diff --git a/custom_components/houseplan/const.py b/custom_components/houseplan/const.py
index c091b0e..eb04be9 100755
--- a/custom_components/houseplan/const.py
+++ b/custom_components/houseplan/const.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ PLANS_DIR = "houseplan/plans"  # relative to the HA configuration directory
 FILES_URL = "/houseplan_files/files"
 FILES_DIR = "houseplan/files"
 CONF_ADMIN_ONLY = "admin_only"
-VERSION = "1.30.2"
+VERSION = "1.30.3"
 
 DEFAULT_CONFIG: dict = {
     "spaces": [],
diff --git a/custom_components/houseplan/frontend/houseplan-card.js b/custom_components/houseplan/frontend/houseplan-card.js
index 844106c..6879038 100755
--- a/custom_components/houseplan/frontend/houseplan-card.js
+++ b/custom_components/houseplan/frontend/houseplan-card.js
@@ -1380,7 +1380,7 @@ const t=globalThis,e=t.ShadowRoot&&(void 0===t.ShadyCSS||t.ShadyCSS.nativeShadow
               title=${this._t("title.zoom_reset")}><ha-icon icon="mdi:fit-to-page-outline"></ha-icon></button>
             <button class="btn zb" @click=${()=>this._stepZoom(1)} title=${this._t("title.zoom_in")}><ha-icon icon="mdi:plus"></ha-icon></button>
           </div>
-          ${this._norm&&"plan"===this._mode?H`<button class="btn" @click=${this._openSettingsDialog} title=${this._t("title.general_settings")}>
+          ${this._norm&&this._canEdit?H`<button class="btn" @click=${this._openSettingsDialog} title=${this._t("title.general_settings")}>
                 <ha-icon icon="mdi:cog-outline"></ha-icon>
               </button>`:W}
         </div>
@@ -1916,4 +1916,4 @@ const t=globalThis,e=t.ShadowRoot&&(void 0===t.ShadyCSS||t.ShadyCSS.nativeShadow
           </button>
         </div>
       </div>
-    </div>`}}Ii.properties={hass:{attribute:!1},_config:{state:!0},_space:{state:!0},_layout:{state:!0},_devices:{state:!0},_tip:{state:!0},_selId:{state:!0},_toast:{state:!0},_serverCfg:{state:!0},_mode:{state:!0},_tool:{state:!0},_path:{state:!0},_cursorPt:{state:!0},_mergeSel:{state:!0},_openingDialog:{state:!0},_openingInfo:{state:!0},_mergeDialog:{state:!0},_splitSel:{state:!0},_areaSel:{state:!0},_nameSel:{state:!0},_roomDialog:{state:!0},_spaceDialog:{state:!0},_infoCard:{state:!0},_rulesDialog:{state:!0},_settingsDialog:{state:!0},_importDialog:{state:!0},_markerDialog:{state:!0},_zoom:{state:!0},_view:{state:!0}},Ii.styles=mi,customElements.get("houseplan-card")||customElements.define("houseplan-card",Ii),window.customCards=window.customCards||[],window.customCards.find(t=>"houseplan-card"===t.type)||window.customCards.push({type:"houseplan-card",name:"House Plan Card",description:"Interactive house plan: spaces, rooms and devices with live states and drag layout."}),console.info("%c HOUSEPLAN-CARD %c v1.30.2 ","background:#3ea6ff;color:#04121f;font-weight:700","");
+    </div>`}}Ii.properties={hass:{attribute:!1},_config:{state:!0},_space:{state:!0},_layout:{state:!0},_devices:{state:!0},_tip:{state:!0},_selId:{state:!0},_toast:{state:!0},_serverCfg:{state:!0},_mode:{state:!0},_tool:{state:!0},_path:{state:!0},_cursorPt:{state:!0},_mergeSel:{state:!0},_openingDialog:{state:!0},_openingInfo:{state:!0},_mergeDialog:{state:!0},_splitSel:{state:!0},_areaSel:{state:!0},_nameSel:{state:!0},_roomDialog:{state:!0},_spaceDialog:{state:!0},_infoCard:{state:!0},_rulesDialog:{state:!0},_settingsDialog:{state:!0},_importDialog:{state:!0},_markerDialog:{state:!0},_zoom:{state:!0},_view:{state:!0}},Ii.styles=mi,customElements.get("houseplan-card")||customElements.define("houseplan-card",Ii),window.customCards=window.customCards||[],window.customCards.find(t=>"houseplan-card"===t.type)||window.customCards.push({type:"houseplan-card",name:"House Plan Card",description:"Interactive house plan: spaces, rooms and devices with live states and drag layout."}),console.info("%c HOUSEPLAN-CARD %c v1.30.3 ","background:#3ea6ff;color:#04121f;font-weight:700","");
