diff --git a/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json b/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
index 6f2845b..2200e11 100644
--- a/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
+++ b/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     {
       "name": "understand-anything",
       "description": "Multi-agent codebase analysis with interactive dashboard, guided tours, and skill commands",
-      "version": "1.2.2",
+      "version": "1.3.0",
       "source": "./understand-anything-plugin"
     }
   ]
diff --git a/.claude-plugin/plugin.json b/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
index 375688e..eae103b 100644
--- a/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
+++ b/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "understand-anything",
   "description": "AI-powered codebase understanding — analyze, visualize, and explain any project",
-  "version": "1.2.2",
+  "version": "1.3.0",
   "author": {
     "name": "Lum1104"
   },
diff --git a/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json b/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
index 76707fd..5e189f6 100644
--- a/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
+++ b/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "name": "understand-anything",
   "displayName": "Understand Anything",
   "description": "AI-powered codebase understanding — analyze, visualize, and explain any project",
-  "version": "1.2.2",
+  "version": "1.3.0",
   "author": {
     "name": "Lum1104"
   },
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/package.json b/understand-anything-plugin/package.json
index 59ca16d..7ee16e9 100644
--- a/understand-anything-plugin/package.json
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@understand-anything/skill",
-  "version": "1.2.2",
+  "version": "1.3.0",
   "type": "module",
   "main": "dist/index.js",
   "types": "dist/index.d.ts",
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/core/src/analyzer/layer-detector.ts b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/core/src/analyzer/layer-detector.ts
index 07eb89f..e50e94f 100644
--- a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/core/src/analyzer/layer-detector.ts
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/core/src/analyzer/layer-detector.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,16 @@ const LAYER_PATTERNS: Array<{ patterns: string[]; layerName: string; description
     layerName: "Middleware Layer",
     description: "Request/response middleware and interceptors",
   },
+  {
+    patterns: ["client", "integration", "external", "sdk", "vendor", "adapter"],
+    layerName: "External Services",
+    description: "External service integrations, SDKs, and third-party adapters",
+  },
+  {
+    patterns: ["worker", "job", "queue", "cron", "consumer", "processor", "scheduler", "background"],
+    layerName: "Background Tasks",
+    description: "Background workers, job processors, and scheduled tasks",
+  },
   {
     patterns: ["util", "helper", "lib", "common", "shared"],
     layerName: "Utility Layer",
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/App.tsx b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/App.tsx
index d4867a8..2067b14 100644
--- a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/App.tsx
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/App.tsx
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ function App() {
       // Navigation
       {
         key: "Escape",
-        description: "Close panels and modals",
+        description: "Close panels / go back to overview",
         action: () => {
           // Read from store at invocation time to avoid stale closures
           const state = useDashboardStore.getState();
@@ -71,6 +71,8 @@ function App() {
             state.closeCodeViewer();
           } else if (state.selectedNodeId) {
             state.selectNode(null);
+          } else if (state.navigationLevel === "layer-detail") {
+            state.navigateToOverview();
           } else if (state.tourActive) {
             state.stopTour();
           } else {
@@ -114,15 +116,6 @@ function App() {
         category: "Tour",
       },
       // View toggles
-      {
-        key: "l",
-        description: "Toggle layer visualization",
-        action: () => {
-          const state = useDashboardStore.getState();
-          state.toggleLayers();
-        },
-        category: "View",
-      },
       {
         key: "d",
         description: "Toggle diff mode",
@@ -195,13 +188,15 @@ function App() {
   }, [setDiffOverlay]);
 
   // Determine sidebar content
-  // Learn persona always shows LearnPanel; tour active overrides everything
-  const sidebarContent = tourActive || persona === "junior" ? (
-    <LearnPanel />
-  ) : selectedNodeId ? (
-    <NodeInfo />
-  ) : (
-    <ProjectOverview />
+  // NodeInfo always takes priority when a node is selected.
+  // Learn mode adds LearnPanel below it; otherwise ProjectOverview shows when idle.
+  const isLearnMode = tourActive || persona === "junior";
+  const sidebarContent = (
+    <>
+      {selectedNodeId && <NodeInfo />}
+      {isLearnMode && <LearnPanel />}
+      {!selectedNodeId && !isLearnMode && <ProjectOverview />}
+    </>
   );
 
   return (
@@ -268,7 +263,7 @@ function App() {
         </div>
 
         {/* Right sidebar */}
-        <aside className="w-[360px] shrink-0 bg-surface border-l border-border-subtle overflow-hidden">
+        <aside className="w-[360px] shrink-0 bg-surface border-l border-border-subtle overflow-auto">
           {sidebarContent}
         </aside>
 
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/Breadcrumb.tsx b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/Breadcrumb.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bbb47b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/Breadcrumb.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+import { useDashboardStore } from "../store";
+
+export default function Breadcrumb() {
+  const navigationLevel = useDashboardStore((s) => s.navigationLevel);
+  const activeLayerId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.activeLayerId);
+  const graph = useDashboardStore((s) => s.graph);
+  const navigateToOverview = useDashboardStore((s) => s.navigateToOverview);
+
+  const activeLayer = graph?.layers.find((l) => l.id === activeLayerId);
+
+  return (
+    <div className="absolute top-4 left-4 z-10 flex items-center gap-2">
+      {navigationLevel === "overview" && (
+        <div className="px-4 py-2 rounded-full bg-elevated border border-border-subtle text-xs font-semibold tracking-wider uppercase text-text-secondary shadow-lg">
+          Project Overview
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      {navigationLevel === "layer-detail" && (
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-4 py-2 rounded-full bg-elevated border border-gold/30 text-xs font-semibold tracking-wider uppercase shadow-lg">
+          <button
+            onClick={navigateToOverview}
+            className="text-gold hover:text-gold-bright transition-colors"
+          >
+            Project
+          </button>
+          <span className="text-text-muted">›</span>
+          <span className="text-text-primary">
+            {activeLayer?.name ?? "Layer"}
+          </span>
+          <span className="text-text-muted ml-1 text-[10px] normal-case tracking-normal">
+            (Esc to go back)
+          </span>
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/CustomNode.tsx b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/CustomNode.tsx
index d2ec838..1ec549e 100644
--- a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/CustomNode.tsx
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/CustomNode.tsx
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ export interface CustomNodeData extends Record<string, unknown> {
   isDiffChanged: boolean;
   isDiffAffected: boolean;
   isDiffFaded: boolean;
+  isNeighbor: boolean;
+  isSelectionFaded: boolean;
   onNodeClick?: (nodeId: string) => void;
 }
 
@@ -74,6 +76,13 @@ function CustomNodeComponent({
     extraClass += " diff-faded";
   }
 
+  // Selection-based dimming (when another node is selected, fade unrelated nodes)
+  if (data.isSelectionFaded) {
+    extraClass += " opacity-20 pointer-events-auto";
+  } else if (data.isNeighbor) {
+    extraClass += " ring-1 ring-gold-dim/50";
+  }
+
   const name = data.label ?? "unnamed";
   const truncatedName =
     name.length > 24 ? name.slice(0, 22) + "..." : name;
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/GraphView.tsx b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/GraphView.tsx
index 561feff..b093f05 100644
--- a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/GraphView.tsx
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/GraphView.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from "react";
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef } from "react";
 import {
   ReactFlow,
   ReactFlowProvider,
@@ -15,24 +15,38 @@ import "@xyflow/react/dist/style.css";
 
 import CustomNode from "./CustomNode";
 import type { CustomFlowNode } from "./CustomNode";
+import LayerClusterNode from "./LayerClusterNode";
+import type { LayerClusterFlowNode } from "./LayerClusterNode";
+import PortalNode from "./PortalNode";
+import type { PortalFlowNode } from "./PortalNode";
+import Breadcrumb from "./Breadcrumb";
 import { useDashboardStore } from "../store";
+import type { KnowledgeGraph } from "@understand-anything/core/types";
 import { useTheme } from "../themes/index.ts";
-import { applyDagreLayout, applyDagreLayoutAsync, NODE_WIDTH, NODE_HEIGHT } from "../utils/layout";
+import {
+  applyDagreLayout,
+  NODE_WIDTH,
+  NODE_HEIGHT,
+  LAYER_CLUSTER_WIDTH,
+  LAYER_CLUSTER_HEIGHT,
+  PORTAL_NODE_WIDTH,
+  PORTAL_NODE_HEIGHT,
+} from "../utils/layout";
+import {
+  aggregateLayerEdges,
+  computePortals,
+  findCrossLayerFileNodes,
+} from "../utils/edgeAggregation";
 
-const LAYER_PADDING = 40;
+const nodeTypes = {
+  custom: CustomNode,
+  "layer-cluster": LayerClusterNode,
+  portal: PortalNode,
+};
 
-/**
- * Node count above which layout runs in a Web Worker
- * to avoid blocking the main thread.
- */
-const ASYNC_LAYOUT_THRESHOLD = 200;
+// ── Helper components that must live inside <ReactFlow> ────────────────
 
-const nodeTypes = { custom: CustomNode };
-
-/**
- * Inner component that pans/zooms to tour-highlighted nodes.
- * Must be rendered inside <ReactFlow> so useReactFlow() works.
- */
+/** Pans/zooms to tour-highlighted nodes. */
 function TourFitView() {
   const tourHighlightedNodeIds = useDashboardStore((s) => s.tourHighlightedNodeIds);
   const { fitView } = useReactFlow();
@@ -47,7 +61,6 @@ function TourFitView() {
     prevRef.current = tourHighlightedNodeIds;
 
     if (changed) {
-      // Small delay to ensure nodes are rendered before fitting
       requestAnimationFrame(() => {
         fitView({
           nodes: tourHighlightedNodeIds.map((id) => ({ id })),
@@ -63,10 +76,7 @@ function TourFitView() {
   return null;
 }
 
-/**
- * Centers the graph on the selected node (e.g. from search).
- * Must be rendered inside <ReactFlow> so useReactFlow() works.
- */
+/** Centers the graph on the selected node (e.g. from search). */
 function SelectedNodeFitView() {
   const selectedNodeId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.selectedNodeId);
   const { fitView } = useReactFlow();
@@ -90,328 +100,397 @@ function SelectedNodeFitView() {
   return null;
 }
 
