diff --git a/build/bin/verstak-desktop b/build/bin/verstak-desktop
index 9543260..20b0786 100755
Binary files a/build/bin/verstak-desktop and b/build/bin/verstak-desktop differ
diff --git a/cmd/smoke-platform/main.go b/cmd/smoke-platform/main.go
index 9a2d0b5..e8c894f 100644
--- a/cmd/smoke-platform/main.go
+++ b/cmd/smoke-platform/main.go
@@ -192,6 +192,14 @@ func main() {
 		fmt.Printf("  ✅ registered vault capability\n")
 	}
 
+	// Register workspace capability (core service — always present when vault is open)
+	if err := reg.Register("verstak-desktop", []string{"verstak/core/workspace/v1"}); err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("  ❌ register workspace capability: %v\n", err)
+		allGood = false
+	} else {
+		fmt.Printf("  ✅ registered workspace capability\n")
+	}
+
 	// Register plugin capabilities
 	for _, p := range m.Provides {
 		if err := reg.Register(m.ID, []string{p}); err != nil {
@@ -257,10 +265,10 @@ func main() {
 	fmt.Printf("\n[capability count]\n")
 	totalCaps := len(reg.List())
 	fmt.Printf("  total capabilities: %d\n", totalCaps)
-	if totalCaps >= 8 {
-		fmt.Printf("  ✅ total capabilities >= 8 (%d)\n", totalCaps)
+	if totalCaps >= 9 {
+		fmt.Printf("  ✅ total capabilities >= 9 (%d)\n", totalCaps)
 	} else {
-		fmt.Printf("  ❌ total capabilities < 8 (got %d, expected >= 8)\n", totalCaps)
+		fmt.Printf("  ❌ total capabilities < 9 (got %d, expected >= 9)\n", totalCaps)
 		allGood = false
 	}
 
@@ -649,6 +657,50 @@ func runWorkspaceTest(root string) {
 	fmt.Printf("  ✅ workspace.json exists on disk\n")
 	fmt.Printf("  content:\n%s\n", string(wsData))
 
+	// ── Test 4-level deep tree ──
+	fmt.Printf("\n[4-level deep tree]\n")
+	// Create: root → folder1 → folder2 → case (4 levels)
+	folder1, err := ws.CreateNode(rootID, workspace.TypeFolder, "Level 1 Folder")
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("  ❌ create folder1: %v\n", err)
+		exitCode = 1
+		return
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("  ✅ created: %s\n", folder1.Title)
+
+	folder2, err := ws.CreateNode(folder1.ID, workspace.TypeFolder, "Level 2 Folder")
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("  ❌ create folder2: %v\n", err)
+		exitCode = 1
+		return
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("  ✅ created: %s\n", folder2.Title)
+
+	deepCase, err := ws.CreateNode(folder2.ID, workspace.TypeCase, "Deep Case")
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("  ❌ create deep case: %v\n", err)
+		exitCode = 1
+		return
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("  ✅ created: %s (depth 4)\n", deepCase.Title)
+
+	tree = ws.GetTree()
+	if len(tree.Nodes) != 7 { // root + case + folder + nested + folder1 + folder2 + deepCase
+		fmt.Printf("  ❌ expected 7 nodes, got %d\n", len(tree.Nodes))
+		exitCode = 1
+		return
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("  ✅ tree has 7 nodes (4 levels deep)\n")
+
+	// Verify deep case parent chain
+	deepNode, _ := ws.GetNode(deepCase.ID)
+	if deepNode.ParentID != folder2.ID {
+		fmt.Printf("  ❌ deep case parent mismatch\n")
+		exitCode = 1
+		return
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("  ✅ deep case parent chain correct\n")
+
 	fmt.Printf("\n=== summary ===\n")
 	fmt.Printf("✅ workspace test passed\n")
 }
diff --git a/docs/PLUGIN_RUNTIME.md b/docs/PLUGIN_RUNTIME.md
index 99b98ba..98aaa14 100644
--- a/docs/PLUGIN_RUNTIME.md
+++ b/docs/PLUGIN_RUNTIME.md
@@ -439,6 +439,7 @@ Workspace — центральная модель Верстака вокруг
 
