diff --git a/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md b/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
index 1553a0fd9..f6f64cfb1 100644
--- a/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
+++ b/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
@@ -1511,17 +1511,11 @@ the rail and the strip with it.
 
 The open tab and its panel are one surface, like a folder tab; the other tabs
 are borderless labels. The strip measures the open panel and tab, traces their
-joined silhouette as an SVG path (`railJoinPath`: rounded corners, concave
-fillets at the junction; Cyber's chamfered frame with its calibration bay and a
-square tab) and keeps a join element under the panels: one layer blurs and
-tints the backdrop inside the path, one SVG strokes the outline and another
-casts the drop shadow, so the junction has no seam or second blur region. The
-open panel's wrapper and card and the tab draw no surface of their own. The
-join is re-measured through a ResizeObserver and on strip scroll;
-`--rail-tab-bottom` on the rail sets the open panel's minimum height, so a
-short panel such as Context still reaches its tab. A first tab level with the
-panel's top shares its top edge; Cyber's strip starts below the frame's upper
-chamfer.
+joined silhouette as an SVG path (`railJoinPath`; Cyber gets its chamfered
+frame) and shapes a join element under the panels with it: glass, outline and
+shadow in one piece, so the junction has no seam. The panel and the tab draw
+no surface of their own. `--rail-tab-bottom` on the rail sets the open panel's
+minimum height, so a short panel such as Context still reaches its tab.
 
 A first-time visitor on a desktop viewport finds Display open
 (`src/ui/panelPositionControls.js`): with every panel closed nothing shows that
diff --git a/src/rightRailPolicy.js b/src/rightRailPolicy.js
index 02d7972c4..08eab4fb0 100644
--- a/src/rightRailPolicy.js
+++ b/src/rightRailPolicy.js
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-export { shouldHideCollapsedRightPanels } from './ui/panelRailGeometry.js';
-
 const GLOBAL_CONTEXT_EXPLICIT_ACTIONS = new Set([
   'contacts',
   'space-missions',
diff --git a/src/rightRailPolicy.test.mjs b/src/rightRailPolicy.test.mjs
index 90fa4c4b7..560b6f50f 100644
--- a/src/rightRailPolicy.test.mjs
+++ b/src/rightRailPolicy.test.mjs
@@ -2,35 +2,13 @@ import { readStylesheet } from './testSupport/readStylesheet.mjs';
 import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
 import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
 import test from 'node:test';
-import {
-  shouldExpandGlobalContextPanel,
-  shouldHideCollapsedRightPanels,
-} from './rightRailPolicy.js';
+import { shouldExpandGlobalContextPanel } from './rightRailPolicy.js';
 
