diff --git a/src/TeamsISO.App/App.xaml.cs b/src/TeamsISO.App/App.xaml.cs
index e2b0837..7cdf4ab 100644
--- a/src/TeamsISO.App/App.xaml.cs
+++ b/src/TeamsISO.App/App.xaml.cs
@@ -286,6 +286,13 @@ public partial class App : Application
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
+            // Log the full exception (incl. stack + inner) to Serilog BEFORE the
+            // modal MessageBox fires — diagnostic logs are far more useful than a
+            // user-pasted "TeamsISO failed to start..." line when triaging a
+            // startup crash. The logger may itself have been the failure target
+            // so guard the call.
+            try { _loggerFactory?.CreateLogger<App>().LogCritical(ex, "OnStartup failed before main loop"); }
+            catch { /* defensive */ }
             MessageBox.Show(
                 "TeamsISO failed to start.\n\nDetails: " + ex,
                 "TeamsISO — startup error",
diff --git a/src/TeamsISO.App/Converters/LevelThresholdConverter.cs b/src/TeamsISO.App/Converters/LevelThresholdConverter.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f53630d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/TeamsISO.App/Converters/LevelThresholdConverter.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+using System.Globalization;
+using System.Windows.Data;
+
+namespace TeamsISO.App.Converters;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Maps an audio level (0.0–1.0) to an opacity for a single audio-meter
+/// segment. The XAML binds five copies, each with a different
+/// <see cref="Binding.ConverterParameter"/> threshold (0.2, 0.4, 0.6,
+/// 0.8, 1.0). A segment renders at full opacity when the live level
+/// exceeds its threshold; below that it dims to a faint silhouette so the
+/// inactive segments still read as "the meter has 5 steps" rather than
+/// blank space.
+///
+/// Designed for the v2 "Studio Terminal" participants table's audio meter.
+/// Broadcast engineers expect instantaneous (non-averaged) bars; the
+/// converter is stateless and trusts the caller to push raw levels.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class LevelThresholdConverter : IValueConverter
+{
+    /// <summary>Opacity for an above-threshold segment. Defaults to 1.0.</summary>
+    public double ActiveOpacity { get; set; } = 1.0;
+
+    /// <summary>Opacity for a below-threshold segment. Defaults to 0.18 — visible enough to read the segment shape but clearly off.</summary>
+    public double InactiveOpacity { get; set; } = 0.18;
+
+    public object Convert(object value, System.Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture)
+    {
+        var level = value switch
+        {
+            double d => d,
+            float f => f,
+            _ => 0.0,
+        };
+        if (!double.TryParse(parameter?.ToString(), NumberStyles.Float, CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, out var threshold))
+            threshold = 1.0;
+        return level >= threshold ? ActiveOpacity : InactiveOpacity;
+    }
+
+    public object ConvertBack(object value, System.Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture) =>
+        System.Windows.Data.Binding.DoNothing;
+}
diff --git a/src/TeamsISO.App/Converters/NullToCollapsedConverter.cs b/src/TeamsISO.App/Converters/NullToCollapsedConverter.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e24a8c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/TeamsISO.App/Converters/NullToCollapsedConverter.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+using System.Globalization;
+using System.Windows;
+using System.Windows.Data;
+
+namespace TeamsISO.App.Converters;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Tiny utility converter — null or empty string ⇒ Collapsed, otherwise
+/// Visible. Used by the v2 command palette's optional shortcut chip
+/// (e.g. "Ctrl+R") so rows without a bound shortcut don't render the
+/// empty pill outline.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class NullToCollapsedConverter : IValueConverter
+{
+    public object Convert(object value, System.Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture)
+    {
+        if (value is null) return Visibility.Collapsed;
+        if (value is string s && string.IsNullOrEmpty(s)) return Visibility.Collapsed;
+        return Visibility.Visible;
+    }
+
+    public object ConvertBack(object value, System.Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture) =>
+        System.Windows.Data.Binding.DoNothing;
+}
diff --git a/src/TeamsISO.App/MainWindow.xaml b/src/TeamsISO.App/MainWindow.xaml
index 93668c7..4aee607 100644
--- a/src/TeamsISO.App/MainWindow.xaml
+++ b/src/TeamsISO.App/MainWindow.xaml
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
                                         TrueValue="Collapsed"
                                         FalseValue="Visible"/>
         <conv:EnumDescriptionConverter x:Key="EnumDesc"/>
+        <conv:LevelThresholdConverter x:Key="LevelGate"/>
     </Window.Resources>
 
     <Window.InputBindings>
@@ -45,10 +46,11 @@
         <KeyBinding Key="S" Modifiers="Ctrl+Shift" Command="{Binding StopAllIsosCommand}"/>
         <KeyBinding Key="R" Modifiers="Ctrl" Command="{Binding RefreshDiscoveryCommand}"/>
         <KeyBinding Key="T" Modifiers="Ctrl" Command="{Binding ToggleThemeCommand}"/>
-        <!-- Ctrl+K — command palette (next session). For now opens the same
-             settings drawer surface; replaced with the palette window once
-             it lands. -->
-        <KeyBinding Key="K" Modifiers="Ctrl" Command="{Binding ShowHelpCommand}"/>
+        <!-- Ctrl+K (and Ctrl+P alias) — open the v2 command palette. The
+             KeyBinding fires on the window; the handler is wired via the
+             palette button's Click in the header. -->
+        <KeyBinding Key="K" Modifiers="Ctrl" Command="{Binding OpenCommandPaletteCommand}"/>
+        <KeyBinding Key="P" Modifiers="Ctrl" Command="{Binding OpenCommandPaletteCommand}"/>
         <KeyBinding Key="NumPad1" Command="{Binding ToggleByIndexCommand}" CommandParameter="1"/>
         <KeyBinding Key="NumPad2" Command="{Binding ToggleByIndexCommand}" CommandParameter="2"/>
         <KeyBinding Key="NumPad3" Command="{Binding ToggleByIndexCommand}" CommandParameter="3"/>
@@ -405,10 +407,31 @@
                 </StackPanel>
             </Border>
 
-            <!-- Participants table — DataGrid placeholder pending task 39's redesign.
