diff --git a/ROADMAP.md b/ROADMAP.md
index 4115c31c2..0088ac5a0 100644
--- a/ROADMAP.md
+++ b/ROADMAP.md
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # VectorCraft Roadmap
 
 - Contour add-on (beyond Illustrator): drag a selected shape's edge outward or inward for a live, editable offset copy, with a floating bar for distance and Sharp, Round or Square corners; Bake turns it into paths. Scores and estimates unchanged.
+- Compound Shapes add-on (beyond Illustrator): a menu for Make, Release and Expand Compound Shape and a setting, off by default, that makes the Pathfinder panel's Shape Mode buttons create compound shapes on a click. Scores and estimates unchanged.
 
 - Paint: new gradients use the document's color model for default stops, including Gradient tool creation. Scores and estimates unchanged.
 
@@ -13,7 +14,7 @@
 
 **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:** 2026-11-05 · **Change:** minor (Contour add-on, beyond Illustrator; scores and estimates unchanged; new gradients follow document color mode; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x)
+> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-05 · **Change:** minor (Compound Shapes add-on, beyond Illustrator; scores and estimates unchanged; Contour add-on, beyond Illustrator; scores and estimates unchanged; new gradients follow document color mode; 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/addons.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/addons.rs
index f0238aee2..3f0909842 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/addons.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/addons.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 pub mod arrange;
 pub mod cleanup;
 pub mod color;
+pub mod compounds;
 pub mod contour;
 pub mod document;
 pub mod enclosing_lasso;
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ pub fn plugin_menu() -> Vec<Item> {
         Item::Sub("Arrange Tools", arrange::menu()),
         Item::Sub("Artwork Cleanup", cleanup::menu()),
         Item::Sub("Color Effects", color::menu()),
+        Item::Sub("Compound Shapes", compounds::menu()),
         Item::Sub("Contour", contour::menu()),
         Item::Sub("Document Tools", document::menu()),
         Item::Sub("Enclosing Lasso", enclosing_lasso::menu()),
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/addons/compounds.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/addons/compounds.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..00336013a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/addons/compounds.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+//! Compound Shapes in the interface: its submenu (Object › Plug-ins › Compound Shapes) puts Make,
+//! Release and Expand Compound Shape (also in the Pathfinder panel's menu) in the menus, and holds the
+//! setting that makes the Pathfinder panel's Shape Mode buttons make compound shapes on a click. It
+//! acts through `object.compoundShape.*` and `window.pathfinder.compoundShapes`; nothing else
+//! about the Pathfinder panel changes.
+
+use serde_json::{Value, json};
+
+use crate::menus::Item;
+
+pub fn menu() -> Vec<Item> {
+    vec![
+        Item::Cmd("Make Compound Shape", "object.compoundShape.make", json!({})),
+        Item::Cmd("Release Compound Shape", "object.compoundShape.release", json!({})),
+        Item::Cmd("Expand Compound Shape", "object.compoundShape.expand", json!({})),
+        Item::Sep,
+        Item::Cmd("Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes", "window.pathfinder.compoundShapes", Value::Null),
+    ]
+}
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv
index 96735ce20..07c4f90d9 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bg.tsv
@@ -6214,3 +6214,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Глифи
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Четни опорни точки
 	Minimum angle	Минимален ъгъл
 	Maximum angle	Максимален ъгъл
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Съставни фигури
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Бутоните за режими на фигури създават съставни фигури
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv
index ad78ee84e..d007b6829 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/bs.tsv
@@ -6249,3 +6249,7 @@ shape	Open	Otvoren
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Parna sidra
 	Minimum angle	Najmanji ugao
 	Maximum angle	Najveći ugao
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Složeni oblici
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Tasteri načina oblika prave složene oblike
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv
index 8ad31d6d0..34988b565 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ca.tsv
@@ -6350,3 +6350,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glifs
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Ancoratges parells
 	Minimum angle	Angle mínim
 	Maximum angle	Angle màxim
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Formes compostes
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Els botons de mode de forma creen formes compostes
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv
index d801c39fd..57c3092b0 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/cs.tsv
@@ -6364,3 +6364,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyfy
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Sudé kotevní body
 	Minimum angle	Minimální úhel
 	Maximum angle	Maximální úhel
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Složené tvary
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Tlačítka režimů tvarů vytvářejí složené tvary
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv
index e410c8e4a..b5980d572 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/da.tsv
@@ -6230,3 +6230,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyffer
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Lige ankre
 	Minimum angle	Mindste vinkel
 	Maximum angle	Største vinkel
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Sammensatte figurer
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Knapper til formtilstande opretter sammensatte figurer
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv
index e11cf1bac..5e38f90f5 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/de.tsv
@@ -5950,3 +5950,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyphen
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Gerade Ankerpunkte
 	Minimum angle	Minimaler Winkel
 	Maximum angle	Maximaler Winkel
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Zusammengesetzte Formen
