diff --git a/src/App.tsx b/src/App.tsx
index e69866c..56217b7 100644
--- a/src/App.tsx
+++ b/src/App.tsx
@@ -1785,14 +1785,14 @@ function CoachView({ dashboard, entries, user }: { dashboard: Dashboard; entries
 
   if (!chatKey) {
     return (
-      <section className="coach-gemini-shell coach-locked-shell">
+      <section className="coach-shell coach-locked-shell">
         <div className="coach-empty-state">
-          <div className="coach-brand-orb">
-            <Lock size={30} aria-hidden="true" />
+          <div className="coach-empty-icon">
+            <Lock size={28} aria-hidden="true" />
           </div>
-          <h2>unlock encrypted coach chats</h2>
+          <h2>unlock coach</h2>
           <p>
-            messages encrypt in this browser before appwrite stores them. the passphrase is never saved, so use the same one on every device.
+            messages are encrypted before appwrite stores them. your passphrase is never saved — use the same one on every device.
           </p>
           <form className="coach-unlock-card" onSubmit={unlockChats}>
             <input
@@ -1808,148 +1808,182 @@ function CoachView({ dashboard, entries, user }: { dashboard: Dashboard; entries
               unlock
             </button>
           </form>
-          {error && <p className="mt-4 max-w-xl text-sm text-red-100">{error}</p>}
+          {error && <p className="mt-4 max-w-md text-sm" style={{ color: "var(--error)" }}>{error}</p>}
         </div>
       </section>
     );
   }
 
+  const userInitials = user.name
+    ? user.name.split(" ").map((n) => n[0]).join("").toUpperCase().slice(0, 2)
+    : (user.email?.[0] ?? "U").toUpperCase();
+
   return (
-    <section className="coach-gemini-shell">
-      <aside className="coach-chat-sidebar">
-        <div className="coach-sidebar-brand">
-          <div className="coach-brand-orb coach-brand-orb-small">
-            <Brain size={18} aria-hidden="true" />
-          </div>
-          <div>
-            <p className="font-semibold text-white">coach</p>
-            <p className="text-xs text-slate-400">{chatStorageStatus}</p>
-          </div>
-        </div>
-
-        <button className="coach-new-chat" type="button" onClick={startNewChat} disabled={busy}>
-          <MessageSquarePlus size={18} aria-hidden="true" />
-          new chat
-        </button>
-
-        <div className="coach-chat-list">
-          {chats.map((chat) => (
-            <div key={chat.id} className={`coach-chat-row ${chat.id === activeChatId ? "coach-chat-row-active" : ""}`}>
-              <button type="button" onClick={() => setActiveChatId(chat.id)}>
-                <span>{chat.title}</span>
-                <small>{new Intl.DateTimeFormat("en-GB", { day: "2-digit", month: "short" }).format(new Date(chat.updatedAt))}</small>
-              </button>
-              <button type="button" aria-label={`delete ${chat.title}`} onClick={() => void removeChat(chat.id)} disabled={busy}>
-                <Trash2 size={14} aria-hidden="true" />
-              </button>
+    <section className="coach-shell">
+      <div className="coach-layout">
+        <aside className="coach-sidebar">
+          <div className="coach-sidebar-header">
+            <div className="coach-sidebar-icon">
+              <Brain size={18} aria-hidden="true" />
             </div>
-          ))}
-        </div>
-
-        <div className="coach-context-card">
-          <p className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase text-slate-500">today</p>
-          <div className="mt-3 grid gap-2">
-            <WellnessPill label="cans" value={dashboard.todayCans} />
-            <WellnessPill label="caffeine" value={dashboard.todayCaffeine} />
-            <WellnessPill label="favourite" value={dashboard.favouriteFlavour} />
-          </div>
-        </div>
-      </aside>
-
-      <section className="coach-stage">
-        <div className="coach-stage-topbar">
-          <span>{OLLAMA_MODEL}</span>
-          <span>{busy ? "thinking" : "ready"}</span>
-        </div>
-
-        <div className="coach-stage-messages" aria-live="polite">
-          {!visibleMessages.length ? (
-            <div className="coach-empty-state">
-              <div className="coach-brand-orb">
-                <Sparkles size={32} aria-hidden="true" />
-              </div>
-              <h2>ready when you are</h2>
-              <p>ask about caffeine pace, sugar, spend, or your flavour pattern. answers stay lower case.</p>
-              <div className="coach-prompt-grid">
-                {quickPrompts.map((prompt) => (
-                  <button key={prompt} className="suggestion-chip" type="button" disabled={busy} onClick={() => void sendPrompt(prompt)}>
-                    {prompt}
-                  </button>
-                ))}
-              </div>
+            <div className="coach-sidebar-label">
+              <p>coach</p>
+              <p>{chatStorageStatus}</p>
             </div>
-          ) : (
-            visibleMessages.map((message) => (
-              <CoachMessageBubble
-                key={message.id}
-                message={message}
-                thinkingOpen={openThinkingIds.includes(message.id)}
-                onToggleThinking={() => toggleThinking(message.id)}
-              />
-            ))
-          )}
-          <div ref={messagesEndRef} />
-        </div>
-
-        {error && (
-          <div className="mx-4 mb-3 rounded-lg border border-red-400/40 bg-red-500/10 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-red-100">
-            {error}
           </div>
-        )}
 
