Merge pull request 'Text-and-Fonts' (#1) from Text-and-Fonts into main

Reviewed-on: #1

CMakeLists.txt

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ set(CMAKE_CXX_EXTENSIONS OFF)
 
 set(APP_DIR "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/apps/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing")
 set(GPUDIRECT_DIR "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/3rdParty/Blackmagic DeckLink SDK 16.0/Win/Samples/NVIDIA_GPUDirect" CACHE PATH "Path to the NVIDIA_GPUDirect sample directory from the Blackmagic DeckLink SDK")
+set(SLANG_ROOT "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/3rdParty/slang-2026.8-windows-x86_64" CACHE PATH "Path to a Slang binary release containing bin/slangc.exe")
 
 if(NOT EXISTS "${APP_DIR}/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing.cpp")
 	message(FATAL_ERROR "Imported app sources were not found under ${APP_DIR}")
@@ -17,6 +18,23 @@ if(NOT EXISTS "${GPUDIRECT_DIR}/lib/x64/dvp.lib")
 	message(FATAL_ERROR "NVIDIA GPUDirect library not found under ${GPUDIRECT_DIR}")
 endif()
 
+set(SLANG_RUNTIME_FILES
+	"${SLANG_ROOT}/bin/slangc.exe"
+	"${SLANG_ROOT}/bin/slang-compiler.dll"
+	"${SLANG_ROOT}/bin/slang-glslang.dll"
+)
+
+foreach(SLANG_RUNTIME_FILE IN LISTS SLANG_RUNTIME_FILES)
+	if(NOT EXISTS "${SLANG_RUNTIME_FILE}")
+		message(FATAL_ERROR "Required Slang runtime file not found: ${SLANG_RUNTIME_FILE}")
+	endif()
+endforeach()
+
+set(SLANG_LICENSE_FILE "${SLANG_ROOT}/LICENSE")
+if(NOT EXISTS "${SLANG_LICENSE_FILE}")
+	message(FATAL_ERROR "Slang license file not found: ${SLANG_LICENSE_FILE}")
+endif()
+
 set(APP_SOURCES
 	"${APP_DIR}/ControlServer.cpp"
 	"${APP_DIR}/ControlServer.h"
@@ -69,6 +87,7 @@ target_link_libraries(LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing PRIVATE
 	Ws2_32
 	Crypt32
 	Advapi32
+	Gdiplus
 )
 
 target_compile_definitions(LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing PRIVATE
@@ -161,6 +180,15 @@ install(FILES "${GPUDIRECT_DIR}/bin/x64/dvp.dll"
 	DESTINATION "."
 )
 
+install(FILES ${SLANG_RUNTIME_FILES}
+	DESTINATION "3rdParty/slang/bin"
+)
+
+install(FILES "${SLANG_LICENSE_FILE}"
+	DESTINATION "third_party_notices"
+	RENAME "SLANG_LICENSE.txt"
+)
+
 install(DIRECTORY "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/config/"
 	DESTINATION "config"
 )

LICENSE

@@ -0,0 +1,674 @@
+                    GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
+                       Version 3, 29 June 2007
+
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+otherwise) that contradict the conditions of this License, they do not
+excuse you from the conditions of this License.  If you cannot convey a
+covered work so as to satisfy simultaneously your obligations under this
+License and any other pertinent obligations, then as a consequence you may
+not convey it at all.  For example, if you agree to terms that obligate you
+to collect a royalty for further conveying from those to whom you convey
+the Program, the only way you could satisfy both those terms and this
+License would be to refrain entirely from conveying the Program.
+
+  13. Use with the GNU Affero General Public License.
+
+  Notwithstanding any other provision of this License, you have
+permission to link or combine any covered work with a work licensed
+under version 3 of the GNU Affero General Public License into a single
+combined work, and to convey the resulting work.  The terms of this
+License will continue to apply to the part which is the covered work,
+but the special requirements of the GNU Affero General Public License,
+section 13, concerning interaction through a network will apply to the
+combination as such.
+
+  14. Revised Versions of this License.
+
+  The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions of
+the GNU General Public License from time to time.  Such new versions will
+be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to
+address new problems or concerns.
+
+  Each version is given a distinguishing version number.  If the
+Program specifies that a certain numbered version of the GNU General
+Public License "or any later version" applies to it, you have the
+option of following the terms and conditions either of that numbered
+version or of any later version published by the Free Software
+Foundation.  If the Program does not specify a version number of the
+GNU General Public License, you may choose any version ever published
+by the Free Software Foundation.
+
+  If the Program specifies that a proxy can decide which future
+versions of the GNU General Public License can be used, that proxy's
+public statement of acceptance of a version permanently authorizes you
+to choose that version for the Program.
+
+  Later license versions may give you additional or different
+permissions.  However, no additional obligations are imposed on any
+author or copyright holder as a result of your choosing to follow a
+later version.
+
+  15. Disclaimer of Warranty.
+
+  THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE PROGRAM, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY
+APPLICABLE LAW.  EXCEPT WHEN OTHERWISE STATED IN WRITING THE COPYRIGHT
+HOLDERS AND/OR OTHER PARTIES PROVIDE THE PROGRAM "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY
+OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
+THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
+PURPOSE.  THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM
+IS WITH YOU.  SHOULD THE PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF
+ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION.
+
+  16. Limitation of Liability.
+
+  IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING
+WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MODIFIES AND/OR CONVEYS
+THE PROGRAM AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY
+GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE
+USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF
+DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY YOU OR THIRD
+PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER PROGRAMS),
+EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
+SUCH DAMAGES.
+
+  17. Interpretation of Sections 15 and 16.
+
+  If the disclaimer of warranty and limitation of liability provided
+above cannot be given local legal effect according to their terms,
+reviewing courts shall apply local law that most closely approximates
+an absolute waiver of all civil liability in connection with the
+Program, unless a warranty or assumption of liability accompanies a
+copy of the Program in return for a fee.
+
+                     END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
+
+            How to Apply These Terms to Your New Programs
+
+  If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest
+possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it
+free software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms.
+
+  To do so, attach the following notices to the program.  It is safest
+to attach them to the start of each source file to most effectively
+state the exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least
+the "copyright" line and a pointer to where the full notice is found.
+
+    <one line to give the program's name and a brief idea of what it does.>
+    Copyright (C) <year>  <name of author>
+
+    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+    GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail.
+
+  If the program does terminal interaction, make it output a short
+notice like this when it starts in an interactive mode:
+
+    <program>  Copyright (C) <year>  <name of author>
+    This program comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; for details type `show w'.
+    This is free software, and you are welcome to redistribute it
+    under certain conditions; type `show c' for details.
+
+The hypothetical commands `show w' and `show c' should show the appropriate
+parts of the General Public License.  Of course, your program's commands
+might be different; for a GUI interface, you would use an "about box".
+
+  You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or school,
+if any, to sign a "copyright disclaimer" for the program, if necessary.
+For more information on this, and how to apply and follow the GNU GPL, see
+<https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+  The GNU General Public License does not permit incorporating your program
+into proprietary programs.  If your program is a subroutine library, you
+may consider it more useful to permit linking proprietary applications with
+the library.  If this is what you want to do, use the GNU Lesser General
+Public License instead of this License.  But first, please read
+<https://www.gnu.org/licenses/why-not-lgpl.html>.

README.md

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ The app loads shader packages from `shaders/`, compiles Slang to GLSL at runtime
 - CMake 3.24 or newer.
 - Node.js and npm for the control UI.
 - Blackmagic DeckLink SDK 16.0 with the NVIDIA GPUDirect sample files available locally.
-- Slang compiler available under the repo/tooling paths expected by the runtime, or otherwise discoverable by the existing app setup.
+- Slang binary release with `slangc.exe`, `slang-compiler.dll`, `slang-glslang.dll`, and `LICENSE`.
 
 The Blackmagic/GPUDirect SDK should not be committed to this repository. `CMakeLists.txt` exposes `GPUDIRECT_DIR` as a cache path so local machines and CI runners can point at their installed SDK location.
 
