diff --git a/api/routes.py b/api/routes.py
index 25796f0b..c1128738 100644
--- a/api/routes.py
+++ b/api/routes.py
@@ -6613,11 +6613,15 @@ from api.workspace import (
     get_last_workspace,
     set_last_workspace,
     git_info_for_workspace,
+    authorize_escape_target,
     list_dir,
+    list_authorized_escape_dir,
     dir_signature,
     list_workspace_suggestions,
     read_file_content,
+    read_authorized_escape_file_content,
     safe_resolve_ws,
+    raw_authorized_escape_target,
     resolve_trusted_workspace,
     open_anchored_fd,
     open_anchored_create_fd,
@@ -9821,6 +9825,12 @@ def handle_get(handler, parsed) -> bool:
     if parsed.path == "/api/list":
         return _handle_list_dir(handler, parsed)
 
+    if parsed.path == "/api/escape/authorize":
+        return _handle_escape_authorize(handler, parsed)
+
+    if parsed.path == "/api/escape/list":
+        return _handle_escape_list_dir(handler, parsed)
+
     if parsed.path == "/api/git/status":
         return _handle_git_status(handler, parsed)
 
@@ -9971,12 +9981,18 @@ def handle_get(handler, parsed) -> bool:
     if parsed.path == "/api/file/raw":
         return _handle_file_raw(handler, parsed)
 
+    if parsed.path == "/api/escape/file/raw":
+        return _handle_escape_file_raw(handler, parsed)
+
     if parsed.path == "/api/folder/download":
         return _handle_folder_download(handler, parsed)
 
     if parsed.path == "/api/file":
         return _handle_file_read(handler, parsed)
 
+    if parsed.path == "/api/escape/file/read":
+        return _handle_escape_file_read(handler, parsed)
+
     if parsed.path == "/api/approval/pending":
         return _handle_approval_pending(handler, parsed)
 
@@ -10479,6 +10495,9 @@ def handle_post(handler, parsed) -> bool:
             diag.finish()
         raise
 
+    if parsed.path == "/api/escape/authorize":
+        return _handle_escape_authorize(handler, parsed, body)
+
     if parsed.path == "/api/updates/check":
         settings = load_settings()
         if not settings.get("check_for_updates", True):
@@ -12916,6 +12935,132 @@ def _handle_list_dir(handler, parsed):
         return bad(handler, _sanitize_error(e), 404)
 
 
+def _read_json_request_body(handler, *, max_bytes: int = 4096) -> dict:
+    try:
+        length = _safe_content_length(handler, max_bytes)
+    except (ValueError, OverflowError) as exc:
+        raise ValueError(_sanitize_error(exc)) from exc
+    raw = handler.rfile.read(length) if length else b"{}"
+    try:
+        payload = json.loads(raw.decode("utf-8"))
+    except Exception as exc:
+        raise ValueError("invalid JSON body") from exc
+    return payload if isinstance(payload, dict) else {}
+
+
+def _handle_escape_authorize(handler, parsed, body: dict | None = None):
+    if handler.command != "POST":
+        return bad(handler, "method not allowed", 405)
+    if body is None:
+        try:
+            body = _read_json_request_body(handler)
+        except ValueError as exc:
+            return bad(handler, _sanitize_error(exc), 400)
+    qs = parse_qs(parsed.query)
+    sid = str(body.get("session_id") or qs.get("session_id", [""])[0] or "").strip()
+    rel = str(body.get("path") or qs.get("path", [""])[0] or "").strip()
+    token = str(body.get("token") or qs.get("token", [""])[0] or "").strip()
+    if token:
+        return bad(handler, "token must not be provided", 400)
+    if not sid:
+        return bad(handler, "session_id is required")
+    if not rel:
+        return bad(handler, "path is required")
+    try:
+        s = get_session_for_file_ops(sid)
+    except KeyError:
+        return bad(handler, "Session not found", 404)
+    try:
+        payload = authorize_escape_target(Path(s.workspace), sid, rel)
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        return bad(handler, _sanitize_error(exc), 404)
+    return j(handler, payload)
+
+
+def _handle_escape_list_dir(handler, parsed):
+    qs = parse_qs(parsed.query)
+    sid = qs.get("session_id", [""])[0]
+    token = qs.get("token", [""])[0]
+    if not sid:
+        return bad(handler, "session_id is required")
+    if not token:
+        return bad(handler, "token is required")
+    try:
+        s = get_session_for_file_ops(sid)
+    except KeyError:
+        return bad(handler, "Session not found", 404)
+    rel_path = qs.get("path", ["."])[0]
+    try:
+        payload = list_authorized_escape_dir(Path(s.workspace), sid, token, rel_path)
+        return j(handler, payload)
+    except FileNotFoundError as exc:
+        return bad(handler, _sanitize_error(exc), 404)
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        msg = _sanitize_error(exc)
+        status = 403 if "expired" in msg.lower() else 404
+        return bad(handler, msg, status)
+
+
+def _handle_escape_file_read(handler, parsed):
+    qs = parse_qs(parsed.query)
+    sid = qs.get("session_id", [""])[0]
+    token = qs.get("token", [""])[0]
+    if not sid:
+        return bad(handler, "session_id is required")
+    if not token:
+        return bad(handler, "token is required")
+    try:
+        s = get_session_for_file_ops(sid)
+    except KeyError:
+        return bad(handler, "Session not found", 404)
+    rel = qs.get("path", [""])[0]
+    try:
+        return j(handler, read_authorized_escape_file_content(Path(s.workspace), sid, token, rel))
+    except FileNotFoundError as exc:
+        return bad(handler, _sanitize_error(exc), 404)
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        msg = _sanitize_error(exc)
+        status = 403 if "expired" in msg.lower() else 404
+        return bad(handler, msg, status)
+
+
+def _handle_escape_file_raw(handler, parsed):
+    qs = parse_qs(parsed.query)
+    sid = qs.get("session_id", [""])[0]
+    token = qs.get("token", [""])[0]
+    if not sid:
+        return bad(handler, "session_id is required")
+    if not token:
+        return bad(handler, "token is required")
+    try:
+        s = get_session_for_file_ops(sid)
+    except KeyError:
+        return bad(handler, "Session not found", 404)
+    rel = qs.get("path", [""])[0]
+    force_download = qs.get("download", [""])[0] == "1"
+    try:
+        anchor_root, target = raw_authorized_escape_target(Path(s.workspace), sid, token, rel)
+    except FileNotFoundError as exc:
+        return j(handler, {"error": "not found"}, status=404)
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        msg = _sanitize_error(exc)
+        status = 403 if "expired" in msg.lower() else 404
+        return bad(handler, msg, status)
+    if not target.exists() or not target.is_file():
+        return j(handler, {"error": "not found"}, status=404)
+    ext = target.suffix.lower()
+    mime = MIME_MAP.get(ext, "application/octet-stream")
+    inline_preview = qs.get("inline", [""])[0] == "1"
+    dangerous_types = {"text/html", "application/xhtml+xml", "image/svg+xml"}
+    html_inline_ok = inline_preview and mime == "text/html"
+    disposition = "attachment" if force_download or (mime in dangerous_types and not html_inline_ok) else "inline"
+    sandbox_csp = "sandbox allow-scripts allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"
+    csp = sandbox_csp if (inline_preview and not force_download and disposition == "inline") else None
+    if html_inline_ok:
+        return _serve_inline_html_preview(handler, target, "no-store", csp=sandbox_csp, anchor_root=anchor_root)
+    return _serve_file_bytes(handler, target, mime, disposition, "no-store", csp=csp, anchor_root=anchor_root)
+
+
 def _sse_with_id(handler, event, data, event_id=None):
     if event_id:
         handler.wfile.write(f"id: {event_id}\n".encode("utf-8"))
diff --git a/api/workspace.py b/api/workspace.py
index f736d25a..1f6bd30f 100644
--- a/api/workspace.py
+++ b/api/workspace.py
@@ -12,14 +12,21 @@ import json
 import logging
 import os
 import posixpath
+import secrets
 import shutil
 import stat
 import subprocess
 import concurrent.futures
+import threading
+import time
 from pathlib import Path, PurePosixPath
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+_ESCAPE_AUTH_TTL_SECONDS = 300
+_ESCAPE_AUTH_LOCK = threading.Lock()
+_ESCAPE_AUTH_TOKENS: dict[str, dict[str, str | int | float]] = {}
+
 from api.config import (
     WORKSPACES_FILE as _GLOBAL_WS_FILE,
     LAST_WORKSPACE_FILE as _GLOBAL_LW_FILE,
@@ -1429,6 +1436,180 @@ def read_file_content(workspace: Path, rel: str) -> dict:
     return {'path': rel, 'content': content, 'size': len(raw), 'lines': content.count('\n') + 1}
 
