diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/task_bar.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/task_bar.rs
index d606f630d5..c870110434 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/task_bar.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/task_bar.rs
@@ -55,6 +55,42 @@ fn selection_tool_with_selection(app: &VectorcraftApp) -> bool {
         && app.session.active().is_some_and(|st| !st.selection.is_empty())
 }
 
+/// Whether the bar shows its blank canvas actions, Draw (Pencil) and Place Image: a selection tool is
+/// in use and the active document has no artwork, only layers and guides.
+fn blank_canvas(app: &VectorcraftApp) -> bool {
+    fn no_art(nodes: &[std::sync::Arc<vectorcraft_doc::Node>]) -> bool {
+        nodes.iter().all(|n| n.is_guide() || (n.is_layer() && n.children().is_none_or(|c| no_art(c))))
+    }
+    matches!(app.session.tool_id(), "selection" | "directSelection" | "groupSelection")
+        && app.session.active().is_some_and(|st| st.selection.is_empty() && no_art(&st.doc.layers))
+}
+
+/// Where the bar's top edge centers, on screen: under the lowest corner on screen of the selected
+/// artboards or the selection, centered on them (the view may be rotated); on a blank canvas, which
+/// has no selection, [`blank_canvas_anchor`]. None with nothing to sit under.
+fn bar_anchor(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, xf: &Xf, on_artboards: bool, blank: bool) -> Option<Pos2> {
+    if blank {
+        return Some(blank_canvas_anchor(app, xf));
+    }
+    let b = if on_artboards { picked_artboards_bounds(app) } else { app.selection_bounds() }?;
+    let lowest = xf.quad(b).iter().map(|c| c.y).fold(f32::NEG_INFINITY, f32::max);
+    Some(pos2(xf.to_screen(b.center()).x, lowest))
+}
+
+/// Where the blank canvas bar's top edge centers, on screen: under the bottom of the active artboard
+/// when part of it is in view, else the canvas's center.
+fn blank_canvas_anchor(app: &VectorcraftApp, xf: &Xf) -> Pos2 {
+    let board = app.session.active().and_then(|st| {
+        let last = st.doc.artboards.len().checked_sub(1)?;
+        st.doc.artboards.get(app.view().map_or(0, |v| v.artboard).min(last)).map(|a| a.rect)
+    });
+    let shown = board.map(|b| (b, xf.quad(b))).filter(|(_, q)| egui::Rect::from_points(q).intersects(xf.rect));
+    match shown {
+        Some((b, q)) => pos2(xf.to_screen(b.center()).x, q.iter().map(|c| c.y).fold(f32::NEG_INFINITY, f32::max)),
+        None => xf.rect.center(),
+    }
+}
+
 /// Whether a Type tool edits type, or has type selected: its bar then shows only the text
 /// formatting controls.
 fn type_tool_on_type(app: &VectorcraftApp) -> bool {
@@ -75,6 +111,8 @@ pub(crate) fn task_bar_shows_type(app: &VectorcraftApp) -> bool {
 /// While a Type tool edits type, or has type selected, the bar shows only those controls and the
 /// Fill. When one row would be wider than the canvas, the font controls take a row of their own,
 /// narrowed to fit it, and the actions wrap onto rows under the handle's ([`bar_layout`]).
+/// On a blank canvas, a document with no artwork and a selection tool in use, it sits under the
+/// active artboard and offers Draw (Pencil) and Place Image.
 /// Its handle drags it anywhere on the canvas; unpinned it keeps that offset as it follows the
 /// selection, pinned it stays put ([`crate::state::TaskBarPlace`]).
 pub(super) fn task_bar(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, ui: &mut Ui, xf: &Xf) {
@@ -83,13 +121,15 @@ pub(super) fn task_bar(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, ui: &mut Ui, xf: &Xf) {
     // Text added with a Type tool shows its formatting controls, as the help page describes
     // (<https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/get-started/learn-the-basics/contextual-task-bar-overview.html>).
     let typing = type_tool_on_type(app);
-    if !(on_artboards || typing || selection_tool_with_selection(app)) {
+    // A blank canvas offers Draw (Pencil) and Place Image, as the same help page describes.
