diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/EntryOrSenseItemList.svelte b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/EntryOrSenseItemList.svelte
index f23032f8a1..28d4a2ef17 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/EntryOrSenseItemList.svelte
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/EntryOrSenseItemList.svelte
@@ -13,12 +13,13 @@
   const viewService = useViewService();
   const multiWindowService = useMultiWindowService();
 
-  interface Props extends Omit<ItemListProps<T>, 'getDisplayName'> {
+  interface Props extends Omit<ItemListProps<T>, 'getDisplayName' | 'menuItems'> {
     getEntryId: (item: T) => string;
     getHeadword: (item: T) => string | undefined;
+    extraMenuItems?: ItemListProps<T>['menuItems'];
   }
 
-  let { items = $bindable(), getEntryId, getHeadword, ...rest }: Props = $props();
+  let { items = $bindable(), getEntryId, getHeadword, extraMenuItems, ...rest }: Props = $props();
 </script>
 
 <ItemList
@@ -41,5 +42,6 @@
         {$t`Open in new Window`}
       </DropdownMenu.Item>
     {/if}
+    {@render extraMenuItems?.(entry)}
   {/snippet}
 </ItemList>
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..966da9ac8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+  import EntryOrSensePicker, {type EntrySenseSelection} from '../EntryOrSensePicker.svelte';
+  import {randomId} from '$lib/utils';
+  import EntryOrSenseItemList from '../EntryOrSenseItemList.svelte';
+  import VariantTypesMenuItems from './VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte';
+  import type {IEntry, ISense, IVariant} from '$lib/dotnet-types';
+  import {UNSPECIFIED_VARIANT_TYPE_ID, useVariantTypes, useWritingSystemService} from '$project/data';
+  import {Button} from '$lib/components/ui/button';
+  import {t} from 'svelte-i18n-lingui';
+  import {pt} from '$lib/views/view-text';
+  import {useViewService} from '$lib/views/view-service.svelte';
+  import type {ReadonlyDeep} from 'type-fest';
+
+  type Props = {
+    value: IVariant[];
+    readonly: boolean;
+    entry: ReadonlyDeep<IEntry>;
+    onchange: (value: IVariant[]) => void;
+  }
+
+  let {
+    value = $bindable(),
+    readonly,
+    entry,
+    onchange,
+  }: Props = $props();
+
+  const writingSystemService = useWritingSystemService();
+  const variantTypes = useVariantTypes();
+  const viewService = useViewService();
+
+  function addVariantOf(selection: EntrySenseSelection) {
+    // FLEx assigns the Unspecified Variant type when the user doesn't pick one
+    const unspecified = variantTypes.current.find((vt) => vt.id === UNSPECIFIED_VARIANT_TYPE_ID);
+    const variant: IVariant = {
+      id: randomId(),
+      variantEntryId: entry.id,
+      variantHeadword: writingSystemService.headword(entry),
+      mainEntryId: selection.entry.id,
+      mainSenseId: selection.sense?.id,
+      mainHeadword: writingSystemService.headword(selection.entry),
+      types: unspecified ? [unspecified] : [],
+      hideMinorEntry: false,
+      comment: {},
+    };
+    value = [...value, variant];
+    onchange?.(value);
+  }
+
+  function disableEntry(e: IEntry): false | { disableSenses?: true, reason: string } {
+    if (e.id === entry.id) return { reason: pt($t`Current Entry`, $t`Current Word`, viewService.currentView), disableSenses: true };
+    if (entry.variantOf.some((v) => v.mainEntryId === e.id && !v.mainSenseId)) return { reason: $t`Variant of` };
+    // the reverse link would make a cycle, which FieldWorks rejects
+    if (entry.variants.some((v) => v.variantEntryId === e.id)) return { reason: $t`Variant`, disableSenses: true };
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  function disableSense(s: ISense, e: IEntry): false | string {
+    if (entry.variantOf.some((v) => v.mainEntryId === e.id && v.mainSenseId === s.id)) return $t`Variant of`;
+    return false;
+  }
+</script>
+
+<EntryOrSenseItemList bind:items={value} {readonly} {onchange} getEntryId={(v) => v.mainEntryId} getHeadword={(v) => v.mainHeadword}>
+  {#snippet extraMenuItems(variant)}
+    <!-- reassign so the nested types edit reliably re-renders (see EntryEditor's `entry = entry`) -->
+    <VariantTypesMenuItems {variant} {readonly} onchange={() => { value = [...value]; onchange?.(value); }} />
+  {/snippet}
+  {#snippet actions()}
+    <EntryOrSensePicker title={$t`Add variant of`} pick={(e) => addVariantOf(e)}
+      {disableEntry} {disableSense}>
+      {#snippet trigger({ props })}
+        <Button {...props} icon="i-mdi-plus" size="xs">
+          {$t`Variant of`}
+        </Button>
+      {/snippet}
+    </EntryOrSensePicker>
+  {/snippet}
+</EntryOrSenseItemList>
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ab807a231b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+  import * as DropdownMenu from '$lib/components/ui/dropdown-menu';
+  import {Icon} from '$lib/components/ui/icon';
+  import {t} from 'svelte-i18n-lingui';
+  import type {IVariant} from '$lib/dotnet-types';
+  import {useVariantTypes, useWritingSystemService} from '$project/data';
+
+  type Props = {
+    variant: IVariant;
+    readonly: boolean;
+    onchange?: () => void;
+  }
+
+  let {variant, readonly, onchange}: Props = $props();
+
+  const variantTypes = useVariantTypes();
+  const writingSystemService = useWritingSystemService();
+
+  function hasType(id: string): boolean {
