diff --git a/cmd/lard-client/main.go b/cmd/lard-client/main.go
index 7f27a3e..1f08f27 100644
--- a/cmd/lard-client/main.go
+++ b/cmd/lard-client/main.go
@@ -103,7 +103,6 @@ only has to re-authenticate.`,
 }
 
 func printConnected(cfg *client.Config) {
-	fmt.Println()
 	fmt.Printf("Connected to %s via %s.\n", ui.Link(cfg.URL, "lard-server"), cfg.AuthMode())
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/client/device.go b/internal/client/device.go
index ca663e3..ff04a38 100644
--- a/internal/client/device.go
+++ b/internal/client/device.go
@@ -226,5 +226,5 @@ func printDevicePrompt(auth *DeviceAuth, openBrowser bool) {
 	if auth.UserCode != "" {
 		fmt.Printf("Your code: %s\n", ui.Success(auth.UserCode))
 	}
-	fmt.Println(ui.Subtle("Waiting for you to authorize..."))
+	fmt.Println("Waiting for you to authorize...")
 }
diff --git a/internal/ui/styles.go b/internal/ui/styles.go
index 5b76dff..cd9ffea 100644
--- a/internal/ui/styles.go
+++ b/internal/ui/styles.go
@@ -22,7 +22,9 @@ func Success(s string) string {
 	return lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(charmtone.Julep).Render(s)
 }
 
-// Subtle formats text in a muted tone for secondary information.
+// Subtle formats text in a muted tone for secondary information. Faint
+// follows the terminal's own theme rather than fixing a gray that clashes
+// with both light and dark backgrounds.
 func Subtle(s string) string {
-	return lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(charmtone.Smoke).Render(s)
+	return lipgloss.NewStyle().Faint(true).Render(s)
 }