-                 For v2's first cut the existing column structure is kept so the
-                 shell rebuild doesn't also change row semantics. The 5-column
-                 "Studio Terminal" table comes in the next commit. -->
+            <!--
+                Participants table — v2 "Studio Terminal" layout.
+
+                Five columns:
+                  1. State LED        24px  — 8×8 hard-edged square. Filled cyan
+                                              when LIVE; filled coral on ERROR;
+                                              filled amber on NO SIGNAL / STARTING;
+                                              hollow neutral when OFF.
+                  2. Name + caption   *     — DisplayName (Inter 13/Medium) plus
+                                              source machine + state label below
+                                              in JetBrains Mono 11/Tertiary.
+                  3. Audio meter      110px — five vertical hard-edged bars,
+                                              each lit when DisplayedAudioLevel
+                                              crosses its threshold (0.2, 0.4,
+                                              0.6, 0.8, 1.0). No averaging.
+                  4. Output name      150px — JetBrains Mono 12 — the NDI source
+                                              name TeamsISO broadcasts as.
+                  5. ISO toggle pill  110px — LIVE = cyan-muted fill with cyan
+                                              text; OFF = hollow neutral; ERROR
+                                              gets the existing trigger swap.
+
+                Row height 52 (down from 56). Active speaker = full-row
+                bg.active-speaker tint set by the global DataGridRow style
+                (avoids the impeccable side-stripe-border ban).
+            -->
             <Border Grid.Row="3"
                     Margin="20,0,20,12"
                     BorderBrush="{DynamicResource Wd.Border}"
@@ -428,22 +451,143 @@
                           CanUserResizeRows="False"
                           SelectionMode="Single"
                           SelectionUnit="FullRow"
-                          RowHeight="56">
+                          RowHeight="52">
                     <DataGrid.Columns>
-                        <DataGridTextColumn Header="Name"
-                                            Binding="{Binding DisplayName}"
-                                            Width="*"
-                                            IsReadOnly="True"/>
-                        <DataGridTextColumn Header="Source"
-                                            Binding="{Binding SourceFullName}"
-                                            Width="*"
-                                            IsReadOnly="True"/>
-                        <DataGridTemplateColumn Header="ISO" Width="120">
+                        <!-- Col 1 — State LED. 8×8 hard-edged Rectangle.
+                             Default fill is hollow (transparent with stroke). DataTriggers
+                             swap the fill based on StateLabel: LIVE → cyan filled,
+                             NO SIGNAL / STARTING → amber filled, ERROR → coral filled.
+                             No rounding — broadcast vocabulary uses sharp LEDs. -->
+                        <DataGridTemplateColumn Header="" Width="24" IsReadOnly="True">
+                            <DataGridTemplateColumn.CellTemplate>
+                                <DataTemplate>
+                                    <Rectangle Width="8" Height="8"
+                                               HorizontalAlignment="Center"
+                                               VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                               StrokeThickness="1.5">
+                                        <Rectangle.Style>
+                                            <Style TargetType="Rectangle">
+                                                <Setter Property="Fill" Value="Transparent"/>
+                                                <Setter Property="Stroke" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.BorderStrong}"/>
+                                                <Style.Triggers>
+                                                    <DataTrigger Binding="{Binding StateLabel}" Value="LIVE">
+                                                        <Setter Property="Fill" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.Accent.Cyan}"/>
+                                                        <Setter Property="Stroke" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.Accent.Cyan}"/>
+                                                    </DataTrigger>
+                                                    <DataTrigger Binding="{Binding StateLabel}" Value="ERROR">
+                                                        <Setter Property="Fill" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.Accent.Coral}"/>
+                                                        <Setter Property="Stroke" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.Accent.Coral}"/>
+                                                    </DataTrigger>
+                                                    <DataTrigger Binding="{Binding StateLabel}" Value="NO SIGNAL">
+                                                        <Setter Property="Fill" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.Status.Warn}"/>
+                                                        <Setter Property="Stroke" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.Status.Warn}"/>
+                                                    </DataTrigger>
+                                                    <DataTrigger Binding="{Binding StateLabel}" Value="STARTING">
+                                                        <Setter Property="Fill" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.Status.Warn}"/>
+                                                        <Setter Property="Stroke" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.Status.Warn}"/>
+                                                    </DataTrigger>
+                                                </Style.Triggers>
+                                            </Style>
+                                        </Rectangle.Style>
+                                    </Rectangle>
+                                </DataTemplate>
+                            </DataGridTemplateColumn.CellTemplate>
+                        </DataGridTemplateColumn>
+
+                        <!-- Col 2 — Name + caption. Display name (Inter 13/Medium) above,
+                             source machine + state caption (Mono 11/Tertiary) below. -->
