diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index d2d462031..9dae7d8af 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 # Changelog
 
+- Rail panels can opt into a portable mode: dragging the CCTV panel by its
+  header lifts it out of the right rail into a floating window that resizes
+  from any edge or corner, remembers its position and size, and snaps back on
+  a header double-click.
+
 - Street Level: a provider-neutral street-level imagery layer modelled on the iD editor's photo overlay. One panel in the right rail carries a chip per imagery provider, shared 360°/flat and captured-since filters, coverage drawn on the globe from orbit down to a single street, image cones per sequence, and one embedded viewer whose adapter follows the provider of the open image; each active provider credits its imagery on the globe, and share links carry the provider switches and the filter. Mapillary is the first provider (free client token; CC BY-SA 4.0 imagery); Google Street View, KartaView and Panoramax are next.
 
 - CCTV cameras whose bearing is a guess now say so. Packs mark bearings derived
diff --git a/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md b/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
index 1e1f5488b..cd3a18e4f 100644
--- a/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
+++ b/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
@@ -4094,8 +4094,8 @@ easier to meet (detection is now on more often), but does not create it.
   samples and constant elevation during E/N drag; one shared-floor resolution on
   release; late one-shot shared-cell work is permitted during viewshed idle. The
   A+B harness intentionally excludes citywide LOD assertions.
-- Panel positions have a versioned storage name, `godsEyeView.v8.panelPos.<panel-id>`, but the current rails lay panels out adaptively and write none. Collapsed state does persist for every panel at `godsEyeView.v6.panelCollapsed.<panel-id>` (`'0'` open, `'1'` closed, absent means the panel's own default).
-- Legacy draggable-panel position keys may remain in local storage for backward compatibility, but the map-mode right rail ignores them; collapsed states still persist at `godsEyeView.v6.panelCollapsed.<panel-id>`.
+- Panel positions have a versioned storage name, `godsEyeView.v8.panelPos.<panel-id>`. The rails lay docked panels out adaptively and write nothing for them; a portable panel (currently CCTV) persists `{ left, top, width, height, floating: true }` under that key once a header drag lifts it out of the rail, and a header double-click removes the record again. Collapsed state does persist for every panel at `godsEyeView.v6.panelCollapsed.<panel-id>` (`'0'` open, `'1'` closed, absent means the panel's own default).
+- Legacy draggable-panel position keys may remain in local storage for backward compatibility, but the map-mode right rail ignores them unless they describe a portable panel's floating window; collapsed states still persist at `godsEyeView.v6.panelCollapsed.<panel-id>`.
 - Flight/military tracked entities cache dead-reckoned positions per frame to avoid callback desync flicker.
 - Aircraft 3D-model and tracking invariants are covered by `npm run test:track`; run this before touching `flights.js`, `militaryFlights.js`, `detection.js`, or `trackedReadout.js`.
 - Annotation resolver behavior is pinned by `src/annotations/annotationResolver.test.mjs`; re-run that suite before changing place-resolution scoring.
diff --git a/docs/KNOWN-ISSUES.md b/docs/KNOWN-ISSUES.md
index e41623cc6..e6f8c2b3f 100644
--- a/docs/KNOWN-ISSUES.md
+++ b/docs/KNOWN-ISSUES.md
@@ -57,9 +57,10 @@ Related keys (current versions):
 - Panel collapsed state: `godsEyeView.v6.panelCollapsed.<panel-id>` — `'0'` open,
   `'1'` closed, absent means the panel's own default. A view opened from a share
   link ignores the stored value entirely.
-- Panel positions: `godsEyeView.v8.panelPos.<panel-id>` — the versioned name for a
-  stored position. The current layout writes none, so deleting one changes
-  nothing.
+- Panel positions: `godsEyeView.v8.panelPos.<panel-id>` — written only for a
+  portable panel (currently CCTV) lifted out of its rail, as
+  `{ left, top, width, height, floating: true }`. Deleting it, or double-clicking
+  the panel header, returns that panel to the rail; docked panels store nothing.
 - CCTV calibration: `godsEyeView.cctv.calibration.v2`
 
