diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/AdminHeader.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/AdminHeader.svelte
index e5b4a64..dcb7e19 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/AdminHeader.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/AdminHeader.svelte
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 		width: 100%;
 
 		h1 {
-			font-size: 1.75rem;
+			font-size: $font-size-large;
 			font-weight: 700;
 			margin: 0;
 			color: $gray-10;
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/AdminNavBar.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/AdminNavBar.svelte
index 1a0fd9f..f1ff772 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/AdminNavBar.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/AdminNavBar.svelte
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 	import { page } from '$app/stores'
-	import { onMount } from 'svelte'
 	import AvatarSimple from '$lib/components/AvatarSimple.svelte'
 	import WorkIcon from '$icons/work.svg?component'
 	import UniverseIcon from '$icons/universe.svg?component'
@@ -8,20 +7,6 @@
 	import AlbumIcon from '$icons/album.svg?component'
 
 	const currentPath = $derived($page.url.pathname)
-	let isScrolled = $state(false)
-
-	onMount(() => {
-		const handleScroll = () => {
-			isScrolled = window.scrollY > 0
-		}
-
-		window.addEventListener('scroll', handleScroll)
-		handleScroll() // Check initial scroll position
-
-		return () => {
-			window.removeEventListener('scroll', handleScroll)
-		}
-	})
 
 	interface NavItem {
 		text: string
@@ -50,166 +35,97 @@
 	)
 </script>
 
-<nav class="admin-nav-bar" class:scrolled={isScrolled}>
-	<div class="nav-container">
-		<div class="nav-content">
-			<a href="/" class="nav-brand">
-				<div class="brand-logo">
-					<AvatarSimple />
-				</div>
-				<span class="brand-text">Back to jedmund.com</span>
-			</a>
-
-			<div class="nav-links">
-				{#each navItems as item, index}
-					<a href={item.href} class="nav-link" class:active={index === activeIndex}>
-						<item.icon class="nav-icon" />
-						<span class="nav-text">{item.text}</span>
-					</a>
-				{/each}
-			</div>
+<nav class="admin-nav-rail">
+	<a href="/" class="nav-brand">
+		<div class="brand-logo">
+			<AvatarSimple />
 		</div>
+	</a>
+
+	<div class="nav-links">
+		{#each navItems as item, index}
+			<a href={item.href} class="nav-link" class:active={index === activeIndex}>
+				<item.icon class="nav-icon" />
+				<span class="nav-text">{item.text}</span>
+			</a>
+		{/each}
 	</div>
 </nav>
 
 <style lang="scss">
-	// Breakpoint variables
-	$phone-max: 639px;
-	$tablet-min: 640px;
-	$tablet-max: 1023px;
-	$laptop-min: 1024px;
-	$laptop-max: 1439px;
-	$monitor-min: 1440px;
-
-	.admin-nav-bar {
+	.admin-nav-rail {
 		position: sticky;
 		top: 0;
-		z-index: $z-index-admin-nav;
-		width: 100%;
+		align-self: flex-start;
+		width: 80px;
+		min-width: 80px;
+		height: 100vh;
 		background: $bg-color;
-		border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;
-		transition: border-bottom 0.2s ease;
-
-		&.scrolled {
-			border-bottom: 1px solid $gray-60;
-		}
-	}
-
-	.nav-container {
-		width: 100%;
-		padding: 0 $unit-3x;
-
-		// Phone: Full width with padding
-		@media (max-width: $phone-max) {
-			padding: 0 $unit-2x;
-		}
-
-		// Tablet: Constrained width
-		@media (min-width: $tablet-min) and (max-width: $tablet-max) {
-			max-width: 768px;
-			margin: 0 auto;
-			padding: 0 $unit-4x;
-		}
-
-		// Laptop: Wider constrained width
-		@media (min-width: $laptop-min) and (max-width: $laptop-max) {
-			max-width: 900px;
-			margin: 0 auto;
-			padding: 0 $unit-5x;
-		}
-
-		// Monitor: Maximum constrained width
-		@media (min-width: $monitor-min) {
-			max-width: 900px;
-			margin: 0 auto;
-			padding: 0 $unit-6x;
-		}
-	}
-
-	.nav-content {
+		border-right: 1px solid $gray-80;
 		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
 		align-items: center;
-		justify-content: space-between;
-		height: 64px;
-		gap: $unit-4x;
-
-		@media (max-width: $phone-max) {
-			height: 56px;
-			gap: $unit-2x;
-		}
+		padding: $unit $unit-2x;
+		gap: $unit-half;
 	}
 