-/**
- * Build topology-only flow data: nodes and edges without visual-only state
- * (selection, tour highlights, search results). This output drives dagre
- * layout and should only recompute when the graph structure changes.
- */
-function buildTopologyData(
-  graph: NonNullable<ReturnType<typeof useDashboardStore.getState>["graph"]>,
-  persona: string,
-  diffMode: boolean,
-  changedNodeIds: Set<string>,
-  affectedNodeIds: Set<string>,
-  handleNodeSelect: (nodeId: string) => void,
-) {
-  const filteredGraphNodes =
-    persona === "non-technical"
-      ? graph.nodes.filter(
-          (n) =>
-            n.type === "concept" || n.type === "module" || n.type === "file",
-        )
-      : graph.nodes;
+// ── Overview level: layers as cluster nodes ────────────────────────────
 
-  const filteredNodeIds = new Set(filteredGraphNodes.map((n) => n.id));
-  const filteredGraphEdges =
-    persona === "non-technical"
-      ? graph.edges.filter(
-          (e) => filteredNodeIds.has(e.source) && filteredNodeIds.has(e.target),
-        )
-      : graph.edges;
+function useOverviewGraph() {
+  const graph = useDashboardStore((s) => s.graph);
+  const searchResults = useDashboardStore((s) => s.searchResults);
+  const drillIntoLayer = useDashboardStore((s) => s.drillIntoLayer);
 
-  const flowNodes: CustomFlowNode[] = filteredGraphNodes.map((node) => ({
-    id: node.id,
-    type: "custom" as const,
-    position: { x: 0, y: 0 },
-    data: {
-      label: node.name ?? node.filePath?.split("/").pop() ?? node.id,
-      nodeType: node.type,
-      summary: node.summary,
-      complexity: node.complexity,
-      isHighlighted: false,
-      searchScore: undefined,
-      isSelected: false,
-      isTourHighlighted: false,
-      isDiffChanged: diffMode && changedNodeIds.has(node.id),
-      isDiffAffected: diffMode && affectedNodeIds.has(node.id),
-      isDiffFaded: diffMode && !changedNodeIds.has(node.id) && !affectedNodeIds.has(node.id),
-      onNodeClick: handleNodeSelect,
-    },
-  }));
+  return useMemo(() => {
+    if (!graph) return { nodes: [] as Node[], edges: [] as Edge[] };
 
-  const diffNodeIds = diffMode ? new Set([...changedNodeIds, ...affectedNodeIds]) : new Set<string>();
-  const flowEdges: Edge[] = filteredGraphEdges.map((edge, i) => {
-    const sourceInDiff = diffMode && diffNodeIds.has(edge.source);
-    const targetInDiff = diffMode && diffNodeIds.has(edge.target);
-    const isImpacted = diffMode && (sourceInDiff || targetInDiff);
+    const layers = graph.layers ?? [];
+    if (layers.length === 0) return { nodes: [] as Node[], edges: [] as Edge[] };
 
-    return {
-      id: `e-${i}`,
-      source: edge.source,
-      target: edge.target,
-      label: edge.type,
-      animated: edge.type === "calls" || isImpacted,
-      style: isImpacted
-        ? {
-            stroke: sourceInDiff && targetInDiff
-              ? "var(--color-diff-changed)"
-              : "var(--color-diff-affected)",
-            strokeWidth: 2.5,
-          }
-        : diffMode
-          ? { stroke: "var(--color-edge-dim)", strokeWidth: 1 }
-          : { stroke: "var(--color-edge)", strokeWidth: 1.5 },
-      labelStyle: diffMode && !isImpacted
-        ? { fill: "var(--color-text-muted)", fontSize: 10 }
-        : { fill: "var(--color-text-secondary)", fontSize: 10 },
-    };
-  });
-
-  return { flowNodes, flowEdges };
-}
-
-/**
- * Lightweight overlay of visual-only state onto already-positioned nodes.
- * This is O(n) object spreads — cheap even for thousands of nodes — and
- * avoids triggering a dagre relayout when selection/highlight/search changes.
- */
-function applyVisualState(
-  nodes: (CustomFlowNode | Node)[],
-  selectedNodeId: string | null,
-  tourHighlightedNodeIds: string[],
-  searchResults: Array<{ nodeId: string; score: number }>,
-): (CustomFlowNode | Node)[] {
-  const searchMap = new Map(searchResults.map((r) => [r.nodeId, r.score]));
-  const tourSet = new Set(tourHighlightedNodeIds);
-
-  return nodes.map((node) => {
-    // Skip group nodes (layer containers) — they have no CustomNodeData
-    if (node.type === "group") return node;
-
-    const searchScore = searchMap.get(node.id);
-    const isHighlighted = searchScore !== undefined;
-    const isSelected = selectedNodeId === node.id;
-    const isTourHighlighted = tourSet.has(node.id);
-
-    const data = node.data as CustomFlowNode["data"];
-
-    // Skip creating a new object if nothing visual changed
-    if (
-      data.isHighlighted === isHighlighted &&
-      data.searchScore === searchScore &&
-      data.isSelected === isSelected &&
-      data.isTourHighlighted === isTourHighlighted
-    ) {
-      return node;
+    // Build search match counts per layer
+    const searchMatchByLayer = new Map<string, number>();
+    if (searchResults.length > 0) {
+      const nodeToLayer = new Map<string, string>();
+      for (const layer of layers) {
+        for (const nid of layer.nodeIds) {
+          nodeToLayer.set(nid, layer.id);
+        }
+      }
+      for (const result of searchResults) {
+        const lid = nodeToLayer.get(result.nodeId);
+        if (lid) {
+          searchMatchByLayer.set(lid, (searchMatchByLayer.get(lid) ?? 0) + 1);
+        }
+      }
     }
 
-    return {
-      ...node,
-      data: {
-        ...data,
-        isHighlighted,
-        searchScore,
-        isSelected,
-        isTourHighlighted,
-      },
-    };
-  });
-}
+    // Create cluster nodes
+    const clusterNodes: LayerClusterFlowNode[] = layers.map((layer, i) => {
+      const memberNodes = graph.nodes.filter((n) => layer.nodeIds.includes(n.id));
+      const complexCounts = { simple: 0, moderate: 0, complex: 0 };
+      for (const n of memberNodes) {
+        complexCounts[n.complexity]++;
+      }
+      const aggregateComplexity =
+        complexCounts.complex > memberNodes.length * 0.3
+          ? "complex"
+          : complexCounts.moderate > memberNodes.length * 0.3
+            ? "moderate"
+            : "simple";
 
-function applyLayerGroups(
-  laidNodes: CustomFlowNode[],
-  edges: Edge[],
-  layers: Array<{ id: string; name: string; nodeIds: string[] }>,
-  showLayers: boolean,
-): { initialNodes: (CustomFlowNode | Node)[]; initialEdges: Edge[] } {
-  if (!showLayers || layers.length === 0) {
-    return { initialNodes: laidNodes, initialEdges: edges };
-  }
-
-  const nodeToLayer = new Map<string, string>();
-  for (const layer of layers) {
-    for (const nodeId of layer.nodeIds) {
-      nodeToLayer.set(nodeId, layer.id);
-    }
-  }
-
-  const groupNodes: Node[] = [];
-  const adjustedNodes: (CustomFlowNode | Node)[] = [];
-
-  for (const layer of layers) {
-    const memberNodes = laidNodes.filter((n) => layer.nodeIds.includes(n.id));
-    if (memberNodes.length === 0) continue;
-
-    let minX = Infinity, minY = Infinity, maxX = -Infinity, maxY = -Infinity;
-    for (const node of memberNodes) {
-      minX = Math.min(minX, node.position.x);
-      minY = Math.min(minY, node.position.y);
-      maxX = Math.max(maxX, node.position.x + NODE_WIDTH);
-      maxY = Math.max(maxY, node.position.y + NODE_HEIGHT);
-    }
-
-    const groupX = minX - LAYER_PADDING;
-    const groupY = minY - LAYER_PADDING - 24;
-    const groupWidth = maxX - minX + LAYER_PADDING * 2;
-    const groupHeight = maxY - minY + LAYER_PADDING * 2 + 24;
-
-    groupNodes.push({
-      id: layer.id,
-      type: "group",
-      position: { x: groupX, y: groupY },
-      data: { label: layer.name },
-      style: {
-        width: groupWidth,
-        height: groupHeight,
-        backgroundColor: "var(--color-accent-overlay-bg)",
-        borderRadius: 12,
-        border: "2px dashed var(--color-accent-overlay-border)",
-        padding: 8,
-        fontSize: 13,
-        fontWeight: 600,
-        color: "var(--color-accent)",
-      },
+      return {
+        id: layer.id,
+        type: "layer-cluster" as const,
+        position: { x: 0, y: 0 },
+        data: {
+          layerId: layer.id,
+          layerName: layer.name,
+          layerDescription: layer.description,
+          fileCount: layer.nodeIds.length,
+          aggregateComplexity,
+          layerColorIndex: i,
+          searchMatchCount: searchMatchByLayer.get(layer.id),
+          onDrillIn: drillIntoLayer,
+        },
+      };
     });
 
-    for (const node of memberNodes) {
-      adjustedNodes.push({
-        ...node,
-        parentId: layer.id,
-        extent: "parent" as const,
-        position: {
-          x: node.position.x - groupX,
-          y: node.position.y - groupY,
-        },
-      });
-    }
-  }
+    // Aggregate edges between layers
+    const aggregated = aggregateLayerEdges(graph);
+    const flowEdges: Edge[] = aggregated.map((agg, i) => ({
+      id: `le-${i}`,
+      source: agg.sourceLayerId,
+      target: agg.targetLayerId,
+      label: `${agg.count}`,
+      style: {
+        stroke: "rgba(212,165,116,0.4)",
+        strokeWidth: Math.min(1 + Math.log2(agg.count + 1), 5),
+      },
+      labelStyle: { fill: "#a39787", fontSize: 11, fontWeight: 600 },
+    }));
 
