diff --git a/crates/app/src/ui/canvas/painting.rs b/crates/app/src/ui/canvas/painting.rs
index 5a0c95d..0eb5f9c 100644
--- a/crates/app/src/ui/canvas/painting.rs
+++ b/crates/app/src/ui/canvas/painting.rs
@@ -649,7 +649,10 @@ pub(crate) fn paint_peaks(
         return;
     }
     let hover_x = screen_to_x(hp.x, plot, fig.x.min, fig.x.span(), fig.x.reversed);
-    let (px, py) = trace.snap(hover_x);
+    // The preview must resolve exactly as the click would, modifier included.
+    let shift = painter.ctx().input(|i| i.modifiers.shift);
+    let snap = super::peaks::manual_peak_snap(shift, fig.x.span(), plot.width);
+    let (px, py) = trace.pick(hover_x, snap);
     let at = Pos2::new(sx(px), sy(py));
     if plot_contains(plot, at) {
         painter.circle_stroke(at, 4.0, Stroke::new(1.5_f32, chrome.selection_active));
diff --git a/crates/app/src/ui/canvas/peaks.rs b/crates/app/src/ui/canvas/peaks.rs
index 768659d..4621c2c 100644
--- a/crates/app/src/ui/canvas/peaks.rs
+++ b/crates/app/src/ui/canvas/peaks.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,27 @@
 use super::*;
-use plotx_core::state::{PeakBandDrag, PeakSet, PeakThresholdDrag, ResolvedPeak, Trace1d};
+use plotx_core::state::{
+    ManualPeakSnap, PeakBandDrag, PeakSet, PeakThresholdDrag, ResolvedPeak, Trace1d,
+};
 
 const PEAK_GRAB_PX: f32 = 10.0;
 const LINE_GRAB_PX: f32 = 6.0;
 const DRAG_DEADZONE_PX: f32 = 4.0;
+/// Pixel radius of the manual-pick apex search. Fixed in screen space so
+/// zooming in narrows the data window along with the click precision it
+/// affords, letting weak lines be picked next to strong ones.
+const PEAK_SNAP_PX: f32 = 12.0;
+
+/// The snap for a manual pick: an apex search over ± `PEAK_SNAP_PX` at the
+/// current zoom, or the nearest sample while `Shift` is held (free placement
+/// for shoulders the apex search refuses to land on).
+pub(crate) fn manual_peak_snap(shift: bool, x_span: f64, plot_width: f32) -> ManualPeakSnap {
+    if shift {
+        return ManualPeakSnap::NearestSample;
+    }
+    ManualPeakSnap::Apex {
+        half_width: x_span.abs() / f64::from(plot_width.max(1.0)) * f64::from(PEAK_SNAP_PX),
+    }
+}
 
 fn peak_hit(resolved: &[ResolvedPeak], sc: &Screen, p: Pos2) -> Option<u64> {
     let mut best: Option<(u64, f32)> = None;
@@ -93,7 +111,7 @@ pub(crate) fn handle_peaks(
         yrev: fig.y.reversed,
     };
 
-    let (hover, pressed, down, released, del, esc) = ui.input(|i| {
+    let (hover, pressed, down, released, del, esc, shift) = ui.input(|i| {
         (
             i.pointer.hover_pos(),
             i.pointer.primary_pressed(),
@@ -101,6 +119,7 @@ pub(crate) fn handle_peaks(
             i.pointer.primary_released(),
             i.key_pressed(egui::Key::Delete) || i.key_pressed(egui::Key::Backspace),
             i.key_pressed(egui::Key::Escape),
+            i.modifiers.shift,
         )
     });
 
@@ -146,7 +165,7 @@ pub(crate) fn handle_peaks(
             drag.current_x = sc.to_x(p.x.clamp(plot.left, plot.right()));
         }
         if released || !down {
-            finish_band_drag(app, dataset, &sc, column);
+            finish_band_drag(app, dataset, &sc, column, shift);
         }
         return;
     }
@@ -212,18 +231,20 @@ fn finish_threshold_drag(
 }
 
