diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 22148ec..9e6d173 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "siteforge",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "1.2.5",
+  "version": "1.2.6",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "vite",
diff --git a/server/data.js b/server/data.js
index 542f391..e68eef8 100644
--- a/server/data.js
+++ b/server/data.js
@@ -1523,6 +1523,7 @@ export function sanitizeStudyCommunityPosts(value) {
         ? item.replies.map(sanitizeStudyCommunityReply).filter(Boolean).slice(0, 50)
         : []
       if (!studySlug || !message) return null
+      const likedBy = Array.isArray(item.likedBy) ? item.likedBy.filter(id => typeof id === 'string' && id.trim()).slice(0, 1000) : []
       return {
         id: typeof item.id === 'string' && item.id.trim() ? item.id.trim() : randomUUID(),
         studySlug,
@@ -1532,6 +1533,7 @@ export function sanitizeStudyCommunityPosts(value) {
         message,
         createdAt: typeof item.createdAt === 'string' ? item.createdAt : new Date().toISOString(),
         replies,
+        likedBy,
       }
     })
     .filter(Boolean)
diff --git a/server/routes/study-data.js b/server/routes/study-data.js
index b76ad75..47e290e 100644
--- a/server/routes/study-data.js
+++ b/server/routes/study-data.js
@@ -363,9 +363,12 @@ export function register(app) {
       .slice(0, 50)
       .map(post => {
         const author = findStudyUserById(post.authorUserId)
+        const likedBy = Array.isArray(post.likedBy) ? post.likedBy : []
         return {
           ...post,
           authorAvatarUrl: getStudyAvatarUrl(author || post.authorName || ''),
+          likedByMe: likedBy.includes(user.id),
+          likeCount: likedBy.length,
           replies: Array.isArray(post.replies)
             ? post.replies.map(reply => {
               const replyAuthor = findStudyUserById(reply.authorUserId)
@@ -452,4 +455,23 @@ export function register(app) {
 
     res.json({ ok: true, reply })
   })
+
+  app.post('/api/study-community/posts/:postId/like', requireStudyAuth, (req, res) => {
+    const user = req.studyUser
+    const postId = typeof req.params.postId === 'string' ? req.params.postId.trim() : ''
+    const post = state.studyCommunityPosts.find(item => item.id === postId)
+    if (!post) { res.status(404).json({ message: 'Post not found.' }); return }
+    if (!isStudyUserEnrolled(user, post.studySlug)) {
+      res.status(403).json({ message: 'Please enroll in this study to like posts.' }); return
+    }
+    if (!Array.isArray(post.likedBy)) post.likedBy = []
+    const idx = post.likedBy.indexOf(user.id)
+    if (idx === -1) {
+      post.likedBy.push(user.id)
+    } else {
+      post.likedBy.splice(idx, 1)
+    }
+    queueStudyCommunityWrite()
+    res.json({ ok: true, likeCount: post.likedBy.length, likedByMe: post.likedBy.includes(user.id) })
+  })
 }
diff --git a/src/App.css b/src/App.css
index 82e6061..4ba82cc 100644
--- a/src/App.css
+++ b/src/App.css
@@ -12550,3 +12550,73 @@
 .admin-save-ok { color: #6ebd7c; font-size: 0.85rem; margin: 0; }
 .admin-save-error { color: #e05c5c; font-size: 0.85rem; margin: 0; }
 .admin-field-hint { font-size: 0.78rem; color: var(--admin-muted, #a0957e); margin: 0; }
+
+/* ── Community feed ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+.community-feed { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0; }
+
+.community-filter-bar { display: flex; gap: 0.4rem; flex-wrap: nowrap; overflow-x: auto; padding-bottom: 0.25rem; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; scrollbar-width: none; }
+.community-filter-bar::-webkit-scrollbar { display: none; }
+.community-filter-chip { flex-shrink: 0; padding: 0.3rem 0.85rem; border-radius: 999px; border: 1px solid var(--brand-border, #2a2518); background: transparent; color: var(--brand-muted, #b0a48c); font-size: 0.82rem; font-weight: 500; cursor: pointer; white-space: nowrap; transition: background 0.15s, color 0.15s, border-color 0.15s; }
+.community-filter-chip:hover { background: rgba(201,168,76,0.08); color: var(--brand-gold, #c9a84c); border-color: var(--brand-gold, #c9a84c); }
+.community-filter-chip--active { background: rgba(201,168,76,0.12); color: var(--brand-gold, #c9a84c); border-color: var(--brand-gold, #c9a84c); font-weight: 600; }
