feat(maestro): open the bar with ctrl-k over a focused pane

The global listener already ran in the capture phase, but deferred to
isTypingTarget, so xterm's hidden textarea kept Ctrl-K. The bar now treats
that textarea as not a typing target, while real form fields — the spawn
form's inputs — keep their own Ctrl-K.

Leader then ctrl-k (ctrl-a ctrl-k) sends the literal 0x0B to the focused
pane through the leader chord the command set already resolves, so
readline's kill-to-end-of-line stays reachable. The pool grows a
sendToFocused for it, over a new AttachConnection.sendInput.

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

TASK.md

@@ -1,115 +0,0 @@
-# Task: Gitea issue #153 — the TUI command bar (action, overlay, session results)
-
-You are an autonomous worker in a blitz over the **Command bar** milestone of
-the `naps62/maestro` Gitea repo (`https://git.naps.pt`, `$GITEA_TOKEN` is in
-`~/.env.claude` — `source` it).
-
-Both of your dependencies are merged and on your base branch.
-
-## Read first
-
-1. **`docs/COMMAND-BAR.md`** — the contract. "Opening", "Structure", "Empty
-   query" and "Keys" are yours. Implement what it says.
-2. The issue body:
-   `curl -sS -H "Authorization: token $GITEA_TOKEN" https://git.naps.pt/api/v1/repos/naps62/maestro/issues/153 | jq -r .body`
-3. `CLAUDE.md` — conventions. **TDD by default**; `cargo fmt` and
-   `cargo clippy --all-targets -- -D warnings` before every commit.
-4. What you build on, all merged:
-   - `crates/maestro-tui/src/matcher.rs` (#147) — the match-and-rank function
-     and its candidate types. **Do not reimplement matching or reorder its
-     results.**
-   - `crates/maestro-protocol` — `Session::last_focused_at` (#145), the
-     daemon's recency stamp.
-   - `crates/maestro-tui/src/`: `action.rs`, `keymap.rs`, `config.rs`
-     (`DEFAULT_NORMAL` / `DEFAULT_INSERT`), `state.rs` (`OverlayKind`),
-     `overlays.rs`, `app.rs` (`handle_overlay_input` and the dispatcher),
-     `text_input.rs` (the edit buffer the rename prompt already uses).
-5. **`web/src/commandBar.ts`** (#149) — the web bar implementing this same
-   contract, already merged. Read it, especially `orderSessionsForBar`. Where
-   the doc leaves room, match what it does; the two clients disagreeing is the
-   failure this contract exists to prevent.
-
-## What to build
-
-- **`Action::OpenCommandBar`** — new variant, with its `parse` arm, `Display`
-  arm, `help_label`, and dispatcher arm. `Action::parse` and `Display` must
-  round-trip, as the existing tests require of every variant.
-- **Bind `ctrl-k` in both `DEFAULT_NORMAL` and `DEFAULT_INSERT`**, so it opens
-  from the sidebar and from inside a pane. Because it is an ordinary keymap
-  entry it stays rebindable, and the help overlay — which builds its lines from
-  the live keymap — picks it up with no second list.
-- **A new `OverlayKind` variant**, routed in `handle_overlay_input` alongside
-  Spawn, KillConfirm, Rename and Help. Follow how `Rename` keeps its edit
-  buffer on the app rather than in the enum, so the overlay enum stays
-  comparable.
-- **Empty query lists sessions, most recently focused first**, by
-  `last_focused_at`. The doc fixes what happens to never-focused and dead
-  sessions — follow it exactly, and match `orderSessionsForBar`.
-- **Typing fuzzy-matches sessions** through `matcher.rs`, with matched ranges
-  highlighted in the rendered row. Build candidates from the fields the doc's
-  candidate table names, directory abbreviated as the sidebar shows it.
-- **Results render under kind headers**, groups ordered by best-scoring member,
-  highlight starting on the globally best row. Only sessions exist as a kind
-  here, but build the grouping so #154 can add commands and directories without
-  restructuring it.
-- **Enter attaches the highlighted session.** Escape closes. Up/down and
-  `ctrl-p`/`ctrl-n` move the highlight, which does not wrap; headers are never
-  landed on.
-
-**Module name**: `palette.rs` is the colour palette. Do not put this there and
-do not name your module `palette`.
-
-## Non-goals — later issues own these, do not build them
-
-- The `>` and `~` sigils (#154).
-- Tab drilling into a session's action page (#155).
-- The leader sending a literal Ctrl-K to the pane (#156).
-
-Build the grouping and query line so those slot in without a rewrite, but do
-not implement them.
-
-## Ground rules
-
-- You are on `command-bar/153-tui-bar`, cut from `origin/main`. **Merge
-  `origin/blitz/command-bar` first** (merge, never rebase) — everything you
-  depend on is there and not on `main`. Merge it again if it moves under you.
-- Stay inside `crates/`. Do not touch `web/`, and do not modify `matcher.rs`;
-  if you believe it is wrong, comment on the issue instead.
-- Integration tests use **real tmux** — don't mock it; isolate with a temp
-  `$HOME` and `TMUX_TMPDIR` the way the existing tests do. `overlays.rs` shows
-  how the existing overlays are tested against a `TestBackend`.
-- Run the suite at most once at the end, through the gate:
-  `/home/naps62/.claude/skills/tracker-common/scripts/gate.sh -- cargo test --workspace`.
-  Exit 75 means no slot — a normal outcome, not a failure: say so and push
-  anyway. Exit 137 is the memory cap, not a test failure.
-- Report the **aggregate test count**, not one crate's.
-- Commit convention: `feat(maestro): ...`.
-- Bugs or problems outside this issue's scope: **comment them on issue #153**,
-  do not fix them silently. Earlier workers' reports changed the scope of two
-  later issues before they started.
-- Never wait for input.
-
-## Exit criteria
-
-Do not end your final reply until ALL of these are true:
-
-1. `Action::OpenCommandBar` exists, round-trips through `parse`/`Display`, and
-   has a plain-language `help_label`.
-2. `ctrl-k` is bound in both the Normal and Insert default keymaps and opens
-   the bar from each.
-3. Empty query lists sessions by recency, with the doc's rules for
-   never-focused and dead sessions, matching `orderSessionsForBar`.
-4. Typing ranks through `matcher.rs` with ranges highlighted, under kind
-   headers.
-5. Enter attaches; Escape, arrows and `ctrl-p`/`ctrl-n` behave as the doc's key
-   table says.
-6. `cargo fmt` clean, `cargo clippy --all-targets -- -D warnings` clean, suite
-   green (or the gate returned 75/137 and you said which).
-7. Committed on `command-bar/153-tui-bar` and the branch **pushed** to
-   `origin`.
-
-Do **not** merge into `blitz/command-bar` and do **not** close the issue — the
-orchestrator does both.
-
-If you catch yourself summarizing progress before those seven are true, you
-have stopped too early — keep going.

