diff --git a/src/App.test.tsx b/src/App.test.tsx
index 62878a47..c7f8c2cd 100644
--- a/src/App.test.tsx
+++ b/src/App.test.tsx
@@ -517,10 +517,16 @@ describe('App', () => {
 
     render(<App />)
 
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(screen.queryByTestId('vault-loading-skeleton')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
-    })
-    expect(screen.getByText('Select a note to start editing')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(await screen.findByTestId('sidebar-loading-favorites', {}, { timeout: 5000 })).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId('vault-loading-skeleton')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('sidebar-top-nav')).toHaveTextContent('Inbox')
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('sidebar-loading-views')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('sidebar-loading-types')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('sidebar-loading-folders')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('note-list-loading-skeleton')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('breadcrumb-title-skeleton')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('editor-content-skeleton')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.queryByText('Select a note to start editing')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
     expect(screen.getByTestId('status-vault-reloading')).toHaveAccessibleName('Reloading vault from disk')
     await act(async () => {
       fireEvent.keyDown(window, { key: 'p', code: 'KeyP', metaKey: true })
@@ -535,6 +541,9 @@ describe('App', () => {
 
     await waitFor(() => {
       expect(screen.queryByTestId('vault-loading-skeleton')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+      expect(screen.queryByTestId('note-list-loading-skeleton')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+      expect(screen.queryByTestId('breadcrumb-title-skeleton')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+      expect(screen.queryByTestId('editor-content-skeleton')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
       expect(screen.queryByTestId('status-vault-reloading')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
       expect(screen.getAllByText('Test Project').length).toBeGreaterThan(0)
     })
diff --git a/src/App.tsx b/src/App.tsx
index dc6f3930..16cd6ab8 100644
--- a/src/App.tsx
+++ b/src/App.tsx
@@ -1609,17 +1609,7 @@ function App() {
     )
   }
 
-  // Show the full skeleton only while app-level vault capabilities are unknown.
-  if (!noteWindowParams && onboarding.state.status === 'ready' && gitRepoState === 'checking') {
-    return (
-      <AppLoadingSkeleton
-        noteListWidth={layout.noteListWidth}
-        showNoteList={noteListVisible}
-        showSidebar={sidebarVisible}
-        sidebarWidth={layout.sidebarWidth}
-      />
-    )
-  }
+  const isVaultContentLoading = !noteWindowParams && onboarding.state.status === 'ready' && vault.isLoading
 
   return (
     <div className="app-shell">
@@ -1627,7 +1617,7 @@ function App() {
           {sidebarVisible && (
             <>
               <div className="app__sidebar" style={{ width: layout.sidebarWidth }}>
-                <Sidebar entries={vault.entries} folders={vault.folders} views={vault.views} selection={effectiveSelection} onSelect={handleSetSelection} onSelectNote={notes.handleSelectNote} onSelectFavorite={handleOpenFavorite} onReorderFavorites={entryActions.handleReorderFavorites} onCreateType={notes.handleCreateNoteImmediate} onCreateNewType={dialogs.openCreateType} onCustomizeType={entryActions.handleCustomizeType} onUpdateTypeTemplate={entryActions.handleUpdateTypeTemplate} onReorderSections={entryActions.handleReorderSections} onRenameSection={entryActions.handleRenameSection} onToggleTypeVisibility={entryActions.handleToggleTypeVisibility} onCreateFolder={handleCreateFolder} onRenameFolder={folderActions.renameFolder} onDeleteFolder={folderActions.requestDeleteFolder} folderFileActions={fileActions.folderActions} renamingFolderPath={folderActions.renamingFolderPath} onStartRenameFolder={folderActions.startFolderRename} onCancelRenameFolder={folderActions.cancelFolderRename} onCreateView={dialogs.openCreateView} onEditView={handleEditView} onDeleteView={handleDeleteView} onReorderViews={viewOrdering.onReorderViews} showInbox={explicitOrganizationEnabled} inboxCount={inboxCount} locale={appLocale} />
+                <Sidebar entries={vault.entries} folders={vault.folders} views={vault.views} selection={effectiveSelection} onSelect={handleSetSelection} onSelectNote={notes.handleSelectNote} onSelectFavorite={handleOpenFavorite} onReorderFavorites={entryActions.handleReorderFavorites} onCreateType={notes.handleCreateNoteImmediate} onCreateNewType={dialogs.openCreateType} onCustomizeType={entryActions.handleCustomizeType} onUpdateTypeTemplate={entryActions.handleUpdateTypeTemplate} onReorderSections={entryActions.handleReorderSections} onRenameSection={entryActions.handleRenameSection} onToggleTypeVisibility={entryActions.handleToggleTypeVisibility} onCreateFolder={handleCreateFolder} onRenameFolder={folderActions.renameFolder} onDeleteFolder={folderActions.requestDeleteFolder} folderFileActions={fileActions.folderActions} renamingFolderPath={folderActions.renamingFolderPath} onStartRenameFolder={folderActions.startFolderRename} onCancelRenameFolder={folderActions.cancelFolderRename} onCreateView={dialogs.openCreateView} onEditView={handleEditView} onDeleteView={handleDeleteView} onReorderViews={viewOrdering.onReorderViews} showInbox={explicitOrganizationEnabled} inboxCount={inboxCount} locale={appLocale} loading={isVaultContentLoading} />
               </div>
               <ResizeHandle onResize={layout.handleSidebarResize} />
             </>
@@ -1638,7 +1628,7 @@ function App() {
                 {effectiveSelection.kind === 'filter' && effectiveSelection.filter === 'pulse' ? (
                   <PulseView vaultPath={resolvedPath} onOpenNote={handlePulseOpenNote} sidebarCollapsed={!sidebarVisible} onExpandSidebar={() => handleSetViewMode('all')} locale={appLocale} />
                 ) : (
-                  <NoteList entries={vault.entries} selection={effectiveSelection} selectedNote={activeTab?.entry ?? null} noteListFilter={noteListFilter} onNoteListFilterChange={setNoteListFilter} inboxPeriod={inboxPeriod} modifiedFiles={vault.modifiedFiles} modifiedFilesError={vault.modifiedFilesError} getNoteStatus={vault.getNoteStatus} sidebarCollapsed={!sidebarVisible} onSelectNote={notes.handleSelectNote} onReplaceActiveTab={handleReplaceActiveTabWithQueuedDiff} onEnterNeighborhood={handleEnterNeighborhood} onCreateNote={notes.handleCreateNoteImmediate} onBulkOrganize={explicitOrganizationEnabled ? bulkActions.handleBulkOrganize : undefined} onBulkArchive={bulkActions.handleBulkArchive} onBulkDeletePermanently={deleteActions.handleBulkDeletePermanently} onUpdateTypeSort={notes.handleUpdateFrontmatter} onUpdateViewDefinition={handleUpdateViewDefinition} updateEntry={vault.updateEntry} onOpenInNewWindow={handleOpenEntryInNewWindow} onDiscardFile={handleDiscardFile} onOpenDeletedNote={handleOpenDeletedNote} allNotesNoteListProperties={vaultConfig.allNotes?.noteListProperties ?? null} onUpdateAllNotesNoteListProperties={handleUpdateAllNotesNoteListProperties} inboxNoteListProperties={vaultConfig.inbox?.noteListProperties ?? null} onUpdateInboxNoteListProperties={handleUpdateInboxNoteListProperties} views={vault.views} visibleNotesRef={visibleNotesRef} multiSelectionCommandRef={multiSelectionCommandRef} locale={appLocale} />
+                  <NoteList entries={vault.entries} selection={effectiveSelection} selectedNote={activeTab?.entry ?? null} loading={isVaultContentLoading} noteListFilter={noteListFilter} onNoteListFilterChange={setNoteListFilter} inboxPeriod={inboxPeriod} modifiedFiles={vault.modifiedFiles} modifiedFilesError={vault.modifiedFilesError} getNoteStatus={vault.getNoteStatus} sidebarCollapsed={!sidebarVisible} onSelectNote={notes.handleSelectNote} onReplaceActiveTab={handleReplaceActiveTabWithQueuedDiff} onEnterNeighborhood={handleEnterNeighborhood} onCreateNote={notes.handleCreateNoteImmediate} onBulkOrganize={explicitOrganizationEnabled ? bulkActions.handleBulkOrganize : undefined} onBulkArchive={bulkActions.handleBulkArchive} onBulkDeletePermanently={deleteActions.handleBulkDeletePermanently} onUpdateTypeSort={notes.handleUpdateFrontmatter} onUpdateViewDefinition={handleUpdateViewDefinition} updateEntry={vault.updateEntry} onOpenInNewWindow={handleOpenEntryInNewWindow} onDiscardFile={handleDiscardFile} onOpenDeletedNote={handleOpenDeletedNote} allNotesNoteListProperties={vaultConfig.allNotes?.noteListProperties ?? null} onUpdateAllNotesNoteListProperties={handleUpdateAllNotesNoteListProperties} inboxNoteListProperties={vaultConfig.inbox?.noteListProperties ?? null} onUpdateInboxNoteListProperties={handleUpdateInboxNoteListProperties} views={vault.views} visibleNotesRef={visibleNotesRef} multiSelectionCommandRef={multiSelectionCommandRef} locale={appLocale} />
                 )}
               </div>
               <ResizeHandle onResize={layout.handleNoteListResize} />
@@ -1648,6 +1638,7 @@ function App() {
             <Editor
               tabs={notes.tabs}
               activeTabPath={notes.activeTabPath}
+              isVaultLoading={isVaultContentLoading}
               entries={vault.entries}
               onNavigateWikilink={notes.handleNavigateWikilink}
               onLoadDiff={vault.loadDiff}
diff --git a/src/components/BreadcrumbBar.tsx b/src/components/BreadcrumbBar.tsx
index 434f7e1c..8d9c3808 100644
--- a/src/components/BreadcrumbBar.tsx
+++ b/src/components/BreadcrumbBar.tsx
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ interface BreadcrumbBarProps {
   /** Ref for direct DOM manipulation — avoids re-render on scroll. */
   barRef?: React.Ref<HTMLDivElement>
   locale?: AppLocale
+  loadingTitle?: boolean
 }
 
