feat(maestro): open the bar from the sidebar search field

There is no ctrl-k on a phone and the web UI is mobile-first, so the field
the operator already reaches for becomes the touch entry point: focusing or
tapping it dispatches OPEN_COMMAND_BAR_EVENT and the shell opens the bar with
an empty query. The field is readonly and blurs itself first, so no keyboard
rises over it and the bar can be closed without reopening it.

This replaces the inline substring filter — one search affordance in the
header, not two. buildTree loses its filter argument, and the tree's "No
matches" empty state goes with it; the bar's own no-results state took over.
The filter's name-and-directory matching is now covered against the bar.

The bar's phone-width sheet moves to the spawn modal's 599px break, with
thumb-sized rows and a field that clears the zoom-on-focus threshold.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

crates/maestro-tui/src/action.rs

@@ -56,6 +56,14 @@ pub enum Action {
     /// Open the `ctrl-k` command bar (`docs/COMMAND-BAR.md`) — a query line
     /// over the sessions, ranked by the shared matcher.
     OpenCommandBar,
+    /// Escape hatch (#156): leader then `ctrl-k` sends the literal `0x0B`
+    /// byte to the focused pane instead of opening the command bar, giving
+    /// readline's kill-to-end-of-line back.
+    SendLiteralCtrlK,
+    /// Escape hatch (#158): the leader pressed twice sends one literal
+    /// leader byte to the focused pane and drops the pending chord, the way
+    /// tmux resolves a doubled prefix key.
+    SendLiteralLeader,
     ToggleSidebar,
     ShowHelp,
     Quit,
@@ -98,6 +106,8 @@ impl Action {
             Action::KillHighlighted => "Kill selected session".into(),
             Action::RenameHighlighted => "Rename selected session".into(),
             Action::OpenCommandBar => "Go to a session".into(),
+            Action::SendLiteralCtrlK => "Send literal Ctrl-K to session".into(),
+            Action::SendLiteralLeader => "Send literal leader key to session".into(),
             Action::ToggleSidebar => "Show or hide sidebar".into(),
             Action::ShowHelp => "Show help".into(),
             Action::Quit => "Quit Maestro".into(),
@@ -125,6 +135,8 @@ impl Action {
             "KillHighlighted" => return Ok(Action::KillHighlighted),
             "RenameHighlighted" => return Ok(Action::RenameHighlighted),
             "OpenCommandBar" => return Ok(Action::OpenCommandBar),
+            "SendLiteralCtrlK" => return Ok(Action::SendLiteralCtrlK),
+            "SendLiteralLeader" => return Ok(Action::SendLiteralLeader),
             "ToggleSidebar" => return Ok(Action::ToggleSidebar),
             "ShowHelp" => return Ok(Action::ShowHelp),
             "Quit" => return Ok(Action::Quit),
@@ -256,11 +268,26 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(Action::OpenCommandBar.help_label(), "Go to a session");
     }
 
+    /// The escape hatch (#156) is an ordinary action like any other.
+    #[test]
+    fn send_literal_ctrl_k_round_trips() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            Action::parse("SendLiteralCtrlK").unwrap(),
+            Action::SendLiteralCtrlK
+        );
+        assert_eq!(Action::SendLiteralCtrlK.to_string(), "SendLiteralCtrlK");
+        assert_eq!(
+            Action::SendLiteralCtrlK.help_label(),
+            "Send literal Ctrl-K to session"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn display_round_trips() {
         for a in [
             Action::EnterInsert,
             Action::OpenCommandBar,
+            Action::SendLiteralCtrlK,
             Action::RenameHighlighted,
             Action::Quit,
             Action::OpenSpawnModal,

crates/maestro-tui/src/app.rs

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ use uuid::Uuid;
 
 use crate::action::Action;
 use crate::catalog::CatalogStore;
-use crate::command_bar::{BarOutcome, BarTarget, CommandBar};
+use crate::command_bar::{BarOutcome, BarTarget, CommandBar, SessionActionId};
 use crate::config::TuiConfig;
 use crate::daemon_link::DaemonLink;
 use crate::draft::{DraftInputResult, DraftPane};
@@ -168,6 +168,14 @@ pub enum Effect {
     /// Fast-forward spawn (#67): resolve every default from the daemon and
     /// spawn with no form; unresolvable defaults open a pre-filled form.
     FastForward,
+    /// The same fast path pinned to one directory — the command bar's `~`
+    /// (#154). Nothing may override the directory the operator named.
+    FastForwardIn(PathBuf),
+    /// Fetch the command bar's `~` candidates: recent dirs and the project
+    /// list. `bar` guards a load landing in a bar that was reopened since.
+    LoadBarDirectories {
+        bar: u64,
+    },
     /// The form's target changed: probe `/api/gitroot` so the worktree
     /// section knows its base repo (#65). `seq` guards stale answers.
     ProbeGitRoot {
@@ -298,6 +306,7 @@ impl App {
                     return Ok(true);
                 }
             }
+            self.chord.take_replay();
             return Ok(false);
         }
 
@@ -317,32 +326,46 @@ impl App {
             return Ok(false);
         }
 
-        let known = self.cfg.keymap.known_bindings(self.state.mode);
-        match self.chord.feed(&key, &known) {
-            ChordResult::Pending => Ok(false),
-            ChordResult::Resolved(canon) => {
-                let act = self.cfg.keymap.resolve(self.state.mode, &canon);
-                if matches!(act, Some(Action::Quit)) {
-                    return Ok(true);
+        // A key bumped out of an abandoned chord (#156) is replayed as its
+        // own keystroke, against the mode dispatch may have just changed.
+        let mut current_key = key;
+        let mut result = self.chord.feed(
+            &current_key,
+            &self.cfg.keymap.known_bindings(self.state.mode),
+        );
+        loop {
+            let canon = match result {
+                ChordResult::Pending => return Ok(false),
+                ChordResult::Resolved(canon) => canon,
+            };
+            let act = self.cfg.keymap.resolve(self.state.mode, &canon);
+            if matches!(act, Some(Action::Quit)) {
+                return Ok(true);
+            }
+            let pty_owns_keys =
+                self.state.mode == Mode::Insert && matches!(self.state.focus, Focus::Pane);
+            match act {
+                // `Noop` suppresses a binding, and a key with no binding in
+                // Insert mode is the session's — so a key bound to `Noop`
+                // reaches the pty too. That is the escape hatch for taking
+                // a default binding back.
+                Some(Action::Noop) | None if pty_owns_keys => {
+                    let effects = self.forward_to_session(&current_key).into_iter().collect();
+                    self.perform(effects).await;
                 }
-                let pty_owns_keys =
-                    self.state.mode == Mode::Insert && matches!(self.state.focus, Focus::Pane);
-                match act {
-                    // `Noop` suppresses a binding, and a key with no binding in
-                    // Insert mode is the session's — so a key bound to `Noop`
-                    // reaches the pty too. That is the escape hatch for taking
-                    // a default binding back.
-                    Some(Action::Noop) | None if pty_owns_keys => {
-                        let effects = self.forward_to_session(&key).into_iter().collect();
-                        self.perform(effects).await;
-                    }
-                    Some(act) => {
-                        let effects = self.dispatch(act);
-                        self.perform(effects).await;
-                    }
-                    None => {}
+                Some(act) => {
+                    let effects = self.dispatch(act);
+                    self.perform(effects).await;
                 }
-                Ok(false)
+                None => {}
+            }
+            match self.chord.take_replay() {
+                Some(replay_key) => {
+                    let known = self.cfg.keymap.known_bindings(self.state.mode);
+                    result = self.chord.feed(&replay_key, &known);
+                    current_key = replay_key;
+                }
+                None => return Ok(false),
             }
         }
     }
@@ -386,6 +409,8 @@ impl App {
                 Effect::Kill(id) => self.submit_kill(id).await,
                 Effect::LoadDraft => self.spawn_load_draft(),
                 Effect::FastForward => self.spawn_fast_forward(),
+                Effect::FastForwardIn(dir) => self.spawn_fast_forward_in(dir),
+                Effect::LoadBarDirectories { bar } => self.spawn_load_bar_directories(bar),
                 Effect::ProbeGitRoot { seq, path } => self.spawn_probe_git_root(seq, path),
                 Effect::LoadBranches => self.spawn_load_branches(),
                 Effect::Rename { id, name } => self.submit_rename(id, &name).await,
@@ -459,6 +484,35 @@ impl App {
                             self.dispatch(Action::AttachHighlighted),
                         )
                     }
+                    // The bar picks the action and hands off; it never
+                    // reimplements one.
+                    BarOutcome::Open(BarTarget::Command(action)) => {
+                        self.close_command_bar();
+                        (OverlayDecision::Consumed, self.dispatch(action))
+                    }
+                    BarOutcome::Open(BarTarget::Directory(dir)) => {
+                        self.close_command_bar();
+                        (OverlayDecision::Consumed, vec![Effect::FastForwardIn(dir)])
+                    }
+                    // The action page raises the flow this client already has
+                    // — for kill that is `KillConfirm`, which the TUI puts in
+                    // front of every kill (#160). The bar names the target;
+                    // it never reimplements the flow.
+                    BarOutcome::Open(BarTarget::SessionAction { session, action }) => {
+                        self.close_command_bar();
+                        let effects = match action {
+                            SessionActionId::Kill => {
+                                self.confirm_kill(session);
+                                Vec::new()
+                            }
+                            SessionActionId::Rename => {
+                                self.prompt_rename(session);
+                                Vec::new()
+                            }
+                            SessionActionId::SpawnSimilar => self.open_spawn_similar(session),
+                        };
+                        (OverlayDecision::Consumed, effects)
+                    }
                 }
             }
             Some(OverlayKind::Help) => {
@@ -506,7 +560,17 @@ impl App {
                 };
                 self.state.show_overlay(OverlayKind::Help);
             }
-            Action::OpenCommandBar => self.open_command_bar(),
+            Action::OpenCommandBar => effects.extend(self.open_command_bar()),
+            // Escape hatch (#156): the literal byte, not the bar.
+            Action::SendLiteralCtrlK => {
+                effects.extend(self.forward_to_session(&InputKey::ctrl_char('k')));
+            }
+            // Escape hatch (#158): the leader's own byte, built from the
+            // configured leader rather than a hardcoded key.
+            Action::SendLiteralLeader => {
+                let leader = self.cfg.leader.clone();
+                effects.extend(self.forward_to_session(&leader));
+            }
             Action::OpenSpawnModal => {
                 self.open_spawn_modal();
                 effects.push(Effect::LoadDraft);
@@ -535,24 +599,12 @@ impl App {
             }
             Action::KillHighlighted => {
                 if let Some(sid) = self.pick_sidebar_target() {
-                    self.state.show_overlay(OverlayKind::KillConfirm(sid));
+                    self.confirm_kill(sid);
                 }
             }
             Action::RenameHighlighted => {
                 if let Some(sid) = self.pick_sidebar_target() {
-                    // Pre-fill with the custom name only: a session that has
-                    // none starts empty rather than with its command already
-                    // typed in, which Enter would then pin as the name.
-                    self.rename_input = TextInput::with_value(
-                        self.catalog
-                            .snapshot()
-                            .sessions
-                            .iter()
-                            .find(|s| s.id == sid)
-                            .and_then(crate::sidebar::custom_name_for)
-                            .unwrap_or_default(),
-                    );
-                    self.state.show_overlay(OverlayKind::Rename(sid));
+                    self.prompt_rename(sid);
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -628,12 +680,21 @@ impl App {
     /// while a session is previewed discards the preview first, like any
     /// other real change (`docs/PREVIEW.md`); focus and mode are left alone,
     /// so closing gives the keyboard back to whatever held it.
-    fn open_command_bar(&mut self) {
+    fn open_command_bar(&mut self) -> Vec<Effect> {
         let snapshot = self.catalog.snapshot();
-        self.command_bar = Some(CommandBar::new(&snapshot.sessions, &self.home_dir));
+        // The keymap for the mode the bar was opened from, which is the one
+        // the operator would be typing into behind it. Same source the help
+        // overlay reads, so the two can never disagree.
+        let keymap = self.cfg.keymap.entries(self.state.mode);
+        let bar = CommandBar::new(&snapshot.sessions, &keymap, &self.home_dir);
+        let id = bar.id();
+        self.command_bar = Some(bar);
         self.pending_preview = None;
         self.clear_preview();
         self.state.show_overlay(OverlayKind::CommandBar);
+        // `~`'s candidates are a network round trip; the bar opens without
+        // them and fills in when they land.
+        vec![Effect::LoadBarDirectories { bar: id }]
     }
 
     /// Take the bar down, dropping its query. Every exit goes through here so
@@ -829,6 +890,30 @@ impl App {
         Some(None)
     }
 
