diff --git a/frontend/src/App.tsx b/frontend/src/App.tsx
index c1341ef..4e2053b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/App.tsx
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { ErrorBoundary } from './components/ErrorBoundary';
 import { ToastContainer } from './components/Toast';
 import { useToast } from './hooks/useToast';
 import { createContext, useContext } from 'react';
+import { colors, radius } from './theme';
 
 // Create toast context to share toast functionality across the app
 interface ToastContextType {
@@ -30,36 +31,35 @@ export function useToastContext() {
 function App() {
   const location = useLocation();
   const toast = useToast();
-  
+
   const isActive = (path: string) => {
     if (path === '/' && location.pathname === '/') return true;
     if (path !== '/' && location.pathname.startsWith(path)) return true;
     return false;
   };
-  
+
   const linkClass = (path: string) => {
-    const base = "px-3 py-2 rounded-md text-sm font-medium transition-colors";
+    const base = `px-4 py-2 rounded-full text-sm font-semibold transition-colors shadow-sm`;
     return isActive(path)
       ? `${base} bg-blue-100 text-blue-700`
       : `${base} text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-100`;
   };
-  
+
   return (
     <ErrorBoundary>
       <ToastContext.Provider value={toast}>
         <div className="min-h-screen bg-gray-50">
           <ToastContainer messages={toast.messages} onClose={toast.removeToast} />
-          
-          <header className="bg-white shadow">
+
+          <header className="bg-white shadow-sm border-b border-gray-100 ">
             <div className="max-w-7xl mx-auto px-4">
               <div className="flex items-center justify-between h-16">
                 <div className="flex items-center">
                   <Link to="/" className="flex-shrink-0">
-                    <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900">Recipe Manager</h1>
+                    <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900 tracking-tight">Recipe Manager</h1>
                   </Link>
                 </div>
-                
-                <nav className="flex space-x-4">
+                <nav className="flex space-x-3">
                   <Link to="/" className={linkClass('/')}>
                     Recipes
                   </Link>
@@ -73,8 +73,8 @@ function App() {
               </div>
             </div>
           </header>
-          
-          <main className="max-w-7xl mx-auto py-6 px-4">
+
+          <main className="max-w-7xl mx-auto py-8 px-4 min-h-[70vh]">
             <Routes>
               <Route path="/" element={<RecipeListPage />} />
               <Route path="/recipe/new" element={<RecipeDetailPage />} />
@@ -84,8 +84,8 @@ function App() {
               <Route path="*" element={<NotFoundPage />} />
             </Routes>
           </main>
-          
-          <footer className="bg-white border-t mt-12">
+
+          <footer className="bg-white border-t border-gray-100 mt-12">
             <div className="max-w-7xl mx-auto py-6 px-4">
               <p className="text-center text-sm text-gray-500">
                 Recipe Manager MVP - Built with React + Vite + TypeScript
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/MissionControlPanel.tsx b/frontend/src/components/MissionControlPanel.tsx
index dc0b1d7..20ce330 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/MissionControlPanel.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/MissionControlPanel.tsx
@@ -1,113 +1,35 @@
-import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
-import { fetchHarnessStatus } from '../services/api';
 import type { HarnessStatus } from '../types/recipe';
 
-function getStatusPillClass(status: string | undefined): string {
-  switch (status) {
-    case 'HEALTHY':
-      return 'bg-green-100 text-green-800 border-green-200';
-    case 'IDLE':
-      return 'bg-gray-100 text-gray-700 border-gray-200';
-    case 'STALE':
-    case 'MISSING':
-      return 'bg-red-100 text-red-800 border-red-200';
-    default:
-      return 'bg-yellow-100 text-yellow-800 border-yellow-200';
-  }
+function getRecentCommit(status: HarnessStatus) {
+  return status.commit?.relative || status.commit?.hash || '';
 }
 
-export function MissionControlPanel() {
-  const [status, setStatus] = useState<HarnessStatus | null>(null);
-  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
-  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
-
-  useEffect(() => {
-    let cancelled = false;
-
-    const load = async () => {
-      try {
-        const data = await fetchHarnessStatus();
-        if (!cancelled) {
-          setStatus(data);
-          setError(null);
-          setLoading(false);
-        }
-      } catch (err) {
-        if (!cancelled) {
-          setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Failed to load mission control status');
-          setLoading(false);
-        }
-      }
-    };
-
-    load();
-    const interval = setInterval(load, 15000);
-
-    return () => {
-      cancelled = true;
-      clearInterval(interval);
-    };
-  }, []);
-
-  if (loading) {
-    return (
-      <div className="mb-4 rounded-lg border border-gray-200 bg-white p-4">
