diff --git a/ai/backend-context.md b/ai/backend-context.md
index f3b5ddd..dd69678 100644
--- a/ai/backend-context.md
+++ b/ai/backend-context.md
@@ -35,6 +35,15 @@ intentionally omitted here - update this section as entities land.
     `new Set(...)`) instead of creating them through their fake
     repositories
 
+## Migrations
+
+- This project is not in production. By default, schema changes should update
+  the relevant create-table migration so migrations describe the current desired
+  schema from scratch.
+- Do not add alter-table or data-backfill migrations unless the user explicitly
+  asks for production-style migration safety.
+- Put seed data in seeders, not migrations.
+
 ## PHP rules
 
 - Imports: always put `use` statements at the top of the file, never use
diff --git a/backend/app/Controllers/ElementController.php b/backend/app/Controllers/ElementController.php
index 2e44931..0e71cea 100644
--- a/backend/app/Controllers/ElementController.php
+++ b/backend/app/Controllers/ElementController.php
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ class ElementController
             $childElements[] = [
                 'id' => $childElement->getId(),
                 'title' => $childElement->getTitle(),
+                'description' => $childElement->getDescription(),
             ];
         }
 
@@ -44,6 +45,7 @@ class ElementController
             'element' => [
                 'id' => $element->getId(),
                 'title' => $element->getTitle(),
+                'description' => $element->getDescription(),
             ],
         ], 200);
     }
diff --git a/backend/app/Element/CreateElementDto.php b/backend/app/Element/CreateElementDto.php
index b815300..3bad829 100644
--- a/backend/app/Element/CreateElementDto.php
+++ b/backend/app/Element/CreateElementDto.php
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ class CreateElementDto
     public function __construct(
         public Set $set,
         public string $title,
+        public string $description,
         public ?Element $parentElement,
     ) {
     }
diff --git a/backend/app/Element/Element.php b/backend/app/Element/Element.php
index 143df26..7f007ce 100644
--- a/backend/app/Element/Element.php
+++ b/backend/app/Element/Element.php
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ class Element
     public function __construct(
         private int $id,
         private string $title,
+        private string $description,
         private Set $set,
         private ?Element $parentElement,
     ) {
@@ -24,6 +25,11 @@ class Element
         return $this->title;
     }
 
+    public function getDescription(): string
+    {
+        return $this->description;
+    }
+
     public function getSet(): Set
     {
         return $this->set;
diff --git a/backend/app/Element/ElementModel.php b/backend/app/Element/ElementModel.php
index 119d287..4f79f3b 100644
--- a/backend/app/Element/ElementModel.php
+++ b/backend/app/Element/ElementModel.php
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model;
  * @property int $id
  * @property int $set_id
  * @property string $title
+ * @property string $description
  * @property int|null $parent_element_id
  *
  * @method static Builder<static>|ElementModel newModelQuery()
@@ -18,6 +19,7 @@ use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model;
  * @method static Builder<static>|ElementModel whereParentElementId($value)
  * @method static Builder<static>|ElementModel whereSetId($value)
  * @method static Builder<static>|ElementModel whereTitle($value)
+ * @method static Builder<static>|ElementModel whereDescription($value)
  *
  * @mixin \Eloquent
  */
@@ -30,6 +32,7 @@ class ElementModel extends Model
     protected $fillable = [
         'set_id',
         'title',
+        'description',
         'parent_element_id',
     ];
 
diff --git a/backend/app/Element/EloquentElementRepository.php b/backend/app/Element/EloquentElementRepository.php
index 350e37a..7b7065a 100644
--- a/backend/app/Element/EloquentElementRepository.php
+++ b/backend/app/Element/EloquentElementRepository.php
@@ -17,12 +17,14 @@ class EloquentElementRepository implements ElementRepository
         $model = ElementModel::create([
             'set_id' => $dto->set->getId(),
             'title' => $dto->title,
+            'description' => $dto->description,
             'parent_element_id' => $dto->parentElement?->getId(),
         ]);
 
