diff --git a/frontend-v2/src/lib/components/layout/AppShell.svelte b/frontend-v2/src/lib/components/layout/AppShell.svelte
index 996284b..b8b02fe 100644
--- a/frontend-v2/src/lib/components/layout/AppShell.svelte
+++ b/frontend-v2/src/lib/components/layout/AppShell.svelte
@@ -126,14 +126,14 @@
 								<a href="/brain" class="rail-sub-item" class:active={page.url.pathname === '/brain' && !page.url.searchParams.get('folder')}>
 									<span>All</span>
 								</a>
-								{#each brainFolders.filter(f => f.item_count > 0 || f.name === 'Home' || f.name === 'Work' || f.name === 'Knowledge') as folder}
+								{#each brainFolders as folder}
 									<a href="/brain?folder={folder.name}" class="rail-sub-item" class:active={page.url.searchParams.get('folder') === folder.name}>
 										<span>{folder.name}</span>
 										<span class="rail-sub-count">{folder.item_count}</span>
 									</a>
 								{/each}
 							{:else}
-								{#each brainTags.filter(t => t.item_count > 0).slice(0, 12) as tag}
+								{#each brainTags as tag}
 									<a href="/brain?tag={tag.name}" class="rail-sub-item" class:active={page.url.searchParams.get('tag') === tag.name}>
 										<span>{tag.name}</span>
 										<span class="rail-sub-count">{tag.item_count}</span>
@@ -340,46 +340,49 @@
 		transform: translateX(3px);
 	}
 
-	/* Brain sub-sidebar */
+	/* Brain sub-nav */
 	.rail-sub {
-		padding: 4px 0 4px 18px;
+		padding: 2px 0 6px 0;
 		display: grid;
-		gap: 2px;
+		gap: 1px;
 	}
 	.rail-sub-tabs {
 		display: flex;
 		gap: 2px;
-		margin-bottom: 4px;
-		padding: 0 6px;
+		margin: 0 8px 6px;
+		padding: 3px;
+		background: rgba(0,0,0,0.04);
+		border-radius: 999px;
 	}
 	.rail-sub-tab {
+		flex: 1;
 		display: flex;
 		align-items: center;
+		justify-content: center;
 		gap: 4px;
-		padding: 4px 8px;
-		border-radius: 6px;
+		padding: 5px 8px;
+		border-radius: 999px;
 		border: none;
 		background: none;
-		font-size: 0.7rem;
+		font-size: 0.72rem;
 		font-weight: 600;
 		color: var(--shell-muted);
 		font-family: inherit;
 		transition: all 140ms;
 	}
 	.rail-sub-tab.active {
-		background: rgba(255,255,255,0.5);
+		background: rgba(255,255,255,0.7);
 		color: var(--shell-ink);
 	}
 	.rail-sub-item {
 		display: flex;
 		align-items: center;
-		justify-content: space-between;
-		gap: 6px;
-		padding: 6px 10px;
-		border-radius: 8px;
+		gap: 12px;
+		padding: 9px 14px 9px 28px;
+		border-radius: 999px;
 		color: var(--shell-muted);
-		font-size: 0.78rem;
-		transition: all 140ms;
+		font-size: 0.82rem;
+		transition: background 160ms ease, color 160ms ease;
 		text-decoration: none;
 	}
 	.rail-sub-item:hover {
@@ -387,15 +390,20 @@
 		color: var(--shell-ink);
 	}
 	.rail-sub-item.active {
-		background: rgba(255,255,255,0.6);
+		background: rgba(255,255,255,0.62);
 		color: var(--shell-ink);
 		font-weight: 600;
 	}
+	.rail-sub-item span:first-child {
+		flex: 1;
+	}
 	.rail-sub-count {
-		font-size: 0.65rem;
+		font-size: 0.68rem;
 		font-family: var(--mono, monospace);
 		color: var(--shell-muted);
-		opacity: 0.7;
+		opacity: 0.6;
+		min-width: 18px;
+		text-align: right;
 	}
 
