diff --git a/doc/z-index-guide.md b/doc/z-index-guide.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..49a5733a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/z-index-guide.md
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+# Z-Index Guide — TimeSafari
+
+**Author**: Development Team  
+**Date**: 2025-08-25T19:38:09-08:00  
+**Status**: 🎯 **ACTIVE** - Z-index layering standards
+
+## Objective
+Establish consistent z-index values across the TimeSafari application to ensure proper layering of UI elements.
+
+## Result
+This document defines the z-index hierarchy for all UI components.
+
+## Use/Run
+Reference these values when implementing new components or modifying existing ones to maintain consistent layering.
+
+## Z-Index Hierarchy
+
+| Component | Z-Index | Usage |
+|-----------|---------|-------|
+| **Map** | `40` | Base map layer and map-related overlays |
+| **QuickNav** | `50` | Quick navigation bottom bar |
+| **Dialogs and Modals** | `100` | Modal dialogs, popups, and overlay content |
+| **Notifications and Toasts** | `120` | System notifications, alerts, and toast messages |
+
+## Best Practices
+
+1. **Never exceed 120** - Keep the highest z-index reserved for critical notifications
+2. **Use increments of 10** - Leave room for future additions between layers
+3. **Document exceptions** - If you need a z-index outside this range, document the reason
+4. **Test layering** - Verify z-index behavior across different screen sizes and devices
+
+## Common Pitfalls
+
+- **Avoid arbitrary values** - Don't use random z-index numbers
+- **Don't nest high z-index** - Keep child elements within their parent's z-index range
+- **Consider stacking context** - Remember that `position: relative` creates new stacking contexts
+
+## Next Steps
+
+| Owner | Task | Exit Criteria | Target Date |
+|-------|------|---------------|-------------|
+| Dev Team | Apply z-index classes to existing components | All components use defined z-index values | 2025-09-01 |
+
+## Competence Hooks
+
+- **Why this works**: Creates predictable layering hierarchy that prevents UI conflicts
+- **Common pitfalls**: Using arbitrary z-index values or exceeding the defined range
+- **Next skill unlock**: Learn about CSS stacking contexts and their impact on z-index
+- **Teach-back**: Explain the z-index hierarchy to a team member without referencing this guide
+
+## Collaboration Hooks
+
+- **Reviewers**: Frontend team, UI/UX designers
+- **Sign-off checklist**: 
+  - [ ] All new components follow z-index guidelines
+  - [ ] Existing components updated to use defined values
+  - [ ] Cross-browser testing completed
+  - [ ] Mobile responsiveness verified
+
+## Assumptions & Limits
+
+- Assumes modern browser support for z-index
+- Limited to 4 defined layers (expandable if needed)
+- Requires team discipline to maintain consistency
+
+## References
+
+- [MDN Z-Index Documentation](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/z-index)
+- [CSS Stacking Context Guide](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/CSS_Positioning/Understanding_z_index/The_stacking_context)
diff --git a/src/App.vue b/src/App.vue
index 8bd39b52..fd1cc9aa 100644
--- a/src/App.vue
+++ b/src/App.vue
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
   <!-- Messages in the upper-right - https://github.com/emmanuelsw/notiwind -->
   <NotificationGroup group="alert">
     <div
-      class="fixed z-[90] top-[max(1rem,env(safe-area-inset-top))] right-4 left-4 sm:left-auto sm:w-full sm:max-w-sm flex flex-col items-start justify-end"
+      class="fixed z-[120] top-[max(1rem,env(safe-area-inset-top))] right-4 left-4 sm:left-auto sm:w-full sm:max-w-sm flex flex-col items-start justify-end"
     >
       <Notification
         v-slot="{ notifications, close }"
diff --git a/src/assets/styles/tailwind.css b/src/assets/styles/tailwind.css
index 60f6579d..f6457ff3 100644
--- a/src/assets/styles/tailwind.css
+++ b/src/assets/styles/tailwind.css
@@ -14,4 +14,12 @@
 		transform: translateX(100%);
 		background-color: #FFF !important;
 	}
+
+	.dialog-overlay {
+		@apply z-[100] fixed inset-0 bg-black/50 flex justify-center items-center p-6;
+	}
+
+	.dialog {
+		@apply bg-white p-4 rounded-lg w-full max-w-lg;
+	}
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/components/ContactNameDialog.vue b/src/components/ContactNameDialog.vue
index e0f715ea..3eb116cf 100644
--- a/src/components/ContactNameDialog.vue
+++ b/src/components/ContactNameDialog.vue
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <!-- similar to UserNameDialog -->
 <template>
-  <div v-if="visible" :class="overlayClasses">
-    <div :class="dialogClasses">
+  <div v-if="visible" class="dialog-overlay">
+    <div class="dialog">
       <h1 :class="titleClasses">{{ title }}</h1>
       {{ message }}
       Note that their name is only stored on this device.
@@ -61,20 +61,6 @@ export default class ContactNameDialog extends Vue {
   title = "Contact Name";
   visible = false;
 
