diff --git a/src/components/EntityGrid.vue b/src/components/EntityGrid.vue
index aa5e58f4..80c9d70d 100644
--- a/src/components/EntityGrid.vue
+++ b/src/components/EntityGrid.vue
@@ -139,17 +139,17 @@ projects, and special entities with selection. * * @author Matthew Raymer */
     </template>
 
     <template v-else-if="entityType === 'projects'">
-      <!-- When showing projects without search: split into recently bookmarked and rest -->
+      <!-- When showing projects without search: split into recently starred and rest -->
       <template v-if="!searchTerm.trim()">
-        <!-- Recently Bookmarked Section -->
-        <template v-if="recentBookmarkedProjects.length > 0">
+        <!-- Recently Starred Section -->
+        <template v-if="recentStarredProjectsToShow.length > 0">
           <li
             class="text-xs font-semibold text-slate-500 uppercase pt-5 pb-1.5 px-2 border-b border-slate-300"
           >
-            Recently Bookmarked
+            Recently Starred
           </li>
           <ProjectCard
-            v-for="project in recentBookmarkedProjects"
+            v-for="project in recentStarredProjectsToShow"
             :key="project.handleId"
             :project="project"
             :active-did="activeDid"
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ projects, and special entities with selection. * * @author Matthew Raymer */
 
         <!-- Rest of Projects Section -->
         <li
-          v-if="recentBookmarkedProjects.length > 0"
+          v-if="remainingProjects.length > 0"
           class="text-xs font-semibold text-slate-500 uppercase pt-5 pb-1.5 px-2 border-b border-slate-300"
         >
           All Projects
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ import { TIMEOUTS } from "@/utils/notify";
 const INITIAL_BATCH_SIZE = 20;
 const INCREMENT_SIZE = 20;
 const RECENT_CONTACTS_COUNT = 3;
-const RECENT_BOOKMARKED_PROJECTS_COUNT = 10;
+const RECENT_STARRED_PROJECTS_COUNT = 10;
 
 /**
  * EntityGrid - Unified grid layout for displaying people or projects
@@ -272,8 +272,9 @@ export default class EntityGrid extends Vue {
   infiniteScrollReset?: () => void;
   scrollContainer?: HTMLElement;
 
-  // Starred projects state (for showing recently bookmarked projects)
+  // Starred projects state (for showing recently starred projects)
   starredPlanHandleIds: string[] = [];
+  recentStarredProjects: PlanData[] = [];
 
   /**
    * Array of entities to display
@@ -425,40 +426,19 @@ export default class EntityGrid extends Vue {
   }
 
   /**
-   * Get the 3 most recently bookmarked projects (when showing projects and not searching)
-   * The starredPlanHandleIds array order represents bookmark order (newest at the end)
+   * Get the 3 most recently starred projects (when showing projects and not searching)
+   * Returns the cached member field
    */
-  get recentBookmarkedProjects(): PlanData[] {
-    if (
-      this.entityType !== "projects" ||
-      this.searchTerm.trim() ||
-      this.starredPlanHandleIds.length === 0
-    ) {
+  get recentStarredProjectsToShow(): PlanData[] {
+    if (this.entityType !== "projects" || this.searchTerm.trim()) {
       return [];
     }
-
-    const projects = this.entitiesToUse as PlanData[];
-    if (projects.length === 0) {
-      return [];
-    }
-
-    // Get the last 3 starred IDs (most recently bookmarked)
-    const recentStarredIds = this.starredPlanHandleIds.slice(
-      -RECENT_BOOKMARKED_PROJECTS_COUNT,
-    );
-
-    // Find projects matching those IDs, sorting with newest first
-    const recentProjects = recentStarredIds
-      .map((id) => projects.find((p) => p.handleId === id))
-      .filter((p): p is PlanData => p !== undefined)
-      .reverse();
-
-    return recentProjects;
+    return this.recentStarredProjects;
   }
 
