diff --git a/backend/app/routers/admin.py b/backend/app/routers/admin.py
index 2ae2cbd..7413e68 100644
--- a/backend/app/routers/admin.py
+++ b/backend/app/routers/admin.py
@@ -168,6 +168,8 @@ async def update_settings(
 
     Accepts a JSON body with optional fields:
       - welcome_message: str
+      - default_video_format: str (auto, mp4, webm)
+      - default_audio_format: str (auto, mp3, m4a, flac, wav, opus)
     """
     body = await request.json()
 
@@ -188,4 +190,21 @@ async def update_settings(
         updated.append("welcome_message")
         logger.info("Admin updated welcome_message to: %s", msg[:80])
 
+    valid_video_formats = {"auto", "mp4", "webm"}
+    valid_audio_formats = {"auto", "mp3", "m4a", "flac", "wav", "opus"}
+
+    if "default_video_format" in body:
+        fmt = body["default_video_format"]
+        if fmt in valid_video_formats:
+            request.app.state.settings_overrides["default_video_format"] = fmt
+            updated.append("default_video_format")
+            logger.info("Admin updated default_video_format to: %s", fmt)
+
+    if "default_audio_format" in body:
+        fmt = body["default_audio_format"]
+        if fmt in valid_audio_formats:
+            request.app.state.settings_overrides["default_audio_format"] = fmt
+            updated.append("default_audio_format")
+            logger.info("Admin updated default_audio_format to: %s", fmt)
+
     return {"updated": updated, "status": "ok"}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/AppLayout.vue b/frontend/src/components/AppLayout.vue
index 6f4f684..715ca4a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/AppLayout.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/AppLayout.vue
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref } from 'vue'
+import { ref, computed } from 'vue'
+import { useThemeStore } from '@/stores/theme'
+import WireframeBackground from './WireframeBackground.vue'
+
+const themeStore = useThemeStore()
+const showWireframe = computed(() => themeStore.currentTheme === 'cyberpunk')
 
 type MobileTab = 'submit' | 'queue'
 const activeTab = ref<MobileTab>('submit')
@@ -7,6 +12,7 @@ const activeTab = ref<MobileTab>('submit')
 
 <template>
   <div class="app-layout">
+    <WireframeBackground v-if="showWireframe" />
     <!-- Desktop: single scrollable view -->
     <main class="layout-main">
       <!-- URL input section -->
@@ -58,6 +64,8 @@ const activeTab = ref<MobileTab>('submit')
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   gap: var(--space-xl);
+  position: relative;
+  z-index: 1;
 }
 
 .section-submit,
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/UrlInput.vue b/frontend/src/components/UrlInput.vue
index 6162e52..b0e1d7d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/UrlInput.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/UrlInput.vue
@@ -12,15 +12,42 @@ const configStore = useConfigStore()
 const url = ref('')
 const formats = ref<FormatInfo[]>([])
 const selectedFormatId = ref<string | null>(null)
-const isExtracting = ref(false)
 const extractError = ref<string | null>(null)
 const showOptions = ref(false)
 
 // URL preview state
 const urlInfo = ref<UrlInfo | null>(null)
-const isLoadingInfo = ref(false)
 const audioLocked = ref(false)  // true when source is audio-only
 
+// Unified loading state for URL check + format extraction
+const isAnalyzing = ref(false)
+const analyzePhase = ref<string>('')
+const phaseMessages = [
+  'Peeking at the URL…',
+  'Interrogating the server…',
+  'Decoding the matrix…',
+  'Sniffing out formats…',
+  'Almost there…',
+]
+let phaseTimer: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null
+
+function startAnalyzePhase(): void {
+  let idx = 0
+  analyzePhase.value = phaseMessages[0]
+  phaseTimer = setInterval(() => {
+    idx = Math.min(idx + 1, phaseMessages.length - 1)
+    analyzePhase.value = phaseMessages[idx]
+  }, 1500)
+}
+
+function stopAnalyzePhase(): void {
+  if (phaseTimer) {
+    clearInterval(phaseTimer)
+    phaseTimer = null
+  }
+  analyzePhase.value = ''
+}
+
 type MediaType = 'video' | 'audio'
 const mediaType = ref<MediaType>(
   (localStorage.getItem('mediarip:mediaType') as MediaType) || 'video'
@@ -92,7 +119,6 @@ async function extractFormats(): Promise<void> {
   const trimmed = url.value.trim()
   if (!trimmed) return
 