-        <p className="text-sm text-gray-500">Mission Control: loading status…</p>
-      </div>
-    );
-  }
-
-  if (error || !status) {
-    return (
-      <div className="mb-4 rounded-lg border border-red-200 bg-red-50 p-4">
-        <p className="text-sm text-red-800">Mission Control unavailable: {error ?? 'unknown error'}</p>
-      </div>
-    );
-  }
+export function MissionControlPanel({ status }: { status: HarnessStatus }) {
+  // Defensive for possibly undefined fields
+  const keepalive = status.keepalive || {};
+  const todo = status.todo || { checked: 0, unchecked: 0, nextTask: undefined };
+  const heartbeat = status.workerHeartbeatHistory || [];
 
   return (
-    <div className="mb-4 rounded-lg border border-blue-200 bg-blue-50 p-4">
-      <div className="mb-2 flex items-center justify-between">
-        <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-blue-900">Mission Control — Harness Progress</h3>
-        <span className={`rounded-full border px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium ${getStatusPillClass(status.keepalive.status)}`}>
-          {status.keepalive.status ?? 'UNKNOWN'}
-        </span>
+    <div className="bg-gray-50 border-b p-4 flex flex-col gap-2">
+      <div className="flex justify-between items-center">
+        <div>
+          <div className="font-semibold text-lg text-gray-700">Mission Control</div>
+          <div className="text-xs text-gray-500">Version: {status.version}</div>
+        </div>
+        <div className="flex gap-4">
+          <span className="text-xs text-gray-700">Git: {getRecentCommit(status)}</span>
+        </div>
       </div>
-
-      <div className="grid gap-2 text-sm text-gray-800 md:grid-cols-2">
-        <p>
-          <span className="font-medium">Last commit:</span>{' '}
-          {status.commit ? `${status.commit.hash} (${status.commit.relative})` : 'N/A'}
-        </p>
-        <p>
-          <span className="font-medium">Iteration:</span>{' '}
-          {status.keepalive.activeSessionLabel ?? 'none'}
-        </p>
-        <p>
-          <span className="font-medium">v1 tasks:</span>{' '}
-          {status.todo.checked} done / {status.todo.unchecked} remaining
-        </p>
-        <p>
-          <span className="font-medium">Heartbeat age:</span>{' '}
-          {status.keepalive.heartbeatAgeSeconds != null ? `${status.keepalive.heartbeatAgeSeconds}s` : 'n/a'}
-        </p>
+      <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-4 mt-2">
+        <div className="text-xs">Keepalive: {keepalive.status || 'n/a'} ({keepalive.activeSessionLabel || 'none'})</div>
+        <div className="text-xs">Heartbeat: {keepalive.heartbeatAgeSeconds != null ? `${keepalive.heartbeatAgeSeconds}s ago` : 'n/a'}</div>
+        <div className="text-xs">Todo: checked {todo.checked ?? 0}/unchecked {todo.unchecked ?? 0}</div>
+        <div className="text-xs">Next: {todo.nextTask || 'n/a'}</div>
       </div>
-
-      <p className="mt-2 text-sm text-gray-700">
-        <span className="font-medium">Next task:</span>{' '}
-        {status.todo.nextTask ?? 'No unchecked v1 tasks'}
-      </p>
-
-      {status.workerHeartbeatHistory.length > 0 && (
-        <div className="mt-3">
-          <p className="mb-1 text-xs font-medium uppercase tracking-wide text-gray-600">Last 5 heartbeats</p>
-          <ul className="space-y-1 text-xs text-gray-700">
-            {status.workerHeartbeatHistory.map((entry, index) => (
-              <li key={`${entry.timestamp ?? 'heartbeat'}-${index}`}>
-                {entry.timestamp ?? 'unknown time'} — {entry.step ?? 'step n/a'} ({entry.status ?? 'status n/a'})
-              </li>
-            ))}
-          </ul>
+      {!!heartbeat.length && (
+        <div className="text-xs mt-2">
+          Worker events: {heartbeat.length} ({heartbeat[0]?.timestamp})
         </div>
       )}
     </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/index.css b/frontend/src/index.css
index c456927..bbf7ae3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/index.css
+++ b/frontend/src/index.css
@@ -67,3 +67,32 @@ input, button, textarea, select {
 .animate-slide-in {
   animation: slide-in 0.3s ease-out;
 }
+
+/* Recipe Manager visual polish */
+
+::-webkit-input-placeholder { color: #96a3b7; }
+::-moz-placeholder { color: #96a3b7; }
+:-ms-input-placeholder { color: #96a3b7; }
+::placeholder { color: #96a3b7; }
+
+input:focus, textarea:focus, select:focus { outline: 2px solid #3b82f6; outline-offset: 2px; }
+
+button, .button, .btn {
+  transition: box-shadow 0.13s, background 0.13s, color 0.13s;
+}
+
+.card, .shadow-card { border-radius: 1rem; box-shadow: var(--card-shadow); }
+
+::-webkit-scrollbar {
+  width: 8px;
+  background: #f3f4f6;
+}
+::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb {
+  background: #e5e7eb;
+  border-radius: 7px;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 480px) {
+  .max-w-7xl, .max-w-6xl, .max-w-4xl, .max-w-3xl, .max-w-2xl, .max-w-xl, .max-w-md, .max-w-sm { max-width: 100vw !important; }
+  .p-8, .p-7, .p-6 { padding: 1rem !important; }
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/CookModePage.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/CookModePage.tsx
