diff --git a/backend/alembic/versions/75e05e158ca9_normalize_task_statuses.py b/backend/alembic/versions/75e05e158ca9_normalize_task_statuses.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ad0741b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/alembic/versions/75e05e158ca9_normalize_task_statuses.py
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+"""normalize task statuses
+
+Revision ID: 75e05e158ca9
+Revises: 4b2a5e2dbb6e
+Create Date: 2026-02-05 00:16:48.958679
+
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from alembic import op
+
+
+# revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
+revision = '75e05e158ca9'
+down_revision = '4b2a5e2dbb6e'
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.execute(
+        "UPDATE tasks SET status='in_progress' WHERE status IN ('assigned','testing')"
+    )
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    pass
diff --git a/backend/app/api/tasks.py b/backend/app/api/tasks.py
index 4362b5c9..06748d3f 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/tasks.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/tasks.py
@@ -32,6 +32,15 @@ from app.services.activity_log import record_activity
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/boards/{board_id}/tasks", tags=["tasks"])
 
 REQUIRED_COMMENT_FIELDS = ("summary:", "details:", "next:")
+ALLOWED_STATUSES = {"inbox", "in_progress", "review", "done"}
+
+
+def validate_task_status(status_value: str) -> None:
+    if status_value not in ALLOWED_STATUSES:
+        raise HTTPException(
+            status_code=status.HTTP_422_UNPROCESSABLE_ENTITY,
+            detail="Unsupported task status.",
+        )
 
 
 def is_valid_markdown_comment(message: str) -> bool:
@@ -82,6 +91,11 @@ def list_tasks(
     if status_filter:
         statuses = [s.strip() for s in status_filter.split(",") if s.strip()]
         if statuses:
+            if any(status not in ALLOWED_STATUSES for status in statuses):
+                raise HTTPException(
+                    status_code=status.HTTP_422_UNPROCESSABLE_ENTITY,
+                    detail="Unsupported task status filter.",
+                )
             statement = statement.where(col(Task.status).in_(statuses))
     if assigned_agent_id is not None:
         statement = statement.where(col(Task.assigned_agent_id) == assigned_agent_id)
@@ -99,6 +113,7 @@ def create_task(
     session: Session = Depends(get_session),
     auth: AuthContext = Depends(require_admin_auth),
 ) -> Task:
+    validate_task_status(payload.status)
     task = Task.model_validate(payload)
     task.board_id = board.id
     if task.created_by_user_id is None and auth.user is not None:
@@ -135,6 +150,7 @@ def update_task(
         if not set(updates).issubset(allowed_fields):
             raise HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN)
         if "status" in updates:
+            validate_task_status(updates["status"])
             if updates["status"] == "inbox":
                 task.assigned_agent_id = None
                 task.in_progress_at = None
@@ -143,6 +159,7 @@ def update_task(
                 if updates["status"] == "in_progress":
                     task.in_progress_at = datetime.utcnow()
     elif "status" in updates:
+        validate_task_status(updates["status"])
         if updates["status"] == "inbox":
             task.assigned_agent_id = None
             task.in_progress_at = None
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/boards/[boardId]/page.tsx b/frontend/src/app/boards/[boardId]/page.tsx
index 4dd0f647..c45593fa 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/boards/[boardId]/page.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/app/boards/[boardId]/page.tsx
@@ -280,46 +280,65 @@ export default function BoardDetailPage() {
       </SignedOut>
       <SignedIn>
         <DashboardSidebar />
-        <div className="flex h-full flex-col gap-6 rounded-2xl surface-panel p-8">
-          <div className="flex flex-wrap items-start justify-between gap-4">
-            <div className="space-y-2">
-              <p className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.3em] text-quiet">
-                {board?.slug ?? "board"}
-              </p>
-              <h1 className="text-2xl font-semibold text-strong">
-                {board?.name ?? "Board"}
-              </h1>
-              <p className="text-sm text-muted">
-                Keep tasks moving through your workflow.
-              </p>
+        <main className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto bg-gradient-to-br from-slate-50 to-slate-100">
+          <div className="sticky top-0 z-30 border-b border-slate-200 bg-white shadow-sm">
+            <div className="px-8 py-6">
+              <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-4">
+                <div>
+                  <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-slate-500">
+                    <span>{board?.name ?? "Board"}</span>
+                  </div>
+                  <h1 className="mt-2 text-2xl font-semibold text-slate-900 tracking-tight">
+                    {board?.name ?? "Board"}
+                  </h1>
+                  <p className="mt-1 text-sm text-slate-500">
+                    Keep tasks moving through your workflow.
+                  </p>
+                </div>
+                <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-3">
+                  <div className="flex items-center gap-1 rounded-lg bg-slate-100 p-1">
+                    <button className="rounded-md bg-slate-900 px-3 py-1.5 text-sm font-medium text-white">
+                      Board
+                    </button>
+                    <button className="rounded-md px-3 py-1.5 text-sm font-medium text-slate-600 transition-colors hover:bg-slate-200 hover:text-slate-900">
+                      List
+                    </button>
+                    <button className="rounded-md px-3 py-1.5 text-sm font-medium text-slate-600 transition-colors hover:bg-slate-200 hover:text-slate-900">
+                      Timeline
+                    </button>
+                  </div>
+                  <Button
+                    variant="outline"
+                    onClick={() => router.push("/boards")}
+                  >
+                    Back to boards
+                  </Button>
+                </div>
+              </div>
             </div>
-            <Button
-              variant="outline"
-              onClick={() => router.push("/boards")}
-            >
-              Back to boards
-            </Button>
           </div>
 