-  isExtracting.value = true
   extractError.value = null
   formats.value = []
   selectedFormatId.value = null
@@ -101,8 +127,6 @@ async function extractFormats(): Promise<void> {
     formats.value = await api.getFormats(trimmed)
   } catch (err: any) {
     extractError.value = err.message || 'Failed to extract formats'
-  } finally {
-    isExtracting.value = false
   }
 }
 
@@ -152,11 +176,17 @@ function onFormatSelect(formatId: string | null): void {
 }
 
 function handlePaste(): void {
-  // Auto-extract on paste (populate formats + URL info silently in background)
-  setTimeout(() => {
+  // Auto-extract on paste — unified loading state
+  setTimeout(async () => {
     if (url.value.trim()) {
-      extractFormats()
-      fetchUrlInfo()
+      isAnalyzing.value = true
+      startAnalyzePhase()
+      try {
+        await Promise.all([extractFormats(), fetchUrlInfo()])
+      } finally {
+        isAnalyzing.value = false
+        stopAnalyzePhase()
+      }
     }
   }, 50)
 }
@@ -164,7 +194,6 @@ function handlePaste(): void {
 async function fetchUrlInfo(): Promise<void> {
   const trimmed = url.value.trim()
   if (!trimmed) return
-  isLoadingInfo.value = true
   urlInfo.value = null
   audioLocked.value = false
   selectedEntries.value = new Set()
@@ -183,8 +212,6 @@ async function fetchUrlInfo(): Promise<void> {
     }
   } catch {
     // Non-critical — preview is optional
-  } finally {
-    isLoadingInfo.value = false
   }
 }
 
@@ -222,7 +249,7 @@ function formatDuration(seconds: number | null): string {
 function toggleOptions(): void {
   showOptions.value = !showOptions.value
   // Extract formats when opening options if we haven't yet
-  if (showOptions.value && !formatsReady.value && url.value.trim() && !isExtracting.value) {
+  if (showOptions.value && !formatsReady.value && url.value.trim() && !isAnalyzing.value) {
     extractFormats()
   }
 }
@@ -258,7 +285,7 @@ function formatTooltip(fmt: string): string {
       class="url-field"
       @paste="handlePaste"
       @keydown.enter="submitDownload"
-      :disabled="isExtracting || store.isSubmitting"
+      :disabled="isAnalyzing || store.isSubmitting"
     />
 
     <!-- Action row: gear, media toggle, download button -->
@@ -304,9 +331,10 @@ function formatTooltip(fmt: string): string {
       </button>
     </div>
 
-    <div v-if="isLoadingInfo" class="url-preview loading">
+    <!-- Unified analyzing state -->
+    <div v-if="isAnalyzing" class="url-preview loading">
       <span class="spinner"></span>
-      Checking URL…
+      {{ analyzePhase }}
     </div>
 
     <!-- URL preview: show what will be downloaded -->
@@ -350,11 +378,6 @@ function formatTooltip(fmt: string): string {
       </div>
     </div>
 
-    <div v-if="isExtracting" class="extract-loading">
-      <span class="spinner"></span>
-      Extracting available formats…
-    </div>
-
     <div v-if="extractError" class="extract-error">
       {{ extractError }}
     </div>
@@ -390,7 +413,7 @@ function formatTooltip(fmt: string): string {
           :media-type="mediaType"
           @select="onFormatSelect"
         />
-        <div v-else-if="!isExtracting" class="options-hint">
+        <div v-else-if="!isAnalyzing" class="options-hint">
           Paste a URL and formats will load automatically.
         </div>
       </div>
@@ -505,15 +528,6 @@ button:disabled {
 }
 
