diff --git a/app/shared/src/androidMain/kotlin/iris/platform/AndroidMedia.kt b/app/shared/src/androidMain/kotlin/iris/platform/AndroidMedia.kt
index 5402cd3..81c3695 100644
--- a/app/shared/src/androidMain/kotlin/iris/platform/AndroidMedia.kt
+++ b/app/shared/src/androidMain/kotlin/iris/platform/AndroidMedia.kt
@@ -82,6 +82,31 @@ actual fun MediaFilePicker(onPicked: (PickedFile?) -> Unit) {
     }
 }
 
+@Composable
+actual fun ImageFilePicker(onPicked: (PickedFile?) -> Unit) {
+    val context = LocalContext.current
+    val launcher = rememberLauncherForActivityResult(ActivityResultContracts.GetContent()) { uri ->
+        if (uri == null) {
+            onPicked(null)
+            return@rememberLauncherForActivityResult
+        }
+        try {
+            val mime = context.contentResolver.getType(uri) ?: "image/jpeg"
+            val name = queryDisplayName(context, uri) ?: "background"
+            // Persistent (filesDir), unlike the upload staging dir in cacheDir.
+            val dir = File(context.filesDir, "theme").apply { mkdirs() }
+            val target = File(dir, "background${extForMime(mime)}")
+            context.contentResolver.openInputStream(uri)!!.use { input ->
+                target.outputStream().use { output -> input.copyTo(output) }
+            }
+            onPicked(PickedFile(target.absolutePath, name, mime, target.length()))
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            onPicked(null)
+        }
+    }
+    Button(onClick = { launcher.launch("image/*") }) { Text("Choose image…") }
+}
+
 private fun queryDisplayName(context: Context, uri: Uri): String? {
     context.contentResolver.query(uri, null, null, null, null)?.use { c ->
         val idx = c.getColumnIndex(OpenableColumns.DISPLAY_NAME)
@@ -102,6 +127,22 @@ actual suspend fun loadMediaImage(path: String): ImageBitmap? = withContext(Disp
     }
 }
 
+actual suspend fun loadScaledImage(path: String, maxSize: Int): ImageBitmap? = withContext(Dispatchers.IO) {
+    try {
+        // inJustDecodeBounds fills [bounds] and returns null by design — only
+        // the outWidth/outHeight are meaningful here.
+        val bounds = BitmapFactory.Options().apply { inJustDecodeBounds = true }
+        BitmapFactory.decodeFile(path, bounds)
+        if (bounds.outWidth <= 0 || bounds.outHeight <= 0) return@withContext null
+        var sample = 1
+        while (maxOf(bounds.outWidth, bounds.outHeight) / sample > maxSize) sample *= 2
+        val opts = BitmapFactory.Options().apply { inSampleSize = sample }
+        BitmapFactory.decodeFile(path, opts)?.asImageBitmap()
+    } catch (e: Exception) {
+        null
+    }
+}
+
 @Composable
 actual fun MediaPlayerView(media: MediaItem, modifier: Modifier) {
     val path = media.localPath
diff --git a/app/shared/src/androidMain/kotlin/iris/platform/AndroidSecureStore.kt b/app/shared/src/androidMain/kotlin/iris/platform/AndroidSecureStore.kt
index 14027de..b3164e3 100644
--- a/app/shared/src/androidMain/kotlin/iris/platform/AndroidSecureStore.kt
+++ b/app/shared/src/androidMain/kotlin/iris/platform/AndroidSecureStore.kt
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import android.os.Build
 import androidx.security.crypto.EncryptedSharedPreferences
 import androidx.security.crypto.MasterKey
 import iris.data.SecureStore
+import iris.ui.theme.UserTheme
 import java.util.UUID
 
 /**
@@ -113,6 +114,26 @@ class AndroidSecureStore(context: Context) : SecureStore {
         get() = prefs.getBoolean(KEY_REASONING_AUTO_COLLAPSE, true)
         set(value) = prefs.edit().putBoolean(KEY_REASONING_AUTO_COLLAPSE, value).apply()
 
