diff --git a/publishing/brand.css b/publishing/brand.css
index 2355f28..7ea9188 100644
--- a/publishing/brand.css
+++ b/publishing/brand.css
@@ -90,14 +90,13 @@
   --md-default-fg-color--lighter: #6f7a68;
   --md-default-fg-color--lightest: rgba(148, 160, 140, 0.12);
 
-  /* The header was an unreadably dark green. Green-mid with near-black pine
-   * text keeps the bar clearly green, clearly distinct from the page, and
-   * legible (measured below). */
-  --md-primary-fg-color: var(--green-mid);
-  --md-primary-fg-color--light: var(--green-light);
-  --md-primary-fg-color--dark: var(--green-deep);
-  --md-primary-bg-color: #16201a;
-  --md-primary-bg-color--light: rgba(22, 32, 26, 0.7);
+  /* Header bar now matches the chat overlay's dark menu: #171717 with white
+   * text (operator request 2026-11-09) — neutral dark, not green. */
+  --md-primary-fg-color: #171717;
+  --md-primary-fg-color--light: #171717;
+  --md-primary-fg-color--dark: #171717;
+  --md-primary-bg-color: #ffffff;
+  --md-primary-bg-color--light: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
 
   --md-accent-fg-color: var(--green-light);
   --md-typeset-a-color: var(--green-light);