diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 9925d32c..ddb7eca7 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -614,3 +614,14 @@ Added:
 - Shortened displayed export paths while preserving the full path in the element title.
 - Added regression coverage for populated-state Data layout, export limiting and export preview empty state.
 - No API contracts, migrations, product capabilities, live provider fetching or AI/model dependency changes were introduced.
+
+## Sprint 55 live visual shell polish (2026-06-17)
+
+- Audited the live workbench visually in Browser on `http://192.168.10.150:1202`.
+- Compacted the top context bar and primary navigation so the workbench has more usable canvas space.
+- Moved the inspector below the workspace on standard desktop widths instead of forcing a cramped three-column layout.
+- Preserved the side inspector behavior for wider screens.
+- Improved Map workspace control wrapping so the map/status controls do not clip at 1280px.
+- Reset page scroll on workspace changes so workspaces open from their heading instead of inheriting stale scroll positions.
+- Added regression coverage for the standard-desktop layout and workspace scroll reset.
+- No API contracts, migrations, product capabilities, live provider fetching or AI/model dependency changes were introduced.
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_sprint39_frontend_orchestration_hooks.py b/backend/tests/test_sprint39_frontend_orchestration_hooks.py
index 3a12f0e4..bd7aa74d 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_sprint39_frontend_orchestration_hooks.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_sprint39_frontend_orchestration_hooks.py
@@ -35,9 +35,10 @@ def test_app_entrypoint_has_clean_encoding_and_react_imports() -> None:
     app = app_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 
     assert not app_bytes.startswith(b"\xef\xbb\xbf")
-    assert "import { useMemo, useState } from 'react'" in app
+    assert "import { useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react'" in app
     assert "FormEvent" not in app
-    assert "useEffect" not in app
+    assert app.count("useEffect(") == 1
+    assert "window.scrollTo({ top: 0, left: 0 })" in app
     assert "const [activeWorkspace, setActiveWorkspace] = useState<WorkspaceKey>('overview')" in app
 
 
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_sprint53_selection_ergonomics.py b/backend/tests/test_sprint53_selection_ergonomics.py
index 27d48e15..671ca729 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_sprint53_selection_ergonomics.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_sprint53_selection_ergonomics.py
@@ -27,6 +27,18 @@ def test_data_workspace_keeps_catalog_wide_enough_for_populated_state() -> None:
     assert ".dataset-card .button-row" in css
 
 
+def test_shell_preserves_workspace_width_on_standard_desktop_viewports() -> None:
+    css = (ROOT / "frontend" / "src" / "styles" / "app.css").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+    app = (ROOT / "frontend" / "src" / "App.tsx").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+    assert "grid-template-columns: 12.5rem minmax(0, 1fr) 21rem" in css
+    assert "@media (max-width: 1360px)" in css
+    assert ".workbench-inspector {\n    grid-column: 1 / -1;" in css
+    assert "height: auto;" in css
+    assert "window.scrollTo({ top: 0, left: 0 })" in app
+    assert "}, [activeWorkspace])" in app
+
+
 def test_app_wires_dataset_quick_actions_to_existing_workspaces() -> None:
     app = (ROOT / "frontend" / "src" / "App.tsx").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 
diff --git a/docs/CODEX_EXECUTION_LOG.md b/docs/CODEX_EXECUTION_LOG.md
index fc8ef7b3..81c26dc3 100644
--- a/docs/CODEX_EXECUTION_LOG.md
+++ b/docs/CODEX_EXECUTION_LOG.md
@@ -2207,3 +2207,31 @@ Limitations:
 
