add quick-open fuzzy file finder (Ctrl/Cmd+P)

A file picker overlay over the whole workspace, distinct from the
command palette. QuickOpenController holds the file list + a
subsequence fuzzy filter; the overlay loads the list via files.walk on
open, shows RecentFilesService entries on an empty query, and opens the
selection through a shared openWorkspaceFile helper (.md → markdown
reader bus, else editor.open) that the files panel now also routes
through, so recents stay in sync from every open site.

Bound to ctrl+p / meta+p with `when: !palette.open` so it never
collides with the palette's ctrl+p navigation; in-overlay arrows/enter/
escape reuse the palette's keymap-driven model via quickOpen.* intents.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ heading, and (b) bumping `pubspec.yaml` `version:` in the same commit.
 
 ### Added
 
+- Quick-open file finder (Ctrl/Cmd+P): a fuzzy file picker overlay over the
+  whole workspace, separate from the command palette. Empty query lists recent
+  files; Enter opens `.md` in the markdown reader and other files in the editor.
+  (T-51)
 - Workspace ignore now follows the `ignore_files:` list in `.pql/config.yaml`
   (ordered, later-wins, per D-4) instead of a hardcoded `.gitignore` +
   `.clideignore` pair — the single ignore knob clide owns. (T-52)

assets/keymaps/default.yaml

@@ -53,6 +53,29 @@ bindings:
     keys: escape
     when: palette.open
 
+  # -- Quick open (fuzzy file finder) -----------------------------------
+  # ctrl+p / meta+p are free while the palette is closed; the palette
+  # only claims ctrl+p for selectPrevious `when: palette.open`, so this
+  # is conflict-free. Arrow/enter/escape inside the overlay are handled
+  # locally by the widget.
+  - intent: quickOpen.open
+    keys: [ctrl+p, meta+p]
+    when: "!palette.open"
+  # Nav stays on arrows/ctrl+n (not ctrl+p — that's the open chord and
+  # would collide while the overlay is up).
+  - intent: quickOpen.selectNext
+    keys: [down, ctrl+n]
+    when: quickOpen.open
+  - intent: quickOpen.selectPrevious
+    keys: up
+    when: quickOpen.open
+  - intent: quickOpen.accept
+    keys: enter
+    when: quickOpen.open
+  - intent: dismiss
+    keys: escape
+    when: quickOpen.open
+
   # -- Text scale -------------------------------------------------------
   # On most layouts `+` is `shift+equal`; we bind both so users who
   # think of it as Ctrl+Plus and users who hit Ctrl+= both work.

lib/app.dart

@@ -119,6 +119,12 @@ class _RootShellState extends State<_RootShell> {
                 return null;
               },
             ),
+            QuickOpenIntent: CallbackAction<QuickOpenIntent>(
+              onInvoke: (_) {
+                widget.services.quickOpen.open();
+                return null;
+              },
+            ),
             FocusNextPanelIntent: CallbackAction<FocusNextPanelIntent>(
               onInvoke: (_) {
                 widget.services.focus.focusNextSlot();
@@ -150,6 +156,7 @@ class _RootShellState extends State<_RootShell> {
                           children: [
                             const Positioned.fill(child: RootLayout()),
                             const ClidePalette(),
+                            const QuickOpenOverlay(),
                             const Positioned.fill(child: _WelcomeOverlay()),
                           ],
                         ),

lib/builtin/files/src/file_tree_view.dart

@@ -211,20 +211,9 @@ class _FileRow extends StatelessWidget {
   }
 
   void _openFile(BuildContext context, String path) {
-    final kernel = ClideKernel.of(context);
-    if (path.toLowerCase().endsWith('.md')) {
-      // Route .md files to the markdown reader panel via the kernel MessageBus.
-      kernel.messages.publish('builtin.markdown', 'selection', {'path': path});
-    } else {
-      // editor.open is a daemon-side IPC handler (lib/src/daemon/
-      // editor_commands.dart), not a kernel command. Fire the request
-      // and let the editor extension's controller pick up the
-      // editor.active-changed / editor.opened event — no need to await
-      // or handle the response here.
-      unawaited(
-        kernel.ipc.request('editor.open', args: {'path': path}),
-      );
-    }
+    // Shared routing (T-187): .md → markdown reader, else editor.open;
+    // records the open in RecentFilesService for quick-open (T-51).
+    openWorkspaceFile(ClideKernel.of(context), path);
   }
 }
 
