diff --git a/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/01-chat-signal-plan.png b/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/01-chat-signal-plan.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0a41396720
Binary files /dev/null and b/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/01-chat-signal-plan.png differ
diff --git a/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/02-rubrics-hint-row.png b/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/02-rubrics-hint-row.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..66b0a5734c
Binary files /dev/null and b/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/02-rubrics-hint-row.png differ
diff --git a/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/03-growth-filter-chip.png b/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/03-growth-filter-chip.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2d02448b1f
Binary files /dev/null and b/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/03-growth-filter-chip.png differ
diff --git a/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/before/01-chat-signal-plan.png b/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/before/01-chat-signal-plan.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f75c663fbd
Binary files /dev/null and b/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/before/01-chat-signal-plan.png differ
diff --git a/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/before/02-rubrics-hint-row.png b/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/before/02-rubrics-hint-row.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5bbc05b0b9
Binary files /dev/null and b/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/before/02-rubrics-hint-row.png differ
diff --git a/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/before/03-growth-filter-chip.png b/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/before/03-growth-filter-chip.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..23511e78ae
Binary files /dev/null and b/examples/desktop/docs/qa-visual-fix/before/03-growth-filter-chip.png differ
diff --git a/examples/desktop/scripts/qa-cdp-shoot-visual-fix.mjs b/examples/desktop/scripts/qa-cdp-shoot-visual-fix.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3397911a28
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/desktop/scripts/qa-cdp-shoot-visual-fix.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,185 @@
+// scripts/qa-cdp-shoot-visual-fix.mjs — visual-consistency-polish verification.
+//
+// Boots an isolated Electron on CDP :9403 (its own --user-data-dir +
+// $DSH_DESKTOP_HOME so real user config is never touched, per the
+// 2026-07-18 postmortem), seeds a session that fires a `plan-update`
+// signal (so the .sig-plan chip appears next to an action turn's blue
+// left rail — the P0-1 collision surface), then captures three PNGs
+// covering the three fix surfaces:
+//
+//   01-chat-signal-plan.png       — Chat pane, mixed action turn +
+//     .sig-plan chip. Plan chip must NOT match the turn left-rail blue.
+//   02-rubrics-hint-row.png       — Rubrics catalog page. The similar-
+//     sessions hint must read as a 28px compact row, not a purple hero.
+//   03-growth-filter-chip.png     — Growth page. Filter chip active
+//     state must use the app --accent-soft, not raw violet.
+//
+// Isolation follows scripts/qa-cdp-shoot-chat-triple.mjs precedent.
+
+import { spawn } from 'node:child_process'
+import { existsSync, mkdirSync, writeFileSync, rmSync } from 'node:fs'
+import { resolve, join } from 'node:path'
+import { setTimeout as sleep } from 'node:timers/promises'
