diff --git a/docs/quick-pane-v1-design.md b/docs/quick-pane-v1-design.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fea70e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/quick-pane-v1-design.md
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+# Quick Pane v1 Design
+
+## Goal
+
+Quick Pane is a small native window opened by a desktop/window-manager hotkey. It accepts one short request and returns either a useful answer or an explicit escalation within 60 seconds.
+
+## Scope
+
+- Cold-launchable, independent Tauri window.
+- Compact request input, quick-model picker, and workspace picker.
+- Configured default workspace, quick model, follow-up model, supplemental prompt, time limit, and read-only tool limit.
+- Ephemeral Quick Pane UI state and best-effort runtime cleanup.
+- Advisory read-only/no-subagent instructions, inline permission/clarification prompts, and explicit normal-session handoff.
+
+## Non-goals
+
+- Persisted quick history.
+- Named profiles.
+- App-managed WM binding writes.
+- Trusted prevention of mutable tools or direct edits.
+- Trusted prevention of subagents.
+- A memory-only Pi runtime; Pi may write temporary session data while running.
+
+## Invocation
+
+Desktop/WM configuration owns the hotkey so it works while Pi GUI is absent. Settings displays and copies the required command; it does not register or modify system bindings.
+
+The app creates or focuses a dedicated small Quick Pane window. `Esc` closes it and discards quick-only state.
+
+## Request lifecycle
+
+1. Pane chooses configured default workspace and quick model, with per-request overrides.
+2. It starts an isolated Pi RPC runtime in the chosen workspace.
+3. Immutable prompt text instructs one request, read-only inspection, zero subagents, configured wall-clock budget, and configured tool-call budget. Current Pi RPC cannot trusted-enforce those instructions; event-derived caps and cleanup are best effort.
+4. Supplemental user instructions append beneath those prompt guardrails.
+5. Pane streams answer, tool status, and inline extension requests.
+6. On success it displays final answer. On a cap it preserves partial answer, explains the cap, and offers handoff.
+
+## Escalation
+
+Mutations, subagents, multi-step work, and likely-over-budget work preflight-escalate. The quick agent explains why. The user clicks **Continue in full session** to open a new normal session with:
+
+- original request;
+- escalation note or partial findings;
+- selected workspace; and
+- configured follow-up model.
+
+No full session opens automatically.
+
+## Permissions and privacy
+
+Quick Pane surfaces Pi extension `select`, `confirm`, `input`, and `editor` requests inline. User explicitly answers every prompt. Existing policy remains authoritative: ordinary workspace reads may be allowed, external-directory reads may ask, and sensitive paths may deny.
+
+Quick Pane UI request, output, and transcript stay in memory only. Closing pane removes them and triggers best-effort quick-runtime cleanup. Pi may write temporary session data while the child runs. A deliberate handoff persists only in newly created normal-session history.
+
+## Failure handling
+
+Unavailable models, startup failures, and crashes render inline actionable errors: retry, pick another quick model, or open normal session. No silent fallback model is used.
+
+## Settings validation
+
+Settings reject invalid model, workspace, custom prompt, or numeric limit. Failed save keeps previously stored configuration and marks invalid fields.
+
+## Acceptance
+
+From cold or hot desktop state, the hotkey produces an answer or explicit escalation within 60 seconds. Automated component, bridge, persistence, and native tests cover behavior; a manual cold-launch/hotkey smoke test verifies desktop integration.
diff --git a/docs/quick-pane-v1-implementation-plan.md b/docs/quick-pane-v1-implementation-plan.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a67ff1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/quick-pane-v1-implementation-plan.md
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+# Quick Pane v1 Implementation Plan
+
+## 1. Define persisted configuration
+
+- Add Quick Pane settings types, defaults, validation, serialization, and migration-safe native storage.
+- Fields: default workspace, quick model, follow-up model, supplemental prompt, maximum seconds, maximum read-only tool calls.
+- Preserve current configuration when validation or save fails.
+
+## 2. Add native window and launch contract
+
+- Extend Tauri configuration and Rust window management with a dedicated Quick Pane window label.
+- Add command-line action used by external WM hotkey to create/show/focus pane, including cold launch.
+- Keep `--toggle` and ordinary `--new` behavior unchanged.
+
+## 3. Build Quick Pane React surface
+
+- Add isolated state reducer/component for request, selected model/workspace, progress, final answer, partial answer, escalation, extension UI, and errors.
+- Keep pane transcript in component memory only and request best-effort runtime/session cleanup on close.
+- Add Settings controls and copyable WM launch command.
+
+## 4. Add constrained bridge runtime mode
+
+- Extend runtime creation with Quick Pane metadata and ephemeral session lifecycle.
+- Build immutable advisory quick-agent instructions around supplemental custom prompt.
+- Use observed tool events and wall-clock cancellation for best-effort caps; document that current Pi RPC cannot trusted-enforce read-only/no-subagent policy or memory-only runtime sessions.
+- Instruct preflight escalation for mutation, subagent, multi-step, or likely-over-budget requests.
+
+## 5. Route interaction and handoff
+
+- Reuse existing extension request/response protocol for inline Quick Pane permission and clarification dialogs.
+- On explicit continuation, create normal runtime using workspace and follow-up model.
