diff --git a/static/i18n.js b/static/i18n.js
index 56560be6..c8f160fe 100644
--- a/static/i18n.js
+++ b/static/i18n.js
@@ -312,6 +312,10 @@ const LOCALES = {
     workspace_empty_no_path: 'No workspace selected. Set a workspace in Settings \u2192 Workspace to browse files.',
     workspace_empty_dir: 'This workspace is empty.',
     workspace_show_hidden_files: 'Show hidden files',
+    workspace_show_hidden_files_desc: 'Include .DS_Store, .git, node_modules, and other hidden / system files in the file tree.',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible: 'hidden visible',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible_title: 'Hidden files are visible — click for options',
+    workspace_options: 'Workspace options',
     dialog_confirm_title: 'Confirm action',
     dialog_prompt_title: 'Enter a value',
     dialog_confirm_btn: 'Confirm',
@@ -1326,6 +1330,10 @@ const LOCALES = {
     workspace_empty_no_path: 'ワークスペースが選択されていません。設定 → ワークスペースで選択してください。',
     workspace_empty_dir: 'このワークスペースは空です。',
     workspace_show_hidden_files: 'Show hidden files',
+    workspace_show_hidden_files_desc: 'Include .DS_Store, .git, node_modules, and other hidden / system files in the file tree.',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible: 'hidden visible',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible_title: 'Hidden files are visible — click for options',
+    workspace_options: 'Workspace options',
     dialog_confirm_title: '操作の確認',
     dialog_prompt_title: '値を入力',
     dialog_confirm_btn: '確認',
@@ -2239,6 +2247,10 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_autosave_retry: 'Повторить',
     workspace_empty_dir: 'Это рабочее пространство пусто.',
     workspace_show_hidden_files: 'Show hidden files',
+    workspace_show_hidden_files_desc: 'Include .DS_Store, .git, node_modules, and other hidden / system files in the file tree.',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible: 'hidden visible',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible_title: 'Hidden files are visible — click for options',
+    workspace_options: 'Workspace options',
     workspace_empty_no_path: 'Рабочее пространство не выбрано. Настройте его в Настройки → Рабочее пространство.',
     available_personalities: 'Доступные личности:',
     personality_switch_hint: '\n\nИспользуйте `/personality <name>` для переключения или `/personality none` для сброса.',
@@ -3196,6 +3208,10 @@ const LOCALES = {
     workspace_empty_no_path: 'No hay espacio de trabajo seleccionado. Configure un espacio de trabajo en Ajustes \u2192 Workspace para explorar archivos.',
     workspace_empty_dir: 'Este espacio de trabajo está vacío.',
     workspace_show_hidden_files: 'Show hidden files',
+    workspace_show_hidden_files_desc: 'Include .DS_Store, .git, node_modules, and other hidden / system files in the file tree.',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible: 'hidden visible',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible_title: 'Hidden files are visible — click for options',
+    workspace_options: 'Workspace options',
     // workspace.js
     unsaved_confirm: 'Tienes cambios sin guardar en la vista previa. ¿Descartar y navegar?',
     save: 'Guardar',
@@ -4125,6 +4141,10 @@ const LOCALES = {
     workspace_empty_no_path: 'Kein Workspace ausgewählt. Wähle einen Workspace unter Einstellungen \u2192 Workspace, um Dateien zu durchsuchen.',
     workspace_empty_dir: 'Dieser Workspace ist leer.',
     workspace_show_hidden_files: 'Versteckte Dateien anzeigen',
+    workspace_show_hidden_files_desc: '.DS_Store, .git, node_modules und weitere versteckte / Systemdateien im Dateibaum anzeigen.',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible: 'versteckt sichtbar',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible_title: 'Versteckte Dateien sind sichtbar — Klicken für Optionen',
+    workspace_options: 'Arbeitsbereich-Optionen',
     dialog_confirm_title: 'Aktion bestätigen',
     dialog_prompt_title: 'Wert eingeben',
     dialog_confirm_btn: 'Bestätigen',
@@ -5069,6 +5089,10 @@ const LOCALES = {
