diff --git a/claude_bottle/backend/__init__.py b/claude_bottle/backend/__init__.py
index c542052..3e7dcea 100644
--- a/claude_bottle/backend/__init__.py
+++ b/claude_bottle/backend/__init__.py
@@ -19,12 +19,14 @@ backend exposes five methods:
   cleanup(plan) -> None
       Actually removes everything described by the cleanup plan.
 
-  list_active() -> None
-      Print every currently-running bottle on this backend to stderr.
+  enumerate_active() -> Sequence[ActiveAgent]
+      Return every currently-running bottle on this backend, with
+      enough metadata for callers (CLI `list active`, dashboard
+      agents pane) to render a row.
 
-Selection is driven by CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND (default "docker"). Per
-PRD 0003 the manifest does not carry a backend field; the host
-environment picks.
+Selection is driven by `--backend` on `start` or
+CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND (env var; default "docker"). Per PRD 0003 the
+manifest does not carry a backend field; the host picks.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -103,6 +105,28 @@ class ExecResult:
     stderr: str
 
 
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class ActiveAgent:
+    """One currently-running agent, as the CLI `list active` and
+    dashboard agents pane render it. ("Agent" is the project's
+    consistent name for the thing running inside a bottle — the
+    bottle is the container, the agent is what runs in it.)
+
+    Fields are deliberately backend-neutral. `services` is the set
+    of sidecar daemons currently up for this bottle (`pipelock`,
+    `egress`, `git-gate`, `supervise`); the dashboard uses it to
+    gate edit verbs. `backend_name` is the matching key in
+    `_BACKENDS` (`docker` / `smolmachines`) — used by the active-
+    list rendering to disambiguate and by the dashboard's
+    re-attach path."""
+
+    backend_name: str
+    slug: str
+    agent_name: str       # from metadata.json; "?" if missing
+    started_at: str       # ISO 8601 from metadata.json; "" if missing
+    services: tuple[str, ...]  # alphabetical
+
+
 class Bottle(ABC):
     """Handle to a running bottle. Yielded by a backend's launch step.
 
@@ -280,9 +304,22 @@ class BottleBackend(ABC, Generic[PlanT, CleanupT]):
         """Remove everything described by the cleanup plan."""
 
     @abstractmethod
-    def list_active(self) -> None:
-        """Print every currently-running bottle on this backend to
-        stderr (name + status)."""
+    def enumerate_active(self) -> Sequence[ActiveAgent]:
+        """Return every currently-running agent on this backend.
+        Empty when none. Backend-specific: docker queries `docker
+        compose ls`; smolmachines queries `smolvm machine ls --json`
+        + cross-references its bundle container."""
+
+    @classmethod
+    @abstractmethod
+    def is_available(cls) -> bool:
+        """Whether this backend's runtime prerequisites are satisfied
+        on the current host. Docker → `docker` on PATH; smolmachines
+        → `smolvm` on PATH. Used by the cross-backend
+        `enumerate_active_agents` / `cmd_cleanup` to skip backends
+        the operator hasn't installed, so a docker-only host
+        doesn't fail when `cli.py list active` walks past
+        smolmachines."""
 
 
 # Import concrete backend classes AFTER the base types are defined, so
@@ -302,23 +339,71 @@ _BACKENDS: dict[str, BottleBackend[Any, Any]] = {
 }
 
 
-def get_bottle_backend() -> BottleBackend[Any, Any]:
-    """Resolve the bottle backend for the active environment. Dies with
-    a pointer at the known backends if CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND names an
-    unimplemented one."""
-    name = os.environ.get("CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND", "docker")
-    if name not in _BACKENDS:
+def get_bottle_backend(
+    name: str | None = None,
+) -> BottleBackend[Any, Any]:
+    """Resolve the bottle backend.
+
+    `name` precedence:
+      1. explicit arg (CLI `--backend=<name>` passes through here)
+      2. CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND env var
+      3. default `docker`
+
+    Dies with a pointer at the known backends if the chosen name
+    isn't implemented."""
+    resolved = name or os.environ.get("CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND") or "docker"
+    if resolved not in _BACKENDS:
         known = ", ".join(sorted(_BACKENDS))
-        die(f"unknown CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND={name!r}; known backends: {known}")
-    return _BACKENDS[name]
+        die(f"unknown backend {resolved!r}; known backends: {known}")
+    return _BACKENDS[resolved]
+
+
+def known_backend_names() -> tuple[str, ...]:
+    """Sorted tuple of all backend keys in `_BACKENDS`. Used by
+    argparse (`--backend` choices) and the dashboard's backend
+    picker."""
+    return tuple(sorted(_BACKENDS))
+
+
+def has_backend(name: str) -> bool:
+    """Whether the named backend's runtime prerequisites are
+    available on the current host. Cross-backend callers (list,
+    cleanup) skip unavailable backends so a docker-only host
+    doesn't fail when the smolmachines backend isn't installed,
+    and vice versa.
+
+    Returns False for unknown names so callers can pass
+    arbitrary input without separate validation."""
+    if name not in _BACKENDS:
+        return False
+    return _BACKENDS[name].is_available()
+
+
+def enumerate_active_agents() -> list[ActiveAgent]:
+    """All currently-running agents, across every available
+    backend. Used by CLI `list active` and the dashboard's agents
+    pane so neither has to know which backends exist. Skips
+    backends whose `is_available()` reports False. Ordered by
+    backend name, then by whatever each backend's
+    `enumerate_active` returns."""
+    out: list[ActiveAgent] = []
+    for name in known_backend_names():
+        if not has_backend(name):
+            continue
+        out.extend(_BACKENDS[name].enumerate_active())
+    return out
 
 
 __all__ = [
+    "ActiveAgent",
     "Bottle",
     "BottleBackend",
     "BottleCleanupPlan",
     "BottlePlan",
     "BottleSpec",
     "ExecResult",
+    "enumerate_active_agents",
     "get_bottle_backend",
+    "has_backend",
+    "known_backend_names",
 ]
diff --git a/claude_bottle/backend/docker/backend.py b/claude_bottle/backend/docker/backend.py
index 8a487ae..24f1944 100644
--- a/claude_bottle/backend/docker/backend.py
+++ b/claude_bottle/backend/docker/backend.py
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 """DockerBottleBackend — the Docker implementation of BottleBackend.
 
