diff --git a/crates/ui/src/docking/dock_model.rs b/crates/ui/src/docking/dock_model.rs
index 3c0918e6..27390e09 100644
--- a/crates/ui/src/docking/dock_model.rs
+++ b/crates/ui/src/docking/dock_model.rs
@@ -335,6 +335,66 @@ fn splice<P>(panels: &mut Vec<P>, active: &mut usize, index: usize, new: Vec<P>,
 }
 
 impl<P: Clone + Eq + Hash> Layout<P> {
+    /// The layout without its sizes and rectangles: which panels are where, and their state.
+    /// A run of splits along one axis nests one way (`a | (b | c)`), since nesting it the
+    /// other way only moves sizes between its members.
+    pub(super) fn shape(&self) -> Layout<P> {
+        fn run<'a, P>(node: &'a Node<P>, axis: SplitAxis, out: &mut Vec<&'a Node<P>>) {
+            match node {
+                Node::Split { axis: own, first, second, .. } if *own == axis => {
+                    run(first, axis, out);
+                    run(second, axis, out);
+                }
+                node => out.push(node),
+            }
+        }
+        fn node<P: Clone>(n: &Node<P>) -> Node<P> {
+            match n {
+                Node::Split { axis, .. } => {
+                    let mut members = Vec::new();
+                    run(n, *axis, &mut members);
+                    let mut shaped = members.into_iter().rev().map(node);
+                    let last = shaped.next().unwrap_or(Node::Tabs { panels: Vec::new(), active: 0 });
+                    shaped.fold(last, |second, first| Node::Split {
+                        axis: *axis,
+                        size: SplitSize::Ratio(0.5),
+                        first: Box::new(first),
+                        second: Box::new(second),
+                    })
+                }
+                Node::Tabs { panels, active } => Node::Tabs { panels: panels.clone(), active: *active },
+                Node::Stack { entries } => Node::Stack { entries: entries.iter().map(|e| super::StackEntry { height: None, ..e.clone() }).collect() },
+                Node::Dock { side, columns } => Node::Dock {
+                    side: *side,
+                    columns: columns
+                        .iter()
+                        .map(|c| Column {
+                            groups: c.groups.iter().map(|g| Group { height: None, ..g.clone() }).collect(),
+                            width: 0.0,
+                            iconic: c.iconic,
+                            iconic_width: None,
+                        })
+                        .collect(),
+                },
+            }
+        }
+        Layout {
+            root: self.root.as_ref().map(node),
+            floating: self
+                .floating
+                .iter()
+                .map(|w| Floating { root: node(&w.root), rect: [0.0; 4], native: None, monitor: None, monitor_size: None, ..w.clone() })
+                .collect(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Whether `other` arranges the panels as this layout does: equal apart from split sizes,
+    /// column widths, group heights and window rectangles. A drop that leads from one to the
+    /// other changes nothing the user would see as a move.
+    pub(super) fn same_arrangement(&self, other: &Self) -> bool {
+        self.shape() == other.shape()
+    }
+
     pub(super) fn place(&self, panel: &P) -> Option<Place> {
         for (w, window) in self.floating.iter().enumerate() {
             for (leaf, path) in leaves(&window.root) {
diff --git a/crates/ui/src/docking/drop_tests.rs b/crates/ui/src/docking/drop_tests.rs
index b6006aa5..0098aeb5 100644
