diff --git a/src/lib/settings.ts b/src/lib/settings.ts
index b199e3fc..2a8ad3f0 100644
--- a/src/lib/settings.ts
+++ b/src/lib/settings.ts
@@ -274,8 +274,9 @@ export interface AcornSettings {
      */
     defaultWorkspaceViewMode: DefaultWorkspaceViewMode;
     /**
-     * Move project sidebar tabs that need attention ahead of ready work.
-     * The saved manual order is preserved and restored when this is off.
+     * Move sidebar tabs that need attention to the front within their project
+     * or workspace. Single-tab workspaces may move inside the project instead.
+     * The saved manual order remains unchanged.
      */
     prioritizeNeedsInputTabs: boolean;
     /**
diff --git a/src/lib/sidebarProjectItems.test.ts b/src/lib/sidebarProjectItems.test.ts
index 455e9486..4e76bace 100644
--- a/src/lib/sidebarProjectItems.test.ts
+++ b/src/lib/sidebarProjectItems.test.ts
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ describe("sidebar project items", () => {
     ]);
   });
 
-  it("can move waiting and error project items above ready work", () => {
+  it("moves direct sessions and single-tab workspaces above ready work", () => {
     const items = buildProjectTopLevelItems(
       project(),
       [
@@ -126,6 +126,47 @@ describe("sidebar project items", () => {
     ]);
   });
 
+  it("keeps source roots ordered while prioritizing sessions inside one", () => {
+    const primaryFolder = makeDefaultProjectFolder("/repo/app");
+    const sourceFolder = makeDefaultProjectFolder("/repo/api");
+    const primaryReady = session("primary-ready", "ready", 0);
+    const sourceReady = {
+      ...session("source-ready", "ready", 0),
+      repo_path: "/repo/api",
+      worktree_path: "/repo/api",
+    };
+    const sourceNeeds = {
+      ...session("source-needs", "waiting_for_input", 1),
+      repo_path: "/repo/api",
+      worktree_path: "/repo/api",
+    };
+    const multiRootProject: ProjectFolderProjectGroup = {
+      repoPath: "/repo/app",
+      name: "app",
+      sessions: [primaryReady, sourceReady, sourceNeeds],
+      folders: [
+        { folder: primaryFolder, sessions: [primaryReady] },
+        { folder: sourceFolder, sessions: [sourceReady, sourceNeeds] },
+      ],
+    };
+
+    const items = buildProjectTopLevelItems(
+      multiRootProject,
+      ["folder:/repo/app", "folder:/repo/api"],
+      true,
+    );
+
+    expect(items.map((item) => item.id)).toEqual([
+      "folder:/repo/app",
+      "folder:/repo/api",
+    ]);
+    expect(
+      orderSessionsByPriority([sourceReady, sourceNeeds], true).map(
+        (item) => item.id,
+      ),
+    ).toEqual(["source-needs", "source-ready"]);
+  });
+
   it("orders urgent items without rewriting the saved order", () => {
     const items = buildProjectTopLevelItems(project(), [
       "session:running-root",
@@ -259,8 +300,8 @@ describe("sidebar project items", () => {
     expect(index.get("session:failed-root")?.isPrioritized).toBe(true);
     expect(index.get("session:idle-root")?.isPrioritized).toBe(false);
     expect(index.get("session:running-root")?.isPrioritized).toBe(false);
-    // A folder joins the priority group as soon as one session inside it needs
-    // attention, matching how the folder row is displayed.
+    // A single-tab workspace has no meaningful internal reorder, so its row
+    // joins the project's priority group instead.
     expect(index.get("folder:needs-folder")).toEqual({
       containerId: "project:/repo/app",
       isPrioritized: true,
diff --git a/src/lib/sidebarProjectItems.ts b/src/lib/sidebarProjectItems.ts
index e25d6291..f58d49a4 100644
--- a/src/lib/sidebarProjectItems.ts
+++ b/src/lib/sidebarProjectItems.ts
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ export function buildDragPriorityIndex(
       if (!isDefaultFolder) {
         index.set(sidebarFolderItemId(folderGroup.folder.id), {
           containerId: topLevelContainerId,
-          isPrioritized: folderGroupHasPriorityStatus(folderGroup),
+          isPrioritized: folderGroupHasProjectPriorityStatus(folderGroup),
         });
       }
       const sessionContainerId = isDefaultFolder
@@ -235,12 +235,17 @@ function orderItemsByPriority(
 
 function itemHasPriorityStatus(item: ProjectTopLevelItem): boolean {
   if (item.type === "session") return hasPriorityStatus(item.session);
-  return folderGroupHasPriorityStatus(item.folderGroup);
+  return folderGroupHasProjectPriorityStatus(item.folderGroup);
 }
 
