diff --git a/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Config.qml.tmpl b/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Config.qml.tmpl
index 2dafaca..f471841 100644
--- a/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Config.qml.tmpl
+++ b/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Config.qml.tmpl
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ Singleton {
     // Kubernetes
     readonly property bool kubeEnabled: true
     readonly property string kubeNamespace: "tenant-5"
-    readonly property int kubeStatusRefreshMs: 120000
-    readonly property int kubeMetricsRefreshMs: 15000
+    readonly property int kubeStatusRefreshMs: 120000  // pill cadence while popout closed
+    readonly property int kubeRefreshOpenMs: 3000       // fast status+metrics cadence while popout open
 
     // Idle daemon
     readonly property string idleProcess: "hypridle"
diff --git a/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Kubernetes.qml b/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Kubernetes.qml
index 15ac9c4..0b00dc2 100644
--- a/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Kubernetes.qml
+++ b/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Kubernetes.qml
@@ -78,21 +78,31 @@ Singleton {
         onTriggered: root.lastUpdatedSecs++
     }
 
-    // Status poller
+    // Force an immediate refresh (status always; metrics only while the popout is
+    // open, where they're shown). Called on pill click and on popout open.
+    function refresh() {
+        statusProc.running = false; statusProc.running = true;
+        if (PopoutState.active === "kubernetes") {
+            metricsProc.running = false; metricsProc.running = true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    readonly property bool popoutOpen: PopoutState.active === "kubernetes"
+    onPopoutOpenChanged: if (popoutOpen) refresh()
+
+    // Status poller — slow while the popout is closed (just the pill), fast while open.
     Timer {
-        interval: Config.kubeStatusRefreshMs
+        interval: root.popoutOpen ? Config.kubeRefreshOpenMs : Config.kubeStatusRefreshMs
         running: Config.kubeEnabled
         repeat: true
         onTriggered: statusProc.running = true
     }
 
-    // Metrics poller — only while the popout is open (metrics are popout-only).
-    // triggeredOnStart fetches immediately when the popout opens.
+    // Metrics poller — only while the popout is open, at the fast cadence.
     Timer {
-        interval: Config.kubeMetricsRefreshMs
-        running: Config.kubeEnabled && PopoutState.active === "kubernetes"
+        interval: Config.kubeRefreshOpenMs
+        running: Config.kubeEnabled && root.popoutOpen
         repeat: true
-        triggeredOnStart: true
         onTriggered: metricsProc.running = true
     }