diff --git a/.changes/workspace-rail-traffic-light-gap.md b/.changes/workspace-rail-traffic-light-gap.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..dcb03ea74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changes/workspace-rail-traffic-light-gap.md
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+type: fix
+area: workspace
+---
+
+On macOS the side rail now starts level with the page content and the dashboard banner, so its first button no longer crowds the window's close, minimize and zoom buttons.
diff --git a/apps/electron-backend-e2e/src/window-controls.e2e.ts b/apps/electron-backend-e2e/src/window-controls.e2e.ts
index d65b463bd..fba81345f 100644
--- a/apps/electron-backend-e2e/src/window-controls.e2e.ts
+++ b/apps/electron-backend-e2e/src/window-controls.e2e.ts
@@ -187,3 +187,42 @@ test.describe('Custom window controls', () => {
         }
     });
 });
+
+test.describe('macOS traffic lights', () => {
+    test.skip(
+        process.platform !== 'darwin',
+        'Only macOS draws the native traffic lights over the rail'
+    );
+
+    test('@electron the first rail link starts with the content area, clear of the lights', async ({
+        dataDir,
+    }) => {
+        const app = await launchElectronApp(dataDir);
+
+        try {
+            const page = app.mainWindow;
+            await expect(page.locator('.app-rail')).toHaveClass(/is-macos/);
+            const firstLink = page.locator('.app-rail a').first();
+            await expect(firstLink).toBeVisible();
+
+            const [linkBox, contentBox] = await Promise.all([
+                firstLink.boundingBox(),
+                page.locator('.workspace-content').boundingBox(),
+            ]);
+            // Aligned with the content area, where the dashboard hero starts.
+            expect(
+                Math.abs((linkBox?.y ?? 0) - (contentBox?.y ?? -100))
+            ).toBeLessThanOrEqual(1);
+
+            const lights = await app.electronApp.evaluate(({ BrowserWindow }) =>
+                BrowserWindow.getAllWindows()[0]?.getWindowButtonPosition()
+            );
+            // The buttons are about 14pt tall; keep a visible gap below them.
+            expect(linkBox?.y ?? 0).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(
+                (lights?.y ?? 0) + 14 + 16
+            );
+        } finally {
+            await closeElectronApp(app);
+        }
+    });
+});
diff --git a/docs/architecture/workspace-shell.md b/docs/architecture/workspace-shell.md
index bf70c49cf..6eafed5a5 100644
--- a/docs/architecture/workspace-shell.md
+++ b/docs/architecture/workspace-shell.md
@@ -326,7 +326,11 @@ The Electron window hides the native title bar on all desktop platforms
 (`titleBarStyle: 'hidden'` in `apps/electron-backend/src/app/app.ts`):
 
 1. macOS keeps the native traffic lights (`titleBarOverlay: true`,
-   `trafficLightPosition`); the renderer draws no window buttons.
+   `trafficLightPosition`); the renderer draws no window buttons. The lights
+   sit in the 56 px header band above the rail, so the macOS rail
+   (`.app-rail.is-macos`) starts its first link at 56 px: level with the
+   content area and the dashboard hero, with its hover surface clear of the
+   lights. `window-controls.e2e.ts` checks both on macOS.
 2. Windows and Linux use renderer-drawn window controls
    (`app-window-controls`, `libs/ui/components/src/lib/window-controls/`).
    `frame` is intentionally left untouched so native resize borders and
diff --git a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-rail/workspace-shell-rail.component.scss b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-rail/workspace-shell-rail.component.scss
index d3e056d90..cad7c1cf6 100644
--- a/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-rail/workspace-shell-rail.component.scss
+++ b/libs/workspace/shell/feature/src/lib/workspace-shell/components/workspace-shell-rail/workspace-shell-rail.component.scss
@@ -29,8 +29,11 @@
     --rail-link-active-border: var(--app-selection-border);
     --rail-link-active-glow: var(--app-selection-glow);
 
+    // The traffic lights sit in the header band (56px, see the shell grid).
+    // The first link starts below that band, where the content area and the
+    // dashboard hero start, so its hover surface never touches the lights.
     &.is-macos {
-        padding-top: 36px;
+        padding-top: 56px;
     }
 
     &::-webkit-scrollbar {