diff --git a/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-07-31-live-panel-toggle-consistency.md b/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-07-31-live-panel-toggle-consistency.md
index 2aff7d594..ca669508c 100644
--- a/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-07-31-live-panel-toggle-consistency.md
+++ b/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-07-31-live-panel-toggle-consistency.md
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ git commit -m "feat(ui): add workspace groups disclosure"
   `libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.{ts,html,scss,spec.ts}`
 - Modify: `libs/ui/styles/_portal-layout.scss`
 
-- [ ] **Step 1: Write failing provider component tests**
+- [x] **Step 1: Write failing provider component tests**
 
 For each provider prove:
 
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ For each provider prove:
 - root All Items applies the shortcut only to Groups;
 - external MPV/VLC passes `collapsible=false` to Guide.
 
-- [ ] **Step 2: Run both targets and verify RED**
+- [x] **Step 2: Run both targets and verify RED**
 
 ```bash
 pnpm nx test portal-xtream-feature --runInBand
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ pnpm nx test portal-stalker-feature --runInBand
 
 Expected: FAIL because the components still consume the shared sidebar state.
 
-- [ ] **Step 3: Replace Xtream state and markup**
+- [x] **Step 3: Replace Xtream state and markup**
 
 Inject `LiveLayoutPanelStateService`, compute Channels effective visibility for
 `showLiveChannelSidebar()`, use `hidePanel('channels')` /
@@ -455,18 +455,18 @@ Keep the resizable Channels DOM mounted and inert when collapsed. Move restore
 UI into a non-overlay boundary rail before `.content-container`. Pass
 `[collapsible]="isEmbeddedPlayer"` and `panelId="live-guide-panel"`.
 
-- [ ] **Step 4: Apply the same contract to Stalker**
+- [x] **Step 4: Apply the same contract to Stalker**
 
 Use the same panel IDs, test IDs, focus behavior, and master shortcut. Radio
 must render no Guide disclosure because it renders no Guide region.
 
-- [ ] **Step 5: Normalize shared boundary rail SCSS**
+- [x] **Step 5: Normalize shared boundary rail SCSS**
 
 Replace the floating restore overlay in `_portal-layout.scss` with a 40px
 flex-shrink-zero boundary rail. Keep width transitions at 180ms, never modify
 the external-player content sizing, and do not touch channel-row styles.
 
-- [ ] **Step 6: Run and verify GREEN**
+- [x] **Step 6: Run and verify GREEN**
 
 ```bash
 pnpm nx test portal-xtream-feature --runInBand
@@ -477,7 +477,7 @@ pnpm nx lint portal-stalker-feature
 
 Expected: all commands exit 0.
 
-- [ ] **Step 7: Commit**
+- [x] **Step 7: Commit**
 
 ```bash
 git add libs/portal/xtream/feature libs/portal/stalker/feature libs/ui/styles
diff --git a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.html b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.html
index 7e53dea5b..5730860a5 100644
--- a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.html
+++ b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.html
@@ -2,8 +2,11 @@
 
 @if (stalkerStore.selectedCategoryId()) {
     <div
+        id="live-channels-panel"
         class="sidebar"
-        [class.sidebar-collapsed]="isSidebarCollapsed()"
+        [class.sidebar-collapsed]="!channelsPanelExpanded()"
+        [attr.aria-hidden]="!channelsPanelExpanded()"
+        [attr.inert]="channelsPanelExpanded() ? null : ''"
         appResizable
         [minWidth]="250"
         [maxWidth]="600"
@@ -32,7 +35,9 @@
                     mat-icon-button
                     type="button"
                     [disabled]="isFullListLoading()"
-                    [attr.aria-label]="'PORTALS.REFRESH_CHANNEL_LIST' | translate"
+                    [attr.aria-label]="
+                        'PORTALS.REFRESH_CHANNEL_LIST' | translate
+                    "
                     [matTooltip]="'PORTALS.REFRESH_CHANNEL_LIST' | translate"
                     (click)="refreshChannels()"
                 >
@@ -42,10 +47,13 @@
             <button
                 mat-icon-button
                 type="button"
-                [attr.aria-label]="'LAYOUT.HIDE_CHANNELS_LIST' | translate"
-                [matTooltip]="'LAYOUT.TOGGLE_SIDEBAR_TOOLTIP' | translate"
-                [attr.aria-pressed]="isSidebarCollapsed()"
-                (click)="toggleSidebar()"
+                class="sidebar-panel-toggle"
+                data-testid="live-channels-panel-hide"
+                aria-controls="live-channels-panel"
+                [attr.aria-expanded]="channelsPanelExpanded()"
+                [attr.aria-label]="'LAYOUT.HIDE_CHANNELS_PANEL' | translate"
+                [matTooltip]="'LAYOUT.HIDE_CHANNELS_PANEL' | translate"
+                (click)="hideChannelsPanel()"
             >
                 <mat-icon>chevron_left</mat-icon>
             </button>
@@ -83,7 +91,9 @@
                 <div class="empty-search-state">
                     <app-portal-empty-state
                         icon="tv_off"
-                        [message]="'PORTALS.NO_CHANNELS_IN_CATEGORY' | translate"
+                        [message]="
+                            'PORTALS.NO_CHANNELS_IN_CATEGORY' | translate
+                        "
                     />
                 </div>
             } @else {
@@ -120,7 +130,9 @@
