diff --git a/frontend/src/components/pageEditor/FileThumbnail.tsx b/frontend/src/components/pageEditor/FileThumbnail.tsx
index 609a31e1a..91ffda358 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/pageEditor/FileThumbnail.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/pageEditor/FileThumbnail.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
-import React, { useState, useCallback, useRef, useEffect } from 'react';
-import { Text, Checkbox, Tooltip, ActionIcon, Badge } from '@mantine/core';
+import React, { useState, useCallback, useRef, useMemo, useEffect } from 'react';
+import { Text, ActionIcon, CheckboxIndicator } from '@mantine/core';
 import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
-import CloseIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Close';
+import MoreVertIcon from '@mui/icons-material/MoreVert';
+import DownloadOutlinedIcon from '@mui/icons-material/DownloadOutlined';
+import DeleteOutlineIcon from '@mui/icons-material/DeleteOutline';
 import PushPinIcon from '@mui/icons-material/PushPin';
 import PushPinOutlinedIcon from '@mui/icons-material/PushPinOutlined';
 import DragIndicatorIcon from '@mui/icons-material/DragIndicator';
 import { draggable, dropTargetForElements } from '@atlaskit/pragmatic-drag-and-drop/element/adapter';
+
 import styles from './PageEditor.module.css';
 import { useFileContext } from '../../contexts/FileContext';
 
@@ -15,7 +18,7 @@ interface FileItem {
   pageCount: number;
   thumbnail: string;
   size: number;
-  splitBefore?: boolean;
+  modifiedAt?: number | string | Date;
 }
 
 interface FileThumbnailProps {
@@ -29,6 +32,7 @@ interface FileThumbnailProps {
   onViewFile: (fileId: string) => void;
   onSetStatus: (status: string) => void;
   onReorderFiles?: (sourceFileId: string, targetFileId: string, selectedFileIds: string[]) => void;
+  onDownloadFile?: (fileId: string) => void;
   toolMode?: boolean;
   isSupported?: boolean;
 }
@@ -36,36 +40,93 @@ interface FileThumbnailProps {
 const FileThumbnail = ({
   file,
   index,
-  totalFiles,
   selectedFiles,
-  selectionMode,
   onToggleFile,
   onDeleteFile,
   onViewFile,
   onSetStatus,
   onReorderFiles,
-  toolMode = false,
+  onDownloadFile,
   isSupported = true,
 }: FileThumbnailProps) => {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
-  const { pinnedFiles, pinFile, unpinFile, isFilePinned, activeFiles } = useFileContext();
-  
-  // Drag and drop state
+  const { pinFile, unpinFile, isFilePinned, activeFiles } = useFileContext();
+
+  // ---- Drag state ----
   const [isDragging, setIsDragging] = useState(false);
   const dragElementRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
+  const [actionsWidth, setActionsWidth] = useState<number | undefined>(undefined);
+  const [showActions, setShowActions] = useState(false);
 
-  // Find the actual File object that corresponds to this FileItem
-  const actualFile = activeFiles.find(f => f.name === file.name && f.size === file.size);
+  // Resolve the actual File object for pin/unpin operations
+  const actualFile = useMemo(() => {
+    return activeFiles.find((f: File) => f.name === file.name && f.size === file.size);
+  }, [activeFiles, file.name, file.size]);
+  const isPinned = actualFile ? isFilePinned(actualFile) : false;
 
