diff --git a/backend/src/routes/items.ts b/backend/src/routes/items.ts
index 518863b..cbdf8c1 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/items.ts
+++ b/backend/src/routes/items.ts
@@ -137,6 +137,47 @@ itemsRouter.get('/selected', (req, res) => {
  *       400:
  *         description: Invalid id
  */
+/**
+ * @openapi
+ * /api/items/add-value:
+ *   post:
+ *     summary: Create a new item with a given value
+ *     tags: [Items]
+ *     requestBody:
+ *       required: true
+ *       content:
+ *         application/json:
+ *           schema:
+ *             type: object
+ *             required: [value]
+ *             properties:
+ *               value:
+ *                 type: string
+ *     responses:
+ *       200:
+ *         description: Item created
+ *         content:
+ *           application/json:
+ *             schema:
+ *               type: object
+ *               properties:
+ *                 id:
+ *                   type: integer
+ *                 value:
+ *                   type: string
+ *       400:
+ *         description: Invalid value
+ */
+itemsRouter.post('/add-value', (req, res) => {
+  const value = req.body?.value
+  if (typeof value !== 'string' || value.trim() === '') {
+    res.status(400).json({ error: 'value must be a non-empty string' })
+    return
+  }
+  const id = store.addItemByValue(value.trim())
+  res.json({ id, value: value.trim() })
+})
+
 itemsRouter.post('/add', (req, res) => {
   const id = req.body?.id
   if (id === undefined || id === null || typeof id !== 'number' || !Number.isInteger(id)) {
diff --git a/backend/src/services/itemsStore.ts b/backend/src/services/itemsStore.ts
index e398ebb..1a5b438 100644
--- a/backend/src/services/itemsStore.ts
+++ b/backend/src/services/itemsStore.ts
@@ -87,6 +87,15 @@ export function addItem(id: number): boolean {
   return true
 }
 
+let nextAutoId = 1_000_001
+
+export function addItemByValue(value: string): number {
+  const id = nextAutoId++
+  itemsById.set(id, value)
+  allItemsOrder.push(id)
+  return id
+}
+
 export function selectItem(id: number): boolean {
   if (selectedIds.has(id) || !itemsById.has(id)) return false
   selectedIds.add(id)
diff --git a/frontend/app/app.vue b/frontend/app/app.vue
index f93fac6..f03f39b 100644
--- a/frontend/app/app.vue
+++ b/frontend/app/app.vue
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ const {
   deselectItem,
   reorderItem,
   addItem,
+  addItemByValue,
 } = useItems()
 
 onMounted(() => {
@@ -94,8 +95,10 @@ async function handleReorder(id: number, afterId: number | null): Promise<void>
   await reorderItem(id, afterId)
 }
 
-async function handleAdd(id: number) {
-  await addItem(id)
+async function handleAdd(value: string) {
+  const item = await addItemByValue(value)
+  leftSearch.value = item.value
+  await fetchLeft(true)
 }
 </script>
 
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/LeftPanel.vue b/frontend/app/components/LeftPanel.vue
index dc05e83..0a3aa2a 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/LeftPanel.vue
+++ b/frontend/app/components/LeftPanel.vue
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
           </h2>
           <span v-if="total" class="item-count">{{ total }}</span>
         </div>
-        <button class="btn-primary" @click="showAddModal = true">
+        <button class="btn-primary" @click="openModal">
           <svg width="11" height="11" viewBox="0 0 11 11" fill="none" aria-hidden="true">
             <path d="M5.5 1V10M1 5.5H10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.5" stroke-linecap="round" />
           </svg>
@@ -32,13 +32,15 @@
       </div>
     </div>
 
-    <div class="panel-body">
+    <div ref="panelBody" class="panel-body" @scroll="onScroll">
+      <div :style="{ height: topSpacer + 'px' }" aria-hidden="true" />
+
       <ul class="item-list">
         <li
-          v-for="(item, index) in items"
+          v-for="(item, vIdx) in visibleItems"
           :key="item.id"
           class="item-row"
-          :style="{ '--i': Math.min(index, 14) }"
+          :style="{ '--i': Math.min(vIdx, 14) }"
         >
           <span class="item-id">#{{ item.id }}</span>
           <span class="item-value">{{ item.value }}</span>
@@ -50,6 +52,8 @@
         </li>
       </ul>
 
