diff --git a/graphfx-ui/src/App.vue b/graphfx-ui/src/App.vue
index 4f3b295..81f1f57 100644
--- a/graphfx-ui/src/App.vue
+++ b/graphfx-ui/src/App.vue
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import '@vue-flow/core/dist/style.css'
 import '@vue-flow/core/dist/theme-default.css'
 import '@vue-flow/controls/dist/style.css'
 import GraphFxNode from './components/GraphFxNode.vue'
-import { countSavedPositions, graphFxToVueFlow, parseGraphFxJson, type GraphFxFlowWarning, type GraphFxSerializedGraph } from './lib/graphfxToVueFlow'
+import { countSavedPositions, graphFxToVueFlow, parseGraphFxJson, type GraphFxFlowWarning, type GraphFxImageInspection, type GraphFxSerializedGraph } from './lib/graphfxToVueFlow'
 import { layoutGraph } from './lib/layout'
 import { coerceIoValue, createSerializedNode, nodeCatalog, removeNodeAndConnections } from './lib/editorHelpers'
 import { ioTypeFor } from './lib/nodeDefinitions'
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ const runtimeStatus = ref('Graph not running')
 const runtimeError = ref<string | null>(null)
 const selectedOutputKey = ref('')
 const outputPreviewUrl = ref<string | null>(null)
+const imageInspector = ref<GraphFxImageInspection | null>(null)
 let unsubscribeOutput: (() => void) | null = null
 let unsubscribeRuntimeOutputPreviews: Array<() => void> = []
 
@@ -76,6 +77,11 @@ const nodeActions = {
   deleteNode,
   duplicateNode,
   selectInputImage,
+  inspectImage,
+}
+
+function inspectImage(inspection: GraphFxImageInspection) {
+  imageInspector.value = inspection
 }
 
 function loadImageSelections() {
@@ -191,8 +197,33 @@ function refreshFromGraph(options: { fit?: boolean; layout?: boolean } = {}) {
   if (options.fit) nextTick(() => fitView({ padding: 0.2, duration: 250 }))
 }
 
-function applyAutoLayout() {
-  refreshFromGraph({ layout: true, fit: true })
+function measureNodeDimensions() {
+  const dimensions: Record<string, { width: number; height: number }> = {}
+  for (const node of nodes.value) {
+    const element = document.querySelector(`.vue-flow__node[data-id="${CSS.escape(node.id)}"]`) as HTMLElement | null
+    const rect = element?.getBoundingClientRect()
+    if (rect?.width && rect?.height) {
+      dimensions[node.id] = { width: rect.width, height: rect.height }
+    }
+  }
+  return dimensions
+}
+
+async function applyAutoLayout() {
+  refreshFlow()
+  await nextTick()
+  await new Promise<void>((resolve) => requestAnimationFrame(() => resolve()))
+  const dimensions = measureNodeDimensions()
+  const model = graphFxToVueFlow(graph.value)
+  const flowNodes = layoutGraph(model.nodes, model.edges, { direction: 'LR', useSavedPositions: false, dimensions })
+  for (const flowNode of flowNodes) {
+    const entry = graph.value.find((item) => item.node.id === flowNode.id)
+    if (entry) {
+      entry.x = Math.round(flowNode.position.x)
+      entry.y = Math.round(flowNode.position.y)
+    }
+  }
+  refreshFromGraph({ fit: true })
 }
 
 function fitGraph() {
@@ -717,7 +748,7 @@ refreshFlow()
         @edge-double-click="onEdgeDoubleClick"
       >
         <template #node-graphfx="nodeProps">
-          <GraphFxNode v-bind="nodeProps" />
+          <GraphFxNode v-bind="nodeProps" @inspect-image="inspectImage" />
         </template>
         <Background pattern-color="#2f3a54" :gap="24" />
         <Controls />
@@ -750,5 +781,19 @@ refreshFlow()
         </button>
       </div>
     </div>
+
+    <div v-if="imageInspector" class="image-inspector" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" @click="imageInspector = null">
+      <article class="image-inspector__panel" @click.stop>
+        <header>
+          <div>
+            <strong>{{ imageInspector.nodeName }}.{{ imageInspector.ioName }}</strong>
+            <span>{{ imageInspector.direction === 'in' ? 'input' : 'output' }} · {{ imageInspector.label }}</span>
+          </div>
+          <button type="button" class="ghost" @click="imageInspector = null">×</button>
+        </header>
+        <img :src="imageInspector.url" :alt="`${imageInspector.nodeName}.${imageInspector.ioName}`" />
+        <textarea readonly :value="imageInspector.url" spellcheck="false" />
+      </article>
+    </div>
   </main>
 </template>
diff --git a/graphfx-ui/src/components/GraphFxNode.vue b/graphfx-ui/src/components/GraphFxNode.vue
index ddd510e..8d8de12 100644
--- a/graphfx-ui/src/components/GraphFxNode.vue
+++ b/graphfx-ui/src/components/GraphFxNode.vue
@@ -8,6 +8,17 @@ const props = defineProps<{
   data: GraphFxNodeData
 }>()
 
