diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/document/DocumentPickerDropdown.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/document/DocumentPickerDropdown.svelte
index 0d59575d..5a3f454b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/document/DocumentPickerDropdown.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/document/DocumentPickerDropdown.svelte
@@ -84,7 +84,9 @@ function handleKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
 		autocomplete="off"
 		aria-label={placeholder}
 		aria-expanded={picker.isOpen}
-		aria-controls={listboxId}
+		aria-controls={picker.isOpen && !picker.loading && !picker.error && picker.results.length > 0
+			? listboxId
+			: undefined}
 		aria-autocomplete="list"
 		aria-activedescendant={activeOptionId}
 		placeholder={placeholder}
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/GeschichteListRow.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/GeschichteListRow.svelte
index 0962f520..0138443b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/GeschichteListRow.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/GeschichteListRow.svelte
@@ -39,9 +39,7 @@ const authorName = $derived(formatAuthorName(geschichte.author));
 		{#if isJourney}
 			<span
 				data-testid="journey-badge"
-				aria-label="Lesereise"
-				style="font-size: 10px"
-				class="inline-flex items-center rounded-sm border border-journey-border bg-journey-tint px-1.5 py-px font-sans text-[10px] font-bold tracking-wide text-journey uppercase"
+				class="inline-flex items-center rounded-sm border border-journey-border bg-journey-tint px-1.5 py-px font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-wide text-journey uppercase"
 			>
 				{m.journey_badge_list()}
 			</span>
@@ -52,13 +50,12 @@ const authorName = $derived(formatAuthorName(geschichte.author));
 	<div class="min-w-0 flex-1 p-3 sm:px-4">
 		<!-- Compact meta line (mobile only) -->
 		<div class="mb-1 flex items-center gap-1.5 sm:hidden">
+			<!-- 7px initials render as smudge at this size — a plain color dot reads better -->
 			<span
 				aria-hidden="true"
-				class="flex h-4 w-4 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full font-sans text-[7px] font-bold text-white"
+				class="h-2.5 w-2.5 shrink-0 rounded-full"
 				style="background-color: {personAvatarColor(authorName)}"
-			>
-				{getInitials(authorName)}
-			</span>
+			></span>
 			<span class="font-sans text-sm font-semibold text-ink">{authorName}</span>
 			{#if publishedAt}
 				<span class="ml-auto font-sans text-sm text-ink-3">{publishedAt}</span>
@@ -72,9 +69,7 @@ const authorName = $derived(formatAuthorName(geschichte.author));
 			{#if isJourney}
 				<span
 					data-testid="journey-badge-mobile"
-					aria-hidden="true"
-					style="font-size: 10px"
-					class="inline-flex shrink-0 items-center rounded-sm border border-journey-border bg-journey-tint px-1.5 py-px font-sans text-[10px] font-bold tracking-wide text-journey uppercase sm:hidden"
+					class="inline-flex shrink-0 items-center rounded-sm border border-journey-border bg-journey-tint px-1.5 py-px font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-wide text-journey uppercase sm:hidden"
 				>
 					{m.journey_badge_list()}
 				</span>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/GeschichteListRow.svelte.spec.ts b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/GeschichteListRow.svelte.spec.ts
index fee33bb5..52babd9c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/GeschichteListRow.svelte.spec.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/GeschichteListRow.svelte.spec.ts
@@ -79,12 +79,12 @@ describe('GeschichteListRow', () => {
 		expect(badge?.tagName.toLowerCase()).toBe('span');
 	});
 
-	it('badge has small font size appropriate for a label', async () => {
+	it('badge uses the 12px label size — text-xs is the visible-text floor', async () => {
 		render(GeschichteListRow, { props: { geschichte: baseRow({ type: 'JOURNEY' }) } });
 		const badge = document.querySelector('[data-testid="journey-badge"]');
-		const fontSize = parseFloat(window.getComputedStyle(badge!).fontSize);
-		expect(fontSize).toBeGreaterThan(0);
-		expect(fontSize).toBeLessThanOrEqual(14); // label badge must not exceed body text size
+		expect(badge!.className).toContain('text-xs');
+		// 10px was below the house floor for the 60+ audience (round-3 review)
+		expect(badge!.className).not.toContain('text-[10px]');
 	});
 