+import { tmpdir } from 'node:os'
+
+const WORKTREE = resolve(process.env.DSH_WORKTREE || process.cwd())
+const PARENT = resolve(process.env.DSH_REPO || '/Users/ziya/harness/dsh-desktop-demo')
+const ELECTRON = join(PARENT, 'node_modules/.bin/electron')
+const CDP_PORT = Number(process.env.DSH_VISUAL_FIX_PORT || 9403)
+const USER_DATA = join(tmpdir(), 'dsh-visual-fix-userdata')
+const DSH_HOME = join(tmpdir(), 'dsh-visual-fix-home')
+const OUTDIR = join(WORKTREE, 'docs/qa-visual-fix')
+
+if (!existsSync(ELECTRON)) {
+  console.error(`electron binary not found at ${ELECTRON}`)
+  process.exit(2)
+}
+mkdirSync(OUTDIR, { recursive: true })
+for (const dir of [USER_DATA, DSH_HOME]) {
+  try { rmSync(dir, { recursive: true, force: true }) } catch {}
+  mkdirSync(dir, { recursive: true })
+}
+writeFileSync(join(DSH_HOME, 'config.json'), JSON.stringify({
+  role: 'coding', approvalMode: 'never',
+}))
+writeFileSync(join(DSH_HOME, '.onboarded'), new Date().toISOString())
+
+async function bootElectron() {
+  const child = spawn(ELECTRON, [
+    `--remote-debugging-port=${CDP_PORT}`,
+    `--user-data-dir=${USER_DATA}`,
+    '--disable-gpu',
+    '--no-sandbox',
+    '.',
+  ], {
+    cwd: WORKTREE,
+    env: {
+      ...process.env,
+      DSH_DESKTOP_HOME: DSH_HOME,
+      DSH_MAXIMIZE: '1',
+      DSH_QA: '1',
+    },
+    stdio: ['ignore', 'pipe', 'pipe'],
+  })
+  const logs = []
+  child.stdout.on('data', d => logs.push(String(d)))
+  child.stderr.on('data', d => logs.push(String(d)))
+  for (let i = 0; i < 40; i++) {
+    await sleep(500)
+    try {
+      const r = await fetch(`http://localhost:${CDP_PORT}/json/list`)
+      if (r.ok) return { child, logs }
+    } catch {}
+  }
+  child.kill('SIGKILL')
+  console.error('electron CDP did not come up. logs:\n' + logs.join(''))
+  process.exit(3)
+}
+
+async function newCdp() {
+  const targets = await (await fetch(`http://localhost:${CDP_PORT}/json/list`)).json()
+  const target = targets.find(t => t.type === 'page')
+  if (!target) throw new Error('no page target on port ' + CDP_PORT)
+  const ws = new WebSocket(target.webSocketDebuggerUrl)
+  await new Promise((ok, err) => { ws.onopen = ok; ws.onerror = e => err(e) })
+  let id = 1
+  const pending = new Map()
+  ws.onmessage = ev => {
+    const msg = JSON.parse(typeof ev.data === 'string' ? ev.data : String(ev.data))
+    if (msg.id != null && pending.has(msg.id)) {
+      const [ok, err] = pending.get(msg.id); pending.delete(msg.id)
+      if (msg.error) err(new Error(msg.error.message)); else ok(msg.result)
+    }
+  }
+  const call = (m, p = {}, ms = 15000) => new Promise((ok, err) => {
+    const _id = id++
+    const t = setTimeout(() => { pending.delete(_id); err(new Error('cdp timeout: ' + m)) }, ms)
+    pending.set(_id, [v => { clearTimeout(t); ok(v) }, e => { clearTimeout(t); err(e) }])
+    ws.send(JSON.stringify({ id: _id, method: m, params: p }))
+  })
+  const evj = async expr => {
+    const r = await call('Runtime.evaluate', {
+      expression: `(async()=>{try{return (${expr})}catch(e){return {__err:String(e)}}})()`,
+      returnByValue: true, awaitPromise: true,
+    })
+    if (r.exceptionDetails) throw new Error(r.exceptionDetails.exception?.description || r.exceptionDetails.text)
+    return r.result?.value
+  }
+  return { ws, call, evj }
+}
+
+// Seed a demo session that (a) is a real action turn (so its blue left
+// rail is painted) and (b) contains an assistant message that trips the
+// numbered-plan heuristic in trace-signal-detect._looksLikePlanUpdate,
+// producing a .sig-plan chip. The chip should now read teal, not the
+// same blue as the rail — that's the P0-1 fix surface.