+
+/* Avatar */
+.community-avatar { border-radius: 50%; object-fit: cover; flex-shrink: 0; display: block; }
+.community-avatar--initials { background: #2a2518; display: grid; place-items: center; color: var(--brand-warm-white, #f0ead8); font-weight: 700; font-family: var(--brand-font-body, sans-serif); line-height: 1; }
+
+/* Compose card */
+.community-compose-card { display: flex; gap: 0.85rem; padding: 1.1rem 1.25rem; background: var(--brand-card-bg, #11100d); border: 1px solid var(--brand-border, #2a2518); border-radius: 14px; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; }
+.community-compose-body { flex: 1; min-width: 0; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0.6rem; }
+.community-compose-tag { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.4rem; font-size: 0.8rem; color: var(--brand-muted, #b0a48c); }
+.community-compose-tag strong { color: var(--brand-gold, #c9a84c); }
+.community-compose-tag-clear { background: none; border: none; color: var(--brand-muted, #b0a48c); cursor: pointer; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1; padding: 0 0.1rem; }
+.community-compose-textarea { width: 100%; padding: 0.7rem 0; background: transparent; border: none; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--brand-border, #2a2518); color: var(--brand-warm-white, #f0ead8); font-family: var(--brand-font-body, sans-serif); font-size: 0.975rem; resize: none; overflow: hidden; outline: none; box-sizing: border-box; transition: border-color 0.15s; }
+.community-compose-textarea:focus { border-bottom-color: var(--brand-gold, #c9a84c); }
+.community-compose-textarea::placeholder { color: var(--brand-muted, #b0a48c); }
+.community-compose-footer { display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; }
+.community-post-btn { font-size: 0.875rem; padding: 0.4rem 1.1rem; border-radius: 999px; }
+
+/* Status */
+.community-status-msg { color: var(--brand-muted, #b0a48c); font-size: 0.9rem; padding: 0.75rem 0; margin: 0; }
+.community-status-msg--error { color: #e07060; }
+
+/* Post list */
+.community-posts-list { display: flex; flex-direction: column; }
+
+/* Post card */
+.community-post-card { display: flex; gap: 0.75rem; padding: 1rem 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--brand-border, #2a2518); opacity: 1; transition: opacity 300ms; }
+.community-post-card--pending { opacity: 0.55; }
+.community-post-card:last-child { border-bottom: none; }
+.community-post-left { display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; gap: 0; padding-top: 0.15rem; }
+.community-thread-line { flex: 1; width: 2px; background: var(--brand-border, #2a2518); margin-top: 0.35rem; border-radius: 1px; min-height: 1rem; }
+.community-post-body { flex: 1; min-width: 0; }
+.community-post-header { display: flex; align-items: baseline; gap: 0.55rem; flex-wrap: wrap; margin-bottom: 0.25rem; }
+.community-post-author { font-weight: 700; font-size: 0.925rem; color: var(--brand-warm-white, #f0ead8); }
+.community-post-time { font-size: 0.8rem; color: var(--brand-muted, #b0a48c); }
+.community-lesson-chip { font-size: 0.73rem; font-weight: 500; padding: 0.15rem 0.55rem; border-radius: 999px; border: 1px solid var(--brand-border, #2a2518); background: transparent; color: var(--brand-muted, #b0a48c); cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.15s, border-color 0.15s; white-space: nowrap; }
+.community-lesson-chip:hover { color: var(--brand-gold, #c9a84c); border-color: var(--brand-gold, #c9a84c); }
+.community-post-text { font-size: 0.95rem; line-height: 1.6; color: var(--brand-warm-white, #f0ead8); white-space: pre-wrap; margin: 0 0 0.6rem; }
+
+/* Engagement bar */
+.community-engagement-bar { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.15rem; margin-bottom: 0.25rem; }
+.community-action-btn { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.3rem; background: none; border: none; color: var(--brand-muted, #b0a48c); cursor: pointer; padding: 0.3rem 0.6rem; border-radius: 999px; font-size: 0.82rem; font-weight: 500; transition: color 0.15s, background 0.15s; line-height: 1; }
+.community-action-btn:hover { color: var(--brand-gold, #c9a84c); background: rgba(201,168,76,0.08); }
