diff --git a/packages/studio/src/components/nle/NLEPreview.tsx b/packages/studio/src/components/nle/NLEPreview.tsx
index ce08b8834..dab649edc 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/components/nle/NLEPreview.tsx
+++ b/packages/studio/src/components/nle/NLEPreview.tsx
@@ -33,7 +33,11 @@ export const NLEPreview = memo(function NLEPreview({
 
   return (
     <div className="flex flex-col h-full min-h-0">
-      <div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center p-2 overflow-hidden min-h-0">
+      <div
+        className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center p-2 overflow-hidden min-h-0 outline-none focus:ring-1 focus:ring-studio-accent/40"
+        tabIndex={0}
+        aria-label="Composition preview"
+      >
         <Player
           key={playerKey}
           ref={iframeRef}
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/components/PlayerControls.tsx b/packages/studio/src/player/components/PlayerControls.tsx
index 911b84f5a..dcde46b50 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/components/PlayerControls.tsx
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/components/PlayerControls.tsx
@@ -4,11 +4,18 @@ import {
   TIMELINE_TOGGLE_SHORTCUT_LABEL,
   getTimelineToggleTitle,
 } from "../../utils/timelineDiscovery";
-import { formatTime } from "../lib/time";
+import { formatFrameTime, frameToSeconds, formatTime } from "../lib/time";
 import { usePlayerStore, liveTime } from "../store/playerStore";
 
 const SPEED_OPTIONS = [0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2] as const;
 const SEEK_EDGE_SNAP_PX = 8;
+type TimeDisplayMode = "time" | "frame";
+const SHORTCUT_HINTS = [
+  { key: "J", label: "Play backward" },
+  { key: "K", label: "Stop playback" },
+  { key: "L", label: "Play forward" },
+  { key: "←/→", label: "Step one frame backward or forward" },
+] as const;
 
 export function resolveSeekPercent(clientX: number, rectLeft: number, rectWidth: number): number {
   if (!Number.isFinite(rectWidth) || rectWidth <= 0) return 0;
@@ -38,8 +45,12 @@ export const PlayerControls = memo(function PlayerControls({
   const duration = usePlayerStore((s) => s.duration);
   const timelineReady = usePlayerStore((s) => s.timelineReady);
   const playbackRate = usePlayerStore((s) => s.playbackRate);
+  const loopEnabled = usePlayerStore((s) => s.loopEnabled);
   const setPlaybackRate = usePlayerStore.getState().setPlaybackRate;
+  const setLoopEnabled = usePlayerStore.getState().setLoopEnabled;
   const [showSpeedMenu, setShowSpeedMenu] = useState(false);
+  const [timeDisplayMode, setTimeDisplayMode] = useState<TimeDisplayMode>("time");
+  const [jumpFrame, setJumpFrame] = useState("");
 
   const progressFillRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
   const progressThumbRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
@@ -49,6 +60,8 @@ export const PlayerControls = memo(function PlayerControls({
   const speedMenuContainerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
   const isDraggingRef = useRef(false);
   const currentTimeRef = useRef(0);
+  const timeDisplayModeRef = useRef(timeDisplayMode);
+  timeDisplayModeRef.current = timeDisplayMode;
 
   const durationRef = useRef(duration);
   durationRef.current = duration;
@@ -59,7 +72,10 @@ export const PlayerControls = memo(function PlayerControls({
       const pct = dur > 0 ? Math.min(100, (t / dur) * 100) : 0;
       if (progressFillRef.current) progressFillRef.current.style.width = `${pct}%`;
       if (progressThumbRef.current) progressThumbRef.current.style.left = `${pct}%`;
-      if (timeDisplayRef.current) timeDisplayRef.current.textContent = formatTime(t);
+      if (timeDisplayRef.current) {
+        timeDisplayRef.current.textContent =
+          timeDisplayModeRef.current === "frame" ? formatFrameTime(t, dur) : formatTime(t);
+      }
       if (sliderRef.current) sliderRef.current.setAttribute("aria-valuenow", String(Math.round(t)));
     };
     const unsub = liveTime.subscribe(updateProgress);
@@ -82,6 +98,13 @@ export const PlayerControls = memo(function PlayerControls({
     };
   });
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!timeDisplayRef.current) return;
+    const t = currentTimeRef.current;
+    timeDisplayRef.current.textContent =
+      timeDisplayMode === "frame" ? formatFrameTime(t, duration) : formatTime(t);
+  }, [duration, timeDisplayMode]);
+
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!showSpeedMenu) return;
     const handleMouseDown = (e: MouseEvent) => {
@@ -190,21 +213,44 @@ export const PlayerControls = memo(function PlayerControls({
   const handleKeyDown = useCallback(
     (e: React.KeyboardEvent) => {
       if (!timelineReady || duration <= 0) return;
-      const step = e.shiftKey ? 5 : 1;
+      const step = e.shiftKey ? 10 : 1;
       if (e.key === "ArrowLeft") {
         e.preventDefault();
-        onSeek(Math.max(0, currentTimeRef.current - step));
+        onSeek(Math.max(0, currentTimeRef.current - frameToSeconds(step)));
       } else if (e.key === "ArrowRight") {
         e.preventDefault();
-        onSeek(Math.min(duration, currentTimeRef.current + step));
+        onSeek(Math.min(duration, currentTimeRef.current + frameToSeconds(step)));
       }
     },
     [timelineReady, duration, onSeek],
   );
 