+const emit = defineEmits<{
+  'inspect-image': [inspection: {
+    nodeId: string
+    nodeName: string
+    direction: 'in' | 'out'
+    ioName: string
+    label: string
+    url: string
+  }]
+}>()
+
 function typeClass(port: GraphFxPort) {
   return `io-type-${port.type.toLowerCase()}`
 }
@@ -75,6 +86,19 @@ function inputType(port: GraphFxPort) {
 function connectedText(port: GraphFxPort) {
   return port.connectedDisplay || port.output || 'connected'
 }
+
+function inspectImage(direction: 'in' | 'out', port: GraphFxPort) {
+  const url = previewUrl(direction, port)
+  if (!url) return
+  emit('inspect-image', {
+    nodeId: props.data.id,
+    nodeName: props.data.name,
+    direction,
+    ioName: port.name,
+    label: port.label || port.name,
+    url,
+  })
+}
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -135,7 +159,10 @@ function connectedText(port: GraphFxPort) {
             <span class="graphfx-node__type-dot" :title="port.type" aria-hidden="true"></span>
           </div>
 
-          <img v-if="previewUrl('in', port)" class="graphfx-node__image-preview" :src="previewUrl('in', port)" :alt="`${port.name} preview`" />
+          <button v-if="previewUrl('in', port)" type="button" class="graphfx-node__image-preview nodrag" :title="`Inspect ${port.name}`" @click.stop="inspectImage('in', port)" @pointerdown.stop>
+            <img :src="previewUrl('in', port)" :alt="`${port.name} preview`" />
+            <span>inspect</span>
+          </button>
 
           <div v-if="port.output" class="graphfx-node__connected-value nodrag" @pointerdown.stop>
             <span :title="port.output">← {{ connectedText(port) }}</span>
@@ -213,7 +240,11 @@ function connectedText(port: GraphFxPort) {
             <span class="graphfx-node__port-name">{{ port.name }}</span>
           </div>
 
-          <img v-if="previewUrl('out', port)" class="graphfx-node__image-preview" :src="previewUrl('out', port)" :alt="`${port.name} preview`" />
+          <button v-if="previewUrl('out', port)" type="button" class="graphfx-node__image-preview nodrag" :title="`Inspect ${port.name}`" @click.stop="inspectImage('out', port)" @pointerdown.stop>
+            <img :src="previewUrl('out', port)" :alt="`${port.name} preview`" />
+            <span>inspect</span>
+          </button>
+          <div v-else-if="port.type === 'Image'" class="graphfx-node__image-empty">no image yet</div>
 
           <Handle
             type="source"
diff --git a/graphfx-ui/src/lib/graphfxToVueFlow.ts b/graphfx-ui/src/lib/graphfxToVueFlow.ts
index abcf191..0efd444 100644
--- a/graphfx-ui/src/lib/graphfxToVueFlow.ts
+++ b/graphfx-ui/src/lib/graphfxToVueFlow.ts
@@ -43,6 +43,15 @@ export type GraphFxImageOption = {
   name: string
 }
 
+export type GraphFxImageInspection = {
+  nodeId: string
+  nodeName: string
+  direction: 'in' | 'out'
+  ioName: string
+  label: string
+  url: string
+}
+
 export type GraphFxNodeActions = {
   renameNodeId: (nodeId: string, nextId: string) => void
   updateIoLabel: (nodeId: string, direction: 'in' | 'out', ioName: string, label: string) => void
@@ -51,6 +60,7 @@ export type GraphFxNodeActions = {
   deleteNode: (nodeId: string) => void
   duplicateNode: (nodeId: string) => void
   selectInputImage: (nodeId: string, ioName: string, imageId: string) => void | Promise<void>
+  inspectImage: (inspection: GraphFxImageInspection) => void
 }
 
 export type GraphFxNodeData = {
diff --git a/graphfx-ui/src/lib/layout.ts b/graphfx-ui/src/lib/layout.ts
index 6e7b389..6891072 100644
--- a/graphfx-ui/src/lib/layout.ts
+++ b/graphfx-ui/src/lib/layout.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ type LayoutDirection = 'LR' | 'TB'
 type LayoutOptions = {
   direction?: LayoutDirection
   useSavedPositions?: boolean
+  dimensions?: Record<string, { width: number; height: number }>
 }
 
 function estimatePortHeight(port: any, direction: 'in' | 'out') {
@@ -60,9 +61,10 @@ export function layoutGraph(nodes: Node[], edges: Edge[], options: LayoutOptions
   })
 
   for (const node of nodes) {
+    const measured = options.dimensions?.[node.id]
     graph.setNode(node.id, {
-      width: DEFAULT_NODE_WIDTH,
-      height: estimateNodeHeight(node),
+      width: Math.max(DEFAULT_NODE_WIDTH, measured?.width || DEFAULT_NODE_WIDTH),
+      height: Math.max(estimateNodeHeight(node), measured?.height || 0),
     })
   }
 