                         (clicked)="playChannel(item)"
                         (activated)="playChannel(item, true)"
                         (favoriteToggled)="toggleFavorite(item)"
-                        (contextMenuRequested)="onChannelContextMenu(item, $event)"
+                        (contextMenuRequested)="
+                            onChannelContextMenu(item, $event)
+                        "
                     />
                 }
             }
@@ -134,20 +146,22 @@
     </div>
 }
 
+@if (channelsPanelApplicable() && !channelsPanelExpanded()) {
+    <button
+        mat-icon-button
+        type="button"
+        class="sidebar-restore"
+        data-testid="live-channels-panel-restore"
+        aria-controls="live-channels-panel"
+        aria-expanded="false"
+        [attr.aria-label]="'LAYOUT.SHOW_CHANNELS_PANEL' | translate"
+        [matTooltip]="'LAYOUT.SHOW_CHANNELS_PANEL' | translate"
+        (click)="showChannelsPanel()"
+    >
+        <mat-icon>chevron_right</mat-icon>
+    </button>
+}
 <div class="content-container">
-    @if (isSidebarCollapsed()) {
-        <button
-            mat-icon-button
-            type="button"
-            class="sidebar-restore"
-            [attr.aria-label]="'LAYOUT.SHOW_CHANNELS_LIST' | translate"
-            [matTooltip]="'LAYOUT.TOGGLE_SIDEBAR_TOOLTIP' | translate"
-            [attr.aria-pressed]="isSidebarCollapsed()"
-            (click)="toggleSidebar()"
-        >
-            <mat-icon>chevron_right</mat-icon>
-        </button>
-    }
     @if (!stalkerStore.selectedItem() && !stalkerStore.selectedCategoryId()) {
         @if (showItvAllItems()) {
             <!-- Xtream parity: all channels of the portal, paginated, before
@@ -226,6 +240,8 @@
                 [loading]="isLoadingEpg()"
                 [emptyReason]="supportsEpg ? 'none' : 'provider-no-epg'"
                 [selectedDate]="selectedLiveEpgDate()"
+                [collapsible]="!!streamUrl() && usesEmbeddedPlayer()"
+                panelId="live-guide-panel"
                 [collapsed]="
                     !!streamUrl() &&
                     usesEmbeddedPlayer() &&
@@ -248,6 +264,8 @@
                 [loading]="isLoadingEpg()"
                 [emptyReason]="supportsEpg ? 'none' : 'provider-no-epg'"
                 [selectedDate]="selectedLiveEpgDate()"
+                [collapsible]="!!streamUrl() && usesEmbeddedPlayer()"
+                panelId="live-guide-panel"
                 [collapsed]="
                     !!streamUrl() &&
                     usesEmbeddedPlayer() &&
diff --git a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.spec.ts b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.spec.ts
index 4515593ca..51a3fbbfa 100644
--- a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.spec.ts
+++ b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.spec.ts
@@ -16,11 +16,14 @@ import {
     PORTAL_PLAYER,
     ResizableDirective,
 } from '@iptvnator/portal/shared/util';
-import { StalkerStore } from '@iptvnator/portal/stalker/data-access';
 import {
-    EpgListViewComponent,
-    EpgTimelineComponent,
-} from '@iptvnator/ui/epg';
+    LIVE_CHANNELS_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY,
+    LIVE_GROUPS_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY,
+    LiveLayoutPanelStateService,
+    LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL,
+} from '@iptvnator/portal/shared/data-access';
+import { StalkerStore } from '@iptvnator/portal/stalker/data-access';
+import { EpgListViewComponent, EpgTimelineComponent } from '@iptvnator/ui/epg';
 import { AudioPlayerComponent } from '@iptvnator/ui/playback';
 import { TranslatePipe, TranslateService } from '@ngx-translate/core';
 import { ChannelListItemComponent } from '@iptvnator/ui/components';
@@ -107,6 +110,8 @@ class StubEpgTimelineComponent {
     readonly emptyReason = input<string>('none');
     readonly selectedDate = input<string | null>(null);
     readonly collapsed = input(false);
+    readonly collapsible = input(true);
+    readonly panelId = input<string | null>(null);
     readonly summary = input<{ title?: string } | null>(null);
     readonly summaryLabelKey = input('');
     readonly selectedDateChange = output<string>();
@@ -202,9 +207,9 @@ describe('StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
         loaded: number;
         total: number;
     } | null>(null);
-    const itvFullChannelList = signal<
-        ReturnType<typeof defaultItvChannels>
-    >([]);
+    const itvFullChannelList = signal<ReturnType<typeof defaultItvChannels>>(
+        []
+    );
     const itvSelectedCategoryFromCache = signal(false);
     const isPaginatedContentLoading = signal(false);
 
@@ -311,6 +316,8 @@ describe('StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
         isPaginatedContentLoading.set(false);
         stalkerStore.preloadItvChannels.mockClear();
         localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_EPG_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
+        localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_GROUPS_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
+        localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_CHANNELS_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
         settingsStore.openStreamOnDoubleClick.set(false);
 
         resolveItvPlayback.mockReset();