+.community-action-btn--liked .community-action-icon { fill: #e05c5c; color: #e05c5c; }
+.community-action-btn--liked { color: #e05c5c; }
+.community-action-btn--liked:hover { background: rgba(224,92,92,0.08); color: #e05c5c; }
+.community-action-btn--active { color: var(--brand-gold, #c9a84c); }
+.community-action-icon { width: 17px; height: 17px; fill: currentColor; flex-shrink: 0; }
+
+/* Reply compose */
+.community-reply-compose { display: flex; gap: 0.65rem; margin-top: 0.75rem; padding-top: 0.75rem; border-top: 1px solid var(--brand-border, #2a2518); align-items: flex-start; }
+
+/* Replies thread */
+.community-replies { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0; margin-top: 0.5rem; padding-top: 0.5rem; }
+.community-reply { display: flex; gap: 0.6rem; padding: 0.65rem 0; border-top: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--brand-border, #2a2518) 60%, transparent); }
+.community-reply:first-child { border-top: none; }
+.community-reply-body { flex: 1; min-width: 0; }
+
+@media (max-width: 540px) {
+  .community-compose-card { padding: 0.9rem 1rem; }
+  .community-post-card { gap: 0.55rem; padding: 0.85rem 0; }
+}
diff --git a/src/colossiansStudy.tsx b/src/colossiansStudy.tsx
index 169ee6b..d8e5149 100644
--- a/src/colossiansStudy.tsx
+++ b/src/colossiansStudy.tsx
@@ -91,6 +91,8 @@ type StudyCommunityPost = {
   message: string
   createdAt: string
   replies: StudyCommunityReply[]
+  likeCount?: number
+  likedByMe?: boolean
   pending?: boolean
 }
 
@@ -228,10 +230,31 @@ function getDisplayName(auth: StudyAuthState) {
   return auth.displayName?.trim() || auth.username.split('@')[0] || 'student'
 }
 
-function formatCommunityDate(value: string) {
+function formatRelativeTime(value: string) {
   const date = new Date(value)
   if (Number.isNaN(date.getTime())) return ''
-  return date.toLocaleDateString('en-US', { month: 'short', day: 'numeric', year: 'numeric' })
+  const diffMs = Date.now() - date.getTime()
+  const diffSec = Math.floor(diffMs / 1000)
+  if (diffSec < 60) return 'just now'
+  const diffMin = Math.floor(diffSec / 60)
+  if (diffMin < 60) return `${diffMin}m ago`
+  const diffHr = Math.floor(diffMin / 60)
+  if (diffHr < 24) return `${diffHr}h ago`
+  const diffDay = Math.floor(diffHr / 24)
+  if (diffDay < 7) return `${diffDay}d ago`
+  return date.toLocaleDateString('en-US', { month: 'short', day: 'numeric' })
+}
+
+function UserAvatar({ name, url, size = 36 }: { name?: string; url?: string; size?: number }) {
+  if (url) {
+    return <img src={url} alt={name || 'avatar'} width={size} height={size} className="community-avatar" />
+  }
+  const initial = (name || 'S').slice(0, 1).toUpperCase()
+  return (
+    <div className="community-avatar community-avatar--initials" style={{ width: size, height: size, fontSize: size * 0.4 }}>
+      {initial}
+    </div>
+  )
 }
 
 function CommunityBoard({
@@ -248,7 +271,6 @@ function CommunityBoard({
   const [posts, setPosts] = useState<StudyCommunityPost[]>([])
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true)
   const [error, setError] = useState('')
-  const [message, setMessage] = useState('')
   const [replyDrafts, setReplyDrafts] = useState<Record<string, string>>({})
   const [replyingTo, setReplyingTo] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const [submitting, setSubmitting] = useState(false)
@@ -265,40 +287,25 @@ function CommunityBoard({
 
   useEffect(() => {
     let cancelled = false
-
     async function load() {
-      if (!canParticipate) {
-        setPosts([])
-        setLoading(false)
-        return
-      }
-
-      setLoading(true)
-      setError('')
+      if (!canParticipate) { setPosts([]); setLoading(false); return }
+      setLoading(true); setError('')
       try {
         const data = await readJson<{ posts?: StudyCommunityPost[] }>('/api/study-community?' + new URLSearchParams({ studySlug: study.slug }).toString())
-        if (cancelled) return
-        setPosts(Array.isArray(data.posts) ? data.posts : [])
+        if (!cancelled) setPosts(Array.isArray(data.posts) ? data.posts : [])
       } catch (err) {
-        if (cancelled) return
-        setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Unable to load the community right now.')
