diff --git a/src/components/layout/DragBar.tsx b/src/components/layout/DragBar.tsx
index 88cb3d4..cc1dc96 100644
--- a/src/components/layout/DragBar.tsx
+++ b/src/components/layout/DragBar.tsx
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ const DEBOUNCE_MS = 120;
 
 export function SearchBar() {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
-  const { searchQuery, setSearchQuery, activeTab } = useAppStore();
+  const { searchQuery, setSearchQuery, activeTab, windowOpenCount } = useAppStore();
   const inputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
   const debounceRef = useRef<ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null>(null);
 
@@ -41,6 +41,16 @@ export function SearchBar() {
     };
   }, []);
 
+  // Put the caret in the search box on every window open (settings tab hides
+  // the bar, so inputRef is simply null there). This lets the user type to
+  // filter straight away and takes focus off whichever sidebar button the OS
+  // restored it to — otherwise that restore reads as focus-visible and paints
+  // a stray ring on launch.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const id = requestAnimationFrame(() => inputRef.current?.focus());
+    return () => cancelAnimationFrame(id);
+  }, [windowOpenCount]);
+
   // Auto-focus search when user starts typing (like Spotlight)
   useEffect(() => {
     const handleKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
@@ -72,7 +82,7 @@ export function SearchBar() {
     >
       <div
         role="search"
-        className="flex-1 flex items-center gap-2 h-8 px-2.5 bg-surface rounded-md cursor-text no-drag transition-shadow duration-150 ease-out focus-within:ring-2 focus-within:ring-accent/15 focus-within:border-accent/40"
+        className="flex-1 flex items-center gap-2 h-8 px-2.5 bg-surface rounded-md cursor-text no-drag"
         onClick={() => inputRef.current?.focus()}
       >
         <Search className="w-3.5 h-3.5 text-muted-foreground shrink-0" />
diff --git a/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx b/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx
index 9b00a5e..213f8ef 100644
--- a/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -44,9 +44,11 @@ export function Sidebar() {
         aria-label={label}
         onClick={() => handleTabChange(id)}
         className={cn(
-          // Keyboard users need a visible focus target: suppress the mouse-click
-          // outline, but keep the focus-visible ring.
-          'group relative w-8 h-8 flex items-center justify-center rounded-lg transition-all duration-100 ease-out cursor-pointer no-drag outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent',
+          // No focus ring here: the window restores focus to the last-clicked
+          // sidebar button on every re-open, which browsers treat as
+          // focus-visible — a stray orange ring on launch. The active tab's
+          // accent fill already shows which view is selected.
+          'group relative w-8 h-8 flex items-center justify-center rounded-lg transition-all duration-100 ease-out cursor-pointer no-drag outline-none',
           isActive
             ? 'bg-accent/15 text-accent'
             : 'text-foreground/55 hover:text-foreground/80 hover:bg-surface-hover'
@@ -84,7 +86,7 @@ export function Sidebar() {
           aria-pressed={isCapturePaused}
           onClick={() => toggleCapturePaused()}
           className={cn(
-            'group relative w-8 h-8 flex items-center justify-center rounded-lg transition-all duration-100 ease-out cursor-pointer no-drag outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent',
+            'group relative w-8 h-8 flex items-center justify-center rounded-lg transition-all duration-100 ease-out cursor-pointer no-drag outline-none',
             isCapturePaused
               ? 'bg-amber-500/15 text-amber-500'
               : 'text-foreground/55 hover:text-foreground/80 hover:bg-surface-hover'