fix(dashboard-v2): read variable selection from the persisted store, not the editor URL

The dashboard ↔ panel-editor navigation no longer round-trips the selection through the URL (a lagging snapshot could clobber a just-changed value); the editor reads it from the persisted store (localStorage). Drops the now-unused withVariablesSearch.

frontend/src/lib/dashboardVariables/variableReference.test.ts

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { EQueryType } from 'types/common/dashboard';
 
 import {
 	buildVariableReferencePattern,
+	containsAnyVariableReference,
 	extractQueryTextStrings,
 	getVariableReferencesInQuery,
 	textContainsVariableReference,
@@ -448,3 +449,25 @@ describe('getVariableReferencesInQuery', () => {
 		expect(getVariableReferencesInQuery(query, [])).toStrictEqual([]);
 	});
 });
+
+describe('containsAnyVariableReference', () => {
+	it.each([
+		['SELECT count() FROM t WHERE service = $service.name', true],
+		['up{env="$deployment_environment"}', true],
+		['{{.service_name}}', true],
+		['{{ service_name }}', true],
+		['[[service_name]]', true],
+		['$_private', true],
+	])('detects a reference in %p', (text, expected) => {
+		expect(containsAnyVariableReference(text)).toBe(expected);
+	});
+
+	it.each([
+		['SELECT count() FROM t WHERE x = 1', false],
+		['rate(http_requests[$__interval])', false],
+		['SELECT $1 FROM t', false],
+		['', false],
+	])('does not falsely match %p', (text, expected) => {
+		expect(containsAnyVariableReference(text)).toBe(expected);
+	});
+});

frontend/src/lib/dashboardVariables/variableReference.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { isArray } from 'lodash-es';
+import { escapeRegExp, isArray } from 'lodash-es';
 import { Query, TagFilterItem } from 'types/api/queryBuilder/queryBuilderData';
 import { EQueryType } from 'types/common/dashboard';
 
@@ -33,6 +33,23 @@ export function textContainsVariableReference(
 	return buildVariableReferencePattern(variableName).test(text);
 }
 
+/**
+ * Matches *any* variable reference in a recognized syntax without knowing the
+ * name: `{{name}}`, `{{.name}}`, `[[name]]`, or `$name`. The `$` form excludes
+ * `$__…` macros and positional `$1` so built-ins don't read as variables.
+ */
+const ANY_VARIABLE_REFERENCE =
+	/\{\{\s*\.?[\w.]+\s*\}\}|\[\[\s*[\w.]+\s*\]\]|\$(?!__)[a-zA-Z_][\w.]*/;
+
+/**
+ * Returns true if `text` contains a reference to any variable. Use when the set
+ * of variable names isn't known yet (e.g. before the fetch context initializes),
+ * so a name-based {@link textContainsVariableReference} check can't run.
+ */
+export function containsAnyVariableReference(text: string): boolean {
+	return !!text && ANY_VARIABLE_REFERENCE.test(text);
+}
+
 /**
  * Extracts all text strings from a widget Query that could contain variable
  * references. Covers:
@@ -134,3 +151,52 @@ export function getVariableReferencesInQuery(
 		texts.some((text) => textContainsVariableReference(text, name)),
 	);
 }
+
+/**
+ * Rewrites every reference to `oldName` in `text` to `newName`, preserving the
+ * surrounding syntax for each recognized form ({{.x}}, {{x}}, $x, [[x]]). Used
+ * when a variable is renamed so its usages across queries stay valid.
+ */
+export function rewriteVariableReferences(
+	text: string,
+	oldName: string,
+	newName: string,
+): string {
+	if (!text || !oldName || oldName === newName) {
+		return text;
+	}
+	const name = escapeRegExp(oldName);
+	return text
+		.replace(
+			new RegExp(`(\\{\\{\\s*?\\.)${name}(\\s*?\\}\\})`, 'g'),
+			`$1${newName}$2`,
+		)
+		.replace(new RegExp(`(\\{\\{\\s*)${name}(\\s*\\}\\})`, 'g'), `$1${newName}$2`)
+		.replace(new RegExp(`\\$${name}\\b`, 'g'), `$${newName}`)
+		.replace(
+			new RegExp(`(\\[\\[\\s*)${name}(\\s*\\]\\])`, 'g'),
+			`$1${newName}$2`,
+		);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Best-effort removal of the clause that references `variableName` from an
+ * ` AND `-joined filter expression (e.g. a builder query's `filter.expression`).
+ * Any top-level `AND` part that references the variable is dropped. It does not
+ * understand `OR`/nested parentheses, so it is a starting point the user reviews
+ * before applying — never an automatic edit of raw PromQL/ClickHouse.
+ */
+export function removeVariableReferenceClause(
+	expression: string,
+	variableName: string,
+): string {
+	if (!expression) {
+		return expression;
+	}
+	return expression
+		.split(' AND ')
+		.map((part) => part.trim())
+		.filter(Boolean)
+		.filter((part) => !textContainsVariableReference(part, variableName))
+		.join(' AND ');
+}

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/DashboardSettings/Variables/VariableImpactDialog/VariableImpactDialog.module.scss

@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+.body {
+	display: flex;
+	flex-direction: column;
+	gap: 12px;
+	max-height: 60vh;
+	overflow-y: auto;
+}
+
+.intro {
+	color: var(--l2-foreground);
+	font-size: 13px;
+	line-height: 1.5;
+}
+
+.rows {
+	display: flex;
+	flex-direction: column;
+	gap: 12px;
+}
+
+.row {
+	display: flex;
+	flex-direction: column;
+	gap: 8px;
+	padding: 12px;
+	border: 1px solid var(--l2-border);
+	border-radius: 6px;
+	background: var(--l1-background);
+}
+
+.rowHeader {
+	display: flex;
+	align-items: center;
+	justify-content: space-between;
+	gap: 8px;
+}
+
+.sourceLabel {
+	color: var(--l1-foreground);
+	font-weight: 600;
+	font-size: 13px;
+}
+
+.kindTag {
+	color: var(--l2-foreground);
+	font-size: 11px;
+	text-transform: uppercase;
+	letter-spacing: 0.04em;
+	padding: 2px 8px;
+	border: 1px solid var(--l2-border);
+	border-radius: 4px;
+	white-space: nowrap;
+}
+
+.field {
+	display: flex;
+	flex-direction: column;
+	gap: 4px;
+}
+
+.fieldLabel {
+	color: var(--l2-foreground);
+	font-size: 11px;
+	text-transform: uppercase;
+	letter-spacing: 0.04em;
+}
+
+.textArea {
+	font-family: var(--font-mono, monospace);
+	font-size: 12px;
+}
+
+.disabled {
+	opacity: 0.6;
+}
+
+.warning {
+	color: var(--warning-foreground, #d97706);
+	font-size: 11px;
+}
+
+.footer {
+	display: flex;
+	justify-content: flex-end;
+	gap: 8px;
+}

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/DashboardSettings/Variables/VariableImpactDialog/VariableImpactDialog.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+import { Check, X } from '@signozhq/icons';
+import { Button } from '@signozhq/ui/button';
+import { DialogWrapper } from '@signozhq/ui/dialog';
+import { Typography } from '@signozhq/ui/typography';
+// eslint-disable-next-line signoz/no-antd-components -- multiline TextArea + Checkbox have no @signozhq/ui equivalent yet
+import { Checkbox, Input as AntdInput } from 'antd';
+import cx from 'classnames';
+import { textContainsVariableReference } from 'lib/dashboardVariables/variableReference';
+
+import type { VariableImpactMode, VariableUsage } from '../variableUsages';
+import { useVariableImpactState } from './useVariableImpactState';
+import styles from './VariableImpactDialog.module.scss';
+
+const KIND_LABEL: Record<VariableUsage['kind'], string> = {
+	builder: 'Query builder',
+	promql: 'PromQL',
+	clickhouse: 'ClickHouse',
+	variable: 'Variable',
+};
+
+interface VariableImpactDialogProps {
+	open: boolean;
+	mode: VariableImpactMode;
+	/** The variable being renamed/deleted (its current name). */
+	variableName: string;
+	/** The new name (rename mode only). */
+	newName?: string;
+	usages: VariableUsage[];
+	isLoading: boolean;
+	onConfirm: (resolvedUsages: VariableUsage[]) => void;
+	onClose: () => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Blocks a rename/delete of a referenced variable behind a review step: lists
+ * every usage across panel queries (builder / PromQL / ClickHouse) and other
+ * variables, shows the current vs resulting query, and lets the user edit each
+ * result or exclude it before applying.
+ */
+function VariableImpactDialog({
+	open,
+	mode,
+	variableName,
+	newName,
+	usages,
+	isLoading,
+	onConfirm,
+	onClose,
+}: VariableImpactDialogProps): JSX.Element {
+	const { rows, setResultingText, toggleIncluded, resolvedUsages } =
+		useVariableImpactState(usages, open);
+
+	const isRename = mode === 'rename';
+	const count = usages.length;
+	const plural = count === 1 ? '' : 's';
+	const intro = isRename
+		? `$${variableName} is used in ${count} place${plural}. Review the updated queries before renaming to $${newName}.`
+		: `$${variableName} is used in ${count} place${plural}. Edit or remove each usage before deleting.`;
+
+	const footer = (
+		<div className={styles.footer}>
+			<Button
+				variant="solid"
+				color="secondary"
+				onClick={onClose}
+				testId="variable-impact-cancel"
+			>
+				<X size={12} />
+				Cancel
+			</Button>
+			<Button
+				variant="solid"
+				color={isRename ? 'primary' : 'destructive'}
+				loading={isLoading}
+				onClick={(): void => onConfirm(resolvedUsages)}
+				testId="variable-impact-confirm"
+			>
+				<Check size={12} />
+				{isRename ? 'Rename' : 'Delete'}
+			</Button>
+		</div>
+	);
+
+	return (
+		<DialogWrapper
+			open={open}
+			onOpenChange={(isOpen): void => {
+				if (!isOpen) {
+					onClose();
+				}
+			}}
+			title={isRename ? `Rename $${variableName}` : `Delete $${variableName}`}
+			width="wide"
+			showCloseButton={false}
+			// Lift above the settings drawer (z ~1000); overlay off (it would only half-dim).
+			style={{ zIndex: 1100 }}
+			showOverlay={false}
+			footer={footer}
+		>
+			<div className={styles.body}>
+				<Typography.Text className={styles.intro}>{intro}</Typography.Text>
+				<div className={styles.rows}>
+					{rows.map((row) => {
+						const stillReferences =
+							row.included &&
+							textContainsVariableReference(row.resultingText, variableName);
+						return (
+							<div
+								key={row.id}
+								className={styles.row}
+								data-testid={`variable-impact-row-${row.id}`}
+							>
+								<div className={styles.rowHeader}>
+									<Checkbox
+										checked={row.included}
+										onChange={(): void => toggleIncluded(row.id)}
+										data-testid={`variable-impact-include-${row.id}`}
+									>
+										<span className={styles.sourceLabel}>{row.sourceLabel}</span>
+									</Checkbox>
+									<span className={styles.kindTag}>{KIND_LABEL[row.kind]}</span>
+								</div>
+								<div className={styles.field}>
+									<Typography.Text className={styles.fieldLabel}>
+										Current
+									</Typography.Text>
+									<AntdInput.TextArea
+										className={styles.textArea}
+										value={row.currentText}
+										readOnly
+										autoSize={{ minRows: 1, maxRows: 4 }}
+									/>
+								</div>
+								<div className={styles.field}>
+									<Typography.Text className={styles.fieldLabel}>Result</Typography.Text>
+									<AntdInput.TextArea
+										className={cx(styles.textArea, !row.included && styles.disabled)}
+										value={row.resultingText}
+										disabled={!row.included}
+										autoSize={{ minRows: 1, maxRows: 4 }}
+										onChange={(e): void => setResultingText(row.id, e.target.value)}
+										data-testid={`variable-impact-result-${row.id}`}
+									/>
+									{stillReferences ? (
+										<Typography.Text className={styles.warning}>
+											Still references ${variableName}
+										</Typography.Text>
+									) : null}
+								</div>
+							</div>
+						);
+					})}
+				</div>
+			</div>
+		</DialogWrapper>
+	);
+}
+
+export default VariableImpactDialog;

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/DashboardSettings/Variables/VariableImpactDialog/useVariableImpactState.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+
+import type { VariableUsage } from '../variableUsages';
+
+/** A usage row plus whether its edit will be applied on confirm. */
+export interface EditableVariableUsage extends VariableUsage {
+	included: boolean;
+}
+
+interface UseVariableImpactState {
+	rows: EditableVariableUsage[];
+	setResultingText: (id: string, text: string) => void;
+	toggleIncluded: (id: string) => void;
+	/** The included rows, as plain usages, to build the patch from. */
+	resolvedUsages: VariableUsage[];
+}
+
+/**
+ * Editable state for the impact dialog: a per-usage copy the user can edit
+ * (`resultingText`) and include/exclude before applying. Resets whenever the
+ * dialog (re)opens for a fresh usage set.
+ */
+export function useVariableImpactState(
+	usages: VariableUsage[],
+	open: boolean,
+): UseVariableImpactState {
+	const [rows, setRows] = useState<EditableVariableUsage[]>([]);
+
+	useEffect(() => {
+		if (open) {
+			setRows(usages.map((usage) => ({ ...usage, included: true })));
+		}
+	}, [open, usages]);
+
+	const setResultingText = useCallback((id: string, text: string): void => {
+		setRows((prev) =>
+			prev.map((row) => (row.id === id ? { ...row, resultingText: text } : row)),
+		);
+	}, []);
+
+	const toggleIncluded = useCallback((id: string): void => {
+		setRows((prev) =>
+			prev.map((row) =>
+				row.id === id ? { ...row, included: !row.included } : row,
+			),
+		);
+	}, []);
+
+	const resolvedUsages: VariableUsage[] = rows.filter((row) => row.included);
+
+	return { rows, setResultingText, toggleIncluded, resolvedUsages };
+}

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/DashboardSettings/Variables/__tests__/variableUsages.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+import type { DashboardtypesGettableDashboardV2DTO } from 'api/generated/services/sigNoz.schemas';
+
+import {
+	emptyVariableFormModel,
+	type VariableFormModel,
+} from '../variableFormModel';
+import { findVariableUsages } from '../variableUsages';
+
+// Identity adapter so `spec.variables` can be plain form models in the test.
+jest.mock('../variableAdapters', () => ({
+	dtoToFormModel: (dto: unknown): unknown => dto,
+}));
+
+function variable(overrides: Partial<VariableFormModel>): VariableFormModel {
+	return { ...emptyVariableFormModel(), ...overrides };
+}
+
+function builderPanel(name: string, expression: string): unknown {
+	return {
+		spec: {
+			display: { name },
+			queries: [
+				{
+					spec: {
+						plugin: { kind: 'signoz/BuilderQuery', spec: { filter: { expression } } },
+					},
+				},
+			],
+		},
+	};
+}
+
+function promqlPanel(name: string, query: string): unknown {
+	return {
+		spec: {
+			display: { name },
+			queries: [
+				{ spec: { plugin: { kind: 'signoz/PromQLQuery', spec: { query } } } },
+			],
+		},
+	};
+}
+
+function dashboard(
+	panels: Record<string, unknown>,
+	variables: VariableFormModel[],
+): DashboardtypesGettableDashboardV2DTO {
+	return {
+		spec: { panels, variables },
+	} as unknown as DashboardtypesGettableDashboardV2DTO;
+}
+
+describe('findVariableUsages', () => {
+	const dash = dashboard(
+		{
+			p1: builderPanel('Panel One', "service IN $svc AND env = 'prod'"),
+			p2: promqlPanel('Panel Two', 'up{s="$svc"}'),
+			p3: builderPanel('Unrelated', "env = 'prod'"),
+		},
+		[
+			variable({ name: 'svc', type: 'QUERY' }),
+			variable({
+				name: 'other',
+				type: 'QUERY',
+				queryValue: 'SELECT x WHERE s = $svc',
+			}),
+			variable({ name: 'plain', type: 'QUERY', queryValue: 'SELECT y' }),
+		],
+	);
+
+	it('finds panel (builder + promql) and variable usages, skipping unrelated ones', () => {
+		const usages = findVariableUsages(dash, 'svc', 'rename', 'zone');
+		const ids = usages.map((u) => u.id).sort();
+		expect(ids).toStrictEqual(['panel:p1:0', 'panel:p2:0', 'variable:other:0']);
+	});
+
+	it('rewrites references for a rename across all kinds', () => {
+		const usages = findVariableUsages(dash, 'svc', 'rename', 'zone');
+		const byId = Object.fromEntries(usages.map((u) => [u.id, u.resultingText]));
+		expect(byId['panel:p1:0']).toBe("service IN $zone AND env = 'prod'");
+		expect(byId['panel:p2:0']).toBe('up{s="$zone"}');
+		expect(byId['variable:other:0']).toBe('SELECT x WHERE s = $zone');
+	});
+
+	it('strips builder clauses on delete but leaves raw/variable queries for review', () => {
+		const usages = findVariableUsages(dash, 'svc', 'delete');
+		const byId = Object.fromEntries(usages.map((u) => [u.id, u.resultingText]));
+		// Builder: the clause referencing $svc is dropped.
+		expect(byId['panel:p1:0']).toBe("env = 'prod'");
+		// Raw PromQL + variable query: unchanged (user edits).
+		expect(byId['panel:p2:0']).toBe('up{s="$svc"}');
+		expect(byId['variable:other:0']).toBe('SELECT x WHERE s = $svc');
+	});
+
+	it('returns nothing for an unreferenced variable', () => {
+		expect(findVariableUsages(dash, 'nope', 'delete')).toStrictEqual([]);
+	});
+});

