diff --git a/src/gateway/mod.rs b/src/gateway/mod.rs
index 26506e6d1..72cb1bc86 100644
--- a/src/gateway/mod.rs
+++ b/src/gateway/mod.rs
@@ -689,6 +689,10 @@ pub async fn run_gateway(host: &str, port: u16, config: Config) -> Result<()> {
         .route("/ws/chat", get(ws::handle_ws_chat))
         // ── Static assets (web dashboard) ──
         .route("/_app/{*path}", get(static_files::handle_static))
+        // ── Root redirect to dashboard ──
+        .route("/", get(|| async {
+            axum::response::Redirect::permanent("/_app/")
+        }))
         // ── Config PUT with larger body limit ──
         .merge(config_put_router)
         .with_state(state)
diff --git a/web/src/components/layout/Layout.tsx b/web/src/components/layout/Layout.tsx
index 531b1f4d1..c1e26f03c 100644
--- a/web/src/components/layout/Layout.tsx
+++ b/web/src/components/layout/Layout.tsx
@@ -47,9 +47,11 @@ export default function Layout() {
           sidebarCollapsed ? 'md:ml-[6.25rem]' : 'md:ml-[17.5rem]',
         ].join(' ')}
       >
-        <Header onToggleSidebar={() => setSidebarOpen((open) => !open)} />
+        <div className="relative z-50">
+          <Header onToggleSidebar={() => setSidebarOpen((open) => !open)} />
+        </div>
 
-        <main className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto px-4 pb-8 pt-5 md:px-8 md:pt-8">
+        <main className="relative z-10 flex-1 overflow-y-auto px-4 pb-8 pt-5 md:px-8 md:pt-8">
           <Outlet />
         </main>
       </div>