diff --git a/web/source/css/_colors.css b/web/source/css/_colors.css
index 6d4b056b8..01f59a55d 100644
--- a/web/source/css/_colors.css
+++ b/web/source/css/_colors.css
@@ -101,15 +101,15 @@ $input-border: $blue1;
 $input-error-border: $error3;
 $input-focus-border: $blue3;
 
-$settings-nav-bg: $bg-accent;
-$settings-nav-header-fg: $gray1;
-$settings-nav-header-bg: $orange1;
+$settings-nav-bg: $bg;
+$settings-nav-header-fg: $orange2;
 
 $settings-nav-bg-hover: $gray3;
-/* $settings-nav-fg-hover: $gray1; */
+$settings-nav-fg-hover: $fg;
 
-$settings-nav-bg-active: $gray2;
-/* $settings-nav-fg-active: $orange2; */
+$settings-nav-bg-active: $blue3;
+$settings-nav-border-active: $info-bg;
+$settings-nav-fg-active: $gray2;
 
 $error-fg: $error1;
 $error-bg: $error2;
diff --git a/web/source/css/base.css b/web/source/css/base.css
index c30b72373..45b797c64 100644
--- a/web/source/css/base.css
+++ b/web/source/css/base.css
@@ -97,11 +97,10 @@ header {
 header a {
 	margin: 2rem;
 	display: flex;
-	flex-direction: column;
 	flex-wrap: wrap;
+	gap: 2rem;
 
 	img {
-		margin-bottom: 1rem;
 		align-self: center;
 		height: 6rem;
 	}
@@ -120,7 +119,6 @@ header a {
 }
 
 .excerpt-top {
-	margin-top: -1rem;
 	margin-bottom: 2rem;
 	font-style: italic;
 	font-weight: normal;
@@ -515,41 +513,37 @@ label {
 		margin-bottom: 0;
 	}
 
-	.contact-account-card {
-		/* display: inline-grid;
-		grid-template-columns: 4rem auto;
-		grid-template-rows: 4rem;
-		gap: 1rem;
-		padding: 0.5rem; */
-		display: inline-grid;
-		grid-template-columns: auto 1fr;
-		grid-template-rows: auto auto;
-		text-decoration: none;
-		gap: 0.5rem 1rem;
-		border-radius: $br;
-		padding: 0.5rem;
-		min-width: 40%;
-		margin-bottom: 0.3rem;
+}
 
-		background: $list-entry-bg;
+.account-card {
+	display: inline-grid;
+	grid-template-columns: auto 1fr;
+	grid-template-rows: auto auto;
+	text-decoration: none;
+	gap: 0.5rem 1rem;
+	border-radius: $br;
+	padding: 0.5rem;
+	min-width: 40%;
+	margin-bottom: 0.3rem;
 
-		&:hover {
-			background: $list-entry-alternate-bg;
-		}
+	background: $list-entry-bg;
 
-		h3 {
-			align-self: end;
-			margin: 0;
-			color: $fg;
-		}
+	&:hover {
+		background: $list-entry-alternate-bg;
+	}
 
-		img.avatar {
-			border-radius: 0.5rem;
-			width: 5rem;
-			height: 5rem;
-			object-fit: cover;
-			grid-row: 1 / span 2;
-		}
+	h3 {
+		align-self: end;
+		margin: 0;
+		color: $fg;
+	}
+
+	img.avatar {
+		border-radius: 0.5rem;
+		width: 5rem;
+		height: 5rem;
+		object-fit: cover;
+		grid-row: 1 / span 2;
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/local/detail.js b/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/local/detail.js
index 101652686..6b583b0b9 100644
--- a/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/local/detail.js
+++ b/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/local/detail.js
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ const { useComboBoxInput, useFileInput, useValue } = require("../../../lib/form"
 const { CategorySelect } = require("../category-select");
 
 const useFormSubmit = require("../../../lib/form/submit");
+const { useBaseUrl } = require("../../../lib/navigation/util");
 
 const FakeToot = require("../../../components/fake-toot");
 const FormWithData = require("../../../lib/form/form-with-data");
@@ -36,16 +37,15 @@ const { FileInput } = require("../../../components/form/inputs");
 const MutationButton = require("../../../components/form/mutation-button");
 const { Error } = require("../../../components/error");
 
