diff --git a/piker/ui/_annotate.py b/piker/ui/_annotate.py
index 0dca9dcc..6c887d99 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_annotate.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_annotate.py
@@ -24,8 +24,11 @@ from pyqtgraph import (
     Point,
     functions as fn,
     Color,
+    GraphicsObject,
 )
+from pyqtgraph.Qt import internals
 import numpy as np
+import pyqtgraph as pg
 
 from piker.ui.qt import (
     QtCore,
@@ -35,6 +38,10 @@ from piker.ui.qt import (
     QRectF,
     QGraphicsPathItem,
 )
+from piker.ui._style import hcolor
+from piker.log import get_logger
+
+log = get_logger(__name__)
 
 
 def mk_marker_path(
@@ -104,7 +111,7 @@ def mk_marker_path(
 
 class LevelMarker(QGraphicsPathItem):
     '''
-    An arrow marker path graphich which redraws itself
+    An arrow marker path graphic which redraws itself
     to the specified view coordinate level on each paint cycle.
 
     '''
@@ -251,9 +258,9 @@ def qgo_draw_markers(
 
 ) -> float:
     '''
-    Paint markers in ``pg.GraphicsItem`` style by first
-    removing the view transform for the painter, drawing the markers
-    in scene coords, then restoring the view coords.
+    Paint markers in ``pg.GraphicsItem`` style by first removing the
+    view transform for the painter, drawing the markers in scene
+    coords, then restoring the view coords.
 
     '''
     # paint markers in native coordinate system
@@ -295,3 +302,449 @@ def qgo_draw_markers(
 
