diff --git a/src/cli/database.js b/src/cli/database.js
index 2a9a1fe..391c356 100644
--- a/src/cli/database.js
+++ b/src/cli/database.js
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ process.env.NODE_ENV = process.env.NODE_ENV || 'development';
 
 import { initDatabase, dropAuthTables, testConnection, closePool } from '../core/database/index.js';
 import readline from 'readline';
+import { step, done, warn, fail } from '../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 async function runCLI() {
   const command = process.argv[2];
@@ -44,25 +45,25 @@ Example:
   try {
     switch (command) {
       case 'init':
-        console.log('🔧 Initializing database...\n');
+        step('Initializing database...');
         const result = await initDatabase();
-        console.log(`\n✅ Success! Created ${result.created.length} tables, skipped ${result.skipped.length} existing tables.`);
+        done(`Created ${result.created.length} tables, skipped ${result.skipped.length} existing tables`);
         break;
 
       case 'test':
-        console.log('🔌 Testing database connection...\n');
+        step('Testing database connection...');
         const isConnected = await testConnection();
         if (isConnected) {
-          console.log('✅ Database connection successful!');
+          done('Database connection successful');
         } else {
-          console.log('❌ Database connection failed!');
+          fail('Database connection failed');
           process.exit(1);
         }
         break;
 
       case 'drop':
-        console.log('⚠️  WARNING: This will delete all authentication tables!\n');
-        console.log('Type "yes" to confirm or Ctrl+C to cancel...');
+        warn('This will delete all authentication tables!');
+        process.stdout.write('  Type "yes" to confirm or Ctrl+C to cancel...\n');
 
         const rl = readline.createInterface({
           input: process.stdin,
@@ -72,9 +73,9 @@ Example:
         rl.question('Confirm (yes/no): ', async (answer) => {
           if (answer.toLowerCase() === 'yes') {
             await dropAuthTables();
-            console.log('✅ Tables dropped successfully.');
+            done('Tables dropped successfully');
           } else {
-            console.log('❌ Operation cancelled.');
+            warn('Operation cancelled');
           }
           rl.close();
           process.exit(0);
@@ -97,8 +98,8 @@ Usage:
         break;
 
       default:
-        console.log(`❌ Unknown command: ${command}`);
-        console.log('Run "npx zen-db help" for usage information.');
+        fail(`Unknown command: ${command}`);
+        process.stdout.write('  Run "npx zen-db help" for usage information.\n');
         process.exit(1);
     }
 
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ Usage:
     process.exit(0);
 
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('❌ Error:', error.message);
+    fail(`Error: ${error.message}`);
     process.exit(1);
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/core/api/handlers/storage.js b/src/core/api/handlers/storage.js
index 5dfa236..21b4a31 100644
--- a/src/core/api/handlers/storage.js
+++ b/src/core/api/handlers/storage.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { cookies } from 'next/headers';
 import { getSessionCookieName } from '../../../shared/lib/appConfig.js';
 import { getAllStoragePublicPrefixes } from '@zen/core/modules/storage';
 import { getFile } from '@zen/core/storage';
+import { fail } from '../../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 // Get cookie name from environment or use default
 const COOKIE_NAME = getSessionCookieName();
@@ -151,7 +152,7 @@ export async function handleGetFile(_request, fileKey) {
     };
   } catch (error) {
     // Log full error server-side; never surface internal details to the client.
-    console.error('[ZEN STORAGE] Error serving file:', error);
+    fail(`Storage: error serving file: ${error.message}`);
     return {
       error: 'Internal Server Error',
       message: 'Failed to retrieve file'
diff --git a/src/core/api/handlers/users.js b/src/core/api/handlers/users.js
index 1b2eedf..05e2e47 100644
--- a/src/core/api/handlers/users.js
+++ b/src/core/api/handlers/users.js
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { query, updateById } from '@zen/core/database';
 import { getSessionCookieName } from '../../../shared/lib/appConfig.js';
 import { updateUser } from '../../../features/auth/lib/auth.js';
 import { uploadImage, deleteFile, generateUniqueFilename, generateUserFilePath, getFileExtension, FILE_TYPE_PRESETS, FILE_SIZE_LIMITS, validateUpload } from '@zen/core/storage';
+import { fail, info } from '../../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 // Get cookie name from environment or use default
 const COOKIE_NAME = getSessionCookieName();
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ const ALLOWED_IMAGE_MIME_TYPES = new Set([
  * @param {string} fallback - The safe message to surface to the client
  */
 function logAndObscureError(error, fallback) {
-  console.error('[ZEN] Internal handler error:', error);
+  fail(`Internal handler error: ${error.message}`);
   return fallback;
 }
 
@@ -468,7 +469,7 @@ export async function handleUploadProfilePicture(request) {
       try {
         await deleteFile(key);
       } catch (rollbackError) {
-        console.error('[ZEN] Rollback delete of newly uploaded object failed:', rollbackError);
+        fail(`Rollback delete of newly uploaded object failed: ${rollbackError.message}`);
       }
       throw dbError;
     }
@@ -477,10 +478,10 @@ export async function handleUploadProfilePicture(request) {
     if (oldImageKey) {
       try {
         await deleteFile(oldImageKey);
-        console.log(`[ZEN] Deleted old profile picture: ${oldImageKey}`);
+        info(`Deleted old profile picture: ${oldImageKey}`);
       } catch (deleteError) {
         // Non-fatal: log for operator cleanup; the DB is consistent.
-        console.error('[ZEN] Failed to delete old profile picture (orphaned object):', deleteError);
+        fail(`Failed to delete old profile picture (orphaned object): ${deleteError.message}`);
       }
     }
 
