diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 5f5632b9..36387bc2 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -135,6 +135,23 @@ Some complex components may also contain `components/`, `utils.ts`, `intl.ts` or
 - Only use CSS features supported by the project's [browserslist](package.json) targets.
 - Mostly plain CSS. Mixins are used for typography and text ellipsis (`packages/components/src/styles/mixins.css`).
 
+### Component CSS Variables
+
+Private `--<component>-*` variables define defaults.
+Public `--kbq-<component>-*` variables are override points.
+
+```css
+/* Flag.module.css */
+.base {
+  --flag-border-radius: 0;
+
+  border-radius: var(--kbq-flag-border-radius, var(--flag-border-radius));
+}
+```
+
+- Never define public variables in component CSS.
+- Public variables inherit, allowing parents to style nested components.
+
 ### Prop System
 
 - Prefer standard ARIA attributes and existing prop names to keep component APIs consistent and familiar.
diff --git a/packages/components/src/components/Flag/Flag.mdx b/packages/components/src/components/Flag/Flag.mdx
index 4d7a4220..63cafd62 100644
--- a/packages/components/src/components/Flag/Flag.mdx
+++ b/packages/components/src/components/Flag/Flag.mdx
@@ -121,10 +121,10 @@ and add a shadow/gradient in your own styles.
 
 Everything visual that isn't a discrete state is an overridable CSS variable:
 
-| Variable                      | Default                                 | Purpose                                               |
-| ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
-| `--kbq-flag-size`             | `1em`                                   | Flag height (also settable via the `size` prop).      |
-| `--kbq-flag-aspect-ratio`     | `3 / 2`                                 | Box ratio (also settable via the `aspectRatio` prop). |
-| `--kbq-flag-border-radius`    | `0`                                     | Corner radius (rounded / stylized look).              |
-| `--kbq-flag-shadow-color`     | `var(--kbq-line-contrast-fade)`         | Inset hairline color; theme-adaptive.                 |
-| `--kbq-flag-empty-background` | `var(--kbq-states-background-disabled)` | Placeholder fill.                                     |
+| Variable                      | Purpose                                               |
+| ----------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
+| `--kbq-flag-size`             | Flag height (also settable via the `size` prop).      |
+| `--kbq-flag-aspect-ratio`     | Box ratio (also settable via the `aspectRatio` prop). |
+| `--kbq-flag-border-radius`    | Corner radius (rounded / stylized look).              |
+| `--kbq-flag-shadow-color`     | Inset hairline color; theme-adaptive.                 |
+| `--kbq-flag-empty-background` | Placeholder fill.                                     |
diff --git a/packages/components/src/components/Flag/Flag.module.css b/packages/components/src/components/Flag/Flag.module.css
index 5663403e..dbfd2c9d 100644
--- a/packages/components/src/components/Flag/Flag.module.css
+++ b/packages/components/src/components/Flag/Flag.module.css
@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
 .base {
-  /* Public, overridable knobs (see the component docs). */
-  --kbq-flag-aspect-ratio: 3 / 2;
-  --kbq-flag-border-radius: 0;
-  --kbq-flag-shadow-color: var(--kbq-line-contrast-fade);
-  --kbq-flag-empty-background: var(--kbq-states-background-disabled);
+  --flag-size: 1em;
+  --flag-aspect-ratio: 3 / 2;
+  --flag-border-radius: 0;
+  --flag-shadow-color: var(--kbq-line-contrast-fade);
+  --flag-empty-background: var(--kbq-states-background-disabled);
 
   display: inline-block;
   position: relative;
   overflow: hidden;
   vertical-align: middle;
-  block-size: var(--kbq-flag-size, 1em);
-  aspect-ratio: var(--kbq-flag-aspect-ratio);
-  border-radius: var(--kbq-flag-border-radius);
+  block-size: var(--kbq-flag-size, var(--flag-size));
+  aspect-ratio: var(--kbq-flag-aspect-ratio, var(--flag-aspect-ratio));
+  border-radius: var(--kbq-flag-border-radius, var(--flag-border-radius));
 }
 
