diff --git a/client/src/pages/DashboardPage.test.tsx b/client/src/pages/DashboardPage.test.tsx
index 88f93cc49..cb838d62a 100644
--- a/client/src/pages/DashboardPage.test.tsx
+++ b/client/src/pages/DashboardPage.test.tsx
@@ -1000,4 +1000,59 @@ describe('DashboardPage', () => {
       expect(within(grid()).queryByText('Paris Adventure')).not.toBeInTheDocument();
     });
   });
+
+  // Two people reported in a row that they could not find how to unarchive or
+  // rename a trip. The controls sat at opacity 0 until the card was hovered, and
+  // the archive button carried the same icon whether it would archive or restore.
+  describe('FE-PAGE-DASH-036: the cover controls are findable', () => {
+    const activeOnly = (trips: unknown[]) =>
+      server.use(
+        http.get('/api/trips', ({ request }) => {
+          const url = new URL(request.url);
+          if (url.searchParams.get('archived')) return HttpResponse.json({ trips: [] });
+          return HttpResponse.json({ trips });
+        }),
+      );
+
+    it('names every action on the card, so none of them is icon-only guesswork', async () => {
+      activeOnly([buildTrip({ title: 'Lisbon 2025', start_date: '2025-05-01', end_date: '2025-05-08' })]);
+      const user = userEvent.setup();
+      render(<DashboardPage />);
+
+      await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getAllByText('Lisbon 2025').length).toBeGreaterThan(0));
+      await user.click(screen.getByText('Completed'));
+      const card = (await screen.findAllByText('Lisbon 2025'))
+        .map(n => n.closest('.trip-card'))
+        .find(Boolean) as HTMLElement;
+      for (const label of ['Edit', 'Duplicate', 'Archive', 'Delete']) {
+        const button = card.querySelector(`[aria-label="${label}"]`) as HTMLElement;
+        expect(button).toBeTruthy();
+        // A tooltip as well as the screen-reader label — the icons alone did not read.
+        expect(button.getAttribute('title')).toBe(label);
+      }
+    });
+
+    it('swaps the archive icon for a restore one once the trip is archived', async () => {
+      const archived = buildTrip({ title: 'Old Rome Trip', start_date: '2024-01-01', end_date: '2024-01-07', is_archived: 1 });
+      server.use(
+        http.get('/api/trips', ({ request }) => {
+          const url = new URL(request.url);
+          return HttpResponse.json({ trips: url.searchParams.get('archived') ? [archived] : [] });
+        }),
+      );
+      const user = userEvent.setup();
+      render(<DashboardPage />);
+
+      await user.click(screen.getByText('Archived'));
+      await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByText('Old Rome Trip')).toBeInTheDocument());
+
+      const card = screen.getByText('Old Rome Trip').closest('.trip-card') as HTMLElement;
+      const restore = card.querySelector('[aria-label="Restore"]') as HTMLElement;
+      expect(restore).toBeTruthy();
+      // lucide stamps the icon name on the svg, which is how the archive and the
+      // restore variant tell themselves apart.
