diff --git a/frontend/src/components/AccountList.vue b/frontend/src/components/AccountList.vue
index ac2388d..1680681 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/AccountList.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/AccountList.vue
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
 
 <template>
   <section class="flex flex-col gap-5">
-    <h2 class="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">People</h2>
+    <h2 class="section-label">People</h2>
 
     <OneTimeLink
       v-if="fresh"
@@ -71,14 +71,14 @@ onMounted(() => {
       @done="fresh = null"
     />
 
-    <p v-if="error" class="text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{{ error }}</p>
+    <p v-if="error" class="form-error">{{ error }}</p>
 
-    <div v-if="loading" class="py-6 text-center text-sm text-neutral-400">Loading…</div>
+    <div v-if="loading" class="list-empty">Loading…</div>
     <ul v-else class="flex flex-col gap-2">
       <li
         v-for="a in accounts"
         :key="a.id"
-        class="flex items-center justify-between gap-4 rounded-xl border border-neutral-200 px-4 py-3 dark:border-neutral-800"
+        class="row-card"
       >
         <div class="min-w-0">
           <p class="truncate text-sm font-medium text-neutral-800 dark:text-neutral-100">{{ a.display_name }}</p>
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
         </div>
         <button
           type="button"
-          class="shrink-0 rounded-md border border-neutral-300 px-2.5 py-1 text-xs text-neutral-700 hover:bg-neutral-100 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand disabled:opacity-50 dark:border-neutral-700 dark:text-neutral-200 dark:hover:bg-neutral-800"
+          class="shrink-0 btn-sm"
           :disabled="busy === a.id"
           @click="resetLink(a)"
         >
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ActivityList.vue b/frontend/src/components/ActivityList.vue
index 15fb1f6..48c0d1c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ActivityList.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ActivityList.vue
@@ -93,11 +93,11 @@ onMounted(() => {
 
 <template>
   <section class="flex flex-col gap-5">
-    <h2 class="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">Activity</h2>
+    <h2 class="section-label">Activity</h2>
 
-    <p v-if="error" class="text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{{ error }}</p>
+    <p v-if="error" class="form-error">{{ error }}</p>
 
-    <div v-if="loading" class="py-6 text-center text-sm text-neutral-400">Loading…</div>
+    <div v-if="loading" class="list-empty">Loading…</div>
     <p v-else-if="!events.length" class="text-sm text-neutral-400">Nothing yet.</p>
     <ul v-else class="flex flex-col gap-2">
       <li
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
     <button
       v-if="more"
       type="button"
-      class="self-start rounded-md border border-neutral-300 px-2.5 py-1 text-xs text-neutral-700 hover:bg-neutral-100 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand disabled:opacity-50 dark:border-neutral-700 dark:text-neutral-200 dark:hover:bg-neutral-800"
+      class="self-start btn-sm"
       :disabled="loadingMore"
       @click="loadMore"
     >
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/AppShell.vue b/frontend/src/components/AppShell.vue
index 04f128d..3d487d2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/AppShell.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/AppShell.vue
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ async function signOut() {
           </RouterLink>
 
           <div class="mt-3 flex items-center justify-between px-3 pb-1">
-            <span class="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">Tags</span>
+            <span class="section-label">Tags</span>
             <button
               type="button"
               class="text-neutral-400 hover:text-neutral-600 dark:hover:text-neutral-200"
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/CommandPalette.vue b/frontend/src/components/CommandPalette.vue
index 7f43885..2244651 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/CommandPalette.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/CommandPalette.vue
@@ -132,6 +132,6 @@ onMounted(async () => {
           </button>
         </li>
       </ul>
-      <p v-else class="px-4 py-6 text-center text-sm text-neutral-400">No matches</p>
+      <p v-else class="px-4 list-empty">No matches</p>
   </BaseModal>
 </template>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/DesktopMenuEntry.vue b/frontend/src/components/DesktopMenuEntry.vue
index a938291..b1daf81 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/DesktopMenuEntry.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/DesktopMenuEntry.vue
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ async function toggle() {
   <section v-if="status?.is_appimage" class="mt-10 border-t border-neutral-200 pt-8 dark:border-neutral-800">
     <h2 class="text-sm font-semibold">Applications menu</h2>
     <div class="mt-3 flex items-center justify-between gap-4">
-      <p class="text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+      <p class="hint">
         {{ status.is_integrated ? "Inkwell is in your applications menu." : "Not in your applications menu." }}
       </p>
       <BaseButton
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/GroupList.vue b/frontend/src/components/GroupList.vue
index 3e2c3ed..0b1ffd8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/GroupList.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/GroupList.vue
@@ -140,16 +140,16 @@ onMounted(() => {
 