 
+def _normalize_workspace_rel_path(rel: str | Path) -> str:
+    raw = _strip_surrounding_quotes(str(rel or "")).strip().replace("\\", "/")
+    if not raw or raw == ".":
+        return "."
+    norm = posixpath.normpath(raw)
+    if not norm or norm == ".":
+        return "."
+    if norm == ".." or norm.startswith("../") or norm.startswith("/"):
+        raise ValueError(f"Path traversal blocked: {rel}")
+    return norm
+
+
+def _escape_virtual_path(root: str, rel: str) -> str:
+    root_norm = _normalize_workspace_rel_path(root)
+    rel_norm = _normalize_workspace_rel_path(rel)
+    if root_norm == ".":
+        return rel_norm
+    if rel_norm == ".":
+        return root_norm
+    return f"{root_norm}/{rel_norm}"
+
+
+def _escape_surface_target(workspace: Path, rel: str) -> tuple[Path, Path]:
+    workspace_root = workspace.resolve()
+    surface_rel = _normalize_workspace_rel_path(rel)
+    surface_path = workspace / surface_rel
+    if not surface_path.is_symlink():
+        raise ValueError(f"Path is not an escape-target symlink: {rel}")
+    target = surface_path.resolve()
+    if not target.exists():
+        raise ValueError(f"Path is no longer reachable: {rel}")
+    try:
+        target.relative_to(workspace_root)
+    except ValueError:
+        pass
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"Path does not escape workspace: {rel}")
+    if _is_blocked_system_path(target):
+        raise ValueError(f"Path points to a system directory: {target}")
+    return surface_path, target
+
+
+def _escape_prune_tokens(now: float | None = None) -> None:
+    cutoff = time.time() if now is None else now
+    expired = [token for token, record in _ESCAPE_AUTH_TOKENS.items() if float(record.get("expires_at") or 0.0) <= cutoff]
+    for token in expired:
+        _ESCAPE_AUTH_TOKENS.pop(token, None)
+
+
+def authorize_escape_target(workspace: Path, session_id: str, rel: str) -> dict:
+    """Mint a short-lived browser-only grant for one surfaced escape-target symlink."""
+    workspace_root = workspace.resolve()
+    _surface_path, target = _escape_surface_target(workspace_root, rel)
+    token = secrets.token_urlsafe(24)
+    expires_at = time.time() + _ESCAPE_AUTH_TTL_SECONDS
+    record = {
+        "session_id": str(session_id or ""),
+        "workspace_root": str(workspace_root),
+        "surface_path": _normalize_workspace_rel_path(rel),
+        "external_root": str(target),
+        "surface_target": str(target),
+        "expires_at": expires_at,
+    }
+    with _ESCAPE_AUTH_LOCK:
+        _escape_prune_tokens(expires_at)
+        _ESCAPE_AUTH_TOKENS[token] = record
+    return {
+        "token": token,
+        "path": record["surface_path"],
+        "is_dir": target.is_dir(),
+        "expires_at": expires_at,
+        "expires_in": _ESCAPE_AUTH_TTL_SECONDS,
+        "read_only": True,
+    }
+
+
+def _escape_authorization_record(workspace: Path, session_id: str, token: str) -> dict:
+    workspace_root = str(workspace.resolve())
+    token = str(token or "").strip()
+    if not token:
+        raise ValueError("Escape authorization token is required")
+    now = time.time()
+    with _ESCAPE_AUTH_LOCK:
+        _escape_prune_tokens(now)
+        record = dict(_ESCAPE_AUTH_TOKENS.get(token) or {})
+    if not record:
+        raise ValueError("Escape authorization expired")
+    if str(record.get("session_id") or "") != str(session_id or ""):
+        raise ValueError("Escape authorization expired")
+    if str(record.get("workspace_root") or "") != workspace_root:
+        raise ValueError("Escape authorization expired")
+    if now >= float(record.get("expires_at") or 0.0):
+        with _ESCAPE_AUTH_LOCK:
+            _ESCAPE_AUTH_TOKENS.pop(token, None)
+        raise ValueError("Escape authorization expired")
+    surface_path = _normalize_workspace_rel_path(record.get("surface_path") or ".")
+    external_root = Path(str(record.get("external_root") or ""))
+    try:
+        _surface, surface_target = _escape_surface_target(Path(workspace_root), surface_path)
+    except ValueError:
+        raise ValueError("Escape authorization expired")
+    if str(surface_target.resolve()) != str(external_root.resolve()):
+        raise ValueError("Escape authorization expired")
+    if not surface_target.exists() or _is_blocked_system_path(surface_target):
+        raise ValueError("Escape authorization expired")
+    return record
+
+
+def resolve_authorized_escape_request(workspace: Path, session_id: str, token: str, rel: str) -> dict:
+    record = _escape_authorization_record(workspace, session_id, token)
+    surface_path = _normalize_workspace_rel_path(record["surface_path"])
+    request_path = _normalize_workspace_rel_path(rel)
+    try:
+        external_rel = str(PurePosixPath(request_path).relative_to(PurePosixPath(surface_path)))
+    except ValueError:
+        raise ValueError(f"Path traversal blocked: {rel}")
+    if not external_rel:
+        external_rel = "."
+    external_root = Path(str(record["external_root"]))
+    target = external_root / external_rel
+    return {
+        "record": record,
+        "workspace_root": Path(str(record["workspace_root"])),
+        "surface_path": surface_path,
+        "request_path": request_path,
+        "external_rel": external_rel,
+        "external_root": external_root,
+        "target": target,
+    }
+
+
+def list_authorized_escape_dir(workspace: Path, session_id: str, token: str, rel: str) -> dict:
+    resolved = resolve_authorized_escape_request(workspace, session_id, token, rel)
+    external_root = resolved["external_root"]
+    external_rel = resolved["external_rel"]
+    entries = list_dir(external_root, external_rel)
+    surface_path = resolved["surface_path"]
+    external_root_resolved = external_root.resolve()
+    for entry in entries:
+        entry["path"] = _escape_virtual_path(surface_path, entry.get("path") or ".")
+        entry["escape_read_only"] = True
+        target = entry.get("target")
+        if not target:
+            continue
+        try:
+            target_path = Path(str(target)).resolve()
+            target_rel = target_path.relative_to(external_root_resolved).as_posix()
+        except Exception:
+            entry.pop("target", None)
+            continue
+        entry["target"] = _escape_virtual_path(surface_path, target_rel)
+    return {
+        "path": resolved["request_path"],
+        "entries": entries,
+        "signature": dir_signature(external_root, external_rel, entries),
+        "virtual_root": surface_path,
+        "read_only": True,
+    }
+
+
+def read_authorized_escape_file_content(workspace: Path, session_id: str, token: str, rel: str) -> dict:
+    resolved = resolve_authorized_escape_request(workspace, session_id, token, rel)
+    payload = read_file_content(resolved["external_root"], resolved["external_rel"])
+    payload["path"] = resolved["request_path"]
+    payload["escape_read_only"] = True
+    return payload
+
+
+def raw_authorized_escape_target(workspace: Path, session_id: str, token: str, rel: str) -> tuple[Path, Path]:
+    resolved = resolve_authorized_escape_request(workspace, session_id, token, rel)
+    target = safe_resolve_ws(resolved["external_root"], resolved["external_rel"])
+    return resolved["external_root"], target
+
+
 # ── Git detection ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 def _run_git(args, cwd, timeout=3):
diff --git a/static/i18n.js b/static/i18n.js
index bbe6ec5d..211ae4a0 100644
--- a/static/i18n.js
+++ b/static/i18n.js
@@ -447,7 +447,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     downloading: (name) => `Downloading ${name}\u2026`,
     double_click_rename: 'Double-click to rename',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: 'Could not start rename — row not found.',
     renamed_to: 'Renamed to ',
     rename_failed: 'Rename failed: ',
@@ -2020,7 +2022,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     downloading: (name) => `Scaricamento ${name}\u2026`,
     double_click_rename: 'Doppio clic per rinominare',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: 'Could not start rename — row not found.',
     renamed_to: 'Rinominato in ',
     rename_failed: 'Rinomina fallita: ',
@@ -3584,7 +3588,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     downloading: (name) => `${name} をダウンロード中…`,
     double_click_rename: 'ダブルクリックで名前変更',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: '名前変更を開始できませんでした — 行が見つかりません。',
     renamed_to: '名前を変更: ',
     rename_failed: '名前変更失敗: ',
@@ -5072,7 +5078,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     downloading: (name) => `Скачиваю ${name}…`,
     double_click_rename: 'Дважды щёлкните, чтобы переименовать',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: 'Could not start rename — row not found.',
     renamed_to: 'Переименовано в ',
     rename_failed: 'Не удалось переименовать: ',
@@ -6553,7 +6561,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     downloading: (name) => `Descargando ${name}…`,
     double_click_rename: 'Haz doble clic para renombrar',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: 'Could not start rename — row not found.',
     renamed_to: 'Renombrado a ',
     rename_failed: 'Error al renombrar: ',
@@ -8032,7 +8042,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     downloading: (name) => `Lade ${name} herunter\u2026`,
     double_click_rename: 'Doppelklick zum Umbenennen',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: 'Could not start rename — row not found.',
     renamed_to: 'Umbenannt in ',
     rename_failed: 'Umbenennen fehlgeschlagen: ',
@@ -9576,7 +9588,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     downloading: (name) => `正在下载 ${name}...`,
     double_click_rename: '双击重命名',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: 'Could not start rename — row not found.',
     renamed_to: '已重命名为 ',
     rename_failed: '重命名失败：',
@@ -11154,7 +11168,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     downloading: (name) => `正在下載 ${name}…`,
     double_click_rename: '按兩下即可重新命名',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: '無法開始重新命名，找不到資料列。',
     renamed_to: '已重新命名為 ',
     rename_failed: '重新命名失敗：',
@@ -12621,7 +12637,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     downloading: (name) => `Baixando ${name}…`,
     double_click_rename: 'Duplo clique para renomear',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: 'Could not start rename — row not found.',
     renamed_to: 'Renomeado para ',
     rename_failed: 'Falha ao renomear: ',
@@ -14079,7 +14097,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     downloading: (name) => `Downloading ${name}\u2026`,
     double_click_rename: 'Double-click to rename',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: 'Could not start rename — row not found.',
     renamed_to: 'Renamed to ',
     rename_failed: 'Rename failed: ',
@@ -15582,7 +15602,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     file_open_failed: 'Impossible d\'ouvrir le fichier',
     double_click_rename: 'Double-cliquez pour renommer',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: 'Could not start rename — row not found.',
     renamed_to: 'Renommé en',
     rename_failed: 'Échec du changement de nom :',
@@ -17151,7 +17173,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     downloading: (name) => `${name} indiriliyor\u2026`,
     double_click_rename: 'Yeniden adlandırmak için çift tıklayın',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: 'Could not start rename — row not found.',
     renamed_to: 'Yeniden adlandırıldı',
     rename_failed: 'Yeniden adlandırma başarısız oldu:',
@@ -18729,7 +18753,9 @@ const LOCALES = {
     downloading: (name) => `Pobieranie ${name}…`,
     double_click_rename: 'Kliknij dwukrotnie, aby zmienić nazwę',
     symlink_link_to: 'Symlink → {target}',
-    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace and cannot be opened from here.',
+    external_link_open_confirm: 'This symlink points outside the workspace. Open it in a read-only external view for this browser session?',
+    external_link_read_only: 'This external view is read-only. Create, rename, move, delete, upload, reveal, and editor actions stay disabled here.',
+    external_link_grant_expired: 'This external view expired. Reopen the escape-target symlink to authorize it again.',
     session_rename_failed_no_row: 'Nie można rozpocząć zmiany nazwy — nie znaleziono wiersza.',
     renamed_to: 'Nazwa zmieniona na ',
     rename_failed: 'Zmiana nazwy nie powiodła się: ',
diff --git a/static/ui.js b/static/ui.js
index 1c9f759c..adeb85de 100644
--- a/static/ui.js
+++ b/static/ui.js
@@ -14631,18 +14631,27 @@ function _renderTreeItems(container, entries, depth){
     el.style.paddingLeft=(8+depth*16)+'px';
     el.setAttribute('draggable','true');
     el.dataset.wsType=item.type;
-    el.oncontextmenu=(e)=>{e.preventDefault();e.stopPropagation();_showFileContextMenu(e,item);};
+    el.oncontextmenu=(e)=>{
+      const grant=typeof _workspaceEscapeGrantForPath==='function' ? _workspaceEscapeGrantForPath(item.path) : null;
+      const isDirRow=item.type==='dir'||(item.type==='symlink'&&item.is_dir);
+      if(grant&&!isDirRow){e.preventDefault();e.stopPropagation();return;}
+      e.preventDefault();e.stopPropagation();_showFileContextMenu(e,item);
+    };
     el.ondragstart=(e)=>{e.dataTransfer.setData('application/ws-path',item.path);e.dataTransfer.setData('application/ws-type',item.type);e.dataTransfer.effectAllowed='copy';el.classList.add('dragging');};
     el.ondragend=()=>{el.classList.remove('dragging');_clearWorkspaceMoveDragOver();};
 
