feat(panel): tooltip sweep — tasks, kanban, task assistant, git, work sessions (58 tips, 22 files)

Full import-graph walk per page: filter-chip and plan-section icon
buttons gain their first accessible names, per-state description maps
for git/docs/finding/priority badges, truncation-gated full-value tips,
disabled buttons explain their gate. Stateful Radix triggers use the
task-tabs data-state re-assertion pattern.

panel/src/app/(dashboard)/kanban/page.tsx

@@ -10,6 +10,11 @@ import {
 } from "@/components/kanban";
 import { Tabs, TabsContent, TabsList, TabsTrigger } from "@/components/ui/tabs";
 import { Skeleton } from "@/components/ui/skeleton";
+import {
+  Tooltip,
+  TooltipContent,
+  TooltipTrigger,
+} from "@/components/ui/tooltip";
 import { pickTab } from "@/lib/tabs";
 import { Code, TestTube, GitPullRequest, ClipboardList } from "lucide-react";
 
@@ -35,22 +40,70 @@ function KanbanPageContent() {
     <div className="space-y-6">
       <Tabs value={view} onValueChange={handleViewChange}>
         <TabsList>
-          <TabsTrigger value="dev" className="gap-2">
+          {/* TooltipTrigger's asChild Slot merge clobbers TabsTrigger's own
+              data-state with the tooltip's — re-assert the real selection
+              state explicitly so data-[state=active] styling survives
+              (same fix as task-detail/task-tabs.tsx). */}
+          <Tooltip>
+            <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+              <TabsTrigger
+                value="dev"
+                data-state={view === "dev" ? "active" : "inactive"}
+                className="gap-2"
+              >
                 <Code className="h-4 w-4" />
                 Developer
               </TabsTrigger>
-          <TabsTrigger value="qa" className="gap-2">
+            </TooltipTrigger>
+            <TooltipContent>
+              Tasks claimed and worked by developers — backlog through
+              completion
+            </TooltipContent>
+          </Tooltip>
+          <Tooltip>
+            <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+              <TabsTrigger
+                value="qa"
+                data-state={view === "qa" ? "active" : "inactive"}
+                className="gap-2"
+              >
                 <TestTube className="h-4 w-4" />
                 QA
               </TabsTrigger>
-          <TabsTrigger value="pr-review" className="gap-2">
+            </TooltipTrigger>
+            <TooltipContent>Quality assurance review workflow</TooltipContent>
+          </Tooltip>
+          <Tooltip>
+            <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+              <TabsTrigger
+                value="pr-review"
+                data-state={view === "pr-review" ? "active" : "inactive"}
+                className="gap-2"
+              >
                 <GitPullRequest className="h-4 w-4" />
                 PR Review
               </TabsTrigger>
-          <TabsTrigger value="pm" className="gap-2">
+            </TooltipTrigger>
+            <TooltipContent>
+              In-path PR-review gate for assembled PRs, before the PM merges
+            </TooltipContent>
+          </Tooltip>
+          <Tooltip>
+            <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+              <TabsTrigger
+                value="pm"
+                data-state={view === "pm" ? "active" : "inactive"}
+                className="gap-2"
+              >
                 <ClipboardList className="h-4 w-4" />
                 PM
               </TabsTrigger>
+            </TooltipTrigger>
+            <TooltipContent>
+              Project management overview — every lifecycle state, including
+              recovery states
+            </TooltipContent>
+          </Tooltip>
         </TabsList>
 
         <TabsContent value="dev" className="mt-6">

panel/src/components/git/git-diff-viewer.tsx

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { ScrollArea } from "@/components/ui/scroll-area";
 import { Tabs, TabsContent, TabsList, TabsTrigger } from "@/components/ui/tabs";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { FileCode, FileDiff, WrapText } from "lucide-react";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 
 interface GitDiffViewerProps {
   stagedDiff: GitDiffResponse | undefined;
@@ -124,21 +125,39 @@ export function GitDiffViewer({
         <Tabs defaultValue="unstaged">
           <div className="px-4 border-b">
             <TabsList className="h-9">
+              {/* HelpTip wraps an inner span, never the TabsTrigger itself —
+                  TooltipTrigger's asChild would clobber the trigger's own
+                  data-state and break the active-tab highlight (see
+                  task-tabs.tsx for the fuller writeup of this bug class). */}
               <TabsTrigger value="unstaged" className="text-xs gap-1">
+                <HelpTip label="Files changed on disk that haven't been staged for the next commit yet">
+                  <span className="inline-flex items-center gap-1">
                     Working Directory
                     {unstagedCount > 0 && (
-                  <Badge variant="secondary" className="h-4 px-1 text-[10px]">
+                      <Badge
+                        variant="secondary"
+                        className="h-4 px-1 text-[10px]"
+                      >
                         {unstagedCount}
                       </Badge>
                     )}
+                  </span>
+                </HelpTip>
               </TabsTrigger>
               <TabsTrigger value="staged" className="text-xs gap-1">
+                <HelpTip label="Files staged and ready to be included in the next commit">
+                  <span className="inline-flex items-center gap-1">
                     Staged
                     {stagedCount > 0 && (
-                  <Badge variant="secondary" className="h-4 px-1 text-[10px]">
+                      <Badge
+                        variant="secondary"
+                        className="h-4 px-1 text-[10px]"
+                      >
                         {stagedCount}
                       </Badge>
                     )}
+                  </span>
+                </HelpTip>
               </TabsTrigger>
             </TabsList>
           </div>

panel/src/components/git/git-status-panel.tsx

@@ -14,12 +14,22 @@ import {
   ArrowDown,
   CheckCircle,
 } from "lucide-react";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 
 interface GitStatusPanelProps {
   status: GitStatusResponse | undefined;
   isLoading: boolean;
 }
 
+// Plain-language explanation per file bucket, mirroring the task-status-badge
+// per-state description map so non-git-fluent readers (CEO, PM) know what
+// each section means without having to already know git jargon.
+const FILE_SECTION_DESCRIPTIONS = {
+  staged: "Changes staged and ready to be included in the next commit.",
+  unstaged: "Tracked files with changes not yet staged for commit.",
+  untracked: "New files git isn't tracking yet.",
+} as const;
+
 export function GitStatusPanel({ status, isLoading }: GitStatusPanelProps) {
   if (isLoading) {
     return (
@@ -77,16 +87,20 @@ export function GitStatusPanel({ status, isLoading }: GitStatusPanelProps) {
           {(status.ahead > 0 || status.behind > 0) && (
             <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
               {status.ahead > 0 && (
+                <HelpTip label="Local commits not yet pushed to the remote.">
                   <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-xs">
                     <ArrowUp className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
                     {status.ahead} ahead
                   </Badge>
+                </HelpTip>
               )}
               {status.behind > 0 && (
+                <HelpTip label="Remote commits not yet merged into your local branch.">
                   <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-xs">
                     <ArrowDown className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
                     {status.behind} behind
                   </Badge>
+                </HelpTip>
               )}
             </div>
           )}
@@ -99,9 +113,11 @@ export function GitStatusPanel({ status, isLoading }: GitStatusPanelProps) {
               {/* Staged Files */}
               {status.staged_files.length > 0 && (
                 <div>
-                  <h4 className="text-xs font-semibold text-green-600 uppercase tracking-wider mb-1">
+                  <HelpTip label={FILE_SECTION_DESCRIPTIONS.staged}>
+                    <h4 className="text-xs font-semibold text-green-600 uppercase tracking-wider mb-1 w-fit">
                       Staged ({status.staged_files.length})
                     </h4>
+                  </HelpTip>
                   <div className="space-y-0.5">
                     {status.staged_files.map((file) => (
                       <div
@@ -121,9 +137,11 @@ export function GitStatusPanel({ status, isLoading }: GitStatusPanelProps) {
               {/* Unstaged Files */}
               {status.unstaged_files.length > 0 && (
                 <div>
-                  <h4 className="text-xs font-semibold text-orange-600 uppercase tracking-wider mb-1">
+                  <HelpTip label={FILE_SECTION_DESCRIPTIONS.unstaged}>
+                    <h4 className="text-xs font-semibold text-orange-600 uppercase tracking-wider mb-1 w-fit">
                       Modified ({status.unstaged_files.length})
                     </h4>
+                  </HelpTip>
                   <div className="space-y-0.5">
                     {status.unstaged_files.map((file) => (
                       <div
@@ -143,9 +161,11 @@ export function GitStatusPanel({ status, isLoading }: GitStatusPanelProps) {
               {/* Untracked Files */}
               {status.untracked_files.length > 0 && (
                 <div>
-                  <h4 className="text-xs font-semibold text-blue-600 uppercase tracking-wider mb-1">
+                  <HelpTip label={FILE_SECTION_DESCRIPTIONS.untracked}>
+                    <h4 className="text-xs font-semibold text-blue-600 uppercase tracking-wider mb-1 w-fit">
                       Untracked ({status.untracked_files.length})
                     </h4>
+                  </HelpTip>
                   <div className="space-y-0.5">
                     {status.untracked_files.map((file) => (
                       <div

