diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/AskAiButton.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/AskAiButton.svelte
index 95ff47fb52..a141ee3125 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/AskAiButton.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/AskAiButton.svelte
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 	import { AIBtnClasses } from './chat/AIButtonStyle'
 	import { prefersSessionHandoff } from './chat/global/gate'
 	import { startSessionWithPrompt } from '$lib/components/sessions/sessionSwitch.svelte'
-	import { userStore } from '$lib/stores'
 	interface Props {
 		label?: string
 		initialInput?: string
@@ -16,7 +15,7 @@
 
 	// The label stays short ("Ask AI") for the search bar's inline row; the hover
 	// text is where "new AI session" fits.
-	const handsOffToSession = $derived(prefersSessionHandoff($userStore?.operator))
+	const handsOffToSession = $derived(prefersSessionHandoff())
 
 	export function onClick() {
 		// No item to preview here — this carries a question, not a target — so the
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/chat/AiChatLayout.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/chat/AiChatLayout.svelte
index 4f3ef368ad..e2b8c9bba9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/chat/AiChatLayout.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/chat/AiChatLayout.svelte
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 	import AiChat from './AIChat.svelte'
 	import SessionsBetaBanner from '$lib/components/sessions/SessionsBetaBanner.svelte'
 	import { zIndexes } from '$lib/zIndexes'
-	import { userStore, workspaceStore } from '$lib/stores'
+	import { workspaceStore } from '$lib/stores'
 	import { chatState } from './sharedChatState.svelte'
 	import { loadCopilot } from '$lib/components/copilot/loadCopilot'
 	import { copilotInfo } from '$lib/aiStore'
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@
 	}: Props = $props()
 
 	// The desktop rail is fixed-positioned, so the content is offset by a matching
-	// left padding (in rem, matching the rail). Mobile/operator/borderless: no rail.
-	let contentPadLeft = $derived(noBorder || $userStore?.operator || isMobile ? 0 : sidebarWidth)
+	// left padding (in rem, matching the rail). Drawer (mobile or detached)/borderless: no rail.
+	let contentPadLeft = $derived(noBorder || isMobile ? 0 : sidebarWidth)
 
 	$effect(() => {
 		chatState.dockedChatAvailable = !disableAi
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@
 	<div
 		class={classNames(
 			'py-0.5 px-4 sm:px-4 shadow-sm max-w-7xl md:hidden justify-start flex',
-			noBorder || $userStore?.operator ? 'hidden' : ''
+			noBorder ? 'hidden' : ''
 		)}
 	>
 		<Button
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/chat/global/core.ts b/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/chat/global/core.ts
index b9a2cc7a91..39b2aa18e9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/chat/global/core.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/chat/global/core.ts
@@ -2492,7 +2492,7 @@ function allowedTriggerKinds(): PageTriggerKind[] {
 }
 
 // Pages an operator may reach: exactly the ones enabled in the workspace's
-// operator_settings, the same source OperatorMenu gates on. Operators are never admins, so
+// operator_settings, the same source the sidebar gates on. Operators are never admins, so
 // workspace_settings is excluded whatever the settings say.
 function operatorOpenPages(workspaceId: string | undefined): OpenPageName[] {
 	const settings = get(userWorkspaces).find((w) => w.id === workspaceId)?.operator_settings
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/chat/global/gate.ts b/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/chat/global/gate.ts
index 8fb650aa36..4c1a8bd8f7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/chat/global/gate.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/copilot/chat/global/gate.ts
@@ -29,10 +29,9 @@ export function isGlobalAiEnabled(): boolean {
  * Whether an AI entry point hands off to a session instead of driving the docked
  * chat. Deliberately the same condition as the root layout's `disableAi`, so a
  * caller falling back on `false` always has a mounted pane to fall back to.
- * Operators keep that pane (`/sessions` refuses them) until the operator chat ships.
  */
-export function prefersSessionHandoff(isOperator: boolean | undefined): boolean {
-	return isGlobalAiEnabled() && !isOperator
+export function prefersSessionHandoff(): boolean {
+	return isGlobalAiEnabled()
 }
 
 /** Persist the opt-out choice, then hard-reload so every gated site re-reads it. */
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/flows/FlowEditor.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/flows/FlowEditor.svelte
index bf25a1dcda..8016d88eb2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/flows/FlowEditor.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/flows/FlowEditor.svelte
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 	import FlowPanelPlacementPicker from './common/FlowPanelPlacementPicker.svelte'
 	import { prefersSessionHandoff } from '../copilot/chat/global/gate'
 	import { openSourceInSession } from '$lib/components/sessions/sessionSwitch.svelte'
-	import { userStore, workspaceStore } from '$lib/stores'
+	import { workspaceStore } from '$lib/stores'
 	const { flowStore, selectionManager, pathStore, opWorkspace } =
 		getContext<FlowEditorContext>('FlowEditorContext')
 	// Flow paths repeat across workspaces, and a session keeps every tab it has visited alive, so two
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@
 							if (
 								!sessionScopedManager &&
 								sessionOpen &&
-								prefersSessionHandoff($userStore?.operator)
+								prefersSessionHandoff()
 							) {
 								void openSourceInSession(sessionOpen, {
 									previewParams: { selected: detail.moduleId },
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/home/HomeAIChat.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/home/HomeAIChat.svelte
index a8e4d8b973..7a82f7a797 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/home/HomeAIChat.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/home/HomeAIChat.svelte
@@ -107,16 +107,14 @@
 	// unlocked, so the far commoner unlocked workspace never pops the composer in mid-load.
 	let runOnlyWorkspace = $derived(isRuleActive('DisableDirectDeployment'))
 
-	// The composer hands off to /sessions, which refuses operators — so hide it from them (the
-	// prompt would be silently dropped) while the AI-independent CLI/MCP row below stays.
+	// The composer hands off to /sessions, so users opted out of the sessions beta don't get it
+	// (the prompt would be silently dropped) while the AI-independent CLI/MCP row below stays.
 	let showComposer = $derived(
-		prefersSessionHandoff($userStore?.operator) &&
-			!runOnlyWorkspace &&
-			!$copilotInfo.workspaceDisabled
+		prefersSessionHandoff() && !runOnlyWorkspace && !$copilotInfo.workspaceDisabled
 	)
 
 	// The hero's margins and centered column are for the full block. The lone button row left
-	// by a collapsed, operator, run-only or hidden-assistant view is a hint line and should
+	// by a collapsed, opted-out, run-only or hidden-assistant view is a hint line and should
 	// cost the page almost nothing: no top margin, and the content column's full width so it
 	// hugs the right edge instead of floating centered in empty space.
 	let hero = $derived(showComposer && !collapsed)
@@ -149,7 +147,7 @@
 	const FADE_MS = 600
 
 	// Rotate the example prompt every CYCLE_MS: fade the placeholder out, swap it, fade it back in.
-	// Only while the composer is shown — otherwise (operators) it would loop forever driving an
+	// Only while the composer is shown — otherwise it would loop forever driving an
 	// unrendered input — and not under reduced motion, where the first prompt simply stays put.
 	// The index lives outside the effect so re-showing the composer resumes the rotation from the
 	// prompt currently displayed rather than restarting it.
@@ -311,7 +309,7 @@
 				<div></div>
 			{/if}
 
-			<!-- Not AI-related, so shown even to operators / when the composer is hidden. -->
+			<!-- Not AI-related, so shown even when the composer is hidden. -->
 			<div class="flex flex-row items-center gap-1">
 				<Button
 					variant="subtle"
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/raw_apps/RawAppTemplatePicker.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/raw_apps/RawAppTemplatePicker.svelte
index 7ead1f6fb0..7f5020aec2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/raw_apps/RawAppTemplatePicker.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/raw_apps/RawAppTemplatePicker.svelte
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@
 	const aiConfigLoaded = $derived(!!opWs && $copilotWorkspace === opWs)
 	// Say where the button leads: the route hands this prompt to a fresh AI
 	// session for everyone who has one, and drives the docked chat for the rest.
-	const handsOffToSession = $derived(prefersSessionHandoff($userStore?.operator))
+	const handsOffToSession = $derived(prefersSessionHandoff())
 	const isAiEnabled = $derived(aiConfigLoaded && $copilotInfo.enabled)
 
 	$effect(() => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/sessions/OpenInSessionButton.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/sessions/OpenInSessionButton.svelte
index 03ce21589e..01db5984d3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/sessions/OpenInSessionButton.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/sessions/OpenInSessionButton.svelte
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@
 	import { AIBtnClasses } from '$lib/components/copilot/chat/AIButtonStyle'
 	import { prefersSessionHandoff } from '$lib/components/copilot/chat/global/gate'
 	import { copilotInfo } from '$lib/aiStore'
-	import { userStore } from '$lib/stores'
 	import { sendUserToast } from '$lib/toast'
 	import { openSourceInSession } from './sessionSwitch.svelte'
 
@@ -66,7 +65,7 @@
 		 * says that clicking it leaves for a session. */
 		tooltip?: string
 		/** Rendered instead when the caller keeps a docked chat to drive — an
-		 * opted-out user or an operator (typically the editor's inline-chat
+		 * opted-out user (typically the editor's inline-chat
 		 * toggle). Never rendered inside the session panel. */
 		fallback?: Snippet
 	} = $props()
@@ -77,13 +76,8 @@
 	// SessionEditorTarget / the session wrapper); iframe preview tabs are not
 	// the top window.
 	const inSessionPanel = !!getContext('aiChatManager') || (BROWSER && window.self !== window.top)
-	// prefersSessionHandoff carries the operator clause: the sessions page refuses
-	// them, so an entry point on a page they can reach (Runs, the trigger lists)
-	// would only route them into that refusal.
 	const show = $derived(
-		!inSessionPanel &&
-			!!(source?.target || source?.page) &&
-			prefersSessionHandoff($userStore?.operator)
+		!inSessionPanel && !!(source?.target || source?.page) && prefersSessionHandoff()
 	)
 
 	// Not $state: only read inside open() as a re-entrancy latch, never rendered.
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/sessions/SessionWrapper.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/sessions/SessionWrapper.svelte
index b56b72c2be..c64a7e35b2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/sessions/SessionWrapper.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/sessions/SessionWrapper.svelte
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
 	import { splitterPointerCapture } from '$lib/utils/splitterPointerCapture'
 
 	// headerInset: extra left padding on the chat header so it clears a floating
-	// control (the collapsed-rail launcher) sitting at the screen's top-left.
+	// control (the detached sidebar's handle) sitting at the screen's top-left.
 	let {
 		sessionId,
 		headerInset = false
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/sessions/SessionsBetaBanner.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/sessions/SessionsBetaBanner.svelte
index 36ebee1ee2..021d79cfb4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/sessions/SessionsBetaBanner.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/sessions/SessionsBetaBanner.svelte
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 	import { classes as alertClasses, icons as alertIcons } from '$lib/components/common/alert/model'
 	import { setSessionsBetaOptOut } from '$lib/components/copilot/chat/global/gate'
 	import { ExternalLink } from 'lucide-svelte'
+	import { userStore } from '$lib/stores'
 