--- a/crates/ui/src/docking/drop_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui/src/docking/drop_tests.rs
@@ -315,3 +315,120 @@ fn a_canvas_that_takes_splits_takes_them_only_on_its_drop_edges() {
         }
     }
 }
+
+/// Whether the last frame painted a drop preview: an accent line, outline or fill.
+fn previews(d: &Driver) -> bool {
+    let accent = accent();
+    d.shapes().iter().any(|clipped| match &clipped.shape {
+        egui::Shape::Rect(shape) => shape.fill == accent || shape.fill == accent.gamma_multiply(0.08) || shape.stroke.color == accent,
+        egui::Shape::Path(path) => path.fill != Color32::TRANSPARENT && path.fill == accent.gamma_multiply(0.3),
+        _ => false,
+    })
+}
+
+fn ratio_split(axis: SplitAxis, ratio: f32, first: Node<u32>, second: Node<u32>) -> Node<u32> {
+    Node::Split { axis, size: SplitSize::Ratio(ratio), first: Box::new(first), second: Box::new(second) }
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn a_drop_that_changes_only_sizes_shows_nothing_and_does_nothing() {
+    // CADCraft's sidebar: Layers (2) alone above Properties (3) and a third group (4), beside
+    // the canvas (1); and the same with the column as one two-group split.
+    let nested = ratio_split(SplitAxis::Vertical, 0.3, tabs(&[2]), ratio_split(SplitAxis::Vertical, 0.5, tabs(&[3]), tabs(&[4])));
+    let flat = ratio_split(SplitAxis::Vertical, 0.3, tabs(&[2]), tabs(&[3]));
+    for column in [nested, flat] {
+        let layout = Layout { root: Some(ratio_split(SplitAxis::Horizontal, 0.6, tabs(&[1]), column)), floating: Vec::new() };
+        let start = || DockDriver::new(layout.clone(), Bodies::default());
+        let d = start();
+        let (body, rect) = group(&d, 3);
+        let top = pos2(body.center().x, body.top() + body.height() * 0.2);
+        // Properties' bottom third moves Layers, with a line.
+        let mut d = start();
+        d.hold(tab(&d, 2), pos2(body.center().x, body.bottom() - body.height() * 0.2));
+        assert!(previews(&d) && d.filled(line(rect, Zone::Bottom)));
+        // Its top third would put Layers back where it is.
+        let mut d = start();
+        d.hold(tab(&d, 2), top);
+        assert!(!previews(&d), "no line, outline or fill");
+        let out = d.release(top);
+        assert!(out.actions.is_empty(), "{:?}", out.actions);
+        assert_eq!(d.layout, layout);
+    }
+    // A lone frame's tab on the layout edge its frame already holds.
+    let layout = Layout { root: Some(ratio_split(SplitAxis::Vertical, 0.75, tabs(&[1]), tabs(&[4]))), floating: Vec::new() };
+    let mut d = DockDriver::new(layout.clone(), Bodies::default());
+    let at = pos2(400.0, 590.0);
+    d.hold(tab(&d, 4), at);
+    assert!(!previews(&d));
+    let out = d.release(at);
+    assert!(out.actions.is_empty(), "{:?}", out.actions);
+    assert_eq!(d.layout, layout);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn a_dock_drop_that_changes_only_heights_shows_nothing_and_does_nothing() {
+    // A dock column of a sized lone group (2) above another (3), beside the canvas (1).
+    let column = Column::new(vec![Group { height: Some(150.0), ..Group::new(vec![2], 0) }, Group::new(vec![3], 0)], 240.0);
+    let dock = Node::Dock { side: Side::End, columns: vec![column] };
+    let root = Node::Split { axis: SplitAxis::Horizontal, size: SplitSize::FixedSecond(240.0), first: Box::new(tabs(&[1])), second: Box::new(dock) };
+    let layout = Layout { root: Some(root), floating: Vec::new() };
+    let start = || DockDriver::new(layout.clone(), Bodies::default());
+    let d = start();
+    let (body, rect) = group(&d, 3);
+    let (upper, _) = group(&d, 2);
