diff --git a/desktop/src/app/AppShell.tsx b/desktop/src/app/AppShell.tsx
index 6e8882c0f2..79c0d6bcf9 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/AppShell.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/app/AppShell.tsx
@@ -101,8 +101,6 @@ export function AppShell() {
   const [isChannelManagementOpen, setIsChannelManagementOpen] =
     React.useState(false);
   const [searchFocusRequest, setSearchFocusRequest] = React.useState(0);
-  const [topbarSearchHidden, setTopbarSearchHidden] = React.useState(false);
-  const [topbarSearchLoading, setTopbarSearchLoading] = React.useState(false);
   const [browseDialogType, setBrowseDialogType] =
     React.useState<BrowseDialogType>(null);
   const [isNewDmOpen, setIsNewDmOpen] = React.useState(false);
@@ -709,8 +707,6 @@ export function AppShell() {
             unfollowThread: handleUnfollowThread,
             isFollowingThread,
             isNotifiedForThread,
-            setTopbarSearchHidden,
-            setTopbarSearchLoading,
             threadActivityItems,
           }}
         >
@@ -731,17 +727,8 @@ export function AppShell() {
                       <AppTopChrome
                         canGoBack={canGoBack}
                         canGoForward={canGoForward}
-                        channels={channels}
-                        currentPubkey={identityQuery.data?.pubkey}
                         onGoBack={goBack}
                         onGoForward={goForward}
-                        onOpenChannel={(channelId) => {
-                          void goChannel(channelId);
-                        }}
-                        onOpenResult={handleOpenSearchResult}
-                        searchHidden={topbarSearchHidden}
-                        searchLoading={topbarSearchLoading}
-                        searchFocusRequest={searchFocusRequest}
                       />
                     ) : null}
                     {settingsOpen ? (
@@ -875,6 +862,9 @@ export function AppShell() {
                           onSelectChannel={(channelId) =>
                             void goChannel(channelId)
                           }
+                          onOpenSearchResult={handleOpenSearchResult}
+                          searchChannels={channels}
+                          searchFocusRequest={searchFocusRequest}
                           onSelectHome={() => void goHome()}
                           onSelectProjects={() => void goProjects()}
                           onSelectPulse={() => void goPulse()}
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/AppShellContext.tsx b/desktop/src/app/AppShellContext.tsx
index bd27e3019f..3a34c881ce 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/AppShellContext.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/app/AppShellContext.tsx
@@ -31,8 +31,6 @@ type AppShellContextValue = {
   unfollowThread: (rootId: string) => void;
   isFollowingThread: (rootId: string) => boolean;
   isNotifiedForThread: (rootId: string) => boolean;
-  setTopbarSearchHidden: (hidden: boolean) => void;
-  setTopbarSearchLoading: (loading: boolean) => void;
   threadActivityItems: ThreadActivityItem[];
 };
 
@@ -51,8 +49,6 @@ const AppShellContext = React.createContext<AppShellContextValue>({
   unfollowThread: () => {},
   isFollowingThread: () => false,
   isNotifiedForThread: () => false,
-  setTopbarSearchHidden: () => {},
-  setTopbarSearchLoading: () => {},
   threadActivityItems: [],
 });
 
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/AppTopChrome.tsx b/desktop/src/app/AppTopChrome.tsx
index 29457553bf..1b010f2312 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/AppTopChrome.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/app/AppTopChrome.tsx
@@ -6,97 +6,16 @@ import {
 } from "lucide-react";
 import * as React from "react";
 
-import { TopbarSearch } from "@/features/search/ui/TopbarSearch";
-import type { Channel, SearchHit } from "@/shared/api/types";
-import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 import { Button } from "@/shared/ui/button";
 import { useOptionalSidebar } from "@/shared/ui/sidebar";
-import { Skeleton } from "@/shared/ui/skeleton";
 
 type AppTopChromeProps = {
   canGoBack: boolean;
   canGoForward: boolean;
-  channels: Channel[];
-  currentPubkey?: string;
   onGoBack: () => void;
   onGoForward: () => void;
-  onOpenChannel: (channelId: string) => void;
-  onOpenResult: (hit: SearchHit) => void;
-  searchHidden?: boolean;
-  searchFocusRequest: number;
-  searchLoading?: boolean;
 };
 
