diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 49e88b821..1035b76e5 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ CLEANFILES = tmux.1.mdoc tmux.1.man cmd-parse.c
 
 # Distribution tarball options.
 EXTRA_DIST = \
-	CHANGES README README.ja COPYING example_tmux.conf \
+	CHANGES README COPYING example_tmux.conf \
 	osdep-*.c mdoc2man.awk tmux.1
 dist_EXTRA_tmux_SOURCES = compat/*.[ch]
 
diff --git a/README.ja b/README.ja
deleted file mode 100644
index 3d3d0b43c..000000000
--- a/README.ja
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,62 +0,0 @@
-tmuxへようこそ!
-
-tmuxはターミナルマルチプレクサーです。複数のターミナルを一つのスクリーン内に作成し、操作することができます。
-バックグラウンドで処理を実行中に一度スクリーンから離れて後から復帰することも可能です。
-
-OpenBSD、FreeBSD、NetBSD、Linux、macOS、Solarisで実行できます。
-
-tmuxはlibevent 2.x.に依存します。 下記からダウンロードしてください。
-
-	http://libevent.org
-
-また、ncursesも必要です。こちらからどうぞ。
-
-	http://invisible-island.net/ncurses/
-
-tarballでのtmuxのビルドとインストール方法。
-
-	$ ./configure && make
-	$ sudo make install
-
-tmuxはutmp(5)をアップデートするためにutempterを使うことができます。もしインストール済みであればオプション「--enable-utempter」をつけて実行してください。
-
-リポジトリから最新バージョンを手に入れるためには下記を実行。
-
-	$ git clone https://github.com/tmux/tmux.git
-	$ cd tmux
-	$ sh autogen.sh
-	$ ./configure && make
-
-(ビルドのためにはlibevent、ncurses libraries、headersに加えて、C compiler、make、autoconf、automake、pkg-configが必要です。)
-
-詳しい情報はhttp://git-scm.comをご覧ください。修正はメール<tmux-users@googlegroups.com>宛、もしくはhttps://github.com/tmux/tmux/issuesにて受け付けています。
-
-tmuxのドキュメントについてはtmux.1マニュアルをご覧ください。こちらのコマンドで参照可能です。
-
-	$ nroff -mdoc tmux.1|less
-
-サンプル設定は本リポジトリのexample_tmux.confに
-また、bash-completionファイルは下記にあります。
-
-	https://github.com/scop/bash-completion/blob/main/completions/tmux
-
-「-v」や「-vv」を指定することでデバッグモードでの起動が可能です。カレントディレクトリにサーバーやクライアントのログファイルが生成されます。
-
-議論やバグレポート用のメーリングリストにはこちらから参加可能です。
-
-	https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/tmux-users
-
-gitコミットについての連絡先
-
-	https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/tmux-git
-
-購読は<tmux-users+subscribe@googlegroups.com>までメールをお願いします。
-
-バグレポートや機能追加(特にコードへの貢献)は大歓迎です。こちらにご連絡ください。
-
-	tmux-users@googlegroups.com
-
-本ファイル、CHANGES、 FAQ、SYNCING.mdそしてTODOはISC licenseで保護されています。
-その他のファイルのライセンスや著作権については、ファイルの上部に明記されています。
-
--- Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
diff --git a/cmd-break-pane.c b/cmd-break-pane.c
index dcc5a6af4..4fe6397c9 100644
--- a/cmd-break-pane.c
+++ b/cmd-break-pane.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: cmd-break-pane.c,v 1.73 2026/07/13 13:01:14 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: cmd-break-pane.c,v 1.74 2026/07/15 13:02:33 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2009 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -103,6 +103,11 @@ cmd_break_pane_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	int			 idx = target->idx, before, old_idx = wl->idx;
 	const char		*template, *name = args_get(args, 'n');
 
+	if (wp == w->modal) {
+		cmdq_error(item, "pane is modal");
+		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
+	}
+
 	if (args_has(args, 'W'))
 		return (cmd_break_pane_float(item, args, w, wp));
 
diff --git a/cmd-join-pane.c b/cmd-join-pane.c
index 659f3bee0..1a1a0d8b8 100644
--- a/cmd-join-pane.c
+++ b/cmd-join-pane.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: cmd-join-pane.c,v 1.71 2026/07/13 13:01:14 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: cmd-join-pane.c,v 1.72 2026/07/15 13:02:33 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2011 George Nachman <tmux@georgester.com>
@@ -424,7 +424,6 @@ cmd_join_pane_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	dst_wp = target->wp;
 	dst_w = dst_wl->window;
 	dst_idx = dst_wl->idx;
-	server_unzoom_window(dst_w);
 
 	if (cmd_get_entry(self) == &cmd_move_pane_entry) {
 		if (args_has(args, 'M'))
@@ -433,22 +432,35 @@ cmd_join_pane_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 			cmdq_error(item, "pane is not floating");
 			return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
 		}
-		if ((s = args_get(args, 'P')) != NULL)
+		if ((s = args_get(args, 'P')) != NULL) {
+			server_unzoom_window(dst_w);
 			return (cmd_join_pane_place(item, dst_wl, dst_wp, s));
-		if ((s = args_get(args, 'z')) != NULL)
+		}
+		if ((s = args_get(args, 'z')) != NULL) {
+			server_unzoom_window(dst_w);
 			return (cmd_join_pane_zindex(item, dst_wl, dst_wp, s));
+		}
 		if (args_has(args, 'X') ||
 		    args_has(args, 'Y') ||
 		    args_has(args, 'U') ||
 		    args_has(args, 'D') ||
 		    args_has(args, 'L') ||
-		    args_has(args, 'R'))
+		    args_has(args, 'R')) {
+			server_unzoom_window(dst_w);
 			return (cmd_join_pane_move(item, args, dst_wl, dst_wp));
+		}
 	}
 
 	src_wl = source->wl;
 	src_wp = source->wp;
 	src_w = src_wl->window;
+
+	if (src_wp == src_w->modal || dst_wp == dst_w->modal) {
+		cmdq_error(item, "pane is modal");
+		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
+	}
+
+	server_unzoom_window(dst_w);
 	server_unzoom_window(src_w);
 
 	if (src_wp == dst_wp) {
diff --git a/cmd-split-window.c b/cmd-split-window.c
index 5de8a6755..9131ee720 100644
--- a/cmd-split-window.c
+++ b/cmd-split-window.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: cmd-split-window.c,v 1.144 2026/07/14 15:06:54 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: cmd-split-window.c,v 1.145 2026/07/15 13:02:33 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2009 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ const struct cmd_entry cmd_new_pane_entry = {
 	.name = "new-pane",
 	.alias = "newp",
 
-	.args = { "bB:c:de:EfF:hIkl:LMm:p:PR:s:S:t:T:vWx:X:y:Y:Z", 0, -1, NULL },
-	.usage = "[-bdefhIklMPvWZ] [-B border-lines] "
+	.args = { "bB:c:de:EfF:hIkl:LMm:Op:PR:s:S:t:T:vWx:X:y:Y:Z", 0, -1, NULL },
+	.usage = "[-bdefhIklMOPvWZ] [-B border-lines] "
 		 "[-c start-directory] [-e environment] "
 		 "[-F format] [-l size] [-m message] [-p percentage] "
 		 "[-s style] [-S active-border-style] "
@@ -103,6 +103,17 @@ cmd_split_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		flags |= SPAWN_SPLIT;
 	}
 