@@ -406,9 +413,7 @@ describe('StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
                     useValue: {
                         supportsEpgMapping: false,
                         getEpgMapping: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue(null),
-                        getEpgMappingsBatch: jest
-                            .fn()
-                            .mockResolvedValue(null),
+                        getEpgMappingsBatch: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue(null),
                     },
                 },
             ],
@@ -445,11 +450,16 @@ describe('StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
 
         fixture = TestBed.createComponent(StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent);
         component = fixture.componentInstance;
+        const livePanelState = TestBed.inject(LiveLayoutPanelStateService);
+        livePanelState.showPanel(LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.GROUPS);
+        livePanelState.showPanel(LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.CHANNELS);
     });
 
     afterEach(() => {
         fixture?.destroy();
         localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_EPG_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
+        localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_GROUPS_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
+        localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_CHANNELS_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
         window.electron = originalElectron;
     });
 
@@ -502,7 +512,9 @@ describe('StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
             fixture.nativeElement.querySelector('app-web-player-view')
         ).not.toBeNull();
         expect(fixture.nativeElement.querySelector('.epg')).toBeNull();
-        expect(fixture.nativeElement.querySelector('app-epg-timeline')).toBeNull();
+        expect(
+            fixture.nativeElement.querySelector('app-epg-timeline')
+        ).toBeNull();
         const channelRows = fixture.debugElement.queryAll(
             By.directive(StubChannelListItemComponent)
         );
@@ -608,6 +620,8 @@ describe('StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
             By.directive(StubEpgTimelineComponent)
         ).componentInstance as StubEpgTimelineComponent;
         expect(timeline.collapsed()).toBe(false);
+        expect(timeline.collapsible()).toBe(false);
+        expect(timeline.panelId()).toBe('live-guide-panel');
         expect(
             fixture.nativeElement
                 .querySelector('.epg')
@@ -615,6 +629,59 @@ describe('StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
         ).toBe(false);
     });
 
+    it('collapses and restores Channels independently with ARIA and focus transfer', async () => {
+        const livePanelState = TestBed.inject(LiveLayoutPanelStateService);
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+
+        const hide = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+            '[data-testid="live-channels-panel-hide"]'
+        ) as HTMLButtonElement;
+        expect(hide.getAttribute('aria-controls')).toBe('live-channels-panel');
+        hide.click();
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+        await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 0));
+
+        const sidebar = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+            '#live-channels-panel'
+        ) as HTMLElement;
+        const restore = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+            '[data-testid="live-channels-panel-restore"]'
+        ) as HTMLButtonElement;
+        expect(sidebar.hasAttribute('inert')).toBe(true);
+        expect(sidebar.getAttribute('aria-hidden')).toBe('true');
+        expect(livePanelState.channelsIntent()).toBe('collapsed');
+        expect(livePanelState.groupsIntent()).toBe('expanded');
+        expect(document.activeElement).toBe(restore);
+
+        restore.click();
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+        await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 0));
+        expect(document.activeElement).toBe(
+            fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+                '[data-testid="live-channels-panel-hide"]'
+            )
+        );
+    });
+
+    it('uses Cmd/Ctrl+B as temporary suppression without rewriting intents', () => {
+        const livePanelState = TestBed.inject(LiveLayoutPanelStateService);
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+
+        component.handleSidebarShortcut(
+            new KeyboardEvent('keydown', { ctrlKey: true, key: 'b' })
+        );
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+
+        expect(livePanelState.masterSuppressed()).toBe(true);
+        expect(livePanelState.groupsIntent()).toBe('expanded');
+        expect(livePanelState.channelsIntent()).toBe('expanded');
+
+        component.handleSidebarShortcut(
+            new KeyboardEvent('keydown', { metaKey: true, key: 'b' })
+        );
+        expect(livePanelState.masterSuppressed()).toBe(false);
+    });
+
     it('reuses a pending playback resolution during double-click activation', async () => {
         settingsStore.openStreamOnDoubleClick.set(true);
         portalPlayer.isEmbeddedPlayer.mockReturnValue(false);
