diff --git a/apps/blog/tests/test_views.py b/apps/blog/tests/test_views.py
index 2f07e5b..3ae9203 100644
--- a/apps/blog/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/apps/blog/tests/test_views.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import re
+
 import pytest
 from taggit.models import Tag
 
@@ -138,6 +140,54 @@ def test_article_page_renders_approved_comments_and_reply_form(client, home_page
     assert "Top level" in html
     assert "Reply" in html
     assert f'name="parent_id" value="{comment.id}"' in html
+    match = re.search(r'id="comments-empty-state"[^>]*class="([^"]+)"', html)
+    assert match is not None
+    assert "hidden" in match.group(1).split()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+def test_article_page_shows_empty_state_when_no_approved_comments(client, home_page):
+    index = ArticleIndexPage(title="Articles", slug="articles")
+    home_page.add_child(instance=index)
+    author = AuthorFactory()
+    article = ArticlePage(
+        title="Main",
+        slug="main",
+        author=author,
+        summary="summary",
+        body=[("rich_text", "<p>body</p>")],
+    )
+    index.add_child(instance=article)
+    article.save_revision().publish()
+
+    resp = client.get("/articles/main/")
+    html = resp.content.decode()
+
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    assert 'id="comments-empty-state"' in html
+    assert "No comments yet. Be the first to comment." in html
+
+
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+def test_article_page_loads_comment_client_script(client, home_page):
+    index = ArticleIndexPage(title="Articles", slug="articles")
+    home_page.add_child(instance=index)
+    author = AuthorFactory()
+    article = ArticlePage(
+        title="Main",
+        slug="main",
+        author=author,
+        summary="summary",
+        body=[("rich_text", "<p>body</p>")],
+    )
+    index.add_child(instance=article)
+    article.save_revision().publish()
+
+    resp = client.get("/articles/main/")
+    html = resp.content.decode()
+
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    assert 'src="/static/js/comments.js"' in html
 
 
 @pytest.mark.django_db
diff --git a/apps/comments/tests/test_v2.py b/apps/comments/tests/test_v2.py
index 7f964ca..8e33690 100644
--- a/apps/comments/tests/test_v2.py
+++ b/apps/comments/tests/test_v2.py
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ def test_htmx_post_returns_form_plus_oob_comment_when_approved(client, _article)
     # OOB swap appends the comment to #comments-list
     assert "hx-swap-oob" in content
     assert "Hello world" in content
+    assert 'id="comments-empty-state" hx-swap-oob="delete"' in content
     comment = Comment.objects.get()
     assert comment.is_approved is True
 
@@ -132,8 +133,8 @@ def test_htmx_reply_returns_oob_reply_when_approved(client, _article, approved_c
         )
     content = resp.content.decode()
     assert resp.status_code == 200
-    # OOB targets the sibling .replies-container of the parent comment article
-    assert f'hx-swap-oob="beforeend:#comment-{approved_comment.id} ~ .replies-container"' in content
+    # OOB targets a stable, explicit replies container for the parent comment.
+    assert f'hx-swap-oob="beforeend:#replies-for-{approved_comment.id}"' in content
     # Verify content is rendered (not empty due to context mismatch)
     assert "Replier" in content
     assert "Nice reply" in content
@@ -165,6 +166,30 @@ def test_htmx_error_with_tampered_parent_id_falls_back_to_main_form(client, _art
     assert b"comment-form-container" in resp.content
 
