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new file mode 100644
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@@ -0,0 +1,384 @@
+---
+name: redesign-v2-from-mockups
+classification: epic
+success_metric: |
+  When a logged-in user opens deckhearth.com/dashboard, the screen they
+  see is recognizably the visual language of the operator's two
+  reference mockups (saved 2026-06-04 in
+  /Users/rstillw/.cursor/projects/Users-rstillw-Documents-Personal-Coding-Projects-tcg-vault/assets/image-d1fca5e0-cdde-4a5a-99a3-2e008408b19e.png
+  and image-dea39822-cea5-4c33-8e58-12b43095468d.png): visible warm
+  ember pools in the viewport corners (both themes), a bold gradient
+  active-pill in the sidebar, a "Deck|Hearth" gradient wordmark with
+  flame logomark, four stat cards with colored gradient icon tiles, a
+  prominent top search bar (Cmd+K hint), a Daily Ember progress widget
+  at the bottom of the sidebar, and a content-card grid with warm
+  outer-glow border treatment. All eight gates green (lint, vitest,
+  build, smoke, screenshot diff, the three forbidden-* grep gates,
+  Vercel preview).
+skip: []
+status: open
+created: 2026-06-04
+---
+
+# Redesign v2 — from operator mockups
+
+Umbrella convoy that completes the Liquid Glass redesign by aligning
+the actual look-and-feel with the operator's two reference mockups
+(2026-06-04). The prior `liquid-glass-redesign` umbrella (PRs #95-#101,
+8 sub-convoys completed) shipped the **architectural foundation** —
+design tokens, primitives, `.glass-panel` + `.page-header-glass`
+utilities, the layered hearth gradient, the `<GlassSurface>` /
+`<Modal>` / `<Button>` / `<Input>` / `<SearchBar>` JSX primitives. But
+when the operator opened the deployed product they reported "I am not
+seeing very many changes with the new look" and shared the two
+mockups linked in `success_metric` above. This convoy reads those
+mockups as the actual aesthetic spec and ships the missing pieces.
+
+This convoy is **planning-only**. No source files are touched here.
+Each numbered sub-convoy below is its own gated PR.
+
+---
+
+## 1. The gap, honestly
+
+The prior epic ships architecturally-correct CSS but visually-timid
+output:
+
+| Mockup shows | Prior epic delivered |
+| --- | --- |
+| **Bright ember pools** glowing at viewport corners (both themes) | 28% alpha radials that read as faint warmth, not embers |
+| **Bold gradient active-pill** in sidebar with ember-orange fill + soft outer glow | Thin 1px ember border-left indicator on a nearly-transparent rect |
+| **"Deck \| Hearth" wordmark** with flame logomark on the left | "DH" monogram badge + plain text "Deck Hearth" |
+| **Stat cards with colored gradient icon tiles** (gold / purple / blue / red rounded squares with white icon) | Plain icon next to text inside a glass-panel |
+| **Top search bar** stretched across the top with Cmd+K hint, notif bell with badge, mail icon, avatar+name+level chip | Page-header-strip (`.page-header-glass`) with title + action button |
+| **Daily Ember progress widget** at the bottom of the sidebar (flame icon, "16 / 20", progress bar, helper text) | Nothing — never built |
+| **Card grid items with warm outer glow** | Card thumbnails sit on solid bg with default shadow |
+| **Dark theme** with deep navy + visible ember corner glow + rich card chrome | Dark theme exists but corner gradient is even more subtle than light |
+| **Right-rail Card Spotlight** with metadata table + price chart + watchlist | Not part of current dashboard at all |
+
+The operator is right. The prior epic was a foundation; this convoy
+is the actual visual identity layer on top of it.
+
+---
+
+## 2. What this convoy is NOT
+
+- **NOT a rewrite from zero.** The prior epic's tokens
+  (`--glass-surface-*`, `--rim-light-*`, `--elevation-*`) and JSX
+  primitives (`<GlassSurface>`, `<Modal>`, `<Button>`) are correct and
+  reused. The `.glass-panel` utility stays. What changes is how those
+  pieces compose, the gradient *intensity* (boost), and the addition
+  of new primitives (`<StatCard>`, `<DailyEmberWidget>`,
+  `<TopSearchBar>`, `<SidebarPill>`).