-  const formatFileSize = (bytes: number) => {
+  const downloadSelectedFile = useCallback(() => {
+    // Prefer parent-provided handler if available
+    if (typeof onDownloadFile === 'function') {
+      onDownloadFile(file.id);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Fallback: attempt to download using the File object if provided
+    const maybeFile = (file as unknown as { file?: File }).file;
+    if (maybeFile instanceof File) {
+      const link = document.createElement('a');
+      link.href = URL.createObjectURL(maybeFile);
+      link.download = maybeFile.name || file.name || 'download';
+      document.body.appendChild(link);
+      link.click();
+      document.body.removeChild(link);
+      URL.revokeObjectURL(link.href);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // If we can't find a way to download, surface a status message
+    onSetStatus?.(typeof t === 'function' ? t('downloadUnavailable', 'Download unavailable for this item') : 'Download unavailable for this item');
+  }, [file, onDownloadFile, onSetStatus, t]);
+  const handleRef = useRef<HTMLSpanElement | null>(null);
+
+  // ---- Selection ----
+  const isSelected = selectedFiles.includes(file.id);
+
+  // ---- Meta formatting ----
+  const prettySize = useMemo(() => {
+    const bytes = file.size ?? 0;
     if (bytes === 0) return '0 B';
     const k = 1024;
-    const sizes = ['B', 'KB', 'MB', 'GB'];
+    const sizes = ['B', 'KB', 'MB', 'GB', 'TB'];
     const i = Math.floor(Math.log(bytes) / Math.log(k));
-    return parseFloat((bytes / Math.pow(k, i)).toFixed(1)) + ' ' + sizes[i];
-  };
+    return `${parseFloat((bytes / Math.pow(k, i)).toFixed(1))} ${sizes[i]}`;
+  }, [file.size]);
 
-  // Setup drag and drop using @atlaskit/pragmatic-drag-and-drop
+  const extUpper = useMemo(() => {
+    const m = /\.([a-z0-9]+)$/i.exec(file.name ?? '');
+    return (m?.[1] || '').toUpperCase();
+  }, [file.name]);
+
+  const pageLabel = useMemo(
+    () =>
+      file.pageCount > 0
+        ? `${file.pageCount} ${file.pageCount === 1 ? 'Page' : 'Pages'}`
+        : '',
+    [file.pageCount]
+  );
+
+  const dateLabel = useMemo(() => {
+    const d =
+      file.modifiedAt != null ? new Date(file.modifiedAt) : new Date(); // fallback
+    if (Number.isNaN(d.getTime())) return '';
+    return new Intl.DateTimeFormat(undefined, {
+      month: 'short',
+      day: '2-digit',
+      year: 'numeric',
+    }).format(d);
+  }, [file.modifiedAt]);
+
+  // ---- Drag & drop wiring ----
   const fileElementRef = useCallback((element: HTMLDivElement | null) => {
     if (!element) return;
     
@@ -111,252 +172,234 @@ const FileThumbnail = ({
       dragCleanup();
       dropCleanup();
     };
-  }, [file.id, file.name, selectionMode, selectedFiles, onReorderFiles]);
+  }, [file.id, file.name, selectedFiles, onReorderFiles]);
+
+  // Update dropdown width on resize
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const update = () => {
+      if (dragElementRef.current) setActionsWidth(dragElementRef.current.offsetWidth);
+    };
+    update();
+    window.addEventListener('resize', update);
+    return () => window.removeEventListener('resize', update);
+  }, []);
+
+  // Close the actions dropdown when hovering outside this file card (and its dropdown)
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!showActions) return;
+
+    const isInsideCard = (target: EventTarget | null) => {
+      const container = dragElementRef.current;
+      if (!container) return false;
+      return target instanceof Node && container.contains(target);
+    };
+
+    const handleMouseMove = (e: MouseEvent) => {
+      if (!isInsideCard(e.target)) {
+        setShowActions(false);
+      }
+    };
+
+    const handleTouchStart = (e: TouchEvent) => {
+      // On touch devices, close if the touch target is outside the card
+      if (!isInsideCard(e.target)) {
+        setShowActions(false);
+      }
+    };
+
+    document.addEventListener('mousemove', handleMouseMove);
+    document.addEventListener('touchstart', handleTouchStart, { passive: true });
+    return () => {
+      document.removeEventListener('mousemove', handleMouseMove);
+      document.removeEventListener('touchstart', handleTouchStart);
+    };
+  }, [showActions]);
+
+  // ---- Card interactions ----
+  const handleCardClick = () => {
+    if (!isSupported) return;
+    onToggleFile(file.id);
+  };
+
 