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Formmodus-Schaltflächen erstellen zusammengesetzte Formen
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv
index 9f3d0c18e..84232bda2 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/el.tsv
@@ -6316,3 +6316,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Γλύφοι
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Ζυγά σημεία αγκύρωσης
 	Minimum angle	Ελάχιστη γωνία
 	Maximum angle	Μέγιστη γωνία
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Σύνθετα σχήματα
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Τα κουμπιά λειτουργιών σχημάτων δημιουργούν σύνθετα σχήματα
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv
index b02abb8f1..c09b51167 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/es.tsv
@@ -6306,3 +6306,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glifos
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Anclas pares
 	Minimum angle	Ángulo mínimo
 	Maximum angle	Ángulo máximo
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Formas compuestas
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Los botones de modo de forma crean formas compuestas
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv
index eebd34d89..909240b3d 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fi.tsv
@@ -6399,3 +6399,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Merkit
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Parilliset ankkurit
 	Minimum angle	Pienin kulma
 	Maximum angle	Suurin kulma
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Yhdistelmämuodot
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Muototilapainikkeet luovat yhdistelmämuotoja
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv
index a5fbb1ab0..6738ec8df 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/fr.tsv
@@ -6359,3 +6359,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyphes
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Points d’ancrage pairs
 	Minimum angle	Angle minimal
 	Maximum angle	Angle maximal
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Formes composées
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Les boutons de mode de forme créent des formes composées
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv
index 3959b3fee..491c89fae 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/hu.tsv
@@ -6348,3 +6348,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glifák
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Páros horgonypontok
 	Minimum angle	Legkisebb szög
 	Maximum angle	Legnagyobb szög
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Összetett alakzatok
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Az alakzatmód-gombok összetett alakzatokat hoznak létre
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv
index fd72bc7e6..ffb0cbf56 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/id.tsv
@@ -6230,3 +6230,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glif
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Jangkar bernomor genap
 	Minimum angle	Sudut minimum
 	Maximum angle	Sudut maksimum
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Bentuk majemuk
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Tombol mode bentuk membuat bentuk majemuk
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv
index 4f2035969..cfd99e62b 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/it.tsv
@@ -5984,3 +5984,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glifi
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Ancoraggi pari
 	Minimum angle	Angolo minimo
 	Maximum angle	Angolo massimo
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Forme composte
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	I pulsanti dei metodi forma creano forme composte
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv
index 9f089ecf4..5da2097f2 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ja.tsv
@@ -6049,3 +6049,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	字形
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	偶数番目のアンカー
 	Minimum angle	最小角度
 	Maximum angle	最大角度
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	複合シェイプ
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	シェイプモードボタンで複合シェイプを作成
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv
index 78da64abc..b9f4a70a0 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ka.tsv
@@ -6375,3 +6375,7 @@ font-script	Japanese	იაპონური
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	ლუწი საყრდენი წერტილები
 	Minimum angle	მინიმალური კუთხე
 	Maximum angle	მაქსიმალური კუთხე
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	შედგენილი ფიგურები
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	ფიგურის რეჟიმის ღილაკები ქმნის შედგენილ ფიგურებს
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv
index 3e99b509b..ac5d1193a 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ko.tsv
@@ -5945,3 +5945,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	글리프
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	짝수 번째 앵커
 	Minimum angle	최소 각도
 	Maximum angle	최대 각도
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	컴파운드 모양
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	모양 모드 버튼으로 컴파운드 모양 만들기
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv
index 7f7818c54..62385d6c9 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/nl.tsv
@@ -6274,3 +6274,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyphs
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Even ankerpunten
 	Minimum angle	Minimale hoek
 	Maximum angle	Maximale hoek
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Samengestelde vormen
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Vormmodus-knoppen maken samengestelde vormen
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv
index 56127f052..908f36c94 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pl.tsv
@@ -6219,3 +6219,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glify
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Punkty parzyste
 	Minimum angle	Kąt minimalny
 	Maximum angle	Kąt maksymalny
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Kształty złożone
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Przyciski trybów kształtu tworzą kształty złożone
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv
index 7f68c5c7f..eb376906c 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/pt-br.tsv
@@ -6437,3 +6437,7 @@ swatch	Yellow Green	Verde-amarelado
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Âncoras Pares
