diff --git a/services/frontend/app/page.tsx b/services/frontend/app/page.tsx
index 1a727dc0..9d979a3e 100644
--- a/services/frontend/app/page.tsx
+++ b/services/frontend/app/page.tsx
@@ -1,18 +1,24 @@
 import LandingNav from '@/components/LandingNav';
 import LandingFooter from '@/components/LandingFooter';
 import Hero from '@/components/landing/Hero';
-import { SamosaIllustration, KettleIllustration } from '@/components/landing/Illustrations';
+import Features from '@/components/landing/Features';
 import Doodles from '@/components/svg/Doodles';
 
 export default function LandingPage() {
   return (
-    <main className="relative flex min-h-dvh flex-col bg-white overflow-x-hidden">
-      <LandingNav />
+    <main className="relative flex min-h-dvh flex-col overflow-x-hidden bg-gradient-to-br from-[#fff8e7] via-white to-[#fff8e7]">
       <Doodles />
-      <Hero />
-      <SamosaIllustration />
-      <KettleIllustration />
-      <div className="flex-1" />
+
+      {/* Hero section: full viewport height with warm gradient */}
+      <div className="relative min-h-dvh flex flex-col">
+        <LandingNav />
+        <Hero />
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Features section */}
+      <Features />
+
+      {/* Footer */}
       <LandingFooter />
     </main>
   );
diff --git a/services/frontend/components/LandingFooter.tsx b/services/frontend/components/LandingFooter.tsx
index 9912626c..e446ede3 100644
--- a/services/frontend/components/LandingFooter.tsx
+++ b/services/frontend/components/LandingFooter.tsx
@@ -3,16 +3,7 @@ export default function LandingFooter() {
     <footer className="flex flex-col sm:flex-row justify-between items-center gap-1 px-4 md:px-9 py-3 font-caveat text-sm text-gray-400 flex-shrink-0">
       <span>&copy; 2026 samosachaat.art · Crafted with care. For India, from India.</span>
       <span className="text-xs text-gray-400">
-        Built on{' '}
-        <a
-          href="https://github.com/karpathy/nanochat"
-          target="_blank"
-          rel="noopener noreferrer"
-          className="text-warm-grey hover:text-gray-600"
-        >
-          nanochat
-        </a>{' '}
-        by Andrej Karpathy
+        Built by Manmohan
       </span>
       <a href="#" className="hover:text-gray-600">Terms and Policies</a>
     </footer>
diff --git a/services/frontend/components/LandingNav.tsx b/services/frontend/components/LandingNav.tsx
index 15819145..ae402c66 100644
--- a/services/frontend/components/LandingNav.tsx
+++ b/services/frontend/components/LandingNav.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 'use client';
 
 import Link from 'next/link';
-import ToranSvg from './svg/ToranSvg';
 import { useAuth } from '@/hooks/useAuth';
 
 export default function LandingNav() {
@@ -27,10 +26,6 @@ export default function LandingNav() {
         </Link>
       </div>
 
-      <div className="absolute left-1/2 top-0 origin-top transform -translate-x-1/2 animate-pendulum z-[5]">
-        <ToranSvg />
-      </div>
-
       <div className="flex items-center gap-4 font-caveat text-[1.05rem] text-gray-600 pt-1">
         <a
           href="https://instagram.com/samosachaat.art"
@@ -43,14 +38,14 @@ export default function LandingNav() {
         {authenticated ? (
           <Link
             href="/chat"
-            className="px-3 py-1 rounded-full border border-warm-grey text-brown bg-cream-light hover:bg-cream transition-colors"
+            className="px-5 py-2 rounded-full bg-gold text-white font-semibold hover:bg-gold-dark transition-colors shadow-sm"
           >
             Chat
           </Link>
         ) : (
           <Link
             href="/login"
-            className="px-3 py-1 rounded-full border border-warm-grey text-brown bg-cream-light hover:bg-cream transition-colors"
+            className="px-5 py-2 rounded-full bg-gold text-white font-semibold hover:bg-gold-dark transition-colors shadow-sm"
           >
             Sign in
           </Link>
diff --git a/services/frontend/components/chat/ChatInput.tsx b/services/frontend/components/chat/ChatInput.tsx
index 20db4628..ca3d0281 100644
--- a/services/frontend/components/chat/ChatInput.tsx
+++ b/services/frontend/components/chat/ChatInput.tsx
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ export default function ChatInput({ value, onChange, onSubmit, onStop, isStreami
   };
 
