diff --git a/src/components/GlassyRecordCard.css b/src/components/GlassyRecordCard.css
index 90e0a5a..268871e 100644
--- a/src/components/GlassyRecordCard.css
+++ b/src/components/GlassyRecordCard.css
@@ -35,10 +35,10 @@
 }
 
 :root[data-theme="light"] .glassy-record-card {
-  --record-row-hover: #f7faff;
-  --record-row-open: #f8fbff;
+  --record-row-hover: rgba(247, 250, 255, 0.24);
+  --record-row-open: rgba(248, 251, 255, 0.3);
   --record-title-hover: #4f6ad7;
-  --record-meta-bg: #f7faff;
+  --record-meta-bg: rgba(247, 250, 255, 0.34);
   --record-meta-text: #4f5f82;
   --record-time-text: #6b7280;
 }
diff --git a/src/components/GlassySection.css b/src/components/GlassySection.css
index 90681a7..bf013c6 100644
--- a/src/components/GlassySection.css
+++ b/src/components/GlassySection.css
@@ -27,11 +27,11 @@
   --glassy-section-title: #1f2937;
   --glassy-section-rule: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.28);
   --glassy-section-rule-soft: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.05);
-  --glassy-tile-hover: #f7faff;
-  --glassy-tile-shine: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.68);
+  --glassy-tile-hover: rgba(247, 250, 255, 0.26);
+  --glassy-tile-shine: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.36);
   --glassy-metric-label: #5b6578;
   --glassy-metric-value: #27324a;
-  --glassy-status-bg: #f7faff;
+  --glassy-status-bg: rgba(247, 250, 255, 0.3);
   --glassy-status-border: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.2);
   --glassy-status-text: #4f5f82;
   --glassy-progress-track: #edf3ff;
diff --git a/src/components/Surface.css b/src/components/Surface.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e85cb4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/Surface.css
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+.vortex-surface--glass {
+  position: relative;
+  isolation: isolate;
+  background: var(--surface-glass-background);
+}
+
+.vortex-surface--glass:hover {
+  background: var(--surface-glass-hover-background);
+}
+
+.vortex-surface--ripple {
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.vortex-surface--ripple::before {
+  content: "";
+  position: absolute;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 0;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  background:
+    radial-gradient(
+      circle 13rem at var(--surface-ripple-x, 50%) var(--surface-ripple-y, 50%),
+      var(--surface-ripple-core),
+      var(--surface-ripple-soft) 34%,
+      transparent 72%
+    ),
+    radial-gradient(
+      circle 4rem at var(--surface-ripple-x, 50%) var(--surface-ripple-y, 50%),
+      var(--surface-ripple-glint),
+      transparent 70%
+    );
+  opacity: 0;
+  transition: opacity 180ms ease;
+}
+
+.vortex-surface--ripple > * {
+  position: relative;
+  z-index: 1;
+}
+
+.vortex-surface--ripple:hover::before {
+  opacity: var(--surface-ripple-opacity);
+}
+
+.vortex-surface--transparent {
+  background: transparent;
+}
+
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+  .vortex-surface--ripple::before {
+    transition: none;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/components/Surface.tsx b/src/components/Surface.tsx
index 231ad8d..29782b3 100644
--- a/src/components/Surface.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Surface.tsx
@@ -1,22 +1,23 @@
 import * as React from "react";
 import { cva, type VariantProps } from "class-variance-authority";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+import "./Surface.css";
 
 type PolymorphicRef<C extends React.ElementType> =
   React.ComponentPropsWithRef<C>["ref"];
 
 const surfaceVariants = cva(
-  "border bg-cover bg-no-repeat ring-1 ring-inset transition-colors duration-150",
+  "vortex-surface border bg-cover bg-no-repeat ring-1 ring-inset transition-colors duration-150",
   {
     variants: {
       variant: {
         panel:
-          "border-[color:var(--surface-glass-border)] bg-[color:var(--surface-glass-bg)] ring-[color:var(--surface-glass-ring)] hover:border-[color:var(--surface-glass-hover-border)] hover:bg-[color:var(--surface-glass-hover-bg)] supports-[backdrop-filter]:backdrop-blur-md supports-[backdrop-filter]:backdrop-saturate-150",
+          "vortex-surface--glass border-[color:var(--surface-glass-border)] ring-[color:var(--surface-glass-ring)] hover:border-[color:var(--surface-glass-hover-border)] supports-[backdrop-filter]:backdrop-blur-md supports-[backdrop-filter]:backdrop-saturate-150",
         panelAlt:
-          "border-[color:var(--surface-glass-border)] bg-[color:var(--surface-glass-bg)] ring-[color:var(--surface-glass-ring)] hover:border-[color:var(--surface-glass-hover-border)] hover:bg-[color:var(--surface-glass-hover-bg)] supports-[backdrop-filter]:backdrop-blur-md supports-[backdrop-filter]:backdrop-saturate-150",
