diff --git a/core/block_svg.ts b/core/block_svg.ts
index 3d7d285c263..362accf17e9 100644
--- a/core/block_svg.ts
+++ b/core/block_svg.ts
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import type {BlockMove} from './events/events_block_move.js';
 import {EventType} from './events/type.js';
 import * as eventUtils from './events/utils.js';
 import {FieldLabel} from './field_label.js';
+import {getFocusManager} from './focus_manager.js';
 import {IconType} from './icons/icon_types.js';
 import {MutatorIcon} from './icons/mutator_icon.js';
 import {WarningIcon} from './icons/warning_icon.js';
@@ -1290,6 +1291,7 @@ export class BlockSvg
    *     adjusting its parents.
    */
   bringToFront(blockOnly = false) {
+    const previouslyFocused = getFocusManager().getFocusedNode();
     /* eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-this-alias */
     let block: this | null = this;
     if (block.isDeadOrDying()) {
@@ -1306,6 +1308,13 @@ export class BlockSvg
       if (blockOnly) break;
       block = block.getParent();
     } while (block);
+    if (previouslyFocused) {
+      // Bringing a block to the front of the stack doesn't fundamentally change
+      // the logical structure of the page, but it does change element ordering
+      // which can take automatically take away focus from a node. Ensure focus
+      // is restored to avoid a discontinuity.
+      getFocusManager().focusNode(previouslyFocused);
+    }
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/core/clipboard/block_paster.ts b/core/clipboard/block_paster.ts
index 08ff220ee91..750cedca124 100644
--- a/core/clipboard/block_paster.ts
+++ b/core/clipboard/block_paster.ts
@@ -5,12 +5,14 @@
  */
 
 import {BlockSvg} from '../block_svg.js';
-import * as common from '../common.js';
+import {IFocusableNode} from '../blockly.js';
 import {config} from '../config.js';
 import {EventType} from '../events/type.js';
 import * as eventUtils from '../events/utils.js';
+import {getFocusManager} from '../focus_manager.js';
 import {ICopyData} from '../interfaces/i_copyable.js';
 import {IPaster} from '../interfaces/i_paster.js';
+import * as renderManagement from '../render_management.js';
 import {State, append} from '../serialization/blocks.js';
 import {Coordinate} from '../utils/coordinate.js';
 import {WorkspaceSvg} from '../workspace_svg.js';
@@ -55,7 +57,13 @@ export class BlockPaster implements IPaster<BlockCopyData, BlockSvg> {
     if (eventUtils.isEnabled() && !block.isShadow()) {
       eventUtils.fire(new (eventUtils.get(EventType.BLOCK_CREATE))(block));
     }
-    common.setSelected(block);
+
+    // Sometimes there's a delay before the block is fully created and ready for
+    // focusing, so wait slightly before focusing the newly pasted block.
+    const nodeToFocus: IFocusableNode = block;
+    renderManagement
+      .finishQueuedRenders()
+      .then(() => getFocusManager().focusNode(nodeToFocus));
     return block;
   }
 }
diff --git a/core/dragging/dragger.ts b/core/dragging/dragger.ts
index 518351d5c86..02e9e2bfb79 100644
--- a/core/dragging/dragger.ts
+++ b/core/dragging/dragger.ts
@@ -8,11 +8,13 @@ import * as blockAnimations from '../block_animations.js';
 import {BlockSvg} from '../block_svg.js';
 import {ComponentManager} from '../component_manager.js';
 import * as eventUtils from '../events/utils.js';
+import {getFocusManager} from '../focus_manager.js';
 import {IDeletable, isDeletable} from '../interfaces/i_deletable.js';
 import {IDeleteArea} from '../interfaces/i_delete_area.js';
 import {IDragTarget} from '../interfaces/i_drag_target.js';
 import {IDraggable} from '../interfaces/i_draggable.js';
 import {IDragger} from '../interfaces/i_dragger.js';
+import {isFocusableNode} from '../interfaces/i_focusable_node.js';
 import * as registry from '../registry.js';
 import {Coordinate} from '../utils/coordinate.js';
 import {WorkspaceSvg} from '../workspace_svg.js';
@@ -129,6 +131,12 @@ export class Dragger implements IDragger {
       root.dispose();
     }
     eventUtils.setGroup(false);
+
+    if (!wouldDelete && isFocusableNode(this.draggable)) {
+      // Ensure focusable nodes that have finished dragging (but aren't being
+      // deleted) end with focus and selection.
+      getFocusManager().focusNode(this.draggable);
+    }
   }
 
   // We need to special case blocks for now so that we look at the root block
diff --git a/core/dropdowndiv.ts b/core/dropdowndiv.ts
index dcf8fa24ef7..e326ac94cb4 100644
--- a/core/dropdowndiv.ts
+++ b/core/dropdowndiv.ts
@@ -629,10 +629,6 @@ export function hide() {
   animateOutTimer = setTimeout(function () {
     hideWithoutAnimation();
   }, ANIMATION_TIME * 1000);
-  if (returnEphemeralFocus) {
-    returnEphemeralFocus();
-    returnEphemeralFocus = null;
-  }
   if (onHide) {
     onHide();
     onHide = null;
@@ -648,10 +644,6 @@ export function hideWithoutAnimation() {
     clearTimeout(animateOutTimer);
   }
 