@@ -568,10 +569,10 @@ export async function handleDeleteProfilePicture(request) {
     if (imageKey) {
       try {
         await deleteFile(imageKey);
-        console.log(`[ZEN] Deleted profile picture: ${imageKey}`);
+        info(`Deleted profile picture: ${imageKey}`);
       } catch (deleteError) {
         // Log error but don't fail the update
-        console.error('[ZEN] Failed to delete profile picture from storage:', deleteError);
+        fail(`Failed to delete profile picture from storage: ${deleteError.message}`);
       }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/core/api/nx-route.js b/src/core/api/nx-route.js
index 4c39f21..89fad44 100644
--- a/src/core/api/nx-route.js
+++ b/src/core/api/nx-route.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
 import { NextResponse } from 'next/server';
 import { routeRequest, getStatusCode } from './router.js';
+import { fail } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 /**
  * Handle GET requests
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ export async function GET(request, { params }) {
       }
     });
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('API Error:', error);
+    fail(`API error: ${error.message}`);
     return NextResponse.json(
       {
         error: 'Internal Server Error',
@@ -86,7 +87,7 @@ export async function POST(request, { params }) {
       }
     });
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('API Error:', error);
+    fail(`API error: ${error.message}`);
     return NextResponse.json(
       {
         error: 'Internal Server Error',
@@ -114,7 +115,7 @@ export async function PUT(request, { params }) {
       }
     });
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('API Error:', error);
+    fail(`API error: ${error.message}`);
     return NextResponse.json(
       {
         error: 'Internal Server Error',
@@ -142,7 +143,7 @@ export async function DELETE(request, { params }) {
       }
     });
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('API Error:', error);
+    fail(`API error: ${error.message}`);
     return NextResponse.json(
       {
         error: 'Internal Server Error',
@@ -170,7 +171,7 @@ export async function PATCH(request, { params }) {
       }
     });
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('API Error:', error);
+    fail(`API error: ${error.message}`);
     return NextResponse.json(
       {
         error: 'Internal Server Error',
diff --git a/src/core/api/router.js b/src/core/api/router.js
index 0bb6556..7966408 100644
--- a/src/core/api/router.js
+++ b/src/core/api/router.js
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import { cookies } from 'next/headers';
 import { getSessionCookieName } from '../../shared/lib/appConfig.js';
 import { getAllApiRoutes } from '../modules/index.js';
 import { checkRateLimit, getIpFromRequest, formatRetryAfter } from '../../features/auth/lib/rateLimit.js';
+import { fail } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 // Core handlers
 import { handleHealth } from './handlers/health.js';
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ function passesCsrfCheck(request) {
 
   const appUrl = resolveAppUrl();
   if (!appUrl) {
-    console.error('[ZEN CSRF] No app URL configured (NEXT_PUBLIC_URL_DEV / NEXT_PUBLIC_URL) — CSRF check denied.');
+    fail('CSRF: no app URL configured (NEXT_PUBLIC_URL_DEV / NEXT_PUBLIC_URL) — request denied');
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ function passesCsrfCheck(request) {
   try {
     expectedOrigin = new URL(appUrl).origin;
   } catch {
-    console.error('[ZEN CSRF] Configured app URL is not valid:', appUrl);
+    fail(`CSRF: configured app URL is not valid: ${appUrl}`);
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -295,7 +296,7 @@ async function routeModuleRequest(request, path, method) {
         // or internal hostnames. Log the full error server-side only.
         const SAFE_AUTH_MESSAGES = new Set(['Unauthorized', 'Admin access required']);
         if (!SAFE_AUTH_MESSAGES.has(err.message)) {
-          console.error('[ZEN] Module route handler error:', err);
+          fail(`Module route handler error: ${err.message}`);
         }
         return {
           success: false,
diff --git a/src/core/cron/index.js b/src/core/cron/index.js
index d8910a9..fff5142 100644
--- a/src/core/cron/index.js
+++ b/src/core/cron/index.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
  */
 
 import cron from 'node-cron';
+import { done, fail, info } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 // Store for all scheduled cron jobs
 const CRON_JOBS_KEY = Symbol.for('__ZEN_CRON_JOBS__');
@@ -47,19 +48,18 @@ export function schedule(name, cronSchedule, handler, options = {}) {
   // Stop existing job with same name
   if (jobs.has(name)) {
     jobs.get(name).stop();
-    console.log(`[Cron] Stopped existing job: ${name}`);
+    info(`Cron replaced: ${name}`);
   }
   
   const timezone = options.timezone || process.env.ZEN_TIMEZONE || 'America/Toronto';
   
   const job = cron.schedule(cronSchedule, async () => {
-    console.log(`[Cron: ${name}] Running at:`, new Date().toISOString());
-    
+    info(`Cron ${name} running at ${new Date().toISOString()}`);
     try {
       await handler();
-      console.log(`[Cron: ${name}] Completed`);
+      info(`Cron ${name} completed`);
     } catch (error) {
-      console.error(`[Cron: ${name}] Error:`, error);
+      fail(`Cron ${name}: ${error.message}`);
     }
   }, {
     scheduled: true,
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ export function schedule(name, cronSchedule, handler, options = {}) {
   });
   
   jobs.set(name, job);
-  console.log(`[Cron] Scheduled job: ${name} (${cronSchedule})`);
+  done(`Cron scheduled: ${name} (${cronSchedule})`);
   
   return job;
 }
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ export function stop(name) {
   if (jobs.has(name)) {
     jobs.get(name).stop();
     jobs.delete(name);
-    console.log(`[Cron] Stopped job: ${name}`);
+    info(`Cron stopped: ${name}`);
     return true;
   }
   
@@ -99,11 +99,11 @@ export function stopAll() {
   
   for (const [name, job] of jobs.entries()) {
     job.stop();
-    console.log(`[Cron] Stopped job: ${name}`);
+    info(`Cron stopped: ${name}`);
   }
   
   jobs.clear();
-  console.log('[Cron] All jobs stopped');
+  done('All cron jobs stopped');
 }
 
 /**
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ export async function trigger(name) {
     throw new Error(`Cron job '${name}' not found`);
   }
   
-  console.log(`[Cron] Manual trigger for: ${name}`);
+  info(`Cron manual trigger: ${name}`);
   // Note: node-cron doesn't expose the handler directly,
   // so modules should keep their handler function accessible
 }
diff --git a/src/core/database/db.js b/src/core/database/db.js
index f775227..1ccc80d 100644
--- a/src/core/database/db.js
+++ b/src/core/database/db.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 
 import pkg from 'pg';
 const { Pool } = pkg;
+import { fail } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 let pool = null;
 
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ function getPool() {
 
     // Handle pool errors
     pool.on('error', (err) => {
-      console.error('Unexpected error on idle client', err);
+      fail(`DB idle client error: ${err.message}`);
     });
   }
 
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ async function query(sql, params = []) {
     const result = await client.query(sql, params);
     return result;
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('Database query error:', error);
+    fail(`DB query error: ${error.message}`);
     throw error;
   }
 }
@@ -106,7 +107,7 @@ async function transaction(callback) {
     return result;
   } catch (error) {
     await client.query('ROLLBACK');
-    console.error('Transaction error:', error);
+    fail(`DB transaction error: ${error.message}`);
     throw error;
   } finally {
     client.release();
@@ -133,7 +134,7 @@ async function testConnection() {
     await query('SELECT NOW()');
     return true;
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('Database connection test failed:', error);
+    fail(`DB connection test failed: ${error.message}`);
     return false;
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/core/database/init.js b/src/core/database/init.js
index 7b74983..348afd0 100644
--- a/src/core/database/init.js
+++ b/src/core/database/init.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
  */
 
 import { query } from './db.js';
+import { step, done, warn, fail, info } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 /**
  * Check if a table exists in the database
@@ -103,10 +104,10 @@ async function createAuthTables() {
     if (!exists) {
       await query(table.sql);
       created.push(table.name);
-      console.log(`✓ Created table: ${table.name}`);
+      done(`Created table: ${table.name}`);
     } else {
       skipped.push(table.name);
-      console.log(`- Table already exists: ${table.name}`);
+      info(`Table already exists: ${table.name}`);
     }
   }
 