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/DashboardSettings/Variables/index.tsx

@@ -17,7 +17,17 @@ import {
 	emptyVariableFormModel,
 	type VariableFormModel,
 } from './variableFormModel';
+import {
+	applyVariableQueryEdits,
+	buildVariableImpactPatch,
+} from './variableImpactPatch';
+import {
+	findVariableUsages,
+	type VariableImpactMode,
+	type VariableUsage,
+} from './variableUsages';
 import VariableForm from './VariableForm/VariableForm';
+import VariableImpactDialog from './VariableImpactDialog/VariableImpactDialog';
 import VariablesList from './VariablesList';
 import styles from './Variables.module.scss';
 import AddVariableButton from './components/AddVariableButton';
@@ -59,6 +69,16 @@ function VariablesSettings({ dashboard }: VariablesSettingsProps): JSX.Element {
 		null,
 	);
 	const [applyToAllIndex, setApplyToAllIndex] = useState<number | null>(null);
+	// A pending rename/delete that touches other queries — resolved via the impact
+	// dialog before it is applied. `nextVariables` is the array to persist (with the
+	// rename/delete already applied), before any variable-query edits.
+	const [impact, setImpact] = useState<{
+		mode: VariableImpactMode;
+		variableName: string;
+		newName?: string;
+		usages: VariableUsage[];
+		nextVariables: VariableFormModel[];
+	} | null>(null);
 
 	const editingFormModel: VariableFormModel | null = useMemo(() => {
 		if (!isEditing) {
@@ -104,12 +124,38 @@ function VariablesSettings({ dashboard }: VariablesSettingsProps): JSX.Element {
 		formModel: VariableFormModel,
 		selectedPanelIds: string[],
 	): void => {
+		const editingIndex = isEditing?.type === 'edit' ? isEditing.index : null;
+		const oldName = editingIndex !== null ? variables[editingIndex].name : null;
+
 		const next = [...variables];
 		if (isEditing?.type === 'new') {
 			next.push(formModel);
-		} else if (isEditing?.type === 'edit') {
-			next[isEditing.index] = formModel;
+		} else if (editingIndex !== null) {
+			next[editingIndex] = formModel;
 		}
+
+		// A rename that other queries/variables reference must be reviewed first, so
+		// the references are rewritten alongside the rename (never left dangling).
+		if (oldName && oldName !== formModel.name) {
+			const usages = findVariableUsages(
+				dashboard,
+				oldName,
+				'rename',
+				formModel.name,
+			);
+			if (usages.length > 0) {
+				setIsEditing(null);
+				setImpact({
+					mode: 'rename',
+					variableName: oldName,
+					newName: formModel.name,
+					usages,
+					nextVariables: next,
+				});
+				return;
+			}
+		}
+
 		setIsEditing(null);
 		setVariables(next);
 		void (async (): Promise<void> => {
@@ -149,6 +195,57 @@ function VariablesSettings({ dashboard }: VariablesSettingsProps): JSX.Element {
 		setConfirmDeleteIndex(null);
 	};
 
+	// Delete requested from the list: if the variable is referenced anywhere, block
+	// and open the impact dialog; otherwise fall through to the simple confirm.
+	const requestDelete = (index: number): void => {
+		const usages = findVariableUsages(dashboard, variables[index].name, 'delete');
+		if (usages.length > 0) {
+			setImpact({
+				mode: 'delete',
+				variableName: variables[index].name,
+				usages,
+				nextVariables: variables.filter((_, i) => i !== index),
+			});
+			return;
+		}
+		setConfirmDeleteIndex(index);
+	};
+
+	// Applies a resolved rename/delete: the variables array (rename/delete + edited
+	// variable queries) and each touched panel's queries, in one atomic patch.
+	const handleImpactConfirm = async (
+		resolvedUsages: VariableUsage[],
+	): Promise<void> => {
+		if (!impact) {
+			return;
+		}
+		const nextVariables = applyVariableQueryEdits(
+			impact.nextVariables,
+			resolvedUsages,
+		);
+		const ops = buildVariableImpactPatch(
+			dashboard,
+			nextVariables,
+			resolvedUsages,
+		);
+		setVariables(nextVariables);
+		try {
+			await patchAsync(ops);
+			toast.success(
+				impact.mode === 'rename'
+					? `Renamed to $${impact.newName}`
+					: `Deleted $${impact.variableName}`,
+			);
+		} catch {
+			toast.error(
+				impact.mode === 'rename'
+					? 'Could not rename the variable'
+					: 'Could not delete the variable',
+			);
+		}
+		setImpact(null);
+	};
+
 	const applyToAllVariable =
 		applyToAllIndex === null ? null : variables[applyToAllIndex];
 
@@ -202,7 +299,7 @@ function VariablesSettings({ dashboard }: VariablesSettingsProps): JSX.Element {
 						canEdit={isEditable}
 						confirmingIndex={confirmDeleteIndex}
 						onEdit={(index): void => setIsEditing({ type: 'edit', index })}
-						onRequestDelete={(index): void => setConfirmDeleteIndex(index)}
+						onRequestDelete={requestDelete}
 						onConfirmDelete={handleConfirmDelete}
 						onCancelDelete={(): void => setConfirmDeleteIndex(null)}
 						onMove={handleMove}
@@ -220,6 +317,16 @@ function VariablesSettings({ dashboard }: VariablesSettingsProps): JSX.Element {
 				onConfirm={(): void => void handleConfirmApplyToAll()}
 				onClose={(): void => setApplyToAllIndex(null)}
 			/>
+			<VariableImpactDialog
+				open={impact !== null}
+				mode={impact?.mode ?? 'delete'}
+				variableName={impact?.variableName ?? ''}
+				newName={impact?.newName}
+				usages={impact?.usages ?? []}
+				isLoading={isPatching}
+				onConfirm={(resolved): void => void handleImpactConfirm(resolved)}
+				onClose={(): void => setImpact(null)}
+			/>
 		</div>
 	);
 }

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/DashboardSettings/Variables/variableImpactPatch.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+import type {
+	DashboardtypesGettableDashboardV2DTO,
+	DashboardtypesJSONPatchOperationDTO,
+	DashboardtypesQueryDTO,
+	Querybuildertypesv5CompositeQueryDTO,
+} from 'api/generated/services/sigNoz.schemas';
+import { cloneDeep } from 'lodash-es';
+
+import { formModelToDto } from './variableAdapters';
+import type { VariableFormModel } from './variableFormModel';
+import { buildVariablesPatch } from './variablePatchOps';
+import type { VariableUsage, VariableUsageKind } from './variableUsages';
+
+/** Minimal writable view of an envelope spec's reference-bearing fields. */
+interface WritableSpec {
+	query?: string;
+	filter?: { expression?: string };
+}
+
+/** Writes the resolved text into the spec's builder filter or raw query field. */
+function writeSpecText(
+	spec: WritableSpec,
+	kind: VariableUsageKind,
+	text: string,
+): void {
+	if (kind === 'builder') {
+		spec.filter = { ...(spec.filter ?? {}), expression: text };
+	} else {
+		spec.query = text;
+	}
+}
+
+/** Applies one panel usage's edited text into a (cloned) queries array in place. */
+function applyPanelUsage(
+	queries: DashboardtypesQueryDTO[],
+	usage: VariableUsage,
+): void {
+	const plugin = queries[0]?.spec?.plugin;
+	if (!plugin?.spec) {
+		return;
+	}
+	if (plugin.kind === 'signoz/CompositeQuery') {
+		const composite = plugin.spec as Querybuildertypesv5CompositeQueryDTO;
+		const envelope = (composite.queries ?? [])[usage.envelopeIndex];
+		if (envelope?.spec) {
+			writeSpecText(
+				envelope.spec as WritableSpec,
+				usage.kind,
+				usage.resultingText,
+			);
+		}
+	} else {
+		// Bare BuilderQuery / PromQLQuery / ClickHouseSQL — the plugin spec is the
+		// single envelope (index 0).
+		writeSpecText(plugin.spec as WritableSpec, usage.kind, usage.resultingText);
+	}
+}
+
+/**
+ * Applies the variable-definition usages' edited text back into the matching
+ * variable's `queryValue`, so a renamed/deleted variable's references inside
+ * another query variable are updated alongside the panels.
+ */
+export function applyVariableQueryEdits(
+	variables: VariableFormModel[],
+	usages: VariableUsage[],
+): VariableFormModel[] {
+	const edits = new Map(
+		usages
+			.filter((usage) => usage.sourceType === 'variable')
+			.map((usage) => [usage.sourceId, usage.resultingText]),
+	);
+	if (edits.size === 0) {
+		return variables;
+	}
+	return variables.map((variable) =>
+		edits.has(variable.name)
+			? { ...variable, queryValue: edits.get(variable.name) as string }
+			: variable,
+	);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Builds the atomic JSON-Patch for a variable rename/delete impact: replaces the
+ * whole variables array (which the caller has already updated for the rename/
+ * delete and any variable-query edits) and replaces each touched panel's queries
+ * with the user's resolved text.
+ */
+export function buildVariableImpactPatch(
+	dashboard: DashboardtypesGettableDashboardV2DTO,
+	nextVariables: VariableFormModel[],
+	usages: VariableUsage[],
+): DashboardtypesJSONPatchOperationDTO[] {
+	const ops: DashboardtypesJSONPatchOperationDTO[] = [
+		...buildVariablesPatch(nextVariables.map(formModelToDto)),
+	];
+
+	const panels = dashboard.spec.panels ?? {};
+	const byPanel = new Map<string, VariableUsage[]>();
+	usages
+		.filter((usage) => usage.sourceType === 'panel')
+		.forEach((usage) => {
+			const list = byPanel.get(usage.sourceId) ?? [];
+			list.push(usage);
+			byPanel.set(usage.sourceId, list);
+		});
+
+	byPanel.forEach((list, panelId) => {
+		const panel = panels[panelId];
+		if (!panel?.spec?.queries?.length) {
+			return;
+		}
+		const queries = cloneDeep(panel.spec.queries);
+		list.forEach((usage) => applyPanelUsage(queries, usage));
+		ops.push({
+			op: 'replace' as DashboardtypesJSONPatchOperationDTO['op'],
+			path: `/spec/panels/${panelId}/spec/queries`,
+			value: queries,
+		});
+	});
+
+	return ops;
+}

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/DashboardSettings/Variables/variableUsages.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+import type {
+	DashboardtypesGettableDashboardV2DTO,
+	Querybuildertypesv5QueryEnvelopeDTO,
+} from 'api/generated/services/sigNoz.schemas';
+import {
+	removeVariableReferenceClause,
+	rewriteVariableReferences,
+	textContainsVariableReference,
+} from 'lib/dashboardVariables/variableReference';
+
+import { toQueryEnvelopes } from '../../queryV5/buildQueryRangeRequest';
+import { dtoToFormModel } from './variableAdapters';
+
+/** The kind of query text a variable is referenced from. */
+export type VariableUsageKind =
+	| 'builder'
+	| 'promql'
+	| 'clickhouse'
+	| 'variable';
+
+/** Whether the impact is a rename (rewrite refs) or a delete (remove refs). */
+export type VariableImpactMode = 'rename' | 'delete';
+
+/**
+ * One place a variable is referenced — a panel query's builder filter expression,
+ * a PromQL/ClickHouse query string, or another variable's query definition. Each
+ * usage is a single editable text field: `currentText` is what exists today,
+ * `resultingText` is the proposed rewrite (rename) or removal (delete) the user
+ * can review and edit before applying.
+ */
+export interface VariableUsage {
+	/** Stable key: `${sourceType}:${sourceId}:${envelopeIndex}`. */
+	id: string;
+	sourceType: 'panel' | 'variable';
+	/** Panel id or referencing variable's name. */
+	sourceId: string;
+	/** Human label: panel display name or `$variableName`. */
+	sourceLabel: string;
+	kind: VariableUsageKind;
+	/** Index into the panel's query envelopes (0 for a variable definition). */
+	envelopeIndex: number;
+	currentText: string;
+	resultingText: string;
+}
+
+/** The reference-bearing text + kind for one query envelope, if any. */
+function envelopeReferenceText(
+	envelope: Querybuildertypesv5QueryEnvelopeDTO,
+): { kind: VariableUsageKind; text: string } | null {
+	const spec = envelope.spec as
+		| { query?: string; filter?: { expression?: string } }
+		| undefined;
+	if (envelope.type === 'builder_query') {
+		const text = spec?.filter?.expression;
+		return typeof text === 'string' ? { kind: 'builder', text } : null;
+	}
+	if (envelope.type === 'promql') {
+		return typeof spec?.query === 'string'
+			? { kind: 'promql', text: spec.query }
+			: null;
+	}
+	if (envelope.type === 'clickhouse_sql') {
+		return typeof spec?.query === 'string'
+			? { kind: 'clickhouse', text: spec.query }
+			: null;
+	}
+	return null;
+}
+
+/** The proposed text after a rename (rewrite) or delete (best-effort removal). */
+function computeResultingText(
+	kind: VariableUsageKind,
+	text: string,
+	variableName: string,
+	mode: VariableImpactMode,
+	newName: string,
+): string {
+	if (mode === 'rename') {
+		return rewriteVariableReferences(text, variableName, newName);
+	}
+	// delete: only builder filter clauses can be safely auto-stripped; raw PromQL/
+	// ClickHouse and variable queries are left for the user to edit.
+	return kind === 'builder'
+		? removeVariableReferenceClause(text, variableName)
+		: text;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Finds every usage of `variableName` across the dashboard's panel queries
+ * (builder / PromQL / ClickHouse) and other variables' query definitions, with a
+ * proposed `resultingText` for the given mode. Consumed by the impact dialog that
+ * blocks a rename/delete until the user resolves each usage.
+ */
+export function findVariableUsages(
+	dashboard: DashboardtypesGettableDashboardV2DTO,
+	variableName: string,
+	mode: VariableImpactMode,
+	newName = '',
+): VariableUsage[] {
+	if (!variableName) {
+		return [];
+	}
+	const usages: VariableUsage[] = [];
+	const spec = dashboard.spec;
+
+	Object.entries(spec.panels ?? {}).forEach(([panelId, panel]) => {
+		const queries = panel?.spec?.queries;
+		if (!queries?.length) {
+			return;
+		}
+		toQueryEnvelopes(queries).forEach((envelope, index) => {
+			const ref = envelopeReferenceText(envelope);
+			if (!ref || !textContainsVariableReference(ref.text, variableName)) {
+				return;
+			}
+			usages.push({
+				id: `panel:${panelId}:${index}`,
+				sourceType: 'panel',
+				sourceId: panelId,
+				sourceLabel: panel.spec?.display?.name || panelId,
+				kind: ref.kind,
+				envelopeIndex: index,
+				currentText: ref.text,
+				resultingText: computeResultingText(
+					ref.kind,
+					ref.text,
+					variableName,
+					mode,
+					newName,
+				),
+			});
+		});
+	});
+
+	(spec.variables ?? []).map(dtoToFormModel).forEach((variable) => {
+		if (
+			variable.name === variableName ||
+			variable.type !== 'QUERY' ||
+			!variable.queryValue ||
+			!textContainsVariableReference(variable.queryValue, variableName)
+		) {
+			return;
+		}
+		usages.push({
+			id: `variable:${variable.name}:0`,
+			sourceType: 'variable',
+			sourceId: variable.name,
+			sourceLabel: `$${variable.name}`,
+			kind: 'variable',
+			envelopeIndex: 0,
+			currentText: variable.queryValue,
+			resultingText: computeResultingText(
+				'variable',
+				variable.queryValue,
+				variableName,
+				mode,
+				newName,
+			),
+		});
+	});
+
+	return usages;
+}

