diff --git a/.codex b/.codex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/client/src/components/ChatWindow.vue b/client/src/components/ChatWindow.vue
index 0f5e2bb..89b8b9a 100644
--- a/client/src/components/ChatWindow.vue
+++ b/client/src/components/ChatWindow.vue
@@ -1,7 +1,27 @@
 <template>
   <div class="chat-window">
     <div v-if="!chatStore.currentConversation" class="no-conversation">
-      <p>Wähle einen Benutzer aus der Liste aus, um eine Unterhaltung zu starten.</p>
+      <div class="empty-icon">C</div>
+      <h2>Unterhaltung starten</h2>
+      <p>Wähle eine Person aus der aktiven Liste oder suche gezielt nach jemandem.</p>
+      <div class="empty-actions">
+        <button type="button" @click="chatStore.setView('search')">Zur Suche</button>
+        <button type="button" class="secondary" @click="chatStore.setView('history')">Verlauf ansehen</button>
+      </div>
+      <div class="empty-stats">
+        <span>
+          <strong>Sicherer Chat</strong>
+          Privater Austausch
+        </span>
+        <span>
+          <strong>{{ chatStore.users.length }} online</strong>
+          Aktive Kontakte
+        </span>
+        <span>
+          <strong>Profile</strong>
+          Direkt erreichbar
+        </span>
+      </div>
     </div>
     
     <div v-else class="messages-container">
@@ -105,12 +125,97 @@ function formatTime(timestamp) {
 
 <style scoped>
 .no-conversation {
-  padding: 20px;
+  min-height: 100%;
+  padding: 60px 24px;
   text-align: center;
-  color: #637067;
-  border: 1px dashed #d7dfd9;
-  border-radius: 12px;
+  color: #4f5c54;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+}
+
+.empty-icon {
+  width: 74px;
+  height: 74px;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  display: grid;
+  place-items: center;
+  background: #ffffff;
+  color: #1e6840;
+  font-size: 24px;
+  font-weight: 900;
+  box-shadow: 0 18px 34px rgba(29, 45, 36, 0.08);
+}
+
+.no-conversation h2 {
+  margin: 24px 0 12px;
+  color: #202720;
+  font-size: 25px;
+  line-height: 1.15;
+}
+
+.no-conversation p {
+  max-width: 430px;
+  margin: 0;
+  font-size: 15px;
+  line-height: 1.55;
+}
+
+.empty-actions {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  justify-content: center;
+  gap: 12px;
+  margin-top: 28px;
+}
+
+.empty-actions button {
+  min-height: 46px;
+  border: 0;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  padding: 0 24px;
+  background: #1f6e43;
+  color: #ffffff;
+  font-weight: 800;
+}
+
+.empty-actions button.secondary {
+  background: #ebeeec;
+  color: #2c5f40;
+}
+
+.empty-stats {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(120px, 1fr));
+  gap: 12px;
+  width: min(520px, 100%);
+  margin-top: 48px;
+}
+
+.empty-stats span {
+  min-height: 58px;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  padding: 12px;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  justify-content: center;
   background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.72);
+  color: #707c73;
+  font-size: 10px;
+  line-height: 1.2;
+}
+
+.empty-stats strong {
+  margin-bottom: 3px;
+  color: #253027;
+  font-size: 11px;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 620px) {
+  .empty-stats {
+    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+  }
 }
 
 .messages-container {
diff --git a/client/src/components/MenuBar.vue b/client/src/components/MenuBar.vue
index ee27a42..a380592 100644
--- a/client/src/components/MenuBar.vue
+++ b/client/src/components/MenuBar.vue
@@ -1,10 +1,6 @@
 <template>
   <div class="menu">
     <template v-if="chatStore.isLoggedIn">
-      <span class="menu-info-text">{{ $t('menu_in_chat_for', [chatStore.currentConversation || '-']) }}</span>
-      <span v-if="chatStore.remainingSecondsToTimeout > 0" class="menu-info-text">
-        {{ $t('menu_timeout_in', [formatTime(chatStore.remainingSecondsToTimeout)]) }}
-      </span>
       <button @click="handleLeave">{{ $t('menu_leave') }}</button>
       <button @click="handleSearch" :class="{ 'is-active': chatStore.currentView === 'search' }">
         {{ $t('menu_search') }}
@@ -18,6 +14,9 @@
       <button @click="handleHistory" :class="{ 'is-active': chatStore.currentView === 'history' }">
         {{ $t('menu_history') }}
       </button>
+      <span v-if="chatStore.remainingSecondsToTimeout > 0" class="menu-info-text">
+        {{ formatTime(chatStore.remainingSecondsToTimeout) }}
+      </span>
     </template>
   </div>
 </template>
diff --git a/client/src/components/SearchView.vue b/client/src/components/SearchView.vue
index 9ac2d0b..3fe86b8 100644
--- a/client/src/components/SearchView.vue
+++ b/client/src/components/SearchView.vue
@@ -21,11 +21,20 @@
       
       <div class="form-row">
         <label>{{ $t('search_country') }}</label>
-        <select v-model="selectedCountries" multiple>
-          <option v-for="(code, name) in countries" :key="code" :value="name">
-            {{ name }}
-          </option>
-        </select>
+        <Multiselect
+          v-model="selectedCountries"
+          :options="countryOptions"
+          mode="tags"
+          :close-on-select="false"
+          :searchable="true"
+          :placeholder="$t('search_all')"
+          track-by="value"
+          label="label"
+          value-prop="value"
+          :hide-selected="false"
+          :can-deselect="true"
+          :create-option="false"
+        />
       </div>
       