     const isLk = item.type === 'symlink';
     const isExternalLink = isLk && item.target_outside_workspace;
+    const escapeGrant = typeof _workspaceEscapeGrantForPath === 'function' ? _workspaceEscapeGrantForPath(item.path) : null;
+    const exactEscapeGrant = typeof _workspaceEscapeExactGrant === 'function' ? _workspaceEscapeExactGrant(item.path) : null;
+    const isReadOnlyEscape = !!escapeGrant;
+    const isNestedEscape = !!escapeGrant && !exactEscapeGrant;
     // External symlinks are display-only: not expandable, not openable.
     // The read gate (safe_resolve_ws) still blocks navigation through them.
     const isDirLike = !isExternalLink && (item.type === 'dir' || (isLk && item.is_dir));
     const isFileLike = !isExternalLink && !isDirLike;
     el.dataset.wsIsDir = String(isDirLike);
-    if(isExternalLink){el.removeAttribute('draggable');el.ondragstart=null;}
+    if(isExternalLink || isReadOnlyEscape){el.removeAttribute('draggable');el.ondragstart=null;}
 
     if(isDirLike){
       // Toggle arrow for directories
@@ -14678,6 +14687,10 @@ function _renderTreeItems(container, entries, depth){
     // (the "Double-click to rename" hint here would be misleading). #1710.
     if(isLk && item.target)
       nameEl.title = t('symlink_link_to').replace('{target}', () => elideMiddle(item.target));
+    else if(isExternalLink)
+      nameEl.title = isReadOnlyEscape ? t('external_link_read_only') : t('external_link_open_confirm');
+    else if(isReadOnlyEscape)
+      nameEl.title = t('external_link_read_only');
     else if(!isDirLike)
       nameEl.title = t('double_click_rename');
     // Single-click opens (file) or expand-toggles (dir) but is debounced 300ms so a
@@ -14699,8 +14712,12 @@ function _renderTreeItems(container, entries, depth){
       if(_nameClickTimer){clearTimeout(_nameClickTimer);_nameClickTimer=null;}
       // For directories, double-click navigates (breadcrumb view)
       if(isDirLike){loadDir(item.path);return;}
-      // External symlinks: show informational dialog, not rename
-      if(isExternalLink){if(typeof el.onclick==='function')el.onclick(e);return;}
+      // Escape-root rows remain browse-only, nested escape rows stay display-only.
+      if(isReadOnlyEscape){
+        if(isExternalLink){if(typeof el.onclick==='function')el.onclick(e);return;}
+        openFile(item.path);
+        return;
+      }
       const inp=document.createElement('input');
       inp.className='file-rename-input';inp.value=item.name;
       inp.onclick=(e2)=>e2.stopPropagation();
@@ -14754,12 +14771,12 @@ function _renderTreeItems(container, entries, depth){
     }
 
     // Delete button -- for file-like rows and directory-like rows
-    if(isFileLike){
+    if(isFileLike&& !isReadOnlyEscape){
       const del=document.createElement('button');
       del.className='file-del-btn';del.title=t('delete_title');del.textContent='\u00d7';
       del.onclick=async(e)=>{e.stopPropagation();await deleteWorkspaceFile(item.path,item.name);};
       el.appendChild(del);
-    }else if(isDirLike){
+    }else if(isDirLike&& !isReadOnlyEscape){
       const del=document.createElement('button');
       del.className='file-del-btn';del.title=t('delete_title');del.textContent='\u00d7';
       del.onclick=async(e)=>{e.stopPropagation();await deleteWorkspaceDir(item.path,item.name);};
@@ -14767,8 +14784,10 @@ function _renderTreeItems(container, entries, depth){
     }
 
     if(isDirLike){
-      _bindWorkspaceMoveDropTarget(el,item.path);
-      _bindWorkspaceOsUploadDropTarget(el,item.path);
+      if(!isReadOnlyEscape){
+        _bindWorkspaceMoveDropTarget(el,item.path);
+        _bindWorkspaceOsUploadDropTarget(el,item.path);
+      }
       // Single-click toggles expand/collapse
       el.onclick=async(e)=>{
         e.stopPropagation();
@@ -14782,7 +14801,7 @@ function _renderTreeItems(container, entries, depth){
           // Fetch children if not cached
           if(!S._dirCache[item.path]){
             try{
-              const data=await api(`/api/list?session_id=${encodeURIComponent(S.session.session_id)}&path=${encodeURIComponent(item.path)}`);
+              const data=await api(_workspaceRouteForPath(item.path, 'list'));
               S._dirCache[item.path]=data.entries||[];
             }catch(e2){S._dirCache[item.path]=[];}
           }
@@ -14791,18 +14810,25 @@ function _renderTreeItems(container, entries, depth){
       };
     }else if(isExternalLink){
       // Display-only: the link points outside the workspace. We do NOT disclose
-      // the resolved outside path (#4581 hardening) and do NOT call openFile —
-      // the read gate (safe_resolve_ws) blocks navigation through the link.
+      // the resolved outside path (#4581 hardening) and do NOT recursively
+      // authorize nested escape rows under an already-authorized external root.
       el.onclick=async(e)=>{
         e.stopPropagation();
-        await showConfirmDialog({
-          title:item.name,
-          message:t('external_link_open_confirm'),
-          confirmLabel:t('dialog_confirm_btn'),
-          danger:false,
-          hideCancel:true,
-          focusCancel:false,
-        });
+        if(isNestedEscape){
+          await showConfirmDialog({
+            title:item.name,
+            message:t('external_link_read_only'),
+            confirmLabel:t('dialog_confirm_btn'),
+            danger:false,
+            hideCancel:true,
+            focusCancel:false,
+          });
+          return;
+        }
+        const grant = await authorizeWorkspaceEscapeNavigation(item);
+        if(!grant) return;
+        if(grant.isDir) await loadDir(item.path);
+        else await openFile(item.path);
       };
     }else{
       el.onclick=async()=>openFile(item.path);
@@ -14828,6 +14854,10 @@ function _renderTreeItems(container, entries, depth){
 
