diff --git a/apps/manacore/apps/web/src/lib/modules/finance/ListView.svelte b/apps/manacore/apps/web/src/lib/modules/finance/ListView.svelte
index 4a902cfe1..c623348d7 100644
--- a/apps/manacore/apps/web/src/lib/modules/finance/ListView.svelte
+++ b/apps/manacore/apps/web/src/lib/modules/finance/ListView.svelte
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <!--
   Finance — Workbench ListView
-  Monthly overview with quick-add transaction and category breakdown.
+  Always-visible quick-add at top, monthly summary, recent transactions.
 -->
 <script lang="ts">
 	import {
@@ -47,16 +47,15 @@
 
 	let catMap = $derived(new Map(categories.map((c) => [c.id, c])));
 
-	// Recent transactions (last 10)
 	let recentTxs = $derived(monthTxs.slice(0, 10));
 	let grouped = $derived(groupByDate(recentTxs));
 
-	// Quick add
-	let showAdd = $state(false);
+	// Always-visible quick add
 	let addType = $state<TransactionType>('expense');
 	let addAmount = $state('');
 	let addDesc = $state('');
 	let addCatId = $state<string | null>(null);
+	let showCats = $state(false);
 
 	let filteredCats = $derived(categories.filter((c) => c.type === addType));
 
@@ -75,86 +74,91 @@
 		addAmount = '';
 		addDesc = '';
 		addCatId = null;
-		showAdd = false;
+		showCats = false;
+	}
+
+	function handleKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
+		if (e.key === 'Enter') {
+			e.preventDefault();
+			handleAdd(e);
+		}
 	}
 </script>
 
 <div class="finance-list-view">
+	<!-- Always-visible Quick Add -->
+	<form class="quick-add" onsubmit={handleAdd}>
+		<div class="type-toggle">
+			<button
+				type="button"
+				class="type-btn"
+				class:active={addType === 'expense'}
+				onclick={() => {
+					addType = 'expense';
+					addCatId = null;
+				}}>Ausgabe</button
+			>
+			<button
+				type="button"
+				class="type-btn inc"
+				class:active={addType === 'income'}
+				onclick={() => {
+					addType = 'income';
+					addCatId = null;
+				}}>Einnahme</button
+			>
+		</div>
+		<div class="input-row">
+			<input
+				class="amount-input"
+				type="text"
+				inputmode="decimal"
+				placeholder="0,00"
+				bind:value={addAmount}
+				onkeydown={handleKeydown}
+			/>
+			<span class="currency">&euro;</span>
+			<input
+				class="desc-input"
+				type="text"
+				placeholder="Beschreibung..."
+				bind:value={addDesc}
+				onkeydown={handleKeydown}
+			/>
+			<button type="submit" class="submit-btn" disabled={!addAmount || !addDesc.trim()}>+</button>
+		</div>
+		<!-- Category chips -->
+		<div class="cat-row">
+			{#each filteredCats as cat (cat.id)}
+				<button
+					type="button"
+					class="cat-chip"
+					class:selected={addCatId === cat.id}
+					onclick={() => (addCatId = addCatId === cat.id ? null : cat.id)}
+					>{cat.emoji} {cat.name}</button
+				>
+			{/each}
+		</div>
+	</form>
+
 	<!-- Monthly Summary -->
 	<div class="month-summary">
-		<div class="summary-row">
-			<span class="summary-label">Einnahmen</span>
+		<div class="summary-item">
 			<span class="summary-value income">+{formatCurrency(income)}</span>
+			<span class="summary-label">Einnahmen</span>
 		</div>
-		<div class="summary-row">
-			<span class="summary-label">Ausgaben</span>
+		<div class="summary-item">
 			<span class="summary-value expense">-{formatCurrency(expenses)}</span>
+			<span class="summary-label">Ausgaben</span>
 		</div>
-		<div class="summary-row balance">
-			<span class="summary-label">Bilanz</span>
+		<div class="summary-item">
 			<span class="summary-value" class:income={balance >= 0} class:expense={balance < 0}>
 				{balance >= 0 ? '+' : ''}{formatCurrency(balance)}
 			</span>
+			<span class="summary-label">Bilanz</span>
 		</div>
 	</div>
 
