diff --git a/frontend/src/components/navigation/DesktopSidebar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/navigation/DesktopSidebar.tsx
index 79d1cdb3..a6a195d5 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/navigation/DesktopSidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/navigation/DesktopSidebar.tsx
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import {
   Sidebar,
   SidebarSection,
   SidebarItem,
-  SidebarCollapseToggle,
 } from '@/components/ui/sidebar'
 import { FolderGit2 } from 'lucide-react'
 
@@ -78,10 +77,6 @@ export function DesktopSidebar() {
   return (
     <>
       <Sidebar collapsed={collapsed} onToggle={toggle} className='mt-2'>
-        <div className="flex justify-end px-2 py-1.5">
-          <SidebarCollapseToggle collapsed={collapsed} onToggle={toggle} />
-        </div>
-
         {primary.length > 0 && (
           <SidebarSection collapsed={collapsed}>
             {primary.map((item: NavPrimaryCta) => (
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/source-control/BranchesTab.tsx b/frontend/src/components/source-control/BranchesTab.tsx
index 5623a302..ec18377a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/source-control/BranchesTab.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/source-control/BranchesTab.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 import { useMemo, useState } from 'react'
 import { useQuery, useMutation, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query'
 import { listBranches, switchBranch, GitAuthError, getRepo } from '@/api/repos'
-import { fetchGitStatus, useGitStatus } from '@/api/git'
+import { fetchGitStatus } from '@/api/git'
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
 import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input'
-import { Loader2, GitBranch, GitBranchPlus, Check, Plus, AlertCircle, ArrowUp, ArrowDown, Globe } from 'lucide-react'
+import { Loader2, GitBranch, GitBranchPlus, Check, Plus, AlertCircle, Globe } from 'lucide-react'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 import { showToast } from '@/lib/toast'
 import { useGit } from '@/hooks/useGit'
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@ export function BranchesTab({ repoId, currentBranch }: BranchesTabProps) {
   const [worktreeDialogOpen, setWorktreeDialogOpen] = useState(false)
   const git = useGit(repoId)
 
-  const { data: status } = useGitStatus(repoId)
-
   const { data: branches, isLoading, error, refetch } = useQuery({
     queryKey: ['branches', repoId],
     queryFn: () => listBranches(repoId),
@@ -103,36 +101,18 @@ export function BranchesTab({ repoId, currentBranch }: BranchesTabProps) {
   }
 
   const activeBranch = branches?.branches?.find(b => b.current)?.name || currentBranch
+  const hasBranches = (branches?.branches?.length ?? 0) > 0
 
