diff --git a/quickshell/Common/ShellLayout.qml b/quickshell/Common/ShellLayout.qml
index 02df95079..75e9a1304 100644
--- a/quickshell/Common/ShellLayout.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Common/ShellLayout.qml
@@ -115,6 +115,38 @@ Singleton {
         return (layout?.instances ?? []).filter(instance => instance.edge === side).reduce((sum, instance) => sum + instance.reservation, 0);
     }
 
+    // non-manual layouts let the compositor stack exclusive zones, so the bar that was mapped later is the tucked one
+    function adjacentCover(screen, side, config, length) {
+        const layout = forScreen(screen);
+        const neighbour = adjacentBar(screen, side, config);
+        if (!layout || !neighbour)
+            return null;
+        const opposite = {
+            top: "bottom",
+            bottom: "top",
+            left: "right",
+            right: "left"
+        }[side];
+        const near = layout.edges[side].reservation;
+        const far = adjacentBar(screen, opposite, config) ? layout.edges[opposite].reservation : 0;
+        const deficit = (side === "top" || side === "bottom" ? layout.screen.height : layout.screen.width) - length;
+        const order = id => layout.instances.find(instance => instance.barId === id)?.configOrder ?? 0;
+        let tucked;
+        if (deficit >= near + far - 1)
+            tucked = true;
+        else if (deficit < near - 1)
+            tucked = false;
+        else if (Math.abs(near - far) > 1)
+            tucked = Math.abs(deficit - near) <= 1;
+        else
+            tucked = order(neighbour.config.id) < order(config?.id);
+        return {
+            reach: dockAdjacentThickness(screen, side),
+            wing: neighbour.wingSize ?? 0,
+            tucked
+        };
+    }
+
     function adjacentInfo(screen, config) {
         return Resolver.adjacentInfo(forScreen(screen), config, primaryBar);
     }
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/DankBar/BarOutline.js b/quickshell/Modules/DankBar/BarOutline.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4b465a45c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/DankBar/BarOutline.js
@@ -0,0 +1,257 @@
+.pragma library
+
+function borderPath(g) {
+    const f = canonical(g);
+    if (!f)
+        return "";
+    return serialize(g.alongWings ? alongOps(f) : crossOps(f), g.position, g.width, g.height);
+}
+
+function canonical(g) {
+    const body = g.body;
+    const c = g.corners;
+    switch (g.position) {
+    case "top":
+        return frame(g, body.x, body.x + body.width, body.height, c.topLeft, c.topRight, c.bottomLeft, c.bottomRight);
+    case "bottom":
+        return frame(g, body.x, body.x + body.width, body.height, c.bottomLeft, c.bottomRight, c.topLeft, c.topRight);
+    case "left":
+        return frame(g, body.y, body.y + body.height, body.width, c.topLeft, c.bottomLeft, c.topRight, c.bottomRight);
+    case "right":
+        return frame(g, body.y, body.y + body.height, body.width, c.topRight, c.bottomRight, c.topLeft, c.bottomLeft);
+    default:
+        return null;
+    }
+}
+
+function frame(g, start, end, thickness, attachedStart, attachedEnd, farStart, farEnd) {
+    if (end - start <= 0 || thickness <= 0)
+        return null;
+    const inset = g.inset;
+    const shrink = radius => Math.max(0, radius - inset);
+    const sides = g.alongWings || !g.open;
+    const cover = reach => {
+        if (g.alongWings)
+            return 0;
+        return Math.max(0, reach ?? 0);
+    };
+    return {
+        start,
+        end,
+        thickness,
+        inset,
+        wing: Math.max(0, g.wing),
+        attachedStart: shrink(attachedStart),
+        attachedEnd: shrink(attachedEnd),
+        farStart: shrink(farStart),
+        farEnd: shrink(farEnd),
+        attachedVisible: !g.open,
+        startSide: sides && !(g.seamStart ?? false),
+        endSide: sides && !(g.seamEnd ?? false),
+        coverStart: cover(g.coverStart),
+        coverEnd: cover(g.coverEnd),
+        coverStartWing: Math.max(0, g.coverStartWing ?? 0),
+        coverEndWing: Math.max(0, g.coverEndWing ?? 0)
+    };
+}
+
+function crossOps(f) {
+    const p = pen();
+    const i = f.inset;
+    const r = f.wing;
+    const T = f.thickness;
+    // the offset of a concave arc meets the offset side line 2*sqrt(r*i) short of the wing tip
+    const tail = T + r - 2 * Math.sqrt(r * i);