+    let blank = !on_artboards && blank_canvas(app);
+    if !(on_artboards || typing || blank || selection_tool_with_selection(app)) {
         return;
     }
     // Selected type has the font controls too, as the help page describes
     // (<https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/design-with-text/fonts-and-scripts/font-options-overview.html>).
     let fonts = task_bar_shows_type(app);
-    let Some(b) = (if on_artboards { picked_artboards_bounds(app) } else { app.selection_bounds() }) else { return };
+    let Some(anchor) = bar_anchor(app, xf, on_artboards, blank) else { return };
     let Some(st) = app.session.active() else { return };
     let n = st.selection.len();
     let first = st.selection.objects.first().and_then(|id| st.doc.node(*id));
@@ -137,6 +177,10 @@ pub(super) fn task_bar(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, ui: &mut Ui, xf: &Xf) {
             items.push((tl!("Rearrange All"), "dc-rearrange", TASK_BAR_REARRANGE_ARTBOARDS, none()));
         }
         items.push((tl!("Export"), "share-2", "file.exportForScreens", none()));
+    } else if blank {
+        // Draw (Pencil) switches to the Pencil tool; Place Image picks files for the Place dialog.
+        items.push((tl!("Draw (Pencil)"), "pencil", "tool.select", json!({"tool": "pencil"})));
+        items.push((tl!("Place Image"), "image", "file.place", none()));
     } else if !typing {
         // The selection tools' object actions. A Type tool's bar leaves them out, Create Outlines
         // and the type conversions included.
@@ -234,27 +278,20 @@ pub(super) fn task_bar(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, ui: &mut Ui, xf: &Xf) {
     let paints = chip_paints(app, ui.ctx());
     let colored = has_colors(&st.doc, &st.selection.objects);
     let doc = st.uid;
-    // Under the selection's lowest corner on screen, centered on the selection (the view may be
-    // rotated).
-    let lowest = xf.quad(b).iter().map(|c| c.y).fold(f32::NEG_INFINITY, f32::max);
-    let anchor = pos2(xf.to_screen(b.center()).x, lowest);
     let bounds = xf.rect.shrink(8.0);
     // The canvas's width less the frame's margins and stroke.
     let room = bounds.width() - BAR_FRAME;
     // On a canvas too narrow for the type controls at their narrowest, the bar leaves them out.
     let fonts = fonts && room >= crate::panels::character::task_bar_min_room();
     // The selected objects' Fill, Stroke, Recolor Artwork (when they have colours to recolour) and
-    // Lock (a basic shape's properties instead), left out with the Artboard tool. A Type tool's bar
-    // has the Fill alone.
-    let chips: Vec<Chip> = [
-        (!on_artboards, Chip::Fill),
-        (!on_artboards && !typing, Chip::Stroke),
-        (!on_artboards && !typing && colored, Chip::Recolor),
-        (!on_artboards && !typing, Chip::Lock),
-    ]
-    .into_iter()
-    .filter_map(|(shown, chip)| shown.then_some(chip))
-    .collect();
+    // Lock (a basic shape's properties instead), left out with the Artboard tool and on a blank
+    // canvas, which have no selected objects. A Type tool's bar has the Fill alone.
+    let objects = !on_artboards && !blank;
+    let chips: Vec<Chip> =
+        [(objects, Chip::Fill), (objects && !typing, Chip::Stroke), (objects && !typing && colored, Chip::Recolor), (objects && !typing, Chip::Lock)]
+            .into_iter()
+            .filter_map(|(shown, chip)| shown.then_some(chip))
+            .collect();
     let widths: Vec<f32> = items.iter().map(|(label, ..)| action_width(ui, label)).collect();
     let font_w = fonts.then(|| {
         let w = crate::panels::character::TASK_BAR_WIDTHS;
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/tests.rs
index 2a7162f9a1..4d609f2b5e 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/tests.rs
@@ -10333,7 +10333,7 @@ fn task_bar_labels(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, ctx: &egui::Context) -> Vec<(String
 /// With the Artboard tool, the Contextual Task Bar sits under the selected artboards and offers
 /// Resize, Duplicate, Rearrange All (with two or more artboards) and Export instead of the
 /// selected objects' actions. With the Selection tool it offers the objects' actions again, and
-/// with nothing selected it doesn't show.
+/// with nothing in the document the blank canvas actions.
