diff --git a/frontend/package.json b/frontend/package.json
index 81770d3e1..5c0bcade2 100644
--- a/frontend/package.json
+++ b/frontend/package.json
@@ -101,7 +101,6 @@
     "vue-advanced-cropper": "2.8.9",
     "vue-i18n": "11.4.14",
     "vue-router": "5.3.1",
-    "vuemoji-picker": "0.3.2",
     "workbox-core": "7.4.1",
     "workbox-precaching": "7.4.1",
     "workbox-routing": "7.4.1",
diff --git a/frontend/pnpm-lock.yaml b/frontend/pnpm-lock.yaml
index d6b92ca68..1d7cd003f 100644
--- a/frontend/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/frontend/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -331,9 +331,6 @@ importers:
       vue-router:
         specifier: 5.3.1
         version: 5.3.1(@vue/compiler-sfc@3.5.44)(esbuild@0.28.2)(pinia@4.0.3(@vue/devtools-api@8.2.1)(typescript@6.0.3)(vue@3.5.42(typescript@6.0.3)))(rolldown@1.2.14)(rollup@4.63.3)(vite@8.3.3(@types/node@26.6.6)(esbuild@0.28.2)(jiti@2.7.0)(sass-embedded@1.104.1)(sass@1.104.1)(terser@5.51.2)(yaml@2.9.1))(vue@3.5.42(typescript@6.0.3))
-      vuemoji-picker:
-        specifier: 0.3.2
-        version: 0.3.2(vue@3.5.42(typescript@6.0.3))
       workbox-core:
         specifier: 7.4.1
         version: 7.4.1
@@ -4135,9 +4132,6 @@ packages:
   electron-to-chromium@1.5.459:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-4SC9HHSFjO/liAhifpdOL5hG9b4BP7/5G3y3UPZVO8trlAXr1CaUEEJL0gWK3kOcYcZrOA5rkwG45Gra/lTIgg==}
 
-  emoji-picker-element@1.29.1:
-    resolution: {integrity: sha512-TOiHzu9Dqib3x4MwcAi3wi3RdyT4SoeB4b15AvH1ks4SBwTl7DeebhZ0d3x6dNi4XfNU7IGRZ7NBQllj0RqwrQ==}
-
   emoji-regex@10.6.0:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-toUI84YS5YmxW219erniWD0CIVOo46xGKColeNQRgOzDorgBi1v4D71/OFzgD9GO2UGKIv1C3Sp8DAn0+j5w7A==}
 
@@ -7233,15 +7227,6 @@ packages:
       typescript:
         optional: true
 
-  vuemoji-picker@0.3.2:
-    resolution: {integrity: sha512-yjNUSlth1HHxrqvSReG/JRFd1RiKP4CMdkhGiehy/IcajtVTrmzJtZ7zyXS4gFDX2YZDY43zw+LQzypkWWO6Lw==}
-    peerDependencies:
-      '@vue/composition-api': ^1.7.0
-      vue: ^2.6.14 || ^3.2.0
-    peerDependenciesMeta:
-      '@vue/composition-api':
-        optional: true
-
   w3c-keyname@2.2.8:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-dpojBhNsCNN7T82Tm7k26A6G9ML3NkhDsnw9n/eoxSRlVBB4CEtIQ/KTCLI2Fwf3ataSXRhYFkQi3SlnFwPvPQ==}
 
@@ -11199,8 +11184,6 @@ snapshots:
 
   electron-to-chromium@1.5.459: {}
 
-  emoji-picker-element@1.29.1: {}
-
   emoji-regex@10.6.0: {}
 
   emoji-regex@8.0.0: {}
@@ -14654,12 +14637,6 @@ snapshots:
     optionalDependencies:
       typescript: 6.0.3
 
