diff --git a/links/templates/links/knowledge_graph.html b/links/templates/links/knowledge_graph.html
index a7a08b1..da0e6c9 100644
--- a/links/templates/links/knowledge_graph.html
+++ b/links/templates/links/knowledge_graph.html
@@ -4,17 +4,86 @@
 
 {% block extra_css %}
 <style>
-  #sigma-container {
-    height: calc(100vh - 64px);
-    width: 100%;
-    background: #f8fafc;
+  /* ------------------------------------------------------------------
+     Full-bleed graph canvas that fills the viewport below the navbar.
+     base.html wraps content in   div.container.mx-auto.mt-20.p-2
+     So the effective top offset is ~88px. We break out by using
+     negative margins so the graph can fill edge-to-edge.
+  ------------------------------------------------------------------ */
+  #kg-page-wrapper {
+    margin: -8px calc(-50vw + 50%);  /* cancel container padding & centering */
+    height: calc(100vh - 80px);
     position: relative;
+    overflow: hidden;
+    background: #f1f5f9;
   }
   #sigma-canvas-wrapper {
     position: absolute;
     inset: 0;
+    background: #f1f5f9;
+    /* The container background shows through transparent WebGL pixels.
+       Do NOT set background on the individual canvas elements — sigma's
+       label canvas is transparent by design so you can see the WebGL
+       node/edge canvas beneath it. Making it opaque would hide everything. */
   }
-  /* Side panel */
+
+  /* ------------------------------------------------------------------
+     Top toolbar — single compact row, never wraps
+  ------------------------------------------------------------------ */
+  #kg-toolbar {
+    position: absolute;
+    top: 12px;
+    left: 12px;
+    z-index: 30;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 8px;
+    /* prevents toolbar from ever covering the node panel */
+    max-width: calc(100% - 320px);
+  }
+
+  /* ------------------------------------------------------------------
+     Bottom-left legend / filter bar
+  ------------------------------------------------------------------ */
+  #kg-legend {
+    position: absolute;
+    bottom: 14px;
+    left: 12px;
+    z-index: 30;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    flex-wrap: wrap;
+    gap: 5px;
+    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.92);
+    backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
+    -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
+    padding: 6px 10px;
+    border-radius: 10px;
+    border: 1px solid rgba(226, 232, 240, 0.9);
+    box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.07);
+    max-width: calc(100% - 340px);
+  }
+
+  .filter-badge {
+    display: inline-flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 4px;
+    padding: 3px 9px;
+    border-radius: 9999px;
+    font-size: 0.7rem;
+    font-weight: 500;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    border: 1.5px solid transparent;
+    transition: opacity 0.15s;
+    user-select: none;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+  }
+  .filter-badge.inactive { opacity: 0.3; }
+  .dot { width: 7px; height: 7px; border-radius: 50%; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; }
+
+  /* ------------------------------------------------------------------
+     Right side panel
+  ------------------------------------------------------------------ */
   #node-panel {
     position: absolute;
     top: 0;
@@ -26,95 +95,149 @@
     overflow-y: auto;
     transform: translateX(100%);
     transition: transform 0.25s ease;
-    z-index: 20;
+    z-index: 30;
   }
-  #node-panel.open {
-    transform: translateX(0);
-  }
-  /* Toolbar */
-  #kg-toolbar {
+  #node-panel.open { transform: translateX(0); }
+
+  /* ------------------------------------------------------------------
+     Layout-computing overlay (shown while ForceAtlas2 runs)
+  ------------------------------------------------------------------ */
+  #graph-loading-overlay {
     position: absolute;
-    top: 12px;
-    left: 12px;
+    inset: 0;
+    background: rgba(241, 245, 249, 0.88);
+    backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
+    -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
     z-index: 20;
     display: flex;
-    gap: 8px;
+    flex-direction: column;
     align-items: center;
-    flex-wrap: wrap;
-    max-width: calc(100% - 330px);
+    justify-content: center;
+    gap: 12px;
   }
-  .filter-badge {
-    display: inline-flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    gap: 4px;
-    padding: 4px 10px;
-    border-radius: 9999px;
-    font-size: 0.75rem;
-    font-weight: 500;
+
+  /* ------------------------------------------------------------------
+     Bottom-right zoom control
+  ------------------------------------------------------------------ */
+  #kg-zoom-ctl {
+    position: absolute;
+    bottom: 14px;
+    right: 14px;
+    z-index: 30;
+    transition: right 0.25s ease;
+  }
+  /* style the range thumb */
+  #kg-zoom-ctl input[type=range] {
+    -webkit-appearance: none;
+    appearance: none;
+    width: 100px;
+    height: 4px;
+    border-radius: 2px;
+    background: #e2e8f0;
+    outline: none;
     cursor: pointer;
-    border: 2px solid transparent;
-    transition: opacity 0.15s;
-    user-select: none;
   }
-  .filter-badge.inactive { opacity: 0.4; }
-  .dot { width: 8px; height: 8px; border-radius: 50%; display: inline-block; }
+  #kg-zoom-ctl input[type=range]::-webkit-slider-thumb {
+    -webkit-appearance: none;
+    width: 14px;
+    height: 14px;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    background: #3b82f6;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
+  }
+  #kg-zoom-ctl input[type=range]::-moz-range-thumb {
+    width: 14px;
+    height: 14px;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    background: #3b82f6;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    border: none;
+    box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
+  }
+
+  [x-cloak] { display: none !important; }
 </style>
 {% endblock %}
 