 
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+def test_htmx_invalid_reply_rerenders_reply_form_with_values(client, _article, approved_comment):
+    """Invalid reply keeps user input and returns the reply form container."""
+    cache.clear()
+    resp = client.post(
+        "/comments/post/",
+        {
+            "article_id": _article.id,
+            "parent_id": approved_comment.id,
+            "author_name": "Reply User",
+            "author_email": "reply@example.com",
+            "body": "   ",
+            "honeypot": "",
+        },
+        HTTP_HX_REQUEST="true",
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    content = resp.content.decode()
+    assert f'id="reply-form-container-{approved_comment.id}"' in content
+    assert "Comment form errors" in content
+    assert 'value="Reply User"' in content
+    assert "reply@example.com" in content
+
+
 # ── Turnstile Integration ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 
diff --git a/apps/comments/views.py b/apps/comments/views.py
index 228f3ff..9f45d05 100644
--- a/apps/comments/views.py
+++ b/apps/comments/views.py
@@ -133,6 +133,7 @@ class CommentCreateView(View):
                     "comment": parent, "page": article,
                     "turnstile_site_key": _turnstile_site_key(),
                     "reply_form_errors": form.errors,
+                    "reply_form": form,
                 }
                 return _add_vary_header(render(request, "comments/_reply_form.html", ctx))
         ctx = {
@@ -144,7 +145,7 @@ class CommentCreateView(View):
     def _render_htmx_success(self, request, article, comment):
         """Return fresh form + OOB-appended comment (if approved)."""
         tsk = _turnstile_site_key()
-        oob_html = ""
+        oob_parts = []
         if comment.is_approved:
             ctx = _comment_template_context(comment, article, request)
             if comment.parent_id:
@@ -152,17 +153,14 @@ class CommentCreateView(View):
                 reply_ctx = ctx.copy()
                 reply_ctx["reply"] = reply_ctx.pop("comment")
                 comment_html = render_to_string("comments/_reply.html", reply_ctx, request)
-                # .replies-container is now a sibling of #comment-{id}
-                oob_html = (
-                    f'<div hx-swap-oob="beforeend:#comment-{comment.parent_id} '
-                    f'~ .replies-container">{comment_html}</div>'
+                oob_parts.append(
+                    f'<div hx-swap-oob="beforeend:#replies-for-{comment.parent_id}">{comment_html}</div>'
                 )
             else:
                 comment_html = render_to_string("comments/_comment.html", ctx, request)
-                oob_html = (
-                    f'<div hx-swap-oob="beforeend:#comments-list">'
-                    f"{comment_html}</div>"
-                )
+                oob_parts.append(f'<div hx-swap-oob="beforeend:#comments-list">{comment_html}</div>')
+                # Ensure stale empty-state copy is removed when the first approved comment appears.
+                oob_parts.append('<div id="comments-empty-state" hx-swap-oob="delete"></div>')
 
         if comment.parent_id:
             parent = Comment.objects.filter(pk=comment.parent_id, article=article).first()
@@ -180,7 +178,7 @@ class CommentCreateView(View):
                 "page": article, "turnstile_site_key": tsk, "success_message": msg,
             }, request)
 
-        resp = HttpResponse(form_html + oob_html)
+        resp = HttpResponse(form_html + "".join(oob_parts))
         return _add_vary_header(resp)
 
