diff --git a/src/puter-js/src/ui/PuterWebComponent.js b/src/puter-js/src/ui/PuterWebComponent.js
index a369e2144..f7b2a7e1e 100644
--- a/src/puter-js/src/ui/PuterWebComponent.js
+++ b/src/puter-js/src/ui/PuterWebComponent.js
@@ -12,9 +12,64 @@ class PuterWebComponent extends (globalThis.HTMLElement || Object) {
     }
 
     connectedCallback () {
+        this._setupThemeWatchers();
+        this._applyTheme();
         this._rerender();
     }
 
+    disconnectedCallback () {
+        this._teardownThemeWatchers();
+    }
+
+    _setupThemeWatchers () {
+        if ( typeof globalThis.MutationObserver !== 'undefined' && ! this._themeObserver ) {
+            this._themeObserver = new globalThis.MutationObserver(() => this._applyTheme());
+            this._themeObserver.observe(this, { attributes: true, attributeFilter: ['theme'] });
+        }
+        if ( typeof globalThis.matchMedia === 'function' && ! this._themeMediaQuery ) {
+            this._themeMediaQuery = globalThis.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)');
+            this._themeMediaListener = () => this._applyTheme();
+            if ( this._themeMediaQuery.addEventListener ) {
+                this._themeMediaQuery.addEventListener('change', this._themeMediaListener);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    _teardownThemeWatchers () {
+        if ( this._themeObserver ) {
+            this._themeObserver.disconnect();
+            this._themeObserver = null;
+        }
+        if ( this._themeMediaQuery && this._themeMediaListener && this._themeMediaQuery.removeEventListener ) {
+            this._themeMediaQuery.removeEventListener('change', this._themeMediaListener);
+        }
+        this._themeMediaQuery = null;
+        this._themeMediaListener = null;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Resolves the effective theme from the `theme` attribute and the system
+     * preference, then toggles a `.puter-theme-dark` class on the host so
+     * components can style with `:host(.puter-theme-dark) ...`.
+     *   theme="dark"   → always dark
+     *   theme="light"  → always light
+     *   unset / other  → follow system (prefers-color-scheme)
+     */
+    _applyTheme () {
+        if ( typeof this.getAttribute !== 'function' ) return;
+        const themeAttr = this.getAttribute('theme');
+        let isDark;
+        if ( themeAttr === 'dark' ) {
+            isDark = true;
+        } else if ( themeAttr === 'light' ) {
+            isDark = false;
+        } else {
+            isDark = typeof globalThis.matchMedia === 'function'
+                && globalThis.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches;
+        }
+        this.classList.toggle('puter-theme-dark', isDark);
+    }
+
     _rerender () {
         if ( ! this.shadowRoot ) return;
         this.shadowRoot.innerHTML = `<style>${this.getStyles()}</style>${this.render()}`;
diff --git a/src/puter-js/src/ui/components.md b/src/puter-js/src/ui/components.md
index f41cfe792..555eafa6b 100644
--- a/src/puter-js/src/ui/components.md
+++ b/src/puter-js/src/ui/components.md
@@ -340,7 +340,25 @@ All components render inside Shadow DOM and match puter.com's native GUI appeara
 
 ## Dark mode
 
-Components with `@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark)` rules auto-adapt when the OS is in dark mode: `<puter-notification>`, `<puter-context-menu>`, `<puter-menubar>`, `<puter-color-picker>`, `<puter-font-picker>`.
+By default, components that ship dark-mode styles auto-adapt to the OS setting (`prefers-color-scheme: dark`): `<puter-notification>`, `<puter-context-menu>`, `<puter-menubar>`, `<puter-color-picker>`, `<puter-font-picker>`.
+
+To force a specific theme regardless of the OS preference, set the `theme` attribute on the component:
+
+| Value | Behavior |
+|-------|----------|
+| `dark` | Always render in dark theme |
+| `light` | Always render in light theme |
+| _unset_ | Follow the system `prefers-color-scheme` (default) |
+
+```html
+<!-- Force dark, even in an OS configured for light mode -->
+<puter-menubar theme="dark"></puter-menubar>
+
+<!-- Force light, even when the OS is in dark mode -->
+<puter-notification theme="light" title="Hello"></puter-notification>
+```
+
+The attribute is live — changing it at runtime re-paints the component immediately. For `<puter-menubar>` and `<puter-context-menu>`, the `theme` is forwarded to any dropdowns and submenus they spawn, so the whole tree stays in sync.
 