+	if (args_has(args, 'O')) {
+		if (!is_floating) {
+			cmdq_error(item, "modal pane must be floating");
+			return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
+		}
+		if (w->modal != NULL) {
+			cmdq_error(item, "window already has a modal pane");
+			return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
+		}
+	}
+
 	if (args_has(args, 'M') && is_floating) {
 		if (event == NULL || !event->m.valid || tc == NULL)
 			return (CMD_RETURN_NORMAL);
@@ -120,6 +131,8 @@ cmd_split_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 		flags |= SPAWN_DETACHED;
 	if (args_has(args, 'Z'))
 		flags |= SPAWN_ZOOM;
+	if (args_has(args, 'O'))
+		flags |= SPAWN_MODAL;
 
 	input = args_has(args, 'I');
 	if (input || (count == 1 && *args_string(args, 0) == '\0'))
@@ -255,7 +268,7 @@ cmd_split_window_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	if (~flags & SPAWN_DETACHED)
 		cmd_find_from_winlink_pane(current, wl, new_wp, 0);
 
-	if (~flags & SPAWN_FLOATING) {
+	if ((~flags & SPAWN_FLOATING) && !args_has(args, 'O')) {
 		window_pop_zoom(wp->window);
 		server_redraw_window(wp->window);
 	}
@@ -306,7 +319,8 @@ fail:
 		if (!is_floating)
 			layout_close_pane(new_wp);
 		window_remove_pane(wp->window, new_wp);
-	}
+	} else if (args_has(args, 'O'))
+		window_pop_modal_zoom(wp->window);
 	if (sc.argv != NULL)
 		cmd_free_argv(sc.argc, sc.argv);
 	environ_free(sc.environ);
diff --git a/cmd-swap-pane.c b/cmd-swap-pane.c
index b2e53f315..04e1cc7a9 100644
--- a/cmd-swap-pane.c
+++ b/cmd-swap-pane.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: cmd-swap-pane.c,v 1.54 2026/07/13 13:01:14 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: cmd-swap-pane.c,v 1.55 2026/07/15 13:02:33 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2009 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -77,6 +77,11 @@ cmd_swap_pane_exec(struct cmd *self, struct cmdq_item *item)
 	src_wp = source->wp;
 	src_idx = source->wl->idx;
 
+	if (src_wp == src_w->modal || dst_wp == dst_w->modal) {
+		cmdq_error(item, "pane is modal");
+		return (CMD_RETURN_ERROR);
+	}
+
 	if (window_push_zoom(dst_w, 0, args_has(args, 'Z')))
 		server_redraw_window(dst_w);
 
diff --git a/cmd.c b/cmd.c
index 97858447c..2378a75ab 100644
--- a/cmd.c
+++ b/cmd.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: cmd.c,v 1.187 2026/07/13 09:37:39 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: cmd.c,v 1.188 2026/07/15 13:02:33 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2007 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -633,6 +633,8 @@ cmd_mouse_pane(struct mouse_event *m, struct session **sp,
 		if (!window_has_pane(wl->window, wp))
 			return (NULL);
 	}
+	if (wl->window->modal != NULL && wp != wl->window->modal)
+		return (NULL);
 
 	if (wlp != NULL)
 		*wlp = wl;
diff --git a/format.c b/format.c
index fc01cfc74..3b5d3c421 100644
--- a/format.c
+++ b/format.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: format.c,v 1.404 2026/07/14 15:06:54 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: format.c,v 1.405 2026/07/15 13:02:33 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2011 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -1088,6 +1088,20 @@ format_cb_pane_floating_flag(struct format_tree *ft)
 	return (NULL);
 }
 
+/* Callback for pane_modal_flag. */
+static void *
+format_cb_pane_modal_flag(struct format_tree *ft)
+{
+	struct window_pane	*wp = ft->wp;
+
+	if (wp != NULL) {
+		if (wp == wp->window->modal)
+			return (xstrdup("1"));
+		return (xstrdup("0"));
+	}
+	return (NULL);
+}
+
 /* Callback for pane_bg. */
 static void *
 format_cb_pane_bg(struct format_tree *ft)
@@ -3102,6 +3116,15 @@ format_cb_window_marked_flag(struct format_tree *ft)
 	return (NULL);
 }
 
+/* Callback for window_modal_pane. */
+static void *
+format_cb_window_modal_pane(struct format_tree *ft)
+{
+	if (ft->w != NULL && ft->w->modal != NULL)
+		return (format_printf("%%%u", ft->w->modal->id));
+	return (NULL);
+}
+
 /* Callback for window_name. */
 static void *
 format_cb_window_name(struct format_tree *ft)
@@ -3684,6 +3707,9 @@ static const struct format_table_entry format_table[] = {
 	{ "pane_marked_set", FORMAT_TABLE_STRING,
 	  format_cb_pane_marked_set
 	},
+	{ "pane_modal_flag", FORMAT_TABLE_STRING,
+	  format_cb_pane_modal_flag
+	},
 	{ "pane_mode", FORMAT_TABLE_STRING,
 	  format_cb_pane_mode
 	},
@@ -3942,6 +3968,9 @@ static const struct format_table_entry format_table[] = {
 	{ "window_marked_flag", FORMAT_TABLE_STRING,
 	  format_cb_window_marked_flag
 	},
+	{ "window_modal_pane", FORMAT_TABLE_STRING,
+	  format_cb_window_modal_pane
+	},
 	{ "window_name", FORMAT_TABLE_STRING,
 	  format_cb_window_name
 	},
diff --git a/key-bindings.c b/key-bindings.c
index c44d94d55..d8bc591eb 100644
--- a/key-bindings.c
+++ b/key-bindings.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: key-bindings.c,v 1.188 2026/07/13 16:30:28 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: key-bindings.c,v 1.189 2026/07/15 10:38:31 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2007 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -501,6 +501,7 @@ key_bindings_init(void)
 		/* Mouse button 1 drag on pane. */
 		"bind -n MouseDrag1Pane { if -F '#{||:#{pane_in_mode},#{mouse_any_flag}}' { send -M } { copy-mode -M } }",
 		"bind -n C-MouseDrag1Pane { new-pane -M }",
+		"bind -n C-MouseDrag1Empty { new-pane -M }",
 		"bind -n M-MouseDrag1Pane { move-pane -M }",
 
 		/* Mouse wheel up on pane. */
diff --git a/layout-custom.c b/layout-custom.c
index 9df0448ff..c58e92028 100644
--- a/layout-custom.c
+++ b/layout-custom.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: layout-custom.c,v 1.37 2026/07/10 13:38:45 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: layout-custom.c,v 1.38 2026/07/16 12:36:58 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2010 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ layout_parse(struct window *w, const char *layout, char **cause)
 	struct window_pane	*wp;
 	u_int			 npanes, ncells, sx = 0, sy = 0;
 	u_short			 csum;
-	int			 n;
+	int			 n = 0;
 