 /// A band wider than the click dead-zone picks every peak inside it; a narrower one
-/// is a plain click that places a single snapped peak.
+/// is a plain click that places a single snapped peak (`Shift` skips the snap).
 fn finish_band_drag(
     app: &mut PlotxApp,
     dataset: usize,
     sc: &Screen,
     column: Option<plotx_core::data::ColumnId>,
+    shift: bool,
 ) {
     let Interaction::PeakBand(drag) = app.take_interaction() else {
         return;
     };
     if (sc.x(drag.anchor_x) - sc.x(drag.current_x)).abs() < DRAG_DEADZONE_PX {
-        app.add_manual_peak(dataset, drag.anchor_x, column);
+        let snap = manual_peak_snap(shift, sc.xspan, sc.plot.width);
+        app.add_manual_peak(dataset, drag.anchor_x, column, snap);
     } else {
         app.add_peaks_in_range(dataset, drag.anchor_x, drag.current_x, column);
     }
diff --git a/crates/app/src/ui/commands_tests.rs b/crates/app/src/ui/commands_tests.rs
index 07c71ff..2713a6f 100644
--- a/crates/app/src/ui/commands_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/app/src/ui/commands_tests.rs
@@ -431,7 +431,12 @@ fn transient_state_never_changes_ribbon_group_visibility() {
         .active_plot_object_id()
         .expect("NMR plot object");
     let range = app.analysis_range_for(0).expect("visible NMR range");
-    app.add_manual_peak(0, (range.min + range.max) / 2.0, None);
+    app.add_manual_peak(
+        0,
+        (range.min + range.max) / 2.0,
+        None,
+        plotx_core::state::ManualPeakSnap::NearestSample,
+    );
     app.session.ui.selection = Selection::single(object);
     let expected = ribbon_groups(&app);
 
diff --git a/crates/core/src/state/app_impl_peaks.rs b/crates/core/src/state/app_impl_peaks.rs
index 67921ac..e48d6c0 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/state/app_impl_peaks.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/state/app_impl_peaks.rs
@@ -210,13 +210,15 @@ impl PlotxApp {
         self.execute_action(Action::set_peaks(dataset_id, before, after));
     }
 
-    /// Place a hand-picked peak, snapping the clicked `x` to the nearest local
-    /// maximum of the displayed trace.
+    /// Place a hand-picked peak, resolving the clicked `x` per `snap` — an
+    /// apex search within a zoom-derived window, or the nearest sample for the
+    /// modifier-click free placement.
     pub fn add_manual_peak(
         &mut self,
         dataset: usize,
         x: f64,
         column: Option<plotx_data::ColumnId>,
+        snap: ManualPeakSnap,
     ) {
         let column_id = table_peak_column(&self.doc.datasets, dataset, column);
         let Some(trace) = self
@@ -228,7 +230,7 @@ impl PlotxApp {
             self.session.status = "Peaks are available for 1D traces only.".into();
             return;
         };
-        let (px, py) = trace.snap(x);
+        let (px, py) = trace.pick(x, snap);
         self.edit_peaks(dataset, |peaks| {
             peaks.column = column_id;
             let id = peaks.next_id();
diff --git a/crates/core/src/state/peaks.rs b/crates/core/src/state/peaks.rs
index 7289779..c4e0304 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/state/peaks.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/state/peaks.rs
@@ -20,15 +20,29 @@ impl Trace1d {
         x_tolerance(self)
     }
 
