diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCard.pr-display.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCard.pr-display.test.tsx
index 2555d4c35..27ad01204 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCard.pr-display.test.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCard.pr-display.test.tsx
@@ -124,6 +124,12 @@ function renderWorktreeCardMarkup(element: ReactNode): string {
   return renderToStaticMarkup(<>{element}</>)
 }
 
+function getInlineRenameTitleTag(markup: string): string {
+  const match = markup.match(/<span[^>]*data-worktree-title-inline-rename=""[^>]*>/)
+  expect(match).not.toBeNull()
+  return match?.[0] ?? ''
+}
+
 describe('WorktreeCard linked PR display', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     vi.clearAllMocks()
@@ -146,6 +152,66 @@ describe('WorktreeCard linked PR display', () => {
     expect(markup).not.toContain('Linked PR #456')
   }, 20_000)
 
+  it('keeps compact toggle-off unread and read-title visuals legacy', async () => {
+    settings = { compactWorktreeCards: true, experimentalNewWorktreeCardStyle: false }
+    hostedReviewCache = {
+      'local::repo-1::feature/local-branch': {
+        data: makeHostedReview({ status: 'failure' }),
+        fetchedAt: Date.now()
+      }
+    }
+    const { default: WorktreeCard } = await import('./WorktreeCard')
+
+    const unreadMarkup = renderWorktreeCardMarkup(
+      <WorktreeCard
+        worktree={makeWorktree({ linkedPR: 456, isUnread: true })}
+        repo={makeRepo()}
+        isActive={false}
+      />
+    )
+    const readMarkup = renderWorktreeCardMarkup(
+      <WorktreeCard worktree={makeWorktree({ linkedPR: 456 })} repo={makeRepo()} isActive={false} />
+    )
+    const readTitleTag = getInlineRenameTitleTag(readMarkup)
+
+    expect(unreadMarkup).toContain('aria-label="Mark as read"')
+    expect(unreadMarkup).toContain('text-amber-500')
+    expect(unreadMarkup).not.toContain('PR checks: Failed · Mark read')
+    expect(unreadMarkup).not.toContain('size-[13px] translate-x-px')
+    expect(readTitleTag).toContain('font-normal text-foreground')
+    expect(readTitleTag).not.toContain('text-foreground/80')
+  }, 20_000)
+
+  it('applies experimental unread status and read-title visuals only when enabled', async () => {
+    settings = { compactWorktreeCards: true, experimentalNewWorktreeCardStyle: true }
+    hostedReviewCache = {
+      'local::repo-1::feature/local-branch': {
+        data: makeHostedReview({ status: 'failure' }),
+        fetchedAt: Date.now()
+      }
+    }
+    const { default: WorktreeCard } = await import('./WorktreeCard')
+
+    const unreadMarkup = renderWorktreeCardMarkup(
+      <WorktreeCard
+        worktree={makeWorktree({ linkedPR: 456, isUnread: true })}
+        repo={makeRepo()}
+        isActive={false}
+      />
+    )
+    const readMarkup = renderWorktreeCardMarkup(
+      <WorktreeCard worktree={makeWorktree({ linkedPR: 456 })} repo={makeRepo()} isActive={false} />
+    )
+
+    expect(unreadMarkup).toContain('aria-label="Mark as read"')
+    expect(unreadMarkup).toContain('PR checks: Failed · Mark read')
+    expect(unreadMarkup).toContain('size-[13px] translate-x-px')
+    expect(unreadMarkup).not.toContain('lucide-bell')
+    expect(unreadMarkup).not.toContain('text-amber-500')
+    expect(getInlineRenameTitleTag(unreadMarkup)).toContain('font-semibold text-foreground')
+    expect(getInlineRenameTitleTag(readMarkup)).toContain('font-normal text-foreground/80')
+  }, 20_000)
+
   it('shows linked GH PR status in the left status slot before hosted review details are cached when new card style is on', async () => {
     settings = { experimentalNewWorktreeCardStyle: true }
     const { default: WorktreeCard } = await import('./WorktreeCard')
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCard.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCard.tsx
index 99e2f10c8..9ad01c02e 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCard.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCard.tsx
@@ -1050,8 +1050,8 @@ const WorktreeCard = React.memo(function WorktreeCard({
     !!conflictOperation && conflictOperation !== 'unknown' && conflictOperation !== 'rebase'
   const hasMetadataBadge = showConflictOperationBadge
   const showUnreadQuickAction = !affiliateListMode && showStatus
-  // Why: the activity dot and unread bell compete for the same tiny sidebar
-  // lane. Keep one slot, and let an active unread bell visually win.
+  // Why: the slot owns the tiny unread/status lane; legacy keeps the bell,
+  // while the experimental card keeps the status glyph visible.
   const showCombinedStatusSlot = showStatus
   const showTitleRowPrimary = compactCards && worktree.isMainWorktree && !isFolder
   const showMetaRowDetails = !newCardStyle && !compactCards && (hasDetails || hasPorts)
@@ -1317,13 +1317,13 @@ const WorktreeCard = React.memo(function WorktreeCard({
               </RepoIdentityChip>
             )}
 