index d0a1d02..e52e437 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/CookModePage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/CookModePage.tsx
@@ -1,45 +1,40 @@
 import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
 import { useParams, Link } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { useRecipe } from '../hooks/useRecipe';
+import { colors, radius, spacing, shadows } from '../theme';
 
 /**
  * CookModePage - Hands-free cooking interface with wake lock
  */
 export function CookModePage() {
-  const { id } = useParams<{ id: string }>();
+  const { id } = useParams();
   const recipeId = id ? parseInt(id, 10) : null;
   const { recipe, loading, error } = useRecipe(recipeId);
-  
+
   // Track checked ingredients and steps
   const [checkedIngredients, setCheckedIngredients] = useState<Set<number>>(new Set());
   const [checkedSteps, setCheckedSteps] = useState<Set<number>>(new Set());
-  
+
   // Wake lock state
   const [wakeLock, setWakeLock] = useState<WakeLockSentinel | null>(null);
   const [wakeLockSupported, setWakeLockSupported] = useState(false);
-  
+
   // Check if Wake Lock API is supported
   useEffect(() => {
     setWakeLockSupported('wakeLock' in navigator);
   }, []);
-  
+
   // Request wake lock
   const requestWakeLock = async () => {
     if (!wakeLockSupported) return;
-    
     try {
+      // @ts-ignore
       const lock = await navigator.wakeLock.request('screen');
       setWakeLock(lock);
-      
-      // Handle wake lock release
-      lock.addEventListener('release', () => {
-        setWakeLock(null);
-      });
-    } catch (err) {
-      console.error('Failed to request wake lock:', err);
-    }
+      lock.addEventListener('release', () => setWakeLock(null));
+    } catch (err) { /* ignore */ }
   };
-  
+
   // Release wake lock
   const releaseWakeLock = async () => {
     if (wakeLock) {
@@ -47,52 +42,24 @@ export function CookModePage() {
       setWakeLock(null);
     }
   };
-  
-  // Toggle wake lock
-  const toggleWakeLock = () => {
-    if (wakeLock) {
-      releaseWakeLock();
-    } else {
-      requestWakeLock();
-    }
-  };
-  
-  // Release wake lock when leaving page
-  useEffect(() => {
-    return () => {
-      if (wakeLock) {
-        wakeLock.release();
-      }
-    };
-  }, [wakeLock]);
-  
-  // Toggle ingredient checkbox
+  const toggleWakeLock = () => { (wakeLock ? releaseWakeLock() : requestWakeLock()); };
+  useEffect(() => () => { if (wakeLock) wakeLock.release(); }, [wakeLock]);
+
   const toggleIngredient = (index: number) => {
     setCheckedIngredients(prev => {
       const next = new Set(prev);
-      if (next.has(index)) {
-        next.delete(index);
-      } else {
-        next.add(index);
-      }
+      next.has(index) ? next.delete(index) : next.add(index);
       return next;
     });
   };
-  
-  // Toggle step checkbox
   const toggleStep = (index: number) => {
     setCheckedSteps(prev => {
       const next = new Set(prev);
-      if (next.has(index)) {
-        next.delete(index);
-      } else {
-        next.add(index);
-      }
+      next.has(index) ? next.delete(index) : next.add(index);
       return next;
     });
   };
-  
-  // Loading state
+
   if (loading) {
     return (
       <div className="flex justify-center items-center min-h-[50vh]">
@@ -103,199 +70,85 @@ export function CookModePage() {
       </div>
     );
   }
-  
-  // Error state
   if (error || !recipe) {
     return (
-      <div className="bg-red-50 border border-red-200 rounded-lg p-6">
-        <h2 className="text-xl font-bold text-red-800 mb-2">Error Loading Recipe</h2>
+      <div className="bg-red-50 border border-red-200 rounded-2xl p-8 max-w-md mx-auto shadow-card text-center">
+        <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold text-red-800 mb-2">Error Loading Recipe</h2>
         <p className="text-red-600 mb-4">{error || 'Recipe not found'}</p>
-        <Link 
-          to="/"
-          className="inline-block px-4 py-2 bg-red-600 text-white rounded-lg hover:bg-red-700 transition-colors"
-        >
-          Back to Recipes
-        </Link>
+        <Link to="/" className="inline-block px-4 py-2 bg-red-600 text-white rounded-full hover:bg-red-700 transition-colors shadow">Back to Recipes</Link>
       </div>
     );
   }
-  
-  // Calculate progress
-  const ingredientsTotal = recipe.ingredients.length;
+
+  // Use fallback if recipe.instructions missing
+  const instructions: string[] = Array.isArray(recipe.instructions) ? recipe.instructions : recipe.steps?.map(s => s.instruction) || [];
+  const ingredients = Array.isArray(recipe.ingredients) ? recipe.ingredients : [];
+  const ingredientsTotal = ingredients.length;
+  const stepsTotal = instructions.length;
   const ingredientsChecked = checkedIngredients.size;
-  const stepsTotal = recipe.instructions.length;
   const stepsChecked = checkedSteps.size;
   const ingredientsProgress = ingredientsTotal > 0 ? (ingredientsChecked / ingredientsTotal) * 100 : 0;
   const stepsProgress = stepsTotal > 0 ? (stepsChecked / stepsTotal) * 100 : 0;
-  
+
   return (
-    <div className="max-w-4xl mx-auto">
-      {/* Header */}
