diff --git a/src/lib/background/SceneBackground.svelte b/src/lib/background/SceneBackground.svelte
index 3faac2c..6e51683 100644
--- a/src/lib/background/SceneBackground.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/background/SceneBackground.svelte
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@
 
 <style>
 	.scene-background {
+		--scene-surface: #d1d5db;
+		display: flex;
+		justify-content: center;
 		position: fixed;
 		inset: 0;
 		inset-inline-start: auto;
@@ -45,6 +48,45 @@
 		transition: opacity var(--programmer-restore-duration, 0s) ease;
 	}
 
+	@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
+		.scene-background {
+			--scene-surface: #000;
+		}
+	}
+
+	/* Dimming stays inside the background layer, underneath every HTML element */
+	.scene-background :global(.scene-dimmer) {
+		position: absolute;
+		inset: 0;
+		pointer-events: none;
+	}
+
+	.scene-background :global(.scene-dimmer-region) {
+		--feather: 12px;
+		position: absolute;
+		box-sizing: content-box;
+		padding: var(--feather);
+		transform: translate(calc(-1 * var(--feather)), calc(-1 * var(--feather)));
+		background: var(--scene-surface);
+		opacity: calc(0.94 * var(--text-opacity, 1));
+		mask-image:
+			linear-gradient(
+				to right,
+				transparent,
+				#000 var(--feather),
+				#000 calc(100% - var(--feather)),
+				transparent
+			),
+			linear-gradient(
+				to bottom,
+				transparent,
+				#000 var(--feather),
+				#000 calc(100% - var(--feather)),
+				transparent
+			);
+		mask-composite: intersect;
+	}
+
 	.scene-background::after {
 		content: '';
 		position: absolute;
@@ -134,8 +176,12 @@
 
 	canvas {
 		display: block;
-		width: 100%;
+		/* Keep cached frames at full height while the worker catches up with a changing width */
+		flex-shrink: 0;
+		width: auto;
+		min-width: 100%;
 		height: 100%;
+		object-fit: contain;
 		touch-action: none;
 		cursor: default;
 		opacity: 0;
diff --git a/src/lib/background/controller.ts b/src/lib/background/controller.ts
index 8dcc6f8..f267c4c 100644
--- a/src/lib/background/controller.ts
+++ b/src/lib/background/controller.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import {
 	type BackgroundSize
 } from './messages.ts';
 import type { Obstacle } from './types.ts';
+import { TextDimmer } from './dimmer.ts';
 
 const clamp = (value: number, min: number, max: number) => Math.max(min, Math.min(max, value));
 
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 	private readonly observer: ResizeObserver;
 	private readonly contentObserver: ResizeObserver;
 	private readonly mutations: MutationObserver;
+	private readonly dimmer: TextDimmer;
 	private readonly darkMode = window.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)');
 	private readonly reducedMotion = window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)');
 	private environment: BackgroundEnvironment = {
@@ -34,6 +36,8 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 	private obstacles: Obstacle[] = [];
 	private size: BackgroundSize = { width: 0, height: 0, dpr: 1 };
 	private grid = { width: 0, height: 0 };
+	private presentedGridWidth = 0;
+	private presentedGridHeight = 0;
 	private worker: Worker | null = null;
 	private bitmapContext: ImageBitmapRenderingContext | null = null;
 	private drawingContext: CanvasRenderingContext2D | null = null;
@@ -58,11 +62,14 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 		private readonly frame: HTMLElement,
 		private readonly onPerformanceReady: () => void
 	) {
+		this.dimmer = new TextDimmer(frame);
 		this.updateInteractivity();
 		this.observer = new ResizeObserver(this.resize);
 		this.observer.observe(frame);
 		this.contentObserver = new ResizeObserver(this.measureObstacles);
-		this.mutations = new MutationObserver(this.observeContent);
+		this.mutations = new MutationObserver((records) => {
+			if (records.some((record) => !frame.contains(record.target))) this.observeContent();
+		});
 		const options = { signal: this.listeners.signal };
 		canvas.addEventListener('pointermove', this.pointerMove, options);
 		canvas.addEventListener('pointerdown', this.pointerDown, options);
@@ -163,11 +170,13 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 				let failed = false;
 				try {
 					if (Math.min(window.devicePixelRatio || 1, 2) !== this.size.dpr) this.resize();
-					if (
-						this.worker === worker &&
-						bitmap.width === this.canvas.width &&
-						bitmap.height === this.canvas.height
-					) {
+					if (this.worker === worker) {
+						// Keep completed frames visible while the worker catches up with a changing size
+						// Higher-resolution pixels retain crisp, non-AA edges on the smaller models.