+- Prefill it with original request plus escalation note/partial findings.
+
+## 6. Test and document
+
+- Add unit tests for settings validation/persistence and guardrail classification.
+- Add component tests for pane states, picker behavior, inline prompts, error/retry, and cleanup.
+- Add Rust/bridge tests for window command routing, budget cancellation, ephemeral cleanup, and handoff payload.
+- Add manual WM hotkey/cold-launch instructions and smoke checklist.
+
+## Sequencing
+
+Land configuration/runtime contract first, then native window and UI, then handoff and test coverage. Preserve existing normal-session paths throughout.
diff --git a/docs/quick-pane-v1-test-plan.md b/docs/quick-pane-v1-test-plan.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d75c015
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/quick-pane-v1-test-plan.md
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+# Quick Pane v1 Test Plan and QA Checklist
+
+## Automated coverage
+
+### Settings
+
+- Valid defaults load when no Quick Pane configuration exists.
+- Valid configuration round-trips through native storage.
+- Invalid workspace, model, prompt, time, and tool values show field errors and retain prior saved state.
+- Quick model picker affects quick request only; follow-up model remains configured default.
+
+### Runtime guardrails
+
+- Quick runtime receives immutable advisory read-only/no-subagent prompt text plus supplemental prompt.
+- Mutation, subagent, multi-step, and likely-over-budget requests are instructed to preflight-escalate.
+- Runtime applies best-effort configured 60-second/6-tool caps from observed events and exposes reason.
+- Partial result survives a cap; pane transcript is removed and runtime cleanup requested after pane close.
+- Tests/documentation state current limitations: Pi RPC cannot trusted-enforce prompt policy or guarantee memory-only temporary sessions.
+
+### UI and bridge
+
+- Quick Pane opens/focuses through dedicated native command without changing normal `--new` or `--toggle` behavior.
+- Workspace and quick-model picker values reach runtime creation.
+- Permission and clarification extension requests render inline and send correct response payloads.
+- Retry, model change, and normal-session actions appear for startup/model/crash errors.
+- Handoff creates normal session with original request, escalation note, workspace, and follow-up model.
+
+## Manual smoke checklist
+
+1. Configure default workspace, models, prompt, and 60-second/6-tool limits.
+2. Add desktop/WM hotkey using Settings launch command.
+3. From no running GUI process, invoke hotkey and verify Quick Pane opens/focuses.
+4. Submit short answer-only request; verify result within 60 seconds.
+5. Submit read-only inspection request; answer any external-read permission prompt inline.
+6. Submit mutation or multi-step request; verify reason and **Continue in full session**.
+7. Continue; verify normal session receives handoff and follow-up model.
+8. Close Quick Pane; reopen and verify quick transcript is absent.
+9. Select unavailable model or induce startup failure; verify inline recovery options.
+
+## Exit criteria
+
+All targeted automated tests pass. Manual cold-launch/hotkey smoke completes. No regressions in normal sessions, `--toggle`, or `--new` behavior.
diff --git a/src/bridge/agent-registry.js b/src/bridge/agent-registry.js
index 539f32d..e8fa161 100644
--- a/src/bridge/agent-registry.js
+++ b/src/bridge/agent-registry.js
@@ -309,7 +309,9 @@ export function createAgentRegistry({
 			version: 2,
 			migrated: true,
 			directories: [...managedWorktrees].sort(),
-			runtimes: [...runtimesByRuntimeId.values()].map((runtime) => ({
+			runtimes: [...runtimesByRuntimeId.values()]
+				.filter((runtime) => !runtime.ephemeral)
+				.map((runtime) => ({
 				runtimeId: runtime.runtimeId,
 				worktreePath: runtime.worktreePath,
 				...(runtime.sessionPath ? { sessionPath: runtime.sessionPath } : {}),
@@ -326,7 +328,7 @@ export function createAgentRegistry({
 	}
 
 	function addWorktreeRuntime(runtime) {
-		managedWorktrees.add(runtime.worktreePath);
+		if (!runtime.ephemeral) managedWorktrees.add(runtime.worktreePath);
 		let runtimes = runtimesByWorktreePath.get(runtime.worktreePath);
 		if (!runtimes) {
 			runtimes = new Set();
@@ -573,6 +575,7 @@ export function createAgentRegistry({
 		sessionPath,
 		sessionId,
 		legacyDefault = false,
+		ephemeral = false,
 		openedAt = new Date().toISOString(),
 	}) {
 		return {
@@ -583,6 +586,7 @@ export function createAgentRegistry({
 			sessionPath,
 			sessionId,
 			legacyDefault,
+			ephemeral,
 			openedAt,
 			state: "starting",
 			stateVersion: 0,
@@ -719,13 +723,16 @@ export function createAgentRegistry({
 			sessionPath,
 			sessionId,
 			legacyDefault = false,
+			ephemeral = false,
 			openedAt,
 		},
 		{ restore = false } = {},
 	) {
 		if (stopping) throw new Error("agent registry is stopping");
 		const canonicalPath = await realpath(worktreePath);
-		const sessionDir = sessionDirectoryFor(sessionRoot, canonicalPath);
+		const sessionDir = ephemeral
+			? path.join(sessionRoot, "quick", runtimeId)
+			: sessionDirectoryFor(sessionRoot, canonicalPath);
 		await mkdir(sessionDir, { recursive: true, mode: SESSION_DIRECTORY_MODE });
 		await chmod(sessionDir, SESSION_DIRECTORY_MODE);
 		let ownedPath;
@@ -757,6 +764,7 @@ export function createAgentRegistry({
 				sessionPath: ownedPath,
 				sessionId,
 				legacyDefault,
+				ephemeral,
 				openedAt,
 			});
 			if (stopping) throw new Error("agent registry is stopping");
@@ -778,7 +786,7 @@ export function createAgentRegistry({
 			});
 			try {
 				await launch(runtime);
-				await persistWorkspace();
+				if (!runtime.ephemeral) await persistWorkspace();
 				publishWorkspace("runtime_opened", runtime, {
 					runtime: publicRuntime(runtime),
 				});
@@ -974,7 +982,7 @@ export function createAgentRegistry({
 		// Remove desired-open/UI intent now, but retain the session lease until
 		// the old child can no longer write to its JSONL file.
