Actually cool ui concepts

frontend/package.json

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
     "class-variance-authority": "^0.7.1",
     "clsx": "^2.1.1",
     "d3-force": "^3.0.0",
+    "framer-motion": "^12.34.0",
     "leaflet": "^1.9.4",
     "lucide-react": "^0.562.0",
     "meshcore-hashtag-cracker": "^1.7.0",

frontend/src/App.tsx

@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ import {
   loadLocalStorageFavorites,
   clearLocalStorageFavorites,
 } from './utils/favorites';
+import { Star, Trash2, Route, Hash } from 'lucide-react';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 import type {
   AppSettings,
@@ -878,27 +879,32 @@ export function App() {
   );
 
   const settingsSidebarContent = (
-    <div className="sidebar w-60 h-full min-h-0 bg-card border-r border-border flex flex-col">
-      <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-3 py-3 border-b border-border">
-        <h2 className="text-xs uppercase text-muted-foreground font-medium">Settings</h2>
+    <div className="sidebar w-64 h-full min-h-0 bg-card/50 backdrop-blur-sm border-r border-border/50 flex flex-col">
+      <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-3 border-b border-border/50">
+        <h2 className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">
+          Settings
+        </h2>
         <button
           type="button"
           onClick={handleCloseSettingsView}
-          className="h-6 w-6 rounded text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-accent"
+          className="h-7 w-7 flex items-center justify-center rounded-lg text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-secondary transition-all text-sm"
           title="Back to conversations"
           aria-label="Back to conversations"
         >
           ←
         </button>
       </div>
-      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto py-1">
+      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto py-2">
         {SETTINGS_SECTION_ORDER.map((section) => (
           <button
             key={section}
             type="button"
             className={cn(
-              'w-full px-3 py-2.5 text-left border-l-2 border-transparent hover:bg-accent',
-              settingsSection === section && 'bg-accent border-l-primary'
+              'w-full px-4 py-2.5 text-left text-sm transition-all mx-1.5 rounded-lg',
+              'w-[calc(100%-12px)]',
+              settingsSection === section
+                ? 'bg-primary/10 text-foreground border border-primary/20 font-medium'
+                : 'text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-secondary/50 border border-transparent'
             )}
             onClick={() => setSettingsSection(section)}
           >
@@ -912,7 +918,7 @@ export function App() {
   const activeSidebarContent = showSettings ? settingsSidebarContent : sidebarContent;
 
   return (
-    <div className="flex flex-col h-full">
+    <div className="flex flex-col h-full bg-background">
       <StatusBar
         health={health}
         config={config}
@@ -940,8 +946,9 @@ export function App() {
             {activeConversation ? (
               activeConversation.type === 'map' ? (
                 <>
-                  <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-3 border-b border-border font-medium text-lg">
-                    Node Map
+                  <div className="flex items-center gap-2 px-5 py-3 border-b border-border/50 bg-card/30">
+                    <Hash className="h-4 w-4 text-primary/60" />
+                    <span className="font-semibold text-base">Node Map</span>
                   </div>
                   <div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden">
                     <MapView contacts={contacts} focusedKey={activeConversation.mapFocusKey} />
@@ -956,8 +963,9 @@ export function App() {
                 />
               ) : activeConversation.type === 'raw' ? (
                 <>
-                  <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-3 border-b border-border font-medium text-lg">
-                    Raw Packet Feed
+                  <div className="flex items-center gap-2 px-5 py-3 border-b border-border/50 bg-card/30">
+                    <Hash className="h-4 w-4 text-primary/60" />
+                    <span className="font-semibold text-base">Raw Packet Feed</span>
                   </div>
                   <div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden">
                     <RawPacketList packets={rawPackets} />
@@ -965,9 +973,10 @@ export function App() {
                 </>
               ) : (
                 <>
-                  <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-3 border-b border-border font-medium text-lg gap-2">
+                  {/* Conversation header */}
+                  <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-5 py-3 border-b border-border/50 bg-card/30 gap-3">
                     <span className="flex flex-wrap items-baseline gap-x-2 min-w-0 flex-1">
-                      <span className="flex-shrink-0">
+                      <span className="flex-shrink-0 font-semibold text-base">
                         {activeConversation.type === 'channel' &&
                         !activeConversation.name.startsWith('#') &&
                         activeConversation.name !== 'Public'
@@ -976,7 +985,7 @@ export function App() {
                         {activeConversation.name}
                       </span>
                       <span
-                        className="font-normal text-sm text-muted-foreground font-mono truncate cursor-pointer hover:text-primary"
+                        className="font-normal text-xs text-muted-foreground/50 font-mono truncate cursor-pointer hover:text-primary transition-colors"
                         onClick={(e) => {
                           e.stopPropagation();
                           navigator.clipboard.writeText(activeConversation.id);
@@ -1011,9 +1020,7 @@ export function App() {
                               `${contact.last_path_len} hop${contact.last_path_len > 1 ? 's' : ''}`
                             );
                           }
-                          // Add coordinate link if contact has valid location
                           if (isValidLocation(contact.lat, contact.lon)) {
-                            // Calculate distance from us if we have valid location
                             const distFromUs =
                               config && isValidLocation(config.lat, config.lon)
                                 ? calculateDistance(
@@ -1026,7 +1033,7 @@ export function App() {
                             parts.push(
                               <span key="coords">
                                 <span
-                                  className="font-mono cursor-pointer hover:text-primary hover:underline"
+                                  className="font-mono cursor-pointer hover:text-primary hover:underline transition-colors"
                                   onClick={(e) => {
                                     e.stopPropagation();
                                     const url =
@@ -1044,7 +1051,7 @@ export function App() {
                             );
                           }
                           return parts.length > 0 ? (
-                            <span className="font-normal text-sm text-muted-foreground flex-shrink-0">
+                            <span className="font-normal text-xs text-muted-foreground/60 flex-shrink-0">
                               (
                               {parts.map((part, i) => (
                                 <span key={i}>
@@ -1057,22 +1064,20 @@ export function App() {
                           ) : null;
                         })()}
                     </span>
-                    <div className="flex items-center gap-1 flex-shrink-0">
-                      {/* Direct trace button (contacts only) */}
+                    <div className="flex items-center gap-0.5 flex-shrink-0">
                       {activeConversation.type === 'contact' && (
                         <button
-                          className="p-1.5 rounded hover:bg-accent text-xl leading-none"
+                          className="p-2 rounded-lg text-muted-foreground hover:text-accent hover:bg-accent/10 transition-all"
                           onClick={handleTrace}
                           title="Direct Trace"
                         >
-                          &#x1F6CE;
+                          <Route className="h-4 w-4" />
                         </button>
                       )}
-                      {/* Favorite button */}
                       {(activeConversation.type === 'channel' ||
                         activeConversation.type === 'contact') && (
                         <button
-                          className="p-1.5 rounded hover:bg-accent text-xl leading-none"
+                          className="p-2 rounded-lg hover:bg-secondary transition-all"
                           onClick={() =>
                             handleToggleFavorite(
                               activeConversation.type as 'channel' | 'contact',
@@ -1089,24 +1094,26 @@ export function App() {
                               : 'Add to favorites'
                           }
                         >
-                          {isFavorite(
-                            favorites,
-                            activeConversation.type as 'channel' | 'contact',
-                            activeConversation.id
-                          ) ? (
-                            <span className="text-yellow-500">&#9733;</span>
-                          ) : (
-                            <span className="text-muted-foreground">&#9734;</span>
-                          )}
+                          <Star
+                            className={cn(
+                              'h-4 w-4 transition-colors',
+                              isFavorite(
+                                favorites,
+                                activeConversation.type as 'channel' | 'contact',
+                                activeConversation.id
+                              )
+                                ? 'text-amber-400 fill-amber-400'
+                                : 'text-muted-foreground'
+                            )}
+                          />
                         </button>
                       )}
-                      {/* Delete button */}
                       {!(
                         activeConversation.type === 'channel' &&
                         activeConversation.name === 'Public'
                       ) && (
                         <button
-                          className="p-1.5 rounded hover:bg-destructive/20 text-destructive text-xl leading-none"
+                          className="p-2 rounded-lg text-muted-foreground/50 hover:text-destructive hover:bg-destructive/10 transition-all"
                           onClick={() => {
                             if (activeConversation.type === 'channel') {
                               handleDeleteChannel(activeConversation.id);
@@ -1116,7 +1123,7 @@ export function App() {
                           }}
                           title="Delete"
                         >
-                          &#128465;
+                          <Trash2 className="h-4 w-4" />
                         </button>
                       )}
                     </div>
@@ -1161,17 +1168,22 @@ export function App() {
                 </>
               )
             ) : (
-              <div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center text-muted-foreground">
-                Select a conversation or start a new one
+              <div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center">
+                <div className="text-center">
+                  <div className="text-4xl mb-3 opacity-10">📡</div>
+                  <p className="text-muted-foreground/40 text-sm">
+                    Select a conversation or start a new one
+                  </p>
+                </div>
               </div>
             )}
           </div>
 
           {showSettings && (
             <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col min-h-0">
-              <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-3 border-b border-border font-medium text-lg">
-                <span>Radio & Settings</span>
-                <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground hidden md:inline">
+              <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-5 py-3 border-b border-border/50 bg-card/30">
+                <span className="font-semibold text-base">Radio & Settings</span>
+                <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground/60 hidden md:inline">
                   {SETTINGS_SECTION_LABELS[settingsSection]}
                 </span>
               </div>
@@ -1199,10 +1211,10 @@ export function App() {
         </div>
       </div>
 
