refactor(webui): reuse sidebar selection highlight

webui/src/App.tsx

@@ -37,6 +37,12 @@ import {
 import { displayTitle } from "@/lib/chat-groups";
 import { deriveTitle } from "@/lib/format";
 import { NanobotClient } from "@/lib/nanobot-client";
+import {
+  isQuickChatKey,
+  QUICK_CHAT_ID,
+  QUICK_CHAT_KEY,
+  quickChatSession,
+} from "@/lib/quick-chat";
 import { ClientProvider, useClient } from "@/providers/ClientProvider";
 import type {
   BootstrapResponse,
@@ -225,6 +231,9 @@ function readShellRoute(): ShellRoute {
   if (path === "/skills") {
     return { view: "skills", activeKey, settingsSection: "skills" };
   }
+  if (path === "/quick-chat") {
+    return { view: "chat", activeKey: QUICK_CHAT_KEY, settingsSection: "overview" };
+  }
   if (path.startsWith("/chat/")) {
     const encoded = path.slice("/chat/".length);
     try {
@@ -241,6 +250,7 @@ function readShellRoute(): ShellRoute {
 
 function shellRouteHash(route: ShellRoute): string {
   if (route.view === "chat") {
+    if (isQuickChatKey(route.activeKey)) return "#/quick-chat";
     return route.activeKey
       ? `#/chat/${encodeURIComponent(route.activeKey)}`
       : "#/new";
@@ -947,8 +957,16 @@ function Shell({
     deleteChat,
     getSessionAutomations,
   } = useSessions();
+  const regularSessions = useMemo(
+    () => sessions.filter((session) => !isQuickChatKey(session.key)),
+    [sessions],
+  );
+  const quickSession = useMemo(
+    () => quickChatSession(sessions.find((session) => isQuickChatKey(session.key))),
+    [sessions],
+  );
   const { state: sidebarState, update: updateSidebarState } =
-    useSidebarState(sessions, !loading);
+    useSidebarState(regularSessions, !loading);
   const initialRouteRef = useRef<ShellRoute | null>(null);
   if (!initialRouteRef.current) initialRouteRef.current = readShellRoute();
   const [activeKey, setActiveKey] = useState<string | null>(
@@ -1114,8 +1132,10 @@ function Shell({
 
   const activeSession = useMemo<ChatSummary | null>(() => {
     if (!activeKey) return null;
+    if (isQuickChatKey(activeKey)) return quickSession;
     return sessions.find((s) => s.key === activeKey) ?? null;
-  }, [sessions, activeKey]);
+  }, [sessions, activeKey, quickSession]);
+  const quickChatActive = isQuickChatKey(activeKey);
   const runningChatIdList = useMemo(() => Array.from(runningChatIds), [runningChatIds]);
   const updatedChatIdList = useMemo(() => Array.from(updatedChatIds), [updatedChatIds]);
   const activeChatId = activeSession?.chatId ?? null;
@@ -1130,6 +1150,9 @@ function Shell({
     });
   }, [activeChatId]);
   const activeWorkspaceScope = useMemo<WorkspaceScopePayload | null>(() => {
+    if (quickChatActive) {
+      return workspaces?.default_scope ?? null;
+    }
     if (activeChatId && workspaceOverrides[activeChatId]) {
       return workspaceOverrides[activeChatId];
     }
@@ -1141,6 +1164,7 @@ function Shell({
     activeChatId,
     activeSession?.workspaceScope,
     draftWorkspaceScope,
+    quickChatActive,
     workspaceOverrides,
     workspaces?.default_scope,
   ]);
@@ -1161,7 +1185,10 @@ function Shell({
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (loading) return;
-    const knownChatIds = new Set(sessions.map((session) => session.chatId));
+    const knownChatIds = new Set([
+      QUICK_CHAT_ID,
+      ...sessions.map((session) => session.chatId),
+    ]);
     setUpdatedChatIds((current) => {
       const next = new Set(
         Array.from(current).filter((chatId) => knownChatIds.has(chatId)),
@@ -1176,6 +1203,7 @@ function Shell({
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (loading || !activeKey) return;
+    if (isQuickChatKey(activeKey)) return;
     if (sessions.some((session) => session.key === activeKey)) return;
     const currentRoute = readShellRoute();
     navigate(
@@ -1417,6 +1445,18 @@ function Shell({
     setMobileSidebarOpen(false);
   }, [navigate]);
 
+  const onOpenQuickChat = useCallback(() => {
+    setDraftWorkspaceScope(null);
+    setWorkspaceError(null);
+    setSessionSearchOpen(false);
+    navigate({
+      view: "chat",
+      activeKey: QUICK_CHAT_KEY,
+      settingsSection: "overview",
+    });
+    setMobileSidebarOpen(false);
+  }, [navigate]);
+
   const onNewChatInProject = useCallback(
     (projectPath: string, projectName: string) => {
       const base = workspaces?.default_scope ?? activeWorkspaceScope;
@@ -1682,6 +1722,7 @@ function Shell({
     setMobileSidebarOpen(false);
     const nextKey = (() => {
       if (!activeKey) return null;
+      if (isQuickChatKey(activeKey)) return activeKey;
       if (sessions.some((session) => session.key === activeKey)) return activeKey;
       return sessions[0]?.key ?? null;
     })();
@@ -1773,7 +1814,10 @@ function Shell({
     });
   }, [client, t]);
 
-  const onTurnEnd = useDeferredTitleRefresh(activeSession, refresh);
+  const onTurnEnd = useDeferredTitleRefresh(
+    quickChatActive ? null : activeSession,
+    refresh,
+  );
 
   const onConfirmDelete = useCallback(async () => {
     if (!pendingDelete) return;
@@ -1863,7 +1907,9 @@ function Shell({
     });
   }, []);
 
