diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f62f80c..d961748 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ it; in the document pane it is that document. In the browse pane:
 | `R` | rename what is highlighted — a document, a folder or a file — starting from its name (`:name!` renames the space) |
 | `m` / `p` | pick nodes up — `m` again puts one back, `M` takes the whole folder — then drop them all into the folder you walk to |
 | `Ctrl`/`Shift`-click | pick a row up / every row from the cursor to it; drag picked-up rows onto a folder, a crumb or a space |
-| `S` | the special workspace: the board, the agenda and the calendar side by side; `Alt-h`/`j`/`k`/`l` move between them, `f` gives one the screen |
+| `S` | the special workspace: the board, the agenda and the calendar side by side; `Tab` or `Alt-h`/`j`/`k`/`l` move between them, `f` gives one the screen, `Esc` leaves |
 | `b` | the board of this space, in the special workspace; a digit there shows another space's |
 | `t` | the agenda: what is late, due this week, or in hand, on every board, in the special workspace |
 | `T` | today's diary entry, started if there is none |
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ start as `sftp_host_key` in the data directory.
 
 `b`, the board door on the rail, or `:board` swaps the tree for the special
 workspace — the board of the space being browsed, with the agenda and the
-calendar beside it — and swaps it back. Every space has one except the
+calendar beside it — and `Esc` swaps it back. Every space has one except the
 diary — a journal has no backlog — and `:set board` / `:set noboard` changes
 that for the space you are in (the dimmed board door on the rail does the
 same). A new board starts with `backlog`, `doing` and `done`, and the columns mean
diff --git a/docs/wiki/Boards-and-Agenda.md b/docs/wiki/Boards-and-Agenda.md
index 67de9ba..b038e28 100644
--- a/docs/wiki/Boards-and-Agenda.md
+++ b/docs/wiki/Boards-and-Agenda.md
@@ -4,30 +4,38 @@
 
 The board, the agenda and the [calendar](Diary.md#the-calendar) share one
 workspace of their own, as the desktop's special workspace holds what is
-looked at in passing. `S` (or `:special`) puts it up and away again. It is
-three tiles: the board on the left, the agenda over the calendar on the right.
+looked at in passing. `S` (or `:special`, or the `special` pill in the bar)
+puts it up and away again. It is three tiles: the board on the left, the
+agenda over the calendar on the right.
 
 ![The special workspace](../images/board.png)
 
 | key | what it does |
 | --- | --- |
 | `S` | put the special workspace up, or away |
-| `b`, `t`, `C` | straight to the board, the agenda or the calendar; again on the one with focus puts the workspace away |
-| `Alt-h` / `Alt-j` / `Alt-k` / `Alt-l` | focus the tile that way |
+| `b`, `t`, `C` | to the board, the agenda or the calendar, from anywhere |
+| `Tab` / `Shift-Tab` | the next / previous tile |
+| `Alt-h` / `Alt-j` / `Alt-k` / `Alt-l` | the tile that way |
+| `l` past the last list, `h` in the agenda, `j` past its end | on into the tile beside |
 | `f` | the focused tile fills the screen; again or `Esc` to leave |
 | `1` … `9` | switch space, and the board with it |
-| `q`, `Esc` | back to the tree |
+| `q`, `Esc` | leave, back to where you were |
 
-The keys go to the tile with focus, which wears the light border; the other
-tiles keep their cursors, dimmed. Everything in it is read again each time it
-comes up.
+The keys go to the tile with focus, which wears the light border and its key
+lit in its head; the other tiles keep their cursors, dimmed. `b`, `t` and `C`
+only ever go to their tile, and `Esc` only ever leaves — or, with a tile
+filling the screen, leaves that first. A document opened from the workspace —
+a card's notes, a day of the calendar, an entry of the agenda, `T` — comes
+back to the tile it was opened from on `q`. Everything in it is read again
+each time it comes up.
 
 ## The board
 
 Every space except the diary has a board. `b`, the board button on the rail, or
-`:board` shows it in the special workspace, and `q` goes back to the tree. The
-head of the board names every space that has one, with the digit that goes
-there.
+`:board` shows it in the special workspace, and `Esc` goes back to the tree.
+It is the board of the space being browsed, or, in a space without one such as
+the diary, the last board shown. The head of the board names every space that
+has one, with the digit that goes there.
 
 A new board has three lists: `backlog`, `doing` and `done`. The lists mean
 something by where they stand, not by their names:
@@ -55,7 +63,7 @@ a week fold away until `z` shows them.
 | `z` | show done cards older than a week |
 | `F` | a letter over every card; type it to jump there |
 | `x`, `dd` | delete the card |
-| `q`, `Esc` | put the special workspace away |
+| `q`, `Esc` | leave the special workspace |
 
 ### Capturing a card
 
@@ -121,14 +129,15 @@ special workspace beside the board.
 
 | key | what it does |
 | --- | --- |
-| `j` / `k` | down / up, on into the diary entries |
+| `j` / `k` | down / up, on into the diary entries, then into the calendar |
+| `h` | to the board |
 | `Enter` | to the card on its own board, in the tile beside, or open the entry |
 | `Space` | finish the card where it stands |
 | `D` | due date |
 | `H` / `L` | to the list left / right on its board |
 | `:` | the command line with the agenda kept up, so `:repeat` acts on the card |
 | `T` | today's diary entry |
-| `t`, `q`, `Esc` | put the special workspace away |
+| `q`, `Esc` | leave the special workspace |
 
