diff --git a/packages/clerk-js/sandbox/app.ts b/packages/clerk-js/sandbox/app.ts
index 3be79d71860..437e220b25e 100644
--- a/packages/clerk-js/sandbox/app.ts
+++ b/packages/clerk-js/sandbox/app.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { PageMocking, type MockScenario } from '@clerk/msw';
 import * as l from '../../localizations';
-import { dark, neobrutalism, shadcn, shadesOfPurple } from '../../ui/src/themes';
+import { dark, neobrutalism, raw, shadcn, shadesOfPurple } from '../../ui/src/themes';
+import { darkPremium, darkPremiumDefault, modernSaas, terminalDefault, terminalRaw } from './raw-demo-appearances';
 import type { Clerk as ClerkType } from '../';
 import * as scenarios from './scenarios';
 
@@ -319,6 +320,7 @@ const themes: Record<string, unknown> = {
   shadesOfPurple,
   neobrutalism,
   shadcn,
+  raw,
 };
 
 function themeSelector() {
@@ -326,7 +328,7 @@ function themeSelector() {
 
   const themeSelect = document.getElementById('themeSelect') as HTMLSelectElement;
 
-  const savedTheme = sessionStorage.getItem('baseTheme') ?? '';
+  const savedTheme = sessionStorage.getItem('baseTheme') ?? 'raw';
   themeSelect.value = savedTheme;
 
   const updateTheme = () => {
@@ -358,7 +360,13 @@ function presetToAppearance(preset: Preset | undefined) {
   };
 }
 
-const presets: Record<string, Preset> = {};
+const presets: Record<string, Preset> = {
+  modernSaas,
+  darkPremium,
+  darkPremiumDefault,
+  terminalRaw,
+  terminalDefault,
+};
 
 function presetSelector() {
   assertClerkIsLoaded(Clerk);
@@ -533,7 +541,7 @@ void (async () => {
       await mocking.initialize(route, { scenario });
     }
 