 const DISABLED_ICON_STYLE = { opacity: 0.4, cursor: 'not-allowed' } as const
@@ -615,6 +616,16 @@ function FilenameCrumb({ entry, locale = 'en', onRenameFilename }: Pick<Breadcru
   )
 }
 
+function BreadcrumbTitleSkeleton() {
+  return (
+    <span
+      aria-hidden="true"
+      data-testid="breadcrumb-title-skeleton"
+      className="h-4 w-36 animate-pulse rounded bg-muted"
+    />
+  )
+}
+
 function BreadcrumbActions({
   entry,
   showDiffToggle,
@@ -664,15 +675,18 @@ function BreadcrumbActions({
 function BreadcrumbTitle({
   entry,
   locale,
+  loadingTitle,
   onRenameFilename,
-}: Pick<BreadcrumbBarProps, 'entry' | 'locale' | 'onRenameFilename'>) {
+}: Pick<BreadcrumbBarProps, 'entry' | 'locale' | 'loadingTitle' | 'onRenameFilename'>) {
   const typeLabel = entry.isA ?? 'Note'
   return (
     <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 min-w-0 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
       <span className="shrink-0">{typeLabel}</span>
       <span className="shrink-0 text-border">›</span>
       <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-1 truncate">
-        <FilenameCrumb entry={entry} locale={locale} onRenameFilename={onRenameFilename} />
+        {loadingTitle
+          ? <BreadcrumbTitleSkeleton />
+          : <FilenameCrumb entry={entry} locale={locale} onRenameFilename={onRenameFilename} />}
       </div>
     </div>
   )
@@ -682,6 +696,7 @@ export const BreadcrumbBar = memo(function BreadcrumbBar({
   entry,
   barRef,
   locale = 'en',
+  loadingTitle = false,
   onRenameFilename,
   ...actionProps
 }: BreadcrumbBarProps) {
@@ -703,7 +718,12 @@ export const BreadcrumbBar = memo(function BreadcrumbBar({
         }}
       >
         <div className="breadcrumb-bar__title min-w-0">
-          <BreadcrumbTitle entry={entry} locale={locale} onRenameFilename={onRenameFilename} />
+          <BreadcrumbTitle
+            entry={entry}
+            locale={locale}
+            loadingTitle={loadingTitle}
+            onRenameFilename={onRenameFilename}
+          />
         </div>
         <div
           aria-hidden="true"
diff --git a/src/components/Editor.test.tsx b/src/components/Editor.test.tsx
index 77c22b5a..4d5c77c8 100644
--- a/src/components/Editor.test.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Editor.test.tsx
@@ -461,6 +461,26 @@ describe('Editor', () => {
     expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Delete this note' })).toBeInTheDocument()
   })
 
+  it('keeps editor chrome visible while active note content is loading', () => {
+    renderEditor({
+      tabs: [],
+      activeTabPath: mockEntry.path,
+      entries: [mockEntry],
+      inspectorCollapsed: false,
+      inspectorEntry: mockEntry,
+      inspectorContent: mockContent,
+    })
+
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('breadcrumb-filename-trigger')).toHaveTextContent('test')
+    expect(screen.getAllByText('Properties').length).toBeGreaterThan(0)
+    expect(screen.queryByText('Select a note to start editing')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId('blocknote-view')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+
+    const skeleton = screen.getByTestId('editor-content-skeleton')
+    expect(skeleton.closest('.editor-content-wrapper')).not.toBeNull()
+    expect(skeleton.closest('.editor-scroll-area')).not.toBeNull()
+  })
+
   it('hides the legacy title field for untitled draft notes', () => {
     const draftEntry: VaultEntry = {
       ...mockEntry,
diff --git a/src/components/Editor.tsx b/src/components/Editor.tsx
index ef1d85a3..fa5174ae 100644
--- a/src/components/Editor.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Editor.tsx
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ interface Tab {
 interface EditorProps {
   tabs: Tab[]
   activeTabPath: string | null
+  isVaultLoading?: boolean
   entries: VaultEntry[]
   onNavigateWikilink: (target: string) => void
   onUnsupportedAiPaste?: (message: string) => void
@@ -291,8 +292,10 @@ function useEditorFindCommand({
 
 function EditorLayout({
   tabs,
+  activeTabPath,
   activeTab,
   isLoadingNewTab,
+  isVaultLoading,
   entries,
   editor,
   diffMode,
@@ -353,8 +356,10 @@ function EditorLayout({
   locale,
 }: {
   tabs: Tab[]
+  activeTabPath: string | null
   activeTab: Tab | null
   isLoadingNewTab: boolean
+  isVaultLoading?: boolean
   entries: VaultEntry[]
   editor: ReturnType<typeof useCreateBlockNote>
   diffMode: boolean
@@ -415,11 +420,12 @@ function EditorLayout({
   locale?: AppLocale
 }) {
   const activeBinaryTab = activeTab?.entry.fileKind === 'binary' ? activeTab : null
+  const showEmptyState = tabs.length === 0 && activeTabPath === null && !isVaultLoading
 
   return (
     <div className="editor flex flex-col min-h-0 overflow-hidden bg-background text-foreground">
       <div className="flex flex-1 min-h-0">
-        {tabs.length === 0
+        {showEmptyState
           ? <EditorEmptyState locale={locale} />
           : activeBinaryTab
             ? (
@@ -432,7 +438,9 @@ function EditorLayout({
               )
             : <EditorContent
               activeTab={activeTab}
+              activeTabPath={activeTabPath}
               isLoadingNewTab={isLoadingNewTab}
+              isVaultLoading={isVaultLoading}
               entries={entries}
               editor={editor}
               diffMode={diffMode}
@@ -512,6 +520,7 @@ function EditorLayout({
 export const Editor = memo(function Editor(props: EditorProps) {
   const {
     tabs, activeTabPath, entries, onNavigateWikilink,
+    isVaultLoading,
     getNoteStatus,
     inspectorCollapsed, onToggleInspector, inspectorWidth,
     defaultAiAgent = DEFAULT_AI_AGENT, defaultAiAgentReadiness, defaultAiAgentReady = true,
@@ -527,8 +536,7 @@ export const Editor = memo(function Editor(props: EditorProps) {
     noteWidth, onToggleNoteWidth,
     onFileCreated, onFileModified, onVaultChanged,
     isConflicted, onKeepMine, onKeepTheirs,
-    flushPendingEditorContentRef, flushPendingRawContentRef, findInNoteRef,
-    locale,
+    flushPendingEditorContentRef, flushPendingRawContentRef, findInNoteRef, locale,
   } = props
 
