diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 57b62061..e6e5b286 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,14 @@
 
 # Changelog
 
+## Sprint 80 Operation form readability polish (2026-06-20)
+
+- Added structured headings, helper text, field wrappers and action rows to dense raster operation controls.
+- Added the same form readability structure to vector clip, buffer and intersect controls.
+- Added compact CSS contracts for dataset tool headings, helper text, field grids, action rows and inline error blocks.
+- Added static regression coverage for raster/vector operation form readability contracts.
+- No API contracts, migrations, backend behavior, provider fetching or AI model behavior changed.
+
 ## Sprint 79 Accessibility focus polish (2026-06-20)
 
 - Added a shared visible focus-ring contract for primary buttons, workspace navigation, command chips, inspector tabs and dataset action buttons.
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_sprint80_operation_form_readability.py b/backend/tests/test_sprint80_operation_form_readability.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1eb41a6a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/tests/test_sprint80_operation_form_readability.py
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[2]
+
+
+def test_dataset_operation_form_css_contracts() -> None:
+    css = (ROOT / "frontend" / "src" / "styles" / "app.css").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+    assert ".dataset-tool-heading" in css
+    assert ".dataset-tool-helper" in css
+    assert ".dataset-tool-field" in css
+    assert ".dataset-tool-label" in css
+    assert ".dataset-tool-error" in css
+    assert ".dataset-tool-action-row" in css
+    assert ".dataset-tool-grid" in css
+    assert "grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(9rem, 1fr));" in css
+    assert "overflow-wrap: anywhere;" in css
+
+
+def test_raster_controls_expose_readable_operation_groups() -> None:
+    raster_controls = (ROOT / "frontend" / "src" / "components" / "datasets" / "RasterControls.tsx").read_text(
+        encoding="utf-8"
+    )
+
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-heading"' in raster_controls
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-helper"' in raster_controls
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-grid"' in raster_controls
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-field"' in raster_controls
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-label"' in raster_controls
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-action-row"' in raster_controls
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-error"' in raster_controls
+    assert "Target CRS for the derived raster artifact." in raster_controls
+    assert "Tile size must be > 0." in raster_controls
+
+
+def test_vector_controls_expose_readable_operation_groups() -> None:
+    vector_controls = (ROOT / "frontend" / "src" / "components" / "datasets" / "VectorControls.tsx").read_text(
+        encoding="utf-8"
+    )
+
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-heading"' in vector_controls
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-helper"' in vector_controls
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-grid"' in vector_controls
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-field"' in vector_controls
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-label"' in vector_controls
+    assert 'className="dataset-tool-action-row"' in vector_controls
+    assert "Clip features to the selected project area." in vector_controls
+    assert "Intersect with another persisted vector dataset." in vector_controls
diff --git a/docs/CODEX_EXECUTION_LOG.md b/docs/CODEX_EXECUTION_LOG.md
index f5495319..864afd01 100644
--- a/docs/CODEX_EXECUTION_LOG.md
+++ b/docs/CODEX_EXECUTION_LOG.md
@@ -2929,3 +2929,29 @@ Limitations:
 
 Next recommended pass:
 - Continue with form-level validation/readability polish for dense raster/vector operation panels.
+
+## Sprint 80 Operation form readability polish (2026-06-20)
+
+Changed:
+- Added structured headings, helper text, field wrappers, responsive field grids and action rows to raster operation controls.
+- Added equivalent readability structure to vector clip, buffer and intersect controls.
+- Added inline dataset tool error styling for raster clip/tile validation messages.
+- Added `backend/tests/test_sprint80_operation_form_readability.py`.
+- Updated `frontend/README.md`, `docs/TODO.md` and `CHANGELOG.md`.
+
+Tested:
+- Red step: `python -m pytest backend/tests/test_sprint80_operation_form_readability.py -q` failed on missing form readability CSS and markup contracts.
+- `python -m pytest backend/tests/test_sprint80_operation_form_readability.py -q` (`3 passed`)
+- `python -m pytest backend/tests/test_sprint80_operation_form_readability.py backend/tests/test_sprint77_inspector_mobile_polish.py backend/tests/test_sprint29_dataset_components.py backend/tests/test_sprint28_dataset_workflow_hook.py backend/tests/test_vector_operations_service.py backend/tests/test_raster_operations_service.py -q` (`37 passed`)
+- `cd frontend && npm run typecheck`
+- `cd frontend && npm run build`
+- `bash scripts/run_readiness_check.sh` (`273 passed`; frontend typecheck/build passed; Alembic single head `202606120900`)
+
+Open:
+- Run full readiness, redeploy Tower and verify live runtime smoke after deployment.
+
+Limitations:
+- Frontend readability/presentation polish only; no raster/vector operation behavior, API contract, persistence, migration, provider fetching or AI/model changes.
+
+Next recommended pass:
+- Continue with compact empty/error-state polish across QA, exports and AI lab result panels.
diff --git a/docs/TODO.md b/docs/TODO.md
index 03587345..09b8c22f 100644
--- a/docs/TODO.md
+++ b/docs/TODO.md
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ This file now starts with the current implementation status. Older preparation/b
 - [x] Add inspector mobile polish for dataset metadata, raster/vector tools and action groups.
 - [x] Add export preview readability polish for large JSON/GeoJSON handoff artifacts.
 - [x] Add accessibility focus polish for primary workbench keyboard navigation.
+- [x] Add raster/vector operation form readability polish for dense tool panels.
 
