diff --git a/src/components/common/OpenProjectModal.css b/src/components/common/OpenProjectModal.css
index 8a3c6c8..9412b95 100644
--- a/src/components/common/OpenProjectModal.css
+++ b/src/components/common/OpenProjectModal.css
@@ -1,42 +1,79 @@
-/* Overlay — blocks and blurs content below */
+/* Overlay — centered, blurs content below */
 .open-project-overlay {
   position: fixed;
-  inset: 0;
-  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
-  backdrop-filter: blur(3px);
-  z-index: 2000;
+  top: 0;
+  left: 0;
+  right: 0;
+  bottom: 0;
+  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7);
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  z-index: 10001;
+  backdrop-filter: blur(2px);
 }
 
-/* Open Project Panel — follows PianoRoll panel pattern */
+/* Open Project Panel — centered dialog */
 .open-project-panel {
-  position: fixed;
   background-color: #2d2d2d;
   border: 1px solid #3a3a3a;
-  box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+  width: 90%;
+  max-width: 700px;
+  height: 70vh;
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   overflow: hidden;
+  animation: openProjectFadeIn 0.2s ease-out;
 }
 
-/* Header — draggable */
+@keyframes openProjectFadeIn {
+  from {
+    opacity: 0;
+    transform: scale(0.95) translateY(-10px);
+  }
+  to {
+    opacity: 1;
+    transform: scale(1) translateY(0);
+  }
+}
+
+/* Header */
 .open-project-header {
-  height: 30px;
-  background-color: #1e1e1e;
-  border-bottom: 1px solid #3a3a3a;
   display: flex;
+  justify-content: space-between;
   align-items: center;
-  padding: 0 10px;
-  cursor: move;
-  user-select: none;
+  padding: 20px;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid #3a3a3a;
+  background-color: #252525;
   flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 
 .open-project-title {
-  flex: 1;
-  text-align: center;
-  font-size: 14px;
   color: #e0e0e0;
-  text-transform: uppercase;
+  font-size: 18px;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.open-project-close-btn {
+  background: transparent;
+  border: none;
+  color: #b0b0b0;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  padding: 8px;
+  border-radius: 4px;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  font-size: 16px;
+  transition: all 0.2s ease;
+}
+
+.open-project-close-btn:hover {
+  background-color: #3a3a3a;
+  color: #e0e0e0;
 }
 
 /* Filter bar — sticky at top */
@@ -268,18 +305,3 @@
   font-size: 14px;
   padding: 40px;
 }
-
-/* Resize handle — same as PianoRoll */
-.open-project-panel .resize-handle {
-  position: absolute;
-  right: 5px;
-  bottom: 5px;
-  width: 20px;
-  height: 20px;
-  cursor: nwse-resize;
-  color: #999;
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  z-index: 100;
-}
diff --git a/src/components/common/OpenProjectModal.tsx b/src/components/common/OpenProjectModal.tsx
index 5f93577..eb1ac4f 100644
--- a/src/components/common/OpenProjectModal.tsx
+++ b/src/components/common/OpenProjectModal.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-import React, { useState, useEffect, useRef, useCallback } from 'react';
-import { createPortal } from 'react-dom';
-import { FaTimes, FaGripLines, FaSortUp, FaSortDown, FaCopy, FaTrash, FaUndo } from 'react-icons/fa';
+import React, { useState, useEffect, useCallback } from 'react';
+import { FaTimes, FaSortUp, FaSortDown, FaCopy, FaTrash, FaUndo } from 'react-icons/fa';
 import { KGProjectStorage, type ProjectMeta } from '../../core/io/KGProjectStorage';
 import { isValidProjectName } from '../../util/projectNameUtil';
 import './OpenProjectModal.css';
@@ -18,10 +17,6 @@ type ViewMode = 'projects' | 'trash';
 
 const THIRTY_DAYS_MS = 30 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
 
-/**
- * Incremental fuzzy filter: characters in the filter must appear in order
- * within the project name (case-insensitive, ignoring non-alphanumeric chars).
- */
 const matchesFilter = (projectName: string, filter: string): boolean => {
   if (!filter) return true;
   const normalizedName = projectName.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]/g, '');
@@ -49,50 +44,20 @@ const formatDate = (timestamp: number): string => {
 };
 
