diff --git a/api/add_comment.php b/api/add_comment.php
index 62c95ef..937d2ab 100644
--- a/api/add_comment.php
+++ b/api/add_comment.php
@@ -62,7 +62,14 @@ try {
         throw new Exception("Invalid JSON data received");
     }
 
-    $ticketId = $data['ticket_id'];
+    $ticketId = isset($data['ticket_id']) ? (int)$data['ticket_id'] : 0;
+    if ($ticketId <= 0) {
+        http_response_code(400);
+        ob_end_clean();
+        header('Content-Type: application/json');
+        echo json_encode(['success' => false, 'error' => 'Invalid ticket ID']);
+        exit;
+    }
 
     // Initialize models
     $commentModel = new CommentModel($conn);
diff --git a/api/assign_ticket.php b/api/assign_ticket.php
index 9ee2b39..88ed712 100644
--- a/api/assign_ticket.php
+++ b/api/assign_ticket.php
@@ -6,10 +6,17 @@ require_once dirname(__DIR__) . '/models/UserModel.php';
 
 // Get request data
 $data = json_decode(file_get_contents('php://input'), true);
-$ticketId = $data['ticket_id'] ?? null;
+if (!is_array($data)) {
+    http_response_code(400);
+    echo json_encode(['success' => false, 'error' => 'Invalid JSON body']);
+    exit;
+}
+
+$ticketId = isset($data['ticket_id']) ? (int)$data['ticket_id'] : null;
 $assignedTo = $data['assigned_to'] ?? null;
 
 if (!$ticketId) {
+    http_response_code(400);
     echo json_encode(['success' => false, 'error' => 'Ticket ID required']);
     exit;
 }
@@ -18,6 +25,21 @@ $ticketModel = new TicketModel($conn);
 $auditLogModel = new AuditLogModel($conn);
 $userModel = new UserModel($conn);
 
+// Verify ticket exists
+$ticket = $ticketModel->getTicketById($ticketId);
+if (!$ticket) {
+    http_response_code(404);
+    echo json_encode(['success' => false, 'error' => 'Ticket not found']);
+    exit;
+}
+
+// Authorization: only admins or the ticket creator/assignee can reassign
+if (!$isAdmin && $ticket['created_by'] !== $userId && $ticket['assigned_to'] !== $userId) {
+    http_response_code(403);
+    echo json_encode(['success' => false, 'error' => 'Permission denied']);
+    exit;
+}
+
 if ($assignedTo === null || $assignedTo === '') {
     // Unassign ticket
     $success = $ticketModel->unassignTicket($ticketId, $userId);
@@ -40,4 +62,9 @@ if ($assignedTo === null || $assignedTo === '') {
     }
 }
 
-echo json_encode(['success' => $success]);
+if (!$success) {
+    http_response_code(500);
+    echo json_encode(['success' => false, 'error' => 'Failed to update ticket assignment']);
+} else {
+    echo json_encode(['success' => true]);
+}
diff --git a/api/bulk_operation.php b/api/bulk_operation.php
index 25a9e5d..e94b21e 100644
--- a/api/bulk_operation.php
+++ b/api/bulk_operation.php
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ header('Content-Type: application/json');
 
 // Check authentication
 if (!isset($_SESSION['user']) || !isset($_SESSION['user']['user_id'])) {
+    http_response_code(401);
     echo json_encode(['success' => false, 'error' => 'Not authenticated']);
     exit;
 }
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
 // Check admin status - bulk operations are admin-only
 $isAdmin = $_SESSION['user']['is_admin'] ?? false;
 if (!$isAdmin) {
+    http_response_code(403);
     echo json_encode(['success' => false, 'error' => 'Admin access required']);
     exit;
 }
diff --git a/api/clone_ticket.php b/api/clone_ticket.php
index 8a0a9ab..f6e062a 100644
--- a/api/clone_ticket.php
+++ b/api/clone_ticket.php
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ try {
     require_once dirname(__DIR__) . '/models/AuditLogModel.php';
 
     // Check authentication
-    session_start();
+    if (session_status() === PHP_SESSION_NONE) {
+        session_start();
+    }
     if (!isset($_SESSION['user']) || !isset($_SESSION['user']['user_id'])) {
         http_response_code(401);
         echo json_encode(['success' => false, 'error' => 'Authentication required']);
@@ -50,8 +52,14 @@ try {
         exit;
     }
 
-    $sourceTicketId = $data['ticket_id'];
+    $sourceTicketId = (int)$data['ticket_id'];
+    if ($sourceTicketId <= 0) {
+        http_response_code(400);
+        echo json_encode(['success' => false, 'error' => 'Invalid ticket ID']);
+        exit;
+    }
     $userId = $_SESSION['user']['user_id'];
+    $isAdmin = $_SESSION['user']['is_admin'] ?? false;
 
     // Get database connection
     $conn = Database::getConnection();
@@ -66,6 +74,15 @@ try {
         exit;
     }
 
+    // Authorization: non-admins cannot clone internal tickets unless they created/are assigned
+    if (!$isAdmin && ($sourceTicket['visibility'] ?? 'public') === 'internal') {
+        if ($sourceTicket['created_by'] != $userId && $sourceTicket['assigned_to'] != $userId) {
+            http_response_code(403);
+            echo json_encode(['success' => false, 'error' => 'Permission denied']);
+            exit;
+        }
+    }
+
     // Prepare cloned ticket data
     $clonedTicketData = [
         'title' => '[CLONE] ' . $sourceTicket['title'],
diff --git a/api/update_ticket.php b/api/update_ticket.php
index e53f724..0d58e0d 100644
--- a/api/update_ticket.php
+++ b/api/update_ticket.php
@@ -79,6 +79,17 @@ try {
                 ];
             }
 
+            // Authorization: admins can edit any ticket; others only their own or assigned
+            if (!$this->isAdmin
+                && $currentTicket['created_by'] != $this->userId
+                && $currentTicket['assigned_to'] != $this->userId
+            ) {
+                return [
+                    'success' => false,
+                    'error' => 'Permission denied'
+                ];
+            }
+
             // Merge current data with updates, keeping existing values for missing fields
             $updateData = [
                 'ticket_id' => $id,
diff --git a/api/upload_attachment.php b/api/upload_attachment.php
index 218d2b2..e613859 100644
--- a/api/upload_attachment.php
+++ b/api/upload_attachment.php
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ if (empty($originalFilename)) {
 
 // Save to database
 try {
-    $attachmentModel = new AttachmentModel();
+    $attachmentModel = new AttachmentModel($conn);
     $attachmentId = $attachmentModel->addAttachment(
         $ticketId,
         $uniqueFilename,
diff --git a/assets/css/base.css b/assets/css/base.css
index 0e112de..e2b3739 100644
--- a/assets/css/base.css
+++ b/assets/css/base.css
@@ -128,9 +128,9 @@
   --header-height:   58px;
   --container-max:   1600px;
 
-  /* --- Transitions --- */
-  --transition-fast:    all 0.15s ease;
-  --transition-default: all 0.3s ease;
+  /* --- Transitions — scoped to GPU-safe properties (no box-shadow/filter) --- */
+  --transition-fast:    border-color 0.15s ease, background-color 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
+  --transition-default: border-color 0.2s ease, background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease;
 
   /* --- Z-index ladder --- */
   --z-base:           1;
diff --git a/assets/css/dashboard.css b/assets/css/dashboard.css
index b3eea24..e0de4fb 100644
--- a/assets/css/dashboard.css
+++ b/assets/css/dashboard.css
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@
 
     /* Terminal Colors */
     --terminal-green: #00ff41;
-    --terminal-green-dim: #00cc33;
+    /* Note: --terminal-green-dim is NOT overridden here — base.css defines it as
+       rgba(0,255,65,0.15) for button hover backgrounds. Use --text-secondary for dim text. */
     --terminal-amber: #ffb000;
     --terminal-cyan: #00ffff;
     --terminal-red: #ff4444;
@@ -56,8 +57,8 @@
     --spacing-md: 1.5rem;
     --spacing-lg: 2rem;
 
-    /* Transitions */
-    --transition-default: all 0.3s ease;
+    /* Transitions — scoped to GPU-safe properties only (no box-shadow, no filter) */
+    --transition-default: border-color 0.2s ease, background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease;
 
     /* Z-Index Scale - Centralized stacking context management */
     --z-base: 1;
@@ -116,7 +117,9 @@ body::before {
     display: none;
 }
 
-/* Suppress body::after binary text watermark (also position:fixed → GPU layer) */
+/* Suppress body::after binary text watermark (also position:fixed → GPU layer).
+   Do NOT add a second body::after rule below — the last rule wins in the cascade,
+   overriding this display:none and re-creating the fixed GPU compositing layer. */
 body::after {
     display: none;
 }
@@ -139,30 +142,6 @@ body::after {
     100% { transform: translate(0); }
 }
 
-
-/* Subtle data stream effect in corner */
-body::after {
-    content: '10101010';
-    position: fixed;
-    bottom: 10px;
-    right: 10px;
-    font-family: var(--font-mono);
-    font-size: 0.6rem;
-    color: var(--terminal-green);
-    opacity: 0.1;
-    pointer-events: none;
-    letter-spacing: 2px;
-    animation: data-stream 3s linear infinite;
-}
-
-@keyframes data-stream {
-    0% { content: '10101010'; opacity: 0.1; }
-    25% { content: '01010101'; opacity: 0.15; }
-    50% { content: '11001100'; opacity: 0.1; }
-    75% { content: '00110011'; opacity: 0.15; }
-    100% { content: '10101010'; opacity: 0.1; }
-}
-
 /* ===== ENHANCED TERMINAL ANIMATIONS ===== */
 
 /* Typing cursor effect for focused inputs */
@@ -182,12 +161,8 @@ textarea:focus,
 select:focus {
     outline: 2px solid var(--terminal-amber);
     outline-offset: 2px;
-    animation: focus-pulse 2s ease-in-out infinite;
-}
-
-@keyframes focus-pulse {
-    0%, 100% { box-shadow: var(--glow-amber), inset 0 0 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); }
-    50% { box-shadow: var(--glow-amber-intense), inset 0 0 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); }
+    /* Static glow on focus — no animation to avoid CPU repaints on every frame */
+    box-shadow: var(--glow-amber);
 }
 
