diff --git a/frontend/src/components/shared/AllToolsNavButton.tsx b/frontend/src/components/shared/AllToolsNavButton.tsx
index c1b5774d2..62fad704e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/shared/AllToolsNavButton.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/shared/AllToolsNavButton.tsx
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 import { Tooltip } from './Tooltip';
 import AppsIcon from '@mui/icons-material/AppsRounded';
 import { useToolWorkflow } from '../../contexts/ToolWorkflowContext';
+import { useSidebarNavigation } from '../../hooks/useSidebarNavigation';
+import { handleUnlessSpecialClick } from '../../utils/clickHandlers';
 
 interface AllToolsNavButtonProps {
   activeButton: string;
@@ -13,6 +15,7 @@ interface AllToolsNavButtonProps {
 const AllToolsNavButton: React.FC<AllToolsNavButtonProps> = ({ activeButton, setActiveButton }) => {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
   const { handleReaderToggle, handleBackToTools, selectedToolKey, leftPanelView } = useToolWorkflow();
+  const { getHomeNavigation } = useSidebarNavigation();
 
   const handleClick = () => {
     setActiveButton('tools');
@@ -24,6 +27,12 @@ const AllToolsNavButton: React.FC<AllToolsNavButtonProps> = ({ activeButton, set
   // Do not highlight All Tools when a specific tool is open (indicator is shown)
   const isActive = activeButton === 'tools' && !selectedToolKey && leftPanelView === 'toolPicker';
 
+  const navProps = getHomeNavigation();
+
+  const handleNavClick = (e: React.MouseEvent) => {
+    handleUnlessSpecialClick(e, handleClick);
+  };
+
   const iconNode = (
     <span className="iconContainer">
       <AppsIcon sx={{ fontSize: '2rem' }} />
@@ -31,18 +40,21 @@ const AllToolsNavButton: React.FC<AllToolsNavButtonProps> = ({ activeButton, set
   );
 
   return (
-    
     <Tooltip content={t("quickAccess.allTools", "All Tools")} position="right" arrow containerStyle={{ marginTop: "-1rem" }} maxWidth={200}>
       <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-1 mt-4 mb-2">
         <ActionIcon
+          component="a"
+          href={navProps.href}
+          onClick={handleNavClick}
           size={'lg'}
           variant="subtle"
-          onClick={handleClick}
+          aria-label={t("quickAccess.allTools", "All Tools")}
           style={{
             backgroundColor: isActive ? 'var(--icon-tools-bg)' : 'var(--icon-inactive-bg)',
             color: isActive ? 'var(--icon-tools-color)' : 'var(--icon-inactive-color)',
             border: 'none',
             borderRadius: '8px',
+            textDecoration: 'none'
           }}
           className={isActive ? 'activeIconScale' : ''}
         >
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/shared/QuickAccessBar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/shared/QuickAccessBar.tsx
index e65843fa4..644712d7c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/shared/QuickAccessBar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/shared/QuickAccessBar.tsx
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import AppConfigModal from './AppConfigModal';
 import { useIsOverflowing } from '../../hooks/useIsOverflowing';
 import { useFilesModalContext } from '../../contexts/FilesModalContext';
 import { useToolWorkflow } from '../../contexts/ToolWorkflowContext';
+import { useSidebarNavigation } from '../../hooks/useSidebarNavigation';
+import { handleUnlessSpecialClick } from '../../utils/clickHandlers';
 import { ButtonConfig } from '../../types/sidebar';
 import './quickAccessBar/QuickAccessBar.css';
 import AllToolsNavButton from './AllToolsNavButton';
@@ -23,6 +25,7 @@ const QuickAccessBar = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement>(({
   const { isRainbowMode } = useRainbowThemeContext();
   const { openFilesModal, isFilesModalOpen } = useFilesModalContext();
   const { handleReaderToggle, handleBackToTools, handleToolSelect, selectedToolKey, leftPanelView, toolRegistry, readerMode, resetTool } = useToolWorkflow();
+  const { getToolNavigation } = useSidebarNavigation();
   const [configModalOpen, setConfigModalOpen] = useState(false);
   const [activeButton, setActiveButton] = useState<string>('tools');
   const scrollableRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
@@ -37,6 +40,52 @@ const QuickAccessBar = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement>(({
     openFilesModal();
   };
 