 	/* Check validity. */
 	if (sscanf(layout, "%hx,%n", &csum, &n) != 1 || n != 5) {
diff --git a/layout.c b/layout.c
index c3554718c..b8ba1c2ef 100644
--- a/layout.c
+++ b/layout.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: layout.c,v 1.95 2026/07/14 17:17:17 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: layout.c,v 1.96 2026/07/15 13:02:33 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2009 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -1677,7 +1677,10 @@ layout_get_floating_cell(struct cmdq_item *item, struct args *args,
 			return (NULL);
 	}
 
-	window_push_zoom(wp->window, 1, (flags & SPAWN_ZOOM));
+	if (flags & SPAWN_MODAL)
+		window_push_modal_zoom(w);
+	else
+		window_push_zoom(wp->window, 1, (flags & SPAWN_ZOOM));
 	lcnew = layout_floating_pane(w, wp, &fg);
 	return (lcnew);
 }
diff --git a/options-table.c b/options-table.c
index d06397849..d0a175b9f 100644
--- a/options-table.c
+++ b/options-table.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: options-table.c,v 1.237 2026/07/14 17:17:17 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: options-table.c,v 1.238 2026/07/15 13:02:33 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2011 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -1530,9 +1530,10 @@ const struct options_table_entry options_table[] = {
 	{ .name = "pane-active-border-style",
 	  .type = OPTIONS_TABLE_STRING,
 	  .scope = OPTIONS_TABLE_WINDOW|OPTIONS_TABLE_PANE,
-	  .default_str = "fg=#{?pane_marked,thememagenta,"
+	  .default_str = "fg=#{?pane_modal_flag,themeblue,"
+			 "#{?pane_marked,thememagenta,"
 			 "#{?synchronize-panes,themered,"
-			 "#{?pane_in_mode,themeyellow,themegreen}}}",
+			 "#{?pane_in_mode,themeyellow,themegreen}}}}",
 	  .flags = OPTIONS_TABLE_IS_STYLE,
 	  .separator = ",",
 	  .text = "Style of the active pane border."
diff --git a/regress/modal-pane.sh b/regress/modal-pane.sh
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cd891281d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regress/modal-pane.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,308 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Tests for modal floating panes.
+
+PATH=/bin:/usr/bin
+TERM=screen
+
+[ -z "$TEST_TMUX" ] && TEST_TMUX=$(readlink -f ../tmux)
+TMUX="$TEST_TMUX -LtestA$$ -f/dev/null"
+TMUX2="$TEST_TMUX -LtestB$$ -f/dev/null"
+
+cleanup()
+{
+	$TMUX kill-server >/dev/null 2>&1
+	$TMUX2 kill-server >/dev/null 2>&1
+}
+
+fail()
+{
+	echo "$*" >&2
+	cleanup
+	exit 1
+}
+
+must_equal()
+{
+	got=$1
+	want=$2
+	[ "$got" = "$want" ] || fail "got '$got', expected '$want'"
+}
+
+check_ok()
+{
+	$TMUX "$@" || fail "command failed: $*"
+}
+
+check_fail()
+{
+	exp="$1"
+	shift
+	out=$($TMUX "$@" 2>&1)
+	if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
+		fail "command succeeded (expected failure): $*"
+	fi
+	must_equal "$out" "$exp"
+}
+
+fmt()
+{
+	$TMUX display-message -p -t "$1" "$2"
+}
+
+click()
+{
+	col="$1"
+	row="$2"
+	seq=$(printf '\033[<0;%s;%sM\033[<0;%s;%sm' \
+	    "$col" "$row" "$col" "$row")
+	$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" -l "$seq" 2>/dev/null
+	sleep 1
+}
+
+move_mouse()
+{
+	col="$1"
+	row="$2"
+	seq=$(printf '\033[<35;%s;%sM' "$col" "$row")
+	$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" -l "$seq" 2>/dev/null
+	sleep 1
+}
+
+ctrl_drag()
+{
+	scol="$1"
+	srow="$2"
+	ecol="$3"
+	erow="$4"
+
+	seq=$(printf '\033[<16;%s;%sM' "$scol" "$srow")
+	$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" -l "$seq" 2>/dev/null
+	sleep 0.2
+	seq=$(printf '\033[<48;%s;%sM' "$ecol" "$erow")
+	$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" -l "$seq" 2>/dev/null
+	sleep 0.2
+	seq=$(printf '\033[<16;%s;%sm' "$ecol" "$erow")
+	$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" -l "$seq" 2>/dev/null
+	sleep 1
+}
+
+drag()
+{
+	scol="$1"
+	srow="$2"
+	ecol="$3"
+	erow="$4"
+
+	seq=$(printf '\033[<0;%s;%sM' "$scol" "$srow")
+	$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" -l "$seq" 2>/dev/null
+	sleep 0.2
+	seq=$(printf '\033[<32;%s;%sM' "$ecol" "$erow")
+	$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" -l "$seq" 2>/dev/null
+	sleep 0.2
+	seq=$(printf '\033[<0;%s;%sm' "$ecol" "$erow")
+	$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" -l "$seq" 2>/dev/null
+	sleep 1
+}
+
+cleanup
+
+check_ok new-session -d -s modal -x 80 -y 24 'cat'
+sleep 1
+p0=$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')
+check_ok split-window -h -t "$p0" 'cat'
+sleep 1
+p1=$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')
+
+check_ok select-pane -t "$p0"
+check_ok resize-pane -Z -t "$p0"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_zoomed_flag}')" 1
+
+modal=$($TMUX new-pane -OPF '#{pane_id}' -t "$p1" \
+    -x 20 -y 5 -X 20 -Y 10 'cat') ||
+	fail "new-pane -O failed"
+sleep 1
+must_equal "$(fmt "$modal" '#{pane_floating_flag}:#{pane_modal_flag}:#{pane_active}')" 1:1:1
+case "$(fmt "$modal" '#{pane_flags}')" in
+*O*) ;;
+*) fail "modal pane flags do not include O" ;;
+esac
+case "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_flags}')" in
+*O*) ;;
+*) fail "modal window flags do not include O" ;;
+esac
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_modal_pane}')" "$modal"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_zoomed_flag}')" 0
+
+check_fail "window already has a modal pane" \
+	new-pane -O -x 10 -y 4 'cat'
+check_fail "modal pane must be floating" \
+	new-pane -O -L 'cat'
+check_fail "pane is modal" \
+	break-pane -s "$modal"
+check_fail "pane is modal" \
+	join-pane -s "$modal" -t "$p0"
+check_fail "pane is modal" \
+	join-pane -s "$p0" -t "$modal"
+check_fail "pane is modal" \
+	swap-pane -s "$modal" -t "$p0"
+check_fail "pane is modal" \
+	swap-pane -s "$p0" -t "$modal"
+
+check_ok select-pane -t "$p1"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$modal"
+check_ok last-pane -t modal:0
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$modal"
+
+under=$($TMUX split-window -PF '#{pane_id}' -t "$p0" 'cat') ||
+	fail "split-window under modal failed"
+sleep 1
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$modal"
+must_equal "$(fmt "$under" '#{pane_active}')" 0
+
+float=$($TMUX new-pane -PF '#{pane_id}' -x 10 -y 4 -X 5 -Y 3 'cat') ||
