diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/AnnotationCommentPanel.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/AnnotationCommentPanel.svelte
index 8e6d6548..d863e4a1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/AnnotationCommentPanel.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/AnnotationCommentPanel.svelte
@@ -25,16 +25,16 @@ let {
 
 <!-- Desktop / tablet panel (≥ sm): absolute overlay on the right side -->
 <div
-	class="border-brand-sand absolute top-0 right-0 z-50 hidden h-full w-80 flex-col border-l bg-white shadow-2xl sm:flex"
+	class="absolute top-0 right-0 z-50 hidden h-full w-80 flex-col border-l border-line bg-surface shadow-2xl sm:flex"
 >
-	<div class="border-brand-sand flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between border-b px-4 py-3">
-		<h3 class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase">
+	<div class="flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between border-b border-line px-4 py-3">
+		<h3 class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase">
 			{m.comment_panel_title()}
 		</h3>
 		<button
 			onclick={onClose}
 			aria-label={m.comment_panel_close()}
-			class="hover:bg-brand-sand/50 rounded p-1 text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+			class="rounded p-1 text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink"
 		>
 			<svg class="h-4 w-4" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2">
 				<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M6 18L18 6M6 6l12 12" />
@@ -60,15 +60,15 @@ let {
 	<div class="flex-1 bg-black/40" onclick={onClose} role="presentation"></div>
 
 	<!-- Slide-up panel -->
-	<div class="flex max-h-[80vh] flex-col rounded-t-2xl bg-white shadow-2xl">
-		<div class="border-brand-sand flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between border-b px-4 py-3">
-			<h3 class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase">
+	<div class="flex max-h-[80vh] flex-col rounded-t-2xl bg-surface shadow-2xl">
+		<div class="flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between border-b border-line px-4 py-3">
+			<h3 class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase">
 				{m.comment_panel_title()}
 			</h3>
 			<button
 				onclick={onClose}
 				aria-label={m.comment_panel_close()}
-				class="hover:bg-brand-sand/50 rounded p-1 text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+				class="rounded p-1 text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink"
 			>
 				<svg class="h-4 w-4" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2">
 					<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M6 18L18 6M6 6l12 12" />
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/AnnotationSidePanel.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/AnnotationSidePanel.svelte
index 648015da..58424115 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/AnnotationSidePanel.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/AnnotationSidePanel.svelte
@@ -26,20 +26,20 @@ const visible = $derived(activeAnnotationId !== null);
 </script>
 
 <div
-	class="border-brand-sand absolute inset-y-0 right-0 z-10 flex w-80 flex-col border-l bg-white shadow-[-4px_0_16px_rgba(0,0,0,0.08)] transition-transform duration-200 {visible
+	class="absolute inset-y-0 right-0 z-10 flex w-80 flex-col border-l border-line bg-surface shadow-[-4px_0_16px_rgba(0,0,0,0.08)] transition-transform duration-200 {visible
 		? 'translate-x-0'
 		: 'pointer-events-none translate-x-full'}"
 	data-testid="annotation-side-panel"
 >
 	<!-- Header -->
-	<div class="border-brand-sand flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between border-b px-4 py-3">
-		<span class="font-sans text-xs font-medium text-brand-navy">
+	<div class="flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between border-b border-line px-4 py-3">
+		<span class="font-sans text-xs font-medium text-ink">
 			{m.doc_panel_discussion_annotation_tab({ page: String(activeAnnotationPage ?? '?') })}
 		</span>
 		<button
 			onclick={onClose}
 			aria-label={m.comment_panel_close()}
-			class="hover:bg-brand-sand/50 rounded p-1 text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+			class="rounded p-1 text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink"
 		>
 			<svg class="h-4 w-4" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2">
 				<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M6 18L18 6M6 6l12 12" />
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/CommentThread.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/CommentThread.svelte
index d600350a..f8a26585 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/CommentThread.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/CommentThread.svelte
@@ -191,26 +191,26 @@ onMount(() => {
 
 <div class="space-y-4">
 	{#each comments as thread, ti (thread.id)}
-		<div class={ti > 0 ? 'border-brand-sand border-t pt-4' : ''}>
+		<div class={ti > 0 ? 'border-t border-line pt-4' : ''}>
 			<!-- Root comment -->
 			<div>
 				{#if editingId === thread.id}
 					<div class="flex flex-col gap-2">
 						<textarea
-							class="border-brand-sand w-full resize-none rounded border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-mint focus:outline-none"
+							class="w-full resize-none rounded border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm text-ink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-accent focus:outline-none"
 							rows={3}
 							bind:value={editText}
 						></textarea>
 						<div class="flex items-center gap-3">
 							<button
-								class="rounded bg-brand-navy px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-medium text-white hover:bg-brand-navy/80 disabled:opacity-40"
+								class="rounded bg-primary px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-medium text-white hover:bg-primary/80 disabled:opacity-40"
 								disabled={posting}
 								onclick={() => saveEdit(thread.id)}
 							>
 								{m.btn_save()}
 							</button>
 							<button
-								class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+								class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 								onclick={cancelEdit}
 							>
 								{m.btn_cancel()}
@@ -221,12 +221,10 @@ onMount(() => {
 					<div class="flex items-start justify-between gap-2">
 						<div class="min-w-0 flex-1">
 							<div class="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2">
-								<span class="font-sans text-xs font-semibold text-brand-navy"
-									>{thread.authorName}</span
-								>
-								<span class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400">{timeAgo(thread.createdAt)}</span>
+								<span class="font-sans text-xs font-semibold text-ink">{thread.authorName}</span>
+								<span class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3">{timeAgo(thread.createdAt)}</span>
 								{#if wasEdited(thread)}
-									<span class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400">
+									<span class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3">
 										{m.comment_edited_label()}
 										{timeAgo(thread.updatedAt)}
 									</span>
@@ -237,13 +235,13 @@ onMount(() => {
 						{#if canModify(thread)}
 							<div class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2">
 								<button
-									class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+									class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 									onclick={() => startEdit(thread)}
 								>
 									{m.btn_edit()}
 								</button>
 								<button
-									class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+									class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 									onclick={() => deleteComment(thread.id)}
 								>
 									{m.btn_delete()}
@@ -255,7 +253,7 @@ onMount(() => {
 					{#if thread.replies.length === 0 && canComment}
 						<div class="mt-1">
 							<button
-								class="font-sans text-xs font-medium text-brand-mint transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+								class="font-sans text-xs font-medium text-accent transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 								onclick={() => startReply(thread.id)}
 							>
 								{m.comment_btn_reply()}
@@ -267,24 +265,24 @@ onMount(() => {
 
 			<!-- Replies -->
 			{#each thread.replies as reply, ri (reply.id)}
-				<div class="border-brand-sand mt-3 ml-6 border-l-2 pl-4">
+				<div class="mt-3 ml-6 border-l-2 border-line pl-4">
 					{#if editingId === reply.id}
 						<div class="flex flex-col gap-2">
 							<textarea
-								class="border-brand-sand w-full resize-none rounded border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-mint focus:outline-none"
+								class="w-full resize-none rounded border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm text-ink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-accent focus:outline-none"
 								rows={3}
 								bind:value={editText}
 							></textarea>
 							<div class="flex items-center gap-3">
 								<button
-									class="rounded bg-brand-navy px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-medium text-white hover:bg-brand-navy/80 disabled:opacity-40"
+									class="rounded bg-primary px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-medium text-white hover:bg-primary/80 disabled:opacity-40"
 									disabled={posting}
 									onclick={() => saveEdit(reply.id)}
 								>
 									{m.btn_save()}
 								</button>
 								<button
-									class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+									class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 									onclick={cancelEdit}
 								>
 									{m.btn_cancel()}
@@ -295,12 +293,10 @@ onMount(() => {
 						<div class="flex items-start justify-between gap-2">
 							<div class="min-w-0 flex-1">
 								<div class="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2">
-									<span class="font-sans text-xs font-semibold text-brand-navy"
-										>{reply.authorName}</span
-									>
-									<span class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400">{timeAgo(reply.createdAt)}</span>
+									<span class="font-sans text-xs font-semibold text-ink">{reply.authorName}</span>
+									<span class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3">{timeAgo(reply.createdAt)}</span>
 									{#if wasEdited(reply)}
-										<span class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400">
+										<span class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3">
 											{m.comment_edited_label()}
 											{timeAgo(reply.updatedAt)}
 										</span>
@@ -311,13 +307,13 @@ onMount(() => {
 							{#if canModify(reply)}
 								<div class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2">
 									<button
-										class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+										class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 										onclick={() => startEdit(reply)}
 									>
 										{m.btn_edit()}
 									</button>
 									<button
-										class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+										class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 										onclick={() => deleteComment(reply.id)}
 									>
 										{m.btn_delete()}
@@ -329,7 +325,7 @@ onMount(() => {
 						{#if ri === thread.replies.length - 1 && canComment}
 							<div class="mt-1">
 								<button
-									class="font-sans text-xs font-medium text-brand-mint transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+									class="font-sans text-xs font-medium text-accent transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 									onclick={() => startReply(thread.id)}
 								>
 									{m.comment_btn_reply()}
@@ -344,21 +340,21 @@ onMount(() => {
 			{#if replyingTo === thread.id}
 				<div class="mt-3 ml-6 flex flex-col gap-2">
 					<textarea
-						class="border-brand-sand w-full resize-none rounded border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-mint focus:outline-none"
+						class="w-full resize-none rounded border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm text-ink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-accent focus:outline-none"
 						rows={3}
 						placeholder={m.comment_placeholder()}
 						bind:value={replyText}
 					></textarea>
 					<div class="flex items-center gap-3">
 						<button
-							class="rounded bg-brand-navy px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-medium text-white hover:bg-brand-navy/80 disabled:opacity-40"
+							class="rounded bg-primary px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-medium text-white hover:bg-primary/80 disabled:opacity-40"
 							disabled={posting}
 							onclick={() => postReply(thread.id)}
 						>
 							{m.comment_btn_post()}
 						</button>
 						<button
-							class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+							class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 							onclick={cancelReply}
 						>
 							{m.btn_cancel()}
@@ -371,17 +367,17 @@ onMount(() => {
 
 	<!-- New top-level comment textarea -->
 	{#if canComment}
-		<div class={comments.length > 0 ? 'border-brand-sand border-t pt-4' : ''}>
+		<div class={comments.length > 0 ? 'border-t border-line pt-4' : ''}>
 			<div class="flex flex-col gap-2">
 				<textarea
-					class="border-brand-sand w-full resize-none rounded border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-mint focus:outline-none"
+					class="w-full resize-none rounded border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm text-ink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-accent focus:outline-none"
 					rows={3}
 					placeholder={m.comment_placeholder()}
 					bind:value={newText}
 				></textarea>
 				<div>
 					<button
-						class="rounded bg-brand-navy px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-medium text-white hover:bg-brand-navy/80 disabled:opacity-40"
+						class="rounded bg-primary px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-medium text-white hover:bg-primary/80 disabled:opacity-40"
 						disabled={posting || !newText.trim()}
 						onclick={postComment}
 					>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/DocumentBottomPanel.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/DocumentBottomPanel.svelte
index 7b8f22f2..f727c63e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/DocumentBottomPanel.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/DocumentBottomPanel.svelte
@@ -121,13 +121,13 @@ const panelHeight = $derived(open ? height : MIN_HEIGHT);
 </script>
 
 <div
-	class="border-brand-sand fixed right-0 bottom-0 left-0 z-30 flex flex-col border-t bg-white shadow-[0_-4px_16px_rgba(0,0,0,0.08)]"
+	class="fixed right-0 bottom-0 left-0 z-30 flex flex-col border-t border-line bg-surface shadow-[0_-4px_16px_rgba(0,0,0,0.08)]"
 	style="height: {panelHeight}px"
 	data-testid="bottom-panel"
 >
 	<!-- Drag handle -->
 	<div
-		class="flex h-2 shrink-0 cursor-ns-resize items-center justify-center bg-white"
+		class="flex h-2 shrink-0 cursor-ns-resize items-center justify-center bg-surface"
 		style="touch-action: none"
 		role="separator"
 		aria-orientation="horizontal"
@@ -141,13 +141,13 @@ const panelHeight = $derived(open ? height : MIN_HEIGHT);
 	</div>
 
 	<!-- Tab bar -->
-	<div class="border-brand-sand flex shrink-0 items-center border-b bg-white px-4">
+	<div class="flex shrink-0 items-center border-b border-line bg-surface px-4">
 		{#each tabs as tab (tab.id)}
 			<button
 				onclick={() => openTab(tab.id)}
 				class="mr-1 px-3 py-2.5 font-sans text-xs font-medium transition-colors {activeTab === tab.id && open
-					? 'border-b-2 border-brand-navy text-brand-navy'
-					: 'text-gray-400 hover:text-brand-navy'}"
+					? 'border-b-2 border-primary text-ink'
+					: 'text-ink-3 hover:text-ink'}"
 				aria-pressed={activeTab === tab.id && open}
 			>
 				{tab.label()}
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ const panelHeight = $derived(open ? height : MIN_HEIGHT);
 				onclick={closePanel}
 				data-testid="panel-close-btn"
 				aria-label="Panel schließen"
-				class="hover:bg-brand-sand/50 rounded p-1.5 text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+				class="rounded p-1.5 text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink"
 			>
 				<svg class="h-4 w-4" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2">
 					<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M6 18L18 6M6 6l12 12" />
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/DocumentTopBar.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/DocumentTopBar.svelte
index 4638ebde..c3cfd9d1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/DocumentTopBar.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/DocumentTopBar.svelte
@@ -58,17 +58,17 @@ const compactMeta = $derived.by(() => {
 </script>
 
 <div
-	class="border-brand-sand z-20 flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between border-b bg-white px-6 py-3 shadow-sm"
+	class="z-20 flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between border-b border-line bg-surface px-6 py-3 shadow-sm"
 	data-topbar
 >
 	<!-- Left: back + title -->
 	<div class="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-4 overflow-hidden">
 		<a
 			href="/"
-			class="group flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 font-sans text-sm font-medium text-gray-500 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+			class="group flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 font-sans text-sm font-medium text-ink-2 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 		>
 			<div
-				class="bg-brand-sand flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center rounded-full transition-colors group-hover:bg-brand-mint"
+				class="flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-canvas transition-colors group-hover:bg-accent"
 			>
 				<img
 					src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Arrow/Arrow-Left-MD.svg"
@@ -80,15 +80,15 @@ const compactMeta = $derived.by(() => {
 			<span class="hidden sm:inline">{m.btn_back()}</span>
 		</a>
 
-		<div class="min-w-0 border-l border-gray-200 pl-4">
+		<div class="min-w-0 border-l border-line pl-4">
 			<h1
-				class="truncate font-serif text-base leading-tight text-brand-navy"
+				class="truncate font-serif text-base leading-tight text-ink"
 				title={doc.title ?? doc.originalFilename ?? ''}
 			>
 				{doc.title || doc.originalFilename}
 			</h1>
 			{#if compactMeta}
-				<p class="truncate font-sans text-xs text-gray-500" title={compactMeta}>
+				<p class="truncate font-sans text-xs text-ink-2" title={compactMeta}>
 					{compactMeta}
 				</p>
 			{/if}
@@ -102,8 +102,8 @@ const compactMeta = $derived.by(() => {
 				onclick={() => (annotateMode = !annotateMode)}
 				aria-label={annotateMode ? m.doc_panel_annotate_stop() : m.doc_panel_annotate()}
 				class="flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-medium transition {annotateMode
-					? 'bg-brand-navy text-white'
-					: 'border border-brand-navy text-brand-navy hover:bg-brand-navy hover:text-white'}"
+					? 'bg-primary text-white'
+					: 'border border-primary text-ink hover:bg-primary hover:text-white'}"
 			>
 				<img
 					src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Note/Note-Add-MD.svg"
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ const compactMeta = $derived.by(() => {
 		{#if canWrite}
 			<a
 				href="/documents/{doc.id}/edit"
-				class="flex items-center gap-2 rounded border border-brand-navy bg-transparent px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-brand-navy transition hover:bg-brand-navy hover:text-white"
+				class="flex items-center gap-2 rounded border border-primary bg-transparent px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-ink transition hover:bg-primary hover:text-white"
 			>
 				<img
 					src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Edit-Content-MD.svg"
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ const compactMeta = $derived.by(() => {
 			<a
 				href={fileUrl}
 				download={doc.originalFilename}
-				class="bg-brand-sand/50 rounded border border-transparent p-1.5 text-brand-navy transition hover:bg-brand-mint"
+				class="rounded border border-transparent bg-muted p-1.5 text-ink transition hover:bg-accent"
 				title={m.doc_download_title()}
 			>
 				<img
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/DocumentViewer.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/DocumentViewer.svelte
index 525f2d1a..0806d784 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/DocumentViewer.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/DocumentViewer.svelte
@@ -32,9 +32,9 @@ let {
 }: Props = $props();
 </script>
 
-<div class="absolute inset-0 bg-[#2A2A2A]">
+<div class="absolute inset-0 bg-pdf-bg">
 	{#if isLoading}
-		<div class="flex h-full flex-col items-center justify-center text-brand-mint">
+		<div class="flex h-full flex-col items-center justify-center text-accent">
 			<svg
 				class="mb-4 h-8 w-8 animate-spin"
 				xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ let {
 			<span class="font-sans text-sm tracking-wide">{m.doc_loading()}</span>
 		</div>
 	{:else if error}
-		<div class="flex h-full flex-col items-center justify-center px-4 text-center text-gray-400">
+		<div class="flex h-full flex-col items-center justify-center px-4 text-center text-ink-3">
 			<p class="mb-2 font-serif">{error}</p>
 			{#if doc.filePath}
 				<a
@@ -65,8 +65,8 @@ let {
 			{/if}
 		</div>
 	{:else if !doc.filePath}
-		<div class="flex h-full flex-col items-center justify-center text-gray-400">
-			<div class="mb-6 rounded-full bg-white/5 p-8">
+		<div class="flex h-full flex-col items-center justify-center text-ink-3">
+			<div class="mb-6 rounded-full bg-surface/5 p-8">
 				<img
 					src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/PDF-Document-MD.svg"
 					alt=""
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/ExpandableText.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/ExpandableText.svelte
index f4c17dea..91bc0538 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/ExpandableText.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/ExpandableText.svelte
@@ -18,14 +18,14 @@ $effect(() => {
 	<div
 		bind:this={el}
 		style={!expanded ? `overflow: hidden; display: -webkit-box; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: ${maxLines}` : ''}
-		class="border-brand-sand bg-brand-sand/30 rounded border p-5 font-serif text-sm leading-relaxed whitespace-pre-wrap text-brand-navy"
+		class="rounded border border-line bg-muted p-5 font-serif text-sm leading-relaxed whitespace-pre-wrap text-ink"
 	>
 		{text}
 	</div>
 	{#if isClamped || expanded}
 		<button
 			onclick={() => (expanded = !expanded)}
-			class="mt-2 font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition hover:text-brand-navy"
+			class="mt-2 font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition hover:text-ink"
 		>
 			{expanded ? m.comp_expandable_show_less() : m.comp_expandable_show_more()}
 		</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/PanelHistory.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/PanelHistory.svelte
index 6721196f..d98cafde 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/PanelHistory.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/PanelHistory.svelte
@@ -270,11 +270,11 @@ $effect(() => {
 
