fix: make built-in themes accessible

docs/themes.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Themes
 
-cliamp ships with 21 built-in color themes and supports custom themes via simple TOML files.
+cliamp ships with 21 contrast-checked color themes and supports custom themes via simple TOML files.
 
 Press `t` during playback to open the theme picker. Navigate with `↑`/`↓`, preview live as you move, confirm with `Enter`, or cancel with `Esc`.
 
@@ -18,13 +18,15 @@ Create a `.toml` file in `~/.config/cliamp/themes/`:
 mkdir -p ~/.config/cliamp/themes
 ```
 
-Each file needs all 6 colors as `#RRGGBB` hex values. Incomplete or malformed
+Each file needs all 6 foreground colors as `#RRGGBB` hex values. Add `bg` to set
-custom themes are ignored, so they cannot silently make focus, warning, error,
+a matching background; omit it to keep your terminal background. Incomplete or
-or disabled states unreadable. The filename (minus `.toml`) becomes the theme name.
+malformed custom themes are ignored. The filename (minus `.toml`) becomes the
+theme name.
 
 ### Example: `~/.config/cliamp/themes/solarized.toml`
 
 ```toml
+bg = "#002b36"
 accent = "#268bd2"
 bright_fg = "#eee8d5"
 fg = "#839496"
@@ -37,20 +39,22 @@ That's it. Press `t` and your theme appears in the list immediately.
 
 ### Color reference
 
-| Key         | What it colors                                    |
+| Key         | What it colors                              |
-|-------------|---------------------------------------------------|
+|-------------|---------------------------------------------|
-| `accent`    | Title, track name, seek bar, selected items       |
+| `bg`        | Optional application background             |
-| `bright_fg` | Primary text, time display, help key pill text     |
+| `accent`    | Title, track name, seek bar, selected items |
-| `fg`        | Muted/secondary text, help bar, inactive elements, help key pill background |
+| `bright_fg` | Primary text and time display               |
-| `green`     | Playing indicator, volume bar, spectrum low        |
+| `fg`        | Muted text, help bar, inactive elements     |
-| `yellow`    | Spectrum middle                                   |
+| `green`     | Playing, success, volume, spectrum low      |
-| `red`       | Spectrum top, error messages                      |
+| `yellow`    | Warnings and spectrum middle               |
+| `red`       | Errors and spectrum top                    |
 
-All values are six-digit hex strings (for example, `"#ff5733"`).
+All values are six-digit hex strings (for example, `"#ff5733"`). Help-key
+pill text automatically switches between black and white for readable contrast.
 
-Important UI states also use stable text markers such as `>`, `Q`, `★`, and `!`,
+Important UI states also use stable text markers such as `>`, `Q`, `★`, `!`,
-so selection, queued, bookmarked, and unavailable tracks remain distinguishable
+`WARN:`, and `ERR:`, so state and feedback remain distinguishable in monochrome
-in monochrome terminals.
+terminals.
 
 ## Overriding a built-in theme
 

ipc/protocol.go

@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ type Response struct {
 // Empty hex fields mean the default (ANSI fallback) theme is active.
 type ThemeInfo struct {
 	Name     string `json:"name"`
+	BG       string `json:"bg,omitempty"`
 	Accent   string `json:"accent,omitempty"`
 	Fg       string `json:"fg,omitempty"`
 	BrightFg string `json:"bright_fg,omitempty"`

site/index.html

@@ -754,7 +754,7 @@ user_id = "your-account-user-id"</code></pre>
     </div>
     <div class="features-grid reveal">
       <div class="feature"><div class="feature-icon">≡</div><div class="feature-name">10-Band Equalizer</div><p>Parametric EQ presets plus a persistent Custom curve that survives preset changes and restarts.</p></div>
-      <div class="feature"><div class="feature-icon">◈</div><div class="feature-name">Themes &amp; Visualizers</div><p>21 built-in themes and spectrum, waveform, particle, and true-stereo modes. Stereo provides dedicated L/R horizontal LED peak meters. Hot-swap with <kbd>t</kbd> / <kbd>v</kbd>.</p></div>
+      <div class="feature"><div class="feature-icon">◈</div><div class="feature-name">Themes &amp; Visualizers</div><p>21 contrast-checked built-in themes and spectrum, waveform, particle, and true-stereo modes. Stereo provides dedicated L/R horizontal LED peak meters. Hot-swap with <kbd>t</kbd> / <kbd>v</kbd>.</p></div>
       <div class="feature"><div class="feature-icon">☰</div><div class="feature-name">Playlists</div><p>TOML playlists with dynamic directory sources (<code>--dir</code>), M3U/M3U8/PLS import/export, duplicate-safe writes, and TUI/CLI sort tools.</p></div>
       <div class="feature"><div class="feature-icon">⟲</div><div class="feature-name">Recently Played</div><p>Auto-recorded listening history. Browse it as a virtual playlist or run <code>cliamp history</code> from the shell.</p></div>
       <div class="feature"><div class="feature-icon">→</div><div class="feature-name">HTTP Streaming</div><p>Play from URLs, internet radio, remote M3U playlists, and HLS (<code>.m3u8</code>) live streams via ffmpeg.</p></div>

theme/accessibility_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+package theme
+
+import (
+	"math"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestBuiltinThemesMeetTextContrast(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Setenv("HOME", t.TempDir())
+	themes := LoadAll()
+	if len(themes) != 21 {
+		t.Fatalf("LoadAll() returned %d built-in themes, want 21", len(themes))
+	}
+
+	for _, th := range themes {
+		if th.BG == "" {
+			t.Errorf("built-in theme %q has no background", th.Name)
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, role := range []struct {
+			name  string
+			color string
+		}{
+			{"accent", th.Accent},
+			{"bright_fg", th.BrightFG},
+			{"fg", th.FG},
+			{"green", th.Green},
+			{"yellow", th.Yellow},
+			{"red", th.Red},
+		} {
+			if ratio := contrastRatio(role.color, th.BG); ratio < 4.5 {
+				t.Errorf("theme %q %s contrast = %.2f:1, want at least 4.5:1", th.Name, role.name, ratio)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func contrastRatio(a, b string) float64 {
+	lighter := relativeLuminance(a)
+	darker := relativeLuminance(b)
+	if lighter < darker {
+		lighter, darker = darker, lighter
+	}
+	return (lighter + 0.05) / (darker + 0.05)
+}
+
+func relativeLuminance(hex string) float64 {
+	value, err := strconv.ParseUint(strings.TrimPrefix(hex, "#"), 16, 24)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0
+	}
+	linear := func(channel uint64) float64 {
+		component := float64(channel) / 255
+		if component <= 0.04045 {
+			return component / 12.92
+		}
+		return math.Pow((component+0.055)/1.055, 2.4)
+	}
+	return 0.2126*linear(value>>16) + 0.7152*linear((value>>8)&0xff) + 0.0722*linear(value&0xff)
+}

theme/load_test.go

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ func TestLoadAllIncludesWinampPalette(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Setenv("HOME", t.TempDir())
 	want := Theme{
 		Name:     "winamp",
+		BG:       "#000000",
 		Accent:   "#00FF00",
 		BrightFG: "#FFFFFF",
 		FG:       "#969696",

theme/theme.go

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ const DefaultName = "Default - Terminal colors"
 // Theme holds a named color scheme with hex color values.
 type Theme struct {
 	Name     string
+	BG       string
 	Accent   string // hex
 	BrightFG string
 	FG       string
@@ -37,11 +38,11 @@ var hexColor = regexp.MustCompile(`^#[0-9a-fA-F]{6}$`)
 