web/src/attach.ts

@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@ export interface AttachConnection {
   onUnmount(): void;
   /** Put the keyboard back into this terminal — what leaving the sidebar does. */
   focusTerminal(): void;
+  /** Type raw bytes straight into the PTY, bypassing the terminal's own key
+   *  handling — the leader's literal Ctrl-K escape hatch
+   *  (docs/COMMAND-BAR.md). */
+  sendInput(data: string): void;
   /** Fully disconnect: close the WS, dispose the terminal, remove the element. */
   dispose(): void;
 }
@@ -506,6 +510,9 @@ export function createAttachConnection(
     focusTerminal() {
       term.focus();
     },
+    // The closure above: the same bytes-out path keystrokes and the mobile key
+    // bar already take.
+    sendInput,
     dispose() {
       if (disposed) return;
       disposed = true;

web/src/commandBar.test.ts

@@ -6,13 +6,19 @@ import {
   barGroups,
   barRows,
   closeCommandBar,
+  commandBarCandidates,
+  dedupeCommands,
+  directoryBarCandidates,
+  directoryCandidate,
   isCommandBarOpen,
   openCommandBar,
   orderSessionsForBar,
+  parseBarQuery,
   sessionBarCandidates,
   sessionCandidate,
+  SPAWN_DIRECTORY_EVENT,
 } from "./commandBar.js";
-import { COMMAND_SPECS } from "./commands.js";
+import { COMMAND_SPECS, type Command } from "./commands.js";
 import type { Session } from "./types.js";
 
 function session(id: string, over: Partial<Session> = {}): Session {
@@ -173,8 +179,12 @@ describe("the overlay", () => {
     session("notes", { metadata: { name: "notes" }, current_cwd: "/home/me/notes" }),
   ];
 
+  // Sessions only: the mixed list's command half is the sigil describe's
+  // business, and the registry is whatever another test file happened to bind.
   function open(over: Parameters<typeof openCommandBar>[0] | null = null) {
-    return openCommandBar(over ?? { sessions, homeDir: "/home/me", onOpenSession: () => {} });
+    return openCommandBar(
+      over ?? { sessions, homeDir: "/home/me", commands: [], onOpenSession: () => {} },
+    );
   }
 
   it("is a registry command, so the help overlay lists it", () => {
@@ -252,7 +262,7 @@ describe("the overlay", () => {
     const seen: string[] = [];
     const listener = (e: Event) => seen.push((e as CustomEvent<string>).detail);
     document.addEventListener(SESSION_SELECT_EVENT, listener);
-    openCommandBar({ sessions, homeDir: "/home/me" });
+    openCommandBar({ sessions, homeDir: "/home/me", commands: [] });
     press("ArrowDown");
     press("Enter");
     document.removeEventListener(SESSION_SELECT_EVENT, listener);
@@ -262,7 +272,7 @@ describe("the overlay", () => {
 
   it("Enter on an empty result list does nothing", () => {
     const onOpenSession = vi.fn();
-    open({ sessions, homeDir: "/home/me", onOpenSession });
+    open({ sessions, homeDir: "/home/me", commands: [], onOpenSession });
     type("zzz");
     press("Enter");
     expect(onOpenSession).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
@@ -301,9 +311,234 @@ describe("the overlay", () => {
 
