diff --git a/plugins/course-apps/proctoring/Settings.test.jsx b/plugins/course-apps/proctoring/Settings.test.jsx
index 6a07c7143c..4ee6953dad 100644
--- a/plugins/course-apps/proctoring/Settings.test.jsx
+++ b/plugins/course-apps/proctoring/Settings.test.jsx
@@ -472,7 +472,8 @@ describe('ProctoredExamSettings', () => {
       });
       // (1) for studio settings
       // (2) for course details
-      expect(axiosMock.history.get.length).toBe(2);
+      // (3) for user course permissions
+      expect(axiosMock.history.get.length).toBe(3);
       expect(axiosMock.history.get[0].url.includes('proctored_exam_settings')).toEqual(true);
     });
 
diff --git a/src/CourseAuthoringContext.tsx b/src/CourseAuthoringContext.tsx
index bc444bd7cb..941b8e7f3a 100644
--- a/src/CourseAuthoringContext.tsx
+++ b/src/CourseAuthoringContext.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ import { type UnitXBlock, type XBlock } from '@src/data/types';
 import { CourseDetailsData } from './data/api';
 import { useCourseDetails } from './data/apiHooks';
 import { RequestStatusType } from './data/constants';
+import { useCourseUserPermissions } from '@src/authz/hooks';
+import { getCourseOutlinePermissions } from '@src/authz/permissionHelpers';
 
 export type ModalState = {
   value?: XBlock | UnitXBlock;
@@ -29,6 +31,9 @@ export type CourseAuthoringContextData = {
   currentUnlinkModalData?: ModalState;
   openUnlinkModal: (value: ModalState) => void;
   closeUnlinkModal: () => void;
+  isLoading: boolean;
+  canEditCourseContent: boolean;
+  canPublishCourseContent: boolean;
 };
 
 /**
@@ -58,7 +63,14 @@ export const CourseAuthoringProvider = ({
     closeUnlinkModal,
   ] = useToggleWithValue<ModalState>();
 
+  const {
+    canEditCourseContent,
+    canPublishCourseContent,
+    isLoading: isUserPermissionsLoading,
+  } = useCourseUserPermissions(courseId, getCourseOutlinePermissions(courseId));
+
   const getUnitUrl = (locator: string) => `/course/${courseId}/container/${locator}`;
+  const isLoading = isUserPermissionsLoading;
 
   /**
    * Open the unit page for a given locator.
@@ -78,6 +90,9 @@ export const CourseAuthoringProvider = ({
     openUnlinkModal,
     closeUnlinkModal,
     currentUnlinkModalData,
+    isLoading,
+    canEditCourseContent,
+    canPublishCourseContent,
   }), [
     courseId,
     courseDetails,
@@ -89,6 +104,9 @@ export const CourseAuthoringProvider = ({
     openUnlinkModal,
     closeUnlinkModal,
     currentUnlinkModalData,
+    canEditCourseContent,
+    canPublishCourseContent,
+    isLoading,
   ]);
 
   return (
diff --git a/src/authz/constants.ts b/src/authz/constants.ts
index 028a395c3d..5944c910d9 100644
--- a/src/authz/constants.ts
+++ b/src/authz/constants.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ export const CONTENT_LIBRARY_PERMISSIONS = {
 
 export const COURSE_PERMISSIONS = {
   VIEW_COURSE: 'courses.view_course',
+  CREATE_COURSE: 'courses.create_course',
   EDIT_COURSE_CONTENT: 'courses.edit_course_content',
+  PUBLISH_COURSE_CONTENT: 'courses.publish_course_content',
 
   MANAGE_ADVANCED_SETTINGS: 'courses.manage_advanced_settings',
 
diff --git a/src/authz/permissionHelpers.test.ts b/src/authz/permissionHelpers.test.ts
index 7798b9d5ca..781becd11d 100644
--- a/src/authz/permissionHelpers.test.ts
+++ b/src/authz/permissionHelpers.test.ts
@@ -164,6 +164,10 @@ describe('permissionHelpers', () => {
           action: COURSE_PERMISSIONS.EDIT_COURSE_CONTENT,
           scope: courseId,
         },
+        canPublishCourseContent: {
+          action: COURSE_PERMISSIONS.PUBLISH_COURSE_CONTENT,
+          scope: courseId,
+        },
       });
     });
   });
diff --git a/src/authz/permissionHelpers.ts b/src/authz/permissionHelpers.ts
index 3520e80f10..c8f301b5d1 100644
--- a/src/authz/permissionHelpers.ts
+++ b/src/authz/permissionHelpers.ts
@@ -75,6 +75,10 @@ export const getCourseOutlinePermissions = (courseId: string) => ({
     action: COURSE_PERMISSIONS.EDIT_COURSE_CONTENT,
     scope: courseId,
   },
+  canPublishCourseContent: {
+    action: COURSE_PERMISSIONS.PUBLISH_COURSE_CONTENT,
+    scope: courseId,
+  },
 });
 