-            {/* Why: weight alone carries the unread signal; color stays
-                 at text-foreground in both states so the title keeps hierarchy
-                 against nearby status chips. */}
+            {/* Why: in the experimental card, weight carries unread without a
+                 bell, so read titles step back slightly for scan contrast. */}
             <WorktreeTitleInlineRename
               displayName={visibleCardTitle}
               disabled={isDeleting || affiliateListMode}
               showUnreadEmphasis={showUnreadEmphasis}
+              dimReadTitle={newCardStyle}
               className="text-[13px] leading-5"
               editingClassName="flex-1"
               titleWrapper={titleWrapper}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCardStatusSlot.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCardStatusSlot.test.tsx
index d916b12e5..be513d6f3 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCardStatusSlot.test.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCardStatusSlot.test.tsx
@@ -30,8 +30,15 @@ describe('WorktreeCardStatusSlot', () => {
     state: 'open',
     status: 'failure'
   }
+  const gitlabReview: WorktreeCardPrDisplay = {
+    provider: 'gitlab',
+    number: 456,
+    title: 'Review me',
+    state: 'open',
+    status: 'pending'
+  }
 
-  it('lets the unread bell replace the visual status dot', () => {
+  it('lets the unread bell replace the visual status dot by default', () => {
     const markup = renderToStaticMarkup(
       <WorktreeCardStatusSlot
         worktreeId="wt-1"
@@ -48,9 +55,32 @@ describe('WorktreeCardStatusSlot', () => {
     expect(markup).toContain('Mark as read')
     expect(markup).not.toContain('Active · Mark as read')
     expect(markup).not.toContain('bg-emerald-500')
+    expect(markup).toContain('text-amber-500')
   })
 
-  it('shows status until an unread bell is active', () => {
+  it('keeps the status dot visible for unread rows when new card style is on', () => {
+    const markup = renderToStaticMarkup(
+      <WorktreeCardStatusSlot
+        worktreeId="wt-1"
+        showStatus
+        showUnreadAction
+        isUnread
+        unreadTooltip="Mark as read"
+        onPointerDown={vi.fn()}
+        onToggleUnread={vi.fn()}
+        newCardStyle
+        hasBranchIdentity={false}
+      />
+    )
+
+    expect(markup).toContain('aria-label="Mark as read"')
+    expect(markup).toContain('Active · Mark as read')
+    expect(markup).toContain('bg-emerald-500')
+    expect(markup).not.toContain('lucide-bell')
+    expect(markup).not.toContain('text-amber-500')
+  })
+
+  it('shows status in the unread toggle affordance', () => {
     const markup = renderToStaticMarkup(
       <WorktreeCardStatusSlot
         worktreeId="wt-1"
@@ -103,10 +133,33 @@ describe('WorktreeCardStatusSlot', () => {
 
     expect(markup).toContain('PR checks: Failed')
     expect(markup).toContain('inline-flex size-5 items-center justify-center')
+    expect(markup).toContain('size-[13px] translate-x-px')
     expect(markup).toContain('text-rose-500/85')
     expect(markup).not.toContain('bg-emerald-500')
   })
 
