diff --git a/frontend/src/App.svelte b/frontend/src/App.svelte
index 354de6d..730cb7f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/App.svelte
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
   import HistoryPanel from "./components/HistoryPanel.svelte";
   import LibraryPanel from "./components/library/LibraryPanel.svelte";
   import AutomationList from "./routes/automation/AutomationList.svelte";
-  import { Menu } from "lucide-svelte";
+  import { Menu, AlertTriangle, AlertCircle } from "lucide-svelte";
   import ToastHost from "./components/ToastHost.svelte";
   import { healthCheck } from "./lib/api.js";
   import { currentTheme, themes } from "./lib/themeStore.js";
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@
 >
   {#if isMobile && sidebarOpen}
     <div
-      class="fixed inset-0 z-30 bg-black/40 backdrop-blur-sm"
+      class="fixed inset-0 z-30 bg-black/50 backdrop-blur-sm"
       on:click={() => (sidebarOpen = false)}
       aria-hidden="true"
     ></div>
@@ -139,39 +139,38 @@
   />
   <Sidebar.Inset>
     <!-- Main Content -->
-    <main class="flex-1">
+    <main class="flex-1 min-h-0">
       {#if isMobile && !sidebarOpen}
-        <div class="px-4 sm:px-6 md:px-8 pt-4">
+        <div class="px-4 pt-4">
           <Button
             variant="outline"
             size="sm"
-            className="border-white/15 text-text-secondary hover:bg-white/10"
+            className="gap-2"
             on:click={() => (sidebarOpen = true)}
             aria-label="Show sidebar"
           >
-            <Menu class="h-4 w-4" />
+            <Menu class="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
             Menu
           </Button>
         </div>
       {/if}
+
+      <!-- Status banners -->
       {#if !apiReachable}
-        <div class="border-b border-red-500/20 bg-red-500/10">
-          <div class="px-6 md:px-8 py-3">
-            <p class="text-[13px] text-red-200">{apiErrorMessage}</p>
-          </div>
+        <div class="mx-4 sm:mx-6 md:mx-8 mt-4 flex items-start gap-3 rounded-xl border border-red-500/20 bg-red-500/8 px-4 py-3">
+          <AlertCircle class="h-4 w-4 text-red-400 mt-0.5 shrink-0" />
+          <p class="text-[13px] text-red-300 leading-relaxed">{apiErrorMessage}</p>
         </div>
       {:else if !apiConfigured && currentView === "scanner"}
-        <div class="border-b border-yellow-500/10 bg-yellow-500/5">
-          <div class="px-6 md:px-8 py-3">
-            <p class="text-[14px] text-red-100">
-              Configure a metadata source in Settings > Integrations to get
-              started
-            </p>
-          </div>
+        <div class="mx-4 sm:mx-6 md:mx-8 mt-4 flex items-start gap-3 rounded-xl border border-yellow-500/15 bg-yellow-500/6 px-4 py-3">
+          <AlertTriangle class="h-4 w-4 text-yellow-400 mt-0.5 shrink-0" />
+          <p class="text-[13px] text-yellow-200/80 leading-relaxed">
+            Configure a metadata source in Settings &rsaquo; Integrations to get started
+          </p>
         </div>
       {/if}
 
-      <div class="px-4 sm:px-6 md:px-8 py-6 sm:py-8 md:py-10">
+      <div class="px-4 sm:px-6 md:px-8 py-7 sm:py-9 md:py-10">
         {#if currentView === "settings"}
           <SettingsPanel />
         {:else if currentView === "history"}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/AppSidebar.svelte b/frontend/src/components/AppSidebar.svelte
index 0b16227..01ee6d8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/AppSidebar.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/components/AppSidebar.svelte
@@ -21,186 +21,136 @@
   export let open = true;
   export let collapsed = false;
   export let isMobile = false;
+
+  const navItems = [
+    { id: "scanner", label: "Scanner", icon: Scan },
+    { id: "automation", label: "Automations", icon: Zap },
+    { id: "history", label: "History", icon: History },
+    { id: "library", label: "Library", icon: Library },
+    { id: "settings", label: "Settings", icon: Settings },
+  ];
 </script>
 
