diff --git a/src/src/components/background/index.tsx b/src/src/components/background/index.tsx
index 2ce62c4..d2bda92 100644
--- a/src/src/components/background/index.tsx
+++ b/src/src/components/background/index.tsx
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ interface Cell {
   alive: boolean;
   next: boolean;
   color: [number, number, number];
+  baseColor: [number, number, number]; // Original color
   currentX: number;
   currentY: number;
   targetX: number;
@@ -12,8 +13,11 @@ interface Cell {
   targetOpacity: number;
   scale: number;
   targetScale: number;
+  elevation: number; // For 3D effect
+  targetElevation: number;
   transitioning: boolean;
   transitionComplete: boolean;
+  rippleEffect: number; // For ripple animation
 }
 
 interface Grid {
@@ -24,17 +28,30 @@ interface Grid {
   offsetY: number;
 }
 
+interface MousePosition {
+  x: number;
+  y: number;
+  isDown: boolean;
+  lastClickTime: number;
+  cellX: number;
+  cellY: number;
+}
+
 interface BackgroundProps {
   layout?: 'index' | 'sidebar';
   position?: 'left' | 'right';
 }
 
 const CELL_SIZE = 25;
-const TRANSITION_SPEED = 0.05; // Reduced from 0.1 for slower animations
-const SCALE_SPEED = 0.05; // Reduced from 0.15 for slower animations
-const CYCLE_FRAMES = 180; // Increased from 120 to give more time for transitions
+const TRANSITION_SPEED = 0.05;
+const SCALE_SPEED = 0.05;
+const CYCLE_FRAMES = 180;
 const INITIAL_DENSITY = 0.15;
 const SIDEBAR_WIDTH = 240;
+const MOUSE_INFLUENCE_RADIUS = 150; // Radius of mouse influence in pixels
+const COLOR_SHIFT_AMOUNT = 30; // Maximum color shift amount
+const RIPPLE_SPEED = 0.2; // Speed of ripple propagation
+const ELEVATION_FACTOR = 15; // Max height for 3D effect
 
 const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({ 
   layout = 'index',
@@ -45,6 +62,14 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
   const animationFrameRef = useRef<number>();
   const frameCount = useRef(0);
   const resizeTimeoutRef = useRef<NodeJS.Timeout>();
+  const mouseRef = useRef<MousePosition>({
+    x: -1000,
+    y: -1000,
+    isDown: false,
+    lastClickTime: 0,
+    cellX: -1,
+    cellY: -1
+  });
 
   const randomColor = (): [number, number, number] => {
     const colors = [
@@ -70,21 +95,28 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
     const { cols, rows, offsetX, offsetY } = calculateGridDimensions(width, height);
     
     const cells = Array(cols).fill(0).map((_, i) => 
-      Array(rows).fill(0).map((_, j) => ({
-        alive: Math.random() < INITIAL_DENSITY,
-        next: false,
-        color: randomColor(),
-        currentX: i,
-        currentY: j,
-        targetX: i,
-        targetY: j,
-        opacity: 0,
-        targetOpacity: 0,
-        scale: 0,
-        targetScale: 0,
-        transitioning: false,
-        transitionComplete: false
-      }))
+      Array(rows).fill(0).map((_, j) => {
+        const baseColor = randomColor();
+        return {
+          alive: Math.random() < INITIAL_DENSITY,
+          next: false,
+          color: [...baseColor] as [number, number, number],
+          baseColor: baseColor,
+          currentX: i,
+          currentY: j,
+          targetX: i,
+          targetY: j,
+          opacity: 0,
+          targetOpacity: 0,
+          scale: 0,
+          targetScale: 0,
+          elevation: 0,
+          targetElevation: 0,
+          transitioning: false,
+          transitionComplete: false,
+          rippleEffect: 0
+        };
+      })
     );
 
     const grid = { cells, cols, rows, offsetX, offsetY };
@@ -119,11 +151,9 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
         const col = (x + i + grid.cols) % grid.cols;
         const row = (y + j + grid.rows) % grid.rows;
         
-        // Only count cells that are actually alive according to the game state
-        // Not cells that are just visually transitioning
         if (grid.cells[col][row].alive) {
           neighbors.count++;
-          neighbors.colors.push(grid.cells[col][row].color);
+          neighbors.colors.push(grid.cells[col][row].baseColor);
         }
       }
     }
@@ -158,7 +188,8 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
         } else {
           cell.next = count === 3;
           if (cell.next) {
-            cell.color = averageColors(colors);
+            cell.baseColor = averageColors(colors);
+            cell.color = [...cell.baseColor];
           }
         }
       }
@@ -180,9 +211,11 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
             if (!cell.next) {
               cell.targetScale = 0;
               cell.targetOpacity = 0;
+              cell.targetElevation = 0;
             } else {
               cell.targetScale = 1;
               cell.targetOpacity = 1;
+              cell.targetElevation = 0;
             }
           }, delay);
         }
@@ -190,7 +223,59 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
     }
   };
 
