diff --git a/sdk/python/docs/api-reference.md b/sdk/python/docs/api-reference.md
index 6eeea25050..5d9c160dff 100644
--- a/sdk/python/docs/api-reference.md
+++ b/sdk/python/docs/api-reference.md
@@ -233,6 +233,9 @@ passed to `run(...)` or `turn(...)` applies to that turn and subsequent turns.
 
 ## TurnHandle / AsyncTurnHandle
 
+A `thread.turn(...)` handle receives events from when the call sends its request.
+Other handles start when they join; use `thread.read(include_turns=True)` for earlier history.
+
 ### TurnHandle
 
 - `steer(input: str | Input) -> TurnSteerResponse`
diff --git a/sdk/python/scripts/update_sdk_artifacts.py b/sdk/python/scripts/update_sdk_artifacts.py
index 4530a6d0bf..0c97d5156e 100755
--- a/sdk/python/scripts/update_sdk_artifacts.py
+++ b/sdk/python/scripts/update_sdk_artifacts.py
@@ -1294,8 +1294,8 @@ def _render_thread_block(turn_fields: list[PublicFieldSpec], *, is_async: bool =
         *_approval_mode_model_arg_lines(),
         *_model_arg_lines(turn_fields),
         "        )",
-        f"        turn = {await_prefix}{client}.turn_start(self.id, wire_input, params=params)",
-        f"        return {handle_type}({handle_owner}, self.id, turn.turn.id)",
+        f"        turn, subscription = {await_prefix}{client}._start_turn(self.id, wire_input, params=params, for_handle=True)",
+        f"        return {handle_type}({handle_owner}, self.id, turn.turn.id, _subscription=subscription)",
     ]
     return "\n".join(lines)
 
diff --git a/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/_message_router.py b/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/_message_router.py
index 2d69099d4b..8ab5ff1339 100644
--- a/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/_message_router.py
+++ b/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/_message_router.py
@@ -11,11 +11,7 @@ from typing import Iterator
 from ._goal import _GoalOperationState
 from .errors import CodexError, TransportClosedError, map_jsonrpc_error
 from .generated.notification_registry import notification_turn_id
-from .generated.v2_all import (
-    AccountLoginCompletedNotification,
-    ItemCompletedNotification,
-    ThreadTokenUsageUpdatedNotification,
-)
+from .generated.v2_all import AccountLoginCompletedNotification
 from .models import JsonValue, Notification, UnknownNotification
 
 ResponseQueueItem = JsonValue | BaseException
@@ -30,29 +26,18 @@ class _TurnState:
     first_event: int = 0
     next_event: int = 0
     subscribers: dict[object, int] = field(default_factory=dict)
-    subscribed: bool = False
-    completed_items: dict[str, Notification] = field(default_factory=dict)
-    usage: Notification | None = None
-    terminal: NotificationQueueItem | None = None
-    unclaimed: int = 0
     completed: bool = False
 
 
 class _TurnSubscription:
-    """One consumer's result snapshot and cursor over shared unread events."""
+    """One consumer's cursor over shared unread events."""
 
-    def __init__(self, router: MessageRouter, state: _TurnState) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, router: MessageRouter, state: _TurnState, cursor: int) -> None:
         self._router = router
         self._state = state
-        self._cursor = state.first_event
+        self._cursor = cursor
         self._token = object()
         state.subscribers[self._token] = self._cursor
-        state.subscribed = True
-        self._replay: deque[NotificationQueueItem] = deque(state.completed_items.values())
-        if state.usage is not None:
-            self._replay.append(state.usage)
-        if state.terminal is not None:
-            self._replay.append(state.terminal)
         self._closed = False
         self._release = weakref.finalize(
             self, router._release_turn, weakref.ref(router), state, self._token
@@ -60,17 +45,16 @@ class _TurnSubscription:
 