@@ -74,14 +76,16 @@ export function layoutGraph(nodes: Node[], edges: Edge[], options: LayoutOptions
 
   return nodes.map((node) => {
     const graphNode = graph.node(node.id)
-    const height = estimateNodeHeight(node)
+    const measured = options.dimensions?.[node.id]
+    const width = Math.max(DEFAULT_NODE_WIDTH, measured?.width || DEFAULT_NODE_WIDTH)
+    const height = Math.max(estimateNodeHeight(node), measured?.height || 0)
 
     return {
       ...node,
       targetPosition: targetPosition(direction),
       sourcePosition: sourcePosition(direction),
       position: graphNode
-        ? { x: graphNode.x - DEFAULT_NODE_WIDTH / 2, y: graphNode.y - height / 2 }
+        ? { x: graphNode.x - width / 2, y: graphNode.y - height / 2 }
         : node.position,
     }
   })
diff --git a/graphfx-ui/src/style.css b/graphfx-ui/src/style.css
index db9fcf7..9c74db5 100644
--- a/graphfx-ui/src/style.css
+++ b/graphfx-ui/src/style.css
@@ -665,14 +665,53 @@ button.ghost.danger {
 }
 
 .graphfx-node__image-preview {
+  position: relative;
+  overflow: hidden;
   width: 100%;
   max-height: 92px;
   border: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--io-color) 34%, transparent);
   border-radius: 10px;
+  padding: 0;
   background: #050913;
+  cursor: zoom-in;
+}
+
+.graphfx-node__image-preview img {
+  display: block;
+  width: 100%;
+  max-height: 92px;
   object-fit: contain;
 }
 
+.graphfx-node__image-preview span {
+  position: absolute;
+  right: 0.35rem;
+  bottom: 0.3rem;
+  border-radius: 999px;
+  padding: 0.12rem 0.38rem;
+  background: rgb(0 0 0 / 72%);
+  color: #dff7ff;
+  font-size: 0.56rem;
+  font-weight: 850;
+  opacity: 0;
+  transition: opacity 120ms ease;
+}
+
+.graphfx-node__image-preview:hover span,
+.graphfx-node__image-preview:focus-visible span {
+  opacity: 1;
+}
+
+.graphfx-node__image-empty {
+  border: 1px dashed color-mix(in srgb, var(--io-color) 25%, transparent);
+  border-radius: 10px;
+  padding: 0.42rem;
+  color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--io-color) 50%, #8a99b8 50%);
+  background: rgb(5 9 19 / 42%);
+  font-size: 0.64rem;
+  font-weight: 800;
+}
+
 .graphfx-node__label-input,
 .graphfx-node__value-input {
   width: 100%;
@@ -767,3 +806,70 @@ button.ghost.danger {
 .io-type-color { --io-color: #ff78b7; }
 .io-type-font { --io-color: #fb923c; }
 .io-type-unknown { --io-color: #94a3b8; }
+
+.image-inspector {
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 80;
+  display: grid;
+  place-items: center;
+  padding: 2rem;
+  background: rgb(0 0 0 / 72%);
+  backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
+}
+
+.image-inspector__panel {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-rows: auto minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
+  gap: 0.85rem;
+  width: min(92vw, 980px);
+  max-height: 92vh;
+  border: 1px solid rgb(157 177 255 / 28%);
+  border-radius: 20px;
+  padding: 1rem;
+  background: #0b1120;
+  box-shadow: 0 28px 90px rgb(0 0 0 / 55%);
+}
+
+.image-inspector__panel header {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: start;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  gap: 1rem;
+}
+
+.image-inspector__panel header div {
+  display: grid;
+  gap: 0.2rem;
+}
+
+.image-inspector__panel header strong {
+  color: #fff;
+  font-size: 1rem;
+}
+
+.image-inspector__panel header span {
+  color: #94a8ca;
+  font-size: 0.78rem;
+}
+
+.image-inspector__panel > img {
+  max-width: 100%;
+  max-height: 68vh;
+  place-self: center;
+  border-radius: 14px;
+  background: #050913;
+  object-fit: contain;
+}
+
+.image-inspector__panel textarea {
+  height: 5.5rem;
+  resize: vertical;
+  border: 1px solid rgb(255 255 255 / 10%);
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  padding: 0.65rem;
+  background: rgb(5 9 19 / 78%);
+  color: #8aa0c4;
+  font-family: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Menlo, Monaco, Consolas, monospace;
+  font-size: 0.68rem;
+}