diff --git a/docs/specs/layout.md b/docs/specs/layout.md
index 7e3e7f3a..a137d925 100644
--- a/docs/specs/layout.md
+++ b/docs/specs/layout.md
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ Wall starts in `command` mode by default. Embedders may pass `initialMode="passt
 ### Passthrough mode
 - All keyboard input routes to the active session's xterm.js instance
 - Only the mode-exit gesture (LCmd → RCmd) is intercepted
+- In the VS Code host, selected workbench chords are mirrored: xterm still processes the key, and Dormouse also asks the extension host to run the matching VS Code command. See [the VS Code host spec](vscode.md) for the allowlist.
 - Selection overlay shows 2px solid border with glow
 - Terminal has DOM focus
 
@@ -375,6 +376,7 @@ The deferred spawn also only calls `selectPane` if selection is null. The kill h
 | `lib/src/components/wall/MouseOverrideBanner.tsx` | Temporary mouse override banner shown from the header icon |
 | `lib/src/components/wall/use-dockview-ready.ts` | Dockview ready/setup handler: restore/create panels, DnD swap wiring, active panel sync, auto-spawn |
 | `lib/src/components/wall/use-wall-keyboard.ts` | Capture-phase keyboard dispatch for mode switching, pane/door commands, copy/paste, selection drag keys |
+| `lib/src/lib/vscode-keybindings.ts` | VS Code-hosted workbench chord mirror allowlist |
 | `lib/src/components/wall/use-session-persistence.ts` | Debounced layout/session save, flush requests, pagehide, PTY exit, file-drop paste routing |
 | `lib/src/components/wall/use-window-focused.ts` | Window focus tracking hook for header and selection overlay dimming |
 | `lib/src/components/Baseboard.tsx` | Always-visible bottom strip with door components, overflow arrows, and shortcut hints |
diff --git a/docs/specs/shortcuts.md b/docs/specs/shortcuts.md
index 90d48f96..43a41f18 100644
--- a/docs/specs/shortcuts.md
+++ b/docs/specs/shortcuts.md
@@ -3,9 +3,12 @@
 Complete reference for Dormouse's keyboard shortcuts. Shortcuts are grouped by the mode/context in which they apply.
 
 Dormouse has two modes:
+
 - **Workspace mode** (a.k.a. "command" mode internally) — keys drive pane layout.
 - **Terminal mode** (a.k.a. "passthrough" mode) — keys go to the running program, except copy/paste and the mode-switch gesture.
 
+In the VS Code extension host, selected workbench chords are mirrored: the terminal receives the key, and Dormouse also runs the matching VS Code workbench command. See [the VS Code host spec](vscode.md) for the exact allowlist.
+
 ## Mode switching
 
 | Key | Action | Description |
diff --git a/docs/specs/transport.md b/docs/specs/transport.md
index 1f74af28..823810c6 100644
--- a/docs/specs/transport.md
+++ b/docs/specs/transport.md
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ Source of truth:
 
 Non-obvious message contracts:
 
+VS Code-only workbench chord mirroring uses `dormouse:runWorkbenchCommand` from webview to host. The host validates the requested command against the allowlist in `lib/src/lib/vscode-keybindings.ts` (see [the VS Code host spec](vscode.md)) before calling `vscode.commands.executeCommand`; generic command execution over the webview boundary is not allowed.
+
 | Direction | Message | Source type | Contract |
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
 | Webview → host | `dormouse:openExternal` | `WebviewMessage` | Request the host to open a user-confirmed external URI from an OSC 8 hyperlink. Hosts must revalidate and reject malformed, control-character-bearing, or blocked pseudo-scheme targets (`javascript:`, `data:`, `blob:`, `about:`). |
diff --git a/docs/specs/vscode.md b/docs/specs/vscode.md
index b4683d72..e832849e 100644
--- a/docs/specs/vscode.md
+++ b/docs/specs/vscode.md
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ Universal PTY/transport invariants live in `docs/specs/transport.md`. The rules
 - **mergeAlertStates on every save path.** Both the frontend periodic save (`onSaveState` callback) and the backend deactivate refresh (`refreshSavedSessionStateFromPtys`) must merge current alert states. Missing this causes alert state to revert on restore.
 - **retainContextWhenHidden.** Set on both `WebviewPanel` (editor tabs) and `WebviewView` (bottom panel) so that xterm.js DOM, scrollback, and PTY subscriptions survive panel hide/show without going through a resume.
 - **Two save sources.** Session state is saved from two places: the frontend (debounced 500ms + 30s interval via `dormouse:saveState`) and the backend (deactivate flushes webviews then refreshes from live PTYs). Both paths must produce consistent state.
+- **Workbench keybindings mirror for selected chords.** `lib/src/lib/vscode-keybindings.ts` is the source of truth for the VS Code-hosted mirror allowlist. For `Ctrl/Cmd+P`, `Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+P`, `Ctrl/Cmd+B`, and `F1`, xterm still processes the key while the webview also posts `dormouse:runWorkbenchCommand`; `message-router.ts` validates that request against the same small command set before calling `vscode.commands.executeCommand`.
 