+						if (this.canvas.width !== bitmap.width) this.canvas.width = bitmap.width;
+						if (this.canvas.height !== bitmap.height) this.canvas.height = bitmap.height;
+						this.presentedGridWidth = message.gridWidth;
+						this.presentedGridHeight = message.gridHeight;
 						if (this.bitmapContext) this.bitmapContext.transferFromImageBitmap(bitmap);
 						else if (this.drawingContext) {
 							this.drawingContext.imageSmoothingEnabled = false;
@@ -292,11 +301,9 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 		if (width === this.size.width && height === this.size.height && dpr === this.size.dpr) return;
 		this.endDrag();
 		this.size = { width, height, dpr };
-		this.canvas.width = Math.round(width * dpr);
-		this.canvas.height = Math.round(height * dpr);
-		// Higher-resolution pixels retain crisp, non-AA edges on the smaller models.
 		this.grid = simulationSize(this.size);
 		this.obstacles = this.collectObstacles();
+		this.dimmer.update();
 		this.post({ type: 'resize', size: this.size, obstacles: this.obstacles });
 		this.fallback?.update(this.size, this.obstacles, this.darkMode.matches);
 	};
@@ -358,6 +365,7 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 	private measureObstacles = () => {
 		if (this.disposed || !this.grid.width || !this.grid.height) return;
 		const obstacles = this.collectObstacles();
+		this.dimmer.update();
 		if (
 			this.obstacles.length === obstacles.length &&
 			obstacles.every((obstacle, i) => {
@@ -412,15 +420,18 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 
 	private pointerPosition(event: PointerEvent): void {
 		const bounds = this.canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
-		const cellScale = Math.min(bounds.width / this.grid.width, bounds.height / this.grid.height);
-		const offsetX = (bounds.width - this.grid.width * cellScale) / 2;
-		const offsetY = (bounds.height - this.grid.height * cellScale) / 2;
-		this.pointerX = clamp((event.clientX - bounds.left - offsetX) / cellScale, 0, this.grid.width);
-		this.pointerY = clamp(
-			(bounds.bottom - event.clientY - offsetY) / cellScale,
-			0,
-			this.grid.height
-		);
+		const width = this.presentedGridWidth || this.grid.width;
+		const height = this.presentedGridHeight || this.grid.height;
+		const fitScale = Math.min(bounds.width / this.canvas.width, bounds.height / this.canvas.height);
+		const cellScale = fitScale * Math.min(this.canvas.width / width, this.canvas.height / height);
+		const offsetX = (bounds.width - width * cellScale) / 2;
+		const offsetY = (bounds.height - height * cellScale) / 2;
+		this.pointerX =
+			(clamp((event.clientX - bounds.left - offsetX) / cellScale, 0, width) * this.grid.width) /
+			width;
+		this.pointerY =
+			(clamp((bounds.bottom - event.clientY - offsetY) / cellScale, 0, height) * this.grid.height) /
+			height;
 	}
 
 	private flushPointerMove = () => {
@@ -499,6 +510,7 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 		this.observer.disconnect();
 		this.contentObserver.disconnect();
 		this.mutations.disconnect();
+		this.dimmer.destroy();
 		this.endDrag();
 		this.stopWorker();
 		this.bitmap?.close();
diff --git a/src/lib/background/dimmer.ts b/src/lib/background/dimmer.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..82d5e2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/background/dimmer.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,229 @@
+type Bounds = { left: number; top: number; right: number; bottom: number; opacity: number };
+type Region = {
+	element: HTMLDivElement;
+	left: number;
+	top: number;
+	width: number;
+	height: number;
+	opacity: number;
+};
+
+const EMPTY: Bounds = { left: 0, top: 0, right: 0, bottom: 0, opacity: 0 };
+const HAS_TEXT = /\S/;
+
+export class TextDimmer {
+	private readonly layer = document.createElement('div');
+	private readonly listeners = new AbortController();
+	private readonly mutations: MutationObserver;
+	private readonly root: HTMLElement | null;
+	private readonly walker: TreeWalker | null;
+	private readonly range = document.createRange();
+	private readonly clips = new Map<Element, Bounds>();
+	private readonly rootBounds: Bounds = { ...EMPTY, opacity: 1 };
+	private readonly rectangles: DOMRect[] = [];