+  it('uses the unified compact review glyph for GitLab MR status', () => {
+    const markup = renderToStaticMarkup(
+      <WorktreeCardStatusSlot
+        worktreeId="wt-1"
+        showStatus
+        showUnreadAction={false}
+        isUnread={false}
+        unreadTooltip="Mark as unread"
+        onPointerDown={vi.fn()}
+        onToggleUnread={vi.fn()}
+        prDisplay={gitlabReview}
+        newCardStyle
+      />
+    )
+
+    expect(markup).toContain('MR checks: Pending')
+    expect(markup).toContain('viewBox="0 0 16 16"')
+    expect(markup).toContain('size-[13px] translate-x-px')
+    expect(markup).toContain('text-amber-500/85')
+    expect(markup).not.toContain('lucide-git-merge')
+  })
+
   it('uses PR status instead of the quiet done dot when new card style is on', () => {
     mocks.status = 'done'
     const markup = renderToStaticMarkup(
@@ -164,6 +217,7 @@ describe('WorktreeCardStatusSlot', () => {
 
     expect(markup).toContain('Branch')
     expect(markup).toContain('lucide-git-branch')
+    expect(markup).toContain('size-[13px] translate-x-px text-muted-foreground/70')
     expect(markup).toContain('text-muted-foreground/70')
     expect(markup).not.toContain('bg-emerald-500')
   })
@@ -247,11 +301,13 @@ describe('WorktreeCardStatusSlot', () => {
 
     expect(markup).toContain('aria-label="Mark as read"')
     expect(markup).toContain('Mark as read')
+    expect(markup).not.toContain('Active · Mark as read')
     expect(markup).not.toContain('PR checks: Failed')
     expect(markup).not.toContain('bg-emerald-500')
+    expect(markup).toContain('text-amber-500')
   })
 
-  it('overlays unread on PR status instead of replacing it when new card style is on', () => {
+  it('keeps PR status visible for unread rows when new card style is on', () => {
     const markup = renderToStaticMarkup(
       <WorktreeCardStatusSlot
         worktreeId="wt-1"
@@ -273,11 +329,12 @@ describe('WorktreeCardStatusSlot', () => {
       'group/unread relative flex cursor-pointer items-center justify-center rounded transition-all size-5'
     )
     expect(markup).toContain('text-rose-500/85')
-    expect(markup).toContain('absolute -right-1 -top-1 size-[13px] text-amber-500')
+    expect(markup).not.toContain('lucide-bell')
+    expect(markup).not.toContain('text-amber-500')
     expect(markup).not.toContain('bg-emerald-500')
   })
 
-  it('overlays unread on the no-review branch icon in new card style', () => {
+  it('keeps the branch icon visible for unread rows in new card style', () => {
     const markup = renderToStaticMarkup(
       <WorktreeCardStatusSlot
         worktreeId="wt-1"
@@ -296,7 +353,8 @@ describe('WorktreeCardStatusSlot', () => {
       'group/unread relative flex cursor-pointer items-center justify-center rounded transition-all size-5'
     )
     expect(markup).toContain('lucide-git-branch')
-    expect(markup).toContain('absolute -right-1 -top-1 size-[13px] text-amber-500')
+    expect(markup).not.toContain('lucide-bell')
+    expect(markup).not.toContain('text-amber-500')
     expect(markup).not.toContain('bg-emerald-500')
   })
 })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCardStatusSlot.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCardStatusSlot.tsx
index e15a41cda..c7ab75ecf 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCardStatusSlot.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeCardStatusSlot.tsx
@@ -27,7 +27,10 @@ const QUIET_REVIEW_REPLACEABLE_STATUSES = new Set<WorktreeStatus>(['active', 'do
 // Why: a missing review display can also mean provider state is unavailable,
 // so the passive label names the branch cue without claiming no review exists.
 const BRANCH_STATUS_LABEL = 'Branch'
-const branchStatusIconClassName = 'size-4 text-muted-foreground/70'
+// Why: branch-style SVGs are optically left-heavy; this keeps them aligned with
+// the centered activity dots in the shared status column.
+const compactReviewAndBranchStatusIconClassName = 'size-[13px] translate-x-px'
+const branchStatusIconClassName = `${compactReviewAndBranchStatusIconClassName} text-muted-foreground/70`
 