 <aside
-  class={`fixed inset-y-0 left-0 z-40 h-screen w-[--sidebar-width] border-r border-border bg-[color:var(--bg-primary)] bg-gradient-to-b from-white/12 via-white/5 to-transparent text-text-primary transition-transform duration-200 ease-out md:sticky md:top-0 ${
+  class={`fixed inset-y-0 left-0 z-40 h-screen w-[--sidebar-width] border-r border-border bg-[color:var(--bg-secondary)] text-text-primary transition-transform duration-200 ease-out md:sticky md:top-0 flex flex-col ${
     !open && isMobile
       ? "-translate-x-full pointer-events-none"
       : "translate-x-0"
   }`}
 >
-  <div class="flex h-full min-h-0 flex-col">
-    <div
-      class={`relative flex items-center gap-3 py-5 ${collapsed ? "px-2" : "px-4"}`}
+  <!-- Logo area -->
+  <div
+    class={`relative flex items-center gap-3 py-5 border-b border-border ${collapsed ? "px-2 justify-center" : "px-4"}`}
+  >
+    {#if collapsed}
+      <div class="h-8 w-8 rounded-lg overflow-hidden">
+        <img
+          src={sublogueLogo}
+          alt="Sublogue"
+          class="h-full w-full object-cover"
+        />
+      </div>
+    {:else}
+      <div class="flex items-center -ml-5 flex-1 min-w-0">
+        <img
+          src={sublogueLogo}
+          alt="Sublogue"
+          class="h-8 w-auto max-w-[200px] object-contain"
+        />
+      </div>
+    {/if}
+    <button
+      class="shrink-0 h-7 w-7 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center text-text-tertiary hover:text-text-primary hover:bg-bg-hover transition-all duration-150"
+      on:click={onToggleSidebar}
+      aria-label={collapsed ? "Expand sidebar" : "Collapse sidebar"}
     >
       {#if collapsed}
-        <div
-          class="relative flex h-9 w-9 items-center justify-center rounded-lg border border-white/10 bg-black/40 overflow-hidden"
-        >
-          <span class="absolute inset-0 rounded-lg bg-blue-500/10 blur-md"
-          ></span>
-
-          <img
-            src={sublogueLogo}
-            alt="Sublogue"
-            class="relative h-full w-full object-cover"
-          />
-        </div>
+        <ChevronRight class="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
       {:else}
-        <div class="flex items-center -ml-6">
-          <img
-            src={sublogueLogo}
-            alt="Sublogue"
-            class="h-9 w-auto max-w-[220px] object-contain"
-          />
-        </div>
+        <ChevronLeft class="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
       {/if}
+    </button>
+  </div>
+
+  <!-- Navigation -->
+  <nav
+    class={`flex-1 min-h-0 overflow-y-auto py-3 space-y-0.5 ${collapsed ? "px-2" : "px-2"}`}
+  >
+    {#each navItems as item}
+      {@const isActive = currentView === item.id}
       <button
-        class="absolute right-3 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 h-8 w-8 rounded-full border border-white/10 bg-white/5 text-text-secondary hover:text-white hover:bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)] transition-colors"
-        on:click={onToggleSidebar}
-        aria-label={collapsed ? "Show sidebar" : "Hide sidebar"}
+        class={`w-full flex items-center gap-2.5 rounded-lg text-[13px] font-medium transition-all duration-150 relative
+          ${collapsed ? "justify-center px-0 h-9" : "px-3 h-9"}
+          ${
+            isActive
+              ? "bg-bg-hover text-text-primary"
+              : "text-text-secondary hover:text-text-primary hover:bg-bg-hover/60"
+          }`}
+        on:click={() => onNavigate(item.id)}
+        aria-current={isActive ? "page" : undefined}
       >
-        {#if collapsed}
-          <ChevronRight class="h-4 w-4 mx-auto" />
-        {:else}
-          <ChevronLeft class="h-4 w-4 mx-auto" />
+        {#if isActive && !collapsed}
+          <span
+            class="absolute left-0 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 h-4 w-0.5 rounded-full bg-accent"
+          ></span>
+        {/if}
+        <svelte:component this={item.icon} class="h-4 w-4 shrink-0" />
+        {#if !collapsed}
+          <span>{item.label}</span>
         {/if}
       </button>
-    </div>
+    {/each}
+  </nav>
 