   return (
     <div
       ref={fileElementRef}
       data-file-id={file.id}
       data-testid="file-thumbnail"
-      className={`
-        ${styles.pageContainer}
-        !rounded-lg
-        cursor-grab
-        select-none
-        w-[20rem]
-        h-[24rem]
-        flex flex-col items-center justify-center
-        flex-shrink-0
-        shadow-sm
-        hover:shadow-md
-        transition-all
-        relative
-        ${selectionMode
-          ? 'bg-white hover:bg-gray-50'
-          : 'bg-white hover:bg-gray-50'}
-        ${isDragging ? 'opacity-50 scale-95' : ''}
-      `}
+      data-selected={isSelected}
+      data-supported={isSupported}
+      className={`${styles.card} w-[18rem] h-[22rem] select-none flex flex-col shadow-sm transition-all relative`}
       style={{
-        opacity: isSupported ? (isDragging ? 0.5 : 1) : 0.5,
-        filter: isSupported ? 'none' : 'grayscale(50%)'
+        opacity: isSupported ? (isDragging ? 0.9 : 1) : 0.5,
+        filter: isSupported ? 'none' : 'grayscale(50%)',
       }}
+      tabIndex={0}
+      role="listitem"
+      aria-selected={isSelected}
+      onClick={handleCardClick}
     >
-        <div
-          className={styles.checkboxContainer}
-          data-testid="file-thumbnail-checkbox"
-          style={{
-            position: 'absolute',
-            top: 8,
-            right: 8,
-            zIndex: 4,
-            backgroundColor: 'white',
-            borderRadius: '4px',
-            padding: '2px',
-            boxShadow: '0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.1)',
-            pointerEvents: 'auto'
-          }}
-          onMouseDown={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
-          onDragStart={(e) => {
-            e.preventDefault();
-            e.stopPropagation();
-          }}
-        >
-          <Checkbox
-            checked={selectedFiles.includes(file.id)}
-            onChange={(event) => {
-              event.stopPropagation();
-              if (isSupported) {
-                onToggleFile(file.id);
-              }
-            }}
-            onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
-            disabled={!isSupported}
-            size="sm"
-          />
+      {/* Header bar */}
+      <div
+        className={`${styles.header} ${
+          isSelected ? styles.headerSelected : styles.headerResting
+        }`}
+      >
+        {/* Logo/checkbox area */}
+        <div className={styles.logoMark}>
+          {isSupported ? (
+            <CheckboxIndicator
+              checked={isSelected}
+              onChange={() => onToggleFile(file.id)}
+              color="var(--checkbox-checked-bg)"
+            />
+          ) : (
+            <div className={styles.unsupportedPill}>
+              <span>
+                {t('unsupported', 'Unsupported')}
+              </span>
+            </div>
+          )}
         </div>
 