 ## Sprint 8 status
 
diff --git a/frontend/README.md b/frontend/README.md
index e7ae7c8d..1f1eced7 100644
--- a/frontend/README.md
+++ b/frontend/README.md
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ Export Preview shows a compact JSON summary before the payload and keeps large J
 
 Primary workbench navigation, overview shortcuts, inspector tabs and dataset action buttons now share visible keyboard focus styling. Inspector tabs are also bound to tab panels with ARIA metadata.
 
+Raster and vector operation panels use structured group headings, compact helper text, field grids, action rows and inline error blocks so dense GIS controls remain scannable in the inspector.
+
 ## Scope implemented
 - API client layer (`src/services/api`)
 - Project and area list/create flows
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/datasets/RasterControls.tsx b/frontend/src/components/datasets/RasterControls.tsx
index fc4fb484..a8796fc1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/datasets/RasterControls.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/datasets/RasterControls.tsx
@@ -133,29 +133,39 @@ export function RasterControls({
         </div>
       ) : null}
       <div className="dataset-tool-group">
-        <label>
-          Reproject CRS
-          <input
-            value={rasterReprojectCrs}
-            onChange={(event) => onSetRasterReprojectCrs(event.target.value)}
-            placeholder="EPSG:31370"
-          />
-        </label>
-        <label>
-          Resampling
-          <select value={rasterReprojectResampling} onChange={(event) => onSetRasterReprojectResampling(event.target.value)}>
-            <option value="nearest">nearest</option>
-            <option value="bilinear">bilinear</option>
-            <option value="cubic">cubic</option>
-          </select>
-        </label>
-        <button type="button" onClick={onRunRasterReproject}>
-          Reproject raster
-        </button>
+        <h4 className="dataset-tool-heading">Reproject raster</h4>
+        <p className="dataset-tool-helper">Create a derived raster in a target CRS with the selected resampling method.</p>
+        <div className="dataset-tool-grid">
+          <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+            <span className="dataset-tool-label">Reproject CRS</span>
+            <input
+              value={rasterReprojectCrs}
+              onChange={(event) => onSetRasterReprojectCrs(event.target.value)}
+              placeholder="EPSG:31370"
+            />
+            <span className="dataset-tool-helper">Target CRS for the derived raster artifact.</span>
+          </label>
+          <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+            <span className="dataset-tool-label">Resampling</span>
+            <select value={rasterReprojectResampling} onChange={(event) => onSetRasterReprojectResampling(event.target.value)}>
+              <option value="nearest">nearest</option>
+              <option value="bilinear">bilinear</option>
+              <option value="cubic">cubic</option>
+            </select>
+            <span className="dataset-tool-helper">Nearest preserves classes; bilinear/cubic smooth continuous rasters.</span>
+          </label>
+        </div>
+        <div className="dataset-tool-action-row">
+          <button type="button" onClick={onRunRasterReproject}>
+            Reproject raster
+          </button>
+        </div>
       </div>
       <div className="dataset-tool-group">
-        <label>
-          Clip area
+        <h4 className="dataset-tool-heading">Clip raster</h4>
+        <p className="dataset-tool-helper">Clip the selected raster to an existing project area.</p>
+        <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+          <span className="dataset-tool-label">Clip area</span>
           <select value={selectedClipAreaId} onChange={(event) => onSetSelectedClipAreaId(event.target.value)}>
             {areas.map((area) => (
               <option key={area.id} value={area.id}>
@@ -164,43 +174,54 @@ export function RasterControls({
             ))}
           </select>
         </label>
-        <button type="button" onClick={onRunRasterClip} disabled={areas.length === 0}>
-          Clip raster by area
-        </button>
-        {areas.length === 0 ? <p className="error">Create an area before raster clipping.</p> : null}
+        <div className="dataset-tool-action-row">
+          <button type="button" onClick={onRunRasterClip} disabled={areas.length === 0}>
+            Clip raster by area
+          </button>
+        </div>
+        {areas.length === 0 ? <p className="dataset-tool-error">Create an area before raster clipping.</p> : null}
       </div>
       <div className="dataset-tool-group">
-        <label>
-          Tile size
-          <input
-            type="number"
-            min={1}
-            value={rasterTileSize}
-            onChange={(event) => onSetRasterTileSize(Number(event.target.value))}
-          />
-        </label>
-        <label>
-          Overlap
-          <input
-            type="number"
-            min={0}
-            value={rasterTileOverlap}
-            onChange={(event) => onSetRasterTileOverlap(Number(event.target.value))}
-          />
-        </label>
-        <label>
-          Tile basename
-          <input
-            value={rasterTileOutputName}
-            onChange={(event) => onSetRasterTileOutputName(event.target.value)}
-            placeholder="optional"
-          />
-        </label>
-        <button type="button" onClick={onRunRasterTile} disabled={!isRasterTileInputValid}>
