feat(desktop): align sidebar app rail

.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/sidebar-app-rail-fidelity.md

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+# Sidebar App Rail Prototype Fidelity
+
+- Slice date: 2026-04-26
+- Executable harness: `packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs`
+- Command:
+  `cd packages/desktop && npm run e2e:cdp`
+- Result: pass
+- Passing artifact directory:
+  `.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/artifacts/2026-04-26T01-46-17-523Z/`
+
+## Scenario
+
+1. Launch the real Electron app with isolated HOME, runtime, user-data, and a
+   fake dirty Git workspace.
+2. Open the fake project through the desktop directory picker path.
+3. Send the first composer prompt and approve the fake command request.
+4. Wait for the fake ACP response and changed-files summary.
+5. Assert the left sidebar uses compact top app actions, project/thread browser
+   sections, and a persistent bottom Settings row.
+6. Continue the existing assistant actions, changed-files summary, review
+   drawer, compact layout, settings, terminal, discard safety, and commit smoke
+   path.
+
+## Assertions
+
+- `data-testid="sidebar-app-actions"` and
+  `data-testid="sidebar-footer-settings"` are present in the real Electron DOM.
+- Top app action labels are `New Thread`, `Open Project`, and `Models`.
+- The old `.sidebar-toolbar` is absent.
+- Bottom Settings is below the project/thread browser and contained in the
+  sidebar.
+- Sidebar width stays compact at `272` px in the default viewport.
+- App action rows are `32` px high, the project row is `39.75` px high, and the
+  thread row is `36` px high.
+- Sidebar rows and regions have no horizontal overflow.
+- Sidebar text does not expose fake ACP session IDs, `Connected to ...`
+  protocol text, or temp full paths.
+- Console errors: 0.
+- Failed local network requests: 0.
+
+## Artifacts
+
+- `sidebar-app-rail.json`
+- `initial-workspace.png`
+- `completed-workspace.png`
+- `electron.log`
+- `summary.json`
+
+## Known Uncovered Risk
+
+The harness covers one project, one thread, and bounded labels. A dedicated
+long-label CDP path is still needed for very long project names, branch names,
+model names, and review-open compact widths.

design/qwen-code-electron-desktop-implementation-plan.md

@@ -22,6 +22,103 @@ execution order, verification, decisions, and remaining work.
 