+        if (!cancelled) setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Unable to load the community right now.')
       } finally {
-        if (cancelled) return
-        setLoading(false)
+        if (!cancelled) setLoading(false)
       }
     }
-
     void load()
-    return () => {
-      cancelled = true
-    }
+    return () => { cancelled = true }
   }, [canParticipate, study.slug])
 
   async function submitPost() {
     if (!newPost.trim() || !canParticipate) return
-    setSubmitting(true)
-    setMessage('')
-    setError('')
+    setSubmitting(true); setError('')
     const optimisticId = `pending-${Date.now()}`
     const optimisticPost: StudyCommunityPost = {
       id: optimisticId,
@@ -309,6 +316,8 @@ function CommunityBoard({
       message: newPost,
       createdAt: new Date().toISOString(),
       replies: [],
+      likeCount: 0,
+      likedByMe: false,
       pending: true,
     }
     setPosts(prev => [optimisticPost, ...prev])
@@ -321,9 +330,8 @@ function CommunityBoard({
         body: JSON.stringify({ studySlug: study.slug, sectionId: activeSection, message: postedMessage }),
       })
       setPosts(prev => data.post
-        ? prev.map(p => p.id === optimisticId ? { ...data.post!, pending: false } : p)
+        ? prev.map(p => p.id === optimisticId ? { ...data.post!, likeCount: 0, likedByMe: false, pending: false } : p)
         : prev.filter(p => p.id !== optimisticId))
-      setMessage('')
     } catch (err) {
       setPosts(prev => prev.filter(p => p.id !== optimisticId))
       setNewPost(postedMessage)
@@ -336,8 +344,7 @@ function CommunityBoard({
   async function submitReply(postId: string) {
     const reply = replyDrafts[postId]?.trim()
     if (!reply || !canParticipate) return
-    setSubmitting(true)
-    setError('')
+    setSubmitting(true); setError('')
     try {
       const data = await readJson<{ reply?: StudyCommunityReply }>(`/api/study-community/posts/${encodeURIComponent(postId)}/replies`, {
         method: 'POST',
@@ -349,7 +356,6 @@ function CommunityBoard({
       }
       setReplyDrafts(prev => ({ ...prev, [postId]: '' }))
       setReplyingTo(null)
-      setMessage('Reply posted.')
     } catch (err) {
       setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Unable to post your reply.')
