feat(rsvp): configurable start delay, word stepping, context dictionary lookup, and keyboard shortcut (#4541)

- #4478: add a configurable pre-start countdown (Off / 1s / 2s / 3s, default
  3s) that now ticks at honest one-second intervals and applies to start,
  resume, and page loads; Off starts instantly.
- #4476: add manual next/previous word controls (buttons flanking Play plus the
  "," / "." keys) that pause playback and step exactly one word.
- #4475: allow selecting text in the context panel to look it up in the
  dictionary (anchored popup on desktop, bottom sheet on small screens),
  reusing the reader's dictionary view; auto-scroll/seek are suppressed during
  selection and an outside click dismisses the popup.
- #4473: add a Speed Reading keyboard shortcut (Shift+V), shown on the View
  menu item; ignore repeat triggers while a session is active.

Adds i18n strings for the new UI across all locales.

Co-authored-by: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

apps/readest-app/public/locales/ar/translation.json

@@ -1832,5 +1832,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "فشل إرسال الكتاب",
   "Send": "إرسال",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "تمييز الجملة الحالية",
-  "File Path": "مسار الملف"
+  "File Path": "مسار الملف",
+  "Previous word": "الكلمة السابقة",
+  "Previous word (,)": "الكلمة السابقة (,)",
+  "Next word": "الكلمة التالية",
+  "Next word (.)": "الكلمة التالية (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "تأخير البدء",
+  "Off": "إيقاف",
+  "Look up": "بحث"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/bn/translation.json

@@ -1700,5 +1700,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "বই পাঠাতে ব্যর্থ হয়েছে",
   "Send": "পাঠান",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "বর্তমান বাক্য হাইলাইট করুন",
-  "File Path": "ফাইলের পথ"
+  "File Path": "ফাইলের পথ",
+  "Previous word": "পূর্ববর্তী শব্দ",
+  "Previous word (,)": "পূর্ববর্তী শব্দ (,)",
+  "Next word": "পরবর্তী শব্দ",
+  "Next word (.)": "পরবর্তী শব্দ (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "শুরুর বিলম্ব",
+  "Off": "বন্ধ",
+  "Look up": "খুঁজুন"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/bo/translation.json

@@ -1667,5 +1667,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "དེབ་སྐུར་གཏོང་མ་ཐུབ།",
   "Send": "སྐུར་གཏོང་།",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "ད་ལྟའི་ཚིག་གྲུབ་ལ་འོག་ཐིག་གཏོང་།",
-  "File Path": "ཡིག་ཆའི་ལམ་ཐིག"
+  "File Path": "ཡིག་ཆའི་ལམ་ཐིག",
+  "Previous word": "ཚིག་སྔོན་མ།",
+  "Previous word (,)": "ཚིག་སྔོན་མ། (,)",
+  "Next word": "ཚིག་རྗེས་མ།",
+  "Next word (.)": "ཚིག་རྗེས་མ། (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "འགོ་འཛུགས་ཕྱིར་འགྱངས།",
+  "Off": "ཁ་རྒྱག",
+  "Look up": "འཚོལ་བ།"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/de/translation.json

@@ -1700,5 +1700,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Senden des Buchs fehlgeschlagen",
   "Send": "Senden",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Aktuellen Satz hervorheben",
-  "File Path": "Dateipfad"
+  "File Path": "Dateipfad",
+  "Previous word": "Vorheriges Wort",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Vorheriges Wort (,)",
+  "Next word": "Nächstes Wort",
+  "Next word (.)": "Nächstes Wort (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Startverzögerung",
+  "Off": "Aus",
+  "Look up": "Nachschlagen"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/el/translation.json

@@ -1700,5 +1700,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Αποτυχία αποστολής βιβλίου",
   "Send": "Αποστολή",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Επισήμανση τρέχουσας πρότασης",
-  "File Path": "Διαδρομή αρχείου"
+  "File Path": "Διαδρομή αρχείου",
+  "Previous word": "Προηγούμενη λέξη",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Προηγούμενη λέξη (,)",
+  "Next word": "Επόμενη λέξη",
+  "Next word (.)": "Επόμενη λέξη (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Καθυστέρηση έναρξης",
+  "Off": "Ανενεργό",
+  "Look up": "Αναζήτηση"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/es/translation.json

@@ -1733,5 +1733,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "No se pudo enviar el libro",
   "Send": "Enviar",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Resaltar la oración actual",
-  "File Path": "Ruta del archivo"
+  "File Path": "Ruta del archivo",
+  "Previous word": "Palabra anterior",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Palabra anterior (,)",
+  "Next word": "Palabra siguiente",
+  "Next word (.)": "Palabra siguiente (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Retardo de inicio",
+  "Off": "Desactivado",
+  "Look up": "Buscar"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/fa/translation.json

@@ -1700,5 +1700,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "ارسال کتاب ناموفق بود",
   "Send": "ارسال",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "برجسته‌سازی جملهٔ فعلی",
-  "File Path": "مسیر فایل"
+  "File Path": "مسیر فایل",
+  "Previous word": "واژهٔ قبلی",
+  "Previous word (,)": "واژهٔ قبلی (,)",
+  "Next word": "واژهٔ بعدی",
+  "Next word (.)": "واژهٔ بعدی (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "تأخیر شروع",
+  "Off": "خاموش",
+  "Look up": "جستجو"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/fr/translation.json

@@ -1733,5 +1733,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Échec de l'envoi du livre",
   "Send": "Envoyer",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Surligner la phrase actuelle",
-  "File Path": "Chemin du fichier"
+  "File Path": "Chemin du fichier",
+  "Previous word": "Mot précédent",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Mot précédent (,)",
+  "Next word": "Mot suivant",
+  "Next word (.)": "Mot suivant (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Délai de démarrage",
+  "Off": "Désactivé",
+  "Look up": "Rechercher"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/he/translation.json

@@ -1733,5 +1733,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "שליחת הספר נכשלה",
   "Send": "שליחה",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "הדגשת המשפט הנוכחי",
-  "File Path": "נתיב הקובץ"
+  "File Path": "נתיב הקובץ",
+  "Previous word": "מילה קודמת",
+  "Previous word (,)": "מילה קודמת (,)",
+  "Next word": "מילה הבאה",
+  "Next word (.)": "מילה הבאה (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "השהיית התחלה",
+  "Off": "כבוי",
+  "Look up": "חיפוש"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/hi/translation.json

@@ -1700,5 +1700,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "पुस्तक भेजने में विफल",
   "Send": "भेजें",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "वर्तमान वाक्य को हाइलाइट करें",
-  "File Path": "फाइल पथ"
+  "File Path": "फाइल पथ",
+  "Previous word": "पिछला शब्द",
+  "Previous word (,)": "पिछला शब्द (,)",
+  "Next word": "अगला शब्द",
+  "Next word (.)": "अगला शब्द (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "आरंभ विलंब",
+  "Off": "बंद",
+  "Look up": "खोजें"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/hu/translation.json