     workspace_empty_no_path: '未选择工作区。请在 设置 → 工作区 中设置工作区以浏览文件。',
     workspace_empty_dir: '此工作区为空。',
     workspace_show_hidden_files: 'Show hidden files',
+    workspace_show_hidden_files_desc: 'Include .DS_Store, .git, node_modules, and other hidden / system files in the file tree.',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible: 'hidden visible',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible_title: 'Hidden files are visible — click for options',
+    workspace_options: 'Workspace options',
     no_personalities: '\u6ca1\u6709\u627e\u5230\u4eba\u8bbe\uff08\u53ef\u6dfb\u52a0\u5230 ~/.hermes/personalities/\uff09',
     available_personalities: '\u53ef\u7528\u4eba\u8bbe\uff1a',
     personality_switch_hint: '\n\n\u4f7f\u7528 `/personality <name>` \u5207\u6362\uff0c\u6216\u7528 `/personality none` \u6e05\u7a7a\u3002',
@@ -5972,6 +5996,10 @@ const LOCALES = {
     workspace_empty_no_path: '未選擇工作區。請在 設定 → 工作區 中設定工作區以瀏覽檔案。',
     workspace_empty_dir: '此工作區為空。',
     workspace_show_hidden_files: 'Show hidden files',
+    workspace_show_hidden_files_desc: 'Include .DS_Store, .git, node_modules, and other hidden / system files in the file tree.',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible: 'hidden visible',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible_title: 'Hidden files are visible — click for options',
+    workspace_options: 'Workspace options',
     no_personalities: '\u6c92\u6709\u627e\u5230\u4eba\u8a2d\uff08\u53ef\u6dfb\u52a0\u5230 ~/.hermes/personalities/\uff09',
     available_personalities: '\u53ef\u7528\u4eba\u8a2d\uff1a',
     personality_switch_hint: '\n\n\u4f7f\u7528 `/personality <name>` \u5207\u63db\uff0c\u6216\u7528 `/personality none` \u6e05\u7a7a\u3002',
@@ -7025,6 +7053,10 @@ const LOCALES = {
     workspace_empty_no_path: 'Nenhum workspace selecionado. Configure em Configurações → Workspace.',
     workspace_empty_dir: 'Este workspace está vazio.',
     workspace_show_hidden_files: 'Show hidden files',
+    workspace_show_hidden_files_desc: 'Include .DS_Store, .git, node_modules, and other hidden / system files in the file tree.',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible: 'hidden visible',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible_title: 'Hidden files are visible — click for options',
+    workspace_options: 'Workspace options',
     dialog_confirm_title: 'Confirmar ação',
     dialog_prompt_title: 'Digite um valor',
     dialog_confirm_btn: 'Confirmar',
@@ -7922,6 +7954,10 @@ const LOCALES = {
     workspace_empty_no_path: 'No workspace selected. Set a workspace in Settings \u2192 Workspace to browse files.',
     workspace_empty_dir: 'This workspace is empty.',
     workspace_show_hidden_files: 'Show hidden files',
+    workspace_show_hidden_files_desc: 'Include .DS_Store, .git, node_modules, and other hidden / system files in the file tree.',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible: 'hidden visible',
+    workspace_hidden_files_visible_title: 'Hidden files are visible — click for options',
+    workspace_options: 'Workspace options',
     dialog_confirm_title: 'Confirm action',
     dialog_prompt_title: 'Enter a value',
     dialog_confirm_btn: 'Confirm',
diff --git a/static/index.html b/static/index.html
index b7cd44a3..0b6ced4b 100644
--- a/static/index.html
+++ b/static/index.html
@@ -1118,7 +1118,7 @@
   <aside class="rightpanel">
     <div class="resize-handle" id="rightpanelResize"></div>
     <div class="panel-header">
-      <span id="workspacePanelHeading" class="workspace-panel-heading" role="button" tabindex="0" title="Workspace root">Workspace</span>
+      <span id="workspacePanelHeading" class="workspace-panel-heading" role="button" tabindex="0" title="Workspace root">Workspace</span><span id="workspaceHiddenIndicator" class="workspace-hidden-indicator" data-i18n-title="workspace_hidden_files_visible_title" title="Hidden files are visible — click for options" hidden onclick="toggleWorkspacePrefsMenu(event)"><svg width="11" height="11" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.4" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M1 12s4-8 11-8 11 8 11 8-4 8-11 8-11-8-11-8z"/><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="3"/></svg><span data-i18n="workspace_hidden_files_visible">hidden visible</span></span>
