diff --git a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/AlgorithmNode.tsx b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/AlgorithmNode.tsx
index b2aaee33..84da65b8 100644
--- a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/AlgorithmNode.tsx
+++ b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/AlgorithmNode.tsx
@@ -1,16 +1,14 @@
 import { memo } from 'react';
 import { NodeProps } from 'reactflow';
+import { BrainCircuit } from 'lucide-react';
 import { BaseNode } from './BaseNode';
 import { AlgorithmNodeData } from '../../../lib/canvas/schema';
 
 function AlgorithmNodeComponent(props: NodeProps<AlgorithmNodeData>) {
   const { data } = props;
   return (
-    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<span>🧠</span>} color="text-indigo-600" colorBg="bg-indigo-50">
-      {data.method && <div>{data.method}</div>}
-      {data.maxTrials && (
-        <div className="text-xs text-gray-400">{data.maxTrials} trials</div>
-      )}
+    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<BrainCircuit size={16} />} iconColor="text-indigo-400">
+      {data.method ? `${data.method} (${data.maxTrials || 100} trials)` : 'Select method'}
     </BaseNode>
   );
 }
diff --git a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/BaseNode.tsx b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/BaseNode.tsx
index a027c70c..171ca3bf 100644
--- a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/BaseNode.tsx
+++ b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/BaseNode.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import { memo, ReactNode } from 'react';
 import { Handle, Position, NodeProps } from 'reactflow';
+import { AlertCircle } from 'lucide-react';
 import { BaseNodeData } from '../../../lib/canvas/schema';
 
 interface BaseNodeProps extends NodeProps<BaseNodeData> {
   icon: ReactNode;
-  color: string;
-  colorBg?: string;
+  iconColor: string;
   children?: ReactNode;
   inputs?: number;
   outputs?: number;
@@ -15,127 +15,63 @@ function BaseNodeComponent({
   data,
   selected,
   icon,
-  color,
-  colorBg = 'bg-dark-700',
+  iconColor,
   children,
   inputs = 1,
   outputs = 1,
 }: BaseNodeProps) {
-  const hasError = data.errors && data.errors.length > 0;
-  const isConfigured = data.configured;
+  const hasErrors = data.errors && data.errors.length > 0;
 
   return (
     <div
       className={`
-        group relative px-4 py-3 rounded-xl border-2 min-w-[200px] bg-dark-800
-        transition-all duration-300 ease-out
-        ${selected
-          ? 'border-primary-500 shadow-xl shadow-primary-500/20 scale-[1.02]'
-          : 'border-dark-600 shadow-md hover:shadow-lg hover:border-dark-500'}
-        ${!isConfigured ? 'border-dashed opacity-80' : ''}
-        ${hasError ? 'border-red-500/70 shadow-red-500/20' : ''}
+        relative px-3 py-2.5 rounded-lg border min-w-[160px] max-w-[200px]
+        bg-dark-850 shadow-lg transition-all duration-150
+        ${selected ? 'border-primary-400 ring-2 ring-primary-400/20' : 'border-dark-600'}
+        ${!data.configured ? 'border-dashed border-dark-500' : ''}
+        ${hasErrors ? 'border-red-500/70' : ''}
       `}
-      style={{
-        animation: 'nodeAppear 0.3s ease-out',
-      }}
     >
-      {/* Glow effect on selection */}
-      {selected && (
-        <div
-          className="absolute inset-0 -z-10 rounded-xl opacity-30"
-          style={{
-            background: 'radial-gradient(ellipse at center, #6366f1 0%, transparent 70%)',
-            transform: 'scale(1.3)',
-          }}
-        />
-      )}
-
-      {/* Input handles */}
       {inputs > 0 && (
         <Handle
           type="target"
           position={Position.Left}
-          className={`
-            !w-4 !h-4 !border-2 !border-dark-800 !shadow-md
-            transition-all duration-200
-            ${selected ? '!bg-primary-500' : '!bg-dark-400 group-hover:!bg-dark-300'}
-          `}
-          style={{ left: -8 }}
+          className="!w-2.5 !h-2.5 !bg-dark-500 !border-2 !border-dark-700 hover:!bg-primary-400 hover:!border-primary-500 transition-colors"
         />
       )}
 
