diff --git a/backend/apps/settings/models.py b/backend/apps/settings/models.py
index 70ad7e70..9507599c 100644
--- a/backend/apps/settings/models.py
+++ b/backend/apps/settings/models.py
@@ -65,6 +65,8 @@ class AppSettings(BaseModel):
     onboarding_v3: Optional[str] = None
     # User-picked accent hex from the onboarding theme pad; None = stock accent.
     accent_color: Optional[str] = None
+    # Multi-stop gradient from the theme pad (2-3 hexes); washes the canvas.
+    accent_gradient: Optional[list[str]] = None
     personalized_greeting: Optional[str] = None
     personalized_starters: list["PersonalizedStarter"] = Field(default_factory=list)
     # Suppresses preflight suggestion modal entries the user dismissed; keyed by ToolDefinition.name, value ISO timestamp.
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/Main.tsx b/frontend/src/app/Main.tsx
index e2536068..127f92fd 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/Main.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/Main.tsx
@@ -203,9 +203,10 @@ const DeepLinkListener: React.FC<{ children: React.ReactNode }> = ({ children })
 const SettingsLoader: React.FC<{ children: React.ReactNode }> = ({ children }) => {
   const dispatch = useAppDispatch();
   const { setMode: setThemeMode } = useThemeMode();
-  const { setAccent } = useThemeAccent();
+  const { setAccent, setGradient } = useThemeAccent();
   const theme = useAppSelector((s) => s.settings.data.theme);
   const accentColor = useAppSelector((s) => s.settings.data.accent_color);
+  const accentGradient = useAppSelector((s) => s.settings.data.accent_gradient);
   const loaded = useAppSelector((s) => s.settings.loaded);
   const allowExperimentalUpdates = useAppSelector((s) => s.settings.data.allow_experimental_updates);
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -263,6 +264,13 @@ const SettingsLoader: React.FC<{ children: React.ReactNode }> = ({ children }) =
     if (loaded) setAccent(accentColor ?? null);
   }, [loaded, accentColor, setAccent]);
 
+  // Object identity churns on every settings fetch, so key the effect on the serialized stops.
+  const gradientKey = JSON.stringify(accentGradient ?? null);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (loaded) setGradient(accentGradient ?? null);
+    // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
+  }, [loaded, gradientKey, setGradient]);
+
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!loaded) return;
     (window as any).openswarm?.setAllowPrerelease?.(allowExperimentalUpdates);
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatCard.tsx b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatCard.tsx
index b3653cef..219547d5 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatCard.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatCard.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import React, { useMemo, useState } from 'react';
 import { motion } from 'framer-motion';
+import { useThemeAccent } from '@/shared/styles/ThemeContext';
 import { Dices } from 'lucide-react';
 import type { ClaudeTokens } from '@/shared/styles/claudeTokens';
 import type { ProviderIdentity } from '../onboardingV3Api';
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ const BeatCard: React.FC<{
   onFinish: (name: string | null) => void;
   onBack: () => void;
 }> = ({ c, identity, onFinish, onBack }) => {
+  const { gradient } = useThemeAccent();
   const [name, setName] = useState(() => nameFromIdentity(identity));
   const seed = useMemo(() => Math.floor(Math.random() * EPITHETS.length), []);
   const [roll, setRoll] = useState(0);
@@ -54,7 +56,7 @@ const BeatCard: React.FC<{
           }}
         >
           <div style={{ alignSelf: 'flex-start', marginLeft: -8, marginTop: -4 }}>
-            <Starburst size={158} from={c.accent.hover} to={c.accent.pressed} />
+            <Starburst size={158} from={gradient?.[0] ?? c.accent.hover} to={gradient?.[gradient.length - 1] ?? c.accent.pressed} />
           </div>
           <input
             value={name}
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatTheme.tsx b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatTheme.tsx
index 14886f8c..d88f57ee 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatTheme.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/beats/BeatTheme.tsx
@@ -12,14 +12,19 @@ const BeatTheme: React.FC<{
   onNext: () => void;
   onBack: () => void;
 }> = ({ c, onNext, onBack }) => {
-  const { accent, setAccent } = useThemeAccent();
+  const { accent, setAccent, gradient, setGradient } = useThemeAccent();
   const { mode, setMode } = useThemeMode();
+  const stops = gradient ?? (accent ? [accent] : []);
+  const onStops = (next: string[] | null) => {
+    setAccent(next?.[0] ?? null);
+    setGradient(next && next.length > 1 ? next : null);
+  };
 
