diff --git a/packages/devbar/package.json b/packages/devbar/package.json
index c826286..901d9c6 100644
--- a/packages/devbar/package.json
+++ b/packages/devbar/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@ytspar/devbar",
-  "version": "1.15.1",
+  "version": "1.15.2",
   "type": "module",
   "private": false,
   "description": "Development toolbar and utilities with Sweetlink integration - pure vanilla JS, no framework dependencies",
diff --git a/packages/devbar/src/modules/rendering/expanded.test.ts b/packages/devbar/src/modules/rendering/expanded.test.ts
index f6d93fc..9987b74 100644
--- a/packages/devbar/src/modules/rendering/expanded.test.ts
+++ b/packages/devbar/src/modules/rendering/expanded.test.ts
@@ -595,7 +595,7 @@ describe('renderExpanded', () => {
 
     // Main row only; compact plugin badges should not create a wide second row.
     expect(state.container!.children.length).toBe(1);
-    expect(state.container!.dataset.devbarCustomControls).toBe('true');
+    expect(state.container!.dataset.devbarCustomControls).toBeUndefined();
     const customRow = state.container!.querySelector(
       '.devbar-custom-controls-inline'
     ) as HTMLElement;
@@ -613,6 +613,14 @@ describe('renderExpanded', () => {
     expect(state.container!.dataset.devbarCustomControls).toBeUndefined();
   });
 
+  it('removes grouped-control layout marker when only inline controls remain', () => {
+    const state = createMockState();
+    state.container!.dataset.devbarCustomControls = 'true';
+    renderExpanded(state, [{ id: 'release', label: 'v1.3.0 May 20, 2026', variant: 'info' }]);
+
+    expect(state.container!.dataset.devbarCustomControls).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
   it('custom control button calls onClick handler', () => {
     const state = createMockState();
     const onClick = vi.fn();
@@ -691,6 +699,7 @@ describe('renderExpanded', () => {
     const state = createMockState();
     renderExpanded(state, [{ id: 'btn1', label: 'First', group: 'Cards', onClick: vi.fn() }]);
 
+    expect(state.container!.dataset.devbarCustomControls).toBe('true');
     const customRow = state.container!.children[1] as HTMLElement;
     expect(customRow.className).toBe('devbar-custom-controls devbar-custom-controls-row');
     const groupLabel = customRow.querySelector('.devbar-custom-group-label') as HTMLElement;
diff --git a/packages/devbar/src/modules/rendering/expanded.ts b/packages/devbar/src/modules/rendering/expanded.ts
index 506a1b0..e1b47af 100644
--- a/packages/devbar/src/modules/rendering/expanded.ts
+++ b/packages/devbar/src/modules/rendering/expanded.ts
@@ -623,10 +623,11 @@ export function renderExpanded(state: DevBarState, customControls: DevBarControl
 
   const { position, accentColor, showMetrics, showScreenshot, showConsoleBadges } = state.options;
   const { errorCount, warningCount, infoCount } = state.getLogCounts();
+  const hasGroupedControls = customControls.some((control) => control.group);
 
   const isCentered = position === 'bottom-center';
   const wrapper = state.container;
-  if (customControls.length > 0) {
+  if (hasGroupedControls) {
     wrapper.dataset.devbarCustomControls = 'true';
   } else {
     delete wrapper.dataset.devbarCustomControls;
diff --git a/packages/playground/src/release-notes.json b/packages/playground/src/release-notes.json
index eeb9495..b737996 100644
--- a/packages/playground/src/release-notes.json
+++ b/packages/playground/src/release-notes.json
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 {
   "devbar": {
+    "1.15.2": "Fix expanded toolbar spacing for inline-only custom controls such as release/version badges. Ungrouped controls no longer enable the grouped plugin responsive layout marker, so a single release badge keeps the toolbar content-sized instead of leaving a wide empty pill. Grouped custom controls still use the grouped responsive layout.",
     "1.15.1": "Republish of 1.15.0 with the actual `dist/` build of the autoConnect change. 1.15.0 was published from a stale local `dist/` that pre-dated the source edits, so it shipped with the version bump but no runtime/type changes. Use `1.15.1` (or higher); `1.15.0` is deprecated. No source change beyond the rebuild.",
     "1.15.0": "New `sweetlink.autoConnect` option (defaults to `true`). When set to `false`, devbar skips the initial WebSocket connection attempt to the Sweetlink CLI on startup — useful for projects that load devbar but don't run the Sweetlink daemon, where the unsuppressible browser-level `WebSocket connection to 'ws://...' failed: ECONNREFUSED` log on every page load is otherwise pure noise. Apps can still opt in at runtime by calling `globalDevBar.connectWebSocket()`. No behavior change for existing setups (autoConnect defaults to true).",
     "1.14.7": "Small-screen toolbar default: devbar now starts in compact mode at 860px and below while keeping explicit compact preferences and wide desktop expanded mode intact. This prevents mobile/tablet layouts from booting into the denser expanded toolbar.",