diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 934b268..e491b53 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -18,18 +18,10 @@ members = [
 ]
 
 [workspace.package]
-version = "0.14.0"
+version = "0.13.0"
 edition = "2024"
 
 [workspace.dependencies]
-tengri        = { path = "./tengri" }
-tengri_core   = { path = "./core"   }
-tengri_input  = { path = "./input"  }
-tengri_output = { path = "./output" }
-tengri_tui    = { path = "./tui"    }
-tengri_dsl    = { path = "./dsl"    }
-tengri_proc   = { path = "./proc"   }
-
 anyhow          = { version = "1.0" }
 atomic_float    = { version = "1" }
 better-panic    = { version = "0.3.0" }
diff --git a/dsl/README.md b/dsl/README.md
index 0ef496d..ce24bc1 100644
--- a/dsl/README.md
+++ b/dsl/README.md
@@ -1,25 +1,14 @@
-[***dizzle***](https://codeberg.org/unspeaker/tengri/src/branch/main/dsl)
-is a means of adding a tiny interpreted domain-specific language to your programs.
+# `ket`
 
-dizzle currently provides an s-expression based syntax.
+**ket** is the configuration language of **tek**.
+it's based on [edn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clojure#Extensible_Data_Notation)
+but without all the features.
 
-dizzle parses source code by means of the `Dsl`, `DslExpr` and `DslWord` traits.
-those are implemented for basic stringy types and their `Option` and `Result` wrapped analogs.
-to customize parsing, define and use your own traits on top of the provided ones.
+## usage
 
-dizzle evaluates the parsed source code by means of the `DslNs` trait. the methods of
-this trait match literals, words, and expressions, against pre-defined lists. the
-`dsl_words` and `dsl_exprs` macros let you define those lists slightly less verbosely.
+### with `tengri_output`
 
-## goals
-
-* [x] const parse
-* [ ] live reload
-* [ ] serialize modified code back to original indentation
-
-## examples
-
-### in [`tengri_output`](../output)
+this is a `tengri_output` view layout defined using ket:
 
 ```edn
 (bsp/s (fixed/y 2 :toolbar)
@@ -27,7 +16,9 @@ this trait match literals, words, and expressions, against pre-defined lists. th
     (bsp/s :outputs (bsp/s :inputs (bsp/s :tracks :scenes)))))))
 ```
 
-### in [`tengri_input`](../input)
+### with `tengri_input`
+
+this is a `tengri_input` keymap defined using ket:
 
 ```edn
 (@u       undo 1)
@@ -38,6 +29,70 @@ this trait match literals, words, and expressions, against pre-defined lists. th
 (@tab     pool toggle)
 ```
 
+## tokens
+
+ket has 4 "types", represented by variants of the `Value` enum:
+
+* `Num` - numeric literal
+* `Sym` - textual symbol
+* `Key` - textual key
+* `Exp` - parenthesized group of tokens
+
+### numeric literal
+
+numbers are passed through as is. only non-negative integers are supported.
+
+```edn
+0
+123456
+```
+
+### keys
+
+keys are the names of available operations. they look like this:
+
+```edn
+simple-key
+multi-part/key
+```
+
+keys are implemented by the underlying subsystem:
+
+* in `tengri_output`, keys are names of layout primitives
+* in `tengri_input`, keys are names of commands
+
+### symbols
+
+symbols that start with `:` represent the names of variables
+provided by the `Context` trait - such as command parameters,
+or entire layout components:
+
+```edn
+:symbol-name
+```
+
+symbols that start with `@` represent keybindings.
+they are parsed in `tengri_tui` and look like this:
+
+```edn
+@ctrl-alt-shift-space
+```
+
+### parenthesized groups
+
+parenthesized groups represent things like expressions
+or configuration statements, and look like this:
+
+```edn
+(some-key :symbol (some/other-key @another-symbol 123) 456)
+```
+
+## goals
+
+* [ ] const parse
+* [ ] live reload
+* [ ] serialize modified code back to original indentation
+
 ## implementation notes
 
 ### `DslExpr` trait behavior
@@ -59,7 +114,9 @@ this is the trait which differentiates "a thing" from
 * e2: Unexpected 'b'
 * e3: Unexpected 'd'
 