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/VariableSelector.tsx

@@ -1,15 +1,17 @@
+import { useMemo } from 'react';
 import { SolidInfoCircle } from '@signozhq/icons';
 import { Typography } from '@signozhq/ui/typography';
 // eslint-disable-next-line signoz/no-antd-components -- lightweight description tooltip, matches V1
 import { Tooltip } from 'antd';
+import { textContainsVariableReference } from 'lib/dashboardVariables/variableReference';
 
 import type { VariableFormModel } from '../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
 import type { VariableSelection, VariableSelectionMap } from './selectionTypes';
-import CustomSelector from './selectors/CustomSelector';
-import DynamicSelector from './selectors/DynamicSelector';
-import QuerySelector from './selectors/QuerySelector';
 import TextSelector from './selectors/TextSelector';
+import VariableValueControl from './selectors/VariableValueControl';
+import { useVariableFetchState } from './useVariableFetchState';
 import styles from './VariablesBar.module.scss';
+import VariableTooltip from './VariableTooltip';
 
 interface VariableSelectorProps {
 	variable: VariableFormModel;
@@ -32,50 +34,63 @@ function VariableSelector({
 	onChange,
 	onAutoSelect,
 }: VariableSelectorProps): JSX.Element {
-	const renderControl = (): JSX.Element => {
-		switch (variable.type) {
-			case 'TEXT':
-				return (
-					<TextSelector
-						selection={selection}
-						defaultValue={variable.textValue}
-						onChange={onChange}
-						testId={`variable-input-${variable.name}`}
-					/>
-				);
-			case 'QUERY':
-				return (
-					<QuerySelector
-						variable={variable}
-						selections={selections}
-						selection={selection}
-						onChange={onChange}
-						onAutoSelect={onAutoSelect}
-					/>
-				);
-			case 'DYNAMIC':
-				return (
-					<DynamicSelector
-						variable={variable}
-						variables={variables}
-						selections={selections}
-						selection={selection}
-						onChange={onChange}
-						onAutoSelect={onAutoSelect}
-					/>
-				);
-			case 'CUSTOM':
-			default:
-				return (
-					<CustomSelector
-						variable={variable}
-						selection={selection}
-						onChange={onChange}
-						onAutoSelect={onAutoSelect}
-					/>
-				);
-		}
-	};
+	// Dependency links shown in the hover tooltip: variables this one's query
+	// references (dependsOn) and query variables that reference this one (usedBy).
+	const { dependsOn, usedBy } = useMemo(() => {
+		const references = (text: string | undefined, name: string): boolean =>
+			!!text && !!name && textContainsVariableReference(text, name);
+		return {
+			dependsOn:
+				variable.type === 'QUERY'
+					? variables
+							.filter(
+								(v) =>
+									v.name !== variable.name && references(variable.queryValue, v.name),
+							)
+							.map((v) => v.name)
+					: [],
+			usedBy: variables
+				.filter(
+					(v) =>
+						v.type === 'QUERY' &&
+						v.name !== variable.name &&
+						references(v.queryValue, variable.name),
+				)
+				.map((v) => v.name),
+		};
+	}, [variable, variables]);
+
+	const hasTooltip =
+		!!variable.description || dependsOn.length > 0 || usedBy.length > 0;
+
+	// Surface the fetch on the bar itself: a bar flush along the control's bottom
+	// edge while a QUERY/DYNAMIC variable is loading (or waiting on a parent), so the
+	// user sees options are being fetched without opening the dropdown.
+	const { isVariableFetching, isVariableWaiting } = useVariableFetchState(
+		variable.name,
+	);
+	const isFetchingOptions =
+		(variable.type === 'QUERY' || variable.type === 'DYNAMIC') &&
+		(isVariableFetching || isVariableWaiting);
+
+	const renderControl = (): JSX.Element =>
+		variable.type === 'TEXT' ? (
+			<TextSelector
+				selection={selection}
+				defaultValue={variable.textValue}
+				onChange={onChange}
+				testId={`variable-input-${variable.name}`}
+			/>
+		) : (
+			<VariableValueControl
+				variable={variable}
+				variables={variables}
+				selections={selections}
+				selection={selection}
+				onChange={onChange}
+				onAutoSelect={onAutoSelect}
+			/>
+		);
 
 	return (
 		<div
@@ -84,14 +99,29 @@ function VariableSelector({
 		>
 			<Typography.Text className={styles.variableName}>
 				${variable.name}
-				{variable.description ? (
-					<Tooltip title={variable.description}>
+				{hasTooltip ? (
+					<Tooltip
+						title={
+							<VariableTooltip
+								description={variable.description}
+								dependsOn={dependsOn}
+								usedBy={usedBy}
+							/>
+						}
+					>
 						<SolidInfoCircle className={styles.infoIcon} size={14} />
 					</Tooltip>
 				) : null}
 			</Typography.Text>
 
 			<div className={styles.variableValue}>{renderControl()}</div>
+
+			{isFetchingOptions ? (
+				<span
+					className={styles.loadingBar}
+					data-testid={`variable-loading-${variable.name}`}
+				/>
+			) : null}
 		</div>
 	);
 }

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/VariableTooltip.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+import cx from 'classnames';
+
+import styles from './VariablesBar.module.scss';
+
+interface VariableTooltipProps {
+	description?: string;
+	/** Variables this one references (its query depends on their values). */
+	dependsOn: string[];
+	/** Variables whose queries reference this one. */
+	usedBy: string[];
+}
+
+/** Hover-tooltip body for a variable: its description plus its dependencies. */
+function VariableTooltip({
+	description,
+	dependsOn,
+	usedBy,
+}: VariableTooltipProps): JSX.Element {
+	const hasDependencies = dependsOn.length > 0 || usedBy.length > 0;
+
+	return (
+		<div className={styles.tooltipContent}>
+			{description ? (
+				<div className={styles.tooltipDescription}>{description}</div>
+			) : null}
+
+			{hasDependencies ? (
+				<>
+					{description ? <div className={styles.tooltipDivider} /> : null}
+					{dependsOn.length > 0 ? (
+						<div className={styles.tooltipSection}>
+							<div className={cx(styles.tooltipLabel, styles.dependsColor)}>
+								Depends on
+							</div>
+							<div className={styles.tooltipRefs}>
+								{dependsOn.map((name) => (
+									<span
+										key={name}
+										className={cx(styles.tooltipRef, styles.dependsColor)}
+									>
+										${name}
+									</span>
+								))}
+							</div>
+						</div>
+					) : null}
+					{usedBy.length > 0 ? (
+						<div className={styles.tooltipSection}>
+							<div className={cx(styles.tooltipLabel, styles.usedByColor)}>
+								Used by
+							</div>
+							<div className={styles.tooltipRefs}>
+								{usedBy.map((name) => (
+									<span key={name} className={cx(styles.tooltipRef, styles.usedByColor)}>
+										${name}
+									</span>
+								))}
+							</div>
+						</div>
+					) : null}
+				</>
+			) : null}
+		</div>
+	);
+}
+
+export default VariableTooltip;

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/VariablesBar.module.scss

@@ -73,10 +73,57 @@
 }
 
 .variableItem {
+	position: relative;
 	display: flex;
 	align-items: center;
 }
 
+// Loading indicator: an indeterminate bar flush along the control's bottom edge,
+// full width and overlaying the border so it reads as the input's own edge rather
+// than a separate element. Non-interactive so the name/description stays hoverable.
+.loadingBar {
+	position: absolute;
+	right: 0;
+	bottom: 0;
+	left: 0;
+	height: 2px;
+	overflow: hidden;
+	border-radius: 0 0 2px 2px;
+	background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--bg-robin-500) 20%, transparent);
+	pointer-events: none;
+}
+
+.loadingBar::after {
+	content: '';
+	position: absolute;
+	top: 0;
+	bottom: 0;
+	left: 0;
+	width: 40%;
+	border-radius: 2px;
+	background: var(--bg-robin-500);
+	animation: variable-loading-slide 1.1s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+@keyframes variable-loading-slide {
+	0% {
+		left: -40%;
+	}
+
+	100% {
+		left: 100%;
+	}
+}
+
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+	.loadingBar::after {
+		left: 0;
+		width: 100%;
+		animation: none;
+		opacity: 0.7;
+	}
+}
+
 .variableName {
 	display: flex;
 	min-width: 56px;
@@ -87,7 +134,7 @@
 	border: 1px solid var(--l3-border);
 	border-radius: 2px 0 0 2px;
 	background: var(--l3-background);
-	color: var(--bg-robin-300);
+	color: var(--bg-robin-400);
 	font-family: Inter;
 	font-size: 12px;
 	font-weight: 400;
@@ -97,11 +144,63 @@
 
 .infoIcon {
 	display: inline-flex;
-	margin-left: 2px;
+	margin-left: 6px;
 	color: var(--l2-foreground);
 	vertical-align: middle;
 }
 
+.tooltipContent {
+	display: flex;
+	flex-direction: column;
+	gap: 8px;
+	max-width: 240px;
+}
+
+.tooltipDescription {
+	font-size: 12px;
+	line-height: 1.5;
+}
+
+// Divider and labels use the tooltip's own text color at reduced opacity so they
+// read on the tooltip surface in either theme without hard-coding a palette.
+.tooltipDivider {
+	height: 1px;
+	background: currentColor;
+	opacity: 0.16;
+}
+
+.tooltipSection {
+	display: flex;
+	flex-direction: column;
+	gap: 4px;
+}
+
+.tooltipLabel {
+	font-size: 10px;
+	font-weight: 600;
+	letter-spacing: 0.06em;
+	text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.tooltipRefs {
+	display: flex;
+	flex-wrap: wrap;
+	gap: 4px;
+}
+
+.tooltipRef {
+	font-size: 12px;
+}
+
+// Directional colors: parents (Depends on) in forest, children (Used by) in amber.
+.dependsColor {
+	color: var(--bg-forest-500);
+}
+
+.usedByColor {
+	color: var(--bg-amber-500);
+}
+
 .variableValue {
 	display: flex;
 	min-width: 120px;

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/__tests__/resolveVariableSelection.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+import {
+	emptyVariableFormModel,
+	type VariableFormModel,
+} from '../../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
+import {
+	configuredDefaultValue,
+	reconcileWithOptions,
+	resolveDefaultSelection,
+} from '../resolveVariableSelection';
+
+function model(overrides: Partial<VariableFormModel>): VariableFormModel {
+	return { ...emptyVariableFormModel(), ...overrides };
+}
+
+describe('resolveDefaultSelection', () => {
+	it('TEXT: uses defaultValue, then textValue, else empty string', () => {
+		expect(
+			resolveDefaultSelection(model({ type: 'TEXT', defaultValue: 'd' })),
+		).toStrictEqual({ value: 'd', allSelected: false });
+		expect(
+			resolveDefaultSelection(model({ type: 'TEXT', textValue: 't' })),
+		).toStrictEqual({ value: 't', allSelected: false });
+		expect(resolveDefaultSelection(model({ type: 'TEXT' }))).toStrictEqual({
+			value: '',
+			allSelected: false,
+		});
+	});
+
+	it('list: ALL when allowAll (multi + showAllOption) and no default', () => {
+		expect(
+			resolveDefaultSelection(
+				model({ type: 'QUERY', multiSelect: true, showAllOption: true }),
+			),
+		).toStrictEqual({ value: null, allSelected: true });
+	});
+
+	it('list: ALL sentinel default → ALL', () => {
+		expect(
+			resolveDefaultSelection(
+				model({ type: 'CUSTOM', multiSelect: true, defaultValue: '__ALL__' }),
+			),
+		).toStrictEqual({ value: null, allSelected: true });
+	});
+
+	it('list: configured default wins over ALL default', () => {
+		expect(
+			resolveDefaultSelection(
+				model({
+					type: 'QUERY',
+					multiSelect: true,
+					showAllOption: true,
+					defaultValue: 'x',
+				}),
+			),
+		).toStrictEqual({ value: ['x'], allSelected: false });
+	});
+
+	it('list: no default and no allowAll → empty placeholder (filled after fetch)', () => {
+		expect(resolveDefaultSelection(model({ type: 'QUERY' }))).toStrictEqual({
+			value: '',
+			allSelected: false,
+		});
+		expect(
+			resolveDefaultSelection(model({ type: 'QUERY', multiSelect: true })),
+		).toStrictEqual({ value: [], allSelected: false });
+	});
+});
+
+describe('reconcileWithOptions', () => {
+	it('leaves a valid single selection untouched (local-first)', () => {
+		expect(
+			reconcileWithOptions(
+				model({ type: 'QUERY' }),
+				{ value: 'b', allSelected: false },
+				['a', 'b'],
+			),
+		).toBeNull();
+	});
+
+	it('materializes query ALL to the full option array', () => {
+		expect(
+			reconcileWithOptions(
+				model({ type: 'QUERY', multiSelect: true, showAllOption: true }),
+				{ value: null, allSelected: true },
+				['a', 'b'],
+			),
+		).toStrictEqual({ value: ['a', 'b'], allSelected: true });
+	});
+
+	it('does not materialize dynamic ALL (sends __all__)', () => {
+		expect(
+			reconcileWithOptions(
+				model({ type: 'DYNAMIC', multiSelect: true, showAllOption: true }),
+				{ value: null, allSelected: true },
+				['a', 'b'],
+			),
+		).toBeNull();
+	});
+
+	it('keeps the still-valid subset when options re-scope', () => {
+		expect(
+			reconcileWithOptions(
+				model({ type: 'QUERY', multiSelect: true }),
+				{ value: ['a', 'b', 'c'], allSelected: false },
+				['a', 'b', 'd'],
+			),
+		).toStrictEqual({ value: ['a', 'b'], allSelected: false });
+	});
+
+	it('falls back to the configured default (else first) when invalid', () => {
+		expect(
+			reconcileWithOptions(
+				model({ type: 'QUERY', defaultValue: 'b' }),
+				{ value: '', allSelected: false },
+				['a', 'b', 'c'],
+			),
+		).toStrictEqual({ value: 'b', allSelected: false });
+		expect(
+			reconcileWithOptions(
+				model({ type: 'QUERY' }),
+				{ value: '', allSelected: false },
+				['a', 'b'],
+			),
+		).toStrictEqual({ value: 'a', allSelected: false });
+	});
+
+	it('does nothing while options are empty', () => {
+		expect(
+			reconcileWithOptions(
+				model({ type: 'QUERY' }),
+				{ value: '', allSelected: false },
+				[],
+			),
+		).toBeNull();
+	});
+});
+
+describe('configuredDefaultValue', () => {
+	it('TEXT: textValue fallback; list: defaultValue only (no ALL synthesis)', () => {
+		expect(configuredDefaultValue(model({ type: 'TEXT', textValue: 't' }))).toBe(
+			't',
+		);
+		expect(
+			configuredDefaultValue(model({ type: 'QUERY', defaultValue: 'x' })),
+		).toBe('x');
+		// ALL-by-default list variable is not expanded here (options unknown).
+		expect(
+			configuredDefaultValue(
+				model({ type: 'QUERY', multiSelect: true, showAllOption: true }),
+			),
+		).toBeUndefined();
+	});
+});

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/__tests__/variablesUrlState.test.ts

