From f71b0247dafba7d266dcc3d0f8e4dcffdfbbbda3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Reece Browne <74901996+reecebrowne@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2026 23:15:39 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] Quick access bar and old school sidebars (#7695)

---
 .../public/locales/en-US/translation.toml     |  19 +-
 frontend/editor/src/core/App.tsx              |  28 +--
 .../fileManager/FileSourceButtons.tsx         |   2 +-
 .../components/filesPage/FolderTreePanel.tsx  |   2 +-
 .../filesPage/filesPageReturnRoute.ts         |   2 +-
 .../src/core/components/layout/AppFrame.css   |  18 ++
 .../src/core/components/layout/AppFrame.tsx   |  22 ++
 .../core/components/layout/NoAppChrome.tsx    |   8 +
 .../components/layout/Workbench.module.css    |   6 +-
 .../src/core/components/layout/Workbench.tsx  |  30 ++-
 .../core/components/layout/WorkspaceFrame.css |  16 ++
 .../notifications/NotificationBell.css        |   8 +-
 .../notifications/NotificationBell.tsx        | 119 ++---------
 .../notifications/NotificationPanel.tsx       | 135 ++++++++++++
 .../src/core/components/shared/AppSwitch.tsx  |   7 +-
 .../core/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx    |  22 --
 .../core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.css  |  15 --
 .../shared/BrandSwitcher.stories.tsx          |  16 --
 .../core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.tsx  |  57 -----
 .../src/core/components/shared/BrandTile.tsx  |  29 +++
 .../core/components/shared/FileSidebar.css    |  25 ++-
 .../core/components/shared/FileSidebar.tsx    |  60 +++---
 .../core/components/shared/SidebarHeader.tsx  |  33 +++
 .../components/shared/SidebarToggleButton.tsx |  36 ++++
 .../src/core/components/shared/Tooltip.tsx    |  47 ++--
 .../core/components/shared/WorkbenchBar.css   |  22 +-
 .../core/components/shared/WorkbenchBar.tsx   |  20 +-
 .../components/shared/navFooter/NavFooter.tsx |  87 ++++----
 .../shared/quickNav/QuickNavBrand.tsx         |  28 +++
 .../shared/quickNav/QuickNavHostBridge.tsx    |  85 ++++++++
 .../shared/quickNav/QuickNavRail.css          | 173 +++++++++++++++
 .../shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailAccount.css   |  29 +++
 .../shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailAccount.tsx   |  45 ++++
 .../shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase.test.tsx | 123 +++++++++++
 .../shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase.tsx      | 101 +++++++++
 .../shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailContainer.css |  38 ++++
 .../shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailContainer.tsx |  83 ++++++++
 .../shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailHost.tsx      | 178 ++++++++++++++++
 .../QuickNavRailNotifications.test.tsx        |  88 ++++++++
 .../quickNav/QuickNavRailNotifications.tsx    |  51 +++++
 .../quickNav/useQuickNavToolReasons.test.tsx  | 139 ++++++++++++
 .../shared/quickNav/useQuickNavToolReasons.ts | 131 ++++++++++++
 .../core/components/tools/RightSidebar.tsx    |   7 +-
 .../src/core/components/tools/ToolPanel.css   |   8 +-
 .../viewer/useViewerWorkbenchBarButtons.tsx   |  55 ++---
 .../contexts/QuickNavHostContext.test.tsx     | 128 +++++++++++
 .../src/core/contexts/QuickNavHostContext.tsx | 201 ++++++++++++++++++
 .../src/core/contexts/SidebarContext.tsx      |   5 +
 .../src/core/contexts/ToolWorkflowContext.tsx |   2 +-
 frontend/editor/src/core/pages/HomePage.tsx   | 191 ++++++++++++++---
 frontend/editor/src/core/routes/hasPortal.ts  |   2 +
 .../live/viewer-sidebar-add-buttons.spec.ts   |   3 +-
 .../viewer-sidebar-add-buttons.spec.ts        |   3 +-
 .../stubbed/workbench-session-restore.spec.ts |  10 +-
 frontend/editor/src/core/theme/colors.css     |   2 +-
 frontend/editor/src/core/theme/dimensions.css |   7 +-
 frontend/editor/src/core/ui/NavSurface.tsx    |   4 +-
 .../src/core/utils/homePageNavigation.ts      |   9 +-
 .../src/core/utils/pendingReaderMode.ts       |  13 ++
 .../src/core/utils/viewTransition.test.ts     |  63 ++++++
 .../editor/src/core/utils/viewTransition.ts   |  17 +-
 .../desktop/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx |  18 --
 .../editor/src/desktop/routes/hasPortal.ts    |   2 +
 .../editor/src/portal/components/AppShell.tsx |  22 +-
 .../portal/components/EditorStatusCard.tsx    |  26 +--
 .../src/portal/components/PortalSearchBar.css |   3 +-
 .../editor/src/portal/components/Sidebar.css  | 105 +++++----
 .../editor/src/portal/components/Sidebar.tsx  |  47 +---
 frontend/editor/src/proprietary/App.tsx       |  80 ++++---
 .../components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx         |  35 ---
 .../proprietary/data/processorEntitySearch.ts |  10 +-
 .../proprietary/data/processorSearchIndex.ts  |  10 +-
 .../editor/src/proprietary/routes/Landing.tsx |   4 +
 .../routes/adminRouteExtensions.tsx           |   8 +-
 .../src/proprietary/routes/hasPortal.ts       |   3 +
 frontend/editor/src/saas/App.tsx              |  97 +++++----
 76 files changed, 2665 insertions(+), 718 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/AppFrame.css
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/AppFrame.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/NoAppChrome.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/WorkspaceFrame.css
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/notifications/NotificationPanel.tsx
 delete mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx
 delete mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.css
 delete mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.stories.tsx
 delete mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandTile.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/SidebarHeader.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/SidebarToggleButton.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavBrand.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavHostBridge.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRail.css
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailAccount.css
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailAccount.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase.test.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailContainer.css
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailContainer.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailHost.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailNotifications.test.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailNotifications.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/useQuickNavToolReasons.test.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/useQuickNavToolReasons.ts
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/QuickNavHostContext.test.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/QuickNavHostContext.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/routes/hasPortal.ts
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/utils/pendingReaderMode.ts
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/core/utils/viewTransition.test.ts
 delete mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/desktop/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/desktop/routes/hasPortal.ts
 delete mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/proprietary/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/editor/src/proprietary/routes/hasPortal.ts

diff --git a/frontend/editor/public/locales/en-US/translation.toml b/frontend/editor/public/locales/en-US/translation.toml
index 8271d66dfc..378157818c 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/public/locales/en-US/translation.toml
+++ b/frontend/editor/public/locales/en-US/translation.toml
@@ -4141,7 +4141,6 @@ mobileShort = "Mobile"
 mobileUpload = "Mobile Upload"
 mobileUploadNotAvailable = "Mobile upload not enabled"
 moreOptions = "More options"
-myFiles = "My Files"
 nextFile = "Next file"
 noFiles = "No files available"
 noFilesFound = "No files found matching your search"
@@ -4242,9 +4241,9 @@ duplicateFailed = "Could not duplicate file"
 expand = "Expand sidebar"
 googleDrive = "Google Drive"
 googleDriveDisabled = "Google Drive is not configured"
-leaveMyFiles = "Leave My Files"
+leaveMyFiles = "Leave File library"
 library = "PDF Library"
-myFiles = "My Files"
+myFiles = "File library"
 noFiles = "No files yet"
 openFileManager = "Browse all files & folders"
 openFromComputer = "Open from computer"
@@ -4287,7 +4286,7 @@ addToWorkspaceCount = "Add {{count}} to workspace"
 allFiles = "All files"
 back = "Back"
 backToFolder = "Back to {{folder}}"
-backToMyFiles = "Back to My Files"
+backToMyFiles = "Back to File library"
 breadcrumbs = "Folder path"
 bulkActions = "Actions"
 cancel = "Cancel"
@@ -4339,7 +4338,6 @@ localFoldersUnavailable = "Folders are cloud-only - save a file to the cloud to
 moveSkippedRemote_one = "{{count}} file couldn't be moved on the server (no permission or already deleted)."
 moveSkippedRemote_other = "{{count}} files couldn't be moved on the server (no permission or already deleted)."
 moveTo = "Move to…"
-myFiles = "My Files"
 newFolder = "New folder"
 newFolderStorageDisabled = "Server folder storage isn't enabled. Ask your admin to turn it on."
 newFolderTabUnavailable = "Switch to All or Cloud to create folders."
@@ -9173,7 +9171,6 @@ appEditor = "Editor"
 appProcessor = "Processor"
 linkAccount = "Link Stirling account"
 primaryNav = "Primary navigation"
-switchApp = "Switch app"
 
 [portal.shell.topbar]
 closeNav = "Close navigation"
@@ -9652,6 +9649,16 @@ automate = "Automate"
 config = "Config"
 files = "Files"
 
+[quickNav]
+editor = "Editor"
+home = "Stirling"
+invite = "Invite"
+landmark = "Quick navigation"
+noProcessorAccess = "Ask an admin for processor access"
+notifications = "Notifications"
+processor = "Processor"
+reader = "Reader"
+
 [read]
 tags = "view,open,display,read,viewer,PDF viewer,PDF reader,open PDF,view PDF,display PDF,preview,browse"
 
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/App.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/App.tsx
index 81db0564b8..c51c1fb85d 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/App.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { Suspense, lazy } from "react";
 import { Routes, Route } from "react-router-dom";
 import { AppProviders } from "@app/components/AppProviders";
+import { AppFrame } from "@app/components/layout/AppFrame";
 import { AppLayout } from "@app/components/AppLayout";
 import { LoadingFallback } from "@app/components/shared/LoadingFallback";
 import { ThemeProvider } from "@app/components/shared/ThemeProvider";
@@ -53,18 +54,21 @@ export default function App() {
           }
         />
 
-        {/* All other routes need AppProviders for backend integration */}
-        <Route
-          path="*"
-          element={
-            <AppProviders>
-              <AppLayout>
-                <HomePage />
-                <Onboarding />
-              </AppLayout>
-            </AppProviders>
-          }
-        />
+        {/* The app, under a shared frame so the rail renders once outside it. */}
+        <Route element={<AppFrame />}>
+          {/* All other routes need AppProviders for backend integration */}
+          <Route
+            path="*"
+            element={
+              <AppProviders>
+                <AppLayout>
+                  <HomePage />
+                  <Onboarding />
+                </AppLayout>
+              </AppProviders>
+            }
+          />
+        </Route>
       </Routes>
     </Suspense>
   );
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/fileManager/FileSourceButtons.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/fileManager/FileSourceButtons.tsx
index 6ac3e3c91e..20ebaa191e 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/fileManager/FileSourceButtons.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/fileManager/FileSourceButtons.tsx
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ const FileSourceButtons: React.FC<FileSourceButtonsProps> = ({
           mb="xs"
           style={{ paddingLeft: "1rem" }}
         >
-          {t("fileManager.myFiles", "My Files")}
+          {t("fileSidebar.myFiles", "File library")}
         </Text>
         {buttons}
       </Stack>
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/filesPage/FolderTreePanel.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/filesPage/FolderTreePanel.tsx
index eb7f19170c..b56915b757 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/filesPage/FolderTreePanel.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/filesPage/FolderTreePanel.tsx
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ export function FolderTreePanel({ active }: FolderTreePanelProps) {
       <div className="folder-tree-panel-inner">
         <div className="folder-tree-panel-header">
           <span className="folder-tree-panel-title">
-            {t("filesPage.myFiles", "My Files")}
+            {t("fileSidebar.myFiles", "File library")}
           </span>
         </div>
 
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/filesPage/filesPageReturnRoute.ts b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/filesPage/filesPageReturnRoute.ts
index 5e6292d62f..69a1bc1c53 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/filesPage/filesPageReturnRoute.ts
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/filesPage/filesPageReturnRoute.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /**
  * Stores the route the user came from when they open files into the
- * workbench from My Files. Lets the workbench show a "Back to My Files"
+ * workbench from the file library. Lets the workbench show a "Back to File library"
  * affordance and return to the exact folder they were browsing.
  *
  * Persisted in sessionStorage so a hard reload keeps the return path
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/AppFrame.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/AppFrame.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0cc20b30c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/AppFrame.css
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+/* ========== APP FRAME ========== */
+/* The rail's column, then whichever app is mounted, so a switch changes only the app. */
+.app-frame {
+  display: flex;
+  height: 100vh;
+  height: 100dvh; /* track mobile browser chrome */
+  overflow: hidden;
+  background-color: var(--c-bg);
+}
+
+/* min-width: 0 so the app shrinks instead of forcing the frame past the window. */
+.app-frame__content {
+  flex: 1;
+  min-width: 0;
+  height: 100%;
+}
+
+/* The rail hides itself below the mobile breakpoint - see QuickNavRailContainer.css. */
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/AppFrame.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/AppFrame.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..38fa92ecba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/AppFrame.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import { Suspense } from "react";
+import { Outlet } from "react-router-dom";
+import { LoadingFallback } from "@app/components/shared/LoadingFallback";
+import { QuickNavHostProvider } from "@app/contexts/QuickNavHostContext";
+import { QuickNavRailHost } from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailHost";
+import "@app/components/layout/AppFrame.css";
+
+/** The rail renders once outside both apps; Suspense sits inside it, not above. */
+export function AppFrame() {
+  return (
+    <QuickNavHostProvider>
+      <div className="app-frame">
+        <QuickNavRailHost />
+        <div className="app-frame__content">
+          <Suspense fallback={<LoadingFallback />}>
+            <Outlet />
+          </Suspense>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </QuickNavHostProvider>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/NoAppChrome.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/NoAppChrome.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..04416c02f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/NoAppChrome.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+import { Outlet } from "react-router-dom";
+import { useSuppressQuickNavRail } from "@app/contexts/QuickNavHostContext";
+
+/** Pages that aren't the app: inside the frame for its providers, but with no rail. */
+export function NoAppChrome() {
+  useSuppressQuickNavRail();
+  return <Outlet />;
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/Workbench.module.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/Workbench.module.css
index dd2b4a12bd..22d6fdc43c 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/Workbench.module.css
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/Workbench.module.css
@@ -12,10 +12,8 @@
 .workbenchBarReopenTab {
   position: absolute;
   top: 100%;
-  /* Right-align with the retract handle inside the bar: the bar's right
-     margin (--nav-gutter) + 1px border + 8px bar padding + the handle's own
-     6px inset. */
-  right: calc(var(--nav-gutter) + 15px);
+  /* Aligns with the retract handle: 8px bar padding plus its own 6px inset. */
+  right: 14px;
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/Workbench.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/Workbench.tsx
index 903c552fd2..0cac20e574 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/Workbench.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/Workbench.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useState, Suspense, lazy } from "react";
+import { useState, useEffect, useRef, Suspense, lazy } from "react";
 import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
 import KeyboardArrowDownIcon from "@mui/icons-material/KeyboardArrowDown";
 import { Box, Loader, Center, Stack, Text } from "@mantine/core";
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import { VIEWER_SUPPORTED_EXTENSIONS } from "@app/utils/fileUtils";
 import { useAppConfig } from "@app/contexts/AppConfigContext";
 import { useSigningOverlay } from "@app/contexts/SigningOverlayContext";
 import { useCookieConsent } from "@app/hooks/useCookieConsent";
+import { useIsPhone } from "@app/hooks/useIsMobile";
 import styles from "@app/components/layout/Workbench.module.css";
 
 import WorkbenchBar from "@app/components/shared/WorkbenchBar";
@@ -58,10 +59,13 @@ export default function Workbench() {
     setPageEditorFunctions,
     setSidebarsVisible,
     customWorkbenchViews,
+    readerMode,
   } = useToolWorkflow();
 
   const { handleToolSelect } = useToolWorkflow();
   const { overlay: signingOverlay } = useSigningOverlay();
+  // Below this width the rail, and the bell it carries, is gone.
+  const isPhone = useIsPhone();
 
   // Get navigation state - this is the source of truth
   const { selectedTool: selectedToolId } = useNavigationState();
@@ -92,8 +96,20 @@ export default function Workbench() {
     !isBaseWorkbench(currentView) ||
     // Shared signing drives the viewer from the sidebar with no file in context.
     (currentView === "viewer" && !!signingOverlay?.file);
-  const showWorkbenchBar = topControlsAvailable && hasWorkbenchContent;
-  const showFloatingSearch = topControlsAvailable && !hasWorkbenchContent;
+  // Reading hides the bar; the rail's Reader entry is the way back.
+  const showWorkbenchBar =
+    topControlsAvailable && hasWorkbenchContent && !readerMode;
+  const showFloatingSearch =
+    topControlsAvailable && !hasWorkbenchContent && !readerMode;
+
+  // On the transition, so reading sets the toolbar's start state without locking it.
+  const prevReaderModeRef = useRef(readerMode);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (readerMode !== prevReaderModeRef.current) {
+      setViewerToolbarCollapsed(readerMode);
+      prevReaderModeRef.current = readerMode;
+    }
+  }, [readerMode]);
 
   const handlePreviewClose = () => {
     setPreviewFile(null);
@@ -126,7 +142,7 @@ export default function Workbench() {
       }
     }
 
-    // The "My Files" workbench is available regardless of whether files are
+    // The file-library workbench is available regardless of whether files are
     // currently loaded into the workbench - it lives on top of the IDB store.
     if (currentView === "myFiles") {
       return <FileManagerView />;
@@ -249,10 +265,8 @@ export default function Workbench() {
       data-tour="workbench"
       style={{ backgroundColor: "var(--c-bg)", minWidth: 0 }}
     >
-      {/* The bell normally rides in the workbench bar. Wherever that bar is not shown - My Files,
-          an empty workbench, a custom view without top controls - it gets its own corner, rather
-          than those being the places a user cannot see that something of theirs failed. */}
-      {!showWorkbenchBar && (
+      {/* Phone only: above that the rail carries the bell, and here no bar does. */}
+      {isPhone && !showWorkbenchBar && (
         <div style={{ position: "absolute", top: 12, right: 12, zIndex: 20 }}>
           <NotificationBell />
         </div>
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/WorkspaceFrame.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/WorkspaceFrame.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..05cabe95f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/layout/WorkspaceFrame.css
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+/* ========== WORKSPACE FRAME ========== */
+/* Rail and sidebar side by side, full height. Shared by both apps. */
+.workspace-frame {
+  display: flex;
+  height: 100%;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  background-color: var(--c-bg);
+}
+
+/* On mobile the sidebar is a fixed drawer, so the frame stops laying out. */
+@media (max-width: 48rem) {
+  .workspace-frame {
+    display: block;
+    height: auto;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/notifications/NotificationBell.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/notifications/NotificationBell.css
index 9352f6bef8..46367a0b2b 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/notifications/NotificationBell.css
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/notifications/NotificationBell.css
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
   position: relative;
   padding: var(--sp-2, 0.5rem);
   border: none;
-  border-radius: var(--radius-md, 0.375rem);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
   background: transparent;
   color: var(--c-text-muted);
   cursor: pointer;
@@ -48,6 +48,12 @@
   box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgb(0 0 0 / 25%);
 }
 
+/* The rail's bell is at the foot of a full-height column, so its panel rises beside it. */
+.notification-bell__panel--rail {
+  inset-inline-start: calc(var(--nav-rail-w) + var(--nav-gutter));
+  inset-block-end: var(--nav-gutter);
+}
+
 .notification-bell__heading {
   margin: 0 0 var(--sp-2, 0.5rem);
   font-size: 0.875rem;
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/notifications/NotificationBell.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/notifications/NotificationBell.tsx
index f2ac1e0a3a..def06eed8d 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/notifications/NotificationBell.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/notifications/NotificationBell.tsx
@@ -1,27 +1,15 @@
-import {
-  Fragment,
-  useEffect,
-  useId,
-  useLayoutEffect,
-  useRef,
-  useState,
-} from "react";
+import { useLayoutEffect, useRef, useState } from "react";
 import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
 import { BellIcon, Button } from "@app/ui";
-import DividerWithText from "@app/components/shared/DividerWithText";
 import { useNotifications } from "@app/hooks/useNotifications";
 import { useNotificationActions } from "@app/components/notifications/notificationActions";
-import { NotificationItem } from "@app/components/notifications/NotificationItem";
+import { NotificationPanel } from "@app/components/notifications/NotificationPanel";
 import { useNotificationsAvailable } from "@app/components/notifications/useNotificationsAvailable";
 import "@app/components/notifications/NotificationBell.css";
 
