diff --git a/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-pane-header.tsx b/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-pane-header.tsx
index 6bd1788ae..52ba08333 100644
--- a/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-pane-header.tsx
+++ b/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-pane-header.tsx
@@ -1,8 +1,14 @@
 import React, { HTMLAttributes } from 'react';
+import { defineMessages, useIntl } from 'react-intl';
 
 import IconButton from '@/components/ui/icon-button';
 import { useSettings } from '@/stores/settings';
 
+const messages = defineMessages({
+  expand: { id: 'chat_pane.header.expand', defaultMessage: 'Expand chats' },
+  collapse: { id: 'chat_pane.header.collapse', defaultMessage: 'Collapse chats' },
+});
+
 interface IChatPaneHeader {
   isOpen: boolean;
   isToggleable?: boolean;
@@ -11,6 +17,7 @@ interface IChatPaneHeader {
   unreadCount?: number;
   secondaryAction?(): void;
   secondaryActionIcon?: string;
+  secondaryActionTitle?: string;
 }
 
 const ChatPaneHeader = (props: IChatPaneHeader) => {
@@ -20,11 +27,13 @@ const ChatPaneHeader = (props: IChatPaneHeader) => {
     onToggle,
     secondaryAction,
     secondaryActionIcon,
+    secondaryActionTitle,
     title,
     unreadCount,
     ...rest
   } = props;
 
+  const intl = useIntl();
   const { demetricator } = useSettings();
 
   const ButtonComp = isToggleable ? 'button' : 'div';
@@ -54,10 +63,11 @@ const ChatPaneHeader = (props: IChatPaneHeader) => {
       </ButtonComp>
 
       <div className='⁂-chat-widget__header__actions'>
-        {secondaryAction ? (
+        {secondaryAction && secondaryActionIcon ? (
           <IconButton
             onClick={secondaryAction}
-            src={secondaryActionIcon as string}
+            src={secondaryActionIcon}
+            title={secondaryActionTitle}
           />
         ) : null}
 
@@ -65,6 +75,7 @@ const ChatPaneHeader = (props: IChatPaneHeader) => {
           onClick={onToggle}
           src={require('@phosphor-icons/core/regular/caret-up.svg')}
           className='⁂-chat-widget__header__open-button'
+          title={isOpen ? intl.formatMessage(messages.collapse) : intl.formatMessage(messages.expand)}
         />
       </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-settings.tsx b/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-settings.tsx
index 817b7938f..09bf232d6 100644
--- a/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-settings.tsx
+++ b/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-settings.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import React from 'react';
-import { defineMessages, useIntl } from 'react-intl';
+import { defineMessages, FormattedMessage, useIntl } from 'react-intl';
 
 import Avatar from '@/components/ui/avatar';
 import HStack from '@/components/ui/hstack';
@@ -15,19 +15,12 @@ import { useModalsActions } from '@/stores/modals';
 import ChatPaneHeader from './chat-pane-header';
 
 const messages = defineMessages({
-  blockMessage: { id: 'chat_settings.block.message', defaultMessage: 'Blocking will prevent this profile from direct messaging you and viewing your content. You can unblock later.' },
-  blockHeading: { id: 'chat_settings.block.heading', defaultMessage: 'Block @{acct}' },
-  blockConfirm: { id: 'chat_settings.block.confirm', defaultMessage: 'Block' },
-  unblockMessage: { id: 'chat_settings.unblock.message', defaultMessage: 'Unblocking will allow this profile to direct message you and view your content.' },
+  back: { id: 'card.back.label', defaultMessage: 'Back' },
   unblockHeading: { id: 'chat_settings.unblock.heading', defaultMessage: 'Unblock @{acct}' },
   unblockConfirm: { id: 'chat_settings.unblock.confirm', defaultMessage: 'Unblock' },
   leaveMessage: { id: 'chat_settings.leave.message', defaultMessage: 'Are you sure you want to leave this chat? Messages will be deleted for you and this chat will be removed from your inbox.' },
   leaveHeading: { id: 'chat_settings.leave.heading', defaultMessage: 'Leave chat' },
   leaveConfirm: { id: 'chat_settings.leave.confirm', defaultMessage: 'Leave chat' },
-  title: { id: 'chat_settings.title', defaultMessage: 'Chat Details' },
-  blockUser: { id: 'chat_settings.options.block_user', defaultMessage: 'Block @{acct}' },
-  unblockUser: { id: 'chat_settings.options.unblock_user', defaultMessage: 'Unblock @{acct}' },
-  leaveChat: { id: 'chat_settings.options.leave_chat', defaultMessage: 'Leave chat' },
 });
 