-    const initialThemeName = sessionStorage.getItem('baseTheme') ?? '';
+    const initialThemeName = sessionStorage.getItem('baseTheme') ?? 'raw';
     const initialTheme = initialThemeName ? themes[initialThemeName] : undefined;
     const initialPresetName = sessionStorage.getItem('preset') ?? '';
     const initialPreset = initialPresetName ? presets[initialPresetName] : undefined;
diff --git a/packages/clerk-js/sandbox/raw-demo-appearances.ts b/packages/clerk-js/sandbox/raw-demo-appearances.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..205edb7e288
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/clerk-js/sandbox/raw-demo-appearances.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,928 @@
+/**
+ * Demo appearance configs that style Clerk's SignIn on top of the raw theme.
+ * These simulate what an LLM would generate for a user who says
+ * "make my sign-in match my brand" with raw mode as the base.
+ *
+ * FRICTION LOG: See comments inline and summary at bottom.
+ */
+
+// Previous light theme (kept for comparison)
+export const modernSaas = {
+  elements: {
+    rootBox: {
+      fontFamily: "'Inter', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, sans-serif",
+    },
+    card: {
+      backgroundColor: '#ffffff',
+      border: '1px solid #e5e7eb',
+      borderRadius: '16px',
+      boxShadow: '0 4px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06)',
+      padding: '40px 32px',
+    },
+    headerTitle: {
+      fontSize: '24px',
+      fontWeight: 700,
+      color: '#111827',
+      letterSpacing: '-0.025em',
+    },
+    headerSubtitle: {
+      fontSize: '14px',
+      color: '#6b7280',
+      lineHeight: 1.5,
+    },
+    socialButtonsIconButton: {
+      backgroundColor: '#ffffff',
+      border: '1px solid #d1d5db',
+      borderRadius: '10px',
+      transition: 'all 0.15s ease',
+      cursor: 'pointer',
+      '&:hover': {
+        backgroundColor: '#f9fafb',
+        borderColor: '#9ca3af',
+      },
+    },
+    lastAuthenticationStrategyBadge: {
+      backgroundColor: '#eef2ff',
+      color: '#4f46e5',
+      fontSize: '11px',
+      fontWeight: 600,
+      borderRadius: '4px',
+    },
+    dividerLine: {
+      backgroundColor: '#e5e7eb',
+    },
+    dividerText: {
+      color: '#9ca3af',
+      fontSize: '13px',
+      fontWeight: 500,
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.05em',
+    },
+    formFieldLabel: {
+      fontSize: '14px',
+      fontWeight: 500,
+      color: '#374151',
+    },
+    formFieldInput: {
+      backgroundColor: '#ffffff',
+      border: '1px solid #d1d5db',
+      borderRadius: '10px',
+      fontSize: '14px',
+      color: '#111827',
+      transition: 'border-color 0.15s ease, box-shadow 0.15s ease',
+      '&:focus': {
+        borderColor: '#6366f1',
+        boxShadow: '0 0 0 3px rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.12)',
+        outline: 'none',
+      },
+      '&::placeholder': {
+        color: '#9ca3af',
+      },
+    },
+    formFieldAction: {
+      color: '#6366f1',
+      fontSize: '13px',
+      fontWeight: 500,
+      '&:hover': { color: '#4f46e5' },
+    },
+    formFieldErrorText: {
+      color: '#ef4444',
+      fontSize: '13px',
+    },
+    formButtonPrimary: {
+      backgroundColor: '#6366f1',
+      color: '#ffffff',
+      borderRadius: '10px',
+      fontSize: '14px',
+      fontWeight: 600,
+      border: 'none',
+      cursor: 'pointer',
+      transition: 'background-color 0.15s ease',
+      '&:hover': { backgroundColor: '#4f46e5' },
+      '&:active': { backgroundColor: '#4338ca' },
+    },
+    spinner: { color: '#ffffff' },
+    footerActionText: { color: '#6b7280', fontSize: '14px' },
+    footerActionLink: {
+      color: '#6366f1',
+      fontWeight: 500,
+      fontSize: '14px',
+      '&:hover': { color: '#4f46e5' },
+    },
+    alternativeMethodsBlockButton: {
+      color: '#6366f1',
+      fontSize: '14px',
+      fontWeight: 500,
+      cursor: 'pointer',
+      '&:hover': { color: '#4f46e5' },
+    },
+  },
+};
+
+// Dark premium theme - designed by Codex (GPT-5.2) + Claude coordination
+// Inspired by: dark SaaS sign-in with purple/violet accent
+export const darkPremium = {
+  options: {
+    socialButtonsVariant: 'blockButton' as const,
+  },
+  elements: {
+    rootBox: {
+      fontFamily: '"Inter", ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", sans-serif',
+      color: '#f8fafc',
+      backgroundColor: 'transparent',
+      lineHeight: 1.4,
+      WebkitFontSmoothing: 'antialiased',
+      MozOsxFontSmoothing: 'grayscale',
+    },
+    card: {
+      backgroundColor: '#1a1a2e',
+      borderRadius: '12px',
+      border: '1px solid #2a2a44',
+      boxShadow: '0 24px 60px rgba(0,0,0,0.45)',
+      padding: '32px',
+      color: '#f8fafc',
+    },
+    headerTitle: {
+      fontSize: '24px',
+      fontWeight: 700,
+      letterSpacing: '-0.01em',
+      color: '#f8fafc',
+    },
+    headerSubtitle: {
+      fontSize: '14px',
+      color: '#cbd5f5',
+    },
+
+    // Social buttons layout - re-add grid since raw mode strips grid-template
+    socialButtons: {
+      display: 'grid',
+      gridTemplateColumns: 'repeat(2, 1fr)',
+      gap: '8px',
+    },
+
+    // Social buttons - style both icon and block variants
+    socialButtonsIconButton: {
+      backgroundColor: '#151528',
+      border: '1px solid #2a2a44',
+      color: '#e2e8f0',
+      borderRadius: '8px',
+      transition: 'background-color 150ms ease, border-color 150ms ease, box-shadow 150ms ease, transform 150ms ease',
+      cursor: 'pointer',
+      '&:hover': {
+        backgroundColor: '#1b1b32',
+        borderColor: '#3a3a5c',
+        boxShadow: '0 6px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)',
+      },
+      '&:active': {
+        transform: 'translateY(1px)',
+      },
+      '&:focus-visible': {
+        outline: 'none',
+        borderColor: '#8b5cf6',
+        boxShadow: '0 0 0 3px rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.35)',
+      },
+    },
+    socialButtonsBlockButton: {
+      backgroundColor: '#151528',
+      border: '1px solid #2a2a44',
+      color: '#e2e8f0',
+      borderRadius: '8px',
+      fontSize: '14px',
+      fontWeight: 600,
+      transition: 'background-color 150ms ease, border-color 150ms ease, box-shadow 150ms ease, transform 150ms ease',
+      cursor: 'pointer',
+      '&:hover': {
+        backgroundColor: '#1b1b32',
+        borderColor: '#3a3a5c',
+        boxShadow: '0 6px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)',
+      },
+      '&:active': {
+        transform: 'translateY(1px)',
+      },
+      '&:focus-visible': {
+        outline: 'none',
+        borderColor: '#8b5cf6',
+        boxShadow: '0 0 0 3px rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.35)',
+      },
+    },
+    socialButtonsProviderIcon: {
+      opacity: 0.95,
+      filter: 'brightness(1.05)',
+    },
+
+    // Divider
+    dividerLine: {
+      backgroundColor: '#2a2a44',
+    },
+    dividerText: {
+      fontSize: '12px',
