diff --git a/frontend/src/components/report/LayerModal.jsx b/frontend/src/components/report/LayerModal.jsx
index 8d83513..3418f27 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/report/LayerModal.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/report/LayerModal.jsx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import {
   DialogHeader,
   DialogTitle,
 } from '../ui/dialog';
-import { CheckCircle, AlertCircle, Info } from 'lucide-react';
+import { AlertTriangle, Check, HelpCircle, Info } from 'lucide-react';
 import './LayerModal.scss';
 
 const FACTOR_HUMAN = {
@@ -25,28 +25,20 @@ const FACTOR_HUMAN = {
   DisclosureAlignment:  { label: 'Disclosure Accuracy',   category: 'policy', desc: 'Validates privacy policy against actual data collection' },
 };
 
-const CATEGORY_LABELS = {
-  code:   'Code Checks',
-  threat: 'Threat Detection',
-  trust:  'Trust Signals',
+// Short, sentence-case tags used as a secondary caption on flagged/uncovered rows.
+const CATEGORY_TAG = {
+  code:   'Code',
+  threat: 'Threat',
+  trust:  'Trust',
   access: 'Permissions',
-  data:   'Data Handling',
-  policy: 'Policies',
+  data:   'Data',
+  policy: 'Policy',
 };
 
 const LAYER_CONFIG = {
-  security: {
-    title: 'Security',
-    icon: '🛡️',
-  },
-  privacy: {
-    title: 'Privacy',
-    icon: '🔒',
-  },
-  governance: {
-    title: 'Governance',
-    icon: '📋',
-  },
+  security:   { title: 'Security',   icon: '🛡️' },
+  privacy:    { title: 'Privacy',    icon: '🔒' },
+  governance: { title: 'Governance', icon: '📋' },
 };
 
 /**
@@ -61,6 +53,13 @@ export function isNotAnalyzed(factor) {
   return false;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Map a factor to a truthful presentation status:
+ *  - issues:  the check ran and found something material (severity >= 0.4).
+ *             tone splits high (>= 0.7 -> bad/red) vs moderate (warn/amber).
+ *  - unknown: the check could not run -> "Not analyzed" (never "Clear").
+ *  - clear:   the check ran and found nothing material.
+ */
 export function humanizeFactor(factor) {
   const info = FACTOR_HUMAN[factor.name] || {
     label: factor.name,
@@ -68,38 +67,57 @@ export function humanizeFactor(factor) {
     desc: '',
   };
   const severity = factor.severity ?? 0;
-  let status, statusType;
+  let status, statusType, tone;
   if (severity >= 0.4) {
-    status = 'Issue';
     statusType = 'issues';
+    tone = severity >= 0.7 ? 'bad' : 'warn';
+    status = severity >= 0.7 ? 'High risk' : 'Issue';
   } else if (isNotAnalyzed(factor)) {
-    status = 'Not analyzed';
     statusType = 'unknown';
+    tone = 'neutral';
+    status = 'Not analyzed';
   } else {
-    status = 'Clear';
     statusType = 'clear';
+    tone = 'good';
+    status = 'Clear';
   }
-  return { ...info, status, statusType, severity, raw: factor };
+  return { ...info, status, statusType, tone, severity, raw: factor };
 }
 
-function groupByCategory(items) {
-  const groups = {};
-  items.forEach(item => {
-    const cat = item.category || 'other';
-    if (!groups[cat]) groups[cat] = [];
-    groups[cat].push(item);
-  });
-  Object.values(groups).forEach(g => g.sort((a, b) => b.severity - a.severity));
-  return Object.entries(groups)
-    .sort(([, a], [, b]) => Math.max(...b.map(x => x.severity)) - Math.max(...a.map(x => x.severity)));
+/**
+ * Triage a layer's factors into severity tiers for display:
+ * issues (most severe first) -> not analyzed -> cleared (alphabetical).
+ * Keeping this pure makes the "issues first / not-analyzed distinct" ordering testable.
+ */
+export function triageFactors(factors = []) {
+  const humanised = (factors || []).map(humanizeFactor);
+  return {
+    all: humanised,
+    issues: humanised
+      .filter((i) => i.statusType === 'issues')
+      .sort((a, b) => b.severity - a.severity),
+    notAnalyzed: humanised.filter((i) => i.statusType === 'unknown'),
+    cleared: humanised
+      .filter((i) => i.statusType === 'clear')
+      .sort((a, b) => a.label.localeCompare(b.label)),
+  };
 }
 
 function bandLabel(band) {
   switch (band) {
     case 'GOOD': return 'Safe';
-    case 'WARN': return 'Needs Review';
-    case 'BAD':  return 'Not Safe';
-    default:     return '';
+    case 'WARN': return 'Needs review';
+    case 'BAD':  return 'Not safe';
+    default:     return 'Not rated';
+  }
+}
+
+function bandToneClass(band) {
+  switch (band) {
+    case 'GOOD': return 'lm-verdict-good';
+    case 'WARN': return 'lm-verdict-warn';
+    case 'BAD':  return 'lm-verdict-bad';
+    default:     return 'lm-verdict-na';
   }
 }
 
@@ -117,10 +135,37 @@ const InfoTooltip = ({ text }) => {
   );
 };
 
