diff --git a/static/js/compare/index.js b/static/js/compare/index.js
index c8b4d8f3a..88b23e36b 100644
--- a/static/js/compare/index.js
+++ b/static/js/compare/index.js
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ import spinnerModule from '../spinner.js';
 import themeModule from '../theme.js';
 import presetsModule from '../presets.js';
 import markdownModule from '../markdown.js';
+import { bindMenuDismiss } from '../escMenuStack.js';
 
 var escapeHtml = uiModule.esc;
 
@@ -1062,6 +1063,7 @@ function _buildComparisonMarkdown() {
 }
 
 let _exportMenuEl = null;
+let _closeExportMenu = () => {};
 function _toggleExportMenu(btn) {
   if (_exportMenuEl) { _closeExportMenu(); return; }
   const r = btn.getBoundingClientRect();
@@ -1085,10 +1087,9 @@ function _toggleExportMenu(btn) {
   }
   document.body.appendChild(m);
   _exportMenuEl = m;
-  setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', _closeExportMenu, { once: true }), 0);
-}
-function _closeExportMenu() {
-  if (_exportMenuEl) { _exportMenuEl.remove(); _exportMenuEl = null; }
+  _closeExportMenu = bindMenuDismiss(m, () => {
+    if (_exportMenuEl) { _exportMenuEl.remove(); _exportMenuEl = null; }
+  }, (ev) => !m.contains(ev.target));
 }
 
 async function _exportCopyMarkdown(_btn) {
diff --git a/static/js/cookbook.js b/static/js/cookbook.js
index 43a3ad5d0..967557184 100644
--- a/static/js/cookbook.js
+++ b/static/js/cookbook.js
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ import {
   _fetchCachedModels, _cachedAllModels, _filterCachedList, _rerenderCachedModels, _deleteCachedModel,
 } from './cookbookServe.js';
 
+import { bindMenuDismiss, dismissOrRemove } from './escMenuStack.js';
+
 const STORAGE_KEY = 'cookbook-presets';
 const LAST_STATE_KEY = 'cookbook-last-state';
 const SERVE_STATE_KEY = 'cookbook-serve-state';
@@ -1514,7 +1516,7 @@ async function _fetchDependencies() {
 
     // Wire the installed-package menu.
     function _showDepMenu(anchor) {
-      document.querySelectorAll('.cookbook-dep-menu').forEach(d => d.remove());
+      document.querySelectorAll('.cookbook-dep-menu').forEach(dismissOrRemove);
       const row = anchor.closest('.cookbook-dep-row');
       if (!row) return;
       const pipName = row.dataset.depPip;
@@ -1535,7 +1537,7 @@ async function _fetchDependencies() {
       it.title = `Update ${pkgName} to the latest version (pip install -U)`;
       it.addEventListener('click', async (e) => {
         e.stopPropagation();
-        dropdown.remove();
+        close();
         await _installDep(pipName, pkgName, isLocalOnly, true, null);
       });
       dropdown.appendChild(it);
@@ -1563,19 +1565,14 @@ async function _fetchDependencies() {
         dropdown.appendChild(source);
       }
       document.body.appendChild(dropdown);
-      const close = (ev) => {
-        if (!dropdown.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== anchor && !anchor.contains(ev.target)) {
-          dropdown.remove();
-          document.removeEventListener('click', close, true);
-        }
-      };
-      setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', close, true), 10);
+      const close = bindMenuDismiss(dropdown, () => { dropdown.remove(); }, (ev) =>
+        !dropdown.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== anchor && !anchor.contains(ev.target));
     }
     list.querySelectorAll('.cookbook-dep-installed-btn').forEach(btn => {
       btn.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
         e.stopPropagation();
         if (document.querySelector('.cookbook-dep-menu')) {
-          document.querySelectorAll('.cookbook-dep-menu').forEach(d => d.remove());
+          document.querySelectorAll('.cookbook-dep-menu').forEach(dismissOrRemove);
           return;
         }
         _showDepMenu(btn);
diff --git a/static/js/document.js b/static/js/document.js
index f2e61f559..d4f67a8d9 100644
--- a/static/js/document.js
+++ b/static/js/document.js
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import spinnerModule from './spinner.js';
 import { openLibrary, closeLibrary, isLibraryOpen, initLibrary } from './documentLibrary.js';
 import signatureModule from './signature.js';
 import * as Modals from './modalManager.js';
+import { bindMenuDismiss, dismissOrRemove } from './escMenuStack.js';
 
