diff --git a/src/components/PulseView.test.tsx b/src/components/PulseView.test.tsx
index 021ff331..fcd3b7b5 100644
--- a/src/components/PulseView.test.tsx
+++ b/src/components/PulseView.test.tsx
@@ -104,11 +104,17 @@ describe('PulseView', () => {
     expect(nonLink.tagName).toBe('SPAN')
   })
 
-  it('renders file list with correct titles', async () => {
+  it('renders file list with correct titles when expanded', async () => {
     mockInvokeFn.mockResolvedValue(mockCommits)
 
     render(<PulseView vaultPath="/test/vault" />)
 
+    // Files are collapsed by default — expand all commit cards first
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(screen.getAllByLabelText('Expand files').length).toBeGreaterThan(0)
+    })
+    screen.getAllByLabelText('Expand files').forEach((btn) => fireEvent.click(btn))
+
     await waitFor(() => {
       expect(screen.getByText('my project')).toBeInTheDocument()
     })
@@ -122,6 +128,12 @@ describe('PulseView', () => {
 
     render(<PulseView vaultPath="/test/vault" onOpenNote={onOpenNote} />)
 
+    // Expand first commit card
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(screen.getAllByLabelText('Expand files').length).toBeGreaterThan(0)
+    })
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getAllByLabelText('Expand files')[0])
+
     await waitFor(() => {
       expect(screen.getByText('my project')).toBeInTheDocument()
     })
@@ -136,6 +148,12 @@ describe('PulseView', () => {
 
     render(<PulseView vaultPath="/test/vault" onOpenNote={onOpenNote} />)
 
+    // Expand all commit cards to find the deleted file
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(screen.getAllByLabelText('Expand files').length).toBeGreaterThan(0)
+    })
+    screen.getAllByLabelText('Expand files').forEach((btn) => fireEvent.click(btn))
+
     await waitFor(() => {
       expect(screen.getByText('old')).toBeInTheDocument()
     })
@@ -191,20 +209,28 @@ describe('PulseView', () => {
     })
   })
 
-  it('toggles file list visibility when clicking collapse button', async () => {
+  it('toggles file list visibility when clicking expand/collapse button', async () => {
     mockInvokeFn.mockResolvedValue(mockCommits)
 
     render(<PulseView vaultPath="/test/vault" />)
 
+    // Files are collapsed by default
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(screen.getAllByLabelText('Expand files').length).toBeGreaterThan(0)
+    })
+    expect(screen.queryByText('my project')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+
+    // Click expand on first commit card
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getAllByLabelText('Expand files')[0])
+
+    // Files should now be visible
     await waitFor(() => {
       expect(screen.getByText('my project')).toBeInTheDocument()
     })
 
-    // Click the collapse button on the first commit card
-    const collapseBtn = screen.getAllByLabelText('Collapse files')[0]
-    fireEvent.click(collapseBtn)
+    // Click collapse to hide again
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getAllByLabelText('Collapse files')[0])
 
-    // Files should be hidden
     expect(screen.queryByText('my project')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
   })
 
diff --git a/src/components/PulseView.tsx b/src/components/PulseView.tsx
index ea6ad7c1..75e198d6 100644
--- a/src/components/PulseView.tsx
+++ b/src/components/PulseView.tsx
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ function FileItem({ file, onOpenNote }: { file: PulseFile; onOpenNote?: (path: s
 }
 
 function CommitCard({ commit, onOpenNote }: { commit: PulseCommit; onOpenNote?: (path: string) => void }) {
-  const [expanded, setExpanded] = useState(true)
+  const [expanded, setExpanded] = useState(false)
   const Chevron = expanded ? CaretDown : CaretRight
 
   return (
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ export const PulseView = memo(function PulseView({ vaultPath, onOpenNote, sideba
   const dayGroups = groupCommitsByDay(commits)
 
   return (
-    <div className="flex h-full flex-col overflow-hidden bg-background">
+    <div className="flex h-full flex-col overflow-hidden border-r border-[var(--sidebar-border)] bg-background">
       {/* Header */}
       <div className="flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between border-b border-border" style={{ height: 52, padding: '0 16px' }}>
         <div className="flex items-center" style={{ gap: 8 }}>