-function GlobalTopDivider() {
-  const sidebar = useOptionalSidebar();
-  const state = sidebar?.state ?? "collapsed";
-
-  return (
-    <div
-      aria-hidden="true"
-      className="pointer-events-none fixed top-10 z-40 h-px bg-border/35"
-      style={{
-        left: state === "expanded" ? "var(--sidebar-width)" : 0,
-        right: 0,
-      }}
-    />
-  );
-}
-
-function CenterColumnTopbarSearch({
-  channels,
-  currentPubkey,
-  onOpenChannel,
-  onOpenResult,
-  searchFocusRequest,
-  searchLoading = false,
-}: Pick<
-  AppTopChromeProps,
-  | "channels"
-  | "currentPubkey"
-  | "onOpenChannel"
-  | "onOpenResult"
-  | "searchFocusRequest"
-  | "searchLoading"
->) {
-  const sidebar = useOptionalSidebar();
-  const isResizing = sidebar?.isResizing ?? false;
-  const state = sidebar?.state ?? "collapsed";
-  const searchClassName =
-    "pointer-events-auto w-[220px] max-w-full md:w-[300px] lg:w-[360px] xl:w-[420px] 2xl:w-[480px]";
-
-  return (
-    <div
-      className="pointer-events-none fixed top-[7px] z-45 flex justify-center px-24 transition-[left] duration-200 ease-linear data-[resizing=true]:transition-none"
-      data-testid="topbar-search-column"
-      data-resizing={isResizing}
-      style={{
-        left: state === "expanded" ? "var(--sidebar-width)" : 0,
-        right: 0,
-      }}
-    >
-      {searchLoading ? (
-        <div
-          aria-hidden="true"
-          className={cn("h-7", searchClassName)}
-          data-testid="topbar-search-loading"
-        >
-          <Skeleton className="h-full w-full rounded-lg" />
-        </div>
-      ) : (
-        <TopbarSearch
-          channels={channels}
-          className={searchClassName}
-          currentPubkey={currentPubkey}
-          focusRequest={searchFocusRequest}
-          onOpenChannel={onOpenChannel}
-          onOpenResult={onOpenResult}
-        />
-      )}
-    </div>
-  );
-}
-
 const TOP_CHROME_ICON_BUTTON_CLASS =
   "h-7 w-7 rounded-[4px] text-muted-foreground/70 hover:bg-border/45 hover:text-foreground [&_svg]:size-4";
 const TOP_CHROME_WHEEL_GUARD_HEIGHT = 40;
@@ -126,15 +45,8 @@ function TopChromeSidebarTrigger() {
 export function AppTopChrome({
   canGoBack,
   canGoForward,
-  channels,
-  currentPubkey,
   onGoBack,
   onGoForward,
-  onOpenChannel,
-  onOpenResult,
-  searchHidden = false,
-  searchFocusRequest,
-  searchLoading = false,
 }: AppTopChromeProps) {
   React.useEffect(() => {
     const handleWheel = (event: WheelEvent) => {
@@ -159,7 +71,6 @@ export function AppTopChrome({
         className="fixed inset-x-0 top-0 z-20 h-10 cursor-default select-none"
         data-tauri-drag-region
       />
-      <GlobalTopDivider />
       <div className="fixed left-[80px] top-[6px] z-45 flex items-center gap-0.5">
         <TopChromeSidebarTrigger />
         <Button
@@ -185,16 +96,6 @@ export function AppTopChrome({
           <ChevronRight />
         </Button>
       </div>
-      {searchHidden ? null : (
-        <CenterColumnTopbarSearch
-          channels={channels}
-          currentPubkey={currentPubkey}
-          onOpenChannel={onOpenChannel}
-          onOpenResult={onOpenResult}
-          searchFocusRequest={searchFocusRequest}
-          searchLoading={searchLoading}
-        />
-      )}
     </>
   );
 }
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/routes/agents.tsx b/desktop/src/app/routes/agents.tsx
index c70ff7eb9f..b3783eb5c5 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/routes/agents.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/app/routes/agents.tsx
@@ -14,9 +14,7 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute("/agents")({
 
 function AgentsRouteComponent() {
   return (
-    <React.Suspense
-      fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback includeHeader kind="agents" />}
-    >
+    <React.Suspense fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback kind="agents" />}>
       <AgentsScreen />
     </React.Suspense>
   );
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/routes/projects.$projectId.tsx b/desktop/src/app/routes/projects.$projectId.tsx
index b4389c76bb..48956f5783 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/routes/projects.$projectId.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/app/routes/projects.$projectId.tsx
@@ -18,9 +18,7 @@ function ProjectDetailRouteComponent() {
   const { projectId } = Route.useParams();
 
   return (
-    <React.Suspense
-      fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback includeHeader kind="projects" />}
-    >
+    <React.Suspense fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback kind="projects" />}>
       <ProjectDetailScreen projectId={projectId} />
     </React.Suspense>
   );
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/routes/projects.tsx b/desktop/src/app/routes/projects.tsx
index a0affa93e4..cc9f215490 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/routes/projects.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/app/routes/projects.tsx
@@ -16,9 +16,7 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute("/projects")({
 function ProjectsRouteComponent() {
   usePreviewFeatureWarning("projects");
   return (
-    <React.Suspense
-      fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback includeHeader kind="projects" />}
-    >
+    <React.Suspense fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback kind="projects" />}>
       <ProjectsScreen />
     </React.Suspense>
   );
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/routes/workflows.$workflowId.tsx b/desktop/src/app/routes/workflows.$workflowId.tsx
index 22689d3fde..f6a74aa15d 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/routes/workflows.$workflowId.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/app/routes/workflows.$workflowId.tsx
@@ -18,9 +18,7 @@ function WorkflowDetailRouteComponent() {
   const { workflowId } = Route.useParams();
 
