diff --git a/commander.go b/commander.go
index 9d9b6f6..0f718cd 100644
--- a/commander.go
+++ b/commander.go
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"os"
 	"os/exec"
 	"runtime"
 )
@@ -27,12 +26,9 @@ func isInstalled(name string) bool {
 
 func subExecute(program string, args ...string) ([]byte, error) {
 	cmd := exec.Command(program, args...)
-	cmd.Stdin = os.Stdin
-	cmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
-	cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
-	err := cmd.Run()
+	output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Printf("%v\n", err)
 	}
-	return cmd.CombinedOutput()
+	return output, err
 }
diff --git a/internal/ui/ui.go b/internal/ui/ui.go
index d680fe5..49b9147 100644
--- a/internal/ui/ui.go
+++ b/internal/ui/ui.go
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ func (a *App) renderPlayback() string {
 		Padding(1, 2).
 		Width(boxW)
 
-	dispW := min(boxW-10, 50) // leave room for vertical vol bar (~2) + separator
+	dispW := min(boxW-11, 50) // leave room for vertical vol bar (2) + slightly larger gap (2)
 	display := lipgloss.NewStyle().
 		Background(lipgloss.Color("235")).
 		Foreground(lipgloss.Color("46")). // classic green lcd
@@ -504,11 +504,12 @@ func (a *App) renderPlayback() string {
 
 	metadata := display.Render(strings.Join(metaLines, "\n"))
 
-	// vertical volume bar to the right of the metadata display
-	volBar := renderVolumeBar(a.currentVolume, 5, 2)
+	// vertical volume bar to the right of the metadata display, matching its exact height
+	barHeight := lipgloss.Height(metadata)
+	volBar := renderVolumeBar(a.currentVolume, barHeight, 2)
 
-	// place side-by-side (top aligned). Add a small separator space.
-	viewer := lipgloss.JoinHorizontal(lipgloss.Top, metadata, " ", volBar)
+	// place side-by-side (top aligned). Slightly increased gap.
+	viewer := lipgloss.JoinHorizontal(lipgloss.Top, metadata, "  ", volBar)
 
 	// button row (text buttons, stateful)
 	playBtn := "[ > ]"
@@ -544,7 +545,7 @@ func min(a, b int) int {
 }
 
 // renderVolumeBar draws a vertical volume indicator bar.
-// height matches the metadata display (e.g. 5).
+// height is passed in to exactly match the metadata window's rendered height.
 // background is dark gray ("236"), filled indicator uses the green ("46") from the lcd display.
 func renderVolumeBar(vol int, height, width int) string {
 	if height <= 0 {