-      {/* Header */}
-      <div className="flex items-center gap-3 mb-2">
-        <div className={`
-          w-8 h-8 rounded-lg ${colorBg} flex items-center justify-center
-          transition-transform duration-200
-          ${selected ? 'scale-110' : 'group-hover:scale-105'}
-        `}>
-          <span className={`text-lg ${color}`}>{icon}</span>
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+        <div className={`${iconColor} flex-shrink-0`}>
+          {icon}
         </div>
-        <div className="flex-1">
-          <span className="font-semibold text-white text-sm">{data.label}</span>
-          {!isConfigured && (
-            <span className="ml-2 text-xs text-amber-400 animate-pulse">Needs config</span>
-          )}
+        <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+          <div className="font-medium text-white text-sm truncate">{data.label}</div>
         </div>
+        {!data.configured && (
+          <div className="w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full bg-amber-400 flex-shrink-0" />
+        )}
       </div>
 
-      {/* Content */}
       {children && (
-        <div className="text-sm text-dark-300 mt-2 pl-11">
+        <div className="mt-1.5 text-xs text-dark-400 truncate">
           {children}
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {/* Status indicator */}
-      <div className="absolute top-2 right-2">
-        {hasError ? (
-          <span className="w-2 h-2 bg-red-500 rounded-full block animate-pulse" />
-        ) : isConfigured ? (
-          <span className="w-2 h-2 bg-green-500 rounded-full block" />
-        ) : (
-          <span className="w-2 h-2 bg-amber-400 rounded-full block" />
-        )}
-      </div>
-
-      {/* Errors */}
-      {hasError && (
-        <div className="mt-3 pt-2 border-t border-red-500/30">
-          <p className="text-xs text-red-400 flex items-center gap-1">
-            <span>⚠</span>
-            {data.errors?.[0]}
-          </p>
+      {hasErrors && (
+        <div className="mt-1.5 flex items-center gap-1 text-xs text-red-400">
+          <AlertCircle size={10} />
+          <span className="truncate">{data.errors![0]}</span>
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {/* Output handles */}
       {outputs > 0 && (
         <Handle
           type="source"
           position={Position.Right}
-          className={`
-            !w-4 !h-4 !border-2 !border-dark-800 !shadow-md
-            transition-all duration-200
-            ${selected ? '!bg-primary-500' : '!bg-dark-400 group-hover:!bg-dark-300'}
-          `}
-          style={{ right: -8 }}
+          className="!w-2.5 !h-2.5 !bg-dark-500 !border-2 !border-dark-700 hover:!bg-primary-400 hover:!border-primary-500 transition-colors"
         />
       )}
-
-      {/* Inline styles for animation */}
-      <style>{`
-        @keyframes nodeAppear {
-          from {
-            opacity: 0;
-            transform: scale(0.9) translateY(10px);
-          }
-          to {
-            opacity: 1;
-            transform: scale(1) translateY(0);
-          }
-        }
-      `}</style>
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ConstraintNode.tsx b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ConstraintNode.tsx
index 2a5c0c7b..e7a69eec 100644
--- a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ConstraintNode.tsx
+++ b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ConstraintNode.tsx
@@ -1,18 +1,16 @@
 import { memo } from 'react';
 import { NodeProps } from 'reactflow';
+import { ShieldAlert } from 'lucide-react';
 import { BaseNode } from './BaseNode';
 import { ConstraintNodeData } from '../../../lib/canvas/schema';
 
 function ConstraintNodeComponent(props: NodeProps<ConstraintNodeData>) {
   const { data } = props;
   return (
-    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<span>🚧</span>} color="text-orange-600" colorBg="bg-orange-50">
-      {data.name && <div>{data.name}</div>}
-      {data.operator && data.value !== undefined && (
-        <div className="text-xs text-gray-400">
-          {data.operator} {data.value}
-        </div>
-      )}
+    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<ShieldAlert size={16} />} iconColor="text-amber-400">
+      {data.name && data.operator && data.value !== undefined
+        ? `${data.name} ${data.operator} ${data.value}`
+        : 'Set constraint'}
     </BaseNode>
   );
 }
diff --git a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/DesignVarNode.tsx b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/DesignVarNode.tsx
index 4007b90c..c36a39a0 100644
--- a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/DesignVarNode.tsx
+++ b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/DesignVarNode.tsx
@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
 import { memo } from 'react';
 import { NodeProps } from 'reactflow';
+import { SlidersHorizontal } from 'lucide-react';
 import { BaseNode } from './BaseNode';
 import { DesignVarNodeData } from '../../../lib/canvas/schema';
 