+    return variant.types.some((type) => type.id === id);
+  }
+
+  function toggleType(id: string) {
+    const type = variantTypes.current.find((vt) => vt.id === id);
+    if (!type) return;
+    if (hasType(id)) {
+      variant.types = variant.types.filter((existing) => existing.id !== id);
+    } else {
+      variant.types = [...variant.types, type];
+    }
+    onchange?.();
+  }
+</script>
+
+{#if !readonly && variantTypes.current.length}
+  <DropdownMenu.Sub>
+    <DropdownMenu.SubTrigger>
+      <Icon icon="i-mdi-tag-outline" />
+      {$t`Variant type`}
+    </DropdownMenu.SubTrigger>
+    <DropdownMenu.SubContent>
+      {#each variantTypes.current as type (type.id)}
+        <DropdownMenu.CheckboxItem
+          checked={hasType(type.id)}
+          closeOnSelect={false}
+          onCheckedChange={() => toggleType(type.id)}>
+          {writingSystemService.pickBestAlternative(type.name, 'analysis')}
+        </DropdownMenu.CheckboxItem>
+      {/each}
+    </DropdownMenu.SubContent>
+  </DropdownMenu.Sub>
+{/if}
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4cce2eaf6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+  import EntryOrSensePicker, {type EntrySenseSelection} from '../EntryOrSensePicker.svelte';
+  import {randomId} from '$lib/utils';
+  import EntryOrSenseItemList from '../EntryOrSenseItemList.svelte';
+  import VariantTypesMenuItems from './VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte';
+  import type {IEntry, IVariant} from '$lib/dotnet-types';
+  import {UNSPECIFIED_VARIANT_TYPE_ID, useVariantTypes, useWritingSystemService} from '$project/data';
+  import {Button} from '$lib/components/ui/button';
+  import {t} from 'svelte-i18n-lingui';
+  import {pt} from '$lib/views/view-text';
+  import {useViewService} from '$lib/views/view-service.svelte';
+  import type {ReadonlyDeep} from 'type-fest';
+
+  type Props = {
+    value: IVariant[];
+    readonly: boolean;
+    entry: ReadonlyDeep<IEntry>;
+    onchange: (value: IVariant[]) => void;
+  }
+
+  let {
+    value = $bindable(),
+    readonly,
+    entry,
+    onchange,
+  }: Props = $props();
+
+  const writingSystemService = useWritingSystemService();
+  const variantTypes = useVariantTypes();
+  const viewService = useViewService();
+
+  function addVariant(selection: EntrySenseSelection) {
+    // FLEx assigns the Unspecified Variant type when the user doesn't pick one
+    const unspecified = variantTypes.current.find((vt) => vt.id === UNSPECIFIED_VARIANT_TYPE_ID);
+    const variant: IVariant = {
+      id: randomId(),
+      variantEntryId: selection.entry.id,
+      variantHeadword: writingSystemService.headword(selection.entry),
+      mainEntryId: entry.id,
+      mainHeadword: writingSystemService.headword(entry),
+      types: unspecified ? [unspecified] : [],
+      hideMinorEntry: false,
+      comment: {},
+    };
+    value = [...value, variant];
+    onchange?.(value);
+  }
+
+  function disableEntry(e: IEntry): false | { reason: string } {
+    if (e.id === entry.id) return { reason: pt($t`Current Entry`, $t`Current Word`, viewService.currentView) };
+    if (entry.variants.some((v) => v.variantEntryId === e.id)) return { reason: $t`Variant` };
+    // the reverse link would make a cycle, which FieldWorks rejects
+    if (entry.variantOf.some((v) => v.mainEntryId === e.id)) return { reason: $t`Variant of` };
+    return false;
+  }
+</script>
+
+<EntryOrSenseItemList bind:items={value} {readonly} {onchange} getEntryId={(v) => v.variantEntryId} getHeadword={(v) => v.variantHeadword}>
+  {#snippet extraMenuItems(variant)}
+    <!-- reassign so the nested types edit reliably re-renders (see EntryEditor's `entry = entry`) -->
+    <VariantTypesMenuItems {variant} {readonly} onchange={() => { value = [...value]; onchange?.(value); }} />
+  {/snippet}
+  {#snippet actions()}
+    <EntryOrSensePicker title={$t`Add variant`} mode="only-entries" pick={(e) => addVariant(e)}
+      {disableEntry}>
+      {#snippet trigger({ props })}
+        <Button {...props} icon="i-mdi-plus" size="xs">
+          {$t`Variant`}
+        </Button>
+      {/snippet}
+    </EntryOrSensePicker>
+  {/snippet}
+</EntryOrSenseItemList>
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/object-editors/EntryEditorPrimitive.svelte b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/object-editors/EntryEditorPrimitive.svelte
index 187dbb0e0a..70d81d3714 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/object-editors/EntryEditorPrimitive.svelte
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/entry-editor/object-editors/EntryEditorPrimitive.svelte
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
   import {MultiSelect, MultiWsInput, RichMultiWsInput} from '$lib/components/field-editors';
   import ComplexFormComponents from '../field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte';
   import ComplexForms from '../field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte';
+  import VariantOf from '../field-editors/VariantOf.svelte';
+  import Variants from '../field-editors/Variants.svelte';
   import type {EditorSubGridProps} from '$lib/components/editor/editor-sub-grid.svelte';
   import {mergeProps} from 'bits-ui';
   import {initSubjectContext} from '$lib/entry-editor/object-editors/subject-context';
@@ -94,6 +96,26 @@
       </Editor.Field.Body>
     </Editor.Field.Root>
 
