diff --git a/cmd/wg-tui/main.go b/cmd/wg-tui/main.go
index 6df531f..b3d2b6d 100644
--- a/cmd/wg-tui/main.go
+++ b/cmd/wg-tui/main.go
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ type model struct {
 	previousScreen screens.Screen
 	quitting       bool
 	initialized    bool
+	errorScreen    *screens.ErrorScreen
 }
 
 func (m model) Init() tea.Cmd {
diff --git a/internal/tui/screens/add.go b/internal/tui/screens/add.go
index 892e1cf..7115e11 100644
--- a/internal/tui/screens/add.go
+++ b/internal/tui/screens/add.go
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ var (
 	addHelpStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
 			Foreground(lipgloss.Color("241")).
 			MarginTop(1)
+	loadingStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
+			Foreground(lipgloss.Color("62")).
+			Bold(true).
+			MarginTop(1)
 )
 
 // NewAddScreen creates a new add screen
@@ -71,14 +75,24 @@ func NewAddScreen() *AddScreen {
 		),
 	)
 
+	// Create spinner for loading states
+	s := spinner.New()
+	s.Spinner = spinner.Dot
+	s.Style = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(lipgloss.Color("62"))
+
 	return &AddScreen{
-		form:     form,
-		quitting: false,
+		form:       form,
+		quitting:   false,
+		spinner:    s,
+		isCreating: false,
 	}
 }
 
 // Init initializes the add screen
 func (s *AddScreen) Init() tea.Cmd {
+	if s.isCreating {
+		return s.spinner.Tick
+	}
 	return s.form.Init()
 }
 
@@ -90,11 +104,20 @@ func (s *AddScreen) Update(msg tea.Msg) (Screen, tea.Cmd) {
 	case tea.KeyMsg:
 		switch msg.String() {
 		case "q", "ctrl+c", "esc":
-			// Cancel and return to list
-			return nil, nil
+			// Cancel and return to list (only if not creating)
+			if !s.isCreating {
+				return nil, nil
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
+	// If creating, update spinner instead of form
+	if s.isCreating {
+		var cmd tea.Cmd
+		s.spinner, cmd = s.spinner.Update(msg)
+		return s, cmd
+	}
+
 	// Update the form
 	form, cmd := s.form.Update(msg)
 	if f, ok := form.(*huh.Form); ok {
@@ -108,6 +131,8 @@ func (s *AddScreen) Update(msg tea.Msg) (Screen, tea.Cmd) {
 		dns := s.form.GetString("dns")
 		usePSK := s.form.GetBool("use_psk")
 
+		// Set creating state and start spinner
+		s.isCreating = true
 		// Create the client
 		return s, s.createClient(name, dns, usePSK)
 	}
@@ -121,6 +146,16 @@ func (s *AddScreen) View() string {
 		return ""
 	}
 
+	if s.isCreating {
+		return loadingStyle.Render(
+			lipgloss.JoinVertical(
+				lipgloss.Left,
+				addTitleStyle.Render("Add New WireGuard Client"),
+				s.spinner.View()+" Creating client configuration, please wait...",
+			),
+		)
+	}
+
 	content := lipgloss.JoinVertical(
 		lipgloss.Left,
 		addTitleStyle.Render("Add New WireGuard Client"),
diff --git a/internal/tui/screens/detail.go b/internal/tui/screens/detail.go
index 91c62c5..f38b69e 100644
--- a/internal/tui/screens/detail.go
+++ b/internal/tui/screens/detail.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/calmcacil/wg-admin/internal/tui/components"
+	"github.com/calmcacil/wg-admin/internal/tui/theme"
 	"github.com/calmcacil/wg-admin/internal/wireguard"
 	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
 	"github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss"
@@ -25,33 +26,11 @@ type DetailScreen struct {
 
