diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 5bdd681..86197bc 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ feat(tui): compact tool steps with Ctrl+E details toggle
   messages; turn markers (`**Cancelled.**` etc.) attach to the last reply.
   The calm default hides reasoning previews and tool responses: the intent
   rail and step result bodies paint only under `^E` (details) or a
-  deliberate expand — `Tab`/`Shift+Tab` selects an item and `Enter` opens it;
+  deliberate expand — `↑`/`↓` selects an item and `Enter` opens it;
   click selects and expands one step; the result peek is gone. While a turn
   streams, its head line carries the run's elapsed counter right-aligned
   at the viewport edge (the `runStart` clock, whole seconds, dropped on
@@ -315,8 +315,8 @@ modifier routes to the composer), and `Alt+A`/`Alt+D`/`Alt+T`
 
 ## Interaction and response bounds
 
-- `Tab`/`Shift+Tab` traverses chronological tools and reasoning, with visible focus;
-  `Enter` expands the selected item. Typing returns to the composer. `[`/`]`
+- `↑`/`↓` traverses chronological tools and reasoning while inspecting, with visible focus;
+  `Enter` expands the selected item. Typing returns to the composer. `PgUp`/`PgDn`
   pages a selected tool and Right cycles its sub-agent chips. Copy uses the
   selected item. Clear/resume must discard stale inspect coordinates.
 - Expanded tool and sub-agent response bodies show at most eight display rows
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 680ff47..a9cd60a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -202,7 +202,8 @@ own front-end settings are separate; see [Configuration](#configuration).
 
 - **Live reasoning** — the model's pre-tool thinking is captured per beat
   but stays hidden in the calm default: the transcript holds still while
-  odek thinks. `^E` unfolds every stored block; `Tab` / `Shift+Tab` selects an item
+  odek thinks. `^E` unfolds every stored block; `↑`/`↓` (while inspecting)
+  selects an item
   and `Enter` opens just that item — a live opened block holds finished sentences until the
   next lands, never a token ticker. Elapsed time per beat; the clock
   freezes when that think cycle yields (a tool or the reply). A turn that
@@ -217,7 +218,7 @@ own front-end settings are separate; see [Configuration](#configuration).
   glyph: `●` idle, `◉` a turn in flight, `◌` reconnecting, `○` down.
 - **Sub-agents** — a delegation paints an always-on chip strip under the
   parent step (`⟳ SA1 explore · ✓ SA2 lint · ✗ SA3 types`), so you can
-  see who is running or who failed without expanding. Click a chip, or select its parent tool with `Tab` and press `Right`
+  see who is running or who failed without expanding. Click a chip, or select its parent tool with `↑↓` and press `Right`
   to cycle agent focus: identity + live beat
   (current tool, step, budget, cost). `^E` / expand shows that
   agent's logs, artifacts, and framed result in bounded pages. Tasks the wire hasn't
@@ -403,8 +404,8 @@ own front-end settings are separate; see [Configuration](#configuration).
 | `alt+r` | Re-send the last prompt (`/retry`) |
 | `alt+f` | Search the transcript (`⏎`/`n` next match · `N` previous · a hit expands the hidden step or reasoning block) |
 | `^F` | Fold/unfold the most recent turn card (or click any turn head) |
-| `Tab` / `Shift+Tab` | Select the next / previous tool or reasoning item; `Enter` expands it, `Esc` returns to the composer |
-| `[` / `]` (inspecting a tool) | Previous / next response page; `Right` cycles sub-agent chips when present |
+| `↑`/`↓` (inspecting) | Select the previous / next tool or reasoning item; `Enter` expands it, `Esc` returns to the composer |
+| `PgUp`/`PgDn` (inspecting a tool) | Previous / next response page; `Right` cycles sub-agent chips when present |
 | `^X` | Stop the running turn from any panel or inspection state (`y` confirms); unrelated expanded items stay open |
 | `^R` | Browse & resume saved sessions |
 | `^O` | Switch the model |
@@ -434,11 +435,12 @@ prompt can start with `?`, `[`, or any other character.
