diff --git a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/archive.html b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/archive.html
index e49e228..cc7138c 100644
--- a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/archive.html
+++ b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/archive.html
@@ -2245,7 +2245,7 @@ td[data-field="trackingNumber"] {
                 </svg>
                 <div class="header-title-group">
                     <span class="app-header__title">ZDDC Archive</span>
-                    <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef</span></span>
+                    <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire</span></span>
                 </div>
                 <button id="addDirectoryBtn" class="btn btn-primary">Add Local Directory</button>
                 <button id="refreshHeaderBtn" class="btn btn-secondary hidden" title="Refresh Data">⟳</button>
@@ -3336,15 +3336,18 @@ https://github.com/nodeca/pako/blob/main/LICENSE
         var header = document.querySelector('.app-header');
         if (!header) return;
         // Don't double-mount if a tool's main.js calls us a second time.
-        if (header.nextElementSibling &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
+        if (header.previousElementSibling &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
             return;
         }
         var project = projectSegment(location.pathname);
         var active = currentStage(location.pathname);
         var strip = buildStrip(project, active);
-        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header.nextSibling);
+        // Mount ABOVE the header — the strip is project-level chrome
+        // (where in the project), the header is tool-level chrome (which
+        // tool, theme, help). Reading order matches outer-to-inner scope.
+        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header);
     }
 
     // Expose for tests + opt-out.
diff --git a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/browse.html b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/browse.html
index fde5ec6..4b37452 100644
--- a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/browse.html
+++ b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/browse.html
@@ -999,7 +999,7 @@ body {
             </svg>
             <div class="header-title-group">
                 <span class="app-header__title">ZDDC Browse</span>
-                <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef</span></span>
+                <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire</span></span>
             </div>
             <button id="addDirectoryBtn" class="btn btn-primary">Add Local Directory</button>
             <button id="refreshHeaderBtn" class="btn btn-secondary hidden" title="Refresh listing" aria-label="Refresh listing">⟳</button>
@@ -1982,15 +1982,18 @@ https://github.com/nodeca/pako/blob/main/LICENSE
         var header = document.querySelector('.app-header');
         if (!header) return;
         // Don't double-mount if a tool's main.js calls us a second time.
-        if (header.nextElementSibling &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
+        if (header.previousElementSibling &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
             return;
         }
         var project = projectSegment(location.pathname);
         var active = currentStage(location.pathname);
         var strip = buildStrip(project, active);
-        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header.nextSibling);
+        // Mount ABOVE the header — the strip is project-level chrome
+        // (where in the project), the header is tool-level chrome (which
+        // tool, theme, help). Reading order matches outer-to-inner scope.
+        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header);
     }
 
     // Expose for tests + opt-out.
diff --git a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/classifier.html b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/classifier.html
index 05b1bd2..676ea2b 100644
--- a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/classifier.html
+++ b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/classifier.html
@@ -1464,7 +1464,7 @@ body.help-open .app-header {
                     </svg>
                     <div class="header-title-group">
                         <span class="app-header__title">ZDDC Classifier</span>
-                        <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef</span></span>
+                        <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire</span></span>
                     </div>
                     <button id="addDirectoryBtn" class="btn btn-primary">Add Local Directory</button>
                     <button id="refreshHeaderBtn" class="btn btn-secondary hidden" title="Refresh and rescan directory" aria-label="Refresh" style="font-size:1.1rem;">⟳</button>
@@ -2805,15 +2805,18 @@ https://github.com/nodeca/pako/blob/main/LICENSE
         var header = document.querySelector('.app-header');
         if (!header) return;
         // Don't double-mount if a tool's main.js calls us a second time.
-        if (header.nextElementSibling &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
+        if (header.previousElementSibling &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
             return;
         }
         var project = projectSegment(location.pathname);
         var active = currentStage(location.pathname);
         var strip = buildStrip(project, active);
-        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header.nextSibling);
+        // Mount ABOVE the header — the strip is project-level chrome
+        // (where in the project), the header is tool-level chrome (which
+        // tool, theme, help). Reading order matches outer-to-inner scope.
+        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header);
     }
 
     // Expose for tests + opt-out.
diff --git a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/index.html b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/index.html
index 503457b..1906358 100644
--- a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/index.html
+++ b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/index.html
@@ -988,7 +988,7 @@ body {
             </svg>
             <div class="header-title-group">
                 <span class="app-header__title">ZDDC</span>
-                <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef</span></span>
+                <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire</span></span>
             </div>
         </div>
         <div class="header-right">
@@ -1908,15 +1908,18 @@ body {
         var header = document.querySelector('.app-header');
         if (!header) return;
         // Don't double-mount if a tool's main.js calls us a second time.
-        if (header.nextElementSibling &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
+        if (header.previousElementSibling &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
             return;
         }
         var project = projectSegment(location.pathname);
         var active = currentStage(location.pathname);
         var strip = buildStrip(project, active);
-        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header.nextSibling);
+        // Mount ABOVE the header — the strip is project-level chrome
+        // (where in the project), the header is tool-level chrome (which
+        // tool, theme, help). Reading order matches outer-to-inner scope.
+        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header);
     }
 
