diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/forms/base.py b/src/wuttaweb/forms/base.py
index d5b893a..c3567b5 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/forms/base.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/forms/base.py
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ class Form:
         self.set_fields(fields or self.get_fields())
 
         # nb. this tracks grid JSON data for inclusion in page template
-        self.grid_vue_data = OrderedDict()
+        self.grid_vue_context = OrderedDict()
 
     def __contains__(self, name):
         """
@@ -826,16 +826,16 @@ class Form:
         output = render(template, context)
         return HTML.literal(output)
 
-    def add_grid_vue_data(self, grid):
+    def add_grid_vue_context(self, grid):
         """ """
         if not grid.key:
             raise ValueError("grid must have a key!")
 
-        if grid.key in self.grid_vue_data:
+        if grid.key in self.grid_vue_context:
             log.warning("grid data with key '%s' already registered, "
                         "but will be replaced", grid.key)
 
-        self.grid_vue_data[grid.key] = grid.get_vue_data()
+        self.grid_vue_context[grid.key] = grid.get_vue_context()
 
     def render_vue_field(
             self,
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py b/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py
index 0ec15f3..aa2e413 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ Base grid classes
 import functools
 import json
 import logging
+import warnings
 from collections import namedtuple
 
 import sqlalchemy as sa
@@ -116,6 +117,26 @@ class Grid:
 
        See also :meth:`set_renderer()`.
 
+    .. attribute:: row_class
+
+       This represents the CSS ``class`` attribute for a row within
+       the grid.  Default is ``None``.
+
+       This can be a simple string, in which case the same class is
+       applied to all rows.
+
+       Or it can be a callable, which can then return different
+       class(es) depending on each row.  The callable must take three
+       args: ``(obj, data, i)`` - for example::
+
+          def my_row_class(obj, data, i):
+              if obj.archived:
+                  return 'poser-archived'
+
+          grid = Grid(request, key='foo', row_class=my_row_class)
+
+       See :meth:`get_row_class()` for more info.
+
     .. attribute:: actions
 
        List of :class:`GridAction` instances represenging action links
@@ -330,6 +351,7 @@ class Grid:
             data=None,
             labels={},
             renderers={},
+            row_class=None,
             actions=[],
             linked_columns=[],
             sortable=False,
@@ -355,6 +377,7 @@ class Grid:
         self.data = data
         self.labels = labels or {}
         self.renderers = renderers or {}
+        self.row_class = row_class
         self.actions = actions or []
         self.linked_columns = linked_columns or []
         self.joiners = joiners or {}
@@ -530,8 +553,9 @@ class Grid:
         Depending on the nature of grid data, sometimes a cell's
         "as-is" value will be undesirable for display purposes.
 
-        The logic in :meth:`get_vue_data()` will first "convert" all
-        grid data as necessary so that it is at least JSON-compatible.
+        The logic in :meth:`get_vue_context()` will first "convert"
+        all grid data as necessary so that it is at least
+        JSON-compatible.
 
         But then it also will invoke a renderer override (if defined)
         to obtain the "final" cell value.
@@ -1670,7 +1694,7 @@ class Grid:
 
         .. code-block:: html
 
-           <b-table :data="gridData['mykey']">
+           <b-table :data="gridContext['mykey'].data">
              <!-- columns etc. -->
            </b-table>
 
@@ -1689,10 +1713,10 @@ class Grid:
 
         .. note::
 
-           The above example shows ``gridData['mykey']`` as the Vue
-           data reference.  This should "just work" if you provide the
-           correct ``form`` arg and the grid is contained directly by
-           that form's Vue component.
+           The above example shows ``gridContext['mykey'].data`` as
+           the Vue data reference.  This should "just work" if you
+           provide the correct ``form`` arg and the grid is contained
+           directly by that form's Vue component.
 
            However, this may not account for all use cases.  For now
            we wait and see what comes up, but know the dust may not
@@ -1701,7 +1725,7 @@ class Grid:
 
         # nb. must register data for inclusion on page template
         if form:
-            form.add_grid_vue_data(self)
+            form.add_grid_vue_context(self)
 
         # otherwise logic is the same, just different template
         return self.render_vue_template(template=template, **context)
@@ -1809,7 +1833,7 @@ class Grid:
         in its `Table docs
         <https://buefy.org/documentation/table/#api-view>`_.
 