       <div class="form-row">
@@ -33,7 +42,7 @@
         <Multiselect
           v-model="searchData.genders"
           :options="translatedGenderOptions"
-          mode="multiple"
+          mode="tags"
           :close-on-select="false"
           :searchable="true"
           :placeholder="$t('search_all')"
@@ -102,38 +111,66 @@ const genderOptions = [
 
 // Übersetzte Geschlechter-Optionen
 const translatedGenderOptions = computed(() => {
-  return genderOptions.map(option => ({
+  const ownGender = chatStore.gender;
+  const preferredOrder = ownGender === 'M'
+    ? ['F', 'M', 'P', 'TF', 'TM']
+    : ownGender === 'F'
+      ? ['M', 'F', 'P', 'TF', 'TM']
+      : genderOptions.map(option => option.value);
+
+  const orderIndex = new Map(preferredOrder.map((value, index) => [value, index]));
+  const sortedOptions = [...genderOptions].sort((a, b) => {
+    return (orderIndex.get(a.value) ?? 999) - (orderIndex.get(b.value) ?? 999);
+  });
+
+  return sortedOptions.map(option => ({
     value: option.value,
     label: t(option.label)
   }));
 });
 
-// Übersetzte Länderliste (sortiert)
+// Übersetzte Länderliste mit stabilem Wert (englischer Ländername)
 const countries = computed(() => {
-  const translated = {};
+  const translations = countryTranslations[locale.value] || countryTranslations.en || {};
+  const list = Object.entries(countriesRaw.value).map(([englishName, isoCode]) => ({
+    label: translations[englishName] || englishName,
+    value: englishName,
+    isoCode
+  }));
+
+  list.sort((a, b) => a.label.localeCompare(b.label, locale.value));
+  return list;
+});
+
+const countryOptions = computed(() => {
+  const options = [...countries.value];
+  const ownCountry = chatStore.country;
+  if (!ownCountry) return options;
+
+  // Priorisiere das eigene Land anhand des stabilen Werts (englischer Ländername).
+  // Fallback: vergleiche zusätzlich das übersetzte Label, falls der Wert bereits lokalisiert gespeichert wurde.
   const translations = countryTranslations[locale.value] || countryTranslations['en'] || {};
-  
-  for (const [englishName, code] of Object.entries(countriesRaw.value)) {
-    // Verwende Übersetzung falls vorhanden, sonst englischen Namen
-    translated[translations[englishName] || englishName] = code;
-  }
-  
-  // Sortiere alphabetisch nach übersetztem Namen
-  const sorted = {};
-  Object.keys(translated).sort((a, b) => a.localeCompare(b, locale.value)).forEach(key => {
-    sorted[key] = translated[key];
-  });
-  
-  return sorted;
+  const ownCountryTranslated = translations[ownCountry] || ownCountry;
+  const ownCountryIndex = options.findIndex(option => (
+    option.value === ownCountry || option.label === ownCountry || option.label === ownCountryTranslated
+  ));
+  if (ownCountryIndex <= 0) return options;
+
+  const [ownCountryOption] = options.splice(ownCountryIndex, 1);
+  options.unshift(ownCountryOption);
+  return options;
 });
 
 // Verwende searchData direkt aus dem Store, damit die Daten beim View-Wechsel erhalten bleiben
 const searchData = chatStore.searchData;
 
 const selectedCountries = computed({
-  get: () => chatStore.searchData.selectedCountries || [],
+  get: () => chatStore.searchData.selectedCountries?.length
+    ? chatStore.searchData.selectedCountries
+    : (chatStore.searchData.selectedCountriesEnglish || []),
   set: (value) => {
     chatStore.searchData.selectedCountries = value;
+    chatStore.searchData.selectedCountriesEnglish = value;
   }
 });
 
@@ -160,17 +197,7 @@ function handleSearch() {
     return;
   }
   
-  // Konvertiere übersetzte Ländernamen zurück zu englischen Namen
-  const translations = countryTranslations[locale.value] || countryTranslations['en'] || {};
-  const englishCountryNames = (chatStore.searchData.selectedCountries || []).map(translatedName => {
-    // Suche den englischen Namen
-    for (const [englishName, translated] of Object.entries(translations)) {
-      if (translated === translatedName) {
-        return englishName;
-      }
-    }
-    return translatedName; // Fallback: verwende den Namen wie er ist
-  });
+  const englishCountryNames = chatStore.searchData.selectedCountries || [];
   
   // Konvertiere Multiselect-Werte zu Array von Strings (falls Objekte)
   const genderValues = Array.isArray(chatStore.searchData.genders) 
@@ -185,7 +212,6 @@ function handleSearch() {
     genders: genderValues.length > 0 ? genderValues : null
   };
   
-  // Speichere auch die englischen Länder-Namen im Store für spätere Aktualisierungen
   chatStore.searchData.selectedCountriesEnglish = englishCountryNames.length > 0 ? englishCountryNames : [];
   
   chatStore.userSearch(searchPayload);
@@ -269,64 +295,54 @@ function selectUser(userName) {
 }
 