 /* Focus visible for keyboard navigation */
@@ -313,29 +288,6 @@ tbody tr {
 .btn {
     transition: background 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease, border-color 0.15s ease;
     position: relative;
-    overflow: hidden;
-}
-
-.btn::before {
-    content: '';
-    position: absolute;
-    top: 50%;
-    left: 50%;
-    width: 0;
-    height: 0;
-    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
-    border-radius: 50%;
-    transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
-    transition: width 0.4s, height 0.4s;
-}
-
-.btn:active::before {
-    width: 200%;
-    height: 200%;
-}
-
-.btn:active {
-    transform: scale(0.98);
 }
 
 /* Terminal cursor blink for active/selected elements */
@@ -1584,6 +1536,7 @@ h1 {
 }
 
 /* ===== BUTTON STYLES - TERMINAL EDITION ===== */
+/* Base: apply terminal font/reset to all buttons */
 .btn,
 .btn-base,
 button {
@@ -1597,25 +1550,25 @@ button {
     text-transform: uppercase;
     font-weight: bold;
     position: relative;
+    display: inline-block;
+    white-space: nowrap;
     will-change: transform;
     transition: background 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease, transform 0.15s ease;
 }
 
+/* Bracket notation only for explicitly-styled .btn class buttons */
 .btn::before,
-.btn-base::before,
-button::before {
+.btn-base::before {
     content: '[ ';
 }
 
 .btn::after,
-.btn-base::after,
-button::after {
+.btn-base::after {
     content: ' ]';
 }
 
 .btn:hover,
-.btn-base:hover,
-button:hover {
+.btn-base:hover {
     background: rgba(0, 255, 65, 0.15);
     color: var(--terminal-amber);
     border-color: var(--terminal-amber);
@@ -1623,8 +1576,7 @@ button:hover {
 }
 
 .btn:active,
-.btn-base:active,
-button:active {
+.btn-base:active {
     transform: translateY(0);
 }
 
@@ -2083,7 +2035,7 @@ select {
     border: 2px solid var(--terminal-green);
     border-radius: 0;
     padding: 8px 12px;
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: border-color 0.2s ease, background-color 0.2s ease;
     box-shadow: inset 0 0 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
 }
 
@@ -2288,7 +2240,7 @@ input[type="checkbox"]:checked {
     text-align: left;
     font-size: 0.9rem;
     text-shadow: var(--glow-amber);
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.2s ease;
 }
 
 .banner-toggle:hover {
@@ -2532,7 +2484,7 @@ input[type="checkbox"]:checked {
     cursor: pointer;
     font-size: 0.85rem;
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: color 0.2s ease, padding-left 0.2s ease;
 }
 
 .filter-group label:hover {
@@ -2548,7 +2500,7 @@ input[type="checkbox"]:checked {
     width: 16px;
     height: 16px;
     border: 2px solid var(--terminal-green);
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: opacity 0.15s ease;
 }
 
 .filter-group input[type="checkbox"]:checked {
@@ -2568,7 +2520,7 @@ input[type="checkbox"]:checked {
     border: 2px solid var(--terminal-green);
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
     cursor: pointer;
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease;
 }
 
 .dashboard-sidebar .btn:hover {
@@ -2802,7 +2754,7 @@ input[type="checkbox"]:checked {
     border-radius: 0;
     display: inline-block;
     border: 1px solid transparent;
-    transition: background 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease, text-shadow 0.2s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease;
     text-shadow: var(--glow-green);
 }
 
@@ -3250,9 +3202,25 @@ body.dark-mode select option {
         font-size: 0.4rem !important;
     }
 
-    /* Remove all pseudo-element decorations except essential ones */
-    *::before,
-    *::after {
+    /* Remove purely decorative frame corner glyphs on tiny screens */
+    .ascii-frame-outer .bottom-left-corner,
+    .ascii-frame-outer .bottom-right-corner {
+        display: none;
+    }
+    .lt-frame::before, .lt-frame::after,
+    .lt-frame-inner::before, .lt-frame-inner::after,
+    .lt-card::before, .lt-card::after,
+    .lt-stat-card::before, .lt-stat-card::after,
+    .lt-divider::before, .lt-divider::after,
+    .lt-section-header::before, .lt-section-header::after,
+    .lt-subsection-header::before, .lt-subsection-header::after,
+    .lt-sidebar-header::before,
+    .lt-modal::before, .lt-modal::after,
+    .lt-modal-title::before,
+    .lt-timeline::before,
+    h1::before, h3::before, h3::after,
+    .lt-page-title::before,
+    .lt-brand-title::before {
         content: none !important;
     }
 
@@ -3278,11 +3246,6 @@ body.dark-mode select option {
         padding: 0.25rem;
     }
 
-    /* Re-enable essential pseudo-elements */
-    .search-form::before {
-        content: '$ ' !important;
-    }
-
     /* Simplify modals */
     .settings-modal,
     .modal-content {
@@ -3350,7 +3313,7 @@ body.dark-mode select option {
     z-index: var(--z-toast);
     opacity: 0;
     transform: translateX(400px);
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: opacity 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease;
     max-width: 400px;
     word-wrap: break-word;
 }
@@ -3403,7 +3366,7 @@ body.dark-mode select option {
     padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem;
     cursor: pointer;
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease;
     border-radius: 0;
     margin-left: 1rem;
 }
@@ -3579,7 +3542,7 @@ body.dark-mode select option {
     padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;
     cursor: pointer;
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease;
 }
 
 .close-settings:hover {
@@ -3863,7 +3826,7 @@ body.dark-mode select option {
     padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem;
     border: 2px solid;
     cursor: pointer;
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease;
     background: transparent;
 }
 
@@ -4035,7 +3998,7 @@ code.inline-code {
     color: var(--terminal-cyan);
     text-decoration: none;
     border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--terminal-cyan);
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: color 0.2s ease, border-bottom-color 0.2s ease;
 }
 
 [data-markdown] a:hover {
@@ -4126,7 +4089,7 @@ code.inline-code {
     padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;
     cursor: pointer;
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease;
 }
 
 .close-advanced-search:hover {
@@ -4211,7 +4174,7 @@ code.inline-code {
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
     font-size: 1rem;
     cursor: pointer;
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease;
     font-weight: bold;
 }
 
@@ -4229,7 +4192,7 @@ code.inline-code {
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
     font-size: 1rem;
     cursor: pointer;
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease;
 }
 
 .btn-search-secondary:hover {
@@ -4246,7 +4209,7 @@ code.inline-code {
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
     font-size: 1rem;
     cursor: pointer;
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease;
 }
 
 .btn-search-reset:hover {
@@ -4377,7 +4340,7 @@ tr:hover .quick-actions {
 
 .stat-label {
     font-size: 0.8rem;
-    color: var(--terminal-green-dim, #008822);
+    color: var(--text-secondary);
     margin-top: 0.25rem;
     text-transform: uppercase;
     letter-spacing: 0.05em;
@@ -4456,7 +4419,7 @@ tr:hover .quick-actions {
     color: var(--terminal-green);
     text-decoration: none;
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
 }
 
 .export-dropdown-content a:hover {
@@ -4498,7 +4461,7 @@ tr:hover .quick-actions {
     text-decoration: none;
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
     font-size: 0.85rem;
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
     border-bottom: 1px solid var(--bg-tertiary);
 }
 
@@ -4545,7 +4508,7 @@ table td:nth-child(4) {
     padding: 0.1rem 0.3rem;
     border-radius: 0;
     background: rgba(0, 255, 255, 0.1);
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: color 0.15s ease, background-color 0.15s ease;
 }
 
 .ticket-link-ref:hover {
@@ -4859,7 +4822,7 @@ table td:nth-child(4) {
     font-size: 1.2rem;
     min-width: 44px;
     min-height: 44px;
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
 }
 
 .view-btn::before,
@@ -4957,7 +4920,7 @@ table td:nth-child(4) {
     border: 1px solid var(--terminal-green);
     padding: 0.75rem;
     cursor: pointer;
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: border-color 0.15s ease, transform 0.15s ease;
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
 }
 
diff --git a/assets/css/ticket.css b/assets/css/ticket.css
index 31581e3..7bf1d31 100644
--- a/assets/css/ticket.css
+++ b/assets/css/ticket.css
@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ textarea[data-field="description"]:not(:disabled)::after {
     color: var(--terminal-amber);
     border-color: var(--terminal-amber);
     background: rgba(255, 176, 0, 0.1);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(255, 176, 0, 0.4);
     animation: pulse-warning 2s ease-in-out infinite;
 }
 
@@ -352,17 +353,18 @@ textarea[data-field="description"]:not(:disabled)::after {
     color: var(--priority-1);
     border-color: var(--priority-1);
     background: rgba(255, 77, 77, 0.15);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(255, 77, 77, 0.5);
     animation: pulse-critical 1s ease-in-out infinite;
 }
 
 @keyframes pulse-warning {
-    0%, 100% { box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(255, 176, 0, 0.3); }
-    50% { box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(255, 176, 0, 0.6); }
+    0%, 100% { opacity: 0.75; }
+    50% { opacity: 1; }
 }
 
 @keyframes pulse-critical {
-    0%, 100% { box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(255, 77, 77, 0.3); }
-    50% { box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(255, 77, 77, 0.8); }
+    0%, 100% { opacity: 0.7; }
+    50% { opacity: 1; }
 }
 
 /* Tab transition animations */
@@ -507,7 +509,7 @@ textarea[data-field="description"]:not(:disabled)::after {
     border-radius: 0;
     background: var(--bg-primary);
     color: var(--text-primary);
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: border-color 0.2s ease;
 }
 
 input.editable {
@@ -547,7 +549,7 @@ textarea.editable {
     font-weight: 500;
     background: var(--bg-primary);
     color: var(--text-primary);
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease;
 }
 
 .btn.primary {
@@ -626,7 +628,7 @@ textarea.editable {
     margin-bottom: 1rem;
     position: relative;
     box-shadow: none;
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: border-color 0.2s ease;
     animation: comment-appear 0.4s ease-out;
 }
 
@@ -643,7 +645,6 @@ textarea.editable {
 
 .comment:hover {
     border-color: var(--terminal-amber);
-    background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--bg-primary) 0%, rgba(255, 176, 0, 0.03) 100%);
 }
 
 .comment:hover::before,
@@ -760,13 +761,16 @@ textarea.editable {
     padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem;
     font-size: 0.85rem;
     cursor: pointer;
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease, border-color 0.15s ease;
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
     line-height: 1;
 }
 