       <span class="git-badge" id="gitBadge" style="display:none"></span>
       <div class="panel-actions">
         <button class="panel-icon-btn has-tooltip has-tooltip--bottom" id="btnCollapseWorkspacePanel" data-tooltip="Hide workspace panel" onclick="toggleWorkspacePanel(false)"><svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" aria-hidden="true"><polyline points="15 18 9 12 15 6"/></svg></button>
@@ -1126,15 +1126,12 @@
         <button class="panel-icon-btn has-tooltip has-tooltip--bottom" id="btnNewFile" data-tooltip="New file" onclick="promptNewFile()"><svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" aria-hidden="true"><line x1="12" y1="5" x2="12" y2="19"/><line x1="5" y1="12" x2="19" y2="12"/></svg></button>
         <button class="panel-icon-btn has-tooltip has-tooltip--bottom" id="btnNewFolder" data-tooltip="New folder" onclick="promptNewFolder()"><svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M22 19a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H4a2 2 0 0 1-2-2V5a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h5l2 3h9a2 2 0 0 1 2 2z"/></svg></button>
         <button class="panel-icon-btn has-tooltip has-tooltip--bottom" id="btnRefreshPanel" data-tooltip="Refresh" onclick="if(S.session)loadDir(S.currentDir)"><svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" aria-hidden="true"><polyline points="23 4 23 10 17 10"/><polyline points="1 20 1 14 7 14"/><path d="M3.51 9a9 9 0 0 1 14.85-3.36L23 10M1 14l4.64 4.36A9 9 0 0 0 20.49 15"/></svg></button>
+        <button class="panel-icon-btn has-tooltip has-tooltip--bottom" id="btnWorkspacePrefs" data-tooltip="Workspace options" data-i18n-title="workspace_options" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" onclick="toggleWorkspacePrefsMenu(event)"><svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" aria-hidden="true"><circle cx="12" cy="5" r="1.5"/><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="1.5"/><circle cx="12" cy="19" r="1.5"/></svg><span class="workspace-prefs-dot" id="workspacePrefsDot" hidden></span></button>
         <button class="panel-icon-btn close-preview has-tooltip has-tooltip--bottom" id="btnClearPreview" data-tooltip="Close preview"><svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" aria-hidden="true"><line x1="18" y1="6" x2="6" y2="18"/><line x1="6" y1="6" x2="18" y2="18"/></svg></button>
         <button class="panel-icon-btn mobile-close-btn" onclick="handleWorkspaceClose()" title="Close" aria-label="Close workspace panel">×</button>
       </div>
     </div>
     <div class="breadcrumb-bar" id="breadcrumbBar" style="display:none"></div>
-    <label class="workspace-hidden-toggle" title="Show hidden and system files">
-      <input type="checkbox" id="workspaceShowHiddenFiles" onchange="toggleWorkspaceHiddenFiles(this.checked)">
-      <span data-i18n="workspace_show_hidden_files">Show hidden files</span>
-    </label>
     <div class="file-tree" id="fileTree"></div>
     <div id="wsEmptyState" style="display:none;flex:1;align-items:center;justify-content:center;padding:24px 16px;text-align:center;color:var(--muted);font-size:12px;line-height:1.6"></div>
     <div class="preview-area" id="previewArea">
diff --git a/static/style.css b/static/style.css
index b9943aeb..bb10fac4 100644
--- a/static/style.css
+++ b/static/style.css
@@ -1187,9 +1187,39 @@
   .close-preview{cursor:pointer;opacity:.6;}.close-preview:hover{opacity:1;}
   /* Breadcrumb navigation */
   .breadcrumb-bar{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:2px;padding:6px 12px;font-size:12px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);flex-shrink:0;overflow:hidden;white-space:nowrap;}
-  .workspace-hidden-toggle{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:7px;padding:6px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);color:var(--muted);font-size:11px;line-height:1.2;user-select:none;cursor:pointer;}