         return new Element(
             id: $model->id,
             title: $dto->title,
+            description: $dto->description,
             set: $dto->set,
             parentElement: $dto->parentElement,
         );
@@ -102,6 +104,7 @@ class EloquentElementRepository implements ElementRepository
         return new Element(
             id: $model->id,
             title: $model->title,
+            description: $model->description,
             set: $set,
             parentElement: $parentElement,
         );
diff --git a/backend/app/Element/UseCases/CreateElement/CreateElement.php b/backend/app/Element/UseCases/CreateElement/CreateElement.php
index 9b32cd7..1cb4b37 100644
--- a/backend/app/Element/UseCases/CreateElement/CreateElement.php
+++ b/backend/app/Element/UseCases/CreateElement/CreateElement.php
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ class CreateElement
         if ($request->title === null || $request->title === '') {
             throw new BadRequestException('title is required');
         }
+        $description = $request->description ?? '';
 
         $set = $this->setRepo->find($request->setId);
         if ($set === null) {
@@ -44,6 +45,7 @@ class CreateElement
             return $this->elementRepo->create(new CreateElementDto(
                 set: $set,
                 title: $request->title,
+                description: $description,
                 parentElement: null,
             ));
         }
@@ -65,6 +67,7 @@ class CreateElement
         return $this->elementRepo->create(new CreateElementDto(
             set: $set,
             title: $request->title,
+            description: $description,
             parentElement: $parentElement,
         ));
     }
diff --git a/backend/app/Element/UseCases/CreateElement/CreateElementRequest.php b/backend/app/Element/UseCases/CreateElement/CreateElementRequest.php
index eef7e7e..b028326 100644
--- a/backend/app/Element/UseCases/CreateElement/CreateElementRequest.php
+++ b/backend/app/Element/UseCases/CreateElement/CreateElementRequest.php
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ class CreateElementRequest
     public function __construct(
         public ?int $setId,
         public ?string $title,
+        public ?string $description,
         public ?int $parentElementId,
     ) {
     }
diff --git a/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_24_000001_elements_table.php b/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_24_000001_elements_table.php
index 377ba38..f09b3b0 100644
--- a/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_24_000001_elements_table.php
+++ b/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_24_000001_elements_table.php
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ return new class extends Migration
             $table->id();
             $table->foreignId('set_id')->constrained('sets');
             $table->string('title');
+            $table->text('description')->default('');
             $table->foreignId('parent_element_id')
                 ->nullable()
                 ->constrained('elements');
diff --git a/backend/database/seeders/ElementSeeder.php b/backend/database/seeders/ElementSeeder.php
index 68ee7b9..b356df9 100644
--- a/backend/database/seeders/ElementSeeder.php
+++ b/backend/database/seeders/ElementSeeder.php
@@ -17,16 +17,20 @@ class ElementSeeder extends Seeder
         $rootElement = $elementRepository->create(new CreateElementDto(
             set: $baderechSet,
             title: $baderechSet->getName(),
+            description: $baderechSet->getDescription(),
             parentElement: null,
         ));
         $elementRepository->create(new CreateElementDto(
             set: $baderechSet,
             title: 'Avodah Foundations',
+            description: 'Core foundations for building a steady '
+                . 'avodah practice.',
             parentElement: $rootElement,
         ));
         $elementRepository->create(new CreateElementDto(
             set: $baderechSet,
             title: 'Daily Practice',
+            description: 'Practical steps for consistent daily growth.',
             parentElement: $rootElement,
         ));
     }
diff --git a/backend/tests/Fakes/FakeElementRepository.php b/backend/tests/Fakes/FakeElementRepository.php
index b16be7f..09acc9d 100644
--- a/backend/tests/Fakes/FakeElementRepository.php
+++ b/backend/tests/Fakes/FakeElementRepository.php
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ class FakeElementRepository implements ElementRepository
         $element = new Element(
             id: $id,
             title: $dto->title,
+            description: $dto->description,
             set: $dto->set,
             parentElement: $dto->parentElement,
         );
@@ -95,6 +96,7 @@ class FakeElementRepository implements ElementRepository
         return new Element(
             id: $element->getId(),
             title: $element->getTitle(),
+            description: $element->getDescription(),
             set: $element->getSet(),
             parentElement: $parentElement,
         );
diff --git a/backend/tests/Feature/ElementsEndpointTest.php b/backend/tests/Feature/ElementsEndpointTest.php
index 40834f2..b4949e4 100644
--- a/backend/tests/Feature/ElementsEndpointTest.php
+++ b/backend/tests/Feature/ElementsEndpointTest.php
@@ -25,16 +25,19 @@ class ElementsEndpointTest extends TestCase
         $element = $elementRepository->create(new CreateElementDto(
             set: $set,
             title: 'Baderech HaAvodah',
+            description: 'A structured path for growth',
             parentElement: null,
         ));
         $firstChildElement = $elementRepository->create(new CreateElementDto(
             set: $set,
             title: 'Avodah Foundations',
+            description: 'Foundations for steady avodah',
             parentElement: $element,
         ));
         $secondChildElement = $elementRepository->create(new CreateElementDto(
             set: $set,
             title: 'Daily Practice',
+            description: 'Daily practices for growth',
             parentElement: $element,
         ));
 
