diff --git a/src/components/ConnectCallout.astro b/src/components/ConnectCallout.astro
index fb049d5..6585022 100644
--- a/src/components/ConnectCallout.astro
+++ b/src/components/ConnectCallout.astro
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ const LINES = {
     /* The sponsor-tint register: accent at a whisper over surface, not a fill. Kept flat
        (no gradient) so it never competes with PluginSubmitCTA, which is the louder invite
        and owns the gradient. `color-mix` keeps both themes correct from one declaration —
-       in dark, --color-surface is #141417 and the tint stays a tint. */
+       in dark, --color-surface is near-black and the tint stays a tint. */
     background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-accent) 8%, var(--color-surface));
   }
 
diff --git a/src/components/SiteHeader.astro b/src/components/SiteHeader.astro
index 382a9af..50f978b 100644
--- a/src/components/SiteHeader.astro
+++ b/src/components/SiteHeader.astro
@@ -432,7 +432,7 @@ const utility = [
     border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
     background: var(--color-surface);
     /* the one place the header floats over content — it needs to read as a layer */
-    box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.12);
+    box-shadow: var(--shadow-float);
   }
   .navMore__link {
     display: flex;
diff --git a/src/styles/tokens.css b/src/styles/tokens.css
index b73d14e..91f0d4a 100644
--- a/src/styles/tokens.css
+++ b/src/styles/tokens.css
@@ -83,6 +83,8 @@
   --radius-sm: 2px;
   --radius-none: 0;
   --shadow-none: none;
+  /* A surface that floats over content (the header's More menu). */
+  --shadow-float: 0 8px 24px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.12);
 }
 
 :root {