diff --git a/host/src/d3d11_window.cpp b/host/src/d3d11_window.cpp
index eb6ced7..7456fc2 100644
--- a/host/src/d3d11_window.cpp
+++ b/host/src/d3d11_window.cpp
@@ -204,14 +204,10 @@ LRESULT CALLBACK D3D11Window::wnd_proc(HWND hwnd, UINT msg, WPARAM wparam, LPARA
 			self->resize_height_ = HIWORD(lparam);
 		}
 		return 0;
-	case WM_KEYDOWN:
-		// Spike convenience: Esc quits so we aren't stuck in a borderless window.
-		if (wparam == VK_ESCAPE)
-		{
-			PostQuitMessage(0);
-		}
-		return 0;
 	case WM_DESTROY:
+		// Reached by the close button, Alt+F4 (DefWindowProc turns it into WM_CLOSE ->
+		// DestroyWindow), and our own teardown. Esc deliberately does NOT quit -- it's a
+		// common in-game key, so quitting is via the File -> Exit menu item or Alt+F4.
 		PostQuitMessage(0);
 		return 0;
 	default:
diff --git a/host/src/main.cpp b/host/src/main.cpp
index 33e86dc..a8beaaf 100644
--- a/host/src/main.cpp
+++ b/host/src/main.cpp
@@ -241,6 +241,11 @@ int run()
 		}
 		coop::apply_layout_end_frame(); // clear the one-shot "Reset layout" force
 
+		if (ui.request_quit) // File -> Exit
+		{
+			break;
+		}
+
 		// Forward the host window's mouse/keyboard into the game (when the MKB
 		// subsystem is on, we're focused, and ImGui isn't using the event).
 		coop::forward_mkb_frame(injection, window.hwnd(), capture.mirroring(), capture.source_hooked());
diff --git a/host/src/ui/app_chrome.cpp b/host/src/ui/app_chrome.cpp
index e03cce8..2eba7aa 100644
--- a/host/src/ui/app_chrome.cpp
+++ b/host/src/ui/app_chrome.cpp
@@ -169,6 +169,15 @@ float draw_main_menu_bar(UiState& ui, const FrameStats& stats)
 	ImGui::TextUnformatted("CoopAllTheThings");
 	ImGui::Separator();
 
+	if (ImGui::BeginMenu("File"))
+	{
+		if (ImGui::MenuItem("Exit", "Alt+F4"))
+		{
+			ui.request_quit = true; // the main loop sees this and stops
+		}
+		ImGui::EndMenu();
+	}
+
 	if (ImGui::BeginMenu("View"))
 	{
 		ImGui::MenuItem("Controllers", nullptr, &ui.show_controllers);
@@ -190,9 +199,9 @@ float draw_main_menu_bar(UiState& ui, const FrameStats& stats)
 
 	if (ImGui::BeginMenu("Help"))
 	{
-		ImGui::TextDisabled("F1   hide/show this overlay");
-		ImGui::TextDisabled("F2   release/clip the operator cursor");
-		ImGui::TextDisabled("Esc  quit");
+		ImGui::TextDisabled("F1      hide/show this overlay");
+		ImGui::TextDisabled("F2      release/clip the operator cursor");
+		ImGui::TextDisabled("Alt+F4  quit (or File -> Exit)");
 		ImGui::Separator();
 		ImGui::TextDisabled("This window is what Remote Play");
 		ImGui::TextDisabled("Together captures.");
diff --git a/host/src/ui/app_chrome.hpp b/host/src/ui/app_chrome.hpp
index e2208f6..22b579f 100644
--- a/host/src/ui/app_chrome.hpp
+++ b/host/src/ui/app_chrome.hpp
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ struct UiState
 	bool show_audio = true;
 	bool show_log = true;
 	bool debug_details = false; // off = general status; on = full diagnostics
+	bool request_quit = false;  // set by File -> Exit; the main loop reads it and stops
 };
 
 // Persist the verbosity-affecting UI switches (currently the "Debug details" toggle)