diff --git a/src/__tests__/settings/settingsModal.test.tsx b/src/__tests__/settings/settingsModal.test.tsx
index 8c4edd2d9..1f3d00f87 100644
--- a/src/__tests__/settings/settingsModal.test.tsx
+++ b/src/__tests__/settings/settingsModal.test.tsx
@@ -186,6 +186,16 @@ describe('SettingsModal — backdrop', () => {
     fireEvent.click(backdrop)
     expect(useEditorStore.getState().isSettingsOpen).toBe(false)
   })
+
+  it('clicking the Esc keycap closes the modal it advertises', () => {
+    // The keycap depresses on `:active` like every other `Kbd`, and sits
+    // beside the word "close". It used to be inert markup, so clicking it
+    // played the press animation and did nothing.
+    openModal()
+    render(<SettingsModal />)
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /esc\s*close/i }))
+    expect(useEditorStore.getState().isSettingsOpen).toBe(false)
+  })
 })
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/admin/modals/Settings/SettingsModal.module.css b/src/admin/modals/Settings/SettingsModal.module.css
index e742e38e9..a75c12277 100644
--- a/src/admin/modals/Settings/SettingsModal.module.css
+++ b/src/admin/modals/Settings/SettingsModal.module.css
@@ -163,11 +163,19 @@
   border-top: 1px solid var(--overlay-10);
 }
 
+/* Sits on the footer's close Button. Keeps the row reading as a quiet hint
+   rather than a control — the keycap already carries the affordance — while
+   the element underneath is a real button. `justify-content: start` because a
+   Button centres its content by default and this row aligns with the nav
+   above it. */
 .shortcutHint {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
+  justify-content: start;
   gap: var(--space-xs);
   flex-wrap: wrap;
+  width: 100%;
+  padding: 0;
   color: var(--text-subtle);
   font-size: var(--text-s);
 }
diff --git a/src/admin/modals/Settings/SettingsModal.tsx b/src/admin/modals/Settings/SettingsModal.tsx
index e5cfabd13..b564d127d 100644
--- a/src/admin/modals/Settings/SettingsModal.tsx
+++ b/src/admin/modals/Settings/SettingsModal.tsx
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
  * Shares the visual language of the Spotlight palette and the Module
  * Inserter: a direct-token panel shell, an `--bg-surface-2` rail with
  * categorical accent icon chips, an accent-bar section header, and a
- * shared `Esc` keycap affordance (backdrop click / Esc both close — there
- * is no dedicated close button, matching the other two modals).
+ * shared `Esc` keycap affordance, which is also the close button — backdrop
+ * click and Esc close it too.
  *
  * Guideline #225 (Modal Shell Requirements, WCAG 2.1 AA):
  * - role="dialog" + aria-modal="true" + aria-labelledby
@@ -230,11 +230,22 @@ export function SettingsModal() {
 
             <div className={s.railSpring} />
 
-            <div className={s.shortcutFooter} aria-label="Settings keyboard shortcuts">
-              <div className={s.shortcutHint}>
+            {/* The keycap reads as a button — it depresses on :active like every
+                other `Kbd` — so it has to behave like one. It was a hint beside
+                the word "close", which meant clicking it played the press
+                animation and did nothing, and the pointer over the label turned
+                into a text caret. Backdrop click and Esc still work; this just
+                stops the affordance lying about itself. */}
+            <div className={s.shortcutFooter}>
+              <Button
+                variant="ghost"
+                size="sm"
+                onClick={handleClose}
+                className={s.shortcutHint}
+              >
                 <Kbd>Esc</Kbd>
                 <span>close</span>
-              </div>
+              </Button>
             </div>
           </div>