diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 0043680..c5ddf45 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -256,10 +256,13 @@ Use `Avatar` with a required `name`; sizes are `sm`, `md`, and `lg`. Supply `src
 
 ### Alert
 
-Use `Alert` for persistent inline feedback. Tones are `info`, `warning`, `success`, and `danger`.
+Use `Alert` for persistent inline feedback. Tones are `info`, `warning`, `success`, and `danger`; variants are `default` and `subtle`.
 
 - Use `danger` for failures that need immediate attention; it uses `role="alert"`.
+- Use `subtle` for persistent advisory regions such as danger zones that should communicate meaning without competing with current content. Subtle alerts use `role="status"` unless `role` is set explicitly.
 - Use quieter tones for advisory state; they use `role="status"`.
+- Theme alert fills and borders with `--bits-alert-surface` and `--bits-alert-border`; do not target private `.bits-alert-*` selectors.
+- Pass `icon={null}` when the alert should have no marker. Subtle alerts otherwise use a compact, glyph-free marker by default.
 - Provide a concrete recovery control through `action` when the user can resolve the condition.
 - Do not use Alert for transient confirmation that is better handled by Toast.
 - Do not use Toast as the only record of a blocking error.
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 39eb981..59f91f8 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -10,11 +10,13 @@ this project follows [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 ### Added
 
 - Dialog block content, compact and medium sizes, and disabled/loading confirmation states for short form workflows.
+- A subtle Alert variant with derived low-emphasis surfaces, borders, and compact markers.
 
 ### Changed
 
 - Dialog focus trapping now includes native select, textarea, editable, and explicitly tabbable controls.
 - An open Select consumes Escape before a containing dialog closes.
+- Alert surfaces and borders can be themed through `--bits-alert-surface` and `--bits-alert-border`.
 
 ## 0.2.0 - 2026-09-02
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d56e0f7..6e443f7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -177,21 +177,30 @@ import { Segmented } from '@16-bits-design/ui/segmented';
 
 ### Alert
 
-Use `Alert` for persistent inline feedback that must remain available in the page. Danger alerts use `role="alert"`; info, warning, and success alerts use the quieter `role="status"`. Actions remain explicit composable controls.
+Use `Alert` for persistent inline feedback that must remain available in the page.
+The default variant uses a strong tone border for events that need attention now;
+use `variant="subtle"` for persistent advisory regions such as a danger zone.
+Subtle alerts use a compact marker and the quieter `role="status"`, including for
+the danger tone. Actions remain explicit composable controls.
 
 ```tsx
 import { Alert } from '@16-bits-design/ui/alert';
 import { Button } from '@16-bits-design/ui/button';
 
 <Alert
+  variant="subtle"
   tone="danger"
-  title="Could not load deployments"
-  action={<Button size="sm">Retry</Button>}
+  title="Delete this organization"
+  action={<Button size="sm" variant="danger">Delete organization</Button>}
 >
-  The service returned an unexpected response.
+  Permanently removes the organization and all of its projects.
 </Alert>
 ```
 
+The derived subtle colors follow the active tone and theme. A theme can provide
+exact authored values through `--bits-alert-surface` and `--bits-alert-border`
+without targeting component classes. Pass `icon={null}` to omit the marker.
+
 ### Table
 
 Use the composable table primitives for genuinely tabular data. `Table` keeps wide content inside a keyboard-focusable horizontal scroll region; give that region a context-specific `scrollLabel`. End-aligned cells use tabular numerals automatically.
diff --git a/docs/evidence/issue-22-alert-emphasis-ember.jpg b/docs/evidence/issue-22-alert-emphasis-ember.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..18603b6
Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/evidence/issue-22-alert-emphasis-ember.jpg differ
diff --git a/docs/evidence/issue-22-alert-emphasis-ocean.jpg b/docs/evidence/issue-22-alert-emphasis-ocean.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bed4eaf
Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/evidence/issue-22-alert-emphasis-ocean.jpg differ
diff --git a/docs/evidence/issue-22-alert-narrow-ember.jpg b/docs/evidence/issue-22-alert-narrow-ember.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0031fe
Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/evidence/issue-22-alert-narrow-ember.jpg differ
diff --git a/docs/evidence/issue-22-alert-theme-override-ember.jpg b/docs/evidence/issue-22-alert-theme-override-ember.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1dfd399
Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/evidence/issue-22-alert-theme-override-ember.jpg differ
diff --git a/src/components/Alert.stories.tsx b/src/components/Alert.stories.tsx
index aca75a5..69822a9 100644
--- a/src/components/Alert.stories.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Alert.stories.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 import type { Meta, StoryObj } from '@storybook/react-vite';
 import { Alert } from './Alert';
 import { Button } from './Button';
+import type { ThemeCSSProperties } from '../theme';
+
+const authoredDangerZoneTheme: ThemeCSSProperties = {
+  '--bits-alert-surface': '#170d0b',
+  '--bits-alert-border': '#4a231c',
+};
 