 export const getLibraryUpdatesPermissions = (courseId: string) => ({
diff --git a/src/course-outline/CourseOutline.test.tsx b/src/course-outline/CourseOutline.test.tsx
index bc97222ff7..55e28655e0 100644
--- a/src/course-outline/CourseOutline.test.tsx
+++ b/src/course-outline/CourseOutline.test.tsx
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { getClipboardUrl } from '@src/generic/data/api';
 import { ContainerType } from '@src/generic/key-utils';
 import { getDownstreamApiUrl } from '@src/generic/unlink-modal/data/api';
 import { CourseAuthoringProvider } from '@src/CourseAuthoringContext';
+import { mockWaffleFlags } from '@src/data/apiHooks.mock';
 import {
   act,
   fireEvent,
@@ -552,6 +553,11 @@ const renderComponent = () =>
 describe('<CourseOutline />', () => {
   beforeEach(async () => {
     const mocks = initializeMocks();
+    mockWaffleFlags({ enableAuthzCourseAuthoring: false });
+    mocks.validateUserPermissionsMock.mockResolvedValue({
+      canEditCourseContent: true,
+      canPublishCourseContent: true,
+    });
     selectedContainerId = undefined;
     // restore index mock — use reorder outline spec (section[0] has 2 subsections for configure/drag tests)
     courseOutlineIndexMock = buildTestOutline({
diff --git a/src/course-outline/CourseOutline.tsx b/src/course-outline/CourseOutline.tsx
index 1bc151a171..acff556a84 100644
--- a/src/course-outline/CourseOutline.tsx
+++ b/src/course-outline/CourseOutline.tsx
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ const CourseOutline = () => {
   const location = useLocation();
   const {
     courseId,
+    canEditCourseContent,
+    isLoading: isLoadingAuthoringContext,
   } = useCourseAuthoringContext();
   const {
     courseUsageKey,
@@ -94,7 +96,14 @@ const CourseOutline = () => {
   const [showSuccessAlert, setShowSuccessAlert] = useState(false);
 
   const isInternetConnectionAlertFailed = savingStatus === RequestStatus.FAILED;
-  const isReIndexShow = Boolean(reindexLink);
+  const isReIndexShow = canEditCourseContent && Boolean(reindexLink);
+
+  // The header's "+ Add" button creates course content, so gate its visibility behind the
+  // edit permission. This is scoped to the header actions and leaves the outline tree unaffected.
+  const headerCourseActions = useMemo(
+    () => ({ ...courseActions, childAddable: canEditCourseContent && courseActions.childAddable }),
+    [courseActions, canEditCourseContent],
+  );
 
   const handleAddBlock = useCreateCourseBlock(courseId);
   const pasteMutation = usePasteItem(courseId);
@@ -169,7 +178,7 @@ const CourseOutline = () => {
     }
   }, [location, courseId, courseName]);
 
-  if (isLoading) {
+  if (isLoading || isLoadingAuthoringContext) {
     // eslint-disable-next-line react/jsx-no-useless-fragment
     return (
       <Row className="m-0 mt-4 justify-content-center">
@@ -249,7 +258,7 @@ const CourseOutline = () => {
                 headerNavigationsActions={headerNavigationsActions}
                 isDisabledReindexButton={isDisabledReindexButton}
                 hasSections={Boolean(sections.length)}
-                courseActions={courseActions}
+                courseActions={headerCourseActions}
                 errors={errors}
                 sections={sections}
               />
diff --git a/src/course-outline/OutlineNode.tsx b/src/course-outline/OutlineNode.tsx
index 5881792589..625233e705 100644
--- a/src/course-outline/OutlineNode.tsx
+++ b/src/course-outline/OutlineNode.tsx
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ const OutlineNode = ({
 
   const { activeId, overId } = useContext(DragContext);
   const { selectedContainerState, openContainerSidebar, setSelectedContainerState } = useOutlineSidebarContext();
-  const { courseId, openUnlinkModal, getUnitUrl } = useCourseAuthoringContext();
+  const { courseId, openUnlinkModal, getUnitUrl, canEditCourseContent } = useCourseAuthoringContext();
   const duplicateMutation = useDuplicateItem(courseId);
   const { openPublishModal } = useCourseOutlineContext();
   const queryClient = useQueryClient();
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ const OutlineNode = ({
     else { onOrderChange(effectiveSection, getPossibleMoves!(index, 1)); }
   };
 