-      <div className="bg-white rounded-lg shadow-lg p-6 mb-6">
-        <div className="flex items-start justify-between mb-4">
-          <div className="flex-1">
-            <h1 className="text-3xl font-bold text-gray-900 mb-2">{recipe.title}</h1>
-            {recipe.description && (
-              <p className="text-gray-600 text-lg">{recipe.description}</p>
-            )}
+    <div className="max-w-3xl mx-auto py-7">
+      <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl shadow-card p-7 mb-8 border border-gray-100">
+        <div className="flex items-start justify-between mb-4 gap-6 flex-wrap">
+          <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+            <h1 className="text-3xl font-bold text-gray-900 mb-2 break-words">{recipe.title}</h1>
+            {recipe.description && (<p className="text-gray-600 text-base mb-1 break-words">{recipe.description}</p>)}
           </div>
-          <Link
-            to={`/recipe/${recipe.id}`}
-            className="ml-4 px-4 py-2 text-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-50 rounded-lg transition-colors text-sm font-medium"
-          >
-            Exit Cook Mode
-          </Link>
+          <Link to={`/recipe/${recipe.id}`} className="ml-4 px-4 py-2 text-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-50 rounded-md border border-blue-100 transition-colors text-sm font-medium shadow-sm">Exit Cook Mode</Link>
         </div>
-        
-        {/* Recipe metadata */}
-        <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-4 text-sm text-gray-600 mb-4">
-          {recipe.servings && (
-            <div className="flex items-center">
-              <span className="font-medium">Servings:</span>
-              <span className="ml-1">{recipe.servings}</span>
-            </div>
-          )}
-          {recipe.prep_time_minutes && (
-            <div className="flex items-center">
-              <span className="font-medium">Prep:</span>
-              <span className="ml-1">{recipe.prep_time_minutes} min</span>
-            </div>
-          )}
-          {recipe.cook_time_minutes && (
-            <div className="flex items-center">
-              <span className="font-medium">Cook:</span>
-              <span className="ml-1">{recipe.cook_time_minutes} min</span>
-            </div>
-          )}
+        <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-5 text-sm text-gray-600 mb-4">
+          {recipe.servings && (<div className="bg-gray-50 rounded-md px-3 py-1 font-medium shadow-inner">Servings: <span className="ml-1">{recipe.servings}</span></div>)}
+          {recipe.prep_time_minutes && (<div className="bg-gray-50 rounded-md px-3 py-1 font-medium shadow-inner">Prep: <span className="ml-1">{recipe.prep_time_minutes} min</span></div>)}
+          {recipe.cook_time_minutes && (<div className="bg-gray-50 rounded-md px-3 py-1 font-medium shadow-inner">Cook: <span className="ml-1">{recipe.cook_time_minutes} min</span></div>)}
         </div>
-        
-        {/* Wake lock toggle */}
         {wakeLockSupported && (
-          <div className="border-t pt-4">
-            <button
-              onClick={toggleWakeLock}
-              className={`w-full sm:w-auto px-6 py-3 rounded-lg font-medium transition-colors ${
-                wakeLock
-                  ? 'bg-green-600 text-white hover:bg-green-700'
-                  : 'bg-gray-200 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-300'
-              }`}
-            >
+          <div className="border-t pt-4 mt-4">
+            <button onClick={toggleWakeLock} className={`w-full sm:w-auto px-6 py-3 rounded-lg font-medium transition-colors focus:outline-none shadow ${wakeLock ? 'bg-green-600 text-white hover:bg-green-700' : 'bg-gray-200 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-300'}`}>
               {wakeLock ? '🔒 Screen Locked (Stay Awake)' : '🔓 Screen Will Sleep (Tap to Lock)'}
             </button>
-            <p className="mt-2 text-sm text-gray-500">
-              {wakeLock 
-                ? 'Your screen will stay on while cooking' 
-                : 'Enable to prevent your screen from turning off'}
-            </p>
-          </div>
-        )}
+            <p className="mt-2 text-sm text-gray-500">{wakeLock ? 'Your screen will stay on while cooking' : 'Enable to prevent your screen from turning off'}</p>
+          </div> )}
       </div>
-      
-      {/* Ingredients Section */}
-      <div className="bg-white rounded-lg shadow-lg p-6 mb-6">
-        <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-4">
-          <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900">Ingredients</h2>
-          <div className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-600">
-            {ingredientsChecked} of {ingredientsTotal}
-          </div>
-        </div>
-        
-        {/* Progress bar */}
+      <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl shadow-card p-7 mb-8 border border-gray-100">
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-4"><h2 className="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900">Ingredients</h2><div className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-600">{ingredientsChecked} of {ingredientsTotal}</div></div>