-      {/* File content area */}
-      <div className="file-container w-[90%] h-[80%] relative">
-        {/* Stacked file effect - multiple shadows to simulate pages */}
-        <div
-          style={{
-            width: '100%',
-            height: '100%',
-            backgroundColor: 'var(--mantine-color-gray-1)',
-            borderRadius: 6,
-            border: '1px solid var(--mantine-color-gray-3)',
-            padding: 4,
-            display: 'flex',
-            alignItems: 'center',
-            justifyContent: 'center',
-            position: 'relative',
-            boxShadow: '2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.1), 4px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.05)'
+        {/* Centered index */}
+        <div className={styles.headerIndex} aria-label={`Position ${index + 1}`}>
+          {index + 1}
+        </div>
+
+        {/* Kebab menu */}
+        <ActionIcon
+          aria-label={t('moreOptions', 'More options')}
+          variant="subtle"
+          className={styles.kebab}
+          onClick={(e) => {
+            e.stopPropagation();
+            setShowActions((v) => !v);
           }}
         >
+          <MoreVertIcon fontSize="small" />
+        </ActionIcon>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Actions overlay */}
+      {showActions && (
+        <div
+          className={styles.actionsOverlay}
+          style={{ width: actionsWidth }}
+          onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
+        >
+          <button
+            className={styles.actionRow}
+            onClick={() => {
+              if (actualFile) {
+                if (isPinned) {
+                  unpinFile(actualFile);
+                  onSetStatus?.(`Unpinned ${file.name}`);
+                } else {
+                  pinFile(actualFile);
+                  onSetStatus?.(`Pinned ${file.name}`);
+                }
+              }
+              setShowActions(false);
+            }}
+          >
+            {isPinned ? <PushPinIcon fontSize="small" /> : <PushPinOutlinedIcon fontSize="small" />}
+            <span>{isPinned ? t('unpin', 'Unpin') : t('pin', 'Pin')}</span>
+          </button>
+
+          <button
+            className={styles.actionRow}
+            onClick={() => { downloadSelectedFile(); setShowActions(false); }}
+          >
+            <DownloadOutlinedIcon fontSize="small" />
+            <span>{t('download', 'Download')}</span>
+          </button>
+
+          <div className={styles.actionsDivider} />
+
+          <button
+            className={`${styles.actionRow} ${styles.actionDanger}`}
+            onClick={() => {
+              onDeleteFile(file.id);
+              onSetStatus(`Deleted ${file.name}`);
+              setShowActions(false);
+            }}
+          >
+            <DeleteOutlineIcon fontSize="small" />
+            <span>{t('delete', 'Delete')}</span>
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      {/* Title + meta line */}
+      <div 
+      style={{
+        padding: '0.5rem',
+        textAlign: 'center',
+        background: 'var(--file-card-bg)',
+        marginTop: '0.5rem',
+        marginBottom: '0.5rem',
+      }}>
+        <Text size="lg" fw={700} className={styles.title} lineClamp={2}>
+          {file.name}
+        </Text>
+        <Text
+          size="sm"
+          c="dimmed"
+          className={styles.meta}
+          lineClamp={3}
+          title={`${extUpper || 'FILE'} • ${prettySize}`}
+        >
+          {/* e.g., Jan 29, 2025 - PDF file - 3 Pages */}
+          {dateLabel}
+          {extUpper ? ` - ${extUpper} file` : ''}
+          {pageLabel ? ` - ${pageLabel}` : ''}
+        </Text>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Preview area */}
+      <div className={`${styles.previewBox} mx-6 mb-4 relative flex-1`}>
+        <div className={styles.previewPaper}>
           <img
             src={file.thumbnail}
             alt={file.name}
             draggable={false}
+            loading="lazy"
+            decoding="async"
             onError={(e) => {
-              // Hide broken image if blob URL was revoked
-              const img = e.target as HTMLImageElement;
+              const img = e.currentTarget;
               img.style.display = 'none';
+              img.parentElement?.setAttribute('data-thumb-missing', 'true');
             }}
             style={{
-              maxWidth: '100%',
-              maxHeight: '100%',
+              maxWidth: '80%',
+              maxHeight: '80%',
               objectFit: 'contain',
-              borderRadius: 2,
+              borderRadius: 0,
+              background: '#ffffff',
+              border: '1px solid var(--border-default)',
+              display: 'block',
+              marginLeft: 'auto',
+              marginRight: 'auto',
+              alignSelf: 'start'
             }}
           />
         </div>
 
-        {/* Page count badge - only show for PDFs */}
-        {file.pageCount > 0 && (
-          <Badge
-            size="sm"
-            variant="filled"
-            color="blue"
-            style={{
-              position: 'absolute',
-              top: 8,
-              left: 8,
-              zIndex: 3,
-            }}
-          >
-            {file.pageCount} {file.pageCount === 1 ? 'page' : 'pages'}
-          </Badge>
+        {/* Pin indicator (bottom-left) */}
+        {isPinned && (
+          <span className={styles.pinIndicator} aria-hidden>
+            <PushPinIcon fontSize="small" />
+          </span>
         )}
 