   /**
    * Get all projects (when showing projects and not searching)
-   * Includes projects shown in "Recently Bookmarked" section as well
+   * Includes projects shown in "Recently Starred" section as well
    * Uses infinite scroll to control how many are displayed
    */
   get remainingProjects(): PlanData[] {
@@ -520,6 +500,124 @@ export default class EntityGrid extends Vue {
     return UNNAMED_ENTITY_NAME;
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Initialize infinite scroll on mount
+   */
+  async mounted(): Promise<void> {
+    if (this.entityType === "projects") {
+      const settings = await this.$accountSettings();
+      this.apiServer = settings.apiServer || "";
+
+      // Load starred project IDs for showing recently starred projects
+      this.starredPlanHandleIds = settings.starredPlanHandleIds || [];
+
+      // Load projects on mount if entities prop not provided
+      this.isLoadingProjects = true;
+      if (!this.entities) {
+        await this.loadProjects();
+      }
+      await this.loadRecentStarredProjects();
+      this.isLoadingProjects = false;
+    }
+
+    // Validate entities prop for people
+    if (this.entityType === "people" && !this.entities) {
+      logger.error(
+        "EntityGrid: entities prop is required when entityType is 'people'",
+      );
+      if (this.notify) {
+        this.notify(
+          {
+            group: "alert",
+            type: "danger",
+            title: "Error",
+            text: "Contacts data is required but not provided.",
+          },
+          TIMEOUTS.SHORT,
+        );
+      }
+    }
+
+    this.$nextTick(() => {
+      const container = this.$refs.scrollContainer as HTMLElement;
+
+      if (container) {
+        const { reset } = useInfiniteScroll(
+          container,
+          async () => {
+            // Search mode: handle search pagination
+            if (this.searchTerm.trim()) {
+              if (this.entityType === "projects") {
+                // Projects: load more search results if available
+                if (
+                  this.displayedCount >= this.filteredEntities.length &&
+                  this.searchBeforeId &&
+                  !this.isLoadingSearchMore
+                ) {
+                  this.isLoadingSearchMore = true;
+                  try {
+                    const searchLower = this.searchTerm.toLowerCase().trim();
+                    await this.loadProjects(this.searchBeforeId, searchLower);
+                    // After loading more, reset scroll state to allow further loading
+                    this.infiniteScrollReset?.();
+                  } catch (error) {
+                    logger.error("Error loading more search results:", error);
+                    // Error already handled in loadProjects
+                  } finally {
+                    this.isLoadingSearchMore = false;
+                  }
+                } else {
+                  // Show more from already-loaded search results
+                  this.displayedCount += INCREMENT_SIZE;
+                }
+              } else {
+                // Contacts: show more from already-filtered results
+                this.displayedCount += INCREMENT_SIZE;
+              }
+            } else {
+              // Non-search mode
+              if (this.entityType === "projects") {
+                const projectsToCheck = this.entities || this.allProjects;
+                const beforeId = this.entities ? undefined : this.loadBeforeId;
+
+                // If using internal state and need to load more from server
+                if (
+                  !this.entities &&
+                  this.displayedCount >= projectsToCheck.length &&
+                  beforeId &&
+                  !this.isLoadingProjects
+                ) {
+                  this.isLoadingProjects = true;
+                  try {
+                    await this.loadProjects(beforeId);
+                    // After loading more, reset scroll state to allow further loading
+                    this.infiniteScrollReset?.();
+                  } catch (error) {
+                    logger.error("Error loading more projects:", error);
+                    // Error already handled in loadProjects
+                  } finally {
+                    this.isLoadingProjects = false;
+                  }
+                } else {
+                  // Normal case: increment displayedCount to show more from memory
+                  this.displayedCount += INCREMENT_SIZE;
+                }
+              } else {
+                // People: increment displayedCount to show more from memory
+                this.displayedCount += INCREMENT_SIZE;
+              }
+            }
+          },
+          {
+            distance: 50, // pixels from bottom
+            canLoadMore: () => this.canLoadMore(),
+          },
+        );
+        this.infiniteScrollReset = reset;
+      }
+    });
+  }
+
   /**
    * Check if a person DID is conflicted
    */
@@ -604,7 +702,7 @@ export default class EntityGrid extends Vue {
       if (this.entityType === "projects") {
         // Server-side search for projects (initial load, no beforeId)
         const searchLower = this.searchTerm.toLowerCase().trim();
-        await this.fetchProjects(undefined, searchLower);
+        await this.loadProjects(undefined, searchLower);
       } else {
         // Client-side filtering for contacts (complete list)
         await this.performContactSearch();
@@ -618,6 +716,57 @@ export default class EntityGrid extends Vue {
     }
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Load the most recently starred projects
+   * The starredPlanHandleIds array order represents starred order (newest at the end)
+   */
+  async loadRecentStarredProjects(): Promise<void> {
+    if (
+      this.entityType !== "projects" ||
+      this.searchTerm.trim() ||
+      this.starredPlanHandleIds.length === 0
+    ) {
+      this.recentStarredProjects = [];
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Get the last 3 starred IDs (most recently starred)
+    const recentStarredIds = this.starredPlanHandleIds.slice(
+      -RECENT_STARRED_PROJECTS_COUNT,
+    );
+
+    // Find projects matching those IDs, sorting with newest first
+    const projects = this.entitiesToUse as PlanData[];
+    const recentProjects = recentStarredIds
+      .map((id) => projects.find((p) => p.handleId === id))
+      .filter((p): p is PlanData => p !== undefined)
+      .reverse();
+