 :deep(.multiselect) {
-  min-height: auto;
-  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  min-height: 38px;
+  border: 0;
   border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
   background: var(--color-surface);
+  box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1px var(--color-border);
+}
+
+:deep(.multiselect-wrapper),
+:deep(.multiselect-tags-search-wrapper),
+:deep(.multiselect-tags-search-copy) {
+  border: 0 !important;
+  box-shadow: none !important;
+  background: transparent !important;
 }
 
 :deep(.multiselect-input-wrapper) {
-  display: flex !important;
-  flex-wrap: wrap !important;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.25em;
-  padding: 0.25em;
-  min-height: 2em;
-  position: relative;
-}
-
-:deep(.multiselect-input-wrapper > *) {
-  flex-shrink: 0;
+  padding: 4px 6px;
+  min-height: 36px;
 }
 
 :deep(.multiselect-tags) {
-  min-height: 2em;
-  display: flex !important;
-  flex-wrap: wrap !important;
-  gap: 0.25em;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 4px;
+  min-height: 24px;
   padding: 0;
   margin: 0;
-  flex: 1;
-  width: 100%;
-}
-
-:deep(.multiselect.is-open .multiselect-tags) {
-  display: flex !important;
-}
-
-:deep(.multiselect:not(.is-open) .multiselect-tags) {
-  display: flex !important;
 }
 
 :deep(.multiselect-tag) {
   background: #3d8654;
   color: white;
-  padding: 0.25em 0.5em;
+  padding: 3px 8px;
   margin: 0;
-  border-radius: 3px;
-  display: inline-flex !important;
+  border-radius: 999px;
+  display: inline-flex;
   align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.25em;
-  font-size: 0.9em;
-  visibility: visible !important;
-  opacity: 1 !important;
+  gap: 4px;
+  font-size: 12px;
+  line-height: 1.2;
 }
 
 :deep(.multiselect-tag i) {
   color: white;
   opacity: 0.8;
   cursor: pointer;
-  margin-left: 0.25em;
+  margin-left: 0;
 }
 
 :deep(.multiselect-tag i:hover) {
@@ -335,75 +351,38 @@ function selectUser(userName) {
 
 :deep(.multiselect-placeholder) {
   color: #8a948e;
+  font-size: 13px;
 }
 
 :deep(.multiselect-single-label) {
-  display: none !important;
-}
-
-:deep(.multiselect-multiple-label) {
-  display: none !important;
-}
-
-:deep(.multiselect-tags-text) {
-  display: none !important;
+  display: none;
 }
 
 :deep(.multiselect-search) {
-  display: block !important;
-  flex: 0 0 auto;
-  min-width: 20px;
-  max-width: 50px;
-  opacity: 0.3;
-  pointer-events: none;
-}
-
-:deep(.multiselect-tags-search) {
-  display: flex !important;
-  flex-wrap: wrap !important;
-  gap: 0.25em;
-  padding: 0;
-  margin: 0;
-  flex: 1;
-}
-
-:deep(.multiselect-tags-search .multiselect-tag) {
-  background: #3d8654;
-  color: white;
-  padding: 0.25em 0.5em;
-  margin: 0;
-  border-radius: 3px;
-  display: inline-flex !important;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: 0.25em;
-  font-size: 0.9em;
-  visibility: visible !important;
-  opacity: 1 !important;
+  min-width: 80px;
+  font-size: 13px;
+  color: #18201b;
+  border: 0 !important;
+  box-shadow: none !important;
+  background: transparent !important;
 }
 
 :deep(.multiselect-input) {
-  flex: 0 0 auto;
-  min-width: 50px;
+  min-height: 22px;
+  border: 0 !important;
+  box-shadow: none !important;
+  background: transparent !important;
+}
+
+:deep(.multiselect-tags-search) {
+  border: 0 !important;
+  box-shadow: none !important;
+  background: transparent !important;
 }
 
 :deep(.multiselect.is-active) {
-  border-color: #3d8654;
-  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(61, 134, 84, 0.12);
-}
-
-:deep(.multiselect.is-active .multiselect-tags) {
-  display: flex !important;
-}
-
-:deep(.multiselect:not(.is-active) .multiselect-tags) {
-  display: flex !important;
-}
-
-:deep(.multiselect-single) {
-  display: none !important;
-}
-
-:deep(.multiselect-multiple) {
-  display: block !important;
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 0 0 0 1px #3d8654,
+    0 0 0 3px rgba(61, 134, 84, 0.12);
 }
 </style>
diff --git a/client/src/components/UserList.vue b/client/src/components/UserList.vue
index e8c9cf2..aeed7bc 100644
--- a/client/src/components/UserList.vue
+++ b/client/src/components/UserList.vue
@@ -15,17 +15,14 @@
         ]"
         @click="selectUser(user.userName)"
       >
-        <img
-          v-if="user.isoCountryCode"
-          :src="`/static/flags/${user.isoCountryCode}.png`"
-          :alt="user.country"
-          class="flag-icon"
-        />
+        <span class="user-avatar" :data-initial="user.userName.charAt(0).toUpperCase()">
+          <span class="user-status" aria-hidden="true"></span>
+        </span>
         <span class="user-main">
           <span class="user-name">{{ user.userName }}</span>
-          <span class="user-country">{{ user.isoCountryCode || '' }}</span>
+          <span class="user-country">{{ user.age }} · {{ user.gender }}</span>
         </span>
-        <span class="user-meta">{{ user.age }} · {{ user.gender }}</span>
+        <span class="user-meta">{{ user.isoCountryCode || '' }}</span>
       </button>
     </div>
   </div>
diff --git a/client/src/style.css b/client/src/style.css
index 4dc2311..bf82cde 100644
--- a/client/src/style.css
+++ b/client/src/style.css
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
   --color-purple: #8b60af;
   --color-cyan: #5fa2bf;
   --radius-sm: 8px;
-  --radius-md: 10px;
-  --radius-lg: 12px;
+  --radius-md: 8px;
+  --radius-lg: 8px;
   --space-1: 4px;
   --space-2: 8px;
   --space-3: 12px;
@@ -34,6 +34,213 @@
   --sidebar-width: 188px;
 }
 