-test('the tab strip is the launcher in every HUD layout, so collapsed right-rail panels hide', () => {
-  for (const hudVariant of ['tactical', 'operator', 'minimal', 'cyber', 'full']) {
-    for (const hasExpandedPanel of [true, false]) {
-      assert.equal(
-        shouldHideCollapsedRightPanels({ hudVariant, hasExpandedPanel }),
-        true,
-        `${hudVariant} with${hasExpandedPanel ? '' : 'out'} an expanded panel`,
-      );
-    }
-  }
-});
-
-test('desktop Display participates in Tactical exclusivity without changing mobile Display behavior', () => {
+test('the desktop right rail hides collapsed panels behind the tab strip and marks them aria-hidden', () => {
   const ui = readFileSync(new URL('./ui/rightPanelRail.js', import.meta.url), 'utf8');
   const css = readStylesheet(new URL('../style.css', import.meta.url));
   assert.match(ui, /const isMobile = windowRef\.matchMedia\('\(max-width: 720px\)'\)\.matches/);
-  assert.match(
-    ui,
-    /!panel\.classList\.contains\('collapsed'\)\s*&&\s*\(!isMobile \|\| panel\.id !== 'pp-toggles'\)/,
-  );
-  assert.doesNotMatch(
-    ui,
-    /panel\.id !== 'pp-toggles' && !panel\.classList\.contains\('collapsed'\)/,
-  );
+  assert.match(ui, /const exclusive = !isMobile;/);
   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 \{/);
 });
diff --git a/src/ui/panelDisclosure.js b/src/ui/panelDisclosure.js
index dda988d5e..aa8418102 100644
--- a/src/ui/panelDisclosure.js
+++ b/src/ui/panelDisclosure.js
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ export function collapsePanelOnEscape(
   );
   const escapedFromDisclosure =
     event.target === disclosure || disclosure?.contains?.(event.target);
-  if (tab) tab.focus?.({ preventScroll: true });
+  if (tab) tab.focus({ preventScroll: true });
   else if (escapedFromDisclosure) disclosure?.blur?.();
   else disclosure?.focus?.({ preventScroll: true });
   return true;
diff --git a/src/ui/panelLayoutController.js b/src/ui/panelLayoutController.js
index 8b8e9b036..691974b00 100644
--- a/src/ui/panelLayoutController.js
+++ b/src/ui/panelLayoutController.js
@@ -301,7 +301,6 @@ export class PanelLayoutController {
       stack: this._rightPanelStack,
       obstacles: document.querySelectorAll(RIGHT_STACK_OBSTACLE_SELECTOR),
       windowRef: window,
-      hud: this.readHud(),
       preferredPanelId: this._rightStackPreferredPanelId,
       onCollapse: (panel) => this._syncPanelCollapseButton(panel),
       leftStack: this._leftPanelStack,
diff --git a/src/ui/panelRailGeometry.js b/src/ui/panelRailGeometry.js
index 89057c35b..b5a129c21 100644
--- a/src/ui/panelRailGeometry.js
+++ b/src/ui/panelRailGeometry.js
@@ -60,15 +60,3 @@ export function resolveHudRailLayout({
     constrained: panelHeight > availableHeight,
   };
 }
-
-/**
- * The tab strip (rightRailTabs.js) is the launcher in every HUD layout, so
- * collapsed right-rail panels always hide. Callers still pass the rail state
- * they lay out.
- * @param {{hudVariant?: string, hasExpandedPanel?: boolean}} [input]
- * @returns {boolean}
- */
-export function shouldHideCollapsedRightPanels(input = {}) {
-  void input;
-  return true;
-}
diff --git a/src/ui/panelRails.js b/src/ui/panelRails.js
index a67371cc7..e447d6302 100644
--- a/src/ui/panelRails.js
+++ b/src/ui/panelRails.js
@@ -1,10 +1,7 @@
 export { layoutLeftPanelRail } from './leftPanelRail.js';
 export { layoutRightPanelRail } from './rightPanelRail.js';
 export { measurePanelNaturalHeight } from './panelMeasurement.js';
-export {
-  resolveHudRailLayout,
-  shouldHideCollapsedRightPanels,
-} from './panelRailGeometry.js';
+export { resolveHudRailLayout } from './panelRailGeometry.js';
 export {
   allocatePanelStackHeights,
   panelStackAutoCollapseIndices,
diff --git a/src/ui/panelRails.test.mjs b/src/ui/panelRails.test.mjs
index 152cce1ca..31d6c19cb 100644
--- a/src/ui/panelRails.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/panelRails.test.mjs
@@ -306,18 +306,6 @@ test('right layout lets a stored or shared choice outrank a panel open only by d
   f.run();
   assert.equal(f.first.classList.contains('rail-owner-collapsed'), true);
   assert.equal(f.second.classList.contains('collapsed'), false);
-  const g = fixture('right');
-  g.expand(g.first, 900);
-  g.expand(g.second, 900);
-  g.first.dataset.collapsedPreference = 'default';
-  g.second.dataset.collapsedPreference = 'default';
-  g.run();
-  assert.equal(
-    g.first.classList.contains('collapsed'),
-    false,
-    'all default: first wins',
-  );
-  assert.equal(g.second.classList.contains('rail-owner-collapsed'), true);
 });
 
 for (const collapsed of [true, false]) {
diff --git a/src/ui/rightPanelRail.js b/src/ui/rightPanelRail.js
index 24ac479dc..a7b1eaefa 100644
--- a/src/ui/rightPanelRail.js
+++ b/src/ui/rightPanelRail.js
@@ -1,8 +1,5 @@
 import { allocatePanelStackHeights } from '../panelStackLayout.js';
-import {
-  resolveHudRailLayout,
-  shouldHideCollapsedRightPanels,
-} from './panelRailGeometry.js';
+import { resolveHudRailLayout } from './panelRailGeometry.js';
 
 import { displayPanelScroller } from './displayPanelScroll.js';
 