-const base = "/settings/custom-emoji/local";
-
-module.exports = function EmojiDetailRoute() {
-	let [_match, params] = useRoute(`${base}/:emojiId`);
+module.exports = function EmojiDetailRoute({ }) {
+	const baseUrl = useBaseUrl();
+	let [_match, params] = useRoute(`${baseUrl}/:emojiId`);
 	if (params?.emojiId == undefined) {
-		return <Redirect to={base} />;
+		return <Redirect to={baseUrl} />;
 	} else {
 		return (
 			<div className="emoji-detail">
-				<Link to={base}><a>&lt; go back</a></Link>
+				<Link to={baseUrl}><a>&lt; go back</a></Link>
 				<FormWithData dataQuery={query.useGetEmojiQuery} queryArg={params.emojiId} DataForm={EmojiDetailForm} />
 			</div>
 		);
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ module.exports = function EmojiDetailRoute() {
 };
 
 function EmojiDetailForm({ data: emoji }) {
+	const baseUrl = useBaseUrl();
 	const form = {
 		id: useValue("id", emoji.id),
 		category: useComboBoxInput("category", { source: emoji }),
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ function EmojiDetailForm({ data: emoji }) {
 	const [deleteEmoji, deleteResult] = query.useDeleteEmojiMutation();
 
 	if (deleteResult.isSuccess) {
-		return <Redirect to={base} />;
+		return <Redirect to={baseUrl} />;
 	}
 
 	return (
diff --git a/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/local/index.js b/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/local/index.js
index 3c88f49c3..56695094c 100644
--- a/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/local/index.js
+++ b/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/local/index.js
@@ -25,15 +25,13 @@ const { Switch, Route } = require("wouter");
 const EmojiOverview = require("./overview");
 const EmojiDetail = require("./detail");
 
-const base = "/settings/custom-emoji/local";
-
-module.exports = function CustomEmoji() {
+module.exports = function CustomEmoji({ baseUrl }) {
 	return (
 		<Switch>
-			<Route path={`${base}/:emojiId`}>
-				<EmojiDetail baseUrl={base} />
+			<Route path={`${baseUrl}/:emojiId`}>
+				<EmojiDetail />
 			</Route>
-			<EmojiOverview baseUrl={base} />
+			<EmojiOverview />
 		</Switch>
 	);
 };
diff --git a/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/local/overview.js b/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/local/overview.js
index 616c5144b..757729c38 100644
--- a/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/local/overview.js
+++ b/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/local/overview.js
@@ -29,12 +29,13 @@ const { useTextInput } = require("../../../lib/form");
 
 const query = require("../../../lib/query");
 const { useEmojiByCategory } = require("../category-select");
+const { useBaseUrl } = require("../../../lib/navigation/util");
 
 const Loading = require("../../../components/loading");
 const { Error } = require("../../../components/error");
 const { TextInput } = require("../../../components/form/inputs");
 
-module.exports = function EmojiOverview({ baseUrl }) {
+module.exports = function EmojiOverview({ }) {
 	const {
 		data: emoji = [],
 		isLoading,
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ module.exports = function EmojiOverview({ baseUrl }) {
 	} else {
 		content = (
 			<>
-				<EmojiList emoji={emoji} baseUrl={baseUrl} />
+				<EmojiList emoji={emoji} />
 				<NewEmojiForm emoji={emoji} />
 			</>
 		);
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ module.exports = function EmojiOverview({ baseUrl }) {
 	);
 };
 
-function EmojiList({ emoji, baseUrl }) {
+function EmojiList({ emoji }) {
 	const filterField = useTextInput("filter");
 	const filter = filterField.value;
 
@@ -116,7 +117,7 @@ function EmojiList({ emoji, baseUrl }) {
 						? (
 							<div className="entries scrolling">
 								{filteredEmoji.map(([category, entries]) => {
-									return <EmojiCategory key={category} category={category} entries={entries} baseUrl={baseUrl} />;
+									return <EmojiCategory key={category} category={category} entries={entries} />;
 								})}
 							</div>
 						)
@@ -128,7 +129,8 @@ function EmojiList({ emoji, baseUrl }) {
 	);
 }
 
-function EmojiCategory({ category, entries, baseUrl }) {
+function EmojiCategory({ category, entries }) {
+	const baseUrl = useBaseUrl();
 	return (
 		<div className="entry">
 			<b>{category}</b>
diff --git a/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/remote/index.js b/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/remote/index.js
index 757e443a4..bf7113b49 100644
--- a/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/remote/index.js
+++ b/web/source/settings/admin/emoji/remote/index.js
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ const ParseFromToot = require("./parse-from-toot");
 
 const query = require("../../../lib/query");
 const Loading = require("../../../components/loading");
+const { Error } = require("../../../components/error");
 