@@ -1,31 +0,0 @@
-import { withVariablesSearch } from '../variablesUrlState';
-
-jest.mock('nuqs', () => ({
-	parseAsJson: (): unknown => ({ withOptions: (): unknown => ({}) }),
-}));
-
-describe('withVariablesSearch', () => {
-	const current = `?compositeQuery=abc&variables=${encodeURIComponent(
-		'{"env":"prod"}',
-	)}`;
-
-	it('returns the base unchanged when the current search has no variables', () => {
-		expect(withVariablesSearch('', '?compositeQuery=abc')).toBe('');
-		expect(withVariablesSearch('?panelKind=signoz/TablePanel', '')).toBe(
-			'?panelKind=signoz/TablePanel',
-		);
-	});
-
-	it('carries only the variables param onto an empty base', () => {
-		const result = withVariablesSearch('', current);
-		expect(new URLSearchParams(result).get('variables')).toBe('{"env":"prod"}');
-		expect(new URLSearchParams(result).get('compositeQuery')).toBeNull();
-	});
-
-	it('appends the variables param to existing base params', () => {
-		const result = withVariablesSearch('?panelKind=signoz/TablePanel', current);
-		const params = new URLSearchParams(result);
-		expect(params.get('panelKind')).toBe('signoz/TablePanel');
-		expect(params.get('variables')).toBe('{"env":"prod"}');
-	});
-});

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/resolveVariableSelection.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,183 @@
+import type { VariableFormModel } from '../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
+import type {
+	SelectedVariableValue,
+	VariableSelection,
+} from './selectionTypes';
+import { ALL_SELECTED } from './variablesUrlState';
+
+/**
+ * Single source of truth for "what value does this variable hold?", shared by the
+ * three surfaces that used to each own a divergent copy of the rule:
+ * - {@link resolveDefaultSelection} — the seed-time default (no options yet).
+ * - {@link reconcileWithOptions} — the post-fetch reconcile (options known).
+ * - {@link configuredDefaultValue} — the payload fallback when nothing is picked.
+ *
+ * Keeping them here means the variable bar, the fetch gate and the panel-query
+ * payload can never disagree about a variable's default (the previous split
+ * produced "bar shows ALL while the query omits the variable").
+ */
+
+/** An "every option selected" (ALL) selection. */
+const ALL_SELECTION: VariableSelection = { value: null, allSelected: true };
+
+/** The `defaultValue` reduced to a single string, or undefined when unset. */
+function firstConfiguredDefault(model: VariableFormModel): string | undefined {
+	const def = model.defaultValue;
+	if (Array.isArray(def)) {
+		return def.length > 0 ? String(def[0]) : undefined;
+	}
+	if (typeof def === 'string' && def !== '') {
+		return def;
+	}
+	return undefined;
+}
+
+/** Whether the configured default marks the ALL sentinel. */
+function isAllDefault(def: VariableFormModel['defaultValue']): boolean {
+	return (
+		def === ALL_SELECTED ||
+		(Array.isArray(def) && def.length === 1 && def[0] === ALL_SELECTED)
+	);
+}
+
+function isValidSingle(
+	value: SelectedVariableValue,
+	options: string[],
+): boolean {
+	return (
+		!Array.isArray(value) &&
+		value !== '' &&
+		value !== null &&
+		value !== undefined &&
+		options.includes(String(value))
+	);
+}
+
+/** The configured default (or first option) as a fresh selection. */
+function fillDefault(
+	model: VariableFormModel,
+	options: string[],
+): VariableSelection {
+	const fallback = firstConfiguredDefault(model);
+	const initial = fallback && options.includes(fallback) ? fallback : options[0];
+	return {
+		value: model.multiSelect ? [initial] : initial,
+		allSelected: false,
+	};
+}
+
+/**
+ * For an ALL selection, the value to materialize (or null when unchanged).
+ * Dynamic ALL travels as the `__all__` wire sentinel and renders ALL from the
+ * flag, so it needs no materialized value. Query/custom ALL must carry the full
+ * option array (the payload builder cannot expand it) — keep it in sync.
+ */
+function materializeAll(
+	model: VariableFormModel,
+	options: string[],
+	current: SelectedVariableValue,
+): VariableSelection | null {
+	if (!model.multiSelect || model.type === 'DYNAMIC') {
+		return null;
+	}
+	const alreadyFull =
+		Array.isArray(current) &&
+		current.length === options.length &&
+		current.every((c) => options.includes(String(c)));
+	return alreadyFull ? null : { value: options, allSelected: true };
+}
+
+/**
+ * The seed-time default for a variable, before any options are fetched.
+ * - TEXT: the configured default (`defaultValue` → `textValue`), else empty.
+ * - CUSTOM/QUERY/DYNAMIC: the configured default; else ALL when allowAll is on;
+ *   else a placeholder that {@link reconcileWithOptions} fills with the first
+ *   option once the options resolve.
+ */
+export function resolveDefaultSelection(
+	model: VariableFormModel,
+): VariableSelection {
+	if (model.type === 'TEXT') {
+		return {
+			value: firstConfiguredDefault(model) ?? model.textValue ?? '',
+			allSelected: false,
+		};
+	}
+
+	const def = model.defaultValue;
+	if (isAllDefault(def)) {
+		return ALL_SELECTION;
+	}
+	if (Array.isArray(def) && def.length > 0) {
+		return { value: def, allSelected: false };
+	}
+	if (typeof def === 'string' && def !== '') {
+		return { value: model.multiSelect ? [def] : def, allSelected: false };
+	}
+	if (model.multiSelect && model.showAllOption) {
+		return ALL_SELECTION;
+	}
+	return { value: model.multiSelect ? [] : '', allSelected: false };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Reconciles a variable's current selection against its freshly-fetched options.
+ * Returns the next selection, or null when nothing should change (a valid pick is
+ * left untouched — local-first). Behaviour, in order:
+ * - materialize ALL to the full option set (query/custom);
+ * - keep a still-valid multi-select subset, dropping only invalid entries;
+ * - otherwise auto-pick the default (or first option) so dependent variables and
+ *   panels always resolve against a usable value.
+ */
+export function reconcileWithOptions(
+	model: VariableFormModel,
+	current: VariableSelection,
+	options: string[],
+): VariableSelection | null {
+	if (options.length === 0) {
+		return null;
+	}
+
+	if (current.allSelected) {
+		return materializeAll(model, options, current.value);
+	}
+
+	if (
+		model.multiSelect &&
+		Array.isArray(current.value) &&
+		current.value.length > 0
+	) {
+		const valid = current.value.map(String).filter((c) => options.includes(c));
+		if (valid.length === current.value.length) {
+			return null;
+		}
+		return valid.length > 0
+			? { value: valid, allSelected: false }
+			: fillDefault(model, options);
+	}
+
+	if (!model.multiSelect && isValidSingle(current.value, options)) {
+		return null;
+	}
+	return fillDefault(model, options);
+}
+
+/**
+ * The value to send for a variable when the user has made no selection yet
+ * (the payload fallback). Mirrors the configured default only — an ALL-by-default
+ * list variable resolves to `undefined` here (its concrete values are carried by
+ * the materialized selection once options are known), so it is omitted until then
+ * rather than sent wrong.
+ */
+export function configuredDefaultValue(
+	model: VariableFormModel,
+): SelectedVariableValue | undefined {
+	if (model.type === 'TEXT') {
+		return firstConfiguredDefault(model) ?? model.textValue ?? undefined;
+	}
+	const def = model.defaultValue;
+	if (Array.isArray(def)) {
+		return def.length > 0 ? def : undefined;
+	}
+	return def || undefined;
+}

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/selectionUtils.ts

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import type { VariableType } from '../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
 import type {
 	SelectedVariableValue,
 	VariableSelection,
@@ -19,6 +20,32 @@ export function isResolved(selection?: VariableSelection): boolean {
 	return value !== '' && value !== null && value !== undefined;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Whether a selection carries a value usable when scheduling a dependent
+ * variable/panel fetch. Unlike {@link isResolved}, a QUERY/CUSTOM ALL counts only
+ * once materialized into the concrete array (an unmaterialized ALL isn't usable),
+ * while a DYNAMIC ALL is usable immediately via the `__all__` sentinel.
+ */
+export function hasUsableValue(
+	selection: VariableSelection | undefined,
+	type: VariableType | undefined,
+): boolean {
+	if (!selection) {
+		return false;
+	}
+	if (selection.allSelected) {
+		if (type === 'DYNAMIC') {
+			return true;
+		}
+		return Array.isArray(selection.value) && selection.value.length > 0;
+	}
+	const { value } = selection;
+	if (Array.isArray(value)) {
+		return value.length > 0;
+	}
+	return value !== '' && value !== null && value !== undefined;
+}
+
 /** Flatten the selection map into the `{ name: value }` payload a query expects. */
 export function selectionToPayload(
 	selection: VariableSelectionMap,

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/selectors/CustomSelector.tsx

@@ -1,50 +0,0 @@
-import { useMemo } from 'react';
-import { commaValuesParser } from 'lib/dashboardVariables/customCommaValuesParser';
-
-import { sortValuesByOrder } from '../../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
-import type { VariableFormModel } from '../../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
-import type { VariableSelection } from '../selectionTypes';
-import { useAutoSelect } from '../useAutoSelect';
-import ValueSelector from './ValueSelector';
-
-interface CustomSelectorProps {
-	variable: VariableFormModel;
-	selection: VariableSelection;
-	onChange: (selection: VariableSelection) => void;
-	onAutoSelect: (selection: VariableSelection) => void;
-}
-
-/**
- * Custom-variable options come from the comma-separated `customValue` (no fetch),
- * but still auto-select a default/first option so the variable is never left blank.
- */
-function CustomSelector({
-	variable,
-	selection,
-	onChange,
-	onAutoSelect,
-}: CustomSelectorProps): JSX.Element {
-	const options = useMemo(
-		() =>
-			sortValuesByOrder(
-				commaValuesParser(variable.customValue),
-				variable.sort,
-			).map(String),
-		[variable.customValue, variable.sort],
-	);
-
-	useAutoSelect(variable, options, selection, onAutoSelect);
-
-	return (
-		<ValueSelector
-			options={options}
-			multiSelect={variable.multiSelect}
-			showAllOption={variable.showAllOption}
-			selection={selection}
-			onChange={onChange}
-			testId={`variable-select-${variable.name}`}
-		/>
-	);
-}
-
-export default CustomSelector;

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/selectors/DynamicSelector.tsx

@@ -1,140 +0,0 @@
-import { useMemo } from 'react';
-import { useQuery } from 'react-query';
-// eslint-disable-next-line no-restricted-imports
-import { useSelector } from 'react-redux';
-import { getFieldValues } from 'api/dynamicVariables/getFieldValues';
-import {
-	DASHBOARD_CACHE_TIME,
-	DASHBOARD_CACHE_TIME_ON_REFRESH_ENABLED,
-} from 'constants/queryCacheTime';
-import type { AppState } from 'store/reducers';
-import type { GlobalReducer } from 'types/reducer/globalTime';
-
-import {
-	signalForApi,
-	sortValuesByOrder,
-} from '../../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
-import type { VariableFormModel } from '../../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
-import { useDashboardStore } from '../../store/useDashboardStore';
-import { buildExistingDynamicVariableQuery } from '../dynamicFilter';
-import type {
-	VariableSelection,
-	VariableSelectionMap,
-} from '../selectionTypes';
-import { useAutoSelect } from '../useAutoSelect';
-import { useVariableFetchState } from '../useVariableFetchState';
-import ValueSelector from './ValueSelector';
-
-interface DynamicSelectorProps {
-	variable: VariableFormModel;
-	/** All variables + current selections, to scope options by sibling dynamics. */
-	variables: VariableFormModel[];
-	selections: VariableSelectionMap;
-	selection: VariableSelection;
-	onChange: (selection: VariableSelection) => void;
-	/** Batched auto-selection fill applied when options resolve. */
-	onAutoSelect: (selection: VariableSelection) => void;
-}
-
-/**
- * Dynamic-variable options sourced from live telemetry field values for the
- * chosen signal + attribute, scoped by the other dynamic variables' selections
- * (so e.g. `pod` narrows to the chosen `namespace`). WHEN to fetch is owned by
- * the runtime fetch engine: dynamics fetch together once the query variables have
- * values, and refetch (via a `cycleId` bump) whenever any variable value changes.
- */
-function DynamicSelector({
-	variable,
-	variables,
-	selections,
-	selection,
-	onChange,
-	onAutoSelect,
-}: DynamicSelectorProps): JSX.Element {
-	const { minTime, maxTime, isAutoRefreshDisabled } = useSelector<
-		AppState,
-		GlobalReducer
-	>((state) => state.globalTime);
-
-	const existingQuery = useMemo(
-		() => buildExistingDynamicVariableQuery(variables, selections, variable.name),
-		[variables, selections, variable.name],
-	);
-
-	const {
-		variableFetchCycleId,
-		isVariableFetching,
-		isVariableSettled,
-		isVariableWaiting,
-		hasVariableFetchedOnce,
-	} = useVariableFetchState(variable.name);
-	const onVariableFetchComplete = useDashboardStore(
-		(s) => s.onVariableFetchComplete,
-	);
-	const onVariableFetchFailure = useDashboardStore(
-		(s) => s.onVariableFetchFailure,
-	);
-
-	const { data, isFetching, error, refetch } = useQuery(
-		[
-			'dashboard-variable-dynamic',
-			variable.name,
-			variable.dynamicSignal,
-			variable.dynamicAttribute,
-			existingQuery,
-			minTime,
-			maxTime,
-			variableFetchCycleId,
-		],
-		() =>
-			getFieldValues(
-				signalForApi(variable.dynamicSignal),
-				variable.dynamicAttribute,
-				undefined,
-				minTime,
-				maxTime,
-				existingQuery || undefined,
-			),
-		{
-			enabled:
-				!!variable.dynamicAttribute &&
-				(isVariableFetching || (isVariableSettled && hasVariableFetchedOnce)),
-			refetchOnWindowFocus: false,
-			// Each cycle mints a fresh key; 0 under auto-refresh so entries don't pile up (V1 parity).
-			cacheTime: isAutoRefreshDisabled
-				? DASHBOARD_CACHE_TIME
-				: DASHBOARD_CACHE_TIME_ON_REFRESH_ENABLED,
-			onSettled: (_, error) =>
-				error
-					? onVariableFetchFailure(variable.name)
-					: onVariableFetchComplete(variable.name),
-		},
-	);
-
-	const options = useMemo(() => {
-		const payload = data?.data;
-		const values =
-			payload?.normalizedValues ?? payload?.values?.StringValues ?? [];
-		return sortValuesByOrder(values, variable.sort).map(String);
-	}, [data, variable.sort]);
-
-	useAutoSelect(variable, options, selection, onAutoSelect);
-
-	return (
-		<ValueSelector
-			options={options}
-			multiSelect={variable.multiSelect}
-			showAllOption={variable.showAllOption}
-			loading={isFetching || isVariableWaiting}
-			errorMessage={error ? (error as Error).message || null : null}
-			onRetry={(): void => {
-				void refetch();
-			}}
-			selection={selection}
-			onChange={onChange}
-			testId={`variable-select-${variable.name}`}
-		/>
-	);
-}
-
-export default DynamicSelector;

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/selectors/QuerySelector.tsx

