feat(ux): active search indicator + Candycore easter egg theme

Search indicator:
- SearchProgress.vue: indeterminate amber progress bar + status line
  + 4 staggered skeleton cards shown while loading=true and no results yet
  (fills the previously-blank results area during initial scrape phase)
- Re-search badge: blue "Re-searching…" pill in toolbar when loading=true
  over existing stale results (distinct from the amber enrichment badge)

Candycore theme:
- New [data-candycore="active"] CSS block; palette sourced from
  snipe_v0_Neon_IPad_Paint.jpeg — purple-black sky, lavender primary,
  cyan glow, yellow crown, bubblegum pink text
- useCandycoreMode.ts: word trigger ("neon", typed outside form fields),
  ascending arpeggio audio, localStorage persistence, restore on reload
- Mutually exclusive with Snipe Mode (each deactivates the other)
- Added :not([data-candycore="active"]) guards to existing dark/light
  theme override selectors so they don't stomp on Candycore

web/src/App.vue

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import { useMotion } from './composables/useMotion'
 import { useSnipeMode } from './composables/useSnipeMode'
 import { useTheme } from './composables/useTheme'
 import { useKonamiCode } from './composables/useKonamiCode'
+import { useCandycoreMode } from './composables/useCandycoreMode'
 import { useSessionStore } from './stores/session'
 import { useBlocklistStore } from './stores/blocklist'
 import { usePreferencesStore } from './stores/preferences'
@@ -31,6 +32,8 @@ import FeedbackButton from './components/FeedbackButton.vue'
 const motion = useMotion()
 const { activate, restore } = useSnipeMode()
 const { restore: restoreTheme } = useTheme()
+const { restore: restoreCandy, useWordTrigger } = useCandycoreMode()
+useWordTrigger()
 const session = useSessionStore()
 const blocklistStore = useBlocklistStore()
 const preferencesStore = usePreferencesStore()
@@ -42,6 +45,7 @@ useKonamiCode(activate)
 onMounted(async () => {
   restore()                           // re-apply snipe mode from localStorage on hard reload
   restoreTheme()                      // re-apply explicit theme override on hard reload
+  restoreCandy()                      // re-apply candycore mode from localStorage on hard reload
   await session.bootstrap()           // fetch tier + feature flags from API
   blocklistStore.fetchBlocklist()     // pre-load so card block buttons reflect state immediately
   preferencesStore.load()             // load user preferences after session resolves
@@ -57,6 +61,12 @@ onMounted(async () => {
   padding: 0;
 }
 
+/* Global keyboard focus indicator — safety net so no stylesheet can silently remove focus rings */
+:focus-visible {
+  outline: 2px solid var(--app-primary);
+  outline-offset: 2px;
+}
+
 html {
   font-family: var(--font-body, sans-serif);
   color: var(--color-text, #e6edf3);

web/src/assets/theme.css

@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
    Snipe Mode data attribute overrides this via higher specificity.
 */
 /* Explicit dark override — beats OS preference when user forces dark in Settings */
-[data-theme="dark"]:not([data-snipe-mode="active"]) {
+[data-theme="dark"]:not([data-snipe-mode="active"]):not([data-candycore="active"]) {
   --color-surface:        #0d1117;
   --color-surface-2:      #161b22;
   --color-surface-raised: #1c2129;
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@
 }
 
 @media (prefers-color-scheme: light) {
-  :root:not([data-theme="dark"]):not([data-snipe-mode="active"]) {
+  :root:not([data-theme="dark"]):not([data-snipe-mode="active"]):not([data-candycore="active"]) {
     /* Surfaces — warm cream, like a tactical field notebook */
     --color-surface:        #f8f5ee;
     --color-surface-2:      #f0ece3;
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@
 }
 
 /* Explicit light override — beats OS preference when user forces light in Settings */
-[data-theme="light"]:not([data-snipe-mode="active"]) {
+[data-theme="light"]:not([data-snipe-mode="active"]):not([data-candycore="active"]) {
   --color-surface:        #f8f5ee;
   --color-surface-2:      #f0ece3;
   --color-surface-raised: #e8e3d8;
@@ -178,6 +178,56 @@
   --shadow-lg: 0 10px 30px rgba(60,45,20,0.2), 0 4px 8px rgba(60,45,20,0.1);
 }
 
