diff --git a/DECISIONS.md b/DECISIONS.md
index 0ca61af..bc0f8a2 100644
--- a/DECISIONS.md
+++ b/DECISIONS.md
@@ -150,3 +150,19 @@ Spec-silent choices, recorded as required by the build instructions.
   sizes WeKan handles). Auth: username+password login per sync with a 10-min
   token reuse window, or a pre-issued token. Card attachments are not
   imported in v1.
+
+## Remote access + UI design pass (user-requested)
+
+- **App published on 0.0.0.0:8787** (spec default loopback-only kept as a
+  commented line in compose): this host's pattern exposes services directly
+  (gitea/outline/wekan) and Docker-published ports bypass UFW anyway. The
+  public entrypoint is Nginx Proxy Manager → http://bountyboard.anypreta.com
+  with `APP_BASE_URL` set accordingly and `TRUSTED_PROXY_CIDRS=172.16.0.0/12`
+  so audit-log client IPs resolve through the proxy.
+- **"The Ledger" design pass** (user invoked the frontend-design skill):
+  §10 tokens, 2px radius, AA contrast and both themes unchanged; typography
+  deviates from the spec's system font stack by request — self-hosted
+  variable woff2 (Fraunces display, Schibsted Grotesk body, Spline Sans Mono
+  for ledger numerals), ~147 KB total, no build step, CSP font-src 'self'.
+  Adds paper grain, hairline double rules, letterpress buttons, stamp
+  badges, staggered page reveal (disabled under prefers-reduced-motion).
diff --git a/PROGRESS.md b/PROGRESS.md
index 9b74892..b796107 100644
--- a/PROGRESS.md
+++ b/PROGRESS.md
@@ -16,3 +16,4 @@
 - Phase 13 (test & deploy): full unit (10 pkgs) + integration (12 pkgs) + contract suites green; scripts/acceptance.sh automates the §13 checklist live and PASSES end-to-end incl. a real Claude Code AI work-performer run; readyz verified 503/200 across a Mongo stop/start; smoke PASS; stack left running with mocks profile. Fixes: APP_INTERNAL_URL for in-network callbacks/signed URLs, work-performer runs as node user (claude refuses root), sudo HOME gotcha documented, UFW rule for container→host callbacks.
 - Post-deploy: ANTHROPIC_API_KEY wired into .env (gitignored) — atomizer now produces real claude-sonnet-4-6 subdivisions (verified live, sum=1.0). Added WeKan ticketing source: connector (login or pre-issued token, board=projectKey, cards assigned to consultant's wekan username w/ member fallback, archived skipped, modifiedAt since-filter, token reuse), fake-server unit tests, admin wizard fields, OpenAPI/README updates.
 - WeKan live verification against /opt/wekan (v9.36): connector live test green (assignee + member-fallback import, since-filter, identity rejection); full app E2E green (test-connection, customer create, sync worker import, orphan flagging after upstream unassign, real LLM subdivision of a WeKan card). Fixed live-found bug: nested extra.ticketingIdentities decodes as bson.D, identity lookup now handles bson.D/bson.M/map (regression test added).
+- Remote access: NPM proxy host bountyboard.anypreta.com → 8787 (app published on 0.0.0.0, APP_BASE_URL + TRUSTED_PROXY_CIDRS=172.16.0.0/12 set, client IPs verified through proxy). UI design pass 'The Ledger': self-hosted Fraunces/Schibsted Grotesk/Spline Sans Mono, paper grain, double rules, letterpress buttons, stamp badges, staggered reveal — §10 tokens/contrast unchanged, screenshots verified light+dark.
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 373ed87..7bd382d 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -30,8 +30,13 @@ services:
       # in-network address handed to the external services for callbacks
       # and signed attachment URLs (§5.2 example: http://app:8787/…)
       APP_INTERNAL_URL: http://app:8787
+    # NOTE: published on all interfaces to match this host's pattern (gitea,
+    # outline, wekan are exposed the same way; docker-published ports bypass
+    # UFW). The spec-default loopback-only binding is the commented line —
+    # restore it once the app sits behind the reverse proxy exclusively.
     ports:
-      - "127.0.0.1:${APP_PORT:-8787}:8787"
+      - "${APP_PORT:-8787}:8787"
+      # - "127.0.0.1:${APP_PORT:-8787}:8787"
     depends_on:
       mongo:
         condition: service_healthy
diff --git a/web/static/css/app.css b/web/static/css/app.css
index 6eecb36..409531e 100644
--- a/web/static/css/app.css
+++ b/web/static/css/app.css
@@ -1,6 +1,30 @@
-/* Bounty Board — hand-written CSS, no framework (§2.2).
-   Theming via CSS custom properties on <html data-theme>. */
+/* Bounty Board — "The Ledger".
+   A vintage bounty-poster / financial-ledger aesthetic on warm paper:
+   engraved display serif, characterful grotesk UI, tabular mono numerals,
+   hairline double-rules, stamped badges, paper grain. Hand-written CSS, no
+   framework (§2.2). Design tokens below are the exact §10 values. */
 