-    <nav
-      class={`sidebar-nav flex-1 min-h-0 overflow-y-auto py-3 ${collapsed ? "px-1.5" : "px-3"} space-y-1`}
-    >
-      <Button
-        variant="ghost"
-        className={`w-full rounded-md py-1.5 text-[13px] font-semibold leading-none ${
-          collapsed ? "justify-center px-0" : "justify-start px-2 gap-2"
-        } ${
-          currentView === "scanner"
-            ? "bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)] text-white font-bold"
-            : "text-text-secondary hover:text-white hover:bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)]"
-        }`}
-        on:click={() => onNavigate("scanner")}
-        aria-current={currentView === "scanner" ? "page" : undefined}
-      >
-        <Scan class="h-4 w-4" />
-        {#if !collapsed}
-          Scanner
-        {/if}
-      </Button>
-
-      <Button
-        variant="ghost"
-        className={`w-full rounded-md py-1.5 text-[13px] font-semibold leading-none ${
-          collapsed ? "justify-center px-0" : "justify-start px-2 gap-2"
-        } ${
-          currentView === "automation"
-            ? "bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)] text-white font-bold"
-            : "text-text-secondary hover:text-white hover:bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)]"
-        }`}
-        on:click={() => onNavigate("automation")}
-        aria-current={currentView === "automation" ? "page" : undefined}
-      >
-        <Zap class="h-4 w-4" />
-        {#if !collapsed}
-          Automations
-        {/if}
-      </Button>
-
-      <Button
-        variant="ghost"
-        className={`w-full rounded-md py-1.5 text-[13px] font-semibold leading-none ${
-          collapsed ? "justify-center px-0" : "justify-start px-2 gap-2"
-        } ${
-          currentView === "history"
-            ? "bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)] text-white font-bold"
-            : "text-text-secondary hover:text-white hover:bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)]"
-        }`}
-        on:click={() => onNavigate("history")}
-        aria-current={currentView === "history" ? "page" : undefined}
-      >
-        <History class="h-4 w-4" />
-        {#if !collapsed}
-          History
-        {/if}
-      </Button>
-
-      <Button
-        variant="ghost"
-        className={`w-full rounded-md py-1.5 text-[13px] font-semibold leading-none ${
-          collapsed ? "justify-center px-0" : "justify-start px-2 gap-2"
-        } ${
-          currentView === "library"
-            ? "bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)] text-white font-bold"
-            : "text-text-secondary hover:text-white hover:bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)]"
-        }`}
-        on:click={() => onNavigate("library")}
-        aria-current={currentView === "library" ? "page" : undefined}
-      >
-        <Library class="h-4 w-4" />
-        {#if !collapsed}
-          Library
-        {/if}
-      </Button>
-
-      <Button
-        variant="ghost"