 // IsDefault returns true if this is the sentinel default theme (no hex values).
 func (t Theme) IsDefault() bool {
-	return t.Accent == "" && t.Green == "" && t.BrightFG == ""
+	return t.BG == "" && t.Accent == "" && t.Green == "" && t.BrightFG == ""
 }
 
-// Validate ensures a custom theme supplies the complete six-color palette in
+// Validate ensures a custom theme supplies the complete six-color foreground
-// CSS hex notation. The terminal-default sentinel intentionally has no colors.
+// palette in CSS hex notation. Background is optional for custom themes.
 func (t Theme) Validate() error {
 	if t.IsDefault() {
 		return nil
@@ -64,6 +65,9 @@ func (t Theme) Validate() error {
 			return fmt.Errorf("theme %q: %s must be #RRGGBB", t.Name, color.name)
 		}
 	}
+	if t.BG != "" && !hexColor.MatchString(t.BG) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("theme %q: bg must be #RRGGBB", t.Name)
+	}
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -92,6 +96,8 @@ func Parse(name string, r io.Reader) (Theme, error) {
 		val = strings.Trim(val, `"'`)
 
 		switch key {
+		case "bg":
+			t.BG = val
 		case "accent":
 			t.Accent = val
 		case "bright_fg":

theme/theme_test.go

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ func TestIsDefault(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		{"empty hex values", Theme{Name: "Default"}, true},
 		{"has accent", Theme{Name: "Custom", Accent: "#ff0000"}, false},
+		{"has background", Theme{Name: "Custom", BG: "#000000"}, false},
 		{"has green", Theme{Name: "Custom", Green: "#00ff00"}, false},
 		{"has bright fg", Theme{Name: "Custom", BrightFG: "#ffffff"}, false},
 	}
@@ -37,6 +38,7 @@ func TestIsDefault(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestParse(t *testing.T) {
 	input := `# Solarized Dark theme
+bg = "#002b36"
 accent = "#268bd2"
 bright_fg = "#93a1a1"
 fg = "#839496"
@@ -52,6 +54,9 @@ red = "#dc322f"
 	if th.Name != "solarized-dark" {
 		t.Errorf("Name = %q, want solarized-dark", th.Name)
 	}
+	if th.BG != "#002b36" {
+		t.Errorf("BG = %q, want #002b36", th.BG)
+	}
 	if th.Accent != "#268bd2" {
 		t.Errorf("Accent = %q, want #268bd2", th.Accent)
 	}
@@ -144,4 +149,9 @@ func TestThemeValidate(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := valid.Validate(); err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("Validate() accepted invalid color")
 	}
+	valid.Red = "#667788"
+	valid.BG = "black"
+	if err := valid.Validate(); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("Validate() accepted invalid background color")
+	}
 }

theme/themes/ayu-mirage-dark.toml

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+bg = "#1f2430"
 accent = "#73d0ff"
 bright_fg = "#f3f4f5"
 fg = "#cccac2"

theme/themes/catppuccin-latte.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-accent = "#1e66f5"
+bg = "#eff1f5"
+accent = "#1a5cc8"
 bright_fg = "#4c4f69"
-fg = "#8c8fa1"
+fg = "#686b80"
-green = "#40a02b"
+green = "#287a16"
-yellow = "#df8e1d"
+yellow = "#956400"
 red = "#d20f39"

theme/themes/catppuccin.toml

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+bg = "#1e1e2e"
 accent = "#89b4fa"
 bright_fg = "#cdd6f4"
 fg = "#9399b2"

theme/themes/dracula.toml

@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 # Dracula — gothic purple with vivid spectrum.
 # The most popular terminal theme. draculatheme.com
+bg = "#282a36"
 accent = "#bd93f9"
 bright_fg = "#f8f8f2"
-fg = "#6272a4"
+fg = "#8b9ac4"
 green = "#50fa7b"
 yellow = "#f1fa8c"
 red = "#ff5555"

theme/themes/ember.toml

@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 # Ember — deep warm hearth.
 # Campfire coals, darkroom safelight, analog warmth.
+bg = "#121212"
 accent = "#e07040"
 bright_fg = "#e8d0b8"
 fg = "#907868"
-green = "#a08858"
+green = "#9aaa68"
 yellow = "#d8a050"
-red = "#c04848"
+red = "#d15a5a"

theme/themes/ethereal.toml

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+bg = "#060b1e"
 accent = "#7d82d9"
 bright_fg = "#ffcead"
 fg = "#9a96a8"

theme/themes/everforest.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
+bg = "#2d353b"
 accent = "#7fbbb3"
 bright_fg = "#d3c6aa"
-fg = "#7a8478"
+fg = "#9aa59a"
 green = "#a7c080"
 yellow = "#dbbc7f"
 red = "#e67e80"

theme/themes/flexoki-light.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
+bg = "#FFFCF0"
 accent = "#205EA6"
 bright_fg = "#100F0F"
 fg = "#6F6E69"
-green = "#879A39"
+green = "#617A0A"
-yellow = "#D0A215"
+yellow = "#8B6A00"
-red = "#D14D41"
+red = "#AF3029"

theme/themes/gruvbox.toml

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+bg = "#282828"
 accent = "#7daea3"
 bright_fg = "#d4be98"
 fg = "#a89984"

theme/themes/hackerman.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
+bg = "#0b0c16"
 accent = "#82FB9C"
 bright_fg = "#ddf7ff"
 fg = "#8e95b8"
-green = "#4fe88f"
+green = "#2ec27e"
-yellow = "#50f7d4"
+yellow = "#f7df50"
-red = "#50f872"
+red = "#ff5f78"

theme/themes/kanagawa.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
+bg = "#1f1f28"
 accent = "#7e9cd8"
 bright_fg = "#dcd7ba"
 fg = "#938aa9"
 green = "#76946a"
 yellow = "#c0a36e"
-red = "#c34043"
+red = "#e46876"

theme/themes/matte-black.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
+bg = "#121212"
 accent = "#e68e0d"
 bright_fg = "#bebebe"
-fg = "#777777"
+fg = "#838383"
-green = "#FFC107"
+green = "#8FAF5F"
-yellow = "#b91c1c"
+yellow = "#FFC107"
 red = "#D35F5F"

theme/themes/miasma.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-accent = "#78824b"
+bg = "#222222"
+accent = "#a5af6b"
 bright_fg = "#c2c2b0"
-fg = "#666666"
+fg = "#929292"
-green = "#5f875f"
+green = "#87af87"
-yellow = "#b36d43"
+yellow = "#c9a554"
-red = "#685742"
+red = "#c87575"

theme/themes/neon-blade-runner.toml

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 # Blade Runner 1982 — Neon noir.
 # Hot pink neon signs, cyan rain reflections, amber instrument readouts.
 # Cronenweth's Los Angeles: perpetual night, wet streets, practical light.
+bg = "#121212"
 accent = "#e8609a"
 bright_fg = "#b8c4d0"
 fg = "#758494"
 green = "#4eb8a8"
 yellow = "#d4a040"
-red = "#c85070"
+red = "#d65f7e"