 The agenda opens by itself once a day when something is late or due. "Today"
 is the day in `WORKSPACE_TIMEZONE`, the same as for the mails, so a browser in
diff --git a/docs/wiki/Commands.md b/docs/wiki/Commands.md
index 651e607..9a9a4ad 100644
--- a/docs/wiki/Commands.md
+++ b/docs/wiki/Commands.md
@@ -42,14 +42,14 @@ arguments and `↑` / `↓` recall earlier lines.
 | `m / p` | pick nodes up, then drop them all into the folder you walk to |
 | `M` | pick up the whole folder — again puts it all back |
 | `Ctrl / Shift-click` | pick a row up · every row up to it — drag them onto a folder |
-| `S` | the special workspace: the board, the agenda and the calendar side by side — again puts it away |
-| `Alt-h/j/k/l · f` | in the special workspace: to the board, the agenda or the calendar — f gives one the screen |
+| `S` | the special workspace: the board, the agenda and the calendar side by side — S again, q or Esc leave it |
+| `Tab · Alt-h/j/k/l` | in the special workspace: the next tile, or the one that way — l past the last list and j past the agenda go on too |
 | `t` | agenda — late, due this week, in hand, on every board — in the special workspace |
 | `T` | today's diary entry, started if there is none — from templates/day when the diary has one |
 | `C` | the diary by month, in the special workspace: h/l a day, j/k a week, H/L a month, . today, Enter opens or starts the day |
 | `[d / ]d` | the diary entry before / after the one open, by date |
 | `Ctrl-P` | find anything, in every space — Enter goes to the result lit |
-| `b` | this space's board, in the special workspace — 1 … 9 there shows another space's |
+| `b` | the board, in the special workspace: this space's, or the last one shown — 1 … 9 there shows another's |
 | `c` | capture a card into this space's inbox, without leaving here |
 | `Esc · q` | close the document, and its tile when there are several |
 | `/` | full-text search, inside the current space and its text files — Tab or Ctrl-N/P walk the results, Enter opens one |
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ The first list is the inbox, the last list is done.
 
 | key | what it does |
 | --- | --- |
-| `h / l` | to the list left / right |
+| `h / l` | to the list left / right — right of the last is the agenda |
 | `j / k` | down / up the cards |
 | `gg / G` | first / last card of the list |
 | `J / K` | move the card down / up its list |
@@ -84,20 +84,21 @@ The first list is the inbox, the last list is done.
 | `F` | a letter over every card in view — type it to put the cursor there |
 | `r` | read the board again, for changes made elsewhere |
 | `x · dd` | delete the card (asks y/N) |
-| `q · Esc` | put the special workspace away |
+| `q · Esc` | leave the special workspace |
 
 ### In the agenda
 
 | key | what it does |
 | --- | --- |
-| `j / k` | down / up the cards, then what was written on this day in earlier years |
+| `j / k` | down / up the cards, then what was written on this day in earlier years, then into the calendar |
+| `h` | to the board |
 | `Enter` | to the card, on its own board beside — or to the entry |
 | `Space` | done, where it stands |
 | `D` | due date: fri, tm, +3d … — :due on the line |
 | `:` | the line, with the agenda kept up — :repeat weekly acts on the card |
 | `H / L` | to the list left / right on its board |
 | `T` | today's diary entry |
-| `t · q · Esc` | put the special workspace away |
+| `q · Esc` | leave the special workspace — a document opened from it comes back here on q |
 
 ## Commands
 
@@ -123,8 +124,8 @@ do: `:w!`, `:space! <name>`, `:import!`.
 
 | command | what it does |
 | --- | --- |
-| `:board` | this space's board, in the special workspace — again puts it away |
-| `:special` | the special workspace: the board, the agenda and the calendar side by side — S toggles it, Alt-h/j/k/l moves between them, 1 … 9 picks the board |
+| `:board` | this space's board, in the special workspace |
+| `:special` | the special workspace: the board, the agenda and the calendar side by side — S puts it up and away, Tab walks its tiles, 1 … 9 picks the board |
 | `:card, :c <title>` | add a card — on the board to the list under the cursor, elsewhere to this space's inbox |
 | `:card!` | add a card linked to the open document — Enter on it opens the document |
 | `:due <when\|->` | due date of the card — on the board, or highlighted in the agenda: today, tm, fri, +3d, +2w, 10-31, 2026-10-31 — - clears |
diff --git a/docs/wiki/Diary.md b/docs/wiki/Diary.md
index 4f740de..9c2fcc3 100644
--- a/docs/wiki/Diary.md
+++ b/docs/wiki/Diary.md
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ agenda.
 | `H` / `L` | a month back / forward |
 | `.` | today |
 | `Enter` | open the day's entry, or start one dated that day |
-| `C`, `Esc` | put the special workspace away |
+| `q`, `Esc` | leave the special workspace; an entry opened here comes back on `q` |
 
