diff --git a/src/lib/app_components/e_app_sys_bar.svelte b/src/lib/app_components/e_app_sys_bar.svelte
index 26ed916a..6bbad4a4 100644
--- a/src/lib/app_components/e_app_sys_bar.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/app_components/e_app_sys_bar.svelte
@@ -130,6 +130,13 @@
         }
     }
 
+    // ── Panel section collapse state ─────────────────────────────────────────
+    // Open/closed per section — access open by default (most common action).
+    let sec_access     = $state(true);
+    let sec_signin     = $state(false);
+    let sec_appearance = $state(false);
+    let sec_admin      = $state(false);
+
     // ── Derived display helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────
     let font_label = $derived.by(() => {
         if ($ae_loc.font_size_mode === 'larger')  return 'A+';
@@ -159,8 +166,8 @@
 </script>
 
 <!-- ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
-     OUTER WRAPPER — fixed bottom-right, hidden on print, hidden in iframe
-     (unless trusted_access — mirrors existing +layout.svelte condition)
+     OUTER WRAPPER — fixed bottom-right, hidden on print
+     Visibility when in iframe is controlled by +layout.svelte (trusted_access gate)
 ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ -->
 <div
     class="
@@ -178,33 +185,34 @@
     <div
         class="
             ae_sys_panel
-            flex flex-col items-end gap-2
-            w-72 max-w-[92vw]
-            max-h-[80vh] overflow-y-auto
+            flex flex-col items-stretch gap-0
+            w-80 max-w-[94vw]
+            max-h-[80vh] overflow-y-auto overflow-x-hidden
             bg-white dark:bg-gray-900
             border border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-700
             rounded-xl shadow-2xl
-            px-2 py-3
             text-sm
         "
     >
-        <!-- Close row -->
-        <div class="flex items-center justify-between w-full px-1">
-            <!-- Person + access summary in panel header -->
-            <div class="flex items-center gap-2 text-xs text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400">
+        <!-- Panel header: person info + close -->
+        <div class="flex items-center justify-between px-3 py-2 border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800 sticky top-0 bg-white dark:bg-gray-900 z-10">
+            <div class="flex items-center gap-2 text-xs text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400 min-w-0">
                 {#if $ae_loc?.person_id}
                     <User size="0.9em" class="shrink-0" />
-                    <span>{person_display ?? '—'}</span>
+                    <span class="truncate">{person_display ?? '—'}</span>
                 {/if}
                 {#if access_label}
-                    <span class="font-semibold text-primary-600 dark:text-primary-400">
+                    <span class="font-semibold text-primary-600 dark:text-primary-400 shrink-0">
                         · {access_label}
                     </span>
                 {/if}
+                {#if !$ae_loc?.person_id && !access_label}
+                    <span class="italic opacity-50">Not signed in</span>
+                {/if}
             </div>
             <button
                 type="button"
-                class="btn btn-icon btn-sm preset-tonal-surface hover:preset-filled-error transition-all"
+                class="btn btn-icon btn-sm preset-tonal-surface hover:preset-filled-error transition-all shrink-0 ml-2"
                 onclick={toggle_expand}
                 title="Close menu"
             >
@@ -212,55 +220,121 @@
             </button>
         </div>
 
