diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/assets/agent.css b/hive-ag3nt/assets/agent.css
index 1943405a..9a78466e 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/assets/agent.css
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/assets/agent.css
@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
 :root {
-  --bg: #0a0014;
-  --fg: #e0d4ff;
-  --muted: #6c5c8c;
-  --purple: #cc66ff;
-  --purple-dim: #4a1a6a;
-  --amber: #ffb84d;
-  --green: #66ff99;
+  /* Catppuccin Mocha — mirrors the dashboard palette. */
+  --bg: #1e1e2e;       /* base */
+  --bg-elev: #181825;  /* mantle */
+  --fg: #cdd6f4;       /* text */
+  --muted: #7f849c;    /* overlay1 */
+  --purple: #cba6f7;   /* mauve */
+  --purple-dim: #45475a; /* surface1 */
+  --cyan: #89dceb;     /* sky */
+  --amber: #fab387;    /* peach */
+  --green: #a6e3a1;    /* green */
+  --red: #f38ba8;      /* red */
 }
 body {
   background: var(--bg);
@@ -21,14 +25,12 @@ body {
   text-align: center;
   margin: 0 0 1em 0;
   font-size: 0.95em;
-  text-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(204, 102, 255, 0.5);
   overflow-x: auto;
 }
 h2, h3 {
   color: var(--purple);
   text-transform: uppercase;
   letter-spacing: 0.15em;
-  text-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(204, 102, 255, 0.4);
 }
 .divider {
   color: var(--purple-dim);
@@ -37,10 +39,11 @@ h2, h3 {
   margin-bottom: 0.5em;
 }
 .meta { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.85em; }
-.status-online { color: var(--green); text-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(102, 255, 153, 0.5); }
-.status-needs-login { color: var(--amber); text-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(255, 184, 77, 0.6); }
-code { background: rgba(204, 102, 255, 0.1); padding: 0.05em 0.3em; border-radius: 2px; }
-a { color: #66e0ff; }
+.status-online { color: var(--green); }
+.status-needs-login { color: var(--amber); }
+code { background: rgba(203, 166, 247, 0.12); padding: 0.05em 0.3em; border-radius: 2px; }
+a { color: var(--cyan); }
+a:hover { color: var(--fg); }
 .btn {
   font-family: inherit;
   font-size: 1em;
@@ -51,9 +54,9 @@ a { color: #66e0ff; }
   cursor: pointer;
   letter-spacing: 0.1em;
 }
-.btn:hover { background: rgba(204, 102, 255, 0.1); }
+.btn:hover { background: rgba(205, 214, 244, 0.06); }
 .btn-login { color: var(--amber); border-color: var(--amber); }
-.btn-cancel { color: #ff6b6b; border-color: #ff6b6b; font-size: 0.85em; padding: 0.15em 0.6em; }
+.btn-cancel { color: var(--red); border-color: var(--red); font-size: 0.85em; padding: 0.15em 0.6em; }
 .btn-rebuild {
   color: var(--amber);
   border: 1px solid var(--amber);
@@ -66,7 +69,7 @@ a { color: #66e0ff; }
   vertical-align: middle;
   cursor: pointer;
 }
-.btn-rebuild:hover { background: rgba(255, 184, 77, 0.1); }
+.btn-rebuild:hover { background: rgba(250, 179, 135, 0.1); }
 .btn-send { color: var(--green); border-color: var(--green); }
 .sendform { display: flex; gap: 0.6em; margin-top: 0.5em; }
 .sendform input {
@@ -130,11 +133,11 @@ pre.diff {
   padding-left: 1.2em;
   opacity: 0.85;
 }
-.live .turn-end-ok    { color: #66ff99; border-left-color: #66ff99; margin-bottom: 0.4em; }
-.live .turn-end-fail  { color: #ff6b6b; border-left-color: #ff6b6b; margin-bottom: 0.4em; }
+.live .turn-end-ok    { color: var(--green); border-left-color: var(--green); margin-bottom: 0.4em; }
+.live .turn-end-fail  { color: var(--red);   border-left-color: var(--red);   margin-bottom: 0.4em; }
 .live .text          { color: var(--fg); padding-left: 1.2em; }
 .live .thinking      { color: var(--muted); font-style: italic; padding-left: 1.2em; }
-.live .tool-use      { color: #66e0ff; padding-left: 1.2em; }
+.live .tool-use      { color: var(--cyan); padding-left: 1.2em; }
 .live .tool-result   { color: var(--muted); padding-left: 1.2em; }
 .live .result        { color: var(--green); padding-left: 0.5em; }
 .live .sys, .live .note { color: var(--muted); }
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/prompts/agent.md b/hive-ag3nt/prompts/agent.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..80994207
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/prompts/agent.md
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+You are hyperhive agent `{label}` in a multi-agent system.