-	<!-- Add Button -->
-	{#if !showAdd}
-		<button class="add-btn" onclick={() => (showAdd = true)}>+ Transaktion</button>
-	{/if}
-
-	<!-- Quick Add Form -->
-	{#if showAdd}
-		<form class="add-form" onsubmit={handleAdd}>
-			<div class="type-toggle">
-				<button
-					type="button"
-					class="type-btn"
-					class:active={addType === 'expense'}
-					onclick={() => (addType = 'expense')}>Ausgabe</button
-				>
-				<button
-					type="button"
-					class="type-btn income"
-					class:active={addType === 'income'}
-					onclick={() => (addType = 'income')}>Einnahme</button
-				>
-			</div>
-			<div class="add-row">
-				<input
-					class="amount-input"
-					type="text"
-					inputmode="decimal"
-					placeholder="0,00"
-					bind:value={addAmount}
-					autofocus
-				/>
-				<span class="currency">\u20ac</span>
-			</div>
-			<input class="desc-input" type="text" placeholder="Beschreibung..." bind:value={addDesc} />
-			<div class="cat-row">
-				{#each filteredCats as cat (cat.id)}
-					<button
-						type="button"
-						class="cat-chip"
-						class:selected={addCatId === cat.id}
-						onclick={() => (addCatId = addCatId === cat.id ? null : cat.id)}
-					>
-						<span>{cat.emoji}</span>
-						<span>{cat.name}</span>
-					</button>
-				{/each}
-			</div>
-			<div class="add-actions">
-				<button type="button" class="btn-cancel" onclick={() => (showAdd = false)}>Abbrechen</button
-				>
-				<button type="submit" class="btn-save" disabled={!addAmount || !addDesc.trim()}
-					>Hinzufügen</button
-				>
-			</div>
-		</form>
-	{/if}
-
 	<!-- Recent Transactions -->
 	{#if recentTxs.length > 0}
 		<div class="tx-list">
@@ -163,10 +167,10 @@
 				{#each dayTxs as tx (tx.id)}
 					{@const cat = tx.categoryId ? catMap.get(tx.categoryId) : null}
 					<div class="tx-row">
-						<span class="tx-cat-emoji">{cat?.emoji ?? '\ud83d\udcb3'}</span>
+						<span class="tx-emoji">{cat?.emoji ?? '\ud83d\udcb3'}</span>
 						<div class="tx-info">
 							<span class="tx-desc">{tx.description}</span>
-							{#if cat}<span class="tx-cat-name">{cat.name}</span>{/if}
+							{#if cat}<span class="tx-cat">{cat.name}</span>{/if}
 						</div>
 						<span
 							class="tx-amount"
@@ -179,87 +183,27 @@
 				{/each}
 			{/each}
 		</div>
-	{/if}
-
-	{#if txs.length === 0 && !showAdd}
-		<div class="empty">
-			<p>Noch keine Transaktionen.</p>
-			<button class="add-btn" onclick={() => (showAdd = true)}>Erste Transaktion</button>
-		</div>
+	{:else}
+		<div class="empty">Noch keine Transaktionen diesen Monat.</div>
 	{/if}
 </div>
 