-          Generate tiles
-        </button>
+        <h4 className="dataset-tool-heading">Generate tiles</h4>
+        <p className="dataset-tool-helper">Create a tile manifest for downstream detection or segmentation runs.</p>
+        <div className="dataset-tool-grid">
+          <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+            <span className="dataset-tool-label">Tile size</span>
+            <input
+              type="number"
+              min={1}
+              value={rasterTileSize}
+              onChange={(event) => onSetRasterTileSize(Number(event.target.value))}
+            />
+            <span className="dataset-tool-helper">{'Tile size must be > 0.'}</span>
+          </label>
+          <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+            <span className="dataset-tool-label">Overlap</span>
+            <input
+              type="number"
+              min={0}
+              value={rasterTileOverlap}
+              onChange={(event) => onSetRasterTileOverlap(Number(event.target.value))}
+            />
+            <span className="dataset-tool-helper">Overlap must be smaller than tile size.</span>
+          </label>
+          <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+            <span className="dataset-tool-label">Tile basename</span>
+            <input
+              value={rasterTileOutputName}
+              onChange={(event) => onSetRasterTileOutputName(event.target.value)}
+              placeholder="optional"
+            />
+            <span className="dataset-tool-helper">Optional artifact name prefix for generated tiles.</span>
+          </label>
+        </div>
+        <div className="dataset-tool-action-row">
+          <button type="button" onClick={onRunRasterTile} disabled={!isRasterTileInputValid}>
+            Generate tiles
+          </button>
+        </div>
         {!isRasterTileInputValid ? (
-          <p className="error">
+          <p className="dataset-tool-error">
             Tile size must be {'>'} 0 and overlap must be {'>='} 0 and smaller than tile size.
           </p>
         ) : null}
@@ -209,46 +230,61 @@ export function RasterControls({
       <div>
         <p>Use available band indexes from the raster file (1-based).</p>
         <div className="dataset-tool-group">
-          <p>NDVI</p>
-          <label>
-            Nir band
-            <input type="number" min={1} value={ndviNirBand} onChange={(event) => onSetNdviNirBand(Number(event.target.value))} />
-          </label>
-          <label>
-            Red band
-            <input type="number" min={1} value={ndviRedBand} onChange={(event) => onSetNdviRedBand(Number(event.target.value))} />
-          </label>
-          <button type="button" onClick={onRunRasterNdvi}>
-            Compute NDVI
-          </button>
+          <h4 className="dataset-tool-heading">NDVI</h4>
+          <p className="dataset-tool-helper">Vegetation index from NIR and red bands.</p>
+          <div className="dataset-tool-grid">
+            <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+              <span className="dataset-tool-label">NIR band</span>
+              <input type="number" min={1} value={ndviNirBand} onChange={(event) => onSetNdviNirBand(Number(event.target.value))} />
+            </label>
+            <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+              <span className="dataset-tool-label">Red band</span>
+              <input type="number" min={1} value={ndviRedBand} onChange={(event) => onSetNdviRedBand(Number(event.target.value))} />
+            </label>
+          </div>
+          <div className="dataset-tool-action-row">
+            <button type="button" onClick={onRunRasterNdvi}>
+              Compute NDVI
+            </button>
+          </div>
         </div>
         <div className="dataset-tool-group">
-          <p>NDWI</p>
-          <label>
-            Nir band
-            <input type="number" min={1} value={ndwiNirBand} onChange={(event) => onSetNdwiNirBand(Number(event.target.value))} />
-          </label>
-          <label>
-            Green band
-            <input type="number" min={1} value={ndwiGreenBand} onChange={(event) => onSetNdwiGreenBand(Number(event.target.value))} />
-          </label>
-          <button type="button" onClick={onRunRasterNdwi}>
-            Compute NDWI
-          </button>
+          <h4 className="dataset-tool-heading">NDWI</h4>
+          <p className="dataset-tool-helper">Water index from NIR and green bands.</p>
+          <div className="dataset-tool-grid">
+            <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+              <span className="dataset-tool-label">NIR band</span>
+              <input type="number" min={1} value={ndwiNirBand} onChange={(event) => onSetNdwiNirBand(Number(event.target.value))} />
+            </label>
+            <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+              <span className="dataset-tool-label">Green band</span>
+              <input type="number" min={1} value={ndwiGreenBand} onChange={(event) => onSetNdwiGreenBand(Number(event.target.value))} />
+            </label>
+          </div>
+          <div className="dataset-tool-action-row">
+            <button type="button" onClick={onRunRasterNdwi}>
+              Compute NDWI
+            </button>
+          </div>
         </div>
         <div className="dataset-tool-group">
-          <p>NDBI</p>
-          <label>
-            Swir band
-            <input type="number" min={1} value={ndbiSwirBand} onChange={(event) => onSetNdbiSwirBand(Number(event.target.value))} />
-          </label>