@@ -1,127 +0,0 @@
-import { useMemo } from 'react';
-import { useQuery } from 'react-query';
-// eslint-disable-next-line no-restricted-imports
-import { useSelector } from 'react-redux';
-import dashboardVariablesQuery from 'api/dashboard/variables/dashboardVariablesQuery';
-import {
-	DASHBOARD_CACHE_TIME,
-	DASHBOARD_CACHE_TIME_ON_REFRESH_ENABLED,
-} from 'constants/queryCacheTime';
-import type { AppState } from 'store/reducers';
-import type { GlobalReducer } from 'types/reducer/globalTime';
-
-import { sortValuesByOrder } from '../../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
-import type { VariableFormModel } from '../../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
-import { useDashboardStore } from '../../store/useDashboardStore';
-import type {
-	VariableSelection,
-	VariableSelectionMap,
-} from '../selectionTypes';
-import { selectionToPayload } from '../selectionUtils';
-import { useAutoSelect } from '../useAutoSelect';
-import { useVariableFetchState } from '../useVariableFetchState';
-import ValueSelector from './ValueSelector';
-
-interface QuerySelectorProps {
-	variable: VariableFormModel;
-	/** All current selections, fed to the query as `{ name: value }`. */
-	selections: VariableSelectionMap;
-	selection: VariableSelection;
-	onChange: (selection: VariableSelection) => void;
-	/** Batched auto-selection fill applied when options resolve. */
-	onAutoSelect: (selection: VariableSelection) => void;
-}
-
-/**
- * Query-driven options. WHEN to fetch is owned by the runtime fetch engine
- * (`variableFetchSlice`): the query is `enabled` while this variable is fetching
- * (or settled-after-a-first-fetch, so a cycle bump re-runs it), and the engine's
- * per-variable `cycleId` keys the request — so a parent's value change refetches
- * only the dependent variables, in dependency order. The current selections feed
- * the request payload but are deliberately NOT in the key (V1 parity).
- */
-function QuerySelector({
-	variable,
-	selections,
-	selection,
-	onChange,
-	onAutoSelect,
-}: QuerySelectorProps): JSX.Element {
-	const { minTime, maxTime, isAutoRefreshDisabled } = useSelector<
-		AppState,
-		GlobalReducer
-	>((state) => state.globalTime);
-	const payload = useMemo(() => selectionToPayload(selections), [selections]);
-
-	const {
-		variableFetchCycleId,
-		isVariableFetching,
-		isVariableSettled,
-		isVariableWaiting,
-		hasVariableFetchedOnce,
-	} = useVariableFetchState(variable.name);
-	const onVariableFetchComplete = useDashboardStore(
-		(s) => s.onVariableFetchComplete,
-	);
-	const onVariableFetchFailure = useDashboardStore(
-		(s) => s.onVariableFetchFailure,
-	);
-
-	const { data, isFetching, error, refetch } = useQuery(
-		[
-			'dashboard-variable',
-			variable.name,
-			variable.queryValue,
-			minTime,
-			maxTime,
-			variableFetchCycleId,
-		],
-		() =>
-			dashboardVariablesQuery({
-				query: variable.queryValue,
-				variables: payload,
-			}),
-		{
-			enabled: isVariableFetching || (isVariableSettled && hasVariableFetchedOnce),
-			refetchOnWindowFocus: false,
-			// Each cycle mints a fresh key; 0 under auto-refresh so entries don't pile up (V1 parity).
-			cacheTime: isAutoRefreshDisabled
-				? DASHBOARD_CACHE_TIME
-				: DASHBOARD_CACHE_TIME_ON_REFRESH_ENABLED,
-			onSettled: (_, error) =>
-				error
-					? onVariableFetchFailure(variable.name)
-					: onVariableFetchComplete(variable.name),
-		},
-	);
-
-	const options = useMemo(() => {
-		if (!data || data.statusCode !== 200 || !data.payload) {
-			return [] as string[];
-		}
-		return sortValuesByOrder(
-			data.payload.variableValues ?? [],
-			variable.sort,
-		).map(String);
-	}, [data, variable.sort]);
-
-	useAutoSelect(variable, options, selection, onAutoSelect);
-
-	return (
-		<ValueSelector
-			options={options}
-			multiSelect={variable.multiSelect}
-			showAllOption={variable.showAllOption}
-			loading={isFetching || isVariableWaiting}
-			errorMessage={error ? (error as Error).message || null : null}
-			onRetry={(): void => {
-				void refetch();
-			}}
-			selection={selection}
-			onChange={onChange}
-			testId={`variable-select-${variable.name}`}
-		/>
-	);
-}
-
-export default QuerySelector;

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/selectors/VariableValueControl.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+import type { VariableFormModel } from '../../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
+import type {
+	VariableSelection,
+	VariableSelectionMap,
+} from '../selectionTypes';
+import { useAutoSelect } from '../useAutoSelect';
+import ValueSelector from './ValueSelector';
+import { useVariableOptions } from './useVariableOptions';
+
+interface VariableValueControlProps {
+	variable: VariableFormModel;
+	/** All variables (Dynamic scopes its options by sibling selections). */
+	variables: VariableFormModel[];
+	/** All current selections (fed to the Query request payload). */
+	selections: VariableSelectionMap;
+	selection: VariableSelection;
+	onChange: (selection: VariableSelection) => void;
+	/** Batched auto-selection fill applied when options resolve. */
+	onAutoSelect: (selection: VariableSelection) => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The single value picker for QUERY / CUSTOM / DYNAMIC variables. Options + fetch
+ * state come from {@link useVariableOptions}; this component only reconciles the
+ * selection against the options and renders — the view is decoupled from how the
+ * options are sourced (Container/Presentational).
+ */
+function VariableValueControl({
+	variable,
+	variables,
+	selections,
+	selection,
+	onChange,
+	onAutoSelect,
+}: VariableValueControlProps): JSX.Element {
+	const { options, loading, errorMessage, onRetry } = useVariableOptions(
+		variable,
+		variables,
+		selections,
+	);
+
+	useAutoSelect(variable, options, selection, onAutoSelect);
+
+	return (
+		<ValueSelector
+			options={options}
+			multiSelect={variable.multiSelect}
+			showAllOption={variable.showAllOption}
+			loading={loading}
+			errorMessage={errorMessage}
+			onRetry={onRetry}
+			selection={selection}
+			onChange={onChange}
+			testId={`variable-select-${variable.name}`}
+		/>
+	);
+}
+
+export default VariableValueControl;

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/selectors/useVariableOptions.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,213 @@
+import { useEffect, useMemo } from 'react';
+import { useQuery } from 'react-query';
+// eslint-disable-next-line no-restricted-imports
+import { useSelector } from 'react-redux';
+import dashboardVariablesQuery from 'api/dashboard/variables/dashboardVariablesQuery';
+import { getFieldValues } from 'api/dynamicVariables/getFieldValues';
+import {
+	DASHBOARD_CACHE_TIME,
+	DASHBOARD_CACHE_TIME_ON_REFRESH_ENABLED,
+} from 'constants/queryCacheTime';
+import { commaValuesParser } from 'lib/dashboardVariables/customCommaValuesParser';
+import type { AppState } from 'store/reducers';
+import type { GlobalReducer } from 'types/reducer/globalTime';
+
+import {
+	signalForApi,
+	sortValuesByOrder,
+} from '../../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
+import type { VariableFormModel } from '../../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
+import { useDashboardStore } from '../../store/useDashboardStore';
+import { buildExistingDynamicVariableQuery } from '../dynamicFilter';
+import type { VariableSelectionMap } from '../selectionTypes';
+import { selectionToPayload } from '../selectionUtils';
+import { useVariableFetchState } from '../useVariableFetchState';
+
+export interface VariableOptions {
+	options: string[];
+	loading: boolean;
+	errorMessage: string | null;
+	onRetry?: () => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The option list for a list variable (QUERY / CUSTOM / DYNAMIC), plus its loading
+ * and error state — the single place the three list types get their options.
+ * QUERY/DYNAMIC fetch via react-query (WHEN owned by the fetch engine: `enabled`
+ * gated on the variable's fetch state, keyed by `cycleId`, never by the current
+ * selections or time — those feed the fetchers (which read the current time at
+ * call), so the debounced fetch cycle drives refetches). CUSTOM is parsed
+ * synchronously from its comma list. TEXT never reaches here (it has no options).
+ */
+export function useVariableOptions(
+	variable: VariableFormModel,
+	variables: VariableFormModel[],
+	selections: VariableSelectionMap,
+): VariableOptions {
+	const { minTime, maxTime, isAutoRefreshDisabled } = useSelector<
+		AppState,
+		GlobalReducer
+	>((state) => state.globalTime);
+	// Bound cache churn: 0 under auto-refresh so entries don't pile up (V1 parity).
+	const cacheTime = isAutoRefreshDisabled
+		? DASHBOARD_CACHE_TIME
+		: DASHBOARD_CACHE_TIME_ON_REFRESH_ENABLED;
+	const {
+		variableFetchCycleId,
+		isVariableFetching,
+		isVariableSettled,
+		isVariableWaiting,
+		hasVariableFetchedOnce,
+	} = useVariableFetchState(variable.name);
+	const onVariableFetchComplete = useDashboardStore(
+		(s) => s.onVariableFetchComplete,
+	);
+	const onVariableFetchFailure = useDashboardStore(
+		(s) => s.onVariableFetchFailure,
+	);
+	const setVariableResolvedEmpty = useDashboardStore(
+		(s) => s.setVariableResolvedEmpty,
+	);
+
+	// Fetch while this variable is actively fetching, or once settled after a first
+	// fetch (so a `cycleId` bump re-runs it). Combined with a per-type guard below.
+	const canFetch =
+		isVariableFetching || (isVariableSettled && hasVariableFetchedOnce);
+
+	// QUERY — options from the test-run endpoint; selections feed the payload, not the key.
+	const payload = useMemo(() => selectionToPayload(selections), [selections]);
+	const queryResult = useQuery(
+		[
+			'dashboard-variable',
+			variable.name,
+			variable.queryValue,
+			variableFetchCycleId,
+		],
+		() =>
+			dashboardVariablesQuery({
+				query: variable.queryValue,
+				variables: payload,
+			}),
+		{
+			enabled: variable.type === 'QUERY' && canFetch,
+			refetchOnWindowFocus: false,
+			cacheTime,
+			onSettled: (_, error) =>
+				error
+					? onVariableFetchFailure(variable.name)
+					: onVariableFetchComplete(variable.name),
+		},
+	);
+
+	// DYNAMIC — telemetry field values scoped by sibling dynamics via `existingQuery`
+	// (fed to the fetcher only, not the key — see DynamicSelector history).
+	const existingQuery = useMemo(
+		() => buildExistingDynamicVariableQuery(variables, selections, variable.name),
+		[variables, selections, variable.name],
+	);
+	const dynamicResult = useQuery(
+		[
+			'dashboard-variable-dynamic',
+			variable.name,
+			variable.dynamicSignal,
+			variable.dynamicAttribute,
+			variableFetchCycleId,
+		],
+		() =>
+			getFieldValues(
+				signalForApi(variable.dynamicSignal),
+				variable.dynamicAttribute,
+				undefined,
+				minTime,
+				maxTime,
+				existingQuery || undefined,
+			),
+		{
+			enabled:
+				variable.type === 'DYNAMIC' && !!variable.dynamicAttribute && canFetch,
+			refetchOnWindowFocus: false,
+			cacheTime,
+			onSettled: (_, error) =>
+				error
+					? onVariableFetchFailure(variable.name)
+					: onVariableFetchComplete(variable.name),
+		},
+	);
+
+	const queryOptions = useMemo(() => {
+		const data = queryResult.data;
+		if (!data || data.statusCode !== 200 || !data.payload) {
+			return [] as string[];
+		}
+		return sortValuesByOrder(
+			data.payload.variableValues ?? [],
+			variable.sort,
+		).map(String);
+	}, [queryResult.data, variable.sort]);
+
+	const dynamicOptions = useMemo(() => {
+		const data = dynamicResult.data?.data;
+		const values = data?.normalizedValues ?? data?.values?.StringValues ?? [];
+		return sortValuesByOrder(values, variable.sort).map(String);
+	}, [dynamicResult.data, variable.sort]);
+
+	const customOptions = useMemo(
+		() =>
+			variable.type === 'CUSTOM'
+				? sortValuesByOrder(
+						commaValuesParser(variable.customValue),
+						variable.sort,
+					).map(String)
+				: ([] as string[]),
+		[variable.type, variable.customValue, variable.sort],
+	);
+
+	// Flag a variable that settled with zero options so dependent panels fall through
+	// to "no data" instead of waiting forever. hasFetchedOnce excludes the pre-fetch state.
+	const effectiveOptions =
+		variable.type === 'DYNAMIC' ? dynamicOptions : queryOptions;
+	useEffect(() => {
+		if (variable.type !== 'QUERY' && variable.type !== 'DYNAMIC') {
+			return;
+		}
+		setVariableResolvedEmpty(
+			variable.name,
+			hasVariableFetchedOnce &&
+				!isVariableFetching &&
+				effectiveOptions.length === 0,
+		);
+	}, [
+		variable.type,
+		variable.name,
+		hasVariableFetchedOnce,
+		isVariableFetching,
+		effectiveOptions.length,
+		setVariableResolvedEmpty,
+	]);
+
+	if (variable.type === 'CUSTOM') {
+		return { options: customOptions, loading: false, errorMessage: null };
+	}
+	if (variable.type === 'DYNAMIC') {
+		return {
+			options: dynamicOptions,
+			loading: dynamicResult.isFetching || isVariableWaiting,
+			errorMessage: dynamicResult.error
+				? (dynamicResult.error as Error).message || null
+				: null,
+			onRetry: (): void => {
+				void dynamicResult.refetch();
+			},
+		};
+	}
+	return {
+		options: queryOptions,
+		loading: queryResult.isFetching || isVariableWaiting,
+		errorMessage: queryResult.error
+			? (queryResult.error as Error).message || null
+			: null,
+		onRetry: (): void => {
+			void queryResult.refetch();
+		},
+	};
+}

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/useAutoSelect.ts

@@ -1,61 +1,14 @@
 import { useEffect } from 'react';
 
 import type { VariableFormModel } from '../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
-import type {
-	SelectedVariableValue,
-	VariableSelection,
-} from './selectionTypes';
-
-/** The variable's default (or first option) as a fresh selection. */
-function fillDefault(
-	variable: VariableFormModel,
-	options: string[],
-): VariableSelection {
-	const dv = variable.defaultValue;
-	const fallback = Array.isArray(dv) ? dv[0] : dv;
-	const initial = fallback && options.includes(fallback) ? fallback : options[0];
-	return {
-		value: variable.multiSelect ? [initial] : initial,
-		allSelected: false,
-	};
-}
-
-/** For an all-selected variable, the value to materialize (or null if unchanged). */
-function reconcileAllSelected(
-	variable: VariableFormModel,
-	options: string[],
-	current: SelectedVariableValue,
-): VariableSelection | null {
-	// Dynamic ALL travels as the `__all__` wire sentinel and shows ALL from the
-	// flag, so it needs no materialized value. Query/custom ALL must carry the full
-	// option array (the payload builder can't expand it) — keep it in sync.
-	if (!variable.multiSelect || variable.type === 'DYNAMIC') {
-		return null;
-	}
-	const alreadyFull =
-		Array.isArray(current) &&
-		current.length === options.length &&
-		current.every((c) => options.includes(String(c)));
-	return alreadyFull ? null : { value: options, allSelected: true };
-}
-
-function isValidSingle(
-	current: SelectedVariableValue,
-	options: string[],
-): boolean {
-	return (
-		!Array.isArray(current) &&
-		current !== '' &&
-		current !== null &&
-		current !== undefined &&
-		options.includes(String(current))
-	);
-}
+import { reconcileWithOptions } from './resolveVariableSelection';
+import type { VariableSelection } from './selectionTypes';
 
 /**
- * Reconciles a variable's selection with its freshly-fetched options: materialize
- * ALL to the full set, keep a still-valid multi-select subset, else auto-pick the
- * default (or first option) so dependent children always have a usable value.
+ * Reconciles a variable's selection with its freshly-fetched options and fires
+ * `onAutoSelect` only when the value must change. The reconcile rule lives in
+ * {@link reconcileWithOptions} (shared with seed + payload defaulting) so the bar
+ * and the panel query can never disagree about a variable's default.
  */
 export function useAutoSelect(
 	variable: VariableFormModel,
@@ -64,36 +17,10 @@ export function useAutoSelect(
 	onAutoSelect: (selection: VariableSelection) => void,
 ): void {
 	useEffect(() => {
-		if (options.length === 0) {
-			return;
+		const next = reconcileWithOptions(variable, selection, options);
+		if (next) {
+			onAutoSelect(next);
 		}
-		const current = selection.value;
-
-		if (selection.allSelected) {
-			const next = reconcileAllSelected(variable, options, current);
-			if (next) {
-				onAutoSelect(next);
-			}
-			return;
-		}
-
-		if (variable.multiSelect && Array.isArray(current) && current.length > 0) {
-			const valid = current.map(String).filter((c) => options.includes(c));
-			if (valid.length === current.length) {
-				return;
-			}
-			onAutoSelect(
-				valid.length > 0
-					? { value: valid, allSelected: false }
-					: fillDefault(variable, options),
-			);
-			return;
-		}
-
-		if (!variable.multiSelect && isValidSingle(current, options)) {
-			return;
-		}
-		onAutoSelect(fillDefault(variable, options));
 		// eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
 	}, [options]);
 }