-  const headerTitle = activeSession
+  const headerTitle = quickChatActive
+    ? t("sidebar.quickChat")
+    : activeSession
     ? sidebarState.title_overrides[activeSession.key] ||
       activeSession.title ||
       deriveTitle(activeSession.preview, t("chat.newChat"))
@@ -1900,9 +1946,12 @@ function Shell({
   }, [activeSession, headerTitle, i18n.resolvedLanguage, t, view]);
 
   const sidebarProps = {
-    sessions,
+    sessions: regularSessions,
-    activeKey,
+    activeKey: view === "chat" ? activeKey : null,
     loading,
+    quickChatActive: view === "chat" && quickChatActive,
+    newChatActive: view === "chat" && activeKey === null,
+    onOpenQuickChat,
     onNewChat,
     onSelect: onSelectChat,
     onRequestDelete,
@@ -2065,7 +2114,7 @@ function Shell({
               <SessionSearchDialog
                 open
                 onOpenChange={setSessionSearchOpen}
-                sessions={sessions}
+                sessions={regularSessions}
                 activeKey={activeKey}
                 loading={loading}
                 titleOverrides={sidebarState.title_overrides}
@@ -2090,7 +2139,7 @@ function Shell({
                 onToggleSidebar={toggleSidebar}
                 onNewChat={onNewChat}
                 onCreateChat={onCreateChat}
-                onForkChat={onForkChat}
+                onForkChat={quickChatActive ? undefined : onForkChat}
                 onTurnEnd={onTurnEnd}
                 theme={theme}
                 onToggleTheme={toggle}
@@ -2099,13 +2148,20 @@ function Shell({
                 hideHeader={false}
                 workspaceScope={activeWorkspaceScope}
                 workspaceDefaultScope={workspaces?.default_scope ?? null}
-                workspaceControls={workspaces?.controls ?? null}
+                workspaceControls={
+                  quickChatActive ? null : (workspaces?.controls ?? null)
+                }
                 workspaceScopeDisabled={activeChatRunning}
                 workspaceError={workspaceError}
                 onWorkspaceScopeChange={applyWorkspaceScope}
                 settingsSnapshot={settingsSnapshot}
                 onOpenModelSettings={onOpenModelSettings}
                 skills={skills}
+                allowConversationReset={!quickChatActive}
+                showSessionInfo={!quickChatActive}
+                emptyStateGreeting={
+                  quickChatActive ? t("quickChat.greeting") : undefined
+                }
               />
             </div>
             {view !== "chat" && (

webui/src/components/ChatList.tsx

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import {
   memo,
   useEffect,
-  useLayoutEffect,
   useMemo,
   useRef,
   useState,
@@ -25,6 +24,10 @@ import {
   DropdownMenuItem,
   DropdownMenuTrigger,
 } from "@/components/ui/dropdown-menu";
+import {
+  SIDEBAR_SELECTION_ITEM_CLASS,
+  SidebarSelectionHighlight,
+} from "@/components/SidebarSelectionHighlight";
 import { deriveTitle, relativeTime, visibleSessionPreview } from "@/lib/format";
 import {
   COLLAPSED_CHATS_VISIBLE_COUNT,
@@ -106,9 +109,6 @@ export const ChatList = memo(function ChatList({
   const [visibleLimit, setVisibleLimit] = useState(INITIAL_VISIBLE_SESSIONS);
   const listContentRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
   const activeRowRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
-  const activeHighlightRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
-  const activeHighlightSurfaceRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
-  const highlightVisibleRef = useRef(false);
   const labels = useMemo<ChatGroupLabels>(() => ({
     pinned: t("chat.groups.pinned"),
     all: t("chat.groups.all"),
@@ -163,74 +163,6 @@ export const ChatList = memo(function ChatList({
     setVisibleLimit(INITIAL_VISIBLE_SESSIONS);
   }, [showArchived, sort]);
 
-  useLayoutEffect(() => {
-    let resetTransitionFrame: number | null = null;
-
-    const updateHighlight = () => {
-      const content = listContentRef.current;
-      const row = activeRowRef.current;
-      const highlight = activeHighlightRef.current;
-      const surface = activeHighlightSurfaceRef.current;
-
-      if (!highlight || !surface) return;
-      if (!content || !row) {
-        surface.style.opacity = "0";
-        surface.style.transform = "scale(0.97)";
-        highlightVisibleRef.current = false;
-        return;
-      }
-
-      const shouldFloatIn = !highlightVisibleRef.current;
-      if (shouldFloatIn) {
-        highlight.style.transitionProperty = "none";
-      }
-
-      const contentRect = content.getBoundingClientRect();
-      const rowRect = row.getBoundingClientRect();
-      highlight.style.width = `${rowRect.width}px`;
-      highlight.style.height = `${rowRect.height}px`;
-      highlight.style.transform = `translate3d(${rowRect.left - contentRect.left}px, ${
-        rowRect.top - contentRect.top
-      }px, 0)`;
-
-      if (shouldFloatIn) {
-        void highlight.offsetWidth;
-      }
-
-      surface.style.opacity = "1";
-      surface.style.transform = "scale(1)";
-      highlightVisibleRef.current = true;
-
-      if (shouldFloatIn) {
-        resetTransitionFrame = window.requestAnimationFrame(() => {
-          highlight.style.removeProperty("transition-property");
-          resetTransitionFrame = null;
-        });
-      }
-    };
-
-    updateHighlight();
-
-    const resizeObserver =
-      typeof ResizeObserver === "undefined"
-        ? null
-        : new ResizeObserver(updateHighlight);
-    if (resizeObserver) {
-      if (listContentRef.current) resizeObserver.observe(listContentRef.current);
-      if (activeRowRef.current) resizeObserver.observe(activeRowRef.current);
-    }
-    window.addEventListener("resize", updateHighlight);
-
-    return () => {
-      if (resetTransitionFrame !== null) {
-        window.cancelAnimationFrame(resetTransitionFrame);
-      }
-      activeHighlightRef.current?.style.removeProperty("transition-property");
-      resizeObserver?.disconnect();
-      window.removeEventListener("resize", updateHighlight);
-    };
-  }, [activeKey, density, limitedGroups, showPreviews, showTimestamps]);
-
   if (loading && sessions.length === 0) {
     return (
       <div className="px-3 py-6 text-[12px] text-muted-foreground">
@@ -333,7 +265,8 @@ export const ChatList = memo(function ChatList({
                           ref={active ? activeRowRef : undefined}
                           data-chat-row={s.key}
                           className={cn(
-                            "group flex min-w-0 max-w-full items-center gap-2 rounded-xl px-2 text-[13px] transition-colors",
+                            "group flex min-w-0 max-w-full items-center gap-2 rounded-xl px-2 text-[13px]",
+                            SIDEBAR_SELECTION_ITEM_CLASS,
                             compact ? "min-h-7" : "min-h-8",
                             active
                               ? "text-sidebar-accent-foreground"
@@ -475,20 +408,14 @@ export const ChatList = memo(function ChatList({
             </button>
           </div>
         ) : null}
-        <div
+        <SidebarSelectionHighlight
-          ref={activeHighlightRef}
+          containerRef={listContentRef}
-          data-testid="active-chat-highlight"
+          targetRef={activeRowRef}
-          aria-hidden="true"
+          activeId={activeKey}
-          className="pointer-events-none absolute left-0 top-0 z-0 !mt-0 transition-[transform,width,height] duration-300 ease-out will-change-transform motion-reduce:transition-none"
+          scope="sessions"
-        >
-          <div
-            ref={activeHighlightSurfaceRef}
-            data-testid="active-chat-highlight-surface"
-            className="h-full w-full scale-[0.97] rounded-xl bg-sidebar-foreground/[0.055] opacity-0 transition-[opacity,transform] duration-200 ease-out motion-reduce:transition-none dark:bg-white/[0.07]"
         />
       </div>
     </div>
-    </div>
   );
 });
 