 	Minimum angle	Ângulo Mínimo
 	Maximum angle	Ângulo Máximo
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Formas Compostas
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Os Botões de Modo de Forma Criam Formas Compostas
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv
index 10426b2ef..d700736c6 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/ru.tsv
@@ -6453,3 +6453,7 @@ shape	Open	Открытый
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Чётные опорные точки
 	Minimum angle	Минимальный угол
 	Maximum angle	Максимальный угол
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Составные фигуры
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Кнопки режимов фигур создают составные фигуры
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv
index 1d2d9b03e..85f4812d1 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/sv.tsv
@@ -6420,3 +6420,7 @@ digits	Hindi	Hindi
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Jämna ankare
 	Minimum angle	Minsta vinkel
 	Maximum angle	Största vinkel
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Sammansatta former
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Formlägesknapparna skapar sammansatta former
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv
index 133538fe9..5c6446de7 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/tr.tsv
@@ -6321,3 +6321,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glifler
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Çift Numaralı Çapalar
 	Minimum angle	En Küçük Açı
 	Maximum angle	En Büyük Açı
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Bileşik Şekiller
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Şekil Modu Düğmeleri Bileşik Şekiller Yapar
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv
index 95724a3d7..4bb708340 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/uk.tsv
@@ -5964,3 +5964,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Гліфи
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Парні опорні точки
 	Minimum angle	Мінімальний кут
 	Maximum angle	Максимальний кут
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Складені фігури
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Кнопки режимів фігур створюють складені фігури
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv
index 93113bc39..330792405 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/vi.tsv
@@ -5965,3 +5965,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	Glyph
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	Điểm neo số chẵn
 	Minimum angle	Góc tối thiểu
 	Maximum angle	Góc tối đa
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	Hình phức hợp
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	Nút chế độ hình dạng tạo hình phức hợp
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv
index 20ec64796..48f040a9c 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv
@@ -6205,3 +6205,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	字形
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	偶数锚点
 	Minimum angle	最小角度
 	Maximum angle	最大角度
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	复合形状
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	形状模式按钮创建复合形状
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv
index 7dbb11507..f0c659b50 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv
@@ -6002,3 +6002,7 @@ breakText	Glyphs	字符
 	Even-Numbered Anchors	偶數錨點
 	Minimum angle	最小角度
 	Maximum angle	最大角度
+
+# Compound Shapes add-on
+	Compound Shapes	複合形狀
+	Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes	形狀模式按鈕製作複合形狀
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/run.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/run.rs
index 2d134f76f..e9776e78f 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/run.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/run.rs
@@ -494,6 +494,7 @@ fn run_ui_part6(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, id: &str, p: &Value) -> Option<Result<
     };
     let r = match id {
         "window.taskBar" => flag(&mut app.ui.task_bar),
+        "window.pathfinder.compoundShapes" => flag(&mut app.ui.shape_modes_compound),
         "window.taskBar.pin" => {
             let place = &mut app.ui.task_bar_place;
             opt_bool(p, "pinned").map(|pinned| {
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/state.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/state.rs
index 2dd1051b1..673ceb81f 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/state.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/state.rs
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ pub fn checked(app: &VectorcraftApp, id: &str, p: &Value) -> Option<bool> {
             crate::toolbar::strips(&app.ui, toolbar).iter().any(|f| f.tools.iter().any(|id| id == tool))
         }
         "window.taskBar" => app.ui.task_bar,
+        "window.pathfinder.compoundShapes" => app.ui.shape_modes_compound,
         "window.taskBar.pin" => app.ui.task_bar_place.pinned,
         "window.panel" => {
             let panel = p.get("panel").and_then(Value::as_str).unwrap_or("");
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/ui_commands.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/ui_commands.rs
index 02fd4ba5f..44627725d 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/ui_commands.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/menus/ui_commands.rs
@@ -523,6 +523,12 @@ pub const UI_COMMANDS: &[(&str, &str, &str, &str)] = &[
     ),
     ("window.toolbar.list", "List Toolbars", "", "{} the toolbars made with New Toolbar in the current workspace: [{name, shown, double, slots}]"),
     ("window.taskBar", "Contextual Task Bar", "", "{}"),
+    (
+        "window.pathfinder.compoundShapes",
+        "Shape Mode Buttons Make Compound Shapes",
+        "",
+        "{} toggles the Compound Shapes add-on's setting: on, the Pathfinder panel's Shape Mode buttons make a compound shape and Alt-click gives the permanent Pathfinder result; off (the default), the other way round. Members of a compound shape selected always take the mode",
+    ),
     (
         "window.taskBar.pin",
         "Pin Bar Position",
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/pathfinder.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/pathfinder.rs
index 4d08938c5..97959ed4a 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/pathfinder.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/pathfinder.rs
@@ -77,12 +77,19 @@ fn button(ui: &mut Ui, icon: &str, tip: &str, selected: bool, n: usize, min: usi
 }
 
