fix(command-palette): prioritize Search/Ask when no command matches

- Show Search/Ask options FIRST when query doesn't match any navigation
- Add setTimeout to ensure dialog closes before navigation
- Reset query when dialog closes
- Use forceMount to ensure Search/Ask options are always selectable
- Show Search/Ask at bottom when there ARE matching commands

frontend/src/app/(dashboard)/search/page.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 'use client'
 
-import { useMemo, useState } from 'react'
+import { Suspense, useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react'
+import { useSearchParams } from 'next/navigation'
 import { AppShell } from '@/components/layout/AppShell'
 import { Tabs, TabsContent, TabsList, TabsTrigger } from '@/components/ui/tabs'
 import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input'
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ import { StreamingResponse } from '@/components/search/StreamingResponse'
 import { AdvancedModelsDialog } from '@/components/search/AdvancedModelsDialog'
 import { SaveToNotebooksDialog } from '@/components/search/SaveToNotebooksDialog'
 
-export default function SearchPage() {
+function SearchPageContent() {
   // Search state
   const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState('')
   const [searchType, setSearchType] = useState<'text' | 'vector'>('text')
@@ -43,6 +44,16 @@ export default function SearchPage() {
   // Save to notebooks dialog
   const [showSaveDialog, setShowSaveDialog] = useState(false)
 
+  // Get URL params
+  const searchParams = useSearchParams()
+  const initialQuery = searchParams.get('q')
+  const initialMode = searchParams.get('mode') // 'ask' or 'search'
+
+  // Tab state - controlled to support URL-driven mode switching
+  const [activeTab, setActiveTab] = useState<string>(
+    initialMode === 'ask' ? 'ask' : (initialQuery ? 'search' : 'ask')
+  )
+
   // Hooks
   const searchMutation = useSearch()
   const ask = useAsk()
@@ -57,6 +68,50 @@ export default function SearchPage() {
     return new Map(availableModels.map((model) => [model.id, model.name]))
   }, [availableModels])
 
+  // Handle URL-driven search/ask on mount or param change
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (initialQuery) {
+      if (initialMode === 'ask') {
+        // Set the question and trigger ask
+        setAskQuestion(initialQuery)
+        setActiveTab('ask')
+      } else {
+        // Default to search
+        setSearchQuery(initialQuery)
+        setActiveTab('search')
+        searchMutation.mutate({
+          query: initialQuery,
+          type: searchType,
+          limit: 100,
+          search_sources: searchSources,
+          search_notes: searchNotes,
+          minimum_score: 0.2
+        })
+      }
+    }
+    // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
+  }, [initialQuery, initialMode])
+
+  // Auto-trigger ask when question is set from URL and models are loaded
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (
+      initialMode === 'ask' &&
+      initialQuery &&
+      askQuestion === initialQuery &&
+      modelDefaults?.default_chat_model &&
+      !ask.isStreaming &&
+      !ask.finalAnswer
+    ) {
+      const models = {
+        strategy: modelDefaults.default_chat_model,
+        answer: modelDefaults.default_chat_model,
+        finalAnswer: modelDefaults.default_chat_model
+      }
+      ask.sendAsk(initialQuery, models)
+    }
+    // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
+  }, [initialMode, initialQuery, askQuestion, modelDefaults?.default_chat_model])
+
   const resolveModelName = (id?: string | null) => {
     if (!id) return 'Not set'
     return modelNameById.get(id) ?? id
@@ -100,7 +155,7 @@ export default function SearchPage() {
       <div className="p-4 md:p-6">
         <h1 className="text-xl md:text-2xl font-bold mb-4 md:mb-6">Ask and Search</h1>
 
-        <Tabs defaultValue="ask" className="w-full space-y-6">
+        <Tabs value={activeTab} onValueChange={setActiveTab} className="w-full space-y-6">
           <div className="space-y-2">
             <p className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-muted-foreground">Choose a mode</p>
             <TabsList aria-label="Ask or search your knowledge base" className="w-full max-w-xl">
@@ -423,3 +478,18 @@ export default function SearchPage() {
     </AppShell>
   )
 }
+
+// Wrap in Suspense for useSearchParams() hydration safety
+export default function SearchPage() {
+  return (
+    <Suspense fallback={
+      <AppShell>
+        <div className="p-4 md:p-6 flex items-center justify-center">
+          <LoadingSpinner size="lg" />
+        </div>
+      </AppShell>
+    }>
+      <SearchPageContent />
+    </Suspense>
+  )
+}