-        See also :meth:`get_vue_data()`.
+        See also :meth:`get_vue_context()`.
         """
         if not self.columns:
             raise ValueError(f"you must define columns for the grid! key = {self.key}")
@@ -1869,54 +1893,46 @@ class Grid:
             })
         return filters
 
-    def get_vue_data(self):
+    def get_vue_context(self):
         """
-        Returns a list of Vue-compatible data records.
+        Returns a dict of context for the grid, for use with the Vue
+        component.  This contains the following keys:
 
-        This calls :meth:`get_visible_data()` but then may modify the
-        result, e.g. to add URLs for :attr:`actions` etc.
+        * ``data`` - list of Vue-compatible data records
+        * ``row_classes`` - dict of per-row CSS classes
 
-        Importantly, this also ensures each value in the dict is
-        JSON-serializable, using
-        :func:`~wuttaweb.util.make_json_safe()`.
+        This first calls :meth:`get_visible_data()` to get the
+        original data set.  Each record is converted to a dict.
 
-        :returns: List of data record dicts for use with Vue table
-           component.  May be the full set of data, or just the
-           current page, per :attr:`paginate_on_backend`.
+        Then it calls :func:`~wuttaweb.util.make_json_safe()` to
+        ensure each record can be serialized to JSON.
+
+        Then it invokes any :attr:`renderers` which are defined, to
+        obtain the "final" values for each record.
+
+        Then it adds a URL key/value for each of the :attr:`actions`
+        defined, to each record.
+
+        Then it calls :meth:`get_row_class()` for each record.  If a
+        value is returned, it is added to the ``row_classes`` dict.
+        Note that this dict is keyed by "zero-based row sequence as
+        string" - the Vue component expects that.
+
+        :returns: Dict of grid data/CSS context as described above.
         """
         original_data = self.get_visible_data()
 
-        # TODO: at some point i thought it was useful to wrangle the
-        # columns here, but now i can't seem to figure out why..?
-
-        # # determine which columns are relevant for data set
-        # columns = None
-        # if not columns:
-        #     columns = self.get_columns()
-        #     if not columns:
-        #         raise ValueError("cannot determine columns for the grid")
-        # columns = set(columns)
-        # if self.model_class:
-        #     mapper = sa.inspect(self.model_class)
-        #     for column in mapper.primary_key:
-        #         columns.add(column.key)
-
-        # # prune data fields for which no column is defined
-        # for i, record in enumerate(original_data):
-        #     original_data[i]= dict([(key, record[key])
-        #                             for key in columns])
-
-        # we have action(s), so add URL(s) for each record in data
+        # loop thru data
         data = []
-        for i, record in enumerate(original_data):
+        row_classes = {}
+        for i, record in enumerate(original_data, 1):
             original_record = record
 
+            # convert record to new dict
             record = dict(record)
 
-            # convert data if needed, for json compat
-            record = make_json_safe(record,
-                                    # TODO: is this a good idea?
-                                    warn=False)
+            # make all values safe for json
+            record = make_json_safe(record, warn=False)
 
             # customize value rendering where applicable
             for key in self.renderers:
@@ -1931,9 +1947,48 @@ class Grid:
                     if url:
                         record[key] = url
 
+            # set row css class if applicable
+            css_class = self.get_row_class(original_record, record, i)
+            if css_class:
+                # nb. use *string* zero-based index, for js compat
+                row_classes[str(i-1)] = css_class
+
             data.append(record)
 
-        return data
+        return {
+            'data': data,
+            'row_classes': row_classes,
+        }
+
+    def get_vue_data(self):
+        """ """
+        warnings.warn("grid.get_vue_data() is deprecated; "
+                      "please use grid.get_vue_context() instead",
+                      DeprecationWarning, stacklevel=2)
+        return self.get_vue_context()['data']
+
+    def get_row_class(self, obj, data, i):
+        """
+        Returns the row CSS ``class`` attribute for the given record.
+        This method is called by :meth:`get_vue_context()`.
+
+        This will inspect/invoke :attr:`row_class` and return the
+        value obtained from there.
+
+        :param obj: Reference to the original model instance.
+
+        :param data: Dict of record data for the instance; part of the
+           Vue grid data set in/from :meth:`get_vue_context()`.
+
+        :param i: One-based sequence for this object/record (row)
+           within the grid.
+
+        :returns: String of CSS class name(s), or ``None``.
+        """
+        if self.row_class:
+            if callable(self.row_class):
+                return self.row_class(obj, data, i)
+            return self.row_class
 
     def get_vue_pager_stats(self):
         """
@@ -2086,7 +2141,7 @@ class GridAction:
         :param obj: Model instance of whatever type the parent grid is
            setup to use.
 