-      {/* Global Cracker Panel - always rendered to maintain state */}
+      {/* Global Cracker Panel */}
       <div
         className={cn(
-          'border-t border-border bg-background transition-all duration-200 overflow-hidden',
+          'border-t border-border/50 bg-card/30 transition-all duration-300 overflow-hidden',
           showCracker ? 'h-[275px]' : 'h-0'
         )}
       >

frontend/src/components/ContactAvatar.tsx

@@ -12,13 +12,13 @@ export function ContactAvatar({ name, publicKey, size = 28, contactType }: Conta
 
   return (
     <div
-      className="flex items-center justify-center rounded-full font-semibold flex-shrink-0 select-none"
+      className="flex items-center justify-center rounded-full font-semibold flex-shrink-0 select-none ring-1 ring-white/5"
       style={{
         backgroundColor: avatar.background,
         color: avatar.textColor,
         width: size,
         height: size,
-        fontSize: size * 0.45,
+        fontSize: size * 0.42,
       }}
     >
       {avatar.text}

frontend/src/components/MessageInput.tsx

@@ -8,23 +8,19 @@ import {
   type FormEvent,
   type KeyboardEvent,
 } from 'react';
-import { Input } from './ui/input';
-import { Button } from './ui/button';
+import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'framer-motion';
+import { Send, Lock } from 'lucide-react';
 import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 
 // MeshCore message size limits (empirically determined from LoRa packet constraints)
-// Direct delivery allows ~156 bytes; multi-hop requires buffer for path growth.
-// Channels include "sender: " prefix in the encrypted payload.
-// All limits are in bytes (UTF-8), not characters, since LoRa packets are byte-constrained.
-const DM_HARD_LIMIT = 156; // Max bytes for direct delivery
-const DM_WARNING_THRESHOLD = 140; // Conservative for multi-hop
-const CHANNEL_HARD_LIMIT = 156; // Base byte limit before sender overhead
-const CHANNEL_WARNING_THRESHOLD = 120; // Conservative for multi-hop
-const CHANNEL_DANGER_BUFFER = 8; // Red zone starts this many bytes before hard limit
+const DM_HARD_LIMIT = 156;
+const DM_WARNING_THRESHOLD = 140;
+const CHANNEL_HARD_LIMIT = 156;
+const CHANNEL_WARNING_THRESHOLD = 120;
+const CHANNEL_DANGER_BUFFER = 8;
 
 const textEncoder = new TextEncoder();
-/** Get UTF-8 byte length of a string (LoRa packets are byte-constrained, not character-constrained). */
 function byteLen(s: string): number {
   return textEncoder.encode(s).length;
 }
@@ -33,11 +29,8 @@ interface MessageInputProps {
   onSend: (text: string) => Promise<void>;
   disabled: boolean;
   placeholder?: string;
-  /** When true, input becomes password field for repeater telemetry */
   isRepeaterMode?: boolean;
-  /** Conversation type for character limit calculation */
   conversationType?: 'contact' | 'channel' | 'raw';
-  /** Sender name (radio name) for channel message limit calculation */
   senderName?: string;
 }
 
@@ -58,21 +51,18 @@ export const MessageInput = forwardRef<MessageInputHandle, MessageInputProps>(fu
   useImperativeHandle(ref, () => ({
     appendText: (appendedText: string) => {
       setText((prev) => prev + appendedText);
-      // Focus the input after appending
       inputRef.current?.focus();
     },
   }));
 
-  // Calculate character limits based on conversation type
   const limits = useMemo(() => {
     if (conversationType === 'contact') {
       return {
         warningAt: DM_WARNING_THRESHOLD,
-        dangerAt: DM_HARD_LIMIT, // Same as hard limit for DMs (no intermediate red zone)
+        dangerAt: DM_HARD_LIMIT,
         hardLimit: DM_HARD_LIMIT,
       };
     } else if (conversationType === 'channel') {
-      // Channel hard limit = 156 bytes - senderName bytes - 2 (for ": " separator)
       const nameByteLen = senderName ? byteLen(senderName) : 10;
       const hardLimit = Math.max(1, CHANNEL_HARD_LIMIT - nameByteLen - 2);
       return {
@@ -81,13 +71,11 @@ export const MessageInput = forwardRef<MessageInputHandle, MessageInputProps>(fu
         hardLimit,
       };
     }
-    return null; // Raw/other - no limits
+    return null;
   }, [conversationType, senderName]);
 
-  // UTF-8 byte length of the current text (LoRa packets are byte-constrained)
   const textByteLen = useMemo(() => byteLen(text), [text]);
 
-  // Determine current limit state
   const { limitState, warningMessage } = useMemo((): {
     limitState: LimitState;
     warningMessage: string | null;
@@ -95,13 +83,13 @@ export const MessageInput = forwardRef<MessageInputHandle, MessageInputProps>(fu
     if (!limits) return { limitState: 'normal', warningMessage: null };
 
     if (textByteLen >= limits.hardLimit) {
-      return { limitState: 'error', warningMessage: 'likely truncated by radio' };
+      return { limitState: 'error', warningMessage: 'likely truncated' };
     }
     if (textByteLen >= limits.dangerAt) {
-      return { limitState: 'danger', warningMessage: 'may impact multi-repeater hop delivery' };
+      return { limitState: 'danger', warningMessage: 'multi-hop risk' };
     }
     if (textByteLen >= limits.warningAt) {
-      return { limitState: 'warning', warningMessage: 'may impact multi-repeater hop delivery' };
+      return { limitState: 'warning', warningMessage: 'multi-hop risk' };
     }
     return { limitState: 'normal', warningMessage: null };
   }, [textByteLen, limits]);
@@ -113,7 +101,6 @@ export const MessageInput = forwardRef<MessageInputHandle, MessageInputProps>(fu
       e.preventDefault();
       const trimmed = text.trim();
 
-      // For repeater mode, empty password means guest login
       if (isRepeaterMode) {
         if (sending || disabled) return;
         setSending(true);
@@ -129,7 +116,6 @@ export const MessageInput = forwardRef<MessageInputHandle, MessageInputProps>(fu
         } finally {
           setSending(false);
         }
-        // Refocus after React re-enables the input (now in CLI command mode)
         setTimeout(() => inputRef.current?.focus(), 0);
       } else {
         if (!trimmed || sending || disabled) return;
@@ -146,7 +132,6 @@ export const MessageInput = forwardRef<MessageInputHandle, MessageInputProps>(fu
         } finally {
           setSending(false);
         }
-        // Refocus after React re-enables the input
         setTimeout(() => inputRef.current?.focus(), 0);
       }
     },
@@ -163,66 +148,111 @@ export const MessageInput = forwardRef<MessageInputHandle, MessageInputProps>(fu
     [handleSubmit]
   );
 
-  // For repeater mode, always allow submit (empty = guest login)
   const canSubmit = isRepeaterMode ? true : text.trim().length > 0;
-
-  // Show character counter for messages (not repeater mode or raw)
-  const showCharCounter = !isRepeaterMode && limits !== null;
+  const showCharCounter = !isRepeaterMode && limits !== null && textByteLen > 0;
 
   return (
-    <form className="px-4 py-3 border-t border-border flex flex-col gap-1" onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
-      <div className="flex gap-2">
-        <Input
-          ref={inputRef}
-          type={isRepeaterMode ? 'password' : 'text'}
-          autoComplete={isRepeaterMode ? 'off' : undefined}
-          value={text}
-          onChange={(e) => setText(e.target.value)}
-          onKeyDown={handleKeyDown}
-          placeholder={
-            placeholder ||
-            (isRepeaterMode ? 'Enter password for admin login...' : 'Type a message...')
-          }
-          disabled={disabled || sending}
-          className="flex-1 min-w-0"
-        />
-        <Button
-          type="submit"
-          disabled={disabled || sending || !canSubmit}
-          className="flex-shrink-0"
-        >
-          {sending
-            ? isRepeaterMode
-              ? 'Logging in...'
-              : 'Sending...'
-            : isRepeaterMode
-              ? text.trim()
-                ? 'Log in with password'
-                : 'Log in as guest/use repeater ACLs'
-              : 'Send'}
-        </Button>
-      </div>
-      {showCharCounter && (
-        <div className="flex items-center justify-end gap-2 text-xs">
-          <span
+    <div className="px-4 py-3 border-t border-border/50">
+      <form onSubmit={handleSubmit} className="flex flex-col gap-1.5">
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+          {/* Input container with glow */}
+          <div
             className={cn(
-              'tabular-nums',
-              limitState === 'error' || limitState === 'danger'
-                ? 'text-red-500 font-medium'
-                : limitState === 'warning'
-                  ? 'text-yellow-500'
-                  : 'text-muted-foreground'
+              'flex-1 relative rounded-xl border transition-all duration-200',
+              disabled
+                ? 'bg-muted/30 border-border/30'
+                : text.length > 0
+                  ? 'bg-secondary/40 border-primary/25 shadow-glow-amber-sm'
+                  : 'bg-secondary/30 border-border/50 focus-within:border-primary/30 focus-within:shadow-glow-amber-sm'
             )}
           >
-            {textByteLen}/{limits!.hardLimit}b{remaining < 0 && ` (${remaining})`}
-          </span>
-          {warningMessage && (
-            <span className={cn(limitState === 'error' ? 'text-red-500' : 'text-yellow-500')}>
-              — {warningMessage}
-            </span>
-          )}
+            {isRepeaterMode && (
+              <Lock className="absolute left-3 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground/40" />
+            )}
+            <input
+              ref={inputRef}
+              type={isRepeaterMode ? 'password' : 'text'}
+              autoComplete={isRepeaterMode ? 'off' : undefined}
+              value={text}
+              onChange={(e) => setText(e.target.value)}
+              onKeyDown={handleKeyDown}
+              placeholder={
+                placeholder ||
+                (isRepeaterMode ? 'Enter password for admin login...' : 'Type a message...')
+              }
+              disabled={disabled || sending}
+              className={cn(
+                'w-full h-10 bg-transparent rounded-xl text-sm placeholder:text-muted-foreground/40 focus:outline-none disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-40',
+                isRepeaterMode ? 'pl-9 pr-3' : 'px-4'
+              )}
+            />
+          </div>
+
+          {/* Send button */}
+          <motion.button
+            type="submit"
+            disabled={disabled || sending || !canSubmit}
+            whileTap={{ scale: 0.92 }}
+            className={cn(
+              'h-10 rounded-xl flex items-center justify-center gap-2 font-medium text-sm transition-all duration-200 disabled:opacity-30 disabled:cursor-not-allowed flex-shrink-0',
+              isRepeaterMode
+                ? 'px-4 bg-accent/15 text-accent border border-accent/25 hover:bg-accent/25'
+                : canSubmit && !disabled
+                  ? 'px-4 bg-primary text-primary-foreground shadow-glow-amber-sm hover:shadow-glow-amber active:shadow-none'
+                  : 'px-4 bg-secondary text-muted-foreground'
+            )}
+          >
+            {sending ? (
+              <div className="w-4 h-4 border-2 border-current/30 border-t-current rounded-full animate-spin" />
+            ) : isRepeaterMode ? (
+              <>
+                <Lock className="h-4 w-4" />
+                <span className="hidden sm:inline">{text.trim() ? 'Login' : 'Guest'}</span>
+              </>
+            ) : (
+              <>
+                <Send className="h-4 w-4" />
+                <span className="hidden sm:inline">Send</span>
+              </>
+            )}
+          </motion.button>
         </div>
-      )}
-    </form>
+
+        {/* Character counter */}
+        <AnimatePresence>
+          {showCharCounter && (
+            <motion.div
+              initial={{ opacity: 0, height: 0 }}
+              animate={{ opacity: 1, height: 'auto' }}
+              exit={{ opacity: 0, height: 0 }}
+              className="flex items-center justify-end gap-2 text-xs overflow-hidden"
+            >
+              <span
+                className={cn(
+                  'tabular-nums font-mono text-[11px]',
+                  limitState === 'error' || limitState === 'danger'
+                    ? 'text-red-400 font-medium'
+                    : limitState === 'warning'
+                      ? 'text-amber-400'
+                      : 'text-muted-foreground/50'
+                )}
+              >
+                {textByteLen}/{limits!.hardLimit}b{remaining < 0 && ` (${remaining})`}
+              </span>
+              {warningMessage && (
+                <span
+                  className={cn(
+                    'text-[11px]',
+                    limitState === 'error' ? 'text-red-400' : 'text-amber-400/70'
+                  )}
+                >
+                  {warningMessage}
+                </span>
+              )}
+            </motion.div>
+          )}
+        </AnimatePresence>
+      </form>
+    </div>
   );
 });