-        {/* Unsupported badge */}
-        {!isSupported && (
-          <Badge
-            size="sm"
-            variant="filled"
-            color="orange"
-            style={{
-              position: 'absolute',
-              top: 8,
-              right: selectionMode ? 48 : 8, // Avoid overlap with checkbox
-              zIndex: 3,
-            }}
-          >
-{t("fileManager.unsupported", "Unsupported")}
-          </Badge>
-        )}
-
-        {/* File name overlay */}
-        <Text
-          className={styles.pageNumber}
-          size="xs"
-          fw={500}
-          c="white"
-          style={{
-            position: 'absolute',
-            bottom: 5,
-            left: 5,
-            right: 5,
-            background: 'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)',
-            padding: '4px 6px',
-            borderRadius: 4,
-            zIndex: 2,
-            opacity: 0,
-            transition: 'opacity 0.2s ease-in-out',
-            textOverflow: 'ellipsis',
-            overflow: 'hidden',
-            whiteSpace: 'nowrap'
-          }}
-        >
-          {file.name}
-        </Text>
-
-        {/* Hover controls */}
-        <div
-          className={styles.pageHoverControls}
-          style={{
-            position: 'absolute',
-            top: '50%',
-            left: '50%',
-            transform: 'translate(-50%, -50%)',
-            background: 'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)',
-            padding: '8px 12px',
-            borderRadius: 20,
-            opacity: 0,
-            transition: 'opacity 0.2s ease-in-out',
-            zIndex: 3,
-            display: 'flex',
-            gap: '8px',
-            alignItems: 'center',
-            whiteSpace: 'nowrap'
-          }}
-        >
-
-          {actualFile && (
-            <Tooltip label={isFilePinned(actualFile) ? "Unpin File" : "Pin File"}>
-              <ActionIcon
-                size="md"
-                variant="subtle"
-                c={isFilePinned(actualFile) ? "yellow" : "white"}
-                onClick={(e) => {
-                  e.stopPropagation();
-                  if (isFilePinned(actualFile)) {
-                    unpinFile(actualFile);
-                    onSetStatus(`Unpinned ${file.name}`);
-                  } else {
-                    pinFile(actualFile);
-                    onSetStatus(`Pinned ${file.name}`);
-                  }
-                }}
-              >
-                {isFilePinned(actualFile) ? (
-                  <PushPinIcon style={{ fontSize: 20 }} />
-                ) : (
-                  <PushPinOutlinedIcon style={{ fontSize: 20 }} />
-                )}
-              </ActionIcon>
-            </Tooltip>
-          )}
-
-          <Tooltip label="Close File">
-            <ActionIcon
-              size="md"
-              variant="subtle"
-              c="orange"
-              onClick={(e) => {
-                e.stopPropagation();
-                onDeleteFile(file.id);
-                onSetStatus(`Closed ${file.name}`);
-              }}
-            >
-              <CloseIcon style={{ fontSize: 20 }} />
-            </ActionIcon>
-          </Tooltip>
-        </div>
-
-        <DragIndicatorIcon
-          style={{
-            position: 'absolute',
-            bottom: 4,
-            right: 4,
-            color: 'rgba(0,0,0,0.3)',
-            fontSize: 16,
-            zIndex: 1
-          }}
-        />
+        {/* Drag handle (span wrapper so we can attach a ref reliably) */}
+        <span ref={handleRef} className={styles.dragHandle} aria-hidden>
+          <DragIndicatorIcon fontSize="small" />
+        </span>
       </div>
-
-      {/* File info */}
-      <div className="w-full px-4 py-2 text-center">
-        <Text size="sm" fw={500} truncate>
-          {file.name}
-        </Text>
-        <Text size="xs" c="dimmed">
-          {formatFileSize(file.size)}
-        </Text>
-      </div>
-
     </div>
   );
 };
 
