diff --git a/backlog/tasks/task-295 - Add-primary-subtitle-visibility-keybinding.md b/backlog/tasks/task-295 - Add-primary-subtitle-visibility-keybinding.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..844b22d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backlog/tasks/task-295 - Add-primary-subtitle-visibility-keybinding.md	
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+---
+id: TASK-295
+title: Add primary subtitle visibility keybinding
+status: Done
+assignee:
+  - Codex
+created_date: '2026-04-25 23:09'
+updated_date: '2026-04-25 23:45'
+labels:
+  - renderer
+  - keybindings
+  - subtitles
+dependencies: []
+priority: medium
+---
+
+## Description
+
+<!-- SECTION:DESCRIPTION:BEGIN -->
+Add a `v` keybinding that overrides mpv's default `v` subtitle visibility toggle and instead toggles SubMiner's primary subtitle bar visibility on and off. Secondary subtitle hover behavior is out of scope.
+<!-- SECTION:DESCRIPTION:END -->
+
+## Acceptance Criteria
+<!-- AC:BEGIN -->
+- [x] #1 Pressing `v` toggles the primary subtitle bar from visible to hidden.
+- [x] #2 Pressing `v` again restores the primary subtitle bar visibility.
+- [x] #3 The keybinding does not add or change secondary subtitle hover behavior.
+- [x] #4 Relevant automated coverage verifies the toggle behavior.
+- [x] #5 Pressing `v` in the mpv/plugin keybinding path also toggles the primary subtitle bar visibility instead of mpv native subtitle visibility.
+<!-- AC:END -->
+
+## Implementation Plan
+
+<!-- SECTION:PLAN:BEGIN -->
+1. Inspect existing renderer keybinding and subtitle bar visibility code, including current local edits in touched files.
+2. Add a focused failing test for `v` toggling primary subtitle bar visibility without changing secondary hover behavior.
+3. Implement the minimal renderer/keybinding change.
+4. Run targeted tests and update acceptance criteria/final notes.
+<!-- SECTION:PLAN:END -->
+
+## Implementation Notes
+
+<!-- SECTION:NOTES:BEGIN -->
+Implemented renderer-local `KeyV` handling before session/mpv binding dispatch so mpv `sub-visibility` is not touched. Visibility state is stored in renderer state and applied via `primary-sub-hidden` class on the primary subtitle container.
+
+Scope updated after user clarified the toggle must work when focus is in mpv as well as in the overlay renderer. Added a forced mpv plugin binding for `v` that runs `--toggle-primary-subtitle-bar`, then broadcasts a renderer IPC toggle event and reuses the same primary subtitle bar toggle path.
+<!-- SECTION:NOTES:END -->
+
+## Final Summary
+
+<!-- SECTION:FINAL_SUMMARY:BEGIN -->
+Summary:
+- Added a renderer-local `v` key handler that toggles primary subtitle bar visibility by adding/removing `primary-sub-hidden` on the primary subtitle container.
+- Added renderer state for the toggle so repeated presses restore the bar without issuing mpv `sub-visibility` commands.
+- Added a forced mpv plugin `v` binding that invokes `--toggle-primary-subtitle-bar` and broadcasts the same renderer toggle event.
+- Added CSS for the hidden primary subtitle bar state and regression coverage for both overlay and mpv/plugin entry points.
+
+Tests:
+- `bun test src/renderer/handlers/keyboard.test.ts --test-name-pattern "primary subtitle visibility key"`
+- `bun test src/cli/args.test.ts --test-name-pattern "session action"`
+- `bun test src/core/services/cli-command.test.ts --test-name-pattern "visibility and utility"`
+- `bun test src/cli/args.test.ts src/cli/help.test.ts src/core/services/cli-command.test.ts src/main/runtime/cli-command-context.test.ts src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-deps.test.ts src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-main-deps.test.ts src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-factory.test.ts src/main/runtime/composers/cli-startup-composer.test.ts src/main/runtime/first-run-setup-service.test.ts`
+- `lua scripts/test-plugin-start-gate.lua && lua scripts/test-plugin-lua-compat.lua`
+- `bun run typecheck`
+- `bun run test:fast`
+<!-- SECTION:FINAL_SUMMARY:END -->
diff --git a/changes/295-primary-subtitle-bar-toggle.md b/changes/295-primary-subtitle-bar-toggle.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..50ccca36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/295-primary-subtitle-bar-toggle.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+type: added
+area: overlay
+
+- Added a `V` shortcut and mpv plugin binding to toggle the SubMiner primary subtitle bar without changing mpv native subtitle visibility.
diff --git a/docs-site/changelog.md b/docs-site/changelog.md
index a95b4718..46f91472 100644
--- a/docs-site/changelog.md
+++ b/docs-site/changelog.md
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 **Changed**
 - Overlay: Added configurable overlay shortcuts for session help, controller select, and controller debug actions.
 - Overlay: Added mpv/plugin and CLI routing for session help, controller utilities, and subtitle sidebar toggling through the shared session-action path.
+- Overlay: Added a `V` shortcut and mpv plugin binding to toggle the SubMiner primary subtitle bar instead of mpv's native primary subtitle visibility.
 - Overlay: Improved dedicated overlay modal retry and focus handling for runtime options, Jimaku, session help, controller tools, and the playlist browser.
 - Overlay: Fixed controller configuration and controller debug shortcut opens so configured bindings bring up their modals again instead of tripping renderer recovery.
 - Stats: Sessions are rolled up per episode within each day, with a bulk delete that wipes every session in the group.
diff --git a/docs-site/mpv-plugin.md b/docs-site/mpv-plugin.md
index 8b24476c..46703204 100644
--- a/docs-site/mpv-plugin.md
+++ b/docs-site/mpv-plugin.md
@@ -41,11 +41,14 @@ All keybindings use a `y` chord prefix — press `y`, then the second key:
 | `y-s` | Start overlay          |
 | `y-S` | Stop overlay           |
 | `y-t` | Toggle visible overlay |
+| `v`   | Toggle primary subtitle bar visibility |
 | `y-o` | Open settings window   |
 | `y-r` | Restart overlay        |
 | `y-c` | Check status           |
 | `y-k` | Skip intro (AniSkip)   |
 