 		unindexRuntime(runtime, { releaseSessionLease: false });
-		await persistWorkspace();
+		if (!runtime.ephemeral) await persistWorkspace();
 		runtime.stopped = true;
 		runtime.supervisor?.stop();
 		let stopConfirmed = true;
@@ -1002,6 +1010,8 @@ export function createAgentRegistry({
 			}
 		}
 		if (stopConfirmed) releaseClosedSessionLease(runtime);
+		if (runtime.ephemeral && stopConfirmed)
+			await rm(runtime.sessionDir, { recursive: true, force: true }).catch(() => {});
 		runtime.state = "stopped";
 		publishWorkspace("runtime_closed", runtime, {
 			runtimeId: runtime.runtimeId,
@@ -1206,10 +1216,18 @@ export function createAgentRegistry({
 		async createSessionRuntime(worktreePath) {
 			return openRuntime({ worktreePath });
 		},
+		async createQuickRuntime(worktreePath) {
+			return openRuntime({ worktreePath, ephemeral: true });
+		},
 		async openSessionRuntime(worktreePath, sessionPath) {
 			return openRuntime({ worktreePath, sessionPath });
 		},
 		closeSessionRuntime: closeRuntime,
+		async closeQuickRuntime(runtimeId) {
+			const runtime = getRuntime(runtimeId);
+			if (!runtime.ephemeral) throw new Error("runtime is not a quick runtime");
+			return closeRuntime(runtimeId);
+		},
 		listAgents() {
 			return [...runtimesByAgentId.values()]
 				.map(publicAgent)
diff --git a/src/bridge/service.js b/src/bridge/service.js
index f41eaaa..3907d92 100644
--- a/src/bridge/service.js
+++ b/src/bridge/service.js
@@ -46,6 +46,12 @@ export async function startBridgeService({
 							request.payload.worktreePath,
 						),
 					};
+				case "create_quick_runtime":
+					return {
+						runtime: await registry.createQuickRuntime(
+							request.payload.worktreePath,
+						),
+					};
 				case "open_session_runtime":
 					return {
 						runtime: await registry.openSessionRuntime(
@@ -55,6 +61,8 @@ export async function startBridgeService({
 					};
 				case "close_session_runtime":
 					return registry.closeSessionRuntime(request.payload.runtimeId);
+				case "close_quick_runtime":
+					return registry.closeQuickRuntime(request.payload.runtimeId);
 				case "list_directory_sessions":
 					return {
 						sessions: await registry.listDirectorySessions(
diff --git a/src/protocol/index.js b/src/protocol/index.js
index 3151bda..37ee92e 100644
--- a/src/protocol/index.js
+++ b/src/protocol/index.js
@@ -12,8 +12,10 @@ const requestOperations = new Map([
 	["get_workspace", { agent: false, payload: "none" }],
 	["get_workspace_summary", { agent: false, payload: "none" }],
 	["create_session_runtime", { agent: false, payload: "worktree" }],
+	["create_quick_runtime", { agent: false, payload: "worktree" }],
 	["open_session_runtime", { agent: false, payload: "worktreeSession" }],
 	["close_session_runtime", { agent: false, payload: "runtime" }],
+	["close_quick_runtime", { agent: false, payload: "runtime" }],
 	["list_directory_sessions", { agent: false, payload: "worktree" }],
 	["get_session_runtime_snapshot", { agent: false, payload: "runtime" }],
 	["subscribe_workspace", { agent: false, payload: "cursor" }],
diff --git a/test/protocol.test.js b/test/protocol.test.js
index 2fc2a83..e4cb00b 100644
--- a/test/protocol.test.js
+++ b/test/protocol.test.js
@@ -115,8 +115,10 @@ test("accepts additive multi-session runtime operations and numeric workspace cu
 		{ op: "get_workspace" },
 		{ op: "get_workspace_summary" },
 		{ op: "create_session_runtime", payload: { worktreePath } },
+		{ op: "create_quick_runtime", payload: { worktreePath } },
 		{ op: "open_session_runtime", payload: { worktreePath, sessionPath } },
 		{ op: "close_session_runtime", payload: { runtimeId: "runtime-1" } },
+		{ op: "close_quick_runtime", payload: { runtimeId: "runtime-1" } },
 		{ op: "list_directory_sessions", payload: { worktreePath } },
 		{
 			op: "get_session_runtime_snapshot",
diff --git a/test/quick-pane-ui.test.js b/test/quick-pane-ui.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b87bdbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/quick-pane-ui.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import assert from "node:assert/strict";
+import { readFile } from "node:fs/promises";
+import test from "node:test";
+
+test("Quick Pane polls snapshots, renders answers, and gates handoff", async () => {
+  const source = await readFile(
+    new URL("../ui/src/quick-pane/QuickPane.tsx", import.meta.url),
+    "utf8",
+  );
+  assert.match(source, /get_session_runtime_snapshot/);
+  assert.match(source, /setInterval\(\(\) => void refresh\(\), 800\)/);
+  assert.match(
+    source,
+    /<pre style=\{\{ whiteSpace: "pre-wrap" \}\}>\{answer\}<\/pre>/,
+  );
+  assert.match(
+    source,
+    /\{\(escalation \|\| error\) && \(\s*<button onClick=\{continueFull\}>Continue in full session<\/button>\s*\)\}/,
+  );
+});
+
+test("Quick Pane routes extension responses through existing bridge command", async () => {
+  const source = await readFile(
+    new URL("../ui/src/quick-pane/QuickPane.tsx", import.meta.url),
+    "utf8",
+  );
+  assert.match(
+    source,
+    /<ExtensionDialog extension=\{extension\} onRespond=\{respond\} \/>/,