-This module is a thin façade. The real work lives in three siblings:
+This module is a thin façade. The real work lives in four siblings:
 
-  - prepare.py  — host-side resolution into a DockerBottlePlan
-  - launch.py   — bring-up + teardown context manager
-  - cleanup.py  — orphan enumeration, removal, and active listing
+  - prepare.py    — host-side resolution into a DockerBottlePlan
+  - launch.py     — bring-up + teardown context manager
+  - cleanup.py    — orphan enumeration + removal
+  - enumerate.py  — active-agent listing
 
 The base class's `prepare` template runs cross-backend host-side
 validation before calling `_resolve_plan` here.
@@ -12,12 +13,14 @@ validation before calling `_resolve_plan` here.
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import shutil
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Generator
+from typing import Generator, Sequence
 
-from .. import BottleBackend, BottleSpec
+from .. import ActiveAgent, BottleBackend, BottleSpec
 from . import cleanup as _cleanup
+from . import enumerate as _enumerate
 from . import launch as _launch
 from . import prepare as _prepare
 from .bottle import DockerBottle
@@ -36,6 +39,15 @@ class DockerBottleBackend(BottleBackend["DockerBottlePlan", "DockerBottleCleanup
 
     name = "docker"
 
+    @classmethod
+    def is_available(cls) -> bool:
+        """`docker` on PATH is sufficient; we don't probe `docker info`
+        eagerly because the cross-backend enumerator runs this on
+        every `list active` and we'd pay a subprocess per call. A
+        broken daemon will surface its own error during prepare /
+        launch."""
+        return shutil.which("docker") is not None
+
     def _resolve_plan(self, spec: BottleSpec, *, stage_dir: Path) -> DockerBottlePlan:
         return _prepare.resolve_plan(spec, stage_dir=stage_dir)
 
@@ -65,5 +77,5 @@ class DockerBottleBackend(BottleBackend["DockerBottlePlan", "DockerBottleCleanup
     def cleanup(self, plan: DockerBottleCleanupPlan) -> None:
         _cleanup.cleanup(plan)
 
-    def list_active(self) -> None:
-        _cleanup.list_active()
+    def enumerate_active(self) -> Sequence[ActiveAgent]:
+        return _enumerate.enumerate_active()
diff --git a/claude_bottle/backend/docker/cleanup.py b/claude_bottle/backend/docker/cleanup.py
index 1627907..0af9eed 100644
--- a/claude_bottle/backend/docker/cleanup.py
+++ b/claude_bottle/backend/docker/cleanup.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-"""Cleanup + active-listing for the Docker bottle backend.
+"""Cleanup for the Docker bottle backend.
 
 PRD 0018 chunk 4: cleanup is centered on `docker compose ls`.
 Pre-compose code paths could leave bare containers / networks
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ scan, just as a fallback bucket alongside the project list.
 
 `cleanup` removes everything in the plan.
 
-`list_active` queries the same compose project namespace and prints
-each project's services for ad-hoc inspection.
+Active-agent enumeration lives in `backend/docker/enumerate.py`
+(mirror of `backend/smolmachines/enumerate.py`).
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -159,26 +159,3 @@ def cleanup(plan: DockerBottleCleanupPlan) -> None:
             shutil.rmtree(path, ignore_errors=True)
         except OSError as e:
             warn(f"failed to remove {path}: {e}")
-
-
-def list_active() -> None:
-    """Print every active claude-bottle compose project + its
-    services. Empty banner when there are none."""
-    docker_mod.require_docker()
-    active = list_compose_projects(include_stopped=False)
-    if not active:
-        info("no active claude-bottle compose projects")
-        return
-    print()
-    for project in active:
-        info(f"compose project: {project}")
-        ps = subprocess.run(
-            ["docker", "compose", "-p", project, "ps", "--format",
-             "{{.Service}}\t{{.Name}}\t{{.Status}}"],
-            capture_output=True, text=True, check=False,
-        )
-        for line in (ps.stdout or "").splitlines():
-            service, _, rest = line.partition("\t")
-            name, _, status = rest.partition("\t")
-            info(f"  {service:12s}  {name}  ({status})")
-    print()
diff --git a/claude_bottle/backend/docker/enumerate.py b/claude_bottle/backend/docker/enumerate.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d0179a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/claude_bottle/backend/docker/enumerate.py
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+"""Active-agent enumeration for the docker backend.
+
+Mirrors `backend/smolmachines/enumerate.py`: returns
+`ActiveAgent` records the CLI `list active` command and the
+dashboard agents pane consume. Empty when docker isn't reachable
+— gated by `has_backend('docker')` at the cross-backend caller
+so this module trusts that docker is available when called.
+
+The parser (`_parse_services_by_project`) is exposed for direct
+unit testing; the docker `docker ps` invocation is in
+`_query_services_by_project`."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import subprocess
+
+from .. import ActiveAgent
+from .bottle_state import read_metadata
+from .compose import compose_project_name, list_active_slugs
+
+
+def enumerate_active() -> list[ActiveAgent]:
+    """All currently-running docker-backed agents. Caller is
+    responsible for gating on `has_backend('docker')` if it
+    matters; if docker is missing the `docker ps` call below
+    returns an empty list silently."""
+    slugs = list_active_slugs(include_stopped=False)
+    if not slugs:
+        return []
+    services_by_project = _query_services_by_project()
+    out: list[ActiveAgent] = []
+    for slug in slugs:
+        project = compose_project_name(slug)
+        services = services_by_project.get(project, set())
+        metadata = read_metadata(slug)
+        out.append(ActiveAgent(
+            backend_name="docker",
+            slug=slug,
+            agent_name=metadata.agent_name if metadata else "?",
+            started_at=metadata.started_at if metadata else "",
+            services=tuple(sorted(services)),
+        ))
+    return out
+
+
+def _parse_services_by_project(stdout: str) -> dict[str, set[str]]:
+    """Parse `docker ps` output formatted as
+    `<project-label>\\t<service-label>` (one line per container)
+    into a `{project: {service, ...}}` mapping. Pure function for
+    testing — the docker invocation is in `_query_services_by_project`."""
+    out: dict[str, set[str]] = {}
+    for line in stdout.splitlines():
+        project, _, service = line.partition("\t")
+        if not project or not service:
+            continue
+        out.setdefault(project, set()).add(service)
+    return out
+
+
+def _query_services_by_project() -> dict[str, set[str]]:
+    """One `docker ps` call → `{project: {service, ...}}`. Used
+    by the CLI's `list active` and the dashboard's agents pane —
+    one subprocess per refresh tick, not one per bottle."""
+    try:
+        r = subprocess.run(
+            [
+                "docker", "ps",
+                "--filter", "label=com.docker.compose.project",
+                "--format",
+                '{{.Label "com.docker.compose.project"}}'
+                "\t"
+                '{{.Label "com.docker.compose.service"}}',
+            ],
+            capture_output=True, text=True, check=False,
+        )
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        return {}
+    if r.returncode != 0:
+        return {}
+    return _parse_services_by_project(r.stdout or "")
diff --git a/claude_bottle/backend/smolmachines/backend.py b/claude_bottle/backend/smolmachines/backend.py
index 1aa0406..d63362d 100644
--- a/claude_bottle/backend/smolmachines/backend.py
+++ b/claude_bottle/backend/smolmachines/backend.py
@@ -5,11 +5,13 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Generator
+from typing import Generator, Sequence
 
-from .. import BottleBackend, BottleSpec
+from .. import ActiveAgent, BottleBackend, BottleSpec
+from . import enumerate as _enumerate
 from . import launch as _launch
 from . import prepare as _prepare
+from . import smolvm as _smolvm
 from .bottle import SmolmachinesBottle
 from .bottle_cleanup_plan import SmolmachinesBottleCleanupPlan
 from .bottle_plan import SmolmachinesBottlePlan
@@ -28,6 +30,14 @@ class SmolmachinesBottleBackend(
 
     name = "smolmachines"
 
+    @classmethod
+    def is_available(cls) -> bool:
+        """`smolvm` on PATH. The backend additionally needs macOS
+        for libkrun + TSI, but `enumerate_active` / `cleanup` are
+        host-shell ops that gracefully no-op on Linux too — the
+        runtime check happens at `prepare`."""
+        return _smolvm.is_available()
+
     def _resolve_plan(
         self, spec: BottleSpec, *, stage_dir: Path
     ) -> SmolmachinesBottlePlan:
@@ -73,9 +83,5 @@ class SmolmachinesBottleBackend(
         # Nothing to clean in chunks 1-3 — see
         # SmolmachinesBottleCleanupPlan docstring.
 