-  if (returnEphemeralFocus) {
-    returnEphemeralFocus();
-    returnEphemeralFocus = null;
-  }
   if (onHide) {
     onHide();
     onHide = null;
@@ -660,6 +652,11 @@ export function hideWithoutAnimation() {
   owner = null;
 
   (common.getMainWorkspace() as WorkspaceSvg).markFocused();
+
+  if (returnEphemeralFocus) {
+    returnEphemeralFocus();
+    returnEphemeralFocus = null;
+  }
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/core/focus_manager.ts b/core/focus_manager.ts
index 7091c4efb08..f9a62afecbb 100644
--- a/core/focus_manager.ts
+++ b/core/focus_manager.ts
@@ -56,17 +56,20 @@ export class FocusManager {
    */
   static readonly PASSIVE_FOCUS_NODE_CSS_CLASS_NAME = 'blocklyPassiveFocus';
 
-  focusedNode: IFocusableNode | null = null;
-  registeredTrees: Array<IFocusableTree> = [];
+  private focusedNode: IFocusableNode | null = null;
+  private previouslyFocusedNode: IFocusableNode | null = null;
+  private registeredTrees: Array<IFocusableTree> = [];
 
   private currentlyHoldsEphemeralFocus: boolean = false;
   private lockFocusStateChanges: boolean = false;
+  private recentlyLostAllFocus: boolean = false;
 
   constructor(
     addGlobalEventListener: (type: string, listener: EventListener) => void,
   ) {
     // Note that 'element' here is the element *gaining* focus.
     const maybeFocus = (element: Element | EventTarget | null) => {
+      this.recentlyLostAllFocus = !element;
       let newNode: IFocusableNode | null | undefined = null;
       if (element instanceof HTMLElement || element instanceof SVGElement) {
         // If the target losing or gaining focus maps to any tree, then it
@@ -164,7 +167,7 @@ export class FocusManager {
     const root = tree.getRootFocusableNode();
     if (focusedNode) this.removeHighlight(focusedNode);
     if (this.focusedNode === focusedNode || this.focusedNode === root) {
-      this.focusedNode = null;
+      this.updateFocusedNode(null);
     }
     this.removeHighlight(root);
   }
@@ -277,7 +280,7 @@ export class FocusManager {
       // Only change the actively focused node if ephemeral state isn't held.
       this.activelyFocusNode(focusableNode, prevTree ?? null);
     }
-    this.focusedNode = focusableNode;
+    this.updateFocusedNode(focusableNode);
   }
 
   /**
@@ -328,6 +331,22 @@ export class FocusManager {
 
       if (this.focusedNode) {
         this.activelyFocusNode(this.focusedNode, null);
+
+        // Even though focus was restored, check if it's lost again. It's
+        // possible for the browser to force focus away from all elements once
+        // the ephemeral element disappears. This ensures focus is restored.
+        const capturedNode = this.focusedNode;
+        setTimeout(() => {
+          // These checks are set up to minimize the risk that a legitimate
+          // focus change occurred within the delay that this would override.
+          if (
+            !this.focusedNode &&
+            this.previouslyFocusedNode === capturedNode &&
+            this.recentlyLostAllFocus
+          ) {
+            this.focusNode(capturedNode);
+          }
+        }, 0);
       }
     };
   }
@@ -348,6 +367,17 @@ export class FocusManager {
     }
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Updates the internally tracked focused node to the specified node, or null
+   * if focus is being lost. This also updates previous focus tracking.
+   *
+   * @param newFocusedNode The new node to set as focused.
+   */
+  private updateFocusedNode(newFocusedNode: IFocusableNode | null) {
+    this.previouslyFocusedNode = this.focusedNode;
+    this.focusedNode = newFocusedNode;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Defocuses the current actively focused node tracked by the manager, iff
    * there's a node being tracked and the manager doesn't have ephemeral focus.
@@ -358,7 +388,7 @@ export class FocusManager {
     // restored upon exiting ephemeral focus mode.
     if (this.focusedNode && !this.currentlyHoldsEphemeralFocus) {
       this.passivelyFocusNode(this.focusedNode, null);
-      this.focusedNode = null;
+      this.updateFocusedNode(null);
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/core/gesture.ts b/core/gesture.ts
index fc23ba7ca15..f9b435c67d9 100644
--- a/core/gesture.ts
+++ b/core/gesture.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import * as dropDownDiv from './dropdowndiv.js';
 import {EventType} from './events/type.js';
 import * as eventUtils from './events/utils.js';
 import type {Field} from './field.js';
+import {getFocusManager} from './focus_manager.js';
 import type {IBubble} from './interfaces/i_bubble.js';
 import {IDraggable, isDraggable} from './interfaces/i_draggable.js';
 import {IDragger} from './interfaces/i_dragger.js';
@@ -289,7 +290,7 @@ export class Gesture {
       // The start block is no longer relevant, because this is a drag.
       this.startBlock = null;
       this.targetBlock = this.flyout.createBlock(this.targetBlock);
-      common.setSelected(this.targetBlock);
+      getFocusManager().focusNode(this.targetBlock);
       return true;
     }
     return false;
@@ -734,6 +735,7 @@ export class Gesture {
       this.startComment.showContextMenu(e);
     } else if (this.startWorkspace_ && !this.flyout) {
       this.startWorkspace_.hideChaff();
+      getFocusManager().focusNode(this.startWorkspace_);
       this.startWorkspace_.showContextMenu(e);
     }
 
