diff --git a/src/ui/mod.rs b/src/ui/mod.rs
index f77092d..9828374 100644
--- a/src/ui/mod.rs
+++ b/src/ui/mod.rs
@@ -37,14 +37,15 @@ impl Plugin for UiPlugin {
             .add_systems(
                 Update,
                 (
-                    sequence_control_button_system,
-                    curriculum_toggle_system,
+                    button_hover_system,
+                    sequence_control_button_system.after(button_hover_system),
+                    curriculum_toggle_system.after(button_hover_system),
                     curriculum_grade_system,
                     curriculum_document_system,
                     curriculum_page_button_system,
                     sync_curriculum_ui_labels,
-                    mode_toggle_system,
-                    rhythm_mode_toggle_system,
+                    mode_toggle_system.after(button_hover_system),
+                    rhythm_mode_toggle_system.after(button_hover_system),
                     style_slider_system,
                     update_rhythm_from_slider,
                     update_circle_layout,
diff --git a/src/ui/systems.rs b/src/ui/systems.rs
index 88e2ffb..587bd9c 100644
--- a/src/ui/systems.rs
+++ b/src/ui/systems.rs
@@ -43,11 +43,14 @@ pub fn sequence_control_button_system(
                     rhythm_state.accelerate_counter = 0;
                 }
             }
-            Interaction::Hovered => {
-                background_color.0 = Color::srgba(0.886, 0.886, 0.886, 0.1);
-            }
             Interaction::None => {
+                if sequence_state.running {
+                    background_color.0 = PRIMARY_EMISSIVE;
+                } else {
+                    background_color.0 = Color::NONE;
+                }
             }
+            _ => {}
         }
     }
 }
@@ -78,12 +81,10 @@ pub fn curriculum_toggle_system(
                     text.0 = "Open Curriculum".to_string();
                 }
             }
-            Interaction::Hovered => {
-                background_color.0 = Color::srgba(0.886, 0.886, 0.886, 0.1);
-            }
             Interaction::None => {
                 background_color.0 = Color::NONE;
             }
+            _ => {}
         }
     }
 }
@@ -121,12 +122,10 @@ pub fn mode_toggle_system(
                     }
                 }
             }
-            Interaction::Hovered => {
-                background_color.0 = Color::srgba(0.886, 0.886, 0.886, 0.1);
-            }
             Interaction::None => {
                 background_color.0 = Color::NONE;
             }
+            _ => {}
         }
     }
 }
@@ -166,12 +165,10 @@ pub fn rhythm_mode_toggle_system(
                     }
                 }
             }
-            Interaction::Hovered => {
-                background_color.0 = Color::srgba(0.886, 0.886, 0.886, 0.1);
-            }
             Interaction::None => {
                 background_color.0 = Color::NONE;
             }
+            _ => {}
         }
     }
 }
@@ -491,3 +488,28 @@ pub fn sync_curriculum_ui_labels(
 /// In this project's UI structure, buttons have a single Text child.
 #[derive(Component)]
 pub struct ParentButton<T: Component>(pub std::marker::PhantomData<T>);
+
+/// A generic system to handle hover color for all buttons.
+///
+/// It applies the standard design system `GHOST_BORDER` background color on hover,
+/// and restores it to `Color::NONE` when the interaction ends.
+/// Systems that manage toggle state buttons run after this to override
+/// the `Interaction::None` state as needed.
+pub fn button_hover_system(
+    mut interaction_query: Query<
+        (&Interaction, &mut BackgroundColor),
+        (Changed<Interaction>, With<Button>),
+    >,
+) {
+    for (interaction, mut background_color) in &mut interaction_query {
+        match *interaction {
+            Interaction::Hovered => {
+                background_color.0 = crate::constants::GHOST_BORDER;
+            }
+            Interaction::None => {
+                background_color.0 = Color::NONE;
+            }
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+}