solitaire_engine/src/events.rs

@@ -237,6 +237,11 @@ pub struct ToggleSettingsRequestEvent;
 #[derive(Message, Debug, Clone, Copy, Default)]
 pub struct ToggleLeaderboardRequestEvent;
 
+/// Request to toggle the Home mode launcher. Fired by the HUD
+/// Menu-popover "Home" row alongside the existing `M` accelerator.
+#[derive(Message, Debug, Clone, Copy, Default)]
+pub struct ToggleHomeRequestEvent;
+
 /// Fired by `SyncPlugin` after a pull task resolves and the merged result has
 /// been persisted to disk. `Ok(SyncResponse)` carries the merged payload plus
 /// any `ConflictReport`s the merge produced. `Err(String)` carries a

solitaire_engine/src/help_plugin.rs

@@ -86,13 +86,18 @@ fn toggle_help_screen(
 }
 
 /// Click handler for the modal's "Done" button. F1 toggles the overlay
-/// the same way; this just exposes the close action to mouse / touch.
+/// the same way; Esc closes too, so dismissal matches every other
+/// modal (Phase C dismissal audit). Nothing ever stacks above Help,
+/// so Esc needs no topmost gate.
 fn handle_help_close_button(
     mut commands: Commands,
+    keys: Res<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>,
     close_buttons: Query<&Interaction, (With<HelpCloseButton>, Changed<Interaction>)>,
     screens: Query<Entity, With<HelpScreen>>,
 ) {
-    if !close_buttons.iter().any(|i| *i == Interaction::Pressed) {
+    let clicked = close_buttons.iter().any(|i| *i == Interaction::Pressed);
+    let esc = keys.just_pressed(KeyCode::Escape) && !screens.is_empty();
+    if !clicked && !esc {
         return;
     }
     for entity in &screens {
@@ -583,4 +588,33 @@ mod tests {
             0
         );
     }
+
+    /// Esc must dismiss the Help modal like Done and F1 do (Phase C
+    /// dismissal audit).
+    #[test]
+    fn escape_closes_help_screen() {
+        let mut app = headless_app();
+        app.world_mut()
+            .resource_mut::<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>()
+            .press(KeyCode::F1);
+        app.update();
+
+        {
+            let mut input = app.world_mut().resource_mut::<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>();
+            input.release(KeyCode::F1);
+            input.clear();
+            input.press(KeyCode::Escape);
+        }
+        app.update();
+        app.update();
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            app.world_mut()
+                .query::<&HelpScreen>()
+                .iter(app.world())
+                .count(),
+            0,
+            "Esc must close the Help modal"
+        );
+    }
 }

solitaire_engine/src/home_plugin.rs

@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ use crate::daily_challenge_plugin::DailyChallengeResource;
 use crate::events::{
     InfoToastEvent, NewGameRequestEvent, StartChallengeRequestEvent,
     StartDailyChallengeRequestEvent, StartDifficultyRequestEvent, StartPlayBySeedRequestEvent,
-    StartTimeAttackRequestEvent, StartZenRequestEvent, ToggleProfileRequestEvent,
+    StartTimeAttackRequestEvent, StartZenRequestEvent, ToggleHomeRequestEvent,
+    ToggleProfileRequestEvent,
 };
 use crate::font_plugin::FontResource;
 use crate::progress_plugin::ProgressResource;
@@ -264,6 +265,7 @@ impl Plugin for HomePlugin {
             .add_message::<StartPlayBySeedRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<StartDifficultyRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<InfoToastEvent>()
+            .add_message::<ToggleHomeRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<ToggleProfileRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<SettingsChangedEvent>()
             // Defensively register MouseWheel so `scroll_home_panel`
@@ -371,6 +373,7 @@ fn spawn_home_on_launch(
 fn toggle_home_screen(
     mut commands: Commands,
     keys: Res<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>,
+    mut requests: MessageReader<ToggleHomeRequestEvent>,
     progress: Option<Res<ProgressResource>>,
     stats: Option<Res<StatsResource>>,
     settings: Option<Res<SettingsResource>>,
@@ -380,7 +383,8 @@ fn toggle_home_screen(
     other_modal_scrims: Query<(), (With<crate::ui_modal::ModalScrim>, Without<HomeScreen>)>,
     diff_expanded: Res<DifficultyExpanded>,
 ) {
-    if !keys.just_pressed(KeyCode::KeyM) {
+    let button_clicked = requests.read().count() > 0;
+    if !keys.just_pressed(KeyCode::KeyM) && !button_clicked {
         return;
     }
     if let Ok(entity) = screens.single() {
@@ -1621,6 +1625,44 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    /// The HUD Menu popover's "Home" row fires
+    /// `ToggleHomeRequestEvent`; it must open Home exactly like the
+    /// `M` accelerator (Phase C: the popover's Play section replaces
+    /// the old Modes row).
+    #[test]
+    fn toggle_home_event_opens_home_screen() {
+        let mut app = headless_app();
+        app.world_mut()
+            .resource_mut::<Messages<ToggleHomeRequestEvent>>()
+            .write(ToggleHomeRequestEvent);
+        app.update();
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            app.world_mut()
+                .query::<&HomeScreen>()
+                .iter(app.world())
+                .count(),
+            1,
+            "ToggleHomeRequestEvent must open the Home modal"
+        );
+
+        // A second request toggles it closed, matching the M key.
+        app.world_mut()
+            .resource_mut::<Messages<ToggleHomeRequestEvent>>()
+            .write(ToggleHomeRequestEvent);
+        app.update();
+        app.update();
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            app.world_mut()
+                .query::<&HomeScreen>()
+                .iter(app.world())
+                .count(),
+            0,
+            "second ToggleHomeRequestEvent must close the Home modal"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn pressing_m_twice_closes_home_screen() {
         let mut app = headless_app();