+      expect(restore.querySelector('svg')?.getAttribute('class')).toContain('archive-restore');
+      expect(card.querySelector('[aria-label="Archive"]')).toBeNull();
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/client/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx b/client/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx
index f1613eb9c..dad6a303c 100644
--- a/client/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx
+++ b/client/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import {
   MS_PER_DAY, daysUntil, getTripStatus,
 } from './dashboard/dashboardModel'
 import {
-  Plus, Edit2, Trash2, Archive, Copy, ArrowRight, MapPin,
+  Plus, Edit2, Trash2, Archive, ArchiveRestore, Copy, ArrowRight, MapPin,
   Plane, Hotel, Utensils, Clock, RefreshCw, ArrowRightLeft, Calendar,
   LayoutGrid, List, Ticket, X, CalendarPlus, ParkingSquare,
 } from 'lucide-react'
@@ -304,6 +304,7 @@ function BoardingPassHero({ trip, bundle, locale, onOpen, onEdit, onCopy, onArch
   const heroPlugins = usePluginStore(s => s.plugins).filter(p => p.type === 'widget' && p.slot === 'hero')
   const stop = (e: React.MouseEvent, fn: () => void) => { e.stopPropagation(); fn() }
   const status = getTripStatus(trip)
+  const archiveLabel = trip.is_archived ? t('dashboard.restore') : t('dashboard.archive')
   const start = splitDate(trip.start_date, locale)
   const end = splitDate(trip.end_date, locale)
 
@@ -404,10 +405,10 @@ function BoardingPassHero({ trip, bundle, locale, onOpen, onEdit, onCopy, onArch
             {badge}
           </div>
           <div className="hero-tools">
-            <button className="hero-tool" aria-label={t('common.edit')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onEdit)}><Edit2 size={16} /></button>
-            <button className="hero-tool" aria-label={t('dashboard.aria.duplicate')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onCopy)}><Copy size={16} /></button>
-            <button className="hero-tool" aria-label={trip.is_archived ? t('dashboard.restore') : t('dashboard.archive')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onArchive)}><Archive size={16} /></button>
-            <button className="hero-tool" aria-label={t('common.delete')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onDelete)}><Trash2 size={16} /></button>
+            <button className="hero-tool" aria-label={t('common.edit')} title={t('common.edit')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onEdit)}><Edit2 size={17} strokeWidth={2.2} /></button>
+            <button className="hero-tool" aria-label={t('dashboard.aria.duplicate')} title={t('dashboard.aria.duplicate')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onCopy)}><Copy size={17} strokeWidth={2.2} /></button>
+            <button className="hero-tool" aria-label={archiveLabel} title={archiveLabel} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onArchive)}>{trip.is_archived ? <ArchiveRestore size={17} strokeWidth={2.2} /> : <Archive size={17} strokeWidth={2.2} />}</button>
+            <button className="hero-tool" aria-label={t('common.delete')} title={t('common.delete')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onDelete)}><Trash2 size={17} strokeWidth={2.2} /></button>
           </div>
         </div>
 
@@ -535,6 +536,7 @@ function TripCard({ trip, locale, badges, onOpen, onEdit, onCopy, onArchive, onD
 }): React.ReactElement {
   const { t } = useTranslation()
   const status = getTripStatus(trip)
+  const archiveLabel = trip.is_archived ? t('dashboard.restore') : t('dashboard.archive')
   const start = splitDate(trip.start_date, locale)
   const end = splitDate(trip.end_date, locale)
   const until = daysUntil(trip.start_date)
@@ -557,10 +559,10 @@ function TripCard({ trip, locale, badges, onOpen, onEdit, onCopy, onArchive, onD
           : <div style={{ width: '100%', height: '100%', background: tripGradient(trip.id) }} />}
         <div className={`trip-status ${statusClass}`}><span className="indicator" /> {statusLabel}</div>
         <div className="trip-actions">
-          <button className="trip-action-btn" aria-label={t('common.edit')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onEdit)}><Edit2 size={16} /></button>
