diff --git a/meshterm/tools/chat.py b/meshterm/tools/chat.py
index eab2625..dbe7e3e 100644
--- a/meshterm/tools/chat.py
+++ b/meshterm/tools/chat.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from ..core.connection import Device
 from ..core.events import EventKind, MeshEvent
 from ..core.models import ChatMessage, Contact, Conversation, utcnow
 from ..ui.chat import _MENTION, _sender_hue, _split_channel_sender
+from ..ui.menus import fit_cells
 from ..ui.tui import Choice, Separator
 from ..ui.widgets import channel_glyph
 from .base import Tool, ToolResult, register
@@ -569,7 +570,7 @@ def _title(
     last = lasts.get(conversation.key)
     text = Text(no_wrap=True, overflow="ellipsis")
     _append_marker(text, conversation, last)
-    text.append(_fit(conversation.label, _LABEL_WIDTH))
+    text.append(fit_cells(conversation.label, _LABEL_WIDTH))
     text.append("  ")
     # Unread badge lane (_BADGE_WIDTH cells): a red ● with the count in warn, or blank filler so
     # the following lanes still line up on rows with nothing unread.
@@ -666,13 +667,6 @@ def _ago(when: Any) -> str:
     return f"{int(secs // 604800)}w"
 
 
-def _fit(text: str, width: int) -> str:
-    """Left-justify ``text`` to ``width`` columns, ellipsizing anything that would overflow."""
-    if len(text) > width:
-        return text[: width - 1] + "…"
-    return text.ljust(width)
-
-
 def _history_table(label: str, messages: list[ChatMessage]) -> Table:
     """Render a conversation's stored messages as a table.
 
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/admin_picker.py b/meshterm/ui/admin_picker.py
index 064e19e..45ffee2 100644
--- a/meshterm/ui/admin_picker.py
+++ b/meshterm/ui/admin_picker.py
@@ -38,7 +38,8 @@ async def pick_admin_node(
     Returns:
         The chosen contact, or ``None`` if cancelled (or there is nothing to pick).
     """
-    from .tui import Choice, Separator
+    from .menus import back_rows, section_heading
+    from .tui import Choice
     from .widgets import _DEFAULT_GLYPH, _NODE_GLYPHS
 
     candidates = [c for c in contacts if (c.public_key or c.key_prefix).strip()]
@@ -65,16 +66,15 @@ async def pick_admin_node(
 
     items: list = []
     if remembered:
-        items.append(Separator("── 🔑 Remembered admins ──", style="accent"))
+        items.append(section_heading("Remembered admins"))
         items.extend(row(c) for c in sorted(remembered, key=recency))
     if infrastructure:
-        items.append(Separator("── Repeaters & rooms ──", style="accent"))
+        items.append(section_heading("Repeaters & rooms"))
         items.extend(row(c) for c in sorted(infrastructure, key=recency))
     if others:
-        items.append(Separator("── Other contacts ──", style="accent"))
+        items.append(section_heading("Other contacts"))
         items.extend(row(c) for c in sorted(others, key=recency))
-    items.append(Separator(" "))
-    items.append(Choice(title="Back", value=None))
+    items.extend(back_rows())
 
     choice = await ctx.ui.select(title, items, prompt=prompt, wrap=False)
     if choice is None:
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/channels.py b/meshterm/ui/channels.py
index 9b9e106..38b3799 100644
--- a/meshterm/ui/channels.py
+++ b/meshterm/ui/channels.py
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ import time
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Awaitable, Callable, Optional
 
-from rich.cells import cell_len
 from rich.console import Group
 from rich.text import Text
 
@@ -54,6 +53,7 @@ from ..core.connection import Device
 from ..core.models import Conversation
 from ..persistence.repository import ACTIVITY_BUCKETS
 from .braillechart import activity_sparkline
+from .menus import back_rows, fit_cells, menu_rows, section_heading
 from .qr import qr_text
 from .tui import CANCEL, Choice, SelectScreen, Separator
 from .widgets import _age_seconds, _format_age, channel_glyph, format_ago
@@ -351,13 +351,6 @@ def _activity_sparkline(histogram: "tuple[int, ...]") -> Text:
     return activity_sparkline(histogram, _ACTIVITY_LEVELS, ACTIVITY_BUCKETS)
 
 
-def _fit(text: str, width: int) -> str:
-    """Left-justify ``text`` to ``width`` columns, ellipsizing anything that would overflow."""
-    if len(text) > width:
-        return text[: width - 1] + "…"
-    return text.ljust(width)
-
-
 # --- menus -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
@@ -412,7 +405,7 @@ def _slot_text(
     unread = ctx.chat.unread(slot.conversation.key)
     text = Text(no_wrap=True, overflow="ellipsis")
     text.append(f"{channel_glyph(slot.name, slot.secret)} ")  # ＃ / 🌐 / 🔒 (2 cells) + gap
-    text.append(_fit(slot.name, name_w))
+    text.append(fit_cells(slot.name, name_w))
     text.append("  ")
     if unread:
         text.append("●", style="err")
@@ -451,22 +444,27 @@ def _menu_items(
         for slot in slots:
             items.append(Choice(title=_slot_row(ctx, slot, stats, name_w), value=slot.idx))
     else:
-        items.append(Separator("  (no channels configured yet)"))
+        items.append(Separator("  no channels configured yet"))
 
     if len(slots) > 1:
-        items.append(Separator("── Organize ──", style="accent"))
+        items.append(section_heading("Organize"))
         # Two spaces after the arrow: ↕ (East-Asian-ambiguous width) renders one cell where
         # the sibling rows' glyphs (＋ ＃ 🔑 🔗) render two, so the extra space keeps this
         # label's text column-aligned with theirs.
         items.append(Choice(title="↕  Reorder channels", value=_REORDER))
 