-  .workspace-hidden-toggle:hover{color:var(--text);background:var(--hover-bg);}
-  .workspace-hidden-toggle input{width:13px;height:13px;margin:0;accent-color:var(--accent-text);}
+  /* ── Workspace prefs kebab menu (#1793) ─────────────────────────── */
+  /* Replaces the always-visible "Show hidden files" inline row that used
+     to sit below the breadcrumb. The toggle now lives behind the kebab
+     button in the panel-actions row; the small indicator next to the
+     panel heading flags the non-default "hidden files visible" state. */
+  .workspace-hidden-indicator{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:4px;margin-left:6px;padding:2px 7px 2px 6px;background:var(--hover-bg);color:var(--muted);font-size:10px;line-height:1.3;border-radius:8px;cursor:pointer;user-select:none;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:.02em;text-transform:none;flex-shrink:0;transition:background .12s,color .12s;border:1px solid var(--border);}
+  .workspace-hidden-indicator:hover{background:var(--accent-bg);color:var(--text);border-color:var(--accent-bg-strong,var(--border2));}
+  .workspace-hidden-indicator[hidden]{display:none;}
+  .workspace-hidden-indicator svg{flex-shrink:0;opacity:.85;}
+  /* On narrow workspace panels (the default 300px width), hide the chip
+     entirely — the kebab dot (rendered absolute over the kebab icon) is
+     enough of a "non-default state" signal and costs zero horizontal
+     space. The tooltip on the kebab itself still labels what's going on.
+     On wider panels (resized by the user, or some future layout that
+     gives the panel more room), the full chip with text appears alongside
+     the heading. Uses the existing `rightpanel` container declared on
+     .rightpanel. */
+  @container rightpanel (max-width: 420px){
+    .workspace-hidden-indicator{display:none!important;}
+  }
+  /* Small accent dot on the kebab button when a non-default pref is on */
+  #btnWorkspacePrefs{position:relative;}
+  #btnWorkspacePrefs .workspace-prefs-dot{position:absolute;top:3px;right:3px;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:var(--accent-text);box-shadow:0 0 0 1.5px var(--surface);pointer-events:none;}
+  #btnWorkspacePrefs .workspace-prefs-dot[hidden]{display:none;}
+  #btnWorkspacePrefs.active{background:var(--accent-bg);color:var(--text);}
+  /* Floating menu — pattern shared with .session-action-menu but scoped */
+  .workspace-prefs-menu{display:block;position:fixed;left:0;top:0;min-width:240px;max-width:min(280px,calc(100vw - 16px));background:var(--surface);border:1px solid var(--border2);border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0 8px 28px rgba(0,0,0,.32);z-index:999;overflow:hidden;}
+  .workspace-prefs-item{display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:10px;padding:10px 14px;color:var(--text);cursor:pointer;font-size:13px;line-height:1.35;user-select:none;transition:background .12s;}
+  .workspace-prefs-item:hover{background:var(--hover-bg);}
+  .workspace-prefs-item input{flex-shrink:0;width:14px;height:14px;margin:2px 0 0;accent-color:var(--accent-text);cursor:pointer;}
+  .workspace-prefs-item .workspace-prefs-copy{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:2px;min-width:0;}
+  .workspace-prefs-item .workspace-prefs-name{font-weight:500;}
+  .workspace-prefs-item .workspace-prefs-meta{font-size:11px;color:var(--muted);line-height:1.35;opacity:.85;}
   .breadcrumb-seg{padding:1px 3px;border-radius:3px;}
   .breadcrumb-link{color:var(--muted);cursor:pointer;transition:color .12s;}
   .breadcrumb-link:hover{color:var(--text);background:var(--hover-bg);}
diff --git a/static/ui.js b/static/ui.js
index a7128bfc..fe2da2fe 100644
--- a/static/ui.js
+++ b/static/ui.js
@@ -6112,6 +6112,19 @@ function _visibleWorkspaceEntries(entries){
 function _syncWorkspaceHiddenToggle(){
   const el=$('workspaceShowHiddenFiles');
   if(el)el.checked=!!S.showHiddenWorkspaceFiles;
+  // Reflect "hidden files are visible" state on the panel heading + kebab dot,
+  // so users can see they've flipped a non-default workspace pref without
+  // having to open the menu. The menu itself stays out of the way otherwise.
