diff --git a/craft/src/App.tsx b/craft/src/App.tsx
index 323ba61..bd6ec11 100644
--- a/craft/src/App.tsx
+++ b/craft/src/App.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import React from 'react';
 import { Editor } from '@craftjs/core';
 import { EditorShell } from './editor/EditorShell';
+import { RenderNode } from './editor/RenderNode';
 import { componentResolver } from './components/resolver';
 import { WhpConfig } from './types';
 import { EditorConfigProvider } from './state/EditorConfigContext';
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ export const App: React.FC<AppProps> = ({ whpConfig }) => {
   return (
     <EditorConfigProvider config={whpConfig}>
       <SiteDesignProvider>
-        <Editor resolver={componentResolver} enabled={true}>
+        <Editor resolver={componentResolver} enabled={true} onRender={RenderNode}>
           <PageProvider>
             <SitesmithProvider>
               <EditorShell />
diff --git a/craft/src/editor/Canvas.tsx b/craft/src/editor/Canvas.tsx
index a4a2ca5..25a46af 100644
--- a/craft/src/editor/Canvas.tsx
+++ b/craft/src/editor/Canvas.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import React, { useMemo, useRef, useEffect } from 'react';
-import { Frame, Element } from '@craftjs/core';
+import { Frame, Element, useEditor } from '@craftjs/core';
 import { Container } from '../components/layout/Container';
 import { usePages } from '../state/PageContext';
 import { DeviceMode } from '../types';
@@ -93,6 +93,33 @@ const ZonePreview: React.FC<{ craftState: string | null; zone: 'header' | 'foote
   );
 };
 
+/**
+ * First-run hint shown over the canvas drop area once the current page's
+ * root node exists and has no children yet. Hidden the instant something
+ * is dropped in, and while a drag is in progress (so it never fights the
+ * drop-target UI). `pointer-events: none` (see .empty-canvas-hint in
+ * editor.css) keeps it from intercepting clicks/drops meant for the
+ * underlying empty canvas.
+ */
+export const EmptyCanvasHint: React.FC = () => {
+  const { isEmpty, isDragging } = useEditor((state) => {
+    const root = state.nodes['ROOT'];
+    return {
+      isEmpty: !!root && root.data.nodes.length === 0,
+      isDragging: state.events.dragged.size > 0,
+    };
+  });
+
+  if (!isEmpty || isDragging) return null;
+
+  return (
+    <div className="empty-canvas-hint">
+      <i className="fa fa-cubes" aria-hidden />
+      <span>Drag blocks from the left panel, or pick a Template to start.</span>
+    </div>
+  );
+};
+
 export const Canvas: React.FC<CanvasProps> = ({ device }) => {
   const width = DEVICE_WIDTHS[device];
   const { isEditingHeader, isEditingFooter, headerPage, footerPage } = usePages();
@@ -140,14 +167,17 @@ export const Canvas: React.FC<CanvasProps> = ({ device }) => {
           <ZonePreview craftState={headerPage.craftState} zone="header" />
         )}
 
-        <Frame>
-          <Element
-            is={Container}
-            canvas
-            tag={frameTag}
-            style={frameStyle}
-          />
-        </Frame>
+        <div style={{ position: 'relative' }}>
+          <Frame>
+            <Element
+              is={Container}
+              canvas
+              tag={frameTag}
+              style={frameStyle}
+            />
+          </Frame>
+          {isEditingRegularPage && <EmptyCanvasHint />}
+        </div>
 