+      color: '#94a3b8',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+    },
+
+    // Form fields
+    formFieldLabel: {
+      color: '#e2e8f0',
+      fontSize: '12px',
+      fontWeight: 600,
+      letterSpacing: '0.02em',
+    },
+    formFieldInput: {
+      backgroundColor: '#202038',
+      border: '1px solid #2e2e4d',
+      borderRadius: '8px',
+      color: '#f8fafc',
+      fontSize: '14px',
+      outline: 'none',
+      transition: 'background-color 150ms ease, border-color 150ms ease, box-shadow 150ms ease',
+      caretColor: '#a78bfa',
+      '&::placeholder': {
+        color: '#94a3b8',
+      },
+      '&:hover': {
+        borderColor: '#3a3a5c',
+      },
+      '&:focus': {
+        borderColor: '#8b5cf6',
+        boxShadow: '0 0 0 3px rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.35)',
+      },
+      '&:-webkit-autofill': {
+        WebkitTextFillColor: '#f8fafc',
+        boxShadow: '0 0 0 1000px #202038 inset',
+        caretColor: '#a78bfa',
+      },
+    },
+    formFieldAction: {
+      color: '#8b5cf6',
+      fontSize: '12px',
+      fontWeight: 600,
+      transition: 'color 150ms ease',
+      cursor: 'pointer',
+      '&:hover': {
+        color: '#a78bfa',
+        textDecoration: 'underline',
+      },
+    },
+    formFieldErrorText: {
+      color: '#fca5a5',
+      fontSize: '12px',
+    },
+
+    // Primary button
+    formButtonPrimary: {
+      backgroundColor: '#7c3aed',
+      color: '#ffffff',
+      border: '1px solid #7c3aed',
+      borderRadius: '8px',
+      fontSize: '14px',
+      fontWeight: 700,
+      letterSpacing: '0.02em',
+      cursor: 'pointer',
+      boxShadow: '0 10px 20px rgba(124, 58, 237, 0.25)',
+      transition: 'background-color 150ms ease, box-shadow 150ms ease, transform 150ms ease, border-color 150ms ease',
+      '&:hover': {
+        backgroundColor: '#8b5cf6',
+        borderColor: '#8b5cf6',
+        boxShadow: '0 12px 24px rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.35)',
+        transform: 'translateY(-1px)',
+      },
+      '&:active': {
+        transform: 'translateY(0)',
+      },
+      '&:focus-visible': {
+        outline: 'none',
+        boxShadow: '0 0 0 3px rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.45)',
+      },
+    },
+
+    // Footer
+    footerActionText: {
+      color: '#cbd5f5',
+      fontSize: '13px',
+    },
+    footerActionLink: {
+      color: '#8b5cf6',
+      fontWeight: 700,
+      transition: 'color 150ms ease',
+      '&:hover': {
+        color: '#a78bfa',
+        textDecoration: 'underline',
+      },
+    },
+
+    // Badge
+    lastAuthenticationStrategyBadge: {
+      backgroundColor: '#23233d',
+      color: '#c7d2fe',
+      border: '1px solid #2f2f52',
+      borderRadius: '999px',
+      fontSize: '11px',
+      fontWeight: 700,
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.06em',
+    },
+
+    // Identity preview (second step)
+    identityPreview: {
+      backgroundColor: '#202038',
+      border: '1px solid #2e2e4d',
+      borderRadius: '8px',
+    },
+    identityPreviewText: {
+      color: '#e2e8f0',
+      fontSize: '13px',
+      fontWeight: 600,
+    },
+    identityPreviewEditButton: {
+      color: '#8b5cf6',
+      cursor: 'pointer',
+      transition: 'color 150ms ease, background-color 150ms ease',
+      '&:hover': {
+        color: '#a78bfa',
+        backgroundColor: 'rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.12)',
+      },
+    },
+
+    // OTP code input
+    otpCodeFieldInput: {
+      backgroundColor: '#202038',
+      border: '1px solid #2e2e4d',
+      borderRadius: '8px',
+      color: '#f8fafc',
+      fontSize: '18px',
+      fontWeight: 700,
+      outline: 'none',
+      transition: 'border-color 150ms ease, box-shadow 150ms ease',
+      '&:focus': {
+        borderColor: '#8b5cf6',
+        boxShadow: '0 0 0 3px rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.35)',
+      },
+    },
+
+    // Alerts
+    alert: {
+      backgroundColor: '#1b1b32',
+      border: '1px solid #2a2a44',
+      borderRadius: '8px',
+    },
+    alertText: {
+      color: '#fecaca',
+      fontSize: '13px',
+    },
+
+    // Passkey / alternative methods
+    alternativeMethodsBlockButton: {
+      color: '#8b5cf6',
+      fontSize: '14px',
+      fontWeight: 600,
+      cursor: 'pointer',
+      transition: 'color 150ms ease',
+      '&:hover': {
+        color: '#a78bfa',
+      },
+    },
+
+    // Spinner (global)
+    spinner: {
+      color: '#8b5cf6',
+    },
+
+    // Back link
+    headerBackLink: {
+      color: '#8b5cf6',
+      fontSize: '14px',
+      '&:hover': { color: '#a78bfa' },
+    },
+
+    // Footer pages
+    footerPagesLink: {
+      color: '#94a3b8',
+      fontSize: '13px',
+      '&:hover': { color: '#cbd5e1' },
+    },
+  },
+};
+
+// Same dark premium look, but using the DEFAULT theme as base.
+// Variables cascade automatically - dramatically less code needed.
+export const darkPremiumDefault = {
+  variables: {
+    colorBackground: '#1a1a2e',
+    colorForeground: '#ffffff',
+    colorMutedForeground: '#b8b6d3',
+    colorPrimary: '#7c3aed',
+    colorPrimaryForeground: '#ffffff',
+    colorInput: '#141427',
+    colorInputForeground: '#ffffff',
+    colorNeutral: '#2d2d4a',
+    colorShimmer: '#22223b',
+    borderRadius: '0.75rem',
+  },
+  options: {
+    socialButtonsVariant: 'blockButton' as const,
+  },
+  elements: {
+    // Variables can't control layout - needed for 2-column social buttons grid
+    socialButtons: {
+      display: 'grid',
+      gridTemplateColumns: 'repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr))',
+      gap: '0.75rem',
+    },
+    socialButtonsBlockButton: {
+      width: '100%',
+    },
+  },
+};
+
+// CRT Terminal theme - raw mode version
+// Green phosphor, monospace, scanlines, hard edges, no polish
+export const terminalRaw = {
+  options: {
+    socialButtonsVariant: 'blockButton' as const,
+  },
+  elements: {
+    rootBox: {
+      fontFamily: '"IBM Plex Mono", Menlo, Consolas, "Courier New", monospace',
+      backgroundColor: '#020b06',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      letterSpacing: '0.04em',
+      backgroundImage:
+        'repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(25,255,125,0.08) 0px, rgba(25,255,125,0.08) 1px, rgba(0,0,0,0) 2px, rgba(0,0,0,0) 4px)',
+    },
+    card: {
+      backgroundColor: '#04150b',
+      border: '2px solid #19ff7d',
+      borderRadius: '0',
+      boxShadow: 'none',
+    },
+    headerTitle: {
+      fontSize: '18px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.12em',
+      textShadow: '0 0 6px #19ff7d',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+    },
+    headerSubtitle: {
+      fontSize: '12px',
+      color: '#9be7c1',
+    },
+    socialButtons: {
+      display: 'grid',
+      gridTemplateColumns: 'repeat(2, 1fr)',
+      gap: '8px',
+    },
+    socialButtonsBlockButton: {
+      border: '2px solid #19ff7d',
+      borderRadius: '0',
+      backgroundColor: 'transparent',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+      transition: 'none',
