diff --git a/docs/tables_frontend_overhaul_implementation_plan.md b/docs/tables_frontend_overhaul_implementation_plan.md
index b25a593..54ababd 100644
--- a/docs/tables_frontend_overhaul_implementation_plan.md
+++ b/docs/tables_frontend_overhaul_implementation_plan.md
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ It is intentionally implementation-focused:
 | 2026-03-21 | Post-P2 fix 2 | Completed | Rebuilt the shell omnibox as a dedicated command palette instead of a repurposed drawer, with shell-owned overlay markup, explicit viewport-safe geometry, autofocus, Escape and navigation close behavior, and a stable scrollable result body. |
 | 2026-03-21 | Post-P2 fix 3 | Completed | Moved omnibox overlay ownership from the header subtree into `AppShell` itself via a shared omnibox state service and a top-level palette host, which restored full-screen backdrop coverage and reliable outside-click close behavior. |
 | 2026-03-21 | P3.1 | Completed | Split `Tables.razor` into focused table components for the selector header, context bar, canvas, and legend while leaving loading, deep-link synchronization, and dialog state in the page host. |
+| 2026-03-21 | P3.2 | Completed | Replaced the floating table picker with a permanent left-rail layout, converted the old selector component into a real page header, and kept the current selection flow intact inside the new reference frame. |
 
 ### Lessons Learned
 
@@ -93,6 +94,7 @@ It is intentionally implementation-focused:
 - A command palette is not just a styled drawer. It needs shell-owned geometry, predictable focus behavior, and a bounded scroll region; treating it as a generic side panel led directly to the layout regressions found in Phase 2.
 - Backdrop and outside-click behavior depend on overlay ownership as much as CSS. If the trigger owns the overlay inside a sticky header subtree, fixed-position assumptions can break; shell-level overlays should be rendered by the shell, not by individual header controls.
 - The `Tables` rewrite is safer when orchestration and rendering are separated early. Keeping loading, persistence, and dialog state in the page host while extracting render-only components makes later layout and interaction changes much lower risk.
+- The `Tables` navigation model needs its own persistent geometry before advanced behaviors land. Converting the selector to a real rail first keeps later search and keyboard work from being tangled up with another structural rewrite.
 
 ## Target Outcomes
 
@@ -454,7 +456,7 @@ Build the shared interaction infrastructure needed by multiple destinations befo
 | Task | Status | Notes |
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | `P3.1` | Completed | `Tables.razor` now acts as the stateful host while selector/header/canvas/legend rendering lives in dedicated `Components/Tables` components. |
-| `P3.2` | Pending | Replace the selector dropdown shell with the permanent left rail layout. |
+| `P3.2` | Completed | The old dropdown picker is gone; `/tables` now uses a permanent left rail and a real page header while keeping the current selection flow intact. |
 | `P3.3` | Pending | Add search, keyboard navigation, pinned/recent sections, curated percentage chips, and family filtering to the rail. |
 | `P3.4` | Pending | Introduce the sticky context bar with roll jump and mode/filter controls. |
 | `P3.5` | Pending | Rework the canvas for sticky headers, sticky roll bands, stronger reading emphasis, and density control. |
diff --git a/src/RolemasterDb.App/Components/Pages/Tables.razor b/src/RolemasterDb.App/Components/Pages/Tables.razor
index 99fbed4..9047abe 100644
--- a/src/RolemasterDb.App/Components/Pages/Tables.razor
+++ b/src/RolemasterDb.App/Components/Pages/Tables.razor
@@ -11,16 +11,7 @@
 <PageTitle>Critical Tables</PageTitle>
 
 <section class="panel tables-page">
-    <TablesPageHeader
-        ReferenceData="referenceData"
-        SelectedTableReference="SelectedTableReference"
-        SelectedTableSlug="selectedTableSlug"
-        IsTableMenuOpen="isTableMenuOpen"
-        IsTableSelectionDisabled="IsTableSelectionDisabled"
-        IsPinned="PinnedTablesState.IsPinned"
-        OnToggleTableMenu="ToggleTableMenu"
-        OnCloseTableMenu="CloseTableMenu"
-        OnSelectTable="SelectTableAsync" />
+    <TablesPageHeader />
 