 	.nav-brand {
 		display: flex;
 		align-items: center;
-		gap: $unit;
+		justify-content: center;
 		text-decoration: none;
-		color: $gray-30;
-		font-weight: 400;
-		font-size: 0.925rem;
-		transition: color 0.2s ease;
+		padding: $unit-2x $unit-half;
+		border-radius: $corner-radius-2xl;
+		transition: background-color 0.2s ease;
+		width: 100%;
 
 		&:hover {
-			color: $gray-20;
+			background-color: $gray-70;
 		}
 
 		.brand-logo {
-			height: 32px;
-			width: 32px;
+			height: 40px;
+			width: 40px;
 			display: flex;
 			align-items: center;
 			justify-content: center;
 			flex-shrink: 0;
 
 			:global(.face-container) {
-				--face-size: 32px;
-				width: 32px;
-				height: 32px;
+				--face-size: 40px;
+				width: 40px;
+				height: 40px;
 			}
 
 			:global(svg) {
-				width: 32px;
-				height: 32px;
-			}
-		}
-
-		.brand-text {
-			white-space: nowrap;
-
-			@media (max-width: $phone-max) {
-				display: none;
+				width: 40px;
+				height: 40px;
 			}
 		}
 	}
 
 	.nav-links {
 		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
 		align-items: center;
-		gap: $unit;
-		flex: 1;
-		justify-content: right;
-
-		@media (max-width: $phone-max) {
-			gap: 0;
-		}
+		gap: $unit-half;
+		width: 100%;
 	}
 
 	.nav-link {
 		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
 		align-items: center;
-		gap: $unit;
-		padding: $unit $unit-2x;
-		border-radius: $card-corner-radius;
+		justify-content: center;
+		gap: $unit-half;
+		padding: $unit-2x $unit-half;
+		border-radius: $corner-radius-2xl;
 		text-decoration: none;
-		font-size: 0.925rem;
+		font-size: 0.75rem;
 		font-weight: 500;
 		color: $gray-30;
 		transition: all 0.2s ease;
-		position: relative;
-
-		@media (max-width: $phone-max) {
-			padding: $unit-2x $unit;
-		}
+		width: 100%;
 
 		&:hover {
 			background-color: $gray-70;
@@ -221,22 +137,22 @@
 		}
 
 		.nav-icon {
-			font-size: 1.1rem;
+			font-size: 1.5rem;
 			line-height: 1;
+			display: flex;
+			align-items: center;
+			justify-content: center;
 
-			@media (max-width: $tablet-max) {
-				font-size: 1rem;
+			:global(svg) {
+				width: 24px;
+				height: 24px;
 			}
 		}
 
 		.nav-text {
-			@media (max-width: $phone-max) {
-				display: none;
-			}
+			text-align: center;
+			white-space: nowrap;
+			line-height: 1.2;
 		}
 	}
-
-	.nav-actions {
-		// Placeholder for future actions if needed
-	}
 </style>
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/AdminSegmentedControl.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/AdminSegmentedControl.svelte
index 8fdf68a..4e4551f 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/AdminSegmentedControl.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/AdminSegmentedControl.svelte
@@ -30,11 +30,11 @@
 	}
 
 	.segment {
-		padding: $unit $unit-3x;
+		padding: $unit $unit-2x;
 		background: transparent;
 		border: none;
 		border-radius: 50px;
-		font-size: 0.925rem;
+		font-size: 0.875rem;
 		color: $gray-40;
 		cursor: pointer;
 		transition: all 0.2s ease;
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/AlbumForm.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/AlbumForm.svelte
index 36cb3f2..5be9c71 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/AlbumForm.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/AlbumForm.svelte
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@
 	import AdminSegmentedControl from './AdminSegmentedControl.svelte'
 	import Input from './Input.svelte'
 	import Button from './Button.svelte'
-	import StatusDropdown from './StatusDropdown.svelte'
+	import DropdownSelectField from './DropdownSelectField.svelte'
+	import AutoSaveStatus from './AutoSaveStatus.svelte'
 	import UnifiedMediaModal from './UnifiedMediaModal.svelte'
 	import SmartImage from '../SmartImage.svelte'
 	import Composer from './composer'
@@ -46,6 +47,19 @@
 		{ value: 'content', label: 'Content' }
 	]
 
