diff --git a/settings/quickshell.nix b/settings/quickshell.nix
index cd48428..8c66d5a 100644
--- a/settings/quickshell.nix
+++ b/settings/quickshell.nix
@@ -162,6 +162,10 @@ in
                 // Card surfaces are translucent so the compositor's bar-layer
                 // blur shows through — a lessened blur over the panel tint.
                 readonly property color cardBg: "#CC${c.base01}"
+                // Transparent base02: hover highlights fade to/from this so the
+                // colour animation stays in-hue instead of dipping through
+                // transparent *black* (which reads as an extra flash colour).
+                readonly property color base02t: "#00${c.base02}"
                 readonly property string fontFamily: "${monoFont}"
                 // Ligature-based icon font: text "volume_up" renders the icon
                 readonly property string iconFont: "Material Symbols Rounded"
@@ -1633,7 +1637,7 @@ in
                                     width: 200
                                     height: modelData.isSeparator ? 9 : 28
                                     color: !modelData.isSeparator && itemMouse.containsMouse && modelData.enabled
-                                           ? Theme.base02 : "transparent"
+                                           ? Theme.base02 : Theme.base02t
                                     Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Theme.animFade } }
                                     radius: modelData.isSeparator ? 0 : 4
 
@@ -1742,7 +1746,7 @@ in
                             Rectangle {
                                 width: parent.width
                                 height: 28
-                                color: masterMuteMa.containsMouse ? Theme.base02 : "transparent"
+                                color: masterMuteMa.containsMouse ? Theme.base02 : Theme.base02t
                                 Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Theme.animFade } }
                                 radius: Theme.radiusTiny
 
@@ -1891,7 +1895,7 @@ in
                                 visible: netWidget.netState === "connected"
                                 width: parent.width
                                 height: 28
-                                color: disconnectMouse.containsMouse ? Theme.base02 : "transparent"
+                                color: disconnectMouse.containsMouse ? Theme.base02 : Theme.base02t
                                 Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Theme.animFade } }
                                 radius: Theme.radiusTiny
 
@@ -1937,7 +1941,7 @@ in
                                     required property var modelData
                                     width: parent.width
                                     height: 32
-                                    color: netItemMouse.containsMouse ? Theme.base02 : "transparent"
+                                    color: netItemMouse.containsMouse ? Theme.base02 : Theme.base02t
                                     Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Theme.animFade } }
                                     radius: Theme.radiusTiny
 
@@ -2097,7 +2101,7 @@ in
                                             height: 36
                                             radius: Theme.radiusSmall
                                             color: profMouse.containsMouse && batteryWidget.powerProfile !== modelData.name
-                                                ? Theme.base02 : "transparent"
+                                                ? Theme.base02 : Theme.base02t
                                             Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Theme.animFade } }
 
                                             Column {
@@ -2266,7 +2270,7 @@ in
                                     Rectangle {
                                         width: 28; height: 28; radius: Theme.radiusSmall
                                         anchors.left: parent.left
-                                        color: calPrevMa.containsMouse ? Theme.base02 : Qt.rgba(Theme.base02.r, Theme.base02.g, Theme.base02.b, 0)
+                                        color: calPrevMa.containsMouse ? Theme.base02 : Theme.base02t
                                         Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Theme.animFade } }
                                         SIcon {
                                             anchors.centerIn: parent
@@ -2299,7 +2303,7 @@ in
                                     Rectangle {
                                         width: 28; height: 28; radius: Theme.radiusSmall
                                         anchors.right: parent.right
-                                        color: calNextMa.containsMouse ? Theme.base02 : Qt.rgba(Theme.base02.r, Theme.base02.g, Theme.base02.b, 0)
+                                        color: calNextMa.containsMouse ? Theme.base02 : Theme.base02t
                                         Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Theme.animFade } }
                                         SIcon {
                                             anchors.centerIn: parent
@@ -2503,7 +2507,7 @@ in
                                                         id: mediaBtn
                                                         required property var modelData
                                                         width: 28; height: 28; radius: 14
-                                                        color: mediaBtnMa.containsMouse ? Theme.base02 : "transparent"
+                                                        color: mediaBtnMa.containsMouse ? Theme.base02 : Theme.base02t
                                                         Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Theme.animFade } }
                                                         SIcon {
                                                             anchors.centerIn: parent