+          "vortex-surface--glass border-[color:var(--surface-glass-border)] ring-[color:var(--surface-glass-ring)] hover:border-[color:var(--surface-glass-hover-border)] supports-[backdrop-filter]:backdrop-blur-md supports-[backdrop-filter]:backdrop-saturate-150",
         glass:
-          "border-[color:var(--surface-glass-border)] bg-[color:var(--surface-glass-bg)] ring-[color:var(--surface-glass-ring)] hover:border-[color:var(--surface-glass-hover-border)] hover:bg-[color:var(--surface-glass-hover-bg)] supports-[backdrop-filter]:backdrop-blur-md supports-[backdrop-filter]:backdrop-saturate-150",
-        transparent: "bg-transparent",
+          "vortex-surface--glass border-[color:var(--surface-glass-border)] ring-[color:var(--surface-glass-ring)] hover:border-[color:var(--surface-glass-hover-border)] supports-[backdrop-filter]:backdrop-blur-md supports-[backdrop-filter]:backdrop-saturate-150",
+        transparent: "vortex-surface--transparent",
       },
       radius: {
         md: "rounded-lg",
@@ -73,6 +74,8 @@ const SurfaceImpl = React.forwardRef(function Surface(
   {
     as,
     className,
+    onPointerLeave,
+    onPointerMove,
     variant,
     radius,
     shadow,
@@ -82,13 +85,49 @@ const SurfaceImpl = React.forwardRef(function Surface(
   ref: React.ForwardedRef<Element>,
 ) {
   const Comp = as ?? "div";
+  const hasRipple = variant !== "transparent";
+
+  const handlePointerMove = React.useCallback(
+    (event: React.PointerEvent<Element>) => {
+      onPointerMove?.(event);
+      if (!hasRipple) return;
+
+      const target = event.currentTarget as HTMLElement;
+      const rect = target.getBoundingClientRect();
+      target.style.setProperty(
+        "--surface-ripple-x",
+        `${event.clientX - rect.left}px`,
+      );
+      target.style.setProperty(
+        "--surface-ripple-y",
+        `${event.clientY - rect.top}px`,
+      );
+    },
+    [hasRipple, onPointerMove],
+  );
+
+  const handlePointerLeave = React.useCallback(
+    (event: React.PointerEvent<Element>) => {
+      onPointerLeave?.(event);
+      if (!hasRipple) return;
+
+      const target = event.currentTarget as HTMLElement;
+      target.style.removeProperty("--surface-ripple-x");
+      target.style.removeProperty("--surface-ripple-y");
+    },
+    [hasRipple, onPointerLeave],
+  );
+
   return (
     <Comp
       ref={ref}
       className={cn(
         surfaceVariants({ variant, radius, shadow, borderStyle }),
+        hasRipple && "vortex-surface--ripple",
         className,
       )}
+      onPointerLeave={handlePointerLeave}
+      onPointerMove={handlePointerMove}
       {...props}
     />
   );
diff --git a/src/styles/base.css b/src/styles/base.css
index fb37dd9..d4269d1 100644
--- a/src/styles/base.css
+++ b/src/styles/base.css
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
   --bg: #f2f5ff; /* app shell background */
   --page: #eaf0ff; /* page container background */
   --bg-accent: #e8efff; /* navbar */
-  --panel: rgba(249, 251, 255, 0.78); /* main containers */
-  --panel-alt: rgba(242, 247, 255, 0.66); /* tiles/inputs */
+  --panel: rgba(249, 251, 255, 0.32); /* main containers */
+  --panel-alt: rgba(242, 247, 255, 0.22); /* tiles/inputs */
   --text: #111827;
   --muted: #5d6475;
   /* Primary is derived from sidebar hue but intentionally less saturated. */
@@ -36,13 +36,35 @@
   --shadow-control: 0 10px 22px rgba(17, 24, 39, 0.08);
   --glass-border: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.42);
   --glass-border-strong: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.62);
-  --surface-glass-bg: rgba(249, 251, 255, 0.86);
-  --surface-glass-border: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.24);
-  --surface-glass-ring: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.16);
-  --surface-glass-hover-bg: rgba(249, 251, 255, 0.94);
+  --surface-glass-bg: rgba(249, 251, 255, 0.18);
+  --surface-glass-border: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.34);
+  --surface-glass-ring: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.2);
+  --surface-glass-highlight: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18);
+  --surface-glass-tint: rgba(111, 168, 255, 0.1);
+  --surface-glass-background:
+    linear-gradient(180deg, var(--surface-glass-highlight), transparent 58%),
+    linear-gradient(135deg, var(--surface-glass-tint), transparent 66%),
+    var(--surface-glass-bg);
+  --surface-glass-hover-bg: rgba(249, 251, 255, 0.28);
+  --surface-glass-hover-background:
+    linear-gradient(
