diff --git a/webui/static/mobile.css b/webui/static/mobile.css
index 3612725c..f1e0c912 100644
--- a/webui/static/mobile.css
+++ b/webui/static/mobile.css
@@ -1475,7 +1475,8 @@
     }
 
     .watchlist-card-info {
-        padding: 10px 12px;
+        padding: 0 12px 6px;
+        margin-top: -28px;
     }
 
     .watchlist-card-name {
@@ -1923,16 +1924,17 @@
     }
 
     .watchlist-card-info {
-        padding: 8px 10px;
+        padding: 0 10px 4px;
+        margin-top: -24px;
     }
 
     .watchlist-pill {
         font-size: 8px;
-        padding: 1px 4px;
+        padding: 2px 5px;
     }
 
     .watchlist-card-pills {
-        padding: 0 10px 6px;
+        padding: 2px 10px 8px;
     }
 
     .watchlist-detail-content {
diff --git a/webui/static/script.js b/webui/static/script.js
index 39074dca..36a8846b 100644
--- a/webui/static/script.js
+++ b/webui/static/script.js
@@ -31710,7 +31710,7 @@ async function showWatchlistModal() {
             <div class="modal-container playlist-modal watchlist-fullscreen">
                 <div class="playlist-modal-header">
                     <div class="playlist-header-content" style="width: 100%;">
-                        <h2>👁️ Watchlist</h2>
+                        <h2><svg class="watchlist-header-icon" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="rgb(var(--accent-rgb))"><path d="M12 4.5C7 4.5 2.73 7.61 1 12c1.73 4.39 6 7.5 11 7.5s9.27-3.11 11-7.5c-1.73-4.39-6-7.5-11-7.5zM12 17c-2.76 0-5-2.24-5-5s2.24-5 5-5 5 2.24 5 5-2.24 5-5 5zm0-8c-1.66 0-3 1.34-3 3s1.34 3 3 3 3-1.34 3-3-1.34-3-3-3z"/></svg> Watchlist</h2>
                         <div class="playlist-quick-info">
                             <span class="playlist-track-count">${countData.count} artist${countData.count !== 1 ? 's' : ''}</span>
                             <span class="playlist-owner" id="watchlist-next-auto-timer">Next Auto${countdownText ? ': ' + countdownText : ''}</span>
@@ -31757,24 +31757,26 @@ async function showWatchlistModal() {
                 </div>
 