         {isEditingRegularPage && (
           <ZonePreview craftState={footerPage.craftState} zone="footer" />
diff --git a/craft/src/editor/EmptyCanvasHint.test.tsx b/craft/src/editor/EmptyCanvasHint.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e1c28b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/craft/src/editor/EmptyCanvasHint.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+import { describe, test, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest';
+import React from 'react';
+import { createRoot, Root } from 'react-dom/client';
+import { act } from 'react-dom/test-utils';
+
+/* Same DOM-harness pattern as Footer.editguard.test.tsx: mock @craftjs/core's
+   useEditor so we can drive editor state without a real <Editor> tree. */
+let mockNodes: Record<string, { data: { nodes: string[] } }> = {};
+let mockDraggedSize = 0;
+
+vi.mock('@craftjs/core', () => ({
+  useEditor: (collect: (state: any) => any) =>
+    collect({
+      nodes: mockNodes,
+      events: { dragged: { size: mockDraggedSize } },
+    }),
+}));
+
+import { EmptyCanvasHint } from './Canvas';
+
+let container: HTMLDivElement;
+let root: Root;
+
+function render(ui: React.ReactElement) {
+  container = document.createElement('div');
+  document.body.appendChild(container);
+  act(() => {
+    root = createRoot(container);
+    root.render(ui);
+  });
+}
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  mockNodes = {};
+  mockDraggedSize = 0;
+});
+
+describe('EmptyCanvasHint', () => {
+  test('renders nothing before ROOT has mounted (no root node yet)', () => {
+    render(<EmptyCanvasHint />);
+    expect(container.querySelector('.empty-canvas-hint')).toBeNull();
+    container.remove();
+  });
+
+  test('renders the hint once ROOT exists with zero children', () => {
+    mockNodes = { ROOT: { data: { nodes: [] } } };
+    render(<EmptyCanvasHint />);
+    expect(container.querySelector('.empty-canvas-hint')).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(container.textContent).toContain('Drag blocks from the left panel');
+    container.remove();
+  });
+
+  test('hides once the page has content', () => {
+    mockNodes = { ROOT: { data: { nodes: ['node-1'] } } };
+    render(<EmptyCanvasHint />);
+    expect(container.querySelector('.empty-canvas-hint')).toBeNull();
+    container.remove();
+  });
+
+  test('hides while a drag is in progress, even on an empty root', () => {
+    mockNodes = { ROOT: { data: { nodes: [] } } };
+    mockDraggedSize = 1;
+    render(<EmptyCanvasHint />);
+    expect(container.querySelector('.empty-canvas-hint')).toBeNull();
+    container.remove();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/craft/src/editor/RenderNode.test.tsx b/craft/src/editor/RenderNode.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6984d4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/craft/src/editor/RenderNode.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+import { describe, test, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest';
+import React from 'react';
+import { createRoot, Root } from 'react-dom/client';
+import { act } from 'react-dom/test-utils';
+
+/* Same DOM-harness pattern as Footer.editguard.test.tsx: mock @craftjs/core
+   so RenderNode (the <Editor onRender> override) can be driven without a
+   real Editor tree. document.body doubles as the portal target, same as
+   the component itself uses. */
+let mockNode: {
+  id: string;
+  selected: boolean;
+  dom: HTMLElement | null;
+  displayName: string;
+  parent: string | null;
+};
+const selectNodeSpy = vi.fn();
+
+vi.mock('@craftjs/core', () => ({
+  useEditor: () => ({ actions: { selectNode: selectNodeSpy } }),
+  useNode: (collect?: (node: any) => any) => {
+    const node = {
+      events: { selected: mockNode.selected },
+      dom: mockNode.dom,
+      data: { custom: {}, displayName: mockNode.displayName, parent: mockNode.parent },
+    };
+    return { id: mockNode.id, ...(collect ? collect(node) : {}) };
+  },
+}));
+
+import { RenderNode } from './RenderNode';
+
+let container: HTMLDivElement;
+let root: Root;
+let nodeDom: HTMLElement;
+
+function render(ui: React.ReactElement) {
+  container = document.createElement('div');
+  document.body.appendChild(container);
+  act(() => {
+    root = createRoot(container);
+    root.render(ui);
+  });
+}
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+  nodeDom = document.createElement('div');
+  document.body.appendChild(nodeDom);
+  mockNode = { id: 'node-1', selected: false, dom: nodeDom, displayName: 'Heading', parent: 'ROOT' };
+  selectNodeSpy.mockClear();
+});
+
+const rendered = <span data-testid="inner">hello</span>;
+
+describe('RenderNode (Editor onRender override)', () => {
+  test('passes render through untouched when not selected', () => {
+    render(<RenderNode render={rendered} />);
+    expect(container.querySelector('[data-testid="inner"]')).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(document.querySelector('.component-indicator')).toBeNull();
+    container.remove();
+    nodeDom.remove();
+  });
+
+  test('shows the badge with the displayName when selected', () => {
