diff --git a/app/globals.css b/app/globals.css
index 1f50907..e902559 100644
--- a/app/globals.css
+++ b/app/globals.css
@@ -139,9 +139,9 @@ html, body {
   color: var(--rah-text-base);
   /* Geist Sans for optimal reading/writing experience */
   font-family: 'Geist', 'Inter', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', sans-serif;
-  font-size: 14px; 
-  line-height: 1.5; 
-  letter-spacing: -0.011em; /* Optimized letter spacing for Geist */
+  font-size: 15px;
+  line-height: 1.5;
+  letter-spacing: -0.012em; /* Optimized letter spacing for Geist */
   font-weight: 400;
   -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
   -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
@@ -220,6 +220,19 @@ html, body {
   }
 }
 
+@keyframes rah-shimmer {
+  0%, 100% {
+    opacity: 0.4;
+  }
+  50% {
+    opacity: 0.8;
+  }
+}
+
+.rah-skeleton {
+  animation: rah-shimmer 1.5s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
 /* Modal/Popup animations */
 @keyframes modalFadeIn {
   from {
diff --git a/src/components/layout/LeftToolbar.tsx b/src/components/layout/LeftToolbar.tsx
index 8d749ee..0f3dfbd 100644
--- a/src/components/layout/LeftToolbar.tsx
+++ b/src/components/layout/LeftToolbar.tsx
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ function NavButton({
   onClick,
   trailing,
   activeTone = 'neutral',
+  title,
 }: {
   icon: typeof Search;
   label: string;
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@ function NavButton({
   onClick: () => void;
   trailing?: ReactNode;
   activeTone?: 'neutral' | 'green';
+  title?: string;
 }) {
   const [hovered, setHovered] = useState(false);
   const activeColor = activeTone === 'green' ? 'var(--rah-accent-green)' : 'var(--rah-text-active)';
@@ -69,7 +71,7 @@ function NavButton({
       onClick={onClick}
       onMouseEnter={() => setHovered(true)}
       onMouseLeave={() => setHovered(false)}
-      title={expanded ? undefined : label}
+      title={title ?? (expanded ? undefined : label)}
       style={{
         width: '100%',
         height: '36px',
@@ -136,8 +138,8 @@ export default function LeftToolbar({
             onClick={onToggleExpanded}
           />
           <div style={{ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', gap: '4px' }}>
-            <NavButton icon={Search} label="Search" expanded={isExpanded} onClick={onSearchClick} />
-            <NavButton icon={Plus} label="Add Stuff" expanded={isExpanded} onClick={onAddStuffClick} />
+            <NavButton icon={Search} label="Search" title="Search (⌘K)" expanded={isExpanded} onClick={onSearchClick} />
+            <NavButton icon={Plus} label="Add Stuff" title="New node (⌘N)" expanded={isExpanded} onClick={onAddStuffClick} />
             <NavButton icon={RefreshCw} label="Refresh" expanded={isExpanded} onClick={onRefreshClick} />
           </div>
         </div>
diff --git a/src/components/views/DatabaseTableView.tsx b/src/components/views/DatabaseTableView.tsx
index ecfcc17..d46de78 100644
--- a/src/components/views/DatabaseTableView.tsx
+++ b/src/components/views/DatabaseTableView.tsx
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { useEffect, useState, useRef, useCallback, useMemo } from 'react';
 import { createPortal } from 'react-dom';
 import { Filter, ChevronDown, ChevronLeft, ChevronRight, X, ArrowUpDown, Search, ExternalLink } from 'lucide-react';
 import type { Node } from '@/types/database';
+import { formatRelativeDate } from '@/utils/formatDate';
 
 type SortOrder = 'updated' | 'edges' | 'created' | 'event_date';
 
@@ -28,27 +29,6 @@ interface DatabaseTableViewProps {
   toolbarHost?: HTMLDivElement | null;
 }
 
