diff --git a/frontend/src/index.jsx b/frontend/src/index.jsx
index 518fed7..4bd889a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/index.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/index.jsx
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import './styles.css';
 import AssetManager, { getAssetFromVersion, resolveDocumentAssetUrl, createAssetView } from './asset_manager';
 import useApiError from './hooks/useApiError';
 import SkeuomorphicWorkspace from './skeuomorphic_ws';
+import PreviewWorkspace from './preview/PreviewWorkspace';
 import DetailPanel from './detail/DetailPanel';
 import TagsPanel from './tags/TagsPanel';
 import CorrespondentsPanel from './correspondents/CorrespondentsPanel';
@@ -41,10 +42,13 @@ import {
   RefreshIcon,
   ArrowUpIcon,
   MinusVerticalIcon,
+  DownloadIcon,
+  TextScanIcon,
+  AnalyzeIcon,
+  CloseIcon,
 } from './ui/icons';
 import DocumentsTable from './documents/DocumentsTable';
 import { AppShellContext, useAppShell } from './appShellContext';
-import DocumentViewerRoute from './routes/DocumentViewerRoute';
 
 const runtimeApiBase =
   typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.__PAPERCRATE_API_BASE_URL
@@ -3624,6 +3628,26 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
     return () => window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown);
   }, [previewDocumentId, closeDocumentPreview]);
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!previewDocumentId) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    let cancelled = false;
+
+    ensurePreviewData(previewDocumentId).catch((error) => {
+      if (cancelled) {
+        return;
+      }
+      notifyApiError(error, 'Failed to open document preview.');
+      closeDocumentPreview();
+    });
+
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true;
+    };
+  }, [previewDocumentId, ensurePreviewData, notifyApiError, closeDocumentPreview]);
+
   const handleDocumentTitleUpdate = useCallback(
     async (documentId, nextTitle) => {
       const trimmed = nextTitle.trim();
@@ -5188,6 +5212,8 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
       exitSkeuoWorkspace,
       skeuoWorkspaceProps,
       ensurePreviewData,
+      ensureAssetUrl,
+      getDocumentAsset,
       notifyApiError,
       resolveApiPath,
       openTagsModal,
@@ -5226,6 +5252,8 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
       exitSkeuoWorkspace,
       skeuoWorkspaceProps,
       ensurePreviewData,
+      ensureAssetUrl,
+      getDocumentAsset,
       notifyApiError,
       resolveApiPath,
       openTagsModal,
@@ -5387,6 +5415,14 @@ const DocumentsRoute = () => {
     openTagsModal,
     openCorrespondentsModal,
     exitSkeuoWorkspace,
+    previewWorkspaceDocument,
+    previewWorkspaceEntry,
+    closeDocumentPreview,
+    handleThumbnailRegeneration,
+    resolveApiPath,
+    ensureAssetUrl,
+    getDocumentAsset,
+    notifyApiError,
   } = useAppShell();
   const navigate = useNavigate();
 
@@ -5416,12 +5452,24 @@ const DocumentsRoute = () => {
     breadcrumbs,
   } = documentsTableProps;
 
+  const isWorkspace = workspaceMode === 'skeuo';
+  const isPreviewWorkspace = Boolean(previewWorkspaceDocument);
+  const showPreviewWorkspace = !isWorkspace && isPreviewWorkspace;
   const isGridView = viewMode === 'grid';
   const showingSearchResults = Array.isArray(searchResults);
-  const headerTitle = showingSearchResults ? 'Search results' : currentFolderName;
-  const headerSubtitle = showingSearchResults
-    ? `${searchResults.length} matching document${searchResults.length === 1 ? '' : 's'}`
-    : null;
+  let headerTitle;
+  let headerSubtitle = null;
+  if (showPreviewWorkspace) {
+    const previewTitle = previewWorkspaceDocument?.title
+      || previewWorkspaceDocument?.original_name
+      || 'Document preview';
+    headerTitle = previewTitle;
+  } else if (showingSearchResults) {
+    headerTitle = 'Search results';
+    headerSubtitle = `${searchResults.length} matching document${searchResults.length === 1 ? '' : 's'}`;
+  } else {
+    headerTitle = currentFolderName;
+  }
   const parentBreadcrumb = breadcrumbs && breadcrumbs.length > 1 ? breadcrumbs[breadcrumbs.length - 2] : null;
   const handleNavigateParent = parentBreadcrumb
     ? () => {
@@ -5432,77 +5480,85 @@ const DocumentsRoute = () => {
       }
     : null;
 