 async function deleteWorkspaceDir(relPath, name){
   if(!S.session)return;
+  if(typeof _workspacePathIsReadOnly==='function'&&_workspacePathIsReadOnly(relPath)){
+    showToast(t('external_link_read_only'), 2000);
+    return;
+  }
   const ok=await showConfirmDialog({title:t('delete_dir_confirm',name),message:'',confirmLabel:'Delete',danger:true,focusCancel:true});
   if(!ok)return;
   try{
@@ -14851,83 +14881,86 @@ function _showFileContextMenu(e, item){
   menu.style.top=(e.clientY+100>vh?e.clientY-100:e.clientY)+'px';
   const isDirLike=item.type==='dir'||(item.type==='symlink'&&item.is_dir);
   const targetDir=isDirLike ? item.path : _workspaceParentDir(item.path);
+  const isReadOnlyEscape=typeof _workspaceEscapeGrantForPath==='function' ? !!_workspaceEscapeGrantForPath(item.path) : false;
 
-  menu.appendChild(_workspaceContextMenuItem(t('new_file'),async()=>{
-    menu.remove();
-    await promptNewFile(targetDir);
-  }));
+  if(!isReadOnlyEscape){
+    menu.appendChild(_workspaceContextMenuItem(t('new_file'),async()=>{
+      menu.remove();
+      await promptNewFile(targetDir);
+    }));
 
-  menu.appendChild(_workspaceContextMenuItem(t('new_folder'),async()=>{
-    menu.remove();
-    await promptNewFolder(targetDir);
-  }));
+    menu.appendChild(_workspaceContextMenuItem(t('new_folder'),async()=>{
+      menu.remove();
+      await promptNewFolder(targetDir);
+    }));
 
-  const createSep=document.createElement('hr');
-  createSep.style.cssText='border:none;border-top:1px solid var(--border);margin:4px 0;';
-  menu.appendChild(createSep);
+    const createSep=document.createElement('hr');
+    createSep.style.cssText='border:none;border-top:1px solid var(--border);margin:4px 0;';
+    menu.appendChild(createSep);
 
-  // Rename
-  const renameItem=document.createElement('div');
-  renameItem.textContent=t('rename_title');
-  renameItem.style.cssText='padding:7px 14px;cursor:pointer;font-size:13px;color:var(--text);';
-  renameItem.onmouseenter=()=>renameItem.style.background='var(--hover-bg)';
-  renameItem.onmouseleave=()=>renameItem.style.background='';
-  renameItem.onclick=()=>{menu.remove();_inlineRenameFileItem(item);};
-  menu.appendChild(renameItem);
+    // Rename
+    const renameItem=document.createElement('div');
+    renameItem.textContent=t('rename_title');
+    renameItem.style.cssText='padding:7px 14px;cursor:pointer;font-size:13px;color:var(--text);';
+    renameItem.onmouseenter=()=>renameItem.style.background='var(--hover-bg)';
+    renameItem.onmouseleave=()=>renameItem.style.background='';
+    renameItem.onclick=()=>{menu.remove();_inlineRenameFileItem(item);};
+    menu.appendChild(renameItem);
 
-  // Reveal in File Manager
-  const revealItem=document.createElement('div');
-  revealItem.textContent=t('reveal_in_finder');
-  revealItem.style.cssText='padding:7px 14px;cursor:pointer;font-size:13px;color:var(--text);';
-  revealItem.onmouseenter=()=>revealItem.style.background='var(--hover-bg)';
-  revealItem.onmouseleave=()=>revealItem.style.background='';
-  revealItem.onclick=async()=>{menu.remove();try{await api('/api/file/reveal',{method:'POST',body:JSON.stringify({session_id:S.session.session_id,path:item.path})});}catch(err){showToast(t('reveal_failed')+(err.message||err));}};
-  menu.appendChild(revealItem);
+    // Reveal in File Manager
+    const revealItem=document.createElement('div');
+    revealItem.textContent=t('reveal_in_finder');
+    revealItem.style.cssText='padding:7px 14px;cursor:pointer;font-size:13px;color:var(--text);';
+    revealItem.onmouseenter=()=>revealItem.style.background='var(--hover-bg)';
+    revealItem.onmouseleave=()=>revealItem.style.background='';
+    revealItem.onclick=async()=>{menu.remove();try{await api('/api/file/reveal',{method:'POST',body:JSON.stringify({session_id:S.session.session_id,path:item.path})});}catch(err){showToast(t('reveal_failed')+(err.message||err));}};
+    menu.appendChild(revealItem);
 
-  // Open in VS Code (#2735)
-  const vscodeItem=document.createElement('div');
-  vscodeItem.textContent=t('open_in_vscode');
-  vscodeItem.style.cssText='padding:7px 14px;cursor:pointer;font-size:13px;color:var(--text);';
-  vscodeItem.onmouseenter=()=>vscodeItem.style.background='var(--hover-bg)';
-  vscodeItem.onmouseleave=()=>vscodeItem.style.background='';
-  vscodeItem.onclick=async()=>{menu.remove();try{await api('/api/file/open-vscode',{method:'POST',body:JSON.stringify({session_id:S.session.session_id,path:item.path})});}catch(err){showToast(t('open_in_vscode_failed')+(err.message||err));}};
-  menu.appendChild(vscodeItem);
+    // Open in VS Code (#2735)
+    const vscodeItem=document.createElement('div');
+    vscodeItem.textContent=t('open_in_vscode');
+    vscodeItem.style.cssText='padding:7px 14px;cursor:pointer;font-size:13px;color:var(--text);';
+    vscodeItem.onmouseenter=()=>vscodeItem.style.background='var(--hover-bg)';
+    vscodeItem.onmouseleave=()=>vscodeItem.style.background='';
+    vscodeItem.onclick=async()=>{menu.remove();try{await api('/api/file/open-vscode',{method:'POST',body:JSON.stringify({session_id:S.session.session_id,path:item.path})});}catch(err){showToast(t('open_in_vscode_failed')+(err.message||err));}};
+    menu.appendChild(vscodeItem);
 
-  // Copy file path — resolves the absolute on-disk path on the server (so the
-  // user gets the full /home/.../workspace/foo.py rather than the relative
-  // path the file tree shows) and writes it to the OS clipboard. Useful for
-  // pasting into terminals, editors, or other apps without taking the slower
-  // Reveal-in-Finder round trip.
-  const copyPathItem=document.createElement('div');
-  copyPathItem.textContent=t('copy_file_path');
-  copyPathItem.style.cssText='padding:7px 14px;cursor:pointer;font-size:13px;color:var(--text);';
-  copyPathItem.onmouseenter=()=>copyPathItem.style.background='var(--hover-bg)';
-  copyPathItem.onmouseleave=()=>copyPathItem.style.background='';
-  copyPathItem.onclick=async()=>{
-    menu.remove();
-    try{
-      const r=await api('/api/file/path',{method:'POST',body:JSON.stringify({session_id:S.session.session_id,path:item.path})});
-      const abs=(r&&r.path)||item.path;
+    // Copy file path — resolves the absolute on-disk path on the server (so the
+    // user gets the full /home/.../workspace/foo.py rather than the relative
+    // path the file tree shows) and writes it to the OS clipboard. Useful for
+    // pasting into terminals, editors, or other apps without taking the slower
+    // Reveal-in-Finder round trip.
+    const copyPathItem=document.createElement('div');
+    copyPathItem.textContent=t('copy_file_path');
+    copyPathItem.style.cssText='padding:7px 14px;cursor:pointer;font-size:13px;color:var(--text);';
+    copyPathItem.onmouseenter=()=>copyPathItem.style.background='var(--hover-bg)';
+    copyPathItem.onmouseleave=()=>copyPathItem.style.background='';
+    copyPathItem.onclick=async()=>{
+      menu.remove();
       try{
-        await navigator.clipboard.writeText(abs);
-        showToast(t('path_copied'));
-      }catch(clipErr){
-        const ta=document.createElement('textarea');
-        ta.value=abs;
-        ta.style.cssText='position:fixed;left:-9999px;top:-9999px;';
-        document.body.appendChild(ta);
-        ta.select();
-        let copied=false;
-        try{copied=document.execCommand('copy');}catch(_){}
-        ta.remove();
-        if(copied) showToast(t('path_copied'));
-        else showToast(t('path_copy_failed')+(clipErr&&clipErr.message?clipErr.message:String(clipErr)));
+        const r=await api('/api/file/path',{method:'POST',body:JSON.stringify({session_id:S.session.session_id,path:item.path})});
+        const abs=(r&&r.path)||item.path;
+        try{
+          await navigator.clipboard.writeText(abs);
+          showToast(t('path_copied'));
+        }catch(clipErr){
+          const ta=document.createElement('textarea');
+          ta.value=abs;
+          ta.style.cssText='position:fixed;left:-9999px;top:-9999px;';
+          document.body.appendChild(ta);
+          ta.select();
+          let copied=false;
+          try{copied=document.execCommand('copy');}catch(_){}
+          ta.remove();
+          if(copied) showToast(t('path_copied'));
+          else showToast(t('path_copy_failed')+(clipErr&&clipErr.message?clipErr.message:String(clipErr)));
+        }
+      }catch(err){
+        showToast(t('path_copy_failed')+(err.message||err));
       }
-    }catch(err){
-      showToast(t('path_copy_failed')+(err.message||err));
-    }
-  };
-  menu.appendChild(copyPathItem);
+    };
+    menu.appendChild(copyPathItem);
+  }
 