frontend/src/components/common/CommandPalette.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,216 @@
+'use client'
+
+import { useEffect, useState, useCallback } from 'react'
+import { useRouter } from 'next/navigation'
+import {
+  CommandDialog,
+  CommandInput,
+  CommandList,
+  CommandEmpty,
+  CommandGroup,
+  CommandItem,
+  CommandSeparator,
+} from '@/components/ui/command'
+import {
+  Book,
+  Search,
+  Mic,
+  Bot,
+  Shuffle,
+  Settings,
+  FileText,
+  Wrench,
+  MessageCircleQuestion,
+  Plus,
+} from 'lucide-react'
+
+const navigationItems = [
+  { name: 'Sources', href: '/sources', icon: FileText, keywords: ['files', 'documents', 'upload'] },
+  { name: 'Notebooks', href: '/notebooks', icon: Book, keywords: ['notes', 'research', 'projects'] },
+  { name: 'Ask and Search', href: '/search', icon: Search, keywords: ['find', 'query'] },
+  { name: 'Podcasts', href: '/podcasts', icon: Mic, keywords: ['audio', 'episodes', 'generate'] },
+  { name: 'Models', href: '/models', icon: Bot, keywords: ['ai', 'llm', 'providers', 'openai', 'anthropic'] },
+  { name: 'Transformations', href: '/transformations', icon: Shuffle, keywords: ['prompts', 'templates', 'actions'] },
+  { name: 'Settings', href: '/settings', icon: Settings, keywords: ['preferences', 'config', 'options'] },
+  { name: 'Advanced', href: '/advanced', icon: Wrench, keywords: ['debug', 'system', 'tools'] },
+]
+
+const createItems = [
+  { name: 'Create Source', action: 'source', icon: FileText },
+  { name: 'Create Notebook', action: 'notebook', icon: Book },
+  { name: 'Create Podcast', action: 'podcast', icon: Mic },
+]
+
+interface CommandPaletteProps {
+  onCreateSource?: () => void
+  onCreateNotebook?: () => void
+  onCreatePodcast?: () => void
+}
+
+export function CommandPalette({
+  onCreateSource,
+  onCreateNotebook,
+  onCreatePodcast,
+}: CommandPaletteProps) {
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false)
+  const [query, setQuery] = useState('')
+  const router = useRouter()
+
+  // Global keyboard listener for ⌘K / Ctrl+K
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const down = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      if (e.key === 'k' && (e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey)) {
+        e.preventDefault()
+        setOpen((open) => !open)
+      }
+    }
+
+    document.addEventListener('keydown', down)
+    return () => document.removeEventListener('keydown', down)
+  }, [])
+
+  // Reset query when dialog closes
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!open) {
+      setQuery('')
+    }
+  }, [open])
+
+  const handleSelect = useCallback((callback: () => void) => {
+    setOpen(false)
+    setQuery('')
+    // Use setTimeout to ensure dialog closes before navigation
+    setTimeout(callback, 0)
+  }, [])
+
+  const handleNavigate = useCallback((href: string) => {
+    handleSelect(() => router.push(href))
+  }, [handleSelect, router])
+
+  const handleSearch = useCallback(() => {
+    if (!query.trim()) return
+    handleSelect(() => router.push(`/search?q=${encodeURIComponent(query)}&mode=search`))
+  }, [handleSelect, router, query])
+
+  const handleAsk = useCallback(() => {
+    if (!query.trim()) return
+    handleSelect(() => router.push(`/search?q=${encodeURIComponent(query)}&mode=ask`))
+  }, [handleSelect, router, query])
+
+  const handleCreate = useCallback((action: string) => {
+    handleSelect(() => {
+      if (action === 'source' && onCreateSource) onCreateSource()
+      else if (action === 'notebook' && onCreateNotebook) onCreateNotebook()
+      else if (action === 'podcast' && onCreatePodcast) onCreatePodcast()
+    })