-    items.append(Separator("── Add a channel ──", style="accent"))
-    items.append(Choice(title="＋ New private channel (random key)", value=_CREATE))
-    items.append(Choice(title="＃ Public channel (key from its name)", value=_PUBLIC))
-    items.append(Choice(title="🔑 Join a channel with its key", value=_JOIN))
-    items.append(Choice(title="🔗 Import a meshcore:// link", value=_IMPORT))
-    items.append(Separator(" "))
-    items.append(Choice(title="Back", value=_BACK))
+    items.append(section_heading("Add a channel"))
+    items.extend(
+        menu_rows(
+            [
+                ("＋ New private channel…", "A fresh random key", _CREATE),
+                ("＃ Public channel…", "Key derived from its name", _PUBLIC),
+                ("🔑 Join with a key…", "Paste a channel's 32-hex key", _JOIN),
+                ("🔗 Import a link…", "Paste a meshcore:// share link", _IMPORT),
+            ]
+        )
+    )
+    items.extend(back_rows(_BACK))
 
     return f"Channels — {len(slots)}/{capacity} slots", items
 
@@ -498,23 +496,20 @@ def _detail_items(ctx: "AppContext", slot: ChannelSlot) -> list:
     if unread:
         chat_label.append("  ●", style="err")
         chat_label.append(f" {unread}", style="warn")
-    rows: list[tuple[Text, str, object]] = [
-        (Text("📱 Show QR code"), "Share this channel as a scannable code", _QR),
-        (Text("🔑 Show key"), "The name, key, hash, and share link", _KEY),
-        (chat_label, "Read and send messages on this channel", _CHAT),
-        (Text("✎ Rename / change key"), "Edit the name or paste a different key", _EDIT),
-        (Text("🗑 Clear this slot", style="err"), "Remove the channel from this device", _CLEAR),
-    ]
-    width = max(cell_len(label.plain) for label, _, _ in rows)
-    items: list = []
-    for label, help_text, value in rows:
-        row = Text()
-        row.append_text(label)
-        row.append(" " * (width - cell_len(label.plain) + 2))
-        row.append(help_text, style="muted")
-        items.append(Choice(title=row, value=value))
-    items.append(Separator(" "))
-    items.append(Choice(title="Back", value=_BACK))
+    items = menu_rows(
+        [
+            ("📱 Show QR code", "Share this channel as a scannable code", _QR),
+            ("🔑 Show key", "The name, key, hash, and share link", _KEY),
+            (chat_label, "Read and send messages on this channel", _CHAT),
+            ("✎ Rename / change key…", "Edit the name or paste a different key", _EDIT),
+            (
+                Text("🗑 Clear this slot…", style="err"),
+                "Remove the channel from this device",
+                _CLEAR,
+            ),
+        ]
+    )
+    items.extend(back_rows(_BACK))
     return items
 
 
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/config_editor.py b/meshterm/ui/config_editor.py
index 222d954..0daadbf 100644
--- a/meshterm/ui/config_editor.py
+++ b/meshterm/ui/config_editor.py
@@ -55,6 +55,14 @@ from ..core.device_config import (
     parse_value,
     settings_by_category,
 )
+from .menus import (
+    back_rows,
+    confirm_discard,
+    exit_rows,
+    lane_row,
+    menu_rows,
+    section_heading,
+)
 from .tui import Choice, Separator
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -143,7 +151,7 @@ async def edit_config(ctx: "AppContext") -> Optional[list[tuple]]:
                 cursor = choice
 
             if choice in (None, _CANCEL):
-                if staged and not await _confirm_discard(ctx, staged):
+                if staged and not await confirm_discard(ctx, staged, verb="applying"):
                     continue  # keep editing — the same menu is rebuilt next loop
                 return None
             if choice == _APPLY:
@@ -269,21 +277,6 @@ def _location_value(snapshot: dict, pending: dict) -> Text:
     return value
 
 
-def _lane_row(label: str, value: Text, help_text: str, label_w: int, value_w: int) -> Text:
-    """Lay one row out in the SETTING / VALUE / DESCRIPTION lanes.
-
-    Padding is computed in display cells so a wide glyph in a value can't skew the lanes,
-    and the description stays muted under the select highlight (which only tints the
-    row's base style).
-    """
-    row = Text(label)
-    row.append(" " * (label_w - cell_len(label) + 2))
-    row.append_text(value)
-    row.append(" " * (value_w - cell_len(value.plain) + 2))
-    row.append(help_text, style="muted")
-    return row
-
-
 def _menu_items(
     snapshot: dict, pending: dict, staged: int, policy: AdvertPolicy
 ) -> tuple[str, list]:
@@ -356,41 +349,21 @@ def _menu_items(
         )
     ]
     for category, rows in sections:
-        items.append(Separator(f"── {category} ──", style="accent"))
+        items.append(section_heading(category))
         for label, value, help_text, key in rows:
             items.append(
-                Choice(title=_lane_row(label, value, help_text, label_w, value_w), value=key)
+                Choice(title=lane_row(label, value, help_text, label_w, value_w), value=key)
             )
 
     # The backtracking rows sit together below one blank line, like every other screen's
     # Back (the main menu's Quit included); with changes staged, Apply joins the group and
-    # Back spells out the consequence of leaving.
-    items.append(Separator(" "))
-    if staged:
-        items.append(
-            Choice(
-                title=Text.assemble(("✓ ", "ok"), f"Apply {_changes(staged)}"),
-                value=_APPLY,
-            )
-        )
-        items.append(
-            Choice(
-                title=Text.assemble(("✗ ", "err"), "Back — discard staged changes"),
-                value=_CANCEL,
-            )
-        )
-    else:
-        items.append(Choice(title="Back", value=_CANCEL))
+    # Back spells out the consequence of leaving (see menus.exit_rows).
+    items.extend(exit_rows(staged, apply_value=_APPLY, back_value=_CANCEL))
 
     title = "Device configuration" + (f" — {staged} staged" if staged else "")
     return title, items
 