   const {
@@ -566,8 +574,10 @@ export const Editor = memo(function Editor(props: EditorProps) {
   return (
     <EditorLayout
       tabs={tabs}
+      activeTabPath={props.activeTabPath}
       activeTab={activeTab}
       isLoadingNewTab={isLoadingNewTab}
+      isVaultLoading={isVaultLoading}
       entries={entries}
       editor={editor}
       diffMode={diffMode}
diff --git a/src/components/Sidebar.tsx b/src/components/Sidebar.tsx
index 9759625f..925a35ae 100644
--- a/src/components/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -21,6 +21,11 @@ import {
   TypesSection,
   ViewsSection,
 } from './sidebar/SidebarSections'
+import {
+  SidebarCreatableLoadingSection,
+  SidebarFavoritesLoadingSection,
+  SidebarTypesLoadingSection,
+} from './sidebar/SidebarLoadingSections'
 import { useSidebarTypeInteractions } from './sidebar/useSidebarTypeInteractions'
 import type { AppLocale } from '../lib/i18n'
 import type { FolderFileActions } from '../hooks/useFileActions'
@@ -56,6 +61,7 @@ interface SidebarProps {
   inboxCount?: number
   locale?: AppLocale
   onCollapse?: () => void
+  loading?: boolean
 }
 
 interface SidebarNavigationProps extends Pick<
@@ -82,6 +88,7 @@ interface SidebarNavigationProps extends Pick<
   | 'inboxCount'
   | 'onCreateNewType'
   | 'locale'
+  | 'loading'
 > {
   activeCount: number
   archivedCount: number
@@ -98,6 +105,248 @@ interface SidebarNavigationProps extends Pick<
   toggleVisibility: (type: string) => void
 }
 
+type SidebarFavoritesNavigationProps = Pick<
+  SidebarNavigationProps,
+  | 'loading'
+  | 'entries'
+  | 'selection'
+  | 'onSelect'
+  | 'onSelectFavorite'
+  | 'onReorderFavorites'
+  | 'groupCollapsed'
+  | 'toggleGroup'
+  | 'locale'
+>
+
+type SidebarViewsNavigationProps = Pick<
+  SidebarNavigationProps,
+  | 'loading'
+  | 'views'
+  | 'selection'
+  | 'onSelect'
+  | 'onCreateView'
+  | 'onEditView'
+  | 'onDeleteView'
+  | 'onReorderViews'
+  | 'groupCollapsed'
+  | 'toggleGroup'
+  | 'sensors'
+  | 'entries'
+  | 'locale'
+>
+
+type SidebarTypesNavigationProps = Pick<
+  SidebarNavigationProps,
+  | 'loading'
+  | 'visibleSections'
+  | 'allSectionGroups'
+  | 'sectionIds'
+  | 'sensors'
+  | 'handleDragEnd'
+  | 'sectionProps'
+  | 'groupCollapsed'
+  | 'toggleGroup'
+  | 'typeInteractions'
+  | 'isSectionVisible'
+  | 'toggleVisibility'
+  | 'onCreateNewType'
+  | 'locale'
+>
+
+type SidebarFoldersNavigationProps = Pick<
+  SidebarNavigationProps,
+  | 'loading'
+  | 'folders'
+  | 'selection'
+  | 'onSelect'
+  | 'onCreateFolder'
+  | 'onRenameFolder'
+  | 'onDeleteFolder'
+  | 'folderFileActions'
+  | 'renamingFolderPath'
+  | 'onStartRenameFolder'
+  | 'onCancelRenameFolder'
+  | 'groupCollapsed'
+  | 'toggleGroup'
+  | 'locale'
+>
+
+function SidebarFavoritesNavigation({
+  loading,
+  entries,
+  selection,
+  onSelect,
+  onSelectFavorite,
+  onReorderFavorites,
+  groupCollapsed,
+  toggleGroup,
+  locale,
+}: SidebarFavoritesNavigationProps) {
+  if (loading) {
+    return (
+      <SidebarFavoritesLoadingSection
+        collapsed={groupCollapsed.favorites}
+        locale={locale}
+        onToggle={() => toggleGroup('favorites')}
+      />
+    )
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <div className="border-b border-border">
+      <FavoritesSection
+        entries={entries}
+        selection={selection}
+        onSelect={onSelect}
+        onSelectNote={onSelectFavorite}
+        onReorder={onReorderFavorites}
+        collapsed={groupCollapsed.favorites}
+        locale={locale}
+        onToggle={() => toggleGroup('favorites')}
+      />
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
+function SidebarViewsNavigation({
+  loading,
+  views,
+  selection,
+  onSelect,
+  onCreateView,
+  onEditView,
+  onDeleteView,
+  onReorderViews,
+  groupCollapsed,
+  toggleGroup,
+  sensors,
+  entries,
+  locale,
+}: SidebarViewsNavigationProps) {
+  if (loading) {
+    return (
+      <SidebarCreatableLoadingSection
+        collapsed={groupCollapsed.views}
+        kind="views"
+        locale={locale}
+        onCreate={onCreateView}
+        onToggle={() => toggleGroup('views')}
+      />
+    )
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <ViewsSection
+      views={views ?? []}
+      selection={selection}
+      onSelect={onSelect}
+      collapsed={groupCollapsed.views}
+      onToggle={() => toggleGroup('views')}
+      onCreateView={onCreateView}
+      onEditView={onEditView}
+      onDeleteView={onDeleteView}
+      onReorderViews={onReorderViews}
+      sensors={sensors}
+      entries={entries}
+      locale={locale}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+function SidebarTypesNavigation({
+  loading,
+  visibleSections,
+  allSectionGroups,
+  sectionIds,
+  sensors,
+  handleDragEnd,
+  sectionProps,
+  groupCollapsed,
+  toggleGroup,
+  typeInteractions,
+  isSectionVisible,
+  toggleVisibility,
+  onCreateNewType,
+  locale,
+}: SidebarTypesNavigationProps) {
+  if (loading) {
+    return (
+      <SidebarTypesLoadingSection
+        collapsed={groupCollapsed.sections}
+        locale={locale}
+        onCreateNewType={onCreateNewType}
+        onToggle={() => toggleGroup('sections')}
+      />
+    )
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <TypesSection
+      visibleSections={visibleSections}
+      allSectionGroups={allSectionGroups}
+      sectionIds={sectionIds}
+      sensors={sensors}
+      handleDragEnd={handleDragEnd}
+      sectionProps={sectionProps}
+      collapsed={groupCollapsed.sections}
+      onToggle={() => toggleGroup('sections')}
+      showCustomize={typeInteractions.showCustomize}
+      setShowCustomize={typeInteractions.setShowCustomize}
+      isSectionVisible={isSectionVisible}
+      toggleVisibility={toggleVisibility}
+      onCreateNewType={onCreateNewType}
+      customizeRef={typeInteractions.customizeRef}
+      locale={locale}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+function SidebarFoldersNavigation({
+  loading,
+  folders,
+  selection,
+  onSelect,
+  onCreateFolder,
+  onRenameFolder,
+  onDeleteFolder,
+  folderFileActions,
+  renamingFolderPath,
+  onStartRenameFolder,
+  onCancelRenameFolder,
+  groupCollapsed,
+  toggleGroup,
+  locale,
+}: SidebarFoldersNavigationProps) {
+  if (loading) {
+    return (
+      <SidebarCreatableLoadingSection
+        collapsed={groupCollapsed.folders}
+        kind="folders"
+        locale={locale}
+        onToggle={() => toggleGroup('folders')}
+      />
+    )
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <FolderTree
+      folders={folders ?? []}
+      selection={selection}
+      onSelect={onSelect}
+      onCreateFolder={onCreateFolder}
+      onRenameFolder={onRenameFolder}
+      onDeleteFolder={onDeleteFolder}
+      folderFileActions={folderFileActions}
+      renamingFolderPath={renamingFolderPath}
+      onStartRenameFolder={onStartRenameFolder}
+      onCancelRenameFolder={onCancelRenameFolder}
+      collapsed={groupCollapsed.folders}
+      locale={locale}
+      onToggle={() => toggleGroup('folders')}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
 function SidebarNavigation({
   entries,
   selection,
@@ -120,6 +369,7 @@ function SidebarNavigation({
   showInbox = true,
   inboxCount = 0,
   locale = 'en',
+  loading = false,
   onCreateNewType,
   activeCount,
   archivedCount,
@@ -135,8 +385,8 @@ function SidebarNavigation({
   isSectionVisible,
   toggleVisibility,
 }: SidebarNavigationProps) {
-  const hasFavorites = entries.some((entry) => entry.favorite && !entry.archived)
-  const hasViews = views.length > 0 || !!onCreateView
+  const hasFavorites = loading || entries.some((entry) => entry.favorite && !entry.archived)
+  const hasViews = loading || views.length > 0 || !!onCreateView
 