@@ -46,15 +49,18 @@ class ElementsEndpointTest extends TestCase
                 [
                     'id' => $firstChildElement->getId(),
                     'title' => 'Avodah Foundations',
+                    'description' => 'Foundations for steady avodah',
                 ],
                 [
                     'id' => $secondChildElement->getId(),
                     'title' => 'Daily Practice',
+                    'description' => 'Daily practices for growth',
                 ],
             ],
             'element' => [
                 'id' => $element->getId(),
                 'title' => 'Baderech HaAvodah',
+                'description' => 'A structured path for growth',
             ],
         ]);
     }
diff --git a/backend/tests/Feature/SetsEndpointTest.php b/backend/tests/Feature/SetsEndpointTest.php
index 6b79a7a..a1c3ce9 100644
--- a/backend/tests/Feature/SetsEndpointTest.php
+++ b/backend/tests/Feature/SetsEndpointTest.php
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ class SetsEndpointTest extends TestCase
             new CreateElementDto(
                 set: $baderechSet,
                 title: $baderechSet->getName(),
+                description: $baderechSet->getDescription(),
                 parentElement: null,
             )
         );
diff --git a/backend/tests/Unit/Controllers/ElementControllerTest.php b/backend/tests/Unit/Controllers/ElementControllerTest.php
index 20a18dc..0d6e0f2 100644
--- a/backend/tests/Unit/Controllers/ElementControllerTest.php
+++ b/backend/tests/Unit/Controllers/ElementControllerTest.php
@@ -26,15 +26,22 @@ class ElementControllerTest extends TestCase
     public function testShowReturnsElementPayload(): void
     {
         $set = $this->createSet(1, 'Baderech');
-        $element = $this->createElement($set, 'Baderech HaAvodah', null);
+        $element = $this->createElement(
+            $set,
+            'Baderech HaAvodah',
+            'A structured path for growth',
+            null,
+        );
         $firstChildElement = $this->createElement(
             $set,
             'Avodah Foundations',
+            'Foundations for steady avodah',
             $element,
         );
         $secondChildElement = $this->createElement(
             $set,
             'Daily Practice',
+            'Daily practices for growth',
             $element,
         );
 
