patchNotes, { detail: 0 });
-    const notes = screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' });
+    const notes = screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' });
     expect(patchNotes.getAttribute('aria-expanded')).toBe('true');
-    expect(notes.textContent).toContain('LATEST PATCH · ALPHA 0.3.37');
-    expect(notes.textContent).toContain('before any network round trip');
-    expect(notes.textContent).toContain('violet water-like echo');
-    expect(notes.textContent).toContain('closed across refreshes');
+    expect(notes.textContent).toContain('LATEST PATCH · ALPHA 0.3.38');
+    expect(notes.textContent).toContain('native Back control');
+    expect(notes.textContent).toContain('without signing the keeper out');
+    expect(notes.textContent).toContain('no new map overlay');
     expect(notes.getAttribute('tabindex')).toBe('0');
     expect(within(notes).queryByRole('link')).toBeNull();
     act(() => notes.focus());
     expect(document.activeElement).toBe(notes);
 
     fireEvent.keyDown(document, { key: 'Escape' });
-    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).toBeNull();
     expect(document.activeElement).toBe(patchNotes);
     expect(onRequestReturn).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
 
@@ -270,19 +270,19 @@ describe('WarpkeepMainMenu', () => {
     const patchNotes = getPatchNotesTrigger();
 
     fireEvent.pointerEnter(patchNotes, { pointerType: 'mouse' });
-    expect(screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).not.toBeNull();
 
     fireEvent.pointerDown(document.body, { pointerType: 'mouse' });
-    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).toBeNull();
 
     fireEvent.pointerDown(patchNotes, { pointerType: 'touch' });
     patchNotes.focus();
     fireEvent.click(patchNotes);
-    expect(screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).not.toBeNull();
 
     fireEvent.pointerDown(patchNotes, { pointerType: 'touch' });
     fireEvent.click(patchNotes);
-    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).toBeNull();
   });
 
   it('keeps hover notes reachable across the anchor gap and toggles by activation', () => {
@@ -291,21 +291,21 @@ describe('WarpkeepMainMenu', () => {
     const patchNotes = getPatchNotesTrigger();
 
     fireEvent.pointerEnter(patchNotes, { pointerType: 'mouse' });
-    expect(screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).not.toBeNull();
     fireEvent.pointerLeave(patchNotes, { pointerType: 'mouse' });
 
     act(() => vi.advanceTimersByTime(250));
-    const panel = screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' });
+    const panel = screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' });
     fireEvent.pointerEnter(panel, { pointerType: 'mouse' });
     act(() => vi.advanceTimersByTime(200));
-    expect(screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).not.toBeNull();
 
     fireEvent.click(patchNotes);
     fireEvent.pointerLeave(patchNotes, { pointerType: 'mouse' });
     act(() => vi.advanceTimersByTime(500));
-    expect(screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).not.toBeNull();
     fireEvent.click(patchNotes);
-    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE GATE HEEDS ONCE' })).toBeNull();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'THE WAY BACK' })).toBeNull();
   });
 
   it('keeps inactive menu controls hidden, inert, and outside the tab order', () => {
diff --git a/tests/realmQualityRecreation.test.tsx b/tests/realmQualityRecreation.test.tsx
index 3baeec9..47a6b6c 100644
--- a/tests/realmQualityRecreation.test.tsx
+++ b/tests/realmQualityRecreation.test.tsx
@@ -626,7 +626,7 @@ afterEach(() => {
 });
 
 describe('live realm quality recreation', () => {
-  it('leaves root Back to the Mini App host and binds it only for nested Realm destinations', async () => {
+  it('keeps native Mini App Back available from the Realm root through nested destinations', async () => {
     installWebGlProbe();
     const back = {
       show: vi.fn(async () => {}),
@@ -681,16 +681,14 @@ describe('live realm quality recreation', () => {
       </MiniAppHostProvider>
     );
 
-    await waitFor(() => expect(back.hide).toHaveBeenCalled());
+    await waitFor(() => expect(back.show).toHaveBeenCalledOnce());
     const realm = screen.getByRole('main', { name: 'Hegemony realm' });
     await waitFor(() => expect(realm.dataset.realmChromeMode).toBe('miniapp'));
     const sceneOptions = mocked.createRealmScene.mock.calls.at(-1)?.[0];
     act(() => sceneOptions?.onCastlesReady?.(2));
-    expect(back.show).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-    expect(back.onback).toBeNull();
+    expect(back.onback).not.toBeNull();
 
     fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /Open Realm menu/i }));
-    await waitFor(() => expect(back.show).toHaveBeenCalledOnce());
     let menu = screen.getByRole('region', { name: 'REALM MENU' });
 
     fireEvent.click(within(menu).getByRole('button', { name: /EXPLORE/i }));
@@ -716,7 +714,7 @@ describe('live realm quality recreation', () => {
     act(() => back.onback?.());
     await waitFor(() => {
       expect(screen.queryByRole('region', { name: 'REALM MENU' })).toBeNull();
-      expect(back.onback).toBeNull();
+      expect(back.onback).not.toBeNull();
     });
     expect(onRequestReturn).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
 
@@ -782,6 +780,9 @@ describe('live realm quality recreation', () => {
       expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'LOCATE IN REALM' })).toBeNull();
       expect(document.activeElement).toBe(realm);
     });
+
+    act(() => back.onback?.());
+    expect(onRequestReturn).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
   });
 
   it('retires an assigned scene when initial interaction synchronization throws', () => {