diff --git a/custom_components/houseplan/manifest.json b/custom_components/houseplan/manifest.json
index 71c3e47..bb46c24 100755
--- a/custom_components/houseplan/manifest.json
+++ b/custom_components/houseplan/manifest.json
@@ -16,5 +16,5 @@
   "issue_tracker": "https://github.com/Matysh/houseplan-card/issues",
   "requirements": [],
   "single_config_entry": true,
-  "version": "1.30.2"
+  "version": "1.30.3"
 }
diff --git a/demo/smoke_gs_always.mjs b/demo/smoke_gs_always.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..881f90f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/demo/smoke_gs_always.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+import { launch } from './serve.mjs';
+const { page, browser } = await launch();
+const res = await page.evaluate(async () => {
+  const out = {};
+  const c = window.__card;
+  const sr = () => c.shadowRoot || c.renderRoot;
+  const gs = () => !!sr().querySelector('.head .btn[title="' + c._t('title.general_settings') + '"]');
+  out.view = gs();
+  c._setMode('plan'); await c.updateComplete; out.plan = gs();
+  c._setMode('devices'); await c.updateComplete; out.devices = gs();
+  c._setMode('view'); await c.updateComplete;
+  sr().querySelector('.head .btn[title="' + c._t('title.general_settings') + '"]').click();
+  await c.updateComplete;
+  out.opensInView = !!c._settingsDialog;
+  return out;
+});
+console.log(JSON.stringify(res));
+await browser.close();
diff --git a/demo/srv/assets/houseplan-card.js b/demo/srv/assets/houseplan-card.js
index 844106c..6879038 100755
--- a/demo/srv/assets/houseplan-card.js
+++ b/demo/srv/assets/houseplan-card.js
@@ -1380,7 +1380,7 @@ const t=globalThis,e=t.ShadowRoot&&(void 0===t.ShadyCSS||t.ShadyCSS.nativeShadow
               title=${this._t("title.zoom_reset")}><ha-icon icon="mdi:fit-to-page-outline"></ha-icon></button>
             <button class="btn zb" @click=${()=>this._stepZoom(1)} title=${this._t("title.zoom_in")}><ha-icon icon="mdi:plus"></ha-icon></button>
           </div>
-          ${this._norm&&"plan"===this._mode?H`<button class="btn" @click=${this._openSettingsDialog} title=${this._t("title.general_settings")}>
+          ${this._norm&&this._canEdit?H`<button class="btn" @click=${this._openSettingsDialog} title=${this._t("title.general_settings")}>
                 <ha-icon icon="mdi:cog-outline"></ha-icon>
               </button>`:W}
         </div>
@@ -1916,4 +1916,4 @@ const t=globalThis,e=t.ShadowRoot&&(void 0===t.ShadyCSS||t.ShadyCSS.nativeShadow
           </button>
         </div>
       </div>
-    </div>`}}Ii.properties={hass:{attribute:!1},_config:{state:!0},_space:{state:!0},_layout:{state:!0},_devices:{state:!0},_tip:{state:!0},_selId:{state:!0},_toast:{state:!0},_serverCfg:{state:!0},_mode:{state:!0},_tool:{state:!0},_path:{state:!0},_cursorPt:{state:!0},_mergeSel:{state:!0},_openingDialog:{state:!0},_openingInfo:{state:!0},_mergeDialog:{state:!0},_splitSel:{state:!0},_areaSel:{state:!0},_nameSel:{state:!0},_roomDialog:{state:!0},_spaceDialog:{state:!0},_infoCard:{state:!0},_rulesDialog:{state:!0},_settingsDialog:{state:!0},_importDialog:{state:!0},_markerDialog:{state:!0},_zoom:{state:!0},_view:{state:!0}},Ii.styles=mi,customElements.get("houseplan-card")||customElements.define("houseplan-card",Ii),window.customCards=window.customCards||[],window.customCards.find(t=>"houseplan-card"===t.type)||window.customCards.push({type:"houseplan-card",name:"House Plan Card",description:"Interactive house plan: spaces, rooms and devices with live states and drag layout."}),console.info("%c HOUSEPLAN-CARD %c v1.30.2 ","background:#3ea6ff;color:#04121f;font-weight:700","");
