From a31968683376d9c132dfd8123994607b58c51195 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: dotCooCoo <RobertLeeLW@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2026 04:53:43 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 1/4] UI: toggle the Help Bar independently and save its
 visibility

---
 ROADMAP.md                                   |  4 +-
 crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs                    |  5 +-
 crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/status_bar.rs      |  3 +-
 crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/tests.rs           | 62 ++++++++++++++++++++
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv            |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv               |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv          |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv          |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/layout_migration.rs       | 11 ++++
 crates/ui-egui/src/layout_migration/tests.rs | 20 +++++++
 crates/ui-egui/src/menus/run.rs              |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/menus/state.rs            |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/menus/tests.rs            | 23 ++++++++
 crates/ui-egui/src/menus/tree.rs             |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/menus/ui_commands.rs      |  1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/state.rs                  |  2 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/workspaces.rs             |  3 +
 docs/gaps.md                                 |  5 +-
 docs/roadmap.md                              |  5 +-
 docs/target-app-parity.md                    |  5 +-
 docs/ui-parity.md                            |  5 +-
 42 files changed, 175 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

diff --git a/ROADMAP.md b/ROADMAP.md
index bce1cab0c..304db22dc 100644
--- a/ROADMAP.md
+++ b/ROADMAP.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # VectorCraft Roadmap
 
+- UI: Window → Help Bar toggles the tool-help strip separately from the status bar and saves visibility with workspaces. Scores and estimates unchanged.
+
 - PDF.R1: editable PDF import uses the shared reader, scans page content in windows, and rejects known incomplete input before returning a document.
 - PDF.W1: PDF export and print composition use the shared optional writer for configuration, metadata, font preparation and guarded finalization; drawing and output policy remain app-owned.
 
@@ -9,7 +11,7 @@
 
 **Stage: alpha** · next: beta, ~13 points (ready for real work ~62% → ~75%, and reliable `.ai` exchange) and ~170–270 h away
 
-> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-02 · **Change:** minor (font-family fields accept the mouse wheel, #5253; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x)
+> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-03 · **Change:** minor (independent Help Bar visibility; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x)
 
 VectorCraft is a clean-room, open-source, pure-Rust reimplementation of the Adobe Illustrator workflow. It runs
 on macOS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD and the web (WASM), and agents can drive all of it over MCP, the CLI and a JSON
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs
index 63bb4de7b..0a178359b 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs
@@ -511,8 +511,11 @@ impl VectorcraftApp {
         }
         if self.ui.status_bar && self.ui.screen_mode < 3 {
             chrome::status_bar(self, ui);
+        }
+        if self.ui.help_bar && self.ui.screen_mode < 3 {
             chrome::hint_bar(self, ui);
-        } else {
+        }
+        if self.ui.screen_mode >= 3 || (!self.ui.status_bar && !self.ui.help_bar) {
             // Keeps the previous frame's value valid for menus drawn above, before the bars.
             widgets::set_menu_floor(&ctx, ctx.content_rect().bottom());
         }
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/status_bar.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/status_bar.rs
index 9a1ffbfbb..9fbd02327 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/status_bar.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/status_bar.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use super::{Arc, ROTATE_VIEW_ANGLES, Sense, Stroke, Tokens, Ui, VectorcraftApp,
 /// Draw the status message, bounded readouts and artboard navigation controls.
 pub fn status_bar(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, ui: &mut Ui) {
     let t = Tokens::get(ui.ctx());
-    egui::Panel::bottom("status_bar")
+    let panel = egui::Panel::bottom("status_bar")
         .exact_size(24.0)
         .frame(egui::Frame::NONE.fill(t.panel).inner_margin(egui::Margin::symmetric(8, 0)).stroke(Stroke::new(1.0, t.border)))
         .show(ui, |ui| {
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ pub fn status_bar(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, ui: &mut Ui) {
                 status_readouts(app, ui, &t);
             });
         });
+    widgets::set_menu_floor(ui.ctx(), panel.response.rect.top());
 }
 
 /// The most recently measured status widths, scoped to this UI and display settings.
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/tests.rs
index 774de7540..b4e6fcc34 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/tests.rs
@@ -14,6 +14,68 @@ use crate::theme::Tokens;
 use serde_json::json;
 use vectorcraft_engine::Session;
 