+  );
+  assert.match(source, /invoke\("respond_to_extension"/);
+  assert.match(source, /requestId: extension\.id/);
+});
diff --git a/ui/src-tauri/capabilities/default.json b/ui/src-tauri/capabilities/default.json
index c45ddda..4748ab9 100644
--- a/ui/src-tauri/capabilities/default.json
+++ b/ui/src-tauri/capabilities/default.json
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 {
   "$schema": "../gen/schemas/desktop-schema.json",
   "identifier": "default",
-  "description": "Capability for the main window",
+  "description": "Capability for Pi Status windows",
   "windows": [
-    "main"
+    "main",
+    "quick-pane"
   ],
   "permissions": [
     "core:default",
diff --git a/ui/src-tauri/src/bridge.rs b/ui/src-tauri/src/bridge.rs
index ee372bf..ad056fe 100644
--- a/ui/src-tauri/src/bridge.rs
+++ b/ui/src-tauri/src/bridge.rs
@@ -214,6 +214,17 @@ pub async fn create_session_runtime(
     )
     .await
 }
+pub async fn create_quick_runtime(
+    socket_path: &str,
+    worktree_path: &str,
+) -> Result<RuntimeResult, String> {
+    typed_request(
+        socket_path,
+        "create_quick_runtime",
+        Some(json!({ "worktreePath": worktree_path })),
+    )
+    .await
+}
 pub async fn open_session_runtime(
     socket_path: &str,
     worktree_path: &str,
@@ -237,6 +248,17 @@ pub async fn close_session_runtime(
     )
     .await
 }
+pub async fn close_quick_runtime(
+    socket_path: &str,
+    runtime_id: &str,
+) -> Result<CloseRuntimeResult, String> {
+    typed_request(
+        socket_path,
+        "close_quick_runtime",
+        Some(json!({ "runtimeId": runtime_id })),
+    )
+    .await
+}
 pub async fn list_directory_sessions(
     socket_path: &str,
     worktree_path: &str,
diff --git a/ui/src-tauri/src/lib.rs b/ui/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
index dbd7730..7de7c20 100644
--- a/ui/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
+++ b/ui/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
@@ -45,6 +45,21 @@ fn socket_path() -> Result<String, String> {
     bridge::default_socket_path()
 }
 
+fn requested_quick_pane(args: &[String]) -> bool {
+    args.iter().any(|arg| arg == "--quick")
+}
+
+fn show_quick_pane(app: &AppHandle) {
+    if let Some(main) = app.get_webview_window("main") {
+        let _ = main.hide();
+    }
+    if let Some(window) = app.get_webview_window("quick-pane") {
+        let _ = window.show();
+        let _ = window.unminimize();
+        let _ = window.set_focus();
+    }
+}
+
 fn requested_new_worktree_argument(args: &[String]) -> Option<String> {
     args.iter()
         .position(|arg| arg == "--worktree")
@@ -112,6 +127,11 @@ async fn create_session_runtime(worktree_path: String) -> Result<bridge::Runtime
     bridge::create_session_runtime(&socket_path()?, &worktree_path).await
 }
 
+#[tauri::command]
+async fn create_quick_runtime(worktree_path: String) -> Result<bridge::RuntimeResult, String> {
+    bridge::create_quick_runtime(&socket_path()?, &worktree_path).await
+}
+
 #[tauri::command]
 async fn open_session_runtime(
     worktree_path: String,
@@ -125,6 +145,11 @@ async fn close_session_runtime(runtime_id: String) -> Result<bridge::CloseRuntim
     bridge::close_session_runtime(&socket_path()?, &runtime_id).await
 }
 
+#[tauri::command]
+async fn close_quick_runtime(runtime_id: String) -> Result<bridge::CloseRuntimeResult, String> {
+    bridge::close_quick_runtime(&socket_path()?, &runtime_id).await
+}
+
 #[tauri::command]
 async fn list_directory_sessions(
     worktree_path: String,
@@ -352,6 +377,10 @@ pub fn run() {
             task: Mutex::new(None),
         })
         .plugin(tauri_plugin_single_instance::init(|app, args, _cwd| {
+            if requested_quick_pane(&args) {
+                show_quick_pane(app);
+                return;
+            }
             launch_new_session(app.clone(), &args);
             if let Some(window) = app.get_webview_window("main") {
                 match window_action(&args, window.is_visible().unwrap_or(false)) {
@@ -366,15 +395,21 @@ pub fn run() {
             }
         }))
         .setup(move |app| {
-            launch_new_session(app.handle().clone(), &launch_args);
+            if requested_quick_pane(&launch_args) {
+                show_quick_pane(app.handle());
+            } else {
+                launch_new_session(app.handle().clone(), &launch_args);
+            }
             Ok(())
         })
         .invoke_handler(tauri::generate_handler![
             get_workspace,
             get_workspace_summary,
             create_session_runtime,
+            create_quick_runtime,
             open_session_runtime,
             close_session_runtime,
+            close_quick_runtime,
             list_directory_sessions,
             get_session_runtime_snapshot,
             load_ui_state,
@@ -434,6 +469,12 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(requested_new_worktree_argument(&relative).filter(|path| Path::new(path).is_absolute()), None);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn quick_flag_is_detected_without_affecting_toggle() {
