diff --git a/.changeset/header-divider.md b/.changeset/header-divider.md
index 2ff36cb9..6868a3a1 100644
--- a/.changeset/header-divider.md
+++ b/.changeset/header-divider.md
@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@
 'aicodeman': minor
 ---
 
-Drag the line between the session tabs and the header toolbar to resize the toolbar. Dragging it right narrows the toolbar, which then wraps onto a second line instead of squeezing out the tabs, and the usage readings shed their labels, then their provider names, then their percentages as it narrows; double-click, Home or Escape resets it. Arrow keys resize it from the keyboard, and the width is remembered on the device.
+Drag the line between the session tabs and the header toolbar to resize the toolbar. Dragging it right narrows the toolbar, which then wraps onto a second line instead of squeezing out the tabs, and the usage readings shed their labels, then their provider names, then (in the Compact style) their percentages as it narrows; double-click or Home resets it. Arrow keys resize it from the keyboard, and the width is remembered on the device.
diff --git a/docs/wiki/The-Dashboard.md b/docs/wiki/The-Dashboard.md
index 764afc94..db23eb42 100644
--- a/docs/wiki/The-Dashboard.md
+++ b/docs/wiki/The-Dashboard.md
@@ -180,9 +180,9 @@ Hiding System Stats or Plan Usage still hides them in every style.
 
 The line between the session tabs and the toolbar is a handle: drag it right to narrow the toolbar
 (it wraps onto a second line and the usage readings shed their labels, then their provider names,
-then their percentages), left to widen it. Arrow keys resize it, and double-click or Home resets it.
-It stops at the widest reading, the width is kept per device, and it is not shown on phones, in the
-sidebar layout, in the vertical rail or in a solo window.
+then, in the Compact style, their percentages), left to widen it. Arrow keys resize it, and
+double-click or Home resets it. It stops at the widest reading, the width is kept per device, and it
+is not shown on phones, in the sidebar layout, in the vertical rail or in a solo window.
 
 New header controls never appear on phones. Phone layout is deliberately minimal and is
 covered in [Mobile Guide](Mobile-Guide).
diff --git a/src/web/public/header-divider.js b/src/web/public/header-divider.js
index 33fc5603..0309bf62 100644
--- a/src/web/public/header-divider.js
+++ b/src/web/public/header-divider.js
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@
 
   /**
    * How much of the usage readings to show for a toolbar this wide. The narrower the toolbar, the more of
-   * the labels go: window labels first, then provider names (shortened), then the percentages (the rings
-   * stay, and the chip's tooltip keeps the numbers).
+   * the labels go: window labels first, then provider names (shortened), then, in the Compact style, the
+   * percentages (the rings stay, and the chip's tooltip keeps the numbers).
    */
   function densityFor(width) {
     if (width >= 560) return '';
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@
     }
 
     function apply(width) {
-      wanted = width === null ? null : Math.round(width);
+      wanted = width === null ? null : Math.max(MIN_WIDTH, Math.round(width));
       writeStored(wanted);
       settle();
       relayout();
@@ -188,10 +188,11 @@
     handle.addEventListener('dblclick', () => apply(null));
 
     handle.addEventListener('keydown', (event) => {
-      if (event.key === 'Home' || event.key === 'Escape') {
+      if (event.key === 'Home') {
         apply(null);
       } else if (event.key === 'ArrowLeft' || event.key === 'ArrowRight') {
-        apply((wanted ?? current()) + (event.key === 'ArrowLeft' ? KEY_STEP : -KEY_STEP));
+        // Step from the width on screen, not the request, so a key held past the floor never leaves a dead zone.
+        apply(current() + (event.key === 'ArrowLeft' ? KEY_STEP : -KEY_STEP));
       } else {
         return;
       }
diff --git a/test/header-divider.browser.test.ts b/test/header-divider.browser.test.ts
index 7f12f298..ebf756eb 100644
--- a/test/header-divider.browser.test.ts
+++ b/test/header-divider.browser.test.ts
@@ -126,6 +126,28 @@ describe('header divider (real Chromium)', () => {
     await p.close();
   });
 
+  it('never stores a width below the minimum, and widens on the first ArrowLeft after a held ArrowRight', async () => {
+    await open({ chip: true });
+    const stored = () => p.evaluate(() => Number(localStorage.getItem('codeman-header-right-width')));
+    // a drag into the window's last pixels used to store a negative width, which the next load dropped
+    await dragTo(-6);
+    expect(await stored()).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(160);
+    await p.locator('.header-divider').dblclick();
+    await p.locator('.header-divider').focus();
+    for (let i = 0; i < 60; i++) await p.keyboard.press('ArrowRight');
+    await settled();
+    expect(await stored()).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(160);
+    const floor = (await box('#headerRight')).width;
+    // Escape is the global close-panels key, not a reset
+    await p.keyboard.press('Escape');
+    await settled();
+    expect(Math.abs((await box('#headerRight')).width - floor)).toBeLessThan(2);
+    await p.keyboard.press('ArrowLeft');
+    await settled();
+    expect((await box('#headerRight')).width).toBeGreaterThan(floor);
+    await p.close();
+  });
+
   it('stops the divider at the widest reading so nothing pokes out past it', async () => {
     await open({ chip: true });
     await dragTo(20);
diff --git a/test/header-divider.test.ts b/test/header-divider.test.ts
index 72a988e0..46d154e4 100644
--- a/test/header-divider.test.ts
+++ b/test/header-divider.test.ts
@@ -69,6 +69,8 @@ describe('header divider', () => {
     expect(js).toContain('localStorage');
     expect(js).not.toContain('/api/settings');
     expect(js).toMatch(/key === 'Home'/);
+    // Escape belongs to the global close-panels handler (app.js), so the handle must not claim it too.
+    expect(js).not.toMatch(/'Escape'/);
     expect(js).toContain("addEventListener('dblclick'");
   });
 });