+/* ---- self-hosted variable fonts (no build step, CSP: font-src 'self') ---- */
+@font-face {
+  font-family: "Fraunces";
+  src: url("/static/fonts/Fraunces-var.woff2") format("woff2");
+  font-weight: 100 900;
+  font-display: swap;
+}
+@font-face {
+  font-family: "Schibsted Grotesk";
+  src: url("/static/fonts/SchibstedGrotesk-var.woff2") format("woff2");
+  font-weight: 400 900;
+  font-display: swap;
+}
+@font-face {
+  font-family: "Spline Sans Mono";
+  src: url("/static/fonts/SplineSansMono-var.woff2") format("woff2");
+  font-weight: 300 700;
+  font-display: swap;
+}
+
+/* ---- §10 design tokens (exact) ---- */
 :root[data-theme=light] {
   --bg:#f3ead9; --surface:#faf5ea; --surface2:#efe5d0; --border:#d8cbb0;
   --text:#2b2620; --muted:#6f6353; --accent:#8a5a2b; --accent-contrast:#fff;
@@ -12,125 +36,289 @@
   --ok:#7fb78a; --warn:#d9a44a; --err:#d97b6c; --radius:2px;
 }
 
+/* derived, theme-aware atmosphere */
+:root {
+  --font-display: "Fraunces", Georgia, serif;
+  --font-body: "Schibsted Grotesk", system-ui, sans-serif;
+  --font-mono: "Spline Sans Mono", ui-monospace, monospace;
+  --hairline: 1px solid var(--border);
+  --ink-shadow: 0 1px 0 var(--border), 0 6px 18px -10px rgba(43, 38, 32, 0.45);
+  --rule: linear-gradient(var(--border), var(--border));
+}
+:root[data-theme=dark] {
+  --ink-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5), 0 8px 22px -10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7);
+}
+
 /* ---- base ---- */
 * { box-sizing: border-box; }
 html { font-size: 16px; }
 body {
   margin: 0;
-  background: var(--bg);
+  background:
+    radial-gradient(1200px 480px at 50% -240px, color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 7%, transparent), transparent 70%),
+    var(--bg);
   color: var(--text);
-  font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;
-  line-height: 1.5;
+  font-family: var(--font-body);
+  line-height: 1.55;
+  letter-spacing: 0.005em;
 }
+/* paper grain over everything, including dialogs */
+body::after {
+  content: "";
+  position: fixed; inset: 0;
+  z-index: 2147483646;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  opacity: 0.05;
+  background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='160' height='160'%3E%3Cfilter id='n'%3E%3CfeTurbulence type='fractalNoise' baseFrequency='0.9' numOctaves='2'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Crect width='160' height='160' filter='url(%23n)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
+}
+::selection { background: var(--accent); color: var(--accent-contrast); }
+
 a { color: var(--accent); text-decoration: none; }
-a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }
-h1, h2, h3 { line-height: 1.25; margin: 0 0 16px; }
-h1 { font-size: 1.5rem; }
-h2 { font-size: 1.2rem; }
-h3 { font-size: 1rem; }
-code, pre { font-family: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Menlo, Consolas, monospace; }
+a:hover { text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 3px; }
+
+h1, h2, h3 {
+  font-family: var(--font-display);
+  font-weight: 600;
+  line-height: 1.15;
+  letter-spacing: 0.005em;
+  margin: 0 0 16px;
+}
+h1 { font-size: 2.1rem; }
+h1::after {
+  content: "";
+  display: block;
+  width: 56px; height: 4px;
+  margin-top: 10px;
+  border-top: var(--hairline);
+  border-bottom: var(--hairline);
+}
+h2 { font-size: 1.25rem; }
+h3 { font-size: 1.02rem; }
+code, pre { font-family: var(--font-mono); }
 