 ## Codex Alignment Progress
 
+### Completed Slice: Sidebar App Rail Prototype Fidelity
+
+Status: completed in iteration 18.
+
+Goal: make the left sidebar read more like the `home.jpg` prototype by moving
+primary app actions into compact top rows, pinning Settings to the bottom, and
+tightening project/thread row density without exposing raw paths or prompt
+noise.
+
+User-visible value: users get a clearer desktop-native navigation rail: start
+a thread, open a project, reach model/settings, scan projects, scan threads,
+and find Settings at the expected persistent bottom position.
+
+Expected files:
+
+- `packages/desktop/src/renderer/components/layout/ProjectSidebar.tsx`
+- `packages/desktop/src/renderer/styles.css`
+- `packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs`
+- `packages/desktop/src/renderer/components/layout/WorkspacePage.test.tsx`
+- `.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/sidebar-app-rail-fidelity.md`
+- `design/qwen-code-electron-desktop-implementation-plan.md`
+
+Acceptance criteria:
+
+- Sidebar primary actions render as compact icon+label rows at the top.
+- Settings is available as a persistent bottom row and no longer competes in
+  the top project toolbar.
+- Project and thread rows stay compact, active rows keep a subtle left accent,
+  and long project/thread/model labels remain truncated.
+- Thread rows do not show raw full paths or protocol/session IDs.
+- Real Electron CDP coverage records sidebar geometry and fails if the
+  navigation loses the top action group or bottom Settings placement.
+
+Verification:
+
+- Unit/component test command:
+  `cd packages/desktop && SHELL=/bin/bash npx vitest run src/renderer/components/layout/WorkspacePage.test.tsx`
+- Syntax command: `node --check packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs`
+- Build/typecheck/lint commands:
+  `cd packages/desktop && npm run typecheck && npm run lint && npm run build`
+- Real Electron harness:
+  `cd packages/desktop && npm run e2e:cdp`
+- Harness path: `packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs`
+- E2E scenario steps: launch real Electron with isolated HOME/runtime/user-data
+  and fake ACP, open the fake project, send/approve the prompt, assert the
+  populated sidebar app rail layout, continue the existing review/settings/
+  terminal/commit smoke, and capture first-viewport screenshots and JSON
+  metrics.
+- E2E assertions: top app action rows include New Thread/Open Project/Models,
+  bottom Settings is visually below the project/thread lists, rows stay under
+  the compact height limit, sidebar width remains compact at desktop and
+  compact widths, and no sidebar row overflows horizontally.
+- Diagnostic artifacts: `sidebar-app-rail.json`, `initial-workspace.png`,
+  `completed-workspace.png`, Electron log, and summary JSON under
+  `.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/artifacts/`.
+- Required skills applied: `frontend-design` for prototype-constrained
+  information hierarchy and density; `electron-desktop-dev` for real Electron
+  CDP verification; `brainstorming` applied by selecting the smallest recorded
+  fidelity gap, using the prototype over a new visual direction.
+
+Notes and decisions:
+
+- The slice keeps the existing local server, preload, IPC, ACP, review, and
+  settings behavior unchanged; this is a renderer layout and style fidelity
+  pass.
+- `frontend-design` is applied with the Ralph constraint that `home.jpg` wins:
+  the sidebar should become quieter and more navigational, not more decorative.
+- `electron-desktop-dev` applies because sidebar layout and navigation order
+  must be verified in the real Electron shell with actual viewport geometry.
+
+Verification results:
+
+- `node --check packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs` passed.
+- `cd packages/desktop && SHELL=/bin/bash npx vitest run src/renderer/components/layout/WorkspacePage.test.tsx`
+  passed.
+- `cd packages/desktop && npm run typecheck` passed.
+- `cd packages/desktop && npm run lint` passed.
+- `cd packages/desktop && npm run build` passed.
+- `cd packages/desktop && npm run e2e:cdp` passed after launching real
+  Electron over CDP, opening the fake project, sending/approving the fake ACP
+  prompt, checking the new sidebar app rail metrics, and completing the
+  existing review, settings, terminal, discard safety, and commit workflows.
+- Passing artifacts:
+  `.qwen/e2e-tests/electron-desktop/artifacts/2026-04-26T01-46-17-523Z/`.
+- Key recorded metrics: sidebar width `272`, top app action rows
+  `32` px high, project row `39.75` px high, thread row `36` px high, bottom
+  Settings row `32` px high, no legacy sidebar toolbar, no sidebar overflows,
+  and no console errors or failed local requests.
+
+Next work:
+
+- Continue prototype fidelity by reducing the remaining topbar/status pill
+  weight and making the title/action cluster closer to the slim `home.jpg`
+  header.
+- Add focused long branch/model/project-name CDP coverage with review open,
+  since compact review and composer chips rely on truncation to avoid overflow.
+
 ### Completed Slice: Inline Tool Activity Prototype Fidelity
 
 Status: completed in iteration 17.

packages/desktop/scripts/e2e-cdp-smoke.mjs

@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ async function main() {
   await setFieldByAriaLabel('Message', '');
   await assertConversationChangesSummary('conversation-changes-summary.json');
   await waitForSelector('[data-testid="thread-list"]');
+  await assertSidebarAppRail('sidebar-app-rail.json');
 
   await clickButton('Review Changes');
   await waitForText('README.md');
@@ -419,6 +420,8 @@ async function assertWorkbenchLandmarks() {
     return [
       'desktop-workspace',
       'project-sidebar',
+      'sidebar-app-actions',
+      'sidebar-footer-settings',
       'workspace-topbar',
       'workspace-grid',
       'chat-thread',
@@ -621,6 +624,172 @@ async function assertRalphWorkspaceLayout(fileName) {
   }
 }
 
