diff --git a/web/views/timeline.ejs b/web/views/timeline.ejs
index 3229e5b..775de6a 100644
--- a/web/views/timeline.ejs
+++ b/web/views/timeline.ejs
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@
         }
         @media (min-width: 1024px) {
             .timeline-hero {
-                padding-top: 7.5rem;
-                padding-bottom: 3.25rem;   /* room between hero text and row 1 */
+                padding-top: 8.5rem;       /* clearance below the fixed nav */
+                padding-bottom: 1.75rem;   /* JS centering adds the rest of the hero→row1 gap */
             }
         }
 
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@
 
         @media (min-width: 1024px) {
             .timeline {
-                margin-top: 2.5rem;
+                margin-top: 1.5rem;   /* base; JS centering adds to this */
             }
             .timeline-grid {
                 grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@
             .timeline-node:nth-child(4)  { grid-area: 2 / 3; }
             .timeline-node:nth-child(5)  { grid-area: 2 / 2; }
             .timeline-node:nth-child(6)  { grid-area: 2 / 1; }
-            /* Static fallback gap before row 2; JS (applyFirstGap) overrides
+            /* Static fallback gap before row 2; JS (layoutFirstScreen) overrides
                this on desktop with a measured value so row 2 lands just below
                the fold on any viewport height. */
             .timeline-node:nth-child(4),
@@ -191,10 +191,10 @@
            already have that room, so they keep the roomier sizing above. */
         @media (min-width: 1024px) and (max-height: 1080px) {
             .timeline-hero {
-                padding-top: 4.5rem;
-                padding-bottom: 1.5rem;
+                padding-top: 6.5rem;       /* nav clearance on short screens */
+                padding-bottom: 1rem;
             }
-            .timeline { margin-top: 1rem; }
+            .timeline { margin-top: 0.75rem; }
             .timeline-card { padding: 1.85rem; }
             .timeline-title { font-size: 1.5rem; }
             .timeline-desc { font-size: 1.02rem; line-height: 1.6; }
@@ -479,27 +479,47 @@
             return { x: x, y: y };
         }
 
-        // Size the gap before row 2 so it sits just below the fold on load,
-        // measured from the real row-1 bottom and the real viewport height —
-        // no per-resolution magic numbers. Desktop (3-col) only.
-        function applyFirstGap() {
+        // Desktop layout pass: vertically centre row 1 + the comet's breathing
+        // band in the viewport (spare space split evenly above row 1 and below
+        // the comet), then push row 2 just under the fold so it stays hidden.
+        // This keeps the same balanced look on any viewport height — no
+        // per-resolution magic numbers.
+        var COMET_BAND = 90; // breathing room reserved below row 1 for the comet
+        function layoutFirstScreen() {
             var rowTwo = [nodes[3], nodes[4], nodes[5]].filter(Boolean);
+            // Reset both adjustables so we measure the natural layout each time.
+            timeline.style.marginTop = '';
+            rowTwo.forEach(function (n) { n.style.marginTop = ''; });
+            if (!window.matchMedia('(min-width: 1024px)').matches) return;
             if (!rowTwo.length) return;
-            if (!window.matchMedia('(min-width: 1024px)').matches) {
-                rowTwo.forEach(function (n) { n.style.marginTop = ''; });
-                return;
-            }
-            // Measure row 2's natural top with no extra gap (grid row gap only).
+
+            var vh = window.innerHeight;
             rowTwo.forEach(function (n) { n.style.marginTop = '0px'; });
-            var top = rowTwo[0].getBoundingClientRect().top + window.pageYOffset;
-            // +32 so the marker (which pokes ~1.8rem above the node) clears too.
-            var gap = Math.max(48, (window.innerHeight + 32) - top);
+
+            // Natural row-1 extent (tallest of the first three cards).
+            var row1Top = Infinity, row1Bottom = 0;
+            for (var k = 0; k < 3 && k < nodes.length; k++) {
+                var r = nodes[k].getBoundingClientRect();
+                row1Top = Math.min(row1Top, r.top);
+                row1Bottom = Math.max(row1Bottom, r.bottom);
+            }
+            var row1Height = row1Bottom - row1Top;
+
+            // Centre: half the leftover height goes above row 1, half below comet.
+            var spare = vh - row1Top - row1Height - COMET_BAND;
+            var topMargin = Math.max(0, spare * 0.5);
+            var base = parseFloat(getComputedStyle(timeline).marginTop) || 0;
+            timeline.style.marginTop = (base + topMargin) + 'px';
+
+            // After the shift, drop row 2 just under the fold (+40 clears its marker).
+            var row2Top = rowTwo[0].getBoundingClientRect().top;
+            var gap = Math.max(48, (vh + 40) - row2Top);
             rowTwo.forEach(function (n) { n.style.marginTop = gap + 'px'; });
         }
 
         function build() {
             _samples = null;
-            applyFirstGap();
+            layoutFirstScreen();
             // Use layout dimensions (not getBoundingClientRect) so the SVG
             // coordinate system matches the transform-independent getMarkerCenter.
             svg.setAttribute('viewBox', '0 0 ' + timeline.offsetWidth + ' ' + timeline.offsetHeight);
@@ -568,7 +588,7 @@
         // reveal line is the frontier. This keeps the comet just below the last
         // in-view card on load, then leading the draw as you scroll, instead of
         // jumping ahead off-screen.
-        var REVEAL_FRACTION = 0.82;
+        var REVEAL_FRACTION = 0.85;
         function frontierProgress() {
             if (!pathLength || !_samples) return state.progress;
             var revealY = window.innerHeight * REVEAL_FRACTION - timeline.getBoundingClientRect().top;