-        :param i: Zero-based sequence for the object, within the
+        :param i: One-based sequence for the object's row within the
            parent grid.
 
         See also :attr:`url`.
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/forms/vue_template.mako b/src/wuttaweb/templates/forms/vue_template.mako
index e7d3f2b..5a4af70 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/forms/vue_template.mako
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/forms/vue_template.mako
@@ -69,9 +69,9 @@
 
       % endif
 
-      % if form.grid_vue_data:
-          gridData: {
-              % for key, data in form.grid_vue_data.items():
+      % if form.grid_vue_context:
+          gridContext: {
+              % for key, data in form.grid_vue_context.items():
                   '${key}': ${json.dumps(data)|n},
               % endfor
           },
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/grids/table_element.mako b/src/wuttaweb/templates/grids/table_element.mako
index ba35bf3..1bbf8a9 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/grids/table_element.mako
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/grids/table_element.mako
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ## -*- coding: utf-8; -*-
-<${b}-table :data="gridData['${grid.key}']">
+<${b}-table :data="gridContext['${grid.key}'].data">
 
   % for column in grid.get_vue_columns():
       <${b}-table-column field="${column['field']}"
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/grids/vue_template.mako b/src/wuttaweb/templates/grids/vue_template.mako
index e701a4a..edcdc24 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/grids/vue_template.mako
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/grids/vue_template.mako
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@
     </div>
 
     <${b}-table :data="data"
+                :row-class="getRowClass"
                 :loading="loading"
                 narrowed
                 hoverable
@@ -227,10 +228,12 @@
 
 <script>
 
-  let ${grid.vue_component}CurrentData = ${json.dumps(grid.get_vue_data())|n}
+  const ${grid.vue_component}Context = ${json.dumps(grid.get_vue_context())|n}
+  let ${grid.vue_component}CurrentData = ${grid.vue_component}Context.data
 
   const ${grid.vue_component}Data = {
       data: ${grid.vue_component}CurrentData,
+      rowClasses: ${grid.vue_component}Context.row_classes,
       loading: false,
 
       ## nb. this tracks whether grid.fetchFirstData() happened
@@ -399,6 +402,11 @@
               })
           },
 
+          getRowClass(row, i) {
+              // nb. use *string* index
+              return this.rowClasses[i.toString()]
+          },
+
           renderNumber(value) {
               if (value != undefined) {
                   return value.toLocaleString('en')
@@ -457,6 +465,7 @@
                   if (!response.data.error) {
                       ${grid.vue_component}CurrentData = response.data.data
                       this.data = ${grid.vue_component}CurrentData
+                      this.rowClasses = response.data.row_classes || {}
                       % if grid.paginated and grid.paginate_on_backend:
                           this.pagerStats = response.data.pager_stats
                       % endif
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py b/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py
index 4258cfd..9187b23 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py
@@ -181,6 +181,16 @@ class MasterView(View):
 
        This is optional; see also :meth:`get_grid_columns()`.
 
+    .. method:: grid_row_class(obj, data, i)
+
+       This method is *not* defined on the ``MasterView`` base class;
+       however if a subclass defines it then it will be automatically
+       used to provide :attr:`~wuttaweb.grids.base.Grid.row_class` for
+       the main :meth:`index()` grid.
+
+       For more info see
+       :meth:`~wuttaweb.grids.base.Grid.get_row_class()`.
+
     .. attribute:: filterable
 
        Boolean indicating whether the grid for the :meth:`index()`
@@ -360,7 +370,7 @@ class MasterView(View):
             if self.request.GET.get('partial'):
 
                 # so-called 'partial' requests get just data, no html
-                context = {'data': grid.get_vue_data()}
+                context = grid.get_vue_context()
                 if grid.paginated and grid.paginate_on_backend:
                     context['pager_stats'] = grid.get_vue_pager_stats()
                 return self.json_response(context)
@@ -1240,6 +1250,8 @@ class MasterView(View):
 
             kwargs['actions'] = actions
 
+        if hasattr(self, 'grid_row_class'):
+            kwargs.setdefault('row_class', self.grid_row_class)
         kwargs.setdefault('filterable', self.filterable)
         kwargs.setdefault('filter_defaults', self.filter_defaults)
         kwargs.setdefault('sortable', self.sortable)
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/views/users.py b/src/wuttaweb/views/users.py
index 9c25dc3..91ed2e0 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/views/users.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/views/users.py
@@ -57,19 +57,24 @@ class UserView(MasterView):
 
     filter_defaults = {
         'username': {'active': True},
+        'active': {'active': True, 'verb': 'is_true'},
     }
     sort_defaults = 'username'
 