                 <div class="playlist-modal-body">
-                    <div class="watchlist-actions" style="margin-bottom: 16px; display: flex; gap: 12px; align-items: center; padding: 0 32px; flex-wrap: wrap;">
-                        <button class="playlist-modal-btn playlist-modal-btn-primary"
+                    <div class="watchlist-actions" style="margin-bottom: 16px; display: flex; gap: 12px; align-items: center; padding: 12px 32px; flex-wrap: wrap;">
+                        <button class="playlist-modal-btn playlist-modal-btn-primary watchlist-btn-scan"
                                 id="scan-watchlist-btn"
                                 onclick="startWatchlistScan()"
                                 ${scanStatus === 'scanning' ? 'disabled' : ''}>
+                            <svg width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.5" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10"/><polyline points="12 6 12 12 16 14"/></svg>
                             ${scanStatus === 'scanning' ? 'Scanning...' : 'Scan for New Releases'}
                         </button>
-                        <button class="playlist-modal-btn playlist-modal-btn-secondary"
+                        <button class="playlist-modal-btn playlist-modal-btn-secondary watchlist-btn-similar"
                                 id="update-similar-artists-btn"
                                 onclick="updateSimilarArtists()"
                                 ${scanStatus === 'scanning' ? 'disabled' : ''}>
+                            <svg width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><path d="M17 21v-2a4 4 0 0 0-4-4H5a4 4 0 0 0-4 4v2"/><circle cx="9" cy="7" r="4"/><path d="M23 21v-2a4 4 0 0 0-3-3.87"/><path d="M16 3.13a4 4 0 0 1 0 7.75"/></svg>
                             Update Similar Artists
                         </button>
-                        <button class="playlist-modal-btn playlist-modal-btn-secondary ${globalOverrideActive ? 'watchlist-global-settings-active' : ''}"
+                        <button class="playlist-modal-btn playlist-modal-btn-secondary watchlist-btn-settings ${globalOverrideActive ? 'watchlist-global-settings-active' : ''}"
                                 id="watchlist-global-settings-btn"
-                                onclick="openWatchlistGlobalSettingsModal()"
-                                >
-                            ${globalOverrideActive ? '⚙️ Global Override ON' : '⚙️ Global Settings'}
+                                onclick="openWatchlistGlobalSettingsModal()">
+                            <svg width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="3"/><path d="M19.4 15a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 .33 1.82l.06.06a2 2 0 0 1 0 2.83 2 2 0 0 1-2.83 0l-.06-.06a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1.82-.33 1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1 1.51V21a2 2 0 0 1-2 2 2 2 0 0 1-2-2v-.09A1.65 1.65 0 0 0 9 19.4a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1.82.33l-.06.06a2 2 0 0 1-2.83 0 2 2 0 0 1 0-2.83l.06-.06A1.65 1.65 0 0 0 4.68 15a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1.51-1H3a2 2 0 0 1-2-2 2 2 0 0 1 2-2h.09A1.65 1.65 0 0 0 4.6 9a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-.33-1.82l-.06-.06a2 2 0 0 1 0-2.83 2 2 0 0 1 2.83 0l.06.06A1.65 1.65 0 0 0 9 4.68a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1-1.51V3a2 2 0 0 1 2-2 2 2 0 0 1 2 2v.09a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1 1.51 1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1.82-.33l.06-.06a2 2 0 0 1 2.83 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 2.83l-.06.06a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-.33 1.82V9a1.65 1.65 0 0 0 1.51 1H21a2 2 0 0 1 2 2 2 2 0 0 1-2 2h-.09a1.65 1.65 0 0 0-1.51 1z"/></svg>
+                            ${globalOverrideActive ? 'Global Override ON' : 'Global Settings'}
                         </button>
                     </div>
 
@@ -31787,10 +31789,11 @@ async function showWatchlistModal() {
 
                     <!-- Search Bar -->
                     <div class="watchlist-search-container" style="margin-bottom: 12px;">
+                        <svg class="watchlist-search-icon" width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="rgba(255,255,255,0.35)"><path d="M15.5 14h-.79l-.28-.27A6.471 6.471 0 0016 9.5 6.5 6.5 0 109.5 16c1.61 0 3.09-.59 4.23-1.57l.27.28v.79l5 4.99L20.49 19l-4.99-5zm-6 0C7.01 14 5 11.99 5 9.5S7.01 5 9.5 5 14 7.01 14 9.5 11.99 14 9.5 14z"/></svg>
                         <input type="text"
                                id="watchlist-search-input"
                                class="watchlist-search-input"
-                               placeholder="🔍 Search artists..."
+                               placeholder="Search watchlist..."
                                oninput="filterWatchlistArtists()">
                     </div>
 
diff --git a/webui/static/style.css b/webui/static/style.css
index acd53710..97bb92fb 100644
--- a/webui/static/style.css
+++ b/webui/static/style.css
@@ -11144,6 +11144,7 @@ body {
     max-height: 95vh;
     position: relative;
     overflow: hidden;
+    border-top: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
 }
 
 /* Override playlist-modal-body within watchlist to allow grid scrolling */
@@ -11153,6 +11154,153 @@ body {
     min-height: 0;
 }
 
