diff --git a/docs/architecture.md b/docs/architecture.md
index b3732f7..06ef2ca 100644
--- a/docs/architecture.md
+++ b/docs/architecture.md
@@ -239,7 +239,16 @@ would float over editor windows).
 
 `ui/src/styles.css`: shadcn-style OKLCH tokens; dark values are duplicated in
 `:root[data-theme='dark']` AND a `prefers-color-scheme` media block (system
-mode) — every dark token change goes in BOTH. Accent tones: one
+mode) — every dark token change goes in BOTH. Light is the zinc family; the
+dark neutrals are a **warm gray family (hue 107)** anchored on `#1a1a19`
+(`--background`) — retoning one dark neutral means retoning them all, or warm
+and cool surfaces clash. Surface elevation ramp, both themes: `--chrome`
+(frame strips) sits *below* `--background` (content panes) < `--card`
+(popovers/dialogs) < `--accent` (hover). Dark ramp `#151514` → `#1a1a19` →
+`#20201f` → `#2e2e2d`; the "darker" tone drops `--chrome` to true black.
+`bg-chrome` is on the tab bar, status bar, transfer bar, the editor/manager
+header+footer strips and the manager's connection sidebar; panel-internal
+toolbars deliberately stay on `--background`. Accent tones: one
 `--tone-h/--tone-c` line per tone + three formula blocks derive `--primary`,
 `--ring`, `--cursor-tint`; graphite = attribute removed = pristine zinc.
 `@theme inline` maps tokens to Tailwind utilities (`bg-primary`,
diff --git a/ui/src/app/connection-manager/connection-manager.html b/ui/src/app/connection-manager/connection-manager.html
index 18f2964..06e2f69 100644
--- a/ui/src/app/connection-manager/connection-manager.html
+++ b/ui/src/app/connection-manager/connection-manager.html
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   <!-- header: on macOS this row IS the titlebar (hiddenInset + drag region),
        elsewhere the native titlebar sits above and this is a compact strip -->
   <header
-    class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 border-b border-border pr-2"
+    class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 border-b border-border bg-chrome pr-2"
     [class.h-10]="isMacChrome"
     [class.pl-24]="isMacChrome"
     [class.electrobun-webkit-app-region-drag]="isMacChrome"
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 
   <div class="flex min-h-0 flex-1">
       <!-- stacks + connections list -->
-      <div class="flex w-72 shrink-0 flex-col border-r border-border bg-muted/30">
+      <div class="flex w-72 shrink-0 flex-col border-r border-border bg-chrome">
         <div class="flex items-center gap-1 border-b border-border px-2 py-1.5">
           <button
             (click)="newConnection()"
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@
             }
           </div>
 
-          <div class="flex items-center gap-2 border-t border-border px-4 py-2.5">
+          <div class="flex items-center gap-2 border-t border-border bg-chrome px-4 py-2.5">
             <button
               (click)="deleteCurrent()"
               class="flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-md px-2 py-1.5 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:bg-accent hover:text-destructive"
diff --git a/ui/src/app/editor-window/editor-window.html b/ui/src/app/editor-window/editor-window.html
index 57b43b4..4fca822 100644
--- a/ui/src/app/editor-window/editor-window.html
+++ b/ui/src/app/editor-window/editor-window.html
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
     <!-- header: on macOS this row IS the titlebar (hiddenInset + drag region),
          elsewhere the native titlebar sits above and this is a compact strip -->
     <header
-      class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 border-b border-border pr-2"
+      class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 border-b border-border bg-chrome pr-2"
       [class.h-10]="isMacChrome"
       [class.pl-24]="isMacChrome"
       [class.electrobun-webkit-app-region-drag]="isMacChrome"
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
     </header>
 
     @if (findOpen()) {
-      <div class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 border-b border-border px-3 py-1.5">
+      <div class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 border-b border-border bg-chrome px-3 py-1.5">
         <ng-icon name="mynaSearch" size="0.85rem" class="shrink-0 text-muted-foreground" />
         <input
           #findBox
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@
         ></textarea>
       </div>
 