-  /**
-   * CSS classes for the modal overlay backdrop
-   */
-  get overlayClasses(): string {
-    return "z-index-50 fixed top-0 left-0 right-0 bottom-0 bg-black/50 flex justify-center items-center p-6";
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * CSS classes for the modal dialog container
-   */
-  get dialogClasses(): string {
-    return "bg-white p-4 rounded-lg w-full max-w-[500px]";
-  }
-
   /**
    * CSS classes for the dialog title
    */
diff --git a/src/components/FeedFilters.vue b/src/components/FeedFilters.vue
index 956685e9..91a0db6b 100644
--- a/src/components/FeedFilters.vue
+++ b/src/components/FeedFilters.vue
@@ -212,30 +212,7 @@ export default class FeedFilters extends Vue {
 </script>
 
 <style>
-.dialog-overlay {
-  z-index: 50;
-  position: fixed;
-  top: 0;
-  left: 0;
-  right: 0;
-  bottom: 0;
-  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: center;
-  align-items: center;
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-}
-
 #dialogFeedFilters.dialog-overlay {
-  z-index: 100;
   overflow: scroll;
 }
-
-.dialog {
-  background-color: white;
-  padding: 1rem;
-  border-radius: 0.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 500px;
-}
 </style>
diff --git a/src/components/GiftedDialog.vue b/src/components/GiftedDialog.vue
index 0b9cd16a..fc393f53 100644
--- a/src/components/GiftedDialog.vue
+++ b/src/components/GiftedDialog.vue
@@ -665,27 +665,3 @@ export default class GiftedDialog extends Vue {
   }
 }
 </script>
-
-<style>
-.dialog-overlay {
-  z-index: 50;
-  position: fixed;
-  top: 0;
-  left: 0;
-  right: 0;
-  bottom: 0;
-  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: center;
-  align-items: center;
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-}
-
-.dialog {
-  background-color: white;
-  padding: 1rem;
-  border-radius: 0.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 500px;
-}
-</style>
diff --git a/src/components/GiftedPrompts.vue b/src/components/GiftedPrompts.vue
index f4387472..8f5f72c9 100644
--- a/src/components/GiftedPrompts.vue
+++ b/src/components/GiftedPrompts.vue
@@ -291,27 +291,3 @@ export default class GivenPrompts extends Vue {
   }
 }
 </script>
-
-<style>
-.dialog-overlay {
-  z-index: 50;
-  position: fixed;
-  top: 0;
-  left: 0;
-  right: 0;
-  bottom: 0;
-  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: center;
-  align-items: center;
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-}
-
-.dialog {
-  background-color: white;
-  padding: 1rem;
-  border-radius: 0.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 500px;
-}
-</style>
diff --git a/src/components/HiddenDidDialog.vue b/src/components/HiddenDidDialog.vue
index 4b536e21..dfbc352d 100644
--- a/src/components/HiddenDidDialog.vue
+++ b/src/components/HiddenDidDialog.vue
@@ -1,9 +1,6 @@
 <template>
-  <div
-    v-if="isOpen"
-    class="fixed inset-0 bg-black bg-opacity-50 flex items-center justify-center z-50"
-  >
-    <div class="bg-white rounded-lg p-6 max-w-2xl w-full mx-4">
+  <div v-if="isOpen" class="dialog-overlay">
+    <div class="dialog">
       <!-- Header -->
       <div class="flex justify-between items-center mb-4">
         <h2 class="text-xl font-bold capitalize">{{ roleName }} Details</h2>
diff --git a/src/components/ImageMethodDialog.vue b/src/components/ImageMethodDialog.vue
index 0c4c5427..61c3cf79 100644
--- a/src/components/ImageMethodDialog.vue
+++ b/src/components/ImageMethodDialog.vue
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <template>
-  <div v-if="visible" class="dialog-overlay z-[60]">
+  <div v-if="visible" class="dialog-overlay">
     <div class="dialog relative">
       <div class="text-lg text-center font-bold relative">
         <h1 id="ViewHeading" class="text-center font-bold">
@@ -931,32 +931,6 @@ export default class ImageMethodDialog extends Vue {
 </script>
 