+
+Tools (hyperhive surface):
+
+- `mcp__hyperhive__recv()` — drain one more message from your inbox (returns `(empty)` if nothing pending).
+- `mcp__hyperhive__send(to, body)` — message a peer (by their name) or the operator (recipient `operator`, surfaces in the dashboard).
+
+Need new packages, env vars, or other NixOS config for yourself? You can't edit your own config directly — message the manager (recipient `manager`) describing what you need. The manager edits `/agents/{label}/config/agent.nix` on your behalf, commits, and submits an approval that the operator can accept on the dashboard; on approve hive-c0re rebuilds your container with the new config.
+
+When your inbox has a message, handle it and stop. Don't narrate intent — act.
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/prompts/manager.md b/hive-ag3nt/prompts/manager.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2ffcac73
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/prompts/manager.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+You are the hyperhive manager `{label}` in a multi-agent system. You coordinate sub-agents and relay between them and the operator.
+
+Tools (hyperhive surface):
+
+- `mcp__hyperhive__recv()` — drain one more message from your inbox.
+- `mcp__hyperhive__send(to, body)` — message an agent (by name), another peer, or the operator (`operator` surfaces in the dashboard).
+- `mcp__hyperhive__request_spawn(name)` — queue a brand-new sub-agent for operator approval (≤9 char name).
+- `mcp__hyperhive__kill(name)` — graceful stop on a sub-agent.
+- `mcp__hyperhive__request_apply_commit(agent, commit_ref)` — submit a config change for any agent (`hm1nd` for self) for operator approval.
+
+Your own editable config lives at `/agents/hm1nd/config/agent.nix`; every sub-agent's lives at `/agents/<name>/config/agent.nix`. Use file/git tools to edit + commit, then `request_apply_commit`.
+
+Messages from sender `system` are hyperhive helper events (JSON body, `event` field discriminates): `approval_resolved`, `spawned`, `rebuilt`, `killed`, `destroyed`. Use these to react to lifecycle changes — e.g. greet a freshly-spawned agent, retry a failed rebuild, or note the change to the operator.
+
+When your inbox has a message, handle it and stop. Don't narrate intent — act.
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-ag3nt.rs b/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-ag3nt.rs
index 81e05c5f..7fa08b9b 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-ag3nt.rs
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-ag3nt.rs
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ async fn serve(
     let _ = state; // reserved for future state transitions (turn-loop -> needs-login)
     let mcp_config = turn::write_mcp_config(socket).await?;
     let label = std::env::var("HIVE_LABEL").unwrap_or_else(|_| "hive-ag3nt".into());
+    let system_prompt = turn::write_system_prompt(socket, &label, mcp::Flavor::Agent).await?;
     loop {
         let recv: Result<AgentResponse> = client::request(socket, &AgentRequest::Recv).await;
         match recv {
@@ -137,9 +138,15 @@ async fn serve(
                     from: from.clone(),
                     body: body.clone(),
                 });
-                let prompt = format_wake_prompt(&label, &from, &body);
-                let outcome =
-                    turn::drive_turn(&prompt, &mcp_config, &bus, mcp::Flavor::Agent).await;
+                let prompt = format_wake_prompt(&from, &body);
+                let outcome = turn::drive_turn(
+                    &prompt,
+                    &mcp_config,
+                    &system_prompt,
+                    &bus,
+                    mcp::Flavor::Agent,
+                )
+                .await;
                 turn::emit_turn_end(&bus, &outcome);
             }
             Ok(AgentResponse::Empty) => {}
@@ -157,38 +164,11 @@ async fn serve(
     }
 }
 
-/// System prompt handed to claude on each turn. The harness has already
-/// popped one message off the inbox (the wake signal); claude is told
-/// about it and the MCP tools, and is expected to drive any further
-/// recv/send itself.
-fn format_wake_prompt(label: &str, from: &str, body: &str) -> String {
-    // Manager broker name. Lifecycle calls it `hm1nd` (container), broker
-    // calls it `manager`. Sub-agents address the manager via `manager`.