-  const isDraggable = model.isDraggable(actions, isHeaderVisible);
+  const isDraggable = canEditCourseContent && model.isDraggable(actions, isHeaderVisible);
 
   const titleComponent = depth < 2 ?
     (
@@ -335,7 +335,6 @@ const OutlineNode = ({
                 {...(depth === 2 ?
                   {
                     isVertical: true,
-                    enableCopyPasteUnits: blk.enableCopyPasteUnits ?? false,
                     onClickCopy: () => copyToClipboard(blk.id),
                     discussionEnabled: blk.discussionEnabled,
                     discussionsSettings,
@@ -352,7 +351,7 @@ const OutlineNode = ({
                 data-testid={levelConfig.contentTestId}
                 onClick={(e) => onClickCard(e, false)}
               >
-                {depth === 0 && onOpenHighlightsModal && (
+                {canEditCourseContent && depth === 0 && onOpenHighlightsModal && (
                   <div className="outline-section__status mb-1">
                     <Button
                       className="p-0 bg-transparent"
@@ -381,14 +380,14 @@ const OutlineNode = ({
               })}
             >
               {children}
-              {actions.childAddable && (
+              {canEditCourseContent && actions.childAddable && (
                 <OutlineAddChildButtons
                   childType={levelConfig.containerType!}
                   parentLocator={blk.id}
                   grandParentLocator={depth === 1 ? parentSection?.id : undefined}
                 />
               )}
-              {showPaste && (
+              {canEditCourseContent && showPaste && (
                 <PasteComponent
                   className="mt-4 border-gray-500 rounded-0"
                   text={intl.formatMessage(outlineNodeMessages.pasteButton)}
diff --git a/src/course-outline/OutlineTree.tsx b/src/course-outline/OutlineTree.tsx
index 118aea4507..f7936acb70 100644
--- a/src/course-outline/OutlineTree.tsx
+++ b/src/course-outline/OutlineTree.tsx
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import {
 } from './drag-helper/utils';
 import { applyReorderMove } from './drag-helper/utils';
 import { type Depth, LEVEL_NAMES } from './outline-level';
+import { useCourseAuthoringContext } from '@src/CourseAuthoringContext';
 
 export interface OutlineTreeProps {
   sections: XBlock[];
@@ -81,6 +82,8 @@ const OutlineTree = ({
     await commitSectionReorder(sectionListIds);
   }, [sections, previewSections, commitSectionReorder]);
 
+  const { canEditCourseContent } = useCourseAuthoringContext();
+
   const handleSubsectionOrderChange = useCallback(
     async (section: XBlock, moveDetails: SubsectionMoveDetails | null) => {
       applyReorderMove(moveDetails, section, previewSections, commitSubsectionReorder);
@@ -180,7 +183,7 @@ const OutlineTree = ({
                     )}
                   </SortableContext>
                 </DraggableList>
-                {courseActions.childAddable && (
+                {canEditCourseContent && courseActions.childAddable && (
                   <OutlineAddChildButtons
                     childType={ContainerType.Section}
                     parentLocator={courseUsageKey}
@@ -190,7 +193,7 @@ const OutlineTree = ({
             ) :
             (
               <EmptyPlaceholder>
-                {courseActions.childAddable ?
+                {canEditCourseContent && courseActions.childAddable ?
                   (
                     <OutlineAddChildButtons
                       childType={ContainerType.Section}
diff --git a/src/course-outline/card-header/CardHeader.test.tsx b/src/course-outline/card-header/CardHeader.test.tsx
index 3b8c7a22a6..d31ca5c5dd 100644
--- a/src/course-outline/card-header/CardHeader.test.tsx
+++ b/src/course-outline/card-header/CardHeader.test.tsx
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {
   waitFor,
 } from '@src/testUtils';
 import { CourseAuthoringProvider } from '@src/CourseAuthoringContext';
+import { mockWaffleFlags } from '@src/data/apiHooks.mock';
 import { courseId } from '@src/schedule-and-details/__mocks__/courseDetails';
 import { userEvent } from '@testing-library/user-event';
 import { renderCard, setupCardTestMocks } from '../__mocks__/testSetup';
@@ -66,6 +67,13 @@ const cardHeaderProps = {
   },
 };
 