     def next(self) -> Notification:
         with self._router._turn_condition:
-            while not self._replay and self._cursor == self._state.next_event and not self._closed:
+            while self._cursor == self._state.next_event and not self._closed:
+                if self._state.completed:
+                    raise TransportClosedError("Turn is no longer streaming")
                 self._router._turn_condition.wait()
             if self._closed:
                 raise TransportClosedError("Turn subscription closed")
-            if self._replay:
-                item = self._replay.popleft()
-            else:
-                item = self._state.events[self._cursor]
-                self._cursor += 1
-                self._state.subscribers[self._token] = self._cursor
-                self._router._prune_turn_events(self._state)
+            item = self._state.events[self._cursor]
+            self._cursor += 1
+            self._state.subscribers[self._token] = self._cursor
+            self._router._prune_turn_events(self._state)
         if isinstance(item, BaseException):
             raise item
         return item
@@ -78,7 +62,6 @@ class _TurnSubscription:
     def close(self) -> None:
         with self._router._turn_condition:
             self._closed = True
-            self._replay.clear()
             self._router._turn_condition.notify_all()
         self._release()
 
@@ -101,8 +84,8 @@ class MessageRouter:
         self._pending_login_notifications: dict[str, deque[Notification]] = {}
         self._turn_condition = threading.Condition(self._lock)
         self._turn_states: dict[str, _TurnState] = {}
-        self._turn_notifications: dict[str, _TurnSubscription | None] = {}
-        self._pending_turn_requests: dict[str, int] = {}
+        self._turn_notifications: dict[str, _TurnSubscription] = {}
+        self._pending_turn_requests: dict[str, BaseException | None] = {}
         self._goal_operations: dict[str, _GoalOperationState] = {}
         self._global_notifications: queue.Queue[NotificationQueueItem] = queue.Queue()
 
@@ -159,41 +142,43 @@ class MessageRouter:
         return item
 
     @contextmanager
-    def pending_turn(self, thread_id: str) -> Iterator[None]:
-        """Retain early completion while a turn/start response is in flight."""
+    def pending_turn(self, thread_id: str) -> Iterator[dict[str, int]]:
+        """Buffer events from the point a turn/start request is sent."""
         with self._lock:
-            self._pending_turn_requests[thread_id] = (
-                self._pending_turn_requests.get(thread_id, 0) + 1
-            )
+            cursors = {turn_id: state.next_event for turn_id, state in self._turn_states.items()}
+            self._pending_turn_requests[thread_id] = None
         try:
-            yield
+            yield cursors
         finally:
             with self._lock:
-                self._pending_turn_requests[thread_id] -= 1
-                if self._pending_turn_requests[thread_id] == 0:
-                    del self._pending_turn_requests[thread_id]
+                del self._pending_turn_requests[thread_id]
                 for state in list(self._turn_states.values()):
-                    if state.thread_id == thread_id:
+                    if state.thread_id in (None, thread_id):
                         self._prune_turn_events(state)
-                        self._discard_finished_turn(state)
 
-    def prepare_turn(self, turn_id: str, thread_id: str) -> None:
-        """Reserve the returned turn for a handle or a low-level consumer."""
+    def prepare_turn(
+        self, turn_id: str, thread_id: str, cursors: dict[str, int], *, for_handle: bool
+    ) -> _TurnSubscription | None:
+        """Attach the requesting handle or the single low-level consumer."""
         with self._lock:
             state = self._turn_states.setdefault(turn_id, _TurnState(turn_id, thread_id))
             state.thread_id = thread_id
-            state.unclaimed += 1
-            self._turn_notifications.setdefault(turn_id, None)
-
-    def _subscribe_turn_locked(self, turn_id: str) -> _TurnSubscription:
-        state = self._turn_states.setdefault(turn_id, _TurnState(turn_id))
-        state.unclaimed = max(0, state.unclaimed - 1)
-        return _TurnSubscription(self, state)
+            if not for_handle and turn_id in self._turn_notifications:
+                return None
+            if not state.completed and (err := self._pending_turn_requests[thread_id]) is not None:
+                state.events[state.next_event] = err
+                state.next_event += 1
+                state.completed = True
+            subscription = _TurnSubscription(self, state, cursors.get(turn_id, 0))
+            if not for_handle:
+                self._turn_notifications[turn_id] = subscription
+            return subscription
 
     def subscribe_turn(self, turn_id: str) -> _TurnSubscription:
-        """Attach a consumer with completed items, latest usage, and unread events."""
+        """Attach a consumer starting at the next event for this turn."""
         with self._lock:
-            return self._subscribe_turn_locked(turn_id)
+            state = self._turn_states.setdefault(turn_id, _TurnState(turn_id))
+            return _TurnSubscription(self, state, state.next_event)
 
