diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index cafd896..2d3111f 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -88,7 +88,12 @@ When adding a feature: create `Features/<Name>/<Name>Endpoints.cs` with a `Map<N
 
 ### Frontend — SvelteKit with runes
 
-**UI consistency:** all form controls, buttons, colors, icons, spacing, and text casing are governed by `src/frontend/STYLE_GUIDE.md`. Read it before adding or modifying any UI component — deviating without a documented reason is a bug.
+**UI tokens:** form controls, buttons, and select elements use named CSS component classes defined in `src/frontend/src/app.css`. Always use these instead of raw Tailwind strings:
+- Inputs / textareas: `.field` (standard, `py-2 text-sm`) or `.field-lg` (prominent, `py-2.5 text-base`)
+- Selects: `.select` or `.select-lg` — these add `appearance-none` + a consistent chevron so dropdowns look identical to text inputs
+- Buttons: `.btn-primary`, `.btn-secondary`, `.btn-danger-link`
+- Width, margin, and flex utilities are added alongside the token class (e.g. `class="field w-full"`)
+- Never hardcode the border, background, padding, or focus ring on a new control — always start from a token
 
 - `svelte.config.js` forces `runes: true` for all non-`node_modules` files. Use Svelte 5 runes (`$state`, `$derived`, `$effect`); do not use legacy reactive `$:` syntax.
 - `src/lib/api.ts` — `api<T>(path, opts)` helper. Stores the JWT in `localStorage` under `token`, attaches `Authorization: Bearer …`, and on 401 it clears the token and `goto('/login')`.
diff --git a/src/frontend/STYLE_GUIDE.md b/src/frontend/STYLE_GUIDE.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 75e8fbd..0000000
--- a/src/frontend/STYLE_GUIDE.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,71 +0,0 @@
-# Frontend Style Guide
-
-Rules that apply to every component. Deviating from these requires an explicit reason.
-
-## Form controls
-
-All interactive inputs, selects, and textareas share one baseline class set so they look identical regardless of type:
-
-```
-rounded-lg border border-gray-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm
-focus:border-primary focus:outline-none
-```
-
-| Variant | When to use | Size note |
-|---|---|---|
-| **Standard** (`px-3 py-2`) | Inline rows (qty, unit, section dropdowns, filters) | `text-sm` |
-| **Large** (`px-3 py-2.5 text-base`) | Full-width, standalone inputs (item name, recipe title) | `text-base` |
-
-**Rules:**
-- `bg-white` is **always explicit** on `<select>` — browsers default to gray without it.
-- Never mix `py-2` and `py-2.5` controls in the same flex row; they will be different heights.
-- Fixed-width selects (unit dropdown: `w-24`, qty: `w-20`). Unconstrained selects get `max-w-36` so long option text doesn't push other controls off screen.
-
-## Buttons
-
-| Style | Class | Use |
-|---|---|---|
-| Primary | `rounded-lg bg-primary px-4 py-2 font-semibold text-white` | Main action (Add, Save Changes) |
-| Secondary | `rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-4 py-2 text-sm text-gray-700` | Peer to primary (Cancel, Edit) |
-| Danger (inline) | `rounded-lg border border-danger px-4 py-2 text-sm text-danger` | Destructive, same visual weight as secondary |
-| Danger (footer) | `text-sm text-danger hover:underline` | Low-prominence delete at the bottom of a detail page |
-| Ghost | `text-sm text-gray-500` | Back links, minor navigation |
-
-Primary and secondary buttons that appear in the same row must use the same `py-*` value.
-
-## Text casing
-
-| Context | Rule | Example |
-|---|---|---|
-| Button labels | Title Case | `Save Changes`, `Add`, `Cancel` |
-| Placeholder text | Sentence case | `Add an item...`, `Recipe title` |
-| Select default option | Title Case | `Unit`, `No section` |
-| Section/group headings | UPPERCASE via `uppercase` CSS class | `UNCATEGORIZED` |
-| Navigation labels | Title Case | `Lists`, `Recipes` |
-| Error / hint text | Sentence case | `~ approximate (e.g. to taste)` |
-
-Never use ALL CAPS in raw text — apply the `uppercase` Tailwind class to let CSS handle it.
-
-## Icons
-
-- Use Heroicons outline style, 16×16 (`h-4 w-4`), `stroke-width="1.75"`.
-- Always include `aria-hidden="true"` on decorative SVGs; the wrapping button carries the `aria-label`.
-- Trash icon for destructive remove actions. No other icon for that purpose.
-
-## Colors
-
-Defined as CSS custom properties in `app.css`. Never hard-code hex values in component classes.
-
-| Token | Use |
-|---|---|
-| `primary` | Brand green — CTAs, active states, quantity highlights |