-function formatRelativeTime(dateStr: string): string {
-  const now = Date.now();
-  const then = new Date(dateStr).getTime();
-  const diff = now - then;
-
-  const minutes = Math.floor(diff / 60000);
-  if (minutes < 1) return 'just now';
-  if (minutes < 60) return `${minutes}m ago`;
-
-  const hours = Math.floor(minutes / 60);
-  if (hours < 24) return `${hours}h ago`;
-
-  const days = Math.floor(hours / 24);
-  if (days < 30) return `${days}d ago`;
-
-  const months = Math.floor(days / 30);
-  if (months < 12) return `${months}mo ago`;
-
-  return `${Math.floor(months / 12)}y ago`;
-}
-
 function formatDate(dateStr: string | null | undefined): string {
   if (!dateStr) return '\u2014';
   try {
@@ -552,14 +532,14 @@ export default function DatabaseTableView({ onNodeClick, refreshToken = 0, toolb
                     {/* Updated */}
                     <td style={tdStyle()}>
                       <span style={{ fontSize: '11px', color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)' }}>
-                        {formatRelativeTime(node.updated_at)}
+                        {formatRelativeDate(node.updated_at)}
                       </span>
                     </td>
 
                     {/* Created */}
                     <td style={tdStyle()}>
                       <span style={{ fontSize: '11px', color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)' }}>
-                        {formatRelativeTime(node.created_at)}
+                        {formatRelativeDate(node.created_at)}
                       </span>
                     </td>
 
@@ -594,7 +574,7 @@ export default function DatabaseTableView({ onNodeClick, refreshToken = 0, toolb
                     {/* Embedding Updated */}
                     <td style={tdStyle()}>
                       <span style={{ fontSize: '11px', color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)' }}>
-                        {node.embedding_updated_at ? formatRelativeTime(node.embedding_updated_at) : '\u2014'}
+                        {node.embedding_updated_at ? formatRelativeDate(node.embedding_updated_at) : '\u2014'}
                       </span>
                     </td>
                   </tr>
diff --git a/src/components/views/ListView.tsx b/src/components/views/ListView.tsx
index 5153aa5..dd8fc4c 100644
--- a/src/components/views/ListView.tsx
+++ b/src/components/views/ListView.tsx
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 "use client";
 
+import { Inbox } from 'lucide-react';
 import { Node } from '@/types/database';
 import { getNodeIcon } from '@/utils/nodeIcons';
 import { useDimensionIcons } from '@/context/DimensionIconsContext';
+import { formatRelativeDate } from '@/utils/formatDate';
 
 interface ListViewProps {
   nodes: Node[];
@@ -11,15 +13,6 @@ interface ListViewProps {
 
 export default function ListView({ nodes, onNodeClick }: ListViewProps) {
   const { dimensionIcons } = useDimensionIcons();
-  const formatDate = (dateString?: string) => {
-    if (!dateString) return '';
-    const date = new Date(dateString);
-    return date.toLocaleDateString('en-US', {
-      month: 'short',
-      day: 'numeric',
-      year: 'numeric'
-    });
-  };
 
