diff --git a/tools/web-ux/browser-tests/console_history_shell_test.ts b/tools/web-ux/browser-tests/console_history_shell_test.ts
index 9d2192627..36e4c3cbc 100644
--- a/tools/web-ux/browser-tests/console_history_shell_test.ts
+++ b/tools/web-ux/browser-tests/console_history_shell_test.ts
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ async function historyRequestCount(baseUrl: string): Promise<number> {
 }
 
 async function checkSidebarSlide(page: Page, mobile: boolean, opening: boolean): Promise<void> {
-  const toggle = page.locator(mobile ? ".app-shell__mobile-sidebar-toggle" : ".sidebar-fold-button");
-  const result = await toggle.evaluate(async (button, mobile) => {
+  const toggle = page.locator(mobile ? ".app-shell__mobile-sidebar-toggle" : ".sidebar-frame");
+  const result = await toggle.evaluate(async (button, { mobile, opening }) => {
     const frame = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".sidebar-frame")!;
     const content = frame.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".sidebar-frame-content")!;
     const main = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".app-shell__main")!;
@@ -52,11 +52,17 @@ async function checkSidebarSlide(page: Page, mobile: boolean, opening: boolean):
       x: moving.getBoundingClientRect().x,
       width: moving.getBoundingClientRect().width,
       frameWidth: frame.getBoundingClientRect().width,
+      panelWidth: frame.querySelector(".sidebar-frame__bevel")!.getBoundingClientRect().width,
       mainWidth: main.getBoundingClientRect().width,
       mainHeight: main.getBoundingClientRect().height,
     });
     const before = sample();
-    (button as HTMLButtonElement).click();
+    if (mobile) {
+      (button as HTMLButtonElement).click();
+    } else {
+      button.dispatchEvent(new PointerEvent(opening ? "pointerenter" : "pointerleave", { pointerType: "mouse" }));
+      if (!opening) await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 190));
+    }
     await new Promise<void>((resolve) => requestAnimationFrame(() => requestAnimationFrame(() => resolve())));
     const animations = frame.getAnimations({ subtree: true });
     const slides = animations.filter((animation) => animation instanceof CSSTransition &&
@@ -70,8 +76,8 @@ async function checkSidebarSlide(page: Page, mobile: boolean, opening: boolean):
     for (const animation of animations) animation.finish();
     await Promise.all(animations.map((animation) => animation.finished));
     return { before, middle, after: sample(), durations, contentInert: content.inert, mainInert: main.inert };
-  }, mobile);
-  assert(result.durations.length >= (mobile ? 1 : 2));
+  }, { mobile, opening });
+  assert(result.durations.length >= (mobile ? 1 : 2), `missing sidebar motion: ${JSON.stringify({ mobile, opening, result })}`);
   assert(result.durations.every((duration) => duration === 220));
   const { before, middle, after } = result;
   assert(opening ? before.x < middle.x && middle.x < after.x : before.x > middle.x && middle.x > after.x,
@@ -79,13 +85,13 @@ async function checkSidebarSlide(page: Page, mobile: boolean, opening: boolean):
   assertEquals(before.width, after.width, "sidebar contents must slide without reflowing");
   assertEquals(result.contentInert, !opening);
   assertEquals(result.mainInert, mobile && opening);
-  if (mobile) {
-    assertEquals(before.mainWidth, after.mainWidth);
-    assertEquals(before.mainHeight, after.mainHeight);
-    assertEquals(after.frameWidth, before.frameWidth);
-  } else {
-    assert(opening ? before.frameWidth < middle.frameWidth && middle.frameWidth < after.frameWidth
-      : before.frameWidth > middle.frameWidth && middle.frameWidth > after.frameWidth);
+  assertEquals(before.mainWidth, after.mainWidth, "hover/touch previews must not resize the main content");
+  assertEquals(before.mainHeight, after.mainHeight);
+  assertEquals(after.frameWidth, before.frameWidth, "hover mode keeps a fixed rail width");
+  if (!mobile) {
+    assert(opening ? before.panelWidth < middle.panelWidth && middle.panelWidth < after.panelWidth
+      : before.panelWidth > middle.panelWidth && middle.panelWidth > after.panelWidth,
+      "the overlay panel must expand past the rail and contract again");
   }
 }
 