+The bare `v` binding is a forced mpv binding. It overrides mpv's default primary subtitle visibility toggle and routes the action to SubMiner's primary subtitle bar instead.
+
 ## Menu
 
 Press `y-y` to open an interactive menu in mpv's OSD:
diff --git a/docs-site/shortcuts.md b/docs-site/shortcuts.md
index d841ec45..b37a0e8c 100644
--- a/docs-site/shortcuts.md
+++ b/docs-site/shortcuts.md
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ These control playback and subtitle display. They require overlay window focus.
 | Shortcut             | Action                                              |
 | -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
 | `Space`              | Toggle mpv pause                                    |
+| `V`                  | Toggle primary subtitle bar visibility              |
 | `J`                  | Cycle primary subtitle track                        |
 | `Shift+J`            | Cycle secondary subtitle track                      |
 | `Ctrl+Alt+P`         | Open playlist browser for current directory + queue |
@@ -100,11 +101,14 @@ When the mpv plugin is installed, all commands use a `y` chord prefix — press
 | `y-s` | Start overlay            |
 | `y-S` | Stop overlay             |
 | `y-t` | Toggle visible overlay   |
+| `v`   | Toggle primary subtitle bar visibility |
 | `y-o` | Open Yomitan settings    |
 | `y-r` | Restart overlay          |
 | `y-c` | Check overlay status     |
 | `y-h` | Open session help        |
 
+The bare `v` plugin binding intentionally overrides mpv's native primary subtitle visibility toggle so the SubMiner primary subtitle bar is hidden or restored instead.
+
 When the overlay has focus, press `y` then `d` to toggle DevTools (debugging helper).
 
 ## Drag-and-Drop
diff --git a/docs-site/usage.md b/docs-site/usage.md
index 8dccb06b..6f8b9f9e 100644
--- a/docs-site/usage.md
+++ b/docs-site/usage.md
@@ -114,6 +114,7 @@ SubMiner.AppImage --stop                  # Stop overlay
 SubMiner.AppImage --start --toggle        # Start MPV IPC + toggle visibility
 SubMiner.AppImage --show-visible-overlay              # Force show visible overlay
 SubMiner.AppImage --hide-visible-overlay              # Force hide visible overlay
+SubMiner.AppImage --toggle-primary-subtitle-bar       # Toggle primary subtitle bar visibility
 SubMiner.AppImage --start --dev                         # Enable app/dev mode only
 SubMiner.AppImage --start --debug                       # Alias for --dev
 SubMiner.AppImage --start --log-level debug             # Force verbose logging without app/dev mode
@@ -327,6 +328,8 @@ See [Keyboard Shortcuts](/shortcuts) for the full reference, including mining sh
 
 Useful overlay-local default keybinding: `Ctrl+Alt+P` opens the playlist browser for the current video's parent directory and the live mpv queue so you can append, reorder, remove, or jump between episodes without leaving playback.
 
+Press `V` to hide or restore the primary SubMiner subtitle bar. The mpv plugin also binds bare `v` to the same action, overriding mpv's native primary subtitle visibility toggle.
+
 `Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+H` opens the session help modal with the current overlay and mpv keybindings. If you use the mpv plugin, the same help view is also available through the `y-h` chord.
 
 Hovering over subtitle text pauses mpv by default; leaving resumes it. Yomitan popups also pause playback by default. Set `subtitleStyle.autoPauseVideoOnHover: false` or `subtitleStyle.autoPauseVideoOnYomitanPopup: false` to disable either behavior.
diff --git a/plugin/subminer/process.lua b/plugin/subminer/process.lua
index e3046187..eb4e125d 100644
--- a/plugin/subminer/process.lua
+++ b/plugin/subminer/process.lua
@@ -462,6 +462,21 @@ function M.create(ctx)
 		end)
 	end
 
