diff --git a/cli.py b/cli.py
index 50634f34..98a18489 100755
--- a/cli.py
+++ b/cli.py
@@ -5779,6 +5779,73 @@ class HermesCLI:
         self._invalidate(min_interval=0.0)
         return True
 
+    # --- Protected TUI extension hooks for wrapper CLIs ---
+
+    def _get_extra_tui_widgets(self) -> list:
+        """Return extra prompt_toolkit widgets to insert into the TUI layout.
+
+        Wrapper CLIs can override this to inject widgets (e.g. a mini-player,
+        overlay menu) into the layout without overriding ``run()``.  Widgets
+        are inserted between the spacer and the status bar.
+        """
+        return []
+
+    def _register_extra_tui_keybindings(self, kb, *, input_area) -> None:
+        """Register extra keybindings on the TUI ``KeyBindings`` object.
+
+        Wrapper CLIs can override this to add keybindings (e.g. transport
+        controls, modal shortcuts) without overriding ``run()``.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        kb : KeyBindings
+            The active keybinding registry for the prompt_toolkit application.
+        input_area : TextArea
+            The main input widget, for wrappers that need to inspect or
+            manipulate user input from a keybinding handler.
+        """
+
+    def _build_tui_layout_children(
+        self,
+        *,
+        sudo_widget,
+        secret_widget,
+        approval_widget,
+        clarify_widget,
+        spinner_widget,
+        spacer,
+        status_bar,
+        input_rule_top,
+        image_bar,
+        input_area,
+        input_rule_bot,
+        voice_status_bar,
+        completions_menu,
+    ) -> list:
+        """Assemble the ordered list of children for the root ``HSplit``.
+
+        Wrapper CLIs typically override ``_get_extra_tui_widgets`` instead of
+        this method.  Override this only when you need full control over widget
+        ordering.
+        """
+        return [
+            Window(height=0),
+            sudo_widget,
+            secret_widget,
+            approval_widget,
+            clarify_widget,
+            spinner_widget,
+            spacer,
+            *self._get_extra_tui_widgets(),
+            status_bar,
+            input_rule_top,
+            image_bar,
+            input_area,
+            input_rule_bot,
+            voice_status_bar,
+            completions_menu,
+        ]
+
     def run(self):
         """Run the interactive CLI loop with persistent input at bottom."""
         self.show_banner()
@@ -6741,26 +6808,32 @@ class HermesCLI:
             filter=Condition(lambda: cli_ref._status_bar_visible),
         )
 
+        # Allow wrapper CLIs to register extra keybindings.
+        self._register_extra_tui_keybindings(kb, input_area=input_area)
+
         # Layout: interactive prompt widgets + ruled input at bottom.
         # The sudo, approval, and clarify widgets appear above the input when
         # the corresponding interactive prompt is active.
+        completions_menu = CompletionsMenu(max_height=12, scroll_offset=1)
+
         layout = Layout(
-            HSplit([
-                Window(height=0),
-                sudo_widget,
-                secret_widget,
-                approval_widget,
-                clarify_widget,
-                spinner_widget,
-                spacer,
-                status_bar,
-                input_rule_top,
-                image_bar,
-                input_area,
-                input_rule_bot,
-                voice_status_bar,
-                CompletionsMenu(max_height=12, scroll_offset=1),
-            ])
+            HSplit(
+                self._build_tui_layout_children(
+                    sudo_widget=sudo_widget,
+                    secret_widget=secret_widget,
+                    approval_widget=approval_widget,
+                    clarify_widget=clarify_widget,
+                    spinner_widget=spinner_widget,
+                    spacer=spacer,
+                    status_bar=status_bar,
+                    input_rule_top=input_rule_top,
+                    image_bar=image_bar,
+                    input_area=input_area,
+                    input_rule_bot=input_rule_bot,
+                    voice_status_bar=voice_status_bar,
+                    completions_menu=completions_menu,
+                )
+            )
         )
         
         # Style for the application
diff --git a/tests/test_cli_extension_hooks.py b/tests/test_cli_extension_hooks.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7599f244
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_cli_extension_hooks.py
@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+"""Tests for protected HermesCLI TUI extension hooks.
