diff --git a/packages/app/src/app/_layout.tsx b/packages/app/src/app/_layout.tsx
index f317da69d..a3cb25a8c 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/app/_layout.tsx
+++ b/packages/app/src/app/_layout.tsx
@@ -403,6 +403,12 @@ function AppContainer({
 
   const isCompactLayout = useIsCompactFormFactor();
   const chromeEnabled = chromeEnabledOverride ?? daemons.length > 0;
+  const pathname = usePathname();
+  // TODO: stop matching pathname here as a branch. `chromeEnabled` should not
+  // conflate workspace/project-specific chrome (sidebar, mobile gesture) with
+  // global concerns like keyboard shortcuts. Split those out so settings (and
+  // other non-workspace routes) don't need a special-case to keep shortcuts alive.
+  const keyboardShortcutsEnabled = chromeEnabled || pathname.startsWith("/settings");
 
   useEffect(() => {
     const bp = UnistylesRuntime.breakpoint;
@@ -434,7 +440,7 @@ function AppContainer({
   }, [isCompactLayout, chromeEnabled, isFocusModeEnabled, agentListOpen, sidebarWidth]);
 
   useKeyboardShortcuts({
-    enabled: chromeEnabled,
+    enabled: keyboardShortcutsEnabled,
     isMobile: isCompactLayout,
     toggleAgentList,
     toggleFileExplorer,