+.chat-container-auth {
+  flex-direction: column;
+  background: #f7f9f7;
+}
+
+.auth-main-layout {
+  flex: 1;
+  min-height: 0;
+  display: flex;
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.app-sidebar {
+  width: 224px;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  padding: 28px 14px 12px;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  background: #e8f7ef;
+  border-right: 0;
+}
+
+.sidebar-brand {
+  padding: 0 14px 34px;
+  color: #173a27;
+}
+
+.sidebar-brand strong {
+  display: block;
+  font-size: 16px;
+  line-height: 1.15;
+  font-weight: 700;
+}
+
+.sidebar-brand span {
+  display: block;
+  margin-top: 5px;
+  color: #4e9872;
+  font-size: 11px;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.sidebar-nav {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 9px;
+}
+
+.sidebar-nav button {
+  min-height: 42px;
+  border: 0;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  padding: 0 12px;
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: 24px minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 10px;
+  background: transparent;
+  color: #54836d;
+  font-size: 13px;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  text-align: left;
+}
+
+.sidebar-nav button:hover,
+.sidebar-nav button.is-active {
+  background: #a9efcc;
+  color: #164d2c;
+}
+
+.sidebar-nav button.has-unread {
+  color: #9f4d4d;
+}
+
+.nav-icon {
+  width: 22px;
+  height: 22px;
+  border-radius: 6px;
+  display: grid;
+  place-items: center;
+  color: currentColor;
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.42);
+  font-size: 14px;
+  line-height: 1;
+}
+
+.sidebar-badge {
+  min-width: 20px;
+  height: 20px;
+  padding: 0 6px;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  display: inline-grid;
+  place-items: center;
+  background: #fff0f0;
+  color: #9f4d4d;
+  font-size: 11px;
+}
+
+.sidebar-profile {
+  margin-top: auto;
+  min-height: 64px;
+  padding: 10px 12px;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 10px;
+  background: #c9f6dc;
+  color: #173a27;
+}
+
+.profile-avatar,
+.icon-button {
+  width: 34px;
+  height: 34px;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  display: grid;
+  place-items: center;
+  background: #2f7047;
+  color: #ffffff;
+  font-weight: 800;
+  font-size: 12px;
+}
+
+.sidebar-profile span:last-child {
+  min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.sidebar-profile strong,
+.sidebar-profile small {
+  display: block;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  text-overflow: ellipsis;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+}
+
+.sidebar-profile strong {
+  font-size: 13px;
+}
+
+.sidebar-profile small {
+  margin-top: 2px;
+  color: #5f7f6e;
+  font-size: 10px;
+}
+
+.app-workspace {
+  flex: 1;
+  min-width: 0;
+  min-height: 0;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  background: #fafafa;
+}
+
+.workspace-header {
+  height: 64px;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: auto minmax(260px, 1fr) auto auto;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 16px;
+  padding: 0 28px;
+  background: #f7fbf8;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid #eef3ef;
+}
+
+.workspace-header h1 {
+  margin: 0;
+  color: #1d3f2b;
+  font-size: 21px;
+  line-height: 1;
+  font-weight: 800;
+}
+
+.workspace-search {
+  width: min(280px, 24vw);
+  height: 40px;
+  border: 0;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  padding: 0 18px;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 10px;
+  background: #e3f8ed;
+  color: #6e9280;
+  text-align: left;
+}
+
+.workspace-search span {
+  font-size: 13px;
+  font-weight: 800;
+  color: #1e6840;
+}
+
+.workspace-search strong {
+  font-size: 12px;
+  font-weight: 600;
+}
+
+.icon-button {
+  border: 0;
+  background: #ecf7f1;
+  color: #1e6840;
+}
+
 * {
   margin: 0;
   padding: 0;
@@ -227,6 +434,13 @@ a {
   overflow: hidden;
 }
 