   const truncateContent = (content?: string, maxLength: number = 100) => {
     if (!content) return '';
@@ -31,13 +24,20 @@ export default function ListView({ nodes, onNodeClick }: ListViewProps) {
     return (
       <div style={{
         display: 'flex',
+        flexDirection: 'column',
         alignItems: 'center',
         justifyContent: 'center',
+        gap: '8px',
         height: '100%',
-        color: '#666',
-        fontSize: '13px'
+        color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)',
+        padding: '40px 20px',
+        textAlign: 'center',
       }}>
-        No nodes match the current filters
+        <Inbox size={28} strokeWidth={1.5} style={{ opacity: 0.4 }} />
+        <span style={{ fontSize: '14px', color: 'var(--rah-text-secondary)' }}>Nothing here yet</span>
+        <span style={{ fontSize: '12px', opacity: 0.7 }}>
+          Try adjusting your filters, or add a node with ⌘N
+        </span>
       </div>
     );
   }
@@ -59,20 +59,25 @@ export default function ListView({ nodes, onNodeClick }: ListViewProps) {
               gap: '12px',
               padding: '12px',
               marginBottom: '4px',
-              background: '#0a0a0a',
-              border: '1px solid #1a1a1a',
+              background: 'var(--rah-bg-base)',
+              border: '1px solid var(--rah-border)',
+              borderLeft: '2px solid var(--rah-border-stronger)',
               borderRadius: '6px',
               cursor: 'pointer',
               textAlign: 'left',
-              transition: 'all 0.2s'
+              transition: 'all 0.15s ease'
             }}
             onMouseEnter={(e) => {
-              e.currentTarget.style.background = '#111';
-              e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = '#333';
+              e.currentTarget.style.background = 'var(--rah-bg-surface)';
+              e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'var(--rah-border-strong)';
+              e.currentTarget.style.transform = 'translateY(-1px)';
+              e.currentTarget.style.boxShadow = 'var(--rah-shadow-floating)';
             }}
             onMouseLeave={(e) => {
-              e.currentTarget.style.background = '#0a0a0a';
-              e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = '#1a1a1a';
+              e.currentTarget.style.background = 'var(--rah-bg-base)';
+              e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'var(--rah-border)';
+              e.currentTarget.style.transform = 'translateY(0)';
+              e.currentTarget.style.boxShadow = 'none';
             }}
           >
             {/* Icon */}
@@ -82,7 +87,7 @@ export default function ListView({ nodes, onNodeClick }: ListViewProps) {
               display: 'flex',
               alignItems: 'center',
               justifyContent: 'center',
-              background: '#1a1a1a',
+              background: 'var(--rah-bg-active)',
               borderRadius: '6px',
               flexShrink: 0
             }}>
@@ -93,9 +98,9 @@ export default function ListView({ nodes, onNodeClick }: ListViewProps) {
             <div style={{ flex: 1, minWidth: 0 }}>
               {/* Title */}
               <div style={{
-                fontSize: '13px',
+                fontSize: '14px',
                 fontWeight: 500,
-                color: '#e5e5e5',
+                color: 'var(--rah-text-base)',
                 marginBottom: '4px',
                 overflow: 'hidden',
                 textOverflow: 'ellipsis',
@@ -107,8 +112,8 @@ export default function ListView({ nodes, onNodeClick }: ListViewProps) {
               {/* Description or Content Preview */}
               {(node.description || node.source) && (
                 <div style={{
-                  fontSize: '12px',
-                  color: '#666',
+                  fontSize: '13px',
+                  color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)',
                   marginBottom: '8px',
                   lineHeight: '1.4',
                   display: '-webkit-box',
@@ -138,11 +143,12 @@ export default function ListView({ nodes, onNodeClick }: ListViewProps) {
                       <span
                         key={dim}
                         style={{
-                          padding: '2px 6px',
-                          background: '#1a1a1a',
-                          borderRadius: '3px',
-                          fontSize: '10px',
-                          color: '#888'
+                          padding: '2px 8px',
+                          background: 'var(--rah-bg-active)',
+                          border: '1px solid var(--rah-border-strong)',
+                          borderRadius: '8px',
+                          fontSize: '11px',
+                          color: 'var(--rah-text-base)'
                         }}
                       >
                         {dim}
@@ -151,8 +157,8 @@ export default function ListView({ nodes, onNodeClick }: ListViewProps) {
                     {node.dimensions.length > 3 && (
                       <span style={{
                         padding: '2px 6px',
-                        fontSize: '10px',
-                        color: '#666'
+                        fontSize: '11px',
+                        color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)'
                       }}>
                         +{node.dimensions.length - 3}
                       </span>
@@ -162,17 +168,17 @@ export default function ListView({ nodes, onNodeClick }: ListViewProps) {
 
                 {/* Date */}
                 <span style={{
-                  fontSize: '10px',
-                  color: '#555'
+                  fontSize: '11px',
+                  color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)'
                 }}>
-                  {formatDate(node.updated_at || node.created_at)}
+                  {formatRelativeDate(node.updated_at || node.created_at)}
                 </span>
 
                 {/* Edge count */}
                 {node.edge_count !== undefined && node.edge_count > 0 && (
                   <span style={{
-                    fontSize: '10px',
-                    color: '#555'
+                    fontSize: '11px',
+                    color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)'
                   }}>
                     {node.edge_count} connections
                   </span>
diff --git a/src/components/views/ViewsOverlay.tsx b/src/components/views/ViewsOverlay.tsx
index cd284fc..217f881 100644
--- a/src/components/views/ViewsOverlay.tsx
+++ b/src/components/views/ViewsOverlay.tsx
@@ -2,12 +2,13 @@
 
