diff --git a/apps/app/capabilities/plugins.json b/apps/app/capabilities/plugins.json
index ac090260b..ec838f1a6 100644
--- a/apps/app/capabilities/plugins.json
+++ b/apps/app/capabilities/plugins.json
@@ -26,7 +26,9 @@
 				{ "url": "https://modrinth.com/*" },
 				{ "url": "https://*.modrinth.com/*" },
 				{ "url": "https://*.nodes.modrinth.com/*" },
-				{ "url": "https://api.mclo.gs/*" }
+				{ "url": "https://api.mclo.gs/*" },
+				{ "url": "https://fill.papermc.io/*" },
+				{ "url": "https://api.purpurmc.org/*" }
 			]
 		},
 
diff --git a/apps/frontend/src/components/ui/dashboard/RevenueInputField.vue b/apps/frontend/src/components/ui/dashboard/RevenueInputField.vue
index ef5f49437..fb1b469d3 100644
--- a/apps/frontend/src/components/ui/dashboard/RevenueInputField.vue
+++ b/apps/frontend/src/components/ui/dashboard/RevenueInputField.vue
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@
 				class="w-min"
 				@update:model-value="$emit('update:selectedCurrency', $event)"
 			>
-				<template v-for="option in currencyOptions" :key="option.value" #[`option-${option.value}`]>
-					<span class="font-semibold leading-tight">{{ option.label }}</span>
+				<template #option="{ item }">
+					<span class="font-semibold leading-tight">{{ item.label }}</span>
 				</template>
 			</Combobox>
 			<ButtonStyled>
diff --git a/apps/frontend/src/components/ui/dashboard/withdraw-stages/TremendousDetailsStage.vue b/apps/frontend/src/components/ui/dashboard/withdraw-stages/TremendousDetailsStage.vue
index f9e6d6622..a9dfa3e7e 100644
--- a/apps/frontend/src/components/ui/dashboard/withdraw-stages/TremendousDetailsStage.vue
+++ b/apps/frontend/src/components/ui/dashboard/withdraw-stages/TremendousDetailsStage.vue
@@ -75,16 +75,16 @@
 							<span class="font-semibold leading-tight">{{ selectedRewardOption.label }}</span>
 						</div>
 					</template>
-					<template v-for="option in rewardOptions" :key="option.value" #[`option-${option.value}`]>
+					<template #option="{ item }">
 						<div class="flex items-center gap-2">
 							<img
-								v-if="option.imageUrl"
-								:src="option.imageUrl"
-								:alt="option.label"
+								v-if="item.imageUrl"
+								:src="item.imageUrl"
+								:alt="item.label"
 								class="size-5 rounded-full object-cover"
 								loading="lazy"
 							/>
-							<span class="font-semibold leading-tight">{{ option.label }}</span>
+							<span class="font-semibold leading-tight">{{ item.label }}</span>
 						</div>
 					</template>
 				</Combobox>
diff --git a/packages/api-client/src/modules/launcher-meta/v0.ts b/packages/api-client/src/modules/launcher-meta/v0.ts
index 2135051e5..6edb0db83 100644
--- a/packages/api-client/src/modules/launcher-meta/v0.ts
+++ b/packages/api-client/src/modules/launcher-meta/v0.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
-import { $fetch } from 'ofetch'
-
 import { AbstractModule } from '../../core/abstract-module'
 import type { LauncherMeta } from './types'
 
 export type { LauncherMeta } from './types'
 
-const BASE_URL = 'https://launcher-meta.modrinth.com'
+const LAUNCHER_META_BASE_URL = 'https://launcher-meta.modrinth.com'
 
 export class LauncherMetaManifestV0Module extends AbstractModule {
 	public getModuleID(): string {
@@ -18,6 +16,11 @@ export class LauncherMetaManifestV0Module extends AbstractModule {
 	 * @param loader - Loader platform (fabric, forge, quilt, neo)
 	 */
 	public async getManifest(loader: string): Promise<LauncherMeta.Manifest.v0.Manifest> {
-		return $fetch<LauncherMeta.Manifest.v0.Manifest>(`${BASE_URL}/${loader}/v0/manifest.json`)
+		return this.client.request<LauncherMeta.Manifest.v0.Manifest>('/manifest.json', {
+			api: LAUNCHER_META_BASE_URL,
+			version: `${loader}/v0`,
+			method: 'GET',
+			skipAuth: true,
+		})
 	}
 }
diff --git a/packages/api-client/src/modules/paper/types.ts b/packages/api-client/src/modules/paper/types.ts
index 3e02778ca..cd195feab 100644
--- a/packages/api-client/src/modules/paper/types.ts
+++ b/packages/api-client/src/modules/paper/types.ts
@@ -6,8 +6,16 @@ export namespace Paper {
 				versions: Record<string, string[]>
 			}
 