+  const ind=$('workspaceHiddenIndicator');
+  if(ind){
+    if(S.showHiddenWorkspaceFiles){ ind.hidden=false; ind.removeAttribute('hidden'); }
+    else { ind.hidden=true; ind.setAttribute('hidden',''); }
+  }
+  const dot=$('workspacePrefsDot');
+  if(dot){
+    if(S.showHiddenWorkspaceFiles){ dot.hidden=false; dot.removeAttribute('hidden'); }
+    else { dot.hidden=true; dot.setAttribute('hidden',''); }
+  }
 }
 function toggleWorkspaceHiddenFiles(value){
   S.showHiddenWorkspaceFiles=!!value;
@@ -6120,6 +6133,95 @@ function toggleWorkspaceHiddenFiles(value){
   renderFileTree();
 }
 try{S.showHiddenWorkspaceFiles=localStorage.getItem('hermes-workspace-show-hidden-files')==='1';}catch(_){}
+
+// ── Workspace preferences kebab menu (#1793 UX refinement) ───────────────
+// The "Show hidden files" toggle used to live as a permanent inline row
+// below the breadcrumb bar. That ate ~32px of vertical space on every
+// panel view (root, subdir, file preview), even though the toggle is a
+// set-once preference — most users flip it once or never. Moving the
+// control into a kebab dropdown reclaims the space; the small "(hidden
+// files visible)" indicator on the heading reflects the non-default state
+// so the affordance isn't lost.
+let _workspacePrefsMenu = null;
+let _workspacePrefsAnchor = null;
+function _closeWorkspacePrefsMenu(){
+  if(_workspacePrefsMenu){ _workspacePrefsMenu.remove(); _workspacePrefsMenu=null; }
+  if(_workspacePrefsAnchor){
+    _workspacePrefsAnchor.classList.remove('active');
+    _workspacePrefsAnchor.setAttribute('aria-expanded','false');
+    _workspacePrefsAnchor=null;
+  }
+}
+function _positionWorkspacePrefsMenu(anchorEl){
+  if(!_workspacePrefsMenu||!anchorEl) return;
+  const rect=anchorEl.getBoundingClientRect();
+  const menuW=Math.min(260, Math.max(220, _workspacePrefsMenu.scrollWidth||220));
+  let left=rect.right-menuW;
+  if(left<8) left=8;
+  if(left+menuW>window.innerWidth-8) left=window.innerWidth-menuW-8;
+  let top=rect.bottom+6;
+  const menuH=_workspacePrefsMenu.offsetHeight||0;
+  if(top+menuH>window.innerHeight-8 && rect.top>menuH+12) top=rect.top-menuH-6;
+  if(top<8) top=8;
+  _workspacePrefsMenu.style.left=left+'px';
+  _workspacePrefsMenu.style.top=top+'px';
+}
+function _buildWorkspacePrefsMenu(){
+  const menu=document.createElement('div');
+  menu.className='workspace-prefs-menu open';
+  menu.setAttribute('role','menu');
+  // The checkbox keeps id="workspaceShowHiddenFiles" so existing call
+  // sites (and the existing test_issue1793_file_tree_cruft_filter test)
+  // can find it the same way as before. Only the parent container moves.