+- **NOT a TypeScript migration.** Files stay `.js` per Gotcha #9.
+- **NOT a new dependency.** No icon library, no chart library yet — if
+  the right-rail spotlight ships in this convoy, charts come via SVG
+  or a single `recharts` install gated by a separate convoy.
+- **NOT a card-detail page redesign.** Sub-convoy 8 ("right-rail")
+  only sketches the layout. A full Card Spotlight rail with real price
+  data is a downstream convoy.
+- **NOT changing the canonical product features.** Existing dashboard
+  routes, queries, and content survive. This convoy re-skins the
+  presentation; it does not rebuild the data model.
+
+---
+
+## 3. Hard scoping rules (inherited from `liquid-glass-redesign` § 3)
+
+- Tailwind + CSS variables only; no new CSS framework.
+- Theme tokens, not hex. Every new color reads from a `:root` var
+  (or its `[data-theme="dark"]` override).
+- Both themes ship together per sub-convoy.
+- `prefers-reduced-motion` honored; new animations opt-in via
+  `.motion-essential` only when functionally required.
+- AA contrast measured at the new gradient corner intensities — the
+  ember pool MUST NOT drag bg contrast below 4.5:1 against
+  `--text-primary` in the affected viewport region.
+- `backdrop-filter` followed the rules from PR #99's maintainer
+  comment: literal values inside `blur()`, no `-webkit-` duplicate
+  in source (let Lightning CSS autoprefix).
+- One sub-convoy per PR; visual diff baseline updated only when
+  necessary and only in a Linux container (per
+  `seed-visual-baselines-on-linux` queued convoy guidance — see
+  `.convoys/ship-readiness.md`).
+
+---
+
+## 4. Dependency graph
+
+```
+   ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+   │ 1. hearth-bg-corner-embers                   │
+   │    boost gradient intensity to mockup level; │
+   │    light theme: visible warm-amber corners;  │
+   │    dark theme: deep navy + ember-red pools   │
+   └────────────────────────┬─────────────────────┘
+                            │
+       ┌────────────────────┼────────────────────┐
+       │                    │                    │
+       ▼                    ▼                    ▼
+ ┌────────────┐    ┌────────────────┐   ┌────────────────┐
+ │ 2. sidebar │    │ 3. top-search- │   │ 4. stat-card-  │
+ │    active- │    │    bar         │   │    primitive   │
+ │    pill +  │    │    (replaces   │   │    <StatCard>  │
+ │    logo    │    │    page-       │   │                │
+ │            │    │    header-     │   │                │
+ │            │    │    strip on    │   │                │
+ │            │    │    dashboard)  │   │                │
+ └─────┬──────┘    └────────┬───────┘   └────────┬───────┘
+       │                    │                    │
+       │                    │                    │
+       └────────┬───────────┴─────────┬──────────┘
+                │                     │
+                ▼                     ▼
+       ┌────────────────┐    ┌────────────────┐
+       │ 5. daily-ember │    │ 6. card-grid   │
+       │    widget      │    │    outer-glow  │
+       │    (sidebar    │    │    (CardItem   │
+       │    footer)     │    │    chrome)     │
+       └────────┬───────┘    └────────┬───────┘
+                │                     │
+                └──────────┬──────────┘
+                           ▼
+                ┌────────────────────┐
+                │ 7. dashboard-      │
+                │    rebuild         │
+                │    (assemble the   │
+                │    above into the  │
+                │    mockup layout)  │
+                └─────────┬──────────┘
+                          │
+                          ▼
+                ┌────────────────────┐
+                │ 8. right-rail-     │ ← optional (scope guard)
+                │    spotlight       │
+                │    (Card Spotlight │
+                │    sketch — no     │
+                │    new deps)       │
+                └────────────────────┘
+```
+
+**Strict blockers:**
+
+- #1 must merge before #2-7 — they all live against the new gradient.
+- #2, #3, #4 are independent and can run in parallel (multitask
+  candidate; disjoint files).