     @staticmethod
     def _release_turn(
@@ -202,74 +187,42 @@ class MessageRouter:
         router = router_ref()
         if router is not None:
             with router._lock:
+                default = router._turn_notifications.get(state.id)
+                if default is not None and default._token is token:
+                    del router._turn_notifications[state.id]
                 state.subscribers.pop(token, None)
                 router._prune_turn_events(state)
-                router._discard_finished_turn(state)
 
     def _prune_turn_events(self, state: _TurnState) -> None:
-        if (
-            not state.subscribed
-            or state.unclaimed
-            or self._pending_turn_requests.get(state.thread_id, 0)
+        if state.thread_id in self._pending_turn_requests or (
+            state.thread_id is None and self._pending_turn_requests
         ):
             return
         consumed = min(state.subscribers.values(), default=state.next_event)
         while state.first_event < consumed:
-            event = state.events.pop(state.first_event)
+            del state.events[state.first_event]
             state.first_event += 1
-            # Late joins need the completed result, not every consumed token delta
-            # or intermediate usage update. Keep one snapshot entry per item.
-            if isinstance(event, BaseException) or event.method == "turn/completed":
-                state.terminal = event
-            elif isinstance(event.payload, ItemCompletedNotification):
-                item = event.payload.item
-                state.completed_items[getattr(item, "root", item).id] = event
-            elif isinstance(event.payload, ThreadTokenUsageUpdatedNotification):
-                state.usage = event
-
-    def _discard_finished_turn(self, state: _TurnState) -> None:
-        if (
-            state.completed
-            and not state.subscribers
-            and not state.unclaimed
-            and not self._pending_turn_requests.get(state.thread_id, 0)
-        ):
-            self._turn_states.pop(state.id, None)
-            if self._turn_notifications.get(state.id) is None:
-                self._turn_notifications.pop(state.id, None)
-            state.events.clear()
-            state.completed_items.clear()
-            state.usage = None
-            state.terminal = None
+        if not state.subscribers and self._turn_states.get(state.id) is state:
+            del self._turn_states[state.id]
 
     def register_turn(self, turn_id: str) -> None:
         """Register the default consumer used by the low-level client API."""
         with self._lock:
-            if self._turn_notifications.get(turn_id) is None:
-                self._turn_notifications[turn_id] = self._subscribe_turn_locked(turn_id)
+            if turn_id not in self._turn_notifications:
+                self._turn_notifications[turn_id] = self.subscribe_turn(turn_id)
 
     def unregister_turn(self, turn_id: str) -> None:
         """Close only the low-level consumer, leaving other handles subscribed."""
         with self._lock:
-            if turn_id not in self._turn_notifications:
-                return
-            subscription = self._turn_notifications.pop(turn_id)
-            if subscription is None and (state := self._turn_states.get(turn_id)) is not None:
-                state.unclaimed = max(0, state.unclaimed - 1)
-                self._prune_turn_events(state)
-                self._discard_finished_turn(state)
-        if subscription is not None:
-            subscription.close()
+            if subscription := self._turn_notifications.get(turn_id):
+                subscription.close()
 
     def next_turn_notification(self, turn_id: str) -> Notification:
         """Block until the next event for the default low-level consumer."""
         with self._lock:
-            if turn_id not in self._turn_notifications:
-                raise RuntimeError(f"turn {turn_id!r} is not registered for streaming")
-            subscription = self._turn_notifications[turn_id]
+            subscription = self._turn_notifications.get(turn_id)
             if subscription is None:
-                subscription = self._subscribe_turn_locked(turn_id)
-                self._turn_notifications[turn_id] = subscription
+                raise RuntimeError(f"turn {turn_id!r} is not registered for streaming")
         return subscription.next()
 