 ---
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index a342e10bf..d742c777e 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@
     "opensky:import": "./scripts/opensky-import-client.sh",
     "preview": "vite preview",
     "qa:map-source-tray": "node scripts/qa-map-source-tray.mjs",
+    "qa:panel-resize": "node scripts/qa-panel-resize.mjs",
     "qa:street-level": "node scripts/qa-street-level.mjs",
     "qa:transit": "node scripts/qa-transit.mjs",
     "test": "node scripts/run-unit-tests.mjs",
diff --git a/scripts/format-scope.json b/scripts/format-scope.json
index 773541a41..95239614a 100644
--- a/scripts/format-scope.json
+++ b/scripts/format-scope.json
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@
   "src/main.js",
   "docs/APPLICATION.md",
   "scripts/qa-application.mjs",
+  "scripts/qa-panel-resize.mjs",
+  "src/tooling/panelResizeQa.test.mjs",
   "src/app/application.js",
   "src/app/application.test.mjs",
   "src/app/mapLifecycle.test.mjs",
@@ -152,6 +154,7 @@
   "src/ui/panelRails.js",
   "src/ui/leftPanelRail.js",
   "src/ui/rightPanelRail.js",
+  "src/ui/panelResize.test.mjs",
   "src/ui/panelMeasurement.js",
   "src/ui/panelRailGeometry.js",
   "src/ui/panelRails.test.mjs",
diff --git a/scripts/package-boundaries.json b/scripts/package-boundaries.json
index 3bc32f94a..ab53ccb43 100644
--- a/scripts/package-boundaries.json
+++ b/scripts/package-boundaries.json
@@ -598,6 +598,7 @@
       "src/ui/panelLayoutController.js",
       "src/ui/panelMeasurement.js",
       "src/ui/panelPositionControls.js",
+      "src/ui/panelResize.js",
       "src/ui/panelRailGeometry.js",
       "src/ui/panelRails.js",
       "src/ui/radio.js",
@@ -1820,6 +1821,7 @@
       "src/ui/panelLayoutController.js",
       "src/ui/panelMeasurement.js",
       "src/ui/panelPositionControls.js",
+      "src/ui/panelResize.js",
       "src/ui/panelRailGeometry.js",
       "src/ui/panelRails.js",
       "src/ui/radio.js",
@@ -2652,6 +2654,7 @@
       "src/ui/panelLayoutController.js",
       "src/ui/panelMeasurement.js",
       "src/ui/panelPositionControls.js",
+      "src/ui/panelResize.js",
       "src/ui/panelRailGeometry.js",
       "src/ui/panelRails.js",
       "src/ui/rightPanelRail.js",
diff --git a/scripts/qa-panel-resize.mjs b/scripts/qa-panel-resize.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fc97614e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/qa-panel-resize.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,285 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+/**
+ * Prove the portable CCTV panel in a real browser: a header drag lifts it out
+ * of the right rail, every resize handle moves only its own edges, minimum
+ * sizes hold, the window survives a reload and a header double-click snaps
+ * it back and forgets the stored position.
+ */
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import { pathToFileURL } from 'node:url';
+import { RESIZE_DIRECTIONS, resizeBox } from '../src/ui/panelResize.js';
+
+export const PANEL_ID = 'cctv-panel';
+export const STORAGE_KEY = `godsEyeView.v8.panelPos.${PANEL_ID}`;
+export const MIN_SIZE = { width: 300, height: 160 };
+const VIEWPORT = { width: 1400, height: 900 };
+const EDGE_BY_SIDE = { n: 'top', s: 'bottom', e: 'right', w: 'left' };
+
+/** Box edges a resize in `dir` must leave exactly where they were. */
+export function pinnedEdges(dir) {
+  return Object.entries(EDGE_BY_SIDE)
+    .filter(([side]) => !dir.includes(side))
+    .map(([, edge]) => edge);
+}
+
+/** Pointer travel that grows a panel by `amount` on every edge named in `dir`. */
+export function growthDelta(dir, amount) {
+  return {
+    dx: dir.includes('e') ? amount : dir.includes('w') ? -amount : 0,
+    dy: dir.includes('s') ? amount : dir.includes('n') ? -amount : 0,
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Viewport point inside the handle for `dir`, given the panel's client rect.
+ * Edge strips straddle the border by 3px; corners and the grip sit inside.
+ */
+export function handlePoint(rect, dir) {
+  const inset = dir.length === 2 ? 4 : 1;
+  const x = dir.includes('w')
+    ? rect.left + inset
+    : dir.includes('e')
+      ? rect.right - inset
+      : rect.left + rect.width / 2;
+  const y = dir.includes('n')
+    ? rect.top + inset
+    : dir.includes('s')
+      ? rect.bottom - inset
+      : rect.top + rect.height / 2;
+  return { x, y };
+}
+
+/** Edges of `after` that moved although a resize in `dir` should have pinned them. */
+export function driftedEdges(before, after, dir, tolerance = 1.5) {
+  const edges = (box) => ({
+    left: box.left,
+    top: box.top,
+    right: box.left + box.width,
+    bottom: box.top + box.height,
+  });
+  const a = edges(before);
+  const b = edges(after);
+  return pinnedEdges(dir).filter(
+    (edge) => Math.abs(a[edge] - b[edge]) > tolerance,
+  );
+}
+
+function near(actual, expected, tolerance, label) {
+  assert.ok(
+    Math.abs(actual - expected) <= tolerance,
+    `${label}: expected ${expected} ± ${tolerance}, got ${actual}`,
+  );
+}
+
+async function main() {
+  const { default: puppeteer } = await import('puppeteer');
+  const args = process.argv.slice(2);
+  const urlIndex = args.indexOf('--url');
+  const url = urlIndex >= 0 ? args[urlIndex + 1] : 'http://localhost:4173';
+  const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
+    headless: true,
+    executablePath:
+      process.env.PUPPETEER_EXECUTABLE_PATH ||
+      (await puppeteer.executablePath()),
+    args: ['--no-sandbox', '--use-gl=angle', '--use-angle=swiftshader'],
+  });
+  try {
+    const page = await browser.newPage();
+    await page.setViewport(VIEWPORT);
+    const errors = [];
+    page.on('pageerror', (error) => errors.push(error.stack || error.message));
+
+    const boot = async () => {
+      await page.goto(`${url}/`, { waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
+      await page.waitForFunction(() => window.__godsEyeView?.viewer, {
+        timeout: 90_000,
+      });
+      await page.waitForSelector(`#${PANEL_ID} .panel-header`);
+      // The first-run dialog sits over the globe until a choice is made.
+      await page.evaluate(() => {
+        document.querySelector('.first-run-explore')?.click();
+      });
+      await page.keyboard.press('Escape');
+      await page.evaluate(() => {
+        document.getElementById('first-run-launcher')?.remove();
+        for (const node of document.querySelectorAll('[class*=first-run]'))
+          node.remove();
+      });
+      await page.mouse.click(VIEWPORT.width / 2, VIEWPORT.height / 2);
+      await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 400));
+    };
+    const readPanel = () =>
+      page.evaluate((id) => {
+        const panel = document.getElementById(id);
+        const rect = panel.getBoundingClientRect();
+        return {
+          left: rect.left,
+          top: rect.top,
+          width: rect.width,
+          height: rect.height,
+          floating: panel.classList.contains('panel-floating'),
+          collapsed: panel.classList.contains('collapsed'),
+          inRail: panel.parentElement?.id === 'right-context-rail',
+          allocated: panel.style.getPropertyValue(
+            '--right-panel-allocated-height',
+          ),
+          inlineWidth: panel.style.width,
+          inlineHeight: panel.style.height,
+          stored: localStorage.getItem(`godsEyeView.v8.panelPos.${id}`),
+        };
+      }, PANEL_ID);
+    const headerPoint = async () => {
+      const rect = await page.evaluate((id) => {
+        const title = document.querySelector(
+          `#${id} .panel-header .panel-title`,
+        );
+        const r = title.getBoundingClientRect();
+        return { x: r.left + r.width / 2, y: r.top + r.height / 2 };
+      }, PANEL_ID);
+      return rect;
+    };
+    const drag = async (from, dx, dy) => {
+      await page.mouse.move(from.x, from.y);
+      await page.mouse.down();
+      await page.mouse.move(from.x + dx / 2, from.y + dy / 2, { steps: 6 });
+      await page.mouse.move(from.x + dx, from.y + dy, { steps: 6 });
+      await page.mouse.up();
+      await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 120));
+    };
+
+    await page.goto(`${url}/`, { waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
+    await page.evaluate((key) => {
+      localStorage.removeItem(key);
+      localStorage.removeItem('godsEyeView.v8.panelFloatHintShown');
+    }, STORAGE_KEY);
+    await boot();
+
+    // Expand CCTV so the panel has a body worth resizing.
+    await page.evaluate((id) => {
+      const panel = document.getElementById(id);
+      if (panel.classList.contains('collapsed'))
+        document
+          .querySelector(`.panel-collapse-btn[data-collapse-target="${id}"]`)
+          .click();
+    }, PANEL_ID);
+    await page.waitForFunction(
+      (id) => !document.getElementById(id).classList.contains('collapsed'),
+      {},
+      PANEL_ID,
+    );
+    await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 600));
+    const docked = await readPanel();
+    assert.equal(docked.floating, false);
+    assert.equal(docked.inRail, true);
+
+    // Lift out: drag the header 200px left and 100px up.
+    await drag(await headerPoint(), -200, -100);
+    const lifted = await readPanel();
+    assert.equal(lifted.floating, true, 'a header drag lifts the panel out');
+    assert.equal(
+      lifted.collapsed,
+      false,
+      'the drag-ending click must not collapse',
+    );
+    near(lifted.left, Math.max(6, docked.left - 200), 2, 'lifted left');
+    near(lifted.top, Math.max(6, docked.top - 100), 2, 'lifted top');
+    near(lifted.width, docked.width, 2, 'lifted width');
+    await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 700));
+    const afterLayout = await readPanel();
+    assert.equal(afterLayout.allocated, '', 'the rail no longer allocates it');
+    const railExcludes = await page.evaluate((id) => {
+      const rail = document.getElementById('right-context-rail');
+      const counted = [...rail.children].filter((panel) =>
+        panel.matches('[data-panel-id]:not(.panel-floating):not(.collapsed)'),
+      );
+      return {
+        expandedCount: rail.dataset.expandedCount,
+        counted: counted.length,
+        includesPanel: counted.some((panel) => panel.id === id),
+      };
+    }, PANEL_ID);
+    assert.equal(railExcludes.includesPanel, false);
+    if (railExcludes.expandedCount !== undefined)
+      assert.equal(Number(railExcludes.expandedCount), railExcludes.counted);
+    const storedAfterLift = JSON.parse(afterLayout.stored);
+    assert.equal(storedAfterLift.floating, true);
+    assert.equal(
+      'height' in storedAfterLift,
+      false,
+      'a drag alone must not freeze the measured height',
+    );
+    console.log('PASS: header drag lifts CCTV out of the rail');
+
+    // Every handle moves only its own edges.
+    const limits = {
+      minWidth: MIN_SIZE.width,
+      minHeight: MIN_SIZE.height,
+      viewportWidth: VIEWPORT.width,
+      viewportHeight: VIEWPORT.height,
+    };
+    for (const dir of RESIZE_DIRECTIONS) {
+      const before = await readPanel();
+      const { dx, dy } = growthDelta(dir, 40);
+      await drag(handlePoint(before, dir), dx, dy);
+      const after = await readPanel();
+      const expected = resizeBox(before, dir, dx, dy, limits);
+      for (const key of ['left', 'top', 'width', 'height'])
+        near(after[key], expected[key], 2, `${dir} ${key}`);
+      assert.deepEqual(driftedEdges(before, after, dir, 2), [], `${dir} pins`);
+    }
+    console.log('PASS: eight resize handles keep the opposite edge pinned');
+
+    // Minimum size stops the moving edge.
+    let before = await readPanel();
+    await drag(handlePoint(before, 'se'), -2000, -2000);
+    let after = await readPanel();
+    near(after.width, MIN_SIZE.width, 2, 'min width (se)');
+    near(after.height, MIN_SIZE.height, 2, 'min height (se)');
+    assert.deepEqual(driftedEdges(before, after, 'se', 2), []);
+    before = after;
+    await drag(handlePoint(before, 'nw'), 2000, 2000);
+    after = await readPanel();
+    near(after.width, MIN_SIZE.width, 2, 'min width (nw)');
+    near(after.height, MIN_SIZE.height, 2, 'min height (nw)');
+    assert.deepEqual(driftedEdges(before, after, 'nw', 2), []);
+    console.log('PASS: minimum size holds from both corners');
+
+    // Reload restores the window.
+    const saved = await readPanel();
+    const record = JSON.parse(saved.stored);
+    assert.equal(record.floating, true);
+    await boot();
+    const restored = await readPanel();
+    assert.equal(restored.floating, true, 'floating survives a reload');
+    for (const key of ['left', 'top', 'width', 'height'])
+      near(restored[key], record[key], 2, `restored ${key}`);
+    console.log('PASS: reload restores position and size');
+
+    // Double-click the header to snap back.
+    const point = await headerPoint();
+    await page.mouse.click(point.x, point.y, { clickCount: 1 });
+    await page.mouse.click(point.x, point.y, { clickCount: 2 });
+    await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 300));
+    const snapped = await readPanel();
+    assert.equal(snapped.floating, false, 'double-click snaps back');
+    assert.equal(snapped.inRail, true);
+    assert.equal(snapped.inlineWidth, '');
+    assert.equal(snapped.inlineHeight, '');
+    assert.equal(snapped.stored, null, 'the storage key is gone');
+    console.log('PASS: header double-click returns the panel to the rail');
+
+    assert.deepEqual(errors, []);
+  } finally {
+    await browser.close();
+  }
+}
+
+if (
+  process.argv[1] &&
+  import.meta.url === pathToFileURL(process.argv[1]).href
+) {
+  main().catch((error) => {
+    console.error(error.stack || error.message);
+    process.exit(1);
+  });
+}
diff --git a/src/rightRailPolicy.test.mjs b/src/rightRailPolicy.test.mjs
index 2254ea24e..b727e6d12 100644
--- a/src/rightRailPolicy.test.mjs
+++ b/src/rightRailPolicy.test.mjs
@@ -45,7 +45,11 @@ test('desktop Display participates in Tactical exclusivity without changing mobi
     /panel\.id !== 'pp-toggles' && !panel\.classList\.contains\('collapsed'\)/,
   );
   assert.match(ui, /if \(exclusive && panel\.classList\.contains\('collapsed'\)\)\s*panel\.setAttribute\('aria-hidden', 'true'\)/);
-  assert.match(css, /#right-context-rail\.layout-exclusive > \[data-panel-id\]\.collapsed \{/);
+  // A panel floating out of the rail (portable mode) is exempt from exclusivity.
+  assert.match(
+    css,
+    /#right-context-rail\.layout-exclusive\s*> \[data-panel-id\]\.collapsed:not\(\.panel-floating\) \{/,
+  );
 });
 