panel/src/components/kanban/shared/blocked-badge.tsx

@@ -1,13 +1,18 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
+import { taskStatusDescription } from "@/components/tasks/task-status-badge";
+import { TaskStatus } from "@/types";
 import { AlertTriangle } from "lucide-react";
 
 export function BlockedBadge() {
   return (
+    <HelpTip label={taskStatusDescription(TaskStatus.BLOCKED)}>
       <Badge variant="destructive" className="text-xs gap-1">
         <AlertTriangle className="h-3 w-3" />
         Blocked
       </Badge>
+    </HelpTip>
   );
 }

panel/src/components/kanban/shared/priority-indicator.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 
 interface PriorityIndicatorProps {
   priority: number;
@@ -20,10 +21,19 @@ const priorityLabels: Record<number, string> = {
   3: "P3 - Low",
 };
 
+const priorityDescriptions: Record<number, string> = {
+  0: "Highest urgency — work this before anything else.",
+  1: "High urgency — prioritize over P2/P3 work.",
+  2: "Standard priority — the default for most tasks.",
+  3: "Low urgency — fine to defer behind higher-priority work.",
+};
+
 export function PriorityIndicator({ priority }: PriorityIndicatorProps) {
   return (
+    <HelpTip label={priorityDescriptions[priority] ?? priorityDescriptions[2]}>
       <Badge className={priorityColors[priority] ?? priorityColors[2]}>
         {priorityLabels[priority] ?? "P2 - Medium"}
       </Badge>
+    </HelpTip>
   );
 }

panel/src/components/prompter/batch-review-card.tsx

@@ -124,11 +124,16 @@ export function BatchReviewCard({
       <CardHeader className="pb-2">
         <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2">
           <CardTitle className="text-sm font-semibold leading-tight">
-            MegaTask: {batch.title || "Untitled"}
+            <HelpTip label="A MegaTask sequences several related tasks — even across unrelated repos — into conflict-free waves, coordinated by the Main PM as one umbrella.">
+              <span>MegaTask</span>
+            </HelpTip>
+            : {batch.title || "Untitled"}
           </CardTitle>
+          <HelpTip label="Each becomes a real root-subtask with its own project, branch, and PR.">
             <Badge variant="secondary" className="shrink-0 text-xs">
               {batch.drafts.length} tasks
             </Badge>
+          </HelpTip>
         </div>
         <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
           One batch, sequenced into conflict-free waves. Each task keeps its own
@@ -191,7 +196,10 @@ export function BatchReviewCard({
                         : "text-muted-foreground"
                     }`}
                   >
-                    Projects {selected.length === 0 && "— pick at least one"}
+                    <HelpTip label="One repo per delivery cell — checking a different repo in the same cell swaps out the one already selected there.">
+                      <span>Projects</span>
+                    </HelpTip>{" "}
+                    {selected.length === 0 && "— pick at least one"}
                   </p>
                   {CELL_TEAMS.map((cell) => {
                     const repos = scopedByCell(cell);
@@ -231,9 +239,11 @@ export function BatchReviewCard({
         {/* Wave plan — how the batch will be sequenced */}
         {waves && waves.length > 0 && (
           <div className="rounded-md border border-dashed px-3 py-2">
-            <p className="mb-1 text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground">
+            <HelpTip label="Tasks in the same wave don't overlap and run in parallel; a later wave waits for its dependencies in an earlier wave to land first.">
+              <p className="mb-1 w-fit text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground">
                 Wave plan ({waves.length} wave{waves.length === 1 ? "" : "s"})
               </p>
+            </HelpTip>
             <ol className="space-y-0.5">
               {waves.map((wave, w) => (
                 <li
@@ -267,6 +277,7 @@ export function BatchReviewCard({
             Keep chatting
           </Button>
           {/* Board review & Start → the Board reviews the whole batch first */}
+          <HelpTip label="Routes the whole MegaTask through the Product Owner and Head of Marketing for review before any work starts.">
             <Button
               variant="secondary"
               size="sm"
@@ -280,7 +291,9 @@ export function BatchReviewCard({
               )}
               Board review &amp; Start
             </Button>
+          </HelpTip>
           {/* Approve & Start → straight to the Main PM, waves dispatch at once */}
+          <HelpTip label="Skips board review — dispatches wave 1 to the Main PM immediately.">
             <Button
               size="sm"
               onClick={() => onConfirm("main_pm")}
@@ -293,6 +306,7 @@ export function BatchReviewCard({
               )}
               Approve &amp; Start
             </Button>
+          </HelpTip>
         </div>
       </CardContent>
     </Card>

panel/src/components/prompter/board-review-sent-card.tsx

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import {
   CardTitle,
 } from "@/components/ui/card";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 
 interface BoardReviewSentCardProps {
   /** The umbrella task id — the single board-review / CEO-approve unit. */
@@ -52,15 +53,21 @@ export function BoardReviewSentCard({
       <CardContent className="pb-3 space-y-2">
         <p className="text-sm font-medium">{taskTitle}</p>
         <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <HelpTip label="Each is a real root-subtask with its own project, branch, and PR, coordinated by the Main PM.">
             <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-xs">
               {rootSubtaskCount} task{rootSubtaskCount === 1 ? "" : "s"}
             </Badge>
+          </HelpTip>
+          <HelpTip label="Tasks in the same wave don't overlap and run in parallel; later waves wait for their dependencies to land first.">
             <Badge variant="outline" className="text-xs">
               {waveCount} wave{waveCount === 1 ? "" : "s"}
             </Badge>
+          </HelpTip>
+          <HelpTip label={`Full umbrella task ID: ${taskId}`}>
             <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
               ID: {taskId.slice(0, 8)}…
             </span>
+          </HelpTip>
         </div>
         <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
           The Product Owner and Head of Marketing are reviewing this MegaTask.

panel/src/components/prompter/draft-proposal-card.tsx

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import {
 } from "@/components/ui/card";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { CopyButton } from "@/components/ui/copy-button";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 import type { DraftProposal } from "@/lib/api/prompter";
 import type { StartRoute } from "@/hooks/use-prompter";
 
@@ -116,7 +117,13 @@ export function DraftProposalCard({
         {distinctTeams.length > 0 && (
           <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1.5">
             <span className="text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground">
-              {distinctTeams.length > 1 ? "Board-led across" : "Cell:"}
+              {distinctTeams.length > 1 ? (
+                <HelpTip label="This feature spans multiple delivery cells of one product — the Board reviews it before delivery starts.">
+                  <span>Board-led across</span>
+                </HelpTip>
+              ) : (
+                "Cell:"
+              )}
             </span>
             {distinctTeams.map((team) => (
               <Badge key={team} variant="outline" className="text-xs">
@@ -164,6 +171,7 @@ export function DraftProposalCard({
           Keep chatting
         </Button>
         {/* Board review & Start → PENDING, assigned to PO + HoM for review */}
+        <HelpTip label="Routes this task through the Product Owner and Head of Marketing for review before any work starts.">
           <Button
             variant="secondary"
             size="sm"
@@ -177,7 +185,9 @@ export function DraftProposalCard({
             )}
             Board review &amp; Start
           </Button>
+        </HelpTip>
         {/* Approve & Start → PENDING, straight to Main PM (skip the board) */}
+        <HelpTip label="Skips board review — dispatches this task immediately.">
           <Button
             size="sm"
             onClick={() => onStart("main_pm")}
@@ -190,6 +200,7 @@ export function DraftProposalCard({
             )}
             Approve &amp; Start
           </Button>
+        </HelpTip>
       </CardFooter>
     </Card>
   );