     def register_goal(self, thread_id: str) -> _GoalOperationState:
@@ -363,10 +316,9 @@ class MessageRouter:
             state.thread_id = thread_id or state.thread_id
             state.events[state.next_event] = notification
             state.next_event += 1
-            self._prune_turn_events(state)
             if notification.method == "turn/completed":
                 state.completed = True
-                self._discard_finished_turn(state)
+            self._prune_turn_events(state)
             self._turn_condition.notify_all()
 
     def fail_all(self, exc: BaseException) -> None:
@@ -378,12 +330,13 @@ class MessageRouter:
             login_queues = list(self._login_notifications.values())
             self._login_notifications.clear()
             self._pending_login_notifications.clear()
+            for thread_id in self._pending_turn_requests:
+                self._pending_turn_requests[thread_id] = exc
             for state in list(self._turn_states.values()):
                 state.events[state.next_event] = exc
                 state.next_event += 1
-                self._prune_turn_events(state)
                 state.completed = True
-                self._discard_finished_turn(state)
+                self._prune_turn_events(state)
             self._turn_condition.notify_all()
             goal_operations = list(self._goal_operations.values())
             self._goal_operations.clear()
diff --git a/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/api.py b/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/api.py
index d29c8dad7f..d226744cf8 100644
--- a/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/api.py
+++ b/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/api.py
@@ -649,8 +649,10 @@ class Thread:
             summary=summary,
             service_tier_for_turn=turn_service_tier,
         )
-        turn = self._client.turn_start(self.id, wire_input, params=params)
-        return TurnHandle(self._client, self.id, turn.turn.id)
+        turn, subscription = self._client._start_turn(
+            self.id, wire_input, params=params, for_handle=True
+        )
+        return TurnHandle(self._client, self.id, turn.turn.id, _subscription=subscription)
 
     # END GENERATED: Thread.flat_methods
 
@@ -754,8 +756,10 @@ class AsyncThread:
             summary=summary,
             service_tier_for_turn=turn_service_tier,
         )
-        turn = await self._codex._client.turn_start(self.id, wire_input, params=params)
-        return AsyncTurnHandle(self._codex, self.id, turn.turn.id)
+        turn, subscription = await self._codex._client._start_turn(
+            self.id, wire_input, params=params, for_handle=True
+        )
+        return AsyncTurnHandle(self._codex, self.id, turn.turn.id, _subscription=subscription)
 
     # END GENERATED: AsyncThread.flat_methods
 
@@ -782,6 +786,15 @@ class TurnHandle:
     id: str
     _subscription: _TurnSubscription = field(init=False, repr=False, compare=False)
 
+    def __init__(
+        self, _client: CodexClient, thread_id: str, id: str, *, _subscription=None
+    ) -> None:
+        self._client, self.thread_id, self.id = _client, thread_id, id
+        if _subscription is None:
+            self.__post_init__()
+        else:
+            self._subscription = _subscription
+
     def __post_init__(self) -> None:
         self._subscription = self._client._subscribe_turn_notifications(self.id)
 
@@ -830,6 +843,13 @@ class AsyncTurnHandle:
     id: str
     _subscription: _TurnSubscription = field(init=False, repr=False, compare=False)
 
+    def __init__(self, _codex: AsyncCodex, thread_id: str, id: str, *, _subscription=None) -> None:
+        self._codex, self.thread_id, self.id = _codex, thread_id, id
+        if _subscription is None:
+            self.__post_init__()
+        else:
+            self._subscription = _subscription
+
     def __post_init__(self) -> None:
         self._subscription = self._codex._client._subscribe_turn_notifications(self.id)
 