 	// Prefilled title marks the issue as beta feedback for triage.
 	const FEEDBACK_ISSUE_URL =
@@ -42,15 +43,18 @@
 			>
 				Give feedback
 			</Button>
-			<span>·</span>
-			<Button
-				variant="subtle"
-				size="xs"
-				btnClasses="!py-0.5"
-				onclick={() => setSessionsBetaOptOut(true, `${base}/`)}
-			>
-				Switch back to legacy chat
-			</Button>
+			<!-- Operators have no legacy chat to fall back to. -->
+			{#if !$userStore?.operator}
+				<span>·</span>
+				<Button
+					variant="subtle"
+					size="xs"
+					btnClasses="!py-0.5"
+					onclick={() => setSessionsBetaOptOut(true, `${base}/`)}
+				>
+					Switch back to legacy chat
+				</Button>
+			{/if}
 		{:else}
 			<span class="font-medium">Try AI Sessions (beta)</span>
 			<span>·</span>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/OperatorMenu.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/OperatorMenu.svelte
deleted file mode 100644
index 2d35ce7e10..0000000000
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/OperatorMenu.svelte
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,337 +0,0 @@
-<script lang="ts">
-	import {
-		Home,
-		Menu as MenuIcon,
-		Play,
-		Settings,
-		LogOut,
-		Moon,
-		Sun,
-		Code2,
-		LayoutDashboard,
-		Calendar,
-		ServerCog,
-		Table2,
-		GraduationCap
-	} from 'lucide-svelte'
-	import SwitchWorkspaceSubmenu from './SwitchWorkspaceSubmenu.svelte'
-	import {
-		OPERATOR_MAIN_LINKS,
-		OPERATOR_SECONDARY_LINKS,
-		OPERATOR_TRIGGER_LINKS,
-		type OperatorMenuLink,
-		type OperatorTriggerLink
-	} from './operatorRoutes'
-	import { base } from '$lib/base'
-	import { page } from '$app/state'
-	import { TOUR_PARAM, TOUR_PARAM_VALUE } from '$lib/components/tutorials/operatorTour'
-
-	import MultiplayerMenu from './MultiplayerMenu.svelte'
-	import { Plus } from 'lucide-svelte'
-	import {
-		enterpriseLicense,
-		superadmin,
-		usedTriggerKinds,
-		userWorkspaces,
-		workspaceColor,
-		workspaceStore
-	} from '$lib/stores'
-	import { twMerge } from 'tailwind-merge'
-	import { getContrastTextColor } from '$lib/utils'
-	import { USER_SETTINGS_HASH } from './settings'
-	import { logout } from '$lib/logoutKit'
-	import DarkModeObserver from '../DarkModeObserver.svelte'
-	import BarsStaggered from '../icons/BarsStaggered.svelte'
-	import { Menu, Menubar, MenuItem } from '$lib/components/meltComponents'
-	import MenuButton, { sidebarClasses } from './MenuButton.svelte'
-	import MenuLink from './MenuLink.svelte'
-	import type { FavoriteKind } from './FavoriteMenu.svelte'
-	let darkMode: boolean = $state(false)
-	let showExtraTriggers = $state(false)
-	// The menu opens on hover, so this doubles as "the pointer is on the button":
-	// it slides the workspace name out beside the icon, and keeps it out once a
-	// click has pinned the menu open and the pointer has moved away.
-	let menuOpen = $state(false)
-
-	interface Props {
-		isCollapsed?: boolean
-		favoriteLinks?: {
-			label: string
-			href: string
-			kind: FavoriteKind
-		}[]
-	}
-
-	let { isCollapsed = false, favoriteLinks = [] }: Props = $props()
-
-	const MAIN_LINK_ICONS: Record<string, any> = { home: Home, runs: Play, schedules: Calendar }
-	let activeWorkspace = $derived($userWorkspaces?.find((w) => w.id === $workspaceStore))
-	let workspaceName = $derived(activeWorkspace?.name ?? $workspaceStore ?? '')
-	// Home is where an operator lands and gets their bearings, so the name stays out there
-	// rather than waiting for a hover. Everywhere else the button is the page's own chrome
-	// and stays out of the way until asked.
-	let showWorkspaceName = $derived(menuOpen || page.url.pathname === `${base}/`)
-	// Most workspaces never get a colour (it is only ever set explicitly), and this button
-	// floats over page content with nothing else behind it — so the disc falls back to a
-	// neutral rather than vanishing, keeping the glyph on a ground of its own everywhere.
-	// A token rather than a hex so it follows the theme; getContrastTextColor only parses
-	// hex, so it returns undefined here and the glyph keeps its themed `text-hint`.
-	const NEUTRAL_DISC = 'rgb(var(--color-surface-sunken))'
-
-	let mainMenuLinks = $derived(
-		OPERATOR_MAIN_LINKS.map((link) => ({ ...link, icon: MAIN_LINK_ICONS[link.id] })).filter(
-			(link) => link.id === 'home' || filterLink(link)
-		)
-	)
-
-	function filterLink(link: OperatorMenuLink) {
-		if (!$userWorkspaces || !$workspaceStore) return false
-		return activeWorkspace?.operator_settings?.[link.id] === true
-	}
-	let secondMenuLinks: OperatorMenuLink[] = $derived(OPERATOR_SECONDARY_LINKS.filter(filterLink))
-	let allTriggerLinks: OperatorTriggerLink[] = $derived(OPERATOR_TRIGGER_LINKS.filter(filterLink))
-	let secondMenuTriggerLinks = $derived(
-		allTriggerLinks.filter((link) => $usedTriggerKinds.includes(link.kind))
-	)
-	let extraTriggerLinks = $derived(
-		allTriggerLinks.filter((link) => !$usedTriggerKinds.includes(link.kind))
-	)
-</script>
-
-<Menubar>
-	{#snippet children({ createMenu })}
-		<Menu
-			{createMenu}
-			placement="bottom-start"
-			openOnHover
-			usePointerDownOutside
-			submenuSafe
-			bind:open={menuOpen}
-			on:close={() => (showExtraTriggers = false)}
-		>
-			{#snippet triggr({ trigger, pinned })}
-				{@const iconColor = getContrastTextColor($workspaceColor)}
-				<!-- Ground for the expanded state only: the button floats over page content and its
-				     hover tint is translucent, so the name would otherwise sit on whatever is
-				     underneath. Icon-only needs none — the disc is always drawn. -->
-				<div class="flex rounded-md {showWorkspaceName ? 'bg-surface' : ''}">
-					<MenuButton
-						class="!text-xs"
-						buttonClass={twMerge(
-							'!pl-3.5 !pr-2 !w-auto',
-							// A hover-opened menu leaves the button plain once the pointer moves on;
-							// keeping the tint is what tells you the click pinned it.
-							pinned ? sidebarClasses.selectedBg : ''
-						)}
-						icon={MenuIcon}
-						isCollapsed={false}
-						lightMode
-						color={$workspaceColor ?? NEUTRAL_DISC}
-						iconProps={iconColor ? { style: `color: ${iconColor}` } : undefined}
-						label={showWorkspaceName ? workspaceName : undefined}
-						ariaLabel={workspaceName ? `Menu — ${workspaceName}` : 'Menu'}
-						{trigger}
-					/>
-				</div>
-			{/snippet}
-			{#snippet children({ item, builders })}
-				<div class="w-full max-w-full">
-					{#each favoriteLinks ?? [] as favorite (favorite.href)}
-						<MenuItem
-							href={favorite.href}
-							{item}
-							class={twMerge(
-								'w-full inline-flex flex-row px-2 py-2',
-								'data-[highlighted]:bg-surface-hover'
-							)}
-						>
-							<span class="center-center">
-								{#if favorite.kind == 'script'}
-									<Code2 size={16} />
-								{:else if favorite.kind == 'flow'}
-									<BarsStaggered size={16} />
-								{:else if favorite.kind == 'app' || favorite.kind == 'raw_app'}
-									<LayoutDashboard size={16} />
-								{:else if favorite.kind == 'asset'}
-									<Table2 size={16} />
-								{/if}
-							</span>
-							<span class="text-primary ml-2 grow min-w-0 text-xs truncate">
-								{favorite.label}
-							</span>
-						</MenuItem>
-					{/each}
-				</div>
-
-				{#each mainMenuLinks as menuLink (menuLink.href ?? menuLink.label)}
-					<MenuLink class="!text-xs" {...menuLink} {isCollapsed} {item} lightMode />
-				{/each}
-
-				<div class="divide-y" role="none">
-					<div role="none">
-						<MenuItem
-							href={USER_SETTINGS_HASH}
-							class={twMerge(
-								'flex flex-row gap-3.5 items-center px-2 py-2',
-								sidebarClasses.text,
-								'transition-colors',
-								'data-[highlighted]:bg-surface-hover data-[highlighted]:text-primary'
-							)}
-							lightMode
-							{item}
-						>
-							<Settings size={14} />
-							Account settings
-						</MenuItem>
-
-						<MenuItem
-							href="{base}/?{TOUR_PARAM}={TOUR_PARAM_VALUE}"
-							class={twMerge(
-								'flex flex-row gap-3.5 items-center px-2 py-2',
-								sidebarClasses.text,
-								'transition-colors',
-								'data-[highlighted]:bg-surface-hover data-[highlighted]:text-primary'
-							)}
-							lightMode
-							{item}
-						>
-							<GraduationCap size={14} />
-							Take the tour
-						</MenuItem>
-					</div>
-
-					<div role="none">
-						<MenuItem
-							onClick={() => {
-								if (!document.documentElement.classList.contains('dark')) {
-									document.documentElement.classList.add('dark')
-									window.localStorage.setItem('dark-mode', 'dark')
-								} else {
-									document.documentElement.classList.remove('dark')
-									window.localStorage.setItem('dark-mode', 'light')
-								}
-							}}
-							lightMode
-							class={twMerge(
-								'w-full flex gap-3.5 px-2 py-2',
-								'transition-colors',
-								sidebarClasses.text,
-								'data-[highlighted]:bg-surface-hover data-[highlighted]:text-primary'
-							)}
-							{item}
-						>
-							{#if darkMode}
-								<Sun size={14} />
-							{:else}
-								<Moon size={14} />
-							{/if}
-							Switch theme
-						</MenuItem>
-						<SwitchWorkspaceSubmenu {builders} {item} />
-
-						{#if $superadmin}
-							<MenuItem
-								href="#superadmin-settings"
-								class={twMerge(
-									'flex flex-row gap-3.5 items-center px-2 py-2 ',
-									'text-secondary text-xs',
-									'cursor-pointer',
-									'data-[highlighted]:bg-surface-hover data-[highlighted]:text-primary'
-								)}
-								{item}
-							>
-								<ServerCog size={14} />
-								Instance settings
-							</MenuItem>
-						{/if}
-
-						<MenuItem
-							onClick={() => logout()}
-							class={twMerge(
-								'flex flex-row gap-3.5  items-center px-2 py-2 w-full',
-								'text-primary text-xs',
-								'cursor-pointer',
-								'data-[highlighted]:bg-surface-hover data-[highlighted]:text-primary'
-							)}
-							{item}
-						>
-							<LogOut size={14} />
-							Sign out
-						</MenuItem>
-					</div>
-					<div role="none">
-						{#snippet renderSecondMenuLinks(menuLinks: OperatorMenuLink[])}
-							{#each menuLinks as menuLink (menuLink.href ?? menuLink.label)}
-								<MenuItem
-									href={menuLink.href}
-									class={twMerge(
-										'flex flex-row gap-3.5 items-center px-2 py-2 text-secondary text-2xs cursor-pointer',
-										'data-[highlighted]:bg-surface-hover data-[highlighted]:text-primary'
-									)}
-									{item}
-								>
-									{menuLink.label}
-								</MenuItem>
-							{/each}
-						{/snippet}
-						{#if secondMenuLinks.length || secondMenuTriggerLinks.length || extraTriggerLinks.length}
-							<div class="divide-y">
-								{#if secondMenuLinks.length}<div
-										>{@render renderSecondMenuLinks(secondMenuLinks)}</div
-									>{/if}
-								{#if secondMenuTriggerLinks.length}<div
-										>{@render renderSecondMenuLinks(secondMenuTriggerLinks)}</div
-									>{/if}
-								{#if extraTriggerLinks.length}<div>
-										<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
-										<div
-											role="none"
-											onclickcapture={(e) => {
-												// This row expands the list below it instead of acting on the selection, and
-												// melt keeps the menu open only for a click it sees as defaultPrevented.
-												// Svelte delegates onclick to the root, which runs after melt's own listener,
-												// and a capture listener on the item itself would be ordered only by
-												// registration, so an ancestor's capture phase is what reliably wins.
-												e.preventDefault()
-												showExtraTriggers = !showExtraTriggers
-											}}
-										>
-											<MenuItem
-												class={twMerge(
-													'flex flex-row gap-3.5 items-center px-2 py-2 w-full text-secondary text-2xs cursor-pointer',
-													'data-[highlighted]:bg-surface-hover data-[highlighted]:text-primary'
-												)}
-												{item}
-											>
-												<Plus size={12} />
-												<span class="text-2xs">More triggers</span>
-											</MenuItem>
-										</div>
-										{#if showExtraTriggers}
-											{#each extraTriggerLinks as menuLink (menuLink.href)}
-												<MenuItem
-													href={menuLink.href}
-													class={twMerge(
-														'flex flex-row gap-3.5 items-center px-2 py-2 pl-6 text-tertiary text-2xs cursor-pointer',
-														'data-[highlighted]:bg-surface-hover data-[highlighted]:text-primary'
-													)}
-													{item}
-												>
-													{menuLink.label}
-												</MenuItem>
-											{/each}
-										{/if}
-									</div>{/if}
-							</div>
-						{/if}
-						{#if $enterpriseLicense}
-							<MultiplayerMenu />
-						{/if}
-					</div>
-				</div>
-			{/snippet}
-		</Menu>
-	{/snippet}
-</Menubar>
-
-<DarkModeObserver bind:darkMode />
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/SettingsMenu.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/SettingsMenu.svelte
index e0951f37cd..fed773c84c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/SettingsMenu.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/SettingsMenu.svelte
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@
 		Crown,
 		Gauge,
 		Trash2,
-		KeyRound
+		KeyRound,
+		GraduationCap
 	} from 'lucide-svelte'
 	import { base } from '$app/paths'
 	import { goto } from '$lib/navigation'
@@ -38,6 +39,8 @@
 	import { USER_SETTINGS_HASH, SUPERADMIN_SETTINGS_HASH } from './settings'
 	import { accountSetup } from './accountSetup.svelte'
 	import { EXECUTIONS_HINT } from './executionsHint'
+	import { sidebarPageAllowed } from './operatorRoutes'
+	import { TOUR_PARAM, TOUR_PARAM_VALUE } from '$lib/components/tutorials/operatorTour'
 	import {
 		userWorkspaces,
 		workspaceStore,
@@ -248,6 +251,15 @@
 					icon: Settings,
 					action: () => goto(USER_SETTINGS_HASH)
 				},
+				...($userStore?.operator
+					? [
+							{
+								displayName: 'Take the tour',
+								icon: GraduationCap,
+								action: () => goto(`${base}/?${TOUR_PARAM}=${TOUR_PARAM_VALUE}`)
+							}
+						]
+					: []),
 				...(cloudHosted && $isPremiumStore === false
 					? [
 							{
@@ -307,6 +319,7 @@
 		label="Workers"
 		href="{base}/workers"
 		icon={ServerCog}
+		disabled={!sidebarPageAllowed($userStore?.operator, currentWs, 'workers')}
 		{isCollapsed}
 		aiId="sidebar-menu-link-workers"
 		aiDescription="Button to navigate to workers"
@@ -352,7 +365,7 @@
 			label="Audit logs"
 			href="{base}/audit_logs"
 			icon={Eye}
-			disabled={$userStore?.operator}
+			disabled={!sidebarPageAllowed($userStore?.operator, currentWs, 'audit_logs')}
 			{isCollapsed}
 			aiId="sidebar-menu-link-audit-logs"
 			aiDescription="Button to navigate to audit logs"
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/SidebarContent.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/SidebarContent.svelte
index b43bc2988e..075e0f9018 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/SidebarContent.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/SidebarContent.svelte
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@
 	import GoogleCloudIcon from '../icons/triggers/GoogleCloudIcon.svelte'
 	import AzureIcon from '../icons/triggers/AzureIcon.svelte'
 	import { leaveCurrentWorkspace } from './leaveWorkspace'
+	import { sidebarPageAllowed, type OperatorPageKey } from './operatorRoutes'
 	import { markChangelogsOpened, readRecentChangelogs } from './changelogs'
 