-/**
- * Renders whatever the server sends without knowing which subsystem produced it or what its actions
- * mean, so a new source or failure kind needs no change here. In core because both shells mount it.
- */
+/** For the narrow layouts where the rail, which carries the bell, is off screen. */
 export function NotificationBell() {
-  // A build with no notifications API gets no bell at all, rather than one that polls a
-  // nonexistent endpoint forever to show nothing.
+  // No API means no bell at all, rather than one polling an endpoint that isn't there.
   const available = useNotificationsAvailable();
   if (!available) return null;
   return <MountedNotificationBell />;
@@ -29,14 +17,10 @@ export function NotificationBell() {
 
 function MountedNotificationBell() {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
-  const { notifications, unreadCount, documentStateFor, markAllSeen } =
-    useNotifications();
+  const { unreadCount } = useNotifications();
   const registry = useNotificationActions();
   const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
   const container = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
-  const headingId = useId();
-  // Where the new ones stop, frozen when the panel opens (opening marks everything read).
-  const [firstSeenId, setFirstSeenId] = useState<string | null>(null);
   // Viewport-fixed, because the workbench bar clips its own overflow.
   const [anchor, setAnchor] = useState<{ top: number; right: number } | null>(
     null,
@@ -61,54 +45,17 @@ function MountedNotificationBell() {
     };
   }, [open]);
 
-  // Opening marks them read, not closing: waiting would leave the badge lit while they read.
-  const toggle = () => {
-    setOpen((wasOpen) => {
-      if (!wasOpen) {
-        // Before marking, or there is nothing left to read.
-        setFirstSeenId(notifications[unreadCount]?.id ?? null);
-        markAllSeen();
-      }
-      return !wasOpen;
-    });
-  };
-
-  /**
-   * How many count as new. No boundary id means all of them were; one that has since left the list
-   * leaves nothing to divide on, so it reads as none rather than guessing at a row.
-   */
-  const boundaryIndex = firstSeenId
-    ? notifications.findIndex((notification) => notification.id === firstSeenId)
-    : notifications.length;
-  const dividedAt = Math.max(0, boundaryIndex);
-
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (!open) return;
-    const closeOnOutside = (event: MouseEvent) => {
-      const target = event.target as HTMLElement;
-      if (!container.current?.contains(target)) setOpen(false);
-    };
-    const closeOnEscape = (event: KeyboardEvent) => {
-      if (event.key === "Escape") setOpen(false);
-    };
-    document.addEventListener("mousedown", closeOnOutside);
-    document.addEventListener("keydown", closeOnEscape);
-    return () => {
-      document.removeEventListener("mousedown", closeOnOutside);
-      document.removeEventListener("keydown", closeOnEscape);
-    };
-  }, [open]);
-
   return (
     <div className="notification-bell" ref={container}>
       <Button
         variant="quiet"
         size="md"
-        shape="circle"
         className="notification-bell__trigger"
+        // Read by the panel's outside-click handler.
+        data-notifications-trigger
         aria-label={t("notifications.open", "Notifications")}
         aria-expanded={open}
-        onClick={toggle}
+        onClick={() => setOpen((wasOpen) => !wasOpen)}
       >
         <BellIcon />
         {unreadCount > 0 && (
@@ -119,53 +66,11 @@ function MountedNotificationBell() {
       </Button>
 
       {open && (
-        <div
-          className="notification-bell__panel"
-          role="dialog"
-          // Named by its own heading: a dialog with no accessible name is announced as just "dialog".
-          aria-labelledby={headingId}
+        <NotificationPanel
+          onClose={() => setOpen(false)}
+          registry={registry}
           style={anchor ? { top: anchor.top, right: anchor.right } : undefined}
-        >
-          <h2 className="notification-bell__heading" id={headingId}>
-            {t("notifications.title", "Notifications")}
-          </h2>
-
-          {notifications.length === 0 ? (
-            <p className="notification-bell__empty">
-              {t("notifications.empty", "Nothing to report.")}
-            </p>
-          ) : (
-            <ul className="notification-bell__list">
-              {notifications.map((notification, index) => (
-                <Fragment key={notification.id}>
-                  {index === 0 && dividedAt > 0 && (
-                    <li aria-hidden>
-                      <DividerWithText
-                        text={t("notifications.section.new", "New")}
-                      />
-                    </li>
-                  )}
-                  {/* Only with something on both sides: a lone "Earlier" over everything says
-                      nothing the empty badge has not. */}
-                  {index === dividedAt && dividedAt > 0 && (
-                    <li aria-hidden>
-                      <DividerWithText
-                        text={t("notifications.section.earlier", "Earlier")}
-                      />
-                    </li>
-                  )}
-                  <NotificationItem
-                    notification={notification}
-                    unread={index < dividedAt}
-                    documentState={documentStateFor(notification)}
-                    registry={registry}
-                    onDismissPanel={() => setOpen(false)}
-                  />
-                </Fragment>
-              ))}
-            </ul>
-          )}
-        </div>
+        />
       )}
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/notifications/NotificationPanel.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/notifications/NotificationPanel.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f3ff0c621e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/notifications/NotificationPanel.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+import { Fragment, useEffect, useId, useRef, useState } from "react";
+import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
+import DividerWithText from "@app/components/shared/DividerWithText";
+import { useNotifications } from "@app/hooks/useNotifications";
+import type { ClientActionRegistry } from "@app/components/notifications/notificationActions";
+import { NotificationItem } from "@app/components/notifications/NotificationItem";
+import "@app/components/notifications/NotificationBell.css";
+
+/** Named so a trigger in another tree can point at it with aria-controls. */
+export const NOTIFICATIONS_PANEL_ID = "quick-nav-notifications-panel";
+
+export interface NotificationPanelProps {
+  onClose: () => void;
+  id?: string;
+  /** Passed in: its document handover has to run whether the panel is open or not. */
+  registry: ClientActionRegistry;
+  style?: React.CSSProperties;
+  className?: string;
+}
+
+/** Mounted only while open, since mounting is what marks everything read. */
+export function NotificationPanel({
+  onClose,
+  registry,
+  id,
+  style,
+  className,
+}: NotificationPanelProps) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  const { notifications, unreadCount, documentStateFor, markAllSeen } =
+    useNotifications();
+  const panel = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const headingId = useId();
+  // Frozen on open, since opening marks them all read.
+  const [firstSeenId, setFirstSeenId] = useState<string | null>(null);
+
+  // On mount, not on close: waiting leaves the badge lit while they read.
+  const marked = useRef(false);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (marked.current) return;
+    marked.current = true;
+    // Before marking, or there is nothing left to divide on.
+    setFirstSeenId(notifications[unreadCount]?.id ?? null);
+    markAllSeen();
+  }, [notifications, unreadCount, markAllSeen]);
+
+  // No boundary means all were new; one that has left the list means none.
+  const boundaryIndex = firstSeenId
+    ? notifications.findIndex((notification) => notification.id === firstSeenId)
+    : notifications.length;
+  const dividedAt = Math.max(0, boundaryIndex);
+
+  // Focus goes back to the opener only if it is still inside the panel on close.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const opener = document.activeElement as HTMLElement | null;
+    panel.current?.focus();
+    return () => {
+      if (panel.current?.contains(document.activeElement)) opener?.focus();
+    };
+  }, []);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const closeOnOutside = (event: MouseEvent) => {
+      const target = event.target as HTMLElement;
+      if (panel.current?.contains(target)) return;
+      // A trigger closes this itself; counting it as outside would reopen it.
+      if (target.closest?.("[data-notifications-trigger]")) return;
+      onClose();
+    };
+    const closeOnEscape = (event: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      if (event.key === "Escape") onClose();
+    };
+    document.addEventListener("mousedown", closeOnOutside);
+    document.addEventListener("keydown", closeOnEscape);
+    return () => {
+      document.removeEventListener("mousedown", closeOnOutside);
+      document.removeEventListener("keydown", closeOnEscape);
+    };
+  }, [onClose]);
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      ref={panel}
+      className={
+        className
+          ? `notification-bell__panel ${className}`
+          : "notification-bell__panel"
+      }
+      id={id}
+      role="dialog"
+      tabIndex={-1}
+      aria-labelledby={headingId}
+      style={style}
+    >
+      <h2 className="notification-bell__heading" id={headingId}>
+        {t("notifications.title", "Notifications")}
+      </h2>
+
+      {notifications.length === 0 ? (
+        <p className="notification-bell__empty">
+          {t("notifications.empty", "Nothing to report.")}
+        </p>
+      ) : (
+        <ul className="notification-bell__list">
+          {notifications.map((notification, index) => (
+            <Fragment key={notification.id}>
+              {index === 0 && dividedAt > 0 && (
+                <li aria-hidden>
+                  <DividerWithText
+                    text={t("notifications.section.new", "New")}
+                  />
+                </li>
+              )}
+              {/* Only with unread rows above it. */}
+              {index === dividedAt && dividedAt > 0 && (
+                <li aria-hidden>
+                  <DividerWithText
+                    text={t("notifications.section.earlier", "Earlier")}
+                  />
+                </li>
+              )}
+              <NotificationItem
+                notification={notification}
+                unread={index < dividedAt}
+                documentState={documentStateFor(notification)}
+                registry={registry}
+                onDismissPanel={onClose}
+              />
+            </Fragment>
+          ))}
+        </ul>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/AppSwitch.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/AppSwitch.tsx
index 71d35ed5ad..fbbe85ccdb 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/AppSwitch.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/AppSwitch.tsx
@@ -11,12 +11,7 @@ interface AppSwitchMenuItemsProps {
   onSwitch: (app: AppSwitchTarget) => void;
 }
 
-/**
- * The editor / processor items for the app-switch menu. Rendered inside the
- * BrandSwitcher's logo dropdown, which both apps use as their switcher. The
- * mark is the shared <BrandMark>, which recolours itself from the theme
- * tokens, so no colour-scheme prop needs threading down here.
- */
+/** The editor / processor items for an app-switch menu. */
 export function AppSwitchMenuItems({
   current,
   onSwitch,
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx
deleted file mode 100644
index aaf55148ef..0000000000
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-import { Logo } from "@app/ui/Logo";
-
-export interface AppSwitcherProps {
-  /** Icon-only brand mark for the collapsed rail. */
-  collapsed?: boolean;
-}
-
-/**
- * Sidebar brand header. Core has no admin portal to switch to, so it just
- * shows the Stirling logo. Builds that bundle the portal (proprietary/saas)
- * shadow this with a version whose logo doubles as the editor⇄processor
- * switcher.
- */
-export function AppSwitcher({ collapsed }: AppSwitcherProps) {
-  return (
-    <Logo
-      variant={collapsed ? "iconOnly" : "iconAndText"}
-      iconHeight="1.6rem"
-      textHeight="1.3rem"
-    />
-  );
-}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.css
deleted file mode 100644
index dc1659ea15..0000000000
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.css
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-/* Logo + app-switch dropdown, shared between the editor and the processor.
-   The logo itself is the trigger (its mark morphs into a chevron on hover). */
-.sui-brand-switcher {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  flex: 1;
-  min-width: 0;
-}
-
-/* Tighten the ghost-button padding so the lockup sits flush like a plain logo,
-   and negative-margin it back so the hover surface still extends past the text. */
-.sui-brand-switcher__trigger.sui-btn {
-  --button-padding-x: 0.375rem;
-  margin-inline: -0.375rem;
-}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.stories.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.stories.tsx
deleted file mode 100644
index 92deb518b2..0000000000
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.stories.tsx
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
-import type { Meta, StoryObj } from "@storybook/react";
-import { BrandSwitcher } from "@app/components/shared/BrandSwitcher";
-
-const meta: Meta<typeof BrandSwitcher> = {
-  title: "Brand/BrandSwitcher",
-  component: BrandSwitcher,
-  parameters: { layout: "centered" },
-  args: { current: "processor", onSwitch: () => {} },
-  argTypes: {
-    current: { control: "inline-radio", options: ["editor", "processor"] },
-  },
-};
-export default meta;
-type Story = StoryObj<typeof BrandSwitcher>;
-
-export const Playground: Story = {};
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.tsx
deleted file mode 100644
index 474173fee2..0000000000
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.tsx
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,57 +0,0 @@
-import { useState } from "react";
-import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
-import { Button, Dropdown } from "@app/ui";
-import { Logo } from "@app/ui/Logo";
-import { BrandMark } from "@app/components/shared/BrandMark";
-import {
-  AppSwitchMenuItems,
-  type AppSwitchTarget,
-} from "@app/components/shared/AppSwitch";
-import "@app/components/shared/BrandSwitcher.css";
-
-interface BrandSwitcherProps {
-  /** The app this is rendered in (shown active in the menu). */
-  current: AppSwitchTarget;
-  /** Called with the selected app (only for the non-current one). */
-  onSwitch: (app: AppSwitchTarget) => void;
-  /** Icon-only: drop the wordmark, keep the morphing mark as the trigger. */
-  collapsed?: boolean;
-  className?: string;
-}
-
-/**
- * Brand lockup that doubles as the editor⇄processor switcher. The whole logo
- * is the dropdown trigger: on hover / focus / open the mark morphs into a
- * downward chevron (see BrandMark), so no separate chevron button is needed.
- * Shared so the editor and the processor present one identical header.
- */
-export function BrandSwitcher({
-  current,
-  onSwitch,
-  collapsed = false,
-  className,
-}: BrandSwitcherProps) {
-  const { t } = useTranslation();
-  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
-
-  return (
-    <div className={`sui-brand-switcher${className ? ` ${className}` : ""}`}>
-      <Dropdown.Root align="start" open={open} onOpenChange={setOpen}>
-        <Dropdown.Trigger>
-          <Button
-            variant="quiet"
-            data-brandmark-morph
-            className={`sui-brand-switcher__trigger${open ? " is-open" : ""}`}
-            aria-label={t("portal.shell.sidebar.switchApp", "Switch app")}
-            leftSection={<BrandMark height="1.6rem" />}
-          >
-            {!collapsed && <Logo variant="textOnly" textHeight="1.3rem" />}
-          </Button>
-        </Dropdown.Trigger>
-        <Dropdown.Menu width="11rem">
-          <AppSwitchMenuItems current={current} onSwitch={onSwitch} />
-        </Dropdown.Menu>
-      </Dropdown.Root>
-    </div>
-  );
-}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandTile.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandTile.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e8ccba6db8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/BrandTile.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+interface BrandTileProps {
+  /** CSS length. Omit to let the caller's CSS size it. */
+  size?: string;
+  className?: string;
+}
+
+/** The mark in a rounded square. Decorative: call sites carry the accessible name. */
+export function BrandTile({ size, className }: BrandTileProps) {
+  return (
+    <svg
+      className={className}
+      viewBox="0 0 256 256"
+      fill="none"
+      style={size ? { width: size, height: size } : undefined}
+      aria-hidden
+    >
+      <rect width="256" height="256" rx="58" fill="var(--c-brand-mark)" />
+      <path
+        d="M39.2638 127.834L155.374 32L155.375 121.499L39.2638 217.333L39.2638 127.834Z"
+        fill="white"
+      />
+      <path
+        d="M159 124.5L159 88.5L216.728 38.4472L216.728 128.052L100.479 224L100.479 172L159 124.5Z"
+        fill="white"
+        fillOpacity="0.6"
+      />
+    </svg>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/FileSidebar.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/FileSidebar.css
index 2347d9a2b2..76db9deab4 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/FileSidebar.css
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/FileSidebar.css
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 /* ========== FILE SIDEBAR ========== */
 
 .file-sidebar {
-  background-color: var(--c-bg);
+  /* One solid panel, with a rule only on the workbench side, so it frames the document. */
+  background-color: var(--c-surface);
+  border-inline-end: 1px solid var(--c-border-subtle);
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   height: 100%;
@@ -37,12 +39,19 @@
   gap: 0.5rem;
 }
 
-/* ---- Brand header (logo / editor⇄processor switcher) ---- */
-.file-sidebar-brand {
+/* Flattened here; two classes deep to beat .sui-nav-surface without relying on order. */
+.file-sidebar .sui-nav-surface {
+  background: transparent;
+  border: 0;
+  border-radius: 0;
+}
+
+/* ---- Header row (wordmark + collapse toggle) ---- */
+.file-sidebar-header {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
-  min-height: 40px;
-  padding: 0 0.375rem;
+  min-height: var(--nav-header-h);
+  padding: 0 var(--nav-gutter);
   flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 
@@ -51,9 +60,9 @@
   flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 
-.file-sidebar[data-collapsed="true"] .file-sidebar-brand {
-  flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 0.25rem;
+/* Collapsed the row holds only the toggle, so centre it. */
+.file-sidebar[data-collapsed="true"] .file-sidebar-header {
+  justify-content: center;
   padding: 0;
 }
 .file-sidebar[data-collapsed="true"] .file-sidebar-collapse-toggle {
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/FileSidebar.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/FileSidebar.tsx
index f9337bd880..1dcf4a7301 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/FileSidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/FileSidebar.tsx
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ import { useViewer } from "@app/contexts/ViewerContext";
 import { useFileHandler } from "@app/hooks/useFileHandler";
 import { useAccountIdentity } from "@app/hooks/useAccountIdentity";
 import { useFreeCreditsSummary } from "@app/hooks/useFreeCreditsSummary";
-import { useOtherAppSwitch } from "@app/hooks/useOtherAppSwitch";
 import { useOpenPlan } from "@app/hooks/useOpenPlan";
 import { NavFooter } from "@app/components/shared/navFooter/NavFooter";
 import {
@@ -32,8 +31,7 @@ import {
   useIndexedDBRevision,
 } from "@app/contexts/IndexedDBContext";
 import { GoogleDriveIcon } from "@app/components/shared/CloudStorageIcons";
-import { AppSwitcher } from "@app/components/shared/AppSwitcher";
-import { SidebarToggleIcon } from "@app/components/shared/SidebarToggleIcon";
+import { SidebarHeader } from "@app/components/shared/SidebarHeader";
 import type { StirlingFileStub } from "@app/types/fileContext";
 import FolderOpenIcon from "@mui/icons-material/FolderOpen";
 import FolderSpecialIcon from "@mui/icons-material/FolderSpecial";
@@ -78,8 +76,9 @@ import { WATCHED_FOLDERS_ENABLED } from "@app/constants/featureFlags";
 import { useToolWorkflow } from "@app/contexts/ToolWorkflowContext";
 import "@app/components/shared/FileSidebar.css";
 
-const COLLAPSED_WIDTH = "3.5rem";
-const EXPANDED_WIDTH = "16.25rem"; // ~260px
+// Shared with the processor sidebar via tokens, so the two cannot drift.
+const COLLAPSED_WIDTH = "var(--sidebar-collapsed-w)";
+const EXPANDED_WIDTH = "var(--sidebar-w)";
 
 // Inlined to avoid a circular import with WatchedFoldersRegistration.
 const WATCHED_FOLDER_VIEW_ID = "watchedFolder";
@@ -98,9 +97,11 @@ export interface FileSidebarProps {
   collapsed?: boolean;
   onToggleCollapse?: () => void;
   onOpenSettings?: () => void;
-  /** Accessible name override for the toggle button. */
+  /** The quick nav rail owns the account control, so the footer drops its own row. */
+  accountHoisted?: boolean;
+  /** Accessible name override for the collapse toggle. */
   toggleAriaLabel?: string;
-  /** Icon override for the toggle button (e.g. back-arrow on /files). */
+  /** Icon override for the collapse toggle (e.g. back-arrow on /files). */
   toggleIcon?: React.ReactNode;
   /** Override the Open-from-computer handler (e.g. upload to /files folder). */
   onUploadFiles?: (files: File[]) => void | Promise<void>;
@@ -155,11 +156,12 @@ const FileSidebar = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, FileSidebarProps>(
       collapsed = false,
       onToggleCollapse,
       onOpenSettings,
+      accountHoisted = false,
+      toggleAriaLabel,
+      toggleIcon,
       onUploadFiles,
       onPickGoogleDriveFiles,
       extraAction,
-      toggleAriaLabel,
-      toggleIcon,
     },
     ref,
   ) {
@@ -249,7 +251,6 @@ const FileSidebar = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, FileSidebarProps>(
     const { displayName, profilePictureUrl, isAnonymous } =
       useAccountIdentity();
     const credits = useFreeCreditsSummary();
-    const otherApp = useOtherAppSwitch();
     const openPlan = useOpenPlan();
 
     // Leaf files = user-visible files (excludes intermediate tool outputs)
@@ -943,25 +944,12 @@ const FileSidebar = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, FileSidebarProps>(
           </div>
         )}
         <div className="file-sidebar-inner">
-          <div className="file-sidebar-brand">
-            <AppSwitcher collapsed={collapsed} />
-            {onToggleCollapse && (
-              <ActionIcon
-                variant="tertiary"
-                size="md"
-                className="file-sidebar-collapse-toggle"
-                onClick={() => onToggleCollapse()}
-                aria-label={
-                  toggleAriaLabel ??
-                  (collapsed
-                    ? t("fileSidebar.expand", "Expand sidebar")
-                    : t("fileSidebar.collapse", "Collapse sidebar"))
-                }
-              >
-                {toggleIcon ?? <SidebarToggleIcon size={18} />}
-              </ActionIcon>
-            )}
-          </div>
+          <SidebarHeader
+            collapsed={collapsed}
+            onToggleCollapse={onToggleCollapse}
+            toggleAriaLabel={toggleAriaLabel}
+            toggleIcon={toggleIcon}
+          />
 