   it("clicking a row opens that session", () => {
     const onOpenSession = vi.fn();
-    open({ sessions, homeDir: "/home/me", onOpenSession });
+    open({ sessions, homeDir: "/home/me", commands: [], onOpenSession });
     (document.querySelectorAll(".cmdbar-row")[1] as HTMLElement).click();
     expect(onOpenSession).toHaveBeenCalledWith("worker");
     expect(isCommandBarOpen()).toBe(false);
   });
 });
+
+// ---- the sigils (#150) ----
+
+function command(id: string, label: string, keys: string[], run = () => {}): Command {
+  return { id, label, group: "Test", keys, scope: "global", run };
+}
+
+const flush = () => new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 0));
+
+function rowKeys(): string[][] {
+  return [...document.querySelectorAll(".cmdbar-row-keys")].map((el) =>
+    [...el.querySelectorAll("kbd")].map((k) => k.textContent ?? ""),
+  );
+}
+
+describe("parsing the query line", () => {
+  it("reads a sigil only in first position", () => {
+    expect(parseBarQuery(">kill")).toEqual({ sigil: ">", query: "kill" });
+    expect(parseBarQuery("~/dev")).toEqual({ sigil: "~", query: "/dev" });
+    expect(parseBarQuery("")).toEqual({ sigil: null, query: "" });
+    expect(parseBarQuery("api")).toEqual({ sigil: null, query: "api" });
+  });
+
+  it("leaves a sigil character elsewhere in the query literal", () => {
+    expect(parseBarQuery("api>x")).toEqual({ sigil: null, query: "api>x" });
+    // The case that matters: the second `~` of a directory query reaches the
+    // matcher.
+    expect(parseBarQuery("~~/dev")).toEqual({ sigil: "~", query: "~/dev" });
+  });
+
+  it("returns to the mixed list when the sigil is backspaced away", () => {
+    expect(parseBarQuery(">").sigil).toBe(">");
+    expect(parseBarQuery("").sigil).toBeNull();
+  });
+});
+
+describe("command candidates", () => {
+  it("dedupes by action, not by chord", () => {
+    const run = () => {};
+    const kill = command("a.kill", "Kill the session", ["x"], run);
+    const alias = command("b.kill", "Kill the session", ["ctrl-x"], run);
+    const other = command("c.rename", "Rename the session", ["r"]);
+    expect(dedupeCommands([kill, alias, other]).map((c) => c.id)).toEqual(["a.kill", "c.rename"]);
+  });
+
+  it("matches on the label only, and keeps the chord for display", () => {
+    const candidates = commandBarCandidates([command("a", "Open the spawn form", ["ctrl-k"])]);
+    expect(candidates[0].fields).toEqual({ label: "Open the spawn form" });
+    expect(candidates[0].command.keys).toEqual(["ctrl-k"]);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("directory candidates", () => {
+  it("abbreviates the path it shows and keeps the one it spawns in", () => {
+    const c = directoryCandidate("/home/me/dev/api", "/home/me");
+    expect(c).toEqual({ kind: "directory", path: "/home/me/dev/api", fields: { path: "~/dev/api" } });
+  });
+
+  it("expands a typed `~` and dedupes by the directory spawned in", () => {
+    const paths = ["~/dev/api", "/home/me/dev/api", "/tmp/scratch"];
+    expect(directoryBarCandidates(paths, "/home/me").map((c) => c.path)).toEqual([
+      "/home/me/dev/api",
+      "/tmp/scratch",
+    ]);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("the sigils in the overlay", () => {
+  const sessions = [session("api", { metadata: { name: "api" }, current_cwd: "/home/me/dev/api" })];
+  const ran: string[] = [];
+  const commands = [
+    command("spawn.open", "Open the spawn form", ["n"], () => ran.push("spawn.open")),
+    command("list.kill", "Kill the highlighted session", ["x"], () => ran.push("list.kill")),
+  ];
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    ran.length = 0;
+  });
+
+  function open(over: Partial<Parameters<typeof openCommandBar>[0]> = {}) {
+    return openCommandBar({
+      sessions,
+      homeDir: "/home/me",
+      commands,
+      onOpenSession: () => {},
+      loadDirectories: async () => [],
+      listDirEntries: async () => [],
+      onSpawnDirectory: () => {},
+      ...over,
+    });
+  }
+
+  it("lists every command in registry order under `>`, with its chord and no header", () => {
+    open();
+    type(">");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["Open the spawn form", "Kill the highlighted session"]);
+    expect(rowKeys()).toEqual([["n"], ["x"]]);
+    expect(document.querySelectorAll(".cmdbar-group-title")).toHaveLength(0);
+  });
+
+  it("matches a command on its label and never on its chord", () => {
+    open();
+    type(">kill");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["Kill the highlighted session"]);
+    // `n` and `x` are chords, not label text: querying one finds nothing that
+    // the label does not also justify.
+    type(">ctrlx");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it("runs the highlighted command on Enter", () => {
+    open();
+    type(">kill");
+    press("Enter");
+    expect(ran).toEqual(["list.kill"]);
+    expect(isCommandBarOpen()).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps the list mixed with no sigil, and returns to it when the sigil goes", () => {
+    open();
+    type("s");
+    expect([...document.querySelectorAll(".cmdbar-group-title")].map((h) => h.textContent)).toEqual([
+      "Sessions",
+      "Commands",
+    ]);
+    type(">spawn");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["Open the spawn form"]);
+    // Backspacing the sigil away is ordinary editing.
+    type("spawn");
+    expect(rowNames()).toContain("Open the spawn form");
+    type("");
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["api"]);
+  });
+
+  it("lists recent dirs then projects under `~`", async () => {
+    open({ loadDirectories: async () => ["/home/me/dev/api", "/srv/www"] });
+    type("~");
+    await flush();
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["~/dev/api", "/srv/www"]);
+    expect(document.querySelectorAll(".cmdbar-group-title")).toHaveLength(0);
+  });
+
+  it("fills the list in from /api/dirs as a path is typed", async () => {
+    const asked: string[] = [];
+    open({
+      loadDirectories: async () => ["/home/me/notes"],
+      listDirEntries: async (dir) => {
+        asked.push(dir);
+        return ["maestro", "api"];
+      },
+    });
+    // The second `~` is a literal query character and reaches the matcher.
+    type("~~/dev/mae");
+    await flush();
+    expect(asked).toEqual(["~/dev/"]);
+    expect(rowNames()).toEqual(["~/dev/maestro"]);
+  });
+
+  it("spawns in the highlighted directory on Enter", async () => {
+    const spawned: string[] = [];
+    open({
+      loadDirectories: async () => ["~/dev/api"],
+      onSpawnDirectory: (path) => spawned.push(path),
+    });
+    type("~api");
+    await flush();
+    press("Enter");
+    expect(spawned).toEqual(["/home/me/dev/api"]);
+    expect(isCommandBarOpen()).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("raises the spawn event when the caller supplies no handler", async () => {
+    const seen: string[] = [];
+    const listener = (e: Event) => seen.push((e as CustomEvent<string>).detail);
+    document.addEventListener(SPAWN_DIRECTORY_EVENT, listener);
+    openCommandBar({
+      sessions,
+      homeDir: "/home/me",
+      commands,
+      onOpenSession: () => {},
+      loadDirectories: async () => ["/home/me/dev/api"],
+      listDirEntries: async () => [],
+    });
+    type("~");
+    await flush();
+    press("Enter");
+    document.removeEventListener(SPAWN_DIRECTORY_EVENT, listener);
+    expect(seen).toEqual(["/home/me/dev/api"]);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("the focus round-trip over a pane (#152)", () => {
+  function terminalTextarea(): HTMLTextAreaElement {
+    const ta = document.createElement("textarea");
+    ta.className = "xterm-helper-textarea";
+    document.body.appendChild(ta);
+    return ta;
+  }
+
+  it("hands the keyboard back to the terminal that had it", () => {
+    const ta = terminalTextarea();
+    ta.focus();
+    openCommandBar({ sessions: [], commands: [] });
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(document.querySelector(".cmdbar-input"));
+    press("Escape");
+    expect(document.activeElement).toBe(ta);
+  });
+
+  it("reports no focus change to the daemon, opening or closing", () => {
+    const fetchMock = vi.fn(() => Promise.resolve(new Response(null, { status: 204 })));
+    vi.stubGlobal("fetch", fetchMock);
+    try {
+      const ta = terminalTextarea();
+      ta.focus();
+      openCommandBar({ sessions: [], commands: [] });
+      press("Escape");
+      const focusCalls = fetchMock.mock.calls.filter(([url]: unknown[]) =>
+        String(url).includes("/focus"),
+      );
+      expect(focusCalls).toEqual([]);
+    } finally {
+      vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+    }
+  });
+});

web/src/commandBar.ts

@@ -1,33 +1,47 @@
 // The `ctrl-k` command bar (docs/COMMAND-BAR.md): a query line over a result
 // list, opened from the sidebar, closed with Escape.
 //
-// Sessions are the only kind here (#149); the sigils, the action page and the
+// Three kinds live here: sessions and commands, ranked together by default,
-// terminal-focus binding land in #150-#152.
+// and directories, which need the `~` sigil. The action page and the
+// terminal-focus binding land in #151-#152.
 