 const OpenProjectModal: React.FC<OpenProjectModalProps> = ({ onClose, onOpenProject, currentProjectName, onCreateNewProject }) => {
-  const panelRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
-
-  // Position & size
-  const [position, setPosition] = useState({ x: 0, y: 0 });
-  const [size, setSize] = useState({ width: 600, height: 400 });
-
-  // Drag & resize
-  const [isDragging, setIsDragging] = useState(false);
-  const [isResizing, setIsResizing] = useState(false);
-  const [dragOffset, setDragOffset] = useState({ x: 0, y: 0 });
-
-  // Data
   const [projects, setProjects] = useState<ProjectMeta[]>([]);
   const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(true);
   const [filter, setFilter] = useState('');
 
-  // Sort
   const [sortField, setSortField] = useState<SortField>('updatedAt');
   const [sortDirection, setSortDirection] = useState<SortDirection>('desc');
 
-  // View mode toggle
   const [viewMode, setViewMode] = useState<ViewMode>('projects');
 
-  // Calculate initial position/size to fill main-content area
-  useEffect(() => {
-    const toolbarEl = document.querySelector('.toolbar');
-    const statusBarEl = document.querySelector('.status-bar');
-
-    const width = Math.max(400, window.innerWidth - 400);
-    const height = Math.max(300, window.innerHeight - 200);
-    const x = (window.innerWidth - width) / 2;
-    const y = (window.innerHeight - height) / 2;
-
-    setPosition({ x, y });
-    setSize({ width, height });
-  }, []);
-
-  // Fetch projects when view mode changes
   const fetchProjects = useCallback(async (mode: ViewMode) => {
     setIsLoading(true);
     try {
       const storage = KGProjectStorage.getInstance();
 
-      // Auto-purge old trash when switching to trash view
       if (mode === 'trash') {
         await storage.purgeDeletedOlderThan(THIRTY_DAYS_MS);
       }
@@ -110,7 +75,6 @@ const OpenProjectModal: React.FC<OpenProjectModalProps> = ({ onClose, onOpenProj
     fetchProjects(viewMode);
   }, [viewMode, fetchProjects]);
 
-  // Escape key to close
   useEffect(() => {
     const handleKeyDown = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
       if (e.key === 'Escape') onClose();
@@ -119,49 +83,6 @@ const OpenProjectModal: React.FC<OpenProjectModalProps> = ({ onClose, onOpenProj
     return () => window.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKeyDown);
   }, [onClose]);
 
-  // Drag & resize mouse handling
-  const handleMouseDown = (e: React.MouseEvent, action: 'drag' | 'resize') => {
-    if (action === 'drag') {
-      setIsDragging(true);
-      if (panelRef.current) {
-        const rect = panelRef.current.getBoundingClientRect();
-        setDragOffset({ x: e.clientX - rect.left, y: e.clientY - rect.top });
-      }
-    } else {
-      setIsResizing(true);
-      e.preventDefault();
-    }
-  };
-
-  useEffect(() => {
-    const handleMouseMove = (e: MouseEvent) => {
-      if (isDragging) {
-        setPosition({ x: e.clientX - dragOffset.x, y: e.clientY - dragOffset.y });
-      } else if (isResizing) {
-        setSize({
-          width: Math.max(400, e.clientX - position.x),
-          height: Math.max(300, e.clientY - position.y),
-        });
-      }
-    };
-
-    const handleMouseUp = () => {
-      setIsDragging(false);
-      setIsResizing(false);
-    };
-
-    if (isDragging || isResizing) {
-      document.addEventListener('mousemove', handleMouseMove);
-      document.addEventListener('mouseup', handleMouseUp);
-    }
-
-    return () => {
-      document.removeEventListener('mousemove', handleMouseMove);
-      document.removeEventListener('mouseup', handleMouseUp);
-    };
-  }, [isDragging, isResizing, dragOffset, position]);
-
-  // Sort toggle
   const handleSortClick = useCallback((field: SortField) => {
     if (field === sortField) {
       setSortDirection(d => (d === 'asc' ? 'desc' : 'asc'));
@@ -171,7 +92,6 @@ const OpenProjectModal: React.FC<OpenProjectModalProps> = ({ onClose, onOpenProj
     }
   }, [sortField]);
 