   return (
     <nav className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto">
@@ -148,55 +398,56 @@ function SidebarNavigation({
         activeCount={activeCount}
         archivedCount={archivedCount}
         locale={locale}
+        loading={loading}
       />
       {hasFavorites && (
-        <div className="border-b border-border">
-          <FavoritesSection
-            entries={entries}
-            selection={selection}
-            onSelect={onSelect}
-            onSelectNote={onSelectFavorite}
-            onReorder={onReorderFavorites}
-            collapsed={groupCollapsed.favorites}
-            locale={locale}
-            onToggle={() => toggleGroup('favorites')}
-          />
-        </div>
+        <SidebarFavoritesNavigation
+          loading={loading}
+          entries={entries}
+          selection={selection}
+          onSelect={onSelect}
+          onSelectFavorite={onSelectFavorite}
+          onReorderFavorites={onReorderFavorites}
+          groupCollapsed={groupCollapsed}
+          toggleGroup={toggleGroup}
+          locale={locale}
+        />
       )}
       {hasViews && (
-        <ViewsSection
+        <SidebarViewsNavigation
+          loading={loading}
           views={views}
           selection={selection}
           onSelect={onSelect}
-          collapsed={groupCollapsed.views}
-          onToggle={() => toggleGroup('views')}
           onCreateView={onCreateView}
           onEditView={onEditView}
           onDeleteView={onDeleteView}
           onReorderViews={onReorderViews}
+          groupCollapsed={groupCollapsed}
+          toggleGroup={toggleGroup}
           sensors={sensors}
           entries={entries}
           locale={locale}
         />
       )}
-      <TypesSection
+      <SidebarTypesNavigation
+        loading={loading}
         visibleSections={visibleSections}
         allSectionGroups={allSectionGroups}
         sectionIds={sectionIds}
         sensors={sensors}
         handleDragEnd={handleDragEnd}
         sectionProps={sectionProps}
-        collapsed={groupCollapsed.sections}
-        onToggle={() => toggleGroup('sections')}
-        showCustomize={typeInteractions.showCustomize}
-        setShowCustomize={typeInteractions.setShowCustomize}
+        groupCollapsed={groupCollapsed}
+        toggleGroup={toggleGroup}
+        typeInteractions={typeInteractions}
         isSectionVisible={isSectionVisible}
         toggleVisibility={toggleVisibility}
         onCreateNewType={onCreateNewType}
-        customizeRef={typeInteractions.customizeRef}
         locale={locale}
       />
-      <FolderTree
+      <SidebarFoldersNavigation
+        loading={loading}
         folders={folders}
         selection={selection}
         onSelect={onSelect}
@@ -207,9 +458,9 @@ function SidebarNavigation({
         renamingFolderPath={renamingFolderPath}
         onStartRenameFolder={onStartRenameFolder}
         onCancelRenameFolder={onCancelRenameFolder}
-        collapsed={groupCollapsed.folders}
+        groupCollapsed={groupCollapsed}
+        toggleGroup={toggleGroup}
         locale={locale}
-        onToggle={() => toggleGroup('folders')}
       />
     </nav>
   )
@@ -251,6 +502,7 @@ export const Sidebar = memo(function Sidebar({
   locale = 'en',
   onCollapse,
   onCreateNewType,
+  loading = false,
 }: SidebarProps) {
   const { typeEntryMap, allSectionGroups, visibleSections, sectionIds } = useSidebarSections(entries)
   const { activeCount, archivedCount } = useEntryCounts(entries)
@@ -310,6 +562,7 @@ export const Sidebar = memo(function Sidebar({
         showInbox={showInbox}
         inboxCount={inboxCount}
         locale={locale}
+        loading={loading}
         onCreateNewType={onCreateNewType}
         activeCount={activeCount}
         archivedCount={archivedCount}
diff --git a/src/components/SidebarParts.tsx b/src/components/SidebarParts.tsx
index 41ab0091..4d485b90 100644
--- a/src/components/SidebarParts.tsx
+++ b/src/components/SidebarParts.tsx
@@ -118,21 +118,35 @@ export function SidebarCountPill({
   )
 }
 
+export function SidebarLoadingCountPill({ compact, testId = 'sidebar-count-skeleton' }: { compact?: boolean; testId?: string }) {
+  return (
+    <span
+      aria-hidden="true"
+      data-testid={testId}
+      className="inline-flex animate-pulse rounded-full bg-muted"
+      style={{ width: compact ? 22 : 28, height: compact ? 18 : 20 }}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
 function NavItemLabel({ label, compact }: { label: string; compact?: boolean }) {
   return <span className={cn("flex-1 font-medium", getNavItemTextClass(compact))}>{label}</span>
 }
 
 function NavItemCount({
   count,
+  countLoading,
   className,
   style,
   compact,
 }: {
   count?: number
+  countLoading?: boolean
   className?: string
   style?: React.CSSProperties
   compact?: boolean
 }) {
+  if (countLoading) return <SidebarLoadingCountPill compact={compact} />
   if (!hasSidebarCount(count)) return null
   return (
     <SidebarCountPill
@@ -172,6 +186,7 @@ function ClickableNavItem({
   emoji,
   label,
   count,
+  countLoading,
   isActive,
   activeClassName,
   badgeClassName,
@@ -186,6 +201,7 @@ function ClickableNavItem({
   emoji?: string | null
   label: string
   count?: number
+  countLoading?: boolean
   isActive?: boolean
   activeClassName: string
   badgeClassName?: string
@@ -206,6 +222,7 @@ function ClickableNavItem({
       <NavItemLabel label={label} compact={compact} />
       <NavItemCount
         count={count}
+        countLoading={countLoading}
         className={resolveBadgeClassName(isActive, activeBadgeClassName, badgeClassName)}
         style={resolveBadgeStyle(isActive, activeBadgeClassName, activeBadgeStyle, badgeStyle)}
         compact={compact}
@@ -214,11 +231,12 @@ function ClickableNavItem({
   )
 }
 
