diff --git a/templates/adsb_dashboard.html b/templates/adsb_dashboard.html
index 920d1e9..ac86a8a 100644
--- a/templates/adsb_dashboard.html
+++ b/templates/adsb_dashboard.html
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="{{ url_for('static', filename='css/adsb_dashboard.css') }}">
 </head>
 <body>
+    {% include 'partials/utility-bar.html' %}
+
     <div class="radar-bg"></div>
     <div class="scanline"></div>
 
diff --git a/templates/ais_dashboard.html b/templates/ais_dashboard.html
index 2c9e54b..5645c9c 100644
--- a/templates/ais_dashboard.html
+++ b/templates/ais_dashboard.html
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="{{ url_for('static', filename='css/responsive.css') }}">
 </head>
 <body>
+    {% include 'partials/utility-bar.html' %}
+
     <!-- Radar background effects -->
     <div class="radar-bg"></div>
     <div class="scanline"></div>
diff --git a/templates/index.html b/templates/index.html
index 0c79d2a..69964c9 100644
--- a/templates/index.html
+++ b/templates/index.html
@@ -6,6 +6,17 @@
     <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
     <title>iNTERCEPT // See the Invisible</title>
     <link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="/favicon.svg">
+    <!-- Check disclaimer BEFORE page renders to prevent flash of welcome page -->
+    <script>
+        if (localStorage.getItem('disclaimerAccepted') !== 'true') {
+            document.documentElement.classList.add('disclaimer-pending');
+        }
+    </script>
+    <style>
+        /* Hide welcome page when disclaimer hasn't been accepted yet */
+        .disclaimer-pending .welcome-overlay { display: none !important; }
+        .disclaimer-pending #disclaimerModal { display: flex !important; }
+    </style>
     <!-- Fonts - Conditional CDN/Local loading -->
     {% if offline_settings.fonts_source == 'local' %}
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="{{ url_for('static', filename='css/fonts-local.css') }}">
@@ -207,7 +218,7 @@
     </div>
 
     <!-- Disclaimer Modal -->
-    <div class="disclaimer-overlay" id="disclaimerModal" style="display: none;">
+    <div class="disclaimer-overlay" id="disclaimerModal">
         <div class="disclaimer-modal">
             <div class="warning-icon icon"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><path d="m21.73 18-8-14a2 2 0 0 0-3.48 0l-8 14A2 2 0 0 0 4 21h16a2 2 0 0 0 1.73-3Z"/><line x1="12" y1="9" x2="12" y2="13"/><line x1="12" y1="17" x2="12.01" y2="17"/></svg></div>
             <h2>DISCLAIMER</h2>
@@ -1899,21 +1910,24 @@
             const welcome = document.getElementById('welcomePage');
             welcome.classList.add('fade-out');
 
-            // After fade out, hide welcome and show disclaimer if needed
+            // After fade out, hide welcome and switch to mode
             setTimeout(() => {
                 welcome.style.display = 'none';
-                checkDisclaimer();
+                switchMode(mode);
             }, 400);
         }
 
-        // Disclaimer handling
+        // Disclaimer handling - called on page load
         function checkDisclaimer() {
             const accepted = localStorage.getItem('disclaimerAccepted');
             if (accepted === 'true') {
+                // Already accepted - ensure welcome page is shown, disclaimer hidden
+                document.documentElement.classList.remove('disclaimer-pending');
                 document.getElementById('disclaimerModal').style.display = 'none';
-                // Switch to the selected mode
-                switchMode(selectedStartMode);
+                document.getElementById('welcomePage').style.display = '';
             } else {
+                // Not accepted - show disclaimer, hide welcome page
+                document.documentElement.classList.add('disclaimer-pending');
                 document.getElementById('disclaimerModal').style.display = 'flex';
             }
         }
@@ -1921,9 +1935,13 @@
         function acceptDisclaimer() {
             localStorage.setItem('disclaimerAccepted', 'true');
             document.getElementById('disclaimerModal').classList.add('disclaimer-hidden');
-            // Switch to the selected mode after accepting
+
+            // Remove pending class and show welcome page after disclaimer fades out
             setTimeout(() => {
-                switchMode(selectedStartMode);
+                document.documentElement.classList.remove('disclaimer-pending');
+                document.getElementById('disclaimerModal').style.display = 'none';
+                document.getElementById('welcomePage').style.display = '';
+                document.getElementById('welcomePage').classList.remove('fade-out');
             }, 300);
         }
 
@@ -1932,7 +1950,29 @@
             document.getElementById('rejectionPage').classList.remove('disclaimer-hidden');
         }
 