panel/src/components/prompter/intake-form.tsx

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import {
 import { useProjects } from "@/hooks/use-projects";
 import { useProducts } from "@/hooks/use-products";
 import type { TargetKind } from "@/hooks/use-prompter";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 
 interface IntakeFormProps {
   targetKind: TargetKind;
@@ -111,14 +112,23 @@ export function IntakeForm({
             onValueChange={(v) => onTargetKind(v as TargetKind)}
           >
             <TabsList className="grid w-full grid-cols-3">
+              {/* Tooltip goes on the inner span, not TabsTrigger itself —
+                  TooltipTrigger's asChild merge would clobber the trigger's
+                  own data-state and break the active-tab highlight. */}
               <TabsTrigger value="project" disabled={isPreparing}>
-                Single cell
+                <HelpTip label="One task delegated to a single delivery cell (Backend, Frontend, or UX/UI) — the common case.">
+                  <span>Single cell</span>
+                </HelpTip>
               </TabsTrigger>
               <TabsTrigger value="product" disabled={isPreparing}>
-                Board-led
+                <HelpTip label="A feature spanning a product's cells — the Product Owner and Head of Marketing review it before delivery starts.">
+                  <span>Board-led</span>
+                </HelpTip>
               </TabsTrigger>
               <TabsTrigger value="megatask" disabled={isPreparing}>
-                MegaTask
+                <HelpTip label="Several related tasks across one or more repos, sequenced into conflict-free waves so independent ones run in parallel.">
+                  <span>MegaTask</span>
+                </HelpTip>
               </TabsTrigger>
             </TabsList>
           </Tabs>
@@ -229,6 +239,20 @@ export function IntakeForm({
           />
         </div>
 
+        {/* Button's own disabled:pointer-events-none would swallow hover, so
+            the tip sits on a wrapping span (a well-worn disabled-tooltip
+            workaround) rather than the Button itself. */}
+        <HelpTip
+          label={
+            !isValid && !isPreparing
+              ? "Pick a scope above and describe what you want to build to continue."
+              : null
+          }
+        >
+          <span
+            className="block w-full"
+            tabIndex={!isValid && !isPreparing ? 0 : undefined}
+          >
             <Button
               className="w-full"
               onClick={onStart}
@@ -243,6 +267,8 @@ export function IntakeForm({
                 "Start chatting"
               )}
             </Button>
+          </span>
+        </HelpTip>
 
         {isPreparing && (
           <div className="space-y-1.5" aria-live="polite">

panel/src/components/prompter/success-card.tsx

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import {
   CardTitle,
 } from "@/components/ui/card";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 import type { Team } from "@/types";
 
 interface SuccessCardProps {
@@ -43,9 +44,11 @@ export function SuccessCard({
           <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-xs">
             {team.replace("_", " ")}
           </Badge>
+          <HelpTip label={`Full task ID: ${taskId}`}>
             <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
               ID: {taskId.slice(0, 8)}…
             </span>
+          </HelpTip>
         </div>
       </CardContent>
 

panel/src/components/tasks/__tests__/create-task-dialog.test.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach, afterEach } from "vitest";
 import { fireEvent, render, screen, waitFor } from "@testing-library/react";
+import userEvent from "@testing-library/user-event";
 
 const { mutateAsync } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
   mutateAsync: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
@@ -204,3 +205,19 @@ describe("CreateTaskDialog — project/product mutual exclusivity (F085)", () =>
     expect(payload.project_id).toBeUndefined();
   });
 });
+
+describe("CreateTaskDialog — Task Type tooltip (W9-5 follow-up)", () => {
+  it("explains what the selected task type produces on hover", async () => {
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    render(<CreateTaskDialog />);
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /New Task/i }));
+
+    // Task Type defaults to CODE; the Collapsible mock renders Advanced
+    // Options open, so the field is reachable without a pointer toggle.
+    await user.hover(screen.getByText("Task Type"));
+
+    expect(await screen.findByRole("tooltip")).toHaveTextContent(
+      /source code changes/i,
+    );
+  });
+});

panel/src/components/tasks/approve-and-start-button.tsx

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
 import { Rocket } from "lucide-react";
 import type { Task } from "@/types";
 import { toast } from "sonner";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 
 interface ApproveAndStartButtonProps {
   task: Task;
@@ -124,9 +125,11 @@ export function ApproveAndStartButton({ task }: ApproveAndStartButtonProps) {
           </div>
 
           <div className="space-y-2">
+            <HelpTip label="Minimum 20 characters — this is the permanent audit record for starting the work.">
               <Label htmlFor="approve-and-start-notes">
                 Approval notes (required)
               </Label>
+            </HelpTip>
             <Textarea
               id="approve-and-start-notes"
               placeholder="Board review read; requirements are clear. Build it..."

panel/src/components/tasks/create-task-dialog.tsx

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ import { DependencySelector } from "./dependency-selector";
 import { TaskSelector } from "./task-selector";
 import { AgentSelector } from "@/components/agents/agent-selector";
 import { ProjectSelector } from "@/components/projects/project-selector";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 
 // Priority options (0=P0 highest, 3=P3 lowest)
 const PRIORITY_OPTIONS = [
@@ -67,6 +68,21 @@ const TASK_TYPE_OPTIONS = [
   { value: TaskType.ADMINISTRATIVE, label: "Administrative" },
 ];
 
+// What each task type produces. All types follow the same full git workflow
+// (branch, commits, PR) — this only classifies the kind of artifact.
+const TASK_TYPE_DESCRIPTIONS: Record<TaskType, string> = {
+  [TaskType.CODE]: "Source code changes. Follows the full git workflow.",
+  [TaskType.DOCUMENTATION]: "Documentation updates. Follows the full git workflow.",
+  [TaskType.RESEARCH]:
+    "Research findings, committed as notes. Follows the full git workflow.",
+  [TaskType.PLANNING]:
+    "Plans or architecture, committed as docs. Follows the full git workflow.",
+  [TaskType.DESIGN]:
+    "Designs or specs, committed as assets. Follows the full git workflow.",
+  [TaskType.ADMINISTRATIVE]:
+    "Process docs, committed as notes. Follows the full git workflow.",
+};
+
 // Initial status options (only PENDING and BACKLOG for creation)
 const STATUS_OPTIONS = [
   { value: TaskStatus.PENDING, label: "Pending (Ready for work)" },
@@ -406,7 +422,9 @@ export function CreateTaskDialog() {
 
                 {/* Task Type */}
                 <div className="space-y-2">
+                  <HelpTip label={TASK_TYPE_DESCRIPTIONS[taskType]}>
                     <Label>Task Type</Label>
+                  </HelpTip>
                   <Select
                     value={taskType}
                     onValueChange={(v) => setTaskType(v as TaskType)}

panel/src/components/tasks/docs-status-badge.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,19 @@
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { FileCheck, GitPullRequest, Check, X } from "lucide-react";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
+
+// The compact badges below abbreviate to a single word ("Docs"/"Pending",
+// "PR"/"Pending") that reads ambiguously out of context — these spell out
+// what each state actually means.
+const DOCS_DESCRIPTIONS = {
+  complete: "Documentation for this task is complete.",
+  pending: "Documentation has not been written yet.",
+};
+const PR_DESCRIPTIONS = {
+  created: "A pull request has been opened for this task.",
+  pending: "No pull request has been opened yet.",
+};
 
 interface DocsStatusBadgeProps {
   docsComplete?: boolean;
@@ -24,6 +37,11 @@ export function DocsStatusBadge({
     return (
       <div className={cn("flex items-center gap-1", className)}>
         {docsComplete !== undefined && (
+          <HelpTip
+            label={
+              docsComplete ? DOCS_DESCRIPTIONS.complete : DOCS_DESCRIPTIONS.pending
+            }
+          >
             <Badge
               variant="outline"
               className={cn(
@@ -36,8 +54,12 @@ export function DocsStatusBadge({
               <FileCheck className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
               {docsComplete ? "Docs" : "Pending"}
             </Badge>
+          </HelpTip>
         )}
         {prCreated !== undefined && (
+          <HelpTip
+            label={prCreated ? PR_DESCRIPTIONS.created : PR_DESCRIPTIONS.pending}
+          >
             <Badge
               variant="outline"
               className={cn(
@@ -50,6 +72,7 @@ export function DocsStatusBadge({
               <GitPullRequest className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
               {prCreated ? "PR" : "Pending"}
             </Badge>
+          </HelpTip>
         )}
       </div>
     );

panel/src/components/tasks/edit-task-dialog.tsx

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import { toast } from "sonner";
 import { MarkdownEditor } from "./markdown-editor";
 import { AgentSelector } from "@/components/agents/agent-selector";
 import { ProjectSelector } from "@/components/projects/project-selector";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 
 // Priority options (0=P0 highest, 3=P3 lowest)
 const PRIORITY_OPTIONS = [
@@ -62,6 +63,21 @@ const TASK_TYPE_OPTIONS = [
   { value: TaskType.ADMINISTRATIVE, label: "Administrative" },
 ];
 
