diff --git a/docs/dev_control_center.md b/docs/dev_control_center.md
index 9eb9b3c9..376a7740 100644
--- a/docs/dev_control_center.md
+++ b/docs/dev_control_center.md
@@ -65,6 +65,8 @@ Use these docs as inputs, but treat this file as the decision layer:
 ## 4) Recommended Next Steps (Priority Order)
 
 1. Continue feature-development parity polish in TUI v2 with user-driven UX gaps.
+: prioritized gaps from side-by-side legacy vs v2 run:
+: guided first-run onboarding, stats/ops visibility, explicit lock/session affordances.
 2. Raise TUI v2 critical-path coverage beyond current gate floor (target >82% for `src/seedpass/tui_v2/app.py`).
 3. Advance Nostr resilience validation with optional real-relay soak lane after deterministic suites.
 4. Execute a tagged release integrity run and attach evidence URLs in readiness checklist.
diff --git a/docs/tui_v2_legacy_parity_matrix.md b/docs/tui_v2_legacy_parity_matrix.md
index 8f670d0c..996bba1a 100644
--- a/docs/tui_v2_legacy_parity_matrix.md
+++ b/docs/tui_v2_legacy_parity_matrix.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ Purpose: map legacy interactive workflows to Textual TUI v2 equivalents and isol
 
 - Implemented: core daily workflows are covered in TUI v2 (add/retrieve/search/modify/archive, reveal/QR, 2FA board, settings/profile/relay/sync, export/import/checksum paths).
 - Partial: a few legacy menu affordances are represented differently in v2 (palette-first vs nested menus).
-- Gaps: remaining high-value gaps are low-volume utility affordances rather than core workflows.
+- Gaps: remaining high-value gaps are mostly UX-guidance and operational affordances rather than missing core data operations.
 
 ## Matrix
 
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ Purpose: map legacy interactive workflows to Textual TUI v2 equivalents and isol
 | Export/import database | Settings | `db-export`, `db-import` | Implemented | |
 | Export TOTP codes | Settings | `totp-export` | Implemented | |
 | Backup/reveal parent seed | Settings | `parent-seed-backup [path] [password]` | Implemented | |
+| Stats view | Settings > Stats | `stats` (palette) | Implemented | In-app dashboard in detail pane. |
 | Display npub | Main utility flow | `npub` (alias: `nostr-pubkey`) | Implemented | Displays active profile npub and QR payload in the sensitive panel. |
 | View archived-only list | Settings/List flow | `h` cycle archive scope or `archive-filter <active|all|archived>` | Implemented | Supports active-only/default, all, and archived-only views. |
 | Reset Nostr sync state | Settings > Nostr | `nostr-reset-sync-state` | Implemented | Added to TUI v2 palette + tests. |
@@ -59,8 +60,10 @@ Purpose: map legacy interactive workflows to Textual TUI v2 equivalents and isol
 
 ## Prioritized Gap Queue
 
-1. Revalidate and close “Full legacy workflow coverage” in `docs/tui_v2_parity_checklist.md`.
+1. Medium: guided first-run onboarding parity in TUI v2 (legacy has explicit startup path).
+2. Medium: explicit lock/session affordances and status visibility parity in TUI v2.
 