   let API_BASE = '';
   let isOpen = false;
@@ -3331,7 +3332,10 @@ import * as Modals from './modalManager.js';
   let _docAiReplyChoiceMenu = null;
   function _closeDocAiReplyChoice() {
     if (_docAiReplyChoiceMenu) {
-      try { _docAiReplyChoiceMenu.remove(); } catch (_) {}
+      // Tear down through the menu's registered dismiss (drops its outside-click
+      // listener + Escape-stack entry) rather than orphaning them with a raw
+      // remove(); the onClose below nulls the ref.
+      try { dismissOrRemove(_docAiReplyChoiceMenu); } catch (_) {}
       _docAiReplyChoiceMenu = null;
     }
   }
@@ -3382,6 +3386,14 @@ import * as Modals from './modalManager.js';
     const noteInput = menu.querySelector('[data-note-input]');
     setTimeout(() => noteInput?.focus(), 0);
     menu.addEventListener('mousedown', (ev) => ev.stopPropagation());
+    document.body.appendChild(menu);
+    _docAiReplyChoiceMenu = menu;
+    // Outside-click AND Escape both route through the central esc-stack via
+    // bindMenuDismiss; onClose owns the actual teardown (node removal + state).
+    const close = bindMenuDismiss(menu, () => {
+      try { menu.remove(); } catch (_) {}
+      if (_docAiReplyChoiceMenu === menu) _docAiReplyChoiceMenu = null;
+    });
     menu.addEventListener('click', async (ev) => {
       const choice = ev.target.closest('[data-mode]');
       if (!choice) return;
@@ -3389,26 +3401,9 @@ import * as Modals from './modalManager.js';
       ev.stopPropagation();
       const mode = choice.getAttribute('data-mode') || 'ai-reply-fast';
       const noteHint = (noteInput?.value || '').trim();
-      _closeDocAiReplyChoice();
+      close();
       await _aiReply({ mode, noteHint });
     });
-    document.body.appendChild(menu);
-    _docAiReplyChoiceMenu = menu;
-    const outsideClose = (ev) => {
-      if (menu.contains(ev.target)) return;
-      document.removeEventListener('click', outsideClose, true);
-      _closeDocAiReplyChoice();
-    };
-    setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', outsideClose, true), 0);
-    // Esc to close.
-    const escClose = (ev) => {
-      if (ev.key === 'Escape') {
-        ev.stopPropagation();
-        document.removeEventListener('keydown', escClose, true);
-        _closeDocAiReplyChoice();
-      }
-    };
-    document.addEventListener('keydown', escClose, true);
   }
 
   async function _aiReply(opts = {}) {
@@ -8591,9 +8586,10 @@ import * as Modals from './modalManager.js';
 
   function showExportMenu(e, anchorRect) {
     if (e) e.stopPropagation();
-    // Remove existing menu if any
+    // Remove existing menu if any (toggle off) — tear it down through its
+    // registered dismiss so the outside-click listener + Escape-stack entry go.
     const existing = document.getElementById('doc-export-menu');
-    if (existing) { existing.remove(); return; }
+    if (existing) { dismissOrRemove(existing); return; }
 
     // Position from provided rect, clicked element, or fallback to language select
     const rect = anchorRect
@@ -8643,7 +8639,7 @@ import * as Modals from './modalManager.js';
       const item = document.createElement('button');
       item.className = 'doc-overflow-item';
       item.textContent = opt.label;
-      item.addEventListener('click', (ev) => { ev.stopPropagation(); menu.remove(); opt.fn(); });
+      item.addEventListener('click', (ev) => { ev.stopPropagation(); close(); opt.fn(); });
       menu.appendChild(item);
       if (opt._divider) {
         const sep = document.createElement('div');
@@ -8661,21 +8657,9 @@ import * as Modals from './modalManager.js';
       menu.style.top = 'auto';
       menu.style.bottom = (window.innerHeight - rect.top + 2) + 'px';
     }
-    const close = (ev) => {
-      if (ev && ev.type === 'keydown') {
-        if (ev.key !== 'Escape') return;
-        ev.preventDefault();
-        ev.stopPropagation();
-        ev.stopImmediatePropagation?.();
-      } else if (ev && menu.contains(ev.target)) {
-        return;
-      }
-      menu.remove();
-      document.removeEventListener('click', close);
-      document.removeEventListener('keydown', close, true);
-    };
-    setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', close), 100);
-    document.addEventListener('keydown', close, true);
+    // Outside-click AND Escape both route through the central esc-stack via
+    // bindMenuDismiss; onClose owns the actual node removal.
+    const close = bindMenuDismiss(menu, () => { menu.remove(); });
   }
 