+// What each task type produces. All types follow the same full git workflow
+// (branch, commits, PR) — this only classifies the kind of artifact.
+const TASK_TYPE_DESCRIPTIONS: Record<TaskType, string> = {
+  [TaskType.CODE]: "Source code changes. Follows the full git workflow.",
+  [TaskType.DOCUMENTATION]: "Documentation updates. Follows the full git workflow.",
+  [TaskType.RESEARCH]:
+    "Research findings, committed as notes. Follows the full git workflow.",
+  [TaskType.PLANNING]:
+    "Plans or architecture, committed as docs. Follows the full git workflow.",
+  [TaskType.DESIGN]:
+    "Designs or specs, committed as assets. Follows the full git workflow.",
+  [TaskType.ADMINISTRATIVE]:
+    "Process docs, committed as notes. Follows the full git workflow.",
+};
+
 interface EditTaskDialogProps {
   task: Task;
   open: boolean;
@@ -290,7 +306,9 @@ function EditTaskDialogInner({
 
                 {/* Task Type */}
                 <div className="space-y-2">
+                  <HelpTip label={TASK_TYPE_DESCRIPTIONS[taskType]}>
                     <Label>Task Type</Label>
+                  </HelpTip>
                   <Select
                     value={taskType}
                     onValueChange={(v) => setTaskType(v as TaskType)}

panel/src/components/tasks/git-status-badge.tsx

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { GitBranch, GitPullRequest, FileCheck } from "lucide-react";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { Task, TaskStatus } from "@/types";
 import { branchUrl, pullUrl } from "@/lib/repo-url";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 
 interface GitStatusBadgeProps {
   task: Task;
@@ -59,12 +60,22 @@ export function GitStatusBadge({
     );
   }
 
-  // Parallel phase indicators (for AWAITING_DOCUMENTATION)
+  // Parallel phase indicators (for AWAITING_DOCUMENTATION). In compact mode
+  // these render icon-only (no text at all), so they need a tooltip + an
+  // aria-label to have any accessible name.
   if (task.status === TaskStatus.AWAITING_DOCUMENTATION) {
+    const docsLabel = task.docs_complete
+      ? "Documentation complete"
+      : "Documentation pending";
+    const prLabel = task.pr_created
+      ? "Pull request opened"
+      : "Pull request not yet opened";
     return (
       <div className="flex gap-1">
+        <HelpTip label={docsLabel}>
           <Badge
             variant={task.docs_complete ? "default" : "outline"}
+            aria-label={docsLabel}
             className={`gap-1 text-xs ${
               task.docs_complete
                 ? "bg-green-500/10 text-green-600 dark:text-green-400"
@@ -74,8 +85,11 @@ export function GitStatusBadge({
             <FileCheck className="h-3 w-3" />
             {compact ? "" : "Docs"}
           </Badge>
+        </HelpTip>
+        <HelpTip label={prLabel}>
           <Badge
             variant={task.pr_created ? "default" : "outline"}
+            aria-label={prLabel}
             className={`gap-1 text-xs ${
               task.pr_created
                 ? "bg-green-500/10 text-green-600 dark:text-green-400"
@@ -85,27 +99,35 @@ export function GitStatusBadge({
             <GitPullRequest className="h-3 w-3" />
             {compact ? "" : "PR"}
           </Badge>
+        </HelpTip>
       </div>
     );
   }
 
-  // Show branch badge (when branch exists but no PR yet)
+  // Show branch badge (when branch exists but no PR yet). Compact mode
+  // collapses the label to "Branch", hiding the actual name — surface it in
+  // the tooltip instead of only on hover-to-full-width.
   if (task.branch_name) {
     return (
       <MaybeLink href={branchUrl(repoUrl, task.branch_name)}>
+        <HelpTip label={compact ? task.branch_name : null}>
           <Badge variant="outline" className="gap-1 text-xs">
             <GitBranch className="h-3 w-3" />
             {compact ? "Branch" : task.branch_name}
           </Badge>
+        </HelpTip>
       </MaybeLink>
     );
   }
 
-  // Git task without branch yet
+  // Git task without branch yet — branches are created automatically once
+  // the task is claimed, so this means the task hasn't started work.
   return (
+    <HelpTip label="No branch yet — created automatically once the task is claimed.">
       <Badge variant="outline" className="gap-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
         <GitBranch className="h-3 w-3" />
         {compact ? "Git" : "No branch"}
       </Badge>
+    </HelpTip>
   );
 }

panel/src/components/tasks/markdown-editor.tsx

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
 import { Tabs, TabsList, TabsTrigger } from "@/components/ui/tabs";
 import { Markdown } from "@/components/ui/markdown";
 import { Eye, Edit3 } from "lucide-react";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 
 interface MarkdownEditorProps {
   label: string;
@@ -71,7 +72,9 @@ export function MarkdownEditor({
       )}
 
       <div className="flex items-center justify-between text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+        <HelpTip label="GitHub Flavored Markdown: headings, bold/italic, lists, tables, checkboxes, links, code blocks.">
           <span>Markdown supported</span>
+        </HelpTip>
         {minLength && (
           <span className={value.length < minLength ? "text-destructive" : ""}>
             {value.length}/{minLength} min characters

panel/src/components/tasks/task-detail/__tests__/tab-findings.test.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, it, expect, vi } from "vitest";
 import { render, screen } from "@testing-library/react";
+import userEvent from "@testing-library/user-event";
 import React from "react";
 import { TaskStatus, Team, TaskType, type Task } from "@/types";
 import type { TaskFindingsResponse } from "@/lib/api/tasks";
@@ -140,4 +141,42 @@ describe("TabFindings", () => {
       screen.getByText("… 500 more not shown (501 total)"),
     ).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
+
+  it("explains a severity badge on hover", async () => {
+    const response: TaskFindingsResponse = {
+      findings: [
+        {
+          id: "dddddddd-0000-0000-0000-000000000000",
+          task_id: "t1",
+          origin: "qa",
+          round: 1,
+          author_slug: "be-qa",
+          file: null,
+          line: null,
+          severity: "blocker",
+          criterion: null,
+          expected: "x",
+          actual: "y",
+          fix: null,
+          evidence: null,
+          status: "open",
+          addressed_by_commit: null,
+          resolution_note: null,
+          created_at: "2026-07-11T00:00:00Z",
+          updated_at: null,
+        },
+      ],
+      summary: [],
+      total: 1,
+      truncated: false,
+    };
+    useTaskFindings.mockReturnValue({ data: response, isLoading: false });
+    render(<TabFindings task={buildTask()} />);
+
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    await user.hover(screen.getByText("blocker"));
+    expect(await screen.findByRole("tooltip")).toHaveTextContent(
+      "Must be fixed before this task can pass review.",
+    );
+  });
 });

panel/src/components/tasks/task-detail/__tests__/task-description.test.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, it, expect, vi } from "vitest";
 import { render, screen, fireEvent } from "@testing-library/react";
+import userEvent from "@testing-library/user-event";
 import React from "react";
 import { TaskStatus, Team, TaskType, type Task } from "@/types";
 
@@ -96,4 +97,18 @@ describe("TaskDescription", () => {
     fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("tab", { name: /preview/i }));
     expect(screen.getByText("Editable text.")).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
+
+  it("explains the icon-only cancel button on hover", async () => {
+    const task = buildTask({ description: "Editable text." });
+    render(<TaskDescription task={task} />);
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /^edit$/i }));
+    const cancelButton = screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Cancel edit" });
+
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    await user.hover(cancelButton);
+    expect(await screen.findByRole("tooltip")).toHaveTextContent(
+      "Discard changes without saving",
+    );
+  });
 });

panel/src/components/tasks/task-detail/commit-card.tsx

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ import { Card, CardContent } from "@/components/ui/card";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { GitCommit, Clock, User } from "lucide-react";
 import { getAgentDisplayName } from "@/lib/agent-utils";
+import { formatAbsoluteTimestamp } from "@/lib/utils";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 
 interface CommitCardProps {
   commit: CommitRef;
@@ -44,9 +46,11 @@ export function CommitCard({ commit }: CommitCardProps) {
               {/* Meta info */}
               <div className="flex items-center gap-3 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
                 {/* Hash */}
+                <HelpTip label="Short git commit hash (first 7 characters)">
                   <Badge variant="outline" className="font-mono text-xs">
                     {commit.hash.slice(0, 7)}
                   </Badge>
+                </HelpTip>
 