 module.exports = function RemoteEmoji() {
 	// local emoji are queried for shortcode collision detection
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ module.exports = function RemoteEmoji() {
 		<>
 			<h1>Custom Emoji (remote)</h1>
 			{error &&
-				<div className="error accent">{error}</div>
+				<Error error={error} />
 			}
 			{isLoading
 				? <Loading />
diff --git a/web/source/settings/admin/federation/import-export/form.jsx b/web/source/settings/admin/federation/import-export/form.jsx
index 1cb8d2d74..a6967b8f0 100644
--- a/web/source/settings/admin/federation/import-export/form.jsx
+++ b/web/source/settings/admin/federation/import-export/form.jsx
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ module.exports = function ImportExportForm({ form, submitParse, parseResult }) {
 						showError={false}
 					/>
 					<label className="button with-icon">
-						<i class="fa fa-fw " aria-hidden="true" />
+						<i className="fa fa-fw " aria-hidden="true" />
 						Import file
 						<input
 							type="file"
diff --git a/web/source/settings/admin/federation/import-export/index.jsx b/web/source/settings/admin/federation/import-export/index.jsx
index 415698bb3..7126b4e89 100644
--- a/web/source/settings/admin/federation/import-export/index.jsx
+++ b/web/source/settings/admin/federation/import-export/index.jsx
@@ -33,9 +33,7 @@ const useFormSubmit = require("../../../lib/form/submit");
 const ProcessImport = require("./process");
 const ImportExportForm = require("./form");
 
-const baseUrl = "/settings/admin/federation/import-export";
-
-module.exports = function ImportExport() {
+module.exports = function ImportExport({ baseUrl }) {
 	const form = {
 		domains: useTextInput("domains"),
 		exportType: useTextInput("exportType", { defaultValue: "plain", dontReset: true })
diff --git a/web/source/settings/admin/federation/index.js b/web/source/settings/admin/federation/index.js
index f4d0a01d2..081d34113 100644
--- a/web/source/settings/admin/federation/index.js
+++ b/web/source/settings/admin/federation/index.js
@@ -22,13 +22,11 @@
 const React = require("react");
 const { Switch, Route } = require("wouter");
 
-const baseUrl = `/settings/admin/federation`;
-
 const InstanceOverview = require("./overview");
 const InstanceDetail = require("./detail");
 const InstanceImportExport = require("./import-export");
 
-module.exports = function Federation({ }) {
+module.exports = function Federation({ baseUrl }) {
 	return (
 		<Switch>
 			<Route path={`${baseUrl}/import-export/:list?`}>
diff --git a/web/source/settings/admin/reports/detail.jsx b/web/source/settings/admin/reports/detail.jsx
index abec6210e..0fd7802bc 100644
--- a/web/source/settings/admin/reports/detail.jsx
+++ b/web/source/settings/admin/reports/detail.jsx
@@ -34,8 +34,10 @@ const { TextArea } = require("../../components/form/inputs");
 
 const MutationButton = require("../../components/form/mutation-button");
 const Username = require("./username");
+const { useBaseUrl } = require("../../lib/navigation/util");
 
-module.exports = function ReportDetail({ baseUrl }) {
+module.exports = function ReportDetail({ }) {
+	const baseUrl = useBaseUrl();
 	let [_match, params] = useRoute(`${baseUrl}/:reportId`);
 	if (params?.reportId == undefined) {
 		return <Redirect to={baseUrl} />;
diff --git a/web/source/settings/admin/reports/index.jsx b/web/source/settings/admin/reports/index.jsx
index 0bb875d86..b2b8b4295 100644
--- a/web/source/settings/admin/reports/index.jsx
+++ b/web/source/settings/admin/reports/index.jsx
@@ -28,23 +28,22 @@ const FormWithData = require("../../lib/form/form-with-data");
 
 const ReportDetail = require("./detail");
 const Username = require("./username");
+const { useBaseUrl } = require("../../lib/navigation/util");
 
-const baseUrl = "/settings/admin/reports";
-
-module.exports = function Reports() {
+module.exports = function Reports({ baseUrl }) {
 	return (
 		<div className="reports">
 			<Switch>
 				<Route path={`${baseUrl}/:reportId`}>
-					<ReportDetail baseUrl={baseUrl} />
+					<ReportDetail />
 				</Route>
-				<ReportOverview baseUrl={baseUrl} />
+				<ReportOverview />
 			</Switch>
 		</div>
 	);
 };
 