-  vuemoji-picker@0.3.2(vue@3.5.42(typescript@6.0.3)):
-    dependencies:
-      emoji-picker-element: 1.29.1
-      vue: 3.5.42(typescript@6.0.3)
-      vue-demi: 0.14.10(vue@3.5.42(typescript@6.0.3))
-
   w3c-keyname@2.2.8: {}
 
   w3c-xmlserializer@5.0.0:
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/input/EmojiPicker.story.vue b/frontend/src/components/input/EmojiPicker.story.vue
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c6871fca0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/input/EmojiPicker.story.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import {ref} from 'vue'
+import EmojiPicker from './EmojiPicker.vue'
+
+const selected = ref('')
+</script>
+
+<template>
+	<Story title="Emoji picker">
+		<EmojiPicker @select="selected = $event" />
+		<p v-if="selected">
+			{{ selected }}
+		</p>
+	</Story>
+</template>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/input/EmojiPicker.vue b/frontend/src/components/input/EmojiPicker.vue
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..574f72168
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/input/EmojiPicker.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,419 @@
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import {computed, nextTick, onMounted, ref, shallowRef, useId, useTemplateRef, watch} from 'vue'
+import {useStorage} from '@vueuse/core'
+import {useI18n} from 'vue-i18n'
+import {
+	filterEmojis,
+	loadEmojiCatalog,
+	loadEmojis,
+	type EmojiCatalogEntry,
+	type EmojiEntry,
+} from '@/components/input/editor/emoji/emojiData'
+
+const emit = defineEmits<{
+	select: [emoji: string]
+}>()
+
+const {t} = useI18n({useScope: 'global'})
+
+const categories = [
+	{
+		group: -1,
+		icon: '🕒',
+		key: 'recent',
+	},
+	{
+		group: 0,
+		icon: '😀',
+		key: 'smileys',
+	},
+	{
+		group: 1,
+		icon: '👋',
+		key: 'people',
+	},
+	{
+		group: 3,
+		icon: '🌿',
+		key: 'nature',
+	},
+	{
+		group: 4,
+		icon: '🍋',
+		key: 'food',
+	},
+	{
+		group: 5,
+		icon: '🚀',
+		key: 'travel',
+	},
+	{
+		group: 6,
+		icon: '⚽',
+		key: 'activities',
+	},
+	{
+		group: 7,
+		icon: '💡',
+		key: 'objects',
+	},
+	{
+		group: 8,
+		icon: '❤️',
+		key: 'symbols',
+	},
+	{
+		group: 9,
+		icon: '🏁',
+		key: 'flags',
+	},
+]
+const COLUMNS = 8
+const tones = [
+	{
+		glyph: '👋',
+		label: 'misc.default',
+	},
+	{
+		glyph: '👋🏻',
+		label: 'input.emojiPicker.tones.light',
+	},
+	{
+		glyph: '👋🏼',
+		label: 'input.emojiPicker.tones.mediumLight',
+	},
+	{
+		glyph: '👋🏽',
+		label: 'input.emojiPicker.tones.medium',
+	},
+	{
+		glyph: '👋🏾',
+		label: 'input.emojiPicker.tones.mediumDark',
+	},
+	{
+		glyph: '👋🏿',
+		label: 'input.emojiPicker.tones.dark',
+	},
+]
+const skinTone = useStorage('emoji-picker-skin-tone', 0)
+const recent = useStorage<string[]>('emoji-picker-recent', [])
+const catalog = shallowRef<EmojiCatalogEntry[]>([])
+const searchIndex = shallowRef<EmojiEntry[]>([])
+const loading = ref(true)
+const failed = ref(false)
+const query = ref('')
+const group = ref(recent.value.length ? -1 : 0)
+const activeIndex = ref(0)
+const search = useTemplateRef<HTMLInputElement>('search')
+const results = useTemplateRef<HTMLElement>('results')
+const headingId = useId()
+const resultsId = useId()
+
+const searchQuery = computed(() => query.value.trim().replace(/^:|:$/g, ''))
+const catalogByEmoji = computed(() => new Map(catalog.value.map(entry => [entry.emoji, entry])))
+const visibleEmojis = computed(() => {
+	if (searchQuery.value) {
+		return [...new Set(filterEmojis(searchIndex.value, searchQuery.value, Infinity)
+			.flatMap(match => catalogByEmoji.value.get(match.emoji) ?? []))]
+	}
+	if (group.value === -1) {
+		return recent.value.flatMap(emoji => {
+			const entry = catalog.value.find(entry => entry.emoji === emoji
+				|| entry.skins?.some(skin => skin.emoji === emoji))