+    <Editor.Field.Root fieldId="variantOf" class={cn(fields.variantOf?.show || 'hidden')}>
+      <Editor.Field.Title name={$tvt(entityConfig.entry.variantOf.label)} helpId={entityConfig.entry.variantOf.helpId} />
+      <Editor.Field.Body>
+        <VariantOf onchange={() => onFieldChanged('variantOf')}
+                   bind:value={entry.variantOf}
+                   {readonly}
+                   {entry} />
+      </Editor.Field.Body>
+    </Editor.Field.Root>
+
+    <Editor.Field.Root fieldId="variants" class={cn(fields.variants?.show || 'hidden')}>
+      <Editor.Field.Title name={$tvt(entityConfig.entry.variants.label)} helpId={entityConfig.entry.variants.helpId} />
+      <Editor.Field.Body>
+        <Variants onchange={() => onFieldChanged('variants')}
+                  bind:value={entry.variants}
+                  {readonly}
+                  {entry} />
+      </Editor.Field.Body>
+    </Editor.Field.Root>
+
     <Editor.Field.Root fieldId="complexFormTypes" class={cn(fields.complexFormTypes?.show || 'hidden')}>
       <Editor.Field.Title name={$tvt(entityConfig.entry.complexFormTypes.label)} helpId={entityConfig.entry.complexFormTypes.helpId} />
       <Editor.Field.Body>
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/lib/views/entity-config.ts b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
index 311dfc8635..8081e7fdf7 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
@@ -34,6 +34,15 @@ export const entityConfig = {
       label: msg`Components`,
       helpId: 'User_Interface/Field_Descriptions/Lexicon/Lexicon_Edit_fields/Entry_level_fields/Components_field.htm',
     },
+    variantOf: {
+      label: msg`Variant of`,
+      helpId: 'User_Interface/Field_Descriptions/Lexicon/Lexicon_Edit_fields/Entry_level_fields/Variant_of_field.htm',
+    },
+    variants: {
+      label: msg`Variants`,
+      //there's no dedicated help topic for the variants back-reference; this one explains the relationship
+      helpId: 'User_Interface/Field_Descriptions/Lexicon/Lexicon_Edit_fields/Entry_level_fields/Variant_of_field.htm',
+    },
     literalMeaning: {
       label: msg`Literal meaning`,
       helpId: 'User_Interface/Field_Descriptions/Lexicon/Lexicon_Edit_fields/Entry_level_fields/Literal_Meaning_field.htm',
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/lib/views/view-data.ts b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/views/view-data.ts
index 094571043f..1b2f9cba5d 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/lib/views/view-data.ts
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/lib/views/view-data.ts
@@ -52,9 +52,11 @@ export const FW_LITE_VIEW: RootView = {
       complexForms: {show: true, order: 3},
       complexFormTypes: {show: false, order: 4},
       components: {show: true, order: 5},
-      literalMeaning: {show: false, order: 6},
-      note: {show: true, order: 7},
-      publishIn: {show: false, order: 8},
+      variantOf: {show: true, order: 6},
+      variants: {show: true, order: 7},
+      literalMeaning: {show: false, order: 8},
+      note: {show: true, order: 9},
+      publishIn: {show: false, order: 10},
     },
     sense: {
       gloss: {show: true, order: 1},
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/en.po b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/en.po
index b420b6f859..c1f20f86d3 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/en.po
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/en.po
@@ -182,6 +182,16 @@ msgstr "Add Sense"
 msgid "Add to dictionary"
 msgstr "Add to dictionary"
 