 import { useEffect, useMemo, useState, useRef, useCallback } from 'react';
 import { createPortal } from 'react-dom';
-import { Filter, ChevronDown, X, ArrowUpDown, GripVertical } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Filter, ChevronDown, X, ArrowUpDown, GripVertical, Inbox } from 'lucide-react';
 import type { Node } from '@/types/database';
 import { getNodeIcon } from '@/utils/nodeIcons';
 import { useDimensionIcons } from '@/context/DimensionIconsContext';
 import { usePersistentState } from '@/hooks/usePersistentState';
 import type { PendingNode } from '../layout/ThreePanelLayout';
+import { formatRelativeDate } from '@/utils/formatDate';
 
 type SortOrder = 'updated' | 'edges' | 'created' | 'custom';
 
@@ -18,6 +19,8 @@ const SORT_LABELS: Record<SortOrder, string> = {
   custom: 'Custom',
 };
 
+const DOCUMENT_MAX_WIDTH = '980px';
+
 interface ColumnFilter {
   id: string;
   dimension: string;
@@ -127,6 +130,39 @@ function PendingNodeCard({ pending, onDismiss }: { pending: PendingNode; onDismi
   );
 }
 
+function SkeletonCard() {
+  return (
+    <div
+      className="rah-skeleton"
+      style={{
+        padding: '12px 14px',
+        border: '1px solid var(--rah-border)',
+        borderLeft: '2px solid var(--rah-border)',
+        borderRadius: '10px',
+        background: 'var(--rah-bg-base)',
+        display: 'flex',
+        gap: '12px',
+        alignItems: 'flex-start',
+      }}
+    >
+      <div
+        style={{
+          width: '32px',
+          height: '32px',
+          borderRadius: '8px',
+          background: 'var(--rah-bg-elevated)',
+          flexShrink: 0,
+        }}
+      />
+      <div style={{ flex: 1 }}>
+        <div style={{ height: '14px', width: '58%', borderRadius: '4px', background: 'var(--rah-bg-elevated)', marginBottom: '8px' }} />
+        <div style={{ height: '12px', width: '82%', borderRadius: '4px', background: 'var(--rah-bg-elevated)', marginBottom: '6px' }} />
+        <div style={{ height: '11px', width: '28%', borderRadius: '4px', background: 'var(--rah-bg-elevated)' }} />
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
 interface ViewsOverlayProps {
   onNodeClick: (nodeId: number) => void;
   onNodeOpenInOtherPane?: (nodeId: number) => void;
@@ -418,19 +454,26 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
         }}
         style={{
           padding: '10px 12px',
-          background: 'transparent',
+          background: 'var(--rah-bg-base)',
           cursor: 'pointer',
           transition: 'all 0.15s ease',
-          borderBottom: '1px solid var(--rah-bg-panel)',
-          borderLeft: '3px solid transparent',
+          border: '1px solid var(--rah-border)',
+          borderLeft: '2px solid var(--rah-border-stronger)',
+          borderRadius: '10px',
           opacity: isDragSource ? 0.4 : 1,
-          borderTop: isDropTarget ? '2px solid #22c55e' : '2px solid transparent',
+          borderTop: isDropTarget ? '2px solid var(--rah-accent-green)' : '2px solid transparent',
         }}
         onMouseEnter={(e) => {
-          e.currentTarget.style.background = 'rgba(255,255,255,0.02)';
+          e.currentTarget.style.background = 'var(--rah-bg-surface)';
+          e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'var(--rah-border-strong)';
+          e.currentTarget.style.transform = 'translateY(-1px)';
+          e.currentTarget.style.boxShadow = 'var(--rah-shadow-floating)';
         }}
         onMouseLeave={(e) => {
-          e.currentTarget.style.background = 'transparent';
+          e.currentTarget.style.background = 'var(--rah-bg-base)';
+          e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'var(--rah-border)';
+          e.currentTarget.style.transform = 'translateY(0)';
+          e.currentTarget.style.boxShadow = 'none';
         }}
         onContextMenu={(e) => {
           e.preventDefault();
@@ -460,13 +503,13 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
                 justifyContent: 'center',
                 width: '16px',
                 cursor: 'grab',
-                color: '#444',
+                color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)',
                 flexShrink: 0,
                 alignSelf: 'center',
                 transition: 'color 0.15s ease',
               }}
-              onMouseEnter={(e) => { e.currentTarget.style.color = '#888'; }}
-              onMouseLeave={(e) => { e.currentTarget.style.color = '#444'; }}
+              onMouseEnter={(e) => { e.currentTarget.style.color = 'var(--rah-text-soft)'; }}
+              onMouseLeave={(e) => { e.currentTarget.style.color = 'var(--rah-text-muted)'; }}
               onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
             >
               <GripVertical size={14} />
@@ -476,8 +519,8 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
