diff --git a/.console/log.md b/.console/log.md
index 236c6e5..b9ef782 100644
--- a/.console/log.md
+++ b/.console/log.md
@@ -126,3 +126,10 @@ truth; pre-push catches regressions before they hit GitHub.
 
 ## 2026-05-08 — CI fix: Direct URL pip install syntax
 
+
+## 2026-05-08 — A_BOLD on ERR + YLW for dark-terminal readability
+
+Plain red on dark background is nearly invisible on most terminals.
+Bolding both ERR and YLW promotes them to the bright variants — readable
+on dark + light alike.
+
diff --git a/src/operator_console/watcher_status_pane.py b/src/operator_console/watcher_status_pane.py
index 199c36f..a0dad12 100644
--- a/src/operator_console/watcher_status_pane.py
+++ b/src/operator_console/watcher_status_pane.py
@@ -1512,8 +1512,10 @@ def _pane(stdscr, profile_name: str) -> None:
         "DIM":  curses.color_pair(2) | curses.A_DIM,
         "HEAD": curses.color_pair(3),
         "SEL":  curses.color_pair(4),
-        "YLW":  curses.color_pair(5),
-        "ERR":  curses.color_pair(6),
+        # YLW + ERR get A_BOLD so they're bright on dark terminals —
+        # plain red on a dark background is nearly invisible.
+        "YLW":  curses.color_pair(5) | curses.A_BOLD,
+        "ERR":  curses.color_pair(6) | curses.A_BOLD,
         "BANNER_CRIT":    curses.color_pair(7),
         "BANNER_WARN":    curses.color_pair(8),
         "BANNER_HEALTHY": curses.color_pair(9),