-        <!-- ── Sign In / Out ────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
+        <!-- ── Sign In / Out (collapsible) ──────────────────────────────── -->
         {#if $ae_loc?.app_cfg?.show_element__sign_in_out}
-            <div class="w-full border-t border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800 pt-2">
-                <Element_sign_in_out
-                    {data}
-                    hidden={$ae_loc.iframe || !$ae_loc.app_cfg?.show_element__sign_in_out}
-                />
-            </div>
-        {/if}
-
-        <!-- ── Access Level / Passcode ──────────────────────────────────── -->
-        {#if !$ae_loc?.sys_menu?.hide_access_type && !$ae_loc?.iframe}
-            <div class="w-full border-t border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800 pt-2">
-                <Element_access_type
-                    bind:hide={$ae_loc.sys_menu.hide_access_type}
-                    bind:focus_input={$ae_sess.sys_menu.focus_passcode_input}
-                    bind:expand={$ae_loc.sys_menu.expand_access_type}
-                    bind:show_passcode_input={$ae_sess.app_cfg.show_element__passcode_input}
-                    bind:trigger_clear_access
-                />
-            </div>
-        {/if}
-
-        <!-- ── Appearance — theme name (always shown in panel) ─────────── -->
-        <div class="w-full border-t border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800 pt-2">
-            <Element_theme
-                hide={false}
-                expand={true}
-                set_theme_mode={true}
-                set_theme_name={true}
-            />
-        </div>
-
-        <!-- ── Admin / Config (edit mode only) ─────────────────────────── -->
-        {#if $ae_loc.edit_mode}
-            <div class="w-full border-t border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800 pt-2">
-                <Element_app_cfg hide={false} expand={true} />
-            </div>
-            <!-- Debug trigger — opens the e_app_debug_menu overlay (still managed in +layout.svelte) -->
-            <div class="w-full border-t border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800 pt-2 flex justify-end">
+            <div class="border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800">
                 <button
                     type="button"
-                    class="btn btn-sm preset-outlined-error-400-600 hover:preset-tonal-error transition-all group/dbg"
-                    onclick={() => { $ae_loc.debug_menu.expand = !$ae_loc.debug_menu.expand; }}
-                    title="Toggle debug overlay"
+                    class="w-full flex items-center justify-between px-3 py-2 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400 hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-gray-800 transition-colors"
+                    onclick={() => sec_signin = !sec_signin}
                 >
-                    <Bug size="1em" class="shrink-0" />
-                    <span class="hidden group-hover/dbg:inline text-xs ml-0.5">Debug</span>
+                    <span class="flex items-center gap-1">
+                        <span class="fas fa-sign-in-alt opacity-60"></span>
+                        Sign In / Out
+                    </span>
+                    <span class="opacity-50">{sec_signin ? '▲' : '▼'}</span>
                 </button>
+                {#if sec_signin}
+                    <div class="px-2 pb-2">
+                        <Element_sign_in_out
+                            {data}
+                            hidden={$ae_loc.iframe || !$ae_loc.app_cfg?.show_element__sign_in_out}
+                        />
+                    </div>
+                {/if}
+            </div>
+        {/if}
+
+        <!-- ── Access Level / Passcode (collapsible) ────────────────────── -->
+        {#if !$ae_loc?.sys_menu?.hide_access_type && !$ae_loc?.iframe}
+            <div class="border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800">
+                <button
+                    type="button"
+                    class="w-full flex items-center justify-between px-3 py-2 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400 hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-gray-800 transition-colors"
+                    onclick={() => sec_access = !sec_access}
+                >
+                    <span class="flex items-center gap-1">
+                        <span class="fas fa-shield-alt opacity-60"></span>
+                        Access / Passcode
+                        {#if access_label}
+                            <span class="normal-case font-normal text-primary-600 dark:text-primary-400 ml-1">({access_label})</span>
+                        {/if}
+                    </span>
+                    <span class="opacity-50">{sec_access ? '▲' : '▼'}</span>
+                </button>
+                {#if sec_access}
+                    <div class="px-2 pb-2">
+                        <Element_access_type
+                            bind:hide={$ae_loc.sys_menu.hide_access_type}
+                            bind:focus_input={$ae_sess.sys_menu.focus_passcode_input}
+                            bind:expand={$ae_loc.sys_menu.expand_access_type}
+                            bind:show_passcode_input={$ae_sess.app_cfg.show_element__passcode_input}
+                            bind:trigger_clear_access
+                        />
+                    </div>
+                {/if}
+            </div>
+        {/if}
+
+        <!-- ── Appearance (collapsible) ─────────────────────────────────── -->
+        <div class="border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800">
+            <button
+                type="button"
+                class="w-full flex items-center justify-between px-3 py-2 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400 hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-gray-800 transition-colors"
+                onclick={() => sec_appearance = !sec_appearance}
+            >
+                <span class="flex items-center gap-1">
+                    <span class="fas fa-palette opacity-60"></span>
+                    Appearance
+                    <span class="normal-case font-normal opacity-60 ml-1">
+                        ({$ae_loc?.theme_name ?? '—'} · {$ae_loc?.theme_mode ?? '—'})
+                    </span>
+                </span>
+                <span class="opacity-50">{sec_appearance ? '▲' : '▼'}</span>
+            </button>
+            {#if sec_appearance}
+                <div class="px-2 pb-2">
+                    <Element_theme
+                        hide={false}
+                        expand={true}
+                        set_theme_mode={true}
+                        set_theme_name={true}
+                    />
+                </div>
+            {/if}
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- ── Admin / Config (edit mode only, collapsible) ─────────────── -->
+        {#if $ae_loc.edit_mode}
+            <div class="border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800">
+                <button
+                    type="button"
+                    class="w-full flex items-center justify-between px-3 py-2 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400 hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-gray-800 transition-colors"
+                    onclick={() => sec_admin = !sec_admin}
+                >
+                    <span class="flex items-center gap-1">
+                        <span class="fas fa-tools opacity-60"></span>
+                        Admin / Config
+                    </span>
+                    <span class="opacity-50">{sec_admin ? '▲' : '▼'}</span>
+                </button>
+                {#if sec_admin}
+                    <div class="px-2 pb-2 flex flex-col gap-2">
+                        <Element_app_cfg hide={false} expand={true} />
+                        <!-- Debug overlay trigger -->
+                        <button
+                            type="button"
+                            class="btn btn-sm w-full preset-outlined-error-400-600 hover:preset-tonal-error transition-all"
+                            onclick={() => { $ae_loc.debug_menu.expand = !$ae_loc.debug_menu.expand; }}
+                            title="Toggle debug overlay ($ae_loc dump)"
+                        >
+                            <Bug size="1em" class="shrink-0" />
+                            <span class="text-xs ml-1">
+                                {$ae_loc.debug_menu.expand ? 'Hide' : 'Show'} Debug Overlay
+                            </span>
+                        </button>
+                    </div>
+                {/if}
             </div>
         {/if}
 