 ### Lifecycle Events
 
+**Planned (not yet implemented in runtime):**
 - `workspace.node.created`
 - `workspace.node.renamed`
 - `workspace.node.moved`
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/shell/WorkspaceTree.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/shell/WorkspaceTree.svelte
index e3ddd72..b530556 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/shell/WorkspaceTree.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/shell/WorkspaceTree.svelte
@@ -2,11 +2,13 @@
   import { onMount } from 'svelte';
   import * as App from '../../../wailsjs/go/api/App';
 
-  let nodes = [];
-  let currentNodeId = '';
+  export let nodes = [];
+  export let currentNodeId = '';
+  export let expandedNodes = {};
+  export let depth = 0;
+
   let loading = true;
-  let error = '';
-  let expandedNodes = {};
+  let localError = '';
   let showCreate = false;
   let newNodeTitle = '';
   let newNodeParentId = '';
@@ -14,12 +16,14 @@
   let creating = false;
 
   onMount(async () => {
-    await loadTree();
+    if (depth === 0) {
+      await loadTree();
+    }
   });
 
   async function loadTree() {
     loading = true;
-    error = '';
+    localError = '';
     try {
       const result = await App.GetWorkspaceTree();
       if (result.status === 'not initialized') {
@@ -32,7 +36,7 @@
         if (root) expandedNodes[root.id] = true;
       }
     } catch (e) {
-      error = String(e);
+      localError = String(e);
     }
     loading = false;
   }
@@ -63,7 +67,7 @@
 
   async function selectNode(id) {
     const err = await App.SetCurrentWorkspaceNode(id);
-    if (err) { error = err; return; }
+    if (err) { localError = err; return; }
     currentNodeId = id;
   }
 
@@ -78,12 +82,12 @@
     if (!newNodeTitle.trim()) return;
     creating = true;
     const res = await App.CreateWorkspaceNode(newNodeParentId, newNodeType, newNodeTitle.trim());
-    if (res.error) { error = res.error; creating = false; return; }
+    if (res.error) { localError = res.error; creating = false; return; }
     showCreate = false;
     creating = false;
-    await loadTree();
     expandedNodes[newNodeParentId] = true;
     expandedNodes = expandedNodes;
+    await loadTree();
   }
 