@@ -1114,7 +1181,9 @@ describe('StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
         expect(ensureBulkItvEpg).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(fetchChannelEpg).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(portalPlayer.openResolvedPlayback).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-        expect(fixture.nativeElement.querySelector('app-epg-timeline')).toBeNull();
+        expect(
+            fixture.nativeElement.querySelector('app-epg-timeline')
+        ).toBeNull();
         expect(
             fixture.nativeElement.querySelector('app-audio-player')
         ).not.toBeNull();
diff --git a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.ts b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.ts
index 3ccbe97a2..41a9a73c0 100644
--- a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.ts
+++ b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-live-stream-layout/stalker-live-stream-layout.component.ts
@@ -57,7 +57,10 @@ import {
 import { LiveEpgPanelSummary } from '@iptvnator/ui/shared-portals';
 import { EpgRuntimeBridgeService } from '@iptvnator/epg/data-access';
 import {
-    LiveLayoutSidebarStateService,
+    LiveLayoutPanelStateService,
+    LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL,
+} from '@iptvnator/portal/shared/data-access';
+import {
     PORTAL_PLAYER,
     createLogger,
     getAdjacentChannelItem,
@@ -118,9 +121,8 @@ export class StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnDestroy {
     private readonly portalPlayer = inject(PORTAL_PLAYER);
     private readonly snackBar = inject(MatSnackBar);
     private readonly translate = inject(TranslateService);
-    private readonly liveSidebarStateService = inject(
-        LiveLayoutSidebarStateService
-    );
+    private readonly livePanelState = inject(LiveLayoutPanelStateService);
+    private readonly hostElement = inject(ElementRef<HTMLElement>);
     private readonly logger = createLogger('StalkerLiveStream');
     readonly selectedCategoryTitle = this.stalkerStore.getSelectedCategoryName;
 
@@ -304,7 +306,14 @@ export class StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnDestroy {
     );
     /** Live EPG panel layout chosen in settings; hosts swap timeline ↔ list. */
     readonly epgViewMode = this.settingsStore.resolvedEpgViewMode;
-    readonly isSidebarCollapsed = this.liveSidebarStateService.isCollapsed;
+    readonly channelsPanelApplicable = computed(
+        () => !!this.stalkerStore.selectedCategoryId()
+    );
+    readonly channelsPanelExpanded = computed(() =>
+        this.livePanelState.isPanelExpanded(LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.CHANNELS, {
+            applicable: this.channelsPanelApplicable(),
+        })
+    );
     readonly liveEpgPanelSummary = computed(() =>
         this.toLiveEpgPanelSummary(this.currentProgram())
     );
@@ -360,6 +369,8 @@ export class StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnDestroy {
     private unsubscribeRemoteCommand?: () => void;
     private epgLoadRequestId = 0;
     private playbackRequestId = 0;
+    private previousChannelsPanelApplicable: boolean | undefined;
+    private previousChannelsPanelExpanded: boolean | undefined;
     private playbackResolution: {
         channelId: string;
         promise: Promise<ResolvedPortalPlayback>;
@@ -367,6 +378,28 @@ export class StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnDestroy {
     private lastPlaylistId: string | null | undefined = undefined;
 
     constructor() {
+        effect(() => {
+            const applicable = this.channelsPanelApplicable();
+            const expanded = this.channelsPanelExpanded();
+            const shouldTransferFocus =
+                this.previousChannelsPanelApplicable === applicable &&
+                this.previousChannelsPanelExpanded !== undefined &&
+                this.previousChannelsPanelExpanded !== expanded;
+            this.previousChannelsPanelApplicable = applicable;
+            this.previousChannelsPanelExpanded = expanded;
+
+            if (shouldTransferFocus) {
+                queueMicrotask(() => {
+                    const action = expanded ? 'hide' : 'restore';
+                    this.hostElement.nativeElement
+                        .querySelector<HTMLElement>(
+                            `[data-testid="live-channels-panel-${action}"]`
+                        )
+                        ?.focus();
+                });
+            }
+        });
+
         // Load favorites for current playlist
         const playlistId = this.stalkerStore.currentPlaylist()?._id;
         if (playlistId) {
@@ -409,9 +442,7 @@ export class StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnDestroy {
             untracked(() => {
                 if (contentType === 'radio') {
                     this.stalkerStore.setRadioChannels([]);
-                } else if (
-                    !this.stalkerStore.itvSelectedCategoryFromCache()
-                ) {
+                } else if (!this.stalkerStore.itvSelectedCategoryFromCache()) {
                     this.stalkerStore.setItvChannels([]);
                 }
                 this.stalkerStore.setPage(0);
@@ -444,8 +475,8 @@ export class StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnDestroy {
             // store dedupes per channel id, so this is cheap on rerenders.