+  }, [handleSelect, onCreateSource, onCreateNotebook, onCreatePodcast])
+
+  // Check if query matches any command (navigation or create)
+  const queryLower = query.toLowerCase().trim()
+  const hasCommandMatch = queryLower && (
+    navigationItems.some(item =>
+      item.name.toLowerCase().includes(queryLower) ||
+      item.keywords.some(k => k.includes(queryLower))
+    ) ||
+    createItems.some(item =>
+      item.name.toLowerCase().includes(queryLower)
+    )
+  )
+
+  return (
+    <CommandDialog
+      open={open}
+      onOpenChange={setOpen}
+      title="Command Palette"
+      description="Navigate, search, or ask your knowledge base"
+    >
+      <CommandInput
+        placeholder="Type a command or search..."
+        value={query}
+        onValueChange={setQuery}
+      />
+      <CommandList>
+        <CommandEmpty>
+          <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+            No commands found.
+          </div>
+        </CommandEmpty>
+
+        {/* Search/Ask - show FIRST when there's a query with no command match */}
+        {query.trim() && !hasCommandMatch && (
+          <CommandGroup heading="Search & Ask" forceMount>
+            <CommandItem
+              value={`__search__ ${query}`}
+              onSelect={handleSearch}
+              forceMount
+            >
+              <Search className="h-4 w-4" />
+              <span>Search for &ldquo;{query}&rdquo;</span>
+            </CommandItem>
+            <CommandItem
+              value={`__ask__ ${query}`}
+              onSelect={handleAsk}
+              forceMount
+            >
+              <MessageCircleQuestion className="h-4 w-4" />
+              <span>Ask about &ldquo;{query}&rdquo;</span>
+            </CommandItem>
+          </CommandGroup>
+        )}
+
+        {/* Navigation */}
+        <CommandGroup heading="Navigation">
+          {navigationItems.map((item) => (
+            <CommandItem
+              key={item.href}
+              value={`${item.name} ${item.keywords.join(' ')}`}
+              onSelect={() => handleNavigate(item.href)}
+            >
+              <item.icon className="h-4 w-4" />
+              <span>{item.name}</span>
+            </CommandItem>
+          ))}
+        </CommandGroup>
+
+        {/* Create */}
+        <CommandGroup heading="Create">
+          {createItems.map((item) => (
+            <CommandItem
+              key={item.action}
+              value={`create ${item.name}`}
+              onSelect={() => handleCreate(item.action)}
+            >
+              <Plus className="h-4 w-4" />
+              <span>{item.name}</span>
+            </CommandItem>
+          ))}
+        </CommandGroup>
+
+        {/* Search/Ask - also show at bottom when there IS a command match */}
+        {query.trim() && hasCommandMatch && (
+          <>
+            <CommandSeparator />
+            <CommandGroup heading="Or search your knowledge base" forceMount>
+              <CommandItem
+                value={`__search__ ${query}`}
+                onSelect={handleSearch}
+                forceMount
+              >
+                <Search className="h-4 w-4" />
+                <span>Search for &ldquo;{query}&rdquo;</span>
+              </CommandItem>
+              <CommandItem
+                value={`__ask__ ${query}`}
+                onSelect={handleAsk}
+                forceMount
+              >
+                <MessageCircleQuestion className="h-4 w-4" />
+                <span>Ask about &ldquo;{query}&rdquo;</span>
+              </CommandItem>
+            </CommandGroup>
+          </>
+        )}
+      </CommandList>
+    </CommandDialog>
+  )
+}

