diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 0bdb919..21ac8c1 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -219,6 +219,8 @@ type ui struct {
 	exportAttachment        widget.Clickable
 	restoreHistory          widget.Clickable
 	generatePassword        widget.Clickable
+	goToRootGroup           widget.Clickable
+	goToParentGroup         widget.Clickable
 	createGroup             widget.Clickable
 	moveGroup               widget.Clickable
 	renameGroup             widget.Clickable
@@ -1506,6 +1508,29 @@ func (u *ui) displayEntryPath(path []string) []string {
 	return append([]string(nil), path[1:]...)
 }
 
+func (u *ui) currentGroupDisplayName() string {
+	displayPath := u.displayPath()
+	if len(displayPath) == 0 {
+		return "Vault root (/)"
+	}
+	return strings.Join(displayPath, " / ")
+}
+
+func (u *ui) parentGroupDisplayName() string {
+	displayPath := u.displayPath()
+	if len(displayPath) <= 1 {
+		return "Vault root (/)"
+	}
+	return strings.Join(displayPath[:len(displayPath)-1], " / ")
+}
+
+func (u *ui) createGroupLabel() string {
+	if len(u.displayPath()) == 0 {
+		return "Create Top-Level Group"
+	}
+	return "Create Subgroup"
+}
+
 func pathHasPrefix(path, prefix []string) bool {
 	if len(prefix) > len(path) {
 		return false
@@ -3765,49 +3790,109 @@ func (u *ui) groupBar(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 	if len(u.groupClicks) < len(groups) {
 		u.groupClicks = make([]widget.Clickable, len(groups))
 	}
-	if len(groups) == 0 {
-		return layout.Dimensions{}
-	}
-	return layout.Flex{Axis: layout.Vertical}.Layout(gtx, func() []layout.FlexChild {
-		children := []layout.FlexChild{
+	displayPath := u.displayPath()
+	atRoot := len(displayPath) == 0
+	return compactCard(gtx, func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+		return layout.Flex{Axis: layout.Vertical}.Layout(gtx,
 			layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-				label := "Groups"
-				if len(u.displayPath()) > 0 {
-					label = "Subgroups"
+				lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), "BROWSE GROUPS")
+				lbl.Color = mutedColor
+				return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+			}),
+			layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(4)}.Layout),
+			layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+				lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), "Root anchors the vault, current group sets the listing, and child groups open deeper paths.")
+				lbl.Color = mutedColor
+				return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+			}),
+			layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(8)}.Layout),
+			layout.Rigid(detailLine(u.theme, "Root", "Vault root (/)")),
+			layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
+			layout.Rigid(detailLine(u.theme, "Current Group", u.currentGroupDisplayName())),
+			layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+				if atRoot {
+					return layout.Dimensions{}
+				}
+				return layout.Flex{Axis: layout.Vertical}.Layout(gtx,
+					layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
+					layout.Rigid(detailLine(u.theme, "Parent Group", u.parentGroupDisplayName())),
+				)
+			}),
+			layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+				if atRoot {
+					return layout.Dimensions{}
+				}
+				return layout.Flex{Axis: layout.Vertical}.Layout(gtx,
+					layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(8)}.Layout),
+					layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+						return layout.Flex{Spacing: layout.SpaceStart}.Layout(gtx,
+							layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+								for u.goToRootGroup.Clicked(gtx) {
+									root := u.hiddenVaultRoot()
+									if root == "" {
+										u.setCurrentPath(nil)
+									} else {
+										u.setCurrentPath([]string{root})
+									}
+									u.filter()
+								}
+								return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.goToRootGroup, "Back to Root")
+							}),
+							layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Width: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
+							layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+								for u.goToParentGroup.Clicked(gtx) {
+									u.setCurrentPath(u.currentPath[:len(u.currentPath)-1])
+									u.filter()
+								}
+								return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.goToParentGroup, "Up One Group")
+							}),
+						)
+					}),
+				)
+			}),
+			layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(10)}.Layout),
+			layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+				label := "CHILD GROUPS"
+				if atRoot {
+					label = "TOP-LEVEL GROUPS"
 				}
 				lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), label)
 				lbl.Color = mutedColor
 				return lbl.Layout(gtx)
 			}),
-			layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
-		}
-		children = append(children, layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-			maxGroupListHeight := 200
-			if u.mode == "phone" {
-				maxGroupListHeight = 112
-			}
-			maxY := gtx.Dp(unit.Dp(maxGroupListHeight))
-			if gtx.Constraints.Max.Y > maxY {
-				gtx.Constraints.Max.Y = maxY
-			}
-			if gtx.Constraints.Min.Y > gtx.Constraints.Max.Y {
-				gtx.Constraints.Min.Y = gtx.Constraints.Max.Y
-			}
-			return material.List(u.theme, &u.groupList).Layout(gtx, len(groups), func(gtx layout.Context, i int) layout.Dimensions {
-				idx := i
-				name := groups[i]
-				return layout.Inset{Bottom: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout(gtx, func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-					for u.groupClicks[idx].Clicked(gtx) {
-						u.state.EnterGroup(name)
-						u.currentPath = append([]string(nil), u.state.CurrentPath...)
-						u.filter()
-					}
-					return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.groupClicks[idx], name)
+			layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(4)}.Layout),
+			layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+				if len(groups) == 0 {
+					lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), "No child groups here yet.")
+					lbl.Color = mutedColor
+					return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+				}
+				maxGroupListHeight := 200
+				if u.mode == "phone" {
+					maxGroupListHeight = 112
+				}
+				maxY := gtx.Dp(unit.Dp(maxGroupListHeight))
+				if gtx.Constraints.Max.Y > maxY {
+					gtx.Constraints.Max.Y = maxY
+				}
+				if gtx.Constraints.Min.Y > gtx.Constraints.Max.Y {
+					gtx.Constraints.Min.Y = gtx.Constraints.Max.Y
+				}
+				return material.List(u.theme, &u.groupList).Layout(gtx, len(groups), func(gtx layout.Context, i int) layout.Dimensions {
+					idx := i
+					name := groups[i]
+					return layout.Inset{Bottom: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout(gtx, func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+						for u.groupClicks[idx].Clicked(gtx) {
+							u.state.EnterGroup(name)
+							u.currentPath = append([]string(nil), u.state.CurrentPath...)
+							u.filter()
+						}
+						return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.groupClicks[idx], "Open "+name)
+					})
 				})
-			})
-		}))
-		return children
-	}()...)
+			}),
+		)
+	})
 }
 
