diff --git a/lib/app/changelog.dart b/lib/app/changelog.dart
index 74f6cf0..1f77b38 100644
--- a/lib/app/changelog.dart
+++ b/lib/app/changelog.dart
@@ -1,4 +1,14 @@
 const lunarisChangelog = [
+  LunarisChange(
+    version: '2.3.3',
+    title: 'Tag Suggestions Overlay Fix & Rule34 API Alignment',
+    bullets: [
+      'Tag Suggestions Hanging Fix: eliminated the bug where the tag suggestion card remained stuck on screen after clearing text or tapping outside. Added immediate dismissal on empty input, outside-tap backdrop dismissal, controller listener, and unfocus on submission.',
+      'Rule34 Dedicated Autocomplete: connected Rule34 directly to its official fast /autocomplete.php?q= endpoint, displaying real-time tag suggestions with accurate post counts (e.g. braid (216,984)).',
+      'Rule34 Tag Types (fields=tag_info): added tag_info field to post query for accurate tag categories per post.',
+      'Rule34 Authentication & Outage Handling: added detection for "missing authentication", rate limits, and server overload/search down ("success": false) with informative guidance to enter API Key & User ID.',
+    ],
+  ),
   LunarisChange(
     version: '2.3.2',
     title: 'Gelbooru DAPI Compliance & Tag Query Optimization',
diff --git a/lib/backend/providers/rule34_provider.dart b/lib/backend/providers/rule34_provider.dart
index c75bb0a..f36ed03 100644
--- a/lib/backend/providers/rule34_provider.dart
+++ b/lib/backend/providers/rule34_provider.dart
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
+import 'package:dio/dio.dart';
+
 import '../mappers/rule34_mapper.dart';
 import '../models/post.dart';
+import '../models/tag_suggestion.dart';
 import '../models/top_period_filter.dart';
 import 'gelbooru_provider.dart';
 
