Ribbon key tips: Alt shows codes on tabs, buttons and menu items

A lone Alt shows a code on every ribbon tab and quick-access button.
Typing a tab code opens the tab and shows the codes of its buttons,
dropdowns, slide-outs and collapsed panels; a button code runs it, a
dropdown or slide-out code opens it and shows its item codes, Esc goes
back one level. Codes follow the reference ribbon; buttons without a
reference counterpart get none and unnamed menu items are numbered.

Codes are drawn as accent pills over the widgets that reported their
bounds in the current frame, with a hint bar under the ribbon. While
the tips are open keys go to them only. The automation gets a keytips
action and read operation.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

locales/ar-SA/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6501,3 +6501,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = تمت إعادة تعريف __ocs_fmt_0__.
     .ok = موافق
     .nested = متداخلة
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/bg-BG/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6489,3 +6489,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ е предефиниран.
     .ok = Ок
     .nested = Вложени
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/cs-CZ/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6486,3 +6486,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ předefinován.
     .ok = Ok
     .nested = Vnořené
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/de-DE/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6487,3 +6487,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ neu definiert.
     .ok = Ok
     .nested = Verschachtelt
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/el-GR/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6489,3 +6489,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = Το __ocs_fmt_0__ επαναορίστηκε.
     .ok = Ok
     .nested = Ένθετα
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/en-US/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6488,3 +6488,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ redefined.
     .ok = Ok
     .nested = Nested
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/es-ES/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6489,3 +6489,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ redefinido.
     .ok = Aceptar
     .nested = Anidados
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/fi-FI/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6486,3 +6486,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ määritetty uudelleen.
     .ok = Ok
     .nested = Sisäkkäiset
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/fr-FR/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6489,3 +6489,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ redéfini.
     .ok = Ok
     .nested = Imbriqués
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/hi-IN/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6477,3 +6477,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ पुनः परिभाषित किया गया।
     .ok = ठीक
     .nested = नेस्टेड
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/hu-HU/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6473,3 +6473,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ újradefiniálva.
     .ok = Ok
     .nested = Beágyazott
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/it-IT/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6488,3 +6488,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ ridefinito.
     .ok = Ok
     .nested = Nidificati
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/ja-JP/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6477,3 +6477,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ を再定義しました。
     .ok = OK
     .nested = ネスト
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/ko-KR/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6488,3 +6488,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__이(가) 재정의되었습니다.
     .ok = 확인
     .nested = 내포
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/lo-LA/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6489,3 +6489,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = ນິຍາມ __ocs_fmt_0__ ໃໝ່ແລ້ວ.
     .ok = ຕົກລົງ
     .nested = ຊ້ອນ
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/nl-NL/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6487,3 +6487,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ opnieuw gedefinieerd.
     .ok = Ok
     .nested = Genest
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/pl-PL/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6488,3 +6488,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = Przedefiniowano __ocs_fmt_0__.
     .ok = Ok
     .nested = Zagnieżdżone
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/pt-BR/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6489,3 +6489,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ redefinido.
     .ok = Ok
     .nested = Aninhados
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/ru-RU/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6490,3 +6490,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ переопределен.
     .ok = Ок
     .nested = Вложенные
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/tr-TR/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6410,3 +6410,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = __ocs_fmt_0__ yeniden tanımlandı.
     .ok = Tamam
     .nested = İç içe
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Yazılan: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Sekme harfini yazın · Esc kapatır
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } sekmesi · Esc bir düzey geri
+    .hint-items = Öğe harfini yazın · Esc bir düzey geri

locales/zh-CN/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6472,3 +6472,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = 已重定义 __ocs_fmt_0__。
     .ok = 确定
     .nested = 嵌套
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

locales/zh-TW/opencadstudio.ftl

@@ -6484,3 +6484,10 @@ ref-edit =
     .redefined = 已重新定義 __ocs_fmt_0__。
     .ok = 確定
     .nested = 巢狀
+
+keytips =
+    .title = KeyTip
+    .typed = Typed: { $path }
+    .hint-tabs = Type a tab letter · Esc closes
+    .hint-tab = { $tab } tab · Esc goes back one level
+    .hint-items = Type an item letter · Esc goes back one level