 ### Extension manifest (current)
 
diff --git a/lib/src/lib/platform/types.ts b/lib/src/lib/platform/types.ts
index ffa45d47..b131b2c6 100644
--- a/lib/src/lib/platform/types.ts
+++ b/lib/src/lib/platform/types.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import type { AlertState } from '../alert-manager';
+import type { VSCodeWorkbenchCommand } from '../vscode-keybindings';
 
 export interface PtyInfo {
   id: string;
@@ -40,6 +41,9 @@ export interface PlatformAdapter {
   // terminal output is untrusted.
   openExternal?(uri: string): void;
 
+  // VS Code-only escape hatch for mirrored workbench shortcuts from webviews.
+  runWorkbenchCommand?(command: VSCodeWorkbenchCommand): void;
+
   // PTY event listeners
   onPtyData(handler: (detail: { id: string; data: string }) => void): void;
   offPtyData(handler: (detail: { id: string; data: string }) => void): void;
diff --git a/lib/src/lib/platform/vscode-adapter.test.ts b/lib/src/lib/platform/vscode-adapter.test.ts
index 6260a1cf..5a6db36c 100644
--- a/lib/src/lib/platform/vscode-adapter.test.ts
+++ b/lib/src/lib/platform/vscode-adapter.test.ts
@@ -80,6 +80,17 @@ describe('VSCodeAdapter PTY exit handling', () => {
     });
   });
 
+  it('posts allowlisted VS Code workbench commands to the extension host', () => {
+    const adapter = new VSCodeAdapter();
+
+    adapter.runWorkbenchCommand('workbench.action.quickOpen');
+
+    expect(postMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      type: 'dormouse:runWorkbenchCommand',
+      command: 'workbench.action.quickOpen',
+    });
+  });
+
   it('parses replay buffers into semantic events and strips OSCs before forwarding', () => {
     const adapter = new VSCodeAdapter();
     const replays: Array<{ id: string; data: string }> = [];
diff --git a/lib/src/lib/platform/vscode-adapter.ts b/lib/src/lib/platform/vscode-adapter.ts
index 2bf4c65e..578fc766 100644
--- a/lib/src/lib/platform/vscode-adapter.ts
+++ b/lib/src/lib/platform/vscode-adapter.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
 import {
   applyTerminalSemanticEventsByPtyId,
 } from '../terminal-state-store';
+import type { VSCodeWorkbenchCommand } from '../vscode-keybindings';
 
 export class VSCodeAdapter implements PlatformAdapter {
   private vscode: ReturnType<typeof acquireVsCodeApi>;
@@ -181,6 +182,10 @@ export class VSCodeAdapter implements PlatformAdapter {
     this.vscode.postMessage({ type: 'dormouse:openExternal', uri });
   }
 
+  runWorkbenchCommand(command: VSCodeWorkbenchCommand): void {
+    this.vscode.postMessage({ type: 'dormouse:runWorkbenchCommand', command });
+  }
+
   onPtyData(handler: (detail: { id: string; data: string }) => void): void {
     this.dataHandlers.add(handler);
   }
diff --git a/lib/src/lib/terminal-lifecycle.ts b/lib/src/lib/terminal-lifecycle.ts
index 2ed1809a..76f254b5 100644
--- a/lib/src/lib/terminal-lifecycle.ts
+++ b/lib/src/lib/terminal-lifecycle.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { Terminal, type IBufferRange } from '@xterm/xterm';
 import { FitAddon } from '@xterm/addon-fit';
 import { UnicodeGraphemesAddon } from '@xterm/addon-unicode-graphemes';
-import { getPlatform } from './platform';
+import { getPlatform, IS_MAC } from './platform';
 import { requestExternalLinkConfirmation } from './external-link-confirmation';
 import { attachMouseModeObserver } from './mouse-mode-observer';
 import {
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ import {
 } from './terminal-state-store';
 import { readLogicalLineFromBuffer, type BufferLike } from './terminal-buffer-read';
 import { UNNAMED_PANEL_TITLE } from './terminal-state';
+import { vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown } from './vscode-keybindings';
 
 function makePromptLineReader(terminal: Terminal): PromptLineReader {
   return {
@@ -115,6 +116,20 @@ function createXtermHost(): { terminal: Terminal; fit: FitAddon; element: HTMLDi
     },
   });
 
