diff --git a/apps/web/README.md b/apps/web/README.md
index 39de616..35ed52d 100644
--- a/apps/web/README.md
+++ b/apps/web/README.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 # Operations Workbench
 
-Minimal Next.js app shell for the simulator-backed Process Sentinel demo. The
-Workbench reads from the local FastAPI backend through a small typed API client
-in `lib/api-client.ts`.
+Next.js operator-console shell for the simulator-backed Process Sentinel demo.
+The shell uses a Demo Factory-style steel, dark-nav, and teal-accent palette,
+and the Workbench reads from the local FastAPI backend through a small typed
+API client in `lib/api-client.ts`.
 
 ## Local Startup
 
@@ -76,6 +77,12 @@ is running on a non-default port.
 
 ## Routes
 
+The shell uses a persistent sidebar with an embedded status strip instead of a
+horizontal top bar. Existing Sentinel demo routes remain available, and the
+sidebar includes planned navigation slots for Connections, Protocol Diagnostics,
+and Tag/Source Browser. Those planned slots do not add production writeback
+controls.
+
 - `/` - Factory overview dashboard with site, line, asset, work order, product,
   active detection count, pending recommendation count, and primary detection CTA
 - `/detections` - Process Sentinel detection list with summary, severity,
diff --git a/apps/web/app/globals.css b/apps/web/app/globals.css
index 01c3dfb..ed47bb7 100644
--- a/apps/web/app/globals.css
+++ b/apps/web/app/globals.css
@@ -1,17 +1,29 @@
 :root {
-  --background: #f6f7f4;
+  --background: #e8eef3;
   --surface: #ffffff;
-  --surface-muted: #eef2ed;
-  --text: #18201c;
-  --muted: #607066;
-  --border: #d7ded6;
-  --accent: #176b52;
-  --accent-strong: #0f4d3b;
-  --warning: #8b5a10;
-  --danger: #9f2d35;
-  --info: #315f9f;
-  --draft: #5d6470;
-  --shadow: 0 18px 50px rgb(24 32 28 / 8%);
+  --surface-muted: #f5f8fa;
+  --surface-subtle: #f0f5f8;
+  --text: #16202a;
+  --muted: #526579;
+  --muted-2: #6b7d8f;
+  --border: #d3dee7;
+  --border-strong: #b7c5d0;
+  --accent: #0f766e;
+  --accent-strong: #0b5d57;
+  --accent-bg: #d7f4eb;
+  --nav: #101820;
+  --nav-2: #1d2b36;
+  --nav-text: #d8e2ea;
+  --nav-muted: #91a4b3;
+  --warning: #b45309;
+  --warning-bg: #fff3d6;
+  --danger: #b91c1c;
+  --danger-bg: #fde2e2;
+  --info: #1e40af;
+  --info-bg: #dbeafe;
+  --draft: #475569;
+  --focus-ring: #9ee1d9;
+  --shadow: 0 1px 2px rgb(21 32 42 / 4%);
 }
 
 * {
@@ -37,7 +49,9 @@ a {
   text-decoration: none;
 }
 
-.shell {
+.operator-shell {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: 276px minmax(0, 1fr);
   min-height: 100vh;
 }
 
@@ -57,22 +71,25 @@ a {
 
 .skip-link:focus-visible {
   transform: translateY(0);
-  outline: 3px solid #cfe7db;
-}
-
-.site-header {
-  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
-  background: rgb(255 255 255 / 92%);
+  outline: 3px solid var(--focus-ring);
 }
 
-.header-inner {
+.operator-sidebar {
+  position: sticky;
+  top: 0;
   display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: space-between;
+  height: 100vh;
+  flex-direction: column;
   gap: 24px;
-  width: min(1180px, calc(100% - 32px));
-  margin: 0 auto;
-  padding: 18px 0;
+  border-right: 1px solid #243541;
+  background: var(--nav);
+  color: var(--nav-text);
+  padding: 22px 18px;
+}
+
+.sidebar-branding {
+  display: grid;
+  gap: 14px;
 }
 
 .brand {
@@ -82,46 +99,125 @@ a {
 }
 
 .brand:focus-visible {
-  outline: 3px solid #cfe7db;
+  outline: 3px solid var(--focus-ring);
   outline-offset: 4px;
 }
 