 {% block content %}
-<div id="sigma-container" x-data="kgApp()" x-init="init()">
+<div id="kg-page-wrapper" x-data="kgApp()" x-init="init()">
 
-  <!-- Toolbar -->
+  <!-- ── Top toolbar (single row, never wraps) ───────────────────── -->
   <div id="kg-toolbar">
-    <!-- Build button -->
     <button
       @click="showBuildModal = true"
-      class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 px-4 py-2 rounded bg-blue-500 hover:bg-blue-600 text-white text-sm font-medium shadow transition duration-150 ease-in-out">
-      <svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+      class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 px-3.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-700 text-white text-sm font-medium shadow-sm transition flex-shrink-0">
+      <svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5 flex-shrink-0" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
         <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2"
           d="M4 4v5h.582m15.356 2A8.001 8.001 0 004.582 9m0 0H9m11 11v-5h-.581m0 0a8.003 8.003 0 01-15.357-2m15.357 2H15"/>
       </svg>
       {% trans "Build Graph" %}
     </button>
 
-    <!-- Status badge -->
-    <span class="px-2.5 py-1 rounded-lg bg-white border border-gray-200 text-xs text-gray-600 shadow-sm"
+    <span class="px-2.5 py-1 rounded-full bg-white/90 border border-gray-200 text-xs text-gray-600 shadow-sm whitespace-nowrap flex-shrink-0"
           x-text="statusText"></span>
 
-    <!-- Last built timestamp -->
-    {% if snapshot %}
-    {% with built_at=snapshot.completed_at|default:snapshot.created_at %}
+    {% if snapshot %}{% with built_at=snapshot.completed_at|default:snapshot.created_at %}
     <a href="{% url 'jobs' %}?tab=knowledge_graph"
-       class="px-2.5 py-1 rounded-lg bg-amber-50 border border-amber-200 text-xs text-amber-700 shadow-sm hover:bg-amber-100 transition"
+       class="px-2.5 py-1 rounded-full bg-amber-50/90 border border-amber-200 text-xs text-amber-700 shadow-sm hover:bg-amber-100 transition whitespace-nowrap flex-shrink-0 hidden sm:inline-flex"
        title="{{ built_at|date:'Y-m-d H:i:s' }}">
-      {% trans "Last built" %}: {{ built_at|timesince }} {% trans "ago" %}
+      {{ built_at|timesince }} {% trans "ago" %}
     </a>
-    {% endwith %}
-    {% endif %}
+    {% endwith %}{% endif %}
+  </div>
 
-    <!-- Node type filters -->
+  <!-- ── Sigma canvas ──────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
+  <div id="sigma-canvas-wrapper"></div>
+
+  <!-- ── Layout-computing overlay ──────────────────────────────────── -->
+  <div id="graph-loading-overlay" x-show="graphComputing" x-cloak>
+    <svg class="w-9 h-9 animate-spin text-blue-500" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+      <circle class="opacity-25" cx="12" cy="12" r="10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="4"/>
+      <path class="opacity-75" fill="currentColor" d="M4 12a8 8 0 018-8v8H4z"/>
+    </svg>
+    <p class="text-sm font-semibold text-gray-700" x-text="statusText"></p>
+    <p class="text-xs text-gray-400">{% trans "Computing force-directed layout…" %}</p>
+  </div>
+
+  <!-- ── Zoom control (bottom-right) ─────────────────────────────────── -->
+  <div id="kg-zoom-ctl"
+       x-show="graphLoaded" x-cloak
+       :style="selectedNode ? 'right:314px' : 'right:14px'"
+       class="flex items-center gap-1 bg-white/95 backdrop-blur border border-gray-200 rounded-lg shadow-sm px-2 py-1.5">
+    <button @click="zoomOut()"
+            title="{% trans 'Zoom out' %}"
+            class="w-6 h-6 flex items-center justify-center rounded hover:bg-gray-100 text-gray-500 text-base font-semibold leading-none select-none">−</button>
+    <input type="range" min="0" max="100" step="1"
+           :value="zoomSlider"
+           @input="setZoomFromSlider(+$event.target.value)"
+           title="{% trans 'Zoom level' %}">
+    <button @click="zoomIn()"
+            title="{% trans 'Zoom in' %}"
+            class="w-6 h-6 flex items-center justify-center rounded hover:bg-gray-100 text-gray-500 text-base font-semibold leading-none select-none">+</button>
+    <span class="text-xs text-gray-500 tabular-nums w-11 text-right"
+          x-text="Math.round(100 / (zoomRatio || 1)) + '%'"></span>
+  </div>
+
+  <!-- ── Bottom-left legend / type filters ─────────────────────────── -->
+  <div id="kg-legend" x-show="graphLoaded" x-cloak>
     <template x-for="f in filters" :key="f.type">
-      <span class="filter-badge shadow-sm"
+      <span class="filter-badge"
             :class="f.active ? '' : 'inactive'"
-            :style="`background:${f.color}22; border-color:${f.color}; color:${f.color};`"
+            :style="`background:${f.color}22; border-color:${f.color}; color:${f.color}`"
             @click="toggleFilter(f.type)">
         <span class="dot" :style="`background:${f.color}`"></span>
-        <span x-text="f.label"></span>
-        <span class="ml-0.5 font-normal opacity-70" x-text="'('+f.count+')'"></span>
+        <span x-text="f.label + ' (' + f.count + ')'"></span>
       </span>
     </template>
-
-    <!-- Reset view -->
+    <span class="h-4 w-px bg-gray-200 mx-0.5 flex-shrink-0"></span>
     <button @click="resetCamera()"
-      class="px-2.5 py-1 rounded-lg bg-white border border-gray-200 text-xs text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-800 shadow-sm transition">
-      {% trans "Reset View" %}
+            class="px-2 py-0.5 text-xs text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-800 bg-white rounded border border-gray-200 transition flex-shrink-0">
+      {% trans "Reset" %}
     </button>
   </div>
 