+    // Below the lower group moves the upper one, with a line.
+    let mut d = start();
+    d.hold(tab(&d, 2), pos2(body.center().x, body.bottom() - body.height() * 0.2));
+    assert!(previews(&d));
+    // The lower group's top third and the seam between them put the group back where it is.
+    for at in [pos2(body.center().x, body.top() + body.height() * 0.2), pos2(body.center().x, (upper.bottom() + rect.top()) * 0.5)] {
+        let mut d = start();
+        d.hold(tab(&d, 2), at);
+        assert!(!previews(&d), "{at:?}: no line");
+        let out = d.release(at);
+        assert!(out.actions.is_empty(), "{at:?}: {:?}", out.actions);
+        assert_eq!(d.layout, layout);
+    }
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn a_header_drag_of_a_windows_only_group_looks_through_its_window() {
+    // Group 4 floats alone over frame 1's left part.
+    let mut layout = frames();
+    layout.floating.push(Floating::single(vec![4], 0, [40.0, 150.0, 300.0, 260.0]));
+    let start = || DockDriver::new(layout.clone(), Bodies::default());
+    let d = start();
+    let (body, rect) = group(&d, 1);
+    let window = Rect::from_min_size(pos2(40.0, 150.0), vec2(300.0, 260.0));
+    let at = pos2(body.left() + body.width() * 0.25, body.center().y);
+    assert!(window.contains(at));
+    let mut d = start();
+    let bar = d.hit(&Hit::DragBar(4)).unwrap().center();
+    d.hold(bar, at);
+    assert!(d.filled(line(rect, Zone::Left)), "frame 1's left third, behind the window");
+    let out = d.release(at);
+    assert_eq!(out.actions, vec![Action::MoveGroup { panel: 4, to: Target::At { anchor: 1, placement: Placement::Split(Zone::Left) } }]);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn a_header_drag_in_a_window_of_two_groups_still_offers_the_other_group() {
+    let mut layout = frames();
+    let tree = ratio_split(SplitAxis::Vertical, 0.5, tabs(&[4]), tabs(&[5]));
+    layout.floating.push(Floating::new(tree, [40.0, 100.0, 300.0, 400.0]));
+    let start = || DockDriver::new(layout.clone(), Bodies::default());
+    let d = start();
+    let (body, rect) = group(&d, 5);
+    let mut d = start();
+    let bar = d.hit(&Hit::DragBar(4)).unwrap().center();
+    d.hold(bar, body.center());
+    assert!(d.outlined(rect.shrink(1.0)), "group 5 joins");
+    let out = d.release(body.center());
+    assert!(
+        matches!(
+            &out.actions[..],
+            [Action::MoveGroup { panel: 4, to: Target::At { anchor: 5, placement: Placement::Tab { .. } | Placement::Split(Zone::Center) } }]
+        ),
+        "{:?}",
+        out.actions
+    );
+}
diff --git a/crates/ui/src/docking/group_tests.rs b/crates/ui/src/docking/group_tests.rs
index fc071e66..8406ec5e 100644
--- a/crates/ui/src/docking/group_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui/src/docking/group_tests.rs
@@ -503,7 +503,8 @@ fn release_over_own_position_is_a_noop() {
 #[test]
 fn floating_border_and_drag_bar_move_and_cancel_as_a_group() {
     for name in ["drag-border", "drag-bar"] {
-        let layout = Layout { root: Some(tabs(&[1], 0)), floating: vec![Floating::single(vec![5, 6], 1, [80.0, 70.0, 300.0, 220.0])] };
+        // Nothing docked: a header drag of a window's only group looks through the window.
+        let layout = Layout { root: None, floating: vec![Floating::single(vec![5, 6], 1, [80.0, 70.0, 300.0, 220.0])] };
         let mut d = Driver::new(layout.clone());
         let from = d.rect(name, 5).center();
         d.hold(from, from + vec2(50.0, 40.0));
@@ -522,7 +523,7 @@ fn floating_border_and_drag_bar_move_and_cancel_as_a_group() {
 