   function cancelCreate() {
@@ -92,67 +96,62 @@
   }
 </script>
 
-<div class="wt">
-  <div class="wt-header">
-    <span class="wt-title">Workspace</span>
-    <button class="wt-btn" on:click={() => openCreate('', 'space')} type="button">+</button>
-  </div>
-
-  {#if loading}
-    <div class="wt-loading">Loading...</div>
-  {:else if error}
-    <div class="wt-error">{error}</div>
-  {:else}
-    {#each roots() as node (node.id)}
-      <div class="wt-node">
-        <div class="wt-row" class:selected={node.id === currentNodeId}>
-          {#if hasKids(node.id)}
-            <button class="wt-expand" on:click={() => toggle(node.id)} type="button">{expandedNodes[node.id] ? '\u25BE' : '\u25B8'}</button>
-          {:else}
-            <span class="wt-expand-spacer"></span>
-          {/if}
-          <span class="wt-icon">{icon(node.type)}</span>
-          <button class="wt-label" on:click={() => selectNode(node.id)} type="button">{node.title}</button>
-          <button class="wt-btn wt-btn-small" on:click={() => openCreate(node.id, 'case')} type="button">+</button>
-        </div>
-        {#if expandedNodes[node.id]}
-          {#each childrenOf(node.id) as child (child.id)}
-            <div class="wt-node wt-child">
-              <div class="wt-row" class:selected={child.id === currentNodeId}>
-                {#if hasKids(child.id)}
-                  <button class="wt-expand" on:click={() => toggle(child.id)} type="button">{expandedNodes[child.id] ? '\u25BE' : '\u25B8'}</button>
-                {:else}
-                  <span class="wt-expand-spacer"></span>
-                {/if}
-                <span class="wt-icon">{icon(child.type)}</span>
-                <button class="wt-label" on:click={() => selectNode(child.id)} type="button">{child.title}</button>
-                <button class="wt-btn wt-btn-small" on:click={() => openCreate(child.id, 'folder')} type="button">+</button>
-              </div>
-            </div>
-          {/each}
-        {/if}
-      </div>
-    {/each}
-  {/if}
-
-  {#if showCreate}
-    <div class="wt-create">
-      <div class="wt-create-header">
-        <span>New {newNodeType}</span>
-        <button class="wt-btn" on:click={cancelCreate} type="button">{'\u2715'}</button>
-      </div>
-      <input type="text" bind:value={newNodeTitle} placeholder="Name..." disabled={creating} />
-      <div class="wt-create-actions">
-        <button class="wt-btn-primary" on:click={doCreate} type="button" disabled={creating || !newNodeTitle.trim()}>{creating ? '...' : 'Create'}</button>
-        <button class="wt-btn" on:click={cancelCreate} type="button" disabled={creating}>Cancel</button>
-      </div>
+{#if depth === 0}
+  <div class="wt">
+    <div class="wt-header">
+      <span class="wt-title">Workspace</span>
+      <button class="wt-btn" on:click={() => openCreate('', 'space')} title="New Space" type="button">+</button>
     </div>
-  {/if}
-</div>
+
+    {#if loading}
+      <div class="wt-loading">Loading...</div>
+    {:else if localError}
+      <div class="wt-error">{localError}</div>
+    {:else}
+      {#each roots() as node (node.id)}
+        <svelte:self {node} {nodes} {currentNodeId} {expandedNodes} depth={1} {icon} {toggle} {hasKids} {selectNode} {openCreate} />
+      {/each}
+    {/if}
+
+    {#if showCreate}
+      <div class="wt-create">
+        <div class="wt-create-header">
+          <span>New {newNodeType}</span>
+          <button class="wt-btn" on:click={cancelCreate} type="button">\u2715</button>
+        </div>
+        <input type="text" bind:value={newNodeTitle} placeholder="Name..." disabled={creating} />
+        <div class="wt-create-actions">
+          <button class="wt-btn-primary" on:click={doCreate} type="button" disabled={creating || !newNodeTitle.trim()}>{creating ? '...' : 'Create'}</button>
+          <button class="wt-btn" on:click={cancelCreate} type="button" disabled={creating}>Cancel</button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    {/if}
+  </div>
+{:else}
+  <div class="wt-node" class:selected={node.id === currentNodeId} class:archived={node.status === 'archived'} class:sleeping={node.status === 'sleeping'}>
+    <div class="wt-row" style="padding-left: {depth * 1.0 + 0.4}rem;">
+      {#if hasKids(node.id)}
+        <button class="wt-expand" on:click={() => toggle(node.id)} type="button">{expandedNodes[node.id] ? '\u25BE' : '\u25B8'}</button>
+      {:else}
+        <span class="wt-expand-spacer"></span>
+      {/if}
+      <span class="wt-icon">{icon(node.type)}</span>
+      <button class="wt-label" on:click={() => selectNode(node.id)} type="button">{node.title}</button>
+      {#if node.type !== 'case'}
+        <button class="wt-btn wt-btn-small" on:click={() => openCreate(node.id, 'case')} title="Add child" type="button">+</button>
+      {/if}
+    </div>
+    {#if expandedNodes[node.id]}
+      {#each childrenOf(node.id) as child (child.id)}
+        <svelte:self node={child} {nodes} {currentNodeId} {expandedNodes} depth={depth + 1} {icon} {toggle} {hasKids} {selectNode} {openCreate} />
+      {/each}
+    {/if}
+  </div>
+{/if}
 