@@ -1700,5 +1700,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "A könyv küldése sikertelen",
   "Send": "Küldés",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Aktuális mondat kiemelése",
-  "File Path": "Fájl elérési útja"
+  "File Path": "Fájl elérési útja",
+  "Previous word": "Előző szó",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Előző szó (,)",
+  "Next word": "Következő szó",
+  "Next word (.)": "Következő szó (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Indítási késleltetés",
+  "Off": "Ki",
+  "Look up": "Keresés"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/id/translation.json

@@ -1667,5 +1667,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Gagal mengirim buku",
   "Send": "Kirim",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Sorot kalimat saat ini",
-  "File Path": "Jalur File"
+  "File Path": "Jalur File",
+  "Previous word": "Kata sebelumnya",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Kata sebelumnya (,)",
+  "Next word": "Kata berikutnya",
+  "Next word (.)": "Kata berikutnya (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Tunda mulai",
+  "Off": "Mati",
+  "Look up": "Cari"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/it/translation.json

@@ -1733,5 +1733,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Invio del libro non riuscito",
   "Send": "Invia",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Evidenzia la frase corrente",
-  "File Path": "Percorso del file"
+  "File Path": "Percorso del file",
+  "Previous word": "Parola precedente",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Parola precedente (,)",
+  "Next word": "Parola successiva",
+  "Next word (.)": "Parola successiva (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Ritardo di avvio",
+  "Off": "Disattivato",
+  "Look up": "Cerca"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/ja/translation.json

@@ -1667,5 +1667,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "書籍の送信に失敗しました",
   "Send": "送信",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "現在の文をハイライト",
-  "File Path": "ファイルパス"
+  "File Path": "ファイルパス",
+  "Previous word": "前の単語",
+  "Previous word (,)": "前の単語 (,)",
+  "Next word": "次の単語",
+  "Next word (.)": "次の単語 (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "開始遅延",
+  "Off": "オフ",
+  "Look up": "調べる"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/ko/translation.json

@@ -1667,5 +1667,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "책 보내기에 실패했습니다",
   "Send": "보내기",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "현재 문장 강조",
-  "File Path": "파일 경로"
+  "File Path": "파일 경로",
+  "Previous word": "이전 단어",
+  "Previous word (,)": "이전 단어 (,)",
+  "Next word": "다음 단어",
+  "Next word (.)": "다음 단어 (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "시작 지연",
+  "Off": "끄기",
+  "Look up": "찾기"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/ms/translation.json

@@ -1667,5 +1667,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Gagal menghantar buku",
   "Send": "Hantar",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Serlahkan ayat semasa",
-  "File Path": "Laluan Fail"
+  "File Path": "Laluan Fail",
+  "Previous word": "Perkataan sebelumnya",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Perkataan sebelumnya (,)",
+  "Next word": "Perkataan seterusnya",
+  "Next word (.)": "Perkataan seterusnya (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Lengah mula",
+  "Off": "Mati",
+  "Look up": "Cari"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/nl/translation.json

@@ -1700,5 +1700,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Verzenden van boek mislukt",
   "Send": "Verzenden",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Huidige zin markeren",
-  "File Path": "Bestandspad"
+  "File Path": "Bestandspad",
+  "Previous word": "Vorig woord",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Vorig woord (,)",
+  "Next word": "Volgend woord",
+  "Next word (.)": "Volgend woord (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Startvertraging",
+  "Off": "Uit",
+  "Look up": "Opzoeken"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/pl/translation.json

@@ -1766,5 +1766,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Nie udało się wysłać książki",
   "Send": "Wyślij",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Podświetl bieżące zdanie",
-  "File Path": "Ścieżka pliku"
+  "File Path": "Ścieżka pliku",
+  "Previous word": "Poprzednie słowo",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Poprzednie słowo (,)",
+  "Next word": "Następne słowo",
+  "Next word (.)": "Następne słowo (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Opóźnienie startu",
+  "Off": "Wył.",
+  "Look up": "Wyszukaj"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/pt-BR/translation.json

@@ -1733,5 +1733,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Falha ao enviar o livro",
   "Send": "Enviar",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Destacar a frase atual",
-  "File Path": "Caminho do arquivo"
+  "File Path": "Caminho do arquivo",
+  "Previous word": "Palavra anterior",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Palavra anterior (,)",
+  "Next word": "Próxima palavra",
+  "Next word (.)": "Próxima palavra (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Atraso de início",
+  "Off": "Desligado",
+  "Look up": "Pesquisar"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/pt/translation.json

@@ -1733,5 +1733,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Falha ao enviar o livro",
   "Send": "Enviar",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Destacar a frase atual",
-  "File Path": "Caminho do Arquivo"
+  "File Path": "Caminho do Arquivo",
+  "Previous word": "Palavra anterior",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Palavra anterior (,)",
+  "Next word": "Próxima palavra",
+  "Next word (.)": "Próxima palavra (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Atraso de início",
+  "Off": "Desligado",
+  "Look up": "Pesquisar"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/ro/translation.json

@@ -1733,5 +1733,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Trimiterea cărții a eșuat",
   "Send": "Trimite",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Evidențiază propoziția curentă",
-  "File Path": "Calea fișierului"
+  "File Path": "Calea fișierului",
+  "Previous word": "Cuvântul anterior",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Cuvântul anterior (,)",
+  "Next word": "Cuvântul următor",
+  "Next word (.)": "Cuvântul următor (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Întârziere la pornire",
+  "Off": "Dezactivat",
+  "Look up": "Caută"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/ru/translation.json

@@ -1766,5 +1766,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Не удалось отправить книгу",
   "Send": "Отправить",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Выделять текущее предложение",
-  "File Path": "Путь к файлу"
+  "File Path": "Путь к файлу",
+  "Previous word": "Предыдущее слово",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Предыдущее слово (,)",
+  "Next word": "Следующее слово",
+  "Next word (.)": "Следующее слово (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Задержка старта",
+  "Off": "Выкл.",
+  "Look up": "Найти"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/si/translation.json

@@ -1700,5 +1700,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "පොත යැවීමට අසමත් විය",
   "Send": "යවන්න",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "වර්තමාන වාක්‍යය ඉස්මතු කරන්න",
-  "File Path": "ගොනු මාර්ගය"
+  "File Path": "ගොනු මාර්ගය",
+  "Previous word": "පෙර වචනය",
+  "Previous word (,)": "පෙර වචනය (,)",
+  "Next word": "ඊළඟ වචනය",
+  "Next word (.)": "ඊළඟ වචනය (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "ආරම්භක ප්‍රමාදය",
+  "Off": "අක්‍රිය",
+  "Look up": "සොයන්න"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/sl/translation.json

@@ -1766,5 +1766,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Pošiljanje knjige ni uspelo",
   "Send": "Pošlji",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Označi trenutni stavek",
-  "File Path": "Pot do datoteke"
+  "File Path": "Pot do datoteke",
+  "Previous word": "Prejšnja beseda",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Prejšnja beseda (,)",
+  "Next word": "Naslednja beseda",
+  "Next word (.)": "Naslednja beseda (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Zakasnitev začetka",
+  "Off": "Izklopljeno",
+  "Look up": "Poišči"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/sv/translation.json