src/app/control/actions.rs

@@ -114,6 +114,7 @@ pub(super) const NAMES: &[&str] = &[
     "pc_section",
     "ribbon_tab",
     "ribbon_dropdown",
+    "keytips",
     "dialog_ok",
     "attdef_dialog",
     "field_dialog",
@@ -1884,6 +1885,28 @@ impl OpenCADStudio {
                 })
             }
             "ribbon_dropdown" => Message::ToggleRibbonDropdown(string(req, "value")?.into()),
+            // Ribbon key tips: `show`, `alt` (a lone Alt), `type:<codes>`, `enter`,
+            // `esc` or `hide`. Read them back with the `keytips` read operation.
+            "keytips" => {
+                use crate::ui::ribbon::KeyTipInput as K;
+                let value = string(req, "value")?;
+                let inputs: Vec<K> = match value {
+                    "show" => vec![K::Open { refocus: false }],
+                    "alt" => vec![K::AltTap],
+                    "esc" => vec![K::Escape],
+                    "hide" => vec![K::Hide],
+                    "enter" => vec![K::Enter],
+                    _ => match value.strip_prefix("type:") {
+                        Some(codes) if !codes.is_empty() => codes
+                            .chars()
+                            .map(|ch| K::Char(ch.to_uppercase().collect()))
+                            .collect(),
+                        _ => return Err(failure("invalid_value", "Use show, alt, type:<codes>, enter, esc or hide")),
+                    },
+                };
+                let tasks: Vec<_> = inputs.into_iter().map(|input| self.on_keytip(input)).collect();
+                return Ok(Task::batch(tasks));
+            }
             // The -VIEW Background dialog, one field per call: "type=gradient",
             // "color|top|middle|bottom=r,g,b", "three=1", "rotation=30",
             // "image=<path>", "position=center|stretch|tile", "aspect=1", "offset=x,y" (pixels), "scale=x,y",

src/app/control/mod.rs

@@ -559,6 +559,7 @@ impl OpenCADStudio {
                 | "audit"
                 | "text_search"
                 | "text_audit"
+                | "keytips"
         );
         if !query && !self.control.enabled {
             return (
@@ -850,6 +851,7 @@ impl OpenCADStudio {
                     }
                 }
                 "grips" => self.control_grips(),
+                "keytips" => self.ribbon.keytips_json(req["detail"].as_str() == Some("full")),
                 "xdata_get" => self.xdata_read(&req),
                 "get_selection" => self.control_get_selection(),
                 "text_search" => self.control_text_search(&req).unwrap_or_else(|e| e),

src/app/mod.rs

@@ -2754,6 +2754,8 @@ pub enum Message {
     SetProjection(bool),
     /// Select a ribbon module tab by index.
     RibbonSelectTab(usize),
+    /// Ribbon key tips: Alt, typed codes and Esc.
+    KeyTip(crate::ui::ribbon::KeyTipInput),
     /// Change the ribbon tool-panel density (persisted).
     SetRibbonCollapseMode(crate::ui::ribbon::CollapseMode),
     /// A ribbon tool button was clicked — highlights the tool and dispatches its event.