@@ -384,24 +390,55 @@ async function checkConsoleHistory(viewportHeight: number): Promise<void> {
       assertEquals(new Set(rowIds).size, rowIds.length);
       await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Overview", exact: true }).click();
       assertEquals(await transcript.getByText("searched 1 time・ran 1 command", { exact: true }).count(), 12);
-      await checkSidebarSlide(page, false, false);
-      await checkSidebarSlide(page, false, true);
-      await checkSidebarSlide(page, false, false);
-      assertEquals(await page.evaluate(() => localStorage.getItem("yoi.sidebar.folded.v1")), "true");
-      await page.reload();
-      await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Unfold sidebar", exact: true }).waitFor();
-      assertEquals(await page.locator(".app-shell.sidebar-open").count(), 0);
-      await page.setViewportSize({ width: 600, height: viewportHeight });
-      await page.locator(".sidebar-frame").evaluate(async (element) => {
+      const sidebar = page.locator(".sidebar-frame");
+      const settleSidebar = () => sidebar.evaluate(async (element) => {
         await Promise.all(element.getAnimations({ subtree: true }).map((animation) => animation.finished));
       });
+      await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Unpin sidebar", exact: true }).click();
+      await page.mouse.move(1000, 30);
+      await page.locator(".sidebar-frame.folded").waitFor();
+      await settleSidebar();
+      const mainBeforeHover = await page.locator(".app-shell__main").boundingBox();
+      await checkSidebarSlide(page, false, true);
+      await checkSidebarSlide(page, false, false);
+      // Use real mouse and keyboard events as well as deterministic motion sampling.
+      await sidebar.hover({ position: { x: 10, y: 40 } });
+      await page.locator(".sidebar-frame:not(.folded)").waitFor();
+      await settleSidebar();
+      assertEquals(await page.locator(".app-shell__main").boundingBox(), mainBeforeHover);
+      const sidebarLink = sidebar.locator(".sidebar-frame-content a").first();
+      await sidebarLink.focus();
+      await page.mouse.move(1000, 30);
+      await page.waitForTimeout(250);
+      assertEquals(await page.locator(".sidebar-frame.folded").count(), 0, "keyboard focus must hold the preview open");
+      await page.getByRole("link", { name: "Open Account", exact: true }).focus();
+      await page.locator(".sidebar-frame.folded").waitFor();
+      await settleSidebar();
+      await sidebar.hover({ position: { x: 10, y: 40 } });
+      await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Pin sidebar", exact: true }).click();
+      await page.mouse.move(1000, 30);
+      await page.waitForTimeout(250);
+      assertEquals(await page.locator(".sidebar-frame.folded").count(), 0);
+      assertEquals(await page.evaluate(() => localStorage.getItem("yoi.sidebar.mode.v1")), "pinned");
+      await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Unpin sidebar", exact: true }).click();
+      // Hold a preview open across reload; only the mode should be restored.
+      await sidebarLink.focus();
+      await page.mouse.move(1000, 30);
+      assertEquals(await page.evaluate(() => localStorage.getItem("yoi.sidebar.mode.v1")), "hover");
+      await page.reload();
+      await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Pin sidebar", exact: true }).waitFor();
+      assertEquals(await page.locator(".app-shell.sidebar-open").count(), 0);
+      await page.setViewportSize({ width: 600, height: viewportHeight });
+      await settleSidebar();
       await checkSidebarSlide(page, true, true);
       await checkSidebarSlide(page, true, false);
       await checkSidebarSlide(page, true, true);
-      assertEquals(await page.evaluate(() => localStorage.getItem("yoi.sidebar.folded.v1")), "false");
+      assertEquals(await page.evaluate(() => localStorage.getItem("yoi.sidebar.mode.v1")), "hover");
       await page.reload();
-      await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Hide sidebar", exact: true }).waitFor();
-      assertEquals(await page.locator(".app-shell.sidebar-open").count(), 1);
+      await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Show sidebar", exact: true }).waitFor();
+      assertEquals(await page.locator(".app-shell.sidebar-open").count(), 0);
+      await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Show sidebar", exact: true }).click();