 <style>
   .wt { display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex: 1; overflow: hidden; position: relative; }
-  .wt-header { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; padding: 0.4rem 0.6rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #0f3460; }
+  .wt-header { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; padding: 0.4rem 0.6rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #0f3460; flex-shrink: 0; }
   .wt-title { color: #a0a0b8; font-size: 0.7rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.05em; font-weight: 600; }
   .wt-btn { background: none; border: none; color: #666; cursor: pointer; font-size: 0.85rem; padding: 0.1rem 0.3rem; border-radius: 3px; }
   .wt-btn:hover { color: #4ecca3; background: rgba(78,204,163,0.1); }
@@ -161,16 +160,17 @@
   .wt-loading, .wt-error { padding: 0.5rem; font-size: 0.75rem; color: #666; }
   .wt-error { color: #e94560; }
   .wt-node { }
-  .wt-row { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.2rem; padding: 0.2rem 0.4rem; }
+  .wt-row { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.2rem; padding: 0.15rem 0; }
   .wt-row:hover { background: rgba(15,52,96,0.4); }
   .wt-row.selected { background: rgba(78,204,163,0.1); }
-  .wt-expand { width: 1rem; height: 1rem; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; font-size: 0.65rem; color: #666; background: none; border: none; cursor: pointer; padding: 0; }
+  .wt-expand { width: 1rem; height: 1rem; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; font-size: 0.65rem; color: #666; background: none; border: none; cursor: pointer; padding: 0; flex-shrink: 0; }
   .wt-expand:hover { color: #e0e0f0; }
   .wt-expand-spacer { width: 1rem; flex-shrink: 0; }
   .wt-icon { font-size: 0.8rem; flex-shrink: 0; }
   .wt-label { flex: 1; background: none; border: none; color: #e0e0f0; font-size: 0.78rem; text-align: left; cursor: pointer; padding: 0.1rem 0.2rem; border-radius: 3px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; }
   .wt-label:hover { color: #4ecca3; }
-  .wt-child .wt-row { padding-left: 1.2rem; }
+  .wt-node.archived .wt-label { text-decoration: line-through; opacity: 0.5; }
+  .wt-node.sleeping .wt-label { opacity: 0.6; }
   .wt-create { position: absolute; bottom: 0; left: 0; right: 0; background: #16213e; border-top: 1px solid #0f3460; padding: 0.6rem; z-index: 10; }
   .wt-create-header { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; margin-bottom: 0.4rem; color: #a0a0b8; font-size: 0.7rem; text-transform: uppercase; }
   .wt-create input { width: 100%; background: #0f3460; border: 1px solid #1a3a5c; color: #e0e0f0; padding: 0.35rem 0.5rem; border-radius: 4px; font-size: 0.8rem; margin-bottom: 0.4rem; box-sizing: border-box; }
diff --git a/internal/api/app.go b/internal/api/app.go
index a29dcbe..a87ec47 100644
--- a/internal/api/app.go
+++ b/internal/api/app.go
@@ -159,6 +159,13 @@ func (a *App) ReloadPlugins() (int, string) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Re-register workspace capability if workspace is initialized
+	if a.workspace != nil && a.workspace.IsInitialized() {
+		if err := a.capRegistry.Register("verstak-desktop", []string{"verstak/core/workspace/v1"}); err != nil {
+			log.Printf("[api] ReloadPlugins: failed to re-register workspace capability: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+
 	plugins, errs := plugin.DiscoverPlugins(discoveryDirs)
 
 	// Plugin lifecycle: register capabilities + contributions
@@ -407,6 +414,7 @@ func (a *App) UpdateAppSettings(patch map[string]interface{}) string {
 }
 
 // SetCurrentVault sets the current vault path in app settings and re-opens the vault.
+// Loads workspace and registers vault + workspace capabilities.
 func (a *App) SetCurrentVault(path string) string {
 	if a.appSettings == nil {
 		return "app settings not initialized"
@@ -418,8 +426,9 @@ func (a *App) SetCurrentVault(path string) string {
 	if err := a.vault.OpenVault(path); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Sprintf("failed to open vault: %v", err)
 	}
-	// Save to app settings
-	if err := a.appSettings.SetCurrentVault(path); err != nil {
+	// Save the actual vault path (normalized by OpenVault, includes VerstakVault/)
+	vaultPath := a.vault.GetVaultPath()
+	if err := a.appSettings.SetCurrentVault(vaultPath); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Sprintf("failed to save app settings: %v", err)
 	}
 	// Load plugin state for the vault
@@ -428,10 +437,24 @@ func (a *App) SetCurrentVault(path string) string {
 			log.Printf("[api] SetCurrentVault: warning loading plugin state: %v", err)
 		}
 	}
+	// Load workspace for the vault
+	if a.workspace != nil {
+		// Replace workspace manager with one pointing to the new vault
+		a.workspace = workspace.NewManager(vaultPath)
+		if err := a.workspace.Load(); err != nil {
+			log.Printf("[api] SetCurrentVault: warning loading workspace: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
 	// Register vault capability
 	if err := a.capRegistry.Register("verstak-desktop", []string{"verstak/core/vault/v1"}); err != nil {
 		log.Printf("[api] SetCurrentVault: failed to register vault capability: %v", err)
 	}
+	// Register workspace capability
+	if a.workspace != nil && a.workspace.IsInitialized() {
+		if err := a.capRegistry.Register("verstak-desktop", []string{"verstak/core/workspace/v1"}); err != nil {
+			log.Printf("[api] SetCurrentVault: failed to register workspace capability: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
 	return ""
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/core/vault/vault.go b/internal/core/vault/vault.go
index 1589b8d..87ea700 100644
--- a/internal/core/vault/vault.go
+++ b/internal/core/vault/vault.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
 