@@ -36,27 +39,142 @@ class Rule34Provider extends GelbooruProvider {
       TopPeriodFilter.month || TopPeriodFilter.year => const <String>[],
       TopPeriodFilter.allTime => const ['sort:score:desc'],
     };
-    final response = await dio.get<dynamic>(
-      '/index.php',
-      queryParameters: {
-        'page': 'dapi',
-        's': 'post',
-        'q': 'index',
-        'json': '1',
-        'pid': page,
-        'limit': limit,
-        'tags': [
-          ...tags,
-          if (rating != null) 'rating:$rating',
-          ...topTags,
-        ].join(' '),
-        ...queryParameters,
-      },
-    );
-    return Rule34Mapper.postsFromResponse(
-      response.data,
-      providerId: id,
-      providerName: name,
-    );
+    try {
+      final response = await dio.get<dynamic>(
+        '/index.php',
+        queryParameters: {
+          'page': 'dapi',
+          's': 'post',
+          'q': 'index',
+          'json': '1',
+          'pid': page,
+          'limit': limit,
+          'fields': 'tag_info',
+          'tags': [
+            ...tags,
+            if (rating != null) 'rating:$rating',
+            ...topTags,
+          ].join(' '),
+          ...queryParameters,
+        },
+      );
+      _checkRule34Response(response);
+      return Rule34Mapper.postsFromResponse(
+        response.data,
+        providerId: id,
+        providerName: name,
+      );
+    } on DioException catch (e) {
+      _handleRule34DioError(e);
+    }
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Future<Post?> getPost(String id) async {
+    try {
+      final response = await dio.get<dynamic>(
+        '/index.php',
+        queryParameters: {
+          'page': 'dapi',
+          's': 'post',
+          'q': 'index',
+          'json': '1',
+          'id': id,
+          'fields': 'tag_info',
+          ...queryParameters,
+        },
+      );
+      _checkRule34Response(response);
+      final posts = Rule34Mapper.postsFromResponse(
+        response.data,
+        providerId: this.id,
+        providerName: name,
+      );
+      return posts.isEmpty ? null : posts.first;
+    } on DioException catch (e) {
+      _handleRule34DioError(e);
+    }
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Future<List<TagSuggestion>> suggestTags(String query,
+      {int limit = 20}) async {
+    final trimmed = query.trim();
+    if (trimmed.isEmpty) return const [];
+    try {
+      // Official Rule34 autocomplete endpoint (fast, public, with exact post count)
+      final response = await dio.get<dynamic>(
+        '/autocomplete.php',
+        queryParameters: {
+          'q': trimmed,
+        },
+      );
+      if (response.data is List) {
+        final list = response.data as List;
+        final suggestions = list
+            .whereType<Map>()
+            .map((item) {
+              final json = Map<String, dynamic>.from(item);
+              final rawLabel = (json['label'] ?? '').toString();
+              final rawValue = (json['value'] ?? '').toString();
+              // Parse label "braid (216984)" -> name: "braid", postCount: 216984
+              final match =
+                  RegExp(r'^(.*?)\s*\((\d+)\)$').firstMatch(rawLabel);
+              final name = (match?.group(1) ?? rawValue).trim();
+              final postCount = int.tryParse(match?.group(2) ?? '') ?? 0;
+              return TagSuggestion(
+                name: name.isNotEmpty ? name : rawValue,
+                category: TagCategory.general,
+                postCount: postCount,
+                providerId: id,
+              );
+            })
+            .where((tag) => tag.name.isNotEmpty)
+            .take(limit)
+            .toList(growable: false);
+        if (suggestions.isNotEmpty) return suggestions;
+      }
+    } catch (_) {
+      // Gracefully fall back to standard DAPI tag search
+    }
+    return super.suggestTags(query, limit: limit);
+  }
+
+  void _checkRule34Response(Response<dynamic> response) {
+    if (response.data is String) {
+      final text = (response.data as String).toLowerCase();
+      if (text.contains('missing authentication') ||
+          text.contains('throttled') ||
+          text.contains('authentication required')) {
+        unavailable(
+          '$name requires authentication. '
+          'Please configure your API Key and User ID in Settings -> Providers '
+          '(obtain from https://rule34.xxx/index.php?page=account&s=options).',
+        );
+      }
+      if (text.contains('search down') ||
+          text.contains('server is overloaded')) {
+        unavailable(
+          '$name searcher is temporarily down or overloaded. Please try again in a few minutes.',
+        );
+      }
+    } else if (response.data is Map) {
+      final map = response.data as Map;
+      if (map['success'] == false || map['success'] == 'false') {
+        final msg = map['message'] ?? 'search down';
+        unavailable('$name error: $msg');
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  Never _handleRule34DioError(DioException error) {
+    final status = error.response?.statusCode;
+    if (status == 401 || status == 403 || status == 429) {
+      unavailable(
+        '$name requires authentication or rate limit reached ($status). '
+        'Please enter your API Key and User ID in Settings -> Providers.',
+      );
+    }
+    throw error;
   }
 }
diff --git a/lib/features/providers/presentation/provider_form_screen.dart b/lib/features/providers/presentation/provider_form_screen.dart
index a7c0210..16faacd 100644
--- a/lib/features/providers/presentation/provider_form_screen.dart
+++ b/lib/features/providers/presentation/provider_form_screen.dart
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ class _ProviderFormScreenState extends ConsumerState<ProviderFormScreen> {
             decoration: const InputDecoration(
               labelText: 'API key',
               helperText:
-                  'Gelbooru/Danbooru API key (Gelbooru: Account -> Options)',
+                  'Gelbooru/Rule34/Danbooru API key (Account -> Options)',
             ),
           ),
           const SizedBox(height: 12),
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ class _ProviderFormScreenState extends ConsumerState<ProviderFormScreen> {
             decoration: const InputDecoration(
               labelText: 'User ID',
               helperText:
-                  'Gelbooru User ID (required when throttled, see profile)',
+                  'Gelbooru/Rule34 User ID (required for API access, see Options)',
             ),
           ),
           const SizedBox(height: 12),
diff --git a/lib/shared/widgets/app_search_bar.dart b/lib/shared/widgets/app_search_bar.dart
index 073979a..e25259d 100644
--- a/lib/shared/widgets/app_search_bar.dart
+++ b/lib/shared/widgets/app_search_bar.dart
@@ -64,10 +64,17 @@ class _TagInputSearchBarState extends State<TagInputSearchBar> {
     _focusNode = FocusNode();
     _tagScrollController = ScrollController();
     _focusNode.addListener(_handleFocusChanged);
+    _controller.addListener(_handleControllerChanged);
     _lastExternalValue = widget.initialValue ?? '';
     _setFromQuery(_lastExternalValue);
   }
 
