diff --git a/static/style.css b/static/style.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f63f57f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/style.css
@@ -0,0 +1,248 @@
+/* ============================================================================
+   Stegasoo - Main Stylesheet
+   ============================================================================ */
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   CSS Variables
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+:root {
+    --gradient-start: #667eea;
+    --gradient-end: #764ba2;
+    --bg-dark-1: #1a1a2e;
+    --bg-dark-2: #16213e;
+    --bg-dark-3: #0f3460;
+    --text-muted: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+    --border-light: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+    --overlay-dark: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
+    --overlay-light: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Base Styles
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+body {
+    min-height: 100vh;
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--bg-dark-1) 0%, var(--bg-dark-2) 50%, var(--bg-dark-3) 100%);
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Navigation
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.navbar {
+    background: var(--overlay-dark) !important;
+    backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Cards
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.card {
+    background: var(--overlay-light);
+    backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border-light);
+}
+
+.card-header {
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--gradient-start), var(--gradient-end));
+    border-bottom: none;
+}
+
+.feature-card {
+    transition: transform 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease;
+}
+
+.feature-card:hover {
+    transform: translateY(-5px);
+    box-shadow: 0 10px 40px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.2);
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Buttons
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.btn-primary {
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--gradient-start), var(--gradient-end));
+    border: none;
+}
+
+.btn-primary:hover {
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--gradient-end), var(--gradient-start));
+    transform: translateY(-2px);
+    box-shadow: 0 5px 20px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.4);
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Forms
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.form-control,
+.form-select {
+    background: var(--overlay-light);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border-light);
+    color: #fff;
+}
+
+.form-control:focus,
+.form-select:focus {
+    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+    border-color: var(--gradient-start);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 0 0.25rem rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.25);
+    color: #fff;
+}
+
+.form-control::placeholder {
+    color: var(--text-muted);
+}
+
+/* Fix dropdown options for dark theme */
+.form-select option {
+    background: var(--bg-dark-1);
+    color: #fff;
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Hero & Icons
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.hero-icon {
+    font-size: 4rem;
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--gradient-start), var(--gradient-end));
+    -webkit-background-clip: text;
+    -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
+    background-clip: text;
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Phrase Display
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.phrase-display {
+    font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
+    font-size: 1rem;
+    background: var(--overlay-dark);
+    padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
+    border-radius: 0.5rem;
+    border-left: 4px solid var(--gradient-start);
+    display: inline-block;
+    line-height: 1.6;
+    word-spacing: 0.3rem;
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   PIN Display
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.pin-display {
+    font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
+    font-size: 3rem;
+    font-weight: bold;
+    letter-spacing: 0.75rem;
+    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fef08a, #fcd34d, #fb923c);
+    -webkit-background-clip: text;
+    -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
+    background-clip: text;
+    display: inline-block;
+    line-height: 1;
+}
+
+.pin-container {
+    background: var(--overlay-dark);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border-light);
+    border-radius: 0.75rem;
+    padding: 1.5rem 2rem;
+    display: inline-block;
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Story Cards (Memory Aid)
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.story-word {
+    color: #ff6b6b;
+    font-weight: bold;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.story-card {
+    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
+    border-left: 3px solid var(--gradient-start);
+    padding: 1rem;
+    margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
+    border-radius: 0.5rem;
+    font-size: 0.95rem;
+    line-height: 1.6;
+}
+
+.story-card .day-label {
+    font-weight: bold;
+    color: var(--gradient-start);
+    margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Alert / Message Display
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.alert-message {
+    background: var(--overlay-dark);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border-light);
+    border-radius: 0.5rem;
+    padding: 1.5rem;
+    white-space: pre-wrap;
+    font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Drop Zone (Drag & Drop File Upload)
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.drop-zone {
+    position: relative;
+    border: 2px dashed rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
+    border-radius: 0.5rem;
+    padding: 1.5rem;
+    text-align: center;
+    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+}
+
+.drop-zone.drag-over {
+    border-color: var(--gradient-start);
+    background: rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.1);
+}
+
+.drop-zone input[type="file"] {
+    position: absolute;
+    inset: 0;
+    opacity: 0;
+    cursor: pointer;
+}
+
+.drop-zone-label {
+    pointer-events: none;
+}
+
+.drop-zone-preview {
+    max-height: 120px;
+    border-radius: 0.375rem;
+    margin-top: 0.75rem;
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Footer
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+footer {
+    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   Utility Classes
+   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.bg-dark-subtle {
+    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
+}
+
+.status-box {
+    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
+    padding: 1rem;
+    border-radius: 0.5rem;
+}
+
+.result-icon {
+    font-size: 4rem;
+}
+
+.footer-icon {
+    vertical-align: text-bottom;
+}
diff --git a/templates/about.html b/templates/about.html
index 9379109..7ac6af0 100644
--- a/templates/about.html
+++ b/templates/about.html
@@ -19,8 +19,7 @@
                 <h6 class="mt-4 mb-3">System Status</h6>
