diff --git a/documentation/GUIDE__AE_UI_Style_Guidelines.md b/documentation/GUIDE__AE_UI_Style_Guidelines.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f0773bbf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/documentation/GUIDE__AE_UI_Style_Guidelines.md
@@ -0,0 +1,248 @@
+# Aether UI — Design System Style Guidelines
+> **Version:** 1.0 (2026-03-06)
+> **Author:** One Sky IT / Scott Idem
+> **Scope:** All Aether SvelteKit frontend components
+> **Related:** `AE__UI_Component_Patterns.md`, `ae-firefly.css`, `documentation/AE__Components.md`
+
+---
+
+## 1. Design Philosophy
+
+**"Shiny serenity, like a firefly."**
+
+The Aether UI is calm, focused, and softly luminous. It must be immediately readable under conference-room lighting, at a glance, by presenters who are nervous and in a hurry. Staff in the Speaker Ready Room need scan-speed identity confirmation. Remote presenters uploading files from home need a clear, unambiguous interface that doesn't waste their time.
+
+Core principles:
+- **Identity first.** The user's first question is always *"Am I in the right place?"* Answer it with the hero card — name, time, room — before anything else is shown.
+- **Progressive disclosure.** Admin fields (codes, IDs, passcodes) are hidden unless `edit_mode` is active.
+- **Theme-aware always.** Zero hardcoded colors. Every background, border, and text color must respond to light/dark mode and the active theme via CSS variables.
+- **Transitions, not pops.** Every interactive state change is smoothed with `transition-colors duration-200`.
+- **Section 508 / WCAG 2.1 AA** compliance is non-negotiable. Contrast ratios, focus indicators, ARIA labels, and screen-reader regions are required everywhere.
+
+---
+
+## 2. The AE_Firefly Theme
+
+**App default since 2026-03-06.** Set in `ae_stores.ts` as `theme_name = 'AE_Firefly'`.
+File: `src/ae-firefly.css` | Activated by: `data-theme="AE_Firefly"`
+
+| Role | Palette Name | Hue | Use Case |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| **Primary** | Luminescent Teal | ~184° | Primary actions, date/time chips, focus rings, anchor links |
+| **Secondary** | Warm Amber-Gold | ~90° | Secondary actions, copy/email buttons, soft highlights |
+| **Tertiary** | Night-Sky Indigo | ~277° | Location/room chips, depth accents |
+| **Surface** | Moonlit Slate | ~215–233° | All backgrounds — off-white (light) → midnight slate (dark) |
+| **Warning** | Amber semantic | n/a | Disabled/inactive records, "no results" states, code badges |
+| **Success** | Green semantic | n/a | Active/complete states, file count badges |
+| **Error** | Red semantic | n/a | Errors, disabled-presenter states |
+
+### Contrast Guarantees
+- Body text (`surface-950` on `surface-50`): > 15:1 in light mode ✓
+- Primary buttons: ≥ 3:1 for interactive component threshold ✓
+- Designed using OKLCH perceptual lightness — not HSL estimates
+
+---
+
+## 3. Color Token Rules
+
+### ✅ Always Use Theme Tokens
+
+**Backgrounds / surfaces:**
+```
+bg-surface-50-900      ← card faces (light: near-white, dark: deep slate)
+bg-surface-100-900     ← inner sections, code blocks, secondary panels
+bg-surface-50-950      ← page-level containers
+bg-surface-200-800     ← skeleton pulse placeholders, dividers
+```
+
+**Borders:**
+```
+border-surface-200-800  ← standard card/panel borders
+border-primary-500      ← focus rings (via focus-visible:ring)
+border-warning-500      ← warning/caution interactive zones
+border-surface-500/20   ← subtle section dividers