+      '&:hover': {
+        backgroundColor: '#19ff7d',
+        color: '#021008',
+      },
+    },
+    socialButtonsBlockButtonText: {
+      fontSize: '12px',
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+    },
+    socialButtonsIconButton: {
+      border: '2px solid #19ff7d',
+      borderRadius: '0',
+      backgroundColor: 'transparent',
+      transition: 'none',
+      '&:hover': {
+        backgroundColor: '#19ff7d',
+        color: '#021008',
+      },
+    },
+    socialButtonsProviderIcon: {
+      opacity: 0.9,
+      filter: 'grayscale(1) contrast(1.2)',
+    },
+    dividerLine: {
+      backgroundColor: '#19ff7d',
+      height: '1px',
+    },
+    dividerText: {
+      fontSize: '11px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.12em',
+      color: '#9be7c1',
+    },
+    formFieldLabel: {
+      fontSize: '12px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.1em',
+      color: '#9be7c1',
+    },
+    formFieldInput: {
+      backgroundColor: '#03160c',
+      border: '2px solid #19ff7d',
+      borderRadius: '0',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      fontFamily: '"IBM Plex Mono", Menlo, Consolas, "Courier New", monospace',
+      '&::placeholder': {
+        color: '#4ea87b',
+      },
+      '&:focus': {
+        outline: '2px dashed #19ff7d',
+        outlineOffset: '2px',
+      },
+    },
+    formFieldAction: {
+      fontSize: '11px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
+    },
+    formFieldErrorText: {
+      fontSize: '11px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      color: '#ff5c5c',
+    },
+    formButtonPrimary: {
+      backgroundColor: '#19ff7d',
+      color: '#021008',
+      border: '2px solid #19ff7d',
+      borderRadius: '0',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.12em',
+      fontWeight: 700,
+      transition: 'none',
+      boxShadow: 'none',
+      '&:hover': {
+        backgroundColor: '#8fffc0',
+        color: '#021008',
+      },
+    },
+    footerActionText: {
+      fontSize: '11px',
+      color: '#9be7c1',
+    },
+    footerActionLink: {
+      fontSize: '11px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
+    },
+    lastAuthenticationStrategyBadge: {
+      border: '1px solid #19ff7d',
+      borderRadius: '0',
+      backgroundColor: 'transparent',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      fontSize: '10px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+    },
+    alternativeMethodsBlockButton: {
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
+      transition: 'none',
+      '&:hover': {
+        color: '#8fffc0',
+      },
+    },
+    spinner: {
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      filter: 'drop-shadow(0 0 6px #19ff7d)',
+    },
+    alert: {
+      backgroundColor: '#220808',
+      border: '2px solid #ff5c5c',
+      borderRadius: '0',
+    },
+    alertText: {
+      color: '#ffb3b3',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.06em',
+    },
+    otpCodeFieldInput: {
+      backgroundColor: '#03160c',
+      border: '2px solid #19ff7d',
+      borderRadius: '0',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      fontFamily: '"IBM Plex Mono", Menlo, Consolas, "Courier New", monospace',
+      fontWeight: 700,
+      '&:focus': {
+        outline: '2px dashed #19ff7d',
+        outlineOffset: '2px',
+      },
+    },
+    identityPreview: {
+      border: '1px dashed #19ff7d',
+      borderRadius: '0',
+      backgroundColor: '#03160c',
+    },
+    identityPreviewText: {
+      fontSize: '12px',
+      color: '#9be7c1',
+    },
+    identityPreviewEditButton: {
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
+      '&:hover': {
+        color: '#8fffc0',
+      },
+    },
+    headerBackLink: {
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+      fontSize: '11px',
+    },
+    footerPagesLink: {
+      color: '#9be7c1',
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
+      fontSize: '11px',
+    },
+  },
+};
+
+// CRT Terminal theme - default theme version (same look, more overrides needed)
+// Must UNDO shadows, transitions, border-radius, background-images
+export const terminalDefault = {
+  variables: {
+    colorPrimary: '#19ff7d',
+    colorPrimaryForeground: '#021008',
+    colorForeground: '#19ff7d',
+    colorMutedForeground: '#9be7c1',
+    colorBackground: '#04150b',
+    colorInput: '#03160c',
+    colorInputForeground: '#19ff7d',
+    colorNeutral: '#0a3b24',
+    colorDanger: '#ff5c5c',
+    colorShimmer: '#022b15',
+    borderRadius: '0px',
+  },
+  options: {
+    socialButtonsVariant: 'blockButton' as const,
+  },
+  elements: {
+    rootBox: {
+      fontFamily: '"IBM Plex Mono", Menlo, Consolas, "Courier New", monospace',
+      backgroundColor: '#020b06',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      letterSpacing: '0.04em',
+      backgroundImage:
+        'repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(25,255,125,0.08) 0px, rgba(25,255,125,0.08) 1px, rgba(0,0,0,0) 2px, rgba(0,0,0,0) 4px)',
+    },
+    card: {
+      backgroundColor: '#04150b',
+      border: '2px solid #19ff7d',
+      boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO: default theme adds card shadow
+      backgroundImage: 'none', // UNDO: default theme adds gradient
+      transition: 'none', // UNDO: default theme adds transitions
+    },
+    headerTitle: {
+      fontSize: '18px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.12em',
+      textShadow: '0 0 6px #19ff7d',
+    },
+    headerSubtitle: {
+      fontSize: '12px',
+      color: '#9be7c1',
+    },
+    socialButtons: {
+      display: 'grid',
+      gridTemplateColumns: 'repeat(2, 1fr)',
+      gap: '8px',
+    },
+    socialButtonsBlockButton: {
+      border: '2px solid #19ff7d',
+      backgroundColor: 'transparent',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+      boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+      backgroundImage: 'none', // UNDO
+      transition: 'none', // UNDO
+      '&:hover': {
+        backgroundColor: '#19ff7d',
+        color: '#021008',
+        boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO: hover shadow
+        transform: 'none', // UNDO: hover transform
+      },
+    },
+    socialButtonsBlockButtonText: {
+      fontSize: '12px',
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+    },
+    socialButtonsIconButton: {
+      border: '2px solid #19ff7d',
+      backgroundColor: 'transparent',
+      boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+      backgroundImage: 'none', // UNDO
+      transition: 'none', // UNDO
+      '&:hover': {
+        backgroundColor: '#19ff7d',
+        color: '#021008',
+        boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+        transform: 'none', // UNDO
+      },
+    },
+    socialButtonsProviderIcon: {
+      opacity: 0.9,
+      filter: 'grayscale(1) contrast(1.2)',
+    },
+    dividerLine: {
+      backgroundColor: '#19ff7d',
+      height: '1px',
+    },