-  // Filter + sort projects
   const filteredProjects = React.useMemo(() => {
     const filtered = projects.filter(p => matchesFilter(p.name, filter));
 
@@ -188,8 +108,6 @@ const OpenProjectModal: React.FC<OpenProjectModalProps> = ({ onClose, onOpenProj
     return filtered;
   }, [projects, filter, sortField, sortDirection]);
 
-  // --- Action handlers ---
-
   const handleOpen = async (projectName: string) => {
     await onOpenProject(projectName);
     onClose();
@@ -210,7 +128,6 @@ const OpenProjectModal: React.FC<OpenProjectModalProps> = ({ onClose, onOpenProj
       const storage = KGProjectStorage.getInstance();
       const finalName = await storage.resolveUniqueName(trimmed);
       await storage.duplicate(projectName, finalName);
-      // Open the duplicated project
       await onOpenProject(finalName);
       onClose();
     } catch (error) {
@@ -224,7 +141,6 @@ const OpenProjectModal: React.FC<OpenProjectModalProps> = ({ onClose, onOpenProj
     try {
       const storage = KGProjectStorage.getInstance();
       await storage.softDelete(projectName);
-      // Refresh list
       await fetchProjects(viewMode);
     } catch (error) {
       console.error('Error deleting project:', error);
@@ -256,7 +172,6 @@ const OpenProjectModal: React.FC<OpenProjectModalProps> = ({ onClose, onOpenProj
       await storage.delete(projectName);
       await fetchProjects(viewMode);
 
-      // If the deleted project is the currently open one, create a new project
       if (currentProjectName && projectName === currentProjectName) {
         onCreateNewProject();
       }
@@ -271,172 +186,155 @@ const OpenProjectModal: React.FC<OpenProjectModalProps> = ({ onClose, onOpenProj
     setFilter('');
   };
 
+  const handleOverlayClick = useCallback((e: React.MouseEvent) => {
+    if (e.target === e.currentTarget) {
+      onClose();
+    }
+  }, [onClose]);
+
   const SortIcon: React.FC<{ field: SortField }> = ({ field }) => {
     if (sortField !== field) return null;
     return sortDirection === 'asc' ? <FaSortUp /> : <FaSortDown />;
   };
 
-  const content = (
-    <div className="open-project-overlay" onClick={onClose}>
-    <div
-      className="open-project-panel"
-      ref={panelRef}
-      onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
-      style={{
-        left: `${position.x}px`,
-        top: `${position.y}px`,
-        width: `${size.width}px`,
-        height: `${size.height}px`,
-        zIndex: 2001,
-      }}
-    >
-      {/* Header */}
-      <div className="open-project-header" onMouseDown={(e) => handleMouseDown(e, 'drag')}>
-        <button className="close-button" onClick={onClose}>
-          <FaTimes />
-        </button>
-        <div className="open-project-title">Open Project</div>
-      </div>
+  return (
+    <div className="open-project-overlay" onClick={handleOverlayClick}>
+      <div className="open-project-panel">
+        <div className="open-project-header">
+          <h3 className="open-project-title">Open Project</h3>
+          <button className="open-project-close-btn" onClick={onClose} aria-label="Close">
+            <FaTimes />
+          </button>
+        </div>
 