   return (
-    <div className="sticky bottom-0 bg-white pt-3 pb-[calc(1rem+env(safe-area-inset-bottom))] px-4">
+    <div className="sticky bottom-0 bg-white pt-3 pb-[calc(1rem+env(safe-area-inset-bottom))] px-4 border-t border-cream-border/50 shadow-[0_-2px_8px_rgba(0,0,0,0.04)]">
       <div className="max-w-3xl mx-auto flex items-end gap-3">
         <div className="flex-1 relative">
           <textarea
diff --git a/services/frontend/components/chat/ChatWindow.tsx b/services/frontend/components/chat/ChatWindow.tsx
index 6b6a61b6..5dfe5105 100644
--- a/services/frontend/components/chat/ChatWindow.tsx
+++ b/services/frontend/components/chat/ChatWindow.tsx
@@ -162,12 +162,11 @@ export default function ChatWindow() {
               <PanelLeftOpen size={18} />
             </button>
           )}
-          <h1 className="font-baloo font-semibold text-lg text-gray-900">Chat Completions</h1>
-          <span className="hidden sm:inline text-xs px-2 py-0.5 rounded-full border border-warm-grey bg-cream-light text-brown">
+          <span className="text-xs px-2 py-0.5 rounded-full border border-warm-grey bg-cream-light text-brown">
             {model}
           </span>
         </div>
-        <div className="text-xs text-gray-500">
+        <div className="text-sm text-gray-600 font-medium">
           {user?.name ? `Hi, ${user.name.split(' ')[0]}` : ''}
         </div>
       </header>
diff --git a/services/frontend/components/chat/EmptyState.tsx b/services/frontend/components/chat/EmptyState.tsx
index f641a3a7..e93875eb 100644
--- a/services/frontend/components/chat/EmptyState.tsx
+++ b/services/frontend/components/chat/EmptyState.tsx
@@ -1,35 +1,64 @@
 'use client';
 
-import { Sparkles, BookOpen, Code2, Smile } from 'lucide-react';
+import SamosaLogo from '@/components/svg/SamosaLogo';
 
-const CHIPS = [
-  { icon: BookOpen, label: 'Summarize a topic', prompt: 'Summarize the history of samosas in 3 paragraphs.' },
-  { icon: Sparkles, label: 'Explain a concept', prompt: 'Explain transformers to a curious beginner.' },
-  { icon: Code2, label: 'Write some code', prompt: 'Write a Python function that reverses a linked list.' },
-  { icon: Smile, label: 'Tell me a joke', prompt: 'Tell me a joke about chai.' },
+const SUGGESTIONS = [
+  {
+    icon: '📚',
+    label: 'Summarize a topic',
+    description: 'Get a concise overview of any subject',
+    prompt: 'Summarize the history of samosas in 3 paragraphs.',
+  },
+  {
+    icon: '✨',
+    label: 'Explain a concept',
+    description: 'Break down complex ideas simply',
+    prompt: 'Explain transformers to a curious beginner.',
+  },
+  {
+    icon: '💻',
+    label: 'Write some code',
+    description: 'Get help with any programming task',
+    prompt: 'Write a Python function that reverses a linked list.',
+  },
+  {
+    icon: '😄',
+    label: 'Tell me a joke',
+    description: 'Lighten the mood with some humor',
+    prompt: 'Tell me a joke about chai.',
+  },
 ];
 
