diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 0eb9971..3ad9b94 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1 +1 @@
-launcher/favorites.txt
+launcher/launcher_state.json
diff --git a/bar/modules/Notifications.qml b/bar/modules/Notifications.qml
index 1496749..20a01f0 100644
--- a/bar/modules/Notifications.qml
+++ b/bar/modules/Notifications.qml
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ ModuleChip {
 
         signal dismissed(string toastId)
 
-        width:  parent ? parent.width : 350
+        width:  parent ? parent.width : 400
         height: toastCard.height
 
         property real progressVal: 1.0
@@ -65,12 +65,12 @@ ModuleChip {
             NumberAnimation {
                 target: slideTranslate; property: "x"
                 from: toastRoot.slideX; to: 0
-                duration: 320; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic
+                duration: 380; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic
             }
             NumberAnimation {
                 target: bubbleScale; property: "yScale"
                 from: 0; to: 1
-                duration: 280; easing.type: Easing.OutBack
+                duration: 320; easing.type: Easing.OutBack
             }
         }
 
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ ModuleChip {
         Rectangle {
             id: toastCard
             width:  parent.width
-            height: toastContent.implicitHeight + (toastRoot.urgency === NotificationUrgency.Low ? 30 : 24)
+            height: toastContent.implicitHeight + (toastRoot.urgency === NotificationUrgency.Low ? 31 : 25)
             radius: 16
 
             color:        cardHover.hovered ? toastRoot.t.notifToastBgHover : toastRoot.t.notifToastBg
@@ -121,19 +121,46 @@ ModuleChip {
                               : (cardHover.hovered ? toastRoot.t.notifBorderActive : toastRoot.t.notifToastBorder)
             border.width: Cfg.Config.popupBorderWidth
 
-            Behavior on color        { ColorAnimation { duration: 150; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
-            Behavior on border.color { ColorAnimation { duration: 150 } }
+            Behavior on color        { ColorAnimation { duration: 180; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
+            Behavior on border.color { ColorAnimation { duration: 180 } }
+
+            // Subtle outer glow for critical notifications
+            Rectangle {
+                visible: toastRoot.urgency === NotificationUrgency.Critical
+                anchors.fill: parent
+                anchors.margins: -3
+                radius: parent.radius + 3
+                color: "transparent"
+                border.color: Qt.rgba(toastRoot.t.notifUrgencyCritical.r, toastRoot.t.notifUrgencyCritical.g, toastRoot.t.notifUrgencyCritical.b, 0.22)
+                border.width: 2
+                z: -1
+            }
 
             HoverHandler { id: cardHover }
             TapHandler   { onTapped: toastRoot.triggerDismiss() }
 
+            // Left accent bar — wider with a soft glow backing
+            Rectangle {
+                id: accentGlow
+                width:  8
+                height: Math.max(18, toastCard.height - 25)
+                radius: 4
+                anchors {
+                    left:           parent.left
+                    leftMargin:     7
+                    verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
+                }
+                color: Qt.rgba(toastRoot.urgencyColor(toastRoot.urgency).r,
+                               toastRoot.urgencyColor(toastRoot.urgency).g,
+                               toastRoot.urgencyColor(toastRoot.urgency).b, 0.18)
+            }
             Rectangle {
                 width:  4
-                height: Math.max(16, toastCard.height - 24)
+                height: Math.max(18, toastCard.height - 25)
                 radius: 2
                 anchors {
                     left:           parent.left
-                    leftMargin:     10
+                    leftMargin:     9
                     verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
                 }
                 color: toastRoot.urgencyColor(toastRoot.urgency)
@@ -145,20 +172,20 @@ ModuleChip {
                     left:        parent.left
                     right:       parent.right
                     top:         parent.top
-                    leftMargin:  24
-                    rightMargin: 12
-                    topMargin:   12
+                    leftMargin:  25
+                    rightMargin: 13
+                    topMargin:   13
                 }
-                spacing: 4
+                spacing: 5
 
                 RowLayout {
                     Layout.fillWidth: true
-                    spacing: 6
+                    spacing: 7
 
                     Text {
                         text:             toastRoot.urgencyIcon(toastRoot.urgency)
                         color:            toastRoot.urgencyColor(toastRoot.urgency)
-                        font.pixelSize:   12
+                        font.pixelSize:   11
                         font.bold:        true
                         Layout.alignment: Qt.AlignVCenter
                         renderType:       Text.NativeRendering
@@ -166,10 +193,10 @@ ModuleChip {
                     Text {
                         text:                toastRoot.appName
                         color:               toastRoot.t.notifToastAppName
-                        font.pixelSize:      12
+                        font.pixelSize:      10
                         font.bold:           true
                         font.capitalization: Font.AllUppercase
-                        font.letterSpacing:  0.4
+                        font.letterSpacing:  0.8
                         Layout.fillWidth:    true
                         elide:               Text.ElideRight
                         verticalAlignment:   Text.AlignVCenter
@@ -178,17 +205,18 @@ ModuleChip {
                     Text {
                         text:              toastRoot.timeStr
                         color:             toastRoot.t.notifToastDim
-                        font.pixelSize:    11
-                        font.bold:         true
+                        font.pixelSize:    10
                         verticalAlignment: Text.AlignVCenter
                         renderType:        Text.NativeRendering
                     }
 