+#. Dialog title: picker for adding an entry as a variant of the current entry (fills the "Variants" field)
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Add variant"
+msgstr "Add variant"
+
+#. Dialog title: picker for marking the current entry as a variant of another entry/sense (fills the "Variant of" field)
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+msgid "Add variant of"
+msgstr "Add variant of"
+
 #. Dialog title
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/NewEntryDialog.svelte
 msgid "Add Word"
@@ -528,6 +538,8 @@ msgstr "Create View"
 #. Label in picker: marks the entry that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Entry"
 msgstr "Current Entry"
 
@@ -541,6 +553,8 @@ msgstr "Current version"
 #. Label in picker: marks the word that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Word"
 msgstr "Current Word"
 
@@ -900,7 +914,7 @@ msgstr "FieldWorks Lite version"
 
 #. Alt text for FieldWorks logo image
 #: src/home/HomeView.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/components/OpenInFieldWorksButton.svelte
 #: src/project/ProjectDropdown.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2142,10 +2156,7 @@ msgid "Unable to open in FieldWorks"
 msgstr "Unable to open in FieldWorks"
 
 #. Fallback value shown when author name or last-change date is unavailable (e.g., in activity history or the sync panel).
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityItem.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityView.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/activity/utils.ts
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2245,6 +2256,32 @@ msgstr "Updates"
 msgid "Uses components as"
 msgstr "Uses components as"
 
+#. Used two ways: (1) button label for adding an entry to the "Variants" field, and (2) disable-reason shown in the entry picker when an entry is already linked as a variant, so it can't be picked again
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Variant"
+msgstr "Variant"
+
+#. Used three ways: (1) field label for the "Variant of" relationship (this entry is a variant of another entry/sense), (2) button label in that field's entry picker, and (3) disable-reason shown when an entry is already linked, so it can't be picked again
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variant of"
+msgstr "Variant of"
+
+#. Dropdown submenu label in a variant's context menu, for assigning its variant type (a user-configurable classification, e.g. dialectal or spelling variant)
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte
+msgid "Variant type"
+msgstr "Variant type"
+
+#. Field label: other entries that are variants of this entry (the reverse of "Variant of")
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variants"
+msgstr "Variants"
+
 #. Section heading in custom view writing system picker.
 #. Labels the vernacular language writing systems (the language being documented).
 #: src/lib/views/custom/CustomViewWritingSystems.svelte
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/es.po b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/es.po
index e4049b6109..876426c2ce 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/es.po
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/es.po
@@ -187,6 +187,14 @@ msgstr "Añadir acepción"
 msgid "Add to dictionary"
 msgstr ""
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Add variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+msgid "Add variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Dialog title
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/NewEntryDialog.svelte
 msgid "Add Word"
@@ -533,6 +541,8 @@ msgstr "Crear vista"
 #. Label in picker: marks the entry that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Entry"
 msgstr "Entrada actual"
 