-      <footer class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 border-t border-border px-4 py-2">
+      <footer class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 border-t border-border bg-chrome px-4 py-2">
         <span class="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">{{ i18n.t('editor.shortcuts', { mod: modLabel }) }}</span>
         <span class="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">·</span>
         <span class="text-[11px] tabular-nums text-muted-foreground">
diff --git a/ui/src/app/status-bar/status-bar.ts b/ui/src/app/status-bar/status-bar.ts
index a839387..b7ca324 100644
--- a/ui/src/app/status-bar/status-bar.ts
+++ b/ui/src/app/status-bar/status-bar.ts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import { TransfersService } from '../transfers.service';
   imports: [NgIcon],
   template: `
     <div
-      class="flex h-6 items-center justify-between gap-4 border-t border-border px-3 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground select-none"
+      class="flex h-6 items-center justify-between gap-4 border-t border-border bg-chrome px-3 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground select-none"
     >
       <!-- transfers summary; click toggles the detailed list -->
       <button
diff --git a/ui/src/app/tab-bar/tab-bar.ts b/ui/src/app/tab-bar/tab-bar.ts
index 071246b..099cf42 100644
--- a/ui/src/app/tab-bar/tab-bar.ts
+++ b/ui/src/app/tab-bar/tab-bar.ts
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ const CONCURRENCY_CHOICES = [2, 3, 4, 6, 8] as const;
     <!-- On macOS this row IS the titlebar (hiddenInset): taller, padded past the
          traffic lights, and draggable. Elsewhere it's a normal compact row. -->
     <div
-      class="relative flex items-center gap-0.5 border-b border-border pr-1.5 electrobun-webkit-app-region-drag"
+      class="relative flex items-center gap-0.5 border-b border-border bg-chrome pr-1.5 electrobun-webkit-app-region-drag"
       [class.h-10]="isMacChrome"
       [class.pl-24]="isMacChrome"
       [class.pl-1.5]="!isMacChrome"
diff --git a/ui/src/app/transfer-bar/transfer-bar.html b/ui/src/app/transfer-bar/transfer-bar.html
index f31bd5e..afd26a6 100644
--- a/ui/src/app/transfer-bar/transfer-bar.html
+++ b/ui/src/app/transfer-bar/transfer-bar.html
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 @if (transfers.expanded() && transfers.hasJobs()) {
-  <div class="flex items-center justify-between border-t border-border px-3 py-1 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+  <div class="flex items-center justify-between border-t border-border bg-chrome px-3 py-1 text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
     <span>
       {{ i18n.t('transfer.summary', { active: transfers.activeJobs().length, finished: transfers.finishedJobs().length }) }}
     </span>
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <ng-icon name="mynaTrash" size="0.75rem" /> {{ i18n.t('transfer.clearFinished') }}
     </button>
   </div>
-  <div class="max-h-40 overflow-y-auto border-t border-border">
+  <div class="max-h-40 overflow-y-auto border-t border-border bg-chrome">
     @for (job of transfers.jobs(); track job.id) {
       <div class="flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-1.5 text-xs">
         <ng-icon [name]="stateIcon(job)" size="0.95rem" [class]="stateClass(job)" />
diff --git a/ui/src/index.html b/ui/src/index.html
index db3bd6c..ae1571a 100644
--- a/ui/src/index.html
+++ b/ui/src/index.html
@@ -14,11 +14,11 @@
          src/bun/windows.ts) so forced themes are correct at first paint. -->
     <style>
       html { background: oklch(1 0 0); }
-      html[data-theme='dark'] { background: oklch(0.245 0.005 285.9); }
-      html[data-theme='dark'][data-dark-tone='darker'] { background: oklch(0.141 0.005 285.823); }
+      html[data-theme='dark'] { background: oklch(0.2178 0.002 107); }
+      html[data-theme='dark'][data-dark-tone='darker'] { background: oklch(0.141 0.002 107); }
       @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
-        html:not([data-theme='light']) { background: oklch(0.245 0.005 285.9); }
-        html:not([data-theme='light'])[data-dark-tone='darker'] { background: oklch(0.141 0.005 285.823); }
+        html:not([data-theme='light']) { background: oklch(0.2178 0.002 107); }
+        html:not([data-theme='light'])[data-dark-tone='darker'] { background: oklch(0.141 0.002 107); }
       }
     </style>
   </head>
diff --git a/ui/src/styles.css b/ui/src/styles.css
index 07a4b8f..ca7077f 100644
--- a/ui/src/styles.css
+++ b/ui/src/styles.css
@@ -1,11 +1,17 @@
 @import "tailwindcss";
 