 function DesignVarNodeComponent(props: NodeProps<DesignVarNodeData>) {
   const { data } = props;
   return (
-    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<span>📐</span>} color="text-green-600" colorBg="bg-green-50">
-      {data.expressionName && <div className="font-mono">{data.expressionName}</div>}
-      {data.minValue !== undefined && data.maxValue !== undefined && (
-        <div className="text-xs text-gray-400">
-          [{data.minValue} - {data.maxValue}] {data.unit || ''}
-        </div>
+    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<SlidersHorizontal size={16} />} iconColor="text-emerald-400">
+      {data.expressionName ? (
+        <span className="font-mono">{data.expressionName}</span>
+      ) : (
+        'Select expression'
       )}
     </BaseNode>
   );
diff --git a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ExtractorNode.tsx b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ExtractorNode.tsx
index 108eb327..d577a0cc 100644
--- a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ExtractorNode.tsx
+++ b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ExtractorNode.tsx
@@ -1,16 +1,14 @@
 import { memo } from 'react';
 import { NodeProps } from 'reactflow';
+import { FlaskConical } from 'lucide-react';
 import { BaseNode } from './BaseNode';
 import { ExtractorNodeData } from '../../../lib/canvas/schema';
 
 function ExtractorNodeComponent(props: NodeProps<ExtractorNodeData>) {
   const { data } = props;
   return (
-    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<span>🔬</span>} color="text-cyan-600" colorBg="bg-cyan-50">
-      {data.extractorName && <div>{data.extractorName}</div>}
-      {data.extractorId && (
-        <div className="text-xs text-gray-400">{data.extractorId}</div>
-      )}
+    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<FlaskConical size={16} />} iconColor="text-cyan-400">
+      {data.extractorName || 'Select extractor'}
     </BaseNode>
   );
 }
diff --git a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ModelNode.tsx b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ModelNode.tsx
index 24707b39..db454ada 100644
--- a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ModelNode.tsx
+++ b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ModelNode.tsx
@@ -1,18 +1,14 @@
 import { memo } from 'react';
 import { NodeProps } from 'reactflow';
+import { Box } from 'lucide-react';
 import { BaseNode } from './BaseNode';
 import { ModelNodeData } from '../../../lib/canvas/schema';
 
 function ModelNodeComponent(props: NodeProps<ModelNodeData>) {
   const { data } = props;
   return (
-    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<span>📦</span>} color="text-blue-600" colorBg="bg-blue-50" inputs={0}>
-      {data.filePath && (
-        <div className="truncate max-w-[150px]">{data.filePath.split('/').pop()}</div>
-      )}
-      {data.fileType && (
-        <div className="text-xs text-gray-400">{data.fileType.toUpperCase()}</div>
-      )}
+    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<Box size={16} />} iconColor="text-blue-400" inputs={0}>
+      {data.filePath ? data.filePath.split(/[/\\]/).pop() : 'No file selected'}
     </BaseNode>
   );
 }
diff --git a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ObjectiveNode.tsx b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ObjectiveNode.tsx
index 77acd42f..6a48097d 100644
--- a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ObjectiveNode.tsx
+++ b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/ObjectiveNode.tsx
@@ -1,19 +1,14 @@
 import { memo } from 'react';
 import { NodeProps } from 'reactflow';
+import { Target } from 'lucide-react';
 import { BaseNode } from './BaseNode';
 import { ObjectiveNodeData } from '../../../lib/canvas/schema';
 
 function ObjectiveNodeComponent(props: NodeProps<ObjectiveNodeData>) {
   const { data } = props;
   return (
-    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<span>🎯</span>} color="text-red-600" colorBg="bg-red-50">
-      {data.name && <div>{data.name}</div>}
-      {data.direction && (
-        <div className="text-xs text-gray-400">
-          {data.direction === 'minimize' ? '↓ Minimize' : '↑ Maximize'}
-          {data.weight !== 1 && ` (w=${data.weight})`}
-        </div>
-      )}
+    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<Target size={16} />} iconColor="text-rose-400">
+      {data.name ? `${data.direction === 'maximize' ? '↑' : '↓'} ${data.name}` : 'Set objective'}
     </BaseNode>
   );
 }
diff --git a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/SolverNode.tsx b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/SolverNode.tsx
index dfa08559..2ecef9a8 100644
--- a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/SolverNode.tsx
+++ b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/SolverNode.tsx
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 import { memo } from 'react';
 import { NodeProps } from 'reactflow';
+import { Cpu } from 'lucide-react';
 import { BaseNode } from './BaseNode';
 import { SolverNodeData } from '../../../lib/canvas/schema';
 