+	fail "new floating pane under modal failed"
+sleep 1
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$modal"
+must_equal "$(fmt "$float" '#{pane_active}')" 0
+
+check_ok new-window -d -t modal: -n other 'cat'
+check_ok select-window -t modal:other
+other=$(fmt modal:other '#{pane_id}')
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:other '#{pane_id}')" "$other"
+check_ok select-window -t modal:0
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$modal"
+
+check_ok send-keys -t modal:0 'modal-key' Enter
+sleep 1
+case "$($TMUX capture-pane -pt "$modal")" in
+*modal-key*) ;;
+*) fail "keyboard input did not reach modal pane" ;;
+esac
+case "$($TMUX capture-pane -pt "$p0")" in
+*modal-key*) fail "keyboard input reached pane below modal" ;;
+esac
+
+$TMUX set -g mouse on
+$TMUX set -g focus-follows-mouse on
+$TMUX set -g @modal-mouse ''
+$TMUX bind -n MouseDown1Pane run-shell \
+    "$TMUX set -g @modal-mouse '#{mouse_pane}'"
+$TMUX bind x set -g @modal-prefix yes
+
+$TMUX2 new-session -d -x 80 -y 24 "$TMUX attach -t modal" ||
+	fail "outer session failed"
+sleep 1
+OUTER=$($TMUX2 list-panes -F '#{pane_id}' | head -1)
+[ -n "$OUTER" ] || fail "no outer pane"
+
+click 1 1
+must_equal "$($TMUX show -gv @modal-mouse)" ''
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$modal"
+
+panes=$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_panes}')
+ctrl_drag 1 1 8 3
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_panes}')" "$panes"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$modal"
+
+move_mouse 1 1
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$modal"
+
+left=$(fmt "$modal" '#{pane_left}')
+top=$(fmt "$modal" '#{pane_top}')
+click $((left + 1)) $((top + 1))
+must_equal "$($TMUX show -gv @modal-mouse)" "$modal"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$modal"
+
+width=$(fmt "$modal" '#{pane_width}')
+right=$((left + width + 1))
+drag "$right" $((top + 1)) $((right + 5)) $((top + 1))
+new_width=$(fmt "$modal" '#{pane_width}')
+[ "$new_width" -gt "$width" ] ||
+	fail "modal pane did not grow after right-border drag"
+
+$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" C-b x
+sleep 1
+must_equal "$($TMUX show -gv @modal-prefix)" yes
+
+$TMUX set-buffer -b modal-edit-test 'test'
+check_ok choose-buffer -t "$modal"
+panes=$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_panes}')
+$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" e
+sleep 1
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_panes}')" "$panes"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_modal_pane}')" "$modal"
+$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" q
+sleep 1
+
+check_ok kill-pane -t "$modal"
+sleep 1
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_modal_pane}')" ''
+case "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_flags}')" in
+*O*) fail "modal window flag remained after modal pane closed" ;;
+esac
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$p0"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_zoomed_flag}')" 1
+check_ok resize-pane -Z -t "$p0"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_zoomed_flag}')" 0
+
+$TMUX set -g editor 'sh -c "sleep 10" sh'
+check_ok resize-pane -Z -t "$p0"
+check_ok choose-buffer -t "$p0"
+panes=$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_panes}')
+$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" e
+sleep 1
+editor=$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_modal_pane}')
+[ -n "$editor" ] || fail "buffer editor did not open as modal pane"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_panes}')" $((panes + 1))
+must_equal "$(fmt "$editor" '#{pane_modal_flag}:#{pane_active}')" 1:1
+check_ok kill-pane -t "$editor"
+sleep 1
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_modal_pane}')" ''
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$p0"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_zoomed_flag}')" 1
+check_ok resize-pane -Z -t "$p0"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_zoomed_flag}')" 0
+
+detached=$($TMUX new-pane -OdPF '#{pane_id}' -x 20 -y 5 -X 20 -Y 10 \
+    'cat') || fail "new detached modal failed"
+sleep 1
+must_equal "$(fmt "$detached" '#{pane_modal_flag}:#{pane_active}')" 1:1
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_modal_pane}')" "$detached"
+check_ok kill-pane -t "$detached"
+sleep 1
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_modal_pane}')" ''
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$p0"
+
+$TMUX set -g @modal-custom old
+check_ok customize-mode -t "$p0" \
+	-f '#{==:#{option_name},@modal-custom}'
+panes=$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_panes}')
+$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" j Right j e
+sleep 1
+editor=$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_modal_pane}')
+[ -n "$editor" ] || fail "customize editor did not open as modal pane"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_panes}')" $((panes + 1))
+must_equal "$(fmt "$editor" '#{pane_modal_flag}:#{pane_active}')" 1:1
+check_ok kill-pane -t "$editor"
+sleep 1
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_modal_pane}')" ''
+$TMUX2 send-keys -t "$OUTER" q
+sleep 1
+
+modal=$($TMUX new-pane -OkPF '#{pane_id}' -x 20 -y 5 -X 20 -Y 10 'printf done') ||
+	fail "new retained modal failed"
+sleep 2
+must_equal "$(fmt "$modal" '#{pane_dead}:#{pane_modal_flag}:#{pane_active}')" 1:1:1
+check_ok respawn-pane -k -t "$modal" 'cat'
+sleep 1
+must_equal "$(fmt "$modal" '#{pane_dead}:#{pane_modal_flag}:#{pane_active}')" 0:1:1
+check_ok select-pane -t "$p1"
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$modal"
+check_ok kill-pane -t "$modal"
+sleep 1
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{window_modal_pane}')" ''
+must_equal "$(fmt modal:0 '#{pane_id}')" "$p0"
+
+cleanup
+exit 0
diff --git a/regress/new-pane-mouse.sh b/regress/new-pane-mouse.sh
index d2ae9ee97..81f0e805b 100644
--- a/regress/new-pane-mouse.sh
+++ b/regress/new-pane-mouse.sh
@@ -75,7 +75,26 @@ must_equal "$($TMUX display-message -p -t "$id" '#{pane_top}')" 1
 must_equal "$($TMUX display-message -p -t "$id" '#{pane_width}')" 6
 must_equal "$($TMUX display-message -p -t "$id" '#{pane_height}')" 3
 