 :focus-visible {
   outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
   outline-offset: 2px;
 }
 
+/* numerals everywhere read like a ledger */
+table, .badge, input[type=number] { font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums; }
+
 /* ---- layout ---- */
-.container { max-width: 1100px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 24px 16px; }
+.container { max-width: 1100px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 32px 16px 64px; }
 .narrow { max-width: 460px; }
 
+/* staggered page reveal (one orchestrated moment, then calm) */
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
+  main.container > * {
+    animation: rise 0.5s cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.7, 0.2, 1) backwards;
+  }
+  main.container > *:nth-child(1) { animation-delay: 0.03s; }
+  main.container > *:nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 0.09s; }
+  main.container > *:nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 0.15s; }
+  main.container > *:nth-child(4) { animation-delay: 0.21s; }
+  main.container > *:nth-child(5) { animation-delay: 0.27s; }
+  main.container > *:nth-child(n+6) { animation-delay: 0.33s; }
+}
+@keyframes rise {
+  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(10px); }
+  to { opacity: 1; transform: none; }
+}
+
+/* ---- top navigation: a masthead rule ---- */
 .topnav {
-  display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 16px;
+  display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 18px;
   background: var(--surface);
-  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
-  padding: 8px 16px;
+  border-bottom: 3px double var(--border);
+  box-shadow: inset 0 -8px 14px -14px rgba(43,38,32,0.5);
+  padding: 10px 20px;
+  position: relative;
 }
-.topnav .brand { font-weight: 700; color: var(--text); }
-.topnav .links { display: flex; gap: 8px; flex: 1; flex-wrap: wrap; }
+.topnav::before {
+  content: "";
+  position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; height: 3px;
+  background: var(--accent);
+}
+.topnav .brand {
+  font-family: var(--font-display);
+  font-weight: 700;
+  font-size: 1.18rem;
+  color: var(--text);
+  letter-spacing: 0.01em;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+}
+.topnav .brand::before {
+  content: "◈ ";
+  color: var(--accent);
+}
+.topnav .brand:hover { text-decoration: none; }
+.topnav .links { display: flex; gap: 2px; flex: 1; flex-wrap: wrap; }
 .topnav .links a {
-  color: var(--muted); padding: 6px 10px; border-radius: var(--radius);
+  color: var(--muted);
+  padding: 7px 11px;
+  border-radius: var(--radius);
+  font-weight: 500;
+  font-size: 0.92rem;
+  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
+  border-bottom: 2px solid transparent;
+}
+.topnav .links a:hover {
+  color: var(--text);
+  background: var(--surface2);
+  text-decoration: none;
+}
+.topnav .links a[aria-current=page] {
+  color: var(--text);
+  border-bottom-color: var(--accent);
 }
-.topnav .links a:hover { color: var(--text); background: var(--surface2); text-decoration: none; }
-.topnav .links a[aria-current=page] { color: var(--text); background: var(--surface2); }
 .topnav .right { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; }
 
-/* ---- components ---- */
+/* ---- cards: printed stock ---- */
 .card {
   background: var(--surface);
-  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  border: var(--hairline);
   border-radius: var(--radius);
+  box-shadow: var(--ink-shadow);
   padding: 24px;
+  transition: transform 0.18s ease, box-shadow 0.18s ease;
 }
 .card + .card { margin-top: 16px; }
+.grid > .card { position: relative; overflow: hidden; }
+.grid > .card::before {
+  content: "";
+  position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; height: 2px;
+  background: var(--accent);
+  opacity: 0.55;
+}
+.grid > .card:hover {
+  transform: translateY(-3px);
+  box-shadow: 0 1px 0 var(--border), 0 16px 28px -14px rgba(43,38,32,0.5);
+}
 
