feat: implement dashboard view and enhance sidebar navigation

- Added a new DashboardView component for improved project management.
- Updated sidebar navigation to redirect to the dashboard instead of the home page.
- Removed ProjectActions from the sidebar for a cleaner interface.
- Enhanced BoardView to conditionally render the WorktreePanel based on visibility settings.
- Introduced worktree panel visibility management per project in the app store.
- Updated project settings to include worktree panel visibility and favorite status.
- Adjusted navigation logic to ensure users are directed to the appropriate view based on project state.

apps/ui/src/components/layout/sidebar.tsx

@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ import { CreateSpecDialog } from '@/components/views/spec-view/dialogs';
 import {
   CollapseToggleButton,
   SidebarHeader,
-  ProjectActions,
   SidebarNavigation,
   ProjectSelectorWithOptions,
   SidebarFooter,
@@ -276,17 +275,6 @@ export function Sidebar() {
       <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col overflow-hidden">
         <SidebarHeader sidebarOpen={sidebarOpen} navigate={navigate} />
 
-        {/* Project Actions - Moved above project selector */}
-        {sidebarOpen && (
-          <ProjectActions
-            setShowNewProjectModal={setShowNewProjectModal}
-            handleOpenFolder={handleOpenFolder}
-            setShowTrashDialog={setShowTrashDialog}
-            trashedProjects={trashedProjects}
-            shortcuts={{ openProject: shortcuts.openProject }}
-          />
-        )}
-
         <ProjectSelectorWithOptions
           sidebarOpen={sidebarOpen}
           isProjectPickerOpen={isProjectPickerOpen}

apps/ui/src/components/layout/sidebar/components/automaker-logo.tsx

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export function AutomakerLogo({ sidebarOpen, navigate }: AutomakerLogoProps) {
         'flex items-center gap-3 titlebar-no-drag cursor-pointer group',
         !sidebarOpen && 'flex-col gap-1'
       )}
-      onClick={() => navigate({ to: '/' })}
+      onClick={() => navigate({ to: '/dashboard' })}
       data-testid="logo-button"
     >
       {/* Collapsed logo - shown when sidebar is closed OR on small screens when sidebar is open */}

apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view.tsx

@@ -95,6 +95,8 @@ export function BoardView() {
   } = useAppStore();
   // Subscribe to pipelineConfigByProject to trigger re-renders when it changes
   const pipelineConfigByProject = useAppStore((state) => state.pipelineConfigByProject);
+  // Subscribe to worktreePanelVisibleByProject to trigger re-renders when it changes
+  const worktreePanelVisibleByProject = useAppStore((state) => state.worktreePanelVisibleByProject);
   const shortcuts = useKeyboardShortcutsConfig();
   const {
     features: hookFeatures,
@@ -1139,6 +1141,7 @@ export function BoardView() {
       {/* Header */}
       <BoardHeader
         projectName={currentProject.name}
+        projectPath={currentProject.path}
         maxConcurrency={maxConcurrency}
         runningAgentsCount={runningAutoTasks.length}
         onConcurrencyChange={setMaxConcurrency}
@@ -1160,37 +1163,39 @@ export function BoardView() {
         isMounted={isMounted}
       />
 
-      {/* Worktree Panel */}
-      <WorktreePanel
-        refreshTrigger={worktreeRefreshKey}
-        projectPath={currentProject.path}
-        onCreateWorktree={() => setShowCreateWorktreeDialog(true)}
-        onDeleteWorktree={(worktree) => {
-          setSelectedWorktreeForAction(worktree);
-          setShowDeleteWorktreeDialog(true);
-        }}
-        onCommit={(worktree) => {
-          setSelectedWorktreeForAction(worktree);
-          setShowCommitWorktreeDialog(true);
-        }}
-        onCreatePR={(worktree) => {
-          setSelectedWorktreeForAction(worktree);
-          setShowCreatePRDialog(true);
-        }}
-        onCreateBranch={(worktree) => {
-          setSelectedWorktreeForAction(worktree);
-          setShowCreateBranchDialog(true);
-        }}
-        onAddressPRComments={handleAddressPRComments}
-        onResolveConflicts={handleResolveConflicts}
-        onRemovedWorktrees={handleRemovedWorktrees}
-        runningFeatureIds={runningAutoTasks}
-        branchCardCounts={branchCardCounts}
-        features={hookFeatures.map((f) => ({
-          id: f.id,
-          branchName: f.branchName,
-        }))}
-      />
+      {/* Worktree Panel - conditionally rendered based on visibility setting */}
+      {(worktreePanelVisibleByProject[currentProject.path] ?? true) && (
+        <WorktreePanel
+          refreshTrigger={worktreeRefreshKey}
+          projectPath={currentProject.path}
+          onCreateWorktree={() => setShowCreateWorktreeDialog(true)}
+          onDeleteWorktree={(worktree) => {
+            setSelectedWorktreeForAction(worktree);
+            setShowDeleteWorktreeDialog(true);
+          }}
+          onCommit={(worktree) => {
+            setSelectedWorktreeForAction(worktree);
+            setShowCommitWorktreeDialog(true);
+          }}
+          onCreatePR={(worktree) => {
+            setSelectedWorktreeForAction(worktree);
+            setShowCreatePRDialog(true);
+          }}
+          onCreateBranch={(worktree) => {
+            setSelectedWorktreeForAction(worktree);
+            setShowCreateBranchDialog(true);
+          }}
+          onAddressPRComments={handleAddressPRComments}
+          onResolveConflicts={handleResolveConflicts}
+          onRemovedWorktrees={handleRemovedWorktrees}
+          runningFeatureIds={runningAutoTasks}
+          branchCardCounts={branchCardCounts}
+          features={hookFeatures.map((f) => ({
+            id: f.id,
+            branchName: f.branchName,
+          }))}
+        />
+      )}
 
       {/* Main Content Area */}
       <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col overflow-hidden">

apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/board-header.tsx

@@ -1,18 +1,20 @@
-import { useState } from 'react';
+import { useState, useCallback } from 'react';
 import { HotkeyButton } from '@/components/ui/hotkey-button';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
 import { Slider } from '@/components/ui/slider';
 import { Switch } from '@/components/ui/switch';
 import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
-import { Plus, Bot, Wand2, Settings2 } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Plus, Bot, Wand2, Settings2, GitBranch } from 'lucide-react';
 import { KeyboardShortcut } from '@/hooks/use-keyboard-shortcuts';
 import { UsagePopover } from '@/components/usage-popover';
 import { useAppStore } from '@/store/app-store';
 import { useSetupStore } from '@/store/setup-store';
 import { AutoModeSettingsDialog } from './dialogs/auto-mode-settings-dialog';
+import { getHttpApiClient } from '@/lib/http-api-client';
 
 interface BoardHeaderProps {
   projectName: string;
+  projectPath: string;
   maxConcurrency: number;
   runningAgentsCount: number;
   onConcurrencyChange: (value: number) => void;
@@ -30,6 +32,7 @@ const controlContainerClass =
 
 export function BoardHeader({
   projectName,
+  projectPath,
   maxConcurrency,
   runningAgentsCount,
   onConcurrencyChange,
@@ -47,6 +50,29 @@ export function BoardHeader({
   const setSkipVerificationInAutoMode = useAppStore((state) => state.setSkipVerificationInAutoMode);
   const codexAuthStatus = useSetupStore((state) => state.codexAuthStatus);
 
