diff --git a/settings/quickshell.nix b/settings/quickshell.nix
index 7f913be..adf538c 100644
--- a/settings/quickshell.nix
+++ b/settings/quickshell.nix
@@ -514,12 +514,13 @@ in
                     }
                 }
 
-                // Frame right-column inner border — always full: when a panel
-                // is merged, its own right-edge stroke sits exactly on this
-                // line, so they coincide instead of needing a gap.
+                // Frame right-column inner border — opens up over a merged
+                // panel (a border must not slice an open junction) and
+                // resumes exactly at the panel's bottom flare. Driven by the
+                // melt progress so it follows the morph smoothly.
                 Rectangle {
                     x: bar.width - Theme.frameWidth - Theme.borderWidth / 2
-                    y: 38
+                    y: 38 + chrome.height * chrome.mergeP
                     width: Theme.borderWidth
                     height: Math.max(0, bar.height - Theme.frameWidth - 8 - y)
                     color: Theme.base03
@@ -1267,6 +1268,16 @@ in
                             control1X: pshape.xr - pshape.ear + 4.42; control1Y: pshape.height
                             control2X: pshape.xr; control2Y: pshape.bey + pshape.bck
                         }
+                    }
+
+                    // Right edge + ear stroke, fading out with the melt — a
+                    // merged junction must not be sliced by its own border.
+                    ShapePath {
+                        fillColor: "transparent"
+                        strokeColor: Qt.alpha(Theme.base03, 1 - pshape.merge)
+                        strokeWidth: Theme.borderWidth
+                        capStyle: ShapePath.FlatCap
+                        startX: pshape.xr; startY: pshape.bey
                         PathLine { x: pshape.xr; y: Math.min(pshape.re, pshape.height) }
                         PathCubic {
                             x: pshape.xr + pshape.re; y: 0