solitaire_engine/src/hud_plugin/interaction.rs

@@ -311,44 +311,65 @@ pub(super) fn spawn_menu_popover(commands: &mut Commands, font_res: Option<&Font
         ..default()
     };
 
-    // Each row carries a tooltip alongside its label so hover reveals
-    // a one-line description of what each overlay shows — mirroring
-    // the tooltips on the action-bar buttons that opened this popover.
-    let rows: [(MenuOption, &'static str, &'static str); 7] = [
+    // One popover row: destination, label, hover tooltip.
+    type MenuRow = (MenuOption, &'static str, &'static str);
+    // Destinations grouped into labelled sections (Phase C of the menu
+    // redesign): Play · You · Community · System. Each row carries a
+    // tooltip alongside its label so hover reveals a one-line
+    // description of what each overlay shows — mirroring the tooltips
+    // on the action-bar buttons that opened this popover. Mode
+    // selection lives on Home now, so there is no Modes row.
+    let sections: [(&'static str, &'static [MenuRow]); 4] = [
         (
-            MenuOption::Help,
-            "Help",
-            "Show controls, rules, and keyboard shortcuts.",
+            "Play",
+            &[(
+                MenuOption::Home,
+                "Home",
+                "Pick a mode, continue, or start a new game.",
+            )],
         ),
         (
-            MenuOption::Modes,
-            "Game Modes",
-            "Switch modes: Classic, Daily, Zen, Challenge, Time Attack.",
+            "You",
+            &[
+                (
+                    MenuOption::Profile,
+                    "Profile",
+                    "Your level, XP progress, and sync status.",
+                ),
+                (
+                    MenuOption::Stats,
+                    "Stats",
+                    "Lifetime totals: wins, streaks, fastest time, best score.",
+                ),
+                (
+                    MenuOption::Achievements,
+                    "Achievements",
+                    "Browse unlocked achievements and the rewards still ahead.",
+                ),
+            ],
         ),
         (
-            MenuOption::Stats,
-            "Stats",
-            "Lifetime totals: wins, streaks, fastest time, best score.",
+            "Community",
+            &[(
+                MenuOption::Leaderboard,
+                "Leaderboard",
+                "Top players from your sync server. Opt in from Profile.",
+            )],
         ),
         (
-            MenuOption::Achievements,
-            "Achievements",
-            "Browse unlocked achievements and the rewards still ahead.",
-        ),
-        (
-            MenuOption::Profile,
-            "Profile",
-            "Your level, XP progress, and sync status.",
-        ),
-        (
-            MenuOption::Settings,
-            "Settings",
-            "Audio, animations, theme, draw mode, and sync.",
-        ),
-        (
-            MenuOption::Leaderboard,
-            "Leaderboard",
-            "Top players from your sync server. Opt in from Profile.",
+            "System",
+            &[
+                (
+                    MenuOption::Settings,
+                    "Settings",
+                    "Audio, animations, theme, draw mode, and sync.",
+                ),
+                (
+                    MenuOption::Help,
+                    "Help",
+                    "Show controls, rules, and keyboard shortcuts.",
+                ),
+            ],
         ),
     ];
 