 A dot marks a day with an entry. A number says how many when there are more
 than one.
diff --git a/docs/wiki/Getting-Started.md b/docs/wiki/Getting-Started.md
index cbaba9b..9598a7c 100644
--- a/docs/wiki/Getting-Started.md
+++ b/docs/wiki/Getting-Started.md
@@ -71,9 +71,9 @@ The rail of buttons on the right does the same as the keys, for a mouse.
    add a name and press `Enter`. `l` or `Enter` on the folder goes into it, and
    `h` comes back up.
 6. Press `c`, type `try the board`, and press `Enter`. That is a card in the
-   inbox of this space's board. Press `b` to see the board, and `b` again to go
+   inbox of this space's board. Press `b` to see the board, and `Esc` to go
    back. It shares a special workspace with the agenda and the calendar: `S`
-   puts it up, and `Alt-h`/`Alt-l` move between them.
+   puts it up and away, and `Tab` walks between them.
 7. Press `T`. That is today's diary entry, started for you.
 8. Press `?` for the list of every key and command. `h` / `l` walk its columns, `/` narrows it down, and `Esc` closes it.
 
diff --git a/docs/wiki/Guide.md b/docs/wiki/Guide.md
index aa2fb2b..e7517e4 100644
--- a/docs/wiki/Guide.md
+++ b/docs/wiki/Guide.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ The keys are the desktop's. On a phone, every one of these has a button; see
 The first time you open the workspace each day, the **agenda** opens by itself
 when anything is late or due. Any other time, press `t`. It opens in the
 **special workspace**, beside the board and the calendar; `S` puts that up and
-away from anywhere, and `Alt-h`/`Alt-l` move between its tiles.
+away from anywhere, and `Tab` walks its tiles.
 
 ![The agenda](../images/agenda.png)
 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ Walk it with `j` and `k`. On a card:
 - `H` and `L` move it to the list left or right on its board;
 - `Enter` goes to the card on its own board, in the tile beside.
 
-`Esc` or `t` puts the special workspace away. The bar keeps showing the `late` and `today`
+`Esc` leaves the special workspace. The bar keeps showing the `late` and `today`
 counts while either is above zero. More in [Boards and the agenda](Boards-and-Agenda.md).
 
 ## At work: spaces, documents and tiles
diff --git a/web/src/App.svelte b/web/src/App.svelte
index 43941cc..58f8db3 100644
--- a/web/src/App.svelte
+++ b/web/src/App.svelte
@@ -295,7 +295,8 @@
 
   /**
    * The agenda's keys: j/k down the list, Enter to the card, Space finishes it.
-   * Past the cards the cursor walks on into what was written on this day.
+   * Past the cards the cursor walks on into what was written on this day, and
+   * past that into the calendar under it; `h` is the board to its left.
    */
   function agendaKey(event: KeyboardEvent): boolean {
     const cards = workspace.agendaCards
@@ -303,19 +304,20 @@
     const past = workspace.agenda.on_this_day[workspace.agendaCursor - cards.length]
     switch (event.key) {
       case 'j':
-      case 'ArrowDown':
-        workspace.agendaCursor = Math.min(workspace.agendaCursor + 1, Math.max(cards.length + workspace.agenda.on_this_day.length - 1, 0))
+      case 'ArrowDown': {
+        const last = Math.max(cards.length + workspace.agenda.on_this_day.length - 1, 0)
+        if (workspace.agendaCursor >= last) workspace.specialFocus = 'calendar'
+        else workspace.agendaCursor += 1
         return true
+      }
       case 'k':
       case 'ArrowUp':
         workspace.agendaCursor = Math.max(workspace.agendaCursor - 1, 0)
         return true
       case 'Enter':
         if (card) void workspace.guard(() => workspace.goToCard(card))
-        else if (past) {
-          workspace.closeSpecial()
-          void workspace.guard(() => workspace.openPath(past.path))
-        }
+        // Opened from the special workspace, so `q` on it comes back here.
+        else if (past) void workspace.guard(() => workspace.openPath(past.path))
         return true
       case ' ':
         if (card) void workspace.guard(() => workspace.finishCard(card))
@@ -337,10 +339,12 @@
         if (card) void workspace.guard(() => workspace.sendAgendaCard(card, event.key === 'H' ? -1 : 1))
         return true
       case 'T':
-        workspace.closeSpecial()
         void runCommand('today')
         return true
-      case 't':
+      case 'h':
+      case 'ArrowLeft':
+        workspace.specialFocus = 'board'
+        return true
       case 'q':
         workspace.closeSpecial()
         return true
@@ -369,7 +373,6 @@
       case 'Enter':
         void workspace.guard(() => workspace.openCalendarDay()).then(() => hooks.focusEditor())
         return true
-      case 'C':
       case 'q':
         workspace.closeSpecial()
         return true
@@ -638,7 +641,9 @@
         return true
       case 'l':
       case 'ArrowRight':
-        workspace.moveList(1)
+        // Right of the last list is the agenda, the tile beside the board.
+        if (workspace.listCursor >= (workspace.board?.lists.length ?? 0) - 1) workspace.specialFocus = 'agenda'
+        else workspace.moveList(1)
         return true
       case 'j':
       case 'ArrowDown':
@@ -854,6 +859,13 @@
     const previous = pending
     pending = ''
 