+- #5 is independent of #2-4 but visually relies on #1; merges any
+  time after #1.
+- #6 is independent; can run in parallel.
+- #7 is the integrator and merges last in the foundation phase.
+- #8 is gated by operator approval after #7 lands — it touches
+  layout structure non-trivially.
+
+---
+
+## 5. Sub-convoys (seed brief — one paragraph each)
+
+### 1. `hearth-bg-corner-embers`
+Raise the body-gradient intensity in `styles/globals.css` from the
+current 28%/18%/16% alpha radials to mockup-level visibility. Two
+themes ship together. Light: amber pool ~40% alpha bottom-left,
+secondary amber ~25% bottom-right, gold ~20% top-right, vertical
+warm wash ramps from cool top to warm bottom. Dark: deep navy
+(#0d0a18-ish) base + ember-red pool ~55% bottom-left, secondary
+ember ~35% bottom-right, purple-magenta accent ~18% top-right. Add
+`--bg-primary` dark-theme value adjustment to match the mockup's
+deep-navy base. Acceptance: side-by-side screenshot against the
+mockups shows recognizably the same corner-ember treatment in both
+themes. Lint + vitest + build + smoke + screenshot-diff green;
+visual diff baseline re-seeded ONLY for the public landing page
+(`tests/visual/homepage.spec.ts`) since that's the only currently
+baselined surface.
+
+### 2. `sidebar-active-pill-and-wordmark`
+Replace `Layout.js`'s current sidebar active-state (thin 1px border
+indicator) with a bold rounded-pill that has an ember-orange gradient
+fill, white icon + label, and a soft outer ember glow. Inactive
+items remain transparent / hover-only. Replace the "DH" monogram +
+"Deck Hearth" text header with: gradient flame logomark (SVG, ember
+gradient) on the left + "Deck" + "Hearth" wordmark where "Hearth"
+uses the `gradient-text-flame` utility so the two-tone word reads
+like the mockup. Acceptance: sidebar visually matches the mockup's
+active-pill + wordmark treatment in both themes; the existing 5
+Layout regression-lock vitest assertions still pass (Sign-in CTA
+when null user, no maintainer email leak, etc.).
+
+### 3. `top-search-bar`
+Add a new `<TopSearchBar>` component that renders a full-width
+horizontal bar with: (a) prominent search input with magnifier icon
+and `Cmd+K` hint pill on the right, (b) notification bell with red
+badge (number from `user.unreadNotifications` or static "3" for
+demo until the real query lands), (c) mail icon, (d) avatar + name
++ level chip + dropdown caret. On `/dashboard` only, replace the
+current `<header>` (lines 824-855 of Layout.js with the search box
+when `showSearch=true`) with this primitive. Keep `.page-header-glass`
+for non-dashboard pages — the two patterns coexist. Acceptance:
+dashboard top edge matches mockup (search bar dominant, right side
+has the three icons + avatar block).
+
+### 4. `stat-card-primitive`
+Add `components/ui/StatCard.js` exporting `<StatCard>` that renders:
+glass-panel container, a 48×48 rounded-2xl tile on the left with a
+gradient background (prop: `accent="gold" | "purple" | "blue" |
+"red"`), a white icon (children or `icon` prop), large number, label,
+and an optional delta indicator (`delta="+12.5%"` or `delta="-2.1%"`)
+with up/down arrow + color. Used by sub-convoy #7 on the dashboard
+(4 cards in a row). Acceptance: new component test in
+`test/components/StatCard.test.js` covering: renders all 4 accent
+gradients, renders delta in green when positive and red when
+negative, renders without delta when prop omitted, escapes label as
+text not HTML. The 4 accent colors get new `:root` tokens
+(`--stat-accent-gold`, `--stat-accent-purple`, `--stat-accent-blue`,
+`--stat-accent-red`) so dark/light variants are clean.