+/* ── Header polish ─────────────────────────────── */
+.watchlist-fullscreen .playlist-header-content h2 {
+    font-size: 26px;
+    letter-spacing: -0.3px;
+    padding-bottom: 12px;
+    position: relative;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 10px;
+}
+
+.watchlist-fullscreen .playlist-header-content h2::after {
+    content: '';
+    position: absolute;
+    bottom: 0;
+    left: 0;
+    width: 48px;
+    height: 3px;
+    background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgb(var(--accent-rgb)), transparent);
+    border-radius: 2px;
+}
+
+.watchlist-header-icon {
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+    filter: drop-shadow(0 0 8px rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.4));
+}
+
+.watchlist-fullscreen .playlist-quick-info {
+    gap: 10px;
+}
+
+.watchlist-fullscreen .playlist-track-count,
+.watchlist-fullscreen .playlist-owner {
+    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
+    padding: 4px 14px;
+    border-radius: 20px;
+    font-size: 12px;
+    font-weight: 600;
+    letter-spacing: 0.3px;
+}
+
+.watchlist-fullscreen .playlist-track-count {
+    border: 1px solid rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.2);
+}
+
+.watchlist-fullscreen .playlist-owner {
+    border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+}
+
+/* ── Close button ──────────────────────────────── */
+.watchlist-fullscreen .playlist-modal-close {
+    width: 36px;
+    height: 36px;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
+    transition: all 0.25s ease;
+    font-size: 20px;
+}
+
+.watchlist-fullscreen .playlist-modal-close:hover {
+    background: rgba(255, 59, 48, 0.15);
+    color: #ff6b6b;
+    transform: rotate(90deg) scale(1.1);
+}
+
+/* ── Action buttons ────────────────────────────── */
+.watchlist-actions {
+    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
+    padding-bottom: 16px !important;
+}
+
+.watchlist-actions .playlist-modal-btn {
+    display: inline-flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 8px;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+}
+
+.watchlist-actions .playlist-modal-btn svg {
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+
+/* Scan button: shimmer on hover */
+.watchlist-btn-scan {
+    position: relative;
+    overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.watchlist-btn-scan::before {
+    content: '';
+    position: absolute;
+    inset: 0;
+    background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15), transparent);
+    transform: translateX(-100%);
+    transition: none;
+}
+
+.watchlist-btn-scan:not(:disabled):hover::before {
+    transform: translateX(100%);
+    transition: transform 0.6s ease;
+}
+
+/* Similar Artists button: discovery blue identity */
+.watchlist-btn-similar {
+    border: 1px solid rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.15) !important;
+    transition: all 0.25s ease !important;
+}
+
+.watchlist-btn-similar:not(:disabled):hover {
+    background: rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.1) !important;
+    border-color: rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.35) !important;
+    color: #90cdf4 !important;
+    box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(99, 179, 237, 0.08);
+}
+
+/* Settings button: subtle warm */
+.watchlist-btn-settings {
+    transition: all 0.25s ease !important;
+}
+
+.watchlist-btn-settings:hover {
+    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1) !important;
+}
+
+/* ── Search bar ────────────────────────────────── */
+.watchlist-search-container {
+    padding: 0 32px;
+    position: relative;
+}
+
+.watchlist-search-icon {
+    position: absolute;
+    left: 48px;
+    top: 50%;
+    transform: translateY(-50%);
+    pointer-events: none;
+    transition: fill 0.2s ease;
+    z-index: 1;
+}
+
+.watchlist-search-container:focus-within .watchlist-search-icon {
+    fill: rgb(var(--accent-rgb));
+}
+
 /* Card grid */
 .watchlist-artists-grid {
     display: grid;
@@ -11161,7 +11309,7 @@ body {
     padding: 24px 32px 32px;
 }
 
-/* Individual artist card */
+/* ── Artist cards ──────────────────────────────── */
 .watchlist-artist-card {
     position: relative;
     border-radius: 16px;
@@ -11169,23 +11317,56 @@ body {
     cursor: pointer;
     background: rgba(18, 18, 18, 1);
     border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
-    transition: transform 0.25s ease, border-color 0.25s ease, box-shadow 0.25s ease;
+    transition: transform 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1),
+                border-color 0.3s ease,
+                box-shadow 0.3s ease;
     box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
 }
 
