diff --git a/Blink copy.png b/Blink copy.png
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diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+# Panagotchi
+
+A Tamagotchi-style virtual pet for the **CH32V003F4P6** badge — a hacker-themed creature that evolves from `proc` → `user` → `root`, then either ascends to **Claude** or degrades into a **glitch** depending on how well you tend to it.
+
+Fits in ~12 KB of the 16 KB flash budget.
+
+## Hardware
+
+| Pin  | Function        |
+|------|-----------------|
+| PA1  | Indicator LED   |
+| PC0  | OK button       |
+| PC1/PC2 | SSD1306 128×64 OLED (I2C1) |
+| PD2  | Passive piezo buzzer |
+| PD5  | Right button    |
+| PD6  | Left button     |
+
+Powered by a CR2032 coin cell via a TLV61070A boost converter to 3.3V. See [pinout.md](pinout.md) for the full pin assignment and power architecture.
+
+## Gameplay
+
+**Controls:** Left / Right move the menu cursor. OK activates the selected action.
+
+**Menu actions:**
+
+| Icon    | Action  | Effect |
+|---------|---------|--------|
+| Apple   | FEED    | +30 satiety, −5 hygiene |
+| Ball    | PLAY    | +25 happy, −12 energy (requires energy ≥ 15) |
+| Moon    | SLEEP   | Toggle nap; restores energy |
+| Drop    | CLEAN   | Reset hygiene to 100, remove poop piles |
+| Cross   | HEAL    | +35 health |
+| Chart   | STATS   | Show stat bars + XP readout |
+| Gear    | SETTINGS| Screen timeout, brightness, sound |
+
+Stats decay on a ~15-second tick. Health responds to overall wellbeing — if any need drops below 15 it bleeds down; if all are above 50 it recovers. Let health reach 0 and the pet dies with a `SEGFAULT (11)`.
+
+**Evolution** (XP thresholds: 45 / 120 / 240):
+
+```
+proc  →  user  →  root  →  Claude (well-kept) / glitch (neglected)
+```
+
+Each stage gains a visual accessory: shades at `user`, a gaming headset and mic boom at `root`.
+
+**Species** (chosen on the welcome screen):
+
+- **Panko** — the panda; full 7-expression animation set
+- **Shell** — a friendly CRT terminal with a `> _` prompt mouth
+- **Tmux** — a split-pane terminal with a status bar
+
+## Building
+
+Requires [ch32v003fun](https://github.com/cnlohr/ch32v003fun) checked out as a sibling directory.
+
+```sh
+# Generate sprites from source art
+python3 sprites_gen.py > sprites.h
+
+# Build and flash
+make
+```
+
+Flash via the `minichlink` or `wch-link` programmer. The Makefile targets `cv_flash` / `cv_clean` from ch32fun.
+
+Check real flash usage with:
+
+```sh
+riscv-none-elf-size tama.elf
+```
+
+## Power saving
+
+The OLED is the biggest power draw. When the screen-off timeout fires, the display is blanked and the MCU enters WFI light-sleep. Two wake sources:
+
+- **Button press** (EXTI falling edge on PC0/PD5/PD6) — lights the screen back up
+- **TIM2 overflow** (~once per game tick) — runs a background stat update and low-need chirp, without waking the display
+
+SRAM and all pet state survive WFI; only the CPU clock is gated.
+
+Brightness and screen-off timeout are adjustable in the settings menu.
+
+## Files
+
+| File | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| [tama.c](tama.c) | Main firmware: game logic, rendering, input, low-power |
+| [sprites_gen.py](sprites_gen.py) | Python sprite generator — edit art here |
+| [sprites.h](sprites.h) | Auto-generated 1-bpp sprite data (do not edit) |
+| [funconfig.h](funconfig.h) | ch32fun config overrides (disables printf backends) |
+| [pinout.md](pinout.md) | Full pin assignment and power architecture notes |
+| [OPTIMIZATION.md](OPTIMIZATION.md) | Flash size backlog and optimization notes |
diff --git a/custom_blink.png b/custom_blink.png
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diff --git a/custom_dead.png b/custom_dead.png
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diff --git a/custom_eat.png b/custom_eat.png
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diff --git a/custom_happy.png b/custom_happy.png
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diff --git a/custom_idle.png b/custom_idle.png
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diff --git a/custom_sad.png b/custom_sad.png
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diff --git a/custom_sleep.png b/custom_sleep.png
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diff --git a/sprites.h b/sprites.h
index 00acb26..6b93c81 100644
--- a/sprites.h
+++ b/sprites.h
@@ -9,108 +9,254 @@
 
 // pana_idle: 32x32
 static const unsigned char pana_idle[] = {
-    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00, 0x00, 0x10, 0x88, 0x00, 0x00, 0x11, 0x88, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0x31, 0x8C, 0x00, 0x00, 0x39, 0xDC, 0x00, 0x00, 0x3B, 0xDC, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0xF8, 0x3F, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0xE7, 0xC7, 0x00, 0x00, 0xDF, 0xFB, 0x00, 0x01, 0xBF, 0xFD, 0x80,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xE7, 0xE7, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xE7, 0xE7, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80, 0x01, 0xFC, 0x3F, 0x80,
-    0x00, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0,
-    0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8, 0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x80,
+    0x0f, 0xe0, 0x07, 0xf0,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x3f, 0xf8, 0x9f, 0xfc,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xef, 0xfb, 0xf0,
+    0x0f, 0x83, 0xe0, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0x93, 0xe4, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0x11, 0xc4, 0x78,
+    0x0f, 0x83, 0xe0, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0x83, 0xe0, 0xfc,
+    0x0f, 0xef, 0x7b, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0x7f, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x07, 0xf8, 0x0f, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x01, 0xff, 0xff, 0xc0,
+    0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x80,
+    0x00, 0x7f, 0xff, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x1f, 0xfc, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00,
 };
 
