diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index fd75c74f..25e35a24 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -32,6 +32,13 @@ refactors, dependency updates, CI changes, and code cleanup do not belong here.
 
 ---
 
+## [1.2.8] - 2026-08-15
+
+### Changed
+
+- Added consistent spacing between adjacent rendered code cards in Markdown live preview.
+- Kept document location, status, live-preview, and line-wrapping controls pinned to the top of the editor while scrolling.
+
 ## [1.2.7] - 2026-08-14
 
 ### Changed
diff --git a/apps/desktop/native-backend/Cargo.toml b/apps/desktop/native-backend/Cargo.toml
index 68e7d283..6478585e 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/native-backend/Cargo.toml
+++ b/apps/desktop/native-backend/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "neverwrite-native-backend"
-version = "1.2.7"
+version = "1.2.8"
 edition = "2021"
 
 [dependencies]
diff --git a/apps/desktop/package-lock.json b/apps/desktop/package-lock.json
index 3e15ece7..a1c43e9f 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/package-lock.json
+++ b/apps/desktop/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
     "name": "bifrostwrite-desktop",
-    "version": "1.2.7",
+    "version": "1.2.8",
     "lockfileVersion": 3,
     "requires": true,
     "packages": {
         "": {
             "name": "bifrostwrite-desktop",
-            "version": "1.2.7",
+            "version": "1.2.8",
             "hasInstallScript": true,
             "dependencies": {
                 "@codemirror/commands": "^6.10.3",
diff --git a/apps/desktop/package.json b/apps/desktop/package.json
index 38d44612..c2e0d981 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/package.json
+++ b/apps/desktop/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "name": "bifrostwrite-desktop",
     "private": true,
-    "version": "1.2.7",
+    "version": "1.2.8",
     "homepage": "https://github.com/bifrost-proxy/BifrostWrite",
     "type": "module",
     "engines": {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.toml b/apps/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.toml
index 20f59f6e..b670a543 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.toml
+++ b/apps/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "bifrostwrite-desktop"
-version = "1.2.7"
+version = "1.2.8"
 edition = "2021"
 description = "Tauri desktop shell for BifrostWrite"
 license = "Apache-2.0"
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json b/apps/desktop/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
index 53d8d734..566da2c1 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
+++ b/apps/desktop/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "$schema": "https://schema.tauri.app/config/2",
   "productName": "BifrostWrite",
-  "version": "1.2.7",
+  "version": "1.2.8",
   "identifier": "com.bifrostwrite.desktop",
   "build": {
     "beforeDevCommand": "npm run renderer:dev",
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/Editor.test.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/Editor.test.tsx
index 0c678a47..32b92105 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/Editor.test.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/Editor.test.tsx
@@ -2593,9 +2593,15 @@ describe("Editor", () => {
         renderComponent(<Editor />);
 
         const firstView = getEditorView();
-        expect(firstView.scrollDOM.firstElementChild).toHaveClass(
-            "cm-lp-scroll-header",
-        );
+        const firstScrollHeader = firstView.scrollDOM
+            .firstElementChild as HTMLElement;
+        expect(firstScrollHeader).toHaveClass("cm-lp-scroll-header");
+        expect(getComputedStyle(firstScrollHeader).display).toBe("contents");
+        expect(
+            firstScrollHeader.querySelector(
+                '[data-editor-note-toolbar="true"]',
+            ),
+        ).toHaveStyle({ position: "sticky", top: "0px" });
 
         await act(async () => {
             useEditorStore.getState().switchTab("tab-2");
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/MarkdownNoteHeader.test.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/MarkdownNoteHeader.test.tsx
index 1fab3393..95ec888c 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/MarkdownNoteHeader.test.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/MarkdownNoteHeader.test.tsx
@@ -45,6 +45,15 @@ function renderHeader(lineWrapping: boolean) {
     );
 
