diff --git a/docs/features/multi-node.mdx b/docs/features/multi-node.mdx
index 02295ae3..7746a390 100644
--- a/docs/features/multi-node.mdx
+++ b/docs/features/multi-node.mdx
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ The Nodes table surfaces scheduling and update status at a glance for each node:
 | Column | What it shows |
 |--------|---------------|
 | **Schedules** | Number of active scheduled tasks targeting this node, plus a relative countdown to the next run (e.g. "next 2h") |
-| **Updates** | Whether auto-update policies are enabled ("Auto" badge), and how many stacks have pending image updates (pulsing blue dot with count) |
+| **Updates** | Whether auto-update policies are enabled ("Auto" badge), and how many stacks have pending image updates (fuchsia notification dot with expanding halo and a count) |
 
 Click the **calendar icon** on any node row to jump directly to the Schedules view filtered to that node. From there you can create, edit, or manage scheduled tasks scoped to the selected node. The filter bar shows which node you are viewing, with a **Clear filter** button to return to the full list.
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/NodeManager.tsx b/frontend/src/components/NodeManager.tsx
index fd417259..17159f15 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/NodeManager.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/NodeManager.tsx
@@ -602,8 +602,11 @@ export function NodeManager() {
                         )}
                         {(summary?.stacks_with_updates ?? 0) > 0 && (
                           <span className="flex items-center gap-1">
-                            <span className="w-2 h-2 rounded-full bg-info animate-pulse" />
-                            <span className="font-mono text-xs tabular-nums tracking-tight text-info">
+                            <span className="relative inline-flex w-2 h-2 shrink-0">
+                              <span className="absolute inset-0 rounded-full bg-update opacity-75 animate-ping" />
+                              <span className="relative w-2 h-2 rounded-full bg-update" />
+                            </span>
+                            <span className="font-mono text-xs tabular-nums tracking-tight text-update">
                               {summary!.stacks_with_updates}
                             </span>
                           </span>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/sidebar/StackRow.tsx b/frontend/src/components/sidebar/StackRow.tsx
index 02b6f3af..9dfec7e1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/sidebar/StackRow.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/sidebar/StackRow.tsx
@@ -72,7 +72,12 @@ export function StackRow(props: StackRowProps) {
       )}
       {hasUpdate && (
         <RowTooltip
-          trigger={<span className="w-2 h-2 rounded-full bg-info animate-pulse" />}
+          trigger={(
+            <span className="relative inline-flex w-2 h-2 shrink-0">
+              <span className="absolute inset-0 rounded-full bg-update opacity-75 animate-ping" />
+              <span className="relative w-2 h-2 rounded-full bg-update" />
+            </span>
+          )}
           label="Update available"
         />
       )}
diff --git a/frontend/src/index.css b/frontend/src/index.css
index 318191c5..305c1346 100644
--- a/frontend/src/index.css
+++ b/frontend/src/index.css
@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@
   --info: oklch(0.62 0.14 250);
   --info-foreground: oklch(1 0 0);
   --info-muted: oklch(0.62 0.14 250 / 0.12);
+  --update: oklch(0.62 0.22 320);
+  --update-foreground: oklch(1 0 0);
+  --update-muted: oklch(0.62 0.22 320 / 0.12);
   --destructive-muted: oklch(0.63 0.19 23 / 0.12);
 
   /* Charts — cyan leads as the primary data color, amber for peaks, rose for errors */
@@ -221,6 +224,9 @@
   --info: oklch(0.70 0.14 250);
   --info-foreground: oklch(0.10 0 0);
   --info-muted: oklch(0.70 0.14 250 / 0.15);
+  --update: oklch(0.72 0.20 320);
+  --update-foreground: oklch(0.10 0 0);
+  --update-muted: oklch(0.72 0.20 320 / 0.15);
   --destructive-muted: oklch(0.69 0.20 24 / 0.15);
 
   /* Charts — cyan leads as the primary data color, amber for peaks, rose for errors */
@@ -393,6 +399,9 @@
   --color-info: var(--info);
   --color-info-foreground: var(--info-foreground);
   --color-info-muted: var(--info-muted);
+  --color-update: var(--update);
+  --color-update-foreground: var(--update-foreground);
+  --color-update-muted: var(--update-muted);
   --color-destructive-muted: var(--destructive-muted);
 
   --font-sans: var(--font-sans);