-  <!-- Sigma canvas -->
-  <div id="sigma-canvas-wrapper"></div>
-
-  <!-- Side panel -->
+  <!-- ── Right side panel ──────────────────────────────────────────── -->
   <div id="node-panel" :class="selectedNode ? 'open' : ''">
     <div class="p-4 border-b border-gray-100 flex items-center justify-between">
       <h3 class="font-semibold text-gray-800 text-sm">{% trans "Node Details" %}</h3>
@@ -125,40 +248,29 @@
       </button>
     </div>
     <div x-show="selectedNode" class="p-4 space-y-3">
-      <!-- Type badge -->
       <span class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2 py-0.5 rounded-full text-xs font-semibold"
             :style="`background:${selectedNode?.color}22; color:${selectedNode?.color};`">
         <span class="dot" :style="`background:${selectedNode?.color}`"></span>
         <span x-text="selectedNode?.node_type?.toUpperCase()"></span>
       </span>
-
-      <!-- Label -->
       <p class="font-semibold text-gray-900 text-sm break-words" x-text="selectedNode?.label"></p>
-
-      <!-- Description -->
       <p class="text-xs text-gray-500 break-words" x-show="selectedNode?.description"
          x-text="selectedNode?.description?.slice(0,200) + (selectedNode?.description?.length > 200 ? '…' : '')"></p>
-
-      <!-- Original URL -->
       <div x-show="selectedNode?.original_url">
         <p class="text-xs text-gray-400 mb-0.5">{% trans "URL" %}</p>
         <a :href="selectedNode?.original_url" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"
            class="text-xs text-blue-500 hover:underline break-all"
            x-text="selectedNode?.original_url?.slice(0,80) + (selectedNode?.original_url?.length > 80 ? '…' : '')"></a>
       </div>
-
-      <!-- View item button -->
       <a :href="selectedNode?.item_url" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"
          x-show="selectedNode?.item_url"
-         class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 w-full justify-center px-3 py-2 rounded bg-blue-500 hover:bg-blue-600 text-white text-sm font-medium transition duration-150 ease-in-out">
+         class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 w-full justify-center px-3 py-2 rounded-lg bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-700 text-white text-sm font-medium transition">
         <svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
           <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2"
             d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"/>
         </svg>
         {% trans "View Item" %}
       </a>
-
-      <!-- Connected nodes -->
       <div x-show="connectedNodes.length > 0">
         <p class="text-xs font-semibold text-gray-500 mb-1">
           {% trans "Connected" %} (<span x-text="connectedNodes.length"></span>)
@@ -179,8 +291,8 @@
     </div>
   </div>
 
-  <!-- Empty state -->
-  <div x-show="!graphLoaded && !building"
+  <!-- ── Empty state ───────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
+  <div x-show="!graphLoaded && !building && !graphComputing"
        class="absolute inset-0 flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-4 text-gray-400">
     <svg class="w-16 h-16 opacity-30" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
       <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="1"
@@ -188,17 +300,15 @@
     </svg>
     <p class="text-sm font-medium">{% trans "No knowledge graph yet." %}</p>
     <button @click="showBuildModal = true"
-      class="px-4 py-2 bg-blue-500 hover:bg-blue-600 text-white text-sm font-medium rounded transition duration-150 ease-in-out">
+      class="px-4 py-2 bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-700 text-white text-sm font-medium rounded-lg transition">
       {% trans "Build Graph Now" %}
     </button>
   </div>
 