+
+### 5. `daily-ember-widget`
+Add `components/DailyEmberWidget.js` exporting `<DailyEmberWidget>`:
+glass-panel container, flame icon top-left, "Daily Ember" label,
+"N / M" current/max display, ember-gradient horizontal progress bar,
+"Collect 20 embers for bonus XP!" helper text below. Wired to a
+new (mocked-for-now) hook `useDailyEmber()` in `lib/use-daily-ember.js`
+that returns `{ current, max, multiplier }`. Real backend wiring is
+out of scope; the hook returns hardcoded `{ current: 16, max: 20 }`
+matching the mockup until a separate convoy adds the API. Used by
+sub-convoy #7 (mounted in the Layout sidebar above the user
+menu/footer block). Acceptance: visually matches mockup, vitest
+covers the hook returning a valid object shape and the component
+rendering with hook data.
+
+### 6. `card-grid-outer-glow`
+Adjust `components/CardItem.js`'s outer container to add a warm
+soft outer glow that matches the mockup's card treatment (the cards
+in the Featured Collection grid appear to "glow" gently from a warm
+light source). Implementation: `box-shadow: 0 0 24px -4px
+rgba(255, 128, 0, 0.18)` on the card root, intensified on hover.
+Must NOT touch the rarity-color glow logic (existing
+`gradient-text-gold` etc.). Per the prior epic's hard scoping rule
+("card grids may NOT use glass on every card"), the glow stays as a
+single cheap box-shadow per card. Acceptance: visual matches mockup,
+no scroll-jank on long card grids.
+
+### 7. `dashboard-rebuild`
+Rewrite `pages/dashboard.js` to assemble the new primitives into the
+mockup layout. Structure:
+  - Layout shell unchanged
+  - Replace `<header>`/`.page-header-glass` with `<TopSearchBar>`
+  - Row 1: 4× `<StatCard>` (Total Cards, Rare Cards, Decks Built,
+    Wishlist Items — the metric names from mockup)
+  - Row 2: `<FeaturedCollectionGrid>` (new component, used only by
+    dashboard, internally is a 4×2 `<CardItem>` grid with the
+    mockup's title bar + filters)
+  - Row 3: `<RecentActivityFeed>` (new component, list with avatar
+    + text + timestamp rows — wire-mocked from existing
+    `/api/collections/recent` or static if no endpoint yet)
+  - The right-rail Card Spotlight is OUT OF SCOPE for this sub-convoy
+    (it's #8)
+  - Layout's sidebar gets `<DailyEmberWidget>` mounted above the
+    user-menu footer
+Existing dashboard logic (router, auth, data fetching) is preserved;
+only the JSX structure and component composition changes. Acceptance:
+deckhearth.com/dashboard side-by-side with the mockup is "recognizably
+the same product" (operator gate, not a CI gate).
+
+### 8. `right-rail-spotlight` (optional follow-up)
+Sketch the right-rail Card Spotlight panel from the mockup: selected
+card image, metadata table (Rarity, Set, Collector #, Condition),
+market value + delta, two charts (price trend line + market overview
+area). Charts via inline SVG until a charting library convoy lands.
+Watchlist below charts. This is a SCOPE GUARD: the data wiring
+(real market-value API, real watchlist) is out of scope; component
+ships with hardcoded demo data and a clearly-marked TODO comment.
+Acceptance gate: operator explicit "ship #8" approval before kicking
+off — easy to defer to a follow-up convoy if turn budget runs short.
+
+---
+
+## 6. What gets rewritten / replaced from the prior epic
+
+Honest list of regressions from PRs #95-#101 this convoy reverses or
+significantly modifies:
+
+- **`.page-header-glass` utility (PR #100)** — used by
+  /my-cards, /cards, /collections, /community/collections,
+  /collection/[id], NOT by dashboard after #3 lands. The class stays;
+  dashboard.js stops using it.
+- **Dashboard's current "stat cards" (PR #97)** — replaced by
+  `<StatCard>` primitive in #4 → #7. The current dashboard surfaces
+  (`.glass-panel rounded-2xl p-6`) become old-shape after #7 merges.
+  No CSS removal; just call-site replacement.
+- **Body hearth gradient values (PR #101)** — boosted to mockup
+  intensity in #1. The composition (3 radials + linear wash) stays;
+  the alphas roughly double.