     // Expose for tests + opt-out.
diff --git a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/mdedit.html b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/mdedit.html
index 725231e..4e41a8d 100644
--- a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/mdedit.html
+++ b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/mdedit.html
@@ -1903,7 +1903,7 @@ body.help-open .app-header {
                 </svg>
                 <div class="header-title-group">
                     <span class="app-header__title">ZDDC Markdown</span>
-                    <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef</span></span>
+                    <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire</span></span>
                 </div>
                 <button id="addDirectoryBtn" class="btn btn-primary" title="Add a local directory">Add Local Directory</button>
                 <button id="refreshHeaderBtn" class="btn btn-secondary hidden" title="Refresh directory" aria-label="Refresh">⟳</button>
@@ -3044,15 +3044,18 @@ body.help-open .app-header {
         var header = document.querySelector('.app-header');
         if (!header) return;
         // Don't double-mount if a tool's main.js calls us a second time.
-        if (header.nextElementSibling &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
+        if (header.previousElementSibling &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
             return;
         }
         var project = projectSegment(location.pathname);
         var active = currentStage(location.pathname);
         var strip = buildStrip(project, active);
-        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header.nextSibling);
+        // Mount ABOVE the header — the strip is project-level chrome
+        // (where in the project), the header is tool-level chrome (which
+        // tool, theme, help). Reading order matches outer-to-inner scope.
+        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header);
     }
 
     // Expose for tests + opt-out.
diff --git a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/transmittal.html b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/transmittal.html
index 90a1eed..f9bbb24 100644
--- a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/transmittal.html
+++ b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/transmittal.html
@@ -2263,7 +2263,7 @@ dialog.modal--narrow {
             </svg>
             <div class="header-title-group">
                 <span class="app-header__title">ZDDC Transmittal</span>
-                <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef</span></span>
+                <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire</span></span>
             </div>
             <span id="no-js-notice" class="text-gray-400 text-xs italic">JavaScript not available</span>
             <!-- Publish split-button (Transmittal-specific primary action;
@@ -3824,15 +3824,18 @@ https://github.com/nodeca/pako/blob/main/LICENSE
         var header = document.querySelector('.app-header');
         if (!header) return;
         // Don't double-mount if a tool's main.js calls us a second time.
-        if (header.nextElementSibling &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
+        if (header.previousElementSibling &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
             return;
         }
         var project = projectSegment(location.pathname);
         var active = currentStage(location.pathname);
         var strip = buildStrip(project, active);
-        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header.nextSibling);
+        // Mount ABOVE the header — the strip is project-level chrome
+        // (where in the project), the header is tool-level chrome (which
+        // tool, theme, help). Reading order matches outer-to-inner scope.
+        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header);
     }
 
     // Expose for tests + opt-out.
diff --git a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/versions.txt b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/versions.txt
index 03648b6..fee50a0 100644
--- a/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/versions.txt
+++ b/zddc/internal/apps/embedded/versions.txt
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 # Generated by build.sh — do not edit. One <app>=<build label> per line.
-archive=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef
-transmittal=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef
-classifier=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef
-mdedit=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef
-landing=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef
-form=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef
-tables=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef
-browse=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef
+archive=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire
+transmittal=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire
+classifier=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire
+mdedit=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire
+landing=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire
+form=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire
+tables=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire
+browse=v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire
diff --git a/zddc/internal/handler/tables.html b/zddc/internal/handler/tables.html
index 92f2c1a..86385d3 100644
--- a/zddc/internal/handler/tables.html
+++ b/zddc/internal/handler/tables.html
@@ -1070,7 +1070,7 @@ body.help-open .app-header {
             </svg>
             <div class="header-title-group">
                 <span class="app-header__title" id="table-title">ZDDC Table</span>
-                <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · alder-cherry-reef</span></span>
+                <span class="build-timestamp"><span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">v0.0.17-beta · 2026-05-10 · dome-fork-sapphire</span></span>
             </div>
         </div>
         <div class="header-right">
@@ -2244,15 +2244,18 @@ body.help-open .app-header {
         var header = document.querySelector('.app-header');
         if (!header) return;
         // Don't double-mount if a tool's main.js calls us a second time.
-        if (header.nextElementSibling &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList &&
-            header.nextElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
+        if (header.previousElementSibling &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList &&
+            header.previousElementSibling.classList.contains('zddc-stage-strip')) {
             return;
         }
         var project = projectSegment(location.pathname);
         var active = currentStage(location.pathname);
         var strip = buildStrip(project, active);
-        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header.nextSibling);
+        // Mount ABOVE the header — the strip is project-level chrome
+        // (where in the project), the header is tool-level chrome (which
+        // tool, theme, help). Reading order matches outer-to-inner scope.
+        header.parentNode.insertBefore(strip, header);
     }
 
     // Expose for tests + opt-out.