+      await settleSidebar();
       await page.emulateMedia({ reducedMotion: "reduce" });
       await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Hide sidebar", exact: true }).click();
       const reducedSidebar = await page.locator(".sidebar-frame").evaluate((element) => ({
@@ -411,6 +448,31 @@ async function checkConsoleHistory(viewportHeight: number): Promise<void> {
       }));
       assertEquals(reducedSidebar, { animations: 0, right: 0, visibility: "hidden" });
       assertEquals(await page.locator(".app-shell__main").evaluate((element) => (element as HTMLElement).inert), false);
+      if (viewportHeight === 600) {
+        const touchContext = await browser.newContext({
+          viewport: { width: 600, height: 600 }, hasTouch: true, isMobile: true,
+          storageState: await context.storageState(),
+        });
+        const touchPage = await touchContext.newPage();
+        await touchPage.goto(page.url());
+        await touchPage.getByRole("button", { name: "Show sidebar", exact: true }).tap();
+        await touchPage.getByRole("button", { name: "Pin sidebar", exact: true }).tap();
+        assertEquals(await touchPage.evaluate(() => localStorage.getItem("yoi.sidebar.mode.v1")), "pinned");
+        await touchPage.getByRole("button", { name: "Hide sidebar", exact: true }).tap();
+        await touchPage.reload();
+        await touchPage.getByRole("button", { name: "Show sidebar", exact: true }).waitFor();
+        assertEquals(await touchPage.evaluate(() => localStorage.getItem("yoi.sidebar.mode.v1")), "pinned");
+        // A wide touchscreen still has a temporary-open control in hover mode.
+        await touchPage.setViewportSize({ width: 1024, height: 600 });
+        await touchPage.getByRole("button", { name: "Unpin sidebar", exact: true }).tap();
+        await touchPage.locator(".sidebar-frame.folded").waitFor();
+        await touchPage.getByRole("button", { name: "Show sidebar", exact: true }).tap();
+        await touchPage.locator(".sidebar-frame:not(.folded)").waitFor();
+        await touchPage.getByRole("button", { name: "Hide sidebar", exact: true }).tap();
+        await touchPage.locator(".sidebar-frame.folded").waitFor();
+        assertEquals(await touchPage.evaluate(() => localStorage.getItem("yoi.sidebar.mode.v1")), "hover");
+        await touchContext.close();
+      }
       assertEquals(errors, []);
       await context.close();
     } finally {
diff --git a/web/workspace/src/lib/workspace/console/worker-console.ui.test.ts b/web/workspace/src/lib/workspace/console/worker-console.ui.test.ts
index 4c0640485..f69f9b4a3 100644
--- a/web/workspace/src/lib/workspace/console/worker-console.ui.test.ts
+++ b/web/workspace/src/lib/workspace/console/worker-console.ui.test.ts
@@ -1325,12 +1325,12 @@ Deno.test("Account UI owns browser passkey session state without workspace autho
     "Workspace layout should load workspace data, register with the parent slot, and provide the same slot contract to children",
   );
   assert(
-    sidebarFrame.includes("folded = $bindable(false)") &&
+    sidebarFrame.includes("mode: 'pinned' | 'hover'") &&
       sidebarFrame.includes("sidebar-fold-button") &&
-      sidebarFrame.includes("Fold sidebar") &&
-      sidebarFrame.includes("Unfold sidebar") &&
-      rootLayout.includes("let sidebarFolded = $state(loadSidebarFolded())") &&
-      rootLayout.includes("<SidebarFrame bind:folded={sidebarFolded}>") &&
+      sidebarFrame.includes("Pin sidebar") &&
+      sidebarFrame.includes("Unpin sidebar") &&
+      rootLayout.includes("let sidebarMode = $state(loadSidebarMode())") &&
+      rootLayout.includes("mode={sidebarMode}") &&
       !workspaceLayout.includes("sidebarFolded") &&
       !workspaceLayout.includes("onToggleFold") &&
       !sidebar.includes("folded?: boolean") &&
diff --git a/web/workspace/src/lib/workspace/sidebar/SidebarFrame.svelte b/web/workspace/src/lib/workspace/sidebar/SidebarFrame.svelte
index 6bfc9e323..364bfceed 100644
--- a/web/workspace/src/lib/workspace/sidebar/SidebarFrame.svelte
+++ b/web/workspace/src/lib/workspace/sidebar/SidebarFrame.svelte
@@ -1,24 +1,95 @@
 <script lang="ts">
-  import type { Snippet } from 'svelte';
+  import { onDestroy, type Snippet } from 'svelte';
   import Bevel from '$lib/workspace/ui/Bevel.svelte';
   import './sidebar.css';
 