src/app/update/keytips.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+//! Ribbon key tips: a lone Alt opens them, typed codes walk the ribbon and
+//! Esc goes back one level.
+
+use iced::Task;
+
+use crate::app::{Message, OpenCADStudio};
+use crate::ui::ribbon::{KeyTipInput, KeyTipStep};
+
+impl OpenCADStudio {
+    pub(in crate::app) fn on_keytip(&mut self, input: KeyTipInput) -> Task<Message> {
+        match input {
+            KeyTipInput::AltTap if self.ribbon.keytips_active() => self.hide_keytips(),
+            KeyTipInput::AltTap => {
+                if self.active_modal.is_some() || self.clean_screen || self.ribbon_closed {
+                    return Task::none();
+                }
+                // A focused field other than the command line keeps Alt.
+                iced::advanced::widget::operate(
+                    iced::advanced::widget::operation::focusable::count(),
+                )
+                .then(|count| {
+                    if count.focused.is_none() {
+                        return Task::done(Message::KeyTip(KeyTipInput::Open { refocus: false }));
+                    }
+                    iced::widget::operation::is_focused(iced::widget::Id::new(
+                        crate::ui::command_line::CMD_INPUT_ID,
+                    ))
+                    .map(|command_line| {
+                        if command_line {
+                            Message::KeyTip(KeyTipInput::Open { refocus: true })
+                        } else {
+                            Message::Noop
+                        }
+                    })
+                })
+            }
+            KeyTipInput::Open { refocus } => {
+                self.ribbon.show_keytips(refocus);
+                // Typed codes must not reach the command line.
+                if refocus {
+                    self.unfocus_widgets()
+                } else {
+                    Task::none()
+                }
+            }
+            KeyTipInput::Hide => self.hide_keytips(),
+            KeyTipInput::Escape => {
+                if self.ribbon.keytip_escape() {
+                    Task::none()
+                } else {
+                    self.hide_keytips()
+                }
+            }
+            KeyTipInput::Char(_) | KeyTipInput::Enter => {
+                let ch = match &input {
+                    KeyTipInput::Char(ch) => Some(ch.as_str()),
+                    _ => None,
+                };
+                match self.ribbon.keytip_type(ch) {
+                    KeyTipStep::Ignore | KeyTipStep::Stay => Task::none(),
+                    KeyTipStep::Open(message) => self.update(message),
+                    KeyTipStep::Run(message) => {
+                        let refocus = self.hide_keytips();
+                        Task::batch([refocus, self.update(message)])
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Close the key tips, returning the focus to the command line if it had
+    /// it.
+    pub(in crate::app) fn hide_keytips(&mut self) -> Task<Message> {
+        if self.ribbon.hide_keytips() {
+            self.focus_cmd_input()
+        } else {
+            Task::none()
+        }
+    }
+}

src/app/update/mod.rs

@@ -102,6 +102,7 @@ mod dialog;
 mod dynamic;
 mod file;
 mod graphic_attributes;
+mod keytips;
 pub(in crate::app) use file::background_task;
 #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
 pub(in crate::app) use file::native_paths_match;
@@ -621,6 +622,10 @@ impl OpenCADStudio {
                 if Some(id) == self.main_window {
                     self.spacemouse_focused = focused;
                 }
+                // Key tips close when the window loses the focus.
+                if !focused && self.ribbon.keytips_active() {
+                    return self.hide_keytips();
+                }
                 Task::none()
             }
             Message::SpaceMouseEnabled(enabled) => {
@@ -2277,6 +2282,7 @@ impl OpenCADStudio {
             Message::PcManager(message) => self.update_pc_manager(message),
             Message::Count(message) => self.on_count(message),
             Message::SheetSet(message) => self.on_sheet_set(message),
+            Message::KeyTip(input) => self.on_keytip(input),
             Message::RibbonSelectTab(idx) => {
                 self.ribbon.select(idx);
                 Task::none()

src/app/view/mod.rs

@@ -2252,12 +2252,23 @@ bg={bg_ms:.1}ms n={view_count}"
             iced::widget::Space::new().width(0).height(0).into()
         };
 
+        // Key tips: the hint bar under the dropdowns, the codes above all.
+        let (keytip_bar, keytip_layer): (Element<'_, Message>, Element<'_, Message>) =
+            self.ribbon.keytip_layers().unwrap_or_else(|| {
+                (
+                    iced::widget::Space::new().width(0).height(0).into(),
+                    iced::widget::Space::new().width(0).height(0).into(),
+                )
+            });
+
         let composed = stack![
             main_ui,
+            keytip_bar,
             dropdown_layer,
             qselect_layer,
             snap_override_layer,
             open_progress_layer,
+            keytip_layer,
         ];
 
