diff --git a/_includes/layouts/base.njk b/_includes/layouts/base.njk
index 56f192d..5e794fe 100644
--- a/_includes/layouts/base.njk
+++ b/_includes/layouts/base.njk
@@ -73,6 +73,8 @@
   </script>
   <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/lite-youtube-embed@0.3.2/src/lite-yt-embed.min.css">
   <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/lite-youtube-embed@0.3.2/src/lite-yt-embed.min.js" defer></script>
+  {# Alpine.js components — MUST load before Alpine core (Alpine.data() registration via alpine:init) #}
+  <script src="/js/comments.js?v={{ '/js/comments.js' | hash }}" defer></script>
   <script defer src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@alpinejs/collapse@3.x.x/dist/cdn.min.js"></script>
   <script defer src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/alpinejs@3.x.x/dist/cdn.min.js"></script>
   <style>[x-cloak] { display: none !important; }</style>
@@ -440,8 +442,6 @@
   <script type="module" src="/js/filter-container.js"></script>
   {# Client-side webmention fetcher - supplements build-time cache with real-time data #}
   <script src="/js/webmentions.js?v={{ '/js/webmentions.js' | hash }}" defer></script>
-  {# Client-side comments - IndieAuth login + comment submission #}
-  <script src="/js/comments.js?v={{ '/js/comments.js' | hash }}" defer></script>
   {# Admin auth detection - shows dashboard link + FAB when logged in #}
   <script src="/js/admin.js?v={{ '/js/admin.js' | hash }}" defer></script>