     def post(self, request):
diff --git a/static/js/comments.js b/static/js/comments.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0149e1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/js/comments.js
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+(function () {
+  function renderTurnstileWidgets(root) {
+    if (!root || !window.turnstile || typeof window.turnstile.render !== "function") {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const widgets = [];
+    if (root.matches && root.matches(".cf-turnstile")) {
+      widgets.push(root);
+    }
+    if (root.querySelectorAll) {
+      widgets.push(...root.querySelectorAll(".cf-turnstile"));
+    }
+
+    widgets.forEach(function (widget) {
+      if (widget.dataset.turnstileRendered === "true") {
+        return;
+      }
+      if (widget.querySelector("iframe")) {
+        widget.dataset.turnstileRendered = "true";
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const sitekey = widget.dataset.sitekey;
+      if (!sitekey) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const options = {
+        sitekey: sitekey,
+        theme: widget.dataset.theme || "auto",
+      };
+      if (widget.dataset.size) {
+        options.size = widget.dataset.size;
+      }
+      if (widget.dataset.action) {
+        options.action = widget.dataset.action;
+      }
+      if (widget.dataset.appearance) {
+        options.appearance = widget.dataset.appearance;
+      }
+
+      window.turnstile.render(widget, options);
+      widget.dataset.turnstileRendered = "true";
+    });
+  }
+
+  function syncCommentsEmptyState() {
+    const emptyState = document.getElementById("comments-empty-state");
+    const commentsList = document.getElementById("comments-list");
+    if (!emptyState || !commentsList) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const hasComments = commentsList.querySelector("[data-comment-item='true']") !== null;
+    emptyState.classList.toggle("hidden", hasComments);
+  }
+
+  function onTurnstileReady(root) {
+    if (!window.turnstile || typeof window.turnstile.ready !== "function") {
+      return;
+    }
+    window.turnstile.ready(function () {
+      renderTurnstileWidgets(root || document);
+    });
+  }
+
+  document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () {
+    syncCommentsEmptyState();
+    onTurnstileReady(document);
+  });
+
+  document.addEventListener("htmx:afterSwap", function (event) {
+    const target = event.detail && event.detail.target ? event.detail.target : document;
+    syncCommentsEmptyState();
+    onTurnstileReady(target);
+  });
+
+  window.addEventListener("load", function () {
+    syncCommentsEmptyState();
+    onTurnstileReady(document);
+  });
+})();
diff --git a/templates/base.html b/templates/base.html
index bfb3e47..e3da92d 100644
--- a/templates/base.html
+++ b/templates/base.html
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
     <script src="{% static 'js/theme.js' %}" defer></script>
     <script src="{% static 'js/prism.js' %}" defer></script>
     <script src="{% static 'js/newsletter.js' %}" defer></script>
+    <script src="{% static 'js/comments.js' %}" defer></script>
     <script src="{% static 'js/htmx.min.js' %}" nonce="{{ request.csp_nonce|default:'' }}" defer></script>
     {% if turnstile_site_key %}<script src="https://challenges.cloudflare.com/turnstile/v0/api.js" async defer nonce="{{ request.csp_nonce|default:'' }}"></script>{% endif %}
   </head>
diff --git a/templates/blog/article_page.html b/templates/blog/article_page.html
index 7c74ba6..345a946 100644
--- a/templates/blog/article_page.html
+++ b/templates/blog/article_page.html
@@ -141,16 +141,15 @@
 {% if page.comments_enabled %}
 <section class="mt-16 pt-12 border-t border-zinc-200 dark:border-zinc-800">
   <div class="h-1 w-24 bg-gradient-to-r from-brand-cyan to-brand-pink mb-6"></div>
-  <h2 class="font-display font-bold text-3xl mb-8">Comments</h2>
+  <h2 class="font-display font-bold text-3xl">Comments</h2>
+  <p class="mt-2 mb-6 font-mono text-xs uppercase tracking-wider text-zinc-500">
+    {{ approved_comments|length }} public comment{{ approved_comments|length|pluralize }}
+  </p>
 
-  {% if approved_comments %}
-    {% include "comments/_comment_list.html" %}
-  {% else %}
-  <div id="comments-list" class="space-y-8 mb-12"></div>
-  <div class="mb-12 p-8 bg-grid-pattern text-center">
+  {% include "comments/_comment_list.html" %}
+  <div id="comments-empty-state" class="mb-8 rounded-md border border-zinc-200 bg-zinc-50 p-4 text-center dark:border-zinc-800 dark:bg-zinc-900/40 {% if approved_comments %}hidden{% endif %}">
     <p class="font-mono text-sm text-zinc-500">No comments yet. Be the first to comment.</p>
   </div>
-  {% endif %}
 
