diff --git a/frontend/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx
index ef86c84..f383f15 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -3,6 +3,38 @@ import { useNavigate, useLocation } from 'react-router-dom'
 import { useSheetStore } from '../../stores/useSheetStore'
 import { useAuthStore } from '../../stores/useAuthStore'
 
+// Inline SVGs — no extra deps
+const IconFile = () => (
+  <svg width="13" height="13" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
+    <path d="M14 2H6a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v16a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h12a2 2 0 0 0 2-2V8z"/>
+    <polyline points="14 2 14 8 20 8"/>
+  </svg>
+)
+const IconGrid = () => (
+  <svg width="13" height="13" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
+    <rect x="3" y="3" width="7" height="7"/><rect x="14" y="3" width="7" height="7"/>
+    <rect x="3" y="14" width="7" height="7"/><rect x="14" y="14" width="7" height="7"/>
+  </svg>
+)
+const IconSettings = () => (
+  <svg width="13" height="13" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
+    <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="3"/>
+    <path d="M19.4 15a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 .33 1.82l.06.06a2 2 0 1 1-2.83 2.83l-.06-.06a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1.82-.33 1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1 1.51V21a2 2 0 1 1-4 0v-.09A1.65 1.65 0 0 0 9 19.4a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1.82.33l-.06.06a2 2 0 1 1-2.83-2.83l.06-.06A1.65 1.65 0 0 0 4.68 15a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1.51-1H3a2 2 0 1 1 0-4h.09A1.65 1.65 0 0 0 4.6 9a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-.33-1.82l-.06-.06a2 2 0 1 1 2.83-2.83l.06.06A1.65 1.65 0 0 0 9 4.68a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1-1.51V3a2 2 0 1 1 4 0v.09a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1 1.51 1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1.82-.33l.06-.06a2 2 0 1 1 2.83 2.83l-.06.06A1.65 1.65 0 0 0 19.4 9a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1.51 1H21a2 2 0 1 1 0 4h-.09a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1.51 1z"/>
+  </svg>
+)
+const IconUpload = () => (
+  <svg width="13" height="13" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
+    <path d="M21 15v4a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2v-4"/>
+    <polyline points="17 8 12 3 7 8"/>
+    <line x1="12" y1="3" x2="12" y2="15"/>
+  </svg>
+)
+const IconPlus = () => (
+  <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2.5" strokeLinecap="round">
+    <line x1="12" y1="5" x2="12" y2="19"/><line x1="5" y1="12" x2="19" y2="12"/>
+  </svg>
+)
+
 export default function Sidebar() {
   const navigate = useNavigate()
   const location = useLocation()
@@ -12,6 +44,8 @@ export default function Sidebar() {
   const [renameValue, setRenameValue] = useState('')
   const [contextMenu, setContextMenu] = useState<{ id: string; x: number; y: number } | null>(null)
 
+  const isActive = (path: string) => location.pathname === path || location.pathname.startsWith(path + '/')
+
   const handleNewSheet = async () => {
     const name = `Sheet ${new Date().toLocaleDateString()}`
     const id = await createSheet(name)
@@ -41,108 +75,160 @@ export default function Sidebar() {
 
   return (
     <div
-      className="flex flex-col w-64 flex-shrink-0 border-r overflow-hidden"
+      className="flex flex-col w-60 flex-shrink-0 border-r overflow-hidden"
       style={{ background: 'var(--bg-sidebar)', borderColor: 'var(--border)' }}
       onClick={() => setContextMenu(null)}
     >
-      {/* Logo */}
-      <div className="p-4 border-b" style={{ borderColor: 'var(--border)' }}>
+      {/* ── Logo ── */}
+      <div className="px-4 py-4 border-b" style={{ borderColor: 'var(--border)' }}>
         <button
           onClick={() => navigate('/')}
-          className="flex items-center gap-2 hover:opacity-80 transition-opacity w-full text-left"
+          className="flex items-center gap-2.5 w-full text-left group"
+          style={{ background: 'transparent', border: 'none', padding: 0 }}
+          aria-label="Go to Dashboard"
         >
-          <div className="w-7 h-7 rounded flex items-center justify-center font-bold text-xs"
-            style={{ background: 'var(--accent)', color: '#000' }}>AC</div>
-          <span className="font-semibold text-sm" style={{ color: 'var(--text-primary)' }}>AC Tool</span>
+          <div
+            className="w-7 h-7 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center font-black text-xs tracking-tight flex-shrink-0 group-hover:opacity-90 transition-opacity"
+            style={{ background: 'var(--accent)', color: '#000' }}
+          >
+            AC
+          </div>
+          <div>
+            <div className="font-bold text-sm leading-tight" style={{ color: 'var(--text-primary)' }}>AC Tool</div>
+            <div className="text-xs leading-none" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>Oliver Agency</div>
+          </div>
         </button>
       </div>
 
