diff --git a/static/css/core/base.css b/static/css/core/base.css
index 4569214..b6f9a81 100644
--- a/static/css/core/base.css
+++ b/static/css/core/base.css
@@ -327,3 +327,94 @@ li {
     background: var(--accent-cyan-dim);
     color: var(--text-primary);
 }
+
+/* ============================================
+   UX POLISH - TRANSITIONS & INTERACTIONS
+   ============================================ */
+
+/* Smooth page transitions */
+html {
+    scroll-behavior: smooth;
+}
+
+/* Better focus ring for all interactive elements */
+:focus-visible {
+    outline: 2px solid var(--accent-cyan);
+    outline-offset: 2px;
+}
+
+/* Remove focus ring for mouse users */
+:focus:not(:focus-visible) {
+    outline: none;
+}
+
+/* Active state feedback */
+button:active:not(:disabled),
+a:active,
+[role="button"]:active {
+    transform: scale(0.98);
+}
+
+/* Smooth transitions for all interactive elements */
+button,
+a,
+input,
+select,
+textarea,
+[role="button"] {
+    transition:
+        color var(--transition-fast),
+        background-color var(--transition-fast),
+        border-color var(--transition-fast),
+        box-shadow var(--transition-fast),
+        transform var(--transition-fast),
+        opacity var(--transition-fast);
+}
+
+/* Subtle hover lift effect for cards and panels */
+.card:hover,
+.panel:hover {
+    box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
+}
+
+/* Link underline on hover */
+a:hover {
+    text-decoration: underline;
+    text-underline-offset: 2px;
+}
+
+/* Skip link for accessibility */
+.skip-link {
+    position: absolute;
+    top: -40px;
+    left: 0;
+    background: var(--accent-cyan);
+    color: var(--bg-primary);
+    padding: var(--space-2) var(--space-4);
+    z-index: 9999;
+    transition: top var(--transition-fast);
+}
+
+.skip-link:focus {
+    top: 0;
+}
+
+/* Reduced motion preference */
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+    *,
+    *::before,
+    *::after {
+        animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;
+        animation-iteration-count: 1 !important;
+        transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;
+        scroll-behavior: auto !important;
+    }
+}
+
+/* High contrast mode support */
+@media (prefers-contrast: high) {
+    :root {
+        --border-color: #4b5563;
+        --text-secondary: #d1d5db;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/static/css/core/components.css b/static/css/core/components.css
index 14d1696..1d4f576 100644
--- a/static/css/core/components.css
+++ b/static/css/core/components.css
@@ -588,3 +588,136 @@
     background: var(--border-color);
     margin: 0 var(--space-3);
 }
+
+/* ============================================
+   UX POLISH - ENHANCED INTERACTIONS
+   ============================================ */
+
+/* Button hover lift */
+.btn:hover:not(:disabled) {
+    transform: translateY(-1px);
+    box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
+}
+
+.btn:active:not(:disabled) {
+    transform: translateY(0);
+    box-shadow: var(--shadow-sm);
+}
+
+/* Card/Panel hover effects */
+.card,
+.panel {
+    transition:
+        box-shadow var(--transition-base),
+        border-color var(--transition-base),
+        transform var(--transition-base);
+}
+
+.card:hover,
+.panel:hover {
+    border-color: var(--border-light);
+}
+
+/* Stats strip value highlight on hover */
+.strip-stat {
+    transition: background-color var(--transition-fast);
+    border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+    cursor: default;
+}
+
+.strip-stat:hover {
+    background: var(--bg-tertiary);
+}
+
+/* Status dot pulse animation */
+.status-dot.online,
+.status-dot.active {
+    animation: statusGlow 2s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+@keyframes statusGlow {
+    0%, 100% {
+        box-shadow: 0 0 6px var(--status-online);
+    }
+    50% {
+        box-shadow: 0 0 12px var(--status-online), 0 0 20px var(--status-online);
+    }
+}
+
+/* Badge hover effect */
+.badge {
+    transition: transform var(--transition-fast), box-shadow var(--transition-fast);
+}
+
+.badge:hover {
+    transform: scale(1.05);
+}
+
+/* Alert entrance animation */
+.alert {
+    animation: alertSlideIn 0.3s ease-out;
+}
+
+@keyframes alertSlideIn {
+    from {
+        opacity: 0;
+        transform: translateY(-10px);
+    }
+    to {
+        opacity: 1;
+        transform: translateY(0);
+    }
+}
+
+/* Loading spinner smooth appearance */
+.spinner {
+    animation: spin 0.8s linear infinite, fadeIn 0.3s ease-out;
+}
+
+@keyframes fadeIn {
+    from { opacity: 0; }
+    to { opacity: 1; }
+}
+
+/* Input focus glow */
+input:focus,
+select:focus,
+textarea:focus {
+    border-color: var(--accent-cyan);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px var(--accent-cyan-dim), 0 0 20px rgba(74, 158, 255, 0.1);
+}
+
+/* Nav item active indicator */
+.mode-nav-btn.active::after,
+.mobile-nav-btn.active::after {
+    content: '';
+    position: absolute;
+    bottom: -2px;
+    left: 50%;
+    transform: translateX(-50%);
+    width: 60%;
+    height: 2px;
+    background: currentColor;
+    border-radius: var(--radius-full);
+}
+
+/* Smooth tooltip appearance */
+[data-tooltip]::after {
+    transition:
+        opacity var(--transition-fast),
+        visibility var(--transition-fast),
+        transform var(--transition-fast);
+    transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(-4px);
+}
+
+[data-tooltip]:hover::after {
+    transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(0);
+}
+
+/* Disabled state with better visual feedback */
+:disabled,
+.disabled {
+    opacity: 0.5;
+    cursor: not-allowed;
+    filter: grayscale(30%);
+}