 <div class="space-y-4 p-6">
 	{#if historyLoading}
-		<p class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400">{m.history_loading()}</p>
+		<p class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3">{m.history_loading()}</p>
 	{:else if !historyLoaded}
 		<!-- initial state before effect runs — show nothing -->
 	{:else if versions.length === 0}
-		<p class="font-serif text-sm text-gray-400 italic">{m.history_empty()}</p>
+		<p class="font-serif text-sm text-ink-3 italic">{m.history_empty()}</p>
 	{:else}
 		<!-- Compare mode toggle -->
 		<div class="flex justify-end">
@@ -286,8 +286,8 @@ $effect(() => {
 					selectedVersionId = null;
 				}}
 				class="font-sans text-xs font-medium transition {compareMode
-					? 'text-brand-navy underline'
-					: 'text-gray-400 hover:text-brand-navy'}"
+					? 'text-ink underline'
+					: 'text-ink-3 hover:text-ink'}"
 			>
 				{m.history_compare_mode()}
 			</button>
@@ -296,13 +296,13 @@ $effect(() => {
 		{#if compareMode}
 			<div class="space-y-2">
 				<div>
-					<label for="compare-a" class="mb-1 block font-sans text-[10px] text-gray-400 uppercase"
+					<label for="compare-a" class="mb-1 block font-sans text-[10px] text-ink-3 uppercase"
 						>{m.history_compare_select_a()}</label
 					>
 					<select
 						id="compare-a"
 						bind:value={compareA}
-						class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded border bg-white px-2 py-1 font-sans text-xs text-brand-navy focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-mint focus:outline-none"
+						class="w-full rounded border border-line bg-surface px-2 py-1 font-sans text-xs text-ink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-accent focus:outline-none"
 					>
 						<option value="">—</option>
 						{#each versions as v, i (v.id)}
@@ -311,13 +311,13 @@ $effect(() => {
 					</select>
 				</div>
 				<div>
-					<label for="compare-b" class="mb-1 block font-sans text-[10px] text-gray-400 uppercase"
+					<label for="compare-b" class="mb-1 block font-sans text-[10px] text-ink-3 uppercase"
 						>{m.history_compare_select_b()}</label
 					>
 					<select
 						id="compare-b"
 						bind:value={compareB}
-						class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded border bg-white px-2 py-1 font-sans text-xs text-brand-navy focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-mint focus:outline-none"
+						class="w-full rounded border border-line bg-surface px-2 py-1 font-sans text-xs text-ink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-accent focus:outline-none"
 					>
 						<option value="">—</option>
 						{#each versions as v, i (v.id)}
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 				<button
 					onclick={applyCompare}
 					disabled={!compareA || !compareB || compareA === compareB}
-					class="w-full rounded bg-brand-navy px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-medium text-white transition hover:bg-brand-navy/80 disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-40"
+					class="w-full rounded bg-primary px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-medium text-white transition hover:bg-primary/80 disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-40"
 				>
 					{m.history_compare_apply()}
 				</button>
@@ -336,23 +336,23 @@ $effect(() => {
 
 			<!-- Diff panel for compare mode -->
 			{#if diffLoading}
-				<p class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400">{m.history_loading()}</p>
+				<p class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3">{m.history_loading()}</p>
 			{:else if noDiff}
 				<div
 					data-testid="history-diff"
-					class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-4 font-serif text-sm text-gray-400 italic"
+					class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-4 font-serif text-sm text-ink-3 italic"
 				>
 					{m.history_diff_no_changes()}
 				</div>
 			{:else if diffEntries.length > 0}
 				<div
 					data-testid="history-diff"
-					class="border-brand-sand space-y-4 rounded-sm border bg-white p-4"
+					class="space-y-4 rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-4"
 				>
 					{#each diffEntries as entry (entry.field)}
 						<div>
 							<span
-								class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-[10px] font-bold tracking-wide text-gray-400 uppercase"
+								class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-[10px] font-bold tracking-wide text-ink-3 uppercase"
 								>{entry.label}</span
 							>
 							{#if entry.kind === 'text'}
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 								<div class="flex items-center gap-2 font-serif text-sm">
 									<span class="text-red-600 line-through">{entry.oldVal || '—'}</span>
 									<svg
-										class="h-3 w-3 flex-shrink-0 text-gray-400"
+										class="h-3 w-3 flex-shrink-0 text-ink-3"
 										viewBox="0 0 20 20"
 										fill="currentColor"
 										aria-hidden="true"
@@ -412,25 +412,25 @@ $effect(() => {
 						<button
 							onclick={() => selectVersion(v.id)}
 							data-testid="history-version"
-							class="hover:bg-brand-sand/30 w-full py-2 text-left transition {selectedVersionId ===
+							class="w-full py-2 text-left transition hover:bg-muted {selectedVersionId ===
 							v.id
-								? 'border-l-2 border-brand-mint pl-2'
+								? 'border-l-2 border-accent pl-2'
 								: 'pl-0'}"
 						>
 							<div class="flex items-baseline justify-between gap-2">
-								<span class="font-sans text-xs font-medium text-brand-navy">
+								<span class="font-sans text-xs font-medium text-ink">
 									Version {i + 1}
 								</span>
-								<span class="font-sans text-[10px] text-gray-400">
+								<span class="font-sans text-[10px] text-ink-3">
 									{formatDateTime(v.savedAt)}
 								</span>
 							</div>
-							<span class="font-sans text-[11px] text-gray-500">{v.editorName}</span>
+							<span class="font-sans text-[11px] text-ink-2">{v.editorName}</span>
 							{#if v.changedFields && v.changedFields.length > 0}
 								<div class="mt-1 flex flex-wrap gap-1">
 									{#each v.changedFields as field (field)}
 										<span
-											class="bg-brand-sand/50 rounded px-1.5 py-0.5 font-sans text-[10px] tracking-wide text-gray-500 uppercase"
+											class="rounded bg-muted px-1.5 py-0.5 font-sans text-[10px] tracking-wide text-ink-2 uppercase"
 										>
 											{fieldLabels[field] ? fieldLabels[field]() : field}
 										</span>
@@ -442,23 +442,23 @@ $effect(() => {
 						<!-- Diff shown inline below the selected version -->
 						{#if selectedVersionId === v.id}
 							{#if diffLoading}
-								<p class="pb-3 pl-2 font-sans text-xs text-gray-400">{m.history_loading()}</p>
+								<p class="pb-3 pl-2 font-sans text-xs text-ink-3">{m.history_loading()}</p>
 							{:else if noDiff}
 								<div
 									data-testid="history-diff"
-									class="border-brand-sand mb-2 rounded-sm border bg-white p-4 font-serif text-sm text-gray-400 italic"
+									class="mb-2 rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-4 font-serif text-sm text-ink-3 italic"
 								>
 									{m.history_diff_no_changes()}
 								</div>
 							{:else if diffEntries.length > 0}
 								<div
 									data-testid="history-diff"
-									class="border-brand-sand mb-2 space-y-4 rounded-sm border bg-white p-4"
+									class="mb-2 space-y-4 rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-4"
 								>
 									{#each diffEntries as entry (entry.field)}
 										<div>
 											<span
-												class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-[10px] font-bold tracking-wide text-gray-400 uppercase"
+												class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-[10px] font-bold tracking-wide text-ink-3 uppercase"
 												>{entry.label}</span
 											>
 											{#if entry.kind === 'text'}
@@ -477,7 +477,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 												<div class="flex items-center gap-2 font-serif text-sm">
 													<span class="text-red-600 line-through">{entry.oldVal || '—'}</span>
 													<svg
-														class="h-3 w-3 flex-shrink-0 text-gray-400"
+														class="h-3 w-3 flex-shrink-0 text-ink-3"
 														viewBox="0 0 20 20"
 														fill="currentColor"
 														aria-hidden="true"
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/PanelMetadata.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/PanelMetadata.svelte
index d934a502..12d9d385 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/PanelMetadata.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/PanelMetadata.svelte
@@ -21,14 +21,14 @@ let { doc }: { doc: Doc } = $props();
 	<!-- DETAILS GROUP -->
 	<div>
 		<h3
-			class="border-brand-sand mb-4 border-b pb-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase"
+			class="mb-4 border-b border-line pb-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase"
 		>
 			{m.doc_section_details()}
 		</h3>
 		<div class="space-y-5">
 			<!-- Date -->
 			<div class="flex items-start">
-				<span class="mt-0.5 w-8 text-brand-mint">
+				<span class="mt-0.5 w-8 text-accent">
 					<img
 						src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Calendar/Calendar-Add-MD.svg"
 						alt=""
@@ -37,16 +37,16 @@ let { doc }: { doc: Doc } = $props();
 					/>
 				</span>
 				<div>
-					<span class="block font-serif text-lg text-brand-navy">
+					<span class="block font-serif text-lg text-ink">
 						{doc.documentDate ? formatDate(doc.documentDate) : '—'}
 					</span>
-					<span class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-500">{m.doc_label_document_date()}</span>
+					<span class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-2">{m.doc_label_document_date()}</span>
 				</div>
 			</div>
 
 			<!-- Creation Location -->
 			<div class="flex items-start">
-				<span class="mt-0.5 w-8 text-brand-mint">
+				<span class="mt-0.5 w-8 text-accent">
 					<img
 						src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Location-MD.svg"
 						alt=""
@@ -55,17 +55,17 @@ let { doc }: { doc: Doc } = $props();
 					/>
 				</span>
 				<div>
-					<span class="block font-serif text-lg text-brand-navy">
+					<span class="block font-serif text-lg text-ink">
 						{doc.location ? doc.location : '—'}
 					</span>
-					<span class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-500">{m.doc_label_creation_location()}</span>
+					<span class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-2">{m.doc_label_creation_location()}</span>
 				</div>
 			</div>
 
 			<!-- Physical Archive Location -->
 			{#if doc.documentLocation}
 				<div class="flex items-start">
-					<span class="mt-0.5 w-8 text-brand-mint">
+					<span class="mt-0.5 w-8 text-accent">
 						<img
 							src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Folder-MD.svg"
 							alt=""
@@ -74,10 +74,10 @@ let { doc }: { doc: Doc } = $props();
 						/>
 					</span>
 					<div>
-						<span class="block font-serif text-lg text-brand-navy">
+						<span class="block font-serif text-lg text-ink">
 							{doc.documentLocation}
 						</span>
-						<span class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-500"
+						<span class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-2"
 							>{m.doc_label_archive_location_original()}</span
 						>
 					</div>
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ let { doc }: { doc: Doc } = $props();
 			<!-- Tags -->
 			{#if doc.tags && doc.tags.length > 0}
 				<div class="flex items-start">
-					<span class="mt-0.5 w-8 text-brand-mint">
+					<span class="mt-0.5 w-8 text-accent">
 						<img
 							src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Bookmark/Bookmark-Outline-MD.svg"
 							alt=""
@@ -100,14 +100,14 @@ let { doc }: { doc: Doc } = $props();
 							{#each doc.tags as tag (tag.id)}
 								<a
 									href="/?tag={encodeURIComponent(tag.name)}"
-									class="bg-brand-sand/50 inline-flex items-center rounded px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-bold tracking-wide text-brand-navy uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-brand-navy hover:text-white"
+									class="inline-flex items-center rounded bg-muted px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-bold tracking-wide text-ink uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-primary hover:text-white"
 									title={m.doc_tag_filter_title({ name: tag.name })}
 								>
 									{tag.name}
 								</a>
 							{/each}
 						</div>
-						<span class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-500">{m.form_label_tags()}</span>
+						<span class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-2">{m.form_label_tags()}</span>
 					</div>
 				</div>
 			{/if}
@@ -117,61 +117,59 @@ let { doc }: { doc: Doc } = $props();
 	<!-- PERSONEN GROUP -->
 	<div>
 		<h3
-			class="border-brand-sand mb-4 border-b pb-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase"
+			class="mb-4 border-b border-line pb-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase"
 		>
 			{m.doc_section_persons()}
 		</h3>
 
 		<div class="mb-6">
-			<span class="mb-2 block font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 uppercase"
-				>{m.form_label_sender()}</span
-			>
+			<span class="mb-2 block font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 uppercase">{m.form_label_sender()}</span>
 			{#if doc.sender}
 				<a
 					href="/persons/{doc.sender.id}"
-					class="group border-brand-sand bg-brand-sand/20 block rounded border p-3 transition hover:border-brand-mint hover:bg-brand-mint/10"
+					class="group block rounded border border-line bg-muted p-3 transition hover:border-accent hover:bg-accent/10"
 				>
 					<div class="flex items-center gap-3">
 						<div
-							class="flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-brand-navy font-serif text-sm text-white"
+							class="flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-serif text-sm text-white"
 						>
 							{doc.sender.firstName[0]}{doc.sender.lastName[0]}
 						</div>
 						<div>
 							<p
-								class="font-serif text-brand-navy decoration-brand-mint underline-offset-2 group-hover:underline"
+								class="font-serif text-ink decoration-brand-mint underline-offset-2 group-hover:underline"
 							>
 								{doc.sender.firstName}
 								{doc.sender.lastName}
 							</p>
 							{#if doc.sender.alias}
-								<p class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-500">{doc.sender.alias}</p>
+								<p class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-2">{doc.sender.alias}</p>
 							{/if}
 						</div>
 					</div>
 				</a>
 			{:else}
-				<span class="font-serif text-sm text-gray-400 italic">{m.doc_sender_not_specified()}</span>
+				<span class="font-serif text-sm text-ink-3 italic">{m.doc_sender_not_specified()}</span>
 			{/if}
 		</div>
 
 		<div>
-			<span class="mb-2 block font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 uppercase"
+			<span class="mb-2 block font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 uppercase"
 				>{m.form_label_receivers()}</span
 			>
 			{#if doc.receivers && doc.receivers.length > 0}
 				<div class="space-y-2">
 					{#each doc.receivers as receiver (receiver.id)}
 						<div
-							class="group border-brand-sand flex items-center justify-between rounded border bg-white p-3 transition hover:border-brand-navy"
+							class="group flex items-center justify-between rounded border border-line bg-surface p-3 transition hover:border-primary"
 						>
 							<a href="/persons/{receiver.id}" class="flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center gap-3">
 								<div
-									class="flex h-6 w-6 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-gray-100 font-serif text-xs text-gray-500"
+									class="flex h-6 w-6 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-gray-100 font-serif text-xs text-ink-2"
 								>
 									{receiver.firstName[0]}{receiver.lastName[0]}
 								</div>
-								<span class="truncate font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy">
+								<span class="truncate font-serif text-sm text-ink">
 									{receiver.firstName}
 									{receiver.lastName}
 								</span>
@@ -180,7 +178,7 @@ let { doc }: { doc: Doc } = $props();
 							{#if doc.sender}
 								<a
 									href="/conversations?senderId={doc.sender.id}&receiverId={receiver.id}"
-									class="text-gray-300 transition hover:text-brand-mint"
+									class="text-ink-3 transition hover:text-accent"
 									title={m.doc_conversation_title()}
 								>
 									<img
@@ -195,7 +193,7 @@ let { doc }: { doc: Doc } = $props();
 					{/each}
 				</div>
 			{:else}
-				<span class="font-serif text-sm text-gray-400 italic">{m.doc_no_receivers()}</span>
+				<span class="font-serif text-sm text-ink-3 italic">{m.doc_no_receivers()}</span>
 			{/if}
 		</div>
 	</div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/PanelTranscription.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/PanelTranscription.svelte
index f2129ca3..d8bc79a8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/PanelTranscription.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/PanelTranscription.svelte
@@ -12,28 +12,24 @@ let { doc }: { doc: Doc } = $props();
 <div class="flex justify-center px-6 py-8">
 	<div class="w-full max-w-prose space-y-8">
 		{#if !doc.summary && !doc.transcription}
-			<p class="font-serif text-sm text-gray-400 italic">—</p>
+			<p class="font-serif text-sm text-ink-3 italic">—</p>
 		{/if}
 
 		{#if doc.summary}
 			<div>
-				<span
-					class="mb-3 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-				>
+				<span class="mb-3 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 					{m.doc_label_summary()}
 				</span>
-				<p class="font-serif text-base leading-relaxed text-brand-navy">{doc.summary}</p>
+				<p class="font-serif text-base leading-relaxed text-ink">{doc.summary}</p>
 			</div>
 		{/if}
 
 		{#if doc.transcription}
 			<div>
-				<span
-					class="mb-3 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-				>
+				<span class="mb-3 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 					{m.form_label_transcription()}
 				</span>
-				<p class="font-serif text-base leading-relaxed whitespace-pre-wrap text-brand-navy">
+				<p class="font-serif text-base leading-relaxed whitespace-pre-wrap text-ink">
 					{doc.transcription}
 				</p>
 			</div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/PdfViewer.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/PdfViewer.svelte
index bdb1914d..0d1863ce 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/PdfViewer.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/PdfViewer.svelte
@@ -295,25 +295,23 @@ function zoomOut() {
 </script>
 
 {#if !url}
-	<div class="flex h-full w-full items-center justify-center bg-[#2A2A2A] text-gray-400">
+	<div class="flex h-full w-full items-center justify-center bg-pdf-bg text-ink-3">
 		<p class="font-sans text-sm">Keine Datei vorhanden</p>
 	</div>
 {:else if error}
-	<div
-		class="flex h-full w-full flex-col items-center justify-center gap-3 bg-[#2A2A2A] text-gray-300"
-	>
+	<div class="flex h-full w-full flex-col items-center justify-center gap-3 bg-pdf-bg text-ink-3">
 		<p class="font-sans text-sm text-red-400">Fehler beim Laden der PDF</p>
 		<a
 			href={url}
 			target="_blank"
 			rel="noopener noreferrer"
-			class="font-sans text-xs text-brand-mint underline hover:opacity-80"
+			class="font-sans text-xs text-accent underline hover:opacity-80"
 		>
 			Direkt öffnen
 		</a>
 	</div>
 {:else}
-	<div class="flex h-full w-full flex-col bg-[#2A2A2A]">
+	<div class="flex h-full w-full flex-col bg-pdf-bg">
 		{#if outdatedCount > 0}
 			<div
 				class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2 border-b border-amber-500/30 bg-amber-500/10 px-4 py-2"
@@ -337,7 +335,7 @@ function zoomOut() {
 		{/if}
 		<!-- Controls -->
 		<div
-			class="flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between gap-2 border-b border-white/10 px-4 py-2"
+			class="flex shrink-0 items-center justify-between gap-2 border-b border-pdf-ctrl px-4 py-2"
 		>
 			<!-- Page navigation -->
 			<div class="flex items-center gap-2">
@@ -345,7 +343,7 @@ function zoomOut() {
 					onclick={prevPage}
 					disabled={currentPage <= 1}
 					aria-label="Zurück"
-					class="rounded p-1 text-gray-300 transition hover:bg-white/10 disabled:opacity-40"
+					class="rounded p-1 text-ink-3 transition hover:bg-surface/10 disabled:opacity-40"
 				>
 					<svg
 						class="h-4 w-4"
@@ -359,7 +357,7 @@ function zoomOut() {
 				</button>
 