-### possible design for operator-based syntax
+## todo
+
+### operators
 
 * replace: `(:= :name :value1 :valueN)`
 * append:  `(:+ :name :value2 :valueN)`
diff --git a/dsl/src/dsl.rs b/dsl/src/dsl.rs
index a522258..de6a978 100644
--- a/dsl/src/dsl.rs
+++ b/dsl/src/dsl.rs
@@ -289,16 +289,22 @@ fn ok_flat <T> (x: Option<DslPerhaps<T>>) -> DslPerhaps<T> {
     // Special form for numeric types
     (num |$state:ident : $State: ty| -> $Type:ty { $( $pat:tt => $body:expr ),* $(,)? }) => {
         impl<'t> DslNs<'t, $Type> for $State {
-            const WORDS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&$State)->Perhaps<$Type>> =
+            const WORDS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&'t $State)->Perhaps<$Type>> =
                 DslNsMap::new(&[$(dsl_ns!{@word ($state: $State) -> $Type { $pat => $body }}),*]);
-            const EXPRS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&$State, &str)->Perhaps<$Type>> =
+            const EXPRS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&'t $State, &str)->Perhaps<$Type>> =
                 DslNsMap::new(&[$(dsl_ns!{@exp ($state: $State) -> $Type { $pat => $body }}),*]);
-            fn from_literal <D: Dsl> (&self, dsl: &D) -> Perhaps<$Type> {
-                Ok(if let Some(src) = dsl.src()? {
-                    Some(to_number(src)? as $Type)
+            fn from <D: Dsl> (&'t self, dsl: D) -> Perhaps<$Type> {
+                if let Ok(Some(src)) = dsl.src() {
+                    if let Ok(num) = to_number(src) {
+                        Ok(Some(num as $Type))
+                    } else if let Ok(Some(src)) = src.word() {
+                        self.from_word(src)
+                    } else {
+                        self.from_expr(src)
+                    }
                 } else {
-                    None
-                })
+                    Ok(None)
+                }
             }
         }
     };
@@ -309,9 +315,9 @@ fn ok_flat <T> (x: Option<DslPerhaps<T>>) -> DslPerhaps<T> {
     // Regular form for single type
     (|$state:ident : $State: ty| -> $Type:ty { $( $pat:tt => $body:expr ),* $(,)? }) => {
         impl<'t> DslNs<'t, $Type> for $State {
-            const WORDS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&$State)->Perhaps<$Type>> =
+            const WORDS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&'t $State)->Perhaps<$Type>> =
                 DslNsMap::new(&[$(dsl_ns!{@word ($state: $State) -> $Type { $pat => $body }}),*]);
-            const EXPRS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&$State, &str)->Perhaps<$Type>> =
+            const EXPRS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&'t $State, &str)->Perhaps<$Type>> =
                 DslNsMap::new(&[$(dsl_ns!{@exp ($state: $State) -> $Type { $pat => $body }}),*]);
         }
     };
@@ -352,36 +358,34 @@ fn ok_flat <T> (x: Option<DslPerhaps<T>>) -> DslPerhaps<T> {
 