 // Styles
 var (
-	detailTitleStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
-				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("62")).
-				Bold(true)
-	detailSectionStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
-				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("241")).
-				Bold(true).
-				MarginTop(1)
-	detailLabelStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
-				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("241")).
-				Width(18)
-	detailValueStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
-				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("255"))
-	detailConnectedStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
-				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("46")).
-				Bold(true)
-	detailDisconnectedStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
-				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("196")).
-				Bold(true)
-	detailWarningStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
-				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("226")).
-				Bold(true)
-	detailHelpStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
-			Foreground(lipgloss.Color("63")).
-			MarginTop(1)
-	detailErrorStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
-				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("196")).
-				MarginTop(1)
+	detailTitleStyle   = lipgloss.NewStyle().Bold(true).MarginTop(0)
+	detailSectionStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Bold(true).MarginTop(1)
+	detailLabelStyle   = lipgloss.NewStyle().Width(18)
+	detailValueStyle   = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(lipgloss.Color("255"))
+	dimmedContentStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(lipgloss.Color("244"))
 )
 
 // NewDetailScreen creates a new detail screen for a client
diff --git a/internal/tui/screens/error.go b/internal/tui/screens/error.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..90975d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/tui/screens/error.go
@@ -0,0 +1,242 @@
+package screens
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/calmcacil/wg-admin/internal/tui/theme"
+	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
+	"github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss"
+)
+
+// ErrorScreen displays user-friendly error messages with recovery options
+type ErrorScreen struct {
+	err      error
+	friendly string
+	actions  []ErrorAction
+	quitting bool
+}
+
+// ErrorAction represents a recovery action
+type ErrorAction struct {
+	Key         string
+	Label       string
+	Description string
+}
+
+// NewErrorScreen creates a new error screen with mapped error information
+func NewErrorScreen(err error) *ErrorScreen {
+	screen := &ErrorScreen{
+		err:      err,
+		friendly: err.Error(), // Fallback to raw error
+		actions:  []ErrorAction{{Key: "enter", Label: "OK", Description: "Dismiss and return"}},
+		quitting: false,
+	}
+
+	// Map error to user-friendly message and recovery options
+	screen.mapError(err)
+
+	return screen
+}
+
+// Init initializes the error screen
+func (s *ErrorScreen) Init() tea.Cmd {
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Update handles messages for the error screen
+func (s *ErrorScreen) Update(msg tea.Msg) (Screen, tea.Cmd) {
+	switch msg := msg.(type) {
+	case tea.KeyMsg:
+		switch msg.String() {
+		case "q", "ctrl+c":
+			// Quit application
+			s.quitting = true
+			return s, tea.Quit
+		case "enter", "esc":
+			// Dismiss error screen
+			return nil, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return s, nil
+}
+
+// View renders the error screen
+func (s *ErrorScreen) View() string {
+	if s.quitting {
+		return ""
+	}
+
+	titleStyle := theme.StyleTitle.Copy().MarginBottom(1)
+	errorStyle := theme.StyleError.Copy().Bold(true)
+	msgStyle := theme.StyleSubtitle.Copy().MarginTop(1).MarginBottom(2)
+	actionTitleStyle := theme.StylePrimary.Copy().Bold(true).MarginTop(1)
+	actionStyle := theme.StyleMuted.Copy().MarginLeft(2)
+
+	// Build the error display
+	content := lipgloss.JoinVertical(
+		lipgloss.Left,
+		titleStyle.Render("Error Occurred"),
+		errorStyle.Render("⚠ "+s.friendly),
+		msgStyle.Render("Technical Details: "+s.err.Error()),
+	)
+
+	// Add recovery actions
+	if len(s.actions) > 1 {
+		content += "\n" + actionTitleStyle.Render("Recovery Options:")
+		for _, action := range s.actions {
+			key := theme.StyleHelpKey.Render("[" + action.Key + "]")
+			content += "\n" + actionStyle.Render(
+				lipgloss.JoinHorizontal(lipgloss.Left,
+					key+" ",
+					action.Label+" - "+action.Description,
+				),
+			)
+		}
+	}
+
+	content += "\n\n" + theme.StyleMuted.Render("Press Enter to dismiss • Press q to quit")
+
+	return lipgloss.NewStyle().
+		Padding(1, 2).
+		Border(lipgloss.RoundedBorder()).
+		BorderForeground(theme.GetCurrentTheme().Scheme.Error).
+		Render(content)
+}
+
+// mapError converts technical errors to user-friendly messages and recovery options
+func (s *ErrorScreen) mapError(err error) {
+	if err == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	errStr := strings.ToLower(err.Error())
+
+	// Permission errors
+	if strings.Contains(errStr, "permission") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "denied") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "operation not permitted") {
+		s.friendly = "Permission Denied"
+		s.actions = []ErrorAction{
