diff --git a/src/__tests__/renderer/hooks/useMainKeyboardHandler.test.ts b/src/__tests__/renderer/hooks/useMainKeyboardHandler.test.ts
index 4de61be4..fc794684 100644
--- a/src/__tests__/renderer/hooks/useMainKeyboardHandler.test.ts
+++ b/src/__tests__/renderer/hooks/useMainKeyboardHandler.test.ts
@@ -378,6 +378,33 @@ describe('useMainKeyboardHandler', () => {
 			expect(mockSetSessions).toHaveBeenCalled();
 			expect(mockSetActiveFocus).toHaveBeenCalledWith('main');
 		});
+
+		it('should allow tab switcher shortcut (Alt+Cmd+T) when only overlays are open', () => {
+			const { result } = renderHook(() => useMainKeyboardHandler());
+
+			const mockSetTabSwitcherOpen = vi.fn();
+			result.current.keyboardHandlerRef.current = createMockContext({
+				hasOpenLayers: () => true, // Overlay is open (e.g., file preview)
+				hasOpenModal: () => false, // But no true modal
+				isTabShortcut: (_e: KeyboardEvent, actionId: string) => actionId === 'tabSwitcher',
+				setTabSwitcherOpen: mockSetTabSwitcherOpen,
+			});
+
+			act(() => {
+				window.dispatchEvent(
+					new KeyboardEvent('keydown', {
+						key: 't', // Alt key changes the key on macOS, but we use code
+						code: 'KeyT',
+						altKey: true,
+						metaKey: true,
+						bubbles: true,
+					})
+				);
+			});
+
+			// Alt+Cmd+T should open tab switcher even when file preview overlay is open
+			expect(mockSetTabSwitcherOpen).toHaveBeenCalledWith(true);
+		});
 	});
 
 	describe('navigation handlers delegation', () => {
diff --git a/src/renderer/hooks/keyboard/useMainKeyboardHandler.ts b/src/renderer/hooks/keyboard/useMainKeyboardHandler.ts
index c875ce70..695b01a0 100644
--- a/src/renderer/hooks/keyboard/useMainKeyboardHandler.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/hooks/keyboard/useMainKeyboardHandler.ts
@@ -120,6 +120,10 @@ export function useMainKeyboardHandler(): UseMainKeyboardHandlerReturn {
 					!e.shiftKey &&
 					!e.altKey &&
 					(keyLower === 't' || keyLower === 'w');
+				// Allow tab switcher shortcut (Alt+Cmd+T) even when file preview is open
+				// NOTE: Must use e.code for Alt key combos on macOS because e.key produces special characters
+				const isTabSwitcherShortcut =
+					e.altKey && (e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey) && !e.shiftKey && codeKeyLower === 't';
 
 				if (ctx.hasOpenModal()) {
 					// TRUE MODAL is open - block most shortcuts from App.tsx
@@ -139,7 +143,7 @@ export function useMainKeyboardHandler(): UseMainKeyboardHandlerReturn {
 					// Allow Cmd+Shift+[] to fall through to App.tsx handler
 					// (which will cycle right panel tabs when file tab is active)
 					// Also allow right panel tab shortcuts to switch tabs while overlay is open
-					// Also allow tab management shortcuts (Cmd+T/W) so user can create/close tabs from file preview
+					// Also allow tab management shortcuts (Cmd+T/W, Alt+Cmd+T tab switcher) from file preview
 					if (
 						!isCycleShortcut &&
 						!isLayoutShortcut &&
@@ -148,7 +152,8 @@ export function useMainKeyboardHandler(): UseMainKeyboardHandlerReturn {
 						!isSessionJumpShortcut &&
 						!isJumpToBottomShortcut &&
 						!isMarkdownToggleShortcut &&
-						!isTabManagementShortcut
+						!isTabManagementShortcut &&
+						!isTabSwitcherShortcut
 					) {
 						return;
 					}