-      {/* Upload Brief */}
-      <div className="p-3 border-b" style={{ borderColor: 'var(--border)' }}>
+      {/* ── Nav items ── */}
+      <div className="px-2 pt-3 pb-1 space-y-0.5">
+        <button
+          onClick={() => navigate('/')}
+          className="w-full flex items-center gap-2.5 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm text-left transition-colors"
+          style={{
+            background: isActive('/') && !location.pathname.startsWith('/sheet') && !location.pathname.startsWith('/brief') && !location.pathname.startsWith('/admin') ? 'var(--accent-dim)' : 'transparent',
+            color: isActive('/') && !location.pathname.startsWith('/sheet') && !location.pathname.startsWith('/brief') && !location.pathname.startsWith('/admin') ? 'var(--accent)' : 'var(--text-secondary)',
+          }}
+        >
+          <IconGrid />
+          Dashboard
+        </button>
+
         <button
           onClick={() => navigate('/brief/upload')}
-          className="w-full py-2 px-3 rounded text-sm font-medium transition-colors"
-          style={{ background: 'var(--accent)', color: '#000' }}
+          className="w-full flex items-center gap-2.5 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm text-left transition-colors"
+          style={{
+            background: location.pathname.startsWith('/brief') ? 'var(--accent-dim)' : 'transparent',
+            color: location.pathname.startsWith('/brief') ? 'var(--accent)' : 'var(--text-secondary)',
+          }}
         >
-          + Upload Brief
+          <IconUpload />
+          Upload Brief
         </button>
       </div>
 
-      {/* Sheets list */}
-      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-2">
-        <div className="flex items-center justify-between px-2 py-1 mb-1">
-          <span className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
+      {/* ── Divider ── */}
+      <div className="mx-4 my-2" style={{ height: 1, background: 'var(--border)' }} />
+
+      {/* ── Sheets list ── */}
+      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto px-2 pb-2">
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between px-3 py-1.5 mb-1">
+          <span className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-widest" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
             Sheets
           </span>
           <button
             onClick={handleNewSheet}
-            className="text-lg leading-none hover:opacity-70 transition-opacity"
-            style={{ color: 'var(--accent)' }}
+            className="w-6 h-6 rounded-md flex items-center justify-center transition-colors hover:opacity-80"
+            style={{ color: 'var(--accent)', background: 'var(--accent-dim)' }}
             title="New Sheet"
-          >+</button>
+          >
+            <IconPlus />
+          </button>
         </div>
 
-        {sheets.map(sheet => (
-          <div
-            key={sheet.id}
-            onContextMenu={e => handleContextMenu(e, sheet.id)}
-            className="group flex items-center gap-2 px-2 py-2 rounded cursor-pointer mb-1 transition-colors"
-            style={{
-              background: activeSheetId === sheet.id ? 'rgba(255,196,7,0.12)' : 'transparent',
-              borderLeft: activeSheetId === sheet.id ? '2px solid var(--accent)' : '2px solid transparent',
-            }}
-            onClick={() => handleSelect(sheet.id)}
-          >
-            {renamingId === sheet.id ? (
-              <input
-                autoFocus
-                value={renameValue}
-                onChange={e => setRenameValue(e.target.value)}
-                onBlur={() => commitRename(sheet.id)}
-                onKeyDown={e => { if (e.key === 'Enter') commitRename(sheet.id); if (e.key === 'Escape') setRenamingId(null) }}
-                className="flex-1 bg-transparent text-sm outline-none border-b"
-                style={{ color: 'var(--text-primary)', borderColor: 'var(--accent)' }}
-                onClick={e => e.stopPropagation()}
-              />
-            ) : (
-              <>
-                <span className="text-xs" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>📋</span>
-                <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
-                  <div className="text-sm truncate" style={{ color: activeSheetId === sheet.id ? 'var(--accent)' : 'var(--text-primary)' }}>
-                    {sheet.name}
+        {sheets.map(sheet => {
+          const active = activeSheetId === sheet.id
+          return (
+            <div
+              key={sheet.id}
+              onContextMenu={e => handleContextMenu(e, sheet.id)}
+              className="group flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg cursor-pointer mb-0.5 transition-colors"
+              style={{
+                background: active ? 'var(--accent-dim)' : 'transparent',
+                borderLeft: active ? '2px solid var(--accent)' : '2px solid transparent',
+              }}
+              onClick={() => handleSelect(sheet.id)}
+            >
+              {renamingId === sheet.id ? (
+                <input
+                  autoFocus
+                  value={renameValue}
+                  onChange={e => setRenameValue(e.target.value)}
+                  onBlur={() => commitRename(sheet.id)}
+                  onKeyDown={e => {
+                    if (e.key === 'Enter') commitRename(sheet.id)
+                    if (e.key === 'Escape') setRenamingId(null)
+                  }}
+                  className="flex-1 bg-transparent text-sm outline-none border-b"
+                  style={{ color: 'var(--text-primary)', borderColor: 'var(--accent)' }}
+                  onClick={e => e.stopPropagation()}
+                />
+              ) : (
+                <>
+                  <span style={{ color: active ? 'var(--accent)' : 'var(--text-muted)', flexShrink: 0 }}>
+                    <IconFile />
+                  </span>
+                  <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+                    <div className="text-xs font-medium truncate" style={{ color: active ? 'var(--accent)' : 'var(--text-primary)' }}>
+                      {sheet.name}
+                    </div>
+                    <div className="text-xs" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>{sheet.itemCount} items</div>
                   </div>
-                  <div className="text-xs" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>{sheet.itemCount} items</div>
-                </div>
-              </>
-            )}
-          </div>
-        ))}
+                </>
+              )}
+            </div>
+          )
+        })}
 
