diff --git a/web/templates/base.html b/web/templates/base.html
index 896cb21..51d781b 100644
--- a/web/templates/base.html
+++ b/web/templates/base.html
@@ -52,16 +52,14 @@
     .topbar-wrap {
       border-bottom: 1px solid var(--nav-border);
       background: var(--nav-bg);
-
-       /* make it sticky */
       position: sticky;
       top: 0;
       z-index: 1000;
     }
 
-  .topbar-wrap.is-scrolled {
-    box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,.08);
-    border-bottom-color: transparent;
+    .topbar-wrap.is-scrolled {
+      box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,.08);
+      border-bottom-color: transparent;
     }
     .topbar{max-width:1100px; margin:0 auto; padding:14px 16px; display:flex; align-items:center; gap:14px; justify-content:space-between; font-size:17px;}
     .brand{display:flex; align-items:center; gap:10px; text-decoration:none; color:var(--nav-ink); font-weight:600; letter-spacing:.2px;}
@@ -152,6 +150,45 @@
     .user-menu .menu-item:hover{ background:var(--btn-hover); }
     .user-menu .danger-btn{ color:#b91c1c; }
   </style>
+
+  <!-- Classic-only gradient override (ensures it wins even if another CSS sets background) -->
+  <style>
+    /* Show gradient on pages that already use your historic class */
+    html[data-theme="classic"] body.themed-bg,
+    html[data-theme="classic"] .login-page {
+      min-height: 100vh;
+      background:
+        linear-gradient(110deg,
+          #d7b592 0%,
+          #e7e3db 30%,
+          #8fbfe0 100%
+        );
+      background-attachment: fixed;
+    }
+
+    /* Match your translucent topbar over gradients */
+    html[data-theme="classic"] body.themed-bg .topbar-wrap,
+    html[data-theme="classic"] .login-page .topbar-wrap {
+      background: rgba(248,250,252,.85);
+      backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
+      -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
+      border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(229,231,235,.9);
+    }
+
+    /* Keep cards readable over gradient */
+    html[data-theme="classic"] body.themed-bg .card,
+    html[data-theme="classic"] body.themed-bg .result-card,
+    html[data-theme="classic"] body.themed-bg .search-form,
+    html[data-theme="classic"] body.themed-bg .form-card,
+    html[data-theme="classic"] .login-page .card,
+    html[data-theme="classic"] .login-page .result-card,
+    html[data-theme="classic"] .login-page .search-form,
+    html[data-theme="classic"] .login-page .form-card {
+      background:#ffffff;
+      border:1px solid #e5e7eb;
+      box-shadow:0 10px 30px rgba(0,0,0,.06);
+    }
+  </style>
 </head>
 
 <body class="{% block body_class %}{% endblock %}">
