diff --git a/cell.toml b/cell.toml
index bca3d464..8997f49d 100644
--- a/cell.toml
+++ b/cell.toml
@@ -7,4 +7,6 @@ rtree = "gitea.pockle.world/john/cell-rtree"
 dmon = "gitea.pockle.world/john/cell-watch"
 libsamplerate = "gitea.pockle.world/john/cell-libsamplerate"
 sdl3 = "gitea.pockle.world/john/cell-sdl3"
+image = "gitea.pockle.world/john/cell-image"
+soundwave = "gitea.pockle.world/john/soundwave"
 
diff --git a/controller.cm b/controller.cm
index 620b48e2..39a826ea 100644
--- a/controller.cm
+++ b/controller.cm
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ prosperon.on('key_down', function key_down(e) {
 })
 
 prosperon.on('quit', function() {
-  $_.stop()
+  $stop()
 })
 
 prosperon.on('key_up', function key_up(e) {
diff --git a/docs/quickstart.md b/docs/quickstart.md
index 87a862bf..fd2fe9cd 100644
--- a/docs/quickstart.md
+++ b/docs/quickstart.md
@@ -56,13 +56,13 @@ var hello = use('examples/hello')
 
 log.console(hello.greet('Cell'))
 
-$_.receiver(function(msg) {
+$receiver(function(msg) {
   if (msg.type == 'ping') {
     send(msg, {type:'pong'})
   }
 })
 
-$_.delay(_ => $_.stop(), 0.1)
+$delay(_ => $stop(), 0.1)
 ```
 
 Run it:
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ Run it:
 
 Notes:
 - Modules are `*.cm` and must return a value. The engine deep‑freezes return values, so mutate via new objects or closures rather than in‑place.
-- Programs are `*.ce` and must not return a value. They run top‑to‑bottom when spawned and can register handlers via `$_.receiver()` and schedule work via `$_.delay()` or `$_.clock()`.
+- Programs are `*.ce` and must not return a value. They run top‑to‑bottom when spawned and can register handlers via `$receiver()` and schedule work via `$delay()` or `$clock()`.
 
 ## 5) Spawning Child Programs (Actors)
 
@@ -80,19 +80,19 @@ Programs can spawn other programs and receive lifecycle events.
 - File: `examples/spawner.ce`
 
 ```javascript
-$_.receiver(function(e) {
+$receiver(function(e) {
   if (e.type == 'greet' && e.actor) {
     log.console('Child greeted me')
   }
 })
 
-$_.start(function(info) {
+$start(function(info) {
   if (info.type == 'greet') {
     log.console('Spawned child actor')
   }
 }, 'examples/hello.ce')
 
