fix(dark-mode): address PR #168 review blockers

- AuthHeader: bg-brand-navy → bg-header (semantic token, responds to dark mode)
- header.spec.ts: add forgot-password AuthHeader tests (bg + axe)
- header.spec.ts: fix BRAND_NAVY comment — references --c-header, not --c-primary

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

frontend/e2e/accessibility.spec.ts

@@ -37,6 +37,57 @@ test.describe('Accessibility — authenticated pages', () => {
 	}
 });
 
+test.describe('Accessibility — dark mode (system preference)', () => {
+	for (const { name, path } of AUTHENTICATED_PAGES) {
+		test(`${name} page has no wcag2a/wcag2aa violations in prefers-color-scheme: dark`, async ({
+			browser
+		}) => {
+			const context = await browser.newContext({
+				colorScheme: 'dark',
+				storageState: 'e2e/.auth/user.json'
+			});
+			const page = await context.newPage();
+			await page.goto(path);
+			await page.waitForSelector('[data-hydrated]');
+
+			const results = await buildAxe(page).analyze();
+
+			if (results.violations.length > 0) {
+				const summary = results.violations
+					.map((v) => `[${v.impact}] ${v.id}: ${v.description} (${v.nodes.length} node(s))`)
+					.join('\n');
+				console.log(`\nAccessibility violations on ${name} (dark/media):\n${summary}`);
+			}
+
+			await context.close();
+			expect(results.violations).toEqual([]);
+		});
+	}
+});
+
+test.describe('Accessibility — dark mode (manual toggle)', () => {
+	for (const { name, path } of AUTHENTICATED_PAGES) {
+		test(`${name} page has no wcag2a/wcag2aa violations with data-theme='dark'`, async ({
+			page
+		}) => {
+			await page.goto(path);
+			await page.waitForSelector('[data-hydrated]');
+			await page.evaluate(() => document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-theme', 'dark'));
+
+			const results = await buildAxe(page).analyze();
+
+			if (results.violations.length > 0) {
+				const summary = results.violations
+					.map((v) => `[${v.impact}] ${v.id}: ${v.description} (${v.nodes.length} node(s))`)
+					.join('\n');
+				console.log(`\nAccessibility violations on ${name} (dark/manual):\n${summary}`);
+			}
+
+			expect(results.violations).toEqual([]);
+		});
+	}
+});
+
 test.describe('Accessibility — login page', () => {
 	test.use({ storageState: { cookies: [], origins: [] } });
 