@@ -285,14 +274,7 @@ class _FilteredFileRow extends StatelessWidget {
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     final tokens = ClideTheme.of(context).surface;
     return ClideTappable(
-      onTap: () {
-        final kernel = ClideKernel.of(context);
-        if (entry.path.toLowerCase().endsWith('.md')) {
-          kernel.messages.publish('builtin.markdown', 'selection', {'path': entry.path});
-        } else {
-          unawaited(kernel.ipc.request('editor.open', args: {'path': entry.path}));
-        }
-      },
+      onTap: () => openWorkspaceFile(ClideKernel.of(context), entry.path),
       builder: (context, hovered, _) => Container(
         color: hovered ? tokens.sidebarItemHover : null,
         padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 12, vertical: 3),

lib/kernel/kernel.dart

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ export 'src/keymap/keymap_service.dart';
 export 'src/keymap/when_clause.dart';
 export 'src/dialog.dart';
 export 'src/extensions_manager.dart';
+export 'src/file_open.dart';
 export 'src/files.dart';
 export 'src/focus.dart';
 export 'src/i18n/catalog_loader.dart';
@@ -39,6 +40,8 @@ export 'src/notify.dart';
 export 'src/os.dart';
 export 'src/panels/arrangement.dart';
 export 'src/project.dart';
+export 'src/quick_open.dart';
+export 'src/recent_files.dart';
 export 'src/scheduler.dart';
 export 'src/text_zoom.dart';
 export 'src/secrets.dart';

lib/kernel/src/facade.dart

@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ import 'package:clide/kernel/src/os.dart';
 import 'package:clide/kernel/src/panels/arrangement.dart';
 import 'package:clide/kernel/src/panels/registry.dart';
 import 'package:clide/kernel/src/project.dart';
+import 'package:clide/kernel/src/quick_open.dart';
+import 'package:clide/kernel/src/recent_files.dart';
 import 'package:clide/kernel/src/scheduler.dart';
 import 'package:clide/kernel/src/secrets.dart';
 import 'package:clide/kernel/src/settings.dart';
@@ -49,6 +51,8 @@ class KernelServices {
     required this.arrangement,
     required this.commands,
     required this.palette,
+    required this.quickOpen,
+    required this.recentFiles,
     required this.keybindings,
     required this.clipboard,
     required this.files,
@@ -79,6 +83,8 @@ class KernelServices {
   final LayoutArrangement arrangement;
   final CommandRegistry commands;
   final PaletteController palette;
+  final QuickOpenController quickOpen;
+  final RecentFilesService recentFiles;
   final KeybindingResolver keybindings;
   final ClideClipboard clipboard;
   final FileServices files;
@@ -140,6 +146,8 @@ class KernelServices {
     final keymap = KeymapService(settings: settings, appDir: appDir);
     await keymap.load();
     final palette = PaletteController(commands);
+    final recentFiles = RecentFilesService();
+    final quickOpen = QuickOpenController(recentPaths: () => recentFiles.paths);
     final clipboard = ClideClipboard();
     final files = FileServices(events);
     final notify = Notifications();
@@ -219,6 +227,8 @@ class KernelServices {
       arrangement: arrangement,
       commands: commands,
       palette: palette,
+      quickOpen: quickOpen,
+      recentFiles: recentFiles,
       keybindings: keybindings,
       clipboard: clipboard,
       files: files,
@@ -248,6 +258,8 @@ class KernelServices {
     arrangement.dispose();
     commands.dispose();
     palette.dispose();
+    quickOpen.dispose();
+    recentFiles.dispose();
     i18n.dispose();
     notify.dispose();
     dialog.dispose();

lib/kernel/src/file_open.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+/// The single dispatch point for opening a workspace file the way
+/// clide routes file activations (T-51 / T-187):
+///   * `.md` paths → the markdown reader, via the kernel MessageBus;
+///   * every other path → the editor, via the `editor.open` IPC verb.
+///
+/// Records the open in [KernelServices.recentFiles] so the quick-open
+/// overlay's empty-query state reflects it. Shared by the files panel
+/// and the quick-open overlay so the routing stays in one place.
+library;
+
+import 'dart:async';
+
+import 'package:clide/kernel/src/facade.dart';
+
+void openWorkspaceFile(KernelServices services, String path) {
+  if (path.isEmpty) return;
+  services.recentFiles.push(path);
+  if (path.toLowerCase().endsWith('.md')) {
+    services.messages.publish('builtin.markdown', 'selection', {'path': path});
+  } else {
+    unawaited(services.ipc.request('editor.open', args: {'path': path}));
+  }
+}

lib/kernel/src/keymap/intents.dart

@@ -54,6 +54,29 @@ class PaletteAcceptIntent extends Intent {
   const PaletteAcceptIntent();
 }
 