+	const statusOptions = [
+		{
+			value: 'draft',
+			label: 'Draft',
+			description: 'Only visible to you'
+		},
+		{
+			value: 'published',
+			label: 'Published',
+			description: 'Visible on your public site'
+		}
+	]
+
 	// Form data
 	let formData = $state({
 		title: '',
@@ -231,11 +245,6 @@
 		}
 	}
 
-	async function handleStatusChange(newStatus: string) {
-		formData.status = newStatus as any
-		await handleSave()
-	}
-
 	async function handleBulkAlbumSave() {
 		// Reload album to get updated photo count
 		if (album && mode === 'edit') {
@@ -255,17 +264,7 @@
 <AdminPage>
 	<header slot="header">
 		<div class="header-left">
-			<button class="btn-icon" onclick={() => goto('/admin/albums')} aria-label="Back to albums">
-				<svg width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none">
-					<path
-						d="M12.5 15L7.5 10L12.5 5"
-						stroke="currentColor"
-						stroke-width="1.5"
-						stroke-linecap="round"
-						stroke-linejoin="round"
-					/>
-				</svg>
-			</button>
+			<h1 class="form-title">{formData.title || 'Untitled Album'}</h1>
 		</div>
 		<div class="header-center">
 			<AdminSegmentedControl
@@ -276,18 +275,9 @@
 		</div>
 		<div class="header-actions">
 			{#if !isLoading}
-				<StatusDropdown
-					currentStatus={formData.status}
-					onStatusChange={handleStatusChange}
-					disabled={isSaving || (mode === 'create' && (!formData.title || !formData.slug))}
-					isLoading={isSaving}
-					primaryAction={formData.status === 'published'
-						? { label: 'Save', status: 'published' }
-						: { label: 'Publish', status: 'published' }}
-					dropdownActions={[
-						{ label: 'Save as Draft', status: 'draft', show: formData.status !== 'draft' }
-					]}
-					viewUrl={album?.slug ? `/albums/${album.slug}` : undefined}
+				<AutoSaveStatus
+					status="idle"
+					lastSavedAt={album?.updatedAt}
 				/>
 			{/if}
 		</div>
@@ -338,6 +328,13 @@
 								disabled={isSaving}
 							/>
 						</div>
+
+						<DropdownSelectField
+							label="Status"
+							bind:value={formData.status}
+							options={statusOptions}
+							disabled={isSaving}
+						/>
 					</div>
 
 					<!-- Display Settings -->
@@ -455,6 +452,16 @@
 		}
 	}
 
+	.form-title {
+		margin: 0;
+		font-size: 1rem;
+		font-weight: 500;
+		color: $gray-20;
+		overflow: hidden;
+		text-overflow: ellipsis;
+		white-space: nowrap;
+	}
+
 	.btn-icon {
 		width: 40px;
 		height: 40px;
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/AutoSaveStatus.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/AutoSaveStatus.svelte
index 4651012..5f31252 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/AutoSaveStatus.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/AutoSaveStatus.svelte
@@ -1,19 +1,31 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import type { AutoSaveStatus } from '$lib/admin/autoSave'
+  import { formatTimeAgo } from '$lib/utils/time'
 
   interface Props {
     statusStore?: { subscribe: (run: (v: AutoSaveStatus) => void) => () => void }
     errorStore?: { subscribe: (run: (v: string | null) => void) => () => void }
     status?: AutoSaveStatus
     error?: string | null
+    lastSavedAt?: Date | string | null
+    showTimestamp?: boolean
     compact?: boolean
   }
 
-  let { statusStore, errorStore, status: statusProp, error: errorProp, compact = true }: Props = $props()
+  let {
+    statusStore,
+    errorStore,
+    status: statusProp,
+    error: errorProp,
+    lastSavedAt,
+    showTimestamp = true,
+    compact = true
+  }: Props = $props()
 
   // Support both old subscription-based stores and new reactive values
   let status = $state<AutoSaveStatus>('idle')
   let errorText = $state<string | null>(null)
+  let refreshKey = $state(0) // Used to force re-render for time updates
 
   $effect(() => {
     // If using direct props (new runes-based store)
@@ -35,17 +47,33 @@
     }
   })
 