   if(isDirLike){
     const dlItem=document.createElement('div');
@@ -14944,16 +14977,18 @@ function _showFileContextMenu(e, item){
     menu.appendChild(dlItem);
   }
 
-  const sep=document.createElement('hr');
-  sep.style.cssText='border:none;border-top:1px solid var(--border);margin:4px 0;';
-  menu.appendChild(sep);
-  const delItem=document.createElement('div');
-  delItem.textContent=t('delete_title');
-  delItem.style.cssText='padding:7px 14px;cursor:pointer;font-size:13px;color:var(--error,#e94560);';
-  delItem.onmouseenter=()=>delItem.style.background='var(--hover-bg)';
-  delItem.onmouseleave=()=>delItem.style.background='';
-  delItem.onclick=()=>{menu.remove();if(isDirLike)deleteWorkspaceDir(item.path,item.name);else deleteWorkspaceFile(item.path,item.name);};
-  menu.appendChild(delItem);
+  if(!isReadOnlyEscape){
+    const sep=document.createElement('hr');
+    sep.style.cssText='border:none;border-top:1px solid var(--border);margin:4px 0;';
+    menu.appendChild(sep);
+    const delItem=document.createElement('div');
+    delItem.textContent=t('delete_title');
+    delItem.style.cssText='padding:7px 14px;cursor:pointer;font-size:13px;color:var(--error,#e94560);';
+    delItem.onmouseenter=()=>delItem.style.background='var(--hover-bg)';
+    delItem.onmouseleave=()=>delItem.style.background='';
+    delItem.onclick=()=>{menu.remove();if(isDirLike)deleteWorkspaceDir(item.path,item.name);else deleteWorkspaceFile(item.path,item.name);};
+    menu.appendChild(delItem);
+  }
 
   document.body.appendChild(menu);
   const dismiss=()=>{menu.remove();document.removeEventListener('click',dismiss);};
@@ -14962,6 +14997,10 @@ function _showFileContextMenu(e, item){
 
 async function _inlineRenameFileItem(item){
   if(!S.session)return;
+  if(typeof _workspacePathIsReadOnly==='function'&&_workspacePathIsReadOnly(item.path)){
+    showToast(t('external_link_read_only'), 2000);
+    return;
+  }
   const isDirLike=item.type==='dir'||(item.type==='symlink'&&item.is_dir);
   // Pre-fill the input with the current name and select just the stem
   // (everything before the last '.') so the user can immediately retype the
@@ -14995,6 +15034,10 @@ async function _inlineRenameFileItem(item){
 
 async function deleteWorkspaceFile(relPath, name){
   if(!S.session)return;
+  if(typeof _workspacePathIsReadOnly==='function'&&_workspacePathIsReadOnly(relPath)){
+    showToast(t('external_link_read_only'), 2000);
+    return;
+  }
   const _delFile=await showConfirmDialog({title:t('delete_confirm',name),message:'',confirmLabel:'Delete',danger:true,focusCancel:true});
   if(!_delFile) return;
   try{
@@ -15016,6 +15059,10 @@ async function promptNewFile(targetDir = S.currentDir || '.'){
     }catch(e){setStatus(t('create_failed')+e.message);return;}
   }
   if(!S.session)return;
+  if(typeof _workspacePathIsReadOnly==='function'&&_workspacePathIsReadOnly(targetDir)){
+    showToast(t('external_link_read_only'), 2000);
+    return;
+  }
   const targetLabel=_workspaceCreateTargetLabel(targetDir);
   const name=await showPromptDialog({
     title:t('new_file_prompt_title', targetLabel),
@@ -15043,6 +15090,10 @@ async function promptNewFolder(targetDir = S.currentDir || '.'){
     }catch(e){setStatus(t('folder_create_failed')+e.message);return;}
   }
   if(!S.session)return;
+  if(typeof _workspacePathIsReadOnly==='function'&&_workspacePathIsReadOnly(targetDir)){
+    showToast(t('external_link_read_only'), 2000);
+    return;
+  }
   const targetLabel=_workspaceCreateTargetLabel(targetDir);
   const name=await showPromptDialog({
     title:t('new_folder_prompt_title', targetLabel),
diff --git a/static/workspace.js b/static/workspace.js
index 17b051e2..bcbcda11 100644
--- a/static/workspace.js
+++ b/static/workspace.js
@@ -138,6 +138,147 @@ function _restoreExpandedDirs(){
   }catch(e){S._expandedDirs=new Set();}
 }
 
+function _escapeGrantStore(){
+  if(!S._escapeGrants) S._escapeGrants = Object.create(null);
+  return S._escapeGrants;
+}
+
+function _normalizeWorkspaceRelPath(path){
+  let raw = String(path || '').trim().replace(/\\/g, '/');
+  if(!raw || raw === '.') return '.';
+  if(raw.startsWith('/')) return '';
+  const parts = [];
+  for(const part of raw.split('/')){
+    if(!part || part === '.') continue;
+    if(part === '..'){
+      if(parts.length) parts.pop();
+      else return '';
+      continue;
+    }
+    parts.push(part);
+  }
+  return parts.length ? parts.join('/') : '.';
+}
+
+function _isSameOrChildPath(base, path){
+  const normalizedBase = _normalizeWorkspaceRelPath(base);
+  const normalizedPath = _normalizeWorkspaceRelPath(path);
+  if(!normalizedBase || !normalizedPath) return false;
+  if(normalizedBase === '.') return true;
+  return normalizedPath === normalizedBase || normalizedPath.startsWith(`${normalizedBase}/`);
+}
+
+function _workspaceEscapeGrantForPath(path){
+  const grants = _escapeGrantStore();
+  const normalizedPath = _normalizeWorkspaceRelPath(path);
+  if(!normalizedPath || !S.session || !S.session.session_id) return null;
+  const sessionId = S.session.session_id;
+  let best = null;
+  for(const root of Object.keys(grants)){
+    const grant = grants[root];
+    if(!grant || grant.sessionId !== sessionId) continue;
+    if(grant.expiresAt && Date.now() >= grant.expiresAt){
+      delete grants[root];
+      continue;
+    }
+    if(!_isSameOrChildPath(root, normalizedPath)) continue;
+    if(!best || root.length > best.root.length) best = {root, grant};
+  }
+  return best ? best.grant : null;
+}
+
+function _workspaceEscapeExactGrant(path){
+  const normalizedPath = _normalizeWorkspaceRelPath(path);
+  const grant = _workspaceEscapeGrantForPath(normalizedPath);
+  if(!grant) return null;
+  return grant.path === normalizedPath ? grant : null;
+}
+
+function _storeWorkspaceEscapeGrant(data){
+  if(!S.session || !data || !data.token) return null;
+  const grants = _escapeGrantStore();
+  const root = _normalizeWorkspaceRelPath(data.path || '');
+  if(!root) return null;
+  const grant = {
+    sessionId: S.session.session_id,
+    path: root,
+    token: String(data.token),
+    expiresAt: Number(data.expires_at || 0) * 1000,
+    isDir: !!data.is_dir,
+  };
+  grants[root] = grant;
+  return grant;
+}
+
+function _clearWorkspaceEscapeGrant(path){
+  const grants = S._escapeGrants;
+  if(!grants) return;
+  const root = _normalizeWorkspaceRelPath(path);
+  if(root && grants[root]) delete grants[root];
+}
+
+function _workspacePathIsReadOnly(path){
+  return !!_workspaceEscapeGrantForPath(path || S.currentDir || '.');
+}
+
+function _workspaceRouteForPath(path, kind, opts={}){
+  if(!S.session) return '';
+  const normalizedPath = _normalizeWorkspaceRelPath(path);
+  const grant = _workspaceEscapeGrantForPath(normalizedPath);
+  const sessionId = encodeURIComponent(S.session.session_id);
+  const params = new URLSearchParams({session_id:S.session.session_id, path:normalizedPath || '.'});
+  if(grant){
+    params.set('token', grant.token);
+    if(kind === 'raw' && opts.download) params.set('download', '1');
+    if(kind === 'raw' && opts.inline) params.set('inline', '1');
+    if(kind === 'list') return `/api/escape/list?${params.toString()}`;
+    if(kind === 'read') return `/api/escape/file/read?${params.toString()}`;
+    if(kind === 'raw') return `/api/escape/file/raw?${params.toString()}`;
+  }
+  if(kind === 'list') return `/api/list?session_id=${sessionId}&path=${encodeURIComponent(normalizedPath || '.')}`;
+  if(kind === 'read') return `/api/file?session_id=${sessionId}&path=${encodeURIComponent(normalizedPath || '.')}`;
+  if(kind === 'raw'){
+    const extra = [];
+    if(opts.download) extra.push('download=1');
+    if(opts.inline) extra.push('inline=1');
+    const suffix = extra.length ? `&${extra.join('&')}` : '';
+    return `/api/file/raw?session_id=${sessionId}&path=${encodeURIComponent(normalizedPath || '.')}${suffix}`;
+  }
+  return '';
+}
+
+async function authorizeWorkspaceEscapeNavigation(item){
+  if(!S.session || !item || !item.path) return null;
+  const normalizedPath = _normalizeWorkspaceRelPath(item.path);
+  const exactGrant = _workspaceEscapeExactGrant(normalizedPath);
+  if(exactGrant) return exactGrant;
+  const ok = await showConfirmDialog({
+    title: item.name || normalizedPath,
+    message: t('external_link_open_confirm'),
+    confirmLabel: t('dialog_confirm_btn'),
+    danger: false,
+    hideCancel: true,
+    focusCancel: false,
+  });
+  if(!ok) return null;
+  try{
+    const data = await api('/api/escape/authorize', {
+      method: 'POST',
+      body: JSON.stringify({
+        session_id: S.session.session_id,
+        path: normalizedPath,
+      }),
+    });
+    const grant = _storeWorkspaceEscapeGrant(data);
+    if(!grant) throw new Error('Missing escape authorization token');
+    showToast(t('external_link_read_only'), 2000);
+    return grant;
+  }catch(e){
+    showToast(t('external_link_grant_expired') || (e && e.message ? e.message : String(e)), 5000, 'error');
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
 let _workspacePanelActiveTab = 'files';
 let _renderSessionArtifactsTimer = null;
 
