diff --git a/frontend/src/index.jsx b/frontend/src/index.jsx
index 8f878da..9f407b1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/index.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/index.jsx
@@ -345,6 +345,8 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
   );
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);
   const [isCreateFolderModalOpen, setCreateFolderModalOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [isTagsModalOpen, setTagsModalOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [isCorrespondentsModalOpen, setCorrespondentsModalOpen] = useState(false);
   const [newFolderName, setNewFolderName] = useState('');
   const [createFolderError, setCreateFolderError] = useState('');
   const [creatingFolder, setCreatingFolder] = useState(false);
@@ -423,13 +425,9 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
   const documentsRouteMatch = useMatch('/documents');
   const documentsFolderRouteMatch = useMatch('/documents/folder/:folderId');
   const documentsDetailRouteMatch = useMatch('/documents/:documentId');
-  const tagsRouteMatch = useMatch('/tags');
-  const correspondentsRouteMatch = useMatch('/correspondents');
   const isDocumentsRoute = Boolean(
     documentsRouteMatch || documentsFolderRouteMatch || documentsDetailRouteMatch,
   );
-  const isTagsRoute = Boolean(tagsRouteMatch);
-  const isCorrespondentsRoute = Boolean(correspondentsRouteMatch);
   const toggleTagFilter = useCallback((tagId) => {
     if (!tagId) return;
     setActiveTagFilters((previous) =>
@@ -455,6 +453,10 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
     setSearchLoading(false);
   }, []);
 
+  const handleSearchChange = useCallback((value) => {
+    setSearchQuery(value);
+  }, []);
+
   const handleSearchSubmit = useCallback(() => {
     if (!navigate) return;
     const targetFolder = selectedFolder && selectedFolder !== 'root' ? selectedFolder : 'root';
@@ -3682,6 +3684,24 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
     setCreateFolderError('');
   }, [creatingFolder]);
 
+  const openTagsModal = useCallback(() => {
+    setCorrespondentsModalOpen(false);
+    setTagsModalOpen(true);
+  }, []);
+
+  const closeTagsModal = useCallback(() => {
+    setTagsModalOpen(false);
+  }, []);
+
+  const openCorrespondentsModal = useCallback(() => {
+    setTagsModalOpen(false);
+    setCorrespondentsModalOpen(true);
+  }, []);
+
+  const closeCorrespondentsModal = useCallback(() => {
+    setCorrespondentsModalOpen(false);
+  }, []);
+
   const handleCreateFolderSubmit = useCallback(
     async (event) => {
       event.preventDefault();
@@ -3742,6 +3762,31 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
     };
   }, [isCreateFolderModalOpen, closeCreateFolderModal]);
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setTagsModalOpen(false);
+    setCorrespondentsModalOpen(false);
+  }, [location.pathname]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!isTagsModalOpen && !isCorrespondentsModalOpen) {
+      return;
+    }
+    const handleKeyDown = (event) => {
+      if (event.key === 'Escape') {
+        event.preventDefault();
+        if (isTagsModalOpen) {
+          closeTagsModal();
+        } else if (isCorrespondentsModalOpen) {
+          closeCorrespondentsModal();
+        }
+      }
+    };
+    window.addEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown);
+    return () => {
+      window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown);
+    };
+  }, [isTagsModalOpen, isCorrespondentsModalOpen, closeTagsModal, closeCorrespondentsModal]);
+
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!token) return undefined;
 
@@ -4442,6 +4487,16 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
     correspondents,
     activeCorrespondentIds: activeCorrespondentFilters,
     onToggleCorrespondentFilter: toggleCorrespondentFilter,
+    appStatus,
+    loading,
+    previewActive,
+    searchQuery,
+    onSearchChange: handleSearchChange,
+    onSearchSubmit: handleSearchSubmit,
+    onSearchClear: clearFilters,
+    isFilterActive,
+    onLogout: handleLogout,
+    status,
   };
 
   const resolveThumbnailUrlForDoc = useCallback(
@@ -4585,7 +4640,6 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
       tags,
       refreshTags,
       handleTagUpdate,
-      handleTagCreate,
       handleTagDelete,
       handleDocumentTagAttach,
       correspondents,
@@ -4610,6 +4664,8 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
       ensurePreviewData,
       notifyApiError,
       resolveApiPath,
+      openTagsModal,
+      openCorrespondentsModal,
     }),
     [
       token,
@@ -4622,7 +4678,6 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
       tags,
       refreshTags,
       handleTagUpdate,
-      handleTagCreate,
       handleTagDelete,
       handleDocumentTagAttach,
       correspondents,
@@ -4647,6 +4702,8 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
       ensurePreviewData,
       notifyApiError,
       resolveApiPath,
+      openTagsModal,
+      openCorrespondentsModal,
     ],
   );
 