-| `danger` | Destructive actions, error text |
-| `gray-300` | Default border on all form controls |
-| `gray-400` | Secondary / hint text |
-| `gray-500` | Ghost button text, tertiary labels |
-
-## Spacing rhythm
-
-- Gap between inline form controls in a row: `gap-2`.
-- Gap between stacked form sections: `space-y-2` or `space-y-4`.
-- Card / list item padding: `px-3 py-3` (shopping list) or `px-3 py-2` (compact).
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/app.css b/src/frontend/src/app.css
index 3590607..a5d961e 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/app.css
+++ b/src/frontend/src/app.css
@@ -21,3 +21,57 @@ body {
 button {
 	@apply cursor-pointer;
 }
+
+/* ── Design tokens ── */
+
+/* Use .field for standard single-line text inputs and textareas inside the app shell. */
+@layer components {
+	.field {
+		@apply rounded-lg border border-gray-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm focus:border-primary focus:outline-none;
+	}
+
+	/* Larger variant for prominent standalone inputs (recipe title, item name search bar). */
+	.field-lg {
+		@apply rounded-lg border border-gray-300 bg-white px-3 py-2.5 text-base focus:border-primary focus:outline-none;
+	}
+
+	/*
+	 * Use .select / .select-lg for <select> elements. Removes native OS appearance
+	 * (which can add a grey gradient even when bg-white is set) and injects a
+	 * consistent chevron so all dropdowns look identical to text inputs.
+	 * Note: @apply cannot compose other component classes in Tailwind v4, so
+	 * the base field styles are duplicated here.
+	 */
+	.select {
+		@apply appearance-none rounded-lg border border-gray-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm focus:border-primary focus:outline-none;
+		background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 20 20' fill='none' stroke='%239ca3af' stroke-width='1.5' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-linejoin='round'%3E%3Cpath d='M6 8l4 4 4-4'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
+		background-position: right 0.4rem center;
+		background-repeat: no-repeat;
+		background-size: 1.1rem 1.1rem;
+		padding-right: 1.75rem;
+	}
+
+	.select-lg {
+		@apply appearance-none rounded-lg border border-gray-300 bg-white px-3 py-2.5 text-base focus:border-primary focus:outline-none;
+		background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 20 20' fill='none' stroke='%239ca3af' stroke-width='1.5' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-linejoin='round'%3E%3Cpath d='M6 8l4 4 4-4'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
+		background-position: right 0.4rem center;
+		background-repeat: no-repeat;
+		background-size: 1.1rem 1.1rem;
+		padding-right: 1.75rem;
+	}
+
+	/* Standard action button — primary green. */
+	.btn-primary {
+		@apply rounded-lg bg-primary px-4 py-2 font-semibold text-white disabled:opacity-50;
+	}
+
+	/* Outlined button — secondary / cancel. Same height as btn-primary. */
+	.btn-secondary {
+		@apply rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-4 py-2 text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 disabled:opacity-50;
+	}
+
+	/* Low-prominence destructive link — use at the bottom of detail pages. */
+	.btn-danger-link {
+		@apply text-sm text-danger hover:underline;
+	}
+}
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/lib/QuantityInput.svelte b/src/frontend/src/lib/QuantityInput.svelte
index 3f684fd..fd3ce6d 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/lib/QuantityInput.svelte
+++ b/src/frontend/src/lib/QuantityInput.svelte
@@ -86,13 +86,13 @@
 			oninput={onQuantityInput}
 			placeholder="Qty"
 			aria-label={ariaLabel}
-			class="w-20 rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-2 py-2 text-sm focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+			class="field w-20 px-2"
 		/>
 		<select
 			value={composite}
 			onchange={onUnitChange}
 			aria-label="Unit"
-			class="w-24 rounded-lg border border-gray-300 bg-white px-1 py-2 text-sm focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+			class="select w-24 px-1"
 		>
 			<option value="">Unit</option>
 			{#each visible as unit}
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/routes/lists/+page.svelte b/src/frontend/src/routes/lists/+page.svelte
index f1228de..b4e3dab 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/routes/lists/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/frontend/src/routes/lists/+page.svelte
@@ -89,12 +89,12 @@
 				bind:value={newName}
 				placeholder="List name"
 				required