 /// A Shape Mode button clicked: Alt makes a compound shape of the selection in `mode`; with
-/// members of compound shapes selected they take `mode`; otherwise operation `op` runs.
+/// members of compound shapes selected they take `mode`; otherwise operation `op` runs. With the
+/// Compound Shapes add-on's setting on, a click on the selection (not on members) makes the
+/// compound shape and Alt gives the permanent result.
 fn shape_mode(app: &mut VectorcraftApp, ui: &Ui, op: &str, mode: ShapeMode, members: bool) {
-    if ui.input(|i| i.modifiers.alt) {
+    let alt = ui.input(|i| i.modifiers.alt);
+    if members {
+        if alt {
+            crate::menus::invoke(app, "object.compoundShape.make", json!({"mode": mode.name()}));
+        } else {
+            crate::menus::invoke(app, "object.compoundShape.setMode", json!({"mode": mode.name()}));
+        }
+    } else if alt != app.ui.shape_modes_compound {
         crate::menus::invoke(app, "object.compoundShape.make", json!({"mode": mode.name()}));
-    } else if members {
-        crate::menus::invoke(app, "object.compoundShape.setMode", json!({"mode": mode.name()}));
     } else {
         run(app, op);
     }
@@ -588,4 +595,68 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(app.last_pathfinder, None);
         assert!(!crate::menus::enabled(&app, "pathfinder.repeat"));
     }
+
+    /// How many compound shapes the active document holds.
+    fn compound_shapes(app: &VectorcraftApp) -> usize {
+        let mut n = 0;
+        app.session.active().unwrap().doc.walk(|node| n += usize::from(node.is_compound_shape()));
+        n
+    }
+
+    /// Off (the default) a Shape Mode click is the permanent Pathfinder result and Alt-click makes a
+    /// compound shape; with the Compound Shapes add-on's setting on it is the other way round.
+    #[test]
+    fn the_compound_shapes_setting_swaps_click_and_alt_on_the_shape_modes() {
+        // Off: unchanged.
+        let mut app = two_squares();
+        assert!(!app.ui.shape_modes_compound);
+        click_button(&mut app, "Unite");
+        assert_eq!((objects(&app).len(), compound_shapes(&app)), (1, 0), "a click is permanent");
+        let mut app = two_squares();
+        click_button_with_modifiers(&mut app, "Unite", egui::Modifiers::ALT);
+        assert_eq!(compound_shapes(&app), 1, "Alt makes a compound shape");
+
+        // On: a click makes the compound shape, Alt the permanent result.
+        let mut app = two_squares();
+        app.run("window.pathfinder.compoundShapes", json!({})).unwrap();
+        assert!(app.ui.shape_modes_compound);
+        assert_eq!(crate::menus::checked(&app, "window.pathfinder.compoundShapes", &serde_json::Value::Null), Some(true));
+        click_button(&mut app, "Unite");
+        assert_eq!(compound_shapes(&app), 1, "a click makes a compound shape");
+        let mut app = two_squares();
+        app.run("window.pathfinder.compoundShapes", json!({})).unwrap();
+        click_button_with_modifiers(&mut app, "Unite", egui::Modifiers::ALT);
+        assert_eq!((objects(&app).len(), compound_shapes(&app)), (1, 0), "Alt is permanent");
+
+        // Toggled off again, and the check mark follows.
+        app.run("window.pathfinder.compoundShapes", json!({})).unwrap();
+        assert!(!app.ui.shape_modes_compound);
+        assert_eq!(crate::menus::checked(&app, "window.pathfinder.compoundShapes", &serde_json::Value::Null), Some(false));
+    }
+
+    /// Members of a compound shape that are selected take the clicked mode whatever the setting says.
+    #[test]
+    fn selected_members_take_the_mode_with_the_setting_on() {
+        let mut app = two_squares();
+        app.run("window.pathfinder.compoundShapes", json!({})).unwrap();
+        click_button(&mut app, "Unite");
+        let shape = app.session.active().unwrap().selection.objects[0];
+        let front = app.session.active().unwrap().doc.node(shape).unwrap().children().unwrap().last().unwrap().id;
+        app.run("select.set", json!({"ids": [front.0]})).unwrap();
+        click_button(&mut app, "Minus Front");
+        assert_eq!(compound_shapes(&app), 1, "no second compound shape");
+        assert_eq!(vectorcraft_engine::cmd::selected_member_modes(&app.session), [ShapeMode::Subtract]);
+    }
+
+    /// The setting is kept with the preferences; preferences saved before it read as off.
+    #[test]
+    fn the_compound_shapes_setting_is_saved_and_older_preferences_read_as_off() {
+        let mut app = two_squares();
+        app.run("window.pathfinder.compoundShapes", json!({})).unwrap();
+        let mut saved = serde_json::to_value(&app.ui).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(saved["shape_modes_compound"], json!(true));
+        assert!(serde_json::from_value::<crate::state::UiState>(saved.clone()).unwrap().shape_modes_compound);
+        saved.as_object_mut().unwrap().remove("shape_modes_compound");
+        assert!(!serde_json::from_value::<crate::state::UiState>(saved).unwrap().shape_modes_compound);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/state.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/state.rs
index 77c19753f..2baf6f6ee 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/state.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/state.rs
@@ -366,6 +366,10 @@ pub struct UiState {
     /// starts under the selection at every launch.
     #[serde(skip)]
     pub task_bar_place: TaskBarPlace,
+    /// The Pathfinder panel's Shape Mode buttons make a compound shape on a click, and give the
+    /// permanent Pathfinder result on Alt-click (off, the default: the other way round).
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub shape_modes_compound: bool,
     /// The locked objects under the pointer at the last right-click on the canvas, with the
     /// document's `uid`: the context menu's Unlock submenu lists them while the menu is open. Not
     /// saved.
@@ -935,6 +939,7 @@ impl Default for UiState {
             toolbar_advanced: false,
             task_bar: true,
             task_bar_place: TaskBarPlace::default(),
+            shape_modes_compound: false,
             context_locked: None,
             context_intertwine: None,
             slot_tool: Default::default(),
diff --git a/docs/control-protocol.md b/docs/control-protocol.md
index 191be7975..a0e392cd6 100644
--- a/docs/control-protocol.md
+++ b/docs/control-protocol.md
@@ -402,6 +402,12 @@ Bar Position (`window.taskBar.reset`), which unpins it and puts it back under th
 Panel. As in Illustrator, neither the position nor the pin is saved: each launch starts with the bar under the
 selection.
 