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/useSeedVariableSelection.ts

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { dtoToFormModel } from '../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableAdapters'
 import type { VariableFormModel } from '../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
 import { selectVariableValues } from '../store/slices/variableSelectionSlice';
 import { useDashboardStore } from '../store/useDashboardStore';
+import { resolveDefaultSelection } from './resolveVariableSelection';
 import type {
 	SelectedVariableValue,
 	VariableSelection,
@@ -17,26 +18,6 @@ import {
 } from './variableDependencies';
 import { ALL_SELECTED, variablesUrlParser } from './variablesUrlState';
 
-function defaultSelection(model: VariableFormModel): VariableSelection {
-	const def = model.defaultValue;
-	if (
-		def === ALL_SELECTED ||
-		(Array.isArray(def) && def.length === 1 && def[0] === ALL_SELECTED)
-	) {
-		return { value: null, allSelected: true };
-	}
-	if (Array.isArray(def) && def.length > 0) {
-		return { value: def, allSelected: false };
-	}
-	if (typeof def === 'string' && def !== '') {
-		return { value: model.multiSelect ? [def] : def, allSelected: false };
-	}
-	if (model.multiSelect && model.showAllOption) {
-		return { value: null, allSelected: true };
-	}
-	return { value: model.multiSelect ? [] : '', allSelected: false };
-}
-
 // The `__ALL__` sentinel only means "ALL" for variables that support it — a
 // legitimate value of "__ALL__" (e.g. a text var) is taken literally.
 function fromUrlValue(
@@ -88,12 +69,20 @@ export function useSeedVariableSelection(
 		const seeded: VariableSelectionMap = {};
 		variables.forEach((variable) => {
 			const urlValue = urlValues?.[variable.name];
+			const stored = selection[variable.name];
 			if (urlValue !== undefined) {
-				seeded[variable.name] = fromUrlValue(urlValue, variable);
-			} else if (selection[variable.name]) {
-				seeded[variable.name] = selection[variable.name];
+				const fromUrl = fromUrlValue(urlValue, variable);
+				// When the URL carries only the ALL sentinel but the store already holds
+				// the materialized full-option array, reuse it — avoids the re-fetch +
+				// re-materialize round-trip (and its dependent-refetch cascade) on load.
+				seeded[variable.name] =
+					fromUrl.allSelected && stored?.allSelected && Array.isArray(stored.value)
+						? stored
+						: fromUrl;
+			} else if (stored) {
+				seeded[variable.name] = stored;
 			} else {
-				seeded[variable.name] = defaultSelection(variable);
+				seeded[variable.name] = resolveDefaultSelection(variable);
 			}
 		});
 		setVariableValues(dashboardId, seeded);
@@ -116,8 +105,10 @@ export function useSeedVariableSelection(
 		// eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps -- seed once per dashboard/variable set; the URL is read as of that moment
 	}, [dashboardId, variables]);
 
+	// Always init the context (even with no variables) so panels can tell "ready, none"
+	// from "not ready yet"; also clears it when the last variable is removed.
 	useEffect(() => {
-		if (!dashboardId || variables.length === 0) {
+		if (!dashboardId) {
 			return;
 		}
 		const names = variables

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/useVariableSelection.ts

@@ -11,9 +11,14 @@ import { selectVariableValues } from '../store/slices/variableSelectionSlice';
 import { useDashboardStore } from '../store/useDashboardStore';
 import type { VariableSelection, VariableSelectionMap } from './selectionTypes';
 import { useSeedVariableSelection } from './useSeedVariableSelection';
-import { doAllQueryVariablesHaveValues } from './variableDependencies';
 import { ALL_SELECTED, variablesUrlParser } from './variablesUrlState';
 
+/**
+ * Debounce for the fetch cycle, so the on-load time-range settle (default → saved)
+ * and rapid time-picker changes collapse into one cycle instead of double-fetching.
+ */
+const FETCH_CYCLE_DEBOUNCE_MS = 250;
+
 interface UseVariableSelection {
 	variables: VariableFormModel[];
 	selection: VariableSelectionMap;
@@ -48,9 +53,10 @@ export function useVariableSelection(
 		(s) => s.enqueueDescendantsBatch,
 	);
 
-	const { minTime, maxTime } = useSelector<AppState, GlobalReducer>(
-		(state) => state.globalTime,
-	);
+	const { minTime, maxTime, selectedTime } = useSelector<
+		AppState,
+		GlobalReducer
+	>((state) => state.globalTime);
 
 	// Latest selection, read by the fetch-cycle effect without subscribing to it
 	// (so a value change doesn't re-trigger a full fetch cycle).
@@ -62,20 +68,39 @@ export function useVariableSelection(
 		variablesUrlParser.withOptions({ history: 'replace' }),
 	);
 
-	// Start a full fetch cycle on load / dependency-order / time change. A value
-	// change instead goes through `enqueueDescendants`, not this effect.
+	// Start a full fetch cycle on load / dependency-order / time change, debounced so
+	// the initial time-window settle (and rapid time changes) collapse into ONE cycle
+	// instead of double-fetching every variable. Variables stay disabled until the
+	// cycle runs, so the transient window is never fetched. A value change instead
+	// goes through `enqueueDescendants` — immediate, not this effect.
 	const orderKey = `${fetchContext.queryVariableOrder.join(
 		',',
 	)}|${fetchContext.dynamicVariableOrder.join(',')}`;
+	// Key on the time *selection*, not raw min/max: a relative range recomputes those
+	// as `now` drifts, which shouldn't refetch. The fetchers still read current time.
+	const timeKey =
+		selectedTime === 'custom' ? `custom:${minTime}-${maxTime}` : selectedTime;
+	// A re-mount re-runs this effect with the same key, which enqueueFetchAll skips.
+	const fetchCycleKey = `${dashboardId}|${orderKey}|${timeKey}`;
+	const fetchCycleTimer = useRef<ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>>();
 	useEffect(() => {
 		if (!dashboardId || variables.length === 0) {
-			return;
+			return undefined;
 		}
-		enqueueFetchAll(
-			doAllQueryVariablesHaveValues(variables, selectionRef.current),
+		if (fetchCycleTimer.current) {
+			clearTimeout(fetchCycleTimer.current);
+		}
+		fetchCycleTimer.current = setTimeout(
+			() => enqueueFetchAll(fetchCycleKey),
+			FETCH_CYCLE_DEBOUNCE_MS,
 		);
+		return (): void => {
+			if (fetchCycleTimer.current) {
+				clearTimeout(fetchCycleTimer.current);
+			}
+		};
 		// eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
-	}, [dashboardId, orderKey, minTime, maxTime]);
+	}, [dashboardId, fetchCycleKey]);
 
 	const setSelection = useCallback(
 		(name: string, next: VariableSelection): void => {

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/variableDependencies.ts

@@ -4,8 +4,6 @@ import type {
 	VariableFormModel,
 	VariableType,
 } from '../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
-import type { VariableSelectionMap } from './selectionTypes';
-import { isResolved } from './selectionUtils';
 
 /**
  * Inter-variable dependency graph for runtime selection. A QUERY variable
@@ -242,17 +240,3 @@ export function deriveFetchContext(
 		dynamicVariableOrder,
 	};
 }
-
-/**
- * Whether every QUERY variable already has a usable selection — decides at load
- * time whether dynamic variables may fetch immediately or must wait for the
- * query variables to settle first (V1 parity).
- */
-export function doAllQueryVariablesHaveValues(
-	variables: VariableFormModel[],
-	selection: VariableSelectionMap,
-): boolean {
-	return variables
-		.filter((v) => v.type === 'QUERY')
-		.every((v) => isResolved(selection[v.name]));
-}

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/variablesUrlState.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-import { QueryParams } from 'constants/query';
 import { parseAsJson } from 'nuqs';
 
 import type { SelectedVariableValue } from './selectionTypes';
@@ -14,21 +13,3 @@ export const variablesUrlParser = parseAsJson<
 		? (v as Record<string, SelectedVariableValue>)
 		: null,
 );
-
-/**
- * Extends a search string with the current `?variables=` param (unchanged when
- * absent), so the dashboard ↔ editor handoff keeps the selection in the URL and
- * it survives a refresh (V1 parity).
- */
-export function withVariablesSearch(
-	base: string,
-	currentSearch: string,
-): string {
-	const value = new URLSearchParams(currentSearch).get(QueryParams.variables);
-	if (!value) {
-		return base;
-	}
-	const params = new URLSearchParams(base);
-	params.set(QueryParams.variables, value);
-	return `?${params.toString()}`;
-}

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/hooks/useCreatePanel.ts

@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 import { useCallback, useState } from 'react';
-import { generatePath, useLocation } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { generatePath } from 'react-router-dom';
 import ROUTES from 'constants/routes';
 import { useSafeNavigate } from 'hooks/useSafeNavigate';
 
 import { newPanelSearch, NEW_PANEL_ID } from '../PanelEditor/newPanelRoute';
 import type { PanelKind } from '../Panels/types/panelKind';
 import { useDashboardStore } from '../store/useDashboardStore';
-import { withVariablesSearch } from '../VariablesBar/variablesUrlState';
 
 interface UseCreatePanelResult {
 	isPickerOpen: boolean;
@@ -26,7 +25,6 @@ interface UseCreatePanelResult {
  */
 export function useCreatePanel(): UseCreatePanelResult {
 	const { safeNavigate } = useSafeNavigate();
-	const { search } = useLocation();
 	const dashboardId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.dashboardId);
 
 	const [isPickerOpen, setIsPickerOpen] = useState(false);
@@ -50,11 +48,10 @@ export function useCreatePanel(): UseCreatePanelResult {
 				panelId: NEW_PANEL_ID,
 			});
 			const target = targetIndex ?? layoutIndex;
-			safeNavigate(
-				`${path}${withVariablesSearch(newPanelSearch(panelKind, target), search)}`,
-			);
+			// Variable selection is read from the persisted store, not the URL.
+			safeNavigate(`${path}${newPanelSearch(panelKind, target)}`);
 		},
-		[safeNavigate, dashboardId, layoutIndex, search],
+		[safeNavigate, dashboardId, layoutIndex],
 	);
 
 	return {

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/hooks/useIsPanelWaitingOnVariable.ts

@@ -1,23 +1,51 @@
-import { isResolved } from '../VariablesBar/selectionUtils';
+import { hasUsableValue } from '../VariablesBar/selectionUtils';
+import { VariableFetchState } from '../store/slices/variableFetchSlice';
 import { selectVariableValues } from '../store/slices/variableSelectionSlice';
 import { useDashboardStore } from '../store/useDashboardStore';
 
 /**
- * True while a panel should stay in its loading state because a variable it
- * references is still loading/waiting and has no usable value yet — i.e. the
- * first load. Once the variable has a value, a later change no longer blocks the
- * panel (it refetches over stale data instead). V1 parity with
- * `useIsPanelWaitingOnVariable`.
+ * Whether a panel should stay loading because a QUERY/DYNAMIC variable it references
+ * isn't ready to substitute. A concrete pick (not ALL) and a DYNAMIC ALL are ready
+ * immediately; an unselected value or a QUERY/CUSTOM ALL waits while it's still
+ * resolving, then until it settles with a value — so a panel on a chain holds until
+ * the last variable it depends on resolves. A fetch error or a settled-empty variable
+ * releases it (no value is coming — render rather than hang).
  */
 export function useIsPanelWaitingOnVariable(names: string[]): boolean {
 	const dashboardId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.dashboardId);
-	const states = useDashboardStore((s) => s.variableFetchStates);
+	const variableTypes = useDashboardStore(
+		(s) => s.variableFetchContext?.variableTypes,
+	);
+	const fetchStates = useDashboardStore((s) => s.variableFetchStates);
+	const resolvedEmpty = useDashboardStore((s) => s.variableResolvedEmpty);
 	const selection = useDashboardStore(selectVariableValues(dashboardId));
 
 	return names.some((name) => {
-		const state = states[name];
-		const inFlight =
-			state === 'loading' || state === 'revalidating' || state === 'waiting';
-		return isResolved(selection[name]) ? false : inFlight;
+		const type = variableTypes?.[name];
+		if (type !== 'QUERY' && type !== 'DYNAMIC') {
+			return false;
+		}
+		const value = selection[name];
+		// A concrete pick is authoritative; a DYNAMIC ALL is the stable `__all__`
+		// sentinel — both ready without waiting.
+		if (value && !value.allSelected && hasUsableValue(value, type)) {
+			return false;
+		}
+		if (type === 'DYNAMIC' && value?.allSelected) {
+			return false;
+		}
+		// Unselected, or a QUERY/CUSTOM ALL whose array the fetch produces: wait while
+		// resolving, then until it settles with a usable value.
+		const state = fetchStates[name];
+		if (
+			state === VariableFetchState.Waiting ||
+			state === VariableFetchState.Loading
+		) {
+			return true;
+		}
+		if (hasUsableValue(value, type)) {
+			return false;
+		}
+		return state !== VariableFetchState.Error && !resolvedEmpty[name];
 	});
 }

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/hooks/useOpenPanelEditor.ts

@@ -1,17 +1,16 @@
 import { useCallback } from 'react';
-import { generatePath, useLocation } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { generatePath } from 'react-router-dom';
 import ROUTES from 'constants/routes';
 import { useSafeNavigate } from 'hooks/useSafeNavigate';
 
 import type { PanelEditorHandoffState } from '../PanelEditor/panelEditorHandoff';
 import { useDashboardStore } from '../store/useDashboardStore';
-import { withVariablesSearch } from '../VariablesBar/variablesUrlState';
 
 /**
  * Returns a callback that opens the V2 panel editor by navigating to its full-page route
  * (`/dashboard/:dashboardId/panel/:panelId`). The dashboard id comes from the store, so any
- * caller can open the editor with just the panel id. The `?variables=` selection is carried
- * along (V1 parity) so it survives a refresh of the editor. The optional `handoffState` is
+ * caller can open the editor with just the panel id. Variable selection is read from the
+ * persisted store (localStorage), not carried in the URL. The optional `handoffState` is
  * passed as router location state — the View modal uses it to hand its drilldown-edited spec
  * off to the editor (view → edit) so the editor opens on those edits rather than the saved
  * panel.
@@ -21,19 +20,15 @@ export function useOpenPanelEditor(): (
 	handoffState?: PanelEditorHandoffState,
 ) => void {
 	const { safeNavigate } = useSafeNavigate();
-	const { search } = useLocation();
 	const dashboardId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.dashboardId);
 
 	return useCallback(
 		(panelId: string, handoffState?: PanelEditorHandoffState): void => {
 			safeNavigate(
-				`${generatePath(ROUTES.DASHBOARD_PANEL_EDITOR, {
-					dashboardId,
-					panelId,
-				})}${withVariablesSearch('', search)}`,
+				generatePath(ROUTES.DASHBOARD_PANEL_EDITOR, { dashboardId, panelId }),
 				handoffState ? { state: handoffState } : undefined,
 			);
 		},
-		[safeNavigate, dashboardId, search],
+		[safeNavigate, dashboardId],
 	);
 }