+const SEED = `(async () => {
+  const R = window.__dshRenderer
+  if (!R) return { __err: 'renderer seam missing' }
+  const sid = 'visual-fix-demo-' + Date.now()
+  R.ensureSession(sid)
+  await R.selectSession(sid)
+  const emit = (ev) => R.onSessionEvent(sid, ev)
+  let seq = 1
+  const now = () => Date.now()
+  emit({ type: 'user/message', seq: seq++, time: now(),
+         data: { content: [{ type: 'text', text: 'plan out the release' }] } })
+  emit({ type: 'turn/start', seq: seq++, time: now(),
+         data: { turnId: 't0', model: 'deepseek-r1' } })
+  emit({ type: 'assistant/message', seq: seq++, time: now(),
+         data: { text: 'Here is the plan:\\n1. Cut the release branch.\\n2. Run the smoke suite.\\n3. Publish the tag.' } })
+  emit({ type: 'tool/call', seq: seq++, time: now(),
+         data: { callId: 'c1', name: 'git', arguments: '{"cmd":"checkout -b release"}' } })
+  emit({ type: 'tool/result', seq: seq++, time: now(),
+         data: { callId: 'c1', ok: true, output: 'Switched to a new branch', durationMs: 42 } })
+  emit({ type: 'turn/end', seq: seq++, time: now(),
+         data: { turnId: 't0', usage: { total_tokens: 240 }, durationMs: 620 } })
+  return { sid, count: seq - 1 }
+})()`
+
+async function shoot(cdp, name) {
+  const shot = await cdp.call('Page.captureScreenshot', { format: 'png', fromSurface: false })
+  const buf = Buffer.from(shot.data, 'base64')
+  writeFileSync(join(OUTDIR, name), buf)
+  console.log(' shot', name, buf.length, 'bytes')
+}
+
+async function main() {
+  const { child } = await bootElectron()
+  try {
+    await sleep(1500)
+    const cdp = await newCdp()
+    await cdp.call('Page.enable')
+    await cdp.call('Emulation.setDeviceMetricsOverride', {
+      width: 1400, height: 900, deviceScaleFactor: 2, mobile: false,
+    })
+    for (let i = 0; i < 20; i++) {
+      const ready = await cdp.evj(`!!(window.__dshRenderer && window.__dshRenderer.onSessionEvent)`)
+      if (ready) break
+      await sleep(250)
+    }
+
+    // Shot 1: Chat pane, action turn with sig-plan chip
+    await cdp.evj(`window.__dshTabs && window.__dshTabs.switchTo && window.__dshTabs.switchTo('chat')`)
+    const seedRes = await cdp.evj(SEED)
+    console.log('seed:', JSON.stringify(seedRes))
+    await sleep(700)
+    await shoot(cdp, '01-chat-signal-plan.png')
+
+    // Shot 2: Rubrics page, hint row above the tile grid
+    await cdp.evj(`window.__dshTabs && window.__dshTabs.switchTo && window.__dshTabs.switchTo('rubrics')`)
+    await sleep(600)
+    await shoot(cdp, '02-rubrics-hint-row.png')
+
+    // Shot 3: Growth page, filter chip active
+    await cdp.evj(`window.__dshTabs && window.__dshTabs.switchTo && window.__dshTabs.switchTo('growth')`)
+    await sleep(600)
+    await shoot(cdp, '03-growth-filter-chip.png')
+
+    console.log('shots saved to', OUTDIR)
+  } finally {
+    child.kill('SIGKILL')
+  }
+}
+
+main().catch(e => { console.error(e); process.exit(1) })
diff --git a/examples/desktop/src/renderer/rubrics-page.js b/examples/desktop/src/renderer/rubrics-page.js
index 9c93581067..88f93662ae 100644
--- a/examples/desktop/src/renderer/rubrics-page.js
+++ b/examples/desktop/src/renderer/rubrics-page.js
@@ -480,15 +480,15 @@
     const cls = classes.find(c => !state.dismissedHints.has(c.id))
     if (!cls) return null
     return el('div', { className: 'rubric-hint-card', 'data-testid': 'rubric-hint-card', role: 'note' }, [
-      el('span', { className: 'rubric-hint-icon', text: '✦' }),
+      el('span', { className: 'rubric-hint-icon', text: '·' }),
       el('div', { className: 'rubric-hint-body' }, [
-        el('div', { className: 'rubric-hint-title', text: `Detected ${cls.count} similar sessions this week` }),