         {sheets.length === 0 && (
-          <div className="px-2 py-4 text-center text-xs" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
-            No sheets yet.<br />Click + to create one.
+          <div className="px-3 py-6 text-center" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
+            <div className="text-2xl mb-2 opacity-30">
+              <IconFile />
+            </div>
+            <div className="text-xs">No sheets yet</div>
+            <div className="text-xs mt-0.5 opacity-70">Click + to create one</div>
           </div>
         )}
       </div>
 
-      {/* Admin link */}
+      {/* ── Admin ── */}
       {user?.role === 'admin' && (
-        <div className="p-3 border-t" style={{ borderColor: 'var(--border)' }}>
+        <div className="px-2 py-2 border-t" style={{ borderColor: 'var(--border)' }}>
           <button
             onClick={() => navigate('/admin/users')}
-            className="w-full py-2 px-3 rounded text-xs transition-colors text-left"
-            style={{ color: 'var(--text-secondary)', background: location.pathname.startsWith('/admin') ? 'rgba(255,255,255,0.05)' : 'transparent' }}
+            className="w-full flex items-center gap-2.5 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm text-left transition-colors"
+            style={{
+              background: location.pathname.startsWith('/admin') ? 'var(--accent-dim)' : 'transparent',
+              color: location.pathname.startsWith('/admin') ? 'var(--accent)' : 'var(--text-muted)',
+            }}
           >
-            ⚙ Admin
+            <IconSettings />
+            Admin
           </button>
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {/* Context menu */}
+      {/* ── Context menu ── */}
       {contextMenu && (
         <div
-          className="fixed z-50 rounded shadow-lg py-1"
-          style={{ top: contextMenu.y, left: contextMenu.x, background: 'var(--bg-card)', border: '1px solid var(--border)', minWidth: 140 }}
+          className="fixed z-50 py-1 shadow-2xl"
+          style={{
+            top: contextMenu.y, left: contextMenu.x,
+            background: 'var(--bg-elevated)',
+            border: '1px solid var(--border-light)',
+            borderRadius: 'var(--radius-md)',
+            minWidth: 148,
+          }}
           onClick={e => e.stopPropagation()}
         >
           {[
@@ -153,8 +239,8 @@ export default function Sidebar() {
             <button
               key={item.label}
               onClick={item.action}
-              className="w-full text-left px-3 py-2 text-sm hover:opacity-70 transition-opacity"
-              style={{ color: item.danger ? 'var(--danger)' : 'var(--text-primary)' }}
+              className="w-full text-left px-3 py-2 text-xs font-medium hover:opacity-70 transition-opacity"
+              style={{ color: item.danger ? 'var(--danger)' : 'var(--text-primary)', background: 'transparent', border: 'none' }}
             >
               {item.label}
             </button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/layout/TopBar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/layout/TopBar.tsx
index 81029d8..a773c52 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/layout/TopBar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/layout/TopBar.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@ import { useNavigate, useLocation } from 'react-router-dom'
 import { useAuthStore } from '../../stores/useAuthStore'
 import api from '../../api/client'
 
+const IconChevronLeft = () => (
+  <svg width="13" height="13" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2.5" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
+    <polyline points="15 18 9 12 15 6"/>
+  </svg>
+)
+
 export default function TopBar() {
   const user = useAuthStore(s => s.user)
   const logout = useAuthStore(s => s.logout)
@@ -21,6 +27,7 @@ export default function TopBar() {
   }
 
   const isDashboard = location.pathname === '/'
+
   const breadcrumb = location.pathname.startsWith('/sheet/') ? 'Sheet Editor'
     : location.pathname.startsWith('/brief/review/') ? 'Review Brief'
     : location.pathname === '/brief/upload' ? 'Upload Brief'
@@ -29,45 +36,65 @@ export default function TopBar() {
 