 <template>
   <section class="flex flex-col gap-5">
-    <h2 class="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">Groups</h2>
+    <h2 class="section-label">Groups</h2>
 
     <form class="flex flex-wrap items-end gap-3" @submit.prevent="create">
       <BaseInput id="group-name" v-model="name" label="New group" placeholder="Family" class="min-w-48 flex-1" />
       <BaseButton type="submit" :loading="creating" :disabled="!name.trim()">Create group</BaseButton>
     </form>
 
-    <p v-if="error" class="text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{{ error }}</p>
+    <p v-if="error" class="form-error">{{ error }}</p>
 
-    <div v-if="loading" class="py-6 text-center text-sm text-neutral-400">Loading…</div>
+    <div v-if="loading" class="list-empty">Loading…</div>
     <p v-else-if="empty" class="text-sm text-neutral-400">No groups yet.</p>
     <ul v-else class="flex flex-col gap-2">
       <li
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
           <div class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2">
             <button
               type="button"
-              class="rounded-md border border-neutral-300 px-2.5 py-1 text-xs text-neutral-700 hover:bg-neutral-100 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand disabled:opacity-50 dark:border-neutral-700 dark:text-neutral-200 dark:hover:bg-neutral-800"
+              class="btn-sm"
               :disabled="busy === g.id"
               @click="rename(g)"
             >
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
             </button>
             <button
               type="button"
-              class="rounded-md border border-neutral-300 px-2.5 py-1 text-xs text-red-600 hover:bg-red-50 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand disabled:opacity-50 dark:border-neutral-700 dark:text-red-400 dark:hover:bg-red-950/40"
+              class="btn-sm-danger"
               :disabled="busy === g.id"
               @click="remove(g)"
             >
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
           </select>
           <button
             type="submit"
-            class="rounded-md border border-neutral-300 px-2.5 py-1.5 text-xs text-neutral-700 hover:bg-neutral-100 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand disabled:opacity-50 dark:border-neutral-700 dark:text-neutral-200 dark:hover:bg-neutral-800"
+            class="btn-sm py-1.5"
             :disabled="busy === g.id || !picks[g.id]"
           >
             Add
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/InviteList.vue b/frontend/src/components/InviteList.vue
index 8c80a57..082d1c2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/InviteList.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/InviteList.vue
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
 
 <template>
   <section class="flex flex-col gap-5">
-    <h2 class="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">Invites</h2>
+    <h2 class="section-label">Invites</h2>
 
     <OneTimeLink
       v-if="freshLink"
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
         <select
           id="invite-days"
           v-model.number="days"
-          class="rounded-lg border border-neutral-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-neutral-900 shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand dark:border-neutral-700 dark:bg-neutral-800 dark:text-neutral-100"
+          class="field"
         >
           <option v-for="l in LIFETIMES" :key="l.days" :value="l.days">{{ l.label }}</option>
         </select>
@@ -140,15 +140,15 @@ onMounted(() => {
       <BaseButton type="submit" :loading="creating">Create invite</BaseButton>
     </form>
 
-    <p v-if="error" class="text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{{ error }}</p>
+    <p v-if="error" class="form-error">{{ error }}</p>
 