 test('explicit Contacts, Space Missions, and Cockpit actions expand Global Context after success', () => {
diff --git a/src/tooling/panelResizeQa.test.mjs b/src/tooling/panelResizeQa.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..586f22c08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/tooling/panelResizeQa.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import test from 'node:test';
+import {
+  driftedEdges,
+  growthDelta,
+  handlePoint,
+  MIN_SIZE,
+  pinnedEdges,
+  STORAGE_KEY,
+} from '../../scripts/qa-panel-resize.mjs';
+import { RESIZE_DIRECTIONS } from '../ui/panelResize.js';
+
+test('the harness targets the key and minimums the controls use', () => {
+  assert.equal(STORAGE_KEY, 'godsEyeView.v8.panelPos.cctv-panel');
+  assert.deepEqual(MIN_SIZE, { width: 300, height: 160 });
+});
+
+test('pinned edges are exactly the sides a direction does not name', () => {
+  assert.deepEqual(pinnedEdges('n'), ['bottom', 'right', 'left']);
+  assert.deepEqual(pinnedEdges('se'), ['top', 'left']);
+  assert.deepEqual(pinnedEdges('nw'), ['bottom', 'right']);
+  for (const dir of RESIZE_DIRECTIONS)
+    assert.equal(pinnedEdges(dir).length, 4 - dir.length);
+});
+
+test('growth deltas push each named edge outward', () => {
+  assert.deepEqual(growthDelta('n', 40), { dx: 0, dy: -40 });
+  assert.deepEqual(growthDelta('e', 40), { dx: 40, dy: 0 });
+  assert.deepEqual(growthDelta('sw', 40), { dx: -40, dy: 40 });
+  assert.deepEqual(growthDelta('se', 40), { dx: 40, dy: 40 });
+});
+
+test('handle points land inside the strip or corner for every direction', () => {
+  const rect = { left: 100, top: 200, width: 400, height: 300 };
+  rect.right = rect.left + rect.width;
+  rect.bottom = rect.top + rect.height;
+  assert.deepEqual(handlePoint(rect, 'n'), { x: 300, y: 201 });
+  assert.deepEqual(handlePoint(rect, 'w'), { x: 101, y: 350 });
+  assert.deepEqual(handlePoint(rect, 'se'), { x: 496, y: 496 });
+  assert.deepEqual(handlePoint(rect, 'nw'), { x: 104, y: 204 });
+  for (const dir of RESIZE_DIRECTIONS) {
+    const { x, y } = handlePoint(rect, dir);
+    assert.ok(x >= rect.left && x <= rect.right, `${dir} x inside`);
+    assert.ok(y >= rect.top && y <= rect.bottom, `${dir} y inside`);
+  }
+});
+
+test('drift detection reports only pinned edges that moved', () => {
+  const before = { left: 100, top: 100, width: 400, height: 300 };
+  const grewEast = { left: 100, top: 100, width: 440, height: 300 };
+  assert.deepEqual(driftedEdges(before, grewEast, 'e'), []);
+  const slidWest = { left: 60, top: 100, width: 440, height: 300 };
+  assert.deepEqual(driftedEdges(before, slidWest, 'e'), ['left']);
+  assert.deepEqual(driftedEdges(before, slidWest, 'w'), []);
+  const wobble = { left: 101, top: 100, width: 439, height: 300 };
+  assert.deepEqual(driftedEdges(before, wobble, 'e'), []);
+});
diff --git a/src/ui/applicationShell.js b/src/ui/applicationShell.js
index 2337264da..62b2322b6 100644
--- a/src/ui/applicationShell.js
+++ b/src/ui/applicationShell.js
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ export class StyleManager extends ShellFacade {
         _setRadioDisclosure: (...args) => this._setRadioDisclosure(...args),
         _syncCctvPanelViewport: (...args) =>
           this._syncCctvPanelViewport(...args),
+        _onPanelResized: (...args) => this._onPanelResized(...args),
         _syncContextRadioLauncherState: (...args) =>
           this._syncContextRadioLauncherState(...args),
         _showToast: (...args) => this._showToast(...args),
@@ -1495,6 +1496,15 @@ export class StyleManager extends ShellFacade {
     this._initCockpitDisplayPortal();
   }
 