-        <form className="coach-composer" onSubmit={submit}>
-          <button className="composer-icon-button" type="button" onClick={startNewChat} disabled={busy} aria-label="new chat">
-            <Plus size={22} aria-hidden="true" />
+          <button className="coach-new-chat" type="button" onClick={startNewChat} disabled={busy}>
+            <Plus size={16} aria-hidden="true" />
+            new chat
           </button>
-          <input
-            className="coach-input"
-            value={input}
-            onChange={(event) => setInput(event.target.value)}
-            placeholder="ask coach"
-            disabled={busy}
-          />
-          {busy ? (
-            <button className="composer-send-button composer-stop-button" type="button" onClick={stopThinking} aria-label="stop thinking">
-              <Square size={18} aria-hidden="true" />
-            </button>
-          ) : (
-            <button className="composer-send-button" type="submit" disabled={!input.trim()} aria-label="send coach message">
-              <Send size={20} aria-hidden="true" />
-            </button>
+
+          <div className="coach-chat-list">
+            {chats.map((chat) => (
+              <div key={chat.id} className={`coach-chat-row ${chat.id === activeChatId ? "coach-chat-row-active" : ""}`}>
+                <button type="button" onClick={() => setActiveChatId(chat.id)}>
+                  <span>{chat.title}</span>
+                  <small>{new Intl.DateTimeFormat("en-GB", { day: "2-digit", month: "short" }).format(new Date(chat.updatedAt))}</small>
+                </button>
+                <button type="button" aria-label={`delete ${chat.title}`} onClick={() => void removeChat(chat.id)} disabled={busy}>
+                  <Trash2 size={14} aria-hidden="true" />
+                </button>
+              </div>
+            ))}
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="coach-context-card">
+            <p className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase" style={{ color: "var(--muted)" }}>today</p>
+            <div className="mt-2 grid gap-2">
+              <WellnessPill label="cans" value={dashboard.todayCans} />
+              <WellnessPill label="caffeine" value={dashboard.todayCaffeine} />
+              <WellnessPill label="favourite" value={dashboard.favouriteFlavour} />
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </aside>
+
+        <section className="coach-main">
+          <div className="coach-topbar">
+            <span className="coach-topbar-status">
+              <span className={`coach-topbar-status-dot ${busy ? "coach-topbar-status-dot-busy" : "coach-topbar-status-dot-ready"}`} />
+              {busy ? "thinking" : "ready"}
+            </span>
+            <span className="coach-topbar-status" style={{ color: "var(--muted)" }}>{OLLAMA_MODEL}</span>
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="coach-messages" aria-live="polite">
+            <div className="coach-messages-inner">
+              {!visibleMessages.length ? (
+                <div className="coach-empty-state">
+                  <div className="coach-empty-icon">
+                    <Sparkles size={28} aria-hidden="true" />
+                  </div>
+                  <h2>how can I help?</h2>
+                  <p>ask about caffeine, sugar, spending, or your flavour patterns.</p>
+                  <div className="coach-prompt-grid">
+                    {quickPrompts.map((prompt) => (
+                      <button key={prompt} className="chat-suggestion-chip" type="button" disabled={busy} onClick={() => void sendPrompt(prompt)}>
+                        {prompt}
+                      </button>
+                    ))}
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+              ) : (
+                visibleMessages.map((message) => (
+                  <CoachMessageBubble
+                    key={message.id}
+                    message={message}
+                    userInitials={userInitials}
+                    thinkingOpen={openThinkingIds.includes(message.id)}
+                    onToggleThinking={() => toggleThinking(message.id)}
+                  />
+                ))
+              )}
+              <div ref={messagesEndRef} />
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
+          {error && (
+            <div className="coach-error">
+              <div className="coach-error-inner">
+                {error}
+              </div>
+            </div>
           )}
-        </form>
-      </section>
+
+          <form className="coach-composer" onSubmit={submit}>
+            <div className="coach-composer-inner">
+              <button className="composer-icon-button" type="button" onClick={startNewChat} disabled={busy} aria-label="new chat">
+                <Plus size={18} aria-hidden="true" />
+              </button>
+              <textarea
+                className="coach-input"
+                value={input}
+                onChange={(event) => setInput(event.target.value)}
+                onKeyDown={(event) => {
+                  if (event.key === "Enter" && !event.shiftKey) {
+                    event.preventDefault();
+                    void sendPrompt(input);
+                  }
+                }}
+                placeholder="ask coach"
+                disabled={busy}
+                rows={1}
+              />
+              {busy ? (
+                <button className="composer-send-button composer-stop-button" type="button" onClick={stopThinking} aria-label="stop thinking">
+                  <Square size={16} aria-hidden="true" />
+                </button>
+              ) : (
+                <button className="composer-send-button" type="submit" disabled={!input.trim()} aria-label="send message">
+                  <Send size={16} aria-hidden="true" />
+                </button>
+              )}
+            </div>
+            <p className="coach-hint">coach can make mistakes. check important info.</p>
+          </form>
+        </section>
+      </div>
     </section>
   );
 }
 