@@ -122,7 +123,7 @@ async function createAuthTables() {
  * @returns {Promise<Object>} Result object with created and skipped tables
  */
 async function initDatabase() {
-  console.log('Initializing Zen database...');
+  step('Initializing Zen database...');
   
   try {
     const authResult = await createAuthTables();
@@ -134,13 +135,10 @@ async function initDatabase() {
       modulesResult = await initModules();
     } catch (error) {
       // Modules might not be available or enabled
-      console.log('\nNo modules to initialize or modules not available.');
+      info('No modules to initialize or modules not available');
     }
     
-    console.log('\nDatabase initialization completed!');
-    console.log(`Auth tables created: ${authResult.created.length}`);
-    console.log(`Module tables created: ${modulesResult.created.length}`);
-    console.log(`Total tables skipped: ${authResult.skipped.length + modulesResult.skipped.length}`);
+    done(`DB ready — auth: ${authResult.created.length} created, modules: ${modulesResult.created.length} created, ${authResult.skipped.length + modulesResult.skipped.length} skipped`);
     
     return {
       created: [...authResult.created, ...modulesResult.created],
@@ -148,7 +146,7 @@ async function initDatabase() {
       success: true
     };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('Database initialization failed:', error);
+    fail(`DB initialization failed: ${error.message}`);
     throw error;
   }
 }
@@ -165,17 +163,17 @@ async function dropAuthTables() {
     'zen_auth_users'
   ];
 
-  console.log('WARNING: Dropping all Zen authentication tables...');
+  warn('Dropping all Zen authentication tables...');
   
   for (const tableName of tables) {
     const exists = await tableExists(tableName);
     if (exists) {
       await query(`DROP TABLE IF EXISTS "${tableName}" CASCADE`);
-      console.log(`✓ Dropped table: ${tableName}`);
+      done(`Dropped table: ${tableName}`);
     }
   }
   
-  console.log('All authentication tables dropped.');
+  done('All authentication tables dropped');
 }
 
 export {
diff --git a/src/core/email/index.js b/src/core/email/index.js
index 5721721..8e7fd71 100644
--- a/src/core/email/index.js
+++ b/src/core/email/index.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
  */
 
 import { Resend } from 'resend';
+import { done, fail, info } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 /**
  * Initialize Resend client
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ async function sendEmail({ to, subject, html, text, from, fromName, replyTo, att
     
     // Resend returns { data: { id: "..." }, error: null } or { data: null, error: { message: "..." } }
     if (response.error) {
-      console.error('[ZEN EMAIL] Resend error:', response.error);
+      fail(`Email Resend error: ${response.error.message || response.error}`);
       return {
         success: false,
         data: null,
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ async function sendEmail({ to, subject, html, text, from, fromName, replyTo, att
     }
     
     const emailId = response.data?.id || response.id;
-    console.log(`[ZEN EMAIL] Email sent to ${to} - ID: ${emailId}`);
+    info(`Email sent to ${to} — ID: ${emailId}`);
     
     return {
       success: true,
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ async function sendEmail({ to, subject, html, text, from, fromName, replyTo, att
       error: null
     };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[ZEN EMAIL] Error sending email:', error);
+    fail(`Email send failed: ${error.message}`);
     return {
       success: false,
       data: null,
@@ -176,7 +177,7 @@ async function sendBatchEmails(emails) {
     
     // Handle Resend error response
     if (response.error) {
-      console.error('[ZEN EMAIL] Resend batch error:', response.error);
+      fail(`Email batch Resend error: ${response.error.message || response.error}`);
       return {
         success: false,
         data: null,
@@ -184,7 +185,7 @@ async function sendBatchEmails(emails) {
       };
     }
     
-    console.log(`[ZEN EMAIL] Batch of ${emails.length} emails sent`);
+    done(`Email batch of ${emails.length} sent`);
     
     return {
       success: true,
@@ -192,7 +193,7 @@ async function sendBatchEmails(emails) {
       error: null
     };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[ZEN EMAIL] Error sending batch emails:', error);
+    fail(`Email batch send failed: ${error.message}`);
     return {
       success: false,
       data: null,
diff --git a/src/core/modules/discovery.js b/src/core/modules/discovery.js
index d4585f4..2a93a80 100644
--- a/src/core/modules/discovery.js
+++ b/src/core/modules/discovery.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 import { registerModule, clearRegistry } from './registry.js';
 import { getAvailableModules } from '../../modules/modules.registry.js';
+import { step, done, warn, fail, info } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 /**
  * Check if a module is enabled via environment variable
@@ -29,15 +30,15 @@ export async function discoverModules(options = {}) {
   const DISCOVERY_KEY = Symbol.for('__ZEN_MODULES_DISCOVERED__');
   
   if (globalThis[DISCOVERY_KEY] && !force) {
-    console.log('[Module Discovery] Already discovered, skipping...');
+    warn('modules already discovered, skipping');
     return { alreadyDiscovered: true };
   }
-  
+
   if (force) {
     clearRegistry();
   }
-  
-  console.log('[Module Discovery] Starting module discovery...');
+
+  step('Discovering modules...');
   
   const discovered = [];
   const enabled = [];
@@ -52,7 +53,6 @@ export async function discoverModules(options = {}) {
       
       if (!isEnabled) {
         skipped.push(moduleName);
-        console.log(`[Module Discovery] Skipped ${moduleName} (not enabled)`);
         continue;
       }
       
@@ -72,18 +72,16 @@ export async function discoverModules(options = {}) {
         
         discovered.push(moduleName);
         enabled.push(moduleName);
-        console.log(`[Module Discovery] Registered ${moduleName}`);
+        info(`Registered ${moduleName}`);
       }
     } catch (error) {
       errors.push({ module: moduleName, error: error.message });
-      console.error(`[Module Discovery] Error loading ${moduleName}:`, error);
+      fail(`Error loading ${moduleName}: ${error.message}`);
     }
   }
-  
+
   globalThis[DISCOVERY_KEY] = true;
   
-  console.log(`[Module Discovery] Complete. Enabled: ${enabled.length}, Skipped: ${skipped.length}, Errors: ${errors.length}`);
-  
   return { discovered, enabled, skipped, errors };
 }
 
