diff --git a/home/.config/herdr/config.toml b/home/.config/herdr/config.toml
index 1f0c732..9f29bce 100644
--- a/home/.config/herdr/config.toml
+++ b/home/.config/herdr/config.toml
@@ -12,3 +12,8 @@ workspace_picker = "prefix+w"
 goto             = "prefix+g"
 copy_mode  = "prefix+y"  # herdr's copy-mode entry key; copy-mode's own internal keys (v/space select, y/Enter copy, q/Esc cancel) aren't configurable
 
+[ui]
+# Disable Herdr's host mouse capture so a trackpad event can't tailgate a held
+# Escape and get it swallowed in the pane (e.g. Neovim stuck in insert mode).
+# Only effective together with the pane keeping mouse off (see nvim mouse below).
+mouse_capture = false
diff --git a/home/.config/nvim/lua/vim_config.lua b/home/.config/nvim/lua/vim_config.lua
index 12edb51..f574d1c 100644
--- a/home/.config/nvim/lua/vim_config.lua
+++ b/home/.config/nvim/lua/vim_config.lua
@@ -9,4 +9,5 @@ o.smartcase = true             -- case-sensitive only if i type a capital
 o.clipboard = 'unnamedplus'    -- share the system clipboard
 o.scrolloff = 16               -- keep cursor away from the screen edge
 o.undofile = true              -- persistent undo across sessions
+o.mouse = ''                   -- no mouse in nvim; also lets Herdr keep host mouse capture off so Escape isn't swallowed