diff --git a/app/assets/icons/arrow_drop_down.svg b/app/assets/icons/arrow_drop_down.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c96dc8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/arrow_drop_down.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M7 10l5 5 5-5z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/arrow_right.svg b/app/assets/icons/arrow_right.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e46b2fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/arrow_right.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M10 17l5-5-5-5v10z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/dangerous.svg b/app/assets/icons/dangerous.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e09390b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/dangerous.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M15.73 3H8.27L3 8.27v7.46L8.27 21h7.46L21 15.73V8.27L15.73 3zM12 17.3c-.72 0-1.3-.58-1.3-1.3s.58-1.3 1.3-1.3 1.3.58 1.3 1.3-.58 1.3-1.3 1.3zm1-4.3h-2V7h2v6z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/dark_mode.svg b/app/assets/icons/dark_mode.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d68045e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/dark_mode.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M12 3c-4.97 0-9 4.03-9 9s4.03 9 9 9 9-4.03 9-9c0-.46-.04-.92-.1-1.36-.98 1.37-2.58 2.26-4.4 2.26-2.98 0-5.4-2.42-5.4-5.4 0-1.81.89-3.42 2.26-4.4-.44-.06-.9-.1-1.36-.1z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/error.svg b/app/assets/icons/error.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..abeb0a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/error.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M12 2C6.48 2 2 6.48 2 12s4.48 10 10 10 10-4.48 10-10S17.52 2 12 2zm5 13.59L15.59 17 12 13.41 8.41 17 7 15.59 10.59 12 7 8.41 8.41 7 12 10.59 15.59 7 17 8.41 13.41 12 17 15.59z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/exclamation.svg b/app/assets/icons/exclamation.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..130e757
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/exclamation.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M12 2C6.48 2 2 6.48 2 12s4.48 10 10 10 10-4.48 10-10S17.52 2 12 2zm1 15h-2v-2h2v2zm0-4h-2V7h2v6z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/history.svg b/app/assets/icons/history.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e7f47f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/history.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M13 3c-4.97 0-9 4.03-9 9H1l3.89 3.89.07.14L9 12H6c0-3.87 3.13-7 7-7s7 3.13 7 7-3.13 7-7 7c-1.93 0-3.68-.79-4.94-2.06l-1.42 1.42C8.27 19.99 10.51 21 13 21c4.97 0 9-4.03 9-9s-4.03-9-9-9zm-1 5v5l4.28 2.54.72-1.21-3.5-2.08V8H12z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/info.svg b/app/assets/icons/info.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dbc2749
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/info.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M12 2C6.48 2 2 6.48 2 12s4.48 10 10 10 10-4.48 10-10S17.52 2 12 2zm1 15h-2v-6h2v6zm0-8h-2V7h2v2z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/language.svg b/app/assets/icons/language.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..37bc8dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/language.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M11.99 2C6.47 2 2 6.48 2 12s4.47 10 9.99 10C17.52 22 22 17.52 22 12S17.52 2 11.99 2zm6.93 6h-2.95c-.32-1.25-.78-2.45-1.38-3.56 1.84.63 3.37 1.91 4.33 3.56zM12 4.04c.83 1.2 1.48 2.53 1.91 3.96h-3.82c.43-1.43 1.08-2.76 1.91-3.96zM4.26 14C4.1 13.36 4 12.69 4 12s.1-1.36.26-2h3.38c-.08.66-.14 1.32-.14 2s.06 1.34.14 2H4.26zm.82 2h2.95c.32 1.25.78 2.45 1.38 3.56-1.84-.63-3.37-1.9-4.33-3.56zm2.95-8H5.08c.96-1.66 2.49-2.93 4.33-3.56C8.81 5.55 8.35 6.75 8.03 8zM12 19.96c-.83-1.2-1.48-2.53-1.91-3.96h3.82c-.43 1.43-1.08 2.76-1.91 3.96zM14.34 14H9.66c-.09-.66-.16-1.32-.16-2s.07-1.35.16-2h4.68c.09.65.16 1.32.16 2s-.07 1.34-.16 2zm.25 5.56c.6-1.11 1.06-2.31 1.38-3.56h2.95c-.96 1.65-2.49 2.93-4.33 3.56zM16.36 14c.08-.66.14-1.32.14-2s-.06-1.34-.14-2h3.38c.16.64.26 1.31.26 2s-.1 1.36-.26 2h-3.38z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/light_mode.svg b/app/assets/icons/light_mode.