webui/src/components/Sidebar.tsx

@@ -1,8 +1,14 @@
-import { useState, type ReactNode } from "react";
+import {
+  type ReactNode,
+  type RefObject,
+  useRef,
+  useState,
+} from "react";
 import {
   Archive,
   Brain,
   CalendarClock,
+  MessageCircle,
   Menu,
   Search,
   Settings,
@@ -13,6 +19,10 @@ import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
 
 import { ChatList } from "@/components/ChatList";
 import { ConnectionBadge } from "@/components/ConnectionBadge";
+import {
+  SIDEBAR_SELECTION_ACTION_ITEM_CLASS,
+  SidebarSelectionHighlight,
+} from "@/components/SidebarSelectionHighlight";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import type {
   ChatSummary,
@@ -24,6 +34,9 @@ interface SidebarProps {
   sessions: ChatSummary[];
   activeKey: string | null;
   loading: boolean;
+  quickChatActive: boolean;
+  newChatActive: boolean;
+  onOpenQuickChat: () => void;
   onNewChat: () => void;
   onSelect: (key: string) => void;
   onRequestDelete: (key: string, label: string) => void;
@@ -82,6 +95,15 @@ export function Sidebar(props: SidebarProps) {
   const collapsed = Boolean(props.collapsed);
   const toggleLabel = t("thread.header.toggleSidebar");
   const newChatShortcut = newChatShortcutLabel();
+  const actionListRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const activeActionRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement>(null);
+  const activeActionId = props.quickChatActive
+    ? "quick-chat"
+    : props.newChatActive
+      ? "new-chat"
+      : props.activeUtility
+        ? `utility:${props.activeUtility}`
+        : null;
 
   return (
     <nav
@@ -134,15 +156,26 @@ export function Sidebar(props: SidebarProps) {
       </div>
 
       <div
+        ref={actionListRef}
         className={cn(
-          "space-y-1.5 px-2 pb-2",
+          "relative space-y-1.5 px-2 pb-2",
           collapsed && "flex w-14 flex-col items-center px-0",
         )}
       >
+        <SidebarActionButton
+          collapsed={collapsed}
+          label={t("sidebar.quickChat")}
+          onClick={props.onOpenQuickChat}
+          active={props.quickChatActive}
+          selectionRef={activeActionRef}
+          icon={<MessageCircle className="h-4 w-4" />}
+        />
         <SidebarActionButton
           collapsed={collapsed}
           label={t("sidebar.newChat")}
           onClick={props.onNewChat}
+          active={props.newChatActive}
+          selectionRef={activeActionRef}
           icon={<SquarePen className="h-4 w-4" />}
           shortcut={newChatShortcut}
           ariaKeyShortcuts="Meta+Shift+O Control+Shift+O"
@@ -159,6 +192,7 @@ export function Sidebar(props: SidebarProps) {
           onClick={props.onOpenApps}
           onIntent={props.onSettingsIntent}
           active={props.activeUtility === "apps"}
+          selectionRef={activeActionRef}
           icon={<Blocks className="h-4 w-4" />}
         />
         <SidebarActionButton
@@ -167,6 +201,7 @@ export function Sidebar(props: SidebarProps) {
           onClick={props.onOpenSkills}
           onIntent={props.onSettingsIntent}
           active={props.activeUtility === "skills"}
+          selectionRef={activeActionRef}
           icon={<Brain className="h-4 w-4" />}
         />
         <SidebarActionButton
@@ -175,6 +210,7 @@ export function Sidebar(props: SidebarProps) {
           onClick={props.onOpenAutomations}
           onIntent={props.onSettingsIntent}
           active={props.activeUtility === "automations"}
+          selectionRef={activeActionRef}
           icon={<CalendarClock className="h-4 w-4" />}
         />
         {props.archivedCount ? (
@@ -185,6 +221,12 @@ export function Sidebar(props: SidebarProps) {
             icon={<Archive className="h-4 w-4" />}
           />
         ) : null}
+        <SidebarSelectionHighlight
+          containerRef={actionListRef}
+          targetRef={activeActionRef}
+          activeId={activeActionId}
+          scope="actions"
+        />
       </div>
       <div
         className={cn(
@@ -255,6 +297,7 @@ function SidebarActionButton({
   shortcut,
   ariaKeyShortcuts,
   onIntent,
+  selectionRef,
 }: {
   collapsed: boolean;
   label: string;
@@ -265,13 +308,15 @@ function SidebarActionButton({
   shortcut?: string;
   ariaKeyShortcuts?: string;
   onIntent?: () => void;
+  selectionRef?: RefObject<HTMLButtonElement>;
 }) {
   const title = shortcut ? `${label} (${shortcut})` : collapsed ? label : undefined;
 