+        assert!(requested_quick_pane(&["--quick".to_owned()]));
+        assert!(!requested_quick_pane(&["--toggle".to_owned()]));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn toggle_hides_a_visible_window_and_shows_a_hidden_window() {
         let toggle = vec!["--toggle".to_owned()];
diff --git a/ui/src-tauri/src/ui_state.rs b/ui/src-tauri/src/ui_state.rs
index c9c8616..5c8d4c2 100644
--- a/ui/src-tauri/src/ui_state.rs
+++ b/ui/src-tauri/src/ui_state.rs
@@ -37,6 +37,34 @@ pub struct LastSeenState {
     pub last_activity: Option<String>,
 }
 
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Deserialize, PartialEq, Serialize)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "camelCase", deny_unknown_fields)]
+pub struct QuickPaneSettings {
+    pub workspace: String,
+    pub provider: String,
+    pub model: String,
+    pub follow_up_provider: String,
+    pub follow_up_model: String,
+    pub instructions: String,
+    pub maximum_seconds: u32,
+    pub maximum_tool_calls: u32,
+}
+
+impl Default for QuickPaneSettings {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            workspace: String::new(),
+            provider: String::new(),
+            model: String::new(),
+            follow_up_provider: String::new(),
+            follow_up_model: String::new(),
+            instructions: "Answer quickly. Do not use subagents. Prefer read-only inspection. Escalate mutations, multi-step work, or work likely to exceed budget.".to_owned(),
+            maximum_seconds: 60,
+            maximum_tool_calls: 6,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Deserialize, PartialEq, Serialize)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "camelCase", deny_unknown_fields)]
 pub struct UiStateV1 {
@@ -61,6 +89,8 @@ pub struct UiStateV1 {
     pub default_new_session_worktree: Option<String>,
     #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub dismissed_collision_warning: Option<bool>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub quick_pane: QuickPaneSettings,
 }
 
 impl Default for UiStateV1 {
@@ -77,6 +107,7 @@ impl Default for UiStateV1 {
             interface_scale: None,
             default_new_session_worktree: None,
             dismissed_collision_warning: None,
+            quick_pane: QuickPaneSettings::default(),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -182,6 +213,39 @@ pub fn validate(state: &UiStateV1) -> Result<(), String> {
     if total_string_bytes > MAX_TOTAL_STRING_BYTES {
         return Err("UI state strings exceed the total size limit".to_owned());
     }
+    let quick = &state.quick_pane;
+    let quick_is_default = quick.workspace.is_empty()
+        && quick.provider.is_empty()
+        && quick.model.is_empty()
+        && quick.follow_up_provider.is_empty()
+        && quick.follow_up_model.is_empty();
+    if !quick_is_default {
+        bounded(&quick.workspace, "quick-pane workspace")?;
+        if !Path::new(&quick.workspace).is_absolute() || !Path::new(&quick.workspace).is_dir() {
+            return Err("Quick-pane workspace must be an existing absolute directory".to_owned());
+        }
+        bounded(&quick.provider, "quick-pane provider")?;
+        bounded(&quick.model, "quick-pane model")?;
+        bounded(&quick.follow_up_provider, "quick-pane follow-up provider")?;
+        bounded(&quick.follow_up_model, "quick-pane follow-up model")?;
+    }
+    if quick.instructions.is_empty() || quick.instructions.len() > 4096 {
+        return Err("Quick-pane instructions must contain 1 to 4096 bytes".to_owned());
+    }
+    if !(1..=600).contains(&quick.maximum_seconds) || !(1..=64).contains(&quick.maximum_tool_calls)
+    {
+        return Err("Quick-pane limits are outside the supported range".to_owned());
+    }
+    total_string_bytes = total_string_bytes
+        .saturating_add(quick.workspace.len())
+        .saturating_add(quick.provider.len())
+        .saturating_add(quick.model.len())
+        .saturating_add(quick.follow_up_provider.len())
+        .saturating_add(quick.follow_up_model.len())
+        .saturating_add(quick.instructions.len());
+    if total_string_bytes > MAX_TOTAL_STRING_BYTES {
+        return Err("UI state strings exceed the total size limit".to_owned());
+    }
     if let Some(scale) = state.interface_scale {
         if !scale.is_finite() || !(0.5..=2.0).contains(&scale) {
             return Err("Interface scale is outside the supported range".to_owned());
@@ -368,6 +432,22 @@ mod tests {
             .collect()
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn quick_pane_settings_validate_complete_existing_workspace() {
+        let root = temp_dir("quick-pane");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&root).unwrap();
+        let mut state = UiStateV1::default();
+        state.quick_pane.workspace = root.to_string_lossy().into_owned();
+        state.quick_pane.provider = "provider".into();
+        state.quick_pane.model = "quick-model".into();
+        state.quick_pane.follow_up_provider = "provider".into();
+        state.quick_pane.follow_up_model = "follow-up-model".into();