@@ -44,14 +51,20 @@ class ElementControllerTest extends TestCase
         $body = json_decode($response->getContent(), true);
         $this->assertSame($element->getId(), $body['element']['id']);
         $this->assertSame('Baderech HaAvodah', $body['element']['title']);
+        $this->assertSame(
+            'A structured path for growth',
+            $body['element']['description'],
+        );
         $this->assertSame([
             [
                 'id' => $firstChildElement->getId(),
                 'title' => 'Avodah Foundations',
+                'description' => 'Foundations for steady avodah',
             ],
             [
                 'id' => $secondChildElement->getId(),
                 'title' => 'Daily Practice',
+                'description' => 'Daily practices for growth',
             ],
         ], $body['childElements']);
     }
@@ -91,11 +104,13 @@ class ElementControllerTest extends TestCase
     private function createElement(
         DomainSet $set,
         string $title,
+        string $description,
         ?Element $parentElement,
     ): Element {
         return $this->elementRepo->create(new CreateElementDto(
             set: $set,
             title: $title,
+            description: $description,
             parentElement: $parentElement,
         ));
     }
diff --git a/backend/tests/Unit/Element/ElementTest.php b/backend/tests/Unit/Element/ElementTest.php
index 5d7ded2..3a0cdce 100644
--- a/backend/tests/Unit/Element/ElementTest.php
+++ b/backend/tests/Unit/Element/ElementTest.php
@@ -19,18 +19,24 @@ class ElementTest extends TestCase
         $rootElement = new Element(
             id: 1,
             title: 'Root',
+            description: 'Root description',
             set: $set,
             parentElement: null,
         );
         $childElement = new Element(
             id: 2,
             title: 'Child',
+            description: 'Child description',
             set: $set,
             parentElement: $rootElement,
         );
 
         $this->assertSame(2, $childElement->getId());
         $this->assertSame('Child', $childElement->getTitle());
+        $this->assertSame(
+            'Child description',
+            $childElement->getDescription(),
+        );
         $this->assertSame($set, $childElement->getSet());
         $this->assertSame($rootElement, $childElement->getParentElement());
         $this->assertNull($rootElement->getParentElement());
diff --git a/backend/tests/Unit/Element/UseCases/CreateElementTest.php b/backend/tests/Unit/Element/UseCases/CreateElementTest.php
index 340f49e..cef6aa4 100644
--- a/backend/tests/Unit/Element/UseCases/CreateElementTest.php
+++ b/backend/tests/Unit/Element/UseCases/CreateElementTest.php
@@ -47,11 +47,13 @@ class CreateElementTest extends TestCase
         $element = $this->createElement->execute(new CreateElementRequest(
             setId: $set->getId(),
             title: 'Root',
+            description: 'Root description',
             parentElementId: null,
         ));
 
         $this->assertInstanceOf(Element::class, $element);
         $this->assertSame('Root', $element->getTitle());
+        $this->assertSame('Root description', $element->getDescription());
         $this->assertSame($set->getId(), $element->getSet()->getId());
         $this->assertNull($element->getParentElement());
     }
@@ -63,6 +65,7 @@ class CreateElementTest extends TestCase
             new CreateElementRequest(
                 setId: $set->getId(),
                 title: 'Root',
+                description: 'Root description',
                 parentElementId: null,
             )
         );
@@ -71,17 +74,36 @@ class CreateElementTest extends TestCase
             new CreateElementRequest(
                 setId: $set->getId(),
                 title: 'Child',
+                description: 'Child description',
                 parentElementId: $rootElement->getId(),
             )
         );
 
         $this->assertSame('Child', $childElement->getTitle());
+        $this->assertSame(
+            'Child description',
+            $childElement->getDescription(),
+        );
         $this->assertSame(
             $rootElement->getId(),
             $childElement->getParentElement()->getId(),
         );
     }
 