+	local function toggle_primary_subtitle_bar()
+		if not binary.ensure_binary_available() then
+			subminer_log("error", "binary", "SubMiner binary not found")
+			show_osd("Error: binary not found")
+			return
+		end
+
+		run_control_command_async("toggle-primary-subtitle-bar", nil, function(ok)
+			if not ok then
+				subminer_log("warn", "process", "Primary subtitle bar toggle command failed")
+				show_osd("Primary subtitle toggle failed")
+			end
+		end)
+	end
+
 	local function open_options()
 		if not binary.ensure_binary_available() then
 			subminer_log("error", "binary", "SubMiner binary not found")
@@ -552,6 +567,7 @@ function M.create(ctx)
 		stop_overlay = stop_overlay,
 		hide_visible_overlay = hide_visible_overlay,
 		toggle_overlay = toggle_overlay,
+		toggle_primary_subtitle_bar = toggle_primary_subtitle_bar,
 		open_options = open_options,
 		restart_overlay = restart_overlay,
 		check_status = check_status,
diff --git a/plugin/subminer/ui.lua b/plugin/subminer/ui.lua
index 92cbabb5..6514aa6d 100644
--- a/plugin/subminer/ui.lua
+++ b/plugin/subminer/ui.lua
@@ -80,6 +80,9 @@ function M.create(ctx)
 		mp.add_key_binding("y-t", "subminer-toggle", function()
 			process.toggle_overlay()
 		end)
+		mp.add_forced_key_binding("v", "subminer-toggle-primary-subtitle-bar", function()
+			process.toggle_primary_subtitle_bar()
+		end)
 		mp.add_key_binding("y-y", "subminer-menu", show_menu)
 		mp.add_key_binding("y-o", "subminer-options", function()
 			process.open_options()
diff --git a/scripts/test-plugin-start-gate.lua b/scripts/test-plugin-start-gate.lua
index 7f64814a..67893c0f 100644
--- a/scripts/test-plugin-start-gate.lua
+++ b/scripts/test-plugin-start-gate.lua
@@ -151,6 +151,14 @@ local function run_plugin_scenario(config)
 				fn = fn,
 			}
 		end
+		function mp.add_forced_key_binding(keys, name, fn)
+			recorded.key_bindings[#recorded.key_bindings + 1] = {
+				keys = keys,
+				name = name,
+				fn = fn,
+				forced = true,
+			}
+		end
 		function mp.register_event(name, fn)
 			if recorded.events[name] == nil then
 				recorded.events[name] = {}
@@ -537,6 +545,39 @@ do
 	)
 end
 
+do
+	local recorded, err = run_plugin_scenario({
+		process_list = "",
+		option_overrides = {
+			binary_path = binary_path,
+			auto_start = "no",
+		},
+		files = {
+			[binary_path] = true,
+		},
+	})
+	assert_true(recorded ~= nil, "plugin failed to load for primary subtitle bar binding scenario: " .. tostring(err))
+	local binding = nil
+	for _, candidate in ipairs(recorded.key_bindings) do
+		if candidate.name == "subminer-toggle-primary-subtitle-bar" then
+			binding = candidate
+			break
+		end
+	end
+	assert_true(binding ~= nil, "primary subtitle bar v binding should be registered")
+	assert_true(binding.keys == "v", "primary subtitle bar binding should use bare v")
+	assert_true(binding.forced == true, "primary subtitle bar binding should override mpv's built-in v binding")
+	binding.fn()
+	assert_true(
+		count_control_calls(recorded.async_calls, "--toggle-primary-subtitle-bar") == 1,
+		"primary subtitle bar binding should issue primary subtitle toggle command"
+	)
+	assert_true(
+		count_control_calls(recorded.async_calls, "--toggle-visible-overlay") == 0,
+		"primary subtitle bar binding should not toggle the whole visible overlay"
+	)
+end
+
 do
 	local recorded, err = run_plugin_scenario({
 		process_list = "",
diff --git a/src/cli/args.test.ts b/src/cli/args.test.ts
index 7a67b7c5..58942e16 100644
--- a/src/cli/args.test.ts
+++ b/src/cli/args.test.ts
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ test('parseArgs captures session action forwarding flags', () => {
     '--open-jimaku',
     '--open-youtube-picker',
     '--open-playlist-browser',
+    '--toggle-primary-subtitle-bar',
     '--replay-current-subtitle',
     '--play-next-subtitle',
     '--shift-sub-delay-prev-line',
@@ -94,6 +95,7 @@ test('parseArgs captures session action forwarding flags', () => {
   assert.equal(args.openJimaku, true);
   assert.equal(args.openYoutubePicker, true);
   assert.equal(args.openPlaylistBrowser, true);
+  assert.equal(args.togglePrimarySubtitleBar, true);
   assert.equal(args.replayCurrentSubtitle, true);
   assert.equal(args.playNextSubtitle, true);
   assert.equal(args.shiftSubDelayPrevLine, true);
diff --git a/src/cli/args.ts b/src/cli/args.ts
index 473a830e..77aa079d 100644
--- a/src/cli/args.ts
+++ b/src/cli/args.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ export interface CliArgs {
   stop: boolean;
   toggle: boolean;
   toggleVisibleOverlay: boolean;
+  togglePrimarySubtitleBar: boolean;
   settings: boolean;
   setup: boolean;
   show: boolean;
@@ -106,6 +107,7 @@ export function parseArgs(argv: string[]): CliArgs {
     stop: false,
     toggle: false,
     toggleVisibleOverlay: false,
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: false,
     settings: false,
     setup: false,
     show: false,
@@ -219,6 +221,7 @@ export function parseArgs(argv: string[]): CliArgs {
     } else if (arg === '--stop') args.stop = true;
     else if (arg === '--toggle') args.toggle = true;
     else if (arg === '--toggle-visible-overlay') args.toggleVisibleOverlay = true;
+    else if (arg === '--toggle-primary-subtitle-bar') args.togglePrimarySubtitleBar = true;
     else if (arg === '--settings' || arg === '--yomitan') args.settings = true;
     else if (arg === '--setup') args.setup = true;
     else if (arg === '--show') args.show = true;
@@ -456,6 +459,7 @@ export function hasExplicitCommand(args: CliArgs): boolean {
     args.stop ||
     args.toggle ||
     args.toggleVisibleOverlay ||
+    args.togglePrimarySubtitleBar ||
     args.settings ||
     args.setup ||
     args.show ||
@@ -526,6 +530,7 @@ export function isStandaloneTexthookerCommand(args: CliArgs): boolean {
     !args.stop &&
     !args.toggle &&
     !args.toggleVisibleOverlay &&
+    !args.togglePrimarySubtitleBar &&
     !args.settings &&
     !args.setup &&
     !args.show &&
@@ -591,6 +596,7 @@ export function shouldStartApp(args: CliArgs): boolean {
     args.launchMpv ||
     args.toggle ||
     args.toggleVisibleOverlay ||
+    args.togglePrimarySubtitleBar ||
     args.settings ||
     args.setup ||
     args.copySubtitle ||
@@ -644,6 +650,7 @@ export function shouldRunSettingsOnlyStartup(args: CliArgs): boolean {
     !args.stop &&
     !args.toggle &&
     !args.toggleVisibleOverlay &&
+    !args.togglePrimarySubtitleBar &&
     !args.show &&
     !args.hide &&
     !args.setup &&
@@ -707,6 +714,7 @@ export function commandNeedsOverlayRuntime(args: CliArgs): boolean {
   return (
     args.toggle ||
     args.toggleVisibleOverlay ||
+    args.togglePrimarySubtitleBar ||
     args.show ||
     args.hide ||
     args.showVisibleOverlay ||
diff --git a/src/cli/help.ts b/src/cli/help.ts
index 203627f5..83e70992 100644
--- a/src/cli/help.ts
+++ b/src/cli/help.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ ${B}Session${R}
 