frontend/src/components/MessageList.tsx

@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import {
   useState,
   type ReactNode,
 } from 'react';
+import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'framer-motion';
+import { ChevronDown } from 'lucide-react';
 import type { Contact, Message, MessagePath, RadioConfig } from '../types';
 import { CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER } from '../types';
 import { formatTime, parseSenderFromText } from '../utils/messageParser';
@@ -49,7 +51,7 @@ function linkifyText(text: string, keyPrefix: string): ReactNode[] {
         href={match[0]}
         target="_blank"
         rel="noopener noreferrer"
-        className="text-primary underline hover:text-primary/80"
+        className="text-accent underline decoration-accent/40 hover:decoration-accent hover:text-accent/80 transition-colors"
       >
         {match[0]}
       </a>
@@ -73,7 +75,6 @@ function renderTextWithMentions(text: string, radioName?: string): ReactNode {
   let keyIndex = 0;
 
   while ((match = mentionPattern.exec(text)) !== null) {
-    // Add text before the match (with linkification)
     if (match.index > lastIndex) {
       parts.push(...linkifyText(text.slice(lastIndex, match.index), `pre-${keyIndex}`));
     }
@@ -85,18 +86,19 @@ function renderTextWithMentions(text: string, radioName?: string): ReactNode {
       <span
         key={`mention-${keyIndex++}`}
         className={cn(
-          'rounded px-0.5',
-          isOwnMention ? 'bg-primary/30 text-primary font-medium' : 'bg-muted-foreground/20'
+          'rounded-md px-1 py-0.5 text-[13px]',
+          isOwnMention
+            ? 'bg-primary/20 text-primary font-semibold ring-1 ring-primary/30'
+            : 'bg-accent/10 text-accent/80'
         )}
       >
-        @[{mentionedName}]
+        @{mentionedName}
       </span>
     );
 
     lastIndex = match.index + match[0].length;
   }
 
-  // Add remaining text after last match (with linkification)
   if (lastIndex < text.length) {
     parts.push(...linkifyText(text.slice(lastIndex), `post-${keyIndex}`));
   }
@@ -104,7 +106,7 @@ function renderTextWithMentions(text: string, radioName?: string): ReactNode {
   return parts.length > 0 ? parts : text;
 }
 
-// Clickable hop count badge that opens the path modal
+// Clickable hop count badge
 interface HopCountBadgeProps {
   paths: MessagePath[];
   onClick: () => void;
@@ -113,16 +115,16 @@ interface HopCountBadgeProps {
 
 function HopCountBadge({ paths, onClick, variant }: HopCountBadgeProps) {
   const hopInfo = formatHopCounts(paths);
-  const label = `(${hopInfo.display})`;
-
-  const className =
-    variant === 'header'
-      ? 'font-normal text-muted-foreground/70 ml-1 text-[11px] cursor-pointer hover:text-primary hover:underline'
-      : 'text-[10px] text-muted-foreground/50 ml-1 cursor-pointer hover:text-primary hover:underline';
+  const label = hopInfo.display;
 
   return (
     <span
-      className={className}
+      className={cn(
+        'cursor-pointer transition-colors',
+        variant === 'header'
+          ? 'ml-1.5 text-[10px] px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full bg-accent/10 text-accent/60 hover:text-accent hover:bg-accent/15'
+          : 'ml-1.5 text-[10px] px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full bg-muted text-muted-foreground/50 hover:text-accent hover:bg-accent/10'
+      )}
       onClick={(e) => {
         e.stopPropagation();
         onClick();
@@ -154,45 +156,35 @@ export function MessageList({
     senderInfo: SenderInfo;
   } | null>(null);
 
-  // Capture scroll state in the scroll handler BEFORE any state updates
   const scrollStateRef = useRef({
     scrollTop: 0,
     scrollHeight: 0,
     clientHeight: 0,
     wasNearTop: false,
-    wasNearBottom: true, // Default to true so initial messages scroll to bottom
+    wasNearBottom: true,
   });
 
-  // Track conversation key to detect when entire message set changes
   const prevConvKeyRef = useRef<string | null>(null);
 
-  // Handle scroll position AFTER render
   useLayoutEffect(() => {
     if (!listRef.current) return;
 
     const list = listRef.current;
     const messagesAdded = messages.length - prevMessagesLengthRef.current;
 
-    // Detect if messages are from a different conversation (handles the case where
-    // the key prop remount consumes isInitialLoadRef on stale data from the previous
-    // conversation before the cache restore effect sets the correct messages)
     const convKey = messages.length > 0 ? messages[0].conversation_key : null;
     const conversationChanged = convKey !== null && convKey !== prevConvKeyRef.current;
     if (convKey !== null) prevConvKeyRef.current = convKey;
 
     if ((isInitialLoadRef.current || conversationChanged) && messages.length > 0) {
-      // Initial load or conversation switch - scroll to bottom
       list.scrollTop = list.scrollHeight;
       isInitialLoadRef.current = false;
     } else if (messagesAdded > 0 && prevMessagesLengthRef.current > 0) {
-      // Messages were added - use scroll state captured before the update
       const scrollHeightDiff = list.scrollHeight - scrollStateRef.current.scrollHeight;
 
       if (scrollStateRef.current.wasNearTop && scrollHeightDiff > 0) {
-        // User was near top (loading older) - preserve position by adding the height diff
         list.scrollTop = scrollStateRef.current.scrollTop + scrollHeightDiff;
       } else if (scrollStateRef.current.wasNearBottom) {
-        // User was near bottom - scroll to bottom for new messages (including sent)
         list.scrollTop = list.scrollHeight;
       }
     }
@@ -200,7 +192,6 @@ export function MessageList({
     prevMessagesLengthRef.current = messages.length;
   }, [messages]);
 
-  // Reset initial load flag when conversation changes (messages becomes empty then filled)
   useEffect(() => {
     if (messages.length === 0) {
       isInitialLoadRef.current = true;
@@ -216,14 +207,12 @@ export function MessageList({
     }
   }, [messages.length]);
 
-  // Handle scroll - capture state and detect when user is near top/bottom
   const handleScroll = useCallback(() => {
     if (!listRef.current) return;
 
     const { scrollTop, scrollHeight, clientHeight } = listRef.current;
     const distanceFromBottom = scrollHeight - scrollTop - clientHeight;
 
-    // Always capture current scroll state (needed for scroll preservation)
     scrollStateRef.current = {
       scrollTop,
       scrollHeight,
@@ -232,44 +221,35 @@ export function MessageList({
       wasNearBottom: distanceFromBottom < 100,
     };
 
-    // Show scroll-to-bottom button when not near the bottom (more than 100px away)
     setShowScrollToBottom(distanceFromBottom > 100);
 
     if (!onLoadOlder || loadingOlder || !hasOlderMessages) return;
 
-    // Trigger load when within 100px of top
     if (scrollTop < 100) {
       onLoadOlder();
     }
   }, [onLoadOlder, loadingOlder, hasOlderMessages]);
 
-  // Scroll to bottom handler
   const scrollToBottom = useCallback(() => {
     if (listRef.current) {
       listRef.current.scrollTop = listRef.current.scrollHeight;
     }
   }, []);
 
-  // Sort messages by received_at ascending (oldest first)
-  // Note: Deduplication is handled by useConversationMessages.addMessageIfNew()
-  // and the database UNIQUE constraint on (type, conversation_key, text, sender_timestamp)
   const sortedMessages = useMemo(
     () => [...messages].sort((a, b) => a.received_at - b.received_at),
     [messages]
   );
 
-  // Look up contact by public key
   const getContact = (conversationKey: string | null): Contact | null => {
     if (!conversationKey) return null;
     return contacts.find((c) => c.public_key === conversationKey) || null;
   };
 
-  // Look up contact by name (for channel messages where we parse sender from text)
   const getContactByName = (name: string): Contact | null => {
     return contacts.find((c) => c.name === name) || null;
   };
 
-  // Build sender info for path modal
   const getSenderInfo = (
     msg: Message,
     contact: Contact | null,
@@ -283,7 +263,6 @@ export function MessageList({
         lon: contact.lon,
       };
     }
-    // For channel messages, try to find contact by parsed sender name
     if (parsedSender) {
       const senderContact = getContactByName(parsedSender);
       if (senderContact) {
@@ -295,7 +274,6 @@ export function MessageList({
         };
       }
     }
-    // Fallback: unknown sender
     return {
       name: parsedSender || 'Unknown',
       publicKeyOrPrefix: msg.conversation_key || '',
@@ -306,21 +284,26 @@ export function MessageList({
 
   if (loading) {
     return (
-      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-5 text-center text-muted-foreground">
-        Loading messages...
+      <div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center">
+        <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-3">
+          <div className="w-8 h-8 border-2 border-primary/30 border-t-primary rounded-full animate-spin" />
+          <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">Loading messages...</span>
+        </div>
       </div>
     );
   }
 
   if (messages.length === 0) {
     return (
-      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-5 text-center text-muted-foreground">
-        No messages yet
+      <div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center">
+        <div className="text-center">
+          <div className="text-3xl mb-2 opacity-20">💬</div>
+          <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground/60">No messages yet</span>
+        </div>
       </div>
     );
   }
 
-  // Helper to get a unique sender key for grouping messages
   const getSenderKey = (msg: Message, sender: string | null): string => {
     if (msg.outgoing) return '__outgoing__';
     if (msg.type === 'PRIV' && msg.conversation_key) return msg.conversation_key;
@@ -330,26 +313,24 @@ export function MessageList({
   return (
     <div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden relative">
       <div
-        className="h-full overflow-y-auto p-4 flex flex-col gap-0.5"
+        className="h-full overflow-y-auto px-4 py-3 flex flex-col gap-0.5"
         ref={listRef}
         onScroll={handleScroll}
       >
         {loadingOlder && (
-          <div className="text-center py-2 text-muted-foreground text-sm">
-            Loading older messages...
+          <div className="flex justify-center py-3">
+            <div className="w-5 h-5 border-2 border-primary/30 border-t-primary rounded-full animate-spin" />
           </div>
         )}
         {!loadingOlder && hasOlderMessages && (
-          <div className="text-center py-2 text-muted-foreground text-xs">
+          <div className="text-center py-2 text-muted-foreground/40 text-xs">
             Scroll up for older messages
           </div>
         )}
         {sortedMessages.map((msg, index) => {
-          // For DMs, look up contact; for channel messages, use parsed sender
           const contact = msg.type === 'PRIV' ? getContact(msg.conversation_key) : null;
           const isRepeater = contact?.type === CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER;
 
-          // Skip sender parsing for repeater messages (CLI responses often have colons)
           const { sender, content } = isRepeater
             ? { sender: null, content: msg.text }
             : parseSenderFromText(msg.text);
@@ -359,7 +340,6 @@ export function MessageList({
 
           const canClickSender = !msg.outgoing && onSenderClick && displaySender !== 'Unknown';
 