+  const commitJumpFrame = useCallback(() => {
+    const frame = Number.parseInt(jumpFrame, 10);
+    if (!Number.isFinite(frame) || duration <= 0) return;
+    onSeek(Math.min(duration, frameToSeconds(Math.max(0, frame))));
+  }, [duration, jumpFrame, onSeek]);
+
+  const handleJumpSubmit = useCallback(
+    (e: React.FormEvent) => {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      commitJumpFrame();
+    },
+    [commitJumpFrame],
+  );
+
+  const handleJumpKeyDown = useCallback(
+    (e: React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
+      if (e.key !== "Enter") return;
+      e.preventDefault();
+      commitJumpFrame();
+    },
+    [commitJumpFrame],
+  );
+
   return (
     <div
-      className="px-4 py-2 flex items-center gap-3"
+      className="px-4 py-2 flex flex-wrap items-center gap-x-2 gap-y-1"
       style={{
         borderTop: "1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.04)",
         // Add iOS safe-area inset so Safari's bottom URL bar doesn't occlude
@@ -236,12 +282,16 @@ export const PlayerControls = memo(function PlayerControls({
 
       {/* Time display */}
       <span
-        className="font-mono text-[11px] tabular-nums flex-shrink-0 min-w-[72px]"
+        className="font-mono text-[11px] tabular-nums flex-shrink-0 w-[118px]"
         style={{ color: "#A1A1AA" }}
       >
         <span ref={timeDisplayRef}>{formatTime(0)}</span>
-        <span style={{ color: "#3F3F46", margin: "0 2px" }}>/</span>
-        <span style={{ color: "#52525B" }}>{formatTime(duration)}</span>
+        {timeDisplayMode === "time" ? (
+          <>
+            <span style={{ color: "#3F3F46", margin: "0 2px" }}>/</span>
+            <span style={{ color: "#52525B" }}>{formatTime(duration)}</span>
+          </>
+        ) : null}
       </span>
 
       {/* Seek bar — teal progress fill */}
@@ -256,7 +306,7 @@ export const PlayerControls = memo(function PlayerControls({
         aria-valuemin={0}
         aria-valuemax={Math.round(duration)}
         aria-valuenow={0}
-        className="flex-1 h-6 flex items-center cursor-pointer group"
+        className="min-w-[96px] flex-1 h-6 flex items-center cursor-pointer group"
         // `touch-action: none` tells the browser we're handling every
         // pointer gesture on this element ourselves. Without it, iOS
         // Safari consumes horizontal swipes for its own swipe-back-to-
@@ -292,7 +342,7 @@ export const PlayerControls = memo(function PlayerControls({
         <button
           type="button"
           onClick={() => setShowSpeedMenu((v) => !v)}
-          className="px-2 py-1 rounded-md text-[10px] font-mono tabular-nums transition-colors"
+          className="w-10 px-2 py-1 rounded-md text-[10px] font-mono tabular-nums transition-colors"
           style={{ color: "#71717A", background: "rgba(255,255,255,0.04)" }}
         >
           {playbackRate === 1 ? "1x" : `${playbackRate}x`}
@@ -329,6 +379,65 @@ export const PlayerControls = memo(function PlayerControls({
         )}
       </div>
 