+// -- Quick open -------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/// Open the quick-open file finder (fuzzy file picker), distinct from
+/// the command palette.
+class QuickOpenIntent extends Intent {
+  const QuickOpenIntent();
+}
+
+/// Highlight the next quick-open result.
+class QuickOpenSelectNextIntent extends Intent {
+  const QuickOpenSelectNextIntent();
+}
+
+/// Highlight the previous quick-open result.
+class QuickOpenSelectPreviousIntent extends Intent {
+  const QuickOpenSelectPreviousIntent();
+}
+
+/// Open the highlighted quick-open result.
+class QuickOpenAcceptIntent extends Intent {
+  const QuickOpenAcceptIntent();
+}
+
 // -- Text scale -------------------------------------------------------------
 
 class TextScaleIncreaseIntent extends Intent {
@@ -95,6 +118,10 @@ final Map<String, Intent Function()> builtinIntents = {
   'palette.selectNext': () => const PaletteSelectNextIntent(),
   'palette.selectPrevious': () => const PaletteSelectPreviousIntent(),
   'palette.accept': () => const PaletteAcceptIntent(),
+  'quickOpen.open': () => const QuickOpenIntent(),
+  'quickOpen.selectNext': () => const QuickOpenSelectNextIntent(),
+  'quickOpen.selectPrevious': () => const QuickOpenSelectPreviousIntent(),
+  'quickOpen.accept': () => const QuickOpenAcceptIntent(),
   'text.scaleIncrease': () => const TextScaleIncreaseIntent(),
   'text.scaleDecrease': () => const TextScaleDecreaseIntent(),
   'text.scaleReset': () => const TextScaleResetIntent(),

lib/kernel/src/quick_open.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+/// State for the quick-open overlay (T-51): the workspace file list,
+/// the fuzzy filter, and the highlighted row. Pure state — the overlay
+/// widget loads the file list (via `files.walk`) and drives the actual
+/// open. Mirrors [PaletteController]'s shape so the overlay can reuse
+/// the palette's interaction model.
+library;
+
+import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
+
+class QuickOpenController extends ChangeNotifier {
+  QuickOpenController({required this.recentPaths});
+
+  /// Supplies the empty-query suggestions (most-recent-first). Injected
+  /// as a callback so the controller stays decoupled from the recents
+  /// service itself.
+  final List<String> Function() recentPaths;
+
+  /// Cap on rendered results for a non-empty query — keeps the list
+  /// widget bounded on large repos.
+  static const int resultCap = 200;
+
+  bool _open = false;
+  String _filter = '';
+  int _selectedIndex = 0;
+  List<String> _files = const [];
+  bool _loading = false;
+  bool _truncated = false;
+
+  bool get isOpen => _open;
+  String get filter => _filter;
+  bool get isLoading => _loading;
+
+  /// True when the underlying `files.walk` hit its cap — the file list
+  /// is incomplete and the UI should say so.
+  bool get truncated => _truncated;
+
+  /// Highlighted index, clamped into the current result list.
+  int get selectedIndex {
+    final n = filtered().length;
+    if (n == 0) return 0;
+    return _selectedIndex.clamp(0, n - 1);
+  }
+
+  void open() {
+    if (_open) return;
+    _open = true;
+    _filter = '';
+    _selectedIndex = 0;
+    notifyListeners();
+  }
+
+  void close() {
+    if (!_open) return;
+    _open = false;
+    _filter = '';
+    _selectedIndex = 0;
+    notifyListeners();
+  }
+
+  void toggle() => _open ? close() : open();
+
+  /// Toggle the loading indicator while the widget fetches the file list.
+  void setLoading(bool value) {
+    if (_loading == value) return;
+    _loading = value;
+    notifyListeners();
+  }
+
+  /// Install the workspace file list (from `files.walk`).
+  void setFiles(List<String> files, {bool truncated = false}) {
+    _files = files;
+    _truncated = truncated;
+    _selectedIndex = 0;
+    notifyListeners();
+  }
+
+  void setFilter(String f) {
+    if (_filter == f) return;
+    _filter = f;
+    _selectedIndex = 0;
+    notifyListeners();
+  }
+
+  void selectNext() {
+    final n = filtered().length;
+    if (n < 2) return;
+    _selectedIndex = (selectedIndex + 1) % n;
+    notifyListeners();
+  }
+
+  void selectPrevious() {
+    final n = filtered().length;
+    if (n < 2) return;
+    _selectedIndex = (selectedIndex - 1 + n) % n;
+    notifyListeners();
+  }
+
+  /// The path currently highlighted, or null when the result list is
+  /// empty.
+  String? get selectedPath {
+    final list = filtered();
+    if (list.isEmpty) return null;
+    return list[selectedIndex];
+  }
+
+  /// The visible result list. An empty query shows recents; otherwise a
+  /// subsequence fuzzy match over the file paths, ranked best-first and
+  /// capped at [resultCap].
+  List<String> filtered() {
+    if (_filter.trim().isEmpty) return recentPaths();
+    final q = _filter.toLowerCase().trim();
+    final scored = <_Scored>[];
+    for (final p in _files) {
+      final s = _fuzzyScore(p.toLowerCase(), q);
+      if (s != null) scored.add(_Scored(p, s));
+    }
+    scored.sort((a, b) {
+      final c = a.score.compareTo(b.score); // lower is better
+      if (c != 0) return c;
+      return a.path.length.compareTo(b.path.length);
+    });
+    return [for (final s in scored.take(resultCap)) s.path];
+  }
+}
+
+class _Scored {
+  _Scored(this.path, this.score);
+  final String path;
+  final int score;
+}
+
+/// Subsequence fuzzy match. Returns null when [query]'s characters
+/// don't appear in order within [text]; otherwise a score where lower
+/// is better — contiguous, early matches score best (gaps and a late
+/// start add penalty).
+int? _fuzzyScore(String text, String query) {
+  if (query.isEmpty) return 0;
+  var ti = 0;
+  var qi = 0;
+  var score = 0;
+  int? last;
+  while (ti < text.length && qi < query.length) {
+    if (text.codeUnitAt(ti) == query.codeUnitAt(qi)) {
+      score += last == null ? ti : (ti - last - 1);
+      last = ti;
+      qi++;
+    }
+    ti++;
+  }
+  if (qi != query.length) return null;
+  return score;
+}

