feat(ui): numbered context-panel surface switching with configurable prefix

- Add switch_context_surface shortcut (default Cmd/Ctrl + 1..9, 0 for the 10th
  surface) that opens/closes/switches context panel rail surfaces by their
  visible order, configurable and persisted in Settings -> Shortcuts.
- Show order-number badges on rail icons while the modifier is held >500ms;
  dismiss on release, blur, or a number press until the next press-and-hold.
- Remove the legacy mod+2/3/4 (diff/terminal/git) and switch_tab_1..9 bindings
  so numbered surface switching goes only through the new mechanism.
- Replace the help-dialog 'Switch Project' row with the surface-switch row and
  update the shortcuts footer/header icons to the command icon.

packages/ui/src/components/layout/ContextPanelRail.tsx

@@ -24,18 +24,23 @@ import { useDeviceInfo } from '@/lib/device';
 import { isVSCodeRuntime } from '@/lib/desktop';
 import { useI18n } from '@/lib/i18n';
 import {
+  getVisibleContextRailSurfaces,
   sortContextSurfaces,
   type ContextSurfaceDescriptor,
 } from '@/lib/surfaces/registry';
+import {
+  getEffectiveShortcutPrefix,
+  isShortcutPrefixHeld,
+} from '@/lib/shortcuts';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { useFeatureFlagsStore } from '@/stores/useFeatureFlagsStore';
 import { useGitStatus } from '@/stores/useGitStore';
 import { normalizeContextPanelDirectoryKey, useUIStore } from '@/stores/useUIStore';
 
 const RAIL_TOOLTIP_DELAY_MS = 150;
-// Tablet width and up: below this the walkthrough cannot show a stop and its
-// code side by side, which is the whole point of the surface.
-const WALKTHROUGH_MIN_WIDTH = 768;
+// Hold the surface-switch modifier for this long before revealing the order
+// number badges on the rail icons.
+const RAIL_NUMBER_HOLD_DELAY_MS = 500;
 const EMPTY_TABS: never[] = [];
 
 type RailItemProps = {
@@ -44,6 +49,8 @@ type RailItemProps = {
   showActivityDot: boolean;
   label: string;
   description: string;
+  orderNumber?: number | null;
+  showOrderNumber?: boolean;
   onSelect: (surface: ContextSurfaceDescriptor) => void;
 };
 
@@ -53,6 +60,8 @@ const ContextPanelRailItem: React.FC<RailItemProps> = ({
   showActivityDot,
   label,
   description,
+  orderNumber,
+  showOrderNumber,
   onSelect,
 }) => {
   const { attributes, listeners, setNodeRef, transform, transition, isDragging } = useSortable({
@@ -86,12 +95,20 @@ const ContextPanelRailItem: React.FC<RailItemProps> = ({
             ) : (
               <Icon name={surface.icon} className="h-[18px] w-[18px]" />
             )}
-            {showActivityDot ? (
+            {showActivityDot && !showOrderNumber ? (
               <span
                 aria-hidden="true"
                 className="absolute right-1 top-1 h-1.5 w-1.5 rounded-full bg-[var(--status-info)]"
               />
             ) : null}
+            {showOrderNumber && orderNumber != null ? (
+              <span
+                aria-hidden="true"
+                className="absolute right-0 top-0 flex h-4 min-w-4 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-surface-muted px-1 text-[0.625rem] font-medium leading-none text-muted-foreground"
+              >
+                {orderNumber === 10 ? '0' : orderNumber}
+              </span>
+            ) : null}
           </button>
         </TooltipTrigger>
         <TooltipContent side="left" sideOffset={8}>
@@ -114,10 +131,86 @@ export const ContextPanelRail: React.FC = () => {
   const contextRailOrder = useUIStore((state) => state.contextRailOrder);
   const setContextRailOrder = useUIStore((state) => state.setContextRailOrder);
   const openContextSurface = useUIStore((state) => state.openContextSurface);
+  const shortcutOverrides = useUIStore((state) => state.shortcutOverrides);
   const planModeEnabled = useFeatureFlagsStore((state) => state.planModeEnabled);
   const { screenWidth } = useDeviceInfo();
   const gitStatus = useGitStatus(directoryKey || null);
 
+  const surfaceSwitchPrefix = React.useMemo(
+    () => getEffectiveShortcutPrefix('switch_context_surface', shortcutOverrides),
+    [shortcutOverrides],
+  );
+  const [revealNumbers, setRevealNumbers] = React.useState(false);
+
+  // While the surface-switch modifier is held for RAIL_NUMBER_HOLD_DELAY_MS,
+  // reveal the order number badges so users can see which digit maps to which
+  // rail icon. Releasing (or losing focus) dismisses them, and pressing a
+  // number key while the chord is armed consumes them for this hold — they
+  // only come back on the next press-and-hold.
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    const held = new Set<string>();
+    let timer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null;
+    let consumedWhileHeld = false;
+
+    const isDigitKey = (key: string) => key.length === 1 && key >= '0' && key <= '9';
+
+    const update = () => {
+      const armed = isShortcutPrefixHeld(surfaceSwitchPrefix, held);
+      if (armed) {
+        if (!consumedWhileHeld && timer === null) {
+          timer = setTimeout(() => setRevealNumbers(true), RAIL_NUMBER_HOLD_DELAY_MS);
+        }
+      } else {
+        consumedWhileHeld = false;
+        if (timer !== null) {
+          clearTimeout(timer);
+          timer = null;
+        }
+        setRevealNumbers(false);
+      }
+    };
+
+    const onKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      held.add(e.key.toLowerCase());
+      if (isDigitKey(e.key) && isShortcutPrefixHeld(surfaceSwitchPrefix, held)) {
+        consumedWhileHeld = true;
+        if (timer !== null) {
+          clearTimeout(timer);
+          timer = null;
+        }
+        setRevealNumbers(false);
+        return;
+      }
+      update();
+    };
+    const onKeyUp = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      held.delete(e.key.toLowerCase());
+      update();
+    };
+    const onWindowBlur = () => {
+      held.clear();
+      consumedWhileHeld = false;
+      if (timer !== null) {
+        clearTimeout(timer);
+        timer = null;
+      }
+      setRevealNumbers(false);
+    };
+
+    window.addEventListener('keydown', onKeyDown, true);
+    window.addEventListener('keyup', onKeyUp, true);
+    window.addEventListener('blur', onWindowBlur);
+
+    return () => {
+      window.removeEventListener('keydown', onKeyDown, true);
+      window.removeEventListener('keyup', onKeyUp, true);
+      window.removeEventListener('blur', onWindowBlur);
+      if (timer !== null) {
+        clearTimeout(timer);
+      }
+    };
+  }, [surfaceSwitchPrefix]);
+
   const sensors = useSensors(
     useSensor(MouseSensor, { activationConstraint: { distance: 8 } }),
     useSensor(TouchSensor, { activationConstraint: { delay: 200, tolerance: 6 } }),
@@ -128,22 +221,13 @@ export const ContextPanelRail: React.FC = () => {
   const activeMode = panelState?.isOpen ? activeTab?.mode ?? null : null;
   const changedFilesCount = gitStatus?.files.length ?? 0;
 