-  for (const node of laidNodes) {
-    if (!nodeToLayer.has(node.id)) {
-      adjustedNodes.push(node);
+    const dims = new Map<string, { width: number; height: number }>();
+    for (const n of clusterNodes) {
+      dims.set(n.id, { width: LAYER_CLUSTER_WIDTH, height: LAYER_CLUSTER_HEIGHT });
     }
-  }
-
-  return {
-    initialNodes: [...groupNodes, ...adjustedNodes],
-    initialEdges: edges,
-  };
+    const laid = applyDagreLayout(clusterNodes as unknown as Node[], flowEdges, "TB", dims);
+    return { nodes: laid.nodes, edges: laid.edges };
+  }, [graph, searchResults, drillIntoLayer]);
 }
 
-function GraphViewInner() {
+// ── Layer detail level: topology (dagre) + visual overlay ───────────────
+
+/**
+ * Topology memo: computes node positions via dagre. Only recomputes when
+ * the graph structure, active layer, persona, diff, or focus changes.
+ * Does NOT depend on selectedNodeId, searchResults, or tourHighlightedNodeIds.
+ */
+function useLayerDetailTopology() {
   const graph = useDashboardStore((s) => s.graph);
-  const selectedNodeId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.selectedNodeId);
-  const searchResults = useDashboardStore((s) => s.searchResults);
+  const activeLayerId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.activeLayerId);
   const selectNode = useDashboardStore((s) => s.selectNode);
-  const openCodeViewer = useDashboardStore((s) => s.openCodeViewer);
-  const showLayers = useDashboardStore((s) => s.showLayers);
-  const tourHighlightedNodeIds = useDashboardStore((s) => s.tourHighlightedNodeIds);
   const persona = useDashboardStore((s) => s.persona);
   const diffMode = useDashboardStore((s) => s.diffMode);
   const changedNodeIds = useDashboardStore((s) => s.changedNodeIds);
   const affectedNodeIds = useDashboardStore((s) => s.affectedNodeIds);
-  const { preset } = useTheme();
-
-  const [layouting, setLayouting] = useState(false);
+  const focusNodeId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.focusNodeId);
+  const drillIntoLayer = useDashboardStore((s) => s.drillIntoLayer);
 
   const handleNodeSelect = useCallback(
     (nodeId: string) => {
       selectNode(nodeId);
-      openCodeViewer(nodeId);
     },
-    [selectNode, openCodeViewer],
+    [selectNode],
   );
 
-  // ── Topology memo: only recomputes when graph structure changes ──
-  // Does NOT depend on selectedNodeId, tourHighlightedNodeIds, or searchResults.
-  const { topoNodes, topoEdges, needsAsyncLayout } = useMemo(() => {
-    if (!graph) {
-      return { topoNodes: [] as CustomFlowNode[], topoEdges: [] as Edge[], needsAsyncLayout: false };
-    }
-    const { flowNodes, flowEdges } = buildTopologyData(
-      graph, persona, diffMode, changedNodeIds, affectedNodeIds,
-      handleNodeSelect,
+  return useMemo(() => {
+    if (!graph || !activeLayerId)
+      return { nodes: [] as CustomFlowNode[], edges: [] as Edge[], portalNodes: [] as PortalFlowNode[], portalEdges: [] as Edge[], filteredEdges: [] as KnowledgeGraph["edges"] };
+
+    const activeLayer = graph.layers.find((l) => l.id === activeLayerId);
+    if (!activeLayer) return { nodes: [] as CustomFlowNode[], edges: [] as Edge[], portalNodes: [] as PortalFlowNode[], portalEdges: [] as Edge[], filteredEdges: [] as KnowledgeGraph["edges"] };
+
+    const layerNodeIds = new Set(activeLayer.nodeIds);
+
+    // Non-technical persona only sees concept/module/file nodes
+    let filteredGraphNodes = persona === "non-technical"
+      ? graph.nodes.filter(
+          (n) => layerNodeIds.has(n.id) && (n.type === "concept" || n.type === "module" || n.type === "file"),
+        )
+      : graph.nodes.filter((n) => layerNodeIds.has(n.id) && n.type === "file");
+
+    let filteredNodeIds = new Set(filteredGraphNodes.map((n) => n.id));
+
+    let filteredGraphEdges = graph.edges.filter(
+      (e) => filteredNodeIds.has(e.source) && filteredNodeIds.has(e.target),
     );
-    return { topoNodes: flowNodes, topoEdges: flowEdges, needsAsyncLayout: flowNodes.length > ASYNC_LAYOUT_THRESHOLD };
-  }, [graph, persona, handleNodeSelect, diffMode, changedNodeIds, affectedNodeIds]);
 
-  // ── Laid-out nodes from the last completed layout pass ──
-  // Stored in a ref so layout results persist across visual-state changes.
-  const laidOutRef = useRef<{ initialNodes: (CustomFlowNode | Node)[]; initialEdges: Edge[] } | null>(null);
-
-  // ── Sync layout: for small graphs, run dagre on the main thread ──
-  const syncResult = useMemo(() => {
-    if (!graph || needsAsyncLayout || topoNodes.length === 0) return null;
-    const laid = applyDagreLayout(topoNodes, topoEdges);
-    const layers = graph.layers ?? [];
-    return applyLayerGroups(laid.nodes as CustomFlowNode[], laid.edges, layers, showLayers);
-  }, [graph, topoNodes, topoEdges, needsAsyncLayout, showLayers]);
-
-  // Keep laidOutRef in sync with sync layout results
-  if (syncResult) {
-    laidOutRef.current = syncResult;
-  }
-
-  // ── Visual memo: cheap overlay of selection/highlight/search state ──
-  const visualNodes = useMemo(() => {
-    const base = laidOutRef.current;
-    if (!base) return [] as (CustomFlowNode | Node)[];
-    return applyVisualState(base.initialNodes, selectedNodeId, tourHighlightedNodeIds, searchResults);
-  }, [laidOutRef.current, selectedNodeId, tourHighlightedNodeIds, searchResults]);
-
-  const [nodes, setNodes, onNodesChange] = useNodesState(visualNodes);
-  const [edges, setEdges, onEdgesChange] = useEdgesState(laidOutRef.current?.initialEdges ?? []);
-
-  // ── Push sync layout + visual state to ReactFlow ──
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (syncResult) {
-      const withVisual = applyVisualState(syncResult.initialNodes, selectedNodeId, tourHighlightedNodeIds, searchResults);
-      setNodes(withVisual);
-      setEdges(syncResult.initialEdges);
+    // Focus mode: 1-hop neighborhood within the layer
+    if (focusNodeId && filteredNodeIds.has(focusNodeId)) {
+      const focusNeighborIds = new Set<string>([focusNodeId]);
+      for (const edge of filteredGraphEdges) {
+        if (edge.source === focusNodeId) focusNeighborIds.add(edge.target);
+        if (edge.target === focusNodeId) focusNeighborIds.add(edge.source);
+      }
+      filteredGraphNodes = filteredGraphNodes.filter((n) =>
+        focusNeighborIds.has(n.id),
+      );
+      filteredNodeIds = new Set(filteredGraphNodes.map((n) => n.id));
+      filteredGraphEdges = filteredGraphEdges.filter(
+        (e) => filteredNodeIds.has(e.source) && filteredNodeIds.has(e.target),
+      );
     }
-  }, [syncResult, selectedNodeId, tourHighlightedNodeIds, searchResults, setNodes, setEdges]);
 
-  // ── Push visual-only changes (no relayout) ──
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (laidOutRef.current && !layouting) {
-      const withVisual = applyVisualState(laidOutRef.current.initialNodes, selectedNodeId, tourHighlightedNodeIds, searchResults);
-      setNodes(withVisual);
-    }
-  }, [selectedNodeId, tourHighlightedNodeIds, searchResults, setNodes, layouting]);
+    const diffNodeIds = diffMode
+      ? new Set([...changedNodeIds, ...affectedNodeIds])
+      : new Set<string>();
 
-  // ── Async layout: for large graphs, run dagre in a Web Worker ──
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (!graph || !needsAsyncLayout || topoNodes.length === 0) return;
+    const flowNodes: CustomFlowNode[] = filteredGraphNodes.map((node) => ({
+      id: node.id,
+      type: "custom" as const,
+      position: { x: 0, y: 0 },
+      data: {
+        label: node.name ?? node.filePath?.split("/").pop() ?? node.id,
+        nodeType: node.type,
+        summary: node.summary,
+        complexity: node.complexity,
+        isHighlighted: false,
+        searchScore: undefined,
+        isSelected: false,
+        isTourHighlighted: false,
+        isDiffChanged: diffMode && changedNodeIds.has(node.id),
+        isDiffAffected: diffMode && affectedNodeIds.has(node.id),
+        isDiffFaded: diffMode && !changedNodeIds.has(node.id) && !affectedNodeIds.has(node.id),
+        isNeighbor: false,
+        isSelectionFaded: false,
+        onNodeClick: handleNodeSelect,
+      },
+    }));
 
-    let cancelled = false;
-    setLayouting(true);
+    const flowEdges: Edge[] = filteredGraphEdges.map((edge, i) => {
+      const sourceInDiff = diffMode && diffNodeIds.has(edge.source);
+      const targetInDiff = diffMode && diffNodeIds.has(edge.target);
+      const isImpacted = diffMode && (sourceInDiff || targetInDiff);
 
-    applyDagreLayoutAsync(topoNodes, topoEdges).then((laid) => {
-      if (cancelled) return;
-      const layers = graph.layers ?? [];
-      const result = applyLayerGroups(laid.nodes as CustomFlowNode[], laid.edges, layers, showLayers);
-      laidOutRef.current = result;
-      const withVisual = applyVisualState(result.initialNodes, selectedNodeId, tourHighlightedNodeIds, searchResults);
-      setNodes(withVisual);
-      setEdges(result.initialEdges);
-      setLayouting(false);
-    }).catch(() => {
-      if (cancelled) return;
-      setLayouting(false);
+      let edgeStyle: React.CSSProperties;
+      let edgeLabelStyle: React.CSSProperties;
+      let edgeAnimated: boolean;
+
+      if (isImpacted) {
+        edgeStyle = {
+          stroke: sourceInDiff && targetInDiff ? "rgba(224, 82, 82, 0.7)" : "rgba(212, 160, 48, 0.5)",
+          strokeWidth: 2.5,
+        };
+        edgeLabelStyle = { fill: "#a39787", fontSize: 10 };
+        edgeAnimated = true;
+      } else if (diffMode) {
+        edgeStyle = { stroke: "rgba(212,165,116,0.08)", strokeWidth: 1 };
+        edgeLabelStyle = { fill: "rgba(163,151,135,0.3)", fontSize: 10 };
+        edgeAnimated = false;
+      } else {
+        edgeStyle = { stroke: "rgba(212,165,116,0.3)", strokeWidth: 1.5 };
+        edgeLabelStyle = { fill: "#a39787", fontSize: 10 };
+        edgeAnimated = edge.type === "calls";
+      }
+
+      return {
+        id: `e-${i}`,
+        source: edge.source,
+        target: edge.target,
+        label: edge.type,
+        animated: edgeAnimated,
+        style: edgeStyle,
+        labelStyle: edgeLabelStyle,
+      };
     });
 