   return (
     <BeatShell
       c={c}
       title="Make it yours."
-      body="Pick a color, any color. The whole app repaints as you drag; this is your home now."
+      body="Pick a color, or add a second dot for a gradient. The whole app repaints as you drag; this is your home now."
       nextLabel="Continue"
       onNext={onNext}
       onBack={onBack}
@@ -52,7 +57,7 @@ const BeatTheme: React.FC<{
             </button>
           ))}
         </div>
-        <AccentColorPad c={c} accent={accent} onPick={setAccent} height={210} />
+        <AccentColorPad c={c} stops={stops} onChange={onStops} height={210} />
       </motion.div>
     </BeatShell>
   );
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/useOnboardingV3Pipeline.ts b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/useOnboardingV3Pipeline.ts
index 41e762b1..80f107c3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/useOnboardingV3Pipeline.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/app/components/OnboardingV3/useOnboardingV3Pipeline.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import {
 // The curtain machinery: scan kicks off during the OAuth wait, prep during the theme beat, so by the reveal everything personal is already sitting in memory. Every stage fails soft; the flow never blocks on any of it.
 export function useOnboardingV3Pipeline() {
   const dispatch = useAppDispatch();
-  const { accent } = useThemeAccent();
+  const { accent, gradient } = useThemeAccent();
   const { mode } = useThemeMode();
   const [identity, setIdentity] = useState<ProviderIdentity[]>([]);
   const scanRef = useRef<Promise<ScanResult | null> | null>(null);
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ export function useOnboardingV3Pipeline() {
   const finish = useCallback(async (outcome: 'done' | 'skipped') => {
     if (outcome === 'skipped') {
       dispatch(setFlowActive(false));
-      dispatch(updateSettingsPatch({ onboarding_v3: 'skipped', accent_color: accent, theme: mode }));
+      dispatch(updateSettingsPatch({ onboarding_v3: 'skipped', accent_color: accent, accent_gradient: gradient, theme: mode }));
       return;
     }
     // Cap the wait so a slow aux call degrades to generic starters instead of a hung curtain.
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ export function useOnboardingV3Pipeline() {
       await dispatch(updateSettingsPatch({
         onboarding_v3: 'done',
         accent_color: accent,
+        accent_gradient: gradient,
         theme: mode,
         personalized_greeting: greeting,
         personalized_starters: starters,
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ export function useOnboardingV3Pipeline() {
     } catch {}
     dispatch(stageReveal({ greeting, starters, scanSummary: summarizeScan(scanResultRef.current) }));
     dispatch(setFlowActive(false));
-  }, [dispatch, accent, mode]);
+  }, [dispatch, accent, gradient, mode]);
 
   return { identity, kickIdentity, kickScan, kickPrep, finish };
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/components/theme/AccentColorPad.tsx b/frontend/src/app/components/theme/AccentColorPad.tsx
index 43750d46..3a2e2919 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/components/theme/AccentColorPad.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/components/theme/AccentColorPad.tsx
@@ -1,47 +1,90 @@
 import React, { useCallback, useRef } from 'react';
+import { Minus, Plus } from 'lucide-react';
 import { hexToHsl, hslToHex } from '@/shared/styles/claudeTokens';
 import type { ClaudeTokens } from '@/shared/styles/claudeTokens';
 
 export const ACCENT_PRESETS = ['#ae5630', '#b0453c', '#8e5cb8', '#3a6fc4', '#2e8f6f', '#b08b2e', '#c2588f', '#5c6470'];
+const MAX_STOPS = 3;
 
-// One control, two homes: the onboarding theme beat drives the live theme through it, and Settings > Interface edits the saved draft. Hue on x, lightness on y; the pad reports a hex and never knows who is listening.
+function stopToXY(hex: string): { x: number; y: number } | null {
+  const hsl = hexToHsl(hex);
+  if (!hsl) return null;
+  return { x: hsl.h, y: Math.min(1, Math.max(0, (0.62 - hsl.l) / 0.34)) };
+}
+
+// Arc's gradient engine, one control with two homes: 1-3 draggable stops on a hue/lightness field, + adds an analogous stop, - removes the newest. The first stop is the accent the tokens derive from; two or more stops become the canvas gradient wash. The pad reports stops and never knows who is listening.
 const AccentColorPad: React.FC<{
   c: ClaudeTokens;
-  accent: string | null;
-  onPick: (hex: string | null) => void;
+  stops: string[];
+  onChange: (stops: string[] | null) => void;
   height?: number;
-}> = ({ c, accent, onPick, height = 240 }) => {
+}> = ({ c, stops, onChange, height = 240 }) => {
   const padRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
-  const draggingRef = useRef(false);
+  const grabbedRef = useRef<number | null>(null);
   const lastApplyRef = useRef(0);
 
