diff --git a/src/components/ExperienceTimeline.vue b/src/components/ExperienceTimeline.vue
index 0ee1bc2..613fc8d 100644
--- a/src/components/ExperienceTimeline.vue
+++ b/src/components/ExperienceTimeline.vue
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ defineProps<{
 <template>
   <ol class="experience-timeline">
     <li v-for="record in experience" :key="record.id">
-      <article class="experience-record">
+      <article class="experience-record plate plate--record">
         <h3>{{ record.role }}</h3>
         <p class="experience-record__meta">{{ record.organization }} · {{ record.dates }}<template v-if="record.location"> · {{ record.location }}</template></p>
         <ul>
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ defineProps<{
     </li>
   </ol>
 
-  <article class="systems-operations">
+  <article class="systems-operations plate plate--panel">
     <h3>{{ systemsOperations.title }}</h3>
     <p>{{ systemsOperations.summary }}</p>
     <ul>
diff --git a/src/components/InfrastructureDiagram.vue b/src/components/InfrastructureDiagram.vue
index 3740573..b4e8ab7 100644
--- a/src/components/InfrastructureDiagram.vue
+++ b/src/components/InfrastructureDiagram.vue
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ defineProps<{ infrastructure: Readonly<InfrastructureCaseStudy> }>();
 </script>
 
 <template>
-  <article class="infrastructure-case">
+  <article class="infrastructure-case plate plate--panel">
     <h3 :id="`${infrastructure.id}-diagram-title`">
       {{ infrastructure.title }}
     </h3>
diff --git a/src/components/ProjectCard.vue b/src/components/ProjectCard.vue
index d60922d..c8ffd72 100644
--- a/src/components/ProjectCard.vue
+++ b/src/components/ProjectCard.vue
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ withDefaults(defineProps<{
 
 <template>
   <article
-    class="project-card"
+    class="project-card plate plate--panel"
     :data-project-id="project.id"
     :data-maturity="project.maturity"
     :data-media-layout="project.mediaLayout ?? 'none'"
diff --git a/src/components/ToolkitGrid.vue b/src/components/ToolkitGrid.vue
index db0e6e5..7d6cfb4 100644
--- a/src/components/ToolkitGrid.vue
+++ b/src/components/ToolkitGrid.vue
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ defineProps<{ groups: readonly ToolkitGroup[] }>();
 
 <template>
   <div class="toolkit-grid">
-    <section v-for="group in groups" :key="group.title" class="toolkit-group" :aria-labelledby="`${group.title}-heading`">
+    <section v-for="group in groups" :key="group.title" class="toolkit-group plate plate--grid" :aria-labelledby="`${group.title}-heading`">
       <h3 :id="`${group.title}-heading`">{{ group.title }}</h3>
       <ul class="toolkit-items">
         <li v-for="technology in group.technologies" :key="technology.name" class="toolkit-item" data-testid="toolkit-technology">
diff --git a/src/composables/useCardEntrances.ts b/src/composables/useCardEntrances.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a735aad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/composables/useCardEntrances.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import { onMounted, onUnmounted } from 'vue';
+
+/** Card entrances for browsers without scroll-driven animations (Firefox):
+ * each .plate gets data-entered once it reaches the reading window, and
+ * cards.css transitions it in. Browsers with view() timelines need nothing
+ * here, and reduced motion leaves cards still. */
+export function useCardEntrances(): void {
+  let observer: IntersectionObserver | undefined;
+  let stage: HTMLElement | null = null;
+  onMounted(() => {
+    if (typeof IntersectionObserver === 'undefined') return;
+    if (CSS.supports?.('animation-timeline: view()')) return;
+    if (window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches) return;
+    stage = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>('.reading-stage');
+    if (!stage) return;
+    const cards = stage.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>('.plate, .infrastructure-node');
+    observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries) => {
+      for (const entry of entries) {
+        if (!entry.isIntersecting) continue;
+        entry.target.setAttribute('data-entered', '');
+        observer?.unobserve(entry.target);
+      }
+    }, { rootMargin: '0px 0px -12% 0px' });
+    cards.forEach((card) => observer?.observe(card));
+    stage.setAttribute('data-entrances', '');
+  });
+  onUnmounted(() => {
+    observer?.disconnect();
+    stage?.removeAttribute('data-entrances');
+  });
+}
diff --git a/src/styles/cards.css b/src/styles/cards.css
index dede0e0..046f598 100644
--- a/src/styles/cards.css
+++ b/src/styles/cards.css
@@ -1,27 +1,42 @@
 /* ==========================================================================
    Round 5: one card rule, and the motion pass.
 