theme/themes/nord.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
+bg = "#2e3440"
 accent = "#81a1c1"
 bright_fg = "#d8dee9"
-fg = "#8690a0"
+fg = "#9da7b8"
 green = "#a3be8c"
 yellow = "#ebcb8b"
-red = "#bf616a"
+red = "#e08a92"

theme/themes/osaka-jade.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
+bg = "#111c18"
 accent = "#509475"
 bright_fg = "#F7E8B2"
 fg = "#C1C497"
-green = "#549e6a"
+green = "#86c994"
-yellow = "#459451"
+yellow = "#e5c736"
 red = "#FF5345"

theme/themes/ristretto.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
+bg = "#2c2525"
 accent = "#f38d70"
 bright_fg = "#e6d9db"
-fg = "#948a8b"
+fg = "#9a9091"
 green = "#adda78"
 yellow = "#f9cc6c"
 red = "#fd6883"

theme/themes/rose-pine.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-accent = "#56949f"
+bg = "#faf4ed"
+accent = "#3e7380"
 bright_fg = "#575279"
-fg = "#908caa"
+fg = "#6e6a86"
 green = "#286983"
-yellow = "#ea9d34"
+yellow = "#966400"
-red = "#b4637a"
+red = "#9c4f66"

theme/themes/tokyo-night.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
+bg = "#1a1b26"
 accent = "#7aa2f7"
 bright_fg = "#cfc9c2"
-fg = "#737aa2"
+fg = "#848cb8"
 green = "#9ece6a"
 yellow = "#e0af68"
 red = "#f7768e"

theme/themes/vantablack.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-accent = "#d0d0d0"
+bg = "#000000"
+accent = "#ececec"
 bright_fg = "#ffffff"
 fg = "#8d8d8d"
-green = "#b6b6b6"
+green = "#a4a4a4"
-yellow = "#cecece"
+yellow = "#b9b9b9"
-red = "#a4a4a4"
+red = "#cecece"

theme/themes/winamp.toml

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # Winamp 2.91 base skin. Text colors come from PLEDIT.TXT and the
 # spectrum colors from VISCOLOR.TXT.
+bg = "#000000"
 accent = "#00FF00"
 bright_fg = "#FFFFFF"
 fg = "#969696"

ui/model/audio.go

@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ func (m *Model) cycleEQPreset() {
 func (m *Model) saveEQ() {
 	name := m.EQPresetName()
 	if err := m.configSaver.Save("eq_preset", fmt.Sprintf("%q", name)); err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
 	}
 	bands := m.eqCustomBands
 	parts := make([]string, len(bands))
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ func (m *Model) saveEQ() {
 	}
 	eqVal := "[" + strings.Join(parts, ", ") + "]"
 	if err := m.configSaver.Save("eq", eqVal); err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ func (m *Model) saveEQ() {
 func (m *Model) saveSpeed() {
 	speed := m.player.Speed()
 	if err := m.configSaver.Save("speed", fmt.Sprintf("%.2f", speed)); err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
 	}
 }
 

ui/model/inline_overlays.go

@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ func (m Model) renderJumpBody() string {
 	budget := m.effectivePlaylistVisible()
 	pos := m.player.Position()
 	dur := m.player.Duration()
-	inputLine := dimStyle.Faint(true).Render("  " + formatJumpPlaceholder(dur))
+	inputLine := dimStyle.Render("  " + formatJumpPlaceholder(dur))
 	if m.jumpInput != "" {
 		inputLine = playlistSelectedStyle.Render("  " + m.textWithCursor("jump", m.jumpInput))
 	}
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ func (m Model) renderLyricsBody() string {
 		if errors.Is(m.lyrics.err, lyrics.ErrNotFound) {
 			lines = append(lines, dimStyle.Render("  No lyrics found for this track."))
 		} else {
-			lines = append(lines, helpStyle.Render("  Lyrics fetch failed: "+m.lyrics.err.Error()))
+			lines = append(lines, errorStyle.Render("  Lyrics fetch failed: "+m.lyrics.err.Error()))
 		}
 	case len(m.lyrics.lines) == 0:
 		artist, title := m.lyricsArtistTitle()
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ func (m Model) renderNetSearchBody() string {
 			lines = append(lines, dimStyle.Render("  Type a query and press Enter to search "+m.netSearchSource()+"."))
 		}
 		if m.netSearch.err != "" {
-			lines = append(lines, "", helpStyle.Render("  "+m.netSearch.err))
+			lines = append(lines, "", errorStyle.Render("  "+m.netSearch.err))
 		}
 		return bodyLines(lines, budget)
 	}
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ func (m Model) renderSpotSearchBody() string {
 		body = bodyLines(lines, budget)
 	}
 	if m.spotSearch.err != "" && m.spotSearch.screen != spotSearchPlaylist {
-		return strings.Join([]string{body, helpStyle.Render("  " + m.spotSearch.err)}, "\n")
+		return strings.Join([]string{body, errorStyle.Render("  " + m.spotSearch.err)}, "\n")
 	}
 	return body
 }

ui/model/keys.go

@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ func (m *Model) handleKey(msg tea.KeyPressMsg) tea.Cmd {
 				}
 				m.provLoading = true
 				m.activeProviderPlaylistID = ""
-				m.status.Showf(statusTTLShort, "Refreshing %s…", m.provider.Name())
+				m.status.Activityf(statusTTLShort, "Refreshing %s…", m.provider.Name())
 				return m.fetchProviderPlaylists()
 			}
 		case "f":
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ func (m *Model) handleKey(msg tea.KeyPressMsg) tea.Cmd {
 				tracks := m.playlist.Tracks()
 				track := tracks[m.plCursor]
 				if err := bs.SetBookmarkByPath(m.loadedPlaylist, track.Path); err != nil {
-					m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Save failed: %s", err)
+					m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Save failed: %s", err)
 					return nil
 				}
 				m.playlist.ToggleBookmark(m.plCursor)
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ func (m *Model) handleKey(msg tea.KeyPressMsg) tea.Cmd {
 	case "r":
 		m.playlist.CycleRepeat()
 		if err := m.configSaver.Save("repeat", fmt.Sprintf("%q", m.playlist.Repeat().String())); err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
 		}
 		m.player.ClearPreload()
 		return m.preloadNext()
@@ -648,7 +648,7 @@ func (m *Model) handleKey(msg tea.KeyPressMsg) tea.Cmd {
 	case "z":
 		m.playlist.ToggleShuffle()
 		if err := m.configSaver.Save("shuffle", fmt.Sprintf("%v", m.playlist.Shuffled())); err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
 		}
 		m.player.ClearPreload()
 		return m.preloadNext()
@@ -782,7 +782,7 @@ func (m *Model) handleKey(msg tea.KeyPressMsg) tea.Cmd {
 		m.applyHeightMode()
 		m.adjustScroll()
 		if err := m.configSaver.Save("visualizer", fmt.Sprintf("%q", m.vis.ModeName())); err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
 		}
 
 	case "ctrl+v":
@@ -885,19 +885,19 @@ func (m *Model) handleFullVisualizerKey(msg tea.KeyPressMsg) tea.Cmd {
 func (m *Model) saveTrack() tea.Cmd {
 	track, idx := m.currentPlaybackTrack()
 	if idx < 0 {
-		m.status.Show("Nothing to save", statusTTLShort)
+		m.status.Warning("Nothing to save", statusTTLShort)
 		return nil
 	}
 
 	home, err := os.UserHomeDir()
 	if err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLShort, "Save failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLShort, "Save failed: %s", err)
 		return nil
 	}
 
 	saveDir := filepath.Join(home, "Music", "cliamp")
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(saveDir, 0o755); err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLShort, "Save failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLShort, "Save failed: %s", err)
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -910,7 +910,7 @@ func (m *Model) saveTrack() tea.Cmd {
 