+#[test]
+fn help_bar_and_status_bar_render_independently() {
+    for (help, status, screen_mode) in [(true, true, 0), (false, true, 0), (true, false, 0), (false, false, 0), (true, true, 3)] {
+        let (mut app, ctx) = status_readout_app();
+        app.ui.help_bar = help;
+        app.ui.status_bar = status;
+        app.ui.screen_mode = screen_mode;
+        let screen = egui::Rect::from_min_size(egui::Pos2::ZERO, egui::vec2(1200.0, 800.0));
+        let mut parent = None;
+        let mut output = ctx.run_ui(egui::RawInput { screen_rect: Some(screen), ..Default::default() }, |ui| {
+            parent = Some(ui.scope_id());
+            app.ui(ui);
+        });
+        output.textures_delta.clear();
+        for _ in 0..2 {
+            output = ctx.run_ui(egui::RawInput { screen_rect: Some(screen), ..Default::default() }, |ui| app.ui(ui));
+            output.textures_delta.clear();
+        }
+        fn text(shape: &egui::Shape, out: &mut Vec<String>) {
+            match shape {
+                egui::Shape::Text(t) => out.push(t.galley.text().to_string()),
+                egui::Shape::Vec(shapes) => shapes.iter().for_each(|s| text(s, out)),
+                _ => {}
+            }
+        }
+        let mut shown = Vec::new();
+        for shape in &output.shapes {
+            text(&shape.shape, &mut shown);
+        }
+        assert_eq!(shown.iter().any(|t| t == "?"), help && screen_mode < 3, "{help}/{status}/{screen_mode}: {shown:?}");
+        assert_eq!(shown.iter().any(|t| t.contains("Saved recovery data")), status && screen_mode < 3, "{help}/{status}/{screen_mode}: {shown:?}");
+        let floor = ctx.data(|data| data.get_temp::<f32>(egui::Id::unique("menu_floor"))).unwrap();
+        let expected = if screen_mode < 3 && (help || status) {
+            let id = parent.unwrap().with(if help { "hint_bar" } else { "status_bar" });
+            egui::containers::panel::PanelState::load(&ctx, id).unwrap().outer_rect.top()
+        } else {
+            screen.bottom()
+        };
+        assert!((floor - expected).abs() < 1.0, "menu floor {floor}, expected {expected}");
+    }
+}
+
+#[test]
+#[ignore = "Renders the Help Bar visibility examples; set HELP_BAR_SCREENSHOTS to an output directory"]
+fn help_bar_visibility_screenshots() {
+    let dir = std::path::PathBuf::from(std::env::var_os("HELP_BAR_SCREENSHOTS").expect("output directory"));
+    for shown in [true, false] {
+        let mut app = crate::VectorcraftApp::new(Session::new(), Default::default());
+        app.run("file.new", json!({"width": 500, "height": 400})).unwrap();
+        if !shown {
+            crate::menus::run_ui_command(&mut app, "window.helpBar", &serde_json::Value::Null).unwrap().unwrap();
+        }
+        let mut h = egui_kittest::Harness::builder()
+            .with_size(egui::vec2(1000.0, 700.0))
+            .with_accessibility_check(false)
+            .wgpu()
+            .build_ui_state(|ui, app: &mut crate::VectorcraftApp| app.ui(ui), app);
+        h.run_steps(6);
+        h.render().unwrap().save(dir.join(if shown { "help-visible.png" } else { "help-hidden.png" })).unwrap();
+    }
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn hints_name_keys_as_the_menus_do() {
     let text = |tool: &str| super::hint_segments(tool).into_iter().map(|(s, _)| s).collect::<String>();
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv
index 614054f41..df04d2843 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv
@@ -6111,3 +6111,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Глифи
 	Create Swatch Legend	Създаване на легенда на образците
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Създаване на легенда на образците…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Лента за помощ
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv
index a0b4e236d..95c7fadfa 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv
@@ -6145,3 +6145,4 @@ shape	Open	Otvoren
 	Create Swatch Legend	Kreiraj legendu uzoraka boja
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Kreiraj legendu uzoraka boja…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Traka pomoći
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv
index 2a1f0a518..b656559e4 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv
@@ -6245,3 +6245,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glifs
 	Create Swatch Legend	Crea una llegenda de mostres
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Crea una llegenda de mostres…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Barra d’ajuda
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv
index b9e6fd740..fc7698da6 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv
@@ -6259,3 +6259,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyfy
 	Create Swatch Legend	Vytvořit legendu vzorníku
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Vytvořit legendu vzorníku…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Panel nápovědy
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv
index 20a0a4dfe..c8a92d7d3 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv
@@ -6127,3 +6127,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyffer
 	Create Swatch Legend	Opret farveprøveforklaring
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Opret farveprøveforklaring…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Hjælpelinje
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv
index 94430d21e..1504af382 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv
@@ -5845,3 +5845,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyphen
 	Create Swatch Legend	Farbfeldlegende erstellen
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Farbfeldlegende erstellen…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Hilfeleiste
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv
index 0a7d2be71..de8b95f0a 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv
@@ -6211,3 +6211,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Γλύφοι
 	Create Swatch Legend	Δημιουργία υπομνήματος δειγμάτων χρωμάτων
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Δημιουργία υπομνήματος δειγμάτων χρωμάτων…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Γραμμή βοήθειας
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv
index 4e5ba28d4..ccf04f1f4 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv
@@ -6201,3 +6201,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glifos
 	Create Swatch Legend	Crear leyenda de muestras
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Crear leyenda de muestras…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Barra de ayuda
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv
index c75f15ba5..048efe166 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv
@@ -6289,3 +6289,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Merkit
 	Create Swatch Legend	Luo värimallien selite
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Luo värimallien selite…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Ohjepalkki
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv
index 20b608bb4..a42c01e8d 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv
@@ -6254,3 +6254,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyphes
 	Create Swatch Legend	Créer une légende des nuances
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Créer une légende des nuances…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Barre d’aide
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv
index 8e4aa69f2..19d46d86c 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv
@@ -6127,3 +6127,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glif
 	Create Swatch Legend	Buat Legenda Swatch
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Buat Legenda Swatch…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Bilah Bantuan
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv
index 6fd38b0f7..6ff9da125 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv
@@ -5879,3 +5879,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glifi
 	Create Swatch Legend	Crea legenda campioni
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Crea legenda campioni…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Barra della guida
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv
index 5096fef13..53c779802 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv
@@ -5944,3 +5944,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	字形
 	Create Swatch Legend	スウォッチの凡例を作成
 	Create Swatch Legend…	スウォッチの凡例を作成…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	ヘルプバー
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv
index 5389e1f09..937db59f0 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv
@@ -6247,3 +6247,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	გლიფები
 	Create Swatch Legend	ფერის ნიმუშების ლეგენდის შექმნა
 	Create Swatch Legend…	ფერის ნიმუშების ლეგენდის შექმნა…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	დახმარების ზოლი
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv
index 8596570c7..550556091 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv
@@ -5840,3 +5840,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	글리프
 	Create Swatch Legend	견본 범례 만들기
 	Create Swatch Legend…	견본 범례 만들기…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	도움말 표시줄
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv
index 4cde5d403..a32aa110e 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv
@@ -6171,3 +6171,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyphs
 	Create Swatch Legend	Stalenlegenda maken
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Stalenlegenda maken…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Helpbalk
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv
index 52800ade0..0ca41d1c3 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv
@@ -6114,3 +6114,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glify
 	Create Swatch Legend	Utwórz legendę próbek
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Utwórz legendę próbek…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Pasek pomocy
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv
index 8369f4d23..2639bf40e 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv
@@ -6332,3 +6332,4 @@ swatch	Yellow Green	Verde-amarelado
 	Create Swatch Legend	Criar Legenda de Amostras
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Criar Legenda de Amostras…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Barra de ajuda
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv
index e6bf3f77c..5b00ad23f 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv
@@ -6348,3 +6348,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Глифы
 digits	Hindi	Хинди
 font-script	Japanese	Японский
 shape	Open	Открытый
+	Help Bar	Панель подсказок
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv
index f12351040..49f70795a 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv
@@ -6315,3 +6315,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyfer
 # The strings the report listed as missing for sv.
 	Font Size:	Teckenstorlek:
 digits	Hindi	Hindi
+	Help Bar	Hjälpfält
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv
index b198e1af1..9e9a07513 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv
@@ -6216,3 +6216,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glifler
 	Create Swatch Legend	Renk Örneği Açıklaması Oluştur
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Renk Örneği Açıklaması Oluştur…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Yardım Çubuğu
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv
index d468a63d7..cc19692ed 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv
@@ -5859,3 +5859,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Гліфи
 	Create Swatch Legend	Створити легенду зразків
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Створити легенду зразків…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Панель підказок
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv
index 9d4acddcb..cb106b4ef 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv
@@ -5860,3 +5860,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyph
 	Create Swatch Legend	Tạo chú giải mẫu màu
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Tạo chú giải mẫu màu…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Thanh trợ giúp
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv
index 0426b415f..234d02339 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv
@@ -6100,3 +6100,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	字形
 	Create Swatch Legend	创建色板图例
 	Create Swatch Legend…	创建色板图例…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	帮助栏
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv
index 92a1a9808..21f1b12af 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv
@@ -5897,3 +5897,4 @@ breakText	Glyphs	字符
 	Create Swatch Legend	建立色票圖例
 	Create Swatch Legend…	建立色票圖例…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	說明列
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/layout_migration.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/layout_migration.rs
index e5c6b1f9c..b56b46720 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/layout_migration.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/layout_migration.rs
@@ -44,10 +44,12 @@ impl UiState {
     pub fn read_preferences(bytes: &[u8]) -> Option<ReadPreferences> {
         let mut saved: Value = serde_json::from_slice(bytes).ok()?;
         let fields = saved.as_object_mut()?;
+        help_bar_visibility(fields, "status_bar", "help_bar");
         let mut intact = recover(fields, Keys::SNAKE);
         for key in ["custom_workspaces", "workspace_changes"] {
             if let Some(Value::Array(workspaces)) = fields.get_mut(key) {
                 for workspace in workspaces.iter_mut().filter_map(Value::as_object_mut) {
+                    help_bar_visibility(workspace, "statusBar", "helpBar");
                     intact &= recover(workspace, Keys::CAMEL);
                 }
             }
@@ -58,6 +60,15 @@ impl UiState {
     }
 }
 