   return (
     <header
-      className="flex items-center justify-between px-4 py-3 border-b flex-shrink-0"
-      style={{ background: 'var(--bg-sidebar)', borderColor: 'var(--border)' }}
+      className="flex items-center justify-between px-4 flex-shrink-0"
+      style={{
+        background: 'var(--bg-sidebar)',
+        borderBottom: '1px solid var(--border)',
+        height: 52,
+      }}
     >
+      {/* ── Left: breadcrumb + back ── */}
       <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
         {!isDashboard && (
           <button
             onClick={() => navigate('/')}
-            className="flex items-center gap-1 text-xs px-2 py-1 rounded transition-opacity hover:opacity-70"
-            style={{ color: 'var(--text-secondary)', border: '1px solid var(--border)' }}
+            className="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg text-xs font-medium transition-colors hover:opacity-80"
+            style={{
+              color: 'var(--text-muted)',
+              background: 'var(--bg-card)',
+              border: '1px solid var(--border)',
+            }}
           >
-            ← Dashboard
+            <IconChevronLeft />
+            Dashboard
           </button>
         )}
-        <span className="text-sm font-medium" style={{ color: 'var(--text-secondary)' }}>
+        {!isDashboard && (
+          <span style={{ color: 'var(--border-light)', fontSize: 16, lineHeight: 1, userSelect: 'none' }}>/</span>
+        )}
+        <span className="text-sm font-semibold" style={{ color: isDashboard ? 'var(--text-primary)' : 'var(--text-secondary)' }}>
           {breadcrumb}
         </span>
       </div>
 
-      <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
-        {user && (
-          <>
-            <span className="text-xs" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
-              {user.name || user.email}
-              {user.role === 'admin' && (
-                <span className="ml-1 px-1 py-0.5 rounded text-xs font-bold" style={{ background: 'rgba(255,196,7,0.2)', color: 'var(--accent)' }}>
-                  ADMIN
-                </span>
-              )}
-            </span>
-            <button
-              onClick={handleLogout}
-              className="text-xs px-2 py-1 rounded transition-colors"
-              style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', border: '1px solid var(--border)' }}
+      {/* ── Right: user + sign out ── */}
+      {user && (
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+            <div
+              className="w-6 h-6 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center text-xs font-bold flex-shrink-0"
+              style={{ background: 'var(--accent-dim)', color: 'var(--accent)', border: '1px solid var(--accent-border)' }}
             >
-              Sign out
-            </button>
-          </>
-        )}
-      </div>
+              {(user.name || user.email || 'U')[0].toUpperCase()}
+            </div>
+            <div className="hidden sm:block">
+              <div className="text-xs font-medium leading-none mb-0.5" style={{ color: 'var(--text-secondary)' }}>
+                {user.name || user.email}
+              </div>
+              {user.role === 'admin' && (
+                <div className="text-xs font-bold leading-none" style={{ color: 'var(--accent)' }}>ADMIN</div>
+              )}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+          <button
+            onClick={handleLogout}
+            className="text-xs px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg font-medium transition-colors hover:opacity-80"
+            style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', border: '1px solid var(--border)', background: 'transparent' }}
+          >
+            Sign out
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      )}
     </header>
   )
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/sheet/CommandBar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/sheet/CommandBar.tsx
index 42a7ecd..5167542 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/sheet/CommandBar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/sheet/CommandBar.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,20 @@
 import { useState, useRef } from 'react'
 import { useSpeechRecognition } from '../../hooks/useSpeechRecognition'
 
+const IconMic = ({ active }: { active: boolean }) => (
+  <svg width="13" height="13" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round"
+    style={{ color: active ? '#fff' : 'currentColor' }}>
+    <path d="M12 1a3 3 0 0 0-3 3v8a3 3 0 0 0 6 0V4a3 3 0 0 0-3-3z"/>
+    <path d="M19 10v2a7 7 0 0 1-14 0v-2"/>
+    <line x1="12" y1="19" x2="12" y2="23"/><line x1="8" y1="23" x2="16" y2="23"/>
+  </svg>
+)
+const IconSend = () => (
+  <svg width="12" height="12" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2.5" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
+    <line x1="22" y1="2" x2="11" y2="13"/><polygon points="22 2 15 22 11 13 2 9 22 2"/>
+  </svg>
+)
+
 interface Props {
   onCommand: (command: string, yolo: boolean) => void
   loading: boolean
@@ -39,11 +53,12 @@ export default function CommandBar({ onCommand, loading, yolo, onYoloChange }: P
           onKeyDown={e => { if (e.key === 'Enter' && !e.shiftKey) handleSend() }}
           placeholder="Type a command… e.g. 'Add 5 social banners for UK'"
           disabled={loading}
-          className="flex-1 px-3 py-2 rounded text-sm outline-none"
+          className="flex-1 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm"
           style={{
             background: 'var(--bg-card)',
             color: 'var(--text-primary)',
             border: '1px solid var(--border)',
+            outline: 'none',
           }}
         />
 
@@ -51,25 +66,29 @@ export default function CommandBar({ onCommand, loading, yolo, onYoloChange }: P
           <button
             onMouseDown={start}
             onMouseUp={stop}
-            className="px-3 py-2 rounded text-sm transition-colors"
+            className="w-9 h-9 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center transition-colors"
             style={{
               background: listening ? 'var(--danger)' : 'var(--bg-card)',
-              color: listening ? '#fff' : 'var(--text-secondary)',
+              color: listening ? '#fff' : 'var(--text-muted)',
               border: '1px solid var(--border)',
             }}
             title="Hold to speak"
           >
-            🎤
+            <IconMic active={listening} />
           </button>
         )}
 
