diff --git a/apps/web/src/chat/transcript.tsx b/apps/web/src/chat/transcript.tsx
index 37618a7c..d065c5a8 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/chat/transcript.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/chat/transcript.tsx
@@ -223,7 +223,10 @@ export function Transcript(
 				pinned.current = distance < 40;
 			}}
 		>
-			<div className="flex min-h-full flex-col justify-end gap-4" data-chat-stack>
+			<div
+				className="flex min-h-full flex-col gap-4 [&>*:first-child]:mt-auto"
+				data-chat-stack
+			>
 				{groups.map(item =>
 					item.kind === "system"
 						? <SystemEntry item={item} key={item.id} />
@@ -236,7 +239,7 @@ export function Transcript(
 							/>
 						)
 				)}
-				<div ref={bottom} />
+				<div className="h-4 shrink-0" ref={bottom} />
 			</div>
 		</div>
 	);
diff --git a/docs/superpowers/specs/2026-08-28-chat-composer-spacing-design.md b/docs/superpowers/specs/2026-08-28-chat-composer-spacing-design.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..890f8810
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/superpowers/specs/2026-08-28-chat-composer-spacing-design.md
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# Chat composer spacing
+
+## Goal
+
+Keep at least 32 pixels between the final Chat message and the top of the composer field on
+desktop and compact layouts.
+
+## Design
+
+The transcript leaves a 16-pixel flex gap before its bottom scroll marker. Make that marker a
+16-pixel-high spacer. When Chat follows the marker to the bottom, the final message will sit 32
+pixels above the composer.
+
+This keeps the existing 16-pixel spacing between messages and does not change the composer's
+height, padding, or reference-picker positioning.
+
+## Verification
+
+Extend the tall-transcript Playwright test to measure the rendered distance between the final
+message and composer field. Require at least 32 pixels in desktop and compact layouts.
diff --git a/e2e/smoke.e2e.ts b/e2e/smoke.e2e.ts
index ea16535d..34cf857c 100644
--- a/e2e/smoke.e2e.ts
+++ b/e2e/smoke.e2e.ts
@@ -294,6 +294,69 @@ test("chat uses one room-message composer when the planner is off", async ({ joi
 	await expect(chat.getByRole("button", { name: "Stop Planner" })).toHaveCount(0);
 });
 
+test("chat keeps both ends of a tall transcript clear across layouts", async ({ join, page }) => {
+	await injectChatHistory(page, frame => ({
+		...frame,
+		entries: Array.from({ length: 24 }, (_, index) => ({
+			author: index % 2 === 0
+				? { kind: "member" as const, handle: "ana" }
+				: { kind: "agent" as const },
+			id: `history-${index}`,
+			text: index === 0
+				? "The first message in a deliberately tall transcript."
+				: `Transcript message ${index} with enough text to occupy a complete line.`,
+			ts: 1_700_000_000 + index,
+		})),
+	}));
+
+	let chat = chatPane(await join("ana"));
+	let stack = chat.locator("[data-chat-stack]");
+	let scroller = stack.locator("..");
+	let composer = chat.getByPlaceholder("Use @chopin to ask Chopin").locator("..");
+	let lastMessageGap = async () => {
+		await scroller.evaluate(element => element.scrollTop = element.scrollHeight);
+		return chat.getByText("Transcript message 23", { exact: false })
+			.evaluate(
+				(message, field) =>
+					(field as Element).getBoundingClientRect().top - message.getBoundingClientRect().bottom,
+				await composer.elementHandle(),
+			);
+	};
+	let firstMessagePosition = async () => {
+		await scroller.evaluate(element => element.scrollTop = 0);
+		return chat.getByText("The first message in a deliberately tall transcript.")
+			.evaluate((message, scrollRoot) => {
+				let messageBox = message.getBoundingClientRect();
+				let scroller = scrollRoot as Element;
+				let scrollerBox = scroller.getBoundingClientRect();
+				return {
+					clientHeight: scroller.clientHeight,
+					messageBottom: messageBox.bottom,
+					messageTop: messageBox.top,
+					scrollerBottom: scrollerBox.bottom,
+					scrollerTop: scrollerBox.top,
+					scrollHeight: scroller.scrollHeight,
+				};
+			}, await scroller.elementHandle());
+	};
+	await expect(chat.getByText("Transcript message 23", { exact: false })).toBeVisible();
+	expect(await lastMessageGap()).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(32);
+	let position = await firstMessagePosition();
+	expect(position.scrollHeight).toBeGreaterThan(position.clientHeight);
+	expect(position.messageTop).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(position.scrollerTop);
+	expect(position.messageBottom).toBeLessThanOrEqual(position.scrollerBottom);
+
+	await page.setViewportSize({ width: 390, height: 844 });
+	await page.getByRole("navigation", { name: "Workspace view" })
+		.getByRole("button", { name: /^Chat/ }).click();
+	await expect(chat).toBeVisible();
+	expect(await lastMessageGap()).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(32);
+	position = await firstMessagePosition();
+	expect(position.scrollHeight).toBeGreaterThan(position.clientHeight);
+	expect(position.messageTop).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(position.scrollerTop);
+	expect(position.messageBottom).toBeLessThanOrEqual(position.scrollerBottom);
+});
+
 test("chat disables Send when its socket disconnects", async ({ join, page }) => {
 	let sockets: WebSocketRoute[] = [];
 	await page.routeWebSocket("**/ws?**", route => {