+import { listDir, projects as fetchProjects, recentDirs } from "./api.js";
 import { SESSION_SELECT_EVENT } from "./catalog.js";
+import { keyCaps, publishedCommands, type Command } from "./commands.js";
 import {
   matchAndRank,
   type CandidateKind,
+  type CommandCandidate,
+  type DirectoryCandidate,
   type MatchRange,
   type MatchResult,
   type SessionCandidate,
 } from "./matcher.js";
+import { splitPath } from "./paths.js";
 import { splitCommand } from "./toolIcon.js";
 import { abbreviateCwd, sessionName, sessionTreePath, type Session } from "./types.js";
 
-/** A matcher candidate that remembers which session it came from, so a result
+/** A matcher candidate that remembers what it came from, so a result can be
- *  can be acted on without a second lookup. The extra property is invisible to
+ *  acted on without a second lookup. The extra property is invisible to the
- *  the matcher, which only ever reads `kind` and `fields`. */
+ *  matcher, which only ever reads `kind` and `fields`. */
 export type SessionBarCandidate = SessionCandidate & { session: Session };
+export type CommandBarCandidate = CommandCandidate & { command: Command };
+/** `fields.path` is the abbreviated path the operator reads and the matcher
+ *  ranks; `path` is the one a spawn is made in. */
+export type DirectoryBarCandidate = DirectoryCandidate & { path: string };
 
-export type BarCandidate = SessionBarCandidate;
+export type BarCandidate = SessionBarCandidate | CommandBarCandidate | DirectoryBarCandidate;
 export type BarResult = MatchResult<BarCandidate>;
 
+/** Raised when Enter lands on a directory row. The bar picks the directory; the
+ *  shell owns the spawn, which is the same fast-forward path `N` takes. */
+export const SPAWN_DIRECTORY_EVENT = "cmdbar-spawn-directory";
+
 /** One kind's slice of the ranked list, in rank order. */
-export interface BarGroup {
+export interface BarGroup<C extends BarCandidate = BarCandidate> {
   kind: CandidateKind;
   title: string;
-  results: BarResult[];
+  results: MatchResult<C>[];
 }
 
 const KIND_TITLES: Record<CandidateKind, string> = {
@@ -36,6 +50,29 @@ const KIND_TITLES: Record<CandidateKind, string> = {
   directory: "Directories",
 };
 
+// ---- the sigils ----
+
+export type BarSigil = ">" | "~";
+
+export interface BarQuery {
+  /** The sigil in force, or null for the mixed list. */
+  sigil: BarSigil | null;
+  /** What the matcher sees: everything after a sigil, or the whole query. */
+  query: string;
+}
+
+/** Split a raw query line into its sigil and the query proper.
+ *
+ *  A sigil is only a sigil in first position: `>` or `~` anywhere else is a
+ *  literal query character, which is what a directory query with a second `~`
+ *  in it depends on. Backspacing past a sigil needs no special case either —
+ *  the first character goes and the query is a mixed one again. */
+export function parseBarQuery(raw: string): BarQuery {
+  const first = raw[0];
+  if (first === ">" || first === "~") return { sigil: first, query: raw.slice(1) };
+  return { sigil: null, query: raw };
+}
+
 // ---- candidates ----
 
 function focusedAt(s: Session): number | null {
@@ -99,14 +136,92 @@ export function sessionBarCandidates(
   return orderSessionsForBar(sessions).map((s) => sessionCandidate(s, homeDir));
 }
 
+/** Drop the commands that would list twice. Several chords can be bound to one
+ *  action — the registry already carries its aliases on one entry, but nothing
+ *  stops two entries running the same handler, and listed naively that is two
+ *  identical rows. The dedupe is by **action**, never by chord: the chord is
+ *  displayed, so a command with two of them is still one row. */
+export function dedupeCommands(commands: readonly Command[]): Command[] {
+  const seenRun = new Set<Command["run"]>();
+  const seenLabel = new Set<string>();
+  const kept: Command[] = [];
+  for (const command of commands) {
+    if (seenRun.has(command.run) || seenLabel.has(command.label)) continue;
+    seenRun.add(command.run);
+    seenLabel.add(command.label);
+    kept.push(command);
+  }
+  return kept;
+}
+
+/** Every bound command as a candidate, in registry order. Only the label is a
+ *  field: the chord is displayed beside the row, never matched, because
+ *  matching it would make `>` results depend on a user's rebinds. */
+export function commandBarCandidates(commands: readonly Command[]): CommandBarCandidate[] {
+  return dedupeCommands(commands).map((command) => ({
+    kind: "command",
+    command,
+    fields: { label: command.label },
+  }));
+}
+
+/** `~/dev/api` back to `/home/me/dev/api` — the inverse of `abbreviateCwd`, for
+ *  a path the operator typed or `/api/dirs` completed. */
+export function expandHome(path: string, homeDir?: string): string {
+  if (!homeDir) return path;
+  if (path === "~") return homeDir;
+  return path.startsWith("~/") ? `${homeDir}${path.slice(1)}` : path;
+}
+
+export function directoryCandidate(path: string, homeDir?: string): DirectoryBarCandidate {
+  const absolute = expandHome(path, homeDir);
+  return { kind: "directory", path: absolute, fields: { path: abbreviateCwd(absolute, homeDir) } };
+}
+
+/** Candidates for `~`, deduped by the directory they spawn in and keeping the
+ *  first mention of each — recent dirs (newest first) ahead of the project
+ *  list, which is the empty-query order the contract asks for. */
+export function directoryBarCandidates(
+  paths: readonly string[],
+  homeDir?: string,
+): DirectoryBarCandidate[] {
+  const seen = new Set<string>();
+  const out: DirectoryBarCandidate[] = [];
+  for (const path of paths) {
+    if (path === "") continue;
+    const candidate = directoryCandidate(path, homeDir);
+    if (seen.has(candidate.path)) continue;
+    seen.add(candidate.path);
+    out.push(candidate);
+  }
+  return out;
+}
+
+/** The directory list the bar starts from: what the spawn form already knows —
+ *  `GET /api/recent-dirs` and the project list — either alone if the other
+ *  fails. */
+export async function loadBarDirectories(): Promise<string[]> {
+  const [recents, discovered] = await Promise.all([
+    recentDirs()
+      .then((r) => r.dirs.map((d) => d.cwd))
+      .catch(() => [] as string[]),
+    fetchProjects()
+      .then((list) => list.map((p) => p.path))
+      .catch(() => [] as string[]),
+  ]);
+  return [...recents, ...discovered];
+}
+
 // ---- grouping ----
 