           {/* Box 1 — top controls (open / my files / cloud). No title. File
               search lives in the global super search (top bar), not here. */}
@@ -984,7 +972,7 @@ const FileSidebar = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, FileSidebarProps>(
             {/* Tooltips only fire when collapsed - when expanded the visible
                 text label below already identifies each row, so a tooltip
                 would just flash a duplicate. Distinct icons (UploadFile for
-                "Open from computer" vs FolderOpen for "My Files") so the
+                "Open from computer" vs FolderOpen for "File library") so the
                 collapsed rail isn't two identical folder icons either. */}
             <Tooltip
               label={t("fileSidebar.openFromComputer", "Open from computer")}
@@ -1003,7 +991,7 @@ const FileSidebar = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, FileSidebarProps>(
                 onClick={() => {
                   // "Open from computer" goes straight to the native OS file
                   // picker. The full file manager (recent + drives + folders)
-                  // is reachable via "My Files" below.
+                  // is reachable via "File library" below.
                   nativeFileInputRef.current?.click();
                 }}
                 role="button"
@@ -1080,7 +1068,7 @@ const FileSidebar = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, FileSidebarProps>(
             )}
 
             <Tooltip
-              label={t("fileSidebar.myFiles", "My Files")}
+              label={t("fileSidebar.myFiles", "File library")}
               position="right"
               withinPortal
               disabled={!collapsed}
@@ -1094,7 +1082,7 @@ const FileSidebar = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, FileSidebarProps>(
                 }}
                 role="button"
                 tabIndex={0}
-                aria-label={t("fileSidebar.myFiles", "My Files")}
+                aria-label={t("fileSidebar.myFiles", "File library")}
                 onKeyDown={(e) => {
                   if (e.key === "Enter" || e.key === " ") {
                     e.preventDefault();
@@ -1105,7 +1093,7 @@ const FileSidebar = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, FileSidebarProps>(
                 <FolderOpenIcon className="file-sidebar-action-icon" />
                 {!collapsed && (
                   <span className="file-sidebar-action-label sidebar-content-fade">
-                    {t("fileSidebar.myFiles", "My Files")}
+                    {t("fileSidebar.myFiles", "File library")}
                   </span>
                 )}
               </div>
@@ -1370,15 +1358,15 @@ const FileSidebar = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, FileSidebarProps>(
         {/* Getting-started checklist, floating above the footer (SaaS only). */}
         <SidebarChecklistSlot collapsed={collapsed} />
 
-        {/* Box 3 — the shared footer: credits, app switch, account row. */}
+        {/* Box 3 — the shared footer: credits, plan, and the account row unless hoisted. */}
         <NavFooter
           className="file-sidebar-footer-box"
           displayName={displayName}
           profilePictureUrl={profilePictureUrl}
           onOpenSettings={onOpenSettings}
+          showAccount={!accountHoisted}
           credits={credits}
           onOpenPlan={openPlan ?? undefined}
-          otherApp={otherApp}
           collapsed={collapsed}
         />
       </div>
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/SidebarHeader.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/SidebarHeader.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1a2befa074
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/SidebarHeader.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import { Logo } from "@app/ui/Logo";
+import { SidebarToggleButton } from "@app/components/shared/SidebarToggleButton";
+
+export interface SidebarHeaderProps {
+  collapsed?: boolean;
+  onToggleCollapse?: () => void;
+  toggleAriaLabel?: string;
+  toggleIcon?: React.ReactNode;
+  className?: string;
+}
+
+/** The wordmark and the collapse toggle; the brand mark sits in the rail beside it. */
+export function SidebarHeader({
+  collapsed,
+  onToggleCollapse,
+  toggleAriaLabel,
+  toggleIcon,
+  className,
+}: SidebarHeaderProps) {
+  return (
+    <div className={`file-sidebar-header${className ? ` ${className}` : ""}`}>
+      {!collapsed && <Logo variant="textOnly" textHeight="1.3rem" />}
+      {onToggleCollapse && (
+        <SidebarToggleButton
+          collapsed={collapsed}
+          onToggle={onToggleCollapse}
+          ariaLabel={toggleAriaLabel}
+          icon={toggleIcon}
+        />
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/SidebarToggleButton.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/SidebarToggleButton.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3a1345360b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/SidebarToggleButton.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
+import { ActionIcon } from "@app/ui/ActionIcon";
+import { SidebarToggleIcon } from "@app/components/shared/SidebarToggleIcon";
+
+export interface SidebarToggleButtonProps {
+  collapsed?: boolean;
+  onToggle: () => void;
+  ariaLabel?: string;
+  icon?: React.ReactNode;
+}
+
+/** Opens and closes the sidebar; on /files the caller swaps in a back arrow. */
+export function SidebarToggleButton({
+  collapsed,
+  onToggle,
+  ariaLabel,
+  icon,
+}: SidebarToggleButtonProps) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  return (
+    <ActionIcon
+      variant="tertiary"
+      size="md"
+      className="file-sidebar-collapse-toggle"
+      onClick={() => onToggle()}
+      aria-label={
+        ariaLabel ??
+        (collapsed
+          ? t("fileSidebar.expand", "Expand sidebar")
+          : t("fileSidebar.collapse", "Collapse sidebar"))
+      }
+    >
+      {icon ?? <SidebarToggleIcon size={18} />}
+    </ActionIcon>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/Tooltip.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/Tooltip.tsx
index 55c06a1533..b8128bf637 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/Tooltip.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/Tooltip.tsx
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import { addEventListenerWithCleanup } from "@app/utils/genericUtils";
 import { useTooltipPosition } from "@app/hooks/useTooltipPosition";
 import { TooltipTip } from "@app/types/tips";
 import { TooltipContent } from "@app/components/shared/tooltip/TooltipContent";
-import { useSidebarContext } from "@app/contexts/SidebarContext";
+import { useOptionalSidebarContext } from "@app/contexts/SidebarContext";
 import { useLogoAssets } from "@app/hooks/useLogoAssets";
 import styles from "@app/components/shared/tooltip/Tooltip.module.css";
 import { Z_INDEX_OVER_FULLSCREEN_SURFACE } from "@app/styles/zIndex";
@@ -59,6 +59,29 @@ export interface TooltipProps {
   showCloseButton?: boolean;
 }
 
+/** Split out so only tooltips with a header need the logo and the providers behind it. */
+function TooltipHeader({
+  header,
+}: {
+  header: NonNullable<TooltipProps["header"]>;
+}) {
+  const { tooltipLogo } = useLogoAssets();
+  return (
+    <div className={styles["tooltip-header"]}>
+      <div className={styles["tooltip-logo"]}>
+        {header.logo || (
+          <img
+            src={tooltipLogo}
+            alt="Stirling PDF"
+            style={{ width: "1.4rem", height: "1.4rem", display: "block" }}
+          />
+        )}
+      </div>
+      <span className={styles["tooltip-title"]}>{header.title}</span>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
 export const Tooltip: React.FC<TooltipProps> = ({
   sidebarTooltip = false,
   position,
@@ -85,7 +108,6 @@ export const Tooltip: React.FC<TooltipProps> = ({
   const { t } = useTranslation();
   const [internalOpen, setInternalOpen] = useState(false);
   const [isPinned, setIsPinned] = useState(false);
-  const { tooltipLogo } = useLogoAssets();
 
   const triggerRef = useRef<HTMLElement | null>(null);
   const tooltipRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
@@ -105,9 +127,9 @@ export const Tooltip: React.FC<TooltipProps> = ({
   }, []);
 
   // Always call the hook unconditionally to satisfy React's rules of hooks.
-  // The context is only used when sidebarTooltip is true.
-  const sidebarContextValue = useSidebarContext();
-  const sidebarContext = sidebarTooltip ? sidebarContextValue : null;
+  // Optional: the plain tooltip renders outside the provider.
+  const sidebarContextValue = useOptionalSidebarContext();
+  const sidebarContext = sidebarTooltip ? (sidebarContextValue ?? null) : null;
 
   const isControlled = controlledOpen !== undefined;
   const open = (isControlled ? !!controlledOpen : internalOpen) && !disabled;
@@ -443,20 +465,7 @@ export const Tooltip: React.FC<TooltipProps> = ({
           }
         />
       )}
-      {header && (
-        <div className={styles["tooltip-header"]}>
-          <div className={styles["tooltip-logo"]}>
-            {header.logo || (
-              <img
-                src={tooltipLogo}
-                alt="Stirling PDF"
-                style={{ width: "1.4rem", height: "1.4rem", display: "block" }}
-              />
-            )}
-          </div>
-          <span className={styles["tooltip-title"]}>{header.title}</span>
-        </div>
-      )}
+      {header && <TooltipHeader header={header} />}
       <TooltipContent
         content={content}
         tips={tips}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/WorkbenchBar.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/WorkbenchBar.css
index 9f8b4857de..892be2df80 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/WorkbenchBar.css
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/WorkbenchBar.css
@@ -14,13 +14,9 @@
   column-gap: 8px;
   min-height: 38px;
   padding: 0 8px;
-  /* No left margin: the file sidebar's own 0.5rem padding already provides the
-     gutter on that side, so adding one here would double it and leave the bar
-     further from the sidebar than it is from the tool panel. */
-  margin: var(--nav-gutter) var(--nav-gutter) 0 0;
+  /* Flush, not a floating card: the same surface and hairline as the sidebars. */
   background-color: var(--c-surface);
-  border: 1px solid var(--c-border-subtle);
-  border-radius: var(--radius-nav);
+  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--c-border-subtle);
   flex-shrink: 0;
   z-index: 50;
 }
@@ -151,15 +147,18 @@
 /* ---- Tool buttons (own full-width row, always below the top row) ---- */
 .workbench-bar-center {
   order: 4;
-  flex: 0 0 100%;
+  /* Wider by the bar's paddings, cancelled by the negative margin, so the rule spans. */
+  flex: 0 0 calc(100% + 16px);
   min-width: 0;
-  max-width: 100%;
+  max-width: calc(100% + 16px);
+  margin-inline: -8px;
   position: relative;
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   /* Symmetric side padding leaves room for the retract handle pinned right
-     without knocking the centred tool icons off-centre. */
-  padding: 4px 36px;
+     without knocking the centred tool icons off-centre. The extra 8px each side
+     absorbs the negative margin. */
+  padding: 4px 44px;
   border-top: 1px solid var(--c-border-subtle);
 }
 
@@ -327,6 +326,9 @@
   }
 
   .workbench-bar-center {
+    flex-basis: 100%;
+    max-width: 100%;
+    margin-inline: 0;
     padding: 2px 4px 2px 8px;
   }
 
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/WorkbenchBar.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/WorkbenchBar.tsx
index a18b58661f..12f6094b7e 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/WorkbenchBar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/WorkbenchBar.tsx
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ import WorkbenchBarMobileActions from "@app/components/shared/workbenchBar/Workb
 import WorkbenchBarToolbarHandle from "@app/components/shared/workbenchBar/WorkbenchBarToolbarHandle";
 import { renderWithTooltip } from "@app/components/shared/workbenchBar/workbenchBarTooltip";
 import { WorkbenchBarActionsProps } from "@app/components/shared/workbenchBar/types";
-import { useIsMobile } from "@app/hooks/useIsMobile";
+import { useIsMobile, useIsPhone } from "@app/hooks/useIsMobile";
 import "@app/components/shared/WorkbenchBar.css";
 import { NotificationBell } from "@app/components/notifications/NotificationBell";
 
@@ -117,6 +117,8 @@ export default function WorkbenchBar({
   const { sharingEnabled } = useSharingEnabled();
   const viewerContext = React.useContext(ViewerContext);
   const isMobile = useIsMobile();
+  // Below this width the rail, and the bell it carries, is hidden.
+  const isPhone = useIsPhone();
   const [mobileToolsExpanded, setMobileToolsExpanded] = useState(false);
 
   const selectors = useFileSelectors();
@@ -487,7 +489,7 @@ export default function WorkbenchBar({
       data-wrapped="false"
       data-tour="workbench-bar"
     >
-      {/* Left: optional "Back to My Files" + view switcher */}
+      {/* Left: optional "Back to File library" + view switcher */}
       <div className="workbench-bar-views" data-tour="view-switcher">
         {returnRoute && hasFiles && (
           <>
@@ -501,7 +503,7 @@ export default function WorkbenchBar({
                   : "filesPage.backToMyFiles",
                 returnRoute.label
                   ? `Back to ${returnRoute.label}`
-                  : "Back to My Files",
+                  : "Back to File library",
                 { folder: returnRoute.label ?? "" },
               )}
               leftSection={<ArrowBackIcon style={{ fontSize: "1.1rem" }} />}
@@ -511,7 +513,7 @@ export default function WorkbenchBar({
                   ? t("filesPage.backToFolder", "Back to {{folder}}", {
                       folder: returnRoute.label,
                     })
-                  : t("filesPage.backToMyFiles", "Back to My Files")}
+                  : t("filesPage.backToMyFiles", "Back to File library")}
               </span>
             </Button>
             <div className="workbench-bar-divider" />
@@ -603,9 +605,13 @@ export default function WorkbenchBar({
             enforcingProgress={enforcingProgress}
           />
         )}
-        {/* Last in the globals, so it is the rightmost control. */}
-        <div className="workbench-bar-divider workbench-bar-globals-sep" />
-        <NotificationBell />
+        {isPhone && (
+          <>
+            {/* Last in the globals, so it is the rightmost control. */}
+            <div className="workbench-bar-divider workbench-bar-globals-sep" />
+            <NotificationBell />
+          </>
+        )}
       </div>
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/navFooter/NavFooter.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/navFooter/NavFooter.tsx
index 373c91bccf..848c0cb4a5 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/navFooter/NavFooter.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/navFooter/NavFooter.tsx
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ export interface NavFooterProps {
   otherApp?: NavFooterAppLink | null;
   /** Extra rows above the account row (the self-hosted link-account CTA). */
   accountExtras?: ReactNode;
+  /** False where the rail owns the account control, so only one avatar is drawn. */
+  showAccount?: boolean;
   /** Icon-rail state: labels collapse to tooltips. */
   collapsed?: boolean;
   className?: string;
@@ -69,6 +71,7 @@ export function NavFooter({
   onOpenPlan,
   otherApp,
   accountExtras,
+  showAccount = true,
   collapsed = false,
   className,
 }: NavFooterProps) {
@@ -144,49 +147,51 @@ export function NavFooter({
     });
   }
 
-  rows.push({
-    key: "account",
-    node: (
-      <Tooltip
-        label={accountLabel}
-        position="right"
-        withinPortal
-        disabled={!collapsed}
-      >
-        <button
-          type="button"
-          className="nav-footer__row nav-footer__account"
-          // Called with no args: handlers that take optional params (the
-          // processor's openSettings(section?)) must not receive the event.
-          onClick={onOpenSettings ? () => onOpenSettings() : undefined}
-          disabled={!onOpenSettings}
-          data-testid={onOpenSettings ? "config-button" : undefined}
-          data-tour={onOpenSettings ? "config-button" : undefined}
-          aria-label={accountLabel}
+  if (showAccount) {
+    rows.push({
+      key: "account",
+      node: (
+        <Tooltip
+          label={accountLabel}
+          position="right"
+          withinPortal
+          disabled={!collapsed}
         >
-          {/* Decorative: the button's own label already names the account, so
-              an alt/label here would just repeat it to a screen reader. */}
-          <span aria-hidden>
-            <Avatar
-              size="sm"
-              name={displayName}
-              src={profilePictureUrl ?? undefined}
-            />
-          </span>
-          {!collapsed && (
-            <span className="nav-footer__row-label sidebar-content-fade">
-              {displayName}
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            className="nav-footer__row nav-footer__account"
+            // Called with no args: a handler with an optional param must not get the event.
+            onClick={onOpenSettings ? () => onOpenSettings() : undefined}
+            disabled={!onOpenSettings}
+            data-testid={onOpenSettings ? "config-button" : undefined}
+            data-tour={onOpenSettings ? "config-button" : undefined}
+            aria-label={accountLabel}
+          >
+            {/* Decorative: the button's own label already names the account. */}
+            <span aria-hidden>
+              <Avatar
+                size="sm"
+                name={displayName}
+                src={profilePictureUrl ?? undefined}
+              />
             </span>
-          )}
-          {onOpenSettings && !collapsed && (
-            <span className="nav-footer__trailing" aria-hidden>
-              <SettingsIcon sx={{ fontSize: "1.1rem" }} />
-            </span>
-          )}
-        </button>
-      </Tooltip>
-    ),
-  });
+            {!collapsed && (
+              <span className="nav-footer__row-label sidebar-content-fade">
+                {displayName}
+              </span>
+            )}
+            {onOpenSettings && !collapsed && (
+              <span className="nav-footer__trailing" aria-hidden>
+                <SettingsIcon sx={{ fontSize: "1.1rem" }} />
+              </span>
+            )}
+          </button>
+        </Tooltip>
+      ),
+    });
+  }
+
+  if (rows.length === 0) return null;
 