 
 ### Inspecting tool responses
 
-Select an item with `Tab` / `Shift+Tab`, then press Enter to expand it. Tool
-responses display at most eight body rows plus a paging indicator, with fewer
-rows in short terminals. Use `[` / `]` to page, `Alt+Y` to copy the retained
-response, and Escape to return to typing. Clicking a tool header also selects
-it. The global `^E` details toggle uses the same page limits.
+Click a tool header or reasoning block to inspect it; while inspecting, `↑`/
+`↓` move between items and Enter expands the focused one. Tool responses
+display at most eight body rows plus a paging indicator, with fewer
+rows in short terminals. Use `PgUp`/`PgDn` to page, `Alt+Y` to copy the
+retained response, and Escape to return to typing. The global `^E`
+details toggle uses the same page limits.
 
 Batch results retain command/file labels and original item counts; bracketed
 log lines are never treated as extra commands. Plans render creation, updates,
diff --git a/internal/tui/commands.go b/internal/tui/commands.go
index 537ca9e..0c3b2c4 100644
--- a/internal/tui/commands.go
+++ b/internal/tui/commands.go
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ func (m *Model) showHelp() {
 		{"^Y", "copy the latest reply"},
 		{"alt+r", "re-send the last prompt (/retry)"},
 		{"^F", "fold/unfold the latest turn card"},
-		{"tab", "focus the next sub-agent chip · else open/close reasoning"},
+		{"↑↓ (inspecting)", "focus the previous/next item"},
 		{"Pg↑↓", "page the transcript"},
 		{"^P^N", "recall prompts"},
 		{"^G", "jump to the latest output"},
diff --git a/internal/tui/ergonomics_test.go b/internal/tui/ergonomics_test.go
index b988da5..fe18239 100644
--- a/internal/tui/ergonomics_test.go
+++ b/internal/tui/ergonomics_test.go
@@ -15,23 +15,23 @@ func TestInspectReachesToolAfterReasoning(t *testing.T) {
 	busyTurn(m)
 	m.msgs[1].items = []turnItem{{thinking: true, text: "reasoning"}, {stepIdx: 0}, {stepIdx: 1}}
 	m.msgs[1].steps = []step{{name: "shell", done: true, result: "first"}, {name: "shell", done: true, result: "second"}}
-	m.Update(key("tab"))
+	m.moveInspect(false)
 	if m.inspect == nil || m.inspect.itemIdx != 0 {
-		t.Fatal("Tab must visibly select reasoning")
+		t.Fatal("first traversal must visibly select reasoning")
 	}
-	m.Update(key("tab"))
+	m.handleKey(key("down"))
 	m.Update(key("enter"))
 	if m.inspect.stepIdx != 0 || !m.msgs[1].steps[0].expanded || m.msgs[1].steps[1].expanded {
 		t.Fatal("Enter must expand only the selected tool")
 	}
-	m.Update(key("tab"))
+	m.handleKey(key("down"))
 	m.Update(key("enter"))
 	if !m.msgs[1].steps[1].expanded {
-		t.Fatal("Tab must reach the next tool")
+		t.Fatal("down must reach the next tool")
 	}
-	m.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyShiftTab})
+	m.handleKey(key("up"))
 	if m.inspect.stepIdx != 0 {
-		t.Fatal("Shift+Tab must move backward")
+		t.Fatal("up must move backward")
 	}
 	m.Update(key("esc"))
 	if m.inspect != nil || m.confirm != confirmNone {
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func TestInspectTypingReturnsToComposer(t *testing.T) {
 	m := newTestModel()
 	busyTurn(m)
 	m.msgs[1].steps = []step{{name: "shell"}}
-	m.Update(key("tab"))
+	m.moveInspect(false)
 	m.Update(key("h"))
 	if m.inspect != nil || m.ta.Value() != "h" {