 pub trait DslNs<'t, T: 't>: 't {
     /// Known symbols.
-    const WORDS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&Self)->Perhaps<T>> = DslNsMap::new(&[]);
+    const WORDS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&'t Self)->Perhaps<T>> = DslNsMap::new(&[]);
     /// Known expressions.
-    const EXPRS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&Self, &str)->Perhaps<T>> = DslNsMap::new(&[]);
+    const EXPRS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&'t Self, &str)->Perhaps<T>> = DslNsMap::new(&[]);
     /// Resolve an expression or symbol.
-    fn from <D: Dsl> (&self, dsl: &D) -> Perhaps<T> {
-        if let Ok(Some(literal)) = self.from_literal(dsl) {
-            Ok(Some(literal))
-        } else if let Ok(Some(meaning)) = self.from_word(dsl) {
-            Ok(Some(meaning))
+    fn from <D: Dsl> (&'t self, dsl: D) -> Perhaps<T> {
+        if let Ok(Some(src)) = dsl.src() {
+            if let Ok(Some(src)) = src.word() {
+                self.from_word(src)
+            } else {
+                self.from_expr(src)
+            }
         } else {
-            self.from_expr(dsl)
+            Ok(None)
         }
     }
-    /// Resolve as literal if valid.
-    fn from_literal <D: Dsl> (&self, _: &D) -> Perhaps<T> {
-        Ok(None)
-    }
     /// Resolve a symbol if known.
-    fn from_word <D: Dsl> (&self, dsl: &D) -> Perhaps<T> {
+    fn from_word <D: Dsl> (&'t self, dsl: D) -> Perhaps<T> {
         if let Some(dsl) = dsl.word()? {
-            for (key, get) in Self::WORDS.0 { if dsl == *key { return get(self) } }
+            for (word, get) in Self::WORDS.0 { if dsl == *word { return get(self) } }
         }
         return Ok(None)
     }
     /// Resolve an expression if known.
-    fn from_expr <D: Dsl> (&self, dsl: &D) -> Perhaps<T> {
-        if let Some(expr) = dsl.expr()? {
-            for (key, get) in Self::EXPRS.0.iter() {
-                if Some(*key) == expr.head()? {
-                    return get(self, &expr.tail()?.unwrap_or(""))
+    fn from_expr <D: Dsl> (&'t self, dsl: D) -> Perhaps<T> {
+        if let Some(head) = dsl.expr().head()? {
+            for (key, value) in Self::EXPRS.0.iter() {
+                if head == *key {
+                    return value(self, dsl.expr().tail()?.unwrap_or(""))
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -396,35 +400,3 @@ impl<'t, T: Debug + 't> DslNsMap<'t, T> {
     /// Populate a namespace with pre-existing values.
     pub const fn new (data: &'t [(&'t str, T)]) -> Self { Self(data) /* TODO a search trie */ }
 }
-
-#[macro_export] macro_rules!dsl_words((|$state:ident|->$Type:ty$({
-    $($word:literal => $body:expr),* $(,)?
-})?)=>{
-    const WORDS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&Self)->Perhaps<$Type>> = DslNsMap::new(&[$(
-        $(($word, |$state: &Self|{Ok(Some($body))})),*
-    )? ]);
-});
-
-
-#[macro_export] macro_rules!dsl_exprs((|$state:ident|->$Type:ty$({
-    $($name:literal ($($arg:ident:$ty:ty),* $(,)?) => $body:expr),* $(,)?
-})?)=>{
-    const EXPRS: DslNsMap<'t, fn (&Self, &str)->Perhaps<$Type>> = DslNsMap::new(&[$(
-        $(($name, |$state: &Self, tail: &str|{
-            $(
-                let head = tail.head()?.unwrap_or_default();
-                let tail = tail.tail()?.unwrap_or_default();
-                let $arg: $ty = if let Some(arg) = $state.from(&head)? {
-                    arg
-                } else {
-                    return Err(format!("{}: arg \"{}\" ({}) got: {head} {tail}",
-                        $name,
-                        stringify!($arg),
-                        stringify!($ty),
-                    ).into())
-                };
-            )*
-            Ok(Some($body))
-        })),*
-    )? ]);
-});
diff --git a/input/Cargo.toml b/input/Cargo.toml
index 0c9218d..d3bf1ec 100644
--- a/input/Cargo.toml
+++ b/input/Cargo.toml
@@ -4,11 +4,12 @@ description = "UI metaframework, input layer."
 version     = { workspace = true }
 edition     = { workspace = true }
 
-[lib]
-path = "input.rs"
+[features]
+dsl = [ "tengri_dsl" ]
 
 [dependencies]
 tengri_core = { path = "../core" }
+tengri_dsl  = { optional = true, path = "../dsl" }
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 tengri_tui = { path = "../tui" }
diff --git a/input/README.md b/input/README.md
index 2fa3ef8..4261a22 100644
--- a/input/README.md
+++ b/input/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,16 @@
-***tengri_input*** is where tengri's input handling is defined.
+# `tengri_engine`
 