@@ -4667,81 +4724,6 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
           active={dropOverlayState.active}
           folderName={dropOverlayState.folderName}
         />
-        <header className="app-bar">
-          <div className="app-bar__main">
-            <div className="app-bar__meta">
-              <h1>Papercrate</h1>
-              <span className="app-bar__hint">
-                {appStatus === 'bootstrapping' && loading
-                  ? 'Loading your library…'
-                  : previewActive
-                  ? 'Viewing document preview. Press ← Back to return to the library.'
-                  : 'Drag files here to upload.'}
-              </span>
-            </div>
-            <div className="app-bar__search">
-              <input
-                type="search"
-                value={searchQuery}
-                onChange={(event) => setSearchQuery(event.target.value)}
-                placeholder="Search documents"
-                aria-label="Search documents"
-                onKeyDown={(event) => {
-                  if (event.key === 'Enter') {
-                    event.preventDefault();
-                    handleSearchSubmit();
-                  }
-                }}
-              />
-              {isFilterActive && (
-                <button
-                  type="button"
-                  className="app-bar__search-clear"
-                  onClick={clearFilters}
-                >
-                  Clear
-                </button>
-              )}
-            </div>
-            <div className="app-bar__right">
-              <div className="app-bar__links">
-                <button
-                  type="button"
-                  className={`app-bar__link${isDocumentsRoute ? ' active' : ''}`}
-                  onClick={() => navigate('/documents')}
-                >
-                  Documents
-                </button>
-                <button
-                  type="button"
-                  className={`app-bar__link${isTagsRoute ? ' active' : ''}`}
-                  onClick={() => navigate('/tags')}
-                >
-                  Tags
-                  <span className="app-bar__link-count">{tags.length}</span>
-                </button>
-                <button
-                  type="button"
-                  className={`app-bar__link${isCorrespondentsRoute ? ' active' : ''}`}
-                  onClick={() => navigate('/correspondents')}
-                >
-                  Correspondents
-                  <span className="app-bar__link-count">{correspondents.length}</span>
-                </button>
-              </div>
-              {status && (
-                <div className="app-bar__status">
-                  <StatusBanner status={status} />
-                </div>
-              )}
-              <div className="app-bar__actions">
-                <button className="secondary" onClick={handleLogout}>
-                  Log out
-                </button>
-              </div>
-            </div>
-          </div>
-        </header>
         <Outlet />
         {isCreateFolderModalOpen && (
           <div
@@ -4791,6 +4773,74 @@ const AppLayout = () => {
             </div>
           </div>
         )}
+        {isTagsModalOpen && (
+          <div
+            className="modal-backdrop"
+            role="presentation"
+            onClick={closeTagsModal}
+          >
+            <div
+              className="modal modal--panel"
+              role="dialog"
+              aria-modal="true"
+              aria-labelledby="tags-modal-title"
+              onClick={(event) => event.stopPropagation()}
+            >
+              <div className="panel-modal__header">
+                <h3 id="tags-modal-title">Manage Tags</h3>
+                <button type="button" className="secondary" onClick={closeTagsModal}>
+                  Close
+                </button>
+              </div>
+              <div className="panel-modal__body">
+                <TagsPanel
+                  tags={tags}
+                  onRefresh={refreshTags}
+                  onCreateTag={handleTagCreate}
+                  onUpdateTag={handleTagUpdate}
+                  onDeleteTag={handleTagDelete}
+                  onNotify={setStatusMessage}
+                />
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        )}
+        {isCorrespondentsModalOpen && (
+          <div
+            className="modal-backdrop"
+            role="presentation"
+            onClick={closeCorrespondentsModal}
+          >
+            <div
+              className="modal modal--panel"
+              role="dialog"
+              aria-modal="true"
+              aria-labelledby="correspondents-modal-title"
+              onClick={(event) => event.stopPropagation()}
+            >
+              <div className="panel-modal__header">
+                <h3 id="correspondents-modal-title">Manage Correspondents</h3>
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="secondary"
+                  onClick={closeCorrespondentsModal}
+                >
+                  Close
+                </button>
+              </div>
+              <div className="panel-modal__body">
+                <CorrespondentsPanel
+                  correspondents={correspondents}
+                  onRefresh={refreshCorrespondents}
+                  onCreate={handleCorrespondentCreate}
+                  onUpdate={handleCorrespondentUpdate}
+                  onDelete={handleCorrespondentDelete}
+                  onNotify={setStatusMessage}
+                />
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        )}
       </div>
     </AppShellContext.Provider>
   );
@@ -4803,20 +4853,35 @@ const DocumentsRoute = () => {
     detailPanelProps,
     workspaceMode,
     skeuoWorkspaceProps,
+    openTagsModal,
+    openCorrespondentsModal,
   } = useAppShell();
 