-    <div v-if="loading" class="py-6 text-center text-sm text-neutral-400">Loading…</div>
+    <div v-if="loading" class="list-empty">Loading…</div>
     <p v-else-if="!invites.length" class="text-sm text-neutral-400">No invites yet.</p>
     <ul v-else class="flex flex-col gap-2">
       <li
         v-for="i in invites"
         :key="i.id"
-        class="flex items-center justify-between gap-4 rounded-xl border border-neutral-200 px-4 py-3 dark:border-neutral-800"
+        class="row-card"
       >
         <div class="min-w-0">
           <p class="truncate text-sm font-medium text-neutral-800 dark:text-neutral-100">
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
         <button
           v-if="i.status === 'pending'"
           type="button"
-          class="shrink-0 rounded-md border border-neutral-300 px-2.5 py-1 text-xs text-red-600 hover:bg-red-50 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand dark:border-neutral-700 dark:text-red-400 dark:hover:bg-red-950/40"
+          class="shrink-0 btn-sm-danger"
           @click="revoke(i)"
         >
           Revoke
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/NoteEditor.vue b/frontend/src/components/NoteEditor.vue
index 72a6be2..59f43f6 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/NoteEditor.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/NoteEditor.vue
@@ -761,7 +761,7 @@ function revPreview(rev: NoteRevision): string {
           v-if="!isCreate && showHistory"
           class="flex flex-col gap-1 border-t border-neutral-100 pt-2 dark:border-neutral-800"
         >
-          <p class="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">History</p>
+          <p class="section-label">History</p>
           <p v-if="!revisions.length" class="text-xs text-neutral-400">
             No earlier versions yet — your edits will show up here.
           </p>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/ShareDialog.vue b/frontend/src/components/ShareDialog.vue
index 4e25617..d03b7a2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/ShareDialog.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/ShareDialog.vue
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ onMounted(load);
       <p v-if="loading" class="py-4 text-center text-sm text-neutral-400">Loading…</p>
 
       <div v-else-if="loadError" class="py-4 text-center">
-        <p class="text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{{ loadError }}</p>
+        <p class="form-error">{{ loadError }}</p>
         <button
           type="button"
           class="mt-2 rounded-md border border-neutral-300 px-3 py-1 text-sm hover:bg-neutral-100 dark:border-neutral-700 dark:hover:bg-neutral-800"
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ onMounted(load);
       </div>
 
       <template v-else>
-        <p v-if="!anyone" class="text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+        <p v-if="!anyone" class="hint">
           No one else has an account here yet. An admin can invite people from Settings.
         </p>
 
@@ -156,10 +156,10 @@ onMounted(load);
           </button>
         </form>
 
-        <p v-if="error" role="alert" class="text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{{ error }}</p>
+        <p v-if="error" role="alert" class="form-error">{{ error }}</p>
 