+  const createRippleEffect = (grid: Grid, centerX: number, centerY: number) => {
+    const maxDistance = Math.max(grid.cols, grid.rows) / 2;
+    
+    for (let i = 0; i < grid.cols; i++) {
+      for (let j = 0; j < grid.rows; j++) {
+        const cell = grid.cells[i][j];
+        
+        // Calculate distance from cell to ripple center
+        const dx = i - centerX;
+        const dy = j - centerY;
+        const distance = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy);
+        
+        // Only apply ripple to visible cells
+        if (cell.opacity > 0.1) {
+          // Delayed animation based on distance from center
+          setTimeout(() => {
+            cell.rippleEffect = 1; // Start ripple
+            
+            // After a short time, reset ripple
+            setTimeout(() => {
+              cell.rippleEffect = 0;
+            }, 300 + distance * 50);
+          }, distance * 100);
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  };
+
+  const spawnCellAtPosition = (grid: Grid, x: number, y: number) => {
+    if (x >= 0 && x < grid.cols && y >= 0 && y < grid.rows) {
+      const cell = grid.cells[x][y];
+      
+      if (!cell.alive && !cell.transitioning) {
+        cell.alive = true;
+        cell.next = true;
+        cell.transitioning = true;
+        cell.transitionComplete = false;
+        cell.baseColor = randomColor();
+        cell.color = [...cell.baseColor];
+        cell.targetScale = 1;
+        cell.targetOpacity = 1;
+        cell.targetElevation = 0;
+        
+        // Create a small ripple from the new cell
+        createRippleEffect(grid, x, y);
+      }
+    }
+  };
+
   const updateCellAnimations = (grid: Grid) => {
+    const mouseX = mouseRef.current.x;
+    const mouseY = mouseRef.current.y;
+    
     for (let i = 0; i < grid.cols; i++) {
       for (let j = 0; j < grid.rows; j++) {
         const cell = grid.cells[i][j];
@@ -198,7 +283,44 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
         // Smooth transitions
         cell.opacity += (cell.targetOpacity - cell.opacity) * TRANSITION_SPEED;
         cell.scale += (cell.targetScale - cell.scale) * SCALE_SPEED;
+        cell.elevation += (cell.targetElevation - cell.elevation) * SCALE_SPEED;
         
+        // Apply mouse interaction
+        const cellCenterX = grid.offsetX + i * CELL_SIZE + CELL_SIZE / 2;
+        const cellCenterY = grid.offsetY + j * CELL_SIZE + CELL_SIZE / 2;
+        const dx = cellCenterX - mouseX;
+        const dy = cellCenterY - mouseY;
+        const distanceToMouse = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy);
+        
+        // Color wave effect based on mouse position
+        if (distanceToMouse < MOUSE_INFLUENCE_RADIUS && cell.opacity > 0.1) {
+          // Calculate color adjustment based on distance
+          const influenceFactor = 1 - (distanceToMouse / MOUSE_INFLUENCE_RADIUS);
+          
+          // Wave effect with sine function
+          const waveOffset = (frameCount.current * 0.05 + distanceToMouse * 0.05) % (Math.PI * 2);
+          const waveFactor = (Math.sin(waveOffset) * 0.5 + 0.5) * influenceFactor;
+          
+          // Adjust color based on wave
+          cell.color = [
+            Math.min(255, Math.max(0, cell.baseColor[0] + COLOR_SHIFT_AMOUNT * waveFactor)),
+            Math.min(255, Math.max(0, cell.baseColor[1] - COLOR_SHIFT_AMOUNT * waveFactor)),
+            Math.min(255, Math.max(0, cell.baseColor[2] + COLOR_SHIFT_AMOUNT * waveFactor))
+          ] as [number, number, number];
+          
+          // 3D elevation effect when mouse is close
+          cell.targetElevation = ELEVATION_FACTOR * influenceFactor;
+        } else {
+          // Gradually return to base color when mouse is away
+          cell.color[0] += (cell.baseColor[0] - cell.color[0]) * 0.1;
+          cell.color[1] += (cell.baseColor[1] - cell.color[1]) * 0.1;
+          cell.color[2] += (cell.baseColor[2] - cell.color[2]) * 0.1;
+          
+          // Reset elevation when mouse moves away
+          cell.targetElevation = 0;
+        }
+        
+        // Handle cell state transitions
         if (cell.transitioning) {
           // When a cell is completely faded out, update its alive state
           if (!cell.next && cell.opacity < 0.01 && cell.scale < 0.01) {
@@ -207,6 +329,7 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
             cell.transitionComplete = true;
             cell.opacity = 0;
             cell.scale = 0;
+            cell.elevation = 0;
           }
           // When a new cell is born
           else if (cell.next && !cell.alive && !cell.transitionComplete) {
@@ -215,10 +338,68 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
             cell.transitionComplete = true;
           }
         }
+        
+        // Gradually decrease ripple effect
+        if (cell.rippleEffect > 0) {
+          cell.rippleEffect = Math.max(0, cell.rippleEffect - RIPPLE_SPEED);
+        }
       }
     }
   };
 