                     Rectangle {
                         Layout.alignment: Qt.AlignVCenter
-                        width: 20; height: 20; radius: 8
-                        color: closeHover.hovered ? toastRoot.t.notifHistoryHover : "transparent"
-                        Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 100 } }
+                        width: 18; height: 18; radius: 10
+                        color: closeHover.hovered
+                               ? Qt.rgba(1, 1, 1, 0.1)
+                               : "transparent"
+                        Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 120 } }
 
                         Text {
                             anchors.centerIn: parent
@@ -218,16 +246,15 @@ ModuleChip {
                 Text {
                     text:                toastRoot.body
                     color:               toastRoot.t.notifToastDim
-                    font.pixelSize:      12
-                    font.bold:           true
+                    font.pixelSize:      11
                     Layout.fillWidth:    true
                     wrapMode:            Text.WordWrap
                     maximumLineCount:    3
                     elide:               Text.ElideRight
-                    textFormat:         Text.PlainText
+                    textFormat:          Text.PlainText
                     visible:             toastRoot.body !== ""
                     Layout.bottomMargin: toastRoot.urgency === NotificationUrgency.Low ? 6 : 0
-                    lineHeight:          1.2
+                    lineHeight:          1.35
                     renderType:          Text.NativeRendering
                 }
             }
@@ -236,9 +263,9 @@ ModuleChip {
                 visible: toastRoot.urgency === NotificationUrgency.Low && toastRoot.timeout > 0
                 anchors {
                     left: parent.left; right: parent.right; bottom: parent.bottom
-                    margins: 10; bottomMargin: 10
+                    margins: 13; bottomMargin: 10
                 }
-                height: 4
+                height: 2
 
                 Rectangle {
                     anchors.fill: parent
@@ -250,6 +277,7 @@ ModuleChip {
                     height: parent.height
                     radius: 2
                     color:  toastRoot.t.notifProgressFill
+                    Behavior on width { NumberAnimation { duration: 80; easing.type: Easing.Linear } }
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -271,7 +299,7 @@ ModuleChip {
 
         signal dismissed(int itemIndex)
 
-        height: histItemContent.implicitHeight + 16
+        height: histItemContent.implicitHeight + 18
         radius: 10
         clip:   true
         color:  histItemHover.hovered ? histRoot.t.notifHistoryHover : "transparent"
@@ -282,25 +310,35 @@ ModuleChip {
         SequentialAnimation {
             id: dismissAnim
             ParallelAnimation {
-                NumberAnimation { target: histRoot; property: "opacity"; to: 0; duration: 150; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
-                NumberAnimation { target: histRoot; property: "scale"; to: 0.95; duration: 150; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+                NumberAnimation { target: histRoot; property: "opacity"; to: 0; duration: 180; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+                NumberAnimation { target: histRoot; property: "scale"; to: 0.94; duration: 180; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
             }
-            NumberAnimation { target: histRoot; property: "height"; to: 0; duration: 150; easing.type: Easing.InOutQuad }
+            NumberAnimation { target: histRoot; property: "height"; to: 0; duration: 160; easing.type: Easing.InOutQuad }
             ScriptAction { script: histRoot.dismissed(histRoot.itemIndex) }
         }
 
+        // Glow backing behind accent bar
+        Rectangle {
+            width:  7
+            height: Math.max(13, histRoot.height - 16)
+            radius: 3
+            anchors { left: parent.left; leftMargin: 6; verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter }
+            color: Qt.rgba(histRoot.urgencyColor(histRoot.urgency).r,
+                           histRoot.urgencyColor(histRoot.urgency).g,
+                           histRoot.urgencyColor(histRoot.urgency).b, 0.15)
+        }
         Rectangle {
             width:  3
-            height: Math.max(10, histRoot.height - 16)
-            radius: 1.5
+            height: Math.max(13, histRoot.height - 16)
+            radius: 2
             anchors { left: parent.left; leftMargin: 8; verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter }
             color: histRoot.urgencyColor(histRoot.urgency)
         }
 
         Rectangle {
-                anchors { right: parent.right; top: parent.top; margins: 6 }
-                width: 18; height: 18; radius: 8
-                color:   histCloseHover.hovered ? histRoot.t.notifHistoryHover : "transparent"
+            anchors { right: parent.right; top: parent.top; margins: 6 }
+            width: 18; height: 18; radius: 9
+            color:   histCloseHover.hovered ? Qt.rgba(1, 1, 1, 0.1) : "transparent"
             opacity: histItemHover.hovered ? 1 : 0
             Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: 150 } }
             Behavior on color   { ColorAnimation  { duration: 150 } }
@@ -311,40 +349,39 @@ ModuleChip {
         }
 
         Text {
-            anchors { right: parent.right; rightMargin: 6; top: parent.top; topMargin: 8 }
+            anchors { right: parent.right; rightMargin: 8; top: parent.top; topMargin: 8 }
             text:              histRoot.timeStr
             color:             histRoot.t.notifToastDim
             font.pixelSize:    10
-            font.bold:         true
             verticalAlignment: Text.AlignVCenter
             renderType:        Text.NativeRendering
-            opacity:           histItemHover.hovered ? 0 : 1
+            opacity:           histItemHover.hovered ? 0 : 0.8
             Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: 150 } }
         }
 
