diff --git a/.claude/docs/ui.md b/.claude/docs/ui.md
index 1c07b75..1d1fc3f 100644
--- a/.claude/docs/ui.md
+++ b/.claude/docs/ui.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ RootUI (Control, fullscreen, always visible)
 │   └── GameMenuItemsTab
 ├── ChatBoxContainer
 │   └── InteractIndicator
-├── ModalBackdrop          ← shared backdrop; repositions dynamically
+├── ModalBackdrop          ← shared backdrop; z_index managed by FocusStack
 ├── PauseMenu
 │   ├── PauseMain
 │   └── PauseSettings
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ RootUI (Control, fullscreen, always visible)
 └── MainMenuConfirmDialog
 ```
 
-Child order matters — later siblings render on top. `ModalBackdrop` shifts its own position in the tree at runtime to sit just below whichever modal overlay is currently topmost (see [ModalBackdrop](#modalbackdrop)).
+Child order matters — later siblings render on top. `ModalBackdrop` stays at a fixed tree position; its `z_index` is driven automatically by the FocusStack (see [ModalBackdrop](#modalbackdrop)).
 
 `RootUI` is a permanent child of `RootScene` and registers itself with the `UI` singleton on `_enter_tree`. Access its children through the `UI` singleton.
 
@@ -33,24 +33,38 @@ Child order matters — later siblings render on top. `ModalBackdrop` shifts its
 | `UI.PAUSE_MENU` | `PauseMenu` | Pause overlay; also pauses the scene tree |
 | `UI.QUIT_DIALOG` | `QuitConfirmDialog` | "Quit to desktop?" confirm; call `.open()` to show |
 | `UI.MAIN_MENU_DIALOG` | `ConfirmDialog` | "Return to main menu?" confirm; call `.open()` to show |
-| `UI.BACKDROP` | `ModalBackdrop` | Shared semi-transparent backdrop; managed automatically |
+| `UI.FOCUS_STACK` | `UIFocusStack` | Ordered stack of open `ClosableMenu` layers; only the top layer processes input |
+| `UI.BACKDROP` | `ModalBackdrop` | Shared semi-transparent backdrop; driven by `FOCUS_STACK.activeLayerChanged` |
 | `UI.dialogueActive` | `bool` | `true` for the entire duration of a `DialogueAction` |
 | `UI.activeConversation` | `bool` | `true` only during a `CONVERSATION`-mode dialogue |
 | `UI.chatBoxContainer` | `Control` | Parent node for world-space dialogue textboxes |
 
-`dialogueActive` is set by `DialogueManager` signals — it is broader than any single textbox being visible. Movement blocks on `dialogueActive` and on `UI.GAME_MENU.isOpen()`.
+`dialogueActive` is set by `DialogueManager` signals — it is broader than any single textbox being visible. Movement and camera orbit block when `UI.FOCUS_STACK.top() != null` or `UI.activeConversation` is true.
 
 ## ClosableMenu
 
-Base class for any togglable panel. Extends `Control`; the `isOpen:bool` export drives `visible`.
+Base class for all togglable panels. Extends `Control`; the `isOpen:bool` export drives `visible`.
 
 ```gdscript
-menu.open()    # shows, emits opened
-menu.close()   # hides, emits closed
+menu.open()    # shows, pushes to FocusStack (if canClose), emits opened
+menu.close()   # pops from FocusStack (if canClose), hides, emits closed
 menu.toggle()
 ```
 
-Signals: `opened`, `closed`.
+**Key exports / properties:**
+
+| Name | Default | Notes |
+|---|---|---|
+| `isOpen:bool` | `false` | Property — read directly (`menu.isOpen`), not a method |
+| `canClose:bool` | `true` | When true, open/close interact with `UI.FOCUS_STACK` and input is only processed while on top. When false, the menu is passive — shown/hidden externally, never enters the stack. |
+
+**Signals:** `opened`, `closed`, `focusGained`, `focusLost`.
+
+**Focus management** (only relevant when `canClose = true`):
+- `_grabInitialFocus()` — virtual; override to place focus on the correct element on first open.
+- `_savedFocusNode` — focus owner is captured on `_onFocusLost()` and restored on `_onFocusGained()`, so pressing back from a sub-dialog returns focus to the button that opened it.
+- A `gui_focus_changed` focus trap runs while the layer is on top — if focus escapes to a node outside this layer, it is snapped back.
+- `set_process_unhandled_input(false)` is set in `_ready()` for canClose menus; input is only re-enabled via `_onFocusGained()` while the layer is on top of the stack.
 
 All new menus that need standard show/hide behaviour should extend `ClosableMenu`.