+  const sidebarPropsWithActions = useMemo(
+    () => ({
+      ...sidebarProps,
+      onManageTags: openTagsModal,
+      onManageCorrespondents: openCorrespondentsModal,
+    }),
+    [sidebarProps, openTagsModal, openCorrespondentsModal],
+  );
+
   if (workspaceMode === 'skeuo') {
     return (
-      <DocumentsLayout sidebarProps={sidebarProps}>
-        <SkeuomorphicWorkspace {...skeuoWorkspaceProps} />
+      <DocumentsLayout sidebarProps={sidebarPropsWithActions}>
+        <div className="main-content">
+          <SkeuomorphicWorkspace {...skeuoWorkspaceProps} />
+        </div>
       </DocumentsLayout>
     );
   }
 
   return (
-    <DocumentsLayout sidebarProps={sidebarProps}>
-      <DocumentsTable {...documentsTableProps} />
-      <DetailPanel {...detailPanelProps} />
+    <DocumentsLayout sidebarProps={sidebarPropsWithActions}>
+      <div className="main-content main-content--documents">
+        <DocumentsTable {...documentsTableProps} />
+        <DetailPanel {...detailPanelProps} />
+      </div>
     </DocumentsLayout>
   );
 };
@@ -4951,51 +5016,6 @@ const LoginRoute = () => {
   );
 };
 