-				class="mb-3 w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+				class="field mb-3 w-full"
 			/>
 			<select
 				bind:value={newStoreId}
 				required
-				class="mb-3 w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+				class="select mb-3 w-full"
 			>
 				<option value={null} disabled>Select store</option>
 				{#each stores as store}
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@
 			</select>
 			<button
 				type="submit"
-				class="w-full rounded-lg bg-primary py-2 font-semibold text-white"
+				class="btn-primary w-full"
 			>
 				Create
 			</button>
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/routes/lists/[id]/+page.svelte b/src/frontend/src/routes/lists/[id]/+page.svelte
index 74a4662..1088846 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/routes/lists/[id]/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/frontend/src/routes/lists/[id]/+page.svelte
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@
 				bind:value={newItemName}
 				placeholder="Add an item..."
 				ariaLabel="Item name"
-				inputClass="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 text-base focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+				inputClass="field-lg w-full"
 				onsubmit={addItem}
 				onProductChange={onItemProductChange}
 			/>
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@
 						type="text"
 						bind:value={newItemQuantityNote}
 						placeholder="e.g. to taste"
-						class="w-36 rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-2 py-2 text-sm focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+						class="field w-36 px-2"
 					/>
 				{:else}
 					<QuantityInput
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@
 				{#if sections.length > 0}
 					<select
 						bind:value={newItemSectionId}
-						class="max-w-36 rounded-lg border border-gray-300 bg-white px-2 py-2 text-sm focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+						class="select max-w-36 px-2"
 						aria-label="Section"
 					>
 						<option value={null}>No section</option>
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@
 				{/if}
 				<button
 					type="submit"
-					class="rounded-lg bg-primary px-4 py-2 font-semibold text-white"
+					class="btn-primary"
 				>
 					Add
 				</button>
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@
 										<select
 											value={item.sectionId ?? ''}
 											onchange={(e) => setItemSection(item.id, (e.currentTarget.value === '' ? null : Number(e.currentTarget.value)))}
-											class="shrink-0 rounded border border-gray-200 bg-white px-1 py-0.5 text-xs text-gray-500 focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+											class="select shrink-0 rounded-md border-gray-200 px-1 py-0.5 text-xs text-gray-500"
 											aria-label="Section for {item.name}"
 										>
 											<option value="">No section</option>
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/routes/recipes/[id]/+page.svelte b/src/frontend/src/routes/recipes/[id]/+page.svelte
index 6de2d5e..0b7f065 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/routes/recipes/[id]/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/frontend/src/routes/recipes/[id]/+page.svelte
@@ -97,13 +97,13 @@
 		<div class="mb-4 flex gap-2">
 			<button
 				onclick={() => (showAddToList = !showAddToList)}
-				class="flex-1 rounded-lg bg-primary py-2.5 font-semibold text-white"
+				class="btn-primary flex-1 py-2.5"
 			>
 				Add to list
 			</button>
 			<button
 				onclick={() => goto(`/recipes/${recipeId}/edit`)}
-				class="rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-4 py-2.5 text-sm text-gray-700"
+				class="btn-secondary py-2.5"
 			>
 				Edit
 			</button>
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@
 		<div class="mt-10 border-t border-gray-100 pt-4">
 			<button
 				onclick={deleteRecipe}
-				class="text-sm text-danger hover:underline"
+				class="btn-danger-link"
 			>
 				Delete this recipe
 			</button>
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/routes/recipes/[id]/edit/+page.svelte b/src/frontend/src/routes/recipes/[id]/edit/+page.svelte
index a75a8fe..bff1b96 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/routes/recipes/[id]/edit/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/frontend/src/routes/recipes/[id]/edit/+page.svelte
@@ -209,14 +209,14 @@
 				bind:value={title}
 placeholder="Recipe title"
 				required
-				class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 text-lg focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+				class="field-lg w-full"
 			/>
 