   function exportAsHtml() {
diff --git a/static/js/emailInbox.js b/static/js/emailInbox.js
index 1b4d67a4e..8155df7ab 100644
--- a/static/js/emailInbox.js
+++ b/static/js/emailInbox.js
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { initEmailLibrary, openEmailLibrary, closeEmailLibrary, isOpen as isLibO
 import * as Modals from './modalManager.js';
 import { applyEdgeDock } from './modalSnap.js';
 import { buildReplyAllCc } from './emailLibrary/replyRecipients.js';
+import { bindMenuDismiss, dismissOrRemove } from './escMenuStack.js';
 
 const API_BASE = window.location.origin;
 const _acct = () => window.__odysseusActiveEmailAccount
@@ -915,7 +916,7 @@ async function _openEmail(em, itemEl, preloadedData = null, mode = 'reply', note
 }
 
 function _showEmailMenu(em, anchor, itemEl) {
-  document.querySelectorAll('.email-dropdown').forEach(d => d.remove());
+  document.querySelectorAll('.email-dropdown').forEach(dismissOrRemove);
 
   const dropdown = document.createElement('div');
   dropdown.className = 'dropdown email-dropdown show';
@@ -938,7 +939,7 @@ function _showEmailMenu(em, anchor, itemEl) {
         _showRemindSubmenu(em, dropdown);
         return;
       }
-      dropdown.remove();
+      close();
       a.action();
     });
     dropdown.appendChild(menuItem);
@@ -946,13 +947,7 @@ function _showEmailMenu(em, anchor, itemEl) {
 
   anchor.appendChild(dropdown);
 
-  const close = (e) => {
-    if (!dropdown.contains(e.target) && !anchor.contains(e.target)) {
-      dropdown.remove();
-      document.removeEventListener('click', close, true);
-    }
-  };
-  setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', close, true), 10);
+  const close = bindMenuDismiss(dropdown, () => { dropdown.remove(); }, (ev) => !dropdown.contains(ev.target) && !anchor.contains(ev.target));
 }
 
 // ---- Reminder submenu (creates a Note with a reminder for this email) ----
@@ -987,7 +982,7 @@ function _showRemindSubmenu(em, parentDropdown) {
     item.innerHTML = `<span>${p.label}</span><span style="margin-left:auto;opacity:0.5;font-size:10px;">${p.sub}</span>`;
     item.addEventListener('click', async (e) => {
       e.stopPropagation();
-      parentDropdown.remove();
+      dismissOrRemove(parentDropdown);
       await _createReplyReminder(em, p.date);
     });
     parentDropdown.appendChild(item);
@@ -997,7 +992,7 @@ function _showRemindSubmenu(em, parentDropdown) {
   customItem.innerHTML = '<span>Pick date and time…</span>';
   customItem.addEventListener('click', async (e) => {
     e.stopPropagation();
-    parentDropdown.remove();
+    dismissOrRemove(parentDropdown);
     const tmp = document.createElement('input');
     tmp.type = 'datetime-local';
     const def = new Date(tomorrow);
diff --git a/static/js/emailLibrary.js b/static/js/emailLibrary.js
index c38573e22..516bc932a 100644
--- a/static/js/emailLibrary.js
+++ b/static/js/emailLibrary.js
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import {
 } from './emailLibrary/signatureFold.js';
 import { state } from './emailLibrary/state.js';
 import { collapseSidebarToRail } from './modalSnap.js';
+import { bindMenuDismiss, dismissOrRemove } from './escMenuStack.js';
 
 const API_BASE = window.location.origin;
 let _emailUnreadChipClickWired = false;
@@ -5499,16 +5500,12 @@ function _showReaderMoreMenu(em, card, reader, anchor) {
   // Toggle: if a dropdown for THIS anchor is already open, close it.
   const existing = document.querySelector('.email-card-dropdown');
   if (existing && existing._anchor === anchor) {
-    existing.remove();
-    anchor.classList.remove('reader-more-active');
+    dismissOrRemove(existing);
     return;
   }
-  // Otherwise close any other open dropdown (and clear its anchor's active
-  // state) before opening a fresh one.
-  document.querySelectorAll('.email-card-dropdown').forEach(d => {
-    if (d._anchor) d._anchor.classList.remove('reader-more-active');
-    d.remove();
-  });
+  // Otherwise close any other open dropdown (its own teardown clears its
+  // anchor's active state) before opening a fresh one.
+  document.querySelectorAll('.email-card-dropdown').forEach(dismissOrRemove);
 