+                        <DataGridTemplateColumn Header="Participant" Width="*" IsReadOnly="True">
+                            <DataGridTemplateColumn.CellTemplate>
+                                <DataTemplate>
+                                    <StackPanel VerticalAlignment="Center">
+                                        <TextBlock Text="{Binding DisplayName}"
+                                                   FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Sans}"
+                                                   FontSize="13"
+                                                   FontWeight="Medium"
+                                                   Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Primary}"
+                                                   TextTrimming="CharacterEllipsis"/>
+                                        <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal" Margin="0,2,0,0">
+                                            <TextBlock Text="{Binding SourceMachine}"
+                                                       FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Mono}"
+                                                       FontSize="11"
+                                                       Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Tertiary}"
+                                                       TextTrimming="CharacterEllipsis"
+                                                       MaxWidth="180"/>
+                                            <TextBlock Text=" · "
+                                                       FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Mono}"
+                                                       FontSize="11"
+                                                       Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Disabled}"/>
+                                            <TextBlock Text="{Binding StateLabel}"
+                                                       FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Mono}"
+                                                       FontSize="11"
+                                                       Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Tertiary}"/>
+                                        </StackPanel>
+                                    </StackPanel>
+                                </DataTemplate>
+                            </DataGridTemplateColumn.CellTemplate>
+                        </DataGridTemplateColumn>
+
+                        <!-- Col 3 — Audio meter. 5 vertical bars; each lit when
+                             DisplayedAudioLevel crosses its threshold. -->
+                        <DataGridTemplateColumn Header="Audio" Width="110" IsReadOnly="True">
+                            <DataGridTemplateColumn.CellTemplate>
+                                <DataTemplate>
+                                    <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal"
+                                                VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                                HorizontalAlignment="Left">
+                                        <Rectangle Width="6" Height="6"
+                                                   Margin="0,0,3,0"
+                                                   Fill="{DynamicResource Wd.Accent.Cyan}"
+                                                   Opacity="{Binding DisplayedAudioLevel, Converter={StaticResource LevelGate}, ConverterParameter=0.2}"
+                                                   VerticalAlignment="Bottom"/>
+                                        <Rectangle Width="6" Height="10"
+                                                   Margin="0,0,3,0"
+                                                   Fill="{DynamicResource Wd.Accent.Cyan}"
+                                                   Opacity="{Binding DisplayedAudioLevel, Converter={StaticResource LevelGate}, ConverterParameter=0.4}"
+                                                   VerticalAlignment="Bottom"/>
+                                        <Rectangle Width="6" Height="14"
+                                                   Margin="0,0,3,0"
+                                                   Fill="{DynamicResource Wd.Accent.Cyan}"
+                                                   Opacity="{Binding DisplayedAudioLevel, Converter={StaticResource LevelGate}, ConverterParameter=0.6}"
+                                                   VerticalAlignment="Bottom"/>
+                                        <Rectangle Width="6" Height="18"
+                                                   Margin="0,0,3,0"
+                                                   Fill="{DynamicResource Wd.Status.Warn}"
+                                                   Opacity="{Binding DisplayedAudioLevel, Converter={StaticResource LevelGate}, ConverterParameter=0.8}"
+                                                   VerticalAlignment="Bottom"/>
+                                        <Rectangle Width="6" Height="22"
+                                                   Fill="{DynamicResource Wd.Accent.Coral}"
+                                                   Opacity="{Binding DisplayedAudioLevel, Converter={StaticResource LevelGate}, ConverterParameter=0.95}"
+                                                   VerticalAlignment="Bottom"/>
+                                    </StackPanel>
+                                </DataTemplate>
+                            </DataGridTemplateColumn.CellTemplate>
+                        </DataGridTemplateColumn>
+
+                        <!-- Col 4 — Output name (mono). The NDI source name TeamsISO
+                             will broadcast this participant as. -->
+                        <DataGridTemplateColumn Header="Output" Width="150" IsReadOnly="True">
+                            <DataGridTemplateColumn.CellTemplate>
+                                <DataTemplate>
+                                    <TextBlock Text="{Binding OutputName}"
+                                               FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Mono}"
+                                               FontSize="12"
+                                               Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Secondary}"
+                                               VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                               TextTrimming="CharacterEllipsis"/>
+                                </DataTemplate>
+                            </DataGridTemplateColumn.CellTemplate>
+                        </DataGridTemplateColumn>
+
+                        <!-- Col 5 — ISO toggle pill. LIVE = cyan-muted fill + cyan border + cyan text.