             width: '32px',
             height: '32px',
             borderRadius: '8px',
-            background: 'var(var(--rah-bg-panel))',
-            border: '1px solid var(--rah-bg-active)',
+            background: 'var(--rah-bg-panel)',
+            border: '1px solid var(--rah-border)',
             display: 'flex',
             alignItems: 'center',
             justifyContent: 'center',
@@ -493,9 +536,9 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
               marginBottom: descPreview ? '2px' : '4px'
             }}>
               <span style={{
-                fontSize: '13px',
+                fontSize: '14px',
                 fontWeight: 500,
-                color: 'var(var(--rah-text-active))',
+                color: 'var(--rah-text-active)',
                 whiteSpace: 'nowrap',
                 overflow: 'hidden',
                 textOverflow: 'ellipsis',
@@ -506,21 +549,27 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
               </span>
               {node.edge_count != null && node.edge_count > 0 && (
                 <span style={{
-                  fontSize: '10px',
-                  color: 'var(var(--rah-text-muted))',
+                  minWidth: '18px',
+                  height: '18px',
+                  padding: '0 5px',
+                  borderRadius: '999px',
+                  background: 'var(--rah-accent-green-soft)',
+                  border: '1px solid var(--rah-accent-green-soft-strong)',
+                  color: 'var(--rah-accent-green)',
                   display: 'flex',
                   alignItems: 'center',
-                  gap: '2px',
+                  justifyContent: 'center',
                   flexShrink: 0,
+                  fontSize: '11px',
+                  fontWeight: 600,
                 }}>
-                  <span style={{ fontSize: '9px' }}>🔗</span>
                   {node.edge_count}
                 </span>
               )}
               <span style={{
-                fontSize: '10px',
-                color: '#444',
-                background: 'var(var(--rah-bg-panel))',
+                fontSize: '11px',
+                color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)',
+                background: 'var(--rah-bg-panel)',
                 padding: '2px 6px',
                 borderRadius: '4px',
                 fontFamily: 'monospace',
@@ -531,8 +580,8 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
             </div>
             {descPreview && (
               <div style={{
-                fontSize: '11px',
-                color: 'var(var(--rah-text-muted))',
+                fontSize: '13px',
+                color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)',
                 lineHeight: '1.4',
                 marginBottom: '4px',
                 overflow: 'hidden',
@@ -553,24 +602,36 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
                     <span
                       key={d}
                       style={{
-                        fontSize: '9px',
-                        padding: '1px 5px',
-                        background: 'rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.08)',
-                        color: '#4a9',
-                        borderRadius: '3px'
+                        fontSize: '11px',
+                        padding: '2px 8px',
+                        background: 'var(--rah-bg-active)',
+                        border: '1px solid var(--rah-border-strong)',
+                        color: 'var(--rah-text-base)',
+                        borderRadius: '8px'
                       }}
                     >
                       {d}
                     </span>
                   ))}
                   {node.dimensions.length > 3 && (
-                    <span style={{ fontSize: '9px', color: 'var(var(--rah-text-muted))' }}>
+                    <span style={{ fontSize: '11px', color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)' }}>
                       +{node.dimensions.length - 3}
                     </span>
                   )}
                 </>
               ) : null}
             </div>
+            <div style={{
+              display: 'flex',
+              alignItems: 'center',
+              gap: '8px',
+              marginTop: '6px',
+              fontSize: '11px',
+              color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)',
+            }}>
+              <span>{formatRelativeDate(node.updated_at || node.created_at)}</span>
+              {node.edge_count != null && node.edge_count > 0 ? <span>{node.edge_count} connections</span> : null}
+            </div>
           </div>
         </div>
       </div>
@@ -578,14 +639,15 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
   };
 