     p.setTransform(orig_tr)
     return max(sizes)
+
+
+class GapAnnotations(GraphicsObject):
+    '''
+    Batch-rendered gap annotations using Qt's efficient drawing
+    APIs.
+
+    Instead of creating individual `QGraphicsItem` instances per
+    gap (which is very slow for 1000+ gaps), this class stores all
+    gap rectangles and arrows in numpy-backed arrays and renders
+    them in single batch paint calls.
+
+    Performance: ~1000x faster than individual items for large gap
+    counts.
+
+    Based on patterns from:
+    - `pyqtgraph.BarGraphItem` (batch rect rendering)
+    - `pyqtgraph.ScatterPlotItem` (fragment rendering)
+    - `piker.ui._curve.FlowGraphic` (single path pattern)
+
+    '''
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        gap_specs: list[dict],
+        array: np.ndarray|None = None,
+        color: str = 'dad_blue',
+        alpha: int = 169,
+        arrow_size: float = 10.0,
+        fqme: str|None = None,
+        timeframe: float|None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        '''
+        gap_specs: list of dicts with keys:
+            - start_pos: (x, y) tuple for left corner of rect
+            - end_pos: (x, y) tuple for right corner of rect
+            - arrow_x: x position for arrow
+            - arrow_y: y position for arrow
+            - pointing: 'up' or 'down' for arrow direction
+            - start_time: (optional) timestamp for repositioning
+            - end_time: (optional) timestamp for repositioning
+
+        array: optional OHLC numpy array for repositioning on
+               backfill updates (when abs-index changes)
+
+        fqme: symbol name for these gaps (for logging/debugging)
+
+        timeframe: period in seconds that these gaps were
+                   detected on (used to skip reposition when
+                   called with wrong timeframe's array)
+
+        '''
+        super().__init__()
+        self._gap_specs = gap_specs
+        self._array = array
+        self._fqme = fqme
+        self._timeframe = timeframe
+        n_gaps = len(gap_specs)
+
+        # shared pen/brush matching original SelectRect/ArrowItem style
+        base_color = pg.mkColor(hcolor(color))
+
+        # rect pen: base color, fully opaque for outline
+        self._rect_pen = pg.mkPen(base_color, width=1)
+
+        # rect brush: base color with alpha=66 (SelectRect default)
+        rect_fill = pg.mkColor(hcolor(color))
+        rect_fill.setAlpha(66)
+        self._rect_brush = pg.functions.mkBrush(rect_fill)
+
+        # arrow pen: same as rects
+        self._arrow_pen = pg.mkPen(base_color, width=1)
+
+        # arrow brush: base color with user-specified alpha (default 169)
+        arrow_fill = pg.mkColor(hcolor(color))
+        arrow_fill.setAlpha(alpha)
+        self._arrow_brush = pg.functions.mkBrush(arrow_fill)
+
+        # allocate rect array using Qt's efficient storage
+        self._rectarray = internals.PrimitiveArray(
+            QtCore.QRectF,
+            4,
+        )
+        self._rectarray.resize(n_gaps)
+        rect_memory = self._rectarray.ndarray()
+
+        # fill rect array from gap specs
+        for (
+            i,
+            spec,
+        ) in enumerate(gap_specs):
+            (
+                start_x,
+                start_y,
+            ) = spec['start_pos']
+            (
+                end_x,
+                end_y,
+            ) = spec['end_pos']
+
+            # QRectF expects (x, y, width, height)
+            rect_memory[i, 0] = start_x
+            rect_memory[i, 1] = min(start_y, end_y)
+            rect_memory[i, 2] = end_x - start_x
+            rect_memory[i, 3] = abs(end_y - start_y)
+
+        # build single QPainterPath for all arrows
+        self._arrow_path = QtGui.QPainterPath()
+        self._arrow_size = arrow_size
+
+        for spec in gap_specs:
+            arrow_x = spec['arrow_x']
+            arrow_y = spec['arrow_y']
+            pointing = spec['pointing']
+
+            # create arrow polygon
+            if pointing == 'down':
+                # arrow points downward
+                arrow_poly = QtGui.QPolygonF([
+                    QPointF(arrow_x, arrow_y),  # tip
+                    QPointF(
+                        arrow_x - arrow_size/2,
+                        arrow_y - arrow_size,
+                    ),  # left
+                    QPointF(
+                        arrow_x + arrow_size/2,
+                        arrow_y - arrow_size,
+                    ),  # right
+                ])
+            else:  # up
+                # arrow points upward
+                arrow_poly = QtGui.QPolygonF([
+                    QPointF(arrow_x, arrow_y),  # tip
+                    QPointF(
+                        arrow_x - arrow_size/2,
+                        arrow_y + arrow_size,
+                    ),  # left
+                    QPointF(
+                        arrow_x + arrow_size/2,
+                        arrow_y + arrow_size,
+                    ),  # right
+                ])
+