-/** A folder joins the priority group as soon as one session inside it does. */
-function folderGroupHasPriorityStatus(folderGroup: ProjectFolderGroup): boolean {
-  return folderGroup.sessions.some(hasPriorityStatus);
+/** A single-tab workspace has no useful internal slot to promote into. */
+function folderGroupHasProjectPriorityStatus(
+  folderGroup: ProjectFolderGroup,
+): boolean {
+  return (
+    folderGroup.sessions.length <= 1 &&
+    folderGroup.sessions.some(hasPriorityStatus)
+  );
 }
 
 function hasPriorityStatus(session: Session): boolean {
diff --git a/src/locales/en.json b/src/locales/en.json
index 43e45e9a..c5dc66ca 100644
--- a/src/locales/en.json
+++ b/src/locales/en.json
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
         "hint": "Controls the order of sessions and workspaces inside each project in the left sidebar.",
         "priority": {
           "label": "Move waiting and error tabs to the top",
-          "description": "Keeps your manual order saved, but displays tabs waiting on you or blocked by errors ahead of ready work."
+          "description": "Keeps your manual order saved. Waiting and error tabs move ahead within their project or workspace; a workspace with one tab can move ahead within its project."
         }
       },
       "kanbanTerminalPopover": {
diff --git a/src/locales/ja.json b/src/locales/ja.json
index 9d693899..664eb01c 100644
--- a/src/locales/ja.json
+++ b/src/locales/ja.json
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
         "hint": "左側のサイドバーの各プロジェクト内のセッションとワークスペースの順序を制御します。",
         "priority": {
           "label": "待機中およびエラーのタブを上部に移動します",
-          "description": "手動注文を保存したままにしますが、準備が整う前に待機中またはエラーによってブロックされたタブが表示されます。"
+          "description": "手動の順序は保存されます。入力待ちやエラーのタブはそのプロジェクトまたはワークスペース内で前に移動し、タブが1つのワークスペースはプロジェクト内で前に移動する場合があります。"
         }
       },
       "kanbanTerminalPopover": {
diff --git a/src/locales/ko.json b/src/locales/ko.json
index 83f58946..e96177b1 100644
--- a/src/locales/ko.json
+++ b/src/locales/ko.json
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
         "hint": "좌측 사이드바의 각 프로젝트 안에서 세션과 작업공간이 표시되는 순서를 제어합니다.",
         "priority": {
           "label": "입력 대기 및 오류 탭을 상단으로 이동",
-          "description": "수동 순서는 저장된 채로 유지하고, 사용자 입력을 기다리거나 오류로 막힌 탭을 준비된 작업보다 먼저 표시합니다."
+          "description": "수동 순서는 저장된 채로 유지합니다. 입력 대기 및 오류 탭은 해당 프로젝트나 작업공간 안에서 앞에 표시되며, 탭이 하나인 작업공간은 프로젝트 안에서 앞에 표시될 수 있습니다."
         }
       },
       "kanbanTerminalPopover": {
diff --git a/src/locales/zh-CN.json b/src/locales/zh-CN.json
index 39dc844c..3c5c01cd 100644
--- a/src/locales/zh-CN.json
+++ b/src/locales/zh-CN.json
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
         "hint": "控制左侧侧边栏中每个项目内的会话和工作区的顺序。",
         "priority": {
           "label": "将等待和错误标签页移至顶部",
-          "description": "保留手动排序，但将等待您处理或因错误受阻的标签页显示在其他工作之前。"
+          "description": "保留手动排序。等待和错误标签页会在所属项目或工作区内提前；只有一个标签页的工作区可在项目内提前。"
         }
       },
       "kanbanTerminalPopover": {
diff --git a/tests/e2e/sidebar.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/sidebar.spec.ts
index b8b12365..38340bdb 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/sidebar.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/e2e/sidebar.spec.ts
@@ -4295,11 +4295,11 @@ test.describe("sidebar: project lifecycle", () => {
 
     await pressHotkey(page, { mod: true, key: "," });
     const settings = page.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Settings" });
-    await settings
-      .getByRole("checkbox", {
-        name: /Move waiting and error tabs to the top/,
-      })
-      .click();
+    const priorityToggle = settings.getByRole("checkbox", {
+      name: /Move waiting and error tabs to the top/,
+    });
+    await priorityToggle.click();
+    await expect(priorityToggle).toBeChecked();
     await page.keyboard.press("Escape");
 
     await expect
@@ -4329,11 +4329,9 @@ test.describe("sidebar: project lifecycle", () => {
       .toBe("reordered-priority-group");
 
     await pressHotkey(page, { mod: true, key: "," });
-    await settings
-      .getByRole("checkbox", {
-        name: /Move waiting and error tabs to the top/,
-      })
-      .click();
+    await expect(settings).toBeVisible();
+    await priorityToggle.click();
+    await expect(priorityToggle).not.toBeChecked();
     await page.keyboard.press("Escape");
 
     await expect
@@ -4349,6 +4347,146 @@ test.describe("sidebar: project lifecycle", () => {
       .toBe("manual-order");
   });
 