-.comment-action-btn:hover {
+.comment-action-btn:hover,
+.comment-action-btn:focus-visible {
     background: rgba(0, 255, 65, 0.1);
+    outline: 2px solid var(--terminal-amber);
+    outline-offset: 2px;
 }
 
 .comment-action-btn.edit-btn:hover {
@@ -1055,7 +1059,7 @@ textarea.editable {
     font-size: 1em;
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
     color: var(--terminal-green);
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease, border-color 0.15s ease;
     position: relative;
     margin-right: -2px;
 }
@@ -1070,9 +1074,12 @@ textarea.editable {
     color: var(--terminal-green);
 }
 
-.tab-btn:hover {
+.tab-btn:hover,
+.tab-btn:focus-visible {
     background: rgba(0, 255, 65, 0.05);
     color: var(--terminal-amber);
+    outline: 2px solid var(--terminal-amber);
+    outline-offset: -2px;
 }
 
 .tab-btn.active {
@@ -1155,7 +1162,7 @@ textarea.editable {
     right: 0;
     bottom: 0;
     background-color: var(--bg-secondary);
-    transition: .4s;
+    transition: background-color 0.4s ease;
 }
 
 .slider:before {
@@ -1166,7 +1173,7 @@ textarea.editable {
     left: 4px;
     bottom: 4px;
     background-color: white;
-    transition: .4s;
+    transition: transform 0.4s ease;
 }
 
 .slider.round {
@@ -1353,7 +1360,7 @@ body.dark-mode .timeline-date {
     letter-spacing: 0.5px;
     border: 2px solid transparent;
     cursor: pointer;
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: opacity 0.15s ease, border-color 0.15s ease;
 }
 
 .status-select:hover {
@@ -1604,7 +1611,7 @@ body.dark-mode .editable {
     padding: 2rem;
     text-align: center;
     cursor: pointer;
-    transition: all 0.3s ease;
+    transition: border-color 0.2s ease, background-color 0.2s ease;
     background: var(--bg-primary);
 }
 
@@ -1691,7 +1698,7 @@ body.dark-mode .editable {
     padding: 0.75rem 1rem;
     border: 1px solid var(--terminal-green);
     background: var(--bg-primary);
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: border-color 0.15s ease, background-color 0.15s ease;
 }
 
 .attachment-item:hover {
@@ -1782,7 +1789,7 @@ body.dark-mode .editable {
     border-radius: 0;
     font-weight: 600;
     cursor: pointer;
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.15s ease;
 }
 
 .mention:hover {
@@ -1816,7 +1823,7 @@ body.dark-mode .editable {
     cursor: pointer;
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
     color: var(--terminal-green);
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
     display: flex;
     align-items: center;
     gap: 0.5rem;
@@ -1857,7 +1864,7 @@ body.dark-mode .editable {
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
     font-size: 0.85rem;
     cursor: pointer;
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease, border-color 0.15s ease;
     min-width: 32px;
 }
 
@@ -1910,7 +1917,7 @@ body.dark-mode .editable {
     color: var(--terminal-green);
     text-decoration: none;
     font-family: var(--font-mono);
-    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+    transition: background-color 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
 }
 
 .export-dropdown-content a:hover {
diff --git a/assets/js/advanced-search.js b/assets/js/advanced-search.js
index 7ff8086..4cb1ac8 100644
--- a/assets/js/advanced-search.js
+++ b/assets/js/advanced-search.js
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ async function saveCurrentFilter() {
         'My Filter',
         async (filterName) => {
             if (!filterName || filterName.trim() === '') {
-                toast.warning('Filter name cannot be empty', 2000);
+                lt.toast.warning('Filter name cannot be empty', 2000);
                 return;
             }
 
diff --git a/assets/js/dashboard.js b/assets/js/dashboard.js
index 0fce760..c0c9a63 100644
--- a/assets/js/dashboard.js
+++ b/assets/js/dashboard.js
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ function initMobileSidebar() {
         const toggleBtn = document.createElement('button');
         toggleBtn.id = 'mobileFilterToggle';
         toggleBtn.className = 'mobile-filter-toggle';
-        toggleBtn.innerHTML = '☰ Filters & Search Options';
+        toggleBtn.innerHTML = '[ = ] Filters & Search Options';
         toggleBtn.onclick = openMobileSidebar;
         dashboardMain.insertBefore(toggleBtn, dashboardMain.firstChild);
     }
@@ -79,20 +79,20 @@ function initMobileSidebar() {
         nav.className = 'mobile-bottom-nav';
         nav.innerHTML = `
             <a href="/">
-                <span class="nav-icon">🏠</span>
-                <span class="nav-label">Home</span>
+                <span class="nav-icon">[ ~ ]</span>
+                <span class="nav-label">HOME</span>
             </a>
             <button type="button" data-action="open-mobile-sidebar">
-                <span class="nav-icon">🔍</span>
-                <span class="nav-label">Filter</span>
+                <span class="nav-icon">[ / ]</span>
+                <span class="nav-label">FILTER</span>
             </button>
             <a href="/ticket/create">
-                <span class="nav-icon">➕</span>
-                <span class="nav-label">New</span>
+                <span class="nav-icon">[ + ]</span>
+                <span class="nav-label">NEW</span>
             </a>
             <button type="button" data-action="open-settings-modal">
-                <span class="nav-icon">⚙</span>
-                <span class="nav-label">Settings</span>
+                <span class="nav-icon">[ * ]</span>
+                <span class="nav-label">CFG</span>
             </button>
         `;
         document.body.appendChild(nav);
@@ -566,11 +566,11 @@ function quickSave() {
             }
             
         } else {
-            toast.error('Error updating ticket: ' + (result.error || 'Unknown error'), 5000);
+            lt.toast.error('Error updating ticket: ' + (result.error || 'Unknown error'), 5000);
         }
     })
     .catch(error => {
-        toast.error('Error updating ticket: ' + error.message, 5000);
+        lt.toast.error('Error updating ticket: ' + error.message, 5000);
     });
 }
 
@@ -671,11 +671,11 @@ function loadTemplate() {
                     document.getElementById('priority').value = template.default_priority;
                 }
             } else {
-                toast.error('Failed to load template: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 4000);
+                lt.toast.error('Failed to load template: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 4000);
             }
         })
         .catch(error => {
-            toast.error('Error loading template: ' + error.message, 4000);
+            lt.toast.error('Error loading template: ' + error.message, 4000);
         });
 }
 
@@ -752,7 +752,7 @@ function bulkClose() {
     const ticketIds = getSelectedTicketIds();
 
     if (ticketIds.length === 0) {
-        toast.warning('No tickets selected', 2000);
+        lt.toast.warning('No tickets selected', 2000);
         return;
     }
 
@@ -782,17 +782,17 @@ function performBulkCloseAction(ticketIds) {
     .then(data => {
         if (data.success) {
             if (data.failed > 0) {
-                toast.warning(`Bulk close: ${data.processed} succeeded, ${data.failed} failed`, 5000);
+                lt.toast.warning(`Bulk close: ${data.processed} succeeded, ${data.failed} failed`, 5000);
             } else {
-                toast.success(`Successfully closed ${data.processed} ticket(s)`, 4000);
+                lt.toast.success(`Successfully closed ${data.processed} ticket(s)`, 4000);
             }
             setTimeout(() => window.location.reload(), 1500);
         } else {
-            toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 5000);
+            lt.toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 5000);
         }
     })
     .catch(error => {
-        toast.error('Bulk close failed: ' + error.message, 5000);
+        lt.toast.error('Bulk close failed: ' + error.message, 5000);
     });
 }
 
@@ -800,7 +800,7 @@ function showBulkAssignModal() {
     const ticketIds = getSelectedTicketIds();
 
     if (ticketIds.length === 0) {
-        toast.warning('No tickets selected', 2000);
+        lt.toast.warning('No tickets selected', 2000);
         return;
     }
 
@@ -834,12 +834,14 @@ function showBulkAssignModal() {
         .then(data => {
             if (data.success && data.users) {
                 const select = document.getElementById('bulkAssignUser');
-                data.users.forEach(user => {
-                    const option = document.createElement('option');
-                    option.value = user.user_id;
-                    option.textContent = user.display_name || user.username;
-                    select.appendChild(option);
-                });
+                if (select) {
+                    data.users.forEach(user => {
+                        const option = document.createElement('option');
+                        option.value = user.user_id;
+                        option.textContent = user.display_name || user.username;
+                        select.appendChild(option);
+                    });
+                }
             }
         })
         .catch(() => lt.toast.error('Error loading users'));
@@ -856,7 +858,7 @@ function performBulkAssign() {
     const ticketIds = getSelectedTicketIds();
 
     if (!userId) {
-        toast.warning('Please select a user', 2000);
+        lt.toast.warning('Please select a user', 2000);
         return;
     }
 
@@ -878,17 +880,17 @@ function performBulkAssign() {
         if (data.success) {
             closeBulkAssignModal();
             if (data.failed > 0) {
-                toast.warning(`Bulk assign: ${data.processed} succeeded, ${data.failed} failed`, 5000);
+                lt.toast.warning(`Bulk assign: ${data.processed} succeeded, ${data.failed} failed`, 5000);
             } else {
-                toast.success(`Successfully assigned ${data.processed} ticket(s)`, 4000);
+                lt.toast.success(`Successfully assigned ${data.processed} ticket(s)`, 4000);
             }
             setTimeout(() => window.location.reload(), 1500);
         } else {
-            toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 5000);
+            lt.toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 5000);
         }
     })
     .catch(error => {
-        toast.error('Bulk assign failed: ' + error.message, 5000);
+        lt.toast.error('Bulk assign failed: ' + error.message, 5000);
     });
 }
 
@@ -896,7 +898,7 @@ function showBulkPriorityModal() {
     const ticketIds = getSelectedTicketIds();
 
     if (ticketIds.length === 0) {
-        toast.warning('No tickets selected', 2000);
+        lt.toast.warning('No tickets selected', 2000);
         return;
     }
 
@@ -941,7 +943,7 @@ function performBulkPriority() {
     const ticketIds = getSelectedTicketIds();
 
     if (!priority) {
-        toast.warning('Please select a priority', 2000);
+        lt.toast.warning('Please select a priority', 2000);
         return;
     }
 
