Muted UI text fails WCAG AA contrast (sidebar links/labels at 4.47:1)

[nficano]

Summary

The --muted token (#756e62, inkwell-500) is used for docs sidebar child links, the LANGUAGE label, captions, and footer text on the #f5f1e8 paper background. It measures 4.47:1 — just under the 4.5:1 WCAG AA threshold for normal text, and weaker still at the 12px sizes it's used at. --faint (#9a9385) is far below AA and also lands on text.

Location(s)

• Site-wide: docs sidebar links/section labels, LANGUAGE label, home footer/captions/section kickers.
• Source: app/assets/css/main.css (--muted, --faint).

Severity

P2 — accessibility baseline gap.

Evidence

Sidebar child link + LANGUAGE label: computed color rgb(117,110,98) (#756e62)
Body background: rgb(245,241,232) (#f5f1e8)
→ contrast 4.47:1   (AA normal text needs 4.5:1)
LANGUAGE label renders at 12px → perceptually weaker than the ratio implies.

Suggested fix

• Darken --muted from #756e62 (inkwell-500) → #5a5448 (inkwell-600) ≈ 6.3:1.
• Reserve #756e62 for text ≥18px only; never apply --faint to body-size text.

Acceptance criteria

• All muted text meets ≥4.5:1 (or ≥3:1 only when ≥24px / 19px-bold)
• axe/Lighthouse contrast check passes on docs and home