 function CoachMessageBubble({
   message,
+  userInitials,
   thinkingOpen,
   onToggleThinking,
 }: {
   message: CoachMessage;
+  userInitials: string;
   thinkingOpen: boolean;
   onToggleThinking: () => void;
 }) {
   const isAssistant = message.role === "assistant";
   const canShowThinking = isAssistant && (message.pending || Boolean(message.thinking));
-  const thinkingLabel = message.stopped ? "stopped thinking" : message.pending ? "thinking" : "thinking";
+  const thinkingLabel = message.stopped ? "stopped thinking" : message.pending ? "thinking" : "view reasoning";
 
   return (
-    <article className={`coach-message coach-message-${message.role}`}>
+    <article className={`coach-message ${isAssistant ? "coach-message-assistant" : "coach-message-user"}`}>
+      {isAssistant ? (
+        <div className="coach-message-avatar coach-message-avatar-assistant">
+          <Brain size={16} aria-hidden="true" />
+        </div>
+      ) : (
+        <div className="coach-message-avatar coach-message-avatar-user">
+          {userInitials}
+        </div>
+      )}
       <div className="coach-message-bubble">
-        <p className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase text-slate-500">{isAssistant ? "coach" : "you"}</p>
-        <div className="mt-2 whitespace-pre-wrap text-sm leading-6 text-white">
-          {message.content || (message.pending ? "streaming response..." : "")}
+        <div className="coach-bubble-content">
+          {message.content || (message.pending ? (
+            <div className="coach-typing-dots"><span /><span /><span /></div>
+          ) : "")}
         </div>
 