-      {/* Filter + view toggle */}
-      <div className="open-project-filter">
-        <div className="open-project-filter-row">
-          <input
-            type="text"
-            placeholder="Filter projects..."
-            value={filter}
-            onChange={(e) => setFilter(e.target.value)}
-            autoFocus
-          />
-          <div className="open-project-view-toggle">
-            <button
-              className={`open-project-toggle-btn ${viewMode === 'projects' ? 'active' : ''}`}
-              onClick={() => handleViewModeChange('projects')}
-            >
-              Projects
-            </button>
-            <button
-              className={`open-project-toggle-btn ${viewMode === 'trash' ? 'active' : ''}`}
-              onClick={() => handleViewModeChange('trash')}
-            >
-              Trash
-            </button>
+        <div className="open-project-filter">
+          <div className="open-project-filter-row">
+            <input
+              type="text"
+              placeholder="Filter projects..."
+              value={filter}
+              onChange={(e) => setFilter(e.target.value)}
+              autoFocus
+            />
+            <div className="open-project-view-toggle">
+              <button
+                className={`open-project-toggle-btn ${viewMode === 'projects' ? 'active' : ''}`}
+                onClick={() => handleViewModeChange('projects')}
+              >
+                Projects
+              </button>
+              <button
+                className={`open-project-toggle-btn ${viewMode === 'trash' ? 'active' : ''}`}
+                onClick={() => handleViewModeChange('trash')}
+              >
+                Trash
+              </button>
+            </div>
           </div>
         </div>
-      </div>
 
-      {/* Trash hint */}
-      {viewMode === 'trash' && (
-        <div className="open-project-trash-hint">
-          Deleted projects are automatically removed after 30 days.
+        {viewMode === 'trash' && (
+          <div className="open-project-trash-hint">
+            Deleted projects are automatically removed after 30 days.
+          </div>
+        )}
+
+        <div className="open-project-sort-header">
+          <span
+            className={`open-project-sort-col open-project-sort-col-name ${sortField === 'name' ? 'active' : ''}`}
+            onClick={() => handleSortClick('name')}
+          >
+            Name <SortIcon field="name" />
+          </span>
+          <span
+            className={`open-project-sort-col open-project-sort-col-created ${sortField === 'createdAt' ? 'active' : ''}`}
+            onClick={() => handleSortClick('createdAt')}
+          >
+            Created <SortIcon field="createdAt" />
+          </span>
+          <span
+            className={`open-project-sort-col open-project-sort-col-updated ${sortField === 'updatedAt' ? 'active' : ''}`}
+            onClick={() => handleSortClick('updatedAt')}
+          >
+            Updated <SortIcon field="updatedAt" />
+          </span>
         </div>
-      )}
 