 
@@ -83,26 +97,20 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 1. Create a `.tscn` with `ConfirmDialog.gd` as script; set label text in the scene
 2. Add `btnYes`/`btnNo` node path exports pointing to your two buttons
 3. Add the instance to `RootUI.tscn` after `PauseMenu` (so it renders on top)
-4. Register it with the backdrop in `RootUI._ready()`: `modalBackdrop.register(myDialog)`
-5. Expose via `RootUI.gd` export + `UISingleton.gd` accessor if other systems need it
-6. Connect `myDialog.confirmed` wherever the action should fire
+4. Expose via `RootUI.gd` export + `UISingleton.gd` accessor if other systems need it
+5. Connect `myDialog.confirmed` wherever the action should fire
+
+No manual backdrop registration needed — `ModalBackdrop` activates automatically when any `ClosableMenu` in RootUI enters the FocusStack.
 
 ## ModalBackdrop
 
 `res://ui/component/ModalBackdrop.gd` — a single fullscreen semi-transparent `ColorRect` shared across all modal overlays.
 
-**How it works:** each registered overlay's `opened`/`closed` signals are connected. When any overlay opens, the backdrop becomes visible and `move_child()`s itself in the scene tree to sit immediately before the highest-index open overlay. When all overlays close, it hides.
+**How it works:** `ModalBackdrop` connects to `UI.FOCUS_STACK.activeLayerChanged` in `_ready()`. When a layer becomes active it checks whether that layer is a direct sibling (i.e. a child of RootUI). If yes: backdrop becomes visible, sets `mouse_filter = MOUSE_FILTER_STOP` (blocking all clicks on anything behind it), and sets `z_index = layer.z_index - 5`. If the top layer is from a different parent (e.g. settings inside the main menu scene), or the stack empties, the backdrop hides.
 
-**Result:** only one backdrop is ever visible, and it always sits between the game world (or lower overlays) and the frontmost open overlay — even when overlays are stacked (e.g. `QuitConfirmDialog` over `PauseMenu`).
+**Result:** only one backdrop is ever visible, it always renders between the game world and the frontmost RootUI-level overlay, and it blocks mouse events from reaching anything behind it.
 
-**Registering a new overlay:**
-
-```gdscript
-# In RootUI._ready() — overlay must be a direct child of RootUI and have opened/closed signals
-modalBackdrop.register(myOverlay)
-```
-
-`PauseMenu`, `QuitConfirmDialog`, and `MainMenuConfirmDialog` are all registered.
+No registration is required — `ModalBackdrop` is self-contained. Do not call `register()` on it.
 
 ## AdvancedRichText
 
@@ -130,15 +138,15 @@ JRPG-style in-game menu at `res://ui/gamemenu/`. Open with the `menu` input (**T
 
 Both tabs are populated dynamically on open; call `refresh()` on the active tab directly if data changes while the menu is already open.
 
-**Key methods on `GameMenu`:**
+**Key members on `GameMenu`:**
 
-| Method | Effect |
+| Member | Notes |
 |---|---|
-| `open()` | Shows menu, refreshes active tab, grabs sidebar focus |
-| `close()` | Hides menu |
-| `isOpen() -> bool` | Visibility state |
+| `open()` | Shows menu, refreshes active tab, pushes to FocusStack, grabs sidebar focus |
+| `close()` | Pops from FocusStack, hides menu |
+| `isOpen:bool` | Property — read directly, not a method |
 
-`ui_cancel` or `menu` closes the menu. The `menu` input opens it only when `UI.dialogueActive` is false and the textbox is closed.
+`ui_cancel` or `menu` closes the menu. `menu` is handled in `_input` (always fires) and opens the menu only when `UI.FOCUS_STACK.top() == null` and `UI.dialogueActive` is false.
 
 To add a new tab: add a value to `GameMenu.Tab`, create a tab scene/script under `ui/gamemenu/`, instance it in `GameMenu.tscn` as a sibling of the other tabs, add an `@export` for it in `GameMenu.gd`, and add the `match` branch in `_selectTab()`.
 
@@ -146,17 +154,18 @@ To add a new tab: add a value to `GameMenu.Tab`, create a tab scene/script under
 
 `PauseMenu` wraps `PauseMain` (button list) and `PauseSettings` (settings tabs). Opening it calls `get_tree().paused = true`; closing restores it.