                 {/* Author */}
                 {commit.author_agent_id && (
@@ -57,10 +61,12 @@ export function CommitCard({ commit }: CommitCardProps) {
                 )}
 
                 {/* Time */}
+                <HelpTip label={formatAbsoluteTimestamp(commit.timestamp)}>
                   <span className="flex items-center gap-1">
                     <Clock className="h-3 w-3" />
                     {formatTime(commit.timestamp)}
                   </span>
+                </HelpTip>
               </div>
             </div>
           </div>

panel/src/components/tasks/task-detail/tab-collision.tsx

@@ -1,13 +1,21 @@
 "use client";
 
-import { Task } from "@/types";
+import { Task, TaskStatus } from "@/types";
 import { useTaskCollisionMap } from "@/hooks/use-tasks";
 import type { CollisionMap, CollisionSibling } from "@/lib/api/tasks";
 import { Card, CardContent } from "@/components/ui/card";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { Skeleton } from "@/components/ui/skeleton";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
+import { taskStatusDescription } from "../task-status-badge";
 import { GitBranch, AlertTriangle } from "lucide-react";
 
+// Reused verbatim in both the declared-surface card and each sibling card.
+const MIGRATION_TIP =
+  "Adds a database migration. Migrations apply in a fixed order, so colliding siblings that also add one are chained serially.";
+const SHARED_TIP =
+  "Touches a shared/common file surface. Siblings editing the same shared surface are sequenced to avoid collisions.";
+
 interface TabCollisionProps {
   task: Task;
 }
@@ -55,11 +63,13 @@ function SiblingCard({ sib }: { sib: CollisionSibling }) {
           {sib.title && (
             <span className="text-sm font-medium truncate">{sib.title}</span>
           )}
+          <HelpTip label={taskStatusDescription(sib.status as TaskStatus)}>
             <Badge
               className={STATUS_CLASS[sib.status] ?? STATUS_CLASS.pending}
             >
               {sib.status}
             </Badge>
+          </HelpTip>
           {sib.branch_name && (
             <code className="text-xs text-muted-foreground flex items-center gap-1">
               <GitBranch className="h-3 w-3" />
@@ -70,19 +80,25 @@ function SiblingCard({ sib }: { sib: CollisionSibling }) {
             <Badge variant="outline">#{sib.pr_number}</Badge>
           )}
           {sib.adds_migration && (
+            <HelpTip label={MIGRATION_TIP}>
               <Badge variant="outline" className="text-amber-700">
                 +migration
               </Badge>
+            </HelpTip>
           )}
           {sib.touches_shared && (
+            <HelpTip label={SHARED_TIP}>
               <Badge variant="outline" className="text-orange-700">
                 shared
               </Badge>
+            </HelpTip>
           )}
           {sib.sequence != null && (
+            <HelpTip label="Delegation sequence — siblings with a lower sequence must reach a terminal state before this one can be claimed.">
               <span className="ml-auto text-xs text-muted-foreground">
                 seq {sib.sequence}
               </span>
+            </HelpTip>
           )}
         </div>
 
@@ -219,14 +235,18 @@ function DeclaredSurfaceCard({ data }: { data: CollisionMap }) {
             )}
             <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
               {data.adds_migration && (
+                <HelpTip label={MIGRATION_TIP}>
                   <Badge variant="outline" className="text-amber-700">
                     adds migration
                   </Badge>
+                </HelpTip>
               )}
               {data.touches_shared && (
+                <HelpTip label={SHARED_TIP}>
                   <Badge variant="outline" className="text-orange-700">
                     touches shared
                   </Badge>
+                </HelpTip>
               )}
             </div>
           </>

panel/src/components/tasks/task-detail/tab-findings.tsx

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import type { TaskFinding } from "@/lib/api/tasks";
 import { Card, CardContent } from "@/components/ui/card";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { Skeleton } from "@/components/ui/skeleton";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 import { ListChecks } from "lucide-react";
 import { CodeSnippet } from "@/components/git/code-snippet";
 
@@ -38,6 +39,22 @@ const ORIGIN_LABEL: Record<string, string> = {
   ceo: "CEO",
 };
 
+// Per-state description maps (task-status-badge.tsx idiom), local to the
+// findings-ledger domain (roboco/foundation/policy/conventions/findings.py).
+const SEVERITY_DESCRIPTIONS: Record<string, string> = {
+  blocker: "Must be fixed before this task can pass review.",
+  major: "A significant defect; should be fixed but isn't review-blocking alone.",
+  minor: "A smaller defect worth fixing.",
+  nit: "A nitpick — cosmetic or stylistic; fix if convenient.",
+};
+
+const STATUS_DESCRIPTIONS: Record<string, string> = {
+  open: "Not yet addressed by the assignee.",
+  addressed: "The assignee says this is fixed — awaiting reviewer verification.",
+  verified: "A reviewer confirmed the fix.",
+  waived: "Explicitly waived — no fix required.",
+};
+
 function FindingCard({
   finding,
   branch,
@@ -49,12 +66,16 @@ function FindingCard({
     <Card>
       <CardContent className="pt-4 space-y-2">
         <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2">
+          <HelpTip label={SEVERITY_DESCRIPTIONS[finding.severity]}>
             <Badge className={SEVERITY_CLASS[finding.severity] ?? SEVERITY_CLASS.nit}>
               {finding.severity}
             </Badge>
+          </HelpTip>
+          <HelpTip label={STATUS_DESCRIPTIONS[finding.status]}>
             <Badge variant="outline" className={STATUS_CLASS[finding.status]}>
               {finding.status}
             </Badge>
+          </HelpTip>
           {finding.file && (
             <code className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
               {finding.file}
@@ -67,9 +88,11 @@ function FindingCard({
             </span>
           )}
           {finding.addressed_by_commit && (
+            <HelpTip label="Short git commit hash (first 7 characters) that addressed this finding">
               <code className="ml-auto text-xs text-muted-foreground">
                 {finding.addressed_by_commit.slice(0, 7)}
               </code>
+            </HelpTip>
           )}
         </div>
         {finding.file && (

panel/src/components/tasks/task-detail/tab-overview.tsx

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { WorkSessionCard } from "./work-session-card";
 import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle } from "@/components/ui/card";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { Markdown } from "@/components/ui/markdown";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 import Link from "next/link";
 
 interface TabOverviewProps {
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ export function TabOverview({ task }: TabOverviewProps) {
           <CardContent className="py-3">
             <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm">
               <span className="text-muted-foreground">Subtask of:</span>
+              <HelpTip label={task.parent_task_id}>
                 <Link
                   prefetch={false}
                   href={`/tasks/${task.parent_task_id}`}
@@ -30,6 +32,7 @@ export function TabOverview({ task }: TabOverviewProps) {
                 >
                   Parent Task #{task.parent_task_id.slice(0, 8)}
                 </Link>
+              </HelpTip>
             </div>
           </CardContent>
         </Card>

panel/src/components/tasks/task-detail/tab-plan.tsx

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
 import { Textarea } from "@/components/ui/textarea";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { Checkbox } from "@/components/ui/checkbox";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 import { Tabs, TabsList, TabsTrigger } from "@/components/ui/tabs";
 import { Markdown } from "@/components/ui/markdown";
 import { CollapsibleSection } from "./collapsible-section";
@@ -46,6 +47,15 @@ const severityColors: Record<string, string> = {
   high: "bg-red-100 text-red-700 dark:bg-red-900 dark:text-red-300",
 };
 