+    /// Raise the kill confirmation for one session (`docs/WORKTREES.md`).
+    /// Shared by the keymap's own kill and the command bar's action page
+    /// (#155), which picks the action and hands off rather than reimplementing
+    /// it; the blockers the dialog names are read at render time.
+    fn confirm_kill(&mut self, sid: Uuid) {
+        self.state.show_overlay(OverlayKind::KillConfirm(sid));
+    }
+
+    /// Raise the rename prompt for one session, pre-filled with its custom
+    /// name only: a session that has none starts empty rather than with its
+    /// command already typed in, which Enter would then pin as the name.
+    fn prompt_rename(&mut self, sid: Uuid) {
+        self.rename_input = TextInput::with_value(
+            self.catalog
+                .snapshot()
+                .sessions
+                .iter()
+                .find(|s| s.id == sid)
+                .and_then(crate::sidebar::custom_name_for)
+                .unwrap_or_default(),
+        );
+        self.state.show_overlay(OverlayKind::Rename(sid));
+    }
+
     /// Put the spawn form up with a fresh draft behind it, preselecting the
     /// project of the session the operator was last on — so `n` then Enter
     /// spawns another session there, the way "spawn similar" would. A
@@ -842,6 +927,30 @@ impl App {
         self.state.open_spawn_modal();
     }
 
+    /// "Spawn similar" (#155): the spawn form seeded from one session's
+    /// directory and command, rather than from whatever the operator was last
+    /// looking at. Same base-repository rule as the plain seed, and the name
+    /// is left out on purpose — a clone is a new session and takes its own
+    /// generated handle, like `web/src/spawnSimilar.ts`.
+    fn open_spawn_similar(&mut self, sid: Uuid) -> Vec<Effect> {
+        let session = self
+            .catalog
+            .snapshot()
+            .sessions
+            .iter()
+            .find(|s| s.id == sid)
+            .cloned();
+        self.open_spawn_modal();
+        if let (Some(session), Some(draft)) = (session, self.draft.as_mut()) {
+            draft.seed_cwd = Some(match &session.worktree {
+                Some(wt) => wt.base_repo.clone(),
+                None => session.cwd.clone(),
+            });
+            draft.seed_command = (!session.command.is_empty()).then(|| session.command.clone());
+        }
+        vec![Effect::LoadDraft]
+    }
+
     /// The project of the session the operator was last on — its base
     /// repository for a worktree session, its cwd otherwise. Shared by the
     /// plain spawn modal seed and fast-forward's project pick (#67 review):
@@ -990,18 +1099,27 @@ impl App {
             projects,
             names,
             focused_cwd,
+            pinned,
         } = update
         {
-            self.fast_forward_spawn(info, projects, names, focused_cwd)
+            self.fast_forward_spawn(info, projects, names, focused_cwd, pinned)
                 .await;
             return;
         }
+        // Addressed to the bar, not to a form: a load that outlived its bar is
+        // dropped rather than filling in the next one.
+        if let DraftUpdate::BarDirectories { bar, paths } = update {
+            if let Some(open) = self.command_bar.as_mut().filter(|b| b.id() == bar) {
+                open.set_directories(&paths);
+            }
+            return;
+        }
         let want = match &update {
             DraftUpdate::Data { draft, .. }
             | DraftUpdate::GitRoot { draft, .. }
             | DraftUpdate::Branches { draft, .. } => *draft,
-            // Handled above; it targets no particular draft.
-            DraftUpdate::FastForward { .. } => unreachable!(),
+            // Handled above; they target no particular draft.
+            DraftUpdate::FastForward { .. } | DraftUpdate::BarDirectories { .. } => unreachable!(),
         };
         // Match by identity: dismissing the form and opening another while a
         // load is in flight must not let the old answer land in the new form.
@@ -1036,7 +1154,9 @@ impl App {
             DraftUpdate::Branches { cwd, branches, .. } => {
                 draft.set_branches(&cwd, branches);
             }
-            DraftUpdate::FastForward { .. } => unreachable!(),
+            DraftUpdate::FastForward { .. } | DraftUpdate::BarDirectories { .. } => {
+                unreachable!()
+            }
         }
         if follow_up_branches {
             self.spawn_load_branches();
@@ -1064,16 +1184,52 @@ impl App {
                 projects: projects.ok(),
                 names,
                 focused_cwd,
+                pinned: None,
             });
         });
     }
 
+    /// The same fast path, pinned to the directory the command bar's `~` row
+    /// named (#154). Off the loop for the same reason as [`Self::
+    /// spawn_fast_forward`]: a cold `/api/projects` walks all of `$HOME`.
+    fn spawn_fast_forward_in(&self, dir: PathBuf) {
+        let (daemon, http, base, tx) = self.loader_handles();
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            let (info, projects) = tokio::join!(daemon.daemon_info(), daemon.list_projects());
+            let names = fetch_names(&http, &base, crate::draft::NAME_BATCH_SIZE).await;
+            let _ = tx.send(DraftUpdate::FastForward {
+                info: info.ok(),
+                projects: projects.ok(),
+                names,
+                focused_cwd: None,
+                pinned: Some(dir),
+            });
+        });
+    }
+
+    /// Fetch `~`'s candidates: the spawn form's own two sources, recent dirs
+    /// (newest first) ahead of the project list. Either failing is a shorter
+    /// list, not an error state.
+    fn spawn_load_bar_directories(&self, bar: u64) {
+        let daemon = self.daemon.clone();
+        let tx = self.draft_tx.clone();
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            let (recents, projects) = tokio::join!(daemon.recent_dirs(), daemon.list_projects());
+            let mut paths: Vec<PathBuf> = recents
+                .map(|r| r.dirs.into_iter().map(|d| d.cwd).collect())
+                .unwrap_or_default();
+            paths.extend(projects.unwrap_or_default().into_iter().map(|p| p.path));
+            let _ = tx.send(DraftUpdate::BarDirectories { bar, paths });
+        });
+    }
+
     async fn fast_forward_spawn(
         &mut self,
         info: Option<maestro_protocol::DaemonInfo>,
         projects: Option<Vec<maestro_protocol::Project>>,
         names: Vec<String>,
         focused_cwd: Option<PathBuf>,
+        pinned: Option<PathBuf>,
     ) {
         // Keep the home dir: without it the pre-filled draft renders
         // unabbreviated paths and "Other directory…" seeds `/` instead of
@@ -1087,13 +1243,21 @@ impl App {
             _ => Vec::new(),
         };
         let discovered = projects.unwrap_or_default();
-        let resolved = crate::fast_forward::resolve(
-            &discovered,
-            &presets,
-            names.first().cloned(),
-            Utc::now(),
-            focused_cwd.as_deref(),
-        );
+        // A pinned directory is the operator's own pick, so it takes no
+        // fallback: a directory outside the project scan resolves no project,
+        // which is an unresolvable default and opens the form seeded with it.
+        let resolved = match pinned.as_deref() {
+            Some(dir) => {
+                crate::fast_forward::resolve_at(dir, &discovered, &presets, names.first().cloned())
+            }
+            None => crate::fast_forward::resolve(
+                &discovered,
+                &presets,
+                names.first().cloned(),
+                Utc::now(),
+                focused_cwd.as_deref(),
+            ),
+        };
         if let Some(req) = resolved.build_request() {
             self.submit_spawn(req).await;
             return;
@@ -1105,8 +1269,10 @@ impl App {
         };
         draft.home_dir = home_dir;
         // The fast path resolved its own project; its pick wins over the
-        // focused session's, so the seed never lands on top of it.
-        draft.seed_cwd = None;
+        // focused session's, so the seed never lands on top of it. A pinned
+        // directory is the exception: it is the seed, whether or not the scan
+        // knew it as a project.
+        draft.seed_cwd = pinned;
         if !presets.is_empty() {
             draft.set_presets(presets);
         }
@@ -1463,7 +1629,12 @@ enum DraftUpdate {
         projects: Option<Vec<maestro_protocol::Project>>,
         names: Vec<String>,
         focused_cwd: Option<PathBuf>,
+        /// The command bar pinned the spawn to this directory (#154): nothing
+        /// — not the focused session, not the recency ranking — may move it.
+        pinned: Option<PathBuf>,
     },
+    /// The command bar's `~` candidates arrived (#154).
+    BarDirectories { bar: u64, paths: Vec<PathBuf> },
 }
 
 /// `GET /api/names?count=N`. Free function: the spawned loaders have no `self`.
@@ -2222,6 +2393,102 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(req["worktree"]["create_branch"], json!(true));
     }
 
+    /// The command bar's `~` pins the spawn: the directory the operator named
+    /// wins over the recency ranking that plain fast-forward would follow.
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn a_pinned_directory_spawns_there_not_in_the_freshest_project() {
+        use axum::routing::{get, post};
+        use axum::Json;
+        use serde_json::json;
+        use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
+
+        async fn info() -> Json<serde_json::Value> {
+            Json(json!({
+                "hostname": "box", "version": "0.1.0", "home_dir": "/home/u",
+                "presets": [{"id": "claude", "label": "Claude", "command": "claude"}]
+            }))
+        }
+        async fn projects() -> Json<serde_json::Value> {
+            Json(json!([
+                {"path": "/repos/fresh", "name": "fresh", "base_repo": "/repos/fresh",
+                 "last_activity": chrono::Utc::now().to_rfc3339(), "last_command": "aider"},
+                {"path": "/repos/pinned", "name": "pinned", "base_repo": "/repos/pinned",
+                 "last_activity": (chrono::Utc::now() - chrono::TimeDelta::days(3)).to_rfc3339(),
+                 "last_command": "zsh"}
+            ]))
+        }
+        async fn names() -> Json<serde_json::Value> {
+            Json(json!({"names": ["crimson-otter"]}))
+        }
+        let posted: Arc<Mutex<Vec<serde_json::Value>>> = Arc::default();
+        let seen = posted.clone();
+        async fn spawn_session(
+            axum::extract::State(seen): axum::extract::State<Arc<Mutex<Vec<serde_json::Value>>>>,
+            Json(body): Json<serde_json::Value>,
+        ) -> Json<serde_json::Value> {
+            seen.lock().unwrap().push(body);
+            Json(json!({
+                "id": uuid::Uuid::from_u128(78).to_string(),
+                "cwd": "/repos/pinned", "command": "zsh",
+                "status": "Running", "created_at": chrono::Utc::now().to_rfc3339()
+            }))
+        }
+
+        let app_router = axum::Router::new()
+            .route(maestro_protocol::routes::INFO, get(info))
+            .route(maestro_protocol::routes::PROJECTS, get(projects))
+            .route(maestro_protocol::routes::NAMES, get(names))
+            .route(
+                maestro_protocol::routes::SESSIONS,
+                post(spawn_session).with_state(seen),
+            );
+        let listener = tokio::net::TcpListener::bind("127.0.0.1:0").await.unwrap();
+        let base = format!("http://{}", listener.local_addr().unwrap());
+        tokio::spawn(async move { axum::serve(listener, app_router).await.unwrap() });
+
+        let mut app = make_app_at(&base);
+        app.perform(vec![Effect::FastForwardIn(PathBuf::from("/repos/pinned"))])
+            .await;
+        let update = tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(5), app.draft_rx.recv())
+            .await
+            .expect("load completed")
+            .expect("channel open");
+        app.apply_draft_update(update).await;
+
+        let posts = posted.lock().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(posts.len(), 1, "one immediate POST, no form shown");
+        assert_eq!(posts[0]["cwd"], json!("/repos/pinned"));
+        assert_eq!(posts[0]["command"], json!("zsh"));
+    }
+
+    /// A directory the project scan does not know resolves no project, which
+    /// is an unresolvable default: the form opens seeded with it rather than
+    /// the spawn silently landing somewhere else.
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn a_pinned_directory_outside_the_scan_opens_the_prefilled_form() {
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        app.fast_forward_spawn(
+            None,
+            Some(vec![maestro_protocol::Project {
+                path: PathBuf::from("/repos/fresh"),
+                name: "fresh".into(),
+                is_worktree: false,
+                base_repo: None,
+                last_activity: Some(Utc::now()),
+                last_command: Some("aider".into()),
+            }]),
+            vec!["crimson-otter".into()],
+            None,
+            Some(PathBuf::from("/elsewhere")),
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert_eq!(app.state.overlay(), Some(&OverlayKind::Spawn));
+        let draft = app.draft.as_ref().expect("form is up");
+        // The seed is dropped by the picker when no project matches it, so
+        // the operator picks by hand — but nothing spawned in `/repos/fresh`.
+        assert_ne!(draft.picked_cwd, Some(PathBuf::from("/repos/fresh")));
+    }
+
     /// `sync_focus` reports every path that moves `Focus::Pane`: attaching,
     /// switching which session the pane shows, and leaving the pane back to
     /// the sidebar. A sidebar highlight alone must report nothing.
@@ -2670,6 +2937,55 @@ mod tests {
         CtEvent::Key(crossterm::event::KeyEvent::new(code, mods))
     }
 