@@ -546,6 +556,8 @@ msgstr "Versión actual"
 #. Label in picker: marks the word that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Word"
 msgstr "Palabra actual"
 
@@ -905,7 +917,7 @@ msgstr "Versión de FieldWorks Lite"
 
 #. Alt text for FieldWorks logo image
 #: src/home/HomeView.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/components/OpenInFieldWorksButton.svelte
 #: src/project/ProjectDropdown.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2147,10 +2159,7 @@ msgid "Unable to open in FieldWorks"
 msgstr "No se puede abrir en FieldWorks"
 
 #. Fallback value shown when author name or last-change date is unavailable (e.g., in activity history or the sync panel).
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityItem.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityView.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/activity/utils.ts
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2250,6 +2259,28 @@ msgstr "Actualizaciones"
 msgid "Uses components as"
 msgstr "Utiliza componentes como"
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte
+msgid "Variant type"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variants"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Section heading in custom view writing system picker.
 #. Labels the vernacular language writing systems (the language being documented).
 #: src/lib/views/custom/CustomViewWritingSystems.svelte
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/fr.po b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/fr.po
index 13b01dd9d2..6e6513a3dd 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/fr.po
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/fr.po
@@ -187,6 +187,14 @@ msgstr "Ajouter du sens"
 msgid "Add to dictionary"
 msgstr ""
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Add variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+msgid "Add variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Dialog title
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/NewEntryDialog.svelte
 msgid "Add Word"
@@ -533,6 +541,8 @@ msgstr "Créer une vue"
 #. Label in picker: marks the entry that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Entry"
 msgstr "Entrée actuelle"
 
@@ -546,6 +556,8 @@ msgstr "Version actuelle"
 #. Label in picker: marks the word that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Word"
 msgstr "Mot actuel"
 
@@ -905,7 +917,7 @@ msgstr "Version de FieldWorks Lite"
 
 #. Alt text for FieldWorks logo image
 #: src/home/HomeView.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/components/OpenInFieldWorksButton.svelte
 #: src/project/ProjectDropdown.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2147,10 +2159,7 @@ msgid "Unable to open in FieldWorks"
 msgstr "Impossible d'ouvrir FieldWorks"
 
 #. Fallback value shown when author name or last-change date is unavailable (e.g., in activity history or the sync panel).
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityItem.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityView.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/activity/utils.ts
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2250,6 +2259,28 @@ msgstr "Mises à jour"
 msgid "Uses components as"
 msgstr "Utilise des composants comme"
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte
+msgid "Variant type"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variants"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Section heading in custom view writing system picker.
 #. Labels the vernacular language writing systems (the language being documented).
 #: src/lib/views/custom/CustomViewWritingSystems.svelte
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/id.po b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/id.po
index d749849c0f..2b4ceb7a9e 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/id.po
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/id.po
@@ -187,6 +187,14 @@ msgstr "Tambahkan Pengertian"
 msgid "Add to dictionary"
 msgstr ""
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Add variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+msgid "Add variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Dialog title
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/NewEntryDialog.svelte
 msgid "Add Word"
@@ -533,6 +541,8 @@ msgstr "Buat Tampilan"
 #. Label in picker: marks the entry that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Entry"
 msgstr "Entri Saat Ini"
 
@@ -546,6 +556,8 @@ msgstr "Versi saat ini"
 #. Label in picker: marks the word that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Word"
 msgstr "Kata saat ini"
 
@@ -905,7 +917,7 @@ msgstr "Versi FieldWorks Lite"
 
 #. Alt text for FieldWorks logo image
 #: src/home/HomeView.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/components/OpenInFieldWorksButton.svelte
 #: src/project/ProjectDropdown.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2147,10 +2159,7 @@ msgid "Unable to open in FieldWorks"
 msgstr "Tidak dapat dibuka di FieldWorks"
 