         ColumnLayout {
             id: histItemContent
-            anchors { left: parent.left; right: parent.right; top: parent.top; leftMargin: 20; rightMargin: 40; topMargin: 8 }
+            anchors { left: parent.left; right: parent.right; top: parent.top; leftMargin: 21; rightMargin: 39; topMargin: 8 }
             spacing: 2
 
             RowLayout {
                 Layout.fillWidth: true; spacing: 5
                 Text { text: histRoot.urgencyIcon(histRoot.urgency); color: histRoot.urgencyColor(histRoot.urgency); font.pixelSize: 10; font.bold: true; Layout.alignment: Qt.AlignVCenter; renderType: Text.NativeRendering }
                 Text {
-                    text: histRoot.appName; color: histRoot.t.notifToastAppName; font.pixelSize: 11; font.bold: true
-                    font.capitalization: Font.AllUppercase; font.letterSpacing: 0.4; Layout.fillWidth: true; elide: Text.ElideRight; verticalAlignment: Text.AlignVCenter
+                    text: histRoot.appName; color: histRoot.t.notifToastAppName; font.pixelSize: 10; font.bold: true
+                    font.capitalization: Font.AllUppercase; font.letterSpacing: 0.6; Layout.fillWidth: true; elide: Text.ElideRight; verticalAlignment: Text.AlignVCenter
                     renderType: Text.NativeRendering
                 }
             }
 
             Text {
-                text: histRoot.summary; color: histRoot.t.notifToastText; font.pixelSize: 12; font.bold: true
+                text: histRoot.summary; color: histRoot.t.notifToastText; font.pixelSize: 13; font.bold: true
                 Layout.fillWidth: true; elide: Text.ElideRight; textFormat: Text.PlainText; visible: histRoot.summary !== ""
                 renderType: Text.NativeRendering
             }
             Text {
-                text: histRoot.body; color: histRoot.t.notifToastDim; font.pixelSize: 11; font.bold: true; Layout.fillWidth: true
-                wrapMode: Text.WordWrap; maximumLineCount: 2; elide: Text.ElideRight; textFormat: Text.PlainText; visible: histRoot.body !== ""; lineHeight: 1.2
+                text: histRoot.body; color: histRoot.t.notifToastDim; font.pixelSize: 10; Layout.fillWidth: true
+                wrapMode: Text.WordWrap; maximumLineCount: 2; elide: Text.ElideRight; textFormat: Text.PlainText; visible: histRoot.body !== ""; lineHeight: 1.3
                 renderType: Text.NativeRendering
             }
         }
@@ -395,9 +432,9 @@ ModuleChip {
             visible:       root.unreadCount > 0
             anchors.top:   parent.top
             anchors.right: parent.right
-            width:         Math.max(14, badgeLabel.implicitWidth + 6)
-            height:        14
-            radius:        7
+            width:         Math.max(16, badgeLabel.implicitWidth + 8)
+            height:        16
+            radius:        8
             color:         t.notifBadgeBg
 
             Behavior on width { NumberAnimation { duration: 150; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
@@ -495,7 +532,7 @@ ModuleChip {
         readonly property bool   atBottom: pos === "bottomleft" || pos === "bottomright"
 
         anchors { top: true; bottom: true; right: atRight; left: !atRight }
-        implicitWidth: 350 + root.barMargin + toastPad
+        implicitWidth: 344 + root.barMargin + toastPad
 
         WlrLayershell.layer:         WlrLayer.Overlay
         WlrLayershell.namespace:     "main-shell-notifications-toasts"
@@ -512,8 +549,8 @@ ModuleChip {
             id: toastCol
             x:       toastLayer.atRight ? root.barMargin : toastLayer.toastPad
             y:       !toastLayer.atBottom ? toastLayer.edgeGap : parent.height - toastLayer.edgeGap - toastCol.height
-            spacing: 8
-            width:   350
+            spacing: 10
+            width:   332
 
             Repeater {
                 model: activeToasts
@@ -566,7 +603,7 @@ ModuleChip {
 
         Item {
             id: histClipContainer
-            readonly property int cardW:     340
+            readonly property int cardW:     352
             readonly property int screenPad: root.barMargin + 10
 
             x: {
@@ -577,9 +614,9 @@ ModuleChip {
 
             anchors.top:          root.isTop ? parent.top    : undefined
             anchors.bottom:       root.isTop ? undefined     : parent.bottom
-            anchors.topMargin:    root.isTop ? (root.barHeight + root.barEdgePad + 10) : 0
-            anchors.bottomMargin: root.isTop ? 0 : (root.barHeight + root.barEdgePad + 10)
-            height: parent.height - root.barHeight - root.barEdgePad - 10
+            anchors.topMargin:    root.isTop ? (root.barHeight + root.barEdgePad + 12) : 0
+            anchors.bottomMargin: root.isTop ? 0 : (root.barHeight + root.barEdgePad + 12)
+            height: parent.height - root.barHeight - root.barEdgePad - 12
 
             clip: true
 
@@ -588,7 +625,7 @@ ModuleChip {
                 popupOpen: historyPopup.popupOpen
                 isTop: root.isTop
                 animEnabled: historyPopup.visible
-                height: Math.min(histHeader.implicitHeight + 56 + (notifHistory.count > 0 ? histCol.implicitHeight : 90), 520)
+                height: Math.min(histHeader.implicitHeight + 58 + (notifHistory.count > 0 ? histCol.implicitHeight : 94), 480)
 
                 color:        t.notifHistoryBg
                 radius:       Cfg.Config.popupRadius
@@ -598,25 +635,27 @@ ModuleChip {
                 RowLayout {
                     id: histHeader
                     anchors { left: parent.left; right: parent.right; top: parent.top }
-                    anchors.topMargin: 20; anchors.leftMargin: 20; anchors.rightMargin: 20
+                    anchors.topMargin: 16; anchors.leftMargin: 16; anchors.rightMargin: 16
                     spacing: 10
 