+```
+
+**Primary color accents (teal):**
+```
+bg-primary-500/10       ← tinted chip background (time chips)
+text-primary-700 dark:text-primary-300  ← chip text with auto dark mode
+hover:text-primary-500  ← link hover color
+```
+
+**Tertiary color accents (indigo):**
+```
+bg-tertiary-500/10      ← tinted chip background (room/location chips)
+text-tertiary-700 dark:text-tertiary-300
+```
+
+**Skeleton presets:**
+```
+preset-tonal-warning    ← "no results", disabled rows, code tag badges
+preset-tonal-primary    ← primary action buttons
+preset-tonal-surface    ← neutral/secondary actions, status badges
+preset-tonal-success    ← success states, file count badges
+preset-tonal-error      ← error/blocked states
+preset-filled-*-500     ← solid-fill buttons (hover state for tonal)
+```
+
+**Warning/error semantic backgrounds:**
+```
+bg-warning-100 border border-warning-300  ← inline warning banners
+bg-error-100 border border-error-300      ← inline error banners
+```
+
+---
+
+### ❌ Never Use These
+
+| Forbidden | Reason | Replace With |
+|---|---|---|
+| `bg-gray-*` | Fixed color, breaks dark mode | `bg-surface-*` tokens |
+| `bg-neutral-*` | Same — fixed hue | `bg-surface-*` tokens |
+| `bg-white` | Light-mode only | `bg-surface-50-900` |
+| `text-gray-*` | Breaks dark mode | `opacity-60` on inherited text |
+| `text-neutral-*` | Same | `opacity-*` |
+| `border-gray-*` | Non-theme border | `border-surface-200-800` |
+| `bg-yellow-*`, `text-yellow-*` | Bypasses warning semantic | `preset-tonal-warning` |
+| `bg-red-*`, `text-red-*` | Bypasses error semantic | `bg-error-100` / `preset-tonal-error` |
+| `bg-white dark:bg-gray-800` | Manual light/dark pair | Let theme tokens handle it — remove entirely |
+| `text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400` | Manual light/dark pair | `opacity-60` |
+| `rounded-container-token` | Skeleton v3 class | `rounded-xl` |
+| `variant-soft-*` | Skeleton v3 class | `preset-tonal-*` |
+| `variant-ghost-*` | Skeleton v3 class | `preset-ghost-*` |
+| `variant-ringed-*` | Skeleton v3 class | `preset-outlined-*` |
+| `variant-filled-*` | Skeleton v3 class | `preset-filled-*` |
+| `preset-filled-surface-300-700` | v3 dual-shade notation | `bg-surface-200-800` or `bg-surface-100-900` |
+| `preset-filled-surface-400-600` | v3 dual-shade notation | `bg-surface-100-900` |
+| `overflow-x-scroll` | Forces scrollbar visible | `overflow-x-auto` |
+
+---
+
+## 4. Skeleton v3 → v4 Migration Reference
+
+The app uses **Skeleton v4**. v3 classes produce wrong or zero styling and must be updated on sight.
+
+| Skeleton v3 | Skeleton v4 Equivalent |
+|---|---|
+| `variant-soft-primary` | `preset-tonal-primary` |
+| `variant-soft-secondary` | `preset-tonal-secondary` |
+| `variant-soft-warning` | `preset-tonal-warning` |
+| `variant-soft-success` | `preset-tonal-success` |
+| `variant-ghost-success` | `preset-ghost-success` |
+| `variant-ghost-warning` | `preset-ghost-warning` |
+| `variant-ringed-warning` | `preset-outlined-warning` |
+| `variant-filled-primary` | `preset-filled-primary` |
+| `variant-filled-warning` | `preset-filled-warning` |
+| `rounded-container-token` | `rounded-xl` |
+| `rounded-token` | `rounded-md` |
+| `card` (standalone) | `card preset-tonal-surface` or surface div pattern |
+| `badge` (standalone) | `badge preset-tonal-surface` |
+| `chip` | `badge preset-tonal-*` |
+
+---
+
+## 5. Transitions & Animation
+
+All interactive state changes must be smoothed — no hard pops.