+/* Content-Seiten (FAQ/Regeln/Sicherheit/Feedback) sollen den Footer nach unten drücken. */
+.chat-container > main {
+  flex: 1;
+  min-height: 0;
+  overflow: auto;
+}
+
 .horizontal-box-app {
   gap: 14px;
   padding: 14px;
@@ -653,3 +867,404 @@ a {
     display: none;
   }
 }
+
+.chat-container-auth .menu {
+  min-height: 0;
+  padding: 0;
+  border: 0;
+  background: transparent;
+  justify-content: center;
+  gap: 22px;
+  overflow: visible;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .menu button {
+  height: 64px;
+  padding: 0;
+  border: 0;
+  border-radius: 0;
+  background: transparent;
+  color: #88a095;
+  font-size: 13px;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  position: relative;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .menu button:hover {
+  background: transparent;
+  color: #1f6e43;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .menu button.is-active::after {
+  content: "";
+  position: absolute;
+  left: 0;
+  right: 0;
+  bottom: 12px;
+  height: 2px;
+  background: #1f6e43;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .menu button.has-unread {
+  color: #9f4d4d;
+  background: transparent;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .menu-info-text {
+  min-height: 24px;
+  padding: 0 8px;
+  border: 0;
+  background: #eff6f2;
+  color: #62806f;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .horizontal-box-app {
+  padding: 14px 26px 24px;
+  gap: 24px;
+  background: linear-gradient(90deg, #fbfbfb 0%, #f8faf8 56%, #f2f7f3 100%);
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .user-list {
+  width: 280px;
+  padding: 0;
+  border: 0;
+  border-radius: 0;
+  background: transparent;
+  box-shadow: none;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .user-list h3 {
+  min-height: 38px;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  color: #1c633c;
+  font-size: 15px;
+  font-weight: 800;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .user-list-scroll {
+  gap: 10px;
+  padding-right: 4px;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .user-item {
+  min-height: 64px;
+  padding: 10px 12px;
+  border: 0;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  grid-template-columns: 42px minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
+  gap: 12px;
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.72);
+  box-shadow: none;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .user-item:hover,
+.chat-container-auth .user-item.is-active {
+  background: #ffffff;
+  box-shadow: 0 12px 28px rgba(25, 45, 34, 0.06);
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .user-item.gender-M,
+.chat-container-auth .user-item.gender-F,
+.chat-container-auth .user-item.gender-P,
+.chat-container-auth .user-item.gender-TM,
+.chat-container-auth .user-item.gender-TF {
+  background-image: none;
+}
+
+.user-avatar {
+  width: 42px;
+  height: 42px;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  position: relative;
+  display: grid;
+  place-items: center;
+  background: linear-gradient(145deg, #1d2b24 0%, #43544a 100%);
+  color: #fff;
+  font-weight: 800;
+  font-size: 13px;
+}
+
+.user-avatar::before {
+  content: attr(data-initial);
+}
+
+.user-status {
+  width: 9px;
+  height: 9px;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  position: absolute;
+  right: -1px;
+  bottom: 2px;
+  background: #32c46b;
+  border: 2px solid #ffffff;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .user-name {
+  font-size: 13px;
+  font-weight: 800;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .user-country {
+  display: block;
+  margin-top: 3px;
+  font-size: 11px;
+  color: #616f66;
+  text-transform: none;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .user-main {
+  display: block;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .user-meta {
+  color: #88978e;
+  font-size: 11px;
+  font-weight: 700;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .content {
+  border: 0;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  background:
+    radial-gradient(circle at 15% 100%, rgba(79, 152, 114, 0.15), transparent 24%),
+    linear-gradient(120deg, #ffffff 0%, #f9faf9 52%, #f3f5f3 100%);
+  box-shadow: 0 26px 70px rgba(29, 45, 36, 0.08);
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .chat-window {
+  background: transparent;
+  padding: 28px;
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .chat-input-container {
+  border-top: 1px solid #edf2ee;
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.82);
+}
+
+.chat-container-auth .imprint-container {
+  height: 48px;
+  min-height: 48px;
+  border-top: 1px solid #eef3ef;
+  background: #ffffff;
+  color: #98a49d;
+  font-size: 10px;
+  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 720px) {
+  .chat-container-auth {
+    flex-direction: column;
+  }
+
+  .app-sidebar {
+    width: 100%;
+    min-height: 92px;
+    padding: 12px;
+    display: grid;
+    grid-template-columns: auto minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 12px;
+  }
+
+  .sidebar-brand {
+    padding: 0;
+  }
+
+  .sidebar-nav {
+    flex-direction: row;
+    overflow-x: auto;
+  }
+
+  .sidebar-nav button {
+    white-space: nowrap;
+  }
+
+  .workspace-header {
+    grid-template-columns: auto minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
+    padding: 0 14px;
+  }
+
+  .workspace-search {
+    display: none;
+  }
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 720px) {
+  .app-sidebar {
+    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+  }
+
+  .sidebar-profile {
+    display: none;
+  }
+
+  .workspace-header {
+    height: auto;
+    min-height: 58px;
+    grid-template-columns: 1fr auto;
+    gap: 8px;
+    padding: 8px 12px;
+  }
+
+  .workspace-header .menu {
+    grid-column: 1 / -1;
+    justify-content: flex-start;
+    overflow-x: auto;
+  }
+
+  .chat-container-auth .horizontal-box-app {
+    padding: 10px;
+    gap: 12px;
+  }
+
+  .chat-container-auth .user-list {
+    max-height: 190px;
+  }
+}
+
+/* Authenticated shell: keep these overrides at the end so the base app shell cannot override them. */
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth {
+  flex-direction: column;
+  background: #edf7f1;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .app-sidebar {
+  width: 286px;
+  padding: 30px 16px 14px;
+  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #d6f4e7 0%, #d0efe2 100%);