+			return entry ? [{
+				...entry,
+				emoji,
+				skins: undefined,
+			}] : []
+		})
+	}
+	return catalog.value.filter(entry => entry.group === group.value)
+})
+const categoryKey = computed(() => categories.find(category => category.group === group.value)?.key ?? 'smileys')
+
+function glyph(entry: EmojiCatalogEntry) {
+	return entry.skins?.find(skin => skin.tone === skinTone.value)?.emoji ?? entry.emoji
+}
+
+function select(entry: EmojiCatalogEntry) {
+	const emoji = glyph(entry)
+	recent.value = [emoji, ...recent.value.filter(value => value !== emoji)].slice(0, 24)
+	emit('select', emoji)
+}
+
+function chooseCategory(value: number) {
+	group.value = value
+	query.value = ''
+}
+
+watch(visibleEmojis, () => {
+	activeIndex.value = 0
+	if (results.value) results.value.scrollTop = 0
+})
+
+async function focusEmoji(index: number) {
+	activeIndex.value = Math.max(0, Math.min(index, visibleEmojis.value.length - 1))
+	await nextTick()
+	const button = results.value?.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>('.emoji-button')[activeIndex.value]
+	button?.focus()
+	button?.scrollIntoView({block: 'nearest'})
+}
+
+function onResultsKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
+	if (!(event.target instanceof HTMLButtonElement)) return
+	const rtl = getComputedStyle(event.currentTarget as HTMLElement).direction === 'rtl'
+	const movement: Record<string, number> = {
+		ArrowRight: rtl ? -1 : 1,
+		ArrowLeft: rtl ? 1 : -1,
+		ArrowDown: COLUMNS,
+		ArrowUp: -COLUMNS,
+		Home: -visibleEmojis.value.length,
+		End: visibleEmojis.value.length,
+	}
+	if (!(event.key in movement)) return
+	event.preventDefault()
+	if (event.key === 'ArrowUp' && activeIndex.value < COLUMNS) {
+		search.value?.focus()
+		return
+	}
+	focusEmoji(activeIndex.value + movement[event.key])
+}
+
+async function load() {
+	loading.value = true
+	failed.value = false
+	try {
+		const [entries, emojiIndex] = await Promise.all([loadEmojiCatalog(), loadEmojis()])
+		// group 2 holds lone skin tone and hair components, not postable emoji
+		catalog.value = entries.filter(entry => entry.group !== 2)
+		searchIndex.value = emojiIndex
+	} catch {
+		failed.value = true
+	} finally {
+		loading.value = false
+	}
+}
+
+async function retry() {
+	await load()
+	search.value?.focus()
+}
+
+onMounted(async () => {
+	load()
+	await nextTick()
+	search.value?.focus()
+})
+</script>
+
+<template>
+	<section
+		class="emoji-picker"
+		role="region"
+		:aria-label="t('input.emojiPicker.title')"
+	>
+		<div class="emoji-toolbar">
+			<input
+				ref="search"
+				v-model="query"
+				type="search"
+				class="input search"
+				:placeholder="t('input.emojiPicker.search')"
+				:aria-label="t('input.emojiPicker.search')"
+				:aria-controls="resultsId"
+				@keydown.down.prevent="focusEmoji(0)"
+			>
+			<select
+				v-model="skinTone"
+				class="emoji-tone"
+				:aria-label="t('input.emojiPicker.skinTone')"
+			>
+				<option
+					v-for="(tone, index) in tones"
+					:key="index"
+					:value="index"
+				>
+					{{ tone.glyph }} {{ t(tone.label) }}
+				</option>
+			</select>
+		</div>
+		<nav
+			class="emoji-categories"
+			:aria-label="t('input.emojiPicker.categories')"
+		>
+			<button
+				v-for="category in categories"
+				:key="category.key"
+				type="button"
+				:aria-label="t(`input.emojiPicker.groups.${category.key}`)"
+				:title="t(`input.emojiPicker.groups.${category.key}`)"
+				:aria-pressed="!searchQuery && group === category.group"
+				@click="chooseCategory(category.group)"
+			>
+				<span aria-hidden="true">{{ category.icon }}</span>
+			</button>
+		</nav>
+		<h3
+			:id="headingId"
+			class="emoji-heading"
+		>
+			{{ searchQuery ? t('input.emojiPicker.results') : t(`input.emojiPicker.groups.${categoryKey}`) }}
+		</h3>
+		<div
+			:id="resultsId"
+			ref="results"