+
+| Element | Classes |
+|---|---|
+| Table row | `transition-colors duration-200` on `<tr>` |
+| List item card | `transition-colors duration-200` on `<li>` |
+| Link hover | `transition-colors duration-200` on `<a>` |
+| Info chips | `transition-colors duration-200` on `<span>` |
+| QR code toggle (size) | `transition-all duration-500` on `<img>` |
+| Collapsible sections | Use Skeleton `Accordion` or CSS `transition-all` — don't add custom unless needed |
+| Buttons | Handled automatically by Skeleton preset classes |
+
+---
+
+## 6. Loading / Skeleton States
+
+When `liveQuery` data is still resolving, show pulse placeholders instead of nothing:
+
+```svelte
+<!-- Title placeholder -->
+<div class="h-7 w-2/3 bg-surface-200-800 animate-pulse rounded"></div>
+
+<!-- Chip/pill placeholder -->
+<div class="h-5 w-1/2 bg-surface-200-800 animate-pulse rounded-full"></div>
+
+<!-- Icon placeholder -->
+<div class="h-5 w-5 bg-surface-200-800 animate-pulse rounded-full"></div>
+```
+
+Always wrap in `{#if $lq__obj}{...}{:else}...skeleton...{/if}` — **never** show real content structure before data exists.
+
+---
+
+## 7. Dark Mode Rules
+
+- **Never write `dark:` overrides for background or text colors.** The Firefly theme handles both modes through CSS variables. Writing `dark:bg-gray-800` or `dark:text-gray-400` bypasses the theme and breaks if the user switches themes.
+- **Exception allowed:** `dark:text-primary-300` and `dark:text-tertiary-300` in info chips are intentional — they reference theme variables that gracefully degrade.
+- **Exception allowed:** `dark:border-surface-700` in fine-grained border work when `border-surface-200-800` isn't strong enough.
+
+---
+
+## 8. Accessibility (Section 508 / WCAG 2.1 AA)
+
+| Requirement | Implementation |
+|---|---|
+| Decorative icons | `aria-hidden="true"` on all `<span class="fas ...">` |
+| Icon-only buttons | `aria-label="..."` or `title="..."` + visible context |
+| Async content regions | `role="status" aria-live="polite"` on loading/empty sections |
+| Focus indicators | `focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-primary-500` on custom interactive elements |
+| Interactive dialogs | `aria-haspopup="dialog"` on trigger buttons |
+| Form inputs | Visible `<label>` linked via `for` / `id`, or explicit `aria-label` |
+| Color-only information | Always pair color coding with icon or text — never color alone |
+| Minimum touch target | 44×44px effective hit area for all tap targets |
+
+---
+
+## 9. Debug Code — Remove Before Committing
+
+These patterns are breakpoint debuggers added during development. **Never commit them:**
+
+```html
+<!-- Breakpoint border debugger — REMOVE before commit -->
+sm:border-l-red-400 md:border-l-yellow-400 lg:border-l-gray-100
+sm:dark:border-l-red-600 md:dark:border-l-yellow-600 lg:dark:border-l-gray-700
+```
+
+Also flag on code review:
+- `console.log(...)` that isn't behind a `log_lvl` guard
+- `border-dashed border-y-transparent border-r-transparent` left on production components
+- `overflow-x-scroll` (should be `overflow-x-auto`)
+
+---
+
+## 10. QR Code Pattern — Critical Bug Prevention
+
+The async QR generation code uses a boolean `true` as a loading placeholder:
+
+```typescript
+$events_sess.pres_mgmt.session_qr_url[$lq__obj.id] = true;   // ← loading
+// ... async ...
+$events_sess.pres_mgmt.session_qr_url[$lq__obj.id] = result; // ← URL string
+```
+
+**Always gate display on `typeof ... === 'string'`**, not just truthy:
+
+```svelte
+<!-- ✅ Correct -->
+{#if typeof $events_sess.pres_mgmt.session_qr_url?.[$lq__obj.id] === 'string'}
+
+<!-- ❌ Wrong — renders broken <img src="true"> during load -->
+{#if $events_sess.pres_mgmt.session_qr_url[$lq__obj.id]}
+```
+
+---
+
+## 11. Tailwind Utility Usage Notes
+
+- **`opacity-*` for muted text**: Use `opacity-60` (secondary) or `opacity-40` (tertiary/hint) instead of `text-gray-*`. This works in any theme and both modes.