 	const { recent: recentChangelogs, hasNew } = readRecentChangelogs()
@@ -188,6 +189,11 @@
 		return count
 	}
 
+	const currentWs = $derived($userWorkspaces?.find((w) => w.id === $workspaceStore))
+	function allows(key: OperatorPageKey) {
+		return sidebarPageAllowed($userStore?.operator, currentWs, key)
+	}
+
 	const itemClass = twMerge(
 		'text-secondary font-normal w-full block px-4 py-2 text-2xs data-[highlighted]:bg-surface-hover data-[highlighted]:text-primary'
 	)
@@ -205,6 +211,7 @@
 				label: 'Runs',
 				href: `${base}/runs`,
 				icon: Play,
+				disabled: !allows('runs'),
 				aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-runs',
 				aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to runs',
 				onclick: () => {
@@ -217,7 +224,7 @@
 				label: 'Variables',
 				href: `${base}/variables`,
 				icon: DollarSign,
-				disabled: $userStore?.operator,
+				disabled: !allows('variables'),
 				aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-variables',
 				aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to variables'
 			},
@@ -225,7 +232,7 @@
 				label: 'Resources',
 				href: `${base}/resources`,
 				icon: Boxes,
-				disabled: $userStore?.operator,
+				disabled: !allows('resources'),
 				aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-resources',
 				aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to resources'
 			},
@@ -233,6 +240,7 @@
 				label: 'Assets',
 				href: `${base}/assets`,
 				icon: Pyramid,
+				disabled: !allows('assets'),
 				aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-assets',
 				aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to assets'
 			},
@@ -240,7 +248,7 @@
 				label: 'Folders',
 				href: `${base}/folders`,
 				icon: FolderOpen,
-				disabled: $userStore?.operator,
+				disabled: !allows('folders'),
 				aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-folders',
 				aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to folders'
 			},
@@ -248,7 +256,7 @@
 				label: 'Groups',
 				href: `${base}/groups`,
 				icon: Users,
-				disabled: $userStore?.operator,
+				disabled: !allows('groups'),
 				aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-groups',
 				aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to groups'
 			}
@@ -259,7 +267,7 @@
 			label: 'HTTP',
 			href: '/routes',
 			icon: Route,
-			disabled: $userStore?.operator,
+			disabled: !allows('triggers'),
 			kind: 'http',
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-http',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to HTTP routes'
@@ -268,7 +276,7 @@
 			label: 'WebSockets',
 			href: '/websocket_triggers',
 			icon: Unplug,
-			disabled: $userStore?.operator,
+			disabled: !allows('triggers'),
 			kind: 'ws',
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-ws',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to websocket triggers'
@@ -277,7 +285,7 @@
 			label: 'Postgres',
 			href: '/postgres_triggers',
 			icon: Database,
-			disabled: $userStore?.operator,
+			disabled: !allows('triggers'),
 			kind: 'postgres',
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-postgres',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to Postgres triggers'
@@ -286,7 +294,7 @@
 			label: 'Kafka' + ($enterpriseLicense ? '' : ' (EE)'),
 			href: '/kafka_triggers',
 			icon: KafkaIcon,
-			disabled: $userStore?.operator || !$enterpriseLicense,
+			disabled: !allows('triggers') || !$enterpriseLicense,
 			kind: 'kafka',
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-kafka',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to Kafka triggers'
@@ -295,7 +303,7 @@
 			label: 'NATS' + ($enterpriseLicense ? '' : ' (EE)'),
 			href: '/nats_triggers',
 			icon: NatsIcon,
-			disabled: $userStore?.operator || !$enterpriseLicense,
+			disabled: !allows('triggers') || !$enterpriseLicense,
 			kind: 'nats',
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-nats',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to NATS triggers'
@@ -304,7 +312,7 @@
 			label: 'SQS' + ($enterpriseLicense ? '' : ' (EE)'),
 			href: '/sqs_triggers',
 			icon: AwsIcon,
-			disabled: $userStore?.operator || !$enterpriseLicense,
+			disabled: !allows('triggers') || !$enterpriseLicense,
 			kind: 'sqs',
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-sqs',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to SQS triggers'
@@ -313,7 +321,7 @@
 			label: 'GCP Pub/Sub' + ($enterpriseLicense ? '' : ' (EE)'),
 			href: '/gcp_triggers',
 			icon: GoogleCloudIcon,
-			disabled: $userStore?.operator || !$enterpriseLicense,
+			disabled: !allows('triggers') || !$enterpriseLicense,
 			kind: 'gcp',
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-gcp',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to GCP Pub/Sub triggers'
@@ -322,7 +330,7 @@
 			label: 'Azure Event Grid' + ($enterpriseLicense ? '' : ' (EE)'),
 			href: '/azure_triggers',
 			icon: AzureIcon,
-			disabled: $userStore?.operator || !$enterpriseLicense,
+			disabled: !allows('triggers') || !$enterpriseLicense,
 			kind: 'azure',
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-azure',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to Azure Event Grid triggers'
@@ -331,7 +339,7 @@
 			label: 'MQTT',
 			href: '/mqtt_triggers',
 			icon: MqttIcon,
-			disabled: $userStore?.operator,
+			disabled: !allows('triggers'),
 			kind: 'mqtt',
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-mqtt',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to MQTT triggers'
@@ -340,7 +348,7 @@
 			label: 'AMQP',
 			href: '/amqp_triggers',
 			icon: AmqpIcon,
-			disabled: $userStore?.operator,
+			disabled: !allows('triggers'),
 			kind: 'amqp',
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-amqp',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to AMQP triggers'
@@ -349,7 +357,7 @@
 			label: 'Email',
 			href: '/email_triggers',
 			icon: MailIcon,
-			disabled: $userStore?.operator,
+			disabled: !allows('triggers'),
 			kind: 'email',
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-email',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to Email triggers'
@@ -375,7 +383,7 @@
 			label: 'Schedules',
 			href: `${base}/schedules`,
 			icon: Calendar,
-			disabled: !SIDEBAR_SHOW_SCHEDULES || $userStore?.operator,
+			disabled: !SIDEBAR_SHOW_SCHEDULES || !allows('schedules'),
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-schedules',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to schedules'
 		},
@@ -390,7 +398,6 @@
 	)
 	// Admins, superadmins, and fork creators reach workspace settings (the latter
 	// for the fork members screen; see isForkOwner / backend authorize_fork_owner_add_user).
-	const currentWs = $derived($userWorkspaces?.find((w) => w.id === $workspaceStore))
 	const canManageWorkspace = $derived(
 		$userStore?.is_admin || $superadmin || isForkOwner(currentWs, $userStore?.email)
 	)
@@ -460,7 +467,7 @@
 			label: 'Workers',
 			href: `${base}/workers`,
 			icon: ServerCog,
-			disabled: $userStore?.operator,
+			disabled: !allows('workers'),
 			aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-workers',
 			aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to workers'
 		},
@@ -509,7 +516,7 @@
 					label: 'Audit logs',
 					href: `${base}/audit_logs`,
 					icon: Eye,
-					disabled: $userStore?.operator,
+					disabled: !allows('audit_logs'),
 					aiId: 'sidebar-menu-link-audit-logs',
 					aiDescription: 'Button to navigate to audit logs'
 				}
@@ -551,7 +558,7 @@
 								{#each triggerMenuLinks as menuLink (menuLink.href ?? menuLink.label)}
 									<MenuLink class="!text-xs" {...menuLink} {isCollapsed} />
 								{/each}
-								{#if extraTriggerLinks.length > 0 && !$userStore?.operator}
+								{#if extraTriggerLinks.length > 0 && allows('triggers')}
 									<Menu {createMenu} usePointerDownOutside>
 										{#snippet triggr({ trigger })}
 											<MeltButton
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/SwitchWorkspaceSubmenu.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/SwitchWorkspaceSubmenu.svelte
deleted file mode 100644
index 1f9b4f410f..0000000000
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/SwitchWorkspaceSubmenu.svelte
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,68 +0,0 @@
-<script lang="ts">
-	import { untrack } from 'svelte'
-	import { melt } from '@melt-ui/svelte'
-	import type { MenubarMenuBuilders, MenubarMenuElements } from '@melt-ui/svelte'
-	import { Building, ChevronRight } from 'lucide-svelte'
-	import { twMerge } from 'tailwind-merge'
-	import { sidebarClasses } from './MenuButton.svelte'
-	import WorkspacePickerBody from './WorkspacePickerBody.svelte'
-	import { MenuItem } from '$lib/components/meltComponents'
-	import { clearWorkspaceFromStorage } from '$lib/stores'
-	import { base } from '$lib/base'
-
-	interface Props {
-		// Submenu builders from the enclosing melt Menu — createSubmenu must be
-		// called against this specific menu instance (same pattern as DropdownSubmenuItem).
-		builders: MenubarMenuBuilders
-		// Melt uses the parent menu's item builder for submenu rows too, so the
-		// picker body's MenuItems work here unchanged.
-		item: MenubarMenuElements['item']
-	}
-
-	let { builders, item }: Props = $props()
-
-	const {
-		elements: { subTrigger, subMenu },
-		states: { subOpen }
-	} = untrack(() => builders).createSubmenu()
-</script>
-
-<button
-	use:melt={$subTrigger}
-	class={twMerge(
-		'flex flex-row gap-3.5 items-center px-2 py-2 w-full',
-		sidebarClasses.text,
-		'transition-colors',
-		'data-[highlighted]:bg-surface-hover data-[highlighted]:text-primary'
-	)}
->
-	<Building size={14} class="shrink-0" />
-	<span class="grow text-left">Switch workspace</span>
-	<ChevronRight size={14} class="shrink-0 text-tertiary" />
-</button>
-
-{#if $subOpen}
-	<div
-		use:melt={$subMenu}
-		class="z-[6001] w-56 bg-surface border rounded-md shadow-md focus:outline-none"
-	>
-		<WorkspacePickerBody {item} strictWorkspaceSelect />
-		<!-- The picker's list scrolls inside itself, so this sits below it and stays reachable
-		     however many workspaces the operator belongs to. -->
-		<div class="border-t border-border-light" role="none">
-			<MenuItem
-				href="{base}/user/workspaces"
-				onClick={() => clearWorkspaceFromStorage()}
-				class={twMerge(
-					'w-full flex flex-row gap-2 px-4 py-2 font-normal',
-					sidebarClasses.text,
-					'hover:bg-surface-hover hover:text-primary',
-					'data-[highlighted]:bg-surface-hover data-[highlighted]:text-primary'
-				)}
-				{item}
-			>
-				All workspaces
-			</MenuItem>
-		</div>
-	</div>
-{/if}
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/WorkspaceMenu.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/WorkspaceMenu.svelte
index ddcbd9ca95..84e03819f4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/WorkspaceMenu.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/WorkspaceMenu.svelte
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@
 				showChevron
 				emphasizeLabel
 				disableTitle
+				labelClass="wm-workspace-name"
 				{trigger}
 			/>
 		</NameIdTooltip>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/WorkspacePickerBody.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/WorkspacePickerBody.svelte
index fa4468fa6a..58fdbe9eae 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/WorkspacePickerBody.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/WorkspacePickerBody.svelte
@@ -50,8 +50,7 @@
 		strictWorkspaceSelect?: boolean
 		// Set by a picker embedded in a page that drives its own navigation, so switching
 		// workspaces must not navigate away from it. Separate from strictWorkspaceSelect,
-		// which only strips the sidebar-specific rows — the operator submenu sets that one
-		// and still wants the switch to move the page.
+		// which only strips the sidebar-specific rows.
 		keepPageOnSwitch?: boolean
 	}
 