         <div class="flex flex-col gap-1">
-          <p class="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">Shared with</p>
+          <p class="section-label">Shared with</p>
           <p v-if="!shares.length" class="text-sm text-neutral-400">Only you.</p>
           <ul v-else class="flex flex-col gap-1">
             <li v-for="s in shares" :key="s.id" class="flex items-center gap-2 rounded-lg px-1 py-1">
diff --git a/frontend/src/style.css b/frontend/src/style.css
index 2cf1ea6..3c9dfd4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/style.css
+++ b/frontend/src/style.css
@@ -290,4 +290,52 @@ body {
   .nav-link-active {
     @apply bg-neutral-200 text-neutral-900 dark:bg-neutral-800 dark:text-neutral-100;
   }
+  /* The small bordered action on a row in Account, Admin and Sync: Rename, Revoke,
+   * Sign out. Two colours, neutral and destructive; spacing a site needs beyond
+   * these (shrink-0, self-start, py-1.5) stays a utility beside it. */
+  .btn-sm {
+    @apply rounded-md border border-neutral-300 px-2.5 py-1 text-xs text-neutral-700
+      hover:bg-neutral-100 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand
+      disabled:opacity-50 dark:border-neutral-700 dark:text-neutral-200 dark:hover:bg-neutral-800;
+  }
+  .btn-sm-danger {
+    @apply rounded-md border border-neutral-300 px-2.5 py-1 text-xs text-red-600
+      hover:bg-red-50 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand
+      disabled:opacity-50 dark:border-neutral-700 dark:text-red-400 dark:hover:bg-red-950/40;
+  }
+  /* A plain text or number input on a settings page; its width is the site's. */
+  .field {
+    @apply rounded-lg border border-neutral-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-neutral-900
+      shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand
+      dark:border-neutral-700 dark:bg-neutral-800 dark:text-neutral-100;
+  }
+  /* A settings or account page: one centred column. */
+  .page-shell {
+    @apply mx-auto min-h-full max-w-2xl px-4 py-8;
+  }
+  /* The small caps heading over a group of rows or controls. */
+  .section-label {
+    @apply text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400;
+  }
+  /* One bordered row in a list of things you can act on: a device, an account. */
+  .row-card {
+    @apply flex items-center justify-between gap-4 rounded-xl border border-neutral-200 px-4
+      py-3 dark:border-neutral-800;
+  }
+  /* The line a list shows when it has nothing in it. */
+  .list-empty {
+    @apply py-6 text-center text-sm text-neutral-400;
+  }
+  /* Secondary text under a heading or beside a control. */
+  .hint {
+    @apply text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400;
+  }
+  /* A field's or a form's own error, in a line of text. */
+  .form-error {
+    @apply text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400;
+  }
+  /* A form's error as a banner over its submit button. */
+  .alert-error {
+    @apply rounded-lg bg-red-50 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-red-700 dark:bg-red-950/50 dark:text-red-300;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/AccountView.vue b/frontend/src/views/AccountView.vue
index dd6fbdf..3a0cce4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/AccountView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/AccountView.vue
@@ -142,11 +142,11 @@ onMounted(() => {
 </script>
 
 <template>
-  <div class="mx-auto min-h-full max-w-2xl px-4 py-8">
+  <div class="page-shell">
     <PageHeader title="Account" />
 
-    <h2 class="mb-2 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">Linked devices</h2>
-    <p class="mb-6 max-w-xl text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+    <h2 class="mb-2 section-label">Linked devices</h2>
+    <p class="mb-6 max-w-xl hint">
       Link the Inkwell desktop or mobile app to sync your notes. Create a device token here, then
       paste it into the app when it asks to connect. You can revoke a device at any time.
     </p>
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
       <BaseButton type="submit" :loading="creating">Create token</BaseButton>
     </form>
 
-    <p v-if="error" class="mb-4 text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{{ error }}</p>
+    <p v-if="error" class="mb-4 form-error">{{ error }}</p>
 
     <!-- Device list -->
     <div v-if="devices.loading" class="py-10 text-center text-sm text-neutral-400">Loading…</div>
@@ -207,13 +207,13 @@ onMounted(() => {
       v-else-if="!devices.items.length"
       class="rounded-xl border border-dashed border-neutral-300 py-10 text-center dark:border-neutral-700"
     >
-      <p class="text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">No devices linked yet.</p>
+      <p class="hint">No devices linked yet.</p>
     </div>
     <ul v-else class="flex flex-col gap-2">
       <li
         v-for="d in devices.items"
         :key="d.id"
-        class="flex items-center justify-between gap-4 rounded-xl border border-neutral-200 px-4 py-3 dark:border-neutral-800"
+        class="row-card"
       >
         <div class="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-3">
           <span class="text-neutral-400"><Icon name="device" /></span>
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
         </div>
         <button
           type="button"
-          class="shrink-0 rounded-md border border-neutral-300 px-2.5 py-1 text-xs text-red-600 hover:bg-red-50 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand dark:border-neutral-700 dark:text-red-400 dark:hover:bg-red-950/40"
+          class="shrink-0 btn-sm-danger"
           @click="revoke(d.id, d.name)"
         >
           Revoke
@@ -235,9 +235,9 @@ onMounted(() => {
     </ul>
 