-  // Content-driven surfaces are hidden (not disabled) until content exists;
-  // an existing tab keeps them visible even if the content source went away.
   const surfaces = React.useMemo(() => {
-    return sortContextSurfaces(contextRailOrder).filter((surface) => {
-      if (surface.id === 'plan' && !planModeEnabled) {
-        return false;
-      }
-      // The walkthrough needs room for a stop list beside real code, and its
-      // diffs come from OpenChamber's Git routes, which VS Code does not serve.
-      if (surface.id === 'walkthrough' && (isVSCodeRuntime() || screenWidth < WALKTHROUGH_MIN_WIDTH)) {
-        return false;
-      }
-      if (surface.availability === 'has-content') {
-        return tabs.some((tab) => tab.mode === surface.mode);
-      }
-      return true;
+    return getVisibleContextRailSurfaces({
+      railOrder: contextRailOrder,
+      planModeEnabled,
+      isVSCode: isVSCodeRuntime(),
+      screenWidth,
+      tabs,
     });
   }, [contextRailOrder, planModeEnabled, screenWidth, tabs]);
 
@@ -174,7 +258,7 @@ export const ContextPanelRail: React.FC = () => {
     >
       <DndContext sensors={sensors} collisionDetection={closestCenter} onDragEnd={handleDragEnd}>
         <SortableContext items={surfaces.map((surface) => surface.id)} strategy={verticalListSortingStrategy}>
-          {surfaces.map((surface) => (
+          {surfaces.map((surface, index) => (
             <ContextPanelRailItem
               key={surface.id}
               surface={surface}
@@ -182,6 +266,8 @@ export const ContextPanelRail: React.FC = () => {
               showActivityDot={surface.id === 'git' && changedFilesCount > 0}
               label={t(surface.labelKey)}
               description={t(surface.descriptionKey)}
+              orderNumber={index + 1}
+              showOrderNumber={revealNumbers}
               onSelect={(selected) => openContextSurface(directoryKey, selected.mode)}
             />
           ))}

packages/ui/src/components/sections/openchamber/KeyboardShortcutsSettings.tsx

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import {
   formatShortcutForDisplay,
   getCustomizableShortcutActions,
   getEffectiveShortcutCombo,
+  getEffectiveShortcutPrefix,
   isRiskyBrowserShortcut,
   keyToShortcutToken,
   normalizeCombo,
@@ -49,6 +50,35 @@ const keyboardEventToCombo = (event: React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLInputElement>): Sho
   return normalizeCombo(parts.join('+'));
 };
 
+// Prefix capture for chord-style shortcuts (e.g. "switch context panel
+// surface"): a bare modifier press is accepted so the prefix can be just the
+// primary modifier (default) or a modifier + key chord like `mod+p`.
+const keyboardEventToPrefixCombo = (event: React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLInputElement>): ShortcutCombo | null => {
+  const parts: string[] = [];
+
+  if (event.metaKey || event.ctrlKey) {
+    parts.push('mod');
+  }
+  if (event.shiftKey) {
+    parts.push('shift');
+  }
+  if (event.altKey) {
+    parts.push('alt');
+  }
+
+  if (MODIFIER_KEYS.has(event.key.toLowerCase())) {
+    return parts.length > 0 ? normalizeCombo(parts.join('+')) : null;
+  }
+
+  const keyToken = keyToShortcutToken(event.key);
+  if (!keyToken) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  parts.push(keyToken);
+  return parts.length > 0 ? normalizeCombo(parts.join('+')) : null;
+};
+
 export const KeyboardShortcutsSettings: React.FC = () => {
   const { t } = useI18n();
   const tUnsafe = React.useCallback((key: string) => t(key as Parameters<typeof t>[0]), [t]);
@@ -211,10 +241,19 @@ export const KeyboardShortcutsSettings: React.FC = () => {
 
       <div>
         {actions.map((action, index) => {
-          const effective = getEffectiveShortcutCombo(action.id, shortcutOverrides);
+          const isSurfaceSwitch = action.id === 'switch_context_surface';
+          const effective = isSurfaceSwitch
+            ? getEffectiveShortcutPrefix(action.id, shortcutOverrides)
+            : getEffectiveShortcutCombo(action.id, shortcutOverrides);
           const draft = draftByAction[action.id];
           const displayCombo = draft ?? effective;
           const hasDraft = typeof draft === 'string' && normalizeCombo(draft) !== normalizeCombo(effective);
+          const isUnassignedDisplay = displayCombo === '' || normalizeCombo(displayCombo) === UNASSIGNED_SHORTCUT;
+          const displayValue = capturingActionId === action.id
+            ? t('settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.field.pressKeys')
+            : isSurfaceSwitch && !isUnassignedDisplay
+              ? `${formatShortcutForDisplay(displayCombo)}${t('settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.suffix')}`
+              : formatShortcutForDisplay(displayCombo);
 
           return (
             <div key={action.id} className={cn("py-1.5", index > 0 && "border-t border-border/40")}>
@@ -224,7 +263,7 @@ export const KeyboardShortcutsSettings: React.FC = () => {
               >
                 <Input
                   readOnly
-                  value={capturingActionId === action.id ? t('settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.field.pressKeys') : formatShortcutForDisplay(displayCombo)}
+                  value={displayValue}
                   onFocus={() => {
                     setCapturingActionId(action.id);
                     setErrorText('');
@@ -243,7 +282,7 @@ export const KeyboardShortcutsSettings: React.FC = () => {
                       return;
                     }
 