 
-def _changes(count: int) -> str:
-    """``"1 staged change"`` / ``"3 staged changes"`` for dialogs and menu rows."""
-    return f"{count} staged change{'' if count == 1 else 's'}"
-
-
 def _cadence_value(policy: AdvertPolicy, flood: bool, pending: dict) -> Text:
     """One background-advert row's VALUE lane: ``current [→ staged]``."""
     key = _ADVERT_FLOOD if flood else _ADVERT_DIRECT
@@ -618,8 +591,7 @@ async def _stage_preset(ctx: "AppContext", pending: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
         )
         for i, p in enumerate(RADIO_PRESETS)
     ]
-    items.append(Separator(" "))
-    items.append(Choice(title="Back", value=None))
+    items.extend(back_rows())
     idx = await ctx.ui.select(
         "Radio presets",
         items,
@@ -721,28 +693,24 @@ async def device_actions(ctx: "AppContext") -> None:
 def _action_items() -> list:
     """Build the Device actions rows: label and description in two aligned columns.
 
-    Menu-style lanes (no header line — these are commands, not tabular data), padded in
-    display cells so the double-width emoji can't skew the description column. Factory
-    reset keeps its err-tinted label so the one irreversible row reads as such.
+    The shared menu-row presentation (see :func:`~meshterm.ui.menus.menu_rows`).
+    Factory reset keeps its err-tinted label so the one irreversible row reads as such.
     """
-    actions: list[tuple[str, str, str, str]] = [
-        ("🕒 Sync clock…", "Set the device clock from this computer", _SYNC_CLOCK, ""),
-        ("💾 Back up config to a file…", "Write every setting to TOML", _BACKUP, ""),
-        ("📂 Restore config from a backup…", "Preview or apply a saved TOML", _RESTORE, ""),
-        ("🔐 Identity key…", "Export or import the node's private key", _IDENTITY_KEY, ""),
-        ("🔄 Reboot device…", "Restart the companion and reconnect", _REBOOT, ""),
-        ("⚠ Factory reset…", "Erase everything (typed confirmation)", _RESET, "err"),
-    ]
-    width = max(cell_len(label) for label, _, _, _ in actions)
-    items: list = []
-    for label, help_text, value, style in actions:
-        row = Text()
-        row.append(label, style=style or None)
-        row.append(" " * (width - cell_len(label) + 2))
-        row.append(help_text, style="muted")
-        items.append(Choice(title=row, value=value))
-    items.append(Separator(" "))
-    items.append(Choice(title="Back", value=_CANCEL))
+    items = menu_rows(
+        [
+            ("🕒 Sync clock…", "Set the device clock from this computer", _SYNC_CLOCK),
+            ("💾 Back up config to a file…", "Write every setting to TOML", _BACKUP),
+            ("📂 Restore config from a backup…", "Preview or apply a saved TOML", _RESTORE),
+            ("🔐 Identity key…", "Export or import the node's private key", _IDENTITY_KEY),
+            ("🔄 Reboot device…", "Restart the companion and reconnect", _REBOOT),
+            (
+                Text("⚠ Factory reset…", style="err"),
+                "Erase everything (typed confirmation)",
+                _RESET,
+            ),
+        ]
+    )
+    items.extend(back_rows(_CANCEL))
     return items
 
 
@@ -789,11 +757,14 @@ async def send_advert(ctx: "AppContext") -> None:
     choice = await ctx.ui.select(
         "Send advert",
         [
-            Choice(title="Zero-hop  —  Announce to direct neighbours", value="zero"),
-            Choice(title="Flood  —  Repeaters rebroadcast it across the mesh", value="flood"),
-            Choice(title="Share QR / URI  —  Show this node's contact card", value="share"),
-            Separator(" "),
-            Choice(title="Back", value=None),
+            *menu_rows(
+                [
+                    ("Zero-hop", "Announce to direct neighbours", "zero"),
+                    ("Flood", "Repeaters rebroadcast it across the mesh", "flood"),
+                    ("Share QR / URI", "Show this node's contact card", "share"),
+                ]
+            ),
+            *back_rows(),
         ],
         prompt="Announce this node to the mesh:",
         filterable=False,
@@ -1004,11 +975,14 @@ async def _identity_key_menu(ctx: "AppContext", device: "Device", snapshot: dict
     choice = await ctx.ui.select(
         "🔐 Identity key",
         [
-            Choice(title="Show private key  —  Display it on screen (sensitive)", value="show"),
-            Choice(title="Export to a file…  —  Write it to disk (keep it secret)", value="file"),
-            Choice(title="Import a key…  —  Replace this device's identity", value="import"),
-            Separator(" "),
-            Choice(title="Back", value=None),
+            *menu_rows(
+                [
+                    ("Show private key", "Display it on screen (sensitive)", "show"),
+                    ("Export to a file…", "Write it to disk (keep it secret)", "file"),
+                    ("Import a key…", "Replace this device's identity", "import"),
+                ]
+            ),
+            *back_rows(),
         ],
         prompt="Manage this node's private identity key:",
     )
@@ -1077,21 +1051,6 @@ async def _factory_reset(ctx: "AppContext", device: "Device", snapshot: dict) ->
     return True
 
 
-# --- confirmations -------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-async def _confirm_discard(ctx: "AppContext", staged: int) -> bool:
-    """Ask before dropping staged changes on the way out; ``True`` means discard."""
-    choice = await ctx.ui.dialog(
-        f"Discard {_changes(staged)} without applying them?",
-        [("Keep editing", "keep"), ("Discard", "discard")],
-        title="Unsaved changes",
-        default=1,
-        danger=True,
-    )
-    return choice == "discard"
-
-
 # --- validators --------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/courier_screen.py b/meshterm/ui/courier_screen.py
index de749bd..ff625a9 100644
--- a/meshterm/ui/courier_screen.py
+++ b/meshterm/ui/courier_screen.py
@@ -21,8 +21,9 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Optional
 
 from rich.text import Text
 
-from ..core.courier_store import DELIVERED, GAVE_UP, QUEUED, QueuedMessage
+from ..core.courier_store import DELIVERED, QUEUED, QueuedMessage
 from ..core.models import Contact, utcnow
+from .menus import back_rows, section_heading
 from .tui import Choice, Separator
 from .watchtower_screen import contact_watch_key
 from .widgets import (
@@ -148,23 +149,22 @@ def _menu_items(ctx: "AppContext", entries: list[QueuedMessage]) -> list:
     waiting = [m for m in entries if m.status == QUEUED]
     done = [m for m in entries if m.status != QUEUED]
 