+// Plain-language explanation per risk severity, in the per-state description
+// map idiom (see task-status-badge.tsx) — local to this domain since risk
+// severity isn't the shared TaskStatus enum.
+const severityDescriptions: Record<string, string> = {
+  low: "Low risk — unlikely to happen or easy to recover from.",
+  medium: "Medium risk — worth watching; could cause moderate rework.",
+  high: "High risk — likely or costly; needs an explicit mitigation plan.",
+};
+
 // Generate a simple unique ID
 function generateId(): string {
   return `${Date.now()}-${Math.random().toString(36).slice(2, 11)}`;
@@ -131,9 +141,16 @@ function ApproachSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
                 </TabsTrigger>
               </TabsList>
             </Tabs>
-            <Button size="sm" variant="ghost" onClick={handleCancel}>
+            <HelpTip label="Discard changes without saving">
+              <Button
+                size="sm"
+                variant="ghost"
+                onClick={handleCancel}
+                aria-label="Cancel"
+              >
                 <X className="h-4 w-4" />
               </Button>
+            </HelpTip>
             <Button
               size="sm"
               onClick={handleSave}
@@ -340,14 +357,17 @@ function SubTasksSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
                       </Badge>
                     )}
                   </span>
+                  <HelpTip label="Delete this sub-task">
                     <Button
                       size="sm"
                       variant="ghost"
                       onClick={() => handleDelete(subtask.id)}
                       className="h-7 w-7 p-0 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 text-destructive"
+                      aria-label="Delete sub-task"
                     >
                       <Trash2 className="h-3 w-3" />
                     </Button>
+                  </HelpTip>
                 </>
               )}
             </div>
@@ -369,6 +389,7 @@ function SubTasksSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
               placeholder="Add sub-task..."
               className="h-8 text-sm flex-1"
             />
+            <HelpTip label="Discard and cancel">
               <Button
                 size="sm"
                 variant="ghost"
@@ -377,18 +398,23 @@ function SubTasksSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
                   setIsAdding(false);
                 }}
                 className="h-7 w-7 p-0"
+                aria-label="Cancel"
               >
                 <X className="h-4 w-4" />
               </Button>
+            </HelpTip>
+            <HelpTip label="Add sub-task">
               <Button
                 size="sm"
                 onClick={handleAdd}
                 onMouseDown={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
                 disabled={!newTitle.trim()}
                 className="h-7 w-7 p-0"
+                aria-label="Add sub-task"
               >
                 <Check className="h-4 w-4" />
               </Button>
+            </HelpTip>
           </div>
         )}
         {subTasks.length === 0 && !isAdding && (
@@ -519,14 +545,17 @@ function TechConsiderationsSection({
                 >
                   {item}
                 </span>
+                <HelpTip label="Delete this consideration">
                   <Button
                     size="sm"
                     variant="ghost"
                     onClick={() => handleDelete(idx)}
                     className="h-7 w-7 p-0 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 text-destructive"
+                    aria-label="Delete consideration"
                   >
                     <Trash2 className="h-3 w-3" />
                   </Button>
+                </HelpTip>
               </>
             )}
           </li>
@@ -548,6 +577,7 @@ function TechConsiderationsSection({
               placeholder="Add consideration..."
               className="h-8 text-sm flex-1"
             />
+            <HelpTip label="Discard and cancel">
               <Button
                 size="sm"
                 variant="ghost"
@@ -556,18 +586,23 @@ function TechConsiderationsSection({
                   setIsAdding(false);
                 }}
                 className="h-7 w-7 p-0"
+                aria-label="Cancel"
               >
                 <X className="h-4 w-4" />
               </Button>
+            </HelpTip>
+            <HelpTip label="Add consideration">
               <Button
                 size="sm"
                 onClick={handleAdd}
                 onMouseDown={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
                 disabled={!newItem.trim()}
                 className="h-7 w-7 p-0"
+                aria-label="Add consideration"
               >
                 <Check className="h-4 w-4" />
               </Button>
+            </HelpTip>
           </li>
         )}
       </ul>
@@ -709,20 +744,26 @@ function RisksSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
                   </SelectContent>
                 </Select>
                 <div className="flex-1" />
+                <HelpTip label="Discard and cancel">
                   <Button
                     size="sm"
                     variant="ghost"
                     onClick={() => setEditingIdx(null)}
+                    aria-label="Cancel"
                   >
                     <X className="h-4 w-4" />
                   </Button>
+                </HelpTip>
+                <HelpTip label="Save changes">
                   <Button
                     size="sm"
                     onClick={handleEdit}
                     onMouseDown={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
+                    aria-label="Save changes"
                   >
                     <Check className="h-4 w-4" />
                   </Button>
+                </HelpTip>
               </div>
             </div>
           ) : (
@@ -740,10 +781,13 @@ function RisksSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
                 <span className="font-medium text-sm">{risk.description}</span>
                 <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
                   {risk.severity && (
+                    <HelpTip label={severityDescriptions[risk.severity]}>
                       <Badge className={severityColors[risk.severity]}>
                         {risk.severity}
                       </Badge>
+                    </HelpTip>
                   )}
+                  <HelpTip label="Delete this risk">
                     <Button
                       size="sm"
                       variant="ghost"
@@ -752,9 +796,11 @@ function RisksSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
                         handleDelete(idx);
                       }}
                       className="h-7 w-7 p-0 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 text-destructive"
+                      aria-label="Delete risk"
                     >
                       <Trash2 className="h-3 w-3" />
                     </Button>
+                  </HelpTip>
                 </div>
               </div>
               <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
@@ -791,6 +837,7 @@ function RisksSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
                 </SelectContent>
               </Select>
               <div className="flex-1" />
+              <HelpTip label="Discard and cancel">
                 <Button
                   size="sm"
                   variant="ghost"
@@ -799,17 +846,22 @@ function RisksSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
                     setNewMit("");
                     setIsAdding(false);
                   }}
+                  aria-label="Cancel"
                 >
                   <X className="h-4 w-4" />
                 </Button>
+              </HelpTip>
+              <HelpTip label="Add risk">
                 <Button
                   size="sm"
                   onClick={handleAdd}
                   onMouseDown={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
                   disabled={!newDesc.trim()}
+                  aria-label="Add risk"
                 >
                   <Check className="h-4 w-4" />
                 </Button>
+              </HelpTip>
             </div>
           </div>
         )}
@@ -938,20 +990,26 @@ function OpenQuestionsSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
               />
               <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
                 <div className="flex-1" />
+                <HelpTip label="Discard and cancel">
                   <Button
                     size="sm"
                     variant="ghost"
                     onClick={() => setEditingIdx(null)}
+                    aria-label="Cancel"
                   >
                     <X className="h-4 w-4" />
                   </Button>
+                </HelpTip>
+                <HelpTip label="Save changes">
                   <Button
                     size="sm"
                     onClick={handleEdit}
                     onMouseDown={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
+                    aria-label="Save changes"
                   >
                     <Check className="h-4 w-4" />
                   </Button>
+                </HelpTip>
               </div>
             </div>
           ) : (
@@ -967,6 +1025,7 @@ function OpenQuestionsSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
               <div className="flex items-start gap-2 mb-2">
                 <HelpCircle className="h-5 w-5 text-yellow-500 shrink-0 mt-0.5" />
                 <span className="font-medium text-sm flex-1">{q.question}</span>
+                <HelpTip label="Delete this question">
                   <Button
                     size="sm"
                     variant="ghost"
@@ -975,9 +1034,11 @@ function OpenQuestionsSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
                       handleDelete(idx);
                     }}
                     className="h-7 w-7 p-0 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 text-destructive"
+                    aria-label="Delete question"
                   >
                     <Trash2 className="h-3 w-3" />
                   </Button>
+                </HelpTip>
               </div>
               {q.answer ? (
                 <div className="ml-7 text-sm">
@@ -1019,6 +1080,7 @@ function OpenQuestionsSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
             />
             <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
               <div className="flex-1" />
+              <HelpTip label="Discard and cancel">
                 <Button
                   size="sm"
                   variant="ghost"
@@ -1026,17 +1088,22 @@ function OpenQuestionsSection({ task, plan }: { task: Task; plan: TaskPlan }) {
                     setNewQuestion("");
                     setIsAdding(false);
                   }}
+                  aria-label="Cancel"
                 >
                   <X className="h-4 w-4" />
                 </Button>
+              </HelpTip>
+              <HelpTip label="Add question">
                 <Button
                   size="sm"
                   onClick={handleAdd}
                   onMouseDown={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
                   disabled={!newQuestion.trim()}
+                  aria-label="Add question"
                 >
                   <Check className="h-4 w-4" />
                 </Button>
+              </HelpTip>
             </div>
           </div>
         )}

panel/src/components/tasks/task-detail/task-action-dialogs.tsx

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import {
 import { Textarea } from "@/components/ui/textarea";
 import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
 import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 import {
   Select,
   SelectContent,
@@ -194,6 +195,15 @@ export function ApproveAndMergeDialog({
   );
 }
 