+			class="emoji-results"
+			role="group"
+			:aria-labelledby="headingId"
+			:aria-busy="loading"
+			@keydown="onResultsKeydown"
+		>
+			<p
+				v-if="loading || failed || !visibleEmojis.length"
+				class="emoji-status"
+				role="status"
+			>
+				<template v-if="loading">
+					{{ t('misc.loading') }}
+				</template>
+				<template v-else-if="failed">
+					{{ t('input.emojiPicker.loadError') }}
+					<XButton
+						variant="secondary"
+						:shadow="false"
+						@click="retry"
+					>
+						{{ t('project.background.retry') }}
+					</XButton>
+				</template>
+				<template v-else>
+					{{ t('input.editor.emoji.empty') }}
+				</template>
+			</p>
+			<button
+				v-for="(entry, index) in visibleEmojis"
+				v-else
+				:key="entry.emoji"
+				type="button"
+				class="emoji-button"
+				:aria-label="entry.annotation"
+				:title="entry.annotation"
+				:tabindex="index === activeIndex ? 0 : -1"
+				@focus="activeIndex = index"
+				@click="select(entry)"
+			>
+				{{ glyph(entry) }}
+			</button>
+		</div>
+	</section>
+</template>
+
+<style scoped lang="scss">
+.emoji-picker {
+	display: flex;
+	flex-direction: column;
+	inline-size: min(344px, calc(100vw - 16px));
+	block-size: 400px;
+	max-block-size: calc(100dvh - 88px);
+	border: 1px solid var(--grey-200);
+	border-radius: $radius;
+	background: var(--scheme-main);
+	color: var(--grey-900);
+	box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
+	overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.emoji-toolbar {
+	display: flex;
+	gap: .5rem;
+	padding: .75rem;
+
+	.search {
+		min-inline-size: 0;
+		block-size: 34px;
+		font-size: 1rem;
+	}
+}
+
+.emoji-tone {
+	inline-size: 3rem;
+	flex-shrink: 0;
+	border: 1px solid var(--grey-300);
+	border-radius: $radius;
+	background: var(--scheme-main);
+	color: var(--grey-900);
+	font-size: 1rem;
+}
+
+.emoji-categories {
+	display: flex;
+	padding: 0 .25rem;
+	border-block-end: 1px solid var(--grey-200);
+
+	button {
+		flex: 1;
+		min-inline-size: 0;
+		block-size: 36px;
+		border-radius: $radius $radius 0 0;
+		font-size: 1rem;
+
+		&[aria-pressed="true"] {
+			box-shadow: inset 0 -2px var(--primary);
+			background: var(--grey-100);
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Nested to beat Bulma's `.content h3:not(:first-child)` margin in task comments
+.emoji-picker .emoji-heading {
+	margin: 0;
+	padding: .75rem .75rem .5rem;
+	font-size: .875rem;
+	// Overrides the global `h3 {font-weight: 400 !important}` in theme.scss
+	font-weight: 600 !important;
+}
+
+.emoji-results {
+	display: grid;
+	grid-template-columns: repeat(v-bind(COLUMNS), minmax(0, 38px));
+	justify-content: space-between;
+	align-content: start;
+	min-block-size: 0;
+	padding: 0 .5rem .5rem;
+	overflow-y: auto;
+	overscroll-behavior: contain;
+}
+
+.emoji-categories button,
+.emoji-button {
+	padding: 0;
+	border: 0;
+	background: transparent;
+	color: inherit;
+	cursor: pointer;
+
+	&:hover {
+		background: var(--grey-100);
+	}
+
+	&:focus-visible {
+		outline: 2px solid var(--primary);
+		outline-offset: -2px;
+	}
+}
+
+.emoji-button {
+	block-size: 38px;
+	border-radius: $radius;
+	font-family: 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Noto Color Emoji', sans-serif;
+	font-size: 22px;
+	line-height: 22px;
+}
+
+.emoji-status {
+	grid-column: 1 / -1;
+	padding: 1rem .25rem;
+	color: var(--grey-600);
+	font-size: .875rem;
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/input/Reactions.test.ts b/frontend/src/components/input/Reactions.test.ts
index 9db3c4429..89d8faef8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/input/Reactions.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/components/input/Reactions.test.ts
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ vi.mock('@/message', () => ({
 	success: vi.fn(),
 }))
 