     <template v-if="storage">
-      <h2 class="mb-2 mt-10 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">Storage</h2>
+      <h2 class="mb-2 mt-10 section-label">Storage</h2>
       <div
-        class="flex items-center justify-between gap-4 rounded-xl border border-neutral-200 px-4 py-3 dark:border-neutral-800"
+        class="row-card"
       >
         <div class="min-w-0">
           <p class="text-sm font-medium text-neutral-800 dark:text-neutral-100">Attachments</p>
@@ -247,8 +247,8 @@ onMounted(() => {
       </div>
     </template>
 
-    <h2 class="mb-2 mt-10 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">Password</h2>
-    <p class="mb-4 text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">Changing it signs you out everywhere else.</p>
+    <h2 class="mb-2 mt-10 section-label">Password</h2>
+    <p class="mb-4 hint">Changing it signs you out everywhere else.</p>
     <form class="flex max-w-sm flex-col gap-3" @submit.prevent="changePassword">
       <BaseInput
         id="current-password"
@@ -273,9 +273,9 @@ onMounted(() => {
       </div>
     </form>
 
-    <h2 class="mb-2 mt-10 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">Sessions</h2>
+    <h2 class="mb-2 mt-10 section-label">Sessions</h2>
     <div
-      class="flex items-center justify-between gap-4 rounded-xl border border-neutral-200 px-4 py-3 dark:border-neutral-800"
+      class="row-card"
     >
       <div class="min-w-0">
         <p class="text-sm font-medium text-neutral-800 dark:text-neutral-100">Sign out everywhere else</p>
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/BoardView.vue b/frontend/src/views/BoardView.vue
index 1f859c2..96c6cdb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/BoardView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/BoardView.vue
@@ -350,11 +350,11 @@ const gridBinds = computed(() => ({
       <template v-else>
       <template v-if="isMainBoard">
         <section v-if="pinnedNotes.length">
-          <h2 class="mb-2 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">Pinned</h2>
+          <h2 class="mb-2 section-label">Pinned</h2>
           <NoteGrid :notes="pinnedNotes" v-bind="gridBinds" />
         </section>
         <section v-if="otherNotes.length" :class="pinnedNotes.length ? 'mt-8' : ''">
-          <h2 v-if="pinnedNotes.length" class="mb-2 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">
+          <h2 v-if="pinnedNotes.length" class="mb-2 section-label">
             Others
           </h2>
           <NoteGrid :notes="otherNotes" v-bind="gridBinds" />
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/ForgotPasswordView.vue b/frontend/src/views/ForgotPasswordView.vue
index 6afe546..ae66851 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/ForgotPasswordView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/ForgotPasswordView.vue
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ async function submit() {
           height="48"
         />
         <h1 class="text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight">Forgot your password?</h1>
-        <p class="mt-1 text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">We'll email you a link to choose a new one.</p>
+        <p class="mt-1 hint">We'll email you a link to choose a new one.</p>
       </div>
 
       <p
@@ -67,14 +67,14 @@ async function submit() {
         <p
           v-if="error"
           role="alert"
-          class="rounded-lg bg-red-50 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-red-700 dark:bg-red-950/50 dark:text-red-300"
+          class="alert-error"
         >
           {{ error }}
         </p>
         <BaseButton type="submit" :loading="loading">Send reset link</BaseButton>
       </form>
 
-      <p class="mt-6 text-center text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+      <p class="mt-6 text-center hint">
         <RouterLink to="/login" class="font-semibold text-brand-700 hover:underline dark:text-brand"
           >Back to sign in</RouterLink
         >
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/LoginView.vue b/frontend/src/views/LoginView.vue
index 92da95c..2d3a32c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/LoginView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/LoginView.vue
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ async function submit() {
           height="48"
         />
         <h1 class="text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight">Welcome back</h1>
-        <p class="mt-1 text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">Sign in to your thoughts.</p>
+        <p class="mt-1 hint">Sign in to your thoughts.</p>
       </div>
 