   const dropdown = document.createElement('div');
   dropdown.className = 'email-card-dropdown';
@@ -5721,8 +5718,7 @@ function _showReaderMoreMenu(em, card, reader, anchor) {
         _showLibRemindSubmenu(em, dropdown);
         return;
       }
-      dropdown.remove();
-      anchor.classList.remove('reader-more-active');
+      close();
       a.action();
     });
     dropdown.appendChild(item);
@@ -5735,25 +5731,20 @@ function _showReaderMoreMenu(em, card, reader, anchor) {
   cancelItem.innerHTML = _icon(_cancelIco) + '<span>Cancel</span>';
   cancelItem.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
     e.stopPropagation();
-    dropdown.remove();
-    anchor.classList.remove('reader-more-active');
+    close();
   });
   dropdown.appendChild(cancelItem);
 
   document.body.appendChild(dropdown);
   _fitEmailDropdown(dropdown, rect);
-  const close = (ev) => {
-    if (!dropdown.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== anchor) {
-      dropdown.remove();
-      anchor.classList.remove('reader-more-active');
-      document.removeEventListener('click', close, true);
-    }
-  };
-  setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', close, true), 10);
+  const close = bindMenuDismiss(dropdown, () => {
+    dropdown.remove();
+    anchor.classList.remove('reader-more-active');
+  }, (ev) => !dropdown.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== anchor);
 }
 
 function _showCardMenu(em, anchor) {
-  document.querySelectorAll('.email-card-dropdown').forEach(d => d.remove());
+  document.querySelectorAll('.email-card-dropdown').forEach(dismissOrRemove);
 
   const dropdown = document.createElement('div');
   dropdown.className = 'email-card-dropdown';
@@ -5918,8 +5909,7 @@ function _showCardMenu(em, anchor) {
         _showLibRemindSubmenu(em, dropdown);
         return;
       }
-      dropdown.remove();
-      anchor.classList.remove('reader-more-active');
+      close();
       a.action();
     });
     dropdown.appendChild(item);
@@ -5932,26 +5922,21 @@ function _showCardMenu(em, anchor) {
   cancelItem.innerHTML = _icon(_cancelIco) + '<span>Cancel</span>';
   cancelItem.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
     e.stopPropagation();
-    dropdown.remove();
-    anchor.classList.remove('reader-more-active');
+    close();
   });
   dropdown.appendChild(cancelItem);
 
   document.body.appendChild(dropdown);
   _fitEmailDropdown(dropdown, rect);
-  const close = (ev) => {
-    if (!dropdown.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== anchor) {
-      dropdown.remove();
-      anchor.classList.remove('reader-more-active');
-      document.removeEventListener('click', close, true);
-    }
-  };
-  setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', close, true), 10);
+  const close = bindMenuDismiss(dropdown, () => {
+    dropdown.remove();
+    anchor.classList.remove('reader-more-active');
+  }, (ev) => !dropdown.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== anchor);
 }
 
 // Bulk "Actions" dropdown for select mode — Delete is a separate visible button.
 function _showBulkActionsMenu(anchor) {
-  document.querySelectorAll('.email-card-dropdown').forEach(d => d.remove());
+  document.querySelectorAll('.email-card-dropdown').forEach(dismissOrRemove);
   const dropdown = document.createElement('div');
   dropdown.className = 'email-card-dropdown email-bulk-menu';
   const rect = anchor.getBoundingClientRect();
@@ -5968,7 +5953,7 @@ function _showBulkActionsMenu(anchor) {
     const it = document.createElement('div');
     it.className = 'dropdown-item-compact' + (a.danger ? ' dropdown-item-danger' : '');
     it.innerHTML = `<span class="dropdown-icon">${a.icon}</span><span>${a.label}</span>`;
-    it.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); dropdown.remove(); a.action(); });
+    it.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); close(); a.action(); });
     dropdown.appendChild(it);
   }
   // Mobile-only Cancel — matches the per-card and sidebar dropdowns.
@@ -5978,7 +5963,7 @@ function _showBulkActionsMenu(anchor) {
   cancelIt.innerHTML = `<span class="dropdown-icon">${_cancelIco2}</span><span>Cancel</span>`;
   cancelIt.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
     e.stopPropagation();
-    dropdown.remove();
+    close();
     // Cancel inside the bulk-Actions menu also exits select mode — matches the
     // documents bulk dropdown.
     state._selectMode = false;
@@ -5989,13 +5974,9 @@ function _showBulkActionsMenu(anchor) {
   dropdown.appendChild(cancelIt);
   document.body.appendChild(dropdown);
   _fitEmailDropdown(dropdown, rect);
-  const close = (ev) => {
-    if (!dropdown.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== anchor) {
-      dropdown.remove();
-      document.removeEventListener('click', close, true);
-    }
-  };
-  setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', close, true), 10);
+  const close = bindMenuDismiss(dropdown, () => {
+    dropdown.remove();
+  }, (ev) => !dropdown.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== anchor);
 }
 