+	private readonly opacities: number[] = [];
+	private readonly regions: Region[] = [];
+	private animation = 0;
+
+	constructor(private readonly frame: HTMLElement) {
+		this.root = frame.parentElement?.querySelector<HTMLElement>('.site-content') ?? null;
+		this.layer.className = 'scene-dimmer';
+		this.layer.ariaHidden = 'true';
+		frame.append(this.layer);
+		this.walker = this.root
+			? document.createTreeWalker(this.root, NodeFilter.SHOW_ELEMENT | NodeFilter.SHOW_TEXT, {
+					acceptNode: this.acceptNode
+				})
+			: null;
+		this.mutations = new MutationObserver(this.trackAnimation);
+		if (this.root) {
+			this.mutations.observe(this.root, {
+				attributes: true,
+				subtree: true,
+				attributeFilter: ['class', 'style', 'hidden', 'data-phase']
+			});
+		}
+		const options = { capture: true, signal: this.listeners.signal };
+		for (const event of [
+			'introstart',
+			'introend',
+			'outrostart',
+			'outroend',
+			'animationstart',
+			'animationend',
+			'animationcancel',
+			'transitionrun',
+			'transitionend',
+			'transitioncancel'
+		]) {
+			this.root?.addEventListener(event, this.trackAnimation, options);
+		}
+		this.trackAnimation();
+	}
+
+	private clip(element: Element): Bounds {
+		const cached = this.clips.get(element);
+		if (cached) return cached;
+		const parent = element.parentElement ? this.clip(element.parentElement) : EMPTY;
+		const style = getComputedStyle(element);
+		const opacity = parent.opacity * Number(style.opacity);
+		let bounds = parent;
+		if (style.display === 'none') bounds = EMPTY;
+		else if (style.overflowX !== 'visible' || style.overflowY !== 'visible') {
+			const rect = element.getBoundingClientRect();
+			bounds = {
+				left:
+					style.overflowX === 'visible'
+						? parent.left
+						: Math.max(parent.left, rect.left + element.clientLeft),
+				right:
+					style.overflowX === 'visible'
+						? parent.right
+						: Math.min(parent.right, rect.left + element.clientLeft + element.clientWidth),
+				top:
+					style.overflowY === 'visible'
+						? parent.top
+						: Math.max(parent.top, rect.top + element.clientTop),
+				bottom:
+					style.overflowY === 'visible'
+						? parent.bottom
+						: Math.min(parent.bottom, rect.top + element.clientTop + element.clientHeight),
+				opacity
+			};
+		} else if (opacity !== parent.opacity) bounds = { ...parent, opacity };
+		this.clips.set(element, bounds);
+		return bounds;
+	}
+
+	private acceptNode = (node: Node): number => {
+		if (node.nodeType === Node.TEXT_NODE) {
+			return HAS_TEXT.test((node as Text).data)
+				? NodeFilter.FILTER_ACCEPT
+				: NodeFilter.FILTER_REJECT;
+		}
+		const element = node as Element;
+		if (element.matches('script, style')) return NodeFilter.FILTER_REJECT;
+		const clip = this.clip(element);
+		if (clip.left >= clip.right || clip.top >= clip.bottom) return NodeFilter.FILTER_REJECT;
+		const rect = element.getBoundingClientRect();
+		if (
+			rect.width &&
+			rect.height &&
+			(rect.right <= clip.left ||
+				rect.left >= clip.right ||
+				rect.bottom <= clip.top ||
+				rect.top >= clip.bottom)
+		) {
+			return NodeFilter.FILTER_REJECT;
+		}
+		return NodeFilter.FILTER_SKIP;
+	};
+
+	update(): void {
+		if (!this.root || !this.walker) return;
+		const frame = this.frame.getBoundingClientRect();
+		this.clips.clear();
+		this.rootBounds.left = frame.left;
+		this.rootBounds.top = frame.top;
+		this.rootBounds.right = frame.right;
+		this.rootBounds.bottom = frame.bottom;
+		this.rootBounds.opacity = Number(getComputedStyle(this.root).opacity);
+		this.clips.set(this.root, this.rootBounds);
+		this.rectangles.length = 0;
+		this.opacities.length = 0;
+		this.walker.currentNode = this.root;
+		let node: Node | null;
+		while ((node = this.walker.nextNode())) {
+			const text = node as Text;
+			const clip = this.clip(text.parentElement!);
+			this.range.setStart(text, text.data.search(HAS_TEXT));
+			this.range.setEnd(text, text.data.trimEnd().length);
+			// Text fragments exclude empty layout space, and scroll clipping excludes hidden rows
+			for (const rect of this.range.getClientRects()) {
+				const left = Math.max(rect.left, clip.left),
+					right = Math.min(rect.right, clip.right);