+        assert!(validate(&state).is_ok());
+        state.quick_pane.maximum_seconds = 0;
+        assert!(validate(&state).is_err());
+        fs::remove_dir_all(root).unwrap();
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn second_save_replaces_valid_state_without_leaving_temporary_files() {
         let root = temp_dir("replace");
diff --git a/ui/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json b/ui/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
index 5612bfb..d5c2c8f 100644
--- a/ui/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
+++ b/ui/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
   "app": {
     "windows": [
       {
+        "label": "main",
         "title": "Pi Status UI",
         "width": 1100,
         "height": 840,
@@ -23,6 +24,20 @@
         "alwaysOnTop": true,
         "skipTaskbar": true,
         "shadow": true
+      },
+      {
+        "label": "quick-pane",
+        "title": "Pi Quick Pane",
+        "width": 520,
+        "height": 360,
+        "minWidth": 400,
+        "minHeight": 260,
+        "center": true,
+        "visible": false,
+        "decorations": false,
+        "alwaysOnTop": true,
+        "skipTaskbar": true,
+        "shadow": true
       }
     ],
     "security": {
diff --git a/ui/src/main.tsx b/ui/src/main.tsx
index 2be325e..fa0c3de 100644
--- a/ui/src/main.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/main.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 import React from "react";
 import ReactDOM from "react-dom/client";
+import { getCurrentWindow } from "@tauri-apps/api/window";
 import App from "./App";
+import QuickPane from "./quick-pane/QuickPane";
 
 ReactDOM.createRoot(document.getElementById("root") as HTMLElement).render(
   <React.StrictMode>
-    <App />
+    {getCurrentWindow().label === "quick-pane" ? <QuickPane /> : <App />}
   </React.StrictMode>,
 );
diff --git a/ui/src/quick-pane/QuickPane.tsx b/ui/src/quick-pane/QuickPane.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f15ad9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/quick-pane/QuickPane.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,364 @@
+import { invoke } from "@tauri-apps/api/core";
+import { getCurrentWindow } from "@tauri-apps/api/window";
+import { useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from "react";
+import { ExtensionDialog } from "../components/ExtensionDialog";
+import type {
+  Extension,
+  QuickPaneSettings,
+  RuntimeSnapshot,
+  UiState,
+} from "../workspace/types";
+
+const defaults: QuickPaneSettings = {
+  workspace: "",
+  provider: "",
+  model: "",
+  followUpProvider: "",
+  followUpModel: "",
+  instructions:
+    "Answer quickly. Do not use subagents. Prefer read-only inspection. Escalate mutations, multi-step work, or work likely to exceed budget.",
+  maximumSeconds: 60,
+  maximumToolCalls: 6,
+};
+
+type Runtime = { agentId: string; runtimeId: string };
+
+function settingsError(settings: QuickPaneSettings) {
+  if (!settings.workspace.startsWith("/"))
+    return "Workspace must be an absolute path.";
+  if (!settings.provider || !settings.model)
+    return "Quick provider and model are required.";
+  if (!settings.followUpProvider || !settings.followUpModel)
+    return "Follow-up provider and model are required.";
+  if (!settings.instructions.trim())
+    return "Supplemental instructions are required.";
+  if (
+    !Number.isInteger(settings.maximumSeconds) ||
+    settings.maximumSeconds < 1 ||
+    settings.maximumSeconds > 600
+  )
+    return "Seconds must be an integer from 1 to 600.";
+  if (
+    !Number.isInteger(settings.maximumToolCalls) ||
+    settings.maximumToolCalls < 1 ||
+    settings.maximumToolCalls > 64
+  )
+    return "Tool calls must be an integer from 1 to 64.";
+}
+
+function assistantText(snapshot: RuntimeSnapshot) {
+  const messages = snapshot.transcript?.data?.messages ?? [];
+  const message = [...messages]
+    .reverse()
+    .find((candidate) => candidate.role === "assistant");
+  if (!message) return "";
+  if (typeof message.content === "string") return message.content;
+  return (message.content ?? [])
+    .map((part) => part.text ?? "")
+    .filter(Boolean)
+    .join("\n");
+}
+
+export default function QuickPane() {
+  const [settings, setSettings] = useState<QuickPaneSettings>(defaults);
+  const [uiState, setUiState] = useState<UiState>();
+  const [request, setRequest] = useState("");
+  const [showSettings, setShowSettings] = useState(false);
+  const [status, setStatus] = useState("Loading Quick Pane settings…");
+  const [error, setError] = useState<string>();
+  const [runtime, setRuntime] = useState<Runtime>();
+  const [answer, setAnswer] = useState("");
+  const [escalation, setEscalation] = useState<string>();
+  const [extension, setExtension] = useState<Extension>();
+  const runtimeRef = useRef<Runtime | undefined>(undefined);
+  const invalid = useMemo(() => settingsError(settings), [settings]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    let active = true;
+    invoke<UiState>("load_ui_state")