-the following items are provided:
-* `Input` trait, for defining for input sources
-* `Handle` trait and `handle!` macro, for defining input handlers
-* `Command` trait and the `command!` macro, for defining commands that inputs may result in
+## rendering
+
+## input handling
+
+the **input thread** polls for keyboard events
+and passes them onto the application's `Handle::handle` method.
+
+thus, for a type to be a valid application for engine `E`,
+it must implement the trait `Handle<E>`, which allows it
+to respond to user input.
+
+this thread has write access to the application state,
+and is responsible for mutating it in response to
+user activity.
diff --git a/input/input.rs b/input/input.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index 2695a47..0000000
--- a/input/input.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,77 +0,0 @@
-#![feature(associated_type_defaults)]
-#![feature(if_let_guard)]
-
-pub(crate) use tengri_core::*;
-
-#[cfg(test)] mod input_test;
-
-/// Event source
-pub trait Input: Sized {
-    /// Type of input event
-    type Event;
-    /// Result of handling input
-    type Handled; // TODO: make this an Option<Box dyn Command<Self>> containing the undo
-    /// Currently handled event
-    fn event (&self) -> &Self::Event;
-    /// Whether component should exit
-    fn is_done (&self) -> bool;
-    /// Mark component as done
-    fn done (&self);
-}
-
-flex_trait_mut!(Handle <E: Input> {
-    fn handle (&mut self, _input: &E) -> Perhaps<E::Handled> {
-        Ok(None)
-    }
-});
-
-pub trait Command<S>: Send + Sync + Sized {
-    fn execute (self, state: &mut S) -> Perhaps<Self>;
-    fn delegate <T> (self, state: &mut S, wrap: impl Fn(Self)->T) -> Perhaps<T>
-        where Self: Sized
-    {
-        Ok(self.execute(state)?.map(wrap))
-    }
-}
-
-impl<S, T: Command<S>> Command<S> for Option<T> {
-    fn execute (self, _: &mut S) -> Perhaps<Self> {
-        Ok(None)
-    }
-    fn delegate <U> (self, _: &mut S, _: impl Fn(Self)->U) -> Perhaps<U>
-        where Self: Sized
-    {
-        Ok(None)
-    }
-}
-
-/// Implement [Command] for given `State` and `handler`
-#[macro_export] macro_rules! command {
-    ($(<$($l:lifetime),+>)?|$self:ident:$Command:ty,$state:ident:$State:ty|$handler:expr) => {
-        impl$(<$($l),+>)? ::tengri::input::Command<$State> for $Command {
-            fn execute ($self, $state: &mut $State) -> Perhaps<Self> {
-                Ok($handler)
-            }
-        }
-    };
-}
-
-/// Implement [Handle] for given `State` and `handler`.
-#[macro_export] macro_rules! handle {
-    (|$self:ident:$State:ty,$input:ident|$handler:expr) => {
-        impl<E: Engine> ::tengri::input::Handle<E> for $State {
-            fn handle (&mut $self, $input: &E) -> Perhaps<E::Handled> {
-                $handler
-            }
-        }
-    };
-    ($E:ty: |$self:ident:$State:ty,$input:ident|$handler:expr) => {
-        impl ::tengri::input::Handle<$E> for $State {
-            fn handle (&mut $self, $input: &$E) ->
-                Perhaps<<$E as ::tengri::input::Input>::Handled>
-            {
-                $handler
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
diff --git a/input/src/input.rs b/input/src/input.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48e692f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/input/src/input.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+use crate::*;
+/// Event source
+pub trait Input: Sized {
+    /// Type of input event
+    type Event;
+    /// Result of handling input
+    type Handled; // TODO: make this an Option<Box dyn Command<Self>> containing the undo
+    /// Currently handled event
+    fn event (&self) -> &Self::Event;
+    /// Whether component should exit
+    fn is_done (&self) -> bool;
+    /// Mark component as done
+    fn done (&self);
+}
+flex_trait_mut!(Handle <E: Input> {
+    fn handle (&mut self, _input: &E) -> Perhaps<E::Handled> {
+        Ok(None)
+    }
+});
+pub trait Command<S>: Send + Sync + Sized {
+    fn execute (self, state: &mut S) -> Perhaps<Self>;
+    fn delegate <T> (self, state: &mut S, wrap: impl Fn(Self)->T) -> Perhaps<T>
+        where Self: Sized
+    {
+        Ok(self.execute(state)?.map(wrap))
+    }
+}
+impl<S, T: Command<S>> Command<S> for Option<T> {
+    fn execute (self, _: &mut S) -> Perhaps<Self> {
+        Ok(None)
+    }
+    fn delegate <U> (self, _: &mut S, _: impl Fn(Self)->U) -> Perhaps<U>
+        where Self: Sized
+    {
+        Ok(None)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/input/src/input_dsl.rs b/input/src/input_dsl.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77c6c94
--- /dev/null
+++ b/input/src/input_dsl.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+use crate::*;
+use std::{sync::Arc, collections::BTreeMap, path::PathBuf};
+/// A collection of input bindings.
+///
+/// Each contained layer defines a mapping from input event to command invocation
+/// over a given state. Furthermore, each layer may have an associated cond,