-        // Don't auto-check disclaimer - wait for welcome page mode selection
+        // Check disclaimer on DOMContentLoaded
+        document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
+            checkDisclaimer();
+
+            // Handle URL parameters for settings/help (from dashboard utility bar)
+            const urlParams = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search);
+            if (urlParams.get('settings') === 'open') {
+                // Wait for page to initialize, then open settings
+                setTimeout(function() {
+                    if (typeof showSettings === 'function') showSettings();
+                }, 500);
+                // Clean up URL
+                history.replaceState({}, '', window.location.pathname);
+            }
+            if (urlParams.get('help') === 'open') {
+                // Wait for page to initialize, then open help
+                setTimeout(function() {
+                    if (typeof showHelp === 'function') showHelp();
+                }, 500);
+                // Clean up URL
+                history.replaceState({}, '', window.location.pathname);
+            }
+        });
 
         let eventSource = null;
         let isRunning = false;
diff --git a/templates/partials/utility-bar.html b/templates/partials/utility-bar.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a26da37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/partials/utility-bar.html
@@ -0,0 +1,221 @@
+<!-- Utility Bar - Shared navigation and controls for dashboard pages -->
+<div class="utility-bar">
+    <a href="/" class="utility-home" title="Back to Main Dashboard">
+        <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round">
+            <path d="M3 9l9-7 9 7v11a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2z"/>
+            <polyline points="9 22 9 12 15 12 15 22"/>
+        </svg>
+        <span>iNTERCEPT</span>
+    </a>
+    <div class="utility-controls">
+        <button class="utility-btn" onclick="toggleDashboardTheme()" title="Toggle Theme">
+            <svg class="icon-sun" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round">
+                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="5"/>
+                <line x1="12" y1="1" x2="12" y2="3"/>
+                <line x1="12" y1="21" x2="12" y2="23"/>
+                <line x1="4.22" y1="4.22" x2="5.64" y2="5.64"/>
+                <line x1="18.36" y1="18.36" x2="19.78" y2="19.78"/>
+                <line x1="1" y1="12" x2="3" y2="12"/>
+                <line x1="21" y1="12" x2="23" y2="12"/>
+                <line x1="4.22" y1="19.78" x2="5.64" y2="18.36"/>
+                <line x1="18.36" y1="5.64" x2="19.78" y2="4.22"/>
+            </svg>
+            <svg class="icon-moon" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round">
+                <path d="M21 12.79A9 9 0 1 1 11.21 3 7 7 0 0 0 21 12.79z"/>
+            </svg>
+        </button>
+        <button class="utility-btn" onclick="toggleDashboardAnimations()" title="Toggle Animations">
+            <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round">
+                <polygon points="5 3 19 12 5 21 5 3"/>
+            </svg>
+        </button>
+        <button class="utility-btn" onclick="showDashboardSettings()" title="Settings">
+            <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round">
+                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="3"/>
+                <path d="M19.4 15a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 .33 1.82l.06.06a2 2 0 0 1 0 2.83 2 2 0 0 1-2.83 0l-.06-.06a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1.82-.33 1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1 1.51V21a2 2 0 0 1-2 2 2 2 0 0 1-2-2v-.09A1.65 1.65 0 0 0 9 19.4a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1.82.33l-.06.06a2 2 0 0 1-2.83 0 2 2 0 0 1 0-2.83l.06-.06a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 .33-1.82 1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1.51-1H3a2 2 0 0 1-2-2 2 2 0 0 1 2-2h.09A1.65 1.65 0 0 0 4.6 9a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-.33-1.82l-.06-.06a2 2 0 0 1 0-2.83 2 2 0 0 1 2.83 0l.06.06a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1.82.33H9a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1-1.51V3a2 2 0 0 1 2-2 2 2 0 0 1 2 2v.09a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1 1.51 1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1.82-.33l.06-.06a2 2 0 0 1 2.83 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 2.83l-.06.06a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-.33 1.82V9a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1.51 1H21a2 2 0 0 1 2 2 2 2 0 0 1-2 2h-.09a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1.51 1z"/>
+            </svg>
+        </button>
+        <button class="utility-btn" onclick="showDashboardHelp()" title="Help">
+            <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round">
+                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10"/>
+                <path d="M9.09 9a3 3 0 0 1 5.83 1c0 2-3 3-3 3"/>
+                <line x1="12" y1="17" x2="12.01" y2="17"/>
+            </svg>
+        </button>
+    </div>
+</div>
+
+<style>
+    .utility-bar {
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+        justify-content: space-between;
+        padding: 0 15px;
+        height: 36px;
+        background: rgba(0, 20, 40, 0.9);
