diff --git a/src/render/ViewerInput.cpp b/src/render/ViewerInput.cpp
index cb365f7..8c37da4 100644
--- a/src/render/ViewerInput.cpp
+++ b/src/render/ViewerInput.cpp
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ void Viewer::handleInput() {
     if (IsMouseButtonPressed(MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT)) {
         if (phase3Prompt) {                           // modal: only the two buttons act
             if (CheckCollisionPointRec(mp, p3StartBtn)) {
-                phase3 = true; phase3Prompt = false; paused = false;
-                phase3PromptAt = elapsedMy; setStatus("Hydrology started");
+                phase3 = true; phase3Prompt = false; paused = true;   // switching stage auto-pauses
+                phase3PromptAt = elapsedMy; setStatus("Hydrology started - paused (SPACE to run)");
                 refreshView();
             } else if (CheckCollisionPointRec(mp, p3ContinueBtn)) {
                 phase3Prompt = false; paused = false;
@@ -176,11 +176,10 @@ void Viewer::handleInput() {
     if (IsKeyPressed(KEY_G))     showGrat    = !showGrat;
     if (IsKeyPressed(KEY_J))     showRivers  = !showRivers;
     if (IsKeyPressed(KEY_H) && settled) {           // toggle Phase 3 (hydrology)
-        bool wasPrompt = phase3Prompt;
         phase3 = !phase3; phase3Prompt = false;
-        if (wasPrompt) paused = false;              // taking the choice resumes the sim
-        if (phase3) { phase3PromptAt = elapsedMy; setStatus("Hydrology ON"); }
-        else { phase3PromptAt = elapsedMy + planet.cfg.phase3AfterMy; rivers.clear(); bigRivers.clear(); setStatus("Hydrology OFF"); }
+        paused = true;                              // switching stage auto-pauses (SPACE to run)
+        if (phase3) { phase3PromptAt = elapsedMy; setStatus("Hydrology ON - paused (SPACE to run)"); }
+        else { phase3PromptAt = elapsedMy + planet.cfg.phase3AfterMy; rivers.clear(); bigRivers.clear(); setStatus("Hydrology OFF - paused"); }
         refreshView();
     }
     if (IsKeyPressed(KEY_L) && settled) {           // generate / regenerate biota population
@@ -229,11 +228,11 @@ void Viewer::handleInput() {
     if (IsKeyPressed(KEY_W) && settled) {           // enter / leave Live World (slow real-time clock)
         liveWorld = !liveWorld;
         if (liveWorld) {
-            phase3Prompt = false; paused = false; wxUndo.clear();
+            phase3Prompt = false; paused = true; wxUndo.clear();   // enter Live World paused (SPACE to run)
             if (planet.volcanoes.empty()) planet.placeVolcanoes(liveTime);   // one-time tectonic-context placement
             if (!planet.geographyBuilt()) planet.generateGeography();        // name the world's geography (the atlas)
             refreshView();                          // fresh base colours; overlay builds in stepSim
-            setStatus("Live World started");
+            setStatus("Live World started - paused (SPACE to run)");
         } else {
             paused = true; followId = 0; wxUndo.clear(); refreshView();   // back to World Creation, paused
             setStatus("Live World stopped");