@@ -373,27 +394,48 @@ pub(super) fn spawn_menu_popover(commands: &mut Commands, font_res: Option<&Font
             ZIndex(Z_HUD_POPOVER),
         ))
         .with_children(|panel| {
-            for (option, label, tooltip) in rows {
+            let section_font = TextFont {
+                font: font_res.map(|f| f.0.clone()).unwrap_or_default(),
+                font_size: TYPE_CAPTION,
+                ..default()
+            };
+            for (section, rows) in sections {
+                // Non-interactive section header — a quiet divider
+                // inside the existing panel, not a new widget.
                 panel
-                    .spawn((
-                        option,
-                        ActionButton,
-                        PopoverRow,
-                        Button,
-                        Tooltip::new(tooltip),
-                        Node {
-                            padding: UiRect::axes(VAL_SPACE_3, Val::Px(6.0)),
-                            justify_content: JustifyContent::FlexStart,
-                            align_items: AlignItems::Center,
-                            min_width: Val::Px(150.0),
-                            border_radius: BorderRadius::all(Val::Px(RADIUS_SM)),
-                            ..default()
-                        },
-                        BackgroundColor(ACTION_BTN_IDLE),
-                    ))
+                    .spawn(Node {
+                        padding: UiRect::axes(VAL_SPACE_3, Val::Px(2.0)),
+                        ..default()
+                    })
                     .with_children(|b| {
-                        b.spawn((Text::new(label), font.clone(), TextColor(TEXT_PRIMARY)));
+                        b.spawn((
+                            Text::new(section),
+                            section_font.clone(),
+                            TextColor(TEXT_SECONDARY),
+                        ));
                     });
+                for &(option, label, tooltip) in rows {
+                    panel
+                        .spawn((
+                            option,
+                            ActionButton,
+                            PopoverRow,
+                            Button,
+                            Tooltip::new(tooltip),
+                            Node {
+                                padding: UiRect::axes(VAL_SPACE_3, Val::Px(6.0)),
+                                justify_content: JustifyContent::FlexStart,
+                                align_items: AlignItems::Center,
+                                min_width: Val::Px(150.0),
+                                border_radius: BorderRadius::all(Val::Px(RADIUS_SM)),
+                                ..default()
+                            },
+                            BackgroundColor(ACTION_BTN_IDLE),
+                        ))
+                        .with_children(|b| {
+                            b.spawn((Text::new(label), font.clone(), TextColor(TEXT_PRIMARY)));
+                        });
+                }
             }
         });
 
@@ -422,31 +464,28 @@ pub(super) fn handle_menu_option_click(
     interaction_query: Query<(&Interaction, &MenuOption), Changed<Interaction>>,
     popovers: Query<Entity, With<MenuPopover>>,
     backdrops: Query<Entity, With<MenuPopoverBackdrop>>,
+    mut home: MessageWriter<ToggleHomeRequestEvent>,
     mut stats: MessageWriter<ToggleStatsRequestEvent>,
     mut achievements: MessageWriter<ToggleAchievementsRequestEvent>,
     mut profile: MessageWriter<ToggleProfileRequestEvent>,
     mut settings: MessageWriter<ToggleSettingsRequestEvent>,
     mut leaderboard: MessageWriter<ToggleLeaderboardRequestEvent>,
     mut help: MessageWriter<HelpRequestEvent>,
-    progress: Option<Res<ProgressResource>>,
-    daily: Option<Res<DailyChallengeResource>>,
-    font_res: Option<Res<FontResource>>,
     mut commands: Commands,
 ) {
     let mut clicked_any = false;
-    let mut open_modes = false;
     for (interaction, option) in &interaction_query {
         if *interaction != Interaction::Pressed {
             continue;
         }
         clicked_any = true;
         match option {
+            MenuOption::Home => {
+                home.write(ToggleHomeRequestEvent);
+            }
             MenuOption::Help => {
                 help.write(HelpRequestEvent);
             }
-            MenuOption::Modes => {
-                open_modes = true;
-            }
             MenuOption::Stats => {
                 stats.write(ToggleStatsRequestEvent);
             }
@@ -470,14 +509,6 @@ pub(super) fn handle_menu_option_click(
             commands.entity(e).despawn();
         }
     }
-    if open_modes {
-        spawn_modes_popover(
-            &mut commands,
-            progress.as_deref(),
-            daily.as_deref(),
-            font_res.as_deref(),
-        );
-    }
 }
 