@@ -1700,5 +1700,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Det gick inte att skicka boken",
   "Send": "Skicka",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Markera aktuell mening",
-  "File Path": "Filsökväg"
+  "File Path": "Filsökväg",
+  "Previous word": "Föregående ord",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Föregående ord (,)",
+  "Next word": "Nästa ord",
+  "Next word (.)": "Nästa ord (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Startfördröjning",
+  "Off": "Av",
+  "Look up": "Slå upp"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/ta/translation.json

@@ -1700,5 +1700,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "புத்தகத்தை அனுப்ப முடியவில்லை",
   "Send": "அனுப்பு",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "தற்போதைய வாக்கியத்தை தனிப்படுத்து",
-  "File Path": "கோப்பு பாதை"
+  "File Path": "கோப்பு பாதை",
+  "Previous word": "முந்தைய சொல்",
+  "Previous word (,)": "முந்தைய சொல் (,)",
+  "Next word": "அடுத்த சொல்",
+  "Next word (.)": "அடுத்த சொல் (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "தொடக்க தாமதம்",
+  "Off": "அணை",
+  "Look up": "தேடு"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/th/translation.json

@@ -1667,5 +1667,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "ส่งหนังสือไม่สำเร็จ",
   "Send": "ส่ง",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "ไฮไลต์ประโยคปัจจุบัน",
-  "File Path": "เส้นทางไฟล์"
+  "File Path": "เส้นทางไฟล์",
+  "Previous word": "คำก่อนหน้า",
+  "Previous word (,)": "คำก่อนหน้า (,)",
+  "Next word": "คำถัดไป",
+  "Next word (.)": "คำถัดไป (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "หน่วงเวลาเริ่มต้น",
+  "Off": "ปิด",
+  "Look up": "ค้นหา"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/tr/translation.json

@@ -1700,5 +1700,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Kitap gönderilemedi",
   "Send": "Gönder",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Geçerli cümleyi vurgula",
-  "File Path": "Dosya Yolu"
+  "File Path": "Dosya Yolu",
+  "Previous word": "Önceki kelime",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Önceki kelime (,)",
+  "Next word": "Sonraki kelime",
+  "Next word (.)": "Sonraki kelime (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Başlangıç gecikmesi",
+  "Off": "Kapalı",
+  "Look up": "Ara"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/uk/translation.json

@@ -1766,5 +1766,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Не вдалося надіслати книгу",
   "Send": "Надіслати",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Виділяти поточне речення",
-  "File Path": "Шлях до файлу"
+  "File Path": "Шлях до файлу",
+  "Previous word": "Попереднє слово",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Попереднє слово (,)",
+  "Next word": "Наступне слово",
+  "Next word (.)": "Наступне слово (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Затримка старту",
+  "Off": "Вимк.",
+  "Look up": "Знайти"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/uz/translation.json

@@ -1700,5 +1700,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Kitobni yuborib bo'lmadi",
   "Send": "Yuborish",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Joriy jumlani ajratib ko'rsatish",
-  "File Path": "Fayl yo'li"
+  "File Path": "Fayl yo'li",
+  "Previous word": "Oldingi soʻz",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Oldingi soʻz (,)",
+  "Next word": "Keyingi soʻz",
+  "Next word (.)": "Keyingi soʻz (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Boshlash kechikishi",
+  "Off": "Oʻchiq",
+  "Look up": "Qidirish"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/vi/translation.json

@@ -1667,5 +1667,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "Gửi sách thất bại",
   "Send": "Gửi",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "Tô sáng câu hiện tại",
-  "File Path": "Đường dẫn tệp"
+  "File Path": "Đường dẫn tệp",
+  "Previous word": "Từ trước",
+  "Previous word (,)": "Từ trước (,)",
+  "Next word": "Từ tiếp theo",
+  "Next word (.)": "Từ tiếp theo (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "Độ trễ bắt đầu",
+  "Off": "Tắt",
+  "Look up": "Tra cứu"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/zh-CN/translation.json

@@ -1667,5 +1667,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "发送图书失败",
   "Send": "发送",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "高亮当前句子",
-  "File Path": "文件路径"
+  "File Path": "文件路径",
+  "Previous word": "上一个词",
+  "Previous word (,)": "上一个词 (,)",
+  "Next word": "下一个词",
+  "Next word (.)": "下一个词 (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "开始延迟",
+  "Off": "关闭",
+  "Look up": "查询"
 }

apps/readest-app/public/locales/zh-TW/translation.json

@@ -1667,5 +1667,12 @@
   "Failed to send book": "傳送書籍失敗",
   "Send": "傳送",
   "Highlight Current Sentence": "醒目標示目前句子",
-  "File Path": "檔案路徑"
+  "File Path": "檔案路徑",
+  "Previous word": "上一個詞",
+  "Previous word (,)": "上一個詞 (,)",
+  "Next word": "下一個詞",
+  "Next word (.)": "下一個詞 (.)",
+  "Start Delay": "開始延遲",
+  "Off": "關閉",
+  "Look up": "查詢"
 }

apps/readest-app/src/__tests__/components/rsvp-overlay-context.test.tsx

@@ -23,6 +23,29 @@ vi.mock('@/store/themeStore', () => ({
   }),
 }));
 