lib/kernel/src/recent_files.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+/// A bounded, most-recent-first list of repo-relative file paths opened
+/// this session. Backs the quick-open overlay's empty-query state
+/// (T-51). In-memory only — recents reset per app run, matching the
+/// session-scoped "recently opened within a workspace" convention.
+library;
+
+import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
+
+class RecentFilesService extends ChangeNotifier {
+  RecentFilesService({this.cap = 20});
+
+  /// Maximum number of paths retained; the oldest fall off the end.
+  final int cap;
+
+  final List<String> _paths = [];
+
+  /// Most-recent-first snapshot of the retained paths.
+  List<String> get paths => List.unmodifiable(_paths);
+
+  /// Record [path] as the most-recently opened file: moves an existing
+  /// entry to the front (no duplicates) and trims to [cap].
+  void push(String path) {
+    if (path.isEmpty) return;
+    _paths.remove(path);
+    _paths.insert(0, path);
+    if (_paths.length > cap) _paths.removeRange(cap, _paths.length);
+    notifyListeners();
+  }
+
+  void clear() {
+    if (_paths.isEmpty) return;
+    _paths.clear();
+    notifyListeners();
+  }
+}

lib/widgets/src/quick_open_overlay.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,318 @@
+import 'package:clide/kernel/kernel.dart';
+import 'package:clide/widgets/src/clide_text.dart';
+import 'package:clide/widgets/src/typography.dart';
+import 'package:flutter/widgets.dart';
+
+/// Quick-open file finder overlay (T-51). A fuzzy file picker, distinct
+/// from the command palette: it loads the workspace file list via
+/// `files.walk`, filters with a subsequence fuzzy match, shows recents
+/// when the query is empty, and opens the selection via
+/// [openWorkspaceFile] (`.md` → markdown reader, else editor).
+///
+/// Mirrors `ClidePalette`'s structure and keymap-driven navigation —
+/// the overlay publishes the `quickOpen.open` scope flag and binds the
+/// `quickOpen.*` intents while open.
+class QuickOpenOverlay extends StatefulWidget {
+  const QuickOpenOverlay({super.key});
+
+  @override
+  State<QuickOpenOverlay> createState() => _QuickOpenOverlayState();
+}
+
+class _QuickOpenOverlayState extends State<QuickOpenOverlay> {
+  final _input = TextEditingController();
+  final _focus = FocusNode(debugLabel: 'QuickOpenOverlay.input');
+  final _itemKeys = <int, GlobalKey>{};
+
+  QuickOpenController? _quickOpen;
+  KeymapService? _keymap;
+  KernelServices? _services;
+
+  @override
+  void didChangeDependencies() {
+    super.didChangeDependencies();
+    final kernel = ClideKernel.of(context);
+    _services = kernel;
+    if (!identical(_quickOpen, kernel.quickOpen)) {
+      _quickOpen?.removeListener(_onChanged);
+      _quickOpen = kernel.quickOpen;
+      _quickOpen!.addListener(_onChanged);
+      _syncFromController();
+    }
+    _keymap = kernel.keymap;
+    final isOpen = _quickOpen?.isOpen ?? false;
+    _keymap?.setScopeFlag('quickOpen.open', isOpen);
+    if (isOpen) {
+      _ensureFilesLoaded();
+      if (!_focus.hasFocus) {
+        WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
+          if (mounted && (_quickOpen?.isOpen ?? false)) _focus.requestFocus();
+        });
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  @override
+  void dispose() {
+    _quickOpen?.removeListener(_onChanged);
+    _keymap?.clearScopeFlag('quickOpen.open');
+    _input.dispose();
+    _focus.dispose();
+    super.dispose();
+  }
+
+  bool _loadedForThisOpen = false;
+
+  void _onChanged() {
+    final isOpen = _quickOpen?.isOpen ?? false;
+    _keymap?.setScopeFlag('quickOpen.open', isOpen);
+    if (isOpen) {
+      _ensureFilesLoaded();
+      _focus.requestFocus();
+    } else {
+      _loadedForThisOpen = false;
+    }
+    _syncFromController();
+  }
+
+  void _syncFromController() {
+    final f = _quickOpen?.filter ?? '';
+    if (_input.text != f) {
+      _input.value = TextEditingValue(
+        text: f,
+        selection: TextSelection.collapsed(offset: f.length),
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Fetch the workspace file list once per open via `files.walk`.
+  Future<void> _ensureFilesLoaded() async {