+  // Worktree panel visibility (per-project)
+  const worktreePanelVisibleByProject = useAppStore((state) => state.worktreePanelVisibleByProject);
+  const setWorktreePanelVisible = useAppStore((state) => state.setWorktreePanelVisible);
+  const isWorktreePanelVisible = worktreePanelVisibleByProject[projectPath] ?? true;
+
+  const handleWorktreePanelToggle = useCallback(
+    async (visible: boolean) => {
+      // Update local store
+      setWorktreePanelVisible(projectPath, visible);
+
+      // Persist to server
+      try {
+        const httpClient = getHttpApiClient();
+        await httpClient.settings.updateProject(projectPath, {
+          worktreePanelVisible: visible,
+        });
+      } catch (error) {
+        console.error('Failed to persist worktree panel visibility:', error);
+      }
+    },
+    [projectPath, setWorktreePanelVisible]
+  );
+
   // Claude usage tracking visibility logic
   // Hide when using API key (only show for Claude Code CLI users)
   // Also hide on Windows for now (CLI usage command not supported)
@@ -71,6 +97,22 @@ export function BoardHeader({
         {/* Usage Popover - show if either provider is authenticated */}
         {isMounted && (showClaudeUsage || showCodexUsage) && <UsagePopover />}
 
+        {/* Worktrees Toggle - only show after mount to prevent hydration issues */}
+        {isMounted && (
+          <div className={controlContainerClass} data-testid="worktrees-toggle-container">
+            <GitBranch className="w-4 h-4 text-muted-foreground" />
+            <Label htmlFor="worktrees-toggle" className="text-sm font-medium cursor-pointer">
+              Worktrees
+            </Label>
+            <Switch
+              id="worktrees-toggle"
+              checked={isWorktreePanelVisible}
+              onCheckedChange={handleWorktreePanelToggle}
+              data-testid="worktrees-toggle"
+            />
+          </div>
+        )}
+
         {/* Concurrency Slider - only show after mount to prevent hydration issues */}
         {isMounted && (
           <div className={controlContainerClass} data-testid="concurrency-slider-container">

apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/worktree-panel.tsx

@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
-import { GitBranch, Plus, RefreshCw, PanelLeftOpen, PanelLeftClose } from 'lucide-react';
+import { GitBranch, Plus, RefreshCw } from 'lucide-react';
 import { cn, pathsEqual } from '@/lib/utils';
-import { useAppStore } from '@/store/app-store';
 import type { WorktreePanelProps, WorktreeInfo } from './types';
 import {
   useWorktrees,
@@ -83,12 +82,6 @@ export function WorktreePanel({
     features,
   });
 
-  // Collapse state from store (synced via API)
-  const isCollapsed = useAppStore((s) => s.worktreePanelCollapsed);
-  const setWorktreePanelCollapsed = useAppStore((s) => s.setWorktreePanelCollapsed);
-
-  const toggleCollapsed = () => setWorktreePanelCollapsed(!isCollapsed);
-
   // Periodic interval check (5 seconds) to detect branch changes on disk
   // Reduced from 1s to 5s to minimize GPU/CPU usage from frequent re-renders
   const intervalRef = useRef<NodeJS.Timeout | null>(null);
@@ -104,18 +97,6 @@ export function WorktreePanel({
     };
   }, [fetchWorktrees]);
 
-  // Get the currently selected worktree for collapsed view
-  const selectedWorktree = worktrees.find((w) => {
-    if (
-      currentWorktree === null ||
-      currentWorktree === undefined ||
-      currentWorktree.path === null
-    ) {
-      return w.isMain;
-    }
-    return pathsEqual(w.path, currentWorktreePath);
-  });
-
   const isWorktreeSelected = (worktree: WorktreeInfo) => {
     return worktree.isMain
       ? currentWorktree === null || currentWorktree === undefined || currentWorktree.path === null
@@ -138,44 +119,8 @@ export function WorktreePanel({
   const mainWorktree = worktrees.find((w) => w.isMain);
   const nonMainWorktrees = worktrees.filter((w) => !w.isMain);
 
-  // Collapsed view - just show current branch and toggle
-  if (isCollapsed) {
-    return (
-      <div className="flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-1.5 border-b border-border bg-glass/50 backdrop-blur-sm">
-        <Button
-          variant="ghost"
-          size="sm"
-          className="h-6 w-6 p-0 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground"
-          onClick={toggleCollapsed}
-          title="Expand worktree panel"
-        >
-          <PanelLeftOpen className="w-4 h-4" />
-        </Button>
-        <GitBranch className="w-4 h-4 text-muted-foreground" />
-        <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">Branch:</span>
-        <span className="text-sm font-mono font-medium">{selectedWorktree?.branch ?? 'main'}</span>
-        {selectedWorktree?.hasChanges && (
-          <span className="inline-flex items-center justify-center h-4 min-w-[1rem] px-1 text-[10px] font-medium rounded border bg-amber-500/20 text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-400 border-amber-500/30">
-            {selectedWorktree.changedFilesCount ?? '!'}
-          </span>
-        )}
-      </div>
-    );
-  }
-
-  // Expanded view - full worktree panel
   return (
     <div className="flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 border-b border-border bg-glass/50 backdrop-blur-sm">
-      <Button
-        variant="ghost"
-        size="sm"
-        className="h-6 w-6 p-0 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground"
-        onClick={toggleCollapsed}
-        title="Collapse worktree panel"
-      >
-        <PanelLeftClose className="w-4 h-4" />
-      </Button>
-
       <GitBranch className="w-4 h-4 text-muted-foreground" />
       <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground mr-2">Branch:</span>
 