 export default function EmptyState({ onPick }: { onPick: (prompt: string) => void }) {
   return (
-    <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col items-center justify-center px-4 text-center">
-      <h2 className="font-baloo font-bold text-3xl md:text-4xl text-gray-900 mb-2">
+    <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center flex-1 px-4 -mt-20">
+      {/* Small logo */}
+      <div className="w-16 h-16 mb-6 opacity-20">
+        <SamosaLogo size={64} />
+      </div>
+
+      <h2 className="font-baloo font-bold text-3xl text-gray-800 mb-2">
         How can I help you today?
       </h2>
-      <p className="font-caveat text-lg text-brown-light mb-8">
+      <p className="font-caveat text-lg text-brown/60 mb-10">
         Ask anything — a doubt, a recipe, a code snippet, or a fresh idea.
       </p>
+
+      {/* Bigger suggestion cards - 2x2 grid */}
       <div className="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 gap-3 w-full max-w-xl">
-        {CHIPS.map(({ icon: Icon, label, prompt }) => (
+        {SUGGESTIONS.map((s) => (
           <button
-            key={label}
+            key={s.label}
             type="button"
-            onClick={() => onPick(prompt)}
-            className="flex items-center gap-3 px-4 py-3 rounded-xl border border-cream-border bg-cream-light hover:bg-cream text-left transition-colors"
+            onClick={() => onPick(s.prompt)}
+            className="flex items-start gap-3 p-4 rounded-xl border border-cream-border bg-white hover:bg-cream/50 hover:border-gold/30 transition-all text-left group"
           >
-            <Icon size={18} className="text-gold flex-shrink-0" />
+            <span className="text-xl mt-0.5">{s.icon}</span>
             <div>
-              <div className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-800">{label}</div>
-              <div className="text-xs text-gray-500 truncate">{prompt}</div>
+              <div className="font-medium text-sm text-gray-800 group-hover:text-brown">
+                {s.label}
+              </div>
+              <div className="text-xs text-gray-500 mt-0.5">{s.description}</div>
             </div>
           </button>
         ))}
diff --git a/services/frontend/components/chat/Sidebar.tsx b/services/frontend/components/chat/Sidebar.tsx
index 319ad622..74d4b72a 100644
--- a/services/frontend/components/chat/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/services/frontend/components/chat/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ export default function Sidebar() {
             <button
               type="button"
               onClick={() => createConversation()}
-              className="w-full flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 rounded-lg border border-gold/60 bg-white hover:bg-cream text-brown font-medium text-sm transition-colors"
+              className="w-full flex items-center justify-center gap-2 px-3 py-2.5 rounded-lg bg-gold/10 border border-gold/40 hover:bg-gold/20 text-brown font-baloo font-semibold text-sm transition-colors"
             >
               <Plus size={16} className="text-gold" />
               New chat
@@ -64,46 +64,54 @@ export default function Sidebar() {
           </div>
 