     @if (referenceData is null)
     {
@@ -30,34 +21,49 @@
     {
         <p class="muted">No critical tables are available yet.</p>
     }
-    else if (!hasResolvedStoredTableSelection)
+    else
     {
-        <p class="muted">Restoring table context...</p>
-    }
-    else if (isDetailLoading)
-    {
-        <p class="muted">Loading the selected table...</p>
-    }
-    else if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(detailError))
-    {
-        <p class="error-text">@detailError</p>
-    }
-    else if (tableDetail is null)
-    {
-        <p class="muted">The selected table could not be loaded.</p>
-    }
-    else if (tableDetail is { } detail)
-    {
-        <div class="table-shell">
-            <TablesContextBar
-                Detail="detail"
-                IsPinned="PinnedTablesState.IsPinned(detail.Slug)"
-                OnTogglePin="TogglePinnedTableAsync" />
+        <div class="tables-reference-layout">
+            <aside class="tables-reference-rail">
+                <TablesIndexRail
+                    Tables="referenceData.CriticalTables"
+                    SelectedTableSlug="selectedTableSlug"
+                    IsPinned="PinnedTablesState.IsPinned"
+                    OnSelectTable="SelectTableAsync" />
+            </aside>
 
-            <TablesCanvas
-                Detail="detail"
-                OnOpenCuration="OpenCellCurationAsync"
-                OnOpenEditor="OpenCellEditorAsync" />
+            <div class="tables-reference-main">
+                @if (!hasResolvedStoredTableSelection)
+                {
+                    <p class="muted">Restoring table context...</p>
+                }
+                else if (isDetailLoading)
+                {
+                    <p class="muted">Loading the selected table...</p>
+                }
+                else if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(detailError))
+                {
+                    <p class="error-text">@detailError</p>
+                }
+                else if (tableDetail is null)
+                {
+                    <p class="muted">The selected table could not be loaded.</p>
+                }
+                else if (tableDetail is { } detail)
+                {
+                    <div class="table-shell">
+                        <TablesContextBar
+                            Detail="detail"
+                            IsPinned="PinnedTablesState.IsPinned(detail.Slug)"
+                            OnTogglePin="TogglePinnedTableAsync" />
+
+                        <TablesCanvas
+                            Detail="detail"
+                            OnOpenCuration="OpenCellCurationAsync"
+                            OnOpenEditor="OpenCellEditorAsync" />
+                    </div>
+                }
+            </div>
         </div>
     }
 </section>
@@ -127,7 +133,6 @@
     private string? curationQuickParseError;
     private int? curatingResultId;
     private CriticalCellEditorModel? curationModel;
-    private bool isTableMenuOpen;
     private bool hasResolvedStoredTableSelection;
     private CriticalTableReference? SelectedTableReference =>
         referenceData?.CriticalTables.FirstOrDefault(item => string.Equals(item.Key, selectedTableSlug, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
@@ -138,25 +143,9 @@
         isReferenceDataLoading = false;
     }
 