+    const farEdge = T - i;
+    const endSideBottom = endSideStop(f, tail);
+    const farEdgeStart = farEdgeStop(f);
+    if (f.attachedVisible) {
+        if (f.startSide)
+            p.at(f.start + i + f.attachedStart, i);
+        else
+            p.at(f.start + i, i + f.attachedStart).corner(f.attachedStart, f.start + i + f.attachedStart, i);
+        p.at(f.end - i - f.attachedEnd, i).corner(f.attachedEnd, f.end - i, i + f.attachedEnd);
+        if (f.endSide)
+            p.at(f.end - i, endSideBottom);
+        else
+            p.lift();
+    }
+    if (f.coverEnd > 0) {
+        // carry the stroke onto the tucked neighbour's wing circle so both windows paint one band
+        p.lift();
+        if (f.coverEndWing > 0)
+            p.at(f.end - f.coverEnd + f.coverEndWing + i, T + f.coverEndWing).arc(f.coverEndWing + i, 0, f.end - f.coverEnd, T - i);
+        else
+            p.at(f.end - f.coverEnd, T - i);
+    } else if (r > 0) {
+        if (!f.endSide)
+            p.at(f.end + i, T + r);
+        p.arc(r + i, 0, f.end - r, T - i);
+    } else {
+        if (!f.endSide)
+            p.at(f.end - i, T - i - f.farEnd);
+        p.corner(f.farEnd, f.end - i - f.farEnd, T - i);
+    }
+    p.at(farEdgeStart, farEdge);
+    if (f.coverStart > 0) {
+        if (f.coverStartWing > 0)
+            p.arc(f.coverStartWing + i, 0, f.start + f.coverStart - f.coverStartWing - i, T + f.coverStartWing);
+        p.lift();
+        if (f.startSide)
+            p.at(f.start + i, T - i);
+    } else if (r > 0) {
+        if (f.startSide)
+            p.arc(r + i, 0, f.start + i, tail);
+        else
+            p.arc(r + i, 0, f.start - i, T + r).lift();
+    } else {
+        p.corner(f.farStart, f.start + i, T - i - f.farStart);
+        if (!f.startSide)
+            p.lift();
+    }
+    if (!f.startSide || !f.attachedVisible)
+        return p.ops;
+    p.at(f.start + i, i + f.attachedStart).corner(f.attachedStart, f.start + i + f.attachedStart, i).seal();
+    return p.ops;
+}
+
+function endSideStop(f, tail) {
+    const farEdge = f.thickness - f.inset;
+    if (f.coverEnd > 0)
+        return farEdge;
+    if (f.wing > 0)
+        return tail;
+    return farEdge - f.farEnd;
+}
+
+function farEdgeStop(f) {
+    if (f.coverStart > 0)
+        return f.start + f.coverStart;
+    if (f.wing > 0)
+        return f.start + f.wing;
+    return f.start + f.inset + f.farStart;
+}
+
+function alongOps(f) {
+    const p = pen();
+    const i = f.inset;
+    const r = f.wing;
+    const T = f.thickness;
+    // the offset of a wing arc meets the offset attached edge 2*sqrt(r*i) short of the wing tip
+    const reach = 2 * Math.sqrt(r * i);
+    const startTip = f.start - r;
+    const endTip = f.end + r;
+    if (r > 0) {
+        if (f.attachedVisible)
+            p.at(startTip + reach, i).at(endTip - reach, i);
+        else
+            p.at(endTip, -i);
+        p.arc(r + i, 0, f.end - i, r);
+    } else {
+        if (f.attachedVisible)
+            p.at(f.start + i + f.attachedStart, i);
+        p.at(f.end - i - f.attachedEnd, i).corner(f.attachedEnd, f.end - i, i + f.attachedEnd);
+    }
+    p.at(f.end - i, T - i - f.farEnd).corner(f.farEnd, f.end - i - f.farEnd, T - i);
+    p.at(f.start + i + f.farStart, T - i).corner(f.farStart, f.start + i, T - i - f.farStart);
+    if (r > 0) {
+        p.at(f.start + i, r);
+        if (f.attachedVisible)
+            p.arc(r + i, 0, startTip + reach, i);
+        else
+            p.arc(r + i, 0, startTip, -i);
+    } else {
+        p.at(f.start + i, i + f.attachedStart).corner(f.attachedStart, f.start + i + f.attachedStart, i);
+    }
+    if (f.attachedVisible)
+        p.seal();
+    return p.ops;
+}
+
+function pen() {
+    const self = {
+        ops: [],
+        down: false,
+        lifted: false,
+        at(a, c) {
+            self.ops.push({
+                op: self.down ? "L" : "M",
+                a,
+                c
+            });
+            self.down = true;
+            return self;
+        },
+        arc(radius, sweep, a, c) {
+            self.ops.push({
+                op: "A",
+                radius,
+                sweep,
+                a,
+                c
+            });
+            return self;
+        },
+        corner(radius, a, c) {
+            return radius > 0 ? self.arc(radius, 1, a, c) : self;
+        },
+        lift() {
