diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 9fcf477..4f95ae8 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -1445,6 +1445,14 @@ session with **no other memory of this project**. So:
   also add `min-w-0` to truncating flex/grid children. `/stats` also gained a
   **Top Shops** leaderboard (`topShops` in `useGrowthStats`; `PERSIST_BUSTER` → v6)
   alongside Top Mappers (spots).
+- **Stretched-link card gotcha (2026-10-12):** `SpotCard` renders its whole-card
+  navigation as an absolutely-positioned `<Link className="absolute inset-0">`
+  behind the content. It **must** be `z-10` (not `z-0`), and the card must not carry
+  `backdrop-blur` — a `z-0` link under the content, with `backdrop-blur` making the
+  card its own paint layer, meant **no click ever reached the link and the card
+  looked dead**. Hover moved to the wrapper (`group` on the wrapper + `group-hover:`
+  on the card/image), and the card's action row is `z-20` so its buttons stay above
+  the link. Keep this shape when editing card components.
 - **Dropdown menu scroll gotcha (2026-10-08):** the shared `DropdownMenuContent`
   (`components/ui/dropdown-menu.tsx`) shipped `overflow-hidden` with **no
   max-height**, so any menu taller than the viewport was clipped and could not
diff --git a/src/components/SpotCard.tsx b/src/components/SpotCard.tsx
index 9404332..c40c2d3 100644
--- a/src/components/SpotCard.tsx
+++ b/src/components/SpotCard.tsx
@@ -61,16 +61,16 @@ export function SpotCard({ spot, status, community }: SpotCardProps) {
   const isGone = status?.status === 'gone';
 
   return (
-    <div className="relative">
+    <div className="group relative">
       {/* Stretched link — the whole card navigates, without nesting interactive
           elements (buttons, Zap, dropdowns) or dialogs inside an <a>. */}
-      <Link to={route} className="absolute inset-0 z-0" aria-label={spot.title} />
+      <Link to={route} className="absolute inset-0 z-10" aria-label={spot.title} />
       <Card className={cn(
-        "group overflow-hidden hover:shadow-2xl transition-all duration-300 border-2 bg-black/90 backdrop-blur",
+        "overflow-hidden group-hover:shadow-2xl transition-all duration-300 border-2 bg-black/90",
         isShop
-          ? "border-[#ccff00]/30 hover:border-[#ccff00]/70 hover:shadow-[#ccff00]/30"
-          : "border-[#ff0040]/20 hover:border-[#ff0040]/60 hover:shadow-[#ff0040]/30",
-        isGone && "opacity-60 grayscale hover:opacity-90"
+          ? "border-[#ccff00]/30 group-hover:border-[#ccff00]/70 group-hover:shadow-[#ccff00]/30"
+          : "border-[#ff0040]/20 group-hover:border-[#ff0040]/60 group-hover:shadow-[#ff0040]/30",
+        isGone && "opacity-60 grayscale group-hover:opacity-90"
       )}>
         {/* Image */}
         <div className="relative aspect-video overflow-hidden bg-black">
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ export function SpotCard({ spot, status, community }: SpotCardProps) {
             )}
           </div>
 
-          <div className="relative z-10 flex items-center gap-2" onClick={(e) => e.preventDefault()}>
+          <div className="relative z-20 flex items-center gap-2" onClick={(e) => e.preventDefault()}>
             {user && !isShop && (
               <Button
                 size="icon"