@@ -117,7 +116,7 @@
 	// scope header's WorkspaceFamilyPicker remains the primary fork surface.
 	//
 	// strictWorkspaceSelect is used where this list has no scope header beside it
-	// (standalone pages such as svix webhook creation, the operator menu), so
+	// (standalone pages such as svix webhook creation), so
 	// there forks must stay directly selectable — list the full hierarchy
 	// unconditionally.
 	const hierarchy = $derived($userWorkspaces ? buildWorkspaceHierarchy($userWorkspaces) : [])
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/navDetached.svelte.ts b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/navDetached.svelte.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a5213b0336
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/navDetached.svelte.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+import { fromStore } from 'svelte/store'
+import { userStore } from '$lib/stores'
+import { useLocalStorageValue } from '$lib/svelte5Utils.svelte'
+
+// Empty until the user presses detach or attach once. Until then operators start detached:
+// many of them navigate through a workspace's own app, and a docked sidebar would take its width.
+const pref = useLocalStorageValue<string>('nav_detached', '', 'string')
+const user = fromStore(userStore)
+
+/** Whether the sidebar is detached: hidden behind a floating button that slides it in over the page. */
+export const navDetached = {
+	get val(): boolean {
+		if (pref.val === 'true') return true
+		if (pref.val === 'false') return false
+		return !!user.current?.operator
+	},
+	set val(detached: boolean) {
+		pref.val = String(detached)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/operatorRoutes.ts b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/operatorRoutes.ts
index 1abd7aeb93..7898eaf7ed 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/operatorRoutes.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/sidebar/operatorRoutes.ts
@@ -1,61 +1,22 @@
-import { base } from '$lib/base'
+import type { OperatorSettings } from '$lib/gen'
 import type { UserWorkspace } from '$lib/stores'
 
+/** An `operator_settings` key: each admits an operator to one page (`triggers` to all of them). */
+export type OperatorPageKey = keyof OperatorSettings
+
 /**
- * The pages an operator can reach, each paired with the `operator_settings` key
- * that admits them — the operator menu lists only the entries the active
- * workspace permits.
+ * Whether the sidebar shows the page behind `key`. Everyone but an operator sees every page
+ * (other gates, such as admin-only entries, still apply); an operator sees only the pages the
+ * workspace's `operator_settings` turn on.
  */
-export type OperatorMenuLink = {
-	label: string
-	/** `operator_settings` key gating the page. */
-	id: string
-	href: string
+export function sidebarPageAllowed(
+	isOperator: boolean | undefined,
+	workspace: UserWorkspace | undefined,
+	key: OperatorPageKey
+): boolean {
+	return !isOperator || workspace?.operator_settings?.[key] === true
 }
 
-export type OperatorTriggerLink = OperatorMenuLink & { kind: string }
-
-/** Home needs no setting — it is the one page every operator always has. */
-export const OPERATOR_MAIN_LINKS: OperatorMenuLink[] = [
-	{ label: 'Home', id: 'home', href: `${base}/` },
-	{ label: 'Runs', id: 'runs', href: `${base}/runs` },
-	{ label: 'Schedules', id: 'schedules', href: `${base}/schedules` }
-]
-
-export const OPERATOR_SECONDARY_LINKS: OperatorMenuLink[] = [
-	{ label: 'Resources', id: 'resources', href: `${base}/resources` },
-	{ label: 'Variables', id: 'variables', href: `${base}/variables` },
-	{ label: 'Assets', id: 'assets', href: `${base}/assets` },
-	{ label: 'Groups', id: 'groups', href: `${base}/groups` },
-	{ label: 'Folders', id: 'folders', href: `${base}/folders` },
-	{ label: 'Workers', id: 'workers', href: `${base}/workers` },
-	{ label: 'Audit logs', id: 'audit_logs', href: `${base}/audit_logs` }
-]
-
-export const OPERATOR_TRIGGER_LINKS: OperatorTriggerLink[] = [
-	{ label: 'Custom HTTP routes', id: 'triggers', href: `${base}/routes`, kind: 'http' },
-	{ label: 'Websocket triggers', id: 'triggers', href: `${base}/websocket_triggers`, kind: 'ws' },
-	{
-		label: 'Postgres triggers',
-		id: 'triggers',
-		href: `${base}/postgres_triggers`,
-		kind: 'postgres'
-	},
-	{ label: 'Kafka triggers', id: 'triggers', href: `${base}/kafka_triggers`, kind: 'kafka' },
-	{ label: 'NATS triggers', id: 'triggers', href: `${base}/nats_triggers`, kind: 'nats' },
-	{ label: 'SQS triggers', id: 'triggers', href: `${base}/sqs_triggers`, kind: 'sqs' },
-	{ label: 'GCP Pub/Sub triggers', id: 'triggers', href: `${base}/gcp_triggers`, kind: 'gcp' },
-	{
-		label: 'Azure Event Grid triggers',
-		id: 'triggers',
-		href: `${base}/azure_triggers`,
-		kind: 'azure'
-	},
-	{ label: 'MQTT triggers', id: 'triggers', href: `${base}/mqtt_triggers`, kind: 'mqtt' },
-	{ label: 'AMQP triggers', id: 'triggers', href: `${base}/amqp_triggers`, kind: 'amqp' },
-	{ label: 'Email triggers', id: 'triggers', href: `${base}/email_triggers`, kind: 'email' }
-]
-
 /**
  * Whether the user is an operator in `workspace`. The server nulls
  * `operator_settings` for a non-operator, so a non-null value narrows an operator
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/tutorials/OperatorTour.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/tutorials/OperatorTour.svelte
index cc7f4ab4a5..51574ab96e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/tutorials/OperatorTour.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/tutorials/OperatorTour.svelte
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 	import type { DriveStep } from 'driver.js'
-	import { wait } from '$lib/utils'
 	import Tutorial from './Tutorial.svelte'
-	import { markOperatorTourSeen, MENU_OPEN_DELAY_MS } from './operatorTour'
+	import { markOperatorTourSeen } from './operatorTour'
 
