diff --git a/.changeset/node-panel-disabled.md b/.changeset/node-panel-disabled.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e6b74943a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/node-panel-disabled.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@workflowbuilder/ui': minor
+---
+
+`NodePanel.Root`, `NodeDescription` and `NodeIcon` accept `disabled` and render the Node Disabled variant: muted surface, title, subtitle, icon and no hover reaction. New public properties: `--wb-public-node-background-color-disabled`, `--wb-public-node-title-color-disabled`, `--wb-public-node-subtitle-color-disabled`, `--wb-public-node-icon-color-disabled`, `--wb-public-node-icon-container-background-color-disabled`.
diff --git a/.changeset/palette-node-states.md b/.changeset/palette-node-states.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7d14e9c42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/palette-node-states.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@workflowbuilder/sdk': minor
+---
+
+Palette entries render the canvas Node states instead of their own styling: hover is the Node Hover state, the drag preview is the Node Active state (outline and ring), and entries that cannot be added (read-only mode) use the Node Disabled state instead of a faded copy. The node templates (`WorkflowNodeTemplate`, `StartNodeTemplate`, `DecisionNodeTemplate`, `AiAgentNodeTemplate`) accept a `disabled` prop.
diff --git a/apps/docs/src/content/docs/ui-library/diagram-components/node-description.mdx b/apps/docs/src/content/docs/ui-library/diagram-components/node-description.mdx
index e914f4b46..2ee21548b 100644
--- a/apps/docs/src/content/docs/ui-library/diagram-components/node-description.mdx
+++ b/apps/docs/src/content/docs/ui-library/diagram-components/node-description.mdx
@@ -36,6 +36,11 @@ Both lines are single-line. Text that does not fit the node width is cut with an
 full text is available through the element's native tooltip (`title`). The block never widens its
 node: a node keeps the design width and grows in height only through its body content.
 
+## Disabled
+
+`disabled` mutes both lines with the Node Disabled text color. The node templates pass it
+down together with `NodePanel.Root` and `NodeIcon`, so a whole node switches state at once.
+
 ## Props
 
 <PropsTable slug="node-description" />
diff --git a/apps/docs/src/content/docs/ui-library/diagram-components/node-icon.mdx b/apps/docs/src/content/docs/ui-library/diagram-components/node-icon.mdx
index 6bb9c9ba4..346d3e94b 100644
--- a/apps/docs/src/content/docs/ui-library/diagram-components/node-icon.mdx
+++ b/apps/docs/src/content/docs/ui-library/diagram-components/node-icon.mdx
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@ function NodeHeader({ label, description }) {
 }
 ```
 
+## Disabled
+
+`disabled` mutes the glyph and the container with the Node Disabled colors.
+
 ## Props
 
 <PropsTable slug="node-icon" />
diff --git a/apps/docs/src/content/docs/ui-library/diagram-components/node-panel.mdx b/apps/docs/src/content/docs/ui-library/diagram-components/node-panel.mdx
index b8b76eb99..ad151f7d1 100644
--- a/apps/docs/src/content/docs/ui-library/diagram-components/node-panel.mdx
+++ b/apps/docs/src/content/docs/ui-library/diagram-components/node-panel.mdx
@@ -63,6 +63,12 @@ function WorkflowNode({ id, icon, label, description, selected, isValid, showHan
 }
 ```
 
+## States
+
+`selected` draws the active outline and shadow. `disabled` renders the Node Disabled
+variant: muted surface, title, subtitle and icon, and no hover reaction. The palette uses
+it for node types that cannot be added at the moment, for example in read-only mode.
+
 ## Parts
 
 | Part                | Props                                                                                                 | Description                                                                       |
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/ai-agent-node-template/ai-agent-node-template.tsx b/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/ai-agent-node-template/ai-agent-node-template.tsx
index fc79969cf..d6ade1f5a 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/ai-agent-node-template/ai-agent-node-template.tsx
+++ b/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/ai-agent-node-template/ai-agent-node-template.tsx
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ type Props = {
   label: string;
   description: string;
   selected?: boolean;
+  /** Render the Node Disabled variant (palette entries that cannot be added). */
+  disabled?: boolean;
   isConnecting?: boolean;
   showHandles?: boolean;
   chatModel?: ItemOption | undefined;
@@ -40,6 +42,7 @@ export const AiAgentNodeTemplate = memo(
     label,
     description,
     selected = false,
+    disabled = false,
     showHandles = true,
     chatModel,
     memoryModel,
@@ -62,10 +65,10 @@ export const AiAgentNodeTemplate = memo(
 