+/** Prominent row for a flagged or uncovered check (issues + not-analyzed tiers). */
+const PrimaryCheckRow = ({ item, index }) => (
+  <div
+    className={`lm-check lm-check--${item.statusType} lm-tone-${item.tone}`}
+    style={{ animationDelay: `${index * 30}ms` }}
+    role="listitem"
+  >
+    <span className="lm-check-rail" aria-hidden />
+    <span className="lm-check-glyph" aria-hidden>
+      {item.statusType === 'issues'
+        ? <AlertTriangle size={15} strokeWidth={2.25} />
+        : <HelpCircle size={15} strokeWidth={2.25} />}
+    </span>
+    <span className="lm-check-main">
+      <span className="lm-check-name">
+        {item.label}
+        {item.desc && <InfoTooltip text={item.desc} />}
+      </span>
+      {CATEGORY_TAG[item.category] && (
+        <span className="lm-check-tag">{CATEGORY_TAG[item.category]}</span>
+      )}
+    </span>
+    <span className={`lm-check-status lm-status-${item.statusType}`}>{item.status}</span>
+  </div>
+);
+
 const LayerModal = ({
   open,
   onClose,
   layer,
+  // eslint-disable-next-line no-unused-vars
   score = null,
   band = 'NA',
   factors = [],
@@ -130,18 +175,20 @@ const LayerModal = ({
   gateResults = [],
   // eslint-disable-next-line no-unused-vars
   layerReasons = [],
+  // eslint-disable-next-line no-unused-vars
   layerDetails = null,
   // eslint-disable-next-line no-unused-vars
   onViewEvidence = null,
 }) => {
   const config = LAYER_CONFIG[layer] || LAYER_CONFIG.security;
 
-  const humanised = factors.map(humanizeFactor);
-  const grouped = groupByCategory(humanised);
+  // Severity-first triage: what's wrong, then what couldn't be checked, then what's fine.
+  const { all, issues, notAnalyzed, cleared } = triageFactors(factors);
+  const hasChecks = all.length > 0;
 
   return (
     <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={onClose}>
-      <DialogContent className="lm-content lm-dialog-smooth" aria-describedby="lm-checks" aria-label={`${config.title} details`} data-layer={layer}>
+      <DialogContent className="lm-content lm-dialog-smooth" aria-describedby="lm-checks" aria-label={`${config.title} details`} data-layer={layer} data-band={band}>
         <DialogHeader className="lm-header-wrap">
           <DialogTitle className="lm-header">
             <div className="lm-header-inner">
@@ -149,46 +196,61 @@ const LayerModal = ({
                 <span className="lm-icon" aria-hidden>{config.icon}</span>
                 <span className="lm-title">{config.title}</span>
               </div>
+              <span className={`lm-verdict-pill ${bandToneClass(band)}`}>{bandLabel(band)}</span>
             </div>
           </DialogTitle>
         </DialogHeader>
 
         <div className="lm-body" id="lm-checks">
-          {grouped.length > 0 && (
-            <div className="lm-checks" role="list" aria-label={`${config.title} checks`}>
-              {grouped.map(([cat, items], catIdx) => (
-                <div key={cat} className="lm-group" style={{ animationDelay: `${catIdx * 40}ms` }} role="group" aria-label={CATEGORY_LABELS[cat] || cat}>
-                  <span className="lm-group-label">{CATEGORY_LABELS[cat] || cat}</span>
-                  <div className="lm-group-items">
-                    {items.map((item, idx) => (
-                      <div
-                        key={idx}
-                        className={`lm-check-card lm-check-${item.statusType}`}
-                        style={{ animationDelay: `${(catIdx * 40 + (idx + 1) * 25)}ms` }}
-                        role="listitem"
-                      >
-                        <div className="lm-check-left">
-                          <span className="lm-check-name">{item.label}</span>
-                          {item.desc && <InfoTooltip text={item.desc} />}
-                        </div>
-                        <span className="lm-status-wrap">
-                          {item.statusType === 'clear' ? (
-                            <CheckCircle className="lm-status-icon" size={14} strokeWidth={2} aria-hidden />
-                          ) : item.statusType === 'unknown' ? (
-                            <Info className="lm-status-icon" size={14} strokeWidth={2} aria-hidden />
-                          ) : (
-                            <AlertCircle className="lm-status-icon" size={14} strokeWidth={2} aria-hidden />
-                          )}
-                          <span className={`lm-status lm-status-${item.statusType}`}>
-                            {item.status}
-                          </span>
-                        </span>
-                      </div>
-                    ))}
+          {!hasChecks && (
+            <p className="lm-empty">No checks are available for this layer.</p>
+          )}
+
+          {issues.length > 0 && (
+            <section className="lm-tier lm-tier--issues" aria-label="Issues found">
+              <header className="lm-tier-head">
+                <span className="lm-tier-title">Issues found</span>
+                <span className="lm-tier-count lm-tier-count--issues">{issues.length}</span>
+              </header>
+              <div className="lm-rows" role="list">
+                {issues.map((item, idx) => (
+                  <PrimaryCheckRow key={`i-${idx}`} item={item} index={idx} />
+                ))}
+              </div>
+            </section>
+          )}
+
+          {notAnalyzed.length > 0 && (
+            <section className="lm-tier lm-tier--unknown" aria-label="Not analyzed">
+              <header className="lm-tier-head">
+                <span className="lm-tier-title">Not analyzed</span>
+                <span className="lm-tier-count">{notAnalyzed.length}</span>
+              </header>
+              <div className="lm-rows" role="list">
+                {notAnalyzed.map((item, idx) => (
+                  <PrimaryCheckRow key={`u-${idx}`} item={item} index={idx} />
+                ))}
+              </div>
+              <p className="lm-tier-note">Coverage unavailable — treat as unknown, not safe.</p>
+            </section>
+          )}
+
+          {cleared.length > 0 && (
+            <section className="lm-tier lm-tier--clear" aria-label="Checks that passed">
+              <header className="lm-tier-head">
+                <span className="lm-tier-title">Cleared</span>
+                <span className="lm-tier-count">{cleared.length}</span>
+              </header>
+              <div className="lm-clear-grid" role="list">
+                {cleared.map((item, idx) => (
+                  <div className="lm-clear-row" key={`c-${idx}`} role="listitem">
+                    <Check className="lm-clear-tick" size={13} strokeWidth={2.5} aria-hidden />
+                    <span className="lm-clear-name">{item.label}</span>
+                    {item.desc && <InfoTooltip text={item.desc} />}
                   </div>
-                </div>
-              ))}
-            </div>
+                ))}
+              </div>
+            </section>
           )}
         </div>
       </DialogContent>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/report/LayerModal.scss b/frontend/src/components/report/LayerModal.scss
index 5fe58fd..e608727 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/report/LayerModal.scss
+++ b/frontend/src/components/report/LayerModal.scss
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 // ===========================================================================
-// LayerModal – Compact, decision-focused layer detail dialog
+// LayerModal — severity-triaged layer detail dialog
+// Issues first (loud) → Not analyzed (neutral) → Cleared (quiet).
 // ===========================================================================
 