 <style>
 	.finance-list-view {
-		display: flex;
-		flex-direction: column;
-		gap: 0.625rem;
-		padding: 0.5rem;
-	}
-
-	/* ── Summary ─────────────────────────────────── */
-	.month-summary {
-		display: flex;
-		flex-direction: column;
-		gap: 0.25rem;
-		padding: 0.625rem;
-		border-radius: 0.75rem;
-		background: var(--color-surface, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04));
-		border: 1px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08));
-	}
-
-	.summary-row {
-		display: flex;
-		justify-content: space-between;
-		align-items: center;
-		font-size: 0.8125rem;
-	}
-
-	.summary-row.balance {
-		padding-top: 0.375rem;
-		margin-top: 0.25rem;
-		border-top: 1px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08));
-		font-weight: 600;
-	}
-
-	.summary-label {
-		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
-	}
-
-	.summary-value {
-		font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
-	}
-	.summary-value.income {
-		color: #22c55e;
-	}
-	.summary-value.expense {
-		color: #ef4444;
-	}
-
-	/* ── Add Form ────────────────────────────────── */
-	.add-btn {
-		width: 100%;
-		padding: 0.5rem;
-		border-radius: 0.5rem;
-		background: var(--color-primary, #6366f1);
-		color: white;
-		border: none;
-		font-size: 0.8125rem;
-		font-weight: 500;
-		cursor: pointer;
-		transition: filter 0.15s;
-	}
-	.add-btn:hover {
-		filter: brightness(1.1);
-	}
-
-	.add-form {
 		display: flex;
 		flex-direction: column;
 		gap: 0.5rem;
-		padding: 0.625rem;
-		border-radius: 0.75rem;
-		background: var(--color-surface, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06));
+		padding: 0.5rem;
+	}
+
+	/* ── Quick Add (always visible) ─────────────── */
+	.quick-add {
+		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		gap: 0.375rem;
+		padding: 0.5rem;
+		border-radius: 0.625rem;
+		background: var(--color-surface, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04));
 		border: 1px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1));
 	}
 
@@ -267,46 +211,49 @@
 		display: flex;
 		gap: 0.25rem;
 	}
+
 	.type-btn {
 		flex: 1;
-		padding: 0.375rem;
+		padding: 0.3rem;
 		border-radius: 0.375rem;
-		font-size: 0.75rem;
-		font-weight: 500;
+		font-size: 0.6875rem;
+		font-weight: 600;
 		background: transparent;
 		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
-		border: 1px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1));
+		border: 1px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08));
 		cursor: pointer;
+		transition: all 0.15s;
 	}
 	.type-btn.active {
-		background: rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.15);
+		background: rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.12);
 		color: #ef4444;
-		border-color: rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.3);
+		border-color: rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.25);
 	}
-	.type-btn.income.active {
-		background: rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.15);
+	.type-btn.inc.active {
+		background: rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.12);
 		color: #22c55e;
-		border-color: rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.3);
+		border-color: rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.25);
 	}
 
-	.add-row {
+	.input-row {
 		display: flex;
 		align-items: center;
 		gap: 0.25rem;
 	}
 
 	.amount-input {
-		flex: 1;
+		width: 4.5rem;
 		background: transparent;
 		border: none;
 		border-bottom: 2px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15));
 		color: var(--color-foreground);
-		font-size: 1.25rem;
+		font-size: 1rem;
 		font-weight: 700;
 		padding: 0.25rem 0;
 		outline: none;
 		text-align: right;
 		font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+		flex-shrink: 0;
 	}
 	.amount-input:focus {
 		border-color: var(--color-primary, #6366f1);
@@ -318,80 +265,110 @@
 
 	.currency {
 		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
-		font-size: 1rem;
+		font-size: 0.8125rem;
+		flex-shrink: 0;
 	}
 
 	.desc-input {
+		flex: 1;
 		background: transparent;
 		border: none;
-		border-bottom: 1px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1));
+		border-bottom: 2px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15));
 		color: var(--color-foreground);
 		font-size: 0.8125rem;
-		padding: 0.375rem 0;
+		padding: 0.25rem 0;
 		outline: none;
+		min-width: 0;
+	}
+	.desc-input:focus {
+		border-color: var(--color-primary, #6366f1);
 	}
 	.desc-input::placeholder {
 		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
 	}
 