+				const top = Math.max(rect.top, clip.top),
+					bottom = Math.min(rect.bottom, clip.bottom);
+				if (left >= right || top >= bottom) continue;
+				const previous = this.rectangles.at(-1);
+				if (
+					previous &&
+					this.opacities.at(-1) === clip.opacity &&
+					Math.abs(previous.top - top) < 2 &&
+					Math.abs(previous.bottom - bottom) < 2 &&
+					left <= previous.right + 8 &&
+					right >= previous.left - 8
+				) {
+					const x = Math.min(previous.left, left),
+						y = Math.min(previous.top, top);
+					previous.width = Math.max(previous.right, right) - x;
+					previous.height = Math.max(previous.bottom, bottom) - y;
+					previous.x = x;
+					previous.y = y;
+				} else {
+					rect.x = left;
+					rect.y = top;
+					rect.width = right - left;
+					rect.height = bottom - top;
+					this.rectangles.push(rect);
+					this.opacities.push(clip.opacity);
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		for (let i = 0; i < this.rectangles.length; i++) {
+			const rect = this.rectangles[i];
+			let region = this.regions[i];
+			if (!region) {
+				const element = document.createElement('div');
+				element.className = 'scene-dimmer-region';
+				this.layer.append(element);
+				region = { element, left: NaN, top: NaN, width: NaN, height: NaN, opacity: NaN };
+				this.regions.push(region);
+			}
+			region.element.hidden = false;
+			const opacity = this.opacities[i];
+			if (region.opacity !== opacity) {
+				// Follow the text's fade directly rather than starting a second, lagging transition
+				region.opacity = opacity;
+				region.element.style.setProperty('--text-opacity', String(opacity));
+			}
+			const left = rect.left - frame.left,
+				top = rect.top - frame.top;
+			if (region.left !== left) region.element.style.left = `${(region.left = left)}px`;
+			if (region.top !== top) region.element.style.top = `${(region.top = top)}px`;
+			if (region.width !== rect.width)
+				region.element.style.width = `${(region.width = rect.width)}px`;
+			if (region.height !== rect.height)
+				region.element.style.height = `${(region.height = rect.height)}px`;
+		}
+		for (let i = this.rectangles.length; i < this.regions.length; i++)
+			this.regions[i].element.hidden = true;
+	}
+
+	private trackAnimation = () => {
+		if (!this.animation) this.animation = requestAnimationFrame(this.animate);
+	};
+
+	private animate = () => {
+		this.animation = 0;
+		this.update();
+		if (
+			this.root
+				?.getAnimations({ subtree: true })
+				.some(
+					(animation) =>
+						animation.playState === 'running' &&
+						animation.effect?.getComputedTiming().iterations !== Infinity
+				)
+		) {
+			this.trackAnimation();
+		}
+	};
+
+	destroy(): void {
+		this.listeners.abort();
+		this.mutations.disconnect();
+		if (this.animation) cancelAnimationFrame(this.animation);
+		this.layer.remove();
+	}
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/background/engine.ts b/src/lib/background/engine.ts
index ca58dac..a82012c 100644
--- a/src/lib/background/engine.ts
+++ b/src/lib/background/engine.ts
@@ -93,7 +93,8 @@ export class BackgroundEngine {
 						this.pendingObstacles = null;
 					} else {
 						this.resize(command.size, command.obstacles);
-						this.present();
+						// Animated resizes join the next physics tick instead of canceling its timer
+						if (this.still) this.present();
 						this.schedule();
 					}
 					break;
@@ -102,7 +103,7 @@ export class BackgroundEngine {
 					else if (this.pendingFrame) this.pendingObstacles = command.obstacles;
 					else {
 						this.updateObstacles(command.obstacles);
-						this.present();
+						if (this.still) this.present();
 						this.schedule();
 					}
 					break;
@@ -124,7 +125,7 @@ export class BackgroundEngine {
 						this.pendingObstacles = null;
 						this.updateObstacles(obstacles);
 					}
-					this.present();
+					if (this.still) this.present();
 					this.schedule();
 					break;
 				default:
@@ -255,7 +256,15 @@ export class BackgroundEngine {
 		const bitmap = this.canvas.transferToImageBitmap();
 		try {
 			this.pendingFrame = true;
-			this.emit({ type: 'frame', bitmap }, [bitmap]);
+			this.emit(
+				{
+					type: 'frame',
+					bitmap,
+					gridWidth: this.fluid.width,