-   The rule: a chapter title sits outside, above its plate. Every card title
-   sits inside its card, first, under a mono registration plate in the
-   form "EXIT.N / KIND", the same plate the project cards already carry.
-   Plates are decorative and generated by CSS (alt text ''), so the server
-   and hydrated text stay identical and screen readers hear titles only.
+   The rule: a chapter title sits outside, above its plate. Every card is a
+   .plate and its title sits inside it, first, under a mono registration
+   plate in the form "EXIT.N / KIND", the same plate the project cards
+   already carry. Three variants:
+     .plate--panel   standalone cards: a lit top edge that runs on hover
+     .plate--record  timeline entries: they step along the route on hover
+     .plate--grid    toolkit groups: the same step, in a grid
+   Registration plates are decorative and generated by CSS (alt text ''),
+   so the server and hydrated text stay identical and screen readers hear
+   titles only.
 
-   Motion is transform, clip-path and colour only, never on the chapter
-   headings (journey and audio measure them), and only with
+   Motion tokens: arrivals ease out-expo, departures ease in-quart, colour
+   eases. 160 ms micro, 320 ms UI, 720 ms entrance, 900-1400 ms cinematic.
+   Transform, clip-path and colour only, never on the chapter headings
+   (journey and audio measure them), and only with
    prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference.
    ========================================================================== */
 
+:root {
+  --ease-arrive: cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);
+  --ease-depart: cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.75, 0);
+  --dur-micro: 160ms;
+  --dur-ui: 320ms;
+  --dur-entrance: 720ms;
+}
+
 /* ---------- Registration plates for the cards that lacked one ---------- */
 .experience-timeline { counter-reset: role; }
 .experience-timeline > li { counter-increment: role; }
 .toolkit-grid { counter-reset: stack; }
 .toolkit-group { counter-increment: stack; }
 
-.experience-record h3::before,
+.plate--record h3::before,
 .systems-operations h3::before,
 .infrastructure-case > h3::before,
-.toolkit-group h3::before {
+.plate--grid h3::before {
   display: block;
   inline-size: max-content;
   max-inline-size: 100%;
@@ -34,36 +49,29 @@
   letter-spacing: 0.14em;
   text-transform: uppercase;
 }
-.experience-record h3::before { content: '03.' counter(role) ' / Role' / ''; }
+.plate--record h3::before { content: '03.' counter(role) ' / Role' / ''; }
 .systems-operations h3::before { content: '03.S / Operations' / ''; }
 .infrastructure-case > h3::before { content: '04.1 / Platform' / ''; }
-.toolkit-group h3::before { content: '07.' counter(stack) ' / Stack' / ''; }
+.plate--grid h3::before { content: '07.' counter(stack) ' / Stack' / ''; }
 
 @media (forced-colors: active) {
-  .experience-record h3::before,
-  .systems-operations h3::before,
-  .infrastructure-case > h3::before,
-  .toolkit-group h3::before {
+  .plate h3::before {
     border-color: CanvasText;
     color: CanvasText;
   }
 }
 @media print {
-  .experience-record h3::before,
+  .plate--record h3::before,
   .systems-operations h3::before,
   .infrastructure-case > h3::before,
-  .toolkit-group h3::before { display: none; }
+  .plate--grid h3::before { display: none; }
 }
 
-/* ---------- Tailored cards ---------- */
-/* Project cards and the operations card are panels: a lit top edge in the
-   chapter accent, which the hover draws out across the card. */
-.project-card,
-.systems-operations {
+/* ---------- Panels: a lit top edge in the chapter accent ---------- */
+.plate {
   position: relative;
 }
-.project-card::after,
-.systems-operations::after {
+.plate--panel::after {
   content: '' / '';
   position: absolute;
   inset: 0 0 auto;
@@ -77,70 +85,73 @@
   transform: scaleX(0.34);
   transform-origin: left;
 }
+/* Keyboard focus inside a card reads the same as hover, plus an outline. */
+.plate:has(:focus-visible) {
+  outline: 2px solid var(--focus);
+  outline-offset: 4px;
+}
+.plate--panel:is(:hover, :has(:focus-visible))::after {
+  transform: scaleX(1);
+}
 @media (forced-colors: active) {
-  .project-card::after,
-  .systems-operations::after { display: none; }
+  .plate--panel::after { display: none; }
+  .plate:has(:focus-visible) { outline-color: Highlight; }
 }
 