                     Text { text: "󰂚"; color: t.notifToastAppName; font.pixelSize: 18; font.bold: true; Layout.alignment: Qt.AlignVCenter; renderType: Text.NativeRendering }
                     Text {
-                        text: "Notifications"; color: t.notifToastAppName; font.pixelSize: 15; font.bold: true
+                        text: "Notifications"; color: t.notifToastAppName; font.pixelSize: 14; font.bold: true
                         Layout.fillWidth: true; Layout.alignment: Qt.AlignVCenter; renderType: Text.NativeRendering
                     }
 
                     Rectangle {
                         Layout.alignment: Qt.AlignVCenter
-                        width:  dndRow.implicitWidth + 16
-                        height: 24
-                        radius: 8
+                        width:  dndRow.implicitWidth + 19
+                        height: 25
+                        radius: 13
                         color:  root.doNotDisturb
                                     ? Qt.rgba(t.notifDnd.r, t.notifDnd.g, t.notifDnd.b, 0.18)
                                     : (dndHover.hovered ? t.notifHistoryHover : "transparent")
-                        border.color: root.doNotDisturb ? t.notifDnd : "transparent"
-                        border.width: Cfg.Config.popupBorderWidth
+                        border.color: root.doNotDisturb
+                                          ? Qt.rgba(t.notifDnd.r, t.notifDnd.g, t.notifDnd.b, 0.55)
+                                          : Qt.rgba(1, 1, 1, 0.08)
+                        border.width: 1
                         Behavior on color        { ColorAnimation { duration: 150 } }
                         Behavior on border.color { ColorAnimation { duration: 150 } }
 
@@ -627,7 +666,7 @@ ModuleChip {
                             Text {
                                 text:           "󰂛"
                                 color:          root.doNotDisturb ? t.notifDnd : t.notifToastDim
-                                font.pixelSize: 12
+                                font.pixelSize: 11
                                 font.bold:      true
                                 anchors.verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
                                 Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 150 } }
@@ -636,7 +675,7 @@ ModuleChip {
                             Text {
                                 text:           root.doNotDisturb ? "On" : "Off"
                                 color:          root.doNotDisturb ? t.notifDnd : t.notifToastDim
-                                font.pixelSize: 11
+                                font.pixelSize: 10
                                 font.bold:      true
                                 anchors.verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
                                 Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 150 } }
@@ -651,13 +690,15 @@ ModuleChip {
                     Rectangle {
                         visible:          notifHistory.count > 0
                         Layout.alignment: Qt.AlignVCenter
-                        width:            clearText.implicitWidth + 16
-                        height:           24
-                        radius:           8
+                        width:            clearText.implicitWidth + 19
+                        height:           25
+                        radius:           13
                         color:            clearHover.hovered ? t.notifHistoryHover : "transparent"
+                        border.color: Qt.rgba(1, 1, 1, 0.08)
+                        border.width: 1
                         Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 150 } }
 
-                        Text { id: clearText; anchors.centerIn: parent; text: "Clear all"; color: t.notifToastDim; font.pixelSize: 11; font.bold: true; renderType: Text.NativeRendering }
+                        Text { id: clearText; anchors.centerIn: parent; text: "Clear all"; color: t.notifToastDim; font.pixelSize: 10; font.bold: true; renderType: Text.NativeRendering }
                         HoverHandler { id: clearHover; cursorShape: Qt.PointingHandCursor }
                         TapHandler   { onTapped: clearAllAnim.start() }
                     }
@@ -666,7 +707,7 @@ ModuleChip {
                 Rectangle {
                     id: histDivider
                     anchors { left: parent.left; right: parent.right; top: histHeader.bottom }
-                    anchors.topMargin: 12; height: 1; color: t.notifSeparator
+                    anchors.topMargin: 10; height: 1; color: t.notifSeparator; opacity: 0.6
                 }
 
                 SequentialAnimation {
@@ -674,11 +715,11 @@ ModuleChip {
                     ParallelAnimation {
                         NumberAnimation {
                             target: histCol; property: "opacity"
-                            to: 0; duration: 220; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic
+                            to: 0; duration: 240; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic
                         }
                         NumberAnimation {
                             target: clearShift; property: "y"
-                            to: -16; duration: 220; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic
+                            to: -20; duration: 240; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic
                         }
                     }
                     ScriptAction {
@@ -693,7 +734,7 @@ ModuleChip {
                 Flickable {
                     id: histFlick
                     anchors { left: parent.left; right: parent.right; top: histDivider.bottom; bottom: parent.bottom }
-                    anchors.leftMargin: 2; anchors.rightMargin: 8
+                    anchors.leftMargin: 4; anchors.rightMargin: 6
                     anchors.topMargin: 6; anchors.bottomMargin: 8; clip: true
                     contentHeight: histCol.implicitHeight
                     flickableDirection: Flickable.VerticalFlick
@@ -703,14 +744,14 @@ ModuleChip {
                         id: histCol
                         opacity: 1
                         transform: Translate { id: clearShift; y: 0 }
-                        width: histFlick.width; spacing: 2; topPadding: 4; bottomPadding: 4; leftPadding: 2; rightPadding: 8
+                        width: histFlick.width; spacing: 2; topPadding: 2; bottomPadding: 2; leftPadding: 4; rightPadding: 6
 