-          <label>
-            Nir band
-            <input type="number" min={1} value={ndbiNirBand} onChange={(event) => onSetNdbiNirBand(Number(event.target.value))} />
-          </label>
-          <button type="button" onClick={onRunRasterNdbi}>
-            Compute NDBI
-          </button>
+          <h4 className="dataset-tool-heading">NDBI</h4>
+          <p className="dataset-tool-helper">Built-up index from SWIR and NIR bands.</p>
+          <div className="dataset-tool-grid">
+            <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+              <span className="dataset-tool-label">SWIR band</span>
+              <input type="number" min={1} value={ndbiSwirBand} onChange={(event) => onSetNdbiSwirBand(Number(event.target.value))} />
+            </label>
+            <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+              <span className="dataset-tool-label">NIR band</span>
+              <input type="number" min={1} value={ndbiNirBand} onChange={(event) => onSetNdbiNirBand(Number(event.target.value))} />
+            </label>
+          </div>
+          <div className="dataset-tool-action-row">
+            <button type="button" onClick={onRunRasterNdbi}>
+              Compute NDBI
+            </button>
+          </div>
         </div>
       </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/datasets/VectorControls.tsx b/frontend/src/components/datasets/VectorControls.tsx
index 40ae5df5..9c0a6526 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/datasets/VectorControls.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/datasets/VectorControls.tsx
@@ -27,38 +27,57 @@ export function VectorControls({
     <div className="dataset-tool-panel vector-tool-panel">
       <h3>Vector operations</h3>
       <div className="dataset-tool-group">
-        <label>
-          Clip area
-          <select value={selectedClipAreaId} onChange={(event) => onSetSelectedClipAreaId(event.target.value)}>
-            {areas.map((area) => (
-              <option key={area.id} value={area.id}>
-                {area.name}
-              </option>
-            ))}
-          </select>
-        </label>
-        <button type="button" onClick={onRunVectorClip} disabled={areas.length === 0}>
-          Run clip
-        </button>
+        <h4 className="dataset-tool-heading">Clip vector</h4>
+        <p className="dataset-tool-helper">Clip features to the selected project area.</p>
+        <div className="dataset-tool-grid">
+          <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+            <span className="dataset-tool-label">Clip area</span>
+            <select value={selectedClipAreaId} onChange={(event) => onSetSelectedClipAreaId(event.target.value)}>
+              {areas.map((area) => (
+                <option key={area.id} value={area.id}>
+                  {area.name}
+                </option>
+              ))}
+            </select>
+          </label>
+        </div>
+        <div className="dataset-tool-action-row">
+          <button type="button" onClick={onRunVectorClip} disabled={areas.length === 0}>
+            Run clip
+          </button>
+        </div>
       </div>
-      <button type="button" onClick={onRunVectorBuffer}>
-        Run buffer (25m)
-      </button>
       <div className="dataset-tool-group">
-        <label>
-          Intersect target
-          <select value={selectedIntersectTargetId} onChange={(event) => onSetSelectedIntersectTargetId(event.target.value)}>
-            <option value="">auto first vector</option>
-            {availableVectorTargets.map((target) => (
-              <option key={target.id} value={target.id}>
-                {target.name}
-              </option>
-            ))}
-          </select>
-        </label>
-        <button type="button" onClick={onRunVectorIntersect}>
-          Run intersect
-        </button>
+        <h4 className="dataset-tool-heading">Buffer vector</h4>
+        <p className="dataset-tool-helper">Create a 25m buffer using the existing vector operation defaults.</p>
+        <div className="dataset-tool-action-row">
+          <button type="button" onClick={onRunVectorBuffer}>
+            Run buffer (25m)
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+      <div className="dataset-tool-group">
+        <h4 className="dataset-tool-heading">Intersect vector</h4>
+        <p className="dataset-tool-helper">Intersect with another persisted vector dataset.</p>
+        <div className="dataset-tool-grid">
+          <label className="dataset-tool-field">
+            <span className="dataset-tool-label">Intersect target</span>
+            <select value={selectedIntersectTargetId} onChange={(event) => onSetSelectedIntersectTargetId(event.target.value)}>
+              <option value="">auto first vector</option>
+              {availableVectorTargets.map((target) => (
+                <option key={target.id} value={target.id}>
+                  {target.name}
+                </option>
+              ))}
+            </select>
+            <span className="dataset-tool-helper">Leave automatic to use the first available vector target.</span>
+          </label>
+        </div>
+        <div className="dataset-tool-action-row">
+          <button type="button" onClick={onRunVectorIntersect}>
+            Run intersect
+          </button>
+        </div>
       </div>
     </div>
   )
diff --git a/frontend/src/styles/app.css b/frontend/src/styles/app.css
index 756f52b0..30d506fa 100644
--- a/frontend/src/styles/app.css
+++ b/frontend/src/styles/app.css
@@ -2148,16 +2148,69 @@ button.entity-card {
   background: #ffffff;
 }
 