+    mockNode.selected = true;
+    render(<RenderNode render={rendered} />);
+    const badge = document.querySelector('.component-indicator');
+    expect(badge).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(badge?.textContent).toContain('Heading');
+    container.remove();
+    nodeDom.remove();
+    document.querySelector('.component-indicator')?.remove();
+  });
+
+  test('never shows a badge for ROOT even if "selected"', () => {
+    mockNode.selected = true;
+    mockNode.id = 'ROOT';
+    render(<RenderNode render={rendered} />);
+    expect(document.querySelector('.component-indicator')).toBeNull();
+    container.remove();
+    nodeDom.remove();
+  });
+
+  test('chevron click selects the parent node', () => {
+    mockNode.selected = true;
+    mockNode.parent = 'parent-42';
+    render(<RenderNode render={rendered} />);
+    const chevron = document.querySelector('.component-indicator-parent-btn') as HTMLElement;
+    expect(chevron).not.toBeNull();
+    act(() => {
+      chevron.dispatchEvent(new MouseEvent('mousedown', { bubbles: true }));
+    });
+    expect(selectNodeSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith('parent-42');
+    container.remove();
+    nodeDom.remove();
+    document.querySelector('.component-indicator')?.remove();
+  });
+
+  test('no chevron when there is no parent', () => {
+    mockNode.selected = true;
+    mockNode.parent = null;
+    render(<RenderNode render={rendered} />);
+    expect(document.querySelector('.component-indicator-parent-btn')).toBeNull();
+    container.remove();
+    nodeDom.remove();
+    document.querySelector('.component-indicator')?.remove();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/craft/src/editor/RenderNode.tsx b/craft/src/editor/RenderNode.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df567cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/craft/src/editor/RenderNode.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+import React, { useCallback, useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
+import { createPortal } from 'react-dom';
+import { useEditor, useNode } from '@craftjs/core';
+
+interface RenderNodeProps {
+  render: React.ReactElement;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Craft.js `<Editor onRender>` override -- wraps every node's render output.
+ * For the currently-selected node it portals a floating badge (component
+ * displayName + a "select parent" chevron) positioned over the node's real
+ * DOM element. Non-selected nodes (the overwhelming majority) and ROOT pass
+ * straight through as a Fragment, so this never touches layout, never
+ * appears in `toHtml` export (that walks the Craft node tree, not this
+ * portal), and doesn't wrap every node in extra DOM.
+ */
+export const RenderNode: React.FC<RenderNodeProps> = ({ render }) => {
+  const { actions } = useEditor();
+  const { id, isSelected, dom, name, parent } = useNode((node) => ({
+    isSelected: node.events.selected,
+    dom: node.dom,
+    name: (node.data.props?.aiName as string) || node.data.displayName,
+    parent: node.data.parent,
+  }));
+
+  const badgeRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const active = isSelected && id !== 'ROOT' && !!dom;
+
+  const updatePosition = useCallback(() => {
+    if (!dom || !badgeRef.current) return;
+    const rect = dom.getBoundingClientRect();
+    const badgeHeight = 22;
+    badgeRef.current.style.left = `${Math.max(rect.left, 0)}px`;
+    badgeRef.current.style.top = `${Math.max(rect.top - badgeHeight, 0)}px`;
+  }, [dom]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!active) return;
+    updatePosition();
+    window.addEventListener('resize', updatePosition);
+    document.addEventListener('scroll', updatePosition, true);
+    return () => {
+      window.removeEventListener('resize', updatePosition);
+      document.removeEventListener('scroll', updatePosition, true);
+    };
+  }, [active, updatePosition]);
+
+  if (!active) return <>{render}</>;
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      {render}
+      {createPortal(
+        <div ref={badgeRef} className="component-indicator" style={{ position: 'fixed' }}>
+          <span>{name}</span>
+          {parent && (
+            <button
+              type="button"
+              className="component-indicator-parent-btn"
+              title="Select parent"
+              aria-label={`Select parent of ${name}`}
+              onMouseDown={(e) => {
+                e.stopPropagation();
+                actions.selectNode(parent);
+              }}
+            >
+              <i className="fa fa-chevron-up" aria-hidden />
+            </button>
+          )}
+        </div>,
+        document.body
+      )}
+    </>
+  );
+};
diff --git a/craft/src/panels/context-menu/ContextMenu.tsx b/craft/src/panels/context-menu/ContextMenu.tsx
index b1eb0b8..fa9371d 100644
--- a/craft/src/panels/context-menu/ContextMenu.tsx
+++ b/craft/src/panels/context-menu/ContextMenu.tsx
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ interface ContextMenuProps {
 