     return (
       <Collapsible expandLabel={t('common.expand')} collapseLabel={t('common.collapse')}>
-        <NodePanel.Root selected={selected}>
+        <NodePanel.Root selected={selected} disabled={disabled}>
           <NodePanel.Header className={styles['header']}>
-            <NodeIcon className={styles['icon']} icon={iconElement} />
-            <NodeDescription label={label} description={description} />
+            <NodeIcon className={styles['icon']} icon={iconElement} disabled={disabled} />
+            <NodeDescription label={label} description={description} disabled={disabled} />
             {isCanvasNode && <Collapsible.Button />}
           </NodePanel.Header>
           <NodePanel.Content className={styles['content']} isVisible={isCanvasNode}>
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/decision-node-template/decision-node-template.tsx b/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/decision-node-template/decision-node-template.tsx
index 3f7c2766c..0ffa2e06e 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/decision-node-template/decision-node-template.tsx
+++ b/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/decision-node-template/decision-node-template.tsx
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ type Props = {
   label: string;
   description: string;
   selected?: boolean;
+  /** Render the Node Disabled variant (palette entries that cannot be added). */
+  disabled?: boolean;
   layoutDirection?: LayoutDirection;
   isConnecting?: boolean;
   showHandles?: boolean;
@@ -37,6 +39,7 @@ export const DecisionNodeTemplate = memo(
     description,
     showHandles,
     selected = false,
+    disabled = false,
     isValid,
     decisionBranches,
     layoutDirection = 'RIGHT',
@@ -52,10 +55,10 @@ export const DecisionNodeTemplate = memo(
     const handlesAlignment = getHandlesAlignment({ layoutDirection });
 
     return (
-      <NodePanel.Root selected={selected} className={styles['decision-node']}>
+      <NodePanel.Root selected={selected} disabled={disabled} className={styles['decision-node']}>
         <NodePanel.Header>
-          <NodeIcon icon={iconElement} />
-          <NodeDescription label={label} description={description} />
+          <NodeIcon icon={iconElement} disabled={disabled} />
+          <NodeDescription label={label} description={description} disabled={disabled} />
         </NodePanel.Header>
         <NodePanel.Content isVisible={isCanvasNode}>
           <OptionalNodeContent nodeId={id}>
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/start-node-template/start-node-template.tsx b/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/start-node-template/start-node-template.tsx
index 25c1e713b..27bc67687 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/start-node-template/start-node-template.tsx
+++ b/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/start-node-template/start-node-template.tsx
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ type StartNodeTemplateProps = {
   description: string;
   data?: NodeData;
   selected?: boolean;
+  /** Render the Node Disabled variant (palette entries that cannot be added). */
+  disabled?: boolean;
   layoutDirection?: LayoutDirection;
   isConnecting?: boolean;
   showHandles?: boolean;
@@ -37,6 +39,7 @@ const StartNodeTemplateComponent = memo(
     description,
     layoutDirection = 'RIGHT',
     selected = false,
+    disabled = false,
     showHandles = true,
     isValid,
     children,
@@ -54,10 +57,10 @@ const StartNodeTemplateComponent = memo(
 
