diff --git a/webview-ui/src/components/chat/ChatTextArea.tsx b/webview-ui/src/components/chat/ChatTextArea.tsx
index cdb176ddc0..ab6d3b282b 100644
--- a/webview-ui/src/components/chat/ChatTextArea.tsx
+++ b/webview-ui/src/components/chat/ChatTextArea.tsx
@@ -246,6 +246,11 @@ export const ChatTextArea = forwardRef<HTMLTextAreaElement, ChatTextAreaProps>(
 
 		const allModes = useMemo(() => getAllModes(customModes), [customModes])
 
+		// Memoized check for whether the input has content
+		const hasInputContent = useMemo(() => {
+			return inputValue.trim().length > 0
+		}, [inputValue])
+
 		const queryItems = useMemo(() => {
 			return [
 				{ type: ContextMenuOptionType.Problems, value: "problems" },
@@ -1088,12 +1093,16 @@ export const ChatTextArea = forwardRef<HTMLTextAreaElement, ChatTextAreaProps>(
 											"relative inline-flex items-center justify-center",
 											"bg-transparent border-none p-1.5",
 											"rounded-md min-w-[28px] min-h-[28px]",
-											"opacity-60 hover:opacity-100 text-vscode-descriptionForeground hover:text-vscode-foreground",
-											"transition-all duration-150",
-											"hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.03)] hover:border-[rgba(255,255,255,0.15)]",
-											"focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-1 focus-visible:ring-vscode-focusBorder",
-											"active:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.1)]",
+											"text-vscode-descriptionForeground hover:text-vscode-foreground",
+											"transition-all duration-1000",
 											"cursor-pointer",
+											hasInputContent
+												? "opacity-50 hover:opacity-100 delay-750 pointer-events-auto"
+												: "opacity-0 pointer-events-none duration-200 delay-0",
+											hasInputContent &&
+												"hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.03)] hover:border-[rgba(255,255,255,0.15)]",
+											"focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-1 focus-visible:ring-vscode-focusBorder",
+											hasInputContent && "active:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.1)]",
 										)}>
 										<WandSparkles className={cn("w-4 h-4", isEnhancingPrompt && "animate-spin")} />
 									</button>
@@ -1131,12 +1140,16 @@ export const ChatTextArea = forwardRef<HTMLTextAreaElement, ChatTextAreaProps>(
 											"relative inline-flex items-center justify-center",
 											"bg-transparent border-none p-1.5",
 											"rounded-md min-w-[28px] min-h-[28px]",
-											"opacity-60 hover:opacity-100 text-vscode-descriptionForeground hover:text-vscode-foreground",
-											"transition-all duration-150",
-											"hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.03)] hover:border-[rgba(255,255,255,0.15)]",
+											"text-vscode-descriptionForeground hover:text-vscode-foreground",
+											"transition-all duration-200",
+											hasInputContent
+												? "opacity-100 hover:opacity-100 pointer-events-auto"
+												: "opacity-0 pointer-events-none",
+											hasInputContent &&
+												"hover:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.03)] hover:border-[rgba(255,255,255,0.15)]",
 											"focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-1 focus-visible:ring-vscode-focusBorder",
-											"active:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.1)]",
-											"cursor-pointer",
+											hasInputContent && "active:bg-[rgba(255,255,255,0.1)]",
+											hasInputContent && "cursor-pointer",
 										)}>
 										<SendHorizontal className="w-4 h-4" />
 									</button>