-  const detailHasContent = detailPanelProps.selectedDocuments?.length > 0;
+  const detailHasContent = !isWorkspace && !showPreviewWorkspace
+    && detailPanelProps.selectedDocuments?.length > 0;
   const toggleSidebar = sidebarCollapsed ? expandSidebar : collapseSidebar;
   const ToggleIcon = sidebarCollapsed ? ChevronsRightIcon : ChevronsLeftIcon;
   const toggleLabel = sidebarCollapsed ? 'Expand sidebar' : 'Collapse sidebar';
+  const mainContentClass = (() => {
+    if (isWorkspace) {
+      return 'main-content main-content--workspace';
+    }
+    if (showPreviewWorkspace) {
+      return 'main-content main-content--preview';
+    }
+    return `main-content main-content--documents${
+      detailHasContent ? ' main-content--has-detail' : ''
+    }`;
+  })();
 
-  if (workspaceMode === 'skeuo') {
-    return (
-      <DocumentsLayout
-        sidebarProps={sidebarPropsWithActions}
-        sidebarCollapsed={sidebarCollapsed}
-      >
-        <div className="main-content">
-          <div className="panel-header main-content__header">
-            <div className="panel-actions main-content__actions">
-              {sidebarCollapsed ? (
-                <button
-                  type="button"
-                  className="icon-button ghost"
-                  onClick={toggleSidebar}
-                  aria-label={toggleLabel}
-                  title={toggleLabel}
-                >
-                  <ToggleIcon />
-                </button>
-              ) : null}
-              {parentBreadcrumb ? (
-                <button
-                  type="button"
-                  className="icon-button ghost"
-                  onClick={handleNavigateParent}
-                  aria-label="Go to parent folder"
-                  title="Go to parent folder"
-                >
-                  <ArrowUpIcon />
-                </button>
-              ) : null}
-              <h2 className="main-content__title">
-                {headerTitle}
-                {headerSubtitle ? (
-                  <span className="main-content__subtitle">{headerSubtitle}</span>
-                ) : null}
-              </h2>
-              <div className="spacer" />
-              <button
-                type="button"
-                className="icon-button ghost"
-                onClick={skeuoWorkspaceProps.onRefresh}
-                aria-label="Refresh"
-                title="Refresh"
-              >
-                <RefreshIcon />
-              </button>
-              <button type="button" className="secondary" onClick={exitSkeuoWorkspace}>
-                Back to List
-              </button>
-            </div>
-          </div>
-          <div className="main-content__body">
-            <SkeuomorphicWorkspace {...skeuoWorkspaceProps} />
-          </div>
-        </div>
-      </DocumentsLayout>
-    );
-  }
+  const bodyClass = (() => {
+    if (isWorkspace) {
+      return 'main-content__body main-content__body--workspace';
+    }
+    if (showPreviewWorkspace) {
+      return 'main-content__body main-content__body--preview';
+    }
+    return `main-content__body main-content__body--documents${
+      detailHasContent ? ' main-content__body--has-detail' : ''
+    }`;
+  })();
+
+  const previewDownloadHref = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!previewWorkspaceDocument?.current_version?.download_path) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    return resolveApiPath(previewWorkspaceDocument.current_version.download_path);
+  }, [previewWorkspaceDocument, resolveApiPath]);
+
+  const previewHasOcr = useMemo(
+    () => Boolean(
+      previewWorkspaceDocument && getDocumentAsset(previewWorkspaceDocument, 'ocr-text'),
+    ),
+    [previewWorkspaceDocument, getDocumentAsset],
+  );
+
+  const handlePreviewOcr = useCallback(async () => {
+    if (!previewWorkspaceDocument) {
+      return;
+    }
+    const asset = getDocumentAsset(previewWorkspaceDocument, 'ocr-text');
+    if (!asset) {
+      return;
+    }
+    try {
+      const ensured = await ensureAssetUrl(previewWorkspaceDocument.id, asset, { force: false });
+      const entry = ensured || asset;
+      const url = entry?.url
+        || resolveDocumentAssetUrl(previewWorkspaceDocument, 'ocr-text', {
+          ensureAssetUrl,
+          getAsset: getDocumentAsset,
+        });
+      if (!url) {
+        throw new Error('OCR text URL unavailable.');
+      }
+      window.open(url, '_blank', 'noopener,noreferrer');
+    } catch (error) {
+      notifyApiError(error, 'Unable to open OCR text.');
+    }
+  }, [
+    previewWorkspaceDocument,
+    ensureAssetUrl,
+    getDocumentAsset,
+    notifyApiError,
+  ]);
 