 function _updateBulkBar() {
diff --git a/static/js/gallery.js b/static/js/gallery.js
index 1d35f6504..40a66a7ee 100644
--- a/static/js/gallery.js
+++ b/static/js/gallery.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import uiModule from './ui.js';
 import { openEditor, closeEditor, isEditorOpen } from './galleryEditor.js';
 import spinnerModule from './spinner.js';
 import { makeWindowDraggable } from './windowDrag.js';
+import { bindMenuDismiss, dismissOrRemove } from './escMenuStack.js';
 
 const API_BASE = window.location.origin;
 let _open = false;
@@ -2514,7 +2515,7 @@ export function openGallery() {
   // shares the exact same dropdown style/behaviour.
   const _bulkActionsBtn = document.getElementById('gallery-bulk-actions');
   function _showGalleryBulkMenu(anchor) {
-    document.querySelectorAll('.gallery-bulk-menu').forEach(d => d.remove());
+    document.querySelectorAll('.gallery-bulk-menu').forEach(dismissOrRemove);
     // Standard Odysseus dropdown (.dropdown + dropdown-item-compact) so it
     // matches every other menu in the app. Positioned fixed at the button.
     const dropdown = document.createElement('div');
@@ -2548,17 +2549,11 @@ export function openGallery() {
       const it = document.createElement('div');
       it.className = 'dropdown-item-compact' + (a.danger ? ' dropdown-item-danger' : '');
       it.innerHTML = `<span class="dropdown-icon">${a.icon}</span><span>${a.label}</span>`;
-      it.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); dropdown.remove(); a.action(); });
+      it.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); close(); a.action(); });
       dropdown.appendChild(it);
     }
     document.body.appendChild(dropdown);
-    const close = (ev) => {
-      if (!dropdown.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== anchor) {
-        dropdown.remove();
-        document.removeEventListener('click', close, true);
-      }
-    };
-    setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', close, true), 10);
+    const close = bindMenuDismiss(dropdown, () => { dropdown.remove(); }, (ev) => !dropdown.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== anchor);
   }
 
   _bulkActionsBtn?.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
@@ -2567,7 +2562,7 @@ export function openGallery() {
     // should close it. The outside-click handler explicitly skips clicks on
     // the anchor, so the button itself has to do its own dismiss.
     const existing = document.querySelector('.gallery-bulk-menu');
-    if (existing) { existing.remove(); return; }
+    if (existing) { dismissOrRemove(existing); return; }
     if (!_selectedIds().length) { uiModule.showToast('Select photos first'); return; }
     _showGalleryBulkMenu(e.currentTarget);
   });
diff --git a/static/js/notes.js b/static/js/notes.js
index e7e3a7ded..f19e350c4 100644
--- a/static/js/notes.js
+++ b/static/js/notes.js
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import { makeWindowDraggable } from './windowDrag.js';
 import { snapModalToZone } from './tileManager.js';
 import { applyEdgeDock, clearDockSide } from './modalSnap.js';
 import { topToolWindowZ } from './toolWindowZOrder.js';
+import { bindMenuDismiss, dismissOrRemove } from './escMenuStack.js';
 
 const API_BASE = window.location.origin;
 let _open = false;
@@ -3360,7 +3361,7 @@ function _buildForm(note = null) {
 