   return (
-    <React.Suspense
-      fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback includeHeader kind="workflows" />}
-    >
+    <React.Suspense fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback kind="workflows" />}>
       <WorkflowsRouteScreen selectedWorkflowId={workflowId} />
     </React.Suspense>
   );
diff --git a/desktop/src/app/routes/workflows.tsx b/desktop/src/app/routes/workflows.tsx
index 6d23971d3e..7ab6461fd0 100644
--- a/desktop/src/app/routes/workflows.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/app/routes/workflows.tsx
@@ -16,9 +16,7 @@ const WorkflowsRouteScreen = React.lazy(async () => {
 function WorkflowsRouteComponent() {
   usePreviewFeatureWarning("workflows");
   return (
-    <React.Suspense
-      fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback includeHeader kind="workflows" />}
-    >
+    <React.Suspense fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback kind="workflows" />}>
       <WorkflowsRouteScreen selectedWorkflowId={null} />
     </React.Suspense>
   );
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentsScreen.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentsScreen.tsx
index 88c2cfe543..9bcedca67f 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentsScreen.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentsScreen.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import * as React from "react";
 
-import { TopChromeBackdrop } from "@/shared/ui/TopChromeBackdrop";
 import { ViewLoadingFallback } from "@/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback";
 
 const AgentsView = React.lazy(async () => {
@@ -11,7 +10,6 @@ const AgentsView = React.lazy(async () => {
 export function AgentsScreen() {
   return (
     <div className="relative flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden">
-      <TopChromeBackdrop />
       <React.Suspense fallback={<ViewLoadingFallback kind="agents" />}>
         <AgentsView />
       </React.Suspense>
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentsView.tsx b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentsView.tsx
index 7590f6ff69..639bd3569f 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentsView.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/agents/ui/AgentsView.tsx
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import { topChromeInset } from "@/shared/layout/chromeLayout";
+import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 import { AddAgentToChannelDialog } from "./AddAgentToChannelDialog";
 import { AddTeamToChannelDialog } from "./AddTeamToChannelDialog";
 import { BatchImportDialog } from "./BatchImportDialog";
@@ -42,7 +44,12 @@ export function AgentsView() {
 
   return (
     <>
-      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto overflow-x-hidden overscroll-contain px-4 pb-4 pt-14 sm:px-6">
+      <div
+        className={cn(
+          "flex-1 overflow-y-auto overflow-x-hidden overscroll-contain px-4 pb-4 sm:px-6",
+          topChromeInset.padding,
+        )}
+      >
         <div className="mx-auto flex w-full max-w-6xl flex-col gap-6">
           <div className="flex flex-col gap-6">
             <UnifiedAgentsSection
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelScreen.tsx b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelScreen.tsx
index d3b21fa634..7835c0ff3b 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelScreen.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/ChannelScreen.tsx
@@ -96,7 +96,6 @@ export function ChannelScreen({
     isFollowingThread,
     isNotifiedForThread,
     readStateVersion,
-    setTopbarSearchHidden,
   } = useAppShell();
   const {
     clearMessageRouteTarget,
@@ -589,12 +588,6 @@ export function ChannelScreen({
     resetKey: activeChannelId,
     enabled: !isSinglePanelView,
   });
-  React.useEffect(() => {
-    setTopbarSearchHidden(isSinglePanelView);
-    return () => {
-      setTopbarSearchHidden(false);
-    };
-  }, [isSinglePanelView, setTopbarSearchHidden]);
 
   const channelHeader = (
     <ChannelScreenHeader
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/RightAuxiliaryPane.tsx b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/RightAuxiliaryPane.tsx
index 6dc74b073e..69d1043ef3 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/RightAuxiliaryPane.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/channels/ui/RightAuxiliaryPane.tsx
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 import type * as React from "react";
 