   return (
     <DocumentsLayout
       sidebarProps={sidebarPropsWithActions}
       sidebarCollapsed={sidebarCollapsed}
     >
-      <div className={`main-content main-content--documents${detailHasContent ? ' main-content--has-detail' : ''}`}>
+      <div className={mainContentClass}>
         <div className="panel-header main-content__header">
           <div className="panel-actions main-content__actions">
             {sidebarCollapsed ? (
@@ -5516,7 +5572,7 @@ const DocumentsRoute = () => {
                 <ToggleIcon />
               </button>
             ) : null}
-            {parentBreadcrumb ? (
+            {parentBreadcrumb && !showPreviewWorkspace ? (
               <button
                 type="button"
                 className="icon-button ghost"
@@ -5534,59 +5590,129 @@ const DocumentsRoute = () => {
               ) : null}
             </h2>
             <div className="spacer" />
-            <div className="view-toggle" role="group" aria-label="Change view">
-              <button
-                type="button"
-                className={`view-toggle__button${isGridView ? '' : ' active'}`}
-                onClick={() => onViewModeChange?.('list')}
-                aria-pressed={!isGridView}
-                title="List view"
-              >
-                <ViewListIcon className="view-toggle__icon" size={18} />
-              </button>
-              <button
-                type="button"
-                className={`view-toggle__button${isGridView ? ' active' : ''}`}
-                onClick={() => onViewModeChange?.('grid')}
-                aria-pressed={isGridView}
-                title="Icons view"
-              >
-                <ViewGridIcon className="view-toggle__icon" size={18} />
-              </button>
-            </div>
-            <span className="main-content__actions-divider" aria-hidden="true">
-              <MinusVerticalIcon />
-            </span>
-            <button
-              type="button"
-              className="icon-button ghost"
-              onClick={onRequestCreateFolder}
-              disabled={creatingFolder}
-              aria-label={creatingFolder ? 'Creating folder…' : 'Create folder'}
-              title={creatingFolder ? 'Creating folder…' : 'Create folder'}
-            >
-              <FolderPlusIcon />
-            </button>
-            <button
-              type="button"
-              className="icon-button ghost"
-              onClick={onRefresh}
-              aria-label="Refresh"
-              title="Refresh"
-            >
-              <RefreshIcon />
-            </button>
-            <button className="secondary" type="button" onClick={onShowSkeuoWorkspace}>
-              Desk View
-            </button>
+            {isWorkspace ? (
+              <>
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="icon-button ghost"
+                  onClick={skeuoWorkspaceProps.onRefresh}
+                  aria-label="Refresh"
+                  title="Refresh"
+                >
+                  <RefreshIcon />
+                </button>
+                <button type="button" className="secondary" onClick={exitSkeuoWorkspace}>
+                  Back to List
+                </button>
+              </>
+            ) : showPreviewWorkspace ? (
+              <>
+                {previewDownloadHref ? (
+                  <a
+                    className="icon-button"
+                    href={previewDownloadHref}
+                    target="_blank"
+                    rel="noopener noreferrer"
+                    aria-label="Download document"
+                    title="Download document"
+                  >
+                    <DownloadIcon />
+                  </a>
+                ) : null}
+                {previewHasOcr ? (
+                  <button
+                    type="button"
+                    className="icon-button ghost"
+                    onClick={handlePreviewOcr}
+                    aria-label="View OCR text"
+                    title="View OCR text"
+                  >
+                    <TextScanIcon />
+                  </button>
+                ) : null}
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="icon-button ghost"
+                  onClick={() => handleThumbnailRegeneration(previewWorkspaceDocument.id)}