 #. Fallback value shown when author name or last-change date is unavailable (e.g., in activity history or the sync panel).
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityItem.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityView.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/activity/utils.ts
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2250,6 +2259,28 @@ msgstr "Pembaruan"
 msgid "Uses components as"
 msgstr "Menggunakan komponen sebagai"
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte
+msgid "Variant type"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variants"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Section heading in custom view writing system picker.
 #. Labels the vernacular language writing systems (the language being documented).
 #: src/lib/views/custom/CustomViewWritingSystems.svelte
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/ko.po b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/ko.po
index cddd9828d6..509e9dbe01 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/ko.po
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/ko.po
@@ -187,6 +187,14 @@ msgstr "센스 추가"
 msgid "Add to dictionary"
 msgstr ""
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Add variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+msgid "Add variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Dialog title
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/NewEntryDialog.svelte
 msgid "Add Word"
@@ -533,6 +541,8 @@ msgstr "보기 만들기"
 #. Label in picker: marks the entry that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Entry"
 msgstr "현재 항목"
 
@@ -546,6 +556,8 @@ msgstr "현재 버전"
 #. Label in picker: marks the word that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Word"
 msgstr "현재 단어"
 
@@ -905,7 +917,7 @@ msgstr "FieldWorks Lite 버전"
 
 #. Alt text for FieldWorks logo image
 #: src/home/HomeView.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/components/OpenInFieldWorksButton.svelte
 #: src/project/ProjectDropdown.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2147,10 +2159,7 @@ msgid "Unable to open in FieldWorks"
 msgstr "FieldWorks에서 열 수 없음"
 
 #. Fallback value shown when author name or last-change date is unavailable (e.g., in activity history or the sync panel).
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityItem.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityView.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/activity/utils.ts
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2250,6 +2259,28 @@ msgstr "업데이트"
 msgid "Uses components as"
 msgstr "구성 요소를 다음과 같이 사용합니다."
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte
+msgid "Variant type"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variants"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Section heading in custom view writing system picker.
 #. Labels the vernacular language writing systems (the language being documented).
 #: src/lib/views/custom/CustomViewWritingSystems.svelte
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/ms.po b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/ms.po
index 5f0ed57320..25f94be128 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/ms.po
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/ms.po
@@ -187,6 +187,14 @@ msgstr "Tambah Makna"
 msgid "Add to dictionary"
 msgstr ""
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Add variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+msgid "Add variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Dialog title
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/NewEntryDialog.svelte
 msgid "Add Word"
@@ -533,6 +541,8 @@ msgstr "Buat Pandangan"
 #. Label in picker: marks the entry that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Entry"
 msgstr "Entri Semasa"
 
@@ -546,6 +556,8 @@ msgstr "Versi semasa"
 #. Label in picker: marks the word that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Word"
 msgstr "Perkataan Semasa"
 
@@ -905,7 +917,7 @@ msgstr "Versi FieldWorks Lite"
 
 #. Alt text for FieldWorks logo image
 #: src/home/HomeView.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/components/OpenInFieldWorksButton.svelte
 #: src/project/ProjectDropdown.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2147,10 +2159,7 @@ msgid "Unable to open in FieldWorks"
 msgstr "Tidak dapat membuka dalam FieldWorks"
 
 #. Fallback value shown when author name or last-change date is unavailable (e.g., in activity history or the sync panel).
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityItem.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityView.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/activity/utils.ts
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2250,6 +2259,28 @@ msgstr "Kemas kini"
 msgid "Uses components as"
 msgstr "Menggunakan komponen sebagai"
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte
+msgid "Variant type"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variants"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Section heading in custom view writing system picker.
 #. Labels the vernacular language writing systems (the language being documented).
 #: src/lib/views/custom/CustomViewWritingSystems.svelte
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/sw.po b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/sw.po
index aacc4c2529..572068adf9 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/sw.po
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/sw.po
@@ -187,6 +187,14 @@ msgstr "Ongeza Maana"
 msgid "Add to dictionary"
 msgstr ""
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Add variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+msgid "Add variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Dialog title
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/NewEntryDialog.svelte
 msgid "Add Word"
@@ -533,6 +541,8 @@ msgstr "Tengeneza Mtazamo"
 #. Label in picker: marks the entry that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Entry"
 msgstr "Ingizo Sasa"
 
@@ -546,6 +556,8 @@ msgstr "Toleo Sasa"
 #. Label in picker: marks the word that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Word"
 msgstr "Neno Sasa"
 