 #[test]
 fn the_task_bar_offers_the_artboard_tools_actions() {
     let mut app = VectorcraftApp::new(Session::new(), Default::default());
@@ -10341,7 +10341,7 @@ fn the_task_bar_offers_the_artboard_tools_actions() {
     app.select_tool("selection");
     let ctx = egui::Context::default();
     let names = |app: &mut VectorcraftApp| task_bar_labels(app, &ctx).into_iter().map(|(t, _)| t).collect::<Vec<_>>();
-    assert!(names(&mut app).is_empty() && task_bar_rect(&ctx).is_none(), "nothing selected: no bar");
+    assert_eq!(names(&mut app), ["Draw (Pencil)", "Place Image"], "a blank canvas");
 
     app.select_tool("artboard");
     crate::panels::artboards::select(&mut app, 1);
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv
index 4b5982cecd..f0ab11fc4a 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv
@@ -691,6 +691,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	Променливи
 	Crop Image	Изрязване на изображение
 	Image Tools	Инструменти за изображения
 	Remove Background…	Премахване на фона…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Рисуване (Молив)
+	Place Image	Вмъкване на изображение
 	Remove Background	Премахване на фона
 	Background	Фон
 	Edge Color	Цвят на ръба
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv
index 1576b72373..f73b5a407f 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv
@@ -201,6 +201,8 @@
 	Crop Image	Izreži sliku
 	Image Tools	Alati za slike
 	Remove Background…	Ukloni pozadinu…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Crtaj (olovka)
+	Place Image	Postavi sliku
 	Remove Background	Ukloni pozadinu
 	Background	Pozadina
 	Edge Color	Boja ruba
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv
index 99ecf7dd95..ddfed44ad0 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv
@@ -1006,6 +1006,8 @@ antiAlias	Sharp	Nítid
 	Crop Image	Retalla la imatge
 	Image Tools	Eines d’imatge
 	Remove Background…	Elimina el fons…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Dibuixa (llapis)
+	Place Image	Col·loca una imatge
 	Remove Background	Elimina el fons
 	Background	Fons
 	Edge Color	Color de la vora
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv
index d58e5bd051..3b46d0600a 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv
@@ -207,6 +207,8 @@
 	Crop Image	Oříznout obraz
 	Image Tools	Nástroje obrazu
 	Remove Background…	Odstranit pozadí…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Kreslit (tužka)
+	Place Image	Umístit obraz
 	Remove Background	Odstranit pozadí
 	Background	Pozadí
 	Edge Color	Barva okraje
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv
index 5fad269299..81b6195bdd 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv
@@ -194,6 +194,8 @@
 	Crop Image	Beskær billede
 	Image Tools	Billedværktøjer
 	Remove Background…	Fjern baggrund…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Tegn (blyant)
+	Place Image	Placér billede
 	Remove Background	Fjern baggrund
 	Background	Baggrund
 	Edge Color	Kantfarve
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv
index 0143f55457..8f6bc1aeeb 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv
@@ -684,6 +684,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	Variabel
 	Crop Image	Bild beschneiden
 	Image Tools	Bildwerkzeuge
 	Remove Background…	Hintergrund entfernen…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Zeichnen (Buntstift)
+	Place Image	Bild platzieren
 	Remove Background	Hintergrund entfernen
 	Background	Hintergrund
 	Edge Color	Randfarbe
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv
index 172e91d0ef..7b61589c18 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv
@@ -665,6 +665,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	Μεταβλητές
 	Crop Image	Περικοπή εικόνας
 	Image Tools	Εργαλεία εικόνας
 	Remove Background…	Αφαίρεση φόντου…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Σχεδίαση (μολύβι)
+	Place Image	Τοποθέτηση εικόνας
 	Remove Background	Αφαίρεση φόντου
 	Background	Φόντο
 	Edge Color	Χρώμα άκρης
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv
index 865b2b532f..89ea2c088c 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv
@@ -705,6 +705,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	Variables
 	Crop Image	Recortar imagen
 	Image Tools	Herramientas de imagen
 	Remove Background…	Quitar fondo…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Dibujar (Lápiz)
+	Place Image	Colocar imagen
 	Remove Background	Quitar fondo
 	Background	Fondo
 	Edge Color	Color del borde
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv
index 88581f6ace..655936f6c2 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv
@@ -214,6 +214,8 @@
