diff --git a/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/__tests__/agents-builder-model-recommendations.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/__tests__/agents-builder-model-recommendations.test.ts
index e481e41c30e..eb744c9be44 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/__tests__/agents-builder-model-recommendations.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/__tests__/agents-builder-model-recommendations.test.ts
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ function buildPrompt(modelRecommendationsSection: string | null) {
 		configHash: null,
 		configUpdatedAt: null,
 		toolList: '(none)',
+		agentPreviewPath: '/projects/project-1/agents/agent-1/preview',
 		modelRecommendationsSection,
 	});
 }
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/agent-builder-preview-path.ts b/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/agent-builder-preview-path.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..812b87a9bc2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/agent-builder-preview-path.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+export function buildAgentPreviewPath(projectId: string, agentId: string): string {
+	const encodedProjectId = encodeURIComponent(projectId);
+	const encodedAgentId = encodeURIComponent(agentId);
+
+	return `/projects/${encodedProjectId}/agents/${encodedAgentId}/preview`;
+}
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/agents-builder-prompts.ts b/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/agents-builder-prompts.ts
index 3418b24e9ad..aeb0933e975 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/agents-builder-prompts.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/agents-builder-prompts.ts
@@ -284,7 +284,8 @@ OpenAI image generation:
 { "providerTools": { "openai.image_generation": {} } }
 \`\`\``;
 
-export const CONVERSATION_MODE_SECTION = `\
+export function getConversationModeSection(agentPreviewPath: string): string {
+	return `\
 ## When to build vs when to converse
 
 Not every user message is a build request. Before calling \`write_config\`,
@@ -297,12 +298,15 @@ want the agent to do, what systems it needs to touch, what triggers it. Only
 start building once you have a real goal.
 
 If the user tries to test, run, chat with, or interact with the newly built
-agent in this Build chat, reply exactly: "Please click the Test toggle next to
-Build below to chat with your new agent."
+agent in this Build chat, do not call tools. Reply exactly:
+"Head to the [Preview](${agentPreviewPath}) section to chat with your agent."
+Do not say anything else. Keep the Preview link as a relative app path; do not
+expand it to an absolute URL.
 
 Never call \`write_config\` with empty, placeholder, or guessed \`instructions\`.
 An agent without real instructions is broken and can't chat. If you don't have
 enough detail to write meaningful instructions, ask the user first.`;
+}
 
 export const RESEARCH_SECTION = `\
 ## Research
@@ -607,17 +611,25 @@ export interface BuilderPromptContext {
 	configHash: string | null;
 	configUpdatedAt: string | null;
 	toolList: string;
+	agentPreviewPath: string;
 	modelRecommendationsSection: string | null;
 }
 
 export function buildBuilderPrompt(ctx: BuilderPromptContext): string {
-	const { configJson, configHash, configUpdatedAt, toolList, modelRecommendationsSection } = ctx;
+	const {
+		configJson,
+		configHash,
+		configUpdatedAt,
+		toolList,
+		agentPreviewPath,
+		modelRecommendationsSection,
+	} = ctx;
 
 	const sections = [
 		'You are an expert agent builder. You help users create and configure AI agents by writing raw JSON configuration and building custom tools.',
 		getAgentStateSection(configJson, configHash, configUpdatedAt, toolList),
 		READ_CONFIG_SECTION,
-		CONVERSATION_MODE_SECTION,
+		getConversationModeSection(agentPreviewPath),
 		TOOL_TYPES_SECTION,
 		LLM_RESOLUTION_SECTION,
 		modelRecommendationsSection,
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/agents-builder.service.ts b/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/agents-builder.service.ts
index b8128795611..d8b90702915 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/agents-builder.service.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/modules/agents/builder/agents-builder.service.ts
@@ -10,16 +10,18 @@ import type { User } from '@n8n/db';
 import { Service } from '@n8n/di';
 import { jsonParse, UserError } from 'n8n-workflow';
 
+import { NotFoundError } from '@/errors/response-errors/not-found.error';
+
 import { AgentsService } from '../agents.service';
 import { composeJsonConfig } from '../json-config/agent-config-composition';
 import { N8NCheckpointStorage } from '../integrations/n8n-checkpoint-storage';
 import { N8nMemory } from '../integrations/n8n-memory';
 import type { AgentJsonConfig } from '@n8n/api-types';
 import { AgentCheckpointRepository } from '../repositories/agent-checkpoint.repository';
+import { buildAgentPreviewPath } from './agent-builder-preview-path';
 import { buildBuilderPrompt } from './agents-builder-prompts';
 import { AgentsBuilderToolsService, getAgentConfigHash } from './agents-builder-tools.service';
 import { AGENT_THREAD_PREFIX } from './builder-tool-names';
-import { NotFoundError } from '@/errors/response-errors/not-found.error';
 import { AgentsBuilderSettingsService } from './agents-builder-settings.service';
 import { buildBuilderTelemetry } from '../tracing/builder-telemetry';
 import { getModelRecommendationsSection } from './agents-builder-model-recommendations';
@@ -166,6 +168,7 @@ export class AgentsBuilderService {
 			configHash: getAgentConfigHash(currentConfig),
 			configUpdatedAt: agent.updatedAt.toISOString(),
 			toolList,
+			agentPreviewPath: buildAgentPreviewPath(projectId, agentId),
 			modelRecommendationsSection,
 		});
 
diff --git a/packages/frontend/@n8n/i18n/src/locales/en.json b/packages/frontend/@n8n/i18n/src/locales/en.json
index 212776ea8d3..30005c1dfef 100644
--- a/packages/frontend/@n8n/i18n/src/locales/en.json
+++ b/packages/frontend/@n8n/i18n/src/locales/en.json
@@ -6093,6 +6093,9 @@
 	"agents.builder.header.switcher.ariaLabel": "Switch agent",
 	"agents.builder.header.saving": "Saving…",
 	"agents.builder.header.saved": "Saved",
+	"agents.builder.preview.button": "Preview",
+	"agents.builder.preview.disabledTooltip": "Add instructions, a model, and credentials before previewing this agent.",
+	"agents.builder.preview.close.ariaLabel": "Close preview",
 	"agents.builder.executions.count": "{count} session | {count} sessions",
 	"agents.builder.raw.description": "Agent JSON configuration",
 	"agents.builder.evaluations.comingSoon": "Evaluations functionality is coming soon.",
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/__tests__/AgentBuilderHeader.test.ts b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/__tests__/AgentBuilderHeader.test.ts
index 4a581f3ff9c..58ea0df573f 100644
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/__tests__/AgentBuilderHeader.test.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/__tests__/AgentBuilderHeader.test.ts
@@ -32,7 +32,18 @@ vi.mock('vue-router', () => ({
 
 vi.mock('@n8n/design-system', () => ({
 	N8nIcon: { template: '<i v-bind="$attrs"></i>', props: ['icon', 'size'] },
-	N8nButton: { template: '<button><slot /></button>', props: ['variant', 'size'] },
+	N8nButton: {
+		template:
+			'<button v-bind="$attrs" :data-variant="variant" :disabled="disabled" @click="$emit(\'click\')"><slot /></button>',
+		props: ['variant', 'size', 'icon', 'iconOnly', 'disabled'],
+		emits: ['click'],
+	},
+	N8nTooltip: {
+		name: 'N8nTooltip',
+		template:
+			'<span data-testid="stub-tooltip" :data-disabled="disabled" :data-content="content"><slot /></span>',
+		props: ['disabled', 'content'],
+	},
 	N8nBreadcrumbs: {
 		name: 'N8nBreadcrumbs',
 		template: '<div data-testid="stub-breadcrumbs"><slot name="append" /></div>',
@@ -41,19 +52,19 @@ vi.mock('@n8n/design-system', () => ({
 	},
 	N8nDropdownMenu: {
 		name: 'N8nDropdownMenu',
-		template: '<div data-testid="agent-header-switcher"><slot name="trigger" /></div>',
+		template: '<div v-bind="$attrs"><slot name="trigger" /></div>',
 		props: ['items'],
 		emits: ['select'],
 	},
 	'n8n-dropdown-menu': {
 		name: 'N8nDropdownMenu',
-		template: '<div data-testid="agent-header-switcher"><slot name="trigger" /></div>',
+		template: '<div v-bind="$attrs"><slot name="trigger" /></div>',
 		props: ['items'],
 		emits: ['select'],
 	},
 	N8nActionDropdown: {
 		name: 'ActionDropdown',
-		template: '<div data-testid="stub-action-dropdown" />',
+		template: '<div v-bind="$attrs" />',
 		props: ['items', 'activatorIcon'],
 		emits: ['select'],
 	},
@@ -78,6 +89,7 @@ const baseAgent = {
 	id: 'a1',
 	name: 'Darwin',
 	icon: { type: 'icon', value: 'robot' },
+	isRunnable: true,
 } as unknown as AgentResource;
 
 const globalStubs = {
@@ -94,6 +106,9 @@ function mountHeader(
 		agent: AgentResource | null;
 		projectName: string | null;
 		headerActions: unknown[];
+		mode: 'edit' | 'preview';
+		currentSessionTitle: string;
+		sessionOptions: Array<{ id: string; label: string }>;
 	}> = {},
 ) {
 	return mount(AgentBuilderHeader, {
@@ -103,6 +118,9 @@ function mountHeader(
 			agentId: 'a1',
 			projectName: 'projectName' in overrides ? (overrides.projectName ?? null) : 'My project',
 			headerActions: (overrides.headerActions ?? []) as Array<{ id: string; label: string }>,
+			mode: overrides.mode,
+			currentSessionTitle: overrides.currentSessionTitle,
+			sessionOptions: overrides.sessionOptions,
 		},
 		global: { stubs: globalStubs },
 	});
@@ -119,6 +137,7 @@ describe('AgentBuilderHeader', () => {
 	it('renders breadcrumbs, publish and action dropdown', () => {
 		const wrapper = mountHeader({ headerActions: [{ id: 'delete', label: 'Delete' }] });
 		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="stub-breadcrumbs"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-header-preview-btn"]').exists()).toBe(true);
 		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="stub-publish"]').exists()).toBe(true);
 		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-header-actions"]').exists()).toBe(true);
 	});
@@ -216,6 +235,65 @@ describe('AgentBuilderHeader', () => {
 		expect(wrapper.emitted('header-action')).toEqual([['delete']]);
 	});
 