 const meta = {
   title: 'Components/Alert',
@@ -8,11 +14,13 @@ const meta = {
   tags: ['autodocs'],
   args: {
     tone: 'info',
+    variant: 'default',
     title: 'Maintenance window scheduled',
     children: 'Requests may be delayed for up to two minutes while the edge nodes restart.',
   },
   argTypes: {
     tone: { control: 'inline-radio', options: ['info', 'warning', 'success', 'danger'] },
+    variant: { control: 'inline-radio', options: ['default', 'subtle'] },
     action: { control: false },
     icon: { control: false },
   },
@@ -42,6 +50,60 @@ export const Tones: Story = {
   ),
 };
 
+export const SubtleTones: Story = {
+  args: { variant: 'subtle' },
+  render: () => (
+    <div className="story-stack" style={{ maxWidth: 640 }}>
+      <Alert variant="subtle" tone="info" title="New runtime available">
+        Version 4.8 can be enabled from workspace settings.
+      </Alert>
+      <Alert variant="subtle" tone="warning" title="Usage is nearing its limit">
+        86% of this month&apos;s execution allowance has been used.
+      </Alert>
+      <Alert variant="subtle" tone="success" title="Access key is ready">
+        The key remains available until you leave this page.
+      </Alert>
+      <Alert variant="subtle" tone="danger" title="Danger zone">
+        Destructive organization controls are grouped below.
+      </Alert>
+    </div>
+  ),
+};
+
+export const EmphasisComparison: Story = {
+  render: () => (
+    <div className="story-stack" style={{ maxWidth: 720 }}>
+      <Alert tone="danger" title="Could not delete organization">
+        No changes were made. Check your connection and try again.
+      </Alert>
+      <Alert
+        variant="subtle"
+        tone="danger"
+        title="Delete this organization"
+        action={<Button size="sm" variant="danger">Delete organization</Button>}
+      >
+        Permanently removes the organization and all of its projects.
+      </Alert>
+    </div>
+  ),
+};
+
+export const ThemeOverride: Story = {
+  args: { variant: 'subtle', tone: 'danger' },
+  render: () => (
+    <div style={{ ...authoredDangerZoneTheme, maxWidth: 720 }}>
+      <Alert
+        variant="subtle"
+        tone="danger"
+        title="Delete this organization"
+        action={<Button size="sm" variant="danger">Delete organization</Button>}
+      >
+        Permanently removes the organization and all of its projects.
+      </Alert>
+    </div>
+  ),
+};
+
 export const WithRecoveryAction: Story = {
   render: () => (
     <Alert
@@ -58,8 +120,8 @@ export const WithRecoveryAction: Story = {
 export const NarrowViewport: Story = {
   render: () => (
     <div style={{ maxWidth: 320 }}>
-      <Alert tone="warning" title="Usage is nearing its monthly limit" action={<Button size="sm" variant="secondary">View usage</Button>}>
-        Some new executions may be held if the remaining allowance is consumed.
+      <Alert variant="subtle" tone="danger" title="Delete this organization" action={<Button size="sm" variant="danger">Delete organization</Button>}>
+        Permanently removes the organization and all of its projects.
       </Alert>
     </div>
   ),
diff --git a/src/components/Alert.tsx b/src/components/Alert.tsx
index 365466b..a591b45 100644
--- a/src/components/Alert.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Alert.tsx
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import type { HTMLAttributes, ReactNode } from 'react';
 import { cn } from '../lib/cn';
 
 export type AlertTone = 'info' | 'warning' | 'success' | 'danger';
+export type AlertVariant = 'default' | 'subtle';
 