+async function assertSidebarAppRail(fileName) {
+  const metrics = await evaluate(`(() => {
+    const rectFor = (element) => {
+      if (!element) {
+        return null;
+      }
+      const rect = element.getBoundingClientRect();
+      return {
+        top: rect.top,
+        right: rect.right,
+        bottom: rect.bottom,
+        left: rect.left,
+        width: rect.width,
+        height: rect.height
+      };
+    };
+    const overflows = (element) =>
+      Boolean(element && element.scrollWidth > element.clientWidth + 4);
+    const sidebar = document.querySelector('[data-testid="project-sidebar"]');
+    const appActions = document.querySelector('[data-testid="sidebar-app-actions"]');
+    const footerSettings = document.querySelector(
+      '[data-testid="sidebar-footer-settings"]'
+    );
+    const projectList = document.querySelector('[data-testid="project-list"]');
+    const threadList = document.querySelector('[data-testid="thread-list"]');
+    const rowSelector =
+      '.sidebar-action-row, .project-row, .session-row';
+    const rows = [...document.querySelectorAll(rowSelector)].map((row) => {
+      const label =
+        row.getAttribute('aria-label') ||
+        row.getAttribute('title') ||
+        row.textContent.trim();
+      return {
+        label,
+        text: row.textContent.trim(),
+        rect: rectFor(row),
+        scrollWidth: row.scrollWidth,
+        clientWidth: row.clientWidth,
+        overflows: overflows(row)
+      };
+    });
+
+    return {
+      viewport: {
+        width: window.innerWidth,
+        height: window.innerHeight
+      },
+      sidebar: rectFor(sidebar),
+      appActions: rectFor(appActions),
+      footerSettings: rectFor(footerSettings),
+      projectList: rectFor(projectList),
+      threadList: rectFor(threadList),
+      hasLegacyToolbar: document.querySelector('.sidebar-toolbar') !== null,
+      appActionLabels: appActions
+        ? [...appActions.querySelectorAll('button')].map(
+            (button) => button.getAttribute('aria-label') || ''
+          )
+        : [],
+      footerLabel:
+        footerSettings?.getAttribute('aria-label') ||
+        footerSettings?.textContent.trim() ||
+        '',
+      rows,
+      sidebarText: sidebar?.innerText ?? '',
+      overflows: {
+        sidebar: overflows(sidebar),
+        appActions: overflows(appActions),
+        projectList: overflows(projectList),
+        threadList: overflows(threadList),
+        footerSettings: overflows(footerSettings)
+      }
+    };
+  })()`);
+
+  await writeFile(
+    join(artifactDir, fileName),
+    `${JSON.stringify(metrics, null, 2)}\n`,
+    'utf8',
+  );
+
+  const missing = [
+    'sidebar',
+    'appActions',
+    'footerSettings',
+    'projectList',
+    'threadList',
+  ].filter((key) => metrics[key] === null);
+  if (missing.length > 0) {
+    throw new Error(`Missing sidebar app rail rects: ${missing.join(', ')}`);
+  }
+
+  if (metrics.hasLegacyToolbar) {
+    throw new Error('Sidebar should not render the old project toolbar.');
+  }
+
+  for (const expectedLabel of ['New Thread', 'Open Project', 'Models']) {
+    if (!metrics.appActionLabels.includes(expectedLabel)) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Sidebar app actions missing ${expectedLabel}: ${metrics.appActionLabels.join(
+          ', ',
+        )}`,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (metrics.footerLabel !== 'Settings') {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Sidebar footer label should be Settings: ${metrics.footerLabel}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (metrics.sidebar.width < 236 || metrics.sidebar.width > 320) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Sidebar width is no longer compact: ${metrics.sidebar.width}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (metrics.appActions.top > metrics.sidebar.top + 24) {
+    throw new Error('Sidebar app actions are not pinned near the top.');
+  }
+
+  if (metrics.footerSettings.bottom > metrics.sidebar.bottom + 1) {
+    throw new Error('Sidebar Settings footer overflows the sidebar.');
+  }
+
+  if (metrics.footerSettings.top < metrics.threadList.bottom - 1) {
+    throw new Error(
+      'Sidebar Settings should stay below the project/thread browser.',
+    );
+  }
+
+  const tallRows = metrics.rows.filter((row) => row.rect.height > 44);
+  if (tallRows.length > 0) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Sidebar rows are too tall for the compact rail: ${JSON.stringify(
+        tallRows,
+      )}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  const overflowingRows = metrics.rows.filter((row) => row.overflows);
+  if (overflowingRows.length > 0) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Sidebar rows overflow horizontally: ${JSON.stringify(overflowingRows)}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (Object.values(metrics.overflows).some(Boolean)) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Sidebar rail regions overflow horizontally: ${JSON.stringify(
+        metrics.overflows,
+      )}`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (
+    metrics.sidebarText.includes('session-e2e') ||
+    metrics.sidebarText.includes('/tmp/') ||
+    metrics.sidebarText.includes('Connected to')
+  ) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Sidebar leaked protocol or path noise: ${metrics.sidebarText}`,
+    );
+  }
+}
+
 async function assertConversationChangesSummary(fileName) {
   await waitForSelector('[data-testid="conversation-changes-summary"]');
   const snapshot = await evaluate(`(() => {