 	Crop Image	Rajaa kuva
 	Image Tools	Kuvatyökalut
 	Remove Background…	Poista tausta…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Piirrä (lyijykynä)
+	Place Image	Sijoita kuva
 	Remove Background	Poista tausta
 	Background	Tausta
 	Edge Color	Reunan väri
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv
index 0063c984a1..07209a70dd 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv
@@ -707,6 +707,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	Variables
 	Crop Image	Recadrer l’image
 	Image Tools	Outils d’image
 	Remove Background…	Supprimer l’arrière-plan…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Dessiner (Crayon)
+	Place Image	Importer une image
 	Remove Background	Supprimer l’arrière-plan
 	Background	Arrière-plan
 	Edge Color	Couleur du bord
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hi.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hi.tsv
index a31993c84a..4a11fad73d 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hi.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hi.tsv
@@ -1140,6 +1140,8 @@ antiAlias	Sharp	शार्प
 	Crop Image	इमेज क्रॉप करें
 	Image Tools	इमेज टूल
 	Remove Background…	पृष्ठभूमि हटाएँ…
+	Draw (Pencil)	ड्रा (पेंसिल)
+	Place Image	इमेज प्लेस करें
 	Remove Background	पृष्ठभूमि हटाएँ
 	Background	पृष्ठभूमि
 	Edge Color	किनारे का रंग
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv
index 7b5d4eb4ae..925670bbc3 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv
@@ -906,6 +906,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	Változó
 	Crop Image	Kép körülvágása
 	Image Tools	Képeszközök
 	Remove Background…	Háttér eltávolítása…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Rajzolás (Ceruza)
+	Place Image	Kép elhelyezése
 	Remove Background	Háttér eltávolítása
 	Background	Háttér
 	Edge Color	Szélszín
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv
index e27253376e..f8069f6a71 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv
@@ -194,6 +194,8 @@
 	Crop Image	Pangkas gambar
 	Image Tools	Alat Gambar
 	Remove Background…	Hapus latar belakang…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Menggambar (pensil)
+	Place Image	Tempatkan gambar
 	Remove Background	Hapus latar belakang
 	Background	Latar belakang
 	Edge Color	Warna tepi
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv
index 7d74485aac..af875b4e42 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv
@@ -705,6 +705,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	Variabili
 	Crop Image	Ritaglia immagine
 	Image Tools	Strumenti immagine
 	Remove Background…	Rimuovi sfondo…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Disegna (Matita)
+	Place Image	Inserisci immagine
 	Remove Background	Rimuovi sfondo
 	Background	Sfondo
 	Edge Color	Colore del bordo
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv
index 31526809eb..e6d40c9ae5 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv
@@ -242,6 +242,8 @@ digits	Malayalam	マラヤーラム数字
 	Crop Image	画像の切り抜き
 	Image Tools	画像ツール
 	Remove Background…	背景を削除…
+	Draw (Pencil)	描画 (鉛筆)
+	Place Image	画像を配置
 	Remove Background	背景を削除
 	Background	背景
 	Edge Color	端の色
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv
index a6429f06ee..fc649cd87a 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv
@@ -166,6 +166,8 @@
 	Crop Image	გამოსახულების ჩამოჭრა
 	Image Tools	გამოსახულების ხელსაწყოები
 	Remove Background…	ფონის მოშორება…
+	Draw (Pencil)	ხატვა (ფანქარი)
+	Place Image	გამოსახულების განთავსება
 	Remove Background	ფონის მოშორება
 	Background	ფონი
 	Edge Color	კიდის ფერი
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv
index 7141602a3d..71a45e307d 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv
@@ -235,6 +235,8 @@ digits	Malayalam	말라얄람어
 	Crop Image	이미지 자르기
 	Image Tools	이미지 도구
 	Remove Background…	배경 제거…
+	Draw (Pencil)	그리기(연필)
+	Place Image	이미지 가져오기
 	Remove Background	배경 제거
 	Background	배경
 	Edge Color	가장자리 색상
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv
index 476f707d22..a0953094fa 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv
@@ -712,6 +712,8 @@
 	Crop Image	Afbeelding bijsnijden
 	Image Tools	Afbeeldingshulpmiddelen
 	Remove Background…	Achtergrond verwijderen…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Tekenen (Potlood)
+	Place Image	Afbeelding plaatsen
 	Remove Background	Achtergrond verwijderen
 	Background	Achtergrond
 	Edge Color	Randkleur
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv
index db2f6449c6..5b7b3e60ac 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv
@@ -171,6 +171,8 @@
 	Crop Image	Kadruj obraz
 	Image Tools	Narzędzia obrazu