+            self._arrow_path.addPolygon(arrow_poly)
+            self._arrow_path.closeSubpath()
+
+        # cache bounding rect
+        self._br: QRectF|None = None
+
+    def boundingRect(self) -> QRectF:
+        '''
+        Compute bounding rect from rect array and arrow path.
+
+        '''
+        if self._br is not None:
+            return self._br
+
+        # get rect bounds
+        rect_memory = self._rectarray.ndarray()
+        if len(rect_memory) == 0:
+            self._br = QRectF()
+            return self._br
+
+        x_min = rect_memory[:, 0].min()
+        y_min = rect_memory[:, 1].min()
+        x_max = (rect_memory[:, 0] + rect_memory[:, 2]).max()
+        y_max = (rect_memory[:, 1] + rect_memory[:, 3]).max()
+
+        # expand for arrow path
+        arrow_br = self._arrow_path.boundingRect()
+        x_min = min(x_min, arrow_br.left())
+        y_min = min(y_min, arrow_br.top())
+        x_max = max(x_max, arrow_br.right())
+        y_max = max(y_max, arrow_br.bottom())
+
+        self._br = QRectF(
+            x_min,
+            y_min,
+            x_max - x_min,
+            y_max - y_min,
+        )
+        return self._br
+
+    def paint(
+        self,
+        p: QtGui.QPainter,
+        opt: QtWidgets.QStyleOptionGraphicsItem,
+        w: QtWidgets.QWidget,
+    ) -> None:
+        '''
+        Batch render all rects and arrows in minimal paint calls.
+
+        '''
+        # draw all rects in single batch call (data coordinates)
+        p.setPen(self._rect_pen)
+        p.setBrush(self._rect_brush)
+        drawargs = self._rectarray.drawargs()
+        p.drawRects(*drawargs)
+
+        # draw arrows in scene/pixel coordinates so they maintain
+        # size regardless of zoom level
+        orig_tr = p.transform()
+        p.resetTransform()
+
+        # rebuild arrow path in scene coordinates
+        arrow_path_scene = QtGui.QPainterPath()
+
+        # arrow geometry matching pg.ArrowItem defaults
+        # headLen=10, headWidth=2.222
+        # headWidth is the half-width (center to edge distance)
+        head_len = self._arrow_size
+        head_width = head_len * 0.2222  # 2.222 at size=10
+
+        for spec in self._gap_specs:
+            if 'arrow_x' not in spec:
+                continue
+
+            arrow_x = spec['arrow_x']
+            arrow_y = spec['arrow_y']
+            pointing = spec['pointing']
+
+            # transform data coords to scene coords
+            scene_pt = orig_tr.map(QPointF(arrow_x, arrow_y))
+            sx = scene_pt.x()
+            sy = scene_pt.y()
+
+            # create arrow polygon in scene/pixel coords
+            # matching pg.ArrowItem geometry but rotated for up/down
+            if pointing == 'down':
+                # tip points downward (negative y direction)
+                arrow_poly = QtGui.QPolygonF([
+                    QPointF(sx, sy),  # tip
+                    QPointF(
+                        sx - head_width,
+                        sy - head_len,
+                    ),  # left base
+                    QPointF(
+                        sx + head_width,
+                        sy - head_len,
+                    ),  # right base
+                ])
+            else:  # up
+                # tip points upward (positive y direction)
+                arrow_poly = QtGui.QPolygonF([
+                    QPointF(sx, sy),  # tip
+                    QPointF(
+                        sx - head_width,
+                        sy + head_len,
+                    ),  # left base
+                    QPointF(
+                        sx + head_width,
+                        sy + head_len,
+                    ),  # right base
+                ])
+
+            arrow_path_scene.addPolygon(arrow_poly)
+            arrow_path_scene.closeSubpath()
+
+        p.setPen(self._arrow_pen)
+        p.setBrush(self._arrow_brush)
+        p.drawPath(arrow_path_scene)
+
+        # restore original transform
+        p.setTransform(orig_tr)
+
+    def reposition(
+        self,
+        array: np.ndarray|None = None,
+        fqme: str|None = None,
+        timeframe: float|None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        '''
+        Reposition all annotations based on timestamps.
+
+        Used when viz is updated (eg during backfill) and abs-index
+        range changes - we need to lookup new indices from timestamps.
+
+        '''
+        # skip reposition if timeframe doesn't match
+        # (e.g., 1s gaps being repositioned with 60s array)
+        if (
+            timeframe is not None
+            and
+            self._timeframe is not None
+            and
+            timeframe != self._timeframe
+        ):
+            log.debug(
+                f'Skipping reposition for {self._fqme} gaps:\n'
+                f'  gap timeframe: {self._timeframe}s\n'
+                f'  array timeframe: {timeframe}s\n'
+            )
+            return
+
+        if array is None:
+            array = self._array
+
+        if array is None:
+            log.warning(