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3fd31ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/light_mode.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M12 7c-2.76 0-5 2.24-5 5s2.24 5 5 5 5-2.24 5-5-2.24-5-5-5zM2 13h2c.55 0 1-.45 1-1s-.45-1-1-1H2c-.55 0-1 .45-1 1s.45 1 1 1zm18 0h2c.55 0 1-.45 1-1s-.45-1-1-1h-2c-.55 0-1 .45-1 1s.45 1 1 1zM11 2v2c0 .55.45 1 1 1s1-.45 1-1V2c0-.55-.45-1-1-1s-1 .45-1 1zm0 18v2c0 .55.45 1 1 1s1-.45 1-1v-2c0-.55-.45-1-1-1s-1 .45-1 1zM5.99 4.58c-.39-.39-1.03-.39-1.41 0-.39.39-.39 1.03 0 1.41l1.06 1.06c.39.39 1.03.39 1.41 0s.39-1.03 0-1.41L5.99 4.58zm12.37 12.37c-.39-.39-1.03-.39-1.41 0-.39.39-.39 1.03 0 1.41l1.06 1.06c.39.39 1.03.39 1.41 0 .39-.39.39-1.03 0-1.41l-1.06-1.06zm1.06-12.37-1.06 1.06c-.39.39-.39 1.03 0 1.41s1.03.39 1.41 0l1.06-1.06c.39-.39.39-1.03 0-1.41s-1.03-.39-1.41 0zM7.05 18.36l-1.06 1.06c-.39.39-.39 1.03 0 1.41s1.03.39 1.41 0l1.06-1.06c.39-.39.39-1.03 0-1.41s-1.03-.39-1.41 0z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/menu.svg b/app/assets/icons/menu.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47f73f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/menu.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M3 18h18v-2H3v2zm0-5h18v-2H3v2zm0-7v2h18V6H3z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/mobile_arrow_down.svg b/app/assets/icons/mobile_arrow_down.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35c8b5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/mobile_arrow_down.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M7.41 8.59 12 13.17l4.59-4.58L18 10l-6 6-6-6 1.41-1.41z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/report.svg b/app/assets/icons/report.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2eeb24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/report.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M14.4 6 14 4H5v17h2v-7h5.6l.4 2h7V6z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/search.svg b/app/assets/icons/search.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc04ce3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/search.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M15.5 14h-.79l-.28-.27C15.41 12.59 16 11.11 16 9.5 16 5.91 13.09 3 9.5 3S3 5.91 3 9.5 5.91 16 9.5 16c1.61 0 3.09-.59 4.23-1.57l.27.28v.79l5 4.99L20.49 19l-4.99-5zm-6 0C7.01 14 5 11.99 5 9.5S7.01 5 9.5 5 14 7.01 14 9.5 11.99 14 9.5 14z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/success.svg b/app/assets/icons/success.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..73c23ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/success.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M12 2C6.48 2 2 6.48 2 12s4.48 10 10 10 10-4.48 10-10S17.52 2 12 2zm-2 15-5-5 1.41-1.41L10 14.17l7.59-7.59L19 8l-9 9z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/text_compare.svg b/app/assets/icons/text_compare.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..19d85f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/text_compare.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M6.3 7.8 2.5 12l3.8 4.2.8-.8L4.4 12l2.7-3.2-.8-.8zm11.4 0-.8.8L19.6 12l-2.7 3.2.8.8 3.8-4.2-3.8-4.2zm-3.7-4.6L9.9 20.8l1.4.4 4.1-17.6-1.4-.4z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/assets/icons/warning.svg b/app/assets/icons/warning.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6bb9f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/icons/warning.svg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M1 21h22L12 2 1 21zm12-3h-2v-2h2v2zm0-4h-2v-4h2v4z"/></svg>
diff --git a/app/index.html b/app/index.html
index 4d39c45..9576974 100644
--- a/app/index.html
+++ b/app/index.html
@@ -32,8 +32,6 @@
 <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/highlightjs/cdn-release@11.9.0/build/styles/github.min.css" id="hljs-light">
 <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/highlightjs/cdn-release@11.9.0/build/styles/github-dark.min.css" id="hljs-dark" disabled>
 <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/highlightjs/cdn-release@11.9.0/build/highlight.min.js"></script>
-<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons">
-<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Material+Symbols+Outlined">
 