   return (
     <NavSurface
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavBrand.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavBrand.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..51b13b6a18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavBrand.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
+import { Tooltip } from "@app/components/shared/Tooltip";
+import { BrandMark } from "@app/components/shared/BrandMark";
+
+export interface QuickNavBrandProps {
+  /** Returns the app you are in to its default state. */
+  onReturnHome: () => void;
+}
+
+export function QuickNavBrand({ onReturnHome }: QuickNavBrandProps) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  const label = t("quickNav.home", "Stirling");
+
+  return (
+    <div className="quick-nav-brand">
+      <Tooltip content={label} position="right" arrow>
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          className="quick-nav-brand-button"
+          aria-label={label}
+          onClick={onReturnHome}
+        >
+          <BrandMark height="1.6rem" />
+        </button>
+      </Tooltip>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavHostBridge.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavHostBridge.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9a9101a826
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavHostBridge.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+import { useCallback, useMemo, useState } from "react";
+import { useAccountIdentity } from "@app/hooks/useAccountIdentity";
+import {
+  NotificationPanel,
+  NOTIFICATIONS_PANEL_ID,
+} from "@app/components/notifications/NotificationPanel";
+import { useNotificationActions } from "@app/components/notifications/notificationActions";
+import { useQuickNavToolReasons } from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/useQuickNavToolReasons";
+import { useNotificationsAvailable } from "@app/components/notifications/useNotificationsAvailable";
+import { useSigningBadgeCount } from "@app/hooks/signing/useSigningBadgeCount";
+import {
+  useRegisterQuickNavHost,
+  type QuickNavToolReasons,
+} from "@app/contexts/QuickNavHostContext";
+import type { ToolId } from "@app/types/toolId";
+
+export interface QuickNavHostBridgeProps {
+  portalAccess?: boolean;
+  readerMode?: boolean;
+  onSetReaderMode?: (on: boolean) => void;
+  onOpenSettings: () => void;
+  requestNavigation?: (go: () => void) => void;
+  onGoToDefaultState?: () => void;
+  onSelectTool?: (toolId: ToolId) => void;
+  /** Merged over the reasons worked out here, for what only the app can see. */
+  toolReasons?: QuickNavToolReasons;
+}
+
+/** Registers with the rail what only the app can see, and owns the notifications panel. */
+export function QuickNavHostBridge({
+  portalAccess = false,
+  readerMode = false,
+  onSetReaderMode,
+  onOpenSettings,
+  requestNavigation,
+  onSelectTool,
+  onGoToDefaultState,
+  toolReasons,
+}: QuickNavHostBridgeProps) {
+  const { displayName, profilePictureUrl } = useAccountIdentity();
+  const signingBadge = useSigningBadgeCount();
+  const notificationsAvailable = useNotificationsAvailable();
+  // Built even when closed: it carries a one-shot document pickup that would sit unclaimed.
+  const notificationActions = useNotificationActions();
+  const endpointReasons = useQuickNavToolReasons();
+  const mergedToolReasons = useMemo(() => {
+    // An empty map from the app is silence, not an answer.
+    const extra =
+      toolReasons && Object.keys(toolReasons).length > 0 ? toolReasons : null;
+    if (!endpointReasons && !extra) return undefined;
+    return { ...endpointReasons, ...extra };
+  }, [endpointReasons, toolReasons]);
+  const [notificationsOpen, setNotificationsOpen] = useState(false);
+  const closeNotifications = useCallback(() => setNotificationsOpen(false), []);
+
+  useRegisterQuickNavHost(
+    {
+      identity: { displayName, profilePictureUrl },
+      signingBadge,
+      portalAccess,
+      readerMode,
+      notificationsOpen,
+      toolReasons: mergedToolReasons,
+    },
+    {
+      openSettings: onOpenSettings,
+      requestNavigation,
+      selectTool: onSelectTool,
+      setReaderMode: onSetReaderMode,
+      goToDefaultState: onGoToDefaultState,
+      toggleNotifications: () => setNotificationsOpen((open) => !open),
+    },
+  );
+
+  // Mounted only while open, so a closed panel never subscribes to the poll.
+  if (!notificationsAvailable || !notificationsOpen) return null;
+  return (
+    <NotificationPanel
+      id={NOTIFICATIONS_PANEL_ID}
+      onClose={closeNotifications}
+      registry={notificationActions}
+      className="notification-bell__panel--rail"
+    />
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRail.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRail.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4d6845f592
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRail.css
@@ -0,0 +1,173 @@
+/* ========== QUICK NAV RAIL ========== */
+
+.quick-nav-rail {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  align-items: center;
+  height: 100%;
+  width: 100%;
+}
+
+.quick-nav-rail-group {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: var(--quicknav-item-gap);
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  width: 100%;
+}
+
+/* The glyph stays at the sidebar's scale; the button fills the rail for hit area. */
+.quick-nav-rail-item {
+  position: relative;
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  width: 100%;
+  height: 2.25rem;
+  padding: 0;
+  border: none;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+  background: transparent;
+  color: var(--c-text-subtle);
+  cursor: pointer;
+  transition:
+    background-color var(--motion-fast),
+    color var(--motion-fast);
+}
+
+.quick-nav-rail-item svg,
+.quick-nav-rail-item img {
+  width: 1.125rem;
+  height: 1.125rem;
+  color: inherit;
+  fill: currentColor;
+}
+
+/* Taller than wide (71x79), so height drives the width. */
+.quick-nav-rail-item .sui-brandmark {
+  width: auto;
+  height: 1.125rem;
+}
+
+.quick-nav-rail-item[aria-disabled="true"] .sui-brandmark,
+.quick-nav-rail-item[aria-disabled="true"] svg[viewBox="0 0 256 256"] {
+  filter: grayscale(1);
+}
+
+.quick-nav-rail-item:hover {
+  background: var(--c-hover);
+  color: var(--c-text);
+}
+
+/* Opacity rather than a colour: there is no disabled-text token. */
+.quick-nav-rail-item[aria-disabled="true"] {
+  opacity: 0.5;
+  cursor: not-allowed;
+}
+.quick-nav-rail-item[aria-disabled="true"]:hover {
+  background: transparent;
+  color: var(--c-primary);
+}
+
+.quick-nav-rail-item:focus-visible {
+  outline: 0.125rem solid var(--c-primary);
+  outline-offset: -0.125rem;
+}
+
+.quick-nav-rail-badge {
+  position: absolute;
+  top: 0.125rem;
+  inset-inline-end: 0.125rem;
+  min-width: 0.875rem;
+  height: 0.875rem;
+  padding: 0 0.1875rem;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-pill);
+  /* The solid step: 9px numerals need the darker end of the ramp. */
+  background: var(--c-danger-solid);
+  color: var(--c-text-on-primary);
+  font-size: 0.5625rem;
+  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
+  line-height: 0.875rem;
+  text-align: center;
+  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+  pointer-events: none;
+}
+
+.quick-nav-rail-badge[data-tone="warning"] {
+  background: var(--c-warning-solid);
+}
+
+/* Top margin only: the group below supplies the other half, centring the rule. */
+.quick-nav-rail-divider {
+  width: 100%;
+  height: 0;
+  margin: var(--quicknav-item-gap) 0 0;
+  border: 0;
+  border-top: 1px solid var(--c-border);
+}
+
+.quick-nav-rail-footer {
+  margin-top: auto;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: var(--quicknav-item-gap);
+  width: 100%;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+
+/* ---- Brand: one header row tall, so it lines up with the sidebar's wordmark ---- */
+.quick-nav-brand {
+  width: 100%;
+  height: var(--nav-header-h);
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  /* The bar's inset supplies part of the gap; only the remainder is added here. */
+  margin-bottom: calc(var(--quicknav-item-gap) - var(--quicknav-surface-pad));
+}
+
+.quick-nav-brand-button {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  width: 100%;
+  height: 100%;
+  border: none;
+  background: transparent;
+  padding: 0;
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+
+.quick-nav-brand-button:focus-visible {
+  outline: 0.125rem solid var(--c-primary);
+  outline-offset: -0.125rem;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+}
+
+/* The "on" state: a solid block with the glyph knocked out, hover owning the tints. */
+.quick-nav-rail-item[aria-current="true"],
+.quick-nav-rail-item[aria-current="true"]:hover,
+.quick-nav-rail-item[aria-pressed="true"],
+.quick-nav-rail-item[aria-pressed="true"]:hover {
+  background: var(--c-text);
+  color: var(--c-surface);
+}
+
+/* On a dark ground full ink is white, so mix the block back toward the surface. */
+[data-theme="dark"] .quick-nav-rail-item[aria-current="true"],
+[data-theme="dark"] .quick-nav-rail-item[aria-current="true"]:hover,
+[data-theme="dark"] .quick-nav-rail-item[aria-pressed="true"],
+[data-theme="dark"] .quick-nav-rail-item[aria-pressed="true"]:hover,
+html[data-app-theme="midnight"] .quick-nav-rail-item[aria-current="true"],
+html[data-app-theme="midnight"] .quick-nav-rail-item[aria-current="true"]:hover,
+html[data-app-theme="midnight"] .quick-nav-rail-item[aria-pressed="true"],
+html[data-app-theme="midnight"] .quick-nav-rail-item[aria-pressed="true"]:hover,
+[data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"] .quick-nav-rail-item[aria-current="true"],
+[data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"]
+  .quick-nav-rail-item[aria-current="true"]:hover,
+[data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"] .quick-nav-rail-item[aria-pressed="true"],
+[data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"]
+  .quick-nav-rail-item[aria-pressed="true"]:hover {
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--c-text) 80%, var(--c-surface));
+  color: var(--c-surface);
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailAccount.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailAccount.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c12a6a1f71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailAccount.css
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/* The account control, pinned to the bottom of the bar. */
+
+.quick-nav-rail-account {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: var(--space-1);
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  /* Further than the shortcut gap: a filled disc reads heavier than a line glyph. */
+  margin-top: var(--space-2);
+  /* Matches the slack centring the brand mark leaves at the top. */
+  padding-bottom: 0.3125rem;
+}
+
+.quick-nav-rail-avatar-target {
+  display: inline-flex;
+}
+
+/* Appearance comes from the shared Avatar; only the button reset is ours. */
+.quick-nav-rail-avatar {
+  border: none;
+  padding: 0;
+  user-select: none;
+}
+
+.quick-nav-rail-avatar:focus-visible {
+  outline: 0.125rem solid var(--c-primary);
+  outline-offset: 0.125rem;
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailAccount.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailAccount.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1404925de6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailAccount.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
+import { Tooltip } from "@app/components/shared/Tooltip";
+import { Avatar } from "@app/ui/Avatar";
+import type { QuickNavIdentity } from "@app/contexts/QuickNavHostContext";
+import "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailAccount.css";
+
+export interface QuickNavRailAccountProps {
+  onOpenSettings: () => void;
+  /** Null between apps; the disc still renders, so the bar keeps its shape. */
+  identity: QuickNavIdentity | null;
+}
+
+/** The avatar opens settings, so there is no separate gear beside it. */
+export function QuickNavRailAccount({
+  onOpenSettings,
+  identity,
+}: QuickNavRailAccountProps) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  const displayName =
+    identity?.displayName ?? t("auth.displayName.user", "User");
+  const profilePictureUrl = identity?.profilePictureUrl ?? null;
+  const label = `${displayName} — ${t("fileSidebar.openSettings", "Open settings")}`;
+
+  return (
+    <div className="quick-nav-rail-account">
+      <Tooltip content={label} position="right" arrow>
+        {/* A span, not the Avatar: Tooltip binds by cloning its child. */}
+        <span
+          className="quick-nav-rail-avatar-target"
+          data-testid="config-button"
+          data-tour="config-button"
+        >
+          <Avatar
+            src={profilePictureUrl ?? undefined}
+            name={displayName}
+            size="sm"
+            onClick={onOpenSettings}
+            ariaLabel={label}
+            className="quick-nav-rail-avatar"
+          />
+        </span>
+      </Tooltip>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase.test.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..328f2d8f4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from "vitest";
+import { render } from "@testing-library/react";
+import {
+  QuickNavRailBase,
+  type QuickNavEntry,
+} from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase";
+
+/** The rail needs no providers. */
+function withProviders(ui: React.ReactNode) {
+  return <>{ui}</>;
+}
+
+function entry(
+  id: string,
+  overrides: Partial<QuickNavEntry> = {},
+): QuickNavEntry {
+  return {
+    id,
+    label: id,
+    icon: null,
+    onClick: () => {},
+    ...overrides,
+  };
+}
+
+const PROCESSOR = entry("processor");
+const WITHIN = [entry("files"), entry("reader")];
+
+function renderRail(groups: QuickNavEntry[][]) {
+  const { container } = render(
+    withProviders(<QuickNavRailBase groups={groups} />),
+  );
+  return {
+    labels: [...container.querySelectorAll(".quick-nav-rail-item")].map((b) =>
+      b.getAttribute("aria-label"),
+    ),
+    dividers: container.querySelectorAll(".quick-nav-rail-divider").length,
+  };
+}
+
+describe("QuickNavRailBase — groups", () => {
+  it("divides one group from the next", () => {
+    const { labels, dividers } = renderRail([[PROCESSOR], WITHIN]);
+
+    expect(labels).toEqual(["processor", "files", "reader"]);
+    expect(dividers).toBe(1);
+  });
+
+  it("drops an empty group, and the divider with it", () => {
+    const { labels, dividers } = renderRail([[], WITHIN]);
+
+    expect(labels).toEqual(["files", "reader"]);
+    expect(dividers).toBe(0);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("QuickNavRailBase — entry state", () => {
+  it("reports on/off for a toggle and nothing for the rest", () => {
+    // Nothing here is a view you occupy, so only a real toggle has state.
+    const { container } = render(
+      withProviders(
+        <QuickNavRailBase
+          groups={[
+            [PROCESSOR],
+            [entry("reader", { pressed: true }), entry("files")],
+          ]}
+        />,
+      ),
+    );
+
+    const state = [...container.querySelectorAll(".quick-nav-rail-item")].map(
+      (b) => [b.getAttribute("aria-label"), b.getAttribute("aria-pressed")],
+    );
+    expect(state).toEqual([
+      ["processor", null],
+      ["reader", "true"],
+      ["files", null],
+    ]);
+    expect(container.querySelectorAll("[aria-current]")).toHaveLength(0);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps a disabled entry in the tab order so its reason stays reachable", () => {
+    // The tooltip carrying the reason is only reachable while it can be focused.
+    const { container } = render(
+      withProviders(
+        <QuickNavRailBase
+          groups={[
+            [
+              entry("automate", {
+                disabled: true,
+                reason: "Disabled by server administrator",
+              }),
+            ],
+          ]}
+        />,
+      ),
+    );
+
+    const automate = container.querySelector('[aria-label="automate"]')!;
+    expect(automate.getAttribute("aria-disabled")).toBe("true");
+    expect(automate.hasAttribute("disabled")).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps an unavailable entry rendered, disabled rather than dropped", () => {
+    // Slots must not appear and vanish as access resolves.
+    const { container } = render(
+      withProviders(
+        <QuickNavRailBase
+          groups={[
+            [entry("processor", { disabled: true, reason: "no access" })],
+            WITHIN,
+          ]}
+        />,
+      ),
+    );
+
+    const processor = container.querySelector('[aria-label="processor"]');
+    expect(processor).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(processor?.getAttribute("aria-disabled")).toBe("true");
+    // aria-disabled, not the disabled attribute: it stays focusable for its tooltip.
+    expect(processor?.hasAttribute("disabled")).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5c0be45db0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+import type { ReactNode } from "react";
+import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
+import { Tooltip } from "@app/components/shared/Tooltip";
+import "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRail.css";
+
+export type QuickNavTarget = "reader" | "editor" | "files" | "processor";
+
+export interface QuickNavEntry {
+  id: string;
+  label: string;
+  icon: ReactNode;
+  /** The app you are in, drawn with an edge bar. */
+  current?: boolean;
+  /** Only for entries that toggle something; use `current` for the app you are in. */
+  pressed?: boolean;
+  /** Inert, with `reason` as its tooltip. Entries are dimmed, never dropped. */
+  disabled?: boolean;
+  reason?: string;
+  badge?: number;
+  /** Popup semantics for an entry whose panel is rendered in another tree. */
+  expanded?: boolean;
+  controls?: string;
+  /** "danger" waits on the user; "warning" is awareness only. */
+  badgeTone?: "danger" | "warning";
+  onClick: () => void;
+}
+
+export interface QuickNavRailBaseProps {
+  /** Divided by a rule; empty groups are dropped. */
+  groups: QuickNavEntry[][];
+  footer?: ReactNode;
+}
+
+/** Exported so footer entries reuse it rather than a lookalike. */
+export function RailButton({
+  label,
+  icon,
+  pressed,
+  disabled,
+  reason,
+  badge,
+  badgeTone = "danger",
+  current,
+  expanded,
+  controls,
+  onClick,
+}: Omit<QuickNavEntry, "id">) {
+  return (
+    <Tooltip
+      content={disabled && reason ? `${label} — ${reason}` : label}
+      position="right"
+      arrow
+    >
+      <button
+        type="button"
+        className="quick-nav-rail-item"
+        aria-pressed={pressed}
+        aria-current={current ? "true" : undefined}
+        aria-label={label}
+        aria-haspopup={expanded === undefined ? undefined : "dialog"}
+        aria-expanded={expanded}
+        aria-controls={expanded === undefined ? undefined : controls}
+        // aria-disabled, not `disabled`: stays focusable, so its tooltip is reachable.
+        aria-disabled={disabled || undefined}
+        onClick={disabled ? undefined : onClick}
+      >
+        {icon}
+        {badge !== undefined && badge > 0 && (
+          <span
+            className="quick-nav-rail-badge"
+            data-tone={badgeTone}
+            aria-hidden="true"
+          >
+            {badge > 9 ? "9+" : badge}
+          </span>
+        )}
+      </button>
+    </Tooltip>
+  );
+}
+
+export function QuickNavRailBase({ groups, footer }: QuickNavRailBaseProps) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  const populated = groups.filter((entries) => entries.length > 0);
+  return (
+    <nav
+      className="quick-nav-rail"
+      aria-label={t("quickNav.landmark", "Quick navigation")}
+    >
+      {populated.map((group, index) => (
+        <div className="quick-nav-rail-group" key={group[0].id}>
+          {index > 0 && <hr className="quick-nav-rail-divider" />}
+          {group.map((entry) => (
+            <RailButton key={entry.id} {...entry} />
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      ))}
+      {footer}
+    </nav>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailContainer.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailContainer.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..606c2c3831
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailContainer.css
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+.quick-nav-rail-container {
+  /* On the column, so the parts outside the nav inherit them too. */
+  --quicknav-item-gap: var(--space-3);
+  --quicknav-surface-pad: 0.375rem;
+
+  width: var(--nav-rail-w);
+  height: 100%;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+  /* On the column, not the bar, so the fill covers the gutters too. */
+  background-color: var(--c-surface);
+  border-inline-end: 1px solid var(--c-border-subtle);
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  padding-block: var(--nav-gutter);
+  padding-inline: calc(var(--nav-gutter) / 2);
+}
+
+/* Child selector to beat .sui-nav-surface, which would win on order. */
+.quick-nav-rail-container > .quick-nav-rail-surface {
+  background: transparent;
+  border: 0;
+  border-radius: 0;
+}
+
+.quick-nav-rail-surface {
+  flex: 1;
+  min-height: 0;
+  /* No inline padding: the bar is one target wide and would squeeze the buttons. */
+  padding: var(--quicknav-surface-pad) 0;
+}
+
+/* Below this width the sidebar is an off-canvas drawer, and the rail is just noise. */
+@media (max-width: 48rem) {
+  .quick-nav-rail-container {
+    display: none;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailContainer.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailContainer.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..154700518e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailContainer.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
+import { NavSurface } from "@app/ui/NavSurface";
+import LocalIcon from "@app/components/shared/LocalIcon";
+import { QuickNavBrand } from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavBrand";
+import type { QuickNavIdentity } from "@app/contexts/QuickNavHostContext";
+import {
+  QuickNavRailBase,
+  RailButton,
+  type QuickNavRailBaseProps,
+} from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase";
+import { QuickNavRailAccount } from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailAccount";
+import { QuickNavRailNotifications } from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailNotifications";
+import "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailContainer.css";
+
+export type {
+  QuickNavEntry,
+  QuickNavTarget,
+} from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase";
+
+export interface QuickNavRailContainerProps extends Omit<
+  QuickNavRailBaseProps,
+  "footer"
+> {
+  /** The rail owns the account control, so the sidebars drop their own row. */
+  onOpenSettings?: () => void;
+  /** Omitted in builds with no processor to invite anyone into. */
+  onInvite?: () => void;
+  onToggleNotifications?: () => void;
+  notificationsOpen?: boolean;
+  identity?: QuickNavIdentity | null;
+  onReturnHome: () => void;
+}
+
+/** The fixed-width column the rail sits in. */
+export function QuickNavRailContainer({
+  onOpenSettings,
+  onInvite,
+  onToggleNotifications,
+  notificationsOpen,
+  identity = null,
+  onReturnHome,
+  ...railProps
+}: QuickNavRailContainerProps) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  return (
+    <div className="quick-nav-rail-container">
+      <QuickNavBrand onReturnHome={onReturnHome} />
+      <NavSurface className="quick-nav-rail-surface">
+        <QuickNavRailBase
+          {...railProps}
+          footer={
+            // Always rendered: the bell lives here too, so gating the footer hides it.
+            <div className="quick-nav-rail-footer">
+              <QuickNavRailNotifications
+                onToggle={onToggleNotifications}
+                open={notificationsOpen}
+              />
+              {onInvite && (
+                <RailButton
+                  label={t("quickNav.invite", "Invite")}
+                  icon={
+                    <LocalIcon
+                      icon="person-add-outline-rounded"
+                      width="1.125rem"
+                      height="1.125rem"
+                    />
+                  }
+                  onClick={onInvite}
+                />
+              )}
+              {onOpenSettings && (
+                <QuickNavRailAccount
+                  onOpenSettings={onOpenSettings}
+                  identity={identity}
+                />
+              )}
+            </div>
+          }
+        />
+      </NavSurface>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailHost.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailHost.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5c748b36cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailHost.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,178 @@
+import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
+import { useLocation, useNavigate } from "react-router-dom";
+import LocalIcon from "@app/components/shared/LocalIcon";
+import { QuickNavRailContainer } from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailContainer";
+import type { QuickNavEntry } from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase";
+import type { ToolId } from "@app/types/toolId";
+import { useQuickNavHost } from "@app/contexts/QuickNavHostContext";
+import { requestReaderMode } from "@app/utils/pendingReaderMode";
+import {
+  saveEditorReturnPath,
+  takeEditorReturnPath,
+} from "@app/services/workbenchSession";
+import { EDITOR_BASENAME } from "@app/routes/editorBasename";
+import { PORTAL_BASENAME } from "@app/routes/portalBasename";
+import { HAS_PORTAL } from "@app/routes/hasPortal";
+
+const SIZE = "1.125rem";
+
+/** Entries come from the URL, not either app's context, so the rail survives a switch. */
+export function QuickNavRailHost() {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const { pathname, search } = useLocation();
+  const host = useQuickNavHost();
+
+  const appMounted = Boolean(host?.appMounted);
+
+  const inPortal = pathname.startsWith(PORTAL_BASENAME);
+
+  // Only the app knows its own default state.
+  const returnHome = () => {
+    const reset = host?.actions.current?.goToDefaultState;
+    if (reset) reset();
+    else navigate(inPortal ? PORTAL_BASENAME : EDITOR_BASENAME);
+  };
+
+  // Guarded where the app supplies a guard, so leaving mid-edit still prompts.
+  const go = (to: string) => {
+    const guard = host?.actions.current?.requestNavigation;
+    if (guard) guard(() => navigate(to));
+    else navigate(to);
+  };
+
+  // Through the app where possible: its route only selects a tool on a fresh mount.
+  const openTool = (toolId: ToolId, route: string) => {
+    const select = host?.actions.current?.selectTool;
+    if (select) select(toolId);
+    else go(route);
+  };
+
+  const unusable = (id: ToolId) => {
+    const reason = host?.toolReasons?.[id];
+    return { disabled: Boolean(reason), reason };
+  };
+
+  const apps: QuickNavEntry[] = [
+    {
+      id: "processor",
+      label: t("quickNav.processor", "Processor"),
+      // Two literals, not a computed name: the offline icon bundle scans for `icon="..."`.
+      icon: inPortal ? (
+        <LocalIcon icon="memory-rounded" width={SIZE} height={SIZE} />
+      ) : (
+        <LocalIcon icon="memory-outline-rounded" width={SIZE} height={SIZE} />
+      ),
+      current: inPortal,
+      disabled: HAS_PORTAL && !inPortal && !host?.portalAccess,
+      reason:
+        HAS_PORTAL && !inPortal && !host?.portalAccess
+          ? t("quickNav.noProcessorAccess", "Ask an admin for processor access")
+          : undefined,
+      onClick: () => {
+        if (inPortal) {
+          returnHome();
+          return;
+        }
+        saveEditorReturnPath(pathname + search);
+        go(PORTAL_BASENAME);
+      },
+    },
+    {
+      id: "editor",
+      label: t("quickNav.editor", "Editor"),
+      icon: inPortal ? (
+        <LocalIcon icon="edit-outline-rounded" width={SIZE} height={SIZE} />
+      ) : (
+        <LocalIcon icon="edit-rounded" width={SIZE} height={SIZE} />
+      ),
+      current: !inPortal,
+      onClick: () => {
+        if (!inPortal) {
+          returnHome();
+          return;
+        }
+        // Back to where you left the editor, not its front door.
+        navigate(takeEditorReturnPath() ?? EDITOR_BASENAME);
+      },
+    },
+  ];
+
+  const within: QuickNavEntry[] = [
+    {
+      id: "files",
+      label: t("fileSidebar.myFiles", "File library"),
+      icon: (
+        <LocalIcon icon="folder-outline-rounded" width={SIZE} height={SIZE} />
+      ),
+      onClick: () => go("/files"),
+    },
+    {
+      id: "reader",
+      label: t("quickNav.reader", "Reader"),
+      icon: (
+        <LocalIcon
+          icon="menu-book-outline-rounded"
+          width={SIZE}
+          height={SIZE}
+        />
+      ),
+      pressed: Boolean(host?.readerMode),
+      // From the processor there is no editor to toggle - see pendingReaderMode.
+      onClick: () => {
+        const setMode = host?.actions.current?.setReaderMode;
+        if (setMode) {
+          setMode(!host?.readerMode);
+          return;
+        }
+        requestReaderMode();
+        go(EDITOR_BASENAME);
+      },
+    },
+    {
+      id: "automate",
+      label: t("quickAccess.automate", "Automate"),
+      icon: (
+        <LocalIcon icon="rebase-outline-rounded" width={SIZE} height={SIZE} />
+      ),
+      ...unusable("automate"),
+      onClick: () => openTool("automate", "/automate"),
+    },
+    {
+      id: "sharedSign",
+      label: t("home.sharedSign.title", "Shared Signing"),
+      icon: (
+        <LocalIcon icon="draw-outline-rounded" width={SIZE} height={SIZE} />
+      ),
+      badge: host?.signingBadge,
+      badgeTone: "warning",
+      ...unusable("sharedSign"),
+      onClick: () => openTool("sharedSign", "/shared-sign"),
+    },
+  ];
+
+  // Read at click time, so it's always the mounted app's.
+  const openSettings = () => host?.actions.current?.openSettings?.();
+
+  // A route that isn't the app hides the bar - see useSuppressQuickNavRail.
+  if (!appMounted || host?.chromeless) return null;
+
+  return (
+    <QuickNavRailContainer
+      groups={HAS_PORTAL ? [apps, within] : [within]}
+      onReturnHome={returnHome}
+      identity={host?.identity ?? null}
+      onOpenSettings={host?.hasSettings ? openSettings : undefined}
+      onInvite={
+        // Spelt out: VIEW_PATHS lives in the portal, which core cannot import.
+        HAS_PORTAL && host?.portalAccess
+          ? () => go(`${PORTAL_BASENAME}/users`)
+          : undefined
+      }
+      onToggleNotifications={() =>
+        host?.actions.current?.toggleNotifications?.()
+      }
+      notificationsOpen={host?.notificationsOpen}
+    />
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailNotifications.test.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailNotifications.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..800eb55b5b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailNotifications.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { fireEvent, render, screen, waitFor } from "@testing-library/react";
+import type { AppNotification } from "@app/services/notifications";
+import { QuickNavRailNotifications } from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailNotifications";
+
+const fetchNotifications = vi.fn();
+
+vi.mock("@app/services/notifications", () => ({
+  fetchNotifications: (...args: unknown[]) => fetchNotifications(...args),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("@app/services/localFilePresence", () => ({
+  hasLocalFile: () => Promise.resolve(false),
+}));
+
+const h = vi.hoisted(() => ({ notificationsAvailable: true }));
+
+vi.mock("@app/components/notifications/useNotificationsAvailable", () => ({
+  useNotificationsAvailable: () => h.notificationsAvailable,
+}));
+
+function notification(id: string): AppNotification {
+  return {
+    id,
+    kind: "PIPELINE_FAILED",
+    title: id,
+    createdAt: "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+    fileId: null,
+    sourceId: null,
+    count: 1,
+    actions: [],
+  } as unknown as AppNotification;
+}
+
+describe("QuickNavRailNotifications", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    window.localStorage.clear();
+    fetchNotifications.mockReset().mockResolvedValue([]);
+    h.notificationsAvailable = true;
+  });
+
+  it("keeps out of a build with no notifications API, and off its timer", async () => {
+    // No endpoint to poll and nothing it could show.
+    h.notificationsAvailable = false;
+
+    const { container } = render(
+      <QuickNavRailNotifications onToggle={() => {}} />,
+    );
+
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    expect(container.querySelector(".quick-nav-rail-item")).toBeNull();
+    expect(fetchNotifications).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("carries the unread count on the icon", async () => {
+    fetchNotifications.mockResolvedValue([
+      notification("a"),
+      notification("b"),
+    ]);
+
+    render(<QuickNavRailNotifications onToggle={() => {}} />);
+
+    expect(await screen.findByText("2")).toBeTruthy();
+  });
+
+  it("asks the mounted app to open the panel rather than opening one itself", async () => {
+    const onToggle = vi.fn();
+    const { container } = render(
+      <QuickNavRailNotifications onToggle={onToggle} />,
+    );
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(fetchNotifications).toHaveBeenCalled());
+    fireEvent.click(container.querySelector(".quick-nav-rail-item")!);
+
+    expect(onToggle).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    // No panel of its own: a row's actions would have no workbench to act on.
+    expect(screen.queryByRole("dialog")).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("stays pressable before an app has registered, doing nothing", async () => {
+    // Between apps there is briefly no handler.
+    const { container } = render(<QuickNavRailNotifications />);
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(fetchNotifications).toHaveBeenCalled());
+    const button = container.querySelector(".quick-nav-rail-item")!;
+    expect(() => fireEvent.click(button)).not.toThrow();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailNotifications.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailNotifications.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..aee294de1c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailNotifications.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
+import LocalIcon from "@app/components/shared/LocalIcon";
+import { RailButton } from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavRailBase";
+import { useNotifications } from "@app/hooks/useNotifications";
+import { useNotificationsAvailable } from "@app/components/notifications/useNotificationsAvailable";
+import { NOTIFICATIONS_PANEL_ID } from "@app/components/notifications/NotificationPanel";
+
+export interface QuickNavRailNotificationsProps {
+  onToggle?: () => void;
+  /** Whether the app's panel is open, which this button reports but does not own. */
+  open?: boolean;
+}
+
+/** The count is read here; the app owns the panel - see NotificationPanel. */
+export function QuickNavRailNotifications({
+  onToggle,
+  open = false,
+}: QuickNavRailNotificationsProps) {
+  // Gated before the count is read: subscribing starts the poll.
+  const available = useNotificationsAvailable();
+  if (!available) return null;
+  return <MountedRailNotifications onToggle={onToggle} open={open} />;
+}
+
+function MountedRailNotifications({
+  onToggle,
+  open,
+}: QuickNavRailNotificationsProps) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  const { unreadCount } = useNotifications();
+
+  return (
+    // Read by the panel's outside-click handler; on a wrapper, RailButton's props being fixed.
+    <span data-notifications-trigger>
+      <RailButton
+        label={t("quickNav.notifications", "Notifications")}
+        icon={
+          <LocalIcon
+            icon="notifications-outline-rounded"
+            width="1.125rem"
+            height="1.125rem"
+          />
+        }
+        badge={unreadCount}
+        expanded={Boolean(open)}
+        controls={NOTIFICATIONS_PANEL_ID}
+        onClick={() => onToggle?.()}
+      />
+    </span>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/useQuickNavToolReasons.test.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/useQuickNavToolReasons.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6295ddde66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/useQuickNavToolReasons.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from "vitest";
+import { renderHook } from "@testing-library/react";
+import { useQuickNavToolReasons } from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/useQuickNavToolReasons";
+
+const h = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  endpointStatus: {} as Record<string, boolean>,
+  endpointDetails: {} as Record<string, { reason?: string }>,
+  loading: false,
+  configLoading: false,
+  groupSigningEnabled: true,
+}));
+
+vi.mock("@app/hooks/useEndpointConfig", () => ({
+  useMultipleEndpointsEnabled: () => ({
+    endpointStatus: h.endpointStatus,
+    endpointDetails: h.endpointDetails,
+    loading: h.loading,
+    error: null,
+    refetch: async () => {},
+  }),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("@app/contexts/AppConfigContext", () => ({
+  useAppConfig: () => ({
+    config: null,
+    loading: h.configLoading,
+    error: null,
+    refetch: async () => {},
+  }),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("@app/hooks/useGroupSigningEnabled", () => ({
+  useGroupSigningEnabled: () => h.groupSigningEnabled,
+}));
+
+vi.mock("react-i18next", () => ({
+  useTranslation: () => ({
+    t: (_key: string, fallback?: string) => fallback ?? _key,
+  }),
+}));
+
+describe("useQuickNavToolReasons", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    window.localStorage.clear();
+    h.endpointStatus = {};
+    h.endpointDetails = {};
+    h.loading = false;
+    h.configLoading = false;
+    h.groupSigningEnabled = true;
+  });
+
+  it("admits it does not know rather than reporting nothing wrong", () => {
+    h.loading = true;
+    h.endpointStatus = { automate: false };
+
+    expect(
+      renderHook(() => useQuickNavToolReasons()).result.current,
+    ).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("reports what it last knew while the answer is being fetched again", () => {
+    // Each app has its own query cache, and a reload has none at all.
+    h.endpointStatus = { automate: false };
+    h.endpointDetails = { automate: { reason: "CONFIG" } };
+    renderHook(() => useQuickNavToolReasons());
+
+    h.loading = true;
+    h.endpointStatus = {};
+    h.endpointDetails = {};
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useQuickNavToolReasons());
+    expect(result.current?.automate).toBe("Disabled by server administrator");
+  });
+
+  it("forgets a reason once the server stops reporting it", () => {
+    h.endpointStatus = { automate: false };
+    h.endpointDetails = { automate: { reason: "CONFIG" } };
+    renderHook(() => useQuickNavToolReasons());
+
+    h.endpointStatus = { automate: true };
+    h.endpointDetails = {};
+    expect(renderHook(() => useQuickNavToolReasons()).result.current).toEqual(
+      {},
+    );
+
+    // The cleared state, not the old reason, is what a reload reads back.
+    h.loading = true;
+    expect(renderHook(() => useQuickNavToolReasons()).result.current).toEqual(
+      {},
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("says nothing about an endpoint the server reports as available", () => {
+    h.endpointStatus = { automate: true };
+
+    expect(renderHook(() => useQuickNavToolReasons()).result.current).toEqual(
+      {},
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("blames the administrator when the endpoint was turned off by config", () => {
+    h.endpointStatus = { automate: false };
+    h.endpointDetails = { automate: { reason: "CONFIG" } };
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useQuickNavToolReasons());
+    // The tool picker's label with its trailing colon stripped.
+    expect(result.current?.automate).toBe("Disabled by server administrator");
+  });
+
+  it("blames the missing dependency when that is what the server said", () => {
+    h.endpointStatus = { automate: false };
+    h.endpointDetails = { automate: { reason: "DEPENDENCY" } };
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useQuickNavToolReasons());
+    expect(result.current?.automate).toBe(
+      "Unavailable - required tool missing on server",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("greys out shared signing when the server has the feature switched off", () => {
+    // A whole feature rather than a removable endpoint, so it has its own signal.
+    h.groupSigningEnabled = false;
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useQuickNavToolReasons());
+    expect(result.current?.sharedSign).toBe(
+      "Collaborative signing isn't enabled on this server",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("waits for the config before judging shared signing", () => {
+    // The config loads separately and reads as "off" before it arrives.
+    h.configLoading = true;
+    h.groupSigningEnabled = false;
+
+    expect(
+      renderHook(() => useQuickNavToolReasons()).result.current,
+    ).toBeNull();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/useQuickNavToolReasons.ts b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/useQuickNavToolReasons.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..235f4d4f08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/shared/quickNav/useQuickNavToolReasons.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+import { useEffect, useMemo, useState } from "react";
+import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
+import { useMultipleEndpointsEnabled } from "@app/hooks/useEndpointConfig";
+import { useAppConfig } from "@app/contexts/AppConfigContext";
+import { useGroupSigningEnabled } from "@app/hooks/useGroupSigningEnabled";
+import { getDisabledLabel } from "@app/components/tools/fullscreen/shared";
+import type { QuickNavToolReasons } from "@app/contexts/QuickNavHostContext";
+import type { ToolId } from "@app/types/toolId";
+
+const ENTRY_ENDPOINTS = {
+  automate: ["automate"],
+} satisfies Partial<Record<ToolId, string[]>>;
+
+// Object.keys widens to string, which a tool-id-keyed record can't be indexed by.
+const ENDPOINT_ENTRIES = Object.keys(
+  ENTRY_ENDPOINTS,
+) as (keyof typeof ENTRY_ENDPOINTS)[];
+
+/** Shared signing is a feature toggle rather than an endpoint, so it has its own cause. */
+type EndpointCause = "missingDependency" | "disabledByAdmin";
+type Cause = EndpointCause | "groupSigningOff";
+type Causes = Partial<Record<ToolId, Cause>>;
+const CAUSES: Cause[] = [
+  "missingDependency",
+  "disabledByAdmin",
+  "groupSigningOff",
+];
+
+/** Causes, not sentences, so a language change can't resurrect stale text. */
+const STORAGE_KEY = "stirling.quickNav.toolCauses";
+
+function readRemembered(): Causes | null {
+  try {
+    const raw = window.localStorage.getItem(STORAGE_KEY);
+    if (!raw) return null;
+    const parsed: unknown = JSON.parse(raw);
+    if (!parsed || typeof parsed !== "object" || Array.isArray(parsed)) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    const known = Object.entries(parsed as Record<string, unknown>).filter(
+      ([, cause]) => CAUSES.includes(cause as Cause),
+    ) as [ToolId, Cause][];
+    return Object.fromEntries(known);
+  } catch {
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
+function remember(causes: Causes): void {
+  try {
+    window.localStorage.setItem(STORAGE_KEY, JSON.stringify(causes));
+  } catch {
+    // Won't survive the next reload.
+  }
+}
+
+function causesFor(
+  endpointStatus: Record<string, boolean>,
+  endpointDetails: Record<string, { reason?: string | null }>,
+): Causes {
+  const causes: Causes = {};
+  for (const entry of ENDPOINT_ENTRIES) {
+    const off = ENTRY_ENDPOINTS[entry].filter(
+      (name) => endpointStatus[name] === false,
+    );
+    if (off.length === 0) continue;
+    causes[entry] = off.some(
+      (name) => endpointDetails[name]?.reason === "DEPENDENCY",
+    )
+      ? "missingDependency"
+      : "disabledByAdmin";
+  }
+  return causes;
+}
+
+/** Why a rail entry can't be used. Null means no answer yet, an empty map nothing wrong. */
+export function useQuickNavToolReasons(): QuickNavToolReasons | null {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  const endpoints = useMemo(() => Object.values(ENTRY_ENDPOINTS).flat(), []);
+  const { endpointStatus, endpointDetails, loading } =
+    useMultipleEndpointsEnabled(endpoints);
+
+  // Read once: later reads would fight the live answer.
+  const [remembered] = useState(readRemembered);
+
+  const { loading: configLoading } = useAppConfig();
+  const groupSigningEnabled = useGroupSigningEnabled();
+
+  const live = useMemo(() => {
+    // A half answer would dim entries it can't see yet.
+    if (loading || configLoading) return null;
+    const causes = causesFor(endpointStatus, endpointDetails);
+    if (!groupSigningEnabled) causes.sharedSign = "groupSigningOff";
+    return causes;
+  }, [
+    loading,
+    configLoading,
+    endpointStatus,
+    endpointDetails,
+    groupSigningEnabled,
+  ]);
+
+  // Keyed on contents: the object is rebuilt every render.
+  const liveKey = live ? JSON.stringify(live) : null;
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (liveKey) remember(JSON.parse(liveKey) as Causes);
+  }, [liveKey]);
+
+  const causes = live ?? remembered;
+
+  return useMemo(() => {
+    if (!causes) return null;
+    const reasons: QuickNavToolReasons = {};
+    for (const entry of Object.keys(causes) as ToolId[]) {
+      const cause = causes[entry];
+      if (cause === "groupSigningOff") {
+        // The tool's own wording, minus the full stop.
+        reasons[entry] = t(
+          "sharedSign.disabledBody",
+          "Collaborative signing isn't enabled on this server.",
+        ).replace(/\.\s*$/, "");
+        continue;
+      }
+      if (!cause) continue;
+      // These labels normally sit in front of a tool name, hence the trailing colon.
+      const { key, fallback } = getDisabledLabel(cause);
+      reasons[entry] = t(key, fallback).replace(/:\s*$/, "");
+    }
+    return reasons;
+  }, [causes, t]);
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/tools/RightSidebar.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/tools/RightSidebar.tsx
index d66d30c442..031ecd8e20 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/tools/RightSidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/tools/RightSidebar.tsx
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ export default function RightSidebar() {
 