+  void _handleControllerChanged() {
+    if (_controller.text.trim().isEmpty && _suggestionsOverlay != null) {
+      _removeSuggestionsOverlay();
+    }
+  }
+
   @override
   void didUpdateWidget(covariant TagInputSearchBar oldWidget) {
     super.didUpdateWidget(oldWidget);
@@ -89,6 +96,7 @@ class _TagInputSearchBarState extends State<TagInputSearchBar> {
     _debounce?.cancel();
     _removeSuggestionsOverlay();
     _tagScrollController.dispose();
+    _controller.removeListener(_handleControllerChanged);
     _focusNode.removeListener(_handleFocusChanged);
     _focusNode.dispose();
     _controller.dispose();
@@ -97,15 +105,19 @@ class _TagInputSearchBarState extends State<TagInputSearchBar> {
 
   void _handleFocusChanged() {
     if (!mounted) return;
-    if (!_focusNode.hasFocus && !_localDirty) {
-      final next = widget.initialValue ?? '';
-      if (next != _lastExternalValue) {
-        _setFromQuery(next);
-        _lastExternalValue = next;
+    if (!_focusNode.hasFocus) {
+      _removeSuggestionsOverlay();
+      if (!_localDirty) {
+        final next = widget.initialValue ?? '';
+        if (next != _lastExternalValue) {
+          _setFromQuery(next);
+          _lastExternalValue = next;
+        }
       }
+    } else {
+      _syncSuggestionsOverlay();
     }
     setState(() {});
-    _syncSuggestionsOverlay();
   }
 
   @override
@@ -209,17 +221,24 @@ class _TagInputSearchBarState extends State<TagInputSearchBar> {
 
   void _syncSuggestionsOverlay() {
     final token = _activeToken;
+    if (!_focusNode.hasFocus || token.isEmpty) {
+      _removeSuggestionsOverlay();
+      return;
+    }
     final suggestions = widget.suggestions
         .where((item) => item.name.toLowerCase().startsWith(token))
         .toList(growable: false);
-    if (!_focusNode.hasFocus || token.isEmpty || suggestions.isEmpty) {
+    if (suggestions.isEmpty) {
       _removeSuggestionsOverlay();
       return;
     }
     final overlay = Overlay.maybeOf(context);
     final renderBox =
         _fieldKey.currentContext?.findRenderObject() as RenderBox?;
-    if (overlay == null || renderBox == null || !renderBox.hasSize) return;
+    if (overlay == null || renderBox == null || !renderBox.hasSize) {
+      _removeSuggestionsOverlay();
+      return;
+    }
 
     final size = renderBox.size;
     _removeSuggestionsOverlay();
@@ -231,14 +250,22 @@ class _TagInputSearchBarState extends State<TagInputSearchBar> {
         suggestions: suggestions,
         query: token,
         onSelected: _applySuggestion,
+        onDismiss: () {
+          _removeSuggestionsOverlay();
+          _focusNode.unfocus();
+        },
       ),
     );
     overlay.insert(_suggestionsOverlay!);
   }
 
   void _removeSuggestionsOverlay() {
-    _suggestionsOverlay?.remove();
-    _suggestionsOverlay = null;
+    if (_suggestionsOverlay != null) {
+      if (_suggestionsOverlay!.mounted) {
+        _suggestionsOverlay!.remove();
+      }
+      _suggestionsOverlay = null;
+    }
   }
 
   Widget _buildTagChip(BuildContext context, String tag) {
@@ -302,10 +329,15 @@ class _TagInputSearchBarState extends State<TagInputSearchBar> {
 
   void _handleDraftChanged(String value) {
     _localDirty = true;
+    if (value.trim().isEmpty) {
+      _debounce?.cancel();
+      _removeSuggestionsOverlay();
+      setState(() {});
+      _notifyChanged();
+      return;
+    }
     final composing = _controller.value.composing;
-    if (!composing.isValid &&
-        value.isNotEmpty &&
-        RegExp(r'\s$').hasMatch(value)) {
+    if (!composing.isValid && RegExp(r'\s$').hasMatch(value)) {
       _commitDraft(value);
       return;
     }
@@ -334,22 +366,24 @@ class _TagInputSearchBarState extends State<TagInputSearchBar> {
 