   function _pickCustomDate() {
     // Replace the dropdown menu with a small inline picker
-    document.querySelectorAll('.note-reminder-menu').forEach(m => m.remove());
+    document.querySelectorAll('.note-reminder-menu').forEach(dismissOrRemove);
     const menu = document.createElement('div');
     menu.className = 'note-reminder-menu';
     const initial = dueInput.value || _toLocalDatetimeStr(_tomorrowDate());
@@ -3394,14 +3395,11 @@ function _buildForm(note = null) {
     if (typeof dInput.showPicker === 'function') {
       try { dInput.showPicker(); } catch {}
     }
+    const close = bindMenuDismiss(menu, () => { menu.remove(); });
     menu.querySelector('.note-reminder-menu-confirm').addEventListener('click', () => {
       if (dInput.value) _setReminder(dInput.value);
-      menu.remove();
+      close();
     });
-    setTimeout(() => {
-      const close = (e) => { if (!menu.contains(e.target)) { menu.remove(); document.removeEventListener('click', close); } };
-      document.addEventListener('click', close);
-    }, 0);
   }
 
   if (remindBtn) remindBtn.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); _openReminderMenu(remindBtn, !!dueInput.value); });
@@ -4311,7 +4309,7 @@ function _serializeNoteForCopy(note) {
 // toast. Shared by the corner-copy button click and the Ctrl/Cmd+C shortcut.
 // ── ⋯ corner menu (Copy + Agent) ───────────────────────────────────
 function _openNoteCornerMenu(btn) {
-  document.querySelectorAll('.note-corner-menu-dropdown').forEach(d => d.remove());
+  document.querySelectorAll('.note-corner-menu-dropdown').forEach(dismissOrRemove);
   const id = btn.dataset.noteId;
   const note = _notes.find(n => n.id === id);
   if (!note) return;
@@ -4338,14 +4336,9 @@ function _openNoteCornerMenu(btn) {
   const below = window.innerHeight - r.bottom;
   const top = (below < mh + 8 && r.top > mh + 8) ? (r.top - mh - 4) : (r.bottom + 4);
   menu.style.cssText += `position:fixed;z-index:11000;top:${Math.round(top)}px;left:${Math.round(left)}px;`;
-  const close = (ev) => {
-    if (ev && menu.contains(ev.target)) return;
-    menu.remove();
-    document.removeEventListener('click', close, true);
-  };
-  setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', close, true), 0);
-  menu.querySelector('[data-act="copy"]').addEventListener('click', () => { menu.remove(); _copyNote(id, btn); });
-  menu.querySelector('[data-act="agent"]').addEventListener('click', () => { menu.remove(); _agentSolveNote(id); });
+  const close = bindMenuDismiss(menu, () => { menu.remove(); });
+  menu.querySelector('[data-act="copy"]').addEventListener('click', () => { close(); _copyNote(id, btn); });
+  menu.querySelector('[data-act="agent"]').addEventListener('click', () => { close(); _agentSolveNote(id); });
 }
 
 function _positionNoteMenu(menu, btn, width = 196) {
diff --git a/static/js/settings.js b/static/js/settings.js
index 1dbe7f6d7..8dbf1258e 100644
--- a/static/js/settings.js
+++ b/static/js/settings.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { clearDockSide } from './modalSnap.js';
 import { sortModelIds } from './modelSort.js';
 import { providerLogo } from './providers.js';
 import { isAltGrEvent } from './platform.js';
+import { bindMenuDismiss } from './escMenuStack.js';
 
