diff --git a/e2e/core/core-light-theme-smoke.spec.ts b/e2e/core/core-light-theme-smoke.spec.ts
index 3e60f5ff5..76b57c7fd 100644
--- a/e2e/core/core-light-theme-smoke.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e/core/core-light-theme-smoke.spec.ts
@@ -47,6 +47,12 @@ test.describe.serial("Core: Light Theme Smoke", () => {
         window.locator(SEL.toolbar.projectSwitcherTrigger),
         `${schemeId}: project switcher should still show the active project`
       ).toContainText(PROJECT_NAME);
+      expect
+        .soft(
+          metrics.projectTitleContrast,
+          `${schemeId}: project title text should meet WCAG AA contrast`
+        )
+        .toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(4.5);
       expect
         .soft(
           metrics.quickRunFieldBorderContrast,
@@ -59,6 +65,18 @@ test.describe.serial("Core: Light Theme Smoke", () => {
           `${schemeId}: worktree sections should remain visually separated`
         )
         .toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1.08);
+      expect
+        .soft(
+          metrics.sidebarVsCanvasContrast,
+          `${schemeId}: sidebar should be visually separated from canvas`
+        )
+        .toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1.08);
+      expect
+        .soft(
+          metrics.panelVsGridContrast,
+          `${schemeId}: panel background should differ from grid background`
+        )
+        .toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1.05);
 
       const screenshotPath = testInfo.outputPath(`light-theme-${schemeId}.png`);
       await window.screenshot({ path: screenshotPath, fullPage: true });
diff --git a/e2e/helpers/theme.ts b/e2e/helpers/theme.ts
index 36a139271..8c1b596a6 100644
--- a/e2e/helpers/theme.ts
+++ b/e2e/helpers/theme.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ export interface ThemeChromeMetrics {
   projectTitleContrast: number;
   quickRunFieldBorderContrast: number;
   worktreeSectionContrast: number;
+  sidebarVsCanvasContrast: number;
+  panelVsGridContrast: number;
 }
 
 export async function setAppTheme(page: Page, schemeId: string): Promise<void> {
@@ -141,6 +143,9 @@ export async function getThemeChromeMetrics(
       const projectTrigger = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(selectors.projectTrigger);
       const quickRunInput = document.querySelector<HTMLInputElement>(selectors.quickRunInput);
       const worktreeCard = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(selectors.worktreeCard);
+      const sidebar = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(selectors.sidebar);
+      const gridPanel = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(selectors.gridPanel);
+      const gridContainer = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(selectors.gridContainer);
 
       if (!projectTrigger || !quickRunInput || !worktreeCard) {
         throw new Error("Required theme smoke selectors were not found");
@@ -167,6 +172,15 @@ export async function getThemeChromeMetrics(
       const cardBackground = resolveEffectiveBackground(worktreeCard);
       const sectionBackground = resolveEffectiveBackground(detailsSection);
 
+      const rootBackground = resolveEffectiveBackground(document.body);
+      const sidebarBackground = sidebar ? resolveEffectiveBackground(sidebar) : rootBackground;
+      const gridContainerBackground = gridContainer
+        ? resolveEffectiveBackground(gridContainer)
+        : rootBackground;
+      const panelBackground = gridPanel
+        ? resolveEffectiveBackground(gridPanel)
+        : gridContainerBackground;
+
       return {
         projectTitleContrast: contrastRatio(
           parseColor(getComputedStyle(projectTitle).color),
@@ -174,6 +188,8 @@ export async function getThemeChromeMetrics(
         ),
         quickRunFieldBorderContrast: contrastRatio(fieldBorderColor, quickRunBackground),
         worktreeSectionContrast: contrastRatio(sectionBackground, cardBackground),
+        sidebarVsCanvasContrast: contrastRatio(sidebarBackground, rootBackground),
+        panelVsGridContrast: contrastRatio(panelBackground, gridContainerBackground),
       };
     },
     {
@@ -181,6 +197,9 @@ export async function getThemeChromeMetrics(
       quickRunInput: '[aria-label="Command input"]',
       worktreeCard: SEL.worktree.card(branch),
       projectName: options.projectName,
+      sidebar: 'aside[aria-label="Sidebar"]',
+      gridPanel: SEL.panel.gridPanel,
+      gridContainer: "#terminal-grid",
     }
   );
 }
diff --git a/shared/theme/__tests__/themes.test.ts b/shared/theme/__tests__/themes.test.ts
index 738d3f2bd..e3e14510b 100644
--- a/shared/theme/__tests__/themes.test.ts
+++ b/shared/theme/__tests__/themes.test.ts
@@ -86,17 +86,17 @@ describe("createCanopyTokens — light mode derived defaults", () => {
   const lightTokens = createCanopyTokens("light", REQUIRED_TOKENS);
 