                 <div class="row g-3">
                     <div class="col-md-6">
-                        <div class="d-flex align-items-center p-3 rounded" 
-                             style="background: rgba(0,0,0,0.2);">
+                        <div class="d-flex align-items-center p-3 rounded status-box">
                             {% if has_argon2 %}
                             <i class="bi bi-check-circle-fill text-success fs-4 me-3"></i>
                             <div>
@@ -37,8 +36,7 @@
                         </div>
                     </div>
                     <div class="col-md-6">
-                        <div class="d-flex align-items-center p-3 rounded" 
-                             style="background: rgba(0,0,0,0.2);">
+                        <div class="d-flex align-items-center p-3 rounded status-box">
                             <i class="bi bi-shield-fill-check text-success fs-4 me-3"></i>
                             <div>
                                 <strong>AES-256-GCM</strong>
diff --git a/templates/base.html b/templates/base.html
index b88536c..7254369 100644
--- a/templates/base.html
+++ b/templates/base.html
@@ -7,152 +7,7 @@
     <link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="{{ url_for('static', filename='favicon.svg') }}">
     <link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.3.2/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
     <link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap-icons@1.11.1/font/bootstrap-icons.css" rel="stylesheet">
-    <style>
-        :root {
-            --gradient-start: #667eea;
-            --gradient-end: #764ba2;
-        }
-        
-        body {
-            min-height: 100vh;
-            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #1a1a2e 0%, #16213e 50%, #0f3460 100%);
-        }
-        
-        .navbar {
-            background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3) !important;
-            backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
-        }
-        
-        .card {
-            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
-            backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
-            border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
-        }
-        
-        .card-header {
-            background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--gradient-start), var(--gradient-end));
-            border-bottom: none;
-        }
-        
-        .btn-primary {
-            background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--gradient-start), var(--gradient-end));
-            border: none;
-        }
-        
-        .btn-primary:hover {
-            background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--gradient-end), var(--gradient-start));
-            transform: translateY(-2px);
-            box-shadow: 0 5px 20px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.4);
-        }
-        
-        .hero-icon {
-            font-size: 4rem;
-            background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--gradient-start), var(--gradient-end));
-            -webkit-background-clip: text;
-            -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
-            background-clip: text;
-        }
-        
-        .feature-card {
-            transition: transform 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease;
-        }
-        
-        .feature-card:hover {
-            transform: translateY(-5px);
-            box-shadow: 0 10px 40px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.2);
-        }
-        
-        .form-control, .form-select {
-            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
-            border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
-            color: #fff;
-        }
-        
-        .form-control:focus, .form-select:focus {
-            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
-            border-color: var(--gradient-start);
-            box-shadow: 0 0 0 0.25rem rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.25);
-            color: #fff;
-        }
-        
-        .form-control::placeholder {
-            color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
-        }
-        
-        /* Fix dropdown options for dark theme */
-        .form-select option {
-            background: #1a1a2e;
-            color: #fff;
-        }
-        
-        .phrase-display {
-            font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
-            font-size: 1rem;
-            background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
-            padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
-            border-radius: 0.5rem;
-            border-left: 4px solid var(--gradient-start);
-            display: inline-block;
-            line-height: 1.6;
-            word-spacing: 0.3rem;
-        }
-        
-        .story-word {
-            color: #ff6b6b;
-            font-weight: bold;
-            text-transform: uppercase;
-        }
-        
-        .story-card {
-            background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
-            border-left: 3px solid var(--gradient-start);
-            padding: 1rem;
-            margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
-            border-radius: 0.5rem;
-            font-size: 0.95rem;
-            line-height: 1.6;
-        }
-        
-        .story-card .day-label {
-            font-weight: bold;
-            color: var(--gradient-start);
-            margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
-        }
-        
-        .pin-display {
-            font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
-            font-size: 3rem;
-            font-weight: bold;
-            letter-spacing: 0.75rem;
-            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fef08a, #fcd34d, #fb923c);
-            -webkit-background-clip: text;
-            -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
-            background-clip: text;
-            display: inline-block;
-            line-height: 1;
-        }
-        
-        .pin-container {
-            background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
-            border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
-            border-radius: 0.75rem;
-            padding: 1.5rem 2rem;
-            display: inline-block;
-        }
-        
-        .alert-message {
-            background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
-            border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
-            border-radius: 0.5rem;
-            padding: 1.5rem;
-            white-space: pre-wrap;
-            font-family: 'Courier New', monospace;
-        }
-        
-        footer {
-            background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
-        }
-    </style>
+    <link href="{{ url_for('static', filename='style.css') }}" rel="stylesheet">
 </head>
 <body>
     <nav class="navbar navbar-expand-lg navbar-dark">
diff --git a/templates/decode.html b/templates/decode.html
index df59dee..2b11295 100644
--- a/templates/decode.html
+++ b/templates/decode.html
@@ -32,8 +32,14 @@