+	it('emits open-preview from the preview button', async () => {
+		const wrapper = mountHeader();
+		await wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-header-preview-btn"]').trigger('click');
+		expect(wrapper.emitted('open-preview')).toEqual([[]]);
+	});
+
+	it('disables preview with a tooltip when the agent is not runnable', async () => {
+		const wrapper = mountHeader({
+			agent: { ...baseAgent, isRunnable: false } as AgentResource,
+		});
+		const previewButton = wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-header-preview-btn"]');
+
+		expect(previewButton.attributes('disabled')).toBeDefined();
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="stub-tooltip"]').attributes('data-disabled')).toBe('false');
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="stub-tooltip"]').attributes('data-content')).toBe(
+			'agents.builder.preview.disabledTooltip',
+		);
+
+		await previewButton.trigger('click');
+
+		expect(wrapper.emitted('open-preview')).toBeUndefined();
+	});
+
+	it('renders preview actions and hides publish actions in preview mode', () => {
+		const wrapper = mountHeader({
+			mode: 'preview',
+			currentSessionTitle: 'Support session',
+			sessionOptions: [{ id: 'thread-1', label: 'Support session' }],
+			headerActions: [{ id: 'delete', label: 'Delete' }],
+		});
+
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-preview-session-picker"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+		expect(
+			wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-preview-new-chat-btn"]').attributes('data-variant'),
+		).toBe('outline');
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-preview-close-btn"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="stub-publish"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-header-actions"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+	});
+
+	it('forwards preview session and header action events', async () => {
+		const wrapper = mountHeader({
+			mode: 'preview',
+			currentSessionTitle: 'Support session',
+			sessionOptions: [{ id: 'thread-1', label: 'Support session' }],
+		});
+
+		const sessionPicker = wrapper.findComponent(
+			'[data-testid="agent-preview-session-picker"]',
+		) as DropdownStubWrapper;
+		sessionPicker.vm.$emit('select', 'thread-1');
+		await wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-preview-new-chat-btn"]').trigger('click');
+		await wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-preview-close-btn"]').trigger('click');
+
+		expect(wrapper.emitted('session-select')).toEqual([['thread-1']]);
+		expect(wrapper.emitted('new-chat')).toEqual([[]]);
+		expect(wrapper.emitted('close-preview')).toEqual([[]]);
+	});
+
 	it('emits switch-agent when a switcher item is selected', async () => {
 		agentsListRef.value = [baseAgent, { id: 'a2', name: 'Other' } as unknown as AgentResource];
 		ensureLoadedMock.mockResolvedValue(agentsListRef.value);
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/__tests__/AgentBuilderView.test.ts b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/__tests__/AgentBuilderView.test.ts
index 2a48a3c5de2..eac67a6352a 100644
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/__tests__/AgentBuilderView.test.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/__tests__/AgentBuilderView.test.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import type { AgentJsonSkillRef, AgentJsonToolRef, CustomToolEntry } from '../ty
 const routerPush = vi.fn();
 const routerReplace = vi.fn();
 const routeQuery: Record<string, string | undefined> = {};
+let routeName = 'AgentBuilderView';
 const openModalWithDataMock = vi.fn();
 const closeModalMock = vi.fn();
 const showMessageMock = vi.fn();
@@ -24,7 +25,11 @@ const {
 }));
 vi.mock('vue-router', () => ({
 	useRouter: () => ({ push: routerPush, replace: routerReplace }),
-	useRoute: () => ({ params: { projectId: 'p1', agentId: 'a1' }, query: routeQuery }),
+	useRoute: () => ({
+		name: routeName,
+		params: { projectId: 'p1', agentId: 'a1' },
+		query: routeQuery,
+	}),
 	onBeforeRouteLeave: vi.fn(),
 	onBeforeRouteUpdate: vi.fn(),
 	RouterLink: { template: '<a><slot/></a>' },
@@ -205,6 +210,8 @@ const baseTextFn = (key: string) => {
 		'agents.builder.chatMode.ariaLabel': 'Switch chat mode',
 		'agents.builder.chat.fullWidth.expand.ariaLabel': 'Expand',
 		'agents.builder.chat.fullWidth.collapse.ariaLabel': 'Collapse',
+		'agents.builder.preview.button': 'Preview',
+		'agents.builder.preview.close.ariaLabel': 'Close preview',
 		'projects.menu.personal': 'Personal',
 	};
 	return map[key] ?? key;
@@ -254,8 +261,24 @@ const commonStubs = {
 			'agentConfig',
 			'agentStatus',
 			'connectedTriggers',
+			'continueSessionId',
 		],
 	},
+	AgentPreviewChatPage: {
+		name: 'AgentPreviewChatPage',
+		template: '<div data-testid="stub-agent-preview-chat-page" />',
+		props: [
+			'initialized',
+			'projectId',
+			'agentId',
+			'agent',
+			'localConfig',
+			'connectedTriggers',
+			'effectiveSessionId',
+			'initialPrompt',
+		],
+		emits: ['config-updated', 'continue-loaded', 'open-build'],
+	},
 	AgentConfigTree: {
 		name: 'AgentConfigTree',
 		template: '<div data-testid="stub-agent-config-tree" />',
@@ -284,9 +307,22 @@ const commonStubs = {
 			'agentId',
 			'projectName',
 			'headerActions',
+			'mode',
+			'currentSessionTitle',
+			'sessionOptions',
 			'beforeRevertToPublished',
 		],
-		emits: ['header-action', 'published', 'unpublished', 'reverted', 'switch-agent'],
+		emits: [
+			'header-action',
+			'open-preview',
+			'new-chat',
+			'close-preview',
+			'session-select',
+			'published',
+			'unpublished',
+			'reverted',
+			'switch-agent',
+		],
 	},
 	// Stub each panel that the editor column dispatches to. These panels pull
 	// in stores / composables (users, chatHub, credentials, sessions list)
@@ -348,7 +384,7 @@ const commonStubs = {
 	Transition: { template: '<div><slot/></div>' },
 };
 
-describe('AgentBuilderView — chat mode toggle', () => {
+describe('AgentBuilderView — preview routing', () => {
 	// First Vite transform of this SFC + design-system deps can exceed the default
 	// 5s test timeout; warm the module once so each case measures mount behavior.
 	beforeAll(async () => {
@@ -361,6 +397,7 @@ describe('AgentBuilderView — chat mode toggle', () => {
 		routerReplace.mockReset();
 		openModalWithDataMock.mockReset();
 		closeModalMock.mockReset();
+		routeName = 'AgentBuilderView';
 		for (const key of Object.keys(routeQuery)) delete routeQuery[key];
 		sessionThreads.length = 0;
 		sessionStorage.removeItem('N8N_DEBOUNCE_MULTIPLIER');
@@ -376,15 +413,15 @@ describe('AgentBuilderView — chat mode toggle', () => {
 		getIntegrationStatusMock.mockResolvedValue({ status: 'ok', integrations: [] });
 	});
 
-	it('renders the chat mode toggle with Build selected by default', async () => {
-		// Built agents default to Build unless the URL pins a session id; see
-		// AgentBuilderView.initialize() for the canonical decision.
+	it('renders the build chat in the editing experience without the old mode toggle', async () => {
 		const wrapper = await renderView();
 
-		const toggle = wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-chat-mode-toggle"]');
-		expect(toggle.exists()).toBe(true);
-		const vm = wrapper.vm as unknown as { chatMode: string };
-		expect(vm.chatMode).toBe('build');
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-builder-chat-column"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-builder-editor-column"]').exists()).toBe(true);
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="chat-panel-stub"][data-endpoint="build"]').exists()).toBe(
+			true,
+		);
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-chat-mode-toggle"]').exists()).toBe(false);
 	});
 
 	it('loads credentials through the workflow-scoped credentials endpoint for the agent project', async () => {
@@ -395,154 +432,67 @@ describe('AgentBuilderView — chat mode toggle', () => {
 		expect(fetchAllCredentialsMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
 	});
 
-	it('lazy-mounts each chat panel on first activation and toggles visibility via v-show afterwards', async () => {
-		// Default mount is Build (see prior test). Switching to Test mounts the
-		// test panel for the first time; flipping back to Build keeps both
-		// mounted so neither panel re-runs loadHistory() on toggle.
+	it('renders only the full-page preview chat on the preview route', async () => {
+		routeName = 'AgentPreviewView';
+		routeQuery.continueSessionId = 'thread-1';
+
 		const wrapper = await renderView();
-		const vm = wrapper.vm as unknown as { activeChatSessionId: string | null };
+		const preview = wrapper.findComponent({ name: 'AgentPreviewChatPage' });
+		const header = wrapper.findComponent({ name: 'AgentBuilderHeader' });
 
-		const buildPanel = wrapper.find('[data-testid="chat-panel-stub"][data-endpoint="build"]');
-		expect(buildPanel.exists()).toBe(true);
-		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="chat-panel-stub"][data-endpoint="chat"]').exists()).toBe(
-			false,
-		);
-		expect((buildPanel.element as HTMLElement).style.display).not.toBe('none');
-
-		// Test requires an active session (a real user reaches this by sending
-		// a message from the home input). Seed it so the chat panel binds.
-		vm.activeChatSessionId = 'test-session-1';
-		(wrapper.vm as unknown as { setChatMode: (m: string) => void }).setChatMode('test');
-		await nextTick();
-
-		const testPanel = wrapper.find('[data-testid="chat-panel-stub"][data-endpoint="chat"]');
-		expect(testPanel.exists()).toBe(true);
-		expect((buildPanel.element as HTMLElement).style.display).toBe('none');
-		expect((testPanel.element as HTMLElement).style.display).not.toBe('none');
-
-		// Switching back to Build should not unmount Test — both panels stay
-		// mounted once opened.
-		(wrapper.vm as unknown as { setChatMode: (m: string) => void }).setChatMode('build');
-		await nextTick();
-
-		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="chat-panel-stub"][data-endpoint="chat"]').exists()).toBe(
-			true,
-		);
-		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="chat-panel-stub"][data-endpoint="build"]').exists()).toBe(
-			true,
-		);
-		expect((buildPanel.element as HTMLElement).style.display).not.toBe('none');
-		expect((testPanel.element as HTMLElement).style.display).toBe('none');
+		expect(preview.exists()).toBe(true);
+		expect(preview.props('effectiveSessionId')).toBe('thread-1');
+		expect(header.props('mode')).toBe('preview');
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-builder-chat-column"]').exists()).toBe(false);
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-builder-editor-column"]').exists()).toBe(false);
 	});
 
 	it('drops unbuilt agents straight into the build chat on load', async () => {
 		// Unbuilt agents go to the build chat unconditionally so the build
 		// panel mounts, triggers loadHistory, and any prior conversation with
-		// the builder is visible instead of being stranded behind the home
-		// screen (where the Test tab is locked and clicking Build is a no-op).
+		// the builder is visible.
 		intendedConfig = { name: 'Agent One', instructions: '' };
 		mockConfig.value = withDefaultLlm(intendedConfig);
 		getAgentMock.mockResolvedValue(makeAgentResponse({ isRunnable: false }));
 
 		const wrapper = await renderView();
-		const vm = wrapper.vm as unknown as { chatMode: string };
-
-		// The view no longer has a `mode: 'home' | 'chat'` field — the three-column
-		// shell is always visible. We verify only the chat tab selection.
-		expect(vm.chatMode).toBe('build');
+		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="chat-panel-stub"][data-endpoint="build"]').exists()).toBe(
+			true,
+		);
 	});
 