     return (
       <Collapsible expandLabel={t('common.expand')} collapseLabel={t('common.collapse')}>
-        <NodePanel.Root selected={selected} className={styles['content']}>
+        <NodePanel.Root selected={selected} disabled={disabled} className={styles['content']}>
           <NodePanel.Header>
-            <NodeIcon icon={iconElement} />
-            <NodeDescription label={label} description={description} />
+            <NodeIcon icon={iconElement} disabled={disabled} />
+            <NodeDescription label={label} description={description} disabled={disabled} />
             {!!children && <Collapsible.Button />}
           </NodePanel.Header>
           <NodePanel.Content isVisible={isCanvasNode}>
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/workflow-node-template/workflow-node-template.tsx b/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/workflow-node-template/workflow-node-template.tsx
index 9eb025dbd..13608bb7f 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/workflow-node-template/workflow-node-template.tsx
+++ b/packages/sdk/src/features/diagram/nodes/workflow-node-template/workflow-node-template.tsx
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ export type WorkflowNodeTemplateProps<P = BaseNodeProperties & Record<string, un
   description: string;
   data?: NodeData<P>;
   selected?: boolean;
+  /** Render the Node Disabled variant (palette entries that cannot be added). */
+  disabled?: boolean;
   layoutDirection?: LayoutDirection;
   isConnecting?: boolean;
   showHandles?: boolean;
@@ -61,6 +63,7 @@ const WorkflowNodeTemplateComponent = memo(
     description,
     layoutDirection = 'RIGHT',
     selected = false,
+    disabled = false,
     showHandles = true,
     isValid,
     children,
@@ -80,10 +83,10 @@ const WorkflowNodeTemplateComponent = memo(
 
     return (
       <Collapsible expandLabel={t('common.expand')} collapseLabel={t('common.collapse')}>
-        <NodePanel.Root selected={selected} className={styles['content']}>
+        <NodePanel.Root selected={selected} disabled={disabled} className={styles['content']}>
           <NodePanel.Header>
-            <NodeIcon icon={iconElement} />
-            <NodeDescription label={label} description={description} />
+            <NodeIcon icon={iconElement} disabled={disabled} />
+            <NodeDescription label={label} description={description} disabled={disabled} />
             {!!children && <Collapsible.Button />}
           </NodePanel.Header>
           <NodePanel.Content isVisible={isCanvasNode}>
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/components/items/palette-item.module.css b/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/components/items/palette-item.module.css
index 3cc503c2d..a5238a53e 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/components/items/palette-item.module.css
+++ b/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/components/items/palette-item.module.css
@@ -1,12 +1,8 @@
 .item {
-  border-radius: 0.75rem;
   cursor: grab;
-  outline-offset: -1px;
-  outline: 1px solid transparent;
 }
 
 .disabled {
   cursor: default;
   user-select: none;
-  opacity: 0.5;
 }
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/components/items/palette-item.tsx b/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/components/items/palette-item.tsx
index ecf337864..cf898cc33 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/components/items/palette-item.tsx
+++ b/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/components/items/palette-item.tsx
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export function PaletteItem({ item, onDragStart, onMouseDown, isDisabled = false
       onMouseDown={() => onMouseDown(item.type)}
       onDragStart={onDragStart}
     >
-      <NodePreviewContainer type={item.type} />
+      <NodePreviewContainer type={item.type} disabled={isDisabled} />
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/node-preview-container.spec.tsx b/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/node-preview-container.spec.tsx
index e5349dae4..16d7ead61 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/node-preview-container.spec.tsx
+++ b/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/node-preview-container.spec.tsx
@@ -15,7 +15,11 @@ vi.mock('../diagram/nodes/start-node-template/start-node-template', () => ({
   StartNodeTemplate: () => null,
 }));
 vi.mock('../diagram/nodes/workflow-node-template/workflow-node-template', () => ({
-  WorkflowNodeTemplate: (props: WorkflowNodeTemplateProps) => <div data-testid="built-in-template">{props.label}</div>,
+  WorkflowNodeTemplate: (props: WorkflowNodeTemplateProps) => (
+    <div data-testid="built-in-template" data-selected={props.selected} data-disabled={props.disabled}>
+      {props.label}
+    </div>
+  ),
 }));
 
 let mockNodeDefinition: PaletteItem | undefined;
@@ -78,6 +82,14 @@ describe('NodePreviewContainer', () => {
     expect(screen.queryByTestId('custom-template')).toBeNull();
   });
 
+  it('passes the selected and disabled node states to the template', () => {
+    render(<NodePreviewContainer type="multi-port" selected disabled />);
+
+    const element = screen.getByTestId('built-in-template');
+    expect(element.dataset.selected).toBe('true');
+    expect(element.dataset.disabled).toBe('true');
+  });
+
   it('renders nothing when the palette type is unknown', () => {
     mockNodeDefinition = undefined;
 