+      .then((state) => {
+        if (!active) return;
+        setUiState(state);
+        setSettings({ ...defaults, ...state.quickPane });
+        setStatus("");
+      })
+      .catch(
+        (reason) =>
+          active && setError(`Could not load settings: ${String(reason)}`),
+      );
+    return () => {
+      active = false;
+      const current = runtimeRef.current;
+      if (current)
+        invoke("close_quick_runtime", { runtimeId: current.runtimeId }).catch(
+          () => undefined,
+        );
+    };
+  }, []);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!runtime) return;
+    let active = true;
+    const refresh = async () => {
+      try {
+        const snapshot = await invoke<RuntimeSnapshot>(
+          "get_session_runtime_snapshot",
+          {
+            runtimeId: runtime.runtimeId,
+          },
+        );
+        if (!active) return;
+        const text = assistantText(snapshot);
+        if (text) {
+          setAnswer(text);
+          if (text.includes("[ESCALATE]")) {
+            setEscalation(
+              text.replace("[ESCALATE]", "").trim() ||
+                "Quick agent requested a full session.",
+            );
+          } else if (!snapshot.state?.data?.isStreaming) {
+            setStatus("Quick answer ready.");
+          }
+        }
+        setExtension(snapshot.extensions[0]);
+        if (snapshot.runtime.error?.message) {
+          setError(snapshot.runtime.error.message);
+          setEscalation(
+            "Quick runtime failed. Continue in a full session if needed.",
+          );
+        }
+      } catch (reason) {
+        if (active)
+          setError(`Could not refresh quick result: ${String(reason)}`);
+      }
+    };
+    void refresh();
+    const interval = window.setInterval(() => void refresh(), 800);
+    return () => {
+      active = false;
+      window.clearInterval(interval);
+    };
+  }, [runtime]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!runtime) return;
+    const timeout = window.setTimeout(() => {
+      setEscalation(
+        `Quick time budget of ${settings.maximumSeconds} seconds reached.`,
+      );
+      setStatus(
+        "Quick time budget reached. Showing partial result if available.",
+      );
+      invoke("abort", { agentId: runtime.agentId }).catch(() => undefined);
+    }, settings.maximumSeconds * 1000);
+    return () => window.clearTimeout(timeout);
+  }, [runtime, settings.maximumSeconds]);
+
+  async function save() {
+    if (!uiState) return;
+    if (invalid) return setError(invalid);
+    try {
+      await invoke("save_ui_state", {
+        state: { ...uiState, quickPane: settings },
+      });
+      setUiState({ ...uiState, quickPane: settings });
+      setError(undefined);
+      setShowSettings(false);
+      setStatus("Quick Pane settings saved.");
+    } catch (reason) {
+      setError(`Could not save settings: ${String(reason)}`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  async function run() {
+    if (invalid || !request.trim())
+      return setError(invalid ?? "Enter a request.");
+    const previous = runtimeRef.current;
+    if (previous)
+      await invoke("close_quick_runtime", {
+        runtimeId: previous.runtimeId,
+      }).catch(() => undefined);
+    setError(undefined);
+    setAnswer("");
+    setEscalation(undefined);
+    setExtension(undefined);
+    setStatus("Starting advisory quick agent…");
+    try {
+      const result = await invoke<{ runtime: Runtime }>(
+        "create_quick_runtime",
+        {
+          worktreePath: settings.workspace,
+        },
+      );
+      runtimeRef.current = result.runtime;
+      setRuntime(result.runtime);
+      await invoke("set_model", {
+        agentId: result.runtime.agentId,
+        provider: settings.provider,
+        modelId: settings.model,
+      });
+      const guardrails = `[Quick Pane advisory mode: target ${settings.maximumSeconds}s and ${settings.maximumToolCalls} read-only tool calls. Do not use subagents. Do not mutate files or system state. If request needs mutation, multi-step work, subagents, or more budget, start final response with [ESCALATE] and explain why.]\n${settings.instructions}\n\nUser request: ${request}`;
+      await invoke("submit_prompt", {
+        agentId: result.runtime.agentId,
+        message: guardrails,
+      });
+      setStatus(
+        "Quick request running. Advisory limits are not trusted enforcement.",
+      );
+    } catch (reason) {
+      setError(`Could not start quick request: ${String(reason)}`);
+      setStatus("");
+    }
+  }
+
+  async function respond(response: Record<string, unknown>) {
+    if (!runtime || !extension?.id) return;
+    try {
+      await invoke("respond_to_extension", {
+        agentId: runtime.agentId,
+        requestId: extension.id,
+        response,
+      });
+      setExtension(undefined);
+    } catch (reason) {
+      setError(`Could not answer Pi request: ${String(reason)}`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  async function continueFull() {
+    if (invalid || !request.trim())
