diff --git a/src/vocalinux/ui/settings_dialog.py b/src/vocalinux/ui/settings_dialog.py
index 61c6e4a..b493311 100644
--- a/src/vocalinux/ui/settings_dialog.py
+++ b/src/vocalinux/ui/settings_dialog.py
@@ -503,17 +503,21 @@ spinbutton {
     margin-bottom: 6px;
 }
 
-/* Info box styling */
+/* Flat helper notices — muted surface, no accent strip */
 .info-box {
-    background-color: alpha(@theme_selected_bg_color, 0.1);
+    background-color: alpha(@theme_fg_color, 0.04);
+    border: 1px solid alpha(@borders, 0.45);
     border-radius: 8px;
-    padding: 12px;
-    border-left: 4px solid @theme_selected_bg_color;
+    padding: 10px 12px;
+}
+
+.info-box image {
+    opacity: 0.55;
 }
 
 .info-box-warning {
-    background-color: alpha(#e5a50a, 0.1);
-    border-left-color: #e5a50a;
+    background-color: alpha(#e5a50a, 0.08);
+    border-color: alpha(#e5a50a, 0.4);
 }
 
 /* Recognition status */
diff --git a/tests/test_settings_dialog.py b/tests/test_settings_dialog.py
index d4ba596..3533c4a 100644
--- a/tests/test_settings_dialog.py
+++ b/tests/test_settings_dialog.py
@@ -253,6 +253,15 @@ class TestSettingsDialogCSS(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertIn(".status-warning", SETTINGS_CSS)
         self.assertIn(".status-error", SETTINGS_CSS)
 
+    def test_settings_css_info_box_is_flat(self):
+        """Info notices use a flat border, not a left accent strip."""
+        from vocalinux.ui.settings_dialog import SETTINGS_CSS
+
+        self.assertIn(".info-box", SETTINGS_CSS)
+        self.assertIn("border: 1px solid", SETTINGS_CSS)
+        self.assertNotIn("border-left:", SETTINGS_CSS)
+        self.assertNotIn("border-left-color:", SETTINGS_CSS)
+
 
 class TestSettingsDialogClasses(unittest.TestCase):
     """Test cases for SettingsDialog helper classes."""