+  // Auto-refresh timestamp every 30 seconds
+  $effect(() => {
+    if (!lastSavedAt || !showTimestamp) return
+
+    const interval = setInterval(() => {
+      refreshKey++
+    }, 30000)
+
+    return () => clearInterval(interval)
+  })
+
   const label = $derived.by(() => {
+    // Force dependency on refreshKey to trigger re-computation
+    refreshKey
+
     switch (status) {
       case 'saving':
         return 'Saving…'
       case 'saved':
-        return 'All changes saved'
+      case 'idle':
+        return lastSavedAt && showTimestamp
+          ? `Saved ${formatTimeAgo(lastSavedAt)}`
+          : 'All changes saved'
       case 'offline':
         return 'Offline'
       case 'error':
         return errorText ? `Error — ${errorText}` : 'Save failed'
-      case 'idle':
       default:
         return ''
     }
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/DropdownItem.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/DropdownItem.svelte
index e579d80..d21b423 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/DropdownItem.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/DropdownItem.svelte
@@ -3,9 +3,18 @@
 		onclick?: (event: MouseEvent) => void
 		variant?: 'default' | 'danger'
 		disabled?: boolean
+		label?: string
+		description?: string
 	}
 
-	let { onclick, variant = 'default', disabled = false, children }: Props = $props()
+	let {
+		onclick,
+		variant = 'default',
+		disabled = false,
+		label,
+		description,
+		children
+	}: Props = $props()
 
 	function handleClick(event: MouseEvent) {
 		if (disabled) return
@@ -18,10 +27,20 @@
 	class="dropdown-item"
 	class:danger={variant === 'danger'}
 	class:disabled
+	class:has-description={!!description}
 	{disabled}
 	onclick={handleClick}
 >
-	{@render children()}
+	{#if label}
+		<div class="dropdown-item-content">
+			<div class="dropdown-item-label">{label}</div>
+			{#if description}
+				<div class="dropdown-item-description">{description}</div>
+			{/if}
+		</div>
+	{:else}
+		{@render children()}
+	{/if}
 </button>
 
 <style lang="scss">
@@ -38,12 +57,20 @@
 		cursor: pointer;
 		transition: background-color 0.2s ease;
 
+		&.has-description {
+			padding: $unit-2x $unit-3x;
+		}
+
 		&:hover:not(:disabled) {
 			background-color: $gray-95;
 		}
 
 		&.danger {
 			color: $red-60;
+
+			.dropdown-item-label {
+				color: $red-60;
+			}
 		}
 
 		&:disabled {
@@ -51,4 +78,23 @@
 			cursor: not-allowed;
 		}
 	}
+
+	.dropdown-item-content {
+		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		gap: 2px;
+	}
+
+	.dropdown-item-label {
+		font-size: 0.875rem;
+		color: $gray-10;
+		font-weight: 500;
+		line-height: 1.4;
+	}
+
+	.dropdown-item-description {
+		font-size: 0.75rem;
+		color: $gray-40;
+		line-height: 1.3;
+	}
 </style>
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/EssayForm.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/EssayForm.svelte
index b210f98..aac0bc5 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/EssayForm.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/EssayForm.svelte
@@ -5,11 +5,11 @@
 	import Editor from './Editor.svelte'
 	import Button from './Button.svelte'
 	import Input from './Input.svelte'
+	import DropdownSelectField from './DropdownSelectField.svelte'
 	import { toast } from '$lib/stores/toast'
 	import { makeDraftKey, saveDraft, loadDraft, clearDraft, timeAgo } from '$lib/admin/draftStore'
 	import { createAutoSaveStore } from '$lib/admin/autoSave.svelte'
 	import AutoSaveStatus from './AutoSaveStatus.svelte'
-	import { clickOutside } from '$lib/actions/clickOutside'
 	import type { JSONContent } from '@tiptap/core'
 
 	interface Props {
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@
 	let hasLoaded = $state(mode === 'create') // Create mode loads immediately
 	let isSaving = $state(false)
 	let activeTab = $state('metadata')
-	let showPublishMenu = $state(false)
 	let updatedAt = $state<string | undefined>(initialData?.updatedAt)
 
 	// Form data
@@ -94,6 +93,19 @@ let autoSave = mode === 'edit' && postId
 		{ value: 'content', label: 'Content' }
 	]
 
+	const statusOptions = [
+		{
+			value: 'draft',
+			label: 'Draft',
+			description: 'Only visible to you'
+		},
+		{
+			value: 'published',
+			label: 'Published',
+			description: 'Visible on your public site'
+		}
+	]
+
 	// Auto-generate slug from title
 $effect(() => {
   if (title && !slug) {
@@ -300,41 +312,12 @@ $effect(() => {
 		}
 	}
 
