diff --git a/term-native.ts b/term-native.ts
index d81097d..6f2eafa 100644
--- a/term-native.ts
+++ b/term-native.ts
@@ -141,7 +141,9 @@ export async function createTermNative(
     CLAY_DEFAULT_MAX_ELEMENT_COUNT * MAX_FIXED_ELEMENT_WIRE_BYTES;
 
   let statePtr!: number;
-  let opsBuf!: number;
+  // opsBuf is fixed-size: attached mode allocates it exactly once here;
+  // standalone mode recomputes it in layout() as the state region resizes.
+  let opsBuf = attach ? attach.alloc(transferBytes, 4) : 0;
   let arena: number | undefined;
   let arenaCapacity = 0;
 
@@ -150,15 +152,11 @@ export async function createTermNative(
     if (attach) {
       // Bump-allocated memory is never reclaimed: reuse the arena when
       // it still fits, otherwise allocate a larger one and abandon the
-      // old (growth-only, renderer-spec 7.7). opsBuf is fixed-size and
-      // allocated once.
+      // old (growth-only, renderer-spec 7.7).
       if (arena === undefined || size > arenaCapacity) {
         arena = attach.alloc(size);
         arenaCapacity = size;
       }
-      if (opsBuf === undefined) {
-        opsBuf = attach.alloc(transferBytes, 4);
-      }
       statePtr = ct.init(arena, lw, lh, attach.structPtr);
     } else {
       // Standalone layout is [heap: state][opsBuf]; opsBuf moves when