diff --git a/neode-ui/src/App.vue b/neode-ui/src/App.vue
index 97d47ab1..6e1bdd07 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/App.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/App.vue
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@
     <!-- Spotlight command palette (Cmd+K / Ctrl+K) -->
     <SpotlightSearch />
 
+    <!-- CLI popup (Cmd+Shift+` / Ctrl+Shift+`) -->
+    <CLIPopup />
+
     <!-- App launcher overlay (iframe popup) -->
     <AppLauncherOverlay />
 
@@ -59,11 +62,13 @@ import { useRouter, useRoute } from 'vue-router'
 import SplashScreen from './components/SplashScreen.vue'
 import PWAUpdatePrompt from './components/PWAUpdatePrompt.vue'
 import SpotlightSearch from './components/SpotlightSearch.vue'
+import CLIPopup from './components/CLIPopup.vue'
 import AppLauncherOverlay from './components/AppLauncherOverlay.vue'
 import Screensaver from './components/Screensaver.vue'
 import HelpGuideModal from './components/HelpGuideModal.vue'
 import { useControllerNav } from '@/composables/useControllerNav'
 import { useSpotlightStore } from '@/stores/spotlight'
+import { useCLIStore } from '@/stores/cli'
 import { useMessageToast } from '@/composables/useMessageToast'
 import { useAppStore } from '@/stores/app'
 import { useScreensaverStore } from '@/stores/screensaver'
@@ -71,6 +76,7 @@ import { useScreensaverStore } from '@/stores/screensaver'
 const router = useRouter()
 const screensaverStore = useScreensaverStore()
 const spotlightStore = useSpotlightStore()
+const cliStore = useCLIStore()
 const appStore = useAppStore()
 const messageToast = useMessageToast()
 const toastMessage = messageToast.toastMessage
@@ -108,6 +114,12 @@ function onKeyDown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
     spotlightStore.toggle()
     return
   }
+  // Cmd+Shift+` / Ctrl+Shift+` or plain C - CLI popup
+  if ((mod && e.shiftKey && e.key === '`') || ((e.key === 'c' || e.key === 'C') && !isInput)) {
+    e.preventDefault()
+    cliStore.toggle()
+    return
+  }
   // 's' key activates screensaver when authenticated (skip if typing in input)
   if (e.key === 's' || e.key === 'S') {
     const target = e.target as HTMLElement
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/components/AppSwitcher.vue b/neode-ui/src/components/AppSwitcher.vue
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9b2b8832
--- /dev/null
+++ b/neode-ui/src/components/AppSwitcher.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+<template>
+  <div class="relative" ref="containerRef">
+    <button
+      type="button"
+      class="flex items-center gap-2 px-2 py-1.5 rounded-lg text-white/90 hover:bg-white/10 hover:text-white transition-colors min-w-0"
+      @click="showDropdown = !showDropdown"
+    >
+      <img
+        src="/assets/img/logo-archipelago.svg"
+        alt="Archipelago"
+        class="w-6 h-6 shrink-0 object-contain"
+      />
+      <span class="text-sm font-medium truncate max-w-[120px] sm:max-w-[140px]">Archipelago CLI</span>
+      <svg class="w-4 h-4 text-white/50 shrink-0" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+        <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M19 9l-7 7-7-7" />
+      </svg>
+    </button>
+
+    <Transition name="dropdown">
+      <div
+        v-if="showDropdown"
+        class="absolute right-0 top-full mt-1 py-1 min-w-[160px] rounded-lg glass-card shadow-xl z-50"
+        @click.stop
+      >
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          class="w-full flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 text-left text-sm transition-colors"
+          :class="inCLI ? 'bg-white/10 text-white' : 'text-white/80 hover:bg-white/10 hover:text-white'"
+          @click="selectCLI"
+        >
+          <svg class="w-4 h-4 shrink-0" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+            <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M8 9l3 3-3 3m5 0h3M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V6a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v12a2 2 0 002 2z" />
+          </svg>
+          Archipelago CLI
+        </button>
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          class="w-full flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 text-left text-sm transition-colors"
+          :class="!inCLI ? 'bg-white/10 text-white' : 'text-white/80 hover:bg-white/10 hover:text-white'"
+          @click="selectWebUI"
+        >
+          <svg class="w-4 h-4 shrink-0" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+            <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M9.75 17L9 20l-1 1h8l-1-1-.75-3M3 13h18M5 17h14a2 2 0 002-2V5a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z" />
+          </svg>
+          Web UI
+        </button>