 /** Bucket a ranked list by kind for rendering. Grouping is a rendering of the
  *  ranking, never a reordering of it: a group holds its matches in rank order,
  *  and groups appear in the order their best-scoring member does — so the first
  *  row under the first header is the globally best result. */
-export function barGroups(results: readonly BarResult[]): BarGroup[] {
+export function barGroups<C extends BarCandidate>(
-  const groups: BarGroup[] = [];
+  results: readonly MatchResult<C>[],
+): BarGroup<C>[] {
+  const groups: BarGroup<C>[] = [];
   for (const result of results) {
     const kind = result.candidate.kind;
     let group = groups.find((g) => g.kind === kind);
@@ -122,7 +237,10 @@ export function barGroups(results: readonly BarResult[]): BarGroup[] {
 /** The rows a query produces, flat and in rank order — what the highlight walks
  *  and what Enter acts on. Headers are labels, not rows, so they are never in
  *  this list. */
-export function barRows(query: string, candidates: readonly BarCandidate[]): BarResult[] {
+export function barRows<C extends BarCandidate>(
+  query: string,
+  candidates: readonly C[],
+): MatchResult<C>[] {
   return matchAndRank(query, candidates);
 }
 
@@ -145,9 +263,25 @@ export function renderHighlighted(text: string, ranges: readonly MatchRange[]):
   return frag;
 }
 
-/** The secondary line under a row's name: the field the match was found in when
+/** The name line of a row: the session's name, the command's label, or the
- *  that was not the name, so a session found through its directory says so. */
+ *  directory's path. */
+function rowName(candidate: BarCandidate): string {
+  switch (candidate.kind) {
+    case "session":
+      return candidate.fields.name;
+    case "command":
+      return candidate.fields.label;
+    case "directory":
+      return candidate.fields.path;
+  }
+}
+
+/** The secondary line under a session row: the field the match was found in
+ *  when that was not the name, so a session found through its directory says
+ *  so. Only sessions have one — a command shows keycaps instead, and a
+ *  directory's path is already the name. */
 function metaText(result: BarResult): string | undefined {
+  if (result.candidate.kind !== "session") return undefined;
   const fields = result.candidate.fields;
   switch (result.field) {
     case "directory":
@@ -162,22 +296,44 @@ function metaText(result: BarResult): string | undefined {
 }
 
 function renderRow(result: BarResult, index: number): HTMLElement {
+  const candidate = result.candidate;
   const row = document.createElement("div");
   row.className = "cmdbar-row";
   row.setAttribute("role", "option");
   row.id = `cmdbar-row-${index}`;
   row.dataset.index = String(index);
-  row.dataset.sessionId = result.candidate.session.id;
+  row.dataset.kind = candidate.kind;
-  if (result.candidate.session.status === "Dead") row.classList.add("is-dead");
+  if (candidate.kind === "session") {
+    row.dataset.sessionId = candidate.session.id;
+    if (candidate.session.status === "Dead") row.classList.add("is-dead");
+  } else if (candidate.kind === "command") {
+    row.dataset.commandId = candidate.command.id;
+  } else {
+    row.dataset.path = candidate.path;
+  }
 
   const name = document.createElement("span");
   name.className = "cmdbar-row-name";
-  const nameText = result.candidate.fields.name;
+  const nameText = rowName(candidate);
-  name.append(
+  const nameMatched =
-    result.field === "name" ? renderHighlighted(nameText, result.ranges) : nameText,
+    result.field === "name" || result.field === "label" || result.field === "path";
-  );
+  name.append(nameMatched ? renderHighlighted(nameText, result.ranges) : nameText);
   row.appendChild(name);
 
+  // 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") {
+    const keys = document.createElement("span");
+    keys.className = "cmdbar-row-keys";
+    for (const cap of keyCaps(candidate.command.keys[0])) {
+      const kbd = document.createElement("kbd");
+      kbd.textContent = cap;
+      keys.appendChild(kbd);
+    }
+    row.appendChild(keys);
+    return row;
+  }
+
   const meta = metaText(result);
   if (meta) {
     const el = document.createElement("span");
@@ -189,6 +345,12 @@ function renderRow(result: BarResult, index: number): HTMLElement {
   return row;
 }
 
+const PLACEHOLDERS: Record<"mixed" | BarSigil, string> = {
+  mixed: "Go to a session…",
+  ">": "Run a command…",
+  "~": "Spawn in a directory…",
+};
+
 // ---- the overlay ----
 
 export interface CommandBarOptions {
@@ -200,6 +362,18 @@ export interface CommandBarOptions {
    *  sidebar's click event — which is what the contract requires; tests pass
    *  their own. */
   onOpenSession?: (sessionId: string) => void;
+  /** The command registry to list under `>`. Defaults to every bound command,
+   *  in registry order. */
+  commands?: readonly Command[];
+  /** The directory list behind `~`, fetched once on first use. */
+  loadDirectories?: () => Promise<string[]>;
+  /** One directory's subdirectories, for filling the list in as a path is
+   *  typed. Defaults to `GET /api/dirs`. */
+  listDirEntries?: (dir: string) => Promise<string[]>;
+  /** Spawn a session in the highlighted directory. Defaults to raising
+   *  `SPAWN_DIRECTORY_EVENT`, which the shell turns into a fast-forward
+   *  spawn. */
+  onSpawnDirectory?: (path: string) => void;
 }
 
 interface OpenBar {
@@ -228,8 +402,21 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
   const openSession =
     opts.onOpenSession ??
     ((id: string) => document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent(SESSION_SELECT_EVENT, { detail: id })));
+  const spawnDirectory =
+    opts.onSpawnDirectory ??
+    ((path: string) =>
+      document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent(SPAWN_DIRECTORY_EVENT, { detail: path })));
+  const loadDirectories = opts.loadDirectories ?? loadBarDirectories;
+  const listEntries =
+    opts.listDirEntries ?? ((dir: string) => listDir(dir).then((listing) => listing.entries));
 
-  const candidates: BarCandidate[] = sessionBarCandidates(opts.sessions, opts.homeDir);
+  const sessionCandidates: SessionBarCandidate[] = sessionBarCandidates(
+    opts.sessions,
+    opts.homeDir,
+  );
+  const commandCandidates: CommandBarCandidate[] = commandBarCandidates(
+    opts.commands ?? publishedCommands(),
+  );
 
   const el = document.createElement("div");
   el.className = "cmdbar-overlay";
@@ -246,10 +433,10 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
   input.setAttribute("role", "combobox");
   input.setAttribute("aria-expanded", "true");
   input.setAttribute("aria-controls", "cmdbar-results");
-  input.setAttribute("aria-label", "Search sessions");
+  input.setAttribute("aria-label", "Search sessions, commands and directories");
   input.setAttribute("autocomplete", "off");
   input.spellcheck = false;
-  input.placeholder = "Go to a session…";
+  input.placeholder = PLACEHOLDERS.mixed;
 
   const results = document.createElement("div");
   results.className = "cmdbar-results";
@@ -263,6 +450,90 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
   let rows: BarResult[] = [];
   let highlighted = 0;
 