 				{#if totalPages > 0}
-					<span class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-300 tabular-nums">
+					<span class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 tabular-nums">
 						{currentPage} / {totalPages}
 					</span>
 				{/if}
@@ -368,7 +366,7 @@ function zoomOut() {
 					onclick={nextPage}
 					disabled={!pdfDoc || currentPage >= totalPages}
 					aria-label="Weiter"
-					class="rounded p-1 text-gray-300 transition hover:bg-white/10 disabled:opacity-40"
+					class="rounded p-1 text-ink-3 transition hover:bg-surface/10 disabled:opacity-40"
 				>
 					<svg
 						class="h-4 w-4"
@@ -387,7 +385,7 @@ function zoomOut() {
 				<button
 					onclick={zoomOut}
 					aria-label="Verkleinern"
-					class="rounded p-1 text-gray-300 transition hover:bg-white/10"
+					class="rounded p-1 text-ink-3 transition hover:bg-surface/10"
 				>
 					<svg
 						class="h-4 w-4"
@@ -405,7 +403,7 @@ function zoomOut() {
 				<button
 					onclick={zoomIn}
 					aria-label="Vergrößern"
-					class="rounded p-1 text-gray-300 transition hover:bg-white/10"
+					class="rounded p-1 text-ink-3 transition hover:bg-surface/10"
 				>
 					<svg
 						class="h-4 w-4"
@@ -438,8 +436,8 @@ function zoomOut() {
 					onclick={() => (showAnnotations = !showAnnotations)}
 					aria-label={showAnnotations ? m.pdf_annotations_hide() : m.pdf_annotations_show()}
 					class="flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded px-2 py-1 font-sans text-xs transition {showAnnotations
-						? 'text-gray-300 hover:bg-white/10'
-						: 'bg-white/10 text-brand-mint'}"
+						? 'text-ink-3 hover:bg-surface/10'
+						: 'bg-surface/10 text-accent'}"
 				>
 					<svg
 						class="h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0"
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/PersonMultiSelect.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/PersonMultiSelect.svelte
index 91989855..cdedec8c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/PersonMultiSelect.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/PersonMultiSelect.svelte
@@ -80,18 +80,18 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 
 <div class="relative" use:clickOutside>
 	<div
-		class="flex min-h-[42px] flex-wrap gap-2 rounded border border-gray-300 bg-white p-2 focus-within:border-brand-navy focus-within:ring-1 focus-within:ring-brand-navy"
+		class="flex min-h-[42px] flex-wrap gap-2 rounded border border-gray-300 bg-surface p-2 focus-within:border-ink focus-within:ring-1 focus-within:ring-ink"
 	>
 		{#each selectedPersons as person (person.id)}
 			<span
-				class="bg-brand-sand/40 inline-flex items-center gap-1 rounded px-2 py-1 text-sm font-medium text-brand-navy"
+				class="inline-flex items-center gap-1 rounded bg-muted px-2 py-1 text-sm font-medium text-ink"
 			>
 				{person.firstName}
 				{person.lastName}
 				<button
 					type="button"
 					onclick={() => removePerson(person.id)}
-					class="ml-0.5 text-brand-navy/50 hover:text-red-500 focus:outline-none"
+					class="ml-0.5 text-ink/50 hover:text-red-500 focus:outline-none"
 					aria-label={m.comp_multiselect_remove()}
 				>
 					<svg class="h-3 w-3" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
@@ -121,14 +121,14 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 	{#if showDropdown && (results.length > 0 || loading)}
 		<div
 			style={dropdownStyle}
-			class="ring-opacity-5 z-50 max-h-60 overflow-auto rounded-md bg-white py-1 text-base shadow-lg ring-1 ring-black sm:text-sm"
+			class="ring-opacity-5 z-50 max-h-60 overflow-auto rounded-md bg-surface py-1 text-base shadow-lg ring-1 ring-black sm:text-sm"
 		>
 			{#if loading}
-				<div class="p-2 text-sm text-gray-500">{m.comp_multiselect_loading()}</div>
+				<div class="p-2 text-sm text-ink-2">{m.comp_multiselect_loading()}</div>
 			{:else}
 				{#each results as person (person.id)}
 					<div
-						class="hover:bg-brand-sand/30 cursor-pointer py-2 pr-9 pl-3 text-gray-900 select-none"
+						class="cursor-pointer py-2 pr-9 pl-3 text-gray-900 select-none hover:bg-muted"
 						onclick={() => selectPerson(person)}
 						onkeydown={(e) => e.key === 'Enter' && selectPerson(person)}
 						role="button"
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/PersonTypeahead.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/PersonTypeahead.svelte
index 2ff22708..bc2c4acd 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/PersonTypeahead.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/PersonTypeahead.svelte
@@ -128,10 +128,10 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 
 	{#if showDropdown && (results.length > 0 || loading)}
 		<div
-			class="ring-opacity-5 absolute top-full left-0 z-50 mt-1 max-h-60 w-full overflow-auto rounded-md bg-white py-1 text-base shadow-lg ring-1 ring-black focus:outline-none sm:text-sm"
+			class="ring-opacity-5 absolute top-full left-0 z-50 mt-1 max-h-60 w-full overflow-auto rounded-md bg-surface py-1 text-base shadow-lg ring-1 ring-black focus:outline-none sm:text-sm"
 		>
 			{#if loading}
-				<div class="p-2 text-sm text-gray-500">{m.comp_typeahead_loading()}</div>
+				<div class="p-2 text-sm text-ink-2">{m.comp_typeahead_loading()}</div>
 			{:else}
 				{#each results as person (person.id)}
 					<div
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/TagInput.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/TagInput.svelte
index dcabdc8d..aa822f0e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/TagInput.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/TagInput.svelte
@@ -85,19 +85,17 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 <div class="w-full" use:clickOutside>
 	<!-- Tag Container -->
 	<div
-		class="flex min-h-[42px] flex-wrap gap-2 rounded border border-gray-300 bg-white p-2 focus-within:border-brand-navy focus-within:ring-1 focus-within:ring-brand-navy"
+		class="flex min-h-[42px] flex-wrap gap-2 rounded border border-gray-300 bg-surface p-2 focus-within:border-ink focus-within:ring-1 focus-within:ring-ink"
 	>
 		<!-- Render Selected Tags -->
 		{#each tags as tag, i (i)}
-			<span
-				class="bg-brand-sand/30 flex items-center gap-1 rounded px-2 py-1 text-sm font-medium text-brand-navy"
-			>
+			<span class="flex items-center gap-1 rounded bg-muted px-2 py-1 text-sm font-medium text-ink">
 				{tag}
 				<button
 					type="button"
 					onclick={() => removeTag(i)}
 					aria-label={m.comp_taginput_remove()}
-					class="text-brand-navy/50 hover:text-red-500 focus:outline-none"
+					class="text-ink/50 hover:text-red-500 focus:outline-none"
 				>
 					<svg class="h-3 w-3" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"
 						><path
@@ -130,15 +128,15 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 			<!-- Typeahead Dropdown -->
 			{#if showSuggestions && suggestions.length > 0}
 				<ul
-					class="absolute top-full left-0 z-50 mt-1 max-h-48 w-full overflow-y-auto rounded border border-gray-200 bg-white shadow-lg"
+					class="absolute top-full left-0 z-50 mt-1 max-h-48 w-full overflow-y-auto rounded border border-line bg-surface shadow-lg"
 				>
 					{#each suggestions as suggestion, i (i)}
 						<li
 							role="option"
 							aria-selected={i === activeIndex}
 							tabindex="0"
-							class="hover:bg-brand-sand/20 cursor-pointer px-3 py-2 text-sm {i === activeIndex
-                                ? 'bg-brand-sand/20 font-bold text-brand-navy'
+							class="cursor-pointer px-3 py-2 text-sm hover:bg-muted {i === activeIndex
+                                ? 'bg-muted font-bold text-ink'
                                 : 'text-gray-700'}"
 							onclick={() => addTag(suggestion)}
 							onkeydown={(e) => e.key === 'Enter' && addTag(suggestion)}
@@ -151,6 +149,6 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 		</div>
 	</div>
 	{#if allowCreation}
-		<p class="mt-1 text-xs text-gray-400">{m.comp_taginput_create_hint()}</p>
+		<p class="mt-1 text-xs text-ink-3">{m.comp_taginput_create_hint()}</p>
 	{/if}
 </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte
index c0d4a3b5..ad34d9be 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte
@@ -46,9 +46,9 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 }
 </script>
 
-<div class="min-h-screen bg-white" data-hydrated={hydrated || undefined}>
+<div class="min-h-screen bg-canvas" data-hydrated={hydrated || undefined}>
 	{#if !['/login', '/forgot-password', '/reset-password'].some((p) => page.url.pathname.startsWith(p))}
-		<header class="sticky top-0 z-50 border-b border-gray-100 bg-white">
+		<header class="sticky top-0 z-50 border-b border-line-2 bg-surface">
 			<!-- De Gruyter Brill purple accent strip -->
 			<div class="h-1 bg-brand-purple"></div>
 
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 					<div class="flex">
 						<div class="mr-10 flex flex-shrink-0 items-center">
 							<a href="/" class="flex items-center" aria-label="Familienarchiv">
-								<span class="font-sans text-xl font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase"
+								<span class="font-sans text-xl font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase"
 									>Familienarchiv</span
 								>
 							</a>
@@ -69,8 +69,8 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 								href="/"
 								class="inline-flex items-center px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
                                    {page.url.pathname === '/' || page.url.pathname.startsWith('/documents')
-                                    ? 'rounded bg-brand-purple/15 text-brand-navy'
-                                    : 'hover:bg-brand-sand/60 rounded text-gray-500 hover:text-brand-navy'}"
+                                    ? 'rounded bg-nav-active text-ink'
+                                    : 'rounded text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
 							>
 								{m.nav_documents()}
 							</a>
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 								href="/persons"
 								class="inline-flex items-center px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
                                    {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/persons')
-                                    ? 'rounded bg-brand-purple/15 text-brand-navy'
-                                    : 'hover:bg-brand-sand/60 rounded text-gray-500 hover:text-brand-navy'}"
+                                    ? 'rounded bg-nav-active text-ink'
+                                    : 'rounded text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
 							>
 								{m.nav_persons()}
 							</a>
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 								href="/conversations"
 								class="inline-flex items-center px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
                                    {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/conversations')
-                                    ? 'rounded bg-brand-purple/15 text-brand-navy'
-                                    : 'hover:bg-brand-sand/60 rounded text-gray-500 hover:text-brand-navy'}"
+                                    ? 'rounded bg-nav-active text-ink'
+                                    : 'rounded text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
 							>
 								{m.nav_conversations()}
 							</a>
@@ -99,8 +99,8 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 									href="/admin"
 									class="inline-flex items-center px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
                                    {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/admin')
-                                        ? 'rounded bg-brand-purple/15 text-brand-navy'
-                                        : 'hover:bg-brand-sand/60 rounded text-gray-500 hover:text-brand-navy'}"
+                                        ? 'rounded bg-nav-active text-ink'
+                                        : 'rounded text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
 								>
 									{m.nav_admin()}
 								</a>
@@ -111,15 +111,15 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 					<!-- Right Side -->
 					<div class="flex items-center gap-3">
 						<!-- Language selector -->
-						<div class="flex items-center gap-1 border-r border-gray-200 pr-3">
+						<div class="flex items-center gap-1 border-r border-line pr-3">
 							{#each locales as locale (locale)}
 								<button
 									type="button"
 									onclick={() => setLocale(localeMap[locale])}
 									class="px-1.5 py-1 font-sans text-xs tracking-widest transition-colors
                                         {activeLocale === locale
-                                            ? 'font-bold text-brand-navy'
-                                            : 'font-normal text-gray-400 hover:text-brand-navy'}"
+                                            ? 'font-bold text-ink'
+                                            : 'font-normal text-ink-3 hover:text-ink'}"
 								>
 									{locale}
 								</button>
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 									aria-expanded={userMenuOpen}
 									aria-haspopup="true"
 									onclick={() => (userMenuOpen = !userMenuOpen)}
-									class="flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-brand-navy font-sans text-xs font-bold text-white transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
+									class="flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-sans text-xs font-bold text-white transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
 								>
 									{userInitials}
 								</button>
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 									aria-expanded={userMenuOpen}
 									aria-haspopup="true"
 									onclick={() => (userMenuOpen = !userMenuOpen)}
-									class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 px-3 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+									class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 px-3 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 								>
 									<img
 										src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Small-16px/SVG/Action/Account-SM.svg"
@@ -166,20 +166,20 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 
 							{#if userMenuOpen}
 								<div
-									class="border-brand-sand absolute top-full right-0 z-50 mt-1 min-w-[10rem] rounded-sm border bg-white shadow-md"
+									class="absolute top-full right-0 z-50 mt-1 min-w-[10rem] rounded-sm border border-line bg-overlay shadow-md"
 								>
 									<a
 										href="/profile"
 										onclick={() => (userMenuOpen = false)}
-										class="hover:bg-brand-sand/40 block px-4 py-2.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-600 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+										class="block px-4 py-2.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink"
 									>
 										{m.nav_profile()}
 									</a>
-									<div class="border-brand-sand border-t">
+									<div class="border-t border-line">
 										<form action="/logout" method="POST" use:enhance>
 											<button
 												type="submit"
-												class="hover:bg-brand-sand/40 w-full px-4 py-2.5 text-left font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+												class="w-full px-4 py-2.5 text-left font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink"
 											>
 												{m.nav_logout()}
 											</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/+page.svelte
index f7e6ce3a..f8a3a4b5 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/+page.svelte
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 <!-- Outer Container: Matches the 'Sand' background of the layout -->
 <main class="mx-auto max-w-7xl py-8 font-sans sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
 	<!-- SEARCH & FILTER CARD -->
-	<div class="border-brand-sand mb-8 rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
+	<div class="mb-8 rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
 		<!-- ROW 1: Main Search (One Line) -->
 		<div class="flex items-center gap-4">
 			<!-- Full Text Search -->
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 					onfocus={() => (qFocused = true)}
 					onblur={() => (qFocused = false)}
 					placeholder={m.docs_search_placeholder()}
-					class="block w-full border-gray-300 py-2.5 pr-10 pl-3 placeholder-gray-400 shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+					class="block w-full border-gray-300 py-2.5 pr-10 pl-3 placeholder-gray-400 shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 				/>
 				<div class="pointer-events-none absolute inset-y-0 right-0 flex items-center pr-3">
 					<img
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 			<!-- Toggle Advanced Button -->
 			<button
 				onclick={() => (showAdvanced = !showAdvanced)}
-				class="flex items-center gap-2 border border-gray-300 bg-gray-50 px-4 py-2.5 text-sm font-bold tracking-wide text-gray-600 uppercase transition hover:bg-gray-100 hover:text-brand-navy"
+				class="flex items-center gap-2 border border-gray-300 bg-gray-50 px-4 py-2.5 text-sm font-bold tracking-wide text-ink-2 uppercase transition hover:bg-gray-100 hover:text-ink"
 			>
 				<img
 					src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Small-16px/SVG/Action/Chevron/Chevron-Down-SM.svg"
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 			<!-- Reset Button -->
 			<a
 				href="/"
-				class="flex items-center justify-center border border-transparent px-3 py-2.5 text-gray-400 transition hover:text-red-500"
+				class="flex items-center justify-center border border-transparent px-3 py-2.5 text-ink-3 transition hover:text-red-500"
 				title={m.docs_btn_reset_title()}
 			>
 				<img
@@ -135,11 +135,11 @@ $effect(() => {
 		{#if showAdvanced}
 			<div
 				transition:slide
-				class="mt-6 grid grid-cols-1 gap-6 border-t border-gray-100 pt-6 md:grid-cols-12"
+				class="mt-6 grid grid-cols-1 gap-6 border-t border-line-2 pt-6 md:grid-cols-12"
 			>
 				<!-- Tag Filter -->
 				<div class="md:col-span-12">
-					<p class="mb-2 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase">
+					<p class="mb-2 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase">
 						{m.docs_filter_label_tags()}
 					</p>
 					<TagInput bind:tags={tagNames} allowCreation={false} />
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 				<!-- Sender -->
 				<div class="md:col-span-3">
 					<div
-						class="[&_input]:border-gray-300 [&_input]:py-2.5 [&_label]:mb-2 [&_label]:text-xs [&_label]:font-bold [&_label]:tracking-widest [&_label]:text-gray-500 [&_label]:uppercase"
+						class="[&_input]:border-gray-300 [&_input]:py-2.5 [&_label]:mb-2 [&_label]:text-xs [&_label]:font-bold [&_label]:tracking-widest [&_label]:text-ink-2 [&_label]:uppercase"
 					>
 						<PersonTypeahead
 							name="senderId"
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 				<!-- Receiver -->
 				<div class="md:col-span-3">
 					<div
-						class="[&_input]:border-gray-300 [&_input]:py-2.5 [&_label]:mb-2 [&_label]:text-xs [&_label]:font-bold [&_label]:tracking-widest [&_label]:text-gray-500 [&_label]:uppercase"
+						class="[&_input]:border-gray-300 [&_input]:py-2.5 [&_label]:mb-2 [&_label]:text-xs [&_label]:font-bold [&_label]:tracking-widest [&_label]:text-ink-2 [&_label]:uppercase"
 					>
 						<PersonTypeahead
 							name="receiverId"
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 					<div>
 						<label
 							for="from"
-							class="mb-2 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase"
+							class="mb-2 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase"
 							>{m.docs_filter_label_from()}</label
 						>
 						<input
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 					<div>
 						<label
 							for="to"
-							class="mb-2 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase"
+							class="mb-2 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase"
 							>{m.docs_filter_label_to()}</label
 						>
 						<input
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 		{#if data.canWrite}
 			<a
 				href="/documents/new"
-				class="inline-flex items-center gap-1 text-sm font-medium text-brand-navy/60 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+				class="inline-flex items-center gap-1 text-sm font-medium text-ink/60 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 			>
 				<img
 					src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Add/Add-General-MD.svg"
@@ -229,15 +229,15 @@ $effect(() => {
 	</div>
 