-	it('initialises built agents with the build tab selected', async () => {
+	it('opens the preview route from the header preview action', async () => {
 		const wrapper = await renderView();
-		const vm = wrapper.vm as unknown as { chatMode: string };
+		const header = wrapper.findComponent({ name: 'AgentBuilderHeader' });
 
-		// The view no longer has a `mode: 'home' | 'chat'` field — the three-column
-		// shell is always visible. Built agents default to Build unless the URL
-		// pins a session id (see initialize() in AgentBuilderView).
-		expect(vm.chatMode).toBe('build');
+		header.vm.$emit('open-preview');
+		await flushPromises();
+
+		expect(routerPush).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+			expect.objectContaining({
+				name: 'AgentPreviewView',
+				params: { projectId: 'p1', agentId: 'a1' },
+				query: expect.objectContaining({ continueSessionId: expect.any(String) }),
+			}),
+		);
 	});
 
-	it('locks the Test tab when the agent has no instructions', async () => {
-		intendedConfig = { name: 'Agent One', instructions: '' };
-		mockConfig.value = withDefaultLlm(intendedConfig);
+	it('does not open preview when the agent is not runnable', async () => {
 		getAgentMock.mockResolvedValue(makeAgentResponse({ isRunnable: false }));
+
 		const wrapper = await renderView();
-		const vm = wrapper.vm as unknown as { chatMode: string };
+		const header = wrapper.findComponent({ name: 'AgentBuilderHeader' });
 
-		// Get into Build mode first (it's clickable on any agent state).
-		(wrapper.vm as unknown as { setChatMode: (m: string) => void }).setChatMode('build');
-		await nextTick();
-		expect(vm.chatMode).toBe('build');
+		expect(header.props('agent')).toEqual(expect.objectContaining({ isRunnable: false }));
 
-		// Clicking Test on an unbuilt agent must be a no-op — the RadioButton
-		// option is disabled and the click handler returns early.
-		(wrapper.vm as unknown as { setChatMode: (m: string) => void }).setChatMode('test');
-		await nextTick();
-		expect(vm.chatMode).toBe('build');
-	});
+		header.vm.$emit('open-preview');
+		await flushPromises();
 
-	it('locks the Test tab when the agent has instructions but no LLM credential', async () => {
-		intendedConfig = {
-			name: 'Agent One',
-			model: '',
-			credential: undefined,
-			instructions: 'You are a helpful assistant.',
-		};
-		mockConfig.value = withDefaultLlm(intendedConfig);
-		getAgentMock.mockResolvedValue(makeAgentResponse({ isRunnable: false }));
-		const wrapper = await renderView();
-		const vm = wrapper.vm as unknown as { chatMode: string; isBuilt: boolean };
-
-		expect(vm.isBuilt).toBe(false);
-
-		(wrapper.vm as unknown as { setChatMode: (m: string) => void }).setChatMode('test');
-		await nextTick();
-		expect(vm.chatMode).toBe('build');
-	});
-
-	it('locks the Test tab when the agent has an invalid LLM model string', async () => {
-		intendedConfig = {
-			name: 'Agent One',
-			model: 'openai/',
-			credential: 'cred-openai',
-			instructions: 'You are a helpful assistant.',
-		};
-		mockConfig.value = withDefaultLlm(intendedConfig);
-		getAgentMock.mockResolvedValue(makeAgentResponse({ isRunnable: false }));
-		const wrapper = await renderView();
-		const vm = wrapper.vm as unknown as { chatMode: string; isBuilt: boolean };
-
-		expect(vm.isBuilt).toBe(false);
-
-		(wrapper.vm as unknown as { setChatMode: (m: string) => void }).setChatMode('test');
-		await nextTick();
-		expect(vm.chatMode).toBe('build');
-	});
-
-	it('transitions to test chat when a toggle segment is clicked', async () => {
-		// The view defaults to Build for built agents; clicking Test must
-		// switch chatMode and mount the test panel.
-		const wrapper = await renderView();
-		const vm = wrapper.vm as unknown as {
-			chatMode: string;
-			activeChatSessionId: string | null;
-		};
-
-		expect(vm.chatMode).toBe('build');
-		// Test mode requires an active session for the panel to bind.
-		vm.activeChatSessionId = 'test-session-1';
-
-		(wrapper.vm as unknown as { setChatMode: (m: string) => void }).setChatMode('test');
-		await nextTick();
-
-		expect(vm.chatMode).toBe('test');
-
-		const testPanel = wrapper.find('[data-testid="chat-panel-stub"][data-endpoint="chat"]');
-		expect(testPanel.exists()).toBe(true);
-		expect((testPanel.element as HTMLElement).style.display).not.toBe('none');
+		expect(routerPush).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
 	});
 
 	it('keeps a known continued session selected even when it has no persisted messages', async () => {
+		routeName = 'AgentPreviewView';
 		routeQuery.continueSessionId = 'faulty-thread';
 		sessionThreads.push({ id: 'faulty-thread', updatedAt: '2026-01-01T00:00:00Z' });
 
@@ -554,7 +504,9 @@ describe('AgentBuilderView — chat mode toggle', () => {
 		await flushPromises();
 
 		expect(routerReplace).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-		expect((wrapper.vm as unknown as { chatMode: string }).chatMode).toBe('test');
+		expect(
+			wrapper.findComponent({ name: 'AgentPreviewChatPage' }).props('effectiveSessionId'),
+		).toBe('faulty-thread');
 	});
 
 	it('navigates directly to build chat on startChat for an unbuilt agent', async () => {
@@ -564,7 +516,6 @@ describe('AgentBuilderView — chat mode toggle', () => {
 
 		const wrapper = await renderView();
 		const vm = wrapper.vm as unknown as {
-			chatMode: string;
 			startChat: (msg: string) => void;
 			isBuilt: boolean;
 		};
@@ -575,10 +526,6 @@ describe('AgentBuilderView — chat mode toggle', () => {
 		vm.startChat('Build me a Slack triage agent');
 		await nextTick();
 
-		// The three-column shell is always visible (no separate `mode`
-		// state machine); startChat just selects the build chat tab.
-		expect(vm.chatMode).toBe('build');
-
 		// No progress screen rendered
 		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="progress-stub"]').exists()).toBe(false);
 
@@ -630,6 +577,7 @@ describe('AgentBuilderView — three-column shell', () => {
 		routerReplace.mockReset();
 		openModalWithDataMock.mockReset();
 		closeModalMock.mockReset();
+		routeName = 'AgentBuilderView';
 		for (const key of Object.keys(routeQuery)) delete routeQuery[key];
 		sessionThreads.length = 0;
 		sessionStorage.removeItem('N8N_DEBOUNCE_MULTIPLIER');
@@ -675,14 +623,14 @@ describe('AgentBuilderView — three-column shell', () => {
 		expect(wrapper.find('[data-testid="agent-build-chat-full-width-toggle"]').exists()).toBe(true);
 	});
 
-	it('renders the Build/Test toggle inside the chat input footer', async () => {
+	it('does not render the old Build/Test toggle inside the chat input footer', async () => {
 		const wrapper = await renderView();
 		const chatPanel = wrapper.find('[data-testid="chat-panel-stub"][data-endpoint="build"]');
 		expect(
 			chatPanel
 				.find('[data-testid="stub-footer-start"] [data-testid="agent-chat-mode-toggle"]')
 				.exists(),
-		).toBe(true);
+		).toBe(false);
 		expect(
 			chatPanel
 				.find('[data-testid="stub-above-input"] [data-testid="agent-chat-mode-toggle"]')
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/__tests__/constants.test.ts b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/__tests__/constants.test.ts
index 4c2b40ba6da..9b8141c77f0 100644
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/__tests__/constants.test.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/__tests__/constants.test.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,16 @@
 import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
-import { AGENTS_LIST_VIEW, AGENT_BUILDER_VIEW, PROJECT_AGENTS } from '../constants';
+import {
+	AGENTS_LIST_VIEW,
+	AGENT_BUILDER_VIEW,
+	AGENT_PREVIEW_VIEW,
+	PROJECT_AGENTS,
+} from '../constants';
 
 describe('Agent constants', () => {
 	it('exports all required route names', () => {
 		expect(AGENTS_LIST_VIEW).toBe('AgentsListView');
 		expect(AGENT_BUILDER_VIEW).toBe('AgentBuilderView');
+		expect(AGENT_PREVIEW_VIEW).toBe('AgentPreviewView');
 		expect(PROJECT_AGENTS).toBe('ProjectAgents');
 	});
 });
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentBuilderChatColumn.vue b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentBuilderChatColumn.vue
index 4619155e7b3..f177741e570 100644
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentBuilderChatColumn.vue
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentBuilderChatColumn.vue
@@ -1,14 +1,11 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { computed, ref } from 'vue';
-import { N8nButton, N8nDropdownMenu, N8nIcon, N8nTooltip } from '@n8n/design-system';
-import type { DropdownMenuItemProps } from '@n8n/design-system';
+import { N8nButton, N8nIcon, N8nTooltip } from '@n8n/design-system';
 import { useI18n } from '@n8n/i18n';
 
 import { deriveAgentStatus } from '../composables/agentTelemetry.utils';
-import type { ChatMode } from '../composables/useAgentChatMode';
 import type { AgentJsonConfig, AgentJsonToolRef, AgentResource } from '../types';
 import AgentBuilderUnconfiguredEmptyState from './AgentBuilderUnconfiguredEmptyState.vue';
-import AgentBuilderChatModeToggle from './AgentBuilderChatModeToggle.vue';
 import AgentChatPanel from './AgentChatPanel.vue';
 import AgentChatQuickActions from './AgentChatQuickActions.vue';
 