-$TMUX new-pane -d -M -L -t "$BASE" 'sleep 100' || fail "new-pane -M -L failed"
+$TMUX kill-pane -t "$id" || fail "kill floating pane failed"
+$TMUX break-pane -W -s "$BASE" || fail "break base pane failed"
+$TMUX resize-pane -t "$BASE" -x10 -y4 || fail "resize floating base failed"
+$TMUX move-pane -t "$BASE" -P top-left || fail "move floating base failed"
+
+# Drag in empty window space with no tiled pane underneath.
+drag 40 10 50 15
+
+id=$($TMUX list-panes -F '#{?pane_active,#{pane_id},}' | tail -n 1)
+[ -n "$id" ] || fail "no floating pane created from empty area"
+[ "$id" != "$BASE" ] || fail "empty-area drag did not create a new pane"
+
+must_equal "$($TMUX display-message -p -t "$id" '#{pane_left}')" 40
+must_equal "$($TMUX display-message -p -t "$id" '#{pane_top}')" 10
+must_equal "$($TMUX display-message -p -t "$id" '#{pane_width}')" 9
+must_equal "$($TMUX display-message -p -t "$id" '#{pane_height}')" 4
+
+TILED=$($TMUX new-window -dPF '#{pane_id}' 'sleep 100') ||
+	fail "new tiled window failed"
+$TMUX new-pane -d -M -L -t "$TILED" 'sleep 100' || fail "new-pane -M -L failed"
 
 cleanup
 exit 0
diff --git a/screen-redraw.c b/screen-redraw.c
index 454c5df6c..90fe709fe 100644
--- a/screen-redraw.c
+++ b/screen-redraw.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: screen-redraw.c,v 1.151 2026/07/14 19:07:03 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: screen-redraw.c,v 1.152 2026/07/16 10:52:32 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2026 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -1858,9 +1858,12 @@ redraw_screen(struct client *c)
 {
 	int	flags = 0;
 
-	if (c->flags & CLIENT_REDRAWWINDOW)
-		redraw_draw(c, NULL, REDRAW_ALL);
-	else {
+	if (c->flags & CLIENT_REDRAWWINDOW) {
+		if (c->flags & CLIENT_REDRAWOVERLAY)
+			redraw_draw(c, NULL, REDRAW_ALL);
+		else
+			redraw_draw(c, NULL, REDRAW_ALL & ~REDRAW_OVERLAY);
+	} else {
 		if (c->flags & CLIENT_REDRAWBORDERS)
 			flags |= (REDRAW_PANE_BORDER|REDRAW_PANE_STATUS);
 		if (c->flags & CLIENT_REDRAWSTATUS)
diff --git a/server-client.c b/server-client.c
index c5457b14e..326bf9444 100644
--- a/server-client.c
+++ b/server-client.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: server-client.c,v 1.491 2026/07/14 19:07:03 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: server-client.c,v 1.494 2026/07/15 14:14:50 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2009 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -871,6 +871,7 @@ server_client_check_mouse(struct client *c, struct key_event *event)
 	u_int				 x, y, sx, sy, px, py, n, sl_mpos = 0;
 	u_int				 b, bn;
 	int				 ignore = 0;
+	int				 modal_drag = 0;
 	key_code			 key;
 	struct timeval			 tv;
 	struct style_range		*sr;
@@ -1029,46 +1030,73 @@ have_event:
 	 * Not on status line. Adjust position and check for border, pane, or
 	 * scrollbar.
 	 */
-	if (loc == KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_NOWHERE) {
-		if (c->tty.mouse_scrolling_flag) {
-			if (lwp != NULL) {
-				loc = KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_SCROLLBAR_SLIDER;
-				m->wp = lwp->id;
-				m->w = lwp->window->id;
-			}
-		} else {
-			px = x;
-			if (m->statusat == 0 && y >= m->statuslines)
-				py = y - m->statuslines;
-			else if (m->statusat > 0 && y >= (u_int)m->statusat)
-				py = m->statusat - 1;
-			else
-				py = y;
+	if (loc == KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_NOWHERE && c->tty.mouse_scrolling_flag) {
+		if (lwp != NULL) {
+			loc = KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_SCROLLBAR_SLIDER;
+			m->wp = lwp->id;
+			m->w = lwp->window->id;
+		}
+	} else if (loc == KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_NOWHERE) {
+		px = x;
+		if (m->statusat == 0 && y >= m->statuslines)
+			py = y - m->statuslines;
+		else if (m->statusat > 0 && y >= (u_int)m->statusat)
+			py = m->statusat - 1;
+		else
+			py = y;
 
-			tty_window_offset(&c->tty, &m->ox, &m->oy, &sx, &sy);
-			log_debug("mouse window @%u at %u,%u (%ux%u)",
-				  w->id, m->ox, m->oy, sx, sy);
-			if (px > sx || py > sy) {
+		tty_window_offset(&c->tty, &m->ox, &m->oy, &sx, &sy);
+		log_debug("mouse window @%u at %u,%u (%ux%u)", w->id, m->ox,
+		    m->oy, sx, sy);
+		if (px > sx || py > sy) {
+			server_client_update_scrollbar_hover(c, type, -1, -1);
+			return (KEYC_UNKNOWN);
+		}
+		px = px + m->ox;
+		py = py + m->oy;
+		if (w->modal != NULL &&
+		    !window_pane_contains(w->modal, px, py)) {
+			if (lwp == w->modal &&
+			    c->tty.mouse_drag_flag != 0 &&
+			    (type == KEYC_TYPE_MOUSEDRAG ||
+			    type == KEYC_TYPE_MOUSEUP)) {
+				modal_drag = 1;
+				wp = lwp;
+				loc = KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_PANE;
+				m->wp = wp->id;
+				m->w = wp->window->id;
+			} else {
 				server_client_update_scrollbar_hover(c, type,
 				    -1, -1);
+				c->tty.mouse_drag_update = NULL;
+				c->tty.mouse_drag_release = NULL;
+				c->tty.mouse_drag_flag = 0;
+				c->tty.mouse_scrolling_flag = 0;
+				c->tty.mouse_slider_mpos = -1;
+				c->tty.mouse_last_pane = -1;
 				return (KEYC_UNKNOWN);
 			}
-			px = px + m->ox;
-			py = py + m->oy;
-			server_client_update_scrollbar_hover(c, type, px, py);
+		}
+		server_client_update_scrollbar_hover(c, type, px, py);
 
-			if (type == KEYC_TYPE_MOUSEDRAG && lwp != NULL) {
-				/* Use pane from last mouse event. */
-				wp = lwp;
-			} else {
-				/* Try inside the pane. */
-				wp = window_get_active_at(w, px, py);
+		if (modal_drag) {
+			/* Keep the drag with the modal pane. */
+		} else if (type == KEYC_TYPE_MOUSEDRAG && lwp != NULL) {
+			/* Use pane from last mouse event. */
+			wp = lwp;
+		} else {
+			/* Try inside the pane. */
+			wp = window_get_active_at(w, px, py);
+		}
+		if (wp == NULL) {
+			loc = KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_EMPTY;
+			m->w = w->id;
+			log_debug("mouse %u,%u on empty area", x, y);
+		} else {
+			if (!modal_drag) {
+				loc = server_client_check_mouse_in_pane(wp, px,
+				    py, &sl_mpos);
 			}
-			if (wp == NULL)
-				return (KEYC_UNKNOWN);
-			loc = server_client_check_mouse_in_pane(wp, px, py,
-			    &sl_mpos);
-
 			if (loc == KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_PANE) {
 				log_debug("mouse %u,%u on pane %%%u", x, y,
 				    wp->id);
@@ -3058,16 +3086,20 @@ struct window_pane *
 server_client_get_pane(struct client *c)
 {
 	struct session		*s = c->session;
+	struct window		*w;
 	struct client_window	*cw;
 
 	if (s == NULL)
 		return (NULL);
 