-  const applyFromEvent = useCallback((clientX: number, clientY: number) => {
+  const pointToHex = useCallback((clientX: number, clientY: number): string | null => {
     const pad = padRef.current;
-    if (!pad) return;
-    // ~30ms throttle: a live listener re-derives tokens and re-renders the tree per apply, and pointermove fires far faster than paint needs.
-    const now = performance.now();
-    if (now - lastApplyRef.current < 30) return;
-    lastApplyRef.current = now;
+    if (!pad) return null;
     const rect = pad.getBoundingClientRect();
     const fx = Math.min(1, Math.max(0, (clientX - rect.left) / rect.width));
     const fy = Math.min(1, Math.max(0, (clientY - rect.top) / rect.height));
-    onPick(hslToHex({ h: fx, s: 0.72, l: 0.62 - fy * 0.34 }));
-  }, [onPick]);
+    return hslToHex({ h: fx, s: 0.72, l: 0.62 - fy * 0.34 });
+  }, []);
+
+  const nearestStop = useCallback((clientX: number, clientY: number): number => {
+    const pad = padRef.current;
+    if (!pad || stops.length === 0) return 0;
+    const rect = pad.getBoundingClientRect();
+    let best = 0;
+    let bestDist = Infinity;
+    stops.forEach((hex, i) => {
+      const xy = stopToXY(hex);
+      if (!xy) return;
+      const dx = rect.left + xy.x * rect.width - clientX;
+      const dy = rect.top + xy.y * rect.height - clientY;
+      const d = dx * dx + dy * dy;
+      if (d < bestDist) { bestDist = d; best = i; }
+    });
+    return best;
+  }, [stops]);
+
+  const applyAt = useCallback((clientX: number, clientY: number) => {
+    // ~30ms throttle: a live listener re-derives tokens and re-renders the tree per apply.
+    const now = performance.now();
+    if (now - lastApplyRef.current < 30) return;
+    lastApplyRef.current = now;
+    const hex = pointToHex(clientX, clientY);
+    if (!hex) return;
+    const idx = grabbedRef.current ?? 0;
+    const next = stops.length === 0 ? [hex] : stops.map((s, i) => (i === idx ? hex : s));
+    onChange(next);
+  }, [pointToHex, stops, onChange]);
 
   const onPointerDown = useCallback((e: React.PointerEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
-    draggingRef.current = true;
+    grabbedRef.current = nearestStop(e.clientX, e.clientY);
     (e.target as HTMLElement).setPointerCapture?.(e.pointerId);
     lastApplyRef.current = 0;
-    applyFromEvent(e.clientX, e.clientY);
-  }, [applyFromEvent]);
+    applyAt(e.clientX, e.clientY);
+  }, [nearestStop, applyAt]);
 
   const onPointerMove = useCallback((e: React.PointerEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
-    if (draggingRef.current) applyFromEvent(e.clientX, e.clientY);
-  }, [applyFromEvent]);
+    if (grabbedRef.current !== null) applyAt(e.clientX, e.clientY);
+  }, [applyAt]);
 
-  const onPointerUp = useCallback(() => { draggingRef.current = false; }, []);
+  const onPointerUp = useCallback(() => { grabbedRef.current = null; }, []);
 