+The Compound Shapes add-on's setting, `window.pathfinder.compoundShapes` (omitted params toggle; checked while on; kept with the
+preferences; off by default), swaps what a click and an Alt-click do on the Pathfinder panel's Shape Mode buttons: on, a click makes a
+compound shape (`object.compoundShape.make`) and Alt-click gives the permanent Pathfinder result. Selected members of a compound
+shape always take the clicked mode (`object.compoundShape.setMode`). Its submenu, Object › Plug-ins › Compound Shapes, also lists
+Make, Release and Expand Compound Shape.
+
 The Free Transform widget: while the Free Transform tool (E) is active, a small box at the canvas's top left holds
 Constrain over the tool's three modes, Free Transform, Perspective Distort and Free Distort. The buttons set the tool's
 options, as `tool.setOption {key: "mode", value: "free"|"perspective"|"distort"}` and `{key: "constrain", value}` do:
diff --git a/docs/gaps.md b/docs/gaps.md
index 68d08df0b..7b458a347 100644
--- a/docs/gaps.md
+++ b/docs/gaps.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Gaps
 
-> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-05 · **Change:** minor (Contour add-on, beyond Illustrator; scores and estimates unchanged; a slow first frame is waited for instead of restarting without the graphics adapter, and the menu bar no longer waits for the installed fonts' scan; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x)
+> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-05 · **Change:** minor (Compound Shapes add-on, beyond Illustrator; scores and estimates unchanged; Contour add-on, beyond Illustrator; scores and estimates unchanged; a slow first frame is waited for instead of restarting without the graphics adapter, and the menu bar no longer waits for the installed fonts' scan; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x)
 