@@ -38,7 +35,6 @@ function settledLeftRailTop(leftStack, viewportHeight, getComputedStyle) {
  * @param {HTMLElement} options.stack Rail element.
  * @param {Iterable<HTMLElement>} options.obstacles Caller-selected obstacle nodes.
  * @param {Window} options.windowRef Viewport and style reader.
- * @param {{visible: boolean, variant: string}} options.hud Current HUD presentation.
  * @param {string} options.preferredPanelId Most recently opened panel.
  * @param {Function} options.onCollapse Update a panel's disclosure chrome.
  * @param {Function} [options.getComputedStyle] Optional DOM style reader override.
@@ -51,7 +47,6 @@ export function layoutRightPanelRail({
   stack,
   obstacles,
   windowRef,
-  hud,
   preferredPanelId,
   onCollapse,
   leftStack,
@@ -104,19 +99,10 @@ export function layoutRightPanelRail({
       onCollapse(panel);
     }
   }
-  const hasExpandedPanel = panels.some(
-    (panel) =>
-      !panel.classList.contains('collapsed') &&
-      (!isMobile || panel.id !== 'pp-toggles'),
-  );
-  // Phones present the rail as tab sheets (mobileShell.js), which choose what
-  // shows; hiding collapsed siblings would empty a sheet and its a11y tree.
-  const exclusive =
-    !isMobile &&
-    shouldHideCollapsedRightPanels({
-      hudVariant: hud.variant,
-      hasExpandedPanel,
-    });
+  // The tab strip is the launcher, so collapsed panels hide. Phones present
+  // the rail as tab sheets (mobileShell.js), which choose what shows; hiding
+  // collapsed siblings would empty a sheet and its a11y tree.
+  const exclusive = !isMobile;
   stack.classList.toggle('layout-exclusive', exclusive);
   for (const panel of panels) {
     if (exclusive && panel.classList.contains('collapsed'))
diff --git a/src/ui/rightRailTabs.js b/src/ui/rightRailTabs.js
index 32977c258..999969232 100644
--- a/src/ui/rightRailTabs.js
+++ b/src/ui/rightRailTabs.js
@@ -185,7 +185,6 @@ export function createRightRailTabs({
   }
   const strip = documentRef.createElement('div');
   strip.id = RIGHT_RAIL_TABS_ID;
-  strip.className = 'right-rail-tabs';
   strip.setAttribute('role', 'tablist');
   strip.setAttribute('aria-orientation', 'vertical');
   strip.setAttribute('aria-label', t('Panels'));
@@ -228,7 +227,6 @@ export function createRightRailTabs({
     const label = documentRef.createElement('span');
     label.className = 'right-rail-tab-label';
     tab.append(label);
-    resizer?.observe(tab);
     entry = { tab, label };
     entries.set(panel.id, entry);
     return entry;
@@ -239,8 +237,8 @@ export function createRightRailTabs({
   const observer =
     typeof Observer === 'function' ? new Observer(() => sync()) : null;
   // Tab heights follow their labels (fonts, locale) and panel heights their
-  // content and allocation: re-measure the join on any size change and on
-  // strip scroll.
+  // content and allocation: re-measure the join when the strip or a panel
+  // changes size and on strip scroll.
   const Resize = documentRef.defaultView?.ResizeObserver;
   const resizer =
     typeof Resize === 'function' ? new Resize(() => sync()) : null;
@@ -262,28 +260,20 @@ export function createRightRailTabs({
   };
 