+					gridHeight: this.fluid.height
+				},
+				[bitmap]
+			);
 			this.dirty = false;
 		} catch (error) {
 			this.pendingFrame = false;
diff --git a/src/lib/background/messages.ts b/src/lib/background/messages.ts
index 8cc4c96..af6de68 100644
--- a/src/lib/background/messages.ts
+++ b/src/lib/background/messages.ts
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ export type BackgroundCommand =
 	| { type: 'destroy' };
 
 export type BackgroundEvent =
-	| { type: 'frame'; bitmap: ImageBitmap }
+	| { type: 'frame'; bitmap: ImageBitmap; gridWidth: number; gridHeight: number }
 	| { type: 'ready' }
 	| { type: 'state'; interactive: boolean; cursor: 'default' | 'grab' | 'grabbing' }
 	| { type: 'error'; message: string };
diff --git a/src/lib/background/renderer.ts b/src/lib/background/renderer.ts
index 7f59f68..b5e10fe 100644
--- a/src/lib/background/renderer.ts
+++ b/src/lib/background/renderer.ts
@@ -243,9 +243,9 @@ function createCanvasRenderer(
 			const spacing = SETTINGS.spacing * dpr;
 			const startX = (w * 0.5) % spacing;
 			const startY = (h * 0.5) % spacing;
-			const warmRed = darkMode ? 255 : 180;
-			const warmGreen = darkMode ? 199 : 83;
-			const warmBlue = darkMode ? 31 : 9;
+			const warmRed = 255;
+			const warmGreen = 199;
+			const warmBlue = 31;
 			const cellScale = Math.min(w / width, h / height);
 			const offsetX = (w - width * cellScale) * 0.5;
 			const offsetY = (h - height * cellScale) * 0.5;
@@ -253,21 +253,16 @@ function createCanvasRenderer(
 				for (let xx = startX; xx < w; xx += spacing) {
 					const x = (xx - offsetX) / cellScale;
 					const y = (h - yy - offsetY) / cellScale;
-					const haze = hazeAt(x, y, scene.lamp, time);
+					const haze = darkMode ? hazeAt(x, y, scene.lamp, time) : 0;
 					if (haze >= 1 / 255) {
-						pixelCircle(
-							xx,
-							yy,
-							spacing * 0.13,
-							`rgba(${warmRed},${darkMode ? 166 : warmGreen},${warmBlue},${haze})`
-						);
+						pixelCircle(xx, yy, spacing * 0.13, `rgba(${warmRed},166,${warmBlue},${haze})`);
 					}
 					const bottomBed = Math.exp(-(1 - yy / h) * 32);
 					const density = Math.max(bilinear(fluid.density, x, y, width, height), bottomBed);
 					const sizeFactor = smoothstep(0.015, 0.92, clamp(density * SETTINGS.growth, 0, 1));
 					const radius = spacing * 0.43 * sizeFactor;
 					if (sizeFactor === 0) continue;
-					const warmth = illumination(x, y, scene.lamp);
+					const warmth = darkMode ? illumination(x, y, scene.lamp) : 0;
 					pixelCircle(
 						xx,
 						yy,
@@ -285,7 +280,7 @@ function createCanvasRenderer(
 					const brightness = darkMode ? shade : 1;
 					ctx.globalAlpha = scene.sparkInk[i] || darkMode ? 1 : shade;
 					const heat = Math.round((scene.sparkInk[i] / 255) * 4) / 4;
-					const warmth = scene.warmth[i];
+					const warmth = darkMode ? scene.warmth[i] : 0;
 					ctx.fillStyle = scene.sparkInk[i]
 						? `rgb(255,${Math.round(255 * (0.4 + 0.45 * heat))},${Math.round(255 * (0.06 + 0.45 * heat))})`
 						: `rgb(${Math.round((20 + (warmRed - 20) * warmth) * brightness)},${Math.round((108 + (warmGreen - 108) * warmth) * brightness)},${Math.round((255 + (warmBlue - 255) * warmth) * brightness)})`;
diff --git a/src/lib/background/scene.ts b/src/lib/background/scene.ts
index 803c1f3..67cf5cc 100644
--- a/src/lib/background/scene.ts
+++ b/src/lib/background/scene.ts
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ export class SolidScene implements SceneState {
 				for (let b = a + 1; b < this.models.length; b++)
 					this.collide(this.models[a], this.models[b], scale);
 			}
-			for (const model of this.models) this.collideObstacles(model, scale);
+			for (const model of this.models) this.repelObstacles(model, scale, step);
 			remaining -= step;
 		} while (remaining > 1e-8);
 		this.lightScene(seconds, scale);
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ export class SolidScene implements SceneState {
 		this.lamp.x = x / count;
 		this.lamp.y = y / count;
 		this.lamp.z = z / count;
-		this.lamp.radius = Math.min(this.width, this.height) * 0.3;
+		this.lamp.radius = scale * 1.5;
 		const decay = Math.exp(-2.2 * seconds);
 		// Bulb wires stay yellow. Other wireframes cool back to blue after leaving its light.