-    # TODO: master should handle this, possibly via configure_form()
     def get_query(self, session=None):
         """ """
-        model = self.app.model
         query = super().get_query(session=session)
-        return query.order_by(model.User.username)
+
+        # nb. always join Person
+        model = self.app.model
+        query = query.outerjoin(model.Person)
+
+        return query
 
     def configure_grid(self, g):
         """ """
         super().configure_grid(g)
+        model = self.app.model
 
         # never show these
         g.remove('person_uuid',
@@ -81,6 +86,14 @@ class UserView(MasterView):
 
         # person
         g.set_link('person')
+        g.set_sorter('person', model.Person.full_name)
+        g.set_filter('person', model.Person.full_name,
+                     label="Person Full Name")
+
+    def grid_row_class(self, user, data, i):
+        """ """
+        if not user.active:
+            return 'has-background-warning'
 
     def configure_form(self, f):
         """ """
diff --git a/tests/forms/test_base.py b/tests/forms/test_base.py
index 50d27bc..70cb51f 100644
--- a/tests/forms/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/forms/test_base.py
@@ -406,28 +406,34 @@ class TestForm(TestCase):
         self.assertIn('<script type="text/x-template" id="wutta-form-template">', html)
         self.assertNotIn('@submit', html)
 
-    def test_add_grid_vue_data(self):
+    def test_add_grid_vue_context(self):
         form = self.make_form()
 
         # grid must have key
         grid = Grid(self.request)
-        self.assertRaises(ValueError, form.add_grid_vue_data, grid)
+        self.assertRaises(ValueError, form.add_grid_vue_context, grid)
 
         # otherwise it works
         grid = Grid(self.request, key='foo')
-        self.assertEqual(len(form.grid_vue_data), 0)
-        form.add_grid_vue_data(grid)
-        self.assertEqual(len(form.grid_vue_data), 1)
-        self.assertIn('foo', form.grid_vue_data)
-        self.assertEqual(form.grid_vue_data['foo'], [])
+        self.assertEqual(len(form.grid_vue_context), 0)
+        form.add_grid_vue_context(grid)
+        self.assertEqual(len(form.grid_vue_context), 1)
+        self.assertIn('foo', form.grid_vue_context)
+        self.assertEqual(form.grid_vue_context['foo'], {
+            'data': [],
+            'row_classes': {},
+        })
 
         # calling again with same key will replace data
         records = [{'foo': 1}, {'foo': 2}]
         grid = Grid(self.request, key='foo', columns=['foo'], data=records)
-        form.add_grid_vue_data(grid)
-        self.assertEqual(len(form.grid_vue_data), 1)
-        self.assertIn('foo', form.grid_vue_data)
-        self.assertEqual(form.grid_vue_data['foo'], records)
+        form.add_grid_vue_context(grid)
+        self.assertEqual(len(form.grid_vue_context), 1)
+        self.assertIn('foo', form.grid_vue_context)
+        self.assertEqual(form.grid_vue_context['foo'], {
+            'data': records,
+            'row_classes': {},
+        })
 
     def test_render_vue_finalize(self):
         form = self.make_form()
diff --git a/tests/grids/test_base.py b/tests/grids/test_base.py
index 58d19c5..840715e 100644
--- a/tests/grids/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/grids/test_base.py
@@ -1286,10 +1286,10 @@ class TestGrid(WebTestCase):
 
         # form will register grid data
         form = Form(self.request)
-        self.assertEqual(len(form.grid_vue_data), 0)
+        self.assertEqual(len(form.grid_vue_context), 0)
         html = grid.render_table_element(form)
-        self.assertEqual(len(form.grid_vue_data), 1)
-        self.assertIn('foobar', form.grid_vue_data)
+        self.assertEqual(len(form.grid_vue_context), 1)
+        self.assertIn('foobar', form.grid_vue_context)
 
     def test_render_vue_finalize(self):
         grid = self.make_grid()
@@ -1337,6 +1337,40 @@ class TestGrid(WebTestCase):
         filters = grid.get_vue_filters()
         self.assertEqual(len(filters), 2)
 