 let initialized = false;
 let modalEl = null;
@@ -3838,7 +3839,10 @@ async function initUnifiedIntegrations() {
         if (lbl) lbl.textContent = text;
         if (ico) ico.innerHTML = _apiIconFor(k);
       };
-      const _close = () => { menu.style.display = 'none'; };
+      // Menu is reused (hidden, not recreated). close() hides it and tears down
+      // its outside-click listener + Escape-stack entry; bindMenuDismiss is
+      // re-registered fresh on each open (see _open).
+      let _close = () => { menu.style.display = 'none'; };
       const _open = () => {
         menu.style.display = 'block';
         const tRect = trig.getBoundingClientRect();
@@ -3847,8 +3851,7 @@ async function initUnifiedIntegrations() {
         const above = tRect.top;
         if (mRect.height > below && above > below) { menu.style.top = 'auto'; menu.style.bottom = 'calc(100% + 2px)'; }
         else { menu.style.top = 'calc(100% + 2px)'; menu.style.bottom = 'auto'; }
-        const onDoc = (ev) => { if (!menu.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== trig) { _close(); document.removeEventListener('click', onDoc, true); } };
-        setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', onDoc, true), 0);
+        _close = bindMenuDismiss(menu, () => { menu.style.display = 'none'; }, (ev) => !menu.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== trig);
       };
       trig.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); menu.style.display === 'block' ? _close() : _open(); });
       menu.querySelectorAll('.ufapi-option').forEach(btn => {
@@ -4584,7 +4587,10 @@ async function initUnifiedIntegrations() {
         if (labelEl) labelEl.textContent = lbl;
         if (iconEl) iconEl.innerHTML = PROV_LOGO[k] || _customLogo;
       };
-      const _closeMenu = () => { menu.style.display = 'none'; };
+      // Menu is reused (hidden, not recreated). _closeMenu hides it and tears
+      // down its outside-click listener + Escape-stack entry; bindMenuDismiss is
+      // re-registered fresh on each open (see _openMenu).
+      let _closeMenu = () => { menu.style.display = 'none'; };
       const _openMenu = () => {
         menu.style.display = 'block';
         // Drop-up when there's not enough room below the trigger.
@@ -4597,8 +4603,7 @@ async function initUnifiedIntegrations() {
         } else {
           menu.style.top = 'calc(100% + 2px)'; menu.style.bottom = 'auto';
         }
-        const onDoc = (ev) => { if (!menu.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== trigger) { _closeMenu(); document.removeEventListener('click', onDoc, true); } };
-        setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', onDoc, true), 0);
+        _closeMenu = bindMenuDismiss(menu, () => { menu.style.display = 'none'; }, (ev) => !menu.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== trigger);
       };
       trigger.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); menu.style.display === 'block' ? _closeMenu() : _openMenu(); });
       menu.querySelectorAll('.ufp-option').forEach(btn => {
@@ -5650,8 +5655,11 @@ async function initUnifiedIntegrations() {
       addBtn.parentElement.style.position = 'relative';
       addBtn.parentElement.classList.add('uf-add-anchor');
     }
+    // Menu is created per open and removed on close. _closeMenu routes through
+    // the bindMenuDismiss close() bound when the menu opens, so the outside-click
+    // listener + Escape-stack entry are torn down alongside the node removal.
     let _menuEl = null;
-    const _closeMenu = () => { if (_menuEl) { _menuEl.remove(); _menuEl = null; } };
+    let _closeMenu = () => {};
     addBtn.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
       e.stopPropagation();
       if (_menuEl) { _closeMenu(); return; }
@@ -5683,8 +5691,7 @@ async function initUnifiedIntegrations() {
           showForm(k, 'new');
         });
       });
-      const onDoc = (ev) => { if (!menu.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== addBtn) { _closeMenu(); document.removeEventListener('click', onDoc, true); } };
-      setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', onDoc, true), 0);
+      _closeMenu = bindMenuDismiss(menu, () => { menu.remove(); _menuEl = null; }, (ev) => !menu.contains(ev.target) && ev.target !== addBtn);
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/static/js/skills.js b/static/js/skills.js
index 44f7082b6..d60c933a2 100644
--- a/static/js/skills.js
+++ b/static/js/skills.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
 import uiModule from './ui.js';
 import * as spinnerModule from './spinner.js';
+import { bindMenuDismiss, dismissOrRemove } from './escMenuStack.js';
 
 const API = window.location.origin;
 let skills = [];
@@ -391,14 +392,14 @@ function _svg(paths, { fill = 'none', size = 13 } = {}) {
 // Kebab dropdown for a collapsed skill card — same actions + icons as the
 // expanded footer (Publish/Unpublish · Edit · Delete).
 function _openSkillMenu(btn, card, sk, name, isPublished) {
-  document.querySelectorAll('.skill-kebab-menu').forEach(m => m.remove());
+  document.querySelectorAll('.skill-kebab-menu').forEach(dismissOrRemove);
   const menu = document.createElement('div');
   menu.className = 'skill-kebab-menu';
   const mk = (paths, label, opts, onClick) => {
     const item = document.createElement('button');
     item.className = 'skill-kebab-item' + (opts && opts.danger ? ' danger' : '');
     item.innerHTML = _svg(paths, opts) + `<span>${label}</span>`;
-    item.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); menu.remove(); onClick(); });
+    item.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); close(); onClick(); });
     menu.appendChild(item);
   };
   if (isPublished) mk(_ICON.unpublish, 'Unpublish', {}, () => _setSkillStatus(name, 'draft'));
@@ -410,7 +411,7 @@ function _openSkillMenu(btn, card, sk, name, isPublished) {
   selItem.innerHTML = '<svg class="memory-select-btn-icon" width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" style="flex-shrink:0;"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10"/><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="3" fill="currentColor" stroke="none"/></svg><span>Select</span>';
   selItem.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
     e.stopPropagation();
-    menu.remove();
+    close();
     if (!_selectMode) _enterSelectMode();
     _selectedNames.add(name);
     renderSkillsList();
@@ -432,7 +433,7 @@ function _openSkillMenu(btn, card, sk, name, isPublished) {
   const cancelItem = document.createElement('button');
   cancelItem.className = 'skill-kebab-item dropdown-cancel-mobile';
   cancelItem.innerHTML = '<svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round"><line x1="18" y1="6" x2="6" y2="18"/><line x1="6" y1="6" x2="18" y2="18"/></svg><span>Cancel</span>';
-  cancelItem.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); menu.remove(); });
+  cancelItem.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); close(); });
   menu.appendChild(cancelItem);
 