         <button
           onClick={handleSend}
           disabled={loading || !input.trim()}
-          className="px-4 py-2 rounded text-sm font-medium transition-colors disabled:opacity-40"
+          className="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg text-sm font-bold transition-opacity hover:opacity-80 disabled:opacity-30"
           style={{ background: 'var(--accent)', color: '#000' }}
         >
-          {loading ? '…' : 'Send'}
+          {loading ? (
+            <span style={{ fontSize: 16, lineHeight: 1 }}>·</span>
+          ) : (
+            <><IconSend /><span>Send</span></>
+          )}
         </button>
 
         <label className="flex items-center gap-1 cursor-pointer select-none" title="YOLO mode — AI never asks questions">
@@ -90,13 +109,13 @@ export default function CommandBar({ onCommand, loading, yolo, onYoloChange }: P
         </label>
       </div>
 
-      <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
+      <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-1.5">
         {quickStarters.map(qs => (
           <button
             key={qs}
             onClick={() => { setInput(qs); inputRef.current?.focus() }}
-            className="px-2 py-1 rounded text-xs transition-colors hover:opacity-80"
-            style={{ background: 'var(--bg-card)', color: 'var(--text-secondary)', border: '1px solid var(--border)' }}
+            className="px-2.5 py-1 rounded-full text-xs font-medium transition-colors hover:opacity-80"
+            style={{ background: 'var(--bg-card)', color: 'var(--text-muted)', border: '1px solid var(--border)' }}
           >
             {qs}
           </button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/index.css b/frontend/src/index.css
index f4ea508..c4a33cc 100644
--- a/frontend/src/index.css
+++ b/frontend/src/index.css
@@ -1,24 +1,50 @@
 @import "tailwindcss";
 
-/* Oliver Agency dark theme */
+/* ─── Oliver Agency — OLED Dark Design System ─────────────────────────────── */
 :root {
-  --bg-color: #000000;
-  --bg-card: #121212;
-  --bg-sidebar: #0a0a0a;
-  --accent: #FFC407;
-  --accent-hover: #e6b000;
-  --text-primary: #ffffff;
-  --text-secondary: #b0b0b0;
-  --text-muted: #787878;
-  --border: #2a2a2a;
-  --border-light: #3a3a3a;
+  /* Backgrounds — layered depth */
+  --bg-color:    #000000;
+  --bg-sidebar:  #080808;
+  --bg-card:     #0f0f0f;
+  --bg-card-hover: #161616;
+  --bg-elevated: #1c1c1c;
+
+  /* Brand */
+  --accent:       #FFC407;
+  --accent-hover: #FFD04D;
+  --accent-dim:   rgba(255, 196, 7, 0.12);
+  --accent-border: rgba(255, 196, 7, 0.3);
+
+  /* Text — WCAG-compliant on #000 */
+  --text-primary:   #f0f0f0;   /* 18.5:1 */
+  --text-secondary: #b8b8b8;   /* 9.3:1  */
+  --text-muted:     #808080;   /* 5.7:1  */
+  --text-disabled:  #444444;
+
+  /* Borders — rgba for subtlety */
+  --border:       rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+  --border-light: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.13);
+  --border-hover: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.20);
+
+  /* Status */
   --success: #22c55e;
-  --danger: #ef4444;
+  --danger:  #ef4444;
   --warning: #f59e0b;
-  --info: #3b82f6;
+  --info:    #3b82f6;
+
+  /* Motion */
+  --ease:      cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
+  --ease-out:  cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1);
+  --duration:  150ms;
+
+  /* Shape */
+  --radius-sm: 6px;
+  --radius-md: 10px;
+  --radius-lg: 14px;
 }
 
-* { box-sizing: border-box; }
+/* ─── Reset ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; }
 
 body {
   margin: 0;
@@ -26,8 +52,9 @@ body {
   color: var(--text-primary);
   font-family: 'Montserrat', 'Inter', system-ui, sans-serif;
   font-size: 14px;
-  line-height: 1.5;
+  line-height: 1.6;
   -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
+  -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
 }
 
 #root {
@@ -36,63 +63,99 @@ body {
   flex-direction: column;
 }
 
-/* Scrollbar styling */
-::-webkit-scrollbar { width: 6px; height: 6px; }
-::-webkit-scrollbar-track { background: var(--bg-card); }
-::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background: var(--border-light); border-radius: 3px; }
-::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb:hover { background: #444; }
+/* ─── Interactive base ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+button {
+  cursor: pointer;
+  font-family: inherit;
+  transition: opacity var(--duration) var(--ease),
+              background var(--duration) var(--ease),
+              border-color var(--duration) var(--ease),
+              color var(--duration) var(--ease),
+              box-shadow var(--duration) var(--ease);
+}
+button:disabled { cursor: not-allowed; opacity: 0.38; }
 