 	// Only save local temp files (yt-dlp downloads), not streams or user's own files.
 	if track.Stream || !strings.HasPrefix(track.Path, os.TempDir()) {
-		m.status.Show("Only downloaded tracks can be saved", statusTTLShort)
+		m.status.Warning("Only downloaded tracks can be saved", statusTTLShort)
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -930,7 +930,7 @@ func (m *Model) saveTrack() tea.Cmd {
 	dest := filepath.Join(saveDir, name+ext)
 
 	if err := fileutil.CopyFile(track.Path, dest); err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLShort, "Save failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLShort, "Save failed: %s", err)
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -1586,7 +1586,7 @@ func (m *Model) handlePlMgrListKey(msg tea.KeyPressMsg) tea.Cmd {
 				}
 				if d, ok := m.localProvider.(provider.PlaylistDeleter); ok {
 					if err := d.DeletePlaylist(name); err != nil {
-						m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Delete failed: %s", err)
+						m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Delete failed: %s", err)
 					} else {
 						m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Deleted %q (u to undo)", name)
 					}
@@ -1672,7 +1672,7 @@ func (m *Model) handlePlMgrListKey(msg tea.KeyPressMsg) tea.Cmd {
 	case "w":
 		tracks := m.playlist.Tracks()
 		if len(tracks) == 0 {
-			m.status.Show("Queue is empty", statusTTLShort)
+			m.status.Warning("Queue is empty", statusTTLShort)
 			return nil
 		}
 		m.openPlaylistPicker(tracks, fmt.Sprintf("Save %d queued tracks", len(tracks)))
@@ -1683,7 +1683,7 @@ func (m *Model) handlePlMgrListKey(msg tea.KeyPressMsg) tea.Cmd {
 		}
 		name := m.plManager.playlists[realIdx].Name
 		if name == history.PlaylistName {
-			m.status.Show("Recently Played cannot be renamed", statusTTLDefault)
+			m.status.Warning("Recently Played cannot be renamed", statusTTLDefault)
 			return nil
 		}
 		m.plManager.renameOldName = name
@@ -2019,16 +2019,16 @@ func (m *Model) plMgrSetTrackUndo() {
 func (m *Model) plMgrUndoLast() {
 	undo := m.plManager.undo
 	if undo.kind == plUndoNone || undo.name == "" {
-		m.status.Show("Nothing to undo", statusTTLShort)
+		m.status.Warning("Nothing to undo", statusTTLShort)
 		return
 	}
 	saver := m.localSaver()
 	if saver == nil {
-		m.status.Show("Undo unavailable", statusTTLDefault)
+		m.status.Warning("Undo unavailable", statusTTLDefault)
 		return
 	}
 	if err := saver.SavePlaylist(undo.name, cloneTracks(undo.tracks)); err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Undo failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Undo failed: %s", err)
 		return
 	}
 	m.plManager.undo = plManagerUndo{}
@@ -2115,11 +2115,11 @@ func (m *Model) plMgrToggleMarkAll() {
 func (m *Model) plMgrSaveTracks(status string) bool {
 	saver := m.localSaver()
 	if saver == nil {
-		m.status.Show("Playlist saving is not supported", statusTTLDefault)
+		m.status.Warning("Playlist saving is not supported", statusTTLDefault)
 		return false
 	}
 	if err := saver.SavePlaylist(m.plManager.selPlaylist, m.plManager.tracks); err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Save failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Save failed: %s", err)
 		return false
 	}
 	if status != "" {
@@ -2135,7 +2135,7 @@ func (m *Model) plMgrRemoveSelectedTracks() {
 	}
 	for _, i := range indices {
 		if m.plManager.tracks[i].DirSourced {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Can't remove %q: it's supplied by the playlist's directory source", m.plManager.tracks[i].DisplayName())
+			m.status.Warningf(statusTTLDefault, "Can't remove %q: it's supplied by the playlist's directory source", m.plManager.tracks[i].DisplayName())
 			return
 		}
 	}
@@ -2164,7 +2164,7 @@ func (m *Model) plMgrRemoveSelectedTracks() {
 
 func (m *Model) plMgrMoveTrack(delta int) {
 	if m.plManager.filter != "" {
-		m.status.Show("Clear filter before moving tracks", statusTTLDefault)
+		m.status.Warning("Clear filter before moving tracks", statusTTLDefault)
 		return
 	}
 	from := m.plManager.cursor
@@ -2249,11 +2249,11 @@ func (m *Model) persistLoadedPlaylistOrder() {
 		}
 	}
 	if err := saver.SavePlaylist(m.loadedPlaylist, m.playlist.Tracks()); err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Save failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Save failed: %s", err)
 		return
 	}
 	if hasDirTracks {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Reordered %q (directory-sourced tracks keep scan order)", m.loadedPlaylist)
+		m.status.Warningf(statusTTLDefault, "Reordered %q (directory-sourced tracks keep scan order)", m.loadedPlaylist)
 		return
 	}
 	m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Reordered %q", m.loadedPlaylist)
@@ -2263,28 +2263,28 @@ func (m *Model) persistLoadedPlaylistOrder() {
 func (m *Model) addToPlaylist(name string) {
 	track, idx := m.currentPlaybackTrack()
 	if idx < 0 {
-		m.status.Show("No track to add", statusTTLShort)
+		m.status.Warning("No track to add", statusTTLShort)
 		return
 	}
 	if bw, ok := m.localProvider.(provider.PlaylistBatchWriter); ok {
 		added, skipped, err := bw.AddTracksToPlaylist(context.Background(), name, []playlist.Track{track})
 		if err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Failed: %s", err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Failed: %s", err)
 			return
 		}
 		switch {
 		case added > 0:
 			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Added to %q", name)
 		case skipped > 0:
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Already in %q", name)
+			m.status.Warningf(statusTTLDefault, "Already in %q", name)
 		default:
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Nothing added to %q", name)
+			m.status.Warningf(statusTTLDefault, "Nothing added to %q", name)
 		}
 		return
 	}
 	if w, ok := m.localProvider.(provider.PlaylistWriter); ok {
 		if err := w.AddTrackToPlaylist(context.Background(), name, track); err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Failed: %s", err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Failed: %s", err)
 		} else {
 			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Added to %q", name)
 		}
@@ -2310,19 +2310,19 @@ func (m *Model) createPlaylistFromManager(name string) bool {
 	if bw, ok := m.localProvider.(provider.PlaylistBatchWriter); ok {
 		added, skipped, err := bw.AddTracksToPlaylist(context.Background(), id, []playlist.Track{track})
 		if err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Created %q, add failed: %s", name, err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Created %q, add failed: %s", name, err)
 			return true
 		}
 		if added > 0 {
 			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Created %q & added track", name)
 		} else if skipped > 0 {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Created %q; track was duplicate", name)
+			m.status.Warningf(statusTTLDefault, "Created %q; track was duplicate", name)
 		}
 		return true
 	}
 	if w, ok := m.localProvider.(provider.PlaylistWriter); ok {
 		if err := w.AddTrackToPlaylist(context.Background(), id, track); err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Created %q, add failed: %s", name, err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Created %q, add failed: %s", name, err)
 			return true
 		}
 		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Created %q & added track", name)