@@ -963,17 +965,17 @@ function performBulkPriority() {
         if (data.success) {
             closeBulkPriorityModal();
             if (data.failed > 0) {
-                toast.warning(`Priority update: ${data.processed} succeeded, ${data.failed} failed`, 5000);
+                lt.toast.warning(`Priority update: ${data.processed} succeeded, ${data.failed} failed`, 5000);
             } else {
-                toast.success(`Successfully updated priority for ${data.processed} ticket(s)`, 4000);
+                lt.toast.success(`Successfully updated priority for ${data.processed} ticket(s)`, 4000);
             }
             setTimeout(() => window.location.reload(), 1500);
         } else {
-            toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 5000);
+            lt.toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 5000);
         }
     })
     .catch(error => {
-        toast.error('Bulk priority update failed: ' + error.message, 5000);
+        lt.toast.error('Bulk priority update failed: ' + error.message, 5000);
     });
 }
 
@@ -1013,7 +1015,7 @@ function showBulkStatusModal() {
     const ticketIds = getSelectedTicketIds();
     
     if (ticketIds.length === 0) {
-        toast.warning('No tickets selected', 2000);
+        lt.toast.warning('No tickets selected', 2000);
         return;
     }
     
@@ -1057,7 +1059,7 @@ function performBulkStatusChange() {
     const ticketIds = getSelectedTicketIds();
 
     if (!status) {
-        toast.warning('Please select a status', 2000);
+        lt.toast.warning('Please select a status', 2000);
         return;
     }
 
@@ -1079,17 +1081,17 @@ function performBulkStatusChange() {
         closeBulkStatusModal();
         if (data.success) {
             if (data.failed > 0) {
-                toast.warning(`Status update: ${data.processed} succeeded, ${data.failed} failed`, 5000);
+                lt.toast.warning(`Status update: ${data.processed} succeeded, ${data.failed} failed`, 5000);
             } else {
-                toast.success(`Successfully updated status for ${data.processed} ticket(s)`, 4000);
+                lt.toast.success(`Successfully updated status for ${data.processed} ticket(s)`, 4000);
             }
             setTimeout(() => window.location.reload(), 1500);
         } else {
-            toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 5000);
+            lt.toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 5000);
         }
     })
     .catch(error => {
-        toast.error('Bulk status change failed: ' + error.message, 5000);
+        lt.toast.error('Bulk status change failed: ' + error.message, 5000);
     });
 }
 
@@ -1098,7 +1100,7 @@ function showBulkDeleteModal() {
     const ticketIds = getSelectedTicketIds();
     
     if (ticketIds.length === 0) {
-        toast.warning('No tickets selected', 2000);
+        lt.toast.warning('No tickets selected', 2000);
         return;
     }
     
@@ -1106,7 +1108,7 @@ function showBulkDeleteModal() {
         <div class="lt-modal-overlay" id="bulkDeleteModal" aria-hidden="true">
             <div class="lt-modal">
                 <div class="lt-modal-header" style="color: var(--status-closed);">
-                    <span class="lt-modal-title">⚠ Delete ${ticketIds.length} Ticket(s)</span>
+                    <span class="lt-modal-title">[ ! ] DELETE ${ticketIds.length} TICKET(S)</span>
                     <button class="lt-modal-close" data-modal-close>✕</button>
                 </div>
                 <div class="lt-modal-body" style="text-align:center;">
@@ -1150,14 +1152,14 @@ function performBulkDelete() {
     .then(data => {
         closeBulkDeleteModal();
         if (data.success) {
-            toast.success(`Successfully deleted ${ticketIds.length} ticket(s)`, 4000);
+            lt.toast.success(`Successfully deleted ${ticketIds.length} ticket(s)`, 4000);
             setTimeout(() => window.location.reload(), 1500);
         } else {
-            toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 5000);
+            lt.toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 5000);
         }
     })
     .catch(error => {
-        toast.error('Bulk delete failed: ' + error.message, 5000);
+        lt.toast.error('Bulk delete failed: ' + error.message, 5000);
     });
 }
 
@@ -1186,15 +1188,15 @@ function showConfirmModal(title, message, type = 'warning', onConfirm, onCancel
 
     // Icon based on type
     const icons = {
-        warning: '⚠',
-        error: '✗',
-        info: 'ℹ'
+        warning: '[ ! ]',
+        error:   '[ X ]',
+        info:    '[ i ]',
     };
     const icon = icons[type] || icons.warning;
 
     // Escape user-provided content to prevent XSS
-    const safeTitle = escapeHtml(title);
-    const safeMessage = escapeHtml(message);
+    const safeTitle = lt.escHtml(title);
+    const safeMessage = lt.escHtml(message);
 
     const modalHtml = `
         <div class="lt-modal-overlay" id="${modalId}" aria-hidden="true">
@@ -1243,9 +1245,9 @@ function showInputModal(title, label, placeholder = '', onSubmit, onCancel = nul
     const inputId = modalId + '_input';
 
     // Escape user-provided content to prevent XSS
-    const safeTitle = escapeHtml(title);
-    const safeLabel = escapeHtml(label);
-    const safePlaceholder = escapeHtml(placeholder);
+    const safeTitle = lt.escHtml(title);
+    const safeLabel = lt.escHtml(label);
+    const safePlaceholder = lt.escHtml(placeholder);
 
     const modalHtml = `
         <div class="lt-modal-overlay" id="${modalId}" aria-hidden="true">
@@ -1307,8 +1309,8 @@ function quickStatusChange(ticketId, currentStatus) {
                     <button class="lt-modal-close" data-modal-close>✕</button>
                 </div>
                 <div class="lt-modal-body">
-                    <p style="margin-bottom:0.5rem;">Ticket #${escapeHtml(ticketId)}</p>
-                    <p style="margin-bottom:0.5rem;color:var(--terminal-amber);">Current: ${escapeHtml(currentStatus)}</p>
+                    <p style="margin-bottom:0.5rem;">Ticket #${lt.escHtml(ticketId)}</p>
+                    <p style="margin-bottom:0.5rem;color:var(--terminal-amber);">Current: ${lt.escHtml(currentStatus)}</p>
                     <label for="quickStatusSelect">New Status:</label>
                     <select id="quickStatusSelect" class="lt-select" style="width:100%;margin-top:0.5rem;">
                         ${otherStatuses.map(s => `<option value="${s}">${s}</option>`).join('')}
@@ -1351,15 +1353,15 @@ function performQuickStatusChange(ticketId) {
     .then(data => {
         closeQuickStatusModal();
         if (data.success) {
-            toast.success(`Status updated to ${newStatus}`, 3000);
+            lt.toast.success(`Status updated to ${newStatus}`, 3000);
             setTimeout(() => window.location.reload(), 1000);
         } else {
-            toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 4000);
+            lt.toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 4000);
         }
     })
     .catch(error => {
         closeQuickStatusModal();
-        toast.error('Error updating status', 4000);
+        lt.toast.error('Error updating status', 4000);
     });
 }
 
@@ -1375,7 +1377,7 @@ function quickAssign(ticketId) {
                     <button class="lt-modal-close" data-modal-close>✕</button>
                 </div>
                 <div class="lt-modal-body">
-                    <p style="margin-bottom:0.5rem;">Ticket #${escapeHtml(ticketId)}</p>
+                    <p style="margin-bottom:0.5rem;">Ticket #${lt.escHtml(ticketId)}</p>
                     <label for="quickAssignSelect">Assign to:</label>
                     <select id="quickAssignSelect" class="lt-select" style="width:100%;margin-top:0.5rem;">
                         <option value="">Unassigned</option>
@@ -1433,15 +1435,15 @@ function performQuickAssign(ticketId) {
     .then(data => {
         closeQuickAssignModal();
         if (data.success) {
-            toast.success('Assignment updated', 3000);
+            lt.toast.success('Assignment updated', 3000);
             setTimeout(() => window.location.reload(), 1000);
         } else {
-            toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 4000);
+            lt.toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 4000);
         }
     })
     .catch(error => {
         closeQuickAssignModal();
-        toast.error('Error updating assignment', 4000);
+        lt.toast.error('Error updating assignment', 4000);
     });
 }
 
@@ -1522,13 +1524,13 @@ function populateKanbanCards() {
             card.onclick = () => window.location.href = `/ticket/${ticketId}`;
             card.innerHTML = `
                 <div class="card-header">
-                    <span class="card-id">#${escapeHtml(ticketId)}</span>
+                    <span class="card-id">#${lt.escHtml(ticketId)}</span>
                     <span class="card-priority p${priority}">P${priority}</span>
                 </div>
-                <div class="card-title">${escapeHtml(title)}</div>
+                <div class="card-title">${lt.escHtml(title)}</div>
                 <div class="card-footer">
-                    <span class="card-category">${escapeHtml(category)}</span>
-                    <span class="card-assignee" title="${escapeHtml(assignedTo)}">${escapeHtml(initials)}</span>
+                    <span class="card-category">${lt.escHtml(category)}</span>
+                    <span class="card-assignee" title="${lt.escHtml(assignedTo)}">${lt.escHtml(initials)}</span>
                 </div>
             `;
             column.appendChild(card);
@@ -1615,17 +1617,17 @@ function showTicketPreview(event) {
         // Build preview content
         currentPreview.innerHTML = `
             <div class="preview-header">
-                <span class="preview-id">#${escapeHtml(ticketId)}</span>
-                <span class="preview-status status-${status.replace(/\s+/g, '-')}">${escapeHtml(status)}</span>
+                <span class="preview-id">#${lt.escHtml(ticketId)}</span>
+                <span class="preview-status status-${status.replace(/\s+/g, '-')}">${lt.escHtml(status)}</span>
             </div>
-            <div class="preview-title">${escapeHtml(title)}</div>
+            <div class="preview-title">${lt.escHtml(title)}</div>
             <div class="preview-meta">
-                <div><strong>Priority:</strong> P${escapeHtml(priority)}</div>
-                <div><strong>Category:</strong> ${escapeHtml(category)}</div>
-                <div><strong>Type:</strong> ${escapeHtml(type)}</div>
-                <div><strong>Assigned:</strong> ${escapeHtml(assignedTo)}</div>
+                <div><strong>Priority:</strong> P${lt.escHtml(priority)}</div>
+                <div><strong>Category:</strong> ${lt.escHtml(category)}</div>
+                <div><strong>Type:</strong> ${lt.escHtml(type)}</div>
+                <div><strong>Assigned:</strong> ${lt.escHtml(assignedTo)}</div>
             </div>
-            <div class="preview-footer">Created by ${escapeHtml(createdBy)}</div>
+            <div class="preview-footer">Created by ${lt.escHtml(createdBy)}</div>
         `;
 