-    items: list = [Separator("Outbox", style="accent")]
+    items: list = [section_heading("Outbox")]
     if not waiting:
         items.append(Separator("  empty — queued messages wait here for their moment"))
     for message in waiting:
         items.append(Choice(_waiting_row(ctx, message), ("msg", message.ident)))
-    items.append(Separator(""))  # space the action off the outbox rows above it
-    items.append(Choice("✉ Queue a message…", _QUEUE))
+    items.append(Separator(" "))  # space the action off the outbox rows above it
+    items.append(Choice("📨 Queue a message…", _QUEUE))
 
     if done:
-        items.append(Separator(""))
-        items.append(Separator("Finished", style="accent"))
+        items.append(Separator(" "))
+        items.append(section_heading("Finished"))
         for message in done[:15]:
             items.append(Choice(_done_row(message), ("msg", message.ident)))
         items.append(Choice("🗑 Clear finished", _CLEAR))
 
-    items.append(Separator(""))
-    items.append(Choice("← Back", None))  # a visible exit beside Esc
+    items.extend(back_rows())  # a visible exit beside Esc
     return items
 
 
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ async def _entry_actions(ctx: "AppContext", ident: int) -> None:
         return
     items = [
         Choice("📤 Send now — one forced attempt", "send"),
-        Choice("✖ Cancel this message", "cancel"),
+        Choice(Text.assemble(("✗ ", "err"), "Cancel this message"), "cancel"),
     ]
     picked = await session.select(
         f"📨 {message.node_name} — “{_shorten(message.text, 28)}”",
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/dashboard_screen.py b/meshterm/ui/dashboard_screen.py
index dce95c5..751f6ca 100644
--- a/meshterm/ui/dashboard_screen.py
+++ b/meshterm/ui/dashboard_screen.py
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ from ..core.events import EventKind, MeshEvent
 from ..core.models import NODE_TYPE_REPEATER, Observation, utcnow
 from ..persistence.repository import ACTIVITY_WINDOW
 from .braillechart import axis_chart, meter, timeline_rows
+from .menus import fit_cells
 from .packet_viewer import (
     KIND_STYLES,
     PacketEntry,
@@ -108,13 +109,6 @@ def _channel_sender(text: Optional[str]) -> Optional[str]:
     return name if name and not name.isdigit() else None
 