+			export type BuildChannel = 'STABLE' | 'BETA' | 'ALPHA'
+
+			export type Build = {
+				id: number
+				time: string
+				channel: BuildChannel | string
+			}
+
 			export type VersionBuilds = {
-				builds: number[]
+				builds: Build[]
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/packages/api-client/src/modules/paper/v3.ts b/packages/api-client/src/modules/paper/v3.ts
index 85353be11..57aec4817 100644
--- a/packages/api-client/src/modules/paper/v3.ts
+++ b/packages/api-client/src/modules/paper/v3.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
-import { $fetch } from 'ofetch'
-
 import { AbstractModule } from '../../core/abstract-module'
 import type { Paper } from './types'
 
 export type { Paper } from './types'
 
-const BASE_URL = 'https://fill.papermc.io/v3'
+const PAPER_BASE_URL = 'https://fill.papermc.io'
 
 export class PaperVersionsV3Module extends AbstractModule {
 	public getModuleID(): string {
@@ -16,17 +14,27 @@ export class PaperVersionsV3Module extends AbstractModule {
 	 * Get the Paper project info including all supported Minecraft versions.
 	 */
 	public async getProject(): Promise<Paper.Versions.v3.Project> {
-		return $fetch<Paper.Versions.v3.Project>(`${BASE_URL}/projects/paper`)
+		return this.client.request<Paper.Versions.v3.Project>('/projects/paper', {
+			api: PAPER_BASE_URL,
+			version: 'v3',
+			method: 'GET',
+			skipAuth: true,
+		})
 	}
 
 	/**
-	 * Get available Paper builds for a Minecraft version.
+	 * Get available Paper builds for a Minecraft version (includes channel per build).
+	 *
+	 * Fill (`fill.papermc.io`) returns a JSON array of builds at this path — not a `{ builds }`
+	 * wrapper like some other Paper API shapes — so we normalize to `VersionBuilds`.
 	 *
 	 * @param mcVersion - Minecraft version (e.g. "1.21.4")
 	 */
 	public async getBuilds(mcVersion: string): Promise<Paper.Versions.v3.VersionBuilds> {
-		return $fetch<Paper.Versions.v3.VersionBuilds>(
-			`${BASE_URL}/projects/paper/versions/${mcVersion}`,
+		const builds = await this.client.request<Paper.Versions.v3.Build[]>(
+			`/projects/paper/versions/${mcVersion}/builds`,
+			{ api: PAPER_BASE_URL, version: 'v3', method: 'GET', skipAuth: true },
 		)
+		return { builds }
 	}
 }
diff --git a/packages/api-client/src/modules/purpur/v2.ts b/packages/api-client/src/modules/purpur/v2.ts
index 6efd06443..a4a566cab 100644
--- a/packages/api-client/src/modules/purpur/v2.ts
+++ b/packages/api-client/src/modules/purpur/v2.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
-import { $fetch } from 'ofetch'
-
 import { AbstractModule } from '../../core/abstract-module'
 import type { Purpur } from './types'
 
 export type { Purpur } from './types'
 
-const BASE_URL = 'https://api.purpurmc.org/v2'
+const PURPUR_BASE_URL = 'https://api.purpurmc.org'
 
 export class PurpurVersionsV2Module extends AbstractModule {
 	public getModuleID(): string {
@@ -16,7 +14,12 @@ export class PurpurVersionsV2Module extends AbstractModule {
 	 * Get the Purpur project info including all supported Minecraft versions.
 	 */
 	public async getProject(): Promise<Purpur.Versions.v2.Project> {
-		return $fetch<Purpur.Versions.v2.Project>(`${BASE_URL}/purpur`)
+		return this.client.request<Purpur.Versions.v2.Project>('/purpur', {
+			api: PURPUR_BASE_URL,
+			version: 'v2',
+			method: 'GET',
+			skipAuth: true,
+		})
 	}
 