         {canShowThinking && (
-          <div className="mt-3">
+          <div className="mt-2">
             <button className={`thinking-slider ${message.pending ? "thinking-slider-active" : ""}`} type="button" onClick={onToggleThinking}>
-              <span className="thinking-slider-track">
-                <span>{thinkingLabel} · click to reveal reasoning</span>
-              </span>
+              {thinkingLabel}
             </button>
             <AnimatePresence>
               {thinkingOpen && (
diff --git a/src/index.css b/src/index.css
index b5a2008..6bcc854 100644
--- a/src/index.css
+++ b/src/index.css
@@ -326,62 +326,84 @@ textarea:focus-visible {
     box-shadow: var(--elevation-1);
   }
 
-  .coach-gemini-shell {
-    @apply grid min-h-[760px] gap-4;
+  .coach-shell {
+    @apply flex flex-col;
+    height: calc(100vh - 200px);
+    min-height: 480px;
+  }
+
+  @media (min-width: 1024px) {
+    .coach-shell {
+      height: calc(100vh - 160px);
+    }
   }
 
   .coach-locked-shell {
-    @apply place-items-center;
-    grid-template-columns: 1fr !important;
+    @apply flex items-center justify-center;
   }
 
-  .coach-chat-sidebar {
-    @apply hidden min-h-[760px] flex-col border p-3 xl:flex;
-    background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--surface-container-lowest) 80%, transparent);
-    border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--outline-variant) 64%, transparent);
-    border-radius: 34px;
-    box-shadow: var(--elevation-1);
+  .coach-layout {
+    @apply relative flex flex-1 gap-4 overflow-hidden;
   }
 
-  .coach-sidebar-brand {
-    @apply flex items-center gap-3 px-2 py-2;
+  .coach-sidebar {
+    @apply hidden w-72 shrink-0 flex-col border p-3 xl:flex;
+    background: var(--surface-container);
+    border-color: var(--outline-variant);
+    border-radius: 28px;
   }
 
-  .coach-brand-orb {
-    @apply grid h-16 w-16 place-items-center rounded-full shadow-sm;
-    background: radial-gradient(circle at 30% 26%, #ffffff 0 12%, #d7ecff 13% 48%, #7fb6df 72%, #5d8fb3 100%);
-    color: #163247;
+  .coach-sidebar-header {
+    @apply flex items-center gap-3 px-1 py-2;
   }
 
-  .coach-brand-orb-small {
-    @apply h-10 w-10;
+  .coach-sidebar-icon {
+    @apply flex h-10 w-10 items-center justify-center rounded-xl;
+    background: var(--primary-container);
+    color: var(--on-primary-container);
+  }
+
+  .coach-sidebar-label {
+    min-width: 0;
+  }
+
+  .coach-sidebar-label p:first-child {
+    @apply truncate text-sm font-semibold;
+    color: var(--text);
+  }
+
+  .coach-sidebar-label p:last-child {
+    @apply truncate text-xs;
+    color: var(--muted);
   }
 
   .coach-new-chat {
-    @apply mt-4 inline-flex min-h-12 items-center gap-3 rounded-full px-4 text-sm font-semibold transition disabled:cursor-not-allowed;
+    @apply mt-3 inline-flex min-h-11 items-center gap-2 rounded-xl border px-4 text-sm font-semibold transition disabled:cursor-not-allowed;
     background: var(--surface-container-high);
+    border-color: var(--outline-variant);
     color: var(--text);
   }
 
   .coach-new-chat:hover:not(:disabled) {
     background: var(--primary-container);
+    color: var(--on-primary-container);
   }
 