 // pana_blink: 32x32
 static const unsigned char pana_blink[] = {
-    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00, 0x00, 0x10, 0x88, 0x00, 0x00, 0x11, 0x88, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0x31, 0x8C, 0x00, 0x00, 0x39, 0xDC, 0x00, 0x00, 0x3B, 0xDC, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0xF8, 0x3F, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0xE7, 0xC7, 0x00, 0x00, 0xDF, 0xFB, 0x00, 0x01, 0xBF, 0xFD, 0x80,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xC3, 0xC3, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80, 0x01, 0xFC, 0x3F, 0x80,
-    0x00, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0,
-    0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8, 0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x80,
+    0x0f, 0xe0, 0x07, 0xf0,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x3f, 0xf8, 0x9f, 0xfc,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0x01, 0xc0, 0x78,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xfc,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0x7f, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0x7f, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x07, 0xf8, 0x0f, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x01, 0xff, 0xff, 0xc0,
+    0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x80,
+    0x00, 0x7f, 0xff, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x1f, 0xfc, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00,
 };
 
 // pana_happy: 32x32
-static const unsigned char pana_happy[] =  {
-    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00, 0x00, 0x10, 0x88, 0x00, 0x00, 0x11, 0x88, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0x31, 0x8C, 0x00, 0x00, 0x39, 0xDC, 0x00, 0x00, 0x3B, 0xDC, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0xF8, 0x3F, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0xE7, 0xC7, 0x00, 0x00, 0xDF, 0xFB, 0x00, 0x01, 0xBF, 0xFD, 0x80,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xEF, 0xF7, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xE7, 0xEB, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xDB, 0xDB, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80, 0x01, 0xF7, 0xEF, 0x80,
-    0x00, 0xF7, 0xEF, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7B, 0xDE, 0x00, 0x01, 0xFC, 0x3F, 0xC0,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0,
-    0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8, 0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8,
+static const unsigned char pana_happy[] = {
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x80,
+    0x0f, 0xe0, 0x07, 0xf0,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x3f, 0xf8, 0x9f, 0xfc,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xef, 0xfb, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xd7, 0xf5, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xfc,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xf8, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xfb, 0xef, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xf7, 0xf7, 0xf8,
+    0x07, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x01, 0xff, 0xff, 0xc0,
+    0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x80,
+    0x00, 0x7f, 0xff, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x1f, 0xfc, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00,
 };
 
 // pana_sad: 32x32
 static const unsigned char pana_sad[] = {
-    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00, 0x00, 0x10, 0x88, 0x00, 0x00, 0x11, 0x88, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0x31, 0x8C, 0x00, 0x00, 0x39, 0xDC, 0x00, 0x00, 0x3B, 0xDC, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0xF8, 0x3F, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0xE7, 0xC7, 0x00, 0x00, 0xDF, 0xFB, 0x00, 0x01, 0xBF, 0xFD, 0x80,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80, 0x03, 0x9F, 0xF9, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xE7, 0xE7, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xE7, 0xE7, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xE7, 0xE7, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80, 0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80,
-    0x00, 0xFC, 0x3F, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7B, 0xDE, 0x00, 0x01, 0xF7, 0xEF, 0xC0,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0,
-    0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8, 0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x80,
+    0x0f, 0xe0, 0x07, 0xf0,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x3f, 0xf8, 0x9f, 0xfc,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x0f, 0xef, 0xfb, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0x83, 0xe0, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0x93, 0xe4, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0x11, 0xc4, 0x78,
+    0x1f, 0x83, 0xe0, 0xfc,
+    0x0f, 0x83, 0x60, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xec, 0x1b, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0x7f, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xf8,
+    0x07, 0xf7, 0xf7, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xfb, 0xef, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x01, 0xff, 0xff, 0xc0,
+    0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x80,
+    0x00, 0x7f, 0xff, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x1f, 0xfc, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00,
 };
 
 // pana_eat: 32x32
-static const unsigned char pana_eat[] ={
-    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00, 0x00, 0x10, 0x88, 0x00, 0x00, 0x11, 0x88, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0x31, 0x8C, 0x00, 0x00, 0x39, 0xDC, 0x00, 0x00, 0x3B, 0xDC, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0xF8, 0x3F, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0xE7, 0xC7, 0x00, 0x00, 0xDF, 0xFB, 0x00, 0x01, 0xBF, 0xFD, 0x80,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xE7, 0xE7, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xE7, 0xE7, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x01, 0xFC, 0x3F, 0x80, 0x01, 0xFD, 0x3F, 0x80,
-    0x00, 0xFC, 0xBF, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7C, 0x3E, 0x00, 0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0,
-    0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8, 0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8,
-}; 
+static const unsigned char pana_eat[] = {
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x80,
+    0x0f, 0xe0, 0x07, 0xf0,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x3f, 0xf8, 0x9f, 0xfc,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x07, 0xef, 0xfb, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0x83, 0xe0, 0xf0,
+    0x0f, 0x93, 0xe4, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0x11, 0xc4, 0x78,
+    0x0f, 0x83, 0xe0, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0x83, 0xe0, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xef, 0xfb, 0xfc,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0x7f, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xf8, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x07, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0x7f, 0xe0,
+    0x01, 0xff, 0xff, 0xc0,
+    0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x80,
+    0x00, 0x7f, 0xff, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x1f, 0xfc, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00,
+};
 