-          {error && (
-            <div className="rounded-lg border border-[color:var(--border)] bg-[color:var(--surface-muted)] p-3 text-xs text-muted">
-              {error}
-            </div>
-          )}
+          <div className="p-6">
+            {error && (
+              <div className="mb-4 rounded-lg border border-slate-200 bg-white p-3 text-sm text-slate-600 shadow-sm">
+                {error}
+              </div>
+            )}
 
-          {isLoading ? (
-            <div className="flex flex-1 items-center justify-center text-sm text-muted">
-              Loading {titleLabel}…
-            </div>
-          ) : (
-            <TaskBoard
-              tasks={displayTasks}
-              onCreateTask={() => setIsDialogOpen(true)}
-              isCreateDisabled={isCreating}
-              onTaskSelect={openComments}
-            />
-          )}
-        </div>
+            {isLoading ? (
+              <div className="flex min-h-[50vh] items-center justify-center text-sm text-slate-500">
+                Loading {titleLabel}…
+              </div>
+            ) : (
+              <TaskBoard
+                tasks={displayTasks}
+                onCreateTask={() => setIsDialogOpen(true)}
+                isCreateDisabled={isCreating}
+                onTaskSelect={openComments}
+              />
+            )}
+          </div>
+        </main>
       </SignedIn>
 
       <Dialog open={isCommentsOpen} onOpenChange={(open) => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/molecules/TaskCard.tsx b/frontend/src/components/molecules/TaskCard.tsx
index 4ce193a5..4931b646 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/molecules/TaskCard.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/molecules/TaskCard.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import { CalendarClock, UserCircle } from "lucide-react";
 
-import { StatusPill } from "@/components/atoms/StatusPill";
-import { Card, CardContent } from "@/components/ui/card";
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 interface TaskCardProps {
   title: string;
@@ -18,9 +17,58 @@ export function TaskCard({
   due,
   onClick,
 }: TaskCardProps) {
+  const statusConfig: Record<
+    string,
+    { label: string; dot: string; badge: string; text: string }
+  > = {
+    inbox: {
+      label: "Inbox",
+      dot: "bg-slate-400",
+      badge: "bg-slate-100",
+      text: "text-slate-600",
+    },
+    assigned: {
+      label: "Assigned",
+      dot: "bg-blue-500",
+      badge: "bg-blue-50",
+      text: "text-blue-700",
+    },
+    in_progress: {
+      label: "In progress",
+      dot: "bg-purple-500",
+      badge: "bg-purple-50",
+      text: "text-purple-700",
+    },
+    testing: {
+      label: "Testing",
+      dot: "bg-amber-500",
+      badge: "bg-amber-50",
+      text: "text-amber-700",
+    },
+    review: {
+      label: "Review",
+      dot: "bg-indigo-500",
+      badge: "bg-indigo-50",
+      text: "text-indigo-700",
+    },
+    done: {
+      label: "Done",
+      dot: "bg-green-500",
+      badge: "bg-green-50",
+      text: "text-green-700",
+    },
+  };
+
+  const config = statusConfig[status] ?? {
+    label: status,
+    dot: "bg-slate-400",
+    badge: "bg-slate-100",
+    text: "text-slate-600",
+  };
+
   return (
-    <Card
-      className="cursor-pointer border border-[color:var(--border)] bg-[color:var(--surface)] transition hover:border-[color:var(--border-strong)]"
+    <div
+      className="group cursor-pointer rounded-lg border border-slate-200 bg-white p-4 shadow-sm transition-all hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:border-slate-300 hover:shadow-md"
       onClick={onClick}
       role="button"
       tabIndex={0}
@@ -31,26 +79,33 @@ export function TaskCard({
         }
       }}
     >
-      <CardContent className="space-y-4">
-        <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-3">
-          <div className="space-y-2">
-            <p className="text-sm font-semibold text-strong">{title}</p>
-            <StatusPill status={status} />
-          </div>
+      <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-3">
+        <div className="space-y-2">
+          <span
+            className={cn(
+              "inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-full px-2.5 py-1 text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide",
+              config.badge,
+              config.text,
+            )}
+          >
+            <span className={cn("h-1.5 w-1.5 rounded-full", config.dot)} />
+            {config.label}
+          </span>
+          <p className="text-sm font-medium text-slate-900">{title}</p>
         </div>
-        <div className="flex items-center justify-between text-xs text-muted">
+      </div>
+      <div className="mt-3 flex items-center justify-between text-xs text-slate-500">
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <UserCircle className="h-4 w-4 text-slate-400" />
+          <span>{assignee ?? "Unassigned"}</span>
+        </div>
+        {due ? (
           <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-            <UserCircle className="h-4 w-4" />
-            <span>{assignee ?? "Unassigned"}</span>
+            <CalendarClock className="h-4 w-4 text-slate-400" />
+            <span>{due}</span>
           </div>
-          {due ? (
-            <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-              <CalendarClock className="h-4 w-4" />
-              <span>{due}</span>
-            </div>
-          ) : null}
-        </div>
-      </CardContent>
-    </Card>
+        ) : null}
+      </div>
+    </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/organisms/TaskBoard.tsx b/frontend/src/components/organisms/TaskBoard.tsx
index fb043fd6..baf8e667 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/organisms/TaskBoard.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/organisms/TaskBoard.tsx
@@ -24,12 +24,34 @@ type TaskBoardProps = {
 };
 