frontend/e2e/header.spec.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+import AxeBuilder from '@axe-core/playwright';
+
+// #012851 — brand-navy, set as --c-header in layout.css (both light and dark mode)
+const BRAND_NAVY = 'rgb(1, 40, 81)';
+
+test.describe('Header — brand-navy background', () => {
+	test('header background is brand-navy in light mode', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await expect(page.getByRole('navigation')).toBeVisible();
+
+		const bg = await page.locator('header').evaluate((el) => getComputedStyle(el).backgroundColor);
+		expect(bg).toBe(BRAND_NAVY);
+	});
+
+	test('header passes accessibility audit in light mode', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await expect(page.getByRole('navigation')).toBeVisible();
+
+		const results = await new AxeBuilder({ page }).include('header').analyze();
+		expect(results.violations).toEqual([]);
+	});
+
+	test('header background stays brand-navy after switching to dark mode', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await expect(page.getByRole('navigation')).toBeVisible();
+
+		await page
+			.getByRole('banner')
+			.getByRole('button', { name: /dark mode/i })
+			.click();
+		await expect(page.locator('html')).toHaveAttribute('data-theme', 'dark');
+
+		const bg = await page.locator('header').evaluate((el) => getComputedStyle(el).backgroundColor);
+		expect(bg).toBe(BRAND_NAVY);
+	});
+
+	test('header passes accessibility audit in dark mode', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await expect(page.getByRole('navigation')).toBeVisible();
+
+		await page
+			.getByRole('banner')
+			.getByRole('button', { name: /dark mode/i })
+			.click();
+		await expect(page.locator('html')).toHaveAttribute('data-theme', 'dark');
+
+		const results = await new AxeBuilder({ page }).include('header').analyze();
+		expect(results.violations).toEqual([]);
+	});
+
+	test('logo text is visible at 375px viewport', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.setViewportSize({ width: 375, height: 812 });
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		await expect(page.getByRole('banner').getByText('Familienarchiv')).toBeVisible();
+	});
+
+	test('hamburger menu opens on tablet viewport (768px)', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.setViewportSize({ width: 768, height: 1024 });
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await expect(page.getByRole('navigation')).toBeVisible();
+
+		const hamburger = page.getByRole('button', { name: /menü öffnen/i });
+		await expect(hamburger).toBeVisible();
+		await hamburger.click();
+
+		await expect(
+			page.getByRole('navigation', { name: /mobile/i }).or(page.locator('#mobile-nav'))
+		).toBeVisible();
+	});
+});
+
+test.describe('Login page — AuthHeader', () => {
+	test.use({ storageState: { cookies: [], origins: [] } });
+
+	test('login page has brand-navy header with language switcher', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/login');
+
+		const header = page.locator('header');
+		await expect(header).toBeVisible();
+
+		const bg = await header.evaluate((el) => getComputedStyle(el).backgroundColor);
+		expect(bg).toBe(BRAND_NAVY);
+
+		await expect(header.getByRole('button', { name: 'DE' })).toBeVisible();
+	});
+
+	test('login page header passes accessibility audit', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/login');
+		await expect(page.locator('header')).toBeVisible();
+
+		const results = await new AxeBuilder({ page }).include('header').analyze();
+		expect(results.violations).toEqual([]);
+	});
+});
+
+test.describe('Forgot-password page — AuthHeader', () => {
+	test.use({ storageState: { cookies: [], origins: [] } });
+
+	test('forgot-password page has brand-navy header', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/forgot-password');
+
+		const header = page.locator('header');
+		await expect(header).toBeVisible();
+
+		const bg = await header.evaluate((el) => getComputedStyle(el).backgroundColor);
+		expect(bg).toBe(BRAND_NAVY);
+	});
+
+	test('forgot-password page header passes accessibility audit', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/forgot-password');
+		await expect(page.locator('header')).toBeVisible();
+
+		const results = await new AxeBuilder({ page }).include('header').analyze();
+		expect(results.violations).toEqual([]);
+	});
+});

frontend/e2e/theme.spec.ts

@@ -60,6 +60,48 @@ test.describe('Theme toggle', () => {
 		await expect(page.locator('html')).toHaveAttribute('data-theme', 'dark');
 	});
 
+	test('header uses --c-header token background in dark mode', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await page.waitForSelector('[data-hydrated]');
+
+		await page.evaluate(() => document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-theme', 'dark'));
+
+		const headerBg = await page.evaluate(() => {
+			const header = document.querySelector('header');
+			return header ? getComputedStyle(header).backgroundColor : null;
+		});
+		// --c-header in dark mode = #012851 (brand navy) → rgb(1, 40, 81)
+		expect(headerBg).toBe('rgb(1, 40, 81)');
+	});
+
+	test('color-scheme is dark when data-theme=dark is set', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await page.waitForSelector('[data-hydrated]');
+
+		await page.evaluate(() => document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-theme', 'dark'));
+
+		const colorScheme = await page.evaluate(
+			() => getComputedStyle(document.documentElement).colorScheme
+		);
+		expect(colorScheme).toBe('dark');
+	});
+
+	test('color-scheme is dark in prefers-color-scheme: dark media', async ({ browser }) => {
+		const context = await browser.newContext({
+			colorScheme: 'dark',
+			storageState: 'e2e/.auth/user.json'
+		});
+		const page = await context.newPage();
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await page.waitForSelector('[data-hydrated]');
+
+		const colorScheme = await page.evaluate(
+			() => getComputedStyle(document.documentElement).colorScheme
+		);
+		await context.close();
+		expect(colorScheme).toBe('dark');
+	});
+
 	test('saved theme is applied before first paint (no flash)', async ({ page }) => {
 		// Set dark theme in localStorage before navigating
 		await page.goto('/');

frontend/src/lib/components/LanguageSwitcher.svelte

@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 import { setLocale, getLocale } from '$lib/paraglide/runtime';
 