-/* Handsontable v17 dark theme via CSS variables */
-/* Force dark color-scheme so light-dark() resolves to dark variant */
+a { color: var(--accent); text-decoration: none; }
+a:hover { opacity: 0.8; }
+
+/* ─── Focus ring (keyboard nav) ─────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+:focus-visible {
+  outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
+  outline-offset: 2px;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+}
+
+/* ─── Inputs ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+input, textarea, select {
+  font-family: inherit;
+  transition: border-color var(--duration) var(--ease),
+              box-shadow var(--duration) var(--ease);
+}
+input:focus, textarea:focus, select:focus {
+  outline: none;
+  border-color: var(--accent-border) !important;
+  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(255, 196, 7, 0.08);
+}
+input::placeholder { color: var(--text-disabled); }
+
+/* ─── Utility: card ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+.ac-card {
+  background: var(--bg-card);
+  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
+  transition: border-color var(--duration) var(--ease),
+              background var(--duration) var(--ease);
+}
+.ac-card:hover {
+  border-color: var(--border-light);
+  background: var(--bg-card-hover);
+}
+
+/* ─── Scrollbar ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+::-webkit-scrollbar { width: 5px; height: 5px; }
+::-webkit-scrollbar-track { background: transparent; }
+::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.1); border-radius: 99px; }
+::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb:hover { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.2); }
+
+/* ─── Handsontable dark theme ────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
 .ht-theme-main {
   color-scheme: dark;
-
-  /* Oliver accent colour instead of blue */
   --ht-colors-primary-100: #FFC407;
   --ht-colors-primary-200: #FFC407;
   --ht-colors-primary-300: #e6b000;
   --ht-colors-primary-400: #e6b000;
   --ht-colors-primary-500: #cc9d00;
   --ht-colors-primary-600: #b38900;
-
-  /* Dark palette */
-  --ht-colors-palette-950: #121212;
+  --ht-colors-palette-950: #0f0f0f;
   --ht-colors-palette-900: #1a1a1a;
-  --ht-colors-palette-800: #ffffff;
+  --ht-colors-palette-800: #f0f0f0;
   --ht-colors-palette-700: #222222;
   --ht-colors-palette-600: #333333;
-  --ht-colors-palette-500: #555555;
-  --ht-colors-palette-400: #888888;
-  --ht-colors-palette-300: #aaaaaa;
-  --ht-colors-palette-200: #cccccc;
+  --ht-colors-palette-500: #808080;
+  --ht-colors-palette-400: #b8b8b8;
+  --ht-colors-palette-300: #cccccc;
+  --ht-colors-palette-200: #dddddd;
   --ht-colors-palette-100: #222222;
   --ht-colors-palette-50:  #1a1a1a;
-  --ht-colors-white: #121212;
-
-  /* Font */
+  --ht-colors-white: #0f0f0f;
   font-family: 'Montserrat', 'Inter', system-ui, sans-serif;
   font-size: 13px;
 }
 
-/* Column headers: uppercase accent */
 .ht-theme-main .ht_clone_top th,
 .ht-theme-main .ht_clone_left th,
 .ht-theme-main th {
   font-size: 11px !important;
-  font-weight: 600 !important;
+  font-weight: 700 !important;
   text-transform: uppercase !important;
-  letter-spacing: 0.5px !important;
+  letter-spacing: 0.6px !important;
   color: var(--accent) !important;
 }
 
-/* Context menu dark */
 .htContextMenu .wtHolder {
-  background: #1a1a1a !important;
-  border: 1px solid var(--border) !important;
-}
-.htContextMenu td {
-  color: var(--text-primary) !important;
-}
-.htContextMenu td.current {
-  background: rgba(255,196,7,0.15) !important;
+  background: var(--bg-elevated) !important;
+  border: 1px solid var(--border-light) !important;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md) !important;
 }
+.htContextMenu td { color: var(--text-primary) !important; }
+.htContextMenu td.current { background: var(--accent-dim) !important; }
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx
index e4f5eb9..70b98ee 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx
@@ -4,6 +4,25 @@ import { useSheetStore } from '../stores/useSheetStore'
 import { useJobStore } from '../stores/useJobStore'
 import JobProgressCard from '../components/brief/JobProgressCard'
 