   return (
     <Button
+      ref={active ? selectionRef : undefined}
       type="button"
-      variant="ghost"
+      variant={null}
       aria-label={label}
       aria-current={active ? "page" : undefined}
       aria-keyshortcuts={ariaKeyShortcuts}
@@ -280,12 +325,14 @@ function SidebarActionButton({
       onFocus={onIntent}
       onPointerEnter={onIntent}
       className={cn(
-        "touch-target group h-8 min-w-0 gap-2 overflow-hidden rounded-full font-medium text-sidebar-foreground/85 hover:bg-sidebar-accent/75 hover:text-sidebar-foreground",
+        "touch-target group h-8 min-w-0 gap-2 overflow-hidden rounded-xl font-medium",
-        "transition-[width,padding,border-radius,color,background-color] duration-300 ease-out",
+        SIDEBAR_SELECTION_ACTION_ITEM_CLASS,
         collapsed
-          ? "w-9 justify-center gap-0 rounded-xl px-0"
+          ? "w-9 justify-center gap-0 px-0"
           : "w-full justify-start gap-2 px-3 text-[12.5px]",
-        active && "bg-sidebar-accent text-sidebar-foreground shadow-[inset_0_0_0_1px_hsl(var(--sidebar-border)/0.55)]",
+        active
+          ? "text-sidebar-accent-foreground"
+          : "text-sidebar-foreground/85 hover:bg-sidebar-foreground/[0.035] hover:text-sidebar-foreground dark:hover:bg-white/[0.05]",
         className,
       )}
     >

webui/src/components/SidebarSelectionHighlight.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+import {
+  type RefObject,
+  useLayoutEffect,
+  useRef,
+} from "react";
+
+interface SidebarSelectionHighlightProps {
+  containerRef: RefObject<HTMLElement>;
+  targetRef: RefObject<HTMLElement>;
+  activeId: string | null;
+  scope: string;
+}
+
+export const SIDEBAR_SELECTION_ITEM_CLASS =
+  "relative z-[1] transition-[color] duration-150 ease-out motion-reduce:transition-none";
+
+export const SIDEBAR_SELECTION_ACTION_ITEM_CLASS =
+  "relative z-[1] transition-[width,padding,color] [transition-duration:300ms,300ms,150ms] ease-out motion-reduce:transition-none";
+
+export function SidebarSelectionHighlight({
+  containerRef,
+  targetRef,
+  activeId,
+  scope,
+}: SidebarSelectionHighlightProps) {
+  const highlightRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const positionedRef = useRef(false);
+
+  useLayoutEffect(() => {
+    const highlight = highlightRef.current;
+    const container = containerRef.current;
+    const target = targetRef.current;
+    let restoreTransitionFrame: number | null = null;
+
+    const position = () => {
+      if (!highlight) return;
+      if (!activeId || !container || !target) {
+        highlight.style.opacity = "0";
+        positionedRef.current = false;
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const firstPosition = !positionedRef.current;
+      if (firstPosition) highlight.style.transitionProperty = "none";
+
+      const containerRect = container.getBoundingClientRect();
+      const targetRect = target.getBoundingClientRect();
+      highlight.style.width = `${targetRect.width}px`;
+      highlight.style.height = `${targetRect.height}px`;
+      highlight.style.transform = `translate3d(${targetRect.left - containerRect.left}px, ${
+        targetRect.top - containerRect.top
+      }px, 0)`;
+      highlight.style.opacity = "1";
+      positionedRef.current = true;
+
+      if (firstPosition) {
+        restoreTransitionFrame = window.requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+          highlight.style.removeProperty("transition-property");
+          restoreTransitionFrame = null;
+        });
+      }
+    };
+
+    position();
+    const resizeObserver =
+      typeof ResizeObserver === "undefined" ? null : new ResizeObserver(position);
+    if (container) resizeObserver?.observe(container);
+    if (target) resizeObserver?.observe(target);
+    window.addEventListener("resize", position);
+
+    return () => {
+      if (restoreTransitionFrame !== null) {
+        window.cancelAnimationFrame(restoreTransitionFrame);
+      }
+      highlight?.style.removeProperty("transition-property");
+      resizeObserver?.disconnect();
+      window.removeEventListener("resize", position);
+    };
+  });
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      ref={highlightRef}
+      data-testid={`${scope}-selection-highlight`}
+      data-active-id={activeId ?? undefined}
+      aria-hidden="true"
+      className="pointer-events-none absolute left-0 top-0 z-0 !mt-0 rounded-xl bg-sidebar-foreground/[0.055] opacity-0 transition-[transform,width,height] duration-300 ease-out will-change-transform motion-reduce:transition-none dark:bg-white/[0.07]"
+    />
+  );
+}

webui/src/components/settings/SettingsView.tsx

@@ -65,6 +65,10 @@ import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next";
 
 import { channelUiPresentation } from "@/channel-plugins/registry";
 import { LanguageSwitcher } from "@/components/LanguageSwitcher";
+import {
+  SIDEBAR_SELECTION_ITEM_CLASS,
+  SidebarSelectionHighlight,
+} from "@/components/SidebarSelectionHighlight";
 import { SkillsCatalogSettings } from "@/components/settings/SkillsCatalogSettings";
 import { TokenUsageHeatmap } from "@/components/settings/TokenUsageHeatmap";
 import { ToggleButton } from "@/components/settings/ToggleButton";
@@ -2497,6 +2501,8 @@ function SettingsSidebar({
   hostChromeInset?: boolean;
 }) {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
+  const desktopNavRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const activeNavItemRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement>(null);
   const activeItem = SETTINGS_NAV_ITEMS.find((item) => item.key === activeSection)
     ?? SETTINGS_NAV_ITEMS[0];
   const ActiveIcon = activeItem.icon;
@@ -2569,19 +2575,21 @@ function SettingsSidebar({
           </DropdownMenuContent>
         </DropdownMenu>
 