@@ -20,17 +17,8 @@ const props = defineProps<{
 	agent: AgentResource | null;
 	localConfig: AgentJsonConfig | null;
 	connectedTriggers: string[];
-	chatMode: ChatMode;
-	chatModeOpened: Record<ChatMode, boolean>;
-	chatModeOptions: Array<{ label: string; value: ChatMode; disabled?: boolean }>;
-	effectiveSessionId?: string;
-	currentSessionTitle: string;
-	currentSessionHasMessages: boolean;
-	sessionOptions: Array<DropdownMenuItemProps<string>>;
 	initialPrompt?: string;
-	isBuilt: boolean;
 	isBuilderConfigured: boolean;
-	isBuildChatStreaming: boolean;
 	isPublished: boolean;
 	isFullWidth: boolean;
 	canEditAgent: boolean;
@@ -38,12 +26,7 @@ const props = defineProps<{
 }>();
 
 const emit = defineEmits<{
-	'session-select': [sessionId: string];
-	'new-chat': [];
 	'config-updated': [];
-	'continue-loaded': [count: number];
-	'open-build': [];
-	'chat-mode-change': [mode: ChatMode];
 	'update:streaming': [streaming: boolean];
 	'update:tools': [tools: AgentJsonToolRef[]];
 	'update:connected-triggers': [triggers: string[]];
@@ -53,10 +36,6 @@ const emit = defineEmits<{
 }>();
 
 const i18n = useI18n();
-const sessionMenuMaxHeight = 'calc((var(--spacing--xl) * 5) + var(--spacing--xs))';
-
-// `sessionOptions` already match `DropdownMenuItemProps`; alias for template clarity.
-const sessionMenuItems = computed<Array<DropdownMenuItemProps<string>>>(() => props.sessionOptions);
 
 const fullWidthToggleLabel = computed(() =>
 	i18n.baseText(
@@ -66,8 +45,6 @@ const fullWidthToggleLabel = computed(() =>
 	),
 );
 
-// Shared draft text across Build and Test inputs so switching modes preserves
-// what the user typed. The two AgentChatPanel instances bind to the same ref.
 const sharedInputDraft = ref('');
 </script>
 
@@ -77,120 +54,30 @@ const sharedInputDraft = ref('');
 		:aria-label="i18n.baseText('agents.builder.chatColumn.ariaLabel')"
 		data-testid="agent-builder-chat-column"
 	>
-		<div
-			v-if="initialized && chatMode === 'test' && effectiveSessionId"
-			:class="$style.sessionHeader"
-			data-testid="agent-chat-session-header"
-		>
-			<N8nDropdownMenu
-				:items="sessionMenuItems"
-				:max-height="sessionMenuMaxHeight"
-				:extra-popper-class="$style.sessionMenu"
-				placement="bottom-start"
-				data-testid="agent-chat-session-picker"
-				@select="emit('session-select', $event)"
-			>
-				<template #trigger>
-					<N8nButton
-						variant="ghost"
-						size="small"
-						:class="$style.sessionTitleBtn"
-						:aria-label="i18n.baseText('agents.builder.chat.sessionPicker.ariaLabel')"
-					>
-						{{ currentSessionTitle }}
-						<N8nIcon icon="chevron-down" color="text-light" :size="12" />
-					</N8nButton>
-				</template>
-			</N8nDropdownMenu>
-			<div :class="$style.sessionActions">
-				<N8nTooltip
-					placement="left"
-					:content="i18n.baseText('agents.builder.chat.newChat.ariaLabel')"
+		<span v-if="initialized" :class="$style.floatingFullWidthToggle">
+			<N8nTooltip placement="left" :content="fullWidthToggleLabel">
+				<N8nButton
+					variant="ghost"
+					icon-only
+					size="small"
+					:class="$style.headerIconBtn"
+					:aria-label="fullWidthToggleLabel"
+					data-testid="agent-build-chat-full-width-toggle"
+					@click="emit('update:full-width', !isFullWidth)"
 				>
-					<N8nButton
-						v-if="currentSessionHasMessages"
-						variant="ghost"
-						icon-only
-						size="small"
-						:class="$style.headerIconBtn"
-						:aria-label="i18n.baseText('agents.builder.chat.newChat.ariaLabel')"
-						data-testid="agent-chat-new-chat-btn"
-						@click="emit('new-chat')"
-					>
-						<N8nIcon icon="plus" :size="14" />
-					</N8nButton>
-				</N8nTooltip>
-				<N8nTooltip placement="left" :content="fullWidthToggleLabel">
-					<N8nButton
-						variant="ghost"
-						icon-only
-						size="small"
-						:class="$style.headerIconBtn"
-						:aria-label="fullWidthToggleLabel"
-						data-testid="agent-chat-full-width-toggle"
-						@click="emit('update:full-width', !isFullWidth)"
-					>
-						<N8nIcon :icon="isFullWidth ? 'minimize-2' : 'maximize-2'" :size="14" />
-					</N8nButton>
-				</N8nTooltip>
-			</div>
-		</div>
-		<N8nTooltip
-			v-if="initialized && chatMode === 'build'"
-			placement="left"
-			:content="fullWidthToggleLabel"
-		>
-			<N8nButton
-				variant="ghost"
-				icon-only
-				size="small"
-				:class="[$style.headerIconBtn, $style.floatingFullWidthToggle]"
-				:aria-label="fullWidthToggleLabel"
-				data-testid="agent-build-chat-full-width-toggle"
-				@click="emit('update:full-width', !isFullWidth)"
-			>
-				<N8nIcon :icon="isFullWidth ? 'minimize-2' : 'maximize-2'" :size="14" />
-			</N8nButton>
-		</N8nTooltip>
+					<N8nIcon :icon="isFullWidth ? 'minimize-2' : 'maximize-2'" :size="14" />
+				</N8nButton>
+			</N8nTooltip>
+		</span>
 		<div :class="$style.chatBody">
 			<AgentChatPanel
-				v-if="initialized && chatModeOpened.test && effectiveSessionId"
-				v-show="chatMode === 'test'"
-				:key="`test-${effectiveSessionId}`"
-				v-model:input-draft="sharedInputDraft"
-				:project-id="projectId"
-				:agent-id="agentId"
-				mode="inline"
-				endpoint="chat"
-				:initial-message="initialPrompt"
-				:continue-session-id="effectiveSessionId"
-				:agent-config="localConfig"
-				:agent-status="deriveAgentStatus(agent)"
-				:connected-triggers="connectedTriggers"
-				@config-updated="emit('config-updated')"
-				@continue-loaded="emit('continue-loaded', $event)"
-				@open-build="emit('open-build')"
-			>
-				<template #footer-start>
-					<AgentBuilderChatModeToggle
-						v-if="initialized"
-						:model-value="chatMode"
-						:options="chatModeOptions"
-						:is-built="isBuilt"
-						:is-build-chat-streaming="isBuildChatStreaming"
-						@update:model-value="emit('chat-mode-change', $event)"
-					/>
-				</template>
-			</AgentChatPanel>
-			<AgentChatPanel
-				v-if="initialized && chatModeOpened.build"
-				v-show="chatMode === 'build' && isBuilderConfigured"
+				v-if="initialized && isBuilderConfigured"
 				v-model:input-draft="sharedInputDraft"
 				:project-id="projectId"
 				:agent-id="agentId"
 				mode="inline"
 				endpoint="build"
-				:initial-message="chatMode === 'build' ? initialPrompt : undefined"
+				:initial-message="initialPrompt"
 				:agent-config="localConfig"
 				:agent-status="deriveAgentStatus(agent)"
 				:connected-triggers="connectedTriggers"
@@ -215,18 +102,8 @@ const sharedInputDraft = ref('');
 						/>
 					</div>
 				</template>
-				<template #footer-start>
-					<AgentBuilderChatModeToggle
-						v-if="initialized"
-						:model-value="chatMode"
-						:options="chatModeOptions"
-						:is-built="isBuilt"
-						:is-build-chat-streaming="isBuildChatStreaming"
-						@update:model-value="emit('chat-mode-change', $event)"
-					/>
-				</template>
 			</AgentChatPanel>
-			<AgentBuilderUnconfiguredEmptyState v-if="chatModeOpened.build && !isBuilderConfigured" />
+			<AgentBuilderUnconfiguredEmptyState v-if="initialized && !isBuilderConfigured" />
 		</div>
 	</aside>
 </template>
@@ -252,30 +129,6 @@ const sharedInputDraft = ref('');
 	width: 100%;
 }
 
-.sessionHeader {
-	display: flex;
-	align-items: center;
-	justify-content: space-between;
-	gap: var(--spacing--2xs);
-	padding: var(--spacing--3xs) var(--spacing--sm);
-	height: var(--height--2xl);
-	border-bottom: var(--border);
-	min-height: 36px;
-}
-
-.sessionTitleBtn {
-	gap: var(--spacing--4xs);
-	font-size: var(--font-size--2xs);
-	font-weight: var(--font-weight--bold);
-	margin-left: calc(var(--spacing--5xs) * -1);
-}
-
-.sessionActions {
-	display: flex;
-	align-items: center;
-	gap: var(--spacing--4xs);
-}
-
 .headerIconBtn {
 	color: var(--text-color--subtle);
 
@@ -290,13 +143,7 @@ const sharedInputDraft = ref('');
 	top: var(--spacing--2xs);
 	right: var(--spacing--sm);
 	z-index: 2;
-}
-
-.sessionMenu {
-	width: min(
-		calc(var(--spacing--5xl) + var(--spacing--3xl)),
-		calc(100vw - var(--spacing--xl))
-	) !important;
+	display: flex;
 }
 
