diff --git a/src/psyc/cockpit/static/cockpit.css b/src/psyc/cockpit/static/cockpit.css
index cd17d17..05d58a4 100644
--- a/src/psyc/cockpit/static/cockpit.css
+++ b/src/psyc/cockpit/static/cockpit.css
@@ -881,8 +881,62 @@ body.wide .net-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(320px, 1fr
 .featured:hover { transform: translateY(-1px); box-shadow: 0 10px 36px rgba(30,200,255,0.18); }
 .featured-link { display: block; color: inherit; text-decoration: none; position: relative; }
 .featured-link:hover { text-decoration: none; }
-.featured-hero { position: relative; aspect-ratio: 880 / 220; max-height: 240px; overflow: hidden; }
-.featured-hero svg { width: 100%; height: 100%; display: block; }
+.featured-hero {
+  position: relative; width: 100%;
+  min-height: 240px; height: clamp(220px, 28vw, 320px);
+  overflow: hidden;
+  background:
+    radial-gradient(900px 480px at 80% 50%, rgba(30,200,255,0.20), transparent 65%),
+    linear-gradient(180deg, #0f1115, #1c2230);
+}
+.featured-hero > * { position: absolute; inset: 0; }
+
+/* Animated full-bleed grid — line color cycles through severity-ish hues. */
+.featured-grid {
+  color: var(--accent);
+  background-image:
+    linear-gradient(currentColor 1px, transparent 1px),
+    linear-gradient(90deg, currentColor 1px, transparent 1px);
+  background-size: 38px 38px;
+  background-position: -1px -1px;
+  opacity: 0.22;
+  animation: hero-hue-cycle 18s ease-in-out infinite, hero-grid-drift 22s linear infinite;
+  will-change: color, background-position;
+}
+.featured-grid::after {
+  /* a soft glowing column that sweeps across the hero */
+  content: ""; position: absolute; inset: 0;
+  background: radial-gradient(220px 100% at 0% 50%, currentColor 0%, transparent 65%);
+  opacity: 0.55; mix-blend-mode: screen;
+  animation: hero-sweep 12s ease-in-out infinite alternate;
+}
+@keyframes hero-hue-cycle {
+  0%, 100% { color: #1ec8ff; }   /* cyan */
+  18%      { color: #f87171; }   /* red */
+  36%      { color: #fbbf24; }   /* gold */
+  54%      { color: #4ade80; }   /* green */
+  72%      { color: #a78bfa; }   /* violet */
+}
+@keyframes hero-grid-drift {
+  from { background-position: -1px -1px; }
+  to   { background-position: 37px 37px; }
+}
+@keyframes hero-sweep {
+  0%   { transform: translateX(-20%); }
+  100% { transform: translateX(120%); }
+}
+
+/* case-specific particles layered on top of the grid */
+.featured-particles { opacity: 0.55; mix-blend-mode: screen; pointer-events: none; }
+.featured-particles svg { width: 100%; height: 100%; display: block; }
+
+/* Severity nudges the cycle's intensity but doesn't stop the cycle. */
+.featured.sev-critical .featured-grid { opacity: 0.30; }
+.featured.sev-high     .featured-grid { opacity: 0.28; }
+
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+  .featured-grid, .featured-grid::after { animation: none; }
+}
 .featured-overlay {
   position: absolute; left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0;
   padding: 18px 22px 18px;
diff --git a/src/psyc/cockpit/templates/home.html b/src/psyc/cockpit/templates/home.html
index d103269..b08e129 100644
--- a/src/psyc/cockpit/templates/home.html
+++ b/src/psyc/cockpit/templates/home.html
@@ -52,10 +52,13 @@
     </div>
   </header>
   <a class="featured sev-{{ featured.classification.severity.value }}" href="/cases/{{ featured.case_id }}">
-    <div class="featured-hero">{{ featured_hero|safe }}</div>
-    <div class="featured-overlay">
-      <h3 class="featured-title">{{ featured.summary }}</h3>
-      <div class="featured-cta">Open case <span class="featured-arrow">→</span></div>
+    <div class="featured-hero">
+      <div class="featured-grid" aria-hidden="true"></div>
+      <div class="featured-particles" aria-hidden="true">{{ featured_hero|safe }}</div>
+      <div class="featured-overlay">
+        <h3 class="featured-title">{{ featured.summary }}</h3>
+        <div class="featured-cta">Open case <span class="featured-arrow">→</span></div>
+      </div>
     </div>
   </a>
 </section>