+/* ── Candycore easter egg theme ─────────────────────
+   Activated by typing "neon" outside a form field (tribute to artist Neon).
+   Palette sourced from snipe_v0_Neon_IPad_Paint.jpeg:
+     purple-black sky + lavender primary + cyan glow + yellow crown + pink text.
+   Stored as 'cf-candycore' in localStorage.
+   Applied: document.documentElement.dataset.candycore = 'active'
+   NOTE: Snipe Mode is declared last and overrides this when both are active.
+*/
+[data-candycore="active"] {
+  --app-primary:       #c77dff;
+  --app-primary-hover: #a855f7;
+  --app-primary-light: rgba(199, 125, 255, 0.15);
+
+  /* Purple-black night sky */
+  --color-surface:        #08051a;
+  --color-surface-2:      #100d28;
+  --color-surface-raised: #1a1248;
+
+  /* Purple glow borders */
+  --color-border:       rgba(199, 125, 255, 0.20);
+  --color-border-light: rgba(199, 125, 255, 0.10);
+
+  /* Candy-floss text — pink-white, muted bubblegum */
+  --color-text:         #ffd6f5;
+  --color-text-muted:   #f09099;
+  --color-text-inverse: #08051a;
+
+  /* Trust signals — straight from the painting */
+  --trust-high: #00c8e0;  /* cyan (outline glow) = good */
+  --trust-mid:  #ffe520;  /* yellow (crown stripe) = caution */
+  --trust-low:  #ff6eb4;  /* hot pink = danger */
+
+  /* Semantic */
+  --color-success: #00c8e0;
+  --color-error:   #ff6eb4;
+  --color-warning: #ffe520;
+  --color-info:    #c77dff;
+  --color-accent:  #00c8e0;  /* cyan accent */
+
+  /* Purple glow shadows */
+  --shadow-sm: 0 1px 3px rgba(199, 125, 255, 0.12);
+  --shadow-md: 0 4px 12px rgba(199, 125, 255, 0.20);
+  --shadow-lg: 0 10px 30px rgba(199, 125, 255, 0.28);
+
+  /* Glow helpers (used in scoped styles if needed) */
+  --candy-glow-xs: rgba(199, 125, 255, 0.08);
+  --candy-glow-sm: rgba(199, 125, 255, 0.18);
+  --candy-glow-md: rgba(199, 125, 255, 0.45);
+}
+
 /* ── Snipe Mode easter egg theme ─────────────────── */
 /* Activated by Konami code; stored as 'cf-snipe-mode' in localStorage   */
 /* Applied: document.documentElement.dataset.snipeMode = 'active'        */