@@ -271,34 +345,28 @@
 
     <!-- ── COMPACT BAR ────────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
     <!--
-        group: enables group-hover label reveal on each button.
-        On mobile / PWA: touch targets are min 44px via btn sizing.
-        Default: icon-only. Hover: label text appears beside icon.
+        Outer div is `group` for group-hover.
+        The info strip is absolute (above the bar) so it never shifts the bar layout.
+        Hover labels on individual buttons use nested group/[name] variants.
+        delay-500 on the info strip prevents it flashing on quick mouse-overs.
     -->
-    <div
-        class="
-            ae_sys_bar__strip
-            group
-            flex flex-row items-center gap-1
-            bg-white/80 dark:bg-gray-900/80
-            backdrop-blur-sm
-            border border-gray-200/60 dark:border-gray-700/60
-            rounded-xl
-            px-2 py-1
-            shadow-lg
-            transition-all duration-300
-        "
-        class:border-primary-400={expand}
-    >
+    <div class="relative group">
 
-        <!-- Hover info strip (above/inline — reveals on group-hover when not expanded) -->
+        <!-- Hover info strip — floats above the bar, never shifts button layout -->
         {#if !expand && (person_display || access_label)}
-            <span
+            <div
                 class="
-                    hidden group-hover:flex
-                    items-center gap-1
+                    absolute bottom-full right-0 mb-1
+                    pointer-events-none
+                    opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100
+                    transition-opacity duration-200 delay-500
+                    flex items-center gap-1.5
+                    bg-white/90 dark:bg-gray-900/90
+                    border border-gray-200/60 dark:border-gray-700/60
+                    backdrop-blur-sm rounded-lg
+                    px-2 py-1
                     text-xs text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400
-                    pr-1 border-r border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-700 mr-1
+                    whitespace-nowrap shadow-md
                 "
             >
                 {#if person_display}
@@ -310,117 +378,128 @@
                         · {access_label}
                     </span>
                 {/if}
-            </span>
+            </div>
         {/if}
 