-function TagsRoute() {
-  const {
-    tags,
-    refreshTags,
-    handleTagUpdate,
-    handleTagDelete,
-    setStatusMessage,
-  } = useAppShell();
-  return (
-    <main className="panels-main">
-      <TagsPanel
-        tags={tags}
-        onRefresh={refreshTags}
-        onUpdateTag={handleTagUpdate}
-        onDeleteTag={handleTagDelete}
-        onNotify={setStatusMessage}
-      />
-    </main>
-  );
-}
-
-function CorrespondentsRoute() {
-  const {
-    correspondents,
-    refreshCorrespondents,
-    handleCorrespondentCreate,
-    handleCorrespondentUpdate,
-    handleCorrespondentDelete,
-    setStatusMessage,
-  } = useAppShell();
-
-  return (
-    <main className="panels-main">
-      <CorrespondentsPanel
-        correspondents={correspondents}
-        onRefresh={refreshCorrespondents}
-        onCreate={handleCorrespondentCreate}
-        onUpdate={handleCorrespondentUpdate}
-        onDelete={handleCorrespondentDelete}
-        onNotify={setStatusMessage}
-      />
-    </main>
-  );
-}
-
 const AppRouter = () => (
   <Routes>
     <Route path="/account/login" element={<LoginRoute />} />
@@ -5004,8 +5024,6 @@ const AppRouter = () => (
       <Route path="/documents" element={<DocumentsRoute />} />
       <Route path="/documents/folder/:folderId" element={<DocumentsRoute />} />
       <Route path="/documents/:documentId" element={<DocumentViewerRoute />} />
-      <Route path="/tags" element={<TagsRoute />} />
-      <Route path="/correspondents" element={<CorrespondentsRoute />} />
       <Route path="*" element={<Navigate to="/documents" replace />} />
     </Route>
   </Routes>
diff --git a/frontend/src/sidebar/Sidebar.jsx b/frontend/src/sidebar/Sidebar.jsx
index 690b191..a5c408a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/sidebar/Sidebar.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/sidebar/Sidebar.jsx
@@ -136,6 +136,18 @@ const Sidebar = ({
   correspondents = [],
   activeCorrespondentIds = [],
   onToggleCorrespondentFilter,
+  onManageTags,
+  onManageCorrespondents,
+  searchQuery = '',
+  onSearchChange,
+  onSearchSubmit,
+  onSearchClear,
+  isFilterActive,
+  appStatus,
+  loading,
+  previewActive,
+  onLogout,
+  status,
 }) => {
   const sortedCorrespondents = useMemo(
     () =>
@@ -150,6 +162,27 @@ const Sidebar = ({
   );
   const handleToggleTag = onToggleTagFilter || (() => {});
   const activeTagSet = new Set(activeTagIds);
+  const handleManageTags = onManageTags || (() => {});
+  const handleManageCorrespondents = onManageCorrespondents || (() => {});
+  const handleSearchInputChange = useCallback(
+    (event) => {
+      onSearchChange?.(event.target.value);
+    },
+    [onSearchChange],
+  );
+  const handleSearchFormSubmit = useCallback(
+    (event) => {
+      event.preventDefault();
+      onSearchSubmit?.();
+    },
+    [onSearchSubmit],
+  );
+  const handleSearchClear = useCallback(() => {
+    onSearchClear?.();
+  }, [onSearchClear]);
+  const handleLogoutClick = useCallback(() => {
+    onLogout?.();
+  }, [onLogout]);
 
   const renderNodes = useCallback(
     (ids, depth) =>
@@ -193,9 +226,39 @@ 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 column">
+      <div className="sidebar__meta">
+        <h1 className="sidebar__title">Papercrate</h1>
+        <span className="sidebar__hint">{hintText}</span>
+        {onSearchChange && (
+          <form className="sidebar__search" onSubmit={handleSearchFormSubmit}>
+            <input
+              type="search"
+              value={searchQuery}
+              onChange={handleSearchInputChange}
+              placeholder="Search documents"
+              aria-label="Search documents"
+            />
+            {isFilterActive && (
+              <button type="button" onClick={handleSearchClear}>
+                Clear
+              </button>
+            )}
+          </form>
+        )}
+        {status && (
+          <div className="sidebar__status">
+            <div className={`status-banner ${status.variant}`}>{status.message}</div>
+          </div>
+        )}
+      </div>
       <div className="sidebar-section sidebar-section--folders">
         <div className="sidebar-section__header">
           <h3>Folders</h3>
@@ -206,8 +269,14 @@ const Sidebar = ({
       </div>
       <div className="sidebar-section">
         <div className="sidebar-section__header">
-          <h3>Tags</h3>
-          <span className="meta">{tags.length}</span>
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            className="sidebar-section__title"
+            onClick={handleManageTags}
+          >
+            <h3>Tags</h3>
+            <span className="meta">{tags.length}</span>
+          </button>
         </div>
         <div
           className={`sidebar-tag-cloud${
@@ -257,8 +326,14 @@ const Sidebar = ({
       </div>
       <div className="sidebar-section">
         <div className="sidebar-section__header">
-          <h3>Correspondents</h3>
-          <span className="meta">{correspondents.length}</span>
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            className="sidebar-section__title"
+            onClick={handleManageCorrespondents}
+          >
+            <h3>Correspondents</h3>
+            <span className="meta">{correspondents.length}</span>
+          </button>
         </div>
         <ul className="sidebar-correspondent-list">
           {sortedCorrespondents.length ? (
@@ -293,6 +368,11 @@ const Sidebar = ({
           )}
         </ul>
       </div>
+      <div className="sidebar__footer">
+        <button className="secondary" type="button" onClick={handleLogoutClick}>
+          Log out
+        </button>
+      </div>
     </aside>
   );
 };
diff --git a/frontend/src/styles.css b/frontend/src/styles.css
index 9492ae5..52ca293 100644
--- a/frontend/src/styles.css
+++ b/frontend/src/styles.css
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
   --bg: #f6f6f6;
   --surface: #fbfbfb;
   --surface-subtle: #f3f3f3;
-  --fg: #1e2127;
+  --fg: #2b2b2b;
   --muted: #646a75;
   --sidebar-fg: #5f6672;
   --border: #dde1e6;
@@ -14,11 +14,9 @@
   --overlay-backdrop: rgba(30, 33, 39, 0.45);
   --overlay-shadow: rgba(30, 33, 39, 0.18);
 