 .watchlist-artist-card:hover {
-    transform: translateY(-4px);
-    border-color: rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.25);
-    box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5),
-        0 0 20px rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.1);
+    transform: translateY(-6px);
+    border-color: rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.3);
+    box-shadow:
+        0 16px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5),
+        0 0 30px rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.12),
+        0 0 60px rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.05);
 }
 
 .watchlist-artist-card:active {
-    transform: translateY(-1px);
+    transform: translateY(-2px);
 }
 
-/* Image container — normal flow, sets the card height */
+/* Card entrance animation */
+@keyframes watchlistCardIn {
+    from {
+        opacity: 0;
+        transform: translateY(16px) scale(0.97);
+    }
+    to {
+        opacity: 1;
+        transform: translateY(0) scale(1);
+    }
+}
+
+.watchlist-artist-card {
+    animation: watchlistCardIn 0.35s ease-out backwards;
+}
+
+.watchlist-artist-card:nth-child(1)  { animation-delay: 0.02s; }
+.watchlist-artist-card:nth-child(2)  { animation-delay: 0.04s; }
+.watchlist-artist-card:nth-child(3)  { animation-delay: 0.06s; }
+.watchlist-artist-card:nth-child(4)  { animation-delay: 0.08s; }
+.watchlist-artist-card:nth-child(5)  { animation-delay: 0.10s; }
+.watchlist-artist-card:nth-child(6)  { animation-delay: 0.12s; }
+.watchlist-artist-card:nth-child(7)  { animation-delay: 0.14s; }
+.watchlist-artist-card:nth-child(8)  { animation-delay: 0.16s; }
+.watchlist-artist-card:nth-child(9)  { animation-delay: 0.18s; }
+.watchlist-artist-card:nth-child(10) { animation-delay: 0.20s; }
+.watchlist-artist-card:nth-child(n+11) { animation-delay: 0.22s; }
+
+/* Image container with gradient fade */
 .watchlist-card-image {
+    position: relative;
     width: 100%;
     aspect-ratio: 1;
     overflow: hidden;
@@ -11194,11 +11375,30 @@ body {
             rgba(20, 20, 20, 1) 100%);
 }
 
+.watchlist-card-image::after {
+    content: '';
+    position: absolute;
+    bottom: 0;
+    left: 0;
+    right: 0;
+    height: 55%;
+    background: linear-gradient(to top, rgba(18, 18, 18, 1) 0%, rgba(18, 18, 18, 0.5) 45%, transparent 100%);
+    pointer-events: none;
+    z-index: 1;
+}
+
 .watchlist-card-image img {
     width: 100%;
     height: 100%;
     object-fit: cover;
     display: block;
+    transition: transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.25, 0.46, 0.45, 0.94),
+                filter 0.4s ease;
+}
+
+.watchlist-artist-card:hover .watchlist-card-image img {
+    transform: scale(1.05);
+    filter: brightness(1.1);
 }
 
 /* Image fallback */
@@ -11212,13 +11412,16 @@ body {
     color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
 }
 
-/* Info below the image — normal flow */
+/* Info overlapping the gradient fade */
 .watchlist-card-info {
-    padding: 14px 16px;
+    position: relative;
+    z-index: 2;
+    margin-top: -36px;
+    padding: 0 16px 8px;
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
     gap: 3px;
-    background: rgba(18, 18, 18, 1);
+    background: transparent;
 }
 
 .watchlist-card-name {
@@ -11229,40 +11432,56 @@ body {
     overflow: hidden;
     text-overflow: ellipsis;
     white-space: nowrap;
+    transition: color 0.25s ease;
+    text-shadow: 0 1px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+}
+
+.watchlist-artist-card:hover .watchlist-card-name {
+    color: rgb(var(--accent-light-rgb));
 }
 
 .watchlist-card-meta {
     font-size: 11px;
     color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
     font-weight: 500;
+    text-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
 }
 