+let validateUserPermissionsMock;
+
+const mockPermissions = (canEditCourseContent = true) => {
+  mockWaffleFlags({ enableAuthzCourseAuthoring: !canEditCourseContent });
+  validateUserPermissionsMock.mockResolvedValue({ canEditCourseContent });
+};
+
 const renderComponent = (props?: object, entry = '/') => {
   const titleComponent = (
     <TitleButton
@@ -99,7 +107,9 @@ const renderComponent = (props?: object, entry = '/') => {
 
 describe('<CardHeader />', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
-    setupCardTestMocks();
+    const mocks = setupCardTestMocks();
+    validateUserPermissionsMock = mocks.validateUserPermissionsMock;
+    mockPermissions(true);
     useUpdateCourseBlockNameMock.isPending = false;
     useUpdateCourseBlockNameMock.mutate.mockClear();
     useUpdateCourseBlockNameMock.mutateAsync.mockClear();
@@ -579,4 +589,31 @@ describe('<CardHeader />', () => {
     await act(async () => fireEvent.click(unlinkMenuItem));
     expect(onClickUnlinkMock).toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
+
+  describe('canEditCourseContent permission', () => {
+    it('renders the rename button and actions menu when canEditCourseContent is true', async () => {
+      mockPermissions(true);
+      renderComponent();
+
+      expect(await screen.findByTestId('subsection-edit-button')).toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(await screen.findByTestId('subsection-card-header__menu')).toBeInTheDocument();
+    });
+
+    it('does not render the rename button when canEditCourseContent is false', async () => {
+      mockPermissions(false);
+      renderComponent();
+
+      expect(await screen.findByText(cardHeaderProps.title)).toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(screen.queryByTestId('subsection-edit-button')).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    });
+
+    it('does not render the actions menu when canEditCourseContent is false', async () => {
+      mockPermissions(false);
+      renderComponent();
+
+      expect(await screen.findByText(cardHeaderProps.title)).toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(screen.queryByTestId('subsection-card-header__menu')).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(screen.queryByTestId('subsection-card-header__menu-button')).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/course-outline/card-header/CardHeader.tsx b/src/course-outline/card-header/CardHeader.tsx
index 458817f2eb..fd2a60c384 100644
--- a/src/course-outline/card-header/CardHeader.tsx
+++ b/src/course-outline/card-header/CardHeader.tsx
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import {
   useState,
 } from 'react';
 import { getConfig } from '@edx/frontend-platform';
-import { useIntl } from '@edx/frontend-platform/i18n';
+import { FormattedMessage, useIntl } from '@edx/frontend-platform/i18n';
 import { useSearchParams } from 'react-router-dom';
 import {
   Dropdown,
@@ -57,7 +57,6 @@ interface CardHeaderProps {
   namePrefix: string;
   proctoringExamConfigurationLink?: string;
   actions: XBlockActions;
-  enableCopyPasteUnits?: boolean;
   isVertical?: boolean;
   isSequential?: boolean;
   discussionEnabled?: boolean;
@@ -96,7 +95,6 @@ const CardHeader = ({
   titleComponent,
   namePrefix,
   actions,
-  enableCopyPasteUnits,
   isVertical,
   isSequential,
   proctoringExamConfigurationLink,
@@ -117,7 +115,7 @@ const CardHeader = ({
     setCurrentPageKey('align');
     onClickManageTags?.();
   }, [setCurrentPageKey, cardId]);
-  const { courseId } = useCourseAuthoringContext();
+  const { courseId, canEditCourseContent, canPublishCourseContent } = useCourseAuthoringContext();
   const [isFormOpen, openForm, closeForm] = useToggle(false);
   // Set true by any Escape keydown handler; checked in handleEditSubmit
   // to prevent blur-after-Escape from saving the dirty titleValue.
@@ -285,15 +283,18 @@ const CardHeader = ({
           (
             <Stack direction="horizontal" gap={2}>
               {titleComponent}
-              <IconButtonWithTooltip
-                className="item-card-button-icon"
-                data-testid={`${namePrefix}-edit-button`}
-                alt={intl.formatMessage(messages.altButtonRename)}
-                tooltipContent={<div>{intl.formatMessage(messages.altButtonRename)}</div>}
-                iconAs={EditIcon}
-                onClick={onEditClick}
-                disabled={editMutation.isPending}
-              />
+              {canEditCourseContent &&
+                (
+                  <IconButtonWithTooltip
+                    className="item-card-button-icon"
+                    data-testid={`${namePrefix}-edit-button`}
+                    alt={intl.formatMessage(messages.altButtonRename)}
+                    tooltipContent={<div>{intl.formatMessage(messages.altButtonRename)}</div>}
+                    iconAs={EditIcon}
+                    onClick={onEditClick}