-        <div className="hidden space-y-1 lg:block">
+        <div ref={desktopNavRef} className="relative hidden space-y-1 lg:block">
           {SETTINGS_NAV_ITEMS.map(({ key, icon: Icon, fallback }) => {
             const active = key === activeSection;
             return (
               <button
+                ref={active ? activeNavItemRef : undefined}
                 key={key}
                 type="button"
                 aria-current={active ? "page" : undefined}
                 onClick={() => onSelectSection(key)}
                 className={cn(
-                  "touch-target flex h-9 w-full items-center gap-2 rounded-[10px] px-2.5 text-left text-[13px] font-medium transition-colors",
+                  "touch-target flex h-9 w-full items-center gap-2 rounded-xl px-2.5 text-left text-[13px] font-medium",
+                  SIDEBAR_SELECTION_ITEM_CLASS,
                   active
-                    ? "bg-sidebar-accent text-foreground"
+                    ? "text-sidebar-accent-foreground"
                     : "text-muted-foreground/78 hover:bg-muted/45 hover:text-foreground",
                 )}
               >
@@ -2592,6 +2600,12 @@ function SettingsSidebar({
               </button>
             );
           })}
+          <SidebarSelectionHighlight
+            containerRef={desktopNavRef}
+            targetRef={activeNavItemRef}
+            activeId={activeSection}
+            scope="settings"
+          />
         </div>
       </nav>
 

webui/src/components/thread/ThreadShell.tsx

@@ -315,6 +315,9 @@ interface ThreadShellProps {
   settingsSnapshot?: SettingsPayload | null;
   onOpenModelSettings?: () => void;
   skills?: SkillSummary[];
+  allowConversationReset?: boolean;
+  showSessionInfo?: boolean;
+  emptyStateGreeting?: string;
 }
 
 function toModelBadgeLabel(modelName: string | null): string | null {
@@ -597,6 +600,9 @@ export function ThreadShell({
   settingsSnapshot = null,
   onOpenModelSettings,
   skills = [],
+  allowConversationReset = true,
+  showSessionInfo = true,
+  emptyStateGreeting,
 }: ThreadShellProps) {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
   const chatId = session?.chatId ?? null;
@@ -622,6 +628,12 @@ export function ThreadShell({
   const [fallbackModelName, setFallbackModelName] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [booting, setBooting] = useState(false);
   const [slashCommands, setSlashCommands] = useState<SlashCommand[]>([]);
+  const availableSlashCommands = useMemo(
+    () => allowConversationReset
+      ? slashCommands
+      : slashCommands.filter((command) => command.command !== "/new"),
+    [allowConversationReset, slashCommands],
+  );
   const cliApps = useInstalledSettingItems({
     getToken,
     eventName: CLI_APPS_CHANGED_EVENT,
@@ -1374,7 +1386,7 @@ export function ThreadShell({
           fallbackModelName={fallbackModelName}
           onModelBadgeClick={modelBadge.needsSetup ? onOpenModelSettings : undefined}
           variant={showHeroComposer ? "hero" : "thread"}
-          slashCommands={slashCommands}
+          slashCommands={availableSlashCommands}
           cliApps={cliApps}
           mcpPresets={mcpPresets}
           skills={skills}
@@ -1416,7 +1428,7 @@ export function ThreadShell({
           fallbackModelName={fallbackModelName}
           onModelBadgeClick={modelBadge.needsSetup ? onOpenModelSettings : undefined}
           variant="hero"
-          slashCommands={slashCommands}
+          slashCommands={availableSlashCommands}
           cliApps={cliApps}
           mcpPresets={mcpPresets}
           skills={skills}
@@ -1442,10 +1454,10 @@ export function ThreadShell({
     </div>
   ) : (
     <div className="flex w-full flex-col items-center text-center animate-in fade-in-0 slide-in-from-bottom-2 duration-500">
-      <HeroGreeting text={t(heroGreetingKey)} />
+      <HeroGreeting text={emptyStateGreeting ?? t(heroGreetingKey)} />
     </div>
   );
-  const sessionInfoAction = historyKey ? (
+  const sessionInfoAction = historyKey && showSessionInfo ? (
     <SessionInfoPopover sessionKey={historyKey} token={token} title={title} />
   ) : undefined;
   const promptNavigatorAction = historyKey ? (
@@ -1488,7 +1500,7 @@ export function ThreadShell({
             showScrollToBottomButton={!!session}
             cliApps={cliApps}
             mcpPresets={mcpPresets}
-            slashCommands={slashCommands}
+            slashCommands={availableSlashCommands}
             forkBoundaryMessageCount={forkBoundaryMessageCount}
             hasMoreBefore={hasMoreBefore}
             loadingOlder={loadingOlder}

webui/src/i18n/locales/en/common.json

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
   "sidebar": {
     "navigation": "Sidebar navigation",
     "collapse": "Collapse sidebar",
+    "quickChat": "Quick Chat",
     "newChat": "New topic",
     "searchAria": "Search",
     "searchPlaceholder": "Search",
@@ -60,6 +61,9 @@
       "title": "Skills"
     }
   },
+  "quickChat": {
+    "greeting": "What's on your mind?"
+  },
   "settings": {
     "backToChat": "Back to chat",
     "sidebar": {

webui/src/i18n/locales/es/common.json

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
   "sidebar": {
     "navigation": "Navegación de la barra lateral",
     "collapse": "Contraer barra lateral",
+    "quickChat": "Chat rápido",
     "newChat": "Nuevo tema",
     "searchAria": "Buscar",
     "searchPlaceholder": "Buscar",
@@ -60,6 +61,9 @@
       "title": "Habilidades"
     }
   },
+  "quickChat": {
+    "greeting": "¿Qué tienes en mente?"
+  },
   "settings": {
     "backToChat": "Volver al chat",
     "sidebar": {