+      </div>
+    </Transition>
+  </div>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { ref, computed, onMounted, onBeforeUnmount } from 'vue'
+import { useCLIStore } from '@/stores/cli'
+
+const cliStore = useCLIStore()
+const containerRef = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
+const showDropdown = ref(false)
+
+const inCLI = computed(() => cliStore.isOpen)
+
+function selectCLI() {
+  showDropdown.value = false
+  cliStore.open()
+}
+
+function selectWebUI() {
+  showDropdown.value = false
+  cliStore.close()
+}
+
+function handleClickOutside(e: MouseEvent) {
+  if (containerRef.value && !containerRef.value.contains(e.target as Node)) {
+    showDropdown.value = false
+  }
+}
+
+onMounted(() => {
+  document.addEventListener('click', handleClickOutside)
+})
+
+onBeforeUnmount(() => {
+  document.removeEventListener('click', handleClickOutside)
+})
+</script>
+
+<style scoped>
+.dropdown-enter-active,
+.dropdown-leave-active {
+  transition: opacity 0.15s ease, transform 0.15s ease;
+}
+.dropdown-enter-from,
+.dropdown-leave-to {
+  opacity: 0;
+  transform: translateY(-4px);
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/components/CLIPopup.vue b/neode-ui/src/components/CLIPopup.vue
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ae0ad953
--- /dev/null
+++ b/neode-ui/src/components/CLIPopup.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,300 @@
+<template>
+  <Teleport to="body">
+    <Transition name="cli-popup">
+      <div
+        v-if="cliStore.isOpen"
+        class="fixed inset-0 z-[2500] flex items-center justify-center p-4"
+        @click.self="cliStore.close()"
+      >
+        <div class="absolute inset-0 bg-black/60 backdrop-blur-sm"></div>
+        <div
+          ref="panelRef"
+          class="glass-card w-full max-w-2xl relative z-10 overflow-hidden flex flex-col"
+          :style="panelStyle"
+          @mousedown="onPanelMouseDown"
+        >
+          <!-- Header: terminal icon + title + app switcher -->
+          <div class="flex items-center gap-3 px-4 py-3 border-b border-white/10">
+            <div
+              ref="dragHandleRef"
+              class="flex items-center justify-center w-8 h-8 rounded cursor-grab hover:bg-white/10 transition-colors shrink-0"
+              :class="{ 'cursor-grabbing': isDragging }"
+              title="Drag to move"
+            >
+              <svg class="w-4 h-4 text-white/50" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+                <path d="M8 6h2v2H8V6zm0 5h2v2H8v-2zm0 5h2v2H8v-2zm5-10h2v2h-2V6zm0 5h2v2h-2v-2zm0 5h2v2h-2v-2z" />
+              </svg>
+            </div>
+            <div class="flex items-center gap-3 flex-1 min-w-0">
+              <svg class="w-5 h-5 text-white/60 shrink-0" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+                <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M8 9l3 3-3 3m5 0h3M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V6a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v12a2 2 0 002 2z" />
+              </svg>
+              <span class="text-white font-medium">CLI Access</span>
+            </div>
+            <AppSwitcher />
+            <kbd class="hidden sm:inline-flex px-2 py-1 text-xs text-white/50 bg-white/10 rounded">Esc</kbd>
+          </div>
+
+          <!-- Content: mock CLI in dev, SSH instructions in production -->
+          <div class="flex-1 overflow-hidden flex flex-col min-h-0">
+            <!-- Mock CLI interface (dev mode only) -->
+            <div
+              v-if="isDev"
+              class="flex-1 flex flex-col min-h-0 p-4 bg-black/80 rounded-b-lg font-mono text-sm"
+            >
+              <div ref="outputRef" class="flex-1 overflow-y-auto text-green-400/90 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-2 min-h-0">{{ mockOutput }}</div>
+              <div class="flex items-center gap-2 shrink-0">
+                <span class="text-amber-400">archipelago@node</span>
+                <span class="text-white/60">~</span>
+                <span class="text-white/40">$</span>
+                <input
+                  ref="cliInputRef"
+                  v-model="mockCommand"
+                  type="text"
+                  class="flex-1 bg-transparent text-white outline-none border-none"
+                  placeholder=" "
+                  @keydown.enter="runMockCommand"
+                />
+              </div>
+            </div>
+
+            <!-- SSH instructions (production only) -->
+            <div v-else class="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-4 space-y-4">
+              <p class="text-white/80 text-sm">
+                Connect to this node via SSH to access the command line. Use the same host as this web interface.