   {% include "comments/_comment_form.html" %}
 </section>
diff --git a/templates/comments/_comment.html b/templates/comments/_comment.html
index 5777495..dc0d122 100644
--- a/templates/comments/_comment.html
+++ b/templates/comments/_comment.html
@@ -1,40 +1,36 @@
 <div class="group">
-  <!-- Top-level Comment -->
-  <article id="comment-{{ comment.id }}" class="relative bg-brand-surfaceLight dark:bg-brand-surfaceDark border border-zinc-200 dark:border-zinc-800 p-6 sm:p-8 hover:border-brand-pink/30 transition-colors">
-    <div class="flex items-start gap-4 mb-4">
-      <div class="w-10 h-10 bg-gradient-to-tr from-brand-cyan to-brand-pink shrink-0 rounded-sm shadow-solid-dark/10 dark:shadow-solid-light/5"></div>
-      <div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
-        <div class="flex flex-wrap items-baseline gap-x-3 gap-y-1">
-          <span class="font-display font-bold text-base text-zinc-900 dark:text-zinc-100">{{ comment.author_name }}</span>
-          <time datetime="{{ comment.created_at|date:'c' }}" class="font-mono text-xs text-zinc-500 uppercase tracking-wider">{{ comment.created_at|date:"M j, Y" }}</time>
-        </div>
-        <div class="mt-3 prose prose-sm dark:prose-invert max-w-none text-zinc-700 dark:text-zinc-300 leading-relaxed">
-          {{ comment.body|linebreaks }}
-        </div>
-      </div>
+  <article
+    id="comment-{{ comment.id }}"
+    data-comment-item="true"
+    class="rounded-lg border border-zinc-200 bg-brand-surfaceLight p-5 shadow-sm transition-colors hover:border-zinc-300 dark:border-zinc-800 dark:bg-brand-surfaceDark dark:hover:border-zinc-700 sm:p-6"
+  >
+    <header class="mb-3 flex flex-wrap items-center gap-x-3 gap-y-1">
+      <span class="font-display text-base font-bold text-zinc-900 dark:text-zinc-100">{{ comment.author_name }}</span>
+      <time datetime="{{ comment.created_at|date:'c' }}" class="font-mono text-[11px] uppercase tracking-wider text-zinc-500">
+        {{ comment.created_at|date:"M j, Y" }}
+      </time>
+    </header>
+
+    <div class="prose prose-sm mt-2 max-w-none leading-relaxed text-zinc-700 dark:prose-invert dark:text-zinc-300">
+      {{ comment.body|linebreaks }}
     </div>
 
-    <div class="flex items-center justify-between mt-6">
+    <div class="mt-5 flex items-center justify-between gap-4 border-t border-zinc-100 pt-4 dark:border-zinc-800">
       {% include "comments/_reactions.html" with comment=comment counts=comment.reaction_counts user_reacted=comment.user_reacted %}
-      
-      <details class="group/details">
-        <summary class="list-none cursor-pointer flex items-center gap-2 font-mono text-xs font-bold uppercase tracking-widest text-zinc-500 hover:text-brand-pink transition-colors [&::-webkit-details-marker]:hidden">
-          <svg class="w-4 h-4 transition-transform group-open/details:-translate-y-0.5 group-open/details:translate-x-0.5" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke="currentColor">
-            <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M3 10h10a8 8 0 018 8v2M3 10l6 6m-6-6l6-6" />
-          </svg>
-          <span class="group-open/details:hidden">Reply</span>
-          <span class="hidden group-open/details:inline text-brand-pink">Cancel Reply</span>
-        </summary>
 
-        <div class="mt-8 pt-8 border-t border-zinc-100 dark:border-zinc-800 animate-in fade-in slide-in-from-top-2 duration-300">
+      <details class="group/details">
+        <summary class="list-none cursor-pointer font-mono text-xs font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-zinc-500 transition-colors hover:text-brand-cyan [&::-webkit-details-marker]:hidden">
+          <span class="group-open/details:hidden">Reply</span>
+          <span class="hidden group-open/details:inline">Cancel reply</span>
+        </summary>
+        <div class="mt-4 rounded-md border border-zinc-200 bg-white p-4 dark:border-zinc-700 dark:bg-zinc-950">
           {% include "comments/_reply_form.html" with page=page comment=comment %}
         </div>
       </details>
     </div>
   </article>
 
-  <!-- Nested Replies -->
-  <div class="replies-container relative ml-6 sm:ml-12 mt-4 space-y-4 pl-6 sm:pl-8 border-l-2 border-zinc-100 dark:border-zinc-800">
+  <div id="replies-for-{{ comment.id }}" class="replies-container mt-3 space-y-3 border-l-2 border-zinc-100 pl-4 sm:ml-8 sm:pl-6 dark:border-zinc-800">
     {% for reply in comment.replies.all %}
       {% include "comments/_reply.html" with reply=reply %}
     {% endfor %}
diff --git a/templates/comments/_comment_form.html b/templates/comments/_comment_form.html
index bb54e97..a6a9aa4 100644
--- a/templates/comments/_comment_form.html
+++ b/templates/comments/_comment_form.html
@@ -1,64 +1,93 @@
 {% load static %}
-<div id="comment-form-container" class="relative bg-zinc-900 text-white dark:bg-white dark:text-zinc-900 p-8 sm:p-12 shadow-solid-pink">
-  <div class="max-w-2xl">
-    <h3 class="font-display font-bold text-3xl mb-2">Join the conversation</h3>
-    <p class="font-mono text-sm text-zinc-400 dark:text-zinc-500 mb-10 uppercase tracking-widest">Add your fresh comment below</p>
+<div id="comment-form-container" class="rounded-lg border border-zinc-200 bg-brand-surfaceLight p-6 shadow-sm dark:border-zinc-800 dark:bg-brand-surfaceDark sm:p-8">
+  <div class="max-w-3xl">
+    <h3 class="font-display text-2xl font-bold text-zinc-900 dark:text-zinc-100">Leave a comment</h3>
+    <p class="mt-1 font-mono text-xs uppercase tracking-wider text-zinc-500">
+      Keep it constructive. Your email will not be shown publicly.
+    </p>
 