+  // Helper function to render navigation buttons with URL support
+  const renderNavButton = (config: ButtonConfig, index: number) => {
+    const isActive = isNavButtonActive(config, activeButton, isFilesModalOpen, configModalOpen, selectedToolKey, leftPanelView);
+    
+    // Check if this button has URL navigation support
+    const navProps = config.type === 'navigation' && (config.id === 'read' || config.id === 'automate') 
+      ? getToolNavigation(config.id) 
+      : null;
+
+    const handleClick = (e?: React.MouseEvent) => {
+      if (navProps && e) {
+        handleUnlessSpecialClick(e, config.onClick);
+      } else {
+        config.onClick();
+      }
+    };
+
+    // Render navigation button with conditional URL support
+    return (
+      <div key={config.id} className="flex flex-col items-center gap-1" style={{ marginTop: index === 0 ? '0.5rem' : "0rem" }}>
+        <ActionIcon
+          {...(navProps ? { 
+            component: "a" as const,
+            href: navProps.href,
+            onClick: (e: React.MouseEvent) => handleClick(e),
+            'aria-label': config.name
+          } : {
+            onClick: () => handleClick()
+          })}
+          size={isActive ? (config.size || 'lg') : 'lg'}
+          variant="subtle"
+          style={getNavButtonStyle(config, activeButton, isFilesModalOpen, configModalOpen, selectedToolKey, leftPanelView)}
+          className={isActive ? 'activeIconScale' : ''}
+          data-testid={`${config.id}-button`}
+        >
+          <span className="iconContainer">
+            {config.icon}
+          </span>
+        </ActionIcon>
+        <span className={`button-text ${isActive ? 'active' : 'inactive'}`}>
+          {config.name}
+        </span>
+      </div>
+    );
+  };
+
 
   const buttonConfigs: ButtonConfig[] = [
     {
@@ -153,27 +202,7 @@ const QuickAccessBar = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement>(({
           <Stack gap="lg" align="center">
             {buttonConfigs.slice(0, -1).map((config, index) => (
               <React.Fragment key={config.id}>
-
-                  <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-1" style={{ marginTop: index === 0 ? '0.5rem' : "0rem" }}>
-                    <ActionIcon
-                      size={isNavButtonActive(config, activeButton, isFilesModalOpen, configModalOpen, selectedToolKey, leftPanelView) ? (config.size || 'lg') : 'lg'}
-                      variant="subtle"
-                       onClick={() => {
-                         config.onClick();
-                       }}
-                      style={getNavButtonStyle(config, activeButton, isFilesModalOpen, configModalOpen, selectedToolKey, leftPanelView)}
-                      className={isNavButtonActive(config, activeButton, isFilesModalOpen, configModalOpen, selectedToolKey, leftPanelView) ? 'activeIconScale' : ''}
-                      data-testid={`${config.id}-button`}
-                    >
-                      <span className="iconContainer">
-                        {config.icon}
-                      </span>
-                    </ActionIcon>
-                    <span className={`button-text ${isNavButtonActive(config, activeButton, isFilesModalOpen, configModalOpen, selectedToolKey, leftPanelView) ? 'active' : 'inactive'}`}>
-                      {config.name}
-                    </span>
-                  </div>
-
+                {renderNavButton(config, index)}
 
                 {/* Add divider after Automate button (index 1) and Files button (index 2) */}
                 {index === 1 && (
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/shared/quickAccessBar/ActiveToolButton.tsx b/frontend/src/components/shared/quickAccessBar/ActiveToolButton.tsx
index 8362c8224..60c915593 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/shared/quickAccessBar/ActiveToolButton.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/shared/quickAccessBar/ActiveToolButton.tsx
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ import React, { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 import { ActionIcon } from '@mantine/core';
 import ArrowBackRoundedIcon from '@mui/icons-material/ArrowBackRounded';
 import { useToolWorkflow } from '../../../contexts/ToolWorkflowContext';
+import { useSidebarNavigation } from '../../../hooks/useSidebarNavigation';
+import { handleUnlessSpecialClick } from '../../../utils/clickHandlers';
 import FitText from '../FitText';
 import { Tooltip } from '../Tooltip';
 