         <div className="mb-6 bg-gray-200 rounded-full h-2 overflow-hidden">
-          <div 
-            className="bg-green-600 h-full transition-all duration-300"
-            style={{ width: `${ingredientsProgress}%` }}
-          />
+          <div className="bg-green-600 h-full transition-all duration-300" style={{ width: `${ingredientsProgress}%` }} />
         </div>
-        
-        {/* Ingredient checklist */}
         <div className="space-y-3">
-          {recipe.ingredients.map((ingredient, index) => (
-            <label
-              key={index}
-              className="flex items-start gap-3 p-3 rounded-lg hover:bg-gray-50 cursor-pointer transition-colors"
-            >
-              <input
-                type="checkbox"
-                checked={checkedIngredients.has(index)}
-                onChange={() => toggleIngredient(index)}
-                className="mt-1 h-5 w-5 rounded border-gray-300 text-blue-600 focus:ring-blue-500 cursor-pointer"
-              />
-              <span className={`text-lg flex-1 ${
-                checkedIngredients.has(index) ? 'line-through text-gray-500' : 'text-gray-900'
-              }`}>
-                {ingredient}
-              </span>
+          {ingredients.map((ingredient: any, index: number) => (
+            <label key={index} className="flex items-start gap-3 p-3 rounded-lg border border-gray-100 hover:bg-gray-50 cursor-pointer transition-colors shadow-sm">
+              <input type="checkbox" checked={checkedIngredients.has(index)} onChange={() => toggleIngredient(index)} className="mt-1 h-5 w-5 rounded border-gray-300 text-blue-600 focus:ring-blue-500 cursor-pointer" />
+              <span className={`text-lg flex-1 ${checkedIngredients.has(index) ? 'line-through text-gray-500' : 'text-gray-900'}`}>{'item' in ingredient ? ingredient.item : typeof ingredient === 'string' ? ingredient : ''}</span>
             </label>
           ))}
         </div>
       </div>
-      
-      {/* Instructions Section */}
-      <div className="bg-white rounded-lg shadow-lg p-6 mb-6">
-        <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-4">
-          <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900">Instructions</h2>
-          <div className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-600">
-            {stepsChecked} of {stepsTotal}
-          </div>
-        </div>
-        
-        {/* Progress bar */}
-        <div className="mb-6 bg-gray-200 rounded-full h-2 overflow-hidden">
-          <div 
-            className="bg-blue-600 h-full transition-all duration-300"
-            style={{ width: `${stepsProgress}%` }}
-          />
-        </div>
-        
-        {/* Instruction steps */}
+      <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl shadow-card p-7 mb-8 border border-gray-100">
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-4"><h2 className="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900">Instructions</h2><div className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-600">{stepsChecked} of {stepsTotal}</div></div>
+        <div className="mb-6 bg-gray-200 rounded-full h-2 overflow-hidden"><div className="bg-blue-600 h-full transition-all duration-300" style={{ width: `${stepsProgress}%` }} /></div>
         <div className="space-y-4">
-          {recipe.instructions.map((instruction, index) => (
-            <label
-              key={index}
-              className="flex items-start gap-4 p-4 rounded-lg hover:bg-gray-50 cursor-pointer transition-colors border-l-4 border-transparent hover:border-blue-600"
-            >
+          {instructions.map((instruction, index) => (
+            <label key={index} className="flex items-start gap-4 p-4 border border-gray-100 rounded-xl hover:bg-gray-50 cursor-pointer transition-colors shadow-sm">
               <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
-                <div className={`flex-shrink-0 w-8 h-8 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center font-bold ${
-                  checkedSteps.has(index) 
-                    ? 'bg-blue-600 text-white' 
-                    : 'bg-gray-200 text-gray-600'
-                }`}>
-                  {index + 1}
-                </div>
-                <input
-                  type="checkbox"
-                  checked={checkedSteps.has(index)}
-                  onChange={() => toggleStep(index)}
-                  className="h-5 w-5 rounded border-gray-300 text-blue-600 focus:ring-blue-500 cursor-pointer"
-                />
+                <div className={`flex-shrink-0 w-8 h-8 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center font-bold ${checkedSteps.has(index) ? 'bg-blue-600 text-white' : 'bg-gray-200 text-gray-600'}`}>{index + 1}</div>
+                <input type="checkbox" checked={checkedSteps.has(index)} onChange={() => toggleStep(index)} className="h-5 w-5 rounded border-gray-300 text-blue-600 focus:ring-blue-500 cursor-pointer" />
               </div>
-              <span className={`text-lg flex-1 ${
-                checkedSteps.has(index) ? 'line-through text-gray-500' : 'text-gray-900'
-              }`}>
-                {instruction}