       <form class="flex flex-col gap-4" novalidate @submit.prevent="submit">
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ async function submit() {
         <p
           v-if="error"
           role="alert"
-          class="rounded-lg bg-red-50 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-red-700 dark:bg-red-950/50 dark:text-red-300"
+          class="alert-error"
         >
           {{ error }}
         </p>
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ async function submit() {
         >
       </form>
 
-      <p v-if="config.allowRegistration" class="mt-6 text-center text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+      <p v-if="config.allowRegistration" class="mt-6 text-center hint">
         No account?
         <RouterLink to="/register" class="font-semibold text-brand-700 hover:underline dark:text-brand"
           >Create one</RouterLink
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/RegisterView.vue b/frontend/src/views/RegisterView.vue
index 190aba9..14c1762 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/RegisterView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/RegisterView.vue
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ async function submit() {
           height="48"
         />
         <h1 class="text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight">{{ invite ? "You're invited" : "Create your space" }}</h1>
-        <p class="mt-1 text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+        <p class="mt-1 hint">
           {{ invite ? `Create your account on ${config.siteName}.` : "Start capturing in seconds." }}
         </p>
       </div>
@@ -86,14 +86,14 @@ async function submit() {
         <p
           v-if="error"
           role="alert"
-          class="rounded-lg bg-red-50 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-red-700 dark:bg-red-950/50 dark:text-red-300"
+          class="alert-error"
         >
           {{ error }}
         </p>
         <BaseButton type="submit" :loading="loading">Create account</BaseButton>
       </form>
 
-      <p class="mt-6 text-center text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+      <p class="mt-6 text-center hint">
         Already have an account?
         <RouterLink to="/login" class="font-semibold text-brand-700 hover:underline dark:text-brand"
           >Sign in</RouterLink
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/ResetPasswordView.vue b/frontend/src/views/ResetPasswordView.vue
index 0b06020..bee3cf2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/ResetPasswordView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/ResetPasswordView.vue
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ async function submit() {
           height="48"
         />
         <h1 class="text-2xl font-bold tracking-tight">Choose a new password</h1>
-        <p class="mt-1 text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+        <p class="mt-1 hint">
           You'll be signed out everywhere else, and your apps will ask you to sign in again.
         </p>
       </div>
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ async function submit() {
       <p
         v-if="!token"
         role="alert"
-        class="rounded-lg bg-red-50 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-red-700 dark:bg-red-950/50 dark:text-red-300"
+        class="alert-error"
       >
         This link is incomplete. Ask your admin for a new one.
       </p>
@@ -91,14 +91,14 @@ async function submit() {
         <p
           v-if="error"
           role="alert"
-          class="rounded-lg bg-red-50 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-red-700 dark:bg-red-950/50 dark:text-red-300"
+          class="alert-error"
         >
           {{ error }}
         </p>
         <BaseButton type="submit" :loading="loading">Set password</BaseButton>
       </form>
 
-      <p class="mt-6 text-center text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+      <p class="mt-6 text-center hint">
         <RouterLink to="/login" class="font-semibold text-brand-700 hover:underline dark:text-brand"
           >Back to sign in</RouterLink
         >
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/SettingsView.vue b/frontend/src/views/SettingsView.vue
index d6e8655..1f1e369 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/SettingsView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/SettingsView.vue
@@ -94,13 +94,13 @@ onMounted(load);
 </script>
 
 <template>
-  <div class="mx-auto min-h-full max-w-2xl px-4 py-8">
+  <div class="page-shell">
     <PageHeader title="Settings" />
 
     <AsyncState :loading="loading" :error="loadError" error-title="Couldn't load settings" @retry="load">
       <form class="flex flex-col gap-8" @submit.prevent="save">
         <section v-for="group in groups" :key="group.name" class="flex flex-col gap-5">
-          <h2 class="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">{{ group.name }}</h2>
+          <h2 class="section-label">{{ group.name }}</h2>
 