 :root {
@@ -24,60 +25,50 @@
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Container
+// Container — accent rail reflects the authoritative verdict, not the layer.
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 .lm-content {
+  --lm-accent: var(--risk-neutral);
+
   font-family: var(--report-font, var(--font-sans));
   background: var(--theme-bg-card);
   border: 1px solid var(--theme-border);
+  border-top: 3px solid var(--lm-accent);
   color: var(--theme-text-primary);
-  max-width: 420px;
+  max-width: 460px;
   width: 92vw;
-  max-height: 80vh;
+  max-height: 82vh;
   overflow-y: auto;
   overflow-x: hidden;
   scrollbar-width: thin;
   scrollbar-color: var(--theme-border-subtle) transparent;
   box-shadow: var(--theme-shadow-dropdown);
-  border-radius: var(--radius-lg, 12px);
+  border-radius: 14px;
   padding: 0;
   animation: lmSlideIn var(--lm-transition-duration) var(--lm-ease) both;
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   gap: 0;
 
-  &[data-layer="security"] {
-    border-left: 3px solid var(--risk-warn, #f59e0b);
-  }
-  &[data-layer="privacy"] {
-    border-left: 3px solid var(--risk-warn, #f59e0b);
-  }
-  &[data-layer="governance"] {
-    border-left: 3px solid var(--risk-good, #10b981);
-  }
+  &[data-band="GOOD"] { --lm-accent: var(--risk-good); }
+  &[data-band="WARN"] { --lm-accent: var(--risk-warn); }
+  &[data-band="BAD"]  { --lm-accent: var(--risk-bad); }
 }
 
 @keyframes lmSlideIn {
-  from {
-    opacity: 0;
-    transform: translate(-50%, -48%) scale(0.98);
-  }
-  to {
-    opacity: 1;
-    transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1);
-  }
+  from { opacity: 0; transform: translate(-50%, -48%) scale(0.985); }
+  to   { opacity: 1; transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1); }
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Header: compact identity bar — icon + title left, verdict right
-// Override DialogHeader's default (flex-col, text-center) so content is row, left/right.
+// Header — identity left, verdict right
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 .lm-header-wrap {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: row;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
-  text-align: center;
+  text-align: left;
   gap: 0;
   margin: 0;
   padding: 0;
@@ -89,19 +80,16 @@
   margin: 0;
   padding: 0;
   border: none;
-  font-size: inherit;
-  font-weight: inherit;
-  line-height: inherit;
+  font: inherit;
   letter-spacing: inherit;
-  tracking-tight: none;
 }
 
 .lm-header-inner {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
   width: 100%;
-  padding: 16px 20px 14px;
+  padding: 18px 20px 16px;
   padding-right: 48px;
   border-bottom: 1px solid var(--theme-border-subtle);
   gap: 12px;
@@ -111,229 +99,236 @@
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   gap: 10px;
-  flex-shrink: 0;
+  min-width: 0;
 }
 
 .lm-header-inner .lm-icon {
-  font-size: 20px;
+  font-size: 19px;
   line-height: 1;
 }
 
 .lm-header-inner .lm-title {
-  font-size: 1.05rem;
-  font-weight: 600;
+  font-size: 1.0625rem;
+  font-weight: 650;
   color: var(--theme-text-primary);
   letter-spacing: -0.01em;
 }
 