@@ -37,6 +37,18 @@ Override example:
 cmake --preset vs2022-x64-debug -DGPUDIRECT_DIR="D:/SDKs/Blackmagic DeckLink SDK 16.0/Win/Samples/NVIDIA_GPUDirect"
 ```
 
+Default expected Slang path:
+
+```text
+3rdParty/slang-2026.8-windows-x86_64
+```
+
+Override example:
+
+```powershell
+cmake --preset vs2022-x64-debug -DSLANG_ROOT="D:/SDKs/slang-2026.8-windows-x86_64"
+```
+
 ## Build
 
 Configure and build the native app:
@@ -78,11 +90,15 @@ dist/VideoShader/
   dvp.dll
   config/
   shaders/
+  3rdParty/slang/bin/
   ui/dist/
   runtime/templates/
+  third_party_notices/
 ```
 
-You can run `LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing.exe` directly from that folder. In packaged mode, the app resolves `config/`, `shaders/`, `ui/dist/`, and `runtime/templates/` relative to the exe folder. In development mode, it still falls back to repo-root discovery.
+You can run `LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing.exe` directly from that folder. In packaged mode, the app resolves `config/`, `shaders/`, `3rdParty/slang/bin/slangc.exe`, `ui/dist/`, and `runtime/templates/` relative to the exe folder. In development mode, it still falls back to repo-root discovery.
+
+The install step copies only the Slang runtime files required by the shader compiler (`slangc.exe`, `slang-compiler.dll`, and `slang-glslang.dll`) plus `third_party_notices/SLANG_LICENSE.txt`. It does not copy the full Slang release folder.
 
 Create a zip for distribution:
 
@@ -140,6 +156,12 @@ The control UI is available at:
 http://127.0.0.1:<serverPort>
 ```
 
+## Runtime State And Presets
+
+The current layer stack is autosaved to `runtime/runtime_state.json` whenever layers, shader assignments, bypass state, ordering, or parameter values change. On startup, the host reloads that file before compiling the stack, so the last working stack should come back automatically.
+
+Manual stack presets are still available from the control UI and are saved under `runtime/stack_presets/*.json`. Presets are useful for named looks, while `runtime_state.json` is the latest working state for the local machine.
+
 ## Control API
 
 The local REST control API is documented as an OpenAPI/Swagger spec:
@@ -181,9 +203,10 @@ Each shader package lives under:
 shaders/<id>/
   shader.json
   shader.slang
+  optional-font-or-texture-assets
 ```
 
-See `SHADER_CONTRACT.md` for the manifest schema, parameter types, texture assets, temporal history support, and the Slang entry point contract.
+See `SHADER_CONTRACT.md` for the manifest schema, parameter types, texture assets, font/text assets, temporal history support, and the Slang entry point contract. `shaders/text-overlay/` is the reference live text package and bundles Roboto Regular with its OFL license.
 
 ## Generated Files
 
@@ -192,7 +215,7 @@ Runtime-generated files are intentionally ignored:
 - `runtime/shader_cache/active_shader_wrapper.slang`
 - `runtime/shader_cache/active_shader.raw.frag`
 - `runtime/shader_cache/active_shader.frag`
-- `runtime/runtime_state.json`
+- `runtime/runtime_state.json` autosaved latest stack and parameter state.
 - `runtime/stack_presets/*.json`
 
 Only `runtime/templates/` and `runtime/README.md` are tracked.
@@ -205,3 +228,18 @@ The Gitea workflow expects two act runners:
 - `ubuntu-latest`: installs UI dependencies and runs the Vite build.
 
 If your Windows runner stores the Blackmagic SDK outside the repo, configure `GPUDIRECT_DIR` in the runner environment or adjust the workflow configure command to pass `-DGPUDIRECT_DIR=...`.
+
+
+## Still todo
+Audio
+improve text rendering
+genlock
+Logs
+anamorphic desqueeze
+solid color layer
+refactor, cleanup of source files
+display URL (Maybe clicakable) for control in the windows app (Not on the output)
+Sound shader as seperate .slang in shader package?
+runtime date time UTC and offset from PCs internal clock
+Add a value control to the color wheels
+![alt text](image.png)

SHADER_CONTRACT.md

@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ Optional fields:
 - `category`: UI grouping label.
 - `entryPoint`: Slang function to call. Defaults to `shadeVideo`.
 - `textures`: texture assets to load and expose as samplers.
+- `fonts`: packaged font assets for live text parameters.
 - `temporal`: history-buffer requirements.
 
 Shader-visible identifiers must be valid Slang-style identifiers:
@@ -80,6 +81,7 @@ Shader-visible identifiers must be valid Slang-style identifiers:
 - `entryPoint`
 - parameter `id`
 - texture `id`
+- font `id`
 
 Use letters, numbers, and underscores only, and start with a letter or underscore. For example, `logoTexture` is valid; `logo-texture` is not valid as a shader-visible texture ID.
 
@@ -180,6 +182,7 @@ Supported types:
 | `color` | `float4` | `[r, g, b, a]` |
 | `bool` | `bool` | `true` or `false` |
 | `enum` | `int` | selected option index |
+| `text` | generated texture/helper | string |
 
 Float example:
 