   /**
-   * Publish the join: the open tab's extent on the rail (--rail-tab-top and
-   * --rail-tab-bottom, rail pixels; the stylesheet sets the panel's minimum
-   * height from them) and the joined silhouette on the join's layers. The
-   * rail can be taller than its panel in the focus layout, so the join is
-   * sized from the panel, extended down to cover the tab if that is shorter.
+   * Publish the join: the open tab's bottom on the rail (--rail-tab-bottom,
+   * rail pixels; the stylesheet sets the panel's minimum height from it) and
+   * the joined silhouette on the join's layers. The rail can be taller than
+   * its panel in the focus layout, so the join is sized from the panel,
+   * extended down to cover the tab if that is shorter.
    */
   function placeJoin(tab, panel) {
-    const style = rail.style;
-    if (typeof style?.setProperty !== 'function') return;
-    if (!tab || !Number.isFinite(tab.offsetTop)) {
-      style.removeProperty('--rail-tab-top');
-      style.removeProperty('--rail-tab-bottom');
+    if (!tab) {
+      rail.style.removeProperty('--rail-tab-bottom');
       join.hidden = true;
       return;
     }
     const top = tab.offsetTop - (strip.scrollTop || 0);
-    style.setProperty('--rail-tab-top', `${top}px`);
-    style.setProperty('--rail-tab-bottom', `${top + tab.offsetHeight}px`);
-    if (!Number.isFinite(panel?.offsetWidth) || !join.style) {
-      join.hidden = true;
-      return;
-    }
+    rail.style.setProperty('--rail-tab-bottom', `${top + tab.offsetHeight}px`);
     const computed = documentRef.defaultView?.getComputedStyle?.(rail);
     const corner = token(computed, '--right-rail-corner', 16);
     const tabRadius = token(computed, '--right-rail-tab-radius', 10);
@@ -359,7 +349,6 @@ export function createRightRailTabs({
     const live = new Set(panels.map((panel) => panel.id));
     for (const [id, entry] of entries) {
       if (live.has(id)) continue;
-      resizer?.unobserve(entry.tab);
       entry.tab.remove();
       entries.delete(id);
     }
diff --git a/src/ui/rightRailTabs.test.mjs b/src/ui/rightRailTabs.test.mjs
index 67c81ccfd..f09717804 100644
--- a/src/ui/rightRailTabs.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/rightRailTabs.test.mjs
@@ -24,12 +24,18 @@ function makeDocument() {
     const el = new EventTarget();
     const attrs = new Map();
     const classes = new Set();
+    const props = new Map();
     Object.assign(el, {
       tagName: tag.toUpperCase(),
       ownerDocument: doc,
       children: [],
       parentElement: null,
       dataset: {},
+      style: {
+        props,
+        setProperty: (key, value) => props.set(key, value),
+        removeProperty: (key) => props.delete(key),
+      },
       hidden: false,
       textContent: '',
       tabIndex: -1,
@@ -325,11 +331,7 @@ test('a sync that changes nothing keeps the same tab elements in place', () => {
 
 test('publishes the open tab extent on the rail and keeps a join element under the panels', () => {
   const f = fixture();
-  const props = new Map();
-  f.rail.style = {
-    setProperty: (key, value) => props.set(key, value),
-    removeProperty: (key) => props.delete(key),
-  };
+  const { props } = f.rail.style;
   assert.equal(f.tabs.join.parentElement, f.rail);
   assert.equal(f.tabs.join.getAttribute('aria-hidden'), 'true');
   assert.equal(f.tabs.join.hidden, true, 'nothing open, nothing to join');
@@ -342,28 +344,39 @@ test('publishes the open tab extent on the rail and keeps a join element under t
     ],
   );
   const tab = f.tabFor('cctv-panel');
-  tab.offsetTop = 86;
-  tab.offsetHeight = 56;
+  Object.assign(tab, {
+    offsetTop: 86,
+    offsetLeft: 0,
+    offsetHeight: 56,
+    offsetWidth: 42,
+  });
+  Object.assign(f.cctv, {
+    offsetTop: 0,
+    offsetLeft: 0,
+    offsetHeight: 300,
+    offsetWidth: 330,
+  });
   f.strip.scrollTop = 0;
   f.cctv.classList.remove('collapsed');
   f.tabs.sync();
-  assert.deepEqual(
-    [...props],
-    [
-      ['--rail-tab-top', '86px'],
-      ['--rail-tab-bottom', '142px'],
-    ],
+  assert.deepEqual([...props], [['--rail-tab-bottom', '142px']]);
+  assert.equal(f.tabs.join.hidden, false);
+  const [, glass] = f.tabs.join.children;
+  assert.match(
+    glass.style.clipPath,
+    /^path\('M 16 0 L 314 0 A 16 16 0 0 1 330 16 L 330 78 /,
   );
   f.strip.scrollTop = 20;
   f.tabs.sync();
   assert.equal(
-    props.get('--rail-tab-top'),
-    '66px',
+    props.get('--rail-tab-bottom'),
+    '122px',
     'strip scroll is subtracted',
   );
   f.cctv.classList.add('collapsed');
   f.tabs.sync();
   assert.deepEqual([...props], [], 'no open panel, no join');
+  assert.equal(f.tabs.join.hidden, true);
   f.tabs.destroy();
   assert.equal(f.tabs.join.parentElement, null);
 });
diff --git a/src/ui/styles/right-rail-tabs.css b/src/ui/styles/right-rail-tabs.css
index e18e3ed3c..8f089fed5 100644
--- a/src/ui/styles/right-rail-tabs.css
+++ b/src/ui/styles/right-rail-tabs.css
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
    selectors carry it to outrank the Cyber rail rules that follow this sheet. */
 