                             <label class="form-label">
                                 <i class="bi bi-image me-1"></i> Reference Photo
                             </label>
-                            <input type="file" name="reference_photo" class="form-control" 
-                                   accept="image/*" required>
+                            <div class="drop-zone">
+                                <input type="file" name="reference_photo" accept="image/*" required>
+                                <div class="drop-zone-label">
+                                    <i class="bi bi-cloud-arrow-up fs-3 d-block mb-2 text-muted"></i>
+                                    <span class="text-muted">Drop image or click to browse</span>
+                                </div>
+                                <img class="drop-zone-preview d-none">
+                            </div>
                             <div class="form-text">
                                 The same reference photo used for encoding
                             </div>
@@ -43,8 +49,14 @@
                             <label class="form-label">
                                 <i class="bi bi-file-earmark-image me-1"></i> Stego Image
                             </label>
-                            <input type="file" name="stego_image" class="form-control" 
-                                   accept="image/*" required>
+                            <div class="drop-zone">
+                                <input type="file" name="stego_image" accept="image/*" required>
+                                <div class="drop-zone-label">
+                                    <i class="bi bi-cloud-arrow-up fs-3 d-block mb-2 text-muted"></i>
+                                    <span class="text-muted">Drop image or click to browse</span>
+                                </div>
+                                <img class="drop-zone-preview d-none">
+                            </div>
                             <div class="form-text">
                                 The image containing the hidden message
                             </div>
@@ -113,10 +125,60 @@
 
 {% block scripts %}
 <script>
+// Form submit loading state
 document.getElementById('decodeForm')?.addEventListener('submit', function() {
     const btn = document.getElementById('decodeBtn');
     btn.innerHTML = '<span class="spinner-border spinner-border-sm me-2"></span>Decoding...';
     btn.disabled = true;
 });
+
+// Drag & drop with preview
+document.querySelectorAll('.drop-zone').forEach(zone => {
+    const input = zone.querySelector('input[type="file"]');
+    const label = zone.querySelector('.drop-zone-label');
+    const preview = zone.querySelector('.drop-zone-preview');
+    
+    // Drag events
+    ['dragenter', 'dragover'].forEach(evt => {
+        zone.addEventListener(evt, e => {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            zone.classList.add('drag-over');
+        });
+    });
+    
+    ['dragleave', 'drop'].forEach(evt => {
+        zone.addEventListener(evt, e => {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            zone.classList.remove('drag-over');
+        });
+    });
+    
+    // Handle drop
+    zone.addEventListener('drop', e => {
+        if (e.dataTransfer.files.length) {
+            input.files = e.dataTransfer.files;
+            showPreview(e.dataTransfer.files[0]);
+        }
+    });
+    
+    // Handle click selection
+    input.addEventListener('change', function() {
+        if (this.files && this.files[0]) {
+            showPreview(this.files[0]);
+        }
+    });
+    
+    function showPreview(file) {
+        if (!file.type.startsWith('image/')) return;
+        
+        const reader = new FileReader();
+        reader.onload = e => {
+            preview.src = e.target.result;
+            preview.classList.remove('d-none');
+            label.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-check-circle text-success me-1"></i>' + file.name;
+        };
+        reader.readAsDataURL(file);
+    }
+});
 </script>
 {% endblock %}
diff --git a/templates/encode.html b/templates/encode.html
index 7951918..fb73cc6 100644
--- a/templates/encode.html
+++ b/templates/encode.html
@@ -16,8 +16,14 @@
                             <label class="form-label">
                                 <i class="bi bi-image me-1"></i> Reference Photo
                             </label>
-                            <input type="file" name="reference_photo" class="form-control" 
-                                   accept="image/*" required>
+                            <div class="drop-zone" id="refDropZone">
+                                <input type="file" name="reference_photo" accept="image/*" required>
+                                <div class="drop-zone-label">
+                                    <i class="bi bi-cloud-arrow-up fs-3 d-block mb-2 text-muted"></i>
+                                    <span class="text-muted">Drop image or click to browse</span>
+                                </div>
+                                <img class="drop-zone-preview d-none" id="refPreview">
+                            </div>
                             <div class="form-text">
                                 The secret photo both parties have (NOT transmitted)
                             </div>
@@ -27,8 +33,14 @@
                             <label class="form-label">
                                 <i class="bi bi-file-image me-1"></i> Carrier Image
                             </label>
-                            <input type="file" name="carrier" class="form-control" 
-                                   accept="image/*" required>
+                            <div class="drop-zone" id="carrierDropZone">
+                                <input type="file" name="carrier" accept="image/*" required>
+                                <div class="drop-zone-label">
+                                    <i class="bi bi-cloud-arrow-up fs-3 d-block mb-2 text-muted"></i>
+                                    <span class="text-muted">Drop image or click to browse</span>
+                                </div>
+                                <img class="drop-zone-preview d-none" id="carrierPreview">
+                            </div>
                             <div class="form-text">
                                 The image to hide your message in (e.g., a meme)
                             </div>
@@ -39,8 +51,17 @@
                         <label class="form-label">
                             <i class="bi bi-chat-left-text me-1"></i> Secret Message
                         </label>
-                        <textarea name="message" class="form-control" rows="4" 
+                        <textarea name="message" class="form-control" rows="4" id="messageInput"
                                   placeholder="Enter your secret message here..." required></textarea>
+                        <div class="d-flex justify-content-between form-text">
+                            <span>
+                                <span id="charCount">0</span> / 50,000 characters
+                                <span id="charWarning" class="text-warning d-none ms-2">
+                                    <i class="bi bi-exclamation-triangle"></i> Getting long!