@@ -278,12 +281,42 @@ else if (mode == 2)
 }
 ```
 
+Text example:
+
+```json
+{
+  "fonts": [
+    { "id": "inter", "path": "fonts/Inter-Regular.ttf" }
+  ],
+  "parameters": [
+    {
+      "id": "titleText",
+      "label": "Title",
+      "type": "text",
+      "default": "LIVE",
+      "font": "inter",
+      "maxLength": 64
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+Text parameters are runtime-owned strings. They are not emitted as uniform values. Instead, the runtime renders the current string into a single-line SDF mask texture and the shader wrapper exposes helpers based on the parameter id:
+
+```slang
+float mask = sampleTitleText(textUv);
+float4 premultipliedText = drawTitleText(textUv, float4(1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0));
+```
+
+Text is currently limited to printable ASCII. `maxLength` defaults to `64` and is clamped to `1..256`. The optional `font` field references a packaged font declared in `fonts`; if no font is specified, the runtime uses its fallback sans-serif renderer.
+
 Parameter validation:
 
 - Float values are clamped to `min`/`max` if provided.
 - `vec2` must have exactly 2 numbers.
 - `color` must have exactly 4 numbers.
 - Enum defaults must match one of the declared option values.
+- Text defaults must be strings. Non-printable characters are dropped and values are clamped to `maxLength`.
 - Non-finite numeric values are rejected.
 
 ## Texture Assets
@@ -323,6 +356,31 @@ return float4(logo.rgb * alpha, alpha);
 
 See `shaders/dvd-bounce/` for a complete texture-driven example.
 
+## Font Assets
+
+Declare packaged font assets in the manifest:
+
+```json
+{
+  "fonts": [
+    {
+      "id": "inter",
+      "path": "fonts/Inter-Regular.ttf"
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+Rules:
+
+- `id` must be a valid shader identifier.
+- `path` is relative to the shader package directory.
+- The file must exist when the manifest is loaded.
+- Font asset changes trigger shader reload.
+- V1 text layout is single-line; shaders position and scale the generated text texture themselves.
+
+See `shaders/text-overlay/` for a complete live text example. The sample bundles Roboto Regular and includes its OFL license beside the font file.
+
 ## Temporal Shaders
 
 Temporal shaders can request access to previous frames.
@@ -401,6 +459,7 @@ These files are ignored by git and are useful for debugging compiler output. If
 - Do not write a `[shader("fragment")]` entry point in `shader.slang`; the runtime provides it.
 - Remember enum globals are integer indexes, not strings.
 - Declare every texture in `shader.json`; undeclared texture samplers will not be bound.
+- Declare packaged fonts in `shader.json` when text parameters should use a specific font.
 - Keep temporal history requests modest. They consume texture units and memory and are capped by runtime config.
 - If a parameter appears in the UI but not in Slang, the shader may still compile, but the control has no effect.
 - If a Slang name collides with a generated global, rename your parameter or local symbol.
@@ -414,6 +473,7 @@ Before committing a new shader package:
 - `entryPoint`, parameter IDs, and texture IDs are valid identifiers.
 - `shader.slang` implements the configured entry point.
 - Texture files referenced by `textures` exist.
+- Font files referenced by `fonts` exist.
 - Enum defaults are present in their `options`.
 - Temporal shaders handle short or empty history gracefully.
 - The app can reload and compile the shader without errors.

apps/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing/ControlServer.cpp

@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 
 namespace
 {
+constexpr DWORD kStateBroadcastIntervalMs = 250;
+
 bool InitializeWinsock(std::string& error)
 {
 	WSADATA wsaData = {};
@@ -165,9 +167,18 @@ void ControlServer::BroadcastState()
 
 void ControlServer::ServerLoop()
 {
+	DWORD lastStateBroadcastMs = GetTickCount();
 	while (mRunning)
 	{
 		TryAcceptClient();
+
+		const DWORD nowMs = GetTickCount();
+		if (nowMs - lastStateBroadcastMs >= kStateBroadcastIntervalMs)
+		{
+			BroadcastState();
+			lastStateBroadcastMs = nowMs;
+		}
+
 		Sleep(25);
 	}
 }

apps/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing.cpp

@@ -252,6 +252,11 @@ LRESULT CALLBACK WndProc(HWND hWnd, UINT message, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 				wglMakeCurrent( NULL, NULL );
 				if (pOpenGLComposite->Start())
 					break;						// success
+				MessageBoxA(NULL, "The OpenGL/DeckLink runtime initialized, but playout failed to start. See the previous DeckLink start message for the failing call.", "Startup failed", MB_OK | MB_ICONERROR);
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				MessageBoxA(NULL, "The OpenGL/DeckLink runtime failed to initialize. See the previous initialization message for the failing call.", "Startup failed", MB_OK | MB_ICONERROR);
 			}
 
 			// Failed to initialize - cleanup

apps/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing/OpenGLComposite.cpp

@@ -47,7 +47,11 @@
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <cstring>
 #include <cctype>
+#include <fstream>
+#include <gdiplus.h>
 #include <wincodec.h>
+#include <limits>
+#include <memory>
 #include <set>
 #include <sstream>
 #include <string>
@@ -63,6 +67,13 @@ constexpr GLuint kDecodedVideoTextureUnit = 1;
 constexpr GLuint kSourceHistoryTextureUnitBase = 2;
 constexpr GLuint kPackedVideoTextureUnit = 2;
 constexpr GLuint kGlobalParamsBindingPoint = 0;
+constexpr unsigned kPrerollFrameCount = 8;
+constexpr unsigned kTextTextureWidth = 2048;
+constexpr unsigned kTextTextureHeight = 256;
+constexpr int kTextSdfSpread = 20;
+constexpr unsigned kTextSdfBlurPasses = 1;
+constexpr float kTextFontPixelSize = 144.0f;
+constexpr float kTextLayoutPadding = 48.0f;
 const char* kVertexShaderSource =
 	"#version 430 core\n"
 	"out vec2 vTexCoord;\n"
@@ -99,6 +110,31 @@ const char* kDecodeFragmentShaderSource =
 	"	fragColor = rec709YCbCr2rgba(ySample, macroPixel.b, macroPixel.r, 1.0);\n"
 	"}\n";
 
+class GdiplusSession
+{
+public:
+	GdiplusSession()
+	{
+		Gdiplus::GdiplusStartupInput startupInput;
+		mStarted = Gdiplus::GdiplusStartup(&mToken, &startupInput, NULL) == Gdiplus::Ok;
+	}
+
+	~GdiplusSession()
+	{
+		if (mStarted)
+			Gdiplus::GdiplusShutdown(mToken);
+	}
+
+	GdiplusSession(const GdiplusSession&) = delete;
+	GdiplusSession& operator=(const GdiplusSession&) = delete;
+
+	bool started() const { return mStarted; }
+
+private:
+	ULONG_PTR mToken = 0;
+	bool mStarted = false;
+};
+
 void CopyErrorMessage(const std::string& message, int errorMessageSize, char* errorMessage)
 {
 	if (!errorMessage || errorMessageSize <= 0)
@@ -107,6 +143,305 @@ void CopyErrorMessage(const std::string& message, int errorMessageSize, char* er
 	strncpy_s(errorMessage, errorMessageSize, message.c_str(), _TRUNCATE);
 }
 
+std::wstring Utf8ToWide(const std::string& text)
+{
+	if (text.empty())
+		return std::wstring();
+	const int required = MultiByteToWideChar(CP_UTF8, 0, text.c_str(), -1, NULL, 0);
+	if (required <= 1)
+		return std::wstring();
+	std::wstring wide(static_cast<std::size_t>(required - 1), L'\0');
+	MultiByteToWideChar(CP_UTF8, 0, text.c_str(), -1, wide.data(), required);
+	return wide;
+}
+
+std::string TextValueForBinding(const RuntimeRenderState& state, const std::string& parameterId)
+{
+	auto valueIt = state.parameterValues.find(parameterId);
+	return valueIt == state.parameterValues.end() ? std::string() : valueIt->second.textValue;
+}
+
+const ShaderFontAsset* FindFontAssetForParameter(const RuntimeRenderState& state, const ShaderParameterDefinition& definition)
+{
+	if (!definition.fontId.empty())
+	{
+		for (const ShaderFontAsset& fontAsset : state.fontAssets)
+		{
+			if (fontAsset.id == definition.fontId)
+				return &fontAsset;
+		}
+	}
+	return state.fontAssets.empty() ? nullptr : &state.fontAssets.front();