-        <!-- AUTH STATUS SHIELD ──────────────────────────────────────────── -->
-        <button
-            type="button"
+        <!-- Bar strip -->
+        <div
             class="
-                btn btn-sm
-                transition-all group/shield
-                {$ae_loc?.access_type && $ae_loc?.access_type !== 'anonymous'
-                    ? ($ae_loc?.user_access_type && $ae_loc?.access_type === $ae_loc?.user_access_type
-                        ? 'variant-outline-surface hover:variant-ghost-warning'
-                        : 'variant-outline-warning hover:variant-ghost-warning')
-                    : 'variant-outline-surface hover:variant-ghost-success'}
+                ae_sys_bar__strip
+                flex flex-row items-center gap-1
+                bg-white/80 dark:bg-gray-900/80
+                backdrop-blur-sm
+                border border-gray-200/60 dark:border-gray-700/60
+                rounded-xl
+                px-2 py-1
+                shadow-lg
+                transition-colors duration-300
             "
-            onclick={handle_shield_click}
-            title={
-                $ae_loc?.access_type && $ae_loc?.access_type !== 'anonymous'
-                    ? ($ae_loc?.user_access_type && $ae_loc?.access_type === $ae_loc?.user_access_type
-                        ? `Access: ${$ae_loc?.access_type}. Click to use a passcode.`
-                        : `Elevated access: ${$ae_loc?.access_type}. Click to clear.`)
-                    : 'Anonymous. Click to sign in or enter a passcode.'
-            }
+            class:border-primary-400={expand}
         >
-            {#if $ae_loc?.access_type && $ae_loc?.access_type !== 'anonymous'}
-                {#if $ae_loc?.user_access_type && $ae_loc?.access_type === $ae_loc?.user_access_type}
-                    <ShieldEllipsis size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
+
+            <!-- AUTH STATUS SHIELD ───────────────────────────────────────── -->
+            <button
+                type="button"
+                class="
+                    btn btn-sm transition-all duration-200 group/shield
+                    {$ae_loc?.access_type && $ae_loc?.access_type !== 'anonymous'
+                        ? ($ae_loc?.user_access_type && $ae_loc?.access_type === $ae_loc?.user_access_type
+                            ? 'variant-outline-surface hover:variant-ghost-warning'
+                            : 'variant-outline-warning hover:variant-ghost-warning')
+                        : 'variant-outline-surface hover:variant-ghost-success'}
+                "
+                onclick={handle_shield_click}
+                title={
+                    $ae_loc?.access_type && $ae_loc?.access_type !== 'anonymous'
+                        ? ($ae_loc?.user_access_type && $ae_loc?.access_type === $ae_loc?.user_access_type
+                            ? `Access: ${$ae_loc?.access_type}. Click to use a passcode.`
+                            : `Elevated access: ${$ae_loc?.access_type}. Click to clear.`)
+                        : 'Anonymous. Click to sign in or enter a passcode.'
+                }
+            >
+                {#if $ae_loc?.access_type && $ae_loc?.access_type !== 'anonymous'}
+                    {#if $ae_loc?.user_access_type && $ae_loc?.access_type === $ae_loc?.user_access_type}
+                        <ShieldEllipsis size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
+                    {:else}
+                        <ShieldMinus size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
+                    {/if}
                 {:else}
-                    <ShieldMinus size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
+                    <ShieldUser size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
+                {/if}
+                <span class="hidden group-hover/shield:inline text-xs ml-0.5 transition-none">
+                    {access_label ?? 'Auth?'}
+                </span>
+            </button>
+
+            <!-- FONT SIZE CYCLER ─────────────────────────────────────────── -->
+            <button
+                type="button"
+                class="btn btn-sm preset-tonal-surface hover:preset-tonal-primary transition-all duration-200 group/font"
+                onclick={cycle_font_size}
+                title={font_title}
+            >
+                <span class="font-bold leading-none text-sm">{font_label}</span>
+                <span class="hidden group-hover/font:inline text-xs ml-0.5 transition-none">Font</span>
+            </button>
+
+            <!-- DARK / LIGHT TOGGLE ──────────────────────────────────────── -->
+            <button
+                type="button"
+                class="btn btn-sm preset-tonal-surface hover:preset-tonal-secondary transition-all duration-200 group/mode"
+                onclick={toggle_theme_mode}
+                title="Toggle light/dark mode (currently: {$ae_loc?.theme_mode ?? 'unknown'})"
+            >
+                {#if $ae_loc?.theme_mode === 'dark'}
+                    <Moon size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
+                    <span class="hidden group-hover/mode:inline text-xs ml-0.5 transition-none">Dark</span>
+                {:else}
+                    <Sun size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
+                    <span class="hidden group-hover/mode:inline text-xs ml-0.5 transition-none">Light</span>
+                {/if}
+            </button>
+
+            <!-- EDIT MODE TOGGLE (authenticated+ only) ───────────────────── -->
+            {#if $ae_loc?.authenticated_access}
+                {#if $ae_loc.edit_mode}
+                    <button
+                        type="button"
+                        class="btn btn-sm preset-tonal-warning hover:preset-tonal-success transition-all duration-200 group/edit"
+                        onclick={() => { $ae_loc.edit_mode = false; }}
+                        title="Edit mode ON — click to turn off"
+                    >
+                        <span class="fas fa-toggle-on text-sm inline-block"></span>
+                        <span class="hidden group-hover/edit:inline text-xs ml-0.5 transition-none">Edit</span>
+                    </button>
+                {:else}
+                    <button
+                        type="button"
+                        class="btn btn-sm preset-tonal-surface hover:preset-tonal-warning transition-all duration-200 group/edit"
+                        onclick={() => { $ae_loc.edit_mode = true; }}
+                        title="Edit mode OFF — click to turn on"
+                    >
+                        <span class="fas fa-toggle-off text-sm inline-block opacity-50"></span>
+                        <span class="hidden group-hover/edit:inline text-xs ml-0.5 transition-none">Edit</span>
+                    </button>
                 {/if}
-            {:else}
-                <ShieldUser size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
             {/if}
-            <span class="hidden group-hover/shield:inline text-xs ml-0.5">
-                {access_label ?? 'Auth?'}
-            </span>
-        </button>
 