+    // In the special workspace Tab walks its tiles, as it walks the spaces
+    // everywhere else; the digits still switch space, and the board with it.
+    if (key === 'Tab' && workspace.view === 'special') {
+      event.preventDefault()
+      workspace.cycleSpecial(event.shiftKey ? -1 : 1)
+      return
+    }
     if (spaceKey(event)) {
       event.preventDefault()
       return
@@ -888,7 +900,8 @@
       return
     }
     // `S`, as the desktop's special workspace is bound: the board, the
-    // agenda and the calendar, put up and away again.
+    // agenda and the calendar, put up and away again. `b`, `t` and `C` only
+    // ever go to their tile.
     if (key === 'S') {
       event.preventDefault()
       void runCommand('special')
@@ -909,7 +922,6 @@
       }
       if (key === 'b') {
         event.preventDefault()
-        workspace.closeSpecial()
         return
       }
       if (previous === 'g' && key === 'g') {
@@ -1307,6 +1319,9 @@
   .special > .agenda { grid-area: agenda; }
   .special > .calendar { grid-area: calendar; }
   .special .fill { height: 100%; }
+  /* The focused tile's key is lit, as its border is. */
+  .special > .window.focused :global(.tile-key) { background: var(--light); border-color: var(--light); color: var(--ink); }
+
   /* One cursor is lit at a time: the other tiles keep theirs, dimmed. */
   .special > .window:not(.focused) :global(:is(.card.active, .row.at, .day.at)) {
     background: var(--surface-alt);
diff --git a/web/src/lib/Agenda.svelte b/web/src/lib/Agenda.svelte
index c55b407..e0183a9 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/Agenda.svelte
+++ b/web/src/lib/Agenda.svelte
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@
 
   /** An entry from an earlier year, in place in the diary. */
   function open(entry: DiaryEntry) {
-    workspace.closeSpecial()
     void workspace.guard(() => workspace.openPath(entry.path))
   }
 
@@ -38,7 +37,7 @@
 <div class="sheet" bind:this={sheet}>
   <header>
     <span class="label rule"><span class="marker"></span><span class="title">agenda</span> {total} open</span>
-    <button onclick={() => workspace.closeSpecial()}>esc</button>
+    <span class="kbd tile-key" title="the key that comes to this tile">t</span>
   </header>
 
   {#if workspace.agenda.diary_today === false}
@@ -125,7 +124,9 @@
     <span class="gap"></span>
     <span class="kbd">T</span> diary
     <span class="gap"></span>
-    <span class="kbd">t</span><span class="kbd">esc</span> close
+    <span class="kbd">tab</span> tile
+    <span class="gap"></span>
+    <span class="kbd">esc</span> leave
   </footer>
 </div>
 
diff --git a/web/src/lib/Bar.svelte b/web/src/lib/Bar.svelte
index 43306e5..bd24a4a 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/Bar.svelte
+++ b/web/src/lib/Bar.svelte
@@ -35,6 +35,15 @@
     <button class="pill add" title="new space (:space! <name>)" onclick={() => hooks.openCommandLine(':space! ')}>
       +
     </button>
+    <!-- The special workspace, beside the others as the desktop bar shows its own. -->
+    <button
+      class="pill special"
+      aria-current={workspace.view === 'special'}
+      title="the special workspace: board, agenda, calendar (S)"
+      onclick={() => workspace.guard(() => workspace.toggleSpecial())}
+    >
+      <span class="slug">special</span>
+    </button>
   </nav>
 
   <span class="divider path"></span>
@@ -114,6 +123,7 @@
   .pill:hover .n { color: var(--light-dim); }
   .pill[aria-current='true'] .n { color: var(--ink); opacity: 0.55; }
   .pill.add { color: var(--muted); }
+  .pill.special { margin-left: 6px; }
   .pill.add:hover { color: var(--light); }
 
   /* A crumb is a link along the path; a hairline grows under it on hover. */
diff --git a/web/src/lib/Board.svelte b/web/src/lib/Board.svelte
index 90aff30..7721849 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/Board.svelte
+++ b/web/src/lib/Board.svelte
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
 <div class="board">
   <div class="head label rule">
     <span class="marker"></span>
-    <span class="name">{workspace.space?.slug ?? ''}</span>
+    <span class="name">{workspace.boardSpace?.slug ?? ''}</span>
     <span>board</span>
     {#if workspace.board}<span class="count">{total} {total === 1 ? 'card' : 'cards'}</span>{/if}
     <!-- Every board is a digit away: the digit switches space, and the board
@@ -65,12 +65,13 @@
     {#if boards.length > 1}
       <span class="boards">
         {#each boards as { space, digit } (space.id)}
-          <button class="other" class:here={space.id === workspace.spaceId} onclick={() => workspace.guard(() => workspace.switchSpace(digit === 0 ? 9 : digit - 1))}>
+          <button class="other" class:here={space.id === workspace.boardSpaceId} onclick={() => workspace.guard(() => workspace.switchSpace(digit === 0 ? 9 : digit - 1))}>
             <span class="n">{digit}</span>{space.slug}
           </button>
         {/each}
       </span>
     {/if}
+    <span class="kbd tile-key" title="the key that comes to this tile">b</span>
   </div>
 