 	<!-- DOCUMENT LIST -->
-	<div class="border-brand-sand border bg-white shadow-sm">
+	<div class="border border-line bg-surface shadow-sm">
 		{#if data.error}
 			<div class="bg-red-50 p-8 text-center text-red-600">
 				{data.error}
 			</div>
 		{:else if data.documents && data.documents.length > 0}
-			<ul class="divide-y divide-gray-100">
+			<ul class="divide-y divide-line-2">
 				{#each data.documents as doc (doc.id)}
-					<li class="group hover:bg-brand-sand/10 transition-colors duration-200">
+					<li class="group transition-colors duration-200 hover:bg-muted/50">
 						<!-- LINK TO DETAIL PAGE -->
 						<a href="/documents/{doc.id}" class="block p-6">
 							<div class="flex flex-col gap-6 sm:flex-row">
@@ -246,14 +246,14 @@ $effect(() => {
 									<div class="mb-2 flex items-baseline justify-between">
 										<!-- Title: Serif & Brand Navy -->
 										<h3
-											class="font-serif text-xl font-medium text-brand-navy decoration-brand-mint decoration-2 underline-offset-4 group-hover:underline"
+											class="font-serif text-xl font-medium text-ink decoration-brand-mint decoration-2 underline-offset-4 group-hover:underline"
 										>
 											{doc.title || doc.originalFilename}
 										</h3>
 									</div>
 
 									<!-- Metadata Row -->
-									<div class="mb-4 flex flex-wrap gap-6 font-sans text-sm text-gray-500">
+									<div class="mb-4 flex flex-wrap gap-6 font-sans text-sm text-ink-2">
 										<div class="flex items-center">
 											<img
 												src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Calendar/Calendar-Add-MD.svg"
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 									<div class="grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 font-serif text-sm sm:grid-cols-2">
 										<div class="flex items-baseline">
 											<span
-												class="w-10 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-wide text-gray-400 uppercase"
+												class="w-10 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-wide text-ink-3 uppercase"
 												>{m.docs_list_from()}</span
 											>
 											{#if doc.sender}
@@ -288,12 +288,12 @@ $effect(() => {
 													>{doc.sender.firstName} {doc.sender.lastName}</span
 												>
 											{:else}
-												<span class="text-gray-400 italic">{m.docs_list_unknown()}</span>
+												<span class="text-ink-3 italic">{m.docs_list_unknown()}</span>
 											{/if}
 										</div>
 										<div class="flex items-baseline">
 											<span
-												class="w-10 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-wide text-gray-400 uppercase"
+												class="w-10 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-wide text-ink-3 uppercase"
 												>{m.docs_list_to()}</span
 											>
 											{#if doc.receivers && doc.receivers.length > 0}
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 													{doc.receivers.map((p) => p.firstName + ' ' + p.lastName).join(', ')}
 												</span>
 											{:else}
-												<span class="text-gray-400 italic">{m.docs_list_unknown()}</span>
+												<span class="text-ink-3 italic">{m.docs_list_unknown()}</span>
 											{/if}
 										</div>
 									</div>
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 											{#each doc.tags as tag (tag.id)}
 												<button
 													type="button"
-													class="bg-brand-sand/30 relative z-10 inline-flex cursor-pointer items-center rounded px-2 py-1 text-[10px] font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-brand-navy hover:text-white"
+													class="relative z-10 inline-flex cursor-pointer items-center rounded bg-muted px-2 py-1 text-[10px] font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-primary hover:text-white"
 													onclick={(e) => { e.preventDefault(); e.stopPropagation(); goto(`/?tag=${encodeURIComponent(tag.name)}`); }}
 												>
 													{tag.name}
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 
 								<!-- Arrow Icon -->
 								<div
-									class="hidden items-center text-gray-300 transition-colors group-hover:text-brand-mint sm:flex"
+									class="hidden items-center text-ink-3 transition-colors group-hover:text-accent sm:flex"
 								>
 									<img
 										src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Arrow/Arrow-Right-MD.svg"
@@ -341,9 +341,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 		{:else}
 			<!-- Empty State -->
 			<div class="p-16 text-center">
-				<div
-					class="bg-brand-sand/30 mx-auto mb-4 flex h-12 w-12 items-center justify-center rounded-full"
-				>
+				<div class="mx-auto mb-4 flex h-12 w-12 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-muted">
 					<img
 						src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Mag-Glass-MD.svg"
 						alt=""
@@ -351,13 +349,13 @@ $effect(() => {
 						class="h-6 w-6"
 					/>
 				</div>
-				<h3 class="font-serif text-lg font-medium text-brand-navy">{m.docs_empty_heading()}</h3>
-				<p class="mt-1 font-sans text-sm text-gray-500">
+				<h3 class="font-serif text-lg font-medium text-ink">{m.docs_empty_heading()}</h3>
+				<p class="mt-1 font-sans text-sm text-ink-2">
 					{m.docs_empty_text()}
 				</p>
 				<button
 					onclick={() => goto('/')}
-					class="mt-6 text-sm font-bold tracking-wide text-brand-mint uppercase transition hover:text-brand-navy"
+					class="mt-6 text-sm font-bold tracking-wide text-accent uppercase transition hover:text-ink"
 				>
 					{m.docs_empty_btn_clear()}
 				</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/admin/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/admin/+page.svelte
index b000c280..252e7caf 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/admin/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/admin/+page.svelte
@@ -65,54 +65,54 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 
 <div class="mx-auto max-w-7xl py-8 font-sans sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
 	<div class="mb-8 flex items-center justify-between">
-		<h1 class="font-serif text-3xl text-brand-navy">{m.admin_heading()}</h1>
+		<h1 class="font-serif text-3xl text-ink">{m.admin_heading()}</h1>
 
 		<!-- Tabs -->
-		<div class="flex rounded-lg border border-gray-200 bg-white p-1 shadow-sm">
+		<div class="flex rounded-lg border border-line bg-surface p-1 shadow-sm">
 			<button
 				class="rounded-md px-4 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-wide uppercase transition {activeTab ===
 				'users'
-					? 'bg-brand-navy text-white'
-					: 'text-gray-500 hover:text-brand-navy'}"
+					? 'bg-primary text-white'
+					: 'text-ink-2 hover:text-ink'}"
 				onclick={() => (activeTab = 'users')}>{m.admin_tab_users()}</button
 			>
 			<button
 				class="rounded-md px-4 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-wide uppercase transition {activeTab ===
 				'groups'
-					? 'bg-brand-navy text-white'
-					: 'text-gray-500 hover:text-brand-navy'}"
+					? 'bg-primary text-white'
+					: 'text-ink-2 hover:text-ink'}"
 				onclick={() => (activeTab = 'groups')}>{m.admin_tab_groups()}</button
 			>
 			<button
 				class="rounded-md px-4 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-wide uppercase transition {activeTab ===
 				'tags'
-					? 'bg-brand-navy text-white'
-					: 'text-gray-500 hover:text-brand-navy'}"
+					? 'bg-primary text-white'
+					: 'text-ink-2 hover:text-ink'}"
 				onclick={() => (activeTab = 'tags')}>{m.admin_tab_tags()}</button
 			>
 			<button
 				class="rounded-md px-4 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-wide uppercase transition {activeTab ===
 				'system'
-					? 'bg-brand-navy text-white'
-					: 'text-gray-500 hover:text-brand-navy'}"
+					? 'bg-primary text-white'
+					: 'text-ink-2 hover:text-ink'}"
 				onclick={() => (activeTab = 'system')}>{m.admin_tab_system()}</button
 			>
 		</div>
 	</div>
 
 	{#if form?.message}
-		<div class="mb-6 rounded border border-brand-mint/50 bg-brand-mint/20 p-4 text-brand-navy">
+		<div class="mb-6 rounded border border-accent/50 bg-accent/20 p-4 text-ink">
 			{form.message}
 		</div>
 	{/if}
 
 	{#if activeTab === 'users'}
-		<div class="border-brand-sand overflow-hidden rounded-lg border bg-white shadow-sm" in:slide>
-			<div class="flex items-center justify-between border-b border-gray-100 p-6">
+		<div class="overflow-hidden rounded-lg border border-line bg-surface shadow-sm" in:slide>
+			<div class="flex items-center justify-between border-b border-line-2 p-6">
 				<h2 class="text-lg font-bold text-gray-700">{m.admin_section_users()}</h2>
 				<a
 					href="/admin/users/new"
-					class="inline-flex items-center gap-1 rounded-sm bg-brand-navy px-4 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
+					class="inline-flex items-center gap-1 rounded-sm bg-primary px-4 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
 				>
 					<svg class="h-4 w-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
 						<path
@@ -129,35 +129,34 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 			<table class="min-w-full divide-y divide-gray-200">
 				<thead class="bg-gray-50">
 					<tr>
-						<th class="px-6 py-3 text-left text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-gray-500 uppercase"
+						<th class="px-6 py-3 text-left text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-ink-2 uppercase"
 							>{m.admin_col_login()}</th
 						>
-						<th class="px-6 py-3 text-left text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-gray-500 uppercase"
+						<th class="px-6 py-3 text-left text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-ink-2 uppercase"
 							>{m.admin_col_full_name()}</th
 						>
-						<th class="px-6 py-3 text-left text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-gray-500 uppercase"
+						<th class="px-6 py-3 text-left text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-ink-2 uppercase"
 							>{m.admin_col_groups()}</th
 						>
-						<th
-							class="px-6 py-3 text-right text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-gray-500 uppercase"
+						<th class="px-6 py-3 text-right text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-ink-2 uppercase"
 							>{m.admin_col_actions()}</th
 						>
 					</tr>
 				</thead>
-				<tbody class="divide-y divide-gray-200 bg-white">
+				<tbody class="divide-y divide-gray-200 bg-surface">
 					{#each data.users as user (user.id)}
 						<tr class="group/row hover:bg-gray-50">
 							<td class="px-6 py-4 text-sm font-medium whitespace-nowrap text-gray-900">
 								{user.username}
 							</td>
-							<td class="px-6 py-4 text-sm whitespace-nowrap text-gray-500">
+							<td class="px-6 py-4 text-sm whitespace-nowrap text-ink-2">
 								{#if user.firstName || user.lastName}
 									{user.firstName ?? ''} {user.lastName ?? ''}
 								{:else}
-									<span class="text-gray-300 italic">–</span>
+									<span class="text-ink-3 italic">–</span>
 								{/if}
 							</td>
-							<td class="px-6 py-4 text-sm text-gray-500">
+							<td class="px-6 py-4 text-sm text-ink-2">
 								<div class="flex flex-wrap gap-1">
 									{#if user.groups && user.groups.length > 0}
 										{#each user.groups as group (group.id)}
@@ -168,7 +167,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 											</span>
 										{/each}
 									{:else}
-										<span class="text-xs text-gray-400 italic">{m.admin_no_groups()}</span>
+										<span class="text-xs text-ink-3 italic">{m.admin_no_groups()}</span>
 									{/if}
 								</div>
 							</td>
@@ -176,7 +175,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 								<div class="flex items-center justify-end gap-4">
 									<a
 										href="/admin/users/{user.id}"
-										class="text-sm font-bold tracking-wide text-brand-mint uppercase hover:text-brand-navy"
+										class="text-sm font-bold tracking-wide text-accent uppercase hover:text-ink"
 									>
 										{m.btn_edit()}
 									</a>
@@ -196,7 +195,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 									>
 										<input type="hidden" name="id" value={user.id} />
 										<button
-											class="p-1 text-gray-300 transition-colors hover:text-red-600"
+											class="p-1 text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-red-600"
 											title={m.admin_btn_delete_user_title()}
 										>
 											<svg class="h-5 w-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
@@ -217,8 +216,8 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 			</table>
 		</div>
 	{:else if activeTab === 'tags'}
-		<div class="border-brand-sand overflow-hidden rounded-lg border bg-white shadow-sm" in:slide>
-			<div class="border-b border-gray-100 bg-yellow-50/50 p-6">
+		<div class="overflow-hidden rounded-lg border border-line bg-surface shadow-sm" in:slide>
+			<div class="border-b border-line-2 bg-yellow-50/50 p-6">
 				<h2 class="text-lg font-bold text-gray-700">{m.admin_section_tags()}</h2>
 				<p class="mt-1 text-xs text-yellow-800">
 					{m.admin_tags_warning()}
@@ -244,7 +243,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 									type="text"
 									name="name"
 									bind:value={editingTagName}
-									class="flex-1 rounded border-brand-mint px-2 py-1 text-sm ring-1 ring-brand-mint"
+									class="flex-1 rounded border-accent px-2 py-1 text-sm ring-1 ring-brand-mint"
 								/>
 								<button aria-label={m.btn_save()} class="text-green-600 hover:text-green-800"
 									><svg class="h-5 w-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"
@@ -260,7 +259,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 									type="button"
 									onclick={cancelEditTag}
 									aria-label={m.btn_cancel()}
-									class="text-gray-400 hover:text-gray-600"
+									class="text-ink-3 hover:text-ink-2"
 									><svg class="h-5 w-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"
 										><path
 											stroke-linecap="round"
@@ -272,7 +271,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 								>
 							</form>
 						{:else}
-							<span class="bg-brand-sand/30 rounded px-2 py-1 text-sm font-medium text-brand-navy">
+							<span class="rounded bg-muted px-2 py-1 text-sm font-medium text-ink">
 								{tag.name}
 							</span>
 							<div
@@ -281,7 +280,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 								<button
 									onclick={() => startEditTag(tag)}
 									aria-label={m.admin_btn_edit_tag_label()}
-									class="p-1 text-gray-400 hover:text-brand-navy"
+									class="p-1 text-ink-3 hover:text-ink"
 								>
 									<svg class="h-4 w-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"
 										><path
@@ -310,7 +309,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 									<input type="hidden" name="id" value={tag.id} />
 									<button
 										aria-label={m.admin_btn_delete_tag_label()}
-										class="p-1 text-gray-400 hover:text-red-600"
+										class="p-1 text-ink-3 hover:text-red-600"
 									>
 										<svg class="h-4 w-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"
 											><path
@@ -329,27 +328,26 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 			</ul>
 		</div>
 	{:else if activeTab === 'groups'}
-		<div class="border-brand-sand overflow-hidden rounded-lg border bg-white shadow-sm" in:slide>
-			<div class="flex items-center justify-between border-b border-gray-100 p-6">
+		<div class="overflow-hidden rounded-lg border border-line bg-surface shadow-sm" in:slide>
+			<div class="flex items-center justify-between border-b border-line-2 p-6">
 				<h2 class="text-lg font-bold text-gray-700">{m.admin_section_groups()}</h2>
 			</div>
 
 			<table class="min-w-full divide-y divide-gray-200">
 				<thead class="bg-gray-50">
 					<tr>
-						<th class="px-6 py-3 text-left text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-gray-500 uppercase"
+						<th class="px-6 py-3 text-left text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-ink-2 uppercase"
 							>{m.admin_col_name()}</th
 						>
-						<th class="px-6 py-3 text-left text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-gray-500 uppercase"
+						<th class="px-6 py-3 text-left text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-ink-2 uppercase"
 							>{m.admin_col_permissions()}</th
 						>
-						<th
-							class="px-6 py-3 text-right text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-gray-500 uppercase"
+						<th class="px-6 py-3 text-right text-xs font-bold tracking-wider text-ink-2 uppercase"
 							>{m.admin_col_actions()}</th
 						>
 					</tr>
 				</thead>
-				<tbody class="divide-y divide-gray-200 bg-white">
+				<tbody class="divide-y divide-gray-200 bg-surface">
 					{#each data.groups as group (group.id)}
 						<tr class="group/row hover:bg-gray-50">
 							{#if editingGroupId === group.id}
@@ -372,7 +370,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 												type="text"
 												name="name"
 												value={group.name}
-												class="w-full rounded border-brand-mint text-sm"
+												class="w-full rounded border-accent text-sm"
 												required
 											/>
 										</div>
@@ -380,14 +378,14 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 										<div class="flex h-full flex-1 flex-wrap items-center gap-4 pt-2">
 											{#each availablePermissions as perm (perm)}
 												<label
-													class="inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold text-gray-600 uppercase"
+													class="inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold text-ink-2 uppercase"
 												>
 													<input
 														type="checkbox"
 														name="permissions"
 														value={perm}
 														checked={group.permissions.includes(perm)}
-														class="mr-2 rounded border-gray-300 text-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-mint"
+														class="mr-2 rounded border-gray-300 text-ink focus:ring-accent"
 													/>
 													{perm.replace('_', ' ')}
 												</label>
@@ -413,7 +411,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 												type="button"
 												onclick={cancelEditGroup}
 												aria-label={m.btn_cancel()}
-												class="p-1 text-gray-400 hover:text-red-500"
+												class="p-1 text-ink-3 hover:text-red-500"
 											>
 												<svg class="h-6 w-6" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"
 													><path
@@ -429,17 +427,17 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 								</td>
 							{:else}
 								<!-- VIEW MODE -->
-								<td class="px-6 py-4 text-sm font-bold whitespace-nowrap text-brand-navy">
+								<td class="px-6 py-4 text-sm font-bold whitespace-nowrap text-ink">
 									{group.name}
 								</td>
-								<td class="px-6 py-4 text-sm text-gray-500">
+								<td class="px-6 py-4 text-sm text-ink-2">
 									<div class="flex flex-wrap gap-1">
 										{#each group.permissions as perm (perm)}
 											<span
 												class="rounded-full px-2 py-0.5 text-[10px] font-bold uppercase
                                                 {perm === 'ADMIN'
 													? 'border-red-100 bg-red-50 text-red-700'
-													: 'border-gray-200 bg-gray-100 text-gray-600'}"
+													: 'border-line bg-gray-100 text-ink-2'}"
 											>
 												{perm}
 											</span>
@@ -450,7 +448,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 									<div class="flex items-center justify-end gap-3">
 										<button
 											onclick={() => startEditGroup(group.id)}
-											class="text-sm font-bold tracking-wide text-brand-mint uppercase hover:text-brand-navy"
+											class="text-sm font-bold tracking-wide text-accent uppercase hover:text-ink"
 										>
 											{m.btn_edit()}
 										</button>
@@ -469,7 +467,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 										>
 											<input type="hidden" name="id" value={group.id} />
 											<button
-												class="p-1 text-gray-300 transition-colors hover:text-red-600"
+												class="p-1 text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-red-600"
 												title={m.btn_delete()}
 											>
 												<svg class="h-5 w-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
@@ -491,8 +489,8 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 			</table>
 