+/* ---- buttons: letterpress ---- */
 .btn {
-  display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px;
-  font: inherit; cursor: pointer;
-  padding: 8px 16px;
+  display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 8px;
+  font-family: var(--font-body);
+  font-size: 0.86rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  padding: 9px 16px 8px;
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  border-bottom-width: 2px;
   border-radius: var(--radius);
   background: var(--surface2);
   color: var(--text);
+  transition: transform 0.08s ease, filter 0.12s ease;
 }
-.btn:hover { filter: brightness(0.97); }
+.btn:hover { filter: brightness(0.965); text-decoration: none; }
+.btn:active { transform: translateY(1px); border-bottom-width: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px; }
 .btn.primary {
-  background: var(--accent); color: var(--accent-contrast); border-color: var(--accent);
+  background: var(--accent);
+  color: var(--accent-contrast);
+  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 70%, black);
 }
-.btn.danger { background: var(--err); color: #fff; border-color: var(--err); }
-.btn.ghost { background: transparent; }
-.btn:disabled { opacity: 0.5; cursor: not-allowed; }
-.btn.small { padding: 4px 8px; font-size: 0.875rem; }
+.btn.danger { background: var(--err); color: #fff; border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--err) 70%, black); }
+.btn.ghost { background: transparent; border-color: transparent; }
+.btn.ghost:hover { border-color: var(--border); }
+.btn:disabled { opacity: 0.45; cursor: not-allowed; transform: none; }
+.btn.small { padding: 4px 10px 3px; font-size: 0.74rem; }
 
-label { display: block; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 4px; }
-.hint { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.875rem; margin: 4px 0 0; }
+/* ---- forms ---- */
+label { display: block; font-weight: 700; font-size: 0.88rem; letter-spacing: 0.02em; margin-bottom: 5px; }
+.hint { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.86rem; margin: 5px 0 0; }
 input[type=text], input[type=email], input[type=password], input[type=number],
-select, textarea {
+input[type=search], input[type=date], input[type=file], select, textarea {
   width: 100%;
   font: inherit; color: var(--text);
   background: var(--bg);
-  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  border: var(--hairline);
   border-radius: var(--radius);
-  padding: 8px;
+  padding: 9px 10px;
+  transition: border-color 0.15s ease, box-shadow 0.15s ease;
 }
-textarea { resize: vertical; min-height: 80px; }
-.field { margin-bottom: 16px; }
+input:focus, select:focus, textarea:focus {
+  border-color: var(--accent);
+  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 18%, transparent);
+  outline: none;
+}
+textarea { resize: vertical; min-height: 84px; }
+.field { margin-bottom: 18px; }
 .row { display: flex; gap: 16px; }
 .row > * { flex: 1; }
 
 .error-box, .ok-box {
-  border: 1px solid var(--err); color: var(--err);
+  border: 1px solid var(--err);
+  border-left-width: 4px;
+  color: var(--err);
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--err) 7%, var(--surface));
   border-radius: var(--radius);
-  padding: 8px 12px; margin-bottom: 16px;
+  padding: 10px 14px;
+  margin-bottom: 16px;
+  font-weight: 500;
+}
+.ok-box {
+  border-color: var(--ok); color: var(--ok);
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--ok) 8%, var(--surface));
 }
-.ok-box { border-color: var(--ok); color: var(--ok); }
 .error-box:empty, .ok-box:empty { display: none; }
 
+/* ---- badges: rubber stamps & banknote chips ---- */
 .badge {
-  display: inline-block; font-size: 0.75rem; font-weight: 600;
-  padding: 2px 8px; border-radius: var(--radius);
-  background: var(--surface2); color: var(--muted);
+  display: inline-block;
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  font-size: 0.7rem;
+  font-weight: 500;
+  letter-spacing: 0.09em;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  padding: 2px 8px;
+  border-radius: var(--radius);
+  background: transparent;
+  color: var(--muted);
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
 }
-.badge.accent { background: var(--accent); color: var(--accent-contrast); border-color: var(--accent); }
+.badge.accent {
+  font-weight: 700;
+  background: var(--surface);
+  color: var(--accent);
+  border: 1px solid var(--accent);
+  box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 2px var(--surface), inset 0 0 0 3px color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 45%, transparent);
+  padding: 3px 10px;
+}
 
 .avatar {
   width: 32px; height: 32px; border-radius: var(--radius);
   background: var(--accent); color: var(--accent-contrast);
   display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
-  font-weight: 700; font-size: 0.875rem;
+  font-family: var(--font-display);
+  font-weight: 700; font-size: 0.9rem;
   object-fit: cover; overflow: hidden;
+  border: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 70%, black);
 }
-.avatar.large { width: 96px; height: 96px; font-size: 2rem; }
+.avatar.large { width: 96px; height: 96px; font-size: 2.1rem; }
 img.avatar { background: var(--surface2); }
 