-export function NavItem({ icon: Icon, emoji, label, count, isActive, activeClassName = 'bg-primary/10 text-primary', badgeClassName, badgeStyle, activeBadgeClassName, activeBadgeStyle, onClick, disabled, disabledTooltip, compact }: {
+export function NavItem({ icon: Icon, emoji, label, count, countLoading, isActive, activeClassName = 'bg-primary/10 text-primary', badgeClassName, badgeStyle, activeBadgeClassName, activeBadgeStyle, onClick, disabled, disabledTooltip, compact }: {
   icon: ComponentType<IconProps>
   emoji?: string | null
   label: string
   count?: number
+  countLoading?: boolean
   isActive?: boolean
   activeClassName?: string
   badgeClassName?: string
@@ -230,7 +248,7 @@ export function NavItem({ icon: Icon, emoji, label, count, isActive, activeClass
   disabledTooltip?: string
   compact?: boolean
 }) {
-  const padding = getNavItemPadding(compact, hasSidebarCount(count))
+  const padding = getNavItemPadding(compact, countLoading || hasSidebarCount(count))
   if (disabled) {
     return (
       <DisabledNavItem
@@ -250,6 +268,7 @@ export function NavItem({ icon: Icon, emoji, label, count, isActive, activeClass
       emoji={emoji}
       label={label}
       count={count}
+      countLoading={countLoading}
       isActive={isActive}
       activeClassName={activeClassName}
       badgeClassName={badgeClassName}
diff --git a/src/components/editor-content/EditorContentLayout.tsx b/src/components/editor-content/EditorContentLayout.tsx
index f056c56d..0ffdf417 100644
--- a/src/components/editor-content/EditorContentLayout.tsx
+++ b/src/components/editor-content/EditorContentLayout.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import type React from 'react'
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef } from 'react'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 import { translate, type AppLocale } from '../../lib/i18n'
+import type { VaultEntry } from '../../types'
 import { dispatchEditorFindAvailability } from '../../utils/editorFindEvents'
 import { DiffView } from '../DiffView'
 import { BreadcrumbBar } from '../BreadcrumbBar'
@@ -38,9 +39,43 @@ type BreadcrumbActions = Pick<
   | 'onToggleNoteWidth'
 >
 
+const LOADING_BREADCRUMB_ENTRY: VaultEntry = {
+  path: '',
+  filename: 'loading.md',
+  title: '',
+  isA: 'Note',
+  aliases: [],
+  belongsTo: [],
+  relatedTo: [],
+  status: null,
+  archived: false,
+  modifiedAt: null,
+  createdAt: null,
+  fileSize: 0,
+  snippet: '',
+  wordCount: 0,
+  relationships: {},
+  icon: null,
+  color: null,
+  order: null,
+  sidebarLabel: null,
+  template: null,
+  sort: null,
+  view: null,
+  visible: true,
+  organized: false,
+  favorite: false,
+  favoriteIndex: null,
+  listPropertiesDisplay: [],
+  outgoingLinks: [],
+  properties: {},
+  hasH1: false,
+  fileKind: 'markdown',
+}
+
 function EditorLoadingSkeleton() {
   return (
-    <div className="flex flex-1 flex-col gap-3 p-8 animate-pulse" style={{ minHeight: 0 }}>
+    <div data-testid="editor-content-skeleton" className="flex flex-1 flex-col gap-3 py-5 animate-pulse" style={{ minHeight: 0 }}>
       <div className="h-6 w-2/5 rounded bg-muted" />
       <div className="h-4 w-4/5 rounded bg-muted" />
       <div className="h-4 w-3/5 rounded bg-muted" />
@@ -50,6 +85,16 @@ function EditorLoadingSkeleton() {
   )
 }
 
+function EditorLoadingCanvas({ cssVars }: Pick<EditorContentModel, 'cssVars'>) {
+  return (
+    <div className="editor-scroll-area" style={cssVars as React.CSSProperties}>
+      <div className="editor-content-wrapper">
+        <EditorLoadingSkeleton />
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
 function DiffModeView({ diffContent, locale = 'en', onToggleDiff }: { diffContent: string | null; locale?: AppLocale; onToggleDiff: () => void }) {
   const label = translate(locale, 'editor.toolbar.rawReturn')
 
@@ -117,6 +162,7 @@ function ActiveTabBreadcrumb({
   path,
   actions,
   locale,
+  loadingTitle,
 }: {
   activeTab: NonNullable<EditorContentModel['activeTab']>
   barRef: React.RefObject<HTMLDivElement | null>
@@ -124,12 +170,14 @@ function ActiveTabBreadcrumb({
   path: string
   actions: BreadcrumbActions
   locale?: AppLocale
+  loadingTitle?: boolean
 }) {
   return (
     <BreadcrumbBar
       entry={activeTab.entry}
       wordCount={wordCount}
       barRef={barRef}
+      loadingTitle={loadingTitle}
       showDiffToggle={actions.showDiffToggle}
       diffMode={actions.diffMode}
       diffLoading={actions.diffLoading}
@@ -156,6 +204,106 @@ function ActiveTabBreadcrumb({
   )
 }
 
+function EditorLoadingBreadcrumb({
+  actions,
+  barRef,
+  locale,
+}: {
+  actions: BreadcrumbActions
+  barRef: React.RefObject<HTMLDivElement | null>
+  locale?: AppLocale
+}) {
+  return (
+    <BreadcrumbBar
+      entry={LOADING_BREADCRUMB_ENTRY}
+      wordCount={0}
+      barRef={barRef}
+      loadingTitle
+      showDiffToggle={false}
+      diffMode={false}
+      diffLoading={false}
+      onToggleDiff={actions.onToggleDiff}
+      rawMode={false}
+      forceRawMode={false}
+      showAIChat={actions.showAIChat}
+      onToggleAIChat={actions.onToggleAIChat}
+      inspectorCollapsed={actions.inspectorCollapsed}
+      onToggleInspector={actions.onToggleInspector}
+      noteWidth={actions.noteWidth}
+      onToggleNoteWidth={actions.onToggleNoteWidth}
+      locale={locale}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+function buildBreadcrumbActions(model: EditorContentModel): BreadcrumbActions {
+  return {
+    diffMode: model.diffMode,
+    diffLoading: model.diffLoading,
+    onToggleDiff: model.onToggleDiff,
+    effectiveRawMode: model.effectiveRawMode,
+    onToggleRaw: model.onToggleRaw,
+    forceRawMode: model.forceRawMode,
+    showAIChat: model.showAIChat,
+    onToggleAIChat: model.onToggleAIChat,
+    inspectorCollapsed: model.inspectorCollapsed,
+    onToggleInspector: model.onToggleInspector,
+    showDiffToggle: model.showDiffToggle,
+    onToggleFavorite: model.onToggleFavorite,
+    onToggleOrganized: model.onToggleOrganized,
+    onRevealFile: model.onRevealFile,
+    onCopyFilePath: model.onCopyFilePath,
+    onDeleteNote: model.onDeleteNote,
+    onArchiveNote: model.onArchiveNote,
+    onUnarchiveNote: model.onUnarchiveNote,
+    onRenameFilename: model.onRenameFilename,
+    noteWidth: model.noteWidth,
+    onToggleNoteWidth: model.onToggleNoteWidth,
+  }
+}
+
+function EditorBreadcrumbArea({
+  actions,
+  barRef,
+  chromePath,
+  chromeTab,
+  chromeWordCount,
+  isVaultLoading,
+  locale,
+}: {
+  actions: BreadcrumbActions
+  barRef: React.RefObject<HTMLDivElement | null>
+  chromePath: string
+  chromeTab: EditorContentModel['activeTab'] | EditorContentModel['loadingTab']
+  chromeWordCount: number
+  isVaultLoading?: boolean
+  locale?: AppLocale
+}) {
+  if (chromeTab) {
+    return (
+      <ActiveTabBreadcrumb
+        activeTab={chromeTab}
+        barRef={barRef}
+        wordCount={chromeWordCount}
+        path={chromePath}
+        locale={locale}
+        loadingTitle={isVaultLoading}
+        actions={actions}
+      />
+    )
+  }
+
+  if (!isVaultLoading) return null
+
+  return (
+    <EditorLoadingBreadcrumb
+      actions={actions}
+      barRef={barRef}
+      locale={locale}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
 function EditorChrome({
   isArchived,
   onUnarchiveNote,
@@ -262,6 +410,7 @@ function EditorFindScope({
 export function EditorContentLayout(model: EditorContentModel) {
   const {
     activeTab,
+    loadingTab,
     isLoadingNewTab,
     entries,
     editor,
@@ -290,87 +439,69 @@ export function EditorContentLayout(model: EditorContentModel) {
     noteWidth,
     findRequest,
     locale,
+    isVaultLoading,
   } = model
   const rootClassName = cn(
     'flex flex-1 flex-col min-w-0 min-h-0',
     noteWidth === 'wide' ? 'editor-content-width--wide' : 'editor-content-width--normal',
   )
-
-  if (!activeTab) {
-    return (
-      <div className={rootClassName}>
-        {isLoadingNewTab && showEditor && <EditorLoadingSkeleton />}
-      </div>
-    )
-  }
+  const chromeTab = activeTab ?? loadingTab
+  const chromePath = chromeTab?.entry.path ?? path
+  const chromeWordCount = activeTab ? wordCount : 0
+  const showActiveContent = activeTab && !isVaultLoading
+  const showLoadingContent = isVaultLoading || (isLoadingNewTab && showEditor)
+  const breadcrumbActions = buildBreadcrumbActions(model)
 