+  /**
+   * A portable panel finished a resize or snapped back to its rail. Nothing
+   * in the shell depends on it yet; a panel with a viewport of its own can
+   * refit here.
+   * @param {string} _panelId
+   * @returns {void}
+   */
+  _onPanelResized(_panelId) {}
+
   /**
    * Recalculates the CCTV panel max-height based on its current top position
    * and the window height, enabling internal scroll without viewport overflow.
diff --git a/src/ui/panelChrome.js b/src/ui/panelChrome.js
index 5a671e453..49b65de3d 100644
--- a/src/ui/panelChrome.js
+++ b/src/ui/panelChrome.js
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ export class PanelChrome {
       layoutRightPanels: () => this._layoutRightPanels(),
       syncCctvPanelViewport: () => this._syncCctvPanelViewport(),
       showToast: (message) => this._showToast(message),
+      onPanelResized: (panelId) => this._onPanelResized(panelId),
     });
     this._panelLayout = new PanelLayoutController({
       readHud: () => ({
@@ -146,6 +147,7 @@ export class PanelChrome {
     this._initCommandDockPins();
     this._initCommandDockTrayMetrics();
     this._maybeNotifyLayoutReset();
+    this._panelPosition._initPanelDrag();
   }
 
   _collapsePanelOnEscape(event, panelId) {
diff --git a/src/ui/panelPositionControls.js b/src/ui/panelPositionControls.js
index 812122abe..f0473e50d 100644
--- a/src/ui/panelPositionControls.js
+++ b/src/ui/panelPositionControls.js
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 /** Own panel position preferences, viewport clamping and drag listeners. */
+import { RESIZE_DIRECTIONS, resizeBox } from './panelResize.js';
+
 /** Versioned localStorage namespace prefix to invalidate stale panel layouts. */
 const PANEL_LAYOUT_STORAGE_VERSION = 'v6';
 /**
@@ -10,40 +12,93 @@ const PANEL_POSITION_STORAGE_VERSION = 'v8';
 /** Z ladder: panels promote within [100, 139]; voice pill 150, toast 200, clean-view-exit 300. */
 const PANEL_Z_BASE = 100;
 const PANEL_Z_MAX = 139;
+/** Pointer travel before a header press becomes a drag that lifts a portable panel out. */
+const DRAG_THRESHOLD_PX = 4;
+/** Viewport margin every positioned panel keeps clear. */
+const VIEWPORT_MARGIN_PX = 6;
+/** One-time hint shown the first time a portable panel leaves its rail. */
+const PANEL_FLOAT_HINT_STORAGE_KEY = `godsEyeView.${PANEL_POSITION_STORAGE_VERSION}.panelFloatHintShown`;
+const PANEL_FLOAT_HINT = 'Double-click the header to snap the panel back';
+/** Header children whose own interaction wins over a drag or a snap-back. */
+const INTERACTIVE_SELECTOR =
+  'input, select, option, textarea, button, a, [role="button"]';
+/** Inline geometry a snap-back clears so the rail owns placement again. */
+const FLOATING_STYLE_PROPERTIES = [
+  'left',
+  'top',
+  'right',
+  'bottom',
+  'width',
+  'height',
+];
+
+function clamp(value, min, max) {
+  return Math.max(min, Math.min(max, value));
+}
+
 export class PanelPositionControls {
+  /**
+   * @param {object} options
+   * @param {Function} options.syncPanelCollapseButton
+   * @param {Function} options.layoutRightPanels
+   * @param {Function} options.syncCctvPanelViewport
+   * @param {Function} options.showToast
+   * @param {(panelId: string) => void} [options.onPanelResized] Fires after a
+   *   portable panel's resize gesture ends or the panel snaps back to its rail.
+   */
   constructor({
     syncPanelCollapseButton,
     layoutRightPanels,
     syncCctvPanelViewport,
     showToast,
+    onPanelResized = null,
   }) {
     this._syncPanelCollapseButton = syncPanelCollapseButton;
     this._layoutRightPanels = layoutRightPanels;
     this._syncCctvPanelViewport = syncCctvPanelViewport;
     this._showToast = showToast;
+    this._onPanelResized = onPanelResized;
     this._ppToggles = document.getElementById('pp-toggles');
     this._panelZCounter = PANEL_Z_BASE + 10;
     this._draggableResizeObserver = null;
     this._cancelDrag = null;
+    /** Portable panels by id: `{ panel, min: { width, height } }`. */
+    this._portablePanels = new Map();
+    this._resizeHandles = [];
+    this._dragInitialized = false;
     this.removers = [];
     this.destroyed = false;
   }
-  listen(target, type, callback) {
+  listen(target, type, callback, options) {
     if (this.destroyed || !target) return;
     const listener = (event) => {
       if (!this.destroyed) callback(event);
     };
-    target.addEventListener(type, listener);
-    this.removers.push(() => target.removeEventListener(type, listener));
+    target.addEventListener(type, listener, options);
+    this.removers.push(() =>
+      target.removeEventListener(type, listener, options),
+    );
   }
   _reclampDraggablePanels() {
     if (this.destroyed) return;
     const el = this._ppToggles;
-    if (!el || !el.style.top || el.style.top === 'auto') return;
-    const top = parseInt(el.style.top, 10);
-    if (!Number.isFinite(top)) return;
-    el.style.top = `${this._clampToViewport(0, top, el).top}px`;
-    this._pinPanelToRight(el);
+    if (el && el.style.top && el.style.top !== 'auto') {
+      const top = parseInt(el.style.top, 10);
+      if (Number.isFinite(top)) {
+        el.style.top = `${this._clampToViewport(0, top, el).top}px`;
+        this._pinPanelToRight(el);
+      }
+    }
+    // Floating panels only move back on-screen; their size is the user's.
+    for (const { panel } of this._portablePanels.values()) {
+      if (!panel.classList.contains('panel-floating')) continue;
+      const left = parseInt(panel.style.left, 10);
+      const top = parseInt(panel.style.top, 10);
+      if (!Number.isFinite(left) || !Number.isFinite(top)) continue;
+      const next = this._clampToViewport(left, top, panel);
+      panel.style.left = `${next.left}px`;
+      panel.style.top = `${next.top}px`;
+    }
   }
 
   _maybeNotifyLayoutReset() {
@@ -65,19 +120,41 @@ export class PanelPositionControls {
   }
 
