diff --git a/src/views/ProfileView.vue b/src/views/ProfileView.vue
index 9072288..2392359 100644
--- a/src/views/ProfileView.vue
+++ b/src/views/ProfileView.vue
@@ -1,31 +1,88 @@
 <script setup>
+import { ref, onUnmounted } from 'vue'
 import DashboardLayout from '../layouts/DashboardLayout.vue'
 
+// ── Cover background ─────────────────────────────────────────
+const coverInputRef   = ref(null)
+const coverAppliedUrl = ref(null)   // committed
+const coverStagedUrl  = ref(null)   // pending preview
+
+function onCoverPicked(e) {
+  const file = e.target.files[0]
+  if (!file) return
+  if (coverStagedUrl.value) URL.revokeObjectURL(coverStagedUrl.value)
+  coverStagedUrl.value = URL.createObjectURL(file)
+  e.target.value = ''
+}
+
+function applyCover() {
+  if (coverAppliedUrl.value) URL.revokeObjectURL(coverAppliedUrl.value)
+  coverAppliedUrl.value = coverStagedUrl.value
+  coverStagedUrl.value  = null
+}
+
+function cancelCover() {
+  if (coverStagedUrl.value) URL.revokeObjectURL(coverStagedUrl.value)
+  coverStagedUrl.value = null
+}
+
+// ── Avatar ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+const avatarInputRef   = ref(null)
+const avatarAppliedUrl = ref(null)
+const avatarStagedUrl  = ref(null)
+
+function onAvatarPicked(e) {
+  const file = e.target.files[0]
+  if (!file) return
+  if (avatarStagedUrl.value) URL.revokeObjectURL(avatarStagedUrl.value)
+  avatarStagedUrl.value = URL.createObjectURL(file)
+  e.target.value = ''
+}
+
+function applyAvatar() {
+  if (avatarAppliedUrl.value) URL.revokeObjectURL(avatarAppliedUrl.value)
+  avatarAppliedUrl.value = avatarStagedUrl.value
+  avatarStagedUrl.value  = null
+}
+
+function cancelAvatar() {
+  if (avatarStagedUrl.value) URL.revokeObjectURL(avatarStagedUrl.value)
+  avatarStagedUrl.value = null
+}
+
+onUnmounted(() => {
+  if (coverStagedUrl.value)  URL.revokeObjectURL(coverStagedUrl.value)
+  if (coverAppliedUrl.value) URL.revokeObjectURL(coverAppliedUrl.value)
+  if (avatarStagedUrl.value) URL.revokeObjectURL(avatarStagedUrl.value)
+  if (avatarAppliedUrl.value)URL.revokeObjectURL(avatarAppliedUrl.value)
+})
+
+// ── Static data ───────────────────────────────────────────────
 const stats = [
   { label: 'Followers', value: '4,812' },
   { label: 'Following', value: '294' },
-  { label: 'Projects', value: '32' },
+  { label: 'Projects',  value: '32' },
 ]
 
 const socials = [
-  { icon: 'facebook',  color: 'text-blue-600',  label: 'Facebook' },
-  { icon: 'twitter',   color: 'text-sky-500',   label: 'Twitter' },
-  { icon: 'instagram', color: 'text-pink-500',  label: 'Instagram' },
+  { icon: 'facebook',  color: 'text-blue-600', label: 'Facebook' },
+  { icon: 'twitter',   color: 'text-sky-500',  label: 'Twitter' },
+  { icon: 'instagram', color: 'text-pink-500', label: 'Instagram' },
 ]
 