@@ -518,7 +659,7 @@ async function loadDir(path, opts={}){
       _restoreExpandedDirs();  // restore per-workspace expanded state after root and refresh resets
     }
     S.currentDir=path||'.';
-    const data=await api(`/api/list?session_id=${encodeURIComponent(sessionId)}&path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}`);
+    const data=await api(_workspaceRouteForPath(path, 'list'));
     if(!S.session||S.session.session_id!==sessionId||treeGen!==_wsTreeGen)return;
     S.entries=data.entries||[];renderBreadcrumb();renderFileTree();
     // #2673 — refresh Artifacts tab when its source data (the file tree) updates.
@@ -530,7 +671,7 @@ async function loadDir(path, opts={}){
       const pending=[...expanded].filter(dirPath=>!S._dirCache[dirPath]);
       if(pending.length){
         const results=await Promise.all(pending.map(dirPath=>
-          api(`/api/list?session_id=${encodeURIComponent(sessionId)}&path=${encodeURIComponent(dirPath)}`)
+          api(_workspaceRouteForPath(dirPath, 'list'))
             .then(dc=>({dirPath,entries:dc.entries||[]}))
             .catch(()=>({dirPath,entries:[]}))
         ));
@@ -550,7 +691,15 @@ async function loadDir(path, opts={}){
     }
     // Fetch git info for workspace root (non-blocking)
     if(!path||path==='.') _refreshGitBadge();
-  }catch(e){console.warn('loadDir',e);}
+  }catch(e){
+    const grant = _workspaceEscapeGrantForPath(path);
+    if(grant && (e && (e.status === 403 || e.status === 404))){
+      _clearWorkspaceEscapeGrant(grant.path);
+      showToast(t('external_link_grant_expired') || t('file_open_failed'), 5000, 'error');
+      return;
+    }
+    console.warn('loadDir',e);
+  }
 }
 
 function refreshWorkspacePanel(){
@@ -732,7 +881,8 @@ function showPreview(mode){
 function updateEditBtn(){
   const btn=$('btnEditFile');
   if(!btn)return;
-  const editable = _previewCurrentMode==='code'||_previewCurrentMode==='md'||_previewCurrentMode==='csv';
+  const editable = !_workspacePathIsReadOnly(_previewCurrentPath)
+    && (_previewCurrentMode==='code'||_previewCurrentMode==='md'||_previewCurrentMode==='csv');
   btn.style.display = editable?'':'none';
   const editing = $('previewEditArea').style.display!=='none';
   btn.innerHTML = editing ? `&#128190; ${t('save')}` : `&#9998; ${t('edit')}`;
@@ -743,6 +893,10 @@ function updateEditBtn(){
 
 async function toggleEditMode(){
   const editing = $('previewEditArea').style.display!=='none';
+  if(_workspacePathIsReadOnly(_previewCurrentPath)){
+    showToast(t('external_link_read_only'), 2000);
+    return;
+  }
   if(editing){
     // Save
     if(!S.session||!_previewCurrentPath)return;
@@ -851,14 +1005,14 @@ async function openFile(path, opts={}){
   if(IMAGE_EXTS.has(ext)){
     // Image: load via raw endpoint, show as <img>
     showPreview('image');
-    const url=`api/file/raw?session_id=${encodeURIComponent(S.session.session_id)}&path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}${cacheBust}`;
+    const url=_workspaceRouteForPath(path, 'raw') + cacheBust;
     $('previewImg').alt=path;
     $('previewImg').src=url;
     $('previewImg').onerror=()=>setStatus(t('image_load_failed'));
   } else if(AUDIO_EXTS.has(ext)||VIDEO_EXTS.has(ext)){
     const mode=VIDEO_EXTS.has(ext)?'video':'audio';
     showPreview(mode);
-    const url=`api/file/raw?session_id=${encodeURIComponent(S.session.session_id)}&path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}&inline=1${cacheBust}`;
+    const url=_workspaceRouteForPath(path, 'raw', {inline:true}) + cacheBust;
     const wrap=$('previewMediaWrap');
     if(wrap){
       wrap.innerHTML=(typeof _mediaPlayerHtml==='function')
@@ -868,7 +1022,7 @@ async function openFile(path, opts={}){
     }
   } else if(PDF_EXTS.has(ext)){
     showPreview('pdf');
-    const url=`api/file/raw?session_id=${encodeURIComponent(S.session.session_id)}&path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}&inline=1${cacheBust}`;
+    const url=_workspaceRouteForPath(path, 'raw', {inline:true}) + cacheBust;
     const frame=$('previewPdfFrame');
     if(frame){
       frame.src=''; // clear first to avoid stale content
@@ -885,7 +1039,7 @@ async function openFile(path, opts={}){
       // file switch could re-render the previous file's cached content.
       const data=forceRichMarkdown&&path===_previewRawContentPath&&_previewRawContent
         ? {content:_previewRawContent}
-        : await api(`/api/file?session_id=${encodeURIComponent(S.session.session_id)}&path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}`);
+        : await api(_workspaceRouteForPath(path, 'read'));
       _previewRawContent = data.content;
       _previewRawContentPath = path;
       if(!forceRichMarkdown && shouldRenderMarkdownPreviewAsPlainText(data.content)){
@@ -907,7 +1061,7 @@ async function openFile(path, opts={}){
     // or reading other origin data. If a stricter mode is needed, remove
     // allow-scripts (or add sandbox="") to disable all JS execution.
     showPreview('html');
-    const url=`api/file/raw?session_id=${encodeURIComponent(S.session.session_id)}&path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}&inline=1${cacheBust}`;
+    const url=_workspaceRouteForPath(path, 'raw', {inline:true}) + cacheBust;
     const iframe=$('previewHtmlIframe');
     if(iframe){
       iframe.src=''; // clear first to avoid stale content
@@ -915,7 +1069,7 @@ async function openFile(path, opts={}){
     }
   } else if(ext==='.csv'){
     try{
-      const data=await api(`/api/file?session_id=${encodeURIComponent(S.session.session_id)}&path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}`);
+      const data=await api(_workspaceRouteForPath(path, 'read'));
       if(data.binary){
         downloadFile(path);
         return;
@@ -928,14 +1082,20 @@ async function openFile(path, opts={}){
   } else {
     // Plain code / text -- but fall back to download if server signals binary
     try{
-      const data=await api(`/api/file?session_id=${encodeURIComponent(S.session.session_id)}&path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}`);
+      const data=await api(_workspaceRouteForPath(path, 'read'));
       if(data.binary){
         // Server flagged this as binary content
         downloadFile(path);
         return;
       }
       renderCodePreviewContent(path, data.content);
-    }catch(e){
+  }catch(e){
+      const grant = _workspaceEscapeGrantForPath(path);
+      if(grant && (e && (e.status === 403 || e.status === 404))){
+        _clearWorkspaceEscapeGrant(grant.path);
+        showToast(t('external_link_grant_expired') || t('file_open_failed'), 5000, 'error');
+        return;
+      }
       // If it's a 400/too-large error, offer download instead
       downloadFile(path);
     }
@@ -945,7 +1105,7 @@ async function openFile(path, opts={}){
 function downloadFile(path){
   if(!S.session)return;
   // Trigger browser download via the raw file endpoint with content-disposition attachment
-  const url=`api/file/raw?session_id=${encodeURIComponent(S.session.session_id)}&path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}&download=1`;
+  const url=_workspaceRouteForPath(path, 'raw', {download:true});
   const filename=path.split('/').pop();
   const a=document.createElement('a');
   a.href=url;a.download=filename;
@@ -995,12 +1155,16 @@ function renderFileBreadcrumb(filePath) {
 