   type Props = {
     children: Snippet<[]>;
-    folded?: boolean;
+    mode: 'pinned' | 'hover';
+    open: boolean;
+    mobile: boolean;
+    onModeChange: (mode: 'pinned' | 'hover') => void;
+    onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
   };
 
-  let { children, folded = $bindable(false) }: Props = $props();
+  let { children, mode, open, mobile, onModeChange, onOpenChange }: Props = $props();
+  let frame: HTMLElement;
+  let pointerInside = false;
+  let focusInside = false;
+  let closeTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined;
 
-  function toggleFold() {
-    folded = !folded;
+  function clearCloseTimer() {
+    clearTimeout(closeTimer);
+    closeTimer = undefined;
   }
+
+  function scheduleClose() {
+    clearCloseTimer();
+    if (mobile || pointerInside || focusInside) return;
+    closeTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+      if (!mobile && mode === 'hover' && !pointerInside && !focusInside) onOpenChange(false);
+      closeTimer = undefined;
+    }, 180);
+  }
+
+  function enter(event: PointerEvent) {
+    if (mobile || event.pointerType !== 'mouse') return;
+    pointerInside = true;
+    clearCloseTimer();
+    if (mode === 'hover') onOpenChange(true);
+  }
+
+  function leave(event: PointerEvent) {
+    if (event.pointerType !== 'mouse') return;
+    pointerInside = false;
+    scheduleClose();
+  }
+
+  function focusIn() {
+    focusInside = true;
+    clearCloseTimer();
+    if (!mobile && mode === 'hover') onOpenChange(true);
+  }
+
+  function focusOut(event: FocusEvent) {
+    if (event.relatedTarget instanceof Node && frame.contains(event.relatedTarget)) return;
+    focusInside = false;
+    scheduleClose();
+  }
+
+  function toggleMode(event: MouseEvent) {
+    const next = mode === 'pinned' ? 'hover' : 'pinned';
+    // A pointer click should not leave keyboard focus holding the preview open.
+    if (event.detail > 0) (event.currentTarget as HTMLButtonElement).blur();
+    onModeChange(next);
+    if (!mobile) onOpenChange(next === 'hover');
+    scheduleClose();
+  }
+
+  $effect(() => {
+    mobile;
+    pointerInside = false;
+    focusInside = false;
+    clearCloseTimer();
+  });
+  onDestroy(clearCloseTimer);
 </script>
 
-<div class="sidebar-frame" class:folded>
-  <Bevel as="div" class="sidebar-frame__bevel" top={false} bottom={false} left={false} fill>
-    <aside class="sidebar-frame__surface" aria-label="Sidebar">
-      <div class="sidebar-frame-content" inert={folded} aria-hidden={folded}>
+<aside
+  class="sidebar-frame"
+  class:folded={!open}
+  class:hover-mode={mode === 'hover'}
+  aria-label="Sidebar"
+  bind:this={frame}
+  onpointerenter={enter}
+  onpointerleave={leave}
+  onpointercancel={leave}
+  onfocusin={focusIn}
+  onfocusout={focusOut}
+>
+  <Bevel as="div" class="sidebar-frame__bevel" top={false} bottom={false} left={false}>
+    <div class="sidebar-frame__surface">
+      <div class="sidebar-frame-content" inert={!open} aria-hidden={!open}>
         {@render children()}
       </div>
 
@@ -26,24 +97,17 @@
         <button
           class="sidebar-fold-button"
           type="button"
-          aria-label={folded ? 'Unfold sidebar' : 'Fold sidebar'}
-          aria-expanded={!folded}
-          title={folded ? 'Unfold sidebar' : 'Fold sidebar'}
-          onclick={toggleFold}
+          aria-label={mode === 'pinned' ? 'Unpin sidebar' : 'Pin sidebar'}
+          aria-pressed={mode === 'pinned'}
+          title={mode === 'pinned' ? 'Always visible — switch to show on hover' : 'Show on hover — pin sidebar'}
+          onclick={toggleMode}
         >
-          {#if folded}
-            <svg class="sidebar-icon" aria-hidden="true" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
-              <path d="m6 17 5-5-5-5" />
-              <path d="m13 17 5-5-5-5" />
-            </svg>
-          {:else}
-            <svg class="sidebar-icon" aria-hidden="true" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
-              <path d="m11 17-5-5 5-5" />
-              <path d="m18 17-5-5 5-5" />
-            </svg>
-          {/if}
+          <svg class="sidebar-icon" aria-hidden="true" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+            <path d="M9 3H15L14 9L18 13V15H6V13L10 9L9 3ZM12 15V21" />
+            {#if mode === 'hover'}<path d="M3 3L21 21" />{/if}
+          </svg>
         </button>
       </div>
-    </aside>
+    </div>
   </Bevel>
-</div>
+</aside>
diff --git a/web/workspace/src/lib/workspace/sidebar/sidebar.css b/web/workspace/src/lib/workspace/sidebar/sidebar.css
index cfd0875e0..f641cfd28 100644
--- a/web/workspace/src/lib/workspace/sidebar/sidebar.css
+++ b/web/workspace/src/lib/workspace/sidebar/sidebar.css
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
     --sidebar-item-hover: oklch(96% 0 0);
     --sidebar-item-active: oklch(92.5% 0 0);
     --sidebar-width: clamp(220px, 20vw, 280px);
+    --sidebar-rail-width: calc(32px + var(--space-2) + var(--space-2) + 1px);
     --sidebar-motion-duration: 220ms;
     --sidebar-motion-easing: cubic-bezier(0.2, 0, 0, 1);
 