+    </div>`}}Ii.properties={hass:{attribute:!1},_config:{state:!0},_space:{state:!0},_layout:{state:!0},_devices:{state:!0},_tip:{state:!0},_selId:{state:!0},_toast:{state:!0},_serverCfg:{state:!0},_mode:{state:!0},_tool:{state:!0},_path:{state:!0},_cursorPt:{state:!0},_mergeSel:{state:!0},_openingDialog:{state:!0},_openingInfo:{state:!0},_mergeDialog:{state:!0},_splitSel:{state:!0},_areaSel:{state:!0},_nameSel:{state:!0},_roomDialog:{state:!0},_spaceDialog:{state:!0},_infoCard:{state:!0},_rulesDialog:{state:!0},_settingsDialog:{state:!0},_importDialog:{state:!0},_markerDialog:{state:!0},_zoom:{state:!0},_view:{state:!0}},Ii.styles=mi,customElements.get("houseplan-card")||customElements.define("houseplan-card",Ii),window.customCards=window.customCards||[],window.customCards.find(t=>"houseplan-card"===t.type)||window.customCards.push({type:"houseplan-card",name:"House Plan Card",description:"Interactive house plan: spaces, rooms and devices with live states and drag layout."}),console.info("%c HOUSEPLAN-CARD %c v1.30.3 ","background:#3ea6ff;color:#04121f;font-weight:700","");
diff --git a/dist/houseplan-card.js b/dist/houseplan-card.js
index 844106c..6879038 100755
--- a/dist/houseplan-card.js
+++ b/dist/houseplan-card.js
@@ -1380,7 +1380,7 @@ const t=globalThis,e=t.ShadowRoot&&(void 0===t.ShadyCSS||t.ShadyCSS.nativeShadow
               title=${this._t("title.zoom_reset")}><ha-icon icon="mdi:fit-to-page-outline"></ha-icon></button>
             <button class="btn zb" @click=${()=>this._stepZoom(1)} title=${this._t("title.zoom_in")}><ha-icon icon="mdi:plus"></ha-icon></button>
           </div>
-          ${this._norm&&"plan"===this._mode?H`<button class="btn" @click=${this._openSettingsDialog} title=${this._t("title.general_settings")}>
+          ${this._norm&&this._canEdit?H`<button class="btn" @click=${this._openSettingsDialog} title=${this._t("title.general_settings")}>
                 <ha-icon icon="mdi:cog-outline"></ha-icon>
               </button>`:W}
         </div>
@@ -1916,4 +1916,4 @@ const t=globalThis,e=t.ShadowRoot&&(void 0===t.ShadyCSS||t.ShadyCSS.nativeShadow
           </button>
         </div>
       </div>
-    </div>`}}Ii.properties={hass:{attribute:!1},_config:{state:!0},_space:{state:!0},_layout:{state:!0},_devices:{state:!0},_tip:{state:!0},_selId:{state:!0},_toast:{state:!0},_serverCfg:{state:!0},_mode:{state:!0},_tool:{state:!0},_path:{state:!0},_cursorPt:{state:!0},_mergeSel:{state:!0},_openingDialog:{state:!0},_openingInfo:{state:!0},_mergeDialog:{state:!0},_splitSel:{state:!0},_areaSel:{state:!0},_nameSel:{state:!0},_roomDialog:{state:!0},_spaceDialog:{state:!0},_infoCard:{state:!0},_rulesDialog:{state:!0},_settingsDialog:{state:!0},_importDialog:{state:!0},_markerDialog:{state:!0},_zoom:{state:!0},_view:{state:!0}},Ii.styles=mi,customElements.get("houseplan-card")||customElements.define("houseplan-card",Ii),window.customCards=window.customCards||[],window.customCards.find(t=>"houseplan-card"===t.type)||window.customCards.push({type:"houseplan-card",name:"House Plan Card",description:"Interactive house plan: spaces, rooms and devices with live states and drag layout."}),console.info("%c HOUSEPLAN-CARD %c v1.30.2 ","background:#3ea6ff;color:#04121f;font-weight:700","");