     } finally {
@@ -357,34 +363,41 @@ function CommunityBoard({
     }
   }
 
+  async function toggleLike(postId: string) {
+    if (!canParticipate) return
+    setPosts(prev => prev.map(p => p.id === postId
+      ? { ...p, likedByMe: !p.likedByMe, likeCount: (p.likeCount ?? 0) + (p.likedByMe ? -1 : 1) }
+      : p))
+    try {
+      await readJson(`/api/study-community/posts/${encodeURIComponent(postId)}/like`, {
+        method: 'POST',
+      })
+    } catch {
+      setPosts(prev => prev.map(p => p.id === postId
+        ? { ...p, likedByMe: !p.likedByMe, likeCount: (p.likeCount ?? 0) + (p.likedByMe ? -1 : 1) }
+        : p))
+    }
+  }
+
   return (
-    <div className="study-community-board">
+    <div className="community-feed">
       {/* Section filter tabs */}
       {releasedSections.length > 1 && canParticipate && (
-        <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: '0.5rem', flexWrap: 'wrap', marginBottom: '1rem' }}>
-          <button
-            type="button"
-            className={`qa-topic-btn${activeSection === '' ? ' qa-topic-btn--active' : ''}`}
-            onClick={() => setActiveSection('')}
-          >All lessons</button>
+        <div className="community-filter-bar">
+          <button type="button" className={`community-filter-chip${activeSection === '' ? ' community-filter-chip--active' : ''}`} onClick={() => setActiveSection('')}>All</button>
           {releasedSections.map(s => (
-            <button
-              key={s.id}
-              type="button"
-              className={`qa-topic-btn${activeSection === s.id ? ' qa-topic-btn--active' : ''}`}
-              onClick={() => setActiveSection(s.id)}
-            >{s.title}</button>
+            <button key={s.id} type="button" className={`community-filter-chip${activeSection === s.id ? ' community-filter-chip--active' : ''}`} onClick={() => setActiveSection(s.id)}>{s.title}</button>
           ))}
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {!auth.checked && <p className="study-note-status">Checking your account status...</p>}
+      {!auth.checked && <p className="community-status-msg">Checking your account status...</p>}
       {auth.checked && !auth.authenticated && (
         <div className="study-auth-box">
           <p className="study-auth-why">Sign in to join the study community.</p>
           <div className="study-auth-actions">
             <Link to="/study/signup" className="btn-primary">Create Account</Link>
-            <Link to="/study/account" className="btn-secondary">My Account</Link>
+            <Link to="/study/account" className="btn-secondary">Sign In</Link>
           </div>
         </div>
       )}
@@ -398,112 +411,131 @@ function CommunityBoard({
       )}
 
       {canParticipate && (
-        <div style={{ marginBottom: '1.5rem' }}>
-          {activeSection && (
-            <p style={{ fontSize: '0.875rem', color: '#7a7060', marginBottom: '0.5rem' }}>
-              Posting to: <strong style={{ color: '#e0c070' }}>{releasedSections.find(s => s.id === activeSection)?.title ?? 'this lesson'}</strong>
-            </p>
-          )}
-          <textarea
-            rows={4}
-            value={newPost}
-            onChange={e => setNewPost(e.target.value)}
-            onInput={e => {
-              const el = e.currentTarget
-              el.style.height = 'auto'
-              el.style.height = `${el.scrollHeight}px`
-            }}
-            placeholder={activeSection ? `Share a thought about ${releasedSections.find(s => s.id === activeSection)?.title ?? 'this lesson'}...` : 'Share a thought with the community...'}
-            style={{ width: '100%', padding: '0.85rem 1rem', borderRadius: '12px', border: '1px solid #2a2518', background: '#14130f', color: '#f0ead8', marginBottom: '0.75rem', resize: 'none', overflow: 'hidden', boxSizing: 'border-box' }}
-          />
-          <div className="study-auth-actions">
-            <button type="button" className="btn-primary" disabled={submitting || !newPost.trim()} onClick={submitPost}>
-              {submitting ? 'Posting...' : 'Post to Community'}
-            </button>
+        <div className="community-compose-card">
+          <UserAvatar name={communityDisplayName} url={auth.avatarUrl || undefined} size={40} />
+          <div className="community-compose-body">
+            {activeSection && (
+              <div className="community-compose-tag">
+                <span>Posting to:</span>