   <div class="columns" bind:this={columns}>
@@ -132,8 +133,8 @@
       </section>
     {:else}
       <div class="empty muted">
-        {#if !workspace.space?.has_board}
-          {workspace.space?.slug ?? 'this space'} has no board — :set board turns one on{#if boards.length}, or a digit goes to one that has{/if}.
+        {#if !workspace.boardSpace}
+          no space has a board — :set board gives the one you are in one.
         {:else}
           no lists yet — :list &lt;name&gt; makes a column. then o adds a card to it.
         {/if}
@@ -152,6 +153,8 @@
     <span><span class="kbd">R</span> rename</span>
     <span><span class="kbd">dd</span> delete</span>
     <span><span class="kbd">1</span>…<span class="kbd">9</span> board</span>
+    <span><span class="kbd">tab</span> tile</span>
+    <span><span class="kbd">esc</span> leave</span>
     <span class="rule-hint">first list is the inbox · last list is done</span>
   </footer>
 </div>
@@ -172,6 +175,8 @@
   .head .marker { background: var(--light); }
   .head .name { color: var(--light); }
   .boards { display: flex; gap: 4px; margin-left: 8px; }
+  /* After the rule, at the right end, where the other tiles have theirs. */
+  .head .tile-key { order: 1; margin-left: 12px; }
   .other {
     display: flex;
     gap: 6px;
diff --git a/web/src/lib/Calendar.svelte b/web/src/lib/Calendar.svelte
index 54ff604..8db74b2 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/Calendar.svelte
+++ b/web/src/lib/Calendar.svelte
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
     <span class="label rule"><span class="marker"></span><span class="title">{title}</span> {workspace.calendarEntries.length} entries</span>
     <button onclick={() => workspace.guard(() => workspace.moveCalendar(0, -1))} aria-label="previous month">‹</button>
     <button onclick={() => workspace.guard(() => workspace.moveCalendar(0, 1))} aria-label="next month">›</button>
-    <button onclick={() => workspace.closeSpecial()}>esc</button>
+    <span class="kbd tile-key" title="the key that comes to this tile">C</span>
   </header>
 
   <ol class="grid">
@@ -89,7 +89,9 @@
     <span class="gap"></span>
     <span class="kbd">↵</span> open
     <span class="gap"></span>
-    <span class="kbd">C</span><span class="kbd">esc</span> close
+    <span class="kbd">tab</span> tile
+    <span class="gap"></span>
+    <span class="kbd">esc</span> leave
   </footer>
 </div>
 
diff --git a/web/src/lib/Help.svelte b/web/src/lib/Help.svelte
index fc62a5d..69145d0 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/Help.svelte
+++ b/web/src/lib/Help.svelte
@@ -72,14 +72,14 @@
     ['m / p', 'pick nodes up, then drop them all into the folder you walk to'],
     ['M', 'pick up the whole folder — again puts it all back'],
     ['Ctrl / Shift-click', 'pick a row up · every row up to it — drag them onto a folder'],
-    ['S', 'the special workspace: the board, the agenda and the calendar side by side — again puts it away'],
-    ['Alt-h/j/k/l · f', 'in the special workspace: to the board, the agenda or the calendar — f gives one the screen'],
+    ['S', 'the special workspace: the board, the agenda and the calendar side by side — S again, q or Esc leave it'],
+    ['Tab · Alt-h/j/k/l', 'in the special workspace: the next tile, or the one that way — l past the last list and j past the agenda go on too'],
     ['t', 'agenda — late, due this week, in hand, on every board — in the special workspace'],
     ['T', "today's diary entry, started if there is none — from templates/day when the diary has one"],
     ['C', 'the diary by month, in the special workspace: h/l a day, j/k a week, H/L a month, . today, Enter opens or starts the day'],
     ['[d / ]d', 'the diary entry before / after the one open, by date'],
     ['Ctrl-P', 'find anything, in every space — Enter goes to the result lit'],
-    ['b', "this space's board, in the special workspace — 1 … 9 there shows another space's"],
+    ['b', "the board, in the special workspace: this space's, or the last one shown — 1 … 9 there shows another's"],
     ['c', "capture a card into this space's inbox, without leaving here"],
     ['Esc · q', 'close the document, and its tile when there are several'],
     ['/', 'full-text search, inside the current space and its text files — Tab or Ctrl-N/P walk the results, Enter opens one'],
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
      footnotes on the list keys. */
   const boardKeys: [string, string][] = [
     ['rule', 'the first list is the inbox, the last list is done'],
-    ['h / l', 'to the list left / right'],
+    ['h / l', 'to the list left / right — right of the last is the agenda'],
     ['j / k', 'down / up the cards'],
     ['gg / G', 'first / last card of the list'],
     ['J / K', 'move the card down / up its list'],
@@ -114,18 +114,19 @@
     ['F', 'a letter over every card in view — type it to put the cursor there'],
     ['r', 'read the board again, for changes made elsewhere'],
     ['x · dd', 'delete the card (asks y/N)'],
-    ['q · Esc', 'put the special workspace away'],
+    ['q · Esc', 'leave the special workspace'],
   ]
 
   const agendaKeys: [string, string][] = [
-    ['j / k', 'down / up the cards, then what was written on this day in earlier years'],
+    ['j / k', 'down / up the cards, then what was written on this day in earlier years, then into the calendar'],
+    ['h', 'to the board'],
     ['Enter', 'to the card, on its own board beside — or to the entry'],
     ['Space', 'done, where it stands'],
     ['D', 'due date: fri, tm, +3d … — :due on the line'],
     [':', 'the line, with the agenda kept up — :repeat weekly acts on the card'],
     ['H / L', 'to the list left / right on its board'],
     ['T', "today's diary entry"],
-    ['t · q · Esc', 'put the special workspace away'],
+    ['q · Esc', 'leave the special workspace — a document opened from it comes back here on q'],
   ]
 