+    // If any projects are not found, fetch them from the API server
+    if (recentProjects.length < recentStarredIds.length) {
+      const missingIds = recentStarredIds.filter(
+        (id) => !recentProjects.some((p) => p.handleId === id),
+      );
+      const missingProjects = await this.fetchProjectsByIds(missingIds);
+      recentProjects.push(...missingProjects);
+    }
+    this.recentStarredProjects = recentProjects;
+  }
+
+  async fetchProjectsByIds(ids: string[]): Promise<PlanData[]> {
+    const idsString = encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify(ids));
+    const url = `${this.apiServer}/api/v2/report/plans?planHandleIds=${idsString}`;
+    const response = await fetch(url, {
+      method: "GET",
+      headers: await getHeaders(this.activeDid),
+    });
+    if (response.status !== 200) {
+      throw new Error("Failed to fetch projects");
+    }
+    const results = await response.json();
+    return results.data;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Fetch projects from API server
    * Unified method for both loading all projects and searching projects.
@@ -627,10 +776,7 @@ export default class EntityGrid extends Vue {
    * @param beforeId - Optional rowId for pagination (loads projects before this ID)
    * @param claimContents - Optional search term (if provided, performs search; if not, loads all)
    */
-  async fetchProjects(
-    beforeId?: string,
-    claimContents?: string,
-  ): Promise<void> {
+  async loadProjects(beforeId?: string, claimContents?: string): Promise<void> {
     if (!this.apiServer) {
       if (claimContents) {
         this.filteredEntities = [];
@@ -874,129 +1020,6 @@ export default class EntityGrid extends Vue {
     return this.displayedCount < this.entities.length;
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Initialize infinite scroll on mount
-   */
-  async mounted(): Promise<void> {
-    // Load apiServer for project searches/loads
-    if (this.entityType === "projects") {
-      const settings = await this.$accountSettings();
-      this.apiServer = settings.apiServer || "";
-
-      // Load starred project IDs for showing recently bookmarked projects
-      this.starredPlanHandleIds = settings.starredPlanHandleIds || [];
-
-      // Load projects on mount if entities prop not provided
-      if (!this.entities && this.apiServer) {
-        this.isLoadingProjects = true;
-        try {
-          await this.fetchProjects();
-        } catch (error) {
-          logger.error("Error loading projects on mount:", error);
-        } finally {
-          this.isLoadingProjects = false;
-        }
-      }
-    }
-
-    // Validate entities prop for people
-    if (this.entityType === "people" && !this.entities) {
-      logger.error(
-        "EntityGrid: entities prop is required when entityType is 'people'",
-      );
-      if (this.notify) {
-        this.notify(
-          {
-            group: "alert",
-            type: "danger",
-            title: "Error",
-            text: "Contacts data is required but not provided.",
-          },
-          TIMEOUTS.SHORT,
-        );
-      }
-    }
-
-    this.$nextTick(() => {
-      const container = this.$refs.scrollContainer as HTMLElement;
-
-      if (container) {
-        const { reset } = useInfiniteScroll(
-          container,
-          async () => {
-            // Search mode: handle search pagination
-            if (this.searchTerm.trim()) {
-              if (this.entityType === "projects") {
-                // Projects: load more search results if available
-                if (
-                  this.displayedCount >= this.filteredEntities.length &&
-                  this.searchBeforeId &&
-                  !this.isLoadingSearchMore
-                ) {
-                  this.isLoadingSearchMore = true;
-                  try {
-                    const searchLower = this.searchTerm.toLowerCase().trim();
-                    await this.fetchProjects(this.searchBeforeId, searchLower);
-                    // After loading more, reset scroll state to allow further loading
-                    this.infiniteScrollReset?.();
-                  } catch (error) {
-                    logger.error("Error loading more search results:", error);
-                    // Error already handled in fetchProjects
-                  } finally {
-                    this.isLoadingSearchMore = false;
-                  }
-                } else {
-                  // Show more from already-loaded search results
-                  this.displayedCount += INCREMENT_SIZE;
-                }
-              } else {
-                // Contacts: show more from already-filtered results
-                this.displayedCount += INCREMENT_SIZE;
-              }
-            } else {
-              // Non-search mode
-              if (this.entityType === "projects") {
-                const projectsToCheck = this.entities || this.allProjects;
-                const beforeId = this.entities ? undefined : this.loadBeforeId;
-
-                // If using internal state and need to load more from server
-                if (
-                  !this.entities &&
-                  this.displayedCount >= projectsToCheck.length &&
-                  beforeId &&
-                  !this.isLoadingProjects
-                ) {
-                  this.isLoadingProjects = true;
-                  try {
-                    await this.fetchProjects(beforeId);
-                    // After loading more, reset scroll state to allow further loading
-                    this.infiniteScrollReset?.();
-                  } catch (error) {
-                    logger.error("Error loading more projects:", error);
-                    // Error already handled in fetchProjects
-                  } finally {
-                    this.isLoadingProjects = false;
-                  }
-                } else {
-                  // Normal case: increment displayedCount to show more from memory
-                  this.displayedCount += INCREMENT_SIZE;
-                }
-              } else {
-                // People: increment displayedCount to show more from memory
-                this.displayedCount += INCREMENT_SIZE;
-              }
-            }
-          },
-          {
-            distance: 50, // pixels from bottom
-            canLoadMore: () => this.canLoadMore(),
-          },
-        );
-        this.infiniteScrollReset = reset;
-      }
-    });
-  }
-
   // Emit methods using @Emit decorator
 