     {% if success_message %}
-    <div class="mb-8 p-4 bg-brand-cyan/10 border border-brand-cyan/20 font-mono text-sm text-brand-cyan animate-in fade-in">
-      {{ success_message }}
-    </div>
+      <div class="mt-5 rounded-md border border-brand-cyan/30 bg-brand-cyan/10 p-3 font-mono text-sm text-brand-cyan">
+        {{ success_message }}
+      </div>
     {% endif %}
 
     {% if comment_form.errors %}
-    <div aria-label="Comment form errors" class="mb-8 p-4 bg-red-500/10 border border-red-500/20 font-mono text-sm text-red-400">
-      <div class="font-bold mb-2 uppercase tracking-widest text-xs">There were some errors:</div>
-      <ul class="list-disc list-inside">
-        {% if comment_form.non_field_errors %}
-          {% for error in comment_form.non_field_errors %}<li>{{ error }}</li>{% endfor %}
-        {% endif %}
-        {% for field in comment_form %}
-          {% if field.errors %}
-            {% for error in field.errors %}<li>{{ field.label }}: {{ error }}</li>{% endfor %}
+      <div aria-label="Comment form errors" class="mt-5 rounded-md border border-red-500/30 bg-red-500/10 p-4 font-mono text-sm text-red-500">
+        <div class="mb-2 text-xs font-bold uppercase tracking-wider">There were some errors:</div>
+        <ul class="list-disc list-inside space-y-1">
+          {% if comment_form.non_field_errors %}
+            {% for error in comment_form.non_field_errors %}<li>{{ error }}</li>{% endfor %}
           {% endif %}
-        {% endfor %}
-      </ul>
-    </div>
+          {% for field in comment_form %}
+            {% if field.errors %}
+              {% for error in field.errors %}<li>{{ field.label }}: {{ error }}</li>{% endfor %}
+            {% endif %}
+          {% endfor %}
+        </ul>
+      </div>
     {% endif %}
 