@@ -905,7 +917,7 @@ msgstr "Toleo la FieldWorks Lite"
 
 #. Alt text for FieldWorks logo image
 #: src/home/HomeView.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/components/OpenInFieldWorksButton.svelte
 #: src/project/ProjectDropdown.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2147,10 +2159,7 @@ msgid "Unable to open in FieldWorks"
 msgstr "Haiwezi kufungua katika FieldWorks"
 
 #. Fallback value shown when author name or last-change date is unavailable (e.g., in activity history or the sync panel).
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityItem.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityView.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/activity/utils.ts
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2250,6 +2259,28 @@ msgstr "Masasisho"
 msgid "Uses components as"
 msgstr "Inatumia sehemu kama"
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte
+msgid "Variant type"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variants"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Section heading in custom view writing system picker.
 #. Labels the vernacular language writing systems (the language being documented).
 #: src/lib/views/custom/CustomViewWritingSystems.svelte
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/vi.po b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/vi.po
index 08eccb0489..05b4a6196d 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/locales/vi.po
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/locales/vi.po
@@ -187,6 +187,14 @@ msgstr "Thêm Ý nghĩa (sense)"
 msgid "Add to dictionary"
 msgstr ""
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Add variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+msgid "Add variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Dialog title
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/NewEntryDialog.svelte
 msgid "Add Word"
@@ -533,6 +541,8 @@ msgstr "Tạo chế độ xem"
 #. Label in picker: marks the entry that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Entry"
 msgstr "Mục hiện tại"
 
@@ -546,6 +556,8 @@ msgstr "Phiên bản hiện tại"
 #. Label in picker: marks the word that is currently being edited
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexFormComponents.svelte
 #: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/ComplexForms.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
 msgid "Current Word"
 msgstr "Từ hiện tại"
 
@@ -905,7 +917,7 @@ msgstr "Phiên bản FieldWorks Lite"
 
 #. Alt text for FieldWorks logo image
 #: src/home/HomeView.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/components/OpenInFieldWorksButton.svelte
 #: src/project/ProjectDropdown.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2147,10 +2159,7 @@ msgid "Unable to open in FieldWorks"
 msgstr "Không thể mở trong FieldWorks"
 
 #. Fallback value shown when author name or last-change date is unavailable (e.g., in activity history or the sync panel).
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityFilter.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityItem.svelte
-#: src/lib/activity/ActivityView.svelte
+#: src/lib/activity/AuthorLabel.svelte
 #: src/lib/activity/utils.ts
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
 #: src/project/sync/FwLiteToFwMergeDetails.svelte
@@ -2250,6 +2259,28 @@ msgstr "Cập nhật"
 msgid "Uses components as"
 msgstr "Sử dụng các thành phần như"
 
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+msgid "Variant"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantOf.svelte
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/Variants.svelte
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variant of"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/entry-editor/field-editors/VariantTypesMenuItems.svelte
+msgid "Variant type"
+msgstr ""
+
+#: src/lib/views/entity-config.ts
+msgid "Variants"
+msgstr ""
+
 #. Section heading in custom view writing system picker.
 #. Labels the vernacular language writing systems (the language being documented).
 #: src/lib/views/custom/CustomViewWritingSystems.svelte
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/src/project/data/variant-types.ts b/frontend/viewer/src/project/data/variant-types.ts
index 3e8d88b11c..7e39299da5 100644
--- a/frontend/viewer/src/project/data/variant-types.ts
+++ b/frontend/viewer/src/project/data/variant-types.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@ import {useProjectContext} from '$project/project-context.svelte';
 const variantTypesSymbol = Symbol.for('fw-lite-variant-types');
 export function useVariantTypes() {
   const projectContext = useProjectContext();
-  return projectContext.getOrAddAsync(variantTypesSymbol, [], api => api.getVariantTypes());
+  // eager: adding a variant defaults its type to Unspecified Variant, so the list
+  // must already be loaded when the user picks an entry (nothing reads it before then)
+  return projectContext.getOrAddAsync(variantTypesSymbol, [], api => api.getVariantTypes(), {eager: true});
 }
 
