diff --git a/src/page/workspace/issues/index.tsx b/src/page/workspace/issues/index.tsx
index 65128ac..638b53b 100644
--- a/src/page/workspace/issues/index.tsx
+++ b/src/page/workspace/issues/index.tsx
@@ -178,9 +178,25 @@ function IssueListView({ projectName, onCreate }: { projectName: string; onCreat
         ) : filteredIssues.length > 0 ? (
           <div>{filteredIssues.map((issue) => <IssueRow key={issue.number} issue={issue} projectName={projectName} />)}</div>
         ) : (
-          <div className="py-12 text-center">
-            <MessageSquare className="mx-auto size-5 text-muted-foreground/20" />
-            <p className="mt-3 text-[13px] text-muted-foreground">{stateFilter === "open" ? "No open issues" : stateFilter === "closed" ? "No closed issues" : "No issues yet"}</p>
+          <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center py-16 text-center">
+            <div className="grid size-14 place-items-center rounded-2xl bg-muted/40">
+              <MessageSquare className="size-6 text-muted-foreground/40" />
+            </div>
+            <h3 className="mt-4 font-heading text-sm font-semibold text-foreground">
+              {stateFilter === "open" ? "No open issues" : stateFilter === "closed" ? "No closed issues" : "No issues yet"}
+            </h3>
+            <p className="mt-1.5 max-w-[280px] text-[12px] leading-relaxed text-muted-foreground">
+              {stateFilter === "open"
+                ? "All caught up! Create an issue to track bugs, features, or tasks."
+                : stateFilter === "closed"
+                  ? "No closed issues found."
+                  : "Issues help you track bugs, features, and tasks."}
+            </p>
+            {stateFilter !== "closed" && (
+              <Button className="mt-4 h-8 px-3 text-[12px]" onClick={onCreate}>
+                <Plus className="size-3.5 mr-1" /> Create first issue
+              </Button>
+            )}
           </div>
         )}
       </div>