-          // Determine if we should show avatar (first message in a chunk from same sender)
           const currentSenderKey = getSenderKey(msg, sender);
           const prevMsg = sortedMessages[index - 1];
           const prevSenderKey = prevMsg
@@ -368,16 +348,13 @@ export function MessageList({
           const showAvatar = !msg.outgoing && currentSenderKey !== prevSenderKey;
           const isFirstMessage = index === 0;
 
-          // Get avatar info for incoming messages
           let avatarName: string | null = null;
           let avatarKey: string = '';
           if (!msg.outgoing) {
             if (msg.type === 'PRIV' && msg.conversation_key) {
-              // DM: use conversation_key (sender's public key)
               avatarName = contact?.name || null;
               avatarKey = msg.conversation_key;
             } else if (sender) {
-              // Channel message: try to find contact by name, or use sender name as pseudo-key
               const senderContact = getContactByName(sender);
               avatarName = sender;
               avatarKey = senderContact?.public_key || `name:${sender}`;
@@ -390,36 +367,40 @@ export function MessageList({
               className={cn(
                 'flex items-start max-w-[85%]',
                 msg.outgoing && 'flex-row-reverse self-end',
-                showAvatar && !isFirstMessage && 'mt-3'
+                showAvatar && !isFirstMessage && 'mt-4'
               )}
             >
               {!msg.outgoing && (
-                <div className="w-10 flex-shrink-0 flex items-start pt-0.5">
+                <div className="w-9 flex-shrink-0 flex items-start pt-0.5">
                   {showAvatar && avatarKey && (
-                    <ContactAvatar name={avatarName} publicKey={avatarKey} size={32} />
+                    <ContactAvatar name={avatarName} publicKey={avatarKey} size={30} />
                   )}
                 </div>
               )}
               <div
                 className={cn(
-                  'py-1.5 px-3 rounded-lg min-w-0',
-                  msg.outgoing ? 'bg-[#1e3a29]' : 'bg-muted'
+                  'py-2 px-3 rounded-2xl min-w-0 relative',
+                  msg.outgoing
+                    ? 'bg-gradient-to-br from-primary/20 to-primary/10 border border-primary/15'
+                    : 'bg-secondary/60 border border-border/30'
                 )}
               >
                 {showAvatar && (
-                  <div className="text-[13px] font-semibold text-muted-foreground mb-0.5">
-                    {canClickSender ? (
-                      <span
-                        className="cursor-pointer hover:text-primary hover:underline"
-                        onClick={() => onSenderClick(displaySender)}
-                        title={`Mention ${displaySender}`}
-                      >
-                        {displaySender}
-                      </span>
-                    ) : (
-                      displaySender
-                    )}
-                    <span className="font-normal text-muted-foreground/70 ml-2 text-[11px]">
+                  <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 mb-1">
+                    <span className="text-[13px] font-semibold">
+                      {canClickSender ? (
+                        <span
+                          className="cursor-pointer hover:text-primary transition-colors"
+                          onClick={() => onSenderClick(displaySender)}
+                          title={`Mention ${displaySender}`}
+                        >
+                          {displaySender}
+                        </span>
+                      ) : (
+                        <span className="text-muted-foreground">{displaySender}</span>
+                      )}
+                    </span>
+                    <span className="text-[10px] text-muted-foreground/40">
                       {formatTime(msg.sender_timestamp || msg.received_at)}
                     </span>
                     {!msg.outgoing && msg.paths && msg.paths.length > 0 && (
@@ -436,7 +417,7 @@ export function MessageList({
                     )}
                   </div>
                 )}
-                <div className="break-words whitespace-pre-wrap">
+                <div className="break-words whitespace-pre-wrap text-[14px] leading-relaxed">
                   {content.split('\n').map((line, i, arr) => (
                     <span key={i}>
                       {renderTextWithMentions(line, radioName)}
@@ -445,7 +426,7 @@ export function MessageList({
                   ))}
                   {!showAvatar && (
                     <>
-                      <span className="text-[10px] text-muted-foreground/50 ml-2">
+                      <span className="text-[10px] text-muted-foreground/30 ml-2">
                         {formatTime(msg.sender_timestamp || msg.received_at)}
                       </span>
                       {!msg.outgoing && msg.paths && msg.paths.length > 0 && (
@@ -466,7 +447,7 @@ export function MessageList({
                     (msg.acked > 0 ? (
                       msg.paths && msg.paths.length > 0 ? (
                         <span
-                          className="cursor-pointer hover:text-primary"
+                          className="ml-1.5 text-[11px] text-emerald-400/70 cursor-pointer hover:text-emerald-400 transition-colors"
                           onClick={(e) => {
                             e.stopPropagation();
                             setSelectedPath({
@@ -480,12 +461,22 @@ export function MessageList({
                             });
                           }}
                           title="View echo paths"
-                        >{` ✓${msg.acked > 1 ? msg.acked : ''}`}</span>
+                        >
+                          {` ✓${msg.acked > 1 ? msg.acked : ''}`}
+                        </span>
                       ) : (
-                        ` ✓${msg.acked > 1 ? msg.acked : ''}`
+                        <span className="ml-1.5 text-[11px] text-emerald-400/70">
+                          {` ✓${msg.acked > 1 ? msg.acked : ''}`}
+                        </span>
                       )
                     ) : (
-                      <span title="No repeats heard yet"> ?</span>
+                      <span
+                        className="ml-1.5 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground/30"
+                        title="No repeats heard yet"
+                      >
+                        {' '}
+                        ?
+                      </span>
                     ))}
                 </div>
               </div>
@@ -495,28 +486,20 @@ export function MessageList({
       </div>
 
       {/* Scroll to bottom button */}
-      {showScrollToBottom && (
-        <button
-          onClick={scrollToBottom}
-          className="absolute bottom-4 right-4 w-10 h-10 rounded-full bg-muted hover:bg-accent border border-border flex items-center justify-center shadow-lg transition-opacity"
-          title="Scroll to bottom"
-        >
-          <svg
-            xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
-            width="20"
-            height="20"
-            viewBox="0 0 24 24"
-            fill="none"
-            stroke="currentColor"
-            strokeWidth="2"
-            strokeLinecap="round"
-            strokeLinejoin="round"
-            className="text-muted-foreground"
+      <AnimatePresence>
+        {showScrollToBottom && (
+          <motion.button
+            initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 10, scale: 0.9 }}
+            animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0, scale: 1 }}
+            exit={{ opacity: 0, y: 10, scale: 0.9 }}
+            onClick={scrollToBottom}
+            className="absolute bottom-4 right-4 w-10 h-10 rounded-full bg-card border border-border/50 flex items-center justify-center shadow-lg hover:bg-secondary transition-all hover:border-primary/30"
+            title="Scroll to bottom"
           >
-            <polyline points="6 9 12 15 18 9" />
-          </svg>
-        </button>
-      )}
+            <ChevronDown className="h-5 w-5 text-muted-foreground" />
+          </motion.button>
+        )}
+      </AnimatePresence>
 
       {/* Path modal */}
       {selectedPath && (

frontend/src/components/Sidebar.tsx

@@ -1,4 +1,17 @@
 import { useState } from 'react';
+import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'framer-motion';
+import {
+  Radio,
+  Map,
+  Sparkles,
+  KeyRound,
+  CheckCheck,
+  Search,
+  X,
+  Star,
+  Hash,
+  User,
+} from 'lucide-react';
 import {
   CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER,
   type Contact,
@@ -10,8 +23,6 @@ import { getStateKey, type ConversationTimes } from '../utils/conversationState'
 import { getContactDisplayName } from '../utils/pubkey';
 import { ContactAvatar } from './ContactAvatar';
 import { isFavorite } from '../utils/favorites';
-import { Input } from './ui/input';
-import { Button } from './ui/button';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 
 type SortOrder = 'alpha' | 'recent';
@@ -24,16 +35,13 @@ interface SidebarProps {
   onNewMessage: () => void;
   lastMessageTimes: ConversationTimes;
   unreadCounts: Record<string, number>;
-  /** Tracks which conversations have unread messages that mention the user */
   mentions: Record<string, boolean>;
   showCracker: boolean;
   crackerRunning: boolean;
   onToggleCracker: () => void;
   onMarkAllRead: () => void;
   favorites: Favorite[];
-  /** Sort order from server settings */
   sortOrder?: SortOrder;
-  /** Callback when sort order changes */
   onSortOrderChange?: (order: SortOrder) => void;
 }
 
@@ -70,13 +78,11 @@ export function Sidebar({
   const isActive = (type: 'contact' | 'channel' | 'raw' | 'map' | 'visualizer', id: string) =>
     activeConversation?.type === type && activeConversation?.id === id;
 
-  // Get unread count for a conversation
   const getUnreadCount = (type: 'channel' | 'contact', id: string): number => {
     const key = getStateKey(type, id);
     return unreadCounts[key] || 0;
   };
 
-  // Check if a conversation has a mention
   const hasMention = (type: 'channel' | 'contact', id: string): boolean => {
     const key = getStateKey(type, id);
     return mentions[key] || false;
@@ -87,7 +93,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
     return lastMessageTimes[key] || 0;
   };
 
-  // Deduplicate channels by name, keeping the first (lowest index)
+  // Deduplicate channels by name
   const uniqueChannels = channels.reduce<Channel[]>((acc, channel) => {
     if (!acc.some((c) => c.name === channel.name)) {
       acc.push(channel);
@@ -95,12 +101,10 @@ export function Sidebar({
     return acc;
   }, []);
 
-  // Deduplicate contacts by public key, preferring ones with names
-  // Also filter out any contacts with empty public keys
+  // Deduplicate contacts by public key
   const uniqueContacts = contacts
     .filter((c) => c.public_key && c.public_key.length > 0)
     .sort((a, b) => {
-      // Sort contacts with names first
       if (a.name && !b.name) return -1;
       if (!a.name && b.name) return 1;
       return (a.name || '').localeCompare(b.name || '');
@@ -112,54 +116,40 @@ export function Sidebar({
       return acc;
     }, []);
 
-  // Sort channels based on sort order, with Public always first
+  // Sort channels
   const sortedChannels = [...uniqueChannels].sort((a, b) => {
-    // Public channel always sorts to the top
     if (a.name === 'Public') return -1;
     if (b.name === 'Public') return 1;
-
     if (sortOrder === 'recent') {
       const timeA = getLastMessageTime('channel', a.key);
       const timeB = getLastMessageTime('channel', b.key);
-      // If both have messages, sort by most recent first
       if (timeA && timeB) return timeB - timeA;
-      // Items with messages come before items without
       if (timeA && !timeB) return -1;
       if (!timeA && timeB) return 1;
-      // Fall back to alpha for items without messages
     }
     return a.name.localeCompare(b.name);
   });
 