+      180deg,
+      color-mix(in srgb, var(--surface-glass-highlight), white 14%),
+      transparent 58%
+    ),
+    linear-gradient(
+      135deg,
+      color-mix(in srgb, var(--surface-glass-tint), var(--primary) 16%),
+      transparent 66%
+    ),
+    var(--surface-glass-hover-bg);
   --surface-glass-hover-border: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.36);
-  --control-glass-bg: rgba(249, 251, 255, 0.76);
-  --control-glass-hover-bg: rgba(249, 251, 255, 0.9);
+  --surface-ripple-core: rgba(111, 168, 255, 0.24);
+  --surface-ripple-soft: rgba(91, 194, 181, 0.12);
+  --surface-ripple-glint: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.24);
+  --surface-ripple-opacity: 0.9;
+  --control-glass-bg: rgba(249, 251, 255, 0.26);
+  --control-glass-hover-bg: rgba(249, 251, 255, 0.36);
   --tint-primary: rgba(111, 168, 255, 0.06);
   --tint-primary-strong: rgba(111, 168, 255, 0.1);
 
@@ -89,21 +111,27 @@
   --bg: #ffffff;
   --page: #ffffff;
   --bg-accent: #ffffff;
-  --panel: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.82);
-  --panel-alt: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.68);
+  --panel: rgba(248, 250, 255, 0.28);
+  --panel-alt: rgba(241, 246, 255, 0.2);
   --text: #111827;
   --muted: #6b7280;
   --border: rgba(17, 24, 39, 0.14);
   --veil: rgba(17, 24, 39, 0.45);
   --glass-border: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.55);
   --glass-border-strong: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.72);
-  --surface-glass-bg: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.88);
-  --surface-glass-border: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.22);
-  --surface-glass-ring: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.16);
-  --surface-glass-hover-bg: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.96);
-  --surface-glass-hover-border: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.34);
-  --control-glass-bg: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.78);
-  --control-glass-hover-bg: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.92);
+  --surface-glass-bg: rgba(248, 250, 255, 0.16);
+  --surface-glass-border: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.34);
+  --surface-glass-ring: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.22);
+  --surface-glass-highlight: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.22);
+  --surface-glass-tint: rgba(111, 168, 255, 0.08);
+  --surface-glass-hover-bg: rgba(248, 250, 255, 0.28);
+  --surface-glass-hover-border: rgba(79, 106, 215, 0.46);
+  --surface-ripple-core: rgba(111, 168, 255, 0.22);
+  --surface-ripple-soft: rgba(91, 194, 181, 0.1);
+  --surface-ripple-glint: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.26);
+  --surface-ripple-opacity: 0.9;
+  --control-glass-bg: rgba(248, 250, 255, 0.22);
+  --control-glass-hover-bg: rgba(248, 250, 255, 0.34);
   --shadow-card: 0 18px 44px rgba(17, 24, 39, 0.09);
   --shadow-popover: 0 22px 60px rgba(17, 24, 39, 0.16);
   --shadow-tile: 0 14px 34px rgba(17, 24, 39, 0.09);
@@ -135,8 +163,14 @@
   --surface-glass-bg: rgba(6, 9, 14, 0.72);
   --surface-glass-border: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12);
   --surface-glass-ring: rgba(111, 168, 255, 0.24);
+  --surface-glass-highlight: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+  --surface-glass-tint: rgba(111, 168, 255, 0.06);
   --surface-glass-hover-bg: rgba(12, 18, 28, 0.82);
   --surface-glass-hover-border: rgba(111, 168, 255, 0.32);
+  --surface-ripple-core: rgba(111, 168, 255, 0.18);
+  --surface-ripple-soft: rgba(91, 194, 181, 0.08);
+  --surface-ripple-glint: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+  --surface-ripple-opacity: 0.75;
   --control-glass-bg: rgba(10, 14, 22, 0.72);
   --control-glass-hover-bg: rgba(15, 22, 34, 0.82);
   --shadow-card: 0 18px 44px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.72);
@@ -195,8 +229,14 @@
   --surface-glass-bg: rgba(29, 8, 2, 0.74);
   --surface-glass-border: rgba(255, 187, 104, 0.16);
   --surface-glass-ring: rgba(255, 138, 31, 0.28);
+  --surface-glass-highlight: rgba(255, 209, 102, 0.09);
+  --surface-glass-tint: rgba(255, 104, 0, 0.08);
   --surface-glass-hover-bg: rgba(49, 15, 4, 0.84);
   --surface-glass-hover-border: rgba(255, 138, 31, 0.42);
+  --surface-ripple-core: rgba(255, 138, 31, 0.2);
+  --surface-ripple-soft: rgba(255, 61, 0, 0.1);
+  --surface-ripple-glint: rgba(255, 209, 102, 0.12);
+  --surface-ripple-opacity: 0.8;
   --control-glass-bg: rgba(38, 11, 3, 0.74);
   --control-glass-hover-bg: rgba(59, 18, 5, 0.86);
   --shadow-card: 0 18px 44px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.78);