 const conversations = [
-  { initials: 'OP', color: 'primary',   name: 'Olivia Park',    preview: 'Hey, I loved the new component library!', time: '5m' },
-  { initials: 'JD', color: 'info',      name: 'James Donovan',  preview: 'Can you review my PR when you get a chance?', time: '22m' },
-  { initials: 'SR', color: 'success',   name: 'Sofia Reyes',    preview: 'The design tokens look great in production.', time: '1h' },
-  { initials: 'ML', color: 'warning',   name: 'Marco Lin',      preview: 'Pushed the icon fix — all shadows resolved.', time: '3h' },
-  { initials: 'AM', color: 'secondary', name: 'Ally Maria',     preview: 'Updated the font preload entries in index.html.', time: '1d' },
+  { initials: 'OP', color: 'primary',   name: 'Olivia Park',   preview: 'Hey, I loved the new component library!',        time: '5m' },
+  { initials: 'JD', color: 'info',      name: 'James Donovan', preview: 'Can you review my PR when you get a chance?',    time: '22m' },
+  { initials: 'SR', color: 'success',   name: 'Sofia Reyes',   preview: 'The design tokens look great in production.',    time: '1h' },
+  { initials: 'ML', color: 'warning',   name: 'Marco Lin',     preview: 'Pushed the icon fix — all shadows resolved.',    time: '3h' },
+  { initials: 'AM', color: 'secondary', name: 'Ally Maria',    preview: 'Updated the font preload entries in index.html.',time: '1d' },
 ]
 
 const projects = [
-  { name: 'MK Design System',  role: 'Lead',        gradient: 'primary', members: ['PC', 'JD', 'SR'] },
-  { name: 'Dashboard Rework',  role: 'Contributor', gradient: 'info',    members: ['ML', 'AM'] },
-  { name: 'Icon Library',      role: 'Owner',       gradient: 'success', members: ['OP', 'JD'] },
-  { name: 'Typography Scale',  role: 'Reviewer',    gradient: 'warning', members: ['SR', 'ML', 'PC'] },
+  { name: 'MK Design System', role: 'Lead',        gradient: 'primary', members: ['PC', 'JD', 'SR'] },
+  { name: 'Dashboard Rework', role: 'Contributor', gradient: 'info',    members: ['ML', 'AM'] },
+  { name: 'Icon Library',     role: 'Owner',       gradient: 'success', members: ['OP', 'JD'] },
+  { name: 'Typography Scale', role: 'Reviewer',    gradient: 'warning', members: ['SR', 'ML', 'PC'] },
 ]
 
 const memberColor = { PC: 'primary', JD: 'info', SR: 'success', ML: 'warning', AM: 'secondary', OP: 'danger' }
@@ -34,37 +91,131 @@ const memberColor = { PC: 'primary', JD: 'info', SR: 'success', ML: 'warning', A
 <template>
   <DashboardLayout>
 
-    <!-- Cover + avatar -->
-    <div class="relative mb-20">
-      <div class="h-48 overflow-hidden rounded-2xl bg-gradient-dark shadow-dark">
-        <!-- Decorative grid -->
-        <svg class="h-full w-full opacity-10" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
-          <defs>
-            <pattern id="pgrid" width="40" height="40" patternUnits="userSpaceOnUse">
-              <path d="M 40 0 L 0 0 0 40" fill="none" stroke="white" stroke-width="0.5"/>
-            </pattern>
-          </defs>
-          <rect width="100%" height="100%" fill="url(#pgrid)" />
-        </svg>
+    <!-- Hidden file inputs -->
+    <input ref="coverInputRef"  type="file" accept="image/*" class="hidden" @change="onCoverPicked" />
+    <input ref="avatarInputRef" type="file" accept="image/*" class="hidden" @change="onAvatarPicked" />
+
+    <!-- ── Cover + avatar ── -->
+    <div class="relative mb-16">
+
+      <!-- Cover -->
+      <div class="group relative h-48 overflow-hidden rounded-2xl bg-gradient-dark shadow-dark">
+
+        <!-- Background: applied image or default gradient+grid -->
+        <template v-if="coverStagedUrl || coverAppliedUrl">
+          <img
+            :src="coverStagedUrl ?? coverAppliedUrl"
+            class="h-full w-full object-cover"
+            alt="Cover preview"
+          />
+          <!-- dim overlay so controls stay readable -->
+          <div class="absolute inset-0 bg-black/20" />
+        </template>
+        <template v-else>
+          <svg class="h-full w-full opacity-10" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
+            <defs>
+              <pattern id="pgrid" width="40" height="40" patternUnits="userSpaceOnUse">
+                <path d="M 40 0 L 0 0 0 40" fill="none" stroke="white" stroke-width="0.5"/>
+              </pattern>
+            </defs>
+            <rect width="100%" height="100%" fill="url(#pgrid)" />
+          </svg>
+        </template>
+
+        <!-- Change bg button — top-right, always accessible -->
+        <button
+          class="absolute right-3 top-3 flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-lg bg-black/40 px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-white opacity-0 backdrop-blur-sm transition-opacity group-hover:opacity-100"
+          @click="coverInputRef.click()"
+        >
+          <span class="material-icons text-sm leading-none">image</span>
+          Change bg
+        </button>
+
+        <!-- Apply / Cancel strip — bottom of cover, only when staged -->
+        <Transition name="strip">
+          <div
+            v-if="coverStagedUrl"
+            class="absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 flex items-center justify-end gap-2 bg-black/50 px-4 py-2.5 backdrop-blur-sm"
+          >
+            <span class="mr-auto text-xs text-white/70">New background staged</span>
+            <button
+              class="rounded-lg px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-white/70 hover:text-white transition-colors"
+              @click="cancelCover"
+            >
+              Cancel
+            </button>
+            <button
+              class="rounded-lg bg-gradient-primary px-4 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium text-white shadow-primary"
+              @click="applyCover"
+            >
+              Apply
+            </button>
+          </div>
+        </Transition>
       </div>
 