+                    disabled={editMutation.isPending}
+                  />
+                )}
             </Stack>
           )}
         <div className="ml-auto d-flex">
@@ -313,105 +314,110 @@ const CardHeader = ({
               onClick={onClickSync}
             />
           )}
-          <Dropdown data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu`}>
-            <Dropdown.Toggle
-              className="item-card-header__menu"
-              id={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu`}
-              data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-button`}
-              as={IconButton}
-              src={MoveVertIcon}
-              alt={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu`}
-              iconAs={Icon}
-            />
-            <Dropdown.Menu>
-              {isSequential && proctoringExamConfigurationLink && (
-                <Dropdown.Item
-                  as={Hyperlink}
-                  target="_blank"
-                  destination={fullProctoringExamConfigurationLink()}
-                  href={fullProctoringExamConfigurationLink()}
-                  externalLinkTitle={intl.formatMessage(messages.proctoringLinkTooltip)}
-                >
-                  {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuProctoringLinkText)}
-                </Dropdown.Item>
-              )}
-              <Dropdown.Item
-                data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-publish-button`}
-                disabled={isDisabledPublish}
-                onClick={onClickPublish}
-              >
-                {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuPublish)}
-              </Dropdown.Item>
-              <Dropdown.Item
-                data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-configure-button`}
-                disabled={editMutation.isPending}
-                onClick={onConfigureClick}
-              >
-                {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuConfigure)}
-              </Dropdown.Item>
-              {getConfig().ENABLE_TAGGING_TAXONOMY_PAGES === 'true' && (
+          {canEditCourseContent && (
+            <Dropdown data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu`}>
+              <Dropdown.Toggle
+                className="item-card-header__menu"
+                id={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu`}
+                data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-button`}
+                as={IconButton}
+                src={MoveVertIcon}
+                alt={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu`}
+                iconAs={Icon}
+              />
+              <Dropdown.Menu>
+                {isSequential && proctoringExamConfigurationLink && (
+                  <Dropdown.Item
+                    as={Hyperlink}
+                    target="_blank"
+                    destination={fullProctoringExamConfigurationLink()}
+                    href={fullProctoringExamConfigurationLink()}
+                    externalLinkTitle={intl.formatMessage(messages.proctoringLinkTooltip)}
+                  >
+                    {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuProctoringLinkText)}
+                  </Dropdown.Item>
+                )}
+                {canPublishCourseContent &&
+                  (
+                    <Dropdown.Item
+                      data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-publish-button`}
+                      disabled={isDisabledPublish}
+                      onClick={onClickPublish}
+                    >
+                      {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuPublish)}
+                    </Dropdown.Item>
+                  )}
                 <Dropdown.Item
-                  data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-manage-tags-button`}
+                  data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-configure-button`}
                   disabled={editMutation.isPending}
-                  onClick={openManageTagsDrawer}
+                  onClick={onConfigureClick}
                 >
-                  {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuManageTags)}
+                  {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuConfigure)}
                 </Dropdown.Item>
-              )}
+                {getConfig().ENABLE_TAGGING_TAXONOMY_PAGES === 'true' && (
+                  <Dropdown.Item
+                    data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-manage-tags-button`}
+                    disabled={editMutation.isPending}
+                    onClick={openManageTagsDrawer}
+                  >
+                    {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuManageTags)}
+                  </Dropdown.Item>
+                )}
 