+  test("priority sorting respects source workspace tab count", async ({
+    page,
+    tauri,
+  }) => {
+    await page.addInitScript(() => {
+      localStorage.setItem(
+        "acorn:settings:v1",
+        JSON.stringify({
+          interface: { prioritizeNeedsInputTabs: true },
+        }),
+      );
+    });
+    await tauri.respond("list_projects", [
+      {
+        repo_path: "/tmp/demo",
+        name: "demo",
+        created_at: "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+        position: 0,
+        source_paths: ["/tmp/demo-api", "/tmp/demo-docs"],
+      },
+    ]);
+    await tauri.respond("list_sessions", [
+      {
+        id: "primary-ready",
+        name: "primary-ready",
+        repo_path: "/tmp/demo",
+        worktree_path: "/tmp/demo",
+        branch: "main",
+        isolated: false,
+        project_scoped: true,
+        status: "ready",
+        created_at: "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+        updated_at: "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+        last_message: null,
+        title_source: "manual",
+        kind: "regular",
+        owner: { kind: "user" },
+        position: 0,
+        in_worktree: false,
+      },
+      {
+        id: "source-ready",
+        name: "source-ready",
+        repo_path: "/tmp/demo-api",
+        worktree_path: "/tmp/demo-api",
+        branch: "main",
+        isolated: false,
+        project_scoped: true,
+        status: "ready",
+        created_at: "2026-01-01T00:00:01Z",
+        updated_at: "2026-01-01T00:00:01Z",
+        last_message: null,
+        title_source: "manual",
+        kind: "regular",
+        owner: { kind: "user" },
+        position: 0,
+        in_worktree: false,
+      },
+      {
+        id: "source-needs",
+        name: "source-needs",
+        repo_path: "/tmp/demo-api",
+        worktree_path: "/tmp/demo-api",
+        branch: "main",
+        isolated: false,
+        project_scoped: true,
+        status: "waiting_for_input",
+        created_at: "2026-01-01T00:00:02Z",
+        updated_at: "2026-01-01T00:00:02Z",
+        last_message: null,
+        title_source: "manual",
+        kind: "regular",
+        owner: { kind: "user" },
+        position: 1,
+        in_worktree: false,
+      },
+      {
+        id: "docs-needs",
+        name: "docs-needs",
+        repo_path: "/tmp/demo-docs",
+        worktree_path: "/tmp/demo-docs",
+        branch: "main",
+        isolated: false,
+        project_scoped: true,
+        status: "waiting_for_input",
+        created_at: "2026-01-01T00:00:03Z",
+        updated_at: "2026-01-01T00:00:03Z",
+        last_message: null,
+        title_source: "manual",
+        kind: "regular",
+        owner: { kind: "user" },
+        position: 0,
+        in_worktree: false,
+      },
+    ]);
+
+    await page.goto("/");
+
+    const sidebar = page.locator("aside");
+    const primaryWorkspace = sidebar.locator(
+      '[data-sidebar-workspace-id="/tmp/demo"]',
+    );
+    const sourceWorkspace = sidebar.locator(
+      '[data-sidebar-workspace-id="/tmp/demo-api"]',
+    );
+    const singleTabWorkspace = sidebar.locator(
+      '[data-sidebar-workspace-id="/tmp/demo-docs"]',
+    );
+    const sourceReady = sidebar.getByRole("button", {
+      name: /^source-ready main · Ready/,
+    });
+    const sourceNeeds = sidebar.getByRole("button", {
+      name: /^source-needs main · Waiting for input/,
+    });
+
+    await expect
+      .poll(async () => {
+        const primaryBox = await primaryWorkspace.boundingBox();
+        const sourceBox = await sourceWorkspace.boundingBox();
+        const singleTabBox = await singleTabWorkspace.boundingBox();
+        const readyBox = await sourceReady.boundingBox();
+        const needsBox = await sourceNeeds.boundingBox();
+        if (
+          !primaryBox ||
+          !sourceBox ||
+          !singleTabBox ||
+          !readyBox ||
+          !needsBox
+        ) {
+          return "missing";
+        }
+        return singleTabBox.y < primaryBox.y &&
+          primaryBox.y < sourceBox.y &&
+          needsBox.y < readyBox.y
+          ? "scoped-priority-order"
+          : "different";
+      })
+      .toBe("scoped-priority-order");
+  });
+
   test("every root of a project draws its own workspace row", async ({
     page,
     tauri,