 		for (const model of this.models) {
@@ -344,7 +344,12 @@ export class SolidScene implements SceneState {
 		}
 	}
 
-	private findContact(a: ProjectedHull, b: ProjectedHull, bodyA?: Body, bodyB?: Body): boolean {
+	private findOverlap(
+		a: ProjectedHull,
+		b: ProjectedHull,
+		padding = 0,
+		nearestSide = true
+	): boolean {
 		let depth = Infinity,
 			nx = 0,
 			ny = 0;
@@ -377,19 +382,29 @@ export class SolidScene implements SceneState {
 					minB = Math.min(minB, d);
 					maxB = Math.max(maxB, d);
 				}
-				const forward = maxA - minB,
-					backward = maxB - minA,
+				const forward = maxA - minB + padding,
+					backward = maxB - minA + padding,
 					overlap = Math.min(forward, backward);
 				if (overlap <= 0) return false;
 				if (overlap < depth) {
 					depth = overlap;
-					const sign = !bodyB && backward < forward ? -1 : 1;
+					const sign = nearestSide && backward < forward ? -1 : 1;
 					nx = x * sign;
 					ny = y * sign;
 				}
 			}
 		}
-		if (bodyA && bodyB && nx * (bodyB.x - bodyA.x) + ny * (bodyB.y - bodyA.y) < 0) {
+		this.contact.nx = nx;
+		this.contact.ny = ny;
+		this.contact.depth = depth;
+		return true;
+	}
+
+	private findContact(a: ProjectedHull, b: ProjectedHull, bodyA: Body, bodyB: Body): boolean {
+		// Mesh-pair normals follow the body centers, not the nearest HTML escape face
+		if (!this.findOverlap(a, b, 0, false)) return false;
+		let { nx, ny } = this.contact;
+		if (nx * (bodyB.x - bodyA.x) + ny * (bodyB.y - bodyA.y) < 0) {
 			nx = -nx;
 			ny = -ny;
 		}
@@ -401,11 +416,7 @@ export class SolidScene implements SceneState {
 			na = 0,
 			nb = 0,
 			maxA = -Infinity,
-			minB = Infinity,
-			minTA = Infinity,
-			maxTA = -Infinity,
-			minTB = Infinity,
-			maxTB = -Infinity;
+			minB = Infinity;
 		for (let i = 0; i < a.hullCount; i++) {
 			const k = a.hull[i] * 3;
 			maxA = Math.max(maxA, a.projected[k] * nx + a.projected[k + 1] * ny);
@@ -419,11 +430,6 @@ export class SolidScene implements SceneState {
 			if (maxA - a.projected[k] * nx - a.projected[k + 1] * ny < 0.5) {
 				ax += a.projected[k];
 				ay += a.projected[k + 1];
-				if (!bodyB) {
-					const tangent = -a.projected[k] * ny + a.projected[k + 1] * nx;
-					minTA = Math.min(minTA, tangent);
-					maxTA = Math.max(maxTA, tangent);
-				}
 				na++;
 			}
 		}
@@ -432,26 +438,13 @@ export class SolidScene implements SceneState {
 			if (b.projected[k] * nx + b.projected[k + 1] * ny - minB < 0.5) {
 				bx += b.projected[k];
 				by += b.projected[k + 1];
-				if (!bodyB) {
-					const tangent = -b.projected[k] * ny + b.projected[k + 1] * nx;
-					minTB = Math.min(minTB, tangent);
-					maxTB = Math.max(maxTB, tangent);
-				}
 				nb++;
 			}
 		}
 		this.contact.nx = nx;
 		this.contact.ny = ny;
-		this.contact.depth = depth;
 		this.contact.x = (ax / na + bx / nb) * 0.5;
 		this.contact.y = (ay / na + by / nb) * 0.5;
-		if (!bodyB) {
-			// Keep a long text face's contact on the mesh, not at the text line's midpoint.