   @Emit("entity-selected")
@@ -1024,26 +1047,15 @@ export default class EntityGrid extends Vue {
 
     // When switching to projects, load them if not provided via entities prop
     if (newType === "projects" && !this.entities) {
-      // Ensure apiServer is loaded
-      if (!this.apiServer) {
-        const settings = await this.$accountSettings();
-        this.apiServer = settings.apiServer || "";
-        this.starredPlanHandleIds = settings.starredPlanHandleIds || [];
-      }
+      const settings = await this.$accountSettings();
+      this.apiServer = settings.apiServer || "";
+      this.starredPlanHandleIds = settings.starredPlanHandleIds || [];
 
-      // Load projects if we have an API server
-      if (this.apiServer && this.allProjects.length === 0) {
+      if (this.allProjects.length === 0) {
         this.isLoadingProjects = true;
-        try {
-          await this.fetchProjects();
-        } catch (error) {
-          logger.error(
-            "Error loading projects when switching to projects:",
-            error,
-          );
-        } finally {
-          this.isLoadingProjects = false;
-        }
+        await this.loadProjects();
+        await this.loadRecentStarredProjects();
+        this.isLoadingProjects = false;
       }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/components/EntitySelectionStep.vue b/src/components/EntitySelectionStep.vue
index 951bd1b5..40a31010 100644
--- a/src/components/EntitySelectionStep.vue
+++ b/src/components/EntitySelectionStep.vue
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ properties * * @author Matthew Raymer */
 
     <EntityGrid
       :entity-type="shouldShowProjects ? 'projects' : 'people'"
-      :entities="shouldShowProjects ? projects || undefined : allContacts"
+      :entities="shouldShowProjects ? undefined : allContacts"
       :active-did="activeDid"
       :all-my-dids="allMyDids"
       :all-contacts="allContacts"
@@ -87,10 +87,6 @@ export default class EntitySelectionStep extends Vue {
   @Prop({ required: true })
   stepType!: "giver" | "recipient";
 