         // Position the preview
@@ -1697,7 +1699,7 @@ function exportSelectedTickets(format) {
     const ticketIds = getSelectedTicketIds();
 
     if (ticketIds.length === 0) {
-        toast.warning('No tickets selected', 2000);
+        lt.toast.warning('No tickets selected', 2000);
         return;
     }
 
diff --git a/assets/js/markdown.js b/assets/js/markdown.js
index 5fb123b..42cfd9a 100644
--- a/assets/js/markdown.js
+++ b/assets/js/markdown.js
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ function createEditorToolbar(textareaId, containerId) {
         <button type="button" data-toolbar-action="list" data-textarea="${textareaId}" title="List">≡</button>
         <button type="button" data-toolbar-action="quote" data-textarea="${textareaId}" title="Quote">"</button>
         <span class="toolbar-separator"></span>
-        <button type="button" data-toolbar-action="link" data-textarea="${textareaId}" title="Link">🔗</button>
+        <button type="button" data-toolbar-action="link" data-textarea="${textareaId}" title="Link">[ @ ]</button>
     `;
 
     // Add event delegation for toolbar buttons
diff --git a/assets/js/ticket.js b/assets/js/ticket.js
index 1bf6b91..b1bab4e 100644
--- a/assets/js/ticket.js
+++ b/assets/js/ticket.js
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ function saveTicket() {
                 statusDisplay.className = `status-${data.status}`;
                 statusDisplay.textContent = data.status;
             }
-            toast.success('Ticket updated successfully');
+            lt.toast.success('Ticket updated successfully');
         } else {
         }
     })
@@ -317,11 +317,11 @@ function handleAssignmentChange() {
         .then(response => response.json())
         .then(data => {
             if (!data.success) {
-                toast.error('Error updating assignment');
+                lt.toast.error('Error updating assignment');
             }
         })
         .catch(error => {
-            toast.error('Error updating assignment: ' + error.message);
+            lt.toast.error('Error updating assignment: ' + error.message);
         });
     });
 }
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ function handleMetadataChanges() {
         .then(response => response.json())
         .then(data => {
             if (!data.success) {
-                toast.error(`Error updating ${fieldName}`);
+                lt.toast.error(`Error updating ${fieldName}`);
             } else {
                 // Update window.ticketData
                 window.ticketData[fieldName] = fieldName === 'priority' ? parseInt(newValue) : newValue;
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ function handleMetadataChanges() {
             }
         })
         .catch(error => {
-            toast.error(`Error updating ${fieldName}: ` + error.message);
+            lt.toast.error(`Error updating ${fieldName}: ` + error.message);
         });
     }
 
@@ -492,13 +492,13 @@ function performStatusChange(statusSelect, selectedOption, newStatus) {
                 window.location.reload();
             }, 500);
         } else {
-            toast.error('Error updating status: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'));
+            lt.toast.error('Error updating status: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'));
             // Reset to current status
             statusSelect.selectedIndex = 0;
         }
     })
     .catch(error => {
-        toast.error('Error updating status: ' + error.message);
+        lt.toast.error('Error updating status: ' + error.message);
         // Reset to current status
         statusSelect.selectedIndex = 0;
     });
@@ -587,10 +587,10 @@ function showDependencyError(message) {
     const dependentsList = document.getElementById('dependentsList');
 
     if (dependenciesList) {
-        dependenciesList.innerHTML = `<p style="color: var(--terminal-amber);">${escapeHtml(message)}</p>`;
+        dependenciesList.innerHTML = `<p style="color: var(--terminal-amber);">${lt.escHtml(message)}</p>`;
     }
     if (dependentsList) {
-        dependentsList.innerHTML = `<p style="color: var(--terminal-amber);">${escapeHtml(message)}</p>`;
+        dependentsList.innerHTML = `<p style="color: var(--terminal-amber);">${lt.escHtml(message)}</p>`;
     }
 }
 
@@ -618,11 +618,11 @@ function renderDependencies(dependencies) {
                 const statusClass = 'status-' + dep.status.toLowerCase().replace(/ /g, '-');
                 html += `<div class="dependency-item" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; padding: 0.5rem; border-bottom: 1px dashed var(--terminal-green-dim);">
                     <div>
-                        <a href="/ticket/${escapeHtml(dep.depends_on_id)}" style="color: var(--terminal-green);">
-                            #${escapeHtml(dep.depends_on_id)}
+                        <a href="/ticket/${lt.escHtml(dep.depends_on_id)}" style="color: var(--terminal-green);">
+                            #${lt.escHtml(dep.depends_on_id)}
                         </a>
-                        <span style="margin-left: 0.5rem;">${escapeHtml(dep.title)}</span>
-                        <span class="status-badge ${statusClass}" style="margin-left: 0.5rem; font-size: 0.8rem;">${escapeHtml(dep.status)}</span>
+                        <span style="margin-left: 0.5rem;">${lt.escHtml(dep.title)}</span>
+                        <span class="status-badge ${statusClass}" style="margin-left: 0.5rem; font-size: 0.8rem;">${lt.escHtml(dep.status)}</span>
                     </div>
                     <button data-action="remove-dependency" data-dependency-id="${dep.dependency_id}" class="btn btn-small" style="padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; font-size: 0.8rem;">Remove</button>
                 </div>`;
@@ -653,12 +653,12 @@ function renderDependents(dependents) {
         const statusClass = 'status-' + dep.status.toLowerCase().replace(/ /g, '-');
         html += `<div class="dependency-item" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; padding: 0.5rem; border-bottom: 1px dashed var(--terminal-green-dim);">
             <div>
-                <a href="/ticket/${escapeHtml(dep.ticket_id)}" style="color: var(--terminal-green);">
-                    #${escapeHtml(dep.ticket_id)}
+                <a href="/ticket/${lt.escHtml(dep.ticket_id)}" style="color: var(--terminal-green);">
+                    #${lt.escHtml(dep.ticket_id)}
                 </a>
-                <span style="margin-left: 0.5rem;">${escapeHtml(dep.title)}</span>
-                <span class="status-badge ${statusClass}" style="margin-left: 0.5rem; font-size: 0.8rem;">${escapeHtml(dep.status)}</span>
-                <span style="margin-left: 0.5rem; color: var(--terminal-amber);">(${escapeHtml(dep.dependency_type)})</span>
+                <span style="margin-left: 0.5rem;">${lt.escHtml(dep.title)}</span>
+                <span class="status-badge ${statusClass}" style="margin-left: 0.5rem; font-size: 0.8rem;">${lt.escHtml(dep.status)}</span>
+                <span style="margin-left: 0.5rem; color: var(--terminal-amber);">(${lt.escHtml(dep.dependency_type)})</span>
             </div>
         </div>`;
     });
@@ -672,7 +672,7 @@ function addDependency() {
     const dependencyType = document.getElementById('dependencyType').value;
 
     if (!dependsOnId) {
-        toast.warning('Please enter a ticket ID', 3000);
+        lt.toast.warning('Please enter a ticket ID', 3000);
         return;
     }
 
@@ -692,15 +692,15 @@ function addDependency() {
     .then(response => response.json())
     .then(data => {
         if (data.success) {
-            toast.success('Dependency added', 3000);
+            lt.toast.success('Dependency added', 3000);
             document.getElementById('dependencyTicketId').value = '';
             loadDependencies();
         } else {
-            toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 4000);
+            lt.toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 4000);
         }
     })
     .catch(error => {
-        toast.error('Error adding dependency', 4000);
+        lt.toast.error('Error adding dependency', 4000);
     });
 }
 
@@ -723,14 +723,14 @@ function removeDependency(dependencyId) {
     .then(response => response.json())
     .then(data => {
         if (data.success) {
-            toast.success('Dependency removed', 3000);
+            lt.toast.success('Dependency removed', 3000);
             loadDependencies();
         } else {
-            toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 4000);
+            lt.toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 4000);
         }
     })
     .catch(error => {
-        toast.error('Error removing dependency', 4000);
+        lt.toast.error('Error removing dependency', 4000);
     });
 }
 
@@ -828,18 +828,18 @@ function handleFileUpload(files) {
                     const response = JSON.parse(xhr.responseText);
                     if (response.success) {
                         if (uploadedCount === totalFiles) {
-                            toast.success(`${totalFiles} file(s) uploaded successfully`, 3000);
+                            lt.toast.success(`${totalFiles} file(s) uploaded successfully`, 3000);
                             loadAttachments();
                             resetUploadUI();
                         }
                     } else {
-                        toast.error(`Error uploading ${file.name}: ${response.error}`, 4000);
+                        lt.toast.error(`Error uploading ${file.name}: ${response.error}`, 4000);
                     }
                 } catch (e) {
-                    toast.error(`Error parsing response for ${file.name}`, 4000);
+                    lt.toast.error(`Error parsing response for ${file.name}`, 4000);
                 }
             } else {
-                toast.error(`Error uploading ${file.name}: Server error`, 4000);
+                lt.toast.error(`Error uploading ${file.name}: Server error`, 4000);
             }
 
             if (uploadedCount === totalFiles) {
@@ -849,7 +849,7 @@ function handleFileUpload(files) {
 
         xhr.addEventListener('error', () => {
             uploadedCount++;
-            toast.error(`Error uploading ${file.name}: Network error`, 4000);
+            lt.toast.error(`Error uploading ${file.name}: Network error`, 4000);
             if (uploadedCount === totalFiles) {
                 setTimeout(resetUploadUI, 2000);
             }
@@ -914,15 +914,15 @@ function renderAttachments(attachments) {
         });
 
         html += `<div class="attachment-item" data-id="${att.attachment_id}">
-            <div class="attachment-icon">${escapeHtml(att.icon || '📎')}</div>
+            <div class="attachment-icon">${lt.escHtml(att.icon || '[ f ]')}</div>
             <div class="attachment-info">
-                <div class="attachment-name" title="${escapeHtml(att.original_filename)}">
+                <div class="attachment-name" title="${lt.escHtml(att.original_filename)}">
                     <a href="/api/download_attachment.php?id=${att.attachment_id}" target="_blank" style="color: var(--terminal-green);">
-                        ${escapeHtml(att.original_filename)}
+                        ${lt.escHtml(att.original_filename)}
                     </a>
                 </div>
                 <div class="attachment-meta">
-                    ${escapeHtml(att.file_size_formatted || formatFileSize(att.file_size))} • ${escapeHtml(uploaderName)} • ${escapeHtml(uploadDate)}
+                    ${lt.escHtml(att.file_size_formatted || formatFileSize(att.file_size))} • ${lt.escHtml(uploaderName)} • ${lt.escHtml(uploadDate)}
                 </div>
             </div>
             <div class="attachment-actions">
@@ -968,14 +968,14 @@ function deleteAttachment(attachmentId) {
     .then(response => response.json())
     .then(data => {
         if (data.success) {
-            toast.success('Attachment deleted', 3000);
+            lt.toast.success('Attachment deleted', 3000);
             loadAttachments();
         } else {
-            toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 4000);
+            lt.toast.error('Error: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'), 4000);
         }
     })
     .catch(error => {
-        toast.error('Error deleting attachment', 4000);
+        lt.toast.error('Error deleting attachment', 4000);
     });
 }
 
