diff --git a/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Config.qml.tmpl b/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Config.qml.tmpl
index 718c058..cf8f73e 100644
--- a/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Config.qml.tmpl
+++ b/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Config.qml.tmpl
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ Singleton {
     // Kubernetes
     readonly property bool kubeEnabled: true
     readonly property string kubeNamespace: "tenant-5"
-    readonly property int kubeStatusRefreshMs: 30000
+    readonly property int kubeStatusRefreshMs: 120000
     readonly property int kubeMetricsRefreshMs: 15000
 
     // Idle daemon
diff --git a/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Kubernetes.qml b/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Kubernetes.qml
index 388610e..15ac9c4 100644
--- a/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Kubernetes.qml
+++ b/dot_config/quickshell/shared/Kubernetes.qml
@@ -86,19 +86,13 @@ Singleton {
         onTriggered: statusProc.running = true
     }
 
-    // Metrics poller
+    // Metrics poller — only while the popout is open (metrics are popout-only).
+    // triggeredOnStart fetches immediately when the popout opens.
     Timer {
         interval: Config.kubeMetricsRefreshMs
-        running: Config.kubeEnabled
+        running: Config.kubeEnabled && PopoutState.active === "kubernetes"
         repeat: true
-        onTriggered: metricsProc.running = true
-    }
-
-    // Stagger: fire metricsProc once at startup (500ms after status)
-    Timer {
-        id: metricsStagger
-        interval: 500
-        repeat: false
+        triggeredOnStart: true
         onTriggered: metricsProc.running = true
     }
 
@@ -114,9 +108,7 @@ Singleton {
     }
 
     Component.onCompleted: {
-        if (Config.kubeEnabled) {
+        if (Config.kubeEnabled)
             statusProc.running = true;
-            metricsStagger.running = true;
-        }
     }
 }