 ## Suggested implementation order
 
-1. Run parity bug-bash + checklist update to move full legacy workflow coverage to complete.
+1. Land guided onboarding panel/flow parity improvements.
+2. Add lock/session visibility commands and test coverage.
diff --git a/memory-update.md b/memory-update.md
index bbeb84dd..e864c98b 100644
--- a/memory-update.md
+++ b/memory-update.md
@@ -792,3 +792,36 @@
 - Docs updated:
   - `docs/tui_v2_parity_checklist.md`: command discoverability row moved from `Partial` to `Yes`.
   - `docs/dev_control_center.md`: priorities refocused to feature/parity and test coverage targets first.
+
+## 2026-03-02 Parity UX slice: guided quick-start + in-app stats for TUI v2
+- User feedback (side-by-side v2 vs legacy) identified three UX parity gaps:
+  1) guided onboarding/first-run feel,
+  2) stats/operational visibility,
+  3) explicit lock/session affordances.
+- Implemented first two in `src/seedpass/tui_v2/app.py`:
+  - new palette command: `quickstart`
+    - renders guided first-steps panel in detail pane.
+  - new palette command: `stats`
+    - renders vault stats dashboard in detail pane.
+    - prefers `VaultService.stats()` when available.
+    - falls back to deterministic local aggregate from `EntryService.search_entries(..., include_archived=True)`.
+  - empty-vault UX improvement:
+    - default detail panel now shows Quick Start guidance instead of plain "No entries match".
+- Discoverability updates:
+  - palette placeholder includes `quickstart` and `stats`.
+  - command help/reference now includes quickstart/stats entries.
+  - left actions panel includes quickstart/stats hint.
+- Tests added/updated:
+  - `src/tests/test_tui_v2_textual_interactions.py`
+    - `test_tui2_textual_quickstart_and_stats_commands`
+    - `test_tui2_textual_empty_vault_shows_quickstart`
+  - `src/tests/test_tui_v2_action_matrix.py`
+    - command matrix includes quickstart/stats success and usage-error paths.
+- Validation:
+  - `pytest -q src/tests/test_tui_v2_textual_interactions.py src/tests/test_tui_v2_action_matrix.py src/tests/test_tui_v2_parity_scenarios.py src/tests/test_tui_v2_helpers.py`
+  - Result: `42 passed`.
+  - `./scripts/tui2_coverage_gate.sh` -> PASS (`src/seedpass/tui_v2/app.py` remains above gate at `79.30%`).
+- Planning docs updated to track remaining UX parity gap:
+  - `docs/dev_control_center.md`
+  - `docs/tui_v2_legacy_parity_matrix.md`
+  (remaining medium gap: explicit lock/session affordances).
diff --git a/src/seedpass/tui_v2/app.py b/src/seedpass/tui_v2/app.py
index 7e916caf..216ab950 100644
--- a/src/seedpass/tui_v2/app.py
+++ b/src/seedpass/tui_v2/app.py
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ def launch_tui2(
             yield Input(
                 placeholder=(
                     "Command palette: help | open <id> | search <q> | "
-                    "help-commands | "
+                    "help-commands | quickstart | stats | "
                     "filter <kind> | archive | restore | "
                     "archive-filter <active|all|archived> | "
                     "add-password <label> <length> [username] [url] | "
@@ -490,9 +490,33 @@ def launch_tui2(
         def _set_secret_panel(self, text: str) -> None:
             self.query_one("#secret-detail", Static).update(text)
 
+        def _quickstart_text(self) -> str:
+            return "\n".join(
+                [
+                    "Quick Start",
+                    "-----------",
+                    "",
+                    "Your vault currently has no active entries.",
+                    "",
+                    "Try these first actions in the palette (Ctrl+P):",
+                    '- add-password "Site" 16 user https://site.example',
+                    '- add-totp "Authenticator" 30 6',
+                    '- add-document "Runbook" md "starter notes"',
+                    "",
+                    "Useful navigation:",
+                    "- / search, j jump, f kind filter, h archive scope",
+                    "- 1/2/3 focus panes, ? keyboard help",
+                    "",
+                    "Operational shortcuts:",
+                    "- stats (vault summary)",
+                    "- help-commands (full palette reference)",
+                ]
+            )
+
         def _palette_help_summary(self) -> str:
             return (
                 "Palette commands: help, help-commands, open, search, filter, "
+                "quickstart, stats, "
                 "archive, restore, archive-filter, edit-doc/save-doc/cancel-edit, "
                 "link-add/link-rm/link-filter/link-next/link-prev/link-open, "
                 "add-*, notes/tags/fields, 2fa-*, profile-*, setting-*, relay-*, "
@@ -508,6 +532,7 @@ def launch_tui2(
                     "-----------------",
                     "",
                     "Core: help | help-commands | open <id> | jump <id> | search <q>",
+                    "Core Ops: quickstart | stats",
                     "Filters: filter <kind|all> | archive-filter <active|all|archived>",
                     "Pages: page-next | page-prev | page <n>",
                     "",
@@ -667,6 +692,7 @@ def launch_tui2(
                     "- Ctrl+S save doc",
                     "- Ctrl+P command palette",
                     "- add-* create entries",
+                    "- quickstart/stats via palette",
                     "- tags/notes/fields via palette",
                     "- docs: edit/save/export",
                     "- 6 toggle dedicated 2FA board",
@@ -696,6 +722,89 @@ def launch_tui2(
             )
             return total_pages
 