 		t.Fatalf("typing should resume composer: %q", m.ta.Value())
@@ -90,16 +90,16 @@ func TestExpandedToolResponsesStayBoundedAndPage(t *testing.T) {
 		if strings.Contains(out, "line 099") {
 			t.Fatal("first page should not contain tail")
 		}
-		m.Update(key("]"))
+		m.handleKey(key("pgdown"))
 		next, _, _ := m.renderStep(m.msgs[1].steps[0], false, 1, 0, 0)
 		if next == out || m.msgs[1].steps[0].detailOffset == 0 {
 			t.Fatal("paging did not advance")
 		}
 		for i := 0; i < 100/m.toolDetailRows()+3; i++ {
-			m.Update(key("]"))
+			m.handleKey(key("pgdown"))
 		}
 		last := m.msgs[1].steps[0].detailOffset
-		m.Update(key("["))
+		m.handleKey(key("pgup"))
 		if m.msgs[1].steps[0].detailOffset >= last {
 			t.Fatal("paging beyond tail must not trap navigation")
 		}
diff --git a/internal/tui/hints_test.go b/internal/tui/hints_test.go
index 8ec6703..4e4a830 100644
--- a/internal/tui/hints_test.go
+++ b/internal/tui/hints_test.go
@@ -131,28 +131,28 @@ func TestErrorResultAutoExpands(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestTabSelectsToolsAndReasoning(t *testing.T) {
+func TestArrowsSelectToolsAndReasoning(t *testing.T) {
 	m := liveTurnModel()
 	runMiniTurn(t, m, "read_file", "one")
 	runMiniTurn(t, m, "shell", "two")
 	m.handleEvent(client.Event{Type: "done"})
 	last := len(m.msgs) - 1
-	m.Update(key("tab"))
+	m.moveInspect(false)
 	if m.inspect == nil || m.inspect.stepIdx != 0 {
-		t.Fatal("Tab must select the first tool in the latest turn")
+		t.Fatal("first traversal must select the first tool in the latest turn")
 	}
 	m.Update(key("enter"))
 	if !m.msgs[last].steps[0].expanded {
 		t.Fatal("Enter must expand the selected tool")
 	}
-	m.Update(key("tab"))
+	m.handleKey(key("down"))
 	m.Update(key("enter"))
 	if !m.msgs[last].steps[1].expanded {
 		t.Fatal("next tool must be reachable independently")
 	}
 	ti := len(m.msgs[last].items)
 	m.msgs[last].items = append(m.msgs[last].items, turnItem{thinking: true, text: "deliberation"})
-	m.Update(key("tab"))
+	m.handleKey(key("down"))
 	m.Update(key("enter"))
 	if !m.msgs[last].items[ti].open {
 		t.Fatal("reasoning must remain individually reachable")
diff --git a/internal/tui/inspect.go b/internal/tui/inspect.go
index 8062210..3ac08a5 100644
--- a/internal/tui/inspect.go
+++ b/internal/tui/inspect.go
@@ -142,9 +142,9 @@ func (m *Model) handleInspectKey(msg tea.KeyMsg) bool {
 		return false
 	}
 	switch msg.String() {
-	case "tab", "down":
+	case "down":
 		m.moveInspect(false)
-	case "shift+tab", "up":
+	case "up":
 		m.moveInspect(true)
 	case "enter", " ":
 		p := m.inspect
@@ -169,11 +169,11 @@ func (m *Model) handleInspectKey(msg tea.KeyMsg) bool {
 		m.invalidateInspect()
 		m.refresh()
 		m.revealInspect()
-	case "[", "]":
+	case "pgup", "pgdown":
 		if m.inspect.stepIdx >= 0 {
 			s := &m.msgs[m.inspect.msgIdx].steps[m.inspect.stepIdx]
 			delta := m.toolDetailRows()
-			if msg.String() == "[" {
+			if msg.String() == "pgup" {
 				delta = -delta
 			}
 			s.detailOffset = max(0, s.detailOffset+delta)
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ func (m *Model) toolDetailPage(s *step, details []string, width int) []string {
 	s.detailOffset = offset
 	end := min(len(rows), offset+limit)
 	out := append([]string(nil), rows[offset:end]...)