+      <button
+        type="button"
+        onClick={() => setLoopEnabled(!loopEnabled)}
+        className={`h-7 w-14 rounded-md border px-2 text-[10px] font-medium transition-colors ${
+          loopEnabled
+            ? "text-studio-accent bg-studio-accent/10 border-studio-accent/30"
+            : "border-neutral-700 text-neutral-400 hover:border-neutral-500 hover:bg-neutral-800"
+        }`}
+        title="Loop playback"
+        aria-label={loopEnabled ? "Disable loop playback" : "Enable loop playback"}
+        aria-pressed={loopEnabled}
+      >
+        Loop
+      </button>
+
+      <button
+        type="button"
+        onClick={() => setTimeDisplayMode((mode) => (mode === "time" ? "frame" : "time"))}
+        className="h-7 w-14 rounded-md border border-neutral-700 px-2 text-[10px] font-mono text-neutral-300 transition-colors hover:border-neutral-500 hover:bg-neutral-800"
+        title="Toggle time/frame display"
+        aria-label="Toggle time and frame display"
+      >
+        {timeDisplayMode === "time" ? "m:ss" : "frames"}
+      </button>
+
+      <form
+        onSubmit={handleJumpSubmit}
+        className="hidden sm:flex flex-shrink-0 w-[58px] items-center"
+      >
+        <input
+          value={jumpFrame}
+          onChange={(e) => setJumpFrame(e.target.value)}
+          inputMode="numeric"
+          pattern="[0-9]*"
+          aria-label="Jump to frame"
+          placeholder="frame"
+          className="h-7 w-[58px] rounded-md border border-neutral-700 bg-neutral-900 px-2 text-[10px] font-mono tabular-nums text-neutral-200 outline-none transition-colors placeholder:text-neutral-600 focus:border-studio-accent/60"
+          onKeyDown={handleJumpKeyDown}
+          onBlur={commitJumpFrame}
+        />
+      </form>
+
+      <div
+        className="hidden lg:flex items-center gap-1 text-[9px] font-mono text-neutral-500"
+        aria-label="Playback shortcuts: J backward, K stop, L forward, arrows step one frame"
+      >
+        {SHORTCUT_HINTS.map((shortcut) => (
+          <span
+            key={shortcut.key}
+            className="group relative rounded border border-neutral-800 px-1 py-0.5"
+          >
+            {shortcut.key}
+            <span className="pointer-events-none absolute bottom-full left-1/2 z-50 mb-1.5 hidden -translate-x-1/2 whitespace-nowrap rounded-md border border-neutral-700 bg-neutral-950 px-2 py-1 font-sans text-[10px] text-neutral-200 shadow-lg group-hover:block">
+              {shortcut.label}
+            </span>
+          </span>
+        ))}
+      </div>
+
       {/* Timeline toggle */}
       {onToggleTimeline !== undefined && (
         <button
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.test.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.test.ts
index 94d756221..096afe28c 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.test.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.test.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,15 @@ import {
   buildStandaloneRootTimelineElement,
   mergeTimelineElementsPreservingDowngrades,
   resolveStandaloneRootCompositionSrc,
+  shouldIgnorePlaybackShortcutTarget,
 } from "./useTimelinePlayer";
 
+function mockTargetMatching(selectorNeedle: string): EventTarget {
+  return {
+    closest: (selector: string) => (selector.includes(selectorNeedle) ? ({} as Element) : null),
+  } as unknown as EventTarget;
+}
+
 describe("buildStandaloneRootTimelineElement", () => {
   it("includes selector and source metadata for standalone composition fallback clips", () => {
     expect(
@@ -94,3 +101,17 @@ describe("mergeTimelineElementsPreservingDowngrades", () => {
     ).toEqual([{ id: "hero", tag: "div", start: 0, duration: 4, track: 0 }]);
   });
 });
+
+describe("shouldIgnorePlaybackShortcutTarget", () => {
+  it("ignores focused toolbar buttons so Space can activate the button itself", () => {
+    expect(shouldIgnorePlaybackShortcutTarget(mockTargetMatching("button"))).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("ignores the seek slider so ArrowRight reaches the slider key handler", () => {
+    expect(shouldIgnorePlaybackShortcutTarget(mockTargetMatching("[role='slider']"))).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("allows non-interactive preview targets to use playback shortcuts", () => {
+    expect(shouldIgnorePlaybackShortcutTarget(mockTargetMatching("[data-missing]"))).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.ts
index 470c2da8b..a20e368f7 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/hooks/useTimelinePlayer.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { useRef, useCallback } from "react";
 import { usePlayerStore, liveTime, type TimelineElement } from "../store/playerStore";
 import { useMountEffect } from "../../hooks/useMountEffect";
+import { frameToSeconds, STUDIO_PREVIEW_FPS } from "../lib/time";
 
 interface PlaybackAdapter {
   play: () => void;
@@ -105,6 +106,37 @@ function applyMediaMetadataFromElement(entry: TimelineElement, el: Element): voi
   }
 }
 
