diff --git a/app/(app)/admin/page.tsx b/app/(app)/admin/page.tsx
index 09c4866..48e3ce9 100644
--- a/app/(app)/admin/page.tsx
+++ b/app/(app)/admin/page.tsx
@@ -37,9 +37,9 @@ export default async function AdminPage() {
 
   return (
     <div className="flex h-full flex-col gap-4 p-4">
-      <div>
-        <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold">Admin</h1>
-        <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+      <div className="px-1">
+        <h1 className="font-heading text-xl font-bold tracking-tight">Admin</h1>
+        <p className="mt-0.5 text-[13px] text-muted-foreground">
           Everyone with an account on this site. Click a role to change it.
         </p>
       </div>
diff --git a/app/(app)/layout.tsx b/app/(app)/layout.tsx
index cc57b55..d080c78 100644
--- a/app/(app)/layout.tsx
+++ b/app/(app)/layout.tsx
@@ -30,7 +30,11 @@ export default async function AppLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNod
         <ProjectsProvider initialProjects={projects}>
           <BoardViewProvider>
             <HoldOnCompleteProvider>
-              <div className="flex h-screen overflow-hidden">
+              {/* On small screens the three-column shell would crush the
+                  board; give it a sensible minimum width and let the page
+                  scroll horizontally instead, and drop the Scheduled panel
+                  (auxiliary on a phone) until the viewport can hold it. */}
+              <div className="flex h-screen min-w-[860px] overflow-x-auto">
                 <SideNav userEmail={session.user.email ?? ""} role={session.user.role} />
                 <main className="flex-1 overflow-auto">{children}</main>
                 <ScheduledPanel />
diff --git a/app/(auth)/layout.tsx b/app/(auth)/layout.tsx
index 541c541..9b0d75d 100644
--- a/app/(auth)/layout.tsx
+++ b/app/(auth)/layout.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,17 @@
+import { NotebookPen } from "lucide-react";
+
 export default function AuthLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
   return (
-    <div className="flex min-h-screen items-center justify-center bg-muted/40 p-4">
-      <div className="w-full max-w-sm">{children}</div>
+    <div className="flex min-h-screen items-center justify-center bg-muted/30 p-4">
+      <div className="w-full max-w-sm">
+        <div className="mb-8 flex flex-col items-center gap-3">
+          <span className="flex size-12 items-center justify-center rounded-2xl bg-primary text-primary-foreground shadow-md">
+            <NotebookPen className="size-6" />
+          </span>
+          <span className="font-heading text-xl font-bold tracking-tight">Organize</span>
+        </div>
+        {children}
+      </div>
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/app/globals.css b/app/globals.css
index 51f8627..1b5af8f 100644
--- a/app/globals.css
+++ b/app/globals.css
@@ -4,14 +4,16 @@
 @import "@uiw/react-md-editor/markdown-editor.css";
 @import "@uiw/react-markdown-preview/markdown.css";
 
-@custom-variant dark (&:is(.dark *));
+/* "dark:" must be true for every dark-surfaced theme, not just .dark --
+   Ocean is a second dark look, so both classes turn on dark utilities. */
+@custom-variant dark (&:is(.dark *, .ocean *));
 
 @theme inline {
   --color-background: var(--background);
   --color-foreground: var(--foreground);
   --font-sans: var(--font-sans);
-  --font-mono: var(--font-geist-mono);
-  --font-heading: var(--font-sans);
+  --font-mono: var(--font-mono);
+  --font-heading: var(--font-heading);
   --color-sidebar-ring: var(--sidebar-ring);
   --color-sidebar-border: var(--sidebar-border);
   --color-sidebar-accent-foreground: var(--sidebar-accent-foreground);
@@ -41,6 +43,10 @@
   --color-popover: var(--popover);
   --color-card-foreground: var(--card-foreground);
   --color-card: var(--card);
+  /* One more surface: the "lane" behind a category's cards -- sits between
+     the page background and the card, so cards read as objects resting on a
+     tray instead of floating on the page. */
+  --color-lane: var(--lane);
   --radius-sm: calc(var(--radius) * 0.6);
   --radius-md: calc(var(--radius) * 0.8);
   --radius-lg: var(--radius);
@@ -50,77 +56,173 @@
   --radius-4xl: calc(var(--radius) * 2.6);
 }
 
-:root {
-  --background: oklch(1 0 0);
-  --foreground: oklch(0.145 0 0);
+/* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Themes
+   The app ships four looks, chosen via the theme picker (next-themes):
+     default -- calm, cool neutral light theme (the safe, focused one)
+     sunset  -- warm paper + persimmon accent, a cozier light theme
+     dark    -- deep charcoal with an indigo accent
+     ocean   -- deep blue-green night theme with a seafoam accent
+   Each is a complete token set; components only ever use tokens, so adding
+   a fifth theme later is just another block like these.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+:root,
+.theme-default {
+  color-scheme: light;
+  --background: oklch(0.985 0.002 260);
+  --foreground: oklch(0.235 0.02 265);
   --card: oklch(1 0 0);
-  --card-foreground: oklch(0.145 0 0);
+  --card-foreground: oklch(0.235 0.02 265);
   --popover: oklch(1 0 0);
-  --popover-foreground: oklch(0.145 0 0);
-  /* Single calm accent (indigo/violet) for interactive chrome -- buttons,
-     active nav, focus rings, links -- kept deliberately separate from the
-     curated vibrant Group palette in lib/colors.ts so the group colors stay
-     the only "loud" color on screen. */
-  --primary: oklch(0.53 0.24 274);
+  --popover-foreground: oklch(0.235 0.02 265);
+  /* Single calm accent (indigo) for interactive chrome -- buttons, active
+     nav, focus rings -- kept deliberately separate from the curated vibrant
+     Group palette in lib/colors.ts so the group colors stay the only
+     "loud" color on screen. */
+  --primary: oklch(0.53 0.2 272);
   --primary-foreground: oklch(0.98 0.01 274);
-  --secondary: oklch(0.97 0 0);
-  --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.205 0 0);
-  --muted: oklch(0.97 0 0);
-  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.556 0 0);
-  --accent: oklch(0.94 0.03 274);
-  --accent-foreground: oklch(0.33 0.16 274);
-  --destructive: oklch(0.577 0.245 27.325);
-  --border: oklch(0.922 0 0);
-  --input: oklch(0.922 0 0);
-  --ring: oklch(0.53 0.24 274);
+  --secondary: oklch(0.955 0.004 260);
+  --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.31 0.02 265);
+  --muted: oklch(0.95 0.004 260);
+  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.52 0.02 265);
+  --accent: oklch(0.95 0.022 272);
+  --accent-foreground: oklch(0.35 0.12 272);
+  --destructive: oklch(0.58 0.21 27);
+  --border: oklch(0.905 0.004 260);
+  --input: oklch(0.885 0.004 260);
+  --ring: oklch(0.58 0.15 272);
+  --lane: oklch(0.95 0.005 260);
   --chart-1: oklch(0.87 0 0);
   --chart-2: oklch(0.556 0 0);
   --chart-3: oklch(0.439 0 0);
   --chart-4: oklch(0.371 0 0);
   --chart-5: oklch(0.269 0 0);
-  --radius: 0.625rem;
-  --sidebar: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.145 0 0);
-  --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.53 0.24 274);
+  --radius: 0.75rem;
+  --sidebar: oklch(0.975 0.003 260);
+  --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.235 0.02 265);
+  --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.53 0.2 272);
   --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.98 0.01 274);
-  --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.94 0.03 274);
-  --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.33 0.16 274);
-  --sidebar-border: oklch(0.922 0 0);
-  --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.53 0.24 274);
+  --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.95 0.022 272);
+  --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.35 0.12 272);
+  --sidebar-border: oklch(0.905 0.004 260);
+  --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.58 0.15 272);
 }
 