+// Explains a minChars-gated disabled submit button — the character counter
+// beneath the textarea already states the minimum, but not how many more
+// characters are still needed to cross it.
+function remainingCharsTip(current: number, min: number): string {
+  const remaining = min - current;
+  if (remaining <= 0) return "";
+  return `Needs ${remaining} more character${remaining === 1 ? "" : "s"} to enable`;
+}
+
 // CEO Approve Dialog — the sign-off note is the audit record for merging to
 // production, so it is REQUIRED and must be substantive (>= 20 chars), matching
 // the server's CEO_NOTES_REQUIRED gate.
@@ -256,9 +266,11 @@ export function CeoApproveDialog({
           <Button variant="outline" onClick={() => handleOpenChange(false)}>
             Cancel
           </Button>
+          <HelpTip label={remainingCharsTip(notes.trim().length, _CEO_NOTES_MIN)}>
             <Button onClick={handleConfirm} disabled={tooShort || isPending}>
               {isPending ? "Approving..." : "Approve & Merge"}
             </Button>
+          </HelpTip>
         </DialogFooter>
       </DialogContent>
     </Dialog>
@@ -335,6 +347,7 @@ export function RequiredNotesDialog({
           <Button variant="outline" onClick={() => handleOpenChange(false)}>
             Cancel
           </Button>
+          <HelpTip label={remainingCharsTip(text.trim().length, minChars)}>
             <Button
               variant={destructive ? "destructive" : "default"}
               onClick={handleConfirm}
@@ -342,6 +355,7 @@ export function RequiredNotesDialog({
             >
               {isPending ? "Working..." : confirmLabel}
             </Button>
+          </HelpTip>
         </DialogFooter>
       </DialogContent>
     </Dialog>

panel/src/components/tasks/task-detail/task-description.tsx

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { Textarea } from "@/components/ui/textarea";
 import { Tabs, TabsList, TabsTrigger } from "@/components/ui/tabs";
 import { Markdown } from "@/components/ui/markdown";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 import { CollapsibleSection } from "./collapsible-section";
 import { Edit3, Eye, Check, X, ShieldAlert } from "lucide-react";
 import { toast } from "sonner";
@@ -102,14 +103,17 @@ export function TaskDescription({ task }: TaskDescriptionProps) {
                   </TabsTrigger>
                 </TabsList>
               </Tabs>
+              <HelpTip label="Discard changes without saving">
                 <Button
                   size="sm"
                   variant="ghost"
                   onClick={handleCancel}
                   disabled={updateTask.isPending}
+                  aria-label="Cancel edit"
                 >
                   <X className="h-4 w-4" />
                 </Button>
+              </HelpTip>
               <Button
                 size="sm"
                 onClick={handleSave}

panel/src/components/tasks/task-detail/task-metadata.tsx

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ import { toast } from "sonner";
 import { getAgentDisplayName, resolveToSlug } from "@/lib/agent-utils";
 import { branchUrl } from "@/lib/repo-url";
 import { CopyButton } from "@/components/ui/copy-button";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 import { TaskTypeBadge } from "../task-type-badge";
 import { DocsStatusBadge } from "../docs-status-badge";
 import Link from "next/link";
@@ -333,7 +334,9 @@ export function TaskMetadata({ task }: TaskMetadataProps) {
               <Hash className="h-4 w-4" />
               Sequence
             </div>
+            <HelpTip label="Delegation order among same-parent siblings — a sibling with a strictly lower sequence must reach a terminal state before this task can be claimed. Ties run in parallel.">
               <span className="font-medium">#{task.sequence}</span>
+            </HelpTip>
           </CardContent>
         </Card>
       )}
@@ -425,6 +428,13 @@ export function TaskMetadata({ task }: TaskMetadataProps) {
             <Briefcase className="h-4 w-4" />
             Nature
           </div>
+          <HelpTip
+            label={
+              task.nature === TaskNature.TECHNICAL
+                ? "Code/dev work — routes through the normal PM chain."
+                : "Strategic work (product/marketing) — routes to the Board for review."
+            }
+          >
             <Badge
               variant="outline"
               className={
@@ -437,6 +447,7 @@ export function TaskMetadata({ task }: TaskMetadataProps) {
                 ? "Technical"
                 : "Non-Technical"}
             </Badge>
+          </HelpTip>
         </CardContent>
       </Card>
 

panel/src/components/tasks/task-detail/work-session-card.tsx

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle } from "@/components/ui/card";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { Skeleton } from "@/components/ui/skeleton";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 import {
   GitBranch,
   GitPullRequest,
@@ -17,34 +18,57 @@ import {
 } from "lucide-react";
 import Link from "next/link";
 import { formatDistanceToNow } from "date-fns";
+import { formatAbsoluteTimestamp } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { WorkSessionStatus } from "@/types";
 
 interface WorkSessionCardProps {
   taskId: string;
 }
 
+// Per-state description maps (task-status-badge.tsx idiom), local to the
+// WorkSession domain — a distinct lifecycle from TaskStatus.
+const SESSION_STATUS_DESCRIPTIONS: Record<string, string> = {
+  [WorkSessionStatus.ACTIVE]: "This session's branch is still being worked on.",
+  [WorkSessionStatus.COMPLETED]: "The branch was merged and the session closed out.",
+  [WorkSessionStatus.ABANDONED]: "The session was dropped without merging.",
+};
+
+const PR_STATUS_DESCRIPTIONS: Record<string, string> = {
+  open: "The pull request is open and awaiting review or merge.",
+  merged: "The pull request was merged.",
+  closed: "The pull request was closed without merging.",
+  draft: "The pull request is a draft, not yet ready for review.",
+};
+
 function getStatusBadge(status: WorkSessionStatus) {
+  const tip = SESSION_STATUS_DESCRIPTIONS[status] ?? "";
   switch (status) {
     case WorkSessionStatus.ACTIVE:
       return (
+        <HelpTip label={tip}>
           <Badge className="bg-blue-500/10 text-blue-500">
             <Clock className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
             Active
           </Badge>
+        </HelpTip>
       );
     case WorkSessionStatus.COMPLETED:
       return (
+        <HelpTip label={tip}>
           <Badge className="bg-green-500/10 text-green-500">
             <CheckCircle2 className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
             Completed
           </Badge>
+        </HelpTip>
       );
     case WorkSessionStatus.ABANDONED:
       return (
+        <HelpTip label={tip}>
           <Badge variant="destructive">
             <XCircle className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
             Abandoned
           </Badge>
+        </HelpTip>
       );
     default:
       return <Badge variant="outline">{status}</Badge>;
@@ -53,35 +77,44 @@ function getStatusBadge(status: WorkSessionStatus) {
 
 function getPRStatusBadge(prStatus: string | null) {
   if (!prStatus) return null;
+  const tip = PR_STATUS_DESCRIPTIONS[prStatus] ?? "";
 
   switch (prStatus) {
     case "open":
       return (
+        <HelpTip label={tip}>
           <Badge className="bg-green-500/10 text-green-500">
             <GitPullRequest className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
             Open
           </Badge>
+        </HelpTip>
       );
     case "merged":
       return (
+        <HelpTip label={tip}>
           <Badge className="bg-purple-500/10 text-purple-500">
             <GitPullRequest className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
             Merged
           </Badge>
+        </HelpTip>
       );
     case "closed":
       return (
+        <HelpTip label={tip}>
           <Badge variant="destructive">
             <GitPullRequest className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
             Closed
           </Badge>
+        </HelpTip>
       );
     case "draft":
       return (
+        <HelpTip label={tip}>
           <Badge variant="outline">
             <GitPullRequest className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
             Draft
           </Badge>
+        </HelpTip>
       );
     default:
       return (
@@ -181,12 +214,14 @@ export function WorkSessionCard({ taskId }: WorkSessionCardProps) {
                   {getPRStatusBadge(session.pr_status)}
                 </div>
                 {session.pr_created_at && (
-                  <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                  <HelpTip label={formatAbsoluteTimestamp(session.pr_created_at)}>
+                    <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground w-fit">
                       Created{" "}
                       {formatDistanceToNow(new Date(session.pr_created_at), {
                         addSuffix: true,
                       })}
                     </p>
+                  </HelpTip>
                 )}
               </div>
             </div>
@@ -221,12 +256,14 @@ export function WorkSessionCard({ taskId }: WorkSessionCardProps) {
               {session.files_modified.length !== 1 ? "s" : ""}
             </span>
           </div>
-          <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground ml-auto">
+          <HelpTip label={formatAbsoluteTimestamp(session.started_at)}>
+            <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground ml-auto w-fit">
               Started{" "}
               {formatDistanceToNow(new Date(session.started_at), {
                 addSuffix: true,
               })}
             </div>
+          </HelpTip>
         </div>
 