+    if (_loadedForThisOpen) return;
+    _loadedForThisOpen = true;
+    final services = _services;
+    final controller = _quickOpen;
+    if (services == null || controller == null) return;
+    controller.setLoading(true);
+    try {
+      final res = await services.ipc.request('files.walk', args: const {});
+      if (!res.ok || !controller.isOpen) return;
+      final raw = res.data['files'];
+      final files = raw is List ? raw.map((e) => '$e').toList() : <String>[];
+      controller.setFiles(files, truncated: res.data['truncated'] == true);
+    } catch (_) {
+      // Leave the list empty; recents still show on empty query.
+    } finally {
+      controller.setLoading(false);
+    }
+  }
+
+  Object? _selectNext(QuickOpenSelectNextIntent _) {
+    _quickOpen?.selectNext();
+    _scrollSelectedIntoView();
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  Object? _selectPrev(QuickOpenSelectPreviousIntent _) {
+    _quickOpen?.selectPrevious();
+    _scrollSelectedIntoView();
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  Object? _accept(QuickOpenAcceptIntent _) {
+    _openSelected();
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  Object? _dismiss(DismissIntent _) {
+    _quickOpen?.close();
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  void _openSelected() {
+    final controller = _quickOpen;
+    final services = _services;
+    if (controller == null || services == null) return;
+    final path = controller.selectedPath;
+    controller.close();
+    _input.clear();
+    if (path != null) openWorkspaceFile(services, path);
+  }
+
+  void _scrollSelectedIntoView() {
+    final idx = _quickOpen?.selectedIndex;
+    if (idx == null) return;
+    final ctx = _itemKeys[idx]?.currentContext;
+    if (ctx == null) return;
+    Scrollable.ensureVisible(ctx, duration: const Duration(milliseconds: 120), alignment: 0.5);
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final kernel = ClideKernel.of(context);
+    final tokens = ClideTheme.of(context).surface;
+    return ListenableBuilder(
+      listenable: kernel.quickOpen,
+      builder: (ctx, _) {
+        final controller = kernel.quickOpen;
+        if (!controller.isOpen) return const SizedBox.shrink();
+        final results = controller.filtered();
+        final selected = controller.selectedIndex;
+        final emptyQuery = controller.filter.trim().isEmpty;
+        return Positioned(
+          top: 60,
+          left: 0,
+          right: 0,
+          child: Center(
+            child: Actions(
+              actions: <Type, Action<Intent>>{
+                QuickOpenSelectNextIntent: CallbackAction<QuickOpenSelectNextIntent>(onInvoke: _selectNext),
+                QuickOpenSelectPreviousIntent: CallbackAction<QuickOpenSelectPreviousIntent>(onInvoke: _selectPrev),
+                QuickOpenAcceptIntent: CallbackAction<QuickOpenAcceptIntent>(onInvoke: _accept),
+                DismissIntent: CallbackAction<DismissIntent>(onInvoke: _dismiss),
+              },
+              child: Container(
+                width: 480,
+                constraints: const BoxConstraints(maxHeight: 360),
+                decoration: BoxDecoration(
+                  color: tokens.dropdownBackground,
+                  border: Border.all(color: tokens.dropdownBorder),
+                  borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(6),
+                  boxShadow: [
+                    BoxShadow(color: tokens.shadowAmbient, blurRadius: 12, offset: const Offset(0, 4)),
+                  ],
+                ),
+                child: Column(
+                  mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
+                  children: [
+                    Padding(
+                      padding: const EdgeInsets.all(8),
+                      child: EditableText(
+                        controller: _input,
+                        focusNode: _focus,
+                        style: TextStyle(
+                          fontFamily: clideMonoFamily,
+                          fontSize: clideFontMono,
+                          color: tokens.dropdownForeground,
+                        ),
+                        cursorColor: tokens.globalFocus,