 ${B}Overlay${R}
   --toggle-visible-overlay       Toggle subtitle overlay
+  --toggle-primary-subtitle-bar  Toggle primary subtitle bar
   --show-visible-overlay         Show subtitle overlay
   --hide-visible-overlay         Hide subtitle overlay
   --settings                     Open Yomitan settings window
diff --git a/src/core/services/app-lifecycle.test.ts b/src/core/services/app-lifecycle.test.ts
index 5df865c6..d01b921b 100644
--- a/src/core/services/app-lifecycle.test.ts
+++ b/src/core/services/app-lifecycle.test.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ function makeArgs(overrides: Partial<CliArgs> = {}): CliArgs {
     stop: false,
     toggle: false,
     toggleVisibleOverlay: false,
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: false,
     settings: false,
     setup: false,
     show: false,
diff --git a/src/core/services/cli-command.test.ts b/src/core/services/cli-command.test.ts
index 2e3e4268..098d9024 100644
--- a/src/core/services/cli-command.test.ts
+++ b/src/core/services/cli-command.test.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ function makeArgs(overrides: Partial<CliArgs> = {}): CliArgs {
     openJimaku: false,
     openYoutubePicker: false,
     openPlaylistBrowser: false,
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: false,
     replayCurrentSubtitle: false,
     playNextSubtitle: false,
     shiftSubDelayPrevLine: false,
@@ -119,6 +120,9 @@ function createDeps(overrides: Partial<CliCommandServiceDeps> = {}) {
     toggleVisibleOverlay: () => {
       calls.push('toggleVisibleOverlay');
     },
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => {
+      calls.push('togglePrimarySubtitleBar');
+    },
     openYomitanSettingsDelayed: (delayMs) => {
       calls.push(`openYomitanSettingsDelayed:${delayMs}`);
     },
@@ -533,6 +537,7 @@ test('handleCliCommand handles visibility and utility command dispatches', () =>
       expected: 'startPendingMineSentenceMultiple:2500',
     },
     { args: { toggleSecondarySub: true }, expected: 'cycleSecondarySubMode' },
+    { args: { togglePrimarySubtitleBar: true }, expected: 'togglePrimarySubtitleBar' },
     { args: { toggleStatsOverlay: true }, expected: 'dispatchSessionAction' },
     {
       args: { openRuntimeOptions: true },
diff --git a/src/core/services/cli-command.ts b/src/core/services/cli-command.ts
index 6c2974b6..ea3402cf 100644
--- a/src/core/services/cli-command.ts
+++ b/src/core/services/cli-command.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ export interface CliCommandServiceDeps {
   isOverlayRuntimeInitialized: () => boolean;
   initializeOverlayRuntime: () => void;
   toggleVisibleOverlay: () => void;
+  togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => void;
   openFirstRunSetup: () => void;
   openYomitanSettingsDelayed: (delayMs: number) => void;
   setVisibleOverlayVisible: (visible: boolean) => void;
@@ -138,6 +139,7 @@ interface OverlayCliRuntime {
   isInitialized: () => boolean;
   initialize: () => void;
   toggleVisible: () => void;
+  togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => void;
   setVisible: (visible: boolean) => void;
 }
 
