diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index b949ae5..393f431 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 iris
-iris.log
\ No newline at end of file
+iris.log
+autocomplete
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/root/root.go b/root/root.go
index 4b2f70c..8867239 100644
--- a/root/root.go
+++ b/root/root.go
@@ -287,8 +287,10 @@ func runWrapper() {
 		if !suggestionsEnabled {
 			return
 		}
-		// don't render if shell is starting up
-		if isReload && naiveBuffer == "" {
+		
+		// If buffer is empty (e.g. backspace to 0 or after reload), clear overlay immediately
+		if naiveBuffer == "" {
+			os.Stdout.Write([]byte(overlay.ClearAndDisable()))
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -309,6 +311,9 @@ func runWrapper() {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Trigger initial render to clear any potential artifacts from previous session
+	renderOverlay()
+
 	for {
 		inputSlice := make([]byte, 128)
 		n, err := os.Stdin.Read(inputSlice)