diff --git a/manager/assets/dashboard_styles.css b/manager/assets/dashboard_styles.css
index f1722c2..f45772c 100644
--- a/manager/assets/dashboard_styles.css
+++ b/manager/assets/dashboard_styles.css
@@ -36,7 +36,11 @@ a{color:inherit;text-decoration:none;}
 }
 .grid{
   display:grid;grid-template-columns:2.6fr 0.9fr;gap:1.4rem;align-items:start;
-  margin-block:auto;width:100%;
+  width:100%;
+  /* Bias content toward the top with a small, capped gap below the banner —
+     the remaining viewport slack falls below, so a few short rows no longer
+     float to mid-screen with a large empty band above. */
+  margin-top:clamp(0.5rem, 5vh, 2.5rem);
 }
 
 /* ---------- panels ---------- */
diff --git a/tests/manager_test/test_ui_redesign.py b/tests/manager_test/test_ui_redesign.py
index d50174e..a8ec9f8 100644
--- a/tests/manager_test/test_ui_redesign.py
+++ b/tests/manager_test/test_ui_redesign.py
@@ -176,10 +176,13 @@ def test_dashboard_grid_widens_services_and_fills_viewport():
     # Services hero is wider than the slim Notifications rail
     assert "grid-template-columns:2.6fr0.9fr" in css
     assert "grid-template-columns:1.85fr1fr" not in css
-    # Page fills the viewport height (minus the banner) and centers when short
+    # Page fills the viewport height (minus the banner); content is biased to
+    # the top with a small, capped gap (not centered, which floated the panels
+    # to mid-screen and left a large gap above on tall monitors).
     assert "min-height:calc(100vh-4rem)" in css
-    assert "margin-block:auto" in css
     assert "box-sizing:border-box" in css
+    assert "margin-block:auto" not in css  # no full-height vertical centering
+    assert "margin-top:clamp(" in css  # small capped top gap on .grid
 
 
 def test_notifications_panel_has_explanation():