+// Stub the dictionary popup/sheet so the overlay test does not pull in the
+// whole dictionary provider/registry stack — we only assert it opens with the
+// word. The overlay uses the sheet below `sm` and the popup otherwise.
+vi.mock('@/app/reader/components/annotator/DictionarySheet', () => ({
+  default: ({ word, onDismiss }: { word: string; onDismiss: () => void }) => (
+    <div data-testid='rsvp-dict-sheet' data-word={word}>
+      <button aria-label='close-dict' onClick={onDismiss}>
+        x
+      </button>
+    </div>
+  ),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('@/app/reader/components/annotator/DictionaryPopup', () => ({
+  default: ({ word, onDismiss }: { word: string; onDismiss: () => void }) => (
+    <div data-testid='rsvp-dict-popup' data-word={word}>
+      <button aria-label='close-dict' onClick={onDismiss}>
+        x
+      </button>
+    </div>
+  ),
+}));
+
 const buildState = (overrides: Partial<RsvpState> = {}): RsvpState => ({
   active: true,
   playing: false,
@@ -33,6 +56,7 @@ const buildState = (overrides: Partial<RsvpState> = {}): RsvpState => ({
   punctuationPauseMs: 100,
   splitHyphens: false,
   cjkCharMode: false,
+  startDelaySeconds: 3,
   hasCJK: false,
   progress: 0,
   ...overrides,
@@ -54,6 +78,8 @@ const buildController = (state: RsvpState) => {
     seekToPosition: vi.fn(),
     skipBackward: vi.fn(),
     skipForward: vi.fn(),
+    nextWord: vi.fn(),
+    prevWord: vi.fn(),
     pause: vi.fn(),
     resume: vi.fn(),
     togglePlayPause: vi.fn(),
@@ -63,8 +89,10 @@ const buildController = (state: RsvpState) => {
     setPunctuationPause: vi.fn(),
     setSplitHyphens: vi.fn(),
     setCjkCharMode: vi.fn(),
+    setStartDelay: vi.fn(),
     getWpmOptions: vi.fn(() => [100, 200, 300]),
     getPunctuationPauseOptions: vi.fn(() => [25, 50, 100]),
+    getStartDelayOptions: vi.fn(() => [0, 1, 2, 3]),
     addEventListener: vi.fn((type: string, listener: EventListener) => {
       if (!listeners.has(type)) listeners.set(type, []);
       listeners.get(type)!.push(listener);
@@ -314,3 +342,168 @@ describe('RSVPOverlay — CJK reading options', () => {
     expect(container.querySelector('.rsvp-word-whole')).toBeNull();
   });
 });
+
+describe('RSVPOverlay — manual word stepping (#4476)', () => {
+  afterEach(() => cleanup());
+
+  const wordsState = () =>
+    buildState({
+      words: Array.from({ length: 10 }, (_, i) => ({
+        text: `w${i}`,
+        orpIndex: 0,
+        pauseMultiplier: 1,
+      })),
+      currentIndex: 5,
+      playing: true,
+    });
+
+  test('the next-word button calls controller.nextWord', () => {
+    const { container, controller } = renderOverlay(wordsState());
+    const button = container.querySelector('[aria-label="Next word"]') as HTMLElement;
+    expect(button).not.toBeNull();
+    fireEvent.click(button);
+    expect(controller.nextWord).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  test('the previous-word button calls controller.prevWord', () => {
+    const { container, controller } = renderOverlay(wordsState());
+    const button = container.querySelector('[aria-label="Previous word"]') as HTMLElement;
+    expect(button).not.toBeNull();
+    fireEvent.click(button);
+    expect(controller.prevWord).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  test('the "." key steps to the next word and "," to the previous word', () => {
+    const { controller } = renderOverlay(wordsState());
+    fireEvent.keyDown(document, { key: '.' });
+    expect(controller.nextWord).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    fireEvent.keyDown(document, { key: ',' });
+    expect(controller.prevWord).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('RSVPOverlay — dictionary lookup (#4475)', () => {
+  afterEach(() => {
+    cleanup();
+    vi.restoreAllMocks();
+  });
+
+  const wordsState = () =>
+    buildState({
+      words: Array.from({ length: 10 }, (_, i) => ({
+        text: `w${i}`,
+        orpIndex: 0,
+        pauseMultiplier: 1,
+      })),
+      currentIndex: 5,
+      playing: true,
+    });
+
+  const mockSelection = (text: string, node: Node | null) => {
+    const rect = { left: 20, top: 30, right: 60, bottom: 44, width: 40, height: 14 };
+    const range = {
+      getBoundingClientRect: () => rect,
+      cloneRange() {
+        return range;
+      },
+    };
+    vi.spyOn(window, 'getSelection').mockReturnValue({
+      isCollapsed: text.length === 0,
+      anchorNode: node,
+      rangeCount: 1,
+      toString: () => text,
+      getRangeAt: () => range,
+      removeAllRanges: vi.fn(),
+    } as unknown as Selection);
+  };
+
+  test('the context panel is selectable', () => {
+    const { container } = renderOverlay(wordsState());
+    const panel = container.querySelector('[data-testid="rsvp-context-panel"]') as HTMLElement;
+    expect(panel.className).toContain('select-text');
+  });
+
+  test('selecting text in the context panel reveals a Look up action', () => {
+    const { container } = renderOverlay(wordsState());
+    const panel = container.querySelector('[data-testid="rsvp-context-panel"]') as HTMLElement;
+    mockSelection('serendipity', panel);
+    fireEvent.mouseUp(panel);
+    expect(container.querySelector('[aria-label="Look up"]')).not.toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  test('tapping Look up pauses playback and opens the dictionary with the selected text', () => {
+    const { container, controller } = renderOverlay(wordsState());
+    const panel = container.querySelector('[data-testid="rsvp-context-panel"]') as HTMLElement;
+    mockSelection('serendipity', panel);
+    fireEvent.mouseUp(panel);
+    fireEvent.click(container.querySelector('[aria-label="Look up"]') as HTMLElement);
+
+    expect(controller.pause).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    // jsdom's default viewport is desktop-sized, so the anchored popup is used.
+    const popup = container.querySelector('[data-testid="rsvp-dict-popup"]');
+    expect(popup).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(popup!.getAttribute('data-word')).toBe('serendipity');
+  });
+
+  test('clicking outside the popup dismisses it', () => {
+    const { container } = renderOverlay(wordsState());
+    const panel = container.querySelector('[data-testid="rsvp-context-panel"]') as HTMLElement;
+    mockSelection('serendipity', panel);
+    fireEvent.mouseUp(panel);
+    fireEvent.click(container.querySelector('[aria-label="Look up"]') as HTMLElement);
+    expect(container.querySelector('[data-testid="rsvp-dict-popup"]')).not.toBeNull();
+
+    // The transparent full-screen catcher behind the popup dismisses on click.
+    fireEvent.click(container.querySelector('.overlay') as HTMLElement);
+    expect(container.querySelector('[data-testid="rsvp-dict-popup"]')).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  test('uses the bottom sheet on small screens', () => {
+    vi.spyOn(window, 'innerWidth', 'get').mockReturnValue(420);
+    vi.spyOn(window, 'innerHeight', 'get').mockReturnValue(720);
+    const { container } = renderOverlay(wordsState());
+    const panel = container.querySelector('[data-testid="rsvp-context-panel"]') as HTMLElement;
+    mockSelection('serendipity', panel);
+    fireEvent.mouseUp(panel);
+    fireEvent.click(container.querySelector('[aria-label="Look up"]') as HTMLElement);
+
+    expect(container.querySelector('[data-testid="rsvp-dict-sheet"]')).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(container.querySelector('[data-testid="rsvp-dict-popup"]')).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  test('an active selection suppresses word-click seeking', () => {
+    const { container, controller } = renderOverlay(wordsState());
+    const panel = container.querySelector('[data-testid="rsvp-context-panel"]') as HTMLElement;
+    mockSelection('w3 w4', panel);
+    fireEvent.click(container.querySelector('[data-rsvp-word-index="3"]') as HTMLElement);
+    expect(controller.seekToIndex).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+});
+
+describe('RSVPOverlay — start delay setting (#4478)', () => {
+  afterEach(() => {
+    cleanup();
+    localStorage.clear();
+  });
+
+  const openSettings = (container: HTMLElement) => {
+    fireEvent.click(container.querySelector('[aria-label="Settings"]') as HTMLElement);
+  };
+
+  test('changing the Start Delay select calls controller.setStartDelay', () => {
+    const state = buildState({
+      words: [{ text: 'a', orpIndex: 0, pauseMultiplier: 1 }],
+      currentIndex: 0,
+      startDelaySeconds: 3,
+    });
+    const { container, controller } = renderOverlay(state);
+    openSettings(container);
+
+    const select = container.querySelector(
+      '[data-testid="rsvp-start-delay-select"]',
+    ) as HTMLSelectElement;
+    expect(select).not.toBeNull();
+    fireEvent.change(select, { target: { value: '0' } });
+    expect(controller.setStartDelay).toHaveBeenCalledWith(0);
+  });
+});