           <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto px-2 nice-scrollbar">
-            {Object.entries(grouped).map(([group, items]) => {
-              if (items.length === 0) return null;
-              return (
-                <div key={group} className="mb-4">
-                  <div className="px-2 mb-1 text-[11px] uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 font-medium">
-                    {group}
+            {conversations.length === 0 ? (
+              <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center h-full px-4 text-center py-12">
+                <div className="text-3xl mb-3 opacity-30">💬</div>
+                <p className="text-sm text-gray-400 font-medium">No conversations yet.</p>
+                <p className="text-xs text-gray-400 mt-1">Start your first chat!</p>
+              </div>
+            ) : (
+              Object.entries(grouped).map(([group, items]) => {
+                if (items.length === 0) return null;
+                return (
+                  <div key={group} className="mb-4">
+                    <div className="px-2 mb-1 text-[11px] uppercase tracking-wider text-gray-400 font-medium">
+                      {group}
+                    </div>
+                    <ul className="space-y-0.5">
+                      {items.map((c) => (
+                        <li key={c.id} className="group relative">
+                          <button
+                            type="button"
+                            onClick={() => selectConversation(c.id)}
+                            className={clsx(
+                              'w-full text-left px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded text-sm truncate transition-colors pr-8',
+                              c.id === currentConversationId
+                                ? 'bg-cream text-brown font-medium'
+                                : 'text-gray-700 hover:bg-cream/70',
+                            )}
+                            title={c.title}
+                          >
+                            {c.title}
+                          </button>
+                          <button
+                            type="button"
+                            onClick={(e) => {
+                              e.stopPropagation();
+                              deleteConversation(c.id);
+                            }}
+                            className="absolute right-1 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 p-1 rounded opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 hover:bg-cream text-gray-400 hover:text-chutney-red transition-all"
+                            aria-label={`Delete ${c.title}`}
+                          >
+                            <Trash2 size={14} />
+                          </button>
+                        </li>
+                      ))}
+                    </ul>
                   </div>
-                  <ul className="space-y-0.5">
-                    {items.map((c) => (
-                      <li key={c.id} className="group relative">
-                        <button
-                          type="button"
-                          onClick={() => selectConversation(c.id)}
-                          className={clsx(
-                            'w-full text-left px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded text-sm truncate transition-colors pr-8',
-                            c.id === currentConversationId
-                              ? 'bg-cream text-brown font-medium'
-                              : 'text-gray-700 hover:bg-cream/70',
-                          )}
-                          title={c.title}
-                        >
-                          {c.title}
-                        </button>
-                        <button
-                          type="button"
-                          onClick={(e) => {
-                            e.stopPropagation();
-                            deleteConversation(c.id);
-                          }}
-                          className="absolute right-1 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 p-1 rounded opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 hover:bg-cream text-gray-400 hover:text-chutney-red transition-all"
-                          aria-label={`Delete ${c.title}`}
-                        >
-                          <Trash2 size={14} />
-                        </button>
-                      </li>
-                    ))}
-                  </ul>
-                </div>
-              );
-            })}
+                );
+              })
+            )}
           </div>
 
           <div className="px-3 py-3 border-t border-cream-border space-y-3">
diff --git a/services/frontend/components/landing/Features.tsx b/services/frontend/components/landing/Features.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6dfe1bb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/frontend/components/landing/Features.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+export default function Features() {
+  return (
+    <section className="bg-[#fff8e7]/60 py-20 px-4">
+      <div className="max-w-4xl mx-auto">
+        <h3 className="text-center font-baloo text-2xl text-brown mb-12">
+          Why samosaChaat?
+        </h3>
+        <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-3 gap-8">
+          <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl p-6 shadow-sm border border-[#f0e0b8]/50 text-center">
+            <div className="text-3xl mb-3">💬</div>
+            <h4 className="font-baloo font-bold text-lg text-brown mb-2">
+              Conversations that stick
+            </h4>
+            <p className="text-sm text-brown/70">
+              Your chats are saved and organized. Pick up right where you left off.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+          <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl p-6 shadow-sm border border-[#f0e0b8]/50 text-center">
+            <div className="text-3xl mb-3">🔄</div>
+            <h4 className="font-baloo font-bold text-lg text-brown mb-2">
+              Swap models anytime
+            </h4>
+            <p className="text-sm text-brown/70">
+              Switch between different AI models with a click. Your choice, your style.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+          <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl p-6 shadow-sm border border-[#f0e0b8]/50 text-center">
+            <div className="text-3xl mb-3">🇮🇳</div>
+            <h4 className="font-baloo font-bold text-lg text-brown mb-2">
+              Desi at heart
+            </h4>
+            <p className="text-sm text-brown/70">
+              Built with love, inspired by Indian culture. A little desi, a lot thoughtful.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </section>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/services/frontend/components/landing/Hero.tsx b/services/frontend/components/landing/Hero.tsx
index 5746bc3d..ece5dd98 100644
--- a/services/frontend/components/landing/Hero.tsx
+++ b/services/frontend/components/landing/Hero.tsx
@@ -3,56 +3,89 @@
 import Link from 'next/link';
 import { motion } from 'framer-motion';
 import { useAuth } from '@/hooks/useAuth';
+import SamosaSvg from '@/components/svg/SamosaSvg';
+import KettleSvg from '@/components/svg/KettleSvg';
+import KettleSteam from '@/components/svg/KettleSteam';
+import ToranSvg from '@/components/svg/ToranSvg';
 