-        el('div', { className: 'rubric-hint-sub muted small', text: cls.promptSummary || 'These look like a repeated task class — a rubric would let you track it.' }),
+        el('span', { className: 'rubric-hint-title', text: `Detected ${cls.count} similar sessions this week` }),
+        el('span', { className: 'rubric-hint-sub', text: cls.promptSummary || 'These look like a repeated task class — a rubric would let you track it.' }),
       ]),
       el('button', {
-        className: 'primary small rubric-hint-cta',
+        className: 'ghost small rubric-hint-cta',
         type: 'button',
-        text: 'Enable a rubric for this task class',
+        text: 'Enable a rubric',
         onclick: () => {
           openCreateForm('llm-judge')
           if (state.createForm) {
diff --git a/examples/desktop/src/renderer/style.css b/examples/desktop/src/renderer/style.css
index 42f2465383..318726c5d8 100644
--- a/examples/desktop/src/renderer/style.css
+++ b/examples/desktop/src/renderer/style.css
@@ -52,6 +52,18 @@
   --turn-output-edge: var(--border-strong);
   --turn-interrupt-marker: #ea580c;
 
+  /* Signal chip colors — kept off the --accent/blue axis so a plan chip
+   * sitting inside an action turn does not fuse with the turn's blue left
+   * rail (--turn-action-edge = --accent). Teal is far enough from blue,
+   * red (error/loop) and amber (redundant) that all four signal families
+   * remain distinguishable in a mixed-signal row. */
+  --signal-plan-fg: #0f766e;
+  --signal-plan-bg: rgba(13, 148, 136, 0.08);
+  --signal-plan-border: rgba(13, 148, 136, 0.35);
+  --signal-plan-restart-fg: #115e59;
+  --signal-plan-restart-bg: rgba(13, 148, 136, 0.14);
+  --signal-plan-restart-border: rgba(13, 148, 136, 0.45);
+
   /* Semantic */
   --ok: #16a34a;
   --ok-soft: rgba(22, 163, 74, 0.12);
@@ -158,6 +170,12 @@
     --turn-action-edge: var(--accent);
     --turn-output-edge: var(--border-strong);
     --turn-interrupt-marker: #f97316;
+    --signal-plan-fg: #5eead4;
+    --signal-plan-bg: rgba(20, 184, 166, 0.14);
+    --signal-plan-border: rgba(94, 234, 212, 0.35);
+    --signal-plan-restart-fg: #99f6e4;
+    --signal-plan-restart-bg: rgba(20, 184, 166, 0.20);
+    --signal-plan-restart-border: rgba(94, 234, 212, 0.45);
     --user-bubble: #22262f;
     --shadow-1: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
     --shadow-2: 0 2px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
@@ -186,6 +204,12 @@
   --turn-action-edge: var(--accent);
   --turn-output-edge: var(--border-strong);
   --turn-interrupt-marker: #f97316;
+  --signal-plan-fg: #5eead4;
+  --signal-plan-bg: rgba(20, 184, 166, 0.14);
+  --signal-plan-border: rgba(94, 234, 212, 0.35);
+  --signal-plan-restart-fg: #99f6e4;
+  --signal-plan-restart-bg: rgba(20, 184, 166, 0.20);
+  --signal-plan-restart-border: rgba(94, 234, 212, 0.45);
   --user-bubble: #22262f;
 }
 * { box-sizing: border-box; }
@@ -11558,24 +11582,26 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
 
 /* --- trace signal badges (lane-trace-signals; see docs/upstream-ledger.md L-2) --
  * The detector runs renderer-side until upstream emits `trace/signal` events.
- * Colors follow the palette: red=error/loop, amber=redundant, blue=plan.
- * Multiple signals stack horizontally on the Timeline; the Graph uses a single
- * outer ring per node (highest-priority signal wins the color).
+ * Colors follow the palette: red=error/loop, amber=redundant, teal=plan
+ * (kept off the --accent/blue axis so plan doesn't fuse with the action-turn
+ * left rail — see --signal-plan-fg). Multiple signals stack horizontally on
+ * the Timeline; the Graph uses a single outer ring per node (highest-priority
+ * signal wins the color).