+    dividerText: {
+      fontSize: '11px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.12em',
+      color: '#9be7c1',
+    },
+    formFieldLabel: {
+      fontSize: '12px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.1em',
+      color: '#9be7c1',
+    },
+    formFieldInput: {
+      backgroundColor: '#03160c',
+      border: '2px solid #19ff7d',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      fontFamily: '"IBM Plex Mono", Menlo, Consolas, "Courier New", monospace',
+      boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+      backgroundImage: 'none', // UNDO
+      transition: 'none', // UNDO
+      '&::placeholder': {
+        color: '#4ea87b',
+      },
+      '&:focus': {
+        outline: '2px dashed #19ff7d',
+        outlineOffset: '2px',
+        boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO: focus ring shadow
+      },
+    },
+    formFieldAction: {
+      fontSize: '11px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
+    },
+    formFieldErrorText: {
+      fontSize: '11px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      color: '#ff5c5c',
+    },
+    formButtonPrimary: {
+      backgroundColor: '#19ff7d',
+      color: '#021008',
+      border: '2px solid #19ff7d',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.12em',
+      fontWeight: 700,
+      boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+      backgroundImage: 'none', // UNDO
+      transition: 'none', // UNDO
+      '&:hover': {
+        backgroundColor: '#8fffc0',
+        color: '#021008',
+        boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+        transform: 'none', // UNDO
+      },
+    },
+    footerActionText: {
+      fontSize: '11px',
+      color: '#9be7c1',
+    },
+    footerActionLink: {
+      fontSize: '11px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
+    },
+    lastAuthenticationStrategyBadge: {
+      border: '1px solid #19ff7d',
+      backgroundColor: 'transparent',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      fontSize: '10px',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+      boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+    },
+    alternativeMethodsBlockButton: {
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
+      boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+      backgroundImage: 'none', // UNDO
+      transition: 'none', // UNDO
+      '&:hover': {
+        color: '#8fffc0',
+        boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+        transform: 'none', // UNDO
+      },
+    },
+    spinner: {
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      filter: 'drop-shadow(0 0 6px #19ff7d)',
+    },
+    alert: {
+      backgroundColor: '#220808',
+      border: '2px solid #ff5c5c',
+      boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+      backgroundImage: 'none', // UNDO
+    },
+    alertText: {
+      color: '#ffb3b3',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.06em',
+    },
+    otpCodeFieldInput: {
+      backgroundColor: '#03160c',
+      border: '2px solid #19ff7d',
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      fontFamily: '"IBM Plex Mono", Menlo, Consolas, "Courier New", monospace',
+      fontWeight: 700,
+      boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+      backgroundImage: 'none', // UNDO
+      transition: 'none', // UNDO
+      '&:focus': {
+        outline: '2px dashed #19ff7d',
+        outlineOffset: '2px',
+        boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+      },
+    },
+    identityPreview: {
+      border: '1px dashed #19ff7d',
+      backgroundColor: '#03160c',
+      boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+      backgroundImage: 'none', // UNDO
+    },
+    identityPreviewText: {
+      fontSize: '12px',
+      color: '#9be7c1',
+    },
+    identityPreviewEditButton: {
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
+      boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+      transition: 'none', // UNDO
+      '&:hover': {
+        color: '#8fffc0',
+        boxShadow: 'none', // UNDO
+        transform: 'none', // UNDO
+      },
+    },
+    headerBackLink: {
+      color: '#19ff7d',
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
+      textTransform: 'uppercase' as const,
+      letterSpacing: '0.08em',
+      fontSize: '11px',
+    },
+    footerPagesLink: {
+      color: '#9be7c1',
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
+      fontSize: '11px',
+    },
+  },
+};
+
+// COMPARISON:
+// darkPremium (raw mode base):    ~40 element overrides, 0 variables
+// darkPremiumDefault (default base): 10 variables, 3 element overrides
+//
+// terminalRaw (raw mode):      ~160 lines, 0 "UNDO" overrides
+// terminalDefault (default):   ~220 lines, ~30 "UNDO" overrides (boxShadow: none, transition: none, etc.)
+//
+// For radical design changes, raw mode is cleaner - you only write what you WANT.
+// For color-swap themes, the default theme wins via variable cascade.
+
+// Friction log from building both presets:
+//
+// DISCOVERY:
+// 1. Element key names aren't guessable ("formButtonPrimary", "socialButtonsIconButton")
+// 2. cardBox vs card vs rootBox - three nesting levels
+// 3. socialButtonsIconButton vs socialButtonsBlockButton depends on variant config
+// 4. "lastAuthenticationStrategyBadge" is very internal-sounding
+//
+// STYLING:
+// 5. backgroundColor leaks in raw mode (preserved for icon masks)
+// 6. Provider icon colors driven by CSS custom properties, not elements API
+// 7. spinner element is global (no scoped per-button override)
+// 8. Social button text color doesn't inherit - need socialButtonsBlockButtonText
+// 9. Dark theme: icon fills are #000 by default, need to adjust theme variables
+//    (colorForeground) to make icons visible on dark backgrounds
+//
+// COMPLETENESS:
+// 10. Multi-step flows (OTP, password reset) have separate element keys
+// 11. Error/loading states easy to forget
+// 12. Autofill styling needs vendor-prefixed hacks (-webkit-autofill)
diff --git a/packages/clerk-js/sandbox/template.html b/packages/clerk-js/sandbox/template.html
index eb7f557034e..ae342e59d72 100644
--- a/packages/clerk-js/sandbox/template.html
+++ b/packages/clerk-js/sandbox/template.html
@@ -375,6 +375,7 @@
             <option value="shadesOfPurple">shadesOfPurple</option>
             <option value="neobrutalism">neobrutalism</option>
             <option value="shadcn">shadcn</option>
+            <option value="raw">raw</option>
           </select>
         </label>
         <label class="flex items-center justify-between border-t border-gray-100 py-2">
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/customizables/makeCustomizable.tsx b/packages/ui/src/customizables/makeCustomizable.tsx
index 3169dbe4d5f..ac495573c92 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/customizables/makeCustomizable.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/customizables/makeCustomizable.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import React from 'react';
 