ui/model/keys_nav.go

@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ func (m *Model) handleNavAlbumListKey(msg tea.KeyPressMsg, artistAlbums bool) te
 		m.navClearSearch()
 		if saver, ok := m.navBrowser.prov.(provider.AlbumSortSaver); ok {
 			if err := saver.SaveAlbumSort(m.navBrowser.sortType); err != nil {
-				m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Sort save failed: %s", err)
+				m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Sort save failed: %s", err)
 			}
 		}
 		return fetchNavAlbumListCmd(ab, m.navBrowser.sortType, 0, m.nextNavRequest())

ui/model/overlays.go

@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ func (m *Model) visPickerSelect() {
 		return
 	}
 	if err := m.configSaver.Save("visualizer", fmt.Sprintf("%q", m.vis.ModeName())); err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
 	}
 	m.visPickerClose()
 }
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ func (m *Model) openPlaylistManager() {
 func (m *Model) plMgrEnterTrackList(name string) {
 	tracks, err := m.localProvider.Tracks(name)
 	if err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Load failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Load failed: %s", err)
 		return
 	}
 	m.plManager.selPlaylist = name
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ func (m *Model) plMgrRefreshList() {
 	}
 	playlists, err := m.localProvider.Playlists()
 	if err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Load failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Load failed: %s", err)
 	}
 	m.plManager.playlists = playlists
 	if m.plManager.filter != "" {

ui/model/pl_picker.go

@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@ import (
 
 func (m *Model) openPlaylistPicker(tracks []playlist.Track, title string) {
 	if m.localProvider == nil {
-		m.status.Show("Local playlists are unavailable", statusTTLDefault)
+		m.status.Warning("Local playlists are unavailable", statusTTLDefault)
 		return
 	}
 	lists, err := m.localProvider.Playlists()
 	if err != nil {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Playlist list failed: %s", err)
+		m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Playlist list failed: %s", err)
 		return
 	}
 	playlists := make([]playlist.PlaylistInfo, 0, len(lists))
@@ -231,13 +231,13 @@ func (m *Model) writePickerTracks(name string) bool {
 	}
 	switch {
 	case added > 0 && skipped > 0:
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLBatch, "Added %d to %q, skipped %d duplicates", added, name, skipped)
+		m.status.Warningf(statusTTLBatch, "Added %d to %q, skipped %d duplicates", added, name, skipped)
 	case added > 0:
 		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Added %d to %q", added, name)
 	case skipped > 0:
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Skipped %d duplicates in %q", skipped, name)
+		m.status.Warningf(statusTTLDefault, "Skipped %d duplicates in %q", skipped, name)
 	default:
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Nothing added to %q", name)
+		m.status.Warningf(statusTTLDefault, "Nothing added to %q", name)
 	}
 	m.refreshPlaylistManagerAfterWrite(name)
 	return true

ui/model/playback.go

@@ -85,11 +85,11 @@ func (m *Model) playCurrentTrack() tea.Cmd {
 	if !ok {
 		m.player.Stop()
 		m.clearPlaybackTrack()
-		m.status.Show("No available tracks", statusTTLDefault)
+		m.status.Warning("No available tracks", statusTTLDefault)
 		return nil
 	}
 	if activation.Skipped {
-		m.status.Show("Track unavailable, skipping...", statusTTLDefault)
+		m.status.Warning("Track unavailable, skipping...", statusTTLDefault)
 	}
 	m.plCursor = activation.Index
 	m.adjustScroll()
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ func (m *Model) removeSelectedFromPlaylist() {
 	snapshot := m.playlist.Snapshot()
 	track := m.playlist.Tracks()[idx]
 	if track.DirSourced {
-		m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Can't remove %q: it's supplied by the playlist's directory source", track.DisplayName())
+		m.status.Warningf(statusTTLDefault, "Can't remove %q: it's supplied by the playlist's directory source", track.DisplayName())
 		return
 	}
 	loaded := m.loadedPlaylist
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ func (m *Model) removeSelectedFromPlaylist() {
 			var err error
 			saved, err = m.localProvider.Tracks(loaded)
 			if err != nil {
-				m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Remove failed: %s", err)
+				m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Remove failed: %s", err)
 				return
 			}
 			// saved rescans directory sources, so a new file could have shifted
@@ -217,13 +217,13 @@ func (m *Model) removeSelectedFromPlaylist() {
 				}
 			}
 			if savedIdx < 0 {
-				m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Remove failed: selected track is no longer in %q", loaded)
+				m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Remove failed: selected track is no longer in %q", loaded)
 				return
 			}
 			original := cloneTracks(saved)
 			saved = append(saved[:savedIdx:savedIdx], saved[savedIdx+1:]...)
 			if err := saver.SavePlaylist(loaded, saved); err != nil {
-				m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Remove failed: %s", err)
+				m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Remove failed: %s", err)
 				return
 			}
 			saved = original
@@ -257,17 +257,17 @@ func (m *Model) removeSelectedFromPlaylist() {
 func (m *Model) undoPlaylistMutation() {
 	undo := m.playlistUndo
 	if !undo.active {
-		m.status.Show("Nothing to undo", statusTTLShort)
+		m.status.Warning("Nothing to undo", statusTTLShort)
 		return
 	}
 	if undo.persisted {
 		saver := m.localSaver()
 		if saver == nil {
-			m.status.Show("Undo unavailable", statusTTLDefault)
+			m.status.Warning("Undo unavailable", statusTTLDefault)
 			return
 		}
 		if err := saver.SavePlaylist(undo.loaded, cloneTracks(undo.saved)); err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Undo failed: %s", err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Undo failed: %s", err)
 			return
 		}
 	}
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ func (m *Model) playTrack(track playlist.Track) tea.Cmd {
 	m.pausedAt = time.Time{}
 	if track.Feed || playlist.IsFeed(track.Path) {
 		m.feedLoading = true
-		m.status.Show("Loading feed...", statusTTLLong)
+		m.status.Activity("Loading feed...", statusTTLLong)
 		return resolveFeedTrackCmd(track.Path)
 	}
 	track, fetchCmd := m.beginPlaybackTrack(track)
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ func (m *Model) reconnectYTDLOnUnpause() tea.Cmd {
 	m.seek.grace = 0
 	m.seek.graceFor = 0
 	m.player.CancelSeekYTDL()
-	m.status.Show("Reconnecting stream...", statusTTLMedium)
+	m.status.Activity("Reconnecting stream...", statusTTLMedium)
 