 <style>
 /* ═══════════════════════════════════════════
@@ -282,13 +280,15 @@ body {
 }
 .nav-section-heading.toggleable:hover { color: var(--font-colour); }
 .nav-section-heading .toggle-icon {
-  font-family: var(--font-code);
-  font-weight: 700;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  width: 0.9em;
-  display: inline-block;
-  line-height: 1;
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  width: 1em;
+  height: 1em;
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+  opacity: 0.6;
 }
+.mdcms-icon { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; line-height: 1; }
+.mdcms-icon svg { width: 1em; height: 1em; fill: currentColor; display: block; }
 .nav-item.depth-1 { padding-left: 2.5rem; }
 .nav-item.depth-2 { padding-left: 3.5rem; }
 .nav-item.depth-3 { padding-left: 4.5rem; }
@@ -544,9 +544,9 @@ body {
 .category-bar[dir="rtl"] { justify-content: flex-start; }
 
 .category-icon {
-  font-family: 'Material Symbols Outlined', 'Material Icons', sans-serif;
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
   font-size: 1.1rem;
-  line-height: 1;
   color: var(--font-colour-muted);
 }
 
@@ -904,13 +904,34 @@ body {
   let loadedFonts = new Set();    // track which font files have been loaded
 
   // ─── Icons ────────────────────────────────────────────────
-  const ICONS = {
-    sun: '<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="5"/><line x1="12" y1="1" x2="12" y2="3"/><line x1="12" y1="21" x2="12" y2="23"/><line x1="4.22" y1="4.22" x2="5.64" y2="5.64"/><line x1="18.36" y1="18.36" x2="19.78" y2="19.78"/><line x1="1" y1="12" x2="3" y2="12"/><line x1="21" y1="12" x2="23" y2="12"/><line x1="4.22" y1="19.78" x2="5.64" y2="18.36"/><line x1="18.36" y1="5.64" x2="19.78" y2="4.22"/></svg>',
-    moon: '<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><path d="M21 12.79A9 9 0 1 1 11.21 3 7 7 0 0 0 21 12.79z"/></svg>',
-    search: '<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><circle cx="11" cy="11" r="8"/><line x1="21" y1="21" x2="16.65" y2="16.65"/></svg>',
-    menu: '<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><line x1="3" y1="12" x2="21" y2="12"/><line x1="3" y1="6" x2="21" y2="6"/><line x1="3" y1="18" x2="21" y2="18"/></svg>',
-    close: '<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><line x1="18" y1="6" x2="6" y2="18"/><line x1="6" y1="6" x2="18" y2="18"/></svg>'
-  };
+  const STANDARD_ICONS = ['dark_mode','light_mode','menu','search','arrow_right','arrow_drop_down','mobile_arrow_down','language','info','warning','error','success','exclamation','dangerous','report','history','text_compare'];
+  const iconCache = {};
+
+  function normaliseIconName(name) {
+    return String(name).trim().replace(/\.svg$/i, '').toLowerCase().replace(/[\s-]+/g, '_') + '.svg';
+  }
+
+  async function loadIcon(name) {
+    const filename = normaliseIconName(name);
+    if (filename in iconCache) return iconCache[filename];
+    try {
+      const resp = await fetch('assets/icons/' + filename);
+      iconCache[filename] = resp.ok ? await resp.text() : null;
+    } catch (e) { iconCache[filename] = null; }
+    return iconCache[filename];
+  }
+
+  function getIcon(name) {
+    return iconCache[normaliseIconName(name)] || null;
+  }
+
+  function iconEl(name, className) {
+    const svg = getIcon(name);
+    const span = document.createElement('span');
+    span.className = 'mdcms-icon' + (className ? ' ' + className : '');
+    span.innerHTML = svg || '<img src="" alt="" style="width:1em;height:1em;">';
+    return span;
+  }
 