   _initPanelDrag() {
-    if (this.destroyed) return;
+    if (this.destroyed || this._dragInitialized) return;
+    this._dragInitialized = true;
+    const cctvPanel = document.getElementById('cctv-panel');
+    // A `portable` spec lifts out of its rail on a header drag, resizes from
+    // every edge and remembers its window; the others only reposition in
+    // place. Another panel opts in by adding a spec here.
     const dragSpecs = [
       {
         id: 'pp-toggles',
         panel: this._ppToggles,
         handle: this._ppToggles?.querySelector('.panel-drag-handle.compact'),
       },
+      {
+        id: 'cctv-panel',
+        panel: cctvPanel,
+        handle: cctvPanel?.querySelector('.panel-header'),
+        portable: true,
+        min: { width: 300, height: 160 },
+      },
     ].filter(Boolean);
 
     for (const spec of dragSpecs) {
       if (!spec.panel || !spec.handle) continue;
+      if (spec.portable) {
+        this._portablePanels.set(spec.id, {
+          panel: spec.panel,
+          min: { width: 300, height: 160, ...spec.min },
+        });
+        spec.panel.classList.add('panel-portable');
+      }
       this._restorePanelPosition(spec.id, spec.panel);
       this._makePanelDraggable(spec.id, spec.panel, spec.handle);
+      if (spec.portable) {
+        this._makePanelResizable(spec.id, spec.panel, spec.min);
+      }
     }
     // Keep a positioned panel on-screen when its HEIGHT changes after restore — it expands to its
     // full row set a frame or two later, so the restore-time clamp used a stale (shorter) height and
@@ -88,6 +165,9 @@ export class PanelPositionControls {
       );
       this._draggableResizeObserver.observe(this._ppToggles);
     }
+    if (this._portablePanels.size) {
+      this.listen(window, 'resize', () => this._reclampDraggablePanels());
+    }
   }
 
   _panelStorageKey(panelId) {
@@ -159,6 +239,27 @@ export class PanelPositionControls {
       const pos = JSON.parse(raw);
       if (!pos || typeof pos.left !== 'number' || typeof pos.top !== 'number')
         return;
+      // A floating record only means something to a panel that can float; a
+      // portable panel in turn only ever stores floating records.
+      const portable = this._portablePanels.get(panelId);
+      if (Boolean(pos.floating) !== Boolean(portable)) return;
+      if (portable) {
+        panelEl.classList.add('panel-floating', 'panel-draggable');
+        if (Number.isFinite(pos.width)) {
+          panelEl.style.width = `${clamp(
+            Math.round(pos.width),
+            portable.min.width,
+            Math.max(portable.min.width, window.innerWidth - 12),
+          )}px`;
+        }
+        if (Number.isFinite(pos.height)) {
+          panelEl.style.height = `${clamp(
+            Math.round(pos.height),
+            portable.min.height,
+            Math.max(portable.min.height, window.innerHeight - 12),
+          )}px`;
+        }
+      }
       // Clamp to the viewport: a position saved at one window size would otherwise land off-screen at
       // another (audit U2 — observed a panel at x:-192). The drag handler clamps; restore must too.
       const { left, top } = this._clampToViewport(
@@ -190,13 +291,21 @@ export class PanelPositionControls {
 
   _savePanelPosition(panelId, panelEl) {
     const rect = panelEl.getBoundingClientRect();
+    const record = {
+      left: Math.round(rect.left),
+      top: Math.round(rect.top),
+    };
+    if (this._portablePanels.has(panelId)) {
+      // Only an explicitly set size is remembered: freezing a collapsed
+      // panel's measured height would stop it from ever expanding again.
+      if (panelEl.style.width) record.width = Math.round(rect.width);
+      if (panelEl.style.height) record.height = Math.round(rect.height);
+      record.floating = true;
+    }
     try {
       localStorage.setItem(
         this._panelStorageKey(panelId),
-        JSON.stringify({
-          left: Math.round(rect.left),
-          top: Math.round(rect.top),
-        }),
+        JSON.stringify(record),
       );
     } catch {
       // storage unavailable
@@ -219,11 +328,78 @@ export class PanelPositionControls {
     panelEl.style.zIndex = String(this._panelZCounter);
   }
 
+  _maybeShowFloatHint() {
+    try {
+      if (localStorage.getItem(PANEL_FLOAT_HINT_STORAGE_KEY)) return;
+      localStorage.setItem(PANEL_FLOAT_HINT_STORAGE_KEY, '1');
+    } catch {
+      // storage unavailable: still worth saying once this session
+      if (this._floatHintShown) return;
+      this._floatHintShown = true;
+    }
+    this._showToast(PANEL_FLOAT_HINT);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Switch a portable panel from rail flow to a fixed window at the place it
+   * currently occupies. Width is frozen so a `width: 100%` rail panel keeps
+   * its size once fixed-positioned; height stays natural until a resize.
+   */
+  _liftPanelOut(panelId, panelEl, rect = panelEl.getBoundingClientRect()) {
+    if (panelEl.classList.contains('panel-floating')) return false;
+    panelEl.style.left = `${Math.round(rect.left)}px`;
+    panelEl.style.top = `${Math.round(rect.top)}px`;
+    panelEl.style.right = 'auto';
+    panelEl.style.bottom = 'auto';
+    if (!panelEl.classList.contains('collapsed')) {
+      panelEl.style.width = `${Math.round(rect.width)}px`;
+    }
+    // Rail bookkeeping no longer applies to a window the rail does not allocate.
+    panelEl.style.removeProperty('--right-panel-allocated-height');
+    panelEl.removeAttribute('aria-hidden');
+    panelEl.classList.add('panel-floating', 'panel-draggable');
+    this._promotePanelZ(panelEl);
+    this._layoutRightPanels();
+    this._maybeShowFloatHint();
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  /** Snap a floating panel back into its rail and forget its window. */
+  _resetPanelPosition(panelId) {
+    const portable = this._portablePanels.get(panelId);
+    if (!portable) return;
+    const panelEl = portable.panel;
+    this._cancelDrag?.();
+    panelEl.classList.remove(
+      'panel-floating',
+      'panel-draggable',
+      'panel-dragging',
+      'panel-resizing',
+    );
+    for (const property of FLOATING_STYLE_PROPERTIES) {
+      panelEl.style.removeProperty(property);
+    }
+    try {
+      localStorage.removeItem(this._panelStorageKey(panelId));
+    } catch {
+      // storage unavailable
+    }
+    this._layoutRightPanels();
+    if (panelId === 'cctv-panel') {
+      this._syncCctvPanelViewport();
+    }
+    this._onPanelResized?.(panelId);
+  }
+
   _makePanelDraggable(panelId, panelEl, handleEl) {
     // Z-order promotion: bring clicked panel to front of the stacking context
     this.listen(panelEl, 'pointerdown', () => {
       this._promotePanelZ(panelEl);
     });
+    if (this._portablePanels.has(panelId)) {
+      this._makePortablePanelDraggable(panelId, panelEl, handleEl);
+      return;
+    }
 