 interface MenuItem {
   label: string;
+  /** Font Awesome icon suffix (e.g. 'magic' for fa-magic), rendered before the label. */
+  icon?: string;
   shortcut?: string;
   action: () => void;
   danger?: boolean;
@@ -189,7 +191,8 @@ export const ContextMenu: React.FC<ContextMenuProps> = ({
 
   const items: MenuItem[] = [
     {
-      label: '✨ Ask Sitesmith',
+      label: 'Ask Sitesmith',
+      icon: 'magic',
       action: askSitesmith,
       disabled: isRoot,
       dividerAfter: true,
@@ -291,7 +294,10 @@ export const ContextMenu: React.FC<ContextMenuProps> = ({
               (e.target as HTMLElement).style.background = 'transparent';
             }}
           >
-            <span>{item.label}</span>
+            <span>
+              {item.icon && <i className={`fa fa-${item.icon}`} style={{ marginRight: 6, width: 12 }} />}
+              {item.label}
+            </span>
             {item.shortcut && (
               <span
                 style={{
diff --git a/craft/src/panels/left/AssetsPanel.tsx b/craft/src/panels/left/AssetsPanel.tsx
index 1229881..034b2ac 100644
--- a/craft/src/panels/left/AssetsPanel.tsx
+++ b/craft/src/panels/left/AssetsPanel.tsx
@@ -107,23 +107,39 @@ export const AssetsPanel: React.FC = () => {
         {loading ? 'Uploading...' : 'Upload File'}
       </button>
 
-      {/* Drop zone */}
+      {/* Drop zone -- a single element that doubles as the empty state.
+          Previously this was a small always-visible dropzone PLUS a
+          separate italic "No assets uploaded yet" line stacked underneath
+          it when empty; merged into one tall dropzone (icon + copy,
+          click-or-drag) so the empty state isn't two redundant messages.
+          Once assets exist it collapses back to a slim persistent drop
+          target above the grid. */}
       <div
         onDrop={handleDrop}
         onDragOver={handleDragOver}
         onDragLeave={handleDragLeave}
+        {...(assets.length === 0 ? clickableProps(() => fileInputRef.current?.click()) : {})}
         style={{
-          padding: 20,
+          display: 'flex',
+          flexDirection: 'column',
+          alignItems: 'center',
+          justifyContent: 'center',
+          gap: 8,
+          padding: assets.length === 0 ? '36px 20px' : 16,
           border: `2px dashed ${isDragOver ? 'var(--color-accent)' : 'var(--color-border)'}`,
           borderRadius: 'var(--radius-md)',
           background: isDragOver ? 'var(--color-accent-subtle)' : 'transparent',
           textAlign: 'center',
           color: isDragOver ? 'var(--color-accent)' : 'var(--color-text-dim)',
           fontSize: 11,
+          cursor: assets.length === 0 ? 'pointer' : 'default',
           transition: 'all var(--transition-fast)',
         }}
       >
-        Drop files here to upload
+        {assets.length === 0 && (
+          <i className="fa fa-cloud-upload" aria-hidden style={{ fontSize: 28, opacity: 0.5 }} />
+        )}
+        {assets.length === 0 ? 'Drag images here or click to upload' : 'Drop files here to upload'}
       </div>
 
       {/* Error message */}
@@ -143,20 +159,6 @@ export const AssetsPanel: React.FC = () => {
       )}
 