 	let tutorial: Tutorial | undefined = $state(undefined)
 	let running = false
@@ -25,7 +24,7 @@
 <Tutorial
 	bind:this={tutorial}
 	{onDestroyed}
-	getSteps={(driver) => {
+	getSteps={() => {
 		const steps: DriveStep[] = [
 			{
 				popover: {
@@ -60,19 +59,12 @@
 			},
 			{
 				popover: {
-					title: 'Finally, the Menu section',
+					title: 'Finally, the sidebar',
 					description:
-						'Explore available tabs where you can access your history of runs, your scheduled scripts, and your workspaces.<p style="margin-top: 12px; padding-top: 12px; border-top: 1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.3); font-size: 0.9em; opacity: 0.9;"><strong>💡 Want to see this again?</strong> Pick <strong>Take the tour</strong> from that same menu.</p>',
-					onNextClick: async () => {
-						// The step points into the menu, so it has to be open before the popover
-						// lands on it — and open is also where the entry to re-run the tour is.
-						const menuButton = document.querySelector('[role="menuitem"]') as HTMLElement | null
-						menuButton?.click()
-						await wait(MENU_OPEN_DELAY_MS)
-						driver.destroy()
-					}
+						'Explore the pages you can open from here: your history of runs, your scheduled scripts, AI sessions and your workspaces.<p style="margin-top: 12px; padding-top: 12px; border-top: 1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.3); font-size: 0.9em; opacity: 0.9;"><strong>💡 Want to see this again?</strong> Pick <strong>Take the tour</strong> from your account menu, under <strong>Settings</strong>.</p>'
 				},
-				element: '[role="menuitem"]'
+				// Whichever the sidebar currently is: the floating handle when detached, the rail when not.
+				element: '[data-nav-handle], #sidebar'
 			}
 		]
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/tutorials/operatorTour.ts b/frontend/src/lib/components/tutorials/operatorTour.ts
index 5c4269e84d..4ece54b66e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/tutorials/operatorTour.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/tutorials/operatorTour.ts
@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@ export const TOUR_PARAM_VALUE = 'operator'
 
 /** Long enough for the home page's tabs to exist before the first step points at one. */
 export const TOUR_START_DELAY_MS = 500
-/** Time for the sidebar to open before the last step points into it. */
-export const MENU_OPEN_DELAY_MS = 300
 
 export async function hasSeenOperatorTour(): Promise<boolean> {
 	// A failure answers "seen": the tour interrupts the page, and interrupting someone who
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/+layout.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/+layout.svelte
index d14cd2c2dc..966ad34d57 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/+layout.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/+layout.svelte
@@ -11,7 +11,13 @@
 		UserService,
 		WorkspaceService
 	} from '$lib/gen'
-	import { capitalize, classNames, getModifierKey, sendUserToast } from '$lib/utils'
+	import {
+		capitalize,
+		classNames,
+		getContrastTextColor,
+		getModifierKey,
+		sendUserToast
+	} from '$lib/utils'
 	import { useLocalStorageValue } from '$lib/svelte5Utils.svelte'
 	import WorkspaceMenu from '$lib/components/sidebar/WorkspaceMenu.svelte'
 	import SidebarContent from '$lib/components/sidebar/SidebarContent.svelte'
@@ -47,6 +53,7 @@
 		nonMemberWorkspaces,
 		setNonMemberWorkspaces,
 		clearNonMemberWorkspaces,
+		workspaceColor,
 		type UserWorkspace
 	} from '$lib/stores'
 	import CenteredModal from '$lib/components/CenteredModal.svelte'
@@ -64,12 +71,22 @@
 	} from '$lib/components/sidebar/FavoriteMenu.svelte'
 	import { SUPERADMIN_SETTINGS_HASH, USER_SETTINGS_HASH } from '$lib/components/sidebar/settings'
 	import { isCloudHosted } from '$lib/cloud'
-	import { PanelLeftClose, PanelLeftOpen, Home, Play, Search, WandSparkles } from 'lucide-svelte'
+	import {
+		PanelLeft,
+		PanelLeftClose,
+		PanelLeftDashed,
+		PanelLeftOpen,
+		Home,
+		Play,
+		Search,
+		WandSparkles
+	} from 'lucide-svelte'
 	import { getUserExt } from '$lib/user'
 	import { confirmPendingLoginMethod } from '$lib/lastLoginMethod'
 	import { deepEqual } from 'fast-equals'
 	import { twMerge } from 'tailwind-merge'
-	import OperatorMenu from '$lib/components/sidebar/OperatorMenu.svelte'
+	import { navDetached } from '$lib/components/sidebar/navDetached.svelte'
+	import { sidebarPageAllowed } from '$lib/components/sidebar/operatorRoutes'
 	import GlobalSearchModal from '$lib/components/search/GlobalSearchModal.svelte'
 	import MenuButton from '$lib/components/sidebar/MenuButton.svelte'
 	import MenuLink from '$lib/components/sidebar/MenuLink.svelte'
@@ -81,8 +98,9 @@
 	import DraftMigrationErrorModal from '$lib/components/DraftMigrationErrorModal.svelte'
 	import InstanceBanner from '$lib/components/InstanceBanner.svelte'
 	import { onDestroy, setContext, untrack } from 'svelte'
+	import { cubicInOut, cubicOut } from 'svelte/easing'
 	import { base } from '$app/paths'
-	import { Menubar } from '$lib/components/meltComponents'
+	import { Menubar, Tooltip } from '$lib/components/meltComponents'
 	import { aiChatManager } from '$lib/components/copilot/chat/AIChatManager.svelte'
 	import AiChatLayout from '$lib/components/copilot/chat/AiChatLayout.svelte'
 	import SessionPicker from '$lib/components/sessions/SessionPicker.svelte'
@@ -133,10 +151,13 @@
 	// Persisted nav-rail collapse preference. A deliberate collapse writes to it —
 	// the manual toggle and a drag past the collapse threshold. The contextual
 	// auto-collapse (app-mode routes, narrow widths) mutates the in-memory
-	// `isCollapsed` without persisting, so it stays transient and never gets
+	// `collapsedState` without persisting, so it stays transient and never gets
 	// "stuck" collapsed across reloads.
 	const collapsePref = useLocalStorageValue<boolean>('nav_menu_collapsed', false, 'boolean')
-	let isCollapsed = $state(collapsePref.val)
+	let collapsedState = $state(collapsePref.val)
+	// Operators never get the icon-only rail: their docked sidebar is always expanded (a sidebar
+	// they want out of the way is what detaching is for).
+	let isCollapsed = $derived(collapsedState && !$userStore?.operator)
 
 	// Resizable desktop rail, sized in REM so it scales with the root font-size the
 	// same way the old `w-52`/`w-12` classes did — `:root` jumps to 18px past 1760px
@@ -470,6 +491,73 @@
 	})
 
 	let innerWidth = $state(BROWSER ? window.innerWidth : 2000)
+	// The drawer holds the sidebar below 768px and, at any width, while it is detached.
+	let useDrawer = $derived(innerWidth < 768 || navDetached.val)
+	// Below 768px the burger row opens the drawer; wider, a detached sidebar has a floating handle.
+	let detachedFloating = $derived(navDetached.val && innerWidth >= 768)
+	let handleIconColor = $derived(getContrastTextColor($workspaceColor))
+	let onHome = $derived(page.url.pathname === `${base}/`)
+	let currentWorkspaceName = $derived(
+		$userWorkspaces?.find((w) => w.id === $workspaceStore)?.name ?? $workspaceStore ?? ''
+	)
+
+	// Set once the user docks or detaches, so the rail that mounts from then on skips its
+	// app-entry animation (`wm-sidebar-in`) and only plays `railMorph`.
+	let dockToggled = $state(false)
+	function setDetached(detached: boolean) {
+		dockToggled = true
+		menuOpen = false
+		navDetached.val = detached
+	}
+	// Docking and detaching move and resize the rail itself between its docked box and the
+	// detached card's (top 44px, bottom and left insets, rounded corners); detaching also slides
+	// it off the left edge, where the closed card lives. No opacity: the rail never fades.
+	const RAIL_MORPH_MS = 200
+	function railMorph(_node: HTMLElement, { offscreen }: { offscreen: boolean }) {
+		const reduced = window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches
+		// The card is always the default width; a rail the user widened resizes to or from it.
+		const docked = railWidth
+		return {
+			duration: reduced ? 0 : RAIL_MORPH_MS,
+			easing: cubicOut,
+			css: (t: number, u: number) =>
+				`top:${u * 44}px; bottom:${u * 8}px; left:${u * 4}px; border-radius:${u * 8}px; overflow:hidden;` +
+				`width:${SIDEBAR_MIN_REM + (docked - SIDEBAR_MIN_REM) * t}rem;` +
+				(offscreen ? `transform:translateX(calc(${-u} * (100% + 0.5rem)));` : '')
+		}
+	}
+	// The home-page workspace name travels to the card's workspace picker as the card opens,
+	// and back as it closes, so the name reads as one label joining the picker. It aims where
+	// the picker will be once the card has finished sliding (the card's current translate is
+	// undone), grows to the picker's font size, and fades out as it arrives (in as it leaves),
+	// so the handover to the picker's own label has no hard cut.
+	// Any other mount or unmount of the name (arriving on or leaving home) plays nothing.
+	function joinPicker(node: HTMLElement) {
+		const card = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>('[data-nav-card]')
+		const target = card?.querySelector<HTMLElement>('.wm-workspace-name')
+		const reduced = window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches
+		if (!card || !target || reduced) return { duration: 0 }
+		const slide = new DOMMatrix(getComputedStyle(card).transform).m41
+		// Opening: the card is still off-screen, sliding in. Closing: it is still fully open.
+		const cardIsMoving = menuOpen ? slide !== 0 : slide === 0
+		if (!cardIsMoving) return { duration: 0 }
+		const from = node.getBoundingClientRect()
+		const to = target.getBoundingClientRect()
+		const dx = to.left - (menuOpen ? slide : 0) - from.left
+		const dy = to.top + to.height / 2 - (from.top + from.height / 2)
+		const scale =
+			parseFloat(getComputedStyle(target).fontSize) / parseFloat(getComputedStyle(node).fontSize)
+		return {
+			duration: 180,
+			easing: cubicInOut,
+			css: (_t: number, u: number) =>
+				`transform-origin: left center; transform: translate(${dx * u}px, ${dy * u}px) scale(${1 + (scale - 1) * u}); opacity: ${1 - u};`
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Matches the edge band's `duration-200`, so the drawer opens as the tint finishes.
+	const EDGE_OPEN_DELAY_MS = 200
+	let edgeOpenTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined
 
 	function onLoad() {
 		loadFavorites()
@@ -626,8 +714,8 @@
 	})
 