-  <!-- Building progress panel -->
+  <!-- ── Building progress panel ───────────────────────────────────── -->
   <div x-show="building"
-       class="absolute inset-0 flex items-center justify-center p-6">
+       class="absolute inset-0 flex items-center justify-center p-6 z-10">
     <div class="bg-white rounded-xl shadow-lg border border-gray-100 w-full max-w-lg p-6 space-y-4">
-
-      <!-- Header -->
       <div class="flex items-center gap-3">
         <svg class="w-5 h-5 animate-spin text-blue-500 flex-shrink-0" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
           <circle class="opacity-25" cx="12" cy="12" r="10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="4"/>
@@ -206,8 +316,6 @@
         </svg>
         <span class="font-semibold text-gray-800 text-sm">{% trans "Building Knowledge Graph" %}</span>
       </div>
-
-      <!-- Progress bar -->
       <div>
         <div class="flex justify-between text-xs text-gray-500 mb-1">
           <span x-text="progress.step || '{% trans "Working…" %}'" class="truncate max-w-xs"></span>
@@ -218,16 +326,12 @@
                :style="'width:' + (progress.pct || 0) + '%'"></div>
         </div>
       </div>
-
-      <!-- Timing row -->
       <div class="flex gap-4 text-xs text-gray-500">
         <span>⏱ {% trans "Elapsed" %}: <span class="font-medium text-gray-700" x-text="fmtSecs(elapsedSecs)"></span></span>
         <span x-show="progress.pct > 5 && progress.pct < 100">
           {% trans "Est. remaining" %}: <span class="font-medium text-gray-700" x-text="fmtSecs(estRemaining)"></span>
         </span>
       </div>
-
-      <!-- Foldable logs -->
       <div>
         <button @click="logsExpanded = !logsExpanded"
           class="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs text-gray-400 hover:text-gray-700 transition">
@@ -241,24 +345,21 @@
              class="mt-2 max-h-40 overflow-y-auto rounded-lg bg-gray-900 p-3 space-y-0.5 font-mono">
           <template x-for="(log, i) in buildLogs" :key="i">
             <div class="flex gap-2 text-xs leading-5">
-              <span class="text-gray-500 flex-shrink-0"
-                    x-text="'+' + log.elapsed_s.toFixed(1) + 's'"></span>
+              <span class="text-gray-500 flex-shrink-0" x-text="'+' + log.elapsed_s.toFixed(1) + 's'"></span>
               <span class="text-green-400" x-text="log.msg"></span>
             </div>
           </template>
           <div x-show="buildLogs.length === 0" class="text-xs text-gray-500">{% trans "No log entries yet…" %}</div>
         </div>
       </div>
-
     </div>
   </div>
 
-  <!-- Build modal -->
+  <!-- ── Build modal ──────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
   <div x-show="showBuildModal" x-cloak
        class="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/40 backdrop-blur-sm">
     <div class="bg-white rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full max-w-sm mx-4 p-6 space-y-4">
       <h2 class="text-lg font-bold text-gray-900">{% trans "Build Knowledge Graph" %}</h2>
-
       <div class="space-y-3">
         <label class="flex items-start gap-3 cursor-pointer">
           <input type="checkbox" x-model="buildUseLLM" :disabled="!llmAvailable"
@@ -276,14 +377,13 @@
           {% trans "Semantic edges (pink) connect items with similar meaning using embeddings. Without LLM, the graph uses tag and domain edges only." %}
         </p>
       </div>
-
       <div class="flex gap-3 pt-2">
         <button @click="showBuildModal = false"
           class="flex-1 py-2 rounded-lg border border-gray-200 text-sm text-gray-600 hover:bg-gray-50 transition">
           {% trans "Cancel" %}
         </button>
         <button @click="startBuild()"
-          class="flex-1 py-2 rounded bg-blue-500 hover:bg-blue-600 text-white text-sm font-medium transition duration-150 ease-in-out">
+          class="flex-1 py-2 rounded-lg bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-700 text-white text-sm font-medium transition">
           {% trans "Start Build" %}
         </button>
       </div>
@@ -294,7 +394,7 @@
 {% endblock %}
 
 {% block extra_js %}
-<!-- graphology + sigma.js + ForceAtlas2 from CDN -->
+<!-- graphology + sigma + ForceAtlas2 -->
 <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/graphology@0.25.4/dist/graphology.umd.min.js"></script>
 <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/sigma@2.4.0/build/sigma.min.js"></script>
 <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/graphology-layout-forceatlas2@0.10.1/build/graphology-layout-forceatlas2.umd.min.js"></script>
@@ -302,10 +402,13 @@
 <script>
 function kgApp() {
   return {
-    // ── state ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    // ── state ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
     sigmaInstance: null,
     graph: null,
     graphLoaded: false,
+    graphComputing: false,
+    zoomRatio: 1,
+    zoomSlider: 50,
     building: {% if latest_building %}true{% else %}false{% endif %},
     showBuildModal: false,
     buildUseLLM: false,
@@ -321,17 +424,25 @@ function kgApp() {
     estRemaining: 0,
     _buildStartMs: null,
     _elapsedTimer: null,
+    _cameraRefreshTimer: null,
     filters: [
-      { type: 'link', label: '{% trans "Links" %}',  color: '#4B9CD3', active: true, count: 0 },
-      { type: 'page', label: '{% trans "Pages" %}',  color: '#22C55E', active: true, count: 0 },
+      { type: 'link', label: '{% trans "Links" %}',  color: '#3B82F6', active: true, count: 0 },
+      { type: 'page', label: '{% trans "Pages" %}',  color: '#10B981', active: true, count: 0 },
       { type: 'post', label: '{% trans "Posts" %}',  color: '#F97316', active: true, count: 0 },
       { type: 'tag',  label: '{% trans "Tags" %}',   color: '#8B5CF6', active: true, count: 0 },
     ],
 