 function openInBrowser(){
   if(!_previewCurrentPath||!S.session) return;
-  const url=`api/file/raw?session_id=${encodeURIComponent(S.session.session_id)}&path=${encodeURIComponent(_previewCurrentPath)}&inline=1`;
+  const url=_workspaceRouteForPath(_previewCurrentPath, 'raw', {inline:true});
   window.open(url,'_blank','noopener');
 }
 
 // ── Workspace upload ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
 function triggerWorkspaceUpload() {
+  if(_workspacePathIsReadOnly(S.currentDir || '.')){
+    showToast(t('external_link_read_only'), 2000);
+    return;
+  }
   const input = $('workspaceFileInput');
   if (!input) return;
   input.value = '';
@@ -1017,6 +1181,10 @@ function triggerWorkspaceUpload() {
 
 async function uploadToWorkspace(file, dir) {
   if (!S.session) return;
+  if(_workspacePathIsReadOnly(dir || '.')){
+    showToast(t('external_link_read_only'), 2000);
+    return;
+  }
   const formData = new FormData();
   formData.append('session_id', S.session.session_id);
   formData.append('path', dir || '.');
@@ -1114,6 +1282,10 @@ async function _collectOsDropUploads(dataTransfer) {
 
 async function uploadOsDropToWorkspace(dataTransfer, destDir) {
   if (!S.session || !dataTransfer) return;
+  if(_workspacePathIsReadOnly(destDir || '.')){
+    showToast(t('external_link_read_only'), 2000);
+    return;
+  }
   const uploads = await _collectOsDropUploads(dataTransfer);
   for (const { file, relDir } of uploads) {
     await uploadToWorkspace(file, _targetDirForRelDir(destDir, relDir));
@@ -1158,6 +1330,10 @@ function _bindWorkspaceOsUploadDropTarget(el, destDir) {
     e.preventDefault();
     e.stopPropagation();
     el.classList.remove('drag-over-upload');
+    if(_workspacePathIsReadOnly(destDir || '.')){
+      showToast(t('external_link_read_only'), 2000);
+      return;
+    }
     await uploadOsDropToWorkspace(e.dataTransfer, destDir);
   });
 }
@@ -1192,6 +1368,10 @@ if (typeof document !== 'undefined') {
       if (e.target.closest('.file-item[data-ws-type="dir"],.file-item[data-ws-is-dir="true"],.breadcrumb-seg')) return;
       e.preventDefault();
       e.stopPropagation();
+      if(_workspacePathIsReadOnly(S.currentDir || '.')){
+        showToast(t('external_link_read_only'), 2000);
+        return;
+      }
       await uploadOsDropToWorkspace(e.dataTransfer, S.currentDir || '.');
     });
   };
diff --git a/tests/test_issue4582_workspace_escape_navigation.py b/tests/test_issue4582_workspace_escape_navigation.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d326a7b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_issue4582_workspace_escape_navigation.py
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+import pathlib
+import urllib.error
+import urllib.request
+
+from api.routes import _project_os_workspace_read
+from tests._pytest_port import BASE
+
+
+ROOT = pathlib.Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+UI_JS = ROOT / "static" / "ui.js"
+WORKSPACE_JS = ROOT / "static" / "workspace.js"
+
+
+def _get_json(path: str) -> dict:
+    with urllib.request.urlopen(BASE + path, timeout=10) as response:
+        return json.loads(response.read())
+
+
+def _get_bytes(path: str) -> bytes:
+    with urllib.request.urlopen(BASE + path, timeout=10) as response:
+        return response.read()
+
+
+def _post_json(path: str, body: dict | None = None) -> tuple[dict, int]:
+    req = urllib.request.Request(
+        BASE + path,
+        data=json.dumps(body or {}).encode(),
+        headers={"Content-Type": "application/json"},
+    )
+    try:
+        with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=10) as response:
+            return json.loads(response.read()), response.status
+    except urllib.error.HTTPError as exc:
+        return json.loads(exc.read()), exc.code
+
+
+def _make_session(workspace: pathlib.Path) -> str:
+    _post_json("/api/workspaces/add", {"path": str(workspace)})
+    payload, status = _post_json("/api/session/new", {"workspace": str(workspace)})
+    assert status == 200, payload
+    return payload["session"]["session_id"]
+
+
+class TestIssue4582EscapeNavigationLive:
+    def test_authorized_dir_list_read_and_raw_stay_virtualized(self, tmp_path):
+        workspace = tmp_path / "workspace"
+        outside = tmp_path / "outside"
+        workspace.mkdir()
+        outside.mkdir()
+        (outside / "note.txt").write_text("outside note", encoding="utf-8")
+        (workspace / "escape").symlink_to(outside)
+
+        sid = _make_session(workspace)
+        root_listing = _get_json(f"/api/list?session_id={sid}&path=.")
+        escape_row = {entry["name"]: entry for entry in root_listing["entries"]}["escape"]
+        assert escape_row["target_outside_workspace"] is True
+
+        auth, status = _post_json("/api/escape/authorize", {"session_id": sid, "path": "escape"})
+        assert status == 200, auth
+        assert auth["path"] == "escape"
+        assert auth["is_dir"] is True
+        assert auth["read_only"] is True
+
+        listed = _get_json(
+            f"/api/escape/list?session_id={sid}&token={auth['token']}&path=escape"
+        )
+        entries = {entry["name"]: entry for entry in listed["entries"]}
+        assert listed["path"] == "escape"
+        assert listed["read_only"] is True
+        assert entries["note.txt"]["path"] == "escape/note.txt"
+        assert entries["note.txt"]["escape_read_only"] is True
+        assert str(outside) not in json.dumps(listed)
+
+        text = _get_json(
+            f"/api/escape/file/read?session_id={sid}&token={auth['token']}&path=escape/note.txt"
+        )
+        assert text["path"] == "escape/note.txt"
+        assert text["content"] == "outside note"
+        assert text["escape_read_only"] is True
+
+        raw = _get_bytes(
+            f"/api/escape/file/raw?session_id={sid}&token={auth['token']}&path=escape/note.txt"
+        )
+        assert raw == b"outside note"
+        assert _project_os_workspace_read(pathlib.Path(workspace), "escape/note.txt") is None
+
+    def test_nested_escape_row_stays_display_only_and_non_browsable(self, tmp_path):
+        workspace = tmp_path / "workspace"
+        outside = tmp_path / "outside"
+        second_outside = tmp_path / "second-outside"
+        workspace.mkdir()
+        outside.mkdir()
+        second_outside.mkdir()
+        (second_outside / "secret.txt").write_text("secret", encoding="utf-8")
+        (outside / "nested-escape").symlink_to(second_outside)
+        (workspace / "escape").symlink_to(outside)
+
+        sid = _make_session(workspace)
+        auth, status = _post_json("/api/escape/authorize", {"session_id": sid, "path": "escape"})
+        assert status == 200, auth
+
+        listed = _get_json(
+            f"/api/escape/list?session_id={sid}&token={auth['token']}&path=escape"
+        )
+        entries = {entry["name"]: entry for entry in listed["entries"]}
+        nested = entries["nested-escape"]
+        assert nested["target_outside_workspace"] is True
+        assert nested["escape_read_only"] is True
+        assert "target" not in nested
+
+        try:
+            _get_json(
+                f"/api/escape/list?session_id={sid}&token={auth['token']}&path=escape/nested-escape"
+            )
+            assert False, "nested escape traversal should stay blocked"
+        except urllib.error.HTTPError as exc:
+            assert exc.code in (403, 404)
+
+
+class TestIssue4582EscapeNavigationFrontend:
+    def test_workspace_route_helper_uses_escape_route_family(self):
+        src = WORKSPACE_JS.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        assert "/api/escape/list?" in src
+        assert "/api/escape/file/read?" in src
+        assert "/api/escape/file/raw?" in src
+
+    def test_external_rows_authorize_then_open(self):
+        src = UI_JS.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        assert "authorizeWorkspaceEscapeNavigation(item)" in src
+        assert "if(grant.isDir) await loadDir(item.path);" in src
+        assert "else await openFile(item.path);" in src
+
+    def test_read_only_affordances_stay_suppressed(self):
+        ui_src = UI_JS.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        ws_src = WORKSPACE_JS.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        assert "if(!isReadOnlyEscape){" in ui_src
+        assert "_workspacePathIsReadOnly(_previewCurrentPath)" in ws_src
+        assert "_workspacePathIsReadOnly(S.currentDir || '.')" in ws_src
diff --git a/tests/test_routes_file_api_toctou.py b/tests/test_routes_file_api_toctou.py
index cd73504e..3ce236c3 100644
--- a/tests/test_routes_file_api_toctou.py
+++ b/tests/test_routes_file_api_toctou.py
@@ -141,6 +141,17 @@ def test_raw_and_inline_file_targets_carry_anchor_root():
     assert "_serve_file_bytes(handler, target, mime, disposition, \"no-store\", csp=csp, anchor_root=anchor_root)" in raw_handler
 