   const computedWidth = () => {
     if (isMobile) return "100%";
-    if (!isPanelVisible) return "3.5rem";
+    if (!isPanelVisible) return "var(--nav-rail-w)";
     return expandedWidth;
   };
 
@@ -181,7 +181,8 @@ export default function RightSidebar() {
                 content={tool.name}
                 position="left"
                 arrow
-                delay={300}
+                // No delay: collapsed to icons, the tooltip is the only label.
+                delay={0}
               >
                 <ActionIcon
                   aria-label={tool.name}
@@ -206,7 +207,7 @@ export default function RightSidebar() {
           /* Fixed width matches the expanded panel width so the inner content is
              laid out at its final size from the moment it mounts. The outer
              .tool-panel clips it (overflow-hidden) while it animates from the
-             collapsed 3.5rem width — text/icons stay put and just come into view
+             collapsed rail width — text/icons stay put and just come into view
              instead of jiggling as space becomes available. */
           style={{
             opacity: 1,
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/tools/ToolPanel.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/tools/ToolPanel.css
index 3e3985103f..b27885ccf5 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/tools/ToolPanel.css
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/tools/ToolPanel.css
@@ -19,12 +19,12 @@
   user-select: none;
 }
 
+/* Flush, with a rule on the workbench side mirroring the file sidebar's. */
 .tool-panel--floating {
-  margin: var(--nav-gutter) var(--nav-gutter) var(--nav-gutter) 0;
-  height: calc(100vh - (var(--nav-gutter) * 2));
+  /* Tracks the frame, which is dvh; vh would cut the bottom off on mobile. */
+  height: 100%;
   background: var(--c-surface);
-  border: 1px solid var(--c-border-subtle);
-  border-radius: var(--radius-nav);
+  border-inline-start: 1px solid var(--c-border-subtle);
 }
 
