diff --git a/documentation/TODO__Agents.md b/documentation/TODO__Agents.md
index 5a0b3e6f..7cf2d330 100644
--- a/documentation/TODO__Agents.md
+++ b/documentation/TODO__Agents.md
@@ -145,6 +145,26 @@ functionality, but pollutes the console and may cause unhandled promise rejectio
 - **Badge print controls UX polish:** Scott has improvements in mind — TBD next session.
   File: `ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte`.
 
+### [CSS] Global placeholder text color — too dark in light mode
+Placeholder text inherits full input text color in light mode (Tailwind CSS default), making
+placeholders indistinguishable from filled-in values. Most visible in badge print controls
+where placeholders show the actual badge value (e.g. "John Smith").
+
+Workaround: scoped `::placeholder` rule added to `ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte`
+(gray-400 light / gray-500 dark) — `commit 7733ef8`.
+
+**Long-term fix:** Add a global rule to the main CSS (e.g. `src/app.css` or a theme file):
+```css
+::placeholder {
+    color: #9ca3af; /* gray-400 */
+    opacity: 1;     /* overrides Firefox's 0.54 default */
+}
+.dark ::placeholder {
+    color: #6b7280; /* gray-500 */
+}
+```
+Once the global rule is in place, remove the scoped workaround from the badge controls.
+
 
 
 ### [Leads] Exhibitor Lead Scanning — IN PROGRESS (demo-ready prep)
diff --git a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/[badge_id]/ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/[badge_id]/ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte
index 1561f9ec..822c54d7 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/[badge_id]/ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/[badge_id]/ae_comp__badge_print_controls.svelte
@@ -342,7 +342,19 @@ function font_size_reset(
 let active_field: string | null = $state(null);
 
 function toggle_field(key: string) {
-    active_field = active_field === key ? null : key;
+    // Capture whether the caller is closing the field that's already open.
+    const was_open = active_field === key;
+    // Always cancel the current field before switching — discards any unsaved edit
+    // state so stale typed values don't bleed into the badge preview after the
+    // accordion closes. The explicit [X] button calls cancel_field directly;
+    // clicking away to another field (or re-clicking the pencil) must do the same.
+    if (active_field) {
+        cancel_field(active_field); // resets edit vars + sets active_field = null
+    }
+    if (!was_open) {
+        active_field = key; // open the new field
+    }
+    // If was_open: active_field stays null — the field is now closed.
 }
 
 // --- Editable field state ---