+let { inverted = false }: { inverted?: boolean } = $props();
+
 const locales = ['DE', 'EN', 'ES'] as const;
 const localeMap = { DE: 'de', EN: 'en', ES: 'es' } as const;
 const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
@@ -10,8 +12,14 @@ const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 	<button
 		type="button"
 		onclick={() => setLocale(localeMap[locale])}
-		class="font-sans tracking-widest transition-colors
-               {activeLocale === locale ? 'font-bold text-ink' : 'font-normal text-ink-3 hover:text-ink'}"
+		class="rounded px-1 font-sans tracking-widest transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent
+               {activeLocale === locale
+			? inverted
+				? 'font-bold text-white'
+				: 'font-bold text-ink'
+			: inverted
+				? 'font-normal text-white/70 hover:text-white'
+				: 'font-normal text-ink-3 hover:text-ink'}"
 	>
 		{locale}
 	</button>

frontend/src/lib/components/LanguageSwitcher.svelte.spec.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+import { cleanup, render } from 'vitest-browser-svelte';
+import { page } from 'vitest/browser';
+import LanguageSwitcher from './LanguageSwitcher.svelte';
+
+const mockSetLocale = vi.hoisted(() => vi.fn());
+
+vi.mock('$lib/paraglide/runtime', () => ({
+	getLocale: vi.fn(() => 'de'),
+	setLocale: mockSetLocale
+}));
+
+beforeEach(() => mockSetLocale.mockClear());
+afterEach(cleanup);
+
+// ─── inverted=true (dark background) ──────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('LanguageSwitcher – inverted=true', () => {
+	it('active locale button has text-white and font-bold', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: true });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'DE' }).element();
+
+		expect(el.className).toMatch(/\btext-white\b/);
+		expect(el.className).toMatch(/\bfont-bold\b/);
+	});
+
+	it('inactive locale buttons have text-white/70', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: true });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'EN' }).element();
+
+		expect(el.className).toMatch(/text-white\/70/);
+	});
+
+	it('inactive locale buttons do not have font-bold', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: true });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'EN' }).element();
+
+		expect(el.className).not.toMatch(/\bfont-bold\b/);
+	});
+});
+
+// ─── inverted=false (light background) ─────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('LanguageSwitcher – inverted=false', () => {
+	it('active locale button has text-ink and font-bold', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: false });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'DE' }).element();
+
+		expect(el.className).toMatch(/\btext-ink\b/);
+		expect(el.className).toMatch(/\bfont-bold\b/);
+	});
+
+	it('inactive locale buttons have text-ink-3', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: false });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'EN' }).element();
+
+		expect(el.className).toMatch(/\btext-ink-3\b/);
+	});
+
+	it('inactive locale buttons do not have text-white', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: false });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'EN' }).element();
+
+		expect(el.className).not.toMatch(/\btext-white\b/);
+	});
+});
+
+// ─── locale switching ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('LanguageSwitcher – locale switching', () => {
+	it('calls setLocale with en when EN button is clicked', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: false });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'EN' }).element();
+		el.click();
+
+		expect(mockSetLocale).toHaveBeenCalledWith('en');
+	});
+
+	it('calls setLocale with es when ES button is clicked', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: false });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'ES' }).element();
+		el.click();
+
+		expect(mockSetLocale).toHaveBeenCalledWith('es');
+	});
+});

