diff --git a/api/config.py b/api/config.py
index b5c2130e..d8108e7f 100644
--- a/api/config.py
+++ b/api/config.py
@@ -7815,6 +7815,7 @@ _SETTINGS_DEFAULTS = {
     "session_jump_buttons": False,  # show Start/End transcript jump pills
     "render_user_markdown": False,  # opt-in: render full markdown in user messages (#3870)
     "large_text_paste_as_attachment": True,  # convert very large composer text pastes into .md attachments by default
+    "project_quick_create_buttons": False,  # opt-in: show per-project "+" quick-create buttons on sidebar project chips (#4676)
     "structured_code_default_view": "auto",  # JSON/YAML fenced-block default render: auto | on | off (#484 follow-up). auto => Tree when line count >= structured_code_auto_tree_lines, else Raw.
     "structured_code_auto_tree_lines": 10,  # in 'auto' mode, minimum line count to default a JSON/YAML block to Tree view (preserves the original hardcoded >=10 behavior)
     "session_endless_scroll": False,  # auto-load older transcript pages while scrolling upward
@@ -8065,6 +8066,7 @@ _SETTINGS_BOOL_KEYS = {
     "session_jump_buttons",
     "render_user_markdown",
     "large_text_paste_as_attachment",
+    "project_quick_create_buttons",
     "session_endless_scroll",
     "auto_scroll_follow",
     "worklog_details_expanded_default",
diff --git a/static/i18n.js b/static/i18n.js
index c884c5e5..7a2c418a 100644
--- a/static/i18n.js
+++ b/static/i18n.js
@@ -621,6 +621,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'When enabled, bold, italic, links, and other markdown in your own messages are rendered. Off by default; fenced code blocks and math always render regardless of this setting.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'JSON/YAML code blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Auto: Tree for long blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Tree by default',
@@ -2269,6 +2271,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'When enabled, bold, italic, links, and other markdown in your own messages are rendered. Off by default; fenced code blocks and math always render regardless of this setting.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'JSON/YAML code blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Auto: Tree for long blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Tree by default',
@@ -3908,6 +3912,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'When enabled, bold, italic, links, and other markdown in your own messages are rendered. Off by default; fenced code blocks and math always render regardless of this setting.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'JSON/YAML code blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Auto: Tree for long blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Tree by default',
@@ -6261,6 +6267,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'When enabled, bold, italic, links, and other markdown in your own messages are rendered. Off by default; fenced code blocks and math always render regardless of this setting.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'JSON/YAML code blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Auto: Tree for long blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Tree by default',
@@ -7825,6 +7833,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'When enabled, bold, italic, links, and other markdown in your own messages are rendered. Off by default; fenced code blocks and math always render regardless of this setting.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'JSON/YAML code blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Auto: Tree for long blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Tree by default',
@@ -9070,6 +9080,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'When enabled, bold, italic, links, and other markdown in your own messages are rendered. Off by default; fenced code blocks and math always render regardless of this setting.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'JSON/YAML code blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Auto: Tree for long blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Tree by default',
@@ -10988,6 +11000,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'When enabled, bold, italic, links, and other markdown in your own messages are rendered. Off by default; fenced code blocks and math always render regardless of this setting.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'JSON/YAML code blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Auto: Tree for long blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Tree by default',
@@ -11852,6 +11866,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'When enabled, bold, italic, links, and other markdown in your own messages are rendered. Off by default; fenced code blocks and math always render regardless of this setting.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'JSON/YAML code blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Auto: Tree for long blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Tree by default',
@@ -13388,6 +13404,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'When enabled, bold, italic, links, and other markdown in your own messages are rendered. Off by default; fenced code blocks and math always render regardless of this setting.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'JSON/YAML code blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Auto: Tree for long blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Tree by default',
@@ -14926,6 +14944,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'When enabled, bold, italic, links, and other markdown in your own messages are rendered. Off by default; fenced code blocks and math always render regardless of this setting.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'JSON/YAML code blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Auto: Tree for long blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Tree by default',
