diff --git a/examples/chat/angular/e2e/app-mode-itinerary.spec.ts b/examples/chat/angular/e2e/app-mode-itinerary.spec.ts
index c6c5c3660..76db1bc17 100644
--- a/examples/chat/angular/e2e/app-mode-itinerary.spec.ts
+++ b/examples/chat/angular/e2e/app-mode-itinerary.spec.ts
@@ -23,6 +23,37 @@ test.describe('App mode — itinerary cockpit', () => {
     await expect(page.locator('.demo-shell__hamburger')).toBeVisible();
   });
 
+  test('the closed thread drawer does not intercept clicks on the cockpit content', async ({ page }) => {
+    // Regression: in App mode the thread sidenav is forced to drawer mode on
+    // desktop. Its host stays a fixed, drawer-width, full-height, z-index:1001
+    // box even when closed (only the inner panel slides off-screen), so without
+    // pointer-events:none it swallowed clicks on the itinerary overlay + welcome
+    // suggestions beneath its left strip.
+    await openDemo(page, '/sidebar?appmode=on');
+    await expect(page.locator('.demo-shell__hamburger')).toBeVisible(); // drawer closed
+
+    const probe = await page.evaluate(() => {
+      const host = document.querySelector('chat-sidenav') as HTMLElement | null;
+      if (!host) return { ok: false as const };
+      const r = host.getBoundingClientRect();
+      const x = r.left + r.width / 2;
+      const y = r.top + Math.min(r.height / 2, 180);
+      const hit = document.elementFromPoint(x, y) as HTMLElement | null;
+      return {
+        ok: true as const,
+        pointerEvents: getComputedStyle(host).pointerEvents,
+        // Does a click over the (transparent) closed-drawer box land on the
+        // sidenav, or pass through to the content beneath it?
+        hitInsideSidenav: !!hit && !!hit.closest('chat-sidenav'),
+      };
+    });
+
+    expect(probe.ok).toBe(true);
+    if (!probe.ok) return;
+    expect(probe.pointerEvents).toBe('none'); // the fix: closed host is inert
+    expect(probe.hitInsideSidenav).toBe(false); // clicks reach the content
+  });
+
   test('selecting Embed turns App mode off (coercion)', async ({ page }) => {
     await openDemo(page, '/sidebar?appmode=on');
     await expect(page.locator('app-map-canvas')).toBeAttached();
diff --git a/libs/chat/src/lib/styles/chat-sidenav.styles.ts b/libs/chat/src/lib/styles/chat-sidenav.styles.ts
index e5376bfde..cc8c63bb1 100644
--- a/libs/chat/src/lib/styles/chat-sidenav.styles.ts
+++ b/libs/chat/src/lib/styles/chat-sidenav.styles.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,14 @@ export const CHAT_SIDENAV_STYLES = `
     bottom: 0;
     width: var(--tplane-chat-sidenav-width-drawer);
     z-index: var(--tplane-chat-z-drawer, 1001);
+    /* The host is a fixed, drawer-width, full-height box at z-index 1001 that
+     * stays put whether or not the drawer is open — only the inner .chat-sidenav
+     * PANEL slides off-screen (translateX(-100%)) when closed. Without this, the
+     * transparent closed host still intercepts clicks over the left strip of the
+     * content beneath it (e.g. App-mode forces drawer on desktop, so it covered
+     * the itinerary overlay + welcome suggestions). Make the host inert; the
+     * on-screen panel re-enables pointer events below. */
+    pointer-events: none;
   }
   :host([data-mode="drawer"][data-open="true"]) {
     box-shadow: 8px 0 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.18);
@@ -57,6 +65,10 @@ export const CHAT_SIDENAV_STYLES = `
     height: 100%;
     transition: transform 200ms ease;
     transform: translateX(-100%);
+    /* Re-enable pointer events on the panel itself (host is inert above). When
+     * closed the panel is translated off-screen so this is harmless; when open
+     * it covers the host box and stays fully interactive. */
+    pointer-events: auto;
   }
   :host([data-mode="drawer"][data-open="true"]) .chat-sidenav {
     transform: translateX(0);