+- **Sidebar active-state border-left + DH monogram (Layout.js)** —
+  replaced wholesale by #2's gradient pill + wordmark.
+- **Top header `<header>` block when `showSearch=true` (Layout.js
+  lines 824-855)** — replaced by `<TopSearchBar>` on dashboard. Other
+  pages keep the existing header (or fall through to no header).
+- **`pages/dashboard.js` JSX structure** — rewritten in #7. Data
+  hooks (`useAuth`, query for owned cards count, etc.) preserved.
+
+CI grep gate updates needed:
+
+- None expected. The `forbidden-modal-shell-without-primitive` and
+  `forbidden-deprecated-color-aliases` gates from #96 remain. No new
+  gate added; the mockup-matching is operator-judged, not CI-judged.
+
+---
+
+## 7. Operator decisions (locked 2026-06-04)
+
+1. **Stat card metrics**: `Total Cards` / `Rare Cards` / `Collection
+   Value` / `Wishlist Items`. Use real product data where available;
+   placeholders (0 / N/A) where the concept doesn't yet exist
+   (Wishlist Items has no schema today — show as 0 with a small
+   "coming soon" subtitle until the wishlist feature ships).
+2. **`Cmd+K` shortcut**: wired in this convoy. `<TopSearchBar>` ships
+   with a global keyboard handler that opens a search modal. The
+   modal is the minimum viable — input + 3-5 recent searches + Enter
+   to submit. Full federated search across cards / decks / lists is
+   a downstream convoy.
+3. **Top search bar scope**: sweep to ALL authenticated pages in
+   this convoy. Consistent top-bar everywhere: /dashboard, /my-cards,
+   /cards, /collections, /community/collections, /collection/[id],
+   /scanner, /settings. The `.page-header-glass` utility stays in
+   `styles/globals.css` (it's used by other potential future pages)
+   but no call site references it after this convoy.
+4. **Default theme**: flip to **dark** in this convoy. The mockup's
+   dark variant is the visually-defining read. Light theme stays
+   fully supported (the toggle in the sidebar still works), but a
+   first-time visitor lands on dark by default. Set
+   `[data-theme="dark"]` as the initial DOM attribute in
+   `lib/theme-context.js`'s initial-load logic (currently defaults
+   to system preference; change to dark unless the user has an
+   explicit stored preference).
+5. **`<FeaturedCollectionGrid>` data**: show the user's most-recent
+   8 owned cards (from the existing `user_cards` query). If the user
+   has <8, fill with a clear "Add cards to populate this grid" CTA
+   in the empty slots. Hardcoded demos are NOT shipped (the operator
+   wants real data, not fake polish).
+6. **Right-rail #8**: in scope. Ship the sketch with hardcoded demo
+   data and a clearly-marked TODO comment for the real market-value
+   API. Charts via inline SVG.
+
+---
+
+## 8. Roles invoked
+
+- `role-conductor` (this file)
+- `role-design-system-auditor` — sub-convoy #1 (gradient values,
+  contrast check at higher intensities) + #2 (active-pill
+  contrast/glow tuning) + #4 (stat card accent token palette)
+- `role-architect` — every sub-convoy
+- `role-implementer` — every sub-convoy
+- `role-reviewer` — every sub-convoy (multitask candidate after
+  implementer ships draft)
+- `role-a11y-auditor` — sub-convoys #1 (corner contrast),
+  #2 (active-pill focus ring), #3 (top-bar tab order)
+- `role-ux-reviewer` — sub-convoys #2, #3, #5, #7 (interaction
+  patterns)
+
+---
+
+## 9. Status
+
+Open. Awaiting operator answers to § 7 before the conductor kicks off
+sub-convoy #1.