             if (this.supportsEpgMapping && channels.length > 0) {
                 const channelIds = channels.map((channel) => channel.id);
-                untracked(() =>
-                    void this.stalkerStore.applyMappedItvEpg(channelIds)
+                untracked(
+                    () => void this.stalkerStore.applyMappedItvEpg(channelIds)
                 );
             }
         });
@@ -714,8 +745,24 @@ export class StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnDestroy {
         persistLiveEpgPanelState(state);
     }
 
-    toggleSidebar(): void {
-        this.liveSidebarStateService.toggle();
+    hideChannelsPanel(): void {
+        this.livePanelState.hidePanel(LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.CHANNELS);
+        this.focusChannelsPanelAction('restore');
+    }
+
+    showChannelsPanel(): void {
+        this.livePanelState.showPanel(LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.CHANNELS);
+        this.focusChannelsPanelAction('hide');
+    }
+
+    private focusChannelsPanelAction(action: 'hide' | 'restore'): void {
+        setTimeout(() => {
+            this.hostElement.nativeElement
+                .querySelector<HTMLElement>(
+                    `[data-testid="live-channels-panel-${action}"]`
+                )
+                ?.focus();
+        }, 0);
     }
 
     handleRadioChannelSwitch(direction: 'next' | 'previous'): void {
@@ -730,7 +777,11 @@ export class StalkerLiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnDestroy {
             !isTypingInInput(event)
         ) {
             event.preventDefault();
-            this.toggleSidebar();
+            this.livePanelState.toggleMasterSuppression(
+                this.channelsPanelApplicable()
+                    ? [LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.GROUPS, LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.CHANNELS]
+                    : [LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.GROUPS]
+            );
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/live-stream-layout/live-stream-layout.component.html b/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/live-stream-layout/live-stream-layout.component.html
index 8b2d57657..5fb96698c 100644
--- a/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/live-stream-layout/live-stream-layout.component.html
+++ b/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/live-stream-layout/live-stream-layout.component.html
@@ -3,8 +3,11 @@
 
 @if (showLiveChannelSidebar()) {
     <div
+        id="live-channels-panel"
         class="sidebar"
-        [class.sidebar-collapsed]="isSidebarCollapsed()"
+        [class.sidebar-collapsed]="!channelsPanelExpanded()"
+        [attr.aria-hidden]="!channelsPanelExpanded()"
+        [attr.inert]="channelsPanelExpanded() ? null : ''"
         appResizable
         [minWidth]="250"
         [maxWidth]="600"
@@ -33,10 +36,13 @@
             <button
                 mat-icon-button
                 type="button"
-                [attr.aria-label]="'LAYOUT.HIDE_CHANNELS_LIST' | translate"
-                [matTooltip]="'LAYOUT.TOGGLE_SIDEBAR_TOOLTIP' | translate"
-                [attr.aria-pressed]="isSidebarCollapsed()"
-                (click)="toggleSidebar()"
+                class="sidebar-panel-toggle"
+                data-testid="live-channels-panel-hide"
+                aria-controls="live-channels-panel"
+                [attr.aria-expanded]="channelsPanelExpanded()"
+                [attr.aria-label]="'LAYOUT.HIDE_CHANNELS_PANEL' | translate"
+                [matTooltip]="'LAYOUT.HIDE_CHANNELS_PANEL' | translate"
+                (click)="hideChannelsPanel()"
             >
                 <mat-icon>chevron_left</mat-icon>
             </button>
@@ -78,20 +84,22 @@
         />
     </div>
 }
+@if (showLiveChannelSidebar() && !channelsPanelExpanded()) {
+    <button
+        mat-icon-button
+        type="button"
+        class="sidebar-restore"
+        data-testid="live-channels-panel-restore"
+        aria-controls="live-channels-panel"
+        aria-expanded="false"
+        [attr.aria-label]="'LAYOUT.SHOW_CHANNELS_PANEL' | translate"
+        [matTooltip]="'LAYOUT.SHOW_CHANNELS_PANEL' | translate"
+        (click)="showChannelsPanel()"
+    >
+        <mat-icon>chevron_right</mat-icon>
+    </button>
+}
 <div class="content-container">
-    @if (isSidebarCollapsed()) {
-        <button
-            mat-icon-button
-            type="button"
-            class="sidebar-restore"
-            [attr.aria-label]="'LAYOUT.SHOW_CHANNELS_LIST' | translate"
-            [matTooltip]="'LAYOUT.TOGGLE_SIDEBAR_TOOLTIP' | translate"
-            [attr.aria-pressed]="isSidebarCollapsed()"
-            (click)="toggleSidebar()"
-        >
-            <mat-icon>chevron_right</mat-icon>
-        </button>
-    }
     @if (streamUrl) {
         @if (isEmbeddedPlayer) {
             <div class="video-player">
@@ -185,6 +193,8 @@
                 [isLivePlayback]="!showReturnToLive()"
                 [loading]="isLoadingEpg()"
                 [selectedDate]="selectedLiveEpgDate()"
+                [collapsible]="usesEmbeddedPlayer()"
+                panelId="live-guide-panel"
                 [collapsed]="usesEmbeddedPlayer() && isLiveEpgPanelCollapsed()"
                 [summary]="liveEpgPanelSummary()"
                 [summaryLabelKey]="liveEpgPanelSummaryLabelKey()"
@@ -205,6 +215,8 @@
                 [isLivePlayback]="!showReturnToLive()"
                 [loading]="isLoadingEpg()"
                 [selectedDate]="selectedLiveEpgDate()"
+                [collapsible]="usesEmbeddedPlayer()"
+                panelId="live-guide-panel"
                 [collapsed]="usesEmbeddedPlayer() && isLiveEpgPanelCollapsed()"
                 [summary]="liveEpgPanelSummary()"
                 [summaryLabelKey]="liveEpgPanelSummaryLabelKey()"
diff --git a/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/live-stream-layout/live-stream-layout.component.spec.ts b/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/live-stream-layout/live-stream-layout.component.spec.ts
index ef2cf4b57..13e8886d1 100644
--- a/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/live-stream-layout/live-stream-layout.component.spec.ts
+++ b/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/live-stream-layout/live-stream-layout.component.spec.ts