-    <form method="post" action="{% url 'comment_post' %}" data-comment-form class="space-y-6"
-      hx-post="{% url 'comment_post' %}" hx-target="#comment-form-container" hx-swap="outerHTML">
+    <form
+      method="post"
+      action="{% url 'comment_post' %}"
+      data-comment-form
+      class="mt-6 space-y-5"
+      hx-post="{% url 'comment_post' %}"
+      hx-target="#comment-form-container"
+      hx-swap="outerHTML"
+    >
       {% csrf_token %}
       <input type="hidden" name="article_id" value="{{ page.id }}" />
-      <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-6">
-        <div class="space-y-2">
-          <label class="block font-mono text-[10px] uppercase tracking-[0.2em] opacity-60">Full Name</label>
-          <input type="text" name="author_name" value="{% if comment_form %}{{ comment_form.author_name.value|default:'' }}{% endif %}" required
-            class="w-full bg-white/5 dark:bg-black/5 border-b-2 border-white/20 dark:border-black/20 px-0 py-2 font-mono text-sm focus:outline-none focus:border-brand-pink transition-colors" />
+
+      <div class="grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 sm:grid-cols-2">
+        <div>
+          <label for="comment-author-name" class="mb-1 block font-mono text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-zinc-500">Name</label>
+          <input
+            id="comment-author-name"
+            type="text"
+            name="author_name"
+            value="{% if comment_form %}{{ comment_form.author_name.value|default:'' }}{% endif %}"
+            required
+            class="w-full rounded-md border border-zinc-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-zinc-900 focus:border-brand-cyan focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-brand-cyan/30 dark:border-zinc-700 dark:bg-zinc-950 dark:text-zinc-100"
+          />
         </div>
-        <div class="space-y-2">
-          <label class="block font-mono text-[10px] uppercase tracking-[0.2em] opacity-60">Email Address</label>
-          <input type="email" name="author_email" value="{% if comment_form %}{{ comment_form.author_email.value|default:'' }}{% endif %}" required
-            class="w-full bg-white/5 dark:bg-black/5 border-b-2 border-white/20 dark:border-black/20 px-0 py-2 font-mono text-sm focus:outline-none focus:border-brand-pink transition-colors" />
+        <div>
+          <label for="comment-author-email" class="mb-1 block font-mono text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-zinc-500">Email</label>
+          <input
+            id="comment-author-email"
+            type="email"
+            name="author_email"
+            value="{% if comment_form %}{{ comment_form.author_email.value|default:'' }}{% endif %}"
+            required
+            class="w-full rounded-md border border-zinc-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-zinc-900 focus:border-brand-cyan focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-brand-cyan/30 dark:border-zinc-700 dark:bg-zinc-950 dark:text-zinc-100"
+          />
         </div>
       </div>
-      <div class="space-y-2">
-        <label class="block font-mono text-[10px] uppercase tracking-[0.2em] opacity-60">Your Thoughts</label>
-        <textarea name="body" required rows="5"
-          class="w-full bg-white/5 dark:bg-black/5 border-b-2 border-white/20 dark:border-black/20 px-0 py-2 font-mono text-sm focus:outline-none focus:border-brand-pink transition-colors resize-none">{% if comment_form %}{{ comment_form.body.value|default:'' }}{% endif %}</textarea>
+
+      <div>
+        <label for="comment-body" class="mb-1 block font-mono text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-zinc-500">Comment</label>
+        <textarea
+          id="comment-body"
+          name="body"
+          required
+          rows="5"
+          class="w-full rounded-md border border-zinc-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-zinc-900 focus:border-brand-cyan focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-brand-cyan/30 dark:border-zinc-700 dark:bg-zinc-950 dark:text-zinc-100"
+        >{% if comment_form %}{{ comment_form.body.value|default:'' }}{% endif %}</textarea>
       </div>
+
       <input type="text" name="honeypot" hidden />
-      
+
       {% if turnstile_site_key %}
-      <div class="cf-turnstile" data-sitekey="{{ turnstile_site_key }}" data-theme="auto"></div>
+        <div class="cf-turnstile" data-sitekey="{{ turnstile_site_key }}" data-theme="auto"></div>
       {% endif %}
 