   it("derives border defaults from the theme's foreground ink for light mode", () => {
-    expect(lightTokens["border-subtle"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.06)");
-    expect(lightTokens["border-strong"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.12)");
+    expect(lightTokens["border-subtle"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.12)");
+    expect(lightTokens["border-strong"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.2)");
     expect(lightTokens["border-divider"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.08)");
   });
 
   it("derives overlay defaults from the theme's foreground ink for light mode", () => {
     expect(lightTokens["overlay-subtle"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.04)");
-    expect(lightTokens["overlay-soft"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.06)");
-    expect(lightTokens["overlay-medium"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.08)");
-    expect(lightTokens["overlay-strong"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.1)");
-    expect(lightTokens["overlay-emphasis"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.14)");
+    expect(lightTokens["overlay-soft"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.08)");
+    expect(lightTokens["overlay-medium"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.12)");
+    expect(lightTokens["overlay-strong"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.16)");
+    expect(lightTokens["overlay-emphasis"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.2)");
   });
 
   it("sets lighter scrim defaults for light mode", () => {
@@ -106,12 +106,12 @@ describe("createCanopyTokens — light mode derived defaults", () => {
   });
 
   it("derives focus-ring from the theme's foreground ink for light mode", () => {
-    expect(lightTokens["focus-ring"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.15)");
+    expect(lightTokens["focus-ring"]).toBe("rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.2)");
   });
 
   it("keeps the default Bondi overlays warm instead of neutral black", () => {
     const bondi = BUILT_IN_APP_SCHEMES.find((scheme) => scheme.id === "bondi")!;
-    expect(bondi.tokens["overlay-soft"]).toBe("rgba(27, 54, 38, 0.06)");
+    expect(bondi.tokens["overlay-soft"]).toBe("rgba(27, 54, 38, 0.08)");
     expect(bondi.tokens["border-divider"]).toBe("rgba(27, 54, 38, 0.08)");
   });
 });
@@ -175,6 +175,34 @@ describe("createCanopyTokens — caller overrides win via spread", () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe("createCanopyTokens — accent-soft/muted branch by type", () => {
+  it("uses higher alpha for dark accent-soft/muted", () => {
+    const darkTokens = createCanopyTokens("dark", REQUIRED_TOKENS);
+    expect(darkTokens["accent-soft"]).toBe("rgba(63, 147, 102, 0.18)");
+    expect(darkTokens["accent-muted"]).toBe("rgba(63, 147, 102, 0.3)");
+  });
+
+  it("uses lower alpha for light accent-soft/muted", () => {
+    const lightTokens = createCanopyTokens("light", REQUIRED_TOKENS);
+    expect(lightTokens["accent-soft"]).toBe("rgba(63, 147, 102, 0.12)");
+    expect(lightTokens["accent-muted"]).toBe("rgba(63, 147, 102, 0.2)");
+  });
+});
+
+describe("createCanopyTokens — terminal fallbacks branch by type", () => {
+  it("dark: terminal-black = surface-canvas, terminal-white = text-primary", () => {
+    const darkTokens = createCanopyTokens("dark", REQUIRED_TOKENS);
+    expect(darkTokens["terminal-black"]).toBe(REQUIRED_TOKENS["surface-canvas"]);
+    expect(darkTokens["terminal-white"]).toBe(REQUIRED_TOKENS["text-primary"]);
+  });
+
+  it("light: terminal-black = text-primary, terminal-white = surface-canvas", () => {
+    const lightTokens = createCanopyTokens("light", REQUIRED_TOKENS);
+    expect(lightTokens["terminal-black"]).toBe(REQUIRED_TOKENS["text-primary"]);
+    expect(lightTokens["terminal-white"]).toBe(REQUIRED_TOKENS["surface-canvas"]);
+  });
+});
+
 describe("built-in schemes — Daintree has explicit category colors", () => {
   const canopy = BUILT_IN_APP_SCHEMES.find((s) => s.id === "daintree")!;
 
@@ -542,6 +570,30 @@ describe("Hokkaido built-in scheme", () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe("built-in schemes — Svalbard light terminal fallbacks", () => {
+  const svalbard = BUILT_IN_APP_SCHEMES.find((s) => s.id === "svalbard")!;
+
+  it("auto-derives terminal-black from text-primary for light themes", () => {
+    expect(svalbard.tokens["terminal-black"]).toBe(svalbard.tokens["text-primary"]);
+  });
+
+  it("auto-derives terminal-white from surface-canvas for light themes", () => {
+    expect(svalbard.tokens["terminal-white"]).toBe(svalbard.tokens["surface-canvas"]);
+  });
+});
+
+describe("built-in schemes — Hokkaido light terminal fallbacks", () => {
+  const hokkaido = BUILT_IN_APP_SCHEMES.find((s) => s.id === "hokkaido")!;
+
+  it("auto-derives terminal-black from text-primary for light themes", () => {
+    expect(hokkaido.tokens["terminal-black"]).toBe(hokkaido.tokens["text-primary"]);
+  });
+
+  it("auto-derives terminal-white from surface-canvas for light themes", () => {
+    expect(hokkaido.tokens["terminal-white"]).toBe(hokkaido.tokens["surface-canvas"]);
+  });
+});
+
 describe("normalizeAppColorScheme", () => {
   it("uses a light fallback base for partial light themes", () => {
     const scheme = normalizeAppColorScheme({
@@ -589,12 +641,12 @@ describe("built-in schemes — Atacama light theme", () => {
     expect(atacama.tokens["terminal-bright-white"]).toBe("#1A1210");
   });
 