+}
+
+std::vector<unsigned char> BuildLocalSdf(const std::vector<unsigned char>& alpha, unsigned width, unsigned height)
+{
+	std::vector<unsigned char> sdf(static_cast<std::size_t>(width) * height * 4, 0);
+	for (unsigned y = 0; y < height; ++y)
+	{
+		for (unsigned x = 0; x < width; ++x)
+		{
+			const bool inside = alpha[static_cast<std::size_t>(y) * width + x] > 127;
+			int bestDistanceSq = kTextSdfSpread * kTextSdfSpread;
+			for (int oy = -kTextSdfSpread; oy <= kTextSdfSpread; ++oy)
+			{
+				const int sy = static_cast<int>(y) + oy;
+				if (sy < 0 || sy >= static_cast<int>(height))
+					continue;
+				for (int ox = -kTextSdfSpread; ox <= kTextSdfSpread; ++ox)
+				{
+					const int sx = static_cast<int>(x) + ox;
+					if (sx < 0 || sx >= static_cast<int>(width))
+						continue;
+					const bool sampleInside = alpha[static_cast<std::size_t>(sy) * width + sx] > 127;
+					if (sampleInside == inside)
+						continue;
+					const int distanceSq = ox * ox + oy * oy;
+					if (distanceSq < bestDistanceSq)
+						bestDistanceSq = distanceSq;
+				}
+			}
+
+			const float distance = std::sqrt(static_cast<float>(bestDistanceSq));
+			const float signedDistance = (inside ? 1.0f : -1.0f) * distance;
+			float normalized = 0.5f + signedDistance / static_cast<float>(kTextSdfSpread * 2);
+			const unsigned char sourceAlpha = alpha[static_cast<std::size_t>(y) * width + x];
+			if (sourceAlpha > 0 && sourceAlpha < 255)
+				normalized = static_cast<float>(sourceAlpha) / 255.0f;
+			if (normalized < 0.0f)
+				normalized = 0.0f;
+			if (normalized > 1.0f)
+				normalized = 1.0f;
+			const unsigned char value = static_cast<unsigned char>(normalized * 255.0f + 0.5f);
+			const std::size_t out = (static_cast<std::size_t>(y) * width + x) * 4;
+			sdf[out + 0] = value;
+			sdf[out + 1] = value;
+			sdf[out + 2] = value;
+			sdf[out + 3] = value;
+		}
+	}
+	return sdf;
+}
+
+std::vector<unsigned char> BuildTextCoverageTexture(const std::vector<unsigned char>& alpha, unsigned width, unsigned height)
+{
+	std::vector<unsigned char> coverage(static_cast<std::size_t>(width) * height * 4, 0);
+	for (unsigned y = 0; y < height; ++y)
+	{
+		for (unsigned x = 0; x < width; ++x)
+		{
+			const unsigned char value = alpha[static_cast<std::size_t>(y) * width + x];
+			const std::size_t out = (static_cast<std::size_t>(y) * width + x) * 4;
+			coverage[out + 0] = value;
+			coverage[out + 1] = value;
+			coverage[out + 2] = value;
+			coverage[out + 3] = value;
+		}
+	}
+	return coverage;
+}
+
+std::vector<unsigned char> FlipTextTextureForShaderUv(const std::vector<unsigned char>& pixels, unsigned width, unsigned height)
+{
+	std::vector<unsigned char> flipped(pixels.size(), 0);
+	const std::size_t stride = static_cast<std::size_t>(width) * 4;
+	for (unsigned y = 0; y < height; ++y)
+	{
+		const std::size_t srcOffset = static_cast<std::size_t>(y) * stride;
+		const std::size_t dstOffset = static_cast<std::size_t>(height - 1 - y) * stride;
+		std::memcpy(flipped.data() + dstOffset, pixels.data() + srcOffset, stride);
+	}
+	return flipped;
+}
+
+std::vector<unsigned char> BlurTextSdf(const std::vector<unsigned char>& pixels, unsigned width, unsigned height, unsigned passes)
+{
+	std::vector<unsigned char> current = pixels;
+	std::vector<unsigned char> next(pixels.size(), 0);
+	for (unsigned pass = 0; pass < passes; ++pass)
+	{
+		for (unsigned y = 0; y < height; ++y)
+		{
+			for (unsigned x = 0; x < width; ++x)
+			{
+				unsigned weightedTotal = 0;
+				unsigned weightSum = 0;
+				for (int oy = -1; oy <= 1; ++oy)
+				{
+					const int sy = static_cast<int>(y) + oy;
+					if (sy < 0 || sy >= static_cast<int>(height))
+						continue;
+					for (int ox = -1; ox <= 1; ++ox)
+					{
+						const int sx = static_cast<int>(x) + ox;
+						if (sx < 0 || sx >= static_cast<int>(width))
+							continue;
+						const unsigned weight = (ox == 0 && oy == 0) ? 4u : ((ox == 0 || oy == 0) ? 2u : 1u);
+						const std::size_t sample = (static_cast<std::size_t>(sy) * width + sx) * 4;
+						weightedTotal += static_cast<unsigned>(current[sample]) * weight;
+						weightSum += weight;
+					}
+				}
+
+				const unsigned char value = static_cast<unsigned char>((weightedTotal + weightSum / 2) / weightSum);
+				const std::size_t out = (static_cast<std::size_t>(y) * width + x) * 4;
+				next[out + 0] = value;
+				next[out + 1] = value;
+				next[out + 2] = value;
+				next[out + 3] = value;
+			}
+		}
+		current.swap(next);
+	}
+	return current;
+}
+
+void WriteTextMaskDebugDump(const std::string& text, const std::vector<unsigned char>& alpha, const std::vector<unsigned char>& sdf, unsigned width, unsigned height)
+{
+	try
+	{
+		std::filesystem::path debugDir = std::filesystem::current_path() / "runtime";
+		std::filesystem::create_directories(debugDir);
+
+		auto writePgm = [width, height](const std::filesystem::path& path, const std::vector<unsigned char>& gray, std::size_t stride)
+		{
+			std::ofstream out(path, std::ios::binary);
+			if (!out)
+				return;
+			out << "P5\n" << width << " " << height << "\n255\n";
+			for (unsigned y = 0; y < height; ++y)
+			{
+				for (unsigned x = 0; x < width; ++x)
+					out.put(static_cast<char>(gray[(static_cast<std::size_t>(y) * width + x) * stride]));
+			}
+		};
+
+		writePgm(debugDir / "text-mask-alpha-debug.pgm", alpha, 1);
+		writePgm(debugDir / "text-mask-sdf-debug.pgm", sdf, 4);
+
+		unsigned alphaMin = 255;
+		unsigned alphaMax = 0;
+		unsigned sdfMin = 255;
+		unsigned sdfMax = 0;
+		std::size_t alphaLit = 0;
+		std::size_t sdfLit = 0;
+		for (unsigned char value : alpha)
+		{
+			alphaMin = std::min<unsigned>(alphaMin, value);
+			alphaMax = std::max<unsigned>(alphaMax, value);
+			if (value > 0)
+				++alphaLit;
+		}
+		for (std::size_t index = 0; index < sdf.size(); index += 4)
+		{
+			const unsigned char value = sdf[index];
+			sdfMin = std::min<unsigned>(sdfMin, value);
+			sdfMax = std::max<unsigned>(sdfMax, value);
+			if (value > 127)
+				++sdfLit;
+		}
+
+		std::ostringstream message;
+		message << "Text mask debug for '" << text << "': alpha min/max/lit=" << alphaMin << "/" << alphaMax << "/" << alphaLit
+			<< ", sdf min/max/gt127=" << sdfMin << "/" << sdfMax << "/" << sdfLit << "\n";
+		OutputDebugStringA(message.str().c_str());
+	}
+	catch (...)
+	{
+		OutputDebugStringA("Failed to write text mask debug dump.\n");
+	}
+}
+
+GLint FindSamplerUniformLocation(GLuint program, const std::string& samplerName)
+{
+	GLint location = glGetUniformLocation(program, samplerName.c_str());
+	if (location >= 0)
+		return location;
+	return glGetUniformLocation(program, (samplerName + "_0").c_str());
+}
+
+bool RasterizeTextSdf(const std::string& text, const std::filesystem::path& fontPath, std::vector<unsigned char>& sdf, std::string& error)
+{
+	GdiplusSession gdiplus;
+	if (!gdiplus.started())
+	{
+		error = "Could not start GDI+ for text rendering.";
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	Gdiplus::PrivateFontCollection fontCollection;
+	Gdiplus::FontFamily fallbackFamily(L"Arial");
+	Gdiplus::FontFamily* fontFamily = &fallbackFamily;
+	std::unique_ptr<Gdiplus::FontFamily[]> families;
+	const std::wstring wideFontPath = fontPath.empty() ? std::wstring() : fontPath.wstring();
+	if (!wideFontPath.empty())
+	{
+		if (fontCollection.AddFontFile(wideFontPath.c_str()) != Gdiplus::Ok)
+		{
+			error = "Could not load packaged font file for text rendering: " + fontPath.string();
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		const INT familyCount = fontCollection.GetFamilyCount();
+		if (familyCount <= 0)
+		{
+			error = "Packaged font did not contain a usable font family: " + fontPath.string();
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		families.reset(new Gdiplus::FontFamily[familyCount]);
+		INT found = 0;
+		if (fontCollection.GetFamilies(familyCount, families.get(), &found) != Gdiplus::Ok || found <= 0)