 .dark {
-  --background: oklch(0.145 0 0);
-  --foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --card: oklch(0.205 0 0);
-  --card-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --popover: oklch(0.205 0 0);
-  --popover-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --primary: oklch(0.73 0.17 276);
-  --primary-foreground: oklch(0.17 0.05 274);
-  --secondary: oklch(0.269 0 0);
-  --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --muted: oklch(0.269 0 0);
-  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.708 0 0);
-  --accent: oklch(0.3 0.08 274);
-  --accent-foreground: oklch(0.9 0.04 274);
-  --destructive: oklch(0.704 0.191 22.216);
+  color-scheme: dark;
+  --background: oklch(0.175 0.012 265);
+  --foreground: oklch(0.93 0.01 265);
+  --card: oklch(0.22 0.013 265);
+  --card-foreground: oklch(0.93 0.01 265);
+  --popover: oklch(0.23 0.014 265);
+  --popover-foreground: oklch(0.93 0.01 265);
+  --primary: oklch(0.7 0.14 272);
+  --primary-foreground: oklch(0.16 0.04 272);
+  --secondary: oklch(0.27 0.012 265);
+  --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.93 0.01 265);
+  --muted: oklch(0.26 0.013 265);
+  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.68 0.02 265);
+  --accent: oklch(0.31 0.04 272);
+  --accent-foreground: oklch(0.9 0.03 272);
+  --destructive: oklch(0.68 0.19 24);
   --border: oklch(1 0 0 / 10%);
-  --input: oklch(1 0 0 / 15%);
-  --ring: oklch(0.73 0.17 276);
+  --input: oklch(1 0 0 / 14%);
+  --ring: oklch(0.68 0.14 272);
+  --lane: oklch(1 0 0 / 5%);
   --chart-1: oklch(0.87 0 0);
   --chart-2: oklch(0.556 0 0);
   --chart-3: oklch(0.439 0 0);
   --chart-4: oklch(0.371 0 0);
   --chart-5: oklch(0.269 0 0);
-  --sidebar: oklch(0.205 0 0);
-  --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.73 0.17 276);
-  --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.17 0.05 274);
-  --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.3 0.08 274);
-  --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.9 0.04 274);
+  --radius: 0.75rem;
+  --sidebar: oklch(0.205 0.013 265);
+  --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.93 0.01 265);
+  --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.7 0.14 272);
+  --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.16 0.04 272);
+  --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.31 0.04 272);
+  --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.9 0.03 272);
   --sidebar-border: oklch(1 0 0 / 10%);
-  --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.73 0.17 276);
+  --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.68 0.14 272);
+}
+
+.theme-sunset {
+  color-scheme: light;
+  --background: oklch(0.968 0.016 75);
+  --foreground: oklch(0.27 0.032 52);
+  --card: oklch(0.988 0.008 80);
+  --card-foreground: oklch(0.27 0.032 52);
+  --popover: oklch(0.99 0.007 80);
+  --popover-foreground: oklch(0.27 0.032 52);
+  /* Persimmon -- warm enough to feel like part of the paper, saturated
+     enough to stay unmistakably "the accent". */
+  --primary: oklch(0.58 0.19 42);
+  --primary-foreground: oklch(0.98 0.01 60);
+  --secondary: oklch(0.945 0.02 72);
+  --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.32 0.05 50);
+  --muted: oklch(0.938 0.02 72);
+  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.54 0.045 58);
+  --accent: oklch(0.928 0.035 62);
+  --accent-foreground: oklch(0.36 0.11 44);
+  --destructive: oklch(0.57 0.21 25);
+  --border: oklch(0.89 0.022 72);
+  --input: oklch(0.865 0.024 72);
+  --ring: oklch(0.6 0.16 44);
+  --lane: oklch(0.942 0.018 72);
+  --chart-1: oklch(0.79 0.12 58);
+  --chart-2: oklch(0.66 0.14 48);
+  --chart-3: oklch(0.53 0.13 42);
+  --chart-4: oklch(0.42 0.1 52);
+  --chart-5: oklch(0.31 0.07 58);
+  /* Slightly rounder than the default theme -- a touch softer overall. */
+  --radius: 0.9rem;
+  --sidebar: oklch(0.958 0.013 75);
+  --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.27 0.032 52);
+  --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.58 0.19 42);
+  --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.98 0.01 60);
+  --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.928 0.035 62);
+  --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.36 0.11 44);
+  --sidebar-border: oklch(0.89 0.022 72);
+  --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.6 0.16 44);
+}
+
+.ocean {
+  color-scheme: dark;
+  --background: oklch(0.2 0.035 224);
+  --foreground: oklch(0.92 0.02 215);
+  --card: oklch(0.245 0.04 220);
+  --card-foreground: oklch(0.92 0.02 215);
+  --popover: oklch(0.255 0.042 218);
+  --popover-foreground: oklch(0.92 0.02 215);
+  /* Seafoam -- a cool, luminous accent that reads "water at night" against
+     the deep blue-green surfaces without screaming. */
+  --primary: oklch(0.76 0.11 192);
+  --primary-foreground: oklch(0.21 0.05 200);
+  --secondary: oklch(0.295 0.042 222);
+  --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.92 0.02 215);
+  --muted: oklch(0.285 0.042 222);
+  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.7 0.03 215);
+  --accent: oklch(0.33 0.05 214);
+  --accent-foreground: oklch(0.9 0.03 192);
+  --destructive: oklch(0.7 0.17 25);
+  --border: oklch(1 0 0 / 10%);
+  --input: oklch(1 0 0 / 14%);
+  --ring: oklch(0.72 0.11 192);
+  --lane: oklch(1 0 0 / 6%);
+  --chart-1: oklch(0.76 0.1 192);
+  --chart-2: oklch(0.63 0.11 200);
+  --chart-3: oklch(0.5 0.11 215);
+  --chart-4: oklch(0.4 0.1 228);
+  --chart-5: oklch(0.3 0.08 240);
+  --radius: 0.8rem;
+  --sidebar: oklch(0.225 0.042 220);
+  --sidebar-foreground: oklch(0.92 0.02 215);
+  --sidebar-primary: oklch(0.76 0.11 192);
+  --sidebar-primary-foreground: oklch(0.21 0.05 200);
+  --sidebar-accent: oklch(0.33 0.05 214);
+  --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.9 0.03 192);
+  --sidebar-border: oklch(1 0 0 / 10%);
+  --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.72 0.11 192);
 }
 
 @layer base {
@@ -129,8 +231,117 @@
   }
   body {
     @apply bg-background text-foreground;
+    /* Gentle, calm type for a tool that sits on screen all day. */
+    font-feature-settings: "cv02", "cv03", "cv04", "cv11";
+    letter-spacing: -0.006em;
   }
-  html {
-    @apply font-sans;
+  /* Headings use the display face (see --font-heading / Figtree). */
+  h1,
+  h2,
+  h3,
+  h4 {
+    letter-spacing: -0.018em;
   }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+  /* Smooth, low-key hover/selection feel: fade color changes instead of
+     snapping. Components that set their own transition-* utility override
+     this (utilities win on specificity). */
+  *,
+  *::before,
+  *::after {
+    transition:
+      background-color 200ms ease,
+      border-color 200ms ease,
+      color 200ms ease,
+      fill 200ms ease,
+      stroke 200ms ease;
+  }
+  @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+    *,
+    *::before,
+    *::after {
+      transition: none !important;
+      animation: none !important;
+    }
+  }
+  ::selection {
+    background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--ring) 28%, transparent);
+  }
+  /* Quiet scrollbars that match the theme. */
+  * {
+    scrollbar-width: thin;
+    scrollbar-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--foreground) 22%, transparent) transparent;
+  }
+  *::-webkit-scrollbar {
+    width: 10px;
+    height: 10px;
+  }
+  *::-webkit-scrollbar-track,
+  *::-webkit-scrollbar-corner {
+    background: transparent;
+  }
+  *::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb {
+    background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--foreground) 20%, transparent);
+    border: 3px solid transparent;
+    border-radius: 999px;
+    background-clip: padding-box;
+  }
+  *::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb:hover {
+    background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--foreground) 32%, transparent);
+    background-clip: padding-box;
+  }
+}
+
+/* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Markdown editor / preview (third-party CSS) -- fit the theme's tokens and
+   the app's type scale so notes blend into dialogs instead of looking
+   pasted in.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.wmde-markdown {
+  font-family: var(--font-sans);
+  font-size: 0.875rem;
+  letter-spacing: -0.006em;
+}
+.w-md-editor {
+  --md-editor-font-family: var(--font-sans);
+  font-size: 0.875rem;
+  color: var(--foreground);
+  background: var(--card);
+  border-color: var(--border);
+  box-shadow: none;
+}
+.w-md-editor .w-md-editor-toolbar {
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--foreground) 5%, transparent);
+  border-color: var(--border);
+}
+.w-md-editor-toolbar-item,
+.w-md-editor-toolbar-item-icon {
+  color: var(--muted-foreground);
+}
+.w-md-editor-toolbar-item-active,
+.w-md-editor-toolbar-item-active .w-md-editor-toolbar-item-icon {
+  color: var(--foreground);
+}
+.w-md-editor-text,
+.w-md-editor-text-pre,
+.w-md-editor-text-input {
+  color: var(--foreground);
+}
+.w-md-editor-text-input::placeholder {
+  color: var(--muted-foreground);
+}
+/* Dark-surfaced themes (Dark, Ocean) -- the editor's stock CSS is
+   light-only, so override it where we render with data-color-mode="dark". */
+[data-color-mode="dark"] .w-md-editor {
+  background: var(--card);
+  border-color: var(--border);
+}
+[data-color-mode="dark"] .w-md-editor .w-md-editor-toolbar {
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--foreground) 7%, transparent);
+  border-color: var(--border);
+}
+[data-color-mode="dark"] .w-md-editor .w-md-editor-text,
+[data-color-mode="dark"] .w-md-editor .w-md-editor-text-pre,
+[data-color-mode="dark"] .w-md-editor .w-md-editor-text-input {
+  color: var(--foreground);
+  background: transparent;
+}
diff --git a/app/layout.tsx b/app/layout.tsx
index 9e93ed8..1e41757 100644
--- a/app/layout.tsx
+++ b/app/layout.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import type { Metadata, Viewport } from "next";
-import { Geist, Geist_Mono } from "next/font/google";
+import { Figtree, Inter, JetBrains_Mono } from "next/font/google";
 import "./globals.css";
 
 import { ThemeProvider } from "@/components/theme/theme-provider";
@@ -7,13 +7,23 @@ import { TooltipProvider } from "@/components/ui/tooltip";
 import { Toaster } from "@/components/ui/sonner";
 import { RegisterServiceWorker } from "@/components/pwa/register-sw";
 
-const geistSans = Geist({
-  variable: "--font-geist-sans",
+/** UI type: Inter -- a neutral, highly legible humanist sans that reads
+ * cleanly at small sizes (to-do lists, tables, nav). */
+const inter = Inter({
+  variable: "--font-sans",
   subsets: ["latin"],
 });
 
-const geistMono = Geist_Mono({
-  variable: "--font-geist-mono",
+/** Display type: Figtree -- a slightly friendlier, rounder geometric sans
+ * for headings and wordmarks. Same family, one step of personality. */
+const figtree = Figtree({
+  variable: "--font-heading",
+  subsets: ["latin"],
+});
+
+/** Code: JetBrains Mono, used for the markdown editor's monospace bits. */
+const jetbrainsMono = JetBrains_Mono({
+  variable: "--font-mono",
   subsets: ["latin"],
 });
 
@@ -34,8 +44,8 @@ export const metadata: Metadata = {
 
 export const viewport: Viewport = {
   themeColor: [
-    { media: "(prefers-color-scheme: light)", color: "#ffffff" },
-    { media: "(prefers-color-scheme: dark)", color: "#171717" },
+    { media: "(prefers-color-scheme: light)", color: "#fafafa" },
+    { media: "(prefers-color-scheme: dark)", color: "#22252b" },
   ],
 };
 