+
+Verifies that wrapper CLIs can extend the TUI via:
+  - _get_extra_tui_widgets()
+  - _register_extra_tui_keybindings()
+  - _build_tui_layout_children()
+without overriding run().
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import importlib
+import sys
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+
+from prompt_toolkit.key_binding import KeyBindings
+
+
+def _make_cli(**kwargs):
+    """Create a HermesCLI with prompt_toolkit stubs (same pattern as test_cli_init)."""
+    _clean_config = {
+        "model": {
+            "default": "anthropic/claude-opus-4.6",
+            "base_url": "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1",
+            "provider": "auto",
+        },
+        "display": {"compact": False, "tool_progress": "all"},
+        "agent": {},
+        "terminal": {"env_type": "local"},
+    }
+    clean_env = {"LLM_MODEL": "", "HERMES_MAX_ITERATIONS": ""}
+    prompt_toolkit_stubs = {
+        "prompt_toolkit": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.history": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.styles": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.patch_stdout": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.application": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.layout": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.layout.processors": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.filters": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.layout.dimension": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.layout.menus": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.widgets": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.key_binding": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.completion": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.formatted_text": MagicMock(),
+        "prompt_toolkit.auto_suggest": MagicMock(),
+    }
+    with patch.dict(sys.modules, prompt_toolkit_stubs), patch.dict(
+        "os.environ", clean_env, clear=False
+    ):
+        import cli as _cli_mod
+
+        _cli_mod = importlib.reload(_cli_mod)
+        with patch.object(_cli_mod, "get_tool_definitions", return_value=[]), patch.dict(
+            _cli_mod.__dict__, {"CLI_CONFIG": _clean_config}
+        ):
+            return _cli_mod.HermesCLI(**kwargs)
+
+
+class TestExtensionHookDefaults:
+    def test_extra_tui_widgets_default_empty(self):
+        cli = _make_cli()
+        assert cli._get_extra_tui_widgets() == []
+
+    def test_register_extra_tui_keybindings_default_noop(self):
+        cli = _make_cli()
+        kb = KeyBindings()
+        result = cli._register_extra_tui_keybindings(kb, input_area=None)
+        assert result is None
+        assert kb.bindings == []
+
+    def test_build_tui_layout_children_returns_all_widgets_in_order(self):
+        cli = _make_cli()
+        children = cli._build_tui_layout_children(
+            sudo_widget="sudo",
+            secret_widget="secret",
+            approval_widget="approval",
+            clarify_widget="clarify",
+            spinner_widget="spinner",
+            spacer="spacer",
+            status_bar="status",
+            input_rule_top="top-rule",
+            image_bar="image-bar",
+            input_area="input-area",
+            input_rule_bot="bottom-rule",
+            voice_status_bar="voice-status",
+            completions_menu="completions-menu",
+        )
+        # First element is Window(height=0), rest are the named widgets
+        assert children[1:] == [
+            "sudo", "secret", "approval", "clarify", "spinner",
+            "spacer", "status", "top-rule", "image-bar", "input-area",
+            "bottom-rule", "voice-status", "completions-menu",
+        ]
+
+
+class TestExtensionHookSubclass:
+    def test_extra_widgets_inserted_before_status_bar(self):
+        cli = _make_cli()
+        # Monkey-patch to simulate subclass override
+        cli._get_extra_tui_widgets = lambda: ["radio-menu", "mini-player"]
+
+        children = cli._build_tui_layout_children(
+            sudo_widget="sudo",
+            secret_widget="secret",
+            approval_widget="approval",
+            clarify_widget="clarify",
+            spinner_widget="spinner",
+            spacer="spacer",
+            status_bar="status",
+            input_rule_top="top-rule",
+            image_bar="image-bar",
+            input_area="input-area",
+            input_rule_bot="bottom-rule",
+            voice_status_bar="voice-status",
+            completions_menu="completions-menu",
+        )
+        # Extra widgets should appear between spacer and status bar
+        spacer_idx = children.index("spacer")
+        status_idx = children.index("status")
+        assert children[spacer_idx + 1] == "radio-menu"
+        assert children[spacer_idx + 2] == "mini-player"
+        assert children[spacer_idx + 3] == "status"
+        assert status_idx == spacer_idx + 3
+
+    def test_extra_keybindings_can_add_bindings(self):
+        cli = _make_cli()
+        kb = KeyBindings()
+
+        def _custom_hook(kb, *, input_area):
+            @kb.add("f2")
+            def _toggle(event):
+                return None
+
+        cli._register_extra_tui_keybindings = _custom_hook
+        cli._register_extra_tui_keybindings(kb, input_area=None)
+        assert len(kb.bindings) == 1
diff --git a/website/docs/developer-guide/extending-the-cli.md b/website/docs/developer-guide/extending-the-cli.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2625a21d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/website/docs/developer-guide/extending-the-cli.md
@@ -0,0 +1,196 @@
+---
+sidebar_position: 8
+title: "Extending the CLI"
+description: "Build wrapper CLIs that extend the Hermes TUI with custom widgets, keybindings, and layout changes"
+---
+
+# Extending the CLI
+
+Hermes exposes protected extension hooks on `HermesCLI` so wrapper CLIs can add widgets, keybindings, and layout customizations without overriding the 1000+ line `run()` method. This keeps your extension decoupled from internal changes.