-      <div class="pt-4">
-        <button type="submit" class="group relative inline-flex items-center gap-3 px-8 py-4 bg-brand-pink text-white font-display font-bold uppercase tracking-widest text-sm hover:-translate-y-1 transition-all active:translate-y-0">
-          <span>Post comment</span>
-          <svg class="w-4 h-4 transition-transform group-hover:translate-x-1" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke="currentColor">
-            <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14 5l7 7m0 0l-7 7m7-7H3" />
-          </svg>
+      <div>
+        <button
+          type="submit"
+          class="inline-flex items-center rounded-md bg-brand-pink px-5 py-2.5 font-display text-sm font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-white transition hover:bg-brand-pink/90 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-brand-pink/40"
+        >
+          Post comment
         </button>
       </div>
     </form>
diff --git a/templates/comments/_comment_list.html b/templates/comments/_comment_list.html
index 14dc428..8bb07ff 100644
--- a/templates/comments/_comment_list.html
+++ b/templates/comments/_comment_list.html
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-<div id="comments-list" class="space-y-12 mb-16"
+<div id="comments-list" class="space-y-6 mb-8"
   hx-get="{% url 'comment_poll' article_id=page.id %}" hx-trigger="every 30s" hx-swap="innerHTML">
   {% for comment in approved_comments %}
     {% include "comments/_comment.html" with comment=comment page=page %}
diff --git a/templates/comments/_reply.html b/templates/comments/_reply.html
index 8799cb6..ac2833a 100644
--- a/templates/comments/_reply.html
+++ b/templates/comments/_reply.html
@@ -1,14 +1,9 @@
-<article id="comment-{{ reply.id }}" class="bg-zinc-50/50 dark:bg-zinc-900/30 border border-zinc-100 dark:border-zinc-800 p-5 sm:p-6">
-  <div class="flex items-start gap-3 mb-3">
-    <div class="w-8 h-8 bg-gradient-to-tr from-brand-pink to-brand-cyan shrink-0 rounded-sm"></div>
-    <div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
-      <div class="flex flex-wrap items-baseline gap-x-2">
-        <span class="font-display font-bold text-sm text-zinc-900 dark:text-zinc-100">{{ reply.author_name }}</span>
-        <time datetime="{{ reply.created_at|date:'c' }}" class="font-mono text-[10px] text-zinc-400 uppercase tracking-wider">{{ reply.created_at|date:"M j, Y" }}</time>
-      </div>
-      <div class="mt-2 prose prose-sm dark:prose-invert max-w-none text-zinc-600 dark:text-zinc-400 leading-relaxed text-sm">
-        {{ reply.body|linebreaks }}
-      </div>
-    </div>
+<article id="comment-{{ reply.id }}" class="rounded-md border border-zinc-200 bg-zinc-50 p-4 dark:border-zinc-800 dark:bg-zinc-900/40">
+  <header class="mb-2 flex flex-wrap items-center gap-x-2 gap-y-1">
+    <span class="font-display text-sm font-bold text-zinc-900 dark:text-zinc-100">{{ reply.author_name }}</span>
+    <time datetime="{{ reply.created_at|date:'c' }}" class="font-mono text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wider text-zinc-500">{{ reply.created_at|date:"M j, Y" }}</time>
+  </header>
+  <div class="prose prose-sm max-w-none text-sm leading-relaxed text-zinc-700 dark:prose-invert dark:text-zinc-300">
+    {{ reply.body|linebreaks }}
   </div>
 </article>
diff --git a/templates/comments/_reply_form.html b/templates/comments/_reply_form.html
index f11a2fa..3909aa5 100644
--- a/templates/comments/_reply_form.html
+++ b/templates/comments/_reply_form.html
@@ -1,46 +1,77 @@
 {% load static %}
 <div id="reply-form-container-{{ comment.id }}">
-  <h4 class="font-display font-bold text-sm mb-4 uppercase tracking-wider">Reply to {{ comment.author_name }}</h4>
-  
+  <h4 class="mb-3 font-display text-sm font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-zinc-700 dark:text-zinc-200">Reply to {{ comment.author_name }}</h4>
+
   {% if reply_success_message %}
-  <div class="mb-6 p-4 bg-brand-cyan/10 border border-brand-cyan/20 font-mono text-sm text-brand-cyan animate-in fade-in">
-    {{ reply_success_message }}
-  </div>
+    <div class="mb-4 rounded-md border border-brand-cyan/30 bg-brand-cyan/10 p-3 font-mono text-sm text-brand-cyan">
+      {{ reply_success_message }}
+    </div>
   {% endif %}
 
   {% if reply_form_errors %}
-  <div aria-label="Comment form errors" class="mb-6 p-4 bg-red-500/10 border border-red-500/20 font-mono text-sm text-red-400 animate-in shake-1">
-    <div class="font-bold mb-2 uppercase tracking-widest text-xs">Errors:</div>
-    <ul class="list-disc list-inside">
-      {% for field, errors in reply_form_errors.items %}
-        {% for error in errors %}<li>{{ error }}</li>{% endfor %}
-      {% endfor %}
-    </ul>
-  </div>
+    <div aria-label="Comment form errors" class="mb-4 rounded-md border border-red-500/30 bg-red-500/10 p-3 font-mono text-sm text-red-500">
+      <div class="mb-2 text-xs font-bold uppercase tracking-wider">Errors:</div>
+      <ul class="list-disc list-inside space-y-1">
+        {% for field, errors in reply_form_errors.items %}
+          {% for error in errors %}<li>{{ error }}</li>{% endfor %}
+        {% endfor %}
+      </ul>
+    </div>
   {% endif %}
 