-    // ── init ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    // ── init ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
     init() {
+      // Ensure only one KG renderer instance is active on the page.
+      // If Alpine re-initializes this block, tear down the old instance first.
+      if (window.__kgActive && window.__kgActive !== this && typeof window.__kgActive.destroy === 'function') {
+        window.__kgActive.destroy();
+      }
+      window.__kgActive = this;
+
       this.llmAvailable = '{{ site_settings.llm_provider }}' !== 'none';
-      this.buildUseLLM = this.llmAvailable;
+      this.buildUseLLM  = this.llmAvailable;
       {% if snapshot %}
         this.loadGraph();
       {% elif latest_building %}
@@ -339,166 +450,311 @@ function kgApp() {
       {% endif %}
     },
 
-    // ── load & render graph ────────────────────────────────────────────
-    async loadGraph() {
-      try {
-        const resp = await fetch('/api/knowledge-graph/data/');
-        if (!resp.ok) return;
-        const data = await resp.json();
-        this.renderGraph(data);
-      } catch(e) {
-        console.error('KG load error:', e);
-      }
-    },
+    destroy() {
+      clearInterval(this.pollTimer);
+      clearInterval(this._elapsedTimer);
+      clearTimeout(this._cameraRefreshTimer);
 
-    renderGraph(data) {
       if (this.sigmaInstance) {
         this.sigmaInstance.kill();
         this.sigmaInstance = null;
       }
 
+      const container = document.getElementById('sigma-canvas-wrapper');
+      if (container) container.innerHTML = '';
+
+      if (window.__kgActive === this) window.__kgActive = null;
+    },
+
+    // ── load graph data ────────────────────────────────────────────
+    async loadGraph() {
+      try {
+        const resp = await fetch('/api/knowledge-graph/data/');
+        if (!resp.ok) return;
+        const data = await resp.json();
+        await this.renderGraph(data);
+      } catch(e) {
+        console.error('KG load error:', e);
+        this.statusText = '{% trans "Load error" %}';
+        this.graphComputing = false;
+      }
+    },
+
+    // ── render + layout (async so the UI stays responsive) ─────────
+    async renderGraph(data) {
+      // Kill previous instance and wipe all canvas/event elements sigma
+      // may have left in the container — without this, the old graph
+      // remains visible as a ghost underneath the new one.
+      const container = document.getElementById('sigma-canvas-wrapper');
+      if (this.sigmaInstance) {
+        this.sigmaInstance.kill();
+        this.sigmaInstance = null;
+      }
+      clearTimeout(this._cameraRefreshTimer);
+      this._cameraRefreshTimer = null;
+      container.innerHTML = '';
+
       const g = new graphology.Graph({ multi: false });
 
-      // Add nodes
       for (const n of (data.nodes || [])) {
-        if (!g.hasNode(n.key)) {
-          g.addNode(n.key, n.attributes || {});
-        }
+        if (!g.hasNode(n.key)) g.addNode(n.key, n.attributes || {});
       }
-
-      // Add edges (skip if source/target missing)
       for (const e of (data.edges || [])) {
-        if (g.hasNode(e.source) && g.hasNode(e.target) && !g.hasEdge(e.key)) {
+        if (g.hasNode(e.source) && g.hasNode(e.target)) {
           try {
-            g.addEdgeWithKey(e.key, e.source, e.target, e.attributes || {});
+            if (!g.hasEdge(e.key)) g.addEdgeWithKey(e.key, e.source, e.target, e.attributes || {});
           } catch(_) {}
         }
       }
 
-      // Run ForceAtlas2 layout (in-browser, sync, 150 iterations)
-      try {
-        graphologyLayoutForceAtlas2.assign(g, {
-          iterations: 150,
-          settings: {
-            gravity: 2,
-            scalingRatio: 8,
-            slowDown: 2,
-            barnesHutOptimize: g.order > 200,
-          },
-        });
-      } catch(e) {
-        console.warn('ForceAtlas2 failed, using random layout:', e);
-      }
-
-      this.graph = g;
-      this.graphLoaded = true;
-      this.building = false;
-
-      // Update filter counts
+      // Count nodes by type for the legend
       const typeCounts = {};
-      g.forEachNode((key, attrs) => {
-        typeCounts[attrs.node_type] = (typeCounts[attrs.node_type] || 0) + 1;
+      g.forEachNode((k, a) => {
+        typeCounts[a.node_type] = (typeCounts[a.node_type] || 0) + 1;
       });
       this.filters.forEach(f => { f.count = typeCounts[f.type] || 0; });
 