-	label := fmt.Sprintf("%d–%d/%d · Tab select · [ ] page", offset+1, end, len(rows))
+	label := fmt.Sprintf("%d–%d/%d · PgUp PgDn page", offset+1, end, len(rows))
 	out = append(out, m.th.stepArg.Render(ansi.Truncate(label, max(1, width), "")))
 	return out
 }
diff --git a/internal/tui/model.go b/internal/tui/model.go
index 151712a..772bba7 100644
--- a/internal/tui/model.go
+++ b/internal/tui/model.go
@@ -1128,9 +1128,6 @@ func (m *Model) handleKey(msg tea.KeyMsg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		// bare letters belong to the composer.
 		m.toggleCollapseLast()
 		return m, nil
-	case "tab", "shift+tab":
-		m.moveInspect(msg.String() == "shift+tab")
-		return m, nil
 	case "end":
 		// End doubles as jump-to-latest — only with an empty input, so its
 		// cursor-movement meaning inside a draft keeps working.
diff --git a/internal/tui/retire_bindings_test.go b/internal/tui/retire_bindings_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eeb1663
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/tui/retire_bindings_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+package tui
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
+
+	"github.com/BackendStack21/bodek/internal/client"
+)
+
+// ── Tab / [ ] retirement: transcript inspector bindings are removed ────────
+// Traversal keeps its arrow forms (up/down inside the inspector); Tab,
+// Shift+Tab, and the [ ] paging keys are gone from code and docs. Bare
+// [ and ] must always type into the composer.
+
+// armedInspector arms an inspect focus on a step so the retired bindings can
+// be probed.
+func armedInspector(t *testing.T) *Model {
+	t.Helper()
+	m := newTestModel()
+	busyTurn(m)
+	m.handleEvent(client.Event{Type: "tool_call", Name: "shell", Data: `{"command":"ls"}`})
+	m.handleEvent(client.Event{Type: "tool_result", Name: "shell", Data: strings.Repeat("line\n", 60)})
+	m.handleEvent(client.Event{Type: "tool_call", Name: "read_file", Data: `{"path":"x.go"}`})
+	m.handleEvent(client.Event{Type: "tool_result", Name: "read_file", Data: "body"})
+	m.handleEvent(client.Event{Type: "done"})
+	m.moveInspect(false)
+	if !m.validInspect() {
+		t.Fatal("precondition: inspector must be armed")
+	}
+	return m
+}
+
+// TestTabNoLongerMovesInspect: tab/shift+tab are retired — they must not
+// move the inspector focus anymore (arrows still do).
+func TestTabNoLongerMovesInspect(t *testing.T) {
+	m := armedInspector(t)
+	before := *m.inspect
+	m.handleKey(key("tab"))
+	if m.inspect == nil || *m.inspect != before {
+		t.Error("tab still moved the inspector focus")
+	}
+	m.handleKey(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyShiftTab})
+	if m.inspect == nil || *m.inspect != before {
+		t.Error("shift+tab still moved the inspector focus")
+	}
+	// Arrows remain the traversal form inside the inspector.
+	m.handleKey(key("down"))
+	if m.inspect == nil {
+		t.Error("down must still traverse inspector items")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestBracketsNoLongerPageToolDetail: the [ ] paging case is gone — the
+// detail offset must not move on those keys (seeded mid-list so both
+// directions are observable).