-			const tangent = (Math.max(minTA, minTB) + Math.min(maxTA, maxTB)) * 0.5,
-				normal = (maxA + minB) * 0.5;
-			this.contact.x = nx * normal - ny * tangent;
-			this.contact.y = ny * normal + nx * tangent;
-		}
 		return true;
 	}
 
@@ -523,61 +516,64 @@ export class SolidScene implements SceneState {
 		projectMesh(modelB.mesh, b, scale);
 	}
 
-	private collideObstacles(model: Model, scale: number): void {
+	private repelObstacles(model: Model, scale: number, seconds: number): void {
 		if (!this.obstacles.length) return;
-		const a = model.body,
-			inertia = scale * scale * 0.65;
+		const mesh = model.mesh,
+			body = model.body,
+			range = scale * 0.45;
 		let minX = Infinity,
 			maxX = -Infinity,
 			minY = Infinity,
 			maxY = -Infinity;
-		for (let i = 0; i < model.mesh.hullCount; i++) {
-			const k = model.mesh.hull[i] * 3;
-			minX = Math.min(minX, model.mesh.projected[k]);
-			maxX = Math.max(maxX, model.mesh.projected[k]);
-			minY = Math.min(minY, model.mesh.projected[k + 1]);
-			maxY = Math.max(maxY, model.mesh.projected[k + 1]);
+		for (let i = 0; i < mesh.hullCount; i++) {
+			const k = mesh.hull[i] * 3;
+			minX = Math.min(minX, mesh.projected[k]);
+			maxX = Math.max(maxX, mesh.projected[k]);
+			minY = Math.min(minY, mesh.projected[k + 1]);
+			maxY = Math.max(maxY, mesh.projected[k + 1]);
 		}
-		let touching = false;
+		let depth = 0,
+			nx = 0,
+			ny = 0;
 		for (const obstacle of this.obstacles) {
 			if (
-				maxX <= obstacle.minX ||
-				minX >= obstacle.maxX ||
-				maxY <= obstacle.minY ||
-				minY >= obstacle.maxY
+				maxX + range <= obstacle.minX ||
+				minX - range >= obstacle.maxX ||
+				maxY + range <= obstacle.minY ||
+				minY - range >= obstacle.maxY
 			)
 				continue;
-			if (!this.findContact(model.mesh, obstacle)) continue;
-			touching = true;
-			const { nx, ny, x, y } = this.contact,
-				rx = x - a.x,
-				ry = y - a.y,
-				spin = a.bz + a.wz,
-				speed = -(a.vx - spin * ry) * nx - (a.vy + spin * rx) * ny,
-				lever = rx * ny - ry * nx;
-			if (speed >= 0) continue;
-			// Text is an infinite-mass body. Only the moving mesh receives the reaction.
-			const impulse = (-1.85 * speed) / (1 + (lever * lever) / inertia);
-			this.emitSparks(x, y, nx, ny, impulse, scale);
-			a.vx -= nx * impulse;
-			a.vy -= ny * impulse;
-			a.wz -= (lever * impulse) / inertia;
-			const tx = -ny,
-				ty = nx,
-				tangentLever = rx * ty - ry * tx,
-				slip = -(a.vx - (a.bz + a.wz) * ry) * tx - (a.vy + (a.bz + a.wz) * rx) * ty,
-				friction = clamp(
-					-slip / (1 + (tangentLever * tangentLever) / inertia),
-					-impulse * 0.35,
-					impulse * 0.35
-				);
-			a.vx -= tx * friction;
-			a.vy -= ty * friction;
-			a.wz -= (tangentLever * friction) / inertia;
-			a.wx -= ((ny * impulse) / scale) * 0.12;
-			a.wy += ((nx * impulse) / scale) * 0.12;
+			if (!this.findOverlap(mesh, obstacle, range) || this.contact.depth <= depth) continue;
+			// The strongest boundary wins so overlapping text does not multiply the force
+			depth = this.contact.depth;
+			nx = this.contact.nx;
+			ny = this.contact.ny;
+		}
+		if (!depth) return;
+		// A compact, model-relative field slows approaching motion without bounce or torque
+		const pressure = Math.min(depth / range, 1),
+			strength = pressure * pressure * (3 - 2 * pressure),
+			approaching = Math.max(0, body.vx * nx + body.vy * ny),
+			gap = Math.max(range - depth, range * 0.05),
+			braking = approaching * -Math.expm1(-seconds * (12 * strength + approaching / gap)),
+			push = scale * 12 * strength * seconds + braking;
+		body.vx -= nx * push;
+		body.vy -= ny * push;
+		if (depth <= range) return;
+		// Layout changes or a forced drag can start inside the field. Recover quietly, never spark
+		const x = body.x,
+			y = body.y;
+		this.separateObstacles(model, scale);
+		const dx = body.x - x,
+			dy = body.y - y,
+			distance = Math.hypot(dx, dy);
+		if (distance > 0) {
+			const inward = (body.vx * dx + body.vy * dy) / distance;
+			if (inward < 0) {
+				body.vx -= (dx / distance) * inward;
+				body.vy -= (dy / distance) * inward;
+			}
 		}
-		if (touching) this.separateObstacles(model, scale);
 	}
 
 	private separateObstacles(model: Model, scale: number): void {
@@ -593,7 +589,7 @@ export class SolidScene implements SceneState {
 			minY = Math.min(minY, mesh.projected[k + 1]);
 			maxY = Math.max(maxY, mesh.projected[k + 1]);
 		}
-		// Ordinary impacts need only their minimum SAT correction, not a sweep of every hull axis.