diff --git a/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/async_client.py b/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/async_client.py
index 889970e038..a4c80e65c5 100644
--- a/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/async_client.py
+++ b/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/async_client.py
@@ -296,19 +296,31 @@ class AsyncCodexClient:
         params: V2TurnStartParams | JsonObject | None = None,
     ) -> TurnStartResponse:
         """Start a turn, releasing an unclaimed result if the caller is cancelled."""
+        return (await self._start_turn(thread_id, input_items, params, for_handle=False))[0]
+
+    async def _start_turn(
+        self,
+        thread_id: str,
+        input_items: list[JsonObject] | JsonObject | str,
+        params: V2TurnStartParams | JsonObject | None,
+        for_handle: bool,
+    ) -> tuple[TurnStartResponse, _TurnSubscription | None]:
         operation = _TURN_START_EXECUTOR.submit(
-            copy_context().run, self._sync.turn_start, thread_id, input_items, params
+            copy_context().run, self._sync._start_turn, thread_id, input_items, params, for_handle
         )
         try:
             return await asyncio.wrap_future(operation)
         except asyncio.CancelledError:
 
-            def discard_cancelled_result(completed: Future[TurnStartResponse]) -> None:
+            def discard_cancelled_result(
+                completed: Future[tuple[TurnStartResponse, _TurnSubscription | None]],
+            ) -> None:
                 try:
-                    started = completed.result()
+                    _, subscription = completed.result()
                 except BaseException:
                     return
-                self._sync._subscribe_turn_notifications(started.turn.id).close()
+                if subscription is not None:
+                    subscription.close()
 
             operation.add_done_callback(discard_cancelled_result)
             raise
diff --git a/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/client.py b/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/client.py
index 265bb5e9a9..5b38538c54 100644
--- a/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/client.py
+++ b/sdk/python/src/openai_codex/client.py
@@ -654,6 +654,15 @@ class CodexClient:
         params: V2TurnStartParams | JsonObject | None = None,
     ) -> TurnStartResponse:
         """Start a turn and register its notification queue as early as possible."""
+        return self._start_turn(thread_id, input_items, params, for_handle=False)[0]
+
+    def _start_turn(
+        self,
+        thread_id: str,
+        input_items: list[JsonObject] | JsonObject | str,
+        params: V2TurnStartParams | JsonObject | None,
+        for_handle: bool,
+    ) -> tuple[TurnStartResponse, _TurnSubscription | None]:
         with self._thread_start_lock(thread_id):
             if self._router.has_goal(thread_id):
                 raise InvalidRequestError(
@@ -665,10 +674,12 @@ class CodexClient:
                 "threadId": thread_id,
                 "input": self._normalize_input_items(input_items),
             }
-            with self._router.pending_turn(thread_id):
+            with self._router.pending_turn(thread_id) as cursors:
                 started = self.request("turn/start", payload, response_model=TurnStartResponse)
-                self._router.prepare_turn(started.turn.id, thread_id)
-                return started
+                subscription = self._router.prepare_turn(
+                    started.turn.id, thread_id, cursors, for_handle=for_handle
+                )
+                return started, subscription
 
     @contextmanager
     def _thread_start_lock(self, thread_id: str) -> Iterator[None]:
diff --git a/sdk/python/tests/test_app_server_inputs.py b/sdk/python/tests/test_app_server_inputs.py
index f8649a4241..26e0bfa659 100644
--- a/sdk/python/tests/test_app_server_inputs.py
+++ b/sdk/python/tests/test_app_server_inputs.py
@@ -82,7 +82,10 @@ def test_external_message_joins_active_turn_with_tool_authority(tmp_path) -> Non
                 harness.responses.wait_for_requests(1)
                 joined = thread.turn(ExternalMessage(tool_name="notifications", content=content))
                 result = consumers.submit(joined.run).result(timeout=15)
-                assert original_result.result(timeout=15) == result
+                first = original_result.result(timeout=15)
+                assert first.final_response == result.final_response
+                assert first.items[0].root.type == "userMessage"
+                assert all(item.root.type != "userMessage" for item in result.items)
                 assert codex._client._router._turn_states == {}
         requests = harness.responses.requests()
 