+const SHUTTLE_SPEEDS = [1, 2, 4] as const;
+const PLAYBACK_SHORTCUT_IGNORED_SELECTOR = [
+  "input",
+  "textarea",
+  "select",
+  "button",
+  "a[href]",
+  "[contenteditable='true']",
+  "[role='button']",
+  "[role='checkbox']",
+  "[role='combobox']",
+  "[role='menuitem']",
+  "[role='radio']",
+  "[role='slider']",
+  "[role='spinbutton']",
+  "[role='switch']",
+  "[role='textbox']",
+].join(",");
+
+export function shouldIgnorePlaybackShortcutTarget(target: EventTarget | null): boolean {
+  if (!target || typeof target !== "object") return false;
+  const candidate = target as { closest?: unknown };
+  if (typeof candidate.closest !== "function") return false;
+  return (
+    (candidate.closest as (selector: string) => Element | null).call(
+      target,
+      PLAYBACK_SHORTCUT_IGNORED_SELECTOR,
+    ) !== null
+  );
+}
+
 /**
  * Parse [data-start] elements from a Document into TimelineElement[].
  * Shared helper — used by onIframeLoad fallback, handleMessage, and enrichMissingCompositions.
@@ -406,6 +438,13 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
   const probeIntervalRef = useRef<ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | undefined>(undefined);
   const pendingSeekRef = useRef<number | null>(null);
   const isRefreshingRef = useRef(false);
+  const reverseRafRef = useRef<number>(0);
+  const shuttleDirectionRef = useRef<"forward" | "backward" | null>(null);
+  const shuttleSpeedIndexRef = useRef(0);
+  const pressedCodesRef = useRef(new Set<string>());
+  const iframeShortcutCleanupRef = useRef<(() => void) | null>(null);
+  const playbackKeyDownRef = useRef<(e: KeyboardEvent) => void>(() => {});
+  const playbackKeyUpRef = useRef<(e: KeyboardEvent) => void>(() => {});
 
   // ZERO store subscriptions — this hook never causes re-renders.
   // All reads use getState() (point-in-time), all writes use the stable setters.
@@ -464,6 +503,10 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
     }
   }, []);
 
+  const stopReverseLoop = useCallback(() => {
+    cancelAnimationFrame(reverseRafRef.current);
+  }, []);
+
   const startRAFLoop = useCallback(() => {
     const tick = () => {
       const adapter = getAdapter();
@@ -472,6 +515,14 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
         const dur = adapter.getDuration();
         liveTime.notify(time); // direct DOM updates, no React re-render
         if (time >= dur && !adapter.isPlaying()) {
+          if (usePlayerStore.getState().loopEnabled && dur > 0) {
+            adapter.seek(0);
+            liveTime.notify(0);
+            adapter.play();
+            setIsPlaying(true);
+            rafRef.current = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
+            return;
+          }
           setCurrentTime(time); // sync Zustand once at end
           setIsPlaying(false);
           cancelAnimationFrame(rafRef.current);
@@ -514,6 +565,8 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
   }, []);
 
