diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs
index 36aacd0519..23c788478f 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs
@@ -784,9 +784,13 @@ impl ChatComposer {
         enabled
     }
 
+    pub(crate) fn is_vim_insert(&self) -> bool {
+        self.textarea.is_vim_insert()
+    }
+
     fn vim_mode_indicator_span(&self) -> Option<Span<'static>> {
         self.textarea.vim_mode_label().map(|label| match label {
-            "Normal" => "Vim: Normal".yellow(),
+            "Normal" => "Vim: Normal".magenta(),
             "Insert" => "Vim: Insert".green(),
             _ => unreachable!(),
         })
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs
index 947a9166ac..7794c906da 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs
@@ -751,7 +751,10 @@ impl BottomPane {
     /// overlays or popups and not running a task. This is the safe context to
     /// use Esc-Esc for backtracking from the main view.
     pub(crate) fn is_normal_backtrack_mode(&self) -> bool {
-        !self.is_task_running && self.view_stack.is_empty() && !self.composer.popup_active()
+        !self.is_task_running
+            && self.view_stack.is_empty()
+            && !self.composer.popup_active()
+            && !self.composer.is_vim_insert()
     }
 
     /// Return true when no popups or modal views are active, regardless of task state.
@@ -1498,6 +1501,31 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_backtrack_mode_excludes_vim_insert() {
+        let (tx_raw, _rx) = unbounded_channel::<AppEvent>();
+        let tx = AppEventSender::new(tx_raw);
+        let mut pane = BottomPane::new(BottomPaneParams {
+            app_event_tx: tx,
+            frame_requester: FrameRequester::test_dummy(),
+            has_input_focus: true,
+            enhanced_keys_supported: false,
+            placeholder_text: "Ask Codex to do anything".to_string(),
+            disable_paste_burst: false,
+            animations_enabled: true,
+            skills: Some(Vec::new()),
+        });
+
+        pane.toggle_vim_enabled();
+        assert!(pane.is_normal_backtrack_mode());
+
+        pane.handle_key_event(KeyEvent::new(KeyCode::Char('i'), KeyModifiers::NONE));
+        assert!(!pane.is_normal_backtrack_mode());
+
+        pane.handle_key_event(KeyEvent::new(KeyCode::Esc, KeyModifiers::NONE));
+        assert!(pane.is_normal_backtrack_mode());
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn esc_routes_to_handle_key_event_when_requested() {
         #[derive(Default)]