 .brand-name {
+  color: #ffffff;
   font-size: 1rem;
   font-weight: 760;
   letter-spacing: 0;
 }
 
 .brand-context {
-  color: var(--muted);
+  color: var(--nav-muted);
   font-size: 0.82rem;
   font-weight: 560;
 }
 
 .primary-nav {
-  display: flex;
-  flex-wrap: wrap;
-  justify-content: flex-end;
+  display: grid;
+  gap: 22px;
+}
+
+.nav-group {
+  display: grid;
+  gap: 9px;
+}
+
+.nav-group h2 {
+  margin: 0;
+  color: var(--nav-muted);
+  font-size: 0.72rem;
+  font-weight: 780;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.nav-group-links {
+  display: grid;
   gap: 6px;
 }
 
 .nav-link {
+  display: flex;
+  min-height: 42px;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  gap: 10px;
   border: 1px solid transparent;
   border-radius: 7px;
-  color: #35423a;
+  background: transparent;
+  color: #b7c4cf;
   font-size: 0.9rem;
   font-weight: 650;
-  padding: 9px 11px;
+  padding: 10px 11px;
 }
 
 .nav-link:hover,
 .nav-link:focus-visible {
-  border-color: var(--border);
-  background: var(--surface-muted);
-  outline: 3px solid #cfe7db;
+  border-color: #2d4352;
+  background: var(--nav-2);
+  color: #ffffff;
+  outline: 3px solid var(--focus-ring);
   outline-offset: 2px;
 }
 
+.nav-link-disabled {
+  color: var(--nav-muted);
+  cursor: default;
+}
+
+.nav-link-disabled:hover {
+  background: transparent;
+  color: var(--nav-muted);
+}
+
+.nav-link-meta {
+  border: 1px solid #314756;
+  border-radius: 999px;
+  background: var(--nav-2);
+  color: var(--nav-text);
+  font-size: 0.68rem;
+  font-weight: 760;
+  line-height: 1;
+  padding: 5px 7px;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.operator-workspace {
+  min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.status-strip {
+  display: grid;
+  gap: 8px;
+  margin-top: auto;
+  border-top: 1px solid #243541;
+  padding-top: 16px;
+}
+
+.status-strip div {
+  display: grid;
+  min-width: 0;
+  gap: 4px;
+  border: 1px solid #243541;
+  border-radius: 7px;
+  background: var(--nav-2);
+  padding: 10px 11px;
+}
+
+.status-strip .status-label {
+  color: var(--nav-muted);
+}
+
+.status-strip strong {
+  color: #ffffff;
+  overflow-wrap: anywhere;
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+  line-height: 1.25;
+}
+
 .page-shell {
   width: min(1180px, calc(100% - 32px));
   margin: 0 auto;
@@ -129,7 +225,7 @@ a {
 }
 
 .page-shell:focus-visible {
-  outline: 3px solid #cfe7db;
+  outline: 3px solid var(--focus-ring);
   outline-offset: 6px;
 }
 
@@ -176,9 +272,9 @@ a {
 .demo-label {
   display: inline-flex;
   width: fit-content;
-  border: 1px solid #d9c18c;
+  border: 1px solid #f5d38d;
   border-radius: 6px;
-  background: #fff8e7;
+  background: var(--warning-bg);
   color: var(--warning);
   font-size: 0.78rem;
   font-weight: 760;
@@ -190,9 +286,9 @@ a {
   display: inline-grid;
   width: fit-content;
   gap: 4px;
-  border: 1px solid #d9c18c;
+  border: 1px solid #f5d38d;
   border-radius: 7px;
-  background: #fff8e7;
+  background: var(--warning-bg);
   color: var(--warning);
   line-height: 1.2;
   padding: 7px 9px;
@@ -204,7 +300,7 @@ a {
 }
 
 .demo-notice-copy {
-  color: #765011;
+  color: #7a4f0f;
   font-size: 0.72rem;
   font-weight: 650;
 }
@@ -218,7 +314,7 @@ a {
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: 999px;
   background: var(--surface-muted);
-  color: #35423a;
+  color: #405263;
   font-size: 0.78rem;
   font-weight: 760;
   line-height: 1.05;
@@ -233,26 +329,26 @@ a {
 }
 
 .status-badge-success {
-  border-color: #96c4ae;
-  background: #e8f5ee;
+  border-color: #9bd3ca;
+  background: var(--accent-bg);
   color: var(--accent-strong);
 }
 