+            self.down = false;
+            self.lifted = true;
+            return self;
+        },
+        seal() {
+            if (!self.lifted)
+                self.ops.push({
+                    op: "Z"
+                });
+            self.down = false;
+            return self;
+        }
+    };
+    return self;
+}
+
+function serialize(ops, position, width, height) {
+    const map = mapper(position, width, height);
+    const flipSweep = position === "bottom" || position === "left";
+    return ops.map(op => {
+        if (op.op === "Z")
+            return "Z";
+        const point = map(op.a, op.c);
+        const target = `${num(point.x)} ${num(point.y)}`;
+        if (op.op !== "A")
+            return `${op.op} ${target}`;
+        const sweep = flipSweep ? 1 - op.sweep : op.sweep;
+        return `A ${num(op.radius)} ${num(op.radius)} 0 0 ${sweep} ${target}`;
+    }).join(" ");
+}
+
+function mapper(position, width, height) {
+    switch (position) {
+    case "bottom":
+        return (a, c) => ({
+                    x: a,
+                    y: height - c
+                });
+    case "left":
+        return (a, c) => ({
+                    x: c,
+                    y: a
+                });
+    case "right":
+        return (a, c) => ({
+                    x: width - c,
+                    y: a
+                });
+    default:
+        return (a, c) => ({
+                    x: a,
+                    y: c
+                });
+    }
+}
+
+function num(value) {
+    return String(Math.round(value * 100) / 100);
+}
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/DankBar/BarSurface.qml b/quickshell/Modules/DankBar/BarSurface.qml
index 8126c96eb..a3dcf66a3 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/DankBar/BarSurface.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/DankBar/BarSurface.qml
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 import QtQuick
+import QtQuick.Shapes
 import qs.Common
 import qs.Services
 import qs.Modules.SurfaceWidgets
+import "BarOutline.js" as BarOutline
 
 Item {
     id: root
@@ -21,6 +23,14 @@ Item {
     readonly property bool edgeAttached: (barConfig?.attachToScreenEdge ?? false) && !frameShapesBar
     readonly property bool alongWings: !(barWindow.spansEdge ?? true)
     readonly property real wing: gothEnabled ? barWindow._wingR : 0
+    readonly property real windowLength: axis.isVertical ? barWindow.height : barWindow.width
+    readonly property string startSide: axis.isVertical ? "top" : "left"
+    readonly property string endSide: axis.isVertical ? "bottom" : "right"
+    readonly property var startNeighbour: alongWings ? null : ShellLayout.adjacentCover(barWindow.screen, startSide, barConfig, windowLength)
+    readonly property var endNeighbour: alongWings ? null : ShellLayout.adjacentCover(barWindow.screen, endSide, barConfig, windowLength)
+    readonly property real alongOrigin: axis.isVertical ? 0 : barWindow.effectiveSpacing
+    readonly property real startCover: coveredBy(startNeighbour)
+    readonly property real endCover: coveredBy(endNeighbour)
     readonly property real alongWing: alongWings ? wing : 0
     readonly property real crossWing: alongWings ? 0 : wing
     readonly property real rt: {
@@ -112,6 +122,12 @@ Item {
     anchors.topMargin: -(axis.isVertical ? alongWing : (isBottom ? crossWing : 0))
     anchors.bottomMargin: -(axis.isVertical ? alongWing : (isTop ? crossWing : 0))
 
+    function coveredBy(neighbour) {
+        if (!neighbour || neighbour.tucked)
+            return 0;
+        return Math.max(0, neighbour.reach - alongOrigin) + neighbour.wing;
+    }
+
     function alongWingCorner(leading) {
         switch (barPos) {
         case SettingsData.Position.Bottom:
@@ -202,7 +218,7 @@ Item {
         id: leadingWing
         radius: Math.max(0, motion.currentOffsetAlong)
         color: root.barWindow._bgColor
-        visible: root.gothEnabled && radius > 0
+        visible: root.gothEnabled && radius > 0 && root.startCover <= 0
         x: root.alongWings ? (root.axis.isVertical && root.isRight ? root.width - radius : 0) : (root.isLeft ? body.width : 0)
         y: root.alongWings ? (!root.axis.isVertical && root.isBottom ? root.height - radius : 0) : (root.isTop ? body.height : 0)
         corner: root.alongWings ? root.alongWingCorner(true) : root.isTop ? "bottomRight" : root.isBottom ? "topRight" : root.isLeft ? "bottomRight" : "bottomLeft"