  */
 .trace-timeline-signal-badge { stroke: rgba(0,0,0,0.15); stroke-width: 0.75; }
 .trace-timeline-signal-badge.sig-error    { fill: #dc2626; }
 .trace-timeline-signal-badge.sig-loop     { fill: #ef4444; }
 .trace-timeline-signal-badge.sig-redundant{ fill: #f59e0b; }
-.trace-timeline-signal-badge.sig-plan     { fill: #2563eb; }
-.trace-timeline-signal-badge.sig-plan-restart { fill: #1d4ed8; }
+.trace-timeline-signal-badge.sig-plan     { fill: var(--signal-plan-fg); }
+.trace-timeline-signal-badge.sig-plan-restart { fill: var(--signal-plan-restart-fg); }
 .trace-timeline-signal-badge.sig-generic  { fill: #6b7280; }
 
 .trace-graph-signal-ring { stroke-width: 2.5; }
 .trace-graph-signal-ring.sig-error    { stroke: #dc2626; }
 .trace-graph-signal-ring.sig-loop     { stroke: #ef4444; }
 .trace-graph-signal-ring.sig-redundant{ stroke: #f59e0b; }
-.trace-graph-signal-ring.sig-plan     { stroke: #2563eb; }
-.trace-graph-signal-ring.sig-plan-restart { stroke: #1d4ed8; }
+.trace-graph-signal-ring.sig-plan     { stroke: var(--signal-plan-fg); }
+.trace-graph-signal-ring.sig-plan-restart { stroke: var(--signal-plan-restart-fg); }
 .trace-graph-signal-ring.sig-generic  { stroke: #6b7280; }
 
 /* Main-flow marker chips — small pill row above the assistant turn body */
@@ -11602,8 +11628,8 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
 .turn-signal-chip.sig-error       { color: #b91c1c; border-color: rgba(220,38,38,0.35); background: rgba(220,38,38,0.06); }
 .turn-signal-chip.sig-loop        { color: #b91c1c; border-color: rgba(239,68,68,0.35); background: rgba(239,68,68,0.06); }
 .turn-signal-chip.sig-redundant   { color: #92400e; border-color: rgba(245,158,11,0.4);  background: rgba(245,158,11,0.08); }
-.turn-signal-chip.sig-plan        { color: #1d4ed8; border-color: rgba(37,99,235,0.35);  background: rgba(37,99,235,0.06); }
-.turn-signal-chip.sig-plan-restart{ color: #1e3a8a; border-color: rgba(29,78,216,0.4);   background: rgba(29,78,216,0.08); }
+.turn-signal-chip.sig-plan        { color: var(--signal-plan-fg); border-color: var(--signal-plan-border);  background: var(--signal-plan-bg); }
+.turn-signal-chip.sig-plan-restart{ color: var(--signal-plan-restart-fg); border-color: var(--signal-plan-restart-border);   background: var(--signal-plan-restart-bg); }
 
 /* Dark theme reads the badges/chips against the dark surface, so bump the
  * saturation a touch — the palette is designed for both. */
@@ -11611,7 +11637,8 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
   .turn-signal-chip { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05); color: #f3f4f6; }
   .turn-signal-chip.sig-error, .turn-signal-chip.sig-loop { color: #fca5a5; }
   .turn-signal-chip.sig-redundant { color: #fcd34d; }
-  .turn-signal-chip.sig-plan, .turn-signal-chip.sig-plan-restart { color: #93c5fd; }
+  .turn-signal-chip.sig-plan { color: var(--signal-plan-fg); }
+  .turn-signal-chip.sig-plan-restart { color: var(--signal-plan-restart-fg); }
 }
 
 /* --- onboarding overlay: first-frame FOUC guard ------------------------ */
@@ -12149,28 +12176,52 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
 
 /* --- Rubrics view: hint card + per-tile stats strip --- */
 
+/* --- Rubrics view: hint row + per-tile stats strip ---
+ *
+ * The similar-sessions detector nudges you to open the create-rubric form.