-import type { ThemableCssProp } from '../styledSystem';
+import type { InternalTheme, ThemableCssProp } from '../styledSystem';
+import { stripDecorativeStyles, type StripOptions } from '../styledSystem/stripDecorativeStyles';
 import { useAppearance } from './AppearanceContext';
 import { appendEmojiSeparator, generateClassName } from './classGeneration';
 import type { ElementDescriptor, ElementId } from './elementDescriptors';
@@ -44,6 +45,17 @@ type MakeCustomizableOptions = {
   defaultDescriptor?: ElementDescriptor;
 };
 
+function wrapWithStripper(style: ThemableCssProp | undefined, options?: StripOptions): ThemableCssProp | undefined {
+  if (!style) return style;
+  if (Array.isArray(style)) {
+    return style.map(s => wrapWithStripper(s as ThemableCssProp, options)) as ThemableCssProp;
+  }
+  if (typeof style === 'function') {
+    return (theme: InternalTheme) => stripDecorativeStyles(style(theme) as Record<string, any>, options);
+  }
+  return stripDecorativeStyles(style as Record<string, any>, options);
+}
+
 export const makeCustomizable = <P,>(
   Component: React.FunctionComponent<P>,
   options?: MakeCustomizableOptions,
@@ -52,7 +64,7 @@ export const makeCustomizable = <P,>(
 