+		{
+			error = "Could not read the packaged font family: " + fontPath.string();
+			return false;
+		}
+		fontFamily = &families[0];
+	}
+
+	Gdiplus::Bitmap bitmap(kTextTextureWidth, kTextTextureHeight, PixelFormat32bppARGB);
+	Gdiplus::Graphics graphics(&bitmap);
+	graphics.SetCompositingMode(Gdiplus::CompositingModeSourceCopy);
+	graphics.Clear(Gdiplus::Color(255, 0, 0, 0));
+	graphics.SetCompositingMode(Gdiplus::CompositingModeSourceOver);
+	graphics.SetTextRenderingHint(Gdiplus::TextRenderingHintAntiAlias);
+	graphics.SetSmoothingMode(Gdiplus::SmoothingModeHighQuality);
+	Gdiplus::Font font(fontFamily, kTextFontPixelSize, Gdiplus::FontStyleRegular, Gdiplus::UnitPixel);
+	Gdiplus::SolidBrush brush(Gdiplus::Color(255, 255, 255, 255));
+	Gdiplus::StringFormat format;
+	format.SetAlignment(Gdiplus::StringAlignmentNear);
+	format.SetLineAlignment(Gdiplus::StringAlignmentCenter);
+	format.SetFormatFlags(Gdiplus::StringFormatFlagsNoWrap | Gdiplus::StringFormatFlagsMeasureTrailingSpaces);
+	const Gdiplus::RectF layout(
+		kTextLayoutPadding,
+		0.0f,
+		static_cast<Gdiplus::REAL>(kTextTextureWidth) - (kTextLayoutPadding * 2.0f),
+		static_cast<Gdiplus::REAL>(kTextTextureHeight));
+	const std::wstring wideText = Utf8ToWide(text);
+	graphics.DrawString(wideText.c_str(), -1, &font, layout, &format, &brush);
+
+	std::vector<unsigned char> alpha(static_cast<std::size_t>(kTextTextureWidth) * kTextTextureHeight, 0);
+	for (unsigned y = 0; y < kTextTextureHeight; ++y)
+	{
+		for (unsigned x = 0; x < kTextTextureWidth; ++x)
+		{
+			Gdiplus::Color pixel;
+			bitmap.GetPixel(x, y, &pixel);
+			BYTE luminance = pixel.GetRed();
+			if (pixel.GetGreen() > luminance)
+				luminance = pixel.GetGreen();
+			if (pixel.GetBlue() > luminance)
+				luminance = pixel.GetBlue();
+			alpha[static_cast<std::size_t>(y) * kTextTextureWidth + x] = static_cast<unsigned char>(luminance);
+		}
+	}
+	sdf = BuildTextCoverageTexture(alpha, kTextTextureWidth, kTextTextureHeight);
+	sdf = BlurTextSdf(sdf, kTextTextureWidth, kTextTextureHeight, kTextSdfBlurPasses);
+	sdf = FlipTextTextureForShaderUv(sdf, kTextTextureWidth, kTextTextureHeight);
+	WriteTextMaskDebugDump(text, alpha, sdf, kTextTextureWidth, kTextTextureHeight);
+	return true;
+}
+
 std::string NormalizeModeToken(const std::string& value)
 {
 	std::string normalized;
@@ -465,6 +800,7 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::InitDeckLink()
 	BMDDisplayMode					outputDisplayMode = bmdModeHD1080p5994;
 	std::string						inputDisplayModeName = "1080p59.94";
 	std::string						outputDisplayModeName = "1080p59.94";
+	std::string						initFailureReason;
 	int								outputFrameRowBytes;
 	HRESULT							result;
 
@@ -549,8 +885,8 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::InitDeckLink()
 			continue;
 		}
 
-		// Use a full duplex device as capture and playback, or half-duplex device
+		// Preserve the original input-then-output selection for half-duplex cards.
-		// as capture or playback.
+		// Input is optional later, but choosing output first can pick the wrong card.
 		bool inputUsed = false;
 		if (!mDLInput && pDL->QueryInterface(IID_IDeckLinkInput, (void**)&mDLInput) == S_OK)
 			inputUsed = true;
@@ -574,26 +910,29 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::InitDeckLink()
 			break;
 	}
 
-	if (! mDLOutput || ! mDLInput)
+	if (!mDLOutput)
 	{
-		MessageBox(NULL, _T("Expected both Input and Output DeckLink devices"), _T("This application requires two DeckLink devices."), MB_OK);
+		MessageBox(NULL, _T("Expected an Output DeckLink device"), _T("This application requires a DeckLink output device."), MB_OK);
 		goto error;
 	}
 
-	if (mDLInput->GetDisplayModeIterator(&pDLInputDisplayModeIterator) != S_OK)
+	if (mDLInput && mDLInput->GetDisplayModeIterator(&pDLInputDisplayModeIterator) != S_OK)
 	{
 		MessageBox(NULL, _T("Cannot get input Display Mode Iterator."), _T("DeckLink error."), MB_OK);
 		goto error;
 	}
 
-	if (!FindDeckLinkDisplayMode(pDLInputDisplayModeIterator, inputDisplayMode, &pDLInputDisplayMode))
+	if (mDLInput && !FindDeckLinkDisplayMode(pDLInputDisplayModeIterator, inputDisplayMode, &pDLInputDisplayMode))
 	{
 		const std::string error = "Cannot get specified input BMDDisplayMode for configured mode: " + inputDisplayModeName;
 		MessageBoxA(NULL, error.c_str(), "DeckLink input error.", MB_OK);
 		goto error;
 	}
-	pDLInputDisplayModeIterator->Release();
+	if (pDLInputDisplayModeIterator)
-	pDLInputDisplayModeIterator = NULL;
+	{
+		pDLInputDisplayModeIterator->Release();
+		pDLInputDisplayModeIterator = NULL;
+	}
 
 	if (mDLOutput->GetDisplayModeIterator(&pDLOutputDisplayModeIterator) != S_OK)
 	{
@@ -610,13 +949,18 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::InitDeckLink()
 	pDLOutputDisplayModeIterator->Release();
 	pDLOutputDisplayModeIterator = NULL;
 
-	mInputFrameWidth = pDLInputDisplayMode->GetWidth();
-	mInputFrameHeight = pDLInputDisplayMode->GetHeight();
 	mOutputFrameWidth = pDLOutputDisplayMode->GetWidth();
 	mOutputFrameHeight = pDLOutputDisplayMode->GetHeight();
+	mInputFrameWidth = pDLInputDisplayMode ? pDLInputDisplayMode->GetWidth() : mOutputFrameWidth;
+	mInputFrameHeight = pDLInputDisplayMode ? pDLInputDisplayMode->GetHeight() : mOutputFrameHeight;
+	if (!mDLInput)
+		mInputDisplayModeName = "No input - black frame";
 
 	if (! CheckOpenGLExtensions())
+	{
+		initFailureReason = "OpenGL extension checks failed.";
 		goto error;
+	}
 	if (mInputFrameWidth != mOutputFrameWidth || mInputFrameHeight != mOutputFrameHeight)
 	{
 		mFastTransferExtensionAvailable = false;
@@ -624,7 +968,10 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::InitDeckLink()
 	}
 
 	if (! InitOpenGLState())
+	{
+		initFailureReason = "OpenGL state initialization failed.";
 		goto error;
+	}
 
 	if (mRuntimeHost)
 	{
@@ -659,26 +1006,51 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::InitDeckLink()
 		}
 	}
 
+	if (mDLInput)
 	{
 		// Use custom allocators so we pin only once then recycle them
 		CComPtr<IDeckLinkVideoBufferAllocatorProvider> captureAllocator(new (std::nothrow) InputAllocatorPool(hGLDC, hGLRC));
 
 		if (mDLInput->EnableVideoInputWithAllocatorProvider(inputDisplayMode, bmdFormat8BitYUV, bmdVideoInputFlagDefault, captureAllocator) != S_OK)
-			goto error;
+		{
+			OutputDebugStringA("DeckLink input could not be enabled; continuing in output-only black-frame mode.\n");
+			mDLInput->Release();
+			mDLInput = NULL;
+			mHasNoInputSource = true;
+			mInputDisplayModeName = "No input - black frame";
+			if (mRuntimeHost)
+				mRuntimeHost->SetSignalStatus(false, mInputFrameWidth, mInputFrameHeight, mInputDisplayModeName);
+		}
 	}
 
-	mCaptureDelegate = new CaptureDelegate(this);
+	if (mDLInput)
-	if (mDLInput->SetCallback(mCaptureDelegate) != S_OK)
+	{
-		goto error;
+		mCaptureDelegate = new CaptureDelegate(this);
+		if (mDLInput->SetCallback(mCaptureDelegate) != S_OK)
+		{
+			initFailureReason = "DeckLink input setup failed while installing the capture callback.";
+			goto error;
+		}
+	}
+	else if (mRuntimeHost)
+	{
+		mRuntimeHost->SetSignalStatus(false, mInputFrameWidth, mInputFrameHeight, mInputDisplayModeName);
+	}
 
 	if (mDLOutput->RowBytesForPixelFormat(bmdFormat8BitBGRA, mOutputFrameWidth, &outputFrameRowBytes) != S_OK)
+	{
+		initFailureReason = "DeckLink output setup failed while calculating BGRA row bytes.";
 		goto error;
+	}
 
 	// Use a custom allocator so we pin only once then recycle them
 	mPlayoutAllocator = new PinnedMemoryAllocator(hGLDC, hGLRC, VideoFrameTransfer::GPUtoCPU, 1, outputFrameRowBytes * mOutputFrameHeight);
 
 	if (mDLOutput->EnableVideoOutput(outputDisplayMode, bmdVideoOutputFlagDefault) != S_OK)
+	{
+		initFailureReason = "DeckLink output setup failed while enabling video output.";
 		goto error;
+	}
 
 	if (mDLOutput->QueryInterface(IID_IDeckLinkKeyer, (void**)&mDLKeyer) == S_OK && mDLKeyer != NULL)