+	w = s->curw->window;
+	if (w->modal != NULL)
+		return (w->modal);
 	if (~c->flags & CLIENT_ACTIVEPANE)
-		return (s->curw->window->active);
-	cw = server_client_get_client_window(c, s->curw->window->id);
+		return (w->active);
+	cw = server_client_get_client_window(c, w->id);
 	if (cw == NULL)
-		return (s->curw->window->active);
+		return (w->active);
 	return (cw->pane);
 }
 
@@ -3080,6 +3112,8 @@ server_client_set_pane(struct client *c, struct window_pane *wp)
 
 	if (s == NULL)
 		return;
+	if (wp->window->modal != NULL && wp != wp->window->modal)
+		return;
 
 	cw = server_client_add_client_window(c, s->curw->window->id);
 	cw->pane = wp;
diff --git a/spawn.c b/spawn.c
index f11e2e2a0..1b382202b 100644
--- a/spawn.c
+++ b/spawn.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: spawn.c,v 1.48 2026/07/13 13:01:14 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: spawn.c,v 1.49 2026/07/15 13:02:33 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2019 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -271,6 +271,17 @@ spawn_pane(struct spawn_context *sc, char **cause)
 
 	spawn_log(__func__, sc);
 
+	if (sc->flags & SPAWN_MODAL) {
+		if (~sc->flags & SPAWN_FLOATING) {
+			xasprintf(cause, "modal pane must be floating");
+			return (NULL);
+		}
+		if (w->modal != NULL) {
+			xasprintf(cause, "window already has a modal pane");
+			return (NULL);
+		}
+	}
+
 	/*
 	 * Work out the current working directory. If respawning, use
 	 * the pane's stored one unless specified.
@@ -565,7 +576,16 @@ complete:
 
 	if (sc->flags & SPAWN_RESPAWN)
 		return (new_wp);
-	if ((~sc->flags & SPAWN_DETACHED) || w->active == NULL) {
+	if (sc->flags & SPAWN_MODAL) {
+		w->modal_last = w->active;
+		w->modal = new_wp;
+		window_redraw_active_switch(w, new_wp);
+		if (sc->flags & SPAWN_NONOTIFY)
+			window_set_active_pane(w, new_wp, 0);
+		else
+			window_set_active_pane(w, new_wp, 1);
+	} else if (((~sc->flags & SPAWN_DETACHED) || w->active == NULL) &&
+	    w->modal == NULL) {
 		if (sc->flags & SPAWN_NONOTIFY)
 			window_set_active_pane(w, new_wp, 0);
 		else
@@ -681,6 +701,9 @@ spawn_editor(struct client *c, const char *buf, size_t len,
 	const char			*editor;
 	int				 fd;
 
+	if (w->modal != NULL)
+		return (NULL);
+
 	editor = options_get_string(global_options, "editor");
 	fd = mkstemp(path);
 	if (fd == -1)
@@ -707,9 +730,10 @@ spawn_editor(struct client *c, const char *buf, size_t len,
 	lg.sy = w->sy * 9 / 10;
 	lg.xoff = w->sx / 2 - lg.sx / 2;
 	lg.yoff = w->sy / 2 - lg.sy / 2;
-	window_push_zoom(w, 1, 0);
+	window_push_modal_zoom(w);
 	lc = layout_floating_pane(w, NULL, &lg);
 	if (lc == NULL) {
+		window_pop_modal_zoom(w);
 		spawn_editor_free(es);
 		return (NULL);
 	}
@@ -726,13 +750,14 @@ spawn_editor(struct client *c, const char *buf, size_t len,
 	sc.environ = env;
 	sc.idx = -1;
 	sc.cwd = _PATH_TMP;
-	sc.flags = SPAWN_FLOATING;
+	sc.flags = SPAWN_FLOATING|SPAWN_MODAL;
 
 	wp = spawn_pane(&sc, &cause);
 	free(cmd);
 	environ_free(env);
 	if (wp == NULL) {
 		free(cause);
+		window_pop_modal_zoom(w);
 		spawn_editor_free(es);
 		return (NULL);
 	}
diff --git a/tmux.1 b/tmux.1
index 372c47c7e..126a26690 100644
--- a/tmux.1
+++ b/tmux.1
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.\" $OpenBSD: tmux.1,v 1.1140 2026/07/14 17:17:18 nicm Exp $
+.\" $OpenBSD: tmux.1,v 1.1142 2026/07/15 13:02:33 nicm Exp $
 .\"
 .\" Copyright (c) 2007 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
 .\"
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 .\" IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING
 .\" OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
 .\"
-.Dd $Mdocdate: July 14 2026 $
+.Dd $Mdocdate: July 15 2026 $
 .Dt TMUX 1
 .Os
 .Sh NAME
@@ -3647,7 +3647,7 @@ but a different format may be specified with
 .Fl F .
 .Tg newp
 .It Xo Ic new\-pane
-.Op Fl bdefhIkLMPvWZ
+.Op Fl bdefhIkLMOPvWZ
 .Op Fl B Ar border\-lines
 .Op Fl c Ar start\-directory
 .Op Fl e Ar environment
@@ -3698,6 +3698,11 @@ may be used when bound to a mouse drag key; the new floating pane is resized to
 follow the mouse drag.
 It has no effect with
 .Fl L .
+.Fl O
+creates a modal pane.
+A modal pane is always the active pane and prevents interaction with any other
+panes while it is active.
+A window can only have one modal pane and it must be a floating pane.
 .Pp
 The
 .Fl L
@@ -6622,6 +6627,7 @@ and a location suffix, one of the following:
 .It Li "ScrollbarSlider" Ta "the scrollbar slider"
 .It Li "ScrollbarUp" Ta "above the scrollbar slider"
 .It Li "ScrollbarDown" Ta "below the scrollbar slider"
+.It Li "Empty" Ta "empty space in the window"
 .It Li "ControlN" Ta "on control range N"
 .El
 .Pp
@@ -7321,6 +7327,7 @@ The following variables are available, where appropriate:
 .It Li "pane_left" Ta "" Ta "Left of pane"
 .It Li "pane_marked" Ta "" Ta "1 if this is the marked pane"
 .It Li "pane_marked_set" Ta "" Ta "1 if a marked pane is set"
+.It Li "pane_modal_flag" Ta "" Ta "1 if pane is modal"
 .It Li "pane_mode" Ta "" Ta "Name of pane mode, if any"
 .It Li "pane_path" Ta "" Ta "Path of pane (can be set by application)"
 .It Li "pane_pid" Ta "" Ta "PID of first process in pane"
@@ -7421,6 +7428,7 @@ The following variables are available, where appropriate:
 .It Li "window_manual_height" Ta "" Ta "Manual height of window, if set"
 .It Li "window_manual_width" Ta "" Ta "Manual width of window, if set"
 .It Li "window_marked_flag" Ta "" Ta "1 if window contains the marked pane"
+.It Li "window_modal_pane" Ta "" Ta "Modal pane in window, if any"
 .It Li "window_name" Ta "#W" Ta "Name of window"
 .It Li "window_offset_x" Ta "" Ta "X offset into window if larger than client"
 .It Li "window_offset_y" Ta "" Ta "Y offset into window if larger than client"
diff --git a/tmux.h b/tmux.h
index d2e3010d7..b23c61a56 100644
--- a/tmux.h
+++ b/tmux.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: tmux.h,v 1.1404 2026/07/14 19:07:03 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: tmux.h,v 1.1406 2026/07/15 13:02:33 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2007 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -193,6 +193,7 @@ enum key_code_mouse_location {
 	KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_SCROLLBAR_UP,
 	KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_SCROLLBAR_SLIDER,
 	KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_SCROLLBAR_DOWN,
+	KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_EMPTY,
 	KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_CONTROL0, /* keep order */
 	KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_CONTROL1,
 	KEYC_MOUSE_LOCATION_CONTROL2,
@@ -249,6 +250,7 @@ enum key_code_mouse_location {
 	KEYC_MOUSE_KEY(KEYC_ ## t, KEYC_TYPE_ ## t, SCROLLBAR_UP),     \
 	KEYC_MOUSE_KEY(KEYC_ ## t, KEYC_TYPE_ ## t, SCROLLBAR_SLIDER), \
 	KEYC_MOUSE_KEY(KEYC_ ## t, KEYC_TYPE_ ## t, SCROLLBAR_DOWN),   \
+	KEYC_MOUSE_KEY(KEYC_ ## t, KEYC_TYPE_ ## t, EMPTY),            \
 	KEYC_MOUSE_KEY(KEYC_ ## t, KEYC_TYPE_ ## t, CONTROL0),         \
 	KEYC_MOUSE_KEY(KEYC_ ## t, KEYC_TYPE_ ## t, CONTROL1),         \
 	KEYC_MOUSE_KEY(KEYC_ ## t, KEYC_TYPE_ ## t, CONTROL2),         \
@@ -283,6 +285,7 @@ enum key_code_mouse_location {
 	{ #s "ScrollbarUp", KEYC_ ## name ## _SCROLLBAR_UP },         \
 	{ #s "ScrollbarSlider", KEYC_ ## name ## _SCROLLBAR_SLIDER }, \
 	{ #s "ScrollbarDown", KEYC_ ## name ## _SCROLLBAR_DOWN },     \
+	{ #s "Empty", KEYC_ ## name ## _EMPTY },		      \
 	{ #s "Border", KEYC_ ## name ## _BORDER },		      \
 	{ #s "Control0", KEYC_ ## name ## _CONTROL0 },		      \
 	{ #s "Control1", KEYC_ ## name ## _CONTROL1 },		      \
@@ -1415,6 +1418,8 @@ struct window {
 	struct timeval		 creation_time;
 