 const alertIcons: Record<AlertTone, string> = {
   info: 'i',
@@ -13,6 +14,7 @@ const alertIcons: Record<AlertTone, string> = {
 
 export type AlertProps = Omit<HTMLAttributes<HTMLDivElement>, 'title'> & {
   tone?: AlertTone;
+  variant?: AlertVariant;
   title: ReactNode;
   icon?: ReactNode;
   action?: ReactNode;
@@ -22,6 +24,7 @@ export const Alert = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, AlertProps>(
   (
     {
       tone = 'info',
+      variant = 'default',
       title,
       icon,
       action,
@@ -31,22 +34,33 @@ export const Alert = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, AlertProps>(
       ...props
     },
     ref,
-  ) => (
-    <div
-      {...props}
-      ref={ref}
-      className={cn('bits-component bits-alert', `bits-alert--${tone}`, className)}
-      role={role ?? (tone === 'danger' ? 'alert' : 'status')}
-    >
-      <span className="bits-alert__icon" aria-hidden="true">{icon ?? alertIcons[tone]}</span>
-      <div className="bits-alert__content">
-        <div className="bits-alert__copy">
-          <div className="bits-alert__title">{title}</div>
-          {children === undefined ? null : <div className="bits-alert__message">{children}</div>}
+  ) => {
+    const defaultMarker = variant === 'subtle' ? null : alertIcons[tone];
+
+    return (
+      <div
+        {...props}
+        ref={ref}
+        className={cn('bits-component bits-alert', `bits-alert--${tone}`, `bits-alert--${variant}`, className)}
+        role={role ?? (tone === 'danger' && variant === 'default' ? 'alert' : 'status')}
+      >
+        {icon === null ? null : (
+          <span
+            className={cn('bits-alert__icon', variant === 'subtle' && icon === undefined && 'bits-alert__icon--marker')}
+            aria-hidden="true"
+          >
+            {icon ?? defaultMarker}
+          </span>
+        )}
+        <div className="bits-alert__content">
+          <div className="bits-alert__copy">
+            <div className="bits-alert__title">{title}</div>
+            {children === undefined ? null : <div className="bits-alert__message">{children}</div>}
+          </div>
+          {action === undefined ? null : <div className="bits-alert__action">{action}</div>}
         </div>
-        {action === undefined ? null : <div className="bits-alert__action">{action}</div>}
       </div>
-    </div>
-  ),
+    );
+  },
 );
 Alert.displayName = 'Alert';
diff --git a/src/components/components.test.tsx b/src/components/components.test.tsx
index c08698f..14902a7 100644
--- a/src/components/components.test.tsx
+++ b/src/components/components.test.tsx
@@ -162,6 +162,23 @@ describe('display components', () => {
     expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Retry request' })).toBeEnabled();
   });
 
+  it('renders subtle alerts with a compact marker and advisory semantics', () => {
+    render(<Alert variant="subtle" tone="danger" title="Danger zone">Destructive controls follow.</Alert>);
+
+    const alert = screen.getByRole('status');
+    expect(alert).toHaveClass('bits-alert--subtle', 'bits-alert--danger');
+    expect(alert.querySelector('.bits-alert__icon--marker')).toBeEmptyDOMElement();
+    expect(stylesheet).toContain('var(--bits-alert-border, var(--bits-alert-tone))');
+    expect(stylesheet).toContain('var(--bits-alert-surface, var(--bits-raised))');
+    expect(stylesheet).toContain('var(--bits-alert-border, color-mix');
+    expect(stylesheet).toContain('var(--bits-alert-surface, color-mix');
+  });
+
+  it('allows an alert marker to be omitted explicitly', () => {
+    render(<Alert icon={null} title="No marker">Message.</Alert>);
+    expect(screen.getByRole('status').querySelector('.bits-alert__icon')).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
   it('exposes only live Ember and Ocean theme tokens', () => {
     expect(builtInThemes).toEqual(['ember', 'ocean']);
     expect(colors.primary).toBe('var(--bits-primary)');
diff --git a/src/entries/alert.ts b/src/entries/alert.ts
index 91c7943..8b90e7a 100644
--- a/src/entries/alert.ts
+++ b/src/entries/alert.ts
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 export { Alert } from '../components/Alert';
-export type { AlertProps, AlertTone } from '../components/Alert';
+export type { AlertProps, AlertTone, AlertVariant } from '../components/Alert';
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index db20e86..3ffdc3e 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 export { Alert } from '@16-bits-design/ui/alert';
-export type { AlertProps, AlertTone } from '@16-bits-design/ui/alert';
+export type { AlertProps, AlertTone, AlertVariant } from '@16-bits-design/ui/alert';
 