+                        backgroundCursorColor: tokens.globalFocus,
+                        maxLines: 1,
+                        onChanged: controller.setFilter,
+                        onSubmitted: (_) => _openSelected(),
+                      ),
+                    ),
+                    if (emptyQuery && results.isEmpty)
+                      _Hint(controller.isLoading ? 'Loading files…' : 'No recent files', tokens)
+                    else if (results.isEmpty)
+                      _Hint('No matching files', tokens)
+                    else
+                      Flexible(
+                        child: ListView.builder(
+                          shrinkWrap: true,
+                          padding: EdgeInsets.zero,
+                          itemCount: results.length,
+                          itemBuilder: (ctx, i) {
+                            final path = results[i];
+                            final key = _itemKeys.putIfAbsent(i, () => GlobalKey());
+                            return _QuickOpenItem(
+                              key: key,
+                              path: path,
+                              highlighted: i == selected,
+                              onTap: () {
+                                controller.close();
+                                _input.clear();
+                                openWorkspaceFile(kernel, path);
+                              },
+                            );
+                          },
+                        ),
+                      ),
+                    if (controller.truncated)
+                      _Hint('Results limited — large workspace', tokens),
+                  ],
+                ),
+              ),
+            ),
+          ),
+        );
+      },
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+class _Hint extends StatelessWidget {
+  const _Hint(this.text, this.tokens);
+  final String text;
+  final SurfaceTokens tokens;
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) => Padding(
+        padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 12, vertical: 8),
+        child: ClideText(text, fontSize: clideFontCaption, color: tokens.globalTextMuted),
+      );
+}
+
+class _QuickOpenItem extends StatefulWidget {
+  const _QuickOpenItem({
+    super.key,
+    required this.path,
+    required this.highlighted,
+    required this.onTap,
+  });
+
+  final String path;
+  final bool highlighted;
+  final VoidCallback onTap;
+
+  @override
+  State<_QuickOpenItem> createState() => _QuickOpenItemState();
+}
+
+class _QuickOpenItemState extends State<_QuickOpenItem> {
+  bool _hover = false;
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final tokens = ClideTheme.of(context).surface;
+    final selected = widget.highlighted;
+    // Split the basename from its directory so the filename reads first.
+    final slash = widget.path.lastIndexOf('/');
+    final name = slash < 0 ? widget.path : widget.path.substring(slash + 1);
+    final dir = slash < 0 ? '' : widget.path.substring(0, slash);
+    return MouseRegion(
+      cursor: SystemMouseCursors.click,
+      onEnter: (_) => setState(() => _hover = true),
+      onExit: (_) => setState(() => _hover = false),
+      child: GestureDetector(
+        onTap: widget.onTap,
+        child: Container(
+          color: selected
+              ? tokens.listItemSelectedBackground
+              : _hover
+                  ? tokens.listItemHoverBackground
+                  : null,
+          padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 12, vertical: 6),
+          child: Row(
+            children: [
+              ClideText(
+                name,
+                color: selected ? tokens.listItemSelectedForeground : tokens.listItemForeground,
+              ),
+              const SizedBox(width: 8),
+              Expanded(
+                child: ClideText(
+                  dir,
+                  fontSize: clideFontCaption,
+                  fontFamily: clideMonoFamily,
+                  color: tokens.globalTextMuted,
+                  maxLines: 1,
+                  overflow: TextOverflow.ellipsis,
+                ),
+              ),
+            ],
+          ),
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}