                         Item {
-                            width: histCol.width - 16; height: 90; visible: notifHistory.count === 0
+                            width: histCol.width - 16; height: 94; visible: notifHistory.count === 0
                             ColumnLayout {
                                 anchors.centerIn: parent; spacing: 8
-                                Text { text: "󰂚"; color: t.notifHistoryEmpty; font.pixelSize: 30; font.bold: true; Layout.alignment: Qt.AlignHCenter; renderType: Text.NativeRendering }
-                                Text { text: "No notifications"; color: t.notifHistoryEmpty; font.pixelSize: 12; font.bold: true; Layout.alignment: Qt.AlignHCenter; renderType: Text.NativeRendering }
+                                Text { text: "󰂚"; color: t.notifHistoryEmpty; font.pixelSize: 29; font.bold: true; Layout.alignment: Qt.AlignHCenter; renderType: Text.NativeRendering; opacity: 0.5 }
+                                Text { text: "No notifications"; color: t.notifHistoryEmpty; font.pixelSize: 13; font.bold: true; Layout.alignment: Qt.AlignHCenter; renderType: Text.NativeRendering; opacity: 0.5 }
                             }
                         }
 
diff --git a/config/themes/aero.qml b/config/themes/aero.qml
index 601e929..628377e 100644
--- a/config/themes/aero.qml
+++ b/config/themes/aero.qml
@@ -207,6 +207,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#4481c7c7"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#22cbdc3d"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44cbdc3d"
diff --git a/config/themes/aurora.qml b/config/themes/aurora.qml
index cd4681a..c1ce61e 100644
--- a/config/themes/aurora.qml
+++ b/config/themes/aurora.qml
@@ -207,6 +207,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#441e3a5f"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#2200d9ff"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#4400d9ff"
diff --git a/config/themes/autumn.qml b/config/themes/autumn.qml
index be4a9e8..3dca43d 100644
--- a/config/themes/autumn.qml
+++ b/config/themes/autumn.qml
@@ -215,6 +215,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#444a5d6e"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#33f2b425"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44c19375"
diff --git a/config/themes/beach.qml b/config/themes/beach.qml
index 5cbb3ca..1e88a69 100644
--- a/config/themes/beach.qml
+++ b/config/themes/beach.qml
@@ -207,6 +207,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#444a5d6e"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#22ebc6a0"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44ebc6a0"
diff --git a/config/themes/boat.qml b/config/themes/boat.qml
index a93e21e..2504d76 100644
--- a/config/themes/boat.qml
+++ b/config/themes/boat.qml
@@ -215,6 +215,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#44614d4a"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#22e0533c"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44e0533c"
diff --git a/config/themes/colorful.qml b/config/themes/colorful.qml
index 8fb5f19..f03a832 100644
--- a/config/themes/colorful.qml
+++ b/config/themes/colorful.qml
@@ -207,6 +207,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#444a566e"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#22f0a1ba"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44f0a1ba"
diff --git a/config/themes/cosmic.qml b/config/themes/cosmic.qml
index 7d8cb41..9fb322a 100644
--- a/config/themes/cosmic.qml
+++ b/config/themes/cosmic.qml
@@ -207,6 +207,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#443d4a6d"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#22bdf0ff"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44bdf0ff"
diff --git a/config/themes/everforest.qml b/config/themes/everforest.qml
index a08d135..8ffe178 100644
--- a/config/themes/everforest.qml
+++ b/config/themes/everforest.qml
@@ -218,6 +218,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#44284038"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#224a8c5c"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#444a8c5c"
diff --git a/config/themes/goldencity.qml b/config/themes/goldencity.qml
index 131bad5..b778f02 100644
--- a/config/themes/goldencity.qml
+++ b/config/themes/goldencity.qml
@@ -216,6 +216,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#444a5d6e"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#22c19375"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44c19375"
diff --git a/config/themes/hummingbird.qml b/config/themes/hummingbird.qml
index fd64dc8..ce29116 100644
--- a/config/themes/hummingbird.qml
+++ b/config/themes/hummingbird.qml
@@ -215,6 +215,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#442e7d32"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#22ff5722"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44ff5722"
diff --git a/config/themes/lowlight.qml b/config/themes/lowlight.qml
index 8dc83f5..9d9704a 100644
--- a/config/themes/lowlight.qml
+++ b/config/themes/lowlight.qml
@@ -218,6 +218,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#44203060"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#22b068d8"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44b068d8"
diff --git a/config/themes/metropolitan.qml b/config/themes/metropolitan.qml
index b966ebe..bd1aa29 100644
--- a/config/themes/metropolitan.qml
+++ b/config/themes/metropolitan.qml
@@ -208,6 +208,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#44565f89"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#22ffb86c"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44ffb86c"
diff --git a/config/themes/neonica.qml b/config/themes/neonica.qml
index 6b24ccd..4f95e5a 100644
--- a/config/themes/neonica.qml
+++ b/config/themes/neonica.qml
@@ -207,6 +207,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#4431748f"
     readonly property color launcherText:             "#ffe0def4"
     readonly property color launcherDim:              "#ff6e6a86"
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           "#ff9ccfd8"
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#4431748f"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#6631748f"
diff --git a/config/themes/pinkie.qml b/config/themes/pinkie.qml
index a848846..d1a4eaf 100644
--- a/config/themes/pinkie.qml
+++ b/config/themes/pinkie.qml
@@ -218,6 +218,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#444a4068"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#224ec0b8"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#444ec0b8"
diff --git a/config/themes/snowy.qml b/config/themes/snowy.qml
index 802e2c8..47f4fa2 100644
--- a/config/themes/snowy.qml
+++ b/config/themes/snowy.qml
@@ -215,6 +215,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#444a5270"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#22c4889e"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44c4889e"
diff --git a/config/themes/supreme.qml b/config/themes/supreme.qml
index dbf981b..d1a0031 100644
--- a/config/themes/supreme.qml
+++ b/config/themes/supreme.qml
@@ -207,6 +207,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#44ffb7ce"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#22ff7eb9"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44ff7eb9"
diff --git a/config/themes/tranquil.qml b/config/themes/tranquil.qml
index d621608..c8af77c 100644
--- a/config/themes/tranquil.qml
+++ b/config/themes/tranquil.qml
@@ -219,6 +219,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#444a3d6e"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              textDim
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#22b09de8"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#44b09de8"
diff --git a/config/themes/tropicalnight.qml b/config/themes/tropicalnight.qml
index c5ed47f..66b969b 100644
--- a/config/themes/tropicalnight.qml
+++ b/config/themes/tropicalnight.qml
@@ -216,6 +216,8 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property color launcherPill:             "#444a5d6e"
     readonly property color launcherText:             textMain
     readonly property color launcherDim:              "#ff92979b"
+    readonly property color launcherStar:      launcherDim
+    readonly property color launcherStarHover: accent
     readonly property color launcherAccent:           accent
     readonly property color launcherHover:            "#2289b4fa"
     readonly property color launcherSelected:         "#4489b4fa"
diff --git a/launcher/Launcher.qml b/launcher/Launcher.qml
index a5cc7ff..e701877 100644
--- a/launcher/Launcher.qml
+++ b/launcher/Launcher.qml
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ PanelWindow {
     property bool   loading:      false
     property int    lastCacheUpdate: 0
     property var    favoriteIds:  []
-    readonly property string favoritesPath: Quickshell.env("HOME") + "/.config/quickshell/launcher/favorites.txt"
+    property var    accessCounts: ({})
+    readonly property string statePath: Quickshell.env("HOME") + "/.config/quickshell/launcher/launcher_state.json"
 