-    /// Snap `x` to the tallest local maximum within a small window, so a click near
-    /// a peak lands on its apex. Falls back to the nearest sample.
-    pub fn snap(&self, x: f64) -> (f64, f64) {
+    /// Resolve a manual pick at `x` per `snap`. See [`ManualPeakSnap`].
+    pub fn pick(&self, x: f64, snap: ManualPeakSnap) -> (f64, f64) {
+        match snap {
+            ManualPeakSnap::Apex { half_width } => self.snap_within(x, half_width),
+            ManualPeakSnap::NearestSample => self.nearest_sample(x),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Snap `x` to the tallest local maximum within ± `half_width` (data
+    /// units), so a click near a peak lands on its apex. Falls back to the
+    /// nearest sample when the window holds no local maximum.
+    ///
+    /// Callers derive `half_width` from screen pixels: zooming in narrows the
+    /// data window in step with the click precision the zoom affords, which is
+    /// what lets a weak line be picked next to a strong one. Tallest-in-window
+    /// (rather than nearest local maximum) keeps zoomed-out clicks landing on
+    /// real peaks instead of the noise wiggle closest to the pointer.
+    pub fn snap_within(&self, x: f64, half_width: f64) -> (f64, f64) {
         let n = self.xs.len();
-        let window = x_tolerance(self) * 15.0;
         let mut best: Option<(f64, f64)> = None;
         for i in 1..n.saturating_sub(1) {
             let px = self.xs[i];
-            if (px - x).abs() > window {
+            if (px - x).abs() > half_width {
                 continue;
             }
             let v = self.ys[i];
@@ -36,15 +50,32 @@ impl Trace1d {
                 best = Some((px, v));
             }
         }
-        best.unwrap_or_else(|| {
-            self.xs
-                .iter()
-                .zip(&self.ys)
-                .min_by(|a, b| (a.0 - x).abs().partial_cmp(&(b.0 - x).abs()).unwrap())
-                .map(|(&px, &py)| (px, py))
-                .unwrap_or((x, 0.0))
-        })
+        best.unwrap_or_else(|| self.nearest_sample(x))
     }
+
+    /// The sample closest to `x`, with no apex search.
+    pub fn nearest_sample(&self, x: f64) -> (f64, f64) {
+        self.xs
+            .iter()
+            .zip(&self.ys)
+            .filter(|(px, py)| px.is_finite() && py.is_finite())
+            .min_by(|a, b| (a.0 - x).abs().partial_cmp(&(b.0 - x).abs()).unwrap())
+            .map(|(&px, &py)| (px, py))
+            .unwrap_or((x, 0.0))
+    }
+}
+
+/// How a manual pick chooses its apex from the clicked x position.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq)]
+pub enum ManualPeakSnap {
+    /// Snap to the tallest local maximum within ± `half_width` data units.
+    /// UI callers convert a fixed pixel radius at the current zoom, so the
+    /// search window narrows as the user zooms in.
+    Apex { half_width: f64 },
+    /// No apex search: place on the sample nearest the click. The escape
+    /// hatch (modifier-click) for shoulders and signals snapping refuses to
+    /// resolve.
+    NearestSample,
 }
 
 /// Provenance only — both kinds are ordinary, individually editable marks.
@@ -230,6 +261,10 @@ fn baseline(ys: &[f64]) -> f64 {
     finite[finite.len() / 2]
 }
 