-      {/* Sort header */}
-      <div className="open-project-sort-header">
-        <span
-          className={`open-project-sort-col open-project-sort-col-name ${sortField === 'name' ? 'active' : ''}`}
-          onClick={() => handleSortClick('name')}
-        >
-          Name <SortIcon field="name" />
-        </span>
-        <span
-          className={`open-project-sort-col open-project-sort-col-created ${sortField === 'createdAt' ? 'active' : ''}`}
-          onClick={() => handleSortClick('createdAt')}
-        >
-          Created <SortIcon field="createdAt" />
-        </span>
-        <span
-          className={`open-project-sort-col open-project-sort-col-updated ${sortField === 'updatedAt' ? 'active' : ''}`}
-          onClick={() => handleSortClick('updatedAt')}
-        >
-          Updated <SortIcon field="updatedAt" />
-        </span>
-      </div>
-
-      {/* Project list */}
-      {isLoading ? (
-        <div className="open-project-loading">Loading projects...</div>
-      ) : filteredProjects.length === 0 ? (
-        <div className="open-project-empty">
-          {projects.length === 0
-            ? (viewMode === 'trash' ? 'Trash is empty' : 'No saved projects')
-            : 'No projects match the filter'}
-        </div>
-      ) : (
-        <div className="open-project-list">
-          {filteredProjects.map((project) => (
-            <div
-              key={project.name}
-              className="open-project-item"
-              onClick={viewMode === 'projects' ? () => handleOpen(project.name) : undefined}
-            >
-              <div className="open-project-item-info">
-                <div className="open-project-item-name">{project.name}</div>
-                <div className="open-project-item-meta">
-                  Created {formatDate(project.createdAt)} &middot; Updated {formatDate(project.updatedAt)}
-                  {viewMode === 'trash' && project.deletedAt && (
-                    <> &middot; Deleted {formatDate(project.deletedAt)}</>
+        {isLoading ? (
+          <div className="open-project-loading">Loading projects...</div>
+        ) : filteredProjects.length === 0 ? (
+          <div className="open-project-empty">
+            {projects.length === 0
+              ? (viewMode === 'trash' ? 'Trash is empty' : 'No saved projects')
+              : 'No projects match the filter'}
+          </div>
+        ) : (
+          <div className="open-project-list">
+            {filteredProjects.map((project) => (
+              <div
+                key={project.name}
+                className="open-project-item"
+                onClick={viewMode === 'projects' ? () => handleOpen(project.name) : undefined}
+              >
+                <div className="open-project-item-info">
+                  <div className="open-project-item-name">{project.name}</div>
+                  <div className="open-project-item-meta">
+                    Created {formatDate(project.createdAt)} &middot; Updated {formatDate(project.updatedAt)}
+                    {viewMode === 'trash' && project.deletedAt && (
+                      <> &middot; Deleted {formatDate(project.deletedAt)}</>
+                    )}
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+                <div className="open-project-item-actions">
+                  {viewMode === 'projects' ? (
+                    <>
+                      <button
+                        className="open-project-item-open-btn"
+                        onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); handleOpen(project.name); }}
+                      >
+                        Open
+                      </button>
+                      <button
+                        className="open-project-item-action-btn open-project-item-duplicate-btn"
+                        onClick={(e) => handleDuplicate(e, project.name)}
+                        title="Duplicate"
+                      >
+                        <FaCopy />
+                      </button>
+                      <button
+                        className="open-project-item-action-btn open-project-item-delete-btn"
+                        onClick={(e) => handleSoftDelete(e, project.name)}
+                        title="Delete"
+                      >
+                        <FaTrash />
+                      </button>
+                    </>
+                  ) : (
+                    <>
+                      <button
+                        className="open-project-item-action-btn open-project-item-restore-btn"
+                        onClick={(e) => handleRestore(e, project.name)}
+                        title="Restore"
+                      >
+                        <FaUndo />
+                      </button>
+                      <button
+                        className="open-project-item-action-btn open-project-item-permdelete-btn"
+                        onClick={(e) => handlePermanentDelete(e, project.name)}
+                        title="Delete permanently"
+                      >
+                        <FaTrash />
+                      </button>
+                    </>
                   )}
                 </div>
               </div>
-              <div className="open-project-item-actions">
-                {viewMode === 'projects' ? (
-                  <>
-                    <button
-                      className="open-project-item-open-btn"
-                      onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); handleOpen(project.name); }}
-                    >
-                      Open
-                    </button>
-                    <button
-                      className="open-project-item-action-btn open-project-item-duplicate-btn"
-                      onClick={(e) => handleDuplicate(e, project.name)}
-                      title="Duplicate"
-                    >
-                      <FaCopy />
-                    </button>
-                    <button
-                      className="open-project-item-action-btn open-project-item-delete-btn"
-                      onClick={(e) => handleSoftDelete(e, project.name)}
-                      title="Delete"
-                    >
-                      <FaTrash />
-                    </button>
-                  </>
-                ) : (
-                  <>
-                    <button
-                      className="open-project-item-action-btn open-project-item-restore-btn"
-                      onClick={(e) => handleRestore(e, project.name)}
-                      title="Restore"
-                    >
-                      <FaUndo />
-                    </button>
-                    <button
-                      className="open-project-item-action-btn open-project-item-permdelete-btn"
-                      onClick={(e) => handlePermanentDelete(e, project.name)}
-                      title="Delete permanently"
-                    >
-                      <FaTrash />
-                    </button>
-                  </>
-                )}
-              </div>
-            </div>
-          ))}
-        </div>
-      )}
-
-      {/* Resize handle */}
-      <div className="resize-handle" onMouseDown={(e) => handleMouseDown(e, 'resize')}>
-        <FaGripLines />
+            ))}
+          </div>
+        )}
       </div>
     </div>
-    </div>
   );
-
-  return createPortal(content, document.body);
 };
 
 export default OpenProjectModal;