-  const dot = accent ? hexToHsl(accent) : null;
+  const addStop = useCallback(() => {
+    if (stops.length >= MAX_STOPS) return;
+    const base = hexToHsl(stops[stops.length - 1] ?? ACCENT_PRESETS[0]);
+    const hue = ((base?.h ?? 0.08) + 0.11) % 1;
+    onChange([...stops, hslToHex({ h: hue, s: 0.72, l: base?.l ?? 0.45 })]);
+  }, [stops, onChange]);
+
+  const removeStop = useCallback(() => {
+    if (stops.length <= 1) return;
+    onChange(stops.slice(0, -1));
+  }, [stops, onChange]);
 
   return (
     <div style={{ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', gap: 12, width: '100%' }}>
@@ -56,31 +99,61 @@ const AccentColorPad: React.FC<{
           background: 'linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(255,255,255,0.55), rgba(0,0,0,0.45)), linear-gradient(to right, hsl(0,72%,55%), hsl(60,72%,55%), hsl(120,72%,55%), hsl(180,72%,55%), hsl(240,72%,55%), hsl(300,72%,55%), hsl(360,72%,55%))',
         }}
       >
-        {dot && (
-          <span style={{
-            position: 'absolute',
-            left: `${dot.h * 100}%`,
-            top: `${Math.min(100, Math.max(0, ((0.62 - dot.l) / 0.34) * 100))}%`,
-            transform: 'translate(-50%, -50%)',
-            width: 26, height: 26, borderRadius: 999, background: accent ?? 'transparent',
-            border: '3px solid #fff', boxShadow: '0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)', pointerEvents: 'none',
-          }} />
-        )}
+        {stops.map((hex, i) => {
+          const xy = stopToXY(hex);
+          if (!xy) return null;
+          return (
+            <span key={i} style={{
+              position: 'absolute', left: `${xy.x * 100}%`, top: `${xy.y * 100}%`,
+              transform: 'translate(-50%, -50%)',
+              width: i === 0 ? 28 : 22, height: i === 0 ? 28 : 22,
+              borderRadius: 999, background: hex,
+              border: '3px solid #fff', boxShadow: '0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)', pointerEvents: 'none',
+            }} />
+          );
+        })}
+        <div
+          onPointerDown={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
+          style={{ position: 'absolute', bottom: 8, left: '50%', transform: 'translateX(-50%)', display: 'flex', gap: 6 }}
+        >
+          <button
+            onClick={removeStop}
+            disabled={stops.length <= 1}
+            style={{
+              width: 26, height: 22, borderRadius: 7, border: 'none', cursor: stops.length > 1 ? 'pointer' : 'default',
+              background: 'rgba(20,20,19,0.55)', color: '#fff', display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center',
+              opacity: stops.length > 1 ? 1 : 0.4,
+            }}
+          >
+            <Minus size={13} />
+          </button>
+          <button
+            onClick={addStop}
+            disabled={stops.length >= MAX_STOPS}
+            style={{
+              width: 26, height: 22, borderRadius: 7, border: 'none', cursor: stops.length < MAX_STOPS ? 'pointer' : 'default',
+              background: 'rgba(20,20,19,0.55)', color: '#fff', display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center',
+              opacity: stops.length < MAX_STOPS ? 1 : 0.4,
+            }}
+          >
+            <Plus size={13} />
+          </button>
+        </div>
       </div>
       <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 9, flexWrap: 'wrap' }}>
         {ACCENT_PRESETS.map((hex) => (
           <button
             key={hex}
-            onClick={() => onPick(hex)}
+            onClick={() => onChange([hex])}
             style={{
               width: 26, height: 26, borderRadius: 999, background: hex, cursor: 'pointer',
-              border: accent === hex ? '2.5px solid #fff' : '2.5px solid transparent',
-              boxShadow: accent === hex ? `0 0 0 2px ${hex}` : 'none', padding: 0,
+              border: stops[0] === hex && stops.length === 1 ? '2.5px solid #fff' : '2.5px solid transparent',
+              boxShadow: stops[0] === hex && stops.length === 1 ? `0 0 0 2px ${hex}` : 'none', padding: 0,
             }}
           />
         ))}
         <button
-          onClick={() => onPick(null)}
+          onClick={() => onChange(null)}
           style={{
             marginLeft: 'auto', border: 'none', background: 'transparent', padding: 0,
             color: '#8a8a86', fontSize: '0.8rem', cursor: 'pointer', fontFamily: 'inherit', textDecoration: 'underline',
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/pages/Dashboard/canvas/DashboardCanvas.tsx b/frontend/src/app/pages/Dashboard/canvas/DashboardCanvas.tsx
index 2bd9e73e..36f0f1ab 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/pages/Dashboard/canvas/DashboardCanvas.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/pages/Dashboard/canvas/DashboardCanvas.tsx
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import DashboardCardLayer from './DashboardCardLayer';
 import DashboardOverlays from './DashboardOverlays';
 import DashboardEmptyState from './DashboardEmptyState';
 import type { ClaudeTokens } from '@/shared/styles/claudeTokens';
+import { useThemeAccent } from '@/shared/styles/ThemeContext';
 import type { AgentSession } from '@/shared/state/agentsSlice';
 import type {
   CardPosition,
@@ -153,6 +154,7 @@ const DashboardCanvas: React.FC<DashboardCanvasProps> = ({
   onTidy,
   onSearchPaletteClose,
 }) => {
+  const { gradient } = useThemeAccent();
   const dotSize = Math.max(1, 1.5 * canvas.zoom);
   const dotSpacing = 24 * canvas.zoom;
 