-        className={`w-full rounded-md py-1.5 text-[13px] font-semibold leading-none ${
-          collapsed ? "justify-center px-0" : "justify-start px-2 gap-2"
-        } ${
-          currentView === "settings"
-            ? "bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)] text-white font-bold"
-            : "text-text-secondary hover:text-white hover:bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)]"
-        }`}
-        on:click={() => onNavigate("settings")}
-        aria-current={currentView === "settings" ? "page" : undefined}
-      >
-        <Settings class="h-4 w-4" />
-        {#if !collapsed}
-          Settings
-        {/if}
-      </Button>
-    </nav>
-
-    <div class={`pb-5 space-y-3 ${collapsed ? "px-2" : "px-3"}`}>
-      <Separator className="bg-white/10" />
-      {#if !collapsed}
+  <!-- Footer -->
+  <div
+    class={`border-t border-border pb-4 pt-3 space-y-2 ${collapsed ? "px-2" : "px-2"}`}
+  >
+    {#if !collapsed}
+      <div class="px-1">
         <ThemeSelector className="w-full" />
-      {/if}
-      <div
-        class={`flex items-center px-3 py-2 text-xs ${collapsed ? "justify-center" : "justify-between"}`}
-      >
-        {#if !collapsed}
-          <Badge className="text-text-secondary">Version: v1.1.3</Badge>
-        {:else}
-          <Badge className="text-text-secondary">v</Badge>
-        {/if}
       </div>
-      <div
-        class={`flex items-center px-3 py-2 text-xs ${collapsed ? "justify-center" : "justify-between"}`}
-      >
-        {#if !collapsed}
-          <span class="text-text-tertiary">&copy; 2026 ponzischeme89</span>
+    {/if}
+    <div
+      class={`flex items-center px-1 ${collapsed ? "justify-center" : "justify-between"}`}
+    >
+      {#if !collapsed}
+        <span class="text-[11px] text-text-tertiary"
+          >&copy; 2026 ponzischeme89</span
+        >
+        <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <Badge
+            variant="outline"
+            class="text-[10px] text-text-tertiary border-border py-0"
+            >v1.1.4</Badge
+          >
           <a
             href="https://github.com/ponzischeme89/Sublogue"
             target="_blank"
             rel="noopener noreferrer"
-            class="inline-flex items-center text-text-tertiary hover:text-white transition-colors"
+            class="text-text-tertiary hover:text-text-primary transition-colors"
             aria-label="GitHub"
           >
-            <Github class="h-4 w-4" />
+            <Github class="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
           </a>
-        {:else}
-          <span class="text-text-tertiary">&copy;</span>
-        {/if}
-      </div>
+        </div>
+      {:else}
+        <a
+          href="https://github.com/ponzischeme89/Sublogue"
+          target="_blank"
+          rel="noopener noreferrer"
+          class="text-text-tertiary hover:text-text-primary transition-colors"
+          aria-label="GitHub"
+        >
+          <Github class="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+        </a>
+      {/if}
     </div>
   </div>
 </aside>
 