@@ -43,11 +53,21 @@ export default function RootLayout({ children }: LayoutProps<"/">) {
   return (
     <html
       lang="en"
-      className={`${geistSans.variable} ${geistMono.variable} h-full antialiased`}
+      className={`${inter.variable} ${figtree.variable} ${jetbrainsMono.variable} h-full antialiased`}
       suppressHydrationWarning
     >
       <body className="min-h-full flex flex-col">
-        <ThemeProvider attribute="class" defaultTheme="system" enableSystem>
+        {/* Four looks: Default (calm light), Sunset (warm light), Dark, Ocean
+            (deep blue-green) -- complete token sets in app/globals.css.
+            "system" resolves to Default/Dark by OS preference.
+            No-FOUC theme restore: runs before first paint, applies the
+            stored preference to <html> (class + color-scheme). */}
+        <script
+          dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{
+            __html: `!(function(){try{var r=document.documentElement,c=['theme-default','theme-sunset','dark','ocean','light'];for(var i=0;i<c.length;i++){r.classList.remove(c[i]);}var v=null;try{v=localStorage.getItem('theme');}catch(e){}var m={default:'theme-default',sunset:'theme-sunset',dark:'dark',ocean:'ocean'};if(v==='system'||!v){v=window.matchMedia&&window.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches?'dark':'default';}if(m[v]){r.classList.add(m[v]);r.style.colorScheme=(v==='dark'||v==='ocean')?'dark':'light';}}catch(e){}})();`,
+          }}
+        />
+        <ThemeProvider defaultTheme="system">
           <TooltipProvider delay={200}>
             {children}
             <Toaster />
diff --git a/components/admin/user-role-menu.tsx b/components/admin/user-role-menu.tsx
index da25a08..13ea6fb 100644
--- a/components/admin/user-role-menu.tsx
+++ b/components/admin/user-role-menu.tsx
@@ -49,12 +49,21 @@ export function UserRoleMenu({ userId, role }: { userId: string; role: Role }) {
     <DropdownMenu>
       <DropdownMenuTrigger
         render={
-          <Badge
-            variant={ROLE_BADGE_VARIANT[current]}
-            className="cursor-pointer select-none"
+          // Base UI requires a native <button> trigger -- so the Badge
+          // (a <span>) sits inside a bare reset button instead of being
+          // the trigger itself.
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            className="inline-flex appearance-none border-0 bg-transparent p-0"
+            aria-label={`Change role (currently ${ROLE_LABEL[current]})`}
           >
-            {ROLE_LABEL[current]}
-          </Badge>
+            <Badge
+              variant={ROLE_BADGE_VARIANT[current]}
+              className="cursor-pointer select-none"
+            >
+              {ROLE_LABEL[current]}
+            </Badge>
+          </button>
         }
       />
       <DropdownMenuContent align="start">
diff --git a/components/board/add-category-lane.tsx b/components/board/add-category-lane.tsx
index 98f1339..f920859 100644
--- a/components/board/add-category-lane.tsx
+++ b/components/board/add-category-lane.tsx
@@ -38,11 +38,13 @@ export function AddCategoryLane() {
       <DialogTrigger
         render={
           <button
-            className="flex h-32 w-72 shrink-0 flex-col items-center justify-center gap-2 rounded-xl border-2 border-dashed border-border text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:border-primary hover:text-primary"
+            className="flex h-full min-h-32 w-72 shrink-0 flex-col items-center justify-center gap-2 rounded-2xl border-2 border-dashed border-border/80 text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:border-primary/60 hover:bg-primary/5 hover:text-primary"
             aria-label="Add category"
           >
-            <Plus className="size-6" />
-            <span className="text-sm font-medium">Add Category</span>
+            <span className="flex size-9 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-foreground/5">
+              <Plus className="size-5" />
+            </span>
+            <span className="text-sm font-medium">Add lane</span>
           </button>
         }
       />
diff --git a/components/board/add-group-popover.tsx b/components/board/add-group-popover.tsx
index 27a65ac..b994fc3 100644
--- a/components/board/add-group-popover.tsx
+++ b/components/board/add-group-popover.tsx
@@ -49,7 +49,10 @@ export function AddGroupPopover({ categoryId }: { categoryId: string }) {
     <Popover open={open} onOpenChange={setOpen}>
       <PopoverTrigger
         render={
-          <Button variant="ghost" className="w-full justify-start gap-2 text-muted-foreground">
+          <Button
+            variant="ghost"
+            className="w-full justify-start gap-2 rounded-lg text-muted-foreground/90 hover:text-foreground"
+          >
             <Plus className="size-4" />
             Group
           </Button>
diff --git a/components/board/category-lane.tsx b/components/board/category-lane.tsx
index 9bc6ca9..dd5caaf 100644
--- a/components/board/category-lane.tsx
+++ b/components/board/category-lane.tsx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { useSortable } from "@dnd-kit/sortable";
 import { SortableContext, verticalListSortingStrategy } from "@dnd-kit/sortable";
 import { useDndContext, useDroppable } from "@dnd-kit/core";
 import { CSS } from "@dnd-kit/utilities";
-import { GripVertical, MoreVertical, Trash2 } from "lucide-react";
+import { GripVertical, MoreVertical, Plus, Trash2 } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import {
@@ -86,6 +86,12 @@ export function CategoryLane({ category }: { category: CategoryDTO }) {
   });
 
   const groupIds = visibleGroups.map((g) => g.id);
+  // Small open-count for the header -- "what's still to do in this lane"
+  // at a glance, the number a user organizing their day actually wants.
+  const openTodos = category.groups.reduce(
+    (n, g) => n + g.todos.filter((t) => !t.completed).length,
+    0
+  );
 
   return (
     <>
@@ -93,21 +99,34 @@ export function CategoryLane({ category }: { category: CategoryDTO }) {
         ref={setNodeRef}
         style={{ transform: CSS.Transform.toString(transform), transition }}
         className={cn(
-          "flex h-full w-72 shrink-0 flex-col rounded-xl bg-muted/40",
+          "flex h-full w-72 shrink-0 flex-col overflow-hidden rounded-2xl border bg-lane",
           isDragging && "opacity-50"
         )}
       >
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-1 p-3">
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-3 pt-3 pb-2">
           <button
             ref={setActivatorNodeRef}
             {...attributes}
             {...listeners}
-            className="cursor-grab touch-none text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground active:cursor-grabbing"
+            className="-ml-1 cursor-grab touch-none rounded-md p-1 text-muted-foreground/70 hover:bg-accent hover:text-foreground active:cursor-grabbing"
             aria-label={`Drag to reorder ${category.name}`}
           >
-            <GripVertical className="size-4" />
+            <GripVertical className="size-3.5" />
           </button>
-          <h2 className="min-w-0 flex-1 truncate font-semibold">{category.name}</h2>
+          <h2 className="min-w-0 flex-1 truncate font-heading text-[15px] font-semibold tracking-tight">
+            {category.name}
+          </h2>
+          <span
+            className={cn(
+              "flex h-5 min-w-5 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full px-1.5 text-[11px] font-semibold tabular-nums",
+              openTodos > 0
+                ? "bg-foreground/8 text-foreground"
+                : "bg-foreground/5 text-muted-foreground"
+            )}
+            aria-label={`${openTodos} open to-dos in ${category.name}`}
+          >
+            {openTodos}
+          </span>
           <DropdownMenu>
             <DropdownMenuTrigger
               render={
@@ -139,9 +158,8 @@ export function CategoryLane({ category }: { category: CategoryDTO }) {
             // leaves enough clearance that a card's hover lift
             // (-translate-y-0.5 in GroupCard) doesn't tuck its top stroke
             // under the lane header above it.
-            "flex-1 space-y-2 overflow-y-auto rounded-lg px-3 pt-2 pb-2 transition-colors",
-            isDropTargetLane &&
-              "bg-primary/10 outline-2 outline-dashed outline-primary/50 -outline-offset-2"
+            "flex-1 space-y-2 overflow-y-auto rounded-t-lg px-2.5 pt-1.5 pb-2 transition-colors",
+            isDropTargetLane && "bg-primary/10"
           )}
         >
           <SortableContext items={groupIds} strategy={verticalListSortingStrategy}>
diff --git a/components/board/color-swatch-picker.tsx b/components/board/color-swatch-picker.tsx
index 6cd552e..a9853a0 100644
--- a/components/board/color-swatch-picker.tsx
+++ b/components/board/color-swatch-picker.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { Check } from "lucide-react";
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes";
 