 /* Loading / errors */
-.extract-loading {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  gap: var(--space-sm);
-  color: var(--color-text-muted);
-  font-size: var(--font-size-sm);
-  padding: var(--space-sm);
-}
-
 .spinner {
   display: inline-block;
   width: 16px;
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/WireframeBackground.vue b/frontend/src/components/WireframeBackground.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f07337c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/WireframeBackground.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+<script setup lang="ts">
+/**
+ * WireframeBackground — animated constellation/wireframe canvas.
+ *
+ * Floating nodes drift slowly, connected by fading lines when
+ * within proximity. Purely decorative, pointer-events: none.
+ *
+ * Performance: ~40 nodes, 60fps via requestAnimationFrame,
+ * resolution-aware (respects devicePixelRatio), pauses when
+ * tab is hidden. Typical GPU: <1% usage.
+ */
+import { ref, onMounted, onUnmounted, watch } from 'vue'
+import { useThemeStore } from '@/stores/theme'
+
+const canvas = ref<HTMLCanvasElement | null>(null)
+const themeStore = useThemeStore()
+
+interface Node {
+  x: number
+  y: number
+  vx: number
+  vy: number
+  radius: number
+  pulseOffset: number
+}
+
+const NODE_COUNT = 45
+const CONNECTION_DISTANCE = 180
+const NODE_SPEED = 0.3
+const LINE_OPACITY = 0.12
+const NODE_OPACITY = 0.25
+
+let nodes: Node[] = []
+let animFrame = 0
+let ctx: CanvasRenderingContext2D | null = null
+let w = 0
+let h = 0
+let dpr = 1
+
+function initNodes(): void {
+  nodes = []
+  for (let i = 0; i < NODE_COUNT; i++) {
+    nodes.push({
+      x: Math.random() * w,
+      y: Math.random() * h,
+      vx: (Math.random() - 0.5) * NODE_SPEED,
+      vy: (Math.random() - 0.5) * NODE_SPEED,
+      radius: 1 + Math.random() * 1.5,
+      pulseOffset: Math.random() * Math.PI * 2,
+    })
+  }
+}
+
+function resize(): void {
+  if (!canvas.value) return
+  dpr = window.devicePixelRatio || 1
+  w = window.innerWidth
+  h = window.innerHeight
+  canvas.value.width = w * dpr
+  canvas.value.height = h * dpr
+  canvas.value.style.width = w + 'px'
+  canvas.value.style.height = h + 'px'
+  ctx = canvas.value.getContext('2d')
+  if (ctx) ctx.scale(dpr, dpr)
+}
+
+function draw(time: number): void {
+  if (!ctx) return
+
+  ctx.clearRect(0, 0, w, h)
+
+  // Theme colors
+  const isCyberpunk = themeStore.currentTheme === 'cyberpunk'
+  const primaryR = isCyberpunk ? 0 : 100
+  const primaryG = isCyberpunk ? 168 : 100
+  const primaryB = isCyberpunk ? 255 : 100
+  const accentR = isCyberpunk ? 255 : 150
+  const accentG = isCyberpunk ? 107 : 150
+  const accentB = isCyberpunk ? 43 : 150
+
+  // Update positions
+  for (const node of nodes) {
+    node.x += node.vx
+    node.y += node.vy
+
+    // Wrap around edges with padding
+    if (node.x < -20) node.x = w + 20
+    if (node.x > w + 20) node.x = -20
+    if (node.y < -20) node.y = h + 20
+    if (node.y > h + 20) node.y = -20
+  }
+
+  // Draw connections
+  for (let i = 0; i < nodes.length; i++) {
+    for (let j = i + 1; j < nodes.length; j++) {
+      const dx = nodes[i].x - nodes[j].x
+      const dy = nodes[i].y - nodes[j].y
+      const dist = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy)
+
+      if (dist < CONNECTION_DISTANCE) {
+        const alpha = (1 - dist / CONNECTION_DISTANCE) * LINE_OPACITY
+        // Alternate between primary and accent color for some lines
+        const useAccent = (i + j) % 7 === 0
+        const r = useAccent ? accentR : primaryR
+        const g = useAccent ? accentG : primaryG
+        const b = useAccent ? accentB : primaryB
+
+        ctx.beginPath()
+        ctx.moveTo(nodes[i].x, nodes[i].y)