     return {
+        spacer: document.querySelector(
+            '[data-editor-note-toolbar-spacer="true"]',
+        ) as HTMLElement | null,
+        toolbar: document.querySelector(
+            '[data-editor-note-toolbar="true"]',
+        ) as HTMLElement | null,
+        toolbarInner: document.querySelector(
+            '[data-editor-note-toolbar-inner="true"]',
+        ) as HTMLElement | null,
         outer: document.querySelector(
             '[data-editor-note-header="true"]',
         ) as HTMLElement | null,
@@ -64,13 +73,29 @@ describe("MarkdownNoteHeader", () => {
     });
 
     it("keeps the centered reading layout when line wrapping is enabled", () => {
-        const { outer, inner } = renderHeader(true);
+        const { spacer, toolbar, toolbarInner, outer, inner } =
+            renderHeader(true);
+        expect(spacer).toHaveStyle({ height: "32px", flex: "0 0 100%" });
+        expect(toolbar).toHaveAttribute("data-line-wrapping", "true");
+        expect(toolbar).toHaveStyle({
+            position: "sticky",
+            top: "0px",
+            width: "100%",
+            flex: "0 0 100%",
+            padding: "6px var(--editor-horizontal-inset)",
+        });
+        expect(toolbarInner).toHaveStyle({
+            width: "min(100%, var(--editor-content-width))",
+            maxWidth: "var(--editor-content-width)",
+            margin: "0 auto",
+        });
         expect(outer).not.toBeNull();
         expect(inner).not.toBeNull();
         expect(outer).toHaveAttribute("data-line-wrapping", "true");
         expect(outer).toHaveStyle({
             width: "100%",
-            padding: "40px var(--editor-horizontal-inset) 0",
+            padding: "14px var(--editor-horizontal-inset) 0",
+            flex: "0 0 100%",
         });
         expect(inner).toHaveStyle({
             width: "min(100%, var(--editor-content-width))",
@@ -82,13 +107,18 @@ describe("MarkdownNoteHeader", () => {
     });
 
     it("switches to a left-aligned layout when line wrapping is disabled", () => {
-        const { outer, inner } = renderHeader(false);
+        const { toolbarInner, outer, inner } = renderHeader(false);
         expect(outer).not.toBeNull();
         expect(inner).not.toBeNull();
         expect(outer).toHaveAttribute("data-line-wrapping", "false");
         expect(outer).toHaveStyle({
             width: "100%",
-            padding: "40px var(--editor-horizontal-inset) 0",
+            padding: "14px var(--editor-horizontal-inset) 0",
+        });
+        expect(toolbarInner).toHaveStyle({
+            width: "100%",
+            maxWidth: "none",
+            margin: "0px",
         });
         expect(inner).toHaveStyle({
             width: "100%",
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/MarkdownNoteHeader.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/MarkdownNoteHeader.tsx
index 26cb44ec..584f084a 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/MarkdownNoteHeader.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/MarkdownNoteHeader.tsx
@@ -182,38 +182,56 @@ export function MarkdownNoteHeader({
 
     const bannerCopy = status ? BANNER_COPY[status] : undefined;
 