   return (
     <div className={rootClassName}>
-      <ActiveTabBreadcrumb
-        activeTab={activeTab}
+      <EditorBreadcrumbArea
+        actions={breadcrumbActions}
         barRef={breadcrumbBarRef}
-        wordCount={wordCount}
-        path={path}
-        locale={locale}
-        actions={{
-          diffMode: model.diffMode,
-          diffLoading: model.diffLoading,
-          onToggleDiff: model.onToggleDiff,
-          effectiveRawMode: model.effectiveRawMode,
-          onToggleRaw: model.onToggleRaw,
-          forceRawMode: model.forceRawMode,
-          showAIChat: model.showAIChat,
-          onToggleAIChat: model.onToggleAIChat,
-          inspectorCollapsed: model.inspectorCollapsed,
-          onToggleInspector: model.onToggleInspector,
-          showDiffToggle: model.showDiffToggle,
-          onToggleFavorite: model.onToggleFavorite,
-          onToggleOrganized: model.onToggleOrganized,
-          onRevealFile: model.onRevealFile,
-          onCopyFilePath: model.onCopyFilePath,
-          onDeleteNote: model.onDeleteNote,
-          onArchiveNote: model.onArchiveNote,
-          onUnarchiveNote: model.onUnarchiveNote,
-          onRenameFilename: model.onRenameFilename,
-          noteWidth: model.noteWidth,
-          onToggleNoteWidth: model.onToggleNoteWidth,
-        }}
-      />
-      <EditorChrome
-        isArchived={isArchived}
-        onUnarchiveNote={onUnarchiveNote}
-        path={path}
-        isConflicted={isConflicted}
-        onKeepMine={onKeepMine}
-        onKeepTheirs={onKeepTheirs}
-        diffMode={diffMode}
-        diffContent={diffContent}
-        onToggleDiff={onToggleDiff}
+        chromePath={chromePath}
+        chromeTab={chromeTab}
+        chromeWordCount={chromeWordCount}
+        isVaultLoading={isVaultLoading}
         locale={locale}
       />
-      <RawModeEditorSection
-        activeTab={activeTab}
-        entries={entries}
-        findRequest={findRequest}
-        rawMode={effectiveRawMode}
-        rawModeContent={rawModeContent}
-        onRawContentChange={onRawContentChange}
-        onSave={onSave}
-        rawLatestContentRef={rawLatestContentRef}
-        vaultPath={vaultPath}
-        locale={locale}
-      />
-      <EditorCanvas
-        showEditor={showEditor}
-        cssVars={cssVars}
-        vaultPath={vaultPath}
-        editor={editor}
-        entries={entries}
-        onNavigateWikilink={onNavigateWikilink}
-        onEditorChange={onEditorChange}
-        isDeletedPreview={isDeletedPreview}
-      />
-      {isLoadingNewTab && showEditor && <EditorLoadingSkeleton />}
+      {showActiveContent && (
+        <>
+          <EditorChrome
+            isArchived={isArchived}
+            onUnarchiveNote={onUnarchiveNote}
+            path={path}
+            isConflicted={isConflicted}
+            onKeepMine={onKeepMine}
+            onKeepTheirs={onKeepTheirs}
+            diffMode={diffMode}
+            diffContent={diffContent}
+            onToggleDiff={onToggleDiff}
+            locale={locale}
+          />
+          <RawModeEditorSection
+            activeTab={activeTab}
+            entries={entries}
+            findRequest={findRequest}
+            rawMode={effectiveRawMode}
+            rawModeContent={rawModeContent}
+            onRawContentChange={onRawContentChange}
+            onSave={onSave}
+            rawLatestContentRef={rawLatestContentRef}
+            vaultPath={vaultPath}
+            locale={locale}
+          />
+          <EditorCanvas
+            showEditor={showEditor}
+            cssVars={cssVars}
+            vaultPath={vaultPath}
+            editor={editor}
+            entries={entries}
+            onNavigateWikilink={onNavigateWikilink}
+            onEditorChange={onEditorChange}
+            isDeletedPreview={isDeletedPreview}
+          />
+        </>
+      )}
+      {showLoadingContent && <EditorLoadingCanvas cssVars={cssVars} />}
     </div>
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/components/editor-content/useEditorContentModel.ts b/src/components/editor-content/useEditorContentModel.ts
index 3c85b0c6..f6df6a97 100644
--- a/src/components/editor-content/useEditorContentModel.ts
+++ b/src/components/editor-content/useEditorContentModel.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,9 @@ export interface Tab {
 
 export interface EditorContentProps {
   activeTab: Tab | null
+  activeTabPath: string | null
   isLoadingNewTab: boolean
+  isVaultLoading?: boolean
   entries: VaultEntry[]
   editor: ReturnType<typeof useCreateBlockNote>
   diffMode: boolean
@@ -56,6 +58,7 @@ export interface EditorContentProps {
 export function useEditorContentModel(props: EditorContentProps) {
   const {
     activeTab,
+    activeTabPath,
     entries,
     rawMode,
     diffMode,
@@ -77,6 +80,10 @@ export function useEditorContentModel(props: EditorContentProps) {
     activeStatus: props.activeStatus,
   })
   const showEditor = !diffMode && showContentEditor
+  const loadingEntry = !activeTab && activeTabPath
+    ? entries.find((entry) => entry.path === activeTabPath) ?? null
+    : null
+  const loadingTab = loadingEntry ? { entry: loadingEntry, content: '' } : null
 
   const breadcrumbBarRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null)
 
@@ -88,6 +95,7 @@ export function useEditorContentModel(props: EditorContentProps) {
     effectiveRawMode,
     forceRawMode: isNonMarkdownText || isDeletedPreview,
     showEditor,
+    loadingTab,
     path,
     breadcrumbBarRef,
     wordCount,
diff --git a/src/components/note-list/NoteListLayout.tsx b/src/components/note-list/NoteListLayout.tsx
index 02cb17bc..04cabc0e 100644
--- a/src/components/note-list/NoteListLayout.tsx
+++ b/src/components/note-list/NoteListLayout.tsx
@@ -8,6 +8,57 @@ type NoteListLayoutProps = ReturnType<typeof useNoteListModel> & {
   handleBulkOrganize?: () => void
 }
 