 	.rail-bottom {
diff --git a/frontend-v2/src/lib/pages/brain/AtelierBrainPage.svelte b/frontend-v2/src/lib/pages/brain/AtelierBrainPage.svelte
index 37c8119..2ec925a 100644
--- a/frontend-v2/src/lib/pages/brain/AtelierBrainPage.svelte
+++ b/frontend-v2/src/lib/pages/brain/AtelierBrainPage.svelte
@@ -367,86 +367,31 @@
     </section>
 
     <!-- ═══ Sidebar + Main layout ═══ -->
-    <div class="brain-layout">
-
-      <!-- Sidebar -->
-      <aside class="brain-sidebar">
-        <div class="sidebar-tabs">
-          <button class="sidebar-tab" class:active={sidebarView === 'folders'} onclick={() => sidebarView = 'folders'}>Folders</button>
-          <button class="sidebar-tab" class:active={sidebarView === 'tags'} onclick={() => sidebarView = 'tags'}>Tags</button>
-        </div>
-
-        <!-- All items -->
-        <button class="sidebar-item" class:active={!activeFolder && !activeTag} onclick={() => { selectFolder(null); selectTag(null); }}>
-          <span class="sidebar-item-name">All items</span>
-          <span class="sidebar-item-count">{total}</span>
-        </button>
-
-        {#if sidebarView === 'folders'}
-          {#each sidebarFolders.filter(f => f.is_active) as folder}
-            <button class="sidebar-item" class:active={activeFolderId === folder.id} onclick={() => selectFolder(folder)}>
-              <span class="sidebar-item-name">{folder.name}</span>
-              <span class="sidebar-item-count">{folder.item_count}</span>
-              {#if showManage}
-                <button class="sidebar-item-delete" onclick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); if (confirm(`Delete folder "${folder.name}"? Items will be moved.`)) deleteTaxonomy(folder.id); }}>
-                  <svg width="12" height="12" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2"><line x1="18" y1="6" x2="6" y2="18"/><line x1="6" y1="6" x2="18" y2="18"/></svg>
-                </button>
-              {/if}
-            </button>
-          {/each}
-        {:else}
-          {#each sidebarTags.filter(t => t.is_active) as tag}
-            <button class="sidebar-item" class:active={activeTagId === tag.id} onclick={() => selectTag(tag)}>
-              <span class="sidebar-item-name">{tag.name}</span>
-              <span class="sidebar-item-count">{tag.item_count}</span>
-              {#if showManage}
-                <button class="sidebar-item-delete" onclick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); if (confirm(`Delete tag "${tag.name}"?`)) deleteTaxonomy(tag.id); }}>
-                  <svg width="12" height="12" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2"><line x1="18" y1="6" x2="6" y2="18"/><line x1="6" y1="6" x2="18" y2="18"/></svg>
-                </button>
-              {/if}
-            </button>
-          {/each}
-        {/if}
-
-        <!-- Add / Manage -->
-        <div class="sidebar-actions">
-          {#if showManage}
-            <div class="sidebar-add">
-              <input class="sidebar-add-input" placeholder="New {sidebarView === 'folders' ? 'folder' : 'tag'}..." bind:value={newTaxName} onkeydown={(e) => { if (e.key === 'Enter') addTaxonomy(); }} />
-              <button class="sidebar-add-btn" onclick={addTaxonomy}>Add</button>
-            </div>
-          {/if}
-          <button class="sidebar-manage-toggle" onclick={() => showManage = !showManage}>
-            {showManage ? 'Done' : 'Manage'}
+    <!-- Main content -->
+    <div>
+      <!-- Active filter indicator -->
+      {#if activeFolder || activeTag}
+        <div class="active-filter">
+          <span class="filter-label">Filtered by {activeFolder ? 'folder' : 'tag'}:</span>
+          <span class="filter-tag">{activeFolder || activeTag}</span>
+          <button class="filter-clear" onclick={() => { activeFolder = null; activeTag = null; activeFolderId = null; activeTagId = null; loadItems(); }}>
+            <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2"><line x1="18" y1="6" x2="6" y2="18"/><line x1="6" y1="6" x2="18" y2="18"/></svg>
+            Clear
           </button>
         </div>
-      </aside>
+      {/if}
 