   document.body.appendChild(menu);
@@ -453,8 +454,7 @@ function _openSkillMenu(btn, card, sk, name, isPublished) {
     menu.style.maxHeight = Math.max(80, window.innerHeight - 12 - mr2.top) + 'px';
     menu.style.overflowY = 'auto';
   }
-  const close = (ev) => { if (!menu.contains(ev.target)) { menu.remove(); document.removeEventListener('click', close, true); } };
-  setTimeout(() => document.addEventListener('click', close, true), 0);
+  const close = bindMenuDismiss(menu, () => { menu.remove(); }, (ev) => !menu.contains(ev.target));
 }
 
 // Cards for the agent's built-in tool capabilities (from
diff --git a/static/js/tasks.js b/static/js/tasks.js
index 2914389b9..e44d13034 100644
--- a/static/js/tasks.js
+++ b/static/js/tasks.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import * as spinnerModule from './spinner.js';
 import { makeWindowDraggable } from './windowDrag.js';
 import { sortModelIds } from './modelSort.js';
 import { ordinalSuffix } from './util/ordinal.js';
+import { bindMenuDismiss, dismissOrRemove } from './escMenuStack.js';
 
 const API_BASE = window.location.origin;
 let _open = false;
@@ -899,7 +900,7 @@ function _attachTaskLongPress(card, menuBtn) {
 
 function _showTaskDropdown(anchor, items) {
   // Remove any existing dropdown
-  document.querySelectorAll('.task-dropdown').forEach(d => d.remove());
+  document.querySelectorAll('.task-dropdown').forEach(dismissOrRemove);
   const dd = document.createElement('div');
   dd.className = 'task-dropdown';
   dd.style.cssText = 'position:fixed;z-index:100000;background:var(--panel);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:6px;box-shadow:0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);padding:4px;min-width:120px;';
@@ -914,7 +915,7 @@ function _showTaskDropdown(anchor, items) {
     }
     btn.addEventListener('mouseenter', () => { btn.style.background = 'color-mix(in srgb, var(--fg) 8%, transparent)'; });
     btn.addEventListener('mouseleave', () => { btn.style.background = 'none'; });
-    btn.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); dd.remove(); item.action(); });
+    btn.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); close(); item.action(); });
     dd.appendChild(btn);
   });
   document.body.appendChild(dd);
@@ -926,16 +927,13 @@ function _showTaskDropdown(anchor, items) {
   dd.style.top = top + 'px';
   dd.style.left = left + 'px';
   const openedAt = performance.now();
-  const close = (e) => {
+  const close = bindMenuDismiss(dd, () => { dd.remove(); }, (ev) => {
     // Ignore any clicks that occur within 250ms of the open (covers touch
     // "ghost click" duplicates that were firing right after pointerup and
-    // removing the dropdown before the user could see it).
-    if (performance.now() - openedAt < 250) return;
-    if (!dd.contains(e.target)) { dd.remove(); document.removeEventListener('click', close); }
-  };
-  // requestAnimationFrame so the listener is registered AFTER the current
-  // pointer/click event cycle has finished bubbling.
-  requestAnimationFrame(() => document.addEventListener('click', close));
+    // removing the dropdown before the user could see it) — treat as inside.
+    if (performance.now() - openedAt < 250) return false;
+    return !dd.contains(ev.target);
+  });
 }
 
 // ---- Presets ----