 			<!-- CREATE GROUP FORM -->
-			<div class="border-t border-gray-200 bg-gray-50 p-6">
-				<h3 class="mb-4 text-xs font-bold tracking-wide text-gray-500 uppercase">
+			<div class="border-t border-line bg-gray-50 p-6">
+				<h3 class="mb-4 text-xs font-bold tracking-wide text-ink-2 uppercase">
 					{m.admin_section_new_group()}
 				</h3>
 				<form
@@ -513,12 +511,12 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 
 					<div class="flex items-center gap-4">
 						{#each availablePermissions as perm (perm)}
-							<label class="inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold text-gray-600 uppercase">
+							<label class="inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold text-ink-2 uppercase">
 								<input
 									type="checkbox"
 									name="permissions"
 									value={perm}
-									class="mr-2 rounded border-gray-300 text-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-mint"
+									class="mr-2 rounded border-gray-300 text-ink focus:ring-accent"
 								/>
 								{perm.replace('_', ' ')}
 							</label>
@@ -527,7 +525,7 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 
 					<button
 						type="submit"
-						class="w-full rounded bg-brand-navy px-6 py-2 text-sm font-bold text-white uppercase hover:bg-brand-mint hover:text-brand-navy md:w-auto"
+						class="w-full rounded bg-primary px-6 py-2 text-sm font-bold text-white uppercase hover:bg-accent hover:text-ink md:w-auto"
 					>
 						{m.btn_create()}
 					</button>
@@ -535,37 +533,37 @@ async function backfillFileHashes() {
 			</div>
 		</div>
 	{:else if activeTab === 'system'}
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
 			<h2 class="mb-1 text-lg font-bold text-gray-700">{m.admin_system_backfill_heading()}</h2>
-			<p class="mb-4 text-sm text-gray-500">{m.admin_system_backfill_description()}</p>
+			<p class="mb-4 text-sm text-ink-2">{m.admin_system_backfill_description()}</p>
 			<button
 				onclick={backfillVersions}
 				disabled={backfillLoading}
-				class="rounded bg-brand-navy px-6 py-2 text-sm font-bold text-white uppercase transition hover:bg-brand-mint hover:text-brand-navy disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50"
+				class="rounded bg-primary px-6 py-2 text-sm font-bold text-white uppercase transition hover:bg-accent hover:text-ink disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50"
 			>
 				{backfillLoading ? '…' : m.admin_system_backfill_btn()}
 			</button>
 			{#if backfillResult !== null}
-				<p class="mt-4 text-sm font-medium text-brand-navy">
+				<p class="mt-4 text-sm font-medium text-ink">
 					{m.admin_system_backfill_success({ count: backfillResult })}
 				</p>
 			{/if}
 		</div>
 
-		<div class="border-brand-sand mt-4 rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
+		<div class="mt-4 rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
 			<h2 class="mb-1 text-lg font-bold text-gray-700">
 				{m.admin_system_backfill_hashes_heading()}
 			</h2>
-			<p class="mb-4 text-sm text-gray-500">{m.admin_system_backfill_hashes_description()}</p>
+			<p class="mb-4 text-sm text-ink-2">{m.admin_system_backfill_hashes_description()}</p>
 			<button
 				onclick={backfillFileHashes}
 				disabled={backfillHashesLoading}
-				class="rounded bg-brand-navy px-6 py-2 text-sm font-bold text-white uppercase transition hover:bg-brand-mint hover:text-brand-navy disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50"
+				class="rounded bg-primary px-6 py-2 text-sm font-bold text-white uppercase transition hover:bg-accent hover:text-ink disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50"
 			>
 				{backfillHashesLoading ? '…' : m.admin_system_backfill_hashes_btn()}
 			</button>
 			{#if backfillHashesResult !== null}
-				<p class="mt-4 text-sm font-medium text-brand-navy">
+				<p class="mt-4 text-sm font-medium text-ink">
 					{m.admin_system_backfill_hashes_success({ count: backfillHashesResult })}
 				</p>
 			{/if}
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/admin/users/[id]/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/admin/users/[id]/+page.svelte
index 62ea84a4..973ecb74 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/admin/users/[id]/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/admin/users/[id]/+page.svelte
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 <div class="mx-auto max-w-3xl px-4 py-8 sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
 	<a
 		href="/admin"
-		class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+		class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 	>
 		<svg
 			class="mr-2 h-4 w-4 transform transition-transform group-hover:-translate-x-1"
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 		{m.btn_back_to_overview()}
 	</a>
 
-	<h1 class="mb-6 font-serif text-3xl font-bold text-brand-navy">
+	<h1 class="mb-6 font-serif text-3xl font-bold text-ink">
 		{m.admin_user_edit_heading({ username: data.editUser.username })}
 	</h1>
 
@@ -72,8 +72,8 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 
 	<form method="POST" use:enhance class="space-y-6">
 		<!-- Profile card -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.profile_section_personal()}
 			</h2>
 
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 				<div class="grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 sm:grid-cols-2">
 					<label class="block">
 						<span
-							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 						>
 							{m.profile_label_first_name()}
 						</span>
@@ -89,13 +89,13 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 							type="text"
 							name="firstName"
 							value={data.editUser.firstName ?? ''}
-							class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+							class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 						/>
 					</label>
 
 					<label class="block">
 						<span
-							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 						>
 							{m.profile_label_last_name()}
 						</span>
@@ -103,15 +103,13 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 							type="text"
 							name="lastName"
 							value={data.editUser.lastName ?? ''}
-							class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+							class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 						/>
 					</label>
 				</div>
 
 				<label class="block">
-					<span
-						class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-					>
+					<span class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 						{m.profile_label_birth_date()}
 					</span>
 					<input
@@ -119,36 +117,32 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 						placeholder="TT.MM.JJJJ"
 						value={birthDateDisplay}
 						oninput={handleBirthDateInput}
-						class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+						class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 					/>
 					<input type="hidden" name="birthDate" value={birthDateIso} />
 				</label>
 
 				<label class="block">
-					<span
-						class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-					>
+					<span class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 						{m.profile_label_email()}
 					</span>
 					<input
 						type="email"
 						name="email"
 						value={data.editUser.email ?? ''}
-						class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+						class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 					/>
 				</label>
 
 				<label class="block">
-					<span
-						class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-					>
+					<span class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 						{m.profile_label_contact()}
 					</span>
 					<textarea
 						name="contact"
 						rows="3"
 						placeholder={m.profile_contact_placeholder()}
-						class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+						class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 						>{data.editUser.contact ?? ''}</textarea
 					>
 				</label>
@@ -156,8 +150,8 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 		</div>
 
 		<!-- Groups card -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.admin_col_groups()}
 			</h2>
 
@@ -169,7 +163,7 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 							name="groupIds"
 							value={group.id}
 							checked={data.editUser.groups?.some((g: { id: string }) => g.id === group.id)}
-							class="rounded border-gray-300 text-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-mint"
+							class="rounded border-gray-300 text-ink focus:ring-accent"
 						/>
 						{group.name}
 					</label>
@@ -178,35 +172,31 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 		</div>
 
 		<!-- Password card -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.admin_label_new_password_optional()}
 			</h2>
 
 			<div class="grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 sm:grid-cols-2">
 				<label class="block">
-					<span
-						class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-					>
+					<span class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 						{m.profile_label_new_password()}
 					</span>
 					<input
 						type="password"
 						name="newPassword"
-						class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+						class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 					/>
 				</label>
 
 				<label class="block">
-					<span
-						class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-					>
+					<span class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 						{m.profile_label_new_password_confirm()}
 					</span>
 					<input
 						type="password"
 						name="confirmPassword"
-						class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+						class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 					/>
 				</label>
 			</div>
@@ -214,17 +204,17 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 
 		<!-- Save bar -->
 		<div
-			class="border-brand-sand sticky bottom-0 z-10 -mx-4 flex items-center justify-between border-t bg-white px-6 py-4 shadow-[0_-2px_8px_rgba(0,0,0,0.06)]"
+			class="sticky bottom-0 z-10 -mx-4 flex items-center justify-between border-t border-line bg-surface px-6 py-4 shadow-[0_-2px_8px_rgba(0,0,0,0.06)]"
 		>
 			<a
 				href="/admin"
-				class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase hover:text-brand-navy"
+				class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase hover:text-ink"
 			>
 				{m.btn_cancel()}
 			</a>
 			<button
 				type="submit"
-				class="rounded-sm bg-brand-navy px-5 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
+				class="rounded-sm bg-primary px-5 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
 			>
 				{m.btn_save()}
 			</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/admin/users/new/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/admin/users/new/+page.svelte
index 4fd4b7c2..6972e6d0 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/admin/users/new/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/admin/users/new/+page.svelte
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 <div class="mx-auto max-w-3xl px-4 py-8 sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
 	<a
 		href="/admin"
-		class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+		class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 	>
 		<svg
 			class="mr-2 h-4 w-4 transform transition-transform group-hover:-translate-x-1"
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 		{m.btn_back_to_overview()}
 	</a>
 
-	<h1 class="mb-6 font-serif text-3xl font-bold text-brand-navy">{m.admin_user_new_heading()}</h1>
+	<h1 class="mb-6 font-serif text-3xl font-bold text-ink">{m.admin_user_new_heading()}</h1>
 
 	{#if form?.error}
 		<div class="mb-5 rounded border border-red-200 bg-red-50 p-3 text-sm text-red-700">
@@ -53,118 +53,104 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 		</div>
 	{/if}
 
-	<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
+	<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
 		<form method="POST" use:enhance class="space-y-5">
 			<!-- Account -->
-			<h2 class="text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+			<h2 class="text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.admin_section_users()}
 			</h2>
 
 			<label class="block">
-				<span
-					class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-				>
+				<span class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 					{m.admin_col_login()}
 				</span>
 				<input
 					type="text"
 					name="username"
 					required
-					class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+					class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 				/>
 			</label>
 
 			<label class="block">
-				<span
-					class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-				>
+				<span class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 					{m.admin_label_initial_password()}
 				</span>
 				<input
 					type="password"
 					name="password"
 					required
-					class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+					class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 				/>
 			</label>
 
 			<!-- Profile -->
-			<h2 class="pt-2 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+			<h2 class="pt-2 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.profile_section_personal()}
 			</h2>
 
 			<div class="grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 sm:grid-cols-2">
 				<label class="block">
-					<span
-						class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-					>
+					<span class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 						{m.profile_label_first_name()}
 					</span>
 					<input
 						type="text"
 						name="firstName"
-						class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+						class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 					/>
 				</label>
 
 				<label class="block">
-					<span
-						class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-					>
+					<span class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 						{m.profile_label_last_name()}
 					</span>
 					<input
 						type="text"
 						name="lastName"
-						class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+						class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 					/>
 				</label>
 			</div>
 
 			<label class="block">
-				<span
-					class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-				>
+				<span class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 					{m.profile_label_birth_date()}
 				</span>
 				<input
 					type="text"
 					placeholder="TT.MM.JJJJ"
 					oninput={handleBirthDateInput}
-					class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+					class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 				/>
 				<input type="hidden" name="birthDate" value={birthDateIso} />
 			</label>
 
 			<label class="block">
-				<span
-					class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-				>
+				<span class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 					{m.profile_label_email()}
 				</span>
 				<input
 					type="email"
 					name="email"
-					class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+					class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 				/>
 			</label>
 
 			<label class="block">
-				<span
-					class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
-				>
+				<span class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 					{m.profile_label_contact()}
 				</span>
 				<textarea
 					name="contact"
 					rows="3"
 					placeholder={m.profile_contact_placeholder()}
-					class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+					class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 				></textarea>
 			</label>
 
 			<!-- Groups -->
-			<h2 class="pt-2 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+			<h2 class="pt-2 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.admin_col_groups()}
 			</h2>
 
@@ -175,7 +161,7 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 							type="checkbox"
 							name="groupIds"
 							value={group.id}
-							class="rounded border-gray-300 text-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-mint"
+							class="rounded border-gray-300 text-ink focus:ring-accent"
 						/>
 						{group.name}
 					</label>
@@ -184,17 +170,17 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 
 			<!-- Save bar -->
 			<div
-				class="border-brand-sand mt-4 flex items-center justify-between rounded-sm border bg-white px-6 py-4 shadow-sm"
+				class="mt-4 flex items-center justify-between rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface px-6 py-4 shadow-sm"
 			>
 				<a
 					href="/admin"
-					class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase hover:text-brand-navy"
+					class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase hover:text-ink"
 				>
 					{m.btn_cancel()}
 				</a>
 				<button
 					type="submit"
-					class="rounded-sm bg-brand-navy px-5 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
+					class="rounded-sm bg-primary px-5 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
 				>
 					{m.btn_create()}
 				</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/conversations/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/conversations/+page.svelte
index baa82a10..c7b8bbcb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/conversations/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/conversations/+page.svelte
@@ -67,19 +67,19 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 
 <div class="mx-auto max-w-5xl px-4 py-10">
 	<!-- Page Header -->
-	<div class="mb-8 border-b border-brand-navy/10 pb-4">
-		<h1 class="font-serif text-3xl font-medium text-brand-navy">{m.conv_heading()}</h1>
-		<p class="mt-2 font-sans text-sm text-brand-navy/60">
+	<div class="mb-8 border-b border-ink/10 pb-4">
+		<h1 class="font-serif text-3xl font-medium text-ink">{m.conv_heading()}</h1>
+		<p class="mt-2 font-sans text-sm text-ink/60">
 			{m.conv_subtitle()}
 		</p>
 	</div>
 
 	<!-- FILTER BAR -->
-	<div class="border-brand-sand relative z-20 mb-10 border bg-white p-8 shadow-sm">
+	<div class="relative z-20 mb-10 border border-line bg-surface p-8 shadow-sm">
 		<div class="mb-6 grid grid-cols-1 items-end gap-4 md:grid-cols-[1fr_auto_1fr] md:gap-6">
 			<!-- Sender -->
 			<div
-				class="relative z-30 [&_input]:border-gray-300 [&_input]:py-2.5 [&_input]:focus:border-brand-navy [&_input]:focus:ring-brand-navy [&_label]:mb-2 [&_label]:text-xs [&_label]:font-bold [&_label]:tracking-widest [&_label]:text-gray-500 [&_label]:uppercase"
+				class="relative z-30 [&_input]:border-gray-300 [&_input]:py-2.5 [&_input]:focus:border-ink [&_input]:focus:ring-ink [&_label]:mb-2 [&_label]:text-xs [&_label]:font-bold [&_label]:tracking-widest [&_label]:text-ink-2 [&_label]:uppercase"
 			>
 				<PersonTypeahead
 					name="senderId"
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 				<button
 					data-testid="conv-swap-btn"
 					onclick={swapPersons}
-					class="border-brand-sand flex w-full items-center justify-center gap-2 border px-3 py-2.5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-brand-navy hover:text-white md:w-auto {senderId &&
+					class="flex w-full items-center justify-center gap-2 border border-line px-3 py-2.5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-primary hover:text-white md:w-auto {senderId &&
 					receiverId
 						? ''
 						: 'invisible'}"
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 
 			<!-- Receiver -->
 			<div
-				class="relative z-30 [&_input]:border-gray-300 [&_input]:py-2.5 [&_input]:focus:border-brand-navy [&_input]:focus:ring-brand-navy [&_label]:mb-2 [&_label]:text-xs [&_label]:font-bold [&_label]:tracking-widest [&_label]:text-gray-500 [&_label]:uppercase"
+				class="relative z-30 [&_input]:border-gray-300 [&_input]:py-2.5 [&_input]:focus:border-ink [&_input]:focus:ring-ink [&_label]:mb-2 [&_label]:text-xs [&_label]:font-bold [&_label]:tracking-widest [&_label]:text-ink-2 [&_label]:uppercase"
 			>
 				<PersonTypeahead
 					name="receiverId"
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 			<div>
 				<label
 					for="dateFrom"
-					class="mb-2 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase"
+					class="mb-2 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase"
 					>{m.conv_label_from()}</label
 				>
 				<input
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 					type="date"
 					bind:value={fromDate}
 					onchange={() => applyFilters()}
-					class="block w-full border-gray-300 py-2.5 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+					class="block w-full border-gray-300 py-2.5 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 				/>
 			</div>
 
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 			<div>
 				<label
 					for="dateTo"
-					class="mb-2 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase"
+					class="mb-2 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase"
 					>{m.conv_label_to()}</label
 				>
 				<input
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 					type="date"
 					bind:value={toDate}
 					onchange={() => applyFilters()}
-					class="block w-full border-gray-300 py-2.5 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+					class="block w-full border-gray-300 py-2.5 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 				/>
 			</div>
 
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 			<div>
 				<button
 					onclick={toggleSort}
-					class="border-brand-sand flex h-[42px] w-full items-center justify-center border text-xs font-bold tracking-wide text-brand-navy uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-brand-navy hover:text-white"
+					class="flex h-[42px] w-full items-center justify-center border border-line text-xs font-bold tracking-wide text-ink uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-primary hover:text-white"
 				>
 					<span class="mr-2">{m.conv_sort_label()}</span>
 					<span>{sortDir === 'DESC' ? m.conv_sort_newest() : m.conv_sort_oldest()}</span>
@@ -196,9 +196,9 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 	<!-- RESULTS LIST SECTION -->
 	{#if !senderId || !receiverId}
 		<div
-			class="border-brand-sand flex flex-col items-center justify-center rounded-sm border border-dashed bg-white py-24 text-center"
+			class="flex flex-col items-center justify-center rounded-sm border border-dashed border-line bg-surface py-24 text-center"
 		>
-			<div class="bg-brand-sand/30 mb-4 rounded-full p-4 text-brand-navy">
+			<div class="mb-4 rounded-full bg-muted p-4 text-ink">
 				<svg class="h-8 w-8" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"
 					><path
 						stroke-linecap="round"
@@ -208,25 +208,25 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 					/></svg
 				>
 			</div>
-			<p class="font-serif text-lg text-brand-navy">{m.conv_empty_heading()}</p>
-			<p class="mt-1 font-sans text-sm text-gray-500">{m.conv_empty_text()}</p>
+			<p class="font-serif text-lg text-ink">{m.conv_empty_heading()}</p>
+			<p class="mt-1 font-sans text-sm text-ink-2">{m.conv_empty_text()}</p>
 		</div>
 	{:else if data.documents.length === 0}
 		<div
-			class="border-brand-sand flex flex-col items-center justify-center rounded-sm border bg-white py-24 text-center shadow-sm"
+			class="flex flex-col items-center justify-center rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface py-24 text-center shadow-sm"
 		>
-			<p class="font-serif text-brand-navy">{m.conv_no_results_heading()}</p>
-			<p class="mt-2 text-sm text-gray-400">{m.conv_no_results_text()}</p>
+			<p class="font-serif text-ink">{m.conv_no_results_heading()}</p>
+			<p class="mt-2 text-sm text-ink-3">{m.conv_no_results_text()}</p>
 		</div>
 	{:else}
 		<!-- Summary bar -->
 		<div class="mb-4 flex items-center justify-between">
 			{#if yearFrom !== null && yearTo !== null}
-				<p data-testid="conv-summary" class="font-sans text-sm font-medium text-brand-navy/70">
+				<p data-testid="conv-summary" class="font-sans text-sm font-medium text-ink/70">
 					{m.conv_summary({ count: data.documents.length, yearFrom, yearTo })}
 				</p>
 			{:else}
-				<p data-testid="conv-summary" class="font-sans text-sm font-medium text-brand-navy/70">
+				<p data-testid="conv-summary" class="font-sans text-sm font-medium text-ink/70">
 					{data.documents.length}
 				</p>
 			{/if}
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 				<a
 					data-testid="conv-new-doc-link"
 					href="/documents/new?senderId={senderId}&receiverId={receiverId}"
-					class="inline-flex items-center gap-1 text-sm font-medium text-brand-navy/60 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+					class="inline-flex items-center gap-1 text-sm font-medium text-ink/60 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 				>
 					<svg class="h-4 w-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
 						<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M12 4v16m8-8H4"
@@ -246,10 +246,10 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 		</div>
 
