diff --git a/host/src/debug_overlay.cpp b/host/src/debug_overlay.cpp
index 0358995..8e51ee2 100644
--- a/host/src/debug_overlay.cpp
+++ b/host/src/debug_overlay.cpp
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ void draw_debug_overlay(const InputSource& input)
 	ImGui::Text("Input backend: %s", input.name());
 	ImGui::Text("%.1f FPS (%.2f ms)", ImGui::GetIO().Framerate, 1000.0f / ImGui::GetIO().Framerate);
 	ImGui::TextDisabled("This window is what Remote Play Together captures.");
-	ImGui::TextDisabled("Press Esc to quit.");
+	ImGui::TextDisabled("F1: hide overlay (clean mirror)   Esc: quit");
 	ImGui::Separator();
 
 	const auto& pads = input.pads();
diff --git a/host/src/main.cpp b/host/src/main.cpp
index 4a11f03..a3aefd1 100644
--- a/host/src/main.cpp
+++ b/host/src/main.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
 
 #include <winrt/Windows.Foundation.h>
 
+#include "imgui.h"
+
 #include "audio_panel.hpp"
 #include "capture_panel.hpp"
 #include "d3d11_window.hpp"
@@ -22,6 +24,28 @@
 namespace
 {
 
+// When the overlay is hidden, briefly show a fading hint so the operator can find
+// the way back. The window is borderless and non-interactive so it never steals a
+// click or a frame from the mirror underneath.
+void draw_overlay_hidden_hint(double seconds_hidden)
+{
+	const float fade = 1.0f - static_cast<float>(seconds_hidden) / 4.0f;
+	if (fade <= 0.0f)
+	{
+		return; // fully faded -> truly clean window for RPT capture
+	}
+	ImGui::SetNextWindowPos(ImVec2(12.0f, 12.0f));
+	ImGui::SetNextWindowBgAlpha(0.35f * fade);
+	const ImGuiWindowFlags flags = ImGuiWindowFlags_NoDecoration | ImGuiWindowFlags_NoInputs |
+	                               ImGuiWindowFlags_AlwaysAutoResize | ImGuiWindowFlags_NoSavedSettings |
+	                               ImGuiWindowFlags_NoFocusOnAppearing | ImGuiWindowFlags_NoNav;
+	ImGui::Begin("##overlay_hint", nullptr, flags);
+	ImGui::PushStyleColor(ImGuiCol_Text, ImVec4(1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f, fade));
+	ImGui::TextUnformatted("F1: show overlay");
+	ImGui::PopStyleColor();
+	ImGui::End();
+}
+
 int run()
 {
 	coop::D3D11Window window;
@@ -48,6 +72,11 @@ int run()
 		return 1;
 	}
 
+	// The overlay can be hidden (F1) so the window is a clean mirror for Remote
+	// Play Together; the pipelines keep running underneath either way.
+	bool show_overlay = true;
+	double overlay_hidden_at = 0.0;
+
 	while (window.pump_messages())
 	{
 		input->poll();
@@ -57,10 +86,27 @@ int run()
 		audio.set_target(game);
 
 		imgui.begin_frame();
-		coop::draw_debug_overlay(*input);
-		injection.draw();
-		audio.draw_ui(injection.hook_status());
-		capture.draw_ui();
+
+		if (ImGui::IsKeyPressed(ImGuiKey_F1, false))
+		{
+			show_overlay = !show_overlay;
+			if (!show_overlay)
+			{
+				overlay_hidden_at = ImGui::GetTime();
+			}
+		}
+
+		if (show_overlay)
+		{
+			coop::draw_debug_overlay(*input);
+			injection.draw();
+			audio.draw_ui(injection.hook_status());
+			capture.draw_ui();
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			draw_overlay_hidden_hint(ImGui::GetTime() - overlay_hidden_at);
+		}
 
 		RECT client = {};
 		GetClientRect(window.hwnd(), &client);