 	/**
@@ -25,6 +28,11 @@ export class PurpurVersionsV2Module extends AbstractModule {
 	 * @param mcVersion - Minecraft version (e.g. "1.21.4")
 	 */
 	public async getBuilds(mcVersion: string): Promise<Purpur.Versions.v2.VersionBuilds> {
-		return $fetch<Purpur.Versions.v2.VersionBuilds>(`${BASE_URL}/purpur/${mcVersion}`)
+		return this.client.request<Purpur.Versions.v2.VersionBuilds>(`/purpur/${mcVersion}`, {
+			api: PURPUR_BASE_URL,
+			version: 'v2',
+			method: 'GET',
+			skipAuth: true,
+		})
 	}
 }
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/base/Combobox.vue b/packages/ui/src/components/base/Combobox.vue
index a5d93f241..bf340ffd5 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/base/Combobox.vue
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/base/Combobox.vue
@@ -1,29 +1,44 @@
 <template>
 	<div ref="containerRef" class="relative inline-block w-full">
 		<!-- Searchable mode: input trigger -->
-		<StyledInput
-			v-if="searchable"
-			ref="searchTriggerRef"
-			v-model="searchQuery"
-			:icon="showSearchIcon ? SearchIcon : undefined"
-			type="text"
-			:placeholder="searchPlaceholder || placeholder"
-			:disabled="disabled"
-			wrapper-class="w-full"
-			:input-class="showChevron ? '!pr-9' : undefined"
-			class="relative"
-			@input="handleSearchInput"
-			@keydown="handleSearchKeydown"
-			@focus="handleSearchFocus"
-			@click="handleSearchClick"
-		>
-			<template v-if="showChevron" #right>
-				<ChevronLeftIcon
-					class="pointer-events-none absolute right-3 top-1/2 size-5 -translate-y-1/2 text-secondary transition-transform duration-150"
-					:class="isOpen ? (openDirection === 'down' ? 'rotate-90' : '-rotate-90') : '-rotate-90'"
-				/>
-			</template>
-		</StyledInput>
+		<div v-if="searchable" class="relative w-full rounded-xl bg-surface-4">
+			<!--
+				Selection mirror: horizontal padding must match StyledInput (filled + left icon uses `pl-10`,
+				else `pl-3`) and `searchableInputClass` when the chevron is shown (`!pr-9`), or the overlay
+				text will not line up with the transparent input text / caret.
+			-->
+			<div
+				v-if="searchSelectionOverlayVisible"
+				class="pointer-events-none absolute inset-y-0 left-0 right-0 z-0 flex min-w-0 items-center gap-2 font-medium text-primary"
+				:class="[showSearchIcon ? 'pl-10' : 'pl-3', showChevron ? 'pr-9' : 'pr-3']"
+				aria-hidden="true"
+			>
+				<span class="min-w-0 truncate">{{ searchQuery }}</span>
+				<slot name="search-selection-affix" :option="selectedOption" />
+			</div>
+			<StyledInput
+				ref="searchTriggerRef"
+				v-model="searchQuery"
+				:icon="showSearchIcon ? SearchIcon : undefined"
+				type="text"
+				:placeholder="searchPlaceholder || placeholder"
+				:disabled="disabled"
+				wrapper-class="w-full !bg-transparent"
+				:input-class="searchableInputClass"
+				class="relative z-[1]"
+				@input="handleSearchInput"
+				@keydown="handleSearchKeydown"
+				@focus="handleSearchFocus"
+				@click="handleSearchClick"
+			>
+				<template v-if="showChevron" #right>
+					<ChevronLeftIcon
+						class="pointer-events-none absolute right-3 top-1/2 size-5 -translate-y-1/2 text-secondary transition-transform duration-150"
+						:class="isOpen ? (openDirection === 'down' ? 'rotate-90' : '-rotate-90') : '-rotate-90'"
+					/>
+				</template>
+			</StyledInput>
+		</div>
 