-export default FileThumbnail;
\ No newline at end of file
+export default React.memo(FileThumbnail);
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/pageEditor/PageEditor.module.css b/frontend/src/components/pageEditor/PageEditor.module.css
index 8b1c84638..851d81517 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/pageEditor/PageEditor.module.css
+++ b/frontend/src/components/pageEditor/PageEditor.module.css
@@ -1,67 +1,265 @@
-/* Page container hover effects - optimized for smooth scrolling */
-.pageContainer {
-  transition: transform 0.2s ease-in-out;
-  /* Enable hardware acceleration for smoother scrolling */
-  will-change: transform;
-  transform: translateZ(0);
-  backface-visibility: hidden;
+/* =========================
+   NEW styles for card UI
+   ========================= */
+
+   .card {
+    background: var(--file-card-bg);
+    border-radius: 0.0625rem;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    transition: box-shadow 0.18s ease, outline-color 0.18s ease, transform 0.18s ease;
+    max-width: 100%;
+    max-height: 100%;
+    overflow: hidden;
+    margin-left: 0.5rem;
+    margin-right: 0.5rem;
+  }
+  .card:hover {
+    box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
+  }
+  .card[data-selected="true"] {
+    box-shadow: var(--shadow-sm);
+  }
+  
+  /* While dragging */
+  .card.dragging,
+  .card:global(.dragging) {
+    outline: 1px solid var(--border-strong);
+    box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
+    transform: none !important;
+  }
+  
+  /* -------- Header -------- */
+  .header {
+    height: 2.25rem;
+    border-radius: 0.0625rem 0.0625rem 0 0;
+    display: grid;
+    grid-template-columns: 44px 1fr 44px;
+    align-items: center;
+    padding: 0 6px;
+    user-select: none;
+    background: var(--bg-toolbar);
+    color: var(--text-primary);
+    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-default);
+  }
+  .headerResting {
+    background: #3B4B6E; /* dark blue for unselected in light mode */
+    color: #FFFFFF;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-default);
+  }
+  .headerSelected {
+    background: var(--header-selected-bg);
+    color: var(--header-selected-fg);
+    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--header-selected-bg);
+  }
+  
+  /* Selected border color in light mode */
+  :global([data-mantine-color-scheme="light"]) .card[data-selected="true"] {
+    outline-color: var(--card-selected-border);
+  }
+  
+  /* Reserve space for checkbox instead of logo */
+  .logoMark {
+    margin-left: 8px;
+    width: 36px;
+    height: 36px;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+  }
+  
+  .headerIndex {
+    text-align: center;
+    font-weight: 500;
+    font-size: 18px;
+    letter-spacing: 0.04em;
+  }
+  
+  .kebab {
+    justify-self: end;
+    color: inherit;
+  }
+  
+  /* Menu dropdown */
+  .menuDropdown {
+    min-width: 210px;
+  }
+  
+  /* -------- Title / Meta -------- */
+  .title {
+    line-height: 1.2;
+    color: var(--text-primary);
+  }
+  .meta {
+    margin-top: 2px;
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
+  }
+  
+  /* -------- Preview area -------- */
+  .previewBox {
+    position: relative;
+    width: 100%;
+    height: 100%;
+    overflow: hidden;
+    background: var(--file-card-bg);
+  }
+  .previewPaper {
+    width: 100%;
+    height: calc(100% - 6px);
+    min-height: 9rem;
+    justify-content: center;
+    display: grid;
+    position: relative;
+    overflow: hidden;
+    background: var(--file-card-bg);
+  }
+  
+  /* Thumbnail fallback */
+  .previewPaper[data-thumb-missing="true"]::after {
+    content: "No preview";
+    position: absolute; inset: 0;
+    display: grid; place-items: center;
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
+    font-weight: 600; font-size: 12px;
+  }
+  
+  /* Drag handle grip */
+  .dragHandle {
+    position: absolute;
+    bottom: 6px;
+    right: 6px;
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
+    z-index: 1;
+    cursor: grab;
+    display: inline-flex;
+  }
+  
+  /* Reduced motion */
+  @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+    .card,
+    .menuDropdown {
+      transition: none !important;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /* =========================
+     DARK MODE OVERRIDES
+     ========================= */
+  :global([data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"]) .card {
+    outline-color: #3A4047; /* deselected stroke */
+  }
+  :global([data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"]) .card[data-selected="true"] {
+    outline-color: #4B525A; /* selected stroke (subtle grey) */
+  }
+  :global([data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"]) .headerResting {
+    background: #1F2329; /* requested default unselected color */
+    color: var(--tool-header-text); /* #D0D6DC */
+    border-bottom-color: var(--tool-header-border); /* #3A4047 */
+  }
+  :global([data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"]) .headerSelected {
+    background: var(--tool-header-border); /* #3A4047 */
+    color: var(--tool-header-text); /* #D0D6DC */
+    border-bottom-color: var(--tool-header-border);
+  }
+  :global([data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"]) .title {
+    color: #D0D6DC; /* title text */
+  }
+  :global([data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"]) .meta {
+    color: #6B7280; /* subtitle text */
+  }
+
+  /* Light mode selected header stroke override */
+  :global([data-mantine-color-scheme="light"]) .card[data-selected="true"] {
+    outline-color: #3B4B6E;
+  }
+  
+  /* =========================
+     (Optional) legacy styles from your
+     previous component kept here to
+     avoid breaking other imports.
+     They are not used by the new card.
+     ========================= */
+  
+  .pageContainer {
+    transition: transform 0.2s ease-in-out;
+    will-change: transform;
+    transform: translateZ(0);
+    backface-visibility: hidden;
+  }
+  .pageContainer:hover { transform: scale(1.02) translateZ(0); }
+  .pageContainer:hover .pageNumber { opacity: 1 !important; }
+  .pageContainer:hover .pageHoverControls { opacity: 1 !important; }
+  .checkboxContainer { transform: none !important; transition: none !important; }
+  
+  .pageMoveAnimation { transition: all 0.5s cubic-bezier(0.25, 0.46, 0.45, 0.94); }
+  .pageMoving { z-index: 10; transform: scale(1.05); box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0,0,0,0.3); }
+  
+  .multiDragIndicator {
+    position: fixed;
+    background: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.9);
+    color: white;
+    padding: 8px 12px;
+    border-radius: 20px;
+    font-size: 12px;
+    font-weight: 600;
+    pointer-events: none;
+    z-index: 1000;
+    box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
+    transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
+    backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
+  }
+  
+  @keyframes pulse { 0%,100%{opacity:1} 50%{opacity:.5} }
+  .pulse { animation: pulse 1s infinite; }
+
+  .actionsOverlay {
+    position: absolute;
+    left: 0;
+    top: 44px; /* just below header */
+    background: var(--bg-toolbar);
+    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-default);
+    z-index: 20;
+    overflow: hidden;
+    animation: slideDown 140ms ease-out;
+    color: var(--text-primary);
+  }
+  @keyframes slideDown { from { transform: translateY(-8px); opacity: 0 } to { transform: translateY(0); opacity: 1 } }
+
+  .actionRow {
+    width: 100%;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 10px;
+    padding: 12px 16px;
+    background: transparent;
+    border: none;
+    color: var(--text-primary);
+    cursor: pointer;
+    text-align: left;
+  }
+  .actionRow:hover { background: var(--hover-bg); }
+  .actionDanger { color: var(--text-brand-accent); }
+  .actionsDivider { height: 1px; background: var(--border-default); margin: 4px 0; }
+
+.pinIndicator {
+  position: absolute;
+  bottom: 4px;
+  left: 4px;
+  z-index: 1;
+  color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35); /* match drag handle color */
 }
 