apps/ui/src/components/views/dashboard-view.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,885 @@
+import { useState, useCallback } from 'react';
+import { createLogger } from '@automaker/utils/logger';
+import { useNavigate } from '@tanstack/react-router';
+import { useAppStore, type ThemeMode } from '@/store/app-store';
+import { useOSDetection } from '@/hooks/use-os-detection';
+import { getElectronAPI, isElectron } from '@/lib/electron';
+import { initializeProject } from '@/lib/project-init';
+import { getHttpApiClient } from '@/lib/http-api-client';
+import { isMac } from '@/lib/utils';
+import { toast } from 'sonner';
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
+import { NewProjectModal } from '@/components/dialogs/new-project-modal';
+import { WorkspacePickerModal } from '@/components/dialogs/workspace-picker-modal';
+import type { StarterTemplate } from '@/lib/templates';
+import {
+  FolderOpen,
+  Plus,
+  Folder,
+  Star,
+  Clock,
+  Loader2,
+  ChevronDown,
+  MessageSquare,
+  Settings,
+  MoreVertical,
+  Trash2,
+} from 'lucide-react';
+import {
+  DropdownMenu,
+  DropdownMenuContent,
+  DropdownMenuItem,
+  DropdownMenuTrigger,
+} from '@/components/ui/dropdown-menu';
+import {
+  Dialog,
+  DialogContent,
+  DialogDescription,
+  DialogFooter,
+  DialogHeader,
+  DialogTitle,
+} from '@/components/ui/dialog';
+
+const logger = createLogger('DashboardView');
+
+function getOSAbbreviation(os: string): string {
+  switch (os) {
+    case 'mac':
+      return 'M';
+    case 'windows':
+      return 'W';
+    case 'linux':
+      return 'L';
+    default:
+      return '?';
+  }
+}
+
+export function DashboardView() {
+  const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const { os } = useOSDetection();
+  const appVersion = typeof __APP_VERSION__ !== 'undefined' ? __APP_VERSION__ : '0.0.0';
+  const appMode = import.meta.env.VITE_APP_MODE || '?';
+  const versionSuffix = `${getOSAbbreviation(os)}${appMode}`;
+
+  const {
+    projects,
+    trashedProjects,
+    currentProject,
+    upsertAndSetCurrentProject,
+    addProject,
+    setCurrentProject,
+    toggleProjectFavorite,
+    moveProjectToTrash,
+    theme: globalTheme,
+  } = useAppStore();
+
+  const [showNewProjectModal, setShowNewProjectModal] = useState(false);
+  const [showWorkspacePicker, setShowWorkspacePicker] = useState(false);
+  const [isCreating, setIsCreating] = useState(false);
+  const [isOpening, setIsOpening] = useState(false);
+  const [projectToRemove, setProjectToRemove] = useState<{ id: string; name: string } | null>(null);
+
+  // Sort projects: favorites first, then by last opened
+  const sortedProjects = [...projects].sort((a, b) => {
+    // Favorites first
+    if (a.isFavorite && !b.isFavorite) return -1;
+    if (!a.isFavorite && b.isFavorite) return 1;
+    // Then by last opened
+    const dateA = a.lastOpened ? new Date(a.lastOpened).getTime() : 0;
+    const dateB = b.lastOpened ? new Date(b.lastOpened).getTime() : 0;
+    return dateB - dateA;
+  });
+
+  const favoriteProjects = sortedProjects.filter((p) => p.isFavorite);
+  const recentProjects = sortedProjects.filter((p) => !p.isFavorite);
+
+  /**
+   * Initialize project and navigate to board
+   */
+  const initializeAndOpenProject = useCallback(
+    async (path: string, name: string) => {
+      setIsOpening(true);
+      try {
+        const initResult = await initializeProject(path);
+
+        if (!initResult.success) {
+          toast.error('Failed to initialize project', {
+            description: initResult.error || 'Unknown error occurred',
+          });
+          return;
+        }
+
+        const trashedProject = trashedProjects.find((p) => p.path === path);
+        const effectiveTheme =
+          (trashedProject?.theme as ThemeMode | undefined) ||
+          (currentProject?.theme as ThemeMode | undefined) ||
+          globalTheme;
+        upsertAndSetCurrentProject(path, name, effectiveTheme);
+
+        toast.success('Project opened', {
+          description: `Opened ${name}`,
+        });
+
+        navigate({ to: '/board' });
+      } catch (error) {
+        logger.error('[Dashboard] Failed to open project:', error);
+        toast.error('Failed to open project', {
+          description: error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error',
+        });
+      } finally {
+        setIsOpening(false);
+      }
+    },
+    [trashedProjects, currentProject, globalTheme, upsertAndSetCurrentProject, navigate]
+  );
+
+  const handleOpenProject = useCallback(async () => {
+    try {
+      const httpClient = getHttpApiClient();
+      const configResult = await httpClient.workspace.getConfig();
+
+      if (configResult.success && configResult.configured) {
+        setShowWorkspacePicker(true);
+      } else {
+        const api = getElectronAPI();
+        const result = await api.openDirectory();
+
+        if (!result.canceled && result.filePaths[0]) {
+          const path = result.filePaths[0];
+          const name = path.split(/[/\\]/).filter(Boolean).pop() || 'Untitled Project';
+          await initializeAndOpenProject(path, name);
+        }
+      }
+    } catch (error) {
+      logger.error('[Dashboard] Failed to check workspace config:', error);
+      const api = getElectronAPI();
+      const result = await api.openDirectory();
+
+      if (!result.canceled && result.filePaths[0]) {
+        const path = result.filePaths[0];
+        const name = path.split(/[/\\]/).filter(Boolean).pop() || 'Untitled Project';
+        await initializeAndOpenProject(path, name);
+      }
+    }
+  }, [initializeAndOpenProject]);
+
+  const handleWorkspaceSelect = useCallback(
+    async (path: string, name: string) => {
+      setShowWorkspacePicker(false);
+      await initializeAndOpenProject(path, name);
+    },
+    [initializeAndOpenProject]
+  );
+
+  const handleProjectClick = useCallback(
+    async (project: { id: string; name: string; path: string }) => {
+      await initializeAndOpenProject(project.path, project.name);
+    },
+    [initializeAndOpenProject]
+  );
+
+  const handleToggleFavorite = useCallback(
+    (e: React.MouseEvent, projectId: string) => {
+      e.stopPropagation();
+      toggleProjectFavorite(projectId);
+    },
+    [toggleProjectFavorite]
+  );
+
+  const handleRemoveProject = useCallback(
+    (e: React.MouseEvent, project: { id: string; name: string }) => {
+      e.stopPropagation();
+      setProjectToRemove(project);
+    },
+    []
+  );
+
+  const handleConfirmRemove = useCallback(() => {
+    if (projectToRemove) {
+      moveProjectToTrash(projectToRemove.id);
+      toast.success('Project removed', {
+        description: `${projectToRemove.name} has been removed from your projects list`,
+      });
+      setProjectToRemove(null);
+    }
+  }, [projectToRemove, moveProjectToTrash]);
+
+  const handleNewProject = () => {
+    setShowNewProjectModal(true);
+  };
+
+  const handleInteractiveMode = () => {
+    navigate({ to: '/interview' });
+  };
+
+  const handleCreateBlankProject = async (projectName: string, parentDir: string) => {
+    setIsCreating(true);
+    try {
+      const api = getElectronAPI();
+      const projectPath = `${parentDir}/${projectName}`;
+
+      const parentExists = await api.exists(parentDir);
+      if (!parentExists) {
+        toast.error('Parent directory does not exist', {
+          description: `Cannot create project in non-existent directory: ${parentDir}`,
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const parentStat = await api.stat(parentDir);
+      if (parentStat && !parentStat.stats?.isDirectory) {
+        toast.error('Parent path is not a directory', {
+          description: `${parentDir} is not a directory`,
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const mkdirResult = await api.mkdir(projectPath);
+      if (!mkdirResult.success) {
+        toast.error('Failed to create project directory', {
+          description: mkdirResult.error || 'Unknown error occurred',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const initResult = await initializeProject(projectPath);
+      if (!initResult.success) {
+        toast.error('Failed to initialize project', {
+          description: initResult.error || 'Unknown error occurred',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      await api.writeFile(
+        `${projectPath}/.automaker/app_spec.txt`,
+        `<project_specification>
+  <project_name>${projectName}</project_name>
+
+  <overview>
+    Describe your project here. This file will be analyzed by an AI agent
+    to understand your project structure and tech stack.
+  </overview>
+
+  <technology_stack>
+    <!-- The AI agent will fill this in after analyzing your project -->
+  </technology_stack>
+
+  <core_capabilities>
+    <!-- List core features and capabilities -->
+  </core_capabilities>
+
+  <implemented_features>
+    <!-- The AI agent will populate this based on code analysis -->
+  </implemented_features>
+</project_specification>`
+      );
+
+      const project = {
+        id: `project-${Date.now()}`,
+        name: projectName,
+        path: projectPath,
+        lastOpened: new Date().toISOString(),
+      };
+
+      addProject(project);
+      setCurrentProject(project);
+      setShowNewProjectModal(false);
+
+      toast.success('Project created', {
+        description: `Created ${projectName}`,
+      });
+
+      navigate({ to: '/board' });
+    } catch (error) {
+      logger.error('Failed to create project:', error);