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { GROUP_COLORS, type GroupColorKey } from "@/lib/colors";
+import { isDarkTheme } from "@/components/theme/use-dark-theme";
 
 export function ColorSwatchPicker({
   value,
@@ -13,8 +13,7 @@ export function ColorSwatchPicker({
   value: GroupColorKey;
   onChange: (key: GroupColorKey) => void;
 }) {
-  const { resolvedTheme } = useTheme();
-  const isDark = resolvedTheme === "dark";
+  const isDark = isDarkTheme();
 
   return (
     <div role="radiogroup" aria-label="Card color" className="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
diff --git a/components/board/empty-state.tsx b/components/board/empty-state.tsx
index e4e2d10..370a0f4 100644
--- a/components/board/empty-state.tsx
+++ b/components/board/empty-state.tsx
@@ -2,15 +2,17 @@ import { LayoutDashboard } from "lucide-react";
 
 export function EmptyState() {
   return (
-    <div className="flex flex-1 flex-col items-center justify-center gap-3 p-12 text-center">
-      <div className="flex size-16 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary/10 text-primary">
-        <LayoutDashboard className="size-8" />
+    <div className="flex flex-1 flex-col items-center justify-center gap-3 rounded-2xl border border-dashed border-border/80 p-10 text-center">
+      <div className="flex size-14 items-center justify-center rounded-2xl bg-primary/10 text-primary">
+        <LayoutDashboard className="size-7" />
+      </div>
+      <div className="space-y-1">
+        <h2 className="font-heading text-lg font-semibold">Your board is empty</h2>
+        <p className="mx-auto max-w-xs text-sm leading-relaxed text-muted-foreground">
+          Lanes hold your groups of notes and to-dos. Add your first lane to
+          start organizing.
+        </p>
       </div>
-      <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold">Your board is empty</h2>
-      <p className="max-w-sm text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-        Create your first category to get started — categories are the lanes that hold your
-        groups of notes and to-dos.
-      </p>
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/components/board/group-ai-dialog.tsx b/components/board/group-ai-dialog.tsx
index e73559a..cc5ce74 100644
--- a/components/board/group-ai-dialog.tsx
+++ b/components/board/group-ai-dialog.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { useState } from "react";
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes";
 import { toast } from "sonner";
 import { Mic, Send, Sparkles, Square } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+import { colorModeFromTheme } from "@/components/theme/use-dark-theme";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { Textarea } from "@/components/ui/textarea";
 import {
@@ -31,8 +31,7 @@ export function GroupAiDialog({
   onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
 }) {
   const { saveNote } = useBoard();
-  const { resolvedTheme } = useTheme();
-  const colorMode = resolvedTheme === "dark" ? "dark" : "light";
+  const colorMode = colorModeFromTheme();
 
   const [messages, setMessages] = useState<GroupAiMessage[]>([]);
   const [input, setInput] = useState("");
diff --git a/components/board/group-card-overlay.tsx b/components/board/group-card-overlay.tsx
index 8f1cd10..105721e 100644
--- a/components/board/group-card-overlay.tsx
+++ b/components/board/group-card-overlay.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 "use client";
 
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes";
 import { NotebookPen } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { getGroupColor } from "@/lib/colors";
+import { isDarkTheme } from "@/components/theme/use-dark-theme";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import type { GroupDTO } from "@/types/board";
 
@@ -14,18 +14,15 @@ import type { GroupDTO } from "@/types/board";
  * would register a second useSortable/useDraggable for the same id.
  */
 export function GroupCardOverlay({ group }: { group: GroupDTO }) {
-  const { resolvedTheme } = useTheme();
+  const isDark = isDarkTheme();
   const color = getGroupColor(group.color);
-  const isDark = resolvedTheme === "dark";
   const borderColor = isDark ? color.dark : color.light;
-  const backgroundColor = isDark
-    ? `color-mix(in srgb, ${color.dark} 18%, var(--card))`
-    : `color-mix(in srgb, ${color.light} 12%, var(--card))`;
+  const backgroundColor = `color-mix(in srgb, ${isDark ? color.softDark : color.soft} 85%, var(--card))`;
 
   return (
     <div
       style={{ borderColor, backgroundColor }}
-      className={cn("rotate-1 scale-105 cursor-grabbing rounded-xl border-[3px] p-3 shadow-lg")}
+      className={cn("rotate-1 scale-105 cursor-grabbing rounded-2xl border-[3px] p-3 shadow-lg")}
     >
       <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-1">
         <h3 className="min-w-0 flex-1 truncate pt-1 text-sm font-semibold">{group.title}</h3>
diff --git a/components/board/group-card.tsx b/components/board/group-card.tsx
index 83ed246..61dda70 100644
--- a/components/board/group-card.tsx
+++ b/components/board/group-card.tsx
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 import { useState } from "react";
 import { useSortable } from "@dnd-kit/sortable";
 import { CSS } from "@dnd-kit/utilities";
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes";
 import {
   Archive,
   ChevronRight,
@@ -19,6 +18,7 @@ import {
 
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipTrigger } from "@/components/ui/tooltip";
 import { TodoCheckbox } from "@/components/board/todo-checkbox";
 import { MouseFollowTooltip } from "@/components/board/mouse-follow-tooltip";
 import {
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import {
   DropdownMenuTrigger,
 } from "@/components/ui/dropdown-menu";
 import { getBrighterColor, getComplementaryColor, getGroupColor } from "@/lib/colors";
+import { isDarkTheme } from "@/components/theme/use-dark-theme";
 import { useBoard } from "@/components/board/board-context";
 import { useBoardView } from "@/components/board/board-view-provider";
 import { useHoldOnComplete } from "@/components/hold-on-complete";
@@ -90,7 +91,9 @@ export function GroupCard({ group }: { group: GroupDTO }) {
   const { view } = useBoardView();
   const { holds, beginHold, cancelHold } = useHoldOnComplete();
   const compact = view === "compact";
-  const { resolvedTheme } = useTheme();
+  // True for any theme whose surfaces are dark -- Dark and Ocean both use
+  // their `dark` color variant (see lib/colors.ts); light themes use `light`.
+  const isDark = isDarkTheme();
   const [editingTodo, setEditingTodo] = useState<TodoDTO | null>(null);
   const [editOpen, setEditOpen] = useState(false);
   const [confirmOpen, setConfirmOpen] = useState(false);
@@ -119,15 +122,14 @@ export function GroupCard({ group }: { group: GroupDTO }) {
   const isDropTarget = isOver && !isDragging;
 
   const color = getGroupColor(group.color);
-  const isDark = resolvedTheme === "dark";
   const borderColor = isDark ? color.dark : color.light;
-  // A subdued tint of the same stroke color, blended into the theme's own
-  // card surface -- not a fixed pastel, so it automatically stays correct
-  // if the neutral card token ever changes, and needs no separate
-  // light/dark background palette to hand-tune.
-  const backgroundColor = isDark
-    ? `color-mix(in srgb, ${color.dark} 18%, var(--card))`
-    : `color-mix(in srgb, ${color.light} 12%, var(--card))`;
+  // The card fill is a calm, hand-picked tint of the same stroke color
+  // (`soft` / `softDark` in lib/colors.ts), blended a little into the theme's
+  // own card surface so it sits naturally on any theme -- the 85% weight
+  // keeps the tint in charge while still letting a tinted theme surface show
+  // through. Dark themes use `softDark`: the same hue at a dark-surface
+  // lightness, instead of the near-white pastel of `soft`.
+  const backgroundColor = `color-mix(in srgb, ${isDark ? color.softDark : color.soft} 85%, var(--card))`;
   // Opposing hue from the group's own color, for the progress pie below --
   // so it reads as a distinct accent rather than blending into the border.
   const pieAccentColor = getComplementaryColor(
@@ -191,7 +193,7 @@ export function GroupCard({ group }: { group: GroupDTO }) {
           backgroundColor,
         }}
         className={cn(
-          "relative rounded-xl border-[3px] p-3 shadow-sm transition-shadow",
+          "relative rounded-2xl border-[3px] p-3 shadow-sm transition-shadow",
           "hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:shadow-md",
           isDragging && "opacity-50 shadow-lg",
           isDropTarget && "ring-2 ring-primary ring-offset-2 ring-offset-background"
@@ -225,7 +227,9 @@ export function GroupCard({ group }: { group: GroupDTO }) {
                 <GripVertical className="size-4" />
               </span>
             )}
-            <h3 className="min-w-0 flex-1 truncate pt-1 text-sm font-semibold">{group.title}</h3>
+            <h3 className="min-w-0 flex-1 truncate pt-1 font-heading text-[15px] font-semibold tracking-tight">
+              {group.title}
+            </h3>
           </div>
           <div className="flex shrink-0 items-center">
             <NotesDialog group={group} />
@@ -263,7 +267,7 @@ export function GroupCard({ group }: { group: GroupDTO }) {
 
         {!isCollapsed && (
           <>
-            <ul className="mt-1 space-y-1">
+            <ul className="mt-2 space-y-0.5">
               {visibleTodos.map((todo, index) => {
                 const todoButton = (
                   <button
@@ -271,8 +275,8 @@ export function GroupCard({ group }: { group: GroupDTO }) {
                     onClick={() => setEditingTodo(todo)}
                     style={todo.completed ? undefined : { color: todoTextColor }}
                     className={cn(
-                      "flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center gap-1 text-left text-sm hover:underline",
-                      todo.completed && "text-muted-foreground line-through"
+                      "-mx-1 flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center gap-1 rounded-md px-1 text-left text-sm transition-colors hover:bg-foreground/5",
+                      todo.completed && "text-muted-foreground line-through hover:bg-transparent"
                     )}
                   >
                     <span className="min-w-0 truncate">{todo.title}</span>
@@ -361,7 +365,7 @@ export function GroupCard({ group }: { group: GroupDTO }) {
               )
             ) : (
               <>
-                <div className="mt-1">
+                <div className="mt-2">
                   <TodoCreatePopover groupId={group.id} categoryId={group.categoryId} />
                 </div>
 
@@ -377,16 +381,30 @@ export function GroupCard({ group }: { group: GroupDTO }) {
                   </Button>
                 )}
 
-                {canArchive && (
-                  <Button
-                    variant="ghost"
-                    size="sm"
-                    className="w-full justify-start gap-2 text-muted-foreground"
-                    onClick={() => archiveGroup(group.id, group.categoryId)}
-                  >
-                    <Archive className="size-3.5" />
-                    Archive
-                  </Button>
+                {(canArchive || group.todos.length > 0) && (
+                  <div className="mt-1 flex items-center gap-1 border-t border-foreground/[0.07] pt-1.5">
+                    {canArchive && (
+                      <Tooltip>
+                        <TooltipTrigger
+                          render={
+                            <Button
+                              variant="ghost"
+                              size="icon-sm"
+                              className="shrink-0 text-muted-foreground"
+                              onClick={() => archiveGroup(group.id, group.categoryId)}
+                              aria-label="Archive group"
+                            >
+                              <Archive className="size-3.5" />
+                            </Button>
+                          }
+                        />
+                        <TooltipContent side="top">Archive (all to-dos done)</TooltipContent>
+                      </Tooltip>
+                    )}
+                    <span className="ml-auto text-[11px] font-medium tabular-nums text-muted-foreground">
+                      {completedCount}/{group.todos.length} done
+                    </span>
+                  </div>
                 )}
 