+.dataset-tool-heading {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-size: 0.92rem;
+  line-height: 1.25;
+}
+
+.dataset-tool-helper {
+  margin: 0;
+  color: var(--muted);
+  font-size: 0.82rem;
+  line-height: 1.38;
+  overflow-wrap: anywhere;
+}
+
+.dataset-tool-grid {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(9rem, 1fr));
+  gap: 0.52rem;
+}
+
 .dataset-tool-group label {
   min-width: 0;
 }
 
+.dataset-tool-field {
+  display: grid;
+  gap: 0.22rem;
+  min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.dataset-tool-label {
+  color: var(--text);
+  font-size: 0.78rem;
+  font-weight: 800;
+  line-height: 1.25;
+}
+
 .dataset-tool-group input,
 .dataset-tool-group select {
   width: 100%;
   min-width: 0;
 }
 
+.dataset-tool-error {
+  margin: 0;
+  border: 1px solid rgba(153, 27, 27, 0.24);
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  padding: 0.52rem 0.62rem;
+  background: rgba(153, 27, 27, 0.07);
+  color: var(--danger);
+  font-size: 0.82rem;
+  font-weight: 750;
+  line-height: 1.35;
+  overflow-wrap: anywhere;
+}
+
+.dataset-tool-action-row {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  gap: 0.5rem;
+  align-items: center;
+}
+
 .dataset-tool-group button {
   width: fit-content;
   max-width: 100%;