-          <button className="trip-action-btn" aria-label={t('dashboard.aria.duplicate')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onCopy)}><Copy size={16} /></button>
-          <button className="trip-action-btn" aria-label={trip.is_archived ? t('dashboard.restore') : t('dashboard.archive')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onArchive)}><Archive size={16} /></button>
-          <button className="trip-action-btn" aria-label={t('common.delete')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onDelete)}><Trash2 size={16} /></button>
+          <button className="trip-action-btn" aria-label={t('common.edit')} title={t('common.edit')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onEdit)}><Edit2 size={17} strokeWidth={2.2} /></button>
+          <button className="trip-action-btn" aria-label={t('dashboard.aria.duplicate')} title={t('dashboard.aria.duplicate')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onCopy)}><Copy size={17} strokeWidth={2.2} /></button>
+          <button className="trip-action-btn" aria-label={archiveLabel} title={archiveLabel} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onArchive)}>{trip.is_archived ? <ArchiveRestore size={17} strokeWidth={2.2} /> : <Archive size={17} strokeWidth={2.2} />}</button>
+          <button className="trip-action-btn" aria-label={t('common.delete')} title={t('common.delete')} onClick={(e) => stop(e, onDelete)}><Trash2 size={17} strokeWidth={2.2} /></button>
         </div>
         <div className="trip-cover-content">
           <h3 className="trip-name">{trip.title}</h3>
diff --git a/client/src/styles/dashboard.css b/client/src/styles/dashboard.css
index 9e509b44a..1e0dcea34 100644
--- a/client/src/styles/dashboard.css
+++ b/client/src/styles/dashboard.css
@@ -191,11 +191,12 @@
 .trek-dash .hero-top { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: start; }
 .trek-dash .hero-badge {
   display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px;
-  background: oklch(1 0 0 / .14);
+  background: oklch(0.22 0.01 260 / .5);
   backdrop-filter: blur(14px) saturate(1.4); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(14px) saturate(1.4);
-  border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0 / .2); padding: 8px 14px 8px 12px;
+  border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0 / .32); padding: 8px 14px 8px 12px;
   border-radius: 999px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 500;
   letter-spacing: 0.06em; text-transform: uppercase;
+  box-shadow: 0 2px 8px oklch(0 0 0 / .26);
 }
 .trek-dash .hero-badge .pulse {
   width: 7px; height: 7px; border-radius: 50%;
@@ -208,15 +209,18 @@
   100% { box-shadow: 0 0 0 0 oklch(0.84 0.18 85 / 0); }
 }
 .trek-dash .hero-tools { display: flex; gap: 8px; }
+/* Same story as .trip-action-btn: a dark scrim instead of a white .14 fill, so
+   the tools read against a bright hero photo too. */
 .trek-dash .hero-tool {
-  width: 38px; height: 38px; border-radius: 50%;
-  background: oklch(1 0 0 / .14);
+  width: 40px; height: 40px; border-radius: 50%;
+  background: oklch(0.22 0.01 260 / .5);
   backdrop-filter: blur(14px) saturate(1.4); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(14px) saturate(1.4);
-  border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0 / .2); color: #fff;
+  border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0 / .32); color: #fff;
+  box-shadow: 0 2px 8px oklch(0 0 0 / .26);
   display: grid; place-items: center; transition: background .15s, transform .12s;
 }
-.trek-dash .hero-tool:hover { background: oklch(1 0 0 / .26); transform: scale(1.05); }
-.trek-dash .hero-tool svg { width: 16px; height: 16px; }
+.trek-dash .hero-tool:hover { background: oklch(0.22 0.01 260 / .78); transform: scale(1.05); }
+.trek-dash .hero-tool svg { width: 17px; height: 17px; }
 .trek-dash .hero-title-block { align-self: end; padding-bottom: 24px; }
 .trek-dash .hero-eyebrow {
   display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;
@@ -435,26 +439,36 @@
 .trek-dash .trip-cover img { width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; transition: transform .6s cubic-bezier(.2,.7,.2,1); }
 .trek-dash .trip-card:hover .trip-cover img { transform: scale(1.04); }