   const play = useCallback(() => {
+    stopRAFLoop();
+    stopReverseLoop();
     const adapter = getAdapter();
     if (!adapter) return;
     if (adapter.getTime() >= adapter.getDuration()) {
@@ -522,18 +575,68 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
     unmutePreviewMedia(iframeRef.current);
     applyPlaybackRate(usePlayerStore.getState().playbackRate);
     adapter.play();
+    shuttleDirectionRef.current = "forward";
     setIsPlaying(true);
     startRAFLoop();
-  }, [getAdapter, setIsPlaying, startRAFLoop, applyPlaybackRate]);
+  }, [getAdapter, setIsPlaying, startRAFLoop, applyPlaybackRate, stopRAFLoop, stopReverseLoop]);
+
+  const playBackward = useCallback(
+    (rate: number) => {
+      stopRAFLoop();
+      stopReverseLoop();
+      const adapter = getAdapter();
+      if (!adapter) return;
+      const duration = Math.max(0, adapter.getDuration());
+      const initialTime = adapter.getTime() <= 0 && duration > 0 ? duration : adapter.getTime();
+      adapter.pause();
+      if (initialTime !== adapter.getTime()) adapter.seek(initialTime);
+      unmutePreviewMedia(iframeRef.current);
+      const speed = Math.max(0.1, Math.min(4, rate));
+      let startTime = initialTime;
+      let startedAt = performance.now();
+
+      const tick = (now: number) => {
+        const elapsed = ((now - startedAt) / 1000) * speed;
+        let nextTime = startTime - elapsed;
+        if (nextTime <= 0) {
+          if (usePlayerStore.getState().loopEnabled && duration > 0) {
+            startTime = duration;
+            startedAt = now;
+            nextTime = duration;
+          } else {
+            adapter.seek(0);
+            liveTime.notify(0);
+            setCurrentTime(0);
+            setIsPlaying(false);
+            shuttleDirectionRef.current = null;
+            reverseRafRef.current = 0;
+            return;
+          }
+        }
+        adapter.seek(Math.max(0, nextTime));
+        liveTime.notify(Math.max(0, nextTime));
+        setIsPlaying(true);
+        reverseRafRef.current = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
+      };
+
+      setIsPlaying(true);
+      shuttleDirectionRef.current = "backward";
+      reverseRafRef.current = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
+    },
+    [getAdapter, setCurrentTime, setIsPlaying, stopRAFLoop, stopReverseLoop],
+  );
 
   const pause = useCallback(() => {
+    stopReverseLoop();
     const adapter = getAdapter();
     if (!adapter) return;
     adapter.pause();
     setCurrentTime(adapter.getTime()); // sync store so Split/Delete have accurate time
     setIsPlaying(false);
+    shuttleDirectionRef.current = null;
+    shuttleSpeedIndexRef.current = 0;
     stopRAFLoop();
-  }, [getAdapter, setCurrentTime, setIsPlaying, stopRAFLoop]);
+  }, [getAdapter, setCurrentTime, setIsPlaying, stopRAFLoop, stopReverseLoop]);
 
   const togglePlay = useCallback(() => {
     if (usePlayerStore.getState().isPlaying) {
@@ -545,18 +648,128 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
 
   const seek = useCallback(
     (time: number) => {
+      stopReverseLoop();
       const adapter = getAdapter();
       if (!adapter) return;
-      adapter.seek(time);
-      liveTime.notify(time); // Direct DOM updates (playhead, timecode, progress) — no re-render
-      setCurrentTime(time); // sync store so Split/Delete have accurate time
+      const duration = Math.max(0, adapter.getDuration());
+      const nextTime = Math.max(0, duration > 0 ? Math.min(duration, time) : time);
+      adapter.seek(nextTime);
+      liveTime.notify(nextTime); // Direct DOM updates (playhead, timecode, progress) — no re-render
+      setCurrentTime(nextTime); // sync store so Split/Delete have accurate time
       stopRAFLoop();
       // Only update store if state actually changes (avoids unnecessary re-renders)
       if (usePlayerStore.getState().isPlaying) setIsPlaying(false);
+      shuttleDirectionRef.current = null;
+      shuttleSpeedIndexRef.current = 0;
     },
-    [getAdapter, setCurrentTime, setIsPlaying, stopRAFLoop],
+    [getAdapter, setCurrentTime, setIsPlaying, stopRAFLoop, stopReverseLoop],
   );
 