+const NOTE_LIST_LOADING_ROWS = [
+  { title: 184, line: 254, selected: false },
+  { title: 142, line: 220, selected: true },
+  { title: 98, line: 242, selected: false },
+  { title: 212, line: 198, selected: false },
+]
+
+function NoteListLoadingBar({ width }: { width: number }) {
+  return <span aria-hidden="true" className="block h-4 rounded bg-muted" style={{ width }} />
+}
+
+function NoteListLoadingRow({
+  title,
+  line,
+  selected,
+}: {
+  title: number
+  line: number
+  selected: boolean
+}) {
+  return (
+    <div
+      className="border-b border-border"
+      style={{ padding: '12px 12px 10px', background: selected ? 'var(--accent-green-light)' : undefined }}
+    >
+      <div className="mb-3 flex items-start justify-between gap-3">
+        <NoteListLoadingBar width={title} />
+        <span aria-hidden="true" className="h-4 w-4 shrink-0 rounded bg-muted" />
+      </div>
+      <div className="flex flex-col gap-2">
+        <NoteListLoadingBar width={line} />
+        <NoteListLoadingBar width={Math.round(line * 0.72)} />
+      </div>
+      <div className="mt-3 flex items-center justify-between">
+        <NoteListLoadingBar width={44} />
+        <NoteListLoadingBar width={82} />
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
+function NoteListLoadingSkeleton() {
+  return (
+    <div data-testid="note-list-loading-skeleton" className="animate-pulse">
+      {NOTE_LIST_LOADING_ROWS.map((row, index) => (
+        <NoteListLoadingRow key={index} {...row} />
+      ))}
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
 function MultiSelectBar({
   multiSelect,
   isArchivedView,
@@ -47,6 +98,7 @@ function NoteListContent({
   searched,
   noteListVirtuosoRef,
   locale,
+  loading,
 }: Pick<
   NoteListLayoutProps,
   | 'entitySelection'
@@ -64,10 +116,13 @@ function NoteListContent({
   | 'searched'
   | 'noteListVirtuosoRef'
   | 'locale'
+  | 'loading'
 >) {
   return (
     <div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden" style={{ minHeight: 0 }}>
-      {entitySelection ? (
+      {loading ? (
+        <NoteListLoadingSkeleton />
+      ) : entitySelection ? (
         <EntityView
           entity={entitySelection.entry}
           groups={searchedGroups}
@@ -121,6 +176,7 @@ function NoteListBody({
   noteListFilter,
   filterCounts,
   onNoteListFilterChange,
+  loading,
 }: Pick<
   NoteListLayoutProps,
   | 'handleListKeyDown'
@@ -147,6 +203,7 @@ function NoteListBody({
   | 'noteListFilter'
   | 'filterCounts'
   | 'onNoteListFilterChange'
+  | 'loading'
 >) {
   return (
     <div
@@ -176,6 +233,7 @@ function NoteListBody({
         searched={searched}
         noteListVirtuosoRef={noteListVirtuosoRef}
         locale={locale}
+        loading={loading}
       />
       {showFilterPills && (
         <FilterPills
diff --git a/src/components/note-list/useNoteListModel.tsx b/src/components/note-list/useNoteListModel.tsx
index 05e76e32..26b27876 100644
--- a/src/components/note-list/useNoteListModel.tsx
+++ b/src/components/note-list/useNoteListModel.tsx
@@ -437,6 +437,7 @@ export interface NoteListProps {
   entries: VaultEntry[]
   selection: SidebarSelection
   selectedNote: VaultEntry | null
+  loading?: boolean
   noteListFilter: NoteListFilter
   onNoteListFilterChange: (filter: NoteListFilter) => void
   inboxPeriod?: InboxPeriod
@@ -471,6 +472,7 @@ function buildNoteListLayoutModel(params: {
   selection: SidebarSelection
   views?: ViewFile[]
   sidebarCollapsed?: boolean
+  loading: boolean
   modifiedFilesError?: string | null
   noteListFilter: NoteListFilter
   filterCounts: ReturnType<typeof useFilterCounts>
@@ -487,6 +489,7 @@ function buildNoteListLayoutModel(params: {
 }) {
   return {
     title: resolveHeaderTitle(params.selection, params.content.typeDocument, params.views, params.locale),
+    loading: params.loading,
     locale: params.locale,
     typeDocument: params.content.typeDocument,
     isEntityView: params.content.isEntityView,
@@ -545,6 +548,7 @@ export function useNoteListModel({
   entries,
   selection,
   selectedNote,
+  loading = false,
   noteListFilter,
   onNoteListFilterChange,
   inboxPeriod = 'all',
@@ -663,6 +667,7 @@ export function useNoteListModel({
     selection,
     views,
     sidebarCollapsed,
+    loading,
     onOpenType: onReplaceActiveTab,
     modifiedFilesError,
     noteListFilter,
diff --git a/src/components/sidebar/SidebarLoadingSections.tsx b/src/components/sidebar/SidebarLoadingSections.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..44208c72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/sidebar/SidebarLoadingSections.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,277 @@
+import type { MouseEvent, ReactNode } from 'react'
+import { Folder, Funnel, Plus } from '@phosphor-icons/react'
+import { SlidersHorizontal } from 'lucide-react'
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
+import { translate, type AppLocale } from '../../lib/i18n'
+import { SidebarGroupHeader } from './SidebarGroupHeader'
+
+interface SidebarLoadingSectionsProps {
+  collapsed: boolean
+  locale?: AppLocale
+  onToggle: () => void
+}
+
+interface SidebarLoadingActionProps {
+  label: string
+  onClick?: () => void
+  testId?: string
+  children: ReactNode
+}
+
+interface SidebarLoadingRowProps {
+  icon?: ReactNode
+  iconColor?: string
+  labelWidth: number
+  showCount?: boolean
+}
+
+interface SidebarLoadingSectionProps extends SidebarLoadingSectionsProps {
+  label: string
+  rows: SidebarLoadingRowProps[]
+  testId: string
+  children?: ReactNode
+}
+
+interface CreatableLoadingSectionProps extends SidebarLoadingSectionsProps {
+  actionLabel: string
+  actionTestId?: string
+  label: string
+  onCreate?: () => void
+  rows: SidebarLoadingRowProps[]
+  testId: string
+}
+
+interface CreatableLoadingSectionConfig {
+  actionLabelKey: Parameters<typeof translate>[1]
+  actionTestId?: string
+  labelKey: Parameters<typeof translate>[1]
+  rows: SidebarLoadingRowProps[]
+  testId: string
+}
+
+const FAVORITE_ROWS = [
+  { iconColor: 'var(--accent-yellow)', labelWidth: 132 },
+  { iconColor: 'var(--accent-red)', labelWidth: 118 },
+]
+
+const VIEW_ROWS = [
+  { icon: <Funnel size={16} />, labelWidth: 118 },
+  { icon: <Funnel size={16} />, labelWidth: 146, showCount: true },
+]
+
+const TYPE_ROWS = [
+  { iconColor: 'var(--accent-red)', labelWidth: 72, showCount: true },
+  { iconColor: 'var(--accent-orange)', labelWidth: 92, showCount: true },
+  { iconColor: 'var(--accent-purple)', labelWidth: 104, showCount: true },
+  { iconColor: 'var(--accent-blue)', labelWidth: 126, showCount: true },
+  { iconColor: 'var(--accent-green)', labelWidth: 112, showCount: true },
+  { iconColor: 'var(--accent-yellow)', labelWidth: 96, showCount: true },
+]
+
+const FOLDER_ROWS = [
+  { icon: <Folder size={16} />, labelWidth: 118 },
+  { icon: <Folder size={16} />, labelWidth: 92 },
+]
+
+type CreatableLoadingSectionKind = 'views' | 'folders'
+
+const CREATABLE_LOADING_SECTIONS: Record<CreatableLoadingSectionKind, CreatableLoadingSectionConfig> = {
+  views: {
+    actionLabelKey: 'sidebar.action.createView',
+    labelKey: 'sidebar.group.views',
+    rows: VIEW_ROWS,
+    testId: 'sidebar-loading-views',
+  },
+  folders: {
+    actionLabelKey: 'sidebar.action.createFolder',
+    actionTestId: 'create-folder-btn',
+    labelKey: 'sidebar.group.folders',
+    rows: FOLDER_ROWS,
+    testId: 'sidebar-loading-folders',
+  },
+}
+
+interface ConfiguredCreatableLoadingSectionProps extends SidebarLoadingSectionsProps {
+  kind: CreatableLoadingSectionKind
+  onCreate?: () => void
+}
+
+function SidebarLoadingAction({
+  label,
+  onClick,
+  testId,
+  children,
+}: SidebarLoadingActionProps) {
+  const handleClick = onClick
+    ? (event: MouseEvent<HTMLButtonElement>) => {
+        event.stopPropagation()
+        onClick()
+      }
+    : undefined
+
+  return (
+    <Button
+      type="button"
+      variant="ghost"
+      size="icon-xs"
+      className="h-auto w-auto min-w-0 rounded-none p-0 text-muted-foreground hover:bg-transparent hover:text-foreground"
+      data-testid={testId}
+      title={label}
+      aria-label={label}
+      aria-disabled={onClick ? undefined : true}
+      onClick={handleClick}
+    >
+      {children}
+    </Button>
+  )
+}
+
+function SidebarLoadingIcon({ icon, iconColor }: Pick<SidebarLoadingRowProps, 'icon' | 'iconColor'>) {
+  if (icon) return <span className="shrink-0 text-muted-foreground">{icon}</span>
+
+  return (
+    <span
+      aria-hidden="true"
+      className="h-4 w-4 shrink-0 rounded-sm"
+      style={{ background: iconColor ?? 'var(--muted)' }}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+function SidebarLoadingBar({ width }: { width: number }) {
+  return (
+    <span
+      aria-hidden="true"
+      className="h-3.5 rounded bg-muted"
+      style={{ width }}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+function SidebarLoadingRow({
+  icon,
+  iconColor,
+  labelWidth,
+  showCount,
+}: SidebarLoadingRowProps) {
+  return (
+    <div
+      className="flex select-none items-center gap-2 rounded"
+      style={{ padding: '6px 8px 6px 16px', borderRadius: 4 }}
+    >
+      <SidebarLoadingIcon icon={icon} iconColor={iconColor} />
+      <div className="flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center">
+        <SidebarLoadingBar width={labelWidth} />
+      </div>
+      {showCount && <span aria-hidden="true" className="h-5 w-7 rounded-full bg-muted" />}
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
+function SidebarLoadingSection({
+  label,
+  collapsed,
+  onToggle,
+  rows,
+  testId,
+  children,
+}: SidebarLoadingSectionProps) {
+  return (
+    <div className="border-b border-border" data-testid={testId} style={{ padding: '0 6px' }}>
+      <SidebarGroupHeader label={label} collapsed={collapsed} onToggle={onToggle}>
+        {children}
+      </SidebarGroupHeader>
+      {!collapsed && (
+        <div className="flex flex-col gap-0.5 pb-2 animate-pulse" aria-hidden="true">
+          {rows.map((row, index) => (
+            <SidebarLoadingRow key={`${testId}-${index}`} {...row} />
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  )
+}
+
+export function SidebarFavoritesLoadingSection(props: SidebarLoadingSectionsProps) {
+  return (
+    <SidebarLoadingSection
+      {...props}
+      label={translate(props.locale ?? 'en', 'sidebar.group.favorites')}
+      rows={FAVORITE_ROWS}
+      testId="sidebar-loading-favorites"
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+export function SidebarCreatableLoadingSection({
+  kind,
+  onCreate,
+  ...props
+}: ConfiguredCreatableLoadingSectionProps) {
+  const config = CREATABLE_LOADING_SECTIONS[kind]
+  const locale = props.locale ?? 'en'
+  return (
+    <CreatableLoadingSection
+      {...props}
+      actionLabel={translate(locale, config.actionLabelKey)}
+      actionTestId={config.actionTestId}
+      label={translate(locale, config.labelKey)}
+      onCreate={onCreate}
+      rows={config.rows}
+      testId={config.testId}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
+function CreatableLoadingSection({
+  actionLabel,
+  actionTestId,
+  label,
+  onCreate,
+  rows,
+  testId,
+  ...props
+}: CreatableLoadingSectionProps) {
+  return (
+    <SidebarLoadingSection
+      {...props}
+      label={label}
+      rows={rows}
+      testId={testId}
+    >
+      {onCreate && (
+        <SidebarLoadingAction label={actionLabel} onClick={onCreate} testId={actionTestId}>
+          <Plus size={12} className="text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground" />
+        </SidebarLoadingAction>
+      )}
+    </SidebarLoadingSection>
+  )
+}
+
+export function SidebarTypesLoadingSection({
+  onCreateNewType,
+  ...props
+}: SidebarLoadingSectionsProps & {
+  onCreateNewType?: () => void
+}) {
+  const locale = props.locale ?? 'en'
+  return (
+    <SidebarLoadingSection
+      {...props}
+      label={translate(locale, 'sidebar.group.types')}
+      rows={TYPE_ROWS}
+      testId="sidebar-loading-types"
+    >
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
+        <SidebarLoadingAction label={translate(locale, 'sidebar.action.customizeSections')}>
+          <SlidersHorizontal size={12} className="text-muted-foreground" />
+        </SidebarLoadingAction>
+        {onCreateNewType && (
+          <SidebarLoadingAction label={translate(locale, 'sidebar.action.createType')} onClick={onCreateNewType} testId="create-type-btn">
+            <Plus size={12} className="text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground" />
+          </SidebarLoadingAction>
+        )}
+      </div>
+    </SidebarLoadingSection>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/src/components/sidebar/SidebarTopNav.tsx b/src/components/sidebar/SidebarTopNav.tsx
index a48bc2ea..c2a80b9c 100644
--- a/src/components/sidebar/SidebarTopNav.tsx
+++ b/src/components/sidebar/SidebarTopNav.tsx
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ interface SidebarTopNavProps {
   activeCount: number
   archivedCount: number
   locale?: AppLocale
+  loading?: boolean
 }
 