@@ -244,6 +246,7 @@ export function createCliCommandDepsRuntime(
     isOverlayRuntimeInitialized: options.overlay.isInitialized,
     initializeOverlayRuntime: options.overlay.initialize,
     toggleVisibleOverlay: options.overlay.toggleVisible,
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: options.overlay.togglePrimarySubtitleBar,
     openFirstRunSetup: options.ui.openFirstRunSetup,
     openYomitanSettingsDelayed: (delayMs) => {
       options.schedule(() => {
@@ -369,6 +372,8 @@ export function handleCliCommand(
 
   if (args.toggle || args.toggleVisibleOverlay) {
     deps.toggleVisibleOverlay();
+  } else if (args.togglePrimarySubtitleBar) {
+    deps.togglePrimarySubtitleBar();
   } else if (args.setup) {
     deps.openFirstRunSetup();
     deps.log('Opened first-run setup flow.');
diff --git a/src/core/services/startup-bootstrap.test.ts b/src/core/services/startup-bootstrap.test.ts
index 4edf10ff..639aa338 100644
--- a/src/core/services/startup-bootstrap.test.ts
+++ b/src/core/services/startup-bootstrap.test.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ function makeArgs(overrides: Partial<CliArgs> = {}): CliArgs {
     stop: false,
     toggle: false,
     toggleVisibleOverlay: false,
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: false,
     settings: false,
     setup: false,
     show: false,
diff --git a/src/main.ts b/src/main.ts
index bdbe427b..2e115b7d 100644
--- a/src/main.ts
+++ b/src/main.ts
@@ -4345,6 +4345,10 @@ function toggleSubtitleSidebar(): void {
   broadcastToOverlayWindows(IPC_CHANNELS.event.subtitleSidebarToggle);
 }
 
+function togglePrimarySubtitleBar(): void {
+  broadcastToOverlayWindows(IPC_CHANNELS.event.primarySubtitleBarToggle);
+}
+
 async function triggerSubsyncFromConfig(): Promise<void> {
   await subsyncRuntime.triggerFromConfig();
 }
@@ -4919,6 +4923,7 @@ const { handleCliCommand, handleInitialArgs } = composeCliStartupHandlers({
     showMpvOsd: (text: string) => showMpvOsd(text),
     initializeOverlayRuntime: () => initializeOverlayRuntime(),
     toggleVisibleOverlay: () => toggleVisibleOverlay(),
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => togglePrimarySubtitleBar(),
     openFirstRunSetupWindow: () => openFirstRunSetupWindow(),
     setVisibleOverlayVisible: (visible: boolean) => setVisibleOverlayVisible(visible),
     copyCurrentSubtitle: () => copyCurrentSubtitle(),
diff --git a/src/main/cli-runtime.ts b/src/main/cli-runtime.ts
index ae579c30..4d687ea1 100644
--- a/src/main/cli-runtime.ts
+++ b/src/main/cli-runtime.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ export interface CliCommandRuntimeServiceContext {
   isOverlayInitialized: () => boolean;
   initializeOverlay: () => void;
   toggleVisibleOverlay: () => void;
+  togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => void;
   openFirstRunSetup: () => void;
   setVisibleOverlay: (visible: boolean) => void;
   copyCurrentSubtitle: () => void;
@@ -83,6 +84,7 @@ function createCliCommandDepsFromContext(
       isInitialized: context.isOverlayInitialized,
       initialize: context.initializeOverlay,
       toggleVisible: context.toggleVisibleOverlay,
+      togglePrimarySubtitleBar: context.togglePrimarySubtitleBar,
       setVisible: context.setVisibleOverlay,
     },
     mining: {
diff --git a/src/main/dependencies.ts b/src/main/dependencies.ts
index a2ff3f02..24672ea8 100644
--- a/src/main/dependencies.ts
+++ b/src/main/dependencies.ts
@@ -149,6 +149,7 @@ export interface CliCommandRuntimeServiceDepsParams {
     isInitialized: CliCommandDepsRuntimeOptions['overlay']['isInitialized'];
     initialize: CliCommandDepsRuntimeOptions['overlay']['initialize'];
     toggleVisible: CliCommandDepsRuntimeOptions['overlay']['toggleVisible'];
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: CliCommandDepsRuntimeOptions['overlay']['togglePrimarySubtitleBar'];
     setVisible: CliCommandDepsRuntimeOptions['overlay']['setVisible'];
   };
   mining: {
@@ -325,6 +326,7 @@ export function createCliCommandRuntimeServiceDeps(
       isInitialized: params.overlay.isInitialized,
       initialize: params.overlay.initialize,
       toggleVisible: params.overlay.toggleVisible,
+      togglePrimarySubtitleBar: params.overlay.togglePrimarySubtitleBar,
       setVisible: params.overlay.setVisible,
     },
     mining: {
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-deps.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-deps.test.ts
index d6bfe9c7..3be3aeeb 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-deps.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-deps.test.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ test('build cli command context deps maps handlers and values', () => {
     isOverlayInitialized: () => true,
     initializeOverlay: () => calls.push('init'),
     toggleVisibleOverlay: () => calls.push('toggle-visible'),
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => calls.push('toggle-primary-subtitle'),
     openFirstRunSetup: () => calls.push('setup'),
     setVisibleOverlay: (visible) => calls.push(`set-visible:${visible}`),
     copyCurrentSubtitle: () => calls.push('copy'),
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-deps.ts b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-deps.ts
index 380489c7..37d4fd0d 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-deps.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-deps.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export function createBuildCliCommandContextDepsHandler(deps: {
   isOverlayInitialized: () => boolean;
   initializeOverlay: () => void;
   toggleVisibleOverlay: () => void;
+  togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => void;
   openFirstRunSetup: () => void;
   setVisibleOverlay: (visible: boolean) => void;
   copyCurrentSubtitle: () => void;
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ export function createBuildCliCommandContextDepsHandler(deps: {
     isOverlayInitialized: deps.isOverlayInitialized,
     initializeOverlay: deps.initializeOverlay,
     toggleVisibleOverlay: deps.toggleVisibleOverlay,
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: deps.togglePrimarySubtitleBar,
     openFirstRunSetup: deps.openFirstRunSetup,
     setVisibleOverlay: deps.setVisibleOverlay,
     copyCurrentSubtitle: deps.copyCurrentSubtitle,
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-factory.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-factory.test.ts
index cb826a4c..763a80d6 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-factory.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-factory.test.ts
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ test('cli command context factory composes main deps and context handlers', () =
     showMpvOsd: (text) => calls.push(`osd:${text}`),
     initializeOverlayRuntime: () => calls.push('init-overlay'),
     toggleVisibleOverlay: () => calls.push('toggle-visible'),
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => calls.push('toggle-primary-subtitle'),
     openFirstRunSetupWindow: () => calls.push('setup'),
     setVisibleOverlayVisible: (visible) => calls.push(`set-visible:${visible}`),
     copyCurrentSubtitle: () => calls.push('copy-sub'),
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-main-deps.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-main-deps.test.ts
index 6644283f..604c997a 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-main-deps.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-main-deps.test.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ test('cli command context main deps builder maps state and callbacks', async ()
 