+    public function testCreatesElementWithBlankDescriptionWhenMissing(): void
+    {
+        $set = $this->createSet('Daily learning');
+
+        $element = $this->createElement->execute(new CreateElementRequest(
+            setId: $set->getId(),
+            title: 'Root',
+            description: null,
+            parentElementId: null,
+        ));
+
+        $this->assertSame('', $element->getDescription());
+    }
+
     public function testThrowsWhenSetIdMissing(): void
     {
         $this->expectException(BadRequestException::class);
@@ -90,6 +112,7 @@ class CreateElementTest extends TestCase
         $this->createElement->execute(new CreateElementRequest(
             setId: null,
             title: 'Root',
+            description: 'Root description',
             parentElementId: null,
         ));
     }
@@ -102,6 +125,7 @@ class CreateElementTest extends TestCase
         $this->createElement->execute(new CreateElementRequest(
             setId: 1,
             title: null,
+            description: 'Root description',
             parentElementId: null,
         ));
     }
@@ -114,6 +138,7 @@ class CreateElementTest extends TestCase
         $this->createElement->execute(new CreateElementRequest(
             setId: 99,
             title: 'Root',
+            description: 'Root description',
             parentElementId: null,
         ));
     }
@@ -130,6 +155,7 @@ class CreateElementTest extends TestCase
         $this->createElement->execute(new CreateElementRequest(
             setId: $set->getId(),
             title: 'Child',
+            description: 'Child description',
             parentElementId: 99,
         ));
     }
@@ -140,6 +166,7 @@ class CreateElementTest extends TestCase
         $this->createElement->execute(new CreateElementRequest(
             setId: $set->getId(),
             title: 'Root',
+            description: 'Root description',
             parentElementId: null,
         ));
 
@@ -151,6 +178,7 @@ class CreateElementTest extends TestCase
         $this->createElement->execute(new CreateElementRequest(
             setId: $set->getId(),
             title: 'Another root',
+            description: 'Another root description',
             parentElementId: null,
         ));
     }
@@ -163,6 +191,7 @@ class CreateElementTest extends TestCase
             new CreateElementRequest(
                 setId: $parentSet->getId(),
                 title: 'Parent root',
+                description: 'Parent root description',
                 parentElementId: null,
             )
         );
@@ -175,6 +204,7 @@ class CreateElementTest extends TestCase
         $this->createElement->execute(new CreateElementRequest(
             setId: $childSet->getId(),
             title: 'Invalid child',
+            description: 'Invalid child description',
             parentElementId: $parentElement->getId(),
         ));
     }
diff --git a/backend/tests/Unit/Element/UseCases/GetElementTest.php b/backend/tests/Unit/Element/UseCases/GetElementTest.php
index fc665b0..9e398f4 100644
--- a/backend/tests/Unit/Element/UseCases/GetElementTest.php
+++ b/backend/tests/Unit/Element/UseCases/GetElementTest.php
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ class GetElementTest extends TestCase
         $element = $this->createElement(
             $set,
             'Baderech HaAvodah',
+            'A structured path for growth',
             null,
         );
 
@@ -41,6 +42,10 @@ class GetElementTest extends TestCase
         $this->assertInstanceOf(Element::class, $foundElement);
         $this->assertSame($element->getId(), $foundElement->getId());
         $this->assertSame('Baderech HaAvodah', $foundElement->getTitle());
+        $this->assertSame(
+            'A structured path for growth',
+            $foundElement->getDescription(),
+        );
     }
 
     public function testReturnsDirectChildElements(): void
@@ -49,32 +54,38 @@ class GetElementTest extends TestCase
         $parentElement = $this->createElement(
             $set,
             'Baderech HaAvodah',
+            'A structured path for growth',
             null,
         );
         $firstChildElement = $this->createElement(
             $set,
             'Avodah Foundations',
+            'Foundations for steady avodah',
             $parentElement,
         );
         $secondChildElement = $this->createElement(
             $set,
             'Daily Practice',
+            'Daily practices for growth',
             $parentElement,
         );
         $this->createElement(
             $set,
             'Nested Practice',
+            'Nested description',
             $firstChildElement,
         );
         $otherSet = $this->createSet(2, 'Daily Learning');
         $otherParentElement = $this->createElement(
             $otherSet,
             'Other Parent',
+            'Other parent description',
             null,
         );
         $this->createElement(
             $otherSet,
             'Other Child',
+            'Other child description',
             $otherParentElement,
         );
 
