diff --git a/lib/bbs/application.rb b/lib/bbs/application.rb
index 8fbdc55..2f37c00 100644
--- a/lib/bbs/application.rb
+++ b/lib/bbs/application.rb
@@ -160,6 +160,14 @@ module BBS
     end
 
     def dispatch(event)
+      # An open menubar has priority — its keys (arrows, Enter, hotkeys, Esc)
+      # must beat any modal window's focused widget.
+      if @menubar&.open?
+        result = @menubar.handle_event(event)
+        return :halt if result == :halt
+        return nil if result
+      end
+
       # Modal windows: top window gets first shot at events
       if (win = top_window)
         result = win.handle_event(event)
@@ -171,10 +179,9 @@ module BBS
         return nil if result
       end
 
-      # Menubar handles Alt-letter / F10 / its own keys
+      # Menubar handles Alt-letter / F10 / its own keys when closed
       if @menubar
         result = @menubar.handle_event(event)
-        $stderr.puts "[app] menubar handle_event -> #{result.inspect}"
         return :halt if result == :halt
         return nil if result
       end
diff --git a/lib/bbs/menu.rb b/lib/bbs/menu.rb
index b8c8a38..3371613 100644
--- a/lib/bbs/menu.rb
+++ b/lib/bbs/menu.rb
@@ -120,9 +120,7 @@ module BBS
       when :escape, :f10
         close
       when :enter
-        r = activate_current
-        $stderr.puts "[menu] navigate enter -> #{r.inspect}"
-        return r
+        return activate_current
       else
         if event.char?
           activated = activate_by_hotkey(menu.items, event.key)
@@ -194,7 +192,6 @@ module BBS
       return :handled unless item && !item.separator && item.enabled != false
       close
       result = item.on_select&.call(item)
-      $stderr.puts "[menu] activate_current item=#{item.label.inspect} result=#{result.inspect}"
       @on_activate&.call(item)
       result == :halt ? :halt : :handled
     end