@@ -151,7 +154,7 @@ def test_async_external_message_allows_both_handles_to_consume(tmp_path) -> None
                 first, second = await asyncio.wait_for(
                     asyncio.gather(original_result, joined.run()), timeout=15
                 )
-                assert first == second
+                assert (first.final_response, first.usage) == (second.final_response, second.usage)
                 assert first.final_response == "Update processed"
                 assert first.usage is not None
                 assert codex._client._sync._router._turn_states == {}
diff --git a/sdk/python/tests/test_client_rpc_methods.py b/sdk/python/tests/test_client_rpc_methods.py
index f46eacad47..8b7485f0dc 100644
--- a/sdk/python/tests/test_client_rpc_methods.py
+++ b/sdk/python/tests/test_client_rpc_methods.py
@@ -617,9 +617,10 @@ def test_client_reader_routes_interleaved_turn_notifications_by_turn_id() -> Non
     )
 
 
-def test_turn_notification_router_buffers_events_before_registration() -> None:
-    """Early turn events should be replayed once their TurnHandle registers."""
+def test_turn_notification_router_starts_at_explicit_registration() -> None:
+    """Explicit registration receives events from when the caller attaches."""
     client = CodexClient()
+    client.register_turn_notifications("turn-1")
     client._router.route_notification(
         client._coerce_notification(
             "item/agentMessage/delta",
@@ -632,7 +633,6 @@ def test_turn_notification_router_buffers_events_before_registration() -> None:
         )
     )
 
-    client.register_turn_notifications("turn-1")
     event = client.next_turn_notification("turn-1")
 
     assert isinstance(event.payload, AgentMessageDeltaNotification)
diff --git a/sdk/python/tests/test_public_api_runtime_behavior.py b/sdk/python/tests/test_public_api_runtime_behavior.py
index 780cff3fab..fc98f88311 100644
--- a/sdk/python/tests/test_public_api_runtime_behavior.py
+++ b/sdk/python/tests/test_public_api_runtime_behavior.py
@@ -191,10 +191,10 @@ def test_turn_inputs_and_options_reach_the_client(api_type, method, content) ->
                 }
             ),
         )
+        subscription = SimpleNamespace(next=Mock(return_value=completed), close=Mock())
         client = SimpleNamespace(
-            turn_start=rpc(return_value=SimpleNamespace(turn=SimpleNamespace(id="turn-1"))),
-            _subscribe_turn_notifications=Mock(
-                return_value=SimpleNamespace(next=Mock(return_value=completed), close=Mock())
+            _start_turn=rpc(
+                return_value=(SimpleNamespace(turn=SimpleNamespace(id="turn-1")), subscription)
             ),
         )
         codex = api_type.__new__(api_type)
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ def test_turn_inputs_and_options_reach_the_client(api_type, method, content) ->
                 "toolOutput": {"name": "notifications", "namespace": "slack", "output": content},
             }
         )
-        assert _params_dict(client.turn_start.call_args.kwargs["params"]) == {
+        assert _params_dict(client._start_turn.call_args.kwargs["params"]) == {
             "threadId": "thread-1",
             "input": expected_input,
             "serviceTier": "priority",
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ def test_external_messages_cannot_be_mixed_with_user_input_or_sent_as_user_steer
         async_api = api_type is AsyncCodex
         rpc = AsyncMock if async_api else Mock
         client = SimpleNamespace(
-            turn_start=rpc(), turn_steer=rpc(), _subscribe_turn_notifications=Mock()
+            _start_turn=rpc(), turn_steer=rpc(), _subscribe_turn_notifications=Mock()
         )
         codex = api_type.__new__(api_type)
         codex._client = client
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ def test_external_messages_cannot_be_mixed_with_user_input_or_sent_as_user_steer
             result = thread.turn(ExternalMessage(tool_name="  ", content="Untrusted update"))
             if async_api:
                 await result
-        client.turn_start.assert_not_called()
+        client._start_turn.assert_not_called()
         client.turn_steer.assert_not_called()
 