apps/readest-app/src/__tests__/components/useBookShortcuts.test.tsx

@@ -177,4 +177,13 @@ describe('useBookShortcuts', () => {
 
     expect(mockView.next).toHaveBeenCalledWith(72);
   });
+
+  it('dispatches rsvp-start for the current book when the RSVP shortcut fires', () => {
+    const dispatchSpy = vi.spyOn(eventDispatcher, 'dispatch');
+
+    render(<Harness />);
+    shortcutState.actions?.['onStartRSVP']?.();
+
+    expect(dispatchSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith('rsvp-start', { bookKey: 'book-1' });
+  });
 });

apps/readest-app/src/__tests__/services/rsvp-controller.test.ts

@@ -437,4 +437,98 @@ describe('RSVPController', () => {
       ]);
     });
   });
+
+  describe('start delay (#4478)', () => {
+    const START_DELAY_KEY = 'readest_rsvp_start_delay';
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      localStorage.removeItem(START_DELAY_KEY);
+    });
+
+    test('defaults to a 3 second delay', () => {
+      const view = createMockView(0, [makeDoc('one two three')]);
+      const controller = new RSVPController(view, 'test-book-abc123');
+
+      expect(controller.currentState.startDelaySeconds).toBe(3);
+      expect(controller.getStartDelayOptions()).toEqual([0, 1, 2, 3]);
+    });
+
+    test('setStartDelay persists and is restored on construction', () => {
+      const view = createMockView(0, [makeDoc('one two')]);
+      const first = new RSVPController(view, 'test-book-abc123');
+      first.setStartDelay(1);
+      expect(first.currentState.startDelaySeconds).toBe(1);
+
+      const second = new RSVPController(view, 'test-book-abc123');
+      expect(second.currentState.startDelaySeconds).toBe(1);
+    });
+
+    test('counts down from N at one-second ticks before playing', () => {
+      const view = createMockView(0, [makeDoc('one two three')]);
+      const controller = new RSVPController(view, 'test-book-abc123');
+      controller.setStartDelay(3);
+      controller.start();
+
+      expect(controller.currentCountdown).toBe(3);
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(1000);
+      expect(controller.currentCountdown).toBe(2);
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(1000);
+      expect(controller.currentCountdown).toBe(1);
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(1000);
+      expect(controller.currentCountdown).toBeNull();
+    });
+
+    test('a delay of 0 skips the countdown entirely and starts playing', () => {
+      const view = createMockView(0, [makeDoc('one two three')]);
+      const controller = new RSVPController(view, 'test-book-abc123');
+      controller.setStartDelay(0);
+      controller.start();
+
+      expect(controller.currentCountdown).toBeNull();
+      expect(controller.currentState.playing).toBe(true);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('nextWord / prevWord (#4476)', () => {
+    test('nextWord advances one word and pauses playback', () => {
+      const view = createMockView(0, [makeDoc('one two three')]);
+      const controller = new RSVPController(view, 'test-book-abc123');
+      controller.start();
+
+      expect(controller.currentState.currentIndex).toBe(0);
+      controller.nextWord();
+      expect(controller.currentState.currentIndex).toBe(1);
+      expect(controller.currentState.playing).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    test('prevWord steps back one word', () => {
+      const view = createMockView(0, [makeDoc('one two three')]);
+      const controller = new RSVPController(view, 'test-book-abc123');
+      controller.start();
+
+      controller.nextWord();
+      controller.nextWord();
+      controller.prevWord();
+      expect(controller.currentState.currentIndex).toBe(1);
+    });
+
+    test('nextWord clamps at the last word', () => {
+      const view = createMockView(0, [makeDoc('one two')]);
+      const controller = new RSVPController(view, 'test-book-abc123');
+      controller.start();
+
+      controller.nextWord();
+      controller.nextWord();
+      expect(controller.currentState.currentIndex).toBe(1);
+    });
+
+    test('prevWord clamps at the first word', () => {
+      const view = createMockView(0, [makeDoc('one two')]);
+      const controller = new RSVPController(view, 'test-book-abc123');
+      controller.start();
+
+      controller.prevWord();
+      expect(controller.currentState.currentIndex).toBe(0);
+    });
+  });
 });

apps/readest-app/src/app/reader/components/ViewMenu.tsx

@@ -316,6 +316,7 @@ const ViewMenu: React.FC<ViewMenuProps> = ({
 
       <MenuItem
         label={_('Speed Reading Mode')}
+        shortcut='Shift+V'
         onClick={handleStartRSVP}
         disabled={bookData.isFixedLayout}
       />

apps/readest-app/src/app/reader/components/rsvp/RSVPControl.tsx

@@ -114,7 +114,8 @@ const expandRangeToSentence = (range: Range, doc: Document): Range => {
 const RSVPControl: React.FC<RSVPControlProps> = ({ bookKey, gridInsets }) => {
   const _ = useTranslation();
   const { envConfig } = useEnv();
-  const { settings } = useSettingsStore();
+  const { settings, setSettingsDialogOpen, setSettingsDialogBookKey, setActiveSettingsItemId } =
+    useSettingsStore();
   const { getView, getProgress, getViewSettings } = useReaderStore();
   const { getBookData, getConfig, setConfig, saveConfig } = useBookDataStore();
   const { themeCode } = useThemeStore();
@@ -185,6 +186,11 @@ const RSVPControl: React.FC<RSVPControlProps> = ({ bookKey, gridInsets }) => {
 
   const handleStart = useCallback(
     (selectionText?: string) => {
+      // RSVP can be started from the menu or the keyboard shortcut (#4473);
+      // ignore a repeat trigger while a session is already active so it does
+      // not re-open the start dialog over the running overlay.
+      if (controllerRef.current?.currentState.active) return;
+
       const view = getView(bookKey);
       const bookData = getBookData(bookKey);
       const progress = getProgress(bookKey);
@@ -528,6 +534,14 @@ const RSVPControl: React.FC<RSVPControlProps> = ({ bookKey, gridInsets }) => {
   const viewSettings = getViewSettings(bookKey);
   const fontFamily = viewSettings ? getBaseFontFamily(viewSettings) : undefined;
 