-  --app-bar-background: var(--surface-subtle);
-
   /* Accent (primary action, selection, focus) */
   --accent: #3f6ad8;
-  --accent-hover: #365cb9;
+  --accent-hover: #9bb6ff;
   --on-accent: #ffffff;
 
   /* Soft tints & outlines (for chips, row hovers, subtle fills) */
@@ -205,7 +203,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
 .view-toggle {
   display: inline-flex;
   align-items: center;
-  border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: 999px;
   background: var(--surface-subtle);
   margin-right: 0.5rem;
@@ -251,151 +248,32 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
   background: var(--bg);
 }
 
-.app-bar {
-  display: flex;
-  flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 0.4rem;
-  padding: 0.6rem 1.5rem 0.4rem;
-  background: var(--app-bar-background);
-  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
-  position: sticky;
-  top: 0;
-  z-index: 10;
-}
-
-.app-bar__main {
-  display: flex;
-  flex-wrap: wrap;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 1rem;
-}
-
-.app-bar__meta {
-  display: flex;
-  flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 0.2rem;
-  flex: 0 0 auto;
-}
-
-.app-bar h1 {
-  margin: 0;
-  font-size: 1.1rem;
-  font-weight: 600;
-}
-
-.app-bar__hint {
-  color: var(--muted);
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-}
-
-.app-bar__actions {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-}
-
-.app-bar__status {
-  margin: 0 1rem;
-  min-width: 220px;
-}
-
-.app-bar__status .status-banner {
-  margin: 0;
-}
-
-.app-bar__search {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-  flex: 1 1 320px;
-  max-width: 420px;
-  min-width: 240px;
-  margin: 0 auto;
-}
-
-.app-bar__search input[type='search'] {
-  flex: 1;
-  min-width: 180px;
-  padding: 0.4rem 0.6rem;
-  border-radius: 4px;
-  border: 1px solid var(--border);
-  background: var(--surface-subtle);
-  color: var(--fg);
-}
-
-.app-bar__search input[type='search']:focus {
-  outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
-  outline-offset: 1px;
-}
-
-.app-bar__search-clear {
-  border: none;
-  background: transparent;
-  color: var(--accent);
-  font-weight: 600;
-  font-size: 0.85rem;
-  cursor: pointer;
-  padding: 0.2rem 0.3rem;
-}
-
-.app-bar__search-clear:hover {
-  text-decoration: underline;
-}
-
-.app-bar__right {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.75rem;
-  margin-left: auto;
-}
-
-.app-bar__links {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.5rem;
-}
-
-.app-bar__link {
-  border: none;
-  background: transparent;
-  color: var(--muted);
-  font: inherit;
-  padding: 0.3rem 0.65rem;
-  border-radius: 999px;
-  cursor: pointer;
-  display: inline-flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.35rem;
-  transition: background 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
-}
-
-.app-bar__link:hover {
-  background: var(--sidebar-hover-bg);
-  color: var(--fg);
-}
-
-.app-bar__link:focus-visible {
-  outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
-  outline-offset: 2px;
-}
-
-.app-bar__link.active {
-  background: var(--sidebar-active-bg);
-  color: var(--fg);
-  font-weight: 600;
-}
-
-.app-bar__link-count {
-  font-size: 0.75rem;
-  color: var(--muted);
-}
 