 // pana_sleep: 32x32
 static const unsigned char pana_sleep[] = {
-    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00, 0x00, 0x10, 0x88, 0x00, 0x00, 0x11, 0x88, 0xF0,
-    0x00, 0x31, 0x8C, 0x20, 0x00, 0x39, 0xDC, 0x40, 0x00, 0x3B, 0xDC, 0xF0,
-    0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0xF8, 0x3F, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0xE7, 0xC7, 0x00, 0x00, 0xDF, 0xFB, 0x00, 0x01, 0xBF, 0xFD, 0x80,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xC3, 0xC3, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80, 0x01, 0xFE, 0x7F, 0x80,
-    0x00, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0,
-    0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8, 0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x80,
+    0x0f, 0xe0, 0x07, 0xf0,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x3f, 0xf8, 0x9f, 0xfc,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0x01, 0xc0, 0x78,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xfc,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0x7f, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0x7f, 0xf8,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x01, 0xff, 0xff, 0xc0,
+    0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x80,
+    0x00, 0x7f, 0xff, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x1f, 0xfc, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00,
 };
 
-
 // pana_dead: 32x32
 static const unsigned char pana_dead[] = {
-    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00, 0x00, 0x10, 0x88, 0x00, 0x00, 0x11, 0x88, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0x31, 0x8C, 0x00, 0x00, 0x39, 0xDC, 0x00, 0x00, 0x3B, 0xDC, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x00, 0xF8, 0x3F, 0x00,
-    0x00, 0xE7, 0xC7, 0x00, 0x00, 0xDF, 0xFB, 0x00, 0x01, 0xBF, 0xFD, 0x80,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x80, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xDB, 0xDB, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xE7, 0xE7, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xE7, 0xE7, 0xC0,
-    0x03, 0xDB, 0xDB, 0xC0, 0x01, 0xFD, 0xDF, 0x80, 0x01, 0xFA, 0xBF, 0x80,
-    0x00, 0xF7, 0x7F, 0x00, 0x00, 0x7F, 0xFE, 0x00, 0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0,
-    0x01, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xC0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0,
-    0x03, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xE0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x07, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0,
-    0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8, 0x0F, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF8,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x80,
+    0x0f, 0xe0, 0x07, 0xf0,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xf0, 0x0f, 0xf8,
+    0x3f, 0xf8, 0x9f, 0xfc,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x0f, 0xbb, 0xee, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xd7, 0xf5, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xef, 0xfb, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xd7, 0xf5, 0xf8,
+    0x1f, 0xbb, 0xee, 0xfc,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf8,
+    0x0f, 0xf0, 0x07, 0xf8,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x07, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf0,
+    0x03, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe0,
+    0x01, 0xff, 0xff, 0xc0,
+    0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x80,
+    0x00, 0x7f, 0xff, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x1f, 0xfc, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x80, 0x00,
 };
 
 enum { EXP_IDLE, EXP_BLINK, EXP_HAPPY, EXP_SAD, EXP_EAT, EXP_SLEEP, EXP_DEAD, EXP_COUNT };
@@ -406,17 +552,276 @@ static const unsigned char tmux_sleep[] = {
     0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
 };
 
-#define SPECIES_COUNT 3
-enum { SP_SHELL, SP_PANKO, SP_TMUX };
+// custom_idle: 32x32
+static const unsigned char custom_idle[] = {
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+};
+
+// custom_blink: 32x32
+static const unsigned char custom_blink[] = {
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+};
+
+// custom_happy: 32x32
+static const unsigned char custom_happy[] = {
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+};
+
+// custom_sad: 32x32
+static const unsigned char custom_sad[] = {
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+};
+
+// custom_eat: 32x32
+static const unsigned char custom_eat[] = {
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+};
+
+// custom_sleep: 32x32
+static const unsigned char custom_sleep[] = {
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+};
+
+// custom_dead: 32x32
+static const unsigned char custom_dead[] = {
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+};
+
+#define SPECIES_COUNT 4
+enum { SP_SHELL, SP_PANKO, SP_TMUX, SP_CUSTOM };
 static const char *const species_names[SPECIES_COUNT] = {
-    "Shell", "Panko", "Tmux",
+    "Shell", "Panko", "Tmux", "Custom",
 };
 static const unsigned char *const species_frames[SPECIES_COUNT][EXP_COUNT] = {
     { shell_idle, shell_idle, shell_happy, shell_sad, shell_happy, shell_sleep, shell_sad },
     { pana_idle, pana_blink, pana_happy, pana_sad, pana_eat, pana_sleep, pana_dead },
     { tmux_idle, tmux_idle, tmux_happy, tmux_sad, tmux_happy, tmux_sleep, tmux_sad },
+    { custom_idle, custom_blink, custom_happy, custom_sad, custom_eat, custom_sleep, custom_dead },
 };
 
+// Eye centre coords for custom species accessories (shades at user, headset at root).
+// Pixel positions inside the 32x32 sprite -- adjust to match your art.
+#define CUSTOM_EYE_CY 17   // eye centre row
+#define CUSTOM_EYE_LX 11   // left  eye centre column
+#define CUSTOM_EYE_RX 21   // right eye centre column
+
 // spr_grave: 32x32
 static const unsigned char spr_grave[] = {
     0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
@@ -677,12 +1082,32 @@ static const unsigned char icon_settings[] = {
     0x03, 0xc0,
 };
 