+// Verdict pill — the layer's authoritative status, restated in the modal.
 .lm-verdict-pill {
+  flex-shrink: 0;
   font-size: 0.6875rem;
   font-weight: 700;
   text-transform: uppercase;
-  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
-  padding: 5px 12px;
+  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
+  padding: 5px 11px;
   border-radius: var(--radius-full, 9999px);
   white-space: nowrap;
+  border: 1px solid transparent;
 }
+.lm-verdict-good { color: var(--risk-good); background: var(--risk-good-bg); border-color: var(--risk-good-border); }
+.lm-verdict-warn { color: var(--risk-warn); background: var(--risk-warn-bg); border-color: var(--risk-warn-border); }
+.lm-verdict-bad  { color: var(--risk-bad);  background: var(--risk-bad-bg);  border-color: var(--risk-bad-border); }
+.lm-verdict-na   { color: var(--theme-text-muted); background: var(--theme-bg-secondary); border-color: var(--theme-border); }
 
-.lm-verdict-good {
-  color: var(--risk-good);
-  background: var(--risk-good-bg);
-  border: 1px solid var(--risk-good-border);
-}
-.lm-verdict-warn {
-  color: var(--risk-warn);
-  background: var(--risk-warn-bg);
-  border: 1px solid var(--risk-warn-border);
-}
-.lm-verdict-bad {
-  color: var(--risk-bad);
-  background: var(--risk-bad-bg);
-  border: 1px solid var(--risk-bad-border);
-}
-.lm-verdict-na {
-  color: var(--theme-text-muted);
-  background: var(--theme-bg-secondary);
-  border: 1px solid var(--theme-border);
-}
-
-// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Body: no summary, checks only
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Body: no summary, checks only
+// Body — tiers stacked by severity
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 .lm-body {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 0;
-  padding: 14px 20px 20px;
+  gap: 18px;
+  padding: 16px 20px 20px;
 }
 
-.lm-stats-row {
+.lm-empty {
+  margin: 0;
+  padding: 8px 0;
+  font-size: 0.8125rem;
+  color: var(--theme-text-muted);
+}
+
+.lm-tier {
   display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 16px;
-  padding-bottom: 12px;
-  margin-bottom: 12px;
-  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--theme-border-subtle);
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 8px;
 }
 
-.lm-stat {
-  font-size: 0.8125rem;
-  color: var(--theme-text-muted);
-  display: inline-flex;
+.lm-tier-head {
+  display: flex;
   align-items: center;
-  gap: 4px;
+  gap: 8px;
 }
 
-.lm-stat-num {
+.lm-tier-title {
+  font-size: 0.6875rem;
   font-weight: 700;
-  color: var(--theme-text-primary);
-  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  letter-spacing: 0.09em;
+  color: var(--theme-text-muted);
 }
 
-.lm-stat-issues .lm-stat-num {
-  color: var(--risk-warn);
+.lm-tier--issues .lm-tier-title {
+  color: var(--risk-bad);
 }
 
-.lm-stat-clear {
-  color: var(--risk-good);
-  font-weight: 600;
+.lm-tier-count {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  min-width: 18px;
+  height: 18px;
+  padding: 0 5px;
+  font-size: 0.6875rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+  color: var(--theme-text-secondary);
+  background: var(--theme-bg-tertiary);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-full, 9999px);
+
+  // Accent text on a tint (AA-safe), matching the verdict-pill treatment.
+  &--issues {
+    color: var(--risk-bad);
+    background: var(--risk-bad-bg);
+    border: 1px solid var(--risk-bad-border);
+  }
 }
 
-// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Check groups: flat grid
-// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-.lm-checks {
-  display: flex;
-  flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 14px;
+.lm-tier-note {
+  margin: 2px 0 0;
+  font-size: 0.75rem;
+  line-height: 1.4;
+  color: var(--theme-text-subtle);
 }
 
-.lm-group {
+.lm-rows {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 6px;
-  animation: lmFadeUp 0.3s var(--lm-ease) both;
-}
-
-.lm-group-label {
-  font-size: 0.625rem;
-  font-weight: 700;
-  text-transform: uppercase;
-  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
-  color: var(--theme-text-muted);
-  padding-left: 2px;
+  gap: 8px;
 }
 
-.lm-group-items {
-  display: flex;
-  flex-wrap: wrap;
-  gap: 6px;
-}
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Primary row — issues + not analyzed
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+.lm-check {
+  --row-accent: var(--risk-neutral);
+  --row-tint: var(--theme-bg-secondary);
 
-// Check card: full width row — label + info left, status right
-.lm-check-card {
-  display: flex;
+  position: relative;
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: auto 1fr auto;
   align-items: center;
-  justify-content: space-between;
-  width: 100%;
   gap: 10px;
-  padding: 7px 10px;
-  border-radius: var(--radius, 8px);
-  background: var(--theme-bg-secondary);
+  width: 100%;
+  padding: 11px 13px 11px 15px;
+  border-radius: var(--radius, 10px);
+  background: var(--row-tint);
   border: 1px solid var(--theme-border-subtle);
-  transition: background 0.15s ease, border-color 0.15s ease;
-  animation: lmFadeUp 0.25s var(--lm-ease) both;
-  box-sizing: border-box;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  animation: lmFadeUp 0.28s var(--lm-ease) both;
 
