diff --git a/canvas/src/components/Toolbar.tsx b/canvas/src/components/Toolbar.tsx
index c9b3f976..b2563aee 100644
--- a/canvas/src/components/Toolbar.tsx
+++ b/canvas/src/components/Toolbar.tsx
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ export function Toolbar() {
       <div ref={helpRef} className="relative">
         <button
           type="button"
-          onClick={() => setHelpOpen((open) => !open)}
+          onClick={() => setHelpOpen(true)}
           className="flex items-center justify-center w-7 h-7 bg-surface-card hover:bg-surface-card/70 border border-line rounded-lg transition-colors text-ink-mid hover:text-ink focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent/40"
           aria-expanded={helpOpen}
           aria-label="Open shortcuts and tips"
diff --git a/canvas/src/components/__tests__/Toolbar.test.tsx b/canvas/src/components/__tests__/Toolbar.test.tsx
index 60e74c7c..81642e25 100644
--- a/canvas/src/components/__tests__/Toolbar.test.tsx
+++ b/canvas/src/components/__tests__/Toolbar.test.tsx
@@ -255,6 +255,32 @@ describe("Toolbar — Help popover", () => {
     fireEvent.click(closeBtn);
     expect(screen.queryByRole("dialog")).toBeNull();
   });
+
+  it("closes when pointer is pressed outside the help popover", () => {
+    render(<Toolbar />);
+    const helpBtn = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /open shortcuts and tips/i });
+    fireEvent.click(helpBtn);
+    expect(screen.getByRole("dialog")).toBeTruthy();
+    // Simulate pointerdown outside the help popover (not on the help button)
+    fireEvent.pointerDown(document.body);
+    expect(screen.queryByRole("dialog")).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("opens on click even after a previous pointer-outside close", () => {
+    // Regression: clicking outside closed the popover AND toggled the button
+    // state, so the next click on the button would close it again.
+    // The fix makes the button always open (never toggle) so re-opening works.
+    render(<Toolbar />);
+    const helpBtn = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /open shortcuts and tips/i });
+    fireEvent.click(helpBtn);
+    expect(screen.getByRole("dialog")).toBeTruthy();
+    // Click outside (pointerdown on body, not on help button)
+    fireEvent.pointerDown(document.body);
+    expect(screen.queryByRole("dialog")).toBeNull();
+    // Click the help button again — must re-open, not double-close
+    fireEvent.click(helpBtn);
+    expect(screen.getByRole("dialog")).toBeTruthy();
+  });
 });
 
 describe("Toolbar — A2A edges toggle", () => {