 function SolverNodeComponent(props: NodeProps<SolverNodeData>) {
   const { data } = props;
   return (
-    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<span>⚙️</span>} color="text-purple-600" colorBg="bg-purple-50">
-      {data.solverType && <div>{data.solverType}</div>}
+    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<Cpu size={16} />} iconColor="text-violet-400">
+      {data.solverType || 'Select solution'}
     </BaseNode>
   );
 }
diff --git a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/SurrogateNode.tsx b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/SurrogateNode.tsx
index a6272ec8..4026d7f6 100644
--- a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/SurrogateNode.tsx
+++ b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/nodes/SurrogateNode.tsx
@@ -1,16 +1,14 @@
 import { memo } from 'react';
 import { NodeProps } from 'reactflow';
+import { Rocket } from 'lucide-react';
 import { BaseNode } from './BaseNode';
 import { SurrogateNodeData } from '../../../lib/canvas/schema';
 
 function SurrogateNodeComponent(props: NodeProps<SurrogateNodeData>) {
   const { data } = props;
   return (
-    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<span>🚀</span>} color="text-pink-600" colorBg="bg-pink-50" outputs={0}>
-      <div>{data.enabled ? 'Enabled' : 'Disabled'}</div>
-      {data.enabled && data.modelType && (
-        <div className="text-xs text-gray-400">{data.modelType}</div>
-      )}
+    <BaseNode {...props} icon={<Rocket size={16} />} iconColor="text-pink-400" outputs={0}>
+      {data.enabled ? (data.modelType || 'Auto') : 'Disabled'}
     </BaseNode>
   );
 }
diff --git a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/palette/NodePalette.tsx b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/palette/NodePalette.tsx
index d41ffe43..fb203e11 100644
--- a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/palette/NodePalette.tsx
+++ b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/components/canvas/palette/NodePalette.tsx
@@ -1,22 +1,33 @@
 import { DragEvent } from 'react';
 import { NodeType } from '../../../lib/canvas/schema';
+import {
+  Box,
+  Cpu,
+  SlidersHorizontal,
+  FlaskConical,
+  Target,
+  ShieldAlert,
+  BrainCircuit,
+  Rocket,
+} from 'lucide-react';
 
 interface PaletteItem {
   type: NodeType;
   label: string;
-  icon: string;
+  icon: React.ReactNode;
   description: string;
+  color: string;
 }
 
 const PALETTE_ITEMS: PaletteItem[] = [
-  { type: 'model', label: 'Model', icon: '📦', description: 'NX model file' },
-  { type: 'solver', label: 'Solver', icon: '⚙️', description: 'Nastran solution' },
-  { type: 'designVar', label: 'Design Variable', icon: '📐', description: 'Parameter to vary' },
-  { type: 'extractor', label: 'Extractor', icon: '🔬', description: 'Physics extraction' },
-  { type: 'objective', label: 'Objective', icon: '🎯', description: 'Optimization goal' },
-  { type: 'constraint', label: 'Constraint', icon: '🚧', description: 'Limit condition' },
-  { type: 'algorithm', label: 'Algorithm', icon: '🧠', description: 'Optimization method' },
-  { type: 'surrogate', label: 'Surrogate', icon: '🚀', description: 'Neural acceleration' },
+  { type: 'model', label: 'Model', icon: <Box size={18} />, description: 'NX model file (.prt, .sim)', color: 'text-blue-400' },
+  { type: 'solver', label: 'Solver', icon: <Cpu size={18} />, description: 'Nastran solution type', color: 'text-violet-400' },
+  { type: 'designVar', label: 'Design Variable', icon: <SlidersHorizontal size={18} />, description: 'Parameter to optimize', color: 'text-emerald-400' },
+  { type: 'extractor', label: 'Extractor', icon: <FlaskConical size={18} />, description: 'Physics result extraction', color: 'text-cyan-400' },
+  { type: 'objective', label: 'Objective', icon: <Target size={18} />, description: 'Optimization goal', color: 'text-rose-400' },
+  { type: 'constraint', label: 'Constraint', icon: <ShieldAlert size={18} />, description: 'Design constraint', color: 'text-amber-400' },
+  { type: 'algorithm', label: 'Algorithm', icon: <BrainCircuit size={18} />, description: 'Optimization method', color: 'text-indigo-400' },
+  { type: 'surrogate', label: 'Surrogate', icon: <Rocket size={18} />, description: 'Neural acceleration', color: 'text-pink-400' },
 ];
 