 
     readonly property int defaultIndex: Cfg.Config.launcherSelectFirst ? 0 : -1
@@ -48,15 +49,31 @@ PanelWindow {
             filtered = allItems.filter(i => i.name.toLowerCase().startsWith(q))
         }
         const favs = filtered.filter(i => root.favoriteIds.includes(i.id))
-        const rest = filtered.filter(i => !root.favoriteIds.includes(i.id))
+        let rest = filtered.filter(i => !root.favoriteIds.includes(i.id))
+        rest.sort((a, b) => (root.accessCounts[b.id] || 0) - (root.accessCounts[a.id] || 0))
         const result = []
-        if (favs.length > 0)
-            result.push(...favs.map(i => Object.assign({}, i, { section: "Favorites" })))
-        if (rest.length > 0)
-            result.push(...rest.map(i => Object.assign({}, i, { section: "All Applications" })))
+        if (favs.length > 0) {
+            result.push({ isHeader: true, section: "Favorites" })
+            for (let i = 0; i < favs.length; i++)
+                result.push(Object.assign({}, favs[i], { isHeader: false }))
+        }
+        if (rest.length > 0) {
+            result.push({ isHeader: true, section: "All Applications" })
+            for (let i = 0; i < rest.length; i++)
+                result.push(Object.assign({}, rest[i], { isHeader: false }))
+        }
         return result
     }
 
+    function skipHeader(idx, dir) {
+        while (idx >= 0 && idx < root.filteredItems.length) {
+            const item = root.filteredItems[idx]
+            if (item && !item.isHeader) return idx
+            idx += dir
+        }
+        return -1
+    }
+
     function toggle() {
         if (!_isOpen) {
             var fm = Hyprland.focusedMonitor
@@ -73,8 +90,9 @@ PanelWindow {
         _isOpen = true
         searchInput.text = ""
         resultsList.currentIndex = root.defaultIndex
+        Qt.callLater(() => resultsList.positionViewAtBeginning())
         loadItems()
-        loadFavorites()
+        loadState()
         Qt.callLater(() => searchInput.forceActiveFocus())
     }
 
@@ -147,20 +165,16 @@ PanelWindow {
         return args
     }
 
-    function loadFavorites() {
-        favoritesReadProc.command = ["sh", "-c", "cat " + shellQuote(favoritesPath) + " 2>/dev/null || true"]
-        favoritesReadProc.running = true
+    function loadState() {
+        stateReadProc.command = ["sh", "-c", "cat " + shellQuote(statePath) + " 2>/dev/null || true"]
+        stateReadProc.running = true
     }
 