-              {isVertical && enableCopyPasteUnits && (
-                <Dropdown.Item onClick={onClickCopy}>
-                  {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuCopy)}
-                </Dropdown.Item>
-              )}
-              {actions.duplicable && (
-                <Dropdown.Item
-                  data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-duplicate-button`}
-                  onClick={onClickDuplicate}
-                >
-                  {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuDuplicate)}
-                </Dropdown.Item>
-              )}
-              {actions.draggable && (
-                <>
+                {isVertical && (
+                  <Dropdown.Item onClick={onClickCopy}>
+                    {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuCopy)}
+                  </Dropdown.Item>
+                )}
+                {actions.duplicable && (
                   <Dropdown.Item
-                    data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-move-up-button`}
-                    onClick={onClickMoveUp}
-                    disabled={!actions.allowMoveUp}
+                    data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-duplicate-button`}
+                    onClick={onClickDuplicate}
                   >
-                    {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuMoveUp)}
+                    {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuDuplicate)}
                   </Dropdown.Item>
+                )}
+                {actions.draggable && (
+                  <>
+                    <Dropdown.Item
+                      data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-move-up-button`}
+                      onClick={onClickMoveUp}
+                      disabled={!actions.allowMoveUp}
+                    >
+                      {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuMoveUp)}
+                    </Dropdown.Item>
+                    <Dropdown.Item
+                      data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-move-down-button`}
+                      onClick={onClickMoveDown}
+                      disabled={!actions.allowMoveDown}
+                    >
+                      {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuMoveDown)}
+                    </Dropdown.Item>
+                  </>
+                )}
+                {((actions.unlinkable ?? null) !== null || actions.deletable) && <Dropdown.Divider />}
+                {(actions.unlinkable ?? null) !== null && (
                   <Dropdown.Item
-                    data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-move-down-button`}
-                    onClick={onClickMoveDown}
-                    disabled={!actions.allowMoveDown}
+                    data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-unlink-button`}
+                    onClick={onClickUnlink}
+                    disabled={!actions.unlinkable}
+                    className="allow-hover-on-disabled"
+                    title={!actions.unlinkable ? intl.formatMessage(messages.menuUnlinkDisabledTooltip) : undefined}
                   >
-                    {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuMoveDown)}
+                    {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuUnlink)}
                   </Dropdown.Item>
-                </>
-              )}
-              {((actions.unlinkable ?? null) !== null || actions.deletable) && <Dropdown.Divider />}
-              {(actions.unlinkable ?? null) !== null && (
-                <Dropdown.Item
-                  data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-unlink-button`}
-                  onClick={onClickUnlink}
-                  disabled={!actions.unlinkable}
-                  className="allow-hover-on-disabled"
-                  title={!actions.unlinkable ? intl.formatMessage(messages.menuUnlinkDisabledTooltip) : undefined}
-                >
-                  {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuUnlink)}
-                </Dropdown.Item>
-              )}
-              {actions.deletable && (
-                <Dropdown.Item
-                  data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-delete-button`}
-                  onClick={onClickDelete}
-                >
-                  {intl.formatMessage(messages.menuDelete)}
-                </Dropdown.Item>
-              )}
-            </Dropdown.Menu>
-          </Dropdown>
+                )}
+                {actions.deletable && (
+                  <Dropdown.Item
+                    data-testid={`${namePrefix}-card-header__menu-delete-button`}
+                    onClick={onClickDelete}
+                  >
+                    <FormattedMessage {...messages.menuDelete} />
+                  </Dropdown.Item>
+                )}
+              </Dropdown.Menu>
+            </Dropdown>
+          )}
         </div>
       </div>
     </>
diff --git a/src/course-outline/outline-sidebar/OutlineSidebarPagesContext.tsx b/src/course-outline/outline-sidebar/OutlineSidebarPagesContext.tsx
index e95adfce4f..7f35350e83 100644
--- a/src/course-outline/outline-sidebar/OutlineSidebarPagesContext.tsx
+++ b/src/course-outline/outline-sidebar/OutlineSidebarPagesContext.tsx
@@ -14,25 +14,28 @@ import { OutlineAlignSidebar } from './OutlineAlignSidebar';
 import OutlineHelpSidebar from './OutlineHelpSidebar';
 import { InfoSidebar } from './info-sidebar/InfoSidebar';
 import messages from './messages';
+import { useCourseAuthoringContext } from '@src/CourseAuthoringContext';
 
 export type OutlineSidebarPages = {
   info: SidebarPage;
   help: SidebarPage;
-  add: SidebarPage;
+  add?: SidebarPage;
   align?: SidebarPage;
 };
 