-      // Update status text
+      // Show the computing overlay while ForceAtlas2 runs
       const nodeCount = g.order;
-      const edgeCount = g.size;
-      this.statusText = `${nodeCount} {% trans "nodes" %} · ${edgeCount} {% trans "edges" %}`;
+      this.statusText = `{% trans "Laying out" %} ${nodeCount.toLocaleString()} {% trans "nodes" %}…`;
+      this.graphComputing = true;
+      this.building = false;
+
+      // Yield to let Alpine re-render the overlay before blocking computation
+      await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 80));
+
+      // Check whether nodes already have meaningful positions from the server
+      let withPos = 0;
+      g.forEachNode((k, a) => {
+        if (typeof a.x === 'number' && typeof a.y === 'number' && Math.abs(a.x) + Math.abs(a.y) > 0.001) withPos++;
+      });
+      const hasMeaningfulPositions = withPos > nodeCount * 0.3;
+
+      if (!hasMeaningfulPositions) {
+        // ── Step 1: pre-position in a circle for fast FA2 convergence ──
+        // Starting from random/zero positions causes FA2 to produce a tight
+        // blob. A circular seed gives every node room to "settle" outward.
+        const nks = g.nodes();
+        const r0  = Math.sqrt(nks.length) * 12;
+        nks.forEach((nk, i) => {
+          const θ = (2 * Math.PI * i) / nks.length;
+          // small jitter breaks the rotational symmetry
+          g.setNodeAttribute(nk, 'x', r0 * Math.cos(θ) + (Math.random() - 0.5) * 3);
+          g.setNodeAttribute(nk, 'y', r0 * Math.sin(θ) + (Math.random() - 0.5) * 3);
+        });
+
+        // ── Step 2: ForceAtlas2 with settings tuned for dense graphs ──
+        // Key choices:
+        //   linLogMode=true            → log-scale attraction; hubs don't collapse to a point
+        //   outboundAttractionDistrib  → attraction force ÷ degree; prevents mass clustering
+        //   gravity=0.3                → gentle pull to center; nodes can spread freely
+        //   barnesHutOptimize=true     → O(n log n) repulsion; essential for 1000+ nodes
+        try {
+          graphologyLayoutForceAtlas2.assign(g, {
+            iterations: 250,
+            settings: {
+              gravity:                       0.3,
+              scalingRatio:                  2,
+              slowDown:                      20,
+              barnesHutOptimize:             true,
+              barnesHutTheta:                0.7,
+              linLogMode:                    true,
+              outboundAttractionDistribution:true,
+              adjustSizes:                   false,
+              strongGravityMode:             false,
+            },
+          });
+        } catch(e) {
+          console.warn('ForceAtlas2 failed, continuing with circle layout:', e);
+        }
+      }
+
+      this.graph = g;
+      this.graphLoaded   = true;
+      this.graphComputing = false;
+      this.statusText = `${nodeCount.toLocaleString()} {% trans "nodes" %} · ${g.size.toLocaleString()} {% trans "edges" %}`;
 
-      // Init sigma
-      const container = document.getElementById('sigma-canvas-wrapper');
       this.sigmaInstance = new Sigma(g, container, {
-        labelRenderedSizeThreshold: 6,
-        defaultEdgeColor: '#e2e8f0',
-        labelColor: { color: '#374151' },
+        // Hide edge/label layers while moving. We'll force-clear and repaint
+        // once interaction settles to avoid stale ghost frames.
+        hideEdgesOnMove: true,
+        hideLabelsOnMove: true,
+
+        // Only show labels for nodes that appear >= 12px on screen.
+        labelRenderedSizeThreshold: 12,
+        labelColor: { color: '#1e293b' },
+        labelSize: 11,
+
+        // ── Defaults ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
         defaultNodeColor: '#6366f1',
         renderEdgeLabels: false,
-        edgeReducer: (edge, data) => {
-          return { ...data, hidden: data._hidden || false };
+
+        // ── Node reducer ─────────────────────────────────────────────
+        // Dim nodes that are NOT connected to the currently selected node.
+        // "Dim" = render in a near-transparent gray so the selected node's
+        // neighbourhood stands out clearly.
+        nodeReducer: (node, attrs) => {
+          const res = { ...attrs, hidden: attrs._hidden || false };
+          if (attrs._dim) {
+            res.color = '#cbd5e1';           // light slate
+            res.size  = Math.max(1.5, (attrs.size || 4) * 0.55);
+            res.label = null;                // suppress label for dimmed nodes
+          }
+          return res;
         },
-        nodeReducer: (node, data) => {
-          return { ...data, hidden: data._hidden || false };
+
+        // ── Edge reducer ─────────────────────────────────────────────
+        // Default: edges are almost invisible (dense graph = unreadable otherwise).
+        // Highlighted edges (connected to selected node) are shown at full opacity.
+        edgeReducer: (edge, attrs) => {
+          const res = { ...attrs, hidden: attrs._hidden || false };
+          if (attrs._highlighted) {
+            res.color = attrs.color || '#64748b';
+            res.size  = Math.max(1, (attrs.size || 0.5) * 2);
+          } else {
+            // Sigma's floatColor() only parses 3/6-digit hex. Use a light
+            // slate-400 hex so edges are visible but don't overwhelm nodes.
+            res.color = '#94a3b8';
+            res.size  = 0.5;
+          }
+          return res;
         },
       });
 
-      // Click node
-      this.sigmaInstance.on('clickNode', ({ node }) => {
-        this.selectNodeByKey(node);
-      });
+      this.sigmaInstance.on('clickNode',  ({ node }) => this.selectNodeByKey(node));
+      this.sigmaInstance.on('clickStage', ()          => this.deselectNode());
 