-  &:hover {
-    background: var(--theme-bg-tertiary);
-    border-color: var(--theme-border);
-  }
+  &.lm-tone-bad     { --row-accent: var(--risk-bad);  --row-tint: var(--risk-bad-bg); border-color: var(--risk-bad-border); }
+  &.lm-tone-warn    { --row-accent: var(--risk-warn); --row-tint: var(--risk-warn-bg); border-color: var(--risk-warn-border); }
+  &.lm-tone-neutral { --row-accent: var(--risk-neutral); --row-tint: var(--theme-bg-secondary); border-style: dashed; border-color: var(--theme-border); }
+}
 
-  &.lm-check-issues {
-    border-color: var(--risk-warn-border);
-    background: var(--risk-warn-bg);
-    &:hover {
-      background: var(--risk-warn-bg);
-      border-color: var(--risk-warn-border);
-    }
-  }
+.lm-check-rail {
+  position: absolute;
+  left: 0;
+  top: 0;
+  bottom: 0;
+  width: 3px;
+  background: var(--row-accent);
 }
 
-.lm-check-left {
-  display: flex;
+.lm-check-glyph {
+  display: inline-flex;
   align-items: center;
-  gap: 6px;
-  min-width: 0;
-  flex: 1;
+  justify-content: center;
+  color: var(--row-accent);
 }
 
-.lm-check-card .lm-check-name {
-  font-size: 0.8125rem;
-  font-weight: 500;
-  color: var(--theme-text-primary);
-  line-height: 1.3;
-  white-space: nowrap;
-  overflow: hidden;
-  text-overflow: ellipsis;
+.lm-check-main {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  gap: 6px 8px;
+  min-width: 0;
 }
 
-// Status: icon + short label (right-aligned in card)
-.lm-status-wrap {
+.lm-check-name {
   display: inline-flex;
   align-items: center;
-  gap: 4px;
-  flex-shrink: 0;
+  gap: 5px;
+  font-size: 0.875rem;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  color: var(--theme-text-primary);
+  line-height: 1.25;
 }
 
-.lm-status-icon {
-  width: 14px;
-  height: 14px;
-  flex-shrink: 0;
+.lm-check-tag {
+  font-size: 0.625rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
+  color: var(--theme-text-muted);
+  padding: 2px 6px;
+  border-radius: 4px;
+  background: var(--theme-bg-tertiary);
 }
 
-.lm-status {
+.lm-check-status {
+  flex-shrink: 0;
   font-size: 0.625rem;
   font-weight: 700;
   text-transform: uppercase;
-  letter-spacing: 0.03em;
-  padding: 3px 7px;
-  border-radius: 5px;
-  border: 1px solid;
+  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
+  padding: 4px 9px;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-full, 9999px);
   white-space: nowrap;
-  color: var(--theme-text-primary);
+  border: 1px solid transparent;
 }
-
-.lm-status-clear {
-  color: var(--theme-text-primary);
-  border-color: var(--risk-good-border);
-  background: var(--risk-good-bg);
-}
-
+// Dark ink on a solid accent: loud, and AA-contrast on both amber and red in
+// either theme (white-on-amber failed WCAG).
 .lm-status-issues {
-  color: var(--theme-text-primary);
-  border-color: var(--risk-warn-border);
-  background: var(--risk-warn-bg);
+  color: #1c1a17;
+  background: var(--row-accent);
+  font-weight: 800;
 }
-
-// Neutral "Not analyzed" status — no coverage, so neither safe nor flagged.
 .lm-status-unknown {
   color: var(--theme-text-secondary);
-  border-color: var(--theme-border);
   background: var(--theme-bg-tertiary);
+  border-color: var(--theme-border);
 }
 
-.lm-check-card.lm-check-clear .lm-status-icon {
-  color: var(--risk-good);
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Cleared tier — quiet, dense, low-contrast (no green pill noise)
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+.lm-clear-grid {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
+  gap: 4px 16px;
 }
-.lm-check-card.lm-check-issues .lm-status-icon {
-  color: var(--risk-warn);
+
+.lm-clear-row {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 7px;
+  padding: 5px 2px;
+  min-width: 0;
 }
-.lm-check-card.lm-check-unknown .lm-status-icon {
-  color: var(--theme-text-secondary);
+
+.lm-clear-tick {
+  color: var(--risk-good);
+  opacity: 0.85;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+
+.lm-clear-name {
+  font-size: 0.8125rem;
+  font-weight: 500;
+  line-height: 1.3;
+  color: var(--theme-text-muted);
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -347,7 +342,7 @@
   color: var(--theme-text-muted);
   cursor: help;
   flex-shrink: 0;
-  opacity: 0.5;
+  opacity: 0.55;
   transition: opacity 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
   outline: none;
   border-radius: 50%;
@@ -391,25 +386,13 @@
 }
 
 @keyframes lmTooltipIn {
-  from {
-    opacity: 0;
-    transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(4px);
-  }
-  to {
-    opacity: 1;
-    transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(0);
-  }
+  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(4px); }
+  to   { opacity: 1; transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(0); }
 }
 