-const getOutlineSidebarPages = () => ({
+const getOutlineSidebarPages = (canEditCourseContent: boolean = false) => ({
   info: {
     component: InfoSidebar,
     icon: Info,
     title: messages.sidebarButtonInfo,
   },
-  add: {
-    component: AddSidebar,
-    icon: Plus,
-    title: messages.sidebarButtonAdd,
-  },
+  ...(canEditCourseContent && {
+    add: {
+      component: AddSidebar,
+      icon: Plus,
+      title: messages.sidebarButtonAdd,
+    },
+  }),
   ...(getConfig().ENABLE_TAGGING_TAXONOMY_PAGES === 'true' && {
     align: {
       component: OutlineAlignSidebar,
@@ -84,9 +87,11 @@ type OutlineSidebarPagesProviderProps = {
 };
 
 export const OutlineSidebarPagesProvider = ({ children }: OutlineSidebarPagesProviderProps) => {
+  const { canEditCourseContent } = useCourseAuthoringContext();
+
   // align page is sometimes not added when getOutlineSidebarPages() is called at the top level.
   // So if we call it inside the hook, getConfig has updated values and align page is added.
-  const sidebarPages = useMemo(getOutlineSidebarPages, []);
+  const sidebarPages = useMemo(() => getOutlineSidebarPages(canEditCourseContent), [canEditCourseContent]);
 
   return (
     <OutlineSidebarPagesContext.Provider value={sidebarPages}>
diff --git a/src/course-outline/status-bar/StatusBar.test.tsx b/src/course-outline/status-bar/StatusBar.test.tsx
index 597c20b7e7..21d2ea7175 100644
--- a/src/course-outline/status-bar/StatusBar.test.tsx
+++ b/src/course-outline/status-bar/StatusBar.test.tsx
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 import { VIDEO_SHARING_OPTIONS } from '@src/course-outline/constants';
 import { CourseOutlineStatusBar } from '@src/course-outline/data/types';
 import { initializeMocks, render, screen } from '@src/testUtils';
+import { mockWaffleFlags } from '@src/data/apiHooks.mock';
 import { StatusBar, StatusBarProps } from './StatusBar';
 import messages from './messages';
+import { CourseAuthoringProvider } from '@src/CourseAuthoringContext';
 
 const courseId = 'course-v1:123';
 const isLoading = false;
@@ -36,6 +38,13 @@ jest.mock('@src/course-outline/data/apiHooks', () => ({
     isLoading: false,
   }),
 }));
+
+let validateUserPermissionsMock;
+const mockPermissions = (canEditCourseContent = true) => {
+  mockWaffleFlags({ enableAuthzCourseAuthoring: !canEditCourseContent });
+  validateUserPermissionsMock.mockResolvedValue({ canEditCourseContent });
+};
+
 const mockOpenEnableHighlightsModal = jest.fn();
 const mockHandleVideoSharingOptionChange = jest.fn();
 
@@ -49,13 +58,18 @@ const renderComponent = (props?: Partial<StatusBarProps>) =>
       handleVideoSharingOptionChange={mockHandleVideoSharingOptionChange}
       {...props}
     />,
+    {
+      extraWrapper: ({ children }) => <CourseAuthoringProvider courseId={courseId}>{children}</CourseAuthoringProvider>,
+    },
   );
 
 describe('<StatusBar />', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
-    initializeMocks();
+    const mocks = initializeMocks();
+    validateUserPermissionsMock = mocks.validateUserPermissionsMock;
     jest.useFakeTimers();
     jest.setSystemTime(new Date('2013-03-05'));
+    mockPermissions(true);
   });
 
   it('renders StatusBar component correctly', async () => {
@@ -145,6 +159,29 @@ describe('<StatusBar />', () => {
     expect(await screen.findByText(messages.highlightEmailsEnabled.defaultMessage)).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
+  it('does not render the enable highlights button when canEditCourseContent is false', async () => {
+    mockPermissions(false);
+    renderComponent();
+
+    // Wait for the status bar to render, then confirm the enable button is absent.
+    expect(await screen.findByText('Feb 05, 2013 - Apr 09, 2013')).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'Enable highlights emails' })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('still shows the enabled highlights message when canEditCourseContent is false', async () => {
+    mockPermissions(false);
+    renderComponent({
+      statusBarData: {
+        ...statusBarData,
+        highlightsEnabledForMessaging: true,
+      },
+    });
+
+    // The "enabled" message is informational (not an edit action), so it renders regardless of permission.
+    expect(await screen.findByText(messages.highlightEmailsEnabled.defaultMessage)).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'Enable highlights emails' })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
   it('does render video sharing dropdown if enabled', async () => {
     renderComponent({
       statusBarData: {
diff --git a/src/course-outline/status-bar/StatusBar.tsx b/src/course-outline/status-bar/StatusBar.tsx
index 634292a2f1..cfed93b1dc 100644
--- a/src/course-outline/status-bar/StatusBar.tsx
+++ b/src/course-outline/status-bar/StatusBar.tsx
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import { useHelpUrls } from '@src/help-urls/hooks';
 