+  const handleMouseDown = (e: MouseEvent) => {
+    if (!gridRef.current || !canvasRef.current) return;
+    
+    const canvas = canvasRef.current;
+    const rect = canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
+    const mouseX = e.clientX - rect.left;
+    const mouseY = e.clientY - rect.top;
+    
+    mouseRef.current.isDown = true;
+    mouseRef.current.lastClickTime = Date.now();
+    
+    const grid = gridRef.current;
+    
+    // Calculate which cell was clicked
+    const cellX = Math.floor((mouseX - grid.offsetX) / CELL_SIZE);
+    const cellY = Math.floor((mouseY - grid.offsetY) / CELL_SIZE);
+    
+    if (cellX >= 0 && cellX < grid.cols && cellY >= 0 && cellY < grid.rows) {
+      mouseRef.current.cellX = cellX;
+      mouseRef.current.cellY = cellY;
+      
+      const cell = grid.cells[cellX][cellY];
+      
+      if (cell.alive) {
+        // Create ripple effect from existing cell
+        createRippleEffect(grid, cellX, cellY);
+      } else {
+        // Spawn new cell at empty position
+        spawnCellAtPosition(grid, cellX, cellY);
+      }
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleMouseMove = (e: MouseEvent) => {
+    if (!canvasRef.current) return;
+    
+    const canvas = canvasRef.current;
+    const rect = canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
+    
+    mouseRef.current.x = e.clientX - rect.left;
+    mouseRef.current.y = e.clientY - rect.top;
+  };
+
+  const handleMouseUp = () => {
+    mouseRef.current.isDown = false;
+  };
+
+  const handleMouseLeave = () => {
+    mouseRef.current.isDown = false;
+    mouseRef.current.x = -1000;
+    mouseRef.current.y = -1000;
+  };
+
   const setupCanvas = (canvas: HTMLCanvasElement, width: number, height: number) => {
     const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
     if (!ctx) return;
@@ -280,6 +461,12 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
       gridRef.current = initGrid(displayWidth, displayHeight);
     }
 
+    // Add mouse event listeners
+    canvas.addEventListener('mousedown', handleMouseDown, { signal });
+    canvas.addEventListener('mousemove', handleMouseMove, { signal });
+    canvas.addEventListener('mouseup', handleMouseUp, { signal });
+    canvas.addEventListener('mouseleave', handleMouseLeave, { signal });
+
     const animate = () => {
       if (signal.aborted) return;
       
@@ -310,16 +497,71 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
             if ((cell.alive || cell.targetOpacity > 0) && cell.opacity > 0.01) {
               const [r, g, b] = cell.color;
               ctx.fillStyle = `rgb(${r},${g},${b})`;
-              ctx.globalAlpha = cell.opacity * 0.8;
+              
+              // Apply ripple and elevation effects to opacity
+              const rippleBoost = cell.rippleEffect * 0.4; // Boost opacity during ripple
+              ctx.globalAlpha = Math.min(1, cell.opacity * 0.8 + rippleBoost);
 
               const scaledSize = cellSize * cell.scale;
               const xOffset = (cellSize - scaledSize) / 2;
               const yOffset = (cellSize - scaledSize) / 2;
               
+              // Apply 3D elevation effect
+              const elevationOffset = cell.elevation;
+              
               const x = grid.offsetX + i * CELL_SIZE + (CELL_SIZE - cellSize) / 2 + xOffset;
-              const y = grid.offsetY + j * CELL_SIZE + (CELL_SIZE - cellSize) / 2 + yOffset;
+              const y = grid.offsetY + j * CELL_SIZE + (CELL_SIZE - cellSize) / 2 + yOffset - elevationOffset;
               const scaledRoundness = roundness * cell.scale;
 