   const toolbar = (
-    <div style={{
-      width: '100%',
-      display: 'flex',
-      alignItems: 'center',
-      gap: '10px',
-      flexWrap: 'wrap'
-    }}>
-      <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '6px', flexWrap: 'wrap', flex: 1 }}>
+    <div style={{ width: '100%', maxWidth: DOCUMENT_MAX_WIDTH, margin: '0 auto' }}>
+      <div style={{
+        width: '100%',
+        display: 'flex',
+        alignItems: 'center',
+        gap: '10px',
+        flexWrap: 'wrap'
+      }}>
+        <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '6px', flexWrap: 'wrap', flex: 1 }}>
           {selectedFilters.map(filter => (
             <div
               key={filter}
@@ -622,7 +684,7 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
           ))}
 
           {externalDimensionFilter && (
-            <span style={{ fontSize: '11px', color: 'var(var(--rah-text-muted))' }}>
+            <span style={{ fontSize: '11px', color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)' }}>
               Sidebar filter
             </span>
           )}
@@ -635,15 +697,16 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
                 }
               }}
               disabled={!!externalDimensionFilter}
+              title="Filter (⌘F)"
               style={{
                 display: 'flex',
                 alignItems: 'center',
                 gap: '4px',
                 padding: '4px 8px',
                 background: 'transparent',
-                border: '1px solid var(--rah-border-strong)',
+                border: '1px solid var(--rah-border)',
                 borderRadius: '5px',
-                color: externalDimensionFilter ? '#4b4b4b' : '#888',
+                color: externalDimensionFilter ? 'var(--rah-text-muted)' : 'var(--rah-text-soft)',
                 fontSize: '11px',
                 cursor: externalDimensionFilter ? 'not-allowed' : 'pointer',
                 transition: 'all 0.15s ease'
@@ -651,12 +714,12 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
               onMouseEnter={(e) => {
                 if (!externalDimensionFilter) {
                   e.currentTarget.style.background = 'rgba(255,255,255,0.04)';
-                  e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = '#333';
+                  e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'var(--rah-border-strong)';
                 }
               }}
               onMouseLeave={(e) => {
                 e.currentTarget.style.background = 'transparent';
-                e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = '#222';
+                e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'var(--rah-border)';
               }}
             >
               <Filter size={11} />
@@ -670,8 +733,8 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
                 top: '100%',
                 left: 0,
                 marginTop: '4px',
-                background: 'var(var(--rah-bg-panel))',
-                border: '1px solid var(--rah-border-strong)',
+                background: 'var(--rah-bg-panel)',
+                border: '1px solid var(--rah-border)',
                 borderRadius: '10px',
                 padding: '6px',
                 minWidth: '220px',
@@ -689,23 +752,23 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
                   style={{
                     width: '100%',
                     padding: '7px 10px',
-                    background: 'var(var(--rah-bg-surface))',
+                    background: 'var(--rah-bg-base)',
                     border: '1px solid transparent',
                     borderRadius: '6px',
-                    color: 'var(var(--rah-text-active))',
+                    color: 'var(--rah-text-active)',
                     fontSize: '12px',
                     marginBottom: '4px',
                     outline: 'none',
                   }}
-                  onFocus={(e) => { e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = '#333'; }}
+                  onFocus={(e) => { e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'var(--rah-border-strong)'; }}
                   onBlur={(e) => { e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'transparent'; }}
                 />
                 {dimensionsLoading ? (
-                  <div style={{ padding: '12px', color: 'var(var(--rah-text-muted))', fontSize: '12px', textAlign: 'center' }}>
+                  <div style={{ padding: '12px', color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)', fontSize: '12px', textAlign: 'center' }}>
                     Loading dimensions...
                   </div>
                 ) : filterPickerDimensions.length === 0 ? (
-                  <div style={{ padding: '12px', color: 'var(var(--rah-text-muted))', fontSize: '12px', textAlign: 'center' }}>
+                  <div style={{ padding: '12px', color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)', fontSize: '12px', textAlign: 'center' }}>
                     {filterSearchQuery ? 'No matching dimensions' : 'No dimensions available'}
                   </div>
                 ) : (
@@ -722,7 +785,7 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
                         background: 'transparent',
                         border: 'none',
                         borderRadius: '5px',
-                        color: 'var(var(--rah-text-secondary))',
+                        color: 'var(--rah-text-secondary)',
                         fontSize: '12px',
                         cursor: 'pointer',
                         textAlign: 'left'
@@ -732,9 +795,9 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
                     >
                       <span>{d.dimension}</span>
                       <span style={{
-                        color: 'var(var(--rah-text-muted))',
+                        color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)',
                         fontSize: '10px',
-                        background: 'var(var(--rah-bg-active))',
+                        background: 'var(--rah-bg-active)',
                         padding: '1px 6px',
                         borderRadius: '10px',
                       }}>
@@ -754,12 +817,12 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
                 padding: '4px 8px',
                 background: 'transparent',
                 border: 'none',
-                color: 'var(var(--rah-text-muted))',
+                color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)',
                 fontSize: '11px',
                 cursor: 'pointer'
               }}
               onMouseEnter={(e) => { e.currentTarget.style.color = '#ef4444'; }}
-              onMouseLeave={(e) => { e.currentTarget.style.color = '#666'; }}
+              onMouseLeave={(e) => { e.currentTarget.style.color = 'var(--rah-text-muted)'; }}
             >
               Clear all
             </button>
@@ -768,29 +831,29 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
 