@@ -16577,6 +16597,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'Lorsqu\'il est activé, le gras, l\'italique, les liens et autres éléments markdown dans vos propres messages sont rendus. Désactivé par défaut ; les blocs de code et les formules mathématiques sont toujours rendus, indépendamment de ce paramètre.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'Blocs de code JSON/YAML',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Auto : Arborescence pour les blocs longs',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Arborescence par défaut',
@@ -18184,6 +18206,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'When enabled, bold, italic, links, and other markdown in your own messages are rendered. Off by default; fenced code blocks and math always render regardless of this setting.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'JSON/YAML code blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Auto: Tree for long blocks',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Tree by default',
@@ -19843,6 +19867,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_structured_code: 'Gdy wybrano tryb automatyczny, bloki JSON/YAML o długości przynajmniej podanej liczby wierszy zostaną otwarte w widoku drzewa. Widok drzewa zawsze otwiera strukturyzowaną przeglądarkę; widok źródła zachowuje podświetlony składniowo tekst. Nadal możesz przełączać tryby dla każdego bloku osobno.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_worklog_details_expanded_default: 'Otwieraj szczegóły Worklog automatycznie',
     settings_desc_worklog_details_expanded_default: 'Gdy ta opcja jest włączona, nowe szczegóły Worklog zaczynają rozwinięte, dzięki czemu karty narzędzi, Thinking i postępu są widoczne bez dodatkowego kliknięcia. Gdy jest wyłączona, szczegóły Worklog pozostają domyślnie zwinięte. Ręczne decyzje o zwinięciu/rozwinięciu w danej turze mają pierwszeństwo.',
     settings_label_chat_activity_display_mode: 'Wyświetlanie aktywności',
@@ -21378,6 +21404,8 @@ const LOCALES = {
     settings_desc_render_user_markdown: 'Khi bật, chữ đậm, chữ nghiêng, liên kết và các Markdown khác trong tin nhắn của bạn sẽ được render. Mặc định tắt; khối code fenced và công thức toán luôn được render bất kể cài đặt này.',
     settings_label_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'Attach large pasted text as file',
     settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment: 'When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.',
+    settings_label_project_quick_create: 'Show per-project new-conversation buttons',
+    settings_desc_project_quick_create: 'When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.',
     settings_label_structured_code: 'Khối code JSON/YAML',
     settings_option_structured_code_auto: 'Tự động: dạng cây cho khối dài',
     settings_option_structured_code_on: 'Mặc định dạng cây',
diff --git a/static/index.html b/static/index.html
index 249e0cd5..ea0c29ae 100644
--- a/static/index.html
+++ b/static/index.html
@@ -1059,6 +1059,13 @@
               </label>
               <div style="font-size:11px;color:var(--muted);margin-top:4px" data-i18n="settings_desc_large_text_paste_as_attachment">When enabled, long pasted text becomes a .md attachment instead of filling the composer.</div>
             </div>
+            <div class="settings-field" style="margin-top:8px">
+              <label style="display:flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;cursor:pointer">
+                <input type="checkbox" id="settingsProjectQuickCreate" style="width:15px;height:15px;accent-color:var(--accent)">
+                <span data-i18n="settings_label_project_quick_create">Show per-project new-conversation buttons</span>
+              </label>
+              <div style="font-size:11px;color:var(--muted);margin-top:4px" data-i18n="settings_desc_project_quick_create">When enabled, each project chip in the sidebar gets a + button to start a conversation in that project.</div>
+            </div>
             <div class="settings-field" style="margin-top:8px">
               <label for="settingsStructuredCodeMode" data-i18n="settings_label_structured_code">JSON/YAML code blocks</label>
               <select id="settingsStructuredCodeMode" style="width:100%;padding:8px;background:var(--code-bg);color:var(--text);border:1px solid var(--border2);border-radius:6px">
diff --git a/static/panels.js b/static/panels.js
index 2bb7e263..640534e8 100644
--- a/static/panels.js
+++ b/static/panels.js
@@ -7475,6 +7475,7 @@ function _appearancePayloadFromUi(){
     auto_scroll_follow: !!($('settingsAutoScrollFollow')||{}).checked,
     render_user_markdown: !!($('settingsRenderUserMarkdown')||{}).checked,
     large_text_paste_as_attachment: !!($('settingsLargeTextPasteAsAttachment')||{}).checked,
+    project_quick_create_buttons: !!($('settingsProjectQuickCreate')||{}).checked,
     ..._structuredCodeViewFromUi(),
     show_titlebar_profile: !!($('settingsShowTitlebarProfile')||{}).checked,
     worklog_details_expanded_default: worklogDetailsExpanded,
@@ -7565,6 +7566,7 @@ async function _autosaveAppearanceSettings(payload){
     window._sessionEndlessScrollEnabled=!!(saved&&saved.session_endless_scroll);
     window._autoScrollFollow=!saved||saved.auto_scroll_follow!==false;
     window._largeTextPasteAsAttachment=!saved||saved.large_text_paste_as_attachment!==false;
+    window._projectQuickCreate=!!(saved&&saved.project_quick_create_buttons);
     if(saved&&Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(saved,'structured_code_default_view')){
       // Re-sync from the server-validated/clamped values so the UI and runtime
       // globals match exactly what was persisted.