+    fn ctrl_key_event(c: char) -> CtEvent {
+        key_event(
+            crossterm::event::KeyCode::Char(c),
+            crossterm::event::KeyModifiers::CONTROL,
+        )
+    }
+
+    /// Drive a sequence of key events through an app in Insert mode with a
+    /// session attached, and report the app afterwards plus every chunk of
+    /// bytes that reached that session, in order.
+    async fn drive_insert_sequence(
+        section: &TuiSection,
+        events: &[CtEvent],
+    ) -> (App, Vec<Vec<u8>>) {
+        use crate::session_task::{SessionHandle, SessionState};
+        use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, AtomicU8};
+        use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
+        use tokio::sync::mpsc;
+
+        let sid = Uuid::from_u128(41);
+        let mut app = App::new(
+            TuiConfig::load(section).unwrap(),
+            CatalogStore::default(),
+            DaemonClient::new("http://127.0.0.1:7070"),
+            DaemonLink::default(),
+        );
+        let (tx, mut rx) = mpsc::channel(8);
+        app.emulators.insert(
+            sid,
+            SessionHandle {
+                tx,
+                screen: Arc::new(Mutex::new(vt100::Parser::new(24, 80, 0))),
+                state: Arc::new(AtomicU8::new(SessionState::Live as u8)),
+                revision: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0)),
+            },
+        );
+        app.state.attach_to_focused(sid);
+        app.state.mode = Mode::Insert;
+        app.state.focus = Focus::Pane;
+        for ev in events {
+            app.handle_event(ev.clone()).await.unwrap();
+        }
+        let mut sent = Vec::new();
+        while let Ok(SessionInput::Bytes(bytes)) = rx.try_recv() {
+            sent.push(bytes);
+        }
+        (app, sent)
+    }
+
     /// Escape belongs to the session: full-screen apps (vim, Claude Code) read
     /// it constantly, so no Insert-mode default may swallow it. The leader is
     /// the way back to the sidebar.
@@ -2688,19 +3004,120 @@ mod tests {
 
     /// `Noop` suppresses a binding, and in Insert mode a key with no binding is
     /// the session's — so binding a key to `Noop` hands it to the pty.
+    ///
+    /// Uses `ctrl-x`, not the leader: the leader is also a chord prefix
+    /// (#156), so a single fed keystroke on it resolves as `Pending`, not
+    /// `Resolved` — a different mechanism, covered separately below.
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn a_noop_insert_binding_forwards_the_key_to_the_session() {
         let mut section = TuiSection::default();
-        section.keymap_insert.insert("ctrl-a".into(), "Noop".into());
+        section.keymap_insert.insert("ctrl-x".into(), "Noop".into());
         let sent = bytes_sent_for(
             &section,
             key_event(
-                crossterm::event::KeyCode::Char('a'),
+                crossterm::event::KeyCode::Char('x'),
                 crossterm::event::KeyModifiers::CONTROL,
             ),
         )
         .await;
-        assert_eq!(sent, Some(vec![0x01]));
+        assert_eq!(sent, Some(vec![0x18]));
+    }
+
+    /// Leader then `ctrl-k` sends the literal byte and never opens the bar
+    /// (#156) — the default leader, `ctrl-a`.
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn leader_then_ctrl_k_sends_the_literal_byte_and_does_not_open_the_bar() {
+        let (app, sent) = drive_insert_sequence(
+            &TuiSection::default(),
+            &[ctrl_key_event('a'), ctrl_key_event('k')],
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert_eq!(sent, vec![vec![0x0b]]);
+        assert_eq!(app.state.overlay(), None);
+        assert_eq!(app.state.mode, Mode::Insert, "still in Insert, not left");
+    }
+
+    /// The escape hatch is built from the configured leader, not a hardcoded
+    /// `ctrl-a` — rebinding `[tui].leader` rebinds it too (#156).
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn a_rebound_leader_still_reaches_the_literal_ctrl_k_escape() {
+        let section = TuiSection {
+            leader: Some("ctrl-b".into()),
+            ..Default::default()
+        };
+        let (app, sent) =
+            drive_insert_sequence(&section, &[ctrl_key_event('b'), ctrl_key_event('k')]).await;
+        assert_eq!(sent, vec![vec![0x0b]]);
+        assert_eq!(app.state.overlay(), None);
+    }
+
+    /// Leader alone, followed by an ordinary key, still leaves Insert mode —
+    /// the escape hatch chord doesn't cost the leader its existing meaning
+    /// (#156).
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn leader_alone_still_leaves_insert_when_followed_by_another_key() {
+        let (app, sent) = drive_insert_sequence(
+            &TuiSection::default(),
+            &[
+                ctrl_key_event('a'),
+                key_event(
+                    crossterm::event::KeyCode::Char('j'),
+                    crossterm::event::KeyModifiers::NONE,
+                ),
+            ],
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert!(
+            sent.is_empty(),
+            "no bytes for the leader chord itself: {sent:?}"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(app.state.mode, Mode::Normal, "leader still leaves Insert");
+    }
+
+    /// Leader pressed twice sends one literal leader byte, tmux-style, and
+    /// clears the pending chord rather than leaving Insert (#158) — the
+    /// default leader, `ctrl-a`.
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn leader_twice_sends_the_literal_leader_byte_and_stays_in_insert() {
+        let (app, sent) = drive_insert_sequence(
+            &TuiSection::default(),
+            &[ctrl_key_event('a'), ctrl_key_event('a')],
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert_eq!(sent, vec![vec![0x01]]);
+        assert_eq!(app.state.mode, Mode::Insert, "still in Insert, not left");
+    }
+
+    /// The escape hatch is built from the configured leader, not a hardcoded
+    /// `ctrl-a` — rebinding `[tui].leader` rebinds it too (#158).
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn a_rebound_leader_still_reaches_the_literal_leader_escape() {
+        let section = TuiSection {
+            leader: Some("ctrl-b".into()),
+            ..Default::default()
+        };
+        let (app, sent) =
+            drive_insert_sequence(&section, &[ctrl_key_event('b'), ctrl_key_event('b')]).await;
+        assert_eq!(sent, vec![vec![0x02]]);
+        assert_eq!(app.state.mode, Mode::Insert);
+    }
+
+    /// After the literal-leader escape fires, the chord is gone — a further
+    /// leader press starts a fresh chord rather than resolving as a
+    /// three-deep sequence (#158).
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn leader_twice_then_ctrl_k_is_a_fresh_chord() {
+        let (_app, sent) = drive_insert_sequence(
+            &TuiSection::default(),
+            &[
+                ctrl_key_event('a'),
+                ctrl_key_event('a'),
+                ctrl_key_event('a'),
+                ctrl_key_event('k'),
+            ],
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert_eq!(sent, vec![vec![0x01], vec![0x0b]]);
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -2850,12 +3267,115 @@ mod tests {
                 .iter()
                 .map(|r| match r.target {
                     BarTarget::Session(id) => id,
+                    ref other => panic!("expected a session row, got {other:?}"),
                 })
                 .collect::<Vec<_>>(),
             vec![bravo, alpha]
         );
     }
 
+    /// `~`'s candidates are a network round trip, so opening asks for them
+    /// rather than blocking the keystroke on one.
+    #[test]
+    fn opening_the_bar_asks_for_its_directories() {
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        let effects = app.dispatch(Action::OpenCommandBar);
+        let bar = app.command_bar.as_ref().unwrap().id();
+        assert_eq!(effects, vec![Effect::LoadBarDirectories { bar }]);
+    }
+
+    fn type_into_bar(app: &mut App, text: &str) {
+        for c in text.chars() {
+            app.handle_overlay_input(&InputKey::Char {
+                c,
+                ctrl: false,
+                alt: false,
+                shift: false,
+            });
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// `>` lists the live keymap for the current mode, matched on the label
+    /// alone, and Enter hands the action to the ordinary dispatcher.
+    #[test]
+    fn enter_on_a_command_row_dispatches_the_action() {
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        app.dispatch(Action::OpenCommandBar);
+        type_into_bar(&mut app, ">defaults");
+        let row = app.command_bar.as_ref().unwrap().selected().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(row.name, "Create session with defaults");
+        assert_eq!(
+            row.target,
+            BarTarget::Command(Action::FastForwardSpawn),
+            "chords: {:?}",
+            row.chords
+        );
+
+        let (decision, effects) = app.handle_overlay_input(&InputKey::Enter);
+        assert_eq!(decision, OverlayDecision::Consumed);
+        assert_eq!(effects, vec![Effect::FastForward]);
+        assert!(app.state.overlay().is_none());
+        assert!(app.command_bar.is_none());
+    }
+
+    /// The row shows the chord bound to it, and both chords when the map binds
+    /// two — but the chord is never what matched.
+    #[test]
+    fn a_command_row_carries_its_chords() {
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        app.dispatch(Action::OpenCommandBar);
+        type_into_bar(&mut app, ">open selected");
+        let row = app.command_bar.as_ref().unwrap().selected().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(row.name, "Open selected item");
+        assert!(
+            row.chords.iter().any(|c| c == "enter"),
+            "chords: {:?}",
+            row.chords
+        );
+        assert!(
+            row.chords.len() > 1,
+            "the default map binds more than one chord to it: {:?}",
+            row.chords
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn enter_on_a_directory_row_fast_forward_spawns_there() {
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        app.dispatch(Action::OpenCommandBar);
+        app.command_bar
+            .as_mut()
+            .unwrap()
+            .set_directories(&[PathBuf::from("/repos/api")]);
+        type_into_bar(&mut app, "~api");
+        let (decision, effects) = app.handle_overlay_input(&InputKey::Enter);
+        assert_eq!(decision, OverlayDecision::Consumed);
+        assert_eq!(
+            effects,
+            vec![Effect::FastForwardIn(PathBuf::from("/repos/api"))]
+        );
+        assert!(app.state.overlay().is_none());
+    }
+
+    /// A load that outlived its bar fills in nothing: the reopened bar has its
+    /// own identity.
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn a_stale_directory_load_is_dropped() {
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        app.dispatch(Action::OpenCommandBar);
+        let stale = app.command_bar.as_ref().unwrap().id();
+        app.handle_overlay_input(&InputKey::Esc);
+        app.dispatch(Action::OpenCommandBar);
+
+        app.apply_draft_update(DraftUpdate::BarDirectories {
+            bar: stale,
+            paths: vec![PathBuf::from("/repos/api")],
+        })
+        .await;
+        type_into_bar(&mut app, "~");
+        assert!(app.command_bar.as_ref().unwrap().rows().is_empty());
+    }
+
     /// Opening from Insert mode leaves the keyboard where it was, so closing
     /// gives it back — the bar is a view over the app, not a place in it.
     #[test]
@@ -3089,4 +3609,79 @@ mod tests {
             }]
         );
     }
+
+    // ---- the session action page (#155) ----
+
+    /// Drill into the second row's session, then pick an action by name.
+    fn drill_and_pick(app: &mut App, action: &str) -> (OverlayDecision, Vec<Effect>) {
+        app.dispatch(Action::OpenCommandBar);
+        app.handle_overlay_input(&InputKey::Down);
+        app.handle_overlay_input(&InputKey::Tab);
+        type_into_bar(app, action);
+        app.handle_overlay_input(&InputKey::Enter)
+    }
+
+    /// The bar picks the action and hands off: kill goes through the confirm
+    /// this client puts in front of every kill, not straight to the daemon.
+    #[test]
+    fn the_action_page_raises_the_existing_kill_confirm() {
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        let (alpha, _bravo) = seed_two_sessions(&mut app);
+        let (decision, effects) = drill_and_pick(&mut app, "kill");
+        assert_eq!(decision, OverlayDecision::Consumed);
+        assert!(effects.is_empty(), "the confirm is the whole effect");
+        assert_eq!(app.state.overlay(), Some(&OverlayKind::KillConfirm(alpha)));
+        assert!(app.command_bar.is_none());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn the_action_page_raises_the_existing_rename_prompt_prefilled() {
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        let (alpha, _bravo) = seed_two_sessions(&mut app);
+        let (decision, effects) = drill_and_pick(&mut app, "rename");
+        assert_eq!(decision, OverlayDecision::Consumed);
+        assert!(effects.is_empty());
+        assert_eq!(app.state.overlay(), Some(&OverlayKind::Rename(alpha)));
+        assert_eq!(app.rename_input.value(), "alpha");
+        assert!(app.command_bar.is_none());
+    }
+
+    /// Spawn similar opens the spawn form seeded from that session's directory
+    /// and command — not from whatever the operator was last looking at.
+    #[test]
+    fn the_action_page_raises_the_spawn_form_seeded_from_the_session() {
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        seed_two_sessions(&mut app);
+        let (decision, effects) = drill_and_pick(&mut app, "spawn");
+        assert_eq!(decision, OverlayDecision::Consumed);
+        assert_eq!(effects, vec![Effect::LoadDraft]);
+        assert_eq!(app.state.overlay(), Some(&OverlayKind::Spawn));
+        let draft = app.draft.as_ref().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(draft.seed_cwd, Some(std::path::PathBuf::from("/")));
+        assert_eq!(draft.seed_command.as_deref(), Some("bash"));
+        assert!(app.command_bar.is_none());
+    }
+
+    /// Backing out is free: the result-list query survives the round trip.
+    #[test]
+    fn escape_on_the_action_page_returns_to_the_result_list() {
+        let mut app = make_app();
+        seed_two_sessions(&mut app);
+        app.dispatch(Action::OpenCommandBar);
+        type_into_bar(&mut app, "alp");
+        app.handle_overlay_input(&InputKey::Tab);
+        assert!(app.command_bar.as_ref().unwrap().on_action_page());
+
+        let (decision, _) = app.handle_overlay_input(&InputKey::Esc);
+        assert_eq!(decision, OverlayDecision::Consumed);
+        let bar = app.command_bar.as_ref().expect("escape backs out, not out");
+        assert!(!bar.on_action_page());
+        assert_eq!(bar.query(), "alp");
+        assert_eq!(app.state.overlay(), Some(&OverlayKind::CommandBar));
+
+        // A second escape is the way out again.
+        app.handle_overlay_input(&InputKey::Esc);
+        assert!(app.command_bar.is_none());
+        assert!(app.state.overlay().is_none());
+    }
 }

crates/maestro-tui/src/config.rs

@@ -146,6 +146,25 @@ impl TuiConfig {
         keymap
             .set(Mode::Insert, &leader.canonical(), "LeaveInsert")
             .expect("leader canonical form is valid by construction");
+        // Leader, ctrl-k → the literal-Ctrl-K escape hatch (#156), built from
+        // the same leader spec so rebinding leader rebinds this chord too.
+        keymap
+            .set(
+                Mode::Insert,
+                &format!("{} ctrl-k", leader.canonical()),
+                "SendLiteralCtrlK",
+            )
+            .expect("leader canonical form is valid by construction");
+        // Leader, leader → the literal-leader escape hatch (#158), tmux-style:
+        // pressing it twice sends the leader byte itself. Built from the same
+        // leader spec, so rebinding leader rebinds this chord too.
+        keymap
+            .set(
+                Mode::Insert,
+                &format!("{} {}", leader.canonical(), leader.canonical()),
+                "SendLiteralLeader",
+            )
+            .expect("leader canonical form is valid by construction");
 
         for (input, action) in &section.keymap_normal {
             keymap.set(Mode::Normal, input, action).map_err(|source| {
@@ -278,6 +297,60 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(cfg.keymap.resolve(Mode::Insert, "ctrl-a"), None);
     }
 