 #right-context-rail[data-rail-tabs] {
-  --right-rail-panel-width: 330px;
   --right-rail-tabs-width: 34px;
   /* The bridge the open tab reaches across to its panel. */
   --right-rail-tabs-gap: 8px;
@@ -34,7 +33,9 @@
     var(--rail-tab-bottom, 0px) + var(--right-rail-fillet) + 4px +
       var(--right-rail-corner)
   );
-  width: calc(var(--right-rail-panel-width) + var(--right-rail-tabs-inset));
+  /* The theme's rail width stays the panel width; the strip's column is
+     padding beside it. */
+  box-sizing: content-box;
   padding-right: var(--right-rail-tabs-inset);
 }
 
@@ -146,7 +147,6 @@ body.mobile-shell #right-context-rail > .right-rail-join {
   background-image: var(--panel-surface-detail);
   backdrop-filter: blur(24px) saturate(1.4);
   -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(24px) saturate(1.4);
-  clip-path: var(--rail-join-path, none);
 }
 
 .right-rail-join-outline path {
@@ -219,15 +219,13 @@ body:not(.mobile-shell)
 /* Cyber panels are chamfered frames (--cyber-panel-frame), not rounded
    cards: square joins, no fillets, no blur, and the strip starts below the
    frame's upper chamfer so the first tab meets a straight edge. The frame's
-   red edge bar and faint right highlight move onto the join's glass. */
+   red edge bar moves onto the join's glass. */
 :root[data-ui-theme='cyber'] #right-context-rail[data-rail-tabs] {
-  --right-rail-panel-width: 312px;
   --right-rail-tab-radius: 0px;
   --right-rail-fillet: 0px;
   --right-rail-corner: 10px;
   --right-rail-join-style: chamfer;
   --right-rail-join-shadow: 0 10px 28px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.42);
-  width: calc(var(--right-rail-panel-width) + var(--right-rail-tabs-inset));
 }
 
 :root[data-ui-theme='cyber'] #right-rail-tabs {
@@ -236,10 +234,6 @@ body:not(.mobile-shell)
 
 /* Cyber's generic hover/selected button treatment (cyber.css) would paint
    the tabs; the open tab stays a label on the shared surface. */
-:root[data-ui-theme='cyber'] .right-rail-tab {
-  border-radius: var(--btn-radius);
-}
-
 :root[data-ui-theme='cyber'] .right-rail-tab:not([aria-selected='true']):hover {
   background-color: rgba(226, 235, 236, 0.08);
   box-shadow: none;
@@ -247,7 +241,6 @@ body:not(.mobile-shell)
 
 :root[data-ui-theme='cyber'] .right-rail-tab[aria-selected='true'],
 :root[data-ui-theme='cyber'] .right-rail-tab[aria-selected='true']:hover {
-  border-radius: 0;
   background-color: transparent;
   box-shadow: -3px 0 0 var(--cyber-red) inset;
   color: var(--cyber-red-bright);
@@ -265,9 +258,7 @@ body:not(.mobile-shell)
 }
 
 :root[data-ui-theme='cyber'] .right-rail-join-glass {
-  box-shadow:
-    3px 0 0 rgba(196, 84, 84, 0.2) inset,
-    -1px 0 0 rgba(226, 235, 236, 0.05) inset;
+  box-shadow: 3px 0 0 rgba(196, 84, 84, 0.2) inset;
   backdrop-filter: none;
   -webkit-backdrop-filter: none;
 }