 ## Responsive / mobile
 
diff --git a/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterColorPicker.js b/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterColorPicker.js
index f8311386d..13024ea5c 100644
--- a/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterColorPicker.js
+++ b/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterColorPicker.js
@@ -176,6 +176,46 @@ class PuterColorPicker extends PuterWebComponent {
                     flex: 1;
                 }
             }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .picker-body {
+                background-color: rgba(40, 44, 52, .95);
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+                box-shadow: 0px 0px 15px #000000aa;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .preview {
+                border-color: #555;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .header-label {
+                color: #aaa;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .hex-input {
+                background-color: #1f1f1f;
+                border-color: #555;
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .native-color-row {
+                background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
+                border-color: #555;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .native-color-row label {
+                color: #aaa;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) input[type="color"] {
+                border-color: #555;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .swatch {
+                border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .btn {
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+                border-color: #555;
+                background: linear-gradient(#4a4a4a, #3a3a3a);
+                box-shadow: inset 0px 1px 0px rgb(255 255 255 / 8%), 0 1px 2px rgb(0 0 0 / 25%);
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .btn:active {
+                background-color: #333;
+                border-color: #444;
+                color: #999;
+            }
         `;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterContextMenu.js b/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterContextMenu.js
index 989cdcb7a..3e4446736 100644
--- a/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterContextMenu.js
+++ b/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterContextMenu.js
@@ -47,15 +47,16 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
                 font-family: sans-serif;
                 background: #FFF;
                 color: #333;
-                border-radius: 2px;
+                border-radius: 4px;
                 padding: 3px 0;
                 min-width: 200px;
                 background-color: rgb(255 255 255 / 92%);
                 backdrop-filter: blur(3px);
                 border: 1px solid #e6e4e466;
-                box-shadow: 0px 0px 15px #00000066;
-                padding-left: 6px;
-                padding-right: 6px;
+                box-shadow: 0px 3px 10px #00000044;
+                margin-top: 5px;
+                padding-left: 4px;
+                padding-right: 4px;
                 padding-top: 4px;
                 padding-bottom: 4px;
                 user-select: none;
@@ -88,7 +89,11 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
                 border-radius: 4px;
             }
 
-            /* Active item turns all children white */
+            /* Active item turns all children white.
+               For .has-open-submenu the :hover branch above already covers
+               the hovered case; in the non-hovered grey state we want the
+               children to keep their default colors, so we don't include
+               .has-open-submenu here. */
             .menu-item:hover:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon,
             .menu-item:hover:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .check,
             .menu-item:hover:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .submenu-arrow,
@@ -98,46 +103,51 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
             .menu-item.focused:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .check,
             .menu-item.focused:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .submenu-arrow,
             .menu-item.focused:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .label,
-            .menu-item.focused:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .shortcut,
-            .menu-item.has-open-submenu .icon,
-            .menu-item.has-open-submenu .check,
-            .menu-item.has-open-submenu .submenu-arrow,
-            .menu-item.has-open-submenu .label,
-            .menu-item.has-open-submenu .shortcut {
+            .menu-item.focused:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .shortcut {
                 color: white;
             }
             .menu-item:hover:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon svg,
-            .menu-item.focused:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon svg,
-            .menu-item.has-open-submenu .icon svg {
+            .menu-item.focused:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon svg {
                 filter: brightness(0) invert(1);
             }
             .menu-item:hover:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon img,
-            .menu-item.focused:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon img,
-            .menu-item.has-open-submenu .icon img {
+            .menu-item.focused:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon img {
                 filter: brightness(0) invert(1);
             }
 