+      return setError(invalid ?? "Enter a request.");
+    try {
+      const result = await invoke<{ runtime: Runtime }>(
+        "create_session_runtime",
+        {
+          worktreePath: settings.workspace,
+        },
+      );
+      await invoke("set_model", {
+        agentId: result.runtime.agentId,
+        provider: settings.followUpProvider,
+        modelId: settings.followUpModel,
+      });
+      await invoke("submit_prompt", {
+        agentId: result.runtime.agentId,
+        message: `${request}\n\nQuick Pane escalation: ${escalation ?? "Continue this in a full session."}\n\nPartial quick result:\n${answer}`,
+      });
+      setStatus("Full session started with follow-up model.");
+    } catch (reason) {
+      setError(`Could not start full session: ${String(reason)}`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <main
+      style={{
+        padding: 18,
+        fontFamily: "system-ui",
+        color: "#e7e7e7",
+        background: "#1d2027",
+        minHeight: "100vh",
+      }}
+    >
+      <header style={{ display: "flex", justifyContent: "space-between" }}>
+        <strong>Quick Pane</strong>
+        <span>
+          <button onClick={() => setShowSettings(!showSettings)}>
+            Settings
+          </button>
+          <button onClick={() => getCurrentWindow().hide()}>Close</button>
+        </span>
+      </header>
+      {showSettings && (
+        <section>
+          <label>
+            Workspace{" "}
+            <input
+              value={settings.workspace}
+              onChange={(e) =>
+                setSettings({ ...settings, workspace: e.target.value })
+              }
+            />
+          </label>
+          <label>
+            Quick provider/model{" "}
+            <input
+              value={settings.provider}
+              onChange={(e) =>
+                setSettings({ ...settings, provider: e.target.value })
+              }
+            />
+            <input
+              value={settings.model}
+              onChange={(e) =>
+                setSettings({ ...settings, model: e.target.value })
+              }
+            />
+          </label>
+          <label>
+            Follow-up provider/model{" "}
+            <input
+              value={settings.followUpProvider}
+              onChange={(e) =>
+                setSettings({ ...settings, followUpProvider: e.target.value })
+              }
+            />
+            <input
+              value={settings.followUpModel}
+              onChange={(e) =>
+                setSettings({ ...settings, followUpModel: e.target.value })
+              }
+            />
+          </label>
+          <label>
+            Seconds/tools{" "}
+            <input
+              type="number"
+              value={settings.maximumSeconds}
+              onChange={(e) =>
+                setSettings({
+                  ...settings,
+                  maximumSeconds: Number(e.target.value),
+                })
+              }
+            />
+            <input
+              type="number"
+              value={settings.maximumToolCalls}
+              onChange={(e) =>
+                setSettings({
+                  ...settings,
+                  maximumToolCalls: Number(e.target.value),
+                })
+              }
+            />
+          </label>
+          <textarea
+            value={settings.instructions}
+            onChange={(e) =>
+              setSettings({ ...settings, instructions: e.target.value })
+            }
+          />
+          <button onClick={save}>Save</button>
+        </section>
+      )}
+      <textarea
+        autoFocus
+        value={request}
+        onChange={(e) => setRequest(e.target.value)}
+        placeholder="Ask a quick question or give a quick instruction"
+        style={{ width: "100%", minHeight: 90, marginTop: 14 }}
+      />
+      <button disabled={!uiState || !!invalid || !request.trim()} onClick={run}>
+        Ask
+      </button>
+      {(escalation || error) && (
+        <button onClick={continueFull}>Continue in full session</button>
+      )}
+      {status && <p>{status}</p>}
+      {answer && <pre style={{ whiteSpace: "pre-wrap" }}>{answer}</pre>}
+      {error && <p role="alert">{error}</p>}
+      <ExtensionDialog extension={extension} onRespond={respond} />
+    </main>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/ui/src/workspace/types.ts b/ui/src/workspace/types.ts
index 8cea574..bb3600d 100644
--- a/ui/src/workspace/types.ts
+++ b/ui/src/workspace/types.ts
@@ -219,6 +219,17 @@ export type WorkspaceState = {
 	interfaceScale: number;
 };
 
+export type QuickPaneSettings = {
+	workspace: string;
+	provider: string;
+	model: string;
+	followUpProvider: string;
+	followUpModel: string;
+	instructions: string;
+	maximumSeconds: number;
+	maximumToolCalls: number;
+};
+
 export type UiState = {
 	version: 1;
 	directoryOrder: string[];
@@ -234,4 +245,5 @@ export type UiState = {
 	interfaceScale?: number;
 	defaultNewSessionWorktree?: string;
 	dismissedCollisionWarning?: boolean;
+	quickPane?: QuickPaneSettings;
 };