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/hooks/usePanelQuery.ts

@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ import {
 } from '../queryV5/buildQueryRangeRequest';
 import type { PanelPagination, PanelQueryData } from '../queryV5/types';
 import { getRawResults } from '../queryV5/v5ResponseData';
-import { getReferencedVariables } from '../queryV5/getReferencedVariables';
+import {
+	getReferencedVariables,
+	queryReferencesAnyVariable,
+} from '../queryV5/getReferencedVariables';
 import { getBuilderQueries } from '../Panels/utils/getBuilderQueries';
 import { PANEL_KIND_TO_PANEL_TYPE } from '../Panels/types/panelKind';
 import { selectResolvedVariables } from '../store/slices/variableSelectionSlice';
@@ -57,9 +60,9 @@ export interface PanelQueryTimeOverride {
 export interface UsePanelQueryResult {
 	/** Raw V5 fetch result — response + the request that produced it. */
 	data: PanelQueryData;
-	/** First fetch only (no cached data yet) — drives the full-panel loader. A background refetch does NOT set this; use `isFetching`. */
+	/** First fetch only (no cached data yet), OR waiting on an unresolved referenced variable — drives the full-panel loader. A background refetch does NOT set this; use `isFetching`. */
 	isLoading: boolean;
-	/** Any request in flight, including a background refetch over stale data — drives a "refreshing" affordance, never a blank panel. */
+	/** Any request in flight (including a background refetch over stale data), OR waiting on an unresolved referenced variable — drives the loader / "refreshing" affordance, never a blank panel. */
 	isFetching: boolean;
 	/** Showing a prior page's data (keepPreviousData) while the next page loads — list renderers swap in skeleton rows. */
 	isPreviousData: boolean;
@@ -131,6 +134,13 @@ export function usePanelQuery({
 		return getReferencedVariables(queries, allNames);
 	}, [queries, fetchContext]);
 
+	// Detected without the fetch context, so the gate below can hold even before it
+	// initializes.
+	const hasVariableReference = useMemo(
+		() => queryReferencesAnyVariable(queries),
+		[queries],
+	);
+
 	const scopedVariables = useMemo(() => {
 		const scoped: typeof variables = {};
 		referencedVariableNames.forEach((name) => {
@@ -141,11 +151,11 @@ export function usePanelQuery({
 		return scoped;
 	}, [variables, referencedVariableNames]);
 
-	// First-load gate: hold the panel in its loading state until every referenced
-	// variable has resolved a value.
-	const isWaitingOnVariable = useIsPanelWaitingOnVariable(
-		referencedVariableNames,
-	);
+	// Hold until referenced variables resolve; also hold before the context is ready
+	// (we can't yet know which variables to substitute, so firing would drop `$var`s).
+	const isWaitingOnVariable =
+		useIsPanelWaitingOnVariable(referencedVariableNames) ||
+		(hasVariableReference && !fetchContext);
 
 	// `visualization` exists only on variants that declare it — read via `in` narrowing over the
 	// generated union (no cast). `fillSpans` (TimeSeries/Bar only) → formatOptions.fillGaps.
@@ -309,8 +319,10 @@ export function usePanelQuery({
 
 	return {
 		data,
-		isLoading: response.isLoading,
-		isFetching: response.isFetching,
+		// A disabled (waiting-on-variable) query reports neither loading nor fetching, so
+		// fold the wait in — else the panel body falls through to "No data" mid-load.
+		isLoading: isWaitingOnVariable || response.isLoading,
+		isFetching: isWaitingOnVariable || response.isFetching,
 		isPreviousData: response.isPreviousData,
 		error: response.error ?? null,
 		refetch: response.refetch,

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/index.tsx

@@ -33,6 +33,11 @@ function DashboardContainer({
 		document.title = name;
 	}, [name]);
 
+	// Store is app-level and outlives the page: clear transient variable fetch state on
+	// unmount so the next visit doesn't inherit stale states / climbing cycle ids.
+	const resetVariableFetch = useDashboardStore((s) => s.resetVariableFetch);
+	useEffect(() => resetVariableFetch, [resetVariableFetch]);
+
 	const fullScreenHandle = useFullScreenHandle();
 
 	const { isLocked, canEditDashboard } = useDashboardEditGuard(dashboard);

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/queryV5/__tests__/getReferencedVariables.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+import type { DashboardtypesQueryDTO } from 'api/generated/services/sigNoz.schemas';
+
+import {
+	getReferencedVariables,
+	queryReferencesAnyVariable,
+} from '../getReferencedVariables';
+
+// Test fixtures are cast at the outer boundary; the perses-generated query
+// plugin unions are too verbose to construct field-typed inline.
+function clickhouseQuery(query: string): DashboardtypesQueryDTO[] {
+	return [
+		{
+			kind: 'ScalarQuery',
+			spec: {
+				plugin: {
+					kind: 'signoz/CompositeQuery',
+					spec: {
+						queries: [{ type: 'clickhouse_sql', spec: { name: 'A', query } }],
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	] as unknown as DashboardtypesQueryDTO[];
+}
+
+describe('getReferencedVariables', () => {
+	it('returns only the variables the query references', () => {
+		const queries = clickhouseQuery(
+			'SELECT count() FROM t WHERE service = $service.name',
+		);
+		expect(
+			getReferencedVariables(queries, [
+				'service.name',
+				'deployment.environment',
+				'dyn_service',
+			]),
+		).toStrictEqual(['service.name']);
+	});
+
+	it('returns empty when no known name matches', () => {
+		const queries = clickhouseQuery('SELECT 1');
+		expect(getReferencedVariables(queries, ['service.name'])).toStrictEqual([]);
+	});
+});
+
+describe('queryReferencesAnyVariable', () => {
+	it('is true when the query references a variable, even with no known names', () => {
+		const queries = clickhouseQuery(
+			'SELECT count() FROM t WHERE service = $service.name',
+		);
+		expect(queryReferencesAnyVariable(queries)).toBe(true);
+	});
+
+	it('is false for a query with no variable reference', () => {
+		expect(queryReferencesAnyVariable(clickhouseQuery('SELECT 1'))).toBe(false);
+	});
+
+	it('does not treat $__ macros as variable references', () => {
+		expect(
+			queryReferencesAnyVariable(
+				clickhouseQuery('SELECT toStartOfInterval(ts, INTERVAL $__interval)'),
+			),
+		).toBe(false);
+	});
+
+	it('is false for an empty query list', () => {
+		expect(queryReferencesAnyVariable([])).toBe(false);
+	});
+});

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/queryV5/buildVariablesPayload.ts

@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ import type {
 	VariableFormModel,
 	VariableType,
 } from '../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
+import { configuredDefaultValue } from '../VariablesBar/resolveVariableSelection';
 import type {
-	SelectedVariableValue,
 	VariableSelection,
 	VariableSelectionMap,
 } from '../VariablesBar/selectionTypes';
@@ -33,21 +33,6 @@ const VARIABLE_TYPE_TO_DTO: Record<
 	DYNAMIC: Querybuildertypesv5VariableTypeDTO.dynamic,
 };
 
-/** The variable's configured default, used when nothing is selected yet. */
-function configuredDefault(
-	definition: VariableFormModel,
-): SelectedVariableValue | undefined {
-	if (definition.type === 'TEXT') {
-		return definition.textValue || undefined;
-	}
-	// `defaultValue` is `string | string[]` on the wire — use it directly.
-	const def = definition.defaultValue;
-	if (Array.isArray(def)) {
-		return def.length > 0 ? def : undefined;
-	}
-	return def || undefined;
-}
-
 /**
  * Resolves the wire value for one variable: the dynamic "ALL" sentinel, else the
  * user's selection, else the configured default. Returns `undefined` when there
@@ -74,7 +59,7 @@ function resolveValue(
 		return selected as Querybuildertypesv5VariableItemDTOValue;
 	}
 
-	const fallback = configuredDefault(definition);
+	const fallback = configuredDefaultValue(definition);
 	return fallback == null
 		? undefined
 		: (fallback as Querybuildertypesv5VariableItemDTOValue);

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/queryV5/getReferencedVariables.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 import type { DashboardtypesQueryDTO } from 'api/generated/services/sigNoz.schemas';
-import { textContainsVariableReference } from 'lib/dashboardVariables/variableReference';
+import {
+	containsAnyVariableReference,
+	textContainsVariableReference,
+} from 'lib/dashboardVariables/variableReference';
 
 import { toQueryEnvelopes } from './buildQueryRangeRequest';
 
@@ -45,3 +48,18 @@ export function getReferencedVariables(
 		texts.some((text) => textContainsVariableReference(text, name)),
 	);
 }
+
+/**
+ * Whether a panel's queries reference *any* variable, independent of the known
+ * variable set. Used to hold the panel until the variable fetch context is ready:
+ * before then the variable names aren't known, so firing would substitute nothing
+ * (dropping every `$var`) and the query would fail.
+ */
+export function queryReferencesAnyVariable(
+	queries: DashboardtypesQueryDTO[],
+): boolean {
+	if (queries.length === 0) {
+		return false;
+	}
+	return extractQueryTexts(queries).some(containsAnyVariableReference);
+}

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/store/slices/__tests__/variableFetchSlice.test.ts

@@ -12,14 +12,25 @@ function model(overrides: Partial<VariableFormModel>): VariableFormModel {
 	return { ...emptyVariableFormModel(), ...overrides };
 }
 
+const DASH = 'test-dash';
+
 function store(): ReturnType<typeof useDashboardStore.getState> {
 	return useDashboardStore.getState();
 }
 function states(): Record<string, string> {
 	return store().variableFetchStates;
 }
+/** Commit a value for a variable (what a parent must have before a child fetches). */
+function resolve(name: string): void {
+	store().setVariableValue(DASH, name, {
+		value: `${name}-v`,
+		allSelected: false,
+	});
+}
 function reset(names: string[], context: VariableFetchContext): void {
 	useDashboardStore.setState({
+		dashboardId: DASH,
+		variableValues: {},
 		variableFetchStates: {},
 		variableLastUpdated: {},
 		variableCycleIds: {},
@@ -47,28 +58,37 @@ describe('variableFetchSlice', () => {
 		});
 	});
 
-	it('enqueueFetchAll loads roots, waits dependents and (ungated) dynamics', () => {
-		store().enqueueFetchAll(false);
+	it('loads query roots + dynamics immediately and waits query dependents', () => {
+		store().enqueueFetchAll();
+		// Dynamics fetch immediately (not gated on the query chain); the query
+		// dependent q2 waits for its parent q1.
 		expect(states()).toMatchObject({
 			q1: 'loading',
 			q2: 'waiting',
-			d1: 'waiting',
-			d2: 'waiting',
+			d1: 'loading',
+			d2: 'loading',
 		});
 	});
 
-	it('enqueueFetchAll loads dynamics immediately when query values exist', () => {
-		store().enqueueFetchAll(true);
-		expect(states().d1).toBe('loading');
+	it('a completed parent alone does not unblock the child; its committed value does', () => {
+		store().enqueueFetchAll();
+		store().onVariableFetchComplete('q1');
+		// q1 finished fetching but has not auto-selected a value yet, so q2 holds
+		// rather than fetching with q1 unresolved. Dynamics load regardless.
+		expect(states()).toMatchObject({ q1: 'idle', q2: 'waiting', d1: 'loading' });
+		// q1's value commits → the value cascade unblocks q2.
+		resolve('q1');
+		store().enqueueDescendants('q1');
+		expect(states().q2).not.toBe('waiting');
 	});
 
-	it('completing a parent unblocks its query child, then unlocks dynamics', () => {
-		store().enqueueFetchAll(false);
+	it('unblocks a query child immediately when its parent already has a value', () => {
+		// Persisted/pre-seeded selection: q1 has a value before it even fetches, so
+		// completing its fetch unblocks q2 straight away (a single fetch, no cascade).
+		resolve('q1');
+		store().enqueueFetchAll();
 		store().onVariableFetchComplete('q1');
-		expect(states()).toMatchObject({ q1: 'idle', q2: 'loading', d1: 'waiting' });
-
-		store().onVariableFetchComplete('q2');
-		expect(states()).toMatchObject({ q2: 'idle', d1: 'loading', d2: 'loading' });
+		expect(states().q2).not.toBe('waiting');
 	});
 
 	it('ignores a settle for a variable that is not actively fetching', () => {
@@ -79,8 +99,14 @@ describe('variableFetchSlice', () => {
 	});
 
 	it('changing a query variable revalidates query descendants but NOT dynamics', () => {
-		store().enqueueFetchAll(true);
-		['q1', 'q2', 'd1', 'd2'].forEach((n) => store().onVariableFetchComplete(n));
+		// Drive the chain to a fully settled state: q1 fetched + valued, q2 fetched.
+		store().enqueueFetchAll();
+		store().onVariableFetchComplete('q1');
+		resolve('q1');
+		store().enqueueDescendants('q1');
+		store().onVariableFetchComplete('q2');
+		resolve('q2');
+		['d1', 'd2'].forEach((n) => store().onVariableFetchComplete(n));
 		const before = { ...store().variableCycleIds };
 
 		store().enqueueDescendants('q1');
@@ -91,7 +117,7 @@ describe('variableFetchSlice', () => {
 	});
 
 	it('changing a dynamic refreshes the OTHER dynamics, never itself or query vars', () => {
-		store().enqueueFetchAll(true);
+		store().enqueueFetchAll();
 		['q1', 'q2', 'd1', 'd2'].forEach((n) => store().onVariableFetchComplete(n));
 		const before = { ...store().variableCycleIds };
 
@@ -102,13 +128,29 @@ describe('variableFetchSlice', () => {
 	});
 
 	it('a failed parent idles its query descendants', () => {
-		store().enqueueFetchAll(false);
+		store().enqueueFetchAll();
 		store().onVariableFetchFailure('q1');
 		expect(states().q1).toBe('error');
 		expect(states().q2).toBe('idle');
 	});
 });
 
+describe('variableFetchSlice — query depends on a dynamic', () => {
+	// qd (query) references $dyn (a dynamic variable).
+	const dyn = model({ name: 'dyn', type: 'DYNAMIC', dynamicAttribute: 'pod' });
+	const qd = model({ name: 'qd', type: 'QUERY', queryValue: 'SELECT $dyn' });
+	const context = deriveFetchContext([dyn, qd]);
+
+	beforeEach(() => reset(['dyn', 'qd'], context));
+
+	it('does not wait for a dynamic parent — both load immediately', () => {
+		store().enqueueFetchAll();
+		// A dynamic's selected value is already in the selection, so the dependent
+		// query never waits on the dynamic's option fetch; both start together.
+		expect(states()).toMatchObject({ dyn: 'loading', qd: 'loading' });
+	});
+});
+
 describe('variableFetchSlice — diamond dependencies', () => {
 	// qA, qB (roots) → qC (references both $qA and $qB).
 	const qA = model({ name: 'qA', type: 'QUERY', queryValue: 'SELECT 1' });
@@ -118,15 +160,19 @@ describe('variableFetchSlice — diamond dependencies', () => {
 
 	beforeEach(() => reset(['qA', 'qB', 'qC'], context));
 
-	it('unblocks the child only once BOTH parents are settled', () => {
-		store().enqueueFetchAll(false);
+	it('unblocks the child only once BOTH parents have committed values', () => {
+		store().enqueueFetchAll();
 		expect(states().qC).toBe('waiting');
 
 		store().onVariableFetchComplete('qA');
-		expect(states().qC).toBe('waiting'); // qB still loading
+		resolve('qA');
+		store().enqueueDescendants('qA');
+		expect(states().qC).toBe('waiting'); // qB has no value yet
 
 		store().onVariableFetchComplete('qB');
-		expect(states().qC).not.toBe('waiting'); // both settled → fetches
+		resolve('qB');
+		store().enqueueDescendants('qB');
+		expect(states().qC).not.toBe('waiting'); // both valued → fetches
 	});
 });
 
@@ -139,7 +185,7 @@ describe('variableFetchSlice — dependency cycle', () => {
 	beforeEach(() => reset(['qX', 'qY'], context));
 
 	it('enqueues cyclic query variables as best-effort roots (not silently idle)', () => {
-		store().enqueueFetchAll(false);
+		store().enqueueFetchAll();
 		expect(states().qX).not.toBe('idle');
 		expect(states().qY).not.toBe('idle');
 	});

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/store/slices/variableFetchSlice.ts

@@ -1,23 +1,42 @@
 import type { StateCreator } from 'zustand';
 
+import { hasUsableValue } from '../../VariablesBar/selectionUtils';
+import type { VariableSelectionMap } from '../../VariablesBar/selectionTypes';
 import type { VariableFetchContext } from '../../VariablesBar/variableDependencies';
 import type { DashboardStore } from '../useDashboardStore';
+import { selectVariableValues } from './variableSelectionSlice';
 import {
-	areAllQueryVariablesSettled,
 	type FetchMaps,
-	isSettled,
 	isVariableInActiveFetchState,
 	resolveFetchState,
-	unlockWaitingDynamicVariables,
 	VariableFetchState,
 } from './variableFetchSlice.utils';
 
