diff --git a/NucleicRemote/NucleicRemote/Views/Composer.swift b/NucleicRemote/NucleicRemote/Views/Composer.swift
index 46eb6a4..fae1237 100644
--- a/NucleicRemote/NucleicRemote/Views/Composer.swift
+++ b/NucleicRemote/NucleicRemote/Views/Composer.swift
@@ -208,6 +208,11 @@ struct NewChatAffordance: ViewModifier {
                             }
                         StartChatComposer(draft: $draft, focus: $draftFocused,
                                           onStart: { isPresented = false }, lockedProject: project)
+                            // Taps on the bar's own empty spots (rounded corners, gaps between
+                            // controls) must not fall through to the scrim and close it — only taps
+                            // outside the bar dismiss. A clear tap-catcher sized to the bar absorbs
+                            // them; the controls, in front, still handle their own taps.
+                            .background(Color.clear.contentShape(Rectangle()).onTapGesture {})
                             .padding(.horizontal, 12)
                             .padding(.bottom, 8)
                             .transition(.move(edge: .bottom).combined(with: .opacity))