 	function changeCollapsed() {
-		if (innerWidth < 1248 && innerWidth >= 768 && !isCollapsed) {
-			isCollapsed = true
+		if (innerWidth < 1248 && innerWidth >= 768 && !collapsedState) {
+			collapsedState = true
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -735,7 +823,7 @@
 	$effect(() => {
 		const ws = $workspaceStore
 		const ready = sessionState.hydrated && $usersWorkspaceStore !== undefined
-		if (globalAiEnabled && ready && ws && !$userStore?.operator) {
+		if (globalAiEnabled && ready && ws) {
 			untrack(() => restoreSessionBackups(ws))
 		}
 	})
@@ -841,11 +929,6 @@
 	$effect(() => {
 		$workspaceStore && $userStore && untrack(() => loadDefaultScripts($workspaceStore!, $userStore))
 	})
-	$effect(() => {
-		if (isCollapsed && $userStore?.operator) {
-			isCollapsed = false
-		}
-	})
 	$effect(() => {
 		if (
 			$enterpriseLicense &&
@@ -914,6 +997,11 @@
 		label="Runs"
 		href={`${base}/runs`}
 		icon={Play}
+		disabled={!sidebarPageAllowed(
+			$userStore?.operator,
+			$userWorkspaces?.find((w) => w.id === $workspaceStore),
+			'runs'
+		)}
 		isCollapsed={collapsed}
 		aiId="sidebar-menu-link-runs"
 		aiDescription="Button to navigate to runs"
@@ -989,332 +1077,413 @@
 			<div class="fixed inset-0 z-50 cursor-col-resize select-none"></div>
 		{/if}
 		{#if !menuHidden}
-			{#if !$userStore?.operator}
-				{#if innerWidth < 768}
-					<div
-						class={classNames(
-							'relative',
-							menuOpen ? 'z-40' : 'pointer-events-none',
-							devOnly ? 'hidden' : ''
-						)}
-						role="dialog"
-						aria-modal="true"
-					>
+			{#if detachedFloating && !menuOpen && !devOnly}
+				<!-- Edge band: the other way to reach a detached sidebar. It opens only once its
+				     tint has faded in, so a pointer brushing the screen edge does not open it. -->
+				<div
+					class="fixed inset-y-0 left-0 w-2 z-[4999] transition-colors duration-200 ease-out hover:bg-surface-accent-selected"
+					aria-hidden="true"
+					onmouseenter={() => {
+						clearTimeout(edgeOpenTimer)
+						edgeOpenTimer = setTimeout(() => (menuOpen = true), EDGE_OPEN_DELAY_MS)
+					}}
+					onmouseleave={() => clearTimeout(edgeOpenTimer)}
+				></div>
+			{/if}
+			{#if detachedFloating && !devOnly}
+				<!-- The detached sidebar's handle, kept visible above the open card. Hover opens the
+				     card; a click docks the sidebar again. -->
+				<div class="absolute top-1 left-1 z5000 flex items-center">
+					<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
+					<div data-nav-handle onmouseenter={() => (menuOpen = true)}>
+						<MenuButton
+							class="!text-xs"
+							buttonClass="!pl-3.5 !pr-1 !w-auto"
+							icon={PanelLeft}
+							isCollapsed={false}
+							lightMode
+							color={$workspaceColor ?? 'rgb(var(--color-surface-sunken))'}
+							iconProps={handleIconColor ? { style: `color: ${handleIconColor}` } : undefined}
+							ariaLabel="Attach sidebar"
+							on:click={() => setDetached(false)}
+						/>
+					</div>
+					<!-- Plain text, outside the handle's hover area: on home it names the workspace,
+					     with a ground so it stays legible over the page scrolling under it. Hidden
+					     while the card is open, which would otherwise sit under it. -->
+					{#if onHome && !menuOpen}
+						<span
+							class="pl-0.5 pr-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-md bg-surface text-xs text-secondary truncate"
+							transition:joinPicker
+						>
+							{currentWorkspaceName}
+						</span>
+					{/if}
+				</div>
+			{/if}
+			{#if useDrawer}
+				<div
+					class={classNames(
+						'relative',
+						menuOpen ? 'z-40' : 'pointer-events-none',
+						devOnly ? 'hidden' : ''
+					)}
+					role="dialog"
+					aria-modal="true"
+				>
+					<!-- The detached card floats over the page without dimming it: it opens on hover,
+					     so a backdrop would flash on every pass of the left edge. -->
+					{#if !detachedFloating}
 						<div
 							class={classNames(
 								'fixed inset-0 bg-black/50 transition-opacity ease-linear duration-300 z-40',
-
 								menuOpen ? 'opacity-100' : 'opacity-0'
 							)}
 						></div>
+					{/if}
 
-						<div class="fixed inset-0 flex z-40">
+					<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_click_events_have_key_events, a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
+					<!-- Detached, the drawer is a card below the handle (pt-11 clears it) rather than a
+					     full-height panel; the handle stays on top to show where it came from. -->
+					<div
+						class={classNames('fixed inset-0 flex z-40', detachedFloating ? 'pt-11 pl-1 pb-2' : '')}
+						onclick={(e) => {
+							if (e.target === e.currentTarget) menuOpen = false
+						}}
+					>
+						<div
+							data-nav-card
+							class={classNames(
+								'relative flex-1 flex flex-col max-w-min w-full bg-surface transition ease-in-out duration-300 transform',
+								detachedFloating ? 'rounded-lg border shadow-lg overflow-hidden' : '',
+								menuOpen
+									? 'translate-x-0'
+									: detachedFloating
+										? '-translate-x-[calc(100%+0.5rem)]'
+										: '-translate-x-full'
+							)}
+						>
 							<div
 								class={classNames(
-									'relative flex-1 flex flex-col max-w-min w-full bg-surface transition ease-in-out duration-300 transform',
-									menuOpen ? 'translate-x-0' : '-translate-x-full'
+									'absolute top-0 right-4 -mr-12 pt-2 ease-in-out duration-300',
+									menuOpen ? 'opacity-100' : 'opacity-0',
+									detachedFloating ? 'hidden' : ''
 								)}
 							>
-								<div
-									class={classNames(
-										'absolute top-0 right-4 -mr-12 pt-2 ease-in-out duration-300',
-										menuOpen ? 'opacity-100' : 'opacity-0'
-									)}
+								<button
+									type="button"
+									onclick={() => {
+										menuOpen = !menuOpen
+									}}
+									class="ml-1 flex items-center justify-center h-6 w-6 rounded-full focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-inset focus:ring-white border border-white"
+									aria-label="Close"
 								>
-									<button
-										type="button"
-										onclick={() => {
-											menuOpen = !menuOpen
-										}}
-										class="ml-1 flex items-center justify-center h-6 w-6 rounded-full focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-inset focus:ring-white border border-white"
-										aria-label="Close"
+									<svg
+										class="h-4 w-4 text-white"
+										xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+										fill="none"
+										viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+										stroke-width="2"
+										stroke="currentColor"
+										aria-hidden="true"
 									>
-										<svg
-											class="h-4 w-4 text-white"
-											xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
-											fill="none"
-											viewBox="0 0 24 24"
-											stroke-width="2"
-											stroke="currentColor"
-											aria-hidden="true"
-										>
-											<path
-												stroke-linecap="round"
-												stroke-linejoin="round"
-												d="M6 18L18 6M6 6l12 12"
-											/>
-										</svg>
-									</button>
+										<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M6 18L18 6M6 6l12 12" />
+									</svg>
+								</button>
+							</div>
+							<div
+								class="h-full flex flex-col"
+								style:background-color={darkMode ? SIDEBAR_BG_DARK : SIDEBAR_BG}
+							>
+								<!-- Workspace picker as the drawer header (replaces the Windmill logo). -->
+								<div class="flex-shrink-0 px-2 h-12 w-52 flex items-center">
+									<Menubar class="w-full">
+										{#snippet children({ createMenu })}
+											<WorkspaceMenu {createMenu} />
+										{/snippet}
+									</Menubar>
 								</div>
-								<div
-									class="h-full flex flex-col"
-									style:background-color={darkMode ? SIDEBAR_BG_DARK : SIDEBAR_BG}
-								>
-									<!-- Workspace picker as the drawer header (replaces the Windmill logo). -->
-									<div class="flex-shrink-0 px-2 h-12 w-52 flex items-center">
-										<Menubar class="w-full">
-											{#snippet children({ createMenu })}
-												<WorkspaceMenu {createMenu} />
-											{/snippet}
-										</Menubar>
+
+								{#if !embedded && sessionsSwitchShown}
+									<!-- The switch: workspace navigation ⇄ sessions sidebar. -->
+									<div class="px-2 pb-1 w-52">
+										<SessionModeSwitch
+											mode={sessionMode ? 'session' : 'nav'}
+											onToggle={() => (preserveMenuOnNextNav = true)}
+										/>
 									</div>
+								{/if}
 
-									{#if !embedded && sessionsSwitchShown}
-										<!-- The switch: workspace navigation ⇄ sessions sidebar. -->
-										<div class="px-2 pb-1 w-52">
-											<SessionModeSwitch
-												mode={sessionMode ? 'session' : 'nav'}
-												onToggle={() => (preserveMenuOnNextNav = true)}
-											/>
-										</div>
-									{/if}
+								{#if !sessionMode}
+									<!-- Workspace scope (fork picker): part of the top workspace group. -->
+									<div class="pb-1 w-52 {sessionsSwitchShown ? '' : '-mt-1'}">
+										<WorkspaceScopeHeader isCollapsed={false} />
+									</div>
+								{/if}
 
-									{#if !sessionMode}
-										<!-- Workspace scope (fork picker): part of the top workspace group. -->
-										<div class="pb-1 w-52 {sessionsSwitchShown ? '' : '-mt-1'}">
-											<WorkspaceScopeHeader isCollapsed={false} />
-										</div>
-									{/if}
-
-									{#if sessionMode}
-										<!-- Session mode: the session list owns the rail.
+								{#if sessionMode}
+									<!-- Session mode: the session list owns the rail.
 										     w-52 cap (matches the desktop sidebar width): the drawer is
 										     max-w-min, and long session titles (nowrap before truncation)
 										     would otherwise inflate its min-content width to the full
 										     text width. -->
-										<div class="px-2 py-2 w-52">
-											<SessionPicker isCollapsed={false} embedded collapsible={false} />
-										</div>
-										{@render settingsMenu(false)}
-									{:else}
-										<!-- Navigation mode: Home → Settings scroll as ONE block with an
+									<div class="px-2 py-2 w-52 flex-1 min-h-0 overflow-y-auto">
+										<SessionPicker isCollapsed={false} embedded collapsible={false} />
+									</div>
+									{@render settingsMenu(false)}
+								{:else}
+									<!-- Navigation mode: Home → Settings scroll as ONE block with an
 										     overflow fade hint (same treatment as the desktop rail). -->
-										<SidebarScrollArea color={darkMode ? SIDEBAR_BG_DARK : SIDEBAR_BG}>
-											<!-- Section 1: Home/Runs + Favorites + Search -->
-											<div class="px-2 pt-1 w-52 flex flex-col gap-1">
-												{@render quickLinks(false)}
-												<Menubar>
-													{#snippet children({ createMenu })}
-														<FavoriteMenu {createMenu} favoriteLinks={favoriteManager.current} />
-													{/snippet}
-												</Menubar>
+									<SidebarScrollArea color={darkMode ? SIDEBAR_BG_DARK : SIDEBAR_BG}>
+										<!-- Section 1: Home/Runs + Favorites + Search -->
+										<div class="px-2 pt-1 w-52 flex flex-col gap-1">
+											{@render quickLinks(false)}
+											<Menubar>
+												{#snippet children({ createMenu })}
+													<FavoriteMenu {createMenu} favoriteLinks={favoriteManager.current} />
+												{/snippet}
+											</Menubar>
+											<MenuButton
+												stopPropagationOnClick={true}
+												on:click={() => openSearchModal()}
+												isCollapsed={false}
+												icon={Search}
+												label="Search"
+												class="!text-xs"
+												shortcut={`${getModifierKey()}k`}
+											/>
+											{#if askAiShown}
+												<!-- Legacy Ask-AI pane, shown only when the user opted out of the
+													     AI Sessions beta (otherwise SessionModeSwitch replaces it). -->
 												<MenuButton
 													stopPropagationOnClick={true}
-													on:click={() => openSearchModal()}
+													on:click={() => aiChatManager.toggleOpen()}
 													isCollapsed={false}
-													icon={Search}
-													label="Search"
+													icon={WandSparkles}
+													iconProps={{ forceDarkMode: true }}
+													label="Ask AI"
 													class="!text-xs"
-													shortcut={`${getModifierKey()}k`}
+													iconClasses="!text-ai"
+													shortcut={`${getModifierKey()}L`}
 												/>
-												{#if askAiShown}
-													<!-- Legacy Ask-AI pane, shown only when the user opted out of the
-													     AI Sessions beta (otherwise SessionModeSwitch replaces it). -->
-													<MenuButton
-														stopPropagationOnClick={true}
-														on:click={() => aiChatManager.toggleOpen()}
-														isCollapsed={false}
-														icon={WandSparkles}
-														iconProps={{ forceDarkMode: true }}
-														label="Ask AI"
-														class="!text-xs"
-														iconClasses="!text-ai"
-														shortcut={`${getModifierKey()}L`}
-													/>
-												{/if}
-											</div>
+											{/if}
+										</div>
 