         // If the Plot Style editor was launched from PLOT, keep the Plot dialog
@@ -2547,9 +2558,18 @@ impl OpenCADStudio {
             event::listen_with(|ev, status, win_id| {
                 use iced::event::Status;
                 match ev {
+                    iced::Event::Mouse(iced::mouse::Event::ButtonPressed(_))
+                        if crate::ui::ribbon::keytips_active() =>
+                    {
+                        crate::ui::ribbon::keytip_pointer_pressed();
+                        Some(Message::KeyTip(crate::ui::ribbon::KeyTipInput::Hide))
+                    }
                     iced::Event::Mouse(iced::mouse::Event::ButtonPressed(
                         iced::mouse::Button::Left,
-                    )) => Some(Message::PropPointerPressed),
+                    )) => {
+                        crate::ui::ribbon::keytip_pointer_pressed();
+                        Some(Message::PropPointerPressed)
+                    }
                     iced::Event::Window(window::Event::CloseRequested) => {
                         Some(Message::WindowCloseRequested(win_id))
                     }
@@ -2562,6 +2582,9 @@ impl OpenCADStudio {
                     iced::Event::Window(window::Event::FileDropped(path)) => {
                         Some(Message::FileDropped(path))
                     }
+                    iced::Event::Keyboard(keyboard::Event::KeyReleased { key, .. }) => {
+                        crate::ui::ribbon::keytip_key_released(&key)
+                    }
                     iced::Event::Keyboard(keyboard::Event::ModifiersChanged(m)) => {
                         // `command()` is Cmd on macOS, Ctrl elsewhere — the
                         // platform multi-select modifier for the layer list.
@@ -2575,8 +2598,14 @@ impl OpenCADStudio {
                         physical_key,
                         modifiers,
                         text,
+                        repeat,
                         ..
                     }) => {
+                        if let Some(keytip) =
+                            crate::ui::ribbon::keytip_key_pressed(&key, modifiers, repeat)
+                        {
+                            return keytip;
+                        }
                         #[cfg(target_arch = "wasm32")]
                         let accel = modifiers.command();
                         // AltGr reaches Windows apps as Ctrl+Alt, and a macOS

src/mcp.rs

@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ const READ_OPS: &[&str] = &[
     "audit",
     "text_search",
     "text_audit",
+    "keytips",
     "capture",
 ];
 const EXECUTE_OPS: &[&str] = &[

src/ui/ribbon/draw_panel.rs

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use super::widgets::{
     make_icon, make_tip, muted_text_style, popup_panel_style, popup_row_style, tip_style,
     tool_btn_style, LARGE_DROPDOWN_ARROW_SIZE,
 };
-use super::{dropdown_backdrop, position_ribbon_dropdown, Ribbon};
+use super::{dropdown_backdrop, keytips, position_ribbon_dropdown, Ribbon};
 use crate::app::Message;
 use crate::modules::IconKind;
 use crate::t;
@@ -248,6 +248,32 @@ fn panel_for_group(title: &str, group_ids: &[&'static str]) -> Option<Panel> {
     })
 }
 