+/// Older layouts used status-bar visibility for both bottom bars. Preserve that choice until
+/// the layout has an independent Help Bar setting.
+fn help_bar_visibility(fields: &mut Map<String, Value>, status: &str, help: &str) {
+    if !fields.contains_key(help) {
+        let visible = fields.get(status).and_then(Value::as_bool).unwrap_or(true);
+        fields.insert(help.into(), Value::Bool(visible));
+    }
+}
+
 /// The JSON keys of the docking fields: `UiState` is snake_case, [`Workspace`] camelCase.
 struct Keys {
     hidden: &'static str,
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/layout_migration/tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/layout_migration/tests.rs
index d97567eb1..9540f57bf 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/layout_migration/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/layout_migration/tests.rs
@@ -14,6 +14,26 @@ fn read(saved: &Value) -> ReadPreferences {
     UiState::read_preferences(&serde_json::to_vec(saved).unwrap()).unwrap()
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn legacy_help_bar_visibility_follows_each_layouts_status_bar() {
+    let prefs = read(&json!({
+        "status_bar": false,
+        "custom_workspaces": [{"name":"Hidden", "statusBar": false}, {"name":"Shown", "statusBar":true}],
+        "workspace_changes": [{"name":"Changed", "statusBar":false}]
+    }));
+    assert!(!prefs.ui.help_bar);
+    assert!(!prefs.ui.custom_workspaces[0].help_bar);
+    assert!(prefs.ui.custom_workspaces[1].help_bar);
+    assert!(!prefs.ui.workspace_changes[0].help_bar);
+    assert!(read(&json!({})).ui.help_bar);
+    for (status, help) in [(true, false), (false, true)] {
+        let prefs = read(&json!({"status_bar":status, "help_bar":help,
+            "custom_workspaces":[{"name":"Explicit", "statusBar":status, "helpBar":help}]}));
+        assert_eq!(prefs.ui.help_bar, help);
+        assert_eq!(prefs.ui.custom_workspaces[0].help_bar, help);
+    }
+}
+
 /// The dock of a layout in the current shape: the canvas beside a dock at the end edge.
 fn dock(layout: &Layout<String>) -> &[Column<String>] {
     assert!(docking::valid(layout), "{layout:?}");
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/run.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/run.rs
index b788cd58b..1d403f889 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/run.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/run.rs
@@ -433,6 +433,7 @@ fn run_ui_part5(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, id: &str, p: &Value) -> Option<Result<
             Ok(Value::Null)
         }
         "window.control" => flag(&mut app.ui.control_bar),
+        "window.helpBar" => flag(&mut app.ui.help_bar),
         "window.toolbar" => flag(&mut app.ui.toolbar),
         "window.toolbarColumns" => {
             let toolbar = match crate::custom_toolbars::target(&app.ui, p) {
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/state.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/state.rs
index 523d930e0..0c50df321 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/state.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/state.rs
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ pub fn checked(app: &VectorcraftApp, id: &str, p: &Value) -> Option<bool> {
         // a document no item is checked.
         "view.rotate" => app.view().zip(p.get("angle").and_then(Value::as_f64)).is_some_and(|(view, a)| (view.rotation - a).abs() < 1e-9),
         "window.control" => app.ui.control_bar,
+        "window.helpBar" => app.ui.help_bar,
         "window.toolbar" => app.ui.toolbar,
         "window.toolbarAdvanced" => app.ui.toolbar_advanced,
         "window.toolbarColumns" => match p.get("toolbar").and_then(Value::as_str) {
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/tests.rs
index 4b46453ca..c3a05c6ed 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/tests.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,29 @@
 use super::*;
 use crate::theme;
 