 		<!-- Standard mode: button trigger -->
 		<span
@@ -108,9 +123,14 @@
 								:class="getOptionClasses(item, index)"
 								tabindex="-1"
 								@click="handleOptionClick(item, index)"
-								@mouseenter="!item.disabled && (focusedIndex = index)"
+								@mouseenter="handleOptionMouseEnter(item, index)"
 							>
-								<slot :name="`option-${item.value}`" :item="item">
+								<slot
+									name="option"
+									:item="item"
+									:index="index"
+									:is-selected="!!(listbox && item.value === modelValue)"
+								>
 									<div class="flex w-full items-center justify-between gap-2">
 										<div class="flex items-center gap-2">
 											<component :is="item.icon" v-if="item.icon" class="h-5 w-5" />
@@ -151,7 +171,16 @@
 <script setup lang="ts" generic="T">
 import { ChevronLeftIcon, SearchIcon } from '@modrinth/assets'
 import { onClickOutside } from '@vueuse/core'
-import { type Component, computed, nextTick, onMounted, onUnmounted, ref, watch } from 'vue'
+import {
+	type Component,
+	computed,
+	nextTick,
+	onMounted,
+	onUnmounted,
+	ref,
+	useSlots,
+	watch,
+} from 'vue'
 
 import StyledInput from './StyledInput.vue'
 
@@ -223,11 +252,14 @@ const props = withDefaults(
 const emit = defineEmits<{
 	'update:modelValue': [value: T]
 	select: [option: ComboboxOption<T>]
+	'option-hover': [option: ComboboxOption<T>]
 	open: []
 	close: []
 	searchInput: [query: string]
 }>()
 
+const slots = useSlots()
+
 const isOpen = ref(false)
 const searchQuery = ref('')
 const userHasTyped = ref(false)
@@ -261,6 +293,23 @@ const selectedOption = computed<ComboboxOption<T> | undefined>(() => {
 	)
 })
 
+/** Extra content (e.g. channel pill) next to the label while the search field is idle */
+const searchSelectionOverlayVisible = computed(() => {
+	if (!props.searchable || !props.syncWithSelection || !selectedOption.value) return false
+	if (!slots['search-selection-affix']) return false
+	if (isOpen.value || userHasTyped.value) return false
+	return true
+})
+
+const searchableInputClass = computed(() => {
+	const parts = ['!bg-transparent']
+	if (props.showChevron) parts.push('!pr-9')
+	if (searchSelectionOverlayVisible.value) {
+		parts.push('!text-transparent [caret-color:var(--color-text-primary)] selection:bg-transparent')
+	}
+	return parts.join(' ')
+})
+
 const triggerText = computed(() => {
 	if (props.displayValue !== undefined) return props.displayValue
 	if (selectedOption.value) return selectedOption.value.label
@@ -446,6 +495,12 @@ function handleOptionClick(option: ComboboxOption<T>, index: number) {
 	}
 }
 