+
+## Extension points
+
+There are five extension seams available:
+
+| Hook | Purpose | Override when... |
+|------|---------|------------------|
+| `_get_extra_tui_widgets()` | Inject widgets into the layout | You need a persistent UI element (panel, status line, mini-player) |
+| `_register_extra_tui_keybindings(kb, *, input_area)` | Add keyboard shortcuts | You need hotkeys (toggle panels, transport controls, modal shortcuts) |
+| `_build_tui_layout_children(**widgets)` | Full control over widget ordering | You need to reorder or wrap existing widgets (rare) |
+| `process_command()` | Add custom slash commands | You need `/mycommand` handling (pre-existing hook) |
+| `_build_tui_style_dict()` | Custom prompt_toolkit styles | You need custom colors or styling (pre-existing hook) |
+
+The first three are new protected hooks. The last two already existed.
+
+## Quick start: a wrapper CLI
+
+```python
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""my_cli.py — Example wrapper CLI that extends Hermes."""
+
+from cli import HermesCLI
+from prompt_toolkit.layout import FormattedTextControl, Window
+from prompt_toolkit.filters import Condition
+
+
+class MyCLI(HermesCLI):
+
+    def __init__(self, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(**kwargs)
+        self._panel_visible = False
+
+    def _get_extra_tui_widgets(self):
+        """Add a toggleable info panel above the status bar."""
+        cli_ref = self
+        return [
+            Window(
+                FormattedTextControl(lambda: "📊 My custom panel content"),
+                height=1,
+                filter=Condition(lambda: cli_ref._panel_visible),
+            ),
+        ]
+
+    def _register_extra_tui_keybindings(self, kb, *, input_area):
+        """F2 toggles the custom panel."""
+        cli_ref = self
+
+        @kb.add("f2")
+        def _toggle_panel(event):
+            cli_ref._panel_visible = not cli_ref._panel_visible
+
+    def process_command(self, cmd: str) -> bool:
+        """Add a /panel slash command."""
+        if cmd.strip().lower() == "/panel":
+            self._panel_visible = not self._panel_visible
+            state = "visible" if self._panel_visible else "hidden"
+            print(f"Panel is now {state}")
+            return True
+        return super().process_command(cmd)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    cli = MyCLI()
+    cli.run()
+```
+
+Run it:
+
+```bash
+cd ~/.hermes/hermes-agent
+source .venv/bin/activate
+python my_cli.py
+```
+
+## Hook reference
+
+### `_get_extra_tui_widgets()`
+
+Returns a list of prompt_toolkit widgets to insert into the TUI layout. Widgets appear **between the spacer and the status bar** — above the input area but below the main output.
+
+```python
+def _get_extra_tui_widgets(self) -> list:
+    return []  # default: no extra widgets
+```
+
+Each widget should be a prompt_toolkit container (e.g., `Window`, `ConditionalContainer`, `HSplit`). Use `ConditionalContainer` or `filter=Condition(...)` to make widgets toggleable.