+- **`/` opacity modifier**: `bg-primary-500/10` is preferred over separate `opacity-10` — it targets only the background.
+- **`text-sm leading-relaxed`**: Standard for body-level descriptive text in cards.
+- **`tracking-wide uppercase`**: Use for section label/eyebrow text with `opacity-40`.
+- **`whitespace-pre-wrap`**: Required for any `<pre>` or `<p>` displaying user-entered multi-line text (preserves breaks without horizontal overflow).
diff --git a/documentation/PROJECT__AE_UI_Journals_module_update_2026.md b/documentation/PROJECT__AE_UI_Journals_module_update_2026.md
index 5a28e69f..af6def11 100644
--- a/documentation/PROJECT__AE_UI_Journals_module_update_2026.md
+++ b/documentation/PROJECT__AE_UI_Journals_module_update_2026.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Aether Journals UI Update (2026)
 
-> **Status:** 🚧 Stuck on Phase 4 (Security/Encryption Blockers)
-> **Last Updated:** 2026-01-14
+> **Status:** 🚧 Phase 4 Active (Security/Encryption Blockers remain; Style pass complete)
+> **Last Updated:** 2026-03-06
 > **Primary Agent:** Frontend SvelteKit Agent
 
 ## 1. Project Overview
@@ -73,6 +73,10 @@ This document outlines the modernization of the Journals module UI in the Svelte
 - [x] Extract decryption workflow to non-reactive helper.
 - [x] **Standardize Configuration Modals:** Refactored Module, Journal, and Entry configuration into a unified tabbed UI.
 - [x] **RESOLVED:** Decryption workflow stability (Fixed via dependency isolation).
+- [x] **Style Standardization (2026-03-06):** Full Skeleton v4 `preset-*` class pass across all 17 journal components. See style token table in Lessons Learned below.
+- [x] **Dark mode fixes:** Entry content hover, journal view section/description background and text colors.
+- [x] **Modal close button:** All 3 config modals use `dismissable={false}` + explicit `<X>` button in header snippet for correct right-aligned placement.
+- [x] **Global select padding:** Added `padding-inline: 0.5rem` to `@layer base` in `app.css` (safe — utility `px-*` classes override it where intentional).
 - [ ] Solidify E2EE passcode system for Journals and Entries.
 - [ ] Audit encryption flow for Quick Added and Imported entries.
 - [ ] Integrate Outbound Email sharing.
@@ -84,23 +88,58 @@ This document outlines the modernization of the Journals module UI in the Svelte
 During the implementation of the Privacy/Decryption toggle and the new Configuration Modals, we encountered critical browser hangs caused by infinite reactivity loops. Here is how we resolved them:
 
 ### 1. Rigorous Dependency Isolation (`untrack`)
-Svelte 5 runes (`$effect`, `$derived`) automatically track **every** reactive variable read inside them. 
+Svelte 5 runes (`$effect`, `$derived`) automatically track **every** reactive variable read inside them.
 *   **The Problem:** An effect would read `save_status` or `tmp_entry_obj.content` to decide if it should sync, but the act of syncing would update those same variables, re-triggering the effect.
 *   **The Fix:** Wrap any "check-only" state or store reads in `untrack(() => ... )`. This allows the effect to use the value without becoming a dependency of it. This is **CRITICAL** when initializing local state from props inside an effect.
 
-### 2. Standardized Modal UI ("Aether Orange")
-We have established a unified design language for configuration interfaces:
-*   **Header/Footer:** Use `bg-orange-100 dark:bg-orange-900` with consistent borders.