@@ -28,6 +30,7 @@ const NAV_IDS = ['read', 'sign', 'automate'];
 
 const ActiveToolButton: React.FC<ActiveToolButtonProps> = ({ activeButton, setActiveButton }) => {
   const { selectedTool, selectedToolKey, leftPanelView, handleBackToTools } = useToolWorkflow();
+  const { getHomeNavigation } = useSidebarNavigation();
 
   // Determine if the indicator should be visible (do not require selectedTool to be resolved yet)
   const indicatorShouldShow = Boolean(
@@ -142,21 +145,26 @@ const ActiveToolButton: React.FC<ActiveToolButtonProps> = ({ activeButton, setAc
             <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-1">
               <Tooltip content={isBackHover ? 'Back to all tools' : indicatorTool.name} position="right" arrow maxWidth={140}>
                 <ActionIcon
+                  component="a"
+                  href={getHomeNavigation().href}
+                  onClick={(e: React.MouseEvent) => {
+                    handleUnlessSpecialClick(e, () => {
+                      setActiveButton('tools');
+                      handleBackToTools();
+                    });
+                  }}
                   size={'xl'}
                   variant="subtle"
                   onMouseEnter={() => setIsBackHover(true)}
                   onMouseLeave={() => setIsBackHover(false)}
-                  onClick={() => {
-                    setActiveButton('tools');
-                    handleBackToTools();
-                  }}
                   aria-label={isBackHover ? 'Back to all tools' : indicatorTool.name}
                   style={{
                     backgroundColor: isBackHover ? 'var(--color-gray-300)' : 'var(--icon-tools-bg)',
                     color: isBackHover ? '#fff' : 'var(--icon-tools-color)',
                     border: 'none',
                     borderRadius: '8px',
-                    cursor: 'pointer'
+                    cursor: 'pointer',
+                    textDecoration: 'none'
                   }}
                 >
                   <span className="iconContainer">
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/tools/shared/SuggestedToolsSection.tsx b/frontend/src/components/tools/shared/SuggestedToolsSection.tsx
index fca3b5e56..7a67fceca 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/tools/shared/SuggestedToolsSection.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/tools/shared/SuggestedToolsSection.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import React from 'react';
-import { Stack, Text, Divider, Card, Group } from '@mantine/core';
+import { Stack, Text, Divider, Card, Group, Anchor } from '@mantine/core';
 import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 import { useSuggestedTools } from '../../../hooks/useSuggestedTools';
 
@@ -21,20 +21,25 @@ export function SuggestedToolsSection(): React.ReactElement {
         {suggestedTools.map((tool) => {
           const IconComponent = tool.icon;
           return (
-            <Card
+            <Anchor
               key={tool.id}
-              p="sm"
-              withBorder
-              style={{ cursor: 'pointer' }}
-              onClick={tool.navigate}
+              href={tool.href}
+              onClick={tool.onClick}
+              style={{ textDecoration: 'none', color: 'inherit' }}
             >
-              <Group gap="xs">
-                <IconComponent fontSize="small" />
-                <Text size="sm" fw={500}>
-                  {tool.title}
-                </Text>
-              </Group>
-            </Card>
+              <Card
+                p="sm"
+                withBorder
+                style={{ cursor: 'pointer' }}
+              >
+                <Group gap="xs">
+                  <IconComponent fontSize="small" />
+                  <Text size="sm" fw={500}>
+                    {tool.title}
+                  </Text>
+                </Group>
+              </Card>
+            </Anchor>
           );
         })}
       </Stack>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/tools/toolPicker/ToolButton.tsx b/frontend/src/components/tools/toolPicker/ToolButton.tsx
index bd54f7e13..ee9c6062c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/tools/toolPicker/ToolButton.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/tools/toolPicker/ToolButton.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import React from "react";
 import { Button } from "@mantine/core";
 import { Tooltip } from "../../shared/Tooltip";
 import { ToolRegistryEntry } from "../../../data/toolsTaxonomy";
+import { useToolNavigation } from "../../../hooks/useToolNavigation";
+import { handleUnlessSpecialClick } from "../../../utils/clickHandlers";
 import FitText from "../../shared/FitText";
 
 interface ToolButtonProps {
@@ -14,6 +16,8 @@ interface ToolButtonProps {
 
 const ToolButton: React.FC<ToolButtonProps> = ({ id, tool, isSelected, onSelect }) => {
   const isUnavailable = !tool.component && !tool.link;
+  const { getToolNavigation } = useToolNavigation();
+
   const handleClick = (id: string) => {
     if (isUnavailable) return;
     if (tool.link) {
@@ -25,32 +29,84 @@ const ToolButton: React.FC<ToolButtonProps> = ({ id, tool, isSelected, onSelect
     onSelect(id);
   };
 