-	async function handlePublish() {
-		status = 'published'
-		await handleSave()
-		showPublishMenu = false
-	}
-
-	async function handleUnpublish() {
-		status = 'draft'
-		await handleSave()
-		showPublishMenu = false
-	}
-
-	function togglePublishMenu() {
-		showPublishMenu = !showPublishMenu
-	}
-
-	function handleClickOutsideMenu() {
-		showPublishMenu = false
-	}
 </script>
 
 <AdminPage>
 	<header slot="header">
 		<div class="header-left">
-			<Button variant="ghost" iconOnly onclick={() => goto('/admin/posts')}>
-				<svg slot="icon" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none">
-					<path
-						d="M12.5 15L7.5 10L12.5 5"
-						stroke="currentColor"
-						stroke-width="1.5"
-						stroke-linecap="round"
-						stroke-linejoin="round"
-					/>
-				</svg>
-			</Button>
+			<h1 class="form-title">{title || 'Untitled Essay'}</h1>
 		</div>
 		<div class="header-center">
 			<AdminSegmentedControl
@@ -344,56 +327,12 @@ $effect(() => {
 			/>
 		</div>
 		<div class="header-actions">
-			<div
-				class="save-actions"
-				use:clickOutside={{ enabled: showPublishMenu }}
-				onclickoutside={handleClickOutsideMenu}
-			>
-				<Button variant="primary" onclick={handleSave} disabled={isSaving} class="save-button">
-					{status === 'published' ? 'Save' : 'Save Draft'}
-				</Button>
-				<Button
-					variant="primary"
-					iconOnly
-					buttonSize="medium"
-					active={showPublishMenu}
-					onclick={togglePublishMenu}
-					disabled={isSaving}
-					class="chevron-button"
-				>
-					<svg
-						slot="icon"
-						width="12"
-						height="12"
-						viewBox="0 0 12 12"
-						fill="none"
-						xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
-					>
-						<path
-							d="M3 4.5L6 7.5L9 4.5"
-							stroke="currentColor"
-							stroke-width="1.5"
-							stroke-linecap="round"
-							stroke-linejoin="round"
-						/>
-					</svg>
-				</Button>
-				{#if showPublishMenu}
-					<div class="publish-menu">
-						{#if status === 'published'}
-							<Button variant="ghost" onclick={handleUnpublish} class="menu-item" fullWidth>
-								Unpublish
-							</Button>
-						{:else}
-							<Button variant="ghost" onclick={handlePublish} class="menu-item" fullWidth>
-								Publish
-							</Button>
-						{/if}
-					</div>
-				{/if}
-			</div>
 			{#if mode === 'edit' && autoSave}
-				<AutoSaveStatus status={autoSave.status} error={autoSave.lastError} />
+				<AutoSaveStatus
+					status={autoSave.status}
+					error={autoSave.lastError}
+					lastSavedAt={initialData?.updatedAt}
+				/>
 			{/if}
 		</div>
 	</header>
@@ -442,6 +381,12 @@ $effect(() => {
 
 							<Input label="Slug" bind:value={slug} placeholder="essay-url-slug" />
 
+							<DropdownSelectField
+								label="Status"
+								bind:value={status}
+								options={statusOptions}
+							/>
+
 							<div class="tags-field">
 								<label class="input-label">Tags</label>
 								<div class="tag-input-wrapper">
@@ -522,6 +467,16 @@ $effect(() => {
 		}
 	}
 
+	.form-title {
+		margin: 0;
+		font-size: 1rem;
+		font-weight: 500;
+		color: $gray-20;
+		overflow: hidden;
+		text-overflow: ellipsis;
+		white-space: nowrap;
+	}
+
 	.admin-container {
 		width: 100%;
 		margin: 0 auto;
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/Input.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/Input.svelte
index 6587f4b..44ca1cd 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/Input.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/Input.svelte
@@ -58,11 +58,11 @@
 	let charsRemaining = $derived(maxLength ? maxLength - charCount : 0)
 
 	// Color swatch validation and display
-	const isValidHexColor = $derived(() => {
+	function isValidHexColor() {
 		if (!colorSwatch || !value) return false
 		const hexRegex = /^#[0-9A-Fa-f]{6}$/
 		return hexRegex.test(String(value))
-	})
+	}
 
 	// Color picker functionality
 	let colorPickerInput: HTMLInputElement
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
 	}
 