             /* Safe-triangle: while the cursor traces a diagonal path toward
                an open submenu, suppress :hover highlight on intermediate
-               items so they don't flash blue. .focused and .has-open-submenu
-               (managed by JS) still highlight normally. */
-            .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) {
+               items so they don't flash blue.
+               Keyboard-nav: after a keyboard navigation, suppress :hover on
+               the (now stale) item the mouse is still resting on so only
+               the keyboard-focused item highlights. Cleared on next
+               mousemove. .focused and .has-open-submenu (managed by JS)
+               still highlight normally. */
+            .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider),
+            .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) {
                 background-color: transparent;
                 color: #333;
             }
             .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon,
             .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .check,
             .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .submenu-arrow,
-            .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .label {
+            .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .label,
+            .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon,
+            .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .check,
+            .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .submenu-arrow,
+            .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .label {
                 color: #333;
             }
-            .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .shortcut {
+            .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .shortcut,
+            .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .shortcut {
                 color: #999;
             }
-            .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon svg {
+            .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon svg,
+            .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon svg {
                 filter: none;
             }
-            .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon img {
+            .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon img,
+            .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon img {
                 filter: drop-shadow(0px 0px 0.3px rgb(51, 51, 51));
             }
 
@@ -175,7 +185,6 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
                 padding-bottom: 5px;
                 cursor: default;
                 height: auto;
-                pointer-events: none;
             }
             .divider hr {
                 border: none;
@@ -335,6 +344,102 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
                 width: 20px;
                 height: 20px;
             }
+
+            /* Dark theme — applied when system prefers dark and no light
+               override is set, or when theme="dark" is forced. The base
+               class toggles .puter-theme-dark on the host accordingly. */
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu {
+                background: #2d2d2d;
+                background-color: rgb(45 45 45 / 94%);
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+                border-color: #00000080;
+                box-shadow: 0px 0px 15px #000000aa;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menu-item {
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+            /* Inactive items: icon/check/shortcut/arrow tones */
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .icon,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .check {
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .submenu-arrow {
+                color: #b0b0b0;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .shortcut {
+                color: #888;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .icon img {
+                filter: drop-shadow(0px 0px 0.3px rgb(230, 230, 230));
+            }
+            /* Inactive icon SVGs use currentColor already; nothing to invert */
+
+            /* Safe-triangle / keyboard-nav: non-active hover restored colors should match dark */
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider),
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) {
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .check,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .submenu-arrow,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .label,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .check,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .submenu-arrow,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .label {
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .shortcut,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .shortcut {
+                color: #888;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.safe-traverse .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon img,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .context-menu.keyboard-nav .menu-item:hover:not(.has-open-submenu):not(.focused):not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon img {
+                filter: drop-shadow(0px 0px 0.3px rgb(230, 230, 230));
+            }
+
+            /* Submenu-open parent (no hover): subtle dark highlight */
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menu-item.has-open-submenu:not(:hover) {
+                background-color: #3f3f3f;
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menu-item.has-open-submenu:not(:hover) .icon,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menu-item.has-open-submenu:not(:hover) .icon svg,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menu-item.has-open-submenu:not(:hover) .icon img {
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+
+            /* Danger items */
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menu-item.danger,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menu-item.danger .icon {
+                color: #ff7b72;
+            }
+
+            /* Divider */
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .divider hr {
+                background: #444;
+            }
+
+            /* Sheet mode (mobile) */
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark.sheet-mode) .context-menu {
+                background-color: rgb(40 40 40 / 96%);
+                box-shadow: 0 -6px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45);
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark.sheet-mode) .menu-item:hover:not(.disabled):not(.divider) {
+                background-color: rgba(0, 122, 255, 0.22);
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark.sheet-mode) .menu-item:active:not(.disabled):not(.divider) {
+                background-color: rgba(0, 122, 255, 0.35);
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark.sheet-mode) .menu-item:hover:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .label,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark.sheet-mode) .menu-item:hover:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark.sheet-mode) .menu-item:active:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .label,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark.sheet-mode) .menu-item:active:not(.disabled):not(.divider) .icon {
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark.sheet-mode) .divider hr {
+                background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
+            }
         `;
     }
 