+    override var userBubbleColor: Int
+        get() = prefs.getInt(KEY_USER_BUBBLE_COLOR, UserTheme.DEFAULT_USER_BUBBLE)
+        set(value) = prefs.edit().putInt(KEY_USER_BUBBLE_COLOR, value).apply()
+
+    override var agentBubbleColor: Int
+        get() = prefs.getInt(KEY_AGENT_BUBBLE_COLOR, UserTheme.DEFAULT_AGENT_BUBBLE)
+        set(value) = prefs.edit().putInt(KEY_AGENT_BUBBLE_COLOR, value).apply()
+
+    override var backgroundMode: String
+        get() = prefs.getString(KEY_BACKGROUND_MODE, "color").orEmpty().ifBlank { "color" }
+        set(value) = prefs.edit().putString(KEY_BACKGROUND_MODE, value).apply()
+
+    override var backgroundColor: Int
+        get() = prefs.getInt(KEY_BACKGROUND_COLOR, UserTheme.DEFAULT_BACKGROUND)
+        set(value) = prefs.edit().putInt(KEY_BACKGROUND_COLOR, value).apply()
+
+    override var backgroundImagePath: String
+        get() = prefs.getString(KEY_BACKGROUND_IMAGE_PATH, "").orEmpty()
+        set(value) = prefs.edit().putString(KEY_BACKGROUND_IMAGE_PATH, value).apply()
+
     override fun savePairing(url: String, token: String) {
         serverUrl = url
         this.token = token
@@ -136,5 +157,10 @@ class AndroidSecureStore(context: Context) : SecureStore {
         const val KEY_TOOL_DETAIL = "tool_detail"
         const val KEY_STREAMING_ENABLED = "streaming_enabled"
         const val KEY_REASONING_AUTO_COLLAPSE = "reasoning_auto_collapse"
+        const val KEY_USER_BUBBLE_COLOR = "user_bubble_color"
+        const val KEY_AGENT_BUBBLE_COLOR = "agent_bubble_color"
+        const val KEY_BACKGROUND_MODE = "background_mode"
+        const val KEY_BACKGROUND_COLOR = "background_color"
+        const val KEY_BACKGROUND_IMAGE_PATH = "background_image_path"
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/IrisApp.kt b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/IrisApp.kt
index df4f5b9..5f77bbc 100644
--- a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/IrisApp.kt
+++ b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/IrisApp.kt
@@ -1,14 +1,18 @@
 package iris
 
-import androidx.compose.foundation.background
+import androidx.compose.foundation.Image
+import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
+import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxSize
 import androidx.compose.material3.Surface
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
+import androidx.compose.runtime.CompositionLocalProvider
 import androidx.compose.runtime.DisposableEffect
 import androidx.compose.runtime.LaunchedEffect
 import androidx.compose.runtime.collectAsState
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
+import androidx.compose.ui.layout.ContentScale
 import iris.data.SecureStore
 import iris.net.GatewayClient
 import iris.platform.setActiveController
@@ -17,6 +21,8 @@ import iris.ui.screens.ChatScreen
 import iris.ui.screens.ConnectScreen
 import iris.ui.theme.IrisColors
 import iris.ui.theme.IrisTheme
+import iris.ui.theme.LocalUserTheme
+import iris.ui.theme.rememberBackgroundImage
 
 /**
  * Root composable shared by the Android and Desktop shells.
@@ -47,24 +53,50 @@ fun IrisApp(
         }
     }
     val state by controller.client.state.collectAsState()
+    val theme by controller.theme.collectAsState()
 
     IrisTheme {
-        Surface(modifier = Modifier.background(IrisColors.background)) {
-            val s = state
-            when (s) {
-                GatewayClient.State.Disconnected ->
-                    ConnectScreen(controller, prefillUrl = store.serverUrl, prefillToken = store.token)
-                is GatewayClient.State.AuthFailed ->
-                    ConnectScreen(
-                        controller,
-                        prefillUrl = store.serverUrl,
-                        prefillToken = store.token,
-                        initialError = "Pairing rejected: ${s.message}",
-                    )
-                // Connecting / Reconnecting / Connected all render the chat; the header
-                // StatusChip + connection banner show the link state without
-                // blocking the view (M7's full-screen spinner is gone).
-                else -> ChatScreen(controller)
+        CompositionLocalProvider(LocalUserTheme provides theme) {
+            // The color goes through Surface's `color` parameter: a
+            // Modifier.background on the Surface would be painted *under* the
+            // Surface's own colorScheme.surface fill and never show through.
+            // contentColor is pinned to the app's light text color — Surface
+            // would otherwise derive it from the user's background (black
+            // text on a light background), which would also darken text that
+            // sits on the app's own dark panels.
+            Surface(
+                modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
+                color = theme.background,
+                contentColor = IrisColors.onBackground,
+            ) {
+                val bgImage = rememberBackgroundImage(theme)
+                Box(modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize()) {
+                    val bmp = bgImage
+                    if (bmp != null) {
+                        Image(
+                            bitmap = bmp,
+                            contentDescription = null,
+                            contentScale = ContentScale.Crop,
+                            modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
+                        )
+                    }
+                    val s = state
+                    when (s) {
+                        GatewayClient.State.Disconnected ->
+                            ConnectScreen(controller, prefillUrl = store.serverUrl, prefillToken = store.token)
+                        is GatewayClient.State.AuthFailed ->
+                            ConnectScreen(
+                                controller,
+                                prefillUrl = store.serverUrl,
+                                prefillToken = store.token,
+                                initialError = "Pairing rejected: ${s.message}",
+                            )
+                        // Connecting / Reconnecting / Connected all render the chat; the header
+                        // StatusChip + connection banner show the link state without
+                        // blocking the view (M7's full-screen spinner is gone).
+                        else -> ChatScreen(controller)
+                    }
+                }
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/data/SecureStore.kt b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/data/SecureStore.kt
index 9ced608..14fb78d 100644
--- a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/data/SecureStore.kt
+++ b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/data/SecureStore.kt
@@ -42,6 +42,21 @@ interface SecureStore {
     /** UI setting: auto-collapse long reasoning blocks in the chat view. */
     var reasoningAutoCollapse: Boolean
 