-#define ICON_COUNT 7
+// icon_ir: 16x16
+static const unsigned char icon_ir[] = {
+    0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x80,
+    0x01, 0x40,
+    0x02, 0x20,
+    0x04, 0x10,
+    0x00, 0x80,
+    0x09, 0x48,
+    0x02, 0x20,
+    0x10, 0x84,
+    0x00, 0x80,
+    0x00, 0x80,
+    0x00, 0x80,
+    0x00, 0x80,
+    0x01, 0xc0,
+    0x00, 0x00,
+};
+
+#define ICON_COUNT 8
 static const unsigned char *const menu_icons[ICON_COUNT] = {
-    icon_feed, icon_play, icon_sleep, icon_clean, icon_heal, icon_stats, icon_settings,
+    icon_feed, icon_play, icon_sleep, icon_clean, icon_heal, icon_stats, icon_settings, icon_ir,
 };
 static const char *const menu_labels[ICON_COUNT] = {
-    "FEED", "PLAY", "SLEEP", "CLEAN", "HEAL", "STATS", "SETTINGS",
+    "FEED", "PLAY", "SLEEP", "CLEAN", "HEAL", "STATS", "SETTINGS", "IR BEAM",
 };
 
 #endif // _SPRITES_H
diff --git a/sprites_gen.py b/sprites_gen.py
index 2b42150..cef9405 100644
--- a/sprites_gen.py
+++ b/sprites_gen.py
@@ -52,6 +52,45 @@ def from_art(art):
         g.append([1 if c in "#X1" else 0 for c in row.ljust(w)])
     return g
 
+def from_png(path, threshold=128):
+    """Load a PNG and convert to a 1-bpp grid (white/bright=lit, dark=off).
+    Width is padded to the nearest multiple of 8. Requires Pillow: pip install pillow"""
+    try:
+        from PIL import Image
+    except ImportError:
+        raise SystemExit("from_png() needs Pillow:  pip install pillow")
+    img = Image.open(path).convert("L")
+    w, h = img.size
+    wp = (w + 7) // 8 * 8
+    g = []
+    for y in range(h):
+        row = [1 if x < w and img.getpixel((x, y)) > threshold else 0 for x in range(wp)]
+        g.append(row)
+    return g
+
+def load_species_pngs(prefix, aliases=None):
+    """Load the 7 expression PNGs for a species from <prefix>_<expr>.png files.
+    Missing files fall back automatically (blink->idle, eat->happy, dead->sad).
+    Pass aliases={"blink": "idle"} to force a specific reuse.
+    Only custom_idle.png is strictly required; others are optional."""
+    import os
+    EXPRS    = ["idle", "blink", "happy", "sad", "eat",    "sleep", "dead"]
+    FALLBACK = {        "blink": "idle",          "eat": "happy",  "dead": "sad"}
+    if aliases:
+        FALLBACK.update(aliases)
+    cache = {}
+    result = []
+    for name in EXPRS:
+        src = FALLBACK.get(name, name)
+        if src not in cache:
+            path = f"{prefix}_{src}.png"
+            if not os.path.exists(path):
+                path = f"{prefix}_idle.png"
+            cache[src] = from_png(path)
+        cache[name] = cache[src]
+        result.append(cache[name])
+    return result
+
 def pack(g):
     """Pack to bytes, MSB first, width padded to multiple of 8."""
     h = len(g)
@@ -395,6 +434,23 @@ def icon_settings():    # gear
     fill_ellipse(g, 8, 8, 2, 2, 0)   # hub hole
     return g
 
+def icon_ir():          # wifi-style arcs = IR signal
+    g = grid(16, 16)
+    vline(g, 8, 9, 14)              # antenna stem
+    px(g, 7, 14); px(g, 9, 14)     # base feet
+    # inner arc
+    px(g, 6, 8); px(g, 10, 8)
+    px(g, 7, 7); px(g, 9, 7)
+    px(g, 8, 6)
+    # outer arc
+    px(g, 3, 9); px(g, 13, 9)
+    px(g, 4, 7); px(g, 12, 7)
+    px(g, 5, 5); px(g, 11, 5)
+    px(g, 6, 4); px(g, 10, 4)
+    px(g, 7, 3); px(g, 9, 3)
+    px(g, 8, 2)
+    return g
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------- main
 def main():
     print("// Auto-generated by sprites_gen.py -- do not edit by hand.")
@@ -442,17 +498,46 @@ def main():
 