-    let manager = hive_sh4re::MANAGER_AGENT;
-    format!(
-        "You are hyperhive agent `{label}` in a multi-agent system.\n\
-         \n\
-         Incoming message from `{from}`:\n\
-         ---\n\
-         {body}\n\
-         ---\n\
-         \n\
-         Tools:\n\
-         - `mcp__hyperhive__recv()` — drain one more message from your inbox \
-         (returns `(empty)` if nothing pending).\n\
-         - `mcp__hyperhive__send(to, body)` — message a peer (by their name) \
-         or the operator (recipient `operator`, surfaces in the dashboard).\n\
-         \n\
-         Need new packages, env vars, or other NixOS config for yourself? \
-         You can't edit your own config directly — message the manager \
-         (recipient `{manager}`) describing what you need. The manager \
-         edits `/agents/{label}/config/agent.nix` on your behalf, commits, \
-         and submits an approval that the operator can accept on the \
-         dashboard; on approve hive-c0re rebuilds your container with the \
-         new config.\n\
-         \n\
-         Handle the inbox, then stop. Don't narrate intent — act."
-    )
+/// Per-turn user prompt. The role/tools/etc. is in the system prompt
+/// (`prompts/agent.md` → `claude --system-prompt-file`); this is just the
+/// wake signal claude reacts to.
+fn format_wake_prompt(from: &str, body: &str) -> String {
+    format!("Incoming message from `{from}`:\n---\n{body}\n---")
 }
 
 fn render(resp: &AgentResponse) -> Result<()> {
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-m1nd.rs b/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-m1nd.rs
index bf107987..9c8eead5 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-m1nd.rs
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-m1nd.rs
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ async fn serve(socket: &Path, interval: Duration, bus: Bus) -> Result<()> {
     tracing::info!(socket = %socket.display(), "hive-m1nd serve");
     let mcp_config = turn::write_mcp_config(socket).await?;
     let label = std::env::var("HIVE_LABEL").unwrap_or_else(|_| "hm1nd".into());
+    let system_prompt = turn::write_system_prompt(socket, &label, mcp::Flavor::Manager).await?;
     loop {
         let recv: Result<ManagerResponse> = client::request(socket, &ManagerRequest::Recv).await;
         match recv {
@@ -153,9 +154,15 @@ async fn serve(socket: &Path, interval: Duration, bus: Bus) -> Result<()> {
                     from: from.clone(),
                     body: body.clone(),
                 });
-                let prompt = format_wake_prompt(&label, &from, &body);
-                let outcome =
-                    turn::drive_turn(&prompt, &mcp_config, &bus, mcp::Flavor::Manager).await;
+                let prompt = format_wake_prompt(&from, &body);
+                let outcome = turn::drive_turn(
+                    &prompt,
+                    &mcp_config,
+                    &system_prompt,
+                    &bus,
+                    mcp::Flavor::Manager,
+                )
+                .await;
                 turn::emit_turn_end(&bus, &outcome);
             }
             Ok(ManagerResponse::Empty) => {}
@@ -173,43 +180,10 @@ async fn serve(socket: &Path, interval: Duration, bus: Bus) -> Result<()> {
     }
 }
 
-/// Manager-flavored wake prompt. Mentions the privileged tools the sub-agent
-/// prompt doesn't have access to, and points the manager at its own
-/// editable config repo for self-modification.
-fn format_wake_prompt(label: &str, from: &str, body: &str) -> String {
-    let from_note = if from == SYSTEM_SENDER {
-        "\n         The sender `system` means this is a hyperhive helper event \
-         (JSON body, `event` field discriminates): `approval_resolved`, \
-         `spawned`, `rebuilt`, `killed`, `destroyed`. Use these to react to \
-         lifecycle changes — e.g. greet a freshly-spawned agent, retry a \
-         failed rebuild, or note the change to the operator.\n"
-    } else {
-        ""
-    };
-    format!(
-        "You are the hyperhive manager `{label}` in a multi-agent system. You \
-         coordinate sub-agents and relay between them and the operator.\n\
-         \n\
-         Incoming message from `{from}`:\n\
-         ---\n\
-         {body}\n\
-         ---\n{from_note}
-         \n\
-         Tools (hyperhive surface):\n\
-         - `mcp__hyperhive__recv()` — drain one more message from your inbox.\n\
-         - `mcp__hyperhive__send(to, body)` — message an agent (by name), \
-         another peer, or the operator (`operator` surfaces in the dashboard).\n\
-         - `mcp__hyperhive__request_spawn(name)` — queue a brand-new sub-agent \
-         for operator approval (≤9 char name).\n\
-         - `mcp__hyperhive__kill(name)` — graceful stop on a sub-agent.\n\
-         - `mcp__hyperhive__request_apply_commit(agent, commit_ref)` — submit \
-         a config change for any agent (`hm1nd` for self) for operator \
-         approval.\n\
-         \n\
-         Your own editable config lives at `/agents/hm1nd/config/agent.nix`; \
-         every sub-agent's lives at `/agents/<name>/config/agent.nix`. Use \
-         file/git tools to edit + commit, then `request_apply_commit`.\n\
-         \n\
-         Handle the inbox, then stop. Don't narrate intent — act."