 
-def _fit(text: str, width: int) -> str:
-    """Left-justify ``text`` to ``width`` columns, ellipsizing anything longer."""
-    if len(text) > width:
-        return text[: width - 1] + "…"
-    return text.ljust(width)
-
-
 def _span_label(minutes: int) -> str:
     """A compact duration — ``45 min`` under two hours, else ``2.5 h`` / ``3 h``."""
     if minutes < 120:
@@ -572,7 +566,7 @@ class DashboardScreen(Screen):
         label, style = node_label(entry, self._resolve, self._self_name)
         if label == "?":
             label, style = self._feed_subject(entry)  # no node identity: name what we can
-        row.append(_fit(label, _FEED_NAME_WIDTH), style=style)
+        row.append(fit_cells(label, _FEED_NAME_WIDTH), style=style)
         row.append("  ")
         row.append(
             f"{entry.snr:+5.1f} dB" if entry.snr is not None else " " * 8,
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/menus.py b/meshterm/ui/menus.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..23387ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/meshterm/ui/menus.py
@@ -0,0 +1,206 @@
+"""Shared select-menu chrome: the pieces every list screen builds the same way.
+
+MeshTerm's list screens (the config editors, the channel manager, Watchtower, Courier,
+the pickers) all end in the same furniture: label-and-description rows padded into
+aligned lanes, a blank line, then the exit group — a plain ``Back`` row, or the
+``✓ Apply / ✗ Back — discard`` pair once changes are staged. Before this module each
+screen hand-rolled its own copy, and they drifted (``← Back``, ``← Close``, missing
+blank lines, ``✖`` for ``✗``). These helpers are now the one way to build that
+furniture, so the app's exit language and row alignment stay uniform by construction:
+
+* :func:`back_rows` — the standard exit group: one blank separator, then ``Back``.
+* :func:`exit_rows` — the staged-changes variant: ``✓ Apply n staged changes`` above an
+  err-tinted ``✗ Back — discard staged changes`` (or the plain group when clean).
+* :func:`menu_rows` — label + muted description :class:`Choice` rows in two aligned
+  lanes, padded in display cells so double-width emoji can't skew the description
+  column (the Device actions presentation).
+* :func:`lane_row` — one SETTING / VALUE / DESCRIPTION row for the editor-style lists.
+* :func:`changes_phrase` — ``"1 staged change"`` / ``"3 staged changes"``.
+* :func:`confirm_discard` — the shared are-you-sure dialog for leaving staged changes.
+
+House rules the helpers encode (see the UX standards in ``CLAUDE.md``): the exit row is
+always the bare word ``Back`` — no arrow, no icon — with exactly one blank separator
+line above it; ``✓``/``✗`` (U+2713/U+2717) are THE status marks, styled ``ok``/``err``.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Iterable, Union
+
+from rich.cells import cell_len
+from rich.text import Text
+
+from .tui import Choice, Separator
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from ..context import AppContext
+
+
+def back_rows(value: Any = None) -> list:
+    """The standard exit group closing a select list: a blank line, then ``Back``.
+
+    Args:
+        value: The value the Back row resolves with (``None`` reads as cancel for
+            most callers; the config editors pass their own sentinel).
+
+    Returns:
+        ``[Separator(" "), Choice("Back", value)]`` — append to the end of the items.
+    """
+    return [Separator(" "), Choice(title="Back", value=value)]
+
+
+def exit_rows(staged: int, *, apply_value: Any, back_value: Any) -> list:
+    """The editor exit group: Apply joins Back once there is something staged.
+
+    With nothing staged this is exactly :func:`back_rows`. With changes staged, an
+    ok-marked ``✓ Apply …`` row sits above an err-marked ``✗ Back — discard staged
+    changes`` so the consequence of leaving is spelled out (the config editor's
+    long-standing presentation, now shared).
+
+    Args:
+        staged: How many changes are staged (0 = the plain Back group).
+        apply_value: The value the Apply row resolves with.
+        back_value: The value the Back row resolves with.
+
+    Returns:
+        The rows to append: a blank separator, then the one- or two-row exit group.
+    """
+    if not staged:
+        return back_rows(back_value)
+    return [
+        Separator(" "),
+        Choice(
+            title=Text.assemble(("✓ ", "ok"), f"Apply {changes_phrase(staged)}"),
+            value=apply_value,
+        ),
+        Choice(
+            title=Text.assemble(("✗ ", "err"), "Back — discard staged changes"),
+            value=back_value,
+        ),
+    ]
+
+
+def menu_rows(rows: Iterable[tuple[Union[str, Text], str, Any]]) -> list:
+    """Label + description :class:`Choice` rows in two aligned lanes.
+
+    The menu-style presentation shared by Device actions, the channel detail, and the
+    repeater actions: no header line (these are commands, not tabular data), the
+    description column starting two cells past the widest label, padding computed in
+    display cells so a double-width emoji can't skew it.
+
+    Args:
+        rows: ``(label, description, value)`` triples. A :class:`Text` label keeps its
+            own styling (an err-tinted destructive row, a live unread badge).
+
+    Returns:
+        One :class:`Choice` per row, lanes aligned across them all.
+    """
+    prepared = [
+        (label if isinstance(label, Text) else Text(label), help_text, value)
+        for label, help_text, value in rows
+    ]
+    width = max((cell_len(label.plain) for label, _, _ in prepared), default=0)
+    items: list = []
+    for label, help_text, value in prepared:
+        row = Text()
+        row.append_text(label)
+        row.append(" " * (width - cell_len(label.plain) + 2))
+        row.append(help_text, style="muted")
+        items.append(Choice(title=row, value=value))
+    return items
+
+
+def lane_row(label: str, value: Text, help_text: str, label_w: int, value_w: int) -> Text:
+    """Lay one row out in the SETTING / VALUE / DESCRIPTION lanes (cell-padded).
+
+    The editor-list presentation (device configuration, repeater admin): padding is
+    computed in display cells so a wide glyph in a value can't skew the lanes, and the
+    description stays muted under the select highlight (which only tints the row's
+    base style).
+    """
+    row = Text(label)
+    row.append(" " * (label_w - cell_len(label) + 2))
+    row.append_text(value)
+    row.append(" " * (value_w - cell_len(value.plain) + 2))
+    row.append(help_text, style="muted")
+    return row
+
+
+def changes_phrase(count: int) -> str:
+    """``"1 staged change"`` / ``"3 staged changes"`` for dialogs and menu rows."""
+    return f"{count} staged change{'' if count == 1 else 's'}"
+
+
+async def confirm_discard(
+    ctx: "AppContext", staged: int, *, verb: str = "applying"
+) -> bool:
+    """Ask before dropping staged changes on the way out; ``True`` means discard.
+
+    The shared unsaved-changes dialog: the safe way out (keep editing) sits left, the
+    committing Discard right and default, per the app's dialog convention.
+
+    Args:
+        ctx: Shared application context (for the UI surface).
+        staged: How many changes would be dropped.
+        verb: What applying them would have done — ``"applying"`` for the local
+            editor, ``"sending"`` for a remote one — woven into the question.
+
+    Returns:
+        ``True`` if the user chose to discard; ``False`` to keep editing.
+    """
+    choice = await ctx.ui.dialog(
+        f"Discard {changes_phrase(staged)} without {verb} them?",
+        [("Keep editing", "keep"), ("Discard", "discard")],
+        title="Unsaved changes",
+        default=1,
+        danger=True,
+    )
+    return choice == "discard"
+
+
+def section_heading(label: str) -> Separator:
+    """A ``── Label ──`` accent section heading for a grouped select list.
+
+    The one form every grouped list's headings take (the main menu's categories, the
+    config editor's setting groups, Watchtower's Alerts/Watched nodes, Courier's
+    Outbox/Finished), so sections read the same on every screen.
+    """
+    return Separator(f"── {label} ──", style="accent")
+
+
+def fit_cells(text: str, width: int, *, align: str = "left") -> str:
+    """Fit ``text`` into exactly ``width`` display cells, ellipsizing overflow.
+
+    The lane-fitting helper every fixed-width name/label column uses: padding and
+    truncation are measured in display cells (wide glyphs count 2), so a name carrying
+    an emoji or CJK character can't skew the lanes the way ``str.ljust`` would.
+
+    Args:
+        text: The text to fit.
+        width: The exact cell width to return.
+        align: ``"left"`` (pad on the right) or ``"right"`` (pad on the left).
+
+    Returns:
+        A string measuring exactly ``width`` cells.
+    """
+    if cell_len(text) > width:
+        kept = ""
+        for ch in text:
+            if cell_len(kept + ch) > width - 1:
+                break
+            kept += ch
+        text = kept + "…"
+    pad = " " * max(0, width - cell_len(text))
+    return pad + text if align == "right" else text + pad
+
+
+__all__ = [
+    "back_rows",
+    "changes_phrase",
+    "confirm_discard",
+    "exit_rows",
+    "fit_cells",
+    "lane_row",
+    "menu_rows",
+    "section_heading",
+]
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/repeater_admin.py b/meshterm/ui/repeater_admin.py
index e231361..43d847d 100644
--- a/meshterm/ui/repeater_admin.py
+++ b/meshterm/ui/repeater_admin.py
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ from ..core.remote_config import (
     reply_is_error,
     settings_by_category,
 )
+from .menus import confirm_discard, exit_rows, lane_row, menu_rows, section_heading
 from .trace_screen import TracingDialog
 from .tui import Choice, Separator
 from .tui.spinner import Spinner
@@ -162,7 +163,7 @@ async def _admin_session(
                 cursor = choice
 
