diff --git a/src/operation.h b/src/operation.h
index 7104bf4..e193760 100644
--- a/src/operation.h
+++ b/src/operation.h
@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@
 // The test build adds test/mocks to the include path via -iquote.
 #include "epd_mock.h"
 #include "esp_sleep.h"
+#include "driver/gpio.h"
 #else
 #include "epd.h"
 #include <esp_sleep.h>
+#include <driver/gpio.h>
 #include <mbedtls/sha256.h>
 #endif
 
@@ -354,6 +356,12 @@ void normal_operation_impl(const String& mac, HTTP& http, const String& url, Pre
     // false → normal_operation_impl runs → the next poll fetches a fresh
     // image, which doubles as a "force refresh" gesture.
     esp_sleep_enable_ext0_wakeup((gpio_num_t)PIN_BTN_RESET, 0);
+    // Latch any gpio_hold_en pins through the deep sleep period.
+    // epd_sleep() cuts PIN_PWR LOW + holds it; without this call the
+    // hold releases on the RTC transition and the panel rail comes back
+    // up, losing the saving. Released per-pin in epd_setup_pins() on
+    // wake via gpio_hold_dis().
+    gpio_deep_sleep_hold_en();
     esp_deep_sleep_start();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/panels/waveshare13e6/v1/epd_driver.cpp b/src/panels/waveshare13e6/v1/epd_driver.cpp
index 0e203e8..1a1af16 100644
--- a/src/panels/waveshare13e6/v1/epd_driver.cpp
+++ b/src/panels/waveshare13e6/v1/epd_driver.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include <qrcode.h>
 #include <esp_task_wdt.h>
 #include <esp_heap_caps.h>
+#include <driver/gpio.h>
 
 static constexpr uint16_t W              = 1200;
 static constexpr uint16_t H              = 1600;
@@ -103,6 +104,12 @@ static void panel_reset() {
 }
 
 void epd_setup_pins() {
+    // Release the PIN_PWR hold latched from the previous deep sleep so we
+    // can drive it again. No-op on cold boot (nothing was held). Paired
+    // with gpio_hold_en() in epd_sleep() and gpio_deep_sleep_hold_en() in
+    // operation.h.
+    gpio_hold_dis((gpio_num_t)PIN_PWR);
+
     pinMode(PIN_PWR,  OUTPUT);
     pinMode(PIN_RST,  OUTPUT);
     pinMode(PIN_DC,   OUTPUT);
@@ -191,6 +198,16 @@ void epd_sleep() {
     SPI.transfer(0xA5);                          // sentinel
     cs_both(HIGH);
     s_initialized = false;
+
+    // Cut the panel power rail. The Waveshare board exposes PIN_PWR
+    // specifically for battery operation — the e-ink image persists
+    // without VDD (particles are bistable), and dropping the rail kills
+    // the boost converter's quiescent draw (~50–500 µA depending on the
+    // load on the rail). Latch LOW so it survives deep sleep; paired with
+    // gpio_deep_sleep_hold_en() in operation.h just before the chip
+    // enters sleep.
+    digitalWrite(PIN_PWR, LOW);
+    gpio_hold_en((gpio_num_t)PIN_PWR);
 }
 
 // ── Draw helpers ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
diff --git a/test/mocks/driver/gpio.h b/test/mocks/driver/gpio.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..363d368
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/mocks/driver/gpio.h
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+#pragma once
+// Native-test stubs for gpio_hold_* — operation.h calls
+// gpio_deep_sleep_hold_en() before esp_deep_sleep_start() to latch
+// PIN_PWR LOW through deep sleep. epd_driver.cpp (not built natively)
+// also uses gpio_hold_en / gpio_hold_dis. Stubs let tests link.
+#include "esp_sleep.h"  // for gpio_num_t
+
+inline void gpio_hold_en(gpio_num_t) {}
+inline void gpio_hold_dis(gpio_num_t) {}
+inline void gpio_deep_sleep_hold_en() {}
+inline void gpio_deep_sleep_hold_dis() {}