-                    const combo = keyboardEventToCombo(event);
+                    const combo = isSurfaceSwitch ? keyboardEventToPrefixCombo(event) : keyboardEventToCombo(event);
                     if (!combo) {
                       return;
                     }

packages/ui/src/components/session/sidebar/SidebarFooter.tsx

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ export function SidebarFooter({
           <Tooltip>
             <TooltipTrigger asChild>
               <button type="button" onClick={onOpenShortcuts} className={footerButtonClassName} aria-label={t('sessions.sidebar.footer.actions.shortcuts')}>
-                <Icon name="question" className="h-4.5 w-4.5" />
+                <Icon name="command" className="h-4.5 w-4.5" />
               </button>
             </TooltipTrigger>
             <TooltipContent side="top" sideOffset={4}><p>{t('sessions.sidebar.footer.actions.shortcuts')}</p></TooltipContent>

packages/ui/src/components/ui/HelpDialog.tsx

@@ -175,6 +175,11 @@ export const HelpDialog: React.FC = () => {
           icon: "time",
           keys: '',
         },
+        {
+          keys: [`${mod} + 1...0`],
+          descriptionKey: "helpDialog.item.switchContextSurface",
+          icon: "layout-right",
+        },
       ],
     },
     {
@@ -186,11 +191,6 @@ export const HelpDialog: React.FC = () => {
           icon: "palette",
           keys: '',
         },
-        {
-          keys: [`${mod} + 1...9`],
-          descriptionKey: "helpDialog.item.switchProject",
-          icon: "layout-left",
-        },
         {
           id: 'toggle_services_menu',
           descriptionKey: 'helpDialog.item.toggleServicesMenu',
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ export const HelpDialog: React.FC = () => {
       <DialogContent className="max-w-2xl w-[min(42rem,calc(100vw-1.5rem))] max-h-[calc(100dvh-2rem)] flex flex-col overflow-hidden">
         <DialogHeader>
           <DialogTitle className="flex items-center gap-2">
-            <Icon name="settings-3" className="h-5 w-5" />
+            <Icon name="command" className="h-5 w-5" />
             {t('helpDialog.title')}
           </DialogTitle>
           <DialogDescription>

packages/ui/src/hooks/useKeyboardShortcuts.ts

@@ -10,10 +10,19 @@ import { createWorktreeSession } from '@/lib/worktreeSessionCreator';
 import { useConfigStore } from '@/stores/useConfigStore';
 import { canUseElectronDesktopIPC, invokeDesktop, isVSCodeRuntime } from '@/lib/desktop';
 import { showOpenCodeStatus } from '@/lib/openCodeStatus';
-import { eventMatchesShortcut, getEffectiveShortcutCombo, normalizeCombo } from '@/lib/shortcuts';
+import {
+  eventMatchesShortcut,
+  eventMatchesShortcutPrefix,
+  getEffectiveShortcutCombo,
+  getEffectiveShortcutPrefix,
+  normalizeCombo,
+} from '@/lib/shortcuts';
+import { getVisibleContextRailSurfaces } from '@/lib/surfaces/registry';
 import { readEmbeddedThemeSearchParams } from '@/contexts/theme-embedded-bootstrap';
 import { useDirectoryStore } from '@/stores/useDirectoryStore';
 import { useProjectsStore } from '@/stores/useProjectsStore';
+import { useFeatureFlagsStore } from '@/stores/useFeatureFlagsStore';
+import { useEffectiveDirectory } from '@/hooks/useEffectiveDirectory';
 import { getCycledPrimaryAgentName } from '@/components/chat/mobileControlsUtils';
 import { focusChatInput } from '@/components/chat/composer/editor/dom';
 import { addSelectionToChat } from '@/lib/addSelectionToChat';
@@ -29,6 +38,7 @@ export const useKeyboardShortcuts = () => {
   const toggleHelpDialog = useUIStore((s) => s.toggleHelpDialog);
   const toggleSidebar = useUIStore((s) => s.toggleSidebar);
   const currentShortcutDirectory = useDirectoryStore((s) => s.currentDirectory);
+  const effectiveDirectory = useEffectiveDirectory();
 
   // The terminal lives in the context panel; these mirror the rail behavior.
   const toggleTerminalSurface = React.useCallback(() => {
@@ -64,6 +74,9 @@ export const useKeyboardShortcuts = () => {
   const abortPrimedUntilRef = React.useRef<number | null>(null);
   const abortPrimedTimeoutRef = React.useRef<ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null>(null);
   const themeModeRef = React.useRef(themeMode);
+  // Currently held physical keys (lowercased), used to match chord prefixes
+  // whose primary key must be held while the activating key is pressed.
+  const heldKeysRef = React.useRef<Set<string>>(new Set());
 
   React.useEffect(() => {
     themeModeRef.current = themeMode;
@@ -80,6 +93,7 @@ export const useKeyboardShortcuts = () => {
 
   React.useEffect(() => {
     const combo = (actionId: string) => getEffectiveShortcutCombo(actionId, shortcutOverrides);
+    const switchSurfacePrefix = getEffectiveShortcutPrefix('switch_context_surface', shortcutOverrides);
     const dropdownTargetSelector = [
       '[data-slot="dropdown-menu-content"]',
       '[data-slot="select-content"]',
@@ -448,16 +462,6 @@ export const useKeyboardShortcuts = () => {
         return;
       }
 
-      if (eventMatchesShortcut(e, combo('open_diff_panel'))) {
-        const state = useUIStore.getState();
-        if (state.isMobile || !currentDirectory) {
-          return;
-        }
-        e.preventDefault();
-        state.openContextSurface(normalizeContextPanelDirectoryKey(currentDirectory), 'diff');
-        return;
-      }
-
       if (eventMatchesShortcut(e, combo('toggle_terminal'))) {
         const { isMobile } = useUIStore.getState();
         if (isMobile) {
@@ -478,6 +482,39 @@ export const useKeyboardShortcuts = () => {
         return;
       }
 
+      // Configured prefix + digit (default: Cmd/Ctrl + 1..9, with 0 for the
+      // 10th surface): open/close the matching context panel rail surface. The
+      // digit maps to the currently visible rail order, matching the number
+      // badges shown while holding the modifier. `e.repeat` guard keeps
+      // holding a digit from toggling.
+      const switchSurfaceDigit = e.key.length === 1 && e.key >= '0' && e.key <= '9'
+        ? (e.key === '0' ? 10 : Number(e.key))
+        : null;
+      if (switchSurfaceDigit !== null
+        && !e.repeat
+        && eventMatchesShortcutPrefix(e, switchSurfacePrefix, heldKeysRef.current)) {
+        const state = useUIStore.getState();
+        if (state.isMobile || !effectiveDirectory) {
+          return;
+        }
+        const directory = normalizeContextPanelDirectoryKey(effectiveDirectory);
+        const panelState = state.contextPanelByDirectory[directory];
+        const visibleSurfaces = getVisibleContextRailSurfaces({
+          railOrder: state.contextRailOrder,
+          planModeEnabled: useFeatureFlagsStore.getState().planModeEnabled,
+          isVSCode: isVSCodeRuntime(),
+          screenWidth: window.innerWidth,
+          tabs: panelState?.tabs ?? [],
+        });
+        const target = visibleSurfaces[switchSurfaceDigit - 1];
+        if (!target) {
+          return;
+        }
+        e.preventDefault();
+        state.openContextSurface(directory, target.mode);
+        return;
+      }
+
       // Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+M: Open model selector (same conditions as double-ESC: chat tab, no overlays)
       if (eventMatchesShortcut(e, combo('open_model_selector'))) {
         const {
@@ -618,11 +655,30 @@ export const useKeyboardShortcuts = () => {
 