+/// so that only certain layers are active at a given time depending on state.
+///
+/// When a key is pressed, the bindings for it are checked in sequence.
+/// When the first non-conditional or true conditional binding is executed,
+/// that .event()binding's value is returned.
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct EventMap<E, C>(
+    /// Map of each event (e.g. key combination) to
+    /// all command expressions bound to it by
+    /// all loaded input layers.
+    pub BTreeMap<E, Vec<Binding<C>>>
+);
+/// An input binding.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct Binding<C> {
+    pub commands:    Arc<[C]>,
+    pub condition:   Option<Condition>,
+    pub description: Option<Arc<str>>,
+    pub source:      Option<Arc<PathBuf>>,
+}
+impl<C> Binding<C> {
+    pub fn from_dsl (dsl: impl Dsl) -> Usually<Self> {
+        let command:     Option<C>            = None;
+        let condition:   Option<Condition>    = None;
+        let description: Option<Arc<str>>     = None;
+        let source:      Option<Arc<PathBuf>> = None;
+        if let Some(command) = command {
+            Ok(Self { commands: [command].into(), condition, description, source })
+        } else {
+            Err(format!("no command in {dsl:?}").into())
+        }
+    }
+}
+/// Input bindings are only returned if this evaluates to true
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct Condition(Arc<Box<dyn Fn()->bool + Send + Sync>>);
+impl_debug!(Condition |self, w| { write!(w, "*") });
+/// Default is always empty map regardless if `E` and `C` implement [Default].
+impl<E, C> Default for EventMap<E, C> {
+    fn default () -> Self { Self(Default::default()) }
+}
+impl<E: Clone + Ord, C> EventMap<E, C> {
+    /// Create a new event map
+    pub fn new () -> Self {
+        Default::default()
+    }
+    /// Add a binding to an owned event map.
+    pub fn def (mut self, event: E, binding: Binding<C>) -> Self {
+        self.add(event, binding);
+        self
+    }
+    /// Add a binding to an event map.
+    pub fn add (&mut self, event: E, binding: Binding<C>) -> &mut Self {
+        if !self.0.contains_key(&event) {
+            self.0.insert(event.clone(), Default::default());
+        }
+        self.0.get_mut(&event).unwrap().push(binding);
+        self
+    }
+    /// Return the binding(s) that correspond to an event.
+    pub fn query (&self, event: &E) -> Option<&[Binding<C>]> {
+        self.0.get(event).map(|x|x.as_slice())
+    }
+    /// Return the first binding that corresponds to an event, considering conditions.
+    pub fn dispatch (&self, event: &E) -> Option<&Binding<C>> {
+        self.query(event)
+            .map(|bb|bb.iter().filter(|b|b.condition.as_ref().map(|c|(c.0)()).unwrap_or(true)).next())
+            .flatten()
+    }
+}
diff --git a/input/src/input_macros.rs b/input/src/input_macros.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e47b902
--- /dev/null
+++ b/input/src/input_macros.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+/// Implement [Command] for given `State` and `handler`
+#[macro_export] macro_rules! command {
+    ($(<$($l:lifetime),+>)?|$self:ident:$Command:ty,$state:ident:$State:ty|$handler:expr) => {
+        impl$(<$($l),+>)? ::tengri::input::Command<$State> for $Command {
+            fn execute ($self, $state: &mut $State) -> Perhaps<Self> {
+                Ok($handler)
+            }
+        }
+    };
+}
+
+/// Implement [Handle] for given `State` and `handler`.
+#[macro_export] macro_rules! handle {
+    (|$self:ident:$State:ty,$input:ident|$handler:expr) => {
+        impl<E: Engine> ::tengri::input::Handle<E> for $State {
+            fn handle (&mut $self, $input: &E) -> Perhaps<E::Handled> {
+                $handler
+            }
+        }
+    };
+    ($E:ty: |$self:ident:$State:ty,$input:ident|$handler:expr) => {
+        impl ::tengri::input::Handle<$E> for $State {
+            fn handle (&mut $self, $input: &$E) ->
+                Perhaps<<$E as ::tengri::input::Input>::Handled>
+            {
+                $handler
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/input/input_test.rs b/input/src/input_test.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from input/input_test.rs
rename to input/src/input_test.rs
diff --git a/input/src/lib.rs b/input/src/lib.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..800ee2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/input/src/lib.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#![feature(associated_type_defaults)]
+#![feature(if_let_guard)]
+pub(crate) use tengri_core::*;
+mod input_macros;
+mod input; pub use self::input::*;
+#[cfg(feature = "dsl")] pub(crate) use ::tengri_dsl::*;
+#[cfg(feature = "dsl")] mod input_dsl;
+#[cfg(feature = "dsl")] pub use self::input_dsl::*;
+#[cfg(test)] mod input_test;
diff --git a/output/README.md b/output/README.md
index b827f46..dc19511 100644
--- a/output/README.md
+++ b/output/README.md
@@ -1,20 +1,75 @@
-***tengri_output*** is an abstract interface layout framework.
+# `tengri_output`
 