 #[test]
 fn floating_border_movement_does_not_accumulate_fractional_step_rounding() {
-    let layout = Layout { root: Some(tabs(&[1], 0)), floating: vec![Floating::single(vec![5, 6], 1, [80.0, 70.0, 300.0, 220.0])] };
+    let layout = Layout { root: None, floating: vec![Floating::single(vec![5, 6], 1, [80.0, 70.0, 300.0, 220.0])] };
     let mut d = Driver::new(layout);
     let from = d.rect("drag-border", 5).center();
     d.step(vec![Event::PointerMoved(from), button(from, true)]);
diff --git a/crates/ui/src/docking/render/dock.rs b/crates/ui/src/docking/render/dock.rs
index be0aeee4..19c97607 100644
--- a/crates/ui/src/docking/render/dock.rs
+++ b/crates/ui/src/docking/render/dock.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use egui::{Context, Key, Pos2, Rect, Sense, Stroke, StrokeKind, Ui, UiBuilder, p
 
 use super::{GroupKind, Renderer, RowItem, row_drag, row_range, stripless};
 use crate::docking::{
-    Action, Column, DockEvent, DockHeights, DockStyle, Group, GroupDrag, GroupGesture, Node, Placement, Side, Target, Zone,
+    Action, Column, DockEvent, DockHeights, DockStyle, DropTarget, Group, GroupDrag, GroupGesture, Node, Placement, Side, Target, Zone,
     dock_model::Unit,
     targets::{
         DockDrop, DockTarget, SIDE_EDGE_ZONE_DEPTH, STRIP_REACH, body_zone, column_edge, drop_zone, horizontal_line, resolve_dock, usable,
@@ -636,18 +636,25 @@ impl<P: Clone + Eq + Hash + Debug + Send + Sync + 'static> Renderer<'_, P> {
     /// takes tabs: the strip joins the group, and border bands reach into it only
     /// [`STRIP_REACH`] from their lines. Not with [`DockStyle::side_edge_zones`].
     pub(super) fn in_tab_strip(&self, pointer: Pos2) -> bool {
+        self.in_tab_strip_past(pointer, &[])
+    }
+
+    /// [`Self::in_tab_strip`] past the groups holding any of `through`.
+    fn in_tab_strip_past(&self, pointer: Pos2, through: &[P]) -> bool {
+        let own = |t: &DropTarget<P>| t.tabs.iter().any(|(p, _)| through.contains(p));
         !self.style.side_edge_zones
-            && self.targets.iter().rev().find(|t| usable(t.rect) && t.rect.contains(pointer)).is_some_and(|t| {
+            && self.targets.iter().rev().find(|t| usable(t.rect) && t.rect.contains(pointer) && !own(t)).is_some_and(|t| {
                 t.accepts_tabs && t.tab_strip.map(|strip| strip.intersect(t.rect)).is_some_and(|strip| usable(strip) && strip.contains(pointer))
             })
     }
 
     /// The dock target at `pointer`: a band at a border, else a side zone of a dock group's
     /// body ([`SIDE_EDGE_ZONE_DEPTH`] deep with [`DockStyle::side_edge_zones`]). The middle of a
-    /// group that takes tabs is none: the group's own target joins it.
-    fn dock_drop(&self, pointer: Pos2) -> Option<DockDrop<P>> {
+    /// group that takes tabs is none: the group's own target joins it. The groups holding
+    /// `through` (a floating window the drag looks through) hide no strip.
+    fn dock_drop(&self, pointer: Pos2, through: &[P]) -> Option<DockDrop<P>> {
         let mut candidates = self.dock_candidates();
-        let strip = self.in_tab_strip(pointer);
+        let strip = self.in_tab_strip_past(pointer, through);
         if strip {
             candidates.retain(|t| t.line.distance_to_pos(pointer) <= STRIP_REACH);
         }
@@ -670,11 +677,11 @@ impl<P: Clone + Eq + Hash + Debug + Send + Sync + 'static> Renderer<'_, P> {
     /// The dock target a whole group or column drag would take at `pointer`, with the action
     /// and its line. A target that leaves the layout unchanged is a no-op: `None` action.
     pub(super) fn dock_group_proposal(&self, drag: &GroupDrag<P>, pointer: Pos2) -> Option<(Option<Action<P>>, Rect)> {
-        let moving = (drag.gesture == GroupGesture::Window).then_some(&drag.panel);
-        if self.dock_covered(pointer, moving) {
+        let through = self.looks_through(drag);
+        if self.dock_covered(pointer, through.then_some(&drag.panel)) {
             return None;
         }
-        let drop = self.dock_drop(pointer)?;
+        let drop = self.dock_drop(pointer, if through { &drag.members } else { &[] })?;
         let action = group_action(drag, drop.target.to());
         self.checked(action).map(|action| (action, drop.line))
     }
@@ -686,7 +693,7 @@ impl<P: Clone + Eq + Hash + Debug + Send + Sync + 'static> Renderer<'_, P> {
         if self.dock_covered(pointer, None) {
             return None;
         }
-        let drop = self.dock_drop(pointer)?;
+        let drop = self.dock_drop(pointer, &[])?;
         let action = match drop.target.to() {
             // A target named by the dragged panel is its own group or column: another panel
             // there names the same one. With none, the drop leaves the panel where it is.
@@ -707,11 +714,12 @@ impl<P: Clone + Eq + Hash + Debug + Send + Sync + 'static> Renderer<'_, P> {
         self.checked(action).map(|action| (action, drop.line))
     }
 
