diff --git a/settings/quickshell.nix b/settings/quickshell.nix
index ce6b419..c8cb47b 100644
--- a/settings/quickshell.nix
+++ b/settings/quickshell.nix
@@ -271,8 +271,11 @@ in
                 required property var shellRoot
                 screen: modelData
                 WlrLayershell.namespace: "quickshell-bar"
-                // Keyboard only while the session menu is open (arrow/Enter nav)
-                WlrLayershell.keyboardFocus: sessionMenu.open || launcherPanel.open ? WlrKeyboardFocus.Exclusive : WlrKeyboardFocus.None
+                // OnDemand + HyprlandFocusGrab is the working combination
+                // (caelestia's): the grab redirects focus to this window and
+                // OnDemand lets the layer surface accept it. Exclusive fights
+                // the grab — it self-clears and instantly closes the panel.
+                WlrLayershell.keyboardFocus: sessionMenu.open || launcherPanel.open ? WlrKeyboardFocus.OnDemand : WlrKeyboardFocus.None
 
                 anchors {
                     top: true