diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c2158af..9077a28 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -171,7 +171,8 @@ Anywhere in a server (unless you are typing): Space = ready / unready,
 Tab = chat & activity (Tab never moves between buttons). Keys while the
 player fills the window: Left/Right = seek 10 s, Up/Down = volume, Shift+Right = skip 1:30,
 PgUp/PgDn = previous / next chapter (as in mpv), F = fullscreen, Esc =
-close the chat or fullscreen, else ask to leave, Ctrl+R = reload video,
+close the chat, then fullscreen, then shrink the player to mini; from the
+mini it asks to leave, Ctrl+R = reload video,
 `<` / `>` or Shift+P / Shift+N = previous / next Jellyfin episode,
 Ctrl+1..6 = Anime4K mode A, B, C, A+A, B+B, C+A, Ctrl+0 = shaders off.
 Every seek, skip and chapter jump moves everyone.
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/screens/home/settings_page.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/screens/home/settings_page.dart
index caaedbc..655081f 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/lib/src/screens/home/settings_page.dart
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/screens/home/settings_page.dart
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ const sessionShortcuts = [
   ('< or Shift+P', 'Put up the previous Jellyfin episode'),
   ('Ctrl+1…6', 'Shaders: Anime4K mode A, B, C, A+A, B+B, C+A'),
   ('Ctrl+0', 'Shaders off'),
-  ('Esc', 'Close the panel or fullscreen, else ask to leave'),
+  ('Esc', 'Close the panel or fullscreen, shrink the player, then ask to leave'),
 ];
 
 /// One titled card of the Settings tab (rounded Material, so list tiles
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/session_player.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/session_player.dart
index 2c67333..e96dd6f 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/session_player.dart
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/session_player.dart
@@ -164,8 +164,15 @@ class _SessionPlayerState extends State<SessionPlayer> {
   /// dialog, a card, a text field) is in front of it. Space and Tab are
   /// app-wide ([AppKeys]).
   bool _globalKey(KeyEvent event) {
-    if (event is! KeyDownEvent || !mounted || !_full) return false;
+    if (event is! KeyDownEvent || !mounted) return false;
     if (SessionState.instance.route.peek() != AppRoute.session) return false;
+    // Mini: Esc is the last step out, asking to leave the server.
+    if (!_full) {
+      if (event.logicalKey != LogicalKeyboardKey.escape) return false;
+      if (ModalRoute.of(context)?.isCurrent == false || textInputFocused()) return false;
+      widget.onLeave();
+      return true;
+    }
     final route = ModalRoute.of(context);
     if (route != null && !route.isCurrent) {
       // A menu of ours is open: Esc closes it.
@@ -240,7 +247,8 @@ class _SessionPlayerState extends State<SessionPlayer> {
       } else if (widget.fullscreen) {
         widget.onToggleFullscreen();
       } else {
-        widget.onLeave();
+        // One step at a time: big player → mini, then (from mini) leave.
+        widget.onCollapse();
       }
       return true;
     }
diff --git a/apps/desktop/test/shell_test.dart b/apps/desktop/test/shell_test.dart
index 8292555..84782af 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/test/shell_test.dart
+++ b/apps/desktop/test/shell_test.dart
@@ -306,6 +306,17 @@ void main() {
     await stepThrough();
     expect(shell().fullscreen, isFalse);
     expect(find.byType(PartyStrip), findsOneWidget);
+    // Esc again: big → mini, not leave; from mini it asks to leave.
+    await tester.runAsync(() => Future<void>.delayed(const Duration(milliseconds: 400)));
+    await tester.sendKeyEvent(LogicalKeyboardKey.escape);
+    await stepThrough();
+    expect(shell().mode, PlayerMode.mini);
+    expect(find.text('Leave server?'), findsNothing);
+    await tester.sendKeyEvent(LogicalKeyboardKey.escape);
+    await tester.pumpAndSettle();
+    expect(find.text('Leave server?'), findsOneWidget);
+    await tester.tap(find.text('Cancel'));
+    await tester.pumpAndSettle();
     // Never rebuilt from scratch on the way.
     expect(FakeVideo.created, 1);
     // Offline: no player at all.