+			{Key: "r", Label: "Run with sudo", Description: "Restart with elevated privileges"},
+			{Key: "enter", Label: "Dismiss", Description: "Return to previous screen"},
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// File not found errors
+	if strings.Contains(errStr, "no such file") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "file not found") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "does not exist") {
+		s.friendly = "Configuration File Missing"
+		s.actions = []ErrorAction{
+			{Key: "r", Label: "Restore", Description: "Restore from backup (if available)"},
+			{Key: "enter", Label: "Dismiss", Description: "Return to previous screen"},
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Client already exists errors
+	if strings.Contains(errStr, "already exists") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "duplicate") {
+		s.friendly = "Client Already Exists"
+		s.actions = []ErrorAction{
+			{Key: "n", Label: "New Name", Description: "Try a different client name"},
+			{Key: "enter", Label: "Dismiss", Description: "Return to previous screen"},
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// IP address exhaustion
+	if strings.Contains(errStr, "no available") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "exhausted") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "out of") {
+		s.friendly = "No Available IP Addresses"
+		s.actions = []ErrorAction{
+			{Key: "d", Label: "Delete Client", Description: "Remove an unused client to free IPs"},
+			{Key: "enter", Label: "Dismiss", Description: "Return to previous screen"},
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Config file parsing errors
+	if strings.Contains(errStr, "parse") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "invalid") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "malformed") {
+		s.friendly = "Invalid Configuration"
+		s.actions = []ErrorAction{
+			{Key: "r", Label: "Restore", Description: "Restore from backup"},
+			{Key: "m", Label: "Manual Fix", Description: "Edit configuration manually"},
+			{Key: "enter", Label: "Dismiss", Description: "Return to previous screen"},
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// WireGuard command failures
+	if strings.Contains(errStr, "wg genkey") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "wg pubkey") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "wg genpsk") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "wg set") {
+		s.friendly = "WireGuard Command Failed"
+		s.actions = []ErrorAction{
+			{Key: "i", Label: "Install WG", Description: "Ensure WireGuard is installed"},
+			{Key: "s", Label: "Check Service", Description: "Verify WireGuard service is running"},
+			{Key: "enter", Label: "Dismiss", Description: "Return to previous screen"},
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Network errors
+	if strings.Contains(errStr, "network") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "connection") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "timeout") {
+		s.friendly = "Network Error"
+		s.actions = []ErrorAction{
+			{Key: "r", Label: "Retry", Description: "Attempt the operation again"},
+			{Key: "c", Label: "Check Connection", Description: "Verify network connectivity"},
+			{Key: "enter", Label: "Dismiss", Description: "Return to previous screen"},
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Config directory not found
+	if strings.Contains(errStr, "config directory") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "wireguard") {
+		s.friendly = "WireGuard Not Configured"
+		s.actions = []ErrorAction{
+			{Key: "i", Label: "Install WireGuard", Description: "Set up WireGuard on this server"},
+			{Key: "enter", Label: "Dismiss", Description: "Return to previous screen"},
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// DNS validation errors
+	if strings.Contains(errStr, "dns") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "invalid address") {
+		s.friendly = "Invalid DNS Configuration"
+		s.actions = []ErrorAction{
+			{Key: "e", Label: "Edit DNS", Description: "Update DNS server settings"},
+			{Key: "d", Label: "Use Default", Description: "Use default DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4)"},
+			{Key: "enter", Label: "Dismiss", Description: "Return to previous screen"},
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Backup/restore errors
+	if strings.Contains(errStr, "backup") ||
+		strings.Contains(errStr, "restore") {
+		s.friendly = "Backup Operation Failed"
+		s.actions = []ErrorAction{
+			{Key: "r", Label: "Retry", Description: "Attempt backup/restore again"},
+			{Key: "c", Label: "Check Space", Description: "Verify disk space is available"},
+			{Key: "enter", Label: "Dismiss", Description: "Return to previous screen"},
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Default: generic error
+	s.friendly = "An Error Occurred"
+	s.actions = []ErrorAction{
+		{Key: "r", Label: "Retry", Description: "Attempt the operation again"},
+		{Key: "enter", Label: "Dismiss", Description: "Return to previous screen"},
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/tui/screens/list.go b/internal/tui/screens/list.go
index 5da740f..f551576 100644
--- a/internal/tui/screens/list.go
+++ b/internal/tui/screens/list.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package screens
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
@@ -135,17 +136,62 @@ func (s *ListScreen) Update(msg tea.Msg) (Screen, tea.Cmd) {
 }
 