     };
 
+    // Track held physical keys so chord prefixes (e.g. a configured
+    // `mod+p`) can require their primary key to stay held. Capture phase runs
+    // before handleKeyDown, so the set is current when chord matching runs.
+    const handleKeyHoldDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      heldKeysRef.current.add(e.key.toLowerCase());
+    };
+    const handleKeyUp = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      heldKeysRef.current.delete(e.key.toLowerCase());
+    };
+    const handleWindowBlur = () => {
+      heldKeysRef.current.clear();
+    };
+
+    window.addEventListener('keydown', handleKeyHoldDown, true);
+    window.addEventListener('keyup', handleKeyUp, true);
+    window.addEventListener('blur', handleWindowBlur);
     window.addEventListener('keydown', handleTerminalShortcutCapture, true);
     window.addEventListener('keydown', handleEscapeKeyDownCapture, true);
     window.addEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown);
 
     return () => {
+      window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeyHoldDown, true);
+      window.removeEventListener('keyup', handleKeyUp, true);
+      window.removeEventListener('blur', handleWindowBlur);
       window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleTerminalShortcutCapture, true);
       window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleEscapeKeyDownCapture, true);
       window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown);
@@ -650,6 +706,7 @@ export const useKeyboardShortcuts = () => {
     resetAbortPriming,
     currentSessionId,
     currentDirectory,
+    effectiveDirectory,
     activeProject?.id,
     activeProject?.path,
     shortcutOverrides,

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/de.settings.ts

@@ -1043,6 +1043,8 @@ export const settingsDict = {
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.toggle_right_sidebar.label': 'Rechte Seitenleiste umschalten',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_git.label': 'Git-Tab der rechten Seitenleiste öffnen',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_files.label': 'Datei-Tab der rechten Seitenleiste öffnen',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.label': 'Kontextpanel-Oberfläche wechseln',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.suffix': ' + 1…0',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat.label': 'Neue Sitzung',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat_worktree.label': 'Neuer Worktree-Entwurf',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_mini_chat.label': 'Neues Mini-Chat-Fenster',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/de.ts

@@ -1558,7 +1558,7 @@ export const dict = {
   'helpDialog.item.toggleTerminalExpanded': 'Terminal erweitert umschalten',
   'helpDialog.item.togglePlanContextPanel': 'Plan-Kontext-Panel umschalten',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleTheme': 'Thema wechseln (Hell → Dunkel → System)',
-  'helpDialog.item.switchProject': 'Projekt wechseln',
+  'helpDialog.item.switchContextSurface': 'Kontextpanel-Oberfläche wechseln (Zahlentaste)',
   'helpDialog.item.toggleServicesMenu': 'Dienstemenü umschalten',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleServicesTab': 'Dienste-Registerkarte durchgehen',
   'helpDialog.item.openSettings': 'Einstellungen öffnen',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en.settings.ts

@@ -1108,6 +1108,8 @@ export const settingsDict = {
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.toggle_right_sidebar.label': 'Toggle context panel',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_git.label': 'Open Git surface',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_files.label': 'Open Files surface',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.label': 'Switch context panel surface',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.suffix': ' + 1…0',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat.label': 'New session',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat_worktree.label': 'New worktree draft',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_mini_chat.label': 'New Mini Chat window',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/en.ts

@@ -1710,8 +1710,8 @@ export const dict = {
   'helpDialog.item.toggleTerminalDock': 'Toggle Terminal Dock',
   'helpDialog.item.toggleTerminalExpanded': 'Toggle Terminal Expanded',
   'helpDialog.item.togglePlanContextPanel': 'Toggle Plan Context Panel',
+  'helpDialog.item.switchContextSurface': 'Switch Context Panel Surface (number key)',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleTheme': 'Cycle Theme (Light → Dark → System)',
-  'helpDialog.item.switchProject': 'Switch Project',
   'helpDialog.item.toggleServicesMenu': 'Toggle Services Menu',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleServicesTab': 'Cycle Services Tab',
   'helpDialog.item.openSettings': 'Open Settings',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/es.settings.ts

@@ -1075,6 +1075,8 @@ export const settingsDict = {
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.toggle_right_sidebar.label": 'Alternar panel de contexto',
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_git.label": 'Abrir superficie de Git',
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_files.label": 'Abrir superficie de archivos',
+  "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.label": "Cambiar superficie del panel de contexto",
+  "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.suffix": " + 1…0",
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat.label": "Nueva sesión",
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat_worktree.label": "Nuevo borrador de worktree",
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_mini_chat.label": "Nueva ventana Mini Chat",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/es.ts

@@ -1689,7 +1689,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   "helpDialog.item.toggleTerminalExpanded": "Expandir o contraer terminal",
   "helpDialog.item.togglePlanContextPanel": "Alternar panel de contexto del plan",
   "helpDialog.item.cycleTheme": "Cambiar tema (Claro → Oscuro → Sistema)",
-  "helpDialog.item.switchProject": "Cambiar proyecto",
+  "helpDialog.item.switchContextSurface": "Cambiar superficie del panel de contexto (tecla numérica)",
   "helpDialog.item.toggleServicesMenu": "Mostrar u ocultar menú de servicios",
   "helpDialog.item.cycleServicesTab": "Cambiar pestaña de servicios",
   "helpDialog.item.openSettings": "Abrir configuración",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/fr.settings.ts

@@ -996,6 +996,8 @@ export const settingsDict = {
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.toggle_right_sidebar.label': 'Afficher/masquer le panneau de contexte',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_git.label': 'Ouvrir la surface Git',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_files.label': 'Ouvrir la surface Fichiers',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.label': 'Basculer la surface du panneau contextuel',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.suffix': ' + 1…0',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat.label': 'Nouvelle session',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat_worktree.label': 'Nouvelle ébauche d\'worktree',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_mini_chat.label': 'Nouvelle fenêtre de mini-chat',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/fr.ts