   return (
     <div className="flex flex-col h-full">
-      <div className="p-3 border-b border-border space-y-3 flex-shrink-0">
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-          <GitBranch className="w-4 h-4 text-muted-foreground" />
-          <span className="text-sm font-medium">Current: {activeBranch}</span>
-          {status && (status.ahead > 0 || status.behind > 0) && (
-            <div className="flex items-center gap-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
-              {status.ahead > 0 && (
-                <span className="flex items-center gap-0.5">
-                  <ArrowUp className="w-3 h-3" />{status.ahead}
-                </span>
-              )}
-              {status.behind > 0 && (
-                <span className="flex items-center gap-0.5">
-                  <ArrowDown className="w-3 h-3" />{status.behind}
-                </span>
-              )}
-            </div>
-          )}
-        </div>
-
+      <div className="p-3 border-b border-border flex-shrink-0">
         {isCreating ? (
           <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
             <Input
               placeholder="New branch name..."
               value={newBranchName}
               onChange={(e) => setNewBranchName(e.target.value)}
-              className="h-8 md:text-sm"
+              className="h-10 md:h-8 md:text-sm"
               autoFocus
               onKeyDown={(e) => {
                 if (e.key === 'Enter') handleCreateBranch()
@@ -144,7 +124,7 @@ export function BranchesTab({ repoId, currentBranch }: BranchesTabProps) {
             />
             <Button
               size="sm"
-              className="h-8"
+              className="h-10 md:h-8"
               onClick={handleCreateBranch}
               disabled={!newBranchName.trim() || git.createBranch.isPending}
             >
@@ -157,7 +137,7 @@ export function BranchesTab({ repoId, currentBranch }: BranchesTabProps) {
             <Button
               size="sm"
               variant="ghost"
-              className="h-8"
+              className="h-10 md:h-8"
               onClick={() => {
                 setIsCreating(false)
                 setNewBranchName('')
@@ -168,39 +148,38 @@ export function BranchesTab({ repoId, currentBranch }: BranchesTabProps) {
           </div>
         ) : (
           <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+            {hasBranches && (
+              <Input
+                placeholder="Search branches..."
+                value={searchQuery}
+                onChange={(e) => setSearchQuery(e.target.value)}
+                className="h-10 md:h-8 md:text-sm flex-1 min-w-0"
+              />
+            )}
             <Button
               size="sm"
               variant="outline"
-              className="flex-1 h-8"
+              className="h-10 md:h-8 flex-shrink-0"
               onClick={() => setIsCreating(true)}
+              title="Create branch"
             >
-              <Plus className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
-              Create Branch
+              <Plus className="w-4 h-4" />
+              <span className="hidden sm:inline ml-1">Branch</span>
             </Button>
             {repoUrl && (
               <Button
                 size="sm"
                 variant="outline"
-                className="flex-1 h-8"
+                className="h-10 md:h-8 flex-shrink-0"
                 onClick={() => setWorktreeDialogOpen(true)}
                 title="Create as a separate worktree workspace"
               >
-                <GitBranchPlus className="w-4 h-4 mr-2" />
-                Create Worktree
+                <GitBranchPlus className="w-4 h-4" />
+                <span className="hidden sm:inline ml-1">Worktree</span>
               </Button>
             )}
           </div>
         )}
-        {branches?.branches && branches.branches.length > 0 && (
-          <div className="px-3 pb-1">
-            <Input
-              placeholder="Search branches..."
-              value={searchQuery}
-              onChange={(e) => setSearchQuery(e.target.value)}
-              className="h-8 md:text-sm"
-            />
-          </div>
-        )}
       </div>
 
       <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto relative">
@@ -228,7 +207,7 @@ export function BranchesTab({ repoId, currentBranch }: BranchesTabProps) {
                   key={branch.name}
                   className={cn(
                     'flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 w-full text-left transition-colors',
-                    isCurrent && 'bg-accent',
+                    isCurrent && 'bg-orange-500/10',
                     isCheckedOutElsewhere ? 'opacity-60 cursor-not-allowed' : 'hover:bg-accent/50'
                   )}
                   onClick={handleClick}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/source-control/SourceControlPanel.tsx b/frontend/src/components/source-control/SourceControlPanel.tsx
index 6451da85..20210695 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/source-control/SourceControlPanel.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/source-control/SourceControlPanel.tsx
@@ -112,8 +112,8 @@ export function SourceControlPanel({
       <div className="flex items-center justify-between px-3 py-2 border-b border-border flex-shrink-0">
         <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
           <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-            <GitBranch className="w-4 h-4 text-muted-foreground" />
-            <span className="text-sm font-medium">{displayBranch}</span>
+            <GitBranch className={cn('w-4 h-4', GIT_UI_COLORS.current)} />
+            <span className={cn('text-sm font-medium', GIT_UI_COLORS.current)}>{displayBranch}</span>
           </div>
           {status && (status.ahead > 0 || status.behind > 0) && (
             <div className="flex items-center gap-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ui/sidebar.test.tsx b/frontend/src/components/ui/sidebar.test.tsx
index 46142c5b..59dada0b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ui/sidebar.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ui/sidebar.test.tsx
@@ -114,4 +114,31 @@ describe('SidebarCollapseToggle', () => {
     fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button'))
     expect(handleToggle).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
   })
+
+  it('calls onToggle when clicked while collapsed', () => {
+    const handleToggle = vi.fn()
+
+    render(
+      <SidebarCollapseToggle collapsed={true} onToggle={handleToggle} />
+    )
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Expand sidebar' }))
+    expect(handleToggle).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+
+  it('exposes expanded state via accessible name and aria-expanded', () => {
+    const { rerender } = render(
+      <SidebarCollapseToggle collapsed={false} onToggle={vi.fn()} />
+    )
+
+    expect(
+      screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Collapse sidebar' })
+    ).toHaveAttribute('aria-expanded', 'true')
+
+    rerender(<SidebarCollapseToggle collapsed={true} onToggle={vi.fn()} />)
+
+    expect(
+      screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Expand sidebar' })
+    ).toHaveAttribute('aria-expanded', 'false')
+  })
 })
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ui/sidebar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/ui/sidebar.tsx
index d82e1a7e..cc3c2b4c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ui/sidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ui/sidebar.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import type { LucideIcon } from 'lucide-react'
-import { PanelLeft, PanelLeftClose } from 'lucide-react'
+import { ChevronLeft, ChevronRight } from 'lucide-react'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipTrigger } from '@/components/ui/tooltip'
 
