diff --git a/src/lib/styles/variables.css b/src/lib/styles/variables.css
index 522e510..f221eaa 100644
--- a/src/lib/styles/variables.css
+++ b/src/lib/styles/variables.css
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 	--accent-deep: #2f6b4d;
 	--amber: #c9a14e;
 	--shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
-	--vignette: color-mix(in srgb, var(--bg-primary) 55%, #000);
+	--vignette: color-mix(in srgb, var(--bg-primary) 72%, #000);
 	--grain-blend: soft-light;
 	--grain-opacity: 0.05;
 	--font-mono: 'Geist Mono', 'JetBrains Mono', ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Menlo, monospace;
diff --git a/src/routes/+layout.svelte b/src/routes/+layout.svelte
index d6b3207..183e057 100644
--- a/src/routes/+layout.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/+layout.svelte
@@ -29,7 +29,10 @@
 
 	:global(body) {
 		font-family: var(--font-mono);
-		background: var(--bg-primary);
+		/* edge vignette lives in the background layer so it never washes out content */
+		background-color: var(--bg-primary);
+		background-image: radial-gradient(125% 85% at 50% -10%, transparent 62%, var(--vignette) 100%);
+		background-attachment: fixed;
 		color: var(--text-primary);
 		line-height: 1.5;
 		min-height: 100vh;
@@ -41,16 +44,6 @@
 			'ss01' 1;
 	}
 
-	/* edge vignette for depth (dark only via --vignette) */
-	:global(body)::before {
-		content: '';
-		position: fixed;
-		inset: 0;
-		z-index: 0;
-		pointer-events: none;
-		background: radial-gradient(120% 80% at 50% -10%, transparent 55%, var(--vignette) 100%);
-	}
-
 	/* film grain — the texture that kills the flat digital look */
 	:global(body)::after {
 		content: '';