 .chatBody {
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentBuilderChatModeToggle.vue b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentBuilderChatModeToggle.vue
deleted file mode 100644
index 499822f435c..00000000000
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentBuilderChatModeToggle.vue
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,76 +0,0 @@
-<script setup lang="ts">
-import { N8nIcon, N8nRadioButtons, N8nTooltip } from '@n8n/design-system';
-import { useI18n } from '@n8n/i18n';
-
-import type { ChatMode } from '../composables/useAgentChatMode';
-
-defineProps<{
-	modelValue: ChatMode;
-	options: Array<{ label: string; value: ChatMode; disabled?: boolean }>;
-	isBuilt: boolean;
-	isBuildChatStreaming: boolean;
-}>();
-
-const emit = defineEmits<{
-	'update:modelValue': [value: ChatMode];
-}>();
-
-const i18n = useI18n();
-</script>
-
-<template>
-	<N8nTooltip
-		:class="$style.chatModeToggle"
-		:disabled="isBuilt"
-		:content="i18n.baseText('agents.builder.chatMode.test.lockedTooltip')"
-		:show-after="100"
-		placement="top"
-	>
-		<N8nRadioButtons
-			:model-value="modelValue"
-			:options="options"
-			:aria-label="i18n.baseText('agents.builder.chatMode.ariaLabel')"
-			data-testid="agent-chat-mode-toggle"
-			@update:model-value="emit('update:modelValue', $event)"
-		>
-			<template #option="option">
-				<span :class="$style.chatModeOption">
-					<N8nIcon
-						v-if="option.value === 'build' && isBuildChatStreaming"
-						icon="loader-circle"
-						:size="14"
-						:spin="true"
-					/>
-					<N8nIcon
-						v-else-if="option.value === 'test' && !isBuilt"
-						icon="triangle-alert"
-						:size="14"
-						:class="$style.chatModeLockedIcon"
-					/>
-					<N8nIcon
-						v-else
-						:icon="option.value === 'build' ? 'wand-sparkles' : 'message-square'"
-						:size="14"
-					/>
-					<span>{{ option.label }}</span>
-				</span>
-			</template>
-		</N8nRadioButtons>
-	</N8nTooltip>
-</template>
-
-<style lang="scss" module>
-.chatModeToggle {
-	flex-shrink: 0;
-}
-
-.chatModeOption {
-	display: inline-flex;
-	align-items: center;
-	gap: var(--spacing--4xs);
-}
-
-.chatModeLockedIcon {
-	color: var(--text-color--warning);
-}
-</style>
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentBuilderHeader.vue b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentBuilderHeader.vue
index f2ea10cb22a..fe8d1f71757 100644
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentBuilderHeader.vue
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentBuilderHeader.vue
@@ -14,11 +14,12 @@ import {
 	N8nButton,
 	N8nDropdownMenu,
 	N8nIcon,
+	N8nTooltip,
 } from '@n8n/design-system';
 import type { PathItem } from '@n8n/design-system/components/N8nBreadcrumbs/Breadcrumbs.vue';
 import type { DropdownMenuItemProps } from '@n8n/design-system';
 import type { ActionDropdownItem } from '@n8n/design-system/types/action-dropdown';
-import { useI18n } from '@n8n/i18n';
+import { useI18n, type BaseTextKey } from '@n8n/i18n';
 import { VIEWS } from '@/app/constants';
 
 import AgentPublishButton from './AgentPublishButton.vue';
@@ -32,11 +33,18 @@ const props = defineProps<{
 	projectName: string | null;
 	headerActions: Array<ActionDropdownItem<string>>;
 	saveStatus?: 'idle' | 'saving' | 'saved';
+	mode?: 'edit' | 'preview';
+	currentSessionTitle?: string;
+	sessionOptions?: Array<DropdownMenuItemProps<string>>;
 	beforeRevertToPublished?: () => Promise<void> | void;
 }>();
 
 const emit = defineEmits<{
 	'header-action': [item: string];
+	'open-preview': [];
+	'new-chat': [];
+	'close-preview': [];
+	'session-select': [sessionId: string];
 	published: [agent: AgentResource];
 	unpublished: [agent: AgentResource];
 	reverted: [agent: AgentResource];
@@ -47,6 +55,7 @@ const i18n = useI18n();
 const router = useRouter();
 
 const { list: agentsList, ensureLoaded } = useProjectAgentsList(computed(() => props.projectId));
+const sessionMenuMaxHeight = 'calc((var(--spacing--xl) * 5) + var(--spacing--xs))';
 
 onMounted(() => {
 	void ensureLoaded();
@@ -67,6 +76,24 @@ const breadcrumbItems = computed<PathItem[]>(() => [
 ]);
 
 const agentDisplayName = computed(() => props.agent?.name ?? '…');
+const isPreview = computed(() => props.mode === 'preview');
+const isPreviewDisabled = computed(() => props.agent?.isRunnable !== true);
+const previewDisabledTooltip = computed(() =>
+	i18n.baseText('agents.builder.preview.disabledTooltip' as BaseTextKey),
+);
+const sessionTitle = computed(
+	() => props.currentSessionTitle ?? i18n.baseText('agents.builder.chat.newChat.label'),
+);
+const sessionOptions = computed<Array<DropdownMenuItemProps<string>>>(() => {
+	if (props.sessionOptions && props.sessionOptions.length > 0) return props.sessionOptions;
+	return [
+		{
+			id: '__empty__',
+			label: i18n.baseText('agents.builder.chat.sessionPicker.empty'),
+			disabled: true,
+		},
+	];
+});
 
 const switcherOptions = computed<Array<DropdownMenuItemProps<string>>>(() => {
 	const list = agentsList.value ?? [];
@@ -95,6 +122,11 @@ function onBreadcrumbSelect(item: PathItem) {
 	if (item.id !== props.projectId) return;
 	void router.push(projectRoute.value);
 }
+
+function onOpenPreview() {
+	if (isPreviewDisabled.value) return;
+	emit('open-preview');
+}
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -115,44 +147,106 @@ function onBreadcrumbSelect(item: PathItem) {
 								:class="$style.switcherButton"
 								:aria-label="i18n.baseText('agents.builder.header.switcher.ariaLabel')"
 							>
-								<span :class="$style.switcherLabel">{{ agentDisplayName }}</span>
+								<span :class="[$style.switcherLabel, $style.agentSwitcherLabel]">
+									{{ agentDisplayName }}
+								</span>
 								<N8nIcon icon="chevron-down" :size="12" />
 							</N8nButton>
 						</template>
 					</N8nDropdownMenu>
+					<template v-if="isPreview">
+						<span :class="$style.crumbSeparator" aria-hidden="true">/</span>
+						<N8nDropdownMenu
+							:items="sessionOptions"
+							:max-height="sessionMenuMaxHeight"
+							:extra-popper-class="$style.sessionMenu"
+							placement="bottom-start"
+							data-testid="agent-preview-session-picker"
+							@select="emit('session-select', $event)"
+						>
+							<template #trigger>
+								<N8nButton
+									variant="ghost"
+									size="small"
+									:class="$style.switcherButton"
+									:aria-label="i18n.baseText('agents.builder.chat.sessionPicker.ariaLabel')"
+								>
+									<span :class="[$style.switcherLabel, $style.previewSessionLabel]">
+										{{ sessionTitle }}
+									</span>
+									<N8nIcon icon="chevron-down" :size="12" />
+								</N8nButton>
+							</template>
+						</N8nDropdownMenu>
+					</template>
 				</template>
 			</N8nBreadcrumbs>
 		</div>
 		<div :class="$style.right">
-			<span
-				v-if="saveStatus === 'saving' || saveStatus === 'saved'"
-				:class="$style.saveStatus"
-				data-testid="agent-header-save-status"
-			>
-				{{
-					saveStatus === 'saving'
-						? i18n.baseText('agents.builder.header.saving')
-						: i18n.baseText('agents.builder.header.saved')
-				}}
-			</span>
-			<AgentPublishButton
-				:agent="agent"
-				:project-id="projectId"
-				:agent-id="agentId"
-				:is-saving="saveStatus === 'saving'"
-				:before-revert-to-published="beforeRevertToPublished"
-				@published="(a: AgentResource) => emit('published', a)"
-				@unpublished="(a: AgentResource) => emit('unpublished', a)"
-				@reverted="(a: AgentResource) => emit('reverted', a)"
-			/>
-			<N8nActionDropdown
-				v-if="headerActions.length > 0"
-				:items="headerActions"
-				activator-icon="ellipsis"
-				activator-size="medium"
-				data-testid="agent-header-actions"
-				@select="(item: string) => emit('header-action', item)"
-			/>
+			<template v-if="isPreview">
+				<N8nButton
+					variant="outline"
+					size="medium"
+					icon="plus"
+					data-testid="agent-preview-new-chat-btn"
+					@click="emit('new-chat')"
+				>
+					{{ i18n.baseText('agents.builder.chat.newChat.label') }}
+				</N8nButton>
+				<N8nButton
+					variant="ghost"
+					icon-only
+					size="medium"
+					:aria-label="i18n.baseText('agents.builder.preview.close.ariaLabel' as BaseTextKey)"
+					data-testid="agent-preview-close-btn"
+					@click="emit('close-preview')"
+				>
+					<N8nIcon icon="x" :size="16" />
+				</N8nButton>
+			</template>
+			<template v-else>
+				<span
+					v-if="saveStatus === 'saving' || saveStatus === 'saved'"
+					:class="$style.saveStatus"
+					data-testid="agent-header-save-status"
+				>
+					{{
+						saveStatus === 'saving'
+							? i18n.baseText('agents.builder.header.saving')
+							: i18n.baseText('agents.builder.header.saved')
+					}}
+				</span>
+				<N8nTooltip :disabled="!isPreviewDisabled" :content="previewDisabledTooltip">
+					<N8nButton
+						variant="ghost"
+						size="medium"
+						icon="play"
+						:disabled="isPreviewDisabled"
+						data-testid="agent-header-preview-btn"
+						@click="onOpenPreview"
+					>
+						{{ i18n.baseText('agents.builder.preview.button' as BaseTextKey) }}
+					</N8nButton>
+				</N8nTooltip>
+				<AgentPublishButton
+					:agent="agent"
+					:project-id="projectId"
+					:agent-id="agentId"
+					:is-saving="saveStatus === 'saving'"
+					:before-revert-to-published="beforeRevertToPublished"
+					@published="(a: AgentResource) => emit('published', a)"
+					@unpublished="(a: AgentResource) => emit('unpublished', a)"
+					@reverted="(a: AgentResource) => emit('reverted', a)"
+				/>
+				<N8nActionDropdown
+					v-if="headerActions.length > 0"
+					:items="headerActions"
+					activator-icon="ellipsis"
+					activator-size="medium"
+					data-testid="agent-header-actions"
+					@select="(item: string) => emit('header-action', item)"
+				/>
+			</template>
 		</div>
 	</header>
 </template>
@@ -172,6 +266,16 @@ function onBreadcrumbSelect(item: PathItem) {
 .left {
 	display: flex;
 	align-items: center;
+	flex: 1 1 auto;
+	min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.left :global(.n8n-breadcrumbs) {
+	min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.left :global(.n8n-breadcrumbs [data-test-id='breadcrumbs-item'] *) {
+	line-height: var(--line-height--lg);
 }
 