 @keyframes lmFadeUp {
-  from {
-    opacity: 0;
-    transform: translateY(4px);
-  }
-  to {
-    opacity: 1;
-    transform: translateY(0);
-  }
+  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(5px); }
+  to   { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -422,14 +405,16 @@
   }
   .lm-header-inner {
     flex-wrap: wrap;
+    justify-content: flex-start;
     gap: 8px;
     padding-right: 48px;
   }
-  .lm-group-items {
-    flex-direction: column;
+  .lm-verdict-pill {
+    align-self: flex-start;
   }
-  .lm-check-card {
-    width: 100%;
+  .lm-clear-grid {
+    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+    gap: 2px;
   }
 }
 
@@ -457,66 +442,20 @@
   box-shadow: var(--theme-shadow-dropdown);
 }
 
-.light .lm-header {
-  border-bottom-color: var(--theme-border-subtle);
-  .lm-title { color: var(--theme-text-primary); }
-}
-
 .light .lm-header-inner {
   border-bottom-color: var(--theme-border-subtle);
 }
 
-.light .lm-stats-row {
-  border-bottom-color: var(--theme-border-subtle);
-}
-
-.light .lm-stat {
-  color: var(--theme-text-muted);
+.light .lm-check {
+  background: var(--row-tint, var(--theme-bg-secondary));
 }
 
-.light .lm-stat-num {
-  color: var(--theme-text-primary);
-}
-
-.light .lm-group-label {
-  color: var(--theme-text-muted);
-}
-
-.light .lm-check-card {
+.light .lm-check.lm-tone-neutral {
   background: var(--theme-bg-secondary);
-  border-color: var(--theme-border-subtle);
-  &:hover {
-    background: var(--theme-bg-tertiary);
-    border-color: var(--theme-border);
-  }
-  &.lm-check-issues {
-    background: var(--risk-warn-bg);
-    border-color: var(--risk-warn-border);
-  }
-}
-
-.light .lm-check-card .lm-check-name {
-  color: var(--theme-text-primary);
-}
-
-.light .lm-status-clear {
-  background: var(--risk-good-bg);
-  border-color: var(--risk-good-border);
-  color: var(--risk-good);
 }
 
 .light .lm-status-issues {
-  background: var(--risk-warn-bg);
-  border-color: var(--risk-warn-border);
-  color: var(--risk-warn);
-}
-
-.light .lm-info-trigger {
-  color: var(--extensionshield-text-muted);
-  &:hover,
-  &:focus-visible {
-    color: var(--extensionshield-text-secondary);
-  }
+  color: #fff;
 }
 
 .light .lm-info-tooltip {
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/report/LayerModal.test.jsx b/frontend/src/components/report/LayerModal.test.jsx
index 5c8191e..c9da00c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/report/LayerModal.test.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/report/LayerModal.test.jsx
@@ -1,55 +1,63 @@
 /**
- * LayerModal status-mapping tests (Phase 1 follow-up).
+ * LayerModal status + triage tests (presentation correctness).
  *
- * A check whose underlying analysis did not run has no coverage and must read as
- * "Not analyzed", never "Clear" (which overstates certainty). The network/exfil
- * analyzer reports this via details.network_analysis_enabled === false.
+ * Truthful statuses:
+ *  - "Issue"/"High risk" only when the check ran and found something (severity >= 0.4)
+ *  - "Not analyzed" when coverage is absent (never "Clear")
+ *  - "Clear" only when the check ran and found nothing material
+ * Triage ordering: issues (most severe first) -> not analyzed -> cleared.
  *
- * These exercise the pure status mapping only — no rendering required.
+ * Pure logic only — no rendering required.
  */
 import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
-import { humanizeFactor, isNotAnalyzed } from './LayerModal';
+import { humanizeFactor, isNotAnalyzed, triageFactors } from './LayerModal';
 
 describe('LayerModal status mapping', () => {
   it('Data Sharing with no network coverage is "Not analyzed", not "Clear"', () => {
-    const factor = {
+    const result = humanizeFactor({
       name: 'NetworkExfil',
       severity: 0,
       confidence: 0.5,
       details: { network_analysis_enabled: false },
-    };
-    const result = humanizeFactor(factor);
+    });
     expect(result.status).toBe('Not analyzed');
     expect(result.statusType).toBe('unknown');
+    expect(result.tone).toBe('neutral');
     expect(result.label).toBe('Data Sharing');
   });
 
   it('Data Sharing WITH coverage and no findings reads "Clear"', () => {
-    const factor = {
+    const result = humanizeFactor({
       name: 'NetworkExfil',
       severity: 0,
-      confidence: 0.7,
       details: { network_analysis_enabled: true, domains_analyzed: 3 },
-    };
-    const result = humanizeFactor(factor);
+    });
     expect(result.status).toBe('Clear');
     expect(result.statusType).toBe('clear');
+    expect(result.tone).toBe('good');
   });
 