 	Remove Background…	Usuń tło…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Rysuj (ołówek)
+	Place Image	Umieść obraz
 	Remove Background	Usuń tło
 	Background	Tło
 	Edge Color	Kolor krawędzi
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv
index 2d5047337a..90825f967f 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv
@@ -631,6 +631,8 @@ antiAlias	Sharp	Nítido
 	Crop Image	Recortar Imagem
 	Image Tools	Ferramentas de imagem
 	Remove Background…	Remover Fundo…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Desenhar (Lápis)
+	Place Image	Colocar Imagem
 	Remove Background	Remover Fundo
 	Background	Fundo
 	Edge Color	Cor da Borda
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv
index f4220735a4..a235e2c9b3 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv
@@ -703,6 +703,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	Вариативные
 	Crop Image	Обрезать изображение
 	Image Tools	Инструменты изображения
 	Remove Background…	Удалить фон…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Рисовать (Карандаш)
+	Place Image	Поместить изображение
 	Remove Background	Удалить фон
 	Background	Фон
 	Edge Color	Цвет края
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv
index 1649d0140e..b491d33649 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv
@@ -693,6 +693,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	Variabla
 	Crop Image	Beskär bild
 	Image Tools	Bildverktyg
 	Remove Background…	Ta bort bakgrund…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Rita (blyertspenna)
+	Place Image	Placera bild
 	Remove Background	Ta bort bakgrund
 	Background	Bakgrund
 	Edge Color	Kantfärg
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv
index 0fcf935e7e..0ecfe1dd0a 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv
@@ -685,6 +685,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	Değişken
 	Crop Image	Resmi Kırp
 	Image Tools	Resim Araçları
 	Remove Background…	Arka Planı Kaldır…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Çiz (Kurşun Kalem)
+	Place Image	Resim Yerleştir
 	Remove Background	Arka Planı Kaldır
 	Background	Arka Plan
 	Edge Color	Kenar Rengi
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv
index 168bd4ac84..c375bedfa2 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv
@@ -699,6 +699,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	Варіативні
 	Crop Image	Обрізати зображення
 	Image Tools	Інструменти зображення
 	Remove Background…	Видалити фон…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Малювати (Олівець)
+	Place Image	Помістити зображення
 	Remove Background	Видалити фон
 	Background	Фон
 	Edge Color	Колір краю
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv
index bfc6b7876a..442690385b 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv
@@ -806,6 +806,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	Biến thiên
 	Crop Image	Cắt xén ảnh
 	Image Tools	Công cụ hình ảnh
 	Remove Background…	Xóa nền…
+	Draw (Pencil)	Vẽ (Bút chì)
+	Place Image	Đặt hình ảnh
 	Remove Background	Xóa nền
 	Background	Nền
 	Edge Color	Màu cạnh
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv
index 0d760c21ed..810b1b4463 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv
@@ -650,6 +650,8 @@ antiAlias	Sharp	锐利
 	Crop Image	裁剪图像
 	Image Tools	图像工具
 	Remove Background…	移除背景…
+	Draw (Pencil)	绘制 (铅笔)
+	Place Image	置入图像
 	Remove Background	移除背景
 	Background	背景
 	Edge Color	边缘颜色
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv
index 899520f58e..19c572e3b3 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv
@@ -667,6 +667,8 @@ font-technology	Variable	可變
 	Crop Image	裁切影像
 	Image Tools	影像工具
 	Remove Background…	移除背景…
+	Draw (Pencil)	繪製 (鉛筆)
+	Place Image	置入影像
 	Remove Background	移除背景
 	Background	背景
 	Edge Color	邊緣顏色
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/tests/taskbar.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/tests/taskbar.rs
index 9768813a70..30757d3f52 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/tests/taskbar.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/tests/taskbar.rs
@@ -536,6 +536,103 @@ fn the_task_bar_follows_the_active_document() {
     assert!(!locked(&app, rect), "the button doesn't lock the shape");
 }
 
+/// A blank canvas, a new document with a selection tool in use, offers Draw (Pencil) and Place
+/// Image centered under the active artboard (under the canvas's center when the artboard is out of
+/// view), with the handle and More Options but none of a selection's actions or its Fill, Stroke,
+/// Recolor Artwork and Lock. Other tools, artwork in the document and a selection each leave the
+/// blank canvas actions out; ruler guides do not count as artwork.