@@ -112,7 +110,7 @@ async function loadModuleConfig(moduleName) {
         : undefined,
     };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.log(`[Module Discovery] No module.config.js for ${moduleName}, using defaults`);
+    // No module.config.js — use defaults silently
     return {
       name: moduleName,
       displayName: moduleName.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + moduleName.slice(1),
@@ -186,7 +184,6 @@ export async function registerExternalModules(modules = []) {
     try {
       if (!isModuleEnabledInEnv(moduleName)) {
         skipped.push(moduleName);
-        console.log(`[External Modules] Skipped ${moduleName} (not enabled)`);
         continue;
       }
 
@@ -226,19 +223,13 @@ export async function registerExternalModules(modules = []) {
       }
 
       registered.push(moduleName);
-      console.log(`[External Modules] Registered ${moduleName}`);
+      info(`Registered external ${moduleName}`);
     } catch (error) {
       errors.push({ module: moduleName, error: error.message });
-      console.error(`[External Modules] Error registering ${moduleName}:`, error);
+      fail(`Error registering external ${moduleName}: ${error.message}`);
     }
   }
 
-  if (registered.length > 0 || skipped.length > 0) {
-    console.log(
-      `[External Modules] Done. Registered: ${registered.length}, Skipped: ${skipped.length}, Errors: ${errors.length}`
-    );
-  }
-
   return { registered, skipped, errors };
 }
 
@@ -300,10 +291,7 @@ async function buildModuleContext(allowedKeys = []) {
        */
       get: (key) => {
         if (!allowedSet.has(key)) {
-          console.error(
-            `[ZEN Module Security] Module attempted to read undeclared env var "${key}". ` +
-            'Access denied. Declare all required env vars in the module envVars list.'
-          );
+          fail(`[Security] Module attempted to read undeclared env var "${key}" — access denied`);
           return undefined;
         }
         return process.env[key];
diff --git a/src/core/modules/loader.js b/src/core/modules/loader.js
index 3cc15c0..b497002 100644
--- a/src/core/modules/loader.js
+++ b/src/core/modules/loader.js
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import {
   getAllDatabaseSchemas,
   isModuleEnabled
 } from './registry.js';
+import { step, done, warn, fail, info } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 // Use globalThis to track initialization state
 const INIT_KEY = Symbol.for('__ZEN_MODULES_INITIALIZED__');
@@ -30,11 +31,11 @@ export async function initializeModules(options = {}) {
   
   // Prevent multiple initializations
   if (globalThis[INIT_KEY] && !force) {
-    console.log('[Module Loader] Already initialized, skipping...');
+    warn('modules already initialized, skipping');
     return { alreadyInitialized: true };
   }
-  
-  console.log('[Module Loader] Starting module initialization...');
+
+  step('Initializing modules...');
   
   const result = {
     discovery: null,
@@ -57,10 +58,10 @@ export async function initializeModules(options = {}) {
     }
     
     globalThis[INIT_KEY] = true;
-    console.log('[Module Loader] Module initialization complete');
-    
+    done('Modules initialized');
+
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Module Loader] Initialization failed:', error);
+    fail(`Module initialization failed: ${error.message}`);
     result.error = error.message;
   }
   
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ export async function initializeModules(options = {}) {
  * @returns {Promise<Object>} Database initialization result
  */
 export async function initializeModuleDatabases() {
-  console.log('[Module Loader] Initializing module databases...');
+  step('Initializing module databases...');
   
   const schemas = getAllDatabaseSchemas();
   const result = {
@@ -93,14 +94,14 @@ export async function initializeModuleDatabases() {
           result.skipped.push(...initResult.skipped);
         }
         
-        console.log(`[Module Loader] Database initialized for ${schema.module}`);
+        info(`DB ready: ${schema.module}`);
       }
     } catch (error) {
       result.errors.push({
         module: schema.module,
         error: error.message
       });
-      console.error(`[Module Loader] Database init error for ${schema.module}:`, error);
+      fail(`DB init error for ${schema.module}: ${error.message}`);
     }
   }
   
@@ -112,7 +113,7 @@ export async function initializeModuleDatabases() {
  * @returns {Promise<Object>} Cron job start result
  */
 export async function startModuleCronJobs() {
-  console.log('[Module Loader] Starting module cron jobs...');
+  step('Starting cron jobs...');
   
   // Stop existing cron jobs first
   stopModuleCronJobs();
@@ -135,12 +136,12 @@ export async function startModuleCronJobs() {
         const cron = (await import('node-cron')).default;
         
         const cronJob = cron.schedule(job.schedule, async () => {
-          console.log(`[Cron: ${job.name}] Running at:`, new Date().toISOString());
+          info(`Cron ${job.name} running at ${new Date().toISOString()}`);
           try {
             await job.handler();
-            console.log(`[Cron: ${job.name}] Completed`);
+            info(`Cron ${job.name} completed`);
           } catch (error) {
-            console.error(`[Cron: ${job.name}] Error:`, error);
+            fail(`Cron ${job.name}: ${error.message}`);
           }
         }, {
           scheduled: true,
@@ -149,8 +150,7 @@ export async function startModuleCronJobs() {
         
         globalThis[CRON_JOBS_KEY].set(job.name, cronJob);
         result.started.push(job.name);
-        
-        console.log(`[Module Loader] Started cron job: ${job.name} (${job.schedule})`);
+        info(`Cron ready: ${job.name} (${job.schedule})`);
       }
     } catch (error) {
       result.errors.push({
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ export async function startModuleCronJobs() {
         module: job.module,
         error: error.message
       });
-      console.error(`[Module Loader] Cron job error for ${job.name}:`, error);
+      fail(`Cron error for ${job.name}: ${error.message}`);
     }
   }
   
@@ -173,9 +173,9 @@ export function stopModuleCronJobs() {
     for (const [name, job] of globalThis[CRON_JOBS_KEY].entries()) {
       try {
         job.stop();
-        console.log(`[Module Loader] Stopped cron job: ${name}`);
+        info(`Cron stopped: ${name}`);
       } catch (error) {
-        console.error(`[Module Loader] Error stopping cron job ${name}:`, error);
+        fail(`Error stopping cron ${name}: ${error.message}`);
       }
     }
     globalThis[CRON_JOBS_KEY].clear();
diff --git a/src/core/storage/index.js b/src/core/storage/index.js
index 1bc2721..25fa1c6 100644
--- a/src/core/storage/index.js
+++ b/src/core/storage/index.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
  */
 
 import { createHmac, createHash } from 'crypto';
+import { fail, warn, info } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 // ─── AWS Signature V4 ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -288,7 +289,7 @@ async function uploadFile({ key, body, contentType, metadata = {}, cacheControl
 