+/**
+ * Whether every QUERY parent of `name` holds a committed value. Gating a child on its
+ * parents' *values* (not their settled fetch state) makes it fetch once, after the
+ * values commit — not prematurely on fetch-complete and again on value-commit.
+ */
+function queryParentsHaveValues(
+	name: string,
+	context: VariableFetchContext,
+	selection: VariableSelectionMap,
+): boolean {
+	const parents = context.dependencyData.parentGraph[name] || [];
+	return parents.every(
+		(p) =>
+			context.variableTypes[p] !== 'QUERY' ||
+			hasUsableValue(selection[p], context.variableTypes[p]),
+	);
+}
+
 export { VariableFetchState } from './variableFetchSlice.utils';
 
 /**
  * Runtime fetch orchestration for dashboard variables — native port of V1's
  * `variableFetchStore`. Decides WHEN each variable's options fetch: query
- * variables in dependency order, dynamics together once query values exist,
+ * variables in dependency order, dynamics immediately (they are scoped only by
+ * sibling dynamic selections, never by query variables, so nothing gates them),
  * text/custom never. `cycleIds` is a per-variable request nonce keyed into each
  * selector's react-query key (bump = fresh fetch, auto-cancel stale). Transient.
  * `enqueueFetchAll` = load/time change; `enqueueDescendants` = one value changed.
@@ -26,13 +45,35 @@ export interface VariableFetchSlice {
 	variableFetchStates: Record<string, VariableFetchState>;
 	variableLastUpdated: Record<string, number>;
 	variableCycleIds: Record<string, number>;
+	/**
+	 * Whether a QUERY/DYNAMIC variable settled its fetch with zero options (so it
+	 * will never get a value). Lets a dependent panel fall through to "no data"
+	 * instead of waiting forever on a value that isn't coming.
+	 */
+	variableResolvedEmpty: Record<string, boolean>;
 	/** Static dependency context, set by `initVariableFetch` (null before init). */
 	variableFetchContext: VariableFetchContext | null;
+	/**
+	 * Signature (dashboard + time + variable order) of the last full fetch cycle.
+	 * A repeat `enqueueFetchAll` with the same signature is skipped, so a component
+	 * re-mount can't redo the cycle and double every variable's fetch.
+	 */
+	lastFetchAllKey: string | null;
 
 	/** Seed state entries for the current variable set and store the context. */
 	initVariableFetch: (names: string[], context: VariableFetchContext) => void;
-	/** Start a full fetch cycle for every fetchable variable (load / time change). */
-	enqueueFetchAll: (doAllQueryVariablesHaveValuesSelected: boolean) => void;
+	/**
+	 * Clear all transient fetch state on dashboard-page unmount, so a later visit
+	 * starts clean instead of inheriting stale state from this app-level store.
+	 */
+	resetVariableFetch: () => void;
+	/** Record whether a variable settled with no options (drives the panel gate). */
+	setVariableResolvedEmpty: (name: string, isEmpty: boolean) => void;
+	/**
+	 * Start a full fetch cycle for every fetchable variable (load / time change).
+	 * A repeat call with the same signature `key` is a no-op (idempotent re-mount).
+	 */
+	enqueueFetchAll: (key?: string) => void;
 	/** Mark a variable's fetch as done; unblock its waiting children / dynamics. */
 	onVariableFetchComplete: (name: string) => void;
 	/** Mark a variable's fetch as failed; idle its query descendants. */
@@ -65,10 +106,32 @@ export const createVariableFetchSlice: StateCreator<
 	variableFetchStates: {},
 	variableLastUpdated: {},
 	variableCycleIds: {},
+	variableResolvedEmpty: {},
 	variableFetchContext: null,
+	lastFetchAllKey: null,
+
+	resetVariableFetch: (): void => {
+		set({
+			variableFetchStates: {},
+			variableLastUpdated: {},
+			variableCycleIds: {},
+			variableResolvedEmpty: {},
+			variableFetchContext: null,
+			lastFetchAllKey: null,
+		});
+	},
+
+	setVariableResolvedEmpty: (name, isEmpty): void => {
+		const current = get().variableResolvedEmpty;
+		if ((current[name] ?? false) === isEmpty) {
+			return;
+		}
+		set({ variableResolvedEmpty: { ...current, [name]: isEmpty } });
+	},
 
 	initVariableFetch: (names, context): void => {
 		const maps = cloneMaps(get());
+		const resolvedEmpty = { ...get().variableResolvedEmpty };
 		// Initialize new variables to idle, preserving existing states.
 		names.forEach((name) => {
 			if (!maps.states[name]) {
@@ -82,17 +145,23 @@ export const createVariableFetchSlice: StateCreator<
 				delete maps.states[name];
 				delete maps.lastUpdated[name];
 				delete maps.cycleIds[name];
+				delete resolvedEmpty[name];
 			}
 		});
 		set({
 			variableFetchStates: maps.states,
 			variableLastUpdated: maps.lastUpdated,
 			variableCycleIds: maps.cycleIds,
+			variableResolvedEmpty: resolvedEmpty,
 			variableFetchContext: context,
 		});
 	},
 
-	enqueueFetchAll: (doAllQueryVariablesHaveValuesSelected): void => {
+	enqueueFetchAll: (key): void => {
+		// Skip a redundant re-run (re-mount with identical inputs) — else it doubles.
+		if (key && key === get().lastFetchAllKey) {
+			return;
+		}
 		const { variableFetchContext } = get();
 		if (!variableFetchContext) {
 			return;
@@ -105,7 +174,11 @@ export const createVariableFetchSlice: StateCreator<
 		} = variableFetchContext;
 		const maps = cloneMaps(get());
 
-		// Query variables: roots start immediately, dependents wait for parents.
+		// Query variables wait only for their QUERY parents. A DYNAMIC parent does not
+		// gate: its option fetch feeds only its own dropdown, while its selected value
+		// (ALL → `__all__`, or a concrete pick) is already in the selection, so a
+		// dependent query substitutes it immediately and refetches via the cascade if
+		// it later changes. Text/custom parents resolve synchronously, so nothing waits.
 		queryVariableOrder.forEach((name) => {
 			maps.cycleIds[name] = (maps.cycleIds[name] || 0) + 1;
 			const parents = dependencyData.parentGraph[name] || [];
@@ -116,8 +189,8 @@ export const createVariableFetchSlice: StateCreator<
 		});
 
 		// Query variables dropped from the dependency order (part of a cycle) would
-		// otherwise never fetch and would stall waiting dynamics — start them as
-		// best-effort roots so they surface data/an error instead of sitting empty.
+		// otherwise never fetch — start them as best-effort roots so they surface
+		// data/an error instead of sitting empty.
 		const orderedQuery = new Set(queryVariableOrder);
 		Object.keys(variableTypes).forEach((name) => {
 			if (variableTypes[name] === 'QUERY' && !orderedQuery.has(name)) {
@@ -126,19 +199,21 @@ export const createVariableFetchSlice: StateCreator<
 			}
 		});
 
-		// Dynamic variables: start now if query variables already have values,
-		// otherwise wait until the query variables settle.
+		// Dynamic variables fetch immediately, in parallel with the query variables:
+		// their options are scoped only by sibling dynamic selections (never by query
+		// variables), so there is nothing to wait for. Starting early lets them
+		// populate fast even when query variables are slow; a sibling selection change
+		// later refetches them via `enqueueDescendantsBatch`.
 		dynamicVariableOrder.forEach((name) => {
 			maps.cycleIds[name] = (maps.cycleIds[name] || 0) + 1;
-			maps.states[name] = doAllQueryVariablesHaveValuesSelected
-				? resolveFetchState(maps, name)
-				: VariableFetchState.Waiting;
+			maps.states[name] = resolveFetchState(maps, name);
 		});
 
 		set({
 			variableFetchStates: maps.states,
 			variableLastUpdated: maps.lastUpdated,
 			variableCycleIds: maps.cycleIds,
+			lastFetchAllKey: key ?? get().lastFetchAllKey,
 		});
 	},
 
@@ -154,10 +229,11 @@ export const createVariableFetchSlice: StateCreator<
 		maps.lastUpdated[name] = Date.now();
 
 		if (variableFetchContext) {
-			const { dependencyData, variableTypes, dynamicVariableOrder } =
-				variableFetchContext;
-			// Unblock a waiting query child only once ALL its parents are settled —
-			// otherwise it would fetch against a not-yet-resolved parent.
+			const { dependencyData, variableTypes } = variableFetchContext;
+			const selection = selectVariableValues(get().dashboardId)(get());
+			// Release a waiting child only if its parents are already valued (e.g. a
+			// persisted selection). For a just-fetched parent whose value hasn't committed
+			// yet, the value cascade (enqueueDescendantsBatch) unblocks it instead.
 			(dependencyData.graph[name] || []).forEach((child) => {
 				if (
 					variableTypes[child] !== 'QUERY' ||
@@ -165,18 +241,10 @@ export const createVariableFetchSlice: StateCreator<
 				) {
 					return;
 				}
-				const parents = dependencyData.parentGraph[child] || [];
-				if (parents.every((p) => isSettled(maps.states[p]))) {
+				if (queryParentsHaveValues(child, variableFetchContext, selection)) {
 					maps.states[child] = resolveFetchState(maps, child);
 				}
 			});
-			// Once all query variables settle, unlock any waiting dynamics.
-			if (
-				variableTypes[name] === 'QUERY' &&
-				areAllQueryVariablesSettled(maps.states, variableTypes)
-			) {
-				unlockWaitingDynamicVariables(maps, dynamicVariableOrder);
-			}
 		}
 
 		set({
@@ -195,20 +263,14 @@ export const createVariableFetchSlice: StateCreator<
 		maps.states[name] = VariableFetchState.Error;
 
 		if (variableFetchContext) {
-			const { dependencyData, variableTypes, dynamicVariableOrder } =
-				variableFetchContext;
-			// Query descendants can't proceed without this parent — idle them.
+			const { dependencyData, variableTypes } = variableFetchContext;
+			// Idle query descendants only when a QUERY parent fails (they need its
+			// value); a DYNAMIC failure doesn't block them (they used its selection).
 			(dependencyData.transitiveDescendants[name] || []).forEach((desc) => {
-				if (variableTypes[desc] === 'QUERY') {
+				if (variableTypes[name] === 'QUERY' && variableTypes[desc] === 'QUERY') {
 					maps.states[desc] = VariableFetchState.Idle;
 				}
 			});
-			if (
-				variableTypes[name] === 'QUERY' &&
-				areAllQueryVariablesSettled(maps.states, variableTypes)
-			) {
-				unlockWaitingDynamicVariables(maps, dynamicVariableOrder);
-			}
 		}
 
 		set({
@@ -231,9 +293,11 @@ export const createVariableFetchSlice: StateCreator<
 			variableFetchContext;
 		const maps = cloneMaps(get());
 		const changed = new Set(names);
+		// Callers commit values before this runs, so the gate sees the new parent values.
+		const selection = selectVariableValues(get().dashboardId)(get());
 
-		// Union of the changed variables' query descendants (never the changed ones
-		// themselves), refreshed once each: refetch when all parents are settled.
+		// Query descendants of the changed vars (not the changed ones): fetch once all
+		// their query parents have a value, else hold until the rest land.
 		const queryDescendants = new Set<string>();
 		names.forEach((name) => {
 			(dependencyData.transitiveDescendants[name] || []).forEach((desc) => {
@@ -244,27 +308,24 @@ export const createVariableFetchSlice: StateCreator<
 		});
 		queryDescendants.forEach((desc) => {
 			maps.cycleIds[desc] = (maps.cycleIds[desc] || 0) + 1;
-			const parents = dependencyData.parentGraph[desc] || [];
-			const allParentsSettled = parents.every((p) => isSettled(maps.states[p]));
-			maps.states[desc] = allParentsSettled
+			maps.states[desc] = queryParentsHaveValues(
+				desc,
+				variableFetchContext,
+				selection,
+			)
 				? resolveFetchState(maps, desc)
 				: VariableFetchState.Waiting;
 		});
 
 		// A dynamic's options depend only on its sibling DYNAMIC selections, so only a
-		// dynamic change affects them — refresh the *other* dynamics (never the one
-		// that changed, which would refetch its own identical options).
+		// dynamic change affects them — refresh the *other* dynamics immediately
+		// (never the one that changed, which would refetch its own identical options).
 		if (names.some((name) => variableTypes[name] === 'DYNAMIC')) {
 			dynamicVariableOrder
 				.filter((dynName) => !changed.has(dynName))
 				.forEach((dynName) => {
 					maps.cycleIds[dynName] = (maps.cycleIds[dynName] || 0) + 1;
-					maps.states[dynName] = areAllQueryVariablesSettled(
-						maps.states,
-						variableTypes,
-					)
-						? resolveFetchState(maps, dynName)
-						: VariableFetchState.Waiting;
+					maps.states[dynName] = resolveFetchState(maps, dynName);
 				});
 		}
 

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/DashboardContainer/store/slices/variableFetchSlice.utils.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-import type { VariableType } from '../../DashboardSettings/Variables/variableFormModel';
-
 /** Per-variable fetch lifecycle (ported from V1's `variableFetchStore`). */
 export enum VariableFetchState {
 	Idle = 'idle',
@@ -16,11 +14,6 @@ export interface FetchMaps {
 	cycleIds: Record<string, number>;
 }
 
-/** Settled = can make no further progress (idle or error). */
-export function isSettled(state: VariableFetchState | undefined): boolean {
-	return state === VariableFetchState.Idle || state === VariableFetchState.Error;
-}
-
 /** Active = a fetch is in flight; only then should a settle be applied. */
 export function isVariableInActiveFetchState(
 	state: VariableFetchState | undefined,
@@ -37,25 +30,3 @@ export function resolveFetchState(
 		? VariableFetchState.Revalidating
 		: VariableFetchState.Loading;
 }
-
-/** True once every QUERY variable is settled. */
-export function areAllQueryVariablesSettled(
-	states: Record<string, VariableFetchState>,
-	variableTypes: Record<string, VariableType>,
-): boolean {
-	return Object.entries(variableTypes)
-		.filter(([, type]) => type === 'QUERY')
-		.every(([name]) => isSettled(states[name]));
-}
-
-/** Move any `waiting` dynamic variables into loading/revalidating. */
-export function unlockWaitingDynamicVariables(
-	maps: FetchMaps,
-	dynamicVariableOrder: string[],
-): void {
-	dynamicVariableOrder.forEach((dynName) => {
-		if (maps.states[dynName] === VariableFetchState.Waiting) {
-			maps.states[dynName] = resolveFetchState(maps, dynName);
-		}
-	});
-}

frontend/src/pages/DashboardPageV2/PanelEditorPage/PanelEditorPage.tsx

@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ import { useSyncVariablesForSuggestions } from '../DashboardContainer/hooks/useS
 import { createDefaultPanel } from '../DashboardContainer/patchOps';
 import { useDashboardStore } from '../DashboardContainer/store/useDashboardStore';
 import { useSeedVariableSelection } from '../DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/useSeedVariableSelection';
-import { withVariablesSearch } from '../DashboardContainer/VariablesBar/variablesUrlState';
 import styles from './PanelEditorPage.module.scss';
 
 /**
@@ -96,15 +95,10 @@ function PanelEditorPage(): JSX.Element {
 	const layoutIndex = parseNewPanelLayoutIndex(search);
 
 	const backToDashboard = useCallback((): void => {
-		// Carry only dashboard params; drop editor-only URL state (chiefly
-		// `compositeQuery`) so it doesn't leak into the dashboard. Time lives in Redux.
-		safeNavigate(
-			`${generatePath(ROUTES.DASHBOARD, { dashboardId })}${withVariablesSearch(
-				'',
-				search,
-			)}`,
-		);
-	}, [safeNavigate, dashboardId, search]);
+		// Drop editor-only URL state (chiefly `compositeQuery`); the dashboard reads its
+		// variable selection from the persisted store, and time lives in Redux.
+		safeNavigate(generatePath(ROUTES.DASHBOARD, { dashboardId }));
+	}, [safeNavigate, dashboardId]);
 
 	if (isLoading) {
 		return <Spinner tip="Loading dashboard..." />;