-vi.mock('vuemoji-picker', () => ({
-	VuemojiPicker: {
-		name: 'VuemojiPicker',
-		template: '<div />',
-		emits: ['emojiClick'],
+vi.mock('@/components/input/EmojiPicker.vue', () => ({
+	default: {
+		name: 'EmojiPicker',
+		template: '<div class="emoji-picker" />',
+		emits: ['select'],
 	},
 }))
 
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ describe('Reactions', () => {
 		await nextTick()
 		expect(wrapper.find('.emoji-picker').exists()).toBe(true)
 
-		wrapper.findComponent({name: 'VuemojiPicker'}).vm.$emit('emojiClick', {unicode: '👍'})
+		wrapper.findComponent({name: 'EmojiPicker'}).vm.$emit('select', '👍')
 		await nextTick()
 		await wrapper.setProps({entityId: 2})
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/input/Reactions.vue b/frontend/src/components/input/Reactions.vue
index 79097a16d..8fe6dc27c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/input/Reactions.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/input/Reactions.vue
@@ -1,15 +1,13 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import type {ReactionInput, ReactionUsers} from '@/client/queries/reactions'
-import {VuemojiPicker} from 'vuemoji-picker'
+import EmojiPicker from '@/components/input/EmojiPicker.vue'
 import {useSetReactionMutation} from '@/client/queries/reactions'
 import BaseButton from '@/components/base/BaseButton.vue'
 import {getDisplayName} from '@/helpers/user'
 import {useI18n} from 'vue-i18n'
-import {nextTick, onBeforeUnmount, onMounted, ref} from 'vue'
-import CustomTransition from '@/components/misc/CustomTransition.vue'
-import {closeWhenClickedOutside} from '@/helpers/closeWhenClickedOutside'
+import {nextTick, ref, useId} from 'vue'
+import Popup from '@/components/misc/Popup.vue'
 import {useAuthStore} from '@/stores/auth'
-import {useColorScheme} from '@/composables/useColorScheme'
 
 type ReactionSubject = {
 	entityKind: 'tasks',
@@ -31,7 +29,6 @@ const props = withDefaults(defineProps<ReactionSubject & {
 const authStore = useAuthStore()
 const {t} = useI18n()
 const reactionMutation = useSetReactionMutation()
-const {isDark} = useColorScheme()
 
 async function setReaction(value: string, remove: boolean) {
 	if (props.disabled || reactionMutation.isPending.value || !authStore.info) return
@@ -62,7 +59,7 @@ async function setReaction(value: string, remove: boolean) {
 		return
 	}
 	if (props.entityId !== input.id || props.entityKind !== input.kind) return
-	showEmojiPicker.value = false
+	if (showEmojiPicker.value) closeEmojiPicker()
 }
 
 function addReaction(value: string) {
@@ -97,35 +94,13 @@ function getReactionTooltip(users: ReactionUsers[string], value: string | number
 }
 