     return { success: true, data: { key, bucket: config.bucket, contentType }, error: null };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[ZEN STORAGE] Error uploading file:', error);
+    fail(`Storage upload failed: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, data: null, error: error.message };
   }
 }
@@ -327,7 +328,7 @@ async function deleteFile(key) {
 
     return { success: true, data: { key }, error: null };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[ZEN STORAGE] Error deleting file:', error);
+    fail(`Storage delete failed: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, data: null, error: error.message };
   }
 }
@@ -378,7 +379,7 @@ async function deleteFiles(keys) {
 
     return { success: true, data: { deleted, errors }, error: null };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[ZEN STORAGE] Error deleting files:', error);
+    fail(`Storage batch delete failed: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, data: null, error: error.message };
   }
 }
@@ -419,7 +420,7 @@ async function getFile(key) {
       error: null,
     };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[ZEN STORAGE] Error getting file:', error);
+    fail(`Storage get file failed: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, data: null, error: error.message };
   }
 }
@@ -457,7 +458,7 @@ async function getFileMetadata(key) {
       error: null,
     };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[ZEN STORAGE] Error getting file metadata:', error);
+    fail(`Storage get metadata failed: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, data: null, error: error.message };
   }
 }
@@ -520,7 +521,7 @@ async function listFiles({ prefix = '', maxKeys = 1000, continuationToken } = {}
       error: null,
     };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[ZEN STORAGE] Error listing files:', error);
+    fail(`Storage list files failed: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, data: null, error: error.message };
   }
 }
@@ -550,7 +551,7 @@ async function getPresignedUrl({ key, expiresIn = 3600, operation = 'get' }) {
 
     return { success: true, data: { key, url, expiresIn: validExpiresIn, operation }, error: null };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[ZEN STORAGE] Error generating presigned URL:', error);
+    fail(`Storage presigned URL failed: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, data: null, error: error.message };
   }
 }
@@ -575,12 +576,12 @@ async function copyFile({ sourceKey, destinationKey }) {
     });
 
     if (uploadResult.success) {
-      console.log(`[ZEN STORAGE] File copied from ${sourceKey} to ${destinationKey}`);
+      info(`Storage: copied ${sourceKey} → ${destinationKey}`);
     }
 
     return uploadResult;
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[ZEN STORAGE] Error copying file:', error);
+    fail(`Storage copy failed: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, data: null, error: error.message };
   }
 }
@@ -622,16 +623,14 @@ async function moveFile({ sourceKey, destinationKey }) {
 
     const deleteResult = await deleteFile(sourceKey);
     if (!deleteResult.success) {
-      console.warn(
-        `[ZEN STORAGE] File copied to ${destinationKey} but failed to delete source ${sourceKey}`
-      );
+      warn(`Storage: copied to ${destinationKey} but failed to delete source ${sourceKey}`);
     } else {
-      console.log(`[ZEN STORAGE] File moved from ${sourceKey} to ${destinationKey}`);
+      info(`Storage: moved ${sourceKey} → ${destinationKey}`);
     }
 
     return copyResult;
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[ZEN STORAGE] Error moving file:', error);
+    fail(`Storage move failed: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, data: null, error: error.message };
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/core/storage/utils.js b/src/core/storage/utils.js
index c43dece..6bcc3af 100644
--- a/src/core/storage/utils.js
+++ b/src/core/storage/utils.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
  */
 
 import crypto from 'crypto';
+import { warn } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 /**
  * Generate a unique filename with timestamp and random hash
@@ -205,11 +206,7 @@ export async function validateImageDimensions(buffer, constraints = {}) {
   // Returning valid=false with a clear diagnostic forces callers to either
   // install 'sharp' (the recommended path) or explicitly handle the
   // unvalidated case themselves. Never silently approve what cannot be checked.
-  console.warn(
-    '[ZEN STORAGE] validateImageDimensions: image dimension enforcement is not ' +
-    'available. Install the "sharp" package and implement pixel-level validation ' +
-    'before enabling uploads that depend on dimension constraints.'
-  );
+  warn('Storage: validateImageDimensions — dimension enforcement unavailable. Install "sharp" to enable pixel-level validation.');
   return {
     valid: false,
     width: null,
diff --git a/src/features/admin/actions/statsActions.js b/src/features/admin/actions/statsActions.js
index 2fc9332..7d8fceb 100644
--- a/src/features/admin/actions/statsActions.js
+++ b/src/features/admin/actions/statsActions.js
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 'use server';
 
 import { query } from '@zen/core/database';
+import { fail } from '../../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 /**
  * Get total number of users
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ async function getTotalUsersCount() {
     );
     return parseInt(result.rows[0].count) || 0;
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('Error getting users count:', error);
+    fail(`Error getting users count: ${error.message}`);
     return 0;
   }
 }
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ export async function getDashboardStats() {
       }
     };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('Error getting dashboard stats:', error);
+    fail(`Error getting dashboard stats: ${error.message}`);
     return { 
       success: false, 
       error: error.message || 'Failed to get dashboard statistics' 
diff --git a/src/features/auth/actions/authActions.js b/src/features/auth/actions/authActions.js
index 2e772a2..1d464a3 100644
--- a/src/features/auth/actions/authActions.js
+++ b/src/features/auth/actions/authActions.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 import { register, login, requestPasswordReset, resetPassword, verifyUserEmail } from '../lib/auth.js';
 import { validateSession, deleteSession } from '../lib/session.js';
 import { verifyEmailToken, verifyResetToken, sendVerificationEmail, sendPasswordResetEmail } from '../lib/email.js';
+import { fail } from '../../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 import { cookies, headers } from 'next/headers';
 import { getSessionCookieName, getPublicBaseUrl } from '../../../shared/lib/appConfig.js';
 import { checkRateLimit, getIpFromHeaders, formatRetryAfter } from '../lib/rateLimit.js';
@@ -228,7 +229,7 @@ export async function getSession() {
     
     return result;
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('Session validation error:', error);
+    fail(`Auth: session validation error: ${error.message}`);
     return null;
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/features/auth/lib/auth.js b/src/features/auth/lib/auth.js
index 768e5fd..9a6dc77 100644
--- a/src/features/auth/lib/auth.js
+++ b/src/features/auth/lib/auth.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 import { create, findOne, updateById, count } from '../../../core/database/crud.js';
 import { hashPassword, verifyPassword, generateId } from './password.js';
 import { createSession } from './session.js';
+import { fail } from '../../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 import { createEmailVerification, createPasswordReset, verifyResetToken, deleteResetToken, sendPasswordChangedEmail } from './email.js';
 
