diff --git a/sway.conf b/sway.conf
index e2352be..1bd3589 100644
--- a/sway.conf
+++ b/sway.conf
@@ -54,6 +54,11 @@ bindsym Mod4+Shift+Escape exit
 # Make launcher windows fullscreen (launcher doesn't need to respect HUD)
 for_window [app_id="shepherd-launcher"] fullscreen enable
 
+# Prevent apps from requesting fullscreen (except launcher)
+# This catches apps that try to go fullscreen and forces them to respect the HUD
+for_window [app_id="^(?!shepherd-launcher$).*"] fullscreen disable
+for_window [class=".*"] fullscreen disable
+
 # Make other windows maximize to fill available space (respecting HUD exclusive zone)
 # We use inhibit_idle and border none to make them behave like fullscreen visually
 # but they will respect layer-shell exclusive zones