diff --git a/frontend/src/components/NoteEditor.vue b/frontend/src/components/NoteEditor.vue
index 53689fb..9a53145 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/NoteEditor.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/NoteEditor.vue
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { computed, nextTick, onBeforeUnmount, onMounted, ref, watch } from "vue";
+import { computed, nextTick, onMounted, ref, watch } from "vue";
 import { api } from "../api/client";
 import { useNotesStore } from "../stores/notes";
 import { useConfigStore } from "../stores/config";
@@ -13,15 +13,13 @@ import { fromLocalInput, toLocalInput } from "../notes/datetime";
 import type { Note, NoteLabel, NoteRevision } from "../stores/notes";
 import { LABEL_CHIP_CLASSES, type NoteColor } from "../notes/colors";
 
-// One editor for BOTH composing and editing. `inline` renders the board composer
-// frame (collapsible, in-flow); the default renders the modal editor. `note` = the
-// note being edited, or null to compose a new one. In compose mode there is no note
-// id until a draft is persisted — on commit-with-content, or on the first rich action
-// (label / image / reminder / checklist) — so we never litter empty notes.
-const props = withDefaults(defineProps<{ note?: Note | null; inline?: boolean; autofocus?: boolean }>(), {
+// One modal editor for BOTH composing and editing — a single surface (the board's
+// "Take a note…" bar just opens this in compose mode). `note` = the note being edited,
+// or null to compose a new one. In compose mode there is no note id until a draft is
+// persisted — on commit-with-content, or on the first rich action (label / image /
+// reminder / checklist) — so we never litter empty notes.
+const props = withDefaults(defineProps<{ note?: Note | null }>(), {
   note: null,
-  inline: false,
-  autofocus: false,
 });
 const emit = defineEmits<{ (e: "close"): void; (e: "navigate", id: string): void }>();
 const notes = useNotesStore();
@@ -34,7 +32,6 @@ const body = ref(props.note?.body ?? "");
 const color = ref<NoteColor>(props.note?.color ?? "default");
 const labelList = ref<NoteLabel[]>(props.note ? [...props.note.labels] : []);
 const createKind = ref<"text" | "list">("text"); // compose-only list toggle
-const expanded = ref(!props.inline); // modal is always open; inline starts collapsed
 const saving = ref(false);
 const root = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null);
 const bodyInput = ref<HTMLTextAreaElement | null>(null);
@@ -166,60 +163,29 @@ function resetCompose(): void {
   uploadError.value = "";
 }
 
-// ---- inline (compose) frame ----
-async function open(): Promise<void> {
-  expanded.value = true;
-  await nextTick();
-  bodyInput.value?.focus();
-  autoGrow();
-}
-async function commitInline(): Promise<void> {
-  await flush();
-  resetCompose();
-  expanded.value = false;
-}
+// ---- commit / close ----
+// Compose only: save the current note and start a fresh one (rapid capture).
 async function commitAndContinue(): Promise<void> {
-  if (isCreate.value && !hasContent.value) return;
+  if (!hasContent.value) return;
   await flush();
   resetCompose();
   await nextTick();
   bodyInput.value?.focus();
-  autoGrow();
 }
-
-// ---- modal (edit) frame ----
+// Persist (create in compose, save in edit) and close the editor.
 async function close(): Promise<void> {
   await flush();
   emit("close");
 }
 function onEsc(): void {
-  if (props.inline) void commitInline();
-  else void close();
+  void close();
 }
 function onMetaEnter(): void {
-  // Ctrl/Cmd+Enter = finish & close, in both frames (matches email/chat "send").
-  if (props.inline) void commitInline();
-  else void close();
+  // Ctrl/Cmd+Enter = finish & close (matches email/chat "send").
+  void close();
 }
 function onBackdropMousedown(): void {
-  if (!props.inline) void close();
-}
-function onDocClick(e: MouseEvent): void {
-  // Commit the inline composer on an OUTSIDE *click* (bubble phase, not mousedown):
-  // the clicked target's own handler fires first, so clicking another card's toolbar
-  // performs its action, THEN the composer collapses — no wasted first click.
-  if (props.inline && expanded.value && root.value && !root.value.contains(e.target as Node)) {
-    void commitInline();
-  }
-}
-
-// Grow the composer textarea to fit its content (inline only; modal uses fixed rows).
-function autoGrow(): void {
-  if (!props.inline) return;
-  const el = bodyInput.value;
-  if (!el) return;
-  el.style.height = "auto";
-  el.style.height = `${el.scrollHeight}px`;
+  void close();
 }
 
 async function loadBacklinks(): Promise<void> {
@@ -239,15 +205,9 @@ watch(() => noteId.value, loadBacklinks);
 onMounted(async () => {
   void titles.load();
   void loadBacklinks();
-  if (props.inline) {
-    document.addEventListener("click", onDocClick);
-    if (props.autofocus) void open();
-  } else {
-    await nextTick();
-    bodyInput.value?.focus();
-  }
+  await nextTick();
+  bodyInput.value?.focus();
 });
-onBeforeUnmount(() => document.removeEventListener("click", onDocClick));
 