 <style>
-  .sidebar-nav {
+  nav button {
     letter-spacing: -0.01em;
   }
 </style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/SettingsPanel.svelte b/frontend/src/components/SettingsPanel.svelte
index 3a55f8e..6b6405c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/SettingsPanel.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/components/SettingsPanel.svelte
@@ -18,11 +18,11 @@
   let successMessage = null;
 
   const sections = [
-    { id: "general", label: "General", icon: "settings" },
-    { id: "folder-rules", label: "Folder Rules", icon: "folder" },
-    { id: "cleanup", label: "Cleanup", icon: "wand" },
-    { id: "integrations", label: "Integrations", icon: "plug" },
-    { id: "tasks", label: "Tasks", icon: "bolt" },
+    { id: "general",      label: "General",      icon: Settings },
+    { id: "folder-rules", label: "Folder Rules",  icon: Folder },
+    { id: "cleanup",      label: "Cleanup",        icon: Wand2 },
+    { id: "integrations", label: "Integrations",   icon: Plug },
+    { id: "tasks",        label: "Tasks",           icon: Bolt },
   ];
 
   onMount(async () => {
@@ -81,98 +81,80 @@
       <Skeleton className="h-6 w-32 mb-2" />
       <Skeleton className="h-4 w-64" />
     </div>
-    <div class="flex gap-12">
-      <div class="w-48 space-y-2">
-        <Skeleton className="h-10 w-full" />
-        <Skeleton className="h-10 w-full" />
-        <Skeleton className="h-10 w-full" />
+    <div class="flex gap-10">
+      <div class="w-44 space-y-1.5">
+        {#each Array(5) as _}
+          <Skeleton className="h-9 w-full rounded-lg" />
+        {/each}
       </div>
       <div class="flex-1 space-y-4">
-        <div class="rounded-lg border border-border bg-card p-6 space-y-3">
+        <div class="rounded-xl border border-border bg-card p-6 space-y-3">
           <Skeleton className="h-4 w-40" />
           <Skeleton className="h-10 w-full" />
           <Skeleton className="h-4 w-2/3" />
         </div>
-        <div class="rounded-lg border border-border bg-card p-6 space-y-3">
+        <div class="rounded-xl border border-border bg-card p-6 space-y-3">
           <Skeleton className="h-4 w-32" />
           <Skeleton className="h-9 w-full" />
           <Skeleton className="h-9 w-full" />
         </div>
-        <div class="rounded-lg border border-border bg-card p-6 space-y-3">
-          <Skeleton className="h-4 w-28" />
-          <Skeleton className="h-4 w-full" />
-          <Skeleton className="h-4 w-5/6" />
-        </div>
       </div>
     </div>
   </div>
 {:else}
   <div class="space-y-8">
     <div>
-      <h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-2 text-text-primary">Settings</h2>
+      <h2 class="text-xl font-bold mb-1.5 text-text-primary">Settings</h2>
       <p class="text-[13px] text-text-secondary leading-relaxed">
         Configure metadata sources, cleanup rules, and scheduled scans.
       </p>
     </div>
 
-    <div class="flex flex-col lg:flex-row gap-8 lg:gap-12">
+    <div class="flex flex-col lg:flex-row gap-8 lg:gap-10">
       <!-- Sidebar Navigation -->
-      <aside class="w-full lg:w-48 flex-shrink-0">
+      <aside class="w-full lg:w-44 shrink-0">
         <nav class="space-y-0.5">
           {#each sections as section}
+            {@const isActive = currentSection === section.id}
             <button
-              class="w-full flex items-center gap-3 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg text-left transition-all border
-                   {currentSection === section.id
-                ? 'bg-white text-black border-white'
-                : 'text-text-secondary hover:text-white hover:bg-bg-hover border-transparent'}"
+              class={`w-full flex items-center gap-2.5 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg text-left text-[13px] font-medium transition-all duration-150 relative
+                ${isActive
+                  ? "bg-bg-hover text-text-primary"
+                  : "text-text-secondary hover:text-text-primary hover:bg-bg-hover/60"
+                }`}
               on:click={() => (currentSection = section.id)}
             >
-              {#if section.icon === "settings"}
-                <Settings class="w-4 h-4" />
-              {:else if section.icon === "calendar"}
-                <Calendar class="w-4 h-4" />
-              {:else if section.icon === "bolt"}
-                <Bolt class="w-4 h-4" />
-              {:else if section.icon === "wand"}
-                <Wand2 class="w-4 h-4" />
-              {:else if section.icon === "plug"}
-                <Plug class="w-4 h-4" />
-              {:else if section.icon === "folder"}
-                <Folder class="w-4 h-4" />
+              {#if isActive}
+                <span class="absolute left-0 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 h-4 w-0.5 rounded-full bg-accent"></span>
               {/if}
-              <span class="text-[13px] font-medium">{section.label}</span>
+              <svelte:component this={section.icon} class="w-4 h-4 shrink-0" />
+              <span>{section.label}</span>
             </button>
           {/each}
         </nav>
       </aside>
 
       <!-- Main Content -->
-      <div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
+      <div class="flex-1 min-w-0 space-y-4">
         {#if error}
-          <div
-            class="mb-6 px-5 py-4 bg-red-500/5 border border-red-500/20 rounded-xl"
-          >
+          <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-red-500/8 border border-red-500/20 rounded-xl">
             <p class="text-[13px] text-red-300">{error}</p>
           </div>
         {/if}
 