 import { THREAD_PANEL_MIN_WIDTH_PX } from "@/shared/hooks/useThreadPanelWidth";
-import { topChromeInset } from "@/shared/layout/chromeLayout";
-import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 
 type RightAuxiliaryPaneProps = {
   canResetWidth: boolean;
@@ -23,7 +21,7 @@ export function RightAuxiliaryPane({
 }: RightAuxiliaryPaneProps) {
   return (
     <aside
-      className="group/right-pane relative flex h-full shrink-0 flex-col overflow-hidden bg-background before:pointer-events-none before:absolute before:bottom-0 before:left-0 before:top-(--buzz-top-chrome-height,2.5rem) before:z-40 before:w-px before:bg-border/80 before:content-['']"
+      className="group/right-pane relative flex h-full shrink-0 flex-col overflow-hidden bg-background before:pointer-events-none before:absolute before:bottom-0 before:left-0 before:top-0 before:z-40 before:w-px before:bg-border/80 before:content-['']"
       data-testid={testId}
       style={{
         maxWidth: `calc(100% - ${THREAD_PANEL_MIN_WIDTH_PX}px)`,
@@ -43,12 +41,7 @@ export function RightAuxiliaryPane({
         }
         type="button"
       >
-        <span
-          className={cn(
-            "absolute bottom-0 left-1/2 w-px -translate-x-1/2 bg-transparent group-hover/right-pane-resize:bg-border/80 group-focus-visible/right-pane-resize:bg-border/80",
-            topChromeInset.top,
-          )}
-        />
+        <span className="absolute bottom-0 left-1/2 top-0 w-px -translate-x-1/2 bg-transparent group-hover/right-pane-resize:bg-border/80 group-focus-visible/right-pane-resize:bg-border/80" />
       </button>
       <div className="relative flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col">
         {children}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/home/ui/HomeLoadingState.tsx b/desktop/src/features/home/ui/HomeLoadingState.tsx
index e0358c0a4d..696219c97b 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/home/ui/HomeLoadingState.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/home/ui/HomeLoadingState.tsx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ export function HomeLoadingState() {
     <div className="min-h-0 flex-1 overflow-hidden">
       <div className="grid h-full min-h-0 w-full lg:grid-cols-[320px_minmax(0,1fr)]">
         <div className="relative overflow-hidden bg-background/60 after:absolute after:bottom-0 after:right-0 after:top-10 after:w-px after:bg-border/70 after:content-['']">
-          <div className="px-5 py-1 pt-14">
+          <div className="px-5 py-1">
             <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center justify-between gap-3">
               <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-[6px]">
                 <Skeleton className="h-4 w-4 shrink-0 rounded-md" />
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ export function HomeLoadingState() {
         </div>
 
         <div className="relative flex min-h-0 flex-col overflow-hidden bg-background/60">
-          <div className="px-5 py-1 pr-3 pt-14">
+          <div className="px-5 py-1 pr-3">
             <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center justify-between gap-3">
               <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-[4px]">
                 <Skeleton className="h-4 w-4 shrink-0 rounded-md" />
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/home/ui/HomeView.tsx b/desktop/src/features/home/ui/HomeView.tsx
index fd5085bb31..29b792c203 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/home/ui/HomeView.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/home/ui/HomeView.tsx
@@ -326,7 +326,12 @@ export function HomeView({
 
   if (!feed) {
     return (
-      <div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden px-4 pb-3 pt-14 sm:px-6">
+      <div
+        className={cn(
+          "flex-1 overflow-hidden px-4 pb-3 sm:px-6",
+          topChromeInset.padding,
+        )}
+      >
         <div className="flex w-full max-w-3xl flex-col gap-4">
           <div className="rounded-md border border-destructive/30 bg-destructive/5 px-4 py-5">
             <p className="text-base font-semibold tracking-tight">
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/home/ui/InboxDetailPane.tsx b/desktop/src/features/home/ui/InboxDetailPane.tsx
index 79ca0ee4bb..5c7faeb37b 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/home/ui/InboxDetailPane.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/home/ui/InboxDetailPane.tsx
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ export function InboxDetailPane({
       ref={detailPaneRef}
     >
       <div className="relative flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden">
-        <TopChromeInsetHeader>
+        <TopChromeInsetHeader flush>
           <div className="px-5 py-1 pr-3">
             <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center justify-between gap-3">
               <div
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/home/ui/InboxListPane.tsx b/desktop/src/features/home/ui/InboxListPane.tsx
index 670c95b465..6d81d24482 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/home/ui/InboxListPane.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/home/ui/InboxListPane.tsx
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ export function InboxListPane({
         showRightDivider && topChromeInset.verticalDivider,
       )}
     >
-      <TopChromeInsetHeader>
+      <TopChromeInsetHeader flush>
         <div className="px-5 py-1">
           {/* Cap to the list-column width so the right-aligned dropdown stays
               put when the pane goes full-width in reminders mode. */}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/projects/ui/ProjectDetailScreen.tsx b/desktop/src/features/projects/ui/ProjectDetailScreen.tsx
index f01f383d6d..86439d5a70 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/projects/ui/ProjectDetailScreen.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/projects/ui/ProjectDetailScreen.tsx
@@ -13,9 +13,10 @@ import { useAppNavigation } from "@/app/navigation/useAppNavigation";
 import { useProjectQuery } from "@/features/projects/hooks";
 import { useUsersBatchQuery } from "@/features/profile/hooks";
 import { resolveUserLabel } from "@/features/profile/lib/identity";
+import { topChromeInset } from "@/shared/layout/chromeLayout";
+import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 import { isSafeUrl } from "@/shared/lib/url";
 import { Button } from "@/shared/ui/button";
-import { TopChromeBackdrop } from "@/shared/ui/TopChromeBackdrop";
 import { UserAvatar } from "@/shared/ui/UserAvatar";
 
 function CloneUrlRow({ url }: { url: string }) {
@@ -125,8 +126,12 @@ export function ProjectDetailScreen({ projectId }: ProjectDetailScreenProps) {
 