-        <!-- FONT SIZE CYCLER ────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
-        <button
-            type="button"
-            class="btn btn-sm preset-tonal-surface hover:preset-tonal-primary transition-all group/font"
-            onclick={cycle_font_size}
-            title={font_title}
-        >
-            <span class="font-bold leading-none text-sm">{font_label}</span>
-            <span class="hidden group-hover/font:inline text-xs ml-0.5">Font</span>
-        </button>
-
-        <!-- DARK / LIGHT TOGGLE ─────────────────────────────────────────── -->
-        <button
-            type="button"
-            class="btn btn-sm preset-tonal-surface hover:preset-tonal-secondary transition-all group/mode"
-            onclick={toggle_theme_mode}
-            title="Toggle light/dark mode (currently: {$ae_loc?.theme_mode ?? 'unknown'})"
-        >
-            {#if $ae_loc?.theme_mode === 'dark'}
-                <Moon size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
-                <span class="hidden group-hover/mode:inline text-xs ml-0.5">Dark</span>
-            {:else}
-                <Sun size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
-                <span class="hidden group-hover/mode:inline text-xs ml-0.5">Light</span>
-            {/if}
-        </button>
-
-        <!-- EDIT MODE TOGGLE (authenticated+ only) ──────────────────────── -->
-        {#if $ae_loc?.authenticated_access}
-            {#if $ae_loc.edit_mode}
-                <button
-                    type="button"
-                    class="btn btn-sm preset-tonal-warning hover:preset-tonal-success transition-all group/edit"
-                    onclick={() => { $ae_loc.edit_mode = false; }}
-                    title="Edit mode ON — click to turn off"
-                >
-                    <span class="fas fa-toggle-on text-sm inline-block"></span>
-                    <span class="hidden group-hover/edit:inline text-xs ml-0.5">Edit</span>
-                </button>
-            {:else}
-                <button
-                    type="button"
-                    class="btn btn-sm preset-tonal-surface hover:preset-tonal-warning transition-all group/edit"
-                    onclick={() => { $ae_loc.edit_mode = true; }}
-                    title="Edit mode OFF — click to turn on"
-                >
-                    <span class="fas fa-toggle-off text-sm inline-block opacity-50"></span>
-                    <span class="hidden group-hover/edit:inline text-xs ml-0.5">Edit</span>
-                </button>
-            {/if}
-        {/if}
-
-        <!-- MENU EXPAND / COLLAPSE ──────────────────────────────────────── -->
-        <button
-            type="button"
-            class="
-                btn btn-sm transition-all group/menu
-                {expand
-                    ? 'preset-filled-tertiary-400-600 hover:preset-filled-success'
-                    : 'preset-filled-tertiary-400-600 hover:preset-filled-success'}
-            "
-            onclick={toggle_expand}
-            title={expand ? 'Close menu' : 'Open menu'}
-        >
-            {#if expand}
-                <CircleX size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
-                <span class="hidden group-hover/menu:inline text-xs ml-0.5">Close</span>
-            {:else}
-                <Menu size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
-                <span class="hidden group-hover/menu:inline text-xs ml-0.5">Menu</span>
-            {/if}
-        </button>
+            <!-- MENU EXPAND / COLLAPSE ───────────────────────────────────── -->
+            <button
+                type="button"
+                class="btn btn-sm preset-filled-tertiary-400-600 hover:preset-filled-success transition-all duration-200 group/menu"
+                onclick={toggle_expand}
+                title={expand ? 'Close menu' : 'Open menu'}
+            >
+                {#if expand}
+                    <CircleX size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
+                    <span class="hidden group-hover/menu:inline text-xs ml-0.5 transition-none">Close</span>
+                {:else}
+                    <Menu size="1.1em" class="shrink-0" />
+                    <span class="hidden group-hover/menu:inline text-xs ml-0.5 transition-none">Menu</span>
+                {/if}
+            </button>
 
+        </div>
     </div>
     <!-- END: Compact bar -->