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/node-preview-container.tsx b/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/node-preview-container.tsx
index 0fc22636b..f9e7e1fa6 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/node-preview-container.tsx
+++ b/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/node-preview-container.tsx
@@ -27,11 +27,18 @@ const BUILT_IN_TEMPLATES: NodeTemplateRegistry = {
   [NodeType.DecisionNode]: DecisionNodeTemplate,
 };
 
-type NodePreviewContainerProps = {
+type NodeStateProps = {
+  /** Drag preview: the Node Active state (outline and ring). */
+  selected?: boolean;
+  /** Unavailable palette entry: the Node Disabled state. */
+  disabled?: boolean;
+};
+
+type NodePreviewContainerProps = NodeStateProps & {
   type: string;
 };
 
-export function NodePreviewContainer({ type }: NodePreviewContainerProps) {
+export function NodePreviewContainer({ type, selected, disabled }: NodePreviewContainerProps) {
   const getNodeDefinition = useStore((state) => state.getNodeDefinition);
 
   const nodeDefinition = getNodeDefinition(type);
@@ -39,14 +46,14 @@ export function NodePreviewContainer({ type }: NodePreviewContainerProps) {
     return;
   }
 
-  return <NodePreview nodeDefinition={nodeDefinition} />;
+  return <NodePreview nodeDefinition={nodeDefinition} selected={selected} disabled={disabled} />;
 }
 
-type NodePreviewProps = {
+type NodePreviewProps = NodeStateProps & {
   nodeDefinition: PaletteItem;
 };
 
-function NodePreview({ nodeDefinition }: NodePreviewProps) {
+function NodePreview({ nodeDefinition, selected, disabled }: NodePreviewProps) {
   const { type, icon, label, description, templateType = NodeType.Node } = nodeDefinition;
 
   const translateIfPossible = useTranslateIfPossible();
@@ -58,5 +65,15 @@ function NodePreview({ nodeDefinition }: NodePreviewProps) {
   const templateKey = resolveReactFlowNodeType(type, templateType, custom);
   const TemplateComponent = custom[templateKey] ?? BUILT_IN_TEMPLATES[templateKey] ?? BUILT_IN_TEMPLATES[NodeType.Node];
 
-  return <TemplateComponent icon={icon} label={nodeLabel} description={nodeDescription} showHandles={false} id={''} />;
+  return (
+    <TemplateComponent
+      icon={icon}
+      label={nodeLabel}
+      description={nodeDescription}
+      showHandles={false}
+      selected={selected}
+      disabled={disabled}
+      id={''}
+    />
+  );
 }
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/palette-container.tsx b/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/palette-container.tsx
index 78544ac4c..de2d69532 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/palette-container.tsx
+++ b/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/palette-container.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import { useEffect } from 'react';
 
 import styles from './palette-container.module.css';
-import './variables.css';
 
 import { Sidebar } from '../../components/sidebar/sidebar';
 import { useStore } from '../../store/store';
@@ -50,7 +49,7 @@ export function PaletteContainer() {
       />
       {draggedItem && (
         <DraggedItem ref={ref} zoom={zoom}>
-          <NodePreviewContainer type={draggedItem.type} />
+          <NodePreviewContainer type={draggedItem.type} selected />
         </DraggedItem>
       )}
     </Sidebar>
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/variables.css b/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/variables.css
deleted file mode 100644
index 2915411e0..000000000
--- a/packages/sdk/src/features/palette/variables.css
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-:root {
-  --wb-sdk-palette-item-outline-color-hover: var(--wb-ds-canvas-node-stroke-hover);
-  --wb-sdk-palette-item-shad-color-hover: rgba(21, 21, 22, 0.1);
-}
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-description/node-description.module.css b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-description/node-description.module.css
index 9981c910b..bb2ab5e9d 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-description/node-description.module.css
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-description/node-description.module.css
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 :root {
   --wb-public-node-title-color: var(--wb-ds-ui-text-default);
   --wb-public-node-title-subtitle: var(--wb-ds-ui-text-subtle-default);
+  --wb-public-node-title-color-disabled: var(--wb-ds-canvas-node-text-disabled);
+  --wb-public-node-subtitle-color-disabled: var(--wb-ds-canvas-node-text-disabled);
 }
 