+                             OFF = hollow neutral. Error states use the existing IsoToggle style. -->
+                        <DataGridTemplateColumn Header="ISO" Width="110">
                             <DataGridTemplateColumn.CellTemplate>
                                 <DataTemplate>
                                     <Button Command="{Binding ToggleIsoCommand}"
                                             Margin="0,0,12,0"
-                                            Padding="14,6">
+                                            Padding="14,6"
+                                            VerticalAlignment="Center">
                                         <Button.Style>
                                             <Style TargetType="Button" BasedOn="{StaticResource Wd.Button.IsoToggle}">
                                                 <Setter Property="Content" Value="Enable"/>
diff --git a/src/TeamsISO.App/MainWindow.xaml.cs b/src/TeamsISO.App/MainWindow.xaml.cs
index a9990b8..ce569b1 100644
--- a/src/TeamsISO.App/MainWindow.xaml.cs
+++ b/src/TeamsISO.App/MainWindow.xaml.cs
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ public partial class MainWindow : Window
     public MainWindow(MainViewModel viewModel) : this()
     {
         DataContext = viewModel;
+        // Hand the view-model the palette-opener callback so Ctrl+K's
+        // KeyBinding (which lives on the VM as an ICommand) can reach
+        // back into the view layer to materialize the window.
+        viewModel.RegisterCommandPaletteOpener(() => OnCommandPaletteClick(this, new RoutedEventArgs()));
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -218,16 +222,18 @@ public partial class MainWindow : Window
     }
 
     /// <summary>
-    /// Command palette placeholder. Task 40 builds the real Ctrl+K floating
-    /// window; for the v2 shell commit, the header button opens the same
-    /// help dialog that F1 does so the affordance isn't dead.
+    /// Open the v2 Ctrl+K command palette. Bound to the header ⌘K button and
+    /// to the Ctrl+K keyboard binding. The palette is a chromeless floating
+    /// window owned by this MainWindow so it centers correctly, closes on
+    /// Deactivated (click outside), and inherits z-order. We construct a
+    /// fresh view-model each time so the filter starts empty.
     /// </summary>
     private void OnCommandPaletteClick(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
     {
-        if (DataContext is MainViewModel vm && vm.ShowHelpCommand.CanExecute(null))
-        {
-            vm.ShowHelpCommand.Execute(null);
-        }
+        if (DataContext is not MainViewModel vm) return;
+        var paletteVm = new ViewModels.CommandPaletteViewModel(vm, Dispatcher);
+        var palette = new Views.CommandPaletteWindow(paletteVm) { Owner = this };
+        palette.ShowDialog();
     }
 
     /// <summary>
diff --git a/src/TeamsISO.App/Themes/WildDragonTheme.xaml b/src/TeamsISO.App/Themes/WildDragonTheme.xaml
index e213c31..b704f53 100644
--- a/src/TeamsISO.App/Themes/WildDragonTheme.xaml
+++ b/src/TeamsISO.App/Themes/WildDragonTheme.xaml
@@ -738,13 +738,12 @@
             <Trigger Property="IsSelected" Value="True">
                 <Setter Property="Background" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.SurfaceElevated}"/>
             </Trigger>
-            <!-- Active speaker highlight: set by MainViewModel at the 1Hz
-                 stats tick based on DisplayedAudioLevel. Cyan left border
-                 (3px) makes whoever's talking pop without changing the
-                 background color (which IsMouseOver / IsSelected own). -->
+            <!-- Active speaker highlight (v2): full-row cyan-muted background
+                 tint. NOT a left-edge stripe — that would trip the impeccable
+                 side-stripe-border ban and reads as AI-design vocabulary.
+                 Full-row tint is bigger and broadcast-engineering-vocabulary:
+                 the row whose channel is hot stands out across the screen. -->
             <DataTrigger Binding="{Binding IsActiveSpeaker}" Value="True">
-                <Setter Property="BorderBrush" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.Accent.Cyan}"/>
-                <Setter Property="BorderThickness" Value="3,0,0,1"/>
                 <Setter Property="Background" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.Accent.CyanMuted}"/>
             </DataTrigger>
         </Style.Triggers>
diff --git a/src/TeamsISO.App/ViewModels/CommandPaletteViewModel.cs b/src/TeamsISO.App/ViewModels/CommandPaletteViewModel.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d6124e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/TeamsISO.App/ViewModels/CommandPaletteViewModel.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,210 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Collections.ObjectModel;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Windows.Threading;
+using TeamsISO.App.Services;
+
+namespace TeamsISO.App.ViewModels;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// View-model for the v2 Ctrl+K command palette. Owns the static list of
+/// commands the operator can invoke, plus a free-text filter that whittles
+/// the visible list down.
+///
+/// The palette is the v2 redesign's navigation surface — it replaces the
+/// v1 rail's launch / hide / settings buttons (still discoverable in the
+/// 32px header) AND the buried-in-tabs operator actions like "Apply
+/// transcoder topology" or "Stop all ISOs" that previously needed
+/// hunting through menus. Type two letters, press Enter, action invokes.