-    private void ToggleTableMenu()
-    {
-        if (IsTableSelectionDisabled)
-        {
-            return;
-        }
-
-        isTableMenuOpen = !isTableMenuOpen;
-    }
-
-    private void CloseTableMenu()
-    {
-        isTableMenuOpen = false;
-    }
-
     private async Task SelectTableAsync(string tableSlug)
     {
         selectedTableSlug = tableSlug;
-        isTableMenuOpen = false;
         await LoadTableDetailAsync();
         await PersistAndSyncTableContextAsync();
     }
diff --git a/src/RolemasterDb.App/Components/Tables/TablesIndexRail.razor b/src/RolemasterDb.App/Components/Tables/TablesIndexRail.razor
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d39093b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/RolemasterDb.App/Components/Tables/TablesIndexRail.razor
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+<section class="tables-index-rail" aria-labelledby="tables-index-heading">
+    <div class="tables-index-rail-header">
+        <h2 id="tables-index-heading" class="tables-index-title">Table Index</h2>
+        <p class="tables-index-copy">Choose a table, then read from the roll band across to the result you need.</p>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="tables-index-list" role="listbox" aria-label="Critical tables">
+        @foreach (var table in Tables)
+        {
+            <button
+                type="button"
+                role="option"
+                aria-selected="@string.Equals(table.Key, SelectedTableSlug, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)"
+                class="table-index-option @GetTableOptionCssClass(table)"
+                @onclick="() => OnSelectTable.InvokeAsync(table.Key)">
+                <span class="table-index-option-copy">
+                    <strong class="table-index-option-title">@table.Label</strong>
+                    <span class="table-index-option-meta">@table.Family</span>
+                </span>
+                <span class="table-index-option-chips">
+                    @if (GetIsPinned(table.Key))
+                    {
+                        <StatusChip Tone="accent">Pinned</StatusChip>
+                    }
+                    <span class="chip">@($"{table.CurationPercentage}%")</span>
+                </span>
+            </button>
+        }
+    </div>
+</section>
+
+@code {
+    [Parameter]
+    public IReadOnlyList<CriticalTableReference> Tables { get; set; } = Array.Empty<CriticalTableReference>();
+
+    [Parameter]
+    public string SelectedTableSlug { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+    [Parameter]
+    public Func<string, bool>? IsPinned { get; set; }
+
+    [Parameter]
+    public EventCallback<string> OnSelectTable { get; set; }
+
+    private bool GetIsPinned(string tableSlug) => IsPinned?.Invoke(tableSlug) ?? false;
+
+    private string GetTableOptionCssClass(CriticalTableReference table)
+    {
+        var classes = new List<string>();
+
+        if (string.Equals(table.Key, SelectedTableSlug, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            classes.Add("is-selected");
+        }
+
+        classes.Add(table.CurationPercentage >= 100 ? "is-curated" : "needs-curation");
+        return string.Join(' ', classes);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/RolemasterDb.App/Components/Tables/TablesPageHeader.razor b/src/RolemasterDb.App/Components/Tables/TablesPageHeader.razor
index 1e11ab5..8df0e8c 100644
--- a/src/RolemasterDb.App/Components/Tables/TablesPageHeader.razor
+++ b/src/RolemasterDb.App/Components/Tables/TablesPageHeader.razor
@@ -1,105 +1,7 @@
-<div class="table-browser-toolbar">
-    <div class="table-selector">
-        <label id="critical-table-selector-label">Table</label>
-        <div class="table-select-shell">
-            <button
-                type="button"
-                class="input-shell table-select-trigger"
-                aria-haspopup="listbox"
-                aria-expanded="@IsTableMenuOpen"
-                aria-labelledby="critical-table-selector-label critical-table-selector-value"
-                @onclick="() => OnToggleTableMenu.InvokeAsync()"
-                disabled="@IsTableSelectionDisabled">
-                <span class="table-select-trigger-copy">
-                    <span id="critical-table-selector-value" class="table-select-trigger-title">@GetSelectedTableLabel()</span>
-                </span>
-                @if (SelectedTableReference is { } selected)
-                {
-                    <span class="table-select-trigger-chips">
-                        @if (GetIsPinned(selected.Key))
-                        {
-                            <StatusChip Tone="accent">Pinned</StatusChip>
-                        }
-                        <span class="chip">@($"{selected.CurationPercentage}%")</span>
-                    </span>
-                }
-            </button>
-
-            @if (IsTableMenuOpen && ReferenceData is not null)
-            {
-                <button type="button" class="table-selector-backdrop" @onclick="() => OnCloseTableMenu.InvokeAsync()" aria-label="Close table selector"></button>
-
-                <div class="table-select-menu" role="listbox" aria-labelledby="critical-table-selector-label">
-                    @foreach (var table in ReferenceData.CriticalTables)
-                    {
-                        <button
-                            type="button"
-                            role="option"
-                            aria-selected="@string.Equals(table.Key, SelectedTableSlug, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)"
-                            class="table-select-option @GetTableOptionCssClass(table)"
-                            @onclick="() => OnSelectTable.InvokeAsync(table.Key)">
-                            <span class="table-select-option-main">
-                                <strong class="table-select-option-title">@table.Label</strong>
-                            </span>
-                            <span class="table-select-option-chips">
-                                @if (GetIsPinned(table.Key))
-                                {
-                                    <StatusChip Tone="accent">Pinned</StatusChip>
-                                }
-                                <span class="chip">@($"{table.CurationPercentage}%")</span>
-                            </span>
-                        </button>
-                    }
-                </div>
-            }
-        </div>
+<header class="tables-page-header">
+    <div class="tables-page-header-copy">
+        <p class="tables-page-eyebrow">Reference</p>
+        <h1 class="panel-title">Critical Tables</h1>
+        <p class="tables-page-intro">Browse the index, open a table, and read the result directly from the grid without leaving the page.</p>
     </div>
-
-    <p class="table-browser-toolbar-copy">Choose a table, then read from the roll band on the left across to the result you need.</p>
-</div>
-
-@code {
-    [Parameter]
-    public LookupReferenceData? ReferenceData { get; set; }
-
-    [Parameter]
-    public CriticalTableReference? SelectedTableReference { get; set; }
-
-    [Parameter]
-    public string SelectedTableSlug { get; set; } = string.Empty;
-
-    [Parameter]
-    public bool IsTableMenuOpen { get; set; }
-
-    [Parameter]
-    public bool IsTableSelectionDisabled { get; set; }
-
-    [Parameter]
-    public Func<string, bool>? IsPinned { get; set; }
-
-    [Parameter]
-    public EventCallback OnToggleTableMenu { get; set; }
-
-    [Parameter]
-    public EventCallback OnCloseTableMenu { get; set; }
-
-    [Parameter]
-    public EventCallback<string> OnSelectTable { get; set; }
-
-    private bool GetIsPinned(string tableSlug) => IsPinned?.Invoke(tableSlug) ?? false;
-
-    private string GetSelectedTableLabel() => SelectedTableReference?.Label ?? "Select a table";
-
-    private string GetTableOptionCssClass(CriticalTableReference table)
-    {
-        var classes = new List<string>();
-
-        if (string.Equals(table.Key, SelectedTableSlug, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
-        {
-            classes.Add("is-selected");
-        }
-
-        classes.Add(table.CurationPercentage >= 100 ? "is-curated" : "needs-curation");
-        return string.Join(' ', classes);
-    }
-}
+</header>
diff --git a/src/RolemasterDb.App/wwwroot/app.css b/src/RolemasterDb.App/wwwroot/app.css
index c734b8c..f16c9bc 100644
--- a/src/RolemasterDb.App/wwwroot/app.css
+++ b/src/RolemasterDb.App/wwwroot/app.css
@@ -1115,150 +1115,148 @@ pre,
     gap: 1rem;
 }
 