-    def list_active(self) -> None:
-        from ...log import info
-        info(
-            "smolmachines list_active: not implemented (chunk 4 wires "
-            "it to `smolvm machine ls --json`)"
-        )
+    def enumerate_active(self) -> Sequence[ActiveAgent]:
+        return _enumerate.enumerate_active()
diff --git a/claude_bottle/backend/smolmachines/enumerate.py b/claude_bottle/backend/smolmachines/enumerate.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05f9217
--- /dev/null
+++ b/claude_bottle/backend/smolmachines/enumerate.py
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+"""Active-agent enumeration for the smolmachines backend (PRD
+0023 chunk 4 follow-up + issue #77).
+
+Returns a list of `ActiveAgent` records — same shape the docker
+backend produces — so CLI `list active` and the dashboard agents
+pane render both backends through one code path.
+
+A smolmachines agent is "active" when its smolvm guest is
+running. We cross-reference against the per-bottle sidecar
+bundle container to populate the `services` field (which daemons
+are up in the bundle); without a bundle we still surface the VM
+so the operator can see + clean it up.
+
+The cross-backend caller gates on `has_backend("smolmachines")`
+and `has_backend("docker")`, so this module assumes both are
+available when called. Both subprocess calls below still
+tolerate "command not on PATH" defensively, but the gate is the
+intended access pattern."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+import subprocess
+
+from .. import ActiveAgent
+from ..docker.bottle_state import read_metadata
+from . import sidecar_bundle as _bundle
+
+
+# Smolvm VM names produced by prepare are `claude-bottle-<slug>`,
+# matching the bundle container name pattern. We use the prefix
+# both as a filter and to strip back to the slug.
+_VM_NAME_PREFIX = "claude-bottle-"
+
+
+def enumerate_active() -> list[ActiveAgent]:
+    """All currently-running smolmachines-backed agents. Empty
+    list when no matching VMs are running. Caller is responsible
+    for gating on `has_backend('smolmachines')` if needed; if
+    smolvm is missing the `smolvm machine ls` call below returns
+    nothing silently."""
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["smolvm", "machine", "ls", "--json"],
+        capture_output=True, text=True, check=False,
+    )
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        return []
+    try:
+        machines = json.loads(result.stdout or "[]")
+    except json.JSONDecodeError:
+        return []
+    services_by_slug = _query_bundle_services()
+    out: list[ActiveAgent] = []
+    for m in machines:
+        name = m.get("name") or ""
+        state = m.get("state") or ""
+        if state != "running" or not name.startswith(_VM_NAME_PREFIX):
+            continue
+        slug = name[len(_VM_NAME_PREFIX):]
+        metadata = read_metadata(slug)
+        out.append(ActiveAgent(
+            backend_name="smolmachines",
+            slug=slug,
+            agent_name=metadata.agent_name if metadata else "?",
+            started_at=metadata.started_at if metadata else "",
+            services=services_by_slug.get(slug, ()),
+        ))
+    return out
+
+
+def _query_bundle_services() -> dict[str, tuple[str, ...]]:
+    """`{slug: ('egress', 'pipelock', ...)}` from each running
+    bundle container's `CLAUDE_BOTTLE_SIDECAR_DAEMONS` env var.
+    Smolmachines bundles all run the PRD-0024 image with the
+    same daemon set declared via env, so one inspect per bundle
+    gets us the picture without exec'ing into the container.
+
+    Returns an empty mapping when the docker backend isn't
+    available — the bundle services field on each ActiveAgent
+    just shows up empty, matching the docker backend's "starting"
+    state."""
+    # Late import: `has_backend` lives on the backend package's
+    # __init__, which imports this module transitively. Pulling
+    # the name in at call time sidesteps the cycle.
+    from .. import has_backend
+    if not has_backend("docker"):
+        return {}
+    ps = subprocess.run(
+        ["docker", "ps",
+         "--filter", "name=" + _bundle.bundle_container_name(""),
+         "--format", "{{.Names}}"],
+        capture_output=True, text=True, check=False,
+    )
+    if ps.returncode != 0:
+        return {}
+    out: dict[str, tuple[str, ...]] = {}
+    for line in (ps.stdout or "").splitlines():
+        name = line.strip()
+        if not name:
+            continue
+        slug = name.removeprefix(_bundle.bundle_container_name(""))
+        if not slug:
+            continue
+        inspect = subprocess.run(
+            ["docker", "inspect", name, "--format", "{{json .Config.Env}}"],
+            capture_output=True, text=True, check=False,
+        )
+        if inspect.returncode != 0:
+            continue
+        try:
+            env_list = json.loads(inspect.stdout or "[]")
+        except json.JSONDecodeError:
+            continue
+        for entry in env_list:
+            key, _, value = entry.partition("=")
+            if key == "CLAUDE_BOTTLE_SIDECAR_DAEMONS":
+                out[slug] = tuple(sorted(
+                    d for d in value.split(",") if d
+                ))
+                break
+    return out
diff --git a/claude_bottle/cli/dashboard.py b/claude_bottle/cli/dashboard.py
index 00011b4..ebe7560 100644
--- a/claude_bottle/cli/dashboard.py
+++ b/claude_bottle/cli/dashboard.py
@@ -26,16 +26,18 @@ from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from .. import supervise as _supervise
-from ..backend import BottleSpec, get_bottle_backend
+from ..backend import (
+    ActiveAgent,
+    BottleSpec,
+    enumerate_active_agents,
+    get_bottle_backend,
+    known_backend_names,
+)
 from ..backend.docker.capability_apply import (
     CapabilityApplyError,
     apply_capability_change,
 )
 from ..backend.docker.bottle_state import bottle_state_dir, read_metadata
-from ..backend.docker.compose import (
-    compose_project_name,
-    list_active_slugs,
-)
 from ..backend.docker.egress_apply import (
     EgressApplyError,
     add_route,
@@ -95,77 +97,13 @@ class QueuedProposal:
     queue_dir: Path
 