 ## Feature submission evidence
 
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ Artboard Options forwards the active Artboard tool's Scale Artwork with Artboard
 | 2026-11-04 | minor | Contour add-on (beyond Illustrator): drag away from a selected shape's edge to grow a live copy of it, or toward the inside to shrink it; the copy carries a live Offset Path effect, so it stays editable until Bake (Expand Appearance), a second drag changes the same Contour instead of nesting one, and a floating bar sets the distance and the Sharp, Round or Square corners. `addon.contour.set` is the command behind it. It is a built-in add-on: Object › Plug-ins › Contour, and its own heading in All Tools, with no default shortcut or toolbar slot. A VectorCraft design built on Offset Path; no other application was inspected. Scores and estimates unchanged. |
 | 2026-11-04 | minor | Contour tool (beyond Illustrator): drag away from a selected shape's edge to grow a live copy of it, or toward the inside to shrink it; the copy carries a live Offset Path effect, so it stays editable until Bake (Expand Appearance), a second drag changes the same Contour instead of nesting one, and a floating bar sets the distance and the Sharp, Round or Square corners. `object.contour` is the command behind it. A VectorCraft design built on Offset Path; no other application was inspected. Scores and estimates unchanged. |
 | 2026-11-05 | minor | G12: Hyphenation › Default Language sets the language of new type unless Document Setup chose one, stored as a tag; each run hyphenates in its own language, English only so far, so 2 Preferences options stay unused (#394) |
+| 2026-11-05 | minor | Compound Shapes add-on (beyond Illustrator): Object › Plug-ins › Compound Shapes lists Make, Release and Expand Compound Shape, and holds a setting, off by default, that makes the Pathfinder panel's Shape Mode buttons make a compound shape on a click and give the permanent result on Alt-click (the default is the reverse). Selected members of a compound shape always take the clicked mode. The setting is `window.pathfinder.compoundShapes`; no existing behavior changes while it is off. Scores and estimates unchanged. |
 | 2026-11-03 | minor | New gradients use CMYK default stops in CMYK documents, including Gradient tool creation. 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. |
diff --git a/docs/target-app-parity.md b/docs/target-app-parity.md
index 53c26cd35..50e1b0cf2 100644
--- a/docs/target-app-parity.md
+++ b/docs/target-app-parity.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Parity with Adobe Illustrator
 
-> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-05 · **Change:** minor (Contour add-on, beyond Illustrator; scores and estimates unchanged; Optical kerning spaces pairs by the font's own stem spacing instead of a fixed tight gap; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x; public release notes through 30.7, August 2026)
+> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-05 · **Change:** minor (Compound Shapes add-on, beyond Illustrator; scores and estimates unchanged; Contour add-on, beyond Illustrator; scores and estimates unchanged; Optical kerning spaces pairs by the font's own stem spacing instead of a fixed tight gap; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x; public release notes through 30.7, August 2026)
 
 ## Feature submission evidence
 
@@ -483,6 +483,7 @@ since 2026-10-01.
 | **Scrubby numeric fields** | beyond Illustrator | As in Photoshop, dragging a numeric field's label (`W:`, `Opacity:`, the Character panel's icons) left or right steps its value live; one undo step per drag, Escape cancels (#400) |
 | **Align Stroke on live type** | beyond Illustrator | The Stroke panel's Align Stroke works on type's character stroke: inside or outside the glyphs without Create Outlines, the type staying editable (as InDesign does; users have asked Illustrator for it since 2010, e.g. [redd.it/1dwhos6](https://redd.it/1dwhos6)). Canvas, PDF and EPS clip it to its side of the glyphs; SVG keeps the text live and draws the stroke on the glyph outlines (#2294) |
 | **Contour add-on** | beyond Illustrator | Drag away from a selected shape's edge to grow a live copy of it, or toward the inside to shrink it (Shift: whole points); the copy carries a live Offset Path effect so it stays editable, with its own fill and stroke, until Bake (Expand Appearance). A second drag on a selected Contour changes it instead of nesting another; Escape cancels. A floating bar above the selection sets the distance and the corners (Sharp, Round, Square); `addon.contour.set` makes or changes one over MCP and the control channel. The tool is in Object › Plug-ins › Contour and under its own heading in All Tools, with no default shortcut or toolbar slot. Two Contours baked and combined with Minus Front give a border with a gap. Paths, shapes and compound paths only; type isn't offset. Tests: `crates/engine/src/cmd/addons/contour/tests.rs`, `crates/ui-egui/src/canvas/tests.rs` |
+| **Compound Shapes add-on** | beyond Illustrator | Object › Plug-ins › Compound Shapes puts Make, Release and Expand Compound Shape in the menus, and holds a setting (off by default) that swaps the Pathfinder panel's Shape Mode buttons: a click makes a compound shape and Alt-click gives the permanent result. Selected members of a compound shape always take the clicked mode; the setting is kept with the preferences. Tests: `panels::pathfinder::tests` in `crates/ui-egui/src/panels/pathfinder.rs` |
 