-.table-browser-toolbar {
+.tables-page-header {
     display: grid;
-    gap: 0.85rem;
+    gap: 0.5rem;
 }
 
-.table-selector {
-    display: flex;
-    flex-direction: column;
+.tables-page-header-copy {
+    display: grid;
+    gap: 0.35rem;
+    max-width: 52rem;
+}
+
+.tables-page-eyebrow {
+    margin: 0;
+    color: var(--accent-strong);
+    font-family: var(--font-ui);
+    font-size: 0.82rem;
+    font-weight: 700;
+    letter-spacing: 0.12em;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.tables-page-intro,
+.tables-index-copy,
+.table-browser-reading-hint,
+.table-browser-edit-hint {
+    margin: 0;
+    color: var(--ink-soft);
+}
+
+.tables-reference-layout {
+    display: grid;
+    grid-template-columns: minmax(17rem, 20rem) minmax(0, 1fr);
+    gap: 1rem;
+    align-items: start;
+}
+
+.tables-reference-rail {
+    position: sticky;
+    top: calc(var(--shell-header-height) + 1rem);
+}
+
+.tables-index-rail {
+    display: grid;
+    gap: 0.85rem;
+    padding: 1rem;
+    border-radius: 18px;
+    background: var(--surface-card-subtle);
+    border: 1px solid rgba(127, 96, 55, 0.16);
+    box-shadow: 0 16px 26px rgba(41, 22, 11, 0.06);
+}
+
+.tables-index-rail-header {
+    display: grid;
     gap: 0.35rem;
 }
 
-.table-select-shell {
-    position: relative;
+.tables-index-title {
+    margin: 0;
+    color: var(--ink-strong);
+    font-family: var(--font-display);
+    font-size: clamp(1.1rem, 1rem + 0.4vw, 1.35rem);
 }
 
-.table-select-trigger {
+.tables-index-list {
+    display: grid;
+    gap: 0.35rem;
+}
+
+.table-index-option {
     display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
+    align-items: flex-start;
     justify-content: space-between;
-    gap: 0.5rem;
+    gap: 0.75rem;
+    width: 100%;
+    padding: 0.7rem 0.8rem;
+    border: 1px solid transparent;
+    border-radius: 12px;
+    background: rgba(255, 250, 242, 0.72);
+    color: inherit;
     text-align: left;
-    padding: 0.55rem 0.7rem;
-    border: 1px solid rgba(127, 96, 55, 0.28);
-    border-radius: 8px;
-    background: rgba(255, 252, 247, 0.96);
-    box-shadow: none;
-    appearance: none;
-    transition: border-color 0.16s ease, background-color 0.16s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.16s ease, border-color 0.16s ease, transform 0.16s ease;
 }
 