             if choice in (None, _CANCEL):
-                if pending and not await _confirm_discard(ctx, len(pending)):
+                if pending and not await confirm_discard(ctx, len(pending), verb="sending"):
                     continue
                 return {"node": node.name, "applied": applied}
             if choice == _APPLY:
@@ -229,45 +230,28 @@ def _menu_items(
         )
     ]
     for category, rows in sections:
-        items.append(Separator(f"── {category} ──", style="accent"))
+        items.append(section_heading(category))
         for label, value, help_text, key in rows:
             items.append(
-                Choice(title=_lane_row(label, value, help_text, label_w, value_w), value=key)
+                Choice(title=lane_row(label, value, help_text, label_w, value_w), value=key)
             )
 
-    items.append(Separator("── Actions ──", style="accent"))
-    actions: list[tuple[str, str, str]] = [
-        ("↻ Read settings", "Fetch every value from the node, one paced get", _READ),
-        ("⌨ Command line…", "Talk to the node's CLI directly", _CLI),
-        ("📡 Send advert…", "Have the node announce itself now", _ADVERT),
-        ("🕒 Sync clock…", "Set the node's clock over the mesh", _CLOCK),
-        ("🔐 Admin password…", "Change the node's admin password", _PASSWORD),
-        ("🔄 Reboot node…", "Restart it remotely", _REBOOT),
-    ]
-    action_w = max(cell_len(label) for label, _, _ in actions)
-    for label, help_text, value in actions:
-        row = Text(label)
-        row.append(" " * (action_w - cell_len(label) + 2))
-        row.append(help_text, style="muted")
-        items.append(Choice(title=row, value=value))
+    items.append(section_heading("Actions"))
+    items.extend(
+        menu_rows(
+            [
+                ("↻ Read settings", "Fetch every value from the node, one paced get", _READ),
+                ("⌨ Command line…", "Talk to the node's CLI directly", _CLI),
+                ("📡 Send advert…", "Have the node announce itself now", _ADVERT),
+                ("🕒 Sync clock…", "Set the node's clock over the mesh", _CLOCK),
+                ("🔐 Admin password…", "Change the node's admin password", _PASSWORD),
+                ("🔄 Reboot node…", "Restart it remotely", _REBOOT),
+            ]
+        )
+    )
 
-    items.append(Separator(" "))
     staged = len(pending)
-    if staged:
-        items.append(
-            Choice(
-                title=Text.assemble(("✓ ", "ok"), f"Apply {_changes(staged)}"),
-                value=_APPLY,
-            )
-        )
-        items.append(
-            Choice(
-                title=Text.assemble(("✗ ", "err"), "Back — discard staged changes"),
-                value=_CANCEL,
-            )
-        )
-    else:
-        items.append(Choice(title="Back", value=_CANCEL))
+    items.extend(exit_rows(staged, apply_value=_APPLY, back_value=_CANCEL))
 
     title = f"Repeater admin — {node.name}" + (f" · {staged} staged" if staged else "")
     return title, items
@@ -290,33 +274,6 @@ def _value_text(spec: RemoteSetting, cache: dict, pending: dict[str, str]) -> Te
     return value
 
 
-def _lane_row(label: str, value: Text, help_text: str, label_w: int, value_w: int) -> Text:
-    """Lay one row out in the SETTING / VALUE / DESCRIPTION lanes (cell-padded)."""
-    row = Text(label)
-    row.append(" " * (label_w - cell_len(label) + 2))
-    row.append_text(value)
-    row.append(" " * (value_w - cell_len(value.plain) + 2))
-    row.append(help_text, style="muted")
-    return row
-
-
-def _changes(count: int) -> str:
-    """``"1 staged change"`` / ``"3 staged changes"`` for dialogs and menu rows."""
-    return f"{count} staged change{'' if count == 1 else 's'}"
-
-
-async def _confirm_discard(ctx: "AppContext", staged: int) -> bool:
-    """Ask before dropping staged changes on the way out; ``True`` means discard."""
-    choice = await ctx.ui.dialog(
-        f"Discard {_changes(staged)} without sending them?",
-        [("Keep editing", "keep"), ("Discard", "discard")],
-        title="Unsaved changes",
-        default=1,
-        danger=True,
-    )
-    return choice == "discard"
-
-
 # --- staging and applying ---------------------------------------------------------
 
 
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/timemachine_screen.py b/meshterm/ui/timemachine_screen.py
index c5a2911..90d3baf 100644
--- a/meshterm/ui/timemachine_screen.py
+++ b/meshterm/ui/timemachine_screen.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ from rich.text import Text
 
 from ..core.models import utcnow
 from .braillechart import GAP, axis_chart, chart_span, timeline_rows
+from .menus import fit_cells, section_heading
 from .theme import snr_style
 from .tui.render import render_lines
 from .tui.screen import Screen
@@ -581,7 +582,7 @@ def _mesh_sections(
         for node, name, first in listed:
             secs = _age_seconds(first)
             line = Text("  ", no_wrap=True, overflow="ellipsis")
-            line.append(_fit(name or "unknown", name_w), style=_recency_style(secs))
+            line.append(fit_cells(name or "unknown", name_w), style=_recency_style(secs))
             line.append("  ")
             line.append_text(highlighted_hash(node, prefix_bytes, width=_PICK_HASH_W))
             line.append("  ")
@@ -619,13 +620,6 @@ _PICK_NAME_MAX = 18
 _PICK_HASH_W = 12
 
 
-def _fit(text: str, width: int) -> str:
-    """Left-justify ``text`` to ``width`` columns, ellipsizing anything that overflows."""
-    if len(text) > width:
-        return text[: width - 1] + "…"
-    return text.ljust(width)
-
-
 def _known_name(resolve: "NodeResolver", node: Optional[str], name: Optional[str]) -> Optional[str]:
     """The best display name for a heard node, or ``None`` when truly unknown.
 