@@ -212,30 +228,62 @@ Item {
         id: trailingWing
         radius: Math.max(0, motion.currentOffsetAlong)
         color: root.barWindow._bgColor
-        visible: root.gothEnabled && radius > 0
+        visible: root.gothEnabled && radius > 0 && root.endCover <= 0
         x: root.axis.isVertical ? (root.alongWings ? (root.isRight ? root.width - radius : 0) : (root.isLeft ? body.width : 0)) : root.width - radius
         y: root.axis.isVertical ? root.height - radius : (root.alongWings ? (root.isBottom ? root.height - radius : 0) : (root.isTop ? body.height : 0))
         corner: root.alongWings ? root.alongWingCorner(false) : root.isTop ? "bottomLeft" : root.isBottom ? "topLeft" : root.isLeft ? "topRight" : "topLeft"
     }
 
-    Rectangle {
+    Loader {
         id: border
         readonly property real thickness: Theme.snap(Math.max(Theme.outlineWidth, barConfig?.borderThickness ?? Theme.outlineWidth), CompositorService.getScreenScale(root.barWindow.screen))
         readonly property string colorKey: barConfig?.borderColor || "surfaceText"
         readonly property color baseColor: colorKey === "surfaceText" ? Theme.surfaceText : colorKey === "primary" ? Theme.primary : Theme.secondary
         readonly property bool showFullBorder: (barConfig?.spacing ?? 4) > 0
+        readonly property string path: BarOutline.borderPath({
+            position: root.axis.edge,
+            width: root.width,
+            height: root.height,
+            body: {
+                x: body.x,
+                y: body.y,
+                width: body.width,
+                height: body.height
+            },
+            corners: {
+                topLeft: body.topLeftRadius,
+                topRight: body.topRightRadius,
+                bottomLeft: body.bottomLeftRadius,
+                bottomRight: body.bottomRightRadius
+            },
+            wing: root.gothEnabled ? leadingWing.radius : 0,
+            alongWings: root.alongWings,
+            inset: thickness / 2,
+            open: !showFullBorder,
+            coverStart: root.startCover,
+            coverStartWing: root.startNeighbour?.wing ?? 0,
+            coverEnd: root.endCover,
+            coverEndWing: root.endNeighbour?.wing ?? 0,
+            seamStart: root.startNeighbour?.tucked ?? false,
+            seamEnd: root.endNeighbour?.tucked ?? false
+        })
         z: 100
-        visible: barConfig?.borderEnabled ?? false
-        x: body.x - (!showFullBorder && root.isRight ? thickness : 0)
-        y: body.y - (!showFullBorder && root.isBottom ? thickness : 0)
-        width: body.width + (!showFullBorder && (root.isLeft || root.isRight) ? thickness : 0)
-        height: body.height + (!showFullBorder && (root.isTop || root.isBottom) ? thickness : 0)
-        topLeftRadius: body.topLeftRadius
-        topRightRadius: body.topRightRadius
-        bottomLeftRadius: body.bottomLeftRadius
-        bottomRightRadius: body.bottomRightRadius
-        color: "transparent"
-        border.width: thickness
-        border.color: Theme.withAlpha(baseColor, barConfig?.borderOpacity ?? 1.0)
+        anchors.fill: parent
+        active: barConfig?.borderEnabled ?? false
+        sourceComponent: Shape {
+            preferredRendererType: Shape.CurveRenderer
+
+            ShapePath {
+                fillColor: "transparent"
+                strokeColor: Theme.withAlpha(border.baseColor, barConfig?.borderOpacity ?? 1.0)
+                strokeWidth: border.thickness
+                joinStyle: ShapePath.RoundJoin
+                capStyle: ShapePath.FlatCap
+
+                PathSvg {
+                    path: border.path
+                }
+            }
+        }
     }
 }
diff --git a/quickshell/Modules/DankBar/DankBarBody.qml b/quickshell/Modules/DankBar/DankBarBody.qml
index 7537f5d28..d6a9cee55 100644
--- a/quickshell/Modules/DankBar/DankBarBody.qml
+++ b/quickshell/Modules/DankBar/DankBarBody.qml
@@ -321,6 +321,8 @@ Item {
 
             if (hasBar && barBackground.gothEnabled && barWindow._wingR > 0) {
                 for (const wingItem of [barBackground.leadingWing, barBackground.trailingWing]) {
+                    if (!wingItem.visible)
+                        continue;
                     const wing = blurWingRegionComp.createObject(region, {
                         wing: wingItem
                     });