+  const labelTxt = (typeof t==='function' ? t('workspace_show_hidden_files') : 'Show hidden files');
+  const descTxt  = (typeof t==='function' ? t('workspace_show_hidden_files_desc') : 'Include .DS_Store, .git, node_modules, and other hidden / system files in the file tree.');
+  const row=document.createElement('label');
+  row.className='workspace-prefs-item';
+  row.setAttribute('role','menuitemcheckbox');
+  row.innerHTML=
+    '<input type="checkbox" id="workspaceShowHiddenFiles" '+
+    'onchange="toggleWorkspaceHiddenFiles(this.checked)">'+
+    '<span class="workspace-prefs-copy">'+
+      '<span class="workspace-prefs-name">'+esc(labelTxt)+'</span>'+
+      '<span class="workspace-prefs-meta">'+esc(descTxt)+'</span>'+
+    '</span>';
+  const cb=row.querySelector('input');
+  if(cb) cb.checked=!!S.showHiddenWorkspaceFiles;
+  menu.appendChild(row);
+  return menu;
+}
+function toggleWorkspacePrefsMenu(e){
+  if(e&&e.preventDefault) e.preventDefault();
+  if(e&&e.stopPropagation) e.stopPropagation();
+  // Anchor preference: the kebab button. The indicator chip can also open
+  // the same menu (click on "(hidden visible)"), but anchor positioning
+  // always references the kebab so the menu lands in the same place.
+  const anchor=$('btnWorkspacePrefs')||(e&&e.currentTarget)||null;
+  if(_workspacePrefsMenu&&_workspacePrefsAnchor===anchor){ _closeWorkspacePrefsMenu(); return; }
+  _closeWorkspacePrefsMenu();
+  const menu=_buildWorkspacePrefsMenu();
+  document.body.appendChild(menu);
+  _workspacePrefsMenu=menu;
+  _workspacePrefsAnchor=anchor;
+  if(anchor){ anchor.classList.add('active'); anchor.setAttribute('aria-expanded','true'); }
+  _positionWorkspacePrefsMenu(anchor);
+}
+document.addEventListener('click',e=>{
+  if(!_workspacePrefsMenu) return;
+  if(_workspacePrefsMenu.contains(e.target)) return;
+  if(_workspacePrefsAnchor&&_workspacePrefsAnchor.contains(e.target)) return;
+  // Indicator chip is also an opener — clicking it should toggle, not close.
+  const ind=$('workspaceHiddenIndicator');
+  if(ind&&ind.contains(e.target)) return;
+  _closeWorkspacePrefsMenu();
+});
+document.addEventListener('keydown',e=>{
+  if(e.key==='Escape'&&_workspacePrefsMenu) _closeWorkspacePrefsMenu();
+});
+window.addEventListener('resize',()=>{
+  if(_workspacePrefsMenu&&_workspacePrefsAnchor) _positionWorkspacePrefsMenu(_workspacePrefsAnchor);
+});
+
 if(document.readyState==='loading')document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',_syncWorkspaceHiddenToggle);
 else _syncWorkspaceHiddenToggle();
 
diff --git a/tests/test_issue1793_file_tree_cruft_filter.py b/tests/test_issue1793_file_tree_cruft_filter.py
index e9f60cf6..8cc12f68 100644
--- a/tests/test_issue1793_file_tree_cruft_filter.py
+++ b/tests/test_issue1793_file_tree_cruft_filter.py
@@ -1,23 +1,47 @@
+"""Regression coverage for #1793 — workspace file-tree cruft filter.
+
+Original v0.51.21 work added an inline "Show hidden files" toggle that sat
+permanently between the breadcrumb and the file tree, eating ~32px of
+vertical space on every panel view (root, subdir, file preview).
+
+Follow-up UX refinement (this commit) moves the toggle behind a kebab
+dropdown in the panel-actions row and surfaces the non-default
+"hidden-files-visible" state via a small indicator next to the panel
+heading. The original filtering behavior is unchanged; only the affordance
+shape moved.