+              </p>
+
+              <div class="space-y-3">
+                <div class="p-3 rounded-lg bg-white/5 font-mono text-sm">
+                  <div class="text-white/50 text-xs uppercase tracking-wider mb-2">SSH Command</div>
+                  <div class="flex items-center gap-2 flex-wrap">
+                    <code class="text-green-400 break-all">{{ sshCommand }}</code>
+                    <button
+                      type="button"
+                      class="shrink-0 px-2 py-1 rounded bg-white/10 text-white/80 hover:bg-white/20 hover:text-white text-xs transition-colors"
+                      @click="copyCommand"
+                    >
+                      {{ copied ? 'Copied!' : 'Copy' }}
+                    </button>
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+
+                <div class="p-3 rounded-lg bg-white/5 text-sm space-y-1">
+                  <div class="text-white/50 text-xs uppercase tracking-wider mb-2">Connection Details</div>
+                  <div class="flex flex-col gap-1.5 text-white/80">
+                    <div class="flex justify-between gap-4">
+                      <span class="text-white/50">Host</span>
+                      <span class="font-mono text-green-400">{{ host }}</span>
+                    </div>
+                    <div class="flex justify-between gap-4">
+                      <span class="text-white/50">User</span>
+                      <span class="font-mono">archipelago</span>
+                    </div>
+                    <div class="flex justify-between gap-4">
+                      <span class="text-white/50">Password</span>
+                      <span class="font-mono">archipelago</span>
+                    </div>
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+
+                <p class="text-white/50 text-xs">
+                  From the terminal menu you can install to disk, configure Bitcoin, Lightning, view logs, and more.
+                </p>
+                <p class="text-white/40 text-xs">
+                  Tip: Press <kbd class="px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded bg-white/10 font-mono text-[10px]">C</kbd> or <kbd class="px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded bg-white/10 font-mono text-[10px]">⌘⇧`</kbd> to open this anytime.
+                </p>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </Transition>
+  </Teleport>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { ref, computed, watch, nextTick, onMounted, onBeforeUnmount } from 'vue'
+import { useCLIStore } from '@/stores/cli'
+import { useModalKeyboard } from '@/composables/useModalKeyboard'
+import AppSwitcher from '@/components/AppSwitcher.vue'
+
+const cliStore = useCLIStore()
+const panelRef = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
+const dragHandleRef = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
+const outputRef = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
+const cliInputRef = ref<HTMLInputElement | null>(null)
+const copied = ref(false)
+
+const mockCommand = ref('')
+const mockOutput = ref(`  ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
+  ║   🏝️  ARCHIPELAGO BITCOIN NODE OS                         ║
+  ║   Your sovereign Bitcoin infrastructure                   ║
+  ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
+
+  System Status:
+  ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  Mode:        🟢 Installed
+  Podman:      🟢 Installed
+  Bitcoin:     🟢 Running (blocks: syncing)
+  Lightning:   🟡 Stopped
+
+  Main Menu:
+  ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  r) Refresh                - Update IP/status
+  w) Open Web UI            - Launch graphical interface
+  1) Install to Disk        - Permanently install Archipelago
+  2) Setup Bitcoin Core     - Configure Bitcoin full node
+  3) Setup Lightning (LND)  - Configure Lightning Network
+  4) Setup BTCPay Server    - Bitcoin payment processor
+  5) View Logs              - Monitor running services
+  6) Network Settings       - Configure networking
+  7) System Info            - View system information
+  q) Quit
+
+`)
+
+const isDragging = ref(false)
+const dragStart = ref<{ x: number; y: number; panelX: number; panelY: number } | null>(null)
+
+const SAVED_POSITION_KEY = 'archipelago-cli-position'