@@ -89,11 +100,19 @@ class GetElementTest extends TestCase
             $childElements[0]->getId(),
         );
         $this->assertSame('Avodah Foundations', $childElements[0]->getTitle());
+        $this->assertSame(
+            'Foundations for steady avodah',
+            $childElements[0]->getDescription(),
+        );
         $this->assertSame(
             $secondChildElement->getId(),
             $childElements[1]->getId(),
         );
         $this->assertSame('Daily Practice', $childElements[1]->getTitle());
+        $this->assertSame(
+            'Daily practices for growth',
+            $childElements[1]->getDescription(),
+        );
     }
 
     public function testThrowsWhenIdMissing(): void
@@ -125,11 +144,13 @@ class GetElementTest extends TestCase
     private function createElement(
         DomainSet $set,
         string $title,
+        string $description,
         ?Element $parentElement,
     ): Element {
         return $this->elementRepo->create(new CreateElementDto(
             set: $set,
             title: $title,
+            description: $description,
             parentElement: $parentElement,
         ));
     }
diff --git a/frontend/rabbi_gerzi/cypress/e2e/media.cy.ts b/frontend/rabbi_gerzi/cypress/e2e/media.cy.ts
index a260b94..832233d 100644
--- a/frontend/rabbi_gerzi/cypress/e2e/media.cy.ts
+++ b/frontend/rabbi_gerzi/cypress/e2e/media.cy.ts
@@ -43,9 +43,21 @@ describe('media page sets', () => {
     cy.contains('h1', 'Baderech HaAvodah').should('be.visible')
     cy.get('[data-cy="child-element-list"]').should('be.visible')
     cy.contains('[data-cy="child-element-link"]', 'Avodah Foundations')
+      .as('avodahFoundationsLink')
       .should('have.attr', 'href', '/element/2')
+    cy.get('@avodahFoundationsLink')
+      .should(
+        'contain.text',
+        'Core foundations for building a steady avodah practice.',
+      )
     cy.contains('[data-cy="child-element-link"]', 'Daily Practice')
+      .as('dailyPracticeLink')
       .should('have.attr', 'href', '/element/3')
+    cy.get('@dailyPracticeLink')
+      .should(
+        'contain.text',
+        'Practical steps for consistent daily growth.',
+      )
 
     cy.contains('[data-cy="child-element-link"]', 'Avodah Foundations')
       .click()
diff --git a/frontend/rabbi_gerzi/src/stores/elements.ts b/frontend/rabbi_gerzi/src/stores/elements.ts
index 6922157..b7ae058 100644
--- a/frontend/rabbi_gerzi/src/stores/elements.ts
+++ b/frontend/rabbi_gerzi/src/stores/elements.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { defineStore } from 'pinia'
 export interface Element {
   id: number
   title: string
+  description: string
 }
 
 interface ElementResponse {
diff --git a/frontend/rabbi_gerzi/src/views/ElementPage.vue b/frontend/rabbi_gerzi/src/views/ElementPage.vue
index 39d0866..fd8a5fa 100644
--- a/frontend/rabbi_gerzi/src/views/ElementPage.vue
+++ b/frontend/rabbi_gerzi/src/views/ElementPage.vue
@@ -65,7 +65,15 @@ watch(
                 class="element-page__child-link"
                 data-cy="child-element-link"
               >
-                {{ childElement.title }}
+                <span class="element-page__child-title">
+                  {{ childElement.title }}
+                </span>
+                <span
+                  v-if="childElement.description !== ''"
+                  class="element-page__child-description"
+                >
+                  {{ childElement.description }}
+                </span>
               </RouterLink>
             </li>
           </ul>
@@ -131,6 +139,19 @@ watch(
     transform 180ms ease;
 }
 
+.element-page__child-title {
+  display: block;
+}
+
+.element-page__child-description {
+  display: block;
+  margin-top: 0.4rem;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  font-family: var(--font-sans);
+  font-size: 0.95rem;
+  line-height: 1.45;
+}
+
 .element-page__child-link:hover,
 .element-page__child-link:focus-visible {
   border-color: #d4ad5f;