-    )
+
+/// Per-turn user prompt. The role/tools/etc. is in the system prompt
+/// (`prompts/manager.md` → `claude --system-prompt-file`); this is just
+/// the wake signal.
+fn format_wake_prompt(from: &str, body: &str) -> String {
+    format!("Incoming message from `{from}`:\n---\n{body}\n---")
 }
diff --git a/hive-ag3nt/src/turn.rs b/hive-ag3nt/src/turn.rs
index 387fe199..4cb77213 100644
--- a/hive-ag3nt/src/turn.rs
+++ b/hive-ag3nt/src/turn.rs
@@ -50,6 +50,29 @@ pub async fn write_mcp_config(socket: &Path) -> Result<PathBuf> {
     Ok(path)
 }
 
+/// Write the agent's / manager's static system prompt to a file next to
+/// the MCP config and return the path. Passed to claude via
+/// `--system-prompt-file`, replacing claude's default system prompt with
+/// the role + tools instructions. Per-turn prompts become much smaller
+/// (just the wake message body).
+pub async fn write_system_prompt(
+    socket: &Path,
+    label: &str,
+    flavor: mcp::Flavor,
+) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+    let parent = socket.parent().unwrap_or_else(|| Path::new("/run/hive"));
+    tokio::fs::create_dir_all(parent).await.ok();
+    let template = match flavor {
+        mcp::Flavor::Agent => include_str!("../prompts/agent.md"),
+        mcp::Flavor::Manager => include_str!("../prompts/manager.md"),
+    };
+    let body = template.replace("{label}", label);
+    let path = parent.join("claude-system-prompt.md");
+    tokio::fs::write(&path, body).await?;
+    tracing::info!(path = %path.display(), "wrote claude system prompt");
+    Ok(path)
+}
+
 /// One claude turn's outcome. The harness uses this to decide whether to
 /// transparently kick off a compaction and retry.
 #[derive(Debug)]
@@ -66,16 +89,17 @@ pub enum TurnOutcome {
 pub async fn drive_turn(
     prompt: &str,
     mcp_config: &Path,
+    system_prompt: &Path,
     bus: &Bus,
     flavor: mcp::Flavor,
 ) -> TurnOutcome {
-    match run_turn(prompt, mcp_config, bus, flavor).await {
+    match run_turn(prompt, mcp_config, system_prompt, bus, flavor).await {
         TurnOutcome::PromptTooLong => {
             if let Err(e) = compact_session(bus).await {
                 tracing::warn!(error = %format!("{e:#}"), "compact failed");
                 return TurnOutcome::Failed(e);
             }
-            run_turn(prompt, mcp_config, bus, flavor).await
+            run_turn(prompt, mcp_config, system_prompt, bus, flavor).await
         }
         other => other,
     }
@@ -131,10 +155,20 @@ pub async fn wait_for_login(claude_dir: &Path, state: Arc<Mutex<LoginState>>, po
 pub async fn run_turn(
     prompt: &str,
     mcp_config: &Path,
+    system_prompt: &Path,
     bus: &Bus,
     flavor: mcp::Flavor,
 ) -> TurnOutcome {
-    match run_claude(prompt, mcp_config, bus, flavor, ClaudeMode::Turn).await {
+    match run_claude(
+        prompt,
+        mcp_config,
+        Some(system_prompt),
+        bus,
+        flavor,
+        ClaudeMode::Turn,
+    )
+    .await
+    {
         Ok(too_long) if too_long => TurnOutcome::PromptTooLong,
         Ok(_) => TurnOutcome::Ok,
         Err(e) => TurnOutcome::Failed(e),
@@ -151,6 +185,7 @@ pub async fn compact_session(bus: &Bus) -> Result<()> {
     let _ = run_claude(
         "/compact",
         Path::new("/dev/null"),
+        None,
         bus,
         mcp::Flavor::Agent, // tool surface unused for /compact
         ClaudeMode::Compact,
@@ -169,6 +204,7 @@ enum ClaudeMode {
 async fn run_claude(
     prompt: &str,
     mcp_config: &Path,
+    system_prompt: Option<&Path>,
     bus: &Bus,