+    const readingWidth = lineWrapping
+        ? "min(100%, var(--editor-content-width))"
+        : "100%";
+    const readingMaxWidth = lineWrapping
+        ? "var(--editor-content-width)"
+        : "none";
+    const readingMargin = lineWrapping ? "0 auto" : "0";
+
     return (
-        <div
-            data-editor-note-header="true"
-            data-line-wrapping={String(lineWrapping)}
-            style={{
-                width: "100%",
-                padding: "40px var(--editor-horizontal-inset) 0",
-                boxSizing: "border-box",
-            }}
-        >
+        <>
+            <div
+                aria-hidden="true"
+                data-editor-note-toolbar-spacer="true"
+                style={{
+                    flex: "0 0 100%",
+                    width: "100%",
+                    height: 32,
+                }}
+            />
             <div
-                data-editor-note-header-inner="true"
+                data-editor-note-toolbar="true"
+                data-line-wrapping={String(lineWrapping)}
                 style={{
-                    width: lineWrapping
-                        ? "min(100%, var(--editor-content-width))"
-                        : "100%",
-                    maxWidth: lineWrapping
-                        ? "var(--editor-content-width)"
-                        : "none",
-                    minWidth: 0,
-                    margin: lineWrapping ? "0 auto" : "0",
+                    position: "sticky",
+                    top: 0,
+                    zIndex: 30,
+                    flex: "0 0 100%",
+                    width: "100%",
+                    padding: "6px var(--editor-horizontal-inset)",
+                    boxSizing: "border-box",
+                    background:
+                        "color-mix(in srgb, var(--bg-primary) 94%, var(--bg-secondary))",
+                    borderBottom:
+                        "1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--border) 72%, transparent)",
+                    boxShadow: "0 5px 14px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.06)",
+                    backdropFilter: "blur(14px)",
+                    WebkitBackdropFilter: "blur(14px)",
                 }}
             >
-                {/* Location breadcrumb + OKF status / type badges */}
                 <div
+                    data-editor-note-toolbar-inner="true"
                     style={{
+                        width: readingWidth,
+                        maxWidth: readingMaxWidth,
+                        minWidth: 0,
+                        margin: readingMargin,
                         display: "flex",
                         alignItems: "center",
                         gap: 8,
                         flexWrap: "wrap",
-                        minWidth: 0,
-                        marginBottom: 14,
                     }}
                 >
                     {locationSegments.length > 0 && (
@@ -264,61 +282,83 @@ export function MarkdownNoteHeader({
                         <MetaBadge
                             label={translate("No OKF type")}
                             tone="muted"
-                            title={translate("OKF vaults expect a type field in frontmatter")}
+                            title={translate(
+                                "OKF vaults expect a type field in frontmatter",
+                            )}
                             onClick={() => {
                                 if (!propertiesExpanded) onToggleProperties();
                             }}
                         />
                     )}
                 </div>
-
-                {/* Title row */}
-                <EditableNoteTitle
-                    value={editableTitle}
-                    onChange={onTitleChange}
-                    textareaRef={titleInputRef}
-                    onContextMenu={onTitleContextMenu}
-                />
-
-                {/* Toolbar: Properties toggle + Search */}
+            </div>
+            <div
+                data-editor-note-header="true"
+                data-line-wrapping={String(lineWrapping)}
+                style={{
+                    flex: "0 0 100%",
+                    width: "100%",
+                    padding: "14px var(--editor-horizontal-inset) 0",
+                    boxSizing: "border-box",
+                }}
+            >
                 <div
+                    data-editor-note-header-inner="true"
                     style={{
-                        display: "flex",
-                        alignItems: "center",
-                        gap: 4,
-                        flexWrap: "wrap",
+                        width: readingWidth,
+                        maxWidth: readingMaxWidth,
                         minWidth: 0,
-                        marginTop: 12,
-                        marginBottom: 8,
+                        margin: readingMargin,
                     }}
                 >
-                    <ToolbarButton
-                        label={translate("Properties")}
-                        icon={<PropertiesIcon />}
-                        active={propertiesExpanded}
-                        onClick={onToggleProperties}
-                    />
-                    <ToolbarButton
-                        label={translate("Search")}
-                        icon={<SearchIcon />}
-                        onClick={onSearchClick}
+                    {/* Title row */}
+                    <EditableNoteTitle
+                        value={editableTitle}
+                        onChange={onTitleChange}
+                        textareaRef={titleInputRef}
+                        onContextMenu={onTitleContextMenu}
                     />
-                </div>
 