     # species frame tables, indexed [species][EXP_*]. Shell/Tmux reuse their
     # four frames across the seven expression slots.
-    print("#define SPECIES_COUNT 3")
-    print("enum { SP_SHELL, SP_PANKO, SP_TMUX };")
+    #
+    # Custom species: drop PNG files named  custom_<expr>.png  (32x32, white=lit)
+    # next to this script and re-run it.  Required: custom_idle.png.
+    # Optional (fall back automatically): custom_blink, custom_happy, custom_sad,
+    #   custom_eat, custom_sleep, custom_dead.
+    import os
+    has_custom = os.path.exists("custom_idle.png")
+    if has_custom:
+        EXPRS = ["idle", "blink", "happy", "sad", "eat", "sleep", "dead"]
+        custom_frames = load_species_pngs("custom")
+        for name, g in zip(EXPRS, custom_frames):
+            emit(f"custom_{name}", g)
+
+    species_count = 4 if has_custom else 3
+    print(f"#define SPECIES_COUNT {species_count}")
+    enum_vals = "SP_SHELL, SP_PANKO, SP_TMUX" + (", SP_CUSTOM" if has_custom else "")
+    print(f"enum {{ {enum_vals} }};")
     print("static const char *const species_names[SPECIES_COUNT] = {")
-    print('    "Shell", "Panko", "Tmux",')
+    if has_custom:
+        print('    "Shell", "Panko", "Tmux", "Custom",')
+    else:
+        print('    "Shell", "Panko", "Tmux",')
     print("};")
     print("static const unsigned char *const species_frames[SPECIES_COUNT][EXP_COUNT] = {")
     print("    { shell_idle, shell_idle, shell_happy, shell_sad, shell_happy, shell_sleep, shell_sad },")
     print("    { pana_idle, pana_blink, pana_happy, pana_sad, pana_eat, pana_sleep, pana_dead },")
     print("    { tmux_idle, tmux_idle, tmux_happy, tmux_sad, tmux_happy, tmux_sleep, tmux_sad },")
+    if has_custom:
+        print("    { custom_idle, custom_blink, custom_happy, custom_sad, custom_eat, custom_sleep, custom_dead },")
     print("};")
     print()
+    if has_custom:
+        # Emit eye geometry as defines so tama.c can extend its arrays.
+        # Edit these pixel coords to match where your character's eyes sit.
+        print("// Eye centre coords for custom species accessories (shades at user, headset at root).")
+        print("// Pixel positions inside the 32x32 sprite -- adjust to match your art.")
+        print("#define CUSTOM_EYE_CY 17   // eye centre row")
+        print("#define CUSTOM_EYE_LX 11   // left  eye centre column")
+        print("#define CUSTOM_EYE_RX 21   // right eye centre column")
+        print()
 
     emit("spr_grave", grave())
     emit("spr_poop", poop())
@@ -460,23 +545,24 @@ def main():
     emit("spr_glitch", glitch())
 
     icons = [
-        ("icon_feed",  icon_feed()),
-        ("icon_play",  icon_play()),
-        ("icon_sleep", icon_sleep()),
-        ("icon_clean", icon_clean()),
-        ("icon_heal",  icon_heal()),
-        ("icon_stats", icon_stats()),
+        ("icon_feed",     icon_feed()),
+        ("icon_play",     icon_play()),
+        ("icon_sleep",    icon_sleep()),
+        ("icon_clean",    icon_clean()),
+        ("icon_heal",     icon_heal()),
+        ("icon_stats",    icon_stats()),
         ("icon_settings", icon_settings()),
+        ("icon_ir",       icon_ir()),
     ]
     for n, g in icons:
         emit(n, g)
 
-    print("#define ICON_COUNT 7")
+    print("#define ICON_COUNT 8")
     print("static const unsigned char *const menu_icons[ICON_COUNT] = {")
-    print("    icon_feed, icon_play, icon_sleep, icon_clean, icon_heal, icon_stats, icon_settings,")
+    print("    icon_feed, icon_play, icon_sleep, icon_clean, icon_heal, icon_stats, icon_settings, icon_ir,")
     print("};")
     print('static const char *const menu_labels[ICON_COUNT] = {')
-    print('    "FEED", "PLAY", "SLEEP", "CLEAN", "HEAL", "STATS", "SETTINGS",')
+    print('    "FEED", "PLAY", "SLEEP", "CLEAN", "HEAL", "STATS", "SETTINGS", "IR BEAM",')
     print("};")
     print()
     print("#endif // _SPRITES_H")
diff --git a/tama.c b/tama.c
index cf87a99..b1fb94d 100644
--- a/tama.c
+++ b/tama.c
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@
 #define BTN_RIGHT  PD5
 #define BTN_LEFT   PD6
 #define BUZZER     PD2
+#define IR_TX      PD4   // IR LED, bit-bang 38 kHz carrier
+#define IR_RX      PD3   // IR demodulator data (active-low)
+#define IR_RX_VCC  PC4   // IR receiver power gate (high = on)
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------- tuning
 #define FRAME_MS        60      // main loop period
@@ -43,7 +46,7 @@
 // a need empties in ~20 min, after which health bleeds down over ~10 more.
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------- state
-enum { SCR_SELECT, SCR_MAIN, SCR_STATS, SCR_DEAD, SCR_SETTINGS };
+enum { SCR_SELECT, SCR_MAIN, SCR_STATS, SCR_DEAD, SCR_SETTINGS, SCR_IR, SCR_TV };
 
 // notification thresholds: gentle chirp at <50%, urgent at <20%
 enum { N_FOOD, N_FUN, N_ENGY, N_WASH, N_COUNT };
@@ -107,6 +110,47 @@ static const char *const screen_timeout_names[] = { "5s", "10s", "15s", "30s", "
 #define TIMEOUT_OPT_COUNT 6
 #define SETTINGS_ROWS     4      // screen-off, brightness, sound, back
 