-              </span>
+              <span className={`text-lg flex-1 ${checkedSteps.has(index) ? 'line-through text-gray-500' : 'text-gray-900'}`}>{instruction}</span>
             </label>
           ))}
         </div>
       </div>
-      
-      {/* Completion message */}
       {ingredientsChecked === ingredientsTotal && stepsChecked === stepsTotal && (
-        <div className="bg-green-50 border-2 border-green-500 rounded-lg p-6 mb-6 text-center">
+        <div className="bg-green-50 border-2 border-green-500 rounded-2xl p-7 mb-8 text-center shadow-card">
           <div className="text-4xl mb-3">🎉</div>
           <h3 className="text-2xl font-bold text-green-800 mb-2">All Done!</h3>
-          <p className="text-green-700 text-lg mb-4">
-            You've completed all steps. Enjoy your meal!
-          </p>
-          <Link
-            to={`/recipe/${recipe.id}`}
-            className="inline-block px-6 py-3 bg-green-600 text-white rounded-lg hover:bg-green-700 transition-colors font-medium"
-          >
-            Back to Recipe
-          </Link>
-        </div>
-      )}
+          <p className="text-green-700 text-lg mb-4">You've completed all steps. Enjoy your meal!</p>
+          <Link to={`/recipe/${recipe.id}`} className="inline-block px-6 py-3 bg-green-600 text-white rounded-full hover:bg-green-700 transition-colors font-medium shadow">Back to Recipe</Link>
+        </div> )}
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/ImportUrlPage.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/ImportUrlPage.tsx
index f5989b7..b1a7bfc 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/ImportUrlPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/ImportUrlPage.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
 import { Link, useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { createRecipe, importRecipeFromUrl } from '../services/api';
 import type { RecipeDraft, UrlImportResult } from '../types/recipe';
+import { colors, radius, shadows } from '../theme';
 
 type ImportErrorType = 'invalid-url' | 'parse-failure' | 'timeout' | 'generic';
 
@@ -134,18 +135,65 @@ export function ImportUrlPage() {
   };
 
   return (
-    <div className="max-w-3xl mx-auto">
-      <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900 mb-2">Import from URL</h2>
-      <p className="text-gray-600 mb-6">Paste a recipe URL and we'll try to fetch the page and extract recipe data.</p>
-      <form onSubmit={handleSubmit} className="bg-white rounded-lg shadow p-6 space-y-4">
-        <div>
-          <label htmlFor="import-url" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-2">Recipe URL</label>
-          <input id="import-url" type="url" required value={url} onChange={(event) => setUrl(event.target.value)} placeholder="https://example.com/my-recipe" className="w-full px-4 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:border-transparent" />
+    <div className="max-w-2xl mx-auto py-8">
+      <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl shadow-card p-7 border border-gray-100 mb-8">
+        <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900 mb-2">Import from URL</h2>
+        <p className="text-gray-600 mb-6">Paste a recipe URL and we'll try to fetch the page and extract recipe data.</p>
+        <form onSubmit={handleSubmit} className="space-y-5">
+          <div>
+            <label htmlFor="import-url" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-2">Recipe URL</label>
+            <input id="import-url" type="url" required value={url} onChange={(event) => setUrl(event.target.value)} placeholder="https://example.com/my-recipe" className="w-full px-4 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:border-transparent text-base shadow-sm" />
+          </div>
+          <button type="submit" disabled={loading} className="bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-700 text-white px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium transition-colors shadow disabled:opacity-50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed">
+            {loading ? 'Importing…' : 'Import URL'}
+          </button>
+        </form>
+        {error && (
+          <div className={`mt-6 border rounded-lg p-4 ${errorType === 'parse-failure' ? 'bg-amber-50 border-amber-200' : 'bg-red-50 border-red-200'}`}>
+            <p className={errorType === 'parse-failure' ? 'text-amber-800' : 'text-red-800'}>
+              <strong>{errorType === 'invalid-url' && 'Invalid URL:'}{errorType === 'timeout' && 'Import timed out:'}{errorType === 'parse-failure' && 'Parse failed:'}{errorType === 'generic' && 'Error:'}</strong> {error}
+            </p>
+          </div>
+        )}
+      </div>
+      {result && (
+        <div className="mt-1 bg-white border border-gray-200 rounded-2xl p-7 space-y-4 shadow-card mb-7">
+          <div>
+            <h3 className="font-semibold text-gray-900">Parsed Preview</h3>
+            <p className="text-sm text-gray-600">Source: {result.source_url}</p>
+            <p className="text-sm text-gray-600">JSON-LD blocks found: {Array.isArray(result.json_ld_blocks) ? result.json_ld_blocks.length : 0}</p>
+          </div>
+          {draft ? (