+                <strong>{releasedSections.find(s => s.id === activeSection)?.title ?? 'this lesson'}</strong>
+                <button type="button" className="community-compose-tag-clear" onClick={() => setActiveSection('')} aria-label="Clear lesson filter">×</button>
+              </div>
+            )}
+            <textarea
+              rows={3}
+              value={newPost}
+              onChange={e => setNewPost(e.target.value)}
+              onInput={e => { const el = e.currentTarget; el.style.height = 'auto'; el.style.height = `${el.scrollHeight}px` }}
+              placeholder={activeSection ? `Share a thought about ${releasedSections.find(s => s.id === activeSection)?.title ?? 'this lesson'}…` : 'Share a thought with the community…'}
+              className="community-compose-textarea"
+            />
+            <div className="community-compose-footer">
+              <button type="button" className="btn-primary community-post-btn" disabled={submitting || !newPost.trim()} onClick={submitPost}>
+                {submitting ? 'Posting…' : 'Post'}
+              </button>
+            </div>
           </div>
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {message && <p className="study-note-status" style={{ marginBottom: '0.75rem' }}>{message}</p>}
-      {error && <p className="study-note-status" style={{ marginBottom: '0.75rem' }}>{error}</p>}
+      {error && <p className="community-status-msg community-status-msg--error">{error}</p>}
 
       {canParticipate && (
-        <div style={{ display: 'grid', gap: '0.85rem' }}>
+        <div className="community-posts-list">
           {loading ? (
-            <p className="study-detail-copy">Loading community posts...</p>
+            <p className="community-status-msg">Loading posts…</p>
           ) : visiblePosts.length === 0 ? (
-            <p className="study-detail-copy">No posts yet{activeSection ? ' for this lesson' : ''}. Be the first to start the conversation.</p>
+            <p className="community-status-msg">No posts yet{activeSection ? ' for this lesson' : ''}. Be the first to start the conversation.</p>
           ) : visiblePosts.map(post => {
             const postSection = study.sections.find(s => s.id === post.sectionId)
+            const isReplying = replyingTo === post.id
             return (
-              <div key={post.id} style={{ border: '1px solid #2a2518', borderRadius: '14px', padding: '1.15rem', background: '#11100d', opacity: post.pending ? 0.65 : 1, transition: 'opacity 300ms' }}>
-                <div style={{ display: 'flex', justifyContent: 'space-between', gap: '1rem', flexWrap: 'wrap', marginBottom: '0.4rem' }}>
-                  <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.65rem', flexWrap: 'wrap' }}>
-                    {post.authorAvatarUrl ? (
-                      <img src={post.authorAvatarUrl} alt={`${post.authorName || 'Student'} avatar`} width={28} height={28} style={{ borderRadius: '50%', border: '1px solid #2a2518' }} />
-                    ) : (
-                      <div style={{ width: 28, height: 28, borderRadius: '50%', background: '#2a2518', display: 'grid', placeItems: 'center', color: '#f0ead8', fontSize: '0.85rem', fontWeight: 700 }}>
-                        {post.authorName?.slice(0, 1).toUpperCase() || 'S'}
-                      </div>
-                    )}
-                    <strong style={{ color: '#e0c070' }}>{post.authorName || 'Student'}</strong>
+              <article key={post.id} className={`community-post-card${post.pending ? ' community-post-card--pending' : ''}`}>
+                <div className="community-post-left">
+                  <UserAvatar name={post.authorName} url={post.authorAvatarUrl} size={40} />
+                  {(post.replies?.length ?? 0) > 0 && <div className="community-thread-line" />}
+                </div>
+                <div className="community-post-body">
+                  {/* Header */}
+                  <div className="community-post-header">
+                    <span className="community-post-author">{post.authorName || 'Student'}</span>
+                    <span className="community-post-time" title={post.createdAt}>{formatRelativeTime(post.createdAt)}</span>
                     {postSection && !activeSection && (
-                      <button
-                        type="button"
-                        className="qa-topic-btn"
-                        style={{ padding: '0.2rem 0.6rem', fontSize: '0.78rem' }}
-                        onClick={() => setActiveSection(postSection.id)}