+///
+/// Match shape: case-insensitive Contains across Label + Category + the
+/// optional Keywords list. Fuzzy (Sublime / Linear style) matching is a
+/// future evolution if Contains proves insufficient; broadcasters have
+/// short attention budgets and Contains is the predictable answer.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class CommandPaletteViewModel : ObservableObject
+{
+    private readonly MainViewModel _main;
+    private readonly Dispatcher _dispatcher;
+    private readonly List<PaletteCommand> _all;
+    private string _filter = string.Empty;
+    private PaletteCommand? _selected;
+
+    public CommandPaletteViewModel(MainViewModel main, Dispatcher dispatcher)
+    {
+        _main = main;
+        _dispatcher = dispatcher;
+        _all = BuildCommands();
+        Visible = new ObservableCollection<PaletteCommand>(_all);
+        Selected = Visible.FirstOrDefault();
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Free-text filter. Empty string shows all commands.</summary>
+    public string Filter
+    {
+        get => _filter;
+        set
+        {
+            if (!SetField(ref _filter, value)) return;
+            ApplyFilter();
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Filtered command list, bound to the palette ListBox.</summary>
+    public ObservableCollection<PaletteCommand> Visible { get; }
+
+    /// <summary>Currently-highlighted command. Driven by ↑/↓ in the search box and by mouse hover.</summary>
+    public PaletteCommand? Selected
+    {
+        get => _selected;
+        set => SetField(ref _selected, value);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Move the selection up or down within the visible list, wrapping at the
+    /// edges. Called from the palette's PreviewKeyDown when the operator
+    /// presses ↑ / ↓ while focus is in the search box.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void MoveSelection(int direction)
+    {
+        if (Visible.Count == 0) return;
+        var idx = Selected is null ? -1 : Visible.IndexOf(Selected);
+        idx = (idx + direction + Visible.Count) % Visible.Count;
+        Selected = Visible[idx];
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Invoke the current selection's action. Returns true if something fired.</summary>
+    public bool InvokeSelection()
+    {
+        var sel = Selected;
+        if (sel is null) return false;
+        try { sel.Invoke(); }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            _main.Toast.Warn($"{sel.Label}: {ex.Message}");
+            return false;
+        }
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private void ApplyFilter()
+    {
+        var query = _filter.Trim();
+        var prevSelected = Selected;
+        Visible.Clear();
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(query))
+        {
+            foreach (var c in _all) Visible.Add(c);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            foreach (var c in _all)
+            {
+                if (Matches(c, query)) Visible.Add(c);
+            }
+        }
+        Selected = Visible.Contains(prevSelected!)
+            ? prevSelected
+            : Visible.FirstOrDefault();
+    }
+
+    private static bool Matches(PaletteCommand c, string query)
+    {
+        if (c.Label.Contains(query, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)) return true;
+        if (c.Category.Contains(query, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)) return true;
+        // Keywords is a single space-separated string of synonyms — Contains
+        // over the whole blob suffices for the operator's short-token typing.
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(c.Keywords) &&
+            c.Keywords.Contains(query, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Build the static command list. Order within a category matters for
+    /// keyboard-only operators: the most-frequent command of each category
+    /// goes first.
+    /// </summary>
+    private List<PaletteCommand> BuildCommands()
+    {
+        var vm = _main;
+        return new List<PaletteCommand>
+        {
+            // ─── QUICK ─── operator's top-of-mind verbs
+            new("Quick", "Enable all online", "ISOs enable everyone start everything live", "Ctrl+E",
+                () => InvokeIfReady(vm.EnableAllOnlineCommand)),
+            new("Quick", "Stop all ISOs",  "panic stop everything kill disable", "Ctrl+Shift+S",
+                () => InvokeIfReady(vm.StopAllIsosCommand)),
+            new("Quick", "Refresh discovery", "rediscover sources rebuild finder NDI", "Ctrl+R",
+                () => InvokeIfReady(vm.RefreshDiscoveryCommand)),
+
+            // ─── TEAMS ─── direct UIA orchestration
+            new("Teams", "Mute / unmute", "microphone audio silence toggle", null,
+                () => InvokeIfReady(vm.ToggleMuteCommand)),
+            new("Teams", "Toggle camera", "video webcam on off", null,
+                () => InvokeIfReady(vm.ToggleCameraCommand)),
+            new("Teams", "Open share tray", "screen share present", null,
+                () => InvokeIfReady(vm.OpenShareTrayCommand)),
+            new("Teams", "Leave call", "exit end disconnect quit", null,
+                () => InvokeIfReady(vm.LeaveCallCommand)),
+            new("Teams", "Launch Microsoft Teams", "start open run app", null,
+                () => RunOnUi(() =>
+                {
+                    if (!TeamsLauncher.IsRunning() && TeamsLauncher.TryLaunch(out _))
+                        vm.Toast.Show("Launching Microsoft Teams…");
+                    else
+                        TeamsLauncher.ShowWindows();
+                })),
+            new("Teams", "Hide Teams windows", "minimize cloak", null,
+                () => RunOnUi(() =>
+                {
+                    var n = TeamsLauncher.HideWindows();
+                    vm.Toast.Show(n > 0 ? $"Hid {n} Teams window(s)" : "No Teams windows to hide");
+                })),
+            new("Teams", "Show Teams windows", "restore unhide", null,
+                () => RunOnUi(() =>
+                {
+                    var n = TeamsLauncher.ShowWindows();
+                    vm.Toast.Show(n > 0 ? $"Restored {n} Teams window(s)" : "No Teams windows to restore");
+                })),
+
+            // ─── NETWORK ───
+            new("Network", "Apply transcoder topology", "ndi groups isolate teamsiso-input private", null,
+                () => InvokeIfReady(vm.Settings.ApplyTranscoderTopologyCommand)),
+
+            // ─── APP ───
+            new("App", "Theme: dark",   "appearance night mode", null,
+                () => RunOnUi(() => ThemeManager.Current.Set("Dark"))),
+            new("App", "Theme: light",  "appearance day mode bright", null,
+                () => RunOnUi(() => ThemeManager.Current.Set("Light"))),
+            new("App", "Theme: follow Windows", "system auto", null,
+                () => RunOnUi(() => ThemeManager.Current.Set("System"))),
+            new("App", "Help",         "shortcuts cheatsheet f1", "F1",
+                () => InvokeIfReady(vm.ShowHelpCommand)),
+            new("App", "Show notes",   "show notes daily journal", null,
+                () => InvokeIfReady(vm.ShowNotesCommand)),
+        };
+    }
+
+    private void RunOnUi(Action action) => _dispatcher.BeginInvoke(action);
+
+    private static void InvokeIfReady(System.Windows.Input.ICommand cmd)
+    {
+        if (cmd?.CanExecute(null) == true) cmd.Execute(null);
+    }
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// One command in the Ctrl+K palette. <see cref="Keywords"/> is an optional
+/// space of additional search terms — the operator might type "ndi" or
+/// "private" and still match "Apply transcoder topology".