+	.submit-btn {
+		width: 1.75rem;
+		height: 1.75rem;
+		border-radius: 0.375rem;
+		background: var(--color-primary, #6366f1);
+		color: white;
+		border: none;
+		font-size: 1rem;
+		font-weight: 500;
+		cursor: pointer;
+		display: flex;
+		align-items: center;
+		justify-content: center;
+		flex-shrink: 0;
+		transition: filter 0.15s;
+	}
+	.submit-btn:hover:not(:disabled) {
+		filter: brightness(1.1);
+	}
+	.submit-btn:disabled {
+		opacity: 0.3;
+		cursor: not-allowed;
+	}
+
 	.cat-row {
 		display: flex;
 		flex-wrap: wrap;
-		gap: 0.25rem;
+		gap: 0.2rem;
 	}
 
 	.cat-chip {
-		display: flex;
-		align-items: center;
-		gap: 0.25rem;
-		padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem;
+		padding: 0.2rem 0.4rem;
 		border-radius: 9999px;
-		font-size: 0.6875rem;
-		background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
-		border: 1px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1));
+		font-size: 0.625rem;
+		background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04);
+		border: 1px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08));
 		color: var(--color-foreground);
 		cursor: pointer;
 		transition: all 0.15s;
 	}
 	.cat-chip:hover {
-		background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+		background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
 	}
 	.cat-chip.selected {
 		border-color: var(--color-primary, #6366f1);
-		background: rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.15);
+		background: rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.12);
 	}
 
-	.add-actions {
+	/* ── Summary ─────────────────────────────────── */
+	.month-summary {
 		display: flex;
-		justify-content: flex-end;
-		gap: 0.375rem;
+		gap: 0.25rem;
 	}
-	.btn-cancel,
-	.btn-save {
-		padding: 0.3rem 0.625rem;
-		border-radius: 0.375rem;
+
+	.summary-item {
+		flex: 1;
+		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		align-items: center;
+		padding: 0.375rem 0.25rem;
+		border-radius: 0.5rem;
+		background: var(--color-surface, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04));
+		border: 1px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06));
+	}
+
+	.summary-value {
 		font-size: 0.75rem;
-		font-weight: 500;
-		cursor: pointer;
-		border: none;
+		font-weight: 700;
+		font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
 	}
-	.btn-cancel {
-		background: transparent;
+	.summary-value.income {
+		color: #22c55e;
+	}
+	.summary-value.expense {
+		color: #ef4444;
+	}
+
+	.summary-label {
+		font-size: 0.5625rem;
 		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
-	}
-	.btn-cancel:hover {
-		background: var(--color-muted, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08));
-	}
-	.btn-save {
-		background: var(--color-primary, #6366f1);
-		color: white;
-	}
-	.btn-save:hover:not(:disabled) {
-		filter: brightness(1.1);
-	}
-	.btn-save:disabled {
-		opacity: 0.4;
-		cursor: not-allowed;
+		text-transform: uppercase;
+		letter-spacing: 0.03em;
 	}
 
 	/* ── Transaction List ────────────────────────── */
@@ -402,24 +379,23 @@
 	}
 
 	.day-label {
-		font-size: 0.6875rem;
+		font-size: 0.625rem;
 		font-weight: 600;
 		text-transform: uppercase;
 		letter-spacing: 0.05em;
 		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
-		padding: 0.375rem 0 0.125rem;
+		padding: 0.25rem 0 0.125rem;
 	}
 
 	.tx-row {
 		display: flex;
 		align-items: center;
-		gap: 0.5rem;
-		padding: 0.375rem 0.25rem;
-		border-radius: 0.375rem;
+		gap: 0.375rem;
+		padding: 0.25rem 0.125rem;
 	}
 
-	.tx-cat-emoji {
-		font-size: 0.875rem;
+	.tx-emoji {
+		font-size: 0.8125rem;
 		flex-shrink: 0;
 	}
 