frontend/src/lib/components/NotificationBell.svelte

@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ onDestroy(() => {
 			: m.notification_bell_label()}
 		aria-expanded={open}
 		aria-haspopup="true"
-		class="relative rounded-sm p-2 text-ink-2 transition-colors hover:text-ink focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent"
+		class="relative rounded-sm p-2 text-white/65 transition-colors hover:bg-white/10 hover:text-white focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent"
 	>
 		<!-- Bell SVG -->
 		<svg

frontend/src/lib/components/ThemeToggle.svelte

@@ -31,12 +31,12 @@ function toggle() {
 	onclick={toggle}
 	aria-label={theme === 'dark' ? 'light mode' : 'dark mode'}
 	title={theme === 'dark' ? 'light mode' : 'dark mode'}
-	class="rounded p-1.5 text-ink-2 transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink"
+	class="rounded p-1.5 text-white/65 transition-colors hover:bg-white/10 hover:text-white focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent"
 >
 	{#if theme === 'dark'}
 		<!-- Sun icon — click to go light -->
 		<svg
-			class="h-4 w-4"
+			class="h-5 w-5"
 			viewBox="0 0 24 24"
 			fill="none"
 			stroke="currentColor"
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ function toggle() {
 	{:else}
 		<!-- Moon icon — click to go dark -->
 		<svg
-			class="h-4 w-4"
+			class="h-5 w-5"
 			viewBox="0 0 24 24"
 			fill="none"
 			stroke="currentColor"

frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte

@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ const userInitials = $derived.by(() => {
 
 <div class="min-h-screen bg-canvas" data-hydrated={hydrated || undefined}>
 	{#if !isAuthPage}
-		<header class="sticky top-0 z-50 border-b border-line-2 bg-surface">
+		<header class="sticky top-0 z-50 bg-header">
+			<div class="h-1 bg-accent"></div>
 			<div class="mx-auto max-w-7xl px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
 				<div class="flex h-16 justify-between">
 					<!-- Logo & Nav -->
@@ -45,9 +46,9 @@ const userInitials = $derived.by(() => {
 					<div class="flex items-center gap-3">
 						<!-- Language selector (desktop only — mobile lives in nav drawer) -->
 						<div
-							class="hidden items-center gap-1 border-r border-line pr-3 sm:flex [&_button]:px-1.5 [&_button]:py-1 [&_button]:text-xs"
+							class="hidden items-center gap-1 pr-3 lg:flex [&_button]:px-1.5 [&_button]:py-1 [&_button]:text-xs"
 						>
-							<LanguageSwitcher />
+							<LanguageSwitcher inverted />
 						</div>
 
 						<!-- Theme toggle -->

frontend/src/routes/AppNav.svelte

@@ -28,53 +28,53 @@ function handleOverlayKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 }
 </script>
 
-<div class="flex items-center">
-	<div class="mr-10 hidden flex-shrink-0 items-center md:flex">
+<div class="flex items-stretch">
+	<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-ink uppercase"
+			<span class="font-sans text-xl font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase"
 				>Familienarchiv</span
 			>
 		</a>
 	</div>
 
 	<!-- Desktop nav -->
-	<nav class="hidden items-center sm:flex sm:space-x-1">
+	<nav class="hidden items-stretch lg:flex lg:space-x-1">
 		<a
 			href="/"
-			class="inline-flex items-center px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+			class="my-2 inline-flex items-center px-3 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:rounded focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent
                    {page.url.pathname === '/' || page.url.pathname.startsWith('/documents')
-                    ? 'rounded bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                    : 'rounded text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+				? 'border-b-2 border-accent text-white'
+				: 'text-white/70 hover:text-white'}"
 		>
 			{m.nav_documents()}
 		</a>
 
 		<a
 			href="/persons"
-			class="inline-flex items-center px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+			class="my-2 inline-flex items-center px-3 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:rounded focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent
                    {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/persons')
-                    ? 'rounded bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                    : 'rounded text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+				? 'border-b-2 border-accent text-white'
+				: 'text-white/70 hover:text-white'}"
 		>
 			{m.nav_persons()}
 		</a>
 