+"""
+
 from pathlib import Path
 
 
 ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
 INDEX_HTML = (ROOT / "static" / "index.html").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 UI_JS = (ROOT / "static" / "ui.js").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+STYLE_CSS = (ROOT / "static" / "style.css").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 I18N_JS = (ROOT / "static" / "i18n.js").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 
 
+# ── Original filtering behavior (must stay green) ────────────────────────
+
+
 def test_workspace_panel_has_show_hidden_files_toggle():
-    """File-tree cruft must be recoverable via an explicit user toggle."""
-    assert 'id="workspaceShowHiddenFiles"' in INDEX_HTML
+    """File-tree cruft must be recoverable via an explicit user toggle.
+
+    The toggle now lives behind the kebab; the checkbox itself is built by
+    `_buildWorkspacePrefsMenu` in ui.js (so it's literally referenced there
+    by id), but the existing call site in i18n still resolves the localized
+    label.
+    """
     assert "toggleWorkspaceHiddenFiles" in UI_JS
+    assert 'id="workspaceShowHiddenFiles"' in UI_JS  # built dynamically; id preserved
     assert "workspace_show_hidden_files" in I18N_JS
 
 
 def test_file_tree_filters_common_cruft_by_default():
     """macOS/Windows/VCS/cache noise should not render by default."""
     assert "WORKSPACE_HIDDEN_FILE_NAMES" in UI_JS
-    for name in [".DS_Store", "Thumbs.db", "Desktop.ini", ".git", "__pycache__", "node_modules"]:
+    for name in [".DS_Store", "Thumbs.db", "Desktop.ini", ".git",
+                 "__pycache__", "node_modules"]:
         assert name in UI_JS
     assert "_visibleWorkspaceEntries" in UI_JS
     assert "S.showHiddenWorkspaceFiles" in UI_JS
@@ -27,5 +51,122 @@ def test_file_tree_filters_common_cruft_by_default():
 def test_hidden_file_toggle_invalidates_tree_render_without_refetch():
     """The toggle should re-render cached entries instead of changing workspace state."""
     assert "function toggleWorkspaceHiddenFiles" in UI_JS
-    assert "renderFileTree()" in UI_JS[UI_JS.index("function toggleWorkspaceHiddenFiles"):]
-    assert "localStorage.setItem('hermes-workspace-show-hidden-files'" in UI_JS
+    body_start = UI_JS.index("function toggleWorkspaceHiddenFiles")
+    body_end = UI_JS.index("\n}", body_start)
+    body = UI_JS[body_start:body_end]
+    assert "renderFileTree()" in body
+    assert "localStorage.setItem('hermes-workspace-show-hidden-files'" in body
+
+
+# ── Kebab-affordance UX refinement ───────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+def test_no_inline_workspace_hidden_toggle_row():
+    """The always-on inline `<label class="workspace-hidden-toggle">` row
+    must be gone — it ate vertical space below the breadcrumb on every
+    panel view. Toggle now lives behind the kebab.
+    """
+    assert "workspace-hidden-toggle" not in INDEX_HTML, (
+        "inline hidden-files row should have been removed in favor of the "
+        "kebab menu (#1793 follow-up)"
+    )
+    # CSS for the inline row should also be gone — leaving stale rules
+    # invites future drift where someone re-adds the row and it picks up
+    # accidental styling.
+    assert ".workspace-hidden-toggle" not in STYLE_CSS
+
+
+def test_panel_actions_row_has_workspace_prefs_kebab():
+    """A kebab button (`btnWorkspacePrefs`) must exist in the workspace
+    panel actions row to expose the menu.
+    """
+    assert 'id="btnWorkspacePrefs"' in INDEX_HTML
+    assert 'onclick="toggleWorkspacePrefsMenu(event)"' in INDEX_HTML
+    # Tooltip is i18n-aware
+    assert 'data-i18n-title="workspace_options"' in INDEX_HTML
+    # Kebab carries an accent dot for non-default state
+    assert 'id="workspacePrefsDot"' in INDEX_HTML
+
+
+def test_panel_heading_has_hidden_files_indicator():
+    """The non-default "hidden files visible" state must surface as a small
+    indicator next to the WORKSPACE heading so users don't forget they
+    flipped the pref. Hidden by default via the `hidden` attribute.