       <!-- Avatar -->
-      <div class="absolute -bottom-14 left-8 flex h-28 w-28 items-center justify-center rounded-2xl bg-gradient-primary text-4xl font-bold text-white shadow-primary ring-4 ring-white">
-        EC
+      <div class="absolute -bottom-14 left-8">
+        <div class="group/av relative h-28 w-28">
+
+          <!-- Avatar display: photo or initials -->
+          <div
+            class="h-28 w-28 overflow-hidden rounded-2xl ring-4 ring-white shadow-primary"
+            :class="avatarAppliedUrl || avatarStagedUrl ? '' : 'bg-gradient-primary'"
+          >
+            <img
+              v-if="avatarStagedUrl || avatarAppliedUrl"
+              :src="avatarStagedUrl ?? avatarAppliedUrl"
+              class="h-full w-full object-cover"
+              alt="Avatar preview"
+            />
+            <div v-else class="flex h-full w-full items-center justify-center text-4xl font-bold text-white">
+              EC
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
+          <!-- Change photo overlay — appears on avatar hover -->
+          <button
+            class="absolute inset-0 flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1 rounded-2xl bg-black/50 opacity-0 transition-opacity group-hover/av:opacity-100"
+            @click="avatarInputRef.click()"
+          >
+            <span class="material-icons text-xl text-white">photo_camera</span>
+            <span class="text-xs font-medium text-white">Change</span>
+          </button>
+        </div>
       </div>
     </div>
 
+    <!-- Avatar Apply / Cancel — sits just below the avatar -->
+    <Transition name="slide-down">
+      <div v-if="avatarStagedUrl" class="mb-4 flex items-center gap-2 pl-8">
+        <span class="text-xs text-secondary">New photo staged</span>
+        <button
+          class="rounded-lg border border-gray-200 px-3 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-secondary hover:text-dark transition-colors"
+          @click="cancelAvatar"
+        >
+          Cancel
+        </button>
+        <button
+          class="rounded-lg bg-gradient-primary px-4 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-white shadow-primary"
+          @click="applyAvatar"
+        >
+          Apply
+        </button>
+      </div>
+      <div v-else class="mb-4 h-7" />
+    </Transition>
+
+    <!-- ── Main grid ── -->
     <div class="grid gap-6 lg:grid-cols-3">
 
       <!-- Left column -->
       <div class="space-y-6">
 
-        <!-- Identity card -->
         <div class="rounded-2xl bg-white p-6 shadow-soft-md">
           <h4 class="text-xl font-bold text-dark">Esthera Carter</h4>
           <p class="mt-0.5 text-sm text-secondary">Lead Designer · San Francisco, CA</p>
 
-          <!-- Stats -->
           <div class="mt-5 grid grid-cols-3 divide-x divide-gray-100 rounded-xl border border-gray-100">
             <div v-for="s in stats" :key="s.label" class="flex flex-col items-center py-3">
               <span class="text-lg font-bold text-dark">{{ s.value }}</span>
@@ -72,13 +223,11 @@ const memberColor = { PC: 'primary', JD: 'info', SR: 'success', ML: 'warning', A
             </div>
           </div>
 
