===== Utility controls in practice =====

^ Control ^ How to use it ^ Typical workflow ^
| **Chat** | Open the chat launcher to continue a direct conversation without leaving the platform shell. | Clarify something quickly with a colleague or platform contact. |
| **My Favourites** | Use the star entry point to open saved projects, resources, experts, tools, or searches depending on your area. | Build a personal shortlist you can revisit later. |
| **Notifications** | Open the bell panel and review the most recent alerts; use mark-as-read actions where available. | Return to pending actions such as comments, moderation states, or membership changes. |
| **User menu** | Open your avatar menu to access My Workspace, Public Profile, account settings, and logout. | Move from public discovery to personal or contributor-level actions. |
| **Language switcher** | Change interface language from the header when available. | Reduce friction while reading policy, form, or support text. |
| **Theme toggle** | Switch between light and dark modes from the header icon. | Adapt the interface for reading comfort or prolonged work sessions. |

----

====  Practical navigation habits  ====

    * Read list pages from left to right: filters, results, then actions.
    * Read detail pages from centre to right: main content, tabs, then contextual actions.
    * When you do not know where a tool is, check the top navigation first, then the right-side action panel, then My Workspace.
    * When a page feels read-only, verify whether the missing action depends on your role rather than on the page itself

----