@@ -674,7 +668,7 @@ def _picker_row(node: "HeardNode", name: Optional[str], name_w: int, prefix_byte
     row = Text(no_wrap=True, overflow="ellipsis")
     row.append(glyph, style=glyph_style)
     row.append(" ")
-    row.append(_fit(name or "unknown", name_w), style=_recency_style(secs))
+    row.append(fit_cells(name or "unknown", name_w), style=_recency_style(secs))
     row.append("  ")
     row.append_text(highlighted_hash(node.node or "", prefix_bytes, width=_PICK_HASH_W))
     row.append("  ")
@@ -764,8 +758,8 @@ async def open_timemachine(ctx: "AppContext") -> None:
         )
         items: list = [
             Choice("🌐 The whole mesh — days, arrivals, the ledger", MESH),
-            Separator(""),
-            Separator("Nodes, most recently heard first", style="accent"),
+            Separator(" "),
+            section_heading("Nodes · most recently heard first"),
             Separator(_picker_header(name_w)),
         ]
         for node, name in listed:
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/trace_screen.py b/meshterm/ui/trace_screen.py
index 7f38137..5ab1e26 100644
--- a/meshterm/ui/trace_screen.py
+++ b/meshterm/ui/trace_screen.py
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ from ..core.models import PATH_TRACE_TARGET, TraceResult, TraceStats
 from ..services import trace_runner
 from ..services.topology import render_forced_spec
 from .braillechart import meter
+from .menus import back_rows
 from .theme import snr_style
 from .tui.render import render_lines, render_to_ansi
 from .tui.screen import Screen
@@ -1463,7 +1464,9 @@ async def _open_session(ctx: "AppContext", target: Optional[str]) -> int:
             )
             return None
 
-        items: list = [Separator("── Candidate paths · from received evidence ──", style="accent")]
+        items: list = [
+            Separator("── Candidate paths · from received evidence ──", style="accent")
+        ]
         for scenario in scenarios:
             items.append(
                 Choice(title=scenario_title(scenario, topo), value=("use", scenario))
@@ -1475,7 +1478,7 @@ async def _open_session(ctx: "AppContext", target: Optional[str]) -> int:
                 value=("probe", None),
             )
         )
-        items.append(Choice(title="Back", value=("back", None)))
+        items.extend(back_rows(("back", None)))
         picked = await session.run_screen(
             SelectScreen(
                 f"reach {target_label} · scenarios",
@@ -1506,7 +1509,7 @@ async def _open_session(ctx: "AppContext", target: Optional[str]) -> int:
         for rank, outcome in enumerate(outcomes, start=1):
             result_items.append(Choice(title=outcome_title(rank, outcome), value=outcome))
         result_items.append(Separator(" "))
-        result_items.append(Choice(title="Keep current path", value=None))
+        result_items.append(Choice(title="Keep current path", value=None))  # the exit: no adoption
         adopted = await session.run_screen(
             SelectScreen(
                 f"probe results · {target_label}",
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/tui/select.py b/meshterm/ui/tui/select.py
index 3ec69e1..db2c4fb 100644
--- a/meshterm/ui/tui/select.py
+++ b/meshterm/ui/tui/select.py
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ class SelectScreen(Screen):
             text.truncate(width)
             lines.append(render_to_ansi(text, width))
         if not choices:
-            lines.append(render_to_ansi(Text("(no matches)", style="muted"), width))
+            lines.append(render_to_ansi(Text("no matches", style="muted"), width))
         # Remember where the highlighted row landed so the session can keep it in view,
         # shifted past any prompt lines drawn above the list.
         base_cursor = _cursor_line(rows, selected, bool(self._filter))
diff --git a/meshterm/ui/watchtower_screen.py b/meshterm/ui/watchtower_screen.py
index f939b48..2ee77ba 100644
--- a/meshterm/ui/watchtower_screen.py
+++ b/meshterm/ui/watchtower_screen.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ from rich.text import Text
 
 from ..core.models import NODE_TYPE_REPEATER, Contact
 from ..core.watch_store import OFF, SILENCE_CHOICES_H, Alert, WatchedNode
+from .menus import back_rows, section_heading
 from .tui import Choice, Separator
 from .widgets import _age_seconds, _format_age
 
@@ -124,7 +125,7 @@ def _menu_items(
     alerts: list[Alert], watched: dict[str, WatchedNode], new_node_alerts: bool
 ) -> list:
     """Build the screen's rows: alerts, then the watchlist, then the actions."""
-    items: list = [Separator("Alerts", style="accent")]
+    items: list = [section_heading("Alerts")]
     if not alerts:
         items.append(Separator("  nothing yet — tripped rules land here"))
     for alert in alerts[:_SHOWN_ALERTS]:
@@ -132,19 +133,19 @@ def _menu_items(
     unacked = sum(1 for a in alerts if not a.acked)
     acked = len(alerts) - unacked
     if unacked:
-        items.append(Choice(f"✔ Acknowledge all ({unacked})", _ACK_ALL))
+        items.append(Choice(f"✓ Acknowledge all ({unacked})", _ACK_ALL))
     if acked:
         items.append(Choice("🗑 Clear acknowledged", _CLEAR))
 