   const customizableComponent = React.forwardRef((props: Customizable<any>, ref) => {
     const { elementDescriptor, elementId, sx, className, ...restProps } = props;
-    const { parsedElements } = useAppearance();
+    const { parsedElements, rawMode } = useAppearance();
     const descriptors = [
       defaultDescriptor,
       ...(Array.isArray(elementDescriptor) ? elementDescriptor : [elementDescriptor]),
@@ -71,7 +83,13 @@ export const makeCustomizable = <P,>(
 
     const generatedStyles = generateClassName(parsedElements, descriptors, elementId, props);
     const generatedClassname = appendEmojiSeparator(generatedStyles.className, className);
-    generatedStyles.css.unshift(defaultStyles, sx);
+    // In rawMode, strip decorative styles from both defaultStyles and sx.
+    // sx is filtered with preserveContentRendering so icon images
+    // (backgroundImage/maskImage) survive while borders/colors are removed.
+    generatedStyles.css.unshift(
+      rawMode ? wrapWithStripper(defaultStyles) : defaultStyles,
+      rawMode ? wrapWithStripper(sx, { preserveContentRendering: true }) : sx,
+    );
 
     return (
       <Component
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/customizables/parseAppearance.ts b/packages/ui/src/customizables/parseAppearance.ts
index a61b883191f..ee08a820459 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/customizables/parseAppearance.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/customizables/parseAppearance.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ export type ParsedAppearance = {
   parsedInternalTheme: ParsedInternalTheme;
   parsedOptions: ParsedOptions;
   parsedCaptcha: ParsedCaptcha;
+  rawMode: boolean;
 };
 
 const defaultOptions: ParsedOptions = {
@@ -78,6 +79,8 @@ export const parseAppearance = (cascade: AppearanceCascade): ParsedAppearance =>
   const parsedOptions = parseOptions(appearanceList);
   const parsedCaptcha = parseCaptcha(appearanceList);
 
+  const rawMode = appearanceList.some(a => !!(a as any).__internal_rawMode);
+
   if (
     !appearanceList.find(a => {
       //@ts-expect-error not public api
@@ -97,7 +100,7 @@ export const parseAppearance = (cascade: AppearanceCascade): ParsedAppearance =>
       return res;
     }),
   );
-  return { parsedElements, parsedInternalTheme, parsedOptions, parsedCaptcha };
+  return { parsedElements, parsedInternalTheme, parsedOptions, parsedCaptcha, rawMode };
 };
 
 const expand = (theme: Theme | undefined, cascade: any[]) => {
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/hooks/useDevMode.tsx b/packages/ui/src/hooks/useDevMode.tsx
index 08550d633ef..b8c97a77a44 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/hooks/useDevMode.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/hooks/useDevMode.tsx
@@ -6,11 +6,12 @@ import { useAppearance } from '../customizables';
 export function useDevMode() {
   const { displayConfig, isDevelopmentOrStaging } = useEnvironment();
   const isDevelopment = isDevelopmentOrStaging();
-  const { unsafe_disableDevelopmentModeWarnings = false } = useAppearance().parsedOptions;
+  const { parsedOptions, rawMode } = useAppearance();
+  const { unsafe_disableDevelopmentModeWarnings = false } = parsedOptions;
   const developmentUiDisabled = isDevelopment && unsafe_disableDevelopmentModeWarnings;
   const showDevModeNotice = useMemo(
-    () => !developmentUiDisabled && displayConfig.showDevModeWarning,
-    [developmentUiDisabled, displayConfig],
+    () => !developmentUiDisabled && !rawMode && displayConfig.showDevModeWarning,
+    [developmentUiDisabled, rawMode, displayConfig],
   );
 
   return {
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/styledSystem/InternalThemeProvider.tsx b/packages/ui/src/styledSystem/InternalThemeProvider.tsx
index 09677ad733d..ab4ed0990e3 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/styledSystem/InternalThemeProvider.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/styledSystem/InternalThemeProvider.tsx
@@ -10,7 +10,11 @@ type InternalThemeProviderProps = React.PropsWithChildren<{
 }>;
 
 export const InternalThemeProvider = (props: InternalThemeProviderProps) => {
-  const { parsedInternalTheme } = useAppearance();
+  const { parsedInternalTheme, rawMode } = useAppearance();
+  const theme = React.useMemo(
+    () => (rawMode ? { ...parsedInternalTheme, __rawMode: true } : parsedInternalTheme),
+    [parsedInternalTheme, rawMode],
+  );
 
-  return <ThemeProvider theme={parsedInternalTheme}>{props.children}</ThemeProvider>;
+  return <ThemeProvider theme={theme}>{props.children}</ThemeProvider>;
 };
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/styledSystem/createVariants.ts b/packages/ui/src/styledSystem/createVariants.ts
index 11ce1dd898f..1d4954f172b 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/styledSystem/createVariants.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/styledSystem/createVariants.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { fastDeepMergeAndReplace } from '@clerk/shared/utils';
 
 import { createInfiniteAccessProxy } from '../utils/createInfiniteAccessProxy';
+import { stripDecorativeStyles } from './stripDecorativeStyles';
 import type { InternalTheme, StyleRule } from './types';
 
 type UnwrapBooleanVariant<T> = T extends 'true' | 'false' ? boolean : T;
@@ -57,6 +58,9 @@ export const createVariants: CreateVariants = configFn => {
       applyVariantRules(computedStyles, variantsToApply, variants);
       applyCompoundVariantRules(computedStyles, variantsToApply, compoundVariants);
       sanitizeCssVariables(computedStyles);
+      if (theme.__rawMode) {
+        return stripDecorativeStyles(computedStyles);
+      }
       return computedStyles;
     };
 
