diff --git a/modules/home/waybar.nix b/modules/home/waybar.nix
index 8d132b7..9aa65c1 100644
--- a/modules/home/waybar.nix
+++ b/modules/home/waybar.nix
@@ -162,7 +162,10 @@ let
     # normal tiling. Keep in sync with the whole-swap jsoncs (parity rule).
     layer = "bottom";
     position = "top";
-    height = 34;
+    # 36, not 34: the active-workspace pill is inset 3px top+bottom (CSS
+    # below) so it can never overhang the bar's border — the extra height
+    # keeps the pill's text from cramping inside the inset (#152).
+    height = 36;
     margin-top = t.ui.gapsOut;
     margin-left = t.ui.gapsOut;
     margin-right = t.ui.gapsOut;
@@ -428,8 +431,12 @@ let
        2.0, gated by tools/check-theme-contrast.py) — the palettes that
        once made it vanish (gruvbox muted≈base, item 27) were retuned.
        Secondary-but-not-dim stays alpha(@text, 0.85). */
+    /* 3px vertical margin insets the active pill INSIDE the bar — without
+       it the filled button spans the bar's full inner height and visually
+       overhangs the rounded border (#152). */
     #workspaces button {
       padding: 0 8px;
+      margin: 3px 0;
       color: @muted;
       border-radius: ${toString t.ui.rounding}px;
     }
@@ -458,7 +465,10 @@ let
       color: @accent;
       font-family: Nomarchy;
       font-size: ${toString (t.fonts.size + 4)}pt;
-      padding: 0 10px;
+      /* Wider outer padding: the bar's rounded corner curves into the
+         end module's box, so the edge glyphs need more room than the
+         uniform 10px or they look cramped (#152; power button mirrors). */
+      padding: 0 10px 0 14px;
     }
     #custom-nomarchy:hover { color: @accentAlt; }
 
@@ -466,6 +476,7 @@ let
       color: alpha(@text, 0.85);
       padding: 0 10px;
     }
+    #custom-powermenu { padding: 0 16px 0 10px; }
     #custom-powermenu:hover { color: @bad; }
 
     /* Group rhythm (item 28c): a wider breath before each functional