     asyncio.run(scenario())
diff --git a/sdk/python/tests/test_turn_subscriptions.py b/sdk/python/tests/test_turn_subscriptions.py
index 30937d1396..fea67c9cb0 100644
--- a/sdk/python/tests/test_turn_subscriptions.py
+++ b/sdk/python/tests/test_turn_subscriptions.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import pytest
 
 from openai_codex import AsyncCodex
 from openai_codex._run import _collect_turn_result
-from openai_codex.api import AsyncTurnHandle, TurnHandle
+from openai_codex.api import AsyncThread, AsyncTurnHandle, Thread, TurnHandle
 from openai_codex.async_client import AsyncCodexClient
 from openai_codex.client import CodexClient
 from openai_codex.errors import TransportClosedError
@@ -55,23 +55,24 @@ def turn_events(client, *, status="completed"):
     ]
 
 
-def test_late_join_replays_items_already_consumed_by_original_handle():
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("consumed", [False, True])
+def test_late_join_starts_with_future_events(consumed):
     client = CodexClient()
     original = TurnHandle(client, "thread-1", "turn-1")
     events = turn_events(client)
     client._router.route_notification(events[0])
     stream = original.stream()
-    first = next(stream)
-    client._router.route_notification(events[1])
-    usage = next(stream)
+    previous = [next(stream)] if consumed else []
     joined = TurnHandle(client, "thread-1", "turn-1")
+    client._router.route_notification(events[1])
     for event in events[2:]:
         client._router.route_notification(event)
 
-    first_result = _collect_turn_result(chain([first, usage], stream), turn_id="turn-1")
-    assert joined.run() == first_result
+    first_result = _collect_turn_result(chain(previous, stream), turn_id="turn-1")
+    joined_result = joined.run()
     assert first_result.final_response == "done"
-    assert first_result.usage.last.total_tokens == 5
+    assert joined_result.final_response is None
+    assert joined_result.usage == first_result.usage
     assert client._router._turn_states == {}
 
 
@@ -92,7 +93,6 @@ def test_consumed_deltas_are_released_while_turn_is_active():
         client._router.route_notification(event)
         assert subscription.next() == event
     assert state.events == {}
-    assert state.completed_items == {}
     assert not state.completed
     subscription.close()
 
@@ -113,32 +113,69 @@ def test_slow_subscriber_keeps_unread_deltas_until_it_consumes_them():
     slow.close()
 
 
-def test_completion_before_turn_start_response_is_replayed(monkeypatch):
-    client = CodexClient()
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("async_api", [False, True])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("low_level", [False, True])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("completed", [False, True])
+def test_events_or_failure_before_turn_start_returns(monkeypatch, async_api, low_level, completed):
+    codex = AsyncCodex()
+    codex._initialized = True
+    client = codex._client._sync if async_api else CodexClient()
 
     def request_raw(method, params):
         assert method == "turn/start"
-        for event in turn_events(client):
+        for event in turn_events(client) if completed else []:
             client._router.route_notification(event)
+        client._router.fail_all(TransportClosedError("transport failed"))
         return {"turn": {"id": "turn-1", "status": "inProgress", "items": []}}
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(client, "_request_raw", request_raw)
-    started = client.turn_start("thread-1", "hello")
-    handle = TurnHandle(client, "thread-1", started.turn.id)
-    assert handle.run().final_response == "done"
+    public = codex._client if async_api else client
+    thread = AsyncThread(codex, "thread-1") if async_api else Thread(client, "thread-1")
+
+    async def value(call):
+        return await call if async_api else call
+
+    async def scenario():
+        if low_level:
+            started = await value(public.turn_start("thread-1", "hello"))
+            assert (
+                await value(public.wait_for_turn_completed(started.turn.id))
+            ).turn.id == "turn-1"
+        else:
+            handle = await value(thread.turn("hello"))
+            assert (await value(handle.run())).final_response == "done"
+
+    if completed:
+        asyncio.run(scenario())
+    else:
+        with pytest.raises(TransportClosedError, match="transport failed"):
+            asyncio.run(scenario())
     assert client._router._turn_states == {}
 