+                  aria-label="Re-run analysis"
+                  title="Re-run analysis"
+                >
+                  <AnalyzeIcon />
+                </button>
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="icon-button ghost"
+                  onClick={() => closeDocumentPreview()}
+                  aria-label="Close preview"
+                  title="Close preview"
+                >
+                  <CloseIcon />
+                </button>
+              </>
+            ) : (
+              <>
+                <div className="view-toggle" role="group" aria-label="Change view">
+                  <button
+                    type="button"
+                    className={`view-toggle__button${isGridView ? '' : ' active'}`}
+                    onClick={() => onViewModeChange?.('list')}
+                    aria-pressed={!isGridView}
+                    title="List view"
+                  >
+                    <ViewListIcon className="view-toggle__icon" size={18} />
+                  </button>
+                  <button
+                    type="button"
+                    className={`view-toggle__button${isGridView ? ' active' : ''}`}
+                    onClick={() => onViewModeChange?.('grid')}
+                    aria-pressed={isGridView}
+                    title="Icons view"
+                  >
+                    <ViewGridIcon className="view-toggle__icon" size={18} />
+                  </button>
+                </div>
+                <span className="main-content__actions-divider" aria-hidden="true">
+                  <MinusVerticalIcon />
+                </span>
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="icon-button ghost"
+                  onClick={onRequestCreateFolder}
+                  disabled={creatingFolder}
+                  aria-label={creatingFolder ? 'Creating folder…' : 'Create folder'}
+                  title={creatingFolder ? 'Creating folder…' : 'Create folder'}
+                >
+                  <FolderPlusIcon />
+                </button>
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="icon-button ghost"
+                  onClick={onRefresh}
+                  aria-label="Refresh"
+                  title="Refresh"
+                >
+                  <RefreshIcon />
+                </button>
+                <button className="secondary" type="button" onClick={onShowSkeuoWorkspace}>
+                  Desk View
+                </button>
+              </>
+            )}
           </div>
         </div>
-        <div
-          className={`main-content__body main-content__body--documents${detailHasContent ? ' main-content__body--has-detail' : ''}`}
-        >
-          <DocumentsTable {...documentsTableProps} showHeader={false} />
+        <div className={bodyClass}>
+          {isWorkspace ? (
+            <SkeuomorphicWorkspace {...skeuoWorkspaceProps} />
+          ) : showPreviewWorkspace ? (
+            <PreviewWorkspace
+              document={previewWorkspaceDocument}
+              previewEntry={previewWorkspaceEntry}
+            />
+          ) : (
+            <DocumentsTable {...documentsTableProps} showHeader={false} />
+          )}
         </div>
-        {detailHasContent ? (
+        {!isWorkspace && !showPreviewWorkspace && detailHasContent ? (
           <DetailPanel {...detailPanelProps} />
         ) : null}
       </div>
@@ -5739,7 +5865,7 @@ const AppRouter = () => (
       <Route path="/" element={<Navigate to="/documents" replace />} />
       <Route path="/documents" element={<DocumentsRoute />} />
       <Route path="/documents/folder/:folderId" element={<DocumentsRoute />} />
-      <Route path="/documents/:documentId" element={<DocumentViewerRoute />} />
+      <Route path="/documents/:documentId" element={<DocumentsRoute />} />
       <Route path="*" element={<Navigate to="/documents" replace />} />
     </Route>
   </Routes>
diff --git a/frontend/src/preview/PreviewWorkspace.jsx b/frontend/src/preview/PreviewWorkspace.jsx
index 19b16fc..e7cbf8f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/preview/PreviewWorkspace.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/preview/PreviewWorkspace.jsx
@@ -1,13 +1,9 @@
 import React from 'react';
-import { DownloadIcon } from '../ui/icons';
 import { formatFileSize } from '../utils/format';
 