 .trek-dash .trip-cover::after { content: ""; position: absolute; inset: 0; background: linear-gradient(180deg, oklch(0 0 0 / 0) 40%, oklch(0 0 0 / .55) 100%); }
+/* Shares the dark scrim of .trip-action-btn so both overlays on the cover read
+   as one set, and the label survives a bright photo behind it. */
 .trek-dash .trip-status {
   position: absolute; top: 16px; left: 16px; z-index: 1;
   display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px; padding: 6px 11px 6px 9px;
   border-radius: 999px; font-size: 11.5px; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 0.02em;
-  background: oklch(1 0 0 / .18); backdrop-filter: blur(14px) saturate(1.4); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(14px) saturate(1.4);
-  border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0 / .22); color: #fff; text-transform: uppercase;
+  background: oklch(0.22 0.01 260 / .58); backdrop-filter: blur(14px) saturate(1.4); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(14px) saturate(1.4);
+  border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0 / .34); color: #fff; text-transform: uppercase;
+  box-shadow: 0 2px 8px oklch(0 0 0 / .28);
 }
 .trek-dash .trip-status .indicator { width: 6px; height: 6px; border-radius: 50%; background: oklch(0.84 0.16 145); }
 .trek-dash .trip-status.completed .indicator { background: oklch(0.75 0.02 220); }
 .trek-dash .trip-status.upcoming .indicator { background: oklch(0.84 0.18 85); }
 .trek-dash .trip-status.idea .indicator { background: oklch(0.78 0.14 280); }
-.trek-dash .trip-actions { position: absolute; top: 14px; right: 14px; z-index: 1; display: flex; gap: 6px; opacity: 0; transition: opacity .2s; }
+/* The actions used to sit at opacity 0 until the card was hovered, over a white
+   .18 glass fill. Two people in a row reported they never found the archive and
+   rename buttons — invisible at rest, and on a light cover the white-on-white
+   fill hid them even while hovering. They stay on the card now, and the fill is
+   a dark scrim so the white icons carry against any photo. */
+.trek-dash .trip-actions { position: absolute; top: 14px; right: 14px; z-index: 1; display: flex; gap: 6px; opacity: .92; transition: opacity .2s; }
 .trek-dash .trip-card:hover .trip-actions { opacity: 1; }
 .trek-dash .trip-action-btn {
-  width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 50%;
-  background: oklch(1 0 0 / .18); backdrop-filter: blur(14px); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(14px);
-  border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0 / .22); color: #fff; display: grid; place-items: center; transition: background .15s;
+  width: 38px; height: 38px; border-radius: 50%;
+  background: oklch(0.22 0.01 260 / .58); backdrop-filter: blur(14px); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(14px);
+  border: 1px solid oklch(1 0 0 / .34); color: #fff; display: grid; place-items: center;
+  box-shadow: 0 2px 8px oklch(0 0 0 / .28);
+  transition: background .15s, transform .12s;
 }
-.trek-dash .trip-action-btn:hover { background: oklch(1 0 0 / .3); }
-.trek-dash .trip-action-btn svg { width: 16px; height: 16px; }
+.trek-dash .trip-action-btn:hover { background: oklch(0.22 0.01 260 / .82); transform: scale(1.06); }
+.trek-dash .trip-action-btn svg { width: 17px; height: 17px; }
 .trek-dash .trip-cover-content { position: absolute; left: 18px; right: 18px; bottom: 16px; z-index: 1; color: #fff; }
 .trek-dash .trip-name { font-size: 26px; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: -0.025em; line-height: 1.05; margin: 0; text-shadow: 0 1px 7px oklch(0 0 0 / .3), 0 1px 2px oklch(0 0 0 / .38); }
 .trek-dash .trip-where { margin-top: 4px; font-size: 13px; opacity: .85; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; }
@@ -686,8 +700,8 @@
   .trek-dash .trips { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 16px; margin-bottom: 28px; }
   .trek-dash .add-trip-card { min-height: 180px; }
 
-  /* Touch devices have no hover — keep the edit/copy/archive/delete actions
-     visible at all times instead of revealing them on hover. */
+  /* Touch devices have no hover state to lift the actions to full strength, so
+     skip the resting dim entirely. */
   .trek-dash .trip-actions { opacity: 1; }
 
   /* Compact list row on mobile — keeps the list view distinct from the grid. The