 
-@dataclass(frozen=True)
-class ActiveAgent:
-    """One running bottle, as the agents pane displays it (PRD
-    0019). `services` is the set of sidecar service names
-    currently up for this bottle, used to gate which edit verbs
-    apply (no `egress` → `routes edit` is meaningless)."""
-
-    slug: str
-    agent_name: str           # from metadata.json; "?" if missing
-    started_at: str           # ISO 8601 from metadata.json; "" if missing
-    services: tuple[str, ...]  # alphabetical, e.g. ("egress", "pipelock", "supervise")
-
-
-def _parse_services_by_project(stdout: str) -> dict[str, set[str]]:
-    """Parse `docker ps` output formatted as
-    `<project-label>\\t<service-label>` (one line per container)
-    into a `{project: {service, ...}}` mapping. Pure function for
-    testing — the docker invocation is in the caller."""
-    out: dict[str, set[str]] = {}
-    for line in stdout.splitlines():
-        project, _, service = line.partition("\t")
-        if not project or not service:
-            continue
-        out.setdefault(project, set()).add(service)
-    return out
-
-
-def _query_services_by_project() -> dict[str, set[str]]:
-    """One `docker ps` call → `{project: {service, ...}}`. PRD
-    0019 open question #1 picked this shape over per-bottle
-    `compose ps` calls — for hosts with N bottles, this is one
-    subprocess instead of N per refresh tick."""
-    try:
-        r = subprocess.run(
-            [
-                "docker", "ps",
-                "--filter", "label=com.docker.compose.project",
-                "--format",
-                '{{.Label "com.docker.compose.project"}}'
-                "\t"
-                '{{.Label "com.docker.compose.service"}}',
-            ],
-            capture_output=True, text=True, check=False,
-        )
-    except FileNotFoundError:
-        return {}
-    if r.returncode != 0:
-        return {}
-    return _parse_services_by_project(r.stdout or "")
-
-
 def discover_active_agents() -> list[ActiveAgent]:
-    """All currently-running claude-bottle compose projects with
-    their metadata + service set. Returns [] when docker isn't
-    reachable. PRD 0019."""
-    slugs = list_active_slugs()
-    if not slugs:
-        return []
-    services_by_project = _query_services_by_project()
-    out: list[ActiveAgent] = []
-    for slug in slugs:
-        project = compose_project_name(slug)
-        services = services_by_project.get(project, set())
-        metadata = read_metadata(slug)
-        out.append(ActiveAgent(
-            slug=slug,
-            agent_name=metadata.agent_name if metadata else "?",
-            started_at=metadata.started_at if metadata else "",
-            services=tuple(sorted(services)),
-        ))
-    return out
+    """All currently-running agents across every backend with
+    their metadata + service set. Returns [] when neither
+    backend is reachable. Backed by the shared
+    `enumerate_active_agents` helper so the CLI's
+    `./cli.py list active` and this dashboard show the same data."""
+    return enumerate_active_agents()
 
 
 
@@ -592,6 +530,68 @@ def _preflight_modal(
             return False
 
 
+def _backend_picker_modal(
+    stdscr: "curses._CursesWindow",
+    agent_name: str,
+) -> str | None:
+    """Modal "which backend to launch this agent on?" picker. Up/
+    Down + Enter to confirm, Esc / N to abort. Returns the chosen
+    backend name or None on abort.
+
+    Defaults to the first known backend (`docker` lexicographically),
+    which keeps existing-muscle-memory flows quiet — the modal only
+    surfaces a choice; it doesn't surprise the operator by jumping
+    to smolmachines. The picker exists so operators can opt in to
+    smolmachines without setting CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND beforehand
+    (issue #77)."""
+    names = list(known_backend_names())
+    if len(names) <= 1:
+        return names[0] if names else None
+    selected = 0
+    h, w = stdscr.getmaxyx()
+    box_w = min(60, max(20, w - 4))
+    box_h = min(len(names) + 6, max(8, h - 4))
+    top = max(0, (h - box_h) // 2)
+    left = max(0, (w - box_w) // 2)
+
+    while True:
+        win = curses.newwin(box_h, box_w, top, left)
+        win.erase()
+        win.box()
+        win.addnstr(0, 2, " choose backend ", box_w - 4, curses.A_BOLD)
+        win.addnstr(
+            1, 2,
+            f"launching {agent_name!r}; pick a backend:",
+            box_w - 4,
+        )
+        for i, name in enumerate(names):
+            marker = "▶" if i == selected else " "
+            attr = curses.A_REVERSE if i == selected else 0
+            win.addnstr(3 + i, 2, f"{marker} {name}", box_w - 4, attr)
+        win.addnstr(
+            box_h - 2, 2,
+            " Enter: confirm   Esc / N: abort   ↑/↓: move ",
+            box_w - 4, curses.A_DIM,
+        )
+        win.refresh()
+
+        try:
+            key = stdscr.getch()
+        except KeyboardInterrupt:
+            _erase_modal(stdscr)
+            return None
+        if key in (curses.KEY_UP,):
+            selected = (selected - 1) % len(names)
+        elif key in (curses.KEY_DOWN,):
+            selected = (selected + 1) % len(names)
+        elif key in (curses.KEY_ENTER, 10, 13):
+            _erase_modal(stdscr)
+            return names[selected]
+        elif key in (ord("n"), ord("N"), 27):
+            _erase_modal(stdscr)
+            return None
+
+
 def _erase_modal(stdscr: "curses._CursesWindow") -> None:
     """Force-redraw the dashboard's pre-modal frame so a modal
     sub-window's content stops showing. Curses tracks the modal
@@ -1119,6 +1119,13 @@ def _new_agent_flow(
     if picked is None:
         return "agent start aborted"
 
+    # Backend picker (issue #77): operator chooses docker /
+    # smolmachines per launch. With only one backend installed
+    # the modal short-circuits (no need to ask).
+    backend_name = _backend_picker_modal(stdscr, picked)
+    if backend_name is None:
+        return f"start of {picked!r} aborted at backend select"
+
     spec = BottleSpec(
         manifest=manifest,
         agent_name=picked,
@@ -1144,12 +1151,13 @@ def _new_agent_flow(
             stage_dir=stage_dir,
             render_preflight=_render,
             prompt_yes=_prompt,
+            backend_name=backend_name,
         )
         if plan is None:
             settle_state(identity)
             return f"start of {picked!r} aborted at preflight"
 
-        backend = get_bottle_backend()
+        backend = get_bottle_backend(backend_name)
 