-$_.delay(_ => $_.stop(), 0.5)
+$delay(_ => $stop(), 0.5)
 ```
 
 Run it:
diff --git a/examples/chess/chess.ce b/examples/chess/chess.ce
index 036345db..d27fdc86 100644
--- a/examples/chess/chess.ce
+++ b/examples/chess/chess.ce
@@ -287,11 +287,11 @@ function startServer() {
   isMyTurn = true;
   updateTitle();
   
-  $_.portal(e => {
+  $portal(e => {
     log.console("Portal received contact message");
     // Reply with this actor to establish connection
-    log.console (json.encode($_))
-    send(e, $_);
+    log.console ($self)
+    send(e, $self);
     log.console("Portal replied with server actor");
   }, 5678);
 }
@@ -309,22 +309,22 @@ function joinServer() {
       // Send a greet message with our actor object
       send(opponent, {
         type: 'greet',
-        client_actor: $_
+        client_actor: $self
       });
     } else {
-      log.console(`Failed to connect: ${json.encode(reason)}`);
+      log.console(`Failed to connect: ${reason}`);
       gameState = 'waiting';
       updateTitle();
     }
   }
   
-  $_.contact(contact_fn, {
+  $contact(contact_fn, {
     address: "192.168.0.149",
     port: 5678
   });
 }
 
-$_.receiver(e => {
+$receiver(e => {
   if (e.kind == 'update')
     send(e, update(e.dt))
   else if (e.kind == 'draw')
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ $_.receiver(e => {
     log.console("Server received greet from client");
     // Store the client's actor object for ongoing communication
     opponent = e.client_actor;
-    log.console("Stored client actor:", json.encode(opponent));
+    log.console("Stored client actor:", opponent);
     gameState = 'connected';
     updateTitle();
     
diff --git a/graphics.cm b/graphics.cm
index f0c73f4d..bcc9c399 100644
--- a/graphics.cm
+++ b/graphics.cm
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ var os = use('os')
 var staef = use('staef')
 var qoi = use('qoi')
 
-var LASTUSE = key()
-var LOADING = key()
+var LASTUSE = "graphics:lastuse"
+var LOADING = "graphics:loading"
 
 var cache = {}
 
diff --git a/lcdsprite.cm b/lcdsprite.cm
deleted file mode 100644
index 3d93dbf6..00000000
--- a/lcdsprite.cm
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,109 +0,0 @@
-// TODO: this needs totally rearchitected
-
-var sprite = {}
-
-var graphics = use('graphics')
-var render   = use('render')
-var draw2d   = use('draw2d')
-var sprite = use('sprite')
-
-var SPRITE  = key()   /* raw C sprite                    */
-var POS     = key()   /* cached JS copies of simple data */
-var ROT     = key()
-var SCALE   = key()
-var SKEW    = key()
-var CENTER  = key()
-var COLOR   = key()
-var IMAGE = key()
-
-var ursprite = {
-  get pos()  { return this[POS] },
-  set pos(v) {
-    this[POS]      = v
-    this[SPRITE].pos = v
-  },
-
-  get center() { return this[CENTER] },
-  set center(v){
-    this[CENTER]       = v
-    this[SPRITE].center = v
-  },
-
-  get rotation() { return this[ROT] },
-  set rotation(t){
-    this[ROT]            = t
-    this[SPRITE].rotation = t * 2*Math.PI  /* C expects radians */
-    this[SPRITE].set_affine()
-  },
-
-  get scale() { return this[SCALE] },
-  set scale(v){
-    this[SCALE]       = v
-    this[SPRITE].scale = v
-    this[SPRITE].set_affine()
-  },
-
-  get skew() { return this[SKEW] },
-  set skew(v){
-    this[SKEW]       = v
-    this[SPRITE].skew = v
-    this[SPRITE].set_affine()
-  },
-
-  get layer() { return this[SPRITE].layer },
-  set layer(n){ this[SPRITE].layer = n },
-
-  get color() { return this[COLOR] },
-  set color(v){
-    this[COLOR]       = v
-    this[SPRITE].color = v
-  },
-
-  move(mv) { this[SPRITE].move(mv) },
-  moveto(p){
-    this.pos = p
-  },
-  
-  get image() { return this[IMAGE] },
-  set image(img) {
-    this[IMAGE] = img
-    this[SPRITE].set_image(img)
-  }
-}
-
-var _sprites = []
-
-var def_sprite = stone({
-  pos: [0,0],
-  rotation: 0,
-  scale: [1,1],
-  center: [0,0],
-  color: [1,1,1,1],
-  skew: [0,0],
-  layer: 0,
-})
-
-sprite.create = function(image, info) {
-  info.__proto__ = def_sprite
-  var sp = meme(ursprite)
-  sp[SPRITE] = new sprite(info)
-  sp.image = graphics.texture(image)
-
-  _sprites.push(sp)
-  return sp
-}
-
-sprite.forEach = fn => { for (let s of _sprites) fn(s) }
-sprite.values  = ()  => _sprites.slice()
-sprite.geometry= ()  => graphics.make_sprite_mesh(_sprites)
-
-var raws = []
-sprite.queue = function() {
-  if (raws.length != _sprites.length)