 /* Card release-type pills */
 .watchlist-card-pills {
+    position: relative;
+    z-index: 2;
     display: flex;
     flex-wrap: wrap;
     gap: 4px;
-    padding: 0 16px 10px;
+    padding: 4px 16px 12px;
 }
 
 .watchlist-pill {
     font-size: 9px;
-    font-weight: 600;
+    font-weight: 700;
     text-transform: uppercase;
-    padding: 2px 6px;
-    border-radius: 6px;
+    padding: 3px 8px;
+    border-radius: 20px;
     line-height: 1.3;
-    letter-spacing: 0.3px;
+    letter-spacing: 0.5px;
+    transition: transform 0.15s ease;
+}
+
+.watchlist-pill:hover {
+    transform: scale(1.08);
 }
 
 .watchlist-pill-active {
-    background: rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.15);
-    color: rgb(var(--accent-rgb));
+    background: rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.18);
+    color: rgb(var(--accent-light-rgb));
+    box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.12);
 }
 
 .watchlist-pill-filter {
     background: rgba(255, 152, 0, 0.15);
-    color: #ff9800;
+    color: #ffb74d;
+    box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(255, 152, 0, 0.08);
 }
 
 /* Checkbox — top-left, hidden until hover or checked */
@@ -11311,12 +11530,13 @@ body {
     right: 10px;
     z-index: 3;
     opacity: 0;
-    transition: opacity 0.15s ease, background 0.15s ease;
+    transition: opacity 0.2s ease, background 0.2s ease;
     width: 30px;
     height: 30px;
     border-radius: 50%;
     border: none;
     background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.55);
+    backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
     color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
     font-size: 18px;
     line-height: 1;
@@ -11342,12 +11562,13 @@ body {
     right: 10px;
     z-index: 3;
     opacity: 0;
-    transition: opacity 0.15s ease, background 0.15s ease;
+    transition: opacity 0.2s ease, background 0.2s ease, transform 0.3s ease;
     width: 30px;
     height: 30px;
     border-radius: 50%;
     border: none;
     background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.55);
+    backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
     color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
     cursor: pointer;
     display: flex;
@@ -11363,6 +11584,7 @@ body {
 .watchlist-card-gear:hover {
     background: rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.7);
     color: #ffffff;
+    transform: rotate(45deg);
 }
 
 .watchlist-card-gear svg {
@@ -11641,12 +11863,13 @@ body {
 /* Live activity classes (replaces inline styles) */
 .watchlist-live-activity {
     display: flex;
-    gap: 15px;
+    gap: 18px;
     margin-top: 15px;
-    padding: 15px;
-    background: #2a2a2a;
-    border-radius: 8px;
-    border: 1px solid #444;
+    padding: 16px 20px;
+    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
+    border-radius: 12px;
+    border: 1px solid rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.15);
+    backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
     justify-content: center;
     align-items: flex-start;
 }
@@ -11663,6 +11886,7 @@ body {
     height: 80px;
     border-radius: 50%;
     border: 2px solid rgb(var(--accent-rgb));
+    box-shadow: 0 0 16px rgba(var(--accent-rgb), 0.25);
     object-fit: cover;
     background: #1a1a1a;
 }
@@ -11670,8 +11894,9 @@ body {
 .watchlist-live-activity-album-img {
     width: 80px;
     height: 80px;
-    border-radius: 6px;
+    border-radius: 8px;
     border: 2px solid #ffc107;
+    box-shadow: 0 0 16px rgba(255, 193, 7, 0.2);
     object-fit: cover;
     background: #1a1a1a;
 }
@@ -11772,13 +11997,10 @@ body {
 }
 
 /* Watchlist Search */
-.watchlist-search-container {
-    padding: 0 32px;
-}
 
 .watchlist-search-input {
     width: 100%;
-    padding: 12px 16px;
+    padding: 12px 16px 12px 40px;
     background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
     border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
     border-radius: 10px;