@@ -1118,9 +1118,9 @@ function showMentionSuggestions(query, textarea) {
     let html = '';
     filtered.forEach((user, index) => {
         const isSelected = index === 0 ? 'selected' : '';
-        html += `<div class="mention-option ${isSelected}" data-username="${escapeHtml(user.username)}" data-action="select-mention">
-            <span class="mention-username">@${escapeHtml(user.username)}</span>
-            ${user.display_name ? `<span class="mention-displayname">${escapeHtml(user.display_name)}</span>` : ''}
+        html += `<div class="mention-option ${isSelected}" data-username="${lt.escHtml(user.username)}" data-action="select-mention">
+            <span class="mention-username">@${lt.escHtml(user.username)}</span>
+            ${user.display_name ? `<span class="mention-displayname">${lt.escHtml(user.display_name)}</span>` : ''}
         </div>`;
     });
 
@@ -1252,7 +1252,7 @@ function editComment(commentId) {
     editForm.className = 'comment-edit-form';
     editForm.id = `comment-edit-form-${commentId}`;
     editForm.innerHTML = `
-        <textarea id="comment-edit-textarea-${commentId}" class="comment-edit-textarea">${escapeHtml(originalText)}</textarea>
+        <textarea id="comment-edit-textarea-${commentId}" class="comment-edit-textarea">${lt.escHtml(originalText)}</textarea>
         <div class="comment-edit-controls">
             <label class="markdown-toggle-small">
                 <input type="checkbox" id="comment-edit-markdown-${commentId}" ${markdownEnabled ? 'checked' : ''}>
@@ -1331,7 +1331,7 @@ function saveEditComment(commentId) {
             } else {
                 textDiv.removeAttribute('data-markdown');
                 // Convert newlines to <br> and highlight mentions
-                let displayText = escapeHtml(newText).replace(/\n/g, '<br>');
+                let displayText = lt.escHtml(newText).replace(/\n/g, '<br>');
                 displayText = highlightMentions(displayText);
                 // Auto-link URLs
                 if (typeof autoLinkUrls === 'function') {
@@ -1543,8 +1543,8 @@ function submitReply(parentCommentId) {
                             <span class="comment-date">${data.created_at}</span>
                             <div class="comment-actions">
                                 ${newDepth < 3 ? `<button type="button" class="comment-action-btn reply-btn" data-action="reply-comment" data-comment-id="${data.comment_id}" data-user="${data.user_name}" title="Reply">↩</button>` : ''}
-                                <button type="button" class="comment-action-btn edit-btn" data-action="edit-comment" data-comment-id="${data.comment_id}" title="Edit">✏️</button>
-                                <button type="button" class="comment-action-btn delete-btn" data-action="delete-comment" data-comment-id="${data.comment_id}" title="Delete">🗑️</button>
+                                <button type="button" class="comment-action-btn edit-btn" data-action="edit-comment" data-comment-id="${data.comment_id}" title="Edit">[ EDIT ]</button>
+                                <button type="button" class="comment-action-btn delete-btn" data-action="delete-comment" data-comment-id="${data.comment_id}" title="Delete">[ DEL ]</button>
                             </div>
                         </div>
                         <div class="comment-text" id="comment-text-${data.comment_id}" ${isMarkdownEnabled ? 'data-markdown' : ''}>
diff --git a/views/CreateTicketView.php b/views/CreateTicketView.php
index 819589a..7b390ab 100644
--- a/views/CreateTicketView.php
+++ b/views/CreateTicketView.php
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
     <title>Create New Ticket</title>
     <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/images/favicon.png">
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/css/base.css">
-    <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/dashboard.css?v=20260126c">
-    <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/ticket.css?v=20260124e">
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/dashboard.css?v=20260319b">
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/ticket.css?v=20260319b">
     <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>" src="/assets/js/base.js"></script>
     <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>" src="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/js/utils.js"></script>
     <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>" src="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/js/dashboard.js?v=20260205"></script>
@@ -25,13 +25,13 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
 <body>
     <div class="user-header">
         <div class="user-header-left">
-            <a href="/" class="back-link">← Dashboard</a>
+            <a href="/" class="back-link">[ &larr; DASHBOARD ]</a>
         </div>
         <div class="user-header-right">
             <?php if (isset($GLOBALS['currentUser'])): ?>
-                <span class="user-name">👤 <?php echo htmlspecialchars($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username']); ?></span>
+                <span class="user-name">[ <?php echo htmlspecialchars(strtoupper($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username'])); ?> ]</span>
                 <?php if ($GLOBALS['currentUser']['is_admin']): ?>
-                    <span class="admin-badge">Admin</span>
+                    <span class="admin-badge">[ ADMIN ]</span>
                 <?php endif; ?>
             <?php endif; ?>
         </div>
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
         <div class="ascii-content">
             <div class="ascii-frame-inner">
                 <div class="error-message" style="color: var(--priority-1); border: 2px solid var(--priority-1); padding: 1rem; background: rgba(231, 76, 60, 0.1);">
-                    <strong>⚠ Error:</strong> <?php echo htmlspecialchars($error, ENT_QUOTES, 'UTF-8'); ?>
+                    <strong>[ ! ] ERROR:</strong> <?php echo htmlspecialchars($error, ENT_QUOTES, 'UTF-8'); ?>
                 </div>
             </div>
         </div>
diff --git a/views/DashboardView.php b/views/DashboardView.php
index 51ceacf..3260f1c 100644
--- a/views/DashboardView.php
+++ b/views/DashboardView.php
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
     <title>Ticket Dashboard</title>
     <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/images/favicon.png">
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/css/base.css">
-    <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/dashboard.css?v=20260131e">
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/dashboard.css?v=20260319b">
     <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>" src="/assets/js/base.js"></script>
     <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>" src="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/js/ascii-banner.js"></script>
     <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>" src="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/js/toast.js"></script>
@@ -80,26 +80,26 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
     </script>
     <header class="user-header" role="banner">
         <div class="user-header-left">
-            <a href="/" class="app-title">🎫 Tinker Tickets</a>
+            <a href="/" class="app-title">[ TINKER TICKETS ]</a>
         </div>
         <div class="user-header-right">
             <?php if (isset($GLOBALS['currentUser'])): ?>
-                <span class="user-name">👤 <?php echo htmlspecialchars($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username']); ?></span>
+                <span class="user-name">[ <?php echo htmlspecialchars(strtoupper($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username'])); ?> ]</span>
                 <?php if ($GLOBALS['currentUser']['is_admin']): ?>
                     <div class="admin-dropdown">
-                        <button class="admin-badge" data-action="toggle-admin-menu">Admin ▼</button>
+                        <button class="admin-badge" data-action="toggle-admin-menu">[ ADMIN ▼ ]</button>
                         <div class="admin-dropdown-content" id="adminDropdown">
-                            <a href="/admin/templates">📋 Templates</a>
-                            <a href="/admin/workflow">🔄 Workflow</a>
-                            <a href="/admin/recurring-tickets">🔁 Recurring Tickets</a>
-                            <a href="/admin/custom-fields">📝 Custom Fields</a>
-                            <a href="/admin/user-activity">👥 User Activity</a>
-                            <a href="/admin/audit-log">📜 Audit Log</a>
-                            <a href="/admin/api-keys">🔑 API Keys</a>
+                            <a href="/admin/templates">TEMPLATES</a>
+                            <a href="/admin/workflow">WORKFLOW</a>
+                            <a href="/admin/recurring-tickets">RECURRING</a>
+                            <a href="/admin/custom-fields">CUSTOM FIELDS</a>
+                            <a href="/admin/user-activity">USER ACTIVITY</a>
+                            <a href="/admin/audit-log">AUDIT LOG</a>
+                            <a href="/admin/api-keys">API KEYS</a>
                         </div>
                     </div>
                 <?php endif; ?>
-                <button class="settings-icon" title="Settings (Alt+S)" data-action="open-settings" aria-label="Settings">⚙</button>
+                <button class="settings-icon" title="Settings (Alt+S)" data-action="open-settings" aria-label="Settings">[ CFG ]</button>
             <?php endif; ?>
         </div>
     </header>
@@ -203,42 +203,42 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
     <div class="stats-widgets">
         <div class="stats-row">
             <div class="stat-card stat-open">
-                <div class="stat-icon">📂</div>
+                <div class="stat-icon">[ # ]</div>
                 <div class="stat-content">
                     <div class="stat-value"><?php echo $stats['open_tickets']; ?></div>
                     <div class="stat-label">Open Tickets</div>
                 </div>
             </div>
             <div class="stat-card stat-critical">
-                <div class="stat-icon">🔥</div>
+                <div class="stat-icon">[ ! ]</div>
                 <div class="stat-content">
                     <div class="stat-value"><?php echo $stats['critical']; ?></div>
                     <div class="stat-label">Critical (P1)</div>
                 </div>
             </div>
             <div class="stat-card stat-unassigned">
-                <div class="stat-icon">👤</div>
+                <div class="stat-icon">[ @ ]</div>
                 <div class="stat-content">
                     <div class="stat-value"><?php echo $stats['unassigned']; ?></div>
                     <div class="stat-label">Unassigned</div>
                 </div>
             </div>
             <div class="stat-card stat-today">
-                <div class="stat-icon">📅</div>
+                <div class="stat-icon">[ + ]</div>
                 <div class="stat-content">
                     <div class="stat-value"><?php echo $stats['created_today']; ?></div>
                     <div class="stat-label">Created Today</div>
                 </div>
             </div>
             <div class="stat-card stat-resolved">
-                <div class="stat-icon">✓</div>
+                <div class="stat-icon">[ ✓ ]</div>
                 <div class="stat-content">
                     <div class="stat-value"><?php echo $stats['closed_today']; ?></div>
                     <div class="stat-label">Closed Today</div>
                 </div>
             </div>
             <div class="stat-card stat-time">
-                <div class="stat-icon">⏱</div>
+                <div class="stat-icon">[ t ]</div>
                 <div class="stat-content">
                     <div class="stat-value"><?php echo $stats['avg_resolution_hours']; ?>h</div>
                     <div class="stat-label">Avg Resolution</div>
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
     <div class="dashboard-toolbar">
         <!-- Left: Title + Search -->
         <div class="toolbar-left">
-            <h1 class="dashboard-title">🎫 Tickets</h1>
+            <h1 class="dashboard-title">[ TICKETS ]</h1>
             <form method="GET" action="" class="toolbar-search">
                 <!-- Preserve existing parameters -->
                 <?php if (isset($_GET['status'])): ?>
@@ -273,11 +273,11 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
 