diff --git a/lib/theme-context.js b/lib/theme-context.js
index 5e4c371..325ff61 100644
--- a/lib/theme-context.js
+++ b/lib/theme-context.js
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ import { createContext, useContext, useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 const ThemeContext = createContext();
 
 function readThemeFromStorage() {
-  if (typeof window === 'undefined') return 'light';
-  return localStorage.getItem('theme') || 'light';
+  if (typeof window === 'undefined') return 'dark';
+  return localStorage.getItem('theme') || 'dark';
 }
 
 export function ThemeProvider({ children }) {
diff --git a/styles/globals.css b/styles/globals.css
index fe0f71d..9cc6f8a 100644
--- a/styles/globals.css
+++ b/styles/globals.css
@@ -42,10 +42,18 @@ body {
 }
 
 [data-theme="dark"] {
-  /* Dark Theme - Cozy Evening by the Fire */
-  --bg-primary-dark: #1a0f0a;         /* Deep charcoal, like burnt wood */
-  --bg-secondary-dark: #2d1b12;       /* Rich dark brown, like oak */
-  --bg-tertiary-dark: #3d2317;        /* Medium brown, like mahogany */
+  /* Dark Theme - Deep Navy Hearth Room (operator mockup, 2026-06-04)
+     The base is no longer warm-charcoal-brown — that read as "muddy"
+     and didn't let the ember corners glow. Switched to a deep cool-navy
+     base so the ember-orange and purple-magenta corner pools have
+     somewhere to be vivid against. The "fireplace warmth" survives as
+     gradient corner-glow, accent tokens, and the inner-rim highlights,
+     NOT as panel fill — same Liquid-Glass principle as the original
+     epic, just executed at mockup intensity rather than the imperceptible
+     intensity of PRs #100-#101. */
+  --bg-primary-dark: #0d0e1a;         /* Deep cool-navy, like night sky over coals */
+  --bg-secondary-dark: #14162a;       /* Slightly lighter navy, for inset surfaces */
+  --bg-tertiary-dark: #1d1f3a;        /* Tertiary navy, for nested chrome */
   --text-primary-dark: #fff8f0;       /* Warm white, like firelight */
   --text-secondary-dark: #d7c4b0;     /* Soft cream, like candlelight */
   --text-accent-dark: #ff8a50;        /* Bright flame orange */
@@ -136,10 +144,13 @@ body {
 }
 
 [data-theme="dark"] {
-  /* Glass surfaces (dark) — same alpha ramp over warm-charcoal base. */
-  --glass-surface-low:  rgba(26, 15, 10, 0.55);
-  --glass-surface-mid:  rgba(26, 15, 10, 0.68);
-  --glass-surface-high: rgba(26, 15, 10, 0.82);
+  /* Glass surfaces (dark) — alpha ramp over the new deep-navy base
+     (#0d0e1a from the operator mockup, 2026-06-04). RGB is updated
+     from the prior warm-charcoal (26,15,10) so glass-on-dark blends
+     with the bg without muddy color shift. */
+  --glass-surface-low:  rgba(20, 22, 42, 0.62);
+  --glass-surface-mid:  rgba(20, 22, 42, 0.74);
+  --glass-surface-high: rgba(20, 22, 42, 0.86);
 
   /* Rim-light (dark) — softer warm-white inner + faint outer. */
   --rim-light-inner: inset 0 1px 0 0 rgba(255, 248, 240, 0.12);
@@ -182,9 +193,9 @@ body {
     --glass-surface-high: rgba(254, 252, 248, 0.98);
   }
   [data-theme="dark"] {
-    --glass-surface-low:  rgba(26, 15, 10, 0.92);
-    --glass-surface-mid:  rgba(26, 15, 10, 0.95);
-    --glass-surface-high: rgba(26, 15, 10, 0.98);
+    --glass-surface-low:  rgba(20, 22, 42, 0.92);
+    --glass-surface-mid:  rgba(20, 22, 42, 0.95);
+    --glass-surface-high: rgba(20, 22, 42, 0.98);
   }
 }
 
@@ -202,34 +213,34 @@ body {
 body {
   background-color: var(--bg-primary-light);