 ## Evidence: what ships today, by area
 
@@ -1655,6 +1656,7 @@ Edit › Copy and Cut put the selected ruler guides on the clipboard, with the s
 | 2026-11-04 | minor | Contour tool (beyond Illustrator): drag away from a selected shape's edge to grow a live copy of it, or toward the inside to shrink it; the copy carries a live Offset Path effect, so it stays editable until Bake (Expand Appearance), a second drag changes the same Contour instead of nesting one, and a floating bar sets the distance and the Sharp, Round or Square corners. `object.contour` is the command behind it. A VectorCraft design built on Offset Path; no other application was inspected. Scores and estimates unchanged. |
 | 2026-11-05 | minor | View & navigation: document tabs are reordered by dragging them along the tab strip (`document.move`, #5663); evidence added; scores unchanged. |
 | 2026-10-30 | minor | Effects: Color Halftone's Max Radius is 4–127 px of the Document Raster Effects resolution, shown in px whatever the units; older documents open converted, and files saved for older app versions hold points (#3260); scores unchanged. |
+| 2026-11-05 | minor | Compound Shapes add-on (beyond Illustrator): Object › Plug-ins › Compound Shapes lists Make, Release and Expand Compound Shape, and holds a setting, off by default, that makes the Pathfinder panel's Shape Mode buttons make a compound shape on a click and give the permanent result on Alt-click (the default is the reverse). Selected members of a compound shape always take the clicked mode. The setting is `window.pathfinder.compoundShapes`; no existing behavior changes while it is off. Scores and estimates unchanged. |
 | 2026-11-01 | minor | Batch Trace Folder (`imageTrace.batchFolder`, #4921); evidence added; scores unchanged. |
 | 2026-11-01 | minor | Copy and paste ruler guides (#3226); evidence added; scores unchanged. |
 | 2026-11-04 | minor | Area type vertical alignment buttons in the Properties panel's Paragraph section and the Control panel, off for columns, rows and threaded frames (#3759); evidence added; scores unchanged. |
diff --git a/docs/ui-parity.md b/docs/ui-parity.md
index ac9cf181b..fca5458f0 100644
--- a/docs/ui-parity.md
+++ b/docs/ui-parity.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # UI and interaction parity
 
-> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-05 · **Change:** minor (Contour add-on, beyond Illustrator; scores and estimates unchanged; Select by Artboards add-on selects by overlap, inside or outside several artboards; Cmd+Space keeps the active drawing cursor during its drag; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x; Units › East Asian Type acts, with Q and Ha units; scores unchanged)
+> **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-10 · **Last updated:** 2026-11-05 · **Change:** minor (Compound Shapes add-on, beyond Illustrator; scores and estimates unchanged; Contour add-on, beyond Illustrator; scores and estimates unchanged; Select by Artboards add-on selects by overlap, inside or outside several artboards; Cmd+Space keeps the active drawing cursor during its drag; scores and estimates unchanged) · **Target:** Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.x; Units › East Asian Type acts, with Q and Ha units; scores unchanged)
 
 ## Feature submission evidence
 
@@ -442,6 +442,7 @@ separate. Scores and hours unchanged. [Behavior and command details](development
 | 2026-11-05 | minor | Document tabs are reordered by dragging them along the tab strip (`document.move`, #5663). |
 | 2026-11-04 | minor | Path Precision Tools add-on (a VectorCraft addition): Set Corners… rounds only the corners in an angle range (#5545); scores and estimates unchanged |
 | 2026-11-04 | minor | Path Precision Tools add-on (a VectorCraft addition): Set Corners… rounds all, the odd-numbered or the even-numbered anchors (#5546); scores and estimates unchanged |
+| 2026-11-05 | minor | Compound Shapes add-on (beyond Illustrator): Object › Plug-ins › Compound Shapes lists Make, Release and Expand Compound Shape, and holds a setting, off by default, that makes the Pathfinder panel's Shape Mode buttons make a compound shape on a click and give the permanent result on Alt-click (the default is the reverse). Selected members of a compound shape always take the clicked mode. The setting is `window.pathfinder.compoundShapes`; no existing behavior changes while it is off. Scores and estimates unchanged. |
 | 2026-11-04 | minor | New Document: the units chosen in Preset Details belong to the chosen document, as the pane's options are listed "for the selected preset" ([public source](https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/add-and-import-files/start-a-new-file/create-and-save-custom-document-presets.html)); the chosen card shows them, every other Recent and Saved card keeps the units its document or preset was made in, and the built-in tabs still follow the chosen units (#2078); scores and estimates unchanged |
 | 2026-11-01 | minor | Object › Image Trace › Batch Trace Folder asks for a source and a destination folder and traces each image into it (#4921); scores and estimates unchanged |
 | 2026-11-01 | minor | Edit › Copy and Cut take the selected ruler guides, with the objects or alone; pasting puts them on the layer new art goes to, moved as the objects are (alone: where they were), Paste in Place onto the active artboard and Paste on All Artboards onto each (#3226); scores and estimates unchanged |