+  border-right: 0;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .sidebar-brand {
+  color: #143d27;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .sidebar-brand span {
+  color: #3f8c65;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .sidebar-nav button {
+  min-height: 44px;
+  border-radius: 10px;
+  color: #5e8a73;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .sidebar-nav button:hover,
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .sidebar-nav button.is-active {
+  background: #a6efc7;
+  color: #114d2c;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .sidebar-profile {
+  border-radius: 10px;
+  background: #c4f5d9;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .app-workspace {
+  background: #f8faf8;
+  border-top: 1px solid #d6ddd8;
+  border-right: 1px solid #d6ddd8;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid #d6ddd8;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .workspace-header {
+  min-height: 82px;
+  padding: 0 24px;
+  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #dcf5ea 0%, #d7f1e6 100%);
+  border-bottom: 1px solid #cfd8d2;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .workspace-header h1 {
+  color: #183d27;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .workspace-search,
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .icon-button {
+  background: #cbeee0;
+  color: #165f37;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .horizontal-box-app {
+  gap: 18px;
+  padding: 12px 14px 16px;
+  background: linear-gradient(90deg, #fbfbfa 0%, #f6f8f6 54%, #eaf4ee 100%);
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .user-list {
+  width: 318px;
+  padding: 14px;
+  border: 1px solid #e1e8e3;
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  background: #ffffff;
+  box-shadow: none;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .content {
+  border-radius: 34px;
+  background:
+    radial-gradient(circle at 17% 100%, rgba(50, 125, 86, 0.24), transparent 28%),
+    linear-gradient(120deg, #f7f6f4 0%, #f1f0ed 54%, #e8f0eb 100%);
+  box-shadow: 0 28px 80px rgba(22, 40, 30, 0.08);
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .menu button {
+  color: #527a66;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .menu button:hover,
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .menu button.is-active {
+  color: #18683d;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .menu button.is-active::after {
+  background: #18683d;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .user-list h3 {
+  font-size: 17px;
+  line-height: 1.2;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  letter-spacing: 0;
+  color: #17643c;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .user-item {
+  min-height: 64px;
+  border: 1px solid #edf2ee;
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.78);
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .user-item:hover,
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .user-item.is-active {
+  background: #ffffff;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .chat-input-container {
+  border-top: 1px solid #d9e5de;
+  background: #ffffff;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .chat-input-container button {
+  background: #1f6f43;
+  border-color: #1b633b;
+}
+
+.chat-container.chat-container-auth .imprint-container {
+  min-height: 58px;
+  border-top: 1px solid #d0d6d2;
+  background: #f0f2f1;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 720px) {
+  .chat-container.chat-container-auth {
+    flex-direction: column;
+  }
+
+  .auth-main-layout {
+    flex-direction: column;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/client/src/views/ChatView.vue b/client/src/views/ChatView.vue
index 8fadf11..9197910 100644
--- a/client/src/views/ChatView.vue
+++ b/client/src/views/ChatView.vue
@@ -1,79 +1,141 @@
 <template>
-  <div class="chat-container">
-    <header class="header">
-      <div class="app-brand">
-        <span class="app-brand-mark">S</span>
-        <div class="app-brand-copy">
-          <span class="app-brand-eyebrow">SingleChat</span>
-          <h1>Chat</h1>
-        </div>
-      </div>
-      <div v-if="chatStore.isLoggedIn" class="header-status">
-        <span class="header-status-chip">{{ chatStore.userName }}</span>
-        <span v-if="chatStore.isoCountryCode" class="header-status-chip">{{ chatStore.isoCountryCode }}</span>
-      </div>
-    </header>
-    
-    <MenuBar v-if="chatStore.isLoggedIn" />
-    
-    <div class="horizontal-box" :class="{ 'horizontal-box-login': !chatStore.isLoggedIn, 'horizontal-box-app': chatStore.isLoggedIn }">
-      <UserList v-if="chatStore.isLoggedIn" />
-      
-      <div class="content">
-        <div v-if="!chatStore.isLoggedIn" class="login-screen">
-          <LoginForm />
-        </div>
-        
-        <div v-else class="main-content-wrapper">
-          <div v-if="chatStore.errorMessage" class="error-message">
-            {{ chatStore.errorMessage }}
+  <div class="chat-container" :class="{ 'chat-container-auth': chatStore.isLoggedIn }">
+    <template v-if="chatStore.isLoggedIn">
+      <div class="auth-main-layout">
+        <aside class="app-sidebar">
+          <div class="sidebar-brand">
+            <strong>SingleChat</strong>
+            <span>Online Chat</span>
           </div>
-          <div v-if="chatStore.commandTable" class="command-table-container">
-            <div class="command-table-header">
-              <strong>{{ chatStore.commandTable.title }}</strong>
-              <button class="command-table-close" @click="chatStore.clearCommandTable()">Schließen</button>
-            </div>
-            <div class="command-table-scroll">
-              <table class="command-table">
-                <thead>
-                  <tr>
-                    <th v-for="(column, idx) in chatStore.commandTable.columns" :key="`head-${idx}`">
-                      {{ column }}
-                    </th>
-                  </tr>
-                </thead>
-                <tbody>
-                  <tr v-for="(row, rowIdx) in chatStore.commandTable.rows" :key="`row-${rowIdx}`">
-                    <td v-for="(cell, cellIdx) in row" :key="`cell-${rowIdx}-${cellIdx}`">
-                      {{ cell }}
-                    </td>
-                  </tr>
-                </tbody>
-              </table>