-      <!-- Main content -->
-      <div class="brain-main">
-        <!-- Active filter indicator -->
-        {#if activeFolder || activeTag}
-          <div class="active-filter">
-            <span class="filter-label">Filtered by {activeFolder ? 'folder' : 'tag'}:</span>
-            <span class="filter-tag">{activeFolder || activeTag}</span>
-            <button class="filter-clear" onclick={() => { selectFolder(null); selectTag(null); }}>
-              <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2"><line x1="18" y1="6" x2="6" y2="18"/><line x1="6" y1="6" x2="18" y2="18"/></svg>
-              Clear
+      <!-- Search -->
+      <div class="search-section">
+        <div class="search-wrap">
+          <svg class="search-icon" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2"><circle cx="11" cy="11" r="8"/><path d="M21 21l-4.35-4.35"/></svg>
+          <input type="text" class="search-input" placeholder="Search your brain..." bind:value={searchQuery} oninput={handleSearchInput} />
+          {#if searchQuery}
+            <button class="search-clear" onclick={() => { searchQuery = ''; loadItems(); }}>
+              <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2"><line x1="18" y1="6" x2="6" y2="18"/><line x1="6" y1="6" x2="18" y2="18"/></svg>
             </button>
-          </div>
-        {/if}
-
-        <!-- Search -->
-        <div class="search-section">
-          <div class="search-wrap">
-            <svg class="search-icon" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2"><circle cx="11" cy="11" r="8"/><path d="M21 21l-4.35-4.35"/></svg>
-            <input type="text" class="search-input" placeholder="Search your brain..." bind:value={searchQuery} oninput={handleSearchInput} />
-            {#if searchQuery}
-              <button class="search-clear" onclick={() => { searchQuery = ''; loadItems(); }}>
-                <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2"><line x1="18" y1="6" x2="6" y2="18"/><line x1="6" y1="6" x2="18" y2="18"/></svg>
-              </button>
-            {/if}
-          </div>
+          {/if}
+        </div>
         </div>
 
         <!-- Masonry card grid -->
@@ -534,8 +479,7 @@
       </div>
     {/if}
 
-      </div><!-- .brain-main -->
-    </div><!-- .brain-layout -->
+    </div><!-- main content -->
 
   </div>
 </div>
diff --git a/frontend-v2/src/lib/pages/budget/AtelierBudgetPage.svelte b/frontend-v2/src/lib/pages/budget/AtelierBudgetPage.svelte
index 9f87729..63bdb54 100644
--- a/frontend-v2/src/lib/pages/budget/AtelierBudgetPage.svelte
+++ b/frontend-v2/src/lib/pages/budget/AtelierBudgetPage.svelte
@@ -377,14 +377,6 @@
   </section>
 