-                      >{postSection.title}</button>
+                      <button type="button" className="community-lesson-chip" onClick={() => setActiveSection(postSection.id)}>{postSection.title}</button>
                     )}
                   </div>
-                  <span className="study-note-status">{formatCommunityDate(post.createdAt)}</span>
-                </div>
-                <p className="study-detail-copy" style={{ marginTop: 0, whiteSpace: 'pre-wrap' }}>{post.message}</p>
-                <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: '0.75rem', flexWrap: 'wrap', marginTop: '0.75rem' }}>
-                  <button type="button" className="btn-secondary" style={{ fontSize: '0.85rem', padding: '0.35rem 0.85rem' }} onClick={() => setReplyingTo(curr => curr === post.id ? null : post.id)}>
-                    {replyingTo === post.id ? 'Cancel' : `Reply${post.replies?.length ? ` (${post.replies.length})` : ''}`}
-                  </button>
-                </div>
-                {replyingTo === post.id && canParticipate && (
-                  <div style={{ marginTop: '0.85rem' }}>
-                    <textarea
-                      rows={3}
-                      value={replyDrafts[post.id] ?? ''}
-                      onChange={e => setReplyDrafts(prev => ({ ...prev, [post.id]: e.target.value }))}
-                      onInput={e => {
-                        const el = e.currentTarget
-                        el.style.height = 'auto'
-                        el.style.height = `${el.scrollHeight}px`
-                      }}
-                      placeholder={`Reply to ${post.authorName || communityDisplayName}...`}
-                      style={{ width: '100%', padding: '0.8rem 1rem', borderRadius: '12px', border: '1px solid #2a2518', background: '#14130f', color: '#f0ead8', marginBottom: '0.75rem', resize: 'none', overflow: 'hidden' }}
-                    />
-                    <button type="button" className="btn-primary" style={{ fontSize: '0.9rem' }} disabled={submitting || !(replyDrafts[post.id] ?? '').trim()} onClick={() => submitReply(post.id)}>Post Reply</button>
+                  {/* Content */}
+                  <p className="community-post-text">{post.message}</p>
+                  {/* Engagement bar */}
+                  <div className="community-engagement-bar">
+                    <button
+                      type="button"
+                      className={`community-action-btn${post.likedByMe ? ' community-action-btn--liked' : ''}`}
+                      onClick={() => toggleLike(post.id)}
+                      aria-label={post.likedByMe ? 'Unlike' : 'Like'}
+                      disabled={post.pending}
+                    >
+                      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" className="community-action-icon" aria-hidden="true">
+                        <path d={post.likedByMe
+                          ? 'M12 21.35l-1.45-1.32C5.4 15.36 2 12.28 2 8.5 2 5.42 4.42 3 7.5 3c1.74 0 3.41.81 4.5 2.09C13.09 3.81 14.76 3 16.5 3 19.58 3 22 5.42 22 8.5c0 3.78-3.4 6.86-8.55 11.54L12 21.35z'
+                          : 'M16.5 3c-1.74 0-3.41.81-4.5 2.09C10.91 3.81 9.24 3 7.5 3 4.42 3 2 5.42 2 8.5c0 3.78 3.4 6.86 8.55 11.54L12 21.35l1.45-1.32C18.6 15.36 22 12.28 22 8.5 22 5.42 19.58 3 16.5 3zm-4.4 15.55-.1.1-.1-.1C7.14 14.24 4 11.39 4 8.5 4 6.5 5.5 5 7.5 5c1.54 0 3.04.99 3.57 2.36h1.87C13.46 5.99 14.96 5 16.5 5c2 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5 0 2.89-3.14 5.74-7.9 10.05z'}
+                        />
+                      </svg>
+                      {(post.likeCount ?? 0) > 0 && <span>{post.likeCount}</span>}
+                    </button>
+                    <button
+                      type="button"
+                      className={`community-action-btn${isReplying ? ' community-action-btn--active' : ''}`}
+                      onClick={() => setReplyingTo(curr => curr === post.id ? null : post.id)}
+                      aria-label="Reply"
+                      disabled={post.pending}
+                    >
+                      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" className="community-action-icon" aria-hidden="true">
+                        <path d="M20 2H4c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v18l4-4h14c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V4c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm0 14H5.17L4 17.17V4h16v12z" />
+                      </svg>