     initializeOverlayRuntime: () => calls.push('init-overlay'),
     toggleVisibleOverlay: () => calls.push('toggle-visible'),
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => calls.push('toggle-primary-subtitle'),
     openFirstRunSetupWindow: () => calls.push('open-setup'),
     setVisibleOverlayVisible: (visible) => calls.push(`set-visible:${visible}`),
 
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-main-deps.ts b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-main-deps.ts
index 4ec2913b..8c51bd77 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-main-deps.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context-main-deps.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ export function createBuildCliCommandContextMainDepsHandler(deps: {
 
   initializeOverlayRuntime: () => void;
   toggleVisibleOverlay: () => void;
+  togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => void;
   openFirstRunSetupWindow: () => void;
   setVisibleOverlayVisible: (visible: boolean) => void;
 
@@ -94,6 +95,7 @@ export function createBuildCliCommandContextMainDepsHandler(deps: {
     isOverlayInitialized: () => deps.appState.overlayRuntimeInitialized,
     initializeOverlay: () => deps.initializeOverlayRuntime(),
     toggleVisibleOverlay: () => deps.toggleVisibleOverlay(),
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => deps.togglePrimarySubtitleBar(),
     openFirstRunSetup: () => deps.openFirstRunSetupWindow(),
     setVisibleOverlay: (visible: boolean) => deps.setVisibleOverlayVisible(visible),
     copyCurrentSubtitle: () => deps.copyCurrentSubtitle(),
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context.test.ts
index 209a8b79..995d4271 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context.test.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ function createDeps() {
       isOverlayInitialized: () => true,
       initializeOverlay: () => {},
       toggleVisibleOverlay: () => {},
+      togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => {},
       openFirstRunSetup: () => {},
       setVisibleOverlay: () => {},
       copyCurrentSubtitle: () => {},
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context.ts b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context.ts
index b924b3eb..83750d3b 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/cli-command-context.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ export type CliCommandContextFactoryDeps = {
   isOverlayInitialized: () => boolean;
   initializeOverlay: () => void;
   toggleVisibleOverlay: () => void;
+  togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => void;
   openFirstRunSetup: () => void;
   setVisibleOverlay: (visible: boolean) => void;
   copyCurrentSubtitle: () => void;
@@ -81,6 +82,7 @@ export function createCliCommandContext(
     isOverlayInitialized: deps.isOverlayInitialized,
     initializeOverlay: deps.initializeOverlay,
     toggleVisibleOverlay: deps.toggleVisibleOverlay,
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: deps.togglePrimarySubtitleBar,
     openFirstRunSetup: deps.openFirstRunSetup,
     setVisibleOverlay: deps.setVisibleOverlay,
     copyCurrentSubtitle: deps.copyCurrentSubtitle,
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/composers/cli-startup-composer.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/composers/cli-startup-composer.test.ts
index 50c1cab4..57c2d1a8 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/composers/cli-startup-composer.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/composers/cli-startup-composer.test.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ test('composeCliStartupHandlers returns callable CLI startup handlers', () => {
       showMpvOsd: () => {},
       initializeOverlayRuntime: () => {},
       toggleVisibleOverlay: () => {},
+      togglePrimarySubtitleBar: () => {},
       openFirstRunSetupWindow: () => {},
       setVisibleOverlayVisible: () => {},
       copyCurrentSubtitle: () => {},
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/first-run-setup-service.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/first-run-setup-service.test.ts
index a56d0da7..204225de 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/first-run-setup-service.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/first-run-setup-service.test.ts