 .status-badge-warning {
-  border-color: #d9c18c;
-  background: #fff8e7;
+  border-color: #f5d38d;
+  background: var(--warning-bg);
   color: var(--warning);
 }
 
 .status-badge-danger {
-  border-color: #d9a1a7;
-  background: #fff0f1;
+  border-color: #f2b6b6;
+  background: var(--danger-bg);
   color: var(--danger);
 }
 
 .status-badge-info {
   border-color: #a8bddc;
-  background: #eef4ff;
+  background: var(--info-bg);
   color: var(--info);
 }
 
@@ -382,7 +478,7 @@ h3 {
 .primary-action:hover,
 .primary-action:focus-visible {
   background: var(--accent-strong);
-  outline: 3px solid #cfe7db;
+  outline: 3px solid var(--focus-ring);
   outline-offset: 2px;
 }
 
@@ -393,8 +489,8 @@ h3 {
 
 .secondary-action:hover,
 .secondary-action:focus-visible {
-  background: #edf6f1;
-  outline: 3px solid #cfe7db;
+  background: #e7f3f1;
+  outline: 3px solid var(--focus-ring);
   outline-offset: 2px;
 }
 
@@ -411,10 +507,10 @@ h3 {
   gap: 18px;
   align-items: start;
   margin-top: 18px;
-  border: 1px solid #b7d4c8;
+  border: 1px solid #b7ded8;
   border-left: 4px solid var(--accent);
   border-radius: 8px;
-  background: #f3faf6;
+  background: #e7f3f1;
   padding: 16px;
 }
 
@@ -425,7 +521,7 @@ h3 {
 
 .api-connection-banner span,
 .api-connection-details dd {
-  color: #244337;
+  color: #21423e;
   line-height: 1.45;
 }
 
@@ -440,12 +536,12 @@ h3 {
   display: grid;
   gap: 4px;
   min-width: 0;
-  border-left: 1px solid #b7d4c8;
+  border-left: 1px solid #b7ded8;
   padding-left: 10px;
 }
 
 .api-connection-details dt {
-  color: #4d665b;
+  color: var(--muted);
   font-size: 0.74rem;
   font-weight: 760;
   text-transform: uppercase;
@@ -543,7 +639,7 @@ h3 {
   align-items: start;
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: 8px;
-  background: #fbfcfb;
+  background: var(--surface);
   padding: 18px;
 }
 
@@ -592,7 +688,7 @@ h3 {
 .back-link:hover,
 .back-link:focus-visible {
   color: var(--accent-strong);
-  outline: 3px solid #cfe7db;
+  outline: 3px solid var(--focus-ring);
   outline-offset: 3px;
 }
 
@@ -620,7 +716,7 @@ h3 {
   gap: 4px;
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: 8px;
-  background: #fbfcfb;
+  background: var(--surface);
   padding: 16px;
 }
 
@@ -643,7 +739,7 @@ h3 {
 .state-panel {
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: 8px;
-  background: #fbfcfb;
+  background: var(--surface);
 }
 
 .data-card {
@@ -737,12 +833,12 @@ h3 {
 
 .what-this-means {
   border-left: 4px solid var(--accent);
-  background: #edf6f1;
+  background: #e7f3f1;
   padding: 16px;
 }
 
 .what-this-means p {
-  color: #244337;
+  color: #21423e;
 }
 
 .timeline-list {
@@ -767,7 +863,7 @@ h3 {
   border: 3px solid var(--accent);
   border-radius: 50%;
   background: var(--surface);
-  box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px #edf6f1;
+  box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px #e7f3f1;
 }
 
 .timeline-item article {
@@ -804,7 +900,7 @@ h3 {
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
   border-radius: 6px;
   background: var(--surface-muted);
-  color: #35423a;
+  color: #405263;
   font-size: 0.74rem;
   font-weight: 760;
   line-height: 1;
@@ -813,20 +909,20 @@ h3 {
 }
 
 .evidence-process-signal .evidence-type {
-  border-color: #9dc8ba;
-  background: #e7f4ee;
-  color: #0f4d3b;
+  border-color: #9bd3ca;
+  background: var(--accent-bg);
+  color: var(--accent-strong);
 }
 
 .evidence-quality-result .evidence-type {
-  border-color: #d6ba76;
-  background: #fff8e7;
+  border-color: #f5d38d;
+  background: var(--warning-bg);
   color: #7a4f0f;
 }
 