+#[test]
+fn a_blank_canvas_offers_draw_and_place_image() {
+    let mut app = app();
+    let board = app.session.active().unwrap().doc.artboards[0].rect;
+    // The artboard at 50% in the middle of the window, after the first frame fits it in.
+    bar(&mut app);
+    let view = app.view_mut().unwrap();
+    (view.center, view.zoom) = (board.center(), 0.5);
+    for tool in ["selection", "directSelection", "groupSelection"] {
+        app.run("tool.select", json!({ "tool": tool })).unwrap();
+        let (ctx, texts) = bar_texts(&mut app);
+        assert!(at(&texts, "Draw (Pencil)").x < at(&texts, "Place Image").x, "{tool}: {texts:?}");
+        let shown = canvas::task_bar_rect(&ctx).unwrap();
+        let xf = canvas::Xf::new(app.canvas_rect.unwrap(), app.view().unwrap());
+        let bottom = xf.quad(board).iter().map(|c| c.y).fold(f32::NEG_INFINITY, f32::max);
+        let middle = xf.to_screen(board.center()).x;
+        assert!(shown.top() > bottom && (shown.center().x - middle).abs() < 2.0, "{tool}: {shown:?} centered under {board:?}");
+        assert!(app.canvas_rect.unwrap().contains_rect(shown), "{tool}: {shown:?} on the canvas");
+    }
+    // The artboard out of view: under the canvas's center.
+    app.view_mut().unwrap().center = board.center() + vectorcraft_geom::Vec2::new(5000.0, 5000.0);
+    let (ctx, _) = bar(&mut app);
+    let (shown, middle) = (canvas::task_bar_rect(&ctx).unwrap(), app.canvas_rect.unwrap().center());
+    assert!((shown.center().x - middle.x).abs() < 2.0 && shown.top() > middle.y && shown.top() < middle.y + 60.0, "{shown:?} under {middle:?}");
+    app.view_mut().unwrap().center = board.center();
+
+    let tree = crate::widgets::accessibility_tests::tree(|ui| canvas::show(&mut app, ui));
+    for label in ["Draw (Pencil)", "Place Image", "More Options"] {
+        assert_eq!(crate::widgets::accessibility_tests::named(&tree, label).role(), egui::accesskit::Role::Button, "{label}");
+    }
+    let named = |label: &str| tree.iter().any(|n| n.label().is_some_and(|l| l.starts_with(label)));
+    for label in ["Fill", "Stroke", "Recolor Artwork", "Lock", "Duplicate"] {
+        assert!(!named(label), "{label} is left out");
+    }
+
+    for tool in ["pen", "rectangle", "type", "artboard"] {
+        app.run("tool.select", json!({ "tool": tool })).unwrap();
+        let (_, texts) = bar_texts(&mut app);
+        assert!(!has(&texts, "Draw (Pencil)") && !has(&texts, "Place Image"), "{tool}: {texts:?}");
+    }
+
+    app.run("tool.select", json!({"tool": "selection"})).unwrap();
+    let rect = id(app.run("shape.rectangle", json!({"x": 40, "y": 40, "width": 80, "height": 60})).unwrap());
+    select(&mut app, &[rect]);
+    let (_, texts) = bar_texts(&mut app);
+    assert!(has(&texts, "Duplicate") && !has(&texts, "Draw (Pencil)"), "{texts:?}");
+    select(&mut app, &[]);
+    let (ctx, _) = bar(&mut app);
+    assert!(canvas::task_bar_rect(&ctx).is_none(), "artwork with nothing selected: no bar");
+    select(&mut app, &[rect]);
+    app.run("edit.clear", json!({})).unwrap();
+    app.run("guide.add", json!({"pos": 50})).unwrap();
+    assert!(has(&bar_texts(&mut app).1, "Draw (Pencil)"), "a ruler guide is not artwork");
+}
+
+/// Draw (Pencil) switches to the Pencil tool. Place Image picks files for the Place dialog;
+/// canceling the pick leaves the document as it was.