packages/desktop/src/renderer/components/layout/ProjectSidebar.tsx

@@ -50,44 +50,49 @@ export function ProjectSidebar({
       aria-label="Projects and threads"
       data-testid="project-sidebar"
     >
-      <div className="sidebar-toolbar">
-        <h1>Projects</h1>
-        <div className="sidebar-toolbar-actions">
-          <button
-            aria-label="Settings"
-            className="sidebar-icon-button"
-            title="Settings"
-            type="button"
-            onClick={onOpenSettings}
-          >
-            <SlidersIcon />
-            <span className="sr-only">Settings</span>
-          </button>
-          <button
-            aria-label="New Thread"
-            className="sidebar-icon-button"
-            disabled={loadState.state !== 'ready' || !activeProject}
-            title="New Thread"
-            type="button"
-            onClick={onCreateSession}
-          >
-            <NewThreadIcon />
-            <span className="sr-only">New Thread</span>
-          </button>
-          <button
-            aria-label="Open Project"
-            className="sidebar-icon-button"
-            title="Open Project"
-            type="button"
-            onClick={onChooseWorkspace}
-          >
-            <FolderPlusIcon />
-            <span className="sr-only">Open Project</span>
-          </button>
-        </div>
-      </div>
+      <nav
+        className="sidebar-app-actions"
+        aria-label="Workspace actions"
+        data-testid="sidebar-app-actions"
+      >
+        <button
+          aria-label="New Thread"
+          className="sidebar-action-row"
+          disabled={loadState.state !== 'ready' || !activeProject}
+          title="New Thread"
+          type="button"
+          onClick={onCreateSession}
+        >
+          <NewThreadIcon />
+          <span>New Thread</span>
+        </button>
+        <button
+          aria-label="Open Project"
+          className="sidebar-action-row"
+          title="Open Project"
+          type="button"
+          onClick={onChooseWorkspace}
+        >
+          <FolderPlusIcon />
+          <span>Open Project</span>
+        </button>
+        <button
+          aria-label="Models"
+          className="sidebar-action-row"
+          title="Models"
+          type="button"
+          onClick={onOpenSettings}
+        >
+          <SlidersIcon />
+          <span>Models</span>
+        </button>
+      </nav>
 
       <section className="sidebar-section project-navigator">
+        <div className="sidebar-section-heading">
+          <h2>Projects</h2>
+          <span>{projects.length}</span>
+        </div>
         <ProjectList
           activeProjectId={activeProjectId}
           projects={projects}
@@ -107,6 +112,19 @@ export function ProjectSidebar({
           onSelect={onSelectSession}
         />
       </section>
+      <div className="sidebar-footer">
+        <button
+          aria-label="Settings"
+          className="sidebar-action-row sidebar-footer-action"
+          data-testid="sidebar-footer-settings"
+          title="Settings"
+          type="button"
+          onClick={onOpenSettings}
+        >
+          <SlidersIcon />
+          <span>Settings</span>
+        </button>
+      </div>
     </aside>
   );
 }