 .crumbSeparator {
@@ -183,14 +287,23 @@ function onBreadcrumbSelect(item: PathItem) {
 .switcherButton {
 	font-size: var(--font-size--sm);
 	gap: var(--spacing--4xs);
-	margin-top: var(--spacing--5xs);
+	line-height: var(--line-height--lg);
 }
 
 .switcherLabel {
-	max-width: 200px;
+	display: block;
 	overflow: hidden;
 	text-overflow: ellipsis;
 	white-space: nowrap;
+	line-height: var(--line-height--lg);
+}
+
+.agentSwitcherLabel {
+	max-width: 240px;
+}
+
+.previewSessionLabel {
+	max-width: clamp(320px, 42vw, 640px);
 }
 
 .right {
@@ -198,6 +311,7 @@ function onBreadcrumbSelect(item: PathItem) {
 	display: flex;
 	align-items: center;
 	gap: var(--spacing--2xs);
+	flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 
 .saveStatus {
@@ -205,4 +319,11 @@ function onBreadcrumbSelect(item: PathItem) {
 	color: var(--text-color--subtle);
 	user-select: none;
 }
+
+.sessionMenu {
+	width: min(
+		calc(var(--spacing--5xl) + var(--spacing--3xl)),
+		calc(100vw - var(--spacing--xl))
+	) !important;
+}
 </style>
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentPreviewChatPage.vue b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentPreviewChatPage.vue
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..72c6dc02f4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/components/AgentPreviewChatPage.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { ref } from 'vue';
+
+import { deriveAgentStatus } from '../composables/agentTelemetry.utils';
+import type { AgentJsonConfig, AgentResource } from '../types';
+import AgentChatPanel from './AgentChatPanel.vue';
+
+defineProps<{
+	initialized: boolean;
+	projectId: string;
+	agentId: string;
+	agent: AgentResource | null;
+	localConfig: AgentJsonConfig | null;
+	connectedTriggers: string[];
+	effectiveSessionId?: string;
+	initialPrompt?: string;
+}>();
+
+const emit = defineEmits<{
+	'config-updated': [];
+	'continue-loaded': [count: number];
+	'open-build': [];
+}>();
+
+const inputDraft = ref('');
+</script>
+
+<template>
+	<main :class="$style.previewPage" data-testid="agent-preview-chat-page">
+		<div :class="$style.chatFrame">
+			<AgentChatPanel
+				v-if="initialized && effectiveSessionId"
+				:key="`preview-${effectiveSessionId}`"
+				v-model:input-draft="inputDraft"
+				:project-id="projectId"
+				:agent-id="agentId"
+				mode="inline"
+				endpoint="chat"
+				:initial-message="initialPrompt"
+				:continue-session-id="effectiveSessionId"
+				:agent-config="localConfig"
+				:agent-status="deriveAgentStatus(agent)"
+				:connected-triggers="connectedTriggers"
+				@config-updated="emit('config-updated')"
+				@continue-loaded="emit('continue-loaded', $event)"
+				@open-build="emit('open-build')"
+			/>
+		</div>
+	</main>
+</template>
+
+<style lang="scss" module>
+.previewPage {
+	flex: 1;
+	min-height: 0;
+	display: flex;
+	justify-content: center;
+	background-color: var(--background--surface);
+	overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.chatFrame {
+	width: 100%;
+	max-width: 45rem;
+	min-height: 0;
+	display: flex;
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/composables/useAgentBuilderSession.ts b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/composables/useAgentBuilderSession.ts
index 2d539203a8b..59f632375f4 100644
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/composables/useAgentBuilderSession.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/composables/useAgentBuilderSession.ts
@@ -10,11 +10,10 @@ import { useThreadTitle } from '../utils/thread-title';
 import { useRelativeTimestamp } from '../utils/relative-time';
 
 /**
- * Max chars for session-name display in the chat-header dropdown trigger and
- * its menu rows. Long titles otherwise wrap and push the "new chat" button
- * onto a second line.
+ * Max chars for session-name display in the preview breadcrumb dropdown trigger
+ * and its menu rows. Long titles otherwise crowd the header actions.
  */
-const SESSION_TITLE_MAX_CHARS = 20;
+const SESSION_TITLE_MAX_CHARS = 64;
 
 interface SessionMenuItem {
 	id: string;
@@ -32,7 +31,7 @@ interface SessionMenuItem {
 }
 
 /**
- * Owns the chat-session state that's split across two surfaces in the builder:
+ * Owns the preview chat-session state:
  *
  * - `continueSessionId` — set via the URL query string for shareable deep-links
  *   into a specific session. Takes precedence when present.
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/composables/useAgentChatMode.ts b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/composables/useAgentChatMode.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 36b82cd6983..00000000000
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/composables/useAgentChatMode.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,40 +0,0 @@
-import { ref } from 'vue';
-
-export type ChatMode = 'build' | 'test';
-
-/**
- * Per-agent chat-mode UI state. Owns:
- * - the active mode (Build/Test)
- * - lazy-mount tracking for the two chat panels (we don't mount Test until
- *   the user clicks into it, so the unused panel doesn't fire loadHistory)
- * - streaming flag for the builder chat (used to disable config inputs)
- * - the seed prompt for whichever panel is about to mount
- *
- * `setChatMode` lives in the view because it bridges this state with session
- * + URL + telemetry concerns; this composable only owns the storage.
- */
-export function useAgentChatMode() {
-	const chatMode = ref<ChatMode>('test');
-	const chatModeOpened = ref<Record<ChatMode, boolean>>({ test: false, build: false });
-	const isBuildChatStreaming = ref(false);
-	const initialPrompt = ref<string | undefined>(undefined);
-
-	function onBuildChatStreamingChange(streaming: boolean) {
-		isBuildChatStreaming.value = streaming;
-	}
-
-	function resetForAgentSwitch() {
-		chatModeOpened.value = { test: false, build: false };
-		isBuildChatStreaming.value = false;
-		initialPrompt.value = undefined;
-	}
-
-	return {
-		chatMode,
-		chatModeOpened,
-		isBuildChatStreaming,
-		initialPrompt,
-		onBuildChatStreamingChange,
-		resetForAgentSwitch,
-	};
-}
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/constants.ts b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/constants.ts
index a0a211de1af..a7a2048775b 100644
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/constants.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/constants.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 export const AGENTS_LIST_VIEW = 'AgentsListView';
 export const AGENT_BUILDER_VIEW = 'AgentBuilderView';
+export const AGENT_PREVIEW_VIEW = 'AgentPreviewView';
 export const NEW_AGENT_VIEW = 'NewAgentView';
 export const AGENT_VIEW = 'AgentView';
 export const AGENT_SESSIONS_LIST_VIEW = 'AgentSessionsListView';
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/module.descriptor.ts b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/module.descriptor.ts
index 70bab7c3bb3..6c788e8791b 100644
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/module.descriptor.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/module.descriptor.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import {
 	AGENTS_LIST_VIEW,
 	AGENT_BUILDER_SETTINGS_VIEW,
 	AGENT_BUILDER_VIEW,
+	AGENT_PREVIEW_VIEW,
 	AGENT_TOOLS_MODAL_KEY,
 	AGENT_TOOL_CONFIG_MODAL_KEY,
 	AGENT_SKILL_MODAL_KEY,
@@ -129,6 +130,12 @@ export const AgentsModule: FrontendModuleDescription = {
 					props: true,
 					component: AgentBuilderView,
 				},
+				{
+					name: AGENT_PREVIEW_VIEW,
+					path: 'preview',
+					props: true,
+					component: AgentBuilderView,
+				},
 				{
 					name: AGENT_SESSIONS_LIST_VIEW,
 					path: 'sessions',
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/views/AgentBuilderView.vue b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/views/AgentBuilderView.vue
index 928c94b57fb..5f00dc66dca 100644
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/views/AgentBuilderView.vue
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/views/AgentBuilderView.vue
@@ -29,11 +29,11 @@ import { useAgentBuilderStatus } from '../composables/useAgentBuilderStatus';
 import { useAgentPermissions } from '../composables/useAgentPermissions';
 import { useAgentSessionsStore } from '../agentSessions.store';
 import { useAgentBuilderSession } from '../composables/useAgentBuilderSession';
-import { useAgentChatMode, type ChatMode } from '../composables/useAgentChatMode';
 import { useAgentConfigAutosave } from '../composables/useAgentConfigAutosave';
 import { useAgentBuilderMainTabs } from '../composables/useAgentBuilderMainTabs';
 import {
 	AGENT_BUILDER_VIEW,
+	AGENT_PREVIEW_VIEW,
 	AGENT_TOOLS_MODAL_KEY,
 	AGENT_TOOL_CONFIG_MODAL_KEY,
 	AGENT_SKILL_MODAL_KEY,
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ import { agentsEventBus } from '../agents.eventBus';
 import AgentBuilderHeader from '../components/AgentBuilderHeader.vue';
 import AgentBuilderChatColumn from '../components/AgentBuilderChatColumn.vue';
 import AgentBuilderEditorColumn from '../components/AgentBuilderEditorColumn.vue';
+import AgentPreviewChatPage from '../components/AgentPreviewChatPage.vue';
 
 const AGENT_CHAT_PANEL_MIN_WIDTH = 320;
 const AGENT_CHAT_PANEL_DEFAULT_WIDTH = 460;
@@ -64,6 +65,7 @@ const { showError, showMessage } = useToast();
 const { isBuilderConfigured, fetchStatus: fetchBuilderStatus } = useAgentBuilderStatus();
 const { openAgentConfirmationModal } = useAgentConfirmationModal();
 
+const isPreviewMode = computed(() => route.name === AGENT_PREVIEW_VIEW);
 const projectId = computed(
 	() => (route.params.projectId as string) ?? projectsStore.personalProject?.id ?? '',
 );
@@ -72,21 +74,19 @@ const agentId = computed(() => route.params.agentId as string);
 const { canUpdate: canEditAgent, canDelete: canDeleteAgent } = useAgentPermissions(projectId);
 