+      toast.error('Failed to create project', {
+        description: error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error',
+      });
+    } finally {
+      setIsCreating(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleCreateFromTemplate = async (
+    template: StarterTemplate,
+    projectName: string,
+    parentDir: string
+  ) => {
+    setIsCreating(true);
+    try {
+      const httpClient = getHttpApiClient();
+      const api = getElectronAPI();
+
+      const cloneResult = await httpClient.templates.clone(
+        template.repoUrl,
+        projectName,
+        parentDir
+      );
+      if (!cloneResult.success || !cloneResult.projectPath) {
+        toast.error('Failed to clone template', {
+          description: cloneResult.error || 'Unknown error occurred',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const projectPath = cloneResult.projectPath;
+      const initResult = await initializeProject(projectPath);
+      if (!initResult.success) {
+        toast.error('Failed to initialize project', {
+          description: initResult.error || 'Unknown error occurred',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      await api.writeFile(
+        `${projectPath}/.automaker/app_spec.txt`,
+        `<project_specification>
+  <project_name>${projectName}</project_name>
+
+  <overview>
+    This project was created from the "${template.name}" starter template.
+    ${template.description}
+  </overview>
+
+  <technology_stack>
+    ${template.techStack.map((tech) => `<technology>${tech}</technology>`).join('\n    ')}
+  </technology_stack>
+
+  <core_capabilities>
+    ${template.features.map((feature) => `<capability>${feature}</capability>`).join('\n    ')}
+  </core_capabilities>
+
+  <implemented_features>
+    <!-- The AI agent will populate this based on code analysis -->
+  </implemented_features>
+</project_specification>`
+      );
+
+      const project = {
+        id: `project-${Date.now()}`,
+        name: projectName,
+        path: projectPath,
+        lastOpened: new Date().toISOString(),
+      };
+
+      addProject(project);
+      setCurrentProject(project);
+      setShowNewProjectModal(false);
+
+      toast.success('Project created from template', {
+        description: `Created ${projectName} from ${template.name}`,
+      });
+
+      navigate({ to: '/board' });
+    } catch (error) {
+      logger.error('Failed to create project from template:', error);
+      toast.error('Failed to create project', {
+        description: error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error',
+      });
+    } finally {
+      setIsCreating(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleCreateFromCustomUrl = async (
+    repoUrl: string,
+    projectName: string,
+    parentDir: string
+  ) => {
+    setIsCreating(true);
+    try {
+      const httpClient = getHttpApiClient();
+      const api = getElectronAPI();
+
+      const cloneResult = await httpClient.templates.clone(repoUrl, projectName, parentDir);
+      if (!cloneResult.success || !cloneResult.projectPath) {
+        toast.error('Failed to clone repository', {
+          description: cloneResult.error || 'Unknown error occurred',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const projectPath = cloneResult.projectPath;
+      const initResult = await initializeProject(projectPath);
+      if (!initResult.success) {
+        toast.error('Failed to initialize project', {
+          description: initResult.error || 'Unknown error occurred',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      await api.writeFile(
+        `${projectPath}/.automaker/app_spec.txt`,
+        `<project_specification>
+  <project_name>${projectName}</project_name>
+
+  <overview>
+    This project was cloned from ${repoUrl}.
+    The AI agent will analyze the project structure.
+  </overview>
+
+  <technology_stack>
+    <!-- The AI agent will fill this in after analyzing your project -->
+  </technology_stack>
+
+  <core_capabilities>
+    <!-- List core features and capabilities -->
+  </core_capabilities>
+
+  <implemented_features>
+    <!-- The AI agent will populate this based on code analysis -->
+  </implemented_features>
+</project_specification>`
+      );
+
+      const project = {
+        id: `project-${Date.now()}`,
+        name: projectName,
+        path: projectPath,
+        lastOpened: new Date().toISOString(),
+      };
+
+      addProject(project);
+      setCurrentProject(project);
+      setShowNewProjectModal(false);
+
+      toast.success('Project created from repository', {
+        description: `Created ${projectName}`,
+      });
+
+      navigate({ to: '/board' });
+    } catch (error) {
+      logger.error('Failed to create project from custom URL:', error);
+      toast.error('Failed to create project', {
+        description: error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error',
+      });
+    } finally {
+      setIsCreating(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const hasProjects = projects.length > 0;
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col h-screen content-bg" data-testid="dashboard-view">
+      {/* Header with logo */}
+      <header className="shrink-0 border-b border-border bg-glass backdrop-blur-md">
+        {/* Electron titlebar drag region */}
+        {isElectron() && (
+          <div
+            className={`absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-6 titlebar-drag-region z-40 pointer-events-none ${isMac ? 'pl-20' : ''}`}
+            aria-hidden="true"
+          />
+        )}
+        <div className="px-8 py-4 flex items-center justify-between">
+          <div
+            className="flex items-center gap-3 cursor-pointer group titlebar-no-drag"
+            onClick={() => navigate({ to: '/dashboard' })}
+          >
+            <svg
+              xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+              viewBox="0 0 256 256"
+              role="img"
+              aria-label="Automaker Logo"
+              className="size-10 group-hover:rotate-12 transition-transform duration-300 ease-out"
+            >
+              <defs>
+                <linearGradient
+                  id="bg-dashboard"
+                  x1="0"
+                  y1="0"
+                  x2="256"
+                  y2="256"
+                  gradientUnits="userSpaceOnUse"
+                >
+                  <stop offset="0%" style={{ stopColor: 'var(--brand-400)' }} />
+                  <stop offset="100%" style={{ stopColor: 'var(--brand-600)' }} />
+                </linearGradient>
+                <filter id="iconShadow-dashboard" x="-20%" y="-20%" width="140%" height="140%">
+                  <feDropShadow
+                    dx="0"
+                    dy="4"
+                    stdDeviation="4"
+                    floodColor="#000000"
+                    floodOpacity="0.25"
+                  />
+                </filter>
+              </defs>
+              <rect x="16" y="16" width="224" height="224" rx="56" fill="url(#bg-dashboard)" />
+              <g
+                fill="none"
+                stroke="#FFFFFF"
+                strokeWidth="20"
+                strokeLinecap="round"
+                strokeLinejoin="round"
+                filter="url(#iconShadow-dashboard)"
+              >
+                <path d="M92 92 L52 128 L92 164" />
+                <path d="M144 72 L116 184" />
+                <path d="M164 92 L204 128 L164 164" />
+              </g>
+            </svg>
+            <div className="flex flex-col">
+              <span className="font-bold text-foreground text-2xl tracking-tight leading-none">
+                automaker<span className="text-brand-500">.</span>
+              </span>
+              <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground leading-none font-medium mt-1">
+                v{appVersion} {versionSuffix}
+              </span>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+          <Button
+            variant="ghost"
+            size="icon"
+            onClick={() => navigate({ to: '/settings' })}
+            className="titlebar-no-drag"
+          >
+            <Settings className="w-5 h-5" />
+          </Button>
+        </div>
+      </header>
+
+      {/* Main content */}
+      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-8">
+        <div className="max-w-6xl mx-auto">
+          {/* No projects - show getting started */}
+          {!hasProjects && (
+            <div className="animate-in fade-in slide-in-from-bottom-4 duration-500">
+              <div className="text-center mb-12">
+                <h2 className="text-3xl font-bold text-foreground mb-3">Welcome to Automaker</h2>
+                <p className="text-lg text-muted-foreground max-w-xl mx-auto">
+                  Your autonomous AI development studio. Get started by creating a new project or
+                  opening an existing one.
+                </p>
+              </div>
+
+              <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-6 max-w-3xl mx-auto">
+                {/* New Project Card */}
+                <div
+                  className="group relative rounded-xl border border-border bg-card/80 backdrop-blur-sm hover:bg-card hover:border-brand-500/30 hover:shadow-xl hover:shadow-brand-500/5 transition-all duration-300 hover:-translate-y-1"
+                  data-testid="new-project-card"
+                >