+/// The slide-out under the group `title`, if it has one.
+pub(super) fn slide_out_id(title: &str, group_ids: &[&'static str]) -> Option<&'static str> {
+    panel_for_group(title, group_ids).map(|panel| panel.id)
+}
+
+/// What the open slide-out or tool submenu `id` offers, as (dropdown id,
+/// command, opens a submenu) in display order.
+pub(super) fn keytip_items(id: &str) -> Vec<(&'static str, &'static str, bool)> {
+    let Some(panel) = panel_for_dropdown(id) else {
+        return Vec::new();
+    };
+    if panel.id == id {
+        return panel
+            .tools
+            .iter()
+            .map(|tool| (panel.id, tool.command, !tool.options.is_empty()))
+            .collect();
+    }
+    panel
+        .tools
+        .iter()
+        .filter(|tool| tool.command == id)
+        .flat_map(|tool| tool.options.iter().map(|(cmd, _)| (tool.command, *cmd, false)))
+        .collect()
+}
+
 /// Every command the slide-out of the group `title` offers: each tool and
 /// each of its submenu options.
 pub(super) fn slide_out_commands(
@@ -337,6 +363,7 @@ pub(super) fn group_title<'a>(
     .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
     .style(tip_style);
     // Shrink-sized: a Fill here would make the panel claim the whole row.
+    let launcher = keytips::anchor(keytips::XREF_LAUNCHER, launcher);
     row![title_button, launcher]
         .spacing(6)
         .align_y(iced::Center)
@@ -362,6 +389,7 @@ fn tool_button(tool: &Tool, active: bool, panel_id: &'static str) -> Element<'st
         .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
         .style(tip_style)
         .into();
+    let face = keytips::anchor_with(|| keytips::item_anchor(panel_id, tool.command), face);
     if !tool.options.is_empty() {
         row![
             face,
@@ -401,6 +429,7 @@ fn reference_overlay<'a>(ribbon: &Ribbon, panel: Panel, win: (f32, f32)) -> Elem
     .style(popup_row_style)
     .width(Fill)
     .padding([3, 6]);
+    let edit = keytips::anchor_with(|| keytips::item_anchor(panel.id, tool.command), edit);
     let fade = ribbon.xref_fade;
     let on = fade > 0;
     let switch = button(make_icon(
@@ -411,18 +440,23 @@ fn reference_overlay<'a>(ribbon: &Ribbon, panel: Panel, win: (f32, f32)) -> Elem
     .style(move |theme: &Theme, status| tool_btn_style(theme, on, status))
     .padding(3);
     let amount = fade.unsigned_abs().min(90) as u8;
+    let switch = tooltip(
+        switch,
+        make_tip(format!(
+            "{}\n{} XDWGFADECTL",
+            t!("Xref fading"),
+            t!("Command:")
+        )),
+        tooltip::Position::Bottom,
+    )
+    .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
+    .style(tip_style);
+    let switch = keytips::anchor_with(
+        || keytips::item_anchor(panel.id, keytips::XREF_FADE),
+        switch,
+    );
     let fading = row![
-        tooltip(
-            switch,
-            make_tip(format!(
-                "{}\n{} XDWGFADECTL",
-                t!("Xref fading"),
-                t!("Command:")
-            )),
-            tooltip::Position::Bottom
-        )
-        .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
-        .style(tip_style),
+        switch,
         text(t!("Xref fading")).size(11),
         iced::widget::slider(0..=90u8, amount, Message::XrefFadeSlide)
             .on_release(Message::XrefFadeCommit)
@@ -468,7 +502,7 @@ pub(super) fn overlay<'a>(ribbon: &Ribbon, id: &str, win: (f32, f32)) -> Element
             tool.options
                 .iter()
                 .map(|&(cmd, label)| {
-                    button(text(t!(label)).size(11))
+                    let item = button(text(t!(label)).size(11))
                         .on_press(Message::DropdownSelectItem {
                             dropdown_id: tool.command,
                             cmd,
@@ -476,8 +510,8 @@ pub(super) fn overlay<'a>(ribbon: &Ribbon, id: &str, win: (f32, f32)) -> Element
                         .style(popup_row_style)
                         .width(Fill)
                         .height(OPTION_HEIGHT)
-                        .padding([3, 7])
-                        .into()
+                        .padding([3, 7]);
+                    keytips::anchor_with(|| keytips::item_anchor(tool.command, cmd), item)
                 })
                 .collect::<Vec<Element<'static, Message>>>(),
         )

src/ui/ribbon/mod.rs

@@ -31,6 +31,12 @@ use widgets::{StyleContext, *};
 pub(crate) use widgets::{REDO_HISTORY_ID, UNDO_HISTORY_ID};
 mod collapse;
 mod locate;
+mod keytips;
+pub use keytips::{
+    active as keytips_active, key_pressed as keytip_key_pressed,
+    key_released as keytip_key_released, pointer_pressed as keytip_pointer_pressed, KeyTipInput,
+    KeyTipStep,
+};
 use crate::t;
 use crate::ui::wrap_bar::{PosReport, WrapBar, WrapFlow};
 pub use collapse::CollapseMode;
@@ -122,6 +128,8 @@ pub struct Ribbon {
     block_editing: Option<usize>,
     /// XDWGFADECTL as the Reference slide-out shows it (negative = off).
     pub xref_fade: i32,
+    /// Open key tips (Alt).
+    keytips: Option<keytips::State>,
 }
 
 /// Per-layer display data shown in the ribbon layer dropdown.
@@ -224,6 +232,7 @@ impl Ribbon {
             point_cloud_ctx: None,
             block_editing: None,
             xref_fade: 50,
+            keytips: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -662,7 +671,7 @@ impl Ribbon {
                     },
                     ..Default::default()
                 });
-                acc.push(btn.into());
+                acc.push(keytips::anchor_with(|| format!("tab:{}", module.id()), btn));
                 acc
             },
         );
@@ -800,7 +809,7 @@ impl Ribbon {
             tool_bar
         };
 