+    /** UI setting: user bubble color (ARGB int). */
+    var userBubbleColor: Int
+
+    /** UI setting: agent bubble color (ARGB int). */
+    var agentBubbleColor: Int
+
+    /** UI setting: background mode — "color" or "image". */
+    var backgroundMode: String
+
+    /** UI setting: background color (ARGB int). */
+    var backgroundColor: Int
+
+    /** UI setting: background image path (empty when unused). */
+    var backgroundImagePath: String
+
     fun savePairing(url: String, token: String)
     fun clear()
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/platform/PlatformMedia.kt b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/platform/PlatformMedia.kt
index dc34964..5abfec4 100644
--- a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/platform/PlatformMedia.kt
+++ b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/platform/PlatformMedia.kt
@@ -20,12 +20,23 @@ data class PickedFile(
 @Composable
 expect fun MediaFilePicker(onPicked: (PickedFile?) -> Unit)
 
+/**
+ * Image-only file picker (SAF on Android, FileChooser on desktop). The picked
+ * image is copied into the app's persistent storage; [onPicked] receives the
+ * staged file, or null when the user cancels.
+ */
+@Composable
+expect fun ImageFilePicker(onPicked: (PickedFile?) -> Unit)
+
 /** Base directory for the media cache (app-specific cache dir). */
 expect fun mediaCacheBaseDir(): String
 
 /** Load an image from a local path for display. Null on failure. */
 expect suspend fun loadMediaImage(path: String): ImageBitmap?
 
+/** Load an image scaled to at most [maxSize] px on the longest edge. Null on failure. */
+expect suspend fun loadScaledImage(path: String, maxSize: Int): ImageBitmap?
+
 /** Inline audio/video player (ExoPlayer on Android; placeholder on desktop). */
 @Composable
 expect fun MediaPlayerView(media: MediaItem, modifier: Modifier)
diff --git a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/state/IrisController.kt b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/state/IrisController.kt
index cfdd0ac..0ba3605 100644
--- a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/state/IrisController.kt
+++ b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/state/IrisController.kt
@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ import iris.protocol.historyFrame
 import iris.protocol.messageDeleteFrame
 import iris.protocol.searchFrame
 import iris.protocol.syncFrame
+import iris.ui.theme.BackgroundMode
+import iris.ui.theme.UserTheme
 import kotlinx.coroutines.CoroutineScope
 import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
 import kotlinx.coroutines.SupervisorJob
@@ -158,6 +160,48 @@ class IrisController(
         store.reasoningAutoCollapse = _reasoningAutoCollapse.value
     }
 