       {/* Asset grid */}
-      {assets.length === 0 && !loading && (
-        <div
-          style={{
-            textAlign: 'center',
-            padding: 20,
-            color: 'var(--color-text-dim)',
-            fontSize: 12,
-            fontStyle: 'italic',
-          }}
-        >
-          No assets uploaded yet
-        </div>
-      )}
-
       <div
         style={{
           display: 'grid',
@@ -296,7 +298,7 @@ export const AssetsPanel: React.FC = () => {
                     cursor: 'pointer',
                   }}
                 >
-                  &#10005;
+                  <i className="fa fa-times" aria-hidden />
                 </button>
               </div>
             ) : (
@@ -328,7 +330,7 @@ export const AssetsPanel: React.FC = () => {
                 onMouseEnter={(e) => { (e.target as HTMLElement).style.opacity = '1'; }}
                 onMouseLeave={(e) => { (e.target as HTMLElement).style.opacity = '0.7'; }}
               >
-                &#10005;
+                <i className="fa fa-times" aria-hidden />
               </button>
             )}
           </div>
diff --git a/craft/src/panels/left/PagesPanel.tsx b/craft/src/panels/left/PagesPanel.tsx
index a7e90a4..02f1abe 100644
--- a/craft/src/panels/left/PagesPanel.tsx
+++ b/craft/src/panels/left/PagesPanel.tsx
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ export const PagesPanel: React.FC = () => {
                       cursor: 'pointer',
                     }}
                   >
-                    &#10005;
+                    <i className="fa fa-trash" aria-hidden="true" />
                   </button>
                 )}
               </div>
diff --git a/craft/src/panels/right/styles/PresetButtonGrid.columns.test.ts b/craft/src/panels/right/styles/PresetButtonGrid.columns.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..415a75e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/craft/src/panels/right/styles/PresetButtonGrid.columns.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
+import { defaultPresetGridColumns } from './shared';
+import { RADIUS_PRESETS, SPACING_PRESETS, IMAGE_RADIUS_PRESETS, FONT_WEIGHTS, TEXT_SIZES, FONT_FAMILIES } from '../../../constants/presets';
+
+/*
+ * Regression: 5-item preset sets (RADIUS_PRESETS, SPACING_PRESETS,
+ * IMAGE_RADIUS_PRESETS, FONT_WEIGHTS, and NavStylePanel's ad-hoc
+ * GAP_PRESETS) left a lone orphan button on its own row under the old
+ * fixed 4-column .preset-grid. PresetButtonGrid now derives a column
+ * count from the preset length instead.
+ */
+describe('defaultPresetGridColumns', () => {
+  it('gives 5-item sets their own single row (no orphan)', () => {
+    expect(defaultPresetGridColumns(RADIUS_PRESETS.length)).toBe(5);
+    expect(defaultPresetGridColumns(SPACING_PRESETS.length)).toBe(5);
+    expect(defaultPresetGridColumns(IMAGE_RADIUS_PRESETS.length)).toBe(5);
+    expect(defaultPresetGridColumns(FONT_WEIGHTS.length)).toBe(5);
+    expect(defaultPresetGridColumns(5)).toBe(5); // NavStylePanel's GAP_PRESETS
+  });
+
+  it('splits 6-item sets into two even rows of 3 (was 4+2 uneven)', () => {
+    expect(defaultPresetGridColumns(TEXT_SIZES.length)).toBe(3);
+  });
+
+  it('keeps the classic 4-column grid for sets that already divide evenly', () => {
+    expect(defaultPresetGridColumns(FONT_FAMILIES.length)).toBe(4); // 8 items
+    expect(defaultPresetGridColumns(4)).toBe(4);
+    expect(defaultPresetGridColumns(3)).toBe(4);
+  });
+
+  it('never leaves a single orphan on the final row for any count 1-12', () => {
+    for (let n = 1; n <= 12; n++) {
+      const cols = defaultPresetGridColumns(n);
+      const isLoneOrphan = n > cols && n % cols === 1;
+      expect(isLoneOrphan).toBe(false);
+    }
+  });
+});
diff --git a/craft/src/panels/right/styles/shared.tsx b/craft/src/panels/right/styles/shared.tsx
index 96f860a..953f948 100644
--- a/craft/src/panels/right/styles/shared.tsx
+++ b/craft/src/panels/right/styles/shared.tsx
@@ -84,20 +84,42 @@ interface PresetButtonGridProps {
   presets: { label: string; value: string }[];
   activeValue: string | undefined;
   onSelect: (value: string) => void;
+  /** Explicit column count. When omitted, a column count is derived from
+   *  `presets.length` (see `defaultPresetGridColumns`) so odd-sized preset
+   *  sets (5, 6, ...) don't leave a lone orphan button dangling on its own
+   *  row under the fixed 4-column grid. */
+  columns?: number;
 }
-export const PresetButtonGrid: React.FC<PresetButtonGridProps> = ({ presets, activeValue, onSelect }) => (
-  <div className="preset-grid">
-    {presets.map((p) => (
-      <button
-        key={p.value}
-        className={`preset-btn ${String(activeValue) === p.value ? 'active' : ''}`}
-        onClick={() => onSelect(p.value)}
-      >
-        {p.label}
-      </button>
-    ))}
-  </div>
-);
+
+/** Picks a column count that avoids a single orphan on the last row.
+ *  4-or-fewer presets keep the classic single row of 4. 5 gets its own
+ *  row (5 cols). 6 splits into two even rows of 3. Anything else falls
+ *  back to a 4- or 3-column grid depending on which divides evenly. */
+export function defaultPresetGridColumns(count: number): number {
+  if (count <= 4) return 4;
+  if (count === 5) return 5;
+  if (count === 6) return 3;
+  if (count % 4 === 0) return 4;
+  if (count % 3 === 0) return 3;
+  return 4;
+}
+
+export const PresetButtonGrid: React.FC<PresetButtonGridProps> = ({ presets, activeValue, onSelect, columns }) => {
+  const cols = columns ?? defaultPresetGridColumns(presets.length);
+  return (
+    <div className="preset-grid" style={{ gridTemplateColumns: `repeat(${cols}, 1fr)` }}>
+      {presets.map((p) => (
+        <button
+          key={p.value}
+          className={`preset-btn ${String(activeValue) === p.value ? 'active' : ''}`}
+          onClick={() => onSelect(p.value)}
+        >
+          {p.label}
+        </button>
+      ))}
+    </div>
+  );
+};
 