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@
     }
   }
   .sidebar-frame.folded {
-    width: calc(32px + var(--space-2) + var(--space-2) + 1px);
+    width: var(--sidebar-rail-width);
     overflow: hidden;
   }
   .sidebar-frame-content {
@@ -58,6 +59,25 @@
     visibility: hidden;
     transition-delay: 0s, var(--sidebar-motion-duration);
   }
+  .sidebar-frame.hover-mode {
+    position: relative;
+    z-index: 40;
+    width: var(--sidebar-rail-width);
+    overflow: visible;
+  }
+  .sidebar-frame.hover-mode .bevel.sidebar-frame__bevel {
+    position: absolute;
+    top: 0;
+    left: 0;
+    height: 100%;
+    width: var(--sidebar-width);
+    overflow: hidden;
+    background: var(--bg);
+    transition: width var(--sidebar-motion-duration) var(--sidebar-motion-easing);
+  }
+  .sidebar-frame.hover-mode.folded .bevel.sidebar-frame__bevel {
+    width: var(--sidebar-rail-width);
+  }
   .sidebar-frame-content,
   .global-sidebar,
   .workspace-sidebar,
@@ -647,7 +667,8 @@
   }
 
   @media (max-width: 760px) {
-    .sidebar-frame {
+    .sidebar-frame,
+    .sidebar-frame.hover-mode {
       --sidebar-width: 100%;
       z-index: 20;
       grid-column: 1;
@@ -660,7 +681,8 @@
       transition: transform var(--sidebar-motion-duration) var(--sidebar-motion-easing),
         visibility 0s;
     }
-    .sidebar-frame.folded {
+    .sidebar-frame.folded,
+    .sidebar-frame.hover-mode.folded {
       width: 100%;
       transform: translateX(-100%);
       visibility: hidden;
@@ -673,8 +695,11 @@
       visibility: inherit;
       transition: none;
     }
-    .sidebar-control-row {
-      display: none;
+    .sidebar-frame.hover-mode .bevel.sidebar-frame__bevel,
+    .sidebar-frame.hover-mode.folded .bevel.sidebar-frame__bevel {
+      position: static;
+      width: 100%;
+      transition: none;
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/web/workspace/src/routes/+layout.svelte b/web/workspace/src/routes/+layout.svelte
index 00f1bc367..d9e088ee3 100644
--- a/web/workspace/src/routes/+layout.svelte
+++ b/web/workspace/src/routes/+layout.svelte
@@ -25,31 +25,42 @@
   const headerOverrides = createOverrideStack<HeaderSnippet>((activeHeader) => {
     header = activeHeader;
   });
-  // Browser-wide layout preference; independent of authentication and Workspace.
-  const sidebarFoldStorageKey = 'yoi.sidebar.folded.v1';
-  function loadSidebarFolded(): boolean {
-    if (typeof window === 'undefined') return false;
+  // Only the display mode persists; hover/touch previews never do.
+  const sidebarModeStorageKey = 'yoi.sidebar.mode.v1';
+  const legacySidebarStorageKey = 'yoi.sidebar.folded.v1';
+  function loadSidebarMode(): 'pinned' | 'hover' {
+    if (typeof window === 'undefined') return 'pinned';
     try {
-      return window.localStorage.getItem(sidebarFoldStorageKey) === 'true';
+      const mode = window.localStorage.getItem(sidebarModeStorageKey);
+      if (mode === 'pinned' || mode === 'hover') return mode;
+      return window.localStorage.getItem(legacySidebarStorageKey) === 'true' ? 'hover' : 'pinned';
     } catch {
-      return false;
+      return 'pinned';
     }
   }
 
-  let sidebarFolded = $state(loadSidebarFolded());
+  let sidebarMode = $state(loadSidebarMode());
+  let sidebarTransientOpen = $state(false);
   const mobileLayout = new MediaQuery('(max-width: 760px)');
+  const sidebarOpen = $derived((!mobileLayout.current && sidebarMode === 'pinned') || sidebarTransientOpen);
 
   $effect(() => {
-    const folded = sidebarFolded;
+    const mode = sidebarMode;
     try {
-      window.localStorage.setItem(sidebarFoldStorageKey, String(folded));
+      window.localStorage.setItem(sidebarModeStorageKey, mode);
+      window.localStorage.removeItem(legacySidebarStorageKey);
     } catch {
-      // Storage can be blocked or full; folding must still work for this page.
+      // Blocked/full storage must not prevent mode changes in this page.
     }
   });
 