+  const stepFrames = useCallback(
+    (deltaFrames: number) => {
+      const adapter = getAdapter();
+      const currentTime = adapter?.getTime() ?? usePlayerStore.getState().currentTime;
+      seek(currentTime + frameToSeconds(deltaFrames, STUDIO_PREVIEW_FPS));
+    },
+    [getAdapter, seek],
+  );
+
+  const shuttle = useCallback(
+    (direction: "forward" | "backward") => {
+      if (shuttleDirectionRef.current === direction) {
+        shuttleSpeedIndexRef.current = Math.min(
+          shuttleSpeedIndexRef.current + 1,
+          SHUTTLE_SPEEDS.length - 1,
+        );
+      } else {
+        shuttleSpeedIndexRef.current = 0;
+      }
+      const speed = SHUTTLE_SPEEDS[shuttleSpeedIndexRef.current];
+      usePlayerStore.getState().setPlaybackRate(speed);
+      if (direction === "forward") {
+        play();
+      } else {
+        playBackward(speed);
+      }
+    },
+    [play, playBackward],
+  );
+
+  const handlePlaybackKeyDown = useCallback(
+    (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      if (e.defaultPrevented) return;
+      if (shouldIgnorePlaybackShortcutTarget(e.target)) return;
+      pressedCodesRef.current.add(e.code);
+      if (e.code === "Space") {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        togglePlay();
+        return;
+      }
+      if (e.code === "ArrowLeft") {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        stepFrames(e.shiftKey ? -10 : -1);
+        return;
+      }
+      if (e.code === "ArrowRight") {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        stepFrames(e.shiftKey ? 10 : 1);
+        return;
+      }
+      if (e.repeat) return;
+      if (e.code === "KeyK") {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        pause();
+        return;
+      }
+      if (e.code === "KeyJ") {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        if (pressedCodesRef.current.has("KeyK")) {
+          stepFrames(-1);
+          return;
+        }
+        shuttle("backward");
+        return;
+      }
+      if (e.code === "KeyL") {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        if (pressedCodesRef.current.has("KeyK")) {
+          stepFrames(1);
+          return;
+        }
+        shuttle("forward");
+      }
+    },
+    [pause, shuttle, stepFrames, togglePlay],
+  );
+
+  const handlePlaybackKeyUp = useCallback((e: KeyboardEvent) => {
+    pressedCodesRef.current.delete(e.code);
+  }, []);
+  playbackKeyDownRef.current = handlePlaybackKeyDown;
+  playbackKeyUpRef.current = handlePlaybackKeyUp;
+
+  const attachIframeShortcutListeners = useCallback(() => {
+    iframeShortcutCleanupRef.current?.();
+    iframeShortcutCleanupRef.current = null;
+
+    const iframeWin = iframeRef.current?.contentWindow;
+    const iframeDoc = iframeRef.current?.contentDocument;
+    if (!iframeWin && !iframeDoc) return;
+
+    const handleIframeKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => playbackKeyDownRef.current(e);
+    const handleIframeKeyUp = (e: KeyboardEvent) => playbackKeyUpRef.current(e);
+    iframeWin?.addEventListener("keydown", handleIframeKeyDown, true);
+    iframeWin?.addEventListener("keyup", handleIframeKeyUp, true);
+    iframeDoc?.addEventListener("keydown", handleIframeKeyDown, true);
+    iframeDoc?.addEventListener("keyup", handleIframeKeyUp, true);
+    iframeShortcutCleanupRef.current = () => {
+      iframeWin?.removeEventListener("keydown", handleIframeKeyDown, true);
+      iframeWin?.removeEventListener("keyup", handleIframeKeyUp, true);
+      iframeDoc?.removeEventListener("keydown", handleIframeKeyDown, true);
+      iframeDoc?.removeEventListener("keyup", handleIframeKeyUp, true);
+    };
+  }, []);
+
   // Convert a runtime timeline message (from iframe postMessage) into TimelineElements
   const processTimelineMessage = useCallback(
     (data: {
@@ -865,6 +1078,7 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
           if (doc && iframeWin) {
             normalizePreviewViewport(doc, iframeWin);
             autoHealMissingCompositionIds(doc);
+            attachIframeShortcutListeners();
           }
 
           // Try reading __clipManifest if already available (fast path)
@@ -931,6 +1145,7 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
     processTimelineMessage,
     enrichMissingCompositions,
     syncTimelineElements,
+    attachIframeShortcutListeners,
   ]);
 
   /** Save the current playback time so the next onIframeLoad restores it. */
@@ -941,8 +1156,9 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
       : (usePlayerStore.getState().currentTime ?? 0);
     isRefreshingRef.current = true;
     stopRAFLoop();
+    stopReverseLoop();
     setIsPlaying(false);
-  }, [getAdapter, stopRAFLoop, setIsPlaying]);
+  }, [getAdapter, stopRAFLoop, setIsPlaying, stopReverseLoop]);
 
   const refreshPlayer = useCallback(() => {
     const iframe = iframeRef.current;
@@ -956,8 +1172,6 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
     iframe.src = url.toString();
   }, [saveSeekPosition]);
 