-            </div>
+
+          <nav class="sidebar-nav" aria-label="Hauptnavigation">
+            <button
+              type="button"
+              :class="{ 'is-active': chatStore.currentView === 'chat' }"
+              @click="goLobby"
+            >
+              <span class="nav-icon" aria-hidden="true">🏠</span>
+              Lobby
+            </button>
+            <button
+              type="button"
+              :class="{ 'is-active': chatStore.currentView === 'inbox', 'has-unread': chatStore.unreadChatsCount > 0 }"
+              @click="chatStore.setView('inbox')"
+            >
+              <span class="nav-icon" aria-hidden="true">📥</span>
+              {{ $t('menu_inbox') }}
+              <span v-if="chatStore.unreadChatsCount > 0" class="sidebar-badge">{{ chatStore.unreadChatsCount }}</span>
+            </button>
+            <button
+              type="button"
+              :class="{ 'is-active': chatStore.currentView === 'history' }"
+              @click="chatStore.setView('history')"
+            >
+              <span class="nav-icon" aria-hidden="true">🕘</span>
+              {{ $t('menu_history') }}
+            </button>
+            <button
+              type="button"
+              :class="{ 'is-active': chatStore.currentView === 'search' }"
+              @click="chatStore.setView('search')"
+            >
+              <span class="nav-icon" aria-hidden="true">🔎</span>
+              {{ $t('menu_search') }}
+            </button>
+          </nav>
+
+          <div class="sidebar-profile">
+            <span class="profile-avatar">{{ userInitials }}</span>
+            <span>
+              <strong>{{ chatStore.userName }}</strong>
+              <small>{{ chatStore.country || 'SingleChat Member' }}</small>
+            </span>
           </div>
-          <SearchView v-if="chatStore.currentView === 'search'" />
-          <InboxView v-else-if="chatStore.currentView === 'inbox'" />
-          <HistoryView v-else-if="chatStore.currentView === 'history'" />
-          <div v-else class="chat-content">
-            <div v-if="chatStore.currentConversation && currentUserInfo" class="chat-header">
-              <span :class="['chat-header-accent', 'chat-header-accent-' + currentUserInfo.gender]"></span>
-              <div class="chat-header-main">
-                <h2>{{ chatStore.currentConversation }}</h2>
-                <div class="chat-header-info">
-                  <span v-if="currentUserInfo">{{ currentUserInfo.country }}</span>
-                  <span v-if="currentUserInfo">{{ currentUserInfo.age }} · {{ currentUserInfo.gender }}</span>
+        </aside>
+
+        <section class="app-workspace">
+          <header class="workspace-header">
+            <h1>{{ pageTitle }}</h1>
+            <MenuBar />
+            <button type="button" class="icon-button" :title="chatStore.userName">{{ userInitials }}</button>
+          </header>
+
+          <div class="horizontal-box horizontal-box-app">
+            <UserList />
+            
+            <div class="content">
+              <div class="main-content-wrapper">
+                <div v-if="chatStore.errorMessage" class="error-message">
+                  {{ chatStore.errorMessage }}
                 </div>
+                <div v-if="chatStore.commandTable" class="command-table-container">
+                  <div class="command-table-header">
+                    <strong>{{ chatStore.commandTable.title }}</strong>
+                    <button class="command-table-close" @click="chatStore.clearCommandTable()">Schließen</button>
+                  </div>
+                  <div class="command-table-scroll">
+                    <table class="command-table">
+                      <thead>
+                        <tr>
+                          <th v-for="(column, idx) in chatStore.commandTable.columns" :key="`head-${idx}`">
+                            {{ column }}
+                          </th>
+                        </tr>
+                      </thead>
+                      <tbody>
+                        <tr v-for="(row, rowIdx) in chatStore.commandTable.rows" :key="`row-${rowIdx}`">
+                          <td v-for="(cell, cellIdx) in row" :key="`cell-${rowIdx}-${cellIdx}`">
+                            {{ cell }}
+                          </td>
+                        </tr>
+                      </tbody>
+                    </table>
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+                <SearchView v-if="chatStore.currentView === 'search'" />
+                <InboxView v-else-if="chatStore.currentView === 'inbox'" />
+                <HistoryView v-else-if="chatStore.currentView === 'history'" />
+                <div v-else class="chat-content">
+                  <div v-if="chatStore.currentConversation && currentUserInfo" class="chat-header">
+                    <span :class="['chat-header-accent', 'chat-header-accent-' + currentUserInfo.gender]"></span>
+                    <div class="chat-header-main">
+                      <h2>{{ chatStore.currentConversation }}</h2>
+                      <div class="chat-header-info">
+                        <span v-if="currentUserInfo">{{ currentUserInfo.country }}</span>
+                        <span v-if="currentUserInfo">{{ currentUserInfo.age }} · {{ currentUserInfo.gender }}</span>
+                      </div>
+                    </div>
+                  </div>
+                  <ChatWindow />
+                </div>
+                <ChatInput />
               </div>
             </div>
-            <ChatWindow />
           </div>
-          <ChatInput />
+        </section>
+      </div>
+      <ImprintContainer />
+    </template>
+
+    <template v-else>
+      <header class="header">
+        <div class="app-brand">
+          <span class="app-brand-mark">S</span>
+          <div class="app-brand-copy">
+            <span class="app-brand-eyebrow">SingleChat</span>
+            <h1>Chat</h1>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </header>
+      <div class="horizontal-box horizontal-box-login">
+        <div class="content login-content-shell">
+          <div class="login-screen">
+            <LoginForm />
+          </div>
         </div>
       </div>
-    </div>
-    
-    <ImprintContainer />
+      <ImprintContainer />
+    </template>
   </div>
 </template>
 