+              // Draw shadow for 3D effect if cell has elevation
+              if (elevationOffset > 1) {
+                ctx.fillStyle = 'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)';
+                ctx.beginPath();
+                ctx.moveTo(x + scaledRoundness, y + elevationOffset + 5);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledSize - scaledRoundness, y + elevationOffset + 5);
+                ctx.quadraticCurveTo(x + scaledSize, y + elevationOffset + 5, x + scaledSize, y + elevationOffset + 5 + scaledRoundness);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledSize, y + elevationOffset + 5 + scaledSize - scaledRoundness);
+                ctx.quadraticCurveTo(x + scaledSize, y + elevationOffset + 5 + scaledSize, x + scaledSize - scaledRoundness, y + elevationOffset + 5 + scaledSize);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledRoundness, y + elevationOffset + 5 + scaledSize);
+                ctx.quadraticCurveTo(x, y + elevationOffset + 5 + scaledSize, x, y + elevationOffset + 5 + scaledSize - scaledRoundness);
+                ctx.lineTo(x, y + elevationOffset + 5 + scaledRoundness);
+                ctx.quadraticCurveTo(x, y + elevationOffset + 5, x + scaledRoundness, y + elevationOffset + 5);
+                ctx.fill();
+                
+                // Draw side of elevated cell
+                const sideHeight = elevationOffset;
+                ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(${r*0.7}, ${g*0.7}, ${b*0.7}, ${ctx.globalAlpha})`;
+                
+                // Left side
+                ctx.beginPath();
+                ctx.moveTo(x, y + scaledRoundness);
+                ctx.lineTo(x, y + scaledSize - scaledRoundness + sideHeight);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledRoundness, y + scaledSize + sideHeight);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledRoundness, y + scaledSize);
+                ctx.lineTo(x, y + scaledSize - scaledRoundness);
+                ctx.fill();
+                
+                // Right side
+                ctx.beginPath();
+                ctx.moveTo(x + scaledSize, y + scaledRoundness);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledSize, y + scaledSize - scaledRoundness + sideHeight);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledSize - scaledRoundness, y + scaledSize + sideHeight);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledSize - scaledRoundness, y + scaledSize);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledSize, y + scaledSize - scaledRoundness);
+                ctx.fill();
+                
+                // Bottom side
+                ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(${r*0.5}, ${g*0.5}, ${b*0.5}, ${ctx.globalAlpha})`;
+                ctx.beginPath();
+                ctx.moveTo(x + scaledRoundness, y + scaledSize);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledSize - scaledRoundness, y + scaledSize);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledSize - scaledRoundness, y + scaledSize + sideHeight);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledRoundness, y + scaledSize + sideHeight);
+                ctx.fill();
+              }
+              
+              // Draw main cell with original color
+              ctx.fillStyle = `rgb(${r},${g},${b})`;
               ctx.beginPath();
               ctx.moveTo(x + scaledRoundness, y);
               ctx.lineTo(x + scaledSize - scaledRoundness, y);
@@ -331,6 +573,38 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
               ctx.lineTo(x, y + scaledRoundness);
               ctx.quadraticCurveTo(x, y, x + scaledRoundness, y);
               ctx.fill();
+              
+              // Draw highlight on top for 3D effect
+              if (elevationOffset > 1) {
+                ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(255, 255, 255, ${0.2 * elevationOffset / ELEVATION_FACTOR})`;
+                ctx.beginPath();
+                ctx.moveTo(x + scaledRoundness, y);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledSize - scaledRoundness, y);
+                ctx.quadraticCurveTo(x + scaledSize, y, x + scaledSize, y + scaledRoundness);
+                ctx.lineTo(x + scaledSize, y + scaledSize/3);
+                ctx.lineTo(x, y + scaledSize/3);
+                ctx.lineTo(x, y + scaledRoundness);
+                ctx.quadraticCurveTo(x, y, x + scaledRoundness, y);
+                ctx.fill();
+              }
+              
+              // Draw ripple effect
+              if (cell.rippleEffect > 0) {
+                const rippleRadius = cell.rippleEffect * cellSize * 2;
+                const rippleAlpha = (1 - cell.rippleEffect) * 0.5;
+                
+                ctx.strokeStyle = `rgba(255, 255, 255, ${rippleAlpha})`;
+                ctx.lineWidth = 2;
+                ctx.beginPath();
+                ctx.arc(
+                  x + scaledSize / 2, 
+                  y + scaledSize / 2, 
+                  rippleRadius, 
+                  0, 
+                  Math.PI * 2
+                );
+                ctx.stroke();
+              }
             }
           }
         }
@@ -361,7 +635,7 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
       return 'fixed inset-0 -z-10';
     }
     
-    const baseClasses = 'fixed top-0 bottom-0 hidden lg:block -z-10 pointer-events-none';
+    const baseClasses = 'fixed top-0 bottom-0 hidden lg:block -z-10';
     return position === 'left' 
       ? `${baseClasses} left-0` 
       : `${baseClasses} right-0`;
@@ -371,9 +645,9 @@ const Background: React.FC<BackgroundProps> = ({
     <div className={getContainerClasses()}>
       <canvas
         ref={canvasRef}
-        className="w-full h-full bg-black"
+        className="w-full h-full bg-black cursor-pointer"
       />
-      <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-black/30 backdrop-blur-sm" />
+      <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-black/30 backdrop-blur-sm pointer-events-none" />
     </div>
   );
 };