-    /// `Some(None)` when the action is valid but changes nothing, `None` when it is invalid.
+    /// `Some(None)` when the action is valid but changes nothing apart from sizes
+    /// ([`crate::docking::Layout::same_arrangement`]), `None` when it is invalid.
     fn checked(&self, action: Action<P>) -> Option<Option<Action<P>>> {
         let mut candidate = self.layout.clone();
         candidate.apply_with_permissions(action.clone(), |p| self.permissions(p)).ok()?;
-        Some((candidate != *self.layout).then_some(action))
+        Some((!candidate.same_arrangement(self.layout)).then_some(action))
     }
 
     /// The line a drop beside a group, column, dock or the layout's edge previews with.
diff --git a/crates/ui/src/docking/render/preview.rs b/crates/ui/src/docking/render/preview.rs
index a8cd1e6f..75b9365f 100644
--- a/crates/ui/src/docking/render/preview.rs
+++ b/crates/ui/src/docking/render/preview.rs
@@ -127,24 +127,35 @@ impl<P: Clone + Eq + Hash + Debug + Send + Sync + 'static> Renderer<'_, P> {
     }
 
     /// The valid target under the pointer for a whole group. A target holding the group
-    /// itself is a no-op proposal; a target the model would reject is no target. A window
-    /// moving live looks through itself and does not split frames or, moved by its bar, join
-    /// a body's center.
+    /// itself is a no-op proposal, and so is a drop that would change only sizes; a target
+    /// the model would reject is no target. A drag that takes a whole floating window along
+    /// looks through it ([`Self::looks_through`]). A window moving live does not split frames
+    /// or, moved by its bar, join a body's center.
     pub(super) fn group_proposal(&self, drag: &GroupDrag<P>, pointer: Pos2) -> Option<DropProposal<P>> {
-        let window = drag.gesture == GroupGesture::Window;
-        if let Some(proposal) = self.extra_proposal(&drag.members, pointer, window) {
-            return self.valid_group(drag, proposal);
+        if let Some(proposal) = self.extra_proposal(&drag.members, pointer, self.looks_through(drag)) {
+            return self.valid_group(drag, self.settled(proposal, |to| group_action(drag, to)));
         }
         let target = self.group_target(drag, pointer)?;
         self.group_proposal_at(drag, pointer, target)
     }
 