     flavor: mcp::Flavor,
     mode: ClaudeMode,
@@ -183,6 +219,9 @@ async fn run_claude(
         .arg("--continue")
         .arg("--settings")
         .arg(CLAUDE_SETTINGS);
+    if let Some(p) = system_prompt {
+        cmd.arg("--system-prompt-file").arg(p);
+    }
     if let ClaudeMode::Turn = mode {
         cmd.arg("--mcp-config")
             .arg(mcp_config)
diff --git a/hive-c0re/assets/dashboard.css b/hive-c0re/assets/dashboard.css
index fa38a138..79dfdd45 100644
--- a/hive-c0re/assets/dashboard.css
+++ b/hive-c0re/assets/dashboard.css
@@ -1,16 +1,18 @@
 :root {
-  --bg: #0a0014;
-  --bg-elev: #18002a;
-  --fg: #e0d4ff;
-  --muted: #6c5c8c;
-  --purple: #cc66ff;
-  --purple-dim: #4a1a6a;
-  --cyan: #00ffff;
-  --pink: #ff3399;
-  --amber: #ffaa00;
-  --green: #00ff88;
-  --red: #ff4466;
-  --border: #2a0a4a;
+  /* Catppuccin Mocha. Keep the legacy variable names so per-class styles
+     don't need to be rewritten — only the values change. */
+  --bg: #1e1e2e;       /* base */
+  --bg-elev: #181825;  /* mantle */
+  --fg: #cdd6f4;       /* text */
+  --muted: #7f849c;    /* overlay1 */
+  --purple: #cba6f7;   /* mauve */
+  --purple-dim: #45475a; /* surface1 */
+  --cyan: #89dceb;     /* sky */
+  --pink: #f5c2e7;     /* pink */
+  --amber: #fab387;    /* peach */
+  --green: #a6e3a1;    /* green */
+  --red: #f38ba8;      /* red */
+  --border: #313244;   /* surface0 */
 }
 body {
   background: var(--bg);
@@ -26,7 +28,6 @@ body {
   text-align: center;
   margin: 0 0 1em 0;
   font-size: 0.95em;
-  text-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(204, 102, 255, 0.5);
   overflow-x: auto;
 }
 h1, h2 {
@@ -34,7 +35,6 @@ h1, h2 {
   text-transform: uppercase;
   letter-spacing: 0.15em;
   margin-top: 2em;
-  text-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(204, 102, 255, 0.4);
 }
 .divider {
   color: var(--purple-dim);
@@ -48,13 +48,9 @@ li { padding: 0.5em 0; }
 a {
   color: var(--cyan);
   text-decoration: none;
-  text-shadow: 0 0 4px rgba(0, 255, 255, 0.5);
   font-weight: bold;
 }
-a:hover {
-  color: #fff;
-  text-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(0, 255, 255, 0.9);
-}
+a:hover { color: var(--fg); }
 .role {
   display: inline-block;
   margin-left: 0.4em;
@@ -65,8 +61,8 @@ a:hover {
   letter-spacing: 0.1em;
   text-transform: uppercase;
 }
-.role-m1nd { color: var(--pink); border-color: var(--pink); background: rgba(255, 51, 153, 0.1); }
-.role-ag3nt { color: var(--amber); border-color: var(--amber); background: rgba(255, 170, 0, 0.1); }
+.role-m1nd { color: var(--pink); border-color: var(--pink); background: rgba(245, 194, 231, 0.08); }
+.role-ag3nt { color: var(--amber); border-color: var(--amber); background: rgba(250, 179, 135, 0.08); }
 .meta { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.85em; margin-left: 0.4em; }
 .id { color: var(--pink); font-weight: bold; margin-right: 0.4em; }
 .agent { color: var(--amber); font-weight: bold; margin-right: 0.6em; }
@@ -91,9 +87,8 @@ ul form.inline { display: inline-block; }
   border: 1px solid;
   padding: 0.25em 0.8em;
   cursor: pointer;
-  text-shadow: 0 0 4px currentColor;
 }
-.btn:hover { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05); text-shadow: 0 0 12px currentColor; }
+.btn:hover { background: rgba(205, 214, 244, 0.06); }
 .btn-approve { color: var(--green); border-color: var(--green); }
 .btn-deny { color: var(--red); border-color: var(--red); }
 .btn-destroy { color: var(--red); border-color: var(--red); font-size: 0.75em; padding: 0.15em 0.5em; margin-left: 0.6em; }