 .documents-main {
   flex: 1;
   display: grid;
-  grid-template-columns: 20rem minmax(0, 1fr) 30rem;
+  grid-template-columns: 20rem minmax(0, 1fr);
+  min-height: 0;
+}
+
+.main-content {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  min-height: 0;
+  margin: 0;
+  border-radius: 0;
+  background: var(--surface);
+}
+
+.documents-main .main-content--documents {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) 30rem;
+  min-height: 0;
+}
+
+.documents-main .main-content--documents > * {
+  min-width: 0;
   min-height: 0;
-  overflow: hidden;
 }
 
 .panels-main {
@@ -558,7 +436,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
 .preview-workspace__object {
   width: 100%;
   height: 100%;
-  border: none;
 }
 
 .tags-panel__body {
@@ -580,7 +457,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
 .tags-table td {
   padding: 0.45rem 0.6rem;
   text-align: left;
-  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--divider);
   font-size: 0.85rem;
 }
 
@@ -638,7 +514,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
   width: 2.25rem;
   height: 2.25rem;
   padding: 0;
-  border: none;
   background: none;
   cursor: pointer;
 }
@@ -659,6 +534,24 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
   gap: 0.5rem;
 }
 
+.tags-actions {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  gap: 0.6rem;
+  align-items: center;
+}
+
+.tags-actions__form {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.4rem;
+}
+
+.tags-actions__form input[type='text'] {
+  min-width: 14rem;
+}
+
 .correspondents-actions__form {
   display: flex;
   gap: 0.4rem;
@@ -680,7 +573,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
   align-items: center;
   gap: 0.35rem;
   background: var(--surface-subtle);
-  border: 1px solid var(--border-subtle);
   border-radius: 999px;
   padding: 0.15rem 0.5rem;
   font-size: 0.9rem;
@@ -729,7 +621,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
 }
 
 .preview-workspace__metadata {
-  border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: 2px;
   padding: 0.75rem;
   background: var(--surface);
@@ -744,7 +635,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
 
 .column {
   background: transparent;
-  border: none;
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   min-height: 0;
@@ -760,7 +650,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
   justify-content: space-between;
   gap: 0.5rem;
   padding: 0 0 0.5rem;
-  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
 }
 
 .column-header__titles {
@@ -940,7 +829,69 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
   overflow-y: auto;
   padding: 1.25rem;
   color: var(--sidebar-fg);
-  border-right: 1px solid var(--border);
+  box-shadow: inset -12px 0 24px -12px var(--shadow-faint);
+}
+
+.sidebar__meta {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 0.2rem;
+  margin-bottom: 1rem;
+}
+
+.sidebar__title {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-size: 1.2rem;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  color: var(--fg);
+}
+
+.sidebar__hint {
+  color: var(--muted);
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+}
+
+.sidebar__search {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.4rem;
+  margin-top: 0.6rem;
+}
+
+.sidebar__search input[type='search'] {
+  flex: 1;
+  padding: 0.4rem 0.6rem;
+  border-radius: 4px;
+  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  background: var(--surface);
+  color: var(--fg);
+}
+
+.sidebar__search button {
+  padding: 0.35rem 0.75rem;
+  border: 1px solid transparent;
+  border-radius: 4px;
+  background: transparent;
+  color: var(--accent);
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+
+.sidebar__search button:hover:not([disabled]) {
+  background: var(--sidebar-hover-bg);
+}
+
+.sidebar__status {
+  margin-top: 0.75rem;
+}
+
+.sidebar__footer {
+  margin-top: auto;
+  padding-top: 1rem;
+}
+
+.sidebar__footer button {
+  width: 100%;
 }
 
 .sidebar-section:first-of-type,
@@ -957,21 +908,45 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: space-between;
-  font-size: 0.75rem;
   color: var(--muted);
-  text-transform: uppercase;
-  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
+}
+
+.sidebar-section__title {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  gap: 0.4rem;
+  width: 100%;
+  background: transparent;
+  border: none;
+  border-radius: 6px;
+  padding: 0.25rem 0.35rem;
+  margin: -0.25rem -0.35rem;
+  color: inherit;
+  font: inherit;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  text-align: left;
+}
+
+.sidebar-section__title:hover:not([disabled]),
+.sidebar-section__title:focus-visible {
+  background: var(--sidebar-hover-bg);
+  color: var(--fg);
+}
+
+.sidebar-section__title:hover:not([disabled]) h3,
+.sidebar-section__title:focus-visible h3 {
+  color: var(--fg);
 }
 