+function handleOptionMouseEnter(option: ComboboxOption<T>, index: number) {
+	if (option.disabled) return
+	focusedIndex.value = index
+	emit('option-hover', option)
+}
+
 function findNextFocusableOption(currentIndex: number, direction: 'next' | 'previous'): number {
 	const length = filteredOptions.value.length
 	let index = currentIndex
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/base/PaperChannelBadge.vue b/packages/ui/src/components/base/PaperChannelBadge.vue
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7ecf83b05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/base/PaperChannelBadge.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+<template>
+	<span
+		v-if="channel === 'ALPHA'"
+		class="rounded-full bg-bg-red px-2 text-sm font-bold text-red"
+		:class="{ 'shrink-0': affix }"
+	>
+		{{ formatMessage(commonMessages.alpha) }}
+	</span>
+	<span
+		v-else-if="channel === 'BETA'"
+		class="rounded-full bg-bg-orange px-2 text-sm font-bold text-orange"
+		:class="{ 'shrink-0': affix }"
+	>
+		{{ formatMessage(commonMessages.beta) }}
+	</span>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { useVIntl } from '#ui/composables/i18n'
+import { commonMessages } from '#ui/utils/common-messages'
+
+defineProps<{
+	channel: 'ALPHA' | 'BETA' | null | undefined
+	/** When true, prevents the badge from shrinking in flex rows (e.g. search field affix). */
+	affix?: boolean
+}>()
+
+const { formatMessage } = useVIntl()
+</script>
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/flows/creation-flow-modal/components/CustomSetupStage.vue b/packages/ui/src/components/flows/creation-flow-modal/components/CustomSetupStage.vue
index 7e11a590a..119132843 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/flows/creation-flow-modal/components/CustomSetupStage.vue
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/flows/creation-flow-modal/components/CustomSetupStage.vue
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@
 				sync-with-selection
 				placeholder="Select game version"
 				search-placeholder="Search game version..."
+				@option-hover="handleGameVersionHover"
 			>
 				<template v-if="ctx.showSnapshotToggle" #dropdown-footer>
 					<button
@@ -90,7 +91,28 @@
 							:search-placeholder="
 								isPaperLike ? 'Search build number...' : 'Search loader version...'
 							"
-						/>
+						>
+							<!-- When not Paper, this scoped slot is omitted and Combobox uses default option markup. -->
+							<template v-if="selectedLoader === 'paper'" #option="{ item, isSelected }">
+								<div class="flex w-full items-center justify-between gap-2">
+									<div class="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2">
+										<span
+											class="font-semibold leading-tight"
+											:class="isSelected ? 'text-contrast' : 'text-primary'"
+										>
+											{{ item.label }}
+										</span>
+										<PaperChannelBadge :channel="paperBuildChannelTag(String(item.value))" />
+									</div>
+								</div>
+							</template>
+							<template v-if="selectedLoader === 'paper'" #search-selection-affix="{ option }">
+								<PaperChannelBadge
+									affix
+									:channel="option ? paperBuildChannelTag(String(option.value)) : null"
+								/>
+							</template>
+						</Combobox>
 					</div>
 				</div>
 			</Collapsible>
@@ -99,6 +121,7 @@
 </template>
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
+import type { Paper } from '@modrinth/api-client'
 import { EyeIcon, EyeOffIcon, UploadIcon, XIcon } from '@modrinth/assets'
 import { computed, onMounted, ref, watch } from 'vue'
 
@@ -110,6 +133,7 @@ import ButtonStyled from '../../../base/ButtonStyled.vue'
 import Chips from '../../../base/Chips.vue'
 import Collapsible from '../../../base/Collapsible.vue'
 import Combobox, { type ComboboxOption } from '../../../base/Combobox.vue'
+import PaperChannelBadge from '../../../base/PaperChannelBadge.vue'
 import StyledInput from '../../../base/StyledInput.vue'
 import type { LoaderVersionType } from '../creation-flow-context'
 import { injectCreationFlowContext } from '../creation-flow-context'
@@ -192,7 +216,7 @@ const loaderVersionsData = ref<LoaderVersionEntry[]>([])
 const loaderVersionsCache = ref<Record<string, { id: string; loaders: LoaderVersionEntry[] }[]>>({})
 
 // Paper/Purpur build caches
-const paperVersions = ref<Record<string, number[]>>({})
+const paperVersions = ref<Record<string, Paper.Versions.v3.Build[]>>({})
 const purpurVersions = ref<Record<string, string[]>>({})
 
 // Paper/Purpur supported game version sets (for filtering the game version combobox)
@@ -298,16 +322,33 @@ async function fetchPurpurSupportedVersions() {
 	}
 }
 
+function paperBuildChannelTag(buildId: string): 'ALPHA' | 'BETA' | null {
+	const gv = selectedGameVersion.value
+	if (!gv || selectedLoader.value !== 'paper') return null
+	const b = paperVersions.value[gv]?.find((x) => String(x.id) === buildId)
+	if (!b) return null
+	const u = String(b.channel).toUpperCase()
+	if (u === 'ALPHA' || u === 'BETA') return u
+	return null
+}
+
 async function fetchPaperVersions(mcVersion: string) {
 	if (paperVersions.value[mcVersion]) return
 	try {
 		const data = await client.paper.versions_v3.getBuilds(mcVersion)
-		paperVersions.value[mcVersion] = data.builds.sort((a, b) => b - a)
+		paperVersions.value[mcVersion] = data.builds.toSorted((a, b) => b.id - a.id)
 	} catch {
 		paperVersions.value[mcVersion] = []
 	}
 }
 