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/styledSystem/stripDecorativeStyles.ts b/packages/ui/src/styledSystem/stripDecorativeStyles.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c249c6da19c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ui/src/styledSystem/stripDecorativeStyles.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+// Pure layout properties only. Everything else reverts to browser defaults.
+// This gives raw mode a "plain HTML" feel where buttons look like <button>,
+// inputs look like <input>, etc.
+const STRUCTURAL_PROPERTIES = new Set([
+  'display',
+  'position',
+  'top',
+  'right',
+  'bottom',
+  'left',
+  'width',
+  'height',
+  'gap',
+  'rowGap',
+  'columnGap',
+  'zIndex',
+  'boxSizing',
+  'pointerEvents',
+  'verticalAlign',
+  'aspectRatio',
+  'objectFit',
+  'objectPosition',
+  'float',
+  'clear',
+  'order',
+  'alignSelf',
+  'alignItems',
+  'alignContent',
+  'justifySelf',
+  'justifyItems',
+  'justifyContent',
+  'placeSelf',
+  'placeItems',
+  'placeContent',
+  'opacity',
+  'visibility',
+  'tableLayout',
+  'borderCollapse',
+  'borderSpacing',
+]);
+
+// Specific properties that produce visible icon/image content.
+// These must survive stripping so icons remain visible in raw mode.
+// Uses exact properties instead of prefixes to avoid preserving
+// decorative properties like backgroundColor on non-icon elements.
+const CONTENT_RENDERING_PROPERTIES = new Set([
+  'backgroundColor',
+  'backgroundImage',
+  'backgroundSize',
+  'backgroundPosition',
+  'backgroundRepeat',
+  'maskImage',
+  'maskSize',
+  'maskPosition',
+  'maskRepeat',
+  'WebkitMaskImage',
+  'WebkitMaskSize',
+  'WebkitMaskPosition',
+  'WebkitMaskRepeat',
+]);
+
+const STRUCTURAL_PREFIXES = ['flex', 'inset', 'margin', 'padding', 'overflow', 'min', 'max', 'clip'];
+
+function isPlainObject(value: unknown): value is Record<string, any> {
+  return value !== null && typeof value === 'object' && !Array.isArray(value);
+}
+
+function isStructuralProperty(key: string): boolean {
+  if (STRUCTURAL_PROPERTIES.has(key)) return true;
+  return STRUCTURAL_PREFIXES.some(prefix => key.startsWith(prefix));
+}
+
+function isContentRenderingProperty(key: string): boolean {
+  return CONTENT_RENDERING_PROPERTIES.has(key);
+}
+
+export type StripOptions = {
+  // When true, preserve backgroundImage/maskImage and related properties
+  // so icon content remains visible. Used for sx props but NOT for variant
+  // base styles where these properties are purely decorative.
+  preserveContentRendering?: boolean;
+};
+
+export function stripDecorativeStyles(styles: Record<string, any>, options?: StripOptions): Record<string, any> {
+  const preserveContent = options?.preserveContentRendering ?? false;
+
+  // Emotion supports style arrays - recurse into each item
+  if (Array.isArray(styles)) {
+    return styles.map(s => {
+      if (!s) return s;
+      if (typeof s === 'object') return stripDecorativeStyles(s, options);
+      return s;
+    }) as any;
+  }
+
+  const result: Record<string, any> = {};
+  for (const key in styles) {
+    const value = styles[key];
+    if (key.startsWith('--')) {
+      // Keep CSS custom properties - structural properties may reference them
+      // (e.g. grid math, spinner sizing). Decorative properties that consume
+      // these vars are already stripped, so unused vars are harmless.
+      result[key] = value;
+      continue;
+    }
+    if (isPlainObject(value)) {
+      const filtered = stripDecorativeStyles(value, options);
+      if (Object.keys(filtered).length > 0) {
+        result[key] = filtered;
+      }
+    } else if (isStructuralProperty(key) || (preserveContent && isContentRenderingProperty(key))) {
+      result[key] = value;
+    }
+  }
+  return result;
+}
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/themes/index.ts b/packages/ui/src/themes/index.ts
index b98c9f9bde1..4b52c2b2ed8 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/themes/index.ts
+++ b/packages/ui/src/themes/index.ts
@@ -2,3 +2,4 @@ export * from './dark';
 export * from './shadesOfPurple';
 export * from './neobrutalism';
 export * from './shadcn';
+export * from './raw';
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/themes/raw.ts b/packages/ui/src/themes/raw.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0c522336a57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ui/src/themes/raw.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import { createTheme } from './createTheme';
+
+/**
+ * A theme that strips all Clerk visual styling down to bare structural layout.
+ * Designed as a blank canvas for LLMs and AI-powered coding tools that generate
+ * complete custom styles via the `elements` API.
+ *
+ * What it removes: colors, shadows, border-radius, shimmer, animations, decorative borders
+ * What it keeps: flexbox/grid layout, positioning, spacing, visibility, state mechanics
+ *
+ * Most variables are irrelevant here because `__internal_rawMode` strips the CSS
+ * properties that consume them. The exceptions are colors that feed CSS custom
+ * properties surviving the strip (icon fills, gauge strokes).
+ */
+export const raw = createTheme({
+  name: 'raw',
+  // @ts-expect-error Internal API - skip the default clerkTheme decorative layer and enable raw mode
+  simpleStyles: true,
+  __internal_rawMode: true,
+  variables: {
+    // backgroundColor survives stripping (needed for icon mask fills), so
+    // background colors must be explicitly transparent to avoid leaking.
+    colorBackground: 'transparent',
+    colorInput: 'transparent',
+    // Icon fill: masked provider icons use --cl-icon-fill which survives stripping
+    colorForeground: '#000000',
+    colorPrimaryForeground: '#ffffff',
+  },
+  options: {
+    shimmer: false,
+    animations: false,
+  },
+});