 const ChatSettings = () => {
@@ -61,7 +54,7 @@ const ChatSettings = () => {
   const handleUnblockUser = () => {
     openModal('CONFIRM', {
       heading: intl.formatMessage(messages.unblockHeading, { acct: chat?.account.acct }),
-      message: intl.formatMessage(messages.unblockMessage),
+      message: <FormattedMessage id='chat_settings.unblock.message' defaultMessage='Unblocking will allow this profile to direct message you and view your content.' />,
       confirm: intl.formatMessage(messages.unblockConfirm),
       onConfirm: () => unblockAccount(),
     });
@@ -70,7 +63,7 @@ const ChatSettings = () => {
   const handleLeaveChat = () => {
     openModal('CONFIRM', {
       heading: intl.formatMessage(messages.leaveHeading),
-      message: intl.formatMessage(messages.leaveMessage),
+      message: <FormattedMessage id='chat_settings.leave.message' defaultMessage='Are you sure you want to leave this chat? Messages will be deleted for you and this chat will be removed from your inbox.' />,
       confirm: intl.formatMessage(messages.leaveConfirm),
       onConfirm: () => deleteChat.mutate(),
     });
@@ -88,7 +81,7 @@ const ChatSettings = () => {
         onToggle={minimizeChatPane}
         title={
           <HStack alignItems='center' space={2}>
-            <button onClick={closeSettings}>
+            <button onClick={closeSettings} title={intl.formatMessage(messages.back)}>
               <Icon
                 src={require('@phosphor-icons/core/regular/arrow-left.svg')}
                 className='size-6 text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400 rtl:rotate-180'
@@ -96,7 +89,7 @@ const ChatSettings = () => {
             </button>
 
             <Text weight='semibold'>
-              {intl.formatMessage(messages.title)}
+              <FormattedMessage id='chat_settings.title' defaultMessage='Chat details' />
             </Text>
           </HStack>
         }
@@ -113,14 +106,20 @@ const ChatSettings = () => {
 
         <Stack space={5}>
           <button onClick={isBlocked ? handleUnblockUser : handleBlockUser} className='flex w-full items-center space-x-2 text-sm font-bold text-primary-600 dark:text-primary-400'>
-            <Icon src={require('@phosphor-icons/core/regular/prohibit.svg')} className='size-5' />
-            <span>{intl.formatMessage(isBlocked ? messages.unblockUser : messages.blockUser, { acct: chat.account.acct })}</span>
+            <Icon src={require('@phosphor-icons/core/regular/prohibit.svg')} className='size-5' aria-hidden />
+            <span>
+              {isBlocked
+                ? <FormattedMessage id='chat_settings.options.unblock_user' defaultMessage='Unblock @{acct}' values={{ acct: chat.account.acct }} />
+                : <FormattedMessage id='chat_settings.options.block_user' defaultMessage='Block @{acct}' values={{ acct: chat.account.acct }} />
+              }
+
+            </span>
           </button>
 
           {features.chatsDelete && (
             <button onClick={handleLeaveChat} className='flex w-full items-center space-x-2 text-sm font-bold text-danger-600'>
-              <Icon src={require('@phosphor-icons/core/regular/sign-out.svg')} className='size-5' />
-              <span>{intl.formatMessage(messages.leaveChat)}</span>
+              <Icon src={require('@phosphor-icons/core/regular/sign-out.svg')} className='size-5' aria-hidden />
+              <span><FormattedMessage id='chat_settings.options.leave_chat' defaultMessage='Leave chat' /></span>
             </button>
           )}
         </Stack>
diff --git a/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-window.tsx b/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-window.tsx
index 38d571ca8..9650fe7d2 100644
--- a/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-window.tsx
+++ b/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-window.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { Link, type LinkProps } from '@tanstack/react-router';
 import React, { useRef } from 'react';
+import { defineMessages, useIntl } from 'react-intl';
 
 import Avatar from '@/components/ui/avatar';
 import HStack from '@/components/ui/hstack';
@@ -14,6 +15,12 @@ import Chat from '../chat';
 import ChatPaneHeader from './chat-pane-header';
 import ChatSettings from './chat-settings';
 
+const messages = defineMessages({
+  back: { id: 'card.back.label', defaultMessage: 'Back' },
+  chatInfo: { id: 'chat_pane.header.chat_info', defaultMessage: 'Chat info' },
+  newChat: { id: 'chat_pane.header.new_chat', defaultMessage: 'New chat' },
+});
+
 const LinkWrapper = ({ enabled, children, ...rest }: LinkProps & { enabled: boolean; children: React.ReactNode }): JSX.Element => {
   if (!enabled) {
     return <>{children}</>;
@@ -29,6 +36,7 @@ const LinkWrapper = ({ enabled, children, ...rest }: LinkProps & { enabled: bool
 /** Floating desktop chat window. */
 const ChatWindow = () => {
   const { chat, currentChatId, screen, changeScreen, isOpen, toggleChatPane } = useChatContext();
+  const intl = useIntl();
 
   const inputRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement | null>(null);
 