@@ -14,10 +14,15 @@ import { BehaviorSubject, Subject, of } from 'rxjs';
 import {
     LIVE_EPG_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY,
     LIVE_SIDEBAR_STATE_STORAGE_KEY,
-    LiveLayoutSidebarStateService,
     PORTAL_PLAYER,
     ResizableDirective,
 } from '@iptvnator/portal/shared/util';
+import {
+    LIVE_CHANNELS_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY,
+    LIVE_GROUPS_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY,
+    LiveLayoutPanelStateService,
+    LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL,
+} from '@iptvnator/portal/shared/data-access';
 import {
     FavoritesService,
     XtreamStore,
@@ -106,6 +111,8 @@ class StubEpgTimelineComponent {
     readonly loading = input(false);
     readonly selectedDate = input<string | null>(null);
     readonly collapsed = input(false);
+    readonly collapsible = input(true);
+    readonly panelId = input<string | null>(null);
     readonly summary = input<EpgTimelineSummary | null>(null);
     readonly summaryLabelKey = input('');
     readonly programActivated = output<EpgProgramActivationEvent>();
@@ -212,6 +219,8 @@ describe('LiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
         localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_CHANNEL_SORT_STORAGE_KEY);
         localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_EPG_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
         localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_SIDEBAR_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
+        localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_GROUPS_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
+        localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_CHANNELS_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
         settingsStore.openStreamOnDoubleClick.set(false);
 
         window.electron = {
@@ -336,16 +345,22 @@ describe('LiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
         fixture = TestBed.createComponent(LiveStreamLayoutComponent);
         component = fixture.componentInstance;
 
-        TestBed.inject(LiveLayoutSidebarStateService).setState('expanded');
+        const livePanelState = TestBed.inject(LiveLayoutPanelStateService);
+        livePanelState.showPanel(LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.GROUPS);
+        livePanelState.showPanel(LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.CHANNELS);
     });
 
     afterEach(() => {
-        TestBed.inject(LiveLayoutSidebarStateService).setState('expanded');
+        const livePanelState = TestBed.inject(LiveLayoutPanelStateService);
+        livePanelState.showPanel(LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.GROUPS);
+        livePanelState.showPanel(LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.CHANNELS);
         fixture.destroy();
         jest.useRealTimers();
         localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_CHANNEL_SORT_STORAGE_KEY);
         localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_EPG_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
         localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_SIDEBAR_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
+        localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_GROUPS_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
+        localStorage.removeItem(LIVE_CHANNELS_PANEL_STATE_STORAGE_KEY);
         window.electron = originalElectron;
     });
 
@@ -462,6 +477,8 @@ describe('LiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
         );
         expect(timeline).not.toBeNull();
         expect(timeline.componentInstance.collapsed()).toBe(false);
+        expect(timeline.componentInstance.collapsible()).toBe(false);
+        expect(timeline.componentInstance.panelId()).toBe('live-guide-panel');
         expect(
             fixture.nativeElement
                 .querySelector('.epg')
@@ -893,7 +910,9 @@ describe('LiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
                 isLive: true,
             })
         );
-        expect(timeline.componentInstance.summary()?.title).toBe('Current Show');
+        expect(timeline.componentInstance.summary()?.title).toBe(
+            'Current Show'
+        );
         expect(timeline.componentInstance.summaryLabelKey()).toBe(
             'EPG.CURRENT_PROGRAM'
         );
@@ -1066,27 +1085,82 @@ describe('LiveStreamLayoutComponent', () => {
         const timeline = fixture.debugElement.query(
             By.directive(StubEpgTimelineComponent)
         );
-        expect(timeline.componentInstance.archivePlaybackAvailable()).toBe(true);
+        expect(timeline.componentInstance.archivePlaybackAvailable()).toBe(
+            true
+        );
     });
 
-    it('shows the floating restore button when the sidebar is collapsed even without a selected category', () => {
+    it('does not show a Channels restore control when Channels is not applicable', () => {
         selectedCategoryId.set(null);
-        TestBed.inject(LiveLayoutSidebarStateService).setState('collapsed');
+        TestBed.inject(LiveLayoutPanelStateService).hidePanel(
+            LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.CHANNELS
+        );
         fixture.detectChanges();
 
         expect(
-            fixture.nativeElement.querySelector('.sidebar-restore')
-        ).not.toBeNull();
+            fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+                '[data-testid="live-channels-panel-restore"]'
+            )
+        ).toBeNull();
     });
 
-    it('hides the floating restore button when the sidebar is expanded', () => {
+    it('collapses and restores Channels independently with ARIA and focus transfer', async () => {
         selectedCategoryId.set(1);
-        TestBed.inject(LiveLayoutSidebarStateService).setState('expanded');
+        const livePanelState = TestBed.inject(LiveLayoutPanelStateService);
         fixture.detectChanges();
 
-        expect(
-            fixture.nativeElement.querySelector('.sidebar-restore')
-        ).toBeNull();
+        const hide = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+            '[data-testid="live-channels-panel-hide"]'
+        ) as HTMLButtonElement;
+        expect(hide.getAttribute('aria-controls')).toBe('live-channels-panel');