+const IconArrow = () => (
+  <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
+    <line x1="5" y1="12" x2="19" y2="12"/><polyline points="12 5 19 12 12 19"/>
+  </svg>
+)
+const IconDoc = () => (
+  <svg width="22" height="22" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="1.5" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
+    <path d="M14 2H6a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v16a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h12a2 2 0 0 0 2-2V8z"/>
+    <polyline points="14 2 14 8 20 8"/>
+    <line x1="16" y1="13" x2="8" y2="13"/><line x1="16" y1="17" x2="8" y2="17"/><line x1="10" y1="9" x2="8" y2="9"/>
+  </svg>
+)
+const IconGrid = () => (
+  <svg width="22" height="22" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="1.5" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
+    <rect x="3" y="3" width="7" height="7"/><rect x="14" y="3" width="7" height="7"/>
+    <rect x="3" y="14" width="7" height="7"/><rect x="14" y="14" width="7" height="7"/>
+  </svg>
+)
+
 export default function DashboardPage() {
   const navigate = useNavigate()
   const { sheets, createSheet, loadSheet, fetchSheets } = useSheetStore()
@@ -22,77 +41,125 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
   const recentJobs = jobs.slice(0, 3)
 
   return (
-    <div className="max-w-5xl mx-auto">
-      <div className="mb-6">
-        <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold mb-1" style={{ color: 'var(--text-primary)' }}>Dashboard</h1>
+    <div className="max-w-5xl mx-auto py-2">
+      {/* ── Header ── */}
+      <div className="mb-8">
+        <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight mb-1" style={{ color: 'var(--text-primary)' }}>
+          Dashboard
+        </h1>
         <p className="text-sm" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
           Manage your Activation Calendar sheets or extract deliverables from a brief.
         </p>
       </div>
 
-      {/* Quick actions */}
-      <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-4 mb-8">
+      {/* ── Quick actions ── */}
+      <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-3 mb-10">
+        {/* Upload Brief — primary CTA */}
         <button
           onClick={() => navigate('/brief/upload')}
-          className="rounded-xl p-6 text-left transition-colors hover:opacity-90"
-          style={{ background: 'var(--accent)', color: '#000' }}
+          className="rounded-xl p-6 text-left group relative overflow-hidden"
+          style={{
+            background: 'var(--accent)',
+            color: '#000',
+            border: 'none',
+            transition: 'opacity 150ms ease, transform 150ms ease',
+          }}
+          onMouseEnter={e => { (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.opacity = '0.92'; (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.transform = 'translateY(-1px)' }}
+          onMouseLeave={e => { (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.opacity = '1'; (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.transform = 'translateY(0)' }}
         >
-          <div className="text-2xl mb-2">📄</div>
-          <div className="font-bold mb-1">Upload Brief</div>
-          <div className="text-sm opacity-70">Extract deliverables from PDF, PPTX, DOCX, XLSX</div>
+          <div className="mb-3 opacity-70"><IconDoc /></div>
+          <div className="font-bold text-base mb-1">Upload Brief</div>
+          <div className="text-sm opacity-60">Extract deliverables from PDF, PPTX, DOCX, XLSX</div>
+          <div className="absolute bottom-5 right-5 opacity-40"><IconArrow /></div>
         </button>
 
+        {/* New Sheet — secondary */}
         <button
           onClick={handleNewSheet}
-          className="rounded-xl p-6 text-left transition-colors hover:opacity-90"
-          style={{ background: 'var(--bg-card)', border: '1px solid var(--border)', color: 'var(--text-primary)' }}
+          className="ac-card rounded-xl p-6 text-left group relative"
+          style={{
+            border: '1px solid var(--border)',
+            transition: 'border-color 150ms ease, background 150ms ease, transform 150ms ease',
+          }}
+          onMouseEnter={e => { (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.transform = 'translateY(-1px)'; (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.borderColor = 'var(--border-light)' }}
+          onMouseLeave={e => { (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.transform = 'translateY(0)'; (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.borderColor = 'var(--border)' }}
         >
-          <div className="text-2xl mb-2">📋</div>
-          <div className="font-bold mb-1">New Sheet</div>
+          <div className="mb-3" style={{ color: 'var(--accent)', opacity: 0.6 }}><IconGrid /></div>
+          <div className="font-bold text-base mb-1" style={{ color: 'var(--text-primary)' }}>New Sheet</div>
           <div className="text-sm" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>Start a blank Activation Calendar</div>
+          <div className="absolute bottom-5 right-5" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', opacity: 0.5 }}><IconArrow /></div>
         </button>
       </div>
 