-function ReportOverview({ _baseUrl }) {
+function ReportOverview({ }) {
 	return (
 		<>
 			<h1>Reports</h1>
@@ -79,6 +78,7 @@ function ReportsList({ data: reports }) {
 }
 
 function ReportEntry({ report }) {
+	const baseUrl = useBaseUrl();
 	const from = report.account;
 	const target = report.target_account;
 
diff --git a/web/source/settings/components/nav-button.jsx b/web/source/settings/components/nav-button.jsx
deleted file mode 100644
index a63382c1a..000000000
--- a/web/source/settings/components/nav-button.jsx
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,34 +0,0 @@
-/*
-	GoToSocial
-	Copyright (C) GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
-	SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
-
-	This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-	it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
-	the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-	(at your option) any later version.
-
-	This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-	but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-	MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-	GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
-
-	You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
-	along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-*/
-
-"use strict";
-
-const React = require("react");
-const { Link, useRoute } = require("wouter");
-
-module.exports = function NavButton({ href, name }) {
-	const [isActive] = useRoute(`${href}/:anything?`);
-	return (
-		<Link href={href}>
-			<a className={isActive ? "active" : ""} data-content={name}>
-				{name}
-			</a>
-		</Link>
-	);
-};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/source/settings/components/user-logout-card.jsx b/web/source/settings/components/user-logout-card.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..902d545bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/source/settings/components/user-logout-card.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+/*
+	GoToSocial
+	Copyright (C) GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
+	SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
+
+	This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+	it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+	the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+	(at your option) any later version.
+
+	This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+	but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+	MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+	GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+	You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+	along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+"use strict";
+
+const React = require("react");
+
+const query = require("../lib/query");
+
+const Loading = require("./loading");
+
+module.exports = function UserLogoutCard() {
+	const { data: profile, isLoading } = query.useVerifyCredentialsQuery();
+	const { data: instance } = query.useInstanceQuery();
+	const [logoutQuery] = query.useLogoutMutation();
+
+	if (isLoading) {
+		return <Loading />;
+	} else {
+		return (
+			<div className="account-card">
+				<img className="avatar" src={profile.avatar} alt="" />
+				<h3 className="text-cutoff">{profile.display_name?.length > 0 ? profile.display_name : profile.acct}</h3>
+				<span className="text-cutoff">@{profile.username}@{instance?.account_domain}</span>
+				<a onClick={logoutQuery} href="#" aria-label="Log out" title="Log out" className="logout">
+					<i className="fa fa-fw fa-sign-out" aria-hidden="true" />
+				</a>
+			</div>
+		);
+	}
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/source/settings/index.js b/web/source/settings/index.js
index 87179446d..66848291b 100644
--- a/web/source/settings/index.js
+++ b/web/source/settings/index.js
@@ -23,61 +23,59 @@ const React = require("react");
 const ReactDom = require("react-dom/client");
 const { Provider } = require("react-redux");
 const { PersistGate } = require("redux-persist/integration/react");
-const { Switch, Route, Redirect } = require("wouter");
-
-const query = require("./lib/query");
 
 const { store, persistor } = require("./redux");
+const { createNavigation, Menu, Item } = require("./lib/navigation");
+
 const AuthorizationGate = require("./components/authorization");
 const Loading = require("./components/loading");
+const UserLogoutCard = require("./components/user-logout-card");
+const { RoleContext } = require("./lib/navigation/util");
 
 require("./style.css");
 
-// TODO: nested categories?
-const nav = {
-	"User": {
-		"Profile": require("./user/profile.js"),
-		"Settings": require("./user/settings.js"),
-	},
-	"Admin": {
-		adminOnly: true,
-		"Instance Settings": require("./admin/settings.js"),
-		"Actions": require("./admin/actions"),
-		"Federation": require("./admin/federation"),
-		"Reports": require("./admin/reports")
-	},
-	"Custom Emoji": {
-		adminOnly: true,
-		"Local": require("./admin/emoji/local"),
-		"Remote": require("./admin/emoji/remote"),
-	}
-};
-
-const { sidebar, panelRouter } = require("./lib/get-views")(nav);
+const { Sidebar, ViewRouter } = createNavigation("/settings", [
+	Menu("User", [
+		Item("Profile", { icon: "fa-user" }, require("./user/profile")),
+		Item("Settings", { icon: "fa-cogs" }, require("./user/settings")),
+	]),
+	Menu("Moderation", {
+		url: "admin",
+		permissions: ["admin"]
+	}, [
+		Item("Reports", { icon: "fa-flag", wildcard: true }, require("./admin/reports")),
+		Menu("Federation", { icon: "fa-hubzilla" }, [
+			Item("Federation", { icon: "fa-hubzilla", url: "", wildcard: true }, require("./admin/federation")),
+			Item("Import/Export", { icon: "fa-floppy-o", wildcard: true }, require("./admin/federation/import-export")),
+		])
+	]),
+	Menu("Administration", {
+		url: "admin",
+		defaultUrl: "/settings/admin/settings",
+		permissions: ["admin"]
+	}, [
+		Item("Actions", { icon: "fa-bolt" }, require("./admin/actions")),
+		Menu("Custom Emoji", { icon: "fa-smile-o" }, [
+			Item("Local", { icon: "fa-home", wildcard: true }, require("./admin/emoji/local")),
+			Item("Remote", { icon: "fa-cloud" }, require("./admin/emoji/remote"))
+		]),
+		Item("Settings", { icon: "fa-sliders" }, require("./admin/settings"))
+	])
+]);
 