-      // Click background to deselect
-      this.sigmaInstance.on('clickStage', () => {
-        this.deselectNode();
+      // Sync zoom slider with touchpad / programmatic camera changes.
+      // Throttled to ~30fps to avoid flooding Alpine with reactive updates
+      // (which would trigger DOM reconciliation and potentially interfere
+      // with sigma's canvas clearing between frames).
+      let _lastZoomSync = 0;
+      this.sigmaInstance.getCamera().on('updated', (state) => {
+        const now = Date.now();
+        if (now - _lastZoomSync > 33) {
+          _lastZoomSync = now;
+          this._syncZoomFromCamera(state.ratio);
+        }
+
+        // Force a clean repaint when zoom/pan settles.
+        clearTimeout(this._cameraRefreshTimer);
+        this._cameraRefreshTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+          this.forceCanvasClear();
+          if (this.sigmaInstance) this.sigmaInstance.refresh();
+        }, 80);
+      });
+      this._syncZoomFromCamera(this.sigmaInstance.getCamera().ratio);
+    },
+
+    forceCanvasClear() {
+      const wrapper = document.getElementById('sigma-canvas-wrapper');
+      if (!wrapper) return;
+      const canvases = wrapper.querySelectorAll('canvas');
+
+      canvases.forEach((canvas) => {
+        const ctx2d = canvas.getContext('2d');
+        if (ctx2d) {
+          ctx2d.clearRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
+          return;
+        }
+
+        const gl = canvas.getContext('webgl2') || canvas.getContext('webgl') || canvas.getContext('experimental-webgl');
+        if (gl) {
+          gl.clearColor(0, 0, 0, 0);
+          gl.clear(gl.COLOR_BUFFER_BIT | gl.DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT);
+        }
       });
     },
 
-    // ── node selection & highlight ─────────────────────────────────────
+    // ── node selection ─────────────────────────────────────────────
     selectNodeByKey(nodeKey) {
-      if (!this.graph || !this.sigmaInstance) return;
-      if (!this.graph.hasNode(nodeKey)) return;
+      if (!this.graph || !this.sigmaInstance || !this.graph.hasNode(nodeKey)) return;
 
       const attrs = this.graph.getNodeAttributes(nodeKey);
       this.selectedNode = { key: nodeKey, ...attrs };
 
-      // Find neighbors
       const neighborKeys = new Set();
-      this.graph.forEachNeighbor(nodeKey, (nbr) => neighborKeys.add(nbr));
+      this.graph.forEachNeighbor(nodeKey, nbr => neighborKeys.add(nbr));
 
       this.connectedNodes = Array.from(neighborKeys).map(k => ({
-        key: k,
-        ...this.graph.getNodeAttributes(k),
-      }));
+        key: k, ...this.graph.getNodeAttributes(k),
+      })).sort((a, b) => (b.size || 4) - (a.size || 4)); // largest first
 
-      // Dim non-connected nodes/edges
-      this.graph.forEachNode((n, a) => {
-        const isRelevant = n === nodeKey || neighborKeys.has(n);
-        this.graph.setNodeAttribute(n, '_hidden', !isRelevant);
+      this.graph.forEachNode((n) => {
+        const relevant = n === nodeKey || neighborKeys.has(n);
+        this.graph.setNodeAttribute(n, '_dim',    !relevant);
+        this.graph.setNodeAttribute(n, '_hidden', false);
       });
       this.graph.forEachEdge((e, a, s, t) => {
-        const isRelevant = s === nodeKey || t === nodeKey;
-        this.graph.setEdgeAttribute(e, '_hidden', !isRelevant);
+        const isConn = s === nodeKey || t === nodeKey;
+        this.graph.setEdgeAttribute(e, '_highlighted', isConn);
+        this.graph.setEdgeAttribute(e, '_hidden',      false);
       });
 
       this.sigmaInstance.refresh();
     },
 
     deselectNode() {
-      this.selectedNode = null;
+      this.selectedNode  = null;
       this.connectedNodes = [];
       if (!this.graph || !this.sigmaInstance) return;
-      this.graph.forEachNode((n) => this.graph.setNodeAttribute(n, '_hidden', false));
-      this.graph.forEachEdge((e) => this.graph.setEdgeAttribute(e, '_hidden', false));
+      this.graph.forEachNode((n) => {
+        this.graph.setNodeAttribute(n, '_dim',    false);
+        this.graph.setNodeAttribute(n, '_hidden', false);
+      });
+      this.graph.forEachEdge((e) => {
+        this.graph.setEdgeAttribute(e, '_highlighted', false);
+        this.graph.setEdgeAttribute(e, '_hidden',      false);
+      });
       this.sigmaInstance.refresh();
     },
 
-    // ── type filter toggle ─────────────────────────────────────────────
+    // ── type filter toggle ─────────────────────────────────────────
     toggleFilter(type) {
       const f = this.filters.find(f => f.type === type);
-      if (!f) return;
+      if (!f || !this.graph || !this.sigmaInstance) return;
       f.active = !f.active;
       const activeTypes = new Set(this.filters.filter(f => f.active).map(f => f.type));
-      if (!this.graph || !this.sigmaInstance) return;
       this.graph.forEachNode((n, a) => {
         this.graph.setNodeAttribute(n, '_hidden', !activeTypes.has(a.node_type));
       });
       this.graph.forEachEdge((e, a, s, t) => {
         const sa = this.graph.getNodeAttributes(s);
         const ta = this.graph.getNodeAttributes(t);
-        const hidden = !activeTypes.has(sa.node_type) || !activeTypes.has(ta.node_type);
-        this.graph.setEdgeAttribute(e, '_hidden', hidden);
+        this.graph.setEdgeAttribute(e, '_hidden',
+          !activeTypes.has(sa.node_type) || !activeTypes.has(ta.node_type));
       });
       this.sigmaInstance.refresh();
     },
 