+#[test]
+fn the_blank_canvas_bar_draws_with_the_pencil_and_places_an_image() {
+    let mut app = app();
+    app.run("tool.select", json!({"tool": "selection"})).unwrap();
+    click(&mut app, "Draw (Pencil)");
+    assert_eq!(app.session.tool_id(), "pencil");
+
+    app.run("tool.select", json!({"tool": "selection"})).unwrap();
+    app.services.pick_open = Some(Box::new(|_: &crate::FilePick| None));
+    click(&mut app, "Place Image");
+    assert!(app.ui.dialog.is_none(), "canceled: no Place dialog");
+    assert!(app.session.active().unwrap().doc.layers.iter().all(|l| l.children().is_none_or(|c| c.is_empty())), "nothing placed");
+
+    let path = std::env::temp_dir().join("vectorcraft-task-bar-place.png").to_string_lossy().into_owned();
+    let picked = path.clone();
+    app.services.pick_open = Some(Box::new(move |_: &crate::FilePick| Some(picked.clone())));
+    click(&mut app, "Place Image");
+    let d = app.ui.dialog.take().expect("the Place dialog");
+    assert_eq!((d.kind.as_str(), &d.fields["files"]), (crate::dialogs::place::KIND, &json!([{ "path": path }])));
+}
+
+/// On a canvas too narrow for one row, the blank canvas bar's actions wrap onto a second row and the
+/// bar stays whole on the canvas.
+#[test]
+fn the_blank_canvas_bar_wraps_on_a_narrow_canvas() {
+    let mut app = app();
+    app.run("tool.select", json!({"tool": "selection"})).unwrap();
+    let ctx = egui::Context::default();
+    crate::theme::install_fonts(&ctx);
+    let (texts, r, canvas) = bar_texts_on_screen(&mut app, &ctx, vec2(240.0, 400.0), 3);
+    assert!(canvas.contains_rect(r), "{r:?} on {canvas:?}");
+    let (draw, place) = (at(&texts, "Draw (Pencil)"), at(&texts, "Place Image"));
+    assert!(place.y > draw.y + 20.0, "Place Image wraps under Draw (Pencil): {draw:?} {place:?}");
+}
+
 /// The Type tools whose bar shows the font and Fill controls.
 const TYPE_TOOLS: [&str; 6] = ["type", "areaType", "typeOnPath", "verticalType", "verticalAreaType", "verticalTypeOnPath"];
 
diff --git a/docs/target-app-parity.md b/docs/target-app-parity.md
index 5628710333..67b7934b4d 100644
--- a/docs/target-app-parity.md
+++ b/docs/target-app-parity.md
@@ -865,6 +865,7 @@ Moved from the ROADMAP's "Shipped so far" on 2026-10-10. Update it when a featur
   - A click on another object moves the contextual task bar under it without hiding it for the press; it gives way only to a drag (#4681).
   - With one image selected, the contextual task bar offers Image Trace, which traces the image at once with the Default preset (the Image Trace panel is left as it was), and Crop Image; with an Image Trace object it offers Expand, which keeps only the traced paths. This follows Illustrator's bar: for a selected image it includes Image Trace, Retype and Crop Image, and traced artwork can be expanded from it ([Contextual Task Bar announcement](https://community.adobe.com/announcements-651/contextual-task-bar-in-illustrator-2025-quick-actions-when-you-need-them-1546580)). Offset Path and Simplify, which don't apply to an image, aren't offered for one. Not done: Retype, which the app doesn't have.
   - With the Artboard tool, the contextual task bar sits under the selected artboards and offers Resize (Artboard Options for the active artboard), Duplicate (each selected artboard, in one undo step, the copies then selected), Rearrange All (with two or more artboards) and Export (Export for Screens with the selected artboards checked). This follows Illustrator's bar: while the Artboard tool is in use, it has options for resizing, duplicating and exporting artboards (the [Contextual Task Bar announcement](https://community.adobe.com/questions-652/contextual-task-bar-in-illustrator-2025-quick-actions-when-you-need-them-1546580); Rearrange and Export on the bar: [Managing Artboards in Illustrator](https://creativepro.com/managing-artboards-in-illustrator/)).