-    raws.length = _sprites.length
-    
-  for (var i = 0; i < _sprites.length; i++) raws[i] = _sprites[i]
-  return graphics.make_sprite_queue(_sprites.map(x => x[SPRITE]))
-} 
-
-return sprite
diff --git a/prosperon.cm b/prosperon.cm
index 4df49b45..b6e338a7 100644
--- a/prosperon.cm
+++ b/prosperon.cm
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ var geometry = use('geometry')
 var blob = use('blob')
 var imgui = use('imgui')
 var utf8 = use('utf8')
+var json = use('json')
 
 var os = use('os')
 var math = use('math/radians')
@@ -620,7 +621,7 @@ function poll_input() {
         }
         
         if (event.type == 'quit')
-          $_.stop()
+          $stop()
         
         if (event.type.includes('key')) {
           if (event.key)
@@ -641,7 +642,7 @@ function poll_input() {
   }
   
   input_cb(evs)
-  $_.delay(poll_input, input_rate)
+  $delay(poll_input, input_rate)
 }
 
 prosperon.input = function(fn)
@@ -673,7 +674,7 @@ var sprite_pipeline = {
   blend: alpha_blend_state
 }
 
-var GPU = key()
+var GPU = "prosperon:gpu"
 
 var cur_cam
 var cmd_fns = {}
@@ -1170,7 +1171,7 @@ prosperon.create_batch = function create_batch(draw_cmds, done) {
   if (done) done()
 }
 
-var shop = use('shop')
+var shop = use('util')
 ////////// dmon hot reload ////////
 function poll_file_changes() {
   dmon.poll(e => { 
@@ -1199,7 +1200,7 @@ function poll_file_changes() {
     }
   })
   
-  $_.delay(poll_file_changes, 0.5)
+  $delay(poll_file_changes, 0.5)
 }
 
 var dmon = use('dmon/dmon')
diff --git a/sdl/video.ce b/sdl/video.ce
index 14ba0283..62c56f38 100644
--- a/sdl/video.ce
+++ b/sdl/video.ce
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ function allocate_id() {
 }
 
 // Message handler
-$_.receiver(function(msg) {
+$receiver(function(msg) {
   if (!msg.kind || !msg.op) {
     send(msg, {error: "Message must have 'kind' and 'op' fields"});
     return;
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ $_.receiver(function(msg) {
   
   var response = {};
   
-//  log.console(json.encode(msg))
+//  log.console(msg)
   
   try {
     switch (msg.kind) {
@@ -562,7 +562,7 @@ function handle_texture(msg) {
       });
     }
     else {
-      log.console(json.encode(msg.data))
+      log.console(msg.data)
       return {error: "Must provide either surface_id or width/height"};
     }
     
diff --git a/sound.cm b/sound.cm
index 114a3659..3a838d4e 100644
--- a/sound.cm
+++ b/sound.cm
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ function pump() {
     cleanup()
   }
 
-  $_.delay(pump, 1/240)
+  $delay(pump, 1/240)
 }
 
 pump()
diff --git a/tests/animation.ce b/tests/animation.ce
index 3f400094..078165fd 100644
--- a/tests/animation.ce
+++ b/tests/animation.ce
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ function loop(){
   }
 
   /* schedule next tick: aim for 60 Hz but won’t matter to anim speed */
-  $_.delay(loop, number.max(0, (1/60) - (os.now()-now)));
+  $delay(loop, number.max(0, (1/60) - (os.now()-now)));
 }
 loop();
 
diff --git a/tests/bunnymark.ce b/tests/bunnymark.ce
index 7695b021..bc97c123 100644
--- a/tests/bunnymark.ce
+++ b/tests/bunnymark.ce
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ function loop()
   sprite.forEach(x => x.move(x.dir.scale(dt)))
   var queue = sprite.queue()
 
-  //log.console(json.encode(queue))
+  //log.console(queue)
 
   for (var q of queue) {
     if (!q.image) continue
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ function loop()
   }
 
   var delay = (1/60) - dt
-  $_.delay(loop, delay)
+  $delay(loop, delay)
 }
 
 loop()
diff --git a/tests/camera.ce b/tests/camera.ce
index 359555b7..63a4f386 100644
--- a/tests/camera.ce
+++ b/tests/camera.ce
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ function loop()
   if (delay <= 0)
     loop()
   else
-    $_.delay(loop, delay)
+    $delay(loop, delay)
 }
 
 var sound = use('sound')
diff --git a/tests/camera_colorspace.ce b/tests/camera_colorspace.ce
index d656338e..7344816c 100644
--- a/tests/camera_colorspace.ce
+++ b/tests/camera_colorspace.ce
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ var json = use('json');
 var cameras = camera.list();
 if (cameras.length == 0) {
   log.console("No cameras found!");
-  $_. stop();
+  $ stop();
 }
 
 var cam_id = cameras[0];
@@ -69,4 +69,4 @@ for (var cs in colorspaces) {
 }
 
 log.console("\nColorspace test complete!");
-$_.stop();
\ No newline at end of file