+                  <div className="absolute inset-0 rounded-xl bg-linear-to-br from-brand-500/5 via-transparent to-purple-600/5 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 transition-opacity duration-300" />
+                  <div className="relative p-6 h-full flex flex-col">
+                    <div className="flex items-start gap-4 flex-1">
+                      <div className="w-12 h-12 rounded-xl bg-linear-to-br from-brand-500 to-brand-600 shadow-lg shadow-brand-500/25 flex items-center justify-center group-hover:scale-105 group-hover:shadow-brand-500/40 transition-all duration-300 shrink-0">
+                        <Plus className="w-6 h-6 text-white" />
+                      </div>
+                      <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+                        <h3 className="text-lg font-semibold text-foreground mb-1.5">
+                          New Project
+                        </h3>
+                        <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed">
+                          Create a new project from scratch with AI-powered development
+                        </p>
+                      </div>
+                    </div>
+                    <DropdownMenu>
+                      <DropdownMenuTrigger asChild>
+                        <Button
+                          className="w-full mt-5 bg-linear-to-r from-brand-500 to-brand-600 hover:from-brand-600 hover:to-brand-700 text-white border-0 shadow-md shadow-brand-500/20 hover:shadow-brand-500/30 transition-all"
+                          data-testid="create-new-project"
+                        >
+                          <Plus className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
+                          Create Project
+                          <ChevronDown className="w-4 h-4 ml-2" />
+                        </Button>
+                      </DropdownMenuTrigger>
+                      <DropdownMenuContent align="end" className="w-56">
+                        <DropdownMenuItem
+                          onClick={handleNewProject}
+                          data-testid="quick-setup-option"
+                        >
+                          <Plus className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
+                          Quick Setup
+                        </DropdownMenuItem>
+                        <DropdownMenuItem
+                          onClick={handleInteractiveMode}
+                          data-testid="interactive-mode-option"
+                        >
+                          <MessageSquare className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
+                          Interactive Mode
+                        </DropdownMenuItem>
+                      </DropdownMenuContent>
+                    </DropdownMenu>
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+
+                {/* Open Project Card */}
+                <div
+                  className="group relative rounded-xl border border-border bg-card/80 backdrop-blur-sm hover:bg-card hover:border-blue-500/30 hover:shadow-xl hover:shadow-blue-500/5 transition-all duration-300 cursor-pointer hover:-translate-y-1"
+                  onClick={handleOpenProject}
+                  data-testid="open-project-card"
+                >
+                  <div className="absolute inset-0 rounded-xl bg-linear-to-br from-blue-500/5 via-transparent to-cyan-600/5 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 transition-opacity duration-300" />
+                  <div className="relative p-6 h-full flex flex-col">
+                    <div className="flex items-start gap-4 flex-1">
+                      <div className="w-12 h-12 rounded-xl bg-muted border border-border flex items-center justify-center group-hover:bg-blue-500/10 group-hover:border-blue-500/30 group-hover:scale-105 transition-all duration-300 shrink-0">
+                        <FolderOpen className="w-6 h-6 text-muted-foreground group-hover:text-blue-500 transition-colors duration-300" />
+                      </div>
+                      <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+                        <h3 className="text-lg font-semibold text-foreground mb-1.5">
+                          Open Project
+                        </h3>
+                        <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed">
+                          Open an existing project folder to continue working
+                        </p>
+                      </div>
+                    </div>
+                    <Button
+                      variant="secondary"
+                      className="w-full mt-5 bg-secondary/80 hover:bg-secondary text-foreground border border-border hover:border-blue-500/30 transition-all"
+                      data-testid="open-existing-project"
+                    >
+                      <FolderOpen className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
+                      Browse Folder
+                    </Button>
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          )}
+
+          {/* Has projects - show project list */}
+          {hasProjects && (
+            <div className="space-y-8 animate-in fade-in slide-in-from-bottom-4 duration-500">
+              {/* Quick actions header */}
+              <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+                <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold text-foreground">Your Projects</h2>
+                <div className="flex gap-2">
+                  <Button variant="outline" onClick={handleOpenProject}>
+                    <FolderOpen className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
+                    Open Folder
+                  </Button>
+                  <DropdownMenu>
+                    <DropdownMenuTrigger asChild>
+                      <Button className="bg-linear-to-r from-brand-500 to-brand-600 hover:from-brand-600 hover:to-brand-700 text-white">
+                        <Plus className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
+                        New Project
+                        <ChevronDown className="w-4 h-4 ml-2" />
+                      </Button>
+                    </DropdownMenuTrigger>
+                    <DropdownMenuContent align="end" className="w-56">
+                      <DropdownMenuItem onClick={handleNewProject}>
+                        <Plus className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
+                        Quick Setup
+                      </DropdownMenuItem>
+                      <DropdownMenuItem onClick={handleInteractiveMode}>
+                        <MessageSquare className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
+                        Interactive Mode
+                      </DropdownMenuItem>
+                    </DropdownMenuContent>
+                  </DropdownMenu>
+                </div>
+              </div>
+
+              {/* Favorites section */}
+              {favoriteProjects.length > 0 && (
+                <div>
+                  <div className="flex items-center gap-2.5 mb-4">
+                    <div className="w-8 h-8 rounded-lg bg-yellow-500/10 flex items-center justify-center">
+                      <Star className="w-4 h-4 text-yellow-500 fill-yellow-500" />
+                    </div>
+                    <h3 className="text-lg font-semibold text-foreground">Favorites</h3>
+                  </div>
+                  <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-4">
+                    {favoriteProjects.map((project) => (
+                      <div
+                        key={project.id}
+                        className="group relative rounded-xl border border-yellow-500/30 bg-card/60 backdrop-blur-sm hover:bg-card hover:border-yellow-500/50 hover:shadow-lg hover:shadow-yellow-500/5 transition-all duration-300 cursor-pointer hover:-translate-y-0.5"
+                        onClick={() => handleProjectClick(project)}
+                        data-testid={`project-card-${project.id}`}
+                      >
+                        <div className="absolute inset-0 rounded-xl bg-linear-to-br from-yellow-500/5 to-amber-600/5 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 transition-all duration-300" />
+                        <div className="relative p-4">
+                          <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
+                            <div className="w-10 h-10 rounded-lg bg-yellow-500/10 border border-yellow-500/30 flex items-center justify-center group-hover:bg-yellow-500/20 transition-all duration-300 shrink-0">
+                              <Folder className="w-5 h-5 text-yellow-500" />
+                            </div>
+                            <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+                              <p className="font-medium text-foreground truncate group-hover:text-yellow-500 transition-colors duration-300">
+                                {project.name}
+                              </p>
+                              <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground/70 truncate mt-1">
+                                {project.path}
+                              </p>
+                              {project.lastOpened && (
+                                <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mt-1.5">
+                                  {new Date(project.lastOpened).toLocaleDateString()}