+  - On a blank canvas the contextual task bar offers Draw (Pencil), which switches to the Pencil tool, and Place Image, which picks files for the Place dialog, as the help page lists for a new document (<https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/get-started/learn-the-basics/contextual-task-bar-overview.html>). VectorCraft's own rules: the bar shows them while a selection tool is in use in a document with no artwork (layers and guides only), sits under the active artboard (under the canvas's center when the artboard is out of view), and leaves out the Fill, Stroke, Recolor Artwork and Lock controls. Not done: Generate Vectors. Evidence: `a_blank_canvas_offers_draw_and_place_image`, `the_blank_canvas_bar_draws_with_the_pencil_and_places_an_image` and `the_blank_canvas_bar_wraps_on_a_narrow_canvas` in `crates/ui-egui/src/tests/taskbar.rs`.
   - The contextual task bar offers more next steps by selection (<https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/get-started/learn-the-basics/contextual-task-bar-overview.html>): an open path Join and Edit Path (the Direct Selection tool), a closed path Edit Path, a compound path Edit Path and Release Compound Path, a clipping group Edit Clipping Path and Release Clipping Mask instead of Ungroup and Isolate, an image selected with vector art Make Clipping Mask instead of Unite, point or area type Convert To Area Type or Convert To Point Type beside Create Outlines, and type on a path, for which the overview names an item to add an effect and rearrange the text, Type on a Path Options (`type.pathOptions`; its options: <https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/creating-type-path.html>) beside Create Outlines. Evidence: `crates/ui-egui/src/tests/taskbar.rs`.
   - While a Type tool (Type, Area Type, Type on a Path and their vertical versions) adds or edits type, the contextual task bar shows the font family menu, the font style menu, the Font Size combo and the Fill chip (<https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/get-started/learn-the-basics/contextual-task-bar-overview.html>); the Touch Type tool shows no bar, as the same page describes. Type selected with a selection tool shows the same three font controls beside its Create Outlines, conversion and Type on a Path items (<https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/design-with-text/fonts-and-scripts/font-options-overview.html>). The controls act as the Character panel's do: on the characters a Type tool selects, else on every selected type object, with the size left blank where the sizes differ. VectorCraft's own rules: a Type tool's bar leaves out the object actions, the Stroke chip, Recolor Artwork and Lock; a Type tool shows no bar before it adds type or with other art selected; type selected with other art shows no font controls; the font controls go on a second row when one row would be wider than the canvas, and narrow to fit a canvas narrower than they are; while a Type tool edits type, the Fill chip shows the edited characters' fill ("?" where it differs). Evidence: `the_type_tools_show_font_and_fill_controls`, `the_type_tools_show_no_bar_without_type`, `selected_type_shows_font_controls_beside_its_actions`, `the_task_bars_font_size_sets_what_the_character_panel_would`, `the_type_tools_fill_chip_activates_the_fill`, `the_type_tools_bar_is_named_and_stays_on_the_canvas`, `selected_types_font_controls_take_a_second_row_on_a_narrow_canvas` and `the_type_tools_fill_chip_shows_the_edited_characters_fill` in `crates/ui-egui/src/tests/taskbar.rs`.
   - The help page describes the contextual task bar as one horizontal row (<https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/get-started/learn-the-basics/workspace-overview.html>) and gives no rule for a canvas narrower than that row. VectorCraft's own rule: the bar stays whole on the canvas. When its actions don't fit in one row, they wrap, in order, onto rows under the row with the handle, the chips and More Options; an action wider than any row, or one that would need a row past the canvas's height, is listed in More Options instead; when the chips don't fit beside the handle and More Options, they take rows after the actions; with no row to spare for the font controls, the bar leaves them out; a canvas too small for the handle and More Options shows no bar. Evidence: `a_task_bars_actions_wrap_on_a_narrow_canvas` and `a_task_bar_action_wider_than_the_canvas_goes_in_more_options` in `crates/ui-egui/src/tests/taskbar.rs`.