+        ctx.lineTo(nodes[j].x, nodes[j].y)
+        ctx.strokeStyle = `rgba(${r},${g},${b},${alpha})`
+        ctx.lineWidth = 0.5
+        ctx.stroke()
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Draw nodes with subtle pulse
+  const pulse = Math.sin(time * 0.001) * 0.5 + 0.5
+  for (const node of nodes) {
+    const nodePulse = Math.sin(time * 0.002 + node.pulseOffset) * 0.3 + 0.7
+    const r = node.radius * nodePulse
+
+    ctx.beginPath()
+    ctx.arc(node.x, node.y, r, 0, Math.PI * 2)
+    ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(${primaryR},${primaryG},${primaryB},${NODE_OPACITY * nodePulse})`
+    ctx.fill()
+
+    // Occasional glow on some nodes
+    if (node.pulseOffset > 5) {
+      const glowAlpha = pulse * 0.08
+      ctx.beginPath()
+      ctx.arc(node.x, node.y, r * 4, 0, Math.PI * 2)
+      ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(${primaryR},${primaryG},${primaryB},${glowAlpha})`
+      ctx.fill()
+    }
+  }
+
+  animFrame = requestAnimationFrame(draw)
+}
+
+function handleVisibility(): void {
+  if (document.hidden) {
+    cancelAnimationFrame(animFrame)
+  } else {
+    animFrame = requestAnimationFrame(draw)
+  }
+}
+
+onMounted(() => {
+  resize()
+  initNodes()
+  animFrame = requestAnimationFrame(draw)
+  window.addEventListener('resize', resize)
+  document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', handleVisibility)
+})
+
+onUnmounted(() => {
+  cancelAnimationFrame(animFrame)
+  window.removeEventListener('resize', resize)
+  document.removeEventListener('visibilitychange', handleVisibility)
+})
+
+// Re-init if theme changes (colors update automatically in draw)
+watch(() => themeStore.currentTheme, () => {
+  // No action needed — draw() reads theme each frame
+})
+</script>
+
+<template>
+  <canvas ref="canvas" class="wireframe-bg" aria-hidden="true" />
+</template>
+
+<style scoped>
+.wireframe-bg {
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 0;
+  pointer-events: none;
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/themes/cyberpunk.css b/frontend/src/themes/cyberpunk.css
index 9810af2..f1150fb 100644
--- a/frontend/src/themes/cyberpunk.css
+++ b/frontend/src/themes/cyberpunk.css
@@ -79,50 +79,3 @@
   --shadow-lg: 0 8px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
   --shadow-glow: 0 0 20px rgba(0, 168, 255, 0.15);
 }
-
-/* Animated geometric background — cyberpunk only */
-:root[data-theme="cyberpunk"] body::after {
-  background:
-    /* Diagonal lines moving slowly */
-    repeating-linear-gradient(
-      45deg,
-      transparent,
-      transparent 60px,
-      rgba(0, 168, 255, 0.015) 60px,
-      rgba(0, 168, 255, 0.015) 61px
-    ),
-    repeating-linear-gradient(
-      -45deg,
-      transparent,
-      transparent 80px,
-      rgba(255, 107, 43, 0.01) 80px,
-      rgba(255, 107, 43, 0.01) 81px
-    ),
-    /* Base grid */
-    linear-gradient(rgba(0, 168, 255, 0.025) 1px, transparent 1px),
-    linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0, 168, 255, 0.025) 1px, transparent 1px);
-  background-size: 200px 200px, 240px 240px, 32px 32px, 32px 32px;
-  animation: grid-drift 60s linear infinite;
-}
-
-@keyframes grid-drift {
-  0% {
-    background-position: 0 0, 0 0, 0 0, 0 0;
-  }
-  100% {
-    background-position: 200px 200px, -240px 240px, 32px 32px, 32px 32px;
-  }
-}
-
-/* Subtle pulsing glow dot at intersections — extra depth */
-:root[data-theme="cyberpunk"] body {
-  background-image:
-    radial-gradient(circle at 50% 50%, rgba(0, 168, 255, 0.04) 0%, transparent 70%);
-  background-size: 100% 100%;
-  animation: bg-pulse 8s ease-in-out infinite alternate;
-}
-
-@keyframes bg-pulse {
-  0% { background-size: 100% 100%; }
-  100% { background-size: 120% 120%; }
-}