 .sidebar-section__header h3 {
   margin: 0;
-  font-size: 0.75rem;
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
   font-weight: 600;
   color: inherit;
 }
 
 .sidebar-item {
-  border: none;
   background: transparent;
   padding: 0.16rem 0.26rem;
   text-align: left;
@@ -1020,7 +995,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
 }
 
 .sidebar-tag-pill {
-  border: 1px solid var(--sidebar-pill-border, rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.08));
   border-radius: 999px;
   padding: 0.25rem 0.6rem;
   font-size: 0.75rem;
@@ -1096,7 +1070,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
 
 .documents-panel {
   padding: 1.25rem 1.25rem 0 1.25rem;
-  background-color: var(--surface);
 }
 
 .tags-panel,
@@ -1130,12 +1103,10 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
 .documents-panel .column-toolbar {
   flex-shrink: 0;
   padding-bottom: 0.4rem;
-  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
 }
 
 .documents-panel .documents-scroll {
   overflow-y: auto;
-  border: none;
   background: transparent;
   min-height: 0;
   padding-right: 0.3rem;
@@ -1149,15 +1120,11 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
 }
 
 .documents-panel thead th {
-  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
   background-color: var(--surface);
   position: sticky;
   top: 0;
   z-index: 1;
   padding: 0.45rem 0.6rem;
-  font-size: 0.75rem;
-  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
-  text-transform: uppercase;
   color: var(--muted);
 }
 
@@ -1268,14 +1235,9 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
 
 .documents-panel tbody tr {
   background: transparent;
-  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
   transition: background 0.15s ease;
 }
 
-.documents-panel tbody tr:last-child {
-  border-bottom: none;
-}
-
 .documents-panel tbody tr:hover {
   background: var(--surface-subtle);
 }
@@ -1476,7 +1438,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
   background: var(--surface-subtle);
   color: var(--fg);
   font-size: 0.74rem;
-  border: 1px solid transparent;
 }
 
 .tag-chip {
@@ -1509,7 +1470,7 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
   position: relative;
   padding: 1.25rem;
   overflow-y: auto;
-  border-left: 1px solid var(--border);
+  box-shadow: 0 0 24px var(--shadow-faint);
 }
 
 .detail-panel .column-body {
@@ -1535,7 +1496,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
   overflow: auto;
   padding: 0.75rem;
   background: var(--surface-soft);
-  border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: 6px;
   box-shadow: inset 0 1px 2px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.05);
 }
@@ -1553,7 +1513,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
   width: 100%;
   min-height: 360px;
   height: 60vh;
-  border: none;
   background: var(--surface-subtle);
   border-radius: 4px;
   box-shadow: inset 0 1px 2px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.05);
@@ -1582,7 +1541,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
 
 .preview-pane {
   margin-top: 0.4rem;
-  border: none;
   border-radius: 0;
   background: transparent;
   min-height: 220px;
@@ -1745,7 +1703,6 @@ button.icon-button.ghost:hover:not([disabled]) {
   height: 2.2em;
   padding: 0.45em;
   border-radius: 999px;
-  border: none;
   background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.55);
   color: #fff;
   cursor: pointer;
@@ -1930,7 +1887,6 @@ form.inline {
   text-align: center;
   font-size: 0.95rem;
   box-shadow: none;
-  border: 1px solid var(--border);
 }
 .modal-backdrop {
   position: fixed;
@@ -1945,7 +1901,6 @@ form.inline {
 
 .modal {
   background: var(--surface);
-  border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: 4px;
   box-shadow: 0 18px 42px var(--overlay-shadow);
   width: min(360px, 100%);
@@ -1955,6 +1910,29 @@ form.inline {
   gap: 1rem;
 }
 