+function handleGameVersionHover(option: ComboboxOption<string | null>) {
+	const v = option.value
+	if (v == null || v === '') return
+	if (selectedLoader.value === 'paper') void fetchPaperVersions(v)
+	else if (selectedLoader.value === 'purpur') void fetchPurpurVersions(v)
+}
+
 async function fetchPurpurVersions(mcVersion: string) {
 	if (purpurVersions.value[mcVersion]) return
 	try {
@@ -393,7 +434,7 @@ watch(
 			loaderVersionsLoading.value = false
 			const builds = paperVersions.value[gameVersion]
 			if (builds?.length) {
-				selectedLoaderVersion.value = `${builds[0]}`
+				selectedLoaderVersion.value = `${builds[0].id}`
 			}
 			return
 		}
@@ -459,7 +500,10 @@ function autoSelectLoaderVersion() {
 const loaderVersionOptions = computed<ComboboxOption<string>[]>(() => {
 	if (selectedLoader.value === 'paper' && selectedGameVersion.value) {
 		const builds = paperVersions.value[selectedGameVersion.value] ?? []
-		return builds.map((b) => ({ value: `${b}`, label: `Build ${b}` }))
+		return builds.map((b) => ({
+			value: `${b.id}`,
+			label: `Build ${b.id}`,
+		}))
 	}
 
 	if (selectedLoader.value === 'purpur' && selectedGameVersion.value) {
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/composables/use-installation-form.ts b/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/composables/use-installation-form.ts
index 9129de8c0..f8eaf328c 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/composables/use-installation-form.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/composables/use-installation-form.ts
@@ -40,12 +40,16 @@ export function useInstallationForm(
 	)
 
 	const loaderVersionOptions = computed(() =>
-		loaderVersionEntries.value.map((v, index) => ({ value: index, label: v.id })),
+		loaderVersionEntries.value.map((v, index) => ({
+			value: index,
+			label: v.label ?? v.id,
+		})),
 	)
 
 	const loaderVersionDisplayValue = computed(() => {
 		const idx = selectedLoaderVersion.value
-		return idx >= 0 && loaderVersionEntries.value[idx] ? loaderVersionEntries.value[idx].id : ''
+		const e = loaderVersionEntries.value[idx]
+		return idx >= 0 && e ? (e.label ?? e.id) : ''
 	})
 
 	const hasSnapshots = computed(() => ctx.resolveHasSnapshots(selectedPlatform.value))
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/layout.vue b/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/layout.vue
index 3a5452269..68e9f8d19 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/layout.vue
+++ b/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/layout.vue
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import Avatar from '#ui/components/base/Avatar.vue'
 import ButtonStyled from '#ui/components/base/ButtonStyled.vue'
 import Chips from '#ui/components/base/Chips.vue'
 import Combobox from '#ui/components/base/Combobox.vue'
+import PaperChannelBadge from '#ui/components/base/PaperChannelBadge.vue'
 import ConfirmLeaveModal from '#ui/components/modal/ConfirmLeaveModal.vue'
 import { defineMessages, useVIntl } from '#ui/composables/i18n'
 import { commonMessages } from '#ui/utils/common-messages'
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ import ContentDiffModal from './components/ContentDiffModal.vue'
 import IncompatibleContentModal from './components/IncompatibleContentModal.vue'
 import { useInstallationForm } from './composables'
 import { injectInstallationSettings } from './providers/installation-settings'
+import type { LoaderVersionEntry } from './types'
 
 const { formatMessage } = useVIntl()
 const ctx = injectInstallationSettings()
@@ -58,6 +60,16 @@ const form = useInstallationForm(
 	incompatibleContentModal,
 )
 