+  // Only hosts that can run workbench commands (the VS Code adapter) opt in;
+  // on every other platform runWorkbenchCommand is undefined, so the chords
+  // stay in xterm exactly as before.
+  if (getPlatform().runWorkbenchCommand) {
+    terminal.attachCustomKeyEventHandler((event) => {
+      const command = vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(event, { isMac: IS_MAC });
+      if (!command) return true;
+      event.preventDefault();
+      event.stopPropagation();
+      getPlatform().runWorkbenchCommand?.(command);
+      return true;
+    });
+  }
+
   terminal.loadAddon(new UnicodeGraphemesAddon());
   const fit = new FitAddon();
   terminal.loadAddon(fit);
diff --git a/lib/src/lib/vscode-keybindings.test.ts b/lib/src/lib/vscode-keybindings.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d0fe7231
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/src/lib/vscode-keybindings.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+/**
+ * @vitest-environment jsdom
+ */
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import { vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown } from './vscode-keybindings';
+
+function keydown(init: Partial<KeyboardEventInit> & { key: string }): KeyboardEvent {
+  return new KeyboardEvent('keydown', {
+    bubbles: true,
+    cancelable: true,
+    ...init,
+  });
+}
+
+describe('vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown', () => {
+  it('maps Windows/Linux VS Code workbench chords', () => {
+    const opts = { isMac: false };
+
+    expect(vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(keydown({ key: 'p', code: 'KeyP', ctrlKey: true }), opts)).toBe('workbench.action.quickOpen');
+    expect(vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(keydown({ key: 'P', code: 'KeyP', ctrlKey: true, shiftKey: true }), opts)).toBe('workbench.action.showCommands');
+    expect(vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(keydown({ key: 'b', code: 'KeyB', ctrlKey: true }), opts)).toBe('workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility');
+    expect(vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(keydown({ key: 'F1', code: 'F1' }), opts)).toBe('workbench.action.showCommands');
+  });
+
+  it('uses Cmd as the platform modifier on macOS', () => {
+    const opts = { isMac: true };
+
+    expect(vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(keydown({ key: 'p', code: 'KeyP', metaKey: true }), opts)).toBe('workbench.action.quickOpen');
+    expect(vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(keydown({ key: 'P', code: 'KeyP', metaKey: true, shiftKey: true }), opts)).toBe('workbench.action.showCommands');
+    expect(vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(keydown({ key: 'b', code: 'KeyB', metaKey: true }), opts)).toBe('workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility');
+    expect(vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(keydown({ key: 'p', code: 'KeyP', ctrlKey: true }), opts)).toBe(null);
+  });
+
+  it('keeps unrelated terminal control chords in xterm only', () => {
+    const opts = { isMac: false };
+
+    expect(vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(keydown({ key: 'r', code: 'KeyR', ctrlKey: true }), opts)).toBe(null);
+    expect(vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(keydown({ key: 'c', code: 'KeyC', ctrlKey: true }), opts)).toBe(null);
+    expect(vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(keydown({ key: 'p', code: 'KeyP', ctrlKey: true, altKey: true }), opts)).toBe(null);
+  });
+
+  it('only maps keydown events', () => {
+    const event = new KeyboardEvent('keyup', { key: 'p', code: 'KeyP', ctrlKey: true });
+    expect(vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(event, { isMac: false })).toBe(null);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/lib/src/lib/vscode-keybindings.ts b/lib/src/lib/vscode-keybindings.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2b9cc400
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/src/lib/vscode-keybindings.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+type KeyboardEventLike = Pick<
+  KeyboardEvent,
+  'altKey' | 'code' | 'ctrlKey' | 'isComposing' | 'key' | 'metaKey' | 'shiftKey' | 'type'
+>;
+
+/** The workbench commands the VS Code host is allowed to run on the webview's behalf. */
+export const VSCODE_WORKBENCH_COMMANDS = [
+  'workbench.action.quickOpen',
+  'workbench.action.showCommands',
+  'workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility',
+] as const;
+
+export type VSCodeWorkbenchCommand = (typeof VSCODE_WORKBENCH_COMMANDS)[number];
+
+/**
+ * Xterm keyboard handling changes when foreground apps enable enhanced
+ * keyboard protocols, which makes VS Code workbench chords inconsistent. For
+ * the allowlisted chords, Dormouse lets xterm keep processing the key and also
+ * asks the VS Code host to run the matching workbench command.
+ */
+export function vscodeWorkbenchCommandForKeydown(
+  event: KeyboardEventLike,
+  options: { isMac: boolean },
+): VSCodeWorkbenchCommand | null {
+  if (event.type !== 'keydown') return null;
+  if (event.isComposing) return null;
+
+  if (!event.ctrlKey && !event.metaKey && !event.altKey && !event.shiftKey && event.key === 'F1') {
+    return 'workbench.action.showCommands';
+  }
+
+  const platformMod = options.isMac ? event.metaKey : event.ctrlKey;
+  if (!platformMod || event.altKey) return null;
+
+  const key = event.key.toLowerCase();
+  const isP = key === 'p' || event.code === 'KeyP';
+  if (isP) {
+    return event.shiftKey
+      ? 'workbench.action.showCommands'
+      : 'workbench.action.quickOpen';
+  }
+
+  const isB = key === 'b' || event.code === 'KeyB';
+  if (isB && !event.shiftKey) return 'workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility';
+
+  return null;
+}
diff --git a/vscode-ext/src/message-router.ts b/vscode-ext/src/message-router.ts
index 28f29484..ea319150 100644
--- a/vscode-ext/src/message-router.ts
+++ b/vscode-ext/src/message-router.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {
   TerminalProtocolParser,
 } from '../../lib/src/lib/terminal-protocol';
 import { normalizeExternalUri } from '../../lib/src/lib/external-links';
+import { VSCODE_WORKBENCH_COMMANDS } from '../../lib/src/lib/vscode-keybindings';
 import type { TerminalSemanticEvent } from '../../lib/src/lib/terminal-state';
 import type { PersistedSession } from '../../lib/src/lib/session-types';
 import type { WebviewMessage, ExtensionMessage } from './message-types';
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ const clipboardOps = require('../../lib/clipboard-ops.cjs') as {
 const globalOwnedPtyIds = new Set<string>();
 const activeRouters = new Set<{ flushSessionSave(timeoutMs?: number): Promise<void> }>();
 let nextFlushRequestId = 0;
+const ALLOWED_WORKBENCH_COMMANDS = new Set<string>(VSCODE_WORKBENCH_COMMANDS);
 