-/* shadcn-style theme tokens (zinc placeholder palette — tweak freely).
-   The app follows the OS light/dark preference automatically. */
+/* shadcn-style theme tokens. Light stays the zinc family; the dark neutrals are a
+   warm gray family (hue ~107) anchored on #1a1a19 — see the dark blocks below.
+   The app follows the OS light/dark preference automatically.
+
+   Surface elevation ramp (both themes): --chrome (frame strips: tab/transfer/status
+   bars, window toolbars) sits BELOW --background (content panes), which sits below
+   --card (popovers, dialogs), which sits below --accent (hover). */
 :root {
   /* Native UI (scrollbars, form controls) follows the OS unless a theme is forced. */
   color-scheme: light dark;
   --background: oklch(1 0 0);
+  --chrome: oklch(0.977 0.001 286.375);
   --foreground: oklch(0.141 0.005 285.823);
   --card: oklch(1 0 0);
   --card-foreground: oklch(0.141 0.005 285.823);
@@ -41,24 +47,25 @@
 
 :root[data-theme='dark'] {
   color-scheme: dark;
-  --background: oklch(0.245 0.005 285.9);
-  --foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --card: oklch(0.274 0.006 286.033);
-  --card-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --primary: oklch(0.92 0.004 286.32);
-  --primary-foreground: oklch(0.21 0.006 285.885);
-  --secondary: oklch(0.33 0.01 285.9);
-  --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --muted: oklch(0.33 0.01 285.9);
-  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.72 0.015 286.07);
-  --accent: oklch(0.33 0.01 285.9);
-  --accent-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
+  --background: oklch(0.2178 0.002 107);
+  --chrome: oklch(0.1953 0.002 107);
+  --foreground: oklch(0.982 0.003 107);
+  --card: oklch(0.245 0.002 107);
+  --card-foreground: oklch(0.982 0.003 107);
+  --primary: oklch(0.92 0.004 107);
+  --primary-foreground: oklch(0.21 0.002 107);
+  --secondary: oklch(0.302 0.003 107);
+  --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.982 0.003 107);
+  --muted: oklch(0.302 0.003 107);
+  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.715 0.012 107);
+  --accent: oklch(0.302 0.003 107);
+  --accent-foreground: oklch(0.982 0.003 107);
   --destructive: oklch(0.704 0.191 22.216);
-  --destructive-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
+  --destructive-foreground: oklch(0.982 0.003 107);
   --success: oklch(0.696 0.17 149.2);
   --border: oklch(1 0 0 / 14%);
   --input: oklch(1 0 0 / 18%);
-  --ring: oklch(0.552 0.016 285.938);
+  --ring: oklch(0.552 0.01 107);
   --icon-folder: oklch(0.75 0.11 250);
   --icon-link: oklch(0.74 0.09 190);
   --icon-image: oklch(0.76 0.11 295);
@@ -69,24 +76,25 @@
 