 
-| Method | Effect |
+| Member | Notes |
 |---|---|
-| `PauseMenu.open()` | Pauses tree, shows container, opens PauseMain, emits `opened` |
-| `PauseMenu.close()` | Unpauses tree, hides everything, emits `closed` |
-| `PauseMenu.isOpen() -> bool` | Visibility state |
+| `PauseMenu.open()` | Pushes to FocusStack, pauses tree, opens PauseMain, emits `opened` |
+| `PauseMenu.close()` | Unpauses tree, closes sub-panels, pops from FocusStack, emits `closed` |
+| `PauseMenu.isOpen:bool` | Property — read directly, not a method |
 
 **`ui_cancel` behaviour inside PauseMenu:**
-- If `QuitConfirmDialog` or `MainMenuConfirmDialog` is open → ignored (the dialog handles it)
 - If `PauseSettings` is open → closes settings, reopens PauseMain
 - Otherwise → closes PauseMenu
 
+(`QuitConfirmDialog` and `MainMenuConfirmDialog` sit above PauseMenu on the FocusStack and consume `ui_cancel` themselves — PauseMenu's `_unhandled_input` does not fire while they are open.)
+
 **PauseMain buttons:**
 
 | Button | Behaviour |
@@ -166,9 +175,9 @@ To add a new tab: add a value to `GameMenu.Tab`, create a tab scene/script under
 | Main Menu | Opens `MainMenuConfirmDialog`; on confirm → `SCENE.setScene(INITIAL)` |
 | Quit Game | Opens `QuitConfirmDialog`; on confirm → `get_tree().quit()` |
 
-When either confirm dialog cancels, focus returns to the button that opened it.
+When either confirm dialog closes, focus automatically returns to the button that opened it via `_savedFocusNode` in the FocusStack.
 
-**Cannot open on main menu:** `Pause.gd` checks `SCENE.currentScene == INITIAL` and skips opening when already closed.
+**Cannot open on main menu:** `Pause.gd` checks `SCENE.currentScene == INITIAL` and skips opening.
 
 ## Main menu
 
@@ -204,7 +213,9 @@ Access via `UI.DEBUG_MENU`. Starts hidden.
 ## Adding a new menu
 
 1. Create a scene whose root extends `ClosableMenu` (or `Control` if open/close isn't needed)
-2. Add it as a child of `RootUI.tscn` — position after `PauseMenu` if it should render above it
-3. Export a typed reference on `RootUI.gd` and wire it in the Inspector
-4. Expose via a getter on `UISingleton.gd` if other systems need access (follow the `PAUSE_MENU` / `GAME_MENU` pattern)
-5. If it needs a backdrop, register it: `modalBackdrop.register(myMenu)` in `RootUI._ready()`
+2. Override `_grabInitialFocus()` to place focus on the first interactive element on open
+3. Add it as a child of `RootUI.tscn` — position after `PauseMenu` if it should render above it
+4. Export a typed reference on `RootUI.gd` and wire it in the Inspector
+5. Expose via a getter on `UISingleton.gd` if other systems need access (follow the `PAUSE_MENU` / `GAME_MENU` pattern)
+
+`ModalBackdrop` activates automatically for any `ClosableMenu` that is a direct child of `RootUI`. No registration step needed. Internal sub-panels (like `PauseSettings`) should extend `Control` directly and not enter the FocusStack.
diff --git a/ui/component/ClosableMenu.gd b/ui/component/ClosableMenu.gd
index 43e8891..08f45e6 100644
--- a/ui/component/ClosableMenu.gd
+++ b/ui/component/ClosableMenu.gd
@@ -67,6 +67,11 @@ func _onFocusLost() -> void:
 func _onViewportFocusChanged(control:Control) -> void:
   if control == null or is_ancestor_of(control):
     return
+  var node:Node = control
+  while node != null:
+    if node is Popup:
+      return
+    node = node.get_parent()
   if _savedFocusNode != null and is_instance_valid(_savedFocusNode):
     _savedFocusNode.grab_focus()
   else:
diff --git a/ui/component/TabMenu.gd b/ui/component/TabMenu.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b01080a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/component/TabMenu.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+class_name TabMenu extends Control
+
+@export var tabs:TabBar
+@export var tabControls:Array[Control]
+
+func _ready() -> void:
+  tabs.tab_changed.connect(_onTabChanged)
+  _onTabChanged(tabs.current_tab)
+
+func _notification(what:int) -> void:
+  if what == NOTIFICATION_VISIBILITY_CHANGED and visible:
+    tabs.grab_focus()
+
+func _input(event:InputEvent) -> void:
+  if !is_visible_in_tree():
+    return
+  if event.is_action_pressed("tab_next"):
+    tabs.current_tab = (tabs.current_tab + 1) % tabs.tab_count
+    get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
+  elif event.is_action_pressed("tab_prev"):
+    tabs.current_tab = (tabs.current_tab - 1 + tabs.tab_count) % tabs.tab_count