+  $effect(() => {
+    mobileLayout.current;
+    sidebarTransientOpen = false;
+  });
+
   function toggleSidebar() {
-    sidebarFolded = !sidebarFolded;
+    sidebarTransientOpen = !sidebarOpen;
   }
 
   provideHeaderController({
@@ -62,8 +73,14 @@
 
 <WorkspaceAlerts />
 
-<div class="app-shell" class:sidebar-open={!sidebarFolded}>
-  <SidebarFrame bind:folded={sidebarFolded}>
+<div class="app-shell" class:sidebar-open={sidebarOpen} class:sidebar-hover-mode={sidebarMode === 'hover'}>
+  <SidebarFrame
+    mode={sidebarMode}
+    open={sidebarOpen}
+    mobile={mobileLayout.current}
+    onModeChange={(mode) => { sidebarMode = mode; }}
+    onOpenChange={(open) => { sidebarTransientOpen = open; }}
+  >
     <GlobalSidebar
       currentPath={page.url.pathname}
       content={sidebar}
@@ -80,13 +97,13 @@
         <button
           class="app-shell__icon-button app-shell__mobile-sidebar-toggle"
           type="button"
-          aria-label={sidebarFolded ? 'Show sidebar' : 'Hide sidebar'}
-          aria-expanded={!sidebarFolded}
-          title={sidebarFolded ? 'Show sidebar' : 'Hide sidebar'}
+          aria-label={sidebarOpen ? 'Hide sidebar' : 'Show sidebar'}
+          aria-expanded={sidebarOpen}
+          title={sidebarOpen ? 'Hide sidebar' : 'Show sidebar'}
           onclick={toggleSidebar}
         >
           <svg class="app-shell__icon" aria-hidden="true" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
-            {#if sidebarFolded}
+            {#if !sidebarOpen}
               <path d="m6 17 5-5-5-5" />
               <path d="m13 17 5-5-5-5" />
             {:else}
@@ -104,7 +121,7 @@
       </nav>
     </header>
   </Bevel>
-  <main class="app-shell__main" inert={mobileLayout.current && !sidebarFolded}>
+  <main class="app-shell__main" inert={mobileLayout.current && sidebarOpen}>
     {@render children()}
   </main>
 </div>
@@ -203,6 +220,12 @@
     padding: var(--space-4);
   }
 
+  @media (hover: none) {
+    .sidebar-hover-mode .app-shell__mobile-sidebar-toggle {
+      display: inline-flex;
+    }
+  }
+
   @media (max-width: 760px) {
     .app-shell {
       grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr);
diff --git a/web/workspace/src/routes/sidebar-fold.browser.spec.ts b/web/workspace/src/routes/sidebar-fold.browser.spec.ts
index ac4ceff48..4a3bcbae2 100644
--- a/web/workspace/src/routes/sidebar-fold.browser.spec.ts
+++ b/web/workspace/src/routes/sidebar-fold.browser.spec.ts
@@ -2,88 +2,172 @@
 
 import { cleanup, fireEvent, render, screen } from "@testing-library/svelte";
 import { afterEach, beforeEach, expect, test, vi } from "vitest";
-import { createRawSnippet } from "svelte";
+import { createRawSnippet, tick } from "svelte";
 import { logout } from "$lib/workspace/auth/api";
 import Layout from "./+layout.svelte";
 
 vi.mock("$app/state", () => ({ page: { url: new URL("https://example.test/") } }));
-
-const storageKey = "yoi.sidebar.folded.v1";
+const storageKey = "yoi.sidebar.mode.v1";
+const legacyKey = "yoi.sidebar.folded.v1";
 const props = {
   params: {},
   children: createRawSnippet(() => ({ render: () => "<p>Page content</p>" })),
   data: { accessibleWorkspaces: [], workspaceCatalogError: null },
 };
+const frame = () => screen.getByRole("complementary", { name: "Sidebar" });
+const folded = () => frame().classList.contains("folded");
+const enter = () => fireEvent.pointerEnter(frame(), { pointerType: "mouse" });
+const leave = () => fireEvent.pointerLeave(frame(), { pointerType: "mouse" });
+const delay = () => vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(200);
 
-beforeEach(() => localStorage.clear());
+beforeEach(() => { localStorage.clear(); vi.useFakeTimers(); });
 afterEach(() => {
   cleanup();
+  vi.useRealTimers();
   vi.restoreAllMocks();
   vi.unstubAllGlobals();
   localStorage.clear();
 });
 