-.pageContainer:hover {
-  transform: scale(1.02) translateZ(0);
-}
-
-.pageContainer:hover .pageNumber {
-  opacity: 1 !important;
-}
-
-.pageContainer:hover .pageHoverControls {
-  opacity: 1 !important;
-}
-
-/* Checkbox container - prevent transform inheritance */
-.checkboxContainer {
-  transform: none !important;
-  transition: none !important;
-}
-
-/* Page movement animations */
-.pageMoveAnimation {
-  transition: all 0.5s cubic-bezier(0.25, 0.46, 0.45, 0.94);
-}
-
-.pageMoving {
-  z-index: 10;
-  transform: scale(1.05);
-  box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
-}
-
-/* Multi-page drag indicator */
-.multiDragIndicator {
-  position: fixed;
-  background: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.9);
+.unsupportedPill {
+  margin-left: 1.75rem;
+  background: #6B7280;
   color: white;
-  padding: 8px 12px;
-  border-radius: 20px;
-  font-size: 12px;
-  font-weight: 600;
-  pointer-events: none;
-  z-index: 1000;
-  box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
-  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
-  backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
+  padding: 4px 8px;
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  font-size: 10px;
+  font-weight: 500;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  min-width: 80px;
+  height: 20px;
 }
-
-/* Animations */
-@keyframes pulse {
-  0%, 100% {
-    opacity: 1;
-  }
-  50% {
-    opacity: 0.5;
-  }
-}
-
-.pulse {
-  animation: pulse 1s infinite;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+  
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/shared/TopControls.tsx b/frontend/src/components/shared/TopControls.tsx
index 229c3d362..9c41b35e0 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/shared/TopControls.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/shared/TopControls.tsx
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ const createViewOptions = (switchingTo: ModeType | null) => [
         ) : (
           <VisibilityIcon fontSize="small" />
         )}
-        <span>Read</span>
+        <span>Viewer</span>
       </div>
     ),
     value: "viewer",
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useRainbowTheme.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useRainbowTheme.ts
index b16ed1228..449b07c61 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/useRainbowTheme.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useRainbowTheme.ts
@@ -161,8 +161,8 @@ export function useRainbowTheme(initialTheme: 'light' | 'dark' = 'light'): Rainb
     }
     lastToggleTime.current = currentTime;
 