 // Shared alert manager — survives router disposal so alert state persists
 // across webview collapse/expand cycles.
@@ -282,6 +284,11 @@ export function attachRouter(
         );
         break;
       }
+      case 'dormouse:runWorkbenchCommand':
+        if (ALLOWED_WORKBENCH_COMMANDS.has(msg.command)) {
+          void vscode.commands.executeCommand(msg.command);
+        }
+        break;
       case 'dormouse:init': {
         // Webview has (re-)initialized — subscribe to live events.
         // Tear down previous subscriptions first (webview was destroyed and recreated).
diff --git a/vscode-ext/src/message-types.ts b/vscode-ext/src/message-types.ts
index 278f9d23..95e18f3a 100644
--- a/vscode-ext/src/message-types.ts
+++ b/vscode-ext/src/message-types.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import type { ActivityNotification, SessionStatus, TodoState } from '../../lib/src/lib/alert-manager';
 import type { TerminalSemanticEvent } from '../../lib/src/lib/terminal-state';
+import type { VSCodeWorkbenchCommand } from '../../lib/src/lib/vscode-keybindings';
 
 // Messages from webview → extension host
 export type WebviewMessage =
@@ -13,6 +14,7 @@ export type WebviewMessage =
   | { type: 'clipboard:readFiles'; requestId: string }
   | { type: 'clipboard:readImage'; requestId: string }
   | { type: 'dormouse:openExternal'; uri: string }
+  | { type: 'dormouse:runWorkbenchCommand'; command: VSCodeWorkbenchCommand }
   | { type: 'dormouse:init' }
   | { type: 'dormouse:saveState'; state: unknown }
   | { type: 'dormouse:flushSessionSaveDone'; requestId: string }