-  // Sort contacts: non-repeaters first (by recent or alpha), then repeaters (always alpha)
+  // Sort contacts
   const sortedContacts = [...uniqueContacts].sort((a, b) => {
     const aIsRepeater = a.type === CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER;
     const bIsRepeater = b.type === CONTACT_TYPE_REPEATER;
-
-    // Repeaters always go to the bottom
     if (aIsRepeater && !bIsRepeater) return 1;
     if (!aIsRepeater && bIsRepeater) return -1;
-
-    // Both repeaters: always sort alphabetically
     if (aIsRepeater && bIsRepeater) {
       return (a.name || a.public_key).localeCompare(b.name || b.public_key);
     }
-
-    // Both non-repeaters: use selected sort order
     if (sortOrder === 'recent') {
       const timeA = getLastMessageTime('contact', a.public_key);
       const timeB = getLastMessageTime('contact', b.public_key);
-      // If both have messages, sort by most recent first
       if (timeA && timeB) return timeB - timeA;
-      // Items with messages come before items without
       if (timeA && !timeB) return -1;
       if (!timeA && timeB) return 1;
-      // Fall back to alpha for items without messages
     }
     return (a.name || a.public_key).localeCompare(b.name || b.public_key);
   });
 
-  // Filter by search query
+  // Filter by search
   const query = searchQuery.toLowerCase().trim();
   const filteredChannels = query
     ? sortedChannels.filter(
@@ -172,7 +162,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
       )
     : sortedContacts;
 
-  // Separate favorites from regular items
+  // Separate favorites
   const favoriteChannels = filteredChannels.filter((c) => isFavorite(favorites, 'channel', c.key));
   const favoriteContacts = filteredContacts.filter((c) =>
     isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', c.public_key)
@@ -184,7 +174,6 @@ export function Sidebar({
     (c) => !isFavorite(favorites, 'contact', c.public_key)
   );
 
-  // Combine and sort favorites by most recent message (always recent order)
   type FavoriteItem = { type: 'channel'; channel: Channel } | { type: 'contact'; contact: Contact };
 
   const favoriteItems: FavoriteItem[] = [
@@ -199,168 +188,216 @@ export function Sidebar({
       b.type === 'channel'
         ? getLastMessageTime('channel', b.channel.key)
         : getLastMessageTime('contact', b.contact.public_key);
-    // Sort by most recent first
     if (timeA && timeB) return timeB - timeA;
     if (timeA && !timeB) return -1;
     if (!timeA && timeB) return 1;
-    // Fall back to name comparison
     const nameA = a.type === 'channel' ? a.channel.name : a.contact.name || a.contact.public_key;
     const nameB = b.type === 'channel' ? b.channel.name : b.contact.name || b.contact.public_key;
     return nameA.localeCompare(nameB);
   });
 
+  // Unread badge component
+  const UnreadBadge = ({ count, isMentionBadge }: { count: number; isMentionBadge: boolean }) => (
+    <motion.span
+      initial={{ scale: 0 }}
+      animate={{ scale: 1 }}
+      className={cn(
+        'text-[10px] font-bold px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full min-w-[18px] text-center leading-none',
+        isMentionBadge
+          ? 'bg-destructive text-destructive-foreground shadow-[0_0_8px_hsl(0_72%_51%/0.4)]'
+          : 'bg-primary text-primary-foreground shadow-glow-amber-sm'
+      )}
+    >
+      {count}
+    </motion.span>
+  );
+
+  // Conversation item component
+  const ConversationItem = ({
+    active,
+    unreadCount,
+    isMentionItem,
+    onClick,
+    icon,
+    children,
+  }: {
+    active: boolean;
+    unreadCount?: number;
+    isMentionItem?: boolean;
+    onClick: () => void;
+    icon?: React.ReactNode;
+    children: React.ReactNode;
+  }) => (
+    <div
+      className={cn(
+        'group px-3 py-2 cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2.5 rounded-lg mx-1.5 my-0.5 transition-all duration-150',
+        active
+          ? 'bg-primary/10 border border-primary/20 shadow-glow-amber-sm'
+          : 'border border-transparent hover:bg-secondary/60',
+        (unreadCount ?? 0) > 0 && !active && 'bg-secondary/30'
+      )}
+      onClick={onClick}
+    >
+      {icon}
+      <span
+        className={cn(
+          'flex-1 truncate text-sm transition-colors',
+          active ? 'text-foreground font-medium' : 'text-foreground/70 group-hover:text-foreground',
+          (unreadCount ?? 0) > 0 && 'text-foreground font-semibold'
+        )}
+      >
+        {children}
+      </span>
+      {(unreadCount ?? 0) > 0 && (
+        <UnreadBadge count={unreadCount!} isMentionBadge={isMentionItem ?? false} />
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+
   return (
-    <div className="sidebar w-60 h-full min-h-0 bg-card border-r border-border flex flex-col">
+    <div className="sidebar w-64 h-full min-h-0 bg-card/50 backdrop-blur-sm border-r border-border/50 flex flex-col">
       {/* Header */}
-      <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-3 py-3 border-b border-border">
-        <h2 className="text-xs uppercase text-muted-foreground font-medium">Conversations</h2>
-        <Button
-          variant="ghost"
-          size="sm"
+      <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-3 border-b border-border/50">
+        <span className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">
+          Conversations
+        </span>
+        <button
           onClick={onNewMessage}
-          title="New Message"
-          className="h-6 w-6 p-0 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground"
+          title="New Conversation"
+          className="h-7 w-7 flex items-center justify-center rounded-lg bg-primary/10 text-primary hover:bg-primary/20 transition-all text-lg font-light"
         >
           +
-        </Button>
+        </button>
       </div>
 
       {/* Search */}
-      <div className="relative px-3 py-2 border-b border-border">
-        <Input
-          type="text"
-          placeholder="Search..."
-          value={searchQuery}
-          onChange={(e) => setSearchQuery(e.target.value)}
-          className="h-8 text-sm pr-8"
-        />
-        {searchQuery && (
-          <button
-            className="absolute right-4 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground text-lg leading-none"
-            onClick={() => setSearchQuery('')}
-            title="Clear search"
-          >
-            ×
-          </button>
-        )}
+      <div className="px-3 py-2 border-b border-border/50">
+        <div className="relative">
+          <Search className="absolute left-2.5 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 h-3.5 w-3.5 text-muted-foreground/50" />
+          <input
+            type="text"
+            placeholder="Search..."
+            value={searchQuery}
+            onChange={(e) => setSearchQuery(e.target.value)}
+            className="w-full h-8 pl-8 pr-8 text-sm bg-secondary/40 border border-border/50 rounded-lg placeholder:text-muted-foreground/40 focus:outline-none focus:border-primary/30 focus:bg-secondary/60 transition-all"
+          />
+          <AnimatePresence>
+            {searchQuery && (
+              <motion.button
+                initial={{ opacity: 0, scale: 0.5 }}
+                animate={{ opacity: 1, scale: 1 }}
+                exit={{ opacity: 0, scale: 0.5 }}
+                className="absolute right-2 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground"
+                onClick={() => setSearchQuery('')}
+                title="Clear search"
+              >
+                <X className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+              </motion.button>
+            )}
+          </AnimatePresence>
+        </div>
       </div>
 
-      {/* List */}
-      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto">
-        {/* Raw Packet Feed */}
-        {!query && (
-          <div
-            className={cn(
-              'px-3 py-2.5 cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2 border-l-2 border-transparent hover:bg-accent',
-              isActive('raw', 'raw') && 'bg-accent border-l-primary'
-            )}
-            onClick={() =>
-              handleSelectConversation({
-                type: 'raw',
-                id: 'raw',
-                name: 'Raw Packet Feed',
-              })
-            }
-          >
-            <span className="text-muted-foreground text-xs">📡</span>
-            <span className="flex-1 truncate">Packet Feed</span>
-          </div>
-        )}
+      {/* Quick nav - special views */}
+      {!query && (
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-1 px-3 py-2 border-b border-border/50">
+          {[
+            {
+              type: 'raw' as const,
+              id: 'raw',
+              name: 'Raw Packet Feed',
+              icon: Radio,
+              title: 'Packet Feed',
+            },
+            { type: 'map' as const, id: 'map', name: 'Node Map', icon: Map, title: 'Node Map' },
+            {
+              type: 'visualizer' as const,
+              id: 'visualizer',
+              name: 'Mesh Visualizer',
+              icon: Sparkles,
+              title: 'Visualizer',
+            },
+          ].map((view) => (
+            <button
+              key={view.id}
+              className={cn(
+                'flex-1 flex items-center justify-center gap-1.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg text-xs transition-all',
+                isActive(view.type, view.id)
+                  ? 'bg-primary/15 text-primary border border-primary/20'
+                  : 'text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-secondary/50'
+              )}
+              onClick={() =>
+                handleSelectConversation({
+                  type: view.type,
+                  id: view.id,
+                  name: view.name,
+                })
+              }
+              title={view.title}
+            >
+              <view.icon className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+              <span className="hidden xl:inline">{view.title.split(' ')[0]}</span>
+            </button>
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      )}
 
-        {/* Node Map */}
-        {!query && (
-          <div
+      {/* Cracker + Mark all read */}
+      {!query && (
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-1 px-3 py-1.5 border-b border-border/50">
+          <button
             className={cn(
-              'px-3 py-2.5 cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2 border-l-2 border-transparent hover:bg-accent',
-              isActive('map', 'map') && 'bg-accent border-l-primary'
-            )}
-            onClick={() =>
-              handleSelectConversation({
-                type: 'map',
-                id: 'map',
-                name: 'Node Map',
-              })
-            }
-          >
-            <span className="text-muted-foreground text-xs">🗺️</span>
-            <span className="flex-1 truncate">Node Map</span>
-          </div>
-        )}
-
-        {/* Mesh Visualizer */}
-        {!query && (
-          <div
-            className={cn(
-              'px-3 py-2.5 cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2 border-l-2 border-transparent hover:bg-accent',
-              isActive('visualizer', 'visualizer') && 'bg-accent border-l-primary'
-            )}
-            onClick={() =>
-              handleSelectConversation({
-                type: 'visualizer',
-                id: 'visualizer',
-                name: 'Mesh Visualizer',
-              })
-            }
-          >
-            <span className="text-muted-foreground text-xs">✨</span>
-            <span className="flex-1 truncate">Mesh Visualizer</span>
-          </div>
-        )}
-
-        {/* Cracker Toggle */}
-        {!query && (
-          <div
-            className={cn(
-              'px-3 py-2.5 cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2 border-l-2 border-transparent hover:bg-accent',
-              showCracker && 'bg-accent border-l-primary'
+              'flex-1 flex items-center justify-center gap-1.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg text-xs transition-all',
+              showCracker
+                ? 'bg-primary/15 text-primary border border-primary/20'
+                : 'text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-secondary/50'
             )}
             onClick={onToggleCracker}
+            title="Room Finder"
           >
-            <span className="text-muted-foreground text-xs">🔓</span>
-            <span className="flex-1 truncate">
-              {showCracker ? 'Hide' : 'Show'} Room Finder
-              <span
-                className={cn(
-                  'ml-1 text-xs',
-                  crackerRunning ? 'text-green-500' : 'text-muted-foreground'
-                )}
-              >
-                ({crackerRunning ? 'running' : 'stopped'})
-              </span>
+            <KeyRound className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+            <span className="truncate">
+              Finder
+              {crackerRunning && (
+                <span className="ml-1 inline-block w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full bg-emerald-400 animate-pulse" />
+              )}
             </span>
-          </div>
-        )}
-
-        {/* Mark All Read */}
-        {!query && Object.keys(unreadCounts).length > 0 && (
-          <div
-            className="px-3 py-2.5 cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2 border-l-2 border-transparent hover:bg-accent"
-            onClick={onMarkAllRead}
-          >
-            <span className="text-muted-foreground text-xs">✓</span>
-            <span className="flex-1 truncate text-muted-foreground">Mark all as read</span>
-          </div>
-        )}
+          </button>
+          {Object.keys(unreadCounts).length > 0 && (
+            <button
+              className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center gap-1.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-secondary/50 transition-all"
+              onClick={onMarkAllRead}
+              title="Mark all as read"
+            >
+              <CheckCheck className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+              <span className="truncate">Read all</span>
+            </button>
+          )}
+        </div>
+      )}
 