+#[test]
+fn help_bar_toggle_is_independent_and_saved_in_workspaces() {
+    let mut app = VectorcraftApp::new(vectorcraft_engine::Session::new(), crate::Services::default());
+    assert!(app.ui.help_bar);
+    assert_eq!(checked(&app, "window.helpBar", &Value::Null), Some(true));
+    assert_eq!(run_ui_command(&mut app, "window.helpBar", &Value::Null).unwrap().unwrap(), json!(false));
+    assert!(app.ui.status_bar);
+    assert_eq!(checked(&app, "window.helpBar", &Value::Null), Some(false));
+    let saved = crate::workspaces::capture(&app.ui, "No help");
+    let saved: crate::workspaces::Workspace = serde_json::from_value(serde_json::to_value(saved).unwrap()).unwrap();
+    app.ui.help_bar = true;
+    app.ui.status_bar = false;
+    crate::workspaces::apply(&mut app.ui, &saved);
+    assert!(!app.ui.help_bar && app.ui.status_bar);
+    assert_eq!(run_ui_command(&mut app, "window.helpBar", &Value::Null).unwrap().unwrap(), json!(true));
+    let legacy: crate::workspaces::Workspace = serde_json::from_value(json!({"name":"Old workspace"})).unwrap();
+    assert!(legacy.help_bar);
+    let restored: crate::state::UiState = serde_json::from_value(serde_json::to_value(&app.ui).unwrap()).unwrap();
+    assert!(restored.help_bar);
+    let (_, window) = menu_tree().into_iter().find(|(title, _)| *title == "Window").unwrap();
+    assert!(window.iter().any(|item| matches!(item, Item::Cmd("Help Bar", "window.helpBar", _))));
+}
+
 /// One headless frame of the in-window menu bar; returns its titles (left to right) as
 /// (rect, id of the title's popup).
 fn bar_frame(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, ctx: &egui::Context, events: Vec<egui::Event>) -> Vec<(egui::Rect, egui::Id)> {
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/tree.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/tree.rs
index 3a55ab37c..987453567 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/tree.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/tree.rs
@@ -622,6 +622,7 @@ pub fn menu_tree_named(english_names: bool) -> Vec<(&'static str, Vec<Item>)> {
                 sub("Workspace", crate::workspaces::menu_items()),
                 Sep,
                 c("Control", "window.control"),
+                c("Help Bar", "window.helpBar"),
                 c("Contextual Task Bar", "window.taskBar"),
                 c("Tools", "window.toolbar"),
                 sub("Toolbars", crate::custom_toolbars::menu_items()),
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/ui_commands.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/ui_commands.rs
index 97b7926e8..4242f29b2 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/ui_commands.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/ui_commands.rs
@@ -441,6 +441,7 @@ pub const UI_COMMANDS: &[(&str, &str, &str, &str)] = &[
     ),
     ("view.rotateReset", "Reset Rotate View", "Cmd+Shift+1", "{}"),
     ("window.control", "Control", "", "{}"),
+    ("window.helpBar", "Help Bar", "", "{} toggle the tool-help strip independently of the status bar; returns the new visibility"),
     ("window.toolbar", "Tools", "", "{}"),
     (
         "window.toolbarColumns",
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/state.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/state.rs
index 4dd6d9012..83dede42b 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/state.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/state.rs
@@ -432,6 +432,7 @@ pub struct UiState {
     #[serde(default)]
     pub toolbar_pos: Option<[f32; 2]>,
     pub status_bar: bool,
+    pub help_bar: bool,
     pub dock: bool,
     /// The bars that Tab (`window.dock`) hid, which the next Tab shows again; none when Tab has not
     /// hidden them since it last showed them, or a workspace was applied since.
@@ -940,6 +941,7 @@ impl Default for UiState {
             dock_width: None,
             toolbar_pos: None,
             status_bar: true,
+            help_bar: true,
             dock: true,
             tab_hid: None,
             view: ViewFlags::default(),
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/workspaces.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/workspaces.rs
index 28abe518b..0251bc82d 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/workspaces.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/workspaces.rs
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ pub struct Workspace {
     pub dock_collapsed: bool,
     pub open_panel: Option<String>,
     pub status_bar: bool,
+    pub help_bar: bool,
     /// Tool groups torn off the toolbar into floating strips (built-in workspaces: none).
     pub floating_flyouts: Vec<FloatingFlyout>,
     /// Floating panel groups in workspaces saved before the canvas joined `docking`; read only
@@ -185,6 +186,7 @@ pub fn capture(ui: &UiState, name: &str) -> Workspace {
         dock_collapsed: ui.dock_collapsed,
         open_panel: ui.open_panel.clone(),
         status_bar: ui.status_bar,
+        help_bar: ui.help_bar,
         floating_flyouts: ui.floating_flyouts.clone(),
         floating_panels: Vec::new(),
         docking: ui.docking.clone(),
@@ -212,6 +214,7 @@ pub fn apply(ui: &mut UiState, w: &Workspace) {
     ui.dock_collapsed = w.dock_collapsed;
     ui.open_panel = w.open_panel.clone();
     ui.status_bar = w.status_bar;
+    ui.help_bar = w.help_bar;
     ui.floating_flyouts = w.floating_flyouts.clone();
     ui.docking_generation = ui.docking_generation.wrapping_add(1);
     ui.docking = w.docking.clone().filter(crate::panel_docking::valid);
diff --git a/docs/gaps.md b/docs/gaps.md
index 783dc9711..f5c455306 100644
--- a/docs/gaps.md
+++ b/docs/gaps.md
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 # Gaps
 
-> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-03 · **Change:** minor (G15: a compound path's assembled path is kept between frames; estimate unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x)
+> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-03 · **Change:** minor (independent Help Bar visibility; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x)
 
 ## Feature submission evidence
 
+Window → Help Bar toggles the bottom tool-help strip independently of the status bar. Its visibility is saved with workspaces and UI preferences; Presentation Mode hides both bars. Scores and estimates are unchanged.
+
 The closed font-family fields in Character, Properties and Control now accept the
 mouse wheel for selected text (#5253). Each effective notch applies one family and
 adds one undo step; the list follows saved font filters, ignores search text, and
@@ -26,6 +28,7 @@ Artboard Options forwards the active Artboard tool's Scale Artwork with Artboard
 
 | Date | Change | Summary |
 |---|---|---|
+| 2026-11-03 | minor | Help Bar has its own Window menu toggle and workspace visibility setting. Scores and estimates unchanged. |
 | 2026-11-02 | minor | Font-family fields step selected text with the mouse wheel (#5253); no scored gap or estimate reassessed. |
 | 2026-10-24 | minor | G12: General › Corner Radius is the Rounded Rectangle tool's radius, a change while the tool is active reaches it, and the radius ↑/↓ set while drawing (or a Tool Options value) becomes the preference, within 0–1296 pt (#394, `crates/engine/src/tests/constrain_tools.rs`); no entry closed, estimate unchanged. |
 | 2026-10-22 | minor | Reconcile upstream documentation after review F-3; preserve every dated revision and the original scaleArt runtime evidence without repeating completed jobs. |
diff --git a/docs/roadmap.md b/docs/roadmap.md
index bf5f67279..18cb6a340 100644
--- a/docs/roadmap.md
+++ b/docs/roadmap.md
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 # Roadmap: milestones and what's next
 
-> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-03 · **Change:** minor (font-family fields accept the mouse wheel, #5253; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x)
+> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-03 · **Change:** minor (independent Help Bar visibility; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x)
 
 ## Feature submission evidence
 
+Window → Help Bar toggles the bottom tool-help strip independently of the status bar. Its visibility is saved with workspaces and UI preferences; Presentation Mode hides both bars. Scores and estimates are unchanged.
+
 **Feature evidence last updated:** 2026-11-03.
 
