diff --git a/js/app.js b/js/app.js
index 53171d6..578ebc7 100644
--- a/js/app.js
+++ b/js/app.js
@@ -3850,6 +3850,14 @@ async function openSlideOver(id, opts) {
     }
     if (!isNew && !e) return;
 
+    // The editor must be visible when it opens: Settings sits ABOVE the
+    // slideover, so a hotkey (Ctrl+Shift+A) fired with Settings open left
+    // the new-entry panel hidden underneath. Close Settings — placed AFTER
+    // the discard guard so cancelling it keeps Settings untouched. The
+    // inverse (opening Settings over the editor) is deliberate and stays:
+    // Esc closes Settings first, then handles the editor.
+    if ($('#settingsPanel').classList.contains('is-open')) closeSettings();
+
     state.selectedId = isNew ? null : id;
     if (!isNew) touchEntry(id);
     // Templates: resolve a preset bundle of {kind, title, customFields,