         {/* Sort dropdown */}
         <div style={{ position: 'relative' }} ref={sortDropdownRef}>
-          <button
-            onClick={() => setShowSortDropdown(!showSortDropdown)}
-            style={{
-              display: 'flex',
-              alignItems: 'center',
-              gap: '4px',
-              padding: '5px 8px',
-              background: 'transparent',
-              border: '1px solid var(--rah-border-strong)',
-              borderRadius: '5px',
-              color: 'var(var(--rah-text-muted))',
-              fontSize: '11px',
-              cursor: 'pointer',
-              transition: 'all 0.15s ease',
+            <button
+              onClick={() => setShowSortDropdown(!showSortDropdown)}
+              style={{
+                display: 'flex',
+                alignItems: 'center',
+                gap: '4px',
+                padding: '5px 8px',
+                background: 'transparent',
+                border: '1px solid var(--rah-border)',
+                borderRadius: '5px',
+                color: 'var(--rah-text-soft)',
+                fontSize: '11px',
+                cursor: 'pointer',
+                transition: 'all 0.15s ease',
               whiteSpace: 'nowrap',
             }}
             onMouseEnter={(e) => {
               e.currentTarget.style.background = 'rgba(255,255,255,0.04)';
-              e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = '#333';
+              e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'var(--rah-border-strong)';
             }}
             onMouseLeave={(e) => {
               e.currentTarget.style.background = 'transparent';
-              e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = '#222';
+              e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'var(--rah-border)';
             }}
           >
             <ArrowUpDown size={11} />
@@ -804,8 +867,8 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
               top: '100%',
               right: 0,
               marginTop: '4px',
-              background: 'var(var(--rah-bg-panel))',
-              border: '1px solid var(--rah-border-strong)',
+              background: 'var(--rah-bg-panel)',
+              border: '1px solid var(--rah-border)',
               borderRadius: '10px',
               padding: '4px',
               minWidth: '140px',
@@ -828,7 +891,7 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
                     background: sortOrder === key ? 'rgba(255,255,255,0.04)' : 'transparent',
                     border: 'none',
                     borderRadius: '5px',
-                    color: sortOrder === key ? '#f0f0f0' : '#999',
+                    color: sortOrder === key ? 'var(--rah-text-active)' : 'var(--rah-text-soft)',
                     fontSize: '12px',
                     cursor: 'pointer',
                     textAlign: 'left',
@@ -836,7 +899,7 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
                   onMouseEnter={(e) => { e.currentTarget.style.background = 'rgba(255,255,255,0.04)'; }}
                   onMouseLeave={(e) => { e.currentTarget.style.background = sortOrder === key ? 'rgba(255,255,255,0.04)' : 'transparent'; }}
                 >
-                  {sortOrder === key && <span style={{ color: '#22c55e', fontSize: '12px' }}>✓</span>}
+                  {sortOrder === key && <span style={{ color: 'var(--rah-accent-green)', fontSize: '12px' }}>✓</span>}
                   {SORT_LABELS[key]}
                 </button>
               ))}
@@ -844,6 +907,7 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
           )}
         </div>
       </div>
+    </div>
   );
 