+$stop();
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/camera_colorspace_convert.ce b/tests/camera_colorspace_convert.ce
index ef0dce74..001b5b85 100644
--- a/tests/camera_colorspace_convert.ce
+++ b/tests/camera_colorspace_convert.ce
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ var json = use('json');
 var cameras = camera.list();
 if (cameras.length == 0) {
   log.console("No cameras found!");
-  $_.stop();
+  $stop();
 }
 
 var cam_id = cameras[0];
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ log.console("Using camera:", camera.name(cam_id));
 var cam = camera.open(cam_id);
 if (!cam) {
   log.console("Failed to open camera!");
-  $_.stop();
+  $stop();
 }
 
 // Get the format being used
@@ -29,20 +29,20 @@ log.console("  Colorspace:", format.colorspace);
 
 // Handle camera approval
 var approved = false;
-$_.receiver(e => {
+$receiver(e => {
   if (e.type == 'camera_device_approved') {
     log.console("\nCamera approved!");
     approved = true;
   } else if (e.type == 'camera_device_denied') {
     log.error("Camera access denied!");
-    $_.stop();
+    $stop();
   }
 });
 
 // Wait for approval then capture
 function capture_test() {
   if (!approved) {
-    $_.delay(capture_test, 0.1);
+    $delay(capture_test, 0.1);
     return;
   }
   
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ function capture_test() {
   
   if (!surf) {
     log.console("No frame captured yet, retrying...");
-    $_.delay(capture_test, 0.1);
+    $delay(capture_test, 0.1);
     return;
   }
   
@@ -99,8 +99,8 @@ function capture_test() {
   }
   
   log.console("\nTest complete!");
-  $_.stop();
+  $stop();
 }
 
 // Start capture test after a short delay
-$_.delay(capture_test, 0.5);
\ No newline at end of file
+$delay(capture_test, 0.5);
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/draw2d.ce b/tests/draw2d.ce
index 0ed3a551..355d23f1 100644
--- a/tests/draw2d.ce
+++ b/tests/draw2d.ce
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ var graphics
 var os = use('os');
 var input = use('input')
 var math = use('math/radians')
-input.watch($_)
+input.watch($self)
 
 // Create SDL video actor
 var video_actor = use('sdl/video');
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ var video_actor = use('sdl/video');
 var window_id = null;
 var renderer_id = null;
 
-$_.receiver(e => {
-  log.console(json.encode(e))
+$receiver(e => {
+  log.console(e)
 })
 
 // Create window
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ send(video_actor, {
     graphics = use('graphics', video_actor, renderer_id)
     
     // Start drawing after a short delay
-    $_.delay(start_drawing, 0.1);
+    $delay(start_drawing, 0.1);
   });
 });
 
@@ -219,10 +219,10 @@ function start_drawing() {
     
     // Schedule next frame (60 FPS)
     if (frame < 600) { // Run for 10 seconds
-      $_.delay(draw_frame, 1/60);
+      $delay(draw_frame, 1/60);
     } else {
       log.console("Test completed - drew", frame, "frames");
-      $_.delay($_.stop, 0.5);
+      $delay($stop, 0.5);
     }
   }
   
@@ -230,4 +230,4 @@ function start_drawing() {
 }
 
 // Stop after 12 seconds if not already stopped
-$_.delay($_.stop, 12);
\ No newline at end of file
+$delay($stop, 12);
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/prosperon.ce b/tests/prosperon.ce
index ae7dfc6f..4adb68a3 100644
--- a/tests/prosperon.ce
+++ b/tests/prosperon.ce
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ function draw()
   return draw2d.get_commands()
 }
 
-$_.receiver(e => {
+$receiver(e => {
   if (e.kind == 'update')
     send(e, update(e.dt))
   else if (e.kind == 'draw')
diff --git a/tests/surface.ce b/tests/surface.ce
index d3ac3e68..23b1db2c 100644
--- a/tests/surface.ce
+++ b/tests/surface.ce
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ var Surface = use('sdl/surface');
 var surf = new Surface({width: 100, height: 100});
 log.console("Created surface:", surf.width, "x", surf.height);
 
-log.console(json.encode(surf))
+log.console(surf)
 
 // Test fill
 surf.fill([1, 0, 0, 1]); // Red
diff --git a/tests/surface_colorspace.ce b/tests/surface_colorspace.ce
index b5fb6703..933d316e 100644
--- a/tests/surface_colorspace.ce
+++ b/tests/surface_colorspace.ce
@@ -60,4 +60,4 @@ for (var i = 0; i < yuv_tests.length; i++) {
 }
 
 log.console("\nColorspace conversion test complete!");
-$_.stop();
\ No newline at end of file
+$stop();