 // View renders the list screen
+	// Breadcrumb: Home
+	breadcrumb := components.RenderBreadcrumb([]components.BreadcrumbItem{
+		{Label: "Clients", ID: "list"},
+	})
+
 func (s *ListScreen) View() string {
 	if len(s.clients) == 0 {
-		return s.search.View() + "\n" + "No clients found. Press 'r' to refresh or 'q' to quit."
+		// Empty state with helpful guidance
+		return s.search.View() + "\n\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("226")).
+				Bold(true).
+				Render("No clients yet") + "\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("241")).
+				Render("Let's get started! Here are your options:") + "\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("109")).
+				Render("  • Press [a] to add your first client") + "\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("109")).
+				Render("  • Press [R] to restore from backup") + "\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("109")).
+				Render("  • Press [r] to refresh the client list") + "\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("109")).
+				Render("  • Press [q] to quit")
 	}
 
 	// Check if there are no matches
 	if s.search.IsActive() && len(s.filtered) == 0 && s.search.GetQuery() != "" {
-		return s.search.View() + "\n" + lipgloss.NewStyle().
-			Foreground(lipgloss.Color("241")).
-			Italic(true).
-			Render("No matching clients found. Try a different search term.")
+		// Empty search results with helpful tips
+		return s.search.View() + "\n\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("226")).
+				Bold(true).
+				Render("No matching clients found") + "\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("241")).
+				Render("Search tips:") + "\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("109")).
+				Render("  • Check your spelling") + "\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("109")).
+				Render("  • Try a shorter search term") + "\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("109")).
+				Render("  • Search by name, IP, or status") + "\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("109")).
+				Render("  • Press [esc] to clear search") + "\n" +
+			lipgloss.NewStyle().
+				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("109")).
+				Render("  • Press [r] to refresh client list")
 	}
 
 	// Calculate time since last update
@@ -228,13 +274,21 @@ func (s *ListScreen) applyFilter() {
 	s.buildTable()
 }
 
+// formatStatusWithIcon formats the status with a colored circle icon
+func (s *ListScreen) formatStatusWithIcon(status string) string {
+	if status == wireguard.StatusConnected {
+		return lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(lipgloss.Color("46")).Render("●") + " " + status
+	}
+	return lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(lipgloss.Color("196")).Render("●") + " " + status
+}
+
 // buildTable creates and configures the table
 func (s *ListScreen) buildTable() {
 	columns := []table.Column{
 		{Title: "Name", Width: 20},
 		{Title: "IPv4", Width: 15},
 		{Title: "IPv6", Width: 35},
-		{Title: "Status", Width: 12},
+		{Title: "Status", Width: 14},
 	}
 
 	// Use filtered clients if search is active, otherwise use all clients
@@ -245,11 +299,12 @@ func (s *ListScreen) buildTable() {
 
 	var rows []table.Row
 	for _, cws := range displayClients {
+		statusText := s.formatStatusWithIcon(cws.Status)
 		row := table.Row{
 			cws.Client.Name,
 			cws.Client.IPv4,
 			cws.Client.IPv6,
-			cws.Status,
+			statusText,
 		}
 		rows = append(rows, row)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/tui/screens/restore.go b/internal/tui/screens/restore.go
index 1cdce32..7919adf 100644
--- a/internal/tui/screens/restore.go
+++ b/internal/tui/screens/restore.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/calmcacil/wg-admin/internal/backup"
 	"github.com/calmcacil/wg-admin/internal/tui/components"
+	"github.com/charmbracelet/bubbles/spinner"
 	"github.com/charmbracelet/bubbles/table"
 	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
 	"github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss"
@@ -22,6 +23,7 @@ type RestoreScreen struct {
 	restoreError   error
 	restoreSuccess bool
 	message        string
+	spinner        spinner.Model
 }
 
 // Styles
@@ -41,6 +43,9 @@ var (
 	restoreInfoStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
 				Foreground(lipgloss.Color("241")).
 				MarginTop(1)
+	loadingStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
+			Foreground(lipgloss.Color("62")).
+			Bold(true)
 )
 
 // NewRestoreScreen creates a new restore screen