   void _submit() {
     _debounce?.cancel();
-    _commitDraft(_controller.text);
     _removeSuggestionsOverlay();
+    _commitDraft(_controller.text);
     _lastExternalValue = _query;
     _localDirty = false;
+    _focusNode.unfocus();
     widget.onSubmitted(_query);
   }
 
   void _clear() {
     _debounce?.cancel();
+    _removeSuggestionsOverlay();
     _localDirty = true;
     setState(() {
       _tags = [];
       _controller.clear();
     });
     _notifyChanged();
-    _focusNode.requestFocus();
+    _focusNode.unfocus();
   }
 
   void _editTag(String tag) {
@@ -446,6 +480,7 @@ class _TagSuggestionOverlay extends StatelessWidget {
     required this.suggestions,
     required this.query,
     required this.onSelected,
+    required this.onDismiss,
   });
 
   final LayerLink link;
@@ -454,26 +489,37 @@ class _TagSuggestionOverlay extends StatelessWidget {
   final List<TagSuggestion> suggestions;
   final String query;
   final ValueChanged<String> onSelected;
+  final VoidCallback onDismiss;
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
-    return Positioned.fill(
-      child: CompositedTransformFollower(
-        link: link,
-        showWhenUnlinked: false,
-        offset: Offset(0, yOffset),
-        child: Align(
-          alignment: Alignment.topLeft,
-          child: SizedBox(
-            width: width.clamp(280, 620).toDouble(),
-            child: _TagSuggestionDropdown(
-              suggestions: suggestions,
-              query: query,
-              onSelected: onSelected,
+    return Stack(
+      children: [
+        Positioned.fill(
+          child: GestureDetector(
+            behavior: HitTestBehavior.translucent,
+            onTap: onDismiss,
+          ),
+        ),
+        Positioned.fill(
+          child: CompositedTransformFollower(
+            link: link,
+            showWhenUnlinked: false,
+            offset: Offset(0, yOffset),
+            child: Align(
+              alignment: Alignment.topLeft,
+              child: SizedBox(
+                width: width.clamp(280, 620).toDouble(),
+                child: _TagSuggestionDropdown(
+                  suggestions: suggestions,
+                  query: query,
+                  onSelected: onSelected,
+                ),
+              ),
             ),
           ),
         ),
-      ),
+      ],
     );
   }
 }
diff --git a/pubspec.yaml b/pubspec.yaml
index 11dadc8..c4d1376 100644
--- a/pubspec.yaml
+++ b/pubspec.yaml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 name: gel_rule_app
 description: Local backend/core layer for a Flutter booru browser app.
 publish_to: "none"
-version: 2.3.2+42
+version: 2.3.3+43
 
 environment:
   sdk: ">=3.3.0 <4.0.0"
diff --git a/test/backend/rule34_provider_test.dart b/test/backend/rule34_provider_test.dart
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af7bbef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/backend/rule34_provider_test.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
+import 'package:gel_rule_app/backend/models/content_provider_config.dart';
+import 'package:gel_rule_app/backend/providers/provider_factory.dart';
+import 'package:gel_rule_app/backend/providers/rule34_provider.dart';
+
+void main() {
+  test('ProviderFactory creates Rule34Provider with credentials', () {
+    final factory = ProviderFactory();
+    final config = ContentProviderConfig(
+      id: 'rule34',
+      name: 'Rule34',
+      baseUrl: 'https://api.rule34.xxx',
+      apiType: 'rule34',
+      enabled: true,
+      priority: 1,
+      timeoutSeconds: 20,
+      customHeaders: const {
+        'query.api_key': 'test_key',
+        'query.user_id': '99999',
+      },
+      createdAt: DateTime(2026),
+      updatedAt: DateTime(2026),
+    );
+
+    final provider = factory.create(config);
+    expect(provider, isA<Rule34Provider>());
+    final r34 = provider as Rule34Provider;
+    expect(r34.id, 'rule34');
+    expect(r34.baseUrl, 'https://api.rule34.xxx');
+    expect(r34.queryParameters['api_key'], 'test_key');
+    expect(r34.queryParameters['user_id'], '99999');
+  });
+}