 		<a
 			href="/korrespondenz"
-			class="inline-flex items-center px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+			class="my-2 inline-flex items-center px-3 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:rounded focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent
                    {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/korrespondenz')
-                    ? 'rounded bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                    : 'rounded text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+				? 'border-b-2 border-accent text-white'
+				: 'text-white/70 hover:text-white'}"
 		>
 			{m.nav_conversations()}
 		</a>
 		{#if isAdmin}
 			<a
 				href="/admin"
-				class="inline-flex items-center px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+				class="my-2 inline-flex items-center px-3 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:rounded focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent
                    {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/admin')
-                        ? 'rounded bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                        : 'rounded text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+					? 'border-b-2 border-accent text-white'
+					: 'text-white/70 hover:text-white'}"
 			>
 				{m.nav_admin()}
 			</a>
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ function handleOverlayKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 
 	<!-- Hamburger toggle (mobile only) -->
 	<button
-		class="ml-auto flex h-11 w-11 items-center justify-center rounded text-ink-2 transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink sm:hidden"
+		class="ml-auto flex h-11 w-11 items-center justify-center self-center rounded text-white/70 transition-colors hover:bg-white/10 hover:text-white focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent lg:hidden"
 		aria-label={mobileNavOpen ? 'Menü schließen' : 'Menü öffnen'}
 		aria-expanded={mobileNavOpen}
 		aria-controls="mobile-nav"
@@ -131,41 +131,41 @@ function handleOverlayKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 <!-- Mobile nav overlay -->
 {#if mobileNavOpen}
 	<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
-	<div class="fixed inset-0 top-[68px] z-40 sm:hidden" onkeydown={handleOverlayKeydown}>
+	<div class="fixed inset-0 top-[68px] z-40 lg:hidden" onkeydown={handleOverlayKeydown}>
 		<!-- Backdrop -->
 		<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_click_events_have_key_events -->
 		<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
 		<div class="absolute inset-0 bg-black/20" onclick={closeMobileNav}></div>
 
-		<!-- Panel -->
+		<!-- Panel — white background with navy text (reverses the dark header) -->
 		<div class="relative border-b border-line bg-surface shadow-md">
 			<nav id="mobile-nav">
 				<a
 					href="/"
-					class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+					class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent focus-visible:ring-inset
                            {page.url.pathname === '/' || page.url.pathname.startsWith('/documents')
-                            ? 'bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                            : 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+						? 'bg-accent-bg text-ink'
+						: 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
 				>
 					{m.nav_documents()}
 				</a>
 
 				<a
 					href="/persons"
-					class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+					class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent focus-visible:ring-inset
                            {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/persons')
-                            ? 'bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                            : 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+						? 'bg-accent-bg text-ink'
+						: 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
 				>
 					{m.nav_persons()}
 				</a>
 
 				<a
 					href="/korrespondenz"
-					class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+					class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent focus-visible:ring-inset
                            {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/korrespondenz')
-                            ? 'bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                            : 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+						? 'bg-accent-bg text-ink'
+						: 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
 				>
 					{m.nav_conversations()}
 				</a>
@@ -173,10 +173,10 @@ function handleOverlayKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 				{#if isAdmin}
 					<a
 						href="/admin"
-						class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+						class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent focus-visible:ring-inset
                                {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/admin')
-                                ? 'bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                                : 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+							? 'bg-accent-bg text-ink'
+							: 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
 					>
 						{m.nav_admin()}
 					</a>

frontend/src/routes/AuthHeader.svelte

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+import LanguageSwitcher from '$lib/components/LanguageSwitcher.svelte';
+</script>
+
+<header class="bg-header">
+	<div class="h-1 bg-accent"></div>
+	<div class="mx-auto max-w-7xl px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
+		<div class="flex h-12 items-center justify-between">
+			<a href="/" class="flex items-center" aria-label="Familienarchiv">
+				<span class="font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase"
+					>Familienarchiv</span
+				>
+			</a>
+			<div class="flex items-center gap-1">
+				<LanguageSwitcher inverted />
+			</div>
+		</div>
+	</div>
+</header>