 export interface SidebarProps {
   collapsed: boolean
-  onToggle: () => void
+  onToggle?: () => void
   widthClass?: string
   collapsedWidthClass?: string
   className?: string
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ export interface SidebarProps {
 
 export function Sidebar({
   collapsed,
+  onToggle,
   widthClass = 'w-60',
   collapsedWidthClass = 'w-14',
   className,
@@ -24,12 +25,13 @@ export function Sidebar({
   return (
     <aside
       className={cn(
-        'flex-shrink-0 border-r border-border bg-card/50 backdrop-blur-sm h-dvh flex flex-col pt-safe pb-safe transition-[width] duration-200',
+        'relative z-20 flex-shrink-0 border-r border-border bg-card/50 backdrop-blur-sm h-dvh flex flex-col pt-safe pb-safe transition-[width] duration-200',
         collapsed ? collapsedWidthClass : widthClass,
         className
       )}
       aria-label={ariaLabel}
     >
+      {onToggle && <SidebarCollapseToggle collapsed={collapsed} onToggle={onToggle} />}
       {children}
     </aside>
   )
@@ -125,14 +127,36 @@ export function SidebarCollapseToggle({ collapsed, onToggle }: SidebarCollapseTo
       type="button"
       onClick={onToggle}
       className={cn(
-        'rounded-md p-2.5',
-        'hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-foreground',
-        'transition-colors duration-150'
+        'group absolute -right-3 top-1/2 z-20 h-16 w-6 -translate-y-1/2',
+        'flex items-center justify-center bg-transparent',
+        'focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring focus-visible:ring-offset-2 focus-visible:ring-offset-background'
       )}
       title={collapsed ? 'Expand sidebar' : 'Collapse sidebar'}
       aria-label={collapsed ? 'Expand sidebar' : 'Collapse sidebar'}
+      aria-expanded={!collapsed}
     >
-      {collapsed ? <PanelLeft className="h-5 w-5" /> : <PanelLeftClose className="h-5 w-5" />}
+      <span aria-hidden="true" className="relative flex items-center justify-center">
+        <span
+          className={cn(
+            'h-8 w-1 rounded-full bg-orange-500/60 transition-colors duration-150',
+            'group-hover:bg-orange-500 group-focus-visible:bg-orange-500'
+          )}
+        />
+        <ChevronLeft
+          className={cn(
+            'absolute left-full ml-0.5 h-3.5 w-3.5 text-muted-foreground opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-150',
+            'group-hover:opacity-100 group-focus-visible:opacity-100',
+            collapsed && 'hidden'
+          )}
+        />
+        <ChevronRight
+          className={cn(
+            'absolute left-full ml-0.5 h-3.5 w-3.5 text-muted-foreground opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-150',
+            'group-hover:opacity-100 group-focus-visible:opacity-100',
+            !collapsed && 'hidden'
+          )}
+        />
+      </span>
     </button>
   )
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/git-status-styles.ts b/frontend/src/lib/git-status-styles.ts
index a98ffa9b..ddb953ea 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/git-status-styles.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/git-status-styles.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ export const GIT_STATUS_COLORS = {
 export const GIT_UI_COLORS = {
   ahead: 'text-emerald-600 dark:text-emerald-400',
   behind: 'text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-400',
-  current: 'text-emerald-600 dark:text-emerald-400',
+  current: 'text-orange-600 dark:text-orange-400',
   remote: 'text-blue-600 dark:text-blue-400',
   stage: 'text-emerald-600 dark:text-emerald-400',
   unstage: 'text-rose-600 dark:text-rose-400',