+const savedPosition = ref<{ x: number; y: number } | null>(null)
+
+const isDev = import.meta.env.DEV
+const host = computed(() => window.location.hostname)
+const sshCommand = computed(() => `ssh archipelago@${host.value}`)
+
+const panelStyle = computed(() => {
+  const pos = savedPosition.value
+  if (!pos) return {}
+  return {
+    transform: `translate(${pos.x}px, ${pos.y}px)`,
+    margin: 0,
+  }
+})
+
+function loadSavedPosition() {
+  try {
+    const raw = localStorage.getItem(SAVED_POSITION_KEY)
+    if (raw) {
+      const parsed = JSON.parse(raw)
+      savedPosition.value = { x: parsed.x ?? 0, y: parsed.y ?? 0 }
+    } else {
+      savedPosition.value = null
+    }
+  } catch {
+    savedPosition.value = null
+  }
+}
+
+function savePosition(x: number, y: number) {
+  savedPosition.value = { x, y }
+  try {
+    localStorage.setItem(SAVED_POSITION_KEY, JSON.stringify({ x, y }))
+  } catch {
+    // ignore
+  }
+}
+
+function runMockCommand() {
+  const cmd = mockCommand.value.trim()
+  if (!cmd) return
+  mockOutput.value += `\n  archipelago@node ~ $ ${cmd}\n`
+  const lower = cmd.toLowerCase()
+  if (lower === 'r' || lower === 'refresh') {
+    mockOutput.value += `  Status refreshed.\n`
+  } else if (lower === 'w' || lower.startsWith('web')) {
+    mockOutput.value += `  Opening Web UI... (press C to return to CLI)\n`
+  } else if (lower === 'q' || lower === 'quit' || lower === 'exit') {
+    mockOutput.value += `  Goodbye! 🏝️\n`
+    cliStore.close()
+  } else if (lower === 'help' || lower === '?') {
+    mockOutput.value += `  Type r, w, 1-7, or q. Press C to switch to Web UI.\n`
+  } else {
+    mockOutput.value += `  Unknown command. Type 'help' or 'r' for menu.\n`
+  }
+  mockCommand.value = ''
+  nextTick(() => {
+    outputRef.value?.scrollTo({ top: outputRef.value.scrollHeight, behavior: 'smooth' })
+  })
+}
+
+async function copyCommand() {
+  try {
+    await navigator.clipboard.writeText(sshCommand.value)
+    copied.value = true
+    setTimeout(() => {
+      copied.value = false
+    }, 2000)
+  } catch {
+    // Fallback for older browsers
+    const textarea = document.createElement('textarea')
+    textarea.value = sshCommand.value
+    document.body.appendChild(textarea)
+    textarea.select()
+    document.execCommand('copy')
+    document.body.removeChild(textarea)
+    copied.value = true
+    setTimeout(() => {
+      copied.value = false
+    }, 2000)
+  }
+}
+
+function onPanelMouseDown(e: MouseEvent) {
+  if (!dragHandleRef.value?.contains(e.target as Node)) return
+  isDragging.value = true
+  const rect = panelRef.value?.getBoundingClientRect()
+  if (!rect) return
+  const currentX = savedPosition.value?.x ?? 0
+  const currentY = savedPosition.value?.y ?? 0
+  dragStart.value = { x: e.clientX, y: e.clientY, panelX: currentX, panelY: currentY }
+}
+
+function onMouseMove(e: MouseEvent) {
+  if (!dragStart.value) return
+  const dx = e.clientX - dragStart.value.x
+  const dy = e.clientY - dragStart.value.y
+  savePosition(dragStart.value.panelX + dx, dragStart.value.panelY + dy)
+}
+
+function onMouseUp() {
+  isDragging.value = false
+  dragStart.value = null
+}
+
+useModalKeyboard(panelRef, computed(() => cliStore.isOpen), () => cliStore.close())
+
+watch(
+  () => cliStore.isOpen,
+  (open) => {
+    if (open) {
+      loadSavedPosition()
+      if (isDev) {
+        nextTick(() => cliInputRef.value?.focus())
+      }
+    }
+  }
+)
+
+onMounted(() => {
+  loadSavedPosition()
+  window.addEventListener('mousemove', onMouseMove)
+  window.addEventListener('mouseup', onMouseUp)
+})
+
+onBeforeUnmount(() => {
+  window.removeEventListener('mousemove', onMouseMove)
+  window.removeEventListener('mouseup', onMouseUp)
+})
+</script>
+
+<style scoped>
+.cli-popup-enter-active,
+.cli-popup-leave-active {
+  transition: opacity 0.2s ease;
+}
+.cli-popup-enter-from,
+.cli-popup-leave-to {
+  opacity: 0;
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/components/SpotlightSearch.vue b/neode-ui/src/components/SpotlightSearch.vue
index 415fee3a..d3e04eba 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/components/SpotlightSearch.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/components/SpotlightSearch.vue
@@ -114,10 +114,12 @@ import { ref, computed, watch, nextTick, onMounted, onBeforeUnmount } from 'vue'
 import { useRouter } from 'vue-router'