-    return () => { cancelled = true; setLayouting(false); };
-  }, [graph, topoNodes, topoEdges, needsAsyncLayout, showLayers, setNodes, setEdges]);
+    // Portal nodes for connected external layers
+    const portals = computePortals(graph, activeLayerId);
+    const layerIndexMap = new Map(graph.layers.map((l, i) => [l.id, i]));
+
+    const portalNodes: PortalFlowNode[] = portals.map((portal) => ({
+      id: `portal:${portal.layerId}`,
+      type: "portal" as const,
+      position: { x: 0, y: 0 },
+      data: {
+        targetLayerId: portal.layerId,
+        targetLayerName: portal.layerName,
+        connectionCount: portal.connectionCount,
+        layerColorIndex: layerIndexMap.get(portal.layerId) ?? 0,
+        onNavigate: drillIntoLayer,
+      },
+    }));
+
+    const portalEdges: Edge[] = [];
+    let portalEdgeIdx = flowEdges.length;
+    for (const portal of portals) {
+      const crossFiles = findCrossLayerFileNodes(graph, activeLayerId, portal.layerId);
+      for (const fileId of crossFiles) {
+        if (filteredNodeIds.has(fileId)) {
+          portalEdges.push({
+            id: `e-${portalEdgeIdx++}`,
+            source: fileId,
+            target: `portal:${portal.layerId}`,
+            style: { stroke: "rgba(212,165,116,0.2)", strokeWidth: 1, strokeDasharray: "4 4" },
+            animated: false,
+          });
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    const allFlowNodes: Node[] = [
+      ...(flowNodes as unknown as Node[]),
+      ...(portalNodes as unknown as Node[]),
+    ];
+    const allFlowEdges = [...flowEdges, ...portalEdges];
+
+    const dims = new Map<string, { width: number; height: number }>();
+    for (const n of flowNodes) {
+      dims.set(n.id, { width: NODE_WIDTH, height: NODE_HEIGHT });
+    }
+    for (const n of portalNodes) {
+      dims.set(n.id, { width: PORTAL_NODE_WIDTH, height: PORTAL_NODE_HEIGHT });
+    }
+
+    const laid = applyDagreLayout(allFlowNodes, allFlowEdges, "TB", dims);
+    return { nodes: laid.nodes, edges: laid.edges, portalNodes, portalEdges, filteredEdges: filteredGraphEdges };
+  }, [graph, activeLayerId, persona, handleNodeSelect, diffMode, changedNodeIds, affectedNodeIds, focusNodeId, drillIntoLayer]);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Visual overlay: cheap O(n) pass that applies selection, search, and tour
+ * state onto already-positioned nodes. Avoids triggering dagre relayout.
+ */
+function useLayerDetailGraph() {
+  const selectedNodeId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.selectedNodeId);
+  const searchResults = useDashboardStore((s) => s.searchResults);
+  const tourHighlightedNodeIds = useDashboardStore((s) => s.tourHighlightedNodeIds);
+
+  const topo = useLayerDetailTopology();
+
+  const nodes = useMemo(() => {
+    const searchMap = new Map(searchResults.map((r) => [r.nodeId, r.score]));
+    const tourSet = new Set(tourHighlightedNodeIds);
+
+    // Build neighbor set for selection highlighting
+    const neighborNodeIds = new Set<string>();
+    if (selectedNodeId) {
+      for (const edge of topo.filteredEdges) {
+        if (edge.source === selectedNodeId) neighborNodeIds.add(edge.target);
+        if (edge.target === selectedNodeId) neighborNodeIds.add(edge.source);
+      }
+      neighborNodeIds.add(selectedNodeId);
+    }
+
+    return topo.nodes.map((node) => {
+      // Skip portal nodes — they have no CustomNodeData
+      if (node.type === "portal") return node;
+
+      const searchScore = searchMap.get(node.id);
+      const isHighlighted = searchScore !== undefined;
+      const isSelected = selectedNodeId === node.id;
+      const isTourHighlighted = tourSet.has(node.id);
+      const hasSelection = !!selectedNodeId;
+      const isNeighbor = hasSelection && neighborNodeIds.has(node.id) && !isSelected;
+      const isSelectionFaded = hasSelection && !neighborNodeIds.has(node.id);
+
+      const data = node.data as CustomFlowNode["data"];
+
+      // Skip creating a new object if nothing visual changed
+      if (
+        data.isHighlighted === isHighlighted &&
+        data.searchScore === searchScore &&
+        data.isSelected === isSelected &&
+        data.isTourHighlighted === isTourHighlighted &&
+        data.isNeighbor === isNeighbor &&
+        data.isSelectionFaded === isSelectionFaded
+      ) {
+        return node;
+      }
+
+      return { ...node, data: { ...data, isHighlighted, searchScore, isSelected, isTourHighlighted, isNeighbor, isSelectionFaded } };
+    });
+  }, [topo.nodes, topo.filteredEdges, selectedNodeId, searchResults, tourHighlightedNodeIds]);
+
+  const edges = useMemo(() => {
+    if (!selectedNodeId) return topo.edges;
+
+    // Apply selection-based edge styling on top of topology edges
+    return topo.edges.map((edge) => {
+      const isSelectedEdge = edge.source === selectedNodeId || edge.target === selectedNodeId;
+      // Don't restyle diff-impacted or portal edges
+      if ((edge.style as Record<string, unknown>)?.strokeDasharray) return edge;
+
+      if (isSelectedEdge) {
+        return { ...edge, animated: true, style: { stroke: "rgba(212,165,116,0.8)", strokeWidth: 2.5 }, labelStyle: { fill: "#d4a574", fontSize: 11, fontWeight: 600 } };
+      }
+      // Fade unrelated edges
+      return { ...edge, animated: false, style: { stroke: "rgba(212,165,116,0.08)", strokeWidth: 1 }, labelStyle: { fill: "rgba(163,151,135,0.2)", fontSize: 10 } };
+    });
+  }, [topo.edges, selectedNodeId]);
+
+  return { nodes, edges };
+}
+
+// ── Main inner component (must be inside ReactFlowProvider) ────────────
+
+function GraphViewInner() {
+  const graph = useDashboardStore((s) => s.graph);
+  const navigationLevel = useDashboardStore((s) => s.navigationLevel);
+  const activeLayerId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.activeLayerId);
+  const selectNode = useDashboardStore((s) => s.selectNode);
+  const openCodeViewer = useDashboardStore((s) => s.openCodeViewer);
+  const drillIntoLayer = useDashboardStore((s) => s.drillIntoLayer);
+  const focusNodeId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.focusNodeId);
+  const setFocusNode = useDashboardStore((s) => s.setFocusNode);
+  const { preset } = useTheme();
+
+  const overviewGraph = useOverviewGraph();
+  const detailGraph = useLayerDetailGraph();
+
+  const { nodes: initialNodes, edges: initialEdges } =
+    navigationLevel === "overview" ? overviewGraph : detailGraph;
+
+  const [nodes, setNodes, onNodesChange] = useNodesState(initialNodes);
+  const [edges, setEdges, onEdgesChange] = useEdgesState(initialEdges);
+
+  const { fitView } = useReactFlow();
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setNodes(initialNodes);
+  }, [initialNodes, setNodes]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setEdges(initialEdges);
+  }, [initialEdges, setEdges]);
+
+  // Fit view on level/layer transitions
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const timer = setTimeout(() => {
+      fitView({ duration: 400, padding: 0.2 });
+    }, 50);
+    return () => clearTimeout(timer);
+  }, [navigationLevel, activeLayerId, fitView]);
 
   const onNodeClick = useCallback(
     (_: React.MouseEvent, node: { id: string }) => {
-      // Ignore clicks on group nodes
-      const isGroupNode = graph?.layers?.some((l) => l.id === node.id);
-      if (isGroupNode) return;
-      selectNode(node.id);
-      openCodeViewer(node.id);
+      if (navigationLevel === "overview") {
+        drillIntoLayer(node.id);
+      } else if (node.id.startsWith("portal:")) {
+        const targetLayerId = node.id.replace("portal:", "");
+        drillIntoLayer(targetLayerId);
+      } else {
+        selectNode(node.id);
+        openCodeViewer(node.id);
+      }
     },
-    [selectNode, openCodeViewer, graph],
+    [navigationLevel, drillIntoLayer, selectNode, openCodeViewer],
   );
 
   const onPaneClick = useCallback(() => {
@@ -428,14 +507,16 @@ function GraphViewInner() {
 