                 <input type="text"
                     name="search"
-                    placeholder="🔍 Search tickets..."
+                    placeholder="&gt; Search tickets..."
                     class="search-box"
                     value="<?php echo isset($_GET['search']) ? htmlspecialchars($_GET['search']) : ''; ?>">
                 <button type="submit" class="btn search-btn">Search</button>
-                <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary" data-action="open-advanced-search" title="Advanced Search">⚙ Advanced</button>
+                <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary" data-action="open-advanced-search" title="Advanced Search">FILTER</button>
                 <?php if (isset($_GET['search']) && !empty($_GET['search'])): ?>
                     <a href="?" class="clear-search-btn">✗</a>
                 <?php endif; ?>
@@ -468,9 +468,9 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
                     // Quick actions column
                     echo "<td class='quick-actions-cell'>";
                     echo "<div class='quick-actions'>";
-                    echo "<button data-action='view-ticket' data-ticket-id='{$row['ticket_id']}' class='quick-action-btn' title='View'>👁</button>";
-                    echo "<button data-action='quick-status' data-ticket-id='{$row['ticket_id']}' data-status='{$row['status']}' class='quick-action-btn' title='Change Status'>🔄</button>";
-                    echo "<button data-action='quick-assign' data-ticket-id='{$row['ticket_id']}' class='quick-action-btn' title='Assign'>👤</button>";
+                    echo "<button data-action='view-ticket' data-ticket-id='{$row['ticket_id']}' class='quick-action-btn' title='View'>&gt;</button>";
+                    echo "<button data-action='quick-status' data-ticket-id='{$row['ticket_id']}' data-status='{$row['status']}' class='quick-action-btn' title='Change Status'>~</button>";
+                    echo "<button data-action='quick-assign' data-ticket-id='{$row['ticket_id']}' class='quick-action-btn' title='Assign'>@</button>";
                     echo "</div>";
                     echo "</td>";
                     echo "</tr>";
@@ -509,17 +509,17 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
                                 <div class="ticket-card-main">
                                     <div class="ticket-card-title"><?php echo htmlspecialchars($row['title']); ?></div>
                                     <div class="ticket-card-meta">
-                                        <span>📁 <?php echo htmlspecialchars($row['category']); ?></span>
-                                        <span>👤 <?php echo htmlspecialchars($assignedTo); ?></span>
-                                        <span>📅 <?php echo date('M j', strtotime($row['updated_at'])); ?></span>
+                                        <span><?php echo htmlspecialchars($row['category']); ?></span>
+                                        <span>@ <?php echo htmlspecialchars($assignedTo); ?></span>
+                                        <span><?php echo date('M j', strtotime($row['updated_at'])); ?></span>
                                     </div>
                                 </div>
                                 <div class="ticket-card-status <?php echo $statusClass; ?>">
                                     <?php echo $row['status']; ?>
                                 </div>
                                 <div class="ticket-card-actions">
-                                    <button data-action="view-ticket" data-ticket-id="<?php echo $row['ticket_id']; ?>" title="View">👁</button>
-                                    <button data-action="quick-status" data-ticket-id="<?php echo $row['ticket_id']; ?>" data-status="<?php echo $row['status']; ?>" title="Status">🔄</button>
+                                    <button data-action="view-ticket" data-ticket-id="<?php echo $row['ticket_id']; ?>" title="View">&gt;</button>
+                                    <button data-action="quick-status" data-ticket-id="<?php echo $row['ticket_id']; ?>" data-status="<?php echo $row['status']; ?>" title="Status">~</button>
                                 </div>
                             </div>
                             <?php
@@ -578,7 +578,7 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
     <div class="lt-modal-overlay" id="settingsModal" aria-hidden="true" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="settingsModalTitle">
         <div class="lt-modal">
             <div class="lt-modal-header">
-                <span class="lt-modal-title" id="settingsModalTitle">⚙ System Preferences</span>
+                <span class="lt-modal-title" id="settingsModalTitle">[ CFG ] SYSTEM PREFERENCES</span>
                 <button class="lt-modal-close" data-modal-close aria-label="Close settings">✕</button>
             </div>
 
@@ -734,7 +734,7 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
     <div class="lt-modal-overlay" id="advancedSearchModal" aria-hidden="true" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="advancedSearchModalTitle">
         <div class="lt-modal">
             <div class="lt-modal-header">
-                <span class="lt-modal-title" id="advancedSearchModalTitle">🔍 Advanced Search</span>
+                <span class="lt-modal-title" id="advancedSearchModalTitle">[ FILTER ] ADVANCED SEARCH</span>
                 <button class="lt-modal-close" data-modal-close aria-label="Close advanced search">✕</button>
             </div>
 
@@ -750,8 +750,8 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
                             </select>
                         </div>
                         <div class="setting-row setting-row-right">
-                            <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary btn-setting" data-action="save-filter">💾 Save Current</button>
-                            <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary btn-setting" data-action="delete-filter">🗑 Delete Selected</button>
+                            <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary btn-setting" data-action="save-filter">SAVE</button>
+                            <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary btn-setting" data-action="delete-filter">DELETE</button>
                         </div>
                     </div>
 
diff --git a/views/TicketView.php b/views/TicketView.php
index 3caebfa..df55246 100644
--- a/views/TicketView.php
+++ b/views/TicketView.php
@@ -5,14 +5,14 @@
 // Helper functions for timeline display
 function getEventIcon($actionType) {
     $icons = [
-        'create' => '✨',
-        'update' => '📝',
-        'comment' => '💬',
-        'view' => '👁️',
-        'assign' => '👤',
-        'status_change' => '🔄'
+        'create'        => '[ + ]',
+        'update'        => '[ ~ ]',
+        'comment'       => '[ > ]',
+        'view'          => '[ . ]',
+        'assign'        => '[ @ ]',
+        'status_change' => '[ ! ]',
     ];
-    return $icons[$actionType] ?? '•';
+    return $icons[$actionType] ?? '[ * ]';
 }
 
 function formatAction($event) {
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
     <title>Ticket #<?php echo $ticket['ticket_id']; ?></title>
     <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/images/favicon.png">
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/css/base.css">
-    <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/dashboard.css?v=20260131e">
-    <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/ticket.css?v=20260131e">
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/dashboard.css?v=20260319b">
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/ticket.css?v=20260319b">
     <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>" src="/assets/js/base.js"></script>
     <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>" src="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/js/toast.js"></script>
     <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>" src="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/js/utils.js"></script>
@@ -82,15 +82,15 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
 <body>
     <header class="user-header">
         <div class="user-header-left">
-            <a href="/" class="back-link">← Dashboard</a>
+            <a href="/" class="back-link">[ &larr; DASHBOARD ]</a>
         </div>
         <div class="user-header-right">
             <?php if (isset($GLOBALS['currentUser'])): ?>
-                <span class="user-name">👤 <?php echo htmlspecialchars($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username']); ?></span>
+                <span class="user-name">[ <?php echo htmlspecialchars(strtoupper($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username'])); ?> ]</span>
                 <?php if ($GLOBALS['currentUser']['is_admin']): ?>
-                    <span class="admin-badge">Admin</span>
+                    <span class="admin-badge">[ ADMIN ]</span>
                 <?php endif; ?>
-                <button class="settings-icon" title="Settings (Alt+S)" id="settingsBtn" aria-label="Settings">⚙</button>
+                <button class="settings-icon" title="Settings (Alt+S)" id="settingsBtn" aria-label="Settings">[ CFG ]</button>
             <?php endif; ?>
         </div>
     </header>
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
                             }
                             ?>
                             <div class="ticket-age <?php echo $ageClass; ?>" title="Time since last update">
-                                <span class="age-icon"><?php echo $ageClass === 'age-critical' ? '⚠️' : ($ageClass === 'age-warning' ? '⏰' : '📅'); ?></span>
+                                <span class="age-icon"><?php echo $ageClass === 'age-critical' ? '[ ! ]' : ($ageClass === 'age-warning' ? '[ ~ ]' : '[ t ]'); ?></span>
                                 <span class="age-text">Last activity: <?php echo $ageStr; ?> ago</span>
                             </div>
                             <div class="ticket-user-info">
@@ -372,8 +372,8 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
                                         }
                                         // Edit/Delete buttons for owner or admin
                                         if ($canModify) {
-                                            echo "<button type='button' class='comment-action-btn edit-btn' data-action='edit-comment' data-comment-id='{$commentId}' title='Edit' aria-label='Edit comment'>✏️</button>";
-                                            echo "<button type='button' class='comment-action-btn delete-btn' data-action='delete-comment' data-comment-id='{$commentId}' title='Delete' aria-label='Delete comment'>🗑️</button>";
+                                            echo "<button type='button' class='comment-action-btn edit-btn' data-action='edit-comment' data-comment-id='{$commentId}' title='Edit' aria-label='Edit comment'>[ EDIT ]</button>";
+                                            echo "<button type='button' class='comment-action-btn delete-btn' data-action='delete-comment' data-comment-id='{$commentId}' title='Delete' aria-label='Delete comment'>[ DEL ]</button>";
                                         }
                                         echo "</div>";
 