-    items.append(Separator(""))
-    items.append(Separator("Watched nodes", style="accent"))
+    items.append(Separator(" "))
+    items.append(section_heading("Watched nodes"))
     if not watched:
         items.append(Separator("  none starred yet — silence and SNR rules need one"))
     for key in sorted(watched, key=lambda k: watched[k].name.casefold()):
         items.append(Choice(_watched_row(watched[key]), ("node", key)))
     items.append(Choice("⭐ Watch a node…", _WATCH))
 
-    items.append(Separator(""))
+    items.append(Separator(" "))
     state = "[ok]on[/ok]" if new_node_alerts else "[muted]off[/muted]"
     items.append(
         Choice(
@@ -153,8 +154,7 @@ def _menu_items(
         )
     )
 
-    items.append(Separator(""))
-    items.append(Choice("← Back", None))  # a visible exit beside Esc
+    items.extend(back_rows())  # a visible exit beside Esc
     return items
 
 
@@ -241,12 +241,11 @@ async def _node_rules(ctx: "AppContext", key: str) -> None:
             return
         silence = "off" if entry.silence_hours == OFF else f"after {entry.silence_hours} h"
         items = [
-            Choice(f"🕐 Silence alarm      {silence}", "silence"),
+            Choice(f"🕒 Silence alarm      {silence}", "silence"),
             Choice("📶 SNR watch          " + ("on" if entry.snr_watch else "off"), "snr"),
-            Separator(""),
-            Choice("✖ Stop watching this node", "unwatch"),
-            Separator(""),
-            Choice("← Close", None),
+            Separator(" "),
+            Choice(Text.assemble(("✗ ", "err"), "Stop watching this node"), "unwatch"),
+            *back_rows(),
         ]
         picked = await session.select(
             f"Rules — {entry.name}", items, filterable=False,
diff --git a/tests/test_menus.py b/tests/test_menus.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c94e7c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_menus.py
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+"""Shared menu-chrome tests: the furniture every select list builds the same way.
+
+These pin the app's exit-affordance and lane conventions at their source, so a screen
+that builds its rows through :mod:`meshterm.ui.menus` inherits the standards and a
+regression here fails once rather than on every screen.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from rich.text import Text
+
+from meshterm.ui.menus import (
+    back_rows,
+    changes_phrase,
+    exit_rows,
+    fit_cells,
+    menu_rows,
+    section_heading,
+)
+from meshterm.ui.tui import Choice, Separator
+
+
+def test_back_rows_are_one_blank_line_then_bare_back() -> None:
+    """The exit group is exactly: a blank separator, then the unadorned word Back."""
+    rows = back_rows("sentinel")
+    assert len(rows) == 2
+    assert isinstance(rows[0], Separator) and rows[0].title == " "
+    assert isinstance(rows[1], Choice)
+    assert rows[1].title == "Back"  # no arrow, no icon — the app-wide exit word
+    assert rows[1].value == "sentinel"
+
+
+def test_exit_rows_clean_state_is_plain_back() -> None:
+    """With nothing staged the editor exit group collapses to the plain Back group."""
+    rows = exit_rows(0, apply_value="A", back_value="B")
+    assert [type(r) for r in rows] == [Separator, Choice]
+    assert rows[1].title == "Back" and rows[1].value == "B"
+
+
+def test_exit_rows_staged_state_spells_out_the_consequence() -> None:
+    """Staged changes produce ✓ Apply above ✗ Back — discard, after one blank line."""
+    rows = exit_rows(3, apply_value="A", back_value="B")
+    assert isinstance(rows[0], Separator) and rows[0].title == " "
+    apply_row, back_row = rows[1], rows[2]
+    assert apply_row.value == "A" and back_row.value == "B"
+    assert apply_row.title.plain == "✓ Apply 3 staged changes"
+    assert back_row.title.plain == "✗ Back — discard staged changes"
+
+
+def test_menu_rows_align_descriptions_in_display_cells() -> None:
+    """Every description starts at the same cell column, wide emoji labels included."""
+    rows = menu_rows(
+        [
+            ("🔄 Reboot device…", "Restart it", 1),  # emoji = 2 cells
+            ("Plain", "Second", 2),
+        ]
+    )
+    from rich.cells import cell_len
+
+    starts = {cell_len(r.title.plain[: r.title.plain.index(d)]) for r, d in
+              zip(rows, ["Restart it", "Second"])}
+    assert len(starts) == 1  # one shared description column
+
+
+def test_menu_rows_keep_a_styled_label_styled() -> None:
+    """A Text label (an err-tinted destructive row) keeps its spans in the built row."""
+    rows = menu_rows([(Text("⚠ Danger", style="err"), "Careful", "x")])
+    title = rows[0].title
+    assert title.plain.startswith("⚠ Danger")
+    assert any(span.style == "err" for span in title.spans)
+
+
+def test_section_heading_wears_the_dashes_and_accent() -> None:
+    """Grouped-list headings read ── Label ── in the accent style, everywhere."""
+    sep = section_heading("Outbox")
+    assert sep.title == "── Outbox ──"
+    assert sep.style == "accent"
+
+
+def test_changes_phrase_pluralizes() -> None:
+    assert changes_phrase(1) == "1 staged change"
+    assert changes_phrase(2) == "2 staged changes"
+
+
+def test_fit_cells_measures_display_cells_not_characters() -> None:
+    """Padding and truncation count display cells, so wide glyphs can't skew lanes."""
+    from rich.cells import cell_len
+
+    assert fit_cells("abc", 5) == "abc  "
+    assert cell_len(fit_cells("日本語の名前", 5)) == 5  # wide chars: truncated by cells
+    assert fit_cells("abcdef", 5).endswith("…")
+    assert fit_cells("ab", 5, align="right") == "   ab"