                 <TodoProgressPie
diff --git a/components/board/kanban-board.tsx b/components/board/kanban-board.tsx
index 6f01582..60369a0 100644
--- a/components/board/kanban-board.tsx
+++ b/components/board/kanban-board.tsx
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import {
   type DragStartEvent,
 } from "@dnd-kit/core";
 import { SortableContext, arrayMove, horizontalListSortingStrategy } from "@dnd-kit/sortable";
+import { LayoutDashboard, Plus } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { BoardProvider, useBoard } from "@/components/board/board-context";
 import { CategoryLane } from "@/components/board/category-lane";
@@ -20,11 +21,21 @@ import { AddCategoryLane } from "@/components/board/add-category-lane";
 import { GroupCardOverlay } from "@/components/board/group-card-overlay";
 import { EmptyState } from "@/components/board/empty-state";
 import { ViewSwitcher } from "@/components/board/view-switcher";
+import { TodoCreateDialog } from "@/components/board/todo-create-dialog";
+import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipTrigger } from "@/components/ui/tooltip";
 import type { CategoryDTO, GroupDTO } from "@/types/board";
 
 function Board({ title }: { title: string }) {
   const { categories, reorderLanes, reorderGroups, moveGroup } = useBoard();
   const [draggedGroup, setDraggedGroup] = useState<GroupDTO | null>(null);
+  const [quickAddOpen, setQuickAddOpen] = useState(false);
+
+  // The "+ to-do" quick action targets the first group it can find -- the
+  // goal is one click from a keyboard or pointer to start typing a to-do
+  // somewhere sensible, not a journey through lanes and cards.
+  const quickTargetCategory = categories.find((c) => c.groups.length > 0);
+  const quickTargetGroup = quickTargetCategory?.groups[0];
 
   const sensors = useSensors(
     // A short activation distance lets a plain click (checkbox, notes icon,
@@ -110,15 +121,57 @@ function Board({ title }: { title: string }) {
 
   return (
     <DndContext
+      id="board-dnd"
       sensors={sensors}
       collisionDetection={closestCenter}
       onDragStart={handleDragStart}
       onDragEnd={handleDragEnd}
     >
       <div className="flex h-full flex-col gap-4 p-4">
-        <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 px-1">
-          <h1 className="truncate text-2xl font-bold">{title}</h1>
-          <ViewSwitcher />
+        <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-3 gap-y-2 px-1">
+          <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-3">
+            <span className="hidden size-10 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-xl bg-primary/10 text-primary sm:flex">
+              <LayoutDashboard className="size-5" />
+            </span>
+            <div className="min-w-0">
+              <h1 className="truncate font-heading text-xl font-bold leading-tight">{title}</h1>
+              <p className="truncate text-[13px] text-muted-foreground">
+                {categories.length === 0
+                  ? "Add a lane to get started"
+                  : `${categories.length} ${categories.length === 1 ? "lane" : "lanes"} · ${categories.reduce(
+                      (n, c) => n + c.groups.length,
+                      0
+                    )} groups · ${categories.reduce(
+                      (n, c) =>
+                        n +
+                        c.groups.reduce((m, g) => m + g.todos.filter((t) => !t.completed).length, 0),
+                      0
+                    )} open to-dos`}
+              </p>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+          <div className="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2">
+            <Tooltip>
+              <TooltipTrigger
+                render={
+                  <Button
+                    variant="outline"
+                    size="sm"
+                    className="gap-1.5"
+                    disabled={!quickTargetGroup}
+                    onClick={() => setQuickAddOpen(true)}
+                  >
+                    <Plus className="size-3.5" />
+                    To-do
+                  </Button>
+                }
+              />
+              <TooltipContent side="bottom">
+                {quickTargetGroup ? "Quickly add a to-do to the first group" : "Add a group first, then quickly add to-dos"}
+              </TooltipContent>
+            </Tooltip>
+            <ViewSwitcher />
+          </div>
         </div>
 
         {categories.length === 0 ? (
@@ -139,6 +192,15 @@ function Board({ title }: { title: string }) {
       </div>
 
       <DragOverlay>{draggedGroup ? <GroupCardOverlay group={draggedGroup} /> : null}</DragOverlay>
+
+      {quickTargetCategory && quickTargetGroup && (
+        <TodoCreateDialog
+          groupId={quickTargetGroup.id}
+          categoryId={quickTargetCategory.id}
+          open={quickAddOpen}
+          onOpenChange={setQuickAddOpen}
+        />
+      )}
     </DndContext>
   );
 }
diff --git a/components/board/mouse-follow-tooltip.tsx b/components/board/mouse-follow-tooltip.tsx
index c337702..cbbe5dd 100644
--- a/components/board/mouse-follow-tooltip.tsx
+++ b/components/board/mouse-follow-tooltip.tsx
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 
 import { useState } from "react";
 import { createPortal } from "react-dom";
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes";
 
 import { MarkdownPreview } from "@/components/markdown/markdown-widgets";
+import { colorModeFromTheme } from "@/components/theme/use-dark-theme";
 
 const OFFSET = 16;
 // Rough size assumptions used to keep the tooltip on-screen -- cheaper than
@@ -29,8 +29,7 @@ export function MouseFollowTooltip({
   content: string;
   children: React.ReactNode;
 }) {
-  const { resolvedTheme } = useTheme();
-  const colorMode = resolvedTheme === "dark" ? "dark" : "light";
+  const colorMode = colorModeFromTheme();
   const [pos, setPos] = useState<{ x: number; y: number } | null>(null);
 
   function handleMove(e: React.MouseEvent) {
diff --git a/components/board/notes-dialog.tsx b/components/board/notes-dialog.tsx
index 5687b25..a95ffad 100644
--- a/components/board/notes-dialog.tsx
+++ b/components/board/notes-dialog.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes";
 import { NotebookPen, Pencil, Sparkles } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { colorModeFromTheme } from "@/components/theme/use-dark-theme";
 import {
   Dialog,
   DialogContent,
@@ -19,8 +19,7 @@ import type { GroupDTO } from "@/types/board";
 
 export function NotesDialog({ group }: { group: GroupDTO }) {
   const { saveNote } = useBoard();
-  const { resolvedTheme } = useTheme();
-  const colorMode = resolvedTheme === "dark" ? "dark" : "light";
+  const colorMode = colorModeFromTheme();
 
   const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
   const [editing, setEditing] = useState(false);
diff --git a/components/board/status-update-dialog.tsx b/components/board/status-update-dialog.tsx
index bf74dc8..5d48d4e 100644
--- a/components/board/status-update-dialog.tsx
+++ b/components/board/status-update-dialog.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes";
 import { toast } from "sonner";
 import { Check, Copy, Sparkles } from "lucide-react";
 
+import { colorModeFromTheme } from "@/components/theme/use-dark-theme";
+
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import {
   Dialog,
@@ -30,8 +31,7 @@ export function StatusUpdateDialog({
   open: boolean;
   onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
 }) {
-  const { resolvedTheme } = useTheme();
-  const colorMode = resolvedTheme === "dark" ? "dark" : "light";
+  const colorMode = colorModeFromTheme();
 
   // The generated summary, shown permanently once produced -- there's no
   // accept/discard step, since nothing here is ever saved back to the
diff --git a/components/board/todo-create-dialog.tsx b/components/board/todo-create-dialog.tsx
index c659fdd..3be5a3d 100644
--- a/components/board/todo-create-dialog.tsx
+++ b/components/board/todo-create-dialog.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { useState } from "react";
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes";
 
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { colorModeFromTheme } from "@/components/theme/use-dark-theme";
 import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
 import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
 import { Dialog, DialogContent, DialogFooter, DialogHeader, DialogTitle } from "@/components/ui/dialog";
@@ -28,8 +28,7 @@ export function TodoCreateDialog({
   onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
 }) {
   const { addTodo } = useBoard();
-  const { resolvedTheme } = useTheme();
-  const colorMode = resolvedTheme === "dark" ? "dark" : "light";
+  const colorMode = colorModeFromTheme();
 
   const [title, setTitle] = useState("");
   const [details, setDetails] = useState("");
diff --git a/components/board/todo-create-popover.tsx b/components/board/todo-create-popover.tsx
index 292ad94..b62bacc 100644
--- a/components/board/todo-create-popover.tsx
+++ b/components/board/todo-create-popover.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { useState } from "react";
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes";
 import { Plus } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { colorModeFromTheme } from "@/components/theme/use-dark-theme";
 import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
 import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
 import { Popover, PopoverContent, PopoverTrigger } from "@/components/ui/popover";
@@ -21,8 +21,7 @@ export function TodoCreatePopover({
   categoryId: string;
 }) {
   const { addTodo } = useBoard();
-  const { resolvedTheme } = useTheme();
-  const colorMode = resolvedTheme === "dark" ? "dark" : "light";
+  const colorMode = colorModeFromTheme();
 
   const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
   const [title, setTitle] = useState("");
@@ -50,7 +49,7 @@ export function TodoCreatePopover({
           <Button
             variant="ghost"
             size="sm"
-            className="w-full justify-start gap-2 text-muted-foreground"
+            className="w-full justify-start gap-2 text-muted-foreground/90 hover:text-foreground"
           >
             <Plus className="size-3.5" />
             Add to-do
diff --git a/components/board/todo-edit-dialog.tsx b/components/board/todo-edit-dialog.tsx
index 69abff8..83bb55b 100644
--- a/components/board/todo-edit-dialog.tsx
+++ b/components/board/todo-edit-dialog.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { useState } from "react";
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes";
 import { Pencil, Trash2 } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { colorModeFromTheme } from "@/components/theme/use-dark-theme";
 import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
 import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
 import {
@@ -35,8 +35,7 @@ export function TodoEditDialog({
   onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
 }) {
   const { editTodo, removeTodo } = useBoard();
-  const { resolvedTheme } = useTheme();
-  const colorMode = resolvedTheme === "dark" ? "dark" : "light";
+  const colorMode = colorModeFromTheme();
 