   // ─── Helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────
   function el(tag, attrs, children) {
@@ -1137,8 +1158,9 @@ body {
     const btn = document.querySelector('.theme-toggle');
     if (btn) {
       const isDark = theme === 'dark';
-      btn.innerHTML = (isDark ? ICONS.sun : ICONS.moon) +
-        '<span>' + (isDark ? 'Light mode' : 'Dark mode') + '</span>';
+      btn.innerHTML = '';
+      btn.appendChild(iconEl(isDark ? 'light_mode' : 'dark_mode'));
+      btn.appendChild(el('span', { textContent: isDark ? 'Light mode' : 'Dark mode' }));
     }
   }
 
@@ -1766,7 +1788,8 @@ function fmtDatetime(dtStr) {
 
     const mobileHeader = el('div', { className: 'mobile-header' });
     mobileHeader.style.display = 'none';
-    const hamburger = el('button', { className: 'hamburger', 'aria-label': 'Open menu', innerHTML: ICONS.menu });
+    const hamburger = el('button', { className: 'hamburger', 'aria-label': 'Open menu' });
+    hamburger.appendChild(iconEl('menu'));
     const mobileName = el('span', { className: 'sidebar-sitename', textContent: config.sitename || 'MD-CMS' });
     mobileHeader.appendChild(hamburger);
     if (config.logo) {
@@ -1831,12 +1854,12 @@ function fmtDatetime(dtStr) {
     hamburger.addEventListener('click', () => {
       sidebar.classList.toggle('open');
       overlay.classList.toggle('active');
-      hamburger.innerHTML = sidebar.classList.contains('open') ? ICONS.close : ICONS.menu;
+      hamburger.innerHTML = ''; hamburger.appendChild(iconEl('menu'));
     });
     function closeMobileMenu() {
       sidebar.classList.remove('open');
       overlay.classList.remove('active');
-      hamburger.innerHTML = ICONS.menu;
+      hamburger.innerHTML = ''; hamburger.appendChild(iconEl('menu'));
     }
     window._closeMobileMenu = closeMobileMenu;
   }
@@ -1857,7 +1880,8 @@ function fmtDatetime(dtStr) {
     brand.appendChild(el('span', { className: 'topbar-sitename', textContent: config.sitename || 'MD-CMS' }));
     topbar.appendChild(brand);
 
-    const hamburger = el('button', { className: 'hamburger', 'aria-label': 'Open menu', innerHTML: ICONS.menu });
+    const hamburger = el('button', { className: 'hamburger', 'aria-label': 'Open menu' });
+    hamburger.appendChild(iconEl('menu'));
     const navLinksEl = el('div', { className: 'topbar-nav', id: 'navLinks' });
     topbar.appendChild(navLinksEl);
 
@@ -1898,12 +1922,12 @@ function fmtDatetime(dtStr) {
     hamburger.addEventListener('click', () => {
       const panel = document.getElementById('mobileNavPanel');
       panel.classList.toggle('open');
-      hamburger.innerHTML = panel.classList.contains('open') ? ICONS.close : ICONS.menu;
+      hamburger.innerHTML = ''; hamburger.appendChild(iconEl('menu'));
     });
     window._closeMobileMenu = function() {
       const panel = document.getElementById('mobileNavPanel');
       if (panel) panel.classList.remove('open');
-      hamburger.innerHTML = ICONS.menu;
+      hamburger.innerHTML = ''; hamburger.appendChild(iconEl('menu'));
     };
 