 /**
@@ -251,7 +252,7 @@ async function resetPassword(resetData) {
     await sendPasswordChangedEmail(email);
   } catch (error) {
     // Log error but don't fail the password reset process
-    console.error(`[ZEN AUTH] Failed to send password changed email to ${email}:`, error.message);
+    fail(`Auth: failed to send password changed email to ${email}: ${error.message}`);
   }
   
   return { success: true };
diff --git a/src/features/auth/lib/email.js b/src/features/auth/lib/email.js
index 2382983..8e02383 100644
--- a/src/features/auth/lib/email.js
+++ b/src/features/auth/lib/email.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 import crypto from 'crypto';
 import { create, findOne, deleteWhere } from '../../../core/database/crud.js';
 import { generateToken, generateId } from './password.js';
+import { fail, info } from '../../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 import { sendAuthEmail } from '../../../core/email/index.js';
 import { renderVerificationEmail, renderPasswordResetEmail, renderPasswordChangedEmail } from '../../../core/email/templates/index.js';
 
@@ -178,11 +179,11 @@ async function sendVerificationEmail(email, token, baseUrl) {
   });
   
   if (!result.success) {
-    console.error(`[ZEN AUTH] Failed to send verification email to ${email}:`, result.error);
+    fail(`Auth: failed to send verification email to ${email}: ${result.error}`);
     throw new Error('Failed to send verification email');
   }
   
-  console.log(`[ZEN AUTH] Verification email sent to ${email}`);
+  info(`Auth: verification email sent to ${email}`);
   return result;
 }
 
@@ -205,11 +206,11 @@ async function sendPasswordResetEmail(email, token, baseUrl) {
   });
   
   if (!result.success) {
-    console.error(`[ZEN AUTH] Failed to send password reset email to ${email}:`, result.error);
+    fail(`Auth: failed to send password reset email to ${email}: ${result.error}`);
     throw new Error('Failed to send password reset email');
   }
   
-  console.log(`[ZEN AUTH] Password reset email sent to ${email}`);
+  info(`Auth: password reset email sent to ${email}`);
   return result;
 }
 
@@ -229,11 +230,11 @@ async function sendPasswordChangedEmail(email) {
   });
   
   if (!result.success) {
-    console.error(`[ZEN AUTH] Failed to send password changed email to ${email}:`, result.error);
+    fail(`Auth: failed to send password changed email to ${email}: ${result.error}`);
     throw new Error('Failed to send password changed email');
   }
   
-  console.log(`[ZEN AUTH] Password changed email sent to ${email}`);
+  info(`Auth: password changed email sent to ${email}`);
   return result;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/modules/init.js b/src/modules/init.js
index 9e8b7db..ab513dc 100644
--- a/src/modules/init.js
+++ b/src/modules/init.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
  */
 
 import { AVAILABLE_MODULES } from './modules.registry.js';
+import { step, done, warn, fail, info } from '../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 /**
  * Check if a module is enabled via environment variable
@@ -26,16 +27,16 @@ export async function initModules() {
   const created = [];
   const skipped = [];
 
-  console.log('\nInitializing module databases...');
+  step('Initializing module databases...');
 
   for (const moduleName of AVAILABLE_MODULES) {
     if (!isModuleEnabled(moduleName)) {
-      console.log(`- Skipped ${moduleName} (not enabled)`);
+      info(`Skipped ${moduleName} (not enabled)`);
       continue;
     }
 
     try {
-      console.log(`\nInitializing ${moduleName} module tables...`);
+      step(`Initializing ${moduleName}...`);
       const db = await import(`./${moduleName}/db.js`);
 
       if (typeof db.createTables === 'function') {
@@ -44,15 +45,15 @@ export async function initModules() {
         if (result?.created) created.push(...result.created);
         if (result?.skipped) skipped.push(...result.skipped);
 
-        console.log(`✓ ${moduleName} module initialized`);
+        done(`${moduleName} initialized`);
       } else {
-        console.log(`- ${moduleName} has no createTables function`);
+        info(`${moduleName} has no createTables function`);
       }
     } catch (error) {
       if (error.code === 'ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND' || error.message?.includes('Cannot find module')) {
-        console.log(`- ${moduleName} has no db.js (skipped)`);
+        info(`${moduleName} has no db.js (skipped)`);
       } else {
-        console.error(`Error initializing ${moduleName}:`, error.message);
+        fail(`${moduleName}: ${error.message}`);
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/modules/modules.actions.js b/src/modules/modules.actions.js
index 91e59ea..9a3a640 100644
--- a/src/modules/modules.actions.js
+++ b/src/modules/modules.actions.js
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
  */
 
 import { getModule, getEnabledModules } from '@zen/core/core/modules';
+import { fail } from '../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 // Static actions for internal modules (add entries here for new internal modules)
 export const MODULE_ACTIONS = {
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ export async function getAllModuleDashboardStats() {
         stats[moduleName] = result.stats;
       }
     } catch (error) {
-      console.error(`Error getting dashboard stats for ${moduleName}:`, error);
+      fail(`Error getting dashboard stats for ${moduleName}: ${error.message}`);
     }
   }
 
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ export async function getAllModuleDashboardStats() {
           stats[mod.name] = result.stats;
         }
       } catch (error) {
-        console.error(`Error getting dashboard stats for ${mod.name}:`, error);
+        fail(`Error getting dashboard stats for ${mod.name}: ${error.message}`);
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/modules/page.js b/src/modules/page.js
index ac6af96..4540df6 100644
--- a/src/modules/page.js
+++ b/src/modules/page.js
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import { PublicPagesLayout, PublicPagesClient } from '@zen/core/modules/pages';
 import { getMetadataGenerator } from '@zen/core/modules/metadata';
 import { getAppConfig } from '@zen/core';
 import { getModuleActions } from '@zen/core/modules/actions';
+import { fail } from '../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 /**
  * Per-module path configuration.
@@ -62,7 +63,7 @@ export async function generateMetadata({ params }) {
       try {
         return await generator(token);
       } catch (error) {
-        console.error(`[ZEN] Error generating metadata for ${moduleName}/${metadataType}:`, error);
+        fail(`Error generating metadata for ${moduleName}/${metadataType}: ${error.message}`);
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/modules/posts/api.js b/src/modules/posts/api.js
index a9e6d0d..0c389d8 100644
--- a/src/modules/posts/api.js
+++ b/src/modules/posts/api.js
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ import {
 } from '@zen/core/storage';
 
 import { getPostsConfig, getPostType } from './config.js';
+import { fail, warn } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 // ============================================================================
 // Config
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ async function handleGetPosts(request) {
       limit: result.pagination.limit
     };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error GET posts:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error GET posts: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, error: error.message || 'Failed to fetch posts' };
   }
 }
@@ -111,7 +112,7 @@ async function handleCreatePost(request) {
     const post = await createPost(postType, postData);
     return { success: true, post, message: 'Post created successfully' };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error creating post:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error creating post: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, error: error.message || 'Failed to create post' };
   }
 }
@@ -148,7 +149,7 @@ async function handleUpdatePost(request) {
           try {
             await deleteFile(oldKey);
           } catch (err) {
-            console.warn(`[Posts] Error deleting old image ${oldKey}:`, err.message);
+            warn(`Posts: error deleting old image ${oldKey}: ${err.message}`);
           }
         }
       }
@@ -156,7 +157,7 @@ async function handleUpdatePost(request) {
 