+  // `~`'s candidates: the recents-and-projects list, fetched once, plus
+  // whatever `/api/dirs` has filled in for the directory being typed.
+  let directories: DirectoryBarCandidate[] = [];
+  let directoriesRequested = false;
+  let probed: DirectoryBarCandidate[] = [];
+  let probedDir: string | null = null;
+  const listings = new Map<string, string[]>();
+
+  function alive(): boolean {
+    return current?.el === el;
+  }
+
+  /** Fetch the recents-and-projects list the first time `~` is used. */
+  function ensureDirectories(): void {
+    if (directoriesRequested) return;
+    directoriesRequested = true;
+    loadDirectories()
+      .then((paths) => {
+        directories = directoryBarCandidates(paths, opts.homeDir);
+        if (alive()) render();
+      })
+      .catch(() => {
+        /* no directories is a shorter list, not an error state */
+      });
+  }
+
+  /** Fill the list in from `GET /api/dirs` once the query looks like a path:
+   *  the directory it names is listed and its children join the candidates, so
+   *  `~` reaches a directory that was never spawned in. */
+  function probeDirectories(query: string): void {
+    const { dir } = splitPath(query);
+    if (dir === "") {
+      probed = [];
+      probedDir = null;
+      return;
+    }
+    if (dir === probedDir) return;
+    probedDir = dir;
+    const cached = listings.get(dir);
+    if (cached) {
+      probed = directoryBarCandidates(
+        cached.map((entry) => `${dir}${entry}`),
+        opts.homeDir,
+      );
+      return;
+    }
+    probed = [];
+    listEntries(dir)
+      .then((entries) => {
+        listings.set(dir, entries);
+        if (!alive() || probedDir !== dir) return;
+        probed = directoryBarCandidates(
+          entries.map((entry) => `${dir}${entry}`),
+          opts.homeDir,
+        );
+        render();
+      })
+      .catch(() => {
+        /* an unreadable directory contributes nothing */
+      });
+  }
+
+  /** What the matcher sees for the query line as it stands. With no sigil the
+   *  list is mixed — sessions and commands together — except on an empty query,
+   *  where the bar is a session switcher. */
+  function candidatesFor(parsed: BarQuery): BarCandidate[] {
+    switch (parsed.sigil) {
+      case ">":
+        return [...commandCandidates];
+      case "~": {
+        ensureDirectories();
+        probeDirectories(parsed.query);
+        const seen = new Set<string>();
+        return [...directories, ...probed].filter((c) =>
+          seen.has(c.path) ? false : (seen.add(c.path), true),
+        );
+      }
+      default:
+        return parsed.query === ""
+          ? [...sessionCandidates]
+          : [...sessionCandidates, ...commandCandidates];
+    }
+  }
+
   function paintHighlight(): void {
     for (const row of results.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>(".cmdbar-row")) {
       const active = Number(row.dataset.index) === highlighted;
@@ -277,7 +548,9 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
   }
 
   function render(): void {
-    rows = barRows(input.value, candidates);
+    const parsed = parseBarQuery(input.value);
+    input.placeholder = PLACEHOLDERS[parsed.sigil ?? "mixed"];
+    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.
     highlighted = 0;
@@ -294,11 +567,14 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
 
     let index = 0;
     for (const group of barGroups(rows)) {
-      const header = document.createElement("div");
+      // While a sigil is in force there is one kind, so the header is dropped.
-      header.className = "cmdbar-group-title";
+      if (parsed.sigil === null) {
-      header.setAttribute("role", "presentation");
+        const header = document.createElement("div");
-      header.textContent = group.title;
+        header.className = "cmdbar-group-title";
-      results.appendChild(header);
+        header.setAttribute("role", "presentation");
+        header.textContent = group.title;
+        results.appendChild(header);
+      }
       for (const result of group.results) {
         const at = index;
         const row = renderRow(result, at);
@@ -320,9 +596,19 @@ export function openCommandBar(opts: CommandBarOptions): HTMLElement {
   function activate(index: number): void {
     const result = rows[index];
     if (!result) return;
-    const sessionId = result.candidate.session.id;
+    const candidate = result.candidate;
     close();
-    openSession(sessionId);
+    switch (candidate.kind) {
+      case "session":
+        openSession(candidate.session.id);
+        return;
+      case "command":
+        candidate.command.run();
+        return;
+      case "directory":
+        spawnDirectory(candidate.path);
+        return;
+    }
   }
 