   background-image:
-    /* Bright ember pool, bottom-left — the "seat of the fire". */
+    /* Bright amber ember pool, bottom-left — "seat of the fire". */
     radial-gradient(
-      ellipse 70% 50% at 12% 105%,
-      rgba(255, 100, 0, 0.28) 0%,
-      rgba(255, 128, 0, 0.14) 30%,
-      rgba(255, 171, 64, 0.04) 60%,
-      transparent 80%
+      ellipse 75% 55% at 8% 108%,
+      rgba(255, 110, 0, 0.42) 0%,
+      rgba(255, 140, 30, 0.22) 28%,
+      rgba(255, 171, 64, 0.08) 55%,
+      transparent 78%
     ),
-    /* Secondary ember, bottom-right — keeps the warmth from feeling
-       lopsided on wide displays. */
+    /* Secondary amber, bottom-right — balances wide displays. */
     radial-gradient(
-      ellipse 55% 45% at 95% 100%,
-      rgba(255, 140, 30, 0.18) 0%,
-      rgba(255, 171, 64, 0.05) 50%,
-      transparent 75%
+      ellipse 60% 50% at 98% 105%,
+      rgba(255, 130, 20, 0.30) 0%,
+      rgba(255, 171, 64, 0.10) 45%,
+      transparent 72%
     ),
-    /* Soft gold glow, top-right — the "smoke catching last light". */
+    /* Gold accent, top-right — "smoke catching last light". */
     radial-gradient(
-      ellipse 55% 45% at 90% -5%,
-      rgba(255, 171, 64, 0.16) 0%,
-      transparent 65%
+      ellipse 60% 45% at 95% -8%,
+      rgba(255, 171, 64, 0.24) 0%,
+      rgba(255, 200, 110, 0.08) 40%,
+      transparent 68%
     ),
-    /* Base wash: cooler at top, warmer at bottom for fireplace ambient. */
+    /* Base wash: cooler-cream top → warmer-amber-tinted bottom. */
     linear-gradient(
       180deg,
       rgba(254, 252, 248, 1) 0%,
-      rgba(252, 244, 230, 1) 60%,
-      rgba(250, 238, 220, 1) 100%
+      rgba(252, 244, 230, 1) 55%,
+      rgba(250, 233, 210, 1) 100%
     );
   background-attachment: fixed;
   color: var(--text-primary-light);
@@ -238,26 +249,36 @@ body {
 [data-theme="dark"] body {
   background-color: var(--bg-primary-dark);
   background-image:
+    /* Bright ember-red pool, bottom-left — the operator mockup's
+       defining visual. High alpha against deep navy makes it glow. */
     radial-gradient(
-      ellipse 70% 50% at 12% 105%,
-      rgba(255, 100, 0, 0.32) 0%,
-      rgba(255, 128, 0, 0.16) 30%,
-      transparent 70%
+      ellipse 75% 55% at 8% 108%,
+      rgba(255, 75, 30, 0.55) 0%,
+      rgba(255, 110, 0, 0.30) 25%,
+      rgba(255, 140, 30, 0.10) 55%,
+      transparent 78%
     ),
+    /* Secondary ember, bottom-right. */
     radial-gradient(
-      ellipse 55% 45% at 95% 100%,
-      rgba(255, 140, 30, 0.18) 0%,
-      transparent 70%
+      ellipse 60% 50% at 98% 105%,
+      rgba(255, 110, 30, 0.36) 0%,
+      rgba(255, 140, 50, 0.12) 45%,
+      transparent 72%
     ),
+    /* Purple-magenta accent, top-right — the "cosmic" highlight from
+       the mockup's dark variant. Brings TCG/celestial brand energy. */
     radial-gradient(
-      ellipse 55% 45% at 90% -5%,
-      rgba(124, 58, 237, 0.14) 0%,
-      transparent 65%
+      ellipse 65% 50% at 95% -8%,
+      rgba(168, 85, 247, 0.26) 0%,
+      rgba(124, 58, 237, 0.10) 40%,
+      transparent 68%
     ),
+    /* Subtle vertical wash: pure deep navy → slightly purpler bottom. */
     linear-gradient(
       180deg,
-      rgba(26, 15, 10, 1) 0%,
-      rgba(42, 24, 16, 1) 100%
+      rgba(13, 14, 26, 1) 0%,
+      rgba(17, 18, 38, 1) 55%,
+      rgba(22, 18, 45, 1) 100%
     );
   background-attachment: fixed;
   color: var(--text-primary-dark);