+function paperLoaderChannelTag(index: number): LoaderVersionEntry['channelTag'] | null {
+	if (form.selectedPlatform.value !== 'paper') return null
+	const entries = ctx.resolveLoaderVersions(
+		form.selectedPlatform.value,
+		form.selectedGameVersion.value,
+	)
+	const tag = entries[index]?.channelTag
+	return tag === 'ALPHA' || tag === 'BETA' ? tag : null
+}
+
 function handleBeforeUnload(e: BeforeUnloadEvent) {
 	if (form.isSaving.value) {
 		e.preventDefault()
@@ -525,6 +537,7 @@ const messages = defineMessages({
 									formatMessage(commonMessages.selectVersionPlaceholder)
 								"
 								:aria-label="formatMessage(messages.selectGameVersionAriaLabel)"
+								@option-hover="ctx.onGameVersionHover?.($event)"
 							>
 								<template v-if="form.hasSnapshots.value" #dropdown-footer>
 									<button
@@ -574,7 +587,33 @@ const messages = defineMessages({
 										loader: form.formattedLoaderName.value,
 									})
 								"
-							/>
+							>
+								<template
+									v-if="form.selectedPlatform.value === 'paper'"
+									#option="{ item, isSelected }"
+								>
+									<div class="flex w-full items-center justify-between gap-2">
+										<div class="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2">
+											<span
+												class="font-semibold leading-tight"
+												:class="isSelected ? 'text-contrast' : 'text-primary'"
+											>
+												{{ item.label }}
+											</span>
+											<PaperChannelBadge :channel="paperLoaderChannelTag(item.value)" />
+										</div>
+									</div>
+								</template>
+								<template
+									v-if="form.selectedPlatform.value === 'paper'"
+									#search-selection-affix="{ option }"
+								>
+									<PaperChannelBadge
+										affix
+										:channel="option ? paperLoaderChannelTag(option.value) : null"
+									/>
+								</template>
+							</Combobox>
 						</div>
 
 						<div class="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/providers/installation-settings.ts b/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/providers/installation-settings.ts
index 5d8892651..0845402da 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/providers/installation-settings.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/providers/installation-settings.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ export interface InstallationSettingsContext {
 	resolveLoaderVersions: (loader: string, gameVersion: string) => LoaderVersionEntry[]
 	resolveHasSnapshots: (loader: string) => boolean
 
+	/** Prefetch loader build lists when the user hovers a game version (e.g. Paper/Purpur). */
+	onGameVersionHover?: (option: GameVersionOption) => void
+
 	save: (platform: string, gameVersion: string, loaderVersionId: string | null) => Promise<void>
 	repair: () => Promise<void>
 	reinstallModpack: () => Promise<void>
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/types.ts b/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/types.ts
index 0d0160aed..f25418dd6 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/types.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/installation-settings/types.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ export interface GameVersionOption {
 export interface LoaderVersionEntry {
 	id: string
 	stable?: boolean
+	/** Shown in the loader-version combobox when set; defaults to `id` */
+	label?: string
+	/** Paper build channel for optional UI (e.g. combobox pill); not used by Combobox itself */
+	channelTag?: 'ALPHA' | 'BETA'
 }
 
 export interface ContentDiffItem {
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/server-settings/pages/installation.vue b/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/server-settings/pages/installation.vue
index dd31d60fe..0ac0551aa 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/server-settings/pages/installation.vue
+++ b/packages/ui/src/layouts/shared/server-settings/pages/installation.vue
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
 </template>
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import type { Archon, LauncherMeta } from '@modrinth/api-client'
+import type { Archon } from '@modrinth/api-client'
 import { RotateCounterClockwiseIcon } from '@modrinth/assets'
 import {
 	ButtonStyled,
@@ -75,12 +75,14 @@ import {
 	ConfirmModal,
 	defineMessages,
 	formatLoaderLabel,
+	type GameVersionOption,
 	injectModrinthClient,
 	injectModrinthServerContext,
 	injectNotificationManager,
 	injectServerSettings,
 	injectTags,
 	InstallationSettingsLayout,
+	type LoaderVersionEntry,
 	provideInstallationSettings,
 	ServerSetupModal,
 	UploadProgressModal,
@@ -295,7 +297,21 @@ const purpurSupportedVersionsQuery = useQuery({
 	staleTime: 5 * 60 * 1000,
 })
 
-type LoaderVersionEntry = LauncherMeta.Manifest.v0.LoaderVersion
+function handleGameVersionHover(option: GameVersionOption) {
+	if (editingPlatform.value === 'paper') {
+		void queryClient.prefetchQuery({
+			queryKey: ['paper-builds', option.value] as const,
+			queryFn: () => client.paper.versions_v3.getBuilds(option.value),
+			staleTime: 5 * 60 * 1000,
+		})
+	} else if (editingPlatform.value === 'purpur') {
+		void queryClient.prefetchQuery({
+			queryKey: ['purpur-builds', option.value] as const,
+			queryFn: () => client.purpur.versions_v2.getBuilds(option.value),
+			staleTime: 5 * 60 * 1000,
+		})
+	}
+}
 