   .coach-chat-list {
-    @apply mt-4 grid flex-1 content-start gap-1 overflow-y-auto;
+    @apply mt-3 grid flex-1 content-start gap-1 overflow-y-auto;
   }
 
   .coach-chat-row {
-    @apply grid grid-cols-[1fr_auto] items-center rounded-3xl transition;
+    @apply grid grid-cols-[1fr_auto] items-center rounded-2xl transition;
     color: var(--text);
   }
 
   .coach-chat-row > button:first-child {
-    @apply grid min-w-0 gap-1 px-4 py-3 text-left;
+    @apply grid min-w-0 gap-0.5 px-3 py-2.5 text-left;
   }
 
   .coach-chat-row > button:last-child {
-    @apply mr-2 grid h-8 w-8 place-items-center rounded-full opacity-0 transition;
+    @apply mr-1 grid h-7 w-7 place-items-center rounded-lg opacity-0 transition;
     color: var(--muted);
   }
 
@@ -401,95 +423,156 @@ textarea:focus-visible {
 
   .coach-chat-row-active,
   .coach-chat-row:hover {
-    background: var(--surface-container-high);
+    background: var(--primary-container);
+  }
+
+  .coach-chat-row-active {
+    color: var(--on-primary-container);
+  }
+
+  .coach-chat-row-active small {
+    color: var(--on-primary-container);
   }
 
   .coach-context-card {
-    @apply mt-4 rounded-[28px] border p-4;
-    background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--surface-container-low) 76%, white);
+    @apply mt-auto rounded-2xl border p-3;
+    background: var(--surface-container-high);
     border-color: var(--outline-variant);
   }
 
-  .coach-stage {
-    @apply relative flex min-h-[760px] flex-col overflow-hidden border;
-    background:
-      radial-gradient(circle at 50% 64%, rgba(192, 225, 250, 0.78) 0 18%, transparent 42%),
-      linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(255,255,255,0.94), rgba(248,251,255,0.96));
-    border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--outline-variant) 64%, transparent);
-    border-radius: 38px;
-    box-shadow: var(--elevation-1);
+  .coach-main {
+    @apply relative flex flex-1 flex-col overflow-hidden border;
+    background: var(--surface-container-lowest);
+    border-color: var(--outline-variant);
+    border-radius: 28px;
   }
 
-  .coach-stage-topbar {
-    @apply flex items-center justify-between px-5 py-4 text-xs font-semibold;
+  .coach-topbar {
+    @apply flex items-center justify-between border-b px-4 py-2;
+    border-color: var(--outline-variant);
+    background: var(--surface-container-low);
+  }
+
+  .coach-topbar-status {
+    @apply inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs font-medium;
     color: var(--muted);
   }
 
-  .coach-stage-messages {
-    @apply flex-1 space-y-5 overflow-y-auto px-4 pb-36 pt-8 sm:px-8 lg:px-16;
+  .coach-topbar-status-dot {
+    @apply h-2 w-2 rounded-full;
+  }
+
+  .coach-topbar-status-dot-ready {
+    background: var(--chart-secondary);
+  }
+
+  .coach-topbar-status-dot-busy {
+    background: var(--chart-tertiary);
+    @apply animate-pulse;
+  }
+
+  .coach-messages {
+    @apply flex-1 overflow-y-auto;
+  }
+
+  .coach-messages-inner {
+    @apply mx-auto max-w-3xl space-y-4 px-4 pb-32 pt-6;
   }
 
   .coach-empty-state {
-    @apply mx-auto flex min-h-[520px] max-w-3xl flex-col items-center justify-center text-center;
+    @apply flex min-h-full flex-col items-center justify-center px-6 text-center;
+  }
+
+  .coach-empty-icon {
+    @apply mb-5 flex h-16 w-16 items-center justify-center rounded-2xl;
+    background: var(--primary-container);
+    color: var(--on-primary-container);
   }
 