 	"github.com/verstak/verstak-desktop/internal/core/events"
+	"github.com/verstak/verstak-desktop/internal/core/workspace"
 )
 
 // VaultStatus represents the current state of a vault.
@@ -114,6 +115,12 @@ func (v *Vault) CreateVault(path string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write vault.json: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	// Create workspace.json with root node
+	wsMgr := workspace.NewManager(vaultDir)
+	if err := wsMgr.Load(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create workspace: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	v.mu.Lock()
 	v.status = StatusOpen
 	v.path = vaultDir
diff --git a/internal/core/vault/vault_test.go b/internal/core/vault/vault_test.go
index adde941..32200d8 100644
--- a/internal/core/vault/vault_test.go
+++ b/internal/core/vault/vault_test.go
@@ -247,3 +247,113 @@ func TestVaultEvents_Published(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+func TestCreateVault_CreatesWorkspace(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	vaultPath := filepath.Join(dir, "testvault")
+
+	bus := events.NewBus()
+	v := NewVault(bus)
+
+	if err := v.CreateVault(vaultPath); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("CreateVault: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	wsPath := filepath.Join(v.GetVaultPath(), ".verstak", "workspace.json")
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(wsPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("workspace.json not found: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var ws struct {
+		SchemaVersion int `json:"schemaVersion"`
+		Nodes         []struct {
+			ID       string `json:"id"`
+			Type     string `json:"type"`
+			Title    string `json:"title"`
+			Status   string `json:"status"`
+			ParentID string `json:"parentId"`
+		} `json:"nodes"`
+		CurrentNodeID string `json:"currentNodeId"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &ws); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to parse workspace.json: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if ws.SchemaVersion != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("schemaVersion: got %d, want 1", ws.SchemaVersion)
+	}
+	if len(ws.Nodes) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 root node, got %d", len(ws.Nodes))
+	}
+	if ws.Nodes[0].Type != "space" {
+		t.Errorf("root type: got %q, want %q", ws.Nodes[0].Type, "space")
+	}
+	if ws.Nodes[0].Title != "My Workspace" {
+		t.Errorf("root title: got %q, want %q", ws.Nodes[0].Title, "My Workspace")
+	}
+	if ws.Nodes[0].Status != "active" {
+		t.Errorf("root status: got %q, want %q", ws.Nodes[0].Status, "active")
+	}
+	if ws.CurrentNodeID != ws.Nodes[0].ID {
+		t.Errorf("currentNodeId should be root node id")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestOpenVault_WorkspaceLoads(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	vaultPath := filepath.Join(dir, "testvault")
+
+	bus := events.NewBus()
+	v := NewVault(bus)
+
+	if err := v.CreateVault(vaultPath); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("CreateVault: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	v.CloseVault()
+
+	if err := v.OpenVault(vaultPath); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("OpenVault: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	wsPath := filepath.Join(v.GetVaultPath(), ".verstak", "workspace.json")
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(wsPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("workspace.json not found after reopen: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var ws struct {
+		Nodes []struct {
+			ID    string `json:"id"`
+			Type  string `json:"type"`
+			Title string `json:"title"`
+		} `json:"nodes"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &ws); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to parse workspace.json: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(ws.Nodes) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 node after reopen, got %d", len(ws.Nodes))
+	}
+	if ws.Nodes[0].Type != "space" {
+		t.Errorf("root type after reopen: got %q, want %q", ws.Nodes[0].Type, "space")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCreateVault_VaultPathNormalized(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	vaultPath := filepath.Join(dir, "testvault")
+
+	bus := events.NewBus()
+	v := NewVault(bus)
+
+	if err := v.CreateVault(vaultPath); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("CreateVault: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	expectedPath := filepath.Join(vaultPath, "VerstakVault")
+	if v.GetVaultPath() != expectedPath {
+		t.Errorf("GetVaultPath: got %q, want %q", v.GetVaultPath(), expectedPath)
+	}
+}