+  // Get navigation props for URL support
+  const navProps = !isUnavailable && !tool.link ? getToolNavigation(id, tool) : null;
+
   const tooltipContent = isUnavailable
     ? (<span><strong>Coming soon:</strong> {tool.description}</span>)
     : tool.description;
 
+  const buttonContent = (
+    <>
+      <div className="tool-button-icon" style={{ color: "var(--tools-text-and-icon-color)", marginRight: "0.5rem", transform: "scale(0.8)", transformOrigin: "center", opacity: isUnavailable ? 0.25 : 1 }}>{tool.icon}</div>
+      <FitText
+        text={tool.name}
+        lines={1}
+        minimumFontScale={0.8}
+        as="span"
+        style={{ display: 'inline-block', maxWidth: '100%', opacity: isUnavailable ? 0.25 : 1 }}
+      />
+    </>
+  );
+
+  const handleExternalClick = (e: React.MouseEvent) => {
+    handleUnlessSpecialClick(e, () => handleClick(id));
+  };
+
+  const buttonElement = navProps ? (
+    // For internal tools with URLs, render Button as an anchor for proper link behavior
+    <Button
+      component="a"
+      href={navProps.href}
+      onClick={navProps.onClick}
+      variant={isSelected ? "filled" : "subtle"}
+      size="sm"
+      radius="md"
+      fullWidth
+      justify="flex-start"
+      className="tool-button"
+      styles={{ root: { borderRadius: 0, color: "var(--tools-text-and-icon-color)" } }}
+    >
+      {buttonContent}
+    </Button>
+  ) : tool.link && !isUnavailable ? (
+    // For external links, render Button as an anchor with proper href
+    <Button
+      component="a"
+      href={tool.link}
+      target="_blank"
+      rel="noopener noreferrer"
+      onClick={handleExternalClick}
+      variant={isSelected ? "filled" : "subtle"}
+      size="sm"
+      radius="md"
+      fullWidth
+      justify="flex-start"
+      className="tool-button"
+      styles={{ root: { borderRadius: 0, color: "var(--tools-text-and-icon-color)" } }}
+    >
+      {buttonContent}
+    </Button>
+  ) : (
+    // For unavailable tools, use regular button
+    <Button
+      variant={isSelected ? "filled" : "subtle"}
+      onClick={() => handleClick(id)}
+      size="sm"
+      radius="md"
+      fullWidth
+      justify="flex-start"
+      className="tool-button"
+      aria-disabled={isUnavailable}
+      styles={{ root: { borderRadius: 0, color: "var(--tools-text-and-icon-color)", cursor: isUnavailable ? 'not-allowed' : undefined } }}
+    >
+      {buttonContent}
+    </Button>
+  );
+
   return (
     <Tooltip content={tooltipContent} position="right" arrow={true} delay={500}>
-      <Button
-        variant={isSelected ? "filled" : "subtle"}
-        onClick={()=> handleClick(id)}
-        size="sm"
-        radius="md"
-        fullWidth
-        justify="flex-start"
-        className="tool-button"
-        aria-disabled={isUnavailable}
-        styles={{ root: { borderRadius: 0, color: "var(--tools-text-and-icon-color)", cursor: isUnavailable ? 'not-allowed' : undefined } }}
-      >
-        <div className="tool-button-icon" style={{ color: "var(--tools-text-and-icon-color)", marginRight: "0.5rem", transform: "scale(0.8)", transformOrigin: "center", opacity: isUnavailable ? 0.25 : 1 }}>{tool.icon}</div>
-        <FitText
-          text={tool.name}
-          lines={1}
-          minimumFontScale={0.8}
-          as="span"
-          style={{ display: 'inline-block', maxWidth: '100%', opacity: isUnavailable ? 0.25 : 1 }}
-        />
-      </Button>
+      {buttonElement}
     </Tooltip>
   );
 };
diff --git a/frontend/src/data/useTranslatedToolRegistry.tsx b/frontend/src/data/useTranslatedToolRegistry.tsx
index 68883fe92..e19d121dc 100644
--- a/frontend/src/data/useTranslatedToolRegistry.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/data/useTranslatedToolRegistry.tsx
@@ -355,6 +355,7 @@ export function useFlatToolRegistry(): ToolRegistry {