 	// Compute classes
-	const wrapperClasses = $derived(() => {
+	function wrapperClasses() {
 		const classes = ['input-wrapper']
 		if (size) classes.push(`input-wrapper-${size}`)
 		if (fullWidth) classes.push('full-width')
@@ -93,15 +93,15 @@
 		if (wrapperClass) classes.push(wrapperClass)
 		if (className) classes.push(className)
 		return classes.join(' ')
-	})
+	}
 
-	const inputClasses = $derived(() => {
+	function inputClasses() {
 		const classes = ['input']
 		classes.push(`input-${size}`)
 		if (pill) classes.push('input-pill')
 		if (inputClass) classes.push(inputClass)
 		return classes.join(' ')
-	})
+	}
 </script>
 
 <div class={wrapperClasses()}>
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@
 			</span>
 		{/if}
 
-		{#if colorSwatch && isValidHexColor}
+		{#if colorSwatch && isValidHexColor()}
 			<span
 				class="color-swatch"
 				style="background-color: {value}"
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@
 			<input
 				bind:this={colorPickerInput}
 				type="color"
-				value={isValidHexColor ? String(value) : '#000000'}
+				value={isValidHexColor() ? String(value) : '#000000'}
 				oninput={handleColorPickerChange}
 				onchange={handleColorPickerChange}
 				style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; pointer-events: none;"
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/PostDropdown.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/PostDropdown.svelte
index c8064b8..5d87131 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/PostDropdown.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/PostDropdown.svelte
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 	<Button
 		bind:this={buttonRef}
 		variant="primary"
-		buttonSize="large"
+		buttonSize="medium"
 		onclick={(e) => {
 			e.stopPropagation()
 			isOpen = !isOpen
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/ProjectForm.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/ProjectForm.svelte
index 080c002..27cbbda 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/ProjectForm.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/ProjectForm.svelte
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 	import ProjectMetadataForm from './ProjectMetadataForm.svelte'
 	import ProjectBrandingForm from './ProjectBrandingForm.svelte'
 	import ProjectImagesForm from './ProjectImagesForm.svelte'
-	import StatusDropdown from './StatusDropdown.svelte'
 	import AutoSaveStatus from './AutoSaveStatus.svelte'
 	import DraftPrompt from './DraftPrompt.svelte'
 	import { toast } from '$lib/stores/toast'
@@ -71,6 +70,7 @@
 
 	const tabOptions = [
 		{ value: 'metadata', label: 'Metadata' },
+		{ value: 'branding', label: 'Branding' },
 		{ value: 'case-study', label: 'Case Study' }
 	]
 
@@ -169,26 +169,13 @@
 		}
 	}
 
-	async function handleStatusChange(newStatus: string) {
-		formStore.setField('status', newStatus)
-		await handleSave()
-	}
+
 </script>
 
 <AdminPage>
 	<header slot="header">
 		<div class="header-left">
-			<button class="btn-icon" onclick={() => goto('/admin/projects')}>
-				<svg width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none">
-					<path
-						d="M12.5 15L7.5 10L12.5 5"
-						stroke="currentColor"
-						stroke-width="1.5"
-						stroke-linecap="round"
-						stroke-linejoin="round"
-					/>
-				</svg>
-			</button>
+			<h1 class="form-title">{formStore.fields.title || 'Untitled Project'}</h1>
 		</div>
 		<div class="header-center">
 			<AdminSegmentedControl
@@ -198,29 +185,12 @@
 			/>
 		</div>
 		<div class="header-actions">
-			{#if !isLoading}
-				<StatusDropdown
-					currentStatus={formStore.fields.status}
-					onStatusChange={handleStatusChange}
-					disabled={isSaving}
-					isLoading={isSaving}
-					primaryAction={formStore.fields.status === 'published'
-						? { label: 'Save', status: 'published' }
-						: { label: 'Publish', status: 'published' }}
-					dropdownActions={[
-						{ label: 'Save as Draft', status: 'draft', show: formStore.fields.status !== 'draft' },
-						{ label: 'List Only', status: 'list-only', show: formStore.fields.status !== 'list-only' },
-						{
-							label: 'Password Protected',
-							status: 'password-protected',
-							show: formStore.fields.status !== 'password-protected'
-						}
-					]}
-					viewUrl={project?.slug ? `/work/${project.slug}` : undefined}
+			{#if !isLoading && mode === 'edit' && autoSave}
+				<AutoSaveStatus
+					status={autoSave.status}
+					error={autoSave.lastError}
+					lastSavedAt={project?.updatedAt}
 				/>
-				{#if mode === 'edit' && autoSave}
-					<AutoSaveStatus status={autoSave.status} error={autoSave.lastError} />
-				{/if}
 			{/if}
 		</div>
 	</header>
@@ -256,8 +226,20 @@
 							}}
 						>
 							<ProjectMetadataForm bind:formData={formStore.fields} validationErrors={formStore.validationErrors} onSave={handleSave} />
+						</form>
+					</div>
+				</div>
+
+				<!-- Branding Panel -->
+				<div class="panel content-wrapper" class:active={activeTab === 'branding'}>
+					<div class="form-content">
+						<form
+							onsubmit={(e) => {
+								e.preventDefault()
+								handleSave()
+							}}
+						>
 							<ProjectBrandingForm bind:formData={formStore.fields} validationErrors={formStore.validationErrors} onSave={handleSave} />
-							<ProjectImagesForm bind:formData={formStore.fields} validationErrors={formStore.validationErrors} onSave={handleSave} />
 						</form>
 					</div>
 				</div>
@@ -308,6 +290,16 @@
 		}
 	}
 