+.modal--panel {
+  width: min(80vw, 960px);
+  max-height: 90vh;
+  padding: 0;
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  gap: 0;
+}
+
+.panel-modal__header {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  padding: 1rem 1.5rem;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
+}
+
+.panel-modal__body {
+  flex: 1;
+  overflow: auto;
+  padding: 0;
+}
+
 .modal h3 {
   margin: 0;
   font-size: 1.15rem;
@@ -2014,7 +1992,6 @@ form.inline {
 .login-card {
   width: min(340px, 100%);
   background: var(--surface);
-  border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: 2px;
   padding: 1.75rem;
   box-shadow: none;
diff --git a/frontend/src/tags/TagsPanel.jsx b/frontend/src/tags/TagsPanel.jsx
index 0c2c70e..fd9d9e0 100644
--- a/frontend/src/tags/TagsPanel.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/tags/TagsPanel.jsx
@@ -1,12 +1,22 @@
 import React, { useCallback, useMemo, useState } from 'react';
 import { getTagColorStyle, HEX_COLOR_PATTERN } from '../utils/colors';
 
-function TagsPanel({ tags, onRefresh, onUpdateTag, onDeleteTag, onNotify }) {
+function TagsPanel({
+  tags,
+  onRefresh,
+  onCreateTag,
+  onUpdateTag,
+  onDeleteTag,
+  onNotify,
+}) {
   const [editingId, setEditingId] = useState(null);
   const [draftLabel, setDraftLabel] = useState('');
   const [draftColor, setDraftColor] = useState('');
   const [saving, setSaving] = useState(false);
   const [deletingId, setDeletingId] = useState(null);
+  const [createLabel, setCreateLabel] = useState('');
+  const [createColor, setCreateColor] = useState('');
+  const [creating, setCreating] = useState(false);
 
   const startEdit = useCallback((tag) => {
     setEditingId(tag.id);
@@ -98,6 +108,44 @@ function TagsPanel({ tags, onRefresh, onUpdateTag, onDeleteTag, onNotify }) {
     [onDeleteTag, editingId, cancelEdit, onNotify],
   );
 
+  const handleCreate = useCallback(
+    async (event) => {
+      event.preventDefault();
+      if (typeof onCreateTag !== 'function') {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const trimmedLabel = createLabel.trim();
+      if (!trimmedLabel) {
+        onNotify?.('Tag label cannot be empty.', 'error');
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const trimmedColor = createColor.trim();
+      const colorPattern = /^#([0-9a-fA-F]{6})$/;
+      if (trimmedColor && !colorPattern.test(trimmedColor)) {
+        onNotify?.('Colors must use the #RRGGBB format.', 'error');
+        return;
+      }
+
+      setCreating(true);
+      try {
+        await onCreateTag({
+          label: trimmedLabel,
+          color: trimmedColor ? trimmedColor : null,
+        });
+        setCreateLabel('');
+        setCreateColor('');
+      } catch (createError) {
+        const message = createError?.message || 'Failed to create tag.';
+        onNotify?.(message, 'error');
+      } finally {
+        setCreating(false);
+      }
+    },
+    [createLabel, createColor, onCreateTag, onNotify],
+  );
+
   return (
     <section className="tags-panel column">
       <div className="column-header">
@@ -105,12 +153,42 @@ function TagsPanel({ tags, onRefresh, onUpdateTag, onDeleteTag, onNotify }) {
           <h2>Tags</h2>
           <div className="column-subtitle">{tags.length} total</div>
         </div>
-        <div className="header-actions">
+        <div className="header-actions tags-actions">
+          <form className="tags-actions__form" onSubmit={handleCreate}>
+            <input
+              type="text"
+              placeholder="New tag label"
+              value={createLabel}
+              onChange={(event) => setCreateLabel(event.target.value)}
+              disabled={creating}
+            />
+            <input
+              type="color"
+              className="tags-table__color-picker"
+              value={createColor || '#3366ff'}
+              onChange={(event) => setCreateColor(event.target.value)}
+              disabled={creating}
+              aria-label="Tag color (optional)"
+            />
+            {createColor && (
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                className="secondary"
+                onClick={() => setCreateColor('')}
+                disabled={creating}
+              >
+                Clear
+              </button>
+            )}
+            <button type="submit" disabled={creating || !createLabel.trim()}>
+              {creating ? 'Creating…' : 'Create'}
+            </button>
+          </form>
           <button
             className="secondary"
             type="button"
             onClick={onRefresh}
-            disabled={saving || Boolean(deletingId)}
+            disabled={saving || creating || Boolean(deletingId)}
           >
             Refresh
           </button>