 The shared assessment status line and revision history are current upstream; this dated section records the submission's feature evidence and revisions without rescoring upstream or claiming a new combined build or runtime measurement.
@@ -19,6 +21,7 @@ Artboard Options forwards the active Artboard tool's Scale Artwork with Artboard
 
 | Date | Change | Summary |
 |---|---|---|
+| 2026-11-03 | minor | Help Bar has its own Window menu toggle and workspace visibility setting. Scores and estimates unchanged. |
 | 2026-10-30 | minor | M4: G9: `.ai`/EPS editing data: a blend takes the transparency (opacity, blend mode, knockout) in its state block after its record, so its steps knock each other out as the page draws them; a user's file comes in 0.6% from its page instead of 1.3%. Scores and estimates unchanged. |
 | 2026-10-30 | minor | M4: File formats: `.ai`/EPS editing-data fidelity from an audit of a user's files: All Caps and Small Caps (#4708); placed files at their box's corner, kept where they draw closer to the page (#4664, #4723, #4742); pages cropped to the art, with `UserUnit` (#4658, #4727); gradient mesh corners with handle weights of 0 and the state written after a mesh (#4738, #4744, #4748); type on a path spaced as the file lays it out (#4743); synthetic regressions in `crates/eps`; scores and estimates unchanged. |
 | 2026-10-30 | minor | Raster effects: bounded length fields in effect dialogs clamp on commit and reject invalid inputs visibly (#4638); estimates unchanged. |
diff --git a/docs/target-app-parity.md b/docs/target-app-parity.md
index 15d40489a..497b507b5 100644
--- a/docs/target-app-parity.md
+++ b/docs/target-app-parity.md
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 # Parity with Adobe Illustrator
 
-> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-03 · **Change:** minor (font-family fields accept the mouse wheel, #5253; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x; public release notes through 30.7, August 2026; Units › East Asian Type acts, with Q and Ha units; scores unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x; public release notes through 30.7, August 2026)
+> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-03 · **Change:** minor (independent Help Bar visibility; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x; public release notes through 30.7, August 2026; Units › East Asian Type acts, with Q and Ha units; scores unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x; public release notes through 30.7, August 2026)
 
 ## Feature submission evidence
 
+Window → Help Bar toggles the bottom tool-help strip independently of the status bar. Its visibility is saved with workspaces and UI preferences; Presentation Mode hides both bars. Scores and estimates are unchanged.
+
 **Feature evidence last updated:** 2026-11-03.
 
 The shared assessment status line and revision history are current upstream; this dated section records the submission's feature evidence and revisions without rescoring upstream or claiming a new combined build or runtime measurement.
@@ -19,6 +21,7 @@ Artboard Options forwards the active Artboard tool's Scale Artwork with Artboard
 
 | Date | Change | Summary |
 |---|---|---|
+| 2026-11-03 | minor | Help Bar has its own Window menu toggle and workspace visibility setting. Scores and estimates unchanged. |
 | 2026-11-02 | minor | Legacy `.ai` saves (version 7) write type with rotated characters as outlines that keep each character's rotation, with a warning unless `outlineText` is on (#5186); scores unchanged. |
 | 2026-10-31 | minor | Object › Path › Smooth smooths a path along its length before refitting it, so Auto-Smooth takes a shaky line to one smooth curve instead of leaving its jags, and with anchor points direct-selected it smooths only that section; scores unchanged. |
 | 2026-10-31 | minor | New Document: More Settings has the Save Preset button beside the name too, saving its settings (artboard layout included) as a preset (#4893); scores unchanged. |
diff --git a/docs/ui-parity.md b/docs/ui-parity.md
index ae4eb5626..1fdcc0b9e 100644
--- a/docs/ui-parity.md
+++ b/docs/ui-parity.md
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 # UI and interaction parity
 
-> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-03 · **Change:** minor (font-family fields accept the mouse wheel, #5253; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x; Units › East Asian Type acts, with Q and Ha units; scores unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x)
+> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-03 · **Change:** minor (independent Help Bar visibility; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x; Units › East Asian Type acts, with Q and Ha units; scores unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x)
 
 ## Feature submission evidence
 
+Window → Help Bar toggles the bottom tool-help strip independently of the status bar. Its visibility is saved with workspaces and UI preferences; Presentation Mode hides both bars. Scores and estimates are unchanged.
+
 **Feature evidence last updated:** 2026-11-03.
 
 The shared assessment status line and revision history are current upstream; this dated section records the submission's feature evidence and revisions without rescoring upstream or claiming a new combined build or runtime measurement.
@@ -19,6 +21,7 @@ Artboard Options forwards the active Artboard tool's Scale Artwork with Artboard
 
 | Date | Change | Summary |
 |---|---|---|
+| 2026-11-03 | minor | Help Bar has its own Window menu toggle and workspace visibility setting. Scores and estimates unchanged. |
 | 2026-10-26 | minor | Pencil Fidelity goes down to 0.01 pt (dialog, tool and engine; Smooth keeps 0.05) on a logarithmic slider across the Tool Options row, with hundredths in the field and key steps that fit the range (#3328); scores and estimates unchanged (estimated) |
 | 2026-10-22 | minor | Reconcile upstream documentation after review F-3; preserve every dated revision and the original scaleArt runtime evidence without repeating completed jobs. |
 | 2026-10-22 | minor | Reconcile upstream documentation after review F-2; preserve every dated revision and the original scaleArt runtime evidence without repeating completed jobs. |

From 0bc150c51eee171b11cd4cfee4dfb7d1564b6be6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: dotCooCoo <RobertLeeLW@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2026 00:18:45 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 2/4] UI: save the Help Bar setting to preference files that
 lack it

A preferences file from before the Help Bar setting gets `help_bar` from
`status_bar` when it is read. A save that changed only the status bar
left `help_bar` out of the file, so the next start hid the Help Bar with
the status bar. A save now writes `help_bar` whenever the file lacks it,
and keeps a value another window saved.