 .tool-panel__collapsed-strip {
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/viewer/useViewerWorkbenchBarButtons.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/viewer/useViewerWorkbenchBarButtons.tsx
index 86b0e7ff39..5cb4b3e59b 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/components/viewer/useViewerWorkbenchBarButtons.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/components/viewer/useViewerWorkbenchBarButtons.tsx
@@ -185,23 +185,24 @@ export function useViewerWorkbenchBarButtons(
         section: "top" as const,
         order: 10,
         render: ({ disabled }) => (
-          <Tooltip
-            content={searchLabel}
+          <Popover
             position={tooltipPosition}
-            offset={12}
-            arrow
-            portalTarget={document.body}
+            withArrow
+            shadow="md"
+            offset={8}
+            opened={isSearchInterfaceVisible}
+            onClose={viewer.searchInterfaceActions.close}
           >
-            <Popover
-              position={tooltipPosition}
-              withArrow
-              shadow="md"
-              offset={8}
-              opened={isSearchInterfaceVisible}
-              onClose={viewer.searchInterfaceActions.close}
-            >
-              <Popover.Target>
-                <div style={{ display: "inline-flex" }}>
+            <Popover.Target>
+              <div style={{ display: "inline-flex" }}>
+                {/* Inside the Popover: Tooltip binds by cloning, and Popover passes no ref on. */}
+                <Tooltip
+                  content={searchLabel}
+                  position={tooltipPosition}
+                  offset={12}
+                  arrow
+                  portalTarget={document.body}
+                >
                   <ActionIcon
                     variant="tertiary"
                     className="workbench-bar-action-icon"
@@ -215,18 +216,18 @@ export function useViewerWorkbenchBarButtons(
                       height="1.25rem"
                     />
                   </ActionIcon>
-                </div>
-              </Popover.Target>
-              <Popover.Dropdown>
-                <div style={{ minWidth: "20rem" }}>
-                  <SearchInterface
-                    visible={isSearchInterfaceVisible}
-                    onClose={viewer.searchInterfaceActions.close}
-                  />
-                </div>
-              </Popover.Dropdown>
-            </Popover>
-          </Tooltip>
+                </Tooltip>
+              </div>
+            </Popover.Target>
+            <Popover.Dropdown>
+              <div style={{ minWidth: "20rem" }}>
+                <SearchInterface
+                  visible={isSearchInterfaceVisible}
+                  onClose={viewer.searchInterfaceActions.close}
+                />
+              </div>
+            </Popover.Dropdown>
+          </Popover>
         ),
       },
       {
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/QuickNavHostContext.test.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/QuickNavHostContext.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fc648cbfe5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/QuickNavHostContext.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from "vitest";
+import { render, act } from "@testing-library/react";
+import {
+  QuickNavHostProvider,
+  useQuickNavHost,
+  useRegisterQuickNavHost,
+  useSuppressQuickNavRail,
+} from "@app/contexts/QuickNavHostContext";
+
+function Probe({ onRead }: { onRead: (value: unknown) => void }) {
+  const host = useQuickNavHost();
+  onRead({
+    appMounted: host?.appMounted,
+    chromeless: host?.chromeless,
+    identity: host?.identity,
+    openSettings: Boolean(host?.actions.current?.openSettings),
+  });
+  return null;
+}
+
+function App() {
+  useRegisterQuickNavHost(
+    { identity: { displayName: "Ada", profilePictureUrl: null } },
+    { openSettings: () => {} },
+  );
+  return null;
+}
+
+function LoginRoute() {
+  useSuppressQuickNavRail();
+  return null;
+}
+
+function setup() {
+  let latest: Record<string, unknown> = {};
+  const view = render(
+    <QuickNavHostProvider>
+      <Probe onRead={(value) => (latest = value as Record<string, unknown>)} />
+      <App />
+    </QuickNavHostProvider>,
+  );
+  return { view, read: () => latest };
+}
+
+describe("QuickNavHostContext", () => {
+  it("keeps what the app published after it unmounts, but drops its handlers", () => {
+    // Data survives the gap between one app unmounting and the next registering.
+    const { view, read } = setup();
+
+    expect(read().appMounted).toBe(true);
+    expect(read().identity).toEqual({
+      displayName: "Ada",
+      profilePictureUrl: null,
+    });
+    expect(read().openSettings).toBe(true);
+
+    view.rerender(
+      <QuickNavHostProvider>
+        <Probe onRead={() => {}} />
+      </QuickNavHostProvider>,
+    );
+
+    // Re-read through a fresh probe in the same provider.
+    let after: Record<string, unknown> = {};
+    view.rerender(
+      <QuickNavHostProvider>
+        <Probe onRead={(value) => (after = value as Record<string, unknown>)} />
+      </QuickNavHostProvider>,
+    );
+    expect(after.appMounted).toBe(true);
+    expect(after.openSettings).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("hides the bar while a route with no app chrome is on screen", () => {
+    // appMounted is sticky, so it can't answer "is an app on screen now".
+    const { view, read } = setup();
+    expect(read().chromeless).toBe(false);
+
+    act(() => {
+      view.rerender(
+        <QuickNavHostProvider>
+          <Probe onRead={() => {}} />
+          <App />
+          <LoginRoute />
+        </QuickNavHostProvider>,
+      );
+    });
+
+    let during: Record<string, unknown> = {};
+    view.rerender(
+      <QuickNavHostProvider>
+        <Probe
+          onRead={(value) => (during = value as Record<string, unknown>)}
+        />
+        <App />
+        <LoginRoute />
+      </QuickNavHostProvider>,
+    );
+    expect(during.chromeless).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("brings the bar back when that route leaves", () => {
+    const { view } = setup();
+
+    act(() => {
+      view.rerender(
+        <QuickNavHostProvider>
+          <Probe onRead={() => {}} />
+          <App />
+          <LoginRoute />
+        </QuickNavHostProvider>,
+      );
+    });
+
+    let after: Record<string, unknown> = {};
+    act(() => {
+      view.rerender(
+        <QuickNavHostProvider>
+          <Probe
+            onRead={(value) => (after = value as Record<string, unknown>)}
+          />
+          <App />
+        </QuickNavHostProvider>,
+      );
+    });
+    expect(after.chromeless).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/QuickNavHostContext.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/QuickNavHostContext.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..540ec8cd6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/QuickNavHostContext.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,201 @@
+import type { ToolId } from "@app/types/toolId";
+import {
+  createContext,
+  useCallback,
+  useContext,
+  useEffect,
+  useMemo,
+  useRef,
+  useState,
+  type ReactNode,
+} from "react";
+
+export type QuickNavToolReasons = Partial<Record<ToolId, string>>;
+
+export interface QuickNavIdentity {
+  displayName: string;
+  profilePictureUrl: string | null;
+}
+
+export interface QuickNavHostData {
+  /** Sticky: one app unmounts before the next one registers. */
+  appMounted: boolean;
+  identity: QuickNavIdentity | null;
+  signingBadge: number;
+  portalAccess: boolean;
+  readerMode: boolean;
+  /** The app owns the panel; the rail's bell only reports its state. */
+  notificationsOpen: boolean;
+  /** Translated; absent means usable. */
+  toolReasons: QuickNavToolReasons;
+  /** Mirrors `openSettings`, which lives in a ref and so cannot trigger a render. */
+  hasSettings: boolean;
+}
+
+export interface QuickNavHostActions {
+  openSettings?: () => void;
+  /** The editor reads its tool from the URL only on mount. */
+  selectTool?: (toolId: ToolId) => void;
+  setReaderMode?: (on: boolean) => void;
+  toggleNotifications?: () => void;
+  goToDefaultState?: () => void;
+  requestNavigation?: (go: () => void) => void;
+}
+
+interface QuickNavHostValue extends QuickNavHostData {
+  /** Reset on unmount, unlike the data above. */
+  chromeless: boolean;
+  setChromeless: (chromeless: boolean) => void;
+  /** A ref, so a click reaches the app currently mounted. */
+  actions: React.RefObject<QuickNavHostActions>;
+  setData: (data: Partial<QuickNavHostData>) => void;
+  setActions: (actions: QuickNavHostActions) => void;
+}
+
+const EMPTY_REASONS: QuickNavToolReasons = {};
+
+const EMPTY_DATA: QuickNavHostData = {
+  appMounted: false,
+  toolReasons: EMPTY_REASONS,
+  identity: null,
+  signingBadge: 0,
+  portalAccess: false,
+  readerMode: false,
+  notificationsOpen: false,
+  hasSettings: false,
+};
+
+function sameReasons(
+  next: QuickNavToolReasons,
+  prev: QuickNavToolReasons,
+): boolean {
+  const nextKeys = Object.keys(next);
+  if (nextKeys.length !== Object.keys(prev).length) return false;
+  return nextKeys.every((key) => next[key as ToolId] === prev[key as ToolId]);
+}
+
+const QuickNavHostContext = createContext<QuickNavHostValue | null>(null);
+
+/** Outside both apps' providers, so each app registers what only it knows. */
+export function QuickNavHostProvider({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
+  const [data, setDataState] = useState<QuickNavHostData>(EMPTY_DATA);
+  const [chromeless, setChromelessState] = useState(false);
+  const actions = useRef<QuickNavHostActions>({});
+
+  const setData = useCallback((next: Partial<QuickNavHostData>) => {
+    setDataState((prev) => {
+      const merged = { ...prev, ...next };
+      const unchanged =
+        merged.appMounted === prev.appMounted &&
+        merged.signingBadge === prev.signingBadge &&
+        merged.portalAccess === prev.portalAccess &&
+        merged.readerMode === prev.readerMode &&
+        merged.notificationsOpen === prev.notificationsOpen &&
+        merged.hasSettings === prev.hasSettings &&
+        merged.identity?.displayName === prev.identity?.displayName &&
+        merged.identity?.profilePictureUrl ===
+          prev.identity?.profilePictureUrl &&
+        // Compared by value: the object is rebuilt every render.
+        sameReasons(merged.toolReasons, prev.toolReasons);
+      return unchanged ? prev : merged;
+    });
+  }, []);
+
+  const setActions = useCallback((next: QuickNavHostActions) => {
+    actions.current = next;
+  }, []);
+
+  const setChromeless = useCallback((next: boolean) => {
+    setChromelessState(next);
+  }, []);
+
+  const value = useMemo<QuickNavHostValue>(
+    () => ({
+      ...data,
+      chromeless,
+      actions,
+      setData,
+      setActions,
+      setChromeless,
+    }),
+    [data, chromeless, setData, setActions, setChromeless],
+  );
+
+  return (
+    <QuickNavHostContext.Provider value={value}>
+      {children}
+    </QuickNavHostContext.Provider>
+  );
+}
+
+export function useQuickNavHost(): QuickNavHostValue | null {
+  return useContext(QuickNavHostContext);
+}
+
+/** No-ops outside the provider. */
+export function useRegisterQuickNavHost(
+  data: Partial<QuickNavHostData>,
+  actions: QuickNavHostActions,
+): void {
+  const host = useQuickNavHost();
+  const {
+    identity,
+    signingBadge,
+    portalAccess,
+    readerMode,
+    notificationsOpen,
+    toolReasons,
+  } = data;
+  const hasSettings = Boolean(actions.openSettings);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    host?.setData({
+      appMounted: true,
+      identity: identity ?? null,
+      signingBadge: signingBadge ?? 0,
+      portalAccess: portalAccess ?? false,
+      readerMode: readerMode ?? false,
+      notificationsOpen: notificationsOpen ?? false,
+      // Omitted when unknown, so the last answer survives a re-fetch.
+      ...(toolReasons ? { toolReasons } : {}),
+      hasSettings,
+    });
+    // By field: identity is rebuilt every render.
+  }, [
+    host,
+    identity?.displayName,
+    identity?.profilePictureUrl,
+    signingBadge,
+    portalAccess,
+    readerMode,
+    notificationsOpen,
+    toolReasons,
+    hasSettings,
+  ]);
+
+  const setActions = host?.setActions;
+
+  // No deps: a click has to reach the current closure.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setActions?.(actions);
+  });
+
+  // Handlers only: clearing the data too would blink the controls mid-switch.
+  useEffect(
+    () => () => {
+      setActions?.({});
+    },
+    [setActions],
+  );
+}
+
+/** `appMounted` is sticky, so a screen that isn't the app has to say so itself. */
+export function useSuppressQuickNavRail(active = true): void {
+  const host = useQuickNavHost();
+  const setChromeless = host?.setChromeless;
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!active) return;
+    setChromeless?.(true);
+    return () => setChromeless?.(false);
+  }, [active, setChromeless]);
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/SidebarContext.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/SidebarContext.tsx
index ac9ddbb0df..ce0e5184bb 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/SidebarContext.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/SidebarContext.tsx
@@ -62,6 +62,11 @@ export function SidebarProvider({ children }: SidebarProviderProps) {
   );
 }
 
+/** For components that render outside a SidebarProvider, such as the rail's tooltips. */
+export function useOptionalSidebarContext(): SidebarContextValue | undefined {
+  return useContext(SidebarContext);
+}
+
 export function useSidebarContext(): SidebarContextValue {
   const context = useContext(SidebarContext);
   if (context === undefined) {
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/ToolWorkflowContext.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/ToolWorkflowContext.tsx
index 6bc61fa294..070442a966 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/ToolWorkflowContext.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/contexts/ToolWorkflowContext.tsx
@@ -218,8 +218,8 @@ export function ToolWorkflowProvider({ children }: ToolWorkflowProviderProps) {
   const setReaderMode = useCallback(
     (mode: boolean) => {
       if (mode) {
+        // Reading is a mode the open document is put into, not a tool run on it.
         actions.setWorkbench("viewer");
-        actions.setSelectedTool("read");
       }
       dispatch({ type: "SET_READER_MODE", payload: mode });
     },
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/pages/HomePage.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/pages/HomePage.tsx
index 0d7a571f98..efb6af40d2 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/pages/HomePage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/pages/HomePage.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,11 @@
-import { forwardRef, useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState } from "react";
+import {
+  forwardRef,
+  useCallback,
+  useEffect,
+  useMemo,
+  useRef,
+  useState,
+} from "react";
 import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
 import { useToolWorkflow } from "@app/contexts/ToolWorkflowContext";
 import { Group } from "@mantine/core";
@@ -14,6 +21,7 @@ import { useFileContext } from "@app/contexts/file/fileHooks";
 import {
   useNavigationState,
   useNavigationActions,
+  useNavigationGuard,
 } from "@app/contexts/NavigationContext";
 import { isApplyingRestoredView } from "@app/services/workbenchSession";
 import { useViewer } from "@app/contexts/ViewerContext";
@@ -28,10 +36,21 @@ import FileSidebar from "@app/components/shared/FileSidebar";
 import FileManager from "@app/components/FileManager";
 import LocalIcon from "@app/components/shared/LocalIcon";
 import AppConfigModal from "@app/components/shared/AppConfigModalLazy";
-import { getStartupNavigationAction } from "@app/utils/homePageNavigation";
+import {
+  getStartupNavigationAction,
+  getDefaultWorkbenchForFileCount,
+} from "@app/utils/homePageNavigation";
 import { EDITOR_BASENAME } from "@app/routes/editorBasename";
 import { stripBasePath } from "@app/constants/app";
 import { HomePageExtensions } from "@app/components/home/HomePageExtensions";
+import { QuickNavHostBridge } from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavHostBridge";
+import type { QuickNavToolReasons } from "@app/contexts/QuickNavHostContext";
+import {
+  getToolDisabledReason,
+  getDisabledLabel,
+} from "@app/components/tools/fullscreen/shared";
+import { useOtherAppSwitch } from "@app/hooks/useOtherAppSwitch";
+import { consumeReaderModeRequest } from "@app/utils/pendingReaderMode";
 import {
   FilesPageProvider,
   useFilesPage,
@@ -42,6 +61,7 @@ import { FolderTreePanel } from "@app/components/filesPage/FolderTreePanel";
 import type { FileSidebarProps } from "@app/components/shared/FileSidebar";
 
 import { Button } from "@app/ui/Button";
+import "@app/components/layout/WorkspaceFrame.css";
 import "@app/pages/HomePage.css";
 
 const SIDEBAR_COLLAPSED_STORAGE_KEY = "stirling.fileSidebarCollapsed";
@@ -90,9 +110,11 @@ export default function HomePage() {
     handleToolSelect,
     handleBackToTools,
     readerMode,
+    setReaderMode,
     setLeftPanelView,
     toolAvailability,
     customWorkbenchViews,
+    toolRegistry,
   } = useToolWorkflow();
 
   const navigate = useNavigate();
@@ -103,6 +125,7 @@ export default function HomePage() {
   const [activeMobileView, setActiveMobileView] = useState<MobileView>("tools");
   const isProgrammaticScroll = useRef(false);
   const [configModalOpen, setConfigModalOpen] = useState(false);
+  const otherApp = useOtherAppSwitch();
   const location = useLocation();
   // Persisted user preference for the FileSidebar collapsed state. Auto-
   // collapse on /files is layered on top in the transition effect below and
@@ -152,8 +175,64 @@ export default function HomePage() {
 
   const { activeFiles } = useFileContext();
   const navigationState = useNavigationState();
+  const { requestNavigation } = useNavigationGuard();
+
+  // From the processor's Reader entry. Ref-guarded: one-shot, and StrictMode double-invokes.
+  const consumedReaderRequest = useRef(false);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (consumedReaderRequest.current) return;
+    consumedReaderRequest.current = true;
+    if (consumeReaderModeRequest()) setReaderMode(true);
+  }, [setReaderMode]);
   const { actions } = useNavigationActions();
 
+  const { searchInterfaceActions } = useViewer();
+
+  // Reading hides both search controls, so leave it first. e.code, for non-QWERTY layouts.
+  const focusSearchAfterRestore = useRef(false);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!readerMode) return;
+    const onKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      const combo = (e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey) && !e.altKey && !e.shiftKey;
+      if (!combo) return;
+      if (e.code !== "KeyK" && e.code !== "KeyF") return;
+      // Same carve-out the search itself makes: a dialog owns the keyboard.
+      if ((e.target as HTMLElement | null)?.closest?.('[role="dialog"]'))
+        return;
+      e.preventDefault();
+      setReaderMode(false);
+      if (e.code === "KeyK") {
+        focusSearchAfterRestore.current = true;
+        return;
+      }
+      // Visibility is state, so it can open before the bar it renders in exists.
+      searchInterfaceActions.open();
+    };
+    window.addEventListener("keydown", onKeyDown);
+    return () => window.removeEventListener("keydown", onKeyDown);
+  }, [readerMode, setReaderMode, searchInterfaceActions]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (readerMode || !focusSearchAfterRestore.current) return;
+    focusSearchAfterRestore.current = false;
+    requestAnimationFrame(() =>
+      window.dispatchEvent(new Event("superSearch:focus")),
+    );
+  }, [readerMode]);
+
+  // Clean slate: no tool, out of the file library and reading.
+  const goToDefaultState = useCallback(() => {
+    handleBackToTools();
+    if (location.pathname.startsWith("/files")) navigate(EDITOR_BASENAME);
+    actions.setWorkbench(getDefaultWorkbenchForFileCount(activeFiles.length));
+  }, [
+    handleBackToTools,
+    location.pathname,
+    navigate,
+    actions,
+    activeFiles.length,
+  ]);
+
   // Sync the /files* URL into the workbench state so the file manager view
   // takes over the workbench area when the user lands on it. This is the
   // only state-of-truth for the active workbench, so keep the URL pinned.
@@ -194,6 +273,17 @@ export default function HomePage() {
     prevWorkbenchRef.current = curr;
     // fileSidebarCollapsed read as snapshot on transition only.
   }, [navigationState.workbench]);
+  // Imperative, so the toggle still works while reading. Never persisted: not a preference.
+  const prevReaderModeRef = useRef(readerMode);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (readerMode !== prevReaderModeRef.current) {
+      setFileSidebarCollapsed(
+        readerMode ? true : readPersistedSidebarCollapsed(),
+      );
+      prevReaderModeRef.current = readerMode;
+    }
+  }, [readerMode]);
+
   const { setActiveFileIndex } = useViewer();
   const prevFileCountRef = useRef(activeFiles.length);
 
@@ -242,6 +332,38 @@ export default function HomePage() {
 
   const brandAltText = t("home.mobile.brandAlt", "Stirling PDF logo");
 