 /* ---------- Motion ---------- */
 @media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
-  /* Hover and focus: cards lift, their accent edge runs across. */
-  .project-card,
-  .systems-operations,
-  .experience-record,
-  .toolkit-group {
+  .plate {
     transition:
-      transform 420ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1),
-      box-shadow 420ms ease;
+      transform var(--dur-ui) var(--ease-arrive),
+      box-shadow var(--dur-ui) ease;
   }
-  .project-card::after,
-  .systems-operations::after {
-    transition: transform 620ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);
+  .plate--panel::after {
+    transition: transform var(--dur-entrance) var(--ease-arrive);
   }
-  .project-card:is(:hover, :focus-within)::after,
-  .systems-operations:is(:hover, :focus-within)::after {
-    transform: scaleX(1);
-  }
-  .project-card:is(:hover, :focus-within),
-  .systems-operations:is(:hover, :focus-within) {
+  .plate--panel:is(:hover, :has(:focus-visible)) {
     transform: translateY(-4px);
     box-shadow: 0 22px 48px -24px color-mix(in srgb, var(--chapter-accent, var(--accent)) 55%, transparent);
   }
-  .experience-record:is(:hover, :focus-within),
-  .toolkit-group:is(:hover, :focus-within) {
+  .plate:is(.plate--record, .plate--grid):is(:hover, :has(:focus-visible)) {
     transform: translateX(6px);
   }
   .toolkit-item svg,
   .toolkit-item img {
-    transition: transform 320ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);
+    transition: transform var(--dur-micro) var(--ease-arrive);
   }
   .toolkit-item:hover svg,
   .toolkit-item:hover img {
     transform: translateY(-2px) scale(1.12);
   }
 
-  /* Card reveals: each card rises and unmasks as it enters the reading
-     window. Scroll-linked, so it can never lag behind the reader. */
+  /* Entrances animate translate, so the hover transform still composes.
+     Each plate rises 28 px and unmasks top-down as it enters
+     the reading window, scroll-linked so it can never lag the reader.
+     Browsers without view timelines get the same entrance from an
+     IntersectionObserver class (useCardEntrances). */
   @supports (animation-timeline: view()) {
-    .reading-stage .project-card,
-    .reading-stage .systems-operations,
-    .reading-stage .experience-record,
-    .reading-stage .toolkit-group,
+    .reading-stage .plate,
     .reading-stage .infrastructure-node {
-      animation: card-reveal linear both;
+      animation: plate-entrance linear both;
       animation-timeline: view();
       animation-range: entry 0% entry 55%;
     }
   }
-
-  /* Chapter transitions: the arriving chapter's plate sweeps a light edge
-     across and its first cards settle in sequence. */
-  .reading-stage .portfolio-section[data-current] .chapter-body > :is(p, dl, ul, .experience-timeline, .toolkit-grid) {
-    animation: chapter-settle 900ms cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1) both;
+  @supports not (animation-timeline: view()) {
+    .reading-stage[data-entrances] .plate:not([data-entered]),
+    .reading-stage[data-entrances] .infrastructure-node:not([data-entered]) {
+      translate: 0 28px;
+      clip-path: inset(0 0 100% 0);
+    }
+    .reading-stage[data-entrances] .plate[data-entered],
+    .reading-stage[data-entrances] .infrastructure-node[data-entered] {
+      transition:
+        translate var(--dur-entrance) var(--ease-arrive),
+        clip-path var(--dur-entrance) var(--ease-arrive),
+        transform var(--dur-ui) var(--ease-arrive),
+        box-shadow var(--dur-ui) ease;
+    }
   }
-  .reading-stage .portfolio-section[data-current] .chapter-body > :nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 90ms; }
-  .reading-stage .portfolio-section[data-current] .chapter-body > :nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 180ms; }
-  .reading-stage .portfolio-section[data-current] .chapter-body > :nth-child(n + 4) { animation-delay: 270ms; }
 
   /* The gantry's lane lamps light in sequence along the route. */
   html .site-navigation li:nth-child(2)::after { transition-delay: 40ms; }
@@ -152,17 +163,13 @@
   html .site-navigation li:nth-child(8)::after { transition-delay: 280ms; }
 }
 
-@keyframes card-reveal {
+@keyframes plate-entrance {
   from {
-    transform: translateY(36px);
-    clip-path: inset(0 0 22% 0);
+    translate: 0 28px;
+    clip-path: inset(0 0 100% 0);
   }
   to {
-    transform: none;
+    translate: none;
     clip-path: inset(-40px -40px -40px -40px);
   }
 }
-@keyframes chapter-settle {
-  from { transform: translateY(14px); }
-  to { transform: none; }
-}