-  const togglePlayRef = useRef(togglePlay);
-  togglePlayRef.current = togglePlay;
   const getAdapterRef = useRef(getAdapter);
   getAdapterRef.current = getAdapter;
   const processTimelineMessageRef = useRef(processTimelineMessage);
@@ -966,12 +1180,8 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
   enrichMissingCompositionsRef.current = enrichMissingCompositions;
 
   useMountEffect(() => {
-    const handleKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
-      if (e.code === "Space" && e.target === document.body) {
-        e.preventDefault();
-        togglePlayRef.current();
-      }
-    };
+    const handleWindowKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => playbackKeyDownRef.current(e);
+    const handleWindowKeyUp = (e: KeyboardEvent) => playbackKeyUpRef.current(e);
 
     // Listen for timeline messages from the iframe runtime.
     // The runtime sends this AFTER all external compositions load,
@@ -1044,14 +1254,19 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
       }
     };
 
-    window.addEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
+    window.addEventListener("keydown", handleWindowKeyDown, true);
+    window.addEventListener("keyup", handleWindowKeyUp, true);
     window.addEventListener("message", handleMessage);
     document.addEventListener("visibilitychange", handleVisibilityChange);
     return () => {
-      window.removeEventListener("keydown", handleKeyDown);
+      window.removeEventListener("keydown", handleWindowKeyDown, true);
+      window.removeEventListener("keyup", handleWindowKeyUp, true);
+      iframeShortcutCleanupRef.current?.();
+      iframeShortcutCleanupRef.current = null;
       window.removeEventListener("message", handleMessage);
       document.removeEventListener("visibilitychange", handleVisibilityChange);
       stopRAFLoop();
+      stopReverseLoop();
       if (probeIntervalRef.current) clearInterval(probeIntervalRef.current);
       // Don't reset() on cleanup — preserve timeline elements across iframe refreshes
       // to prevent blink. New data will replace old when the iframe reloads.
@@ -1061,9 +1276,10 @@ export function useTimelinePlayer() {
   /** Reset the player store (elements, duration, etc.) — call when switching sessions. */
   const resetPlayer = useCallback(() => {
     stopRAFLoop();
+    stopReverseLoop();
     if (probeIntervalRef.current) clearInterval(probeIntervalRef.current);
     usePlayerStore.getState().reset();
-  }, [stopRAFLoop]);
+  }, [stopRAFLoop, stopReverseLoop]);
 
   return {
     iframeRef,
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/lib/time.test.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/lib/time.test.ts
index 24a54fa7a..e61c3b756 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/lib/time.test.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/lib/time.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { describe, it, expect } from "vitest";
-import { formatTime } from "./time";
+import { formatFrameTime, frameToSeconds, secondsToFrame, formatTime } from "./time";
 
 describe("formatTime", () => {
   it("formats zero seconds", () => {
@@ -55,3 +55,21 @@ describe("formatTime", () => {
     expect(formatTime(Infinity)).toBe("0:00");
   });
 });
+
+describe("frame helpers", () => {
+  it("converts seconds to frames at the Studio preview rate", () => {
+    expect(secondsToFrame(0)).toBe(0);
+    expect(secondsToFrame(1)).toBe(30);
+    expect(secondsToFrame(1.5)).toBe(45);
+  });
+
+  it("converts frames to seconds at the Studio preview rate", () => {
+    expect(frameToSeconds(0)).toBe(0);
+    expect(frameToSeconds(30)).toBe(1);
+    expect(frameToSeconds(45)).toBe(1.5);
+  });
+
+  it("formats current and total frame display", () => {
+    expect(formatFrameTime(1, 5)).toBe("30f / 150f");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/lib/time.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/lib/time.ts
index 97f409c27..83099c721 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/lib/time.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/lib/time.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,26 @@
+export const STUDIO_PREVIEW_FPS = 30;
+
 export function formatTime(time: number): string {
   if (!Number.isFinite(time) || time < 0) return "0:00";
   const mins = Math.floor(time / 60);
   const secs = Math.floor(time % 60);
   return `${mins}:${secs.toString().padStart(2, "0")}`;
 }
+
+export function secondsToFrame(time: number, fps = STUDIO_PREVIEW_FPS): number {
+  if (!Number.isFinite(time) || time <= 0) return 0;
+  if (!Number.isFinite(fps) || fps <= 0) return 0;
+  return Math.round(time * fps);
+}
+
+export function frameToSeconds(frame: number, fps = STUDIO_PREVIEW_FPS): number {
+  if (!Number.isFinite(frame) || frame <= 0) return 0;
+  if (!Number.isFinite(fps) || fps <= 0) return 0;
+  return frame / fps;
+}
+
+export function formatFrameTime(time: number, duration: number, fps = STUDIO_PREVIEW_FPS): string {
+  const currentFrame = secondsToFrame(time, fps);
+  const totalFrames = secondsToFrame(duration, fps);
+  return `${currentFrame}f / ${totalFrames}f`;
+}
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.test.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.test.ts
index f74ca948b..cf7dc5385 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.test.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.test.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ describe("usePlayerStore", () => {
       expect(state.elements).toEqual([]);
       expect(state.selectedElementId).toBeNull();
       expect(state.playbackRate).toBe(1);
+      expect(state.loopEnabled).toBe(false);
       expect(state.zoomMode).toBe("fit");
       expect(state.manualZoomPercent).toBe(100);
     });
@@ -61,6 +62,13 @@ describe("usePlayerStore", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe("setLoopEnabled", () => {
+    it("updates loopEnabled", () => {
+      usePlayerStore.getState().setLoopEnabled(true);
+      expect(usePlayerStore.getState().loopEnabled).toBe(true);
+    });
+  });
+
   describe("setTimelineReady", () => {
     it("updates timelineReady", () => {
       usePlayerStore.getState().setTimelineReady(true);
@@ -205,9 +213,10 @@ describe("usePlayerStore", () => {
       expect(state.selectedElementId).toBeNull();
     });
 