 /* The projected flag graphic fills the box (descendant selector supports wrapped graphics). */
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
   position: absolute;
   inset: 0;
   border-radius: inherit;
-  border: 1px solid var(--kbq-flag-shadow-color);
+  border: 1px solid var(--kbq-flag-shadow-color, var(--flag-shadow-color));
   pointer-events: none;
 }
 
@@ -43,5 +43,8 @@
 
 /* No projected graphic → neutral placeholder (e.g. unknown/invalid country). */
 .base:empty {
-  background-color: var(--kbq-flag-empty-background);
+  background-color: var(
+    --kbq-flag-empty-background,
+    var(--flag-empty-background)
+  );
 }
diff --git a/packages/components/src/components/Sidebar/Sidebar.mdx b/packages/components/src/components/Sidebar/Sidebar.mdx
index 244df0cf..60f881c1 100644
--- a/packages/components/src/components/Sidebar/Sidebar.mdx
+++ b/packages/components/src/components/Sidebar/Sidebar.mdx
@@ -90,9 +90,11 @@ A Sidebar has no ARIA role by default:
 
 ## CSS variables
 
-| Variable                       | Default | Purpose                                                    |
-| ------------------------------ | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
-| `--kbq-sidebar-size`           | `240px` | Inline size while open (also settable via `size`).         |
-| `--kbq-sidebar-closed-size`    | `32px`  | Inline size while closed (also settable via `closedSize`). |
-| `--kbq-sidebar-open-duration`  | `200ms` | Duration of the expand animation.                          |
-| `--kbq-sidebar-close-duration` | `100ms` | Duration of the collapse animation.                        |
+These optional variables override the component's internal values.
+
+| Variable                       | Purpose                                                    |
+| ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `--kbq-sidebar-size`           | Inline size while open (also settable via `size`).         |
+| `--kbq-sidebar-closed-size`    | Inline size while closed (also settable via `closedSize`). |
+| `--kbq-sidebar-open-duration`  | Duration of the expand animation.                          |
+| `--kbq-sidebar-close-duration` | Duration of the collapse animation.                        |
diff --git a/packages/components/src/components/Sidebar/Sidebar.module.css b/packages/components/src/components/Sidebar/Sidebar.module.css
index 73f5f7b1..56f777fc 100644
--- a/packages/components/src/components/Sidebar/Sidebar.module.css
+++ b/packages/components/src/components/Sidebar/Sidebar.module.css
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 .base {
-  --kbq-sidebar-size: 240px;
-  --kbq-sidebar-closed-size: 32px;
-  --kbq-sidebar-open-duration: 200ms;
-  --kbq-sidebar-close-duration: 100ms;
+  --sidebar-size: 240px;
+  --sidebar-closed-size: 32px;
+  --sidebar-open-duration: 200ms;
+  --sidebar-close-duration: 100ms;
 
   display: flex;
   overflow: hidden;
@@ -10,7 +10,10 @@
   block-size: 100%;
   interpolate-size: allow-keywords; /* Kept for future intrinsic-size transition support. */
   transition: inline-size var(--kbq-transition-slow);
-  transition-duration: var(--kbq-sidebar-close-duration);
+  transition-duration: var(
+    --kbq-sidebar-close-duration,
+    var(--sidebar-close-duration)
+  );
 }
 
 .base[data-placement='end'] {
@@ -19,15 +22,18 @@
 
 /* animation */
 .base[data-transition='entering'] {
-  transition-duration: var(--kbq-sidebar-open-duration);
+  transition-duration: var(
+    --kbq-sidebar-open-duration,
+    var(--sidebar-open-duration)
+  );
 }
 
 .base[data-transition='entering'],
 .base[data-transition='entered'] {
-  inline-size: var(--kbq-sidebar-size);
+  inline-size: var(--kbq-sidebar-size, var(--sidebar-size));
 }
 
 .base[data-transition='exiting'],
 .base[data-transition='exited'] {
-  inline-size: var(--kbq-sidebar-closed-size);
+  inline-size: var(--kbq-sidebar-closed-size, var(--sidebar-closed-size));
 }