-    // Easter egg: Activate rainbow mode after 6 rapid toggles
-    if (toggleCount.current >= 6) {
+    // Easter egg: Activate rainbow mode after 10 rapid toggles
+    if (toggleCount.current >= 10) {
       setThemeMode('rainbow');
       console.log('🌈 RAINBOW MODE ACTIVATED! 🌈 You found the secret easter egg!');
       console.log('🌈 Button will be disabled for 3 seconds, then click once to exit!');
diff --git a/frontend/src/styles/theme.css b/frontend/src/styles/theme.css
index a8efa179e..6643ca580 100644
--- a/frontend/src/styles/theme.css
+++ b/frontend/src/styles/theme.css
@@ -162,10 +162,22 @@
   --landing-drop-inner-paper-bg: #BBDEFB;
   --landing-drop-inner-paper-border: #90CAF9;
 
+  /* selected file header colors */
+  --header-selected-bg: #1E88E5; /* light mode selected header matches dark */
+  --header-selected-fg: #FFFFFF;
+  --file-card-bg: #FFFFFF;  /* file card background (light/dark paired) */
+
   /* shadows */
   --drop-shadow-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
   --drop-shadow-color-strong: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04);
   --drop-shadow-filter: drop-shadow(0 0.2rem 0.4rem rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08)) drop-shadow(0 0.6rem 0.6rem rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06)) drop-shadow(0 1.2rem 1rem rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04));
+
+  /* Light mode card hover and selection */
+  --header-hover-bg: #3B4B6E; /* same family as selected, a touch muted for hover */
+  --card-selected-border: #3FAFFF; /* slightly more blue than dark mode header */
+  --checkbox-border: #2F83BF;
+  --checkbox-checked-bg: #3FAFFF;
+  --checkbox-tick: #FFFFFF;
 }
 
 [data-mantine-color-scheme="dark"] {
@@ -272,6 +284,12 @@
   --landing-drop-inner-paper-bg: #2A3441;
   --landing-drop-inner-paper-border: #3A4451;
 
+  /* selected file header colors for dark */
+  --header-selected-bg: #1E88E5;
+  --header-selected-fg: #FFFFFF;
+  /* file card background (dark) */
+  --file-card-bg: #1F2329;
+
   /* shadows */
   --drop-shadow-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
   --drop-shadow-color-strong: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04);