 import Fuse from 'fuse.js'
 import { useSpotlightStore } from '@/stores/spotlight'
+import { useCLIStore } from '@/stores/cli'
 import { helpTree, flattenForSearch, type SearchableItem } from '@/data/helpTree'
 
 const router = useRouter()
 const spotlightStore = useSpotlightStore()
+const cliStore = useCLIStore()
 
 const inputRef = ref<HTMLInputElement | null>(null)
 const panelRef = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
@@ -208,7 +210,9 @@ function selectItem(item: SearchableItem) {
     type: item.type,
   })
   spotlightStore.close()
-  if (item.path) {
+  if (item.path === '__cli__') {
+    cliStore.open()
+  } else if (item.path) {
     router.push(item.path)
   } else if (item.content) {
     spotlightStore.showHelpModal({ title: item.label, content: item.content, relatedPath: item.relatedPath })
@@ -224,7 +228,9 @@ function selectHelpItem(section: { id: string }, item: { id: string; label: stri
     type,
   })
   spotlightStore.close()
-  if (item.path) {
+  if (item.path === '__cli__') {
+    cliStore.open()
+  } else if (item.path) {
     router.push(item.path)
   } else if (item.content) {
     spotlightStore.showHelpModal({ title: item.label, content: item.content, relatedPath: item.relatedPath })
@@ -233,6 +239,10 @@ function selectHelpItem(section: { id: string }, item: { id: string; label: stri
 
 function selectRecent(item: { id: string; label: string; path?: string; type: 'navigate' | 'learn' | 'action' }) {
   spotlightStore.close()
+  if (item.path === '__cli__') {
+    cliStore.open()
+    return
+  }
   if (item.path) {
     router.push(item.path)
     return
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/data/helpTree.ts b/neode-ui/src/data/helpTree.ts
index 33355ba5..c5ec0907 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/data/helpTree.ts
+++ b/neode-ui/src/data/helpTree.ts
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ export const helpTree: HelpSection[] = [
     id: 'actions',
     label: 'Actions',
     items: [
+      { id: 'open-cli', label: 'Open CLI', path: '__cli__' },
       { id: 'install-app', label: 'Install an App', path: '/dashboard/marketplace' },
       { id: 'manage-apps', label: 'Manage My Apps', path: '/dashboard/apps' },
       { id: 'network-settings', label: 'Network Settings', path: '/dashboard/server' },
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/stores/cli.ts b/neode-ui/src/stores/cli.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dfcf5d8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/neode-ui/src/stores/cli.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+import { defineStore } from 'pinia'
+import { ref } from 'vue'
+
+export const useCLIStore = defineStore('cli', () => {
+  const isOpen = ref(false)
+
+  function open() {
+    isOpen.value = true
+  }
+
+  function close() {
+    isOpen.value = false
+  }
+
+  function toggle() {
+    isOpen.value = !isOpen.value
+  }
+
+  return {
+    isOpen,
+    open,
+    close,
+    toggle,
+  }
+})
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/Dashboard.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/Dashboard.vue
index 46f7b093..a9b2fff7 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/Dashboard.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/Dashboard.vue
@@ -130,6 +130,11 @@
       class="flex-1 overflow-hidden relative pb-20 md:pb-0 glass-piece z-10"
       :class="{ 'glass-throw-main': showZoomIn }"
     >
+      <!-- App Switcher - top right, compact -->
+      <div class="absolute top-4 right-4 md:top-6 md:right-8 z-20">
+        <AppSwitcher />
+      </div>
+
       <!-- Connection Status Banner -->
       <div v-if="isOffline && !store.isReconnecting && store.isAuthenticated" class="path-option-card mx-6 mt-6 px-6 py-3 border-l-4 border-yellow-500">
         <div class="flex items-center gap-2 text-yellow-200">
@@ -304,6 +309,7 @@ import { RouterLink, RouterView, useRouter, useRoute } from 'vue-router'
 import { useAppStore } from '../stores/app'
 import { useLoginTransitionStore } from '../stores/loginTransition'
 import AnimatedLogo from '@/components/AnimatedLogo.vue'
+import AppSwitcher from '@/components/AppSwitcher.vue'
 import ControllerIndicator from '@/components/ControllerIndicator.vue'
 import { playDashboardLoadOomph } from '@/composables/useLoginSounds'