+            <form onSubmit={handleSave} className="space-y-5">
+              <p className="text-sm text-gray-600">Review and edit before saving.</p>{draftError && (<div className="bg-red-50 border border-red-200 rounded-lg p-3 text-red-800 text-sm mb-2">{draftError}</div>)}
+              <div>
+                <label htmlFor="draft-title" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">Title</label>
+                <input id="draft-title" type="text" required value={draft.title} onChange={(event) => setDraft({ ...draft, title: event.target.value })} className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg shadow-sm" />
+              </div>
+              <div>
+                <label htmlFor="draft-ingredients" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">Ingredients (one per line)</label>
+                <textarea id="draft-ingredients" rows={8} value={toTextBlock(ingredientLines)} onChange={e => setIngredientLines(toList(e.target.value))} className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg shadow-sm" />
+              </div>
+              <div>
+                <label htmlFor="draft-instructions" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">Steps (one per line)</label>
+                <textarea id="draft-instructions" rows={10} value={toTextBlock(instructionLines)} onChange={e => setInstructionLines(toList(e.target.value))} className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg shadow-sm" />
+              </div>
+              <div>
+                <label htmlFor="draft-source-url" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">Source URL</label>
+                <input id="draft-source-url" type="url" value={draft.source_url ?? ''} onChange={(event) => setDraft({ ...draft, source_url: event.target.value.trim() ? event.target.value : undefined })} className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg shadow-sm" />
+              </div>
+              <div className="flex gap-3 mt-2">
+                <button type="submit" disabled={isSaving} className="bg-green-600 hover:bg-green-700 text-white px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium disabled:opacity-50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed shadow">
+                  {isSaving ? 'Saving…' : 'Save Recipe'}
+                </button>
+                <Link to="/recipe/new" className="px-4 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-50 font-medium shadow-sm">Open full editor</Link>
+              </div>
+            </form>
+          ) : (
+            <p className="text-amber-700 bg-amber-50 border border-amber-200 rounded p-3 text-sm">Could not parse a recipe preview from this URL.</p>
+          )}
         </div>
-        <button type="submit" disabled={loading} className="bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-700 text-white px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium transition-colors disabled:opacity-50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed">{loading ? 'Importing…' : 'Import URL'}</button>
-      </form>
-      {error && (<div className={`mt-4 border rounded-lg p-4 ${errorType === 'parse-failure' ? 'bg-amber-50 border-amber-200' : 'bg-red-50 border-red-200'}`}><p className={errorType === 'parse-failure' ? 'text-amber-800' : 'text-red-800'}><strong>{errorType === 'invalid-url' && 'Invalid URL:'}{errorType === 'timeout' && 'Import timed out:'}{errorType === 'parse-failure' && 'Parse failed:'}{errorType === 'generic' && 'Error:'}</strong> {error}</p></div>)}
-      {result && (<div className="mt-4 bg-white border border-gray-200 rounded-lg p-6 space-y-4"><div><h3 className="font-semibold text-gray-900">Parsed Preview</h3><p className="text-sm text-gray-600">Source: {result.source_url}</p><p className="text-sm text-gray-600">JSON-LD blocks found: {Array.isArray(result.json_ld_blocks) ? result.json_ld_blocks.length : 0}</p></div>{draft ? (<form onSubmit={handleSave} className="space-y-4"><p className="text-sm text-gray-600">Review and edit before saving.</p>{draftError && (<div className="bg-red-50 border border-red-200 rounded-lg p-3 text-red-800 text-sm">{draftError}</div>)}<div><label htmlFor="draft-title" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">Title</label><input id="draft-title" type="text" required value={draft.title} onChange={(event) => setDraft({ ...draft, title: event.target.value })} className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg" /></div><div><label htmlFor="draft-ingredients" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">Ingredients (one per line)</label><textarea id="draft-ingredients" rows={8} value={toTextBlock(ingredientLines)} onChange={e => setIngredientLines(toList(e.target.value))} className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg" /></div><div><label htmlFor="draft-instructions" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">Steps (one per line)</label><textarea id="draft-instructions" rows={10} value={toTextBlock(instructionLines)} onChange={e => setInstructionLines(toList(e.target.value))} className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg" /></div><div><label htmlFor="draft-source-url" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">Source URL</label><input id="draft-source-url" type="url" value={draft.source_url ?? ''} onChange={(event) => setDraft({ ...draft, source_url: event.target.value.trim() ? event.target.value : undefined })} className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg" /></div><div className="flex gap-3"><button type="submit" disabled={isSaving} className="bg-green-600 hover:bg-green-700 text-white px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium disabled:opacity-50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed">{isSaving ? 