+    // ── Appearance (Settings → Appearance) ────────────────────────────────
+    // User-customizable bubble colors + background (color or image).
+    // Persisted as ARGB ints + an image path (see UserTheme).
+    private val _theme = MutableStateFlow(
+        UserTheme(
+            userBubbleColor = store.userBubbleColor,
+            agentBubbleColor = store.agentBubbleColor,
+            backgroundMode = BackgroundMode.entries.firstOrNull {
+                it.name.equals(store.backgroundMode, ignoreCase = true)
+            } ?: BackgroundMode.Color,
+            backgroundColor = store.backgroundColor,
+            backgroundImagePath = store.backgroundImagePath.ifBlank { null },
+        )
+    )
+    val theme: StateFlow<UserTheme> = _theme.asStateFlow()
+
+    fun setUserBubbleColor(argb: Int) = updateTheme { it.copy(userBubbleColor = argb) }
+
+    fun setAgentBubbleColor(argb: Int) = updateTheme { it.copy(agentBubbleColor = argb) }
+
+    fun setBackgroundColor(argb: Int) = updateTheme { it.copy(backgroundColor = argb) }
+
+    fun setBackgroundMode(mode: BackgroundMode) = updateTheme { it.copy(backgroundMode = mode) }
+
+    fun setBackgroundImagePath(path: String?) = updateTheme { it.copy(backgroundImagePath = path) }
+
+    /** Clears the background image and falls back to the solid color. */
+    fun removeBackgroundImage() =
+        updateTheme { it.copy(backgroundImagePath = null, backgroundMode = BackgroundMode.Color) }
+
+    fun resetTheme() = updateTheme { UserTheme() }
+
+    private fun updateTheme(transform: (UserTheme) -> UserTheme) {
+        val t = transform(_theme.value)
+        _theme.value = t
+        store.userBubbleColor = t.userBubbleColor
+        store.agentBubbleColor = t.agentBubbleColor
+        store.backgroundMode = t.backgroundMode.name.lowercase()
+        store.backgroundColor = t.backgroundColor
+        store.backgroundImagePath = t.backgroundImagePath.orEmpty()
+    }
+
     // ── M3: search state ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
     private val _searchResults = MutableStateFlow<List<SearchHit>>(emptyList())
     val searchResults: StateFlow<List<SearchHit>> = _searchResults.asStateFlow()
diff --git a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/ui/screens/ChatScreen.kt b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/ui/screens/ChatScreen.kt
index 5de6cde..f0908a8 100644
--- a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/ui/screens/ChatScreen.kt
+++ b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/ui/screens/ChatScreen.kt
@@ -107,7 +107,9 @@ import iris.state.IrisController
 import iris.state.ToolDetail
 import iris.ui.rightClick
 import iris.ui.theme.IrisColors
+import iris.ui.theme.LocalUserTheme
 import iris.ui.theme.avatarColor
+import iris.ui.theme.contrastText
 import iris.util.formatDayLabel
 import iris.util.formatTime
 import iris.util.localDayKey
@@ -1530,15 +1532,16 @@ private fun MessageBubble(
 ) {
     val isUser = msg.role == ROLE_USER
     val isCommentary = msg.isCommentary
+    val userTheme = LocalUserTheme.current
     val bubbleColor = when {
-        isUser -> IrisColors.bubbleUser
+        isUser -> userTheme.userBubble
         isCommentary -> IrisColors.bubbleCommentary
-        else -> IrisColors.bubbleAssistant
+        else -> userTheme.agentBubble
     }
     val textColor = when {
-        isUser -> Color.White
+        isUser -> userTheme.userBubble.contrastText()
         isCommentary -> IrisColors.onSurface.copy(alpha = 0.55f)
-        else -> IrisColors.onSurface
+        else -> userTheme.agentBubble.contrastText()
     }
     val time = formatTime(msg.ts)
     Row(
@@ -1575,7 +1578,7 @@ private fun MessageBubble(
         ) {
             // Reasoning block above the answer (assistant, non-commentary).
             if (!isUser && !isCommentary && !msg.reasoning.isNullOrBlank()) {
-                ReasoningBlock(msg.reasoning!!, reasoningAutoCollapse)
+                ReasoningBlock(msg.reasoning!!, reasoningAutoCollapse, bubbleColor)
                 Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(6.dp))
             }
             if (isUser) {
@@ -1852,17 +1855,27 @@ private fun AttachmentChip(att: IrisController.PendingAttachment, onRemove: () -
  * expanded. Tap to toggle.
  */
 @Composable
-private fun ReasoningBlock(reasoning: String, autoCollapse: Boolean) {
+private fun ReasoningBlock(reasoning: String, autoCollapse: Boolean, bubbleColor: Color) {
     val clipboard = LocalClipboardManager.current
     var expanded by remember(autoCollapse) {
         mutableStateOf(!autoCollapse || reasoning.length <= 240)
     }
     var copied by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    // A semi-transparent black overlay darkens whatever the user's agent bubble
+    // color is, so the reasoning block always matches the bubble while staying
+    // visually distinct from the message content. Text is derived from the
+    // effective (darkened) background so it stays readable on any bubble color.
+    val effective = Color(
+        red = bubbleColor.red * 0.4f,
+        green = bubbleColor.green * 0.4f,
+        blue = bubbleColor.blue * 0.4f,
+    )
+    val textColor = effective.contrastText()
     Column(
         modifier = Modifier
             .fillMaxWidth()
             .clip(RoundedCornerShape(8.dp))
-            .background(IrisColors.reasoningPanel)
+            .background(Color.Black.copy(alpha = 0.6f))
             .padding(8.dp),
     ) {
         Row(verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically) {
@@ -1870,7 +1883,7 @@ private fun ReasoningBlock(reasoning: String, autoCollapse: Boolean) {
                 "💭 Reasoning",
                 fontSize = 12.sp,
                 fontWeight = FontWeight.SemiBold,
-                color = IrisColors.textSecondary,
+                color = textColor,
                 modifier = Modifier
                     .weight(1f)
                     .clickable { expanded = !expanded },
@@ -1884,7 +1897,7 @@ private fun ReasoningBlock(reasoning: String, autoCollapse: Boolean) {
             Text(
                 if (expanded) "▾" else "▸",
                 fontSize = 12.sp,
-                color = IrisColors.textSecondary,
+                color = textColor,
                 modifier = Modifier.clickable { expanded = !expanded },
             )
         }
@@ -1893,7 +1906,7 @@ private fun ReasoningBlock(reasoning: String, autoCollapse: Boolean) {
                 reasoning,
                 fontFamily = FontFamily.Monospace,
                 fontSize = 12.sp,
-                color = IrisColors.textMuted,
+                color = textColor.copy(alpha = 0.75f),
             )
         }
     }
diff --git a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/ui/screens/SettingsScreen.kt b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/ui/screens/SettingsScreen.kt
index a8ba875..02477d5 100644
--- a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/ui/screens/SettingsScreen.kt
+++ b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/ui/screens/SettingsScreen.kt
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 package iris.ui.screens
 
 import androidx.compose.foundation.Canvas
+import androidx.compose.foundation.Image
 import androidx.compose.foundation.background
+import androidx.compose.foundation.border
+import androidx.compose.foundation.clickable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Column
@@ -16,36 +19,56 @@ import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.width
 import androidx.compose.foundation.rememberScrollState
 import androidx.compose.foundation.shape.RoundedCornerShape
 import androidx.compose.foundation.verticalScroll
+import androidx.compose.material3.AlertDialog
 import androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme
+import androidx.compose.material3.Slider
 import androidx.compose.material3.Switch
 import androidx.compose.material3.Text
+import androidx.compose.material3.TextButton
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
+import androidx.compose.runtime.LaunchedEffect
 import androidx.compose.runtime.collectAsState
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
+import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableFloatStateOf
+import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
+import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
+import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
 import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
 import androidx.compose.ui.draw.clip
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
+import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.ImageBitmap
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Path
+import androidx.compose.ui.layout.ContentScale
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.Dp
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.sp
+import iris.platform.ImageFilePicker
+import iris.platform.loadScaledImage
 import iris.state.IrisController
 import iris.state.ToolDetail
+import iris.ui.theme.BackgroundMode
 import iris.ui.theme.IrisColors
+import iris.ui.theme.LocalUserTheme
+import kotlin.math.roundToInt
 