+  // Book language drives dictionary provider selection for context lookups (#4475).
+  const dictionaryLang = bookData?.bookDoc?.metadata?.language as string | undefined;
+  const handleManageDictionary = useCallback(() => {
+    setSettingsDialogBookKey(bookKey);
+    setActiveSettingsItemId('settings.language.dictionaries.manage');
+    setSettingsDialogOpen(true);
+  }, [bookKey, setActiveSettingsItemId, setSettingsDialogBookKey, setSettingsDialogOpen]);
+
   // Use portal to render overlay at body level to avoid stacking context issues
   const portalContainer = typeof document !== 'undefined' ? document.body : null;
 
@@ -557,9 +571,11 @@ const RSVPControl: React.FC<RSVPControlProps> = ({ bookKey, gridInsets }) => {
             chapters={chapters}
             currentChapterHref={currentChapterHref}
             fontFamily={fontFamily}
+            lang={dictionaryLang}
             onClose={handleClose}
             onChapterSelect={handleChapterSelect}
             onRequestNextPage={handleRequestNextPage}
+            onManageDictionary={handleManageDictionary}
           />,
           portalContainer,
         )}

apps/readest-app/src/app/reader/components/rsvp/RSVPOverlay.tsx

@@ -13,13 +13,19 @@ import {
   IoPause,
   IoPlaySkipBack,
   IoPlaySkipForward,
+  IoCaretBack,
+  IoCaretForward,
   IoRemove,
   IoAdd,
   IoChevronDown,
   IoSettingsSharp,
+  IoSearch,
 } from 'react-icons/io5';
 import { useTranslation } from '@/hooks/useTranslation';
+import { getPopupPosition, Position } from '@/utils/sel';
 import { Overlay } from '@/components/Overlay';
+import DictionarySheet from '@/app/reader/components/annotator/DictionarySheet';
+import DictionaryPopup from '@/app/reader/components/annotator/DictionaryPopup';
 
 interface FlatChapter {
   label: string;
@@ -73,6 +79,11 @@ const CONTEXT_CHUNK_SIZE = 50;
 const CONTEXT_WINDOW_BEFORE = 200;
 const CONTEXT_WINDOW_AFTER = 1000;
 
+// Dictionary lookup popup sizing (mirrors the reader's Annotator popup).
+const DICT_POPUP_PADDING = 10;
+const DICT_POPUP_MAX_WIDTH = 480;
+const DICT_POPUP_MAX_HEIGHT = 360;
+
 interface RSVPOverlayProps {
   gridInsets: Insets;
   controller: RSVPController;
@@ -84,9 +95,13 @@ interface RSVPOverlayProps {
    * fallback. See getBaseFontFamily in utils/style.
    */
   fontFamily?: string;
+  /** Book language, used to pick dictionary providers for context lookups. */
+  lang?: string;
   onClose: () => void;
   onChapterSelect: (href: string) => void;
   onRequestNextPage: () => void;
+  /** Opens the dictionary management settings from the lookup header gear. */
+  onManageDictionary?: () => void;
 }
 
 const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
@@ -95,9 +110,11 @@ const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
   chapters,
   currentChapterHref,
   fontFamily,
+  lang,
   onClose,
   onChapterSelect,
   onRequestNextPage,
+  onManageDictionary,
 }) => {
   const _ = useTranslation();
   const { themeCode, isDarkMode: _isDarkMode } = useThemeStore();
@@ -147,6 +164,21 @@ const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
     }
   });
   const contextWordRef = useRef<HTMLSpanElement>(null);
+  const contextPanelRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  // Dictionary lookup from a context-panel selection (#4475). `lookup` is the
+  // pending selection (drives the "Look up" pill); `dict` holds the resolved
+  // word + popup placement once the dictionary is open.
+  const [lookup, setLookup] = useState<{
+    text: string;
+    range: Range;
+    left: number;
+    top: number;
+  } | null>(null);
+  const [dict, setDict] = useState<{
+    word: string;
+    position: Position;
+    trianglePosition: Position;
+  } | null>(null);
   const touchStartX = useRef(0);
   const touchStartY = useRef(0);
   const touchStartTime = useRef(0);
@@ -201,6 +233,9 @@ const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
   useEffect(() => {
     const handleKeyboard = (event: KeyboardEvent) => {
       if (!state.active) return;
+      // While the dictionary is open it owns the keyboard (e.g. Escape closes
+      // the dictionary, not the whole RSVP session).
+      if (dict) return;
 
       switch (event.key) {
         case ' ':
@@ -241,13 +276,23 @@ const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
           event.stopPropagation();
           controller.decreaseSpeed();
           break;
+        case '.':
+          event.preventDefault();
+          event.stopPropagation();
+          controller.nextWord();
+          break;
+        case ',':
+          event.preventDefault();
+          event.stopPropagation();
+          controller.prevWord();
+          break;
       }
     };
 
     // Use capture phase to handle events before they reach dropdown/select elements
     document.addEventListener('keydown', handleKeyboard, { capture: true });
     return () => document.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeyboard, { capture: true });
-  }, [state.active, controller, onClose]);
+  }, [state.active, controller, onClose, dict]);
 
   const effectiveChapterHref = currentChapterHref;
 
@@ -279,11 +324,13 @@ const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
     }
   }, [state]);
 
-  // Auto-scroll: keep highlighted word in view
+  // Auto-scroll: keep highlighted word in view. Suppressed while the user is
+  // selecting text or has the dictionary open, so the panel does not yank the
+  // selection out from under them (#4475).
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (contextCollapsed) return;
+    if (contextCollapsed || lookup || dict) return;
     contextWordRef.current?.scrollIntoView({ block: 'nearest', behavior: 'instant' });
-  }, [state.currentIndex, contextCollapsed]);
+  }, [state.currentIndex, contextCollapsed, lookup, dict]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!showChapterDropdown) return;
@@ -422,6 +469,10 @@ const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
 
   const handleContextClick = useCallback(
     (event: React.MouseEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
+      // A drag that selects text also ends in a click; don't seek then, so the
+      // user can select words for dictionary lookup (#4475).
+      const selection = window.getSelection();
+      if (selection && !selection.isCollapsed && selection.toString().trim()) return;
       const target = (event.target as HTMLElement).closest<HTMLElement>('[data-rsvp-word-index]');
       if (!target) return;
       if (target.getAttribute('role') !== 'button') return;
@@ -432,6 +483,68 @@ const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
     [handleWordClick],
   );
 