   return (
     <div className="h-full w-full relative">
-      {layouting && (
-        <div className="absolute inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-root/80 rounded-lg">
-          <div className="text-center">
-            <div className="inline-block w-8 h-8 border-2 border-accent border-t-transparent rounded-full animate-spin mb-3" />
-            <p className="text-text-secondary text-sm">
-              Laying out {topoNodes.length.toLocaleString()} nodes...
-            </p>
-          </div>
+      <Breadcrumb />
+      {focusNodeId && navigationLevel === "layer-detail" && (
+        <div className="absolute top-14 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 z-10">
+          <button
+            onClick={() => setFocusNode(null)}
+            className="px-4 py-2 rounded-full bg-elevated border border-gold/30 text-gold text-xs font-semibold tracking-wider uppercase hover:bg-gold/10 transition-colors flex items-center gap-2 shadow-lg"
+          >
+            <span>Showing neighborhood</span>
+            <span className="text-text-muted">&times;</span>
+          </button>
         </div>
       )}
       <ReactFlow
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/LayerClusterNode.tsx b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/LayerClusterNode.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c63cad9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/LayerClusterNode.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+import { memo } from "react";
+import { Handle, Position } from "@xyflow/react";
+import type { NodeProps, Node } from "@xyflow/react";
+import { getLayerColor } from "./LayerLegend";
+
+const complexityColors: Record<string, string> = {
+  simple: "text-node-function",
+  moderate: "text-gold-dim",
+  complex: "text-[#c97070]",
+};
+
+export interface LayerClusterData extends Record<string, unknown> {
+  layerId: string;
+  layerName: string;
+  layerDescription: string;
+  fileCount: number;
+  aggregateComplexity: string;
+  layerColorIndex: number;
+  searchMatchCount?: number;
+  onDrillIn: (layerId: string) => void;
+}
+
+export type LayerClusterFlowNode = Node<LayerClusterData, "layer-cluster">;
+
+function LayerClusterNode({
+  data,
+}: NodeProps<LayerClusterFlowNode>) {
+  const color = getLayerColor(data.layerColorIndex);
+  const complexityColor =
+    complexityColors[data.aggregateComplexity] ?? complexityColors.simple;
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      className="relative rounded-xl bg-elevated border border-border-subtle overflow-hidden cursor-pointer transition-all duration-200 hover:border-gold/40 hover:shadow-lg group"
+      style={{
+        width: 300,
+        boxShadow: "0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.4)",
+      }}
+      onClick={() => data.onDrillIn(data.layerId)}
+    >
+      {/* Left color bar */}
+      <div
+        className="absolute left-0 top-0 bottom-0 w-1.5 rounded-l-xl"
+        style={{ backgroundColor: color.label }}
+      />
+
+      <Handle
+        type="target"
+        position={Position.Top}
+        className="!bg-text-muted !w-2 !h-2"
+      />
+
+      <div className="pl-5 pr-4 py-4">
+        {/* Header row */}
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-2">
+          <span
+            className="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider"
+            style={{ color: color.label }}
+          >
+            Layer
+          </span>
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+            {data.searchMatchCount != null && data.searchMatchCount > 0 && (
+              <span className="text-[10px] font-mono bg-gold/20 text-gold px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded">
+                {data.searchMatchCount} match{data.searchMatchCount !== 1 ? "es" : ""}
+              </span>
+            )}
+            <span className={`text-[10px] font-mono ${complexityColor}`}>
+              {data.aggregateComplexity}
+            </span>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+
+        {/* Layer name */}
+        <div className="text-lg font-serif text-text-primary mb-1">
+          {data.layerName}
+        </div>
+
+        {/* Description */}
+        <div className="text-[11px] text-text-secondary line-clamp-2 leading-tight mb-3">
+          {data.layerDescription}
+        </div>
+
+        {/* Footer */}
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+          <span className="text-[11px] text-text-muted">
+            {data.fileCount} file{data.fileCount !== 1 ? "s" : ""}
+          </span>
+          <span className="text-[10px] text-text-muted opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 transition-opacity">
+            Click to explore →
+          </span>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <Handle
+        type="source"
+        position={Position.Bottom}
+        className="!bg-text-muted !w-2 !h-2"
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+export default memo(LayerClusterNode);
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/LayerLegend.tsx b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/LayerLegend.tsx
index f98e389..90d12a1 100644
--- a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/LayerLegend.tsx
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/LayerLegend.tsx
@@ -1,86 +1,70 @@
 import { useDashboardStore } from "../store";
 
-const LAYER_COLORS = [
-  "rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.08)", // blue
-  "rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.08)", // green
-  "rgba(245, 158, 11, 0.08)", // amber
-  "rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.08)", // violet
-  "rgba(236, 72, 153, 0.08)", // pink
-  "rgba(6, 182, 212, 0.08)", // cyan
-  "rgba(249, 115, 22, 0.08)", // orange
-  "rgba(168, 162, 158, 0.08)", // stone
+// Shared layer color palette — used by LayerLegend, LayerClusterNode, PortalNode, and GraphView
+export const LAYER_PALETTE = [
+  { bg: "rgba(74, 124, 155, 0.12)", border: "rgba(74, 124, 155, 0.4)", label: "#4a7c9b" },   // blue (API)
+  { bg: "rgba(90, 158, 111, 0.12)", border: "rgba(90, 158, 111, 0.4)", label: "#5a9e6f" },   // green (Data)
+  { bg: "rgba(139, 111, 176, 0.12)", border: "rgba(139, 111, 176, 0.4)", label: "#8b6fb0" }, // purple (Service)
+  { bg: "rgba(201, 160, 108, 0.12)", border: "rgba(201, 160, 108, 0.4)", label: "#c9a06c" }, // gold (Config)
+  { bg: "rgba(176, 122, 138, 0.12)", border: "rgba(176, 122, 138, 0.4)", label: "#b07a8a" }, // pink (UI)
+  { bg: "rgba(74, 155, 140, 0.12)", border: "rgba(74, 155, 140, 0.4)", label: "#4a9b8c" },   // teal (Middleware)
+  { bg: "rgba(120, 130, 145, 0.12)", border: "rgba(120, 130, 145, 0.4)", label: "#788291" }, // slate (Test)
 ];
 
-export const LAYER_BORDER_COLORS = [
-  "rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5)", // blue
-  "rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.5)", // green
-  "rgba(245, 158, 11, 0.5)", // amber
-  "rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.5)", // violet
-  "rgba(236, 72, 153, 0.5)", // pink
-  "rgba(6, 182, 212, 0.5)", // cyan
-  "rgba(249, 115, 22, 0.5)", // orange
-  "rgba(168, 162, 158, 0.5)", // stone
-];
-
-export { LAYER_COLORS };
-
-export function getLayerColor(index: number): string {
-  return LAYER_COLORS[index % LAYER_COLORS.length];
-}
-
-export function getLayerBorderColor(index: number): string {
-  return LAYER_BORDER_COLORS[index % LAYER_BORDER_COLORS.length];
+export function getLayerColor(index: number) {
+  return LAYER_PALETTE[index % LAYER_PALETTE.length];
 }
 
 export default function LayerLegend() {
   const graph = useDashboardStore((s) => s.graph);
-  const showLayers = useDashboardStore((s) => s.showLayers);
-  const toggleLayers = useDashboardStore((s) => s.toggleLayers);
+  const navigationLevel = useDashboardStore((s) => s.navigationLevel);
+  const activeLayerId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.activeLayerId);
 
   const layers = graph?.layers ?? [];
   const hasLayers = layers.length > 0;
 
+  if (!hasLayers) return null;
+
+  const activeLayer = layers.find((l) => l.id === activeLayerId);
+
   return (
     <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-      <button
-        onClick={toggleLayers}
-        disabled={!hasLayers}
-        className={`px-2 py-0.5 rounded text-[11px] font-medium transition-colors ${
-          showLayers && hasLayers
-            ? "bg-accent/20 text-accent"
-            : hasLayers
-              ? "bg-elevated text-text-secondary hover:bg-surface"
-              : "bg-elevated text-text-muted cursor-not-allowed"
-        }`}
-        title={
-          hasLayers
-            ? showLayers
-              ? "Hide layer grouping"
-              : "Show layer grouping"
-            : "No layers in graph"
-        }
-      >
-        Layers {showLayers && hasLayers ? "ON" : "OFF"}
-      </button>
+      <span className="text-[11px] font-medium text-text-secondary">
+        {navigationLevel === "overview"
+          ? `${layers.length} layers`
+          : activeLayer?.name ?? "Layer"}
+      </span>
 
-      {showLayers && hasLayers && (
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
-          {layers.map((layer, i) => (
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
+        {layers.map((layer, i) => {
+          const color = getLayerColor(i);
+          const isActive = navigationLevel === "layer-detail" && layer.id === activeLayerId;
+          return (
             <div key={layer.id} className="flex items-center gap-1">
               <span
                 className="inline-block w-2 h-2 rounded-full"
-                style={{ backgroundColor: getLayerBorderColor(i) }}
+                style={{
+                  backgroundColor: color.label,
+                  opacity: navigationLevel === "layer-detail" && !isActive ? 0.3 : 1,
+                }}
               />
-              <span className="text-text-secondary text-[11px]">
+              <span
+                className={`text-[11px] ${
+                  isActive ? "text-text-primary font-medium" : "text-text-secondary"
+                }`}
+                style={{
+                  opacity: navigationLevel === "layer-detail" && !isActive ? 0.4 : 1,
+                }}
+              >
                 {layer.name}
                 <span className="text-text-muted ml-0.5">
                   ({layer.nodeIds.length})
                 </span>
               </span>
             </div>
-          ))}
-        </div>
-      )}
+          );
+        })}
+      </div>
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/NodeInfo.tsx b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/NodeInfo.tsx
index ad60b1b..b626006 100644
--- a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/NodeInfo.tsx
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/NodeInfo.tsx
@@ -15,13 +15,73 @@ const complexityBadgeColors: Record<string, string> = {
   complex: "text-[#c97070] border border-[#c97070]/30 bg-[#c97070]/10",
 };
 
+/**
+ * Human-readable directional labels for edge types.
+ * Returns different text depending on whether the selected node is
+ * the source or target of the edge.
+ */
+function getDirectionalLabel(edgeType: string, isSource: boolean): string {
+  switch (edgeType) {
+    case "imports":
+      return isSource ? "imports" : "imported by";
+    case "exports":
+      return isSource ? "exports to" : "exported by";
+    case "contains":
+      return isSource ? "contains" : "contained in";
+    case "inherits":
+      return isSource ? "inherits from" : "inherited by";
+    case "implements":
+      return isSource ? "implements" : "implemented by";
+    case "calls":
+      return isSource ? "calls" : "called by";
+    case "subscribes":
+      return isSource ? "subscribes to" : "subscribed by";
+    case "publishes":
+      return isSource ? "publishes to" : "consumed by";
+    case "middleware":
+      return isSource ? "middleware for" : "uses middleware";
+    case "reads_from":
+      return isSource ? "reads from" : "read by";
+    case "writes_to":
+      return isSource ? "writes to" : "written by";
+    case "transforms":
+      return isSource ? "transforms" : "transformed by";
+    case "validates":
+      return isSource ? "validates" : "validated by";
+    case "depends_on":
+      return isSource ? "depends on" : "depended on by";
+    case "tested_by":
+      return isSource ? "tested by" : "tests";
+    case "configures":
+      return isSource ? "configures" : "configured by";
+    case "related":
+      return "related to";
+    case "similar_to":
+      return "similar to";
+    default:
+      return isSource ? edgeType : `${edgeType} (reverse)`;
+  }
+}
+
 export default function NodeInfo() {
   const graph = useDashboardStore((s) => s.graph);
   const selectedNodeId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.selectedNodeId);
+  const nodeHistory = useDashboardStore((s) => s.nodeHistory);
+  const goBackNode = useDashboardStore((s) => s.goBackNode);
   const [languageExpanded, setLanguageExpanded] = useState(true);
 