 export function NodePalette() {
@@ -26,24 +37,31 @@ export function NodePalette() {
   };
 
   return (
-    <div className="w-64 bg-dark-850 border-r border-dark-700 p-4 overflow-y-auto">
-      <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-dark-400 uppercase mb-4 tracking-wide">
-        Components
-      </h3>
-      <div className="space-y-2">
+    <div className="w-56 bg-dark-850 border-r border-dark-700 flex flex-col">
+      <div className="p-4 border-b border-dark-700">
+        <h3 className="text-xs font-semibold text-dark-400 uppercase tracking-wider">
+          Components
+        </h3>
+        <p className="text-xs text-dark-500 mt-1">
+          Drag to canvas
+        </p>
+      </div>
+      <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-3 space-y-1.5">
         {PALETTE_ITEMS.map((item) => (
           <div
             key={item.type}
             draggable
             onDragStart={(e) => onDragStart(e, item.type)}
-            className="flex items-center gap-3 p-3 bg-dark-800 rounded-lg border border-dark-600
-                       cursor-grab hover:border-primary-500/50 hover:bg-dark-750 transition-all
-                       active:cursor-grabbing"
+            className="flex items-center gap-2.5 px-3 py-2.5 bg-dark-800/50 rounded-lg border border-dark-700/50
+                       cursor-grab hover:border-primary-500/50 hover:bg-dark-800
+                       active:cursor-grabbing transition-all group"
           >
-            <span className="text-xl">{item.icon}</span>
-            <div>
-              <div className="font-medium text-white">{item.label}</div>
-              <div className="text-xs text-dark-400">{item.description}</div>
+            <div className={`${item.color} opacity-80 group-hover:opacity-100 transition-opacity`}>
+              {item.icon}
+            </div>
+            <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+              <div className="font-medium text-dark-200 text-sm leading-tight">{item.label}</div>
+              <div className="text-[10px] text-dark-500 truncate">{item.description}</div>
             </div>
           </div>
         ))}
diff --git a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/lib/canvas/templates.ts b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/lib/canvas/templates.ts
index 113bdfce..dc785a64 100644
--- a/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/lib/canvas/templates.ts
+++ b/atomizer-dashboard/frontend/src/lib/canvas/templates.ts
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ const massMinimizationTemplate: CanvasTemplate = {
   name: 'Mass Minimization',
   description: 'Minimize structural mass while maintaining stiffness constraints. Ideal for brackets, housings, and weight-critical components.',
   category: 'structural',
-  icon: '⚖️',
+  icon: 'Scale',
   intent: {
     version: '1.0',
     source: 'canvas',
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ const multiObjectiveTemplate: CanvasTemplate = {
   name: 'Multi-Objective Pareto',
   description: 'Explore trade-offs between competing objectives. Generates a Pareto front for informed decision-making.',
   category: 'structural',
-  icon: '📊',
+  icon: 'BarChart3',
   intent: {
     version: '1.0',
     source: 'canvas',
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ const turboModeTemplate: CanvasTemplate = {
   name: 'Turbo Mode',
   description: 'Accelerated optimization using neural network surrogates. Run thousands of virtual trials with periodic FEA validation.',
   category: 'general',
-  icon: '🚀',
+  icon: 'Rocket',
   intent: {
     version: '1.0',
     source: 'canvas',
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ const mirrorZernikeTemplate: CanvasTemplate = {
   name: 'Mirror Zernike',
   description: 'Optimize optical mirror surface quality using Zernike wavefront error metrics. Specialized for precision optics.',
   category: 'optical',
-  icon: '🔭',
+  icon: 'Telescope',
   intent: {
     version: '1.0',
     source: 'canvas',
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ const frequencyOptimizationTemplate: CanvasTemplate = {
   name: 'Frequency Optimization',
   description: 'Maximize natural frequencies to avoid resonance. Essential for rotating machinery and vibration-sensitive equipment.',
   category: 'structural',
-  icon: '📈',
+  icon: 'TrendingUp',
   intent: {
     version: '1.0',
     source: 'canvas',