-          <!-- Bio -->
           <p class="mt-5 text-sm leading-relaxed text-secondary">
             Building design systems and component libraries. Obsessed with typography,
             spacing, and making sure every pixel is intentional.
           </p>
 
-          <!-- Socials -->
           <div class="mt-5 flex items-center gap-3">
             <a
               v-for="s in socials"
@@ -92,14 +241,13 @@ const memberColor = { PC: 'primary', JD: 'info', SR: 'success', ML: 'warning', A
           </div>
         </div>
 
-        <!-- Conversations -->
         <div class="rounded-2xl bg-white p-6 shadow-soft-md">
           <h6 class="mb-4 text-sm font-bold text-dark">Conversations</h6>
           <div class="space-y-4">
             <div
               v-for="c in conversations"
               :key="c.name"
-              class="flex items-start gap-3 cursor-pointer group"
+              class="group flex cursor-pointer items-start gap-3"
             >
               <div
                 class="flex h-9 w-9 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-xl text-xs font-bold text-white"
@@ -107,9 +255,9 @@ const memberColor = { PC: 'primary', JD: 'info', SR: 'success', ML: 'warning', A
               >
                 {{ c.initials }}
               </div>
-              <div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
-                <p class="text-sm font-medium text-dark group-hover:text-primary transition-colors">{{ c.name }}</p>
-                <p class="text-xs text-secondary truncate">{{ c.preview }}</p>
+              <div class="min-w-0 flex-1">
+                <p class="text-sm font-medium text-dark transition-colors group-hover:text-primary">{{ c.name }}</p>
+                <p class="truncate text-xs text-secondary">{{ c.preview }}</p>
               </div>
               <span class="shrink-0 text-xs text-secondary">{{ c.time }}</span>
             </div>
@@ -121,7 +269,6 @@ const memberColor = { PC: 'primary', JD: 'info', SR: 'success', ML: 'warning', A
       <!-- Right column -->
       <div class="space-y-6 lg:col-span-2">
 
-        <!-- Projects -->
         <div class="rounded-2xl bg-white p-6 shadow-soft-md">
           <div class="mb-4 flex items-center justify-between">
             <h6 class="text-sm font-bold text-dark">Projects</h6>
@@ -136,9 +283,7 @@ const memberColor = { PC: 'primary', JD: 'info', SR: 'success', ML: 'warning', A
               :key="p.name"
               class="group relative overflow-hidden rounded-xl border border-gray-100 p-4 transition-shadow hover:shadow-soft-md"
             >
-              <!-- Gradient accent bar -->
               <div class="absolute left-0 top-0 h-full w-1 rounded-l-xl" :class="`bg-gradient-${p.gradient}`" />
-
               <div class="pl-3">
                 <div class="flex items-start justify-between">
                   <div>
@@ -154,19 +299,15 @@ const memberColor = { PC: 'primary', JD: 'info', SR: 'success', ML: 'warning', A
                     <span class="material-icons text-base leading-none">more_vert</span>
                   </button>
                 </div>
-
-                <!-- Member avatars -->
-                <div class="mt-3 flex items-center">
-                  <div class="flex -space-x-2">
-                    <div
-                      v-for="m in p.members"
-                      :key="m"
-                      class="flex h-7 w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-lg text-xs font-bold text-white ring-2 ring-white"
-                      :class="`bg-gradient-${memberColor[m]} shadow-${memberColor[m]}`"
-                      :title="m"
-                    >
-                      {{ m }}
-                    </div>
+                <div class="mt-3 flex -space-x-2">
+                  <div
+                    v-for="m in p.members"
+                    :key="m"
+                    class="flex h-7 w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-lg text-xs font-bold text-white ring-2 ring-white"
+                    :class="`bg-gradient-${memberColor[m]} shadow-${memberColor[m]}`"
+                    :title="m"
+                  >
+                    {{ m }}
                   </div>
                 </div>
               </div>
@@ -174,7 +315,6 @@ const memberColor = { PC: 'primary', JD: 'info', SR: 'success', ML: 'warning', A
           </div>
         </div>
 
