diff --git a/lith/Caddyfile b/lith/Caddyfile
index a96fbd444..f44ce47dd 100644
--- a/lith/Caddyfile
+++ b/lith/Caddyfile
@@ -217,9 +217,13 @@
         }
         redir /bio /cv 301
         redir /bio/ /cv 301
-        root * /opt/ac/system/public/justanothersystem.org
-        try_files {path} {path}.html /index.html
-        file_server
+        # Static fallback wrapped in handle{} so handle /api/* stays terminal —
+        # bare try_files is reordered ahead of handle and 405s /api/* POSTs.
+        handle {
+            root * /opt/ac/system/public/justanothersystem.org
+            try_files {path} {path}.html /index.html
+            file_server
+        }
     }
 
     # --- builds.false.work ---
@@ -451,9 +455,13 @@
         handle /docs* {
             reverse_proxy localhost:8888
         }
-        root * /opt/ac/system/public/l5.aesthetic.computer
-        try_files {path} {path}.html /index.html
-        file_server
+        # Static fallback wrapped in handle{} so handle /api/* stays terminal —
+        # bare try_files is reordered ahead of handle and 405s /api/* POSTs.
+        handle {
+            root * /opt/ac/system/public/l5.aesthetic.computer
+            try_files {path} {path}.html /index.html
+            file_server
+        }
     }
 
     # --- processing.aesthetic.computer ---
@@ -465,9 +473,13 @@
         handle /docs* {
             reverse_proxy localhost:8888
         }
-        root * /opt/ac/system/public/processing.aesthetic.computer
-        try_files {path} {path}.html /index.html
-        file_server
+        # Static fallback wrapped in handle{} so handle /api/* stays terminal —
+        # bare try_files is reordered ahead of handle and 405s /api/* POSTs.
+        handle {
+            root * /opt/ac/system/public/processing.aesthetic.computer
+            try_files {path} {path}.html /index.html
+            file_server
+        }
     }
 
     # --- rdp.jas.life ---