+        expect(hide.getAttribute('aria-expanded')).toBe('true');
+        hide.click();
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+        jest.advanceTimersByTime(0);
+        await Promise.resolve();
+
+        const sidebar = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+            '#live-channels-panel'
+        ) as HTMLElement;
+        const restore = fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+            '[data-testid="live-channels-panel-restore"]'
+        ) as HTMLButtonElement;
+        expect(sidebar.hasAttribute('inert')).toBe(true);
+        expect(sidebar.getAttribute('aria-hidden')).toBe('true');
+        expect(livePanelState.channelsIntent()).toBe('collapsed');
+        expect(livePanelState.groupsIntent()).toBe('expanded');
+        expect(document.activeElement).toBe(restore);
+
+        restore.click();
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+        jest.advanceTimersByTime(0);
+        await Promise.resolve();
+        expect(livePanelState.channelsIntent()).toBe('expanded');
+        expect(document.activeElement).toBe(
+            fixture.nativeElement.querySelector(
+                '[data-testid="live-channels-panel-hide"]'
+            )
+        );
+    });
+
+    it('uses Cmd/Ctrl+B as temporary suppression without rewriting panel intents', () => {
+        selectedCategoryId.set(1);
+        const livePanelState = TestBed.inject(LiveLayoutPanelStateService);
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+
+        component.handleSidebarShortcut(
+            new KeyboardEvent('keydown', { ctrlKey: true, key: 'b' })
+        );
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+
+        expect(livePanelState.masterSuppressed()).toBe(true);
+        expect(livePanelState.groupsIntent()).toBe('expanded');
+        expect(livePanelState.channelsIntent()).toBe('expanded');
+
+        component.handleSidebarShortcut(
+            new KeyboardEvent('keydown', { metaKey: true, key: 'b' })
+        );
+        expect(livePanelState.masterSuppressed()).toBe(false);
     });
 
     it('persists the channels sidebar width under a dedicated storage key', () => {
diff --git a/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/live-stream-layout/live-stream-layout.component.ts b/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/live-stream-layout/live-stream-layout.component.ts
index 51986f145..349e69896 100644
--- a/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/live-stream-layout/live-stream-layout.component.ts
+++ b/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/live-stream-layout/live-stream-layout.component.ts
@@ -21,12 +21,15 @@ import { MatPaginatorModule, PageEvent } from '@angular/material/paginator';
 import { MatTooltipModule } from '@angular/material/tooltip';
 import { TranslatePipe } from '@ngx-translate/core';
 import { ResizableDirective } from '@iptvnator/ui/components';
+import {
+    LiveLayoutPanelStateService,
+    LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL,
+} from '@iptvnator/portal/shared/data-access';
 import {
     GridListComponent,
     PortalEmptyStateComponent,
 } from '@iptvnator/portal/shared/ui';
 import {
-    LiveLayoutSidebarStateService,
     PORTAL_PLAYER,
     PortalChannelSortMode,
     getPortalChannelSortModeLabel,
@@ -121,9 +124,7 @@ export class LiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
     private readonly runtime = inject(RuntimeCapabilitiesService);
     private readonly settingsStore = inject(SettingsStore);
     private readonly portalPlayer = inject(PORTAL_PLAYER);
-    private readonly liveSidebarStateService = inject(
-        LiveLayoutSidebarStateService
-    );
+    private readonly livePanelState = inject(LiveLayoutPanelStateService);
     private readonly liveAutoOpenState = inject(LiveStreamAutoOpenStateService);
 
     readonly categories = this.xtreamStore.getCategoriesBySelectedType;
@@ -212,7 +213,11 @@ export class LiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
     );
     /** Live EPG panel layout chosen in settings; hosts swap timeline ↔ list. */
     readonly epgViewMode = this.settingsStore.resolvedEpgViewMode;
-    readonly isSidebarCollapsed = this.liveSidebarStateService.isCollapsed;
+    readonly channelsPanelExpanded = computed(() =>
+        this.livePanelState.isPanelExpanded(LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.CHANNELS, {
+            applicable: this.showLiveChannelSidebar(),
+        })
+    );
     readonly liveEpgPanelSummary = computed(() =>
         this.toLiveEpgPanelSummary(
             this.activeCatchupProgram() ?? this.currentEpgItem()
@@ -269,6 +274,8 @@ export class LiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
 
     private unsubscribeRemoteChannelChange?: () => void;
     private unsubscribeRemoteCommand?: () => void;
+    private previousChannelsPanelApplicable: boolean | undefined;
+    private previousChannelsPanelExpanded: boolean | undefined;
 
     readonly usesEmbeddedPlayer = computed(() =>
         this.portalPlayer.isEmbeddedPlayer()
@@ -302,6 +309,28 @@ export class LiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
             }
         });
 
+        effect(() => {
+            const applicable = this.showLiveChannelSidebar();
+            const expanded = this.channelsPanelExpanded();
+            const shouldTransferFocus =
+                this.previousChannelsPanelApplicable === applicable &&
+                this.previousChannelsPanelExpanded !== undefined &&
+                this.previousChannelsPanelExpanded !== expanded;
+            this.previousChannelsPanelApplicable = applicable;
+            this.previousChannelsPanelExpanded = expanded;
+
+            if (shouldTransferFocus) {
+                queueMicrotask(() => {
+                    const action = expanded ? 'hide' : 'restore';
+                    this.hostElement.nativeElement
+                        .querySelector<HTMLElement>(
+                            `[data-testid="live-channels-panel-${action}"]`
+                        )
+                        ?.focus();
+                });
+            }
+        });
+
         // Read pending auto-open state on every NavigationEnd — covers both the
         // initial navigation (Angular fires NavigationEnd after component creation)
         // and re-navigation to the same /live route when the component is reused.