 function App({ account }) {
-	const isAdmin = account.role.name == "admin";
-	const [logoutQuery] = query.useLogoutMutation();
+	const permissions = [account.role.name];
 
 	return (
-		<>
+		<RoleContext.Provider value={permissions}>
 			<div className="sidebar">
-				{sidebar.all}
-				{isAdmin && sidebar.admin}
-				<button className="logout" onClick={logoutQuery}>
-					Log out
-				</button>
+				<UserLogoutCard />
+				<Sidebar />
 			</div>
 			<section className="with-sidebar">
-				<Switch>
-					{panelRouter.all}
-					{isAdmin && panelRouter.admin}
-					<Route>
-						<Redirect to="/settings/user" />
-					</Route>
-				</Switch>
+				<ViewRouter />
 			</section>
-		</>
+		</RoleContext.Provider>
 	);
 }
 
diff --git a/web/source/settings/lib/get-views.js b/web/source/settings/lib/get-views.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 23f517e27..000000000
--- a/web/source/settings/lib/get-views.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,102 +0,0 @@
-/*
-	GoToSocial
-	Copyright (C) GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
-	SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
-
-	This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-	it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
-	the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-	(at your option) any later version.
-
-	This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-	but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-	MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-	GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
-
-	You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
-	along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-*/
-
-"use strict";
-
-const React = require("react");
-const { Link, Route, Redirect } = require("wouter");
-const { ErrorBoundary } = require("react-error-boundary");
-
-const { ErrorFallback } = require("../components/error");
-const NavButton = require("../components/nav-button");
-
-function urlSafe(str) {
-	return str.toLowerCase().replace(/\s+/g, "-");
-}
-
-module.exports = function getViews(struct) {
-	const sidebar = {
-		all: [],
-		admin: [],
-	};
-
-	const panelRouter = {
-		all: [],
-		admin: [],
-	};
-
-	Object.entries(struct).forEach(([name, entries]) => {
-		let sidebarEl = sidebar.all;
-		let panelRouterEl = panelRouter.all;
-
-		if (entries.adminOnly) {
-			sidebarEl = sidebar.admin;
-			panelRouterEl = panelRouter.admin;
-			delete entries.adminOnly;
-		}
-
-		let base = `/settings/${urlSafe(name)}`;
-
-		let links = [];
-
-		let firstRoute;
-
-		Object.entries(entries).forEach(([name, ViewComponent]) => {
-			let url = `${base}/${urlSafe(name)}`;
-
-			if (firstRoute == undefined) {
-				firstRoute = url;
-			}
-
-			panelRouterEl.push((
-				<Route path={`${url}/:page*`} key={url}>
-					<ErrorBoundary FallbackComponent={ErrorFallback} onReset={() => { }}>
-						{/* FIXME: implement onReset */}
-						<ViewComponent />
-					</ErrorBoundary>
-				</Route>
-			));
-
-			links.push(
-				<NavButton key={url} href={url} name={name} />
-			);
-		});
-
-		panelRouterEl.push(
-			<Route key={base} path={base}>
-				<Redirect to={firstRoute} />
-			</Route>
-		);
-
-		sidebarEl.push(
-			<React.Fragment key={name}>
-				<Link href={firstRoute}>
-					<a>
-						<h2>{name}</h2>
-					</a>
-				</Link>
-				<nav>
-					{links}
-				</nav>
-			</React.Fragment>
-		);
-	});
-
-	return { sidebar, panelRouter };
-};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/source/settings/lib/navigation/components.jsx b/web/source/settings/lib/navigation/components.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..18e0cd76c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/source/settings/lib/navigation/components.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+/*
+	GoToSocial
+	Copyright (C) GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
+	SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
+
+	This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+	it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+	the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+	(at your option) any later version.
+
+	This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+	but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+	MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+	GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+	You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+	along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+"use strict";
+
+const React = require("react");
+const { Link, Route, Redirect, Switch, useLocation, useRouter } = require("wouter");
+const { ErrorBoundary } = require("react-error-boundary");
+const syncpipe = require("syncpipe");
+
+const { ErrorFallback } = require("../../components/error");
+
+const {
+	RoleContext,
+	useHasPermission,
+	checkPermission,
+	BaseUrlContext
+} = require("./util");
+
+const ActiveRouteCtx = React.createContext();
+function useActiveRoute() {
+	return React.useContext(ActiveRouteCtx);
+}
+
+function Sidebar(menuTree, routing) {
+	const components = menuTree.map((m) => m.MenuEntry);
+
+	return function SidebarComponent() {
+		const router = useRouter();
+		const [location] = useLocation();
+
+		let activeRoute = routing.find((l) => {
+			let [match] = router.matcher(l.routingUrl, location);
+			return match;
+		})?.routingUrl;
+
+		return (
+			<nav className="menu-tree">
+				<ul className="top-level">
+					<ActiveRouteCtx.Provider value={activeRoute}>
+						{components}
+					</ActiveRouteCtx.Provider>
+				</ul>
+			</nav>
+		);
+	};
+}
+
+function ViewRouter(routing, defaultRoute) {
+	return function ViewRouterComponent() {
+		const permissions = React.useContext(RoleContext);
+
+		const filteredRoutes = React.useMemo(() => {
+			return syncpipe(routing, [
+				(_) => _.filter((route) => checkPermission(route.permissions, permissions)),
+				(_) => _.map((route) => {
+					return (
+						<Route path={route.routingUrl} key={route.key}>
+							<ErrorBoundary FallbackComponent={ErrorFallback} onReset={() => { }}>
+								{/* FIXME: implement onReset */}
+								<BaseUrlContext.Provider value={route.url}>
+									{route.view}
+								</BaseUrlContext.Provider>
+							</ErrorBoundary>
+						</Route>
+					);
+				})
+			]);
+		}, [permissions]);
+
+		return (
+			<Switch>
+				{filteredRoutes}
+				<Redirect to={defaultRoute} />
+			</Switch>
+		);
+	};
+}
+
+function MenuComponent({ type, name, url, icon, permissions, links, level, children }) {
+	const activeRoute = useActiveRoute();
+
+	if (!useHasPermission(permissions)) {