-it expresses the following notions:
+## free floating layout primitives
 
-* [**space:**](./src/space.rs) `Direction`, `Coordinate`, `Area`, `Size`, `Measure`
+this crate exposes several layout operators
+which work entirely in unsigned coordinates
+and are generic over the trait `Content`.
+most importantly, they are not dependent on rendering framework.
 
-* [**output:**](./src/output.rs) `Output`, `Render`, `Content`
-  * the layout operators are generic over `Render` and/or `Content`
-  * the traits `Render` and `Content` are generic over `Output`
-  * implement `Output` to bring a layout to a new backend:
-    [see `TuiOut` in `tengri_tui`](../tui/src/tui_engine/tui_output.rs)
+|operator|description|
+|-|-|
+|**`When(x, a)`**|render `a` only when `x == true`|
+|**`Either(x, a, b)`**|render `a` when `x == true`, otherwise render `b`|
+|**`Map(get_iterator, callback)`**|transform items in uniform way|
+|**`Bsp`**|concatenative layout|
+|...|...|
+|**`Align`**|pin content along axis|
+|...|...|
+|**`Fill`**|**make content's dimension equal to container's:**|
+|`Fill::x(a)`|use container's width for content|
+|`Fill::y(a)`|use container's height for content|
+|`Fill::xy(a)`|use container's width and height for content|
+|**`Fixed`**|**assign fixed dimension to content:**|
+|`Fixed::x(w, a)`|use width `w` for content|
+|`Fixed::y(w, a)`|use height `w` for content|
+|`Fixed::xy(w, h, a)`|use width `w` and height `h` for content|
+|**`Expand`/`Shrink`**|**change dimension of content:**|
+|`Expand::x(n, a)`/`Shrink::x(n, a)`|increment/decrement width of content area by `n`|
+|`Expand::y(n, a)`/`Shrink::y(n, a)`|increment/decrement height of content area by `m`|
+|`Expand::xy(n, m, a)`/`Shrink::xy(n, m, a)`|increment/decrement width of content area by `n`, height by `m`|
+|**`Min`/`Max`**|**constrain dimension of content:**|
+|`Min::x(w, a)`/`Max::x(w, a)`|enforce minimum/maximum width `w` for content|
+|`Min::y(h, a)`/`Max::y(h, a)`|enforce minimum/maximum height `h` for content|
+|`Min::xy(w, h, a)`/`Max::xy(w, h, a)`|enforce minimum/maximum width `w` and height `h` for content|
+|**`Push`/`Pull`**|**move content along axis:**|
+|`Push::x(n, a)`/`Pull::x(n, a)`|increment/decrement `x` of content area|
+|`Push::y(n, a)`/`Pull::y(n, a)`|increment/decrement `y` of content area|
+|`Push::xy(n, m, a)`/`Pull::xy(n, m, a)`|increment/decrement `x` and `y` of content area|
 