     this.listen(handleEl, 'pointerdown', (event) => {
       if (event.button !== 0) return;
@@ -291,11 +467,199 @@ export class PanelPositionControls {
       window.addEventListener('pointercancel', onUp);
     });
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Portable drag: a press on the header only becomes a drag after a few
+   * pixels of travel, at which point the panel lifts out of its rail. The
+   * collapse button still toggles on a plain click, and the click that ends
+   * a real drag is swallowed so it cannot toggle by accident. Double-clicking
+   * the header snaps the panel back.
+   */
+  _makePortablePanelDraggable(panelId, panelEl, handleEl) {
+    let swallowNextClick = false;
+    this.listen(
+      handleEl,
+      'click',
+      (event) => {
+        if (!swallowNextClick) return;
+        swallowNextClick = false;
+        event.stopImmediatePropagation();
+        event.preventDefault();
+      },
+      { capture: true },
+    );
+    this.listen(handleEl, 'dblclick', (event) => {
+      if (event.target.closest?.(INTERACTIVE_SELECTOR)) return;
+      if (!panelEl.classList.contains('panel-floating')) return;
+      event.preventDefault();
+      this._resetPanelPosition(panelId);
+    });
+    this.listen(handleEl, 'pointerdown', (event) => {
+      if (event.button !== 0) return;
+      const interactive = event.target.closest?.(INTERACTIVE_SELECTOR);
+      if (interactive && !interactive.matches('.panel-collapse-btn')) return;
+
+      this._cancelDrag?.();
+      // A header press must not start a text selection across the page.
+      event.preventDefault();
+      const startX = event.clientX;
+      const startY = event.clientY;
+      let dragging = false;
+      let offsetX = 0;
+      let offsetY = 0;
+      let width = 0;
+      let height = 0;
+
+      const onMove = (moveEvent) => {
+        if (!dragging) {
+          if (
+            Math.hypot(moveEvent.clientX - startX, moveEvent.clientY - startY) <
+            DRAG_THRESHOLD_PX
+          )
+            return;
+          dragging = true;
+          const rect = panelEl.getBoundingClientRect();
+          offsetX = startX - rect.left;
+          offsetY = startY - rect.top;
+          width = rect.width;
+          height = rect.height;
+          this._liftPanelOut(panelId, panelEl, rect);
+          panelEl.classList.add('panel-dragging');
+          this._promotePanelZ(panelEl);
+        }
+        moveEvent.preventDefault();
+        const maxLeft = Math.max(
+          VIEWPORT_MARGIN_PX,
+          window.innerWidth - width - VIEWPORT_MARGIN_PX,
+        );
+        const maxTop = Math.max(
+          VIEWPORT_MARGIN_PX,
+          window.innerHeight - height - VIEWPORT_MARGIN_PX,
+        );
+        panelEl.style.left = `${clamp(moveEvent.clientX - offsetX, VIEWPORT_MARGIN_PX, maxLeft)}px`;
+        panelEl.style.top = `${clamp(moveEvent.clientY - offsetY, VIEWPORT_MARGIN_PX, maxTop)}px`;
+      };
+
+      const cancel = () => {
+        panelEl.classList.remove('panel-dragging');
+        window.removeEventListener('pointermove', onMove);
+        window.removeEventListener('pointerup', onUp);
+        window.removeEventListener('pointercancel', onUp);
+        this._cancelDrag = null;
+      };
+      const onUp = () => {
+        cancel();
+        if (!dragging) return;
+        swallowNextClick = true;
+        setTimeout(() => {
+          swallowNextClick = false;
+        }, 0);
+        this._savePanelPosition(panelId, panelEl);
+        if (panelId === 'cctv-panel') {
+          this._syncCctvPanelViewport();
+        }
+      };
+
+      this._cancelDrag = cancel;
+      window.addEventListener('pointermove', onMove);
+      window.addEventListener('pointerup', onUp);
+      window.addEventListener('pointercancel', onUp);
+    });
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Append a resize handle for every edge and corner. Seven are invisible
+   * strips; the bottom-right corner shows a grip. Resizing a docked panel
+   * lifts it out first, so the handles work in both states.
+   */
+  _makePanelResizable(panelId, panelEl, min = {}) {
+    const limits = { width: 300, height: 160, ...min };
+    for (const dir of RESIZE_DIRECTIONS) {
+      const handle = document.createElement('div');
+      handle.className =
+        dir === 'se' ? 'panel-resize-grip' : 'panel-resize-edge';
+      handle.dataset.dir = dir;
+      handle.setAttribute('aria-hidden', 'true');
+      if (dir === 'se') {
+        handle.title = 'Drag to resize · double-click the header to snap back';
+      }
+      panelEl.appendChild(handle);
+      this._resizeHandles.push(handle);
+      this.listen(handle, 'pointerdown', (event) =>
+        this._startPanelResize(event, panelId, panelEl, dir, limits),
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  _startPanelResize(event, panelId, panelEl, dir, limits) {
+    if (event.button !== 0) return;
+    event.preventDefault();
+    this._cancelDrag?.();
+    const rect = panelEl.getBoundingClientRect();
+    this._liftPanelOut(panelId, panelEl, rect);
+    const startBox = {
+      left: Math.round(rect.left),
+      top: Math.round(rect.top),
+      width: Math.round(rect.width),
+      height: Math.round(rect.height),
+    };
+    const startX = event.clientX;
+    const startY = event.clientY;
+    const apply = ({ left, top, width, height }) => {
+      panelEl.style.left = `${left}px`;
+      panelEl.style.top = `${top}px`;
+      panelEl.style.width = `${width}px`;
+      panelEl.style.height = `${height}px`;
+    };
+    panelEl.classList.add('panel-resizing');
+    this._promotePanelZ(panelEl);
+    apply(startBox);
+
+    const onMove = (moveEvent) => {
+      moveEvent.preventDefault();
+      apply(
+        resizeBox(
+          startBox,
+          dir,
+          moveEvent.clientX - startX,
+          moveEvent.clientY - startY,
+          {
+            minWidth: limits.width,
+            minHeight: limits.height,
+            viewportWidth: window.innerWidth,
+            viewportHeight: window.innerHeight,
+          },
+        ),
+      );
+    };
+    const cancel = () => {
+      panelEl.classList.remove('panel-resizing');
+      window.removeEventListener('pointermove', onMove);
+      window.removeEventListener('pointerup', onUp);
+      window.removeEventListener('pointercancel', onUp);
+      this._cancelDrag = null;
+    };
+    const onUp = () => {
+      cancel();
+      this._savePanelPosition(panelId, panelEl);
+      if (panelId === 'cctv-panel') {
+        this._syncCctvPanelViewport();
+      }
+      this._onPanelResized?.(panelId);
+    };
+
+    this._cancelDrag = cancel;
+    window.addEventListener('pointermove', onMove);
+    window.addEventListener('pointerup', onUp);
+    window.addEventListener('pointercancel', onUp);
+  }
+
   destroy() {
     if (this.destroyed) return;
     this.destroyed = true;
     this._cancelDrag?.();
     for (const remove of this.removers.splice(0)) remove();
+    for (const handle of this._resizeHandles.splice(0)) handle.remove();
     this._draggableResizeObserver?.disconnect();
     this._draggableResizeObserver = null;
   }
diff --git a/src/ui/panelRails.test.mjs b/src/ui/panelRails.test.mjs
index 782807c17..842cd041c 100644
--- a/src/ui/panelRails.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/panelRails.test.mjs
@@ -113,7 +113,10 @@ function element(
     getBoundingClientRect() {
       return this.rect;
     },
-    matches: (selector) => selector === '[data-panel-id]',
+    matches: (selector) =>
+      selector === '[data-panel-id]' ||
+      (selector === '[data-panel-id]:not(.panel-floating)' &&
+        !classes.has('panel-floating')),
     contains(target) {
       return (
         target === this || this.children.some((child) => child.contains(target))
@@ -322,6 +325,28 @@ test('right layout retains Display allocation during measurement and caps restor
   );
 });
 