-  /** Array of available projects (optional - EntityGrid loads internally if not provided) */
-  @Prop({ required: false })
-  projects?: PlanData[];
-
   /** Array of available contacts */
   @Prop({ required: true })
   allContacts!: Contact[];
diff --git a/src/components/GiftedDialog.vue b/src/components/GiftedDialog.vue
index 531e8153..e8019681 100644
--- a/src/components/GiftedDialog.vue
+++ b/src/components/GiftedDialog.vue
@@ -11,10 +11,6 @@
         :step-type="stepType"
         :giver-entity-type="currentGiverEntityType"
         :recipient-entity-type="currentRecipientEntityType"
-        :show-projects="
-          currentGiverEntityType === 'project' ||
-          currentRecipientEntityType === 'project'
-        "
         :all-contacts="allContacts"
         :active-did="activeDid"
         :all-my-dids="allMyDids"
diff --git a/src/utils/PlatformServiceMixin.ts b/src/utils/PlatformServiceMixin.ts
index 395934e9..bb17c00f 100644
--- a/src/utils/PlatformServiceMixin.ts
+++ b/src/utils/PlatformServiceMixin.ts
@@ -114,8 +114,7 @@ export interface DatabaseExport {
 const _memoryLogs: string[] = [];
 
 /**
- * Enhanced mixin that provides cached platform service access and utility methods
- * with smart caching layer for ultimate performance optimization
+ * Enhanced mixin that provides platform utility methods
  */
 export const PlatformServiceMixin = {
   data() {
@@ -1011,7 +1010,7 @@ export const PlatformServiceMixin = {
     },
 
     /**
-     * Load settings with optional defaults WITHOUT caching - $settings()
+     * Load settings with optional defaults - $settings()
      * Settings are loaded fresh every time for immediate consistency
      * @param defaults Optional default values
      * @returns Fresh settings object from database
@@ -1034,11 +1033,11 @@ export const PlatformServiceMixin = {
         settings.apiServer = DEFAULT_ENDORSER_API_SERVER;
       }
 
-      return settings; // Return fresh data without caching
+      return settings;
     },
 
     /**
-     * Load account-specific settings WITHOUT caching - $accountSettings()
+     * Load account-specific settings - $accountSettings()
      * Settings are loaded fresh every time for immediate consistency
      * @param did DID identifier (optional, uses current active DID)
      * @param defaults Optional default values
@@ -2242,7 +2241,7 @@ export const PlatformServiceMixin = {
 // =================================================
 
 /**
- * Enhanced interface with caching utility methods
+ * Enhanced interface
  */
 export interface IPlatformServiceMixin {
   platformService: PlatformService;
diff --git a/src/views/HomeView.vue b/src/views/HomeView.vue
index c2f74207..2c12b61d 100644
--- a/src/views/HomeView.vue
+++ b/src/views/HomeView.vue
@@ -167,18 +167,12 @@ Raymer * @version 1.0.0 */
       <div class="flex gap-2 items-center mb-3">
         <h2 class="font-bold">Latest Activity</h2>
         <button
-          v-if="resultsAreFiltered()"
-          class="block ms-auto text-sm text-center text-white bg-gradient-to-b from-blue-400 to-blue-700 shadow-[inset_0_-1px_0_0_rgba(0,0,0,0.5)] p-1.5 rounded-full"
-          @click="openFeedFilters()"
-        >
-          <font-awesome
-            icon="filter"
-            class="block text-center w-[1em] translate-y-[0.05em]"
-          />
-        </button>
-        <button
-          v-else
-          class="block ms-auto text-sm text-center text-white bg-gradient-to-b from-slate-400 to-slate-700 shadow-[inset_0_-1px_0_0_rgba(0,0,0,0.5)] p-1.5 rounded-full"
+          class="block ms-auto text-sm text-center text-white p-1.5 rounded-full shadow-[inset_0_-1px_0_0_rgba(0,0,0,0.5)]"
+          :class="
+            isAnyFeedFilterOn
+              ? 'bg-gradient-to-b from-blue-400 to-blue-700'
+              : 'bg-gradient-to-b from-slate-400 to-slate-700'
+          "
           @click="openFeedFilters()"
         >
           <font-awesome
@@ -971,17 +965,6 @@ export default class HomeView extends Vue {
     );
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Checks if feed results are being filtered
-   *
-   * @public
-   * Used in template for filter button display
-   * @returns true if visible or nearby filters are active
-   */
-  resultsAreFiltered() {
-    return this.isFeedFilteredByVisible || this.isFeedFilteredByNearby;
-  }
-
   /**
    * Checks if browser notifications are supported
    *