+  const navigateToNode = useDashboardStore((s) => s.navigateToNode);
+  const navigateToHistoryIndex = useDashboardStore((s) => s.navigateToHistoryIndex);
+  const setFocusNode = useDashboardStore((s) => s.setFocusNode);
+  const focusNodeId = useDashboardStore((s) => s.focusNodeId);
   const node = graph?.nodes.find((n) => n.id === selectedNodeId) ?? null;
 
+  // Resolve history node names for the breadcrumb trail
+  const historyNodes = nodeHistory.map((id) => {
+    const n = graph?.nodes.find((gn) => gn.id === id);
+    return { id, name: n?.name ?? id };
+  });
+
   if (!node) {
     return (
       <div className="h-full w-full flex items-center justify-center bg-surface">
@@ -30,16 +90,65 @@ export default function NodeInfo() {
     );
   }
 
-  const connections = (graph?.edges ?? []).filter(
+  const allEdges = graph?.edges ?? [];
+  const connections = allEdges.filter(
     (e) => e.source === node.id || e.target === node.id,
   );
 
+  // Separate child nodes (contained IN this file) from other connections
+  const childEdges = connections.filter(
+    (e) => e.type === "contains" && e.source === node.id,
+  );
+  const otherConnections = connections.filter(
+    (e) => !(e.type === "contains" && e.source === node.id),
+  );
+
+  // Resolve child nodes
+  const childNodes = childEdges
+    .map((e) => graph?.nodes.find((n) => n.id === e.target))
+    .filter(Boolean);
+
   const typeBadge = typeBadgeColors[node.type] ?? typeBadgeColors.file;
   const complexityBadge =
     complexityBadgeColors[node.complexity] ?? complexityBadgeColors.simple;
 
   return (
     <div className="h-full w-full overflow-auto p-5 animate-fade-slide-in">
+      {/* Navigation history trail */}
+      {historyNodes.length > 0 && (
+        <div className="mb-3 flex items-center gap-1 flex-wrap">
+          <button
+            onClick={goBackNode}
+            className="text-[10px] font-semibold text-gold hover:text-gold-bright transition-colors flex items-center gap-1"
+          >
+            <span>←</span>
+            <span>Back</span>
+          </button>
+          <span className="text-text-muted text-[10px]">│</span>
+          {historyNodes.slice(-3).map((h, i, arr) => (
+            <span key={`${h.id}-${i}`} className="flex items-center gap-1">
+              <button
+                onClick={() => {
+                  const fullIdx = historyNodes.length - arr.length + i;
+                  navigateToHistoryIndex(fullIdx);
+                }}
+                className="text-[10px] text-text-muted hover:text-gold transition-colors truncate max-w-[80px]"
+                title={h.name}
+              >
+                {h.name}
+              </button>
+              {i < arr.length - 1 && (
+                <span className="text-text-muted text-[10px]">›</span>
+              )}
+            </span>
+          ))}
+          <span className="text-text-muted text-[10px]">›</span>
+          <span className="text-[10px] text-text-primary font-medium truncate max-w-[80px]">
+            {node.name}
+          </span>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
       <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mb-3">
         <span
           className={`text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider px-2 py-0.5 rounded ${typeBadge}`}
@@ -53,7 +162,19 @@ export default function NodeInfo() {
         </span>
       </div>
 
-      <h2 className="text-lg font-serif text-text-primary mb-2">{node.name}</h2>
+      <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-2">
+        <h2 className="text-lg font-serif text-text-primary">{node.name}</h2>
+        <button
+          onClick={() => setFocusNode(focusNodeId === node.id ? null : node.id)}
+          className={`text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider px-2.5 py-1 rounded transition-colors ${
+            focusNodeId === node.id
+              ? "bg-gold/20 text-gold border border-gold/40"
+              : "text-text-muted border border-border-subtle hover:text-gold hover:border-gold/30"
+          }`}
+        >
+          {focusNodeId === node.id ? "Unfocus" : "Focus"}
+        </button>
+      </div>
 
       <p className="text-sm text-text-secondary mb-4 leading-relaxed">
         {node.summary}
@@ -115,25 +236,68 @@ export default function NodeInfo() {
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {connections.length > 0 && (
+      {/* Child classes/functions within this file */}
+      {childNodes.length > 0 && (
+        <div className="mb-4">
+          <h3 className="text-[11px] font-semibold text-gold uppercase tracking-wider mb-2">
+            Defined in this file ({childNodes.length})
+          </h3>
+          <div className="space-y-1">
+            {childNodes.map((child) => {
+              if (!child) return null;
+              const childTypeBadge = typeBadgeColors[child.type] ?? typeBadgeColors.file;
+              const childComplexity = complexityBadgeColors[child.complexity] ?? complexityBadgeColors.simple;
+              return (
+                <div
+                  key={child.id}
+                  className="text-xs bg-elevated rounded-lg px-3 py-2 border border-border-subtle cursor-pointer hover:border-gold/40 hover:bg-gold/5 transition-colors"
+                  onClick={() => navigateToNode(child.id)}
+                >
+                  <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                    <span className={`text-[9px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded ${childTypeBadge}`}>
+                      {child.type}
+                    </span>
+                    <span className="text-text-primary truncate">{child.name}</span>
+                    <span className={`text-[9px] ml-auto ${childComplexity} px-1 py-0.5 rounded`}>
+                      {child.complexity}
+                    </span>
+                  </div>
+                  {child.summary && (
+                    <p className="text-[11px] text-text-muted mt-1 line-clamp-1 pl-1">
+                      {child.summary}
+                    </p>
+                  )}
+                </div>
+              );
+            })}
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      {/* Other connections (excluding "contains" children) */}
+      {otherConnections.length > 0 && (
         <div>
-          <h3 className="text-[11px] font-semibold text-accent uppercase tracking-wider mb-2">
-            Connections ({connections.length})
+          <h3 className="text-[11px] font-semibold text-gold uppercase tracking-wider mb-2">
+            Connections ({otherConnections.length})
           </h3>
           <div className="space-y-1.5">
-            {connections.map((edge, i) => {
+            {otherConnections.map((edge, i) => {
               const isSource = edge.source === node.id;
               const otherId = isSource ? edge.target : edge.source;
               const otherNode = graph?.nodes.find((n) => n.id === otherId);
+              const dirLabel = getDirectionalLabel(edge.type, isSource);
               const arrow = isSource ? "\u2192" : "\u2190";
 
               return (
                 <div
                   key={i}
-                  className="text-xs bg-elevated rounded-lg px-3 py-2 border border-border-subtle flex items-center gap-2"
+                  className="text-xs bg-elevated rounded-lg px-3 py-2 border border-border-subtle flex items-center gap-2 cursor-pointer hover:border-gold/40 hover:bg-gold/5 transition-colors"
+                  onClick={() => {
+                    navigateToNode(otherId);
+                  }}
                 >
-                  <span className="text-accent font-mono">{arrow}</span>
-                  <span className="text-text-muted">{edge.type}</span>
+                  <span className="text-gold font-mono">{arrow}</span>
+                  <span className="text-text-muted">{dirLabel}</span>
                   <span className="text-text-primary truncate">
                     {otherNode?.name ?? otherId}
                   </span>
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/PortalNode.tsx b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/PortalNode.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..04f9421
--- /dev/null
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/PortalNode.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+import { memo } from "react";
+import { Handle, Position } from "@xyflow/react";
+import type { NodeProps, Node } from "@xyflow/react";
+import { getLayerColor } from "./LayerLegend";
+
+export interface PortalNodeData extends Record<string, unknown> {
+  targetLayerId: string;
+  targetLayerName: string;
+  connectionCount: number;
+  layerColorIndex: number;
+  onNavigate: (layerId: string) => void;
+}
+
+export type PortalFlowNode = Node<PortalNodeData, "portal">;
+
+function PortalNode({
+  data,
+}: NodeProps<PortalFlowNode>) {
+  const color = getLayerColor(data.layerColorIndex);
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      className="relative rounded-lg bg-elevated/60 overflow-hidden cursor-pointer transition-all duration-200 hover:bg-elevated/80"
+      style={{
+        width: 220,
+        border: `2px dashed ${color.border}`,
+        boxShadow: "0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.2)",
+      }}
+      onClick={() => data.onNavigate(data.targetLayerId)}
+    >
+      <Handle
+        type="target"
+        position={Position.Top}
+        className="!bg-text-muted !w-2 !h-2"
+      />
+
+      <div className="px-3 py-2.5">
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-2 min-w-0">
+            <span
+              className="inline-block w-2 h-2 rounded-full shrink-0"
+              style={{ backgroundColor: color.label }}
+            />
+            <span className="text-sm text-text-primary truncate">
+              {data.targetLayerName}
+            </span>
+          </div>
+          <span className="text-text-muted ml-2 shrink-0">→</span>
+        </div>
+        <div className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-1 pl-4">
+          {data.connectionCount} connection{data.connectionCount !== 1 ? "s" : ""}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <Handle
+        type="source"
+        position={Position.Bottom}
+        className="!bg-text-muted !w-2 !h-2"
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+export default memo(PortalNode);
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/SearchBar.tsx b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/SearchBar.tsx
index 112b552..abc5eae 100644
--- a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/SearchBar.tsx
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/components/SearchBar.tsx
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ export default function SearchBar() {
   const searchResults = useDashboardStore((s) => s.searchResults);
   const graph = useDashboardStore((s) => s.graph);
   const setSearchQuery = useDashboardStore((s) => s.setSearchQuery);
-  const selectNode = useDashboardStore((s) => s.selectNode);
+  const navigateToNodeInLayer = useDashboardStore((s) => s.navigateToNodeInLayer);
   const searchMode = useDashboardStore((s) => s.searchMode);
   const setSearchMode = useDashboardStore((s) => s.setSearchMode);
 