-* [**layout:**](./src/layout.rs)
-  * conditionals: `When`, `Either`
-  * iteration: `Map`
-  * concatenation: `Bsp`
-  * positioning: `Align`, `Push`, `Pull`
-  * sizing: `Fill`, `Fixed`, `Expand`, `Shrink`, `Min`, `Max`
-  * implement custom components (that may be backend-dependent):
-    [see `tui_content` in `tengri_tui`](../tui/src/tui_content)
+**todo:**
+* sensible `Margin`/`Padding`
+* `Reduce`
+
+## example rendering loop
+
+the **render thread** continually invokes the
+`Content::render` method of the application
+to redraw the display. it does this efficiently
+by using ratatui's double buffering.
+
+thus, for a type to be a valid application for engine `E`,
+it must implement the trait `Content<E>`, which allows
+it to display content to the engine's output.
+
+the most important thing about the `Content` trait is that
+it composes:
+* you can implement `Content::content` to build
+  `Content`s out of other `Content`s
+* and/or `Content::area` for custom positioning and sizing,
+* and/or `Content::render` for custom rendering
+  within the given `Content`'s area.
+
+the manner of output is determined by the
+`Engine::Output` type, a mutable pointer to which
+is passed to the render method, e.g. in the case of
+the `Tui` engine: `fn render(&self, output: &mut TuiOut)`
+
+you can use `TuiOut::blit` and `TuiOut::place`
+to draw at specified coordinates of the display, and/or
+directly modify the underlying `ratatui::Buffer` at
+`output.buffer`
+
+rendering is intended to work with read-only access
+to the application state. if you really need to update
+values during rendering, use interior mutability.
diff --git a/output/src/lib.rs b/output/src/lib.rs
index 8576d23..334c418 100644
--- a/output/src/lib.rs
+++ b/output/src/lib.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ pub(crate) use tengri_core::*;
 #[cfg(feature = "dsl")] pub(crate) use ::tengri_dsl::*;
 
 mod space;  pub use self::space::*;
-mod layout; pub use self::layout::*;
+mod ops;    pub use self::ops::*;
 mod output; pub use self::output::*;
 
 #[cfg(test)] mod test;
diff --git a/output/src/layout.rs b/output/src/ops.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from output/src/layout.rs
rename to output/src/ops.rs
diff --git a/output/src/output.rs b/output/src/output.rs
index 324d7a5..77a48b8 100644
--- a/output/src/output.rs
+++ b/output/src/output.rs
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ impl<E: Output, C: Content<E>> Render<E> for C {
 /// Opaque pointer to a renderable living on the heap.
 ///
 /// Return this from [Content::content] to use dynamic dispatch.
-pub type RenderBox<E> = Box<dyn Render<E>>;
+pub type RenderBox<E> = Box<RenderDyn<E>>;
 
 /// You can render from a box.
 impl<E: Output> Content<E> for RenderBox<E> {
@@ -55,8 +55,11 @@ impl<E: Output> Content<E> for RenderBox<E> {
     //fn boxed <'b> (self) -> RenderBox<'b, E> where Self: Sized + 'b { self }
 }
 
+/// Opaque pointer to a renderable.
+pub type RenderDyn<E> = dyn Render<E>;
+
 /// You can render from an opaque pointer.
-impl<E: Output> Content<E> for &dyn Render<E> where Self: Sized {
+impl<E: Output> Content<E> for &RenderDyn<E> where Self: Sized {
     fn content (&self) -> impl Render<E> + '_ {
         #[allow(suspicious_double_ref_op)]
         self.deref()
diff --git a/tengri/Cargo.toml b/tengri/Cargo.toml
index c14cdf8..cd87dfc 100644
--- a/tengri/Cargo.toml
+++ b/tengri/Cargo.toml
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@ default = [ "input", "output", "tui" ]
 input   = [ "tengri_input" ]
 output  = [ "tengri_output" ]
 tui     = [ "tengri_tui" ]
-dsl     = [ "tengri_dsl", "tengri_output/dsl", "tengri_tui/dsl" ]
+dsl     = [ "tengri_dsl", "tengri_input/dsl", "tengri_output/dsl", "tengri_tui/dsl" ]
 
 [dependencies]
-tengri_core   = { workspace = true }
+tengri_core   = { path = "../core" }
 tengri_dsl    = { optional = true, path = "../dsl"    }
 tengri_input  = { optional = true, path = "../input"  }
 tengri_output = { optional = true, path = "../output" }
diff --git a/tengri/README.md b/tengri/README.md
index 962f196..4500aef 100644
--- a/tengri/README.md
+++ b/tengri/README.md
@@ -1,17 +1,3 @@
-***tengri*** is a metaframework for building interactive applications with rust. (aren't we all?)
+# tengri
 