packages/desktop/src/renderer/components/layout/WorkspacePage.test.tsx

@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ describe('WorkspacePage', () => {
     for (const testId of [
       'desktop-workspace',
       'project-sidebar',
+      'sidebar-app-actions',
       'workspace-topbar',
       'workspace-grid',
       'chat-thread',
@@ -64,9 +65,18 @@ describe('WorkspacePage', () => {
     expect(
       renderedContainer.querySelector('[data-testid="settings-page"]'),
     ).toBeNull();
+    expect(renderedContainer.querySelector('.sidebar-toolbar')).toBeNull();
+    expect(
+      renderedContainer.querySelector(
+        '[data-testid="sidebar-footer-settings"]',
+      ),
+    ).toBeTruthy();
 
     expect(renderedContainer.textContent).toContain('example-workspace');
     expect(renderedContainer.textContent).toContain('main');
+    expect(renderedContainer.textContent).toContain('New Thread');
+    expect(renderedContainer.textContent).toContain('Open Project');
+    expect(renderedContainer.textContent).toContain('Models');
     expect(
       renderedContainer.querySelector('[data-testid="project-sidebar"]')
         ?.textContent,

packages/desktop/src/renderer/styles.css

@@ -96,44 +96,21 @@ summary:focus-visible {
   height: 100vh;
   min-height: 0;
   flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 10px;
+  gap: 9px;
   overflow: hidden;
-  padding: 16px 12px 14px;
+  padding: 12px 10px;
   border-right: 1px solid var(--line);
   background:
-    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(37, 58, 61, 0.95), rgba(22, 28, 29, 0.98)),
-    radial-gradient(
-      circle at 32px 0,
-      rgba(242, 199, 112, 0.08),
-      transparent 34%
-    ),
-    #151b1d;
+    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(20, 26, 51, 0.98), rgba(13, 17, 32, 0.98)),
+    #101322;
 }
 
-.sidebar-toolbar {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: space-between;
-  min-height: 30px;
-  gap: 12px;
-  padding: 0 4px 4px;
-}
-
-.sidebar-toolbar h1,
 .topbar h2,
 .topbar p,
 .panel h3 {
   margin: 0;
 }
 
-.sidebar-toolbar h1 {
-  color: rgba(225, 232, 228, 0.62);
-  font-size: 16px;
-  font-weight: 720;
-  letter-spacing: 0;
-  line-height: 1;
-}
-
 .eyebrow,
 .message-role {
   color: var(--muted);
@@ -143,35 +120,48 @@ summary:focus-visible {
   text-transform: uppercase;
 }
 
-.sidebar-toolbar-actions {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 6px;
+.sidebar-app-actions {
+  display: grid;
+  gap: 2px;
+  padding-bottom: 4px;
 }
 
-.sidebar-icon-button {
-  position: relative;
+.sidebar-action-row {
   display: grid;
-  width: 24px;
-  height: 24px;
-  place-items: center;
+  grid-template-columns: 22px minmax(0, 1fr);
+  align-items: center;
+  min-height: 32px;
+  gap: 8px;
+  padding: 0 8px;
   border-radius: 6px;
   background: transparent;
-  color: rgba(225, 232, 228, 0.58);
+  color: rgba(225, 232, 242, 0.72);
+  font-size: 13px;
+  font-weight: 680;
+  letter-spacing: 0;
+  text-align: left;
   transition:
     background 140ms ease,
-    color 140ms ease,
-    transform 140ms ease;
+    color 140ms ease;
 }
 
-.sidebar-icon-button:not(:disabled):hover {
-  background: rgba(238, 244, 239, 0.08);
-  color: rgba(245, 248, 244, 0.9);
-  transform: translateY(-1px);
+.sidebar-action-row:not(:disabled):hover {
+  background: rgba(213, 224, 255, 0.07);
+  color: rgba(247, 249, 255, 0.96);
 }
 