         {#if successMessage}
-          <div
-            class="mb-6 px-5 py-4 bg-green-500/5 border border-green-500/20 rounded-xl"
-          >
-            <p class="text-[13px] text-green-300">{successMessage}</p>
+          <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-emerald-500/8 border border-emerald-500/20 rounded-xl">
+            <p class="text-[13px] text-emerald-300">{successMessage}</p>
           </div>
         {/if}
 
-        <div
-          class="rounded-xl border border-border bg-card/60 p-6 lg:p-8 shadow-sm"
-        >
+        <div class="rounded-xl border border-border bg-card shadow-[0_2px_8px_rgba(0,0,0,0.3),0_0_0_1px_rgba(255,255,255,0.04)] p-6 lg:p-8">
           {#if currentSection === "general"}
             <GeneralSettings {settings} {saving} onSave={handleSave} />
           {:else if currentSection === "folder-rules"}
             <FolderRulesSettings {settings} />
           {:else if currentSection === "scheduled"}
-            <ScheduledScansSettings {settings} />
+            <TasksSettings />
           {:else if currentSection === "cleanup"}
             <FilenameCleaningSettings {settings} {saving} onSave={handleSave} />
           {:else if currentSection === "integrations"}
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/ui/button/Button.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/ui/button/Button.svelte
index d6cfcdd..958c53c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/ui/button/Button.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/ui/button/Button.svelte
@@ -6,22 +6,22 @@
   const dispatch = createEventDispatcher()
 
   const buttonVariants = cva(
-    'inline-flex items-center justify-center gap-2 whitespace-nowrap rounded-md text-sm font-medium transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-50',
+    'inline-flex items-center justify-center gap-2 whitespace-nowrap rounded-xl text-sm font-medium transition-all duration-150 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-40 active:scale-[0.97]',
     {
       variants: {
         variant: {
-          default: 'bg-primary text-primary-foreground hover:bg-primary/90',
-          secondary: 'bg-secondary text-secondary-foreground hover:bg-secondary/80',
-          outline: 'border border-input bg-background hover:bg-accent/10 hover:text-foreground',
-          ghost: 'hover:bg-accent/10 hover:text-foreground',
-          link: 'text-primary underline-offset-4 hover:underline',
-          destructive: 'bg-destructive text-destructive-foreground hover:bg-destructive/90',
+          default:     'bg-primary text-primary-foreground hover:bg-primary/90 shadow-[0_1px_3px_rgba(0,0,0,0.3)]',
+          secondary:   'bg-secondary text-secondary-foreground border border-border hover:bg-bg-hover hover:text-foreground',
+          outline:     'border border-border bg-transparent hover:bg-white/5 hover:text-foreground',
+          ghost:       'hover:bg-white/6 hover:text-foreground',
+          link:        'text-accent underline-offset-4 hover:underline',
+          destructive: 'bg-destructive text-destructive-foreground hover:bg-destructive/85 shadow-[0_1px_3px_rgba(0,0,0,0.3)]',
         },
         size: {
           default: 'h-10 px-4 py-2',
-          sm: 'h-9 px-3',
-          lg: 'h-11 px-6',
-          icon: 'h-10 w-10',
+          sm:      'h-8 px-3 text-xs rounded-lg',
+          lg:      'h-11 px-6',
+          icon:    'h-10 w-10',
         },
       },
       defaultVariants: {
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/ui/card/Card.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/ui/card/Card.svelte
index 367cb33..22c59ff 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/ui/card/Card.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/ui/card/Card.svelte
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 
 <div
   class={cn(
-    'rounded-lg border border-border bg-card text-card-foreground shadow-sm',
+    'rounded-xl border border-border bg-card text-card-foreground shadow-[0_2px_8px_rgba(0,0,0,0.3),0_0_0_1px_rgba(255,255,255,0.04)]',
     showSkeleton ? 'relative overflow-hidden' : '',
     className,
     restClass
@@ -31,6 +31,6 @@
 >
   <slot />
   {#if showSkeleton}
-    <div class="pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)] opacity-40 animate-pulse"></div>
+    <div class="pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 bg-[color:var(--bg-hover)] opacity-30 animate-pulse rounded-xl"></div>
   {/if}
 </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/themeStore.js b/frontend/src/lib/themeStore.js
index 1f64d8f..a3ae7f6 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/themeStore.js
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/themeStore.js
@@ -2,28 +2,28 @@ import { writable } from 'svelte/store'
 