+  // Detect a selection inside the context panel and surface a "Look up" pill.
+  const handleContextSelection = useCallback(() => {
+    const selection = window.getSelection();
+    if (!selection || selection.isCollapsed) {
+      setLookup(null);
+      return;
+    }
+    const text = selection.toString().trim();
+    const anchor = selection.anchorNode;
+    if (!text || !anchor || !contextPanelRef.current?.contains(anchor)) {
+      setLookup(null);
+      return;
+    }
+    // Clone the range so the placement survives the selection being collapsed
+    // when the user taps the "Look up" pill.
+    const range = selection.getRangeAt(0).cloneRange();
+    const rect = range.getBoundingClientRect();
+    const left = Math.min(window.innerWidth - 8, Math.max(8, rect.left + rect.width / 2));
+    setLookup({ text, range, left, top: rect.top });
+  }, []);
+
+  const openLookup = useCallback(() => {
+    if (!lookup) return;
+    if (state.playing) controller.pause();
+
+    // Anchor the popup to the selection: prefer below it, flip above when the
+    // lower half of the screen is too short. The whole-window rect keeps the
+    // popup clamped on-screen (the overlay root sits at the viewport origin).
+    const rect = lookup.range.getBoundingClientRect();
+    const windowRect = { top: 0, left: 0, right: window.innerWidth, bottom: window.innerHeight };
+    const popupWidth = Math.min(DICT_POPUP_MAX_WIDTH, window.innerWidth - 2 * DICT_POPUP_PADDING);
+    const popupHeight = Math.min(
+      DICT_POPUP_MAX_HEIGHT,
+      window.innerHeight - 2 * DICT_POPUP_PADDING,
+    );
+    const dir: Position['dir'] =
+      window.innerHeight - rect.bottom > popupHeight + DICT_POPUP_PADDING ? 'down' : 'up';
+    const trianglePosition: Position = {
+      point: { x: rect.left + rect.width / 2, y: dir === 'down' ? rect.bottom + 6 : rect.top - 12 },
+      dir,
+    };
+    const position = getPopupPosition(
+      trianglePosition,
+      windowRect,
+      popupWidth,
+      popupHeight,
+      DICT_POPUP_PADDING,
+    );
+
+    setDict({ word: lookup.text, position, trianglePosition });
+    setLookup(null);
+  }, [lookup, state.playing, controller]);
+
+  const closeLookup = useCallback(() => {
+    setDict(null);
+    try {
+      window.getSelection()?.removeAllRanges();
+    } catch {
+      /* ignore */
+    }
+  }, []);
+
   const handleContextKeyDown = useCallback(
     (event: React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
       if (event.key !== 'Enter' && event.key !== ' ') return;
@@ -668,10 +781,13 @@ const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
             onTouchEnd={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
           >
             <div
+              ref={contextPanelRef}
               data-testid='rsvp-context-panel'
-              className='text-left text-base leading-relaxed md:text-lg'
+              className='select-text text-left text-base leading-relaxed md:text-lg'
               onClick={handleContextClick}
               onKeyDown={handleContextKeyDown}
+              onMouseUp={handleContextSelection}
+              onTouchEnd={handleContextSelection}
             >
               {hasMoreBefore && <span className='opacity-30'>… </span>}
               {state.words.slice(contextWindow.start, contextWindow.end).map((w, i) => {
@@ -848,6 +964,15 @@ const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
             <IoRemove className='h-4 w-4 md:h-5 md:w-5' />
           </button>
 
+          <button
+            aria-label={_('Previous word')}
+            className='flex h-9 w-9 cursor-pointer items-center justify-center rounded-full border-none bg-transparent transition-colors hover:bg-gray-500/20 active:scale-95'
+            onClick={() => controller.prevWord()}
+            title={_('Previous word (,)')}
+          >
+            <IoCaretBack className='h-4 w-4 md:h-5 md:w-5' />
+          </button>
+
           <button
             aria-label={state.playing ? _('Pause') : _('Play')}
             className={clsx(
@@ -864,6 +989,15 @@ const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
             )}
           </button>
 
+          <button
+            aria-label={_('Next word')}
+            className='flex h-9 w-9 cursor-pointer items-center justify-center rounded-full border-none bg-transparent transition-colors hover:bg-gray-500/20 active:scale-95'
+            onClick={() => controller.nextWord()}
+            title={_('Next word (.)')}
+          >
+            <IoCaretForward className='h-4 w-4 md:h-5 md:w-5' />
+          </button>
+
           <button
             aria-label={_('Increase speed')}
             className='flex h-9 w-9 cursor-pointer items-center justify-center rounded-full border-none bg-transparent transition-colors hover:bg-gray-500/20 active:scale-95'
@@ -916,6 +1050,24 @@ const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
               </select>
             </label>
 
+            {/* Pre-start countdown delay */}
+            <label className='flex cursor-pointer items-center gap-1.5 font-medium opacity-80'>
+              <span className='mr-0.5 font-medium opacity-50'>{_('Start Delay')}</span>
+              <select
+                data-testid='rsvp-start-delay-select'
+                className='cursor-pointer rounded border border-gray-500/30 bg-gray-500/20 px-1.5 py-1 text-xs font-medium transition-colors hover:border-gray-500/40 hover:bg-gray-500/30'
+                style={{ color: 'inherit' }}
+                value={state.startDelaySeconds}
+                onChange={(e) => controller.setStartDelay(parseInt(e.target.value, 10))}
+              >
+                {controller.getStartDelayOptions().map((option) => (
+                  <option key={option} value={option}>
+                    {option === 0 ? _('Off') : `${option}s`}
+                  </option>
+                ))}
+              </select>
+            </label>
+
             {/* Font size */}
             <div className='flex items-center gap-0.5'>
               <span className='mr-0.5 font-medium opacity-50'>{_('Font')}</span>
@@ -1001,6 +1153,57 @@ const RSVPOverlay: React.FC<RSVPOverlayProps> = ({
           </div>
         )}
       </div>
+
+      {/* Dictionary lookup from a context selection (#4475) */}
+      {lookup && (
+        <button
+          aria-label={_('Look up')}
+          className='eink-bordered fixed z-[10001] flex -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-full items-center gap-1.5 rounded-full px-3 py-1.5 text-sm font-semibold shadow-lg'
+          style={{
+            left: `${lookup.left}px`,
+            top: `${lookup.top}px`,
+            backgroundColor: accentColor,
+            color: bgColor,
+          }}
+          onClick={openLookup}
+        >
+          <IoSearch className='h-4 w-4' />
+          {_('Look up')}
+        </button>
+      )}
+      {dict &&
+        // Below `sm` (or short landscape) present a bottom sheet; otherwise an
+        // anchored popup — mirroring the reader's selection dictionary.
+        (window.innerWidth < 640 || window.innerHeight < 640 ? (
+          <DictionarySheet
+            word={dict.word}
+            lang={lang}
+            onDismiss={closeLookup}
+            onManage={onManageDictionary}
+          />
+        ) : (
+          // Transparent full-screen catcher so a click outside the popup
+          // dismisses it (the popup container sits above it at z-50).
+          <>
+            <Overlay onDismiss={closeLookup} />
+            <DictionaryPopup
+              word={dict.word}
+              lang={lang}
+              position={dict.position}
+              trianglePosition={dict.trianglePosition}
+              popupWidth={Math.min(
+                DICT_POPUP_MAX_WIDTH,
+                window.innerWidth - 2 * DICT_POPUP_PADDING,
+              )}
+              popupHeight={Math.min(
+                DICT_POPUP_MAX_HEIGHT,
+                window.innerHeight - 2 * DICT_POPUP_PADDING,
+              )}
+              onDismiss={closeLookup}
+              onManage={onManageDictionary}
+            />
+          </>
+        ))}
     </div>
   );
 };

apps/readest-app/src/app/reader/hooks/useBookShortcuts.ts

@@ -322,6 +322,11 @@ const useBookShortcuts = ({ sideBarBookKey, bookKeys }: UseBookShortcutsProps) =
     return true;
   };
 