-    /// The group under the pointer that a group drag addresses. A window moving live looks
-    /// through itself.
+    /// Whether a group drag looks through the floating window it comes from: the window's
+    /// title bar moves it, or the drag holds the window's only group and so takes the window
+    /// along. The window then covers nothing behind it.
+    pub(super) fn looks_through(&self, drag: &GroupDrag<P>) -> bool {
+        match drag.gesture {
+            GroupGesture::Window => true,
+            GroupGesture::Group => self.whole_window(&drag.panel),
+            GroupGesture::Column => false,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The group under the pointer that a group drag addresses, past the drag's own groups
+    /// when it looks through its window.
     fn group_target(&self, drag: &GroupDrag<P>, pointer: Pos2) -> Option<&DropTarget<P>> {
-        let window = drag.gesture == GroupGesture::Window;
+        let through = self.looks_through(drag);
         let own = |t: &DropTarget<P>| t.tabs.iter().any(|(p, _)| drag.members.contains(p));
-        self.targets.iter().rev().find(|t| crate::docking::targets::usable(t.rect) && t.rect.contains(pointer) && !(window && own(t)))
+        self.targets.iter().rev().find(|t| crate::docking::targets::usable(t.rect) && t.rect.contains(pointer) && !(through && own(t)))
     }
 
     /// [`Self::group_proposal`] on `target` alone.
@@ -189,23 +200,37 @@ impl<P: Clone + Eq + Hash + Debug + Send + Sync + 'static> Renderer<'_, P> {
     /// [`crate::docking::resolve_drop_by`] with [`crate::docking::DockStyle::zone_rule`] and the
     /// canvas sides of [`crate::docking::DockStyle::drop_edges`], where a split that would leave
     /// a group without room becomes a join of the target group, or no target when the group
-    /// takes no tabs.
+    /// takes no tabs. A drop that would change only sizes is a no-op ([`Self::settled`]).
     fn resolve_roomy(&self, panel: &P, pointer: Pos2, targets: &[DropTarget<P>], action: impl Fn(Target<P>) -> Action<P>) -> Option<DropProposal<P>> {
         let proposal = resolve_drop_on(panel, pointer, targets, self.style.zone_rule(), self.style.drop_sides())?;
         if !matches!(proposal.placement, Placement::Split(zone) if zone != Zone::Center) {
-            return Some(proposal);
+            return Some(self.settled(proposal, action));
         }
         if self.leaves_room(action(Target::At { anchor: proposal.anchor.clone(), placement: proposal.placement.clone() })) {
-            return Some(proposal);
+            return Some(self.settled(proposal, action));
         }
         let target = targets.iter().rev().find(|t| crate::docking::targets::usable(t.rect) && t.rect.contains(pointer))?;
-        resolve_drop_on(
+        let proposal = resolve_drop_on(
             panel,
             pointer,
             std::slice::from_ref(&DropTarget { allow_splits: false, ..target.clone() }),
             self.style.zone_rule(),
             self.style.drop_sides(),
-        )
+        )?;
+        Some(self.settled(proposal, action))
+    }
+
+    /// `proposal`, marked a no-op when `action` at it would leave every panel where it is,
+    /// changing only sizes ([`Layout::same_arrangement`]): a lone group dropped beside the
+    /// group it already borders, or a tab on the edge its frame already holds. Such a drop
+    /// shows no target and changes nothing.
+    fn settled(&self, mut proposal: DropProposal<P>, action: impl Fn(Target<P>) -> Action<P>) -> DropProposal<P> {
+        if !proposal.noop {
+            let mut candidate = self.layout.clone();
+            let to = Target::At { anchor: proposal.anchor.clone(), placement: proposal.placement.clone() };
+            proposal.noop = candidate.apply_with_permissions(action(to), |p| self.permissions(p)).is_ok() && candidate.same_arrangement(self.layout);
+        }
+        proposal
     }
 
     /// Whether `action`, a drop that splits a group or the outer edge, leaves room: every group
@@ -245,8 +270,9 @@ impl<P: Clone + Eq + Hash + Debug + Send + Sync + 'static> Renderer<'_, P> {
     }
 