+                'GapAnnotations.reposition() called but no array '
+                'provided'
+            )
+            return
+
+        # collect all unique timestamps we need to lookup
+        timestamps: set[float] = set()
+        for spec in self._gap_specs:
+            if spec.get('start_time') is not None:
+                timestamps.add(spec['start_time'])
+            if spec.get('end_time') is not None:
+                timestamps.add(spec['end_time'])
+            if spec.get('time') is not None:
+                timestamps.add(spec['time'])
+
+        # vectorized timestamp -> row lookup using binary search
+        time_to_row: dict[float, dict] = {}
+        if timestamps:
+            import numpy as np
+            time_arr = array['time']
+            ts_array = np.array(list(timestamps))
+
+            search_indices = np.searchsorted(
+                time_arr,
+                ts_array,
+            )
+
+            # vectorized bounds check and exact match verification
+            valid_mask = (
+                (search_indices < len(array))
+                & (time_arr[search_indices] == ts_array)
+            )
+
+            valid_indices = search_indices[valid_mask]
+            valid_timestamps = ts_array[valid_mask]
+            matched_rows = array[valid_indices]
+
+            time_to_row = {
+                float(ts): {
+                    'index': float(row['index']),
+                    'open': float(row['open']),
+                    'close': float(row['close']),
+                }
+                for ts, row in zip(
+                    valid_timestamps,
+                    matched_rows,
+                )
+            }
+
+        # rebuild rect array from gap specs with new indices
+        rect_memory = self._rectarray.ndarray()
+
+        for (
+            i,
+            spec,
+        ) in enumerate(self._gap_specs):
+            start_time = spec.get('start_time')
+            end_time = spec.get('end_time')
+
+            if (
+                start_time is None
+                or end_time is None
+            ):
+                continue
+
+            start_row = time_to_row.get(start_time)
+            end_row = time_to_row.get(end_time)
+
+            if (
+                start_row is None
+                or end_row is None
+            ):
+                log.warning(
+                    f'Timestamp lookup failed for gap[{i}] during '
+                    f'reposition:\n'
+                    f'  fqme: {fqme}\n'
+                    f'  timeframe: {timeframe}s\n'
+                    f'  start_time: {start_time}\n'
+                    f'  end_time: {end_time}\n'
+                    f'  array time range: '
+                    f'{array["time"][0]} -> {array["time"][-1]}\n'
+                )
+                continue
+
+            start_idx = start_row['index']
+            end_idx = end_row['index']
+            start_close = start_row['close']
+            end_open = end_row['open']
+
+            from_idx: float = 0.16 - 0.06
+            start_x = start_idx + 1 - from_idx
+            end_x = end_idx + from_idx
+
+            # update rect in array
+            rect_memory[i, 0] = start_x
+            rect_memory[i, 1] = min(start_close, end_open)
+            rect_memory[i, 2] = end_x - start_x
+            rect_memory[i, 3] = abs(end_open - start_close)
+
+        # rebuild arrow path with new indices
+        self._arrow_path.clear()
+
+        for spec in self._gap_specs:
+            time_val = spec.get('time')
+            if time_val is None:
+                continue
+
+            arrow_row = time_to_row.get(time_val)
+            if arrow_row is None:
+                continue
+
+            arrow_x = arrow_row['index']
+            arrow_y = arrow_row['close']
+            pointing = spec['pointing']
+
+            # create arrow polygon
+            if pointing == 'down':
+                arrow_poly = QtGui.QPolygonF([
+                    QPointF(arrow_x, arrow_y),
+                    QPointF(
+                        arrow_x - self._arrow_size/2,
+                        arrow_y - self._arrow_size,
+                    ),
+                    QPointF(
+                        arrow_x + self._arrow_size/2,
+                        arrow_y - self._arrow_size,
+                    ),
+                ])
+            else:  # up
+                arrow_poly = QtGui.QPolygonF([
+                    QPointF(arrow_x, arrow_y),
+                    QPointF(
+                        arrow_x - self._arrow_size/2,
+                        arrow_y + self._arrow_size,
+                    ),
+                    QPointF(
+                        arrow_x + self._arrow_size/2,
+                        arrow_y + self._arrow_size,
+                    ),
+                ])
+
+            self._arrow_path.addPolygon(arrow_poly)
+            self._arrow_path.closeSubpath()
+
+        # invalidate bounding rect cache
+        self._br = None
+        self.prepareGeometryChange()
+        self.update()