 <style>
-.dialog-overlay {
-  z-index: 50;
-  position: fixed;
-  top: 0;
-  left: 0;
-  right: 0;
-  bottom: 0;
-  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: center;
-  align-items: center;
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-}
-
-.dialog {
-  background-color: white;
-  padding: 1rem;
-  border-radius: 0.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 700px;
-  max-height: 90vh;
-  overflow: hidden;
-  display: flex;
-  flex-direction: column;
-}
-
 /* Add styles for diagnostic panel */
 .diagnostic-panel {
   font-family: monospace;
diff --git a/src/components/InviteDialog.vue b/src/components/InviteDialog.vue
index ed640c6e..d10a6f5b 100644
--- a/src/components/InviteDialog.vue
+++ b/src/components/InviteDialog.vue
@@ -93,27 +93,3 @@ export default class InviteDialog extends Vue {
   }
 }
 </script>
-
-<style>
-.dialog-overlay {
-  z-index: 50;
-  position: fixed;
-  top: 0;
-  left: 0;
-  right: 0;
-  bottom: 0;
-  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: center;
-  align-items: center;
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-}
-
-.dialog {
-  background-color: white;
-  padding: 1rem;
-  border-radius: 0.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 500px;
-}
-</style>
diff --git a/src/components/OfferDialog.vue b/src/components/OfferDialog.vue
index 81664088..a958bd06 100644
--- a/src/components/OfferDialog.vue
+++ b/src/components/OfferDialog.vue
@@ -312,28 +312,3 @@ export default class OfferDialog extends Vue {
   }
 }
 </script>
-
-<style scoped>
-.dialog-overlay {
-  position: fixed;
-  top: 0;
-  left: 0;
-  width: 100%;
-  height: 100%;
-  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: center;
-  align-items: center;
-  z-index: 50;
-}
-
-.dialog {
-  background: white;
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-  border-radius: 0.5rem;
-  max-width: 500px;
-  width: 90%;
-  max-height: 90vh;
-  overflow-y: auto;
-}
-</style>
diff --git a/src/components/OnboardingDialog.vue b/src/components/OnboardingDialog.vue
index f6275f12..fe419d55 100644
--- a/src/components/OnboardingDialog.vue
+++ b/src/components/OnboardingDialog.vue
@@ -307,27 +307,3 @@ export default class OnboardingDialog extends Vue {
   }
 }
 </script>
-
-<style>
-.dialog-overlay {
-  z-index: 40;
-  position: fixed;
-  top: 0;
-  left: 0;
-  right: 0;
-  bottom: 0;
-  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: center;
-  align-items: center;
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-}
-
-.dialog {
-  background-color: white;
-  padding: 1rem;
-  border-radius: 0.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 500px;
-}
-</style>
diff --git a/src/components/PhotoDialog.vue b/src/components/PhotoDialog.vue
index 590f60b3..fb110359 100644
--- a/src/components/PhotoDialog.vue
+++ b/src/components/PhotoDialog.vue
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ Comprehensive error handling * * @author Matthew Raymer * @version 1.0.0 * @file
 PhotoDialog.vue */
 
 <template>
-  <div v-if="visible" class="dialog-overlay z-[60]">
+  <div v-if="visible" class="dialog-overlay>
     <div class="dialog relative">
       <div class="text-lg text-center font-light relative z-50">
         <div id="ViewHeading" :class="headingClasses">
@@ -628,34 +628,6 @@ export default class PhotoDialog extends Vue {
 </script>
 
 <style>
-/* Dialog overlay styling */
-.dialog-overlay {
-  z-index: 60;
-  position: fixed;
-  top: 0;
-  left: 0;
-  right: 0;
-  bottom: 0;
-  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: center;
-  align-items: center;
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-}
-
-/* Dialog container styling */
-.dialog {
-  background-color: white;
-  padding: 1rem;
-  border-radius: 0.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 700px;
-  max-height: 90vh;
-  overflow: hidden;
-  display: flex;
-  flex-direction: column;
-}
-
 /* Camera preview styling */
 .camera-preview {
   flex: 1;
diff --git a/src/components/UserNameDialog.vue b/src/components/UserNameDialog.vue
index dec1a84c..d71ee9fc 100644
--- a/src/components/UserNameDialog.vue
+++ b/src/components/UserNameDialog.vue
@@ -134,27 +134,3 @@ export default class UserNameDialog extends Vue {
   }
 }
 </script>
-
-<style>
-.dialog-overlay {
-  z-index: 50;
-  position: fixed;
-  top: 0;
-  left: 0;
-  right: 0;
-  bottom: 0;
-  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: center;
-  align-items: center;
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-}
-
-.dialog {
-  background-color: white;
-  padding: 1rem;
-  border-radius: 0.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 500px;
-}
-</style>
diff --git a/src/views/DIDView.vue b/src/views/DIDView.vue
index a6212ece..56c97beb 100644
--- a/src/views/DIDView.vue
+++ b/src/views/DIDView.vue
@@ -831,26 +831,3 @@ export default class DIDView extends Vue {
   }
 }
 </script>
-
-<style>
-.dialog-overlay {
-  z-index: 50;
-  position: fixed;
-  top: 0;
-  left: 0;
-  right: 0;
-  bottom: 0;
-  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: center;
-  align-items: center;
-  padding: 1.5rem;
-}
-.dialog {
-  background-color: white;
-  padding: 1rem;
-  border-radius: 0.5rem;
-  width: 100%;
-  max-width: 500px;
-}
-</style>