 	p := m.player
 	return func() tea.Msg {

ui/model/playback_test.go

@@ -225,6 +225,9 @@ func TestPlayCurrentTrackUnplayableUsesSelectionOrder(t *testing.T) {
 	if m.status.text != "Track unavailable, skipping..." {
 		t.Fatalf("status.text = %q, want %q", m.status.text, "Track unavailable, skipping...")
 	}
+	if m.status.kind != feedbackWarning {
+		t.Fatalf("status.kind = %v, want %v", m.status.kind, feedbackWarning)
+	}
 	if p.QueueLen() != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("QueueLen() = %d, want 1", p.QueueLen())
 	}
@@ -260,6 +263,9 @@ func TestPlayCurrentTrackUnplayableStopsWhenNoReplacementExists(t *testing.T) {
 	if m.status.text != "No available tracks" {
 		t.Fatalf("status.text = %q, want %q", m.status.text, "No available tracks")
 	}
+	if m.status.kind != feedbackWarning {
+		t.Fatalf("status.kind = %v, want %v", m.status.kind, feedbackWarning)
+	}
 }
 
 func modelAfterProviderPlaylistLoadWhilePlaying(t *testing.T) (Model, *playbackFakeEngine) {

ui/model/state.go

@@ -388,6 +388,10 @@ func (s *statusMsg) Warningf(ttl statusTTL, format string, args ...any) {
 	s.Warning(fmt.Sprintf(format, args...), ttl)
 }
 
+func (s *statusMsg) Errorf(ttl statusTTL, format string, args ...any) {
+	s.Error(fmt.Sprintf(format, args...), ttl)
+}
+
 func (s *statusMsg) Activity(text string, ttl statusTTL) {
 	s.show(feedbackActivity, text, ttl)
 }
@@ -400,8 +404,8 @@ func (s *statusMsg) Warning(text string, ttl statusTTL) {
 	s.show(feedbackWarning, text, ttl)
 }
 
-func (s *statusMsg) Error(text string) {
+func (s *statusMsg) Error(text string, ttl statusTTL) {
-	s.show(feedbackError, text, 0)
+	s.show(feedbackError, text, ttl)
 }
 
 func (s *statusMsg) show(kind feedbackKind, text string, ttl statusTTL) {

ui/model/status_ttl_policy_test.go

@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ func TestStatusShowAtSetsTextAndDeadline(t *testing.T) {
 	if status.text != "Saved" {
 		t.Fatalf("text = %q, want %q", status.text, "Saved")
 	}
+	if status.kind != feedbackSuccess {
+		t.Fatalf("kind = %v, want %v", status.kind, feedbackSuccess)
+	}
 	want := now.Add(time.Duration(statusTTLMedium))
 	if !status.expiresAt.Equal(want) {
 		t.Fatalf("expiresAt = %v, want %v", status.expiresAt, want)
@@ -48,3 +51,43 @@ func TestStatusClearResetsMessage(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("expiresAt after Clear() = %v, want zero", status.expiresAt)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestStatusSemanticKinds(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		show func(*statusMsg)
+		want feedbackKind
+	}{
+		{name: "activity", show: func(s *statusMsg) { s.Activity("Loading...", statusTTLShort) }, want: feedbackActivity},
+		{name: "warning", show: func(s *statusMsg) { s.Warning("Unavailable", statusTTLShort) }, want: feedbackWarning},
+		{name: "error", show: func(s *statusMsg) { s.Error("Load failed", statusTTLShort) }, want: feedbackError},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			var status statusMsg
+			tt.show(&status)
+			if status.kind != tt.want {
+				t.Fatalf("kind = %v, want %v", status.kind, tt.want)
+			}
+			if status.expiresAt.IsZero() {
+				t.Fatal("expiresAt is zero, want timed feedback")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStatusErrorf(t *testing.T) {
+	var status statusMsg
+
+	status.Errorf(statusTTLShort, "Load failed: %s", "offline")
+	if status.text != "Load failed: offline" {
+		t.Fatalf("text = %q, want %q", status.text, "Load failed: offline")
+	}
+	if status.kind != feedbackError {
+		t.Fatalf("kind = %v, want %v", status.kind, feedbackError)
+	}
+	if status.expiresAt.IsZero() {
+		t.Fatal("expiresAt is zero, want timed error")
+	}
+}

ui/model/styles.go

@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ var (
 				Bold(true)
 
 	feedbackWarningStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
-				Foreground(ui.ColorAccent).
+				Foreground(ui.ColorWarning).
 				Bold(true)
 
 	dimStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
@@ -59,8 +59,7 @@ var (
 				Bold(true)
 
 	playlistUnavailableStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
-					Foreground(ui.ColorDim).
+					Foreground(ui.ColorDim)
-					Faint(true)
 
 	helpStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
 			Foreground(ui.ColorDim)
@@ -82,7 +81,7 @@ func rebuildModelStyles() {
 	statusStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorPlaying).Bold(true)
 	feedbackActivityStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorDim)
 	feedbackSuccessStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorPlaying).Bold(true)
-	feedbackWarningStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorAccent).Bold(true)
+	feedbackWarningStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorWarning).Bold(true)
 	dimStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorDim)
 	labelStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorText).Bold(true)
 	eqActiveStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorAccent).Bold(true)
@@ -90,7 +89,7 @@ func rebuildModelStyles() {
 	playlistActiveStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorPlaying).Bold(true)
 	playlistItemStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorText)
 	playlistSelectedStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorAccent).Bold(true)
-	playlistUnavailableStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorDim).Faint(true)
+	playlistUnavailableStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorDim)
 	helpStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorDim)
 	helpKeyStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorKeyFG).Background(ui.ColorKeyBG).Bold(true)
 	errorStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(ui.ColorError)