-  <form method="post" action="{% url 'comment_post' %}"
-    hx-post="{% url 'comment_post' %}" hx-target="#reply-form-container-{{ comment.id }}" hx-swap="outerHTML"
-    class="space-y-4">
+  <form
+    method="post"
+    action="{% url 'comment_post' %}"
+    hx-post="{% url 'comment_post' %}"
+    hx-target="#reply-form-container-{{ comment.id }}"
+    hx-swap="outerHTML"
+    class="space-y-3"
+  >
     {% csrf_token %}
     <input type="hidden" name="article_id" value="{{ page.id }}" />
     <input type="hidden" name="parent_id" value="{{ comment.id }}" />
-    <div class="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 gap-4">
-      <input type="text" name="author_name" required placeholder="Name *"
-        class="bg-zinc-50 dark:bg-zinc-900 border border-zinc-200 dark:border-zinc-800 px-4 py-2 font-mono text-sm focus:outline-none focus:border-brand-pink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-pink transition-all" />
-      <input type="email" name="author_email" required placeholder="Email *"
-        class="bg-zinc-50 dark:bg-zinc-900 border border-zinc-200 dark:border-zinc-800 px-4 py-2 font-mono text-sm focus:outline-none focus:border-brand-pink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-pink transition-all" />
+
+    <div class="grid grid-cols-1 gap-3 sm:grid-cols-2">
+      <input
+        type="text"
+        name="author_name"
+        required
+        placeholder="Name"
+        value="{% if reply_form %}{{ reply_form.author_name.value|default:'' }}{% endif %}"
+        class="w-full rounded-md border border-zinc-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-zinc-900 focus:border-brand-cyan focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-brand-cyan/30 dark:border-zinc-700 dark:bg-zinc-950 dark:text-zinc-100"
+      />
+      <input
+        type="email"
+        name="author_email"
+        required
+        placeholder="Email"
+        value="{% if reply_form %}{{ reply_form.author_email.value|default:'' }}{% endif %}"
+        class="w-full rounded-md border border-zinc-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-zinc-900 focus:border-brand-cyan focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-brand-cyan/30 dark:border-zinc-700 dark:bg-zinc-950 dark:text-zinc-100"
+      />
     </div>
-    <textarea name="body" required placeholder="Your reply..." rows="3"
-      class="w-full bg-zinc-50 dark:bg-zinc-900 border border-zinc-200 dark:border-zinc-800 px-4 py-2 font-mono text-sm focus:outline-none focus:border-brand-pink focus:ring-1 focus:ring-brand-pink transition-all resize-none"></textarea>
+
+    <textarea
+      name="body"
+      required
+      placeholder="Write your reply"
+      rows="3"
+      class="w-full rounded-md border border-zinc-300 bg-white px-3 py-2 text-sm text-zinc-900 focus:border-brand-cyan focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-brand-cyan/30 dark:border-zinc-700 dark:bg-zinc-950 dark:text-zinc-100"
+    >{% if reply_form %}{{ reply_form.body.value|default:'' }}{% endif %}</textarea>
+
     <input type="text" name="honeypot" hidden />
-    
+
     {% if turnstile_site_key %}
-    <div class="cf-turnstile mb-4" data-sitekey="{{ turnstile_site_key }}" data-theme="auto" data-size="flexible"></div>
+      <div class="cf-turnstile" data-sitekey="{{ turnstile_site_key }}" data-theme="auto" data-size="flexible"></div>
     {% endif %}
 
-    <div class="flex justify-end gap-3">
-      <button type="submit" data-testid="post-reply-btn" class="px-6 py-2 bg-brand-pink text-white font-display font-bold text-sm shadow-solid-dark hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:shadow-solid-dark/80 transition-all active:translate-y-0">Post Reply</button>
+    <div class="flex justify-end">
+      <button
+        type="submit"
+        data-testid="post-reply-btn"
+        class="inline-flex items-center rounded-md bg-brand-pink px-4 py-2 font-display text-sm font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-white transition hover:bg-brand-pink/90 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-brand-pink/40"
+      >
+        Post reply
+      </button>
     </div>
   </form>
 </div>