+/// </summary>
+public sealed record PaletteCommand(
+    string Category,
+    string Label,
+    string? Keywords,
+    string? Shortcut,
+    Action Invoke);
diff --git a/src/TeamsISO.App/ViewModels/MainViewModel.cs b/src/TeamsISO.App/ViewModels/MainViewModel.cs
index c26ecf5..b5730de 100644
--- a/src/TeamsISO.App/ViewModels/MainViewModel.cs
+++ b/src/TeamsISO.App/ViewModels/MainViewModel.cs
@@ -166,6 +166,23 @@ public sealed class MainViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
     /// </summary>
     public RelayCommand ToggleThemeCommand { get; }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Ctrl+K binding — opens the v2 command palette. The actual window
+    /// open call lives in <see cref="MainWindow"/> (view-side concern);
+    /// this command delegates through an Action callback the view sets
+    /// after construction so the VM stays unaware of WPF Window types.
+    /// </summary>
+    public RelayCommand OpenCommandPaletteCommand { get; }
+    private Action? _openCommandPalette;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Wire the view's palette-opening callback. Called by MainWindow's
+    /// constructor right after DataContext is set. Idempotent — second
+    /// call replaces the first.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void RegisterCommandPaletteOpener(Action openPalette) =>
+        _openCommandPalette = openPalette;
+
     /// <summary>Opens the inline notes viewer for today's show-notes file.</summary>
     public RelayCommand ShowNotesCommand { get; }
 
@@ -368,6 +385,8 @@ public sealed class MainViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
             Services.ThemeManager.Current.Toggle();
         });
 
+        OpenCommandPaletteCommand = new RelayCommand(() => _openCommandPalette?.Invoke());
+
         ShowHelpCommand = new RelayCommand(() =>
         {
             // Showing a Window from a VM violates strict MVVM, but TeamsISO doesn't
diff --git a/src/TeamsISO.App/ViewModels/ParticipantViewModel.cs b/src/TeamsISO.App/ViewModels/ParticipantViewModel.cs
index 72d51c7..6a9a03d 100644
--- a/src/TeamsISO.App/ViewModels/ParticipantViewModel.cs
+++ b/src/TeamsISO.App/ViewModels/ParticipantViewModel.cs
@@ -419,9 +419,27 @@ public sealed class ParticipantViewModel : ObservableObject
     public string CustomName
     {
         get => _customName;
-        set => SetField(ref _customName, value);
+        set
+        {
+            if (SetField(ref _customName, value))
+                OnPropertyChanged(nameof(OutputName));
+        }
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The NDI source name TeamsISO will broadcast this participant as. Prefers
+    /// the operator's <see cref="CustomName"/> when set; otherwise renders the
+    /// engine's default template (typically <c>TEAMSISO_{guid}</c>). Bound by
+    /// the v2 participants table's mono "output name" column.
+    /// </summary>
+    public string OutputName =>
+        string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_customName)
+            ? Services.OutputNameTemplate.Render(
+                Services.OutputNameTemplate.Get(),
+                _participant.Id,
+                _participant.DisplayName)
+            : _customName;
+
     public AsyncRelayCommand ToggleIsoCommand { get; }
 
     /// <summary>Copy the participant's NDI source FullName to the clipboard. Useful for pasting into Studio Monitor.</summary>
diff --git a/src/TeamsISO.App/Views/CommandPaletteWindow.xaml b/src/TeamsISO.App/Views/CommandPaletteWindow.xaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9db29c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/TeamsISO.App/Views/CommandPaletteWindow.xaml
@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+<Window x:Class="TeamsISO.App.Views.CommandPaletteWindow"
+        xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
+        xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
+        xmlns:vm="clr-namespace:TeamsISO.App.ViewModels"
+        xmlns:conv="clr-namespace:TeamsISO.App.Converters"
+        Width="560" Height="360"
+        WindowStartupLocation="CenterOwner"
+        WindowStyle="None"
+        AllowsTransparency="True"
+        ShowInTaskbar="False"
+        Background="Transparent"
+        ResizeMode="NoResize"
+        Topmost="True"
+        d:DataContext="{d:DesignInstance Type=vm:CommandPaletteViewModel}"
+        xmlns:d="http://schemas.microsoft.com/expression/blend/2008"
+        xmlns:mc="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006"
+        mc:Ignorable="d">
+    <Window.Resources>
+        <conv:NullToCollapsedConverter x:Key="NullToCollapsed"/>
+    </Window.Resources>
+    <!--
+        v2 command palette — Ctrl+K / Ctrl+P. The navigation surface for the
+        Studio Terminal redesign: operators with attention budgets in the
+        low single digits type two letters, press Enter, action fires.
