diff --git a/src/uix/eidos/components/words/words.css b/src/uix/eidos/components/words/words.css
index b93c3bff7..df2213008 100644
--- a/src/uix/eidos/components/words/words.css
+++ b/src/uix/eidos/components/words/words.css
@@ -6,10 +6,11 @@
 	--_words-content-min-block-size: var(--words-content-min-block-size-md);
 	/* Gutter reserved for the block-handle grip + inserter "+" overlay.
 	   Content is padded by this much on the side OPPOSITE to the drawer
-	   so the floating overlays have a visible band to land in. 1.5rem
-	   (≈24px) added to the existing content-px (16px) gives ~40px total
-	   on that side — just enough for a 28×28 hit area, no waste. */
-	--_words-rail-px: 1.5rem;
+	   so the floating overlays have a visible band to land in. 1rem
+	   (≈16px) is the minimum: combined with the existing content-px
+	   (16px) it gives a 32px band — wide enough for the 28px grip to
+	   start at the editor edge and leave 4px before the text. */
+	--_words-rail-px: 1rem;
 	--_words-toolbar-px: var(--words-toolbar-px-md);
 	--_words-toolbar-py: var(--words-toolbar-py-md);
 	--_words-button-size: var(--words-button-size-md);
@@ -1778,6 +1779,7 @@
 }
 
 [data-words-content] {
+	position: relative;
 	min-block-size: var(--_words-content-min-block-size);
 	padding-block: var(--_words-content-py);
 	/* Default (drawer on right): rail on the LEFT for the grip + "+". */
@@ -1792,6 +1794,34 @@
 	-webkit-user-select: text;
 }
 
+/* Dotted band — fills the rail's padding zone so the user reads it as
+   a dedicated gutter (where grip + "+" overlays live) instead of empty
+   content padding. Pointer-events disabled so it doesn't intercept
+   clicks/selection. Pseudo-elements on a contenteditable don't affect
+   text selection or caret in modern browsers. */
+[data-words-content]::before {
+	content: '';
+	position: absolute;
+	inset-block: 0;
+	inset-inline-start: 0;
+	inline-size: calc(var(--_words-rail-px) + var(--_words-content-px));
+	background-image: radial-gradient(
+		circle 1px,
+		color-mix(in srgb, var(--words-status-color) 40%, transparent) 99%,
+		transparent 100%
+	);
+	background-size: 8px 8px;
+	background-position: 50% 50%;
+	background-repeat: repeat;
+	pointer-events: none;
+	z-index: 0;
+}
+
+[data-words]:has([data-words-drawer][data-side='left']) > [data-words-content]::before {
+	inset-inline-start: auto;
+	inset-inline-end: 0;
+}
+
 /* When the drawer lives on the LEFT, mirror: rail moves to the RIGHT
    so the grip + "+" don't fight the drawer's gutter. */
 [data-words]:has([data-words-drawer][data-side='left']) > [data-words-content],