@@ -1524,7 +1524,7 @@ export const dict = {
   'helpDialog.item.toggleTerminalExpanded': 'Terminal à bascule étendu',
   'helpDialog.item.togglePlanContextPanel': 'Toggle Panneau contextuel du plan',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleTheme': 'Basculer le thème (clair → sombre → système)',
-  'helpDialog.item.switchProject': 'Changer de projet',
+  'helpDialog.item.switchContextSurface': 'Basculer la surface du panneau contextuel (touche numérique)',
   'helpDialog.item.toggleServicesMenu': 'Basculer le menu des services',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleServicesTab': 'Onglet Services de vélo',
   'helpDialog.item.openSettings': 'Ouvrir les paramètres',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ja.settings.ts

@@ -1108,6 +1108,8 @@ export const settingsDict = {
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.toggle_right_sidebar.label': 'コンテキストパネルの表示切替',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_git.label': 'Git サーフェスを開く',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_files.label': 'ファイルサーフェスを開く',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.label': 'コンテキストパネルのサーフェスを切り替え',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.suffix': ' + 1…0',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat.label': '新しい Session',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat_worktree.label': '新しい Worktree 下書き',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_mini_chat.label': '新しいミニチャットウィンドウ',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ja.ts

@@ -1707,7 +1707,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'helpDialog.item.toggleTerminalExpanded': 'ターミナル展開の切り替え',
   'helpDialog.item.togglePlanContextPanel': '計画コンテキストパネルの切り替え',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleTheme': 'テーマ切り替え（ライト→ダーク→システム）',
-  'helpDialog.item.switchProject': 'プロジェクトを切り替え',
+  'helpDialog.item.switchContextSurface': 'コンテキストパネルのサーフェスを切り替え（数字キー）',
   'helpDialog.item.toggleServicesMenu': 'サービスの切り替え',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleServicesTab': 'サービス変数の切り替え',
   'helpDialog.item.openSettings': '設定を開く',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ko.settings.ts

@@ -1075,6 +1075,8 @@ export const settingsDict = {
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.toggle_right_sidebar.label': '컨텍스트 패널 표시 전환',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_git.label': 'Git 서피스 열기',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_files.label': '파일 서피스 열기',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.label': '컨텍스트 패널 서피스 전환',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.suffix': ' + 1…0',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat.label': '새 세션',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat_worktree.label': '새 worktree 초안',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_mini_chat.label': '새 Mini Chat 창',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/ko.ts

@@ -1713,7 +1713,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'helpDialog.item.toggleTerminalExpanded': '터미널 펼치기/접기',
   'helpDialog.item.togglePlanContextPanel': '플랜 컨텍스트 패널 전환',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleTheme': '테마 순환(라이트 → 다크 → 시스템)',
-  'helpDialog.item.switchProject': '프로젝트 전환',
+  'helpDialog.item.switchContextSurface': '컨텍스트 패널 서피스 전환(숫자 키)',
   'helpDialog.item.toggleServicesMenu': '서비스 메뉴 전환',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleServicesTab': '서비스 탭 순환',
   'helpDialog.item.openSettings': '설정 열기',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pl.settings.ts

@@ -820,6 +820,8 @@ export const settingsDict = {
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_go_to_line.label': 'Przejdź do linii (edytor plików)',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_help.label': 'Otwórz skróty klawiszowe',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_files.label': 'Otwórz powierzchnię plików',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.label': 'Przełącz powierzchnię panelu kontekstu',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.suffix': ' + 1…0',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_git.label': 'Otwórz powierzchnię Git',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_settings.label': 'Otwórz ustawienia',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.toggle_context_plan.label': 'Przełącz panel kontekstu planu',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pl.ts

@@ -2333,7 +2333,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'helpDialog.item.openRightSidebarGitTab': 'Otwórz powierzchnię Git',
   'helpDialog.item.openSettings': 'Otwórz ustawienia',
   'helpDialog.item.showKeyboardShortcuts': 'Pokaż skróty klawiaturowe (to okno)',
-  'helpDialog.item.switchProject': 'Przełącz projekt',
+  'helpDialog.item.switchContextSurface': 'Przełącz powierzchnię panelu kontekstu (klawisz liczbowy)',
   'helpDialog.item.togglePlanContextPanel': 'Przełącz panel kontekstu planu',
   'helpDialog.item.toggleRightSidebar': 'Przełącz panel kontekstu',
   'helpDialog.item.toggleServicesMenu': 'Przełącz menu usług',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pt-BR.settings.ts

@@ -1075,6 +1075,8 @@ export const settingsDict = {
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.toggle_right_sidebar.label": 'Alternar painel de contexto',
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_git.label": 'Abrir superfície do Git',
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_files.label": 'Abrir superfície de arquivos',
+  "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.label": "Alternar superfície do painel de contexto",
+  "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.suffix": " + 1…0",
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat.label": "Nova sessão",
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat_worktree.label": "Novo rascunho de worktree",
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_mini_chat.label": "Nova janela Mini Chat",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/pt-BR.ts

@@ -1689,7 +1689,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   "helpDialog.item.toggleTerminalExpanded": "Expandir ou recolher o terminal",
   "helpDialog.item.togglePlanContextPanel": "Alternar painel de contexto do plano",
   "helpDialog.item.cycleTheme": "Alternar tema (Claro → Escuro → Sistema)",
-  "helpDialog.item.switchProject": "Alternar projeto",
+  "helpDialog.item.switchContextSurface": "Alternar superfície do painel de contexto (tecla numérica)",
   "helpDialog.item.toggleServicesMenu": "Mostrar ou ocultar menu de serviços",
   "helpDialog.item.cycleServicesTab": "Alternar aba de serviços",
   "helpDialog.item.openSettings": "Abrir configurações",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/uk.settings.ts

@@ -1075,6 +1075,8 @@ export const settingsDict = {
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.toggle_right_sidebar.label": 'Перемкнути контекстну панель',
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_git.label": 'Відкрити поверхню Git',
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_files.label": 'Відкрити поверхню файлів',
+  "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.label": "Перемкнути поверхню панелі контексту",
+  "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.suffix": " + 1…0",
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat.label": "Нова сесія",
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat_worktree.label": "Нова чернетка worktree",
   "settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_mini_chat.label": "Нове вікно Mini Chat",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/uk.ts

@@ -1689,7 +1689,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   "helpDialog.item.toggleTerminalExpanded": "Розгорнути або згорнути термінал",
   "helpDialog.item.togglePlanContextPanel": "Перемкнути панель контексту плану",
   "helpDialog.item.cycleTheme": "Перемкнути тему (Світла → Темна → Системна)",
-  "helpDialog.item.switchProject": "Перемкнути проєкт",
+  "helpDialog.item.switchContextSurface": "Перемкнути поверхню панелі контексту (цифрова клавіша)",
   "helpDialog.item.toggleServicesMenu": "Перемкнути меню сервісів",
   "helpDialog.item.cycleServicesTab": "Перемкнути вкладку сервісів",
   "helpDialog.item.openSettings": "Відкрити налаштування",