         # PRD 0021 follow-up: in tmux, route the launch step's
         # stderr (Python info() + subprocess inheritors) into
@@ -1714,21 +1722,25 @@ def _selected_agent(
 
 
 def _format_agent_row(a: ActiveAgent, maxw: int) -> str:
-    """One-line agent row: `  <slug> <agent_name> started <HH:MM:SS>
-    [<sidecars>]`. The `agent` service is filtered out of the
-    displayed list — it's always present for an active bottle, so
-    listing it carries no information; the sidecars are the
-    differentiator. Truncated to `maxw` because the renderer's
-    addnstr only enforces width if we hand it a properly-sized
-    string."""
+    """One-line agent row: `  [<backend>] <slug> <agent_name> started
+    <HH:MM:SS> [<sidecars>]`. The `agent` service is filtered out of
+    the displayed list — it's always present for an active bottle,
+    so listing it carries no information; the sidecars are the
+    differentiator.
+
+    The `[docker]` / `[smolmachines]` prefix lets the operator tell
+    which backend a bottle came from (issue #77). Truncated to
+    `maxw` because the renderer's addnstr only enforces width if
+    we hand it a properly-sized string."""
     started = (
         a.started_at.split("T", 1)[1][:8]
         if "T" in a.started_at else (a.started_at or "?")
     )
     sidecars = tuple(s for s in a.services if s != "agent")
     services = ",".join(sidecars) if sidecars else "(starting)"
+    backend_tag = f"[{a.backend_name}]" if a.backend_name else ""
     line = (
-        f"  {a.slug}  {a.agent_name}  "
+        f"  {backend_tag} {a.slug}  {a.agent_name}  "
         f"started {started}  [{services}]"
     )
     if len(line) > maxw:
diff --git a/claude_bottle/cli/list.py b/claude_bottle/cli/list.py
index 74f52ee..2428282 100644
--- a/claude_bottle/cli/list.py
+++ b/claude_bottle/cli/list.py
@@ -3,8 +3,9 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import argparse
+import sys
 
-from ..backend import get_bottle_backend
+from ..backend import enumerate_active_agents
 from ..manifest import Manifest
 from ._common import PROG, USER_CWD
 
@@ -20,5 +21,17 @@ def cmd_list(argv: list[str]) -> int:
             print(name)
         return 0
 
-    get_bottle_backend().list_active()
+    # `active` enumerates every backend (docker + smolmachines)
+    # so smolmachines bottles aren't hidden behind the env var.
+    active = enumerate_active_agents()
+    if not active:
+        print("no active claude-bottle bottles", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 0
+    # One line per bottle: `<backend>\t<slug>\t<agent>\t<status>`.
+    # Tab-separated keeps the format stable for shell pipelines;
+    # the dashboard renders the same data through its own
+    # formatter.
+    for b in active:
+        services = ",".join(b.services) if b.services else "-"
+        print(f"{b.backend_name}\t{b.slug}\t{b.agent_name}\t{services}")
     return 0
diff --git a/claude_bottle/cli/start.py b/claude_bottle/cli/start.py
index 87c5b31..1373efa 100644
--- a/claude_bottle/cli/start.py
+++ b/claude_bottle/cli/start.py
@@ -18,7 +18,12 @@ import tempfile
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Callable
 
-from ..backend import Bottle, BottleSpec, get_bottle_backend
+from ..backend import (
+    Bottle,
+    BottleSpec,
+    get_bottle_backend,
+    known_backend_names,
+)
 from ..backend.docker.bottle_plan import DockerBottlePlan
 from ..backend.docker.bottle_state import (
     cleanup_state,
@@ -36,6 +41,15 @@ def cmd_start(argv: list[str]) -> int:
     parser.add_argument("--dry-run", action="store_true")
     parser.add_argument("--cwd", action="store_true", help="copy host cwd into a derived image")
     parser.add_argument("--remote-control", action="store_true")
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--backend",
+        choices=known_backend_names(),
+        default=None,
+        help=(
+            "backend to launch the bottle on (default: $CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND "
+            "or 'docker'). Overrides the env var when set."
+        ),
+    )
     parser.add_argument("name", help="agent name defined in claude-bottle.json")
     args = parser.parse_args(argv)
 
@@ -52,6 +66,7 @@ def cmd_start(argv: list[str]) -> int:
         spec,
         dry_run=dry_run,
         remote_control=args.remote_control,
+        backend_name=args.backend,
     )
 
 
@@ -65,18 +80,24 @@ def prepare_with_preflight(
     render_preflight: Callable[[DockerBottlePlan], None],
     prompt_yes: Callable[[], bool],
     dry_run: bool = False,
+    backend_name: str | None = None,
 ) -> tuple[DockerBottlePlan | None, str]:
     """Run `backend.prepare`, render the preflight summary via the
     injected callable, prompt y/N via the injected callable. The CLI
     binds these to stderr/stdin; the dashboard binds them to a
     curses modal.
 
+    `backend_name` selects which backend prepares the plan
+    (`None` → `$CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND` → `docker`). Dashboard
+    passes the value from its new-agent backend-picker modal; the
+    CLI passes whatever `--backend` resolved to.
+
     Returns `(plan, identity)`. `plan` is None on dry-run or
     operator-N, but `identity` is set as soon as `backend.prepare`
     returns so callers can reap the prepare-time state dir via
     `settle_state(identity)` in their finally — exactly the existing
     semantics."""
-    backend = get_bottle_backend()
+    backend = get_bottle_backend(backend_name)
     plan = backend.prepare(spec, stage_dir=stage_dir)
     identity = _identity_from_plan(plan)
 
@@ -175,6 +196,7 @@ def _launch_bottle(
     *,
     dry_run: bool,
     remote_control: bool,
+    backend_name: str | None = None,
 ) -> int:
     """Shared launch core for `start` and `resume`. Builds the plan,
     prints / dry-runs / prompts as appropriate, brings the bottle up,
@@ -188,11 +210,12 @@ def _launch_bottle(
             render_preflight=_text_render_preflight(remote_control=remote_control),
             prompt_yes=_text_prompt_yes,
             dry_run=dry_run,
+            backend_name=backend_name,
         )
         if plan is None:
             return 0
 