-        <!-- Settings -->
         <div class="rounded-2xl bg-white p-6 shadow-soft-md">
           <h6 class="mb-5 text-sm font-bold text-dark">Profile Settings</h6>
           <div class="space-y-4">
@@ -182,50 +322,31 @@ const memberColor = { PC: 'primary', JD: 'info', SR: 'success', ML: 'warning', A
             <div class="grid gap-4 sm:grid-cols-2">
               <div>
                 <label class="mb-1 block text-xs font-medium text-secondary">First Name</label>
-                <input
-                  type="text"
-                  value="Esthera"
-                  class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-200 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-dark outline-none focus:border-primary focus:ring-1 focus:ring-primary transition-colors"
-                />
+                <input type="text" value="Esthera" class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-200 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-dark outline-none transition-colors focus:border-primary focus:ring-1 focus:ring-primary" />
               </div>
               <div>
                 <label class="mb-1 block text-xs font-medium text-secondary">Last Name</label>
-                <input
-                  type="text"
-                  value="Carter"
-                  class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-200 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-dark outline-none focus:border-primary focus:ring-1 focus:ring-primary transition-colors"
-                />
+                <input type="text" value="Carter" class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-200 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-dark outline-none transition-colors focus:border-primary focus:ring-1 focus:ring-primary" />
               </div>
             </div>
 
             <div>
               <label class="mb-1 block text-xs font-medium text-secondary">Email Address</label>
-              <input
-                type="email"
-                value="esthera@mkdesign.dev"
-                class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-200 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-dark outline-none focus:border-primary focus:ring-1 focus:ring-primary transition-colors"
-              />
+              <input type="email" value="esthera@mkdesign.dev" class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-200 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-dark outline-none transition-colors focus:border-primary focus:ring-1 focus:ring-primary" />
             </div>
 
             <div>
               <label class="mb-1 block text-xs font-medium text-secondary">Location</label>
-              <input
-                type="text"
-                value="San Francisco, CA"
-                class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-200 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-dark outline-none focus:border-primary focus:ring-1 focus:ring-primary transition-colors"
-              />
+              <input type="text" value="San Francisco, CA" class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-200 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-dark outline-none transition-colors focus:border-primary focus:ring-1 focus:ring-primary" />
             </div>
 
             <div>
               <label class="mb-1 block text-xs font-medium text-secondary">Bio</label>
-              <textarea
-                rows="3"
-                class="w-full rounded-lg border border-gray-200 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-dark outline-none focus:border-primary focus:ring-1 focus:ring-primary transition-colors resize-none"
-              >Building design systems and component libraries. Obsessed with typography, spacing, and making sure every pixel is intentional.</textarea>
+              <textarea rows="3" class="w-full resize-none rounded-lg border border-gray-200 px-3 py-2 text-sm text-dark outline-none transition-colors focus:border-primary focus:ring-1 focus:ring-primary">Building design systems and component libraries. Obsessed with typography, spacing, and making sure every pixel is intentional.</textarea>
             </div>
 
             <div class="flex justify-end">
-              <button class="rounded-lg bg-gradient-primary px-6 py-2.5 text-sm font-medium text-white shadow-primary hover:shadow-soft-md transition-shadow">
+              <button class="rounded-lg bg-gradient-primary px-6 py-2.5 text-sm font-medium text-white shadow-primary transition-shadow hover:shadow-soft-md">
                 Save Changes
               </button>
             </div>
@@ -238,3 +359,30 @@ const memberColor = { PC: 'primary', JD: 'info', SR: 'success', ML: 'warning', A
 
   </DashboardLayout>
 </template>
+
+<style scoped>
+.strip-enter-active,
+.strip-leave-active {
+  transition: all 0.2s ease;
+}
+.strip-enter-from,
+.strip-leave-to {
+  opacity: 0;
+  transform: translateY(100%);
+}
+
+.slide-down-enter-active,
+.slide-down-leave-active {
+  transition: all 0.2s ease;
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+.slide-down-enter-from,
+.slide-down-leave-to {
+  opacity: 0;
+  max-height: 0;
+}
+.slide-down-enter-to,
+.slide-down-leave-from {
+  max-height: 4rem;
+}
+</style>