diff --git a/packages/taler-merchant-webui/src/screens/PosScreen.tsx b/packages/taler-merchant-webui/src/screens/PosScreen.tsx
index d324f83f3..bfe0cc4a8 100644
--- a/packages/taler-merchant-webui/src/screens/PosScreen.tsx
+++ b/packages/taler-merchant-webui/src/screens/PosScreen.tsx
@@ -285,6 +285,26 @@ export function PosScreen({
   const [isRefundDetailsLoading, setIsRefundDetailsLoading] =
     useState<boolean>(false);
 
+  // Each overlay and the paid screen asks for one thing first; put focus there
+  // when it appears instead of leaving it on the control behind the overlay.
+  const customDescInput = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
+  const refundAmountInput = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
+  const refundCancelButton = useRef<HTMLButtonElement>(null);
+  const newSaleButton = useRef<HTMLButtonElement>(null);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (showCustomModal) customDescInput.current?.focus();
+  }, [showCustomModal]);
+  // The refund amount stays disabled until the order's refundable remainder
+  // has loaded; if nothing is left to refund, only Cancel is useful.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!refundOrderId || isRefundDetailsLoading) return;
+    const amount = refundAmountInput.current;
+    (amount && !amount.disabled ? amount : refundCancelButton.current)?.focus();
+  }, [refundOrderId, isRefundDetailsLoading]);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (activeTab === "success") newSaleButton.current?.focus();
+  }, [activeTab]);
+
   const { copied: copiedPayUrl, error: copyPayUrlError, copy } = useClipboard();
 
   // Which order the caller last asked for. Seeded with the mount value so the
@@ -1268,6 +1288,7 @@ export function PosScreen({
               )}
 
               <button
+                ref={newSaleButton}
                 type="button"
                 id="pos_new_sale_btn"
                 onClick={() => {
@@ -1391,6 +1412,7 @@ export function PosScreen({
                   {t`Item Description *`}
                 </label>
                 <input
+                  ref={customDescInput}
                   type="text"
                   required
                   placeholder={t`e.g. Custom Bakery Gift Set`}
@@ -1460,6 +1482,7 @@ export function PosScreen({
                   {t`Refund Amount (${Amounts.amountCurrency(refundDetails?.remaining) || "—"}) *`}
                 </label>
                 <input
+                  ref={refundAmountInput}
                   type="number"
                   step="any"
                   required
@@ -1515,6 +1538,7 @@ export function PosScreen({
                 title={t`Failed to issue refund.`}
               >
                 <button
+                  ref={refundCancelButton}
                   type="button"
                   onClick={() => {
                     setRefundOrderId(null);