-        backend = get_bottle_backend()
+        backend = get_bottle_backend(backend_name)
         with backend.launch(plan) as bottle:
             exit_code = attach_claude(bottle, remote_control=remote_control)
             info(
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_backend_selection.py b/tests/unit/test_backend_selection.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6e32ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/test_backend_selection.py
@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+"""Unit: backend selection + cross-backend enumeration (issue #77).
+
+`get_bottle_backend(name)` resolves a backend by explicit name,
+env var, or default. `enumerate_active_agents()` walks every
+registered backend and concatenates their `ActiveAgent`
+listings — the CLI and dashboard both go through this so adding
+a backend lights it up in both places."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from claude_bottle import backend as backend_mod
+from claude_bottle.backend import (
+    ActiveAgent,
+    enumerate_active_agents,
+    get_bottle_backend,
+    known_backend_names,
+)
+
+
+class TestGetBottleBackend(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_explicit_name_wins_over_env(self):
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND": "smolmachines"}):
+            b = get_bottle_backend("docker")
+        self.assertEqual("docker", b.name)
+
+    def test_env_var_fallback(self):
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND": "smolmachines"}):
+            b = get_bottle_backend()
+        self.assertEqual("smolmachines", b.name)
+
+    def test_default_docker(self):
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {}, clear=True):
+            b = get_bottle_backend()
+        self.assertEqual("docker", b.name)
+
+    def test_unknown_dies(self):
+        with patch.object(backend_mod, "die", side_effect=SystemExit("die")):
+            with self.assertRaises(SystemExit):
+                get_bottle_backend("nonexistent")
+
+
+class TestKnownBackendNames(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_returns_both_backends_sorted(self):
+        self.assertEqual(("docker", "smolmachines"), known_backend_names())
+
+
+class TestEnumerateActiveAgents(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Combines each backend's `enumerate_active`. Each backend's
+    implementation has its own tests (`test_docker_enumerate_active`,
+    `test_smolmachines_*`); this just asserts the aggregator stitches
+    them together."""
+
+    def test_concatenates_per_backend(self):
+        a = ActiveAgent(
+            backend_name="docker", slug="a-1", agent_name="impl",
+            started_at="", services=("pipelock",),
+        )
+        b = ActiveAgent(
+            backend_name="smolmachines", slug="b-2", agent_name="research",
+            started_at="", services=(),
+        )
+
+        class _FakeBackend:
+            def __init__(self, items, available=True):
+                self._items = items
+                self._available = available
+
+            def is_available(self):
+                return self._available
+
+            def enumerate_active(self):
+                return self._items
+
+        with patch.object(
+            backend_mod, "_BACKENDS",
+            {"docker": _FakeBackend([a]), "smolmachines": _FakeBackend([b])},
+        ):
+            self.assertEqual([a, b], enumerate_active_agents())
+
+    def test_empty_when_no_backends_have_active(self):
+        class _FakeBackend:
+            def is_available(self):
+                return True
+
+            def enumerate_active(self):
+                return []
+
+        with patch.object(
+            backend_mod, "_BACKENDS",
+            {"docker": _FakeBackend(), "smolmachines": _FakeBackend()},
+        ):
+            self.assertEqual([], enumerate_active_agents())
+
+    def test_skips_unavailable_backends(self):
+        # If a backend's runtime isn't installed (smolvm missing on
+        # a docker-only host, or docker missing on a smolmachines-
+        # only host), the cross-backend enumerator skips it rather
+        # than dying — `has_backend` gates the iteration.
+        present = ActiveAgent(
+            backend_name="docker", slug="a-1", agent_name="impl",
+            started_at="", services=(),
+        )
+        hidden = ActiveAgent(
+            backend_name="smolmachines", slug="x", agent_name="x",
+            started_at="", services=(),
+        )
+
+        class _FakeBackend:
+            def __init__(self, items, available):
+                self._items = items
+                self._available = available
+
+            def is_available(self):
+                return self._available
+
+            def enumerate_active(self):
+                return self._items
+
+        with patch.object(
+            backend_mod, "_BACKENDS",
+            {
+                "docker": _FakeBackend([present], available=True),
+                "smolmachines": _FakeBackend([hidden], available=False),
+            },
+        ):
+            self.assertEqual([present], enumerate_active_agents())
+
+
+class TestHasBackend(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_known_backend_consults_is_available(self):
+        class _FakeBackend:
+            def is_available(self):
+                return False
+
+        with patch.object(
+            backend_mod, "_BACKENDS", {"docker": _FakeBackend()},
+        ):
+            from claude_bottle.backend import has_backend
+            self.assertFalse(has_backend("docker"))
+
+    def test_unknown_backend_returns_false(self):
+        from claude_bottle.backend import has_backend
+        self.assertFalse(has_backend("nonexistent"))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_cli_start_backend_flag.py b/tests/unit/test_cli_start_backend_flag.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..54ee8a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/test_cli_start_backend_flag.py
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+"""Unit: `cli.py start --backend=<name>` flag (issue #77).
+
+Asserts that the flag wins over the env var, that the env var is
+the fallback, and that the choices are pulled from the backend
+registry (so adding a backend lights up in argparse without code
+edits)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import os
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+
+from claude_bottle.backend import known_backend_names
+
+
+class TestStartBackendFlag(unittest.TestCase):
+    """The flag is wired by `cmd_start`'s argparse and threaded
+    through `prepare_with_preflight(backend_name=...)`. Rather than
+    drive the whole start flow (which builds containers), we test
+    the argparse shape and the resolution function separately."""
+
+    def _build_parser(self):
+        # Mirror the parser definition from `cmd_start` so this
+        # test doesn't have to invoke the full command.
+        parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog="cb start")
+        parser.add_argument(
+            "--backend",
+            choices=known_backend_names(),
+            default=None,
+        )
+        parser.add_argument("name")
+        return parser
+
+    def test_flag_recognized(self):
+        args = self._build_parser().parse_args(["--backend=smolmachines", "researcher"])
+        self.assertEqual("smolmachines", args.backend)
+        self.assertEqual("researcher", args.name)
+
+    def test_flag_default_none_means_env_or_docker(self):
+        args = self._build_parser().parse_args(["researcher"])
+        self.assertIsNone(args.backend)
+
+    def test_invalid_backend_rejected_by_argparse(self):
+        parser = self._build_parser()
+        with self.assertRaises(SystemExit):
+            parser.parse_args(["--backend=garbage", "researcher"])
+
+    def test_resolution_priority_explicit_over_env(self):
+        # Independent assertion that get_bottle_backend (where
+        # `--backend` ultimately threads to) prefers the explicit
+        # name over CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND.
+        from claude_bottle.backend import get_bottle_backend
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"CLAUDE_BOTTLE_BACKEND": "smolmachines"}):
+            self.assertEqual("docker", get_bottle_backend("docker").name)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_dashboard_active_agents.py b/tests/unit/test_dashboard_active_agents.py
index 75154fd..55299d7 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_dashboard_active_agents.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_dashboard_active_agents.py
@@ -1,19 +1,4 @@
-"""Unit: dashboard.discover_active_agents (PRD 0019 chunk 1).
-
-The full discover function fans out to `docker compose ls`, `docker
-ps`, and per-bottle metadata.json reads — too much for a unit test.
-Tests split into:
-
-  - Parser tests for `_parse_services_by_project`: pure function, no
-    I/O, deterministic on its input string.
-  - Integration-shaped tests that monkeypatch the slug list +
-    services map and read metadata from a fake home, then assert
-    the assembled `ActiveAgent` shape.
-
-The actual `docker ps` invocation is exercised by manual probing
-during development and the (real-docker) integration tests; here
-we lock down the shape contract so a regression surfaces in unit CI.
-"""
+"""Unit: dashboard's row-formatting + selection helpers (PRD 0019)."""
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
@@ -22,54 +7,9 @@ import unittest
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from claude_bottle import supervise
-from claude_bottle.backend.docker import bottle_state
 from claude_bottle.cli import dashboard
 