web/src/components/SearchProgress.vue

@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+<template>
+  <div class="search-progress" role="status" aria-label="Search in progress" aria-live="polite">
+    <!-- Indeterminate progress bar -->
+    <div class="progress-track" aria-hidden="true">
+      <div class="progress-bar"></div>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Status line -->
+    <p class="progress-label">
+      Searching eBay for <strong>{{ query }}</strong>…
+    </p>
+
+    <!-- Skeleton listing cards -->
+    <div class="skeleton-list" aria-hidden="true">
+      <div v-for="n in 4" :key="n" class="skeleton-card">
+        <div class="skeleton-thumb"></div>
+        <div class="skeleton-body">
+          <div class="skeleton-line skeleton-line--title"></div>
+          <div class="skeleton-line skeleton-line--meta"></div>
+          <div class="skeleton-footer">
+            <div class="skeleton-chip"></div>
+            <div class="skeleton-chip skeleton-chip--price"></div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+defineProps<{ query: string }>()
+</script>
+
+<style scoped>
+.search-progress {
+  padding: var(--space-6);
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: var(--space-5);
+}
+
+/* ── Indeterminate progress bar ───────────────── */
+.progress-track {
+  height: 3px;
+  background: var(--color-surface-raised);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.progress-bar {
+  height: 100%;
+  width: 40%;
+  background: var(--app-primary);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
+  animation: progress-slide 1.6s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+@keyframes progress-slide {
+  0%   { transform: translateX(-100%); }
+  100% { transform: translateX(300%); }
+}
+
+/* ── Status label ─────────────────────────────── */
+.progress-label {
+  font-size: 0.875rem;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.progress-label strong {
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  font-weight: 600;
+}
+
+/* ── Skeleton cards ───────────────────────────── */
+.skeleton-list {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: var(--space-3);
+}
+
+.skeleton-card {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: var(--space-4);
+  padding: var(--space-4);
+  background: var(--color-surface-2);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
+}
+
+.skeleton-thumb {
+  width: 100px;
+  height: 80px;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  background: var(--color-surface-raised);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+  animation: shimmer 1.8s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+.skeleton-body {
+  flex: 1;
+  min-width: 0;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: var(--space-3);
+  justify-content: center;
+}
+
+.skeleton-line {
+  height: 12px;
+  background: var(--color-surface-raised);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+  animation: shimmer 1.8s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+.skeleton-line--title {
+  width: 70%;
+  height: 14px;
+}
+
+.skeleton-line--meta {
+  width: 45%;
+}
+
+.skeleton-footer {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: var(--space-2);
+  margin-top: var(--space-1);
+}
+
+.skeleton-chip {
+  height: 22px;
+  width: 64px;
+  background: var(--color-surface-raised);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
+  animation: shimmer 1.8s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+.skeleton-chip--price {
+  width: 80px;
+}
+
+/* Stagger shimmer so cards don't all pulse in sync */
+.skeleton-card:nth-child(2) .skeleton-line,
+.skeleton-card:nth-child(2) .skeleton-thumb,
+.skeleton-card:nth-child(2) .skeleton-chip { animation-delay: 0.15s; }
+
+.skeleton-card:nth-child(3) .skeleton-line,
+.skeleton-card:nth-child(3) .skeleton-thumb,
+.skeleton-card:nth-child(3) .skeleton-chip { animation-delay: 0.3s; }
+
+.skeleton-card:nth-child(4) .skeleton-line,
+.skeleton-card:nth-child(4) .skeleton-thumb,
+.skeleton-card:nth-child(4) .skeleton-chip { animation-delay: 0.45s; }
+
+@keyframes shimmer {
+  0%, 100% { opacity: 1; }
+  50%       { opacity: 0.4; }
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 480px) {
+  .skeleton-thumb {
+    width: 72px;
+    height: 60px;
+  }
+
+  .skeleton-line--title { width: 85%; }
+}
+</style>

web/src/composables/useCandycoreMode.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+import { ref, onMounted, onUnmounted } from 'vue'
+import { useSnipeMode } from './useSnipeMode'
+
+const LS_KEY = 'cf-candycore'
+const DATA_ATTR = 'candycore'
+
+// Module-level ref — shared across all callers
+const active = ref(false)
+
+/**
+ * Candycore easter egg theme — activated by typing "neon" outside a form field.
+ * Tribute to artist Neon, whose iPad painting (snipe_v0_Neon_IPad_Paint.jpeg)
+ * defined the candy palette: lavender primary, cyan glow, yellow crown, bubblegum pink.
+ *
+ * Mutually exclusive with Snipe Mode (each deactivates the other).
+ * Stores state in localStorage under 'cf-candycore'.
+ */
+export function useCandycoreMode() {
+  const snipe = useSnipeMode(false /* no sound on deactivate */)
+
+  function _playCandySound() {
+    try {
+      const ctx = new AudioContext()
+      // Ascending arpeggio: C5 → E5 → G5 → C6
+      const notes = [523.25, 659.25, 783.99, 1046.50]
+      const step = 0.08
+
+      notes.forEach((freq, i) => {
+        const t = ctx.currentTime + i * step
+        const osc = ctx.createOscillator()
+        const gain = ctx.createGain()
+        osc.type = 'sine'
+        osc.frequency.setValueAtTime(freq, t)
+        gain.gain.setValueAtTime(0, t)
+        gain.gain.linearRampToValueAtTime(0.22, t + 0.01)
+        gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.001, t + step * 1.4)
+        osc.connect(gain)
+        gain.connect(ctx.destination)
+        osc.start(t)
+        osc.stop(t + step * 1.5)
+      })
+
+      setTimeout(() => ctx.close(), (notes.length * step + 0.3) * 1000)
+    } catch {
+      // Web Audio API unavailable
+    }
+  }
+
+  function activate() {
+    // Deactivate Snipe Mode if it's running — can't have both
+    if (snipe.active.value) snipe.deactivate()
+    active.value = true
+    document.documentElement.dataset[DATA_ATTR] = 'active'
+    localStorage.setItem(LS_KEY, 'active')
+    _playCandySound()
+  }
+
+  function deactivate() {
+    active.value = false
+    delete document.documentElement.dataset[DATA_ATTR]
+    localStorage.removeItem(LS_KEY)
+  }
+
+  function restore() {
+    if (localStorage.getItem(LS_KEY) === 'active') {
+      active.value = true
+      document.documentElement.dataset[DATA_ATTR] = 'active'
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Registers a document keydown listener that fires activate() when the user
+   * types "neon" outside of any form field. Call from component setup().
+   * The listener is automatically removed when the calling component unmounts.
+   */
+  function useWordTrigger() {
+    const TARGET = 'neon'
+    let buffer = ''
+
+    function handleKey(e: KeyboardEvent) {
+      const tag = (e.target as HTMLElement | null)?.tagName ?? ''
+      if (tag === 'INPUT' || tag === 'TEXTAREA' || tag === 'SELECT') return
+      if (e.key.length !== 1) return   // skip modifier/arrow keys
+
+      buffer = (buffer + e.key.toLowerCase()).slice(-TARGET.length)
+      if (buffer === TARGET) {
+        buffer = ''
+        if (active.value) deactivate()
+        else activate()
+      }
+    }
+
+    onMounted(() => document.addEventListener('keydown', handleKey))
+    onUnmounted(() => document.removeEventListener('keydown', handleKey))
+  }
+
+  return { active, activate, deactivate, restore, useWordTrigger }
+}