 const showEmojiPicker = ref(false)
-const emojiPickerRef = ref<InstanceType<typeof VuemojiPicker> | null>(null)
-
-function hideEmojiPicker(e: MouseEvent) {
-	if (showEmojiPicker.value && emojiPickerRef.value?.$el) {
-		closeWhenClickedOutside(e, emojiPickerRef.value.$el, () => showEmojiPicker.value = false)
-	}
-}
-
-onMounted(() => document.addEventListener('click', hideEmojiPicker))
-onBeforeUnmount(() => document.removeEventListener('click', hideEmojiPicker))
-
 const emojiPickerButtonRef = ref<InstanceType<typeof BaseButton> | null>(null)
-const reactionContainerRef = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
-const emojiPickerPosition = ref()
+const pickerId = useId()
 
-function toggleEmojiPicker() {
-	if (!showEmojiPicker.value) {
-		const rect = emojiPickerButtonRef.value?.$el?.getBoundingClientRect()
-		const container = reactionContainerRef.value?.getBoundingClientRect()
-		if (rect && container) {
-			const left = rect.left - container.left + rect.width
-
-			emojiPickerPosition.value = {
-				'inset-inline-start': left === 0 ? undefined : left,
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
-	nextTick(() => showEmojiPicker.value = !showEmojiPicker.value)
+async function closeEmojiPicker() {
+	showEmojiPicker.value = false
+	await nextTick()
+	emojiPickerButtonRef.value?.$el?.focus()
 }
 
 function hasCurrentUserReactedWithEmoji(value: string | number): boolean {
@@ -145,10 +120,7 @@ async function toggleReaction(value: string | number) {
 </script>
 
 <template>
-	<div
-		ref="reactionContainerRef"
-		class="reactions"
-	>
+	<div class="reactions">
 		<BaseButton
 			v-for="(users, value) in modelValue"
 			:key="'button' + value"
@@ -162,27 +134,34 @@ async function toggleReaction(value: string | number) {
 		>
 			{{ value }} {{ users?.length }}
 		</BaseButton>
-		<BaseButton
+		<Popup
 			v-if="!disabled"
-			ref="emojiPickerButtonRef"
-			v-tooltip="$t('reaction.add')"
-			class="reaction-button"
-			@click.stop="toggleEmojiPicker"
+			v-model:open="showEmojiPicker"
+			:anchor="emojiPickerButtonRef?.$el"
+			placement="bottom-start"
 		>
-			<span class="is-sr-only">{{ $t('reaction.add') }}</span>
-			<Icon :icon="['far', 'face-laugh']" />
-		</BaseButton>
-		<CustomTransition name="fade">
-			<VuemojiPicker
-				v-if="showEmojiPicker"
-				ref="emojiPickerRef"
-				class="emoji-picker"
-				:style="{'inset-inline-start': emojiPickerPosition?.left + 'px'}"
-				data-source="/emojis.json"
-				:is-dark="isDark"
-				@emojiClick="detail => addReaction(detail.unicode)"
-			/>
-		</CustomTransition>
+			<template #trigger="{toggle}">
+				<BaseButton
+					ref="emojiPickerButtonRef"
+					v-tooltip="$t('reaction.add')"
+					class="reaction-button"
+					:aria-expanded="showEmojiPicker"
+					:aria-controls="showEmojiPicker ? pickerId : undefined"
+					@click.stop="toggle"
+				>
+					<span class="is-sr-only">{{ $t('reaction.add') }}</span>
+					<Icon :icon="['far', 'face-laugh']" />
+				</BaseButton>
+			</template>
+			<template #content>
+				<EmojiPicker
+					v-if="showEmojiPicker"
+					:id="pickerId"
+					@select="addReaction"
+					@keydown.esc.stop.prevent="closeEmojiPicker"
+				/>
+			</template>
+		</Popup>
 	</div>
 </template>
 