 /**
  * Settings screen (post-M7): app-level preferences, opened from the channel
  * drawer / rail. More settings land here over time.
  */
+/** Which color the picker dialog is editing. */
+private enum class PickerTarget { UserBubble, AgentBubble, Background }
+
 @Composable
 fun SettingsScreen(controller: IrisController, onBack: () -> Unit) {
     val threadsEnabled by controller.threadsEnabled.collectAsState()
     val streamingEnabled by controller.streamingEnabled.collectAsState()
     val reasoningAutoCollapse by controller.reasoningAutoCollapse.collectAsState()
     val toolDetail by controller.toolDetail.collectAsState()
+    val theme = LocalUserTheme.current
+    var pickerTarget by remember { mutableStateOf<PickerTarget?>(null) }
 
-    Box(modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize().background(IrisColors.background)) {
+    Box(modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize().background(theme.background)) {
         Column(
             modifier = Modifier
                 .fillMaxSize()
@@ -126,6 +149,117 @@ fun SettingsScreen(controller: IrisController, onBack: () -> Unit) {
                 }
             }
 
+            Text(
+                "Appearance",
+                style = MaterialTheme.typography.titleSmall,
+                modifier = Modifier.padding(top = 12.dp, bottom = 4.dp),
+            )
+            SettingsCard {
+                Row(
+                    verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
+                    modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
+                ) {
+                    Column(modifier = Modifier.weight(1f)) {
+                        Text("💬 Your bubble", fontSize = 14.sp)
+                        Text(
+                            "Color of your message bubbles",
+                            fontSize = 12.sp,
+                            color = IrisColors.textDim,
+                        )
+                    }
+                    ColorSwatch(theme.userBubble) { pickerTarget = PickerTarget.UserBubble }
+                }
+            }
+            SettingsCard {
+                Row(
+                    verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
+                    modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
+                ) {
+                    Column(modifier = Modifier.weight(1f)) {
+                        Text("🤖 Agent bubble", fontSize = 14.sp)
+                        Text(
+                            "Color of Hermes' message bubbles",
+                            fontSize = 12.sp,
+                            color = IrisColors.textDim,
+                        )
+                    }
+                    ColorSwatch(theme.agentBubble) { pickerTarget = PickerTarget.AgentBubble }
+                }
+            }
+            SettingsCard {
+                Text("🖼 Background", fontSize = 14.sp)
+                Text(
+                    "Solid color or image behind the chat",
+                    fontSize = 12.sp,
+                    color = IrisColors.textDim,
+                )
+                Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(8.dp))
+                Row(horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(6.dp)) {
+                    TopicChip(
+                        label = "Color",
+                        selected = theme.backgroundMode == BackgroundMode.Color,
+                        onClick = { controller.setBackgroundMode(BackgroundMode.Color) },
+                    )
+                    TopicChip(
+                        label = "Image",
+                        selected = theme.backgroundMode == BackgroundMode.Image,
+                        onClick = { controller.setBackgroundMode(BackgroundMode.Image) },
+                    )
+                }
+                if (theme.backgroundMode == BackgroundMode.Color) {
+                    Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(8.dp))
+                    Row(
+                        verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
+                        modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
+                    ) {
+                        Column(modifier = Modifier.weight(1f)) {
+                            Text("Background color", fontSize = 12.sp, color = IrisColors.textDim)
+                        }
+                        ColorSwatch(theme.background) { pickerTarget = PickerTarget.Background }
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(8.dp))
+                    Row(verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically) {
+                        BackgroundPreview(theme.backgroundImagePath)
+                        Spacer(modifier = Modifier.width(8.dp))
+                        Column(modifier = Modifier.weight(1f)) {
+                            Text(
+                                if (theme.backgroundImagePath.isNullOrBlank()) "No image selected"
+                                else fileNameOf(theme.backgroundImagePath!!),
+                                fontSize = 12.sp,
+                                color = IrisColors.textDim,
+                            )
+                        }
+                        ImageFilePicker { picked ->
+                            picked?.let { controller.setBackgroundImagePath(it.path) }
+                        }
+                    }
+                    if (!theme.backgroundImagePath.isNullOrBlank()) {
+                        TextButton(onClick = { controller.removeBackgroundImage() }) {
+                            Text("Remove image", fontSize = 12.sp)
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            SettingsCard {
+                Row(
+                    verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
+                    modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
+                ) {
+                    Column(modifier = Modifier.weight(1f)) {
+                        Text("Reset appearance", fontSize = 14.sp)
+                        Text(
+                            "Restore the default colors and background",
+                            fontSize = 12.sp,
+                            color = IrisColors.textDim,
+                        )
+                    }
+                    TextButton(onClick = { controller.resetTheme() }) {
+                        Text("Reset", fontSize = 12.sp)
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
             Text(
                 "Tools",
                 style = MaterialTheme.typography.titleSmall,
@@ -150,6 +284,40 @@ fun SettingsScreen(controller: IrisController, onBack: () -> Unit) {
                 }
             }
         }
+
+        when (pickerTarget) {
+            PickerTarget.UserBubble -> ColorPickerDialog(
+                title = "Your bubble",
+                initialArgb = theme.userBubbleColor,