+	.form-title {
+		margin: 0;
+		font-size: 1rem;
+		font-weight: 500;
+		color: $gray-20;
+		overflow: hidden;
+		text-overflow: ellipsis;
+		white-space: nowrap;
+	}
+
 	.btn-icon {
 		width: 40px;
 		height: 40px;
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/ProjectMetadataForm.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/ProjectMetadataForm.svelte
index 40a3e59..5c2f1b4 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/ProjectMetadataForm.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/ProjectMetadataForm.svelte
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 	import Textarea from './Textarea.svelte'
 	import SelectField from './SelectField.svelte'
 	import SegmentedControlField from './SegmentedControlField.svelte'
+	import DropdownSelectField from './DropdownSelectField.svelte'
 	import type { ProjectFormData } from '$lib/types/project'
 
 	interface Props {
@@ -12,6 +13,29 @@
 	}
 
 	let { formData = $bindable(), validationErrors, onSave }: Props = $props()
+
+	const statusOptions = [
+		{
+			value: 'draft',
+			label: 'Draft',
+			description: 'Only visible to you'
+		},
+		{
+			value: 'published',
+			label: 'Published',
+			description: 'Visible on your public site'
+		},
+		{
+			value: 'list-only',
+			label: 'List Only',
+			description: 'Shows in lists but detail page is hidden'
+		},
+		{
+			value: 'password-protected',
+			label: 'Password Protected',
+			description: 'Requires password to view'
+		}
+	]
 </script>
 
 <div class="form-section">
@@ -34,14 +58,22 @@
 	/>
 
 	<Input
-		type="url"
+		size="jumbo"
 		label="External URL"
+		type="url"
 		error={validationErrors.externalUrl}
 		bind:value={formData.externalUrl}
 		placeholder="https://example.com"
 	/>
 
-	<div class="form-row three-column">
+	<div class="form-row two-column">
+		<DropdownSelectField
+			label="Status"
+			bind:value={formData.status}
+			options={statusOptions}
+			error={validationErrors.status}
+		/>
+
 		<SegmentedControlField
 			label="Project Type"
 			bind:value={formData.projectType}
@@ -51,10 +83,13 @@
 				{ value: 'labs', label: 'Labs' }
 			]}
 		/>
+	</div>
 
+	<div class="form-row two-column">
 		<Input
 			type="number"
 			label="Year"
+			size="jumbo"
 			required
 			error={validationErrors.year}
 			bind:value={formData.year}
@@ -64,6 +99,7 @@
 