 // UI state
-const {
-	chatMode,
-	chatModeOpened,
-	isBuildChatStreaming,
-	initialPrompt,
-	onBuildChatStreamingChange,
-	resetForAgentSwitch: resetChatModeForAgentSwitch,
-} = useAgentChatMode();
+const isBuildChatStreaming = ref(false);
+const initialPrompt = ref<string | undefined>();
+
+function onBuildChatStreamingChange(streaming: boolean) {
+	isBuildChatStreaming.value = streaming;
+}
+
 /**
  * Gate for the main body render. Stays false while `initialize()` is running so
  * we don't:
  *   - flash the home screen for users who arrive with a `?prompt=…` query that
  *     will immediately transition them to the build chat, and
- *   - render the Test tab first on unbuilt agents only to flip it to Build
- *     once the config fetch resolves.
+ *   - render the preview chat before the route/config/session state has settled.
  */
 const initialized = ref(false);
 const agentName = ref('');
@@ -99,7 +99,6 @@ const {
 	activeChatSessionId,
 	continueSessionId,
 	effectiveSessionId,
-	currentSessionHasMessages,
 	currentSessionTitle,
 	sessionMenu,
 	setSessionInUrl,
@@ -140,9 +139,8 @@ const builderTelemetry = useAgentBuilderTelemetry({
 });
 
 /**
- * The backend owns runnable validation so the Test tab matches the chat endpoint.
- * In that state the home screen + send flow routes to the chat endpoint
- * instead of the builder.
+ * The backend owns runnable validation so the chat entry point either opens
+ * Preview or stays in the builder.
  */
 const isBuilt = computed(() => agent.value?.isRunnable === true);
 
@@ -205,38 +203,75 @@ async function fetchAgent(
 	agentName.value = data.name;
 }
 
+function sessionIdForPreview(): string {
+	return effectiveSessionId.value ?? sessionsStore.threads?.[0]?.id ?? crypto.randomUUID();
+}
+
+async function openPreview(seedMessage?: string, preferredSessionId?: string) {
+	const sessionId = preferredSessionId ?? sessionIdForPreview();
+	activeChatSessionId.value = sessionId;
+	if (seedMessage) initialPrompt.value = seedMessage;
+
+	await router.push({
+		name: AGENT_PREVIEW_VIEW,
+		params: { projectId: projectId.value, agentId: agentId.value },
+		query: {
+			...route.query,
+			prompt: undefined,
+			[CONTINUE_SESSION_ID_PARAM]: sessionId,
+		},
+	});
+
+	if (seedMessage) {
+		void nextTick(() => {
+			initialPrompt.value = undefined;
+		});
+	}
+}
+
+async function onOpenPreview() {
+	if (!isBuilt.value) return;
+
+	try {
+		await flushAutosave();
+	} catch {
+		return;
+	}
+	await openPreview();
+	telemetry.track('User opened agent preview', { agent_id: agentId.value });
+}
+
+function closePreview() {
+	const { [CONTINUE_SESSION_ID_PARAM]: _sessionId, prompt: _prompt, ...rest } = route.query;
+	void router.push({
+		name: AGENT_BUILDER_VIEW,
+		params: { projectId: projectId.value, agentId: agentId.value },
+		query: rest,
+	});
+}
+
 function startChat(msg: string) {
 	// Starting a fresh chat must never inherit a stale continue-session from a
 	// previous URL — otherwise the new conversation would keep appending to the
 	// old thread.
 	if (continueSessionId.value) clearContinueSessionParam();
 	if (isBuilt.value) {
-		// Mint a fresh thread id and push it to the URL so the current chat is
-		// persisted across reloads. Test and Build remain visually linked via
-		// `chatModeOpened` (v-show) — Build doesn't share the thread, it uses
-		// its own per-agent builder history.
-		setSessionInUrl(crypto.randomUUID());
-		initialPrompt.value = msg;
-		chatMode.value = 'test';
+		const sessionId = crypto.randomUUID();
+		activeChatSessionId.value = sessionId;
+		void openPreview(msg, sessionId);
 		telemetry.track('User started agent chat', { agent_id: agentId.value });
 	} else {
-		// Fresh agent — route through the same build chat panel the Build tab
-		// uses so the first-build experience matches the ongoing Build UX.
+		// Fresh agent — route through the same build chat panel used for ongoing
+		// Build conversations.
 		initialPrompt.value = msg;
-		chatMode.value = 'build';
 		telemetry.track('User started agent build', { agent_id: agentId.value });
-	}
 
-	// Drop the seed prompt after the re-render that mounts the target panel.
-	// Vue runs this child's setup during the render kicked off by the state
-	// changes above, so `props.initialMessage` is captured synchronously in
-	// the panel's setup before this callback fires. Leaving the prompt in
-	// place would bleed the same message into whichever panel the user
-	// opens next (e.g. clicking Build after starting a Test chat would
-	// re-send the Test message to the builder and skip loadHistory).
-	void nextTick(() => {
-		initialPrompt.value = undefined;
-	});
+		// Drop the seed prompt after the build panel captures it during the
+		// render kicked off by the state change above.
+		void nextTick(() => {
+			initialPrompt.value = undefined;
+		});
+	}
 }
 
 function onPublished(updated: AgentResource) {
@@ -256,11 +291,11 @@ async function onReverted(updated: AgentResource) {
 }
 
 /**
- * Pick the session the Test tab should bind to when no explicit one has been
+ * Pick the session the preview chat should bind to when no explicit one has been
  * chosen yet. Prefer the most recent thread — users land back where they left
  * off — and only mint a fresh ephemeral session when there is no history.
  */
-function bindTestSession() {
+function bindPreviewSession() {
 	if (continueSessionId.value || activeChatSessionId.value) return;
 	const latest = sessionsStore.threads?.[0];
 	if (latest) {
@@ -274,57 +309,8 @@ function bindTestSession() {
 	setSessionInUrl(crypto.randomUUID());
 }
 
-function setChatMode(next: ChatMode) {
-	if (chatMode.value === next) return;
-	// Test is locked until the backend says the agent is runnable. No-op on
-	// the click so the user doesn't get bounced into a half-configured chat.
-	if (next === 'test' && !isBuilt.value) return;
-	chatMode.value = next;
-	if (next === 'test') {
-		// Restore the currently-bound Test session to the URL so refresh and
-		// shared links point at the same chat.
-		if (activeChatSessionId.value && !continueSessionId.value) {
-			void router.replace({
-				query: { ...route.query, [CONTINUE_SESSION_ID_PARAM]: activeChatSessionId.value },
-			});
-		} else {
-			bindTestSession();
-		}
-	} else {
-		// Build mode doesn't use continueSessionId — drop it from the URL so a
-		// refresh while on Build doesn't bounce back to Test.
-		if (continueSessionId.value) clearContinueSessionParam();
-	}
-
-	telemetry.track('User switched agent chat mode', {
-		agent_id: agentId.value,
-		mode: next,
-	});
-}
-
-/**
- * Test is locked until the persisted config passes backend runnable validation.
- * Locking the tab (rather than silently redirecting home→Build) keeps the UX
- * honest: users see WHY they can't chat yet instead of getting bounced to a
- * different surface after sending a message.
- *
- * This also closes the first-build cancellation hole: a mid-stream first
- * build is always `!isBuilt`, so the Test tab stays locked while the build
- * is in flight, preventing the tab-switch-unmounts-the-stream regression.
- */
-const chatModeOptions = computed(() => [
-	{ label: locale.baseText('agents.builder.chatMode.build'), value: 'build' as const },
-	{
-		label: locale.baseText('agents.builder.chatMode.test'),
-		value: 'test' as const,
-		disabled: !isBuilt.value,
-	},
-]);
-
 function onOpenBuildFromChat() {
-	// Triggered by the misconfigured-agent banner on the Test panel. Flip to
-	// the Build tab so the user can finish setup without leaving the session.
-	chatMode.value = 'build';
+	closePreview();
 }
 
 interface ConfigAutosaveSnapshot {
@@ -539,7 +525,6 @@ async function initialize() {
 	builderTelemetry.resetForAgentSwitch();
 
 	agent.value = null;
-	resetChatModeForAgentSwitch();
 	activeChatSessionId.value = null;
 	localConfig.value = null;
 	connectedTriggers.value = [];
@@ -576,15 +561,7 @@ async function initialize() {
 		if (connected) connectedTriggers.value = connected;
 	})();
 
-	// Default landing is Build. If the URL pins a specific chat session
-	// (e.g. refresh, shared link, deep link from elsewhere) we honor it and
-	// open Test so the user sees the chat they linked to.
-	chatMode.value = continueSessionId.value && isBuilt.value ? 'test' : 'build';
-	// Explicitly open the target mode. The `chatMode` watcher only fires on a
-	// value change, but on agent-switch we just reset `chatModeOpened` above —
-	// if both agents share the same default mode the watcher doesn't fire and
-	// the chat panel's v-if gate stays false, leaving the chat pane blank.
-	chatModeOpened.value[chatMode.value] = true;
+	if (isPreviewMode.value) bindPreviewSession();
 
 	// If the user arrived via NewAgentView with a seed prompt, jump straight
 	// into the build chat.
@@ -603,15 +580,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
 	sessionsStore.stopAutoRefresh();
 });
 
-watch(
-	chatMode,
-	(cm) => {
-		chatModeOpened.value[cm] = true;
-	},
-	{ immediate: true },
-);
-
-// If the user is on Test before the sessions list finishes loading, latch onto
+// If the user is on Preview before the sessions list finishes loading, latch onto
 // the most recent thread as soon as it arrives. Also fires when loading
 // finishes with no threads so we can mint a fresh ephemeral session instead
 // of leaving the chat panel empty.
@@ -619,12 +588,18 @@ watch(
 	() => sessionsStore.loading,
 	(isLoading, wasLoading) => {
 		if (!wasLoading || isLoading) return;
-		if (chatMode.value !== 'test') return;
+		if (!isPreviewMode.value) return;
 		if (continueSessionId.value || activeChatSessionId.value) return;
-		bindTestSession();
+		bindPreviewSession();
 	},
 );
 