 		mDeckLinkKeyerInterfaceAvailable = true;
@@ -733,26 +1105,41 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::InitDeckLink()
 		IDeckLinkVideoBuffer* outputFrameBuffer = NULL;
 
 		if (mPlayoutAllocator->AllocateVideoBuffer(&outputFrameBuffer) != S_OK)
+		{
+			initFailureReason = "DeckLink output setup failed while allocating an output frame buffer.";
 			goto error;
+		}
 
 		if (mDLOutput->CreateVideoFrameWithBuffer(mOutputFrameWidth, mOutputFrameHeight, outputFrameRowBytes, bmdFormat8BitBGRA, bmdFrameFlagFlipVertical, outputFrameBuffer, &outputFrame) != S_OK)
+		{
+			initFailureReason = "DeckLink output setup failed while creating an output video frame.";
 			goto error;
+		}
 
 		mDLOutputVideoFrameQueue.push_back(outputFrame);
 	}
 
 	mPlayoutDelegate = new PlayoutDelegate(this);
 	if (mPlayoutDelegate == NULL)
+	{
+		initFailureReason = "DeckLink output setup failed while creating the playout callback.";
 		goto error;
+	}
 
 	if (mDLOutput->SetScheduledFrameCompletionCallback(mPlayoutDelegate) != S_OK)
+	{
+		initFailureReason = "DeckLink output setup failed while installing the scheduled-frame callback.";
 		goto error;
+	}
 
 	bSuccess = true;
 
 error:
 	if (!bSuccess)
 	{
+		if (!initFailureReason.empty())
+			MessageBoxA(NULL, initFailureReason.c_str(), "DeckLink initialization failed", MB_OK | MB_ICONERROR);
+
 		if (mDLKeyer != NULL)
 		{
 			mDLKeyer->Disable();
@@ -1194,7 +1581,8 @@ void OpenGLComposite::PlayoutFrameCompleted(IDeckLinkVideoFrame* completedFrame,
 	if (mFastTransferExtensionAvailable)
 	{
 		// Finished with mCaptureTexture
-		VideoFrameTransfer::endTextureInUse(VideoFrameTransfer::CPUtoGPU);
+		if (!mHasNoInputSource)
+			VideoFrameTransfer::endTextureInUse(VideoFrameTransfer::CPUtoGPU);
 
 		if (! mPlayoutAllocator->transferFrame(pFrame, mOutputTexture))
 			OutputDebugStringA("Playback: transferFrame() failed\n");
@@ -1231,9 +1619,19 @@ void OpenGLComposite::PlayoutFrameCompleted(IDeckLinkVideoFrame* completedFrame,
 bool OpenGLComposite::Start()
 {
 	mTotalPlayoutFrames = 0;
+	if (!mDLOutput)
+	{
+		MessageBoxA(NULL, "Cannot start playout because no DeckLink output device is available.", "DeckLink start failed", MB_OK | MB_ICONERROR);
+		return false;
+	}
+	if (mDLOutputVideoFrameQueue.empty())
+	{
+		MessageBoxA(NULL, "Cannot start playout because the output frame queue is empty.", "DeckLink start failed", MB_OK | MB_ICONERROR);
+		return false;
+	}
 
 	// Preroll frames
-	for (unsigned i = 0; i < 5; i++)
+	for (unsigned i = 0; i < kPrerollFrameCount; i++)
 	{
 		// Take each video frame from the front of the queue and move it to the back
 		IDeckLinkMutableVideoFrame* outputVideoFrame = mDLOutputVideoFrameQueue.front();
@@ -1243,11 +1641,15 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::Start()
 		// Start with a black frame for playout
 		IDeckLinkVideoBuffer* outputVideoFrameBuffer;
 		if (outputVideoFrame->QueryInterface(IID_IDeckLinkVideoBuffer, (void**)&outputVideoFrameBuffer) != S_OK)
+		{
+			MessageBoxA(NULL, "Could not query the preroll output frame buffer.", "DeckLink start failed", MB_OK | MB_ICONERROR);
 			return false;
+		}
 		
 		if (outputVideoFrameBuffer->StartAccess(bmdBufferAccessWrite) != S_OK)
 		{
 			outputVideoFrameBuffer->Release();
+			MessageBoxA(NULL, "Could not write to the preroll output frame buffer.", "DeckLink start failed", MB_OK | MB_ICONERROR);
 			return false;
 		}
 
@@ -1259,13 +1661,27 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::Start()
 		outputVideoFrameBuffer->Release();
 
 		if (mDLOutput->ScheduleVideoFrame(outputVideoFrame, (mTotalPlayoutFrames * mFrameDuration), mFrameDuration, mFrameTimescale) != S_OK)
+		{
+			MessageBoxA(NULL, "Could not schedule a preroll output frame.", "DeckLink start failed", MB_OK | MB_ICONERROR);
 			return false;
+		}
 
 		mTotalPlayoutFrames++;
 	}
 
-	mDLInput->StartStreams();
+	if (mDLInput)
-	mDLOutput->StartScheduledPlayback(0, mFrameTimescale, 1.0);
+	{
+		if (mDLInput->StartStreams() != S_OK)
+		{
+			MessageBoxA(NULL, "Could not start the DeckLink input stream.", "DeckLink start failed", MB_OK | MB_ICONERROR);
+			return false;
+		}
+	}
+	if (mDLOutput->StartScheduledPlayback(0, mFrameTimescale, 1.0) != S_OK)
+	{
+		MessageBoxA(NULL, "Could not start DeckLink scheduled playback.", "DeckLink start failed", MB_OK | MB_ICONERROR);
+		return false;
+	}
 
 	return true;
 }
@@ -1295,11 +1711,17 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::Stop()
 		}
 	}
 
-	mDLInput->StopStreams();
+	if (mDLInput)
-	mDLInput->DisableVideoInput();
+	{
+		mDLInput->StopStreams();
+		mDLInput->DisableVideoInput();
+	}
 
-	mDLOutput->StopScheduledPlayback(0, NULL, 0);
+	if (mDLOutput)
-	mDLOutput->DisableVideoOutput();
+	{
+		mDLOutput->StopScheduledPlayback(0, NULL, 0);
+		mDLOutput->DisableVideoOutput();
+	}
 
 	return true;
 }
@@ -1400,13 +1822,33 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::compileSingleLayerProgram(const RuntimeRenderState& state,
 		}
 		textureBindings.push_back(textureBinding);
 	}
+	std::vector<LayerProgram::TextBinding> textBindings;
+	for (const ShaderParameterDefinition& definition : state.parameterDefinitions)
+	{
+		if (definition.type != ShaderParameterType::Text)
+			continue;
+		LayerProgram::TextBinding textBinding;
+		textBinding.parameterId = definition.id;
+		textBinding.samplerName = definition.id + "Texture";
+		textBinding.fontId = definition.fontId;
+		glGenTextures(1, &textBinding.texture);
+		glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, textBinding.texture);
+		glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_MIN_FILTER, GL_LINEAR);
+		glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_MAG_FILTER, GL_LINEAR);
+		glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_WRAP_S, GL_CLAMP_TO_EDGE);
+		glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_WRAP_T, GL_CLAMP_TO_EDGE);
+		std::vector<unsigned char> empty(static_cast<std::size_t>(kTextTextureWidth) * kTextTextureHeight * 4, 0);
+		glTexImage2D(GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0, GL_RGBA8, kTextTextureWidth, kTextTextureHeight, 0, GL_BGRA, GL_UNSIGNED_INT_8_8_8_8_REV, empty.data());
+		glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0);
+		textBindings.push_back(textBinding);
+	}
 
 	const GLuint globalParamsIndex = glGetUniformBlockIndex(newProgram.get(), "GlobalParams");
 	if (globalParamsIndex != GL_INVALID_INDEX)
 		glUniformBlockBinding(newProgram.get(), globalParamsIndex, kGlobalParamsBindingPoint);
 
 	const unsigned historyCap = mRuntimeHost ? mRuntimeHost->GetMaxTemporalHistoryFrames() : 0;
-	const GLuint shaderTextureBase = kSourceHistoryTextureUnitBase + historyCap + historyCap;
+	const GLuint shaderTextureBase = state.isTemporal ? kSourceHistoryTextureUnitBase + historyCap + historyCap : kSourceHistoryTextureUnitBase;
 	glUseProgram(newProgram.get());
 	const GLint videoInputLocation = glGetUniformLocation(newProgram.get(), "gVideoInput");
 	if (videoInputLocation >= 0)
@@ -1425,18 +1867,27 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::compileSingleLayerProgram(const RuntimeRenderState& state,
 	}
 	for (std::size_t index = 0; index < textureBindings.size(); ++index)
 	{
-		const GLint textureSamplerLocation = glGetUniformLocation(newProgram.get(), textureBindings[index].samplerName.c_str());
+		const GLint textureSamplerLocation = FindSamplerUniformLocation(newProgram.get(), textureBindings[index].samplerName);
 		if (textureSamplerLocation >= 0)
 			glUniform1i(textureSamplerLocation, static_cast<GLint>(shaderTextureBase + static_cast<GLuint>(index)));
 	}
+	const GLuint textTextureBase = shaderTextureBase + static_cast<GLuint>(textureBindings.size());
+	for (std::size_t index = 0; index < textBindings.size(); ++index)
+	{
+		const GLint textSamplerLocation = FindSamplerUniformLocation(newProgram.get(), textBindings[index].samplerName);