+ * It lives above the tile grid as a *compact row* (28px), NOT a hero banner —
+ * L1 material has to read as L1, per density-layering-spec §2. Tokens only;
+ * no gradient, no radius bump, no icon push. */
+
 .rubric-hint-card {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   gap: 12px;
-  padding: 12px 14px;
-  margin: 0 0 16px 0;
-  border-radius: 12px;
-  background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(122, 90, 248, 0.10), rgba(225, 170, 255, 0.06));
-  border: 1px solid rgba(122, 90, 248, 0.35);
+  padding: 4px 12px;
+  min-height: 28px;
+  margin: 0 0 8px 0;
+  border-radius: 4px;
+  background: var(--surface);
+  border: 1px solid var(--border);
 }
 .rubric-hint-icon {
-  font-size: 20px;
+  font-size: 12px;
+  line-height: 1;
+  color: var(--muted);
   flex: 0 0 auto;
 }
 .rubric-hint-body {
   flex: 1 1 auto;
   min-width: 0;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: baseline;
+  gap: 8px;
+  overflow: hidden;
 }
 .rubric-hint-title {
-  font-weight: 600;
-  font-size: 14px;
-  margin-bottom: 2px;
+  font-weight: 500;
+  font-size: 13px;
+  color: var(--text);
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  flex: 0 0 auto;
+}
+.rubric-hint-sub {
+  color: var(--muted);
+  font-size: 12px;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  text-overflow: ellipsis;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  min-width: 0;
 }
 .rubric-hint-cta {
   flex: 0 0 auto;
@@ -12178,8 +12229,9 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
 }
 .rubric-hint-dismiss {
   flex: 0 0 auto;
-  min-width: 28px;
-  padding: 2px 8px;
+  min-width: 24px;
+  padding: 0 6px;
+  color: var(--muted);
 }
 
 .rubric-tile-stats {
@@ -12202,16 +12254,12 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
   font-weight: 600;
 }
 .rubric-tile-stats-rate.pass {
-  background: rgba(121, 209, 123, 0.18);
-  color: #1f7a2b;
+  background: var(--ok-soft);
+  color: var(--ok);
 }
 .rubric-tile-stats-rate.fail {
-  background: rgba(249, 110, 110, 0.18);
-  color: #a83232;
-}
-@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
-  .rubric-tile-stats-rate.pass { color: #79d17b; }
-  .rubric-tile-stats-rate.fail { color: #f96e6e; }
+  background: var(--err-soft);
+  color: var(--err);
 }
 .rubric-tile-stats-spark {
   display: inline-flex;
@@ -12224,8 +12272,8 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
   height: 10px;
   border-radius: 1px;
 }
-.rubric-tile-stats-dot.pass { background: #79d17b; }
-.rubric-tile-stats-dot.fail { background: #f96e6e; }
+.rubric-tile-stats-dot.pass { background: var(--ok); }
+.rubric-tile-stats-dot.fail { background: var(--err); }
 
 /* --- Growth view: time-series chart --- */
 
@@ -12254,8 +12302,8 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
   border-radius: 4px;
 }
 .growth-fusion-filter-chip.active {
-  background: rgba(122, 90, 248, 0.18);
-  border-color: rgba(122, 90, 248, 0.6);
+  background: var(--accent-soft);
+  border-color: var(--accent);
   color: inherit;
 }
 .growth-fusion-chart {
@@ -12313,8 +12361,8 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
   border-radius: 4px;
 }
 .runtimes-tab.active {
-  background: rgba(122, 90, 248, 0.18);
-  border-color: rgba(122, 90, 248, 0.6);
+  background: var(--accent-soft);
+  border-color: var(--accent);
 }
 
 .rubric-grid-card {
@@ -12333,7 +12381,7 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
 }
 .rubric-grid-name {
   font-weight: 600;
-  font-size: 15px;
+  font-size: 14px;
 }
 .rubric-grid-rubric-id {
   margin-left: auto;
@@ -12350,14 +12398,10 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
   text-align: left;
   padding: 4px 8px;
   font-weight: 500;
-  color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);
+  color: var(--muted);
   background: var(--surface-2, #f7f7f8);
   border: 1px solid var(--surface-hover, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08));
 }
-@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
-  .rubric-grid-corner,
-  .rubric-grid-row-head { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); }
-}
 .rubric-grid-col-head {
   text-align: center;
   padding: 4px 6px;
@@ -12373,11 +12417,11 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
   cursor: default;
 }
 .rubric-grid-cell--pass {
-  background: #79d17b;
+  background: color-mix(in oklab, var(--ok) 55%, transparent);
   cursor: pointer;
 }
 .rubric-grid-cell--fail {
-  background: #f96e6e;
+  background: color-mix(in oklab, var(--err) 55%, transparent);
   cursor: pointer;
 }
 .rubric-grid-cell--empty {
@@ -12391,7 +12435,7 @@ details.devtools-row[open] > .devtools-row-summary::before { transform: rotate(9
 }
 .rubric-grid-cell--pass:hover,
 .rubric-grid-cell--fail:hover {
-  outline: 2px solid rgba(122, 90, 248, 0.8);
+  outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
   outline-offset: -2px;
 }
 /* ==========================================================================
diff --git a/examples/desktop/test/visual-consistency-polish.test.js b/examples/desktop/test/visual-consistency-polish.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f0804479f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/desktop/test/visual-consistency-polish.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+// Static CSS assertions for fix/visual-consistency-polish.