+        border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0, 200, 255, 0.2);
+        font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
+        font-size: 11px;
+    }
+
+    .utility-home {
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+        gap: 8px;
+        color: var(--accent-cyan, #00d4ff);
+        text-decoration: none;
+        font-weight: 600;
+        letter-spacing: 0.5px;
+        transition: color 0.2s;
+    }
+
+    .utility-home:hover {
+        color: #fff;
+    }
+
+    .utility-home svg {
+        width: 16px;
+        height: 16px;
+    }
+
+    .utility-controls {
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+        gap: 4px;
+    }
+
+    .utility-btn {
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+        justify-content: center;
+        width: 28px;
+        height: 28px;
+        background: transparent;
+        border: 1px solid rgba(0, 200, 255, 0.3);
+        border-radius: 4px;
+        color: var(--text-secondary, #8899aa);
+        cursor: pointer;
+        transition: all 0.2s;
+    }
+
+    .utility-btn:hover {
+        background: rgba(0, 200, 255, 0.1);
+        border-color: var(--accent-cyan, #00d4ff);
+        color: var(--accent-cyan, #00d4ff);
+    }
+
+    .utility-btn svg {
+        width: 14px;
+        height: 14px;
+    }
+
+    /* Theme toggle - show sun in dark mode, moon in light mode */
+    .utility-btn .icon-moon { display: none; }
+    .utility-btn .icon-sun { display: block; }
+
+    [data-theme="light"] .utility-btn .icon-moon { display: block; }
+    [data-theme="light"] .utility-btn .icon-sun { display: none; }
+
+    /* Animations toggle state indicator */
+    [data-animations="off"] .utility-btn[onclick*="Animations"] {
+        opacity: 0.5;
+    }
+
+    /* Light theme adjustments */
+    [data-theme="light"] .utility-bar {
+        background: rgba(240, 245, 250, 0.95);
+        border-bottom-color: rgba(0, 100, 150, 0.2);
+    }
+
+    [data-theme="light"] .utility-home {
+        color: #0066aa;
+    }
+
+    [data-theme="light"] .utility-btn {
+        border-color: rgba(0, 100, 150, 0.3);
+        color: #446688;
+    }
+
+    [data-theme="light"] .utility-btn:hover {
+        background: rgba(0, 100, 150, 0.1);
+        border-color: #0066aa;
+        color: #0066aa;
+    }
+
+    /* Responsive */
+    @media (max-width: 600px) {
+        .utility-home span {
+            display: none;
+        }
+    }
+</style>
+
+<script>
+    // Dashboard utility functions
+    (function() {
+        // Theme toggle
+        window.toggleDashboardTheme = function() {
+            const html = document.documentElement;
+            const currentTheme = html.getAttribute('data-theme');
+            const newTheme = currentTheme === 'light' ? 'dark' : 'light';
+
+            if (newTheme === 'dark') {
+                html.removeAttribute('data-theme');
+            } else {
+                html.setAttribute('data-theme', newTheme);
+            }
+
+            // Update maps to use appropriate tiles
+            if (typeof Settings !== 'undefined' && Settings.updateAllMaps) {
+                Settings.updateAllMaps();
+            }
+
+            localStorage.setItem('intercept-theme', newTheme);
+
+            // Sync to server
+            fetch('/settings', {
+                method: 'POST',
+                headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+                body: JSON.stringify({ theme: newTheme })
+            }).catch(err => console.warn('Failed to save theme:', err));
+        };
+
+        // Animations toggle
+        window.toggleDashboardAnimations = function() {
+            const html = document.documentElement;
+            const currentState = html.getAttribute('data-animations');
+            const newState = currentState === 'off' ? 'on' : 'off';
+
+            if (newState === 'on') {
+                html.removeAttribute('data-animations');
+            } else {
+                html.setAttribute('data-animations', newState);
+            }
+
+            localStorage.setItem('intercept-animations', newState);
+        };
+
+        // Settings - open main dashboard with settings open
+        window.showDashboardSettings = function() {
+            window.location.href = '/?settings=open';
+        };
+
+        // Help - open main dashboard with help open
+        window.showDashboardHelp = function() {
+            window.location.href = '/?help=open';
+        };
+
+        // Apply saved theme/animations on page load
+        (function() {
+            const theme = localStorage.getItem('intercept-theme');
+            if (theme === 'light') {
+                document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-theme', 'light');
+            }
+
+            const animations = localStorage.getItem('intercept-animations');
+            if (animations === 'off') {
+                document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-animations', 'off');
+            }
+        })();
+    })();
+</script>
diff --git a/templates/satellite_dashboard.html b/templates/satellite_dashboard.html
index 74d56a9..b16c5f2 100644
--- a/templates/satellite_dashboard.html
+++ b/templates/satellite_dashboard.html
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="{{ url_for('static', filename='css/satellite_dashboard.css') }}">
 </head>
 <body>
+    {% include 'partials/utility-bar.html' %}
+
     <div class="grid-bg"></div>
     <div class="scanline"></div>
 