 func detailLine(th *material.Theme, label, value string) layout.Widget {
diff --git a/main_test.go b/main_test.go
index a16d668..425e841 100644
--- a/main_test.go
+++ b/main_test.go
@@ -1420,6 +1420,37 @@ func TestUIGroupControlsCanBeCollapsed(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestUIGroupNavigationLabelsDistinguishRootCurrentAndParent(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	u := newUIWithModel("desktop", vault.Model{
+		Groups: [][]string{{"Root"}, {"Root", "Infrastructure"}, {"Root", "Infrastructure", "Prod"}},
+	})
+	u.showEntriesSection()
+
+	if got := u.currentGroupDisplayName(); got != "Vault root (/)" {
+		t.Fatalf("currentGroupDisplayName() at root = %q, want %q", got, "Vault root (/)")
+	}
+	if got := u.parentGroupDisplayName(); got != "Vault root (/)" {
+		t.Fatalf("parentGroupDisplayName() at root = %q, want %q", got, "Vault root (/)")
+	}
+	if got := u.createGroupLabel(); got != "Create Top-Level Group" {
+		t.Fatalf("createGroupLabel() at root = %q, want %q", got, "Create Top-Level Group")
+	}
+
+	u.setCurrentPath([]string{"Root", "Infrastructure", "Prod"})
+
+	if got := u.currentGroupDisplayName(); got != "Infrastructure / Prod" {
+		t.Fatalf("currentGroupDisplayName() = %q, want %q", got, "Infrastructure / Prod")
+	}
+	if got := u.parentGroupDisplayName(); got != "Infrastructure" {
+		t.Fatalf("parentGroupDisplayName() = %q, want %q", got, "Infrastructure")
+	}
+	if got := u.createGroupLabel(); got != "Create Subgroup" {
+		t.Fatalf("createGroupLabel() = %q, want %q", got, "Create Subgroup")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestUIParentGroupShowsDescendantEntries(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
@@ -2965,6 +2996,7 @@ func TestUILoadingDetailMessageUsesSelectedVault(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
 	u := newUIWithSession("desktop", &session.Manager{})
+	u.lifecycleMode = "local"
 	u.vaultPath.SetText("/home/julian/vaults/main.kdbx")
 	u.loadingMessage = "Open vault..."
 
diff --git a/ui_forms.go b/ui_forms.go
index eff6e2f..0832631 100644
--- a/ui_forms.go
+++ b/ui_forms.go
@@ -593,16 +593,38 @@ func (u *ui) groupControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 	}
 	deletable, deleteReason := u.currentGroupDeletionState()
 	return layout.Flex{Axis: layout.Vertical}.Layout(gtx,
+		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+			lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), "GROUP MANAGEMENT")
+			lbl.Color = mutedColor
+			return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+		}),
+		layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(4)}.Layout),
+		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+			lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), "Create, rename, move, and delete groups without interrupting the browsing path above.")
+			lbl.Color = mutedColor
+			return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+		}),
+		layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(10)}.Layout),
 		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 			lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), "CREATE")
 			lbl.Color = mutedColor
 			return lbl.Layout(gtx)
 		}),
 		layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(4)}.Layout),
+		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+			help := "Add a new top-level group."
+			if len(u.displayPath()) > 0 {
+				help = "Add a subgroup inside " + u.currentGroupDisplayName() + "."
+			}
+			lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), help)
+			lbl.Color = mutedColor
+			return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+		}),
+		layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(4)}.Layout),
 		layout.Rigid(labeledEditor(u.theme, "Create Group / Subgroup", &u.groupName, false)),
 		layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
 		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-			return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.createGroup, "Create Group")
+			return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.createGroup, u.createGroupLabel())
 		}),
 		layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(12)}.Layout),
 		layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
@@ -621,6 +643,12 @@ func (u *ui) groupControls(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 					lbl.Color = accentColor
 					return lbl.Layout(gtx)
 				}),
+				layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(4)}.Layout),
+				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
+					lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), "Rename or relocate only the selected group. Browsing stays in the separate group navigator.")
+					lbl.Color = mutedColor
+					return lbl.Layout(gtx)
+				}),
 				layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Height: unit.Dp(6)}.Layout),
 				layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 					return tonedButton(gtx, u.theme, &u.renameGroup, "Rename Current Group")
@@ -726,7 +754,7 @@ func (u *ui) groupControlsDisclosure(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
 					}),
 					layout.Rigid(layout.Spacer{Width: unit.Dp(4)}.Layout),
 					layout.Rigid(func(gtx layout.Context) layout.Dimensions {
-						lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), "Group tools")
+						lbl := material.Label(u.theme, unit.Sp(12), "Group management")
 						lbl.Color = mutedColor
 						return lbl.Layout(gtx)
 					}),