         categoryId: ToolCategoryId.STANDARD_TOOLS,
         subcategoryId: SubcategoryId.PAGE_FORMATTING,
         maxFiles: -1,
+        urlPath: '/pdf-to-single-page',
         endpoints: ["pdf-to-single-page"],
         operationConfig: singleLargePageOperationConfig,
       },
@@ -681,6 +682,7 @@ export function useFlatToolRegistry(): ToolRegistry {
         categoryId: ToolCategoryId.RECOMMENDED_TOOLS,
         subcategoryId: SubcategoryId.GENERAL,
         maxFiles: -1,
+        urlPath: '/ocr-pdf',
         operationConfig: ocrOperationConfig,
         settingsComponent: OCRSettings,
       },
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useSidebarNavigation.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useSidebarNavigation.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fb60e2502
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useSidebarNavigation.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+import { useCallback } from 'react';
+import { useToolNavigation } from './useToolNavigation';
+import { useToolManagement } from './useToolManagement';
+import { handleUnlessSpecialClick } from '../utils/clickHandlers';
+
+export interface SidebarNavigationProps {
+  /** Full URL for the navigation (for href attribute) */
+  href: string;
+  /** Click handler that maintains SPA behavior */
+  onClick: (e: React.MouseEvent) => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Hook that provides URL and navigation handlers for sidebar navigation buttons
+ * Supports special routes like home ('/') and specific tool routes
+ */
+export function useSidebarNavigation(): {
+  getHomeNavigation: () => SidebarNavigationProps;
+  getToolNavigation: (toolId: string) => SidebarNavigationProps | null;
+} {
+  const { getToolNavigation: getToolNavProps } = useToolNavigation();
+  const { getSelectedTool } = useToolManagement();
+
+  const defaultNavClick = useCallback((e: React.MouseEvent) => {
+    handleUnlessSpecialClick(e, () => {
+      // SPA navigation will be handled by the calling component
+    });
+  }, []);
+
+  const getHomeNavigation = useCallback((): SidebarNavigationProps => {
+    const href = '/'; // SSR-safe relative path
+    return { href, onClick: defaultNavClick };
+  }, [defaultNavClick]);
+
+  const getToolNavigation = useCallback((toolId: string): SidebarNavigationProps | null => {
+    // Handle special nav sections that aren't tools
+    if (toolId === 'read') return { href: '/read', onClick: defaultNavClick };
+    if (toolId === 'automate') return { href: '/automate', onClick: defaultNavClick };
+
+    const tool = getSelectedTool(toolId);
+    if (!tool) return null;
+    
+    // Delegate to useToolNavigation for true tools
+    return getToolNavProps(toolId, tool);
+  }, [getToolNavProps, getSelectedTool, defaultNavClick]);
+
+  return {
+    getHomeNavigation,
+    getToolNavigation
+  };
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useSuggestedTools.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useSuggestedTools.ts
index 8478bbc6b..377cf1245 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/useSuggestedTools.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useSuggestedTools.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 import { useMemo } from 'react';
-import { useNavigationActions, useNavigationState } from '../contexts/NavigationContext';
+import { useNavigationState } from '../contexts/NavigationContext';
+import { useToolNavigation } from './useToolNavigation';
+import { useToolManagement } from './useToolManagement';
 import { ToolId } from '../types/toolId';
 
 // Material UI Icons
@@ -13,10 +15,11 @@ export interface SuggestedTool {
   id: ToolId;
   title: string;
   icon: React.ComponentType<any>;
-  navigate: () => void;
+  href: string;
+  onClick: (e: React.MouseEvent) => void;
 }
 