   const titles: Record<Group, string> = {
diff --git a/web/src/lib/Rail.svelte b/web/src/lib/Rail.svelte
index df4e8db..2367253 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/Rail.svelte
+++ b/web/src/lib/Rail.svelte
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
         { icon: 'board', label: 'Board', keys: ['b'], run: () => (workspace.specialFocus = 'board'), on: workspace.specialFocus === 'board' },
         { icon: 'agenda', label: 'Agenda — late, due, in hand', keys: ['t'], run: () => (workspace.specialFocus = 'agenda'), on: workspace.specialFocus === 'agenda' },
         { icon: 'calendar', label: 'Calendar', keys: ['C'], run: () => (workspace.specialFocus = 'calendar'), on: workspace.specialFocus === 'calendar' },
-        { icon: 'list', label: 'Back to the tree', keys: ['S', 'q'], run: () => workspace.closeSpecial() },
+        { icon: 'list', label: 'Back to the tree', keys: ['Esc', 'S'], run: () => workspace.closeSpecial() },
       ]
       if (workspace.specialFocus !== 'board') return [tiles, [cmd, help]]
       // The card verbs are doors too, so a phone — which has no H, L or
diff --git a/web/src/lib/commands.ts b/web/src/lib/commands.ts
index aa52b0d..2f14acf 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/commands.ts
+++ b/web/src/lib/commands.ts
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ export const commands: CommandSpec[] = [
     run: async () => {
       // A document `o` made and nothing was written in is not kept.
       if (await workspace.abandonIfBlank()) {
-        if (workspace.returnTo === 'board') await workspace.guard(() => workspace.returnToBoard())
+        if (workspace.returnTo === 'special') await workspace.guard(() => workspace.returnToSpecial())
         return hooks.focusList()
       }
       if (workspace.dirty) {
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ export const commands: CommandSpec[] = [
         return
       }
       if (workspace.editing) workspace.editing = false
-      else if (workspace.returnTo === 'board') return void workspace.guard(() => workspace.returnToBoard())
+      else if (workspace.returnTo === 'special') return void workspace.guard(() => workspace.returnToSpecial())
       else if (workspace.tiles.length > 1) return focusTile(closeFocused())
       else workspace.closeTile()
       hooks.focusList()
@@ -429,13 +429,13 @@ export const commands: CommandSpec[] = [
   {
     name: 'board',
     group: 'board',
-    help: "this space's board, in the special workspace — again puts it away",
-    run: () => workspace.guard(() => workspace.toggleSpecial('board')),
+    help: "this space's board, in the special workspace",
+    run: () => workspace.guard(() => workspace.showSpecial('board')),
   },
   {
     name: 'special',
     group: 'board',
-    help: 'the special workspace: the board, the agenda and the calendar side by side — S toggles it, Alt-h/j/k/l moves between them, 1 … 9 picks the board',
+    help: 'the special workspace: the board, the agenda and the calendar side by side — S puts it up and away, Tab walks its tiles, 1 … 9 picks the board',
     run: () => workspace.guard(() => workspace.toggleSpecial()),
   },
   {
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ export const commands: CommandSpec[] = [
     help: 'the diary by month — h/l a day, j/k a week, H/L a month, Enter opens the day or starts it',
     run: () =>
       workspace.guard(async () => {
-        if (workspace.view === 'special') return workspace.toggleSpecial('calendar')
+        if (workspace.view === 'special') return void (workspace.specialFocus = 'calendar')
         await workspace.openCalendar()
       }),
   },
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ export const commands: CommandSpec[] = [
     run: () =>
       workspace.guard(async () => {
         if (workspace.view !== 'special') workspace.agendaCursor = 0
-        await workspace.toggleSpecial('agenda')
+        await workspace.showSpecial('agenda')
       }),
   },
   {
diff --git a/web/src/lib/store.svelte.ts b/web/src/lib/store.svelte.ts
index 1ea1490..7ca4ac8 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/store.svelte.ts
+++ b/web/src/lib/store.svelte.ts
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ export class Tile {
    * document goes back to the board — on the same card — rather than leaving
    * you in a tree you never asked for.
    */
-  returnTo = $state<'board' | null>(null)
+  returnTo = $state<'special' | null>(null)
   /*
    * The document `o` just made. If it is left with neither a name nor a word
    * in it, it is removed on the way out rather than left as an empty row.
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ class Workspace {
   get returnTo() {
     return this.tile.returnTo
   }
-  set returnTo(to: 'board' | null) {
+  set returnTo(to: 'special' | null) {
     this.tile.returnTo = to
   }
   get vimMode() {
@@ -299,6 +299,12 @@ class Workspace {
   overlay = $state<'none' | 'help' | 'media' | 'overview' | 'actions' | 'verify' | 'outline' | 'trash' | 'history' | 'backlinks'>('none')
   /** Which of the special workspace's tiles the keys go to. */
   specialFocus = $state<SpecialTile>('board')
+  /**
+   * The space whose board the special workspace shows: the one being browsed
+   * when it has a board, or else the last one shown, so that coming from the
+   * diary does not leave the board's tile empty.
+   */
+  boardSpaceId = $state<number | null>(null)
   /** `gO`: the headings of what is on screen, to jump between from the keyboard. */
   outline = $state.raw<Heading[]>([])
   outlineCursor = $state(0)
@@ -821,14 +827,12 @@ class Workspace {
         this.cursor = Math.min(spot.cursor, Math.max(this.nodes.length - 1, 0))
       }
     }
-    // The board belongs to the space, so switching space with the special
-    // workspace up shows the new space's board — or says it has none, rather
-    // than leaving the previous board on screen.
-    if (this.view === 'special') {
+    // Switching space with the special workspace up shows the new space's
+    // board; a space without one leaves the last board where it is.
+    if (this.view === 'special' && this.space?.has_board) {
       this.listCursor = 0
       this.cardCursor = 0
-      if (this.space?.has_board) await this.reloadBoard(id, undefined)
-      else this.rawBoard = null
+      await this.reloadBoard(id, undefined)
     }
   }
 
