diff --git a/Controls/TopBar.xaml b/Controls/TopBar.xaml
index 1db99db..ffba55e 100644
--- a/Controls/TopBar.xaml
+++ b/Controls/TopBar.xaml
@@ -107,23 +107,13 @@
             <!-- IDLE: the mode switch + the action(s) of the armed world. The three
                  controls share one height (build 77 feedback) so they read as one
                  family — segments host, Start/Go Live, and Test all sit at 32. -->
-            <!-- The Output world REPLACES the segment (creator ruling 2026-11-12): choosing Record / Go
-                 Live takes the dual button away and puts the output line in its place. This chevron is
-                 the way back to Build Scenes — present for the whole world, running or not, so editing
-                 during a show (unit 1) still has an entry point and the bar has no dead end. -->
-            <Button Style="{StaticResource IconButton}" Width="28" Height="32" Margin="0,0,6,0"
-                    Command="{Binding EnterBuildWorldCommand}" ToolTip="Back to Build Scenes"
-                    Visibility="{Binding IsOutputWorld, Converter={StaticResource BoolToVis}}">
-                <Path Data="M15.41,7.41L14,6l-6,6 6,6 1.41,-1.41L10.83,12z" Width="14" Height="14"
-                      Stretch="Uniform" Fill="{StaticResource Brush.OnSurface}"
-                      HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center"/>
-            </Button>
             <!-- THE OUTPUT LINE (creator ruling 2026-11-12): which single output. Nothing else
                  belongs in it — the action is not part of this row. -->
             <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal" VerticalAlignment="Center"
                         Visibility="{Binding ShowOutputStage, Converter={StaticResource BoolToVis}}">
-                <TextBlock Text="Output" FontSize="12" FontWeight="Bold" VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                <TextBlock Text="Output:" FontSize="11" VerticalAlignment="Center"
                            Foreground="{StaticResource Brush.OnSurfaceVariant}" Margin="0,0,8,0"/>
+                <StackPanel Orientation="Vertical" VerticalAlignment="Center">
                 <Border Background="{StaticResource Brush.SurfaceContainerLowest}" CornerRadius="4" Padding="2" Height="32" VerticalAlignment="Center">
                     <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal">
                         <ToggleButton Style="{StaticResource RecordPillToggle}"
@@ -150,6 +140,10 @@
                         </ToggleButton>
                     </StackPanel>
                 </Border>
+                <!-- Esc is the way back now that the chevron is gone (creator ruling 2026-11-12). -->
+                <TextBlock Text="press &lt;esc&gt; to return" FontSize="10" HorizontalAlignment="Center"
+                           Foreground="{StaticResource Brush.OnSurfaceVariant}" Margin="0,2,0,0"/>
+                </StackPanel>
                 <TextBlock Text="One output at a time" FontSize="11" VerticalAlignment="Center"
                            Foreground="{StaticResource Brush.OnSurfaceVariant}" Margin="8,0,0,0"/>
             </StackPanel>
diff --git a/MainWindow.xaml.cs b/MainWindow.xaml.cs
index 62c5a67..b1b4c93 100644
--- a/MainWindow.xaml.cs
+++ b/MainWindow.xaml.cs
@@ -181,6 +181,14 @@ public partial class MainWindow : Window
         {
             _viewModel.DismissZoomIfActive();
         }
+
+        // Esc leaves a sub-menu (creator ruling 2026-11-12): the Output world is a sub-menu, and its
+        // back chevron is gone in favour of this. The bar says so under the switches.
+        if (e.Key == System.Windows.Input.Key.Escape && _viewModel.IsOutputWorld)
+        {
+            _viewModel.EnterBuildWorldCommand.Execute(null);
+            e.Handled = true;
+        }
     }
 
     private void UpdateTaskbarOverlay()
diff --git a/ytLive.Tests/UiShellTests.cs b/ytLive.Tests/UiShellTests.cs
index 4769099..6dda653 100644
--- a/ytLive.Tests/UiShellTests.cs
+++ b/ytLive.Tests/UiShellTests.cs
@@ -39,10 +39,12 @@ public class UiShellTests
         //     line (creator ruling 2026-11-12), and a chevron is the way back.
         Assert.Contains("Data=\"M3,4h8v6H3V4zM13,4h8v6h-8V4zM3,12h8v8H3V12zM13,12h8v8h-8V12z\"", topBar);
         Assert.Contains("Visibility=\"{Binding IsBuildWorld, Converter={StaticResource BoolToVis}}\"", topBar);
-        Assert.Contains("ToolTip=\"Back to Build Scenes\"", topBar);
+        Assert.Contains("Text=\"Output:\"", topBar);
+        Assert.Contains("Text=\"press &lt;esc&gt; to return\"", topBar);
+        Assert.DoesNotContain("ToolTip=\"Back to Build Scenes\"", topBar);   // Esc replaced the chevron
 
         // 2c. The output stage: two labelled switches and the exclusivity promise beside them.
-        Assert.Contains("Text=\"Output\"", topBar);
+        Assert.Contains("Text=\"Output:\"", topBar);
         Assert.Contains("Text=\"YouTube\"", topBar);
         Assert.Contains("Text=\"Local MP4\"", topBar);
         Assert.Contains("Text=\"One output at a time\"", topBar);