@@ -475,6 +580,32 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
             this.#mouseTracker = null;
         }
 
+        // Hovering a separator should drop the focus highlight from the
+        // previously-focused item — the cursor has clearly moved past it.
+        // It should also close any submenu opened from an item above, so
+        // the parent's .has-open-submenu highlight goes away too.
+        // Exception: if the cursor is on a diagonal path toward the open
+        // submenu, treat the divider like any other safe-traverse cell so
+        // we don't tear down the submenu mid-drag.
+        this.$$('.menu-item.divider').forEach((el) => {
+            el.addEventListener('mouseenter', () => {
+                if ( this.#activeSubmenu && this._isMouseHeadingToSubmenu(this.#activeSubmenu.element) ) {
+                    this._setSafeTraverse(true);
+                    if ( this.#submenuCloseTimer ) {
+                        clearTimeout(this.#submenuCloseTimer);
+                        this.#submenuCloseTimer = null;
+                    }
+                    this.#submenuCloseTimer = setTimeout(() => this._submenuCloseCheck(), 100);
+                    return;
+                }
+                this._setSafeTraverse(false);
+                this._clearFocus();
+                clearTimeout(this.#submenuTimeout);
+                this._cancelSubmenuClose();
+                this._hideActiveSubmenu();
+            });
+        });
+
         const menuItems = this.$$('.menu-item:not(.divider):not(.disabled)');
 
         menuItems.forEach((el) => {
@@ -565,10 +696,12 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
             document.addEventListener('pointerdown', this._outsideClickHandler, true);
         }, 0);
 
-        // Track mouse for safe-triangle submenu hover
+        // Track mouse for safe-triangle submenu hover. Also exits
+        // keyboard-nav mode: once the cursor moves, :hover should win again.
         this.#mouseTracker = (e) => {
             this.#mouseLocs.push({ x: e.clientX, y: e.clientY });
             if ( this.#mouseLocs.length > 3 ) this.#mouseLocs.shift();
+            this._setKeyboardNav(false);
         };
         document.addEventListener('mousemove', this.#mouseTracker);
 
@@ -577,6 +710,10 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
             if ( this.#activeSubmenu ) return; // let the deeper submenu handle
             const consumed = this._handleKey(e);
             if ( consumed ) {
+                // A handled key (nav, typeahead, etc.) means the user is
+                // driving by keyboard — suppress any stale :hover until the
+                // mouse next moves.
+                this._setKeyboardNav(true);
                 e.preventDefault();
                 e.stopImmediatePropagation();
             }
@@ -595,9 +732,24 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
             case 'ArrowDown':
                 this._moveFocus(+1);
                 return true;
-            case 'ArrowUp':
+            case 'ArrowUp': {
+                // Root dropdown: ArrowUp on the first focusable item bubbles
+                // to the menubar, which closes the dropdown and re-focuses
+                // the parent menubar button.
+                if ( ! this._parentMenu ) {
+                    const f = this._focusableIndices();
+                    if ( f.length && this.#focusedIndex === f[0] ) {
+                        this.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('puter-menu-navigate', {
+                            detail: { direction: 'up' },
+                            bubbles: true,
+                            composed: true,
+                        }));
+                        return true;
+                    }
+                }
                 this._moveFocus(-1);
                 return true;
+            }
             case 'Home': {
                 const f = this._focusableIndices();
                 if ( f.length ) this._setFocusIndex(f[0]);
@@ -708,14 +860,23 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
         if ( ! el ) return false;
         clearTimeout(this.#submenuTimeout);
         this._cancelSubmenuClose();
-        this._showSubmenu(el, item.items);
-        // Focus first item in submenu
+        // Don't re-open an already-open submenu for this parent — it would
+        // wipe the user's focused item inside it. We only auto-focus the
+        // first sub-item when the submenu is freshly opened by this call.
+        const wasNewlyOpened = !this.#activeSubmenu || this.#activeSubmenu.parentEl !== el;
+        if ( wasNewlyOpened ) {
+            this._showSubmenu(el, item.items);
+        }
         requestAnimationFrame(() => {
             const sub = this.#activeSubmenu && this.#activeSubmenu.element;
-            if ( sub ) {
+            if ( ! sub ) return;
+            if ( wasNewlyOpened ) {
                 const f = sub._focusableIndices();
                 if ( f.length ) sub._setFocusIndex(f[0]);
             }
+            if ( typeof sub._setKeyboardNav === 'function' ) {
+                sub._setKeyboardNav(true);
+            }
         });
         return true;
     }
@@ -761,10 +922,18 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
         this._cancelSubmenuClose();
 