ui/model/update.go

@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		}
 		m.navBrowser.loading = false
 		if msg.err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Artist load failed: %s", msg.err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Artist load failed: %s", msg.err)
 			return m, nil
 		}
 		m.navBrowser.artists = msg.artists
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		m.navBrowser.albumLoading = false
 		m.navBrowser.loading = false
 		if msg.err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Album load failed: %s", msg.err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Album load failed: %s", msg.err)
 			return m, nil
 		}
 		if msg.offset == 0 {
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		}
 		m.navBrowser.loading = false
 		if msg.err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Track load failed: %s", msg.err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Track load failed: %s", msg.err)
 			return m, nil
 		}
 		m.navBrowser.tracks = msg.tracks
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		m.catalogBatch.loading = false
 		if msg.err != nil {
 			m.catalogBatch.done = true
-			m.status.Show("Catalog load failed", statusTTLDefault)
+			m.status.Error("Catalog load failed", statusTTLDefault)
 			return m, nil
 		}
 		if msg.added == 0 {
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		}
 		m.provLoading = false
 		if msg.err != nil {
-			m.status.Show("Search failed", statusTTLDefault)
+			m.status.Error("Search failed", statusTTLDefault)
 		} else {
 			if lists, err := m.provider.Playlists(); err == nil {
 				m.providerLists = lists
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 			m.provCursor = 0
 			m.provScroll = 0
 			if msg.count == 0 {
-				m.status.Show("No stations found", statusTTLDefault)
+				m.status.Warning("No stations found", statusTTLDefault)
 			}
 		}
 		return m, nil
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		m.ytdlBatch.loading = false
 		if msg.err != nil {
 			m.ytdlBatch.done = true
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLBatch, "Radio batch load failed: %v", msg.err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLBatch, "Radio batch load failed: %v", msg.err)
 			return m, nil
 		}
 		if len(msg.tracks) == 0 {
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 	case feedTrackResolvedMsg:
 		m.feedLoading = false
 		if len(msg.tracks) == 0 {
-			m.status.Show("No episodes found in feed.", statusTTLDefault)
+			m.status.Warning("No episodes found in feed.", statusTTLDefault)
 			return m, nil
 		}
 		m.playlist.Replace(msg.tracks)
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 			m.addToHeaderState(msg.tracks)
 			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Loaded %d track(s)", len(msg.tracks))
 		} else {
-			m.status.Show("No tracks found at URL.", statusTTLDefault)
+			m.status.Warning("No tracks found at URL.", statusTTLDefault)
 		}
 		if len(msg.tracks) > 0 {
 			// Set up incremental loading for YouTube Radio playlists.
@@ -597,17 +597,19 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 
 	case fbTracksResolvedMsg:
 		if len(msg.tracks) == 0 {
-			m.status.Show("No audio files found", statusTTLDefault)
+			m.status.Warning("No audio files found", statusTTLDefault)
 			return m, nil
 		}
 		if msg.targetPlaylist != "" {
 			added, skipped, err := m.writeTracksToPlaylist(msg.targetPlaylist, msg.tracks)
 			if err != nil {
-				m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Add failed: %s", err)
+				m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Add failed: %s", err)
 			} else if skipped > 0 {
-				m.status.Showf(statusTTLBatch, "Added %d to %q, skipped %d duplicates", added, msg.targetPlaylist, skipped)
+				m.status.Warningf(statusTTLBatch, "Added %d to %q, skipped %d duplicates", added, msg.targetPlaylist, skipped)
-			} else {
+			} else if added > 0 {
 				m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Added %d to %q", added, msg.targetPlaylist)
+			} else {
+				m.status.Warningf(statusTTLDefault, "Nothing added to %q", msg.targetPlaylist)
 			}
 			m.refreshPlaylistManagerAfterWrite(msg.targetPlaylist)
 			return m, nil
@@ -657,7 +659,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		if msg.err != nil {
 			m.err = msg.err
 			if track, idx := m.currentPlaybackTrack(); idx >= 0 {
-				m.status.Showf(statusTTLLong, "Couldn't play %s — track is gated, restricted, or unavailable.", track.DisplayName())
+				m.status.Errorf(statusTTLLong, "Couldn't play %s — track is gated, restricted, or unavailable.", track.DisplayName())
 			}
 		} else {
 			m.err = nil
@@ -678,7 +680,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 	case ytdlSavedMsg:
 		m.save.finishDownload()
 		if msg.err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLMedium, "Download failed: %s", msg.err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLMedium, "Download failed: %s", msg.err)
 		} else {
 			m.status.Showf(statusTTLMedium, "Saved to %s", msg.path)
 		}
@@ -725,9 +727,6 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		m.spotSearch.results = msg.tracks
 		m.spotSearch.cursor = 0
 		m.spotSearch.screen = spotSearchResults
-		if len(msg.tracks) == 0 {
-			m.spotSearch.err = "No results found"
-		}
 		m.applyHeightMode()
 		m.clampActiveScrollState()
 		return m, nil
@@ -803,7 +802,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 	case devicesListedMsg:
 		m.devicePicker.loading = false
 		if msg.err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Device list failed: %s", msg.err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Device list failed: %s", msg.err)
 			m.devicePicker.visible = false
 		} else {
 			m.devicePicker.devices = msg.devices
@@ -812,7 +811,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 
 	case deviceSwitchedMsg:
 		if msg.err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Switch failed: %s", msg.err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Switch failed: %s", msg.err)
 		} else {
 			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Audio output: %s", msg.name)
 			_ = m.configSaver.Save("audio_device", msg.name)
@@ -1020,7 +1019,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		}
 		shuffled := m.playlist.Shuffled()
 		if err := m.configSaver.Save("shuffle", fmt.Sprintf("%v", shuffled)); err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
 		}
 		m.player.ClearPreload()
 		cmd := m.preloadNext()
@@ -1042,7 +1041,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		}
 		mode := m.playlist.Repeat()
 		if err := m.configSaver.Save("repeat", fmt.Sprintf("%q", mode.String())); err != nil {
-			m.status.Showf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
+			m.status.Errorf(statusTTLDefault, "Config save failed: %s", err)
 		}
 		m.player.ClearPreload()
 		cmd := m.preloadNext()
@@ -1174,6 +1173,7 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 			t := m.themes[m.themeIdx]
 			resp.Theme = &ipc.ThemeInfo{
 				Name:     t.Name,
+				BG:       t.BG,
 				Accent:   t.Accent,
 				Fg:       t.FG,
 				BrightFg: t.BrightFG,

ui/model/view.go

@@ -119,6 +119,10 @@ func (m Model) View() tea.View {
 	if m.layout.tooSmall() {
 		content := fmt.Sprintf("Terminal too small. Resize to at least 40x10 (current: %dx%d).", m.width, m.height)
 		view := tea.NewView(ui.FitRect(content, max(1, m.width), max(1, m.height)))
+		view.BackgroundColor = ui.ColorBackground
+		if ui.ColorBackground != nil {
+			view.ForegroundColor = ui.ColorText
+		}
 		view.AltScreen = true
 		return view
 	}
@@ -148,6 +152,10 @@ func (m Model) View() tea.View {
 	rendered = ui.FitRect(rendered, m.layout.frameWidth, max(1, m.height))
 
 	view := tea.NewView(rendered)
+	view.BackgroundColor = ui.ColorBackground
+	if ui.ColorBackground != nil {
+		view.ForegroundColor = ui.ColorText
+	}
 	view.AltScreen = true
 	view.WindowTitle = currentTerminalTitle(m.termTitle, m.width, m.terminalTitleValues())
 	return view
@@ -247,16 +255,19 @@ func (m Model) renderTransient() string {
 		return ui.FitRect(feedbackActivityStyle.Render(text), m.layout.panelWidth, 1)
 	}
 	if m.status.text != "" {
+		text := m.status.text
 		style := feedbackSuccessStyle
 		switch m.status.kind {
 		case feedbackActivity:
 			style = feedbackActivityStyle
 		case feedbackWarning:
 			style = feedbackWarningStyle
+			text = "WARN: " + text
 		case feedbackError:
 			style = errorStyle
+			text = "ERR: " + text
 		}
-		return ui.FitRect(style.Render(m.status.text), m.layout.panelWidth, 1)
+		return ui.FitRect(style.Render(text), m.layout.panelWidth, 1)
 	}
 	if n := len(m.logLines); n > 0 {
 		return ui.FitRect(dimStyle.Render(m.logLines[n-1].text), m.layout.panelWidth, 1)

ui/model/view_state_test.go

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"charm.land/lipgloss/v2"
 
 	"github.com/bjarneo/cliamp/playlist"
+	"github.com/bjarneo/cliamp/theme"
 	"github.com/bjarneo/cliamp/ui"
 )
 