-											<!-- Section 2: workspace items -->
-											<SidebarContent
-												isCollapsed={false}
-												showSecondary={false}
-												excludeMainLabels={['Home', 'Runs']}
-												numUnacknowledgedCriticalAlerts={isCriticalAlertsUiMuted
-													? 0
-													: numUnacknowledgedCriticalAlerts}
-											/>
+										<!-- Section 2: workspace items -->
+										<SidebarContent
+											isCollapsed={false}
+											showSecondary={false}
+											excludeMainLabels={['Home', 'Runs']}
+											numUnacknowledgedCriticalAlerts={isCriticalAlertsUiMuted
+												? 0
+												: numUnacknowledgedCriticalAlerts}
+										/>
 
-											<!-- Section 3: instance settings — mt-auto drops it to the bottom
+										<!-- Section 3: instance settings — mt-auto drops it to the bottom
 											     when there is spare room (see the desktop rail for the rationale). -->
-											<div class="mt-auto">
-												{@render settingsMenu(false)}
-											</div>
-										</SidebarScrollArea>
+										<div class="mt-auto">
+											{@render settingsMenu(false)}
+										</div>
+									</SidebarScrollArea>
+								{/if}
+
+								<div class="w-52">
+									{@render accountSetupBanner(false)}
+									<SidebarUsage isCollapsed={false} />
+								</div>
+
+								<div class="px-4 pt-3 pb-3.5 w-52 flex items-center justify-between">
+									{@render brandMark(false)}
+									{#if detachedFloating}
+										<Tooltip class="flex" placement="top" small>
+											<button
+												class="p-2 -m-2 rounded hover:bg-surface-hover"
+												aria-label="Attach sidebar"
+												onclick={() => setDetached(false)}
+											>
+												<PanelLeft size={14} class="flex-shrink-0 h-3.5 w-3.5 text-hint" />
+											</button>
+											{#snippet text()}Attach sidebar{/snippet}
+										</Tooltip>
 									{/if}
-
-									<div class="w-52">
-										{@render accountSetupBanner(false)}
-										<SidebarUsage isCollapsed={false} />
-									</div>
-
-									<div class="px-4 pt-3 pb-3.5 w-52">
-										{@render brandMark(false)}
-									</div>
 								</div>
 							</div>
 						</div>
 					</div>
-				{:else}
+				</div>
+			{:else}
+				<div
+					id="sidebar"
+					class={classNames(
+						dockToggled ? '' : 'wm-sidebar-in',
+						'flex flex-col fixed inset-y-0 z-40 ',
+						sidebarTransitionClass,
+						devOnly ? '!hidden' : ''
+					)}
+					style:width="{railWidth}rem"
+					in:railMorph={{ offscreen: false }}
+					out:railMorph={{ offscreen: true }}
+				>
 					<div
-						id="sidebar"
-						class={classNames(
-							'wm-sidebar-in flex flex-col fixed inset-y-0 z-40 ',
-							sidebarTransitionClass,
-							devOnly ? '!hidden' : ''
-						)}
-						style:width="{railWidth}rem"
+						class="flex-1 flex flex-col min-h-0 shadow-[inset_-1px_0_0_0_rgb(var(--color-border-light))] dark:shadow-[inset_-1px_0_0_0_#374151] [html.github-dark_&]:shadow-[inset_-1px_0_0_0_rgb(var(--color-border-light))]"
+						style:background-color={darkMode ? SIDEBAR_BG_DARK : SIDEBAR_BG}
 					>
-						<div
-							class="flex-1 flex flex-col min-h-0 h-screen shadow-[inset_-1px_0_0_0_rgb(var(--color-border-light))] dark:shadow-[inset_-1px_0_0_0_#374151] [html.github-dark_&]:shadow-[inset_-1px_0_0_0_rgb(var(--color-border-light))]"
-							style:background-color={darkMode ? SIDEBAR_BG_DARK : SIDEBAR_BG}
-						>
-							{#if !isCollapsed}
-								<!-- Resize handle straddling the right edge, only while expanded:
+						{#if !isCollapsed}
+							<!-- Resize handle straddling the right edge, only while expanded:
 								     drag to widen (clamped at the min). Collapsing is the toggle
 								     button's job. -->
-								<div
-									role="separator"
-									aria-orientation="vertical"
-									aria-label="Resize sidebar"
-									title="Drag to resize"
-									class={classNames(
-										'absolute inset-y-0 -right-0.5 w-1.5 cursor-col-resize z-50 transition-colors',
-										resizingSidebar ? '' : 'hover:bg-surface-hover'
-									)}
-									onpointerdown={startSidebarResize}
-								></div>
-							{/if}
-							<!-- Workspace picker as the sidebar header (replaces the Windmill logo).
+							<div
+								role="separator"
+								aria-orientation="vertical"
+								aria-label="Resize sidebar"
+								title="Drag to resize"
+								class={classNames(
+									'absolute inset-y-0 -right-0.5 w-1.5 cursor-col-resize z-50 transition-colors',
+									resizingSidebar ? '' : 'hover:bg-surface-hover'
+								)}
+								onpointerdown={startSidebarResize}
+							></div>
+						{/if}
+						<!-- Workspace picker as the sidebar header (replaces the Windmill logo).
 							     Kept in both modes: it scopes which workspace family's sessions
 							     the sessions sidebar shows. -->
-							<div class="flex-shrink-0 px-2 h-12 flex items-center">
-								<Menubar class="w-full">
-									{#snippet children({ createMenu })}
-										<WorkspaceMenu {createMenu} {isCollapsed} />
-									{/snippet}
-								</Menubar>
+						<div class="flex-shrink-0 px-2 h-12 flex items-center">
+							<Menubar class="w-full">
+								{#snippet children({ createMenu })}
+									<WorkspaceMenu {createMenu} {isCollapsed} />
+								{/snippet}
+							</Menubar>
+						</div>
+
+						{#if !embedded && sessionsSwitchShown}
+							<!-- The switch: workspace navigation ⇄ sessions sidebar. -->
+							<div class="px-2 pb-1 {isCollapsed ? 'flex justify-center' : ''}">
+								<SessionModeSwitch mode={sessionMode ? 'session' : 'nav'} {isCollapsed} />
 							</div>
+						{/if}
 
-							{#if !embedded && sessionsSwitchShown}
-								<!-- The switch: workspace navigation ⇄ sessions sidebar. -->
-								<div class="px-2 pb-1 {isCollapsed ? 'flex justify-center' : ''}">
-									<SessionModeSwitch mode={sessionMode ? 'session' : 'nav'} {isCollapsed} />
-								</div>
-							{/if}
-
-							{#if !sessionMode}
-								<!-- Workspace scope (fork picker): part of the top workspace group,
+						{#if !sessionMode}
+							<!-- Workspace scope (fork picker): part of the top workspace group,
 								     together with the family menu and the mode switch above. Without
 								     the switch, pull it up so the group still reads as one block. -->
-								<div class="pb-1 {sessionsSwitchShown ? '' : '-mt-1'}">
-									<WorkspaceScopeHeader {isCollapsed} />
-								</div>
-							{/if}
+							<div class="pb-1 {sessionsSwitchShown ? '' : '-mt-1'}">
+								<WorkspaceScopeHeader {isCollapsed} />
+							</div>
+						{/if}
 
-							{#if sessionMode}
-								<!-- Session mode: the session list owns the rail. Workspace nav moves
+						{#if sessionMode}
+							<!-- Session mode: the session list owns the rail. Workspace nav moves
 								     into the preview side panel (the iframe renders its own nav). -->
-								<div class="px-2 py-2 flex flex-col gap-1 flex-1 min-h-0 overflow-y-auto">
-									<SessionPicker {isCollapsed} embedded collapsible={false} />
-								</div>
-								{@render settingsMenu(isCollapsed)}
-							{:else}
-								<!-- Navigation mode: Home → Settings scroll as ONE block with an
+							<div class="px-2 py-2 flex flex-col gap-1 flex-1 min-h-0 overflow-y-auto">
+								<SessionPicker {isCollapsed} embedded collapsible={false} />
+							</div>
+							{@render settingsMenu(isCollapsed)}
+						{:else}
+							<!-- Navigation mode: Home → Settings scroll as ONE block with an
 								     overflow fade hint. The three sections (Home/Runs + Favorites +
 								     Search / workspace items / instance settings) are spaced by the
 								     scroll area's gap rather than each scrolling on its own. -->
-								<SidebarScrollArea color={darkMode ? SIDEBAR_BG_DARK : SIDEBAR_BG}>
-									<!-- Section 1: Home/Runs + Favorites + Search -->
-									<div class="px-2 pt-1 flex flex-col gap-1">
-										{@render quickLinks(isCollapsed)}
-										<Menubar class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-											{#snippet children({ createMenu })}
-												<FavoriteMenu
-													{createMenu}
-													favoriteLinks={favoriteManager.current}
-													{isCollapsed}
-												/>
-											{/snippet}
-										</Menubar>
+							<SidebarScrollArea color={darkMode ? SIDEBAR_BG_DARK : SIDEBAR_BG}>
+								<!-- Section 1: Home/Runs + Favorites + Search -->
+								<div class="px-2 pt-1 flex flex-col gap-1">
+									{@render quickLinks(isCollapsed)}
+									<Menubar class="flex flex-col gap-1">
+										{#snippet children({ createMenu })}
+											<FavoriteMenu
+												{createMenu}
+												favoriteLinks={favoriteManager.current}
+												{isCollapsed}
+											/>
+										{/snippet}
+									</Menubar>
+									<MenuButton
+										stopPropagationOnClick={true}
+										on:click={() => openSearchModal()}
+										{isCollapsed}
+										icon={Search}
+										label="Search"
+										class="!text-xs"
+										shortcut={`${getModifierKey()}k`}
+									/>
+									{#if askAiShown}
+										<!-- Legacy Ask-AI pane, shown only when the user opted out of the
+											     AI Sessions beta (otherwise SessionModeSwitch replaces it). -->
 										<MenuButton
 											stopPropagationOnClick={true}
-											on:click={() => openSearchModal()}
+											on:click={() => aiChatManager.toggleOpen()}
 											{isCollapsed}
-											icon={Search}
-											label="Search"
+											icon={WandSparkles}
+											iconProps={{ forceDarkMode: true }}
+											label="Ask AI"
 											class="!text-xs"
-											shortcut={`${getModifierKey()}k`}
+											iconClasses="!text-ai"
+											shortcut={`${getModifierKey()}L`}
 										/>
-										{#if askAiShown}
-											<!-- Legacy Ask-AI pane, shown only when the user opted out of the
-											     AI Sessions beta (otherwise SessionModeSwitch replaces it). -->
-											<MenuButton
-												stopPropagationOnClick={true}
-												on:click={() => aiChatManager.toggleOpen()}
-												{isCollapsed}
-												icon={WandSparkles}
-												iconProps={{ forceDarkMode: true }}
-												label="Ask AI"
-												class="!text-xs"
-												iconClasses="!text-ai"
-												shortcut={`${getModifierKey()}L`}
-											/>
-										{/if}
-									</div>
+									{/if}
+								</div>
 