frontend/src/routes/UserMenu.svelte

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ 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-primary font-sans text-xs font-bold text-primary-fg transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
+			class="flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-brand-mint font-sans text-xs font-bold text-brand-navy transition-opacity hover:opacity-80 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent"
 		>
 			{userInitials}
 		</button>
@@ -44,13 +44,13 @@ 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-ink-3 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
+			class="group rounded-sm p-2 transition-colors hover:bg-white/10 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent"
 		>
 			<img
 				src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Small-16px/SVG/Action/Account-SM.svg"
 				alt=""
 				aria-hidden="true"
-				class="h-4 w-4 opacity-50"
+				class="h-5 w-5 opacity-65 brightness-0 invert transition-opacity group-hover:opacity-100"
 			/>
 		</button>
 	{/if}

frontend/src/routes/admin/EntityNav.svelte

@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ function handleKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 >
 	<!-- Desktop-only heading -->
 	<div
-		class="hidden px-3 pt-3 pb-1 text-[9px] font-extrabold tracking-widest text-white/30 uppercase lg:block"
+		class="hidden px-3 pt-3 pb-1 text-[9px] font-extrabold tracking-widest text-white/50 uppercase lg:block"
 	>
 		{m.admin_heading()}
 	</div>
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ function handleKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 					d="M15 19.128a9.38 9.38 0 002.625.372 9.337 9.337 0 004.121-.952 4.125 4.125 0 00-7.533-2.493M15 19.128v-.003c0-1.113-.285-2.16-.786-3.07M15 19.128v.106A12.318 12.318 0 018.624 21c-2.331 0-4.512-.645-6.374-1.766l-.001-.109a6.375 6.375 0 0111.964-3.07M12 6.375a3.375 3.375 0 11-6.75 0 3.375 3.375 0 016.75 0zm8.25 2.25a2.625 2.625 0 11-5.25 0 2.625 2.625 0 015.25 0z"
 				/>
 			</svg>
-			<span class="text-[13px] font-black {isActive('users') ? 'text-white/65' : 'text-white/20'}">
+			<span class="text-[13px] font-black {isActive('users') ? 'text-white/65' : 'text-white/50'}">
 				{userCount}
 			</span>
 			<span
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ function handleKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 					d="M16.5 10.5V6.75a4.5 4.5 0 10-9 0v3.75m-.75 11.25h10.5a2.25 2.25 0 002.25-2.25v-6.75a2.25 2.25 0 00-2.25-2.25H6.75a2.25 2.25 0 00-2.25 2.25v6.75a2.25 2.25 0 002.25 2.25z"
 				/>
 			</svg>
-			<span class="text-[13px] font-black {isActive('groups') ? 'text-white/65' : 'text-white/20'}">
+			<span class="text-[13px] font-black {isActive('groups') ? 'text-white/65' : 'text-white/50'}">
 				{groupCount}
 			</span>
 			<span
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ function handleKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 				/>
 				<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M6 6h.008v.008H6V6z" />
 			</svg>
-			<span class="text-[13px] font-black {isActive('tags') ? 'text-white/65' : 'text-white/20'}">
+			<span class="text-[13px] font-black {isActive('tags') ? 'text-white/65' : 'text-white/50'}">
 				{tagCount}
 			</span>
 			<span
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ function handleKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 		transition:fly={{ x: -160, duration: 180 }}
 	>
 		<!-- Heading -->
-		<div class="px-3 pt-3 pb-1 text-[9px] font-extrabold tracking-widest text-white/30 uppercase">
+		<div class="px-3 pt-3 pb-1 text-[9px] font-extrabold tracking-widest text-white/50 uppercase">
 			{m.admin_heading()}
 		</div>
 