-const ALL_SUGGESTED_TOOLS: Omit<SuggestedTool, 'navigate'>[] = [
+const ALL_SUGGESTED_TOOLS: Omit<SuggestedTool, 'href' | 'onClick'>[] = [
   {
     id: 'compress',
     title: 'Compress',
@@ -45,17 +48,31 @@ const ALL_SUGGESTED_TOOLS: Omit<SuggestedTool, 'navigate'>[] = [
 ];
 
 export function useSuggestedTools(): SuggestedTool[] {
-  const { actions } = useNavigationActions();
   const { selectedTool } = useNavigationState();
+  const { getToolNavigation } = useToolNavigation();
+  const { getSelectedTool } = useToolManagement();
 
   return useMemo(() => {
     // Filter out the current tool
     const filteredTools = ALL_SUGGESTED_TOOLS.filter(tool => tool.id !== selectedTool);
 
-    // Add navigation function to each tool
-    return filteredTools.map(tool => ({
-      ...tool,
-      navigate: () => actions.setSelectedTool(tool.id)
-    }));
-  }, [selectedTool, actions]);
+    // Add navigation props to each tool
+    return filteredTools.map(tool => {
+      const toolRegistryEntry = getSelectedTool(tool.id);
+      if (!toolRegistryEntry) {
+        // Fallback for tools not in registry
+        return {
+          ...tool,
+          href: `/${tool.id}`,
+          onClick: (e: React.MouseEvent) => { e.preventDefault(); }
+        };
+      }
+      
+      const navProps = getToolNavigation(tool.id, toolRegistryEntry);
+      return {
+        ...tool,
+        ...navProps
+      };
+    });
+  }, [selectedTool, getToolNavigation, getSelectedTool]);
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useToolNavigation.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useToolNavigation.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..021ea6432
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useToolNavigation.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+import { useCallback } from 'react';
+import { ToolId } from '../types/toolId';
+import { ToolRegistryEntry, getToolUrlPath } from '../data/toolsTaxonomy';
+import { useToolWorkflow } from '../contexts/ToolWorkflowContext';
+import { handleUnlessSpecialClick } from '../utils/clickHandlers';
+
+export interface ToolNavigationProps {
+  /** Full URL for the tool (for href attribute) */
+  href: string;
+  /** Click handler that maintains SPA behavior */
+  onClick: (e: React.MouseEvent) => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Hook that provides URL and navigation handlers for tools
+ * Enables right-click "Open in New Tab" while maintaining SPA behavior for regular clicks
+ */
+export function useToolNavigation(): {
+  getToolNavigation: (toolId: string, tool: ToolRegistryEntry) => ToolNavigationProps;
+} {
+  const { handleToolSelect } = useToolWorkflow();
+
+  const getToolNavigation = useCallback((toolId: string, tool: ToolRegistryEntry): ToolNavigationProps => {
+    // Generate SSR-safe relative path
+    const path = getToolUrlPath(toolId, tool);
+    const href = path; // Relative path, no window.location needed
+
+    // Click handler that maintains SPA behavior
+    const onClick = (e: React.MouseEvent) => {
+      handleUnlessSpecialClick(e, () => {
+        // Handle external links normally
+        if (tool.link) {
+          window.open(tool.link, '_blank', 'noopener,noreferrer');
+          return;
+        }
+
+        // Use SPA navigation for internal tools
+        handleToolSelect(toolId);
+      });
+    };
+
+    return { href, onClick };
+  }, [handleToolSelect]);
+
+  return { getToolNavigation };
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/clickHandlers.ts b/frontend/src/utils/clickHandlers.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0c70cfca8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/clickHandlers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+/**
+ * Utility functions for handling click events in navigation components
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Determines if a click event is a "special" click that should use browser's default navigation
+ * instead of SPA navigation. Special clicks include:
+ * - Ctrl+click (or Cmd+click on Mac)
+ * - Shift+click 
+ * - Middle mouse button click
+ */
+export function isSpecialClick(e: React.MouseEvent): boolean {
+  return e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey || e.shiftKey || e.button === 1;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Handles a click event for SPA navigation, but allows special clicks to use browser defaults
+ * 
+ * @param e - The click event
+ * @param handleClick - Function to execute for regular clicks (SPA navigation)
+ * @returns true if the event was handled as a special click, false if it was handled as regular click
+ */
+export function handleUnlessSpecialClick(e: React.MouseEvent, handleClick: () => void): boolean {
+  if (isSpecialClick(e)) {
+    return true; // Let browser handle via href
+  }
+  
+  e.preventDefault();
+  handleClick();
+  return false;
+}
\ No newline at end of file