diff --git a/apps/staged/src/lib/commands.ts b/apps/staged/src/lib/commands.ts
index 5e57b990c..113a31581 100644
--- a/apps/staged/src/lib/commands.ts
+++ b/apps/staged/src/lib/commands.ts
@@ -802,16 +802,6 @@ export function getDeletedComments(reviewId: string): Promise<Comment[]> {
   return invoke('get_deleted_comments', { reviewId });
 }
 
-/** Add a reference file to a review. */
-export function addReferenceFile(reviewId: string, path: string): Promise<void> {
-  return invoke('add_reference_file', { reviewId, path });
-}
-
-/** Remove a reference file from a review. */
-export function removeReferenceFile(reviewId: string, path: string): Promise<void> {
-  return invoke('remove_reference_file', { reviewId, path });
-}
-
 // =============================================================================
 // Auto review
 // =============================================================================
diff --git a/apps/staged/src/lib/features/diff/DiffModal.svelte b/apps/staged/src/lib/features/diff/DiffModal.svelte
index 1a26833fc..4a761d594 100644
--- a/apps/staged/src/lib/features/diff/DiffModal.svelte
+++ b/apps/staged/src/lib/features/diff/DiffModal.svelte
@@ -3,13 +3,13 @@
 
   Opened from a branch card or timeline item. Contains:
   - DiffViewer (renders the selected file's diff)
-  - File sidebar on the right with tree view, review status, reference files, comments
+  - File sidebar on the right with tree view, review status, comments
 
   Props: branchId, commitSha (optional), scope, onClose.
 
   State management:
   - diffViewerState: file list + on-demand diff cache
-  - reviewState: lazy review creation, comments, reviewed paths, reference files
+  - reviewState: lazy review creation, comments, reviewed paths
 -->
 <script lang="ts">
   import { onMount, onDestroy } from 'svelte';
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@
   import DiffCommentsSection from './DiffCommentsSection.svelte';
   import DiffFileTreeSection from './DiffFileTreeSection.svelte';
   import DiffCommitSessionLauncher from './DiffCommitSessionLauncher.svelte';
-  import DiffReferenceSection from './DiffReferenceSection.svelte';
   import NewSessionModal from '../sessions/NewSessionModal.svelte';
   import { createDiffViewerState } from './diffViewerState.svelte';
   import { createReviewState } from './reviewState.svelte';
@@ -81,7 +80,7 @@
     beforeLabel?: string;
     /** Label for the after pane header. */
     afterLabel?: string;
-    /** When true, hides commenting, reference files, and review status. */
+    /** When true, hides commenting and review status. */
     readonly?: boolean;
     /** Available commits for the context switcher dropdown. */
     commits?: CommitTimelineItem[];
@@ -809,10 +808,6 @@
     }
   }
 