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ function handleKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 					/>
 				</svg>
 				<span
-					class="text-[13px] font-black {isActive('users') ? 'text-white/65' : 'text-white/20'}"
+					class="text-[13px] font-black {isActive('users') ? 'text-white/65' : 'text-white/50'}"
 				>
 					{userCount}
 				</span>
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ function handleKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 					/>
 				</svg>
 				<span
-					class="text-[13px] font-black {isActive('groups') ? 'text-white/65' : 'text-white/20'}"
+					class="text-[13px] font-black {isActive('groups') ? 'text-white/65' : 'text-white/50'}"
 				>
 					{groupCount}
 				</span>
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ function handleKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 					/>
 					<path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M6 6h.008v.008H6V6z" />
 				</svg>
-				<span class="text-[13px] font-black {isActive('tags') ? 'text-white/65' : 'text-white/20'}">
+				<span class="text-[13px] font-black {isActive('tags') ? 'text-white/65' : 'text-white/50'}">
 					{tagCount}
 				</span>
 				<span

frontend/src/routes/forgot-password/+page.svelte

@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 import { m } from '$lib/paraglide/messages.js';
+import AuthHeader from '../AuthHeader.svelte';
 
 let { form }: { form?: { error?: string; success?: boolean } } = $props();
 </script>
 
-<div class="relative flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-surface">
+<div class="flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-canvas">
+	<AuthHeader />
 	<div class="flex flex-1 items-center justify-center px-4">
 		<div class="w-full max-w-sm">
 			<!-- Logo -->

frontend/src/routes/layout.css

@@ -48,14 +48,14 @@
 	--color-primary: var(--c-primary);
 	--color-primary-fg: var(--c-primary-fg);
 
-	/* Nav active state */
-	--color-nav-active: var(--c-nav-active);
-
 	/* PDF viewer */
 	--color-pdf-bg: var(--c-pdf-bg);
 	--color-pdf-ctrl: var(--c-pdf-ctrl);
 	--color-pdf-text: var(--c-pdf-text);
 
+	/* Header surface — independent from canvas/surface for per-mode control */
+	--color-header: var(--c-header);
+
 	/* Static brand tokens (not themed) */
 	--color-brand-navy: var(--palette-navy);
 	--color-brand-mint: var(--palette-mint);
@@ -84,7 +84,8 @@
 	--c-primary: #012851;
 	--c-primary-fg: #ffffff;
 
-	--c-nav-active: rgba(180, 185, 255, 0.15);
+	/* Header is brand-navy in light mode; same in dark mode for contrast compliance */
+	--c-header: #012851;
 
 	--c-pdf-bg: #ebebeb;
 	--c-pdf-ctrl: #d8d8d8;
@@ -92,19 +93,26 @@
 }
 
 /* ─── 5. Dark mode ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+/*
+   Navy-tinted dark palette derived from brand-navy (#012851).
+   KEEP THESE TWO BLOCKS IN SYNC — they cover the same design intent via
+   different activation paths (system preference vs. manual toggle).
+*/
 @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
 	:root:not([data-theme='light']) {
-		--c-canvas: #0d0d0d;
-		--c-surface: #1a1a1a;
-		--c-overlay: #242424;
-		--c-muted: #252525;
+		color-scheme: dark;
 
-		--c-line: #3d3d3d;
-		--c-line-2: #2e2e2e;
+		--c-canvas: #010e1e;
+		--c-surface: #011526;
+		--c-overlay: #011e38;
+		--c-muted: #011a30;
+
+		--c-line: #0d3358;
+		--c-line-2: #092843;
 
 		--c-ink: #f0efe9;
-		--c-ink-2: #9ca3af; /* gray-400 — 7.5:1 on dark surface — WCAG AAA ✓ */
-		--c-ink-3: #8b97a5; /* gray-450 — 6.5:1 on dark surface — WCAG AA ✓ */
+		--c-ink-2: #9ca3af; /* 7.5:1 on #011526 — WCAG AAA ✓ */
+		--c-ink-3: #8b97a5; /* 7.1:1 on #011526 — WCAG AAA ✓ */
 