-*   **Tabs:** Center-aligned tabbed navigation using Skeleton UI `btn` and `variant-filled-primary` / `variant-soft-surface`.
+### 2. Standardized Modal UI ("Aether Orange") & Style Token Conventions
+We have established a unified design language for configuration interfaces and all Journals UI. **Use these as the module template.**
+
+#### Modal Chrome
+*   **Header/Footer:** `bg-orange-100 dark:bg-orange-900` with consistent orange borders.
+*   **Close button:** Always use `dismissable={false}` on the `<Modal>` and add an explicit `<button>` with `<X>` inside the `{#snippet header()}` so placement is fully in our control. The `flex-1` class on the `<h3>` pushes it right.
+*   **Tabs:** Center-aligned `btn btn-sm` with `preset-filled-primary` (active) / `preset-tonal-surface` (inactive).
 *   **Icons:** Every tab and primary action should have a Lucide icon for better scannability.
-*   **Explicit Persistence:** All configuration modals must follow an "Edit working copy -> Save Changes" pattern to prevent accidental store/API churn.
+*   **Explicit Persistence:** Follow "Edit working copy → Save Changes" pattern to prevent accidental store/API churn.
+
+#### Skeleton v4 Style Token Reference (Journals = canonical example)
+| Intent | Class |
+|---|---|
+| Primary CTA (save, create, open) | `btn preset-filled-primary` |
+| Neutral / cancel / close | `btn preset-tonal-surface` |
+| Secondary action | `btn preset-tonal-secondary` |
+| Success (confirmed save) | `btn preset-filled-success` |
+| Warning (caution action) | `btn preset-tonal-warning hover:preset-filled-warning-500` |
+| Error / danger (delete, force reset) | `btn preset-tonal-error hover:preset-filled-error-500` |
+| Active tab | `preset-filled-primary` |
+| Inactive tab | `preset-tonal-surface` |
+| Icon button | `btn-icon btn-icon-sm preset-tonal-surface` |
+| Input (base) | `input` |
+| Input (small) | `input input-sm` |
+| Select (base) | `select` |
+| Select (small) | `select select-sm` |
+| Textarea | `textarea` |
+| Badge (info/neutral) | `badge preset-tonal-surface` |
+| Badge (success) | `badge preset-tonal-success` |
+| Badge (error) | `badge preset-tonal-error` |
+
+#### Removed Patterns (never use)
+- `variant-filled-*`, `variant-soft-*`, `variant-ghost-*`, `variant-ringed-*` — Skeleton v2, removed
+- `variant-form-material` — Skeleton v2, removed from all inputs/selects/textareas
+- `input-bordered` — non-standard, removed
+- DaisyUI `modal` / `modal-box` / `modal-action` wrapper divs inside Flowbite `<Modal>` — removed
+
+#### Dark Mode Rules
+- Any `bg-{color}-100` dynamic background **must** have a `dark:bg-gray-800` (or similar) override — light shades are unreadable in dark mode.
+- Hover states on content areas need both light and dark variants: `hover:bg-blue-100 dark:hover:bg-blue-950`.
+- Text locked to `dark:text-gray-900` is almost always wrong — use `dark:text-gray-100`.
 
 ### 3. Dexie LiveQuery Subscriptions
 *   **The Problem:** Accessing `liveQuery` observables directly in templates results in `[object Object]` or `undefined` property errors.
 *   **The Mandate:** ALWAYS use the `$` prefix (e.g. `$lq__obj`) when passing or using data from a Dexie `liveQuery`.
 
 ### 4. Manual Deep Copying vs. Proxies
-Svelte 5 state is backed by Proxies. 
+Svelte 5 state is backed by Proxies.
 *   **The Problem:** Using `JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(proxy))` can sometimes trigger unexpected behavior or loops when used inside a reactive context.
 *   **The Fix:** Implement a manual `deep_copy` helper or selective property assignment when syncing "Original" vs "Temporary" state. This ensures `orig_entry_obj` is a plain JS object, making the `has_unsaved_changes` check stable.