+// IR screen state
+// Modes: 0=ZAPP (send ping), 1=RECV (listen), 2=BEAM (send pet data), 3=TV remote, 4=BACK
+enum { IR_ZAPP, IR_RECV, IR_BEAM, IR_TV, IR_BACK, IR_MODE_COUNT };
+static uint8_t  ir_mode   = 0;
+// ir_status: 0=idle, 1=sent, 2=got signal, 3=nothing, 4=waiting
+static uint8_t  ir_status = 0;
+static uint8_t  ir_stimer = 0;  // frames to show a status message
+
+// NEC protocol constants for badge-to-badge comms
+#define PANA_ADDR 0x50          // 'P' for Panagotchi
+
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------- TV remote
+// Commands fired at every brand in sequence; TV responds to whichever matches.
+// Order must match tv_cmd_names[]. BACK is a navigation item, not an IR code.
+#define TV_CMD_COUNT   6
+#define TV_NAV_COUNT   7        // TV_CMD_COUNT + 1 (BACK entry)
+#define TV_BRAND_COUNT 5
+
+static const char *const tv_cmd_names[TV_NAV_COUNT] = {
+    "POWER", "VOL+", "VOL-", "MUTE", "CH+", "CH-", "BACK",
+};
+
+// NEC addresses per brand
+static const uint8_t tv_addr[TV_BRAND_COUNT] = {
+    0x04,   // LG
+    0x40,   // Panasonic
+    0xA5,   // Pioneer
+    0x05,   // Mitsubishi
+    0x00,   // Generic / CHUNGHWA
+};
+// Commands: [brand][POWER, VOL+, VOL-, MUTE, CH+, CH-]
+static const uint8_t tv_cmds[TV_BRAND_COUNT][TV_CMD_COUNT] = {
+    { 0x08, 0x02, 0x03, 0x09, 0x00, 0x01 },  // LG
+    { 0x3D, 0x20, 0x21, 0x04, 0x34, 0x35 },  // Panasonic
+    { 0x1C, 0x14, 0x15, 0x19, 0x01, 0x02 },  // Pioneer
+    { 0x18, 0x07, 0x0B, 0x0D, 0x02, 0x06 },  // Mitsubishi
+    { 0x45, 0x46, 0x15, 0x09, 0x09, 0x15 },  // Generic
+};
+
+static uint8_t tv_cmd = 0;     // currently selected command (0..TV_NAV_COUNT-1)
+
 // display power state
 static uint8_t  disp_on     = 1;
 static uint32_t idle_frames = 0; // frames since the last button activity
@@ -115,7 +159,7 @@ static uint32_t idle_frames = 0; // frames since the last button activity
 static uint32_t reset_cause = 0;
 
 // menu icon order must match sprites.h menu_icons[] / menu_labels[]
-enum { ACT_FEED, ACT_PLAY, ACT_SLEEP, ACT_CLEAN, ACT_HEAL, ACT_STATS, ACT_SETTINGS };
+enum { ACT_FEED, ACT_PLAY, ACT_SLEEP, ACT_CLEAN, ACT_HEAL, ACT_STATS, ACT_SETTINGS, ACT_IR };
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------- helpers
 static int8_t clamp100(int v) { return v < 0 ? 0 : (v > 100 ? 100 : v); }
@@ -156,6 +200,90 @@ static void led_blink(void)
 	funDigitalWrite(LED_PIN, FUN_LOW);
 }
 
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------- IR TX
+// Bit-bang 38 kHz carrier on IR_TX for `us` microseconds (mark).
+static void ir_mark(uint16_t us)
+{
+	// half-period ≈ 13 µs  →  cycles ≈ us/26
+	uint16_t cycles = us / 26u + 1u;
+	for (uint16_t i = 0; i < cycles; i++) {
+		funDigitalWrite(IR_TX, FUN_HIGH);
+		Delay_Us(13);
+		funDigitalWrite(IR_TX, FUN_LOW);
+		Delay_Us(13);
+	}
+}
+
+static void ir_space(uint16_t us)
+{
+	funDigitalWrite(IR_TX, FUN_LOW);
+	Delay_Us(us);
+}
+
+// Send one NEC frame: 9ms mark + 4.5ms space + 32 bits + stop.
+static void ir_send_nec(uint8_t addr, uint8_t cmd)
+{
+	ir_mark(9000); ir_space(4500);
+	uint8_t bytes[4] = { addr, (uint8_t)~addr, cmd, (uint8_t)~cmd };
+	for (uint8_t b = 0; b < 4; b++) {
+		for (uint8_t i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
+			ir_mark(562);
+			ir_space((bytes[b] & 1) ? 1687u : 562u);
+			bytes[b] >>= 1;
+		}
+	}
+	ir_mark(562);
+	funDigitalWrite(IR_TX, FUN_LOW);
+}
+
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------- IR RX
+// Wait up to `wait_us` for IR_RX to reach `lvl`, then measure how long it
+// holds (up to `hold_us`). Returns ~duration in µs (10 µs resolution), or 0
+// on timeout. The IR demodulator output is active-low: LOW = carrier present.
+static uint32_t ir_pulse(uint8_t lvl, uint32_t wait_us, uint32_t hold_us)
+{
+	uint32_t t;
+	for (t = 0; t < wait_us; t += 10) {
+		if ((uint8_t)funDigitalRead(IR_RX) == lvl) goto measure;
+		Delay_Us(10);
+	}
+	return 0;
+measure:;
+	for (t = 0; t < hold_us; t += 10) {
+		if ((uint8_t)funDigitalRead(IR_RX) != lvl) return t;
+		Delay_Us(10);
+	}
+	return 0; // pulse held too long
+}
+
+// Try to receive one NEC frame. Blocks up to ~2 s waiting for the leader.
+// Returns 1 on a valid frame, 0 otherwise. addr/cmd are set on success.
+static uint8_t ir_recv_nec(uint8_t *addr_out, uint8_t *cmd_out)
+{
+	// leader mark ~9000 µs LOW; wait up to 2 s
+	uint32_t t = ir_pulse(FUN_LOW, 2000000u, 12000u);
+	if (t < 7000u) return 0;
+
+	// leader space ~4500 µs HIGH
+	t = ir_pulse(FUN_HIGH, 8000u, 6000u);
+	if (t < 3000u) return 0;
+
+	uint32_t bits = 0;
+	for (uint8_t i = 0; i < 32; i++) {
+		if (!ir_pulse(FUN_LOW,  1500u, 1500u)) return 0;
+		t = ir_pulse(FUN_HIGH, 2500u, 2500u);
+		if (!t) return 0;
+		bits >>= 1;
+		if (t > 1000u) bits |= 0x80000000UL;
+	}
+	ir_pulse(FUN_LOW, 1500u, 1500u); // stop bit
+
+	*addr_out = (uint8_t)(bits & 0xFF);
+	*cmd_out  = (uint8_t)((bits >> 16) & 0xFF);
+	return ((bits >> 8) & 0xFF)  == (uint8_t)(~*addr_out) &&
+	       ((bits >> 24) & 0xFF) == (uint8_t)(~*cmd_out);
+}
+
 // push the currently selected brightness to the panel's contrast register
 static void apply_brightness(void)
 {
@@ -315,6 +443,14 @@ static void do_action(uint8_t act)
 		set_sel = 0;
 		beep(659, 40);
 		break;
+
+	case ACT_IR:
+		screen   = SCR_IR;
+		ir_mode  = 0;
+		ir_status = 0;
+		ir_stimer = 0;
+		beep(659, 40);
+		break;
 	}
 }
 