 // ---- outgoing links (edit mode) ----
 const outgoingLinks = computed(() => {
@@ -299,7 +259,6 @@ function refreshLinkMatches() {
 }
 
 function onBodyInput() {
-  if (props.inline) autoGrow();
   const el = bodyInput.value;
   if (!el) return;
   const caret = el.selectionStart ?? 0;
@@ -338,7 +297,7 @@ function insertLink(t: string) {
 
 function onBodyKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
   // Compose: Shift+Enter saves the note and starts a fresh one (rapid capture).
-  if (props.inline && e.key === "Enter" && e.shiftKey) {
+  if (isCreate.value && e.key === "Enter" && e.shiftKey) {
     e.preventDefault();
     void commitAndContinue();
     return;
@@ -365,9 +324,8 @@ function onBodyKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
 }
 
 function onTitleEnter(e: KeyboardEvent) {
-  if (!props.inline) return;
   e.preventDefault();
-  if (e.shiftKey) void commitAndContinue();
+  if (e.shiftKey && isCreate.value) void commitAndContinue();
   else bodyInput.value?.focus();
 }
 
@@ -417,7 +375,6 @@ async function toggleKind() {
   if (isCreate.value) {
     createKind.value = createKind.value === "list" ? "text" : "list";
     bodyInput.value?.focus();
-    void nextTick(autoGrow);
     return;
   }
   const id = noteId.value as string;
@@ -560,44 +517,19 @@ function revPreview(rev: NoteRevision): string {
   if (!s) return "(empty)";
   return s.length > 80 ? `${s.slice(0, 80)}…` : s;
 }
-
-defineExpose({ open });
 </script>
 
 <template>
   <div
     ref="root"
-    :class="
-      inline
-        ? 'mx-auto w-full max-w-xl'
-        : 'fixed inset-0 z-40 flex items-start justify-center overflow-y-auto bg-black/40 p-4 pt-[10vh]'
-    "
+    class="fixed inset-0 z-40 flex items-start justify-center overflow-y-auto bg-black/40 p-4 pt-[10vh]"
     @mousedown.self="onBackdropMousedown"
   >
-    <!-- Collapsed composer (inline, board) -->
+    <!-- One editor card for BOTH compose (empty note) and edit — a single surface. -->
     <div
-      v-if="inline && !expanded"
-      class="rounded-xl border border-neutral-200 bg-white shadow-sm dark:border-neutral-700 dark:bg-neutral-900"
-    >
-      <button
-        type="button"
-        class="w-full rounded-xl px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm text-neutral-500 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand dark:text-neutral-400"
-        @click="open"
-      >
-        Take a note…
-      </button>
-    </div>
-
-    <!-- Shared editor card: compose (expanded, inline) OR edit (modal) -->
-    <div
-      v-else
-      :class="
-        inline
-          ? 'w-full rounded-xl border border-neutral-200 bg-white shadow-sm dark:border-neutral-700 dark:bg-neutral-900'
-          : 'w-full max-w-lg rounded-xl border border-neutral-200 bg-white shadow-xl dark:border-neutral-700 dark:bg-neutral-900'
-      "
-      :role="inline ? undefined : 'dialog'"
-      :aria-modal="inline ? undefined : 'true'"
+      class="w-full max-w-lg rounded-xl border border-neutral-200 bg-white shadow-xl dark:border-neutral-700 dark:bg-neutral-900"
+      role="dialog"
+      aria-modal="true"
       @keydown.esc.stop="onEsc"
       @keydown.enter.meta.prevent="onMetaEnter"
       @keydown.enter.ctrl.prevent="onMetaEnter"
@@ -696,13 +628,9 @@ defineExpose({ open });
           <textarea
             ref="bodyInput"
             v-model="body"
-            :rows="inline ? undefined : 8"
+            rows="8"
             :placeholder="bodyPlaceholder"
-            :class="
-              inline
-                ? 'max-h-64 min-h-[4.5rem] w-full resize-none overflow-y-auto bg-transparent text-sm leading-relaxed outline-none placeholder:text-neutral-400'
-                : 'w-full resize-none bg-transparent text-sm leading-relaxed outline-none placeholder:text-neutral-400'
-            "
+            class="w-full resize-none bg-transparent text-sm leading-relaxed outline-none placeholder:text-neutral-400"
             @input="onBodyInput"
             @keydown="onBodyKeydown"
           />
@@ -796,7 +724,7 @@ defineExpose({ open });
         </div>
 