-        column![tab_bar, tool_bar].into()
+        keytips::ribbon_area(column![tab_bar, tool_bar])
     }
 
     // ── Dropdown overlay ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -971,7 +980,7 @@ impl Ribbon {
                             .then_some(theme.palette().background.base.text.scale_alpha(0.72)),
                     });
 
-                button(
+                let item = button(
                     row![checkmark, icon_el, label_el]
                         .spacing(4)
                         .align_y(iced::Center),
@@ -982,8 +991,8 @@ impl Ribbon {
                 }))
                 .style(popup_row_style)
                 .width(Fill)
-                .padding([4, 10])
-                .into()
+                .padding([4, 10]);
+                keytips::anchor_with(|| keytips::item_anchor(dd_id, cmd), item)
             })
             .collect();
 
@@ -1571,7 +1580,10 @@ fn collapse_button<'a>(
         .style(opener_style(holds))
         .width(Fill)
         .padding([3, 5]);
-        return automatic_large_button(localized_title, content.into());
+        return keytips::anchor_with(
+            || keytips::collapsed_anchor(title),
+            automatic_large_button(localized_title, content.into()),
+        );
     }
 
     // Collapsed (not yet tight): a large representative-tool face — a live button
@@ -1636,7 +1648,10 @@ fn collapse_button<'a>(
     .style(opener_style(holds && !face_lit))
     .width(Fill)
     .padding([1, 4]);
-    let opener = automatic_large_button(localized_title, opener.into());
+    let opener = keytips::anchor_with(
+        || keytips::collapsed_anchor(title),
+        automatic_large_button(localized_title, opener.into()),
+    );
 
     // The large face fills a fixed slot so a collapsed panel is shorter than a full
     // 3-row panel, letting `CollapsePanels` shrink the ribbon row.

src/ui/ribbon/widgets.rs

@@ -543,11 +543,13 @@ pub(super) fn render_small<'a>(
                 .width(Length::Fixed(SMALL_W))
                 .height(ROW_H)
                 .padding([4, 4]);
-            tooltip(btn, make_tip(tip_text), TipPos::Right)
-                .gap(6.0)
-                .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
-                .style(tip_style)
-                .into()
+            super::keytips::anchor(
+                t.id,
+                tooltip(btn, make_tip(tip_text), TipPos::Right)
+                    .gap(6.0)
+                    .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
+                    .style(tip_style),
+            )
         }
 
         RibbonItem::LabeledTool(t) => {
@@ -568,11 +570,13 @@ pub(super) fn render_small<'a>(
                 .width(Length::Fixed(LABELED_SMALL_W + ARROW_W))
                 .height(ROW_H)
                 .padding([3, 4]);
-            tooltip(btn, make_tip(tip_text), TipPos::Right)
-                .gap(6.0)
-                .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
-                .style(tip_style)
-                .into()
+            super::keytips::anchor(
+                t.id,
+                tooltip(btn, make_tip(tip_text), TipPos::Right)
+                    .gap(6.0)
+                    .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
+                    .style(tip_style),
+            )
         }
 
         RibbonItem::Dropdown {
@@ -895,7 +899,7 @@ fn tool_row<'a>(tools: &[ToolDef], active_tool: &Option<String>) -> Element<'a,
             let event = t.event.clone();
             let icon_el: Element<Message> = make_icon(t.icon, 16.0);
             let msg = module_event_to_message(event);
-            tooltip(
+            let btn = tooltip(
                 button(icon_el)
                     .on_press(msg)
                     .style(move |theme: &Theme, status| tool_btn_style(theme, is_active, status))
@@ -905,8 +909,8 @@ fn tool_row<'a>(tools: &[ToolDef], active_tool: &Option<String>) -> Element<'a,
             )
             .gap(4.0)
             .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
-            .style(tip_style)
-            .into()
+            .style(tip_style);
+            super::keytips::anchor(t.id, btn)
         })
         .collect();
     row(btns).spacing(2).align_y(iced::Center).into()
@@ -974,15 +978,17 @@ pub(super) fn render_large<'a>(item: &RibbonItem, ctx: &RenderCtx<'_>) -> Elemen
                 bottom: 4.0,
                 left: 4.0,
             });
-            tooltip(
-                automatic_large_button(label, btn.into()),
-                make_tip(tip_text),
-                TipPos::Right,
+            super::keytips::anchor(
+                t.id,
+                tooltip(
+                    automatic_large_button(label, btn.into()),
+                    make_tip(tip_text),
+                    TipPos::Right,
+                )
+                .gap(6.0)
+                .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
+                .style(tip_style),
             )
-            .gap(6.0)
-            .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
-            .style(tip_style)
-            .into()
         }
 