 		<!-- CHAT CONTAINER -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand relative overflow-hidden rounded-sm border bg-white shadow-sm">
+		<div class="relative overflow-hidden rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface shadow-sm">
 			<!-- Decoration: Central Timeline Line -->
 			<div
-				class="bg-brand-sand/30 absolute top-0 bottom-0 left-1/2 hidden w-px -translate-x-1/2 transform md:block"
+				class="absolute top-0 bottom-0 left-1/2 hidden w-px -translate-x-1/2 transform bg-muted md:block"
 			></div>
 
 			<div class="p-6 md:p-8">
@@ -257,12 +257,11 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 					{#each enrichedDocuments as { doc, year, showYearDivider } (doc.id)}
 						{#if showYearDivider}
 							<div data-testid="year-divider" class="relative flex items-center py-2 text-center">
-								<div class="border-brand-sand flex-grow border-t"></div>
-								<span
-									class="mx-4 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy/40 uppercase"
+								<div class="flex-grow border-t border-line"></div>
+								<span class="mx-4 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink/40 uppercase"
 									>{year}</span
 								>
-								<div class="border-brand-sand flex-grow border-t"></div>
+								<div class="flex-grow border-t border-line"></div>
 							</div>
 						{/if}
 						{@const isRight = doc.sender?.id === senderId}
@@ -280,8 +279,8 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 									<div
 										class="flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center rounded-full border font-serif text-xs shadow-sm
                                     {isRight
-											? 'border-brand-navy bg-brand-navy text-white'
-											: 'border-brand-sand bg-white text-brand-navy'}"
+											? 'border-primary bg-primary text-white'
+											: 'border-line bg-surface text-ink'}"
 									>
 										{#if doc.sender}
 											{doc.sender.firstName[0]}{doc.sender.lastName[0]}
@@ -296,15 +295,15 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 									href="/documents/{doc.id}"
 									class="group block transform rounded border p-4 shadow-sm transition-all duration-200 hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:shadow-md
                                {isRight
-										? 'rounded-br-none border-brand-navy bg-brand-navy text-white'
-										: 'border-brand-sand bg-brand-sand/10 rounded-bl-none text-brand-navy'}"
+										? 'rounded-br-none border-primary bg-primary text-white'
+										: 'rounded-bl-none border-line bg-muted/50 text-ink'}"
 								>
 									<!-- Header -->
 									<div class="mb-2 flex items-start justify-between gap-4">
 										<h3
 											class="font-serif text-sm leading-snug font-medium {isRight
 												? 'text-white'
-												: 'text-brand-navy'}"
+												: 'text-ink'}"
 										>
 											{doc.title || doc.originalFilename}
 										</h3>
@@ -313,7 +312,7 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 										<span
 											class="mt-1.5 h-1.5 w-1.5 flex-shrink-0 rounded-full
                                         {doc.status === 'UPLOADED'
-												? 'bg-brand-mint'
+												? 'bg-accent'
 												: 'bg-yellow-400'}"
 											title={doc.status}
 										>
@@ -324,7 +323,7 @@ const enrichedDocuments = $derived(
 									<div
 										class="flex flex-wrap gap-3 font-sans text-[10px] tracking-wider uppercase opacity-80 {isRight
 											? 'text-blue-100'
-											: 'text-gray-500'}"
+											: 'text-ink-2'}"
 									>
 										<span class="flex items-center">
 											{doc.documentDate ? formatDate(doc.documentDate) : '—'}
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/documents/[id]/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/documents/[id]/+page.svelte
index 9142083d..543634f7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/documents/[id]/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/documents/[id]/+page.svelte
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 </svelte:head>
 
 <div
-	class="fixed right-0 bottom-0 left-0 z-40 flex flex-col overflow-hidden bg-white"
+	class="fixed right-0 bottom-0 left-0 z-40 flex flex-col overflow-hidden bg-surface"
 	style="top: {navHeight}px"
 	data-hydrated
 >
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/documents/[id]/edit/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/documents/[id]/edit/+page.svelte
index afd14700..706a45f0 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/documents/[id]/edit/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/documents/[id]/edit/+page.svelte
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 	<div class="mb-6">
 		<a
 			href="/documents/{doc.id}"
-			class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+			class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 		>
 			<img
 				src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Arrow/Arrow-Left-MD.svg"
@@ -53,9 +53,9 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 			/>
 			{m.btn_back_to_document()}
 		</a>
-		<h1 class="font-serif text-3xl text-brand-navy">
+		<h1 class="font-serif text-3xl text-ink">
 			{m.doc_edit_heading()} —
-			<span class="text-brand-navy/70">{doc.title || doc.originalFilename}</span>
+			<span class="text-ink/70">{doc.title || doc.originalFilename}</span>
 		</h1>
 	</div>
 
@@ -65,8 +65,8 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 
 	<form method="POST" enctype="multipart/form-data" use:enhance class="space-y-6 pb-20">
 		<!-- ── Section 1: Wer & Wann ── -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.doc_section_who_when()}
 			</h2>
 
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 						placeholder={m.form_placeholder_date()}
 						maxlength="10"
 						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm
-                               {dateInvalid ? 'border-red-400 focus:border-red-500 focus:ring-red-500' : 'focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy'}"
+                               {dateInvalid ? 'border-red-400 focus:border-red-500 focus:ring-red-500' : 'focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink'}"
 						aria-describedby={dateInvalid ? 'date-error' : undefined}
 					/>
 					<input type="hidden" name="documentDate" value={dateIso} />
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 						name="location"
 						value={doc.location || ''}
 						placeholder={m.form_placeholder_location()}
-						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 					/>
 				</div>
 
@@ -128,8 +128,8 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 		</div>
 
 		<!-- ── Section 2: Beschreibung ── -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.doc_section_description()}
 			</h2>
 
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 						name="title"
 						value={doc.title || ''}
 						required
-						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 					/>
 				</div>
 
@@ -160,9 +160,9 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 						name="documentLocation"
 						value={doc.documentLocation || ''}
 						placeholder={m.form_placeholder_archive_location()}
-						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 					/>
-					<p class="mt-1 text-xs text-gray-400">{m.form_helper_archive_location()}</p>
+					<p class="mt-1 text-xs text-ink-3">{m.form_helper_archive_location()}</p>
 				</div>
 
 				<!-- Schlagworte -->
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 						name="summary"
 						rows="5"
 						placeholder={m.form_placeholder_content()}
-						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 font-serif text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 font-serif text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 						>{doc.summary || ''}</textarea
 					>
 				</div>
@@ -190,8 +190,8 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 		</div>
 
 		<!-- ── Section 3: Transkription ── -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.form_label_transcription()}
 			</h2>
 			<textarea
@@ -199,20 +199,18 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 				name="transcription"
 				rows="12"
 				placeholder={m.form_placeholder_transcription()}
-				class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 font-serif text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+				class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 font-serif text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 				>{doc.transcription || ''}</textarea
 			>
 		</div>
 
 		<!-- ── Section 4: Datei ── -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.doc_section_file()}
 			</h2>
 
-			<div
-				class="bg-brand-sand/20 mb-4 flex items-center gap-3 rounded px-3 py-2 text-sm text-gray-600"
-			>
+			<div class="mb-4 flex items-center gap-3 rounded bg-muted px-3 py-2 text-sm text-ink-2">
 				<img
 					src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/PDF-Document-MD.svg"
 					alt=""
@@ -221,40 +219,40 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 				/>
 				<span
 					>{m.doc_current_file_label()}
-					<strong class="font-medium text-brand-navy">{doc.originalFilename}</strong></span
+					<strong class="font-medium text-ink">{doc.originalFilename}</strong></span
 				>
 			</div>
 
 			<label for="file-upload" class="mb-1 block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">
 				{m.doc_file_replace_label()}
-				<span class="font-normal text-gray-400">({m.doc_file_replace_note()})</span>
+				<span class="font-normal text-ink-3">({m.doc_file_replace_note()})</span>
 			</label>
 			<input
 				id="file-upload"
 				type="file"
 				name="file"
-				class="file:bg-brand-sand/40 hover:file:bg-brand-sand/60 block w-full
-                       cursor-pointer text-sm text-gray-500
-                       file:mr-4 file:rounded
-                       file:border-0 file:px-4
-                       file:py-2 file:text-sm
-                       file:font-semibold file:text-brand-navy"
+				class="block w-full cursor-pointer text-sm
+                       text-ink-2 file:mr-4 file:rounded
+                       file:border-0 file:bg-muted
+                       file:px-4 file:py-2
+                       file:text-sm file:font-semibold
+                       file:text-ink hover:file:bg-muted"
 			/>
 		</div>
 
 		<!-- ── Sticky Save Bar ── -->
 		<div
-			class="border-brand-sand sticky bottom-0 z-10 -mx-4 flex items-center justify-between border-t bg-white px-6 py-4 shadow-[0_-2px_8px_rgba(0,0,0,0.06)]"
+			class="sticky bottom-0 z-10 -mx-4 flex items-center justify-between border-t border-line bg-surface px-6 py-4 shadow-[0_-2px_8px_rgba(0,0,0,0.06)]"
 		>
 			<a
 				href="/documents/{doc.id}"
-				class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-500 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+				class="text-sm font-medium text-ink-2 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 			>
 				{m.btn_cancel()}
 			</a>
 			<button
 				type="submit"
-				class="rounded bg-brand-navy px-6 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-brand-navy/80"
+				class="rounded bg-primary px-6 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-primary/80"
 			>
 				{m.btn_save()}
 			</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/documents/new/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/documents/new/+page.svelte
index f16fdc3b..11afc9c1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/documents/new/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/documents/new/+page.svelte
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 	<div class="mb-6">
 		<a
 			href="/"
-			class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+			class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 		>
 			<svg
 				class="mr-2 h-4 w-4 transform transition-transform group-hover:-translate-x-1"
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 			</svg>
 			{m.btn_back_to_overview()}
 		</a>
-		<h1 class="font-serif text-3xl text-brand-navy">{m.doc_new_heading()}</h1>
+		<h1 class="font-serif text-3xl text-ink">{m.doc_new_heading()}</h1>
 	</div>
 
 	{#if form?.error}
@@ -76,8 +76,8 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 
 	<form method="POST" enctype="multipart/form-data" use:enhance class="space-y-6 pb-20">
 		<!-- ── Section 1: Wer & Wann ── -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.doc_section_who_when()}
 			</h2>
 
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 						placeholder={m.form_placeholder_date()}
 						maxlength="10"
 						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm
-                               {dateInvalid ? 'border-red-400 focus:border-red-500 focus:ring-red-500' : 'focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy'}"
+                               {dateInvalid ? 'border-red-400 focus:border-red-500 focus:ring-red-500' : 'focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink'}"
 						aria-describedby={dateInvalid ? 'date-error' : undefined}
 					/>
 					<input type="hidden" name="documentDate" value={dateIso} />
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 						type="text"
 						name="location"
 						placeholder={m.form_placeholder_location()}
-						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 					/>
 				</div>
 
@@ -140,8 +140,8 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 		</div>
 
 		<!-- ── Section 2: Beschreibung ── -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.doc_section_description()}
 			</h2>
 
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 						type="text"
 						name="title"
 						required
-						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 					/>
 				</div>
 
@@ -170,9 +170,9 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 						type="text"
 						name="documentLocation"
 						placeholder={m.form_placeholder_archive_location()}
-						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 					/>
-					<p class="mt-1 text-xs text-gray-400">{m.form_helper_archive_location()}</p>
+					<p class="mt-1 text-xs text-ink-3">{m.form_helper_archive_location()}</p>
 				</div>
 
 				<!-- Schlagworte -->
@@ -192,15 +192,15 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 						name="summary"
 						rows="5"
 						placeholder={m.form_placeholder_content()}
-						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 font-serif text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 font-serif text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 					></textarea>
 				</div>
 			</div>
 		</div>
 
 		<!-- ── Section 3: Transkription ── -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.form_label_transcription()}
 			</h2>
 			<textarea
@@ -208,43 +208,43 @@ function handleDateInput(e: Event) {
 				name="transcription"
 				rows="12"
 				placeholder={m.form_placeholder_transcription()}
-				class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 font-serif text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+				class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 font-serif text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 			></textarea>
 		</div>
 
 		<!-- ── Section 4: Datei ── -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.doc_section_file()}
 			</h2>
 
 			<label for="file-upload" class="mb-1 block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">
 				{m.doc_file_upload_label()}
-				<span class="font-normal text-gray-400">({m.doc_file_upload_note()})</span>
+				<span class="font-normal text-ink-3">({m.doc_file_upload_note()})</span>
 			</label>
 			<input
 				id="file-upload"
 				type="file"
 				name="file"
-				class="file:bg-brand-sand/40 hover:file:bg-brand-sand/60 block w-full
-                       cursor-pointer text-sm text-gray-500
-                       file:mr-4 file:rounded
-                       file:border-0 file:px-4
-                       file:py-2 file:text-sm
-                       file:font-semibold file:text-brand-navy"
+				class="block w-full cursor-pointer text-sm
+                       text-ink-2 file:mr-4 file:rounded
+                       file:border-0 file:bg-muted
+                       file:px-4 file:py-2
+                       file:text-sm file:font-semibold
+                       file:text-ink hover:file:bg-muted"
 			/>
 		</div>
 
 		<!-- ── Sticky Save Bar ── -->
 		<div
-			class="border-brand-sand sticky bottom-0 z-10 -mx-4 flex items-center justify-between border-t bg-white px-6 py-4 shadow-[0_-2px_8px_rgba(0,0,0,0.06)]"
+			class="sticky bottom-0 z-10 -mx-4 flex items-center justify-between border-t border-line bg-surface px-6 py-4 shadow-[0_-2px_8px_rgba(0,0,0,0.06)]"
 		>
-			<a href="/" class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-500 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy">
+			<a href="/" class="text-sm font-medium text-ink-2 transition-colors hover:text-ink">
 				{m.btn_cancel()}
 			</a>
 			<button
 				type="submit"
-				class="rounded bg-brand-navy px-6 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-brand-navy/80"
+				class="rounded bg-primary px-6 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-primary/80"
 			>
 				{m.btn_save()}
 			</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/forgot-password/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/forgot-password/+page.svelte
index 181f9547..565ca21a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/forgot-password/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/forgot-password/+page.svelte
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { m } from '$lib/paraglide/messages.js';
 let { form }: { form?: { error?: string; success?: boolean } } = $props();
 </script>
 
-<div class="relative flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-white">
+<div class="relative flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-surface">
 	<!-- Accent strip -->
 	<div class="h-1 bg-brand-purple"></div>
 
@@ -13,15 +13,15 @@ let { form }: { form?: { error?: string; success?: boolean } } = $props();
 			<!-- Logo -->
 			<div class="mb-10 text-center">
 				<a href="/" class="inline-flex items-center" aria-label="Familienarchiv">
-					<span class="font-sans text-2xl font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase"
+					<span class="font-sans text-2xl font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase"
 						>Familienarchiv</span
 					>
 				</a>
 			</div>
 
 			<!-- Card -->
-			<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-8 shadow-sm">
-				<h1 class="mb-6 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase">
+			<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-8 shadow-sm">
+				<h1 class="mb-6 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase">
 					{m.forgot_password_heading()}
 				</h1>
 
@@ -30,9 +30,7 @@ let { form }: { form?: { error?: string; success?: boolean } } = $props();
 						<p class="font-sans text-xs text-green-700">{m.forgot_password_success()}</p>
 					</div>
 
-					<a
-						href="/login"
-						class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+					<a href="/login" class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 						>{m.forgot_password_back_to_login()}</a
 					>
 				{:else}
@@ -40,7 +38,7 @@ let { form }: { form?: { error?: string; success?: boolean } } = $props();
 						<div>
 							<label
 								for="email"
-								class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase"
+								class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase"
 								>{m.forgot_password_email_label()}</label
 							>
 							<input
@@ -49,7 +47,7 @@ let { form }: { form?: { error?: string; success?: boolean } } = $props();
 								id="email"
 								required
 								autocomplete="email"
-								class="block w-full border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy placeholder-gray-400 focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+								class="block w-full border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 font-serif text-sm text-ink placeholder-gray-400 focus:border-ink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-ink focus:outline-none"
 							/>
 						</div>
 
@@ -59,15 +57,13 @@ let { form }: { form?: { error?: string; success?: boolean } } = $props();
 
 						<button
 							type="submit"
-							class="mt-2 w-full bg-brand-navy py-2.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-brand-navy/90"
+							class="mt-2 w-full bg-primary py-2.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-primary/90"
 						>
 							{m.forgot_password_submit()}
 						</button>
 
 						<div class="mt-4 text-center">
-							<a
-								href="/login"
-								class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+							<a href="/login" class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 								>{m.forgot_password_back_to_login()}</a
 							>
 						</div>
@@ -79,6 +75,6 @@ let { form }: { form?: { error?: string; success?: boolean } } = $props();
 
 	<!-- Footer -->
 	<div class="py-4 text-center">
-		<p class="font-sans text-xs tracking-widest text-gray-300 uppercase">Familienarchiv</p>
+		<p class="font-sans text-xs tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">Familienarchiv</p>
 	</div>
 </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/layout.css b/frontend/src/routes/layout.css
index d74b6652..883e92ad 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/layout.css
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/layout.css
@@ -146,7 +146,23 @@
 	--c-pdf-text: #d1d1d1;
 }
 
-/* ─── 6. Base styles ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+/* ─── 6. Icon inversion — De Gruyter icons are black SVGs loaded as <img> ──── */
+/*
+   In dark mode, invert all brand icons so they read as white on dark surfaces.
+   Exclude .invert icons (already inverted for placement on dark backgrounds)
+   so they don't get double-inverted back to black.
+*/
+@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
+	:root:not([data-theme='light']) img[src*='degruyter-icons']:not(.invert) {
+		filter: invert(1);
+	}
+}
+
+:root[data-theme='dark'] img[src*='degruyter-icons']:not(.invert) {
+	filter: invert(1);
+}
+
+/* ─── 7. Base styles ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
 @layer base {
 	html {
 		overscroll-behavior: none;
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/login/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/login/+page.svelte
index 2221f9d5..b265ba18 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/login/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/login/+page.svelte
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ const localeMap = { DE: 'de', EN: 'en', ES: 'es' } as const;
 const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 </script>
 
-<div class="relative flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-white">
+<div class="relative flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-surface">
 	<!-- DGB purple accent strip -->
 	<div class="h-1 bg-brand-purple"></div>
 
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 				onclick={() => setLocale(localeMap[locale])}
 				class="px-1.5 py-1 font-sans text-xs tracking-widest transition-colors
                     {activeLocale === locale
-                        ? 'font-bold text-brand-navy'
-                        : 'font-normal text-gray-400 hover:text-brand-navy'}"
+                        ? 'font-bold text-ink'
+                        : 'font-normal text-ink-3 hover:text-ink'}"
 			>
 				{locale}
 			</button>
@@ -34,15 +34,15 @@ const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 			<!-- Logo -->
 			<div class="mb-10 text-center">
 				<a href="/" class="inline-flex items-center" aria-label="Familienarchiv">
-					<span class="font-sans text-2xl font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase"
+					<span class="font-sans text-2xl font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase"
 						>Familienarchiv</span
 					>
 				</a>
 			</div>
 