 function getReviewStatusTooltip(review: WorktreeCardPrDisplay): string {
   const label = getReviewLabel(review)
@@ -84,14 +87,18 @@ export function WorktreeCardStatusSlot({
       : canShowBranchStatus
         ? BRANCH_STATUS_LABEL
         : statusLabel
-  const reviewStatusIconClassName = 'size-4'
+  const reviewStatusIconClassName = compactReviewAndBranchStatusIconClassName
   const branchStatusIcon = <GitBranch className={branchStatusIconClassName} aria-hidden="true" />
   const passiveStatus =
     canShowReviewStatus && prDisplay ? (
       <Tooltip>
         <TooltipTrigger asChild>
           <span className={cn('inline-flex size-5 items-center justify-center p-0.5', className)}>
-            <ReviewIcon review={prDisplay} className={reviewStatusIconClassName} />
+            <ReviewIcon
+              review={prDisplay}
+              className={reviewStatusIconClassName}
+              variant="generic"
+            />
             <span className="sr-only">{passiveStatusLabel}</span>
           </span>
         </TooltipTrigger>
@@ -135,7 +142,7 @@ export function WorktreeCardStatusSlot({
 
   const actionLabel = isUnread ? 'Mark as read' : 'Mark as unread'
   const tooltip =
-    showStatus && (!isUnread || (newCardStyle && (canShowBranchStatus || canShowReviewStatus)))
+    showStatus && (!isUnread || newCardStyle)
       ? `${passiveStatusLabel} · ${unreadTooltip}`
       : unreadTooltip
 
@@ -157,36 +164,26 @@ export function WorktreeCardStatusSlot({
             )}
             aria-label={actionLabel}
           >
-            {isUnread && showStatus && canShowReviewStatus && prDisplay ? (
-              <>
+            {newCardStyle ? (
+              showStatus && canShowReviewStatus && prDisplay ? (
                 <span className="inline-flex size-5 items-center justify-center p-0.5">
-                  <ReviewIcon review={prDisplay} className={reviewStatusIconClassName} />
+                  <ReviewIcon
+                    review={prDisplay}
+                    className={reviewStatusIconClassName}
+                    variant="generic"
+                  />
                 </span>
-                <FilledBellIcon className="absolute -right-1 -top-1 size-[13px] text-amber-500 drop-shadow-sm" />
-              </>
-            ) : isUnread && showStatus && canShowBranchStatus ? (
-              <>
+              ) : showStatus && canShowBranchStatus ? (
                 <span className="inline-flex size-5 items-center justify-center p-0.5">
                   {branchStatusIcon}
                 </span>
-                <FilledBellIcon className="absolute -right-1 -top-1 size-[13px] text-amber-500 drop-shadow-sm" />
-              </>
+              ) : showStatus ? (
+                <StatusIndicator status={status} aria-hidden="true" />
+              ) : (
+                <span className="sr-only">{actionLabel}</span>
+              )
             ) : isUnread ? (
               <FilledBellIcon className="size-[13px] text-amber-500 drop-shadow-sm" />
-            ) : showStatus && canShowReviewStatus && prDisplay ? (
-              <>
-                <span className="inline-flex size-5 items-center justify-center p-0.5 transition-opacity group-hover/unread:opacity-0 group-focus-within/unread:opacity-0">
-                  <ReviewIcon review={prDisplay} className={reviewStatusIconClassName} />
-                </span>
-                <Bell className="absolute size-3 text-muted-foreground/40 opacity-0 transition-opacity group-hover/unread:opacity-100 group-focus-within/unread:opacity-100" />
-              </>
-            ) : showStatus && canShowBranchStatus ? (
-              <>
-                <span className="inline-flex size-5 items-center justify-center p-0.5 transition-opacity group-hover/unread:opacity-0 group-focus-within/unread:opacity-0">
-                  {branchStatusIcon}
-                </span>
-                <Bell className="absolute size-3 text-muted-foreground/40 opacity-0 transition-opacity group-hover/unread:opacity-100 group-focus-within/unread:opacity-100" />
-              </>
             ) : showStatus ? (
               <>
                 <StatusIndicator
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeTitleInlineRename.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeTitleInlineRename.test.tsx
index 4d9b4af34..db35c8c2d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeTitleInlineRename.test.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeTitleInlineRename.test.tsx
@@ -46,7 +46,35 @@ describe('WorktreeTitleInlineRename', () => {
     expect(markup).not.toContain('cursor-text')
     expect(markup).not.toContain('title="Feature workspace"')
     expect(markup).toContain('tabindex="0"')
+    expect(markup).toContain('font-semibold text-foreground')
     expect(markup).toContain('Unread:')
     expect(markup).toContain('Feature workspace')
   })
+
+  it('keeps read titles at the default foreground color unless requested', () => {
+    const markup = renderToStaticMarkup(
+      <TooltipProvider>
+        <WorktreeTitleInlineRename displayName="Feature workspace" onRename={vi.fn()} />
+      </TooltipProvider>
+    )
+
+    expect(markup).toContain('font-normal text-foreground')
+    expect(markup).not.toContain('text-foreground/80')
+    expect(markup).not.toContain('Unread:')
+  })
+
+  it('dims read titles when requested by the experimental card style', () => {
+    const markup = renderToStaticMarkup(
+      <TooltipProvider>
+        <WorktreeTitleInlineRename
+          displayName="Feature workspace"
+          dimReadTitle
+          onRename={vi.fn()}
+        />
+      </TooltipProvider>
+    )
+
+    expect(markup).toContain('font-normal text-foreground/80')
+    expect(markup).not.toContain('Unread:')
+  })
 })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeTitleInlineRename.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeTitleInlineRename.tsx
index 06c2e12b0..914c3eb2f 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeTitleInlineRename.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/WorktreeTitleInlineRename.tsx
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ type WorktreeTitleInlineRenameProps = {
   displayName: string
   disabled?: boolean
   showUnreadEmphasis?: boolean
+  dimReadTitle?: boolean
   className?: string
   editingClassName?: string
   inputClassName?: string
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ export function WorktreeTitleInlineRename({
   displayName,
   disabled = false,
   showUnreadEmphasis = false,
+  dimReadTitle = false,
   className,
   editingClassName,
   inputClassName,
@@ -269,13 +271,19 @@ export function WorktreeTitleInlineRename({
     )
   }
 