   const [title, setTitle] = useState(todo.title);
   const [details, setDetails] = useState(todo.details ?? "");
diff --git a/components/chat/chat-page-client.tsx b/components/chat/chat-page-client.tsx
index e763c79..287d472 100644
--- a/components/chat/chat-page-client.tsx
+++ b/components/chat/chat-page-client.tsx
@@ -1,16 +1,15 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { useState } from "react";
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes";
 import { MessageCircle } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { ChatMessageList, ChatComposer, type ChatBubbleMessage } from "@/components/ai/chat-thread";
+import { colorModeFromTheme } from "@/components/theme/use-dark-theme";
 import { useSpeechRecognition } from "@/hooks/use-speech-recognition";
 import { sendChatMessage, type ChatMessage } from "@/lib/actions/chat-ai";
 
 export function ChatPageClient({ aiConfigured }: { aiConfigured: boolean }) {
-  const { resolvedTheme } = useTheme();
-  const colorMode = resolvedTheme === "dark" ? "dark" : "light";
+  const colorMode = colorModeFromTheme();
 
   const [messages, setMessages] = useState<ChatMessage[]>([]);
   const [input, setInput] = useState("");
@@ -45,15 +44,17 @@ export function ChatPageClient({ aiConfigured }: { aiConfigured: boolean }) {
 
   return (
     <div className="mx-auto flex h-full max-w-2xl flex-col gap-4 p-4">
-      <div>
-        <h1 className="flex items-center gap-2 text-2xl font-bold">
-          <MessageCircle className="size-6 text-primary" />
-          Chat
-        </h1>
-        <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-          Ask about anything across your boards — notes, open to-dos, and things you&apos;ve
-          already finished.
-        </p>
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-3 px-1">
+        <span className="flex size-10 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-xl bg-primary/10 text-primary">
+          <MessageCircle className="size-5" />
+        </span>
+        <div className="min-w-0">
+          <h1 className="truncate font-heading text-xl font-bold tracking-tight">Chat</h1>
+          <p className="truncate text-[13px] text-muted-foreground">
+            Ask about anything across your boards — notes, open to-dos, and things you&apos;ve
+            already finished.
+          </p>
+        </div>
       </div>
 
       {!aiConfigured ? (
diff --git a/components/nav/projects-nav-section.tsx b/components/nav/projects-nav-section.tsx
index 6572b00..5300447 100644
--- a/components/nav/projects-nav-section.tsx
+++ b/components/nav/projects-nav-section.tsx
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ export function ProjectsNavSection({ collapsed }: { collapsed: boolean }) {
         "flex flex-1 items-center gap-3 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm font-medium transition-colors",
         "hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-foreground",
         collapsed && "justify-center px-0",
-        isListActive && "bg-accent text-accent-foreground"
+        isListActive && "bg-accent text-accent-foreground shadow-[inset_2px_0_0_var(--primary)]"
       )}
     >
       <FolderKanban className="size-5 shrink-0" />
diff --git a/components/nav/side-nav-item.tsx b/components/nav/side-nav-item.tsx
index fc87c2e..e3aab03 100644
--- a/components/nav/side-nav-item.tsx
+++ b/components/nav/side-nav-item.tsx
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ export function SideNavItem({ item, collapsed }: { item: NavItem; collapsed: boo
         "flex items-center gap-3 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm font-medium transition-colors",
         "hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-foreground",
         collapsed && "justify-center px-0",
-        isActive && "bg-accent text-accent-foreground"
+        isActive && "bg-accent text-accent-foreground shadow-[inset_2px_0_0_var(--primary)]"
       )}
     >
       <item.icon className="size-5 shrink-0" />
diff --git a/components/nav/side-nav.tsx b/components/nav/side-nav.tsx
index 53a8416..96c8ac1 100644
--- a/components/nav/side-nav.tsx
+++ b/components/nav/side-nav.tsx
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import { ChevronLeft, ChevronRight, LogOut, NotebookPen } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
-import { Separator } from "@/components/ui/separator";
 import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipTrigger } from "@/components/ui/tooltip";
 import { useSideNav } from "@/components/nav/side-nav-provider";
 import { SideNavItem } from "@/components/nav/side-nav-item";
@@ -21,18 +20,22 @@ export function SideNav({ userEmail, role }: { userEmail: string; role: Role })
   return (
     <aside
       className={cn(
-        "flex h-screen flex-col border-r bg-sidebar text-sidebar-foreground transition-[width] duration-200",
-        collapsed ? "w-16" : "w-56"
+        "flex h-screen flex-col border-r bg-sidebar text-sidebar-foreground transition-[width] duration-300 ease-out",
+        collapsed ? "w-16" : "w-60"
       )}
     >
-      <div className={cn("flex items-center gap-2 p-3", collapsed && "justify-center")}>
-        <NotebookPen className="size-6 shrink-0 text-primary" />
-        {!collapsed && <span className="truncate text-lg font-semibold">Organize</span>}
+      <div className={cn("flex items-center gap-2.5 px-4 py-4", collapsed && "justify-center px-0")}>
+        <span className="flex size-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-xl bg-primary text-primary-foreground shadow-sm">
+          <NotebookPen className="size-4.5" />
+        </span>
+        {!collapsed && (
+          <span className="truncate font-heading text-[17px] font-bold tracking-tight">
+            Organize
+          </span>
+        )}
       </div>
 
-      <Separator />
-
-      <nav className="flex flex-1 flex-col gap-1 overflow-y-auto p-2">
+      <nav className="flex flex-1 flex-col gap-0.5 overflow-y-auto px-2.5 pt-1 pb-2">
         {NAV_ITEMS.map((item) => (
           <SideNavItem key={item.href} item={item} collapsed={collapsed} />
         ))}
@@ -42,9 +45,7 @@ export function SideNav({ userEmail, role }: { userEmail: string; role: Role })
         ))}
       </nav>
 
-      <Separator />
-
-      <div className="flex flex-col gap-1 p-2">
+      <div className="space-y-0.5 px-2.5 pb-2">
         <ThemeToggle collapsed={collapsed} />
 
         {collapsed ? (
@@ -62,21 +63,24 @@ export function SideNav({ userEmail, role }: { userEmail: string; role: Role })
           </form>
         ) : (
           <form action={logout}>
-            <Button variant="ghost" type="submit" className="w-full justify-start gap-2">
+            <Button variant="ghost" type="submit" className="w-full justify-start gap-2.5">
               <LogOut className="size-4" />
               <span className="truncate">Log out</span>
             </Button>
           </form>
         )}
+      </div>
 
+      <div className={cn("flex items-center gap-2 border-t px-4 py-3", collapsed && "justify-center px-0")}>
+        <span className="flex size-7 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary/10 text-xs font-bold text-primary uppercase">
+          {(userEmail[0] ?? "?").slice(0, 1)}
+        </span>
         {!collapsed && (
-          <p className="truncate px-3 text-xs text-muted-foreground">{userEmail}</p>
+          <span className="truncate text-[13px] font-medium text-muted-foreground">{userEmail}</span>
         )}
       </div>
 
-      <Separator />
-
-      <div className={cn("flex p-2", collapsed ? "justify-center" : "justify-end")}>
+      <div className={cn("flex border-t px-2 py-1.5", collapsed ? "justify-center" : "justify-end")}>
         <Button variant="ghost" size="icon" onClick={toggle} aria-label="Toggle sidebar">
           {collapsed ? <ChevronRight className="size-4" /> : <ChevronLeft className="size-4" />}
         </Button>
diff --git a/components/projects/project-card.tsx b/components/projects/project-card.tsx
index 17ff7f6..6c8006b 100644
--- a/components/projects/project-card.tsx
+++ b/components/projects/project-card.tsx
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ export function ProjectCard({ project }: { project: ProjectDTO }) {
           element paints after (on top of) non-positioned in-flow content
           regardless of DOM order, so without it the Link would still win
           every hit-test even under a pointer-events-none ancestor. */}
-      <div className="group relative flex h-32 flex-col justify-between rounded-xl border p-4 shadow-sm transition-shadow hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:shadow-md">
+      <div className="group relative flex h-32 flex-col justify-between rounded-2xl border p-4 shadow-sm transition-all hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:border-primary/40 hover:shadow-md">
         <Link
           href={`/projects/${project.id}`}
           className="absolute inset-0 rounded-xl"
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ export function ProjectCard({ project }: { project: ProjectDTO }) {
             </DropdownMenu>
           </div>
         </div>
-        <h3 className="pointer-events-none min-w-0 truncate text-sm font-semibold">
+        <h3 className="pointer-events-none min-w-0 truncate font-heading text-[15px] font-semibold tracking-tight">
           {project.title}
         </h3>
       </div>
diff --git a/components/projects/projects-list-view.tsx b/components/projects/projects-list-view.tsx
index 9bed291..31147e7 100644
--- a/components/projects/projects-list-view.tsx
+++ b/components/projects/projects-list-view.tsx
@@ -11,23 +11,31 @@ export function ProjectsListView() {
 
   return (
     <div className="flex h-full flex-col gap-4 p-4">
-      <div>
-        <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold">Projects</h1>
-        <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-          Each project is its own isolated board -- separate categories, groups, and to-dos from
-          Home and from every other project.
-        </p>
+      <div className="flex flex-wrap items-end justify-between gap-3 px-1">
+        <div>
+          <h1 className="font-heading text-xl font-bold tracking-tight">Projects</h1>
+          <p className="mt-0.5 text-[13px] text-muted-foreground">
+            Each project is its own isolated board, separate from Home.
+          </p>
+        </div>
+        {projects.length > 0 && (
+          <p className="rounded-full bg-foreground/5 px-3 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground tabular-nums">
+            {projects.length} project{projects.length === 1 ? "" : "s"}
+          </p>
+        )}
       </div>
 
