diff --git a/publishing/brand.css b/publishing/brand.css
index 7ea9188..7d65ad5 100644
--- a/publishing/brand.css
+++ b/publishing/brand.css
@@ -200,9 +200,19 @@
   background-color: var(--green-mid);
   border-bottom: none;
 }
-.md-search__input {
+/* Search input: the white field is a light-mode choice only. In dark mode it
+ * read as light text on a light box — dark mode gets the chat overlay's page
+ * tone with light text instead (operator request 2026-11-09). */
+html:not([data-md-color-scheme="slate"]) .md-search__input {
   background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.92);
 }
+[data-md-color-scheme="slate"] .md-search__input {
+  background-color: var(--pine);
+  color: var(--dark-text);
+}
+[data-md-color-scheme="slate"] .md-search__input::placeholder {
+  color: var(--dark-muted);
+}
 
 /* Admonitions get the co-op's washes instead of stock greys. */
 .md-typeset .admonition,