webui/src/i18n/locales/fr/common.json

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
   "sidebar": {
     "navigation": "Navigation de la barre latérale",
     "collapse": "Réduire la barre latérale",
+    "quickChat": "Discussion rapide",
     "newChat": "Nouveau sujet",
     "searchAria": "Rechercher",
     "searchPlaceholder": "Rechercher",
@@ -60,6 +61,9 @@
       "title": "Compétences"
     }
   },
+  "quickChat": {
+    "greeting": "De quoi avez-vous envie de parler ?"
+  },
   "settings": {
     "backToChat": "Retour au chat",
     "sidebar": {

webui/src/i18n/locales/id/common.json

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
   "sidebar": {
     "navigation": "Navigasi bilah samping",
     "collapse": "Ciutkan sidebar",
+    "quickChat": "Obrolan cepat",
     "newChat": "Topik baru",
     "searchAria": "Cari",
     "searchPlaceholder": "Cari",
@@ -60,6 +61,9 @@
       "title": "Skill"
     }
   },
+  "quickChat": {
+    "greeting": "Apa yang sedang kamu pikirkan?"
+  },
   "settings": {
     "backToChat": "Kembali ke chat",
     "sidebar": {

webui/src/i18n/locales/ja/common.json

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
   "sidebar": {
     "navigation": "サイドバーのナビゲーション",
     "collapse": "サイドバーを閉じる",
+    "quickChat": "クイックチャット",
     "newChat": "新しいトピック",
     "searchAria": "検索",
     "searchPlaceholder": "検索",
@@ -60,6 +61,9 @@
       "title": "スキル"
     }
   },
+  "quickChat": {
+    "greeting": "何について話しますか？"
+  },
   "settings": {
     "backToChat": "チャットに戻る",
     "sidebar": {

webui/src/i18n/locales/ko/common.json

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
   "sidebar": {
     "navigation": "사이드바 탐색",
     "collapse": "사이드바 접기",
+    "quickChat": "빠른 채팅",
     "newChat": "새 주제",
     "searchAria": "검색",
     "searchPlaceholder": "검색",
@@ -60,6 +61,9 @@
       "title": "스킬"
     }
   },
+  "quickChat": {
+    "greeting": "무슨 이야기를 나눠볼까요?"
+  },
   "settings": {
     "backToChat": "채팅으로 돌아가기",
     "sidebar": {

webui/src/i18n/locales/pt-BR/common.json

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
   "sidebar": {
     "navigation": "Navegação da barra lateral",
     "collapse": "Recolher barra lateral",
+    "quickChat": "Chat rápido",
     "newChat": "Novo tópico",
     "searchAria": "Buscar",
     "searchPlaceholder": "Buscar",
@@ -60,6 +61,9 @@
       "title": "Skills"
     }
   },
+  "quickChat": {
+    "greeting": "O que você está pensando?"
+  },
   "settings": {
     "backToChat": "Voltar para a conversa",
     "sidebar": {

webui/src/i18n/locales/vi/common.json

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
   "sidebar": {
     "navigation": "Điều hướng thanh bên",
     "collapse": "Thu gọn thanh bên",
+    "quickChat": "Trò chuyện nhanh",
     "newChat": "Chủ đề mới",
     "searchAria": "Tìm kiếm",
     "searchPlaceholder": "Tìm kiếm",
@@ -60,6 +61,9 @@
       "title": "Kỹ năng"
     }
   },
+  "quickChat": {
+    "greeting": "Bạn đang nghĩ gì?"
+  },
   "settings": {
     "backToChat": "Quay lại chat",
     "sidebar": {

webui/src/i18n/locales/zh-CN/common.json

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
   "sidebar": {
     "navigation": "侧边栏导航",
     "collapse": "收起侧边栏",
+    "quickChat": "随便聊聊",
     "newChat": "新建话题",
     "searchAria": "搜索",
     "searchPlaceholder": "搜索",
@@ -60,6 +61,9 @@
       "title": "技能"
     }
   },
+  "quickChat": {
+    "greeting": "想聊点什么？"
+  },
   "settings": {
     "backToChat": "返回聊天",
     "sidebar": {

webui/src/i18n/locales/zh-TW/common.json

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
   "sidebar": {
     "navigation": "側邊欄導覽",
     "collapse": "收合側邊欄",
+    "quickChat": "輕鬆聊聊",
     "newChat": "新增話題",
     "searchAria": "搜尋",
     "searchPlaceholder": "搜尋",
@@ -60,6 +61,9 @@
       "title": "技能"
     }
   },
+  "quickChat": {
+    "greeting": "想聊點什麼？"
+  },
   "settings": {
     "backToChat": "返回聊天",
     "sidebar": {

webui/src/lib/quick-chat.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import type { ChatSummary } from "@/lib/types";
+
+export const QUICK_CHAT_ID = "quick-chat";
+export const QUICK_CHAT_KEY = `websocket:${QUICK_CHAT_ID}`;
+
+export function isQuickChatKey(key: string | null): boolean {
+  return key === QUICK_CHAT_KEY;
+}
+
+export function quickChatSession(persisted?: ChatSummary): ChatSummary {
+  return {
+    key: QUICK_CHAT_KEY,
+    channel: "websocket",
+    chatId: QUICK_CHAT_ID,
+    createdAt: persisted?.createdAt ?? null,
+    updatedAt: persisted?.updatedAt ?? null,
+    preview: persisted?.preview ?? "",
+    modelPreset: persisted?.modelPreset ?? null,
+    runStartedAt: persisted?.runStartedAt ?? null,
+    workspaceScope: persisted?.workspaceScope ?? null,
+  };
+}

webui/src/tests/app-layout.test.tsx

@@ -349,6 +349,107 @@ describe("App layout", () => {
     ).toBeTruthy();
   });
 