+		return null;
+	}
+
+	const classes = [type];
+
+	if (level == 0) {
+		classes.push("top-level");
+	} else if (level == 1) {
+		classes.push("expanding");
+	} else {
+		classes.push("nested");
+	}
+
+	const isActive = links.includes(activeRoute);
+	if (isActive) {
+		classes.push("active");
+	}
+
+	const className = classes.join(" ");
+
+	return (
+		<li className={className}>
+			<Link href={url}>
+				<a tabIndex={level == 0 ? "-1" : null} className="title">
+					{icon && <i className={`icon fa fa-fw ${icon}`} aria-hidden="true" />}
+					{name}
+				</a>
+			</Link>
+			{(type == "category" && (level == 0 || isActive) && children?.length > 0) &&
+				<ul>
+					{children}
+				</ul>
+			}
+		</li>
+	);
+}
+
+module.exports = {
+	Sidebar,
+	ViewRouter,
+	MenuComponent
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/source/settings/lib/navigation/index.js b/web/source/settings/lib/navigation/index.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c1331d0ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/source/settings/lib/navigation/index.js
@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+/*
+	GoToSocial
+	Copyright (C) GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
+	SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
+
+	This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+	it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+	the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+	(at your option) any later version.
+
+	This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+	but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+	MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+	GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+	You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+	along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+"use strict";
+
+const React = require("react");
+const { nanoid } = require("nanoid");
+const { Redirect } = require("wouter");
+
+const { urlSafe } = require("./util");
+
+const {
+	Sidebar,
+	ViewRouter,
+	MenuComponent
+} = require("./components");
+
+function createNavigation(rootUrl, menus) {
+	const root = {
+		url: rootUrl,
+		links: [],
+	};
+
+	const routing = [];
+
+	const menuTree = menus.map((creatorFunc) =>
+		creatorFunc(root, routing)
+	);
+
+	return {
+		Sidebar: Sidebar(menuTree, routing),
+		ViewRouter: ViewRouter(routing, root.redirectUrl)
+	};
+}
+
+function MenuEntry(name, opts, contents) {
+	if (contents == undefined) { // opts argument is optional
+		contents = opts;
+		opts = {};
+	}
+
+	return function createMenuEntry(root, routing) {
+		const type = Array.isArray(contents) ? "category" : "view";
+
+		let urlParts = [root.url];
+		if (opts.url != "") {
+			urlParts.push(opts.url ?? urlSafe(name));
+		}
+
+		const url = urlParts.join("/");
+		let routingUrl = url;
+
+		if (opts.wildcard) {
+			routingUrl += "/:wildcard*";
+		}
+
+		const entry = {
+			name, type,
+			url, routingUrl,
+			key: nanoid(),
+			permissions: opts.permissions ?? false,
+			icon: opts.icon,
+			links: [routingUrl],
+			level: (root.level ?? -1) + 1,
+			redirectUrl: opts.defaultUrl
+		};
+
+		if (type == "category") {
+			let entries = contents.map((creatorFunc) => creatorFunc(entry, routing));
+			let routes = [];
+
+			entries.forEach((e) => {
+				// move empty wildcard routes to end of category, to prevent overlap
+				if (e.url == entry.url) {
+					routes.unshift(e);
+				} else {
+					routes.push(e);
+				}
+			});
+			routes.reverse();
+
+			routing.push(...routes);
+
+			if (opts.redirectUrl != entry.url) {
+				routing.push({
+					key: entry.key,
+					url: entry.url,
+					permissions: entry.permissions,
+					routingUrl: entry.redirectUrl + "/:fallback*",
+					view: React.createElement(Redirect, { to: entry.redirectUrl })
+				});
+				entry.url = entry.redirectUrl;
+			}
+
+			root.links.push(...entry.links);
+
+			entry.MenuEntry = React.createElement(
+				MenuComponent,
+				entry,
+				entries.map((e) => e.MenuEntry)
+			);
+		} else {
+			entry.links.push(routingUrl);
+			root.links.push(routingUrl);
+
+			entry.view = React.createElement(contents, { baseUrl: url });
+			entry.MenuEntry = React.createElement(MenuComponent, entry);
+		}
+
+		if (root.redirectUrl == undefined) {
+			root.redirectUrl = entry.url;
+		}
+
+		return entry;
+	};
+}
+
+module.exports = {
+	createNavigation,
+	Menu: MenuEntry,
+	Item: MenuEntry
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/source/settings/lib/navigation/util.js b/web/source/settings/lib/navigation/util.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f0b29d7a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/source/settings/lib/navigation/util.js
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+/*
+	GoToSocial
+	Copyright (C) GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
+	SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
+
+	This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+	it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+	the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+	(at your option) any later version.
+
+	This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+	but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+	MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+	GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+	You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+	along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+"use strict";
+
+const React = require("react");
+const RoleContext = React.createContext([]);
+const BaseUrlContext = React.createContext(null);
+
+function urlSafe(str) {
+	return str.toLowerCase().replace(/[\s/]+/g, "-");
+}
+
+function useHasPermission(permissions) {
+	const roles = React.useContext(RoleContext);
+	return checkPermission(permissions, roles);
+}
+
+function checkPermission(requiredPermissisons, user) {
+	// requiredPermissions can be 'false', in which case there are no restrictions
+	if (requiredPermissisons === false) {
+		return true;
+	}
+
+	// or an array of roles, check if one of the user's roles is sufficient
+	return user.some((role) => requiredPermissisons.includes(role));
+}
+
+function useBaseUrl() {
+	return React.useContext(BaseUrlContext);
+}
+
+module.exports = {
+	urlSafe, RoleContext, useHasPermission, checkPermission, BaseUrlContext, useBaseUrl
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/source/settings/style.css b/web/source/settings/style.css
index c2ebd6c01..07a4d05e2 100644
--- a/web/source/settings/style.css
+++ b/web/source/settings/style.css
@@ -34,18 +34,36 @@ section {
 	grid-column: 2;
 }
 