 	it('renders author name in meta line', async () => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/GeschichteSidebar.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/GeschichteSidebar.svelte
index 83f69f76..a468ae76 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/GeschichteSidebar.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/GeschichteSidebar.svelte
@@ -22,7 +22,10 @@ const isDraft = $derived(status === 'DRAFT');
 			{m.geschichte_sidebar_status()}
 		</summary>
 		<section class="rounded border border-line bg-surface p-4 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-1 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
+			<!-- hidden below sm: the <summary> already shows this label there -->
+			<h2
+				class="mb-1 hidden font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase sm:block"
+			>
 				{m.geschichte_sidebar_status()}
 			</h2>
 			<p class="mb-3">
@@ -50,7 +53,9 @@ const isDraft = $derived(status === 'DRAFT');
 			{m.geschichte_editor_personen_heading()}
 		</summary>
 		<section class="rounded border border-line bg-surface p-4 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
+			<h2
+				class="mb-2 hidden font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase sm:block"
+			>
 				{m.geschichte_editor_personen_heading()}
 			</h2>
 			<p class="mb-3 font-sans text-xs text-ink-3">{m.geschichte_editor_personen_hint()}</p>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyAddBar.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyAddBar.svelte
index c096e669..22576e24 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyAddBar.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyAddBar.svelte
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 <script lang="ts">
+import { tick } from 'svelte';
 import { m } from '$lib/paraglide/messages.js';
 import DocumentPickerDropdown from '$lib/document/DocumentPickerDropdown.svelte';
 import type { DocumentOption } from '$lib/document/documentTypeahead';
@@ -14,9 +15,29 @@ let { alreadyAddedIds = new Set(), onAddDocument, onAddInterlude }: Props = $pro
 let showPicker = $state(false);
 let showInterludeForm = $state(false);
 let interludeDraft = $state('');
+let rootEl: HTMLElement | null = $state(null);
 
 const canConfirmInterlude = $derived(interludeDraft.trim().length > 0);
 
+async function togglePicker() {
+	showPicker = !showPicker;
+	showInterludeForm = false;
+	if (showPicker) {
+		// Keyboard users need a perceivable result of activating the toggle.
+		await tick();
+		rootEl?.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>('#journey-add-picker input')?.focus();
+	}
+}
+
+async function toggleInterludeForm() {
+	showInterludeForm = !showInterludeForm;
+	showPicker = false;
+	if (showInterludeForm) {
+		await tick();
+		rootEl?.querySelector<HTMLTextAreaElement>('#journey-add-interlude textarea')?.focus();
+	}
+}
+
 function handleDocumentSelect(doc: DocumentOption) {
 	showPicker = false;
 	onAddDocument(doc);
@@ -36,25 +57,23 @@ function handleInterludeCancel() {
 }
 </script>
 
-<div class="flex flex-col gap-3">
+<div bind:this={rootEl} class="flex flex-col gap-3">
 	<div class="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
 		<button
 			type="button"
 			data-add-document
-			onclick={() => {
-				showPicker = !showPicker;
-				showInterludeForm = false;
-			}}
+			onclick={togglePicker}
+			aria-expanded={showPicker}
+			aria-controls={showPicker ? 'journey-add-picker' : undefined}
 			class="inline-flex h-11 items-center rounded border border-line bg-surface px-4 font-sans text-sm font-medium text-ink hover:bg-muted focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-focus-ring"
 		>
 			+ {m.journey_add_document()}
 		</button>
 		<button
 			type="button"
-			onclick={() => {
-				showInterludeForm = !showInterludeForm;
-				showPicker = false;
-			}}
+			onclick={toggleInterludeForm}
+			aria-expanded={showInterludeForm}
+			aria-controls={showInterludeForm ? 'journey-add-interlude' : undefined}
 			class="inline-flex h-11 items-center rounded border border-line bg-surface px-4 font-sans text-sm font-medium text-ink hover:bg-muted focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-focus-ring"
 		>
 			+ {m.journey_add_interlude()}
@@ -62,15 +81,17 @@ function handleInterludeCancel() {
 	</div>
 
 	{#if showPicker}
-		<DocumentPickerDropdown
-			alreadyAddedIds={alreadyAddedIds}
-			onSelect={handleDocumentSelect}
-			placeholder={m.journey_add_document()}
-		/>
+		<div id="journey-add-picker">
+			<DocumentPickerDropdown
+				alreadyAddedIds={alreadyAddedIds}
+				onSelect={handleDocumentSelect}
+				placeholder={m.journey_add_document()}
+			/>
+		</div>
 	{/if}
 
 	{#if showInterludeForm}
-		<div class="flex flex-col gap-2">
+		<div id="journey-add-interlude" class="flex flex-col gap-2">
 			<textarea
 				bind:value={interludeDraft}
 				placeholder={m.journey_interlude_placeholder()}
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyItemCard.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyItemCard.svelte
index e54d44bc..39335ef8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyItemCard.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyItemCard.svelte
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ const hasNote = $derived(item.note != null && item.note.trim().length > 0);
 		<a
 			href="/documents/{doc.id}"
 			aria-label={openAriaLabel}
-			class="inline-flex items-center gap-1 text-sm font-semibold text-ink hover:text-primary focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-focus-ring"
+			class="-my-2 inline-flex min-h-[44px] items-center gap-1 text-sm font-semibold text-ink hover:text-primary focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-focus-ring"
 		>
 			<svg class="h-3 w-3 shrink-0" viewBox="0 0 10 12" fill="none">
 				<rect x="1" y="1" width="8" height="10" rx="1" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1" />
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyItemCard.svelte.spec.ts b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyItemCard.svelte.spec.ts
index 19161248..344ad489 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyItemCard.svelte.spec.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyItemCard.svelte.spec.ts
@@ -51,6 +51,16 @@ describe('JourneyItemCard', () => {
 		expect(el.getAttribute('href')).toContain('/documents/d1');
 	});
 