         RibbonItem::LargeDropdown {
@@ -1308,11 +1314,13 @@ pub(super) fn quick_access_btn<'a>(
     .width(Length::Fixed(TOP_HIST_W))
     .height(24)
     .padding([2, 0]);
-    tooltip(btn, make_tip(t!(label).into_owned()), TipPos::Bottom)
-        .gap(6.0)
-        .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
-        .style(tip_style)
-        .into()
+    super::keytips::anchor_with(
+        || super::keytips::quick_access_anchor(cmd),
+        tooltip(btn, make_tip(t!(label).into_owned()), TipPos::Bottom)
+            .gap(6.0)
+            .delay(Duration::from_millis(400))
+            .style(tip_style),
+    )
 }
 
 pub(super) fn render_history_control<'a>(

src/ui/wrap_bar.rs

@@ -34,14 +34,46 @@ use crate::app::Message;
 thread_local! {
     /// Screen bounds of every ribbon dropdown button, keyed by dropdown id, so
     /// an open dropdown's overlay can anchor directly below its widget at any
-    /// size. Written by `PosReport` on draw, read by `dropdown_bounds`.
-    static DD_BOUNDS: RefCell<FxHashMap<String, Rectangle>> =
+    /// size. Written by `PosReport` on draw, read by `dropdown_bounds`. Each
+    /// entry keeps the frame it was drawn in (see `fresh_bounds`).
+    static DD_BOUNDS: RefCell<FxHashMap<String, (Rectangle, u64)>> =
         RefCell::new(FxHashMap::default());
+    /// Advanced by `end_frame` once everything above the widgets has drawn.
+    static FRAME: Cell<u64> = const { Cell::new(0) };
 }
 
 /// Last-drawn screen bounds of the dropdown button with this id.
 pub fn dropdown_bounds(id: &str) -> Option<Rectangle> {
-    DD_BOUNDS.with(|m| m.borrow().get(id).copied())
+    DD_BOUNDS.with(|m| m.borrow().get(id).map(|(bounds, _)| *bounds))
+}
+
+/// Bounds of the widget `id` only when it was drawn in the current frame, so
+/// a widget that left the screen does not report its old place.
+pub fn fresh_bounds(id: &str) -> Option<Rectangle> {
+    let frame = FRAME.with(Cell::get);
+    DD_BOUNDS.with(|m| {
+        m.borrow()
+            .get(id)
+            .filter(|(_, drawn)| *drawn == frame)
+            .map(|(bounds, _)| *bounds)
+    })
+}
+
+/// Bounds of the widget `id` when it was drawn in the current or the last
+/// finished frame (for use between frames).
+pub fn recent_bounds(id: &str) -> Option<Rectangle> {
+    let frame = FRAME.with(Cell::get);
+    DD_BOUNDS.with(|m| {
+        m.borrow()
+            .get(id)
+            .filter(|(_, drawn)| drawn + 1 >= frame)
+            .map(|(bounds, _)| *bounds)
+    })
+}
+
+/// Close the current frame for `fresh_bounds`.
+pub fn end_frame() {
+    FRAME.with(|frame| frame.set(frame.get() + 1));
 }
 
 pub struct WrapBar<'a> {
@@ -1038,7 +1070,8 @@ impl<'a> Widget<Message, Theme, Renderer> for PosReport<'a> {
         viewport: &Rectangle,
     ) {
         DD_BOUNDS.with(|m| {
-            m.borrow_mut().insert(self.id.to_string(), layout.bounds());
+            m.borrow_mut()
+                .insert(self.id.to_string(), (layout.bounds(), FRAME.with(Cell::get)));
         });
         self.child.as_widget().draw(
             &tree.children[0],