         parentEl.classList.add('has-open-submenu');
+        // The parent now "owns" an open submenu; drop the .focused class so
+        // it paints in the dim has-open-submenu state instead of the bright
+        // focused/hover blue. :hover still keeps it blue when the cursor is
+        // directly over it. #focusedIndex is preserved for ArrowLeft restore.
+        parentEl.classList.remove('focused');
 
         const submenu = document.createElement('puter-context-menu');
         submenu.setAttribute('data-submenu', '');
         submenu.setAttribute('data-parent-managed', '');
+        // Forward any forced theme so the submenu paints in the same theme.
+        const themeAttr = this.getAttribute('theme');
+        if ( themeAttr ) submenu.setAttribute('theme', themeAttr);
         submenu.items = items;
         submenu._parentMenu = this;
         submenu._parentItemEl = parentEl;
@@ -898,6 +1067,11 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
         if ( menu ) menu.classList.toggle('safe-traverse', on);
     }
 
+    _setKeyboardNav (on) {
+        const menu = this.$('.context-menu');
+        if ( menu ) menu.classList.toggle('keyboard-nav', on);
+    }
+
     _pointInRect (p, r) {
         return p.x >= r.left && p.x <= r.right && p.y >= r.top && p.y <= r.bottom;
     }
@@ -1014,6 +1188,7 @@ class PuterContextMenu extends PuterWebComponent {
     }
 