   return (
     <div className="relative flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden">
-      <TopChromeBackdrop />
-      <div className="flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-y-auto p-4 pt-14">
+      <div
+        className={cn(
+          "flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-y-auto px-4 pb-4",
+          topChromeInset.padding,
+        )}
+      >
         <div className="mb-4">
           <Button
             className="gap-1.5 text-muted-foreground"
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/projects/ui/ProjectsScreen.tsx b/desktop/src/features/projects/ui/ProjectsScreen.tsx
index 1cc33ed052..9d13c574d4 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/projects/ui/ProjectsScreen.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/projects/ui/ProjectsScreen.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
 import { ProjectsView } from "@/features/projects/ui/ProjectsView";
-import { TopChromeBackdrop } from "@/shared/ui/TopChromeBackdrop";
 
 export function ProjectsScreen() {
   return (
     <div className="relative flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden">
-      <TopChromeBackdrop />
       <ProjectsView />
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/projects/ui/ProjectsView.tsx b/desktop/src/features/projects/ui/ProjectsView.tsx
index 715fe4c18a..8ca16846e7 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/projects/ui/ProjectsView.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/projects/ui/ProjectsView.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import { ExternalLink, FolderGit2, GitFork, Users } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { useAppNavigation } from "@/app/navigation/useAppNavigation";
 import { useProjectsQuery } from "@/features/projects/hooks";
+import { topChromeInset } from "@/shared/layout/chromeLayout";
+import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 import { Button } from "@/shared/ui/button";
 import { Card } from "@/shared/ui/card";
 
@@ -48,7 +50,12 @@ export function ProjectsView() {
   }
 
   return (
-    <div className="flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-y-auto p-4 pt-14">
+    <div
+      className={cn(
+        "flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-y-auto px-4 pb-4",
+        topChromeInset.padding,
+      )}
+    >
       <div className="mb-3 flex items-center gap-2">
         <h2 className="text-sm font-medium text-muted-foreground">
           {projects.length} {projects.length === 1 ? "project" : "projects"}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/search/ui/TopbarSearch.tsx b/desktop/src/features/search/ui/TopbarSearch.tsx
index 2d3ec49958..4b77ba56b2 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/search/ui/TopbarSearch.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/search/ui/TopbarSearch.tsx
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ import {
 import { Skeleton } from "@/shared/ui/skeleton";
 import { UserAvatar } from "@/shared/ui/UserAvatar";
 
+type SearchPlacement = "topbar" | "sidebar";
+
 type TopbarSearchProps = {
   channels: Channel[];
   className?: string;
@@ -29,6 +31,18 @@ type TopbarSearchProps = {
   focusRequest?: number;
   onOpenChannel: (channelId: string) => void;
   onOpenResult: (hit: SearchHit) => void;
+  /**
+   * Controls how the results popover is anchored. `topbar` centers a wide
+   * panel under the input; `sidebar` left-anchors a narrower panel that fits
+   * within the persistent sidebar column.
+   */
+  placement?: SearchPlacement;
+};
+
+const RESULTS_POPOVER_CLASS: Record<SearchPlacement, string> = {
+  topbar:
+    "left-1/2 w-[620px] max-w-[min(82vw,620px)] -translate-x-1/2 slide-in-from-top-1",
+  sidebar: "left-0 right-0 w-auto slide-in-from-top-1",
 };
 
 function describeSearchHit(hit: SearchHit) {
@@ -145,6 +159,7 @@ export function TopbarSearch({
   focusRequest = 0,
   onOpenChannel,
   onOpenResult,
+  placement = "topbar",
 }: TopbarSearchProps) {
   const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = React.useState(false);
   const [selectedMenuIndex, setSelectedMenuIndex] = React.useState(0);
@@ -275,7 +290,8 @@ export function TopbarSearch({
         <div
           aria-busy={searchQuery.isLoading && results.length === 0}
           className={cn(
-            "absolute left-1/2 top-full z-50 mt-1 w-[620px] max-w-[min(82vw,620px)] -translate-x-1/2 origin-top overflow-hidden rounded-xl slide-in-from-top-1",
+            "absolute top-full z-50 mt-1 origin-top overflow-hidden rounded-xl",
+            RESULTS_POPOVER_CLASS[placement],
             POPOVER_CUSTOM_ENTER_MOTION_CLASS,
             POPOVER_SURFACE_CLASS,
           )}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.tsx b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.tsx
index 24dd20f7bc..aceb8f52dc 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/sidebar/ui/AppSidebar.tsx
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import * as React from "react";
 import { AnimatePresence } from "motion/react";
 import { FeatureGate } from "@/shared/features";
 import { SidebarDndContext } from "@/features/sidebar/ui/SidebarDnd";
+import { TopbarSearch } from "@/features/search/ui/TopbarSearch";
 
 import type { Workspace } from "@/features/workspaces/types";
 import { AddWorkspaceDialog } from "@/features/workspaces/ui/AddWorkspaceDialog";
@@ -54,6 +55,7 @@ import type {
   ChannelVisibility,
   PresenceStatus,
   Profile,
+  SearchHit,
   UserStatus,
 } from "@/shared/api/types";
 import {
@@ -66,6 +68,7 @@ import {
   SidebarMenuButton,
   SidebarMenuItem,
   SidebarRail,
+  useSidebar,
 } from "@/shared/ui/sidebar";
 