@@ -431,20 +407,20 @@
 	}
 
 	.tx-desc {
-		font-size: 0.8125rem;
+		font-size: 0.75rem;
 		color: var(--color-foreground);
 		overflow: hidden;
 		text-overflow: ellipsis;
 		white-space: nowrap;
 	}
 
-	.tx-cat-name {
-		font-size: 0.6875rem;
+	.tx-cat {
+		font-size: 0.625rem;
 		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
 	}
 
 	.tx-amount {
-		font-size: 0.8125rem;
+		font-size: 0.75rem;
 		font-weight: 600;
 		font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
 		flex-shrink: 0;
@@ -456,15 +432,10 @@
 		color: #ef4444;
 	}
 
-	/* ── Empty ──────────────────────────────────── */
 	.empty {
 		text-align: center;
 		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
-		font-size: 0.875rem;
-		padding: 2rem 0;
-		display: flex;
-		flex-direction: column;
-		align-items: center;
-		gap: 0.75rem;
+		font-size: 0.8125rem;
+		padding: 1.5rem 0;
 	}
 </style>
diff --git a/apps/manacore/apps/web/src/lib/modules/notes/ListView.svelte b/apps/manacore/apps/web/src/lib/modules/notes/ListView.svelte
index be6f7a49b..4a2922cdb 100644
--- a/apps/manacore/apps/web/src/lib/modules/notes/ListView.svelte
+++ b/apps/manacore/apps/web/src/lib/modules/notes/ListView.svelte
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 <!--
   Notes — Workbench ListView
-  Compact note list with search, inline create, and click to edit.
+  Always-visible compose field at top, note list below.
 -->
 <script lang="ts">
 	import { useAllNotes, searchNotes, getPreview, formatRelativeTime } from './queries';
 	import { notesStore } from './stores/notes.svelte';
 	import type { Note } from './types';
-	import { NOTE_COLORS } from './types';
 	import type { ViewProps } from '$lib/app-registry';
 
 	let { navigate, goBack, params }: ViewProps = $props();
@@ -22,28 +21,36 @@
 	});
 
 	let searchQuery = $state('');
-	let showCreate = $state(false);
 	let editingId = $state<string | null>(null);
 	let editTitle = $state('');
 	let editContent = $state('');
-	let newTitle = $state('');
-	let newContent = $state('');
-	let newColor = $state<string | null>(null);
+
+	// Always-visible compose field
+	let composeTitle = $state('');
+	let composeContent = $state('');
+	let composeFocused = $state(false);
 
 	let filtered = $derived(searchNotes(notes, searchQuery));
 
-	async function handleCreate(e: Event) {
-		e.preventDefault();
-		if (!newTitle.trim() && !newContent.trim()) return;
+	async function handleCompose() {
+		if (!composeTitle.trim() && !composeContent.trim()) return;
 		await notesStore.createNote({
-			title: newTitle.trim() || 'Unbenannt',
-			content: newContent,
-			color: newColor,
+			title: composeTitle.trim() || 'Unbenannt',
+			content: composeContent,
 		});
-		newTitle = '';
-		newContent = '';
-		newColor = null;
-		showCreate = false;
+		composeTitle = '';
+		composeContent = '';
+		composeFocused = false;
+	}
+
+	function handleComposeKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
+		if (e.key === 'Enter' && e.metaKey) {
+			e.preventDefault();
+			handleCompose();
+		}
+		if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+			composeFocused = false;
+		}
 	}
 
 	function startEdit(note: Note) {
@@ -64,66 +71,63 @@
 	function cancelEdit() {
 		editingId = null;
 	}
-
-	function handleEditKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
-		if (e.key === 'Escape') cancelEdit();
-	}
 </script>
 