-test("sidebar starts unfolded and persists both desktop and mobile toggles", async () => {
-  const view = render(Layout, { props });
-  expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Fold sidebar" }).getAttribute("aria-expanded")).toBe("true");
-  const content = view.container.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".sidebar-frame-content")!;
+test("unpinning changes mode, and pointer departure closes the preview", async () => {
+  render(Layout, { props });
+  expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Unpin sidebar" }).getAttribute("aria-pressed")).toBe("true");
+  await enter();
+  screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Unpin sidebar" }).focus();
+  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Unpin sidebar" }), { detail: 1 });
+  expect(localStorage.getItem(storageKey)).toBe("hover");
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
+  await leave();
+  await delay();
+  expect(folded()).toBe(true);
+});
+
+test.each(["pinned", "hover"])("restores %s mode without persisting a transient open state", (mode) => {
+  localStorage.setItem(storageKey, mode);
+  render(Layout, { props });
+  expect(folded()).toBe(mode === "hover");
+  expect(localStorage.getItem(storageKey)).toBe(mode);
+});
+
+test.each([true, false])("migrates legacy folded=%s to a mode", (value) => {
+  localStorage.setItem(legacyKey, String(value));
+  render(Layout, { props });
+  expect(localStorage.getItem(storageKey)).toBe(value ? "hover" : "pinned");
+  expect(localStorage.getItem(legacyKey)).toBeNull();
+  expect(folded()).toBe(value);
+});
+
+test("a saved mode takes precedence over the legacy preference", () => {
+  localStorage.setItem(legacyKey, "true");
+  localStorage.setItem(storageKey, "pinned");
+  render(Layout, { props });
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
+});
+
+test("hover keeps the same content node, delays closing, and cancels closing on reentry", async () => {
+  localStorage.setItem(storageKey, "hover");
+  render(Layout, { props });
+  const content = frame().querySelector<HTMLElement>(".sidebar-frame-content")!;
+  expect(content.inert).toBe(true);
+  await enter();
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
   expect(content.inert).toBe(false);
-  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Fold sidebar" }));
-  expect(view.container.querySelector(".sidebar-frame-content")).toBe(content);
+  await leave();
+  await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(100);
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
+  await enter();
+  await delay();
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
+  await leave();
+  await delay();
+  expect(folded()).toBe(true);
+  expect(frame().querySelector(".sidebar-frame-content")).toBe(content);
   expect(content.inert).toBe(true);
   expect(content.getAttribute("aria-hidden")).toBe("true");
-  expect(localStorage.getItem(storageKey)).toBe("true");
-  expect(view.container.querySelector(".app-shell")?.classList.contains("sidebar-open")).toBe(false);
-  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Show sidebar" }));
-  expect(content.inert).toBe(false);
-  expect(content.getAttribute("aria-hidden")).toBe("false");
-  expect(localStorage.getItem(storageKey)).toBe("false");
-  expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Fold sidebar" })).not.toBeNull();
-  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Hide sidebar" }));
-  expect(localStorage.getItem(storageKey)).toBe("true");
-  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Unfold sidebar" }));
-  expect(localStorage.getItem(storageKey)).toBe("false");
+  expect(localStorage.getItem(storageKey)).toBe("hover");
 });
 
-test.each([true, false])("restores stored folded=%s without overwriting it with the default", (folded) => {
-  localStorage.setItem(storageKey, String(folded));
-  const writes = vi.spyOn(Storage.prototype, "setItem");
-  const view = render(Layout, { props });
-  expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: folded ? "Unfold sidebar" : "Fold sidebar" }).getAttribute("aria-expanded")).toBe(String(!folded));
-  expect(view.container.querySelector(".app-shell")?.classList.contains("sidebar-open")).toBe(!folded);
-  expect(writes.mock.calls.every(([key, value]) => key !== storageKey || value === String(folded))).toBe(true);
+test("keyboard focus opens the preview and holds it until focus leaves", async () => {
+  localStorage.setItem(storageKey, "hover");
+  render(Layout, { props });
+  screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Pin sidebar" }).focus();
+  await tick();
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
+  await enter();
+  await leave();
+  await delay();
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
+  screen.getByRole("link", { name: "Open Account" }).focus();
+  await delay();
+  expect(folded()).toBe(true);
 });
 
-test("fold preference survives logout and a fresh app mount", async () => {
+test("pinning a preview keeps it open after pointer and focus leave", async () => {
+  localStorage.setItem(storageKey, "hover");
+  render(Layout, { props });
+  await enter();
+  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Pin sidebar" }), { detail: 1 });
+  await leave();
+  await delay();
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
+  expect(localStorage.getItem(storageKey)).toBe("pinned");
+});
+
+test("mode survives logout and remount, but an open preview does not", async () => {
   vi.stubGlobal("fetch", vi.fn(async () => Response.json({ status: "logged_out" })));
+  localStorage.setItem(storageKey, "hover");
   const view = render(Layout, { props });
-  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Fold sidebar" }));
+  await enter();
   await logout();
   view.unmount();
   render(Layout, { props });
-  expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Unfold sidebar" })).not.toBeNull();
-  expect(localStorage.getItem(storageKey)).toBe("true");
+  expect(folded()).toBe(true);
+  expect(localStorage.getItem(storageKey)).toBe("hover");
 });
 