 type CollapsibleSidebarGroup =
@@ -141,6 +144,14 @@ type AppSidebarProps = {
   onSelectWorkflows: () => void;
   onSelectHome: () => void;
   onSelectChannel: (channelId: string) => void;
+  onOpenSearchResult: (hit: SearchHit) => void;
+  /**
+   * Full channel set used for global search. Unlike `channels` (which is
+   * scoped to the viewer's joined sidebar list), this includes open channels
+   * the viewer hasn't joined, so search can surface them.
+   */
+  searchChannels: Channel[];
+  searchFocusRequest: number;
   onSelectSettings: (section?: "profile" | "appearance") => void;
   onSetPresenceStatus?: (status: "online" | "away" | "offline") => void;
   onSetUserStatus: (text: string, emoji: string) => void;
@@ -201,6 +212,9 @@ export function AppSidebar({
   onSelectWorkflows,
   onSelectHome,
   onSelectChannel,
+  onOpenSearchResult,
+  searchChannels,
+  searchFocusRequest,
   onSelectSettings,
   onSetPresenceStatus,
   onSetUserStatus,
@@ -235,6 +249,24 @@ export function AppSidebar({
   const scrollRef = React.useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
   useSidebarScrollLock(scrollRef);
 
+  // Search lives in the sidebar's pinned header, so a ⌘K focus request must
+  // first reveal the sidebar. When collapsed (offcanvas) on desktop the input
+  // is mounted but translated off-screen; on mobile it is unmounted entirely.
+  // Open the sidebar on each focus-request bump so the input the shortcut
+  // focuses is actually visible. Skips the initial mount (request === 0).
+  const { isMobile, setOpen, setOpenMobile } = useSidebar();
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    if (searchFocusRequest === 0) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (isMobile) {
+      setOpenMobile(true);
+    } else {
+      setOpen(true);
+    }
+  }, [searchFocusRequest, isMobile, setOpen, setOpenMobile]);
+
   React.useEffect(() => {
     const scrollElement = scrollRef.current;
     if (!scrollElement) return;
@@ -486,12 +518,20 @@ export function AppSidebar({
             testId="sidebar-more-unread-above"
           />
         ) : null}
-        <SidebarContent
-          className="buzz-sidebar-scrollbar mt-(--buzz-top-chrome-height,2.5rem) overscroll-none"
-          ref={scrollRef}
+        <div
+          className="mt-(--buzz-top-chrome-height,2.5rem) shrink-0 px-2 pt-2"
+          data-testid="sidebar-pinned-header"
         >
+          <TopbarSearch
+            channels={searchChannels}
+            currentPubkey={currentPubkey}
+            focusRequest={searchFocusRequest}
+            onOpenChannel={onSelectChannel}
+            onOpenResult={onOpenSearchResult}
+            placement="sidebar"
+          />
           <SidebarHeader
-            className="cursor-default select-none"
+            className="cursor-default select-none px-0 pb-0 pt-2"
             data-tauri-drag-region
           >
             <SidebarMenu>
@@ -570,7 +610,12 @@ export function AppSidebar({
               </FeatureGate>
             </SidebarMenu>
           </SidebarHeader>
+        </div>
 
+        <SidebarContent
+          className="buzz-sidebar-scrollbar overscroll-none"
+          ref={scrollRef}
+        >
           {isLoading ? (
             <SidebarLoadingContent shape={sidebarLoadingShape} />
           ) : null}
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/workflows/ui/WorkflowsView.tsx b/desktop/src/features/workflows/ui/WorkflowsView.tsx
index eeb657adef..59de0c288d 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/workflows/ui/WorkflowsView.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/features/workflows/ui/WorkflowsView.tsx
@@ -13,10 +13,11 @@ import {
   getChannelWorkflows,
   triggerWorkflow,
 } from "@/shared/api/tauriWorkflows";
+import { topChromeInset } from "@/shared/layout/chromeLayout";
+import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 import { Button } from "@/shared/ui/button";
 import { Card } from "@/shared/ui/card";
 import { Skeleton } from "@/shared/ui/skeleton";
-import { TopChromeBackdrop } from "@/shared/ui/TopChromeBackdrop";
 
 type WorkflowsViewProps = {
   channels: Channel[];
@@ -166,9 +167,11 @@ export function WorkflowsView({
       className="relative flex min-h-0 flex-1 overflow-hidden"
       data-testid="workflows-view"
     >
-      <TopChromeBackdrop />
       <div
-        className="flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-y-auto px-4 pb-4 pt-14"
+        className={cn(
+          "flex min-h-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-y-auto px-4 pb-4",
+          topChromeInset.padding,
+        )}
         data-scroll-restoration-id="workflows-list"
       >
         <div className="mb-4 flex items-center justify-between">
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/layout/AuxiliaryPanelHeader.tsx b/desktop/src/shared/layout/AuxiliaryPanelHeader.tsx
index 1d91169c78..a7e94fded5 100644
--- a/desktop/src/shared/layout/AuxiliaryPanelHeader.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/layout/AuxiliaryPanelHeader.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import type * as React from "react";
 