 <div class="notes-list-view">
-	<!-- Search -->
-	<div class="search-row">
-		<input class="search-input" type="text" placeholder="Suchen..." bind:value={searchQuery} />
-		<button class="add-btn" onclick={() => (showCreate = !showCreate)} title="Neue Notiz">
-			+
-		</button>
-	</div>
-
-	<!-- Inline Create -->
-	{#if showCreate}
-		<form class="create-form" onsubmit={handleCreate}>
-			<input
-				class="create-title"
-				type="text"
-				placeholder="Titel..."
-				bind:value={newTitle}
-				autofocus
-			/>
+	<!-- Always-visible compose area -->
+	<div class="compose-area" class:expanded={composeFocused || composeTitle || composeContent}>
+		<input
+			class="compose-title"
+			type="text"
+			placeholder="Neue Notiz..."
+			bind:value={composeTitle}
+			onfocus={() => (composeFocused = true)}
+			onkeydown={handleComposeKeydown}
+		/>
+		{#if composeFocused || composeTitle || composeContent}
 			<textarea
-				class="create-content"
-				placeholder="Notiz schreiben..."
-				bind:value={newContent}
+				class="compose-content"
+				placeholder="Schreibe etwas..."
+				bind:value={composeContent}
 				rows="3"
+				onkeydown={handleComposeKeydown}
 			></textarea>
-			<div class="create-footer">
-				<div class="color-row">
-					{#each NOTE_COLORS as c}
-						<button
-							type="button"
-							class="color-dot"
-							class:selected={newColor === c}
-							style:background={c ?? 'var(--color-muted-foreground)'}
-							style:opacity={c ? 1 : 0.4}
-							onclick={() => (newColor = c)}
-						></button>
-					{/each}
-				</div>
-				<div class="create-actions">
-					<button type="button" class="btn-cancel" onclick={() => (showCreate = false)}
-						>Abbrechen</button
+			<div class="compose-footer">
+				<span class="compose-hint">&#x2318;+Enter zum Speichern</span>
+				<div class="compose-actions">
+					<button
+						class="btn-cancel"
+						onclick={() => {
+							composeTitle = '';
+							composeContent = '';
+							composeFocused = false;
+						}}>Abbrechen</button
+					>
+					<button
+						class="btn-save"
+						onclick={handleCompose}
+						disabled={!composeTitle.trim() && !composeContent.trim()}>Speichern</button
 					>
-					<button type="submit" class="btn-save">Erstellen</button>
 				</div>
 			</div>
-		</form>
+		{/if}
+	</div>
+
+	<!-- Search (only when notes exist) -->
+	{#if notes.length > 3}
+		<input class="search-input" type="text" placeholder="Suchen..." bind:value={searchQuery} />
 	{/if}
 
 	<!-- Note List -->
 	<div class="note-list">
 		{#each filtered as note (note.id)}
 			{#if editingId === note.id}
-				<!-- Inline Edit -->
-				<div class="note-card editing" onkeydown={handleEditKeydown}>
+				<div
+					class="note-card editing"
+					onkeydown={(e) => {
+						if (e.key === 'Escape') cancelEdit();
+					}}
+				>
 					<input class="edit-title" type="text" bind:value={editTitle} autofocus />
 					<textarea class="edit-content" bind:value={editContent} rows="4"></textarea>
 					<div class="edit-actions">
@@ -132,7 +136,6 @@
 					</div>
 				</div>
 			{:else}
-				<!-- Note Card -->
 				<button
 					class="note-card"
 					class:pinned={note.isPinned}
@@ -142,7 +145,7 @@
 					<div class="note-header">
 						<span class="note-title">{note.title || 'Unbenannt'}</span>
 						{#if note.isPinned}
-							<span class="pin-icon" title="Angepinnt">&#x1f4cc;</span>
+							<span class="pin-icon">&#x1f4cc;</span>
 						{/if}
 					</div>
 					<div class="note-preview">{getPreview(note.content)}</div>
@@ -152,13 +155,8 @@
 		{/each}
 	</div>
 