-    function saveFavorites() {
-        if (favoriteIds.length === 0) {
-            favoritesWriteProc.command = ["sh", "-c", ": > " + shellQuote(favoritesPath)]
-        } else {
-            const quoted = favoriteIds.map(id => shellQuote(id)).join(" ")
-            favoritesWriteProc.command = ["sh", "-c",
-                "printf '%s\\n' " + quoted + " > " + shellQuote(favoritesPath)]
-        }
-        favoritesWriteProc.running = true
+    function saveState() {
+        const data = JSON.stringify({ favorites: favoriteIds, access: accessCounts })
+        stateWriteProc.command = ["sh", "-c",
+            "printf '%s' " + shellQuote(data) + " > " + shellQuote(statePath)]
+        stateWriteProc.running = true
     }
 
     function toggleFavorite(itemId) {
@@ -172,7 +186,14 @@ PanelWindow {
             arr.push(itemId)
         }
         favoriteIds = arr
-        saveFavorites()
+        saveState()
+    }
+
+    function incrementAccess(itemId) {
+        const counts = Object.assign({}, accessCounts)
+        counts[itemId] = (counts[itemId] || 0) + 1
+        accessCounts = counts
+        saveState()
     }
 
     function launch(item) {
@@ -188,6 +209,7 @@ PanelWindow {
         launchProc.running = true
 
         console.log("Launching: " + cleanExec)
+        incrementAccess(item.id)
         close()
     }
 
@@ -238,20 +260,28 @@ PanelWindow {
     Process { id: launchProc }
 
     Process {
-        id: favoritesReadProc
+        id: stateReadProc
         property string rawData: ""
-        stdout: SplitParser { onRead: data => favoritesReadProc.rawData += data + "\n" }
+        stdout: SplitParser { onRead: data => stateReadProc.rawData += data + "\n" }
         onRunningChanged: {
             if (!running) {
                 if (rawData.trim()) {
-                    root.favoriteIds = rawData.trim().split("\n").filter(l => l.length > 0)
+                    try {
+                        const state = JSON.parse(rawData.trim())
+                        if (Array.isArray(state.favorites))
+                            root.favoriteIds = state.favorites
+                        if (state.access && typeof state.access === "object")
+                            root.accessCounts = state.access
+                    } catch (e) {
+                        console.log("Failed to parse launcher state: " + e)
+                    }
                 }
                 rawData = ""
             }
         }
     }
 
-    Process { id: favoritesWriteProc }
+    Process { id: stateWriteProc }
 
 
     MouseArea {
@@ -282,7 +312,7 @@ PanelWindow {
             height: targetHeight
             Behavior on height {
                 enabled: root._isOpen
-                NumberAnimation { duration: 154; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+                NumberAnimation { duration: 80; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
             }
 
             radius:       Cfg.Config.popupRadius
@@ -328,29 +358,33 @@ PanelWindow {
                             onTextChanged: resultsList.currentIndex = root.defaultIndex
 
                             Keys.onReturnPressed: {
-                                if (root.filteredItems.length > 0) {
-                                    root.launch(root.filteredItems[Math.max(0, resultsList.currentIndex)])
-                                }
+                                const idx = root.skipHeader(Math.max(0, resultsList.currentIndex), 1)
+                                if (idx >= 0)
+                                    root.launch(root.filteredItems[idx])
                             }
 
                             Keys.onDownPressed: {
                                 root._keyboardNav = true
-                                if (resultsList.currentIndex < 0) {
-                                    resultsList.currentIndex = 0;
-                                } else {
-                                    resultsList.currentIndex = Math.min(resultsList.currentIndex + 1, resultsList.count - 1)
+                                var next = resultsList.currentIndex < 0 ? 0 : resultsList.currentIndex + 1
+                                if (next >= resultsList.count) next = resultsList.count - 1
+                                next = root.skipHeader(next, 1)
+                                if (next < 0) next = root.skipHeader(0, 1)
+                                if (next >= 0) {
+                                    resultsList.currentIndex = next
+                                    resultsList.positionViewAtIndex(next, ListView.Contain)
                                 }
-                                resultsList.positionViewAtIndex(resultsList.currentIndex, ListView.Contain)
                             }
 
                             Keys.onUpPressed: {
                                 root._keyboardNav = true
-                                if (resultsList.currentIndex < 0) {
-                                    resultsList.currentIndex = resultsList.count - 1;
-                                } else {
-                                    resultsList.currentIndex = Math.max(resultsList.currentIndex - 1, 0)
+                                var next = resultsList.currentIndex < 0 ? resultsList.count - 1 : resultsList.currentIndex - 1
+                                if (next < 0) next = 0
+                                next = root.skipHeader(next, -1)
+                                if (next < 0) next = root.skipHeader(resultsList.count - 1, -1)
+                                if (next >= 0) {
+                                    resultsList.currentIndex = next
+                                    resultsList.positionViewAtIndex(next, ListView.Contain)
                                 }
-                                resultsList.positionViewAtIndex(resultsList.currentIndex, ListView.Contain)
                             }
                         }
                     }
@@ -361,49 +395,77 @@ PanelWindow {
                     Layout.fillWidth: true
                     Layout.preferredHeight: listHeight
 