 export default function Hero() {
   const { authenticated } = useAuth();
   const ctaHref = authenticated ? '/chat' : '/login';
 
   return (
-    <section className="relative z-[2] text-center px-4 pt-6">
-      <motion.h1
-        initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 12 }}
-        animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
-        transition={{ duration: 0.5 }}
-        className="font-baloo font-extrabold text-[clamp(3rem,7vw,5.5rem)] text-[#1a1a1a] leading-[1.1] -rotate-1 -mb-[0.35em] relative z-[2]"
-      >
-        समोसा चाट
-      </motion.h1>
-      <motion.h2
-        initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 12 }}
-        animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
-        transition={{ duration: 0.5, delay: 0.15 }}
-        className="font-vibes text-[clamp(2rem,5vw,3.8rem)] text-[rgba(30,30,30,0.55)] leading-none rotate-[0.5deg] relative z-[1] -mt-[0.1em]"
-      >
-        samosaChaat
-      </motion.h2>
+    <section className="flex-1 flex flex-col items-center justify-center relative px-4">
+      {/* Toran animation at top center */}
+      <div className="absolute left-1/2 top-0 origin-top transform -translate-x-1/2 animate-pendulum z-[5]">
+        <ToranSvg />
+      </div>
 
-      <motion.p
-        initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 8 }}
-        animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
-        transition={{ duration: 0.5, delay: 0.3 }}
-        className="mt-6 font-caveat text-lg md:text-xl text-brown-light max-w-xl mx-auto"
-      >
-        A warm, desi-flavored chat — brewed from the nanochat research model, served with a side of chai.
-      </motion.p>
+      <div className="flex items-center justify-center gap-8 md:gap-16 lg:gap-24 w-full max-w-6xl">
+        {/* Left illustration - Samosa */}
+        <div className="hidden md:block flex-shrink-0 animate-float">
+          <SamosaSvg className="w-44 h-44 lg:w-56 lg:h-56" width={224} height={224} />
+          <span className="mt-1.5 block text-center font-caveat text-[1.1rem] text-brown-light bg-[#f5edd6] px-4 py-0.5 border border-[#d4c4a0] rounded-sm -rotate-3 shadow-sm">
+            Samosa
+          </span>
+        </div>
 