   <section class="stats-strip reveal" aria-label="Budget summary">
-    <div class="stat-block">
-      <div class="stat-label">Spent</div>
-      <div class="stat-value">{spendMagnitude}</div>
-    </div>
-    <div class="stat-block">
-      <div class="stat-label">Income</div>
-      <div class="stat-value">{incomeMagnitude}</div>
-    </div>
     <div class="stat-block">
       <div class="stat-label">To sort</div>
       <div class="stat-value">{uncatCount}</div>
@@ -393,81 +385,81 @@
       <div class="stat-label">On budget cash</div>
       <div class="stat-value">{formatBalance(onBudgetTotal)}</div>
     </div>
-  </section>
-
-  <section class="account-ribbon reveal" class:open={accountsOpen}>
-    <div class="section-head">
-      <h2>Accounts</h2>
-      <span>{accounts.length + offBudgetAccounts.length + 1} visible</span>
-    </div>
-    <div class="account-list items-card">
-      <button class="account-row" class:active={!activeAccountId} onclick={() => { selectAccount(null); accountsOpen = false; }}>
-        <div class="row-accent account-accent"></div>
-        <div class="account-main">
-          <div class="account-name">All accounts</div>
-          <div class="account-meta">On-budget overview</div>
-        </div>
-        <div class="account-balance">{formatBalance(onBudgetTotal)}</div>
-      </button>
-      {#each accounts as acct}
-        <button class="account-row" class:active={activeAccountId === acct.id} onclick={() => { selectAccount(acct.id || null); accountsOpen = false; }}>
-          <div class="row-accent account-accent"></div>
-          <div class="account-main">
-            <div class="account-name">{acct.name}</div>
-            <div class="account-meta">On budget</div>
-          </div>
-          <div class="account-balance" class:negative={!acct.positive}>{formatBalance(acct.balance)}</div>
-        </button>
-      {/each}
-      {#if offBudgetAccounts.length > 0}
-        {#each offBudgetAccounts as acct}
-          <button class="account-row quiet" class:active={activeAccountId === acct.id} onclick={() => { selectAccount(acct.id || null); accountsOpen = false; }}>
-            <div class="row-accent account-accent quiet"></div>
-            <div class="account-main">
-              <div class="account-name">{acct.name}</div>
-              <div class="account-meta">Off budget</div>
-            </div>
-            <div class="account-balance">{formatBalance(acct.balance)}</div>
-          </button>
-        {/each}
-      {/if}
+    <div class="stat-block">
+      <div class="stat-label">Spent</div>
+      <div class="stat-value">{spendMagnitude}</div>
     </div>
   </section>
 