   .coach-empty-state h2 {
-    @apply mt-6 text-5xl font-normal tracking-tight sm:text-6xl;
+    @apply text-3xl font-semibold tracking-tight;
     color: var(--text);
   }
 
   .coach-empty-state p {
-    @apply mt-4 max-w-xl text-base leading-7;
+    @apply mt-2 max-w-md text-sm leading-6;
     color: var(--muted);
   }
 
   .coach-prompt-grid {
-    @apply mt-7 grid gap-2 sm:grid-cols-3;
+    @apply mt-6 grid gap-2 sm:grid-cols-1;
+    max-width: 480px;
   }
 
   .coach-message {
-    @apply flex;
+    @apply flex gap-3;
   }
 
   .coach-message-user {
-    @apply justify-end;
+    @apply flex-row-reverse;
   }
 
-  .coach-message-assistant {
-    @apply justify-start;
+  .coach-message-avatar {
+    @apply flex h-8 w-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full text-xs font-semibold;
+  }
+
+  .coach-message-avatar-assistant {
+    background: var(--primary-container);
+    color: var(--on-primary-container);
+  }
+
+  .coach-message-avatar-user {
+    background: var(--tertiary-container);
+    color: var(--on-tertiary-container);
   }
 
   .coach-message-bubble {
-    @apply max-w-[840px] rounded-[34px] border px-5 py-4 shadow-sm;
-    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.82);
-    border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--outline-variant) 58%, transparent);
-    backdrop-filter: blur(18px);
+    @apply max-w-[85%] rounded-2xl px-4 py-3;
+  }
+
+  .coach-message-assistant .coach-message-bubble {
+    background: var(--surface-container-high);
+    color: var(--text);
+    border-bottom-left-radius: 6px;
   }
 
   .coach-message-user .coach-message-bubble {
-    background: #ececec;
-    border-color: transparent;
+    background: var(--primary);
+    color: var(--on-primary);
+    border-bottom-right-radius: 6px;
   }
 
-  .coach-message-user .coach-message-bubble,
-  .coach-message-user .coach-message-bubble * {
-    color: var(--text) !important;
-  }
-
-  .thinking-slider {
-    @apply w-full overflow-hidden rounded-full border px-3 py-2 text-sm font-medium;
-    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.72);
-    border-color: transparent;
+  .coach-bubble-label {
+    @apply mb-1 text-xs font-semibold;
     color: var(--muted);
   }
 
+  .coach-bubble-content {
+    @apply whitespace-pre-wrap text-sm leading-relaxed;
+  }
+
+  .coach-message-user .coach-bubble-content {
+    color: var(--on-primary);
+  }
+
+  .thinking-slider {
+    @apply mt-2 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-xl border px-3 py-2 text-xs font-medium transition;
+    background: var(--surface-container);
+    border-color: var(--outline-variant);
+    color: var(--muted);
+  }
+
+  .thinking-slider:hover {
+    background: var(--primary-container);
+    color: var(--on-primary-container);
+  }
+
   .thinking-slider-active {
-    border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--primary) 42%, var(--outline-variant));
+    border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--primary) 40%, var(--outline-variant));
   }
 
   .thinking-slider-track {
     @apply block overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap;
-    mask-image: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, black 18%, black 82%, transparent);
   }
 
   .thinking-slider-track span {
@@ -499,47 +582,57 @@ textarea:focus-visible {
   }
 
   .thinking-trace {
-    @apply mt-2 max-h-56 overflow-auto rounded-3xl border p-4 text-xs leading-5 whitespace-pre-wrap;
-    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.72);
-    border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--outline-variant) 58%, transparent);
+    @apply mt-2 max-h-56 overflow-auto rounded-xl border p-3 text-xs leading-5 whitespace-pre-wrap;
+    background: var(--surface-container);
+    border-color: var(--outline-variant);
     color: var(--muted);
   }
 