-    // ── camera reset ───────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    // ── camera reset ───────────────────────────────────────────────
     resetCamera() {
-      if (this.sigmaInstance) {
-        this.sigmaInstance.getCamera().animatedReset();
-      }
+      if (this.sigmaInstance) this.sigmaInstance.getCamera().animatedReset();
     },
 
-    // ── build ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    // ── zoom controls ──────────────────────────────────────────────
+    zoomIn()  { if (this.sigmaInstance) this.sigmaInstance.getCamera().animatedZoom({ duration: 200, factor: 1.5 }); },
+    zoomOut() { if (this.sigmaInstance) this.sigmaInstance.getCamera().animatedUnzoom({ duration: 200, factor: 1.5 }); },
+
+    // Slider 0..100 → camera ratio on a log scale
+    // val=0  → ratio=4   → 25% zoom (very zoomed out)
+    // val=50 → ratio=1   → 100% zoom (default)
+    // val=100 → ratio=0.25 → 400% zoom (very zoomed in)
+    setZoomFromSlider(val) {
+      this.zoomSlider = val;
+      const ratio = Math.exp(Math.log(4) + (Math.log(0.25) - Math.log(4)) * val / 100);
+      if (this.sigmaInstance) this.sigmaInstance.getCamera().setState({ ratio });
+    },
+
+    _syncZoomFromCamera(ratio) {
+      this.zoomRatio = ratio;
+      const logMin  = Math.log(4);    // most zoomed out
+      const logMax  = Math.log(0.25); // most zoomed in
+      const raw = 100 * (Math.log(Math.max(ratio, 0.001)) - logMin) / (logMax - logMin);
+      this.zoomSlider = Math.max(0, Math.min(100, Math.round(raw)));
+    },
+
+    // ── build ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
     async startBuild() {
       this.showBuildModal = false;
       this.building = true;
@@ -515,9 +771,7 @@ function kgApp() {
           headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'X-CSRFToken': this.getCsrf() },
           body: JSON.stringify({ use_llm: this.buildUseLLM }),
         });
-        if (resp.ok) {
-          this.pollStatus();
-        }
+        if (resp.ok) this.pollStatus();
       } catch(e) {
         this.building = false;
         clearInterval(this._elapsedTimer);
@@ -525,7 +779,7 @@ function kgApp() {
       }
     },
 
-    // ── progress helpers ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+    // ── elapsed timer ──────────────────────────────────────────────
     fmtSecs(s) {
       if (s < 60) return Math.round(s) + 's';
       return Math.floor(s / 60) + 'm ' + (Math.round(s) % 60) + 's';
@@ -537,13 +791,11 @@ function kgApp() {
       this._elapsedTimer = setInterval(() => {
         this.elapsedSecs = (Date.now() - this._buildStartMs) / 1000;
         const pct = this.progress.pct || 0;
-        if (pct > 5 && pct < 100) {
-          this.estRemaining = (this.elapsedSecs / pct) * (100 - pct);
-        }
+        if (pct > 5 && pct < 100) this.estRemaining = (this.elapsedSecs / pct) * (100 - pct);
       }, 500);
     },
 
-    // ── status polling ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    // ── status polling ─────────────────────────────────────────────
     pollStatus() {
       clearInterval(this.pollTimer);
       this.pollTimer = setInterval(async () => {
@@ -551,9 +803,8 @@ function kgApp() {
           const resp = await fetch('/api/knowledge-graph/status/');
           const data = await resp.json();
 
-          // Update live progress
-          if (data.progress_data && data.progress_data.pct !== undefined) {
-            this.progress = data.progress_data;
+          if (data.progress_data?.pct !== undefined) {
+            this.progress  = data.progress_data;
             this.buildLogs = data.progress_data.logs || [];
             if (this.logsExpanded && this.buildLogs.length) {
               this.$nextTick(() => {
@@ -563,7 +814,6 @@ function kgApp() {
             }
           }
 
-          // Start elapsed timer from server-reported created_at
           if (data.status === 'building' && data.created_at && !this._buildStartMs) {
             this._startElapsedTimer(new Date(data.created_at).getTime());
           }
@@ -586,10 +836,10 @@ function kgApp() {
       }, 2000);
     },
 
-    // ── CSRF helper ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    // ── CSRF helper ────────────────────────────────────────────────
     getCsrf() {
-      const cookie = document.cookie.split(';').find(c => c.trim().startsWith('csrftoken='));
-      return cookie ? cookie.trim().split('=')[1] : '';
+      const c = document.cookie.split(';').find(c => c.trim().startsWith('csrftoken='));
+      return c ? c.trim().split('=')[1] : '';
     },
   };
 }