 export { Avatar } from '@16-bits-design/ui/avatar';
 export type { AvatarProps, AvatarSize } from '@16-bits-design/ui/avatar';
diff --git a/src/stories/Theme.mdx b/src/stories/Theme.mdx
index a2f4b6c..982b815 100644
--- a/src/stories/Theme.mdx
+++ b/src/stories/Theme.mdx
@@ -130,6 +130,31 @@ a stable selector or application state value:
   </tbody>
 </table>
 
+## Component color overrides
+
+Component-level variables are optional. They inherit through a theme container and
+let a design tune a component without depending on its private class names.
+
+<table>
+  <thead>
+    <tr><th>Variable</th><th>Purpose</th><th>Fallback</th></tr>
+  </thead>
+  <tbody>
+    <tr><td><code>--bits-alert-surface</code></td><td>Alert background fill</td><td><code>--bits-raised</code>, or a tone-derived wash for subtle alerts</td></tr>
+    <tr><td><code>--bits-alert-border</code></td><td>Alert border color</td><td>The alert tone, or a weakened tone mix for subtle alerts</td></tr>
+  </tbody>
+</table>
+
+For example, a theme with authored danger-zone values can set both variables on a
+container. The same Alert API and markup remain unchanged:
+
+```css
+.brand-danger-zone {
+  --bits-alert-surface: #170d0b;
+  --bits-alert-border: #4a231c;
+}
+```
+
 Keep text/background and interactive-state combinations accessible. In particular,
 check `--bits-ink` on `--bits-primary`, all text levels on surfaces, and focus rings.
 
diff --git a/src/styles.css b/src/styles.css
index 57b8661..52b8028 100644
--- a/src/styles.css
+++ b/src/styles.css
@@ -362,8 +362,9 @@
 .bits-badge--danger { background: var(--bits-danger); }
 .bits-badge--outline { border: var(--bits-border-width) solid currentColor; background: transparent; color: var(--bits-text-muted); }
 
-.bits-alert { --bits-alert-tone: var(--bits-primary); display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: var(--bits-space-3); width: 100%; padding: var(--bits-space-3); border: var(--bits-border-width) solid var(--bits-alert-tone); background: var(--bits-raised); color: var(--bits-text); font-family: var(--bits-font-body); }
+.bits-alert { --bits-alert-tone: var(--bits-primary); display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: var(--bits-space-3); width: 100%; padding: var(--bits-space-3); border: var(--bits-border-width) solid var(--bits-alert-border, var(--bits-alert-tone)); background: var(--bits-alert-surface, var(--bits-raised)); color: var(--bits-text); font-family: var(--bits-font-body); }
 .bits-alert__icon { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; flex: none; width: 24px; height: 24px; background: var(--bits-alert-tone); color: var(--bits-ink); font: 400 10px/1 var(--bits-font-display); }
+.bits-alert__icon--marker { width: 12px; height: 12px; margin-top: 2px; }
 .bits-alert__content { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; gap: var(--bits-space-4); flex: 1; min-width: 0; }
 .bits-alert__copy { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: var(--bits-space-1); min-width: 0; }
 .bits-alert__title { color: var(--bits-text); font-size: var(--bits-font-size-small); font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.45; }
@@ -373,6 +374,7 @@
 .bits-alert--warning { --bits-alert-tone: var(--bits-amber); }
 .bits-alert--success { --bits-alert-tone: var(--bits-success); }
 .bits-alert--danger { --bits-alert-tone: var(--bits-danger); }
+.bits-alert--subtle { border-color: var(--bits-alert-border, color-mix(in srgb, var(--bits-alert-tone) 30%, var(--bits-surface))); background: var(--bits-alert-surface, color-mix(in srgb, var(--bits-alert-tone) 8%, var(--bits-surface))); }
 @media (max-width: 480px) {
   .bits-alert__content { align-items: flex-start; flex-direction: column; }
   .bits-alert__action { width: 100%; }