@@ -910,7 +914,7 @@ class Workspace {
       if (isContainer(node)) this.closeSpecial()
       else {
         this.view = 'tree'
-        this.returnTo = 'board'
+        this.returnTo = 'special'
       }
     }
     if (isContainer(node)) {
@@ -1222,6 +1226,7 @@ class Workspace {
     for (const tile of this.tiles) tile.clear()
     this.prune()
     this.rawBoard = null
+    this.boardSpaceId = null
     this.view = 'tree'
     this.spaces = await api.listSpaces()
     const next = this.spaces.find((space) => space.role === 'diary') ?? this.spaces[0]
@@ -1351,7 +1356,7 @@ class Workspace {
   async openCalendarDay() {
     const day = this.calendarDay
     const entry = this.calendarEntries.find((e) => e.day === day)
-    this.closeSpecial()
+    // Opened from the special workspace, so `q` on the entry comes back here.
     if (entry) return this.openPath(entry.path)
     const home = this.spaces.find((space) => space.role === 'diary')
     if (!home) return this.say('there is no diary to write in', 'error')
@@ -1384,7 +1389,7 @@ class Workspace {
     if (!done) return
     const moved = await api.moveCard(card.id, done.id, done.cards.length)
     await this.loadAgenda()
-    if (this.view === 'special' && this.spaceId === card.space_id) await this.reloadBoard()
+    if (this.view === 'special' && this.boardSpaceId === card.space_id) await this.reloadBoard()
     this.say(doneSaid(moved))
   }
 
@@ -1397,7 +1402,7 @@ class Workspace {
     // It may have changed group; the cursor goes with it.
     const at = this.agendaCards.findIndex((c) => c.id === card.id)
     if (at >= 0) this.agendaCursor = at
-    if (this.view === 'special' && this.spaceId === card.space_id) await this.reloadBoard()
+    if (this.view === 'special' && this.boardSpaceId === card.space_id) await this.reloadBoard()
     return updated
   }
 
@@ -1414,7 +1419,7 @@ class Workspace {
     await this.loadAgenda()
     const at = this.agendaCards.findIndex((c) => c.id === card.id)
     if (at >= 0) this.agendaCursor = at
-    if (this.view === 'special' && this.spaceId === card.space_id) await this.reloadBoard()
+    if (this.view === 'special' && this.boardSpaceId === card.space_id) await this.reloadBoard()
     this.say(from + delta === lists.length - 1 ? doneSaid(moved) : `"${card.title}" → ${target.name}`)
   }
 
@@ -1489,13 +1494,18 @@ class Workspace {
    */
   async openSpecial(focus: SpecialTile = this.specialFocus) {
     const space = this.space
-    if (space?.has_board) await this.reloadBoard(space.id)
-    else this.rawBoard = null
+    const shown = this.boardSpace?.has_board ? this.boardSpace : this.spaces.find((s) => s.has_board)
+    const board = space?.has_board ? space : shown
+    if (board) await this.reloadBoard(board.id, board.id === this.boardSpaceId ? this.card?.id : undefined)
+    else {
+      this.rawBoard = null
+      this.boardSpaceId = null
+    }
     if (!this.calendarDay) this.calendarDay = formatDay(Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000))
     await Promise.all([this.loadAgenda(), this.loadCalendar()])
     this.view = 'special'
     this.specialFocus = focus
-    if (focus === 'board' && space && !space.has_board) this.say(`${space.slug} has no board — :set board turns one on`, 'error')
+    if (focus === 'board' && !board) this.say('no space has a board — :set board turns one on', 'error')
   }
 
   closeSpecial() {
@@ -1503,24 +1513,40 @@ class Workspace {
     this.returnTo = null
   }
 
+  /** `S`: the special workspace up, on the tile it was left on, or away again. */
+  async toggleSpecial() {
+    if (this.view === 'special') this.closeSpecial()
+    else await this.openSpecial()
+  }
+
   /**
-   * `b`, `t`, `C` and `S`: the special workspace on that tile. A key whose
-   * tile already has focus puts the workspace away again, as the desktop
-   * toggles its scratchpad; any other moves the focus there.
+   * `b`, `t` and `C`: to that tile of the special workspace, putting it up
+   * first when it is not. They only ever go somewhere; leaving is `S`,
+   * `q` or `Esc`, from whichever tile.
    */
-  async toggleSpecial(focus?: SpecialTile) {
-    if (this.view !== 'special') return this.openSpecial(focus)
-    if (focus === undefined || focus === this.specialFocus) return this.closeSpecial()
-    this.specialFocus = focus
+  async showSpecial(focus: SpecialTile) {
+    if (this.view === 'special') this.specialFocus = focus
+    else await this.openSpecial(focus)
+  }
+
+  /** `Tab` / `Shift-Tab` in the special workspace: the next tile round, or the one before. */
+  cycleSpecial(by: 1 | -1) {
+    const order: SpecialTile[] = ['board', 'agenda', 'calendar']
+    this.specialFocus = order[(order.indexOf(this.specialFocus) + by + order.length) % order.length]
   }
 