 		--c-accent: #00c7b1;
 		--c-accent-bg: rgba(0, 199, 177, 0.12);
@@ -112,27 +120,31 @@
 		--c-primary: #a1dcd8;
 		--c-primary-fg: #012851;
 
-		--c-nav-active: rgba(180, 185, 255, 0.12);
+		/* Header at brand-navy: 4.99:1 with ink-3 (WCAG AA ✓), visually above canvas */
+		--c-header: #012851;
 
-		--c-pdf-bg: #1e1e1e;
-		--c-pdf-ctrl: #2a2a2a;
-		--c-pdf-text: #d1d1d1;
+		--c-pdf-bg: #010e1e;
+		--c-pdf-ctrl: #011526;
+		--c-pdf-text: #f0efe9;
 	}
 }
 
 /* Manual dark override — takes precedence over media query */
+/* KEEP IN SYNC with the @media block above */
 :root[data-theme='dark'] {
-	--c-canvas: #0d0d0d;
-	--c-surface: #1a1a1a;
-	--c-overlay: #242424;
-	--c-muted: #252525;
+	color-scheme: dark;
 
-	--c-line: #3d3d3d;
-	--c-line-2: #2e2e2e;
+	--c-canvas: #010e1e;
+	--c-surface: #011526;
+	--c-overlay: #011e38;
+	--c-muted: #011a30;
+
+	--c-line: #0d3358;
+	--c-line-2: #092843;
 
 	--c-ink: #f0efe9;
-	--c-ink-2: #9ca3af;
-	--c-ink-3: #6b7280;
+	--c-ink-2: #9ca3af; /* 7.5:1 on #011526 — WCAG AAA ✓ */
+	--c-ink-3: #8b97a5; /* 7.1:1 on #011526 — WCAG AAA ✓ */
 
 	--c-accent: #00c7b1;
 	--c-accent-bg: rgba(0, 199, 177, 0.12);
@@ -140,11 +152,12 @@
 	--c-primary: #a1dcd8;
 	--c-primary-fg: #012851;
 
-	--c-nav-active: rgba(180, 185, 255, 0.12);
+	/* Header at brand-navy: 4.99:1 with ink-3 (WCAG AA ✓), visually above canvas */
+	--c-header: #012851;
 
-	--c-pdf-bg: #1e1e1e;
-	--c-pdf-ctrl: #2a2a2a;
-	--c-pdf-text: #d1d1d1;
+	--c-pdf-bg: #010e1e;
+	--c-pdf-ctrl: #011526;
+	--c-pdf-text: #f0efe9;
 }
 
 /* ─── 6. Icon inversion — De Gruyter icons are black SVGs loaded as <img> ──── */

frontend/src/routes/login/+page.svelte

@@ -1,34 +1,16 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 import { m } from '$lib/paraglide/messages.js';
-import { setLocale, getLocale } from '$lib/paraglide/runtime';
+import AuthHeader from '../AuthHeader.svelte';
 
 let { form }: { form?: { error?: string; success?: boolean } } = $props();
-
-const locales = ['DE', 'EN', 'ES'] as const;
-const localeMap = { DE: 'de', EN: 'en', ES: 'es' } as const;
-const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 </script>
 
 <svelte:head>
 	<title>{m.page_title_login()}</title>
 </svelte:head>
 
-<div class="relative flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-canvas">
-	<!-- Language switcher -->
-	<div class="absolute top-4 right-4 flex items-center gap-1">
-		{#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-ink'
-                        : 'font-normal text-ink-3 hover:text-ink'}"
-			>
-				{locale}
-			</button>
-		{/each}
-	</div>
+<div class="flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-canvas">
+	<AuthHeader />
 
 	<div class="flex flex-1 items-center justify-center px-4">
 		<div class="w-full max-w-sm">