   .coach-composer {
-    @apply absolute inset-x-4 bottom-4 z-10 mx-auto flex max-w-4xl items-center gap-3 rounded-full border p-3 sm:bottom-7;
-    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.94);
-    border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--outline-variant) 68%, transparent);
-    box-shadow: 0 18px 50px rgba(74, 102, 122, 0.18);
-    backdrop-filter: blur(18px);
+    @apply absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 z-10;
+    background: linear-gradient(to top, var(--surface-container-lowest) 60%, transparent);
+    padding: 0 1rem 1rem;
+  }
+
+  .coach-composer-inner {
+    @apply mx-auto flex max-w-3xl items-end gap-2 rounded-2xl border p-2;
+    background: var(--surface-container-high);
+    border-color: var(--outline-variant);
+    box-shadow: var(--elevation-2);
   }
 
   .coach-input {
-    @apply min-h-12 flex-1 rounded-full border-0 px-2 text-lg shadow-none transition;
+    @apply min-h-11 flex-1 resize-none rounded-xl border-0 px-3 py-2 text-sm;
     background: transparent;
     color: var(--text);
+    field-sizing: content;
+    max-height: 160px;
   }
 
   .coach-input:focus {
     box-shadow: none;
   }
 
+  .coach-input::placeholder {
+    color: var(--muted);
+  }
+
   .composer-icon-button,
   .composer-send-button {
-    @apply grid h-12 w-12 shrink-0 place-items-center rounded-full transition disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-45;
-    color: var(--text);
+    @apply flex h-9 w-9 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-xl transition disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-40;
   }
 
   .composer-icon-button:hover {
-    background: var(--surface-container-high);
+    background: var(--surface-container);
   }
 
   .composer-send-button {
-    background: #97cbf5;
-    color: #10283a;
+    background: var(--primary);
+    color: var(--on-primary);
   }
 
   .composer-send-button:hover:not(:disabled) {
-    filter: brightness(0.98);
+    filter: brightness(1.05);
   }
 
   .composer-stop-button {
@@ -548,15 +641,53 @@ textarea:focus-visible {
   }
 
   .coach-unlock-card {
-    @apply mt-8 flex w-full max-w-xl flex-col gap-3 rounded-full border p-3 sm:flex-row;
-    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.94);
-    border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--outline-variant) 68%, transparent);
-    box-shadow: var(--elevation-2);
+    @apply mt-6 flex w-full max-w-md flex-col gap-3;
+  }
+
+  .coach-unlock-card .coach-input {
+    @apply rounded-xl border px-4 py-3;
+    background: var(--surface-container-lowest);
+    border-color: var(--outline-variant);
+  }
+
+  .coach-error {
+    @apply mx-auto max-w-3xl px-4 pb-2;
+  }
+
+  .coach-error-inner {
+    @apply rounded-xl border px-3 py-2 text-sm;
+    border-color: var(--error-container);
+    background: var(--error-container);
+    color: var(--on-error-container);
+  }
+
+  .coach-typing-dots {
+    @apply flex items-center gap-1 py-1;
+  }
+
+  .coach-typing-dots span {
+    @apply inline-block h-2 w-2 rounded-full;
+    background: var(--muted);
+    animation: coach-bounce 1.4s infinite ease-in-out both;
+  }
+
+  .coach-typing-dots span:nth-child(1) { animation-delay: 0s; }
+  .coach-typing-dots span:nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 0.16s; }
+  .coach-typing-dots span:nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 0.32s; }
+
+  @keyframes coach-bounce {
+    0%, 80%, 100% { transform: scale(0.6); opacity: 0.4; }
+    40% { transform: scale(1); opacity: 1; }
+  }
+
+  .coach-hint {
+    @apply mt-1.5 text-center text-xs;
+    color: var(--muted);
   }
 
   @media (min-width: 1280px) {
-    .coach-gemini-shell {
-      grid-template-columns: 340px minmax(0, 1fr);
+    .coach-shell {
+      /* sidebar visible */
     }
   }