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ function makeArgs(overrides: Partial<CliArgs> = {}): CliArgs {
     stop: false,
     toggle: false,
     toggleVisibleOverlay: false,
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBar: false,
     settings: false,
     setup: false,
     show: false,
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/first-run-setup-service.ts b/src/main/runtime/first-run-setup-service.ts
index 737c801b..b3384c80 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/first-run-setup-service.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/first-run-setup-service.ts
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ function hasAnyStartupCommandBeyondSetup(args: CliArgs): boolean {
   return Boolean(
     args.toggle ||
     args.toggleVisibleOverlay ||
+    args.togglePrimarySubtitleBar ||
     args.launchMpv ||
     args.settings ||
     args.show ||
diff --git a/src/preload.ts b/src/preload.ts
index 7ce9dda1..8972dda9 100644
--- a/src/preload.ts
+++ b/src/preload.ts
@@ -153,6 +153,9 @@ const onSubsyncManualOpenEvent = createQueuedIpcListenerWithPayload<SubsyncManua
 const onSubtitleSidebarToggleEvent = createQueuedIpcListener(
   IPC_CHANNELS.event.subtitleSidebarToggle,
 );
+const onPrimarySubtitleBarToggleEvent = createQueuedIpcListener(
+  IPC_CHANNELS.event.primarySubtitleBarToggle,
+);
 const onKikuFieldGroupingRequestEvent =
   createQueuedIpcListenerWithPayload<KikuFieldGroupingRequestData>(
     IPC_CHANNELS.event.kikuFieldGroupingRequest,
@@ -345,6 +348,7 @@ const electronAPI: ElectronAPI = {
   onOpenPlaylistBrowser: onOpenPlaylistBrowserEvent,
   onOpenCharacterDictionary: onOpenCharacterDictionaryEvent,
   onSubtitleSidebarToggle: onSubtitleSidebarToggleEvent,
+  onPrimarySubtitleBarToggle: onPrimarySubtitleBarToggleEvent,
   onCancelYoutubeTrackPicker: onCancelYoutubeTrackPickerEvent,
   onKeyboardModeToggleRequested: onKeyboardModeToggleRequestedEvent,
   onLookupWindowToggleRequested: onLookupWindowToggleRequestedEvent,
diff --git a/src/renderer/handlers/keyboard.test.ts b/src/renderer/handlers/keyboard.test.ts
index 322d84bd..13addd2b 100644
--- a/src/renderer/handlers/keyboard.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/handlers/keyboard.test.ts
@@ -330,6 +330,7 @@ function installKeyboardTestGlobals() {
 function createKeyboardHandlerHarness() {
   const testGlobals = installKeyboardTestGlobals();
   const subtitleRootClassList = createClassList();
+  const subtitleContainerClassList = createClassList();
   let controllerSelectKeydownCount = 0;
   let openControllerSelectCount = 0;
   let openControllerDebugCount = 0;
@@ -349,6 +350,7 @@ function createKeyboardHandlerHarness() {
         querySelectorAll: () => wordNodes,
       },
       subtitleContainer: {
+        classList: subtitleContainerClassList,
         contains: () => false,
       },
       overlay: testGlobals.overlay,
@@ -405,6 +407,26 @@ function createKeyboardHandlerHarness() {
   };
 }
 
+test('primary subtitle visibility key hides and restores the subtitle bar without mpv sub-visibility', async () => {
+  const { ctx, handlers, testGlobals } = createKeyboardHandlerHarness();
+
+  try {
+    await handlers.setupMpvInputForwarding();
+
+    testGlobals.dispatchKeydown({ key: 'v', code: 'KeyV' });
+    assert.equal(ctx.dom.subtitleContainer.classList.contains('primary-sub-hidden'), true);
+
+    testGlobals.dispatchKeydown({ key: 'v', code: 'KeyV' });
+    assert.equal(ctx.dom.subtitleContainer.classList.contains('primary-sub-hidden'), false);
+    assert.equal(
+      testGlobals.mpvCommands.some((command) => command.includes('sub-visibility')),
+      false,
+    );
+  } finally {
+    testGlobals.restore();
+  }
+});
+
 test('session help chord resolver follows remapped session bindings', async () => {
   const { handlers, testGlobals } = createKeyboardHandlerHarness();
 
diff --git a/src/renderer/handlers/keyboard.ts b/src/renderer/handlers/keyboard.ts
index dfef40c3..66833f42 100644
--- a/src/renderer/handlers/keyboard.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/handlers/keyboard.ts
@@ -361,6 +361,27 @@ export function createKeyboardHandlers(
     );
   }
 