+  it("opens a single fixed Quick Chat without provisioning a new session", async () => {
+    render(<App />);
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(connectSpy).toHaveBeenCalled());
+    const sidebar = screen.getByRole("navigation", { name: "Sidebar navigation" });
+    const quickChatButton = within(sidebar).getByRole("button", {
+      name: "Quick Chat",
+    });
+    const newTopicButton = within(sidebar).getByRole("button", {
+      name: "New topic",
+    });
+    const actionHighlight = within(sidebar).getByTestId(
+      "actions-selection-highlight",
+    );
+
+    fireEvent.click(quickChatButton);
+
+    expect(window.location.hash).toBe("#/quick-chat");
+    expect(quickChatButton).toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "page");
+    expect(newTopicButton).not.toHaveAttribute("aria-current");
+    expect(quickChatButton).not.toHaveClass("bg-sidebar-accent");
+    expect(quickChatButton).toHaveClass("transition-[width,padding,color]");
+    expect(actionHighlight).toHaveAttribute("data-active-id", "quick-chat");
+    expect(
+      within(sidebar).queryByTestId("actions-selection-highlight-surface"),
+    ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    await waitFor(() =>
+      expect(fetch).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.stringContaining(
+          "/api/sessions/websocket%3Aquick-chat/webui-thread",
+        ),
+        expect.anything(),
+      ),
+    );
+    expect(createChatSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(document.title).toBe("Quick Chat · nanobot");
+    expect(screen.getByText("What's on your mind?")).toBeInTheDocument();
+
+    fireEvent.click(newTopicButton);
+
+    expect(window.location.hash).toBe("#/new");
+    expect(newTopicButton).toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "page");
+    expect(quickChatButton).not.toHaveAttribute("aria-current");
+    expect(actionHighlight).toHaveAttribute("data-active-id", "new-chat");
+    expect(within(sidebar).queryAllByRole("button", { current: "page" })).toHaveLength(1);
+  });
+
+  it("restores Quick Chat before it has a persisted session", async () => {
+    window.history.replaceState(null, "", "/#/quick-chat");
+
+    render(<App />);
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(connectSpy).toHaveBeenCalled());
+    expect(window.location.hash).toBe("#/quick-chat");
+    await waitFor(() =>
+      expect(fetch).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.stringContaining(
+          "/api/sessions/websocket%3Aquick-chat/webui-thread",
+        ),
+        expect.anything(),
+      ),
+    );
+    expect(
+      within(screen.getByRole("navigation", { name: "Sidebar navigation" }))
+        .getByRole("button", { name: "Quick Chat" }),
+    ).toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "page");
+  });
+
+  it("keeps persisted Quick Chat out of the topic list and topic search", async () => {
+    mockSessions = [
+      {
+        key: "websocket:quick-chat",
+        channel: "websocket",
+        chatId: "quick-chat",
+        createdAt: "2026-07-30T08:00:00Z",
+        updatedAt: "2026-07-30T08:05:00Z",
+        preview: "A private casual message",
+      },
+      {
+        key: "websocket:project-chat",
+        channel: "websocket",
+        chatId: "project-chat",
+        createdAt: "2026-07-30T08:00:00Z",
+        updatedAt: "2026-07-30T08:05:00Z",
+        preview: "Project roadmap",
+      },
+    ];
+
+    render(<App />);
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(connectSpy).toHaveBeenCalled());
+    const sidebar = screen.getByRole("navigation", { name: "Sidebar navigation" });
+    expect(within(sidebar).getByText("Project roadmap")).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(within(sidebar).queryByText("A private casual message")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+
+    fireEvent.click(within(sidebar).getByRole("button", { name: "Search" }));
+    const dialog = await screen.findByRole("dialog", { name: "Search" });
+    expect(within(dialog).getByText("Project roadmap")).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(within(dialog).queryByText("A private casual message")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
   it("restores the Settings route after a restart fallback hash", async () => {
     localStorage.setItem("nanobot-webui.restartStartedAt", String(Date.now()));
     localStorage.setItem("nanobot-webui.restartRoute", "#/settings?section=channels");
@@ -2128,16 +2229,41 @@ describe("App layout", () => {
     expect(window.location.hash).toBe("#/settings");
 
     const settingsNav = screen.getByRole("navigation", { name: "Settings sections" });
-    fireEvent.click(within(settingsNav).getByRole("button", { name: "Models" }));
+    const overviewButton = within(settingsNav).getByRole("button", {
+      name: "Overview",
+      exact: true,
+    });
+    const modelsButton = within(settingsNav).getByRole("button", {
+      name: "Models",
+      exact: true,
+    });
+    const settingsHighlight = within(settingsNav).getByTestId(
+      "settings-selection-highlight",
+    );
+
+    expect(overviewButton).toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "page");
+    expect(overviewButton).not.toHaveClass("bg-sidebar-accent");
+    expect(overviewButton).toHaveClass("transition-[color]");
+    expect(settingsHighlight).toHaveAttribute("data-active-id", "overview");
+
+    fireEvent.click(modelsButton);
 
     expect(await screen.findByText("Model presets")).toBeInTheDocument();
     expect(screen.queryByRole("heading", { name: "Models" })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
     expect(window.location.hash).toBe("#/settings?section=models");
+    expect(modelsButton).toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "page");
+    expect(settingsHighlight).toHaveAttribute("data-active-id", "models");
 
-    fireEvent.click(within(settingsNav).getByRole("button", { name: "Voice" }));
+    const voiceButton = within(settingsNav).getByRole("button", {
+      name: "Voice",
+      exact: true,
+    });
+    fireEvent.click(voiceButton);
 
     expect(await screen.findByRole("heading", { name: "Voice input" })).toBeInTheDocument();
     expect(window.location.hash).toBe("#/settings?section=voice");
+    expect(voiceButton).toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "page");
+    expect(settingsHighlight).toHaveAttribute("data-active-id", "voice");
   });
 
   it("transitions between Apps and Skills without replacing the sidebar", async () => {
@@ -2163,6 +2289,11 @@ describe("App layout", () => {
       "aria-current",
       "page",
     );
+    expect(within(sidebar).getByTestId("actions-selection-highlight")).toHaveAttribute(
+      "data-active-id",
+      "utility:apps",
+    );
+    expect(within(sidebar).queryAllByRole("button", { current: "page" })).toHaveLength(1);
     expect(screen.getByTestId("settings-section-transition")).toHaveAttribute(
       "data-settings-section",
       "apps",
@@ -2190,6 +2321,10 @@ describe("App layout", () => {
       "aria-current",
       "page",
     );
+    expect(within(sidebar).getByTestId("actions-selection-highlight")).toHaveAttribute(
+      "data-active-id",
+      "utility:skills",
+    );
     expect(document.title).toBe("Skills · nanobot");
   });
 

webui/src/tests/chat-list.test.tsx

@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ describe("ChatList", () => {
     expect(within(chatsSection).queryByText("Project chat")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
-  it("floats a borderless highlight in, then slides it between selected topics", () => {
+  it("positions one background highlight, then slides it between selected topics", () => {
     let revealFrame: FrameRequestCallback | null = null;
     vi.spyOn(window, "requestAnimationFrame").mockImplementation((callback) => {
       revealFrame = callback;
@@ -259,14 +259,15 @@ describe("ChatList", () => {
       />,
     );
 
