diff --git a/neode-ui/src/components/ExternalExplorerModal.vue b/neode-ui/src/components/ExternalExplorerModal.vue
index 00542a44..59af1d7c 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/components/ExternalExplorerModal.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/components/ExternalExplorerModal.vue
@@ -1,8 +1,12 @@
 <template>
+  <!-- z-3600: this consent prompt can be triggered from INSIDE another
+       modal (e.g. Wallet Settings → Channels → funding tx), so it must sit
+       above the standard modal layer (3000) but below the app overlay (4000). -->
   <BaseModal
     :show="!!explorer.pendingTx.value"
     title="Open on an external explorer?"
     max-width="max-w-md"
+    z-index="z-[3600]"
     @close="explorer.cancelPending()"
   >
     <!-- Same visual language as the uninstall keep-your-data warning: amber
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/components/LightningChannelsPanel.vue b/neode-ui/src/components/LightningChannelsPanel.vue
index fdb09fcc..85984548 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/components/LightningChannelsPanel.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/components/LightningChannelsPanel.vue
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { ref, onMounted } from 'vue'
 import { rpcClient } from '@/api/rpc-client'
-import { useAppLauncherStore } from '@/stores/appLauncher'
+import { useTxExplorer } from '@/composables/useTxExplorer'
 
 defineProps<{ compact?: boolean }>()
 
@@ -390,10 +390,14 @@ function fundingTxid(ch: Channel): string {
   return /^[0-9a-fA-F]{64}$/.test(txid) ? txid : ''
 }
 
+const txExplorer = useTxExplorer()
 function openInMempool(txid: string) {
   if (!txid) return
-  // Overlay the explorer above the current page — never navigate away.
-  useAppLauncherStore().openSession('mempool', { path: `/tx/${txid}` })
+  // Same routing as every other tx link (missed in the first pass —
+  // 2026-07-22): local Mempool app when it's running, otherwise the saved
+  // external explorer, with the first-time consent modal setting it up and
+  // then opening the tx.
+  txExplorer.openTx(txid)
 }
 
 function capacityPercent(amount: number, capacity: number): number {