 
-class TestParseServicesByProject(unittest.TestCase):
-    def test_empty_input(self):
-        self.assertEqual({}, dashboard._parse_services_by_project(""))
-
-    def test_one_container(self):
-        out = dashboard._parse_services_by_project(
-            "claude-bottle-dev-abc\tegress\n"
-        )
-        self.assertEqual({"claude-bottle-dev-abc": {"egress"}}, out)
-
-    def test_multiple_services_per_project(self):
-        out = dashboard._parse_services_by_project(
-            "claude-bottle-dev-abc\tegress\n"
-            "claude-bottle-dev-abc\tpipelock\n"
-            "claude-bottle-dev-abc\tsupervise\n"
-        )
-        self.assertEqual(
-            {"claude-bottle-dev-abc": {"egress", "pipelock", "supervise"}},
-            out,
-        )
-
-    def test_multiple_projects(self):
-        out = dashboard._parse_services_by_project(
-            "proj-a\tegress\n"
-            "proj-b\tpipelock\n"
-            "proj-a\tsupervise\n"
-        )
-        self.assertEqual(
-            {"proj-a": {"egress", "supervise"}, "proj-b": {"pipelock"}},
-            out,
-        )
-
-    def test_skips_lines_missing_either_field(self):
-        # Defends against unlabeled containers slipping into the
-        # output (the filter should prevent it, but be robust).
-        out = dashboard._parse_services_by_project(
-            "claude-bottle-dev-abc\tegress\n"
-            "no-tab-here\n"
-            "\tmissing-project\n"
-            "missing-service\t\n"
-        )
-        self.assertEqual({"claude-bottle-dev-abc": {"egress"}}, out)
-
-
 class _FakeHomeMixin:
     def _setup_fake_home(self) -> None:
         self._tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(prefix="dashboard-aa-test.")
@@ -86,97 +26,12 @@ class _FakeHomeMixin:
         self._tmp.cleanup()
 
 
-class TestDiscoverActiveAgents(_FakeHomeMixin, unittest.TestCase):
-    def setUp(self) -> None:
-        self._setup_fake_home()
-        self._orig_slugs = dashboard.list_active_slugs
-        self._orig_services = dashboard._query_services_by_project
-
-    def tearDown(self) -> None:
-        dashboard.list_active_slugs = self._orig_slugs
-        dashboard._query_services_by_project = self._orig_services
-        self._teardown_fake_home()
-
-    def _stub(self, slugs: list[str], services_by_project: dict[str, set[str]]) -> None:
-        dashboard.list_active_slugs = lambda: slugs
-        dashboard._query_services_by_project = lambda: services_by_project
-
-    def test_no_active_slugs_returns_empty(self):
-        self._stub([], {})
-        self.assertEqual([], dashboard.discover_active_agents())
-
-    def test_assembles_from_metadata_and_services(self):
-        bottle_state.write_metadata(bottle_state.BottleMetadata(
-            identity="dev-abc",
-            agent_name="implementer",
-            cwd="",
-            copy_cwd=False,
-            started_at="2026-05-26T03:00:00+00:00",
-            compose_project="claude-bottle-dev-abc",
-        ))
-        self._stub(
-            ["dev-abc"],
-            {"claude-bottle-dev-abc": {"pipelock", "egress", "supervise"}},
-        )
-        agents = dashboard.discover_active_agents()
-        self.assertEqual(1, len(agents))
-        a = agents[0]
-        self.assertEqual("dev-abc", a.slug)
-        self.assertEqual("implementer", a.agent_name)
-        self.assertEqual("2026-05-26T03:00:00+00:00", a.started_at)
-        self.assertEqual(("egress", "pipelock", "supervise"), a.services)
-
-    def test_missing_metadata_renders_question_mark(self):
-        # State dir doesn't exist for this slug — agent_name falls
-        # back to "?" rather than dropping the row.
-        self._stub(["mystery-zzz"], {"claude-bottle-mystery-zzz": {"pipelock"}})
-        agents = dashboard.discover_active_agents()
-        self.assertEqual(1, len(agents))
-        self.assertEqual("?", agents[0].agent_name)
-        self.assertEqual("", agents[0].started_at)
-        self.assertEqual(("pipelock",), agents[0].services)
-
-    def test_no_services_for_project_yields_empty_tuple(self):
-        # Race window between `compose up` returning and the actual
-        # containers being listed in `docker ps` — render the row
-        # but with no services.
-        bottle_state.write_metadata(bottle_state.BottleMetadata(
-            identity="warming-up",
-            agent_name="researcher",
-            cwd="",
-            copy_cwd=False,
-            started_at="2026-05-26T03:05:00+00:00",
-            compose_project="claude-bottle-warming-up",
-        ))
-        self._stub(["warming-up"], {})
-        agents = dashboard.discover_active_agents()
-        self.assertEqual((), agents[0].services)
-
-    def test_preserves_slug_order(self):
-        for slug in ("z-1", "a-1", "m-1"):
-            bottle_state.write_metadata(bottle_state.BottleMetadata(
-                identity=slug,
-                agent_name=slug.split("-")[0],
-                cwd="",
-                copy_cwd=False,
-                started_at="t",
-                compose_project=f"claude-bottle-{slug}",
-            ))
-        # list_active_slugs returns sorted; preserve that order in
-        # the output.
-        self._stub(["a-1", "m-1", "z-1"], {})
-        agents = dashboard.discover_active_agents()
-        self.assertEqual(
-            ["a-1", "m-1", "z-1"],
-            [a.slug for a in agents],
-        )
-
-
 class TestFormatAgentRow(unittest.TestCase):
     """One-line row formatting for the agents pane (PRD 0019 chunk 2)."""
 
     def _agent(self, **overrides) -> dashboard.ActiveAgent:
         defaults = dict(
+            backend_name="docker",
             slug="dev-abc12",
             agent_name="implementer",
             started_at="2026-05-26T02:55:01+00:00",
@@ -232,6 +87,7 @@ class TestSelectionStatus(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def _agent(self, slug: str) -> dashboard.ActiveAgent:
         return dashboard.ActiveAgent(
+            backend_name="docker",
             slug=slug, agent_name="x", started_at="", services=(),
         )
 
@@ -295,6 +151,7 @@ class TestRunningCounts(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def _agent(self, agent_name: str) -> dashboard.ActiveAgent:
         return dashboard.ActiveAgent(
+            backend_name="docker",
             slug=f"{agent_name}-abc",
             agent_name=agent_name,
             started_at="",
@@ -329,6 +186,7 @@ class TestSelectedAgent(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def _agent(self, slug: str, services: tuple[str, ...] = ()) -> dashboard.ActiveAgent:
         return dashboard.ActiveAgent(
+            backend_name="docker",
             slug=slug, agent_name="x", started_at="", services=services,
         )
 
@@ -387,6 +245,7 @@ class TestPickNextAfterStop(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def _agent(self, slug: str) -> dashboard.ActiveAgent:
         return dashboard.ActiveAgent(
+            backend_name="docker",
             slug=slug, agent_name=slug, started_at="", services=(),
         )
 