 interface GradientSwatchGridProps {
   activeValue: string | undefined;
diff --git a/craft/src/panels/sitesmith/SitesmithButton.tsx b/craft/src/panels/sitesmith/SitesmithButton.tsx
index c25e81d..6bc306a 100644
--- a/craft/src/panels/sitesmith/SitesmithButton.tsx
+++ b/craft/src/panels/sitesmith/SitesmithButton.tsx
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ export const SitesmithButton: React.FC<Props> = ({ onClick }) => {
         color: '#fff', border: 'none', padding: '6px 12px', borderRadius: 6, cursor: 'pointer', fontWeight: 500,
       }}
     >
-      ✨ Sitesmith
-      {locked && <span aria-hidden style={{ marginLeft: 6, fontSize: 12 }}>🔒</span>}
+      <i className="fa fa-magic" aria-hidden style={{ marginRight: 6 }} /> Sitesmith
+      {locked && <i className="fa fa-lock" aria-hidden style={{ marginLeft: 6, fontSize: 12 }} />}
       {capped && !locked && <span aria-hidden style={{ marginLeft: 6, fontSize: 11, opacity: 0.85 }}>(cap)</span>}
     </button>
   );
diff --git a/craft/src/panels/sitesmith/SitesmithModal.tsx b/craft/src/panels/sitesmith/SitesmithModal.tsx
index 6bb9ac7..56e793b 100644
--- a/craft/src/panels/sitesmith/SitesmithModal.tsx
+++ b/craft/src/panels/sitesmith/SitesmithModal.tsx
@@ -103,7 +103,10 @@ export const SitesmithModal: React.FC<Props> = ({ onClose, target }) => {
     >
       <div style={panel}>
         <div style={header}>
-          <div style={{ fontWeight: 600, color: '#fff' }}>✨ Sitesmith</div>
+          <div style={{ fontWeight: 600, color: '#fff' }}>
+            <i className="fa fa-magic" aria-hidden style={{ marginRight: 6 }} />
+            Sitesmith
+          </div>
           {summary && summary.enabled && (
             <div style={{ fontSize: 12, color: '#a1a1aa', marginLeft: 16 }}>
               {summary.monthly_used} / {summary.monthly_cap} this month
@@ -136,7 +139,7 @@ export const SitesmithModal: React.FC<Props> = ({ onClose, target }) => {
               </button>
             )
           )}
-          <button onClick={onClose} aria-label="Close" style={closeBtn}>✕</button>
+          <button onClick={onClose} aria-label="Close" style={closeBtn}><i className="fa fa-times" aria-hidden /></button>
         </div>
         <div style={body}>
           <UpgradeBanner summary={summary} />
diff --git a/craft/src/panels/topbar/TemplateModal.tsx b/craft/src/panels/topbar/TemplateModal.tsx
index 93b2227..75f3330 100644
--- a/craft/src/panels/topbar/TemplateModal.tsx
+++ b/craft/src/panels/topbar/TemplateModal.tsx
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ export const TemplateModal: React.FC<TemplateModalProps> = ({ open, onClose }) =
             </p>
           </div>
           <button onClick={onClose} style={closeButtonStyle} title="Close">
-            &#10005;
+            <i className="fa fa-times" aria-hidden />
           </button>
         </div>
 