 	struct window_pane	*active;
+	struct window_pane	*modal;
+	struct window_pane	*modal_last;
 	struct window_panes 	 last_panes;
 	struct window_panes      z_index;
 	struct window_panes	 panes;
@@ -1456,6 +1461,7 @@ struct window {
 #define WINDOW_ZOOMED 0x8
 #define WINDOW_WASZOOMED 0x10
 #define WINDOW_RESIZE 0x20
+#define WINDOW_WASMODALZOOMED 0x40
 #define WINDOW_ALERTFLAGS (WINDOW_BELL|WINDOW_ACTIVITY|WINDOW_SILENCE)
 
 	int			 alerts_queued;
@@ -2486,6 +2492,7 @@ struct spawn_context {
 #define SPAWN_FLOATING 0x100
 #define SPAWN_HORIZONTAL 0x200
 #define SPAWN_SPLIT 0x400
+#define SPAWN_MODAL 0x800
 };
 
 /* Paste buffer. */
@@ -3636,6 +3643,7 @@ struct window_pane *window_get_active_at(struct window *, u_int, u_int);
 struct window_pane *window_find_string(struct window *, const char *);
 int		 window_has_floating_panes(struct window *);
 int		 window_has_pane(struct window *, struct window_pane *);
+int		 window_pane_contains(struct window_pane *, u_int, u_int);
 int		 window_set_active_pane(struct window *, struct window_pane *,
 		     int);
 void		 window_fire_pane_moved(struct window_pane *, struct window *,
@@ -3650,6 +3658,8 @@ void		 window_resize(struct window *, u_int, u_int, int, int);
 void		 window_pane_send_resize(struct window_pane *, u_int, u_int);
 int		 window_zoom(struct window_pane *);
 int		 window_unzoom(struct window *, int);
+void		 window_push_modal_zoom(struct window *);
+int		 window_pop_modal_zoom(struct window *);
 int		 window_push_zoom(struct window *, int, int);
 int		 window_pop_zoom(struct window *);
 void		 window_lost_pane(struct window *, struct window_pane *);
diff --git a/window-buffer.c b/window-buffer.c
index 12c847944..ab15d87ed 100644
--- a/window-buffer.c
+++ b/window-buffer.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: window-buffer.c,v 1.50 2026/07/14 17:17:18 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: window-buffer.c,v 1.51 2026/07/15 12:45:39 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2017 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -525,6 +525,8 @@ window_buffer_draw_waiting(struct window_buffer_modedata *data)
 	screen_write_start(&ctx, s);
 	screen_write_cursormove(&ctx, x, y, 0);
 	screen_write_box(&ctx, box_w, box_h, BOX_LINES_DEFAULT, &gc, NULL);
+	screen_write_cursormove(&ctx, x + 1, y + 1, 0);
+	screen_write_clearcharacter(&ctx, box_w - 2, gc.bg);
 	screen_write_cursormove(&ctx, text_x, y + 1, 0);
 	screen_write_nputs(&ctx, box_w - 2, &gc, "%s", text);
 	screen_write_stop(&ctx);
diff --git a/window-customize.c b/window-customize.c
index 94716e34c..1b2588fd7 100644
--- a/window-customize.c
+++ b/window-customize.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: window-customize.c,v 1.34 2026/07/14 17:17:18 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: window-customize.c,v 1.35 2026/07/15 12:45:39 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2020 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -397,6 +397,8 @@ window_customize_draw_waiting(struct window_customize_modedata *data)
 	screen_write_start(&ctx, s);
 	screen_write_cursormove(&ctx, x, y, 0);
 	screen_write_box(&ctx, box_w, box_h, BOX_LINES_DEFAULT, &gc, NULL);
+	screen_write_cursormove(&ctx, x + 1, y + 1, 0);
+	screen_write_clearcharacter(&ctx, box_w - 2, gc.bg);
 	screen_write_cursormove(&ctx, text_x, y + 1, 0);
 	screen_write_nputs(&ctx, box_w - 2, &gc, "%s", text);
 	screen_write_stop(&ctx);
diff --git a/window.c b/window.c
index abeb87a1c..ff2ff443c 100644
--- a/window.c
+++ b/window.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* $OpenBSD: window.c,v 1.363 2026/07/14 19:07:03 nicm Exp $ */
+/* $OpenBSD: window.c,v 1.364 2026/07/15 13:02:33 nicm Exp $ */
 