+header {
+	justify-content: start;
+
+	a {
+		margin: 1.5rem;
+		gap: 1rem;
+
+		h1 {
+			font-size: 1.5rem;
+		}
+
+		img {
+			height: 3rem;
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+main section {
+	box-shadow: none;
+	border-radius: none;
+	border: none;
+}
+
 #root {
 	display: grid;
-	/* keep in sync with base.css .page {} */
-	grid-template-columns: auto minmax(auto, 50rem) auto;
-	grid-template-columns: auto min(92%, 50rem) auto;
+	grid-template-columns: 1fr minmax(auto, 60rem) 1fr;
+	grid-template-columns: 1fr min(92%, 60rem) 1fr;
 	box-sizing: border-box;
 
 	section.with-sidebar {
-		border-left: none;
-		border-top-left-radius: 0;
-		border-bottom-left-radius: 0;
-
 		& > div, & > form {
 			border-left: 0.2rem solid $border-accent;
 			padding-left: 0.4rem;
@@ -79,77 +97,141 @@ section {
 	}
 
 	.sidebar {
+		margin: 0 1rem;
 		align-self: start;
 		justify-self: end;
-		background: $settings-nav-bg;
-		border: $boxshadow-border;
-		box-shadow: $boxshadow;
-		border-radius: $br;
-		border-top-right-radius: 0;
-		border-bottom-right-radius: 0;
+		background: $bg;
 		display: flex;
 		flex-direction: column;
 		min-width: 12rem;
 