+      {/* Conversation list */}
+      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto py-1">
         {/* Favorites */}
         {favoriteItems.length > 0 && (
           <>
-            <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-3 py-2 pt-3">
-              <span className="text-[11px] uppercase text-muted-foreground">Favorites</span>
+            <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-4 py-2 pt-2.5">
+              <Star className="h-3 w-3 text-amber-400/60" />
+              <span className="text-[11px] uppercase tracking-wider font-medium text-amber-400/60">
+                Favorites
+              </span>
             </div>
             {favoriteItems.map((item) => {
               if (item.type === 'channel') {
                 const channel = item.channel;
-                const unreadCount = getUnreadCount('channel', channel.key);
-                const isMention = hasMention('channel', channel.key);
+                const count = getUnreadCount('channel', channel.key);
+                const mention = hasMention('channel', channel.key);
                 return (
-                  <div
+                  <ConversationItem
                     key={`fav-chan-${channel.key}`}
-                    className={cn(
-                      'px-3 py-2.5 cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2 border-l-2 border-transparent hover:bg-accent',
-                      isActive('channel', channel.key) && 'bg-accent border-l-primary',
-                      unreadCount > 0 && '[&_.name]:font-bold [&_.name]:text-foreground'
-                    )}
+                    active={isActive('channel', channel.key)}
+                    unreadCount={count}
+                    isMentionItem={mention}
                     onClick={() =>
                       handleSelectConversation({
                         type: 'channel',
@@ -368,34 +405,21 @@ export function Sidebar({
                         name: channel.name,
                       })
                     }
+                    icon={<Hash className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground/50 flex-shrink-0" />}
                   >
-                    <span className="name flex-1 truncate">{channel.name}</span>
-                    {unreadCount > 0 && (
-                      <span
-                        className={cn(
-                          'text-[10px] font-semibold px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full min-w-[18px] text-center',
-                          isMention
-                            ? 'bg-destructive text-destructive-foreground'
-                            : 'bg-primary text-primary-foreground'
-                        )}
-                      >
-                        {unreadCount}
-                      </span>
-                    )}
-                  </div>
+                    {channel.name}
+                  </ConversationItem>
                 );
               } else {
                 const contact = item.contact;
-                const unreadCount = getUnreadCount('contact', contact.public_key);
-                const isMention = hasMention('contact', contact.public_key);
+                const count = getUnreadCount('contact', contact.public_key);
+                const mention = hasMention('contact', contact.public_key);
                 return (
-                  <div
+                  <ConversationItem
                     key={`fav-contact-${contact.public_key}`}
-                    className={cn(
-                      'px-3 py-2.5 cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2 border-l-2 border-transparent hover:bg-accent',
-                      isActive('contact', contact.public_key) && 'bg-accent border-l-primary',
-                      unreadCount > 0 && '[&_.name]:font-bold [&_.name]:text-foreground'
-                    )}
+                    active={isActive('contact', contact.public_key)}
+                    unreadCount={count}
+                    isMentionItem={mention}
                     onClick={() =>
                       handleSelectConversation({
                         type: 'contact',
@@ -403,29 +427,17 @@ export function Sidebar({
                         name: getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key),
                       })
                     }
+                    icon={
+                      <ContactAvatar
+                        name={contact.name}
+                        publicKey={contact.public_key}
+                        size={22}
+                        contactType={contact.type}
+                      />
+                    }
                   >
-                    <ContactAvatar
-                      name={contact.name}
-                      publicKey={contact.public_key}
-                      size={24}
-                      contactType={contact.type}
-                    />
-                    <span className="name flex-1 truncate">
-                      {getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key)}
-                    </span>
-                    {unreadCount > 0 && (
-                      <span
-                        className={cn(
-                          'text-[10px] font-semibold px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full min-w-[18px] text-center',
-                          isMention
-                            ? 'bg-destructive text-destructive-foreground'
-                            : 'bg-primary text-primary-foreground'
-                        )}
-                      >
-                        {unreadCount}
-                      </span>
-                    )}
-                  </div>
+                    {getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key)}
+                  </ConversationItem>
                 );
               }
             })}
@@ -435,27 +447,30 @@ export function Sidebar({
         {/* Channels */}
         {nonFavoriteChannels.length > 0 && (
           <>
-            <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-3 py-2 pt-3">
-              <span className="text-[11px] uppercase text-muted-foreground">Channels</span>
+            <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-2 pt-3">
+              <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
+                <Hash className="h-3 w-3 text-muted-foreground/40" />
+                <span className="text-[11px] uppercase tracking-wider font-medium text-muted-foreground/60">
+                  Channels
+                </span>
+              </div>
               <button
-                className="bg-transparent border border-border text-muted-foreground px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[10px] rounded hover:bg-accent hover:text-foreground"
+                className="text-[10px] px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded bg-secondary/50 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-secondary transition-all"
                 onClick={handleSortToggle}
                 title={sortOrder === 'alpha' ? 'Sort by recent' : 'Sort alphabetically'}
               >
-                {sortOrder === 'alpha' ? 'A-Z' : '⏱'}
+                {sortOrder === 'alpha' ? 'A-Z' : 'Recent'}
               </button>
             </div>
             {nonFavoriteChannels.map((channel) => {
-              const unreadCount = getUnreadCount('channel', channel.key);
-              const isMention = hasMention('channel', channel.key);
+              const count = getUnreadCount('channel', channel.key);
+              const mention = hasMention('channel', channel.key);
               return (
-                <div
+                <ConversationItem
                   key={`chan-${channel.key}`}
-                  className={cn(
-                    'px-3 py-2.5 cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2 border-l-2 border-transparent hover:bg-accent',
-                    isActive('channel', channel.key) && 'bg-accent border-l-primary',
-                    unreadCount > 0 && '[&_.name]:font-bold [&_.name]:text-foreground'
-                  )}
+                  active={isActive('channel', channel.key)}
+                  unreadCount={count}
+                  isMentionItem={mention}
                   onClick={() =>
                     handleSelectConversation({
                       type: 'channel',
@@ -463,21 +478,10 @@ export function Sidebar({
                       name: channel.name,
                     })
                   }
+                  icon={<Hash className="h-4 w-4 text-muted-foreground/50 flex-shrink-0" />}
                 >
-                  <span className="name flex-1 truncate">{channel.name}</span>
-                  {unreadCount > 0 && (
-                    <span
-                      className={cn(
-                        'text-[10px] font-semibold px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full min-w-[18px] text-center',
-                        isMention
-                          ? 'bg-destructive text-destructive-foreground'
-                          : 'bg-primary text-primary-foreground'
-                      )}
-                    >
-                      {unreadCount}
-                    </span>
-                  )}
-                </div>
+                  {channel.name}
+                </ConversationItem>
               );
             })}
           </>
@@ -486,29 +490,32 @@ export function Sidebar({
         {/* Contacts */}
         {nonFavoriteContacts.length > 0 && (
           <>
-            <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-3 py-2 pt-3">
-              <span className="text-[11px] uppercase text-muted-foreground">Contacts</span>
+            <div className="flex justify-between items-center px-4 py-2 pt-3">
+              <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
+                <User className="h-3 w-3 text-muted-foreground/40" />
+                <span className="text-[11px] uppercase tracking-wider font-medium text-muted-foreground/60">
+                  Contacts
+                </span>
+              </div>
               {nonFavoriteChannels.length === 0 && (
                 <button
-                  className="bg-transparent border border-border text-muted-foreground px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[10px] rounded hover:bg-accent hover:text-foreground"
+                  className="text-[10px] px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded bg-secondary/50 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-secondary transition-all"
                   onClick={handleSortToggle}
                   title={sortOrder === 'alpha' ? 'Sort by recent' : 'Sort alphabetically'}
                 >
-                  {sortOrder === 'alpha' ? 'A-Z' : '⏱'}
+                  {sortOrder === 'alpha' ? 'A-Z' : 'Recent'}
                 </button>
               )}
             </div>
             {nonFavoriteContacts.map((contact) => {
-              const unreadCount = getUnreadCount('contact', contact.public_key);
-              const isMention = hasMention('contact', contact.public_key);
+              const count = getUnreadCount('contact', contact.public_key);
+              const mention = hasMention('contact', contact.public_key);
               return (
-                <div
+                <ConversationItem
                   key={contact.public_key}
-                  className={cn(
-                    'px-3 py-2.5 cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2 border-l-2 border-transparent hover:bg-accent',
-                    isActive('contact', contact.public_key) && 'bg-accent border-l-primary',
-                    unreadCount > 0 && '[&_.name]:font-bold [&_.name]:text-foreground'
-                  )}
+                  active={isActive('contact', contact.public_key)}
+                  unreadCount={count}
+                  isMentionItem={mention}
                   onClick={() =>
                     handleSelectConversation({
                       type: 'contact',
@@ -516,29 +523,17 @@ export function Sidebar({
                       name: getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key),
                     })
                   }
+                  icon={
+                    <ContactAvatar
+                      name={contact.name}
+                      publicKey={contact.public_key}
+                      size={22}
+                      contactType={contact.type}
+                    />
+                  }
                 >
-                  <ContactAvatar
-                    name={contact.name}
-                    publicKey={contact.public_key}
-                    size={24}
-                    contactType={contact.type}
-                  />
-                  <span className="name flex-1 truncate">
-                    {getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key)}
-                  </span>
-                  {unreadCount > 0 && (
-                    <span
-                      className={cn(
-                        'text-[10px] font-semibold px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full min-w-[18px] text-center',
-                        isMention
-                          ? 'bg-destructive text-destructive-foreground'
-                          : 'bg-primary text-primary-foreground'
-                      )}
-                    >
-                      {unreadCount}
-                    </span>
-                  )}
-                </div>
+                  {getContactDisplayName(contact.name, contact.public_key)}
+                </ConversationItem>
               );
             })}
           </>
@@ -548,7 +543,7 @@ export function Sidebar({
         {nonFavoriteContacts.length === 0 &&
           nonFavoriteChannels.length === 0 &&
           favoriteItems.length === 0 && (
-            <div className="p-5 text-center text-muted-foreground">
+            <div className="p-6 text-center text-muted-foreground/50 text-sm">
               {query ? 'No matches found' : 'No conversations yet'}
             </div>
           )}