@@ -579,6 +438,7 @@ class TestOperatorEditFlowGuards(_FakeHomeMixin, unittest.TestCase):
 
     def _agent(self, services: tuple[str, ...]) -> dashboard.ActiveAgent:
         return dashboard.ActiveAgent(
+            backend_name="docker",
             slug="dev-abc12",
             agent_name="impl",
             started_at="",
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_docker_enumerate_active.py b/tests/unit/test_docker_enumerate_active.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48d97b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/test_docker_enumerate_active.py
@@ -0,0 +1,178 @@
+"""Unit: docker backend's `enumerate_active` (issue #77).
+
+The full enumerate function fans out to `docker compose ls`,
+`docker ps`, and per-bottle metadata.json reads — too much for a
+unit test. Tests split into:
+
+  - Parser tests for `_parse_services_by_project`: pure function,
+    no I/O, deterministic on its input string.
+  - Integration-shaped tests that monkeypatch the slug list +
+    services map and read metadata from a fake home, then assert
+    the assembled `ActiveAgent` shape.
+
+The actual `docker ps` invocation is exercised by manual probing
+during development and the (real-docker) integration tests; here
+we lock down the shape contract so a regression surfaces in unit
+CI. Tests moved out of `test_dashboard_active_agents.py` as part
+of issue #77 — the dashboard now delegates to this layer.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from claude_bottle import supervise
+from claude_bottle.backend.docker import bottle_state, enumerate as _enumerate
+
+
+class TestParseServicesByProject(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_empty_input(self):
+        self.assertEqual({}, _enumerate._parse_services_by_project(""))
+
+    def test_one_container(self):
+        out = _enumerate._parse_services_by_project(
+            "claude-bottle-dev-abc\tegress\n"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual({"claude-bottle-dev-abc": {"egress"}}, out)
+
+    def test_multiple_services_per_project(self):
+        out = _enumerate._parse_services_by_project(
+            "claude-bottle-dev-abc\tegress\n"
+            "claude-bottle-dev-abc\tpipelock\n"
+            "claude-bottle-dev-abc\tsupervise\n"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {"claude-bottle-dev-abc": {"egress", "pipelock", "supervise"}},
+            out,
+        )
+
+    def test_multiple_projects(self):
+        out = _enumerate._parse_services_by_project(
+            "proj-a\tegress\n"
+            "proj-b\tpipelock\n"
+            "proj-a\tsupervise\n"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            {"proj-a": {"egress", "supervise"}, "proj-b": {"pipelock"}},
+            out,
+        )
+
+    def test_skips_lines_missing_either_field(self):
+        # Defends against unlabeled containers slipping into the
+        # output (the filter should prevent it, but be robust).
+        out = _enumerate._parse_services_by_project(
+            "claude-bottle-dev-abc\tegress\n"
+            "no-tab-here\n"
+            "\tmissing-project\n"
+            "missing-service\t\n"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual({"claude-bottle-dev-abc": {"egress"}}, out)
+
+
+class _FakeHomeMixin:
+    def _setup_fake_home(self) -> None:
+        self._tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(prefix="enum-active.")
+        original = supervise.claude_bottle_root
+
+        def fake_root() -> Path:
+            return Path(self._tmp.name) / ".claude-bottle"
+
+        supervise.claude_bottle_root = fake_root  # type: ignore[assignment]
+        self._restore_home = lambda: setattr(supervise, "claude_bottle_root", original)
+
+    def _teardown_fake_home(self) -> None:
+        self._restore_home()
+        self._tmp.cleanup()
+
+
+class TestEnumerateActive(_FakeHomeMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self) -> None:
+        self._setup_fake_home()
+        self._orig_slugs = _enumerate.list_active_slugs
+        self._orig_services = _enumerate._query_services_by_project
+
+    def tearDown(self) -> None:
+        _enumerate.list_active_slugs = self._orig_slugs
+        _enumerate._query_services_by_project = self._orig_services
+        self._teardown_fake_home()
+
+    def _stub(self, slugs: list[str], services_by_project: dict[str, set[str]]) -> None:
+        _enumerate.list_active_slugs = lambda **_: slugs
+        _enumerate._query_services_by_project = lambda: services_by_project
+
+    def test_no_active_slugs_returns_empty(self):
+        self._stub([], {})
+        self.assertEqual([], _enumerate.enumerate_active())
+
+    def test_assembles_from_metadata_and_services(self):
+        bottle_state.write_metadata(bottle_state.BottleMetadata(
+            identity="dev-abc",
+            agent_name="implementer",
+            cwd="",
+            copy_cwd=False,
+            started_at="2026-05-26T03:00:00+00:00",
+            compose_project="claude-bottle-dev-abc",
+        ))
+        self._stub(
+            ["dev-abc"],
+            {"claude-bottle-dev-abc": {"pipelock", "egress", "supervise"}},
+        )
+        active = _enumerate.enumerate_active()
+        self.assertEqual(1, len(active))
+        a = active[0]
+        self.assertEqual("docker", a.backend_name)
+        self.assertEqual("dev-abc", a.slug)
+        self.assertEqual("implementer", a.agent_name)
+        self.assertEqual("2026-05-26T03:00:00+00:00", a.started_at)
+        self.assertEqual(("egress", "pipelock", "supervise"), a.services)
+
+    def test_missing_metadata_renders_question_mark(self):
+        # State dir doesn't exist for this slug — agent_name falls
+        # back to "?" rather than dropping the row.
+        self._stub(["mystery-zzz"], {"claude-bottle-mystery-zzz": {"pipelock"}})
+        active = _enumerate.enumerate_active()
+        self.assertEqual(1, len(active))
+        self.assertEqual("?", active[0].agent_name)
+        self.assertEqual("", active[0].started_at)
+        self.assertEqual(("pipelock",), active[0].services)
+
+    def test_no_services_for_project_yields_empty_tuple(self):
+        # Race window between `compose up` returning and the actual
+        # containers being listed in `docker ps` — render the row
+        # but with no services.
+        bottle_state.write_metadata(bottle_state.BottleMetadata(
+            identity="warming-up",
+            agent_name="researcher",
+            cwd="",
+            copy_cwd=False,
+            started_at="2026-05-26T03:05:00+00:00",
+            compose_project="claude-bottle-warming-up",
+        ))
+        self._stub(["warming-up"], {})
+        active = _enumerate.enumerate_active()
+        self.assertEqual((), active[0].services)
+
+    def test_preserves_slug_order(self):
+        for slug in ("z-1", "a-1", "m-1"):
+            bottle_state.write_metadata(bottle_state.BottleMetadata(
+                identity=slug,
+                agent_name=slug.split("-")[0],
+                cwd="",
+                copy_cwd=False,
+                started_at="t",
+                compose_project=f"claude-bottle-{slug}",
+            ))
+        # list_active_slugs returns sorted; preserve that order in
+        # the output.
+        self._stub(["a-1", "m-1", "z-1"], {})
+        active = _enumerate.enumerate_active()
+        self.assertEqual(
+            ["a-1", "m-1", "z-1"],
+            [a.slug for a in active],
+        )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()