 
-def test_pending_join_preserves_result_after_original_handle_finishes():
+def test_pending_join_starts_at_request_while_original_handle_finishes():
     client = CodexClient()
     original = TurnHandle(client, "thread-1", "turn-1")
-    with client._router.pending_turn("thread-1"):
-        for event in turn_events(client):
-            client._router.route_notification(event)
+    events = turn_events(client)
+    unknown = [client._coerce_notification(name, {"turnId": "turn-1"}) for name in ("old", "live")]
+    client._router.route_notification(unknown[0])
+    assert original._subscription.next() is unknown[0]
+
+    with client._router.pending_turn("thread-1") as cursors:
+        client._router.route_notification(unknown[1])
+        assert original._subscription.next() is unknown[1]
+        client._router.route_notification(events[0])
+        client._router.route_notification(events[1])
+        manual = TurnHandle(client, "thread-1", "turn-1")
+        client._router.route_notification(events[2])
         result = original.run()
-        client._router.prepare_turn("turn-1", "thread-1")
-    joined = TurnHandle(client, "thread-1", "turn-1")
-    assert joined.run() == result
+        assert manual.run().usage is None
+        subscription = client._router.prepare_turn("turn-1", "thread-1", cursors, for_handle=True)
+    joined_handle = TurnHandle(client, "thread-1", "turn-1", _subscription=subscription)
+    assert joined_handle._subscription.next() is unknown[1]
+    joined = joined_handle.run()
+    assert result.final_response == joined.final_response == "done"
+    assert joined.usage.last.total_tokens == 5
     assert client._router._turn_states == {}
 
 
@@ -220,7 +257,7 @@ def test_cancelled_turn_start_releases_result_after_response(monkeypatch):
         entered = threading.Event()
         respond = threading.Event()
         released = threading.Event()
-        subscribe = client._sync._subscribe_turn_notifications
+        subscribe = client._sync._router.prepare_turn
 
         def request_raw(method, params):
             entered.set()
@@ -229,8 +266,8 @@ def test_cancelled_turn_start_releases_result_after_response(monkeypatch):
                 client._sync._router.route_notification(event)
             return {"turn": {"id": "turn-1", "items": [], "status": "completed"}}
 
-        def observe_release(turn_id):
-            subscription = subscribe(turn_id)
+        def observe_release(*args, **kwargs):
+            subscription = subscribe(*args, **kwargs)
             close = subscription.close
 
             def close_and_signal():
@@ -241,7 +278,7 @@ def test_cancelled_turn_start_releases_result_after_response(monkeypatch):
             return subscription
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(client._sync, "_request_raw", request_raw)
-        monkeypatch.setattr(client._sync, "_subscribe_turn_notifications", observe_release)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(client._sync._router, "prepare_turn", observe_release)
         task = asyncio.create_task(client.turn_start("thread-1", "hello"))
         try:
             assert await asyncio.to_thread(entered.wait, 2)
@@ -270,7 +307,7 @@ def test_cancelled_queued_start_does_not_send_a_request(monkeypatch):
         occupied = executor.submit(occupy_worker)
         assert worker_started.wait(timeout=5)
         client = AsyncCodexClient()
-        monkeypatch.setattr(client._sync, "turn_start", lambda *args: request_sent.set())
+        monkeypatch.setattr(client._sync, "_start_turn", lambda *args, **kwargs: request_sent.set())
 
         async def scenario():
             task = asyncio.create_task(client.turn_start("thread-1", "hello"))
@@ -298,6 +335,9 @@ def test_low_level_start_keeps_implicit_registration_and_explicit_unregister(mon
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(client, "_request_raw", request_raw)
     started = client.turn_start("thread-1", "hello")
+    registered = client._router._turn_notifications[started.turn.id]
+    assert client.turn_start("thread-1", "again").turn.id == started.turn.id
+    assert client._router._turn_notifications[started.turn.id] is registered
     assert client.next_turn_notification(started.turn.id) == turn_events(client)[0]
     client.unregister_turn_notifications(started.turn.id)
     with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="not registered"):