+/* ---- tables: the ledger itself ---- */
 table.list { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; }
 table.list th, table.list td {
-  text-align: left; padding: 8px;
-  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
+  text-align: left; padding: 9px 10px;
+  border-bottom: var(--hairline);
 }
-table.list th { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.875rem; }
+table.list th {
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  color: var(--muted);
+  font-size: 0.72rem;
+  font-weight: 500;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
+  border-bottom: 2px solid var(--border);
+}
+table.list tbody tr:hover { background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--surface2) 60%, transparent); }
+table.list tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--surface2) 28%, transparent); }
 
-.grid { display: grid; gap: 16px; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(280px, 1fr)); }
+.grid { display: grid; gap: 18px; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(280px, 1fr)); }
 
 .muted { color: var(--muted); }
 .spread { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; gap: 16px; }
@@ -140,35 +328,78 @@ table.list th { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.875rem; }
 .kv-row { display: flex; gap: 8px; margin-bottom: 8px; }
 .kv-row input { flex: 1; }
 
-/* toast notifications */
+/* ---- toasts: telegram slips ---- */
 #toasts {
-  position: fixed; bottom: 16px; right: 16px; z-index: 100;
+  position: fixed; bottom: 16px; right: 16px; z-index: 2147483647;
   display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 8px; max-width: 360px;
 }
 .toast {
-  background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--border);
-  border-left: 3px solid var(--accent);
+  background: var(--surface);
+  border: var(--hairline);
+  border-left: 4px solid var(--accent);
   border-radius: var(--radius);
   padding: 12px 16px;
-  box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
+  font-size: 0.92rem;
+  box-shadow: 0 10px 24px -10px rgba(0,0,0,0.4);
+  animation: slipIn 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.7, 0.2, 1);
+}
+@keyframes slipIn {
+  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateX(12px); }
+  to { opacity: 1; transform: none; }
 }
 .toast.err { border-left-color: var(--err); }
 .toast.ok { border-left-color: var(--ok); }
 
-.hovercard {
-  position: absolute; z-index: 90; width: 300px;
-  box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.25);
+/* ---- masthead (login / register) ---- */
+.masthead { text-align: center; margin-bottom: 26px; }
+.masthead-kicker {
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  font-size: 0.68rem;
+  letter-spacing: 0.32em;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  color: var(--muted);
+  margin: 0 0 10px;
+}
+.masthead-title {
+  font-family: var(--font-display);
+  font-weight: 700;
+  font-size: 2.6rem;
+  letter-spacing: 0.01em;
+  margin: 0;
+}
+.masthead-title::after { content: none; }
+.masthead-rule {
+  display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;
+  margin: 14px auto 0; max-width: 280px;
+  color: var(--accent);
+}
+.masthead-rule::before, .masthead-rule::after {
+  content: "";
+  flex: 1;
+  border-top: var(--hairline);
+  border-bottom: var(--hairline);
+  height: 3px;
 }
 