+test('right rail neither measures nor allocates a panel floating out of it', () => {
+  const f = fixture('right');
+  f.expand(f.first, 900);
+  f.expand(f.second, 300);
+  f.first.classList.add('panel-floating');
+  f.first.style.setProperty('--right-panel-allocated-height', '500px');
+  f.first.writes.length = 0;
+  f.run();
+  assert.equal(f.stack.dataset.expandedCount, '1');
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    f.first.writes,
+    [],
+    'a floating panel keeps whatever inline style it left the rail with',
+  );
+  assert.equal(f.first.getAttribute('aria-hidden'), undefined);
+  assert.equal(f.first.classList.contains('layout-auto-collapsed'), false);
+  assert.ok(
+    f.second.style.getPropertyValue('--right-panel-allocated-height'),
+    'the docked panel still receives its allocation',
+  );
+});
+
 test('right rail aligns to the current left rail and excludes hidden obstacles', () => {
   const f = fixture('right');
   f.options.leftStack.rect.top = 200;
diff --git a/src/ui/panelResize.js b/src/ui/panelResize.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4472e7a01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ui/panelResize.js
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+/**
+ * Pure geometry for resizing a floating panel from any edge or corner. The
+ * DOM wiring lives in PanelPositionControls; this module only decides boxes.
+ */
+
+/** Viewport margin a resized panel keeps clear on every side. */
+const EDGE_MARGIN_PX = 6;
+/** Resize directions: compass edges first, then corners. */
+export const RESIZE_DIRECTIONS = ['n', 's', 'e', 'w', 'ne', 'nw', 'sw', 'se'];
+
+function clamp(value, min, max) {
+  return Math.max(min, Math.min(max, value));
+}
+
+/**
+ * Work out the box a resize gesture produces. Edges named in `dir` move with
+ * the pointer; the opposite edge stays put, so growing from the left keeps
+ * the right side pinned. Minimum size and the viewport margin win over the
+ * pointer.
+ * @param {{left: number, top: number, width: number, height: number}} box Box at gesture start.
+ * @param {string} dir One of RESIZE_DIRECTIONS.
+ * @param {number} dx Pointer travel since gesture start.
+ * @param {number} dy Pointer travel since gesture start.
+ * @param {object} [limits]
+ * @param {number} limits.minWidth
+ * @param {number} limits.minHeight
+ * @param {number} [limits.viewportWidth=Infinity]
+ * @param {number} [limits.viewportHeight=Infinity]
+ * @param {number} [limits.margin=6]
+ * @returns {{left: number, top: number, width: number, height: number}}
+ */
+export function resizeBox(
+  box,
+  dir,
+  dx,
+  dy,
+  {
+    minWidth,
+    minHeight,
+    viewportWidth = Infinity,
+    viewportHeight = Infinity,
+    margin = EDGE_MARGIN_PX,
+  } = {},
+) {
+  let { left, top, width, height } = box;
+  const right = box.left + box.width;
+  const bottom = box.top + box.height;
+  if (dir.includes('e'))
+    width = clamp(box.width + dx, minWidth, viewportWidth - margin - box.left);
+  if (dir.includes('s'))
+    height = clamp(
+      box.height + dy,
+      minHeight,
+      viewportHeight - margin - box.top,
+    );
+  if (dir.includes('w')) {
+    width = clamp(box.width - dx, minWidth, right - margin);
+    left = right - width;
+  }
+  if (dir.includes('n')) {
+    height = clamp(box.height - dy, minHeight, bottom - margin);
+    top = bottom - height;
+  }
+  return { left, top, width, height };
+}
diff --git a/src/ui/panelResize.test.mjs b/src/ui/panelResize.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3e1577665
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ui/panelResize.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import test from 'node:test';
+import { resizeBox } from './panelResize.js';
+
+const box = { left: 100, top: 100, width: 400, height: 300 };
+const limits = {
+  minWidth: 200,
+  minHeight: 150,
+  viewportWidth: 1000,
+  viewportHeight: 800,
+};
+
+test('east and south edges grow away from the anchored corner', () => {
+  assert.deepEqual(resizeBox(box, 'se', 50, 20, limits), {
+    left: 100,
+    top: 100,
+    width: 450,
+    height: 320,
+  });
+  assert.deepEqual(resizeBox(box, 'e', -30, 999, limits), {
+    left: 100,
+    top: 100,
+    width: 370,
+    height: 300,
+  });
+});
+
+test('west and north edges keep the opposite edge pinned', () => {
+  assert.deepEqual(resizeBox(box, 'w', -40, 0, limits), {
+    left: 60,
+    top: 100,
+    width: 440,
+    height: 300,
+  });
+  assert.deepEqual(resizeBox(box, 'nw', 40, 30, limits), {
+    left: 140,
+    top: 130,
+    width: 360,
+    height: 270,
+  });
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    resizeBox(box, 'n', -50, 0, limits).top,
+    100,
+    'horizontal motion does not move a north edge',
+  );
+});
+
+test('minimum size stops the moving edge, not the anchored one', () => {
+  const small = resizeBox(box, 'w', 350, 0, limits);
+  assert.deepEqual(small, { left: 300, top: 100, width: 200, height: 300 });
+  assert.equal(resizeBox(box, 'ne', 0, 400, limits).height, 150);
+  assert.equal(resizeBox(box, 'ne', 0, 400, limits).top, 250);
+});
+
+test('the viewport margin caps growth in every direction', () => {
+  assert.equal(resizeBox(box, 'e', 2000, 0, limits).width, 1000 - 6 - 100);
+  assert.equal(resizeBox(box, 's', 0, 2000, limits).height, 800 - 6 - 100);
+  const west = resizeBox(box, 'w', -2000, 0, limits);
+  assert.equal(west.left, 6);
+  assert.equal(west.left + west.width, 500);
+  const north = resizeBox(box, 'n', 0, -2000, limits);
+  assert.equal(north.top, 6);
+  assert.equal(north.top + north.height, 400);
+});
diff --git a/src/ui/rightPanelRail.js b/src/ui/rightPanelRail.js
index 00bcffcda..45e55a73e 100644
--- a/src/ui/rightPanelRail.js
+++ b/src/ui/rightPanelRail.js
@@ -47,8 +47,11 @@ export function layoutRightPanelRail({
   // A collapse may schedule one follow-up, which only measures and allocates.
   const isCollapseRetry = pendingCollapseRetries.delete(stack);
 
+  // A panel lifted out of the rail (PanelPositionControls' portable mode)
+  // is a fixed window the rail neither measures nor allocates.
   const panels = [...stack.children].filter(
-    (panel) => panel.matches('[data-panel-id]') && !panel.hidden,
+    (panel) =>
+      panel.matches('[data-panel-id]:not(.panel-floating)') && !panel.hidden,
   );
   if (!hud.visible || hud.variant !== 'tactical') {
     for (const panel of panels.filter((item) =>
diff --git a/src/ui/styles/controls.css b/src/ui/styles/controls.css
index 78932fc3b..98a9f10d3 100644
--- a/src/ui/styles/controls.css
+++ b/src/ui/styles/controls.css
@@ -103,6 +103,116 @@
   opacity: 0.96;
 }
 