+  const titleEmphasisClassName = showUnreadEmphasis
+    ? 'font-semibold text-foreground'
+    : dimReadTitle
+      ? 'font-normal text-foreground/80'
+      : 'font-normal text-foreground'
+
   const title = (
     <span
       key={`title:${titleElementKey}`}
       ref={handleRootRef}
       className={cn(
-        'block min-w-0 truncate leading-tight text-foreground focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-1 focus-visible:ring-worktree-sidebar-ring',
-        showUnreadEmphasis ? 'font-semibold' : 'font-normal',
+        'block min-w-0 truncate leading-tight focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-1 focus-visible:ring-worktree-sidebar-ring',
+        titleEmphasisClassName,
         className
       )}
       data-worktree-title-inline-rename=""
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/worktree-review-helpers.test.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/worktree-review-helpers.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f8e94b8d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/worktree-review-helpers.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+import { renderToStaticMarkup } from 'react-dom/server'
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
+import { ReviewIcon } from './worktree-review-helpers'
+import type { WorktreeCardPrDisplay } from './worktree-card-pr-display'
+
+const gitlabReview: WorktreeCardPrDisplay = {
+  provider: 'gitlab',
+  number: 456,
+  title: 'Review me',
+  state: 'open',
+  status: 'pending'
+}
+
+describe('ReviewIcon', () => {
+  it('uses the provider-specific GitLab MR icon by default', () => {
+    const markup = renderToStaticMarkup(<ReviewIcon review={gitlabReview} className="size-3" />)
+
+    expect(markup).toContain('lucide-git-merge')
+  })
+
+  it('can use the generic review icon for compact lanes', () => {
+    const markup = renderToStaticMarkup(
+      <ReviewIcon review={gitlabReview} className="size-3" variant="generic" />
+    )
+
+    expect(markup).toContain('viewBox="0 0 16 16"')
+    expect(markup).not.toContain('lucide-git-merge')
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/worktree-review-helpers.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/worktree-review-helpers.tsx
index 7251281f4..7f096a954 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/worktree-review-helpers.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/worktree-review-helpers.tsx
@@ -25,12 +25,14 @@ export function getProviderName(review: WorktreeCardPrDisplay): string {
 
 export function ReviewIcon({
   review,
-  className
+  className,
+  variant = 'provider'
 }: {
   review: WorktreeCardPrDisplay
   className?: string
+  variant?: 'provider' | 'generic'
 }): React.JSX.Element {
-  const Icon = review.provider === 'gitlab' ? GitMerge : PullRequestIcon
+  const Icon = variant === 'provider' && review.provider === 'gitlab' ? GitMerge : PullRequestIcon
   const checkTone =
     review.state !== 'merged' && review.status === 'failure'
       ? 'text-rose-500/85'