 			<!-- Card -->
-			<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-8 shadow-sm">
-				<h1 class="mb-6 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase">
+			<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-8 shadow-sm">
+				<h1 class="mb-6 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase">
 					{m.login_heading()}
 				</h1>
 
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 					<div>
 						<label
 							for="username"
-							class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase"
+							class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase"
 							>{m.login_label_username()}</label
 						>
 						<input
@@ -59,14 +59,14 @@ const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 							id="username"
 							required
 							autocomplete="username"
-							class="block w-full border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy placeholder-gray-400 focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+							class="block w-full border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 font-serif text-sm text-ink placeholder-gray-400 focus:border-ink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-ink focus:outline-none"
 						/>
 					</div>
 
 					<div>
 						<label
 							for="password"
-							class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase"
+							class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase"
 							>{m.login_label_password()}</label
 						>
 						<input
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 							id="password"
 							required
 							autocomplete="current-password"
-							class="block w-full border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy placeholder-gray-400 focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+							class="block w-full border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 font-serif text-sm text-ink placeholder-gray-400 focus:border-ink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-ink focus:outline-none"
 						/>
 					</div>
 
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 
 					<button
 						type="submit"
-						class="mt-2 w-full bg-brand-navy py-2.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-brand-navy/90"
+						class="mt-2 w-full bg-primary py-2.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-primary/90"
 					>
 						{m.login_btn_submit()}
 					</button>
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 					<div class="mt-4 text-center">
 						<a
 							href="/forgot-password"
-							class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+							class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 							>{m.login_forgot_password()}</a
 						>
 					</div>
@@ -104,6 +104,6 @@ const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 
 	<!-- Footer -->
 	<div class="py-4 text-center">
-		<p class="font-sans text-xs tracking-widest text-gray-300 uppercase">Familienarchiv</p>
+		<p class="font-sans text-xs tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">Familienarchiv</p>
 	</div>
 </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/persons/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/persons/+page.svelte
index 6fd83f73..09eb6dd8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/persons/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/persons/+page.svelte
@@ -26,17 +26,17 @@ function handleSearch() {
 <div class="mx-auto max-w-7xl py-12 sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
 	<!-- Header Area -->
 	<div
-		class="mb-10 flex flex-col justify-between gap-6 border-b border-brand-navy/10 pb-6 md:flex-row md:items-end"
+		class="mb-10 flex flex-col justify-between gap-6 border-b border-ink/10 pb-6 md:flex-row md:items-end"
 	>
 		<div>
-			<h1 class="font-serif text-3xl font-medium text-brand-navy">{m.persons_heading()}</h1>
-			<p class="mt-2 max-w-xl font-sans text-sm text-brand-navy/60">
+			<h1 class="font-serif text-3xl font-medium text-ink">{m.persons_heading()}</h1>
+			<p class="mt-2 max-w-xl font-sans text-sm text-ink/60">
 				{m.persons_subtitle()}
 			</p>
 			{#if data.canWrite}
 				<a
 					href="/persons/new"
-					class="mt-3 inline-flex items-center gap-1 text-sm font-medium text-brand-navy/60 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+					class="mt-3 inline-flex items-center gap-1 text-sm font-medium text-ink/60 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 				>
 					<img
 						src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Add/Add-General-MD.svg"
@@ -61,10 +61,10 @@ function handleSearch() {
 					oninput={handleSearch}
 					onfocus={() => (qFocused = true)}
 					onblur={() => (qFocused = false)}
-					class="block w-full rounded-sm border border-gray-300 bg-white py-2.5 pr-10 pl-4 font-sans text-sm text-brand-navy placeholder-gray-400 shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+					class="block w-full rounded-sm border border-gray-300 bg-surface py-2.5 pr-10 pl-4 font-sans text-sm text-ink placeholder-gray-400 shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-ink focus:outline-none"
 				/>
 				<div
-					class="pointer-events-none absolute inset-y-0 right-0 flex items-center pr-3 text-gray-400"
+					class="pointer-events-none absolute inset-y-0 right-0 flex items-center pr-3 text-ink-3"
 				>
 					<img
 						src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Mag-Glass-MD.svg"
@@ -79,11 +79,9 @@ function handleSearch() {
 
 	{#if data.persons.length === 0}
 		<div
-			class="border-brand-sand flex flex-col items-center justify-center rounded-lg border border-dashed bg-white py-16 text-center"
+			class="flex flex-col items-center justify-center rounded-lg border border-dashed border-line bg-surface py-16 text-center"
 		>
-			<div
-				class="bg-brand-sand/30 mb-3 flex h-12 w-12 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-brand-navy"
-			>
+			<div class="mb-3 flex h-12 w-12 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-muted text-ink">
 				<img
 					src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Account-MD.svg"
 					alt=""
@@ -91,25 +89,25 @@ function handleSearch() {
 					class="h-6 w-6"
 				/>
 			</div>
-			<p class="font-serif text-lg text-brand-navy">{m.persons_empty_heading()}</p>
-			<p class="mt-1 font-sans text-sm text-gray-500">{m.persons_empty_text()}</p>
+			<p class="font-serif text-lg text-ink">{m.persons_empty_heading()}</p>
+			<p class="mt-1 font-sans text-sm text-ink-2">{m.persons_empty_text()}</p>
 		</div>
 	{:else}
 		<div class="grid grid-cols-1 gap-6 sm:grid-cols-2 md:grid-cols-3 lg:grid-cols-4">
 			{#each data.persons as person (person.id)}
 				<a href="/persons/{person.id}" class="group block h-full">
 					<div
-						class="border-brand-sand relative flex h-full items-center gap-4 overflow-hidden rounded border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm transition-all duration-200 hover:border-brand-navy hover:shadow-md"
+						class="relative flex h-full items-center gap-4 overflow-hidden rounded border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm transition-all duration-200 hover:border-primary hover:shadow-md"
 					>
 						<!-- Decorative Accent on Hover -->
 						<div
-							class="absolute top-0 bottom-0 left-0 w-1 bg-brand-navy opacity-0 transition-opacity group-hover:opacity-100"
+							class="absolute top-0 bottom-0 left-0 w-1 bg-primary opacity-0 transition-opacity group-hover:opacity-100"
 						></div>
 
 						<!-- Avatar -->
 						<div class="flex-shrink-0">
 							<div
-								class="flex h-12 w-12 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-brand-navy font-serif text-lg text-white transition-colors group-hover:bg-brand-mint group-hover:text-brand-navy"
+								class="flex h-12 w-12 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-serif text-lg text-white transition-colors group-hover:bg-accent group-hover:text-ink"
 							>
 								{person.firstName[0]}{person.lastName[0]}
 							</div>
@@ -118,13 +116,13 @@ function handleSearch() {
 						<!-- Info -->
 						<div class="min-w-0 flex-1">
 							<p
-								class="truncate font-serif text-base font-medium text-brand-navy decoration-brand-mint decoration-2 underline-offset-2 group-hover:underline"
+								class="truncate font-serif text-base font-medium text-ink decoration-brand-mint decoration-2 underline-offset-2 group-hover:underline"
 							>
 								{person.firstName}
 								{person.lastName}
 							</p>
 							{#if person.alias}
-								<p class="mt-0.5 truncate font-sans text-xs text-gray-500">"{person.alias}"</p>
+								<p class="mt-0.5 truncate font-sans text-xs text-ink-2">"{person.alias}"</p>
 							{/if}
 						</div>
 					</div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/persons/[id]/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/persons/[id]/+page.svelte
index fed60849..7fdd4215 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/persons/[id]/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/persons/[id]/+page.svelte
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 	<div class="mb-6">
 		<a
 			href="/persons"
-			class="group inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+			class="group inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 		>
 			<img
 				src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/Arrow/Arrow-Left-MD.svg"
@@ -111,15 +111,15 @@ $effect(() => {
 	</div>
 
 	<!-- Header / Metadata Card -->
-	<div class="border-brand-sand mb-10 overflow-hidden rounded-sm border bg-white shadow-sm">
-		<div class="h-2 w-full bg-brand-navy"></div>
+	<div class="mb-10 overflow-hidden rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface shadow-sm">
+		<div class="h-2 w-full bg-primary"></div>
 
 		<div class="p-8 md:p-10">
 			{#if editMode && data.canWrite}
 				<!-- Edit Form -->
 				<form method="POST" action="?/update" use:enhance>
 					<div class="flex flex-col gap-6">
-						<h2 class="border-b border-gray-100 pb-3 font-serif text-xl text-brand-navy">
+						<h2 class="border-b border-line-2 pb-3 font-serif text-xl text-ink">
 							{m.person_edit_heading()}
 						</h2>
 
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 							<div>
 								<label
 									for="firstName"
-									class="mb-1 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+									class="mb-1 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 									>{m.form_label_first_name()} *</label
 								>
 								<input
@@ -142,13 +142,13 @@ $effect(() => {
 									type="text"
 									required
 									value={person.firstName}
-									class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 font-serif text-brand-navy focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+									class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 font-serif text-ink focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 								/>
 							</div>
 							<div>
 								<label
 									for="lastName"
-									class="mb-1 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+									class="mb-1 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 									>{m.form_label_last_name()} *</label
 								>
 								<input
@@ -157,13 +157,13 @@ $effect(() => {
 									type="text"
 									required
 									value={person.lastName}
-									class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 font-serif text-brand-navy focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+									class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 font-serif text-ink focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 								/>
 							</div>
 							<div class="md:col-span-2">
 								<label
 									for="alias"
-									class="mb-1 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+									class="mb-1 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 									>{m.form_label_alias()}</label
 								>
 								<input
@@ -171,13 +171,13 @@ $effect(() => {
 									name="alias"
 									type="text"
 									value={person.alias ?? ''}
-									class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 font-serif text-brand-navy focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+									class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 font-serif text-ink focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 								/>
 							</div>
 							<div>
 								<label
 									for="birthYear"
-									class="mb-1 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+									class="mb-1 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 									>{m.person_label_birth_year()}</label
 								>
 								<input
@@ -188,13 +188,13 @@ $effect(() => {
 									max="2100"
 									placeholder={m.person_placeholder_year()}
 									value={person.birthYear ?? ''}
-									class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 font-serif text-brand-navy focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+									class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 font-serif text-ink focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 								/>
 							</div>
 							<div>
 								<label
 									for="deathYear"
-									class="mb-1 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+									class="mb-1 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 									>{m.person_label_death_year()}</label
 								>
 								<input
@@ -205,13 +205,13 @@ $effect(() => {
 									max="2100"
 									placeholder={m.person_placeholder_year()}
 									value={person.deathYear ?? ''}
-									class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 font-serif text-brand-navy focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+									class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 font-serif text-ink focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 								/>
 							</div>
 							<div class="md:col-span-2">
 								<label
 									for="notes"
-									class="mb-1 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+									class="mb-1 block text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 									>{m.person_label_notes()}</label
 								>
 								<textarea
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 									name="notes"
 									rows="4"
 									placeholder={m.person_placeholder_notes()}
-									class="block w-full resize-y rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 font-serif text-brand-navy focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+									class="block w-full resize-y rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 font-serif text-ink focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 									>{person.notes ?? ''}</textarea
 								>
 							</div>
@@ -228,14 +228,14 @@ $effect(() => {
 						<div class="flex gap-3">
 							<button
 								type="submit"
-								class="rounded bg-brand-navy px-5 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-brand-navy/80"
+								class="rounded bg-primary px-5 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-primary/80"
 							>
 								{m.btn_save()}
 							</button>
 							<button
 								type="button"
 								onclick={() => (editMode = false)}
-								class="rounded border border-gray-300 px-5 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-600 uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-gray-50"
+								class="rounded border border-gray-300 px-5 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-gray-50"
 							>
 								{m.btn_cancel()}
 							</button>
@@ -247,15 +247,15 @@ $effect(() => {
 				<div class="flex flex-col items-start gap-8 md:flex-row">
 					<div class="flex-shrink-0">
 						<div
-							class="border-brand-sand bg-brand-sand/30 flex h-24 w-24 items-center justify-center rounded-full border text-brand-navy"
+							class="flex h-24 w-24 items-center justify-center rounded-full border border-line bg-muted text-ink"
 						>
 							<span class="font-serif text-3xl">{person.firstName[0]}{person.lastName[0]}</span>
 						</div>
 					</div>
 
 					<div class="w-full flex-1">
-						<div class="mb-8 flex items-start justify-between border-b border-gray-100 pb-4">
-							<h1 class="font-serif text-4xl text-brand-navy">
+						<div class="mb-8 flex items-start justify-between border-b border-line-2 pb-4">
+							<h1 class="font-serif text-4xl text-ink">
 								{person.firstName}
 								{person.lastName}
 							</h1>
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 								{#if data.canWrite}
 									<button
 										onclick={() => (editMode = true)}
-										class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase transition-colors hover:border-brand-navy hover:text-brand-navy"
+										class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase transition-colors hover:border-primary hover:text-ink"
 									>
 										<img
 											src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Small-16px/SVG/Action/Edit-Content-SM.svg"
@@ -280,10 +280,10 @@ $effect(() => {
 						<div class="grid grid-cols-1 gap-8 md:grid-cols-2">
 							<div>
 								<span
-									class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+									class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 									>{m.person_label_full_name()}</span
 								>
-								<span class="block font-serif text-lg text-brand-navy"
+								<span class="block font-serif text-lg text-ink"
 									>{person.firstName} {person.lastName}</span
 								>
 							</div>
@@ -291,23 +291,21 @@ $effect(() => {
 							{#if person.alias}
 								<div>
 									<span
-										class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+										class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 										>{m.form_label_alias()}</span
 									>
-									<span class="block font-serif text-lg text-brand-navy italic"
-										>"{person.alias}"</span
-									>
+									<span class="block font-serif text-lg text-ink italic">"{person.alias}"</span>
 								</div>
 							{/if}
 
 							{#if person.birthYear || person.deathYear}
 								<div>
 									<span
-										class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+										class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 									>
 										{#if person.birthYear && person.deathYear}{m.person_label_birth_year()} / {m.person_label_death_year()}{:else if person.birthYear}{m.person_label_birth_year()}{:else}{m.person_label_death_year()}{/if}
 									</span>
-									<span class="block font-serif text-lg text-brand-navy">
+									<span class="block font-serif text-lg text-ink">
 										{#if person.birthYear}* {person.birthYear}{/if}{#if person.birthYear && person.deathYear}
 											&nbsp;{/if}{#if person.deathYear}† {person.deathYear}{/if}
 									</span>
@@ -317,10 +315,10 @@ $effect(() => {
 							{#if person.notes}
 								<div class="md:col-span-2">
 									<span
-										class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+										class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 										>{m.person_label_notes()}</span
 									>
-									<p class="font-serif text-base whitespace-pre-wrap text-brand-navy">
+									<p class="font-serif text-base whitespace-pre-wrap text-ink">
 										{person.notes}
 									</p>
 								</div>
@@ -335,10 +333,10 @@ $effect(() => {
 	<!-- Merge Section -->
 	{#if data.canWrite}
 		{#key person.id}
-			<div class="border-brand-sand mb-10 overflow-hidden rounded-sm border bg-white shadow-sm">
+			<div class="mb-10 overflow-hidden rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface shadow-sm">
 				<div class="p-6 md:p-8">
-					<h2 class="mb-1 font-serif text-lg text-brand-navy">{m.person_merge_heading()}</h2>
-					<p class="mb-5 font-sans text-sm text-gray-500">
+					<h2 class="mb-1 font-serif text-lg text-ink">{m.person_merge_heading()}</h2>
+					<p class="mb-5 font-sans text-sm text-ink-2">
 						{m.person_merge_description()}
 					</p>
 
@@ -381,7 +379,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 									<button
 										type="button"
 										onclick={() => (showMergeConfirm = false)}
-										class="rounded border border-gray-300 px-4 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-gray-50"
+										class="rounded border border-gray-300 px-4 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-gray-50"
 									>
 										{m.btn_cancel()}
 									</button>
@@ -406,17 +404,17 @@ $effect(() => {
 	<!-- Co-Correspondents Section -->
 	{#if coCorrespondents.length > 0}
 		<div class="mb-6">
-			<h3 class="mb-3 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+			<h3 class="mb-3 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.person_co_correspondents_heading()}
 			</h3>
 			<div class="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
 				{#each coCorrespondents as c (c.id)}
 					<a
 						href="/conversations?senderId={person.id}&receiverId={c.id}"
-						class="border-brand-sand inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-full border px-3 py-1 font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy transition-colors hover:border-brand-navy"
+						class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-full border border-line px-3 py-1 font-serif text-sm text-ink transition-colors hover:border-primary"
 					>
 						{c.name}
-						<span class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400">({c.count})</span>
+						<span class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3">({c.count})</span>
 					</a>
 				{/each}
 			</div>
@@ -425,18 +423,18 @@ $effect(() => {
 
 	<!-- Sent Documents Section -->
 	<div class="mb-10">
-		<div class="mb-6 flex items-center gap-3 border-b border-brand-navy/10 pb-2">
-			<h2 class="font-serif text-xl text-brand-navy">{m.person_docs_heading()}</h2>
-			<span class="rounded-full bg-brand-navy px-2 py-1 text-xs font-bold text-white">
+		<div class="mb-6 flex items-center gap-3 border-b border-ink/10 pb-2">
+			<h2 class="font-serif text-xl text-ink">{m.person_docs_heading()}</h2>
+			<span class="rounded-full bg-primary px-2 py-1 text-xs font-bold text-white">
 				{sentDocuments.length}
 			</span>
 			{#if sentYearRange}
-				<span class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400">{sentYearRange}</span>
+				<span class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3">{sentYearRange}</span>
 			{/if}
 			{#if sentDocuments.length > 1}
 				<button
 					onclick={() => (sortDirSent = sortDirSent === 'DESC' ? 'ASC' : 'DESC')}
-					class="ml-auto text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+					class="ml-auto text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 				>
 					{sortDirSent === 'DESC' ? m.conv_sort_newest() : m.conv_sort_oldest()}
 				</button>
@@ -444,8 +442,8 @@ $effect(() => {
 		</div>
 