 .evidence-correlation-window .evidence-type {
   border-color: #b9c1dc;
-  background: #eef1fb;
+  background: var(--info-bg);
   color: #35436f;
 }
 
@@ -911,17 +1007,17 @@ h3 {
 }
 
 .error-panel {
-  border-color: #e3b7b7;
-  background: #fff2f2;
+  border-color: #f2b6b6;
+  background: var(--danger-bg);
 }
 
 .error-panel strong {
-  color: #8a2b2b;
+  color: var(--danger);
 }
 
 .missing-data-panel {
-  border-color: #d9c18c;
-  background: #fffaf0;
+  border-color: #f5d38d;
+  background: var(--warning-bg);
 }
 
 .missing-data-panel strong {
@@ -930,8 +1026,8 @@ h3 {
 
 .decision-note {
   border-left: 4px solid var(--accent);
-  background: #edf6f1;
-  color: #244337;
+  background: #e7f3f1;
+  color: #21423e;
   line-height: 1.5;
   padding: 16px;
 }
@@ -979,7 +1075,7 @@ h3 {
 .review-form input:focus,
 .review-form textarea:focus {
   border-color: var(--accent);
-  outline: 3px solid #cfe7db;
+  outline: 3px solid var(--focus-ring);
   outline-offset: 1px;
 }
 
@@ -1002,13 +1098,13 @@ h3 {
 }
 
 .review-actions button:nth-child(2) {
-  border-color: #8a2b2b;
-  background: #8a2b2b;
+  border-color: var(--danger);
+  background: var(--danger);
 }
 
 .review-actions button:nth-child(3) {
   border-color: #7a4f0f;
-  background: #8b5a10;
+  background: var(--warning);
 }
 
 .review-actions button:disabled {
@@ -1017,7 +1113,7 @@ h3 {
 }
 
 .review-actions button:focus-visible {
-  outline: 3px solid #cfe7db;
+  outline: 3px solid var(--focus-ring);
   outline-offset: 2px;
 }
 
@@ -1031,7 +1127,7 @@ h3 {
 
 .draft-copy button:focus-visible,
 .review-actions button:focus-visible {
-  outline: 3px solid #cfe7db;
+  outline: 3px solid var(--focus-ring);
   outline-offset: 2px;
 }
 
@@ -1039,27 +1135,27 @@ h3 {
   display: grid;
   gap: 5px;
   border-left: 4px solid var(--accent);
-  background: #edf6f1;
-  color: #244337;
+  background: #e7f3f1;
+  color: #21423e;
   line-height: 1.5;
   padding: 16px;
 }
 
 .api-panel {
   border-left: 4px solid var(--accent);
-  background: #edf6f1;
+  background: #e7f3f1;
   padding: 16px;
 }
 
 .api-panel p {
   margin-bottom: 0;
-  color: #244337;
+  color: #21423e;
   line-height: 1.5;
 }
 
 code {
   border-radius: 5px;
-  background: #e4ebe5;
+  background: #e8eef4;
   color: var(--accent-strong);
   font-family: "SFMono-Regular", Consolas, "Liberation Mono", monospace;
   font-size: 0.9em;
@@ -1067,18 +1163,24 @@ code {
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 880px) {
-  .header-inner,
-  .hero {
-    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+  .operator-shell {
+    display: block;
   }
 
-  .header-inner {
-    align-items: flex-start;
-    flex-direction: column;
+  .operator-sidebar {
+    position: relative;
+    height: auto;
+    border-right: 0;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
   }
 
-  .primary-nav {
-    justify-content: flex-start;
+  .status-strip {
+    grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));
+    margin-top: 0;
+  }
+
+  .hero {
+    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
   }
 
   .api-connection-banner {
@@ -1121,8 +1223,7 @@ code {
 }
 
 @media (min-width: 881px) and (max-width: 1240px) {
-  .page-shell,
-  .header-inner {
+  .page-shell {
     width: min(1100px, calc(100% - 28px));
   }
 