   {#if activeView === 'transactions'}
-    {#if suggestedTransfers.length > 0}
-      <section class="transfer-strip reveal">
-        <div class="section-head">
-          <h2>Suggested transfers</h2>
-          <span>{suggestedTransfers.length} open</span>
-        </div>
-        <div class="transfer-list items-card">
-          {#each suggestedTransfers as s}
-            <div class="transfer-row">
-              <div class="row-accent transfer-accent"></div>
-              <div class="transfer-copy">
-                <div class="transfer-route">{s.from.account} to {s.to.account}</div>
-                <div class="transfer-note">{s.from.payee} matched with {s.to.payee}</div>
-              </div>
-              <div class="transfer-meta">
-                <strong>${s.amount.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2 })}</strong>
-                <div class="transfer-actions">
-                  <button class="mini-btn primary" onclick={() => linkSuggestedTransfer(s)}>Link</button>
-                  <button class="mini-btn" onclick={() => dismissSuggestion(s.id)}>Skip</button>
-                </div>
-              </div>
-            </div>
-          {/each}
-        </div>
-      </section>
-    {/if}
-
     <section class="ledger-surface reveal">
       <section class="ledger-head">
         <div class="section-head ledger-title-row">
           <h2>Ledger</h2>
           <span>{filteredTransactions.length} visible</span>
         </div>
+        {#if accountsOpen}
+          <div class="account-ribbon open">
+            <div class="account-list items-card">
+              <button class="account-row" class:active={!activeAccountId} onclick={() => { selectAccount(null); accountsOpen = false; }}>
+                <div class="row-accent account-accent"></div>
+                <div class="account-main">
+                  <div class="account-name">All accounts</div>
+                  <div class="account-meta">On-budget overview</div>
+                </div>
+                <div class="account-balance">{formatBalance(onBudgetTotal)}</div>
+              </button>
+              {#each accounts as acct}
+                <button class="account-row" class:active={activeAccountId === acct.id} onclick={() => { selectAccount(acct.id || null); accountsOpen = false; }}>
+                  <div class="row-accent account-accent"></div>
+                  <div class="account-main">
+                    <div class="account-name">{acct.name}</div>
+                    <div class="account-meta">On budget</div>
+                  </div>
+                  <div class="account-balance" class:negative={!acct.positive}>{formatBalance(acct.balance)}</div>
+                </button>
+              {/each}
+              {#if offBudgetAccounts.length > 0}
+                {#each offBudgetAccounts as acct}
+                  <button class="account-row quiet" class:active={activeAccountId === acct.id} onclick={() => { selectAccount(acct.id || null); accountsOpen = false; }}>
+                    <div class="row-accent account-accent quiet"></div>
+                    <div class="account-main">
+                      <div class="account-name">{acct.name}</div>
+                      <div class="account-meta">Off budget</div>
+                    </div>
+                    <div class="account-balance">{formatBalance(acct.balance)}</div>
+                  </button>
+                {/each}
+              {/if}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        {/if}
+        {#if suggestedTransfers.length > 0}
+          <div class="inline-transfers">
+            <div class="section-head compact-head">
+              <h2>Suggested transfers</h2>
+              <span>{suggestedTransfers.length} open</span>
+            </div>
+            <div class="transfer-list items-card">
+              {#each suggestedTransfers as s}
+                <div class="transfer-row">
+                  <div class="row-accent transfer-accent"></div>
+                  <div class="transfer-copy">
+                    <div class="transfer-route">{s.from.account} to {s.to.account}</div>
+                    <div class="transfer-note">{s.from.payee} matched with {s.to.payee}</div>
+                  </div>
+                  <div class="transfer-meta">
+                    <strong>${s.amount.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2 })}</strong>
+                    <div class="transfer-actions">
+                      <button class="mini-btn primary" onclick={() => linkSuggestedTransfer(s)}>Link</button>
+                      <button class="mini-btn" onclick={() => dismissSuggestion(s.id)}>Skip</button>
+                    </div>
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+              {/each}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        {/if}
         <div class="filter-strip">
           <button class:active={activeTab === 'all'} onclick={() => { activeTab = 'all'; loadTransactions(); }}>All</button>
           <button class:active={activeTab === 'uncategorized'} onclick={() => { activeTab = 'uncategorized'; loadTransactions(); }}>
@@ -718,7 +710,7 @@
 
   .stats-strip {
     display: grid;
-    grid-template-columns: repeat(4, minmax(0, 1fr));
+    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));
     gap: 12px;
   }
 
@@ -741,6 +733,10 @@
     gap: 10px;
   }
 
+  .account-ribbon.open {
+    display: grid;
+  }
+
   .account-list {
     display: grid;
     gap: 0;
@@ -816,7 +812,6 @@
     opacity: 0.86;
   }
 
-  .transfer-strip,
   .ledger-head,
   .ledger,
   .budget-board {
@@ -842,6 +837,10 @@
     margin-bottom: 12px;
   }
 
+  .compact-head {
+    margin-bottom: 8px;
+  }
+
   .ledger-title-row {
     margin-bottom: 0;
   }
@@ -940,6 +939,11 @@
     padding-top: 2px;
   }
 
+  .inline-transfers {
+    display: grid;
+    gap: 0;
+  }
+
   .selection-bar {
     display: flex;
     align-items: center;
@@ -1274,8 +1278,7 @@
     }
 
     .account-ribbon.open {
-      display: grid;
-      margin-top: -4px;
+      margin-top: -2px;
     }
 
     .ledger-surface,
@@ -1286,8 +1289,19 @@
     }
 
     .stats-strip {
-      grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
-      gap: 10px 14px;
+      grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr;
+      gap: 10px;
+      overflow-x: auto;
+      padding-bottom: 2px;
+      scrollbar-width: none;
+    }
+
+    .stats-strip::-webkit-scrollbar {
+      display: none;
+    }
+
+    .stat-block {
+      min-width: 112px;
     }
 
     .transfer-row,