-test("invalid storage falls back to unfolded", () => {
-  localStorage.setItem(storageKey, "not-a-boolean");
+test("touch does not hover; mobile header opens temporarily without changing mode", async () => {
+  const matchMedia = window.matchMedia.bind(window);
+  vi.spyOn(window, "matchMedia").mockImplementation((query) => {
+    const result = matchMedia(query);
+    Object.defineProperty(result, "matches", { value: query === "(max-width: 760px)" });
+    return result;
+  });
+  localStorage.setItem(storageKey, "hover");
+  const view = render(Layout, { props });
+  await fireEvent.pointerEnter(frame(), { pointerType: "touch" });
+  expect(folded()).toBe(true);
+  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Show sidebar" }));
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
+  expect(view.container.querySelector<HTMLElement>("main")!.inert).toBe(true);
+  await fireEvent.pointerLeave(frame(), { pointerType: "touch" });
+  await delay();
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
+  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Hide sidebar" }));
+  expect(folded()).toBe(true);
+  expect(view.container.querySelector<HTMLElement>("main")!.inert).toBe(false);
+  expect(localStorage.getItem(storageKey)).toBe("hover");
+});
+
+test("invalid storage falls back to pinned", () => {
+  localStorage.setItem(storageKey, "not-a-mode");
   render(Layout, { props });
-  expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Fold sidebar" })).not.toBeNull();
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
 });
 
-test("unavailable storage does not prevent folding", async () => {
+test("unavailable storage does not prevent mode switching", async () => {
   vi.spyOn(window, "localStorage", "get").mockImplementation(() => { throw new DOMException("Blocked", "SecurityError"); });
   render(Layout, { props });
-  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Fold sidebar" }));
-  expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Unfold sidebar" })).not.toBeNull();
-  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Show sidebar" }));
-  expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Fold sidebar" })).not.toBeNull();
+  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Unpin sidebar" }));
+  await delay();
+  expect(folded()).toBe(true);
+  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Pin sidebar" }));
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
 });
 
-test("full storage still restores the saved value and allows toggles", async () => {
-  localStorage.setItem(storageKey, "true");
+test("full storage still restores the mode and allows changes", async () => {
+  localStorage.setItem(storageKey, "hover");
   vi.spyOn(Storage.prototype, "setItem").mockImplementation(() => { throw new DOMException("Full", "QuotaExceededError"); });
   render(Layout, { props });
-  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Unfold sidebar" }));
-  expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Fold sidebar" })).not.toBeNull();
+  await fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Pin sidebar" }));
+  expect(folded()).toBe(false);
 });
diff --git a/web/workspace/tests/bevel-line-contract.test.ts b/web/workspace/tests/bevel-line-contract.test.ts
index f433d9412..15451cd8c 100644
--- a/web/workspace/tests/bevel-line-contract.test.ts
+++ b/web/workspace/tests/bevel-line-contract.test.ts
@@ -93,18 +93,18 @@ Deno.test("Shell regions use selected Bevel edges while open separators use Beve
   assert(
     rootLayout.includes('class="app-shell__topbar-bevel"') &&
       rootLayout.includes("top={false} right={false} left={false}") &&
-      rootLayout.includes("bind:folded={sidebarFolded}") &&
+      rootLayout.includes("open={sidebarOpen}") &&
       rootLayout.includes("app-shell__mobile-sidebar-toggle") &&
-      rootLayout.includes("class:sidebar-open={!sidebarFolded}") &&
+      rootLayout.includes("class:sidebar-open={sidebarOpen}") &&
       !rootLayout.includes("depth=") &&
       !rootLayout.includes("BevelLine") &&
       sidebarFrame.includes('class="sidebar-frame__bevel"') &&
       sidebarFrame.includes("top={false} bottom={false} left={false}") &&
-      sidebarFrame.includes("$bindable(false)") &&
+      sidebarFrame.includes("class:folded={!open}") &&
       !sidebarFrame.includes("depth=") &&
       !sidebarFrame.includes("BevelLine") &&
       sidebarCss.includes(".sidebar-frame.folded") &&
-      sidebarCss.includes("display: none") &&
+      sidebarCss.includes("transform: translateX(-100%)") &&
       sidebarCss.includes("display: grid"),
     "Desktop shell boundaries must use one selected border edge and Mobile must share Header fold state",
   );