@@ -501,8 +530,24 @@ export class LiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
         persistLiveEpgPanelState(state);
     }
 
-    toggleSidebar(): void {
-        this.liveSidebarStateService.toggle();
+    hideChannelsPanel(): void {
+        this.livePanelState.hidePanel(LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.CHANNELS);
+        this.focusChannelsPanelAction('restore');
+    }
+
+    showChannelsPanel(): void {
+        this.livePanelState.showPanel(LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.CHANNELS);
+        this.focusChannelsPanelAction('hide');
+    }
+
+    private focusChannelsPanelAction(action: 'hide' | 'restore'): void {
+        setTimeout(() => {
+            this.hostElement.nativeElement
+                .querySelector<HTMLElement>(
+                    `[data-testid="live-channels-panel-${action}"]`
+                )
+                ?.focus();
+        }, 0);
     }
 
     @HostListener('document:keydown', ['$event'])
@@ -513,7 +558,11 @@ export class LiveStreamLayoutComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
             !isTypingInInput(event)
         ) {
             event.preventDefault();
-            this.toggleSidebar();
+            this.livePanelState.toggleMasterSuppression(
+                this.showLiveChannelSidebar()
+                    ? [LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.GROUPS, LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.CHANNELS]
+                    : [LIVE_LAYOUT_PANEL.GROUPS]
+            );
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/libs/ui/styles/_portal-layout.scss b/libs/ui/styles/_portal-layout.scss
index 5075f3333..0c0c8ede3 100644
--- a/libs/ui/styles/_portal-layout.scss
+++ b/libs/ui/styles/_portal-layout.scss
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
             width: 0 !important;
             min-width: 0 !important;
             border-right-color: transparent;
+            pointer-events: none;
         }
 
         &.sidebar-collapsed .resize-handle {
@@ -67,29 +68,23 @@
         position: relative;
     }
 
-    // ─── Floating restore handle (visible when sidebar is collapsed) ─────────
-    // Anchored top-left of .content-container so it sits in roughly the same
-    // spot as the hide toggle that lived at the sidebar header's top-right.
-    .sidebar-restore {
-        position: absolute;
-        top: 6px;
-        left: 6px;
-        // Player internals, including diagnostic overlays, may use z-index 5
-        // inside the content area. Keep the restore affordance above them for
-        // both paint order and hit testing.
-        z-index: 6;
-        background: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.18);
-        color: var(--mat-sys-on-surface, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.75));
-        box-shadow: none;
-        opacity: 0.7;
-        transition:
-            opacity 0.15s ease,
-            background 0.15s ease;
+    .sidebar-panel-toggle {
+        min-width: 40px;
+        min-height: 40px;
+    }
 
-        .mat-mdc-button-persistent-ripple,
-        .mat-mdc-button-touch-target {
-            display: none;
-        }
+    // ─── Boundary restore rail (visible when sidebar is collapsed) ───────────
+    .sidebar-restore {
+        width: 40px;
+        min-width: 40px;
+        height: 100%;
+        min-height: 40px;
+        flex: 0 0 40px;
+        border-radius: 0;
+        background: var(--app-rail-bg, var(--mat-sys-surface-container-low));
+        color: var(--mat-sys-on-surface-variant);
+        box-shadow: none;
+        transition: background 0.15s ease;
 
         mat-icon {
             font-size: 20px;
@@ -100,8 +95,7 @@
 
         &:hover,
         &:focus-visible {
-            opacity: 1;
-            background: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.32);
+            background: var(--mat-sys-surface-container);
         }
     }