+watch(isPreviewMode, (preview) => {
+	if (preview) {
+		bindPreviewSession();
+	}
+});
+
 function exitContinueMode() {
 	clearContinueSessionParam();
 }
@@ -827,7 +802,7 @@ function onContinueLoaded(count: number) {
 		// update lands, latch onto an existing thread (or mint a fresh
 		// ephemeral one) so the test pane has something to render.
 		void nextTick(() => {
-			if (chatMode.value === 'test') bindTestSession();
+			if (isPreviewMode.value) bindPreviewSession();
 		});
 	}
 }
@@ -835,8 +810,9 @@ function onContinueLoaded(count: number) {
 function onSwitchAgent(nextAgentId: string) {
 	if (!nextAgentId || nextAgentId === agentId.value) return;
 	void router.push({
-		name: AGENT_BUILDER_VIEW,
+		name: isPreviewMode.value ? AGENT_PREVIEW_VIEW : AGENT_BUILDER_VIEW,
 		params: { projectId: projectId.value, agentId: nextAgentId },
+		query: isPreviewMode.value ? {} : route.query,
 	});
 }
 </script>
@@ -850,8 +826,15 @@ function onSwitchAgent(nextAgentId: string) {
 			:project-name="projectName"
 			:header-actions="headerActions"
 			:save-status="saveStatus"
+			:mode="isPreviewMode ? 'preview' : 'edit'"
+			:current-session-title="currentSessionTitle"
+			:session-options="sessionOptions"
 			:before-revert-to-published="settleAutosave"
 			@header-action="onHeaderAction"
+			@open-preview="onOpenPreview"
+			@new-chat="onNewChat"
+			@close-preview="closePreview"
+			@session-select="onSessionPick"
 			@published="onPublished"
 			@unpublished="onUnpublished"
 			@reverted="onReverted"
@@ -862,9 +845,25 @@ function onSwitchAgent(nextAgentId: string) {
 			:class="{
 				[$style.builder]: true,
 				[$style.isResizingChat]: chatPanelResizer.isResizing.value,
+				[$style.previewBuilder]: isPreviewMode,
 			}"
 		>
+			<AgentPreviewChatPage
+				v-if="isPreviewMode"
+				:initialized="initialized"
+				:project-id="projectId"
+				:agent-id="agentId"
+				:agent="agent"
+				:local-config="localConfig"
+				:connected-triggers="connectedTriggers"
+				:effective-session-id="effectiveSessionId"
+				:initial-prompt="initialPrompt"
+				@config-updated="onConfigUpdated"
+				@continue-loaded="onContinueLoaded"
+				@open-build="onOpenBuildFromChat"
+			/>
 			<N8nResizeWrapper
+				v-else
 				:class="{
 					[$style.chatResizer]: true,
 					[$style.chatResizerFullWidth]: isChatFullWidth,
@@ -889,27 +888,13 @@ function onSwitchAgent(nextAgentId: string) {
 					:agent="agent"
 					:local-config="localConfig"
 					:connected-triggers="connectedTriggers"
-					:chat-mode="chatMode"
-					:chat-mode-opened="chatModeOpened"
-					:chat-mode-options="chatModeOptions"
-					:effective-session-id="effectiveSessionId"
-					:current-session-title="currentSessionTitle"
-					:current-session-has-messages="currentSessionHasMessages"
-					:session-options="sessionOptions"
 					:initial-prompt="initialPrompt"
-					:is-built="isBuilt"
 					:is-builder-configured="isBuilderConfigured"
-					:is-build-chat-streaming="isBuildChatStreaming"
 					:is-published="Boolean(agent?.publishedVersion)"
 					:is-full-width="isChatFullWidth"
 					:can-edit-agent="canEditAgent"
 					:before-build-send="flushAutosave"
-					@session-select="onSessionPick"
-					@new-chat="onNewChat"
 					@config-updated="onConfigUpdated"
-					@continue-loaded="onContinueLoaded"
-					@open-build="onOpenBuildFromChat"
-					@chat-mode-change="setChatMode"
 					@update:streaming="onBuildChatStreamingChange"
 					@update:tools="onQuickActionAddTool"
 					@update:connected-triggers="onConnectedTriggersUpdate"
@@ -920,7 +905,7 @@ function onSwitchAgent(nextAgentId: string) {
 			</N8nResizeWrapper>
 
 			<AgentBuilderEditorColumn
-				v-if="!isChatFullWidth"
+				v-if="!isPreviewMode && !isChatFullWidth"
 				:class="$style.editorColumn"
 				v-model:active-main-tab="activeMainTab"
 				:local-config="localConfig"
@@ -964,6 +949,10 @@ function onSwitchAgent(nextAgentId: string) {
 	overflow: hidden;
 }
 
+.previewBuilder {
+	background-color: var(--background--surface);
+}
+
 .chatResizer {
 	flex-shrink: 0;
 
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/views/AgentSessionTimelineView.vue b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/views/AgentSessionTimelineView.vue
index ea36f256eaa..c27af373ab9 100644
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/views/AgentSessionTimelineView.vue
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/agents/views/AgentSessionTimelineView.vue
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import { useProjectsStore } from '@/features/collaboration/projects/projects.sto
 import { useAgentSessionsStore } from '@/features/agents/agentSessions.store';
 import {
 	AGENT_BUILDER_VIEW,
+	AGENT_PREVIEW_VIEW,
 	CONTINUE_SESSION_ID_PARAM,
 	AGENT_SESSION_DETAIL_VIEW,
 } from '@/features/agents/constants';
@@ -312,7 +313,7 @@ function formatDate(fullDate: string): string {
 
 function continueChat() {
 	void router.push({
-		name: AGENT_BUILDER_VIEW,
+		name: AGENT_PREVIEW_VIEW,
 		params: { projectId: projectId.value, agentId: agentId.value },
 		query: { [CONTINUE_SESSION_ID_PARAM]: threadId.value },
 	});
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/ai/chatHub/composables/useChatHubMarkdownOptions.test.ts b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/ai/chatHub/composables/useChatHubMarkdownOptions.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..93ca446f4ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/ai/chatHub/composables/useChatHubMarkdownOptions.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+import MarkdownIt from 'markdown-it';
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+
+import {
+	shouldOpenChatMarkdownLinkInNewTab,
+	useChatHubMarkdownOptions,
+} from './useChatHubMarkdownOptions';
+
+function renderMarkdown(content: string): string {
+	const markdown = useChatHubMarkdownOptions('code-actions', 'table-container', null);
+	const renderer = new MarkdownIt();
+
+	for (const plugin of markdown.plugins.value) {
+		renderer.use(plugin);
+	}
+
+	return renderer.render(content);
+}
+
+describe('useChatHubMarkdownOptions', () => {
+	it('renders app-relative links without a new-tab target', () => {
+		const html = renderMarkdown('[Preview](/projects/project-1/agents/agent-1/preview)');
+
+		expect(html).toContain('href="/projects/project-1/agents/agent-1/preview"');
+		expect(html).not.toContain('target="_blank"');
+	});
+
+	it('renders external links with a new-tab target', () => {
+		const html = renderMarkdown('[Docs](https://docs.n8n.io)');
+
+		expect(html).toContain('href="https://docs.n8n.io"');
+		expect(html).toContain('target="_blank"');
+		expect(html).toContain('rel="noopener"');
+	});
+
+	it('classifies relative app links as same-tab links', () => {
+		expect(shouldOpenChatMarkdownLinkInNewTab('/projects/project-1/agents/agent-1/preview')).toBe(
+			false,
+		);
+		expect(shouldOpenChatMarkdownLinkInNewTab('projects/project-1/agents/agent-1/preview')).toBe(
+			false,
+		);
+		expect(shouldOpenChatMarkdownLinkInNewTab('#section')).toBe(false);
+		expect(shouldOpenChatMarkdownLinkInNewTab('https://docs.n8n.io')).toBe(true);
+		expect(shouldOpenChatMarkdownLinkInNewTab('//docs.n8n.io')).toBe(true);
+	});
+});
diff --git a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/ai/chatHub/composables/useChatHubMarkdownOptions.ts b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/ai/chatHub/composables/useChatHubMarkdownOptions.ts
index 6e353da743b..cd1a7e50892 100644
--- a/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/ai/chatHub/composables/useChatHubMarkdownOptions.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend/editor-ui/src/features/ai/chatHub/composables/useChatHubMarkdownOptions.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 import { type HLJSApi } from 'highlight.js';
 import { computed, ref } from 'vue';
 import type MarkdownIt from 'markdown-it';
-import markdownLink from 'markdown-it-link-attributes';
 import markdownItKatex from '@vscode/markdown-it-katex';
 import markdownItFootnote from 'markdown-it-footnote';
 import { truncateBeforeLast } from '@n8n/utils/string/truncate';
@@ -23,6 +22,17 @@ type FootnoteEnv = {
 	footnotes?: { list?: Array<{ label?: string; count?: number; content?: string }> };
 };
 
+export function shouldOpenChatMarkdownLinkInNewTab(href: string): boolean {
+	const normalizedHref = href.trim().toLowerCase();
+
+	if (!normalizedHref) return false;
+	if (normalizedHref.startsWith('#')) return false;
+	if (normalizedHref.startsWith('/')) return normalizedHref.startsWith('//');
+	if (normalizedHref.startsWith('./') || normalizedHref.startsWith('../')) return false;
+
+	return /^[a-z][a-z0-9+.-]*:/.test(normalizedHref);
+}
+
 /**
  * To render streamed content cleanly, strip orphaned [^label] references that have no matching definition.
  * markdown-it-footnote only creates footnote_ref tokens for resolved references; unresolved ones remain as literal text.
@@ -127,12 +137,20 @@ export function useChatHubMarkdownOptions(
 
 	const plugins = computed(() => {
 		const linksNewTabPlugin = (vueMarkdownItInstance: MarkdownIt) => {
-			vueMarkdownItInstance.use(markdownLink, {
-				attrs: {
-					target: '_blank',
-					rel: 'noopener',
-				},
-			});
+			const defaultLinkOpenRenderer =
+				vueMarkdownItInstance.renderer.rules.link_open ??
+				((tokens, idx, options, _env, self) => self.renderToken(tokens, idx, options));
+
+			vueMarkdownItInstance.renderer.rules.link_open = (tokens, idx, options, env, self) => {
+				const href = tokens[idx].attrGet('href');
+
+				if (href && shouldOpenChatMarkdownLinkInNewTab(href)) {
+					tokens[idx].attrSet('target', '_blank');
+					tokens[idx].attrSet('rel', 'noopener');
+				}
+
+				return defaultLinkOpenRenderer(tokens, idx, options, env, self);
+			};
 		};
 
 		const codeBlockPlugin = (vueMarkdownItInstance: MarkdownIt) => {