+		if (textSamplerLocation >= 0)
+			glUniform1i(textSamplerLocation, static_cast<GLint>(textTextureBase + static_cast<GLuint>(index)));
+	}
 	glUseProgram(0);
 
 	layerProgram.layerId = state.layerId;
 	layerProgram.shaderId = state.shaderId;
+	layerProgram.shaderTextureBase = shaderTextureBase;
 	layerProgram.program = newProgram.release();
 	layerProgram.vertexShader = newVertexShader.release();
 	layerProgram.fragmentShader = newFragmentShader.release();
 	layerProgram.textureBindings.swap(textureBindings);
+	layerProgram.textBindings.swap(textBindings);
 	return true;
 }
 
@@ -1538,6 +1989,15 @@ void OpenGLComposite::destroySingleLayerProgram(LayerProgram& layerProgram)
 		}
 	}
 	layerProgram.textureBindings.clear();
+	for (LayerProgram::TextBinding& textBinding : layerProgram.textBindings)
+	{
+		if (textBinding.texture != 0)
+		{
+			glDeleteTextures(1, &textBinding.texture);
+			textBinding.texture = 0;
+		}
+	}
+	layerProgram.textBindings.clear();
 
 	if (layerProgram.program != 0)
 	{
@@ -1671,15 +2131,58 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::loadTextureAsset(const ShaderTextureAsset& textureAsset, G
 	return true;
 }
 
+bool OpenGLComposite::renderTextBindingTexture(const RuntimeRenderState& state, LayerProgram::TextBinding& textBinding, std::string& error)
+{
+	const std::string text = TextValueForBinding(state, textBinding.parameterId);
+	if (text == textBinding.renderedText && textBinding.renderedWidth == kTextTextureWidth && textBinding.renderedHeight == kTextTextureHeight)
+		return true;
+
+	auto definitionIt = std::find_if(state.parameterDefinitions.begin(), state.parameterDefinitions.end(),
+		[&textBinding](const ShaderParameterDefinition& definition) { return definition.id == textBinding.parameterId; });
+	if (definitionIt == state.parameterDefinitions.end())
+		return true;
+
+	const ShaderFontAsset* fontAsset = FindFontAssetForParameter(state, *definitionIt);
+	std::filesystem::path fontPath;
+	if (fontAsset)
+		fontPath = fontAsset->path;
+
+	std::vector<unsigned char> sdf;
+	if (!RasterizeTextSdf(text, fontPath, sdf, error))
+		return false;
+
+	GLint previousActiveTexture = 0;
+	GLint previousUnpackBuffer = 0;
+	glGetIntegerv(GL_ACTIVE_TEXTURE, &previousActiveTexture);
+	glGetIntegerv(GL_PIXEL_UNPACK_BUFFER_BINDING, &previousUnpackBuffer);
+	glActiveTexture(GL_TEXTURE0);
+	glBindBuffer(GL_PIXEL_UNPACK_BUFFER, 0);
+	glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, textBinding.texture);
+	glTexSubImage2D(GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0, 0, 0, kTextTextureWidth, kTextTextureHeight, GL_BGRA, GL_UNSIGNED_INT_8_8_8_8_REV, sdf.data());
+	glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0);
+	glBindBuffer(GL_PIXEL_UNPACK_BUFFER, static_cast<GLuint>(previousUnpackBuffer));
+	glActiveTexture(static_cast<GLenum>(previousActiveTexture));
+
+	textBinding.renderedText = text;
+	textBinding.renderedWidth = kTextTextureWidth;
+	textBinding.renderedHeight = kTextTextureHeight;
+	return true;
+}
+
 void OpenGLComposite::bindLayerTextureAssets(const LayerProgram& layerProgram)
 {
-	const unsigned historyCap = mRuntimeHost ? mRuntimeHost->GetMaxTemporalHistoryFrames() : 0;
+	const GLuint shaderTextureBase = layerProgram.shaderTextureBase != 0 ? layerProgram.shaderTextureBase : kSourceHistoryTextureUnitBase;
-	const GLuint shaderTextureBase = kSourceHistoryTextureUnitBase + historyCap + historyCap;
 	for (std::size_t index = 0; index < layerProgram.textureBindings.size(); ++index)
 	{
 		glActiveTexture(GL_TEXTURE0 + shaderTextureBase + static_cast<GLuint>(index));
 		glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, layerProgram.textureBindings[index].texture);
 	}
+	const GLuint textTextureBase = shaderTextureBase + static_cast<GLuint>(layerProgram.textureBindings.size());
+	for (std::size_t index = 0; index < layerProgram.textBindings.size(); ++index)
+	{
+		glActiveTexture(GL_TEXTURE0 + textTextureBase + static_cast<GLuint>(index));
+		glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, layerProgram.textBindings[index].texture);
+	}
 	glActiveTexture(GL_TEXTURE0);
 }
 
@@ -1707,15 +2210,22 @@ void OpenGLComposite::destroyDecodeShaderProgram()
 bool OpenGLComposite::validateTemporalTextureUnitBudget(const std::vector<RuntimeRenderState>& layerStates, std::string& error) const
 {
 	const unsigned historyCap = mRuntimeHost ? mRuntimeHost->GetMaxTemporalHistoryFrames() : 0;
-	unsigned maxAssetTextures = 0;
+	unsigned requiredUnits = kSourceHistoryTextureUnitBase;
 	for (const RuntimeRenderState& state : layerStates)
 	{
-		if (state.textureAssets.size() > maxAssetTextures)
+		unsigned textTextureCount = 0;
-			maxAssetTextures = static_cast<unsigned>(state.textureAssets.size());
+		for (const ShaderParameterDefinition& definition : state.parameterDefinitions)
+		{
+			if (definition.type == ShaderParameterType::Text)
+				++textTextureCount;
+		}
+		const unsigned totalShaderTextures = static_cast<unsigned>(state.textureAssets.size()) + textTextureCount;
+		const unsigned layerRequiredUnits = kSourceHistoryTextureUnitBase + (state.isTemporal ? historyCap + historyCap : 0u) + totalShaderTextures;
+		if (layerRequiredUnits > requiredUnits)
+			requiredUnits = layerRequiredUnits;
 	}
 	GLint maxTextureUnits = 0;
 	glGetIntegerv(GL_MAX_TEXTURE_IMAGE_UNITS, &maxTextureUnits);
-	const unsigned requiredUnits = kSourceHistoryTextureUnitBase + historyCap + historyCap + maxAssetTextures;
 	const unsigned availableUnits = maxTextureUnits > 0 ? static_cast<unsigned>(maxTextureUnits) : 0u;
 	if (requiredUnits > availableUnits)
 	{
@@ -1919,10 +2429,8 @@ void OpenGLComposite::renderEffect()
 {
 	PollRuntimeChanges();
 
-	if (mHasNoInputSource)
+	const bool hasInputSource = !mHasNoInputSource;
-		return;
+	if (hasInputSource && mFastTransferExtensionAvailable)
-
-	if (mFastTransferExtensionAvailable)
 	{
 		// Signal that we're about to draw using mCaptureTexture onto mFBOTexture.
 		VideoFrameTransfer::beginTextureInUse(VideoFrameTransfer::CPUtoGPU);
@@ -1930,7 +2438,17 @@ void OpenGLComposite::renderEffect()
 
 	glDisable(GL_BLEND);
 	glDisable(GL_DEPTH_TEST);
-	renderDecodePass();
+	if (hasInputSource)
+	{
+		renderDecodePass();
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		glBindFramebuffer(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, mDecodeFrameBuf);
+		glViewport(0, 0, mInputFrameWidth, mInputFrameHeight);
+		glClearColor(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+		glClear(GL_COLOR_BUFFER_BIT);
+	}
 
 	const std::vector<RuntimeRenderState> layerStates = mRuntimeHost ? mRuntimeHost->GetLayerRenderStates(mInputFrameWidth, mInputFrameHeight) : std::vector<RuntimeRenderState>();
 	if (layerStates.empty() || mLayerPrograms.empty())
@@ -1962,12 +2480,19 @@ void OpenGLComposite::renderEffect()
 
 	pushFramebufferToHistoryRing(mDecodeFrameBuf, mSourceHistoryRing);
 
-	if (mFastTransferExtensionAvailable)
+	if (hasInputSource && mFastTransferExtensionAvailable)
 		VideoFrameTransfer::endTextureInUse(VideoFrameTransfer::CPUtoGPU);
 }
 
-void OpenGLComposite::renderShaderProgram(GLuint sourceTexture, GLuint destinationFrameBuffer, const LayerProgram& layerProgram, const RuntimeRenderState& state)
+void OpenGLComposite::renderShaderProgram(GLuint sourceTexture, GLuint destinationFrameBuffer, LayerProgram& layerProgram, const RuntimeRenderState& state)
 {
+	for (LayerProgram::TextBinding& textBinding : layerProgram.textBindings)
+	{
+		std::string textError;
+		if (!renderTextBindingTexture(state, textBinding, textError))
+			OutputDebugStringA((textError + "\n").c_str());
+	}
+
 	glBindFramebuffer(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, destinationFrameBuffer);
 	glViewport(0, 0, mInputFrameWidth, mInputFrameHeight);
 	glClear(GL_COLOR_BUFFER_BIT | GL_DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT);