+                onApply = { controller.setUserBubbleColor(it) },
+                onConfirm = {
+                    controller.setUserBubbleColor(it)
+                    pickerTarget = null
+                },
+                onDismiss = { pickerTarget = null },
+            )
+            PickerTarget.AgentBubble -> ColorPickerDialog(
+                title = "Agent bubble",
+                initialArgb = theme.agentBubbleColor,
+                onApply = { controller.setAgentBubbleColor(it) },
+                onConfirm = {
+                    controller.setAgentBubbleColor(it)
+                    pickerTarget = null
+                },
+                onDismiss = { pickerTarget = null },
+            )
+            PickerTarget.Background -> ColorPickerDialog(
+                title = "Background",
+                initialArgb = theme.backgroundColor,
+                onApply = { controller.setBackgroundColor(it) },
+                onConfirm = {
+                    controller.setBackgroundColor(it)
+                    pickerTarget = null
+                },
+                onDismiss = { pickerTarget = null },
+            )
+            null -> Unit
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -186,4 +354,127 @@ private fun SettingsCard(content: @Composable () -> Unit) {
     ) {
         content()
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+
+/** Clickable rounded chip showing a color; opens the picker on tap. */
+@Composable
+private fun ColorSwatch(color: Color, onClick: () -> Unit) {
+    Box(
+        modifier = Modifier
+            .size(32.dp)
+            .clip(RoundedCornerShape(8.dp))
+            .background(color)
+            .border(1.dp, IrisColors.divider, RoundedCornerShape(8.dp))
+            .clickable(onClick = onClick),
+    )
+}
+
+/** Small thumbnail of the current background image (empty panel when none). */
+@Composable
+private fun BackgroundPreview(path: String?) {
+    var bmp by remember(path) { mutableStateOf<ImageBitmap?>(null) }
+    LaunchedEffect(path) {
+        bmp = if (path.isNullOrBlank()) null else loadScaledImage(path, 128)
+    }
+    Box(
+        modifier = Modifier
+            .size(44.dp)
+            .clip(RoundedCornerShape(8.dp))
+            .background(IrisColors.panel)
+            .border(1.dp, IrisColors.divider, RoundedCornerShape(8.dp)),
+        contentAlignment = Alignment.Center,
+    ) {
+        val b = bmp
+        if (b != null) {
+            Image(
+                bitmap = b,
+                contentDescription = null,
+                contentScale = ContentScale.Crop,
+                modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
+            )
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * HSV color picker dialog (hue / saturation / brightness sliders).
+ * [onApply] applies the color and keeps the dialog open for further tweaks;
+ * [onConfirm] applies and closes; [onDismiss] closes without applying.
+ */
+@Composable
+private fun ColorPickerDialog(
+    title: String,
+    initialArgb: Int,
+    onApply: (Int) -> Unit,
+    onConfirm: (Int) -> Unit,
+    onDismiss: () -> Unit,
+) {
+    val initial = remember { argbToHsv(initialArgb) }
+    var hue by remember { mutableFloatStateOf(initial[0]) }
+    var sat by remember { mutableFloatStateOf(initial[1]) }
+    var bri by remember { mutableFloatStateOf(initial[2]) }
+    val color = Color.hsv(hue, sat, bri)
+    AlertDialog(
+        onDismissRequest = onDismiss,
+        title = { Text(title) },
+        text = {
+            Column(modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth()) {
+                Box(
+                    modifier = Modifier
+                        .fillMaxWidth()
+                        .height(48.dp)
+                        .clip(RoundedCornerShape(8.dp))
+                        .background(color),
+                )
+                Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(12.dp))
+                Slider(value = hue, onValueChange = { hue = it }, valueRange = 0f..360f)
+                Slider(value = sat, onValueChange = { sat = it }, valueRange = 0f..1f)
+                Slider(value = bri, onValueChange = { bri = it }, valueRange = 0f..1f)
+                Text(
+                    "#%06X".format(color.toArgbInt() and 0xFFFFFF),
+                    fontSize = 12.sp,
+                    color = IrisColors.textDim,
+                )
+            }
+        },
+        confirmButton = {
+            TextButton(onClick = { onApply(color.toArgbInt()) }) { Text("Apply") }
+            TextButton(onClick = { onConfirm(color.toArgbInt()) }) { Text("OK") }
+        },
+        dismissButton = {
+            TextButton(onClick = onDismiss) { Text("Cancel") }
+        },
+    )
+}
+
+/** Compose Color → ARGB int (no Color.toArgb in common code). */
+private fun Color.toArgbInt(): Int {
+    fun c(v: Float) = (v * 255f).roundToInt().coerceIn(0, 255)
+    return (c(alpha) shl 24) or (c(red) shl 16) or (c(green) shl 8) or c(blue)
+}
+
+/** ARGB int → [hue (deg), saturation, brightness] (alpha ignored). */
+private fun argbToHsv(argb: Int): FloatArray {
+    val r = ((argb shr 16) and 0xFF) / 255f
+    val g = ((argb shr 8) and 0xFF) / 255f
+    val b = (argb and 0xFF) / 255f
+    val max = maxOf(r, g, b)
+    val min = minOf(r, g, b)
+    val delta = max - min
+    var hue = 0f
+    if (delta != 0f) {
+        hue = when (max) {
+            r -> ((g - b) / delta) % 6f
+            g -> (b - r) / delta + 2f
+            else -> (r - g) / delta + 4f
+        }
+        hue *= 60f
+        if (hue < 0f) hue += 360f
+    }
+    val sat = if (max == 0f) 0f else delta / max
+    return floatArrayOf(hue, sat, max)
+}
+
+/** File name from a path (no java.io.File in common code). */
+private fun fileNameOf(path: String): String =
+    path.substringAfterLast('/').ifEmpty { path.substringAfterLast('\\') }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/ui/theme/Theme.kt b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/ui/theme/Theme.kt
index 744ff70..9e2c096 100644
--- a/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/ui/theme/Theme.kt
+++ b/app/shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/iris/ui/theme/Theme.kt
@@ -3,7 +3,15 @@ package iris.ui.theme
 import androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme
 import androidx.compose.material3.darkColorScheme
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
+import androidx.compose.runtime.LaunchedEffect
+import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
+import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
+import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
+import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
+import androidx.compose.runtime.staticCompositionLocalOf
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
+import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.ImageBitmap
+import iris.platform.loadScaledImage
 