-/* chat */
-.chat-layout { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 280px 1fr; gap: 16px; min-height: 70vh; }
+/* ---- hover cards ---- */
+.hovercard {
+  position: absolute; z-index: 90; width: 300px;
+  box-shadow: 0 14px 30px -12px rgba(0,0,0,0.45);
+  animation: rise 0.18s ease;
+}
+
+/* ---- chat ---- */
+.chat-layout { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 280px 1fr; gap: 18px; min-height: 70vh; }
 .chat-sidebar { overflow: auto; }
 .conv-list { list-style: none; margin: 8px 0 0; padding: 0; }
-.conv-list li { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); }
-.conv-list li.active .conv-item { background: var(--surface2); }
+.conv-list li { border-bottom: var(--hairline); }
+.conv-list li.active .conv-item {
+  background: var(--surface2);
+  box-shadow: inset 3px 0 0 var(--accent);
+}
 .conv-item {
   display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; gap: 8px;
-  width: 100%; padding: 10px 8px; font: inherit; text-align: left;
+  width: 100%; padding: 11px 10px; font: inherit; text-align: left;
   background: none; border: none; color: var(--text); cursor: pointer;
   border-radius: var(--radius);
 }
@@ -176,62 +407,88 @@ table.list th { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.875rem; }
 .chat-main { display: flex; flex-direction: column; }
 .chat-messages { flex: 1; overflow: auto; padding: 8px 0; min-height: 320px; }
 .chat-msg {
-  max-width: 75%; margin: 8px 0; padding: 8px 12px;
-  background: var(--surface2); border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  max-width: 75%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 9px 13px;
+  background: var(--surface2);
+  border: var(--hairline);
   border-radius: var(--radius);
+  font-size: 0.95rem;
+}
+.chat-msg.own {
+  margin-left: auto;
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 11%, var(--surface2));
+  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 35%, var(--border));
 }
-.chat-msg.own { margin-left: auto; background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 12%, var(--surface2)); }
 .chat-msg p, .chat-msg ul, .chat-msg ol { margin: 4px 0; }
-.chat-img { max-width: 240px; max-height: 180px; cursor: zoom-in; border-radius: var(--radius); }
+.chat-img { max-width: 240px; max-height: 180px; cursor: zoom-in; border-radius: var(--radius); border: var(--hairline); }
 .chat-toolbar { display: flex; gap: 4px; margin-bottom: 8px; }
 .chat-composer {
   min-height: 60px; max-height: 200px; overflow: auto;
-  background: var(--bg); border: 1px solid var(--border);
-  border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 8px;
+  background: var(--bg);
+  border: var(--hairline);
+  border-radius: var(--radius);
+  padding: 10px;
+}
+.chat-composer:focus {
+  border-color: var(--accent);
+  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 18%, transparent);
+  outline: none;
 }
 .chat-composer:empty::before { content: attr(data-placeholder); color: var(--muted); }
 .chat-attachments { display: flex; gap: 8px; flex-wrap: wrap; margin-bottom: 8px; }
 .lightbox { border: none; background: transparent; max-width: 92vw; max-height: 92vh; }
-.lightbox img { max-width: 90vw; max-height: 88vh; cursor: zoom-out; }
-.lightbox::backdrop { background: rgba(0,0,0,0.8); }
+.lightbox img { max-width: 90vw; max-height: 88vh; cursor: zoom-out; border: 4px solid var(--surface); }
+.lightbox::backdrop { background: rgba(12, 10, 8, 0.85); }
 @media (max-width: 800px) { .chat-layout { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }
 
-/* kanban */
-.kanban { display: grid; gap: 16px; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(220px, 1fr)); }
+/* ---- kanban: ledger columns ---- */
+.kanban { display: grid; gap: 18px; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(220px, 1fr)); }
 .kanban-col {
-  background: var(--surface2); border: 1px solid var(--border);
-  border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 16px; min-height: 200px;
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--surface2) 55%, transparent);
+  border: var(--hairline);
+  border-top: 3px double var(--border);
+  border-radius: var(--radius);
+  padding: 16px;
+  min-height: 220px;
+}
+.kanban-col h2 {
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  font-size: 0.74rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  letter-spacing: 0.16em;
+  color: var(--muted);
 }
-.kanban-col h2 { font-size: 0.9rem; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--muted); }
 
-/* notification bell */
+/* ---- notification bell ---- */
 .bell-badge {
   position: absolute; top: -4px; right: -4px;
   background: var(--err); color: #fff;
-  font-size: 0.65rem; font-weight: 700;
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  font-size: 0.62rem; font-weight: 700;
   padding: 1px 5px; border-radius: var(--radius);
 }
 .notif-panel {
-  position: absolute; right: 0; top: 36px; z-index: 50;
-  width: 320px; max-height: 420px; overflow: auto;
-  background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--border);
-  border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 12px;
-  box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
+  position: absolute; right: 0; top: 38px; z-index: 50;
+  width: 330px; max-height: 420px; overflow: auto;
+  background: var(--surface);
+  border: var(--hairline);
+  border-top: 3px double var(--border);
+  border-radius: var(--radius);
+  padding: 12px;
+  box-shadow: 0 16px 32px -12px rgba(0,0,0,0.45);
+  animation: rise 0.18s ease;
 }
 .notif-list { list-style: none; margin: 0 0 8px; padding: 0; }
-.notif-list li { padding: 8px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); }
-.notif-list a { color: var(--text); text-decoration: none; }
+.notif-list li { padding: 9px 0; border-bottom: var(--hairline); }
+.notif-list a { color: var(--text); }
 .notif-list a:hover { text-decoration: none; opacity: 0.85; }
 