-                    property int listHeight: Math.min(contentHeight, 400)
-                    Behavior on listHeight {
-                        NumberAnimation { duration: 154; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+                    // Avoid reacting to contentHeight changes from lazy delegate
+                    // instantiation during scroll — only animate on model count changes.
+                    property int listHeight: 0
+
+                    NumberAnimation {
+                        id: listHeightAnim
+                        target: resultsList
+                        property: "listHeight"
+                        duration: 80
+                        easing.type: Easing.OutCubic
                     }
 
+                    function _syncListHeight() {
+                        var h = Math.min(contentHeight, 400)
+                        if (h === listHeight) return
+                        listHeightAnim.stop()
+                        listHeightAnim.from = listHeight
+                        listHeightAnim.to   = h
+                        listHeightAnim.start()
+                    }
+
+                    onCountChanged:        Qt.callLater(_syncListHeight)
+                    Component.onCompleted: Qt.callLater(_syncListHeight)
+
                     clip: true
                     model: root.filteredItems
                     currentIndex: root.defaultIndex
                     spacing: 2
+                    snapMode: ListView.NoSnap
+                    highlightRangeMode: ListView.NoHighlightRange
+                    cacheBuffer: 400
+                    reuseItems: true
+                    pixelAligned: false
+                    boundsBehavior: Flickable.StopAtBounds
+                    flickableDirection: Flickable.VerticalFlick
 
-                    section.property: "section"
-                    section.criteria: ViewSection.FullString
-                    section.delegate: Rectangle {
-                        width: resultsList.width
-                        height: 28
-                        color: "transparent"
-                        Text {
-                            anchors { left: parent.left; leftMargin: 12; verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter }
-                            text: section
-                            color: t.launcherDim
-                            font.pixelSize: 11
-                            font.weight: Font.Bold
+                    onModelChanged: {
+                        currentIndex = root.defaultIndex
+                        for (let i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+                            const md = root.filteredItems[i]
+                            if (md && !md.isHeader) {
+                                currentIndex = i
+                                break
+                            }
                         }
+                        Qt.callLater(() => positionViewAtBeginning())
                     }
-
-                    onModelChanged: currentIndex = root.defaultIndex
                     ScrollBar.vertical: ScrollBar { policy: ScrollBar.AsNeeded }
 
-                    add: Transition {
-                        NumberAnimation { property: "opacity"; from: 0; to: 1; duration: 100; easing.type: Easing.InQuad }
-                    }
-
                     delegate: Rectangle {
                         width: resultsList.width
                         height: 38
-                        radius: 8
-                        property bool hovered: false
-
-                        color: hovered ? t.launcherHover
+                        radius: modelData.isHeader ? 0 : 8
+                        color: modelData.isHeader ? "transparent"
+                            : (starHovered || hovered) ? t.launcherHover
                             : (resultsList.currentIndex === index && index !== -1
                                 ? t.launcherSelected : "transparent")
+                        property bool hovered: false
+                        property bool starHovered: false
+
+                        Text {
+                            visible: modelData.isHeader
+                            anchors { left: parent.left; leftMargin: 12; verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter }
+                            text: modelData.section || ""
+                            color: t.launcherDim
+                            font.pixelSize: 13
+                            font.weight: Font.Bold
+                        }
 
                         RowLayout {
+                            visible: !modelData.isHeader
                             anchors.fill: parent
                             anchors.leftMargin:  12
                             anchors.rightMargin: 12
@@ -417,10 +479,10 @@ PanelWindow {
                                     id: appIcon
                                     anchors.fill: parent
                                     source:       modelData.icon ? "image://icon/" + modelData.icon : ""
-                                    sourceSize:   Qt.size(64, 64)   
+                                    sourceSize:   Qt.size(64, 64)
                                     fillMode:     Image.PreserveAspectFit
                                     smooth:       true
-                                    mipmap:       Cfg.Config.launcherMipmapIcons              
+                                    mipmap:       Cfg.Config.launcherMipmapIcons
                                     visible:      status === Image.Ready
                                 }
 
@@ -442,14 +504,22 @@ PanelWindow {
                             }
 
                             Item {
-                                width: 22; height: 22
+                                width: 26; height: 26
                                 Layout.alignment: Qt.AlignVCenter
 
                                 Text {
+                                    id: starText
                                     anchors.centerIn: parent
                                     text: root.favoriteIds.includes(modelData.id) ? "★" : "☆"
-                                    color: root.favoriteIds.includes(modelData.id) ? t.launcherAccent : t.launcherDim
-                                    font.pixelSize: 14
+                                    font.pixelSize: 18
+
+                                    readonly property bool isFav: root.favoriteIds.includes(modelData.id)
+                                    color: starHovered ? t.launcherStarHover
+                                        : (isFav ? t.launcherAccent : t.launcherStar)
+
+                                    Behavior on color {
+                                        ColorAnimation { duration: 180; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+                                    }
                                 }
                             }
                         }
@@ -458,8 +528,12 @@ PanelWindow {
                             anchors.fill: parent
                             hoverEnabled: true
                             onEntered: parent.hovered = true
-                            onExited:  parent.hovered = false
+                            onExited:  { parent.hovered = false; parent.starHovered = false }
+                            onPositionChanged: mouse => {
+                                parent.starHovered = !modelData.isHeader && (mouse.x >= width - 46)
+                            }
                             onClicked: mouse => {
+                                if (modelData.isHeader) return
                                 if (mouse.x >= width - 46) {
                                     root.toggleFavorite(modelData.id)
                                 } else {