@@ -45,8 +53,6 @@ const ChatWindow = () => {
     changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT_SETTINGS, currentChatId);
   };
 
-  const secondaryAction = () => isOpen ? openChatSettings : openSearch;
-
   if (!chat) return null;
 
   if (screen === ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT_SETTINGS) {
@@ -59,7 +65,7 @@ const ChatWindow = () => {
         title={
           <HStack alignItems='center' space={2}>
             {isOpen && (
-              <button onClick={closeChat}>
+              <button onClick={closeChat} title={intl.formatMessage(messages.back)}>
                 <Icon
                   src={require('@phosphor-icons/core/regular/arrow-left.svg')}
                   className='size-6 text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400 rtl:rotate-180'
@@ -85,8 +91,9 @@ const ChatWindow = () => {
             </HStack>
           </HStack>
         }
-        secondaryAction={secondaryAction()}
+        secondaryAction={isOpen ? openChatSettings : openSearch}
         secondaryActionIcon={isOpen ? require('@phosphor-icons/core/regular/info.svg') : require('@phosphor-icons/core/regular/pencil-simple.svg')}
+        secondaryActionTitle={isOpen ? intl.formatMessage(messages.chatInfo) : intl.formatMessage(messages.newChat)}
         isToggleable={!isOpen}
         isOpen={isOpen}
         onToggle={toggleChatPane}
diff --git a/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/headers/chat-search-header.tsx b/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/headers/chat-search-header.tsx
index 1f7690ddf..329b10de6 100644
--- a/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/headers/chat-search-header.tsx
+++ b/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/chat-widget/headers/chat-search-header.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import React from 'react';
-import { defineMessages, useIntl } from 'react-intl';
+import { defineMessages, FormattedMessage, useIntl } from 'react-intl';
 
 import Icon from '@/components/ui/icon';
 import Text from '@/components/ui/text';
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { ChatWidgetScreens, useChatContext } from '@/contexts/chat-context';
 import ChatPaneHeader from '../chat-pane-header';
 
 const messages = defineMessages({
-  title: { id: 'chat_search.title', defaultMessage: 'Messages' },
+  back: { id: 'card.back.label', defaultMessage: 'Back' },
 });
 
 const ChatSearchHeader = () => {
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ const ChatSearchHeader = () => {
             onClick={() => {
               changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.INBOX);
             }}
+            title={intl.formatMessage(messages.back)}
           >
             <Icon
               src={require('@phosphor-icons/core/regular/arrow-left.svg')}
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ const ChatSearchHeader = () => {
           </button>
 
           <Text size='sm' weight='bold' truncate>
-            {intl.formatMessage(messages.title)}
+            <FormattedMessage id='chat_search.title' defaultMessage='Messages' />
           </Text>
         </div>
       }
diff --git a/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/ui/pane.tsx b/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/ui/pane.tsx
index e358a9192..3f86c9e47 100644
--- a/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/ui/pane.tsx
+++ b/packages/pl-fe/src/features/chats/components/ui/pane.tsx
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ const Pane: React.FC<IPane> = ({ isOpen = false, children }) => (
   <div
     className={clsx('⁂-chat-widget', { '⁂-chat-widget--open': isOpen })}
     data-testid='pane'
+    aria-expanded={isOpen}
   >
     {children}
   </div>
diff --git a/packages/pl-fe/src/locales/en.json b/packages/pl-fe/src/locales/en.json
index dc1a21665..274f52856 100644
--- a/packages/pl-fe/src/locales/en.json
+++ b/packages/pl-fe/src/locales/en.json
@@ -336,6 +336,10 @@
   "chat_pane.blankslate.action": "Message someone",
   "chat_pane.blankslate.body": "Search for someone to chat with.",
   "chat_pane.blankslate.title": "No messages yet",
+  "chat_pane.header.chat_info": "Chat info",
+  "chat_pane.header.collapse": "Collapse chats",
+  "chat_pane.header.expand": "Expand chats",
+  "chat_pane.header.new_chat": "New chat",
   "chat_search.blankslate.body": "Search for someone to chat with.",
   "chat_search.blankslate.title": "Start a chat",
   "chat_search.empty_results_blankslate.body": "Try searching for another name.",
@@ -351,7 +355,7 @@
   "chat_settings.options.block_user": "Block @{acct}",
   "chat_settings.options.leave_chat": "Leave chat",
   "chat_settings.options.unblock_user": "Unblock @{acct}",
-  "chat_settings.title": "Chat Details",
+  "chat_settings.title": "Chat details",
   "chat_settings.unblock.confirm": "Unblock",
   "chat_settings.unblock.heading": "Unblock @{acct}",
   "chat_settings.unblock.message": "Unblocking will allow this profile to direct message you and view your content.",