-      <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-6">
-        {/* Recent sheets */}
+      {/* ── Content grid ── */}
+      <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-8">
+        {/* Recent Sheets */}
         <div>
-          <h2 className="text-sm font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider mb-3" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
-            Recent Sheets
-          </h2>
-          <div className="space-y-2">
+          <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-3">
+            <h2 className="text-xs font-bold uppercase tracking-widest" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
+              Recent Sheets
+            </h2>
+            {sheets.length > 5 && (
+              <button className="text-xs" style={{ color: 'var(--accent)' }} onClick={() => {}}>
+                See all
+              </button>
+            )}
+          </div>
+          <div className="space-y-1.5">
             {sheets.slice(0, 5).map(sheet => (
               <button
                 key={sheet.id}
                 onClick={() => { loadSheet(sheet.id); navigate(`/sheet/${sheet.id}`) }}
-                className="w-full rounded-lg p-3 text-left flex items-center justify-between transition-colors hover:opacity-80"
-                style={{ background: 'var(--bg-card)', border: '1px solid var(--border)' }}
+                className="w-full rounded-xl px-4 py-3 text-left flex items-center justify-between group"
+                style={{
+                  background: 'var(--bg-card)',
+                  border: '1px solid var(--border)',
+                  transition: 'border-color 150ms ease, background 150ms ease',
+                }}
+                onMouseEnter={e => { (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.borderColor = 'var(--border-light)'; (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.background = 'var(--bg-card-hover)' }}
+                onMouseLeave={e => { (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.borderColor = 'var(--border)'; (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.background = 'var(--bg-card)' }}
               >
                 <div>
-                  <div className="text-sm font-medium" style={{ color: 'var(--text-primary)' }}>{sheet.name}</div>
+                  <div className="text-sm font-medium mb-0.5" style={{ color: 'var(--text-primary)' }}>{sheet.name}</div>
                   <div className="text-xs" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
                     {sheet.itemCount} items · {new Date(sheet.modified).toLocaleDateString()}
                   </div>
                 </div>
-                <span style={{ color: 'var(--accent)' }}>→</span>
+                <span style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', opacity: 0.6, transition: 'opacity 150ms ease, color 150ms ease' }}
+                  onMouseEnter={e => { (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.color = 'var(--accent)'; (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.opacity = '1' }}
+                  onMouseLeave={e => { (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.color = 'var(--text-muted)'; (e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).style.opacity = '0.6' }}
+                >
+                  <IconArrow />
+                </span>
               </button>
             ))}
             {sheets.length === 0 && (
-              <div className="text-sm" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>No sheets yet.</div>
+              <div
+                className="rounded-xl px-4 py-8 text-center"
+                style={{ background: 'var(--bg-card)', border: '1px dashed var(--border)' }}
+              >
+                <div className="text-xs" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>No sheets yet. Click "New Sheet" to start.</div>
+              </div>
             )}
           </div>
         </div>
 
-        {/* Recent jobs */}
+        {/* Recent Brief Extractions */}
         <div>
-          <h2 className="text-sm font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider mb-3" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
-            Recent Brief Extractions
+          <h2 className="text-xs font-bold uppercase tracking-widest mb-3" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
+            Recent Extractions
           </h2>
-          <div className="space-y-2">
+          <div className="space-y-1.5">
             {recentJobs.map(job => (
               <JobProgressCard key={job.id} job={job} />
             ))}
             {recentJobs.length === 0 && (
-              <div className="text-sm" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>No extractions yet.</div>
+              <div
+                className="rounded-xl px-4 py-8 text-center"
+                style={{ background: 'var(--bg-card)', border: '1px dashed var(--border)' }}
+              >
+                <div className="text-xs" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>No extractions yet. Upload a brief to start.</div>
+              </div>
             )}
           </div>
         </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/SheetPage.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/SheetPage.tsx
index c449a1a..6dde19c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/SheetPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/SheetPage.tsx
@@ -167,27 +167,36 @@ export default function SheetPage() {
 
   return (
     <div className="flex flex-col h-full gap-3">
-      {/* Header */}
-      <div className="flex items-center justify-between flex-shrink-0">
+      {/* ── Header ── */}
+      <div
+        className="flex items-center justify-between flex-shrink-0 px-4 py-3 -mx-4 -mt-4"
+        style={{ background: 'var(--bg-card)', borderBottom: '1px solid var(--border)' }}
+      >
         <div>
-          <h1 className="text-lg font-bold" style={{ color: 'var(--text-primary)' }}>
+          <h1 className="text-base font-bold tracking-tight" style={{ color: 'var(--text-primary)' }}>
             {sheetMeta?.name || 'Sheet'}
           </h1>
-          <div className="text-xs" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
-            {deliverables.length} items{saving ? ' · Saving…' : ''}
+          <div className="text-xs mt-0.5 flex items-center gap-2" style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
+            <span>{deliverables.length} items</span>
+            {saving && (
+              <>
+                <span style={{ color: 'var(--border-light)' }}>·</span>
+                <span style={{ color: 'var(--accent)' }}>Saving…</span>
+              </>
+            )}
           </div>
         </div>
         <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
           <button
             onClick={handleClear}
-            className="px-3 py-1.5 rounded text-xs transition-colors"
-            style={{ color: 'var(--danger)', border: '1px solid var(--border)' }}
+            className="px-3 py-1.5 rounded-lg text-xs font-medium transition-colors hover:opacity-80"
+            style={{ color: 'var(--danger)', border: '1px solid var(--border)', background: 'transparent' }}
           >
             Clear
           </button>
           <button
             onClick={() => sheetId && exportSheet(sheetId)}
-            className="px-3 py-1.5 rounded text-xs font-medium"
+            className="px-3 py-1.5 rounded-lg text-xs font-bold transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
             style={{ background: 'var(--accent)', color: '#000' }}
           >
             Export CSV