Docs: the UI evidence list, the UI checklist and the M14 row record
Window > Help Bar.
---
 apps/vectorcraft/src/prefs.rs | 26 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 docs/roadmap.md               |  2 +-
 docs/target-app-parity.md     |  1 +
 docs/ui-parity.md             |  1 +
 4 files changed, 29 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/apps/vectorcraft/src/prefs.rs b/apps/vectorcraft/src/prefs.rs
index cf4e59b28..9050071f4 100644
--- a/apps/vectorcraft/src/prefs.rs
+++ b/apps/vectorcraft/src/prefs.rs
@@ -163,6 +163,11 @@ fn same_lasting(a: &serde_json::Value, b: &serde_json::Value) -> bool {
     }
 }
 
+/// Fields that a read fills in from other fields when the file lacks them
+/// (`vectorcraft_ui_egui::layout_migration`): `help_bar` follows `status_bar`. A save writes them
+/// whenever the file lacks them, so the next read does not fill them in again from a changed field.
+const DERIVED: &[&str] = &["help_bar"];
+
 /// `on_disk` with what changed from `base` to `mine` put over it: each top-level field of the UI
 /// state, and each engine preference (`engine_prefs`) on its own, so two windows that change
 /// different settings keep both. A field both changed takes this window's value (it saves last).
@@ -214,6 +219,13 @@ fn merge_changes(base: &serde_json::Value, mine: &serde_json::Value, on_disk: se
             }
         }
     }
+    for key in DERIVED {
+        if !out.contains_key(*key)
+            && let Some(v) = mine.get(*key)
+        {
+            out.insert((*key).to_string(), v.clone());
+        }
+    }
     if use_mine {
         match mine.get("action_set") {
             Some(v) => {
@@ -365,6 +377,20 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(!same_lasting(&base, &mine));
     }
 