-	{#if notes.length === 0 && !showCreate}
-		<div class="empty">
-			<p>Noch keine Notizen.</p>
-			<button class="empty-add-btn" onclick={() => (showCreate = true)}
-				>Erste Notiz erstellen</button
-			>
-		</div>
+	{#if notes.length === 0 && !composeFocused}
+		<div class="empty">Tippe oben, um deine erste Notiz zu schreiben.</div>
 	{/if}
 </div>
 
@@ -170,13 +168,73 @@
 		padding: 0.5rem;
 	}
 
-	.search-row {
+	/* ── Compose Area (always visible) ──────────── */
+	.compose-area {
+		display: flex;
+		flex-direction: column;
+		gap: 0.25rem;
+		padding: 0.5rem 0.625rem;
+		border-radius: 0.625rem;
+		background: var(--color-surface, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04));
+		border: 1px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1));
+		transition:
+			border-color 0.15s,
+			background 0.15s;
+	}
+
+	.compose-area.expanded {
+		border-color: var(--color-primary, #6366f1);
+		background: var(--color-surface, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06));
+	}
+
+	.compose-title {
+		background: transparent;
+		border: none;
+		color: var(--color-foreground);
+		font-size: 0.875rem;
+		font-weight: 600;
+		padding: 0.25rem 0;
+		outline: none;
+	}
+	.compose-title::placeholder {
+		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
+		font-weight: 400;
+	}
+
+	.compose-content {
+		background: transparent;
+		border: none;
+		color: var(--color-foreground);
+		font-size: 0.8125rem;
+		padding: 0.25rem 0;
+		outline: none;
+		resize: vertical;
+		min-height: 2.5rem;
+		font-family: inherit;
+	}
+	.compose-content::placeholder {
+		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
+	}
+
+	.compose-footer {
+		display: flex;
+		justify-content: space-between;
+		align-items: center;
+	}
+
+	.compose-hint {
+		font-size: 0.625rem;
+		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
+		opacity: 0.6;
+	}
+
+	.compose-actions {
 		display: flex;
 		gap: 0.375rem;
 	}
 
+	/* ── Search ─────────────────────────────────── */
 	.search-input {
-		flex: 1;
 		background: var(--color-surface, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04));
 		border: 1px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1));
 		border-radius: 0.5rem;
@@ -192,102 +250,7 @@
 		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
 	}
 
-	.add-btn {
-		width: 2rem;
-		height: 2rem;
-		border-radius: 0.5rem;
-		background: var(--color-primary, #6366f1);
-		color: white;
-		border: none;
-		font-size: 1.125rem;
-		font-weight: 300;
-		cursor: pointer;
-		display: flex;
-		align-items: center;
-		justify-content: center;
-		flex-shrink: 0;
-		transition: filter 0.15s;
-	}
-	.add-btn:hover {
-		filter: brightness(1.1);
-	}
-
-	/* ── Create / Edit Form ─────────────────────── */
-	.create-form {
-		display: flex;
-		flex-direction: column;
-		gap: 0.375rem;
-		padding: 0.625rem;
-		border-radius: 0.625rem;
-		background: var(--color-surface, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06));
-		border: 1px solid var(--color-border, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1));
-	}
-
-	.create-title,
-	.edit-title {
-		background: transparent;
-		border: none;
-		color: var(--color-foreground);
-		font-size: 0.875rem;
-		font-weight: 600;
-		padding: 0.25rem 0;
-		outline: none;
-	}
-	.create-title::placeholder,
-	.edit-title::placeholder {
-		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
-	}
-
-	.create-content,
-	.edit-content {
-		background: transparent;
-		border: none;
-		color: var(--color-foreground);
-		font-size: 0.8125rem;
-		padding: 0.25rem 0;
-		outline: none;
-		resize: vertical;
-		min-height: 3rem;
-		font-family: inherit;
-	}
-	.create-content::placeholder {
-		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
-	}
-
-	.create-footer {
-		display: flex;
-		justify-content: space-between;
-		align-items: center;
-		gap: 0.5rem;
-	}
-
-	.color-row {
-		display: flex;
-		gap: 0.25rem;
-	}
-
-	.color-dot {
-		width: 1rem;
-		height: 1rem;
-		border-radius: 50%;
-		border: 2px solid transparent;
-		cursor: pointer;
-		transition: transform 0.15s;
-	}
-	.color-dot:hover {
-		transform: scale(1.25);
-	}
-	.color-dot.selected {
-		border-color: white;
-		box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px var(--color-primary, #6366f1);
-	}
-
-	.create-actions,
-	.edit-actions {
-		display: flex;
-		gap: 0.375rem;
-	}
-
+	/* ── Buttons ────────────────────────────────── */
 	.btn-cancel,
 	.btn-save {
 		padding: 0.3rem 0.625rem;
@@ -297,7 +260,6 @@
 		cursor: pointer;
 		border: none;
 	}
-
 	.btn-cancel {
 		background: transparent;
 		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
@@ -305,14 +267,17 @@
 	.btn-cancel:hover {
 		background: var(--color-muted, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08));
 	}
-
 	.btn-save {
 		background: var(--color-primary, #6366f1);
 		color: white;
 	}
-	.btn-save:hover {
+	.btn-save:hover:not(:disabled) {
 		filter: brightness(1.1);
 	}
+	.btn-save:disabled {
+		opacity: 0.4;
+		cursor: not-allowed;
+	}
 