 /// Despawns the [`ModesPopover`] and its backdrop when Escape / Android back

solitaire_engine/src/hud_plugin/mod.rs

@@ -30,9 +30,9 @@ use crate::daily_challenge_plugin::DailyChallengeResource;
 use crate::events::{
     HelpRequestEvent, InfoToastEvent, NewGameRequestEvent, PauseRequestEvent,
     StartChallengeRequestEvent, StartDailyChallengeRequestEvent, StartTimeAttackRequestEvent,
-    StartZenRequestEvent, ToggleAchievementsRequestEvent, ToggleLeaderboardRequestEvent,
-    ToggleProfileRequestEvent, ToggleSettingsRequestEvent, ToggleStatsRequestEvent,
-    UndoRequestEvent, WinStreakMilestoneEvent,
+    StartZenRequestEvent, ToggleAchievementsRequestEvent, ToggleHomeRequestEvent,
+    ToggleLeaderboardRequestEvent, ToggleProfileRequestEvent, ToggleSettingsRequestEvent,
+    ToggleStatsRequestEvent, UndoRequestEvent, WinStreakMilestoneEvent,
 };
 use crate::font_plugin::FontResource;
 use crate::game_plugin::{GameMutation, NewGameRequestWriters};
@@ -386,8 +386,9 @@ pub enum ModeOption {
 }
 
 /// Marker on the "Menu" action button. Click toggles the [`MenuPopover`]
-/// which exposes the Stats / Achievements / Profile / Settings /
-/// Leaderboard overlays without needing the S/A/P/O/L hotkeys.
+/// which exposes the Home / Profile / Stats / Achievements /
+/// Leaderboard / Settings / Help overlays without needing the
+/// M/P/S/A/L/O/F1 hotkeys.
 #[derive(Component, Debug)]
 pub struct MenuButton;
 
@@ -413,16 +414,18 @@ struct MenuPopoverBackdrop;
 struct ModesPopoverBackdrop;
 
 /// One row inside the [`MenuPopover`]. The variant selects which
-/// `Toggle*RequestEvent` the click handler fires.
+/// `Toggle*RequestEvent` the click handler fires. Rows render grouped
+/// under section headers (Play · You · Community · System); mode
+/// selection lives on Home, so there is no Modes row here.
 #[derive(Component, Debug, Clone, Copy)]
 pub enum MenuOption {
-    Help,
-    Modes,
+    Home,
+    Profile,
     Stats,
     Achievements,
-    Profile,
-    Settings,
     Leaderboard,
+    Settings,
+    Help,
 }
 
 /// HUD Z-layer — above cards (which start at z=0) but below overlay screens.
@@ -459,6 +462,7 @@ impl Plugin for HudPlugin {
             .add_message::<StartTimeAttackRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<StartDailyChallengeRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<ToggleStatsRequestEvent>()
+            .add_message::<ToggleHomeRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<ToggleAchievementsRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<ToggleProfileRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<ToggleSettingsRequestEvent>()

solitaire_engine/src/hud_plugin/tests.rs

@@ -786,8 +786,8 @@ fn popover_rows_carry_tooltip_strings() {
         menu_tooltips.len()
     );
     for expected in [
+        "Pick a mode, continue, or start a new game.",
         "Show controls, rules, and keyboard shortcuts.",
-        "Switch modes: Classic, Daily, Zen, Challenge, Time Attack.",
         "Lifetime totals: wins, streaks, fastest time, best score.",
         "Browse unlocked achievements and the rewards still ahead.",
         "Your level, XP progress, and sync status.",

solitaire_engine/src/leaderboard_plugin.rs

@@ -343,13 +343,21 @@ fn scroll_leaderboard_panel(
     }
 }
 
+/// Done click or Esc dismisses the leaderboard (Phase C dismissal
+/// audit). Esc only fires when the leaderboard is the topmost modal —
+/// with the display-name dialog stacked on top, that dialog owns Esc.
 fn handle_leaderboard_close_button(
     mut commands: Commands,
+    keys: Res<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>,
     close_buttons: Query<&Interaction, (With<LeaderboardCloseButton>, Changed<Interaction>)>,
     screens: Query<Entity, With<LeaderboardScreen>>,
+    other_modal_scrims: Query<(), (With<ModalScrim>, Without<LeaderboardScreen>)>,
     mut closed_flag: ResMut<ClosedThisFrame>,
 ) {
-    if !close_buttons.iter().any(|i| *i == Interaction::Pressed) {
+    let clicked = close_buttons.iter().any(|i| *i == Interaction::Pressed);
+    let esc =
+        keys.just_pressed(KeyCode::Escape) && !screens.is_empty() && other_modal_scrims.is_empty();
+    if !clicked && !esc {
         return;
     }
     for entity in &screens {
@@ -888,12 +896,18 @@ fn handle_display_name_confirm(
 }
 