-  it('an actual ISSUE-level finding wins over the not-analyzed flag', () => {
-    const factor = {
-      name: 'NetworkExfil',
-      severity: 0.6,
-      details: { network_analysis_enabled: false },
-    };
-    const result = humanizeFactor(factor);
+  it('a moderate finding (>=0.4) is an amber "Issue"', () => {
+    const result = humanizeFactor({ name: 'Maintenance', severity: 0.5 });
     expect(result.status).toBe('Issue');
     expect(result.statusType).toBe('issues');
+    expect(result.tone).toBe('warn');
   });
 
-  it('a normal sub-threshold factor without coverage flags is "Clear"', () => {
-    const factor = { name: 'CaptureSignals', severity: 0.1, details: {} };
-    expect(humanizeFactor(factor).status).toBe('Clear');
+  it('a severe finding (>=0.7) is a red "High risk"', () => {
+    const result = humanizeFactor({ name: 'ToSViolations', severity: 0.8 });
+    expect(result.status).toBe('High risk');
+    expect(result.statusType).toBe('issues');
+    expect(result.tone).toBe('bad');
+  });
+
+  it('an actual finding wins over the not-analyzed flag', () => {
+    const result = humanizeFactor({
+      name: 'NetworkExfil',
+      severity: 0.6,
+      details: { network_analysis_enabled: false },
+    });
+    expect(result.statusType).toBe('issues');
   });
 
   it('isNotAnalyzed only fires on the explicit coverage flag', () => {
@@ -59,3 +67,34 @@ describe('LayerModal status mapping', () => {
     expect(isNotAnalyzed({})).toBe(false);
   });
 });
+
+describe('LayerModal triage ordering', () => {
+  const factors = [
+    { name: 'SAST', severity: 0.1 },                                            // clear
+    { name: 'CaptureSignals', severity: 0.5 },                                  // issue (warn)
+    { name: 'NetworkExfil', severity: 0, details: { network_analysis_enabled: false } }, // not analyzed
+    { name: 'ToSViolations', severity: 0.9 },                                   // issue (bad)
+    { name: 'Webstore', severity: 0.2 },                                        // clear
+  ];
+
+  it('separates the three tiers correctly', () => {
+    const { issues, notAnalyzed, cleared } = triageFactors(factors);
+    expect(issues.map((i) => i.label)).toEqual(['Policy Violations', 'Screen Capture']); // severe first
+    expect(notAnalyzed.map((i) => i.label)).toEqual(['Data Sharing']);
+    expect(cleared.map((i) => i.label)).toEqual(['Code Safety', 'Store Reputation']); // alphabetical
+  });
+
+  it('a not-analyzed check never lands in the cleared tier', () => {
+    const { cleared, notAnalyzed } = triageFactors(factors);
+    expect(cleared.some((i) => i.label === 'Data Sharing')).toBe(false);
+    expect(notAnalyzed.some((i) => i.label === 'Data Sharing')).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('handles an empty layer without throwing', () => {
+    const { all, issues, notAnalyzed, cleared } = triageFactors([]);
+    expect(all).toEqual([]);
+    expect(issues).toEqual([]);
+    expect(notAnalyzed).toEqual([]);
+    expect(cleared).toEqual([]);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/report/ResultsSidebarTile.jsx b/frontend/src/components/report/ResultsSidebarTile.jsx
index 2bb4491..01067e8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/report/ResultsSidebarTile.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/report/ResultsSidebarTile.jsx
@@ -62,8 +62,9 @@ const ResultsSidebarTile = ({
           {getBandLabel()}
         </span>
         {findingsCount > 0 && (
-          <span className="tile-findings-badge">
-            {findingsCount} {findingsCount === 1 ? 'finding' : 'findings'}
+          <span className={`tile-findings-badge tile-findings-badge--${band.toLowerCase()}`}>
+            <span className="tile-findings-dot" aria-hidden />
+            {findingsCount} {findingsCount === 1 ? 'issue' : 'issues'}
           </span>
         )}
       </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/report/ResultsSidebarTile.scss b/frontend/src/components/report/ResultsSidebarTile.scss
index d65449a..4400dc9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/report/ResultsSidebarTile.scss
+++ b/frontend/src/components/report/ResultsSidebarTile.scss
@@ -1,23 +1,3 @@
-@keyframes tile-clickable-hint {
-  0%,
-  100% {
-    box-shadow: 0 0 0 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);
-    border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
-  }
-  25% {
-    box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12);
-    border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18);
-  }
-  50% {
-    box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
-    border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14);
-  }
-  75% {
-    box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
-    border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12);
-  }
-}
-
 .results-sidebar-tile {
   --tile-band-color: var(--risk-neutral);
   background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04);
@@ -36,7 +16,6 @@
 
   &.is-clickable {
     cursor: pointer;
-    animation: tile-clickable-hint 2.2s ease-in-out 2;
 
     &:hover {
       background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
@@ -48,15 +27,20 @@
 
   &.band-good {
     --tile-band-color: var(--risk-good);
-    border-color: rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.25);
+    border-color: var(--risk-good-border);
   }
   &.band-warn {
     --tile-band-color: var(--risk-warn);
-    border-color: rgba(245, 158, 11, 0.25);
+    border-color: var(--risk-warn-border);
   }
   &.band-bad {
     --tile-band-color: var(--risk-bad);
-    border-color: rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.25);
+    border-color: var(--risk-bad-border);
+  }
+
+  &:focus-visible {
+    outline: 2px solid var(--color-ring, var(--theme-border-strong));
+    outline-offset: 2px;
   }
 }
 