-  async function handleRemoveReferenceFile(path: string) {
-    await reviewHandle?.removeReferenceFile(path);
-  }
-
   /** Resolve a comment's path to a file-list path.
    *  Falls back to the comment's own path if no match is found. */
   function resolveCommentPath(commentPath: string): string {
@@ -1144,17 +1139,6 @@
           diffViewerState={diffViewer}
         />
         {#if !readonly}
-          <DiffReferenceSection
-            referenceFiles={reviewHandle?.state.referenceFiles ?? []}
-            selectedFile={diffViewer.state.selectedFile}
-            onSelectFile={(path) => {
-              selectedCommentId = null;
-              if (isSmallDiffViewport) showMobileSidebar = false;
-              diffViewer.selectFile(path);
-            }}
-            onRemoveReferenceFile={handleRemoveReferenceFile}
-          />
-
           <DiffCommentsSection
             comments={currentComments}
             deletedComments={reviewHandle?.state.deletedComments ?? []}
diff --git a/apps/staged/src/lib/features/diff/DiffReferenceSection.svelte b/apps/staged/src/lib/features/diff/DiffReferenceSection.svelte
deleted file mode 100644
index 9b898e044..000000000
--- a/apps/staged/src/lib/features/diff/DiffReferenceSection.svelte
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,224 +0,0 @@
-<script lang="ts">
-  import { Eye, X } from 'lucide-svelte';
-
-  interface ReferenceFile {
-    path: string;
-  }
-
-  interface Props {
-    referenceFiles: ReferenceFile[];
-    selectedFile: string | null;
-    onSelectFile: (path: string) => void;
-    onRemoveReferenceFile: (path: string) => void;
-  }
-
-  let { referenceFiles, selectedFile, onSelectFile, onRemoveReferenceFile }: Props = $props();
-</script>
-
-<div class="section-header">
-  <div class="section-left"></div>
-  <div class="section-divider">
-    <span class="divider-label">REFERENCE</span>
-    {#if referenceFiles.length > 0}
-      <span class="count-capsule">{referenceFiles.length}</span>
-    {/if}
-  </div>
-  <div class="section-right"></div>
-</div>
-
-{#if referenceFiles.length > 0}
-  <ul class="tree-section reference-section">
-    {#each referenceFiles as refFile (refFile.path)}
-      <li class="tree-item-wrapper">
-        <div
-          class="tree-item file-item reference-item"
-          class:selected={selectedFile === refFile.path}
-          style="padding-left: 8px"
-          role="button"
-          tabindex="0"
-          onclick={() => onSelectFile(refFile.path)}
-          onkeydown={(e) => e.key === 'Enter' && onSelectFile(refFile.path)}
-          title={refFile.path}
-        >
-          <span class="reference-icon"><Eye size={16} /></span>
-          <span class="file-name truncate-start">{refFile.path}</span>
-          <button
-            class="remove-btn"
-            onclick={(e) => {
-              e.stopPropagation();
-              onRemoveReferenceFile(refFile.path);
-            }}
-            title="Remove reference file"
-          >
-            <X size={12} />
-          </button>
-        </div>
-      </li>
-    {/each}
-  </ul>
-{/if}
-
-<style>
-  .section-header {
-    display: grid;
-    grid-template-columns: 1fr auto 1fr;
-    align-items: center;
-    margin: 16px 12px 8px;
-    gap: 6px;
-  }
-
-  .section-left {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    justify-content: flex-end;
-    min-height: 1px;
-  }
-
-  .section-left::after {
-    content: '';
-    display: block;
-    width: 100%;
-    border-top: 1px solid var(--bg-hover);
-  }
-
-  .section-right {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    justify-content: flex-start;
-    min-height: 1px;
-  }
-
-  .section-right::before {
-    content: '';
-    display: block;
-    width: 100%;
-    border-top: 1px solid var(--bg-hover);
-  }
-
-  .section-divider {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    justify-content: center;
-    gap: 6px;
-  }
-
-  .divider-label {
-    font-size: calc(var(--size-xs) - 1px);
-    font-weight: 700;
-    letter-spacing: 0.05em;
-    color: var(--text-faint);
-    text-transform: uppercase;
-  }
-
-  .count-capsule {
-    display: inline-flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    justify-content: center;
-    min-width: 16px;
-    height: 16px;
-    padding: 0 4px;
-    border-radius: 10px;
-    font-size: calc(var(--size-xs) - 1px);
-    font-weight: 700;
-    background-color: var(--bg-hover);
-    color: var(--text-faint);
-  }
-
-  .tree-section {
-    list-style: none;
-    margin: 0;
-    padding: 0;
-  }
-
-  .tree-item-wrapper {
-    margin: 0;
-  }
-
-  .tree-item {
-    width: 100%;
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    gap: 6px;
-    border: none;
-    background: none;
-    color: var(--text-muted);
-    font-size: var(--size-sm);
-    text-align: left;
-    cursor: pointer;
-    transition:
-      background-color 0.08s,
-      color 0.08s;
-    min-height: 24px;
-    border-radius: 0;
-  }
-
-  .tree-item:hover {
-    background-color: var(--bg-hover);
-    color: var(--text-primary);
-  }
-
-  .tree-item.selected {
-    background-color: var(--bg-hover);
-    color: var(--text-primary);
-  }
-
-  .file-item {
-    position: relative;
-  }
-
-  .file-name {
-    overflow: hidden;
-    text-overflow: ellipsis;
-    white-space: nowrap;
-  }
-
-  .truncate-start {
-    direction: rtl;
-    text-align: left;
-    unicode-bidi: plaintext;
-  }
-
-  .reference-section {
-    opacity: 0.85;
-  }
-
-  .reference-item {
-    position: relative;
-  }
-
-  .reference-icon {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    justify-content: center;
-    flex-shrink: 0;
-    color: var(--text-muted);
-  }
-
-  .remove-btn {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    justify-content: center;
-    padding: 2px;
-    background: none;
-    border: none;
-    border-radius: 3px;
-    color: var(--text-faint);
-    cursor: pointer;
-    opacity: 0;
-    transition:
-      opacity 0.1s,
-      background-color 0.1s,
-      color 0.1s;
-    margin-left: auto;
-    flex-shrink: 0;
-  }
-
-  .reference-item:hover .remove-btn {
-    opacity: 1;
-  }
-
-  .remove-btn:hover {
-    background-color: var(--bg-hover);
-    color: var(--text-primary);
-  }
-</style>
diff --git a/apps/staged/src/lib/features/diff/reviewState.svelte.ts b/apps/staged/src/lib/features/diff/reviewState.svelte.ts
index 5ebbf6f8d..cfd1bd68a 100644
--- a/apps/staged/src/lib/features/diff/reviewState.svelte.ts
+++ b/apps/staged/src/lib/features/diff/reviewState.svelte.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // Re-export types from shared package
-export { type ReviewState, type ReferenceFile } from '@builderbot/diff-viewer/state';
+export { type ReviewState } from '@builderbot/diff-viewer/state';
 