+func TestBracketsNoLongerPageToolDetail(t *testing.T) {
+	m := armedInspector(t)
+	p := *m.inspect
+	if p.stepIdx < 0 {
+		t.Skip("focus landed on reasoning; tool paging not applicable")
+	}
+	s := &m.msgs[p.msgIdx].steps[p.stepIdx]
+	s.expanded = true
+	s.detailOffset = 16 // mid-list: [ would decrease, ] would increase
+	m.handleKey(key("["))
+	if s.detailOffset != 16 {
+		t.Errorf("[ still paged the tool detail (offset %d)", s.detailOffset)
+	}
+	m.handleKey(key("]"))
+	if s.detailOffset != 16 {
+		t.Errorf("] still paged the tool detail (offset %d)", s.detailOffset)
+	}
+	// Bare runes return the keyboard to the composer (inspector cleared).
+	// PgDn is the paging form once the inspector is re-armed.
+	if m.inspect != nil {
+		t.Error("bare [ must return focus to the composer while inspecting")
+	}
+	m.moveInspect(false)
+	m.handleKey(key("pgdown"))
+	if s.detailOffset <= 16 {
+		t.Errorf("pgdown did not advance the page (offset %d)", s.detailOffset)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestBracketsTypeIntoComposer: bare [ and ] always type.
+func TestBracketsTypeIntoComposer(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newTestModel()
+	m.handleKey(key("["))
+	m.handleKey(key("]"))
+	if got := m.ta.Value(); got != "[]" {
+		t.Fatalf("composer draft = %q, want \"[]\"", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestTabIdleNoInspect: tab at the composer with no inspector open must do
+// nothing (no traversal side effects).
+func TestTabIdleNoInspect(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newTestModel()
+	m.handleKey(key("tab"))
+	if m.inspect != nil {
+		t.Error("tab armed the inspector from idle")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestInspectFooterRetiredLabels: the inspector footer no longer advertises
+// Tab or [ ] keys.
+func TestInspectFooterRetiredLabels(t *testing.T) {
+	m := armedInspector(t)
+	foot := plain(m.footer())
+	for _, banned := range []string{"Tab next", "[ ] page", "Tab select"} {
+		if strings.Contains(foot, banned) {
+			t.Errorf("footer still advertises retired binding %q: %q", banned, foot)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/tui/steps_test.go b/internal/tui/steps_test.go
index 9bd4163..49c2f47 100644
--- a/internal/tui/steps_test.go
+++ b/internal/tui/steps_test.go
@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ func TestExpandedOutputCap(t *testing.T) {
 		{name: "shell", done: true, result: strings.Repeat("line\n", 250)},
 	}})
 	m.toggleStep(0, 0)
-	if out := plain(m.conversation()); !strings.Contains(out, "[ ] page") {
+	if out := plain(m.conversation()); !strings.Contains(out, "PgUp PgDn page") {
 		t.Errorf("expanded output should have bounded pages:\n%s", out)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/tui/view.go b/internal/tui/view.go
index 65bb22b..19b74b8 100644
--- a/internal/tui/view.go
+++ b/internal/tui/view.go
@@ -725,8 +725,8 @@ func (m *Model) renderMessage(msg message, msgIdx, lineOffset int) (string, []st
 					continue
 				}
 				// Calm default: reasoning previews paint only on demand — ^E
-				// (details) or a deliberate open (tab / click). The transcript
-				// holds still while odek thinks.
+				// (details) or a deliberate open (click / inspect + Enter). The
+				// transcript holds still while odek thinks.
 				if !items[it].open && !m.expandAll {
 					if m.inspect != nil && m.inspect.msgIdx == msgIdx && m.inspect.itemIdx == it && m.inspect.stepIdx < 0 {
 						addBlock(th.asstWork.Render(th.acSel.Render("› reasoning · Enter expand")), false)
@@ -1764,7 +1764,7 @@ func (m *Model) footerContent() string {
 		)
 	}
 	if m.validInspect() {
-		return m.panelFooter("inspect", "Tab next", "⏎ expand", "[ ] page", "esc compose")
+		return m.panelFooter("inspect", "↑↓ next", "⏎ expand", "Pg↑↓ page", "esc compose")
 	}
 	// The status bar carries no static key cheatsheet (the welcome splash and
 	// /help cover that) — only the live run state: a cancel hint while busy on