 			<textarea
 				bind:value={description}
 placeholder="Short description (optional)"
 				rows={2}
-				class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+				class="field-lg w-full"
 			></textarea>
 
 			<div>
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ placeholder="Short description (optional)"
 						bind:value={servings}
 				min={1}
 						placeholder="e.g. 4"
-						class="mt-1 block w-24 rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+						class="field mt-1 block w-24"
 					/>
 				</label>
 			</div>
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ placeholder="Short description (optional)"
 									type="text"
 									bind:value={ingredient.quantityNote}
 										placeholder="e.g. to taste"
-									class="w-44 rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-2 py-2 text-sm focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+									class="field w-44 px-2"
 								/>
 							{:else}
 								<QuantityInput
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ placeholder="Short description (optional)"
 									initialSelectedName={ingredient.initialName}
 									placeholder="Ingredient name"
 									ariaLabel="Ingredient name"
-									inputClass="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 text-sm focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+									inputClass="field w-full"
 									onProductChange={(p) => onIngredientProductChange(idx, p)}
 								/>
 							</div>
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ placeholder="Short description (optional)"
 				bind:value={instructions}
 				placeholder="Instructions (optional)"
 				rows={6}
-				class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+				class="field-lg w-full"
 			></textarea>
 
 			{#if saveError}
@@ -305,14 +305,14 @@ placeholder="Short description (optional)"
 					type="button"
 					onclick={() => goto(`/recipes/${recipeId}`)}
 					disabled={saving}
-					class="flex-1 rounded-lg border border-gray-300 py-3 font-semibold text-gray-700 disabled:opacity-50"
+					class="btn-secondary flex-1 py-3"
 				>
 					Cancel
 				</button>
 				<button
 					type="submit"
 					disabled={saving}
-					class="flex-[2] rounded-lg bg-primary py-3 font-semibold text-white disabled:opacity-50"
+					class="btn-primary flex-[2] py-3"
 				>
 					{saving ? 'Saving...' : 'Save Changes'}
 				</button>
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/routes/recipes/new/+page.svelte b/src/frontend/src/routes/recipes/new/+page.svelte
index b43c9dd..fb02661 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/routes/recipes/new/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/frontend/src/routes/recipes/new/+page.svelte
@@ -112,14 +112,14 @@
 			bind:value={title}
 			placeholder="Recipe title"
 			required
-			class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 text-lg focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+			class="field-lg w-full"
 		/>
 
 		<textarea
 			bind:value={description}
 			placeholder="Short description (optional)"
 			rows={2}
-			class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+			class="field-lg w-full"
 		></textarea>
 
 		<div>
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@
 					bind:value={servings}
 					min={1}
 					placeholder="e.g. 4"
-					class="mt-1 block w-24 rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+					class="field mt-1 block w-24"
 				/>
 			</label>
 		</div>
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@
 								type="text"
 								bind:value={ingredient.quantityNote}
 								placeholder="e.g. to taste"
-								class="w-44 rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-2 py-2 text-sm focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+								class="field w-44 px-2"
 							/>
 						{:else}
 							<QuantityInput
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@
 								bind:value={ingredient.name}
 								placeholder="Ingredient name"
 								ariaLabel="Ingredient name"
-								inputClass="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 text-sm focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+								inputClass="field w-full"
 								onProductChange={(p) => onIngredientProductChange(idx, p)}
 							/>
 						</div>
@@ -195,13 +195,13 @@
 			bind:value={instructions}
 			placeholder="Instructions (optional)"
 			rows={6}
-			class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+			class="field-lg w-full"
 		></textarea>
 
 		<button
 			type="submit"
 			disabled={saving}
-			class="w-full rounded-lg bg-primary py-3 font-semibold text-white disabled:opacity-50"
+			class="btn-primary w-full py-3"
 		>
 			{saving ? 'Saving...' : 'Save Recipe'}
 		</button>
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/routes/stores/+page.svelte b/src/frontend/src/routes/stores/+page.svelte
index 9ef17a0..1fdc510 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/routes/stores/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/frontend/src/routes/stores/+page.svelte
@@ -160,9 +160,9 @@
 			bind:value={newName}
 			placeholder="New store name"
 			required
-			class="flex-1 rounded-lg border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2.5 focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
+			class="field flex-1 py-2.5"
 		/>
-		<button type="submit" class="rounded-lg bg-primary px-4 py-2.5 font-semibold text-white">
+		<button type="submit" class="btn-primary py-2.5">
 			Add
 		</button>
 	</form>