+    /// The literal-Ctrl-K escape hatch (#156) is chorded off the default
+    /// leader, `ctrl-a ctrl-k` — not the command bar.
+    #[test]
+    fn default_leader_escapes_a_literal_ctrl_k() {
+        let cfg = TuiConfig::load(&TuiSection::default()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            cfg.keymap.resolve(Mode::Insert, "ctrl-a ctrl-k"),
+            Some(Action::SendLiteralCtrlK),
+        );
+    }
+
+    /// Rebinding the leader must rebind the literal-Ctrl-K chord with it, not
+    /// just the Insert escape — proving the chord is built from the
+    /// configured leader rather than a hardcoded `ctrl-a`.
+    #[test]
+    fn rebinding_leader_moves_the_literal_ctrl_k_chord() {
+        let mut section = TuiSection::default();
+        section.leader = Some("ctrl-b".into());
+        let cfg = TuiConfig::load(&section).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            cfg.keymap.resolve(Mode::Insert, "ctrl-b ctrl-k"),
+            Some(Action::SendLiteralCtrlK),
+        );
+        // The old leader's chord is gone along with its Insert escape.
+        assert_eq!(cfg.keymap.resolve(Mode::Insert, "ctrl-a ctrl-k"), None);
+    }
+
+    /// The literal-leader escape hatch (#158) is chorded off the leader
+    /// doubled: `ctrl-a ctrl-a` — tmux's doubled-prefix resolution.
+    #[test]
+    fn default_leader_escapes_a_literal_leader() {
+        let cfg = TuiConfig::load(&TuiSection::default()).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            cfg.keymap.resolve(Mode::Insert, "ctrl-a ctrl-a"),
+            Some(Action::SendLiteralLeader),
+        );
+    }
+
+    /// Rebinding the leader must rebind the literal-leader chord with it,
+    /// not just the Insert escape and the Ctrl-K chord — proving it too is
+    /// built from the configured leader rather than a hardcoded `ctrl-a`.
+    #[test]
+    fn rebinding_leader_moves_the_literal_leader_chord() {
+        let mut section = TuiSection::default();
+        section.leader = Some("ctrl-b".into());
+        let cfg = TuiConfig::load(&section).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            cfg.keymap.resolve(Mode::Insert, "ctrl-b ctrl-b"),
+            Some(Action::SendLiteralLeader),
+        );
+        // The old leader's chord is gone along with the rest of its bindings.
+        assert_eq!(cfg.keymap.resolve(Mode::Insert, "ctrl-a ctrl-a"), None);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn user_normal_override_replaces_default() {
         let mut section = TuiSection::default();

crates/maestro-tui/src/draft.rs

@@ -228,6 +228,10 @@ pub struct DraftPane {
     /// respawns there without touching the picker. Consumed by the first
     /// [`Self::set_projects`]; `None` once applied or when nothing seeded it.
     pub seed_cwd: Option<PathBuf>,
+    /// Command to preselect once the preset list lands — "spawn similar"'s
+    /// half of the clone (#155). Consumed by the first [`Self::set_presets`];
+    /// `None` once applied or when nothing seeded it.
+    pub seed_command: Option<String>,
     /// The repository picked in step one ([`group_key`] of its main box),
     /// `None` until a box is picked. Looked up fresh in `groups` rather than
     /// cached, so a project-list refresh can't leave it stale.
@@ -291,6 +295,7 @@ impl Default for DraftPane {
             id: NEXT_DRAFT_ID.fetch_add(1, std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed),
             presets,
             selected_preset: 0,
+            seed_command: None,
             custom_command: crate::text_input::TextInput::default(),
             groups: Vec::new(),
             filter: crate::text_input::TextInput::default(),
@@ -342,6 +347,27 @@ impl DraftPane {
             .iter()
             .position(|p| !p.command.is_empty())
             .unwrap_or(0);
+        self.apply_seed_command();
+    }
+
+    /// Land a seeded command on the tile that runs it: its own preset when the
+    /// daemon offers one, otherwise the custom escape hatch with the command
+    /// typed in.
+    fn apply_seed_command(&mut self) {
+        let Some(command) = self.seed_command.take() else {
+            return;
+        };
+        match self.presets.iter().position(|p| p.command == command) {
+            Some(index) => self.selected_preset = index,
+            None => {
+                self.selected_preset = self
+                    .presets
+                    .iter()
+                    .position(|p| p.command.is_empty())
+                    .unwrap_or(self.selected_preset);
+                self.custom_command = crate::text_input::TextInput::with_value(command);
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     /// Replace the project snapshot: sort fresh-first (#54), group by
@@ -1688,6 +1714,48 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(draft.presets.last().unwrap().id, "custom");
     }
 
+    /// "Spawn similar" (#155) seeds the cloned session's command: it lands on
+    /// the tile that runs it when the daemon offers one.
+    #[test]
+    fn a_seeded_command_selects_its_own_preset() {
+        let mut draft = DraftPane {
+            seed_command: Some("aider".into()),
+            ..DraftPane::default()
+        };
+        draft.set_presets(vec![
+            SpawnPreset {
+                id: "claude".into(),
+                label: "Claude".into(),
+                command: "claude".into(),
+            },
+            SpawnPreset {
+                id: "aider".into(),
+                label: "Aider".into(),
+                command: "aider".into(),
+            },
+        ]);
+        assert_eq!(draft.command(), "aider");
+        assert!(!draft.is_custom());
+        assert_eq!(draft.seed_command, None, "consumed by the first load");
+    }
+
+    /// A command no preset runs falls back to the custom tile with the command
+    /// typed in, so the clone still spawns what it cloned.
+    #[test]
+    fn a_seeded_command_with_no_preset_fills_the_custom_tile() {
+        let mut draft = DraftPane {
+            seed_command: Some("bash -l".into()),
+            ..DraftPane::default()
+        };
+        draft.set_presets(vec![SpawnPreset {
+            id: "claude".into(),
+            label: "Claude".into(),
+            command: "claude".into(),
+        }]);
+        assert!(draft.is_custom());
+        assert_eq!(draft.command(), "bash -l");
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn left_right_cycles_presets_wrapping_into_custom() {
         let mut draft = DraftPane {

crates/maestro-tui/src/fast_forward.rs

@@ -49,6 +49,33 @@ pub fn resolve(
                 .into_iter()
                 .next()
         });
+    defaults(project, presets, handle)
+}
+
+/// Resolve the defaults for a spawn pinned to one directory — the command
+/// bar's `~` (#154), where the operator named the directory and nothing may
+/// override it. Unlike [`resolve`] there is no recency fallback: a directory
+/// the project scan does not know leaves `project` `None`, which is an
+/// unresolvable default, so the keystroke opens the pre-filled form instead of
+/// spawning somewhere else.
+pub fn resolve_at(
+    dir: &std::path::Path,
+    projects: &[Project],
+    presets: &[SpawnPreset],
+    handle: Option<String>,
+) -> FastForwardDefaults {
+    let project = projects.iter().find(|p| p.path == dir).cloned();
+    defaults(project, presets, handle)
+}
+
+/// The project's last command, or the first non-custom preset, wrapped up with
+/// the rest of the defaults. Shared by both resolvers so the two entry points
+/// can never settle on different commands.
+fn defaults(
+    project: Option<Project>,
+    presets: &[SpawnPreset],
+    handle: Option<String>,
+) -> FastForwardDefaults {
     let command = project
         .as_ref()
         .and_then(|p| p.last_command.clone())
@@ -159,6 +186,46 @@ mod tests {
         }
     }
 
+    /// The command bar's `~` names the directory; nothing may override it.
+    #[test]
+    fn resolve_at_pins_the_directory_over_the_recency_ranking() {
+        let projects = vec![
+            project("/repos/fresh", 0, Some("aider")),
+            project("/repos/pinned", 30, Some("zsh")),
+        ];
+        let resolved = resolve_at(
+            std::path::Path::new("/repos/pinned"),
+            &projects,
+            &[preset("claude", "claude")],
+            Some("otter".into()),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            resolved.project.as_ref().map(|p| p.path.clone()),
+            Some(PathBuf::from("/repos/pinned"))
+        );
+        assert_eq!(resolved.command.as_deref(), Some("zsh"));
+        let req = resolved.build_request().expect("every default resolved");
+        assert_eq!(req.cwd, PathBuf::from("/repos/pinned"));
+    }
+
+    /// A directory the scan does not know resolves no project, so there is no
+    /// request to build — the caller opens the pre-filled form instead of
+    /// spawning somewhere else.
+    #[test]
+    fn resolve_at_takes_no_fallback_for_an_unknown_directory() {
+        let projects = vec![project("/repos/fresh", 0, Some("aider"))];
+        let resolved = resolve_at(
+            std::path::Path::new("/elsewhere"),
+            &projects,
+            &[preset("claude", "claude")],
+            Some("otter".into()),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(resolved.project, None);
+        // The preset still resolves; the missing project is what blocks it.
+        assert_eq!(resolved.command.as_deref(), Some("claude"));
+        assert_eq!(resolved.build_request(), None);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn resolves_every_default_from_the_most_recent_project() {
         let projects = vec![

crates/maestro-tui/src/input.rs

@@ -387,6 +387,9 @@ pub struct ChordState {
     held: Vec<String>,
     last_press: Option<Instant>,
     timeout: Duration,
+    /// A key bumped out of an abandoned chord (see [`Self::feed`]), waiting
+    /// to be replayed as a fresh keystroke by the caller.
+    replay: Option<InputKey>,
 }
 
 impl ChordState {
@@ -395,6 +398,7 @@ impl ChordState {
             held: Vec::new(),
             last_press: None,
             timeout,
+            replay: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -404,6 +408,13 @@ impl ChordState {
     ///   binding; wait for the next key.
     /// * `Resolved(s)` — `s` is the canonical chord (or single key) to look
     ///   up in the keymap. The held buffer is cleared.
+    ///
+    /// A held prefix that is itself directly bound (e.g. a leader key bound
+    /// alone as well as chorded, like `ctrl-a` and `ctrl-a ctrl-k`) resolves
+    /// to that binding the moment the next key fails to extend it, rather
+    /// than swallowing the held key and losing its meaning — the new key
+    /// never belonged to the chord and is handed back via [`Self::take_replay`]
+    /// so the caller can process it as its own keystroke.
     pub fn feed(&mut self, key: &InputKey, known_bindings: &HashSet<String>) -> ChordResult {
         if let Some(t) = self.last_press {
             if t.elapsed() > self.timeout {
@@ -428,11 +439,31 @@ impl ChordState {
 
         if is_prefix {
             self.held.push(key_s);
-            ChordResult::Pending
-        } else {
-            self.held.clear();
-            ChordResult::Resolved(candidate)
+            return ChordResult::Pending;
         }
+
+        if known_bindings.contains(&candidate) {
+            self.held.clear();
+            return ChordResult::Resolved(candidate);
+        }
+
+        if !self.held.is_empty() {
+            let held_str = self.held.join(" ");
+            self.held.clear();
+            if known_bindings.contains(&held_str) {
+                self.replay = Some(key.clone());
+                return ChordResult::Resolved(held_str);
+            }
+        }
+
+        ChordResult::Resolved(candidate)
+    }
+
+    /// Take the key bumped out of an abandoned chord by the last [`Self::feed`]
+    /// call, if any. The caller feeds it through again as a brand new
+    /// keystroke.
+    pub fn take_replay(&mut self) -> Option<InputKey> {
+        self.replay.take()
     }
 }
 
@@ -733,6 +764,41 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(r, ChordResult::Resolved("g x".into()));
     }
 
+    /// A key bound both alone and as a chord prefix (the leader: `ctrl-a` and
+    /// `ctrl-a ctrl-k`) must still fire its own binding when the next key
+    /// doesn't complete the chord — the held key's meaning isn't lost, and
+    /// the new key comes back via `take_replay` for the caller to process on
+    /// its own (#156).
+    #[test]
+    fn a_bound_prefix_resolves_itself_and_replays_the_breaking_key() {
+        let mut chord = ChordState::new(Duration::from_secs(10));
+        let known: HashSet<String> = ["ctrl-a".into(), "ctrl-a ctrl-k".into()]
+            .into_iter()
+            .collect();
+
+        let r = chord.feed(&InputKey::ctrl_char('a'), &known);
+        assert_eq!(r, ChordResult::Pending);
+
+        let r = chord.feed(&InputKey::char('j'), &known);
+        assert_eq!(r, ChordResult::Resolved("ctrl-a".into()));
+        assert_eq!(chord.take_replay(), Some(InputKey::char('j')));
+    }
+
+    /// The full chord still resolves normally when the next key completes
+    /// it — no replay, no early fire of the shorter binding.
+    #[test]
+    fn a_completed_chord_off_a_bound_prefix_has_no_replay() {
+        let mut chord = ChordState::new(Duration::from_secs(10));
+        let known: HashSet<String> = ["ctrl-a".into(), "ctrl-a ctrl-k".into()]
+            .into_iter()
+            .collect();
+
+        chord.feed(&InputKey::ctrl_char('a'), &known);
+        let r = chord.feed(&InputKey::ctrl_char('k'), &known);
+        assert_eq!(r, ChordResult::Resolved("ctrl-a ctrl-k".into()));
+        assert_eq!(chord.take_replay(), None);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn chord_state_lone_key_resolves_immediately() {
         let mut chord = ChordState::new(Duration::from_secs(10));

docs/COMMAND-BAR.md

@@ -45,8 +45,15 @@ mirroring the TUI's. `ctrl-a` is select-all in a browser; the web
 `preventDefault`s it, since selecting all of a terminal pane does nothing
 useful.
 