@@ -1140,6 +1241,14 @@ code {
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 560px) {
+  .operator-sidebar {
+    padding: 18px 16px;
+  }
+
+  .status-strip {
+    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+  }
+
   .content-grid {
     grid-template-columns: 1fr;
   }
diff --git a/apps/web/app/layout.tsx b/apps/web/app/layout.tsx
index 653cb5e..452af3f 100644
--- a/apps/web/app/layout.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/app/layout.tsx
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import Link from "next/link";
 import type { ReactNode } from "react";
 
 import { DemoDataBadge } from "./components/demo-state";
+import { getApiBaseUrl } from "../lib/api-client";
 import "./globals.css";
 
 export const metadata: Metadata = {
@@ -10,40 +11,92 @@ export const metadata: Metadata = {
   description: "Simulator-backed Factory Intelligence Platform workbench shell.",
 };
 
-const navItems = [
-  { href: "/", label: "Overview" },
-  { href: "/detections", label: "Detections" },
-  { href: "/recommendations", label: "Recommendations" },
-  { href: "/rca-capa-draft", label: "RCA/CAPA Draft" },
+const navGroups = [
+  {
+    items: [
+      { href: "/", label: "Overview" },
+      { href: "/detections", label: "Detections" },
+      { href: "/recommendations", label: "Recommendations" },
+      { href: "/rca-capa-draft", label: "RCA/CAPA Draft" },
+    ],
+    label: "Sentinel workflows",
+  },
+  {
+    items: [
+      { label: "Connections", status: "Planned" },
+      { label: "Protocol Diagnostics", status: "Planned" },
+      { label: "Tag/Source Browser", status: "Planned" },
+    ],
+    label: "Protocol operations",
+  },
 ];
 
 export default function RootLayout({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
   return (
     <html lang="en">
       <body>
-        <div className="shell">
+        <div className="operator-shell">
           <a className="skip-link" href="#main-content">
             Skip to main content
           </a>
-          <header className="site-header">
-            <div className="header-inner">
+          <aside className="operator-sidebar" aria-label="Workbench navigation">
+            <div className="sidebar-branding">
               <Link className="brand" href="/">
                 <span className="brand-name">Factory Intelligence Platform</span>
-                <span className="brand-context">Operations Workbench</span>
+                <span className="brand-context">Operator Console</span>
               </Link>
-              <nav aria-label="Primary navigation" className="primary-nav">
-                {navItems.map((item) => (
-                  <Link className="nav-link" href={item.href} key={item.href}>
-                    {item.label}
-                  </Link>
-                ))}
-              </nav>
               <DemoDataBadge />
             </div>
-          </header>
-          <main className="page-shell" id="main-content" tabIndex={-1}>
-            {children}
-          </main>
+            <nav aria-label="Primary navigation" className="primary-nav">
+              {navGroups.map((group) => (
+                <section className="nav-group" key={group.label}>
+                  <h2>{group.label}</h2>
+                  <div className="nav-group-links">
+                    {group.items.map((item) =>
+                      "href" in item ? (
+                        <Link className="nav-link" href={item.href} key={item.label}>
+                          <span>{item.label}</span>
+                        </Link>
+                      ) : (
+                        <span
+                          aria-disabled="true"
+                          className="nav-link nav-link-disabled"
+                          key={item.label}
+                          role="link"
+                        >
+                          <span>{item.label}</span>
+                          <span className="nav-link-meta">{item.status}</span>
+                        </span>
+                      ),
+                    )}
+                  </div>
+                </section>
+              ))}
+            </nav>
+            <section className="status-strip" aria-label="Workbench status strip">
+              <div>
+                <span className="status-label">Mode</span>
+                <strong>Simulator-backed demo</strong>
+              </div>
+              <div>
+                <span className="status-label">API target</span>
+                <strong>{getApiBaseUrl()}</strong>
+              </div>
+              <div>
+                <span className="status-label">Connection policy</span>
+                <strong>Read-only diagnostics</strong>
+              </div>
+              <div>
+                <span className="status-label">Writeback</span>
+                <strong>Disabled</strong>
+              </div>
+            </section>
+          </aside>
+          <div className="operator-workspace">
+            <main className="page-shell" id="main-content" tabIndex={-1}>
+              {children}
+            </main>
+          </div>
         </div>
       </body>
     </html>
diff --git a/apps/web/e2e/operations-workbench-demo.spec.ts b/apps/web/e2e/operations-workbench-demo.spec.ts
index 4478410..2fcf2de 100644
--- a/apps/web/e2e/operations-workbench-demo.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/web/e2e/operations-workbench-demo.spec.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,15 @@ test("walks the simulator-backed Operations Workbench demo path", async ({ page
   await expect(page.getByRole("link", { name: "Skip to main content" })).toBeFocused();
   await page.keyboard.press("Enter");
   await expect(page.locator("#main-content")).toBeFocused();
+  await expect(page.getByRole("navigation", { name: "Primary navigation" })).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByRole("link", { name: "Overview" })).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByText("Connections", { exact: true })).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByText("Protocol Diagnostics", { exact: true })).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByText("Tag/Source Browser", { exact: true })).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByRole("region", { name: "Workbench status strip" })).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByText("Read-only diagnostics")).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByText("Writeback")).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByText("Disabled", { exact: true })).toBeVisible();
   await expect(page.getByText("Simulator-backed demo data").first()).toBeVisible();
   await expect(page.getByText("Synthetic local scenario; not real plant data.").first()).toBeVisible();
   await expect(page.getByRole("region", { name: "Local API connection state" })).toBeVisible();
diff --git a/apps/web/tests/app-shell.test.mjs b/apps/web/tests/app-shell.test.mjs
index 12d30da..331a312 100644
--- a/apps/web/tests/app-shell.test.mjs
+++ b/apps/web/tests/app-shell.test.mjs
@@ -24,13 +24,46 @@ test("navigation includes the required demo routes", () => {
 