+                      {(post.replies?.length ?? 0) > 0 && <span>{post.replies!.length}</span>}
+                    </button>
                   </div>
-                )}
-                {Array.isArray(post.replies) && post.replies.length > 0 && (
-                  <div style={{ marginTop: '1rem', display: 'grid', gap: '0.65rem' }}>
-                    {post.replies.map(reply => (
-                      <div key={reply.id} style={{ borderLeft: '2px solid #2a2518', paddingLeft: '0.85rem' }}>
-                        <div style={{ display: 'flex', justifyContent: 'space-between', gap: '1rem', flexWrap: 'wrap' }}>
-                          <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.55rem', flexWrap: 'wrap' }}>
-                      {reply.authorAvatarUrl ? (
-                        <img src={reply.authorAvatarUrl} alt={`${reply.authorName || 'Student'} avatar`} width={22} height={22} style={{ borderRadius: '50%', border: '1px solid #2a2518' }} />
-                      ) : (
-                        <div style={{ width: 22, height: 22, borderRadius: '50%', background: '#2a2518', display: 'grid', placeItems: 'center', color: '#f0ead8', fontSize: '0.75rem', fontWeight: 700 }}>
-                          {reply.authorName?.slice(0, 1).toUpperCase() || 'S'}
+                  {/* Reply compose */}
+                  {isReplying && (
+                    <div className="community-reply-compose">
+                      <UserAvatar name={communityDisplayName} url={auth.avatarUrl || undefined} size={30} />
+                      <div style={{ flex: 1 }}>
+                        <textarea
+                          rows={2}
+                          autoFocus
+                          value={replyDrafts[post.id] ?? ''}
+                          onChange={e => setReplyDrafts(prev => ({ ...prev, [post.id]: e.target.value }))}
+                          onInput={e => { const el = e.currentTarget; el.style.height = 'auto'; el.style.height = `${el.scrollHeight}px` }}
+                          placeholder={`Reply to ${post.authorName || 'this post'}…`}
+                          className="community-compose-textarea"
+                        />
+                        <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: '0.5rem', marginTop: '0.5rem' }}>
+                          <button type="button" className="btn-primary" style={{ fontSize: '0.875rem', padding: '0.35rem 0.9rem' }} disabled={submitting || !(replyDrafts[post.id] ?? '').trim()} onClick={() => submitReply(post.id)}>Reply</button>
+                          <button type="button" className="btn-secondary" style={{ fontSize: '0.875rem', padding: '0.35rem 0.9rem' }} onClick={() => setReplyingTo(null)}>Cancel</button>
                         </div>
-                      )}
-                      <strong style={{ color: '#c9a84c', fontSize: '0.95rem' }}>{reply.authorName || 'Student'}</strong>
-                    </div>
-                          <span className="study-note-status">{formatCommunityDate(reply.createdAt)}</span>
-                        </div>
-                        <p className="study-detail-copy" style={{ margin: '0.25rem 0 0', whiteSpace: 'pre-wrap' }}>{reply.message}</p>
                       </div>
-                    ))}
-                  </div>
-                )}
-              </div>
+                    </div>
+                  )}
+                  {/* Replies */}
+                  {Array.isArray(post.replies) && post.replies.length > 0 && (
+                    <div className="community-replies">
+                      {post.replies.map(reply => (
+                        <div key={reply.id} className="community-reply">
+                          <UserAvatar name={reply.authorName} url={reply.authorAvatarUrl} size={28} />
+                          <div className="community-reply-body">
+                            <div className="community-post-header">
+                              <span className="community-post-author">{reply.authorName || 'Student'}</span>
+                              <span className="community-post-time">{formatRelativeTime(reply.createdAt)}</span>
+                            </div>
+                            <p className="community-post-text">{reply.message}</p>
+                          </div>
+                        </div>
+                      ))}
+                    </div>
+                  )}
+                </div>
+              </article>
             )
           })}
         </div>