-.sidebar-icon-button svg {
+.sidebar-action-row svg {
   display: block;
+  width: 16px;
+  height: 16px;
+  justify-self: center;
+}
+
+.sidebar-action-row span {
+  min-width: 0;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  text-overflow: ellipsis;
+  white-space: nowrap;
 }
 
 .sr-only {
@@ -188,7 +178,7 @@ summary:focus-visible {
   display: flex;
   min-height: 0;
   flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 4px;
+  gap: 3px;
 }
 
 .sidebar-section-fill {
@@ -213,8 +203,8 @@ summary:focus-visible {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: space-between;
-  min-height: 24px;
-  padding: 4px 8px 0 36px;
+  min-height: 22px;
+  padding: 4px 8px 0;
 }
 
 .sidebar-section-heading span {
@@ -223,10 +213,10 @@ summary:focus-visible {
 
 .empty-row,
 .workspace-path {
-  min-height: 40px;
-  padding: 10px 2px;
+  min-height: 34px;
+  padding: 8px 2px;
   color: rgba(225, 232, 228, 0.52);
-  font-size: 15px;
+  font-size: 13px;
   font-weight: 680;
 }
 
@@ -286,7 +276,7 @@ summary:focus-visible {
 }
 
 .project-list {
-  max-height: 132px;
+  max-height: 120px;
 }
 
 .session-list {
@@ -299,7 +289,7 @@ summary:focus-visible {
   display: grid;
   align-items: center;
   width: 100%;
-  min-height: 42px;
+  min-height: 36px;
   border: 0;
   border-radius: 6px;
   background: transparent;
@@ -311,44 +301,44 @@ summary:focus-visible {
 }
 
 .project-row {
-  grid-template-columns: 28px minmax(0, 1fr);
-  padding: 6px 8px 6px 6px;
+  grid-template-columns: 24px minmax(0, 1fr);
+  padding: 5px 8px 5px 6px;
 }
 
 .session-row {
   grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
-  column-gap: 8px;
-  padding: 6px 8px 6px 36px;
+  column-gap: 7px;
+  padding: 5px 8px 5px 28px;
 }
 
 .project-row-active,
 .session-row-active {
-  background: rgba(238, 244, 239, 0.052);
+  background: rgba(213, 224, 255, 0.062);
   color: var(--text);
 }
 
 .project-row-active::before,
 .session-row-active::before {
   position: absolute;
-  top: 9px;
-  bottom: 9px;
+  top: 7px;
+  bottom: 7px;
   left: 0;
   width: 2px;
   border-radius: 999px;
-  background: rgba(242, 199, 112, 0.74);
+  background: rgba(117, 131, 255, 0.78);
   content: '';
 }
 
 .project-row:not(.project-row-active):hover,
 .session-row:not(.session-row-active):hover {
-  background: rgba(238, 244, 239, 0.035);
+  background: rgba(213, 224, 255, 0.045);
   color: rgba(248, 250, 247, 0.95);
 }
 
 .project-row-icon {
   justify-self: start;
-  width: 18px;
-  height: 18px;
+  width: 16px;
+  height: 16px;
   margin-left: 0;
   color: rgba(225, 232, 228, 0.82);
 }
@@ -376,8 +366,8 @@ summary:focus-visible {
 
 .project-row-copy span,
 .session-row-title {
-  font-size: 14px;
-  font-weight: 680;
+  font-size: 13px;
+  font-weight: 660;
   line-height: 1.25;
 }
 
@@ -419,11 +409,22 @@ summary:focus-visible {
 .session-row-meta {
   max-width: 48px;
   color: rgba(225, 232, 228, 0.54);
-  font-size: 11px;
+  font-size: 10px;
   font-weight: 720;
   line-height: 1;
 }
 
+.sidebar-footer {
+  flex: 0 0 auto;
+  margin-top: auto;
+  padding-top: 6px;
+  border-top: 1px solid rgba(213, 224, 255, 0.08);
+}
+
+.sidebar-footer-action {
+  width: 100%;
+}
+
 .session-row-draft {
   cursor: default;
 }