lib/widgets/widgets.dart

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ export 'src/clide_surface.dart';
 export 'src/clide_tab_bar.dart';
 export 'src/multitab_controller.dart';
 export 'src/multitab_pane.dart';
+export 'src/quick_open_overlay.dart';
 export 'src/clide_tappable.dart';
 export 'src/clide_text.dart';
 export 'src/clide_tooltip.dart';

test/kernel/quick_open_test.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+/// Unit tests for [QuickOpenController] — state, fuzzy ranking, recents
+/// fallback, and selection wrapping (T-51).
+library;
+
+import 'package:clide/kernel/src/quick_open.dart';
+import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
+
+void main() {
+  late List<String> recents;
+  QuickOpenController make() => QuickOpenController(recentPaths: () => recents);
+
+  setUp(() => recents = ['recent_a.dart', 'recent_b.dart']);
+
+  test('open/close/toggle track isOpen and reset the filter', () {
+    final c = make();
+    expect(c.isOpen, isFalse);
+    c.open();
+    expect(c.isOpen, isTrue);
+    c.setFilter('main');
+    c.close();
+    expect(c.isOpen, isFalse);
+    expect(c.filter, isEmpty);
+    c.toggle();
+    expect(c.isOpen, isTrue);
+  });
+
+  test('empty query shows recents', () {
+    final c = make()..open();
+    c.setFiles(['lib/main.dart', 'lib/app.dart']);
+    expect(c.filtered(), recents);
+    expect(c.selectedPath, 'recent_a.dart');
+  });
+
+  test('non-empty query fuzzy-matches the file list, not recents', () {
+    final c = make()..open();
+    c.setFiles(['lib/main.dart', 'lib/app.dart', 'README.md']);
+    c.setFilter('main');
+    expect(c.filtered(), contains('lib/main.dart'));
+    expect(c.filtered(), isNot(contains('README.md')));
+  });
+
+  test('subsequence match ranks contiguous/early hits above scattered', () {
+    final c = make()..open();
+    c.setFiles(['x/abc_extra.dart', 'abc.dart', 'a_b_c.dart']);
+    c.setFilter('abc');
+    // 'abc.dart' (contiguous, earliest) should rank first.
+    expect(c.filtered().first, 'abc.dart');
+  });
+
+  test('non-matching query yields an empty result list', () {
+    final c = make()..open();
+    c.setFiles(['lib/main.dart']);
+    c.setFilter('zzzzz');
+    expect(c.filtered(), isEmpty);
+    expect(c.selectedPath, isNull);
+  });
+
+  test('selectNext/Previous wrap around the result list', () {
+    final c = make()..open();
+    c.setFiles(['a.dart', 'b.dart', 'c.dart']);
+    c.setFilter('dart'); // matches all three
+    expect(c.selectedIndex, 0);
+    c.selectPrevious(); // wraps to last
+    expect(c.selectedIndex, c.filtered().length - 1);
+    c.selectNext(); // wraps back to 0
+    expect(c.selectedIndex, 0);
+  });
+
+  test('selection is a no-op with fewer than two results', () {
+    final c = make()..open();
+    c.setFiles(['only.dart']);
+    c.setFilter('only');
+    c.selectNext();
+    expect(c.selectedIndex, 0);
+  });
+
+  test('setFiles records truncation', () {
+    final c = make()..open();
+    c.setFiles(['a.dart'], truncated: true);
+    expect(c.truncated, isTrue);
+  });
+
+  test('result list is capped at resultCap', () {
+    final c = make()..open();
+    c.setFiles([for (var i = 0; i < QuickOpenController.resultCap + 50; i++) 'f$i.dart']);
+    c.setFilter('dart');
+    expect(c.filtered(), hasLength(QuickOpenController.resultCap));
+  });
+
+  test('setLoading toggles the flag and notifies', () {
+    final c = make();
+    var n = 0;
+    c.addListener(() => n++);
+    c.setLoading(true);
+    expect(c.isLoading, isTrue);
+    expect(n, 1);
+    c.setLoading(true); // no change → no notify
+    expect(n, 1);
+  });
+}

test/kernel/recent_files_test.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+/// Unit tests for [RecentFilesService] — the session-scoped recent
+/// files list backing quick-open's empty-query state (T-51).
+library;
+
+import 'package:clide/kernel/src/recent_files.dart';
+import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
+
+void main() {
+  test('push records most-recent-first', () {
+    final r = RecentFilesService();
+    r.push('a.dart');
+    r.push('b.dart');
+    expect(r.paths, ['b.dart', 'a.dart']);
+  });
+
+  test('push de-duplicates and moves an existing entry to the front', () {
+    final r = RecentFilesService();
+    r.push('a.dart');
+    r.push('b.dart');
+    r.push('a.dart');
+    expect(r.paths, ['a.dart', 'b.dart']);
+  });
+
+  test('trims to the cap, dropping the oldest', () {
+    final r = RecentFilesService(cap: 2);
+    r.push('a');
+    r.push('b');
+    r.push('c');
+    expect(r.paths, ['c', 'b']);
+  });
+
+  test('empty path is ignored', () {
+    final r = RecentFilesService();
+    r.push('');
+    expect(r.paths, isEmpty);
+  });
+
+  test('clear empties the list and notifies once', () {
+    final r = RecentFilesService();
+    var notifications = 0;
+    r.addListener(() => notifications++);
+    r.push('a');
+    r.clear();
+    expect(r.paths, isEmpty);
+    expect(notifications, 2);
+    // A second clear on an empty list is a no-op (no extra notify).
+    r.clear();
+    expect(notifications, 2);
+  });
+
+  test('paths is an unmodifiable snapshot', () {
+    final r = RecentFilesService();
+    r.push('a');
+    expect(() => r.paths.add('b'), throwsUnsupportedError);
+  });
+}

test/kernel/src/keymap/intents_test.dart

@@ -28,6 +28,13 @@ void main() {
       expect(parseIntentId('palette.accept'), isA<PaletteAcceptIntent>());
     });
 