@@ -40,10 +40,10 @@ export default function SearchBar() {
 
   const handleResultClick = useCallback(
     (nodeId: string) => {
-      selectNode(nodeId);
+      navigateToNodeInLayer(nodeId);
       setDropdownOpen(false);
     },
-    [selectNode],
+    [navigateToNodeInLayer],
   );
 
   // Close dropdown on Escape
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ export default function SearchBar() {
   const showDropdown = dropdownOpen && searchQuery.trim() && topResults.length > 0;
 
   return (
-    <div ref={containerRef} className="relative z-10">
+    <div ref={containerRef} className="relative z-30">
       <div className="flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 bg-surface border-b border-border-subtle">
         <svg
           className="w-4 h-4 text-text-muted shrink-0"
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/store.ts b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/store.ts
index b01a15c..fe3ed1e 100644
--- a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/store.ts
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/store.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,19 @@ import type {
 } from "@understand-anything/core/types";
 
 export type Persona = "non-technical" | "junior" | "experienced";
+export type NavigationLevel = "overview" | "layer-detail";
+
+
+/** Find which layer a node belongs to. Returns layerId or null. */
+function findNodeLayer(graph: KnowledgeGraph, nodeId: string): string | null {
+  for (const layer of graph.layers) {
+    if (layer.nodeIds.includes(nodeId)) return layer.id;
+  }
+  return null;
+}
+
+/** Maximum number of entries in the sidebar navigation history. */
+const MAX_HISTORY = 50;
 
 interface DashboardStore {
   graph: KnowledgeGraph | null;
@@ -17,7 +30,9 @@ interface DashboardStore {
   searchMode: "fuzzy" | "semantic";
   setSearchMode: (mode: "fuzzy" | "semantic") => void;
 
-  showLayers: boolean;
+  // Lens navigation
+  navigationLevel: NavigationLevel;
+  activeLayerId: string | null;
 
   codeViewerOpen: boolean;
   codeViewerNodeId: string | null;
@@ -32,10 +47,22 @@ interface DashboardStore {
   changedNodeIds: Set<string>;
   affectedNodeIds: Set<string>;
 
+  // Focus mode: isolate a node's 1-hop neighborhood
+  focusNodeId: string | null;
+
+  // Sidebar navigation history (stack of visited node IDs)
+  nodeHistory: string[];
+
   setGraph: (graph: KnowledgeGraph) => void;
   selectNode: (nodeId: string | null) => void;
+  navigateToNode: (nodeId: string) => void;
+  navigateToNodeInLayer: (nodeId: string) => void;
+  navigateToHistoryIndex: (index: number) => void;
+  goBackNode: () => void;
+  drillIntoLayer: (layerId: string) => void;
+  navigateToOverview: () => void;
+  setFocusNode: (nodeId: string | null) => void;
   setSearchQuery: (query: string) => void;
-  toggleLayers: () => void;
   setPersona: (persona: Persona) => void;
   openCodeViewer: (nodeId: string) => void;
   closeCodeViewer: () => void;
@@ -56,6 +83,22 @@ function getSortedTour(graph: KnowledgeGraph): TourStep[] {
   return [...tour].sort((a, b) => a.order - b.order);
 }
 
+/** Navigate tour step to the correct layer for the first highlighted node. */
+function navigateTourToLayer(
+  graph: KnowledgeGraph,
+  nodeIds: string[],
+): Partial<DashboardStore> {
+  if (nodeIds.length === 0) return {};
+  const layerId = findNodeLayer(graph, nodeIds[0]);
+  if (layerId) {
+    return {
+      navigationLevel: "layer-detail" as const,
+      activeLayerId: layerId,
+    };
+  }
+  return {};
+}
+
 export const useDashboardStore = create<DashboardStore>()((set, get) => ({
   graph: null,
   selectedNodeId: null,
@@ -64,8 +107,8 @@ export const useDashboardStore = create<DashboardStore>()((set, get) => ({
   searchEngine: null,
   searchMode: "fuzzy",
 
-  showLayers: false,
-
+  navigationLevel: "overview",
+  activeLayerId: null,
   codeViewerOpen: false,
   codeViewerNodeId: null,
 
@@ -79,13 +122,123 @@ export const useDashboardStore = create<DashboardStore>()((set, get) => ({
   changedNodeIds: new Set<string>(),
   affectedNodeIds: new Set<string>(),
 
+  focusNodeId: null,
+  nodeHistory: [],
+
   setGraph: (graph) => {
     const searchEngine = new SearchEngine(graph.nodes);
     const query = get().searchQuery;
     const searchResults = query.trim() ? searchEngine.search(query) : [];
-    set({ graph, searchEngine, searchResults });
+    set({
+      graph,
+      searchEngine,
+      searchResults,
+      navigationLevel: "overview",
+      activeLayerId: null,
+      selectedNodeId: null,
+      focusNodeId: null,
+      nodeHistory: [],
+    });
   },
-  selectNode: (nodeId) => set({ selectedNodeId: nodeId }),
+
+  selectNode: (nodeId) => {
+    const { selectedNodeId, nodeHistory } = get();
+    if (nodeId && selectedNodeId && nodeId !== selectedNodeId) {
+      // Push current node to history before navigating away
+      set({
+        selectedNodeId: nodeId,
+        nodeHistory: [...nodeHistory, selectedNodeId].slice(-MAX_HISTORY),
+      });
+    } else {
+      set({ selectedNodeId: nodeId });
+    }
+  },
+
+  navigateToNode: (nodeId) => {
+    get().navigateToNodeInLayer(nodeId);
+  },
+
+  navigateToNodeInLayer: (nodeId) => {
+    const { graph, selectedNodeId, nodeHistory } = get();
+    if (!graph) return;
+    const layerId = findNodeLayer(graph, nodeId);
+    const newHistory =
+      selectedNodeId && nodeId !== selectedNodeId
+        ? [...nodeHistory, selectedNodeId].slice(-MAX_HISTORY)
+        : nodeHistory;
+    if (layerId) {
+      set({
+        navigationLevel: "layer-detail",
+        activeLayerId: layerId,
+        selectedNodeId: nodeId,
+        focusNodeId: null,
+        codeViewerOpen: false,
+        codeViewerNodeId: null,
+        nodeHistory: newHistory,
+      });
+    } else {
+      set({
+        selectedNodeId: nodeId,
+        nodeHistory: newHistory,
+      });
+    }
+  },
+
+  navigateToHistoryIndex: (index) => {
+    const { nodeHistory, graph } = get();
+    if (!graph || index < 0 || index >= nodeHistory.length) return;
+    const targetId = nodeHistory[index];
+    const newHistory = nodeHistory.slice(0, index);
+    const layerId = findNodeLayer(graph, targetId);
+    set({
+      selectedNodeId: targetId,
+      nodeHistory: newHistory,
+      ...(layerId ? { navigationLevel: "layer-detail" as const, activeLayerId: layerId } : {}),
+    });
+  },
+
+  goBackNode: () => {
+    const { nodeHistory, graph } = get();
+    if (nodeHistory.length === 0 || !graph) return;
+    const prevNodeId = nodeHistory[nodeHistory.length - 1];
+    const newHistory = nodeHistory.slice(0, -1);
+    const layerId = findNodeLayer(graph, prevNodeId);
+    if (layerId) {
+      set({
+        navigationLevel: "layer-detail",
+        activeLayerId: layerId,
+        selectedNodeId: prevNodeId,
+        nodeHistory: newHistory,
+      });
+    } else {
+      set({
+        selectedNodeId: prevNodeId,
+        nodeHistory: newHistory,
+      });
+    }
+  },
+
+  drillIntoLayer: (layerId) =>
+    set({
+      navigationLevel: "layer-detail",
+      activeLayerId: layerId,
+      selectedNodeId: null,
+      focusNodeId: null,
+      codeViewerOpen: false,
+      codeViewerNodeId: null,
+    }),
+
+  navigateToOverview: () =>
+    set({
+      navigationLevel: "overview",
+      activeLayerId: null,
+      selectedNodeId: null,
+      focusNodeId: null,
+      codeViewerOpen: false,
+      codeViewerNodeId: null,
+    }),
+
+  setFocusNode: (nodeId) => set({ focusNodeId: nodeId, selectedNodeId: nodeId }),
   setSearchMode: (mode) => set({ searchMode: mode }),
   setSearchQuery: (query) => {
     const engine = get().searchEngine;
@@ -101,8 +254,6 @@ export const useDashboardStore = create<DashboardStore>()((set, get) => ({
     set({ searchQuery: query, searchResults });
   },
 
-  toggleLayers: () => set((state) => ({ showLayers: !state.showLayers })),
-
   setPersona: (persona) => set({ persona }),
 
   openCodeViewer: (nodeId) => set({ codeViewerOpen: true, codeViewerNodeId: nodeId }),
@@ -128,11 +279,13 @@ export const useDashboardStore = create<DashboardStore>()((set, get) => ({
     const { graph } = get();
     if (!graph || !graph.tour || graph.tour.length === 0) return;
     const sorted = getSortedTour(graph);
+    const layerNav = navigateTourToLayer(graph, sorted[0].nodeIds);
     set({
       tourActive: true,
       currentTourStep: 0,
       tourHighlightedNodeIds: sorted[0].nodeIds,
       selectedNodeId: null,
+      ...layerNav,
     });
   },
 
@@ -148,9 +301,11 @@ export const useDashboardStore = create<DashboardStore>()((set, get) => ({
     if (!graph || !graph.tour || graph.tour.length === 0) return;
     const sorted = getSortedTour(graph);
     if (step < 0 || step >= sorted.length) return;
+    const layerNav = navigateTourToLayer(graph, sorted[step].nodeIds);
     set({
       currentTourStep: step,
       tourHighlightedNodeIds: sorted[step].nodeIds,
+      ...layerNav,
     });
   },
 