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-CN.settings.ts

@@ -1075,6 +1075,8 @@ export const settingsDict = {
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.toggle_right_sidebar.label': '切换上下文面板',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_git.label': '打开 Git 界面',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_files.label': '打开文件界面',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.label': '切换上下文面板界面',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.suffix': ' + 1…0',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat.label': '新建会话',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat_worktree.label': '新建工作树草稿',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_mini_chat.label': '新建 Mini Chat 窗口',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-CN.ts

@@ -1677,7 +1677,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'helpDialog.item.toggleTerminalExpanded': '切换终端展开状态',
   'helpDialog.item.togglePlanContextPanel': '切换计划上下文面板',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleTheme': '循环切换主题（浅色 → 深色 → 跟随系统）',
-  'helpDialog.item.switchProject': '切换项目',
+  'helpDialog.item.switchContextSurface': '切换上下文面板界面（数字键）',
   'helpDialog.item.toggleServicesMenu': '切换服务菜单',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleServicesTab': '循环服务标签',
   'helpDialog.item.openSettings': '打开设置',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-TW.settings.ts

@@ -982,6 +982,8 @@
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.toggle_right_sidebar.label': '切換上下文面板',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_git.label': '開啟 Git 介面',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.open_right_sidebar_files.label': '開啟檔案介面',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.label': '切換上下文面板介面',
+  'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.switch_context_surface.suffix': ' + 1…0',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat.label': '新建工作階段',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_chat_worktree.label': '新增 worktree 草稿',
   'settings.openchamber.keyboardShortcuts.action.new_mini_chat.label': '新建 Mini Chat 視窗',

packages/ui/src/lib/i18n/messages/zh-TW.ts

@@ -1681,7 +1681,7 @@ export const dict: Record<I18nKey, string> = {
   'helpDialog.item.toggleTerminalExpanded': '切換終端機展開狀態',
   'helpDialog.item.togglePlanContextPanel': '切換計畫上下文面板',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleTheme': '循環切換主題（淺色 → 深色 → 跟隨系統）',
-  'helpDialog.item.switchProject': '切換專案',
+  'helpDialog.item.switchContextSurface': '切換上下文面板介面（數字鍵）',
   'helpDialog.item.toggleServicesMenu': '切換服務選單',
   'helpDialog.item.cycleServicesTab': '循環服務標籤',
   'helpDialog.item.openSettings': '開啟設定',

packages/ui/src/lib/shortcuts.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+import { describe, expect, test } from 'bun:test';
+
+import {
+  eventMatchesShortcutPrefix,
+  getEffectiveShortcutPrefix,
+  isShortcutPrefixHeld,
+  UNASSIGNED_SHORTCUT,
+} from './shortcuts';
+
+describe('getEffectiveShortcutPrefix', () => {
+  test('falls back to the action default (bare mod) when unset', () => {
+    expect(getEffectiveShortcutPrefix('switch_context_surface', {})).toBe('mod');
+  });
+
+  test('honors modifier + key overrides', () => {
+    expect(getEffectiveShortcutPrefix('switch_context_surface', { switch_context_surface: 'mod+p' })).toBe('mod+p');
+  });
+
+  test('honors modifier-only overrides', () => {
+    expect(getEffectiveShortcutPrefix('switch_context_surface', { switch_context_surface: 'shift' })).toBe('shift');
+  });
+
+  test('returns UNASSIGNED for an explicit unassignment', () => {
+    expect(
+      getEffectiveShortcutPrefix('switch_context_surface', { switch_context_surface: UNASSIGNED_SHORTCUT }),
+    ).toBe(UNASSIGNED_SHORTCUT);
+  });
+
+  test('returns empty string for an unknown action', () => {
+    expect(getEffectiveShortcutPrefix('does_not_exist', {})).toBe('');
+  });
+});
+
+describe('isShortcutPrefixHeld', () => {
+  test('false for an unassigned prefix', () => {
+    expect(isShortcutPrefixHeld(UNASSIGNED_SHORTCUT, new Set(['control']))).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  test('requires the prefix primary key to be held', () => {
+    expect(isShortcutPrefixHeld('mod+p', new Set(['control']))).toBe(false);
+    expect(isShortcutPrefixHeld('mod+p', new Set(['control', 'p']))).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  test('requires every prefix modifier to be held', () => {
+    expect(isShortcutPrefixHeld('mod+shift', new Set(['control']))).toBe(false);
+    expect(isShortcutPrefixHeld('mod+shift', new Set(['control', 'shift']))).toBe(true);
+  });
+});
+
+const keydown = (key: string, mods: { meta?: boolean; ctrl?: boolean; shift?: boolean; alt?: boolean }): KeyboardEvent =>
+  ({
+    key,
+    metaKey: mods.meta ?? false,
+    ctrlKey: mods.ctrl ?? false,
+    shiftKey: mods.shift ?? false,
+    altKey: mods.alt ?? false,
+  }) as KeyboardEvent;
+
+describe('eventMatchesShortcutPrefix', () => {
+  test('matches a bare mod prefix when the primary modifier is held', () => {
+    expect(eventMatchesShortcutPrefix(keydown('1', { ctrl: true }), 'mod')).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  test('rejects a bare mod prefix without the primary modifier', () => {
+    expect(eventMatchesShortcutPrefix(keydown('1', {}), 'mod')).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  test('rejects when the event carries modifiers the prefix does not expect', () => {
+    expect(eventMatchesShortcutPrefix(keydown('1', { ctrl: true, shift: true }), 'mod')).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  test('requires the prefix primary key to be held at match time', () => {
+    expect(eventMatchesShortcutPrefix(keydown('1', { ctrl: true }), 'mod+p', new Set(['control']))).toBe(false);
+    expect(eventMatchesShortcutPrefix(keydown('1', { ctrl: true }), 'mod+p', new Set(['control', 'p']))).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  test('false for an unassigned prefix', () => {
+    expect(eventMatchesShortcutPrefix(keydown('1', { ctrl: true }), UNASSIGNED_SHORTCUT)).toBe(false);
+  });
+});

packages/ui/src/lib/shortcuts.ts

@@ -39,6 +39,17 @@ const DISPLAY_LABEL_MAP: Record<ShortcutModifier, string> = {
   'ctrl': '⌃',
 };
 