   function onKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent): void {

web/src/commands.test.ts

@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import {
   DEFAULT_LEADER,
   canonicalizeKey,
   defineCommands,
+  isBarTypingTarget,
+  isTerminalTextarea,
   isTypingTarget,
   keyCaps,
   publishedCommands,
@@ -234,3 +236,74 @@ describe("isTypingTarget", () => {
     expect(isTypingTarget(null)).toBe(false);
   });
 });
+
+describe("isTerminalTextarea", () => {
+  it("recognises xterm's offscreen textarea, and nothing else", () => {
+    expect(isTerminalTextarea(el('<textarea class="xterm-helper-textarea"></textarea>'))).toBe(true);
+    expect(isTerminalTextarea(el("<textarea></textarea>"))).toBe(false);
+    expect(isTerminalTextarea(el("<input>"))).toBe(false);
+    expect(isTerminalTextarea(null)).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("isBarTypingTarget", () => {
+  it("holds the bar's keys out of real form fields", () => {
+    expect(isBarTypingTarget(el("<input>"))).toBe(true);
+    expect(isBarTypingTarget(el("<textarea></textarea>"))).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("does not count the terminal's textarea, so ctrl-k reaches the bar there", () => {
+    expect(isBarTypingTarget(el('<textarea class="xterm-helper-textarea"></textarea>'))).toBe(false);
+    expect(isBarTypingTarget(el("<button></button>"))).toBe(false);
+    expect(isBarTypingTarget(null)).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("ctrl-k over a focused pane (#152)", () => {
+  const terminal = () => el('<textarea class="xterm-helper-textarea"></textarea>');
+
+  /** The global listener's routing: the bar's set only sees a key that is not
+   *  aimed at a real form field. */
+  function route(set: CommandSet, target: HTMLElement, k: string, init?: KeyboardEventInit) {
+    if (isBarTypingTarget(target)) return false;
+    return pressOn(set, target, k, init);
+  }
+
+  it("opens the bar when the terminal has the keyboard", () => {
+    const open = vi.fn();
+    const set = new CommandSet(defineCommands({ "bar.open": open }));
+    expect(route(set, terminal(), "k", { ctrlKey: true })).toBe(true);
+    expect(open).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  it("leaves the spawn form's inputs their own Ctrl-K", () => {
+    const open = vi.fn();
+    const set = new CommandSet(defineCommands({ "bar.open": open }));
+    expect(route(set, el("<input>"), "k", { ctrlKey: true })).toBe(false);
+    expect(open).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("sends the literal 0x0B after the leader, without opening the bar", () => {
+    const open = vi.fn();
+    const literal = vi.fn();
+    const bar = new CommandSet(defineCommands({ "bar.open": open }));
+    const set = new CommandSet(defineCommands({ "pane.literalCtrlK": literal }), {
+      leader: DEFAULT_LEADER,
+    });
+    const target = terminal();
+    expect(pressOn(set, target, "a", { ctrlKey: true })).toBe(true);
+    const e = key("k", { ctrlKey: true });
+    Object.defineProperty(e, "target", { value: target });
+    expect(set.handle(e)).toBe(true);
+    expect(literal).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    // The leader's set consumed the key, so the bar's set never sees it.
+    expect(open).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(bar.handle(e)).toBe(true); // sanity: it would have opened otherwise
+    expect(open).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  it("binds the escape hatch behind the default leader", () => {
+    const spec = COMMAND_SPECS.find((s) => s.id === "pane.literalCtrlK");
+    expect(spec?.keys).toEqual([`${DEFAULT_LEADER} ctrl-k`]);
+  });
+});

web/src/commands.ts

@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ export interface Command extends CommandSpec {
   run: () => void;
 }
 
+/** Default leader, mirroring the TUI's `[tui].leader`. `ctrl-a` is select-all
+ *  in a browser, so a set that owns the leader `preventDefault`s it. */
+export const DEFAULT_LEADER = "ctrl-a";
+
 /** Every command the web client has. The single list this issue exists to
  *  create: labels, chords and grouping live here and nowhere else. */
 export const COMMAND_SPECS: readonly CommandSpec[] = [
@@ -56,6 +60,13 @@ export const COMMAND_SPECS: readonly CommandSpec[] = [
     keys: ["ctrl-k"],
     scope: "global",
   },
+  {
+    id: "pane.literalCtrlK",
+    label: "Send a literal Ctrl-K to the pane",
+    group: "Pane",
+    keys: [`${DEFAULT_LEADER} ctrl-k`],
+    scope: "global",
+  },
   {
     id: "focus.toggle",
     label: "Move the keyboard between the session list and the pane",
@@ -241,11 +252,19 @@ export function isTypingTarget(target: EventTarget | null): boolean {
 /** xterm's offscreen textarea. It is a typing target like any other, but it is
  *  also where the leader has to work — a pane is exactly where the operator
  *  needs the escape hatch (docs/COMMAND-BAR.md). */
-function isTerminalTextarea(target: EventTarget | null): boolean {
+export function isTerminalTextarea(target: EventTarget | null): boolean {
   const el = target as HTMLElement | null;
   return !!el && typeof el.className === "string" && el.classList?.contains("xterm-helper-textarea");
 }
 
+/** True where the command bar's own keys must stay out of the way: a real form
+ *  field, and not the pane. `ctrl-k` is intercepted ahead of xterm
+ *  (docs/COMMAND-BAR.md, "Opening"), so a focused terminal opens the bar, while
+ *  the spawn form's inputs keep their own Ctrl-K. */
+export function isBarTypingTarget(target: EventTarget | null): boolean {
+  return isTypingTarget(target) && !isTerminalTextarea(target);
+}
+
 // ---- display ----
 
 const CAPS: Record<string, string> = {
@@ -292,10 +311,6 @@ export function keyCaps(chord: string): string[] {
 
 // ---- dispatch ----
 
-/** Default leader, mirroring the TUI's `[tui].leader`. `ctrl-a` is select-all
- *  in a browser, so a set that owns the leader `preventDefault`s it. */
-export const DEFAULT_LEADER = "ctrl-a";
-
 /** How long a partial chord waits for its next key — the TUI's
  *  `chord_timeout_ms` default. */
 export const DEFAULT_CHORD_TIMEOUT_MS = 1000;

web/src/connections.test.ts

@@ -3,6 +3,23 @@ import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 
 import { ConnectionPool } from "./connections.js";
 
+// The pane's own bytes-out path, stubbed: the escape hatch only needs to know
+// the pool reaches the focused connection with them.
+const sent: { id: string; data: string }[] = [];
+vi.mock("./attach.js", () => ({
+  createAttachConnection: (id: string) => ({
+    sessionId: id,
+    el: document.createElement("div"),
+    onMount() {},
+    onUnmount() {},
+    focusTerminal() {},
+    sendInput(data: string) {
+      sent.push({ id, data });
+    },
+    dispose() {},
+  }),
+}));
+
 afterEach(() => {
   vi.unstubAllGlobals();
 });
@@ -85,3 +102,26 @@ describe("ConnectionPool.setFocus", () => {
     await Promise.resolve();
   });
 });
+
+describe("ConnectionPool.sendToFocused", () => {
+  it("types the bytes into the focused session's PTY", () => {
+    mockFetch();
+    sent.length = 0;
+    const pool = new ConnectionPool();
+    const pane = document.createElement("div");
+    pool.mount(A, pane);
+    pool.setFocus(A);
+
+    expect(pool.sendToFocused("\x0b")).toBe(true);
+    expect(sent).toEqual([{ id: A, data: "\x0b" }]);
+  });
+
+  it("is a no-op with nothing focused", () => {
+    mockFetch();
+    sent.length = 0;
+    const pool = new ConnectionPool();
+
+    expect(pool.sendToFocused("\x0b")).toBe(false);
+    expect(sent).toEqual([]);
+  });
+});

web/src/connections.ts

@@ -159,6 +159,18 @@ export class ConnectionPool {
     this.cache.get(this.focusedId)?.focusTerminal();
   }
 