frontend/src/components/layout/AppShell.tsx

@@ -1,20 +1,44 @@
 'use client'
 
+import { useState } from 'react'
 import { AppSidebar } from './AppSidebar'
+import { CommandPalette } from '@/components/common/CommandPalette'
+import { AddSourceDialog } from '@/components/sources/AddSourceDialog'
+import { CreateNotebookDialog } from '@/components/notebooks/CreateNotebookDialog'
+import { GeneratePodcastDialog } from '@/components/podcasts/GeneratePodcastDialog'
 
 interface AppShellProps {
   children: React.ReactNode
 }
 
 export function AppShell({ children }: AppShellProps) {
+  // Lifted dialog state for both sidebar and command palette
+  const [sourceDialogOpen, setSourceDialogOpen] = useState(false)
+  const [notebookDialogOpen, setNotebookDialogOpen] = useState(false)
+  const [podcastDialogOpen, setPodcastDialogOpen] = useState(false)
+
   return (
     <div className="flex h-screen overflow-hidden">
-      <AppSidebar />
-      <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col min-h-0">
-        <main className="flex-1 flex flex-col min-h-0 overflow-hidden">
-          {children}
-        </main>
-      </div>
+      <AppSidebar
+        onCreateSource={() => setSourceDialogOpen(true)}
+        onCreateNotebook={() => setNotebookDialogOpen(true)}
+        onCreatePodcast={() => setPodcastDialogOpen(true)}
+      />
+      <main className="flex-1 flex flex-col min-h-0 overflow-hidden">
+        {children}
+      </main>
+
+      {/* Command Palette - accessible via ⌘K */}
+      <CommandPalette
+        onCreateSource={() => setSourceDialogOpen(true)}
+        onCreateNotebook={() => setNotebookDialogOpen(true)}
+        onCreatePodcast={() => setPodcastDialogOpen(true)}
+      />
+
+      {/* Create Dialogs */}
+      <AddSourceDialog open={sourceDialogOpen} onOpenChange={setSourceDialogOpen} />
+      <CreateNotebookDialog open={notebookDialogOpen} onOpenChange={setNotebookDialogOpen} />
+      <GeneratePodcastDialog open={podcastDialogOpen} onOpenChange={setPodcastDialogOpen} />
     </div>
   )
 }

frontend/src/components/layout/AppSidebar.tsx

@@ -22,9 +22,6 @@ import {
   DropdownMenuTrigger,
 } from '@/components/ui/dropdown-menu'
 import { ThemeToggle } from '@/components/common/ThemeToggle'
-import { AddSourceDialog } from '@/components/sources/AddSourceDialog'
-import { CreateNotebookDialog } from '@/components/notebooks/CreateNotebookDialog'
-import { GeneratePodcastDialog } from '@/components/podcasts/GeneratePodcastDialog'
 import { Separator } from '@/components/ui/separator'
 import {
   Book,
@@ -39,6 +36,7 @@ import {
   FileText,
   Plus,
   Wrench,
+  Command,
 } from 'lucide-react'
 
 const navigation = [
@@ -74,25 +72,32 @@ const navigation = [
 
 type CreateTarget = 'source' | 'notebook' | 'podcast'
 
-export function AppSidebar() {
+interface AppSidebarProps {
+  onCreateSource: () => void
+  onCreateNotebook: () => void
+  onCreatePodcast: () => void
+}
+
+export function AppSidebar({
+  onCreateSource,
+  onCreateNotebook,
+  onCreatePodcast,
+}: AppSidebarProps) {
   const pathname = usePathname()
   const { logout } = useAuth()
   const { isCollapsed, toggleCollapse } = useSidebarStore()
 
   const [createMenuOpen, setCreateMenuOpen] = useState(false)
-  const [sourceDialogOpen, setSourceDialogOpen] = useState(false)
-  const [notebookDialogOpen, setNotebookDialogOpen] = useState(false)
-  const [podcastDialogOpen, setPodcastDialogOpen] = useState(false)
 
   const handleCreateSelection = (target: CreateTarget) => {
     setCreateMenuOpen(false)
 
     if (target === 'source') {
-      setSourceDialogOpen(true)
+      onCreateSource()
     } else if (target === 'notebook') {
-      setNotebookDialogOpen(true)
+      onCreateNotebook()
     } else if (target === 'podcast') {
-      setPodcastDialogOpen(true)
+      onCreatePodcast()
     }
   }
 
@@ -289,6 +294,19 @@ export function AppSidebar() {
             isCollapsed && 'px-2'
           )}
         >
+          {/* Command Palette hint */}
+          {!isCollapsed && (
+            <div className="flex items-center justify-between px-3 py-1.5 text-xs text-sidebar-foreground/60">
+              <span className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
+                <Command className="h-3 w-3" />
+                Quick actions
+              </span>
+              <kbd className="pointer-events-none inline-flex h-5 select-none items-center gap-1 rounded border bg-muted px-1.5 font-mono text-[10px] font-medium text-muted-foreground">
+                <span className="text-xs">⌘</span>K
+              </kbd>
+            </div>
+          )}
+
           <div
             className={cn(
               'flex',
@@ -334,16 +352,6 @@ export function AppSidebar() {
           )}
         </div>
       </div>
-
-      <AddSourceDialog open={sourceDialogOpen} onOpenChange={setSourceDialogOpen} />
-      <CreateNotebookDialog
-        open={notebookDialogOpen}
-        onOpenChange={setNotebookDialogOpen}
-      />
-      <GeneratePodcastDialog
-        open={podcastDialogOpen}
-        onOpenChange={setPodcastDialogOpen}
-      />
     </TooltipProvider>
   )
 }