   async openBoard() {
     await this.openSpecial('board')
   }
 
-  async reloadBoard(spaceId = this.spaceId, keep = this.card?.id) {
+  get boardSpace(): NodeSummary | undefined {
+    return this.spaces.find((space) => space.id === this.boardSpaceId)
+  }
+
+  async reloadBoard(spaceId = this.boardSpaceId ?? this.spaceId, keep = this.card?.id) {
     if (spaceId === null) return
     this.rawBoard = await api.board(spaceId)
+    this.boardSpaceId = spaceId
     void this.loadAgenda()
     // Follow the card that was just moved rather than whatever now sits under
     // the cursor, so J J J walks one card down instead of shuffling three.
@@ -1576,7 +1602,7 @@ class Workspace {
     // The neighbour's own position, not its index: older done cards may be
     // hidden above it.
     await api.moveCard(card.id, list.id, list.cards[to].position)
-    await this.reloadBoard(this.spaceId, card.id)
+    await this.reloadBoard(this.boardSpaceId, card.id)
   }
 
   /** `H`/`L`: the same card, one list over — the move a board is really for. */
@@ -1594,7 +1620,7 @@ class Workspace {
     const target = lists[index]
     if (!card || !target || index === this.listCursor) return
     const moved = await api.moveCard(card.id, target.id, target.cards.length)
-    await this.reloadBoard(this.spaceId, card.id)
+    await this.reloadBoard(this.boardSpaceId, card.id)
     this.say(index === lists.length - 1 ? doneSaid(moved) : `"${card.title}" → ${target.name}`)
   }
 
@@ -1609,7 +1635,7 @@ class Workspace {
       const list = this.list
       if (!list) return this.say('no list to put it on', 'error')
       const card = await api.createCard(list.id, { title, node_id: nodeId })
-      await this.reloadBoard(this.spaceId, card.id)
+      await this.reloadBoard(this.boardSpaceId, card.id)
       return this.say(nodeId === null ? `carded "${card.title}"` : `carded "${card.title}" → #${nodeId}`)
     }
 
@@ -1626,7 +1652,7 @@ class Workspace {
     const card = this.card
     if (!card) return this.say('no card selected', 'error')
     const updated = await api.updateCard(card.id, patch)
-    await this.reloadBoard(this.spaceId, card.id)
+    await this.reloadBoard(this.boardSpaceId, card.id)
     return updated
   }
 
@@ -1649,13 +1675,13 @@ class Workspace {
     const card = this.card
     if (!card) return this.say('no card selected', 'error')
     await api.deleteCard(card.id)
-    await this.reloadBoard(this.spaceId, undefined)
+    await this.reloadBoard(this.boardSpaceId, undefined)
     this.say(`deleted "${card.title}"`)
   }
 
   async createList(name: string) {
-    if (this.spaceId === null) return
-    this.rawBoard = await api.createList(this.spaceId, name)
+    if (this.boardSpaceId === null) return
+    this.rawBoard = await api.createList(this.boardSpaceId, name)
     // It goes in front of the done list, so it is not simply the last one.
     const names = this.rawBoard.lists.map((list) => list.name)
     this.listCursor = Math.max(names.lastIndexOf(name), 0)
@@ -1686,7 +1712,7 @@ class Workspace {
    */
   async openCard() {
     const card = this.card
-    const space = this.spaceId
+    const space = this.boardSpaceId
     if (!card || space === null) return
     let nodeId = card.node_id
     if (nodeId !== null) {
@@ -1718,16 +1744,19 @@ class Workspace {
     await this.openNode(nodeId, card.node_id === null)
     this.prune()
     if (card.node_id === null) this.enterInsert = true
-    this.returnTo = 'board'
+    this.returnTo = 'special'
   }
 
-  /** Back to the board a card's document was opened from. */
-  async returnToBoard() {
+  /**
+   * Back to the special workspace a document was opened from — a card's
+   * notes, a day of the calendar, an entry of the agenda — on the tile it
+   * was opened from.
+   */
+  async returnToSpecial() {
     this.returnTo = null
     this.closeTile()
     this.pane = 'list'
-    await this.reloadBoard()
-    this.view = 'special'
+    await this.openSpecial(this.specialFocus)
   }
 
   /** Turn a space's board on or off. The diary ships with it off. */
@@ -1737,7 +1766,11 @@ class Workspace {
     await api.updateNode(space.id, { has_board: on })
     this.spaces = await api.listSpaces()
     if (on) await this.openBoard()
-    else this.rawBoard = null
+    else if (this.boardSpaceId === space.id) {
+      this.rawBoard = null
+      this.boardSpaceId = null
+      if (this.view === 'special') await this.openSpecial()
+    }
     this.say(on ? `${space.slug} has a board` : `${space.slug} has no board any more`)
   }