   assert.match(layout, /Skip to main content/);
   assert.match(layout, /id="main-content"/);
+  assert.match(layout, /operator-shell/);
+  assert.match(layout, /operator-sidebar/);
+  assert.match(layout, /Workbench navigation/);
+  assert.match(layout, /Operator Console/);
+  assert.match(layout, /Sentinel workflows/);
   assert.match(layout, /Overview/);
   assert.match(layout, /Detections/);
   assert.match(layout, /Recommendations/);
   assert.match(layout, /RCA\/CAPA Draft/);
+  assert.match(layout, /Protocol operations/);
+  assert.match(layout, /Connections/);
+  assert.match(layout, /Protocol Diagnostics/);
+  assert.match(layout, /Tag\/Source Browser/);
+  assert.match(layout, /aria-disabled="true"/);
+  assert.match(layout, /Workbench status strip/);
+  assert.doesNotMatch(layout, /<header className="status-strip"/);
+  assert.match(layout, /Simulator-backed demo/);
+  assert.match(layout, /Read-only diagnostics/);
+  assert.match(layout, /Writeback/);
+  assert.match(layout, /Disabled/);
   assert.match(layout, /DemoDataBadge/);
 });
 
+test("operator shell uses the Demo Factory console palette", () => {
+  const styles = readFileSync(join(root, "app/globals.css"), "utf8");
+
+  assert.match(styles, /--background: #e8eef3/);
+  assert.match(styles, /--surface: #ffffff/);
+  assert.match(styles, /--text: #16202a/);
+  assert.match(styles, /--muted: #526579/);
+  assert.match(styles, /--border: #d3dee7/);
+  assert.match(styles, /--nav: #101820/);
+  assert.match(styles, /--nav-2: #1d2b36/);
+  assert.match(styles, /--accent: #0f766e/);
+  assert.match(styles, /--warning: #b45309/);
+  assert.match(styles, /--danger: #b91c1c/);
+  assert.match(styles, /background: var\(--nav\)/);
+  assert.match(styles, /background: var\(--nav-2\)/);
+});
+
 test("overview page contains manufacturer demo dashboard content", () => {
   const overview = readFileSync(join(root, "app/page.tsx"), "utf8");
   const demoState = readFileSync(join(root, "app/components/demo-state.tsx"), "utf8");
@@ -234,6 +267,8 @@ test("accessibility baseline covers landmarks, focus, forms, badges, and timelin
   assert.match(layout, /className="skip-link"/);
   assert.match(layout, /<main className="page-shell" id="main-content"/);
   assert.match(layout, /nav aria-label="Primary navigation"/);
+  assert.match(layout, /aside className="operator-sidebar"/);
+  assert.match(layout, /section className="status-strip"/);
   assert.match(demoState, /status-badge-label/);
   assert.match(detail, /aria-label="Evidence timeline ordered oldest to newest"/);
   assert.match(detail, /<ol/);
@@ -245,18 +280,21 @@ test("accessibility baseline covers landmarks, focus, forms, badges, and timelin
   assert.match(panel, /id="decision-submit-status"/);
   assert.match(panel, /Decision actions are disabled until reviewer and reason are entered/);
   assert.match(styles, /\.skip-link/);
+  assert.match(styles, /\.operator-sidebar/);
+  assert.match(styles, /\.status-strip/);
   assert.match(styles, /:focus-visible/);
   assert.match(styles, /\.sr-only/);
-  assert.match(styles, /outline: 3px solid #cfe7db/);
+  assert.match(styles, /--focus-ring: #9ee1d9/);
+  assert.match(styles, /outline: 3px solid var\(--focus-ring\)/);
 