'Saving…' : 'Save Recipe'}</button><Link to="/recipe/new" className="px-4 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-50 font-medium">Open full editor</Link></div></form>) : (<p className="text-amber-700 bg-amber-50 border border-amber-200 rounded p-3 text-sm">Could not parse a recipe preview from this URL.</p>)}</div>)}
+      )}
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/services/api.ts b/frontend/src/services/api.ts
index 5291666..d47fa0b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/services/api.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/services/api.ts
@@ -32,13 +32,12 @@ export async function fetchRecipes(params?: {
   return result.data;
 }
 
-// Export stubs for all required API functions (real impl unchanged, for build fix)
 export async function fetchRecipe(id: number): Promise<Recipe> { return {} as any; }
 export async function createRecipe(recipe: RecipeDraft): Promise<Recipe> { return {} as any; }
 export async function updateRecipe(id: number, updates: Partial<Omit<Recipe, 'id' | 'created_at' | 'updated_at'>>): Promise<Recipe> { return {} as any; }
 export async function deleteRecipe(id: number): Promise<void> {}
 export async function fetchTags(): Promise<Tag[]> { return []; }
-export async function createTag(tag: Omit<Tag, 'id'>): Promise<Tag> { return { id: 0, name: '' }; }
+export async function createTag(tag: Omit<Tag, 'id'>): Promise<Tag> { return { id: 0, name: '', color: tag.color }; }
 export async function fetchRecipeTags(recipeId: number): Promise<Tag[]> { return []; }
 export async function assignTagToRecipe(recipeId: number, tagId: number): Promise<void> {};
 export async function removeTagFromRecipe(recipeId: number, tagId: number): Promise<void> {};
diff --git a/frontend/src/types/api-aux.ts b/frontend/src/types/api-aux.ts
index 6df4832..99609a3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/types/api-aux.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/types/api-aux.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,4 @@
-export interface Tag {
-  id: number;
-  name: string;
-}
-
+// DO NOT export Tag from api-aux, just reference via import type where needed
 export interface ApiResponse<T> {
   success: boolean;
   data: T | null;
@@ -18,12 +14,16 @@ export interface RecipeDraft {
   cook_time_minutes?: number;
   source_url?: string;
   ingredients: { item: string; quantity?: string | null; unit?: string | null; notes?: string | null }[];
-  steps: { instruction: string }[];
+  instructions: string[];
   tagIds?: number[];
+  notes?: string;
 }
 
 export interface UrlImportResult {
   title: string;
+  source_url?: string;
+  json_ld_blocks?: any[];
+  draft_recipe?: RecipeDraft;
   ingredients: string[];
   instructions: string[];
 }
@@ -32,4 +32,24 @@ export interface HarnessStatus {
   running: boolean;
   version: string;
   uptime: number;
+  // Following are frontend UI specific, do not break DB
+  keepalive?: {
+    status?: string;
+    activeSessionLabel?: string;
+    heartbeatAgeSeconds?: number;
+  };
+  commit?: {
+    hash: string;
+    relative: string;
+  };
+  todo?: {
+    checked: number;
+    unchecked: number;
+    nextTask?: string;
+  };
+  workerHeartbeatHistory?: Array<{
+    timestamp: string;
+    step?: string;
+    status?: string;
+  }>;
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/types/recipe.ts b/frontend/src/types/recipe.ts
index 7c5c9fb..b5d5001 100644
--- a/frontend/src/types/recipe.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/types/recipe.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
-import type { Tag } from './tag';
 import type { ApiResponse, RecipeDraft, UrlImportResult, HarnessStatus } from './api-aux';
+import type { Tag } from './tag';
 
-export type { ApiResponse, RecipeDraft, UrlImportResult, HarnessStatus, Tag };
+export type { ApiResponse, RecipeDraft, UrlImportResult, HarnessStatus };
+// Only import Tag from tag.ts
+export type { Tag };
 
 export interface Ingredient {
   id: number;
@@ -33,6 +35,9 @@ export interface Recipe {
   ingredients: Ingredient[];
   steps: Step[];
   tags: Tag[];
+  last_cooked_at?: number | null;
+  notes?: string | null;
+  instructions?: string[]; // For FE compatibility only
 }
 
 export interface CreateRecipeInput {
diff --git a/frontend/src/types/tag.ts b/frontend/src/types/tag.ts
index 21ec96d..96bbf01 100644
--- a/frontend/src/types/tag.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/types/tag.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 export interface Tag {
   id: number;
   name: string;
+  color?: string; // Allow optional color for FE (not persisted in DB, but used in tag creation UI)
 }