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/webcam.ce b/tests/webcam.ce
index ed7bafa7..44e0ed57 100644
--- a/tests/webcam.ce
+++ b/tests/webcam.ce
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ var os = use('os');
 var input = use('input')
 var json = use('json')
 var surface = use('sdl/surface')
-input.watch($_)
+input.watch($self)
 
 // Create SDL video actor
 var video_actor = use('sdl/video');
@@ -19,13 +19,13 @@ var cam_approved = false;
 var webcam_texture = null;
 
 // Handle camera events
-$_.receiver(e => {
+$receiver(e => {
   if (e.type == 'camera_device_approved' && e.which == cam_id) {
     log.console("Camera approved!");
     cam_approved = true;
   } else if (e.type == 'camera_device_denied' && e.which == cam_id) {
     log.error("Camera access denied!");
-    $_.stop();
+    $stop();
   }
 })
 
@@ -69,8 +69,8 @@ send(video_actor, {
     var cameras = camera.list();
     if (cameras.length == 0) {
       log.error("No cameras found!");
-      log.console(json.encode(cameras))
-      $_.stop();
+      log.console(cameras)
+      $stop();
       return;
     }
     
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ send(video_actor, {
     
     if (!cam_obj) {
       log.error("Failed to open camera!");
-      $_.stop();
+      $stop();
       return;
     }
     
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ send(video_actor, {
     log.console("  FPS:", actual_format.framerate_numerator + "/" + actual_format.framerate_denominator);
     
     // Start capturing after a short delay to wait for approval
-    $_.delay(start_capturing, 0.5);
+    $delay(start_capturing, 0.5);
   });
 });
 
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ var captured = false
 function start_capturing() {
   if (!cam_approved) {
     log.console("Waiting for camera approval...");
-    $_.delay(start_capturing, 0.1);
+    $delay(start_capturing, 0.1);
     return;
   }
   
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ function start_capturing() {
     
     // Schedule next frame (30 FPS for webcam)
     if (frame < 300) { // Run for 10 seconds
-      $_.delay(capture_and_draw, 1/30);
+      $delay(capture_and_draw, 1/30);
     } else {
       log.console("Test completed - captured", frame, "frames");
       
@@ -245,14 +245,14 @@ function start_capturing() {
       // Note: Camera is automatically closed when the object is garbage collected
       cam_obj = null;
       
-      $_.delay($_.stop, 0.5);
+      $delay($stop, 0.5);
     }
   }
   
   capture_and_draw();
 }
 
-$_.delay(_ => {
+$delay(_ => {
   // Capture frame from camera
   var surface = cam_obj.capture().convert("rgba8888", "srgb")
   log.console('capturing!')
@@ -260,4 +260,4 @@ $_.delay(_ => {
 }, 3)
 
 // Stop after 12 seconds if not already stopped
-$_.delay($_.stop, 12);
\ No newline at end of file
+$delay($stop, 12);
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/window.ce b/tests/window.ce
index 2d0749fd..5f1f8ea9 100644
--- a/tests/window.ce
+++ b/tests/window.ce
@@ -30,11 +30,11 @@ function loop() {
   ren.draw_color([0,0,0,1])
   ren.fillrect({x:50,y:50,height:50,width:50})
   ren.present()
-  $_.delay(loop, 1/60)
+  $delay(loop, 1/60)
 }
 loop()
 
-$_.delay($_.stop, 3)
+$delay($stop, 3)
 
 var os = use('os')
 var actor = use('actor')
@@ -45,12 +45,12 @@ ioguy[cell.actor_sym] = {
 
 send(ioguy, {
   type: "subscribe",
-  actor: $_
+  actor: $self
 })
 
-$_.receiver(e => {
+$receiver(e => {
   if (e.type == 'quit')
     os.exit()
   else
-    log.console(json.encode(e))
+    log.console(e)
 })
diff --git a/tween.cm b/tween.cm
index 1e653417..3877a06e 100644
--- a/tween.cm
+++ b/tween.cm
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ Timeline.prototype.play = function() {
     this.last_tick = now
     this.current_time += dt
     this.seek(this.current_time)
-    $_.delay(loop, rate)
+    $delay(loop, rate)
   }
   loop()
 }
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ Timeline.prototype.toJSON = function() {
 // Live update loop for fire-and-forget tweens
 function live_update_loop() {
   TweenEngine.update()
-  $_.delay(live_update_loop, rate)
+  $delay(live_update_loop, rate)
 }
 
 // Factory function
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ function init(default_clock) {
 }
 
 // Auto-init with real time if not explicitly initialized
-$_.delay(() => {
+$delay(() => {
   if (!TweenEngine.default_clock) {
     init()
   }