 Next recommended pass:
 - Add export history filtering or retention controls if artifact history continues to grow during demo runs.
+
+## Sprint 55 live visual shell polish (2026-06-17)
+
+Changed:
+- Performed a Browser-based visual audit of the live Tower workbench at `http://192.168.10.150:1202`.
+- Confirmed the main visual defect was the cramped three-column desktop shell: left navigation, central workspace and inspector competed for width at 1280px.
+- Compacted the sticky top context bar and left navigation.
+- Changed the standard desktop breakpoint so the inspector moves below the workspace up to 1360px, while remaining a side panel on wider displays.
+- Made the Map toolbar wrap responsively instead of forcing four controls into a narrow row.
+- Added a workspace-change scroll reset so switching pages starts at the workspace heading instead of inheriting stale scroll position.
+- Added regression coverage for the standard desktop shell width and scroll-reset behavior.
+
+Tested:
+- Local Browser visual audit against `http://127.0.0.1:5177` using the live Tower API proxy.
+- Verified Overview, Data, Map and Exports workspaces visually after the shell changes.
+- Browser console error/warning check returned no entries.
+- `cd frontend && npm run typecheck`
+- `cd backend && python -m pytest tests/test_sprint53_selection_ergonomics.py tests/test_sprint50_workspace_usability_polish.py -q`
+- `cd frontend && npm run build`
+
+Open:
+- Run full readiness, deploy Tower and verify the live visual shell on `http://192.168.10.150:1202`.
+
+Limitations:
+- This pass remains UI shell polish only. It does not add features, change API contracts, alter migrations, fetch live providers or enable new AI models.
+
+Next recommended pass:
+- Continue with export history filtering or retention controls if repeated demo runs keep growing artifact history.
diff --git a/docs/TODO.md b/docs/TODO.md
index 084d9421..67468d4a 100644
--- a/docs/TODO.md
+++ b/docs/TODO.md
@@ -324,4 +324,5 @@ This file now starts with the current implementation status. Older preparation/b
 - [x] Add selected-object inspector detail tabs for project, AOI, dataset, QA check, export and AI run context.
 - [x] Improve map/dataset selection ergonomics from the workbench canvas and inspector.
 - [x] Improve populated Data/Exports readability after a demo workflow run.
+- [x] Improve live visual shell width, scroll behavior and Map workspace layout at 1280px.
 - [ ] Add export history filtering or retention controls for long-running demo environments.
diff --git a/frontend/src/App.tsx b/frontend/src/App.tsx
index 0ea35e96..b876726a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/App.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useMemo, useState } from 'react'
+import { useEffect, useMemo, useState } from 'react'
 import './styles/app.css'
 import { ChangeDetectionPanel } from './components/analysis/ChangeDetectionPanel'
 import { DatasetPanel } from './components/datasets/DatasetPanel'
@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@ const workspaceNavItems: Array<{ key: WorkspaceKey; label: string; description:
 
 function App(): JSX.Element {
   const [activeWorkspace, setActiveWorkspace] = useState<WorkspaceKey>('overview')
+  useEffect(() => {
+    window.scrollTo({ top: 0, left: 0 })
+  }, [activeWorkspace])
+
   const {
     projects,
     selectedProject,
diff --git a/frontend/src/styles/app.css b/frontend/src/styles/app.css
index a0e8a20f..af81c75e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/styles/app.css
+++ b/frontend/src/styles/app.css
@@ -519,38 +519,43 @@ section li strong + div {
   top: 0;
   z-index: 20;
   display: grid;
-  grid-template-columns: minmax(16rem, 26rem) minmax(0, 1fr);
-  gap: 1rem;
+  grid-template-columns: minmax(12rem, 18rem) minmax(0, 1fr);
+  gap: 0.75rem;
   align-items: center;
   border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line);
-  padding: 0.85rem 1rem;
+  padding: 0.55rem 0.85rem;
   background: rgba(248, 251, 249, 0.96);
   backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
 }
 
 .brand-block h1 {
-  font-size: 1.45rem;
+  font-size: 1.18rem;
   line-height: 1.1;
 }
 
+.brand-block .eyebrow {
+  margin-bottom: 0.12rem;
+  font-size: 0.66rem;
+}
+
 .context-bar {
   display: grid;
   grid-template-columns: repeat(4, minmax(0, 1fr));
-  gap: 0.65rem;
+  gap: 0.5rem;
 }
 
 .context-bar > div {
-  min-height: 4.2rem;
+  min-height: 3.2rem;
   border: 1px solid var(--line);
   border-radius: 8px;
-  padding: 0.62rem 0.72rem;
+  padding: 0.44rem 0.58rem;
   background: #ffffff;
 }
 
 .context-bar span {
   display: block;
   color: var(--muted);
-  font-size: 0.72rem;
+  font-size: 0.66rem;
   font-weight: 800;
   letter-spacing: 0.05em;
   text-transform: uppercase;
@@ -558,16 +563,16 @@ section li strong + div {
 