web/src/composables/useSnipeMode.ts

@@ -58,6 +58,9 @@ export function useSnipeMode(audioEnabled = true) {
   }
 
   function activate() {
+    // Clear candycore if it's on — can't have both
+    delete document.documentElement.dataset.candycore
+    localStorage.removeItem('cf-candycore')
     active.value = true
     document.documentElement.dataset[DATA_ATTR] = 'active'
     localStorage.setItem(LS_KEY, 'active')

web/src/views/SearchView.vue

@@ -355,6 +355,9 @@
           </div>
         </div>
 
+        <!-- Loading (scraping in progress, no results yet) -->
+        <SearchProgress v-else-if="store.loading && !store.results.length" :query="store.query" />
+
         <!-- No results -->
         <div v-else-if="!store.results.length && !store.loading && store.query" class="results-empty">
           <p>No listings found for <strong>{{ store.query }}</strong>.</p>
@@ -375,8 +378,13 @@
               </span>
             </p>
             <div class="toolbar-actions">
+              <!-- Re-search indicator — loading while stale results are still visible -->
+              <span v-if="store.loading && store.results.length" class="enriching-badge enriching-badge--searching" aria-live="polite" title="Fetching new results…">
+                <span class="enriching-dot" aria-hidden="true"></span>
+                Re-searching…
+              </span>
               <!-- Live enrichment indicator — visible while SSE stream is open -->
-              <span v-if="store.enriching" class="enriching-badge" aria-live="polite" title="Scores updating as seller data arrives">
+              <span v-else-if="store.enriching" class="enriching-badge" aria-live="polite" title="Scores updating as seller data arrives">
                 <span class="enriching-dot" aria-hidden="true"></span>
                 Updating scores…
               </span>
@@ -456,6 +464,7 @@ import { useBlocklistStore } from '../stores/blocklist'
 import { useReportedStore } from '../stores/reported'
 import ListingCard from '../components/ListingCard.vue'
 import LLMQueryPanel from '../components/LLMQueryPanel.vue'
+import SearchProgress from '../components/SearchProgress.vue'
 
 const route = useRoute()
 const store = useSearchStore()
@@ -1440,6 +1449,16 @@ async function onSearch() {
   white-space: nowrap;
 }
 
+.enriching-badge--searching {
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-info) 10%, transparent);
+  border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-info) 30%, transparent);
+  color: var(--color-info);
+}
+
+.enriching-badge--searching .enriching-dot {
+  background: var(--color-info);
+}
+
 .enriching-dot {
   width: 6px;
   height: 6px;