+                                </p>
+                              )}
+                            </div>
+                            <div className="flex items-center gap-1">
+                              <button
+                                onClick={(e) => handleToggleFavorite(e, project.id)}
+                                className="p-1.5 rounded-lg hover:bg-yellow-500/20 transition-colors"
+                                title="Remove from favorites"
+                              >
+                                <Star className="w-4 h-4 text-yellow-500 fill-yellow-500" />
+                              </button>
+                              <DropdownMenu>
+                                <DropdownMenuTrigger asChild>
+                                  <button
+                                    onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
+                                    className="p-1.5 rounded-lg hover:bg-muted transition-colors opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100"
+                                    title="More options"
+                                  >
+                                    <MoreVertical className="w-4 h-4 text-muted-foreground" />
+                                  </button>
+                                </DropdownMenuTrigger>
+                                <DropdownMenuContent align="end">
+                                  <DropdownMenuItem
+                                    onClick={(e) => handleRemoveProject(e, project)}
+                                    className="text-destructive focus:text-destructive"
+                                  >
+                                    <Trash2 className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
+                                    Remove from Automaker
+                                  </DropdownMenuItem>
+                                </DropdownMenuContent>
+                              </DropdownMenu>
+                            </div>
+                          </div>
+                        </div>
+                      </div>
+                    ))}
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+              )}
+
+              {/* Recent projects section */}
+              {recentProjects.length > 0 && (
+                <div>
+                  <div className="flex items-center gap-2.5 mb-4">
+                    <div className="w-8 h-8 rounded-lg bg-muted/50 flex items-center justify-center">
+                      <Clock className="w-4 h-4 text-muted-foreground" />
+                    </div>
+                    <h3 className="text-lg font-semibold text-foreground">Recent Projects</h3>
+                  </div>
+                  <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-4">
+                    {recentProjects.map((project) => (
+                      <div
+                        key={project.id}
+                        className="group relative rounded-xl border border-border bg-card/60 backdrop-blur-sm hover:bg-card hover:border-brand-500/40 hover:shadow-lg hover:shadow-brand-500/5 transition-all duration-300 cursor-pointer hover:-translate-y-0.5"
+                        onClick={() => handleProjectClick(project)}
+                        data-testid={`project-card-${project.id}`}
+                      >
+                        <div className="absolute inset-0 rounded-xl bg-linear-to-br from-brand-500/0 to-purple-600/0 group-hover:from-brand-500/5 group-hover:to-purple-600/5 transition-all duration-300" />
+                        <div className="relative p-4">
+                          <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
+                            <div className="w-10 h-10 rounded-lg bg-muted/80 border border-border flex items-center justify-center group-hover:bg-brand-500/10 group-hover:border-brand-500/30 transition-all duration-300 shrink-0">
+                              <Folder className="w-5 h-5 text-muted-foreground group-hover:text-brand-500 transition-colors duration-300" />
+                            </div>
+                            <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+                              <p className="font-medium text-foreground truncate group-hover:text-brand-500 transition-colors duration-300">
+                                {project.name}
+                              </p>
+                              <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground/70 truncate mt-1">
+                                {project.path}
+                              </p>
+                              {project.lastOpened && (
+                                <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mt-1.5">
+                                  {new Date(project.lastOpened).toLocaleDateString()}
+                                </p>
+                              )}
+                            </div>
+                            <div className="flex items-center gap-1">
+                              <button
+                                onClick={(e) => handleToggleFavorite(e, project.id)}
+                                className="p-1.5 rounded-lg hover:bg-muted transition-colors opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100"
+                                title="Add to favorites"
+                              >
+                                <Star className="w-4 h-4 text-muted-foreground hover:text-yellow-500" />
+                              </button>
+                              <DropdownMenu>
+                                <DropdownMenuTrigger asChild>
+                                  <button
+                                    onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
+                                    className="p-1.5 rounded-lg hover:bg-muted transition-colors opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100"
+                                    title="More options"
+                                  >
+                                    <MoreVertical className="w-4 h-4 text-muted-foreground" />
+                                  </button>
+                                </DropdownMenuTrigger>
+                                <DropdownMenuContent align="end">
+                                  <DropdownMenuItem
+                                    onClick={(e) => handleRemoveProject(e, project)}
+                                    className="text-destructive focus:text-destructive"
+                                  >
+                                    <Trash2 className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
+                                    Remove from Automaker
+                                  </DropdownMenuItem>
+                                </DropdownMenuContent>
+                              </DropdownMenu>
+                            </div>
+                          </div>
+                        </div>
+                      </div>
+                    ))}
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+              )}
+            </div>
+          )}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Modals */}
+      <NewProjectModal
+        open={showNewProjectModal}
+        onOpenChange={setShowNewProjectModal}
+        onCreateBlankProject={handleCreateBlankProject}
+        onCreateFromTemplate={handleCreateFromTemplate}
+        onCreateFromCustomUrl={handleCreateFromCustomUrl}
+        isCreating={isCreating}
+      />
+
+      <WorkspacePickerModal
+        open={showWorkspacePicker}
+        onOpenChange={setShowWorkspacePicker}
+        onSelect={handleWorkspaceSelect}
+      />
+
+      {/* Remove project confirmation dialog */}
+      <Dialog open={!!projectToRemove} onOpenChange={(open) => !open && setProjectToRemove(null)}>
+        <DialogContent className="sm:max-w-md">
+          <DialogHeader>
+            <DialogTitle>Remove Project</DialogTitle>
+            <DialogDescription>
+              Are you sure you want to remove <strong>{projectToRemove?.name}</strong> from
+              Automaker?
+            </DialogDescription>
+          </DialogHeader>
+          <div className="py-4">
+            <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+              This will only remove the project from your Automaker projects list. The project files
+              on your computer will not be deleted.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+          <DialogFooter>
+            <Button variant="outline" onClick={() => setProjectToRemove(null)}>
+              Cancel
+            </Button>
+            <Button variant="destructive" onClick={handleConfirmRemove}>
+              <Trash2 className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
+              Remove Project
+            </Button>
+          </DialogFooter>
+        </DialogContent>
+      </Dialog>
+
+      {/* Loading overlay */}
+      {isOpening && (
+        <div
+          className="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-background/80 backdrop-blur-sm"
+          data-testid="project-opening-overlay"
+        >
+          <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-4 p-8 rounded-2xl bg-card border border-border shadow-2xl">
+            <Loader2 className="w-10 h-10 text-brand-500 animate-spin" />
+            <p className="text-foreground font-medium">Opening project...</p>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}

