diff --git a/packages/memory-graph/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/memory-graph/CHANGELOG.md
index f2902a01..7e52aef0 100644
--- a/packages/memory-graph/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/packages/memory-graph/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 **Feature:** When a popover is opened for a doc/memory node, the background dims while the selected node and popover remain in full focus.
 
 **Implementation:**
-- Smooth animated dimming: 200ms ease-out cubic transition
+- Smooth animated dimming: 1500ms ease-out cubic transition
 - Canvas-based dimming: non-selected nodes reduced to 20% opacity
 - Edges not connected to selected node reduced to 10% opacity
 - Selected node remains at full opacity (1.0) for clear focus
@@ -37,28 +37,28 @@
 - Multiple ways to close: click backdrop, click X button, or press Escape key
 
 **Files Changed:**
+- `src/constants.ts:108-114` - Added ANIMATION config with dimDuration
 - `src/components/node-popover.tsx:3,20-29` - Escape key handler and transparent backdrop
-- `src/components/graph-canvas.tsx:53-54,62-91,289,294,301,306,317,435,454,577` - Smooth animation and dimming logic
+- `src/components/graph-canvas.tsx:12,53-54,62-91,289,294,301,306,317,435,454,577` - Smooth animation and dimming logic
 - `src/components/memory-graph.tsx:620` - Pass selectedNodeId to canvas
 - `src/types.ts:86` - Added selectedNodeId prop to GraphCanvasProps
 
----
-
-## Visual & Layout Improvements (2025-12-21)
-
 ### Smart Positioning Node Popover
 **Feature:** Clicking nodes now shows a floating popover with detailed information, positioned near the node with smart viewport edge detection.
 
 **Implementation:**
 - DOM-based popover
-- Auto-positions to avoid viewport edges
+- Auto-positions to avoid viewport edges with proper gap from node
+- Popover positioned next to node (not on top) with 20px gap
+- Calculates node dimensions dynamically based on type (document vs memory)
+- Flips to opposite side when approaching viewport edges
 - Click-outside to close
 - Shows all node metadata: title, summary (2-line truncation), type, memory count, URL, creation date, and ID
 - For memories: includes space, expiration date (if applicable), and forgotten status
 
 **Files Changed:**
 - `src/components/node-popover.tsx` - New popover component
-- `src/components/memory-graph.tsx` - Smart positioning logic
+- `src/components/memory-graph.tsx:421-429,434` - Smart positioning logic with gap calculation
 
 ### Document Type Icons on Cards
 **Feature:** Document cards now display type-specific icons centered on the card for better visual identification.
diff --git a/packages/memory-graph/src/components/graph-canvas.tsx b/packages/memory-graph/src/components/graph-canvas.tsx
index 066c0d0b..76acd89c 100644
--- a/packages/memory-graph/src/components/graph-canvas.tsx
+++ b/packages/memory-graph/src/components/graph-canvas.tsx
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import {
 	useRef,
 	useState,
 } from "react"
-import { colors } from "@/constants"
+import { colors, ANIMATION } from "@/constants"
 import type {
 	DocumentWithMemories,
 	GraphCanvasProps,
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ export const GraphCanvas = memo<GraphCanvasProps>(
 		// Smooth dimming animation
 		useEffect(() => {
 			const targetDim = selectedNodeId ? 1 : 0
-			const duration = 200 // milliseconds
+			const duration = ANIMATION.dimDuration // Match physics settling time
 			const startDim = dimProgress.current
 			const startTime = Date.now()
 
diff --git a/packages/memory-graph/src/components/memory-graph.tsx b/packages/memory-graph/src/components/memory-graph.tsx
index 70ee5470..d98fb42b 100644
--- a/packages/memory-graph/src/components/memory-graph.tsx
+++ b/packages/memory-graph/src/components/memory-graph.tsx
@@ -416,17 +416,22 @@ export const MemoryGraph = ({
 		// Popover dimensions (estimated)
 		const popoverWidth = 320
 		const popoverHeight = 400
-		const offset = 40
 		const padding = 16
 
+		// Calculate node dimensions to position popover with proper gap
+		const nodeSize = selectedNodeData.size * zoom
+		const nodeWidth = selectedNodeData.type === "document" ? nodeSize * 1.4 : nodeSize
+		const nodeHeight = selectedNodeData.type === "document" ? nodeSize * 0.9 : nodeSize
+		const gap = 20 // Gap between node and popover
+
 		// Smart positioning: flip to other side if would go off-screen
-		let popoverX = screenX + offset
-		let popoverY = screenY - 20
+		let popoverX = screenX + nodeWidth / 2 + gap
+		let popoverY = screenY - popoverHeight / 2
 
 		// Check right edge
 		if (popoverX + popoverWidth > containerSize.width - padding) {
 			// Flip to left side of node
-			popoverX = screenX - popoverWidth - offset
+			popoverX = screenX - nodeWidth / 2 - gap - popoverWidth
 		}
 
 		// Check left edge
@@ -446,7 +451,7 @@ export const MemoryGraph = ({
 		}
 
 		return { x: popoverX, y: popoverY }
-	}, [selectedNodeData, zoom, panX, containerSize.width, containerSize.height])
+	}, [selectedNodeData, zoom, panX, panY, containerSize.width, containerSize.height])
 
 	// Viewport-based loading: load more when most documents are visible (optional)
 	const checkAndLoadMore = useCallback(() => {
diff --git a/packages/memory-graph/src/constants.ts b/packages/memory-graph/src/constants.ts
index 5ee74e9e..8badd89f 100644
--- a/packages/memory-graph/src/constants.ts
+++ b/packages/memory-graph/src/constants.ts
@@ -7,15 +7,15 @@ export const colors = {
 	},
 	document: {
 		primary: "rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.21)", // Subtle glass white
-		secondary: "rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12)", // More visible
-		accent: "rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18)", // Hover state
+		secondary: "rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.31)", // More visible
+		accent: "rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.31)", // Hover state
 		border: "rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6)", // Sharp borders
 		glow: "rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.4)", // Blue glow for interaction
 	},
 	memory: {
 		primary: "rgba(147, 196, 253, 0.21)", // Subtle glass blue
-		secondary: "rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.16)", // More visible
-		accent: "rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.24)", // Hover state
+		secondary: "rgba(147, 196, 253, 0.31)", // More visible
+		accent: "rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.31)", // Hover state
 		border: "rgba(147, 196, 253, 0.6)", // Sharp borders
 		glow: "rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.5)", // Blue glow for interaction
 	},
@@ -105,6 +105,12 @@ export const GRAPH_SETTINGS = {
 	},
 }
 
+// Animation settings
+export const ANIMATION = {
+	// Dim effect duration - shortened for better UX
+	dimDuration: 1500, // milliseconds
+}
+
 // Responsive positioning for different app variants
 export const POSITIONING = {
 	console: {