-									<!-- Section 2: workspace items -->
-									<SidebarContent
-										{isCollapsed}
-										showSecondary={false}
-										excludeMainLabels={['Home', 'Runs']}
-										numUnacknowledgedCriticalAlerts={isCriticalAlertsUiMuted
-											? 0
-											: numUnacknowledgedCriticalAlerts}
-									/>
+								<!-- Section 2: workspace items -->
+								<SidebarContent
+									{isCollapsed}
+									showSecondary={false}
+									excludeMainLabels={['Home', 'Runs']}
+									numUnacknowledgedCriticalAlerts={isCriticalAlertsUiMuted
+										? 0
+										: numUnacknowledgedCriticalAlerts}
+								/>
 
-									<!-- Section 3: instance settings — mt-auto drops it to the bottom
+								<!-- Section 3: instance settings — mt-auto drops it to the bottom
 									     when the column has spare room, and collapses back to the normal
 									     inter-section gap once the content overflows and scrolls. -->
-									<div class="mt-auto">
-										{@render settingsMenu(isCollapsed)}
-									</div>
-								</SidebarScrollArea>
-							{/if}
+								<div class="mt-auto">
+									{@render settingsMenu(isCollapsed)}
+								</div>
+							</SidebarScrollArea>
+						{/if}
 
-							<div class="flex-shrink-0">
-								{@render accountSetupBanner(isCollapsed)}
-								<SidebarUsage {isCollapsed} />
-							</div>
+						<div class="flex-shrink-0">
+							{@render accountSetupBanner(isCollapsed)}
+							<SidebarUsage {isCollapsed} />
+						</div>
 
-							<div
-								class="flex-shrink-0 flex pt-3 pb-3.5 {isCollapsed
-									? 'flex-col items-center gap-3'
-									: 'items-center justify-between px-4'}"
-							>
-								{@render brandMark(isCollapsed)}
+						<div
+							class="flex-shrink-0 flex pt-3 pb-3.5 {isCollapsed
+								? 'flex-col items-center gap-3'
+								: 'items-center justify-between px-4'}"
+						>
+							{@render brandMark(isCollapsed)}
+							<div class="flex {isCollapsed ? 'flex-col gap-3' : 'gap-3'}">
 								<!-- p-2/-m-2 widens the hit area to ~32px without moving the icon. -->
-								<button
-									class="p-2 -m-2 rounded hover:bg-surface-hover"
-									title={isCollapsed ? 'Expand sidebar' : 'Collapse sidebar'}
-									onclick={() => {
-										isCollapsed = !isCollapsed
-										// Manual toggle is the persisted preference (auto-collapse isn't).
-										collapsePref.val = isCollapsed
-									}}
-								>
-									{#if isCollapsed}
-										<PanelLeftOpen size={14} class="flex-shrink-0 h-3.5 w-3.5 text-hint" />
-									{:else}
-										<PanelLeftClose size={14} class="flex-shrink-0 h-3.5 w-3.5 text-hint" />
-									{/if}
-								</button>
+								<Tooltip class="flex" placement="top" small>
+									<button
+										class="p-2 -m-2 rounded hover:bg-surface-hover"
+										aria-label="Detach sidebar"
+										onclick={() => setDetached(true)}
+									>
+										<PanelLeftDashed size={14} class="flex-shrink-0 h-3.5 w-3.5 text-hint" />
+									</button>
+									{#snippet text()}Detach sidebar{/snippet}
+								</Tooltip>
+								{#if !$userStore?.operator}
+									<button
+										class="p-2 -m-2 rounded hover:bg-surface-hover"
+										title={isCollapsed ? 'Expand sidebar' : 'Collapse sidebar'}
+										onclick={() => {
+											collapsedState = !collapsedState
+											// Manual toggle is the persisted preference (auto-collapse isn't).
+											collapsePref.val = collapsedState
+										}}
+									>
+										{#if isCollapsed}
+											<PanelLeftOpen size={14} class="flex-shrink-0 h-3.5 w-3.5 text-hint" />
+										{:else}
+											<PanelLeftClose size={14} class="flex-shrink-0 h-3.5 w-3.5 text-hint" />
+										{/if}
+									</button>
+								{/if}
 							</div>
 						</div>
 					</div>
-				{/if}
-			{:else}
-				<div class="absolute top-1 left-1 z5000">
-					<OperatorMenu favoriteLinks={favoriteManager.current} />
 				</div>
 			{/if}
 			<!-- Legacy menu -->
@@ -1454,18 +1623,15 @@
 					</button>
 				</div>
 			{/if}
-			<!-- Operators are exempt from the sessions beta: their minimal sidebar has
-			     no Workspace ⇄ Sessions switch, so disabling the docked chat would leave
-			     their "Ask AI" button toggling an unmounted pane. -->
 			<AiChatLayout
 				{children}
 				noPadding={devOnly || menuHidden}
-				disableAi={globalAiEnabled && !$userStore?.operator ? true : sessionMode}
+				disableAi={globalAiEnabled ? true : sessionMode}
 				loadAiConfig={!sessionMode}
-				showSessionsBetaBanner={!$userStore?.operator}
+				showSessionsBetaBanner
 				sidebarWidth={railWidth}
 				transitionClass={sidebarTransitionClass}
-				isMobile={innerWidth < 768}
+				isMobile={useDrawer}
 				onMenuOpen={() => {
 					menuOpen = true
 				}}
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/+page.svelte
index c1f4f4818d..8646c993a2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/+page.svelte
@@ -270,8 +270,8 @@
 	<WorkspaceDraftsBanner />
 	<div class="max-w-7xl px-4 sm:px-8 md:px-8 h-fit w-full mb-6">
 		<!-- HomeAIChat carries both the AI composer and the AI-independent CLI/MCP connect row,
-		     so it shows whenever the sessions beta is on; the composer itself is gated on operator
-		     status and on the workspace inside the component, which owns its own vertical spacing
+		     so it shows whenever the sessions beta is on; the composer itself is gated on the
+		     workspace inside the component, which owns its own vertical spacing
 		     because the hero and the bare connect row want different amounts of it. -->
 		{#if isGlobalAiEnabled()}
 			<HomeAIChat />
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/apps_raw/edit/[...path]/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/apps_raw/edit/[...path]/+page.svelte
index 78483c327a..c6f8c19111 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/apps_raw/edit/[...path]/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/apps_raw/edit/[...path]/+page.svelte
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@
 			setTimeout(async () => {
 				// Falls through when the hand-off has no path to open, so the click
 				// still reaches the legacy path (or its toast) instead of vanishing.
-				if (prefersSessionHandoff($userStore?.operator)) {
+				if (prefersSessionHandoff()) {
 					if (await rawAppEditor?.openInSession(prompt)) return
 				}
 				aiChatManager.changeMode(AIMode.APP)
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/sessions/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/sessions/+page.svelte
index 8c38795059..7c3f96ffbd 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/sessions/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/sessions/+page.svelte
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 	import { withWorkspaceParam } from '$lib/components/sessions/sessionMode.svelte'
 	import { enterSessionMode } from '$lib/components/sessions/sessionSwitch.svelte'
 	import type { SessionPreviewTabs } from '$lib/components/sessions/sessionPreviewTabs.svelte'
-	import { userStore, userWorkspaces, usersWorkspaceStore, workspaceStore } from '$lib/stores'
+	import { userWorkspaces, usersWorkspaceStore, workspaceStore } from '$lib/stores'
 	import {
 		getOrCreateRuntime,
 		getRuntime,
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@
 	import { registerToolDisplayActionHandler } from '$lib/components/copilot/chat/createdResourceActions.svelte'
 	import { previewTargetForSessionTarget } from '$lib/components/sessions/sessionPreviewTabs.svelte'
 	import { base } from '$lib/base'
+	import { navDetached } from '$lib/components/sidebar/navDetached.svelte'
 	import {
 		artifactKey,
 		itemDisplayName,
@@ -182,7 +183,7 @@
 	// load. `recovering` also guards re-entry: recovery mutates the session list
 	// this effect tracks, while the URL that would stop it only updates on `goto`.
 	$effect(() => {
-		if (embedded || !globalEnabled || $userStore?.operator) return
+		if (embedded || !globalEnabled) return
 		if (!sessionState.hydrated || recovering) return
 		// A deliberate delete removes the open session ahead of its own navigation.
 		// Claiming that gap would take over the URL and tell the user the session
@@ -828,24 +829,6 @@
 				}}>Open sessions</Button
 			>
 		</div>
-	{:else if $userStore?.operator}
-		<!-- Operators are exempt from the sessions beta (the layout keeps their
-		     legacy docked chat); a direct URL must not bypass that. -->
-		<div class="p-8 flex flex-col items-start gap-3 text-secondary text-sm">
-			<p class="text-primary font-medium">AI Sessions are not available for operators</p>
-			<p>Use the Ask AI chat instead.</p>
-			<Button
-				size="xs"
-				onclick={() => {
-					try {
-						localStorage.setItem('ai-chat-open', 'true')
-					} catch {}
-					window.location.href = `${base}/`
-				}}
-			>
-				Open Ask AI chat
-			</Button>
-		</div>
 	{:else if !globalEnabled}
 		<!-- Direct navigation (bookmark, shared link) while the user has opted out
 		     of the beta: offer the way back in instead of a dead end. -->
@@ -898,7 +881,7 @@
 											: 'z-0 opacity-0 pointer-events-none'}"
 										aria-hidden={s.id !== activeSession?.id}
 									>
-										<SessionWrapper sessionId={s.id} />
+										<SessionWrapper sessionId={s.id} headerInset={navDetached.val} />
 									</div>
 								{/each}
 							</div>