 const PreviewWorkspace = ({
   document,
   previewEntry,
-  resolveApiPath,
-  onClose,
-  onRegenerateThumbnails,
 }) => {
   if (!document) {
     return null;
@@ -15,9 +11,6 @@ const PreviewWorkspace = ({
 
   const title = document.title || document.original_name || 'Document';
   const mime = previewEntry?.contentType || document.content_type || 'application/pdf';
-  const downloadHref = document.current_version?.download_path
-    ? resolveApiPath(document.current_version.download_path)
-    : null;
   const sizeBytes = Number(document.current_version?.size_bytes) || 0;
   const sizeLabel = sizeBytes > 0 ? formatFileSize(sizeBytes) : null;
   const metadata =
@@ -25,48 +18,6 @@ const PreviewWorkspace = ({
 
   return (
     <section className="preview-workspace">
-      <header className="preview-workspace__header">
-        <div className="preview-workspace__meta">
-          <button
-            type="button"
-            className="secondary"
-            onClick={() => onClose(document.folder_id ?? 'root')}
-          >
-            ← Back
-          </button>
-          <div>
-            <h2>{title}</h2>
-            <span className="meta">
-              {document.content_type || mime}
-              {sizeLabel ? ` · ${sizeLabel}` : ''}
-            </span>
-          </div>
-        </div>
-        <div className="preview-workspace__actions">
-          <a
-            className="button-link with-icon"
-            href={downloadHref || '#'}
-            target="_blank"
-            rel="noopener noreferrer"
-            aria-disabled={!downloadHref}
-            onClick={(event) => {
-              if (!downloadHref) {
-                event.preventDefault();
-              }
-            }}
-          >
-            <DownloadIcon className="icon-inline" />
-            <span>Download</span>
-          </a>
-          <button
-            type="button"
-            className="secondary"
-            onClick={() => onRegenerateThumbnails(document.id)}
-          >
-            Re-run analysis
-          </button>
-        </div>
-      </header>
       <div className="preview-workspace__body">
         {!previewEntry?.url ? (
           <div className="preview-workspace__message">Loading preview…</div>
@@ -78,15 +29,16 @@ const PreviewWorkspace = ({
           />
         )}
       </div>
-      {metadata && (
+      {metadata ? (
         <section className="preview-workspace__metadata">
           <h3>Metadata</h3>
+          {sizeLabel ? <p><strong>Size:</strong> {sizeLabel}</p> : null}
+          <p><strong>Type:</strong> {mime}</p>
           <pre>{JSON.stringify(metadata, null, 2)}</pre>
         </section>
-      )}
+      ) : null}
     </section>
   );
 };
 
 export default PreviewWorkspace;
-
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/DocumentViewerRoute.jsx b/frontend/src/routes/DocumentViewerRoute.jsx
index b475a7a..131dc56 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/DocumentViewerRoute.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/DocumentViewerRoute.jsx
@@ -1,18 +1,13 @@
 import React, { useEffect } from 'react';
-import { useNavigate, useParams } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { Navigate, useNavigate, useParams } from 'react-router-dom';
 