@@ -160,9 +315,11 @@ export const useDashboardStore = create<DashboardStore>()((set, get) => ({
     const sorted = getSortedTour(graph);
     if (currentTourStep < sorted.length - 1) {
       const next = currentTourStep + 1;
+      const layerNav = navigateTourToLayer(graph, sorted[next].nodeIds);
       set({
         currentTourStep: next,
         tourHighlightedNodeIds: sorted[next].nodeIds,
+        ...layerNav,
       });
     }
   },
@@ -173,9 +330,11 @@ export const useDashboardStore = create<DashboardStore>()((set, get) => ({
     if (currentTourStep > 0) {
       const sorted = getSortedTour(graph);
       const prev = currentTourStep - 1;
+      const layerNav = navigateTourToLayer(graph, sorted[prev].nodeIds);
       set({
         currentTourStep: prev,
         tourHighlightedNodeIds: sorted[prev].nodeIds,
+        ...layerNav,
       });
     }
   },
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/utils/edgeAggregation.ts b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/utils/edgeAggregation.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..29b72d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/utils/edgeAggregation.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+import type { KnowledgeGraph } from "@understand-anything/core/types";
+
+export interface LayerEdgeAggregation {
+  sourceLayerId: string;
+  targetLayerId: string;
+  count: number;
+  edgeTypes: string[];
+}
+
+export interface PortalInfo {
+  layerId: string;
+  layerName: string;
+  connectionCount: number;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Aggregate edges between layers. Counts how many graph edges cross
+ * from one layer to another. Only considers edges where both endpoints
+ * are assigned to a layer.
+ */
+export function aggregateLayerEdges(
+  graph: KnowledgeGraph,
+): LayerEdgeAggregation[] {
+  const nodeToLayer = new Map<string, string>();
+  for (const layer of graph.layers) {
+    for (const nodeId of layer.nodeIds) {
+      nodeToLayer.set(nodeId, layer.id);
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Key: "layerA|layerB" (sorted) → aggregation
+  const pairMap = new Map<
+    string,
+    { sourceLayerId: string; targetLayerId: string; count: number; edgeTypes: Set<string> }
+  >();
+
+  for (const edge of graph.edges) {
+    const sourceLayer = nodeToLayer.get(edge.source);
+    const targetLayer = nodeToLayer.get(edge.target);
+    if (!sourceLayer || !targetLayer) continue;
+    if (sourceLayer === targetLayer) continue;
+
+    // Canonical key so A→B and B→A merge
+    const [a, b] =
+      sourceLayer < targetLayer
+        ? [sourceLayer, targetLayer]
+        : [targetLayer, sourceLayer];
+    const key = `${a}|${b}`;
+
+    const existing = pairMap.get(key);
+    if (existing) {
+      existing.count++;
+      existing.edgeTypes.add(edge.type);
+    } else {
+      pairMap.set(key, {
+        sourceLayerId: a,
+        targetLayerId: b,
+        count: 1,
+        edgeTypes: new Set([edge.type]),
+      });
+    }
+  }
+
+  return Array.from(pairMap.values()).map((p) => ({
+    sourceLayerId: p.sourceLayerId,
+    targetLayerId: p.targetLayerId,
+    count: p.count,
+    edgeTypes: Array.from(p.edgeTypes),
+  }));
+}
+
+/**
+ * Compute portal info for a given layer: which other layers are connected
+ * and how many edges cross the boundary.
+ * Accepts optional pre-computed aggregation to avoid redundant work.
+ */
+export function computePortals(
+  graph: KnowledgeGraph,
+  activeLayerId: string,
+  precomputed?: LayerEdgeAggregation[],
+): PortalInfo[] {
+  const aggregated = precomputed ?? aggregateLayerEdges(graph);
+  const layerNameMap = new Map(graph.layers.map((l) => [l.id, l.name]));
+
+  const portalMap = new Map<string, number>();
+
+  for (const agg of aggregated) {
+    if (agg.sourceLayerId === activeLayerId) {
+      portalMap.set(
+        agg.targetLayerId,
+        (portalMap.get(agg.targetLayerId) ?? 0) + agg.count,
+      );
+    } else if (agg.targetLayerId === activeLayerId) {
+      portalMap.set(
+        agg.sourceLayerId,
+        (portalMap.get(agg.sourceLayerId) ?? 0) + agg.count,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  return Array.from(portalMap.entries()).map(([layerId, count]) => ({
+    layerId,
+    layerName: layerNameMap.get(layerId) ?? layerId,
+    connectionCount: count,
+  }));
+}
+
+/**
+ * For a given layer, find which file nodes in that layer connect to a
+ * specific external layer. Returns the set of node IDs in activeLayer
+ * that have edges crossing to targetLayerId.
+ */
+export function findCrossLayerFileNodes(
+  graph: KnowledgeGraph,
+  activeLayerId: string,
+  targetLayerId: string,
+): Set<string> {
+  const activeNodeIds = new Set(
+    graph.layers.find((l) => l.id === activeLayerId)?.nodeIds ?? [],
+  );
+  const targetNodeIds = new Set(
+    graph.layers.find((l) => l.id === targetLayerId)?.nodeIds ?? [],
+  );
+
+  const result = new Set<string>();
+  for (const edge of graph.edges) {
+    if (activeNodeIds.has(edge.source) && targetNodeIds.has(edge.target)) {
+      result.add(edge.source);
+    }
+    if (activeNodeIds.has(edge.target) && targetNodeIds.has(edge.source)) {
+      result.add(edge.target);
+    }
+  }
+  return result;
+}
diff --git a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/utils/layout.ts b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/utils/layout.ts
index 6f55b53..c1644bc 100644
--- a/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/utils/layout.ts
+++ b/understand-anything-plugin/packages/dashboard/src/utils/layout.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 import dagre from "@dagrejs/dagre";
 import type { Node, Edge } from "@xyflow/react";
-import type { LayoutMessage, LayoutResult } from "./layout.worker";
 
 export const NODE_WIDTH = 280;
 export const NODE_HEIGHT = 120;
+export const LAYER_CLUSTER_WIDTH = 320;
+export const LAYER_CLUSTER_HEIGHT = 180;
+export const PORTAL_NODE_WIDTH = 240;
+export const PORTAL_NODE_HEIGHT = 80;
 
 /**
  * Synchronous dagre layout — used for small graphs.
@@ -12,19 +15,26 @@ export function applyDagreLayout(
   nodes: Node[],
   edges: Edge[],
   direction: "TB" | "LR" = "TB",
+  nodeDimensions?: Map<string, { width: number; height: number }>,
 ): { nodes: Node[]; edges: Edge[] } {
   const g = new dagre.graphlib.Graph();
   g.setDefaultEdgeLabel(() => ({}));
+
+  // Scale spacing for larger graphs to reduce overlap
+  const isLarge = nodes.length > 50;
   g.setGraph({
     rankdir: direction,
-    nodesep: 60,
-    ranksep: 80,
+    nodesep: isLarge ? 80 : 60,
+    ranksep: isLarge ? 120 : 80,
     marginx: 20,
     marginy: 20,
   });
 
   nodes.forEach((node) => {
-    g.setNode(node.id, { width: NODE_WIDTH, height: NODE_HEIGHT });
+    const dims = nodeDimensions?.get(node.id);
+    const w = dims?.width ?? NODE_WIDTH;
+    const h = dims?.height ?? NODE_HEIGHT;
+    g.setNode(node.id, { width: w, height: h });
   });
 
   edges.forEach((edge) => {
@@ -36,11 +46,14 @@ export function applyDagreLayout(
   const layoutedNodes = nodes.map((node) => {
     const pos = g.node(node.id);
     if (!pos) return { ...node, position: { x: 0, y: 0 } };
+    const dims = nodeDimensions?.get(node.id);
+    const w = dims?.width ?? NODE_WIDTH;
+    const h = dims?.height ?? NODE_HEIGHT;
     return {
       ...node,
       position: {
-        x: pos.x - NODE_WIDTH / 2,
-        y: pos.y - NODE_HEIGHT / 2,
+        x: pos.x - w / 2,
+        y: pos.y - h / 2,
       },
     };
   });
@@ -48,78 +61,4 @@ export function applyDagreLayout(
   return { nodes: layoutedNodes, edges };
 }
 
-let _worker: Worker | null = null;
-let _nextRequestId = 0;
-let _latestRequestId = -1;
-const _pending = new Map<
-  number,
-  {
-    nodes: Node[];
-    edges: Edge[];
-    resolve: (v: { nodes: Node[]; edges: Edge[] }) => void;
-    reject: (reason?: unknown) => void;
-  }
->();
 
-function getWorker(): Worker {
-  if (!_worker) {
-    _worker = new Worker(
-      new URL("./layout.worker.ts", import.meta.url),
-      { type: "module" },
-    );
-
-    _worker.onmessage = (e: MessageEvent<LayoutResult>) => {
-      const { requestId, positions } = e.data;
-      const entry = _pending.get(requestId);
-      _pending.delete(requestId);
-
-      // S1: Discard stale results — only honour the latest request.
-      if (!entry || requestId !== _latestRequestId) return;
-
-      const layoutedNodes = entry.nodes.map((node) => ({
-        ...node,
-        position: positions[node.id] ?? { x: 0, y: 0 },
-      }));
-
-      entry.resolve({ nodes: layoutedNodes, edges: entry.edges });
-    };
-
-    _worker.onerror = (err: ErrorEvent) => {
-      for (const [, entry] of _pending) {
-        entry.reject(err);
-      }
-      _pending.clear();
-    };
-  }
-  return _worker;
-}
-
-/**
- * Async dagre layout via Web Worker — used for large graphs.
- * Keeps the main thread responsive while dagre computes positions.
- *
- * Uses request-ID correlation so concurrent calls never cross-wire,
- * and only the latest request's result is honoured (stale ones are discarded).
- */
-export function applyDagreLayoutAsync(
-  nodes: Node[],
-  edges: Edge[],
-  direction: "TB" | "LR" = "TB",
-): Promise<{ nodes: Node[]; edges: Edge[] }> {
-  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
-    const worker = getWorker();
-    const requestId = _nextRequestId++;
-    _latestRequestId = requestId;
-
-    _pending.set(requestId, { nodes, edges, resolve, reject });
-
-    const msg: LayoutMessage = {
-      requestId,
-      nodes: nodes.map((n) => ({ id: n.id, width: NODE_WIDTH, height: NODE_HEIGHT })),
-      edges: edges.map((e) => ({ source: e.source, target: e.target })),
-      direction,
-    };
-
-    worker.postMessage(msg);
-  });
-}