-Only Ctrl-K gets an escape hatch. No other control character is intercepted, so
-none of them needs one.
+The leader itself needs the same kind of way back: holding it consumes every
+press, on both clients, even before anything is bound behind it. Pressing it
+twice — `ctrl-a ctrl-a` by default — sends one literal leader byte to the
+focused pane and clears the pending chord, the way tmux resolves a doubled
+prefix key. This chord is also built from the configured leader, so a
+rebound leader carries its own escape hatch with it.
+
+Only Ctrl-K and the leader itself get an escape hatch. No other control
+character is intercepted, so none of them needs one.
 
 ### Focus round-trip
 

docs/PREVIEW.md

@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Web client (`--preview` and friends in `web/src/styles.css`):
 | The previewed pane's titlebar | Tinted in the preview hue, at full strength, in place of the focused pane's accent tint. |
 | The canvas | A `preview` chip, top right, and a dashed inset ring. |
 | A throwaway tab | Dashed border, italic label. |
-| The sidebar row being previewed | Filled with the preview hue, over whatever open/focused state the row already had. |
+| The sidebar row being previewed | Filled with the preview hue, over whatever open state the row already had — but the row of the session already showing in the pane keeps its accent fill, since previewing it changes nothing on screen. |
 | A hovered sidebar row, and the keyboard cursor on a session | A lighter wash of the same hue, because both are what previews a row. |
 
 Rows say it with fill, not with an edge — see the tier ladder in

docs/SIDEBAR.md

@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ furthest down wins the paint.
 | Under the pointer or the keyboard walk | preview hue, light | selection surface, while the sidebar holds the keyboard |
 | Open in some pane, not the focused one | 6% accent wash (`.is-open`) | — (the `●` glyph carries it) |
 | Showing in the pane | `--accent-fill` | `pane_row_bg()` — partway from the card surface to the selection surface |
-| Previewing (`docs/PREVIEW.md`) | `--preview-tint` | — (no preview colour role yet) |
+| Previewing (`docs/PREVIEW.md`), unless that row is the one showing in the pane | `--preview-tint` | — (no preview colour role yet) |
 
 The web ladder is written as one ordered run of equal-specificity rules in
 `styles.css`, every qualifier inside `:where()`, so the order they appear in

web/src/barActions.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+//
+// The sidebar's half of the command bar's action page (#151): the bar picks
+// kill or rename and raises the flow the card already has, so what the page
+// runs is what the ✕ button and the `r` key run.
+import { afterEach, beforeAll, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+import { KILL_SESSION_EVENT, RENAME_SESSION_EVENT, renderSidebar } from "./catalog.js";
+import type { CatalogListener, CatalogStore } from "./events.js";
+import type { Session } from "./types.js";
+
+beforeAll(() => {
+  Object.defineProperty(window, "localStorage", {
+    value: { getItem: () => null, setItem: () => {} },
+  });
+});
+
+let mounted: { el: HTMLElement; dispose: () => void } | null = null;
+
+afterEach(() => {
+  document.querySelector(".kill-dialog")?.remove();
+  mounted?.dispose();
+  mounted = null;
+  document.body.replaceChildren();
+});
+
+function session(overrides: Partial<Session> = {}): Session {
+  return {
+    id: "aaaaaaaa-0000-0000-0000-0000000000ff",
+    cwd: "/home/naps/tea/maestro",
+    command: "claude",
+    env: {},
+    metadata: { name: "amber-falcon" },
+    status: "Running",
+    created_at: "2026-08-24T10:00:00Z",
+    ...overrides,
+  };
+}
+
+function storeWith(sessions: Session[]): CatalogStore {
+  const state = { sessions: new Map(sessions.map((s) => [s.id, s])) };
+  return {
+    snapshot: () => state,
+    subscribe: (fn: CatalogListener) => {
+      fn(state);
+      return () => {};
+    },
+  } as unknown as CatalogStore;
+}
+
+function mount(s: Session): HTMLElement {
+  const handle = renderSidebar(storeWith([s]));
+  mounted = handle;
+  document.body.appendChild(handle.el);
+  return handle.el;
+}
+
+function raise(name: string, s: Session): void {
+  document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent(name, { detail: s }));
+}
+
+/** Let the kill chain's awaits (fetch, its json body) settle. */
+async function flush(): Promise<void> {
+  for (let i = 0; i < 8; i++) await Promise.resolve();
+}
+
+describe("kill from the action page", () => {
+  it("goes through the daemon, without a first confirmation", async () => {
+    const calls: string[] = [];
+    window.fetch = ((url: string, init?: RequestInit) => {
+      calls.push(`${init?.method ?? "GET"} ${url}`);
+      return Promise.resolve(new Response(null, { status: 204 }));
+    }) as typeof fetch;
+    const s = session();
+    mount(s);
+    raise(KILL_SESSION_EVENT, s);
+    await flush();
+    expect(calls).toContain(`DELETE /api/sessions/${s.id}`);
+    expect(document.querySelector(".kill-dialog")).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("raises the existing confirm-and-blockers dialog on a guarded refusal", async () => {
+    window.fetch = ((url: string) => {
+      if (String(url).includes("force=true")) {
+        return Promise.resolve(new Response(null, { status: 204 }));
+      }
+      return Promise.resolve(
+        new Response(
+          JSON.stringify({
+            error: {
+              code: "kill_guarded",
+              message: "worktree has unsaved work",
+              unsaved_work: { untracked_files: 1 },
+            },
+          }),
+          { status: 409, headers: { "content-type": "application/json" } },
+        ),
+      );
+    }) as typeof fetch;
+    const s = session({ blocked_work: { untracked_files: 1 } });
+    mount(s);
+    raise(KILL_SESSION_EVENT, s);
+    await flush();
+    const dialog = document.querySelector(".kill-dialog");
+    expect(dialog?.getAttribute("aria-label")).toBe("Kill amber-falcon");
+    expect(dialog?.textContent).toContain("1 untracked file");
+  });
+});
+
+describe("rename from the action page", () => {
+  it("expands the folder hiding the card, since the prompt lives in the card", () => {
+    window.fetch = (() => Promise.reject(new Error("offline"))) as typeof fetch;
+    const s = session();
+    const el = mount(s);
+    const folder = el.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".tree-folder-header");
+    folder?.click();
+    expect(el.querySelector(`[data-session-id="${s.id}"]`)).toBeNull();
+    raise(RENAME_SESSION_EVENT, s);
+    expect(el.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(".leaf-rename")?.value).toBe("amber-falcon");
+  });
+
+  it("raises the card's own prompt, pre-filled with the session's name", () => {
+    window.fetch = (() => Promise.reject(new Error("offline"))) as typeof fetch;
+    const s = session();
+    const el = mount(s);
+    raise(RENAME_SESSION_EVENT, s);
+    const input = el.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(".leaf-rename");
+    expect(input?.value).toBe("amber-falcon");
+    expect(input?.getAttribute("aria-label")).toBe("Rename amber-falcon");
+  });
+});

web/src/catalog.ts

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import { CommandSet, defineCommands } from "./commands.js";
 import { CatalogStore } from "./events.js";
 import type { InTheWay, Session } from "./types.js";
 import {
+  abbreviateCwd,
   abbreviateFolderName,
   blockerStats,
   customSessionName,
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@ import {
   sessionBlockers,
   isProvisionalName,
   sessionName,
+  sessionTreePath,
 } from "./types.js";
 import { splitCommand, toolIconSvg } from "./toolIcon.js";
 import {
@@ -37,6 +39,15 @@ export function requestOpenSpawn(): void {
   document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent(OPEN_SPAWN_EVENT));
 }
 
+/** Ask the shell to open the command bar with an empty query. Dispatched by
+ *  the sidebar's search field, which is the touch entry point to the bar
+ *  (#157, docs/COMMAND-BAR.md "Touch entry"): there is no `ctrl-k` on a phone.
+ *  Handled in main.ts, which owns the session snapshot the bar needs. */
+export const OPEN_COMMAND_BAR_EVENT = "catalog-open-command-bar";
+export function requestOpenCommandBar(): void {
+  document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent(OPEN_COMMAND_BAR_EVENT));
+}
+
 /** Ask the shell to hand the keyboard back to the focused pane's terminal —
  *  what Tab in the sidebar list does. Handled in main.ts, which owns the
  *  connection pool. */
@@ -50,6 +61,17 @@ export const FOCUS_SIDEBAR_EVENT = "catalog-focus-sidebar";
  *  ("Spawn similar"). Detail is the session being cloned. */
 export const SPAWN_SIMILAR_EVENT = "catalog-spawn-similar";
 
+/** Ask the sidebar to kill a session — the command bar's action page picking
+ *  `kill` (#151). Detail is the session. Handled here, so the kill goes
+ *  through the same confirm-and-blockers flow the card's ✕ does
+ *  (`docs/WORKTREES.md`); the bar never reimplements it. */
+export const KILL_SESSION_EVENT = "catalog-kill-session";
+
+/** Ask the sidebar to rename a session — the command bar's action page picking
+ *  `rename` (#151). Detail is the session. The prompt is the card's own inline
+ *  field, pre-filled with the session's name (`docs/SIDEBAR.md`). */
+export const RENAME_SESSION_EVENT = "catalog-rename-session";
+
 /** A session row was clicked (issue #133). The row's `href` drives normal
  *  hash navigation, but a split/drag can move focus without ever touching
  *  `location.hash` — so a click back onto a session whose hash still
@@ -348,16 +370,12 @@ function beginRename(row: HTMLElement, s: Session): void {
   input.select();
 }
 
-function renderEmpty(filtering: boolean, onSpawn: () => void): HTMLElement {
+// The tree has one empty state: no sessions at all. The old "No matches" one
+// belonged to the inline substring filter, which the command bar replaced
+// (#157) — the bar's own no-results state took over with it.
+function renderEmpty(onSpawn: () => void): HTMLElement {
   const el = document.createElement("div");
   el.className = "empty";
-  if (filtering) {
-    el.innerHTML = `
-      <div class="empty-glyph" aria-hidden="true">⌕</div>
-      <div class="empty-title">No matches</div>
-      <p class="empty-hint">No sessions match your search. Clear it to see everything.</p>`;
-    return el;
-  }
   el.innerHTML = `
     <div class="empty-glyph" aria-hidden="true">+</div>
     <div class="empty-title">No sessions yet</div>
@@ -428,12 +446,16 @@ export function renderSidebar(store: CatalogStore, opts: SidebarOptions = {}): S
   // renders with absolute paths until it lands.
   let homeDir: string | undefined;
 
+  // The field never holds a query: it is the touch entry point to the command
+  // bar (#157), so it is `readonly` — a tap opens the bar instead of raising an
+  // on-screen keyboard over a field nothing is typed into.
   const searchHeader = document.createElement("header");
   searchHeader.className = "sidebar-search";
   searchHeader.innerHTML = `
     <input
       type="search"
       class="search"
+      readonly
       placeholder="Search sessions…"
       aria-label="Search sessions"
       autocomplete="off"
@@ -542,11 +564,23 @@ export function renderSidebar(store: CatalogStore, opts: SidebarOptions = {}): S
   handle.addEventListener("pointerup", endDrag);
   handle.addEventListener("pointercancel", endDrag);
 