+#[cfg(test)]
+#[path = "peaks_tests.rs"]
+mod tests;
+
 fn x_tolerance(trace: &Trace1d) -> f64 {
     let (lo, hi) = trace
         .xs
diff --git a/crates/core/src/state/peaks_tests.rs b/crates/core/src/state/peaks_tests.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b79dac2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/core/src/state/peaks_tests.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+use super::*;
+
+fn trace(ys: Vec<f64>) -> Trace1d {
+    Trace1d {
+        xs: (0..ys.len()).map(|i| i as f64).collect(),
+        ys,
+        x_reversed: false,
+    }
+}
+
+/// A strong apex at x = 5 and a weak one at x = 10.
+fn two_peaks() -> Trace1d {
+    let mut ys = vec![0.0; 16];
+    ys[4] = 40.0;
+    ys[5] = 100.0;
+    ys[6] = 40.0;
+    ys[9] = 2.0;
+    ys[10] = 5.0;
+    ys[11] = 2.0;
+    trace(ys)
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn a_narrow_window_picks_the_weak_apex_beside_a_strong_one() {
+    let trace = two_peaks();
+    // Clicking at the weak line while zoomed in: the pixel-derived window no
+    // longer reaches the strong apex.
+    assert_eq!(trace.snap_within(10.4, 2.0), (10.0, 5.0));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn a_wide_window_still_lands_on_the_tallest_apex() {
+    let trace = two_peaks();
+    // Zoomed out, the same click may sit several samples off; the tallest
+    // apex in reach is the intended target, not the nearest noise wiggle.
+    assert_eq!(trace.snap_within(7.0, 6.0), (5.0, 100.0));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn free_placement_takes_the_nearest_sample_without_an_apex_search() {
+    let trace = two_peaks();
+    assert_eq!(trace.pick(9.4, ManualPeakSnap::NearestSample), (9.0, 2.0));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn an_empty_window_falls_back_to_the_nearest_sample() {
+    let trace = two_peaks();
+    // No local maximum within reach of x = 14.
+    assert_eq!(trace.snap_within(14.2, 1.0), (14.0, 0.0));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn apex_snap_routes_through_pick() {
+    let trace = two_peaks();
+    assert_eq!(
+        trace.pick(10.4, ManualPeakSnap::Apex { half_width: 2.0 }),
+        (10.0, 5.0)
+    );
+}
diff --git a/docs/src/content/docs/guides/peaks-and-regions.md b/docs/src/content/docs/guides/peaks-and-regions.md
index 872b7bd..9e873cf 100644
--- a/docs/src/content/docs/guides/peaks-and-regions.md
+++ b/docs/src/content/docs/guides/peaks-and-regions.md
@@ -11,6 +11,13 @@ with [Choosing an analysis tool](/guides/choosing-a-tool/).
 The **Peaks** tool detects peaks by prominence. Drag the threshold line on
 the plot to adjust detection — peaks are recomputed when you release it.
 Detected peaks can be edited, added, and removed by hand.
+
+A click places one peak, snapped to the tallest apex within a small radius
+around the pointer. The radius is fixed on screen, so zooming in narrows it —
+zoom in to pick a weak line sitting next to a strong one. Hold `Shift` while
+clicking to skip the snap entirely and place the mark on the nearest data
+point (useful for shoulders). The hover preview shows exactly where the mark
+will land. Dragging across a range picks every prominent peak inside it.
 Choose **Export Data…** and **Peak table** to save or copy the current peak list.
 
 ## 1D NMR integrals
diff --git a/docs/src/content/docs/zh-cn/guides/peaks-and-regions.md b/docs/src/content/docs/zh-cn/guides/peaks-and-regions.md
index 1fcfc89..93c3485 100644
--- a/docs/src/content/docs/zh-cn/guides/peaks-and-regions.md
+++ b/docs/src/content/docs/zh-cn/guides/peaks-and-regions.md
@@ -10,6 +10,11 @@ description: 峰拾取与交互式区域分析。
 
 **峰**工具按显著度（prominence）检测峰。在图上拖动阈值线即可调整检测——
 松开时重新计算峰。检测到的峰也可以手动编辑、添加和删除。
+
+单击放置一个峰，标记会吸附到指针附近小半径内最高的峰顶。该半径以屏幕像素
+为准，放大视图时会随之收窄——想选中紧邻强峰的弱峰，放大后再点击即可。按住
+`Shift` 单击可完全跳过吸附，把标记放在最近的数据点上（适合肩峰）。悬停预览
+会显示标记将要落到的位置。横向拖选一段范围则拾取其中所有显著的峰。
 选择**导出数据…**和**峰表**可保存或复制当前峰列表。
 
 ## 1D NMR 积分