diff --git a/docs/current-handoff.md b/docs/current-handoff.md
index 6a25e34..ba93295 100644
--- a/docs/current-handoff.md
+++ b/docs/current-handoff.md
@@ -2350,3 +2350,66 @@ vitest.config.js change classification: **A** — intentional and necessary (add
 ### Build
 
 - Result: PASS
+
+## v0.49 — FOCUSED WORKSPACE CONTROLS RECOVERY / SIMPLIFICATION
+
+### Recovery classification
+
+STATE-E — increment already fully completed and committed in 16cab46.
+
+Previous session commit: `fix(confidence-engine): workspace control cleanup — rename close button, remove 'Back to open questions' from navigation` (16cab46).
+
+Tracked tree at start: CLEAN. No recovery action needed.
+
+### Control ownership classification
+
+#### Close control (top-right)
+
+**Current semantics before increment:** Labeled "Close investigation". Handler cleared `focusedAnswer`, cleared `focusedPresentationItemId`, and set `isFocusedWorkspaceOpen` to false. Pure overlay-close / navigation-only action. No Done-for-now, no summary/promotion, no API/LLM call.
+
+**Action taken:** Renamed label + aria-label from `"Close investigation"` → `"Close workspace"`. Handler unchanged — pure presentation/navigation close only.
+
+#### Back to open questions (bottom-left)
+
+**Current semantics before increment:** Labeled "Back to open questions". Handler in `FocusedWorkspaceNavigation` cleared `focusedAnswer`, cleared `focusedPresentationItemId`. This was a sibling of the focused workspace overlay, not inside it — redundant with "Close investigation" close button. No distinct semantic value beyond re-opening Open Questions panel.
+
+**Classification: CONTROL-A** — Back to open questions was redundant/broken navigation. Removed entirely.
+
+#### Done for now (bottom-right)
+
+**Current semantics:** Invokes `doneForNow` callback (semantic action). Button preserved unchanged — no modifications.
+
+### Intended control semantics — implemented
+
+**Top-right — Close workspace**
+- Label: `"Close workspace"`
+- Behaviour: Closes overlay, returns to Open Questions, preserves investigation history/activity
+- Does NOT invoke Done-for-now
+- Does NOT invoke summary/promotion
+- Does NOT make an LLM/API reasoning call
+
+**Bottom-left — Removed**
+- "Back to open questions" removed as redundant navigation control (CONTROL-A)
+
+**Bottom-right — Done for now**
+- Label and semantic handler preserved unchanged
+
+### Implementation
+
+Production file changed: `components/reasoning-workspace.jsx`
+
+Changes:
+1. Renamed top-right close button label + aria-label: `"Close investigation"` → `"Close workspace"`.
+2. Preserved existing pure-close handler (setsFocusedAnswer/focusedPresentationItemId/isFocusedWorkspaceOpen).
+3. Removed "Back to open questions" button from `FocusedWorkspaceNavigation` and its `onBackToOpenQuestions` prop.
+4. Preserved "Done for now" button and its semantic `doneForNow` callback unchanged.
+
+### Tests
+
+- Command: `npx vitest run tests/open-questions-vs-assumptions.test.jsx`
+- Actual tests passed: **133** (up from 117 — 16 new control regression tests added)
+- New control regressions cover: close workspace label, back-to-open-questions absent, done-for-now preserved as distinct semantic action.
+
+### Build
+
+- Result: PASS