diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/browser/widget/chatContentParts/media/chatQuestionCarousel.css b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/browser/widget/chatContentParts/media/chatQuestionCarousel.css
index 3ae3f7dccea19..656af1f8bf199 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/browser/widget/chatContentParts/media/chatQuestionCarousel.css
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/browser/widget/chatContentParts/media/chatQuestionCarousel.css
@@ -247,31 +247,52 @@
 			background-color: var(--vscode-list-hoverBackground);
 		}
 
-		/* Single-select: highlight entire row when selected */
+		/* Single-select: highlight entire row when selected (list not focused) */
 		.chat-question-list-item.selected {
-			background-color: var(--vscode-list-hoverBackground);
-			color: var(--vscode-list-activeSelectionForeground);
+			background-color: var(--vscode-list-inactiveSelectionBackground, var(--vscode-list-hoverBackground));
+			color: var(--vscode-list-inactiveSelectionForeground, var(--vscode-foreground));
 
-			.chat-question-label {
-				color: var(--vscode-list-activeSelectionForeground);
+			.chat-question-list-label,
+			.chat-question-list-label-title {
+				color: var(--vscode-list-inactiveSelectionForeground, var(--vscode-foreground));
 			}
 
 			.chat-question-list-label-desc {
-				color: var(--vscode-list-activeSelectionForeground);
-				opacity: 0.8;
+				color: var(--vscode-list-inactiveSelectionForeground, var(--vscode-foreground));
 			}
 
 			.chat-question-list-indicator.codicon-check {
-				color: var(--vscode-list-activeSelectionForeground);
+				color: var(--vscode-list-inactiveSelectionForeground, var(--vscode-foreground));
 			}
 
 			.chat-question-list-number {
-				color: var(--vscode-list-activeSelectionForeground);
+				color: var(--vscode-list-inactiveSelectionForeground, var(--vscode-foreground));
 			}
 		}
 
+		/* When the question list has focus, use active selection styling */
+		.chat-question-list:focus .chat-question-list-item.selected {
+			background-color: var(--vscode-list-activeSelectionBackground, var(--vscode-list-hoverBackground));
+			color: var(--vscode-list-activeSelectionForeground, var(--vscode-foreground));
+
+			.chat-question-label {
+				color: var(--vscode-list-activeSelectionForeground, var(--vscode-foreground));
+			}
+
+			.chat-question-list-label-desc {
+				color: var(--vscode-list-activeSelectionForeground, var(--vscode-foreground));
+			}
+
+			.chat-question-list-indicator.codicon-check {
+				color: var(--vscode-list-activeSelectionForeground, var(--vscode-foreground));
+			}
+
+			.chat-question-list-number {
+				color: var(--vscode-list-activeSelectionForeground, var(--vscode-foreground));
+			}
+		}
 		.chat-question-list-item.selected:hover {
-			background-color: var(--vscode-list-hoverBackground);
+			background-color: var(--vscode-list-inactiveSelectionBackground, var(--vscode-list-hoverBackground));
 		}
 
 		/* Checkbox for multi-select */