-import { channelChrome, topChromeInset } from "@/shared/layout/chromeLayout";
+import { channelChrome } from "@/shared/layout/chromeLayout";
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 
 type AuxiliaryPanelHeaderProps = React.ComponentProps<"div">;
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ export function AuxiliaryPanelHeader({
     <div
       className={cn(
         "pointer-events-none relative z-30 bg-background/80 backdrop-blur-md after:absolute after:inset-x-0 after:bottom-0 after:h-px after:bg-border/35 after:content-[''] supports-backdrop-filter:bg-background/70 dark:bg-background/70 dark:backdrop-blur-xl dark:supports-backdrop-filter:bg-background/55",
-        topChromeInset.padding,
         channelChrome.negativeMargin,
         className,
       )}
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/layout/TopChromeInsetHeader.tsx b/desktop/src/shared/layout/TopChromeInsetHeader.tsx
index 66f554c883..1be4222395 100644
--- a/desktop/src/shared/layout/TopChromeInsetHeader.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/layout/TopChromeInsetHeader.tsx
@@ -3,23 +3,28 @@ import type * as React from "react";
 import { topChromeInset } from "@/shared/layout/chromeLayout";
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
 
-type TopChromeInsetHeaderProps = React.ComponentProps<"div">;
+type TopChromeInsetHeaderProps = React.ComponentProps<"div"> & {
+  /** Drop the top-chrome inset so the header sits flush at y=0. */
+  flush?: boolean;
+};
 
 /**
  * Flowed header row that clears the global search/drag chrome and draws the
- * horizontal separator at the bottom edge of that inset.
+ * horizontal separator at the bottom edge of that inset. Pass `flush` to drop
+ * the inset and sit the header at the top (e.g. channel/thread panes).
  */
 export function TopChromeInsetHeader({
   className,
   children,
+  flush = false,
   ...props
 }: TopChromeInsetHeaderProps) {
   return (
     <div
       className={cn(
         topChromeInset.headerBase,
-        topChromeInset.padding,
-        topChromeInset.divider,
+        !flush && topChromeInset.padding,
+        !flush && topChromeInset.divider,
         className,
       )}
       {...props}
diff --git a/desktop/src/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback.tsx b/desktop/src/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback.tsx
index 68a194ddf6..09cef49048 100644
--- a/desktop/src/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/shared/ui/ViewLoadingFallback.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,7 @@
-import * as React from "react";
-
-import { useAppShell } from "@/app/AppShellContext";
 import { Card } from "@/shared/ui/card";
 import { Skeleton } from "@/shared/ui/skeleton";
 import { cn } from "@/shared/lib/cn";
-import { channelChrome } from "@/shared/layout/chromeLayout";
+import { channelChrome, topChromeInset } from "@/shared/layout/chromeLayout";
 import { TopChromeInsetHeader } from "@/shared/layout/TopChromeInsetHeader";
 import { TopChromeBackdrop } from "@/shared/ui/TopChromeBackdrop";
 
@@ -23,7 +20,7 @@ type ViewLoadingFallbackProps = {
 
 function LoadingHeaderSkeleton() {
   return (
-    <TopChromeInsetHeader data-tauri-drag-region>
+    <TopChromeInsetHeader data-tauri-drag-region flush>
       <header className="flex min-h-8 min-w-0 cursor-default select-none items-center gap-2.5 px-5 py-1.5">
         <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
           <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-1 overflow-hidden">
@@ -263,7 +260,12 @@ function AgentTeamsSkeleton() {
 
 function AgentsLoadingBody() {
   return (
-    <div className="flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-y-auto overflow-x-hidden overscroll-contain px-4 pb-4 pt-14 sm:px-6">
+    <div
+      className={cn(
+        "flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-y-auto overflow-x-hidden overscroll-contain px-4 pb-4 sm:px-6",
+        topChromeInset.padding,
+      )}
+    >
       <div className="mx-auto flex w-full max-w-6xl flex-col gap-6">
         <div className="flex flex-col gap-6">
           <AgentsLibrarySkeleton />
@@ -276,7 +278,12 @@ function AgentsLoadingBody() {
 
 function CardListLoadingBody() {
   return (
-    <div className="flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-y-auto px-4 pb-4 pt-14 sm:px-6">
+    <div
+      className={cn(
+        "flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-y-auto px-4 pb-4 sm:px-6",
+        topChromeInset.padding,
+      )}
+    >
       <div className="mb-4 flex items-center justify-between gap-3">
         <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
           <Skeleton className="h-6 w-28" />
@@ -396,19 +403,9 @@ export function ViewLoadingFallback({
   includeHeader = false,
   kind,
 }: ViewLoadingFallbackProps) {
-  const { setTopbarSearchLoading } = useAppShell();
   const shouldShowChannelHeader =
     includeHeader && (kind === "channel" || kind === "forum");
 