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
                                 <h3>Upload Files</h3>
                                 <div class="upload-zone" id="uploadZone">
                                     <div class="upload-zone-content">
-                                        <div class="upload-icon">📁</div>
+                                        <div class="upload-icon">[ + ]</div>
                                         <p>Drag and drop files here or click to browse</p>
                                         <p class="upload-hint">Max file size: <?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['MAX_UPLOAD_SIZE'] ? number_format($GLOBALS['config']['MAX_UPLOAD_SIZE'] / 1048576, 0) . 'MB' : '10MB'; ?></p>
                                         <input type="file" id="fileInput" multiple class="sr-only" aria-label="Upload files">
@@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
     <div class="lt-modal-overlay" id="settingsModal" aria-hidden="true" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="ticketSettingsTitle">
         <div class="lt-modal">
             <div class="lt-modal-header">
-                <span class="lt-modal-title" id="ticketSettingsTitle">⚙ System Preferences</span>
+                <span class="lt-modal-title" id="ticketSettingsTitle">[ CFG ] SYSTEM PREFERENCES</span>
                 <button class="lt-modal-close" data-modal-close aria-label="Close settings">✕</button>
             </div>
 
diff --git a/views/admin/ApiKeysView.php b/views/admin/ApiKeysView.php
index 4f7a38b..0792266 100644
--- a/views/admin/ApiKeysView.php
+++ b/views/admin/ApiKeysView.php
@@ -24,13 +24,13 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
 <body>
     <div class="user-header">
         <div class="user-header-left">
-            <a href="/" class="back-link">← Dashboard</a>
+            <a href="/" class="back-link">[ ← DASHBOARD ]</a>
             <span style="margin-left: 1rem; color: var(--terminal-amber);">Admin: API Keys</span>
         </div>
         <div class="user-header-right">
             <?php if (isset($GLOBALS['currentUser'])): ?>
-                <span class="user-name"><?php echo htmlspecialchars($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username']); ?></span>
-                <span class="admin-badge">Admin</span>
+                <span class="user-name">[ <?php echo htmlspecialchars(strtoupper($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username'])); ?> ]</span>
+                <span class="admin-badge">[ ADMIN ]</span>
             <?php endif; ?>
         </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/views/admin/AuditLogView.php b/views/admin/AuditLogView.php
index 4bf70de..2830a73 100644
--- a/views/admin/AuditLogView.php
+++ b/views/admin/AuditLogView.php
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 <?php
 // Admin view for browsing audit logs
 // Receives $auditLogs, $totalPages, $page, $filters from controller
+require_once __DIR__ . '/../../middleware/SecurityHeadersMiddleware.php';
+require_once __DIR__ . '/../../middleware/CsrfMiddleware.php';
+$nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
 ?>
 <!DOCTYPE html>
 <html lang="en">
@@ -12,18 +15,21 @@
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/css/base.css">
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/dashboard.css">
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/ticket.css">
-    <script src="/assets/js/base.js"></script>
+    <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>" src="/assets/js/base.js"></script>
+    <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>">
+        window.CSRF_TOKEN = '<?php echo CsrfMiddleware::getToken(); ?>';
+    </script>
 </head>
 <body>
     <div class="user-header">
         <div class="user-header-left">
-            <a href="/" class="back-link">← Dashboard</a>
+            <a href="/" class="back-link">[ ← DASHBOARD ]</a>
             <span style="margin-left: 1rem; color: var(--terminal-amber);">Admin: Audit Log</span>
         </div>
         <div class="user-header-right">
             <?php if (isset($GLOBALS['currentUser'])): ?>
-                <span class="user-name"><?php echo htmlspecialchars($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username']); ?></span>
-                <span class="admin-badge">Admin</span>
+                <span class="user-name">[ <?php echo htmlspecialchars(strtoupper($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username'])); ?> ]</span>
+                <span class="admin-badge">[ ADMIN ]</span>
             <?php endif; ?>
         </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/views/admin/CustomFieldsView.php b/views/admin/CustomFieldsView.php
index c525177..e325ce5 100644
--- a/views/admin/CustomFieldsView.php
+++ b/views/admin/CustomFieldsView.php
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
 <body>
     <div class="user-header">
         <div class="user-header-left">
-            <a href="/" class="back-link">← Dashboard</a>
+            <a href="/" class="back-link">[ ← DASHBOARD ]</a>
             <span style="margin-left: 1rem; color: var(--terminal-amber);">Admin: Custom Fields</span>
         </div>
         <div class="user-header-right">
             <?php if (isset($GLOBALS['currentUser'])): ?>
-                <span class="user-name"><?php echo htmlspecialchars($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username']); ?></span>
-                <span class="admin-badge">Admin</span>
+                <span class="user-name">[ <?php echo htmlspecialchars(strtoupper($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username'])); ?> ]</span>
+                <span class="admin-badge">[ ADMIN ]</span>
             <?php endif; ?>
         </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/views/admin/RecurringTicketsView.php b/views/admin/RecurringTicketsView.php
index 8bcbbea..edfb24a 100644
--- a/views/admin/RecurringTicketsView.php
+++ b/views/admin/RecurringTicketsView.php
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
 <body>
     <div class="user-header">
         <div class="user-header-left">
-            <a href="/" class="back-link">← Dashboard</a>
+            <a href="/" class="back-link">[ ← DASHBOARD ]</a>
             <span style="margin-left: 1rem; color: var(--terminal-amber);">Admin: Recurring Tickets</span>
         </div>
         <div class="user-header-right">
             <?php if (isset($GLOBALS['currentUser'])): ?>
-                <span class="user-name"><?php echo htmlspecialchars($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username']); ?></span>
-                <span class="admin-badge">Admin</span>
+                <span class="user-name">[ <?php echo htmlspecialchars(strtoupper($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username'])); ?> ]</span>
+                <span class="admin-badge">[ ADMIN ]</span>
             <?php endif; ?>
         </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/views/admin/TemplatesView.php b/views/admin/TemplatesView.php
index 6a32039..bbb20f2 100644
--- a/views/admin/TemplatesView.php
+++ b/views/admin/TemplatesView.php
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
 <body>
     <div class="user-header">
         <div class="user-header-left">
-            <a href="/" class="back-link">← Dashboard</a>
+            <a href="/" class="back-link">[ ← DASHBOARD ]</a>
             <span style="margin-left: 1rem; color: var(--terminal-amber);">Admin: Templates</span>
         </div>
         <div class="user-header-right">
             <?php if (isset($GLOBALS['currentUser'])): ?>
-                <span class="user-name"><?php echo htmlspecialchars($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username']); ?></span>
-                <span class="admin-badge">Admin</span>
+                <span class="user-name">[ <?php echo htmlspecialchars(strtoupper($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username'])); ?> ]</span>
+                <span class="admin-badge">[ ADMIN ]</span>
             <?php endif; ?>
         </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/views/admin/UserActivityView.php b/views/admin/UserActivityView.php
index d7d2bc8..1348e60 100644
--- a/views/admin/UserActivityView.php
+++ b/views/admin/UserActivityView.php
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 <?php
 // Admin view for user activity reports
 // Receives $userStats, $dateRange from controller
+require_once __DIR__ . '/../../middleware/SecurityHeadersMiddleware.php';
+require_once __DIR__ . '/../../middleware/CsrfMiddleware.php';
+$nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
 ?>
 <!DOCTYPE html>
 <html lang="en">
@@ -12,18 +15,21 @@
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/css/base.css">
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/dashboard.css">
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="<?php echo $GLOBALS['config']['ASSETS_URL']; ?>/css/ticket.css">
-    <script src="/assets/js/base.js"></script>
+    <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>" src="/assets/js/base.js"></script>
+    <script nonce="<?php echo $nonce; ?>">
+        window.CSRF_TOKEN = '<?php echo CsrfMiddleware::getToken(); ?>';
+    </script>
 </head>
 <body>
     <div class="user-header">
         <div class="user-header-left">
-            <a href="/" class="back-link">← Dashboard</a>
+            <a href="/" class="back-link">[ ← DASHBOARD ]</a>
             <span style="margin-left: 1rem; color: var(--terminal-amber);">Admin: User Activity</span>
         </div>
         <div class="user-header-right">
             <?php if (isset($GLOBALS['currentUser'])): ?>
-                <span class="user-name"><?php echo htmlspecialchars($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username']); ?></span>
-                <span class="admin-badge">Admin</span>
+                <span class="user-name">[ <?php echo htmlspecialchars(strtoupper($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username'])); ?> ]</span>
+                <span class="admin-badge">[ ADMIN ]</span>
             <?php endif; ?>
         </div>
     </div>
@@ -74,7 +80,7 @@
                                     <td>
                                         <strong><?php echo htmlspecialchars($user['display_name'] ?? $user['username']); ?></strong>
                                         <?php if ($user['is_admin']): ?>
-                                            <span class="admin-badge" style="font-size: 0.7rem;">Admin</span>
+                                            <span class="admin-badge" style="font-size: 0.7rem;">[ ADMIN ]</span>
                                         <?php endif; ?>
                                     </td>
                                     <td style="text-align: center;">
diff --git a/views/admin/WorkflowDesignerView.php b/views/admin/WorkflowDesignerView.php
index e1c2bb9..888a308 100644
--- a/views/admin/WorkflowDesignerView.php
+++ b/views/admin/WorkflowDesignerView.php
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@ $nonce = SecurityHeadersMiddleware::getNonce();
 <body>
     <div class="user-header">
         <div class="user-header-left">
-            <a href="/" class="back-link">← Dashboard</a>
+            <a href="/" class="back-link">[ ← DASHBOARD ]</a>
             <span style="margin-left: 1rem; color: var(--terminal-amber);">Admin: Workflow Designer</span>
         </div>
         <div class="user-header-right">
             <?php if (isset($GLOBALS['currentUser'])): ?>
-                <span class="user-name"><?php echo htmlspecialchars($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username']); ?></span>
-                <span class="admin-badge">Admin</span>
+                <span class="user-name">[ <?php echo htmlspecialchars(strtoupper($GLOBALS['currentUser']['display_name'] ?? $GLOBALS['currentUser']['username'])); ?> ]</span>
+                <span class="admin-badge">[ ADMIN ]</span>
             <?php endif; ?>
         </div>
     </div>