 /** Unspecified Variant — the type FLEx assigns when none is chosen (well-known guid) */
diff --git a/frontend/viewer/tests/variants.test.ts b/frontend/viewer/tests/variants.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e1600ebe90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/viewer/tests/variants.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+import {expect, test} from '@playwright/test';
+import {BrowsePage} from './browse-page';
+
+const UNSPECIFIED_VARIANT_TYPE_ID = '3942addb-99fd-43e9-ab7d-99025ceb0d4e';
+const DIALECTAL_VARIANT_TYPE_ID = '024b62c9-93b3-41a0-ab19-587a0030219a';
+
+type VariantLink = {mainEntryId: string, variantEntryId: string, types: {id: string}[]};
+
+test.describe('Variants', () => {
+
+  test('adding a variant-of link via UI is saved to backend', async ({page}) => {
+    const browsePage = new BrowsePage(page);
+    await browsePage.goto();
+
+    const timestamp = Date.now().toString().slice(-6);
+    const main = await browsePage.api.createEntryWithHeadword(`mainentry${timestamp}`);
+    const variant = await browsePage.api.createEntryWithHeadword(`variantentry${timestamp}`);
+
+    await browsePage.selectEntryByFilter(variant.headword);
+
+    // add the link via the Variant of field's picker
+    const variantOfField = page.locator('[style*="grid-area: variantOf"]');
+    await variantOfField.getByRole('button', {name: 'Variant of'}).click();
+    const dialog = page.getByRole('dialog');
+    await dialog.getByPlaceholder(/find (entry|word)/i).fill(main.headword);
+    await dialog.getByText(main.headword).first().click();
+    await dialog.getByRole('button', {name: /select (entry|word)/i}).click();
+
+    // the link shows in the field and lands in the backend with FLEx's default type
+    await expect(variantOfField.getByText(main.headword)).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(async () => {
+      const entry = await browsePage.api.getEntry(variant.id) as {variantOf: VariantLink[]};
+      expect(entry.variantOf).toHaveLength(1);
+      expect(entry.variantOf[0].mainEntryId).toBe(main.id);
+      expect(entry.variantOf[0].types.map(t => t.id)).toContain(UNSPECIFIED_VARIANT_TYPE_ID);
+    }).toPass({timeout: 5000});
+
+    // toggle a variant type through the link's menu
+    await variantOfField.getByText(main.headword).click();
+    await page.getByRole('menuitem', {name: 'Variant type'}).click();
+    await page.getByRole('menuitemcheckbox', {name: 'Dialectal Variant'}).click();
+    await page.keyboard.press('Escape');
+
+    await expect(async () => {
+      const entry = await browsePage.api.getEntry(variant.id) as {variantOf: VariantLink[]};
+      expect(entry.variantOf[0].types.map(t => t.id)).toContain(DIALECTAL_VARIANT_TYPE_ID);
+    }).toPass({timeout: 5000});
+
+    // the menu reflects the toggle when reopened (guards the nested-state re-render)
+    await variantOfField.getByText(main.headword).click();
+    await page.getByRole('menuitem', {name: 'Variant type'}).click();
+    await expect(page.getByRole('menuitemcheckbox', {name: 'Dialectal Variant'})).toHaveAttribute('aria-checked', 'true');
+    await page.keyboard.press('Escape');
+  });
+
+  test('adding a variant via the main entry saves the reverse link', async ({page}) => {
+    const browsePage = new BrowsePage(page);
+    await browsePage.goto();
+
+    const timestamp = Date.now().toString().slice(-6);
+    const main = await browsePage.api.createEntryWithHeadword(`mainentryb${timestamp}`);
+    const variant = await browsePage.api.createEntryWithHeadword(`variantentryb${timestamp}`);
+
+    await browsePage.selectEntryByFilter(main.headword);
+
+    const variantsField = page.locator('[style*="grid-area: variants"]');
+    await variantsField.getByRole('button', {name: 'Variant', exact: true}).click();
+    const dialog = page.getByRole('dialog');
+    await dialog.getByPlaceholder(/find (entry|word)/i).fill(variant.headword);
+    await dialog.getByText(variant.headword).first().click();
+    await dialog.getByRole('button', {name: /select (entry|word)/i}).click();
+
+    await expect(variantsField.getByText(variant.headword)).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(async () => {
+      const entry = await browsePage.api.getEntry(main.id) as {variants: VariantLink[]};
+      expect(entry.variants).toHaveLength(1);
+      expect(entry.variants[0].variantEntryId).toBe(variant.id);
+    }).toPass({timeout: 5000});
+  });
+});