 export const themes = {
   oled: {
-    name: 'OLED',
+    name: 'Midnight',
     colors: {
-      // Backgrounds (true OLED but layered)
-      'bg-primary': '#000000',
-      'bg-secondary': '#1a1a1a',
-      'bg-card': '#0b0b0b',
-      'bg-hover': '#2a2a2a',
+      // Midnight backgrounds — sophisticated dark, not pure black
+      'bg-primary': '#0d0e11',
+      'bg-secondary': '#13141a',
+      'bg-card': '#17181f',
+      'bg-hover': '#1e2028',
 
-      // Text
-      'text-primary': '#ffffff',
-      'text-secondary': '#b0b0b0',
-      'text-tertiary': '#7a7a7a',
+      // Text — slightly warm off-white with clear hierarchy
+      'text-primary': '#edeef3',
+      'text-secondary': '#888ba8',
+      'text-tertiary': '#50526b',
 
       // UI chrome
       'border': 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08)',
 
       // Accents & interaction
-      'accent': '#3b82f6',                 // restrained blue
-      'button-bg': '#0f0f0f',
-      'button-hover': '#1a1a1a',
-      'button-text': '#ffffff',
-      'focus-ring': 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25)',
+      'accent': '#a5b4fc',              // soft indigo for links/highlights
+      'button-bg': '#1a1b22',
+      'button-hover': '#1e2028',
+      'button-text': '#edeef3',
+      'focus-ring': 'rgba(165, 180, 252, 0.35)',
     }
   },
 
@@ -42,36 +42,36 @@ export const themes = {
       'text-tertiary': '#6f8fb6',
 
       // Borders
-      'border': 'rgba(120, 170, 220, 0.18)',
+      'border': 'rgba(120, 170, 220, 0.15)',
 
-      // Accents & interaction (this is the magic)
+      // Accents & interaction
       'accent': '#5fa8ff',                  // beautiful ocean blue
       'button-bg': '#132646',
       'button-hover': '#1b3560',
       'button-text': '#eaf3ff',
-      'focus-ring': 'rgba(95, 168, 255, 0.45)',
+      'focus-ring': 'rgba(95, 168, 255, 0.4)',
     }
   },
 
   light: {
     name: 'Light',
     colors: {
-      'bg-primary': '#f8f9fa',
-      'bg-secondary': '#f1f3f5',
+      'bg-primary': '#f6f7f9',
+      'bg-secondary': '#eef0f3',
       'bg-card': '#ffffff',
-      'bg-hover': '#e9ecef',
+      'bg-hover': '#e8eaee',
 
-      'text-primary': '#1a1a1a',
-      'text-secondary': '#5c5f66',
-      'text-tertiary': '#868e96',
+      'text-primary': '#111318',
+      'text-secondary': '#5c5f73',
+      'text-tertiary': '#9094aa',
 
-      'border': '#dee2e6',
+      'border': 'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08)',
 
-      'accent': '#2563eb',
+      'accent': '#4f46e5',               // indigo accent
       'button-bg': '#ffffff',
-      'button-hover': '#f1f3f5',
-      'button-text': '#1a1a1a',
-      'focus-ring': 'rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.35)',
+      'button-hover': '#f0f1f5',
+      'button-text': '#111318',
+      'focus-ring': 'rgba(79, 70, 229, 0.3)',
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/styles/global.css b/frontend/src/styles/global.css
index 3fc1522..9d72571 100644
--- a/frontend/src/styles/global.css
+++ b/frontend/src/styles/global.css
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter:wght@400;500;600;700&display=swap');
+@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter:ital,opsz,wght@0,14..32,300..700;1,14..32,300..700&display=swap');
 