+                                </span>
+                            </span>
+                            <span id="charPercent" class="text-muted">0%</span>
+                        </div>
                     </div>
                     
                     <div class="row">
@@ -104,10 +125,81 @@
 
 {% block scripts %}
 <script>
+// Form submit loading state
 document.getElementById('encodeForm').addEventListener('submit', function(e) {
     const btn = document.getElementById('encodeBtn');
     btn.innerHTML = '<span class="spinner-border spinner-border-sm me-2"></span>Encoding...';
     btn.disabled = true;
 });
+
+// Character counter
+const messageInput = document.getElementById('messageInput');
+const charCount = document.getElementById('charCount');
+const charWarning = document.getElementById('charWarning');
+const charPercent = document.getElementById('charPercent');
+const maxChars = 50000;
+
+messageInput.addEventListener('input', function() {
+    const len = this.value.length;
+    charCount.textContent = len.toLocaleString();
+    
+    const pct = Math.round((len / maxChars) * 100);
+    charPercent.textContent = pct + '%';
+    
+    // Warning at 80%
+    charWarning.classList.toggle('d-none', len < maxChars * 0.8);
+    
+    // Red text when near/over limit
+    charCount.classList.toggle('text-danger', len > maxChars * 0.95);
+});
+
+// Drag & drop with preview
+document.querySelectorAll('.drop-zone').forEach(zone => {
+    const input = zone.querySelector('input[type="file"]');
+    const label = zone.querySelector('.drop-zone-label');
+    const preview = zone.querySelector('.drop-zone-preview');
+    
+    // Drag events
+    ['dragenter', 'dragover'].forEach(evt => {
+        zone.addEventListener(evt, e => {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            zone.classList.add('drag-over');
+        });
+    });
+    
+    ['dragleave', 'drop'].forEach(evt => {
+        zone.addEventListener(evt, e => {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            zone.classList.remove('drag-over');
+        });
+    });
+    
+    // Handle drop
+    zone.addEventListener('drop', e => {
+        if (e.dataTransfer.files.length) {
+            input.files = e.dataTransfer.files;
+            showPreview(e.dataTransfer.files[0]);
+        }
+    });
+    
+    // Handle click selection
+    input.addEventListener('change', function() {
+        if (this.files && this.files[0]) {
+            showPreview(this.files[0]);
+        }
+    });
+    
+    function showPreview(file) {
+        if (!file.type.startsWith('image/')) return;
+        
+        const reader = new FileReader();
+        reader.onload = e => {
+            preview.src = e.target.result;
+            preview.classList.remove('d-none');
+            label.innerHTML = '<i class="bi bi-check-circle text-success me-1"></i>' + file.name;
+        };
+        reader.readAsDataURL(file);
+    }
+});
 </script>
 {% endblock %}
diff --git a/templates/encode_result.html b/templates/encode_result.html
index 4bcda05..1837833 100644
--- a/templates/encode_result.html
+++ b/templates/encode_result.html
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
             </div>
             <div class="card-body text-center">
                 <div class="mb-4">
-                    <i class="bi bi-file-earmark-image text-success" style="font-size: 4rem;"></i>
+                    <i class="bi bi-file-earmark-image text-success result-icon"></i>
                     <h5 class="mt-3">{{ filename }}</h5>
                     <p class="text-muted">Your secret message is hidden in this image</p>
                 </div>