diff --git a/craft/src/styles/editor.css b/craft/src/styles/editor.css
index 409499e..89f389c 100644
--- a/craft/src/styles/editor.css
+++ b/craft/src/styles/editor.css
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
   --color-border: #2d2d3a;
   --color-border-light: #3f3f46;
   --color-text: #e4e4e7;
-  --color-text-muted: #71717a;
-  --color-text-dim: #52525b;
+  --color-text-muted: #8b8b96;
+  --color-text-dim: #6e6e78;
   --color-accent: #3b82f6;
   --color-accent-hover: #2563eb;
   --color-accent-subtle: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.12);
@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ body {
 }
 
 .block-item-icon {
-  font-size: 18px;
+  font-size: 20px;
   color: var(--color-text-muted);
   transition: color var(--transition-fast);
 }
@@ -714,7 +714,7 @@ body {
 }
 
 .block-item-label {
-  font-size: 10px;
+  font-size: 11px;
   font-weight: 500;
   color: var(--color-text-muted);
   text-align: center;
@@ -1074,12 +1074,16 @@ body {
   outline-offset: -1px;
 }
 
-/* Component indicator badge */
+/* Component indicator badge (floats over the selected node via a portal --
+   position/top/left are set inline per-node, see RenderNode.tsx) */
 .component-indicator {
   position: absolute;
   top: -22px;
   left: 0;
-  padding: 2px 8px;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 6px;
+  padding: 2px 6px 2px 8px;
   font-size: 10px;
   font-weight: 600;
   color: #ffffff;
@@ -1090,6 +1094,28 @@ body {
   z-index: 10;
 }
 
+.component-indicator-parent-btn {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  width: 14px;
+  height: 14px;
+  padding: 0;
+  border: none;
+  border-radius: 2px;
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
+  color: #ffffff;
+  font-size: 8px;
+  line-height: 1;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  pointer-events: auto;
+  transition: background var(--transition-fast);
+}
+
+.component-indicator-parent-btn:hover {
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
+}
+
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Scrollbar Styling
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
@@ -1225,6 +1251,8 @@ body {
    Empty Canvas State
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 .empty-canvas-hint {
+  position: absolute;
+  inset: 0;
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   align-items: center;
@@ -1234,6 +1262,9 @@ body {
   font-size: 13px;
   text-align: center;
   gap: 12px;
+  /* Overlays the drop area without intercepting drags/clicks meant for the
+     underlying (empty) canvas root -- see Canvas.tsx. */
+  pointer-events: none;
 }
 
 .empty-canvas-hint i {