+    /// A file from before the Help Bar setting: the read shows the Help Bar with the status bar.
+    /// After the status bar is hidden and the Help Bar left showing, the save writes `help_bar`,
+    /// so the next read does not hide it with the status bar. A value on disk is kept.
+    #[test]
+    fn a_help_bar_setting_the_file_lacks_is_saved() {
+        let base = json!({"status_bar": true, "help_bar": true});
+        let mine = json!({"status_bar": false, "help_bar": true});
+        let on_disk = json!({"status_bar": true});
+        assert_eq!(merge_changes(&base, &mine, on_disk), json!({"status_bar": false, "help_bar": true}));
+        // Another window saved its own Help Bar setting: it stays.
+        let on_disk = json!({"status_bar": true, "help_bar": false});
+        assert_eq!(merge_changes(&base, &mine, on_disk), json!({"status_bar": false, "help_bar": false}));
+    }
+
     /// One window deleted the first Actions set and saved; this one made the second set current.
     /// The saved index follows that set to its place in the merged list.
     #[test]
diff --git a/docs/roadmap.md b/docs/roadmap.md
index 18cb6a340..bbe235327 100644
--- a/docs/roadmap.md
+++ b/docs/roadmap.md
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ Checked 2026-10-10 from the code, tests and open issues; no workflow fails, so V
 | M12 | Advanced color & art (CMYK/ICC, separations, Gradient Mesh, Live Paint, Image Trace, Graphs) | 🟡 Gradient Mesh, Live Paint, Image Trace (junction-returning pieces retain their positioned boundaries; a simpler contour walk with identical output; an edge's sub-pixel shift is the same from either side; notches read only their own piece; collapsed loops keep few segments; large images trace with a warning; Auto Color keeps rare distinct colours; quick presets trace at once and the Image Trace button opens the adjustment controls; Properties reopens them; tiny fitted contours retain islands and holes; Create Strokes: exact crop EDT, Guo–Hall thinning and maximal-disc graph simplification; 15 presets, the 14 documented ones each with an enhanced version; Ignore Color, Shapes, Auto Grouping and Gradients options; measured in `image-trace-quality.md`; closed outlines retain their interior after straightening; the Flat Logo mode places edges to a fraction of a pixel, restores sharp corners, snaps lines and circles, and refuses gradients; live trace result bounds and selection highlights exclude the retained bitmap except in source-image views), Recolor Artwork, colour management (ICC, soft proofing, separations preview), Graphs (all 9 tools, Graph Data/Type, group-selected series colours persist through regenerate/save/open) done; Graph Design and Marker designs, Transpose and Switch x/y, `\|` label line breaks, the pie options, drop shadows, the legend across the top, overlapping widths, First Row/Column in Front, filled lines, kept label formatting and the Graph Data worksheet done; graph Column designs pending | 6–10 |
 | M13 | Automation (Actions ✅ record/playback, persisted; variables, scripting, batch) | 🟡 MCP `add_text` exposes existing vertical point, area and path type; broader scripting and batch work remains | 18–27 |
 | M13 | Automation (Actions ✅ record/playback, persisted; variables, scripting, batch) | 🟡 | 18–27 |
-| M14 | 1.0 polish (preferences, shortcut editor, workspaces, accessibility, packaging for all OSes) (status messages and readouts use stable responsive allocations sized for localized labels and ordinary coordinates; sample widths cached by language/unit/DPI; regression-tested and contributor-confirmed 2026-10-19; estimates unchanged) | 🟡 Dock groups collapse to their tabs by a double-click on a tab (UI.8); Preferences › General › Constrain Angle acts for the arrow keys, Shift drags and new objects (#394, 2026-10-21); numeric-field pointer selection and focus regression-tested (#1326, in part; short movements still select all); RPM runtime capabilities and glibc floor checked (#1275; real-distro install/start-up pending), Eyedropper cursor with precise-setting checks (#1269), Preferences, shortcut editor (chords with Shift and a punctuation key fire as typed; other apps' text shortcut sets imported), workspaces (each keeps its layout changes until Reset <name>, UI.7), panels docked by dragging into any dock group (as tabs or a top/bottom split) or into the icon column, and closed from a dock tab's context menu (UI.6), a custom title bar on Windows/Linux with a Home button, content-sized dialogs, menus that scroll when longer than the window and macOS native menu dismissal done (M14.8), and native macOS save sheets with a Format menu (#866); titled PDF exports set `DisplayDocTitle` for viewers and accessibility checkers (#3646); accessibility and broader Windows/Linux packaging/QA pending | 18–28 |
+| M14 | 1.0 polish (preferences, shortcut editor, workspaces, accessibility, packaging for all OSes) (status messages and readouts use stable responsive allocations sized for localized labels and ordinary coordinates; sample widths cached by language/unit/DPI; regression-tested and contributor-confirmed 2026-10-19; estimates unchanged) | 🟡 Dock groups collapse to their tabs by a double-click on a tab (UI.8); Preferences › General › Constrain Angle acts for the arrow keys, Shift drags and new objects (#394, 2026-10-21); numeric-field pointer selection and focus regression-tested (#1326, in part; short movements still select all); RPM runtime capabilities and glibc floor checked (#1275; real-distro install/start-up pending), Eyedropper cursor with precise-setting checks (#1269), Preferences, shortcut editor (chords with Shift and a punctuation key fire as typed; other apps' text shortcut sets imported), workspaces (each keeps its layout changes until Reset <name>, UI.7), Window › Help Bar shown or hidden apart from the status bar and kept in saved workspaces, panels docked by dragging into any dock group (as tabs or a top/bottom split) or into the icon column, and closed from a dock tab's context menu (UI.6), a custom title bar on Windows/Linux with a Home button, content-sized dialogs, menus that scroll when longer than the window and macOS native menu dismissal done (M14.8), and native macOS save sheets with a Format menu (#866); titled PDF exports set `DisplayDocTitle` for viewers and accessibility checkers (#3646); accessibility and broader Windows/Linux packaging/QA pending | 18–28 |
 | — | Interaction fidelity pass (every tool's modifiers, Properties panel per context, isolation, nuance; width-point creation and adjoining adjustment regression-tested; dialog layout reviewed) | ⬜ (new ruler-guide Alt orientation implemented; existing-guide Escape cancellation regression-tested; broader pass remains) | 60–90 |
 | — | Hardening at scale (big-file corpus, fuzzing, cross-platform + browser QA) | 🟡 PngSuite integrity and bounded fetching verified (#1729); real-world corpus/manual QA remain | 50–80 |
 | M14 follow-up | Color Picker layout (#2008) | ✅ Compact controls, centered header, stacked actions, aligned fields and screen sampling; narrow windows scroll vertically | Included above |
diff --git a/docs/target-app-parity.md b/docs/target-app-parity.md
index ece0bc408..b19036496 100644
--- a/docs/target-app-parity.md
+++ b/docs/target-app-parity.md
@@ -607,6 +607,7 @@ Moved from the ROADMAP's "Shipped so far" on 2026-10-10. Update it when a featur
   - Screen readers get the value of the color and channel sliders that panels and dialogs draw (the Color panel, the Color Picker, Swatch Options, the Navigator's Zoom, the Character panel's variable font axes, the Perspective Grid and flattener options, and the sliders of the effect, tool option and transform dialogs): the number and text of the field beside each one, such as 128 for G or 50% for an opacity, with the slider's range, which extends to include a number past the slider's end. The harmony wheel's Brightness slider, which has no field, reports its brightness in percent.
   - Panels undock (#495): a dock tab, a panel icon or a popped-out panel's title dragged out of the dock floats that panel (in an OS window of its own on the desktop, #4135), and the strip right of the dock's tabs floats the whole tabbed group. A floating group moves by its title bar, a tab dragged out of it floats on its own, and dropped on another group's title bar or tabs it stacks with that group; dropped on a dock group's tabs, which light up under the pointer, its panels join that group, and on the group's upper or lower half they make a new group above or below it (`window.panel.dock {anchor, zone}`); dropped on the icon column they become icons there, the tabbed group's panels too (`window.panel.dock {icon: true}`); dropped anywhere else on the dock, which lights up, they go back where they live (the tabbed group or the icon column), as its × and the panel menus' Float Panel / Dock Panel do (`window.panel.float`, `window.panel.dock`). The Tools panel floats by its title bar and docks again on the window's left edge. Floating groups stack into sets: dropped on the upper or lower half of another group (a line shows where), a group joins it right above or below it, and the set's groups stack top to bottom, each showing one panel, moving together by the top group's title bar, whose × docks them all; a group dragged by its tab strip leaves the set (`window.panel.float {below, above}`). A double-click on a tab collapses a floating group to its tabs (`collapsed`), and a dock group too, a group below it moving up into the room; a second double-click, or a click on another of its tabs, expands it (`window.panel.collapse`, kept with the preferences and in saved workspaces). Sets dropped on the left edge of the icon column or of another dock column dock as dock columns (a multi-column dock, `window.panel.dock {column}`), whose groups stack, tab and tear out as a floating set's do, and whose top strip floats the column again. Floating panels, their sets and the Tools panel's position are kept with the preferences and in user workspaces, and clamped into a smaller window. Not done: panels in separate OS windows, reordering tabs by dragging, collapsing a set or dock column to icons, dock columns right of the default dock, resizing floating panels and the groups of a set.
   - The dock's double arrow collapses Properties, Layers and Libraries to icons at the top of the icon column, popping out like the other icon panels, and expands them again (`window.collapseDock`, kept with the preferences and in saved workspaces). The icon column's own arrow (expanding the icon panels into a full column) is not done.
+  - Window › Help Bar shows or hides the tool-help strip at the bottom of the window apart from the status bar (`window.helpBar`). Each setting is kept with the UI preferences and in saved workspaces, and Presentation Mode hides both bars. Layouts saved before the setting existed show the Help Bar where they show the status bar (`help_bar_toggle_is_independent_and_saved_in_workspaces`, `help_bar_and_status_bar_render_independently`, `legacy_help_bar_visibility_follows_each_layouts_status_bar`, `a_help_bar_setting_the_file_lacks_is_saved`).
   - Window › Toolbars › New Toolbar… and New Toolbar… in the All Tools drawer's menu ask for a name and make a blank toolbar that floats on its own, moved by its title bar and listed under Window › Toolbars, whose item shows or hides it. The title bar's × hides it, and its double arrow shows its tools in one column or two. Its ••• button opens the All Tools drawer beside it, and tools dragged from the drawer fill it. The toolbars are kept with the workspace they were made in: switching workspaces shows that workspace's toolbars, Reset Workspace keeps them, and New Workspace starts the new workspace with a copy of them (<https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/tools.html>; `window.toolbar.new`, `window.toolbar.custom`, the `toolbar` param of `window.editToolbar` and `toolbar.addTool`/`removeTool`/`reset`; `tools_added_to_a_new_toolbar_survive_a_workspace_reload`). Manage Toolbars is not done.
   - Czech render-site labels: desktop/web file filters, diagnostics, suggested preset names and contributor tooltips/plurals now use catalog lookups; gradients have Czech adjective agreement and printer marks have a separate context (PDF/Print and Summary). Search, Home, toolbar/panel tooltips and Preferences already look up their labels. Every complete catalog has rows for these labels and for the Roman and Japanese printer mark styles. Evidence: `i18n::tests::czech_render_site_follow_up`, `i18n::tests::complete_catalogs_translate_render_site_labels`, `dialogs::tests_modal::printer_mark_labels_are_distinct_from_language_names`; see [localization-parity.md](localization-parity.md).
   - The History panel, Edit › Undo and Edit › Redo translate the names of the steps that apply or redefine a character or paragraph style and of the step that redefines a graphic style: each such step keeps its template (`Apply {name}`, `Redefine {name}`, `Redefine Graphic Style “{name}”`) and the style's name, every complete catalog has a row for each template, and the panel and the menu show the style's name as the document holds it, except the Normal styles' names, which they show in the interface language (`steps_named_after_a_style_list_the_template_around_the_name`, `undo_and_redo_name_a_style_step_around_the_style_name`).
diff --git a/docs/ui-parity.md b/docs/ui-parity.md
index 1fdcc0b9e..f640aa036 100644
--- a/docs/ui-parity.md
+++ b/docs/ui-parity.md
@@ -334,6 +334,7 @@ next unit in the order a right-click on a ruler lists them, from Feet back to Po
 | Gradient panel: Presets (30.0) | done | Presets menu by library (theme) plus Saved: applies a preset to the gradient behind the active proxy, keeping its placement, one undo step; panel menu Save Gradient Preset…, Delete Gradient Preset, Hide/Show Presets (`gradient.presets.*`); `panels::gradient` tests |
 | SVG Interactivity, Retype, Comments, Version History panels | missing | the last two are cloud features (out of scope) |
 | Workspaces (save, reset, switch); each remembers the layout changes made in it across switches and restarts until Reset <name> | done | `UiState::workspace_changes` |
+| Window › Help Bar shows or hides the tool-help strip apart from the status bar; kept with the preferences and in saved workspaces; Presentation Mode hides both bars | done | `window.helpBar`; `help_bar_toggle_is_independent_and_saved_in_workspaces`, `help_bar_and_status_bar_render_independently`, `legacy_help_bar_visibility_follows_each_layouts_status_bar` |
 | Background Export: a progress dialog with the file name, the artboard count and a bar (busy for one artboard and for formats made in one go), Cancel (Esc) and Continue in Background; it opens after 0.4 s and never over another dialog. A cancelled export writes no file | done | #2564; on the shared `vectorcraft_doc::cancel` token (#2546), so a cancelled render keeps no half-drawn pattern tile or effect raster. The bar moves between artboards, not within one. Save As, Export for Screens and Export Selection don't show it yet |
 | Swatch, graphic style and symbol library panels: each library opens in a panel of its own, several at once, that floats, groups, docks and closes like any panel; opening an open library brings its panel forward; Previous / Next Library change the library in place; the panel menu's Persistent reopens the panel at startup with its view and find field (a library loaded from a file is read again; when its file is missing the panel reopens showing the file's path with Locate Library…, and the status bar names the file) | done | #2603; panel ids `library:<kind>:<id>`, `ui.libraryPanel {panel, library?, view?, showFind?, persistent?}`, `ui.libraryPanel.locate {panel, path?}`; the library panels have no sort option, as before |
 | DXF export/import preserves intended curve closure | done | #1299; R13–2018 closed SPLINE bit set/read; an open curve ending at its start stays open; knots and control points unchanged; native CIRCLE/ARC export and CNC preset remain pending |

