diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index fc37d56..f980896 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -109,6 +109,11 @@ link "$DOTFILES/atuin/config.toml" "$HOME/.config/atuin/config.toml"
 
 link "$DOTFILES/starship/starship.toml" "$HOME/.config/starship.toml"
 
+# Saving from zellij's own configuration plugin (Ctrl-o c) rewrites config.kdl in place as a
+# ~650-line expansion of every default. Through the link that lands in the repo, where the
+# diff is at least visible and revertible -- but edit the tracked file instead.
+link "$DOTFILES/zellij/config.kdl" "$HOME/.config/zellij/config.kdl"
+
 # settings.json is generated, not linked. Claude Code writes into it, and a tracked file it
 # writes to needed a clean filter to keep `model` out of commits plus skip-worktree to silence
 # what the filter could not -- and skip-worktree makes git ignore the file outright, which is
diff --git a/zellij/config.kdl b/zellij/config.kdl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..40ed72c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zellij/config.kdl
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+// Locked by default: keystrokes go to whatever is running in the pane, not to zellij.
+// Ctrl-g unlocks.
+default_mode "locked"
+default_layout "compact"
+show_startup_tips false
+
+// A floating plugin pane only receives keyboard input while zellij is in locked mode
+// (zellij-org/zellij#4599), so the stock "SwitchToMode normal" ending each of these binds
+// leaves the session manager mouse-only -- it opens, it takes clicks, and it ignores the
+// keyboard. Landing back in locked is what lets typing reach the plugin. These are the only
+// keybinds overridden, so no clear-defaults here: everything else stays zellij's default.
+keybinds {
+    session {
+        bind "a" {
+            LaunchOrFocusPlugin "zellij:about" {
+                floating true
+                move_to_focused_tab true
+            }
+            SwitchToMode "locked"
+        }
+        bind "c" {
+            LaunchOrFocusPlugin "configuration" {
+                floating true
+                move_to_focused_tab true
+            }
+            SwitchToMode "locked"
+        }
+        bind "l" {
+            LaunchOrFocusPlugin "zellij:layout-manager" {
+                floating true
+                move_to_focused_tab true
+            }
+            SwitchToMode "locked"
+        }
+        bind "p" {
+            LaunchOrFocusPlugin "plugin-manager" {
+                floating true
+                move_to_focused_tab true
+            }
+            SwitchToMode "locked"
+        }
+        bind "s" {
+            LaunchOrFocusPlugin "zellij:share" {
+                floating true
+                move_to_focused_tab true
+            }
+            SwitchToMode "locked"
+        }
+        bind "w" {
+            LaunchOrFocusPlugin "session-manager" {
+                floating true
+                move_to_focused_tab true
+            }
+            SwitchToMode "locked"
+        }
+    }
+}