       {projects.length === 0 && (
-        <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-3 p-8 text-center">
-          <div className="flex size-16 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary/10 text-primary">
-            <FolderKanban className="size-8" />
+        <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-3 rounded-2xl border border-dashed border-border/80 p-10 text-center">
+          <div className="flex size-14 items-center justify-center rounded-2xl bg-primary/10 text-primary">
+            <FolderKanban className="size-7" />
+          </div>
+          <div className="space-y-1">
+            <h2 className="font-heading text-lg font-semibold">No projects yet</h2>
+            <p className="max-w-xs text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+              Create one to get its own board, separate from Home.
+            </p>
           </div>
-          <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold">No projects yet</h2>
-          <p className="max-w-sm text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-            Create one to get its own board, separate from Home.
-          </p>
         </div>
       )}
 
diff --git a/components/scheduled/scheduled-panel.tsx b/components/scheduled/scheduled-panel.tsx
index 253f793..7d48dd5 100644
--- a/components/scheduled/scheduled-panel.tsx
+++ b/components/scheduled/scheduled-panel.tsx
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ export function ScheduledPanel() {
     <>
       <aside
         className={cn(
-          "flex h-screen flex-col border-l bg-sidebar text-sidebar-foreground transition-[width] duration-200",
+          "hidden h-screen flex-col border-l bg-sidebar text-sidebar-foreground transition-[width] duration-200 sm:flex",
           collapsed ? "w-16" : "w-80"
         )}
       >
@@ -276,10 +276,12 @@ function ExpandedPanel({
 
   return (
     <>
-      <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 p-3">
-        <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-2">
-          <CalendarClock className="size-5 shrink-0 text-primary" />
-          <span className="truncate text-lg font-semibold">Scheduled</span>
+      <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 px-3 py-3">
+        <div className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-2.5">
+          <span className="flex size-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-lg bg-primary/10 text-primary">
+            <CalendarClock className="size-4" />
+          </span>
+          <span className="truncate font-heading text-[15px] font-semibold tracking-tight">Scheduled</span>
         </div>
         <Button
           variant="ghost"
diff --git a/components/theme/theme-provider.tsx b/components/theme/theme-provider.tsx
index 8613a5f..a1ea292 100644
--- a/components/theme/theme-provider.tsx
+++ b/components/theme/theme-provider.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,154 @@
 "use client";
 
-import { ThemeProvider as NextThemesProvider } from "next-themes";
-import type { ComponentProps } from "react";
+import {
+  createContext,
+  useCallback,
+  useContext,
+  useEffect,
+  useLayoutEffect,
+  useMemo,
+  useState,
+} from "react";
+import type { ReactNode } from "react";
+
+/**
+ * App theme provider (replaces next-themes).
+ *
+ * next-themes injects its no-FOUC script as a <script> inside the React
+ * component tree, which React 19 (dev) rejects: "Encountered a script tag
+ * while rendering React component". Everything it does is small, so this
+ * provider implements the same API ({ theme, setTheme, resolvedTheme })
+ * directly, and the equivalent inline script lives in app/layout.tsx where
+ * it renders as plain server HTML and actually executes.
+ *
+ * Semantics (kept compatible for all existing consumers):
+ *  - `theme`         the stored preference: default | sunset | dark | ocean | system
+ *  - `resolvedTheme` the theme actually applied (system resolved via
+ *                    prefers-color-scheme), always one of the four
+ *  - html classes    .theme-default | .theme-sunset | .dark | .ocean (see globals.css)
+ */
+
+export const THEMES = ["default", "sunset", "dark", "ocean"] as const;
+export type ThemeName = (typeof THEMES)[number];
+export type RawTheme = ThemeName | "system";
+
+const STORAGE_KEY = "theme";
+const THEME_CLASSES: Record<ThemeName, string> = {
+  default: "theme-default",
+  sunset: "theme-sunset",
+  dark: "dark",
+  ocean: "ocean",
+};
+const ALL_CLASSES = Object.values(THEME_CLASSES);
+const DARK_SURFACES: ThemeName[] = ["dark", "ocean"];
+
+interface ThemeContextValue {
+  theme: RawTheme;
+  resolvedTheme: ThemeName;
+  setTheme: (theme: RawTheme) => void;
+  themes: readonly ThemeName[];
+}
+
+const ThemeContext = createContext<ThemeContextValue>({
+  theme: "system",
+  resolvedTheme: "default",
+  setTheme: () => {},
+  themes: THEMES,
+});
+
+function systemPrefersDark(): boolean {
+  return (
+    typeof window !== "undefined" &&
+    !!window.matchMedia?.("(prefers-color-scheme: dark)").matches
+  );
+}
+
+function resolve(theme: RawTheme): ThemeName {
+  return theme === "system" ? (systemPrefersDark() ? "dark" : "default") : theme;
+}
+
+/** Exported so consumers (e.g. isDarkTheme) derive the applied theme from
+ * the same source of truth the provider uses -- and stay reactive when it
+ * changes. */
+export function resolveTheme(theme: RawTheme): ThemeName {
+  return resolve(theme);
+}
+
+function applyToDom(theme: RawTheme) {
+  if (typeof document === "undefined") return;
+  const name = resolve(theme);
+  const root = document.documentElement;
+  // Also drop "light": a class next-themes applied to <html> in earlier
+  // versions, harmless but stale.
+  root.classList.remove(...ALL_CLASSES, "light");
+  root.classList.add(THEME_CLASSES[name]);
+  root.style.colorScheme = DARK_SURFACES.includes(name) ? "dark" : "light";
+}
 
 export function ThemeProvider({
   children,
-  ...props
-}: ComponentProps<typeof NextThemesProvider>) {
-  return <NextThemesProvider {...props}>{children}</NextThemesProvider>;
+  defaultTheme = "system",
+}: {
+  children: ReactNode;
+  defaultTheme?: RawTheme;
+}) {
+  // Both the server and the first client render agree on `defaultTheme`
+  // (hydration-safe); the stored preference is picked up right after mount.
+  // The inline script in app/layout.tsx already applied the right classes
+  // before first paint, so there is no visible jump either way.
+  const [theme, setThemeState] = useState<RawTheme>(defaultTheme);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    try {
+      const stored = localStorage.getItem(STORAGE_KEY);
+      if (stored) setThemeState(stored as RawTheme);
+    } catch {
+      /* storage unavailable -- stay on defaultTheme */
+    }
+  }, []);
+
+  // Keep the DOM in sync whenever the preference changes -- synchronously
+  // (layout effect) so the CSS classes land in the same frame as the
+  // JS-driven colors that derive from this state: no flash of stale colors.
+  useLayoutEffect(() => {
+    applyToDom(theme);
+  }, [theme]);
+
+  // Follow the OS while in "system" mode.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (theme !== "system" || !window.matchMedia) return;
+    const mq = window.matchMedia("(prefers-color-scheme: dark)");
+    const onChange = () => applyToDom("system");
+    mq.addEventListener("change", onChange);
+    return () => mq.removeEventListener("change", onChange);
+  }, [theme]);
+
+  // Keep multiple tabs in sync.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const onStorage = (e: StorageEvent) => {
+      if (e.key === STORAGE_KEY) setThemeState((e.newValue || defaultTheme) as RawTheme);
+    };
+    window.addEventListener("storage", onStorage);
+    return () => window.removeEventListener("storage", onStorage);
+  }, [defaultTheme]);
+
+  const setTheme = useCallback((t: RawTheme) => {
+    setThemeState(t);
+    try {
+      localStorage.setItem(STORAGE_KEY, t);
+    } catch {
+      /* ignore -- preference just won't persist */
+    }
+  }, []);
+
+  const value = useMemo<ThemeContextValue>(
+    () => ({ theme, resolvedTheme: resolve(theme), setTheme, themes: THEMES }),
+    [theme, setTheme],
+  );
+
+  return <ThemeContext.Provider value={value}>{children}</ThemeContext.Provider>;
+}
+
+export function useTheme(): ThemeContextValue {
+  return useContext(ThemeContext);
 }
diff --git a/components/theme/theme-toggle.tsx b/components/theme/theme-toggle.tsx
index 48c4f0b..81fe138 100644
--- a/components/theme/theme-toggle.tsx
+++ b/components/theme/theme-toggle.tsx
@@ -1,26 +1,43 @@
 "use client";
 
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes";
-import { Moon, Sun, Monitor } from "lucide-react";
+import { useTheme } from "@/components/theme/theme-provider";
+import { Moon, Sun, Monitor, Sunset, Waves, Check } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import {
   DropdownMenu,
   DropdownMenuContent,
-  DropdownMenuItem,
+  DropdownMenuLabel,
+  DropdownMenuSeparator,
   DropdownMenuTrigger,
 } from "@/components/ui/dropdown-menu";
 
+// The four looks, shown as two "modes" with a shared System row. Each entry
+// is one next-themes value (see app/layout.tsx for the class mapping); the
+// little dot is the theme's own accent so the picker previews the vibe.
 const OPTIONS = [
-  { value: "light", label: "Light", icon: Sun },
-  { value: "dark", label: "Dark", icon: Moon },
-  { value: "system", label: "System", icon: Monitor },
+  { value: "default", label: "Default", icon: Sun, swatch: "#4f56e0" },
+  { value: "sunset", label: "Sunset", icon: Sunset, swatch: "#c2410c" },
+  { value: "dark", label: "Dark", icon: Moon, swatch: "#7c83f2" },
+  { value: "ocean", label: "Ocean", icon: Waves, swatch: "#5eead4" },
 ] as const;
 