           <div v-for="it in group.entries" :key="it.key" class="flex flex-col gap-1">
             <div class="flex items-center justify-between gap-6">
@@ -126,14 +126,14 @@ onMounted(load);
                 type="number"
                 :min="it.minimum ?? undefined"
                 :max="it.maximum ?? undefined"
-                class="w-28 rounded-lg border border-neutral-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-neutral-900 shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand dark:border-neutral-700 dark:bg-neutral-800 dark:text-neutral-100"
+                class="w-28 field"
                 :value="Number(it.value)"
                 @input="it.value = Number(($event.target as HTMLInputElement).value)"
               />
               <select
                 v-else-if="it.choices"
                 :id="it.key"
-                class="w-56 rounded-lg border border-neutral-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-neutral-900 shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand dark:border-neutral-700 dark:bg-neutral-800 dark:text-neutral-100"
+                class="w-56 field"
                 :value="String(it.value)"
                 @change="it.value = ($event.target as HTMLSelectElement).value"
               >
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ onMounted(load);
                 type="password"
                 autocomplete="new-password"
                 :placeholder="it.is_set ? 'Saved — type to replace' : ''"
-                class="w-56 rounded-lg border border-neutral-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-neutral-900 shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand dark:border-neutral-700 dark:bg-neutral-800 dark:text-neutral-100"
+                class="w-56 field"
                 :value="String(it.value)"
                 @input="it.value = ($event.target as HTMLInputElement).value"
               />
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ onMounted(load);
                 v-else
                 :id="it.key"
                 type="text"
-                class="w-56 rounded-lg border border-neutral-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-neutral-900 shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-brand dark:border-neutral-700 dark:bg-neutral-800 dark:text-neutral-100"
+                class="w-56 field"
                 :value="String(it.value)"
                 @input="it.value = ($event.target as HTMLInputElement).value"
               />
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ onMounted(load);
           <BaseButton type="submit" :loading="saving" :disabled="!dirty">Save changes</BaseButton>
           <span v-if="saved && !dirty" class="text-sm text-green-600 dark:text-green-400">Saved.</span>
           <span v-else-if="!dirty && !error" class="text-sm text-neutral-400">No unsaved changes</span>
-          <span v-if="error" class="text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{{ error }}</span>
+          <span v-if="error" class="form-error">{{ error }}</span>
         </div>
       </form>
     </AsyncState>
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/SyncView.vue b/frontend/src/views/SyncView.vue
index 2285935..2dc4228 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/SyncView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/SyncView.vue
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => stopSyncListener?.());
 </script>
 
 <template>
-  <div class="mx-auto min-h-full max-w-2xl px-4 py-8">
+  <div class="page-shell">
     <PageHeader title="Sync" />
 
     <div v-if="loading" class="py-10 text-center text-sm text-neutral-400">Loading…</div>
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => stopSyncListener?.());
         <p v-if="degraded.length" class="mt-3 text-xs text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-400">
           This server doesn't support: {{ degraded.join(", ") }}. Everything else syncs normally.
         </p>
-        <p v-if="syncError" class="mt-3 text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{{ syncError }}</p>
+        <p v-if="syncError" class="mt-3 form-error">{{ syncError }}</p>
         <p v-else-if="autoError" class="mt-3 text-xs text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-400">
           The last automatic sync ({{ new Date(lastCycle!.at_ms).toLocaleTimeString() }}) didn't
           go through: {{ autoError }} It will keep trying on its own.
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => stopSyncListener?.());
         <p class="text-sm font-medium text-neutral-800 dark:text-neutral-100">
           Working offline on this device
         </p>
-        <p class="mt-1 text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+        <p class="mt-1 hint">
           Everything works without a server — your notes are stored on this machine. Connect an
           Inkwell server if you want them to reach your other devices.
         </p>
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => stopSyncListener?.());
           Uses https unless you type http:// yourself.
         </p>
 
-        <p v-if="probeError" class="text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{{ probeError }}</p>
+        <p v-if="probeError" class="form-error">{{ probeError }}</p>
 
         <!-- What answered, BEFORE any credentials are handed over -->
         <div
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => stopSyncListener?.());
             />
           </fieldset>
 
-          <p v-if="linkError" class="text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{{ linkError }}</p>
+          <p v-if="linkError" class="form-error">{{ linkError }}</p>
 