 		{#if sentDocuments.length === 0}
-			<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border border-dashed bg-white p-12 text-center">
-				<p class="font-sans text-gray-500">{m.person_no_docs()}</p>
+			<div class="rounded-sm border border-dashed border-line bg-surface p-12 text-center">
+				<p class="font-sans text-ink-2">{m.person_no_docs()}</p>
 			</div>
 		{:else}
 			<ul class="space-y-3">
@@ -453,12 +451,12 @@ $effect(() => {
 					<li class="group">
 						<a
 							href="/documents/{doc.id}"
-							class="border-brand-sand block border bg-white p-4 transition-all duration-200 hover:border-brand-navy hover:shadow-md"
+							class="block border border-line bg-surface p-4 transition-all duration-200 hover:border-primary hover:shadow-md"
 						>
 							<div class="flex items-center justify-between">
 								<div class="flex items-center gap-4 overflow-hidden">
 									<div
-										class="bg-brand-sand/20 flex h-10 w-10 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded text-brand-navy transition-colors group-hover:bg-brand-mint group-hover:text-brand-navy"
+										class="flex h-10 w-10 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded bg-muted text-ink transition-colors group-hover:bg-accent group-hover:text-ink"
 									>
 										<img
 											src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/PDF-Document-MD.svg"
@@ -469,16 +467,16 @@ $effect(() => {
 									</div>
 									<div class="min-w-0">
 										<div
-											class="truncate font-serif text-base font-medium text-brand-navy decoration-brand-mint decoration-2 underline-offset-2 group-hover:underline"
+											class="truncate font-serif text-base font-medium text-ink decoration-brand-mint decoration-2 underline-offset-2 group-hover:underline"
 										>
 											{doc.title || doc.originalFilename}
 										</div>
-										<div class="mt-0.5 flex items-center space-x-2 font-sans text-xs text-gray-500">
+										<div class="mt-0.5 flex items-center space-x-2 font-sans text-xs text-ink-2">
 											<span
 												>{doc.documentDate ? formatDate(doc.documentDate) : m.doc_no_date()}</span
 											>
 											{#if doc.location}
-												<span class="text-brand-mint">•</span>
+												<span class="text-accent">•</span>
 												<span>{doc.location}</span>
 											{/if}
 										</div>
@@ -488,7 +486,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 									<span
 										class="hidden items-center rounded-full border px-2 py-0.5 text-[10px] font-bold tracking-wide uppercase sm:inline-flex
                                         {doc.status === 'UPLOADED'
-                                            ? 'border-brand-mint/50 bg-brand-mint/20 text-brand-navy'
+                                            ? 'border-accent/50 bg-accent/20 text-ink'
                                             : 'border-yellow-200 bg-yellow-50 text-yellow-800'}"
 									>
 										{doc.status}
@@ -508,7 +506,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 			{#if sentDocuments.length > DOCS_PREVIEW_LIMIT && !showAllSent}
 				<button
 					onclick={() => (showAllSent = true)}
-					class="mt-3 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy/50 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+					class="mt-3 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink/50 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 				>
 					{m.person_show_more({ count: sentDocuments.length - DOCS_PREVIEW_LIMIT })}
 				</button>
@@ -518,18 +516,18 @@ $effect(() => {
 
 	<!-- Received Documents Section -->
 	<div>
-		<div class="mb-6 flex items-center gap-3 border-b border-brand-navy/10 pb-2">
-			<h2 class="font-serif text-xl text-brand-navy">{m.person_received_docs_heading()}</h2>
-			<span class="rounded-full bg-brand-navy px-2 py-1 text-xs font-bold text-white">
+		<div class="mb-6 flex items-center gap-3 border-b border-ink/10 pb-2">
+			<h2 class="font-serif text-xl text-ink">{m.person_received_docs_heading()}</h2>
+			<span class="rounded-full bg-primary px-2 py-1 text-xs font-bold text-white">
 				{receivedDocuments.length}
 			</span>
 			{#if receivedYearRange}
-				<span class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400">{receivedYearRange}</span>
+				<span class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3">{receivedYearRange}</span>
 			{/if}
 			{#if receivedDocuments.length > 1}
 				<button
 					onclick={() => (sortDirReceived = sortDirReceived === 'DESC' ? 'ASC' : 'DESC')}
-					class="ml-auto text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+					class="ml-auto text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 				>
 					{sortDirReceived === 'DESC' ? m.conv_sort_newest() : m.conv_sort_oldest()}
 				</button>
@@ -537,8 +535,8 @@ $effect(() => {
 		</div>
 
 		{#if receivedDocuments.length === 0}
-			<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border border-dashed bg-white p-12 text-center">
-				<p class="font-sans text-gray-500">{m.person_no_received_docs()}</p>
+			<div class="rounded-sm border border-dashed border-line bg-surface p-12 text-center">
+				<p class="font-sans text-ink-2">{m.person_no_received_docs()}</p>
 			</div>
 		{:else}
 			<ul class="space-y-3">
@@ -546,12 +544,12 @@ $effect(() => {
 					<li class="group">
 						<a
 							href="/documents/{doc.id}"
-							class="border-brand-sand block border bg-white p-4 transition-all duration-200 hover:border-brand-navy hover:shadow-md"
+							class="block border border-line bg-surface p-4 transition-all duration-200 hover:border-primary hover:shadow-md"
 						>
 							<div class="flex items-center justify-between">
 								<div class="flex items-center gap-4 overflow-hidden">
 									<div
-										class="bg-brand-sand/20 flex h-10 w-10 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded text-brand-navy transition-colors group-hover:bg-brand-mint group-hover:text-brand-navy"
+										class="flex h-10 w-10 flex-shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded bg-muted text-ink transition-colors group-hover:bg-accent group-hover:text-ink"
 									>
 										<img
 											src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Medium-24px/SVG/Action/PDF-Document-MD.svg"
@@ -562,16 +560,16 @@ $effect(() => {
 									</div>
 									<div class="min-w-0">
 										<div
-											class="truncate font-serif text-base font-medium text-brand-navy decoration-brand-mint decoration-2 underline-offset-2 group-hover:underline"
+											class="truncate font-serif text-base font-medium text-ink decoration-brand-mint decoration-2 underline-offset-2 group-hover:underline"
 										>
 											{doc.title || doc.originalFilename}
 										</div>
-										<div class="mt-0.5 flex items-center space-x-2 font-sans text-xs text-gray-500">
+										<div class="mt-0.5 flex items-center space-x-2 font-sans text-xs text-ink-2">
 											<span
 												>{doc.documentDate ? formatDate(doc.documentDate) : m.doc_no_date()}</span
 											>
 											{#if doc.location}
-												<span class="text-brand-mint">•</span>
+												<span class="text-accent">•</span>
 												<span>{doc.location}</span>
 											{/if}
 										</div>
@@ -581,7 +579,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 									<span
 										class="hidden items-center rounded-full border px-2 py-0.5 text-[10px] font-bold tracking-wide uppercase sm:inline-flex
                                         {doc.status === 'UPLOADED'
-                                            ? 'border-brand-mint/50 bg-brand-mint/20 text-brand-navy'
+                                            ? 'border-accent/50 bg-accent/20 text-ink'
                                             : 'border-yellow-200 bg-yellow-50 text-yellow-800'}"
 									>
 										{doc.status}
@@ -601,7 +599,7 @@ $effect(() => {
 			{#if receivedDocuments.length > DOCS_PREVIEW_LIMIT && !showAllReceived}
 				<button
 					onclick={() => (showAllReceived = true)}
-					class="mt-3 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy/50 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+					class="mt-3 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink/50 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 				>
 					{m.person_show_more({ count: receivedDocuments.length - DOCS_PREVIEW_LIMIT })}
 				</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/persons/new/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/persons/new/+page.svelte
index f5fbc05b..1ee4da29 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/persons/new/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/persons/new/+page.svelte
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ let { form } = $props();
 	<div class="mb-6">
 		<a
 			href="/persons"
-			class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+			class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 		>
 			<svg
 				class="mr-2 h-4 w-4 transform transition-transform group-hover:-translate-x-1"
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ let { form } = $props();
 			</svg>
 			{m.btn_back_to_overview()}
 		</a>
-		<h1 class="font-serif text-3xl text-brand-navy">{m.persons_new_heading()}</h1>
+		<h1 class="font-serif text-3xl text-ink">{m.persons_new_heading()}</h1>
 	</div>
 
 	{#if form?.error}
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ let { form } = $props();
 	{/if}
 
 	<form method="POST">
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.persons_section_details()}
 			</h2>
 
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ let { form } = $props();
 						name="firstName"
 						type="text"
 						required
-						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 					/>
 				</div>
 
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ let { form } = $props();
 						name="lastName"
 						type="text"
 						required
-						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 					/>
 				</div>
 
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ let { form } = $props();
 						name="alias"
 						type="text"
 						placeholder={m.form_placeholder_alias()}
-						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-brand-navy"
+						class="block w-full rounded border border-gray-300 p-2 text-sm shadow-sm focus:border-ink focus:ring-ink"
 					/>
 				</div>
 			</div>
@@ -82,17 +82,14 @@ let { form } = $props();
 
 		<!-- Save Bar -->
 		<div
-			class="border-brand-sand mt-4 flex items-center justify-between rounded-sm border bg-white px-6 py-4 shadow-sm"
+			class="mt-4 flex items-center justify-between rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface px-6 py-4 shadow-sm"
 		>
-			<a
-				href="/persons"
-				class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-500 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
-			>
+			<a href="/persons" class="text-sm font-medium text-ink-2 transition-colors hover:text-ink">
 				{m.btn_cancel()}
 			</a>
 			<button
 				type="submit"
-				class="rounded bg-brand-navy px-6 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-brand-navy/80"
+				class="rounded bg-primary px-6 py-2 text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-primary/80"
 			>
 				{m.btn_create()}
 			</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/profile/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/profile/+page.svelte
index b07906a7..5ae5e90c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/profile/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/profile/+page.svelte
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 	<!-- Back link -->
 	<a
 		href="/"
-		class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+		class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 	>
 		<svg
 			class="mr-2 h-4 w-4 transform transition-transform group-hover:-translate-x-1"
@@ -56,12 +56,12 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 		{m.btn_back_to_overview()}
 	</a>
 
-	<h1 class="mb-6 font-serif text-3xl font-bold text-brand-navy">{m.profile_heading()}</h1>
+	<h1 class="mb-6 font-serif text-3xl font-bold text-ink">{m.profile_heading()}</h1>
 
 	<div class="grid grid-cols-1 gap-6 md:grid-cols-2">
 		<!-- Personal info card -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.profile_section_personal()}
 			</h2>
 
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 				<div class="space-y-4">
 					<label class="block">
 						<span
-							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 						>
 							{m.profile_label_first_name()}
 						</span>
@@ -88,13 +88,13 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 							type="text"
 							name="firstName"
 							value={data.user?.firstName ?? ''}
-							class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+							class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 						/>
 					</label>
 
 					<label class="block">
 						<span
-							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 						>
 							{m.profile_label_last_name()}
 						</span>
@@ -102,13 +102,13 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 							type="text"
 							name="lastName"
 							value={data.user?.lastName ?? ''}
-							class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+							class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 						/>
 					</label>
 
 					<label class="block">
 						<span
-							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 						>
 							{m.profile_label_birth_date()}
 						</span>
@@ -117,14 +117,14 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 							placeholder="TT.MM.JJJJ"
 							value={birthDateDisplay}
 							oninput={handleBirthDateInput}
-							class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+							class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 						/>
 						<input type="hidden" name="birthDate" value={birthDateIso} />
 					</label>
 
 					<label class="block">
 						<span
-							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 						>
 							{m.profile_label_email()}
 						</span>
@@ -132,13 +132,13 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 							type="email"
 							name="email"
 							value={data.user?.email ?? ''}
-							class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+							class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 						/>
 					</label>
 
 					<label class="block">
 						<span
-							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 						>
 							{m.profile_label_contact()}
 						</span>
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 							name="contact"
 							rows="3"
 							placeholder={m.profile_contact_placeholder()}
-							class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+							class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 							>{data.user?.contact ?? ''}</textarea
 						>
 					</label>
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 
 				<button
 					type="submit"
-					class="mt-5 rounded-sm bg-brand-navy px-5 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
+					class="mt-5 rounded-sm bg-primary px-5 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
 				>
 					{m.btn_save()}
 				</button>
@@ -162,8 +162,8 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 		</div>
 
 		<!-- Password change card -->
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
-			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
+			<h2 class="mb-5 text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">
 				{m.profile_section_password()}
 			</h2>
 
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 				<div class="space-y-4">
 					<label class="block">
 						<span
-							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 						>
 							{m.profile_label_current_password()}
 						</span>
@@ -194,13 +194,13 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 							type="password"
 							name="currentPassword"
 							required
-							class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+							class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 						/>
 					</label>
 
 					<label class="block">
 						<span
-							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 						>
 							{m.profile_label_new_password()}
 						</span>
@@ -208,13 +208,13 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 							type="password"
 							name="newPassword"
 							required
-							class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+							class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 						/>
 					</label>
 
 					<label class="block">
 						<span
-							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+							class="mb-1 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 						>
 							{m.profile_label_new_password_confirm()}
 						</span>
@@ -222,14 +222,14 @@ function handleBirthDateInput(e: Event) {
 							type="password"
 							name="confirmPassword"
 							required
-							class="border-brand-sand w-full rounded-sm border px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+							class="w-full rounded-sm border border-line px-3 py-2 font-serif text-sm focus:border-ink focus:outline-none"
 						/>
 					</label>
 				</div>
 
 				<button
 					type="submit"
-					class="mt-5 rounded-sm bg-brand-navy px-5 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
+					class="mt-5 rounded-sm bg-primary px-5 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
 				>
 					{m.btn_save()}
 				</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/reset-password/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/reset-password/+page.svelte
index f1d0454e..c2fb324c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/reset-password/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/reset-password/+page.svelte
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ let {
 } = $props();
 </script>
 
-<div class="relative flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-white">
+<div class="relative flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-surface">
 	<!-- Accent strip -->
 	<div class="h-1 bg-brand-purple"></div>
 
@@ -20,15 +20,15 @@ let {
 			<!-- Logo -->
 			<div class="mb-10 text-center">
 				<a href="/" class="inline-flex items-center" aria-label="Familienarchiv">
-					<span class="font-sans text-2xl font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase"
+					<span class="font-sans text-2xl font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase"
 						>Familienarchiv</span
 					>
 				</a>
 			</div>
 
 			<!-- Card -->
-			<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-8 shadow-sm">
-				<h1 class="mb-6 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-brand-navy uppercase">
+			<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-8 shadow-sm">
+				<h1 class="mb-6 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase">
 					{m.reset_password_heading()}
 				</h1>
 
@@ -37,9 +37,7 @@ let {
 						<p class="font-sans text-xs text-green-700">{m.reset_password_success()}</p>
 					</div>
 
-					<a
-						href="/login"
-						class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+					<a href="/login" class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 						>{m.forgot_password_back_to_login()}</a
 					>
 				{:else}
@@ -49,7 +47,7 @@ let {
 						<div>
 							<label
 								for="newPassword"
-								class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase"
+								class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase"
 								>{m.reset_password_label()}</label
 							>
 							<input
@@ -58,14 +56,14 @@ let {
 								id="newPassword"
 								required
 								autocomplete="new-password"
-								class="block w-full border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy placeholder-gray-400 focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+								class="block w-full border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 font-serif text-sm text-ink placeholder-gray-400 focus:border-ink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-ink focus:outline-none"
 							/>
 						</div>
 
 						<div>
 							<label
 								for="confirmPassword"
-								class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase"
+								class="mb-1.5 block font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase"
 								>{m.reset_password_confirm_label()}</label
 							>
 							<input
@@ -74,7 +72,7 @@ let {
 								id="confirmPassword"
 								required
 								autocomplete="new-password"
-								class="block w-full border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy placeholder-gray-400 focus:border-brand-navy focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-navy focus:outline-none"
+								class="block w-full border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 font-serif text-sm text-ink placeholder-gray-400 focus:border-ink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-ink focus:outline-none"
 							/>
 						</div>
 
@@ -88,15 +86,13 @@ let {
 
 						<button
 							type="submit"
-							class="mt-2 w-full bg-brand-navy py-2.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-brand-navy/90"
+							class="mt-2 w-full bg-primary py-2.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase transition-colors hover:bg-primary/90"
 						>
 							{m.reset_password_submit()}
 						</button>
 
 						<div class="mt-4 text-center">
-							<a
-								href="/login"
-								class="font-sans text-xs text-gray-400 transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+							<a href="/login" class="font-sans text-xs text-ink-3 transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 								>{m.forgot_password_back_to_login()}</a
 							>
 						</div>
@@ -108,6 +104,6 @@ let {
 
 	<!-- Footer -->
 	<div class="py-4 text-center">
-		<p class="font-sans text-xs tracking-widest text-gray-300 uppercase">Familienarchiv</p>
+		<p class="font-sans text-xs tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase">Familienarchiv</p>
 	</div>
 </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/users/[id]/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/users/[id]/+page.svelte
index 0ac82023..bb0d5ae9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/users/[id]/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/users/[id]/+page.svelte
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ const initials = $derived.by(() => {
 	<!-- Back link -->
 	<a
 		href="/"
-		class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-500 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-brand-navy"
+		class="group mb-4 inline-flex items-center text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-2 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
 	>
 		<svg
 			class="mr-2 h-4 w-4 transform transition-transform group-hover:-translate-x-1"
@@ -37,21 +37,21 @@ const initials = $derived.by(() => {
 		Zurück
 	</a>
 
-	<h1 class="mb-6 font-serif text-3xl font-bold text-brand-navy">{m.user_profile_heading()}</h1>
+	<h1 class="mb-6 font-serif text-3xl font-bold text-ink">{m.user_profile_heading()}</h1>
 
 	<div class="max-w-md">
-		<div class="border-brand-sand rounded-sm border bg-white p-6 shadow-sm">
+		<div class="rounded-sm border border-line bg-surface p-6 shadow-sm">
 			<!-- Avatar -->
 			<div class="mb-5 flex justify-center">
 				{#if initials}
 					<div
-						class="flex h-16 w-16 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-brand-navy text-white"
+						class="flex h-16 w-16 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary text-white"
 					>
 						<span class="font-serif text-xl font-bold">{initials}</span>
 					</div>
 				{:else}
 					<div
-						class="flex h-16 w-16 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-brand-navy text-white"
+						class="flex h-16 w-16 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary text-white"
 					>
 						<svg
 							class="h-8 w-8"
@@ -72,9 +72,9 @@ const initials = $derived.by(() => {
 
 			<!-- Name and username -->
 			<div class="mb-5 text-center">
-				<h2 class="font-serif text-xl font-bold text-brand-navy">{fullName}</h2>
+				<h2 class="font-serif text-xl font-bold text-ink">{fullName}</h2>
 				{#if data.profileUser.firstName || data.profileUser.lastName}
-					<p class="mt-0.5 font-sans text-sm text-gray-400">@{data.profileUser.username}</p>
+					<p class="mt-0.5 font-sans text-sm text-ink-3">@{data.profileUser.username}</p>
 				{/if}
 			</div>
 
@@ -82,19 +82,19 @@ const initials = $derived.by(() => {
 			<div class="flex flex-col gap-4">
 				{#if data.profileUser.email}
 					<div class="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
-						<span class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+						<span class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 							>E-Mail</span
 						>
-						<span class="font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy">{data.profileUser.email}</span>
+						<span class="font-serif text-sm text-ink">{data.profileUser.email}</span>
 					</div>
 				{/if}
 
 				{#if data.profileUser.contact}
 					<div class="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
-						<span class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-gray-400 uppercase"
+						<span class="font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase"
 							>Kontakt</span
 						>
-						<span class="font-serif text-sm text-brand-navy">{data.profileUser.contact}</span>
+						<span class="font-serif text-sm text-ink">{data.profileUser.contact}</span>
 					</div>
 				{/if}
 			</div>