-		a {
+		.account-card {
+			grid-template-columns: auto 1fr auto;
+
+			img.avatar {
+				width: 4rem;
+				height: 4rem;
+			}
+
+			span {
+				grid-row: 2;
+			}
+
+			.logout {
+				font-size: 1.5rem;
+				align-self: center;
+				grid-row: 1 / span 2;
+			}
+
+			&:hover {
+				background: $list-entry-bg;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+nav.menu-tree {
+	ul {
+		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		list-style-type: none;
+		margin: 0;
+		padding: 0;
+	}
+
+	.icon {
+		margin-right: 0.5rem;
+	}
+
+	/* top-level ul */
+	& > ul {
+		gap: 0.3rem;
+		padding: 0.2rem;
+	}
+
+	li.top-level { /* top-level categories, orange all-caps titles */
+		border-top: 0.1rem solid $gray3;
+		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		gap: 0.3rem;
+		margin: 0;
+
+		& > a.title {
 			text-decoration: none;
-		}
-
-		a:first-child h2 {
-			border-top-left-radius: $br;
-		}
-
-		h2 {
-			margin: 0;
+			color: $settings-nav-header-fg;
 			padding: 0.5rem;
-			font-size: 0.9rem;
+			padding-bottom: 0;
+			margin: 0;
+			font-size: 0.8rem;
 			font-weight: bold;
 			text-transform: uppercase;
-			color: $settings-nav-header-fg;
-			background: $settings-nav-header-bg;
 		}
-		
-		nav {
-			display: flex;
-			flex-direction: column;
 
-			a {
-				padding: 1rem;
-				text-decoration: none;
-				transition: 0.1s;
-				color: $fg;
-	
-				&:hover {
-					color: $settings-nav-fg-hover;
-					background: $settings-nav-bg-hover;
-				}
-				
-				&.active {
-					color: $settings-nav-fg-active;
-					background: $settings-nav-bg-active;
-					font-weight: bold;
-					text-decoration: underline;
-				}
-	
-				/* reserve space for bold version of the element, so .active doesn't
-					 change container size */
-				&::after { 
-					font-weight: bold;
-					text-decoration: underline;
-					display: block;
-					content: attr(data-content);
-					height: 1px;
-					color: transparent;
-					overflow: hidden;
-					visibility: hidden;
-				}
+		& > ul {
+			gap: 0.2rem;
+		}
+	}
+
+	li.expanding { /* second-level categories, expanding box, active shows nested */
+		a {
+			display: block;
+			color: $fg;
+			text-decoration: none;
+
+			border: 0.1rem solid transparent;
+			border-radius: $br;
+			padding: 0.5rem;
+			transition: background 0.1s;
+
+			&:hover {
+				color: $settings-nav-fg-hover;
+				background: $settings-nav-bg-hover;
+			}
+
+			&:focus, &:active {
+				border-color: $settings-nav-border-active;
+				outline: none;
 			}
 		}
 
+		&.active {
+			border: 0.1rem solid $settings-nav-border-active;
+			border-radius: $br;
+			overflow: hidden;
 
-		nav:last-child a:last-child {
-			border-bottom-left-radius: $br;
-			border-bottom: none;
+			a {
+				transition: background 0s;
+				border: none;
+				color: $settings-nav-fg-active;
+				background: $settings-nav-bg-active;
+				font-weight: bold;
+				border-radius: 0;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	li.nested { /* any deeper nesting, just has indent */
+		a.title {
+			padding-left: 1rem;
+			font-weight: normal;
+			color: $fg;
+			background: $gray4;
+
+			&:focus {
+				color: $fg-accent;
+				outline: none;
+			}
+
+			&:hover {
+				background: $settings-nav-bg-hover;
+			}
+		}
+
+		&.active {
+			a.title {
+				color: $fg-accent;
+				font-weight: bold;
+			}
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/web/template/about.tmpl b/web/template/about.tmpl
index 48d7d2174..0f69cf59e 100644
--- a/web/template/about.tmpl
+++ b/web/template/about.tmpl
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 		<div>
 			<h2>Admin Contact</h2>
 			{{if .instance.ContactAccount}}
-			<a href="{{.instance.ContactAccount.URL}}" class="contact-account-card">
+			<a href="{{.instance.ContactAccount.URL}}" class="account-card">
 				<img class="avatar" src="{{.instance.ContactAccount.Avatar}}" alt="" />
 				<h3>
 					{{if .instance.ContactAccount.DisplayName}}{{emojify .instance.ContactAccount.Emojis (escape .instance.ContactAccount.DisplayName)}}{{else}}{{.instance.ContactAccount.Username}}{{end}}