+  // Touch entry (#157): the field is a button that looks like a field. It
+  // never holds a query — focusing or tapping it hands the keyboard straight
+  // to the bar's own input, which is also why it blurs first: leaving the
+  // focus here would make the bar impossible to close without reopening it.
   const search = searchHeader.querySelector(".search") as HTMLInputElement;
-  let filter = "";
-  search.addEventListener("input", () => {
-    filter = search.value;
-    refresh();
+  const openBar = () => {
+    search.value = "";
+    search.blur();
+    requestOpenCommandBar();
+  };
+  search.addEventListener("focus", openBar);
+  // A tap can land without a focus event (iOS Safari on a blurred field), so
+  // the pointer path opens the bar too; the blur above keeps the two from
+  // stacking two overlays.
+  search.addEventListener("pointerdown", (e) => {
+    e.preventDefault();
+    openBar();
   });
 
   let highlights: SidebarHighlights = { open: new Set(), focused: null };
@@ -703,8 +737,8 @@ export function renderSidebar(store: CatalogStore, opts: SidebarOptions = {}): S
     if (renamingId !== null) return;
     const state = store.snapshot();
     const sessions = [...state.sessions.values()];
-    const tree = buildTree(sessions, homeDir, filter);
-    const signature = sessions.length === 0 ? `EMPTY:${filter.trim()}` : treeSignature(tree);
+    const tree = buildTree(sessions, homeDir);
+    const signature = sessions.length === 0 ? "EMPTY" : treeSignature(tree);
     if (signature === renderedSignature) {
       for (const row of treeHost.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>(".tree-leaf")) {
         const s = row.dataset.sessionId ? state.sessions.get(row.dataset.sessionId) : undefined;
@@ -715,9 +749,7 @@ export function renderSidebar(store: CatalogStore, opts: SidebarOptions = {}): S
     renderedSignature = signature;
     treeHost.replaceChildren();
     if (sessions.length === 0) {
-      treeHost.appendChild(
-        renderEmpty(filter.trim().length > 0, () => requestOpenSpawn()),
-      );
+      treeHost.appendChild(renderEmpty(() => requestOpenSpawn()));
       return;
     }
     if (tree.kind === "folder") {
@@ -745,6 +777,40 @@ export function renderSidebar(store: CatalogStore, opts: SidebarOptions = {}): S
   };
   document.addEventListener("catalog-rerender", rerenderHandler);
 
+  // The command bar's action page (#151) picks an action and hands it here:
+  // both flows are the ones the card already has, reached by session rather
+  // than by row.
+  const killHandler = (ev: Event) => {
+    const s = (ev as CustomEvent<Session>).detail;
+    void requestKill(s, sessionName(s));
+  };
+  const renameHandler = (ev: Event) => {
+    const s = (ev as CustomEvent<Session>).detail;
+    const row = rowForSession(s);
+    if (row) beginRename(row, s);
+  };
+  document.addEventListener(KILL_SESSION_EVENT, killHandler);
+  document.addEventListener(RENAME_SESSION_EVENT, renameHandler);
+
+  /** The card a session is rendered as, expanding whatever folder hides it
+   *  first: the rename prompt lives inside the card, so a collapsed folder
+   *  would otherwise swallow the request. */
+  function rowForSession(s: Session): HTMLElement | null {
+    const find = () => treeHost.querySelector<HTMLElement>(`.tree-leaf[data-session-id="${s.id}"]`);
+    const found = find();
+    if (found) return found;
+    // Folder paths are the abbreviated directory's segments joined back up
+    // (see buildTree), so the session's own path is normalised the same way
+    // before it is compared against them.
+    const cwd = sessionTreePath(s);
+    const path = (cwd ? abbreviateCwd(cwd, homeDir) : "").split("/").filter(Boolean).join("/");
+    for (const folder of [...collapsed]) {
+      if (path === folder || path.startsWith(`${folder}/`)) collapsed.delete(folder);
+    }
+    rerenderHandler();
+    return find();
+  }
+
   // "Spawn similar" (#28) is dispatched here and handled in main.ts, where the
   // multi-view controller can seed the spawn modal with the session's dir/command.
 
@@ -794,6 +860,8 @@ export function renderSidebar(store: CatalogStore, opts: SidebarOptions = {}): S
       // refusing to refresh.
       renamingId = null;
       document.removeEventListener("catalog-rerender", rerenderHandler);
+      document.removeEventListener(KILL_SESSION_EVENT, killHandler);
+      document.removeEventListener(RENAME_SESSION_EVENT, renameHandler);
       unsubscribe();
     },
   };

web/src/commandBar.test.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
 // @vitest-environment happy-dom
 import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 
-import { SESSION_SELECT_EVENT } from "./catalog.js";
+import {
+  KILL_SESSION_EVENT,
+  RENAME_SESSION_EVENT,
+  SESSION_SELECT_EVENT,
+  SPAWN_SIMILAR_EVENT,
+} from "./catalog.js";
 import {
   barGroups,
   barRows,
@@ -15,6 +20,7 @@ import {
   orderSessionsForBar,
   parseBarQuery,
   sessionBarCandidates,
+  sessionActionCandidates,
   sessionCandidate,
   SPAWN_DIRECTORY_EVENT,
 } from "./commandBar.js";
@@ -542,3 +548,176 @@ describe("the focus round-trip over a pane (#152)", () => {
     }
   });
 });
+
+describe("the session action page (#151)", () => {
+  const sessions = [
+    session("api", {
+      metadata: { name: "api" },
+      current_cwd: "/home/me/dev/api",
+      last_focused_at: "2026-01-01T11:00:00Z",
+    }),
+    session("worker", {
+      metadata: { name: "worker" },
+      current_cwd: "/home/me/dev/worker",
+      last_focused_at: "2026-01-01T10:00:00Z",
+    }),
+  ];
+
+  function open(over: Partial<Parameters<typeof openCommandBar>[0]> = {}) {
+    return openCommandBar({
+      sessions,
+      homeDir: "/home/me",
+      commands: [],
+      onOpenSession: () => {},
+      ...over,
+    });
+  }
+
+  function headerText(): string | undefined {
+    return document.querySelector(".cmdbar-page-header")?.textContent ?? undefined;
+  }
+
+  it("lists kill, rename and spawn similar for the highlighted session", () => {
+    open();
+    press("Tab");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["Kill session", "Rename session", "Spawn similar"]);
+    expect(activeName()).toBe("Kill session");
+  });
+
+  it("names the session being acted on", () => {
+    open();
+    press("ArrowDown");
+    press("Tab");
+    expect(headerText()).toContain("worker");
+  });
+
+  it("drops the kind headers, since the page is one kind", () => {
+    open();
+    press("Tab");
+    expect(document.querySelectorAll(".cmdbar-group-title")).toHaveLength(0);
+  });
+
+  it("stays fuzzy-searchable over the three actions", () => {
+    open();
+    press("Tab");
+    type("ren");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["Rename session"]);
+    type("spwn");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["Spawn similar"]);
+    type("zzz");
+    expect(document.querySelector(".cmdbar-empty")?.textContent).toBe("No matches");
+  });
+
+  it("does nothing on a command row", () => {
+    openCommandBar({
+      sessions,
+      homeDir: "/home/me",
+      commands: [{ ...COMMAND_SPECS[0], run: () => {} } as Command],
+      onOpenSession: () => {},
+    });
+    type(">");
+    const before = rowNames();
+    press("Tab");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(before);
+    expect(headerText()).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("does nothing on a directory row", async () => {
+    open({ loadDirectories: () => Promise.resolve(["/home/me/dev/api"]) });
+    type("~");
+    await Promise.resolve();
+    press("Tab");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["~/dev/api"]);
+    expect(headerText()).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("returns to the result list on Escape, with the previous query intact", () => {
+    open();
+    type("wor");
+    press("Tab");
+    expect(headerText()).toContain("worker");
+    press("Escape");
+    expect(isCommandBarOpen()).toBe(true);
+    expect(headerText()).toBeUndefined();
+    expect((document.querySelector(".cmdbar-input") as HTMLInputElement).value).toBe("wor");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["worker"]);
+  });
+
+  it("returns to the result list on backspace at an empty query", () => {
+    open();
+    type("wor");
+    press("Tab");
+    type("");
+    press("Backspace");
+    expect(headerText()).toBeUndefined();
+    expect((document.querySelector(".cmdbar-input") as HTMLInputElement).value).toBe("wor");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["worker"]);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps backspace ordinary while the page's query has text", () => {
+    open();
+    press("Tab");
+    type("ren");
+    press("Backspace");
+    expect(headerText()).toContain("api");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["Rename session"]);
+  });
+
+  it("closes the bar when the page's Escape has already been used", () => {
+    open();
+    press("Tab");
+    press("Escape");
+    press("Escape");
+    expect(isCommandBarOpen()).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("raises kill, rename and spawn similar with the session, closing the bar", () => {
+    const seen: string[] = [];
+    for (const [hook, key] of [
+      ["onKillSession", "Kill session"],
+      ["onRenameSession", "Rename session"],
+      ["onSpawnSimilar", "Spawn similar"],
+    ] as const) {
+      open({ [hook]: (s: Session) => seen.push(`${hook}:${s.id}`) });
+      type("wor");
+      press("Tab");
+      type(key);
+      press("Enter");
+      expect(isCommandBarOpen()).toBe(false);
+    }
+    expect(seen).toEqual([
+      "onKillSession:worker",
+      "onRenameSession:worker",
+      "onSpawnSimilar:worker",
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("hands each action to the flow it already has, by default", () => {
+    const seen: string[] = [];
+    const listeners: Array<[string, EventListener]> = [
+      [KILL_SESSION_EVENT, (e) => seen.push(`kill:${(e as CustomEvent<Session>).detail.id}`)],
+      [RENAME_SESSION_EVENT, (e) => seen.push(`rename:${(e as CustomEvent<Session>).detail.id}`)],
+      [SPAWN_SIMILAR_EVENT, (e) => seen.push(`similar:${(e as CustomEvent<Session>).detail.id}`)],
+    ];
+    for (const [name, fn] of listeners) document.addEventListener(name, fn);
+    try {
+      for (const action of ["Kill session", "Rename session", "Spawn similar"]) {
+        open();
+        press("Tab");
+        type(action);
+        press("Enter");
+      }
+    } finally {
+      for (const [name, fn] of listeners) document.removeEventListener(name, fn);
+    }
+    expect(seen).toEqual(["kill:api", "rename:api", "similar:api"]);
+  });
+
+  it("offers no action beyond the three", () => {
+    expect(sessionActionCandidates().map((c) => c.action.id)).toEqual([
+      "kill",
+      "rename",
+      "spawn-similar",
+    ]);
+  });
+});

web/src/commandBar.ts

@@ -2,11 +2,16 @@
 // list, opened from the sidebar, closed with Escape.
 //
 // Three kinds live here: sessions and commands, ranked together by default,
-// and directories, which need the `~` sigil. The action page and the
-// terminal-focus binding land in #151-#152.
+// and directories, which need the `~` sigil. `tab` on a session drills into
+// its action page (#151), which is the same overlay over three actions.
 
 import { listDir, projects as fetchProjects, recentDirs } from "./api.js";
-import { SESSION_SELECT_EVENT } from "./catalog.js";
+import {
+  KILL_SESSION_EVENT,
+  RENAME_SESSION_EVENT,
+  SESSION_SELECT_EVENT,
+  SPAWN_SIMILAR_EVENT,
+} from "./catalog.js";
 import { keyCaps, publishedCommands, type Command } from "./commands.js";
 import {
   matchAndRank,
@@ -30,7 +35,13 @@ export type CommandBarCandidate = CommandCandidate & { command: Command };
  *  ranks; `path` is the one a spawn is made in. */
 export type DirectoryBarCandidate = DirectoryCandidate & { path: string };
 
-export type BarCandidate = SessionBarCandidate | CommandBarCandidate | DirectoryBarCandidate;
+/** One row of a session's action page. It is a `command` to the matcher — a
+ *  single `label` field, ranked exactly like a registry command — and carries
+ *  the action it stands for instead of a registry entry. */
+export type ActionBarCandidate = CommandCandidate & { action: SessionAction };
+
+export type BarCandidate =
+  SessionBarCandidate | CommandBarCandidate | ActionBarCandidate | DirectoryBarCandidate;
 export type BarResult = MatchResult<BarCandidate>;
 
 /** Raised when Enter lands on a directory row. The bar picks the directory; the
@@ -73,6 +84,40 @@ export function parseBarQuery(raw: string): BarQuery {
   return { sigil: null, query: raw };
 }
 
+// ---- the session action page ----
+
+/** The actions a session's action page offers, and no others: the bar picks
+ *  one and hands off to the flow that already implements it
+ *  (docs/COMMAND-BAR.md, "Drill-in"). */
+export type SessionActionId = "kill" | "rename" | "spawn-similar";
+
+export interface SessionAction {
+  id: SessionActionId;
+  label: string;
+}
+
+export const SESSION_ACTIONS: readonly SessionAction[] = [
+  { id: "kill", label: "Kill session" },
+  { id: "rename", label: "Rename session" },
+  { id: "spawn-similar", label: "Spawn similar" },
+];
+
+/** The action page's candidates, in the order above — which is the order an
+ *  empty query lists them in, since the matcher keeps input order. */
+export function sessionActionCandidates(): ActionBarCandidate[] {
+  return SESSION_ACTIONS.map((action) => ({
+    kind: "command",
+    action,
+    fields: { label: action.label },
+  }));
+}
+
+/** Narrow a `command` candidate to an action row. Both share the matcher's
+ *  `command` kind, so what separates them is what they carry. */
+export function isActionCandidate(candidate: BarCandidate): candidate is ActionBarCandidate {
+  return candidate.kind === "command" && "action" in candidate;
+}
+
 // ---- candidates ----
 
 function focusedAt(s: Session): number | null {
@@ -306,6 +351,8 @@ function renderRow(result: BarResult, index: number): HTMLElement {
   if (candidate.kind === "session") {
     row.dataset.sessionId = candidate.session.id;
     if (candidate.session.status === "Dead") row.classList.add("is-dead");
+  } else if (isActionCandidate(candidate)) {
+    row.dataset.actionId = candidate.action.id;
   } else if (candidate.kind === "command") {
     row.dataset.commandId = candidate.command.id;
   } else {
@@ -322,7 +369,7 @@ function renderRow(result: BarResult, index: number): HTMLElement {
 
