diff --git a/src/cleveragents/tui/widgets/thought_block.py b/src/cleveragents/tui/widgets/thought_block.py
index 2174d1b78..a4f0adcc4 100644
--- a/src/cleveragents/tui/widgets/thought_block.py
+++ b/src/cleveragents/tui/widgets/thought_block.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class ThoughtBlockWidget(_StaticBase):
 
     DEFAULT_CSS = """
     ThoughtBlockWidget {
-        background: $primary 20%;
+        background: $primary-muted 20%;
         color: $text-muted;
         border: solid $primary 30%;
         padding: 0 1;