-  it("auto-derives terminal-black from surface-canvas", () => {
-    expect(atacama.tokens["terminal-black"]).toBe(atacama.tokens["surface-canvas"]);
+  it("auto-derives terminal-black from text-primary for light themes", () => {
+    expect(atacama.tokens["terminal-black"]).toBe(atacama.tokens["text-primary"]);
   });
 
-  it("auto-derives terminal-white from text-primary", () => {
-    expect(atacama.tokens["terminal-white"]).toBe(atacama.tokens["text-primary"]);
+  it("auto-derives terminal-white from surface-canvas for light themes", () => {
+    expect(atacama.tokens["terminal-white"]).toBe(atacama.tokens["surface-canvas"]);
   });
 
   it("auto-derives terminal-bright-black from activity-idle", () => {
diff --git a/shared/theme/themes.ts b/shared/theme/themes.ts
index d10361c0e..dc2ba4486 100644
--- a/shared/theme/themes.ts
+++ b/shared/theme/themes.ts
@@ -70,8 +70,10 @@ export function createCanopyTokens(
   const dark = type === "dark";
   const lightInk = tokens["text-primary"];
   const overlayTone = dark ? "#ffffff" : lightInk;
-  const accentSoft = tokens["accent-soft"] ?? withAlpha(tokens["accent-primary"], 0.18);
-  const accentMuted = tokens["accent-muted"] ?? withAlpha(tokens["accent-primary"], 0.3);
+  const accentSoft =
+    tokens["accent-soft"] ?? withAlpha(tokens["accent-primary"], dark ? 0.18 : 0.12);
+  const accentMuted =
+    tokens["accent-muted"] ?? withAlpha(tokens["accent-primary"], dark ? 0.3 : 0.2);
 
   return {
     ...GITHUB_TOKENS,
@@ -87,25 +89,27 @@ export function createCanopyTokens(
     "category-pink": tokens["category-pink"] ?? "oklch(0.72 0.13 340)",
     "category-violet": tokens["category-violet"] ?? "oklch(0.7 0.13 295)",
     "category-slate": tokens["category-slate"] ?? "oklch(0.65 0.04 240)",
-    "border-subtle": tokens["border-subtle"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.08 : 0.06),
-    "border-strong": tokens["border-strong"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.14 : 0.12),
+    "border-subtle": tokens["border-subtle"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.08 : 0.12),
+    "border-strong": tokens["border-strong"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.14 : 0.2),
     "border-divider": tokens["border-divider"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.05 : 0.08),
     "accent-foreground": tokens["accent-foreground"] ?? tokens["text-inverse"],
     "accent-soft": accentSoft,
     "accent-muted": accentMuted,
-    "focus-ring": tokens["focus-ring"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.18 : 0.15),
+    "focus-ring": tokens["focus-ring"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.18 : 0.2),
     "overlay-subtle": tokens["overlay-subtle"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.02 : 0.04),
-    "overlay-soft": tokens["overlay-soft"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.03 : 0.06),
-    "overlay-medium": tokens["overlay-medium"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.04 : 0.08),
-    "overlay-strong": tokens["overlay-strong"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.06 : 0.1),
-    "overlay-emphasis": tokens["overlay-emphasis"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.1 : 0.14),
+    "overlay-soft": tokens["overlay-soft"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.03 : 0.08),
+    "overlay-medium": tokens["overlay-medium"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.04 : 0.12),
+    "overlay-strong": tokens["overlay-strong"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.06 : 0.16),
+    "overlay-emphasis": tokens["overlay-emphasis"] ?? withAlpha(overlayTone, dark ? 0.1 : 0.2),
     "scrim-soft": tokens["scrim-soft"] ?? (dark ? "rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)" : "rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12)"),
     "scrim-medium":
       tokens["scrim-medium"] ?? (dark ? "rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45)" : "rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.30)"),
     "scrim-strong":
       tokens["scrim-strong"] ?? (dark ? "rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.62)" : "rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45)"),
-    "terminal-black": tokens["terminal-black"] ?? tokens["surface-canvas"],
-    "terminal-white": tokens["terminal-white"] ?? tokens["text-primary"],
+    "terminal-black":
+      tokens["terminal-black"] ?? (dark ? tokens["surface-canvas"] : tokens["text-primary"]),
+    "terminal-white":
+      tokens["terminal-white"] ?? (dark ? tokens["text-primary"] : tokens["surface-canvas"]),
     "terminal-bright-black": tokens["terminal-bright-black"] ?? tokens["activity-idle"],
     ...tokens,
   };