 	/* ── Note Cards ─────────────────────────────── */
 	.note-list {
@@ -338,12 +303,10 @@
 	.note-card:hover {
 		background: var(--color-muted, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08));
 	}
-
 	.note-card.editing {
 		cursor: default;
 		border-left-color: var(--color-primary, #6366f1) !important;
 	}
-
 	.note-card.pinned {
 		background: rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.04);
 	}
@@ -353,7 +316,6 @@
 		align-items: center;
 		gap: 0.375rem;
 	}
-
 	.note-title {
 		font-size: 0.8125rem;
 		font-weight: 600;
@@ -363,12 +325,10 @@
 		text-overflow: ellipsis;
 		white-space: nowrap;
 	}
-
 	.pin-icon {
 		font-size: 0.6875rem;
 		flex-shrink: 0;
 	}
-
 	.note-preview {
 		font-size: 0.75rem;
 		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
@@ -376,36 +336,42 @@
 		text-overflow: ellipsis;
 		white-space: nowrap;
 	}
-
 	.note-meta {
 		font-size: 0.6875rem;
 		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
 		opacity: 0.7;
 	}
 
-	/* ── Empty ──────────────────────────────────── */
+	.edit-title {
+		background: transparent;
+		border: none;
+		color: var(--color-foreground);
+		font-size: 0.875rem;
+		font-weight: 600;
+		padding: 0.25rem 0;
+		outline: none;
+	}
+	.edit-content {
+		background: transparent;
+		border: none;
+		color: var(--color-foreground);
+		font-size: 0.8125rem;
+		padding: 0.25rem 0;
+		outline: none;
+		resize: vertical;
+		min-height: 3rem;
+		font-family: inherit;
+	}
+	.edit-actions {
+		display: flex;
+		gap: 0.375rem;
+		justify-content: flex-end;
+	}
+
 	.empty {
 		text-align: center;
 		color: var(--color-muted-foreground);
-		font-size: 0.875rem;
-		padding: 2rem 0;
-		display: flex;
-		flex-direction: column;
-		align-items: center;
-		gap: 0.75rem;
-	}
-
-	.empty-add-btn {
-		padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
-		border-radius: 0.5rem;
-		background: var(--color-primary, #6366f1);
-		color: white;
-		border: none;
 		font-size: 0.8125rem;
-		font-weight: 500;
-		cursor: pointer;
-	}
-	.empty-add-btn:hover {
-		filter: brightness(1.1);
+		padding: 1.5rem 0;
 	}
 </style>