 @tailwind base;
 @tailwind components;
@@ -6,22 +6,23 @@
 
 @layer base {
   :root {
-    /* Default OLED theme */
-    --bg-primary: #000000;
-    --bg-secondary: #050505;
-    --bg-card: #0a0a0a;
-    --bg-hover: #141414;
-    --text-primary: #ffffff;
-    --text-secondary: #999999;
-    --text-tertiary: #666666;
-    --border: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
-    --accent: #3b82f6;
-    --focus-ring: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25);
+    /* Default Midnight theme (replaces harsh OLED black) */
+    --bg-primary: #0d0e11;
+    --bg-secondary: #13141a;
+    --bg-card: #17181f;
+    --bg-hover: #1e2028;
+    --text-primary: #edeef3;
+    --text-secondary: #888ba8;
+    --text-tertiary: #50526b;
+    --border: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+    --accent: #a5b4fc;
+    --focus-ring: rgba(165, 180, 252, 0.35);
 
     /* Shadows for depth */
-    --shadow-sm: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
-    --shadow-card: 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04);
-    --shadow-elevated: 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06), 0 2px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
+    --shadow-sm: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3), 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04);
+    --shadow-card: 0 2px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35), 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
+    --shadow-elevated: 0 8px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5), 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+    --shadow-modal: 0 24px 64px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7), 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
 
     /* Shadcn-style tokens mapped to theme variables */
     --background: var(--bg-primary);
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@
     --destructive-foreground: #fef2f2;
     --input: var(--border);
     --ring: var(--focus-ring);
-    --radius: 0.5rem;
+    --radius: 0.75rem;
   }
 
   body {
@@ -49,7 +50,8 @@
     color: var(--foreground);
     font-family: 'Inter', 'Segoe UI', system-ui, sans-serif;
     font-size: 0.9375rem;
-    line-height: 1.25rem;
+    line-height: 1.6;
+    letter-spacing: -0.011em;
     font-feature-settings: 'cv02', 'cv03', 'cv04', 'cv11';
     -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
     -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
@@ -61,8 +63,19 @@
     border-color: var(--border);
   }
 
+  /* Heading scale */
+  h1 { font-size: 1.5rem;   line-height: 1.25; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: -0.025em; }
+  h2 { font-size: 1.25rem;  line-height: 1.3;  font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: -0.02em; }
+  h3 { font-size: 1rem;     line-height: 1.35; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: -0.015em; }
+  h4 { font-size: 0.9375rem;line-height: 1.4;  font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: -0.01em; }
+
+  /* Interactive elements — smooth transitions */
+  a, button {
+    transition: color 0.15s ease, background-color 0.15s ease, border-color 0.15s ease, opacity 0.15s ease, box-shadow 0.15s ease, transform 0.1s ease;
+  }
+
   ::-webkit-scrollbar {
-    @apply w-2 h-2;
+    @apply w-1.5 h-1.5;
   }
 
   ::-webkit-scrollbar-track {
@@ -71,19 +84,31 @@
 
   ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb {
     background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
-    @apply rounded;
+    border-radius: 999px;
   }
 
   ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb:hover {
-    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
+    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18);
   }
 
   /* Light theme scrollbar adjustment */
   .light-theme ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb {
-    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
+    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12);
   }
 
   .light-theme ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb:hover {
-    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
+    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
+  }
+}
+
+@layer utilities {
+  .shadow-card {
+    box-shadow: var(--shadow-card);
+  }
+  .shadow-elevated {
+    box-shadow: var(--shadow-elevated);
+  }
+  .shadow-modal {
+    box-shadow: var(--shadow-modal);
   }
 }