-tengri is developed as part of [***tek***](https://codeberg.org/unspeaker/tek),
-a music program for terminals.
-
-tengri contains:
-* [***dizzle***](./dsl), a framework for defining domain-specific languages
-* [***output***](./output), an abstract UI layout framework
-* [***input***](./input), an abstract UI event framework
-* [***tui***](./tui), an implementation of tengri over [***ratatui***](https://ratatui.rs/).
-
-as well as:
-* [***core***](./core), the shared definitions ("utils") module
-* [***proc***](./proc), the space for procedural macros
-* [***tengri***](./tengri), the top-level reexport crate
-
-tengri is published under [**AGPL3**](./LICENSE).
+an interface metaframework. currently supports ratatui.
diff --git a/tui/Cargo.toml b/tui/Cargo.toml
index 284ad75..5fe3f34 100644
--- a/tui/Cargo.toml
+++ b/tui/Cargo.toml
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@ version     = { workspace = true }
 edition     = { workspace = true }
 
 [features]
-dsl = [ "tengri_dsl", "tengri_output/dsl" ]
+dsl = [ "tengri_dsl", "tengri_input/dsl", "tengri_output/dsl" ]
 
 [dependencies]
-tengri_core   = { workspace = true }
-tengri_input  = { workspace = true }
-tengri_output = { workspace = true }
-tengri_dsl    = { workspace = true, optional = true }
+tengri_core   = { path = "../core" }
+tengri_input  = { path = "../input"  }
+tengri_output = { path = "../output" }
+tengri_dsl    = { optional = true, path = "../dsl" }
 
 palette       = { workspace = true }
 rand          = { workspace = true }
@@ -24,6 +24,6 @@ quanta        = { workspace = true }
 unicode-width = { workspace = true }
 
 [dev-dependencies]
-tengri      = { workspace = true, features = [ "dsl" ] }
-tengri_dsl  = { workspace = true }
-tengri_proc = { workspace = true }
+tengri      = { path = "../tengri", features = [ "dsl" ] }
+tengri_dsl  = { path = "../dsl"  }
+tengri_proc = { path = "../proc" }
diff --git a/tui/README.md b/tui/README.md
index 8e227d8..d8c2f29 100644
--- a/tui/README.md
+++ b/tui/README.md
@@ -1,4 +1,15 @@
-***tengri_tui*** is an implementation of [tengri_output](../output) and [tengri_input](../input)
-on top of [ratatui](https://ratatui.rs/) and [crossterm](https://github.com/crossterm-rs/crossterm).
+# `tengri_tui`
 
-tengri is published under [**AGPL3**](../LICENSE).
+the `Tui` struct (the *engine*) implements the
+`tengri_input::Input` and `tengri_output::Output` traits.
+
+at launch, the `Tui` engine spawns two threads,
+a **render thread** and an **input thread**. (the
+application may spawn further threads, such as a
+**jack thread**.)
+
+all threads communicate using shared ownership,
+`Arc<RwLock>` and `Arc<Atomic>`. the engine and
+application instances are expected to be wrapped
+in `Arc<RwLock>`; internally, those synchronization
+mechanisms may be used liberally.
diff --git a/tui/src/tui_engine.rs b/tui/src/tui_engine.rs
index ff93db3..4700555 100644
--- a/tui/src/tui_engine.rs
+++ b/tui/src/tui_engine.rs
@@ -7,12 +7,6 @@ mod tui_event;  pub use self::tui_event::*;
 mod tui_output; pub use self::tui_output::*;
 mod tui_perf;   pub use self::tui_perf::*;
 
-// The `Tui` struct (the *engine*) implements the
-// `tengri_input::Input` and `tengri_output::Output` traits.
-
-// At launch, the `Tui` engine spawns two threads, the render thread and the input thread.
-// the application may further spawn other threads. All threads communicate using shared ownership:
-// `Arc<RwLock<T>>` and `Arc<AtomicT>`. Thus, at launch the engine and application instances are expected to be wrapped in `Arc<RwLock>`.
 pub struct Tui {
     pub exited:  Arc<AtomicBool>,
     pub backend: CrosstermBackend<Stdout>,