+  // The tool picker's own helpers, so the wording can't drift.
+  const quickNavToolReasons = useMemo(() => {
+    const reasons: QuickNavToolReasons = {};
+    for (const id of ["automate", "sharedSign"] as const) {
+      const tool = toolRegistry[id];
+      if (!tool) continue;
+      const disabledReason = getToolDisabledReason(
+        id,
+        tool,
+        toolAvailability,
+        config?.premiumEnabled,
+      );
+      if (!disabledReason) continue;
+      const { key, fallback } = getDisabledLabel(disabledReason);
+      reasons[id] = t(key, fallback).replace(/:\s*$/, "");
+    }
+    return reasons;
+  }, [toolRegistry, toolAvailability, config?.premiumEnabled, t]);
+
+  // Shared with the sidebar's own toggle. On /files it leaves rather than collapses.
+  const handleSidebarToggle = useCallback(() => {
+    if (navigationState.workbench === "myFiles") {
+      navigate(EDITOR_BASENAME);
+      return;
+    }
+    setFileSidebarCollapsed((c) => {
+      const next = !c;
+      writePersistedSidebarCollapsed(next);
+      return next;
+    });
+  }, [navigationState.workbench, navigate]);
+
   const [showSwipeHint, setShowSwipeHint] = useState(
     () => !readSwipeHintSeen(),
   );
@@ -395,6 +517,16 @@ export default function HomePage() {
   return (
     <div className="h-screen overflow-hidden">
       <HomePageExtensions />
+      <QuickNavHostBridge
+        portalAccess={Boolean(otherApp)}
+        onOpenSettings={() => setConfigModalOpen(true)}
+        requestNavigation={requestNavigation}
+        readerMode={readerMode}
+        onSetReaderMode={setReaderMode}
+        onGoToDefaultState={goToDefaultState}
+        onSelectTool={handleToolSelect}
+        toolReasons={quickNavToolReasons}
+      />
       <FilesPageProvider>
         {isMobile ? (
           <div
@@ -577,39 +709,30 @@ export default function HomePage() {
             className="flex-nowrap flex"
             bg="var(--c-bg)"
           >
-            <MyFilesAwareFileSidebar
-              ref={quickAccessRef}
-              active={navigationState.workbench === "myFiles"}
-              // /files always shows the rail collapsed - force it here so a
-              // deep-link/reload onto /files (no workbench transition) still
-              // collapses, and a manual expand can't stick.
-              collapsed={
-                navigationState.workbench === "myFiles" || fileSidebarCollapsed
-              }
-              toggleAriaLabel={
-                navigationState.workbench === "myFiles"
-                  ? t("fileSidebar.leaveMyFiles", "Leave My Files")
-                  : undefined
-              }
-              // Back-arrow on /files; burger elsewhere.
-              toggleIcon={
-                navigationState.workbench === "myFiles" ? (
-                  <ArrowBackIcon />
-                ) : undefined
-              }
-              onToggleCollapse={() => {
-                if (navigationState.workbench === "myFiles") {
-                  navigate(EDITOR_BASENAME);
-                  return;
+            <div className="workspace-frame">
+              <MyFilesAwareFileSidebar
+                ref={quickAccessRef}
+                accountHoisted
+                toggleAriaLabel={
+                  navigationState.workbench === "myFiles"
+                    ? t("fileSidebar.leaveMyFiles", "Leave File library")
+                    : undefined
                 }
-                setFileSidebarCollapsed((c) => {
-                  const next = !c;
-                  writePersistedSidebarCollapsed(next);
-                  return next;
-                });
-              }}
-              onOpenSettings={() => setConfigModalOpen(true)}
-            />
+                toggleIcon={
+                  navigationState.workbench === "myFiles" ? (
+                    <ArrowBackIcon />
+                  ) : undefined
+                }
+                active={navigationState.workbench === "myFiles"}
+                // Forced: a deep link to /files has no transition to collapse on.
+                collapsed={
+                  navigationState.workbench === "myFiles" ||
+                  fileSidebarCollapsed
+                }
+                onToggleCollapse={handleSidebarToggle}
+                onOpenSettings={() => setConfigModalOpen(true)}
+              />
+            </div>
             <FolderTreePanel active={navigationState.workbench === "myFiles"} />
             <Workbench />
             {!hideToolPanel && <RightSidebar />}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/routes/hasPortal.ts b/frontend/editor/src/core/routes/hasPortal.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3d7f107ac3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/routes/hasPortal.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+/** Whether this build ships the processor. Shadowed per build. */
+export const HAS_PORTAL = false;
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/tests/live/viewer-sidebar-add-buttons.spec.ts b/frontend/editor/src/core/tests/live/viewer-sidebar-add-buttons.spec.ts
index df3ce94b23..a2e2c9c7e3 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/tests/live/viewer-sidebar-add-buttons.spec.ts
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/tests/live/viewer-sidebar-add-buttons.spec.ts
@@ -60,7 +60,8 @@ function fixture(filename: string): string {
 }
 
 async function openSamplePdfInViewer(page: import("@playwright/test").Page) {
-  await page.goto("/read");
+  // Not /read: reading collapses the workbench bar these sidebars are toggled from.
+  await page.goto("/");
   await page.waitForLoadState("domcontentloaded");
   await page
     .locator('[data-testid="file-input"]')
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/tests/stubbed/viewer-sidebar-add-buttons.spec.ts b/frontend/editor/src/core/tests/stubbed/viewer-sidebar-add-buttons.spec.ts
index 67df3865e1..f0da928122 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/tests/stubbed/viewer-sidebar-add-buttons.spec.ts
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/tests/stubbed/viewer-sidebar-add-buttons.spec.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ const SAMPLE_PDF = path.join(
 );
 
 async function openViewerWithSample(page: import("@playwright/test").Page) {
-  await page.goto("/read");
+  // Not /read: reading collapses the workbench bar these sidebars are toggled from.
+  await page.goto("/");
   await page.waitForLoadState("domcontentloaded");
   await page
     .locator('[data-testid="file-input"]')
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/tests/stubbed/workbench-session-restore.spec.ts b/frontend/editor/src/core/tests/stubbed/workbench-session-restore.spec.ts
index 48765392fe..c1a71ac48c 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/tests/stubbed/workbench-session-restore.spec.ts
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/tests/stubbed/workbench-session-restore.spec.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ async function restoreEnabled(
 }
 
 const NO_RESTORE = "this build ships the workbench restore off";
+const NO_PORTAL = "this build ships no processor to switch to";
 
 // Switching editor -> processor unmounts every editor provider; the session record
 // in sessionStorage is what brings the workbench back on return.
@@ -73,8 +74,13 @@ test.describe("Workbench survives the editor/processor switch", () => {
       page.getByRole("radio", { name: /Active Files/i }),
     ).toBeChecked();
 
-    // Out through the sidebar footer switch - the real user path.
-    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Open PDF Processor" }).click();
+    // Out through the rail's processor mark, the only chrome that offers the switch.
+    const processorMark = page.getByRole("button", { name: /^Processor$/i });
+    test.skip(
+      !(await processorMark.isVisible({ timeout: 5_000 }).catch(() => false)),
+      NO_PORTAL,
+    );
+    await processorMark.click();
     await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/processor/, { timeout: 15000 });
 
     // Split the two halves of the feature: if this fails the writer is at fault,
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/theme/colors.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/theme/colors.css
index 31f9666271..1a74158022 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/theme/colors.css
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/theme/colors.css
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ html[data-app-theme="light"] {
      non-text floor applies. Scheme-independent: a filled badge reads white on
      either ground. */
   --c-success-solid: var(--p-green-700);
-  --c-danger-solid: var(--p-red-600);
+  --c-danger-solid: var(--p-red-700);
   --c-warning-solid: var(--p-amber-700);
   --c-neutral-solid: var(--p-gray-600);
   --c-accent-solid: var(--p-blue-600);
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/theme/dimensions.css b/frontend/editor/src/core/theme/dimensions.css
index 554baddcca..50531641cb 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/theme/dimensions.css
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/theme/dimensions.css
@@ -30,7 +30,12 @@
 
   --radius-nav: 0.625rem;
   --nav-gutter: 0.5rem;
-  --nav-rail-w: 3.5rem;
+  /* Every minimised rail is this wide, so they line up as one column of icons. */
+  --nav-rail-w: 3rem;
+  /* Header row, so the rail's brand and a sidebar's wordmark line up. */
+  --nav-header-h: 3rem;
+  --sidebar-w: 16.25rem;
+  --sidebar-collapsed-w: var(--nav-rail-w);
 
   /* ── Layout sizing ── */
   --footer-height: 2rem;
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/ui/NavSurface.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/core/ui/NavSurface.tsx
index 38947fb91f..37caaa063e 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/ui/NavSurface.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/ui/NavSurface.tsx
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ import { forwardRef, type HTMLAttributes } from "react";
 import "@app/ui/NavSurface.css";
 
 export interface NavSurfaceProps extends HTMLAttributes<HTMLDivElement> {
-  /** Element to render; `section`/`aside` when the box is a landmark. */
-  as?: "div" | "section" | "aside";
+  /** Element to render; `section`/`aside`/`nav` when the box is a landmark. */
+  as?: "div" | "section" | "aside" | "nav";
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/homePageNavigation.ts b/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/homePageNavigation.ts
index 001e026710..7a91bfec65 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/homePageNavigation.ts
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/homePageNavigation.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import type { WorkbenchType } from "@app/types/workbench";
+import { getDefaultWorkbench, type WorkbenchType } from "@app/types/workbench";
 
 export type StartupWorkbench = "viewer" | "fileEditor";
 
@@ -7,6 +7,13 @@ export interface StartupNavigationAction {
   activeFileIndex?: number;
 }
 
+/** Several files means the file editor; one or none the viewer. */
+export function getDefaultWorkbenchForFileCount(
+  fileCount: number,
+): WorkbenchType {
+  return fileCount > 1 ? "fileEditor" : getDefaultWorkbench();
+}
+
 export function getStartupNavigationAction(
   previousFileCount: number,
   currentFileCount: number,
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/pendingReaderMode.ts b/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/pendingReaderMode.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..faacfba6b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/pendingReaderMode.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+let pending = false;
+
+/** Carries "open in reading mode" across an app switch, and deliberately not a reload. */
+export function requestReaderMode(): void {
+  pending = true;
+}
+
+/** True once per request. */
+export function consumeReaderModeRequest(): boolean {
+  if (!pending) return false;
+  pending = false;
+  return true;
+}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/viewTransition.test.ts b/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/viewTransition.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5fb11c8aa2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/viewTransition.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, afterEach } from "vitest";
+import { withViewTransition } from "@app/utils/viewTransition";
+
+// The stub carries only the field the helper reads, hence the cast through unknown.
+type MutableDoc = { startViewTransition?: unknown };
+const doc = document as unknown as MutableDoc;
+
+function stubApi(): ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> {
+  const start = vi.fn((cb: () => void) => {
+    cb();
+    return { finished: Promise.resolve() };
+  });
+  doc.startViewTransition = start;
+  return start;
+}
+
+function stubReducedMotion(reduced: boolean): void {
+  vi.stubGlobal("matchMedia", (query: string) => ({
+    matches: reduced && query.includes("prefers-reduced-motion"),
+    media: query,
+    addEventListener: () => {},
+    removeEventListener: () => {},
+  }));
+}
+
+afterEach(() => {
+  delete doc.startViewTransition;
+  vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+});
+
+describe("withViewTransition", () => {
+  it("runs the update inside a transition when one is possible", async () => {
+    const start = stubApi();
+    stubReducedMotion(false);
+    const update = vi.fn();
+
+    await withViewTransition(update);
+
+    expect(start).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(update).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  it("skips the transition when the user asked for less motion", async () => {
+    // The state change must still happen - only the animation is dropped.
+    const start = stubApi();
+    stubReducedMotion(true);
+    const update = vi.fn();
+
+    await withViewTransition(update);
+
+    expect(start).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(update).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  it("still applies the update where the API is unavailable", async () => {
+    stubReducedMotion(false);
+    const update = vi.fn();
+
+    await withViewTransition(update);
+
+    expect(update).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/viewTransition.ts b/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/viewTransition.ts
index 049c3e7673..85a05ca78d 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/viewTransition.ts
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/core/utils/viewTransition.ts
@@ -4,21 +4,20 @@ type ViewTransitionDoc = Document & {
   startViewTransition?: (cb: () => void) => { finished: Promise<void> };
 };
 
-/**
- * Run a state update inside a View Transition so the browser cross-fades
- * (and morphs any elements sharing a {@code view-transition-name}) between
- * the before/after DOMs.
- *
- * Falls back to a plain synchronous update when the API is unavailable
- * (Firefox <130, JSDOM, motion-reduced preference).
- */
+/** Runs a state update in a View Transition, plainly where that is unavailable. */
 export function withViewTransition(update: () => void): Promise<void> {
   if (typeof document === "undefined") {
     update();
     return Promise.resolve();
   }
+  // Callers don't each check: reduced motion still gets the state change.
+  const reduced =
+    typeof window !== "undefined" &&
+    typeof window.matchMedia === "function" &&
+    window.matchMedia("(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)").matches;
+
   const doc = document as ViewTransitionDoc;
-  if (doc.startViewTransition) {
+  if (doc.startViewTransition && !reduced) {
     return doc.startViewTransition(() => flushSync(update)).finished;
   }
   update();
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/desktop/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/desktop/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx
deleted file mode 100644
index 21896d9a1d..0000000000
--- a/frontend/editor/src/desktop/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,18 +0,0 @@
-import { Logo } from "@app/ui/Logo";
-import { type AppSwitcherProps } from "@core/components/shared/AppSwitcher";
-
-/**
- * Desktop inherits proprietary's layers but does not ship the portal (see
- * desktop/routes/adminRouteExtensions), so there's nothing to switch to —
- * shadow the brand header back to a plain logo. (Also avoids the desktop
- * bundle referencing @portal via the proprietary switcher's imports.)
- */
-export function AppSwitcher({ collapsed }: AppSwitcherProps) {
-  return (
-    <Logo
-      variant={collapsed ? "iconOnly" : "iconAndText"}
-      iconHeight="1.6rem"
-      textHeight="1.3rem"
-    />
-  );
-}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/desktop/routes/hasPortal.ts b/frontend/editor/src/desktop/routes/hasPortal.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0eec40f4c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/desktop/routes/hasPortal.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+/** Desktop inherits proprietary's app but never ships the portal. */
+export const HAS_PORTAL = false;
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/AppShell.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/AppShell.tsx
index fe8f775fd0..ec6c720297 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/AppShell.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/AppShell.tsx
@@ -7,8 +7,11 @@ import { PortalSearchBar } from "@portal/components/PortalSearchBar";
 import { useUI } from "@portal/contexts/UIContext";
 import { MenuIcon, SearchIcon } from "@portal/components/icons";
 import { Logo } from "@app/ui/Logo";
+import "@app/components/layout/WorkspaceFrame.css";
+import { QuickNavHostBridge } from "@app/components/shared/quickNav/QuickNavHostBridge";
 import "@portal/components/AppShell.css";
 import { NotificationBell } from "@app/components/notifications/NotificationBell";
+import { useIsPhone } from "@app/hooks/useIsMobile";
 
 /**
  * Compact header shown only under the mobile breakpoint (CSS-hidden on
@@ -58,8 +61,10 @@ function MobileTopbar() {
  * prop-free.
  */
 export function AppShell({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
-  const { mobileNavOpen, closeMobileNav } = useUI();
+  const { mobileNavOpen, closeMobileNav, openSettings } = useUI();
   const { pathname } = useLocation();
+  // Below this width the rail, and the bell it carries, is gone.
+  const isPhone = useIsPhone();
 
   // Navigating (tap on a nav row, back button, deep link) always dismisses the
   // drawer. Depends on pathname only: the close fn's identity changes with any
@@ -79,7 +84,11 @@ export function AppShell({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
 
   return (
     <div className="portal-shell">
-      <Sidebar />
+      {/* portalAccess: being here is proof the processor is available. */}
+      <QuickNavHostBridge portalAccess onOpenSettings={() => openSettings()} />
+      <div className="workspace-frame">
+        <Sidebar />
+      </div>
       {mobileNavOpen && (
         <div
           className="portal-shell__scrim"
@@ -90,9 +99,12 @@ export function AppShell({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
       <div className="portal-shell__main">
         <MobileTopbar />
         <PortalSearchBar />
-        <div className="portal-shell__notifications">
-          <NotificationBell />
-        </div>
+        {/* Phone only: above that the rail carries it, and this would be a second. */}
+        {isPhone && (
+          <div className="portal-shell__notifications">
+            <NotificationBell />
+          </div>
+        )}
         <main className="portal-shell__view">{children}</main>
       </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/EditorStatusCard.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/EditorStatusCard.tsx
index e4918ed859..774dc4d1be 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/EditorStatusCard.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/EditorStatusCard.tsx
@@ -11,31 +11,9 @@ import {
 import { type EditorInstance } from "@portal/api/editorDeploy";
 import { DownloadEditorModal } from "@portal/components/DownloadEditorModal";
 import "@portal/theme/surface.css";
+import { BrandTile } from "@app/components/shared/BrandTile";
 import "@portal/components/EditorStatusCard.css";
 
-/** The Stirling brand mark, drawn at the hero size. Decorative. */
-function StirlingMark() {
-  return (
-    <svg
-      className="portal-editor-hero__mark"
-      viewBox="0 0 256 256"
-      fill="none"
-      aria-hidden
-    >
-      <rect width="256" height="256" rx="58" fill="var(--c-brand-mark)" />
-      <path
-        d="M39.2638 127.834L155.374 32L155.375 121.499L39.2638 217.333L39.2638 127.834Z"
-        fill="white"
-      />
-      <path
-        d="M159 124.5L159 88.5L216.728 38.4472L216.728 128.052L100.479 224L100.479 172L159 124.5Z"
-        fill="white"
-        fillOpacity="0.6"
-      />
-    </svg>
-  );
-}
-
 /** The instance to headline: the busiest healthy one, else the first. */
 function primaryInstance(instances: EditorInstance[]): EditorInstance | null {
   if (instances.length === 0) return null;
@@ -126,7 +104,7 @@ export function EditorStatusCard({ footer }: EditorStatusCardProps) {
     >
       <div className="portal-editor-hero__row">
         <div className="portal-editor-hero__logo">
-          <StirlingMark />
+          <BrandTile className="portal-editor-hero__mark" />
         </div>
 
         <div className="portal-editor-hero__info">
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/PortalSearchBar.css b/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/PortalSearchBar.css
index 8e253b6136..847991af20 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/PortalSearchBar.css
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/PortalSearchBar.css
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-/* Unpainted strip at the top of the main column. Height matches the sidebar's
-   logo row (.portal-sidebar__logo, 51px) so the search lines up with the brand. */
+/* Unpainted strip at the top of the main column, matching the sidebar header's height. */
 .portal-searchbar {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/Sidebar.css b/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/Sidebar.css
index 48b54b177d..43f8c44695 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/Sidebar.css
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/Sidebar.css
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 .portal-sidebar {
-  width: 15rem;
+  width: var(--sidebar-w);
   height: 100vh;
   height: 100dvh; /* track mobile browser chrome */
-  background: var(--c-bg);
+  /* Matches the editor's sidebar: one solid panel with a rule on the content side. */
+  background: var(--c-surface);
+  border-inline-end: 1px solid var(--c-border-subtle);
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   flex-shrink: 0;
@@ -21,10 +23,6 @@
 
 /* Nav labels stay on one line and are clipped by the narrowing rail so they
    reveal/hide cleanly as the width animates rather than wrapping. */
-.portal-sidebar__nav,
-.portal-sidebar__footer {
-  overflow-x: hidden;
-}
 .portal-sidebar .sui-navitem__label,
 .portal-sidebar__section-label {
   white-space: nowrap;
@@ -34,6 +32,8 @@
 .portal-sidebar__close {
   display: none;
   flex-shrink: 0;
+  /* Trailing edge: on mobile this is the row's only control. */
+  margin-left: auto;
 }
 
 .portal-sidebar__collapse {
@@ -78,23 +78,16 @@
 
 /* ---- Collapsed icon rail (desktop only) ---- */
 .portal-sidebar[data-collapsed] {
-  width: var(--nav-rail-w);
-}
-.portal-sidebar[data-collapsed] .portal-sidebar__logo {
-  flex-direction: column;
-  height: auto;
-  padding: 0.5rem 0;
-  gap: 0.375rem;
-}
-.portal-sidebar[data-collapsed] .portal-sidebar__collapse {
-  margin-left: 0;
+  width: var(--sidebar-collapsed-w);
 }
+/* Flush, like the nav: the selected row runs the full width of the rail. */
 .portal-sidebar[data-collapsed] .portal-sidebar__nav {
-  padding-inline: 0.375rem;
+  padding-inline: 0;
 }
+/* Stretch, not centre: a centred group shrinks to its content, so rows can't fill the rail. */
 .portal-sidebar[data-collapsed] .portal-sidebar__section {
   padding-inline: 0;
-  align-items: center;
+  align-items: stretch;
 }
 .portal-sidebar[data-collapsed] .portal-sidebar__section-label {
   display: none;
@@ -111,23 +104,16 @@
   margin-inline: 0;
   padding-inline: 0;
   width: 100%;
-}
-/* Neutralise the active-item edge-bar geometry (negative margins + overhang)
-   that assumes the full-width rail. */
-.portal-sidebar[data-collapsed] .sui-navitem.is-active {
-  width: 100%;
-  margin-inline: 0;
-  border-left: none;
-  border-radius: 0.5rem;
-  padding-left: 0;
+  /* A square target, so it takes the rail's radius rather than NavItem's pill. */
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
 }
 .portal-sidebar[data-collapsed] .portal-sidebar__footer {
   margin-inline: 0.375rem;
 }
 
-.portal-sidebar__logo {
-  height: 3.1875rem; /* 51px */
-  padding: 0 0.875rem;
+.portal-sidebar__header {
+  height: var(--nav-header-h);
+  padding: 0 var(--nav-gutter);
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   gap: 0.5rem;
@@ -136,35 +122,58 @@
 .portal-sidebar__nav {
   flex: 0 1 auto;
   overflow-y: auto;
-  padding: 0.75rem 0.625rem;
+  overflow-x: clip;
+  /* No inline inset above the rows, so a row is full width and needs no bleed past the clip. */
+  padding: var(--nav-gutter) 0;
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
+  gap: var(--nav-gutter);
 }
 
 .portal-sidebar .sui-navitem {
-  margin-inline: 0.25rem;
-  padding-inline: 0.625rem;
+  margin-inline: 0;
+  padding-inline: 1.75rem;
 }
 
-.portal-sidebar .sui-navitem.is-active {
-  width: calc(100% + 0.75rem);
-  margin-inline: -0.375rem;
+/* The selected view, marked as the rail marks the current app: a knocked-out solid block. */
+.portal-sidebar .sui-navitem.is-active,
+.portal-sidebar .sui-navitem.is-active:hover {
+  background: var(--c-text);
+  color: var(--c-surface);
   border-radius: 0;
-  border-left: 3px solid var(--c-primary);
-  padding-left: calc(1.25rem - 3px);
+}
+
+/* On a dark ground full ink is white, so mix the block back toward the surface. */
+[data-theme="dark"] .portal-sidebar .sui-navitem.is-active,
+[data-theme="dark"] .portal-sidebar .sui-navitem.is-active:hover,
+html[data-app-theme="midnight"] .portal-sidebar .sui-navitem.is-active,
+html[data-app-theme="midnight"] .portal-sidebar .sui-navitem.is-active:hover,
+[data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"] .portal-sidebar .sui-navitem.is-active,
+[data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"]
+  .portal-sidebar
+  .sui-navitem.is-active:hover {
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--c-text) 80%, var(--c-surface));
+  color: var(--c-surface);
 }
 