@@ -59,6 +60,45 @@ func TestMainViewShrinksPlaylistForFooterMessages(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestViewAppliesThemeBackground(t *testing.T) {
+	applyThemeAll(theme.Theme{
+		Name:     "test",
+		BG:       "#112233",
+		Accent:   "#88aacc",
+		BrightFG: "#ffffff",
+		FG:       "#aabbcc",
+		Green:    "#88cc88",
+		Yellow:   "#ddcc77",
+		Red:      "#ee8888",
+	})
+	t.Cleanup(func() { applyThemeAll(theme.Default()) })
+
+	view := (Model{width: 20, height: 5}).View()
+	if view.BackgroundColor == nil {
+		t.Fatal("BackgroundColor is nil for a theme with bg")
+	}
+	if view.ForegroundColor == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ForegroundColor is nil for a theme with bg")
+	}
+	r, g, b, _ := view.BackgroundColor.RGBA()
+	if r>>8 != 0x11 || g>>8 != 0x22 || b>>8 != 0x33 {
+		t.Fatalf("BackgroundColor = #%02x%02x%02x, want #112233", r>>8, g>>8, b>>8)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRenderTransientIncludesNonColorSeverityLabels(t *testing.T) {
+	m := Model{layout: frameLayout{panelWidth: 80}}
+	m.status.Warning("Unavailable", statusTTLShort)
+	if got := stripAnsi(m.renderTransient()); !strings.Contains(got, "WARN: Unavailable") {
+		t.Fatalf("warning feedback = %q, want WARN label", got)
+	}
+
+	m.status.Error("Load failed", statusTTLShort)
+	if got := stripAnsi(m.renderTransient()); !strings.Contains(got, "ERR: Load failed") {
+		t.Fatalf("error feedback = %q, want ERR label", got)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRenderPlaylistKeepsCursorVisibleWhenFooterShrinksBudget(t *testing.T) {
 	if sharedPlayer == nil {
 		t.Skip("audio hardware unavailable")

ui/styles.go

@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@ package ui
 
 import (
 	"image/color"
+	"math"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
 
 	"charm.land/lipgloss/v2"
 
@@ -11,16 +14,18 @@ import (
 // CLIAMP color palette using standard ANSI terminal colors (0-15).
 // These adapt to the user's terminal theme for consistent appearance.
 var (
-	ColorTitle   color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(10) // bright green
+	ColorBackground color.Color
-	ColorText    color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(15) // bright white
+	ColorTitle      color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(10) // bright green
-	ColorDim     color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(7)  // white (light gray)
+	ColorText       color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(15) // bright white
-	ColorAccent  color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(11) // bright yellow
+	ColorDim        color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(7)  // white (light gray)
-	ColorPlaying color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(10) // bright green
+	ColorAccent     color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(11) // bright yellow
-	ColorSeekBar color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(11) // bright yellow
+	ColorPlaying    color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(10) // bright green
-	ColorVolume  color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(2)  // green
+	ColorSeekBar    color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(11) // bright yellow
-	ColorError   color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(9)  // bright red
+	ColorVolume     color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(2)  // green
-	ColorKeyBG   color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(8)  // bright black (dark gray)
+	ColorError      color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(9)  // bright red
-	ColorKeyFG   color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(15) // bright white
+	ColorWarning    color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(11) // bright yellow
+	ColorKeyBG      color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(8)  // bright black (dark gray)
+	ColorKeyFG      color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(15) // bright white
 
 	// Spectrum gradient: green -> yellow -> red
 	SpectrumLow  color.Color = lipgloss.ANSIColor(10) // bright green
@@ -60,6 +65,7 @@ var FrameStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
 // If the theme is the default (empty hex values), ANSI fallback colors are restored.
 func ApplyThemeColors(t theme.Theme) {
 	if t.IsDefault() {
+		ColorBackground = nil
 		ColorTitle = lipgloss.ANSIColor(10)
 		ColorText = lipgloss.ANSIColor(15)
 		ColorDim = lipgloss.ANSIColor(7)
@@ -68,12 +74,18 @@ func ApplyThemeColors(t theme.Theme) {
 		ColorSeekBar = lipgloss.ANSIColor(11)
 		ColorVolume = lipgloss.ANSIColor(2)
 		ColorError = lipgloss.ANSIColor(9)
+		ColorWarning = lipgloss.ANSIColor(11)
 		ColorKeyBG = lipgloss.ANSIColor(8)
 		ColorKeyFG = lipgloss.ANSIColor(15)
 		SpectrumLow = lipgloss.ANSIColor(10)
 		SpectrumMid = lipgloss.ANSIColor(11)
 		SpectrumHigh = lipgloss.ANSIColor(9)
 	} else {
+		if t.BG == "" {
+			ColorBackground = nil
+		} else {
+			ColorBackground = lipgloss.Color(t.BG)
+		}
 		ColorTitle = lipgloss.Color(t.Accent)
 		ColorText = lipgloss.Color(t.BrightFG)
 		ColorDim = lipgloss.Color(t.FG)
@@ -82,8 +94,9 @@ func ApplyThemeColors(t theme.Theme) {
 		ColorSeekBar = lipgloss.Color(t.Accent)
 		ColorVolume = lipgloss.Color(t.Green)
 		ColorError = lipgloss.Color(t.Red)
+		ColorWarning = lipgloss.Color(t.Yellow)
 		ColorKeyBG = lipgloss.Color(t.Accent)
-		ColorKeyFG = lipgloss.Color(t.BrightFG)
+		ColorKeyFG = lipgloss.Color(contrastingTextColor(t.Accent))
 		SpectrumLow = lipgloss.Color(t.Green)
 		SpectrumMid = lipgloss.Color(t.Yellow)
 		SpectrumHigh = lipgloss.Color(t.Red)
@@ -95,3 +108,23 @@ func ApplyThemeColors(t theme.Theme) {
 	specHighStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(SpectrumHigh)
 	refreshSpecANSI()
 }
+
+func contrastingTextColor(hex string) string {
+	value, err := strconv.ParseUint(strings.TrimPrefix(hex, "#"), 16, 24)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "#ffffff"
+	}
+	linear := func(channel uint64) float64 {
+		component := float64(channel) / 255
+		if component <= 0.04045 {
+			return component / 12.92
+		}
+		return math.Pow((component+0.055)/1.055, 2.4)
+	}
+	luminance := 0.2126*linear(value>>16) + 0.7152*linear((value>>8)&0xff) + 0.0722*linear(value&0xff)
+	// This is the crossover where black provides more contrast than white.
+	if luminance > 0.179 {
+		return "#000000"
+	}
+	return "#ffffff"
+}

ui/styles_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+package ui
+
+import "testing"
+
+func TestContrastingTextColor(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		accent string
+		want   string
+	}{
+		{name: "light accent", accent: "#f7df50", want: "#000000"},
+		{name: "dark accent", accent: "#3e4a5e", want: "#ffffff"},
+		{name: "invalid accent", accent: "blue", want: "#ffffff"},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if got := contrastingTextColor(tt.accent); got != tt.want {
+				t.Errorf("contrastingTextColor(%q) = %q, want %q", tt.accent, got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}