+      <div :style="{ height: bottomSpacer + 'px' }" aria-hidden="true" />
+
       <div v-if="loading" class="status-row">
         <span class="status-dots">
           <span /><span /><span />
@@ -75,17 +79,18 @@
             </button>
           </div>
           <input
-            v-model.number="addIdInput"
+            ref="addInputEl"
+            v-model="addValueInput"
             class="modal-input"
-            type="number"
-            placeholder="Enter item ID"
+            type="text"
+            placeholder="Enter item value"
             @keydown.enter="submitAdd"
           >
           <div class="modal-footer">
             <button class="btn-ghost" @click="closeModal">
               Cancel
             </button>
-            <button class="btn-primary" @click="submitAdd">
+            <button class="btn-primary" :disabled="!addValueInput.trim()" @click="submitAdd">
               Add item
             </button>
           </div>
@@ -97,7 +102,10 @@
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import type { Item } from '~/services/api'
-import { onUnmounted, ref, watch } from 'vue'
+import { computed, nextTick, onMounted, onUnmounted, ref, watch } from 'vue'
+
+const ITEM_HEIGHT = 47
+const OVERSCAN = 5
 
 const props = defineProps<{
   items: Item[]
@@ -111,12 +119,48 @@ const emit = defineEmits<{
   (e: 'update:search', val: string): void
   (e: 'loadMore'): void
   (e: 'select', id: number): void
-  (e: 'add', id: number): void
+  (e: 'add', value: string): void
 }>()
 
+// ── Virtual scroll ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+const panelBody = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
+const scrollTop = ref(0)
+const containerHeight = ref(500)
+
+function onScroll() {
+  scrollTop.value = panelBody.value?.scrollTop ?? 0
+}
+
+const startIdx = computed(() =>
+  Math.max(0, Math.floor(scrollTop.value / ITEM_HEIGHT) - OVERSCAN),
+)
+const endIdx = computed(() =>
+  Math.min(
+    props.items.length,
+    Math.ceil((scrollTop.value + containerHeight.value) / ITEM_HEIGHT) + OVERSCAN,
+  ),
+)
+const visibleItems = computed(() => props.items.slice(startIdx.value, endIdx.value))
+const topSpacer = computed(() => startIdx.value * ITEM_HEIGHT)
+const bottomSpacer = computed(() => (props.items.length - endIdx.value) * ITEM_HEIGHT)
+
+let resizeObserver: ResizeObserver | null = null
+
+onMounted(() => {
+  containerHeight.value = panelBody.value?.clientHeight ?? 500
+  resizeObserver = new ResizeObserver((entries) => {
+    const entry = entries[0]
+    if (entry)
+      containerHeight.value = entry.contentRect.height
+  })
+  if (panelBody.value)
+    resizeObserver.observe(panelBody.value)
+})
+
+// ── Infinite scroll sentinel ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
 const sentinel = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
-const showAddModal = ref(false)
-const addIdInput = ref<number | null>(null)
 let observer: IntersectionObserver | null = null
 
 watch(sentinel, (el) => {
@@ -136,8 +180,11 @@ watch(sentinel, (el) => {
 
 onUnmounted(() => {
   observer?.disconnect()
+  resizeObserver?.disconnect()
 })
 
+// ── Search ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
 let debounceTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null
 
 function onSearchInput(e: Event) {
@@ -149,17 +196,29 @@ function onSearchInput(e: Event) {
   }, 300)
 }
 
+// ── Add modal ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+const showAddModal = ref(false)
+const addValueInput = ref('')
+const addInputEl = ref<HTMLInputElement | null>(null)
+
+function openModal() {
+  showAddModal.value = true
+  nextTick(() => addInputEl.value?.focus())
+}
+
 function closeModal() {
   showAddModal.value = false
-  addIdInput.value = null
+  addValueInput.value = ''
 }
 
 function submitAdd() {
-  if (addIdInput.value !== null && Number.isInteger(addIdInput.value)) {
-    emit('add', addIdInput.value)
-    addIdInput.value = null
-    showAddModal.value = false
-  }
+  const value = addValueInput.value.trim()
+  if (!value)
+    return
+  emit('add', value)
+  addValueInput.value = ''
+  showAddModal.value = false
 }
 </script>
 
@@ -280,6 +339,12 @@ function submitAdd() {
   &:active {
     transform: scale(0.97);
   }
+
+  &:disabled {
+    opacity: 0.45;
+    cursor: not-allowed;
+    transform: none;
+  }
 }
 