 export function SidebarTopNav({
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ export function SidebarTopNav({
   activeCount,
   archivedCount,
   locale = 'en',
+  loading = false,
 }: SidebarTopNavProps) {
   return (
     <div className="border-b border-border" data-testid="sidebar-top-nav" style={{ padding: '4px 6px' }}>
@@ -29,6 +31,7 @@ export function SidebarTopNav({
           icon={Tray}
           label={translate(locale, 'sidebar.nav.inbox')}
           count={inboxCount}
+          countLoading={loading}
           isActive={isSelectionActive(selection, { kind: 'filter', filter: 'inbox' })}
           badgeClassName="text-muted-foreground"
           badgeStyle={{ background: 'var(--muted)' }}
@@ -40,6 +43,7 @@ export function SidebarTopNav({
         icon={FileText}
         label={translate(locale, 'sidebar.nav.allNotes')}
         count={activeCount}
+        countLoading={loading}
         isActive={isSelectionActive(selection, { kind: 'filter', filter: 'all' })}
         badgeClassName="text-muted-foreground"
         badgeStyle={{ background: 'var(--muted)' }}
@@ -50,6 +54,7 @@ export function SidebarTopNav({
         icon={Archive}
         label={translate(locale, 'sidebar.nav.archive')}
         count={archivedCount}
+        countLoading={loading}
         isActive={isSelectionActive(selection, { kind: 'filter', filter: 'archived' })}
         badgeClassName="text-muted-foreground"
         badgeStyle={{ background: 'var(--muted)' }}
diff --git a/tests/smoke/vault-loading-skeleton.spec.ts b/tests/smoke/vault-loading-skeleton.spec.ts
index 63a6bf9d..0194a68a 100644
--- a/tests/smoke/vault-loading-skeleton.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/smoke/vault-loading-skeleton.spec.ts
@@ -99,8 +99,16 @@ async function installSlowVaultMock(page: Page): Promise<void> {
 }
 
 async function expectResponsiveShellWhileVaultLoads(page: Page): Promise<void> {
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('sidebar-loading-favorites')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 })
   await expect(page.getByTestId('vault-loading-skeleton')).not.toBeVisible()
-  await expect(page.getByText('Select a note to start editing')).toBeVisible()
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('sidebar-top-nav')).toContainText('Inbox')
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('sidebar-loading-views')).toBeVisible()
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('sidebar-loading-types')).toBeVisible()
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('sidebar-loading-folders')).toBeVisible()
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('note-list-loading-skeleton')).toBeVisible()
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('breadcrumb-title-skeleton')).toBeVisible()
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('editor-content-skeleton')).toBeVisible()
+  await expect(page.getByText('Select a note to start editing')).not.toBeVisible()
   await expect(page.getByTestId('status-vault-reloading')).toHaveAccessibleName('Reloading vault from disk')
 
   await sendShortcut(page, 'p', ['Control'])