-                {/* Trust banner (draft / in_review / deprecated / archived) */}
-                {status && bannerCopy && (
-                    <TrustBanner status={status} copy={bannerCopy} />
-                )}
-
-                {/* Properties body (expanded below toolbar) */}
-                {propertiesExpanded && (
-                    <div style={{ minWidth: 0, marginBottom: 8 }}>
-                        <FrontmatterBody
-                            raw={frontmatterRaw}
-                            onChange={onFrontmatterChange}
+                    {/* Toolbar: Properties toggle + Search */}
+                    <div
+                        style={{
+                            display: "flex",
+                            alignItems: "center",
+                            gap: 4,
+                            flexWrap: "wrap",
+                            minWidth: 0,
+                            marginTop: 12,
+                            marginBottom: 8,
+                        }}
+                    >
+                        <ToolbarButton
+                            label={translate("Properties")}
+                            icon={<PropertiesIcon />}
+                            active={propertiesExpanded}
+                            onClick={onToggleProperties}
+                        />
+                        <ToolbarButton
+                            label={translate("Search")}
+                            icon={<SearchIcon />}
+                            onClick={onSearchClick}
                         />
                     </div>
-                )}
+
+                    {/* Trust banner (draft / in_review / deprecated / archived) */}
+                    {status && bannerCopy && (
+                        <TrustBanner status={status} copy={bannerCopy} />
+                    )}
+
+                    {/* Properties body (expanded below toolbar) */}
+                    {propertiesExpanded && (
+                        <div style={{ minWidth: 0, marginBottom: 8 }}>
+                            <FrontmatterBody
+                                raw={frontmatterRaw}
+                                onChange={onFrontmatterChange}
+                            />
+                        </div>
+                    )}
+                </div>
             </div>
 
             {statusMenu && (
@@ -340,7 +380,7 @@ export function MarkdownNoteHeader({
                     ]}
                 />
             )}
-        </div>
+        </>
     );
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/editorExtensions.ts b/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/editorExtensions.ts
index 4b6c6fba..9e16bd2d 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/editorExtensions.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/features/editor/editorExtensions.ts
@@ -75,8 +75,10 @@ export const baseTheme = EditorView.theme({
         overflowY: "auto",
     },
     ".cm-lp-scroll-header": {
-        flex: "0 0 100%",
-        boxSizing: "border-box",
+        // Let the spacer, sticky action bar, and document header participate
+        // directly in the scroller's flex layout. A sticky descendant would
+        // otherwise stop sticking at the bottom of this short wrapper.
+        display: "contents",
     },
     ".cm-content": {
         flex: "1 1 0%",
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/index.css b/apps/desktop/src/index.css
index 1ce350d6..d0d1086b 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/index.css
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/index.css
@@ -758,6 +758,7 @@ html[data-desktop-platform="windows"].dark {
     --code-fence-radius: 6px;
     --code-fence-inline-size: min(100%, 68ch);
     --editor-code-fence-inline-size: min(100%, 88ch);
+    --editor-code-card-gap: 0.75rem;
 }
 
 .chat-code-frame {
@@ -796,7 +797,7 @@ html[data-desktop-platform="windows"].dark {
 }
 
 .cm-code-block-header-shell {
-    padding-top: 0.25rem;
+    padding-top: var(--editor-code-card-gap);
     font-family: var(--font-mono), ui-monospace, monospace;
     font-size: 0.93em;
 }
@@ -820,14 +821,14 @@ html[data-desktop-platform="windows"].dark {
 .cm-code-block-header-shell-unlabeled {
     position: relative;
     z-index: 10;
-    height: 0;
+    height: var(--editor-code-card-gap);
     padding-top: 0;
     pointer-events: none;
 }
 
 .cm-code-block-header-unlabeled {
     position: absolute;
-    top: 0.55em;
+    top: calc(100% + 0.55em);
     right: 0.55em;
     min-height: 0;
     padding: 0;
@@ -841,7 +842,7 @@ html[data-desktop-platform="windows"].dark {
 
 .cm-code-block-header-shell-unlabeled-empty {
     height: auto;
-    padding-top: 0.25rem;
+    padding-top: var(--editor-code-card-gap);
 }
 
 .cm-code-block-header-unlabeled.cm-code-block-header-only {