     return { success: true, post, message: 'Post updated successfully' };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error updating post:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error updating post: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, error: error.message || 'Failed to update post' };
   }
 }
@@ -174,7 +175,7 @@ async function handleDeletePost(request) {
     if (!deleted) return { success: false, error: 'Post not found' };
     return { success: true, message: 'Post deleted successfully' };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error deleting post:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error deleting post: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, error: 'Failed to delete post' };
   }
 }
@@ -221,7 +222,7 @@ async function handleUploadImage(request) {
 
     return { success: true, key: uploadResult.data.key };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error uploading image:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error uploading image: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, error: error.message || 'Upload failed' };
   }
 }
@@ -268,7 +269,7 @@ async function handleGetCategories(request) {
       limit: result.pagination.limit
     };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error GET categories:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error GET categories: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, error: error.message || 'Failed to fetch categories' };
   }
 }
@@ -288,7 +289,7 @@ async function handleCreateCategory(request) {
     const category = await createCategory(postType, categoryData);
     return { success: true, category, message: 'Category created successfully' };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error creating category:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error creating category: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, error: error.message || 'Failed to create category' };
   }
 }
@@ -314,7 +315,7 @@ async function handleUpdateCategory(request) {
     const category = await updateCategory(postType, parseInt(id), updates);
     return { success: true, category, message: 'Category updated successfully' };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error updating category:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error updating category: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, error: error.message || 'Failed to update category' };
   }
 }
@@ -331,7 +332,7 @@ async function handleDeleteCategory(request) {
     await deleteCategory(postType, parseInt(id));
     return { success: true, message: 'Category deleted successfully' };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error deleting category:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error deleting category: ${error.message}`);
     if (error.message.includes('Cannot delete')) {
       return { success: false, error: error.message };
     }
@@ -356,7 +357,7 @@ async function handleSearchPosts(request) {
     const posts = await searchPosts(postType, q, limit);
     return { success: true, posts };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error searching posts:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error searching posts: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, error: error.message || 'Failed to search posts' };
   }
 }
@@ -406,7 +407,7 @@ async function handlePublicGetPosts(request, params) {
       limit: result.pagination.limit
     };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error public GET posts:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error public GET posts: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, error: error.message || 'Failed to fetch posts' };
   }
 }
@@ -421,7 +422,7 @@ async function handlePublicGetPostBySlug(request, params) {
     if (!post) return { success: false, error: 'Post not found' };
     return { success: true, post };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error public GET post by slug:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error public GET post by slug: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, error: error.message || 'Failed to fetch post' };
   }
 }
@@ -434,7 +435,7 @@ async function handlePublicGetCategories(request, params) {
     const categories = await getActiveCategories(postType);
     return { success: true, categories };
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('[Posts] Error public GET categories:', error);
+    fail(`Posts: error public GET categories: ${error.message}`);
     return { success: false, error: error.message || 'Failed to fetch categories' };
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/modules/posts/crud.js b/src/modules/posts/crud.js
index f51c5ca..b7c9376 100644
--- a/src/modules/posts/crud.js
+++ b/src/modules/posts/crud.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 import { query } from '@zen/core/database';
 import { deleteFile } from '@zen/core/storage';
+import { warn } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 import { getPostType } from './config.js';
 
 function slugify(text) {
@@ -438,10 +439,10 @@ export async function deletePost(postType, id) {
     try {
       const deleteResult = await deleteFile(imageKey);
       if (!deleteResult.success) {
-        console.warn(`[Posts] Failed to delete image from storage: ${imageKey}`, deleteResult.error);
+        warn(`Posts: failed to delete image from storage: ${imageKey} — ${deleteResult.error}`);
       }
     } catch (err) {
-      console.warn(`[Posts] Error deleting image from storage: ${imageKey}`, err.message);
+      warn(`Posts: error deleting image from storage: ${imageKey} — ${err.message}`);
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/src/modules/posts/db.js b/src/modules/posts/db.js
index ab586e1..1e470d4 100644
--- a/src/modules/posts/db.js
+++ b/src/modules/posts/db.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 
 import { query } from '@zen/core/database';
 import { getPostsConfig } from './config.js';
+import { done, info, step } from '../../shared/lib/logger.js';
 
 async function tableExists(tableName) {
   const result = await query(
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ async function createPostsCategoryTable() {
   const exists = await tableExists(tableName);
 
   if (exists) {
-    console.log(`- Table already exists: ${tableName}`);
+    info(`Table already exists: ${tableName}`);
     return { created: false, tableName };
   }
 
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ async function createPostsCategoryTable() {
   await query(`CREATE INDEX idx_zen_posts_category_post_type ON zen_posts_category(post_type)`);
   await query(`CREATE INDEX idx_zen_posts_category_is_active ON zen_posts_category(is_active)`);
 
-  console.log(`✓ Created table: ${tableName}`);
+  done(`Created table: ${tableName}`);
   return { created: true, tableName };
 }
 
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ async function createPostsTable() {
   const exists = await tableExists(tableName);
 
   if (exists) {
-    console.log(`- Table already exists: ${tableName}`);
+    info(`Table already exists: ${tableName}`);
     return { created: false, tableName };
   }
 
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ async function createPostsTable() {
   await query(`CREATE INDEX idx_zen_posts_category_id ON zen_posts(category_id)`);
   await query(`CREATE INDEX idx_zen_posts_data_gin ON zen_posts USING GIN (data)`);
 
-  console.log(`✓ Created table: ${tableName}`);
+  done(`Created table: ${tableName}`);
   return { created: true, tableName };
 }
 
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ async function createPostsRelationsTable() {
   const exists = await tableExists(tableName);
 
   if (exists) {
-    console.log(`- Table already exists: ${tableName}`);
+    info(`Table already exists: ${tableName}`);
     return { created: false, tableName };
   }
 
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ async function createPostsRelationsTable() {
   await query(`CREATE INDEX idx_zen_posts_relations_post_id ON zen_posts_relations(post_id)`);
   await query(`CREATE INDEX idx_zen_posts_relations_related ON zen_posts_relations(related_post_id)`);
 
-  console.log(`✓ Created table: ${tableName}`);
+  done(`Created table: ${tableName}`);
   return { created: true, tableName };
 }
 
