diff --git a/.jules/palette.md b/.jules/palette.md
index 3dce5527..cba05952 100644
--- a/.jules/palette.md
+++ b/.jules/palette.md
@@ -105,3 +105,11 @@
 ## 2025-04-24 - Interactive Element Keyboard Accessibility
 **Learning:** Found multiple interactive `<button>` elements in user-facing components (`UserManagementPanel`, `UserMenuWidget`) that lacked keyboard focus indicators. This makes navigation via keyboard difficult for users relying on alternative inputs.
 **Action:** When creating or maintaining new buttons, always append `focus-visible:ring-1 focus-visible:ring-[color] outline-none` to ensure standard keyboard accessibility across the UI.
+
+## 2026-05-11 - Added ARIA labels and focus styles to AI Analyst Panel controls
+**Learning:** Icon-only action buttons in dense widgets like the AI Analyst Panel (e.g., Settings, Close) often lack s and distinct keyboard focus rings (). Without these, screen readers can't identify the buttons' purpose and keyboard users can't see which element is focused. Additionally, toggle buttons (like Settings) need  to communicate their state.
+**Action:** Always ensure custom icon-only buttons in widgets include , visible keyboard focus states matching the panel's theme color, and stateful ARIA attributes like  when they control nested content.
+
+## 2025-05-11 - Added ARIA labels and focus styles to AI Analyst Panel controls
+**Learning:** Icon-only action buttons in dense widgets like the AI Analyst Panel (e.g., Settings, Close) often lack `aria-label`s and distinct keyboard focus rings (`focus-visible:ring-1 focus-visible:ring-violet-400 outline-none`). Without these, screen readers can't identify the buttons' purpose and keyboard users can't see which element is focused. Additionally, toggle buttons (like Settings) need `aria-expanded` to communicate their state.
+**Action:** Always ensure custom icon-only buttons in widgets include `aria-label`, visible keyboard focus states matching the panel's theme color, and stateful ARIA attributes like `aria-expanded` when they control nested content.
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/widgets/AIAnalystPanel.tsx b/frontend/src/components/widgets/AIAnalystPanel.tsx
index 45eb58db..2cc8a111 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/widgets/AIAnalystPanel.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/widgets/AIAnalystPanel.tsx
@@ -229,16 +229,19 @@ export const AIAnalystPanel: React.FC<AIAnalystPanelProps> = ({
             {isAdmin && (
               <button
                 onClick={() => setIsSettingsOpen(!isSettingsOpen)}
-                className={`p-1.5 rounded-sm transition-all ${isSettingsOpen ? 'bg-white/20 text-white shadow-[0_0_10px_rgba(255,255,255,0.2)]' : 'hover:bg-white/10 text-white/40 hover:text-white/80'}`}
+                className={`p-1.5 rounded-sm transition-all focus-visible:ring-1 focus-visible:ring-violet-400 outline-none ${isSettingsOpen ? 'bg-white/20 text-white shadow-[0_0_10px_rgba(255,255,255,0.2)]' : 'hover:bg-white/10 text-white/40 hover:text-white/80'}`}
                 title="AI Engine Settings"
+                aria-label="AI Engine Settings"
+                aria-expanded={isSettingsOpen}
               >
                 <Settings size={13} />
               </button>
             )}
             <button
               onClick={onClose}
-              className="p-1.5 hover:bg-red-500/10 rounded-sm text-white/30 hover:text-red-400 transition-all group"
+              className="p-1.5 hover:bg-red-500/10 rounded-sm text-white/30 hover:text-red-400 transition-all group focus-visible:ring-1 focus-visible:ring-violet-400 outline-none"
               title="Close Panel"
+              aria-label="Close Panel"
             >
               <X size={14} className="group-hover:rotate-90 transition-transform duration-300" />
             </button>