diff --git a/src/request_tab_widget.py b/src/request_tab_widget.py
index b8801d2..f2343f1 100644
--- a/src/request_tab_widget.py
+++ b/src/request_tab_widget.py
@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@ class RequestTabWidget(Gtk.Box):
         self.url_entry = Gtk.Entry()
         self.url_entry.set_placeholder_text("Enter URL...")
         self.url_entry.set_hexpand(True)
+        self.url_entry.add_css_class("url-entry")
         self.url_box.append(self.url_entry)
 
         # Send Button
@@ -131,10 +132,10 @@ class RequestTabWidget(Gtk.Box):
         split_pane = Gtk.Paned(orientation=Gtk.Orientation.HORIZONTAL)
         split_pane.set_vexpand(True)
         split_pane.set_position(UI_PANE_REQUEST_RESPONSE_POSITION)
-        split_pane.set_shrink_start_child(False)
-        split_pane.set_shrink_end_child(False)
-        split_pane.set_resize_start_child(True)
-        split_pane.set_resize_end_child(True)
+        split_pane.set_shrink_start_child(True)   # request can collapse to 0
+        split_pane.set_shrink_end_child(False)    # response stays
+        split_pane.set_resize_start_child(True)   # request gives up space first
+        split_pane.set_resize_end_child(False)    # response keeps its size
 
         # Request Panel
         request_box = Gtk.Box(orientation=Gtk.Orientation.VERTICAL)
@@ -165,6 +166,7 @@ class RequestTabWidget(Gtk.Box):
 
         # Response Panel
         response_box = Gtk.Box(orientation=Gtk.Orientation.VERTICAL)
+        response_box.set_size_request(250, -1)
 
         # Stack switcher (placed in bottom bar together with status info)
         response_switcher = Gtk.StackSwitcher()
diff --git a/src/window.py b/src/window.py
index 9078d43..3a7784b 100644
--- a/src/window.py
+++ b/src/window.py
@@ -213,6 +213,11 @@ class RosterWindow(Adw.ApplicationWindow):
                 font-weight: 600;
             }
 
+            /* URL entry can shrink to near-zero so the Send button stays visible */
+            entry.url-entry {
+                min-width: 0;
+            }
+
             /* Method chips in sidebar request list */
             .method-chip {
                 border-radius: 4px;