+    def test_get_vue_context(self):
+
+        # empty if no columns defined
+        grid = self.make_grid()
+        context = grid.get_vue_context()
+        self.assertEqual(context, {'data': [], 'row_classes': {}})
+
+        # typical data is a list
+        mydata = [
+            {'foo': 'bar'},
+        ]
+        grid = self.make_grid(columns=['foo'], data=mydata)
+        context = grid.get_vue_context()
+        self.assertEqual(context, {'data': [{'foo': 'bar'}], 'row_classes': {}})
+
+        # if grid has actions, that list may be supplemented
+        grid.actions.append(mod.GridAction(self.request, 'view', url='/blarg'))
+        context = grid.get_vue_context()
+        self.assertIsNot(context['data'], mydata)
+        self.assertEqual(context, {'data': [{'foo': 'bar', '_action_url_view': '/blarg'}],
+                                   'row_classes': {}})
+
+        # can override value rendering
+        grid.set_renderer('foo', lambda record, key, value: "blah blah")
+        context = grid.get_vue_context()
+        self.assertEqual(context, {'data': [{'foo': 'blah blah', '_action_url_view': '/blarg'}],
+                                   'row_classes': {}})
+
+        # can set row class
+        grid.row_class = 'whatever'
+        context = grid.get_vue_context()
+        self.assertEqual(context, {'data': [{'foo': 'blah blah', '_action_url_view': '/blarg'}],
+                                   'row_classes': {'0': 'whatever'}})
+
     def test_get_vue_data(self):
 
         # empty if no columns defined
@@ -1358,11 +1392,35 @@ class TestGrid(WebTestCase):
         self.assertIsNot(data, mydata)
         self.assertEqual(data, [{'foo': 'bar', '_action_url_view': '/blarg'}])
 
-        # also can override value rendering
+        # can override value rendering
         grid.set_renderer('foo', lambda record, key, value: "blah blah")
         data = grid.get_vue_data()
         self.assertEqual(data, [{'foo': 'blah blah', '_action_url_view': '/blarg'}])
 
+    def test_get_row_class(self):
+        model = self.app.model
+        user = model.User(username='barney', active=True)
+        self.session.add(user)
+        self.session.commit()
+        data = dict(user)
+
+        # null by default
+        grid = self.make_grid()
+        self.assertIsNone(grid.get_row_class(user, data, 1))
+
+        # can use static class
+        grid.row_class = 'foo'
+        self.assertEqual(grid.get_row_class(user, data, 1), 'foo')
+
+        # can use callable
+        def status(u, d, i):
+            if not u.active:
+                return 'inactive'
+        grid.row_class = status
+        self.assertIsNone(grid.get_row_class(user, data, 1))
+        user.active = False
+        self.assertEqual(grid.get_row_class(user, data, 1), 'inactive')
+
     def test_get_vue_pager_stats(self):
         data = [
             {'foo': 1, 'bar': 1},
diff --git a/tests/views/test_master.py b/tests/views/test_master.py
index 7273265..d000693 100644
--- a/tests/views/test_master.py
+++ b/tests/views/test_master.py
@@ -487,6 +487,20 @@ class TestMasterView(WebTestCase):
             grid = view.make_model_grid(session=self.session)
             self.assertIs(grid.model_class, model.Setting)
 
+        # no row class by default
+        with patch.multiple(mod.MasterView, create=True,
+                            model_class=model.Setting):
+            grid = view.make_model_grid(session=self.session)
+            self.assertIsNone(grid.row_class)
+
+        # can specify row class
+        get_row_class = MagicMock()
+        with patch.multiple(mod.MasterView, create=True,
+                            model_class=model.Setting,
+                            grid_row_class=get_row_class):
+            grid = view.make_model_grid(session=self.session)
+            self.assertIs(grid.row_class, get_row_class)
+
         # no actions by default
         with patch.multiple(mod.MasterView, create=True,
                             model_class=model.Setting):
diff --git a/tests/views/test_users.py b/tests/views/test_users.py
index 54870ba..5b09e83 100644
--- a/tests/views/test_users.py
+++ b/tests/views/test_users.py
@@ -31,6 +31,17 @@ class TestUserView(WebTestCase):
         view.configure_grid(grid)
         self.assertTrue(grid.is_linked('person'))
 
+    def test_grid_row_class(self):
+        model = self.app.model
+        user = model.User(username='barney', active=True)
+        data = dict(user)
+        view = self.make_view()
+
+        self.assertIsNone(view.grid_row_class(user, data, 1))
+
+        user.active = False
+        self.assertEqual(view.grid_row_class(user, data, 1), 'has-background-warning')
+
     def test_configure_form(self):
         model = self.app.model
         barney = model.User(username='barney')