@@ -215,6 +217,18 @@ const DashboardCanvas: React.FC<DashboardCanvasProps> = ({
                 : 'default',
         }}
       >
+        {/* Gradient wash: the user's theme-pad stops tint the canvas, Arc-window style; sits under the dot grid. */}
+        {gradient && gradient.length > 1 && (
+          <Box
+            sx={{
+              position: 'absolute',
+              inset: 0,
+              pointerEvents: 'none',
+              background: `linear-gradient(115deg, ${gradient.map((hex, i) => `${hex}24 ${(i / (gradient.length - 1)) * 100}%`).join(', ')})`,
+            }}
+          />
+        )}
+
         {/* Dot grid background */}
         <Box
           sx={{
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/pages/Settings/Settings.tsx b/frontend/src/app/pages/Settings/Settings.tsx
index 42c1e5a4..1516fe7e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/pages/Settings/Settings.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/pages/Settings/Settings.tsx
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ const Settings: React.FC = () => {
   const loaded = useAppSelector((s) => s.settings.loaded);
   const modes = useAppSelector((s) => s.modes.items);
   const { setMode: setThemeMode } = useThemeMode();
-  const { setAccent } = useThemeAccent();
+  const { setAccent, setGradient } = useThemeAccent();
 
   const modesList = useMemo(() => Object.values(modes), [modes]);
 
@@ -169,11 +169,14 @@ const Settings: React.FC = () => {
     // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
   }, [form.theme]);
 
-  // Accent applies live too, same contract as theme: instant paint, debounced persist.
+  // Accent + gradient apply live too, same contract as theme: instant paint, debounced persist.
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (open && loaded) setAccent(form.accent_color ?? null);
+    if (open && loaded) {
+      setAccent(form.accent_color ?? null);
+      setGradient(form.accent_gradient ?? null);
+    }
     // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
-  }, [form.accent_color]);
+  }, [form.accent_color, form.accent_gradient]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!open || !loaded) return;
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/pages/Settings/sections/general/GeneralInterface.tsx b/frontend/src/app/pages/Settings/sections/general/GeneralInterface.tsx
index fe3582ad..12ca5ad9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/pages/Settings/sections/general/GeneralInterface.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/pages/Settings/sections/general/GeneralInterface.tsx
@@ -69,12 +69,12 @@ const GeneralInterface: React.FC<{
       <Box sx={rowSx} {...settingSelectAttrs('accent_color', 'Accent color', 'Interface', 'The accent color used across the app.')}>
         <Typography sx={labelSx}>Accent color</Typography>
         <Typography sx={{ ...descSx, mb: 1.5 }}>
-          Pick any color; buttons, highlights, and glows follow it. Reset returns the stock accent.
+          Pick any color; buttons, highlights, and glows follow it. Add a second dot for a canvas gradient. Reset returns the stock accent.
         </Typography>
         <AccentColorPad
           c={c}
-          accent={form.accent_color ?? null}
-          onPick={(hex) => setForm({ ...form, accent_color: hex })}
+          stops={form.accent_gradient ?? (form.accent_color ? [form.accent_color] : [])}
+          onChange={(next) => setForm({ ...form, accent_color: next?.[0] ?? null, accent_gradient: next && next.length > 1 ? next : null })}
           height={120}
         />
       </Box>
diff --git a/frontend/src/shared/state/settingsSlice.ts b/frontend/src/shared/state/settingsSlice.ts
index 37242795..c7e481dd 100644
--- a/frontend/src/shared/state/settingsSlice.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/shared/state/settingsSlice.ts
@@ -80,6 +80,8 @@ export interface AppSettings {
   onboarding_v3?: string | null;
   /** User-picked accent hex from the onboarding theme pad; null = stock accent. */
   accent_color?: string | null;
+  /** Multi-stop gradient from the theme pad (2-3 hexes); washes the canvas. */
+  accent_gradient?: string[] | null;
   personalized_greeting?: string | null;
   personalized_starters?: PersonalizedStarter[];
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/shared/styles/ThemeContext.tsx b/frontend/src/shared/styles/ThemeContext.tsx
index b4676fa3..e1279f1f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/shared/styles/ThemeContext.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/shared/styles/ThemeContext.tsx
@@ -7,13 +7,24 @@ interface ThemeContextValue {
   mode: ThemeMode;
   tokens: ClaudeTokens;
   accent: string | null;
+  gradient: string[] | null;
   toggleMode: () => void;
   setMode: (mode: ThemeMode) => void;
   setAccent: (hex: string | null) => void;
+  setGradient: (stops: string[] | null) => void;
 }
 
