diff --git a/docs/editing.md b/docs/editing.md
index c55ab46..a6a2554 100644
--- a/docs/editing.md
+++ b/docs/editing.md
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ Use `:tab.new` to open the current buffer in a new, focused tab with one pane. E
 | `:tab.close` | `config.core.tab.close` | Close the current tab and all its panes, protecting unsaved changes |
 | `:tab.force_close` | `config.core.tab.force_close` | Explicitly discard exclusively displayed edits and close the tab |
 
-Multiple tabs show a single top row with padded numbered filenames and dirty markers. The active tab has an accent-colored background fading into the terminal background through `░▒▓` / `▓▒░`; inactive tabs remain unfilled. Narrow terminals omit the fade before clipping the active title. The status bar uses the same fade around its mode and right-aligned caret position, leaving file metadata unfilled. New/close actions have no default keybinding; for example, `config.bind "leader t", config.core.tab.new`.
+Multiple tabs show a single top row with padded numbered filenames and dirty markers. The active tab has an accent-colored background fading into the terminal background through `░▒▓` / `▓▒░`, except the first tab has no left fade; inactive tabs remain unfilled. Narrow terminals omit the fade before clipping the active title. The status bar uses the same fade around its mode and right-aligned caret position, leaving file metadata unfilled. New/close actions have no default keybinding; for example, `config.bind "leader t", config.core.tab.new`.
 
 Closing a tab refuses dirty buffers whose final displayed owner would disappear, including a comparison's working and return buffers. Buffers displayed in another tab remain open with their edits, even on force-close. Other hidden buffers remain loaded. Closing the last tab quits only if every open buffer is clean; force-close quits without saving.
 
diff --git a/src/tui.rs b/src/tui.rs
index 7bc0b86..c0c37a7 100644
--- a/src/tui.rs
+++ b/src/tui.rs
@@ -1041,8 +1041,10 @@ fn draw_tab_bar(frame: &mut Frame, editor: &Editor, area: Rect) -> Rect {
     let active = editor.tab_index();
     let mut first = active;
     let padding = u16::from(bar.width > 1);
-    let fade = usize::from(bar.width) >= labels[active].width() + usize::from(padding) + 6;
-    let mut width = labels[active].width() + usize::from(padding) + if fade { 6 } else { 0 };
+    let fade_width = if active == 0 { 3 } else { 6 };
+    let fade = usize::from(bar.width) >= labels[active].width() + usize::from(padding) + fade_width;
+    let mut width =
+        labels[active].width() + usize::from(padding) + if fade { fade_width } else { 0 };
     while first > 0 && width + labels[first - 1].width() <= usize::from(bar.width) {
         first -= 1;
         width += labels[first].width();
@@ -1051,7 +1053,7 @@ fn draw_tab_bar(frame: &mut Frame, editor: &Editor, area: Rect) -> Rect {
     let mut x = bar.x + padding;
     for (index, label) in labels.iter().enumerate().skip(first) {
         let decorated = index == active && fade;
-        let width = (label.width() + if decorated { 6 } else { 0 })
+        let width = (label.width() + if decorated { fade_width } else { 0 })
             .min(usize::from(bar.right() - x)) as u16;
         let highlight = Style::default()
             .fg(Color::Black)
@@ -1060,7 +1062,7 @@ fn draw_tab_bar(frame: &mut Frame, editor: &Editor, area: Rect) -> Rect {
         let edge = Style::default().fg(Color::Cyan);
         let line = if decorated {
             Line::from(vec![
-                Span::styled("░▒▓", edge),
+                Span::styled(if index == 0 { "" } else { "░▒▓" }, edge),
                 Span::styled(label.as_str(), highlight),
                 Span::styled("▓▒░", edge),
             ])