+        def _stats_text(self) -> str:
+            lines = ["Vault Stats", "----------", ""]
+            stats_payload: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+            if self._vault_service is not None:
+                getter = getattr(self._vault_service, "stats", None)
+                if callable(getter):
+                    try:
+                        payload = getter()
+                        if isinstance(payload, dict):
+                            stats_payload = payload
+                    except Exception:
+                        stats_payload = None
+
+            if isinstance(stats_payload, dict):
+                total = int(stats_payload.get("total_entries", 0))
+                lines.append(f"Total entries: {total}")
+                entries = stats_payload.get("entries")
+                if isinstance(entries, dict) and entries:
+                    lines.append("Kinds:")
+                    for kind, count in sorted(entries.items()):
+                        lines.append(f"- {kind}: {count}")
+                lines.append(
+                    f"Relays configured: {int(stats_payload.get('relay_count', 0))}"
+                )
+                lines.append(f"Backups: {int(stats_payload.get('backup_count', 0))}")
+                lines.append(
+                    f"Schema version: {stats_payload.get('schema_version', '(unknown)')}"
+                )
+                lines.append(
+                    "Database checksum ok: "
+                    + ("yes" if bool(stats_payload.get("checksum_ok", False)) else "no")
+                )
+                lines.append(
+                    "Script checksum ok: "
+                    + (
+                        "yes"
+                        if bool(stats_payload.get("script_checksum_ok", False))
+                        else "no"
+                    )
+                )
+                lines.append(
+                    f"Snapshot chunks: {int(stats_payload.get('chunk_count', 0))}"
+                )
+                lines.append(
+                    f"Pending deltas: {int(stats_payload.get('pending_deltas', 0))}"
+                )
+                delta_since = stats_payload.get("delta_since")
+                if delta_since:
+                    lines.append(f"Latest delta timestamp: {delta_since}")
+                return "\n".join(lines)
+
+            if self._service is None:
+                lines.append("Stats unavailable: entry service unavailable.")
+                return "\n".join(lines)
+            try:
+                rows = self._service.search_entries(
+                    "",
+                    kinds=None,
+                    include_archived=True,
+                    archived_only=False,
+                )
+            except Exception as exc:
+                lines.append(f"Stats unavailable: {exc}")
+                return "\n".join(lines)
+
+            total = len(rows)
+            archived = sum(1 for row in rows if bool(row[4]))
+            counts: dict[str, int] = {}
+            for _idx, _label, _u, _url, _archived, etype in rows:
+                kind = getattr(etype, "value", str(etype))
+                counts[kind] = counts.get(kind, 0) + 1
+
+            lines.append(f"Total entries: {total}")
+            lines.append(f"Archived entries: {archived}")
+            lines.append(f"Active entries: {max(0, total - archived)}")
+            if counts:
+                lines.append("Kinds:")
+                for kind, count in sorted(counts.items()):
+                    lines.append(f"- {kind}: {count}")
+            lines.append("")
+            lines.append("Tip: connect vault service for full operational stats.")
+            return "\n".join(lines)
+
         def _render_current_page(self, *, preserve_selected: bool = True) -> None:
             self._entry_ids_in_view = []
             list_view = self.query_one("#entry-list", ListView)
@@ -704,7 +813,17 @@ def launch_tui2(
             if total == 0:
                 self._selected_entry_id = None
                 self._selected_entry = None
-                self.query_one("#entry-detail", Static).update("No entries match.")
+                is_empty_vault = (
+                    not self._last_query.strip()
+                    and self.filter_kind == "all"
+                    and self.archive_scope == "active"
+                )
+                if is_empty_vault:
+                    self.query_one("#entry-detail", Static).update(
+                        self._quickstart_text()
+                    )
+                else:
+                    self.query_one("#entry-detail", Static).update("No entries match.")
                 self.query_one("#link-detail", Static).update(
                     "Links: select an entry first."
                 )
@@ -713,7 +832,12 @@ def launch_tui2(
                 )
                 self._current_links = []
                 self._current_link_cursor = 0
-                self._set_status("No entries match current filter/search")
+                if is_empty_vault:
+                    self._set_status(
+                        "Vault is empty. Run 'quickstart' or add your first entry."
+                    )
+                else:
+                    self._set_status("No entries match current filter/search")
                 self._update_filters_panel()
                 return
 