frontend/src/components/StatusBar.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { useState } from 'react';
-import { Menu } from 'lucide-react';
+import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'framer-motion';
+import { Menu, Radio, Settings, MessageSquare, Wifi, WifiOff } from 'lucide-react';
 import type { HealthStatus, RadioConfig } from '../types';
 import { api } from '../api';
 import { toast } from './ui/sonner';
@@ -39,61 +40,111 @@ export function StatusBar({
   };
 
   return (
-    <div className="flex items-center gap-4 px-4 py-2 bg-[#252525] border-b border-[#333] text-xs">
-      {/* Mobile menu button - only visible on small screens */}
+    <div className="relative flex items-center gap-3 px-4 py-2.5 border-b border-border/50 bg-card/80 backdrop-blur-sm">
+      {/* Subtle gradient overlay */}
+      <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-gradient-to-r from-primary/[0.03] via-transparent to-accent/[0.03] pointer-events-none" />
+
+      {/* Mobile menu button */}
       {onMenuClick && (
         <button
           onClick={onMenuClick}
-          className="md:hidden p-1 bg-transparent border-none text-[#e0e0e0] cursor-pointer"
+          className="md:hidden p-1.5 rounded-lg bg-transparent text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-secondary transition-colors"
           aria-label="Open menu"
         >
           <Menu className="h-5 w-5" />
         </button>
       )}
 
-      <h1 className="text-base font-semibold mr-auto">RemoteTerm</h1>
-
-      <div className="flex items-center gap-1 text-[#888]">
-        <div className={`w-2 h-2 rounded-full ${connected ? 'bg-[#4caf50]' : 'bg-[#666]'}`} />
-        <span className="hidden lg:inline text-[#e0e0e0]">
-          {connected ? 'Connected' : 'Disconnected'}
-        </span>
+      {/* Logo / Title */}
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mr-auto">
+        <div className="relative">
+          <Radio className="h-5 w-5 text-primary" />
+          {connected && (
+            <motion.div
+              className="absolute -top-0.5 -right-0.5 w-2 h-2 rounded-full bg-emerald-400"
+              animate={{ scale: [1, 1.3, 1] }}
+              transition={{ duration: 2, repeat: Infinity, ease: 'easeInOut' }}
+            />
+          )}
+        </div>
+        <h1 className="text-base font-bold tracking-tight text-gradient-amber">RemoteTerm</h1>
       </div>
 
+      {/* Connection status */}
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+        <AnimatePresence mode="wait">
+          {connected ? (
+            <motion.div
+              key="connected"
+              initial={{ opacity: 0, scale: 0.8 }}
+              animate={{ opacity: 1, scale: 1 }}
+              exit={{ opacity: 0, scale: 0.8 }}
+              className="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2.5 py-1 rounded-full bg-emerald-500/10 border border-emerald-500/20"
+            >
+              <Wifi className="h-3.5 w-3.5 text-emerald-400" />
+              <span className="hidden lg:inline text-xs font-medium text-emerald-400">
+                Connected
+              </span>
+            </motion.div>
+          ) : (
+            <motion.div
+              key="disconnected"
+              initial={{ opacity: 0, scale: 0.8 }}
+              animate={{ opacity: 1, scale: 1 }}
+              exit={{ opacity: 0, scale: 0.8 }}
+              className="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2.5 py-1 rounded-full bg-destructive/10 border border-destructive/20"
+            >
+              <WifiOff className="h-3.5 w-3.5 text-destructive/70" />
+              <span className="hidden lg:inline text-xs font-medium text-destructive/70">
+                Offline
+              </span>
+            </motion.div>
+          )}
+        </AnimatePresence>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Radio info */}
       {config && (
-        <div className="hidden lg:flex items-center gap-2 text-[#888]">
-          <span className="text-[#e0e0e0]">{config.name || 'Unnamed'}</span>
+        <div className="hidden lg:flex items-center gap-2">
+          <span className="text-xs font-medium text-foreground/80">{config.name || 'Unnamed'}</span>
           <span
-            className="font-mono text-[#888] cursor-pointer hover:text-[#4a9eff]"
+            className="font-mono text-[11px] text-muted-foreground cursor-pointer hover:text-primary transition-colors"
             onClick={() => {
               navigator.clipboard.writeText(config.public_key);
               toast.success('Public key copied!');
             }}
             title="Click to copy public key"
           >
-            {config.public_key.toLowerCase()}
+            {config.public_key.toLowerCase().slice(0, 16)}...
           </span>
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {!connected && (
+      {/* Action buttons */}
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
+        {!connected && (
+          <motion.button
+            initial={{ opacity: 0, x: 10 }}
+            animate={{ opacity: 1, x: 0 }}
+            onClick={handleReconnect}
+            disabled={reconnecting}
+            className="px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium rounded-lg bg-amber-500/10 border border-amber-500/30 text-amber-400 hover:bg-amber-500/20 transition-all disabled:opacity-40 disabled:cursor-not-allowed"
+          >
+            {reconnecting ? 'Reconnecting...' : 'Reconnect'}
+          </motion.button>
+        )}
         <button
-          onClick={handleReconnect}
-          disabled={reconnecting}
-          className="px-3 py-1 bg-[#4a3000] border border-[#6b4500] text-[#ffa500] rounded text-xs cursor-pointer hover:bg-[#5a3a00] disabled:opacity-50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed"
+          onClick={onSettingsClick}
+          className={`p-2 rounded-lg transition-all ${
+            settingsMode
+              ? 'bg-primary/15 text-primary border border-primary/30'
+              : 'text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-secondary'
+          }`}
+          title={settingsMode ? 'Back to Chat' : 'Settings'}
         >
-          {reconnecting ? 'Reconnecting...' : 'Reconnect'}
+          {settingsMode ? <MessageSquare className="h-4 w-4" /> : <Settings className="h-4 w-4" />}
         </button>
-      )}
-      <button
-        onClick={onSettingsClick}
-        className="px-3 py-1 bg-[#333] border border-[#444] text-[#e0e0e0] rounded text-xs cursor-pointer hover:bg-[#444]"
-      >
-        <span role="img" aria-label="Settings">
-          &#128295;
-        </span>{' '}
-        {settingsMode ? 'Back to Chat' : 'Radio & Config'}
-      </button>
+      </div>
     </div>
   );
 }

frontend/src/components/ui/button.tsx

@@ -5,21 +5,25 @@ import { cva, type VariantProps } from 'class-variance-authority';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 
 const buttonVariants = cva(
-  'inline-flex items-center justify-center whitespace-nowrap rounded-md text-sm font-medium ring-offset-background transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring focus-visible:ring-offset-2 disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-50',
+  'inline-flex items-center justify-center whitespace-nowrap text-sm font-medium ring-offset-background transition-all duration-200 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring focus-visible:ring-offset-2 disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-40 active:scale-[0.97]',
   {
     variants: {
       variant: {
-        default: 'bg-primary text-primary-foreground hover:bg-primary/90',
-        destructive: 'bg-destructive text-destructive-foreground hover:bg-destructive/90',
-        outline: 'border border-input bg-background hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-foreground',
-        secondary: 'bg-secondary text-secondary-foreground hover:bg-secondary/80',
-        ghost: 'hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-foreground',
+        default:
+          'bg-primary text-primary-foreground hover:bg-primary/90 shadow-glow-amber-sm hover:shadow-glow-amber rounded-lg font-semibold',
+        destructive:
+          'bg-destructive text-destructive-foreground hover:bg-destructive/90 rounded-lg',
+        outline:
+          'border border-border bg-transparent hover:bg-secondary hover:border-primary/30 rounded-lg',
+        secondary: 'bg-secondary text-secondary-foreground hover:bg-secondary/80 rounded-lg',
+        ghost: 'hover:bg-secondary hover:text-foreground rounded-lg',
         link: 'text-primary underline-offset-4 hover:underline',
+        glow: 'bg-gradient-to-r from-amber-500 to-amber-600 text-primary-foreground hover:from-amber-400 hover:to-amber-500 shadow-glow-amber hover:shadow-glow-amber rounded-xl font-semibold',
       },
       size: {
-        default: 'h-10 px-4 py-2',
-        sm: 'h-9 rounded-md px-3',
-        lg: 'h-11 rounded-md px-8',
+        default: 'h-10 px-5 py-2',
+        sm: 'h-8 rounded-lg px-3 text-xs',
+        lg: 'h-12 rounded-xl px-8 text-base',
         icon: 'h-10 w-10',
       },
     },

frontend/src/components/ui/dialog.tsx

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ const DialogOverlay = React.forwardRef<
   <DialogPrimitive.Overlay
     ref={ref}
     className={cn(
-      'fixed inset-0 z-50 bg-black/80 data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0',
+      'fixed inset-0 z-50 bg-black/60 backdrop-blur-sm data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0',
       className
     )}
     {...props}
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ const DialogContent = React.forwardRef<
     <DialogPrimitive.Content
       ref={ref}
       className={cn(
-        'fixed left-[50%] top-[50%] z-50 grid w-full max-w-lg translate-x-[-50%] translate-y-[-50%] gap-4 border bg-background p-6 shadow-lg duration-200 data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0 data-[state=closed]:zoom-out-95 data-[state=open]:zoom-in-95 data-[state=closed]:slide-out-to-left-1/2 data-[state=closed]:slide-out-to-top-[48%] data-[state=open]:slide-in-from-left-1/2 data-[state=open]:slide-in-from-top-[48%] sm:rounded-lg',
+        'fixed left-[50%] top-[50%] z-50 grid w-full max-w-lg translate-x-[-50%] translate-y-[-50%] gap-4 border border-border/50 bg-card/95 backdrop-blur-xl p-6 shadow-2xl duration-200 data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0 data-[state=closed]:zoom-out-95 data-[state=open]:zoom-in-95 data-[state=closed]:slide-out-to-left-1/2 data-[state=closed]:slide-out-to-top-[48%] data-[state=open]:slide-in-from-left-1/2 data-[state=open]:slide-in-from-top-[48%] sm:rounded-xl',
         className
       )}
       {...props}

frontend/src/components/ui/input.tsx

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ const Input = React.forwardRef<HTMLInputElement, React.ComponentProps<'input'>>(
       <input
         type={type}
         className={cn(
-          'flex h-10 w-full rounded-md border border-input bg-background px-3 py-2 text-base ring-offset-background file:border-0 file:bg-transparent file:text-sm file:font-medium file:text-foreground placeholder:text-muted-foreground focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring focus-visible:ring-offset-2 disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50 md:text-sm',
+          'flex h-10 w-full rounded-lg border border-border bg-secondary/50 px-3 py-2 text-base ring-offset-background file:border-0 file:bg-transparent file:text-sm file:font-medium file:text-foreground placeholder:text-muted-foreground/60 focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-primary/40 focus-visible:border-primary/50 transition-all duration-200 disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-40 md:text-sm',
           className
         )}
         ref={ref}

