:root {
  --bg: #1a1a1a; /* slightly lighter than pure black */
  --panel: #121212; /* dark gray instead of near-black */
  --text: #ffffff;
  --muted: #c0c0c0; /* a touch lighter gray */
  --muted-2: #a9a9a9; /* medium gray for captions */
  --muted-dim: #7a7a7a; /* darker gray for disclaimers */
  --accent: #cc0f1a; /* deeper, darker red */
  --accent-2: #e0242c; /* softer hover red */
  --ring: rgba(204, 15, 26, 0.35); /* adjusted ring to match new accent */
  --radius: 16px;
  --radius-img: 12px;
  --shadow: 0 12px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45);
  --background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05); /* slightly stronger contrast */
  --card-border: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1); /* a touch more visible border */
}