 const STORAGE_KEY = 'self-swarm-theme-mode';
 const ACCENT_STORAGE_KEY = 'self-swarm-theme-accent';
+const GRADIENT_STORAGE_KEY = 'self-swarm-theme-gradient';
+
+function getInitialGradient(): string[] | null {
+  try {
+    const stored = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(GRADIENT_STORAGE_KEY) ?? 'null');
+    if (Array.isArray(stored) && stored.length > 1 && stored.every((v) => /^#[0-9a-f]{6}$/i.test(v))) return stored;
+  } catch {}
+  return null;
+}
 
 function getInitialAccent(): string | null {
   try {
@@ -46,14 +57,17 @@ const ThemeContext = createContext<ThemeContextValue>({
   mode: 'light',
   tokens: lightTokens,
   accent: null,
+  gradient: null,
   toggleMode: () => {},
   setMode: () => {},
   setAccent: () => {},
+  setGradient: () => {},
 });
 
 export const ThemeProvider: React.FC<{ children: React.ReactNode }> = ({ children }) => {
   const [mode, setModeState] = useState<ThemeMode>(getInitialMode);
   const [accent, setAccentState] = useState<string | null>(getInitialAccent);
+  const [gradient, setGradientState] = useState<string[] | null>(getInitialGradient);
   const firstMount = useRef(true);
 
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -70,14 +84,22 @@ export const ThemeProvider: React.FC<{ children: React.ReactNode }> = ({ childre
     } catch {}
   }, [accent]);
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    try {
+      if (gradient) localStorage.setItem(GRADIENT_STORAGE_KEY, JSON.stringify(gradient));
+      else localStorage.removeItem(GRADIENT_STORAGE_KEY);
+    } catch {}
+  }, [gradient]);
+
   const tokens = useMemo(() => withAccent(mode === 'dark' ? darkTokens : lightTokens, accent, mode), [mode, accent]);
 
   // Stable identities: SettingsLoader's "apply settings.theme" effect lists setMode in its deps, so a setter that changed every render made that effect re-fire on each toggle and re-assert the OLD persisted theme until the debounced save caught up: live theme snapped back for ~900ms = the switch flicker.
   const toggleMode = useCallback(() => setModeState((m) => (m === 'light' ? 'dark' : 'light')), []);
   const setMode = useCallback((m: ThemeMode) => setModeState(m), []);
   const setAccent = useCallback((hex: string | null) => setAccentState(hex), []);
+  const setGradient = useCallback((stops: string[] | null) => setGradientState(stops), []);
 
-  const value = useMemo(() => ({ mode, tokens, accent, toggleMode, setMode, setAccent }), [mode, tokens, accent, toggleMode, setMode, setAccent]);
+  const value = useMemo(() => ({ mode, tokens, accent, gradient, toggleMode, setMode, setAccent, setGradient }), [mode, tokens, accent, gradient, toggleMode, setMode, setAccent, setGradient]);
 
   return <ThemeContext.Provider value={value}>{children}</ThemeContext.Provider>;
 };
@@ -88,6 +110,6 @@ export const useThemeMode = () => {
   return { mode, toggleMode, setMode };
 };
 export const useThemeAccent = () => {
-  const { accent, setAccent } = useContext(ThemeContext);
-  return { accent, setAccent };
+  const { accent, setAccent, gradient, setGradient } = useContext(ThemeContext);
+  return { accent, setAccent, gradient, setGradient };
 };