 function getLoaderVersionsForGameVersion(
 	loader: string,
@@ -303,8 +319,18 @@ function getLoaderVersionsForGameVersion(
 ): LoaderVersionEntry[] {
 	if (loader === 'paper') {
 		return (paperBuildsQuery.data.value?.builds ?? [])
-			.toSorted((a, b) => b - a)
-			.map((b) => ({ id: String(b), stable: true }))
+			.toSorted((a, b) => b.id - a.id)
+			.map((b): LoaderVersionEntry => {
+				const u = String(b.channel).toUpperCase()
+				let channelTag: LoaderVersionEntry['channelTag'] | undefined
+				if (u === 'ALPHA' || u === 'BETA') channelTag = u
+				return {
+					id: String(b.id),
+					stable: b.channel === 'STABLE',
+					label: `Build ${b.id}`,
+					channelTag,
+				}
+			})
 	}
 	if (loader === 'purpur') {
 		return (purpurBuildsQuery.data.value?.builds.all ?? [])
@@ -328,6 +354,7 @@ function toApiLoader(loader: string): Archon.Content.v1.Modloader {
 }
 
 provideInstallationSettings({
+	onGameVersionHover: handleGameVersionHover,
 	loading: computed(() => !server.value || addonsQuery.isLoading.value),
 	installationInfo: computed(() => {
 		const addons = addonsQuery.data.value
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/locales/en-US/index.json b/packages/ui/src/locales/en-US/index.json
index 9ff0bdfd6..ee033ba70 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/locales/en-US/index.json
+++ b/packages/ui/src/locales/en-US/index.json
@@ -35,6 +35,9 @@
   "app.server-settings.failed-to-load-server": {
     "defaultMessage": "Failed to load server settings"
   },
+  "badge.alpha": {
+    "defaultMessage": "Alpha"
+  },
   "badge.beta": {
     "defaultMessage": "Beta"
   },
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/stories/base/Combobox.stories.ts b/packages/ui/src/stories/base/Combobox.stories.ts
index 16ce9c90c..63dcd80fd 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/stories/base/Combobox.stories.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/stories/base/Combobox.stories.ts
@@ -187,3 +187,56 @@ export const MixedSubLabels: Story = {
 		],
 	},
 }
+
+/** Custom `#option` + `#search-selection-affix` (idle search field overlay), with `sync-with-selection`. */
+export const SearchableWithOptionAndSelectionAffix: StoryObj = {
+	render: () => ({
+		components: { Combobox },
+		data: () => ({
+			selected: '100',
+		}),
+		computed: {
+			options(): { value: string; label: string; tag?: 'BETA' }[] {
+				return [
+					{ value: '100', label: 'Build 100' },
+					{ value: '99', label: 'Build 99', tag: 'BETA' },
+				]
+			},
+		},
+		template: /* html */ `
+			<Combobox
+				v-model="selected"
+				:options="options"
+				searchable
+				sync-with-selection
+				placeholder="Select build"
+				search-placeholder="Search builds..."
+			>
+				<template #option="{ item, isSelected }">
+					<div class="flex w-full items-center justify-between gap-2">
+						<span
+							class="font-semibold leading-tight"
+							:class="isSelected ? 'text-contrast' : 'text-primary'"
+						>
+							{{ item.label }}
+						</span>
+						<span
+							v-if="item.tag === 'BETA'"
+							class="shrink-0 rounded-full bg-bg-orange px-2 text-sm font-bold text-orange"
+						>
+							Beta
+						</span>
+					</div>
+				</template>
+				<template #search-selection-affix="{ option }">
+					<span
+						v-if="option && option.tag === 'BETA'"
+						class="shrink-0 rounded-full bg-bg-orange px-2 text-sm font-bold text-orange"
+					>
+						Beta
+					</span>
+				</template>
+			</Combobox>
+		`,
+	}),
+}
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/utils/common-messages.ts b/packages/ui/src/utils/common-messages.ts
index ee476c3a4..1c773879d 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/utils/common-messages.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/utils/common-messages.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ export const commonMessages = defineMessages({
 		id: 'button.analytics',
 		defaultMessage: 'Analytics',
 	},
+	alpha: {
+		id: 'badge.alpha',
+		defaultMessage: 'Alpha',
+	},
 	betaRelease: {
 		id: 'badge.beta-release',
 		defaultMessage: 'Beta Release',