 /**
  * Centralized palette (M7). Dark is the only theme; every screen reads colors
@@ -34,7 +42,6 @@ object IrisColors {
     val chip = Color(0xFF2A2E3B)
     val chipSelected = Color(0xFF2A3550)
     val rowSelected = Color(0xFF232838)
-    val reasoningPanel = Color(0xFF1E212B)
     val divider = Color(0xFF2A2E3B)
 
     // Status
@@ -69,4 +76,54 @@ fun IrisTheme(content: @Composable () -> Unit) {
 fun avatarColor(name: String): Color {
     val hue = ((name.hashCode() and 0x7FFFFFFF) % 360).toFloat()
     return Color.hsv(hue, 0.5f, 0.75f)
+}
+
+/**
+ * User-customizable appearance (Settings → Appearance). Colors are stored as
+ * ARGB ints so they can be persisted without Compose types.
+ */
+data class UserTheme(
+    val userBubbleColor: Int = DEFAULT_USER_BUBBLE,
+    val agentBubbleColor: Int = DEFAULT_AGENT_BUBBLE,
+    val backgroundMode: BackgroundMode = BackgroundMode.Color,
+    val backgroundColor: Int = DEFAULT_BACKGROUND,
+    val backgroundImagePath: String? = null,
+) {
+    val userBubble: Color get() = Color(userBubbleColor)
+    val agentBubble: Color get() = Color(agentBubbleColor)
+    val background: Color get() = Color(backgroundColor)
+
+    companion object {
+        val DEFAULT_USER_BUBBLE: Int = 0xFF4F7CFF.toInt()
+        val DEFAULT_AGENT_BUBBLE: Int = 0xFF2A2E3B.toInt()
+        val DEFAULT_BACKGROUND: Int = 0xFF1B1E28.toInt()
+    }
+}
+
+/** Background style: solid color or image. */
+enum class BackgroundMode { Color, Image }
+
+/** Current user theme, provided at the app root (IrisApp). */
+val LocalUserTheme = staticCompositionLocalOf { UserTheme() }
+
+/** Black or white, whichever reads better on [this]. */
+fun Color.contrastText(): Color {
+    val luminance = 0.299f * red + 0.587f * green + 0.114f * blue
+    return if (luminance > 0.6f) Color(0xFF1B1E28) else Color.White
+}
+
+/**
+ * Decodes the theme's background image (image mode only), scaled to at most
+ * 2048 px on the longest edge. Null in color mode or on decode failure — the
+ * caller then falls back to the solid background color.
+ */
+@Composable
+fun rememberBackgroundImage(theme: UserTheme): ImageBitmap? {
+    val path = theme.backgroundImagePath
+    val wantImage = theme.backgroundMode == BackgroundMode.Image && !path.isNullOrBlank()
+    var image by remember { mutableStateOf<ImageBitmap?>(null) }
+    LaunchedEffect(wantImage, path) {
+        image = if (wantImage) loadScaledImage(path!!, 2048) else null
+    }
+    return image
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/shared/src/desktopMain/kotlin/iris/platform/DesktopMedia.kt b/app/shared/src/desktopMain/kotlin/iris/platform/DesktopMedia.kt
index 69021ca..c4ed3eb 100644
--- a/app/shared/src/desktopMain/kotlin/iris/platform/DesktopMedia.kt
+++ b/app/shared/src/desktopMain/kotlin/iris/platform/DesktopMedia.kt
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.toComposeImageBitmap
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.sp
 import iris.data.MediaItem
+import java.awt.image.BufferedImage
 import java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream
 import java.io.File
 import java.net.StandardProtocolFamily
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ import java.nio.channels.SocketChannel
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit
 import javax.imageio.ImageIO
 import javax.swing.JFileChooser
+import javax.swing.filechooser.FileNameExtensionFilter
 import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
 import kotlinx.coroutines.delay
 import kotlinx.coroutines.withContext
@@ -93,6 +95,33 @@ private fun pickFile(): PickedFile? {
     )
 }
 