     disconnectedCallback () {
+        super.disconnectedCallback();
         if ( this._outsideClickHandler ) {
             document.removeEventListener('pointerdown', this._outsideClickHandler, true);
         }
diff --git a/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterFontPicker.js b/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterFontPicker.js
index d158dcc71..dfecaa8f0 100644
--- a/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterFontPicker.js
+++ b/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterFontPicker.js
@@ -185,6 +185,49 @@ class PuterFontPicker extends PuterWebComponent {
                     flex: 1;
                 }
             }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .picker-body {
+                background-color: rgba(40, 44, 52, .95);
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+                box-shadow: 0px 0px 15px #000000aa;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .title {
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+                text-shadow: none;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .search {
+                background-color: #1f1f1f;
+                border-color: #555;
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .font-list {
+                background-color: #1f1f1f;
+                border-color: #555;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .font-item {
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .font-item:hover {
+                background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .font-name-label {
+                color: #888;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .preview {
+                background: #1f1f1f;
+                border-color: #555;
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .btn {
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+                border-color: #555;
+                background: linear-gradient(#4a4a4a, #3a3a3a);
+                box-shadow: inset 0px 1px 0px rgb(255 255 255 / 8%), 0 1px 2px rgb(0 0 0 / 25%);
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .btn:active {
+                background-color: #333;
+                border-color: #444;
+                color: #999;
+            }
         `;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterMenubar.js b/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterMenubar.js
index 2b9b8324f..0104d678a 100644
--- a/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterMenubar.js
+++ b/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterMenubar.js
@@ -68,6 +68,11 @@ class PuterMenubar extends PuterWebComponent {
             .menu-button.focused {
                 background-color: #e2e2e2;
             }
+            /* Suppress stale :hover during keyboard nav so only the focused
+               button highlights. Cleared on the next mousemove. */
+            .menubar.keyboard-nav .menu-button:hover:not(.focused):not(.active) {
+                background-color: transparent;
+            }
             .menu-button:focus { outline: none; }
             @media (max-width: 480px) {
                 .menubar {
@@ -86,6 +91,24 @@ class PuterMenubar extends PuterWebComponent {
                     flex-shrink: 0;
                 }
             }
+            /* Dark theme — applied when system prefers dark and no light
+               override is set, or when theme="dark" is forced. The base
+               class toggles .puter-theme-dark on the host accordingly. */
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menubar {
+                background-color: #2a2a2a;
+                border-bottom-color: #3a3a3a;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menu-button {
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menu-button:hover,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menu-button.active,
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menu-button.focused {
+                background-color: #3a3a3a;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .menubar.keyboard-nav .menu-button:hover:not(.focused):not(.active) {
+                background-color: transparent;
+            }
         `;
     }
 
@@ -108,6 +131,9 @@ class PuterMenubar extends PuterWebComponent {
         if ( this._docPointerDownHandler ) {
             document.removeEventListener('pointerdown', this._docPointerDownHandler, true);
         }
+        if ( this._mouseMoveHandler ) {
+            document.removeEventListener('mousemove', this._mouseMoveHandler);
+        }
 
         const buttons = this.$$('.menu-button');
         buttons.forEach((btn) => {
@@ -168,6 +194,11 @@ class PuterMenubar extends PuterWebComponent {
             }
         };
         document.addEventListener('pointerdown', this._docPointerDownHandler, true);
+
+        // Once the user actually moves the mouse, exit keyboard-nav mode so
+        // :hover styling on menubar buttons works normally again.
+        this._mouseMoveHandler = () => this._setKeyboardNav(false);
+        document.addEventListener('mousemove', this._mouseMoveHandler);
     }
 
     _onGlobalKeyDown (e) {
@@ -244,12 +275,14 @@ class PuterMenubar extends PuterWebComponent {
         this.#menubarActive = true;
         this.#focusedIndex = 0;
         this._renderButtonFocus();
+        this._setKeyboardNav(true);
     }
 
     _deactivateMenubar () {
         this.#menubarActive = false;
         this.#focusedIndex = null;
         this._renderButtonFocus();
+        this._setKeyboardNav(false);
     }
 
     _renderButtonFocus () {
@@ -259,6 +292,11 @@ class PuterMenubar extends PuterWebComponent {
         });
     }
 
+    _setKeyboardNav (on) {
+        const menubar = this.$('.menubar');
+        if ( menubar ) menubar.classList.toggle('keyboard-nav', on);
+    }
+
     _moveButtonFocus (delta, { swapDropdown = true } = {}) {
         if ( ! this.#items.length ) return;
         const n = this.#items.length;
@@ -266,6 +304,7 @@ class PuterMenubar extends PuterWebComponent {
         const next = (cur + delta + n) % n;
         this.#focusedIndex = next;
         this._renderButtonFocus();
+        this._setKeyboardNav(true);
 
