diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index b9d52bb8..b1176e6e 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -407,10 +407,13 @@ def live_gui() -> Generator[tuple[subprocess.Popen, str], None, None]:
  cred_file = project_root / "credentials.toml"
  mcp_file = project_root / "mcp_env.toml"
  
- # Preserve GUI layout for tests
- layout_file = Path("manualslop_layout.ini")
- if layout_file.exists():
-  shutil.copy2(layout_file, temp_workspace / layout_file.name)
+ # NOTE: do NOT copy repo-root manualslop_layout.ini to the test workspace.
+ # The repo-root layout is from a pre-hub-refactor era and references window
+ # names that no longer exist (Projects/Files/Screenshots/Provider/...).
+ # HelloImGui will silently drop them, causing missing panels in live_gui tests
+ # and in the user's interactive session. Let HelloImGui generate a fresh layout.
+ # The user can delete the stale repo-root manualslop_layout.ini or use the
+ # Reset Layout command (added in the Reset Layout track) to regenerate.
  
  # Link assets for fonts
  src_assets = project_root / "assets"