+const CURRENT_ICONS = {
+  default: Sun,
+  sunset: Sunset,
+  dark: Moon,
+  ocean: Waves,
+  system: Monitor,
+} as const;
+
 export function ThemeToggle({ collapsed }: { collapsed?: boolean }) {
   const { theme, setTheme } = useTheme();
-  const current = OPTIONS.find((o) => o.value === theme) ?? OPTIONS[2];
-  const Icon = current.icon;
+  // The picker always shows the four real themes; "system" is handled by a
+  // dedicated row since it resolves to one of them per device preference.
+  const known = OPTIONS.find((o) => o.value === theme);
+  const isSystem = theme === "system" || theme === undefined;
+  const Icon = (isSystem ? CURRENT_ICONS.system : known?.icon) ?? CURRENT_ICONS.system;
+  const label = isSystem ? "System" : known?.label ?? "Default";
 
   return (
     <DropdownMenu>
@@ -36,13 +53,42 @@ export function ThemeToggle({ collapsed }: { collapsed?: boolean }) {
           </Button>
         }
       />
-      <DropdownMenuContent align="start" side="right">
+      <DropdownMenuContent align="start" side="right" className="w-52">
+        <DropdownMenuLabel>Appearance</DropdownMenuLabel>
         {OPTIONS.map((option) => (
-          <DropdownMenuItem key={option.value} onClick={() => setTheme(option.value)}>
-            <option.icon className="size-4" />
-            {option.label}
-          </DropdownMenuItem>
+          <button
+            key={option.value}
+            type="button"
+            onClick={() => setTheme(option.value)}
+            className="group relative flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center gap-2.5 rounded-md px-2 py-1.5 text-sm outline-none select-none focus:bg-accent focus:text-accent-foreground data-[disabled=true]:pointer-events-none data-[disabled=true]:opacity-50"
+          >
+            <option.icon className="size-4 text-muted-foreground group-focus:text-current" />
+            <span>{option.label}</span>
+            <span
+              className="ml-auto size-3 rounded-full ring-1 ring-foreground/15"
+              style={{ backgroundColor: option.swatch }}
+              aria-hidden
+            />
+            {theme === option.value && <Check className="absolute right-2 -mr-4 size-4" />}
+          </button>
         ))}
+        <DropdownMenuSeparator />
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          onClick={() => setTheme("system")}
+          className="relative flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center gap-2.5 rounded-md px-2 py-1.5 text-sm outline-none select-none focus:bg-accent focus:text-accent-foreground data-[disabled=true]:pointer-events-none data-[disabled=true]:opacity-50"
+        >
+          <Monitor className="size-4 text-muted-foreground" />
+          <span>Match system</span>
+          <span
+            className="ml-auto size-3 rounded-full ring-1 ring-foreground/15"
+            style={{
+              background: "linear-gradient(90deg, #4f56e0 50%, #7c83f2 50%)",
+            }}
+            aria-hidden
+          />
+          {isSystem && <Check className="absolute right-2 -mr-4 size-4" />}
+        </button>
       </DropdownMenuContent>
     </DropdownMenu>
   );
diff --git a/components/ui/dropdown-menu.tsx b/components/ui/dropdown-menu.tsx
index 9d5ebbd..ea5db05 100644
--- a/components/ui/dropdown-menu.tsx
+++ b/components/ui/dropdown-menu.tsx
@@ -60,16 +60,21 @@ function DropdownMenuLabel({
 }: MenuPrimitive.GroupLabel.Props & {
   inset?: boolean
 }) {
+  // GroupLabel requires a Menu.Group context (Base UI throws
+  // "MenuGroupContext is missing" without it), so wrap itself in one --
+  // callers don't need to remember to add a Group around the label.
   return (
-    <MenuPrimitive.GroupLabel
-      data-slot="dropdown-menu-label"
-      data-inset={inset}
-      className={cn(
-        "px-1.5 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground data-inset:pl-7",
-        className
-      )}
-      {...props}
-    />
+    <MenuPrimitive.Group>
+      <MenuPrimitive.GroupLabel
+        data-slot="dropdown-menu-label"
+        data-inset={inset}
+        className={cn(
+          "px-1.5 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground data-inset:pl-7",
+          className
+        )}
+        {...props}
+      />
+    </MenuPrimitive.Group>
   )
 }
 
diff --git a/components/ui/sonner.tsx b/components/ui/sonner.tsx
index 9280ee5..0c8418c 100644
--- a/components/ui/sonner.tsx
+++ b/components/ui/sonner.tsx
@@ -1,15 +1,19 @@
 "use client"
 
-import { useTheme } from "next-themes"
+import { useTheme } from "@/components/theme/theme-provider"
 import { Toaster as Sonner, type ToasterProps } from "sonner"
 import { CircleCheckIcon, InfoIcon, TriangleAlertIcon, OctagonXIcon, Loader2Icon } from "lucide-react"
 
 const Toaster = ({ ...props }: ToasterProps) => {
-  const { theme = "system" } = useTheme()
+  const { resolvedTheme } = useTheme()
+  // Sonner only knows light/dark -- map the app's looks (default/sunset are
+  // light; dark/ocean are dark) onto what it understands.
+  const theme: ToasterProps["theme"] =
+    resolvedTheme === "dark" || resolvedTheme === "ocean" ? "dark" : "light"
 
   return (
     <Sonner
-      theme={theme as ToasterProps["theme"]}
+      theme={theme}
       className="toaster group"
       icons={{
         success: (
diff --git a/lib/colors.ts b/lib/colors.ts
index 330c2b6..eb7cf19 100644
--- a/lib/colors.ts
+++ b/lib/colors.ts
@@ -4,8 +4,19 @@
 // palette *key* on the Group record (not a raw hex) so this list can be
 // retinted centrally without a data migration.
 //
-// Each color has a slightly deeper/less-saturated `dark` variant so a thick
-// border doesn't glare against a dark background.
+// Each color ships four variants:
+//  - `light`     -- the stroke for light surfaces (default / Sunset themes)
+//  - `dark`      -- a slightly brighter stroke for dark surfaces (Dark / Ocean),
+//                   so the border reads against a deep background without glaring
+//  - `soft`      -- a calm, low-chroma tint of the same hue used as the card's
+//                   fill on light themes. Derived per-color (not a generic gray)
+//                   so every card carries a whisper of its own identity behind
+//                   the stroke.
+//  - `softDark`  -- the card fill on dark themes. It's the same hue as `soft`
+//                   but at a lightness that reads as a *subtle tint over a dark
+//                   surface* (blended with --card via color-mix), instead of the
+//                   near-white pastel that `soft` is -- which would otherwise
+//                   make every card a washed-out pale rectangle at night.
 
 export type GroupColorKey =
   | "coral"
@@ -22,17 +33,19 @@ export interface GroupColor {
   label: string;
   light: string;
   dark: string;
+  soft: string;
+  softDark: string;
 }
 
 export const GROUP_COLORS: GroupColor[] = [
-  { key: "coral", label: "Coral", light: "#f4574a", dark: "#ff7a6e" },
-  { key: "amber", label: "Amber", light: "#e8940f", dark: "#f5ad3d" },
-  { key: "lime", label: "Lime", light: "#4c9a2a", dark: "#78c94e" },
-  { key: "teal", label: "Teal", light: "#0f9488", dark: "#2dd4bf" },
-  { key: "sky", label: "Sky", light: "#2f7fe0", dark: "#5b9dee" },
-  { key: "indigo", label: "Indigo", light: "#5b5bd6", dark: "#8c8cf0" },
-  { key: "violet", label: "Violet", light: "#9440d1", dark: "#c084fc" },
-  { key: "pink", label: "Pink", light: "#d63f8f", dark: "#f472b6" },
+  { key: "coral",  label: "Coral",  light: "#e8574a", dark: "#ff8177", soft: "#fae4e1", softDark: "#3a2320" },
+  { key: "amber",  label: "Amber",  light: "#dd8f0e", dark: "#f2ab3e", soft: "#f8edd6", softDark: "#3a301c" },
+  { key: "lime",   label: "Lime",   light: "#4c9a2a", dark: "#7cc954", soft: "#e5f0dc", softDark: "#25331d" },
+  { key: "teal",   label: "Teal",   light: "#0f9488", dark: "#2dd4bf", soft: "#daf1ed", softDark: "#16332f" },
+  { key: "sky",    label: "Sky",    light: "#2f7fe0", dark: "#5b9dee", soft: "#e0eafa", softDark: "#1a2b40" },
+  { key: "indigo", label: "Indigo", light: "#5b5bd6", dark: "#8c8cf0", soft: "#e4e4f7", softDark: "#23233c" },
+  { key: "violet", label: "Violet", light: "#9440d1", dark: "#c084fc", soft: "#eddff9", softDark: "#2e2136" },
+  { key: "pink",   label: "Pink",   light: "#d63f8f", dark: "#f472b6", soft: "#fadfee", softDark: "#37202e" },
 ];
 
 const GROUP_COLOR_MAP: Record<string, GroupColor> = Object.fromEntries(
@@ -116,7 +129,7 @@ function hslToHex(h: number, s: number, l: number): string {
 
 const complementaryCache = new Map<string, string>();
 
-/** The opposing accent color for a given base hex, tuned per light/dark theme. */
+/** The opposing accent color for a given base hex, tuned per light/dark surface. */
 export function getComplementaryColor(hex: string, variant: "light" | "dark"): string {
   const cacheKey = `${hex}:${variant}`;
   const cached = complementaryCache.get(cacheKey);
@@ -137,7 +150,7 @@ const brighterCache = new Map<string, string>();
 /**
  * A brighter tint of a Group's own color, same hue, for un-checked to-do
  * text. Deliberately distinct from the plain foreground color (which would
- * otherwise render pure white in dark mode) so the group title -- which
+ * otherwise render near-white on dark themes) so the group title -- which
  * keeps the default foreground color -- stays the most prominent text on
  * the card instead of competing with its own to-dos.
  *