+  /** Type raw bytes into the focused session's PTY. Returns false when there is
+   *  nothing focused, or its connection is gone — the leader's literal Ctrl-K
+   *  is a no-op over the welcome pane rather than an error
+   *  (docs/COMMAND-BAR.md). */
+  sendToFocused(data: string): boolean {
+    if (this.focusedId === null) return false;
+    const conn = this.cache.get(this.focusedId);
+    if (!conn) return false;
+    conn.sendInput(data);
+    return true;
+  }
+
   /** Fully disconnect + forget a session. */
   close(id: Uuid): void {
     const conn = this.cache.get(id);

web/src/main.ts

@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ 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, isTypingTarget } from "./commands.js";
+import { CommandSet, DEFAULT_LEADER, defineCommands, isBarTypingTarget } from "./commands.js";
-import { isCommandBarOpen, openCommandBar } from "./commandBar.js";
+import { isCommandBarOpen, openCommandBar, SPAWN_DIRECTORY_EVENT } from "./commandBar.js";
 import { DaemonLink } from "./daemonLink.js";
 import { CatalogStore } from "./events.js";
 import { installRestartOverlay } from "./restartOverlay.js";
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import {
   createSession,
   fetchNames,
   getDaemonInfo,
+  gitRoot,
   projects as fetchProjects,
 } from "./api.js";
 import {
@@ -337,6 +338,16 @@ function mountSpawned(session: Session, placement?: { newTab?: boolean }): void
 // a new branch named after that name. Anything unresolvable (no projects
 // known yet, no command, no generated name) opens the form pre-filled with
 // what did resolve instead.
+async function spawnPresets(): Promise<SpawnPreset[]> {
+  try {
+    const info = await getDaemonInfo();
+    if (info.presets?.length) return info.presets;
+  } catch {
+    /* keep fallbacks */
+  }
+  return FALLBACK_PRESETS;
+}
+
 async function requestFastForward(): Promise<void> {
   const [discovered, name] = await Promise.all([
     fetchProjects().catch(() => [] as Project[]),
@@ -344,13 +355,7 @@ async function requestFastForward(): Promise<void> {
       .then((batch) => batch.names[0])
       .catch(() => undefined),
   ]);
-  let presets: SpawnPreset[] = FALLBACK_PRESETS;
+  const presets = await spawnPresets();
-  try {
-    const info = await getDaemonInfo();
-    if (info.presets?.length) presets = info.presets;
-  } catch {
-    /* keep fallbacks */
-  }
   const resolved = resolveFastForward(discovered, presets, name, focusedProjectCwd());
   const req = buildFastForwardRequest(resolved);
   if (req) {
@@ -372,13 +377,54 @@ async function requestFastForward(): Promise<void> {
   });
 }
 
+// Enter on a `~` row in the command bar (docs/COMMAND-BAR.md): the same
+// fast-forward spawn, aimed at the chosen directory instead of the most recent
+// project. A directory the project scan never saw stands in as its own project;
+// one outside any repo spawns without a worktree, since there is no repo to cut
+// a branch from. Anything still unresolved opens the pre-filled form.
+async function requestSpawnInDirectory(path: string): Promise<void> {
+  const [discovered, name] = await Promise.all([
+    fetchProjects().catch(() => [] as Project[]),
+    fetchNames(1)
+      .then((batch) => batch.names[0])
+      .catch(() => undefined),
+  ]);
+  const presets = await spawnPresets();
+  const known = discovered.find((p) => p.path === path);
+  const project: Project = known ?? { path, name: path.split("/").filter(Boolean).pop() ?? path };
+  const resolved = resolveFastForward([project], presets, name, path);
+  const req = buildFastForwardRequest(resolved);
+  if (req) {
+    const inRepo =
+      known !== undefined ||
+      (await gitRoot(path)
+        .then((r) => !!r.root)
+        .catch(() => false));
+    if (!inRepo) delete req.worktree;
+    try {
+      mountSpawned(await createSession(req));
+      return;
+    } catch {
+      // A failed POST degrades to the pre-filled form, never a dead row.
+    }
+  }
+  openSpawnModal({
+    seed: fastForwardSeed(resolved),
+    onSuccess: (session) => mountSpawned(session),
+  });
+}
+
+document.addEventListener(SPAWN_DIRECTORY_EVENT, (ev) => {
+  void requestSpawnInDirectory((ev as CustomEvent<string>).detail);
+});
+
 // The global half of the command registry (#148). Two sets, because they
 // differ in one thing: the help overlay owns the keyboard while it is up, so
 // the plain keys go deaf behind it while the focus chord does not — an
 // attached terminal must never be able to trap the focus keys.
 //
 // `n` opens the spawn modal, `N` fast-forwards a spawn (#67). Both are plain
-// keys, so `isTypingTarget` keeps them out of form fields and the terminal's
+// keys, so `isTypingTarget` inside the set keeps them out of form fields and the terminal's
 // hidden textarea.
 const spawnKeys = new CommandSet(
   defineCommands({
@@ -405,6 +451,11 @@ const focusKeys = new CommandSet(
         sidebar.focusList();
       }
     },
+    // The escape hatch: binding ctrl-k takes readline's kill-to-end-of-line
+    // away from every pane, and leader ctrl-k gives it back as the literal
+    // 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"),
   }),
   { leader: DEFAULT_LEADER },
 );
@@ -433,9 +484,10 @@ window.addEventListener(
     if (focusKeys.handle(e)) return;
     // The help overlay owns the keyboard while it is up.
     if (isHelpOpen()) return;
-    // Opening the bar over a focused terminal is #152; until then the pane's
+    // The pane's hidden textarea is not a typing target for the bar: ctrl-k is
-    // hidden textarea keeps its Ctrl+K, like any other typing target.
+    // seen ahead of xterm and opens the bar (#152). A real form field — the
-    if (!isTypingTarget(e.target) && barKeys.handle(e)) return;
+    // spawn form's inputs — keeps its own Ctrl+K.
+    if (!isBarTypingTarget(e.target) && barKeys.handle(e)) return;
     spawnKeys.handle(e);
   },
   true,

web/src/styles.css

@@ -1517,6 +1517,25 @@ input.leaf-rename:focus {
   text-overflow: ellipsis;
 }
 
+/* A command row's chord, shown so the bar teaches the keymap. */
+.cmdbar-row-keys {
+  flex: 1 1 auto;
+  display: flex;
+  justify-content: flex-end;
+  gap: var(--sp-1);
+  min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.cmdbar-row-keys kbd {
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  font-size: var(--fs-11);
+  color: var(--muted);
+  background: var(--surface-2);
+  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  border-radius: var(--r-1);
+  padding: 0 var(--sp-1);
+}
+
 .cmdbar-hit {
   background: none;
   color: var(--accent);