+  function isPrimarySubtitleVisibilityToggle(e: KeyboardEvent): boolean {
+    return (
+      e.code === 'KeyV' &&
+      !e.ctrlKey &&
+      !e.altKey &&
+      !e.metaKey &&
+      !e.shiftKey &&
+      !e.repeat
+    );
+  }
+
+  function togglePrimarySubtitleBarVisibility(): void {
+    const visible = !ctx.state.primarySubtitleBarVisible;
+    ctx.state.primarySubtitleBarVisible = visible;
+    if (visible) {
+      ctx.dom.subtitleContainer.classList.remove('primary-sub-hidden');
+    } else {
+      ctx.dom.subtitleContainer.classList.add('primary-sub-hidden');
+    }
+  }
+
   async function handleMarkWatched(): Promise<void> {
     const marked = await window.electronAPI.markActiveVideoWatched();
     if (marked) {
@@ -1065,6 +1086,12 @@ export function createKeyboardHandlers(
         return;
       }
 
+      if (isPrimarySubtitleVisibilityToggle(e)) {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        togglePrimarySubtitleBarVisibility();
+        return;
+      }
+
       if (ctx.state.yomitanPopupVisible || isYomitanPopupVisible(document)) {
         if (handleYomitanPopupKeybind(e)) {
           e.preventDefault();
@@ -1152,6 +1179,7 @@ export function createKeyboardHandlers(
     updateSessionBindings,
     syncKeyboardTokenSelection,
     handleSubtitleContentUpdated,
+    togglePrimarySubtitleBarVisibility,
     handleKeyboardModeToggleRequested,
     handleLookupWindowToggleRequested,
     closeLookupWindow,
diff --git a/src/renderer/renderer.ts b/src/renderer/renderer.ts
index 3298468b..5c50f3b5 100644
--- a/src/renderer/renderer.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/renderer.ts
@@ -532,6 +532,12 @@ function registerKeyboardCommandHandlers(): void {
       await subtitleSidebarModal.toggleSubtitleSidebarModal();
     });
   });
+
+  window.electronAPI.onPrimarySubtitleBarToggle(() => {
+    runGuarded('primary-subtitle-bar:toggle', () => {
+      keyboardHandlers.togglePrimarySubtitleBarVisibility();
+    });
+  });
 }
 
 function runGuarded(action: string, fn: () => void): void {
diff --git a/src/renderer/state.ts b/src/renderer/state.ts
index d80bddf2..47806d2c 100644
--- a/src/renderer/state.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/state.ts
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ export type RendererState = {
   keyboardSelectionVisible: boolean;
   keyboardSelectedWordIndex: number | null;
   yomitanPopupVisible: boolean;
+  primarySubtitleBarVisible: boolean;
 };
 
 export function createRendererState(): RendererState {
@@ -244,5 +245,6 @@ export function createRendererState(): RendererState {
     keyboardSelectionVisible: false,
     keyboardSelectedWordIndex: null,
     yomitanPopupVisible: false,
+    primarySubtitleBarVisible: true,
   };
 }
diff --git a/src/renderer/style.css b/src/renderer/style.css
index ac1441e4..cbf7202d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/style.css
+++ b/src/renderer/style.css
@@ -678,6 +678,11 @@ body.subtitle-sidebar-embedded-open #subtitleContainer {
   display: none;
 }
 
+#subtitleContainer.primary-sub-hidden {
+  display: none;
+  pointer-events: none;
+}
+
 body.settings-modal-open #subtitleContainer {
   display: none !important;
   pointer-events: none !important;
diff --git a/src/shared/ipc/contracts.ts b/src/shared/ipc/contracts.ts
index 576deda2..8fab85ea 100644
--- a/src/shared/ipc/contracts.ts
+++ b/src/shared/ipc/contracts.ts
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ export const IPC_CHANNELS = {
     controllerSelectOpen: 'controller-select:open',
     controllerDebugOpen: 'controller-debug:open',
     subtitleSidebarToggle: 'subtitle-sidebar:toggle',
+    primarySubtitleBarToggle: 'primary-subtitle-bar:toggle',
     configHotReload: 'config:hot-reload',
   },
 } as const;
diff --git a/src/types/runtime.ts b/src/types/runtime.ts
index a51c6472..022a77c9 100644
--- a/src/types/runtime.ts
+++ b/src/types/runtime.ts
@@ -433,6 +433,7 @@ export interface ElectronAPI {
   onOpenPlaylistBrowser: (callback: () => void) => void;
   onOpenCharacterDictionary: (callback: () => void) => void;
   onSubtitleSidebarToggle: (callback: () => void) => void;
+  onPrimarySubtitleBarToggle: (callback: () => void) => void;
   onCancelYoutubeTrackPicker: (callback: () => void) => void;
   onKeyboardModeToggleRequested: (callback: () => void) => void;
   onLookupWindowToggleRequested: (callback: () => void) => void;