-  React.useLayoutEffect(() => {
-    if (!includeHeader) return;
-
-    setTopbarSearchLoading(true);
-    return () => {
-      setTopbarSearchLoading(false);
-    };
-  }, [includeHeader, setTopbarSearchLoading]);
-
   return (
     <div className="relative flex min-h-0 min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden">
       {shouldShowChannelHeader ? (
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/messaging.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/messaging.spec.ts
index 81e1f7f838..e1371260dc 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/messaging.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/messaging.spec.ts
@@ -813,15 +813,12 @@ test("narrow thread view collapses channel header actions into a menu", async ({
   await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-management-trigger")).toBeVisible();
 });
 
-test("single-panel thread view hides topbar search and channel actions", async ({
-  page,
-}) => {
+test("single-panel thread view hides channel actions", async ({ page }) => {
   await page.setViewportSize({ width: 860, height: 720 });
 
   await page.goto("/");
   await page.getByTestId("channel-general").click();
   await expect(page.getByTestId("chat-title")).toHaveText("general");
-  await expect(page.getByTestId("open-search")).toBeVisible();
   await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-add-bot-trigger")).toHaveCount(0);
 
   const rootMessage = page.locator('[data-message-id="mock-general-alice"]');
@@ -831,13 +828,11 @@ test("single-panel thread view hides topbar search and channel actions", async (
   await page.getByTestId("reply-message-mock-general-alice").click();
   await expect(threadPanel).toBeVisible();
   await expect(threadPanel.getByTestId("message-thread-back")).toBeVisible();
-  await expect(page.getByTestId("open-search")).toHaveCount(0);
   await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-actions-menu-trigger")).toHaveCount(0);
   await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-add-bot-trigger")).toHaveCount(0);
 
   await threadPanel.getByTestId("message-thread-back").click();
   await expect(page.getByTestId("chat-title")).toHaveText("general");
-  await expect(page.getByTestId("open-search")).toBeVisible();
   await expect(page.getByTestId("channel-add-bot-trigger")).toHaveCount(0);
 });
 
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/smoke.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
index 0e39569e7a..96f0b3073f 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ async function ensureTimelineScrollable(
   expect(metrics.scrollHeight).toBeGreaterThan(metrics.clientHeight + 160);
 }
 
-async function focusTopbarSearchWithShortcut(
+async function focusSidebarSearchWithShortcut(
   page: import("@playwright/test").Page,
 ) {
   const openSearchButton = page.getByTestId("open-search");
@@ -213,12 +213,12 @@ test("home feed renders resolved author labels", async ({ page }) => {
   await expect(page.getByTestId("home-inbox-list")).not.toContainText("You");
 });
 
-test("opens topbar search with the shortcut and loads the exact result", async ({
+test("opens sidebar search with the shortcut and loads the exact result", async ({
   page,
 }) => {
   await page.goto("/");
 
-  await focusTopbarSearchWithShortcut(page);
+  await focusSidebarSearchWithShortcut(page);
 
   await page.getByTestId("open-search").fill("shipped");
   await expect(page.getByTestId("search-results")).toContainText(
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ test("opens topbar search with the shortcut and loads the exact result", async (
 test("opens channel matches from search", async ({ page }) => {
   await page.goto("/");
 
-  await focusTopbarSearchWithShortcut(page);
+  await focusSidebarSearchWithShortcut(page);
 
   await page.getByTestId("open-search").fill("engineering");
   const results = page.getByTestId("search-results");
@@ -269,12 +269,35 @@ test("opens channel matches from search", async ({ page }) => {
   await expect(page.getByTestId("chat-title")).toHaveText("engineering");
 });
 
+test("reopens the collapsed sidebar when the search shortcut fires", async ({
+  page,
+}) => {
+  await page.goto("/");
+
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("open-search")).toBeVisible();
+
+  const sidebarRoot = page.locator('[data-side="left"][data-state]');
+  await expect(sidebarRoot).toHaveAttribute("data-state", "expanded");
+
+  // Collapse the sidebar; its pinned-header search slides off-screen.
+  await page
+    .getByRole("button", { name: "Toggle Sidebar", exact: true })
+    .click();
+  await expect(sidebarRoot).toHaveAttribute("data-state", "collapsed");
+
+  await focusSidebarSearchWithShortcut(page);
+
+  // The shortcut reveals the sidebar and focuses the search input.
+  await expect(sidebarRoot).toHaveAttribute("data-state", "expanded");
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("open-search")).toBeFocused();
+});
+
 test("search results use your resolved profile label instead of You", async ({
   page,
 }) => {
   await page.goto("/");
 
-  await focusTopbarSearchWithShortcut(page);
+  await focusSidebarSearchWithShortcut(page);
 
   await page.getByTestId("open-search").fill("welcome");
   const results = page.getByTestId("search-results");
@@ -289,7 +312,7 @@ test("opens accessible unjoined channels from search in read-only mode", async (
 }) => {
   await page.goto("/");
 
-  await focusTopbarSearchWithShortcut(page);
+  await focusSidebarSearchWithShortcut(page);
 
   await page.getByTestId("open-search").fill("critique");
   const results = page.getByTestId("search-results");