@@ -109,26 +93,29 @@
   font-size: 0.75rem;
   font-weight: 600;
   border-radius: 9999px;
-  color: var(--theme-text-primary);
-  background: rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.25);
   border: 1px solid transparent;
 
+  // Saturated risk color on its own tint — AA-safe and theme-aware (matches
+  // the LayerModal verdict pill), instead of hardcoded rgba on white text.
   &.tile-pill-good {
-    background: rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.25);
-    border-color: rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.4);
+    color: var(--risk-good);
+    background: var(--risk-good-bg);
+    border-color: var(--risk-good-border);
   }
   &.tile-pill-warn {
-    background: rgba(245, 158, 11, 0.35);
-    border-color: rgba(245, 158, 11, 0.4);
+    color: var(--risk-warn);
+    background: var(--risk-warn-bg);
+    border-color: var(--risk-warn-border);
   }
   &.tile-pill-bad {
-    background: rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.25);
-    border-color: rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.4);
+    color: var(--risk-bad);
+    background: var(--risk-bad-bg);
+    border-color: var(--risk-bad-border);
   }
   &.tile-pill-na {
-    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
-    border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12);
-    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6);
+    color: var(--theme-text-muted);
+    background: var(--theme-bg-tertiary);
+    border-color: var(--theme-border);
   }
 }
 
@@ -138,9 +125,24 @@
 }
 
 .tile-findings-badge {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 6px;
   font-size: 0.75rem;
-  font-weight: 500;
-  color: rgba(248, 250, 252, 0.55);
+  font-weight: 600;
+  color: var(--theme-text-secondary);
+
+  .tile-findings-dot {
+    width: 6px;
+    height: 6px;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    background: currentColor;
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+  }
+
+  // Issues are a real signal, not gray metadata — tint by severity band.
+  &--warn { color: var(--risk-warn); }
+  &--bad  { color: var(--risk-bad); }
 }
 
 /* Row 3: Progress bar */
@@ -201,6 +203,8 @@
 .light .tile-findings-badge {
   color: var(--extensionshield-text-secondary);
 }
+.light .tile-findings-badge--warn { color: var(--risk-warn); }
+.light .tile-findings-badge--bad  { color: var(--risk-bad); }
 
 .light .tile-pill {
   &.tile-pill-good {
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/scanner/ScanResultsPageV2.jsx b/frontend/src/pages/scanner/ScanResultsPageV2.jsx
index 1e9f5ba..c5696ef 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/scanner/ScanResultsPageV2.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/scanner/ScanResultsPageV2.jsx
@@ -786,7 +786,7 @@ const ScanResultsPageV2 = () => {
               <div className="results-v2-findings-count" aria-live="polite">
                 <span className="results-v2-findings-count-num">{totalFindingsCount}</span>
                 <span className="results-v2-findings-count-label">
-                  {totalFindingsCount === 1 ? 'finding' : 'findings'}
+                  {totalFindingsCount === 1 ? 'issue' : 'issues'}
                 </span>
               </div>
             )}
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/normalizeScanResult.ts b/frontend/src/utils/normalizeScanResult.ts
index d419f1e..677c74f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/utils/normalizeScanResult.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/normalizeScanResult.ts
@@ -213,18 +213,24 @@ const GATE_HUMAN_TITLE: Record<string, string> = {
   CAPTURE_SIGNALS: 'May capture your screen or input',
 };
 
+// Keys MUST match the backend FactorName strings (scoring/weights.py). Labels
+// are kept consistent with LayerModal's FACTOR_HUMAN so a factor reads the same
+// in Key Findings and in the layer modal.
 const FACTOR_HUMAN_TITLE: Record<string, string> = {
-  SAST: 'Code security scan',
-  VirusTotal: 'Antivirus scan',
-  Entropy: 'Code obfuscation check',
-  ManifestPosture: 'Extension configuration',
-  ChromeStats: 'Chrome Web Store reputation',
-  WebStoreTrust: 'Developer trust signals',
-  MaintenanceHealth: 'Update & maintenance status',
-  PermissionsBaseline: 'Permission risk level',
-  PermissionCombos: 'Risky permission combinations',
-  NetworkExfil: 'Data sent to external servers',
-  CaptureSignals: 'Screen or input capture',
+  SAST: 'Code Safety',
+  VirusTotal: 'Malware Scan',
+  Obfuscation: 'Hidden Code',
+  Manifest: 'Extension Config',
+  ChromeStats: 'Threat Intel',
+  Webstore: 'Store Reputation',
+  Maintenance: 'Update Freshness',
+  PermissionsBaseline: 'Permission Risk',
+  PermissionCombos: 'Dangerous Combos',
+  NetworkExfil: 'Data Sharing',
+  CaptureSignals: 'Screen Capture',
+  ToSViolations: 'Policy Violations',
+  Consistency: 'Behavior Match',
+  DisclosureAlignment: 'Disclosure Accuracy',
 };
 
 const SAST_HUMAN_TITLE: Record<string, string> = {