 /// Discards any typed text and closes the display-name editor modal.
+/// Cancel click or Esc dismisses the display-name dialog without
+/// saving (Phase C dismissal audit — same contract as the sync-setup
+/// dialog's Cancel/Esc pair).
 fn handle_display_name_cancel(
     button_q: Query<&Interaction, (Changed<Interaction>, With<DisplayNameCancelButton>)>,
+    keys: Res<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>,
     screens: Query<Entity, With<DisplayNameModal>>,
     mut commands: Commands,
 ) {
-    if !button_q.iter().any(|i| *i == Interaction::Pressed) {
+    let clicked = button_q.iter().any(|i| *i == Interaction::Pressed);
+    let esc = keys.just_pressed(KeyCode::Escape) && !screens.is_empty();
+    if !clicked && !esc {
         return;
     }
     for entity in &screens {

solitaire_engine/src/settings_plugin/input.rs

@@ -50,15 +50,21 @@ pub(super) fn handle_volume_keys(
 }
 
 /// Opens or closes the Settings panel — `O` keyboard accelerator or
-/// `ToggleSettingsRequestEvent` from the HUD Menu popover.
+/// `ToggleSettingsRequestEvent` from the HUD Menu popover. Esc closes
+/// too (Phase C dismissal audit), but only when Settings is the
+/// topmost modal — with sync-setup or the theme store stacked on top,
+/// the stacked dialog owns Esc.
 pub(super) fn toggle_settings_screen(
     keys: Res<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>,
     mut requests: MessageReader<ToggleSettingsRequestEvent>,
     mut screen: ResMut<SettingsScreen>,
+    other_modal_scrims: Query<(), (With<ModalScrim>, Without<SettingsPanel>)>,
 ) {
     let button_clicked = requests.read().count() > 0;
     if keys.just_pressed(KeyCode::KeyO) || button_clicked {
         screen.0 = !screen.0;
+    } else if keys.just_pressed(KeyCode::Escape) && screen.0 && other_modal_scrims.is_empty() {
+        screen.0 = false;
     }
 }
 

solitaire_engine/src/settings_plugin/tests.rs

@@ -140,6 +140,31 @@ fn pressing_o_toggles_settings_screen_flag() {
     );
 }
 
+/// Esc closes the Settings panel like O / Done do (Phase C dismissal
+/// audit). Esc while the panel is closed must NOT open it.
+#[test]
+fn escape_closes_settings_screen_flag() {
+    let mut app = headless_app();
+
+    press(&mut app, KeyCode::Escape);
+    app.update();
+    assert!(
+        !app.world().resource::<SettingsScreen>().0,
+        "Esc on a closed panel stays closed"
+    );
+
+    press(&mut app, KeyCode::KeyO);
+    app.update();
+    assert!(app.world().resource::<SettingsScreen>().0, "O opens");
+
+    press(&mut app, KeyCode::Escape);
+    app.update();
+    assert!(
+        !app.world().resource::<SettingsScreen>().0,
+        "Esc closes settings"
+    );
+}
+
 // cycle_unlocked pure-function tests
 #[test]
 fn cycle_unlocked_wraps_at_end() {

solitaire_engine/src/theme_store_plugin.rs

@@ -118,6 +118,9 @@ impl Plugin for ThemeStorePlugin {
             .init_resource::<CatalogTask>()
             .init_resource::<InstallTask>()
             .init_resource::<StoreBaseUrl>()
+            // Esc-close reads keyboard input; register defensively so
+            // the plugin works under MinimalPlugins in tests.
+            .init_resource::<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>()
             .add_message::<ThemeStoreOpenRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<InfoToastEvent>()
             .add_message::<WarningToastEvent>()
@@ -344,19 +347,23 @@ fn poll_install_task(
     );
 }
 
-/// Despawns the store modal when Close is pressed.
+/// Despawns the store modal when Close is pressed or on Esc (Phase C
+/// dismissal audit). The store only ever stacks over Settings and
+/// nothing stacks over the store, so it owns Esc whenever it is open
+/// (Settings' own Esc handler is gated on being topmost).
 fn handle_close_button(
     interactions: Query<&Interaction, (Changed<Interaction>, With<ThemeStoreCloseButton>)>,
+    keys: Res<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>,
     screens: Query<Entity, With<ThemeStoreScreen>>,
     mut commands: Commands,
 ) {
-    for interaction in &interactions {
-        if *interaction != Interaction::Pressed {
-            continue;
-        }
-        for entity in &screens {
-            commands.entity(entity).despawn();
-        }
+    let clicked = interactions.iter().any(|i| *i == Interaction::Pressed);
+    let esc = keys.just_pressed(KeyCode::Escape) && !screens.is_empty();
+    if !clicked && !esc {
+        return;
+    }
+    for entity in &screens {
+        commands.entity(entity).despawn();
     }
 }