-    it("does not reset playbackRate, zoomMode, or manualZoomPercent", () => {
+    it("does not reset playbackRate, loopEnabled, zoomMode, or manualZoomPercent", () => {
       const store = usePlayerStore.getState();
       store.setPlaybackRate(2);
+      store.setLoopEnabled(true);
       store.setZoomMode("manual");
       store.setManualZoomPercent(200);
 
@@ -216,6 +225,7 @@ describe("usePlayerStore", () => {
       const state = usePlayerStore.getState();
       // reset() only resets the fields explicitly listed in the reset function
       expect(state.playbackRate).toBe(2);
+      expect(state.loopEnabled).toBe(true);
       expect(state.zoomMode).toBe("manual");
       expect(state.manualZoomPercent).toBe(200);
     });
diff --git a/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.ts b/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.ts
index 3c509bb34..5d9c2d1a9 100644
--- a/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.ts
+++ b/packages/studio/src/player/store/playerStore.ts
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ interface PlayerState {
   elements: TimelineElement[];
   selectedElementId: string | null;
   playbackRate: number;
+  loopEnabled: boolean;
   /** Timeline zoom: 'fit' auto-scales to viewport, 'manual' uses manualZoomPercent */
   zoomMode: ZoomMode;
   /** Timeline zoom percent relative to the fit width when in manual mode */
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@ interface PlayerState {
   setCurrentTime: (time: number) => void;
   setDuration: (duration: number) => void;
   setPlaybackRate: (rate: number) => void;
+  setLoopEnabled: (enabled: boolean) => void;
   setTimelineReady: (ready: boolean) => void;
   setElements: (elements: TimelineElement[]) => void;
   setSelectedElementId: (id: string | null) => void;
@@ -76,11 +78,13 @@ export const usePlayerStore = create<PlayerState>((set) => ({
   elements: [],
   selectedElementId: null,
   playbackRate: 1,
+  loopEnabled: false,
   zoomMode: "fit",
   manualZoomPercent: 100,
 
   setIsPlaying: (playing) => set({ isPlaying: playing }),
   setPlaybackRate: (rate) => set({ playbackRate: rate }),
+  setLoopEnabled: (enabled) => set({ loopEnabled: enabled }),
   setZoomMode: (mode) => set({ zoomMode: mode }),
   setManualZoomPercent: (percent) =>
     set({ manualZoomPercent: Math.max(10, Math.min(2000, Math.round(percent))) }),
@@ -96,7 +100,7 @@ export const usePlayerStore = create<PlayerState>((set) => ({
       ),
     })),
   // Resets project-specific state when switching compositions.
-  // playbackRate, zoomMode, and manualZoomPercent are intentionally preserved
+  // playbackRate, loopEnabled, zoomMode, and manualZoomPercent are intentionally preserved
   // because they are user preferences that should survive project switches.
   reset: () =>
     set({