frontend/src/components/ui/sheet.tsx

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ const SheetOverlay = React.forwardRef<
 >(({ className, ...props }, ref) => (
   <SheetPrimitive.Overlay
     className={cn(
-      'fixed inset-0 z-50 bg-black/80 data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0',
+      'fixed inset-0 z-50 bg-black/60 backdrop-blur-sm data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0',
       className
     )}
     {...props}
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ const SheetOverlay = React.forwardRef<
 SheetOverlay.displayName = SheetPrimitive.Overlay.displayName;
 
 const sheetVariants = cva(
-  'fixed z-50 gap-4 bg-background p-6 shadow-lg transition ease-in-out data-[state=closed]:duration-300 data-[state=open]:duration-500 data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out',
+  'fixed z-50 gap-4 bg-card/95 backdrop-blur-xl p-6 shadow-2xl transition ease-in-out data-[state=closed]:duration-300 data-[state=open]:duration-500 data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out',
   {
     variants: {
       side: {

frontend/src/components/ui/sonner.tsx

@@ -10,13 +10,14 @@ const Toaster = ({ ...props }: ToasterProps) => {
       toastOptions={{
         classNames: {
           toast:
-            'group toast group-[.toaster]:bg-card group-[.toaster]:text-foreground group-[.toaster]:border-border group-[.toaster]:shadow-lg',
+            'group toast group-[.toaster]:bg-card/95 group-[.toaster]:backdrop-blur-xl group-[.toaster]:text-foreground group-[.toaster]:border-border/50 group-[.toaster]:shadow-2xl group-[.toaster]:rounded-xl',
           description: 'group-[.toast]:text-muted-foreground',
           actionButton: 'group-[.toast]:bg-primary group-[.toast]:text-primary-foreground',
           cancelButton: 'group-[.toast]:bg-muted group-[.toast]:text-muted-foreground',
-          // Muted error style - dark red-tinted background with readable text
           error:
-            'group-[.toaster]:bg-[#2a1a1a] group-[.toaster]:text-[#e8a0a0] group-[.toaster]:border-[#4a2a2a] [&_[data-description]]:text-[#b08080]',
+            'group-[.toaster]:bg-[#1a0e10]/95 group-[.toaster]:text-red-300 group-[.toaster]:border-red-500/20 [&_[data-description]]:text-red-400/70',
+          success:
+            'group-[.toaster]:bg-[#0e1a12]/95 group-[.toaster]:text-emerald-300 group-[.toaster]:border-emerald-500/20 [&_[data-description]]:text-emerald-400/70',
         },
       }}
       {...props}

frontend/src/components/ui/tabs.tsx

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ const TabsList = React.forwardRef<
   <TabsPrimitive.List
     ref={ref}
     className={cn(
-      'inline-flex h-10 items-center justify-center rounded-md bg-muted p-1 text-muted-foreground',
+      'inline-flex h-10 items-center justify-center rounded-lg bg-secondary/50 p-1 text-muted-foreground',
       className
     )}
     {...props}
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ const TabsTrigger = React.forwardRef<
   <TabsPrimitive.Trigger
     ref={ref}
     className={cn(
-      'inline-flex items-center justify-center whitespace-nowrap rounded-sm px-3 py-1.5 text-sm font-medium ring-offset-background transition-all focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring focus-visible:ring-offset-2 disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-50 data-[state=active]:bg-background data-[state=active]:text-foreground data-[state=active]:shadow-sm',
+      'inline-flex items-center justify-center whitespace-nowrap rounded-md px-3 py-1.5 text-sm font-medium ring-offset-background transition-all focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring focus-visible:ring-offset-2 disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-50 data-[state=active]:bg-primary/15 data-[state=active]:text-primary data-[state=active]:shadow-sm data-[state=active]:border data-[state=active]:border-primary/20',
       className
     )}
     {...props}

frontend/src/index.css

@@ -4,26 +4,32 @@
 
 @layer base {
   :root {
-    --background: 0 0% 10%;
-    --foreground: 0 0% 88%;
-    --card: 0 0% 14%;
-    --card-foreground: 0 0% 88%;
-    --popover: 0 0% 14%;
-    --popover-foreground: 0 0% 88%;
-    --primary: 122 39% 49%;
-    --primary-foreground: 0 0% 100%;
-    --secondary: 0 0% 20%;
-    --secondary-foreground: 0 0% 88%;
-    --muted: 0 0% 20%;
-    --muted-foreground: 0 0% 53%;
-    --accent: 0 0% 20%;
-    --accent-foreground: 0 0% 88%;
-    --destructive: 0 62% 50%;
+    /* Midnight Amber - a retro-futuristic radio terminal palette */
+    --background: 222 47% 6%;
+    --foreground: 40 20% 88%;
+    --card: 222 40% 10%;
+    --card-foreground: 40 20% 88%;
+    --popover: 222 44% 9%;
+    --popover-foreground: 40 20% 88%;
+    --primary: 38 92% 50%;
+    --primary-foreground: 222 47% 6%;
+    --secondary: 222 30% 16%;
+    --secondary-foreground: 40 20% 85%;
+    --muted: 222 30% 14%;
+    --muted-foreground: 215 15% 50%;
+    --accent: 187 80% 42%;
+    --accent-foreground: 222 47% 6%;
+    --destructive: 0 72% 51%;
     --destructive-foreground: 0 0% 100%;
-    --border: 0 0% 20%;
-    --input: 0 0% 20%;
-    --ring: 122 39% 49%;
-    --radius: 0.5rem;
+    --border: 222 30% 18%;
+    --input: 222 30% 16%;
+    --ring: 38 92% 50%;
+    --radius: 0.75rem;
+
+    /* Extended palette for gradients and glow effects */
+    --amber-glow: 38 92% 50%;
+    --cyan-accent: 187 80% 42%;
+    --surface-glass: 222 40% 12%;
   }
 }
 
@@ -33,11 +39,134 @@
   }
   body {
     @apply bg-background text-foreground;
-    font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif;
+    font-family:
+      'Inter',
+      -apple-system,
+      BlinkMacSystemFont,
+      'Segoe UI',
+      Roboto,
+      sans-serif;
     font-size: 14px;
+    -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
+    -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
   }
 }
 
+/* Glow and animation utilities */
+@layer utilities {
+  .glow-amber {
+    box-shadow:
+      0 0 15px -3px hsl(38 92% 50% / 0.3),
+      0 0 6px -4px hsl(38 92% 50% / 0.2);
+  }
+  .glow-amber-sm {
+    box-shadow: 0 0 8px -2px hsl(38 92% 50% / 0.25);
+  }
+  .glow-cyan {
+    box-shadow:
+      0 0 15px -3px hsl(187 80% 42% / 0.3),
+      0 0 6px -4px hsl(187 80% 42% / 0.2);
+  }
+  .glow-connected {
+    box-shadow: 0 0 8px 2px hsl(142 70% 45% / 0.4);
+  }
+  .glass {
+    background: hsl(222 40% 12% / 0.8);
+    backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
+    -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
+  }
+  .glass-strong {
+    background: hsl(222 40% 10% / 0.9);
+    backdrop-filter: blur(20px);
+    -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(20px);
+  }
+  .text-gradient-amber {
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, hsl(38 92% 50%), hsl(28 92% 55%));
+    -webkit-background-clip: text;
+    -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
+    background-clip: text;
+  }
+  .border-glow {
+    border-color: hsl(38 92% 50% / 0.3);
+  }
+  .border-glow-cyan {
+    border-color: hsl(187 80% 42% / 0.3);
+  }
+}
+
+/* Keyframe animations */
+@keyframes pulse-glow {
+  0%,
+  100% {
+    box-shadow: 0 0 4px 1px hsl(142 70% 45% / 0.4);
+  }
+  50% {
+    box-shadow: 0 0 10px 3px hsl(142 70% 45% / 0.6);
+  }
+}
+
+@keyframes pulse-amber {
+  0%,
+  100% {
+    opacity: 0.6;
+  }
+  50% {
+    opacity: 1;
+  }
+}
+
+@keyframes signal-wave {
+  0% {
+    transform: scale(1);
+    opacity: 0.8;
+  }
+  100% {
+    transform: scale(2.5);
+    opacity: 0;
+  }
+}
+
+@keyframes slide-up-fade {
+  from {
+    opacity: 0;
+    transform: translateY(8px);
+  }
+  to {
+    opacity: 1;
+    transform: translateY(0);
+  }
+}
+
+.animate-pulse-glow {
+  animation: pulse-glow 2s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+.animate-pulse-amber {
+  animation: pulse-amber 2s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+.animate-slide-up-fade {
+  animation: slide-up-fade 0.2s ease-out;
+}
+
+/* Scrollbar styling */
+::-webkit-scrollbar {
+  width: 6px;
+}
+
+::-webkit-scrollbar-track {
+  background: transparent;
+}
+
+::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb {
+  background: hsl(222 30% 22%);
+  border-radius: 3px;
+}
+
+::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb:hover {
+  background: hsl(222 30% 30%);
+}
+
 /* Constrain CodeMirror editor width */
 .cm-editor {
   max-width: 100% !important;

frontend/src/styles.css

@@ -32,7 +32,13 @@ body,
 }
 
 body {
-  font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif;
+  font-family:
+    'Inter',
+    -apple-system,
+    BlinkMacSystemFont,
+    'Segoe UI',
+    Roboto,
+    sans-serif;
   /* Prevent overscroll/bounce on mobile */
   overscroll-behavior: none;
   padding: var(--safe-area-top) var(--safe-area-right) var(--safe-area-bottom-capped)

frontend/tailwind.config.js

@@ -41,11 +41,33 @@ export default {
           DEFAULT: "hsl(var(--card))",
           foreground: "hsl(var(--card-foreground))",
         },
+        amber: {
+          400: "#fbbf24",
+          500: "#f59e0b",
+          600: "#d97706",
+        },
+        cyan: {
+          400: "#22d3ee",
+          500: "#06b6d4",
+          600: "#0891b2",
+        },
+        navy: {
+          800: "#141a2e",
+          900: "#0f1420",
+          950: "#0a0e1a",
+        },
       },
       borderRadius: {
         lg: "var(--radius)",
         md: "calc(var(--radius) - 2px)",
         sm: "calc(var(--radius) - 4px)",
+        xl: "calc(var(--radius) + 4px)",
+      },
+      boxShadow: {
+        'glow-amber': '0 0 15px -3px hsl(38 92% 50% / 0.3)',
+        'glow-amber-sm': '0 0 8px -2px hsl(38 92% 50% / 0.25)',
+        'glow-cyan': '0 0 15px -3px hsl(187 80% 42% / 0.3)',
+        'inner-glow': 'inset 0 1px 0 0 hsl(40 20% 88% / 0.05)',
       },
     },
   },