+/* ── Portable rail panels ────────────────────
+   A header drag lifts a portable panel (PanelPositionControls) out of its
+   rail into a fixed window that remembers its place and size. The rail's
+   own placement rules in layers.css are guarded with :not(.panel-floating),
+   so these only have to beat a panel's base placement (one id). */
+.panel-portable .panel-header {
+  cursor: grab;
+}
+.panel-portable.panel-dragging .panel-header {
+  cursor: grabbing;
+}
+#right-context-rail > .panel-floating {
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: auto;
+  max-height: calc(100vh - 12px);
+  margin: 0;
+  flex: none;
+  pointer-events: auto;
+}
+/* A collapsed window keeps its stored height for later but shows only its
+   header strip, so the resize handles have nothing to attach to. */
+#right-context-rail > .panel-floating.collapsed {
+  max-height: max-content;
+}
+.panel-floating[style*='height'] > .cctv-panel-inner {
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+  height: 100%;
+  max-height: none;
+}
+.panel-resize-edge,
+.panel-resize-grip {
+  position: absolute;
+  z-index: 3;
+  touch-action: none;
+}
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='n'],
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='s'] {
+  left: 10px;
+  right: 10px;
+  height: 7px;
+  cursor: ns-resize;
+}
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='n'] {
+  top: -3px;
+}
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='s'] {
+  bottom: -3px;
+}
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='e'],
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='w'] {
+  top: 10px;
+  bottom: 10px;
+  width: 7px;
+  cursor: ew-resize;
+}
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='e'] {
+  right: -3px;
+}
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='w'] {
+  left: -3px;
+}
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='ne'],
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='nw'],
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='sw'] {
+  width: 14px;
+  height: 14px;
+}
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='ne'] {
+  top: -3px;
+  right: -3px;
+  cursor: nesw-resize;
+}
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='nw'] {
+  top: -3px;
+  left: -3px;
+  cursor: nwse-resize;
+}
+.panel-resize-edge[data-dir='sw'] {
+  bottom: -3px;
+  left: -3px;
+  cursor: nesw-resize;
+}
+.panel-resize-grip {
+  right: 3px;
+  bottom: 3px;
+  width: 14px;
+  height: 14px;
+  cursor: nwse-resize;
+  opacity: 0.55;
+  clip-path: polygon(100% 0, 100% 100%, 0 100%);
+  background: repeating-linear-gradient(
+    135deg,
+    transparent 0 3px,
+    rgba(0, 212, 255, 0.6) 3px 4px
+  );
+  transition: opacity var(--transition-fast);
+}
+.panel-portable:hover .panel-resize-grip,
+.panel-resizing .panel-resize-grip {
+  opacity: 1;
+}
+.panel-collapsible.collapsed > .panel-resize-edge,
+.panel-collapsible.collapsed > .panel-resize-grip {
+  display: none;
+}
+.panel-resizing,
+.panel-resizing * {
+  user-select: none;
+}
+
 .panel-title {
   font-family: var(--font-mono);
   font-size: 9px;
diff --git a/src/ui/styles/layers.css b/src/ui/styles/layers.css
index ba9bfbc68..9b2534054 100644
--- a/src/ui/styles/layers.css
+++ b/src/ui/styles/layers.css
@@ -161,8 +161,8 @@
     max-height var(--transition-fast);
 }
 #right-context-rail > #pp-toggles,
-#right-context-rail > #cctv-panel,
-#right-context-rail > #street-level-panel,
+#right-context-rail > #cctv-panel:not(.panel-floating),
+#right-context-rail > #street-level-panel:not(.panel-floating),
 #right-context-rail > #weather-panel,
 #right-context-rail > #recent-imagery-panel,
 #right-context-rail > #global-context-panel {
@@ -176,8 +176,8 @@
   max-height: 100%;
   pointer-events: auto;
 }
-#right-context-rail #cctv-panel,
-#right-context-rail #street-level-panel,
+#right-context-rail #cctv-panel:not(.panel-floating),
+#right-context-rail #street-level-panel:not(.panel-floating),
 #right-context-rail #weather-panel,
 #right-context-rail #recent-imagery-panel {
   width: 100%;
@@ -192,8 +192,8 @@
   flex-shrink: 1;
   min-height: 0;
 }
-#right-context-rail #cctv-panel.collapsed,
-#right-context-rail #street-level-panel.collapsed,
+#right-context-rail #cctv-panel.collapsed:not(.panel-floating),
+#right-context-rail #street-level-panel.collapsed:not(.panel-floating),
 #right-context-rail #weather-panel.collapsed,
 #right-context-rail #recent-imagery-panel.collapsed {
   width: var(--right-display-collapsed-width);
@@ -257,19 +257,24 @@
 #right-context-rail.layout-focus {
   height: var(--right-stack-max-height);
 }
-#right-context-rail.layout-exclusive > [data-panel-id].collapsed {
+#right-context-rail.layout-exclusive
+  > [data-panel-id].collapsed:not(.panel-floating) {
   display: none;
 }
-#right-context-rail.layout-focus > [data-panel-id].collapsed {
+#right-context-rail.layout-focus
+  > [data-panel-id].collapsed:not(.panel-floating) {
   display: block;
   flex: 0 0 auto;
 }
-#right-context-rail.layout-focus.layout-exclusive > [data-panel-id].collapsed {
+#right-context-rail.layout-focus.layout-exclusive
+  > [data-panel-id].collapsed:not(.panel-floating) {
   display: none;
 }
 #right-context-rail.layout-focus > #pp-toggles:not(.collapsed),
-#right-context-rail.layout-focus > #cctv-panel:not(.collapsed),
-#right-context-rail.layout-focus > #street-level-panel:not(.collapsed),
+#right-context-rail.layout-focus
+  > #cctv-panel:not(.collapsed):not(.panel-floating),
+#right-context-rail.layout-focus
+  > #street-level-panel:not(.collapsed):not(.panel-floating),
 #right-context-rail.layout-focus > #weather-panel:not(.collapsed),
 #right-context-rail.layout-focus > #recent-imagery-panel:not(.collapsed),
 #right-context-rail.layout-focus > #global-context-panel:not(.collapsed) {
@@ -288,10 +293,10 @@
   > #weather-panel:not(.collapsed)
   .weather-panel-inner,
 #right-context-rail.layout-focus
-  > #cctv-panel:not(.collapsed)
+  > #cctv-panel:not(.collapsed):not(.panel-floating)
   .cctv-panel-inner,
 #right-context-rail.layout-focus
-  > #street-level-panel:not(.collapsed)
+  > #street-level-panel:not(.collapsed):not(.panel-floating)
   .street-level-panel-inner,
 #right-context-rail.layout-focus
   > #recent-imagery-panel:not(.collapsed)
diff --git a/src/ui/styles/responsive.css b/src/ui/styles/responsive.css
index ab84bbff4..4faccd150 100644
--- a/src/ui/styles/responsive.css
+++ b/src/ui/styles/responsive.css
@@ -216,10 +216,10 @@
   }
 
   #right-context-rail #pp-toggles.collapsed .pp-header-row,
-  #right-context-rail #cctv-panel,
-  #right-context-rail #street-level-panel,
-  #right-context-rail #cctv-panel.collapsed,
-  #right-context-rail #street-level-panel.collapsed,
+  #right-context-rail #cctv-panel:not(.panel-floating),
+  #right-context-rail #cctv-panel.collapsed:not(.panel-floating),
+  #right-context-rail #street-level-panel:not(.panel-floating),
+  #right-context-rail #street-level-panel.collapsed:not(.panel-floating),
   #right-context-rail #recent-imagery-panel,
   #right-context-rail #recent-imagery-panel.collapsed,
   #right-context-rail #radio-panel,