         {/* View Full Session Link */}

panel/src/components/tasks/task-filters.tsx

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import {
   PopoverTrigger,
 } from "@/components/ui/popover";
 import { ChevronDown, X } from "lucide-react";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
 
 interface TaskFiltersProps {
   searchQuery: string;
@@ -403,46 +404,61 @@ export function TaskFilters({
             {statusFilter.map((status) => (
               <Badge key={status} variant="secondary" className="gap-1">
                 {STATUS_LABELS[status]}
+                <HelpTip label="Remove this filter">
                   <X
                     className="h-3 w-3 cursor-pointer hover:text-destructive"
                     onClick={() => toggleStatus(status)}
+                    aria-label={`Remove ${STATUS_LABELS[status]} filter`}
                   />
+                </HelpTip>
               </Badge>
             ))}
             {teamFilter.map((team) => (
               <Badge key={team} variant="secondary" className="gap-1">
                 {TEAM_LABELS[team]}
+                <HelpTip label="Remove this filter">
                   <X
                     className="h-3 w-3 cursor-pointer hover:text-destructive"
                     onClick={() => toggleTeam(team)}
+                    aria-label={`Remove ${TEAM_LABELS[team]} filter`}
                   />
+                </HelpTip>
               </Badge>
             ))}
             {taskTypeFilter.map((type) => (
               <Badge key={type} variant="secondary" className="gap-1">
                 {TASK_TYPE_LABELS[type]}
+                <HelpTip label="Remove this filter">
                   <X
                     className="h-3 w-3 cursor-pointer hover:text-destructive"
                     onClick={() => toggleTaskType(type)}
+                    aria-label={`Remove ${TASK_TYPE_LABELS[type]} filter`}
                   />
+                </HelpTip>
               </Badge>
             ))}
             {projectFilter.map((id) => (
               <Badge key={id} variant="secondary" className="gap-1">
                 {projectLabel(id)}
+                <HelpTip label="Remove this filter">
                   <X
                     className="h-3 w-3 cursor-pointer hover:text-destructive"
                     onClick={() => toggleProject(id)}
+                    aria-label={`Remove ${projectLabel(id)} filter`}
                   />
+                </HelpTip>
               </Badge>
             ))}
             {productFilter.map((id) => (
               <Badge key={id} variant="secondary" className="gap-1">
                 {productLabel(id)}
+                <HelpTip label="Remove this filter">
                   <X
                     className="h-3 w-3 cursor-pointer hover:text-destructive"
                     onClick={() => toggleProduct(id)}
+                    aria-label={`Remove ${productLabel(id)} filter`}
                   />
+                </HelpTip>
               </Badge>
             ))}
             {(statusFilter.length > 0 ||

panel/src/components/tasks/task-selector.tsx

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ import {
 } from "@/components/ui/select";
 import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 import { ListTree, X } from "lucide-react";
+import { HelpTip } from "@/components/ui/help-tip";
+import { taskStatusDescription } from "./task-status-badge";
 
 interface TaskSelectorProps {
   value: string | null;
@@ -33,6 +35,20 @@ const STATUS_COLORS: Partial<Record<TaskStatus, string>> = {
   [TaskStatus.COMPLETED]: "bg-green-100 text-green-700",
 };
 
+// Title is truncated for layout; surface the untruncated text on hover
+// rather than only when the row happens to be wide enough. No tip when
+// nothing was actually cut.
+function TaskTitleCell({ title, maxLen }: { title: string; maxLen: number }) {
+  const cut = title.length > maxLen;
+  return (
+    <HelpTip label={cut ? title : null}>
+      <span className="truncate">
+        {cut ? `${title.slice(0, maxLen)}...` : title}
+      </span>
+    </HelpTip>
+  );
+}
+
 export function TaskSelector({
   value,
   onChange,
@@ -114,11 +130,6 @@ export function TaskSelector({
     }
   };
 
-  const truncateTitle = (title: string, maxLen = 40) => {
-    if (title.length <= maxLen) return title;
-    return title.slice(0, maxLen) + "...";
-  };
-
   return (
     <Select
       value={value || ""}
@@ -130,9 +141,7 @@ export function TaskSelector({
           {selectedTask ? (
             <div className="flex items-center gap-2 overflow-hidden">
               <ListTree className="h-4 w-4 shrink-0" />
-              <span className="truncate">
+              <TaskTitleCell title={selectedTask.title} maxLen={40} />
-                {truncateTitle(selectedTask.title)}
-              </span>
             </div>
           ) : (
             placeholder
@@ -156,15 +165,15 @@ export function TaskSelector({
             {groupedTasks.board.slice(0, 10).map((task) => (
               <SelectItem key={task.id} value={task.id}>
                 <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-                  <span className="truncate">
+                  <TaskTitleCell title={task.title} maxLen={30} />
-                    {truncateTitle(task.title, 30)}
+                  <HelpTip label={taskStatusDescription(task.status)}>
-                  </span>
                     <Badge
                       variant="secondary"
                       className={`text-xs ${STATUS_COLORS[task.status] || ""}`}
                     >
                       {task.status.replace(/_/g, " ")}
                     </Badge>
+                  </HelpTip>
                 </div>
               </SelectItem>
             ))}
@@ -178,15 +187,15 @@ export function TaskSelector({
             {groupedTasks.main_pm.slice(0, 10).map((task) => (
               <SelectItem key={task.id} value={task.id}>
                 <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-                  <span className="truncate">
+                  <TaskTitleCell title={task.title} maxLen={30} />
-                    {truncateTitle(task.title, 30)}
+                  <HelpTip label={taskStatusDescription(task.status)}>
-                  </span>
                     <Badge
                       variant="secondary"
                       className={`text-xs ${STATUS_COLORS[task.status] || ""}`}
                     >
                       {task.status.replace(/_/g, " ")}
                     </Badge>
+                  </HelpTip>
                 </div>
               </SelectItem>
             ))}
@@ -200,15 +209,15 @@ export function TaskSelector({
             {groupedTasks.backend.slice(0, 10).map((task) => (
               <SelectItem key={task.id} value={task.id}>
                 <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-                  <span className="truncate">
+                  <TaskTitleCell title={task.title} maxLen={30} />
-                    {truncateTitle(task.title, 30)}
+                  <HelpTip label={taskStatusDescription(task.status)}>
-                  </span>
                     <Badge
                       variant="secondary"
                       className={`text-xs ${STATUS_COLORS[task.status] || ""}`}
                     >
                       {task.status.replace(/_/g, " ")}
                     </Badge>
+                  </HelpTip>
                 </div>
               </SelectItem>
             ))}
@@ -222,15 +231,15 @@ export function TaskSelector({
             {groupedTasks.frontend.slice(0, 10).map((task) => (
               <SelectItem key={task.id} value={task.id}>
                 <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-                  <span className="truncate">
+                  <TaskTitleCell title={task.title} maxLen={30} />
-                    {truncateTitle(task.title, 30)}
+                  <HelpTip label={taskStatusDescription(task.status)}>
-                  </span>
                     <Badge
                       variant="secondary"
                       className={`text-xs ${STATUS_COLORS[task.status] || ""}`}
                     >
                       {task.status.replace(/_/g, " ")}
                     </Badge>
+                  </HelpTip>
                 </div>
               </SelectItem>
             ))}
@@ -244,15 +253,15 @@ export function TaskSelector({
             {groupedTasks.ux_ui.slice(0, 10).map((task) => (
               <SelectItem key={task.id} value={task.id}>
                 <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-                  <span className="truncate">
+                  <TaskTitleCell title={task.title} maxLen={30} />
-                    {truncateTitle(task.title, 30)}
+                  <HelpTip label={taskStatusDescription(task.status)}>
-                  </span>
                     <Badge
                       variant="secondary"
                       className={`text-xs ${STATUS_COLORS[task.status] || ""}`}
                     >
                       {task.status.replace(/_/g, " ")}
                     </Badge>
+                  </HelpTip>
                 </div>
               </SelectItem>
             ))}
@@ -266,15 +275,15 @@ export function TaskSelector({
             {groupedTasks.marketing.slice(0, 10).map((task) => (
               <SelectItem key={task.id} value={task.id}>
                 <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-                  <span className="truncate">
+                  <TaskTitleCell title={task.title} maxLen={30} />
-                    {truncateTitle(task.title, 30)}
+                  <HelpTip label={taskStatusDescription(task.status)}>
-                  </span>
                     <Badge
                       variant="secondary"
                       className={`text-xs ${STATUS_COLORS[task.status] || ""}`}
                     >
                       {task.status.replace(/_/g, " ")}
                     </Badge>
+                  </HelpTip>
                 </div>
               </SelectItem>
             ))}