+    test('returns the quickOpen.* intents', () {
+      expect(parseIntentId('quickOpen.open'), isA<QuickOpenIntent>());
+      expect(parseIntentId('quickOpen.selectNext'), isA<QuickOpenSelectNextIntent>());
+      expect(parseIntentId('quickOpen.selectPrevious'), isA<QuickOpenSelectPreviousIntent>());
+      expect(parseIntentId('quickOpen.accept'), isA<QuickOpenAcceptIntent>());
+    });
+
     test('returns the text.scale* intents', () {
       expect(parseIntentId('text.scaleIncrease'), isA<TextScaleIncreaseIntent>());
       expect(parseIntentId('text.scaleDecrease'), isA<TextScaleDecreaseIntent>());

test/widgets/quick_open_overlay_test.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+/// Widget tests for [QuickOpenOverlay] — loads the file list via the
+/// stubbed `files.walk`, routes a selection through [openWorkspaceFile]
+/// (.md → markdown reader bus, else editor.open), and records recents
+/// (T-51).
+library;
+
+import 'package:clide/clide.dart';
+import 'package:clide/kernel/kernel.dart';
+import 'package:clide/widgets/widgets.dart';
+import 'package:flutter/widgets.dart';
+import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
+
+import '../helpers/kernel_fixture.dart';
+import '../helpers/widget_harness.dart';
+
+void main() {
+  late KernelFixture f;
+
+  setUp(() async {
+    f = await KernelFixture.create();
+    f.ipc.stub('files.walk', (_) async => IpcResponse.ok(id: '1', data: const {
+          'files': ['lib/main.dart', 'lib/app.dart', 'README.md'],
+          'truncated': false,
+        }));
+    f.ipc.stub('editor.open', (args) async => IpcResponse.ok(id: '1', data: {'path': args['path']}));
+  });
+  tearDown(() => f.dispose());
+
+  testWidgets('hidden until opened, then loads files and filters', (tester) async {
+    await tester.pumpWidget(harness(f, const QuickOpenOverlay()));
+    expect(find.byType(EditableText), findsNothing);
+
+    f.services.quickOpen.open();
+    await pumpAsync(tester);
+    // File list loaded from files.walk.
+    expect(f.services.quickOpen.truncated, isFalse);
+
+    await tester.enterText(find.byType(EditableText), 'app');
+    await pumpAsync(tester);
+    expect(find.text('app.dart'), findsOneWidget);
+    expect(find.text('main.dart'), findsNothing);
+  });
+
+  testWidgets('tapping a non-md result opens the editor and records a recent', (tester) async {
+    String? opened;
+    f.ipc.stub('editor.open', (args) async {
+      opened = args['path'] as String?;
+      return IpcResponse.ok(id: '1', data: {'path': args['path']});
+    });
+    await tester.pumpWidget(harness(f, const QuickOpenOverlay()));
+    f.services.quickOpen.open();
+    await pumpAsync(tester);
+    await tester.enterText(find.byType(EditableText), 'main');
+    await pumpAsync(tester);
+
+    await tester.tap(find.text('main.dart'));
+    await pumpAsync(tester);
+
+    expect(opened, 'lib/main.dart');
+    expect(f.services.quickOpen.isOpen, isFalse);
+    expect(f.services.recentFiles.paths, contains('lib/main.dart'));
+  });
+
+  testWidgets('tapping an md result publishes to the markdown reader bus', (tester) async {
+    final published = <Message>[];
+    final sub = f.services.messages
+        .subscribe(publisher: 'builtin.markdown', channel: 'selection')
+        .listen(published.add);
+    addTearDown(sub.cancel);
+
+    await tester.pumpWidget(harness(f, const QuickOpenOverlay()));
+    f.services.quickOpen.open();
+    await pumpAsync(tester);
+    await tester.enterText(find.byType(EditableText), 'readme');
+    await pumpAsync(tester);
+
+    await tester.tap(find.text('README.md'));
+    await pumpAsync(tester);
+
+    expect(published, hasLength(1));
+    expect(published.first.data['path'], 'README.md');
+    expect(f.services.recentFiles.paths, contains('README.md'));
+  });
+
+  testWidgets('empty query shows recents once any file has been opened', (tester) async {
+    f.services.recentFiles.push('lib/app.dart');
+    await tester.pumpWidget(harness(f, const QuickOpenOverlay()));
+    f.services.quickOpen.open();
+    await pumpAsync(tester);
+    // Empty query → recents listed.
+    expect(find.text('app.dart'), findsOneWidget);
+  });
+}