From 8fc6fe00ea9088f65d05fb8f974b098f523018ae Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: dotCooCoo <RobertLeeLW@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2026 09:43:30 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 3/4] UI: bottom-bar tests read the viewport menu floor and
 hide the Help Bar with the status bar

---
 crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/tests.rs | 5 +++--
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/tests.rs
index 04427c61c..322ebd075 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/chrome/tests.rs
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ fn help_bar_and_status_bar_render_independently() {
         }
         assert_eq!(shown.iter().any(|t| t == "?"), help && screen_mode < 3, "{help}/{status}/{screen_mode}: {shown:?}");
         assert_eq!(shown.iter().any(|t| t.contains("Saved recovery data")), status && screen_mode < 3, "{help}/{status}/{screen_mode}: {shown:?}");
-        let floor = ctx.data(|data| data.get_temp::<f32>(egui::Id::unique("menu_floor"))).unwrap();
+        let floor = ctx.data(|data| data.get_temp::<f32>(egui::Id::unique("menu_floor").with(ctx.viewport_id()))).unwrap();
         let expected = if screen_mode < 3 && (help || status) {
             let id = parent.unwrap().with(if help { "hint_bar" } else { "status_bar" });
             egui::containers::panel::PanelState::load(&ctx, id).unwrap().outer_rect.top()
@@ -1973,7 +1973,8 @@ fn menus_stop_above_a_control_bar_docked_at_the_bottom() {
     let ctx = egui::Context::default();
     let screen = egui::Rect::from_min_size(egui::Pos2::ZERO, egui::vec2(800.0, 600.0));
     let floor = |app: &mut crate::VectorcraftApp, status: bool, bottom: bool, screen_mode: u8| {
-        (app.ui.status_bar, app.ui.control_bar, app.ui.control_bar_bottom, app.ui.screen_mode) = (status, true, bottom, screen_mode);
+        (app.ui.status_bar, app.ui.help_bar, app.ui.control_bar, app.ui.control_bar_bottom, app.ui.screen_mode) =
+            (status, status, true, bottom, screen_mode);
         for _ in 0..3 {
             let mut out = ctx.run_ui(egui::RawInput { screen_rect: Some(screen), ..Default::default() }, |ui| {
                 app.logic(ui.ctx());

From 65d1afdf263999695eeb345bed176ef572297558 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: dotCooCoo <RobertLeeLW@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2026 09:56:29 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 4/4] i18n: Help Bar rows for Hindi and Hungarian

---
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hi.tsv | 1 +
 crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv | 1 +
 2 files changed, 2 insertions(+)

diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hi.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hi.tsv
index 0f212f4fd..df119c557 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hi.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hi.tsv
@@ -2041,6 +2041,7 @@
 	Help	सहायता
 	Help › Search Commands…	मदद › खोज कमांड…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	मदद बार
 	Hex by Column	कॉलम द्वारा हेक्स
 	Hex by Row	पंक्ति द्वारा हेक्स
 	Hexagon	षट्भुज
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv
index a400c495f..3cb9b8ff5 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv
@@ -6400,6 +6400,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glifák
 	Create Swatch Legend	Színmintajelmagyarázat létrehozása
 	Create Swatch Legend…	Színmintajelmagyarázat létrehozása…
 	HEX	HEX
+	Help Bar	Súgósáv
 # Type Tools add-on (Object › Plug-ins › Type Tools).
 	Type Tools	Szövegeszközök
 	Text Tweaker…	Szöveghangoló…