@@ -92,6 +154,29 @@ import ImprintContainer from '../components/ImprintContainer.vue';
 
 const chatStore = useChatStore();
 
+const userInitials = computed(() => {
+  return (chatStore.userName || 'SC')
+    .split(/\s+/)
+    .filter(Boolean)
+    .slice(0, 2)
+    .map(part => part.charAt(0).toUpperCase())
+    .join('') || 'SC';
+});
+
+const pageTitle = computed(() => {
+  if (chatStore.currentView === 'search') return 'Suchen';
+  if (chatStore.currentView === 'inbox') return 'Posteingang';
+  if (chatStore.currentView === 'history') return 'Verlauf';
+  if (chatStore.currentConversation) return chatStore.currentConversation;
+  return 'Lobby';
+});
+
+function goLobby() {
+  chatStore.currentConversation = null;
+  chatStore.messages = [];
+  chatStore.setView('chat');
+}
+
 const currentUserInfo = computed(() => {
   if (!chatStore.currentConversation) return null;
   return chatStore.users.find(u => u.userName === chatStore.currentConversation);
diff --git a/client/src/views/FaqView.vue b/client/src/views/FaqView.vue
index 23d85ac..1618042 100644
--- a/client/src/views/FaqView.vue
+++ b/client/src/views/FaqView.vue
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 <template>
   <div class="chat-container">
     <header class="header">
-      <div class="app-brand">
+      <router-link to="/" class="app-brand app-brand-link">
         <span class="app-brand-mark">S</span>
         <div class="app-brand-copy">
           <span class="app-brand-eyebrow">SingleChat</span>
           <h1>FAQ</h1>
         </div>
-      </div>
+      </router-link>
       <HeaderAdBanner />
     </header>
 
@@ -85,5 +85,9 @@ import ImprintContainer from '../components/ImprintContainer.vue';
 .content-page a {
   color: #245c3a;
 }
+
+.app-brand-link {
+  text-decoration: none;
+}
 </style>
 
diff --git a/client/src/views/FeedbackView.vue b/client/src/views/FeedbackView.vue
index 92fb7e4..0da8fb2 100644
--- a/client/src/views/FeedbackView.vue
+++ b/client/src/views/FeedbackView.vue
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 <template>
   <div class="chat-container">
     <header class="header">
-      <div class="app-brand">
+      <router-link to="/" class="app-brand app-brand-link">
         <span class="app-brand-mark">S</span>
         <div class="app-brand-copy">
           <span class="app-brand-eyebrow">SingleChat</span>
           <h1>Feedback</h1>
         </div>
-      </div>
+      </router-link>
       <HeaderAdBanner />
     </header>
 
@@ -69,4 +69,8 @@ import ImprintContainer from '../components/ImprintContainer.vue';
   color: #344038;
   line-height: 1.55;
 }
+
+.app-brand-link {
+  text-decoration: none;
+}
 </style>
diff --git a/client/src/views/PartnersView.vue b/client/src/views/PartnersView.vue
index ae258a4..c00ca88 100644
--- a/client/src/views/PartnersView.vue
+++ b/client/src/views/PartnersView.vue
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 <template>
   <div class="chat-container">
     <header class="header">
-      <div class="app-brand">
+      <router-link to="/" class="app-brand app-brand-link">
         <span class="app-brand-mark">S</span>
         <div class="app-brand-copy">
           <span class="app-brand-eyebrow">SingleChat</span>
           <h1>Partner</h1>
         </div>
-      </div>
+      </router-link>
       <HeaderAdBanner />
     </header>
     
@@ -102,4 +102,8 @@ onMounted(async () => {
   font-size: 12px;
   color: #637067;
 }
+
+.app-brand-link {
+  text-decoration: none;
+}
 </style>
diff --git a/client/src/views/RulesView.vue b/client/src/views/RulesView.vue
index e3e54ac..23fb871 100644
--- a/client/src/views/RulesView.vue
+++ b/client/src/views/RulesView.vue
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 <template>
   <div class="chat-container">
     <header class="header">
-      <div class="app-brand">
+      <router-link to="/" class="app-brand app-brand-link">
         <span class="app-brand-mark">S</span>
         <div class="app-brand-copy">
           <span class="app-brand-eyebrow">SingleChat</span>
           <h1>Regeln</h1>
         </div>
-      </div>
+      </router-link>
       <HeaderAdBanner />
     </header>
 
@@ -80,5 +80,9 @@ import ImprintContainer from '../components/ImprintContainer.vue';
   margin: 18px 0 6px;
   color: #18201b;
 }
+
+.app-brand-link {
+  text-decoration: none;
+}
 </style>
 
diff --git a/client/src/views/SafetyView.vue b/client/src/views/SafetyView.vue
index 3082d39..d631470 100644
--- a/client/src/views/SafetyView.vue
+++ b/client/src/views/SafetyView.vue
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 <template>
   <div class="chat-container">
     <header class="header">
-      <div class="app-brand">
+      <router-link to="/" class="app-brand app-brand-link">
         <span class="app-brand-mark">S</span>
         <div class="app-brand-copy">
           <span class="app-brand-eyebrow">SingleChat</span>
           <h1>Sicherheit</h1>
         </div>
-      </div>
+      </router-link>
       <HeaderAdBanner />
     </header>
 
@@ -72,5 +72,9 @@ import ImprintContainer from '../components/ImprintContainer.vue';
 .content-page a {
   color: #245c3a;
 }
+
+.app-brand-link {
+  text-decoration: none;
+}
 </style>