-      <motion.div
-        initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 8 }}
-        animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
-        transition={{ duration: 0.5, delay: 0.45 }}
-        className="mt-6"
-      >
-        <Link
-          href={ctaHref}
-          className="inline-flex items-center gap-2 px-6 py-3 rounded-full bg-gold hover:bg-gold-dark text-white font-baloo font-semibold text-base shadow-md transition-colors"
-        >
-          Start Chatting
-          <svg width={18} height={18} viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth={2.5} strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
-            <path d="M5 12h14" />
-            <path d="M13 5l7 7-7 7" />
-          </svg>
-        </Link>
-      </motion.div>
+        {/* Center hero text */}
+        <div className="text-center relative z-[2]">
+          <motion.h1
+            initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 12 }}
+            animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
+            transition={{ duration: 0.5 }}
+            className="font-baloo font-extrabold text-[clamp(3rem,7vw,5.5rem)] text-[#1a1a1a] leading-[1.1] -rotate-1 -mb-[0.35em] relative z-[2]"
+          >
+            समोसा चाट
+          </motion.h1>
+          <motion.h2
+            initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 12 }}
+            animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
+            transition={{ duration: 0.5, delay: 0.15 }}
+            className="font-vibes text-[clamp(2rem,5vw,3.8rem)] text-[rgba(30,30,30,0.55)] leading-none rotate-[0.5deg] relative z-[1] -mt-[0.1em]"
+          >
+            samosaChaat
+          </motion.h2>
+
+          <motion.p
+            initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 8 }}
+            animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
+            transition={{ duration: 0.5, delay: 0.3 }}
+            className="mt-6 font-caveat text-lg md:text-xl text-brown-light max-w-xl mx-auto"
+          >
+            Your AI, with a dash of masala
+          </motion.p>
+
+          <motion.div
+            initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 8 }}
+            animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
+            transition={{ duration: 0.5, delay: 0.45 }}
+            className="mt-6"
+          >
+            <Link
+              href={ctaHref}
+              className="inline-flex items-center gap-2 px-8 py-3.5 rounded-full bg-gold hover:bg-gold-dark text-white font-baloo font-semibold text-lg shadow-lg shadow-gold/25 hover:shadow-xl hover:shadow-gold/30 transition-all"
+            >
+              Start Chatting
+              <svg width={18} height={18} viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth={2.5} strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
+                <path d="M5 12h14" />
+                <path d="M13 5l7 7-7 7" />
+              </svg>
+            </Link>
+          </motion.div>
+        </div>
+
+        {/* Right illustration - Chai Kettle */}
+        <div className="hidden md:block flex-shrink-0 animate-wobble">
+          <div className="relative">
+            <KettleSteam />
+            <KettleSvg className="w-40 h-40 lg:w-48 lg:h-48" width={192} height={192} />
+          </div>
+          <span className="mt-1.5 block text-center font-caveat text-[1.1rem] text-brown-light bg-[#f5edd6] px-4 py-0.5 border border-[#d4c4a0] rounded-sm rotate-2 shadow-sm">
+            Chai
+          </span>
+        </div>
+      </div>
     </section>
   );
 }
diff --git a/services/frontend/components/landing/Illustrations.tsx b/services/frontend/components/landing/Illustrations.tsx
index c4e5f616..f9eaefcd 100644
--- a/services/frontend/components/landing/Illustrations.tsx
+++ b/services/frontend/components/landing/Illustrations.tsx
@@ -1,30 +1,10 @@
-import SamosaSvg from '@/components/svg/SamosaSvg';
-import KettleSvg from '@/components/svg/KettleSvg';
-import KettleSteam from '@/components/svg/KettleSteam';
+// Illustrations are now inline in Hero.tsx as flanking elements.
+// This file is kept for backwards compatibility but no longer renders fixed-position illustrations.
 
 export function SamosaIllustration() {
-  return (
-    <div className="fixed bottom-[5%] left-[5%] flex flex-col items-center z-[5] pointer-events-none hidden md:flex">
-      <div className="animate-float">
-        <SamosaSvg />
-      </div>
-      <span className="mt-1.5 inline-block font-caveat text-[1.1rem] text-brown-light bg-[#f5edd6] px-4 py-0.5 border border-[#d4c4a0] rounded-sm -rotate-3 shadow-sm">
-        Samosa
-      </span>
-    </div>
-  );
+  return null;
 }
 
 export function KettleIllustration() {
-  return (
-    <div className="fixed bottom-[5%] right-[5%] flex flex-col items-center z-[5] pointer-events-none hidden md:flex">
-      <div className="relative animate-wobble">
-        <KettleSteam />
-        <KettleSvg />
-      </div>
-      <span className="mt-1.5 inline-block font-caveat text-[1.1rem] text-brown-light bg-[#f5edd6] px-4 py-0.5 border border-[#d4c4a0] rounded-sm rotate-2 shadow-sm">
-        Chai
-      </span>
-    </div>
-  );
+  return null;
 }