 .btn-ghost {
@@ -520,6 +585,7 @@ function submitAdd() {
   font-size: 0.875rem;
   color: var(--text-primary);
   outline: none;
+  box-sizing: border-box;
   transition:
     border-color 150ms ease,
     background 150ms ease;
@@ -533,11 +599,6 @@ function submitAdd() {
     border-color: var(--text-primary);
     background: var(--surface);
   }
-
-  &::-webkit-inner-spin-button,
-  &::-webkit-outer-spin-button {
-    -webkit-appearance: none;
-  }
 }
 
 .modal-footer {
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/RightPanel.vue b/frontend/app/components/RightPanel.vue
index ea54f71..e3a16a2 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/RightPanel.vue
+++ b/frontend/app/components/RightPanel.vue
@@ -24,9 +24,11 @@
       </div>
     </div>
 
-    <div ref="panelBody" class="panel-body">
+    <div ref="panelBody" class="panel-body" @scroll="onScroll">
+      <div :style="{ height: topSpacer + 'px' }" aria-hidden="true" />
+
       <VueDraggableNext
-        v-model="localItems"
+        v-model="visibleSlice"
         tag="ul"
         class="item-list"
         handle=".drag-handle"
@@ -34,10 +36,10 @@
         @end="onDragEndFull"
       >
         <li
-          v-for="(item, index) in localItems"
+          v-for="(item, vIdx) in visibleSlice"
           :key="item.id"
           class="item-row"
-          :style="{ '--i': Math.min(index, 14) }"
+          :style="{ '--i': Math.min(vIdx, 14) }"
         >
           <span class="drag-handle" title="Drag to reorder" aria-hidden="true">
             <svg width="8" height="12" viewBox="0 0 8 12" fill="currentColor">
@@ -59,6 +61,8 @@
         </li>
       </VueDraggableNext>
 
+      <div :style="{ height: bottomSpacer + 'px' }" aria-hidden="true" />
+
       <div v-if="loading" class="status-row">
         <span class="status-dots">
           <span /><span /><span />
@@ -74,9 +78,12 @@
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import type { Item } from '~/services/api'
-import { onUnmounted, ref, watch } from 'vue'
+import { computed, onMounted, onUnmounted, ref, watch } from 'vue'
 import { VueDraggableNext } from 'vue-draggable-next'
 
+const ITEM_HEIGHT = 47
+const OVERSCAN = 5
+
 const props = defineProps<{
   items: Item[]
   total: number | string
@@ -92,8 +99,62 @@ const emit = defineEmits<{
   (e: 'reorder', id: number, afterId: number | null): void
 }>()
 
-const sentinel = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
+// ── Local items (source of truth for drag ordering) ──────────────────────────
+
+const localItems = ref([...props.items])
+
+watch(() => props.items, (val) => {
+  localItems.value = [...val]
+}, { deep: true })
+
+// ── Virtual scroll ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
 const panelBody = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
+const scrollTop = ref(0)
+const containerHeight = ref(500)
+
+function onScroll() {
+  scrollTop.value = panelBody.value?.scrollTop ?? 0
+}
+
+const startIdx = computed(() =>
+  Math.max(0, Math.floor(scrollTop.value / ITEM_HEIGHT) - OVERSCAN),
+)
+const endIdx = computed(() =>
+  Math.min(
+    localItems.value.length,
+    Math.ceil((scrollTop.value + containerHeight.value) / ITEM_HEIGHT) + OVERSCAN,
+  ),
+)
+
+// Writable computed: VueDraggableNext reads/writes the visible slice.
+// The setter splices changes back into localItems so the full list stays in sync.
+const visibleSlice = computed({
+  get: () => localItems.value.slice(startIdx.value, endIdx.value),
+  set: (newVal: Item[]) => {
+    localItems.value.splice(startIdx.value, endIdx.value - startIdx.value, ...newVal)
+  },
+})
+
+const topSpacer = computed(() => startIdx.value * ITEM_HEIGHT)
+const bottomSpacer = computed(() => (localItems.value.length - endIdx.value) * ITEM_HEIGHT)
+
+let resizeObserver: ResizeObserver | null = null
+
+onMounted(() => {
+  containerHeight.value = panelBody.value?.clientHeight ?? 500
+  resizeObserver = new ResizeObserver((entries) => {
+    const entry = entries[0]
+    if (entry)
+      containerHeight.value = entry.contentRect.height
+  })
+  if (panelBody.value)
+    resizeObserver.observe(panelBody.value)
+})
+
+// ── Infinite scroll sentinel ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+const sentinel = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
 let observer: IntersectionObserver | null = null
 