   // The chord is teaching material, not a match target: it is rendered from
   // the live registry entry and never fed to the matcher.
-  if (candidate.kind === "command") {
+  if (candidate.kind === "command" && !isActionCandidate(candidate)) {
     const keys = document.createElement("span");
     keys.className = "cmdbar-row-keys";
     for (const cap of keyCaps(candidate.command.keys[0])) {
@@ -374,6 +421,13 @@ export interface CommandBarOptions {
    *  `SPAWN_DIRECTORY_EVENT`, which the shell turns into a fast-forward
    *  spawn. */
   onSpawnDirectory?: (path: string) => void;
+  /** The action page's three actions (#151). Each defaults to raising the
+   *  event the flow that already implements it listens on — the sidebar's
+   *  confirm-and-blockers kill, its inline rename prompt, the spawn form
+   *  seeded from the session. The bar picks the action and nothing more. */
+  onKillSession?: (session: Session) => void;
+  onRenameSession?: (session: Session) => void;
+  onSpawnSimilar?: (session: Session) => void;
 }
 
 interface OpenBar {
@@ -406,6 +460,14 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
     opts.onSpawnDirectory ??
     ((path: string) =>
       document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent(SPAWN_DIRECTORY_EVENT, { detail: path })));
+  const sessionEvent =
+    (name: string) =>
+    (session: Session): void => {
+      document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent(name, { detail: session }));
+    };
+  const killSession = opts.onKillSession ?? sessionEvent(KILL_SESSION_EVENT);
+  const renameSession = opts.onRenameSession ?? sessionEvent(RENAME_SESSION_EVENT);
+  const spawnSimilar = opts.onSpawnSimilar ?? sessionEvent(SPAWN_SIMILAR_EVENT);
   const loadDirectories = opts.loadDirectories ?? loadBarDirectories;
   const listEntries =
     opts.listDirEntries ?? ((dir: string) => listDir(dir).then((listing) => listing.entries));
@@ -450,6 +512,13 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
   let rows: BarResult[] = [];
   let highlighted = 0;
 
+  // The action page (#151). `page` is the session being acted on, `stashed`
+  // the result-list query it was drilled into from — backing out restores it,
+  // so the round trip costs the operator nothing.
+  let page: Session | null = null;
+  let stashed = "";
+  let header: HTMLElement | null = null;
+
   // `~`'s candidates: the recents-and-projects list, fetched once, plus
   // whatever `/api/dirs` has filled in for the directory being typed.
   let directories: DirectoryBarCandidate[] = [];
@@ -516,6 +585,7 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
    *  list is mixed — sessions and commands together — except on an empty query,
    *  where the bar is a session switcher. */
   function candidatesFor(parsed: BarQuery): BarCandidate[] {
+    if (page) return sessionActionCandidates();
     switch (parsed.sigil) {
       case ">":
         return [...commandCandidates];
@@ -547,9 +617,27 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
     if (rows.length === 0) input.removeAttribute("aria-activedescendant");
   }
 
+  /** The line naming the session being acted on, so the target is never
+   *  ambiguous. Present only while the action page is up. */
+  function paintHeader(): void {
+    header?.remove();
+    header = null;
+    if (!page) return;
+    header = document.createElement("div");
+    header.className = "cmdbar-page-header";
+    header.setAttribute("role", "presentation");
+    header.textContent = `Actions for "${sessionName(page)}"`;
+    panel.insertBefore(header, results);
+  }
+
   function render(): void {
-    const parsed = parseBarQuery(input.value);
-    input.placeholder = PLACEHOLDERS[parsed.sigil ?? "mixed"];
+    // On the action page the query line is over the three actions, so there is
+    // no sigil to read: `>` and `~` are ordinary characters there.
+    const parsed = page ? { sigil: null, query: input.value } : parseBarQuery(input.value);
+    input.placeholder = page
+      ? `Act on ${sessionName(page)}…`
+      : PLACEHOLDERS[parsed.sigil ?? "mixed"];
+    paintHeader();
     rows = barRows(parsed.query, candidatesFor(parsed));
     // The highlight starts on the globally best row every time the list
     // changes: an old index would point at a different result.
@@ -567,8 +655,9 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
 
     let index = 0;
     for (const group of barGroups(rows)) {
-      // While a sigil is in force there is one kind, so the header is dropped.
-      if (parsed.sigil === null) {
+      // While a sigil is in force there is one kind, so the header is
+      // dropped — and the action page is one kind too.
+      if (parsed.sigil === null && !page) {
         const header = document.createElement("div");
         header.className = "cmdbar-group-title";
         header.setAttribute("role", "presentation");
@@ -593,10 +682,50 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
     paintHighlight();
   }
 
+  /** `tab`: drill into the highlighted session's action page. No effect on any
+   *  other kind, and none on the page itself, which has no session rows. */
+  function drillIn(): void {
+    const candidate = rows[highlighted]?.candidate;
+    if (page || candidate?.kind !== "session") return;
+    page = candidate.session;
+    stashed = input.value;
+    input.value = "";
+    render();
+  }
+
+  /** Escape, or backspace at an empty query: back to the result list with the
+   *  query the drill-in was made from. */
+  function leavePage(): void {
+    page = null;
+    input.value = stashed;
+    stashed = "";
+    render();
+  }
+
+  function runAction(action: SessionAction, session: Session): void {
+    close();
+    switch (action.id) {
+      case "kill":
+        killSession(session);
+        return;
+      case "rename":
+        renameSession(session);
+        return;
+      case "spawn-similar":
+        spawnSimilar(session);
+        return;
+    }
+  }
+
   function activate(index: number): void {
     const result = rows[index];
     if (!result) return;
     const candidate = result.candidate;
+    if (isActionCandidate(candidate)) {
+      // The page cannot be up without a session to act on.
+      if (page) runAction(candidate.action, page);
+      return;
+    }
     close();
     switch (candidate.kind) {
       case "session":
@@ -615,7 +744,20 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
     switch (e.key) {
       case "Escape":
         e.preventDefault();
-        close();
+        // On an action page Escape is one level up, not the way out.
+        if (page) leavePage();
+        else close();
+        return;
+      case "Tab":
+        e.preventDefault();
+        drillIn();
+        return;
+      case "Backspace":
+        // Ordinary editing, except at an empty query on the action page.
+        if (page && input.value === "") {
+          e.preventDefault();
+          leavePage();
+        }
         return;
       case "Enter":
         e.preventDefault();

web/src/commands.test.ts

@@ -6,12 +6,14 @@ import {
   CommandSet,
   DEFAULT_LEADER,
   canonicalizeKey,
+  controlByte,
   defineCommands,
   isBarTypingTarget,
   isTerminalTextarea,
   isTypingTarget,
   keyCaps,
   publishedCommands,
+  type Command,
 } from "./commands.js";
 
 function key(k: string, init: KeyboardEventInit = {}): KeyboardEvent {
@@ -307,3 +309,62 @@ describe("ctrl-k over a focused pane (#152)", () => {
     expect(spec?.keys).toEqual([`${DEFAULT_LEADER} ctrl-k`]);
   });
 });
+
+describe("leader pressed twice (#158)", () => {
+  it("sends one literal leader byte and clears the pending chord", () => {
+    const literal = vi.fn();
+    const run = vi.fn();
+    const set = new CommandSet(
+      defineCommands({ "pane.literalLeader": literal, "spawn.open": run }),
+      { leader: DEFAULT_LEADER },
+    );
+    const target = el('<textarea class="xterm-helper-textarea"></textarea>');
+    expect(pressOn(set, target, "a", { ctrlKey: true })).toBe(true);
+    expect(pressOn(set, target, "a", { ctrlKey: true })).toBe(true);
+    expect(literal).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    // The chord is cleared, not still held: the next key is ordinary again.
+    expect(set.handle(key("n"))).toBe(true);
+    expect(run).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  it("binds the escape hatch behind the default leader", () => {
+    const spec = COMMAND_SPECS.find((s) => s.id === "pane.literalLeader");
+    expect(spec?.keys).toEqual([`${DEFAULT_LEADER} ${DEFAULT_LEADER}`]);
+  });
+
+  // Not just the default: the chord is resolved from whatever leader this
+  // set was constructed with, so a rebound leader carries the escape hatch
+  // with it — the same proof #156 wrote for the TUI. The web has no config
+  // for this yet (#159), but the mechanism must not be hardcoded to ctrl-a.
+  it("follows a rebound leader, not just the default", () => {
+    const literal = vi.fn();
+    const rebound: Command = {
+      id: "pane.literalLeader",
+      label: "Send a literal leader key to the pane",
+      group: "Pane",
+      scope: "global",
+      keys: ["ctrl-b ctrl-b"],
+      run: literal,
+    };
+    const set = new CommandSet([rebound], { leader: "ctrl-b" });
+    const target = el('<textarea class="xterm-helper-textarea"></textarea>');
+    expect(pressOn(set, target, "b", { ctrlKey: true })).toBe(true);
+    expect(pressOn(set, target, "b", { ctrlKey: true })).toBe(true);
+    expect(literal).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    // The old leader no longer does anything special.
+    expect(pressOn(set, target, "a", { ctrlKey: true })).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("controlByte", () => {
+  it("computes the raw control byte from a plain ctrl chord", () => {
+    expect(controlByte("ctrl-a")).toBe("\x01");
+    expect(controlByte("ctrl-k")).toBe("\x0b");
+  });
+
+  it("rejects anything that isn't a single plain ctrl chord", () => {
+    expect(() => controlByte("ctrl-shift-a")).toThrow();
+    expect(() => controlByte("a")).toThrow();
+    expect(() => controlByte("ctrl-a ctrl-a")).toThrow();
+  });
+});

web/src/commands.ts

@@ -67,6 +67,13 @@ export const COMMAND_SPECS: readonly CommandSpec[] = [
     keys: [`${DEFAULT_LEADER} ctrl-k`],
     scope: "global",
   },
+  {
+    id: "pane.literalLeader",
+    label: "Send a literal leader key to the pane",
+    group: "Pane",
+    keys: [`${DEFAULT_LEADER} ${DEFAULT_LEADER}`],
+    scope: "global",
+  },
   {
     id: "focus.toggle",
     label: "Move the keyboard between the session list and the pane",
@@ -227,6 +234,15 @@ export function canonicalizeKey(e: KeyboardEvent): string | null {
   return out + e.key.toLowerCase();
 }
 
+/** The raw control byte for a canonical `ctrl-<letter>` chord — `ctrl-a` is
+ *  `0x01` — mirroring the TUI's `encode_key`. Built from the chord string
+ *  itself so a different leader sends its own byte, not a hardcoded one. */
+export function controlByte(chord: string): string {
+  const m = /^ctrl-([a-z])$/.exec(chord);
+  if (!m) throw new Error(`not a plain ctrl chord: ${chord}`);
+  return String.fromCharCode(m[1].charCodeAt(0) - 96);
+}
+
 const MOD_PREFIX = /^(ctrl|alt|meta|shift)-/;
 
 /** True when a chord carries a modifier or more than one key. Plain single-key

web/src/main.ts

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import { ConnectionPool } from "./connections.js";
 import { installDrawer, installDrawerSwipe, requestToggleDrawer } from "./drawer.js";
 import { installHudKeybind } from "./debug.js";
 import { installHelpKeybind, isHelpOpen } from "./help.js";
-import { CommandSet, DEFAULT_LEADER, defineCommands, isBarTypingTarget } from "./commands.js";
+import { CommandSet, DEFAULT_LEADER, controlByte, defineCommands, isBarTypingTarget } from "./commands.js";
 import { isCommandBarOpen, openCommandBar, SPAWN_DIRECTORY_EVENT } from "./commandBar.js";
 import { DaemonLink } from "./daemonLink.js";
 import { CatalogStore } from "./events.js";
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import { createPreviewSchedule } from "./previewSchedule.js";
 import {
   FOCUS_PANE_EVENT,
   FOCUS_SIDEBAR_EVENT,
+  OPEN_COMMAND_BAR_EVENT,
   OPEN_SPAWN_EVENT,
   SESSION_SELECT_EVENT,
   SPAWN_SIMILAR_EVENT,
@@ -456,23 +457,30 @@ const focusKeys = new CommandSet(
     // 0x0B byte (docs/COMMAND-BAR.md). It resolves in this set, ahead of the
     // bar's, so the chord never opens the bar.
     "pane.literalCtrlK": () => pool.sendToFocused("\x0b"),
+    // The leader itself, pressed twice, tmux-style: sends one literal leader
+    // byte and clears the pending chord instead of resolving as a dead chord
+    // (docs/COMMAND-BAR.md, #158). Built from `DEFAULT_LEADER`, not a
+    // hardcoded byte, so a different leader would send its own.
+    "pane.literalLeader": () => pool.sendToFocused(controlByte(DEFAULT_LEADER)),
   }),
   { leader: DEFAULT_LEADER },
 );
 
