diff --git a/web/src/components/ChatArea.tsx b/web/src/components/ChatArea.tsx
index af62f42..258616a 100644
--- a/web/src/components/ChatArea.tsx
+++ b/web/src/components/ChatArea.tsx
@@ -495,10 +495,8 @@ export function ChatArea() {
     inputEl.setSelectionRange(pos, pos);
   };
 
-  // ponytail: stable keydown handler via addEventListener avoids stale closure issues
+  // ponytail: window listener matches existing pattern in codebase (CommandDropdown, modals)
   useEffect(() => {
-    const el = inputRef.current;
-    if (!el) return;
     const handler = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
       if (e.ctrlKey && e.key === 'e') {
         e.preventDefault();
@@ -568,8 +566,8 @@ export function ChatArea() {
         setDropdownIndex(0);
       }
     };
-    el.addEventListener('keydown', handler);
-    return () => el.removeEventListener('keydown', handler);
+    window.addEventListener('keydown', handler);
+    return () => window.removeEventListener('keydown', handler);
   }, [members, currentUser, activeChannelId, sendMessage, replyToMessage, handleMentionSelect]);
 
   const handleSubmit = async (event: React.FormEvent) => {