     /// Release of a group drag: join or split at the target, or float at the ghost with the
-    /// group's size. Over its own docked position nothing changes; a floating group released
-    /// over itself moves there.
+    /// group's size. Over its own docked position, or where the drop would change only sizes,
+    /// nothing changes; a floating group released over itself or a window's title bar moves
+    /// there.
     fn drop_group(&mut self, drag: &GroupDrag<P>, pointer: Pos2, float_only: bool) {
         if pointer.distance(drag.origin) < 2.0 {
             return;
@@ -262,7 +288,8 @@ impl<P: Clone + Eq + Hash + Debug + Send + Sync + 'static> Renderer<'_, P> {
             self.output.actions.push(group_action(drag, to));
             return;
         }
-        if proposal.is_some() && !floating {
+        // A no-op anchored on another group would change only sizes.
+        if proposal.is_some_and(|p| !floating || !drag.members.contains(&p.anchor)) {
             return;
         }
         if !float_only && !self.style.float_on_empty_drop {
@@ -416,12 +443,14 @@ impl<P: Clone + Eq + Hash + Debug + Send + Sync + 'static> Renderer<'_, P> {
 
     /// The group target a single tab drag would take at `pointer`.
     pub(super) fn tab_proposal(&self, panel: &P, pointer: Pos2) -> Option<DropProposal<P>> {
-        self.extra_proposal(std::slice::from_ref(panel), pointer, false).or_else(|| {
-            self.resolve_roomy(panel, pointer, &self.targets, |to| match to {
-                Target::At { anchor, placement } => Action::Move { panel: panel.clone(), anchor, placement },
-                to => Action::MovePanel { panel: panel.clone(), to },
-            })
-        })
+        let action = |to| match to {
+            Target::At { anchor, placement } => Action::Move { panel: panel.clone(), anchor, placement },
+            to => Action::MovePanel { panel: panel.clone(), to },
+        };
+        match self.extra_proposal(std::slice::from_ref(panel), pointer, false) {
+            Some(proposal) => Some(self.settled(proposal, action)),
+            None => self.resolve_roomy(panel, pointer, &self.targets, action),
+        }
     }
 
     /// The preview of a tab drag's group target (with
@@ -500,8 +529,7 @@ impl<P: Clone + Eq + Hash + Debug + Send + Sync + 'static> Renderer<'_, P> {
 
     /// [`Self::paint_zones`] for a group drag.
     pub(super) fn paint_group_zones(&self, painter: &egui::Painter, drag: &GroupDrag<P>, pointer: Pos2, proposal: Option<&DropProposal<P>>) -> bool {
-        let window = drag.gesture == GroupGesture::Window;
-        if !self.style.side_edge_zones || self.extra_proposal(&drag.members, pointer, window).is_some() {
+        if !self.style.side_edge_zones || self.extra_proposal(&drag.members, pointer, self.looks_through(drag)).is_some() {
             return false;
         }
         let Some(target) = self.group_target(drag, pointer) else { return false };
diff --git a/crates/ui/src/docking/surface.rs b/crates/ui/src/docking/surface.rs
index 01e9a838..885303a6 100644
--- a/crates/ui/src/docking/surface.rs
+++ b/crates/ui/src/docking/surface.rs
@@ -496,54 +496,19 @@ fn cancel_drag_if_replaced<P: Clone + Eq + Hash + Debug + Send + Sync + 'static>
     }) else {
         return;
     };
-    let now = shape(layout);
-    if now == shape(&last.layout) {
+    let now = layout.shape();
+    if now == last.layout.shape() {
         return;
     }
     let mut applied = last.layout;
     for action in last.actions {
         let _ = applied.apply(action);
     }
-    if now != shape(&applied) {
+    if now != applied.shape() {
         cancel_drag::<P>(ctx, area);
     }
 }
 