apps/ui/src/components/views/setup-view.tsx

@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ export function SetupView() {
   const handleFinish = () => {
     logger.debug('[Setup Flow] handleFinish called - completing setup');
     completeSetup();
-    logger.debug('[Setup Flow] Setup completed, redirecting to welcome view');
-    navigate({ to: '/' });
+    logger.debug('[Setup Flow] Setup completed, redirecting to dashboard');
+    navigate({ to: '/dashboard' });
   };
 
   return (

apps/ui/src/hooks/use-project-settings-loader.ts

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export function useProjectSettingsLoader() {
   const setCardBorderEnabled = useAppStore((state) => state.setCardBorderEnabled);
   const setCardBorderOpacity = useAppStore((state) => state.setCardBorderOpacity);
   const setHideScrollbar = useAppStore((state) => state.setHideScrollbar);
+  const setWorktreePanelVisible = useAppStore((state) => state.setWorktreePanelVisible);
 
   const loadingRef = useRef<string | null>(null);
   const currentProjectRef = useRef<string | null>(null);
@@ -72,6 +73,11 @@ export function useProjectSettingsLoader() {
               (setter as (path: string, val: typeof value) => void)(requestedProjectPath, value);
             }
           }
+
+          // Apply worktreePanelVisible if present
+          if (result.settings.worktreePanelVisible !== undefined) {
+            setWorktreePanelVisible(requestedProjectPath, result.settings.worktreePanelVisible);
+          }
         }
       } catch (error) {
         console.error('Failed to load project settings:', error);

apps/ui/src/hooks/use-settings-migration.ts

@@ -504,6 +504,7 @@ export function hydrateStoreFromSettings(settings: GlobalSettings): void {
     path: ref.path,
     lastOpened: ref.lastOpened,
     theme: ref.theme,
+    isFavorite: ref.isFavorite,
     features: [], // Features are loaded separately when project is opened
   }));
 

apps/ui/src/lib/electron.ts

@@ -3003,6 +3003,7 @@ export interface Project {
   path: string;
   lastOpened?: string;
   theme?: string; // Per-project theme override (uses ThemeMode from app-store)
+  isFavorite?: boolean; // Pin project to top of dashboard
 }
 
 export interface TrashedProject extends Project {

apps/ui/src/lib/http-api-client.ts

@@ -1951,6 +1951,7 @@ export class HttpApiClient implements ElectronAPI {
           cardBorderOpacity: number;
           hideScrollbar: boolean;
         };
+        worktreePanelVisible?: boolean;
         lastSelectedSessionId?: string;
       };
       error?: string;

apps/ui/src/routes/__root.tsx

@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ function RootLayoutContent() {
   const isSetupRoute = location.pathname === '/setup';
   const isLoginRoute = location.pathname === '/login';
   const isLoggedOutRoute = location.pathname === '/logged-out';
+  const isDashboardRoute = location.pathname === '/dashboard';
 