+    """
+    assert 'id="workspaceHiddenIndicator"' in INDEX_HTML
+    # The indicator opens the same menu when clicked (no separate code path)
+    block = INDEX_HTML[INDEX_HTML.index('id="workspaceHiddenIndicator"'):]
+    block = block[: block.index("</span>") + 7]
+    assert "toggleWorkspacePrefsMenu" in block
+    # Default-hidden so the chip doesn't clutter normal state
+    assert " hidden " in block or block.rstrip().endswith("hidden")
+
+
+def test_kebab_menu_javascript_exists():
+    """The dropdown must be self-contained: open/close/position handlers
+    follow the canonical floating-menu pattern from
+    `_openSessionActionMenu`.
+    """
+    assert "function toggleWorkspacePrefsMenu" in UI_JS
+    assert "function _buildWorkspacePrefsMenu" in UI_JS
+    assert "function _closeWorkspacePrefsMenu" in UI_JS
+    assert "function _positionWorkspacePrefsMenu" in UI_JS
+    # Built menu still contains the canonical input id so existing call
+    # sites and the toggle test above keep working.
+    build_start = UI_JS.index("function _buildWorkspacePrefsMenu")
+    build_end = UI_JS.index("\n}", build_start)
+    build_body = UI_JS[build_start:build_end]
+    assert 'id="workspaceShowHiddenFiles"' in build_body
+
+
+def test_kebab_menu_closes_on_escape_and_outside_click():
+    """Standard keyboard / click-out close behavior."""
+    # Escape closes
+    assert "Escape" in UI_JS and "_closeWorkspacePrefsMenu" in UI_JS
+    # Outside-click close listener
+    assert "_workspacePrefsMenu" in UI_JS
+    assert "if(_workspacePrefsMenu.contains(e.target)) return" in UI_JS
+
+
+def test_indicator_reflects_localStorage_state_on_load():
+    """`_syncWorkspaceHiddenToggle` must drive both the dropdown checkbox
+    AND the indicator/dot so a page reload with the pref ON shows the
+    "hidden visible" indicator without the user having to open the menu.
+    """
+    sync_start = UI_JS.index("function _syncWorkspaceHiddenToggle")
+    sync_end = UI_JS.index("\n}", sync_start)
+    body = UI_JS[sync_start:sync_end]
+    assert "workspaceHiddenIndicator" in body
+    assert "workspacePrefsDot" in body
+    # Drives the existing checkbox if it's mounted
+    assert "workspaceShowHiddenFiles" in body
+
+
+def test_kebab_menu_styles_replace_inline_row():
+    """CSS must define the kebab dot, indicator, and floating menu — but
+    not the legacy inline-row styling (the test above pins removal).
+    """
+    assert ".workspace-prefs-menu{" in STYLE_CSS
+    assert ".workspace-prefs-item{" in STYLE_CSS
+    assert ".workspace-hidden-indicator{" in STYLE_CSS
+    assert "#btnWorkspacePrefs" in STYLE_CSS
+
+
+def test_new_i18n_keys_present_in_all_locales():
+    """The new copy must exist in every locale block so the kebab menu
+    description and indicator chip don't render `undefined` in non-en
+    sessions.
+    """
+    # Total locale blocks today: 9 (en, ja, ru, es, de, zh, zh-Hant, pt, ko)
+    n_locales = I18N_JS.count("workspace_show_hidden_files:")
+    assert n_locales >= 8, f"unexpected locale count: {n_locales}"
+    for key in (
+        "workspace_show_hidden_files_desc:",
+        "workspace_hidden_files_visible:",
+        "workspace_hidden_files_visible_title:",
+        "workspace_options:",
+    ):
+        assert I18N_JS.count(key) == n_locales, (
+            f"key {key!r} missing in some locales (expected {n_locales}, "
+            f"got {I18N_JS.count(key)})"
+        )