@@ -1480,6 +1604,22 @@ def launch_tui2(
                 self._set_status(f"Applied search: {query}")
                 return
 
+            if cmd == "quickstart":
+                if args:
+                    self._set_status("Usage: quickstart")
+                    return
+                self.query_one("#entry-detail", Static).update(self._quickstart_text())
+                self._set_status("Displayed quick start guide")
+                return
+
+            if cmd == "stats":
+                if args:
+                    self._set_status("Usage: stats")
+                    return
+                self.query_one("#entry-detail", Static).update(self._stats_text())
+                self._set_status("Displayed vault stats")
+                return
+
             if cmd == "filter":
                 if len(args) != 1:
                     self._set_status("Usage: filter <kind|all>")
diff --git a/src/tests/test_tui_v2_action_matrix.py b/src/tests/test_tui_v2_action_matrix.py
index 1360ce7d..fe2d5dfa 100644
--- a/src/tests/test_tui_v2_action_matrix.py
+++ b/src/tests/test_tui_v2_action_matrix.py
@@ -505,6 +505,8 @@ async def test_tui2_matrix_actions_palette_events_and_guards() -> None:
         app._run_palette_command("page abc")
         app._run_palette_command("page 0")
         app._run_palette_command("help-commands now")
+        app._run_palette_command("quickstart now")
+        app._run_palette_command("stats now")
         app._run_palette_command("link-filter")
         app._run_palette_command("link-add")
         app._run_palette_command("link-add no")
@@ -579,6 +581,8 @@ async def test_tui2_matrix_actions_palette_events_and_guards() -> None:
 
         app._run_palette_command("help")
         app._run_palette_command("help-commands")
+        app._run_palette_command("quickstart")
+        app._run_palette_command("stats")
         app._run_palette_command("search Doc")
         app._run_palette_command("filter document")
         app._run_palette_command("archive-filter all")
diff --git a/src/tests/test_tui_v2_textual_interactions.py b/src/tests/test_tui_v2_textual_interactions.py
index 4f5019f5..e053dff3 100644
--- a/src/tests/test_tui_v2_textual_interactions.py
+++ b/src/tests/test_tui_v2_textual_interactions.py
@@ -758,6 +758,47 @@ async def test_tui2_textual_palette_help_commands_reference() -> None:
         assert "Palette commands:" in _status_text(app)
 
 
+@pytest.mark.anyio
+async def test_tui2_textual_quickstart_and_stats_commands() -> None:
+    service = FakeEntryService(
+        [
+            {"id": 1, "kind": "password", "label": "Login 1", "length": 16},
+            {"id": 2, "kind": "document", "label": "Doc 2", "content": "x"},
+            {"id": 3, "kind": "totp", "label": "Auth 3", "secret": "JBSWY3DPEHPK3PXP"},
+            {"id": 4, "kind": "seed", "label": "Seed 4", "archived": True},
+        ]
+    )
+    app = _build_app(service)
+
+    async with app.run_test() as pilot:
+        await pilot.pause()
+
+        await _run_palette(app, pilot, "quickstart")
+        detail = _widget_text(app, "#entry-detail")
+        assert "Quick Start" in detail
+        assert "add-password" in detail
+        assert "Displayed quick start guide" in _status_text(app)
+
+        await _run_palette(app, pilot, "stats")
+        detail = _widget_text(app, "#entry-detail")
+        assert "Vault Stats" in detail
+        assert "Total entries: 4" in detail
+        assert "Archived entries: 1" in detail
+        assert "- password: 1" in detail
+        assert "Displayed vault stats" in _status_text(app)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.anyio
+async def test_tui2_textual_empty_vault_shows_quickstart() -> None:
+    app = _build_app(FakeEntryService([]))
+    async with app.run_test() as pilot:
+        await pilot.pause()
+        detail = _widget_text(app, "#entry-detail")
+        assert "Quick Start" in detail
+        assert "add-password" in detail
+        assert "Vault is empty." in _status_text(app)
+
+
 @pytest.mark.anyio
 async def test_tui2_textual_reveal_and_qr_flow() -> None:
     service = FakeEntryService(