-    const highlight = screen.getByTestId("active-chat-highlight");
+    const highlight = screen.getByTestId("sessions-selection-highlight");
-    const surface = screen.getByTestId("active-chat-highlight-surface");
+    expect(highlight).toHaveClass(
-    expect(surface).toHaveClass(
       "bg-sidebar-foreground/[0.055]",
-      "transition-[opacity,transform]",
+      "transition-[transform,width,height]",
       "motion-reduce:transition-none",
     );
-    expect(surface).toHaveStyle("opacity: 0; transform: scale(0.97)");
+    expect(highlight).toHaveStyle("opacity: 0");
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId("sessions-selection-highlight-surface"))
+      .not.toBeInTheDocument();
 
     rerender(
       <ChatList
@@ -277,18 +278,15 @@ describe("ChatList", () => {
 
     const activeButton = screen.getByTitle("Active topic");
     expect(activeButton).toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "page");
+    expect(activeButton.parentElement).toHaveClass("transition-[color]");
+    expect(activeButton.parentElement).not.toHaveClass("transition-colors");
     expect(activeButton.parentElement).not.toHaveClass(
       "bg-sidebar-accent",
       "shadow-[inset_0_0_0_1px_hsl(var(--sidebar-border)/0.55)]",
     );
-    expect(highlight).toHaveClass(
-      "transition-[transform,width,height]",
-      "motion-reduce:transition-none",
-    );
     expect(highlight).toHaveStyle(
-      "width: 284px; height: 32px; transform: translate3d(8px, 12px, 0); transition-property: none",
+      "width: 284px; height: 32px; transform: translate3d(8px, 12px, 0); opacity: 1; transition-property: none",
     );
-    expect(surface).toHaveStyle("opacity: 1; transform: scale(1)");
 
     revealFrame?.(0);
     expect(highlight.style.transitionProperty).toBe("");

webui/src/tests/quick-chat.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+import {
+  isQuickChatKey,
+  QUICK_CHAT_ID,
+  QUICK_CHAT_KEY,
+  quickChatSession,
+} from "@/lib/quick-chat";
+
+describe("Quick Chat identity", () => {
+  it("uses one stable websocket session", () => {
+    expect(QUICK_CHAT_ID).toBe("quick-chat");
+    expect(QUICK_CHAT_KEY).toBe("websocket:quick-chat");
+    expect(isQuickChatKey(QUICK_CHAT_KEY)).toBe(true);
+    expect(isQuickChatKey("websocket:another-chat")).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps persisted metadata behind the fixed identity", () => {
+    expect(quickChatSession({
+      key: "websocket:quick-chat",
+      channel: "websocket",
+      chatId: "quick-chat",
+      createdAt: "2026-07-30T08:00:00Z",
+      updatedAt: "2026-07-30T08:05:00Z",
+      preview: "hello",
+      modelPreset: "fast",
+    })).toMatchObject({
+      key: QUICK_CHAT_KEY,
+      channel: "websocket",
+      chatId: QUICK_CHAT_ID,
+      createdAt: "2026-07-30T08:00:00Z",
+      updatedAt: "2026-07-30T08:05:00Z",
+      preview: "hello",
+      modelPreset: "fast",
+    });
+  });
+});

webui/src/tests/thread-shell.test.tsx

@@ -3369,6 +3369,74 @@ describe("ThreadShell", () => {
     expect(screen.getByRole("option", { name: /\/history/i })).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
+  it("removes session-management affordances from a fixed conversation", async () => {
+    const client = makeClient();
+    vi.stubGlobal(
+      "fetch",
+      vi.fn(async (input: RequestInfo | URL) => {
+        const url = String(input);
+        if (url.endsWith("/api/commands")) {
+          return httpJson({
+            commands: [
+              {
+                command: "/new",
+                title: "New chat",
+                description: "Reset this chat and start a fresh conversation.",
+                icon: "square-pen",
+                lifecycle: "finalize_active_turn",
+                accepts_args: false,
+              },
+              {
+                command: "/history",
+                title: "Show conversation history",
+                description: "Print the last N persisted messages.",
+                icon: "history",
+                arg_hint: "[n]",
+                lifecycle: "side_channel",
+                accepts_args: true,
+              },
+            ],
+          });
+        }
+        return {
+          ok: false,
+          status: 404,
+          json: async () => ({}),
+        };
+      }),
+    );
+
+    render(
+      wrap(
+        client,
+        <ThreadShell
+          session={session("quick-chat")}
+          title="Quick Chat"
+          onToggleSidebar={() => {}}
+          allowConversationReset={false}
+          showSessionInfo={false}
+        />,
+      ),
+    );
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(fetch).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      "/api/commands",
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        headers: { Authorization: "Bearer tok" },
+      }),
+    ));
+
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText("Message input"), {
+      target: { value: "/" },
+    });
+
+    expect(screen.getByRole("option", { name: /\/history/i })).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole("option", { name: /\/new/i })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(
+      screen.queryByRole("button", { name: "Session details" }),
+    ).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
   it("does not bring back welcome cards when image mode is enabled", async () => {
     const client = makeClient();
     const settings = modelSettings("deepseek-v4-pro", "deepseek");