+@Composable
+actual fun ImageFilePicker(onPicked: (PickedFile?) -> Unit) {
+    Button(onClick = {
+        val chooser = JFileChooser().apply {
+            fileFilter = FileNameExtensionFilter("Images", "jpg", "jpeg", "png", "webp", "bmp", "gif")
+        }
+        if (chooser.showOpenDialog(null) != JFileChooser.APPROVE_OPTION) {
+            onPicked(null)
+            return@Button
+        }
+        val f = chooser.selectedFile ?: return@Button
+        try {
+            // Copy into the persistent ~/.iris dir so the theme survives
+            // deletion of the original file.
+            val dir = File(File(System.getProperty("user.home"), ".iris"), "theme").apply { mkdirs() }
+            val ext = f.name.substringAfterLast('.', "img").lowercase()
+            val target = File(dir, "background.$ext")
+            f.copyTo(target, overwrite = true)
+            onPicked(PickedFile(target.absolutePath, f.name, guessMime(f.name), target.length()))
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            onPicked(null)
+        }
+    }) {
+        Text("Choose image…")
+    }
+}
+
 private fun guessMime(name: String): String {
     val ext = name.substringAfterLast('.', "").lowercase()
     return when (ext) {
@@ -131,6 +160,26 @@ actual suspend fun loadMediaImage(path: String): ImageBitmap? = withContext(Disp
     }
 }
 
+actual suspend fun loadScaledImage(path: String, maxSize: Int): ImageBitmap? = withContext(Dispatchers.IO) {
+    try {
+        val img = ImageIO.read(File(path)) ?: return@withContext null
+        val scale = (maxSize.toFloat() / maxOf(img.width, img.height)).coerceAtMost(1f)
+        if (scale >= 1f) {
+            img.toComposeImageBitmap()
+        } else {
+            val sw = (img.width * scale).toInt().coerceAtLeast(1)
+            val sh = (img.height * scale).toInt().coerceAtLeast(1)
+            val scaled = BufferedImage(sw, sh, BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_ARGB)
+            val g = scaled.createGraphics()
+            g.drawImage(img, 0, 0, sw, sh, null)
+            g.dispose()
+            scaled.toComposeImageBitmap()
+        }
+    } catch (_: Exception) {
+        null
+    }
+}
+
 /**
  * M6: inline media playback backed by mpv (docs/11 §11.2).
  *
diff --git a/app/shared/src/desktopMain/kotlin/iris/platform/DesktopSecureStore.kt b/app/shared/src/desktopMain/kotlin/iris/platform/DesktopSecureStore.kt
index 09b34cf..6f82a29 100644
--- a/app/shared/src/desktopMain/kotlin/iris/platform/DesktopSecureStore.kt
+++ b/app/shared/src/desktopMain/kotlin/iris/platform/DesktopSecureStore.kt
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package iris.platform
 
 import iris.data.SecureStore
 import iris.protocol.IrisJson
+import iris.ui.theme.UserTheme
 import java.io.File
 import java.security.SecureRandom
 import java.util.UUID
@@ -38,6 +39,11 @@ class DesktopSecureStore : SecureStore {
         val toolDetail: String = "truncated",
         val streamingEnabled: Boolean = true,
         val reasoningAutoCollapse: Boolean = true,
+        val userBubbleColor: Int = UserTheme.DEFAULT_USER_BUBBLE,
+        val agentBubbleColor: Int = UserTheme.DEFAULT_AGENT_BUBBLE,
+        val backgroundMode: String = "color",
+        val backgroundColor: Int = UserTheme.DEFAULT_BACKGROUND,
+        val backgroundImagePath: String = "",
     )
 
     init {
@@ -165,6 +171,41 @@ class DesktopSecureStore : SecureStore {
             save(d.copy(reasoningAutoCollapse = value))
         }
 
+    override var userBubbleColor: Int
+        get() = load().userBubbleColor
+        set(value) {
+            val d = load()
+            save(d.copy(userBubbleColor = value))
+        }
+
+    override var agentBubbleColor: Int
+        get() = load().agentBubbleColor
+        set(value) {
+            val d = load()
+            save(d.copy(agentBubbleColor = value))
+        }
+
+    override var backgroundMode: String
+        get() = load().backgroundMode.ifBlank { "color" }
+        set(value) {
+            val d = load()
+            save(d.copy(backgroundMode = value))
+        }
+
+    override var backgroundColor: Int
+        get() = load().backgroundColor
+        set(value) {
+            val d = load()
+            save(d.copy(backgroundColor = value))
+        }
+
+    override var backgroundImagePath: String
+        get() = load().backgroundImagePath
+        set(value) {
+            val d = load()
+            save(d.copy(backgroundImagePath = value))
+        }
+
     override fun savePairing(url: String, token: String) {
         val d = load()
         save(d.copy(serverUrl = url.trim()))