 // Ctrl+K opens the command bar (docs/COMMAND-BAR.md). It is a registry command
 // like any other, so the `?` overlay lists it without a second list.
-const barKeys = new CommandSet(
-  defineCommands({
-    "bar.open": () => {
-      // Opening while a session is previewed discards the preview first, like
-      // any other real change (docs/PREVIEW.md): the bar is not previewed into.
-      schedulePreview.cancel();
-      mv?.previewSession(null);
-      openCommandBar({ sessions: [...store.snapshot().sessions.values()], homeDir });
-    },
-  }),
-);
+const openBar = () => {
+  // Opening while a session is previewed discards the preview first, like
+  // any other real change (docs/PREVIEW.md): the bar is not previewed into.
+  schedulePreview.cancel();
+  mv?.previewSession(null);
+  openCommandBar({ sessions: [...store.snapshot().sessions.values()], homeDir });
+};
+
+const barKeys = new CommandSet(defineCommands({ "bar.open": () => openBar() }));
+
+// The sidebar's search field is the touch entry point (#157): no `ctrl-k` on a
+// phone, so the field the operator already reaches for opens the same bar.
+document.addEventListener(OPEN_COMMAND_BAR_EVENT, () => openBar());
 
 // Capture phase: an attached xterm swallows every keystroke it is given, so the
 // bar's binding has to be seen ahead of the terminal (docs/COMMAND-BAR.md).

web/src/sidebarSearch.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+// @vitest-environment happy-dom
+//
+// The sidebar's search field is the touch entry point to the command bar
+// (#157, docs/COMMAND-BAR.md "Touch entry"): tapping or focusing it asks the
+// shell to open the bar with an empty query, instead of filtering the tree.
+import { beforeAll, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+import { OPEN_COMMAND_BAR_EVENT, renderSidebar } from "./catalog.js";
+import { sessionBarCandidates } from "./commandBar.js";
+import { matchAndRank } from "./matcher.js";
+import type { CatalogListener, CatalogStore } from "./events.js";
+import type { Session } from "./types.js";
+
+beforeAll(() => {
+  Object.defineProperty(window, "localStorage", {
+    value: { getItem: () => null, setItem: () => {} },
+  });
+  window.fetch = () => Promise.reject(new Error("offline"));
+});
+
+function session(id: string, cwd: string): Session {
+  return {
+    id,
+    name: id,
+    cwd,
+    command: "claude",
+    env: {},
+    metadata: {},
+    status: "Running",
+    created_at: "2026-08-24T10:00:00Z",
+  } as Session;
+}
+
+function storeWith(sessions: Session[]): CatalogStore {
+  const state = { sessions: new Map(sessions.map((s) => [s.id, s])) };
+  return {
+    snapshot: () => state,
+    subscribe: (fn: CatalogListener) => {
+      fn(state);
+      return () => {};
+    },
+  } as unknown as CatalogStore;
+}
+
+function mount(sessions: Session[] = [session("alpha", "/home/n/alpha")]) {
+  const handle = renderSidebar(storeWith(sessions));
+  document.body.appendChild(handle.el);
+  const search = handle.el.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(".search")!;
+  const opens: number[] = [];
+  const listener = () => opens.push(1);
+  document.addEventListener(OPEN_COMMAND_BAR_EVENT, listener);
+  return {
+    handle,
+    search,
+    opens,
+    dispose: () => {
+      document.removeEventListener(OPEN_COMMAND_BAR_EVENT, listener);
+      handle.dispose();
+      handle.el.remove();
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+describe("sidebar search field opens the command bar (#157)", () => {
+  it("asks the shell to open the bar when the field is focused", () => {
+    const t = mount();
+    t.search.dispatchEvent(new FocusEvent("focus"));
+    expect(t.opens).toHaveLength(1);
+    t.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("opens on a tap, where a focus event may never arrive", () => {
+    const t = mount();
+    t.search.dispatchEvent(new Event("pointerdown", { bubbles: true }));
+    expect(t.opens).toHaveLength(1);
+    t.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("does not trap the keyboard in the field: it gives focus up on open", () => {
+    const t = mount();
+    t.search.focus();
+    expect(document.activeElement).not.toBe(t.search);
+    t.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("opens the bar with an empty query — the field never holds one", () => {
+    const t = mount();
+    t.search.focus();
+    expect(t.search.value).toBe("");
+    t.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("is readonly: no on-screen keyboard over a field nothing is typed into", () => {
+    const t = mount();
+    expect(t.search.readOnly).toBe(true);
+    t.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("no longer filters the tree in place", () => {
+    const t = mount([session("alpha", "/home/n/alpha"), session("beta", "/home/n/beta")]);
+    t.search.value = "alpha";
+    t.search.dispatchEvent(new Event("input"));
+    expect(t.handle.el.querySelectorAll(".tree-leaf")).toHaveLength(2);
+    t.dispose();
+  });
+
+  it("has no 'No matches' state left: an empty catalog is empty, not filtered", () => {
+    const t = mount([]);
+    expect(t.handle.el.querySelector(".empty-title")?.textContent).toBe("No sessions yet");
+    t.dispose();
+  });
+});
+
+// The inline filter matched a session on its name and its directory, case- and
+// whitespace-insensitively. That behaviour did not go away with the field — it
+// moved into the bar, which ranks the same two fields (docs/COMMAND-BAR.md).
+describe("what the retired inline filter did, the bar now does", () => {
+  it("matches a session on both its name and its directory", () => {
+    const sessions = [session("alpha", "/home/n/alpha"), session("beta", "/home/n/beta")];
+    const candidates = sessionBarCandidates(sessions, "/home/n");
+
+    const byName = matchAndRank("alpha", candidates).map((r) => r.candidate.session.id);
+    expect(byName).toEqual(["alpha"]);
+
+    const byDir = matchAndRank("beta", candidates).map((r) => r.candidate.session.id);
+    expect(byDir).toEqual(["beta"]);
+  });
+
+  it("ignores case and surrounding whitespace, and shows nothing on no match", () => {
+    const candidates = sessionBarCandidates([session("alpha", "/home/n/Alpha")], "/home/n");
+
+    expect(matchAndRank("  ALPHA  ", candidates)).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(matchAndRank("zzz", candidates)).toHaveLength(0);
+  });
+});

web/src/styles.css

@@ -1202,8 +1202,10 @@ textarea {
 }
 
 /* 5. The row the content pane is previewing right now. Last, so previewing a
-   session that is already open still reads as provisional. */
-.tree-leaf:where(.is-previewing) {
+   session that is already open still reads as provisional — except the session
+   already mounted in the pane (tier 4). Previewing that one changes nothing on
+   screen, so its accent stays put instead of blinking out under the pointer. */
+.tree-leaf:where(.is-previewing):where(:not(.is-active)) {
   background: var(--preview-tint);
 }
 
@@ -1472,6 +1474,15 @@ input.leaf-rename:focus {
   padding: var(--sp-2) 0;
 }
 
+/* The action page's header (#151): names the session being acted on, so the
+   target of kill/rename/spawn-similar is never ambiguous. */
+.cmdbar-page-header {
+  padding: var(--sp-2) var(--sp-4);
+  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
+  font-size: var(--fs-12);
+  color: var(--muted);
+}
+
 .cmdbar-group-title {
   padding: var(--sp-2) var(--sp-4) var(--sp-1);
   font-size: var(--fs-11);
@@ -1549,7 +1560,10 @@ input.leaf-rename:focus {
 }
 
 /* Phone: the bottom-sheet treatment the spawn modal already uses. */
-@media (max-width: 600px) {
+/* Bottom sheet at phone width, the same treatment (and the same 599px break)
+   the spawn modal uses: the bar is reached by thumb here, through the sidebar's
+   search field (#157), so it rides the bottom of the screen. */
+@media (max-width: 599px) {
   .cmdbar-overlay {
     grid-template-rows: 1fr auto;
     padding: 0;
@@ -1558,9 +1572,21 @@ input.leaf-rename:focus {
   .cmdbar-panel {
     grid-row: 2;
     width: 100%;
-    max-height: 70vh;
+    max-height: 70dvh;
     border-radius: var(--r-3) var(--r-3) 0 0;
     border-bottom: 0;
+    padding-bottom: env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 0px);
+  }
+
+  /* Thumb-sized rows and a field that clears the on-screen keyboard's
+     zoom-on-focus threshold (16px). */
+  .cmdbar-input {
+    font-size: var(--fs-17);
+    min-height: 44px;
+  }
+
+  .cmdbar-row {
+    min-height: 44px;
   }
 }
 

web/src/tree.test.ts

@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ describe("buildTree", () => {
     const root = buildTree(
       [session("a", "/home/n/work"), session("b", "/home/n/work")],
       "/home/n",
-      "",
     ) as TreeFolder;
 
     expect(names(root)).toEqual(["~/work"]);
@@ -35,7 +34,7 @@ describe("buildTree", () => {
   });
 
   it("collapses a linear chain into one folder", () => {
-    const root = buildTree([session("a", "/home/n/git/naps62/maestro")], "/home/n", "") as TreeFolder;
+    const root = buildTree([session("a", "/home/n/git/naps62/maestro")], "/home/n") as TreeFolder;
     expect(names(root)).toEqual(["~/git/naps62/maestro"]);
   });
 
@@ -43,7 +42,6 @@ describe("buildTree", () => {
     const root = buildTree(
       [session("a", "/home/n/subvisual/bullish"), session("b", "/home/n/tea/maestro")],
       "/home/n",
-      "",
     ) as TreeFolder;
 
     expect(names(root).sort()).toEqual(["~/subvisual/bullish", "~/tea/maestro"]);
@@ -53,7 +51,6 @@ describe("buildTree", () => {
     const root = buildTree(
       [session("a", "/home/n/git/one"), session("b", "/home/n/git/two")],
       "/home/n",
-      "",
     ) as TreeFolder;
 
     expect(names(root)).toEqual(["~/git"]);
@@ -65,30 +62,11 @@ describe("buildTree", () => {
     const root = buildTree(
       [session("loose", ""), session("nested", "/home/n/work")],
       "/home/n",
-      "",
     ) as TreeFolder;
 
     expect(root.children[0].kind).toBe("folder");
     expect(root.children[1].kind).toBe("leaf");
   });
-
-  it("filters on both session name and directory", () => {
-    const sessions = [session("a", "/home/n/alpha", "claude"), session("b", "/home/n/beta", "bash")];
-
-    const byDir = buildTree(sessions, "/home/n", "alpha") as TreeFolder;
-    expect(names(byDir)).toEqual(["~/alpha"]);
-
-    const byCommand = buildTree(sessions, "/home/n", "claude") as TreeFolder;
-    expect(names(byCommand)).toEqual(["~/alpha"]);
-
-    const noMatch = buildTree(sessions, "/home/n", "zzz") as TreeFolder;
-    expect(noMatch.children).toEqual([]);
-  });
-
-  it("ignores case and surrounding whitespace in the filter", () => {
-    const root = buildTree([session("a", "/home/n/Alpha")], "/home/n", "  ALPHA  ") as TreeFolder;
-    expect(root.children).toHaveLength(1);
-  });
 });
 
 describe("mergeLinear", () => {
@@ -127,7 +105,6 @@ describe("worktree sessions group under their repository (#99)", () => {
         ),
       ],
       "/home/n",
-      "",
     ) as TreeFolder;
 
     expect(topFolders(root)).toEqual(["~/tea/agent-skills"]);
@@ -147,7 +124,6 @@ describe("worktree sessions group under their repository (#99)", () => {
         ),
       ],
       "/home/n",
-      "",
     ) as TreeFolder;
 
     expect(topFolders(root)).toEqual(["~/tea/agent-skills"]);
@@ -157,7 +133,7 @@ describe("worktree sessions group under their repository (#99)", () => {
   });
 
   it("leaves a session without a worktree where it is", () => {
-    const root = buildTree([session("a", "/home/n/tea/arr")], "/home/n", "") as TreeFolder;
+    const root = buildTree([session("a", "/home/n/tea/arr")], "/home/n") as TreeFolder;
     expect(topFolders(root)).toEqual(["~/tea/arr"]);
   });
 });

web/src/tree.ts

@@ -25,19 +25,14 @@ export function compareNodes(a: TreeNode, b: TreeNode): number {
   return an.localeCompare(bn);
 }
 
-export function buildTree(sessions: Session[], home: string | undefined, filter: string): TreeNode {
+export function buildTree(sessions: Session[], home: string | undefined): TreeNode {
   const root: TreeFolder = { kind: "folder", name: "", path: "", children: [] };
-  const lc = filter.trim().toLowerCase();
 
   for (const s of sessions) {
     // Grouped by repository, so a worktree session lands under its repo
     // rather than in a folder of its own (#99).
     const cwd = sessionTreePath(s);
     const dir = cwd ? abbreviateCwd(cwd, home) : "";
-    if (lc) {
-      const haystack = `${sessionName(s)} ${dir}`.toLowerCase();
-      if (!haystack.includes(lc)) continue;
-    }
     const parts = dir ? dir.split("/").filter(Boolean) : [];
     let cursor = root;
     for (const part of parts) {