diff --git a/config/dot/quickshell/modules/quicksettings/QuickSettings.qml b/config/dot/quickshell/modules/quicksettings/QuickSettings.qml
index 2da8c02..edfe806 100644
--- a/config/dot/quickshell/modules/quicksettings/QuickSettings.qml
+++ b/config/dot/quickshell/modules/quicksettings/QuickSettings.qml
@@ -20,9 +20,17 @@ PanelWindow {
 
     // Hangs directly beneath the top-right status cluster. Two logical pixels
     // preserve the Prism edge without making the surface feel detached.
+    //
+    // The margin is the gap ALONE, not the bar height plus the gap. An
+    // exclusiveZone of 0 means "reserve nothing, but respect what others
+    // reserved", so this surface already begins below the bar's 36px zone;
+    // adding the bar height here counted it twice and left the panel floating
+    // 38px under the bar instead of 2px. It also means the panel follows the
+    // bar on its own -- if the bar ever stops reserving space, this closes up
+    // against the top edge rather than hanging under nothing.
     anchors.top: true
     anchors.right: true
-    margins.top: Theme.barHeight + Theme.controlCenterTopGap
+    margins.top: Theme.controlCenterTopGap
     margins.right: Theme.barSideMargin
     exclusiveZone: 0