 // Re-export with Staged's Tauri commands pre-bound
 import * as commands from '../../api/commands';
diff --git a/packages/diff-viewer/src/lib/state/index.ts b/packages/diff-viewer/src/lib/state/index.ts
index 97b40c360..41ec37ae8 100644
--- a/packages/diff-viewer/src/lib/state/index.ts
+++ b/packages/diff-viewer/src/lib/state/index.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ export {
   type DiffViewerState,
 } from './diffViewerState.svelte';
 
-export { createReviewState, type ReviewState, type ReferenceFile } from './reviewState.svelte';
+export { createReviewState, type ReviewState } from './reviewState.svelte';
 
 export { createScrollController } from './scrollController.svelte';
 
diff --git a/packages/diff-viewer/src/lib/state/reviewState.svelte.ts b/packages/diff-viewer/src/lib/state/reviewState.svelte.ts
index c7eda1058..c3ec3b879 100644
--- a/packages/diff-viewer/src/lib/state/reviewState.svelte.ts
+++ b/packages/diff-viewer/src/lib/state/reviewState.svelte.ts
@@ -13,18 +13,12 @@
  * This is a factory — each DiffModal creates its own instance.
  */
 
-import type { DiffCommands, ReviewCommands, Comment, Span, Review, FileContent } from '../types';
+import type { ReviewCommands, Comment, Span, Review } from '../types';
 
 // =============================================================================
 // Type
 // =============================================================================
 
-/** A reference file loaded into the sidebar. */
-export interface ReferenceFile {
-  path: string;
-  content: FileContent;
-}
-
 export interface ReviewState {
   /** The review record (null until first persistent action). */
   review: Review | null;
@@ -34,8 +28,6 @@ export interface ReviewState {
   deletedComments: Comment[];
   /** Paths marked as reviewed. */
   reviewedPaths: string[];
-  /** Reference files pinned for viewing. */
-  referenceFiles: ReferenceFile[];
   /** Whether the review is being created/loaded. */
   loading: boolean;
 }
@@ -55,7 +47,7 @@ export interface ReviewState {
  * ID the lookup would return an arbitrary match.
  */
 export function createReviewState(
-  commands: ReviewCommands & Pick<DiffCommands, 'getFileAtRef'>,
+  commands: ReviewCommands,
   branchId: string,
   commitSha: string,
   scope: 'branch' | 'commit',
@@ -66,7 +58,6 @@ export function createReviewState(
     comments: [],
     deletedComments: [],
     reviewedPaths: [],
-    referenceFiles: [],
     loading: false,
   });
 