     document.addEventListener('click', () => {
@@ -1914,7 +1938,7 @@ function fmtDatetime(dtStr) {
   function buildSearchWidget() {
     const container = el('div', { className: 'search-container' });
     const wrapper = el('div', { className: 'search-wrapper' });
-    const icon = el('span', { className: 'search-icon', innerHTML: ICONS.search });
+    const icon = iconEl('search', 'search-icon');
     const input = el('input', { className: 'search-box', type: 'text', placeholder: 'Search...' });
     const results = el('div', { className: 'search-results' });
     wrapper.appendChild(icon);
@@ -1945,7 +1969,7 @@ function fmtDatetime(dtStr) {
     const bar = el('div', { className: 'category-bar' });
 
     if (config['categories-selecticon']) {
-      bar.appendChild(el('span', { className: 'category-icon material-icons', textContent: config['categories-selecticon'] }));
+      bar.appendChild(iconEl(config['categories-selecticon'], 'category-icon'));
     }
     if (config['categories-selecttext']) {
       bar.appendChild(el('span', { className: 'category-label', textContent: config['categories-selecttext'] }));
@@ -1955,7 +1979,7 @@ function fmtDatetime(dtStr) {
     const trigger = el('button', { className: 'category-trigger', type: 'button' });
     const triggerLabel = el('span', { id: 'categoryTriggerLabel' });
     trigger.appendChild(triggerLabel);
-    trigger.appendChild(el('span', { className: 'caret', textContent: '▾' }));
+    trigger.appendChild(iconEl('arrow_drop_down', 'caret'));
     dropdown.appendChild(trigger);
 
     const panel = el('div', { className: 'category-panel' });
@@ -2172,8 +2196,9 @@ function fmtDatetime(dtStr) {
 
     if (isHidden) {
       const expanded = sectionExpanded(section.code);
-      heading.innerHTML = `<span class="toggle-icon">${expanded ? '−' : '+'}</span><span></span>`;
-      heading.querySelector('span:last-child').textContent = name;
+      heading.innerHTML = '';
+      heading.appendChild(iconEl(expanded ? 'arrow_drop_down' : 'arrow_right', 'toggle-icon'));
+      heading.appendChild(el('span', { textContent: name }));
       heading.addEventListener('click', () => {
         toggleSection(section.code);
         renderNav();
@@ -2270,7 +2295,7 @@ function fmtDatetime(dtStr) {
       const title = pageDisplayTitle(primary);
       const trigger = el('a', { className: 'nav-trigger', href: '#' + primary.file, 'data-file': primary.file });
       trigger.appendChild(el('span', { textContent: title }));
-      if (hasChildren) trigger.appendChild(el('span', { className: 'nav-caret', textContent: '▾' }));
+      if (hasChildren) trigger.appendChild(iconEl('arrow_drop_down', 'nav-caret'));
       group.appendChild(trigger);
 
       if (hasChildren) {
@@ -2319,7 +2344,7 @@ function fmtDatetime(dtStr) {
     } else {
       const trigger = el('button', { className: 'nav-trigger', type: 'button' });
       trigger.appendChild(el('span', { textContent: name }));
-      trigger.appendChild(el('span', { className: 'nav-caret', textContent: '▾' }));
+      trigger.appendChild(iconEl('arrow_drop_down', 'nav-caret'));
       trigger.addEventListener('click', e => { e.stopPropagation(); group.classList.toggle('open'); });
       group.appendChild(trigger);
 
@@ -2494,6 +2519,10 @@ function fmtDatetime(dtStr) {
       loadFonts(themeConfig);
       initCategories();
 
+      const iconsToPreload = [...STANDARD_ICONS];
+      if (config['categories-selecticon']) iconsToPreload.push(config['categories-selecticon']);
+      await Promise.all(iconsToPreload.map(name => loadIcon(name)));
+
       const navMode = config.navigation || 'sidebar';
       if (navMode === 'topbar') buildTopbar();
       else buildSidebar();