+    get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
+  elif tabs.has_focus() and event.is_action_pressed("ui_accept"):
+    var idx:int = tabs.current_tab
+    if idx >= 0 and idx < tabControls.size() and _focusFirstIn(tabControls[idx]):
+      get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
+
+func _onTabChanged(tabIndex:int) -> void:
+  for control in tabControls:
+    control.visible = false
+  if tabIndex >= 0 and tabIndex < tabControls.size():
+    tabControls[tabIndex].visible = true
+
+func _focusFirstIn(container:Control) -> bool:
+  for child in container.get_children():
+    if not child is Control:
+      continue
+    if child.focus_mode != Control.FOCUS_NONE and child.is_visible_in_tree():
+      child.grab_focus()
+      return true
+    if _focusFirstIn(child):
+      return true
+  return false
diff --git a/ui/component/TabMenu.gd.uid b/ui/component/TabMenu.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77775cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/component/TabMenu.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://dacm5qwmmkcsm
diff --git a/ui/pause/PauseMain.gd b/ui/pause/PauseMain.gd
index baef3cc..ea0668b 100644
--- a/ui/pause/PauseMain.gd
+++ b/ui/pause/PauseMain.gd
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ func _ready() -> void:
   btnSettings.pressed.connect(settingsRequested.emit)
   btnMainMenu.pressed.connect(_showMainMenuConfirm)
   btnQuit.pressed.connect(_showQuitConfirm)
-  UI.QUIT_DIALOG.closed.connect(_onQuitDialogClosed)
-  UI.MAIN_MENU_DIALOG.closed.connect(_onMainMenuDialogClosed)
 
 func _showQuitConfirm() -> void:
   UI.QUIT_DIALOG.open()
@@ -23,14 +21,6 @@ func _showQuitConfirm() -> void:
 func _showMainMenuConfirm() -> void:
   UI.MAIN_MENU_DIALOG.open()
 
-func _onQuitDialogClosed() -> void:
-  if isOpen():
-    btnQuit.grab_focus()
-
-func _onMainMenuDialogClosed() -> void:
-  if isOpen():
-    btnMainMenu.grab_focus()
-
 func open() -> void:
   visible = true
   btnResume.grab_focus()
diff --git a/ui/settings/SettingsMenu.gd b/ui/settings/SettingsMenu.gd
index f3c9770..1d03bea 100644
--- a/ui/settings/SettingsMenu.gd
+++ b/ui/settings/SettingsMenu.gd
@@ -1,9 +1,7 @@
-class_name SettingsMenu extends Control
+class_name SettingsMenu extends TabMenu
 
 const TEXT_SPEED_VALUES:Array[float] = [0.2, 1.0, 2.0]
 
-@export var tabs:TabBar
-@export var tabControls:Array[Control]
 @export var checkInvertX:CheckBox
 @export var checkInvertY:CheckBox
 @export var sliderControllerSpeed:HSlider
@@ -11,7 +9,7 @@ const TEXT_SPEED_VALUES:Array[float] = [0.2, 1.0, 2.0]
 @export var optionTextSpeed:OptionButton
 
 func _ready() -> void:
-  tabs.tab_changed.connect(onTabChanged)
+  super._ready()
   checkInvertX.button_pressed = SETTINGS.invertCameraX
   checkInvertY.button_pressed = SETTINGS.invertCameraY
   checkInvertX.toggled.connect(func(v:bool): SETTINGS.invertCameraX = v)
@@ -22,39 +20,9 @@ func _ready() -> void:
   sliderMouseSpeed.value_changed.connect(func(v:float): SETTINGS.cameraSpeedMouse = v)
   optionTextSpeed.select(_textSpeedToIndex(SETTINGS.textSpeed))
   optionTextSpeed.item_selected.connect(func(idx:int): SETTINGS.textSpeed = TEXT_SPEED_VALUES[idx])
-  onTabChanged(tabs.current_tab)
 
 func _textSpeedToIndex(speed:float) -> int:
   match speed:
     0.2: return 0
     2.0: return 2
     _: return 1
-
-func _notification(what:int) -> void:
-  if what == NOTIFICATION_VISIBILITY_CHANGED and visible:
-    tabs.grab_focus()
-
-func _input(event:InputEvent) -> void:
-  if !is_visible_in_tree():
-    return
-  if event.is_action_pressed("tab_next"):
-    tabs.current_tab = (tabs.current_tab + 1) % tabs.tab_count
-    get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
-  elif event.is_action_pressed("tab_prev"):
-    tabs.current_tab = (tabs.current_tab - 1 + tabs.tab_count) % tabs.tab_count
-    get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
-
-func onTabChanged(tabIndex:int) -> void:
-  for control in tabControls:
-    control.visible = false
-  if tabIndex >= 0 and tabIndex < tabControls.size():
-    tabControls[tabIndex].visible = true
-    _focusFirstIn(tabControls[tabIndex])
-
-func _focusFirstIn(container:Control) -> void:
-  if !is_visible_in_tree():
-    return
-  for child in container.get_children():
-    if child is Control and child.focus_mode != Control.FOCUS_NONE:
-      child.grab_focus()
-      return