-/* atomizing progress shimmer */
-.shimmer {
-  position: relative;
-  overflow: hidden;
-}
+/* ---- atomizing shimmer ---- */
+.shimmer { position: relative; overflow: hidden; }
 .shimmer::after {
   content: "";
   position: absolute; inset: 0;
-  background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 12%, transparent), transparent);
+  background: linear-gradient(100deg, transparent 30%, color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 14%, transparent), transparent 70%);
   animation: shimmer 1.6s infinite;
 }
 @keyframes shimmer {
@@ -240,22 +497,46 @@ table.list th { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.875rem; }
 }
 input[type=range] { width: 100%; accent-color: var(--accent); }
 
-.tabs { display: flex; gap: 8px; margin-bottom: 16px; flex-wrap: wrap; }
-.tabs [aria-selected=true] { background: var(--accent); color: var(--accent-contrast); border-color: var(--accent); }
+/* ---- tabs ---- */
+.tabs { display: flex; gap: 8px; margin-bottom: 18px; flex-wrap: wrap; }
+.tabs [aria-selected=true] {
+  background: var(--accent);
+  color: var(--accent-contrast);
+  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 70%, black);
+}
 
+/* ---- dialogs: paper slips ---- */
 dialog {
   background: var(--surface); color: var(--text);
-  border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: var(--radius);
-  padding: 24px; max-width: 90vw; max-height: 90vh; overflow: auto;
+  border: var(--hairline);
+  border-top: 4px double var(--accent);
+  border-radius: var(--radius);
+  padding: 26px;
+  max-width: 90vw; max-height: 90vh; overflow: auto;
+  box-shadow: 0 30px 70px -20px rgba(0,0,0,0.55);
 }
-dialog::backdrop { background: rgba(0,0,0,0.4); }
+dialog[open] { animation: rise 0.22s cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.7, 0.2, 1); }
+dialog::backdrop { background: rgba(20, 16, 12, 0.55); }
 fieldset {
-  border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: var(--radius);
+  border: var(--hairline);
+  border-radius: var(--radius);
   margin: 0 0 16px; padding: 16px;
 }
-legend { font-weight: 600; padding: 0 8px; }
+legend {
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  font-size: 0.72rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  color: var(--muted);
+  padding: 0 8px;
+}
+
+/* ---- scrollbars ---- */
+* { scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: var(--border) transparent; }
 
 @media (max-width: 640px) {
   .row { flex-direction: column; gap: 0; }
   .topnav { flex-wrap: wrap; }
+  h1 { font-size: 1.6rem; }
 }
diff --git a/web/static/fonts/Fraunces-var.woff2 b/web/static/fonts/Fraunces-var.woff2
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb295bf
Binary files /dev/null and b/web/static/fonts/Fraunces-var.woff2 differ
diff --git a/web/static/fonts/SchibstedGrotesk-var.woff2 b/web/static/fonts/SchibstedGrotesk-var.woff2
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea0f36f
Binary files /dev/null and b/web/static/fonts/SchibstedGrotesk-var.woff2 differ
diff --git a/web/static/fonts/SplineSansMono-var.woff2 b/web/static/fonts/SplineSansMono-var.woff2
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..14581f4
Binary files /dev/null and b/web/static/fonts/SplineSansMono-var.woff2 differ
diff --git a/web/templates/login.html b/web/templates/login.html
index 91c08df..70bcdc7 100644
--- a/web/templates/login.html
+++ b/web/templates/login.html
@@ -1,4 +1,9 @@
 {{define "content"}}
+<header class="masthead">
+  <p class="masthead-kicker">Consulting Work Exchange</p>
+  <p class="masthead-title">◈ Bounty Board</p>
+  <p class="masthead-rule">❦</p>
+</header>
 <div class="card">
   <h1>Log in</h1>
   <div class="error-box" id="error" role="alert">{{.Error}}</div>
diff --git a/web/templates/register.html b/web/templates/register.html
index 02a9130..e7be2cf 100644
--- a/web/templates/register.html
+++ b/web/templates/register.html
@@ -1,4 +1,9 @@
 {{define "content"}}
+<header class="masthead">
+  <p class="masthead-kicker">Consulting Work Exchange</p>
+  <p class="masthead-title">◈ Bounty Board</p>
+  <p class="masthead-rule">❦</p>
+</header>
 <div class="card">
   <h1>Create account</h1>
   <p class="hint">Self-registration creates a developer account. Consultant and admin roles are granted by an administrator.</p>