 		<Input
 			label="Client"
+			size="jumbo"
 			error={validationErrors.client}
 			bind:value={formData.client}
 			placeholder="Client or company name"
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/PublishDropdown.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/PublishDropdown.svelte
index a0b1e26..145dfd4 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/PublishDropdown.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/PublishDropdown.svelte
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 	{#snippet trigger()}
 		<Button
 			variant="primary"
-			buttonSize="large"
+			buttonSize="medium"
 			onclick={handlePublishClick}
 			disabled={disabled || isLoading}
 		>
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/SaveActionsGroup.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/SaveActionsGroup.svelte
index fc57eb4..48e66a2 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/SaveActionsGroup.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/SaveActionsGroup.svelte
@@ -47,12 +47,12 @@
 		{isLoading}
 	/>
 {:else if status === 'published'}
-	<Button variant="primary" buttonSize="large" onclick={handleSave} disabled={isDisabled}>
+	<Button variant="primary" buttonSize="medium" onclick={handleSave} disabled={isDisabled}>
 		{isLoading ? 'Saving...' : 'Save'}
 	</Button>
 {:else}
 	<!-- For other statuses like 'list-only', 'password-protected', etc. -->
-	<Button variant="primary" buttonSize="large" onclick={handleSave} disabled={isDisabled}>
+	<Button variant="primary" buttonSize="medium" onclick={handleSave} disabled={isDisabled}>
 		{isLoading ? 'Saving...' : 'Save'}
 	</Button>
 {/if}
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/StatusDropdown.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/StatusDropdown.svelte
index c75c45e..6d3d1a9 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/StatusDropdown.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/StatusDropdown.svelte
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
 	{#snippet trigger()}
 		<Button
 			variant="primary"
-			buttonSize="large"
+			buttonSize="medium"
 			onclick={handlePrimaryAction}
 			disabled={disabled || isLoading}
 		>
diff --git a/src/routes/admin/+layout.svelte b/src/routes/admin/+layout.svelte
index a8257a9..6cc91e5 100644
--- a/src/routes/admin/+layout.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/admin/+layout.svelte
@@ -47,14 +47,20 @@
 	}
 
 	.admin-container {
-		min-height: 100vh;
+		height: 100vh;
+		overflow: hidden;
 		display: flex;
-		flex-direction: column;
+		flex-direction: row;
 		background-color: $bg-color;
 	}
 
 	.admin-content {
 		flex: 1;
+		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		padding-top: $unit;
+		padding-right: $unit;
+		padding-bottom: $unit;
 	}
 
 	.admin-card-layout {
@@ -63,7 +69,7 @@
 		display: flex;
 		justify-content: center;
 		align-items: flex-start;
-		padding: $unit-6x $unit-4x;
-		min-height: calc(100vh - 60px); // Account for navbar
+		padding: 0;
+		height: 100vh;
 	}
 </style>
diff --git a/src/routes/admin/albums/+page.svelte b/src/routes/admin/albums/+page.svelte
index 221cde5..f5bfe94 100644
--- a/src/routes/admin/albums/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/admin/albums/+page.svelte
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@
 <AdminPage>
 	<AdminHeader title="Albums" slot="header">
 		{#snippet actions()}
-			<Button variant="primary" buttonSize="large" onclick={handleNewAlbum}>New Album</Button>
+			<Button variant="primary" buttonSize="medium" onclick={handleNewAlbum}>New Album</Button>
 		{/snippet}
 	</AdminHeader>
 
diff --git a/src/routes/admin/media/+page.svelte b/src/routes/admin/media/+page.svelte
index baacbc7..a8bc60b 100644
--- a/src/routes/admin/media/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/admin/media/+page.svelte
@@ -338,8 +338,8 @@
 	<AdminHeader title="Media Library" slot="header">
 		{#snippet actions()}
 			<div class="actions-dropdown">
-				<Button variant="primary" buttonSize="large" onclick={openUploadModal}>Upload</Button>
-				<Button variant="ghost" iconOnly buttonSize="large" onclick={handleDropdownToggle}>
+				<Button variant="primary" buttonSize="medium" onclick={openUploadModal}>Upload</Button>
+				<Button variant="ghost" iconOnly buttonSize="medium" onclick={handleDropdownToggle}>
 					{#snippet icon()}
 						<ChevronDown />
 					{/snippet}
diff --git a/src/routes/admin/posts/+page.svelte b/src/routes/admin/posts/+page.svelte
index b2acd15..4eb865f 100644
--- a/src/routes/admin/posts/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/admin/posts/+page.svelte
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ const statusFilterOptions = [
 <AdminPage>
 	<AdminHeader title="Universe" slot="header">
 		{#snippet actions()}
-			<Button variant="primary" buttonSize="large" onclick={handleNewEssay}>
+			<Button variant="primary" buttonSize="medium" onclick={handleNewEssay}>
 				New Essay
 			</Button>
 		{/snippet}
diff --git a/src/routes/admin/projects/+page.svelte b/src/routes/admin/projects/+page.svelte
index f59b69f..0c51358 100644
--- a/src/routes/admin/projects/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/admin/projects/+page.svelte
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@
 		{#snippet actions()}
 			<Button
 				variant="primary"
-				buttonSize="large"
+				buttonSize="medium"
 				onclick={() => goto('/admin/projects/new')}
 			>
 				New project