           <div>
             <BaseButton type="submit" :loading="linking" :disabled="!canLink">
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => stopSyncListener?.());
          updates: a hotkey that writes to the local store needs no server. -->
     <section class="mt-10 border-t border-neutral-200 pt-8 dark:border-neutral-800">
       <h2 class="text-sm font-semibold">Quick capture</h2>
-      <p class="mt-1 text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+      <p class="mt-1 hint">
         A system-wide shortcut that opens a small window to write a note in, without
         bringing this one forward.
       </p>
@@ -570,7 +570,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => stopSyncListener?.());
         </BaseButton>
       </div>
 
-      <p v-if="shortcutError" class="mt-2 text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">
+      <p v-if="shortcutError" class="mt-2 form-error">
         {{ shortcutError }}
       </p>
 
@@ -585,10 +585,10 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => stopSyncListener?.());
         {{ shortcut.shortcut }} is saved but isn't active — something else on this
         system is holding it. Try a different combination.
       </p>
-      <p v-else-if="shortcut.registered" class="mt-2 text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+      <p v-else-if="shortcut.registered" class="mt-2 hint">
         Press {{ shortcut.shortcut }} anywhere to capture a note.
       </p>
-      <p v-else class="mt-2 text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+      <p v-else class="mt-2 hint">
         Off. There's no default on purpose — any combination picked for you is one
         taken away from something else on your machine.
         <button
@@ -605,12 +605,12 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => stopSyncListener?.());
          has never touched a server still updates itself. -->
     <section class="mt-10 border-t border-neutral-200 pt-8 dark:border-neutral-800">
       <h2 class="text-sm font-semibold">App updates</h2>
-      <p class="mt-1 text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+      <p class="mt-1 hint">
         This is version {{ update?.current_version ?? "—" }}.
       </p>
 
       <fieldset v-if="offeredServer" class="mt-4">
-        <legend class="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">
+        <legend class="section-label">
           Updates from
         </legend>
         <div class="mt-2 flex flex-col gap-2">
@@ -650,7 +650,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => stopSyncListener?.());
 
       <!-- A server holds one build, so a channel only means something on the forge. -->
       <fieldset v-if="source === null" class="mt-4">
-        <legend class="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">
+        <legend class="section-label">
           Channel
         </legend>
         <div class="mt-2 flex flex-col gap-2">
@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => stopSyncListener?.());
       </div>
       <p
         v-else-if="checkedOnce && !updateError"
-        class="mt-4 text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400"
+        class="mt-4 hint"
       >
         <template v-if="source">You're on the newest build {{ source }} has.</template>
         <template v-else>
@@ -712,7 +712,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => stopSyncListener?.());
         </template>
       </p>
 
-      <p v-if="updateError" class="mt-4 text-sm text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">{{ updateError }}</p>
+      <p v-if="updateError" class="mt-4 form-error">{{ updateError }}</p>
 
       <div class="mt-4 flex flex-wrap gap-2">
         <BaseButton variant="ghost" :loading="checking" @click="checkUpdates">
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/TimelineView.vue b/frontend/src/views/TimelineView.vue
index 13ce60d..e18cad1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/TimelineView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/TimelineView.vue
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ onMounted(load);
         </button>
       </div>
     </div>
-    <p class="mb-5 text-sm text-neutral-500 dark:text-neutral-400">
+    <p class="mb-5 hint">
       Your notes by when you captured them{{ hasRange ? " — filtered to the chosen dates" : "" }}.
     </p>
 
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ onMounted(load);
       <EmptyState v-if="items.length === 0" :title="empty.title" :subtitle="empty.subtitle" />
       <div v-else class="flex flex-col gap-8">
         <section v-for="group in groups" :key="group.key">
-          <h2 class="mb-3 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide text-neutral-400">{{ group.label }}</h2>
+          <h2 class="mb-3 section-label">{{ group.label }}</h2>
           <NoteGrid :notes="group.notes" @open="openEditor" />
         </section>
       </div>