 const columns = [
-  { title: "Inbox", status: "inbox" },
-  { title: "Assigned", status: "assigned" },
-  { title: "In Progress", status: "in_progress" },
-  { title: "Testing", status: "testing" },
-  { title: "Review", status: "review" },
-  { title: "Done", status: "done" },
+  {
+    title: "Inbox",
+    status: "inbox",
+    dot: "bg-slate-400",
+    accent: "hover:border-slate-400 hover:bg-slate-50",
+    text: "group-hover:text-slate-700 text-slate-500",
+  },
+  {
+    title: "In Progress",
+    status: "in_progress",
+    dot: "bg-purple-500",
+    accent: "hover:border-purple-400 hover:bg-purple-50",
+    text: "group-hover:text-purple-600 text-slate-500",
+  },
+  {
+    title: "Review",
+    status: "review",
+    dot: "bg-indigo-500",
+    accent: "hover:border-indigo-400 hover:bg-indigo-50",
+    text: "group-hover:text-indigo-600 text-slate-500",
+  },
+  {
+    title: "Done",
+    status: "done",
+    dot: "bg-green-500",
+    accent: "hover:border-green-400 hover:bg-green-50",
+    text: "group-hover:text-green-600 text-slate-500",
+  },
 ];
 
 const formatDueDate = (value?: string | null) => {
@@ -61,41 +83,53 @@ export function TaskBoard({
   }, [tasks]);
 
   return (
-    <div className="grid grid-flow-col auto-cols-[minmax(260px,320px)] gap-6 overflow-x-auto pb-4">
+    <div className="grid grid-flow-col auto-cols-[minmax(260px,320px)] gap-4 overflow-x-auto pb-6">
       {columns.map((column) => {
         const columnTasks = grouped[column.status] ?? [];
         return (
-          <div key={column.title} className="space-y-4">
-            <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
-              <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-strong">
-                {column.title}
-              </h3>
-              <span className="text-xs text-quiet">{columnTasks.length}</span>
+          <div key={column.title} className="kanban-column min-h-[calc(100vh-260px)]">
+            <div className="column-header sticky top-0 z-10 rounded-t-xl border border-b-0 border-slate-200 bg-white/80 px-4 py-3 backdrop-blur">
+              <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+                <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                  <span className={cn("h-2 w-2 rounded-full", column.dot)} />
+                  <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-slate-900">
+                    {column.title}
+                  </h3>
+                </div>
+                <span className="flex h-6 w-6 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-slate-100 text-xs font-semibold text-slate-600">
+                  {columnTasks.length}
+                </span>
+              </div>
             </div>
-            <div className="space-y-3">
+            <div className="rounded-b-xl border border-t-0 border-slate-200 bg-white p-3">
               {column.status === "inbox" ? (
                 <button
                   type="button"
                   onClick={onCreateTask}
                   disabled={isCreateDisabled}
                   className={cn(
-                    "flex w-full items-center justify-center rounded-2xl border border-dashed border-[color:var(--border)] bg-[color:var(--surface-muted)] px-4 py-6 text-[11px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.2em] text-quiet transition hover:border-[color:var(--border-strong)] hover:bg-[color:var(--surface)]",
+                    "group mb-3 flex w-full items-center justify-center rounded-lg border-2 border-dashed border-slate-300 px-4 py-4 text-sm font-medium transition",
+                    column.accent,
                     isCreateDisabled && "cursor-not-allowed opacity-60"
                   )}
                 >
-                  New task
+                  <div className={cn("flex items-center gap-2", column.text)}>
+                    <span className="text-sm font-medium">New task</span>
+                  </div>
                 </button>
               ) : null}
-              {columnTasks.map((task) => (
-                <TaskCard
-                  key={task.id}
-                  title={task.title}
-                  status={column.status}
-                  assignee={task.assignee}
-                  due={formatDueDate(task.due_at)}
-                  onClick={() => onTaskSelect?.(task)}
-                />
-              ))}
+              <div className="space-y-3">
+                {columnTasks.map((task) => (
+                  <TaskCard
+                    key={task.id}
+                    title={task.title}
+                    status={column.status}
+                    assignee={task.assignee}
+                    due={formatDueDate(task.due_at)}
+                    onClick={() => onTaskSelect?.(task)}
+                  />
+                ))}
+              </div>
             </div>
           </div>
         );