@@ -88,11 +79,6 @@ export function createReviewState(
       state.comments = review.comments;
       state.reviewedPaths = review.reviewed;
 
-      // Load reference files in background
-      if (review.referenceFiles.length > 0) {
-        loadReferenceFilesFromPaths(review.referenceFiles);
-      }
-
       // Load deleted comments in background
       loadDeletedComments(review.id);
 
@@ -123,10 +109,6 @@ export function createReviewState(
         state.comments = review.comments;
         state.reviewedPaths = review.reviewed;
 
-        if (review.referenceFiles.length > 0) {
-          loadReferenceFilesFromPaths(review.referenceFiles);
-        }
-
         // Load deleted comments in background
         loadDeletedComments(review.id);
       }
@@ -266,24 +248,6 @@ export function createReviewState(
     }
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Load reference files from persisted paths (fire-and-forget).
-   */
-  async function loadReferenceFilesFromPaths(paths: string[]): Promise<void> {
-    const results = await Promise.allSettled(
-      paths.map(async (path) => {
-        const file = await commands.getFileAtRef(branchId, 'HEAD', path);
-        return { path: file.path, content: file.content } as ReferenceFile;
-      })
-    );
-
-    const loaded: ReferenceFile[] = [];
-    for (const result of results) {
-      if (result.status === 'fulfilled') loaded.push(result.value);
-    }
-    state.referenceFiles = loaded;
-  }
-
   /**
    * Toggle reviewed status of a file.
    */
@@ -302,43 +266,6 @@ export function createReviewState(
     return state.reviewedPaths.includes(path);
   }
 
-  // =========================================================================
-  // Reference file actions
-  // =========================================================================
-
-  /**
-   * Add a reference file. Creates the review if it doesn't exist yet.
-   * Loads file content from the repo at HEAD.
-   */
-  async function addReferenceFile(path: string): Promise<void> {
-    // Don't add duplicates
-    if (state.referenceFiles.some((f) => f.path === path)) return;
-
-    const reviewId = await ensureReviewExists();
-    if (!reviewId) return;
-
-    try {
-      const file = await commands.getFileAtRef(branchId, 'HEAD', path);
-      state.referenceFiles = [...state.referenceFiles, { path: file.path, content: file.content }];
-      await commands.addReferenceFile(reviewId, path);
-    } catch (e) {
-      console.error('Failed to add reference file:', e);
-    }
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Remove a reference file (optimistic).
-   */
-  async function removeReferenceFile(path: string): Promise<void> {
-    state.referenceFiles = state.referenceFiles.filter((f) => f.path !== path);
-
-    if (state.review) {
-      commands.removeReferenceFile(state.review.id, path).catch((e) => {
-        console.error('Failed to remove reference file from DB:', e);
-      });
-    }
-  }
-
   /**
    * Delete all comments (optimistic, single atomic backend call).
    */
@@ -368,7 +295,5 @@ export function createReviewState(
     unmarkReviewed,
     toggleReviewed,
     isReviewed,
-    addReferenceFile,
-    removeReferenceFile,
   };
 }
diff --git a/packages/diff-viewer/src/lib/types.ts b/packages/diff-viewer/src/lib/types.ts
index 9932b5756..a8132f27d 100644
--- a/packages/diff-viewer/src/lib/types.ts
+++ b/packages/diff-viewer/src/lib/types.ts
@@ -194,6 +194,4 @@ export interface ReviewCommands {
   markReviewed(reviewId: string, path: string): Promise<void>;
   unmarkReviewed(reviewId: string, path: string): Promise<void>;
 
-  addReferenceFile(reviewId: string, path: string): Promise<void>;
-  removeReferenceFile(reviewId: string, path: string): Promise<void>;
 }