 .portal-sidebar__section {
-  padding: 0.5rem 0.375rem 0.375rem;
+  padding: 0.5rem 0 0.375rem;
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   gap: 0.375rem;
 }
 
+/* Flattened here; two classes deep to beat .sui-nav-surface regardless of load order. */
+.portal-sidebar .sui-nav-surface {
+  background: transparent;
+  border: 0;
+  border-radius: 0;
+}
+
 .portal-sidebar__section-label {
   margin: 0;
-  padding: 0 0.5rem;
+  /* Its own 0.5rem, plus the inset the nav and section no longer add. */
+  padding: 0 1.375rem;
   font-size: 0.8125rem;
   font-weight: 600;
   letter-spacing: 0.02em;
@@ -181,4 +190,18 @@
    only positions it. */
 .portal-sidebar__footer {
   margin: 0 0.625rem 0.75rem;
+  overflow-x: hidden;
+}
+
+/* Fills the frame, not the viewport: a 100vh sticky column would overhang it. */
+.workspace-frame .portal-sidebar {
+  height: 100%;
+  position: static;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 48rem) {
+  .workspace-frame .portal-sidebar {
+    position: fixed;
+    height: auto;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/Sidebar.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/Sidebar.tsx
index 685fa32722..2895ad4ec4 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/portal/components/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -1,20 +1,16 @@
 import { useMediaQuery } from "@mantine/hooks";
 import { Tooltip } from "@mantine/core";
 import { ActionIcon, NavItem, NavSurface } from "@app/ui";
-import { BrandSwitcher } from "@app/components/shared/BrandSwitcher";
+import { SidebarToggleButton } from "@app/components/shared/SidebarToggleButton";
+import { Logo } from "@app/ui/Logo";
 import { NavFooter } from "@app/components/shared/navFooter/NavFooter";
 import { useAccountIdentity } from "@app/hooks/useAccountIdentity";
 import { useFreeCreditsSummary } from "@portal/hooks/useFreeCreditsSummary";
 import { useOpenPlan } from "@portal/hooks/useOpenPlan";
-import { SidebarToggleIcon } from "@app/components/shared/SidebarToggleIcon";
 import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
-import { useNavigate } from "react-router-dom";
 import { useView, type ViewId } from "@portal/contexts/ViewContext";
 import { useUI } from "@portal/contexts/UIContext";
 import { LinkAccountFooterItem } from "@portal/components/LinkAccountFooterItem";
-import { EDITOR_URL, EDITOR_IS_SAME_APP } from "@portal/auth/editorUrl";
-import { EDITOR_BASENAME } from "@app/routes/editorBasename";
-import { takeEditorReturnPath } from "@app/services/workbenchSession";
 import { CloseIcon } from "@portal/components/icons";
 import {
   GROUP_PROCESSOR,
@@ -30,19 +26,17 @@ const NAV_SECTIONS: NavGroup[] = [
 ];
 
 /** Must match the shell breakpoint in AppShell.css / Sidebar.css. */
-const MOBILE_QUERY = "(max-width: 48rem)";
+export const MOBILE_QUERY = "(max-width: 48rem)";
 
 export function Sidebar() {
   const { activeView, setActiveView } = useView();
   const {
-    openSettings,
     mobileNavOpen,
     closeMobileNav,
     sidebarCollapsed,
     toggleSidebarCollapsed,
   } = useUI();
   const { t } = useTranslation();
-  const navigate = useNavigate();
   const isMobile = useMediaQuery(MOBILE_QUERY, false, {
     getInitialValueInEffect: false,
   });
@@ -54,14 +48,6 @@ export function Sidebar() {
   // off-canvas drawer, so the icon-rail state never applies there.
   const collapsed = sidebarCollapsed && !isMobile;
 
-  // Editor and portal are one SPA when the editor serves this origin's root, so
-  // the switch stays client-side; an absolute EDITOR_URL (dev cross-app setup)
-  // needs a full page load.
-  const goToEditor = () => {
-    if (EDITOR_IS_SAME_APP) navigate(takeEditorReturnPath() ?? EDITOR_BASENAME);
-    else window.location.href = EDITOR_URL;
-  };
-
   // Procurement is no longer a nav tab — it lives on Home as the deal-status hero and expands into
   // a takeover modal (matching the marketing prototype).
 
@@ -107,25 +93,13 @@ export function Sidebar() {
       // Off-canvas on mobile: remove from the tab order and accessibility tree.
       inert={isMobile && !mobileNavOpen}
     >
-      <div className="portal-sidebar__logo">
-        <BrandSwitcher
-          current="processor"
-          onSwitch={goToEditor}
-          collapsed={collapsed}
-        />
+      <div className="portal-sidebar__header">
+        {!collapsed && <Logo variant="textOnly" textHeight="1.3rem" />}
 
-        <ActionIcon
-          variant="tertiary"
-          className="portal-sidebar__collapse"
-          aria-label={
-            collapsed
-              ? t("fileSidebar.expand", "Expand sidebar")
-              : t("fileSidebar.collapse", "Collapse sidebar")
-          }
-          onClick={toggleSidebarCollapsed}
-        >
-          <SidebarToggleIcon size={18} />
-        </ActionIcon>
+        <SidebarToggleButton
+          collapsed={collapsed}
+          onToggle={toggleSidebarCollapsed}
+        />
 
         <ActionIcon
           variant="tertiary"
@@ -158,10 +132,9 @@ export function Sidebar() {
         className="portal-sidebar__footer"
         displayName={displayName}
         profilePictureUrl={profilePictureUrl}
-        onOpenSettings={openSettings}
+        showAccount={false}
         credits={credits}
         onOpenPlan={openPlan ?? undefined}
-        otherApp={{ app: "editor", onOpen: goToEditor }}
         accountExtras={<LinkAccountFooterItem />}
         collapsed={collapsed}
       />
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/App.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/App.tsx
index c64935bb16..ca040d4bbe 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/App.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ const MobileScannerPage = lazy(() => import("@app/pages/MobileScannerPage"));
 const MobileSignPage = lazy(() => import("@app/pages/MobileSignPage"));
 import { WATCHED_FOLDERS_ENABLED } from "@app/constants/featureFlags";
 import { getAdminRouteExtensions } from "@app/routes/adminRouteExtensions";
+import { AppFrame } from "@app/components/layout/AppFrame";
+import { NoAppChrome } from "@app/components/layout/NoAppChrome";
 import { RootGate } from "@app/routes/RootGate";
 
 // Import global styles
@@ -80,40 +82,52 @@ export default function App() {
           }
         />
 
-        {/* Admin-only route-set (the portal): its own top-level shell, mounted
-            before the catch-all. Absent from core/desktop builds (empty stub). */}
-        {getAdminRouteExtensions()}
+        {/* Both apps, under a shared frame so the rail renders once outside them. */}
+        <Route element={<AppFrame />}>
+          {/* The portal: its own shell, before the catch-all. An empty stub in core. */}
+          {getAdminRouteExtensions()}
 
-        {/* All other routes need AppProviders for backend integration.
-            RootGate makes "/" route by role BEFORE any of it mounts, so a user
-            bound for the processor never boots the editor on the way. */}
-        <Route
-          path="*"
-          element={
-            <RootGate>
-              <AppProviders>
-                <AppLayout>
-                  <Routes>
-                    <Route path="/login" element={<Login />} />
-                    {/* Self-hosted has no signup - accounts are created by an
-                        admin. Old links land on login instead. */}
-                    <Route
-                      path="/signup"
-                      element={<Navigate to="/login" replace />}
-                    />
-                    <Route path="/auth/callback" element={<AuthCallback />} />
-                    <Route path="/invite/:token" element={<InviteAccept />} />
-                    <Route path="/share/:token" element={<ShareLinkPage />} />
-                    {/* The editor and its tool routes - Landing handles auth logic */}
-                    <Route path="/*" element={<Landing />} />
-                  </Routes>
-                  <Onboarding />
-                  {WATCHED_FOLDERS_ENABLED && <WatchedFoldersRegistration />}
-                </AppLayout>
-              </AppProviders>
-            </RootGate>
-          }
-        />
+          {/* All other routes need AppProviders for backend integration. RootGate
+              routes "/" by role before any of it mounts. */}
+          <Route
+            path="*"
+            element={
+              <RootGate>
+                <AppProviders>
+                  <AppLayout>
+                    <Routes>
+                      {/* Not the app: no rail over any of these, ever. */}
+                      <Route element={<NoAppChrome />}>
+                        <Route path="/login" element={<Login />} />
+                        {/* Self-hosted has no signup: old links land on login. */}
+                        <Route
+                          path="/signup"
+                          element={<Navigate to="/login" replace />}
+                        />
+                        <Route
+                          path="/auth/callback"
+                          element={<AuthCallback />}
+                        />
+                        <Route
+                          path="/invite/:token"
+                          element={<InviteAccept />}
+                        />
+                        <Route
+                          path="/share/:token"
+                          element={<ShareLinkPage />}
+                        />
+                      </Route>
+                      {/* The editor and its tool routes - Landing handles auth logic */}
+                      <Route path="/*" element={<Landing />} />
+                    </Routes>
+                    <Onboarding />
+                    {WATCHED_FOLDERS_ENABLED && <WatchedFoldersRegistration />}
+                  </AppLayout>
+                </AppProviders>
+              </RootGate>
+            }
+          />
+        </Route>
       </Routes>
     </Suspense>
   );
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx
deleted file mode 100644
index 9ba0b6438d..0000000000
--- a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/components/shared/AppSwitcher.tsx
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,35 +0,0 @@
-import { Logo } from "@app/ui/Logo";
-import { BrandSwitcher } from "@app/components/shared/BrandSwitcher";
-import { type AppSwitcherProps } from "@core/components/shared/AppSwitcher";
-import { useOtherAppSwitch } from "@app/hooks/useOtherAppSwitch";
-
-/**
- * Sidebar brand header for builds that ship the processor. When this user can
- * open it, the Stirling logo doubles as the editor⇄processor switcher: the mark
- * morphs into a chevron and opens the switch menu (the same BrandSwitcher the
- * processor sidebar uses). Users without access get a plain logo.
- *
- * The access gate lives in {@link useOtherAppSwitch} so this header and the
- * sidebar footer's "Open PDF Processor" row are driven by one answer.
- */
-export function AppSwitcher({ collapsed }: AppSwitcherProps) {
-  const otherApp = useOtherAppSwitch();
-
-  if (!otherApp) {
-    return (
-      <Logo
-        variant={collapsed ? "iconOnly" : "iconAndText"}
-        iconHeight="1.6rem"
-        textHeight="1.3rem"
-      />
-    );
-  }
-
-  return (
-    <BrandSwitcher
-      current="editor"
-      onSwitch={otherApp.onOpen}
-      collapsed={collapsed}
-    />
-  );
-}
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/data/processorEntitySearch.ts b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/data/processorEntitySearch.ts
index 544babf59f..58b32b64d3 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/data/processorEntitySearch.ts
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/data/processorEntitySearch.ts
@@ -6,15 +6,10 @@ import type {
   PortalEntityItems,
   PortalEntityScopeId,
 } from "@portal/search/entitySearch";
+import { HAS_PORTAL } from "@app/routes/hasPortal";
 
 type EntitySearchModule = typeof import("@portal/search/entitySearch");
 
-// Mirrors the admin-route seam's gate: the portal route-set is only mounted in
-// dev and in builds made with VITE_INCLUDE_PORTAL=true, so the search must not
-// fetch or offer entities that have nowhere to open.
-const includePortal =
-  import.meta.env.VITE_INCLUDE_PORTAL === "true" || import.meta.env.DEV;
-
 const NO_GROUPS: SuperSearchGroup[] = [];
 const NO_SCOPES: readonly PortalEntityScopeId[] = [];
 
@@ -41,7 +36,8 @@ export function useProcessorEntityGroups(
 ): SuperSearchGroup[] {
   const [mod, setMod] = useState<EntitySearchModule | null>(null);
   const modRef = useRef<EntitySearchModule | null>(null);
-  const active = enabled && includePortal;
+  // Without the portal these entities have nowhere to open, so don't fetch them.
+  const active = enabled && HAS_PORTAL;
   const hasQuery = trimmed.length > 0;
 
   useEffect(() => {
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/data/processorSearchIndex.ts b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/data/processorSearchIndex.ts
index ae48893e25..8d99b2f77a 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/data/processorSearchIndex.ts
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/data/processorSearchIndex.ts
@@ -3,15 +3,10 @@ import { PORTAL_BASENAME } from "@app/routes/portalBasename";
 // the lazy portal chunk into the main bundle the way @portal/* values would.
 import { usersCapabilities } from "@app/portal/usersCapabilities";
 import type { ProcessorSearchEntry } from "@core/data/processorSearchIndex";
+import { HAS_PORTAL } from "@app/routes/hasPortal";
 
 export type { ProcessorSearchEntry };
 
-// Mirrors the admin-route seam's gate: the portal route-set is only mounted in
-// dev and in builds made with VITE_INCLUDE_PORTAL=true, so the search must not
-// offer destinations that would 404 elsewhere.
-const includePortal =
-  import.meta.env.VITE_INCLUDE_PORTAL === "true" || import.meta.env.DEV;
-
 /**
  * The portal's in-app views. Deliberately a static mirror of the portal's nav
  * (labels via the same portal.nav.* keys its sidebar uses) rather than an
@@ -91,7 +86,8 @@ const VIEWS: ProcessorSearchEntry[] = [
   },
 ];
 
-export const PROCESSOR_SEARCH_INDEX: ProcessorSearchEntry[] = includePortal
+// Empty without the portal: these destinations would 404.
+export const PROCESSOR_SEARCH_INDEX: ProcessorSearchEntry[] = HAS_PORTAL
   ? VIEWS
   : [];
 
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/routes/Landing.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/routes/Landing.tsx
index 62c9083aad..7406078d30 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/routes/Landing.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/routes/Landing.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { useEffect } from "react";
 import { Navigate, useLocation, useNavigate } from "react-router-dom";
 import { useAuth } from "@app/auth/UseSession";
 import { useAppConfig } from "@app/contexts/AppConfigContext";
+import { useSuppressQuickNavRail } from "@app/contexts/QuickNavHostContext";
 import HomePage from "@app/pages/HomePage";
 import { useBackendProbe } from "@app/hooks/useBackendProbe";
 import { EDITOR_BASENAME } from "@app/routes/editorBasename";
@@ -27,6 +28,9 @@ export default function Landing() {
 
   const loading = authLoading || configLoading || backendProbe.loading;
 
+  // The backend-down screen is not the app. Loading is: it resolves in a moment.
+  useSuppressQuickNavRail(!session && backendProbe.status !== "up");
+
   // Debug: Track Landing component lifecycle
   useEffect(() => {
     const mountId = Math.random().toString(36).substring(7);
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/routes/adminRouteExtensions.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/routes/adminRouteExtensions.tsx
index 22ce46f03c..a422376086 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/routes/adminRouteExtensions.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/routes/adminRouteExtensions.tsx
@@ -2,11 +2,9 @@ import { lazy } from "react";
 import type { ReactElement } from "react";
 import { Route } from "react-router-dom";
 import { PORTAL_BASENAME } from "@app/routes/portalBasename";
+import { HAS_PORTAL } from "@app/routes/hasPortal";
 
-const includePortal =
-  import.meta.env.VITE_INCLUDE_PORTAL === "true" || import.meta.env.DEV;
-
-const PortalApp = includePortal
+const PortalApp = HAS_PORTAL
   ? lazy(async () => {
       const m = await import("@portal/PortalApp");
       return { default: m.PortalApp };
@@ -16,7 +14,7 @@ const PortalApp = includePortal
 /**
  * Return leg of the account-link handshake, which Stirling redirects to with the admin's session in the URL fragment.
  */
-const ConnectCallback = includePortal
+const ConnectCallback = HAS_PORTAL
   ? lazy(async () => {
       const m = await import("@portal/views/ConnectCallback");
       return { default: m.default };
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/routes/hasPortal.ts b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/routes/hasPortal.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e3c54bc50e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/proprietary/routes/hasPortal.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+/** Dev always ships it, so the switch is there to work on. */
+export const HAS_PORTAL =
+  import.meta.env.VITE_INCLUDE_PORTAL === "true" || import.meta.env.DEV;
diff --git a/frontend/editor/src/saas/App.tsx b/frontend/editor/src/saas/App.tsx
index 2e091ebf05..07a563ea5f 100644
--- a/frontend/editor/src/saas/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/editor/src/saas/App.tsx
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ import OAuthConsent from "@app/routes/OAuthConsent";
 import ConnectApprove from "@app/routes/ConnectApprove";
 import ShareLinkPage from "@app/routes/ShareLinkPage";
 import { getAdminRouteExtensions } from "@app/routes/adminRouteExtensions";
+import { AppFrame } from "@app/components/layout/AppFrame";
+import { NoAppChrome } from "@app/components/layout/NoAppChrome";
 import OnboardingBootstrap from "@app/components/OnboardingBootstrap";
 import SignupRequiredBootstrap from "@app/components/SignupRequiredBootstrap";
 import UsageLimitModalHost from "@app/components/UsageLimitModalHost";
@@ -96,46 +98,63 @@ export default function App() {
           }
         />
 
-        {/* Admin-only route-set (the portal): its own top-level shell, mounted
-            before the catch-all. */}
-        {getAdminRouteExtensions()}
+        {/* Both apps, under a shared frame so the rail renders once outside them. */}
+        <Route element={<AppFrame />}>
+          {/* The portal: its own top-level shell, before the catch-all. */}
+          {getAdminRouteExtensions()}
 
-        {/* Everything else needs the auth/backend providers. RootGate makes "/"
-            route by role BEFORE any of it mounts, so a user bound for the
-            processor never boots the editor on the way. */}
-        <Route
-          path="*"
-          element={
-            <RootGate>
-              <AppProviders
-                appConfigProviderProps={{ onConfigLoaded: handleConfigLoaded }}
-              >
-                <AppLayout>
-                  <NonAuthBootstraps />
-                  <ResumePendingConnect />
-                  <Routes>
-                    <Route path="/login" element={<Login />} />
-                    <Route path="/signup" element={<Signup />} />
-                    <Route path="/auth/callback" element={<AuthCallback />} />
-                    <Route path="/auth/reset" element={<ResetPassword />} />
-                    <Route path="/oauth/consent" element={<OAuthConsent />} />
-                    {/* Human half of the self-hosted account-link handshake. It
-                        lives on this origin because a customer hostname can
-                        never be in the provider's redirect allow-list. */}
-                    <Route path="/link" element={<ConnectApprove />} />
-                    {/* Shared-file links. Team invites are NOT routed here: on
-                        SaaS they are accepted in-app via the Supabase team
-                        invitation banner, not the Spring password-based
-                        /invite/:token page used by the self-hosted build. */}
-                    <Route path="/share/:token" element={<ShareLinkPage />} />
-                    <Route path="/*" element={<Landing />} />
-                  </Routes>
-                  <OnboardingTour />
-                </AppLayout>
-              </AppProviders>
-            </RootGate>
-          }
-        />
+          {/* Everything else needs the auth/backend providers. RootGate routes "/"
+            by role before any of it mounts. */}
+          <Route
+            path="*"
+            element={
+              <RootGate>
+                <AppProviders
+                  appConfigProviderProps={{
+                    onConfigLoaded: handleConfigLoaded,
+                  }}
+                >
+                  <AppLayout>
+                    <NonAuthBootstraps />
+                    <ResumePendingConnect />
+                    <Routes>
+                      {/* Not the app: no rail over any of these, ever. */}
+                      <Route element={<NoAppChrome />}>
+                        <Route path="/login" element={<Login />} />
+                        <Route path="/signup" element={<Signup />} />
+                        <Route
+                          path="/auth/callback"
+                          element={<AuthCallback />}
+                        />
+                        <Route path="/auth/reset" element={<ResetPassword />} />
+                        <Route
+                          path="/oauth/consent"
+                          element={<OAuthConsent />}
+                        />
+                        {/* Human half of the self-hosted account-link handshake.
+                          It lives on this origin because a customer hostname can
+                          never be in the provider's redirect allow-list. Grouped
+                          with the pages above: it is an approval step, not the
+                          app. */}
+                        <Route path="/link" element={<ConnectApprove />} />
+                        {/* Shared-file links. Team invites are NOT routed here:
+                          on SaaS they are accepted in-app via the Supabase team
+                          invitation banner, not the Spring password-based
+                          /invite/:token page used by the self-hosted build. */}
+                        <Route
+                          path="/share/:token"
+                          element={<ShareLinkPage />}
+                        />
+                      </Route>
+                      <Route path="/*" element={<Landing />} />
+                    </Routes>
+                    <OnboardingTour />
+                  </AppLayout>
+                </AppProviders>
+              </RootGate>
+            }
+          />
+        </Route>
       </Routes>
     </Suspense>
   );