+// Physical `event.key` values (lowercased) that satisfy each modifier while a
+// chord is being held. `mod` maps to the platform primary key; on web macOS it
+// accepts either Meta or Ctrl, matching eventMatchesShortcut.
+const MODIFIER_KEY_ALIASES: Record<ShortcutModifier, readonly string[]> = {
+  'mod': isMacOS() && isDesktopShell() ? ['meta'] : isMacOS() ? ['meta', 'control'] : ['control'],
+  'shift': ['shift'],
+  'alt': ['alt'],
+  'option': ['alt'],
+  'ctrl': ['control'],
+};
+
 const KEY_LABEL_MAP: Record<string, string> = {
   'comma': ',',
   'period': '.',
@@ -207,6 +218,13 @@ const SHORTCUT_ACTIONS: ReadonlyArray<ShortcutAction> = [
     description: 'Open right sidebar and select Files',
     customizable: true,
   },
+  {
+    id: 'switch_context_surface',
+    defaultCombo: 'mod',
+    label: 'Switch context panel surface',
+    description: 'Hold the modifier and press a number to open or close the matching rail icon',
+    customizable: true,
+  },
   {
     id: 'new_chat',
     defaultCombo: 'mod+n',
@@ -240,24 +258,6 @@ const SHORTCUT_ACTIONS: ReadonlyArray<ShortcutAction> = [
     label: 'Clear input',
     description: 'Clear the input field',
   },
-  {
-    id: 'open_diff_panel',
-    defaultCombo: 'mod+2',
-    label: 'Open diff panel',
-    description: 'Switch to the diff panel',
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'open_terminal_panel',
-    defaultCombo: 'mod+3',
-    label: 'Open terminal panel',
-    description: 'Switch to the terminal panel',
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'open_git_panel',
-    defaultCombo: 'mod+4',
-    label: 'Open git panel',
-    description: 'Switch to the git panel',
-  },
   {
     id: 'open_help',
     defaultCombo: 'mod+.',
@@ -347,60 +347,6 @@ const SHORTCUT_ACTIONS: ReadonlyArray<ShortcutAction> = [
     label: 'Abort active run',
     description: 'Abort the currently running task (double press)',
   },
-  {
-    id: 'switch_tab_1',
-    defaultCombo: 'mod+1',
-    label: 'Switch to tab 1',
-    description: 'Switch to the first tab or project',
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'switch_tab_2',
-    defaultCombo: 'mod+2',
-    label: 'Switch to tab 2',
-    description: 'Switch to the second tab or project',
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'switch_tab_3',
-    defaultCombo: 'mod+3',
-    label: 'Switch to tab 3',
-    description: 'Switch to the third tab or project',
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'switch_tab_4',
-    defaultCombo: 'mod+4',
-    label: 'Switch to tab 4',
-    description: 'Switch to the fourth tab or project',
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'switch_tab_5',
-    defaultCombo: 'mod+5',
-    label: 'Switch to tab 5',
-    description: 'Switch to the fifth tab or project',
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'switch_tab_6',
-    defaultCombo: 'mod+6',
-    label: 'Switch to tab 6',
-    description: 'Switch to the sixth tab or project',
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'switch_tab_7',
-    defaultCombo: 'mod+7',
-    label: 'Switch to tab 7',
-    description: 'Switch to the seventh tab or project',
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'switch_tab_8',
-    defaultCombo: 'mod+8',
-    label: 'Switch to tab 8',
-    description: 'Switch to the eighth tab or project',
-  },
-  {
-    id: 'switch_tab_9',
-    defaultCombo: 'mod+9',
-    label: 'Switch to tab 9',
-    description: 'Switch to the ninth tab or project',
-  },
 ] as const;
 
 export function normalizeCombo(combo: ShortcutCombo): ShortcutCombo {
@@ -610,3 +556,126 @@ export function eventMatchesShortcut(
 export function getModifierLabel(): string {
   return isMacOS() && isDesktopShell() ? '⌘' : 'Ctrl';
 }
+
+/**
+ * Resolves the configurable prefix for chord-style shortcuts such as
+ * "switch context panel surface", where a trailing digit key completes the
+ * combo. Unlike getEffectiveShortcutCombo, modifier-only overrides (e.g. the
+ * bare `mod` primary key) are honored so the prefix can omit a primary key.
+ * Returns UNASSIGNED_SHORTCUT when the user explicitly unassigned the prefix.
+ */
+export function getEffectiveShortcutPrefix(
+  actionId: string,
+  overrides?: Record<string, ShortcutCombo>,
+): ShortcutCombo {
+  const action = getShortcutAction(actionId);
+  if (!action) {
+    return '';
+  }
+
+  const override = overrides?.[actionId];
+  if (typeof override === 'string' && override.trim() !== '') {
+    const normalized = normalizeCombo(override);
+    if (normalized === UNASSIGNED_SHORTCUT) {
+      return UNASSIGNED_SHORTCUT;
+    }
+    if (normalized) {
+      const parsed = parseShortcut(normalized);
+      if (parsed.modifiers.size > 0 || parsed.key) {
+        return normalized;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return action.defaultCombo;
+}
+
+/**
+ * True when the physical keys required to "arm" a prefix combo are currently
+ * held. For modifiers with multiple aliases (e.g. `mod` on web macOS), at
+ * least one alias must be held.
+ */
+export function isShortcutPrefixHeld(prefixCombo: ShortcutCombo, heldKeys: ReadonlySet<string>): boolean {
+  if (isUnassignedShortcut(prefixCombo)) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  const parsed = parseShortcut(prefixCombo);
+
+  for (const modifier of parsed.modifiers) {
+    const aliases = MODIFIER_KEY_ALIASES[modifier];
+    if (!aliases.some((alias) => heldKeys.has(alias))) {
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (parsed.key && !heldKeys.has(parsed.key.toLowerCase())) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Matches an activating keydown (the caller checks the event's own key, e.g. a
+ * digit) against a chord prefix: the event's modifier state must match the
+ * prefix's modifiers, and when the prefix has a primary key that key must
+ * currently be held.
+ */
+export function eventMatchesShortcutPrefix(
+  event: KeyboardEvent | React.KeyboardEvent,
+  prefixCombo: ShortcutCombo,
+  heldKeys?: ReadonlySet<string>,
+): boolean {
+  if (isUnassignedShortcut(prefixCombo)) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  const parsed = parseShortcut(prefixCombo);
+
+  const expectedMod = parsed.modifiers.has('mod');
+  const expectedShift = parsed.modifiers.has('shift');
+  const expectedAlt = parsed.modifiers.has('alt');
+  const expectedCtrl = parsed.modifiers.has('ctrl');
+  const isDesktopMac = isMacOS() && isDesktopShell();
+  const isMac = isMacOS();
+
+  const modMatches = isDesktopMac
+    ? event.metaKey
+    : isMac
+      ? (event.metaKey || event.ctrlKey)
+      : event.ctrlKey;
+
+  if (expectedMod && !modMatches) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  if (!expectedMod && event.metaKey) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  if (expectedShift !== event.shiftKey) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  if (expectedAlt !== event.altKey) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  if (expectedCtrl) {
+    if (!event.ctrlKey) {
+      return false;
+    }
+  } else {
+    const ctrlUsedAsMod = expectedMod && !isDesktopMac && event.ctrlKey;
+    if (event.ctrlKey && !ctrlUsedAsMod) {
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (parsed.key && (!heldKeys || !heldKeys.has(parsed.key.toLowerCase()))) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}