 @layer ui.component {
@@ -29,5 +31,15 @@
     .subtitle {
       color: var(--wb-public-node-title-subtitle);
     }
+
+    &.disabled {
+      .title {
+        color: var(--wb-public-node-title-color-disabled);
+      }
+
+      .subtitle {
+        color: var(--wb-public-node-subtitle-color-disabled);
+      }
+    }
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-description/node-description.spec.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-description/node-description.spec.tsx
index 30cdd515d..3fea8e0b3 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-description/node-description.spec.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-description/node-description.spec.tsx
@@ -30,6 +30,12 @@ describe('NodeDescription', () => {
     expect(subtitle.getAttribute('title')).toBe('Sends the ticket to the right responder.');
   });
 
+  it('marks the block as disabled', () => {
+    act(() => root.render(<NodeDescription label="Start" disabled />));
+
+    expect(container.firstElementChild?.className).toMatch(/disabled/);
+  });
+
   it('renders no tooltip attribute when there is no description', () => {
     act(() => root.render(<NodeDescription label="Start" />));
 
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-description/node-description.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-description/node-description.tsx
index 80a8a9bd5..263707348 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-description/node-description.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-description/node-description.tsx
@@ -5,12 +5,14 @@ import styles from './node-description.module.css';
 export type NodeDescriptionProps = {
   label: string;
   description?: string;
+  /** Muted title and subtitle of the Node Disabled variant. */
+  disabled?: boolean;
   className?: string;
 };
 
-export function NodeDescription({ label, description, className }: NodeDescriptionProps) {
+export function NodeDescription({ label, description, disabled = false, className }: NodeDescriptionProps) {
   return (
-    <div className={clsx(styles['container'], className)}>
+    <div className={clsx(styles['container'], { [styles['disabled']]: disabled }, className)}>
       <span className={clsx('wb-text-title-s-emphasized', styles['title'])} title={label}>
         {label}
       </span>
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-icon/node-icon.module.css b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-icon/node-icon.module.css
index 1f42a5734..f2e5e123a 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-icon/node-icon.module.css
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-icon/node-icon.module.css
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
   --wb-public-node-icon-color: var(--wb-ds-canvas-node-icon-primary);
   --wb-public-node-icon-container-border-color: var(--wb-ds-canvas-node-stroke-default);
   --wb-public-node-icon-container-background-color: var(--wb-ds-canvas-node-bg-secondary-default);
+  --wb-public-node-icon-color-disabled: var(--wb-ds-ui-icon-disabled);
+  --wb-public-node-icon-container-background-color-disabled: var(--wb-ds-canvas-node-bg-primary-disabled);
 }
 
 @layer ui.component {
@@ -19,5 +21,10 @@
     border-radius: var(--wb-public-node-icon-border-radius);
     border: var(--wb-public-node-icon-border-size) solid var(--wb-public-node-icon-container-border-color);
     background: var(--wb-public-node-icon-container-background-color);
+
+    &.disabled {
+      color: var(--wb-public-node-icon-color-disabled);
+      background: var(--wb-public-node-icon-container-background-color-disabled);
+    }
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-icon/node-icon.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-icon/node-icon.tsx
index 7060949c7..f2e818557 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-icon/node-icon.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-icon/node-icon.tsx
@@ -5,9 +5,11 @@ import styles from './node-icon.module.css';
 
 export type NodeIconProps = {
   icon: ReactNode;
+  /** Muted glyph and container of the Node Disabled variant. */
+  disabled?: boolean;
   className?: string;
 };
 
-export function NodeIcon({ icon, className }: NodeIconProps) {
-  return <div className={clsx(styles['container'], className)}>{icon}</div>;
+export function NodeIcon({ icon, disabled = false, className }: NodeIconProps) {
+  return <div className={clsx(styles['container'], { [styles['disabled']]: disabled }, className)}>{icon}</div>;
 }
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-panel/node-panel.module.css b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-panel/node-panel.module.css
index 4a8e962f0..cffac5194 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-panel/node-panel.module.css
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-panel/node-panel.module.css
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
   --wb-public-node-hover-background-color: var(--wb-ds-canvas-node-bg-primary-default);
   --wb-public-node-border-hover-color: var(--wb-ds-canvas-node-stroke-hover);
 