 watch(sentinel, (el) => {
@@ -132,12 +193,16 @@ function scrollLoop() {
 }
 
 function onPointerMoveDrag(e: PointerEvent) {
-  if (!isDragging || !panelBody.value) return
+  if (!isDragging || !panelBody.value)
+    return
   const rect = panelBody.value.getBoundingClientRect()
   const y = e.clientY - rect.top
   if (y >= 0 && y < SCROLL_ZONE) {
     scrollSpeed = -((SCROLL_ZONE - y) / SCROLL_ZONE) * SCROLL_MAX_SPEED
   }
+  else if (y > rect.height - SCROLL_ZONE && y <= rect.height) {
+    scrollSpeed = ((y - (rect.height - SCROLL_ZONE)) / SCROLL_ZONE) * SCROLL_MAX_SPEED
+  }
   else {
     scrollSpeed = 0
   }
@@ -158,16 +223,23 @@ function onDragEndFull(event: { oldIndex: number, newIndex: number }): void {
     cancelAnimationFrame(scrollRafId)
     scrollRafId = null
   }
-  const moved = localItems.value[event.newIndex]
-  if (!moved) return
-  const after = event.newIndex > 0 ? localItems.value[event.newIndex - 1] : null
+
+  // The visibleSlice setter has already applied the reorder to localItems.
+  // event indices are relative to the visible slice (startIdx offset).
+  const actualNewIdx = startIdx.value + event.newIndex
+  const moved = localItems.value[actualNewIdx]
+  if (!moved)
+    return
+  const after = actualNewIdx > 0 ? localItems.value[actualNewIdx - 1] : null
   emit('reorder', moved.id!, after?.id ?? null)
 }
 
 onUnmounted(() => {
   observer?.disconnect()
+  resizeObserver?.disconnect()
   document.removeEventListener('pointermove', onPointerMoveDrag)
-  if (scrollRafId !== null) cancelAnimationFrame(scrollRafId)
+  if (scrollRafId !== null)
+    cancelAnimationFrame(scrollRafId)
 })
 
 // ── Search ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -182,14 +254,6 @@ function onSearchInput(e: Event) {
     emit('update:search', val)
   }, 300)
 }
-
-// ── Local items for drag-and-drop ────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-const localItems = ref([...props.items])
-
-watch(() => props.items, (val) => {
-  localItems.value = [...val]
-}, { deep: true })
 </script>
 
 <style scoped lang="scss">
@@ -342,7 +406,7 @@ watch(() => props.items, (val) => {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   flex-shrink: 0;
-  padding: 2px;
+  padding: 6px;
   transition: color 120ms ease;
   user-select: none;
 
diff --git a/frontend/app/composables/useItems.ts b/frontend/app/composables/useItems.ts
index 67db9f2..d25aadf 100644
--- a/frontend/app/composables/useItems.ts
+++ b/frontend/app/composables/useItems.ts
@@ -114,6 +114,10 @@ export function useItems() {
     await Promise.all([fetchLeft(true), fetchRight(true)])
   }
 
+  async function addItemByValue(value: string): Promise<{ id: number; value: string }> {
+    return await client.api.itemsAddValueCreate({ value })
+  }
+
   return {
     leftItems,
     leftItemsTotal,
@@ -131,5 +135,6 @@ export function useItems() {
     deselectItem,
     reorderItem,
     addItem,
+    addItemByValue,
   }
 }
diff --git a/frontend/app/services/api.ts b/frontend/app/services/api.ts
index dce11ca..1a8c521 100644
--- a/frontend/app/services/api.ts
+++ b/frontend/app/services/api.ts
@@ -268,6 +268,25 @@ export class Api<
         ...params,
       }),
 
+    /**
+     * @tags Items
+     * @name ItemsAddValueCreate
+     * @summary Create a new item with a given value
+     * @request POST:/api/items/add-value
+     */
+    itemsAddValueCreate: (
+      data: { value: string },
+      params: RequestParams = {},
+    ) =>
+      this.request<{ id: number; value: string }, void>({
+        path: `/api/items/add-value`,
+        method: "POST",
+        body: data,
+        type: ContentType.Json,
+        format: "json",
+        ...params,
+      }),
+
     /**
      * No description
      *