@@ -201,10 +180,4 @@ async function toggleReaction(value: string | number) {
 		background-color: hsla(var(--primary-h), var(--primary-s), var(--primary-light-l), 0.5);
 	}
 }
-
-.emoji-picker {
-	position: absolute;
-	z-index: 99;
-	margin-block-start: .5rem;
-}
 </style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/input/editor/emoji/emojiData.test.ts b/frontend/src/components/input/editor/emoji/emojiData.test.ts
index f010c727d..461803a84 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/input/editor/emoji/emojiData.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/components/input/editor/emoji/emojiData.test.ts
@@ -43,11 +43,12 @@ describe('emojiData', () => {
 		expect(result[2].shortcode).toBe('smile')
 	})
 
-	it('limits results to 15', () => {
+	it('limits results to 15 by default', () => {
 		const big = Array.from({length: 100}, (_, i) => ({
 			shortcode: `foo_${String(i).padStart(3, '0')}`, emoji: '✨', annotation: '', tags: [],
 		}))
 		expect(filterEmojis(big, 'foo')).toHaveLength(15)
+		expect(filterEmojis(big, 'foo', Infinity)).toHaveLength(100)
 	})
 
 	it('caches the fetch promise across calls', async () => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/i18n/lang/en.json b/frontend/src/i18n/lang/en.json
index 1ff9657fe..b80648567 100644
--- a/frontend/src/i18n/lang/en.json
+++ b/frontend/src/i18n/lang/en.json
@@ -1028,6 +1028,33 @@
         "empty": "No emoji found"
       }
     },
+    "emojiPicker": {
+      "title": "Emoji picker",
+      "search": "Search emoji",
+      "skinTone": "Skin tone",
+      "categories": "Emoji categories",
+      "results": "Search results",
+      "loadError": "Could not load emoji.",
+      "tones": {
+        "light": "Light",
+        "mediumLight": "Medium light",
+        "medium": "Medium",
+        "mediumDark": "Medium dark",
+        "dark": "Dark"
+      },
+      "groups": {
+        "recent": "Recently used",
+        "smileys": "Smileys & emotion",
+        "people": "People & body",
+        "nature": "Animals & nature",
+        "food": "Food & drink",
+        "travel": "Travel & places",
+        "activities": "Activities",
+        "objects": "Objects",
+        "symbols": "Symbols",
+        "flags": "Flags"
+      }
+    },
     "multiselect": {
       "createPlaceholder": "Create",
       "selectPlaceholder": "Click or press enter to select",
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/tasks/TaskDetailView.test.ts b/frontend/src/views/tasks/TaskDetailView.test.ts
index 91b14898b..934292f93 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/tasks/TaskDetailView.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/views/tasks/TaskDetailView.test.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ vi.mock('@/message', () => message)
 const projects = vi.hoisted(() => ({} as Record<number, unknown>))
 vi.mock('@/composables/useProjects', () => ({useProjects: () => ({projects})}))
 vi.mock('@/composables/useLabels', () => ({useLabels: () => ({filterLabelsByQuery: () => [], isPending: {value: false}, getLabelById: vi.fn()})}))
-vi.mock('vuemoji-picker', () => ({VuemojiPicker: {render: () => null}}))
 vi.mock('vue-i18n', async importOriginal => ({
 	...await importOriginal<typeof import('vue-i18n')>(),
 	useI18n: () => ({t: (key: string) => key}),
diff --git a/frontend/tests/e2e/task/reactions.spec.ts b/frontend/tests/e2e/task/reactions.spec.ts
index dd009cad1..66d477aab 100644
--- a/frontend/tests/e2e/task/reactions.spec.ts
+++ b/frontend/tests/e2e/task/reactions.spec.ts
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ test('a reaction added in the task detail survives navigating away and back', as
 	await reactions.getByRole('button', {name: 'Add your reaction'}).click()
 	const picker = page.locator('.emoji-picker')
 	await expect(picker).toBeVisible()