 import messages from './messages';
 import { NotificationStatusIcon } from './NotificationStatusIcon';
+import { useCourseAuthoringContext } from '@src/CourseAuthoringContext';
 
 const CourseBadge = ({ startDate, endDate }: { startDate: Moment; endDate: Moment; }) => {
   const now = moment().utc();
@@ -192,19 +193,23 @@ const Highlights = ({ highlightsEnabledForMessaging, openEnableHighlightsModal }
 }) => {
   const intl = useIntl();
 
+  const { canEditCourseContent } = useCourseAuthoringContext();
+
   if (highlightsEnabledForMessaging) {
     return (
       <span data-testid="highlights-enabled-span" className="small">
         {intl.formatMessage(messages.highlightEmailsEnabled)}
       </span>
     );
-  } else {
-    return (
-      <Button data-testid="highlights-enable-button" size="sm" onClick={openEnableHighlightsModal}>
-        {intl.formatMessage(messages.highlightEmailsButton)}
-      </Button>
-    );
   }
+  if (!canEditCourseContent) {
+    return null;
+  }
+  return (
+    <Button data-testid="highlights-enable-button" size="sm" onClick={openEnableHighlightsModal}>
+      {intl.formatMessage(messages.highlightEmailsButton)}
+    </Button>
+  );
 };
 
 const VideoSharingDropdown = ({ handleVideoSharingOptionChange, videoSharingOptions }: {
diff --git a/src/generic/sidebar/Sidebar.tsx b/src/generic/sidebar/Sidebar.tsx
index 35a83739a1..b4e292e916 100644
--- a/src/generic/sidebar/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/src/generic/sidebar/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -88,12 +88,17 @@ export function Sidebar<T extends SidebarPages>({
 }: SidebarProps<T>) {
   const intl = useIntl();
 
+  // currentPageKey may point to a page that isn't currently available (e.g. one hidden by
+  // permissions or a stale value coming from the URL). Fall back to the first available page
+  // so the sidebar renders instead of crashing on an undefined page.
+  const [fallbackPageKey] = Object.keys(pages) as (keyof T)[];
+  const effectivePageKey = pages[currentPageKey] ? currentPageKey : fallbackPageKey;
   const {
     component: SidebarComponent,
     icon: SidebarIcon,
     title,
-  } = pages[currentPageKey];
-  const activeKey = isOpen ? currentPageKey : undefined;
+  } = pages[effectivePageKey];
+  const activeKey = isOpen ? effectivePageKey : undefined;
 
   return (
     <Stack direction="horizontal" className="align-items-baseline flex-fill overflow-hidden" gap={2}>
diff --git a/src/studio-home/StudioHome.tsx b/src/studio-home/StudioHome.tsx
index 6f99812abc..5d06648f34 100644
--- a/src/studio-home/StudioHome.tsx
+++ b/src/studio-home/StudioHome.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import React, { useCallback } from 'react';
+import classNames from 'classnames';
 import {
   Button,
   Container,
@@ -85,7 +86,11 @@ const StudioHome = () => {
 
     if (canViewConsoleTeams) {
       headerButtons.push(
-        <div className="border-right mr-3 pr-4 py-2">
+        <div
+          className={classNames('mr-3 pr-4 py-2', {
+            'border-right': hasAbilityToCreateNewCourse || canCreateNewLibrary,
+          })}
+        >
           <Button
             as="a"
             href={adminConsoleUrl}
@@ -129,7 +134,14 @@ const StudioHome = () => {
     }
 
     return headerButtons;
-  }, [location, userIsActive, isFailedLoadingPage, canViewConsoleTeams]);
+  }, [
+    location,
+    userIsActive,
+    isFailedLoadingPage,
+    canViewConsoleTeams,
+    hasAbilityToCreateNewCourse,
+    canCreateNewLibrary,
+  ]);
 
   const headerButtons = userIsActive ? getHeaderButtons() : [];
   if (isLoadingPage && !isFiltered) {