+		// Small overlaps need only their minimum SAT correction, not a sweep of every hull axis.
 		contacts: for (let pass = 0; pass <= 4; pass++) {
 			let touching = false;
 			for (const obstacle of this.obstacles) {
@@ -604,7 +600,7 @@ export class SolidScene implements SceneState {
 					minY >= obstacle.maxY
 				)
 					continue;
-				if (!this.findContact(mesh, obstacle)) continue;
+				if (!this.findOverlap(mesh, obstacle)) continue;
 				if (pass === 4) break contacts;
 				const { nx, ny, depth } = this.contact,
 					dx = -nx * (depth + 0.02),
diff --git a/src/lib/background/shaders.ts b/src/lib/background/shaders.ts
index a24d9ae..6a970d5 100644
--- a/src/lib/background/shaders.ts
+++ b/src/lib/background/shaders.ts
@@ -55,11 +55,11 @@ void main() {
 
 	// R: density, G: wire brightness, B: retained bulb warmth, A: spark heat.
 	vec3 blue = vec3(.0784, .4235, 1.0);
-	vec3 yellow = uDarkMode ? vec3(1.0, .7804, .1216) : vec3(180.0, 83.0, 9.0) / 255.0;
-	vec3 color = mix(blue, yellow, lampWarmth(point));
+	vec3 yellow = vec3(1.0, .7804, .1216);
+	vec3 color = uDarkMode ? mix(blue, yellow, lampWarmth(point)) : blue;
 	float alpha = circle;
 	if (solid.g > 0.0) {
-		color = mix(blue, yellow, solid.b) * (uDarkMode ? solid.g : 1.0);
+		color = uDarkMode ? mix(blue, yellow, solid.b) * solid.g : blue;
 		alpha = uDarkMode ? 1.0 : solid.g;
 	}
 	if (solid.a > 0.0) {
@@ -67,13 +67,16 @@ void main() {
 		color = vec3(1.0, .4 + .45 * heat, .06 + .45 * heat);
 		alpha = 1.0;
 	}
-	// Faint but visible bulb haze dots. Gaps stay transparent with no background wash.
-	vec2 delta = (point - uLamp.xy) / uLamp.z;
-	float distance2 = dot(delta, delta);
-	float wisps = .82 + .18 * sin(point.x * .17 + uTime * .5) * sin(point.y * .13 - uTime * .3);
-	float haze = (.12 * exp(-distance2 / .5) + .04 * exp(-distance2 / .04)) * wisps * step(r, uSpacing * .13);
+	// Bulb lighting is dark-mode only. Gaps stay transparent with no background wash.
+	float haze = 0.0;
+	if (uDarkMode) {
+		vec2 delta = (point - uLamp.xy) / uLamp.z;
+		float distance2 = dot(delta, delta);
+		float wisps = .82 + .18 * sin(point.x * .17 + uTime * .5) * sin(point.y * .13 - uTime * .3);
+		haze = (.12 * exp(-distance2 / .5) + .04 * exp(-distance2 / .04)) * wisps * step(r, uSpacing * .13);
+	}
 	float hazeBehind = haze * (1.0 - alpha), outAlpha = alpha + hazeBehind;
-	vec3 hazeColor = uDarkMode ? vec3(1.0, .65, .12) : yellow;
+	vec3 hazeColor = vec3(1.0, .65, .12);
 	outColor = vec4((color * alpha + hazeColor * hazeBehind) / max(outAlpha, .00001), outAlpha);
 }
 `;