-.table-select-trigger:hover,
-.table-select-trigger:focus-visible {
-    border-color: rgba(184, 121, 59, 0.4);
-    background: rgba(255, 248, 239, 0.98);
+.table-index-option:hover,
+.table-index-option:focus-visible {
+    border-color: rgba(184, 121, 59, 0.28);
+    background: rgba(255, 247, 235, 0.94);
     outline: none;
 }
 
-.table-select-trigger-copy {
-    display: block;
+.table-index-option.is-selected {
+    border-color: rgba(41, 22, 11, 0.18);
+    background: rgba(248, 238, 221, 0.98);
+}
+
+.table-index-option.is-curated {
+    background: rgba(102, 138, 83, 0.12);
+}
+
+.table-index-option.is-curated:hover,
+.table-index-option.is-curated:focus-visible {
+    background: rgba(102, 138, 83, 0.18);
+}
+
+.table-index-option.needs-curation {
+    background: rgba(184, 121, 59, 0.12);
+}
+
+.table-index-option.needs-curation:hover,
+.table-index-option.needs-curation:focus-visible {
+    background: rgba(184, 121, 59, 0.18);
+}
+
+.table-index-option-copy {
+    display: grid;
+    gap: 0.18rem;
     min-width: 0;
 }
 
-.table-select-trigger-title {
+.table-index-option-title {
     color: var(--ink);
     font-family: var(--font-ui);
+    font-size: 0.98rem;
+    font-weight: 600;
 }
 
-.table-select-trigger-chips,
-.table-select-option-chips {
+.table-index-option-meta {
+    color: var(--ink-soft);
+    font-size: 0.8rem;
+}
+
+.table-index-option-chips {
     display: flex;
     align-items: center;
     gap: 0.25rem;
     justify-content: flex-end;
 }
 
-.table-selector-backdrop {
-    position: fixed;
-    inset: 0;
-    border: none;
-    background: transparent;
-    padding: 0;
-    z-index: 15;
-}
-
-.table-select-menu {
-    position: absolute;
-    left: 0;
-    right: 0;
-    top: calc(100% + 0.1rem);
-    z-index: 20;
-    display: grid;
-    gap: 0;
-    padding: 0.1rem;
-    border-radius: 8px;
-    background: rgba(255, 250, 242, 0.98);
-    border: 1px solid rgba(127, 96, 55, 0.22);
-    box-shadow: 0 10px 18px rgba(41, 22, 11, 0.1);
-    max-height: min(28rem, 60vh);
-    overflow: auto;
-}
-
-.table-select-option {
-    border: none;
-    border-radius: 0;
-    background: transparent;
-    padding: 0.35rem 0.45rem;
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    justify-content: space-between;
-    gap: 0.45rem;
-    text-align: left;
-    transition: background-color 0.16s ease, outline-color 0.16s ease;
-}
-
-.table-select-option:hover,
-.table-select-option:focus-visible {
-    outline: 1px solid rgba(41, 22, 11, 0.16);
-    outline-offset: -1px;
-}
-
-.table-select-option.is-selected {
-    outline: 1px solid rgba(41, 22, 11, 0.14);
-    outline-offset: -1px;
-}
-
-.table-select-option.is-curated {
-    background: rgba(102, 138, 83, 0.12);
-}
-
-.table-select-option.is-curated:hover,
-.table-select-option.is-curated:focus-visible {
-    background: rgba(102, 138, 83, 0.18);
-}
-
-.table-select-option.needs-curation {
-    background: rgba(184, 121, 59, 0.12);
-}
-
-.table-select-option.needs-curation:hover,
-.table-select-option.needs-curation:focus-visible {
-    background: rgba(184, 121, 59, 0.18);
-}
-
-.table-select-option-main {
-    display: block;
+.tables-reference-main {
     min-width: 0;
 }
 
-.table-select-option-title {
-    color: var(--ink);
-    font-family: var(--font-ui);
-    font-weight: 400;
-    white-space: nowrap;
-    overflow: hidden;
-    text-overflow: ellipsis;
-}
-
-.table-browser-toolbar-copy,
-.table-browser-reading-hint,
-.table-browser-edit-hint {
-    margin: 0;
-    color: var(--ink-soft);
-}
-
 .table-shell {
     border-radius: 20px;
     padding: 1.2rem;
@@ -1283,6 +1281,16 @@ pre,
     white-space: nowrap;
 }
 
+@media (max-width: 1023px) {
+    .tables-reference-layout {
+        grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr);
+    }
+
+    .tables-reference-rail {
+        position: static;
+    }
+}
+
 .table-shell .table-scroll {
     overflow-x: auto;
 }