   return (
@@ -868,30 +932,55 @@ export default function ViewsOverlay({
 
       {/* Content area — list view */}
       {filteredNodesLoading ? (
-        <div style={{ padding: '40px', color: 'var(var(--rah-text-muted))', textAlign: 'center' }}>
-          Loading...
+        <div style={{
+          flex: 1,
+          overflowY: 'auto',
+          padding: '16px',
+        }}>
+          <div style={{ width: '100%', maxWidth: DOCUMENT_MAX_WIDTH, margin: '0 auto', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', gap: '8px' }}>
+            {Array.from({ length: 6 }, (_, index) => (
+              <SkeletonCard key={index} />
+            ))}
+          </div>
         </div>
       ) : filteredNodes.length === 0 ? (
-        <div style={{ padding: '40px', color: 'var(var(--rah-text-muted))', textAlign: 'center' }}>
-          {selectedFilters.length > 0 ? 'No nodes match the selected filters.' : 'No nodes yet. Add some content to get started.'}
+        <div style={{
+          flex: 1,
+          display: 'flex',
+          flexDirection: 'column',
+          alignItems: 'center',
+          justifyContent: 'center',
+          gap: '8px',
+          padding: '40px 20px',
+          color: 'var(--rah-text-muted)',
+          textAlign: 'center',
+        }}>
+          <div style={{ width: '100%', maxWidth: DOCUMENT_MAX_WIDTH, margin: '0 auto', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', alignItems: 'center', gap: '8px' }}>
+            <Inbox size={28} strokeWidth={1.5} style={{ opacity: 0.4 }} />
+            <span style={{ fontSize: '14px', color: 'var(--rah-text-secondary)' }}>
+              {selectedFilters.length > 0 ? 'Nothing matches these filters' : 'Nothing here yet'}
+            </span>
+            <span style={{ fontSize: '12px', opacity: 0.7 }}>
+              {selectedFilters.length > 0 ? 'Try adjusting your filters, or add a node with ⌘N' : 'Add a node with ⌘N to get started'}
+            </span>
+          </div>
         </div>
       ) : (
         <div style={{
           flex: 1,
           overflowY: 'auto',
           padding: '16px',
-          display: 'flex',
-          flexDirection: 'column',
-          gap: '8px'
         }}>
-          {pendingNodes && pendingNodes.length > 0 && pendingNodes.map(p => (
-            <PendingNodeCard
-              key={p.id}
-              pending={p}
-              onDismiss={onDismissPending ? () => onDismissPending(p.id) : undefined}
-            />
-          ))}
-          {filteredNodes.map((node, index) => renderNodeCard(node, index))}
+          <div style={{ width: '100%', maxWidth: DOCUMENT_MAX_WIDTH, margin: '0 auto', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', gap: '8px' }}>
+            {pendingNodes && pendingNodes.length > 0 && pendingNodes.map(p => (
+              <PendingNodeCard
+                key={p.id}
+                pending={p}
+                onDismiss={onDismissPending ? () => onDismissPending(p.id) : undefined}
+              />
+            ))}
+            {filteredNodes.map((node, index) => renderNodeCard(node, index))}
+          </div>
         </div>
       )}
     </div>
diff --git a/src/utils/formatDate.ts b/src/utils/formatDate.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f06221d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/utils/formatDate.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+export function formatRelativeDate(dateString?: string | null): string {
+  if (!dateString) return '';
+
+  const then = new Date(dateString).getTime();
+  if (Number.isNaN(then)) return '';
+
+  const diff = Date.now() - then;
+  if (diff < 0) return 'today';
+
+  const minutes = Math.floor(diff / 60000);
+  if (minutes < 1) return 'just now';
+  if (minutes < 60) return `${minutes}m ago`;
+
+  const hours = Math.floor(minutes / 60);
+  if (hours < 24) return `${hours}h ago`;
+
+  const days = Math.floor(hours / 24);
+  if (days === 1) return 'yesterday';
+  if (days < 7) return `${days}d ago`;
+  if (days < 30) return `${Math.floor(days / 7)}w ago`;
+  if (days < 365) return `${Math.floor(days / 30)}mo ago`;
+
+  return `${Math.floor(days / 365)}y ago`;
+}