   // Sandbox environment check state
   type SandboxStatus = 'pending' | 'containerized' | 'needs-confirmation' | 'denied' | 'confirmed';
@@ -389,9 +390,9 @@ function RootLayoutContent() {
       return;
     }
 
-    // Setup complete but user is still on /setup -> go to app
+    // Setup complete but user is still on /setup -> go to dashboard
     if (setupComplete && location.pathname === '/setup') {
-      navigate({ to: '/' });
+      navigate({ to: '/dashboard' });
     }
   }, [authChecked, isAuthenticated, setupComplete, location.pathname, navigate]);
 
@@ -425,10 +426,16 @@ function RootLayoutContent() {
     testConnection();
   }, [setIpcConnected]);
 
-  // Restore to board view if a project was previously open
+  // Redirect from welcome page based on project state
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (isMounted && currentProject && location.pathname === '/') {
-      navigate({ to: '/board' });
+    if (isMounted && location.pathname === '/') {
+      if (currentProject) {
+        // Project is selected, go to board
+        navigate({ to: '/board' });
+      } else {
+        // No project selected, go to dashboard
+        navigate({ to: '/dashboard' });
+      }
     }
   }, [isMounted, currentProject, location.pathname, navigate]);
 
@@ -514,6 +521,23 @@ function RootLayoutContent() {
     );
   }
 
+  // Show dashboard page (full screen, no sidebar) - authenticated only
+  if (isDashboardRoute) {
+    return (
+      <>
+        <main className="h-screen overflow-hidden" data-testid="app-container">
+          <Outlet />
+          <Toaster richColors position="bottom-right" />
+        </main>
+        <SandboxRiskDialog
+          open={showSandboxDialog}
+          onConfirm={handleSandboxConfirm}
+          onDeny={handleSandboxDeny}
+        />
+      </>
+    );
+  }
+
   return (
     <>
       <main className="flex h-screen overflow-hidden" data-testid="app-container">

apps/ui/src/routes/dashboard.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router';
+import { DashboardView } from '@/components/views/dashboard-view';
+
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/dashboard')({
+  component: DashboardView,
+});

apps/ui/src/store/app-store.ts

@@ -656,6 +656,10 @@ export interface AppState {
   // Pipeline Configuration (per-project, keyed by project path)
   pipelineConfigByProject: Record<string, PipelineConfig>;
 
+  // Worktree Panel Visibility (per-project, keyed by project path)
+  // Whether the worktree panel row is visible (default: true)
+  worktreePanelVisibleByProject: Record<string, boolean>;
+
   // UI State (previously in localStorage, now synced via API)
   /** Whether worktree panel is collapsed in board view */
   worktreePanelCollapsed: boolean;
@@ -816,6 +820,7 @@ export interface AppActions {
   cyclePrevProject: () => void; // Cycle back through project history (Q)
   cycleNextProject: () => void; // Cycle forward through project history (E)
   clearProjectHistory: () => void; // Clear history, keeping only current project
+  toggleProjectFavorite: (projectId: string) => void; // Toggle project favorite status
 
   // View actions
   setCurrentView: (view: ViewMode) => void;
@@ -1062,6 +1067,10 @@ export interface AppActions {
   deletePipelineStep: (projectPath: string, stepId: string) => void;
   reorderPipelineSteps: (projectPath: string, stepIds: string[]) => void;
 
+  // Worktree Panel Visibility actions (per-project)
+  setWorktreePanelVisible: (projectPath: string, visible: boolean) => void;
+  getWorktreePanelVisible: (projectPath: string) => boolean;
+
   // UI State actions (previously in localStorage, now synced via API)
   setWorktreePanelCollapsed: (collapsed: boolean) => void;
   setLastProjectDir: (dir: string) => void;
@@ -1186,6 +1195,7 @@ const initialState: AppState = {
   codexModelsError: null,
   codexModelsLastFetched: null,
   pipelineConfigByProject: {},
+  worktreePanelVisibleByProject: {},
   // UI State (previously in localStorage, now synced via API)
   worktreePanelCollapsed: false,
   lastProjectDir: '',
@@ -1429,6 +1439,23 @@ export const useAppStore = create<AppState & AppActions>()((set, get) => ({
     }
   },
 
+  toggleProjectFavorite: (projectId) => {
+    const { projects, currentProject } = get();
+    const updatedProjects = projects.map((p) =>
+      p.id === projectId ? { ...p, isFavorite: !p.isFavorite } : p
+    );
+    set({ projects: updatedProjects });
+    // Also update currentProject if it matches
+    if (currentProject?.id === projectId) {
+      set({
+        currentProject: {
+          ...currentProject,
+          isFavorite: !currentProject.isFavorite,
+        },
+      });
+    }
+  },
+
   // View actions
   setCurrentView: (view) => set({ currentView: view }),
   toggleSidebar: () => set({ sidebarOpen: !get().sidebarOpen }),
@@ -3070,6 +3097,21 @@ export const useAppStore = create<AppState & AppActions>()((set, get) => ({
     });
   },
 
+  // Worktree Panel Visibility actions (per-project)
+  setWorktreePanelVisible: (projectPath, visible) => {
+    set({
+      worktreePanelVisibleByProject: {
+        ...get().worktreePanelVisibleByProject,
+        [projectPath]: visible,
+      },
+    });
+  },
+
+  getWorktreePanelVisible: (projectPath) => {
+    // Default to true (visible) if not set
+    return get().worktreePanelVisibleByProject[projectPath] ?? true;
+  },
+
   // UI State actions (previously in localStorage, now synced via API)
   setWorktreePanelCollapsed: (collapsed) => set({ worktreePanelCollapsed: collapsed }),
   setLastProjectDir: (dir) => set({ lastProjectDir: dir }),

libs/types/src/settings.ts

@@ -294,6 +294,8 @@ export interface ProjectRef {
   lastOpened?: string;
   /** Project-specific theme override (or undefined to use global) */
   theme?: string;
+  /** Whether project is pinned to favorites on dashboard */
+  isFavorite?: boolean;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -595,6 +597,10 @@ export interface ProjectSettings {
   /** Project-specific board background settings */
   boardBackground?: BoardBackgroundSettings;
 
+  // UI Visibility
+  /** Whether the worktree panel row is visible (default: true) */
+  worktreePanelVisible?: boolean;
+
   // Session Tracking
   /** Last chat session selected in this project */
   lastSelectedSessionId?: string;