@@ -762,9 +764,12 @@ export class Gesture {
     this.mostRecentEvent = e;
 
     if (!this.startBlock && !this.startBubble && !this.startComment) {
-      // Selection determines what things start drags. So to drag the workspace,
-      // we need to deselect anything that was previously selected.
-      common.setSelected(null);
+      // Ensure the workspace is selected if nothing else should be. Note that
+      // this is focusNode() instead of focusTree() because if any active node
+      // is focused in the workspace it should be defocused.
+      getFocusManager().focusNode(ws);
+    } else if (this.startBlock) {
+      getFocusManager().focusNode(this.startBlock);
     }
 
     this.doStart(e);
@@ -865,13 +870,18 @@ export class Gesture {
       );
     }
 
+    // Note that the order is important here: bringing a block to the front will
+    // cause it to become focused and showing the field editor will capture
+    // focus ephemerally. It's important to ensure that focus is properly
+    // restored back to the block after field editing has completed.
+    this.bringBlockToFront();
+
     // Only show the editor if the field's editor wasn't already open
     // right before this gesture started.
     const dropdownAlreadyOpen = this.currentDropdownOwner === this.startField;
     if (!dropdownAlreadyOpen) {
       this.startField.showEditor(this.mostRecentEvent);
     }
-    this.bringBlockToFront();
   }
 
   /** Execute an icon click. */
@@ -901,6 +911,9 @@ export class Gesture {
         const newBlock = this.flyout.createBlock(this.targetBlock);
         newBlock.snapToGrid();
         newBlock.bumpNeighbours();
+
+        // If a new block was added, make sure that it's correctly focused.
+        getFocusManager().focusNode(newBlock);
       }
     } else {
       if (!this.startWorkspace_) {
@@ -928,11 +941,7 @@ export class Gesture {
    * @param _e A pointerup event.
    */
   private doWorkspaceClick(_e: PointerEvent) {
-    const ws = this.creatorWorkspace;
-    if (common.getSelected()) {
-      common.getSelected()!.unselect();
-    }
-    this.fireWorkspaceClick(this.startWorkspace_ || ws);
+    this.fireWorkspaceClick(this.startWorkspace_ || this.creatorWorkspace);
   }
 
   /* End functions defining what actions to take to execute clicks on each type
@@ -947,6 +956,8 @@ export class Gesture {
   private bringBlockToFront() {
     // Blocks in the flyout don't overlap, so skip the work.
     if (this.targetBlock && !this.flyout) {
+      // Always ensure the block being dragged/clicked has focus.
+      getFocusManager().focusNode(this.targetBlock);
       this.targetBlock.bringToFront();
     }
   }
@@ -1023,7 +1034,6 @@ export class Gesture {
     // If the gesture already went through a bubble, don't set the start block.
     if (!this.startBlock && !this.startBubble) {
       this.startBlock = block;
-      common.setSelected(this.startBlock);
       if (block.isInFlyout && block !== block.getRootBlock()) {
         this.setTargetBlock(block.getRootBlock());
       } else {
@@ -1046,6 +1056,7 @@ export class Gesture {
       this.setTargetBlock(block.getParent()!);
     } else {
       this.targetBlock = block;
+      getFocusManager().focusNode(block);
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/core/widgetdiv.ts b/core/widgetdiv.ts
index cb006160455..608927b6fb0 100644
--- a/core/widgetdiv.ts
+++ b/core/widgetdiv.ts
@@ -131,10 +131,6 @@ export function hide() {
   div.style.display = 'none';
   div.style.left = '';
   div.style.top = '';
-  if (returnEphemeralFocus) {
-    returnEphemeralFocus();
-    returnEphemeralFocus = null;
-  }
   if (dispose) {
     dispose();
     dispose = null;
@@ -150,6 +146,11 @@ export function hide() {
     themeClassName = '';
   }
   (common.getMainWorkspace() as WorkspaceSvg).markFocused();
+
+  if (returnEphemeralFocus) {
+    returnEphemeralFocus();
+    returnEphemeralFocus = null;
+  }
 }
 
 /**