+  const startRSVP = () => {
+    if (!sideBarBookKey) return;
+    eventDispatcher.dispatch('rsvp-start', { bookKey: sideBarBookKey });
+  };
+
   const handlePinchZoom = (event: CustomEvent) => {
     const zoomLevel = event.detail?.zoomLevel;
     if (zoomLevel != null) {
@@ -351,6 +356,7 @@ const useBookShortcuts = ({ sideBarBookKey, bookKeys }: UseBookShortcutsProps) =
       onToggleScrollMode: toggleScrollMode,
       onToggleBookmark: toggleBookmark,
       onToggleParagraphMode: toggleParagraphMode,
+      onStartRSVP: startRSVP,
       onToggleToolbar: toggleToolbar,
       onOpenFontLayoutSettings: () => setSettingsDialogOpen(true),
       onShowSearchBar: showSearchBar,

apps/readest-app/src/helpers/shortcuts.ts

@@ -83,6 +83,11 @@ const DEFAULT_SHORTCUTS = {
     description: _('Toggle Paragraph Mode'),
     section: 'General',
   },
+  onStartRSVP: {
+    keys: ['shift+v'],
+    description: _('Speed Reading Mode'),
+    section: 'General',
+  },
   onToggleToolbar: {
     keys: ['Enter'],
     description: _('Toggle Toolbar'),

apps/readest-app/src/services/rsvp/RSVPController.ts

@@ -12,11 +12,14 @@ const DEFAULT_PUNCTUATION_PAUSE_MS = 100;
 const PUNCTUATION_PAUSE_OPTIONS = [25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200];
 const DEFAULT_SPLIT_HYPHENS = false;
 const DEFAULT_CJK_CHAR_MODE = false;
+const DEFAULT_START_DELAY_SECONDS = 3;
+const START_DELAY_OPTIONS = [0, 1, 2, 3];
 const STORAGE_KEY_PREFIX = 'readest_rsvp_wpm_';
 const PUNCTUATION_PAUSE_KEY_PREFIX = 'readest_rsvp_pause_';
 const POSITION_KEY_PREFIX = 'readest_rsvp_pos_';
 const SPLIT_HYPHENS_KEY = 'readest_rsvp_split_hyphens';
 const CJK_CHAR_MODE_KEY = 'readest_rsvp_cjk_char_mode';
+const START_DELAY_KEY = 'readest_rsvp_start_delay';
 
 // Section-only CFI (no '!') sorts before any word CFI in that section.
 const stripCfiPath = (cfi: string): string => cfi.replace(/!.*\)$/, ')');
@@ -37,6 +40,7 @@ export class RSVPController extends EventTarget {
     punctuationPauseMs: DEFAULT_PUNCTUATION_PAUSE_MS,
     splitHyphens: DEFAULT_SPLIT_HYPHENS,
     cjkCharMode: DEFAULT_CJK_CHAR_MODE,
+    startDelaySeconds: DEFAULT_START_DELAY_SECONDS,
     hasCJK: false,
     progress: 0,
   };
@@ -81,6 +85,10 @@ export class RSVPController extends EventTarget {
     if (savedCjkCharMode !== null) {
       this.state.cjkCharMode = savedCjkCharMode;
     }
+    const savedStartDelay = this.loadStartDelayFromStorage();
+    if (savedStartDelay !== null) {
+      this.state.startDelaySeconds = savedStartDelay;
+    }
   }
 
   get currentState(): RsvpState {
@@ -221,6 +229,34 @@ export class RSVPController extends EventTarget {
     return null;
   }
 
+  getStartDelayOptions(): number[] {
+    return START_DELAY_OPTIONS;
+  }
+
+  setStartDelay(seconds: number): void {
+    if (!START_DELAY_OPTIONS.includes(seconds)) return;
+    this.state.startDelaySeconds = seconds;
+    try {
+      localStorage.setItem(START_DELAY_KEY, seconds.toString());
+    } catch {
+      /* ignore */
+    }
+    this.emitStateChange();
+  }
+
+  private loadStartDelayFromStorage(): number | null {
+    try {
+      const stored = localStorage.getItem(START_DELAY_KEY);
+      if (stored !== null) {
+        const parsed = parseInt(stored, 10);
+        if (START_DELAY_OPTIONS.includes(parsed)) return parsed;
+      }
+    } catch {
+      /* ignore */
+    }
+    return null;
+  }
+
   setCurrentCfi(cfi: string | null): void {
     this.currentCfi = cfi;
   }
@@ -446,10 +482,19 @@ export class RSVPController extends EventTarget {
 
   private startCountdown(onComplete: () => void): void {
     this.clearCountdown();
-    let count = 3;
+
+    // A delay of 0 means instant start — skip the countdown entirely.
+    let count = this.state.startDelaySeconds;
+    if (count <= 0) {
+      onComplete();
+      return;
+    }
+
     this.countdown = count;
     this.emitCountdownChange();
 
+    // Tick at real one-second intervals so the displayed number matches the
+    // configured delay in seconds.
     this.countdownTimer = setInterval(() => {
       count--;
       if (count > 0) {
@@ -459,7 +504,7 @@ export class RSVPController extends EventTarget {
         this.clearCountdown();
         onComplete();
       }
-    }, 500);
+    }, 1000);
   }
 
   private clearCountdown(): void {
@@ -668,6 +713,26 @@ export class RSVPController extends EventTarget {
     this.emitStateChange();
   }
 
+  // Manual single-word stepping for self-paced reading (#4476). Pauses
+  // playback first so repeated presses advance exactly one word at a time;
+  // resume is left to the user.
+  nextWord(): void {
+    if (this.state.playing) this.pause();
+    this.state.currentIndex = Math.min(
+      Math.max(0, this.state.words.length - 1),
+      this.state.currentIndex + 1,
+    );
+    this.state.currentPartIndex = 0;
+    this.emitStateChange();
+  }
+
+  prevWord(): void {
+    if (this.state.playing) this.pause();
+    this.state.currentIndex = Math.max(0, this.state.currentIndex - 1);
+    this.state.currentPartIndex = 0;
+    this.emitStateChange();
+  }
+
   seekToPosition(percentage: number): void {
     if (this.state.words.length === 0) return;
     const newIndex = Math.floor((percentage / 100) * this.state.words.length);

apps/readest-app/src/services/rsvp/types.ts

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export interface RsvpState {
   punctuationPauseMs: number;
   splitHyphens: boolean;
   cjkCharMode: boolean;
+  startDelaySeconds: number;
   hasCJK: boolean;
   progress: number;
 }