+
+        Chromeless window so the palette feels like a popover, not another
+        OS-level top-level. The single rounded card inside is the entire
+        affordance; the host window background is Transparent and the card
+        sits centered. Esc closes the window from code-behind.
+    -->
+    <Border CornerRadius="{StaticResource Radius.L}"
+            Background="{DynamicResource Wd.SurfaceElevated}"
+            BorderBrush="{DynamicResource Wd.BorderStrong}"
+            BorderThickness="1"
+            SnapsToDevicePixels="True">
+        <Border.Effect>
+            <DropShadowEffect BlurRadius="32" ShadowDepth="0" Opacity="0.35" Color="Black"/>
+        </Border.Effect>
+        <DockPanel LastChildFill="True">
+
+            <!-- Search input — autofocused on open. The placeholder doubles
+                 as a help hint until the operator types. -->
+            <Border DockPanel.Dock="Top"
+                    BorderBrush="{DynamicResource Wd.Border}"
+                    BorderThickness="0,0,0,1"
+                    Padding="16,12">
+                <Grid>
+                    <Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
+                        <ColumnDefinition Width="Auto"/>
+                        <ColumnDefinition Width="*"/>
+                        <ColumnDefinition Width="Auto"/>
+                    </Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
+                    <TextBlock Grid.Column="0"
+                               Text="⌘"
+                               FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Mono}"
+                               FontSize="14"
+                               Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Tertiary}"
+                               VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                               Margin="0,0,12,0"/>
+                    <TextBox Grid.Column="1"
+                             x:Name="FilterBox"
+                             Text="{Binding Filter, UpdateSourceTrigger=PropertyChanged, Delay=20}"
+                             FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Sans}"
+                             FontSize="14"
+                             Background="Transparent"
+                             BorderThickness="0"
+                             Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Primary}"
+                             CaretBrush="{DynamicResource Wd.Accent.Cyan}"
+                             VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                             Padding="0">
+                        <TextBox.Style>
+                            <Style TargetType="TextBox">
+                                <Style.Resources>
+                                    <VisualBrush x:Key="PlaceholderBrush" TileMode="None" Stretch="None" AlignmentX="Left" AlignmentY="Center">
+                                        <VisualBrush.Visual>
+                                            <TextBlock Text="Type a command…"
+                                                       FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Sans}"
+                                                       FontSize="14"
+                                                       Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Tertiary}"/>
+                                        </VisualBrush.Visual>
+                                    </VisualBrush>
+                                </Style.Resources>
+                                <Style.Triggers>
+                                    <Trigger Property="Text" Value="">
+                                        <Setter Property="Background" Value="{StaticResource PlaceholderBrush}"/>
+                                    </Trigger>
+                                </Style.Triggers>
+                            </Style>
+                        </TextBox.Style>
+                    </TextBox>
+                    <TextBlock Grid.Column="2"
+                               Text="esc to close"
+                               FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Mono}"
+                               FontSize="10"
+                               Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Disabled}"
+                               VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                               Margin="12,0,0,0"/>
+                </Grid>
+            </Border>
+
+            <!-- Footer hint -->
+            <Border DockPanel.Dock="Bottom"
+                    BorderBrush="{DynamicResource Wd.Border}"
+                    BorderThickness="0,1,0,0"
+                    Padding="16,8">
+                <TextBlock FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Mono}"
+                           FontSize="10"
+                           Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Tertiary}">
+                    <Run Text="↑ ↓ navigate"/>
+                    <Run Text="·" Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Disabled}"/>
+                    <Run Text="enter invoke"/>
+                    <Run Text="·" Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Disabled}"/>
+                    <Run Text="esc close"/>
+                </TextBlock>
+            </Border>
+
+            <!-- Results list — bound to CommandPaletteViewModel.Visible -->
+            <ListBox x:Name="ResultsList"
+                     ItemsSource="{Binding Visible}"
+                     SelectedItem="{Binding Selected}"
+                     Background="Transparent"
+                     BorderThickness="0"
+                     Padding="6,6,6,6"
+                     Focusable="False"
+                     ScrollViewer.HorizontalScrollBarVisibility="Disabled"
+                     ScrollViewer.VerticalScrollBarVisibility="Auto"
+                     HorizontalContentAlignment="Stretch">
+                <ListBox.ItemContainerStyle>
+                    <Style TargetType="ListBoxItem">
+                        <Setter Property="Background" Value="Transparent"/>
+                        <Setter Property="Padding" Value="10,8"/>
+                        <Setter Property="Margin" Value="0,1"/>
+                        <Setter Property="Focusable" Value="False"/>
+                        <Setter Property="Template">
+                            <Setter.Value>
+                                <ControlTemplate TargetType="ListBoxItem">
+                                    <Border x:Name="Bd"
+                                            Background="{TemplateBinding Background}"
+                                            CornerRadius="{StaticResource Radius.S}"
+                                            Padding="{TemplateBinding Padding}">
+                                        <ContentPresenter/>
+                                    </Border>
+                                    <ControlTemplate.Triggers>