 .context-bar strong {
   display: block;
-  margin-top: 0.3rem;
-  font-size: 0.92rem;
+  margin-top: 0.18rem;
+  font-size: 0.84rem;
   line-height: 1.25;
 }
 
 .workbench-layout {
   display: grid;
-  grid-template-columns: 14rem minmax(0, 1fr) 24rem;
+  grid-template-columns: 12.5rem minmax(0, 1fr) 21rem;
   gap: 0;
-  height: calc(100vh - 5.95rem);
+  height: calc(100vh - 4.35rem);
   min-height: 42rem;
 }
 
@@ -581,7 +586,7 @@ section li strong + div {
 
 .workbench-sidebar {
   border-right: 1px solid var(--line);
-  padding: 0.85rem;
+  padding: 0.72rem;
 }
 
 .workbench-sidebar nav {
@@ -592,9 +597,9 @@ section li strong + div {
 .nav-item {
   display: block;
   width: 100%;
-  min-height: 4.2rem;
+  min-height: 3.7rem;
   border-color: transparent;
-  padding: 0.66rem 0.72rem;
+  padding: 0.58rem 0.62rem;
   background: transparent;
   box-shadow: none;
   text-align: left;
@@ -610,7 +615,7 @@ section li strong + div {
 }
 
 .nav-item span {
-  font-size: 0.96rem;
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
 }
 
 .nav-item small {
@@ -631,12 +636,12 @@ section li strong + div {
   min-width: 0;
   min-height: 0;
   overflow: auto;
-  padding: 1rem;
+  padding: 0.85rem 1rem 1rem;
 }
 
 .workbench-inspector {
   border-left: 1px solid var(--line);
-  padding: 1rem;
+  padding: 0.85rem;
 }
 
 .workbench-inspector > section {
@@ -651,10 +656,10 @@ section li strong + div {
   gap: 1rem;
   align-items: end;
   justify-content: space-between;
-  margin-bottom: 1rem;
+  margin-bottom: 0.85rem;
   border: 1px solid var(--line);
   border-radius: 8px;
-  padding: 0.85rem 1rem;
+  padding: 0.72rem 0.85rem;
   background: #ffffff;
 }
 
@@ -1119,7 +1124,7 @@ button.entity-card {
 
 .map-toolbar {
   display: grid;
-  grid-template-columns: minmax(12rem, 1fr) minmax(10rem, 0.8fr) minmax(10rem, 0.8fr) minmax(14rem, 1fr);
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(12rem, 1fr));
   gap: 0.75rem;
   align-items: end;
   margin-bottom: 0.85rem;
@@ -1165,7 +1170,7 @@ button.entity-card {
 
 .workbench-inspector-panel {
   display: grid;
-  gap: 0.8rem;
+  gap: 0.68rem;
 }
 
 .inspector-header {
@@ -1230,10 +1235,10 @@ button.entity-card {
 
 .inspector-card {
   display: grid;
-  gap: 0.55rem;
+  gap: 0.48rem;
   border: 1px solid var(--line);
   border-radius: 8px;
-  padding: 0.8rem;
+  padding: 0.7rem;
   background: #ffffff;
 }
 
@@ -1282,9 +1287,15 @@ button.entity-card {
   gap: 0.55rem;
 }
 
-@media (max-width: 1120px) {
+@media (max-width: 1360px) {
   .workbench-layout {
     grid-template-columns: 12rem minmax(0, 1fr);
+    height: auto;
+    min-height: 0;
+  }
+
+  .workbench-main {
+    overflow: visible;
   }
 
   .workbench-inspector {
@@ -1292,6 +1303,25 @@ button.entity-card {
     border-top: 1px solid var(--line);
     border-left: 0;
   }
+
+  .workbench-inspector-panel {
+    max-width: none;
+  }
+
+  .inspector-tab-panel {
+    grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(18rem, 1fr));
+  }
+
+  .workbench-inspector-panel .dataset-detail-panel,
+  .inspector-action-bar {
+    grid-column: 1 / -1;
+  }
+
+  .inspector-header h2,
+  .inspector-tabs,
+  .inspector-action-bar {
+    position: static;
+  }
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 980px) {