packages/ui/src/lib/surfaces/DOCUMENTATION.md

@@ -20,6 +20,13 @@ edge (`components/layout/ContextPanelRail.tsx`) and rendered by
 - Rail order is user-reorderable and persisted globally in
   `useUIStore.contextRailOrder`; `sortContextSurfaces` applies it on top of the
   registry's default order and appends any missing surfaces.
+- `getVisibleContextRailSurfaces` is the single visibility filter shared by the
+  rail and the global surface-switch shortcut (`switch_context_surface` in
+  `lib/shortcuts.ts`): it drops the plan surface unless plan mode is enabled,
+  drops the walkthrough on VS Code and below `WALKTHROUGH_MIN_WIDTH`, and hides
+  `has-content` surfaces until a tab of their mode exists. Both consumers use
+  it so the digit shown on a rail badge always maps to the same surface the
+  shortcut opens.
 
 ## Adding a surface
 

packages/ui/src/lib/surfaces/registry.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+import { describe, expect, test } from 'bun:test';
+
+import {
+  CONTEXT_SURFACES,
+  getVisibleContextRailSurfaces,
+  WALKTHROUGH_MIN_WIDTH,
+} from './registry';
+
+const baseOptions = {
+  railOrder: [],
+  planModeEnabled: true,
+  isVSCode: false,
+  screenWidth: 1200,
+  tabs: [],
+} as const;
+
+describe('getVisibleContextRailSurfaces', () => {
+  test('hides the plan surface while plan mode is disabled', () => {
+    const surfaces = getVisibleContextRailSurfaces({ ...baseOptions, planModeEnabled: false });
+    expect(surfaces.some((surface) => surface.id === 'plan')).toBe(false);
+    expect(surfaces.some((surface) => surface.id === 'context')).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  test('shows the plan surface while plan mode is enabled', () => {
+    const surfaces = getVisibleContextRailSurfaces({ ...baseOptions, planModeEnabled: true });
+    expect(surfaces.some((surface) => surface.id === 'plan')).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  test('hides the walkthrough on VS Code and below the min width', () => {
+    expect(getVisibleContextRailSurfaces({ ...baseOptions, isVSCode: true }).some((s) => s.id === 'walkthrough')).toBe(false);
+    expect(
+      getVisibleContextRailSurfaces({ ...baseOptions, screenWidth: WALKTHROUGH_MIN_WIDTH - 1 }).some((s) => s.id === 'walkthrough'),
+    ).toBe(false);
+    expect(
+      getVisibleContextRailSurfaces({ ...baseOptions, screenWidth: WALKTHROUGH_MIN_WIDTH }).some((s) => s.id === 'walkthrough'),
+    ).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  test('hides content-driven surfaces until a matching tab exists', () => {
+    const preview = CONTEXT_SURFACES.find((surface) => surface.id === 'preview');
+    if (!preview) {
+      throw new Error('preview surface missing from registry');
+    }
+    expect(preview.availability).toBe('has-content');
+    expect(getVisibleContextRailSurfaces(baseOptions).some((s) => s.id === 'preview')).toBe(false);
+    expect(getVisibleContextRailSurfaces({ ...baseOptions, tabs: [{ mode: preview.mode }] }).some((s) => s.id === 'preview')).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  test('respects the persisted user rail order', () => {
+    const surfaces = getVisibleContextRailSurfaces({ ...baseOptions, railOrder: ['git', 'context'] });
+    expect(surfaces.slice(0, 2).map((surface) => surface.id)).toEqual(['git', 'context']);
+  });
+});

packages/ui/src/lib/surfaces/registry.ts

@@ -152,6 +152,10 @@ export const CONTEXT_SURFACES: readonly ContextSurfaceDescriptor[] = [
 const SURFACE_BY_ID = new Map(CONTEXT_SURFACES.map((surface) => [surface.id, surface]));
 const FRACTION_BY_MODE = new Map(CONTEXT_SURFACES.map((surface) => [surface.mode, surface.defaultWidthFraction]));
 
+// Tablet width and up: below this the walkthrough cannot show a stop and its
+// code side by side, which is the whole point of the surface.
+export const WALKTHROUGH_MIN_WIDTH = 768;
+
 export const getContextSurfaceWidthFraction = (mode: ContextPanelMode): number => {
   return FRACTION_BY_MODE.get(mode) ?? 1 / 2;
 };
@@ -187,3 +191,36 @@ export const sortContextSurfaces = (railOrder: readonly string[]): ContextSurfac
 
   return ordered;
 };
+
+type VisibleRailSurfacesOptions = {
+  railOrder: readonly string[];
+  planModeEnabled: boolean;
+  isVSCode: boolean;
+  screenWidth: number;
+  tabs: readonly { mode: ContextPanelMode }[];
+};
+
+/**
+ * The context panel rail's visible, user-ordered surfaces. Shared by the rail
+ * (for rendering and number badges) and the global surface-switch shortcut so
+ * both agree on which surface each digit maps to.
+ *
+ * Content-driven surfaces are hidden (not disabled) until content exists; an
+ * existing tab keeps them visible even if the content source went away.
+ */
+export const getVisibleContextRailSurfaces = (options: VisibleRailSurfacesOptions): ContextSurfaceDescriptor[] => {
+  return sortContextSurfaces(options.railOrder).filter((surface) => {
+    if (surface.id === 'plan' && !options.planModeEnabled) {
+      return false;
+    }
+    // The walkthrough needs room for a stop list beside real code, and its
+    // diffs come from OpenChamber's Git routes, which VS Code does not serve.
+    if (surface.id === 'walkthrough' && (options.isVSCode || options.screenWidth < WALKTHROUGH_MIN_WIDTH)) {
+      return false;
+    }
+    if (surface.availability === 'has-content') {
+      return options.tabs.some((tab) => tab.mode === surface.mode);
+    }
+    return true;
+  });
+};