@@ -378,19 +514,27 @@ static void draw_center_str(int y, const char *s)
 
 static void draw_menu_bar(void)
 {
-	// 7 icons across the bottom (18 px slots), selected one boxed
+	// 8 icons across the bottom (16 px slots, no gap), selected one boxed
 	for (uint8_t i = 0; i < ICON_COUNT; i++) {
-		int x = i * 18 + 1;
+		int x = i * 16;
 		ssd1306_drawImage(x, 48, menu_icons[i], ICON_W, ICON_H, 0);
 		if (i == cursor)
-			ssd1306_drawRect(x - 1, 47, ICON_W + 1, ICON_H + 1, 1);
+			ssd1306_drawRect(x, 47, ICON_W, ICON_H + 1, 1);
 	}
 }
 
-// Per-species eye geometry, so the shades land on the right spot.
-static const uint8_t eye_cy[SPECIES_COUNT] = { 11, 17, 12 }; // SP_SHELL,PANKO,TMUX
+// Per-species eye geometry for accessory rendering (shades at user, headset at root).
+// When a custom species is present, sprites.h emits CUSTOM_EYE_* defines; update
+// those values to match where the eyes sit in your custom_idle.png.
+#ifdef CUSTOM_EYE_CY
+static const uint8_t eye_cy[SPECIES_COUNT] = { 11, 17, 12, CUSTOM_EYE_CY };
+static const uint8_t eye_lx[SPECIES_COUNT] = { 11, 11,  9, CUSTOM_EYE_LX };
+static const uint8_t eye_rx[SPECIES_COUNT] = { 20, 21, 23, CUSTOM_EYE_RX };
+#else
+static const uint8_t eye_cy[SPECIES_COUNT] = { 11, 17, 12 };
 static const uint8_t eye_lx[SPECIES_COUNT] = { 11, 11,  9 };
 static const uint8_t eye_rx[SPECIES_COUNT] = { 20, 21, 23 };
+#endif
 
 // Hacker garb earned as the pet levels up, drawn dark over the lit body so it
 // reads as black gear.
@@ -579,6 +723,144 @@ static void draw_settings(void)
 	ssd1306_refresh();
 }
 