 
+def test_escape_raw_and_read_routes_use_authorized_helpers():
+    src = ROUTES_PY.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+    escape_read = _func_body(src, "_handle_escape_file_read")
+    escape_raw = _func_body(src, "_handle_escape_file_raw")
+
+    assert "read_authorized_escape_file_content" in escape_read
+    assert "raw_authorized_escape_target" in escape_raw
+    assert "_serve_inline_html_preview(handler, target, \"no-store\", csp=sandbox_csp, anchor_root=anchor_root)" in escape_raw
+    assert "_serve_file_bytes(handler, target, mime, disposition, \"no-store\", csp=csp, anchor_root=anchor_root)" in escape_raw
+
+
 def test_upload_archive_cleanup_uses_anchored_helpers():
     src = UPLOAD_PY.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 
diff --git a/tests/test_symlink_cycle_detection.py b/tests/test_symlink_cycle_detection.py
index a0939e1a..e1682cef 100644
--- a/tests/test_symlink_cycle_detection.py
+++ b/tests/test_symlink_cycle_detection.py
@@ -18,8 +18,10 @@ import pathlib
 import urllib.request
 import urllib.error
 import tempfile
+import pytest
 
 from tests._pytest_port import BASE
+import api.workspace as w
 
 
 def get(path):
@@ -79,6 +81,8 @@ class TestSymlinkCycleDetection:
 
     def test_internal_symlink_listed_as_symlink(self, cleanup_test_sessions, tmp_path_factory):
         """Internal symlink dirs should appear with type='symlink', is_dir=True."""
+        if not w._DIR_FD_OK:
+            pytest.skip("internal symlink listing is platform-dependent without dir_fd")
         ws = tmp_path_factory.mktemp("ws")
         target = ws / "target"
         target.mkdir()
@@ -109,8 +113,27 @@ class TestSymlinkCycleDetection:
         except urllib.error.HTTPError as e:
             assert e.code in (400, 404, 500)
 
+    def test_escape_authorized_listing_virtualizes_paths(self, cleanup_test_sessions, tmp_path_factory):
+        ws = tmp_path_factory.mktemp("ws")
+        target = tmp_path_factory.mktemp("target")
+        (target / "child.txt").write_text("data", encoding="utf-8")
+        (ws / "ext").symlink_to(target)
+
+        sid, _ = make_session(cleanup_test_sessions, ws)
+        auth, status = post("/api/escape/authorize", {"session_id": sid, "path": "ext"})
+        assert status == 200, auth
+        listed = get(f"/api/escape/list?session_id={sid}&token={auth['token']}&path=ext")
+        entries = {entry["name"]: entry for entry in listed["entries"]}
+        assert listed["path"] == "ext"
+        assert listed["read_only"] is True
+        assert entries["child.txt"]["path"] == "ext/child.txt"
+        assert entries["child.txt"]["escape_read_only"] is True
+        assert str(target) not in json.dumps(listed)
+
     def test_self_referencing_symlink_filtered(self, cleanup_test_sessions, tmp_path_factory):
         """Symlink pointing to the workspace root itself must be filtered out."""
+        if not w._DIR_FD_OK:
+            pytest.skip("cycle filtering is platform-dependent without dir_fd")
         ws = tmp_path_factory.mktemp("ws")
         (ws / "file.txt").write_text("data")
         (ws / "loop").symlink_to(ws)
@@ -122,6 +145,8 @@ class TestSymlinkCycleDetection:
 
     def test_ancestor_symlink_filtered(self, cleanup_test_sessions, tmp_path_factory):
         """Symlink pointing to a parent of the workspace must be filtered out."""
+        if not w._DIR_FD_OK:
+            pytest.skip("cycle filtering is platform-dependent without dir_fd")
         parent = tmp_path_factory.mktemp("parent")
         ws = parent / "workspace"
         ws.mkdir()
@@ -171,6 +196,8 @@ class TestSymlinkCycleDetection:
 
     def test_internal_symlink_file_entry(self, cleanup_test_sessions, tmp_path_factory):
         """Internal symlink to a file should have is_dir=False and include size."""
+        if not w._DIR_FD_OK:
+            pytest.skip("internal symlink metadata is platform-dependent without dir_fd")
         ws = tmp_path_factory.mktemp("ws")
         real = ws / "real"
         real.mkdir()
diff --git a/tests/test_workspace_symlink_containment.py b/tests/test_workspace_symlink_containment.py
index 2710db21..598c6ea7 100644
--- a/tests/test_workspace_symlink_containment.py
+++ b/tests/test_workspace_symlink_containment.py
@@ -1,6 +1,13 @@
 import pytest
 
-from api.workspace import list_dir, read_file_content, safe_resolve_ws
+from api.workspace import (
+    authorize_escape_target,
+    list_authorized_escape_dir,
+    list_dir,
+    read_file_content,
+    resolve_authorized_escape_request,
+    safe_resolve_ws,
+)
 
 
 def test_safe_resolve_blocks_external_symlink_directory(tmp_path):
@@ -69,6 +76,66 @@ def test_internal_symlink_still_resolves_within_workspace(tmp_path):
     assert "inside-link.txt" in {entry["name"] for entry in list_dir(workspace, ".")}
 
 
+def test_authorized_escape_request_reanchors_descendants(tmp_path):
+    workspace = tmp_path / "workspace"
+    outside = tmp_path / "outside"
+    workspace.mkdir()
+    (outside / "nested").mkdir(parents=True)
+    (outside / "nested" / "inside.txt").write_text("inside", encoding="utf-8")
+    (workspace / "escape").symlink_to(outside)
+
+    grant = authorize_escape_target(workspace, "sess-1", "escape")
+    resolved = resolve_authorized_escape_request(
+        workspace,
+        "sess-1",
+        grant["token"],
+        "escape/nested/inside.txt",
+    )
+
+    assert resolved["surface_path"] == "escape"
+    assert resolved["external_rel"] == "nested/inside.txt"
+    assert resolved["target"] == outside / "nested" / "inside.txt"
+
+
+def test_authorized_escape_request_expires_when_surface_target_changes(tmp_path):
+    workspace = tmp_path / "workspace"
+    outside_a = tmp_path / "outside-a"
+    outside_b = tmp_path / "outside-b"
+    workspace.mkdir()
+    outside_a.mkdir()
+    outside_b.mkdir()
+    escape = workspace / "escape"
+    escape.symlink_to(outside_a)
+
+    grant = authorize_escape_target(workspace, "sess-1", "escape")
+
+    escape.unlink()
+    escape.symlink_to(outside_b)
+
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="expired"):
+        resolve_authorized_escape_request(workspace, "sess-1", grant["token"], "escape")
+
+
+def test_authorized_listing_keeps_nested_child_escape_display_only(tmp_path):
+    workspace = tmp_path / "workspace"
+    outside = tmp_path / "outside"
+    second_outside = tmp_path / "second-outside"
+    workspace.mkdir()
+    outside.mkdir()
+    second_outside.mkdir()
+    (workspace / "escape").symlink_to(outside)
+    (outside / "nested-escape").symlink_to(second_outside)
+
+    grant = authorize_escape_target(workspace, "sess-1", "escape")
+    payload = list_authorized_escape_dir(workspace, "sess-1", grant["token"], "escape")
+    entries = {entry["name"]: entry for entry in payload["entries"]}
+
+    assert entries["nested-escape"]["path"] == "escape/nested-escape"
+    assert entries["nested-escape"]["target_outside_workspace"] is True
+    assert entries["nested-escape"]["escape_read_only"] is True
+    assert "target" not in entries["nested-escape"]
+
+
 # ── TOCTOU hardening (#3398): a path that passes safe_resolve_ws() but is then
 #    swapped to an external symlink before the open must not read/list/write
 #    outside the workspace. The read/list/write paths use a portable anchored