-	await picker.locator('input.search').fill('thumbs up')
-	const option = picker.locator('#search-results [role="option"]').first()
+	await picker.getByRole('searchbox', {name: 'Search emoji'}).fill('thumbs up')
+	const option = picker.getByRole('button', {name: 'thumbs up', exact: true})
 	await expect(option).toBeVisible()
 	const added = (await option.textContent())?.trim()
 	expect(added).toBeTruthy()
@@ -79,3 +79,77 @@ test('a reaction added in the task detail survives navigating away and back', as
 	expect(afterRemoval.ok()).toBeTruthy()
 	expect(Object.keys(await afterRemoval.json())).toEqual([SEEDED_REACTION])
 })
+
+test('the native picker supports categories, skin tones, recents and keyboard dismissal', async ({authenticatedPage: page, apiContext, userToken}) => {
+	const [project] = await ProjectFactory.create(1)
+	const [task] = await TaskFactory.create(1, {project_id: project.id})
+	await page.goto(`/tasks/${task.id}`)
+	const trigger = page.locator('.task-view .reactions.details').getByRole('button', {name: 'Add your reaction'})
+	await trigger.click()
+	const picker = page.getByRole('region', {name: 'Emoji picker'})
+	const search = picker.getByRole('searchbox', {name: 'Search emoji'})
+	await expect(search).toBeFocused()
+	await picker.getByRole('button', {
+		name: 'Animals & nature',
+		exact: true,
+	}).click()
+	await expect(picker.getByRole('heading', {name: 'Animals & nature'})).toBeVisible()
+	await picker.getByRole('combobox', {name: 'Skin tone'}).selectOption('3')
+	await search.fill(':wave:')
+	const wave = picker.getByRole('button', {
+		name: 'waving hand',
+		exact: true,
+	})
+	await expect(wave).toHaveText('👋🏽')
+	await search.press('ArrowDown')
+	await expect(wave).toBeFocused()
+	await wave.press('Enter')
+	await expect(picker).toHaveCount(0)
+	await expect(trigger).toBeFocused()
+	await page.reload()
+	await trigger.click()
+	await expect(picker.getByRole('combobox', {name: 'Skin tone'})).toHaveValue('3')
+	await expect(picker.getByRole('heading', {name: 'Recently used'})).toBeVisible()
+	await expect(picker.getByRole('button', {
+		name: 'waving hand',
+		exact: true,
+	})).toHaveText('👋🏽')
+	// Only the emojibase group 2 components (🏻, 🏼) match this query
+	await search.fill('light skin tone')
+	await expect(picker.getByText('No emoji found')).toBeVisible()
+	await search.press('Escape')
+	await expect(picker).toHaveCount(0)
+	await expect(trigger).toBeFocused()
+	const stored = await apiContext.get(`tasks/${task.id}/reactions`, {
+		headers: {Authorization: `Bearer ${userToken}`},
+	})
+	expect(stored.ok()).toBeTruthy()
+	expect(Object.keys(await stored.json())).toEqual(['👋🏽'])
+})
+
+test('the emoji picker retries a failed catalog request and dismisses on outside click', async ({authenticatedPage: page}) => {
+	const [project] = await ProjectFactory.create(1)
+	const [task] = await TaskFactory.create(1, {project_id: project.id})
+	await page.route('**/emojis.json', route => route.fulfill({
+		status: 503,
+		body: 'Unavailable',
+	}))
+	await page.goto(`/tasks/${task.id}`)
+	const trigger = page.locator('.task-view .reactions.details').getByRole('button', {name: 'Add your reaction'})
+	await trigger.click()
+	const picker = page.getByRole('region', {name: 'Emoji picker'})
+	await expect(picker.getByText('Could not load emoji.')).toBeVisible()
+	await page.unroute('**/emojis.json')
+	await picker.getByRole('button', {name: 'Try again'}).click()
+	await expect(picker.getByRole('button', {
+		name: 'grinning face',
+		exact: true,
+	})).toBeVisible()
+	await page.locator('.task-view h1').click()
+	await expect(picker).toHaveCount(0)
+	await expect(trigger).toHaveAttribute('aria-expanded', 'false')
+	await trigger.click()
+	await expect(picker).toBeVisible()
+	await trigger.click()
+	await expect(picker).toHaveCount(0)
+})