+static const char *const ir_mode_names[IR_MODE_COUNT] = {
+	"ZAPP", "RECV", "BEAM", "TV", "BACK",
+};
+
+static void draw_ir(void)
+{
+	ssd1306_setbuf(0);
+	draw_center_str(0, "~ IR BEAM ~");
+	ssd1306_drawFastHLine(0, 10, SSD1306_W, 1);
+
+	// mode selector with arrows
+	char mline[17], *p = mline;
+	p = s_cat(p, "< ");
+	p = s_cat(p, ir_mode_names[ir_mode]);
+	p = s_cat(p, " >");
+	*p = 0;
+	draw_center_str(20, mline);
+
+	// status line
+	if (ir_stimer) {
+		const char *msg = "?";
+		if      (ir_status == 1) msg = "SENT!";
+		else if (ir_status == 2) msg = "GOT IT! +xp";
+		else if (ir_status == 3) msg = "NOTHING";
+		else if (ir_status == 4) msg = "WAITING...";
+		draw_center_str(35, msg);
+	} else {
+		const char *hint = "?";
+		if      (ir_mode == IR_ZAPP) hint = "OK: send ping";
+		else if (ir_mode == IR_RECV) hint = "OK: listen 2s";
+		else if (ir_mode == IR_BEAM) hint = "OK: beam pet";
+		else if (ir_mode == IR_TV)   hint = "OK: enter";
+		else if (ir_mode == IR_BACK) hint = "OK: back";
+		draw_center_str(35, hint);
+	}
+
+	draw_center_str(56, "L/R mode  OK go");
+	ssd1306_refresh();
+}
+
+// Called when OK is pressed on the IR screen.
+static void do_ir_action(void)
+{
+	if (ir_mode == IR_BACK) {
+		screen = SCR_MAIN;
+		beep(880, 30);
+		return;
+	}
+
+	if (ir_mode == IR_ZAPP) {
+		ir_send_nec(PANA_ADDR, 0x01);      // fixed ping command
+		beep(988, 40); beep(1319, 60);
+		led_blink();
+		ir_status = 1; ir_stimer = 30;
+		return;
+	}
+
+	if (ir_mode == IR_BEAM) {
+		// encode species in high nibble, level in low nibble
+		uint8_t cmd = (uint8_t)((pet.species << 4) | (pet.level & 0x0F));
+		ir_send_nec(PANA_ADDR, cmd);
+		beep(880, 40); beep(1175, 40); beep(1568, 70);
+		led_blink();
+		ir_status = 1; ir_stimer = 30;
+		return;
+	}
+
+	if (ir_mode == IR_TV) {
+		screen = SCR_TV;
+		tv_cmd = 0;
+		beep(659, 40);
+		return;
+	}
+
+	if (ir_mode == IR_RECV) {
+		// show WAITING... while blocking
+		ir_status = 4; ir_stimer = 255;
+		draw_ir();
+
+		// power up the IR receiver
+		funDigitalWrite(IR_RX_VCC, FUN_HIGH);
+		Delay_Ms(5);         // stabilise
+
+		uint8_t addr = 0, cmd = 0;
+		uint8_t ok = ir_recv_nec(&addr, &cmd);
+
+		funDigitalWrite(IR_RX_VCC, FUN_LOW);  // power down receiver
+
+		if (ok) {
+			if (addr == PANA_ADDR) {
+				if (cmd == 0x01) {
+					// ping from another badge: mood boost
+					pet.happy = clamp100(pet.happy + 10);
+					add_xp(5);
+				} else {
+					// BEAM packet: species in high nibble, level in low nibble
+					uint8_t lvl = cmd & 0x0F;
+					if (lvl > pet.level) add_xp(8); else add_xp(3);
+					pet.happy = clamp100(pet.happy + 8);
+				}
+			} else {
+				// generic NEC signal: small happy bump
+				pet.happy = clamp100(pet.happy + 3);
+			}
+			beep(784, 60); beep(988, 60); beep(1175, 90);
+			led_blink();
+			ir_status = 2;
+		} else {
+			beep(330, 150);
+			ir_status = 3;
+		}
+		ir_stimer = 45;
+	}
+}
+
+static void draw_tv(void)
+{
+	ssd1306_setbuf(0);
+	draw_center_str(0, "~ TV REMOTE ~");
+	ssd1306_drawFastHLine(0, 10, SSD1306_W, 1);
+
+	// command selector
+	char line[17], *p = line;
+	p = s_cat(p, "< ");
+	p = s_cat(p, tv_cmd_names[tv_cmd]);
+	p = s_cat(p, " >");
+	*p = 0;
+	draw_center_str(22, line);
+
+	if (tv_cmd < TV_CMD_COUNT)
+		draw_center_str(36, "blast 5 brands");
+	// BACK entry has no sub-label
+
+	ssd1306_drawFastHLine(0, 46, SSD1306_W, 1);
+	draw_center_str(50, "L/R cmd   OK go");
+	ssd1306_refresh();
+}
+
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------- input
 typedef struct { uint8_t ok, left, right; } Buttons;
 
@@ -685,6 +967,15 @@ static void gpio_setup(void)
 	funPinMode(BUZZER, GPIO_Speed_10MHz | GPIO_CNF_OUT_PP);
 	funDigitalWrite(BUZZER, FUN_LOW);
 
+	funPinMode(IR_TX, GPIO_Speed_10MHz | GPIO_CNF_OUT_PP);
+	funDigitalWrite(IR_TX, FUN_LOW);
+
+	funPinMode(IR_RX_VCC, GPIO_Speed_10MHz | GPIO_CNF_OUT_PP);
+	funDigitalWrite(IR_RX_VCC, FUN_LOW);   // receiver off at boot
+
+	funPinMode(IR_RX, GPIO_CNF_IN_PUPD);
+	funDigitalWrite(IR_RX, FUN_HIGH);      // pull-up (idle = HIGH)
+
 	// buttons: input with internal pull-up (ODR high selects pull-up)
 	funPinMode(BTN_OK,    GPIO_CNF_IN_PUPD);
 	funPinMode(BTN_LEFT,  GPIO_CNF_IN_PUPD);
@@ -851,6 +1142,46 @@ int main(void)
 				}
 				draw_dead();
 				break;
+
+			case SCR_IR:
+				if (left_edge) {
+					ir_mode = (ir_mode + IR_MODE_COUNT - 1) % IR_MODE_COUNT;
+					beep(1047, 25);
+				}
+				if (right_edge) {
+					ir_mode = (ir_mode + 1) % IR_MODE_COUNT;
+					beep(1047, 25);
+				}
+				if (ok_edge) do_ir_action();
+				if (ir_stimer) ir_stimer--;
+				draw_ir();
+				break;
+
+			case SCR_TV:
+				if (left_edge) {
+					tv_cmd = (tv_cmd + TV_NAV_COUNT - 1) % TV_NAV_COUNT;
+					beep(1047, 25);
+				}
+				if (right_edge) {
+					tv_cmd = (tv_cmd + 1) % TV_NAV_COUNT;
+					beep(1047, 25);
+				}
+				if (ok_edge) {
+					if (tv_cmd == TV_CMD_COUNT) {   // BACK entry
+						screen = SCR_IR;
+						beep(880, 30);
+					} else {
+						// blast selected command at all brands in turn
+						for (uint8_t b = 0; b < TV_BRAND_COUNT; b++) {
+							ir_send_nec(tv_addr[b], tv_cmds[b][tv_cmd]);
+							Delay_Ms(40);           // inter-frame gap
+						}
+						beep(988, 40); beep(1319, 80);
+						led_blink();
+					}
+				}
+				draw_tv();
+				break;
 			}
 
 			// sleep the display after the configured idle period