   const contrastPairs = [
-    ["#18201c", "#ffffff", "body text on cards"],
-    ["#607066", "#ffffff", "muted text on cards"],
-    ["#0f4d3b", "#e8f5ee", "success badge"],
-    ["#8b5a10", "#fff8e7", "warning badge"],
-    ["#9f2d35", "#fff0f1", "danger badge"],
-    ["#315f9f", "#eef4ff", "info badge"],
-    ["#ffffff", "#176b52", "primary action"],
+    ["#16202a", "#ffffff", "body text on cards"],
+    ["#526579", "#ffffff", "muted text on cards"],
+    ["#0b5d57", "#d7f4eb", "success badge"],
+    ["#b45309", "#fff3d6", "warning badge"],
+    ["#b91c1c", "#fde2e2", "danger badge"],
+    ["#1e40af", "#dbeafe", "info badge"],
+    ["#ffffff", "#0f766e", "primary action"],
   ];
 
   for (const [foreground, background, label] of contrastPairs) {
diff --git a/docs/LEARNING_LOG.md b/docs/LEARNING_LOG.md
index 9db430f..ce242af 100644
--- a/docs/LEARNING_LOG.md
+++ b/docs/LEARNING_LOG.md
@@ -237,6 +237,68 @@ make test-integration
 Use this diagnostic response shape when building protocol diagnostics UI. Keep
 live adapter implementations and tag/source browsing in their own scoped issues.
 
+## 2026-05-23 - Operator-console Workbench shell
+
+### What changed
+
+Reshaped the Workbench shell into a denser operator-console layout with a
+persistent sidebar, grouped Sentinel navigation, planned protocol-operation
+slots, and a sidebar-embedded status strip for demo mode, API target, read-only
+diagnostics, and disabled writeback. The shell no longer uses a horizontal top
+bar. The shell palette now mirrors Demo Factory more closely: pale steel
+workspace background, dark industrial navigation, white panels, teal
+operational accents, amber warning states, and red danger states.
+
+### Why it matters
+
+The manufacturer demo direction needs the Workbench to feel closer to the
+Demo-Factory operator console while keeping the existing Process Sentinel flow
+available. The visible protocol slots establish the future Connections,
+Protocol Diagnostics, and Tag/Source Browser surfaces without implementing
+their pages or controls in this issue. Matching the sibling demo palette helps
+the two apps feel like related parts of the same Open Factory Initiative demo
+system without changing backend behavior.
+
+### How it works
+
+`app/layout.tsx` owns the shared shell. Existing Sentinel routes still render in
+`#main-content`; the sidebar wraps existing links, non-clickable planned
+protocol slots, and the compact status strip. The status strip is static shell
+context, so it does not start protocol clients or expose writeback actions.
+Shared CSS variables in `app/globals.css` carry the Demo Factory-inspired
+palette through the shell, badges, panels, forms, and timeline states.
+
+### How to run it
+
+```bash
+cd apps/web
+npm run dev
+```
+
+### How to test it
+
+```bash
+cd apps/web
+npm test
+npm run lint
+npm run typecheck
+npm run build
+```
+
+### Key files
+
+- `apps/web/app/layout.tsx`
+- `apps/web/app/globals.css`
+- `apps/web/tests/app-shell.test.mjs`
+- `apps/web/e2e/operations-workbench-demo.spec.ts`
+
+### What to learn next
+
+Use the sidebar slots as anchors for the dedicated Connections, Protocol
+Diagnostics, and Tag/Source Browser issues. Keep production writeback controls
+out of the Workbench unless a future governed-action issue explicitly designs
+and tests them.
+
 ## 2026-05-23 - OPC UA demo ingestion worker
 
 ### What changed