+                                        <Trigger Property="IsSelected" Value="True">
+                                            <Setter TargetName="Bd" Property="Background" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.Accent.CyanMuted}"/>
+                                        </Trigger>
+                                        <Trigger Property="IsMouseOver" Value="True">
+                                            <Setter TargetName="Bd" Property="Background" Value="{DynamicResource Wd.SurfaceHover}"/>
+                                        </Trigger>
+                                    </ControlTemplate.Triggers>
+                                </ControlTemplate>
+                            </Setter.Value>
+                        </Setter>
+                    </Style>
+                </ListBox.ItemContainerStyle>
+                <ListBox.ItemTemplate>
+                    <DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type vm:PaletteCommand}">
+                        <Grid>
+                            <Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
+                                <ColumnDefinition Width="80"/>
+                                <ColumnDefinition Width="*"/>
+                                <ColumnDefinition Width="Auto"/>
+                            </Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
+                            <TextBlock Grid.Column="0"
+                                       Text="{Binding Category}"
+                                       FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Sans}"
+                                       FontSize="10"
+                                       FontWeight="SemiBold"
+                                       Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Tertiary}"
+                                       VerticalAlignment="Center"/>
+                            <TextBlock Grid.Column="1"
+                                       Text="{Binding Label}"
+                                       FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Sans}"
+                                       FontSize="13"
+                                       Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Primary}"
+                                       VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                       TextTrimming="CharacterEllipsis"/>
+                            <Border Grid.Column="2"
+                                    Background="{DynamicResource Wd.Surface}"
+                                    BorderBrush="{DynamicResource Wd.Border}"
+                                    BorderThickness="1"
+                                    CornerRadius="{StaticResource Radius.S}"
+                                    Padding="6,1"
+                                    VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                    Margin="12,0,0,0"
+                                    Visibility="{Binding Shortcut, Converter={StaticResource NullToCollapsed}}">
+                                <TextBlock Text="{Binding Shortcut}"
+                                           FontFamily="{StaticResource Wd.Font.Mono}"
+                                           FontSize="10"
+                                           Foreground="{DynamicResource Wd.Text.Secondary}"/>
+                            </Border>
+                        </Grid>
+                    </DataTemplate>
+                </ListBox.ItemTemplate>
+            </ListBox>
+        </DockPanel>
+    </Border>
+</Window>
diff --git a/src/TeamsISO.App/Views/CommandPaletteWindow.xaml.cs b/src/TeamsISO.App/Views/CommandPaletteWindow.xaml.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..972ab4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/TeamsISO.App/Views/CommandPaletteWindow.xaml.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+using System.Windows;
+using System.Windows.Controls;
+using System.Windows.Input;
+using TeamsISO.App.ViewModels;
+
+namespace TeamsISO.App.Views;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// The Ctrl+K command palette window. Centered over its <see cref="Window.Owner"/>,
+/// chromeless, dismissable with Esc or clicking outside the palette card.
+///
+/// Keyboard contract:
+///   <list type="bullet">
+///     <item>Type to filter (autofocus on the TextBox at open time)</item>
+///     <item>↑ / ↓ — move the selection</item>
+///     <item>Enter — invoke the highlighted command, then close</item>
+///     <item>Esc — close without invoking</item>
+///   </list>
+/// </summary>
+public partial class CommandPaletteWindow : Window
+{
+    public CommandPaletteWindow()
+    {
+        InitializeComponent();
+        // Autofocus the filter input on open so the operator can start typing
+        // immediately — the whole point of Ctrl+K is "no mouse required".
+        Loaded += (_, _) => FilterBox.Focus();
+        // Closing on click-outside: WindowStyle=None means we don't get the
+        // standard "deactivated" behavior cleanly, but Deactivated still
+        // fires when focus leaves the window (e.g., clicking the main shell).
+        Deactivated += (_, _) => Close();
+    }
+
+    public CommandPaletteWindow(CommandPaletteViewModel vm) : this()
+    {
+        DataContext = vm;
+    }
+
+    private CommandPaletteViewModel Vm => (CommandPaletteViewModel)DataContext;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Window-level key handling. We use PreviewKeyDown so the TextBox's
+    /// internal handling doesn't swallow ↑/↓/Enter before we see them.
+    /// </summary>
+    protected override void OnPreviewKeyDown(System.Windows.Input.KeyEventArgs e)
+    {
+        switch (e.Key)
+        {
+            case Key.Escape:
+                e.Handled = true;
+                Close();
+                break;
+            case Key.Down:
+                e.Handled = true;
+                Vm?.MoveSelection(+1);
+                ScrollSelectedIntoView();
+                break;
+            case Key.Up:
+                e.Handled = true;
+                Vm?.MoveSelection(-1);
+                ScrollSelectedIntoView();
+                break;
+            case Key.Enter:
+                e.Handled = true;
+                var invoked = Vm?.InvokeSelection() ?? false;
+                // Close regardless — Enter on an empty palette is "I'm done";
+                // Enter on a real command means the action fired and the
+                // operator wants to return to the main shell.
+                if (invoked) Close();
+                break;
+            default:
+                base.OnPreviewKeyDown(e);
+                break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void ScrollSelectedIntoView()
+    {
+        if (ResultsList is null) return;
+        var sel = ResultsList.SelectedItem;
+        if (sel is null) return;
+        ResultsList.ScrollIntoView(sel);
+    }
+}