         <div
-          v-if="!inline && !isCreate && (outgoingLinks.length || backlinks.length)"
+          v-if="!isCreate && (outgoingLinks.length || backlinks.length)"
           class="flex flex-col gap-2 border-t border-neutral-100 pt-2 dark:border-neutral-800"
         >
           <div v-if="outgoingLinks.length">
@@ -836,7 +764,7 @@ defineExpose({ open });
         </div>
 
         <div
-          v-if="!inline && !isCreate && showHistory"
+          v-if="!isCreate && showHistory"
           class="flex flex-col gap-1 border-t border-neutral-100 pt-2 dark:border-neutral-800"
         >
           <p class="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">History</p>
@@ -890,7 +818,7 @@ defineExpose({ open });
             @update:model-value="onLabelsChange"
           />
           <button
-            v-if="!inline && !isCreate"
+            v-if="!isCreate"
             type="button"
             class="icon-btn"
             :class="showHistory ? 'text-brand-700 dark:text-brand' : ''"
@@ -901,7 +829,7 @@ defineExpose({ open });
           >
             <Icon name="history" />
           </button>
-          <template v-if="!inline && !isCreate && !liveNote.trashed">
+          <template v-if="!isCreate && !liveNote.trashed">
             <button
               type="button"
               class="icon-btn"
@@ -928,7 +856,7 @@ defineExpose({ open });
               <Icon name="trash" />
             </button>
           </template>
-          <template v-else-if="!inline && !isCreate && liveNote.trashed">
+          <template v-else-if="!isCreate && liveNote.trashed">
             <button type="button" class="icon-btn" title="Restore" @click="act(() => notes.restore(liveNote.id))">
               <Icon name="restore" />
             </button>
@@ -945,9 +873,9 @@ defineExpose({ open });
             type="button"
             class="rounded-md px-3 py-1.5 text-sm font-semibold text-neutral-700 hover:bg-neutral-100 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand disabled:opacity-60 dark:text-neutral-200 dark:hover:bg-neutral-800"
             :disabled="saving"
-            @click="inline ? commitInline() : close()"
+            @click="close()"
           >
-            {{ inline ? "Done" : "Close" }}
+            {{ isCreate ? "Done" : "Close" }}
           </button>
         </div>
       </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/BoardView.vue b/frontend/src/views/BoardView.vue
index 34c05b3..9f8e4fb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/BoardView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/BoardView.vue
@@ -14,14 +14,14 @@ const ui = useUiStore();
 const router = useRouter();
 
 const editing = ref<Note | null>(null);
-const composer = ref<InstanceType<typeof NoteEditor> | null>(null);
+const composing = ref(false); // compose modal open (a new, empty note)
 const loadError = ref("");
 
-// The global `c` shortcut bumps composeTick; reopen the composer when we're
-// already on the board (a fresh navigation autofocuses it via the prop).
+// Compose and edit are ONE surface: the "Take a note…" bar and the global `c`
+// shortcut both open the same modal editor with an empty note (editing = null).
 watch(
   () => ui.composeTick,
-  () => composer.value?.open(),
+  () => (composing.value = true),
 );
 
 // The command palette opens a note by navigating here with ?open=<id>.
@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@ function openEditor(note: Note) {
 }
 function closeEditor() {
   editing.value = null;
+  composing.value = false;
 }
 
 async function onNavigate(id: string) {
@@ -182,7 +183,14 @@ async function onDrop(target: Note) {
 
 <template>
   <div class="mx-auto w-full max-w-6xl px-4 py-6">
-    <NoteEditor v-if="isMainBoard" ref="composer" inline autofocus class="mb-6" />
+    <button
+      v-if="isMainBoard"
+      type="button"
+      class="mx-auto mb-6 block w-full max-w-xl rounded-xl border border-neutral-200 bg-white px-4 py-3 text-left text-sm text-neutral-500 shadow-sm transition hover:shadow-md focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand dark:border-neutral-700 dark:bg-neutral-900 dark:text-neutral-400"
+      @click="composing = true"
+    >
+      Take a note…
+    </button>
     <FilterBar v-if="isMainBoard" />
 
     <div v-if="notes.loading" class="py-24 text-center text-sm text-neutral-400">Loading…</div>
@@ -258,7 +266,7 @@ async function onDrop(target: Note) {
     </template>
   </div>
 
-  <template v-if="editing">
+  <template v-if="composing || editing">
     <NoteEditor :note="editing" @close="closeEditor" @navigate="onNavigate" />
   </template>
 </template>