+	it('"Brief öffnen" link meets the 44px touch-target floor', async () => {
+		// Primary tap action of the phone read path — WCAG 2.5.5 / house rule.
+		render(JourneyItemCard, { props: { item: baseItem() } });
+
+		const link = page.getByRole('link', { name: /öffnen/i });
+		await expect.element(link).toBeInTheDocument();
+		const height = link.element().getBoundingClientRect().height;
+		expect(height).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(44);
+	});
+
 	it('"Brief öffnen" link has dated aria-label when documentDate is present', async () => {
 		render(JourneyItemCard, { props: { item: baseItem() } });
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyReader.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyReader.svelte
index 96603322..44f11d69 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyReader.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/geschichte/JourneyReader.svelte
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ const validItems = $derived(
 {#if introText}
 	<!-- plaintext — do NOT use {@html} here -->
 	<p
-		class="border-subtle mb-6 border-b border-dashed pb-4 font-serif text-lg leading-relaxed text-ink-2 italic"
+		class="mb-6 border-b border-dashed border-line-2 pb-4 font-serif text-lg leading-relaxed text-ink-2 italic"
 	>
 		{introText}
 	</p>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/geschichten/[id]/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/geschichten/[id]/+page.svelte
index 07cb915f..fe40ded9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/geschichten/[id]/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/geschichten/[id]/+page.svelte
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ async function handleDelete() {
 			<header class="mb-6">
 				{#if isJourney}
 					<span
-						class="mb-2 inline-flex rounded-sm border border-journey-border bg-journey-tint px-2 py-px text-[10px] font-bold tracking-widest text-journey uppercase"
+						class="mb-2 inline-flex rounded-sm border border-journey-border bg-journey-tint px-2 py-px text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-journey uppercase"
 					>
 						{m.journey_badge_detail()}
 					</span>
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ async function handleDelete() {
 						<span
 							aria-hidden="true"
 							class="flex h-8 w-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full font-sans text-xs font-bold text-white"
-							style="background-color: {personAvatarColor(g.author?.id ?? authorName)}"
+							style="background-color: {personAvatarColor(authorName)}"
 						>
 							{getInitials(authorName)}
 						</span>
@@ -97,14 +97,14 @@ async function handleDelete() {
 						<div class="ml-auto flex items-center gap-3">
 							<a
 								href="/geschichten/{g.id}/edit"
-								class="inline-flex h-9 items-center rounded border border-line bg-surface px-3 font-sans text-sm font-medium text-ink hover:bg-muted focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-focus-ring"
+								class="inline-flex h-11 items-center rounded border border-line bg-surface px-3 font-sans text-sm font-medium text-ink hover:bg-muted focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-focus-ring"
 							>
 								{m.btn_edit()}
 							</a>
 							<button
 								type="button"
 								onclick={handleDelete}
-								class="inline-flex h-9 items-center rounded font-sans text-sm font-medium text-danger hover:underline focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-focus-ring"
+								class="inline-flex h-11 items-center rounded font-sans text-sm font-medium text-danger hover:underline focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-focus-ring"
 							>
 								{m.btn_delete()}
 							</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/geschichten/new/JourneyCreate.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/geschichten/new/JourneyCreate.svelte
index a2702978..8f71caec 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/geschichten/new/JourneyCreate.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/geschichten/new/JourneyCreate.svelte
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ async function handleSubmit(e: SubmitEvent) {
 		<input
 			type="text"
 			bind:value={title}
+			maxlength="255"
 			onblur={() => (titleTouched = true)}
 			placeholder={m.geschichte_editor_title_placeholder()}
 			aria-label={m.journey_title_aria_label()}
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ async function handleSubmit(e: SubmitEvent) {
 		<button
 			type="submit"
 			disabled={submitting}
-			class="inline-flex h-11 items-center rounded bg-brand-navy px-4 font-sans text-sm font-medium text-white hover:opacity-90 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-focus-ring disabled:opacity-50"
+			class="inline-flex h-11 items-center rounded bg-primary px-4 font-sans text-sm font-medium text-primary-fg hover:opacity-90 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-focus-ring disabled:opacity-50"
 		>
 			{m.journey_create_submit()}
 		</button>