+  --wb-public-node-background-color-disabled: var(--wb-ds-canvas-node-bg-primary-disabled);
+
   --wb-public-node-border-color-selected: var(--wb-ds-canvas-node-stroke-hover);
   --wb-public-node-box-shadow-selected: var(--wb-ds-shadow-canvas-focus-node-x) var(--wb-ds-shadow-canvas-focus-node-y)
     var(--wb-ds-shadow-canvas-focus-node-blur) var(--wb-ds-shadow-canvas-focus-node-spread)
@@ -19,7 +21,7 @@
 }
 
 @layer ui.component {
-  .node-panel-wrapper:hover .container {
+  .node-panel-wrapper:hover .container:not(.disabled) {
     background: var(--wb-public-node-hover-background-color);
     border-color: var(--wb-public-node-border-hover-color);
   }
@@ -42,6 +44,10 @@
       box-shadow: var(--wb-public-node-box-shadow-selected);
     }
 
+    &.disabled {
+      background: var(--wb-public-node-background-color-disabled);
+    }
+
     &:not(:hover) {
       transition:
         border-color var(--wb-public-transition),
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-panel/node-panel.spec.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-panel/node-panel.spec.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4e16fd058
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-panel/node-panel.spec.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+import { act } from 'react';
+import { createRoot } from 'react-dom/client';
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+
+import { NodePanel } from './node-panel';
+
+const containers: HTMLDivElement[] = [];
+
+function renderRoot(props: { selected: boolean; disabled?: boolean }) {
+  const container = document.createElement('div');
+  document.body.append(container);
+  containers.push(container);
+  act(() => {
+    createRoot(container).render(
+      <NodePanel.Root {...props}>
+        <NodePanel.Header>header</NodePanel.Header>
+      </NodePanel.Root>,
+    );
+  });
+  return container.firstElementChild!.firstElementChild as HTMLElement;
+}
+
+afterEach(() => {
+  for (const container of containers.splice(0)) container.remove();
+});
+
+describe('NodePanel.Root states', () => {
+  it('marks the shell as selected', () => {
+    const shell = renderRoot({ selected: true });
+    expect(shell.className).toMatch(/selected/);
+    expect(shell.className).not.toMatch(/disabled/);
+  });
+
+  it('marks the shell as disabled', () => {
+    const shell = renderRoot({ selected: false, disabled: true });
+    expect(shell.className).toMatch(/disabled/);
+    expect(shell.className).not.toMatch(/selected/);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-panel/node-panel.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-panel/node-panel.tsx
index c579a2b9d..6c8652a68 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-panel/node-panel.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/node/node-panel/node-panel.tsx
@@ -7,6 +7,12 @@ import nodeStyles from './node-panel.module.css';
 type Props = {
   /** Whether the node panel is selected */
   selected: boolean;
+  /**
+   * Renders the node in its disabled state (muted surface, text and icon,
+   * no hover). Used for node types that cannot be added right now, for
+   * example palette entries in read-only mode.
+   */
+  disabled?: boolean;
   /** The content of the node panel */
   children?: React.ReactNode;
   /** css className of the node panel */
@@ -64,7 +70,7 @@ const Handles = memo(function Handles({
   return <>{isVisible && children}</>;
 });
 
-const Root = memo(function Root({ selected, children, className }: Props) {
+const Root = memo(function Root({ selected, disabled = false, children, className }: Props) {
   const { headerComponent, contentComponent, handlesComponent, handlesAlignment, hasHandles } = useMemo(() => {
     const childrenArray = Children.toArray(children);
 
@@ -91,6 +97,7 @@ const Root = memo(function Root({ selected, children, className }: Props) {
       <div
         className={clsx(nodeStyles['container'], {
           [nodeStyles['selected']]: selected,
+          [nodeStyles['disabled']]: disabled,
         })}
       >
         <div