.sidebar .nav-item {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  width: 44px;
  height: 44px;
  border-radius: 15px;
  background: #232323;
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: transform 120ms ease, background 120ms ease, box-shadow 120ms ease;
}

.sidebar .nav-item i {
  font-size: 30px;
  color: #ffffff;
}

.sidebar .nav-item:hover {
  transform: translateY(-1px);
  background: #2a2a2a;
  box-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.35);
}

.sidebar .nav-item.active,
.sidebar .nav-item:focus-visible {
  outline: none;
  background: #2e2153;       /* subtle purple base */
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px #8B5CF6 inset;
}

.sidebar .nav-item.active i {
  color: #FFD700;             /* “active” yellow to match your headings */
}