+    </div>`}}Ii.properties={hass:{attribute:!1},_config:{state:!0},_space:{state:!0},_layout:{state:!0},_devices:{state:!0},_tip:{state:!0},_selId:{state:!0},_toast:{state:!0},_serverCfg:{state:!0},_mode:{state:!0},_tool:{state:!0},_path:{state:!0},_cursorPt:{state:!0},_mergeSel:{state:!0},_openingDialog:{state:!0},_openingInfo:{state:!0},_mergeDialog:{state:!0},_splitSel:{state:!0},_areaSel:{state:!0},_nameSel:{state:!0},_roomDialog:{state:!0},_spaceDialog:{state:!0},_infoCard:{state:!0},_rulesDialog:{state:!0},_settingsDialog:{state:!0},_importDialog:{state:!0},_markerDialog:{state:!0},_zoom:{state:!0},_view:{state:!0}},Ii.styles=mi,customElements.get("houseplan-card")||customElements.define("houseplan-card",Ii),window.customCards=window.customCards||[],window.customCards.find(t=>"houseplan-card"===t.type)||window.customCards.push({type:"houseplan-card",name:"House Plan Card",description:"Interactive house plan: spaces, rooms and devices with live states and drag layout."}),console.info("%c HOUSEPLAN-CARD %c v1.30.3 ","background:#3ea6ff;color:#04121f;font-weight:700","");
diff --git a/docs/CHANGELOG.md b/docs/CHANGELOG.md
index 7bb310e..e427481 100644
--- a/docs/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/docs/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## v1.30.3 — 2026-07-22
+- The **General settings** (fill palette) gear in the header is now visible in
+  every mode for users who can edit, not just in the Plan editor.
+
 ## v1.30.2 — 2026-07-22 (editor tabs redesign)
 - Mode tabs renamed and reduced to two: **"Plan editor"** and **"Device
   editor"**. View is no longer a tab — it is the implicit default state.
diff --git a/docs/TESTING.md b/docs/TESTING.md
index d80d8d5..89d8f98 100644
--- a/docs/TESTING.md
+++ b/docs/TESTING.md
@@ -140,6 +140,8 @@ Run the *core flows* (marked ★ below) in each environment at least once per mi
       (explicit ripple color still wins); off/white lights unchanged [auto]
 - [ ] Alarm pulse (v1.27.0): leak/smoke/gas/CO/siren in 'on' pulse a red ring over any
       display mode; clears on 'off'; unavailable never alarms [auto]; reduced-motion static
+- [ ] General settings gear (v1.30.3): the header cog is visible in every mode
+      (admins), opens the palette dialog from View too [auto]
 - [ ] Editor tabs (v1.30.2): only two tabs — "Plan editor" / "Device editor"
       (no View button; View is the default state); clicking a tab opens its
       bottom toolbar (Devices got its own bar with add/show-all/reset/rules);
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 54a904b..c8537c3 100755
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "houseplan-card",
-  "version": "1.30.2",
+  "version": "1.30.3",
   "description": "Interactive house plan Lovelace card for Home Assistant",
   "license": "MIT",
   "type": "module",
diff --git a/src/houseplan-card.ts b/src/houseplan-card.ts
index f9facda..65a1f3c 100755
--- a/src/houseplan-card.ts
+++ b/src/houseplan-card.ts
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ import './space-card';
 import { cardStyles } from './styles';
 import { langOf, t, type I18nKey } from './i18n';
 
-const CARD_VERSION = '1.30.2';
+const CARD_VERSION = '1.30.3';
 const LS_KEY = 'houseplan_card_layout_v1';
 const LS_CFG = 'houseplan_card_cfg_v1'; // cache of the server config+layout for instant rendering
 const LS_ZOOM = 'houseplan_card_zoom_v1';
@@ -2448,7 +2448,7 @@ class HouseplanCard extends LitElement {
               title=${this._t('title.zoom_reset')}><ha-icon icon="mdi:fit-to-page-outline"></ha-icon></button>
             <button class="btn zb" @click=${() => this._stepZoom(1)} title=${this._t('title.zoom_in')}><ha-icon icon="mdi:plus"></ha-icon></button>
           </div>
-          ${this._norm && this._mode === 'plan'
+          ${this._norm && this._canEdit
             ? html`<button class="btn" @click=${this._openSettingsDialog} title=${this._t('title.general_settings')}>
                 <ha-icon icon="mdi:cog-outline"></ha-icon>
               </button>`