diff --git a/8Knot/assets/color.css b/8Knot/assets/color.css
index 089a39d0..e8834d4a 100644
--- a/8Knot/assets/color.css
+++ b/8Knot/assets/color.css
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@
     --button-text-light: #fff9f9;
 
     /* MultiSelect pill colors */
-    --pill-default-bg: #555555;
-    --pill-default-color: #ffffff;
+    --pill-pending-bg: #B03A2E;
+    --pill-text-color: #ffffff;
 
     /* Table colors */
     --table-bg-dark: #222;
@@ -84,18 +84,18 @@
    The .searching class is toggled by a callback in index_callbacks.py
 
 
-/* Style for filter pills (grey by default when selected) */
+/* Style for filter pills (red by default when selected but search not executed) */
 
 .mantine-MultiSelect-pill,
 .mantine-MultiSelect-value {
-    background-color: var(--gray-medium);
-    color: var(--color-white);
+    background-color: var(--pill-pending-bg);
+    color: var(--pill-text-color);
 }
 
 .searchbar-dropdown .mantine-MultiSelect-pill,
 .searchbar-dropdown .mantine-MultiSelect-value {
-    background-color: var(--gray-medium);
-    color: var(--color-white);
+    background-color: var(--pill-pending-bg);
+    color: var(--pill-text-color);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/8Knot/pages/index/index_callbacks.py b/8Knot/pages/index/index_callbacks.py
index 86734e3c..72312707 100644
--- a/8Knot/pages/index/index_callbacks.py
+++ b/8Knot/pages/index/index_callbacks.py
@@ -867,7 +867,7 @@ def hide_loading_on_landing(pathname):
 # Callback to change pill color when search is clicked
 #
 # This callback implements dynamic pill coloring:
-# - When user selects repos/orgs: pills are grey (pending)
+# - When user selects repos/orgs: pills are red (pending)
 # - When user clicks search icon: pills turn blue (active search)
 # - Default selection (chaoss) starts blue since search is auto-triggered
 #
@@ -882,7 +882,7 @@ def update_pill_color_on_search(_, selected_repos_orgs):
     """Update pill color based on search action.
 
     When search icon is clicked, add 'searching' class to turn pills blue.
-    When values change (user is selecting), remove 'searching' class to keep pills grey.
+    When values change (user is selecting), remove 'searching' class to keep pills red.
     """
     if not dash.ctx.triggered:
         return dash.no_update
@@ -894,8 +894,8 @@ def update_pill_color_on_search(_, selected_repos_orgs):
         logging.info(f"PILL COLOR: Search clicked - turning pills BLUE")
         return "searchbar-dropdown searching"
     if triggered_id == "projects":
-        # Values changed (user selecting) - remove 'searching' class to keep pills grey
-        logging.info(f"PILL COLOR: Values changed - turning pills GREY. Selected: {selected_repos_orgs}")
+        # Values changed (user selecting) - remove 'searching' class to keep pills red
+        logging.info(f"PILL COLOR: Values changed - turning pills RED. Selected: {selected_repos_orgs}")
         return "searchbar-dropdown"
 
     return dash.no_update
diff --git a/8Knot/pages/index/search_utils.py b/8Knot/pages/index/search_utils.py
index 8a34a371..576c4312 100644
--- a/8Knot/pages/index/search_utils.py
+++ b/8Knot/pages/index/search_utils.py
@@ -443,14 +443,14 @@ def create_multiselect_styles():
             "margin": "var(--multiselect-item-margin)",
             "color": "var(--color-white)",
         },
-        # Inline styles for grey pill default color (turns blue with "searching" class)
+        # Inline styles for pending pill color (red by default, turns blue with "searching" class)
         "value": {
-            "backgroundColor": "var(--pill-default-bg)",
-            "color": "var(--pill-default-color)",
+            "backgroundColor": "var(--pill-pending-bg)",
+            "color": "var(--pill-text-color)",
         },
         "pill": {
-            "backgroundColor": "var(--pill-default-bg)",
-            "color": "var(--pill-default-color)",
+            "backgroundColor": "var(--pill-pending-bg)",
+            "color": "var(--pill-text-color)",
         },
     }