-/// `layout` without its sizes and rectangles: which panels are where, and their state.
-fn shape<P: Clone>(layout: &Layout<P>) -> Layout<P> {
-    use super::{Column, Floating, Group, Node, StackEntry};
-    use crate::layout::SplitSize;
-    fn node<P: Clone>(n: &Node<P>) -> Node<P> {
-        match n {
-            Node::Split { axis, first, second, .. } => {
-                Node::Split { axis: *axis, size: SplitSize::Ratio(0.5), first: Box::new(node(first)), second: Box::new(node(second)) }
-            }
-            Node::Tabs { panels, active } => Node::Tabs { panels: panels.clone(), active: *active },
-            Node::Stack { entries } => Node::Stack { entries: entries.iter().map(|e| StackEntry { height: None, ..e.clone() }).collect() },
-            Node::Dock { side, columns } => Node::Dock {
-                side: *side,
-                columns: columns
-                    .iter()
-                    .map(|c| Column {
-                        groups: c.groups.iter().map(|g| Group { height: None, ..g.clone() }).collect(),
-                        width: 0.0,
-                        iconic: c.iconic,
-                        iconic_width: None,
-                    })
-                    .collect(),
-            },
-        }
-    }
-    Layout {
-        root: layout.root.as_ref().map(node),
-        floating: layout
-            .floating
-            .iter()
-            .map(|w| Floating { root: node(&w.root), rect: [0.0; 4], native: None, monitor: None, monitor_size: None, ..w.clone() })
-            .collect(),
-    }
-}
-
 /// Keep what [`cancel_drag_if_replaced`] compares the next frame against, while a drag of this
 /// area goes on.
 fn record_drag_frame<P: Clone + Eq + Hash + Debug + Send + Sync + 'static>(
diff --git a/crates/ui/src/docking/targets.rs b/crates/ui/src/docking/targets.rs
index a3dc3b2a..0752cbb6 100644
--- a/crates/ui/src/docking/targets.rs
+++ b/crates/ui/src/docking/targets.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ pub struct DropProposal<P> {
     pub placement: Placement<P>,
     pub preview: Rect,
     pub insertion: Option<Rect>,
-    /// The pointer addresses the tab's current insertion slot.
+    /// The pointer addresses the tab's current insertion slot. The renderer also marks a drop
+    /// that would leave every panel where it is, changing only sizes.
     pub noop: bool,
 }
 
diff --git a/docs/ui-docking.md b/docs/ui-docking.md
index 93a42930..4ad822a4 100644
--- a/docs/ui-docking.md
+++ b/docs/ui-docking.md
@@ -215,7 +215,10 @@ A flyout fits its content the same way, without the title bar.
   with `title_bar_docks` a release over a target docks the whole window there, else it only
   moves.
 - Inside a floating window, tabs and drag bars drag and dock as they do in the docked layout,
-  into any window. Its groups split, join and resize like frames, with dividers and four-way
+  into any window. A drag bar or border of a window's only group takes the whole window along,
+  so, like the title bar, it looks through the window: the groups, docks and windows behind it
+  take the drop while the pointer is still inside it. In a window of several groups, the other
+  groups stay targets. Its groups split, join and resize like frames, with dividers and four-way
   handles (`Divider::WindowSplit` and `Divider::WindowIntersection`, named by the window's first
   panel). Double-clicking the title bar minimizes the window to its title bar, or to the tab strip
   of its only group; so does double-clicking that group's strip. The group menu's float item
@@ -308,6 +311,12 @@ A flyout fits its content the same way, without the title bar.
   - A drop that joins a group shows a 2 pt accent outline of the whole group, with a light fill,
     and on its strip the 2 pt insertion marker.
 
+  A drop that would leave every panel where it is, changing only sizes, shows nothing and
+  changes nothing: a lone group dropped beside the group it already borders, or a frame's tab
+  on the layout edge the frame already holds. Split sizes, column widths, group heights and
+  window rectangles are not compared, and a run of splits along one axis is the same however
+  it nests.
+
   A group drag also shows its ghost at the pointer. With `side_edge_zones`, a drag over a group
   instead outlines each of its zones that a drop would change something in (the side
   trapezoids, the center rectangle and the tab strip; `zone_shape` gives the outlines) and