 @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
   :root:not([data-theme='light']) {
-    --background: oklch(0.245 0.005 285.9);
-    --foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-    --card: oklch(0.274 0.006 286.033);
-    --card-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-    --primary: oklch(0.92 0.004 286.32);
-    --primary-foreground: oklch(0.21 0.006 285.885);
-    --secondary: oklch(0.33 0.01 285.9);
-    --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-    --muted: oklch(0.33 0.01 285.9);
-    --muted-foreground: oklch(0.72 0.015 286.07);
-    --accent: oklch(0.33 0.01 285.9);
-    --accent-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
+    --background: oklch(0.2178 0.002 107);
+    --chrome: oklch(0.1953 0.002 107);
+    --foreground: oklch(0.982 0.003 107);
+    --card: oklch(0.245 0.002 107);
+    --card-foreground: oklch(0.982 0.003 107);
+    --primary: oklch(0.92 0.004 107);
+    --primary-foreground: oklch(0.21 0.002 107);
+    --secondary: oklch(0.302 0.003 107);
+    --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.982 0.003 107);
+    --muted: oklch(0.302 0.003 107);
+    --muted-foreground: oklch(0.715 0.012 107);
+    --accent: oklch(0.302 0.003 107);
+    --accent-foreground: oklch(0.982 0.003 107);
     --destructive: oklch(0.704 0.191 22.216);
-    --destructive-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
+    --destructive-foreground: oklch(0.982 0.003 107);
     --success: oklch(0.696 0.17 149.2);
     --border: oklch(1 0 0 / 14%);
     --input: oklch(1 0 0 / 18%);
-    --ring: oklch(0.552 0.016 285.938);
+    --ring: oklch(0.552 0.01 107);
     --icon-folder: oklch(0.75 0.11 250);
     --icon-link: oklch(0.74 0.09 190);
     --icon-image: oklch(0.76 0.11 295);
@@ -100,23 +108,25 @@
    Near-black AMOLED palette. Duplicated for forced-dark and system-dark like the
    token blocks above — the extra attribute outranks them. */
 :root[data-theme='dark'][data-dark-tone='darker'] {
-  --background: oklch(0.141 0.005 285.823);
-  --card: oklch(0.21 0.006 285.885);
-  --secondary: oklch(0.274 0.006 286.033);
-  --muted: oklch(0.274 0.006 286.033);
-  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.705 0.015 286.067);
-  --accent: oklch(0.274 0.006 286.033);
+  --background: oklch(0.141 0.002 107);
+  --chrome: oklch(0 0 0);
+  --card: oklch(0.21 0.002 107);
+  --secondary: oklch(0.274 0.003 107);
+  --muted: oklch(0.274 0.003 107);
+  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.705 0.012 107);
+  --accent: oklch(0.274 0.003 107);
   --border: oklch(1 0 0 / 12%);
   --input: oklch(1 0 0 / 15%);
 }
 @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
   :root:not([data-theme='light'])[data-dark-tone='darker'] {
-    --background: oklch(0.141 0.005 285.823);
-    --card: oklch(0.21 0.006 285.885);
-    --secondary: oklch(0.274 0.006 286.033);
-    --muted: oklch(0.274 0.006 286.033);
-    --muted-foreground: oklch(0.705 0.015 286.067);
-    --accent: oklch(0.274 0.006 286.033);
+    --background: oklch(0.141 0.002 107);
+    --chrome: oklch(0 0 0);
+    --card: oklch(0.21 0.002 107);
+    --secondary: oklch(0.274 0.003 107);
+    --muted: oklch(0.274 0.003 107);
+    --muted-foreground: oklch(0.705 0.012 107);
+    --accent: oklch(0.274 0.003 107);
     --border: oklch(1 0 0 / 12%);
     --input: oklch(1 0 0 / 15%);
   }
@@ -124,6 +134,7 @@
 
 @theme inline {
   --color-background: var(--background);
+  --color-chrome: var(--chrome);
   --color-foreground: var(--foreground);
   --color-card: var(--card);
   --color-card-foreground: var(--card-foreground);