@@ -119,18 +120,18 @@ export async function createTables() {
 
   // zen_posts_category must always be created before zen_posts
   // because zen_posts has a FK reference to it
-  console.log('\n--- Posts Categories ---');
+  step('Posts Categories');
   const catResult = await createPostsCategoryTable();
   if (catResult.created) created.push(catResult.tableName);
   else skipped.push(catResult.tableName);
 
-  console.log('\n--- Posts ---');
+  step('Posts');
   const postResult = await createPostsTable();
   if (postResult.created) created.push(postResult.tableName);
   else skipped.push(postResult.tableName);
 
   if (needsRelations) {
-    console.log('\n--- Posts Relations ---');
+    step('Posts Relations');
     const relResult = await createPostsRelationsTable();
     if (relResult.created) created.push(relResult.tableName);
     else skipped.push(relResult.tableName);
diff --git a/src/shared/lib/init.js b/src/shared/lib/init.js
index f2768a4..acd7a64 100644
--- a/src/shared/lib/init.js
+++ b/src/shared/lib/init.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
  */
 
 import { discoverModules, registerExternalModules, startModuleCronJobs, stopModuleCronJobs } from '../../core/modules/index.js';
+import { step, done, warn, fail } from './logger.js';
 
 // Use globalThis to persist initialization flag across module reloads
 const ZEN_INIT_KEY = Symbol.for('__ZEN_INITIALIZED__');
@@ -11,10 +12,10 @@ const ZEN_INIT_KEY = Symbol.for('__ZEN_INITIALIZED__');
 /**
  * Initialize ZEN system
  * Discovers modules dynamically and starts cron jobs
- * 
+ *
  * Recommended: Use instrumentation.js for automatic initialization
  * Alternative: Call this function manually in your root layout
- * 
+ *
  * @example
  * // instrumentation.js (Recommended) — internal modules only
  * export async function register() {
@@ -42,26 +43,26 @@ const ZEN_INIT_KEY = Symbol.for('__ZEN_INITIALIZED__');
  */
 export async function initializeZen(config = {}) {
   const { modules: externalModules = [], skipCron = false, skipDb = true } = config;
-  
+
   // Only run on server-side
   if (typeof window !== 'undefined') {
     return { skipped: true, reason: 'client-side' };
   }
-  
+
   // Prevent multiple initializations using globalThis
   if (globalThis[ZEN_INIT_KEY]) {
-    console.log('⚠ ZEN: Already initialized, skipping...');
+    warn('ZEN: already initialized, skipping');
     return { skipped: true, reason: 'already-initialized' };
   }
-  
+
   globalThis[ZEN_INIT_KEY] = true;
-  console.log('🚀 ZEN: Starting initialization...');
-  
+  step('ZEN starting...');
+
   const result = {
     discovery: null,
     cron: { started: [], errors: [] }
   };
-  
+
   try {
     // Step 1: Discover and register internal modules (from modules.registry.js)
     result.discovery = await discoverModules();
@@ -70,10 +71,10 @@ export async function initializeZen(config = {}) {
     const skippedCount = result.discovery.skipped?.length || 0;
 
     if (enabledCount > 0) {
-      console.log(`✓ ZEN: Discovered ${enabledCount} internal module(s): ${result.discovery.enabled.join(', ')}`);
+      done(`ZEN: ${enabledCount} module(s): ${result.discovery.enabled.join(', ')}`);
     }
     if (skippedCount > 0) {
-      console.log(`⚠ ZEN: Skipped ${skippedCount} disabled module(s): ${result.discovery.skipped.join(', ')}`);
+      warn(`ZEN: skipped ${skippedCount} module(s): ${result.discovery.skipped.join(', ')}`);
     }
 
     // Step 2: Register external modules from zen.config.js (if any)
@@ -81,26 +82,26 @@ export async function initializeZen(config = {}) {
       result.external = await registerExternalModules(externalModules);
 
       if (result.external.registered.length > 0) {
-        console.log(`✓ ZEN: Registered ${result.external.registered.length} external module(s): ${result.external.registered.join(', ')}`);
+        done(`ZEN: ${result.external.registered.length} external module(s): ${result.external.registered.join(', ')}`);
       }
     }
-    
+
     // Step 3: Start cron jobs for all enabled modules (internal + external)
     if (!skipCron) {
       result.cron = await startModuleCronJobs();
-      
+
       if (result.cron.started.length > 0) {
-        console.log(`✓ ZEN: Started ${result.cron.started.length} cron job(s): ${result.cron.started.join(', ')}`);
+        done(`ZEN: ${result.cron.started.length} cron job(s): ${result.cron.started.join(', ')}`);
       }
     }
-    
-    console.log('✓ ZEN: Initialization complete');
-    
+
+    done('ZEN: ready');
+
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error('✗ ZEN: Initialization failed:', error);
+    fail(`ZEN: init failed: ${error.message}`);
     result.error = error.message;
   }
-  
+
   return result;
 }
 
@@ -110,14 +111,13 @@ export async function initializeZen(config = {}) {
  */
 export function resetZenInitialization() {
   globalThis[ZEN_INIT_KEY] = false;
-  
+
   // Stop all cron jobs using the module system
   try {
     stopModuleCronJobs();
   } catch (e) {
     // Cron system not available
   }
-  
-  console.log('⚠ ZEN: Initialization flag reset');
-}
 
+  warn('ZEN: initialization reset');
+}
diff --git a/src/shared/lib/logger.js b/src/shared/lib/logger.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf91127
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/shared/lib/logger.js
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+/**
+ * ZEN Console Logger
+ * Centralized, styled logging for server-side output.
+ * Inspired by the zen-start CLI style.
+ */
+
+const c = {
+  reset:  '\x1b[0m',
+  dim:    '\x1b[2m',
+  bold:   '\x1b[1m',
+  green:  '\x1b[32m',
+  yellow: '\x1b[33m',
+  red:    '\x1b[31m',
+  cyan:   '\x1b[36m',
+};
+
+const out = (msg) => process.stdout.write(msg + '\n');
+
+/** In-progress step — dim ◆ */
+export const step  = (msg) => out(`  ${c.dim}◆${c.reset} ${msg}`);
+/** Success — green ✓ */
+export const done  = (msg) => out(`  ${c.green}✓${c.reset} ${msg}`);
+/** Warning — yellow ⚠ */
+export const warn  = (msg) => out(`  ${c.yellow}⚠${c.reset} ${msg}`);
+/** Error / failure — red ✗ */
+export const fail  = (msg) => out(`  ${c.red}✗${c.reset} ${msg}`);
+/** Sub-item detail — dim · */
+export const info  = (msg) => out(`    ${c.dim}·${c.reset} ${msg}`);
+
+export const logger = { step, done, warn, fail, info };