diff --git a/TODO.md b/TODO.md
index f029d92..f21d7d7 100644
--- a/TODO.md
+++ b/TODO.md
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
 *   [ ] **Visuals**
     *   [ ] Replace placeholder geometric shapes with actual sprites.
     *   [ ] Add explosion animations/effects.
-    *   [ ] Implement a scrolling starfield background.
+    *   [x] Implement a scrolling starfield background.
 *   [ ] **Audio**
     *   [ ] Integrate `bevy_audio`.
     *   [ ] Add sound effects (shooting, explosions, player death, tractor beam, etc.).
diff --git a/src/components.rs b/src/components.rs
index baf1ea2..fe5ff07 100644
--- a/src/components.rs
+++ b/src/components.rs
@@ -90,3 +90,8 @@ pub struct StartButton;
 
 #[derive(Component)]
 pub struct RestartMessage;
+
+#[derive(Component)]
+pub struct Star {
+    pub speed: f32,
+}
diff --git a/src/constants.rs b/src/constants.rs
index 0b2c1c0..c8e8a15 100644
--- a/src/constants.rs
+++ b/src/constants.rs
@@ -39,3 +39,11 @@ pub const TRACTOR_BEAM_WIDTH: f32 = 20.0;
 pub const TRACTOR_BEAM_DURATION: f32 = 3.0;
 pub const TRACTOR_BEAM_COLOR: Color = Color::rgba(0.5, 0.0, 0.8, 0.6);
 pub const CAPTURE_DURATION: f32 = 10.0; // How long the player stays captured
+
+// Starfield constants
+pub const STAR_COUNT: usize = 150;
+pub const STAR_MIN_SIZE: f32 = 1.0;
+pub const STAR_MAX_SIZE: f32 = 3.0;
+pub const STAR_MIN_SPEED: f32 = 20.0;
+pub const STAR_MAX_SPEED: f32 = 100.0;
+pub const STAR_Z_DEPTH: f32 = -10.0; // Behind all game entities
diff --git a/src/game_state.rs b/src/game_state.rs
index 8cf8b1c..fd220ed 100644
--- a/src/game_state.rs
+++ b/src/game_state.rs
@@ -197,11 +197,10 @@ pub fn start_menu_button_system(
 }
 
 pub fn handle_restart_input(
-    mut keyboard_input: ResMut<Input<KeyCode>>,
+    keyboard_input: Res<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>,
     mut restart_resource: ResMut<RestartPressed>,
-    mut app_state: ResMut<NextState<AppState>>,
 ) {
-    if keyboard_input.just_pressed(KeyCode::R) {
+    if keyboard_input.just_pressed(KeyCode::KeyR) {
         restart_resource.pressed = true;
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index ea63050..af9585b 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ pub mod enemy;
 pub mod bullet;
 pub mod stage;
 pub mod systems;
+pub mod starfield;
 
 use constants::{PLAYER_RESPAWN_DELAY, STARTING_LIVES, WINDOW_HEIGHT, WINDOW_WIDTH};
 use resources::{ // Added StageConfigurations
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ use bullet::{
 };
 use stage::check_stage_clear;
 use systems::{player_exists, player_vulnerable, setup, should_respawn_player, update_window_title};
+use starfield::scroll_starfield;
 
 fn main() {
     App::new()
@@ -115,6 +117,8 @@ fn main() {
                 .chain() // Ensure these run in order if needed, check_formation first
                 .run_if(in_state(AppState::Playing)),
         )
+        // Starfield runs in all states
+        .add_systems(Update, scroll_starfield)
         // UI and state management systems
         .add_systems(OnEnter(AppState::StartMenu), setup_start_menu_ui)
         .add_systems(OnExit(AppState::StartMenu), cleanup_start_menu_ui)
diff --git a/src/starfield.rs b/src/starfield.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..711b276
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/starfield.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+use bevy::prelude::*;
+
+use crate::components::Star;
+use crate::constants::{
+    STAR_COUNT, STAR_MAX_SIZE, STAR_MAX_SPEED, STAR_MIN_SIZE, STAR_MIN_SPEED,
+    STAR_Z_DEPTH, WINDOW_HEIGHT, WINDOW_WIDTH,
+};
+
+pub fn spawn_starfield(commands: &mut Commands) {
+    for _ in 0..STAR_COUNT {
+        let size = fastrand::f32() * (STAR_MAX_SIZE - STAR_MIN_SIZE) + STAR_MIN_SIZE;
+        let speed = fastrand::f32() * (STAR_MAX_SPEED - STAR_MIN_SPEED) + STAR_MIN_SPEED;
+        let brightness = fastrand::f32() * 0.5 + 0.5; // 0.5 to 1.0
+
+        commands.spawn((
+            SpriteBundle {
+                sprite: Sprite {
+                    color: Color::rgb(brightness, brightness, brightness),
+                    custom_size: Some(Vec2::new(size, size)),
+                    ..default()
+                },
+                transform: Transform::from_translation(Vec3::new(
+                    fastrand::f32() * WINDOW_WIDTH - WINDOW_WIDTH / 2.0,
+                    fastrand::f32() * WINDOW_HEIGHT - WINDOW_HEIGHT / 2.0,
+                    STAR_Z_DEPTH,
+                )),
+                ..default()
+            },
+            Star { speed },
+        ));
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn scroll_starfield(mut star_query: Query<(&mut Transform, &Star)>, time: Res<Time>) {
+    let dt = time.delta_seconds();
+    let half_height = WINDOW_HEIGHT / 2.0;
+    let half_width = WINDOW_WIDTH / 2.0;
+
+    for (mut transform, star) in star_query.iter_mut() {
+        let parallax = -transform.translation.y * 0.01;
+        transform.translation.y -= (star.speed + parallax) * dt;
+
+        if transform.translation.y < -half_height {
+            transform.translation.y = half_height;
+            transform.translation.x = fastrand::f32() * WINDOW_WIDTH - half_width;
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/systems.rs b/src/systems.rs
index d87a2a7..421bd5d 100644
--- a/src/systems.rs
+++ b/src/systems.rs
@@ -2,12 +2,14 @@ use bevy::prelude::*;
 
 use crate::components::{Invincible, Player};
 use crate::resources::{CurrentStage, PlayerLives, Score};
-use crate::player::spawn_player_ship; // Import the helper function
+use crate::player::spawn_player_ship;
+use crate::starfield::spawn_starfield;
 
 // --- Setup ---
 pub fn setup(mut commands: Commands) {
     commands.spawn(Camera2dBundle::default());
-    spawn_player_ship(&mut commands); // Use helper function from player module
+    spawn_starfield(&mut commands);
+    spawn_player_ship(&mut commands);
 }
 
 // --- Run Conditions ---