@@ -7927,6 +7929,15 @@ async function loadSettingsPanel(){
         _scheduleAppearanceAutosave();
       };
     }
+    const pqcCb=$('settingsProjectQuickCreate');
+    if(pqcCb){
+      pqcCb.checked=!!(settings.project_quick_create_buttons);
+      window._projectQuickCreate=pqcCb.checked;
+      pqcCb.onchange=function(){
+        window._projectQuickCreate=this.checked;
+        _scheduleAppearanceAutosave();
+      };
+    }
     const structuredCodeModeSel=$('settingsStructuredCodeMode');
     const structuredCodeLinesField=$('settingsStructuredCodeAutoLines');
     if(structuredCodeModeSel){
@@ -10255,6 +10266,7 @@ function _applySavedSettingsUi(saved, body, opts){
   window._sessionEndlessScrollEnabled=!!body.session_endless_scroll;
   window._autoScrollFollow=body.auto_scroll_follow!==false;
   window._largeTextPasteAsAttachment=body.large_text_paste_as_attachment!==false;
+  window._projectQuickCreate=!!body.project_quick_create_buttons;
   if(Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(body,'structured_code_default_view')){
     _applyStructuredCodeViewSettings(body.structured_code_default_view,body.structured_code_auto_tree_lines,false);
   }
@@ -10825,6 +10837,7 @@ async function saveSettings(andClose){
   body.auto_scroll_follow=!!($('settingsAutoScrollFollow')||{}).checked;
   body.render_user_markdown=!!($('settingsRenderUserMarkdown')||{}).checked;
   body.large_text_paste_as_attachment=!!($('settingsLargeTextPasteAsAttachment')||{}).checked;
+  body.project_quick_create_buttons=!!($('settingsProjectQuickCreate')||{}).checked;
   Object.assign(body,_structuredCodeViewFromUi());
   body.language=language;
   body.show_token_usage=showTokenUsage;
diff --git a/static/sessions.js b/static/sessions.js
index 8563fb83..55564044 100644
--- a/static/sessions.js
+++ b/static/sessions.js
@@ -6407,7 +6407,7 @@ function renderSessionListFromCache(){
         clearTimeout(_lpTimer);_lpTimer=null;_lpHandled=false;
         chip.classList.remove('long-pressing');
       },{passive:true});
-      _attachProjectQuickCreateButton(chip,p);
+      if(window._projectQuickCreate) _attachProjectQuickCreateButton(chip,p);
       bar.appendChild(chip);
     }
     // Create button
diff --git a/tests/test_4676_project_new_session_shortcuts.py b/tests/test_4676_project_new_session_shortcuts.py
index d569602b..87c1558e 100644
--- a/tests/test_4676_project_new_session_shortcuts.py
+++ b/tests/test_4676_project_new_session_shortcuts.py
@@ -56,6 +56,15 @@ def test_quick_create_button_attaches_filter_align_and_request_path():
     assert "btn.ontouchend" in helper
 
 
+def test_quick_create_button_render_is_gated_off_by_default():
+    """#4676 quick-create buttons must be opt-in: the chip render site only
+    attaches the per-project '+' button when window._projectQuickCreate is set."""
+    src = _read(SESSIONS_JS)
+    assert "if(window._projectQuickCreate) _attachProjectQuickCreateButton(chip,p);" in src
+    # The attach call must never run unconditionally at the render site.
+    assert "\n      _attachProjectQuickCreateButton(chip,p);" not in src
+
+
 def test_project_quick_create_styles_exist_and_are_discrete_to_pointer_layouts():
     css = _read(STYLE_CSS)
     assert ".project-chip-quick-create" in css