+//
+// Guards the invariants that the review-visual-flow P0/P1 findings turn on:
+//   - .rubric-hint-card is a compact row (no gradient, no 12px radius).
+//   - .turn-signal-chip.sig-plan sits off the --accent axis so it doesn't
+//     fuse with --turn-action-edge (which is bound to --accent).
+//   - Rubric-grid pass/fail cells route through --ok / --err tokens, not
+//     the raw hex family (#79d17b / #f96e6e) Lane D shipped with.
+
+'use strict'
+
+const test = require('node:test')
+const assert = require('node:assert/strict')
+const fs = require('node:fs')
+const path = require('node:path')
+
+const CSS_PATH = path.join(__dirname, '..', 'src', 'renderer', 'style.css')
+const CSS = fs.readFileSync(CSS_PATH, 'utf8')
+
+function findBlock(selector) {
+  // Escape regex metacharacters in the selector, then match the first
+  // occurrence: `selector { ... }` up to the closing brace.
+  const esc = selector.replace(/[-.[\]/{}()*+?^$|]/g, '\\$&')
+  const re = new RegExp(esc + '\\s*\\{[^}]*\\}')
+  const m = CSS.match(re)
+  assert.ok(m, 'expected to find CSS block for ' + selector)
+  return m[0]
+}
+
+test('rubric-hint-card is a compact row: no gradient, no 12px radius', () => {
+  const block = findBlock('.rubric-hint-card')
+  assert.ok(!/linear-gradient/.test(block),
+    '.rubric-hint-card must not use linear-gradient (spec §2: L1 material not hero)')
+  assert.ok(!/border-radius:\s*12px/.test(block),
+    '.rubric-hint-card must not use 12px radius (spec §7 grid: 4/6/8)')
+  assert.match(block, /border-radius:\s*4px/,
+    '.rubric-hint-card should carry the compact-row 4px radius')
+  assert.match(block, /background:\s*var\(--surface\)/,
+    '.rubric-hint-card should tokenize its background')
+})
+
+test('plan-signal color tokens are declared and NOT on the --accent/blue axis', () => {
+  // Tokens exist on :root
+  assert.match(CSS, /--signal-plan-fg\s*:\s*#0f766e/,
+    'light --signal-plan-fg should be the teal family, not blue')
+  // Also declared for both dark blocks
+  const darkBlocks = CSS.match(/--signal-plan-fg\s*:\s*#5eead4/g) || []
+  assert.ok(darkBlocks.length >= 2,
+    'dark --signal-plan-fg (#5eead4) should be declared for @media dark and [data-theme="dark"]')
+})
+
+test('plan signal chips route through the token, not the raw blue hex', () => {
+  const planBlock = findBlock('.turn-signal-chip.sig-plan')
+  assert.match(planBlock, /var\(--signal-plan-fg\)/,
+    '.sig-plan color must reference --signal-plan-fg, not raw blue')
+  assert.ok(!/#1d4ed8|#2563eb/.test(planBlock),
+    '.sig-plan must not use the --accent-strong / --accent hex')
+  const restartBlock = findBlock('.turn-signal-chip.sig-plan-restart')
+  assert.match(restartBlock, /var\(--signal-plan-restart-fg\)/,
+    '.sig-plan-restart color must reference --signal-plan-restart-fg')
+
+  // The Trace timeline/graph SVG variants (which share the same semantic)
+  // must also route through the token so a future palette change stays in
+  // sync across the chip + SVG surfaces.
