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. |