         // If a dropdown is already open, swap to the new button's dropdown
         if ( swapDropdown && this.#activeDropdown ) {
@@ -291,6 +330,9 @@ class PuterMenubar extends PuterWebComponent {
                 if ( dd && typeof dd._focusableIndices === 'function' ) {
                     const f = dd._focusableIndices();
                     if ( f.length ) dd._setFocusIndex(f[0]);
+                    if ( typeof dd._setKeyboardNav === 'function' ) {
+                        dd._setKeyboardNav(true);
+                    }
                 }
             });
         }
@@ -311,6 +353,9 @@ class PuterMenubar extends PuterWebComponent {
         const rect = buttonEl.getBoundingClientRect();
         const dropdown = document.createElement('puter-context-menu');
         dropdown.setAttribute('data-submenu', ''); // skip mobile sheet behavior
+        // Forward any forced theme so the dropdown paints in the same theme.
+        const themeAttr = this.getAttribute('theme');
+        if ( themeAttr ) dropdown.setAttribute('theme', themeAttr);
         dropdown.items = item.items;
         dropdown.setAttribute('x', String(rect.left));
         dropdown.setAttribute('y', String(rect.bottom));
@@ -331,12 +376,23 @@ class PuterMenubar extends PuterWebComponent {
                 this._deactivateMenubar();
             }
         });
-        // Keyboard navigate request bubbling from the context menu
+        // Keyboard navigate request bubbling from the context menu.
+        // Arrow-left/right at the menubar level closes the current dropdown
+        // and moves button focus only — the user must press ArrowDown (or
+        // Enter/Space) to open the adjacent dropdown.
+        // Arrow-up at the dropdown's first item closes it and returns
+        // focus to the same menubar button (which can re-open with ArrowDown).
         dropdown.addEventListener('puter-menu-navigate', (e) => {
             if ( ! e.detail ) return;
+            if ( e.detail.direction === 'up' ) {
+                this._closeDropdown();
+                this._renderButtonFocus();
+                this._setKeyboardNav(true);
+                return;
+            }
             const delta = e.detail.direction === 'right' ? +1 : -1;
+            this._closeDropdown();
             this._moveButtonFocus(delta, { swapDropdown: false });
-            this._openFocusedButton(true);
         });
 
         document.body.appendChild(dropdown);
@@ -358,6 +414,7 @@ class PuterMenubar extends PuterWebComponent {
     }
 
     disconnectedCallback () {
+        super.disconnectedCallback();
         this._closeDropdown();
         clearTimeout(this._suppressClickTimer);
         this._suppressClickFor = null;
@@ -370,6 +427,9 @@ class PuterMenubar extends PuterWebComponent {
         if ( this._docPointerDownHandler ) {
             document.removeEventListener('pointerdown', this._docPointerDownHandler, true);
         }
+        if ( this._mouseMoveHandler ) {
+            document.removeEventListener('mousemove', this._mouseMoveHandler);
+        }
     }
 
     _escapeHTML (str) {
diff --git a/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterNotification.js b/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterNotification.js
index 215232686..9fc72f5a3 100644
--- a/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterNotification.js
+++ b/src/puter-js/src/ui/components/PuterNotification.js
@@ -175,6 +175,29 @@ class PuterNotification extends PuterWebComponent {
                     width: auto;
                 }
             }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .notification {
+                background: #2d2d2dcd;
+                border-color: #3a3a3a;
+                box-shadow: 0px 0px 17px -6px #000;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .close-btn {
+                background: #3a3a3a;
+                color: #ccc;
+                filter: drop-shadow(0px 0px 0.5px rgb(230, 230, 230));
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .close-btn:hover {
+                background: #4a4a4a;
+                color: #fff;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .icon-area {
+                filter: drop-shadow(0px 0px 0.5px rgb(230, 230, 230));
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .title {
+                color: #e6e6e6;
+            }
+            :host(.puter-theme-dark) .text {
+                color: #b0b0b0;
+            }
         `;
     }
 
@@ -255,6 +278,7 @@ class PuterNotification extends PuterWebComponent {
     }
 
     disconnectedCallback () {
+        super.disconnectedCallback();
         if ( this._dismissTimer ) clearTimeout(this._dismissTimer);
         const idx = activeNotifications.indexOf(this);
         if ( idx !== -1 ) activeNotifications.splice(idx, 1);