+  assert.match(CSS, /\.trace-timeline-signal-badge\.sig-plan\s*\{[^}]*var\(--signal-plan-fg\)/,
+    'trace-timeline-signal-badge.sig-plan must fill via --signal-plan-fg')
+  assert.match(CSS, /\.trace-graph-signal-ring\.sig-plan\s*\{[^}]*var\(--signal-plan-fg\)/,
+    'trace-graph-signal-ring.sig-plan must stroke via --signal-plan-fg')
+})
+
+test('rubric-grid pass/fail cells route through --ok / --err tokens', () => {
+  const passBlock = findBlock('.rubric-grid-cell--pass')
+  const failBlock = findBlock('.rubric-grid-cell--fail')
+  assert.match(passBlock, /var\(--ok\)/,
+    '.rubric-grid-cell--pass background must reference var(--ok)')
+  assert.match(failBlock, /var\(--err\)/,
+    '.rubric-grid-cell--fail background must reference var(--err)')
+  assert.ok(!/#79d17b|#f96e6e/.test(passBlock + failBlock),
+    'rubric-grid pass/fail cells must not use raw #79d17b / #f96e6e hex')
+
+  const passRateBlock = findBlock('.rubric-tile-stats-rate.pass')
+  const failRateBlock = findBlock('.rubric-tile-stats-rate.fail')
+  assert.match(passRateBlock, /var\(--ok-soft\)/,
+    '.rubric-tile-stats-rate.pass background must reference var(--ok-soft)')
+  assert.match(failRateBlock, /var\(--err-soft\)/,
+    '.rubric-tile-stats-rate.fail background must reference var(--err-soft)')
+
+  const passDotBlock = findBlock('.rubric-tile-stats-dot.pass')
+  const failDotBlock = findBlock('.rubric-tile-stats-dot.fail')
+  assert.match(passDotBlock, /var\(--ok\)/,
+    '.rubric-tile-stats-dot.pass background must reference var(--ok)')
+  assert.match(failDotBlock, /var\(--err\)/,
+    '.rubric-tile-stats-dot.fail background must reference var(--err)')
+})
+
+test('rubric filter chip / runtimes tab active state routes through --accent-soft', () => {
+  const chipActive = findBlock('.growth-fusion-filter-chip.active')
+  assert.match(chipActive, /var\(--accent-soft\)/,
+    '.growth-fusion-filter-chip.active must use --accent-soft, not raw violet')
+  assert.ok(!/122,\s*90,\s*248/.test(chipActive),
+    '.growth-fusion-filter-chip.active must not use raw violet rgba')
+
+  const tabActive = findBlock('.runtimes-tab.active')
+  assert.match(tabActive, /var\(--accent-soft\)/,
+    '.runtimes-tab.active must use --accent-soft, not raw violet')
+})
+
+test('rubric-grid corner/row-head route through --muted (no manual dark override)', () => {
+  const cornerBlock = findBlock('.rubric-grid-corner,\n.rubric-grid-row-head')
+  assert.match(cornerBlock, /color:\s*var\(--muted\)/,
+    'corner/row-head should color via --muted so dark mode follows automatically')
+  // The pair-selector followed by a manual @media dark override was the
+  // exact anti-pattern the review called out. Confirm it's gone.
+  assert.ok(!/\.rubric-grid-corner,\s*\.rubric-grid-row-head\s*\{[^}]*rgba\(255,\s*255,\s*255/.test(CSS),
+    'manual dark override for corner/row-head must not exist — --muted handles it')
+})
+
+test('rubric-grid-name size drops to 14px (three-size rule)', () => {
+  const nameBlock = findBlock('.rubric-grid-name')
+  assert.match(nameBlock, /font-size:\s*14px/,
+    '.rubric-grid-name should be 14px to stay within the 3-size ladder')
+})