+
+```python
+from prompt_toolkit.layout import ConditionalContainer, Window, FormattedTextControl
+from prompt_toolkit.filters import Condition
+
+def _get_extra_tui_widgets(self):
+    return [
+        ConditionalContainer(
+            Window(FormattedTextControl("Status: connected"), height=1),
+            filter=Condition(lambda: self._show_status),
+        ),
+    ]
+```
+
+### `_register_extra_tui_keybindings(kb, *, input_area)`
+
+Called after Hermes registers its own keybindings and before the layout is built. Add your keybindings to `kb`.
+
+```python
+def _register_extra_tui_keybindings(self, kb, *, input_area):
+    pass  # default: no extra keybindings
+```
+
+Parameters:
+- **`kb`** — The `KeyBindings` instance for the prompt_toolkit application
+- **`input_area`** — The main `TextArea` widget, if you need to read or manipulate user input
+
+```python
+def _register_extra_tui_keybindings(self, kb, *, input_area):
+    cli_ref = self
+
+    @kb.add("f3")
+    def _clear_input(event):
+        input_area.text = ""
+
+    @kb.add("f4")
+    def _insert_template(event):
+        input_area.text = "/search "
+```
+
+**Avoid conflicts** with built-in keybindings: `Enter` (submit), `Escape Enter` (newline), `Ctrl-C` (interrupt), `Ctrl-D` (exit), `Tab` (auto-suggest accept). Function keys F2+ and Ctrl-combinations are generally safe.
+
+### `_build_tui_layout_children(**widgets)`
+
+Override this only when you need full control over widget ordering. Most extensions should use `_get_extra_tui_widgets()` instead.
+
+```python
+def _build_tui_layout_children(self, *, sudo_widget, secret_widget,
+    approval_widget, clarify_widget, spinner_widget, spacer,
+    status_bar, input_rule_top, image_bar, input_area,
+    input_rule_bot, voice_status_bar, completions_menu) -> list:
+```
+
+The default implementation returns:
+
+```python
+[
+    Window(height=0),       # anchor
+    sudo_widget,            # sudo password prompt (conditional)
+    secret_widget,          # secret input prompt (conditional)
+    approval_widget,        # dangerous command approval (conditional)
+    clarify_widget,         # clarify question UI (conditional)
+    spinner_widget,         # thinking spinner (conditional)
+    spacer,                 # fills remaining vertical space
+    *self._get_extra_tui_widgets(),  # YOUR WIDGETS GO HERE
+    status_bar,             # model/token/context status line
+    input_rule_top,         # ─── border above input
+    image_bar,              # attached images indicator
+    input_area,             # user text input
+    input_rule_bot,         # ─── border below input
+    voice_status_bar,       # voice mode status (conditional)
+    completions_menu,       # autocomplete dropdown
+]
+```
+
+## Layout diagram
+
+```
+┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│ (output scrolls here)                   │
+│                                         │
+│                          spacer ────────│
+│ ★ Your extra widgets appear here ★      │
+├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
+│ ⚕ claude-sonnet-4 · 42% · 2m    status │
+├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
+│ 📎 2 images                    image bar│
+│ ❯ your input here           input area  │
+├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
+│ 🎤 Voice mode: listening   voice status │
+│ ▸ completions...         autocomplete   │
+└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+## Tips
+
+- **Invalidate the display** after state changes: call `self._invalidate()` to trigger a prompt_toolkit redraw.
+- **Access agent state**: `self.agent`, `self.model`, `self.conversation_history` are all available.
+- **Custom styles**: Override `_build_tui_style_dict()` and add entries for your custom style classes.
+- **Slash commands**: Override `process_command()`, handle your commands, and call `super().process_command(cmd)` for everything else.
+- **Don't override `run()`** unless absolutely necessary — the extension hooks exist specifically to avoid that coupling.
diff --git a/website/sidebars.ts b/website/sidebars.ts
index 2d515e8a..92a56bcc 100644
--- a/website/sidebars.ts
+++ b/website/sidebars.ts
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ const sidebars: SidebarsConfig = {
         'developer-guide/environments',
         'developer-guide/adding-tools',
         'developer-guide/creating-skills',
+        'developer-guide/extending-the-cli',
         'developer-guide/contributing',
       ],
     },