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2007 Nicholas Marriott <nicholas.marriott@gmail.com>
@@ -633,6 +633,35 @@ window_has_pane(struct window *w, struct window_pane *wp)
 	return (0);
 }
 
+int
+window_pane_contains(struct window_pane *wp, u_int x, u_int y)
+{
+	int	xoff, yoff;
+	u_int	sx, sy;
+
+	if (!window_pane_is_visible(wp))
+		return (0);
+
+	window_pane_full_size_offset(wp, &xoff, &yoff, &sx, &sy);
+	if (!window_pane_is_floating(wp)) {
+		if ((int)x < xoff || x > xoff + sx)
+			return (0);
+		if ((int)y < yoff || y > yoff + sy)
+			return (0);
+	} else if (window_pane_get_pane_lines(wp) == PANE_LINES_NONE) {
+		if ((int)x < xoff || (int)x >= xoff + (int)sx)
+			return (0);
+		if ((int)y < yoff || (int)y >= yoff + (int)sy)
+			return (0);
+	} else {
+		if ((int)x < xoff - 1 || x > xoff + sx)
+			return (0);
+		if ((int)y < yoff - 1 || y > yoff + sy)
+			return (0);
+	}
+	return (1);
+}
+
 void
 window_update_focus(struct window *w)
 {
@@ -690,6 +719,8 @@ window_set_active_pane(struct window *w, struct window_pane *wp, int notify)
 
 	if (wp == w->active)
 		return (0);
+	if (w->modal != NULL && wp != w->modal)
+		return (0);
 	if (w->flags & WINDOW_ZOOMED)
 		window_unzoom(w, 1);
 	lastwp = w->active;
@@ -728,6 +759,8 @@ window_redraw_active_switch(struct window *w, struct window_pane *wp)
 	struct grid_cell	*gc1, *gc2;
 	int			 c1, c2;
 
+	if (w->modal != NULL && wp != w->modal)
+		return;
 	if (wp == w->active)
 		return;
 
@@ -780,6 +813,12 @@ window_get_active_at(struct window *w, u_int x, u_int y)
 
 	pane_status = window_get_pane_status(w);
 
+	if (w->modal != NULL) {
+		if (window_pane_contains(w->modal, x, y))
+			return (w->modal);
+		return (NULL);
+	}
+
 	if (pane_status == PANE_STATUS_TOP) {
 		/*
 		 * Prefer a pane's top border status line over the pane above's
@@ -936,6 +975,29 @@ window_unzoom(struct window *w, int notify)
 	return (0);
 }
 
+void
+window_push_modal_zoom(struct window *w)
+{
+	if (w->flags & WINDOW_ZOOMED)
+		w->flags |= WINDOW_WASMODALZOOMED;
+	else
+		w->flags &= ~WINDOW_WASMODALZOOMED;
+	window_unzoom(w, 1);
+}
+
+int
+window_pop_modal_zoom(struct window *w)
+{
+	struct window_pane	*wp = w->active;
+
+	if (~w->flags & WINDOW_WASMODALZOOMED)
+		return (0);
+	w->flags &= ~WINDOW_WASMODALZOOMED;
+	if (wp != NULL && window_has_pane(w, wp))
+		return (window_zoom(wp) == 0);
+	return (0);
+}
+
 int
 window_push_zoom(struct window *w, int always, int flag)
 {
@@ -986,6 +1048,8 @@ window_add_pane(struct window *w, struct window_pane *other, u_int hlimit,
 	}
 	if (~flags & SPAWN_FLOATING)
 		TAILQ_INSERT_TAIL(&w->z_index, wp, zentry);
+	else if (w->modal != NULL)
+		TAILQ_INSERT_AFTER(&w->z_index, w->modal, wp, zentry);
 	else {
 		TAILQ_INSERT_HEAD(&w->z_index, wp, zentry);
 	}
@@ -996,14 +1060,29 @@ window_add_pane(struct window *w, struct window_pane *other, u_int hlimit,
 void
 window_lost_pane(struct window *w, struct window_pane *wp)
 {
+	struct window_pane	*lastwp;
+
 	log_debug("%s: @%u pane %%%u", __func__, w->id, wp->id);
 
 	if (wp == marked_pane.wp)
 		server_clear_marked();
+	if (wp == w->modal_last)
+		w->modal_last = NULL;
+	if (w->modal_last == NULL)
+		w->flags &= ~WINDOW_WASMODALZOOMED;
 
 	window_pane_stack_remove(&w->last_panes, wp);
 	if (wp == w->active) {
-		w->active = TAILQ_FIRST(&w->last_panes);
+		lastwp = NULL;
+		if (wp == w->modal) {
+			lastwp = w->modal_last;
+			w->modal = NULL;
+			w->modal_last = NULL;
+		}
+		if (lastwp != NULL && window_has_pane(w, lastwp))
+			w->active = lastwp;
+		else
+			w->active = TAILQ_FIRST(&w->last_panes);
 		if (w->active == NULL) {
 			w->active = TAILQ_PREV(wp, window_panes, entry);
 			if (w->active == NULL)
@@ -1015,6 +1094,9 @@ window_lost_pane(struct window *w, struct window_pane *wp)
 			window_fire_pane_changed(w, w->active, wp);
 			window_update_focus(w);
 		}
+	} else if (wp == w->modal) {
+		w->modal = w->modal_last = NULL;
+		w->flags &= ~WINDOW_WASMODALZOOMED;
 	}
 	redraw_invalidate_scene(w);
 }
@@ -1022,9 +1104,13 @@ window_lost_pane(struct window *w, struct window_pane *wp)
 void
 window_remove_pane(struct window *w, struct window_pane *wp)
 {
+	int	pop = (wp == w->modal);
+
 	window_lost_pane(w, wp);
 	TAILQ_REMOVE(&w->panes, wp, entry);
 	TAILQ_REMOVE(&w->z_index, wp, zentry);
+	if (pop && window_pop_modal_zoom(w))
+		server_redraw_window(w);
 	redraw_invalidate_scene(w);
 	window_pane_destroy(wp);
 }
@@ -1157,6 +1243,8 @@ window_printable_flags(struct winlink *wl, int escape)
 		flags[pos++] = '-';
 	if (server_check_marked() && wl == marked_pane.wl)
 		flags[pos++] = 'M';
+	if (wl->window->modal != NULL)
+		flags[pos++] = 'O';
 	if (wl->window->flags & WINDOW_ZOOMED)
 		flags[pos++] = 'Z';
 	flags[pos] = '\0';
@@ -1178,6 +1266,8 @@ window_pane_printable_flags(struct window_pane *wp)
 		flags[pos++] = 'Z';
 	if (window_pane_is_floating(wp))
 		flags[pos++] = 'F';
+	if (wp == w->modal)
+		flags[pos++] = 'O';
 	flags[pos] = '\0';
 	return (flags);
 }