 import { useAppShell } from '../appShellContext';
-import PreviewWorkspace from '../preview/PreviewWorkspace';
 
 const DocumentViewerRoute = () => {
   const {
     previewWorkspaceDocument,
-    previewWorkspaceEntry,
-    closeDocumentPreview,
-    handleThumbnailRegeneration,
     ensurePreviewData,
     notifyApiError,
-    resolveApiPath,
   } = useAppShell();
   const { documentId } = useParams();
   const navigate = useNavigate();
@@ -44,29 +39,15 @@ const DocumentViewerRoute = () => {
     };
   }, [documentId, ensurePreviewData, notifyApiError, navigate]);
 
-  const isReady =
-    documentId && previewWorkspaceDocument && previewWorkspaceDocument.id === documentId;
-
-  if (!isReady) {
-    return (
-      <main className="preview-main">
-        <div className="preview-workspace__message">Loading preview…</div>
-      </main>
-    );
+  if (!documentId) {
+    return <Navigate to="/documents" replace />;
   }
 
-  return (
-    <main className="preview-main">
-      <PreviewWorkspace
-        document={previewWorkspaceDocument}
-        previewEntry={previewWorkspaceEntry}
-        resolveApiPath={resolveApiPath}
-        onClose={closeDocumentPreview}
-        onRegenerateThumbnails={handleThumbnailRegeneration}
-      />
-    </main>
-  );
+  if (!previewWorkspaceDocument || previewWorkspaceDocument.id !== documentId) {
+    return <div className="preview-workspace__message">Loading preview…</div>;
+  }
+
+  return <Navigate to="/documents" replace />;
 };
 
 export default DocumentViewerRoute;
-
diff --git a/frontend/src/sidebar/Sidebar.jsx b/frontend/src/sidebar/Sidebar.jsx
index 240ca78..8da1924 100644
--- a/frontend/src/sidebar/Sidebar.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/sidebar/Sidebar.jsx
@@ -291,12 +291,6 @@ const Sidebar = ({
   );
 
   const rootNode = folderNodes.get('root');
-  const hintText = appStatus === 'bootstrapping' && loading
-    ? 'Loading your library…'
-    : previewActive
-    ? 'Viewing document preview. Press ← Back to return to the library.'
-    : 'Drag files here to upload.';
-
   return (
     <aside className="sidebar">
       <div className="panel-header sidebar__header">
@@ -371,7 +365,6 @@ const Sidebar = ({
         </div>
       </div>
       <div className="panel-body sidebar__body">
-        <span className="sidebar__hint">{hintText}</span>
         {status && (
           <div className="sidebar__status">
             <div className={`status-banner ${status.variant}`}>{status.message}</div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/styles.css b/frontend/src/styles.css
index 0a0f6d2..8ea7d63 100644
--- a/frontend/src/styles.css
+++ b/frontend/src/styles.css
@@ -1188,11 +1188,6 @@ button.danger:hover:not([disabled]) {
   background: rgba(209, 67, 67, 0.12);
 }
 
-.sidebar__hint {
-  color: var(--muted);
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-}
-
 .sidebar__search {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/icons.js b/frontend/src/ui/icons.js
index 0ad4606..d5b123b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/icons.js
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/icons.js
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import {
   IconMinusVertical,
   IconLogout,
   IconChevronDown,
+  IconX,
 } from '@tabler/icons-react';
 import FolderSvg from '../assets/folder.svg';
 
@@ -185,6 +186,15 @@ export const MinusVerticalIcon = ({ className, size = '1em', stroke = 1.6, ...re
   />
 );
 
+export const CloseIcon = ({ className, size = '1em', stroke = 1.6, ...rest }) => (
+  <IconX
+    className={composeClassName('icon', className)}
+    size={size}
+    stroke={stroke}
+    {...rest}
+  />
+);
+
 export const AnalyzeIcon = ({ className, size = '1em', stroke = 1.6, ...rest }) => (
   <IconAnalyze
     className={composeClassName('icon', className)}