@@ -1989,8 +2514,8 @@ void OpenGLComposite::renderShaderProgram(GLuint sourceTexture, GLuint destinati
 		glActiveTexture(GL_TEXTURE0 + kSourceHistoryTextureUnitBase + historyCap + index);
 		glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0);
 	}
-	const GLuint shaderTextureBase = kSourceHistoryTextureUnitBase + historyCap + historyCap;
+	const GLuint shaderTextureBase = layerProgram.shaderTextureBase != 0 ? layerProgram.shaderTextureBase : kSourceHistoryTextureUnitBase;
-	for (std::size_t index = 0; index < layerProgram.textureBindings.size(); ++index)
+	for (std::size_t index = 0; index < layerProgram.textureBindings.size() + layerProgram.textBindings.size(); ++index)
 	{
 		glActiveTexture(GL_TEXTURE0 + shaderTextureBase + static_cast<GLuint>(index));
 		glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0);
@@ -2127,6 +2652,8 @@ bool OpenGLComposite::updateGlobalParamsBuffer(const RuntimeRenderState& state,
 			AppendStd140Int(buffer, selectedIndex);
 			break;
 		}
+		case ShaderParameterType::Text:
+			break;
 		}
 	}
 

apps/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing/OpenGLComposite.h

@@ -167,12 +167,25 @@ private:
 			GLuint texture = 0;
 		};
 
+		struct TextBinding
+		{
+			std::string parameterId;
+			std::string samplerName;
+			std::string fontId;
+			GLuint texture = 0;
+			std::string renderedText;
+			unsigned renderedWidth = 0;
+			unsigned renderedHeight = 0;
+		};
+
 		std::string layerId;
 		std::string shaderId;
+		GLuint shaderTextureBase = 0;
 		GLuint program = 0;
 		GLuint vertexShader = 0;
 		GLuint fragmentShader = 0;
 		std::vector<TextureBinding> textureBindings;
+		std::vector<TextBinding> textBindings;
 	};
 	std::vector<LayerProgram>				mLayerPrograms;
 
@@ -203,8 +216,9 @@ private:
 	void destroySingleLayerProgram(LayerProgram& layerProgram);
 	void destroyDecodeShaderProgram();
 	void renderDecodePass();
-	void renderShaderProgram(GLuint sourceTexture, GLuint destinationFrameBuffer, const LayerProgram& layerProgram, const RuntimeRenderState& state);
+	void renderShaderProgram(GLuint sourceTexture, GLuint destinationFrameBuffer, LayerProgram& layerProgram, const RuntimeRenderState& state);
 	bool loadTextureAsset(const ShaderTextureAsset& textureAsset, GLuint& textureId, std::string& error);
+	bool renderTextBindingTexture(const RuntimeRenderState& state, LayerProgram::TextBinding& textBinding, std::string& error);
 	void bindLayerTextureAssets(const LayerProgram& layerProgram);
 	void renderEffect();
 	bool PollRuntimeChanges();

apps/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing/RuntimeHost.cpp

@@ -53,6 +53,25 @@ bool MatchesControlKey(const std::string& candidate, const std::string& key)
 	return candidate == key || SimplifyControlKey(candidate) == SimplifyControlKey(key);
 }
 
+bool TryParseLayerIdNumber(const std::string& layerId, uint64_t& number)
+{
+	const std::string prefix = "layer-";
+	if (layerId.rfind(prefix, 0) != 0 || layerId.size() == prefix.size())
+		return false;
+
+	uint64_t parsed = 0;
+	for (std::size_t index = prefix.size(); index < layerId.size(); ++index)
+	{
+		const unsigned char ch = static_cast<unsigned char>(layerId[index]);
+		if (!std::isdigit(ch))
+			return false;
+		parsed = parsed * 10 + static_cast<uint64_t>(ch - '0');
+	}
+
+	number = parsed;
+	return true;
+}
+
 std::vector<double> JsonArrayToNumbers(const JsonValue& value)
 {
 	std::vector<double> numbers;
@@ -114,6 +133,7 @@ std::string ShaderParameterTypeToString(ShaderParameterType type)
 	case ShaderParameterType::Color: return "color";
 	case ShaderParameterType::Boolean: return "bool";
 	case ShaderParameterType::Enum: return "enum";
+	case ShaderParameterType::Text: return "text";
 	}
 	return "unknown";
 }
@@ -160,6 +180,11 @@ bool ParseShaderParameterType(const std::string& typeName, ShaderParameterType&
 		type = ShaderParameterType::Enum;
 		return true;
 	}
+	if (typeName == "text")
+	{
+		type = ShaderParameterType::Text;
+		return true;
+	}
 	return false;
 }
 
@@ -181,6 +206,24 @@ bool TextureAssetsEqual(const std::vector<ShaderTextureAsset>& left, const std::
 	return true;
 }
 
+bool FontAssetsEqual(const std::vector<ShaderFontAsset>& left, const std::vector<ShaderFontAsset>& right)
+{
+	if (left.size() != right.size())
+		return false;
+
+	for (std::size_t index = 0; index < left.size(); ++index)
+	{
+		if (left[index].id != right[index].id ||
+			left[index].path != right[index].path ||
+			left[index].writeTime != right[index].writeTime)
+		{
+			return false;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return true;
+}
+
 std::string ManifestPathMessage(const std::filesystem::path& manifestPath)
 {
 	return manifestPath.string();
@@ -360,6 +403,49 @@ bool ParseTextureAssets(const JsonValue& manifestJson, ShaderPackage& shaderPack
 	return true;
 }
 
+bool ParseFontAssets(const JsonValue& manifestJson, ShaderPackage& shaderPackage, const std::filesystem::path& manifestPath, std::string& error)
+{
+	const JsonValue* fontsValue = nullptr;
+	if (!OptionalArrayField(manifestJson, "fonts", fontsValue, manifestPath, error))
+		return false;
+	if (!fontsValue)
+		return true;
+
+	for (const JsonValue& fontJson : fontsValue->asArray())
+	{
+		if (!fontJson.isObject())
+		{
+			error = "Shader font entry must be an object in: " + ManifestPathMessage(manifestPath);
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		std::string fontId;
+		std::string fontPath;
+		if (!RequireNonEmptyStringField(fontJson, "id", fontId, manifestPath, error) ||
+			!RequireNonEmptyStringField(fontJson, "path", fontPath, manifestPath, error))
+		{
+			error = "Shader font is missing required 'id' or 'path' in: " + ManifestPathMessage(manifestPath);
+			return false;
+		}
+		if (!ValidateShaderIdentifier(fontId, "fonts[].id", manifestPath, error))
+			return false;
+
+		ShaderFontAsset fontAsset;
+		fontAsset.id = fontId;
+		fontAsset.path = shaderPackage.directoryPath / fontPath;
+		if (!std::filesystem::exists(fontAsset.path))
+		{
+			error = "Shader font asset not found for package " + shaderPackage.id + ": " + fontAsset.path.string();
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		fontAsset.writeTime = std::filesystem::last_write_time(fontAsset.path);
+		shaderPackage.fontAssets.push_back(fontAsset);
+	}
+
+	return true;
+}
+
 bool ParseTemporalSettings(const JsonValue& manifestJson, ShaderPackage& shaderPackage, unsigned maxTemporalHistoryFrames, const std::filesystem::path& manifestPath, std::string& error)
 {
 	const JsonValue* temporalValue = nullptr;
@@ -442,6 +528,17 @@ bool ParseParameterDefault(const JsonValue& parameterJson, ShaderParameterDefini
 		return true;
 	}
 
+	if (definition.type == ShaderParameterType::Text)
+	{
+		if (!defaultValue->isString())
+		{
+			error = "Text parameter default must be a string for: " + definition.id;
+			return false;
+		}
+		definition.defaultTextValue = defaultValue->asString();
+		return true;
+	}
+
 	return NumberListFromJsonValue(*defaultValue, definition.defaultNumbers, "default", manifestPath, error);
 }
 
@@ -524,6 +621,30 @@ bool ParseParameterDefinition(const JsonValue& parameterJson, ShaderParameterDef
 		return false;
 	}
 
+	if (definition.type == ShaderParameterType::Text)
+	{
+		if (const JsonValue* fontValue = parameterJson.find("font"))
+		{
+			if (!fontValue->isString())
+			{
+				error = "Text parameter 'font' must be a string for: " + definition.id;
+				return false;
+			}
+			definition.fontId = fontValue->asString();
+			if (!definition.fontId.empty() && !ValidateShaderIdentifier(definition.fontId, "parameters[].font", manifestPath, error))
+				return false;
+		}
+		if (const JsonValue* maxLengthValue = parameterJson.find("maxLength"))
+		{
+			if (!maxLengthValue->isNumber() || maxLengthValue->asNumber() < 1.0 || maxLengthValue->asNumber() > 256.0)
+			{
+				error = "Text parameter 'maxLength' must be a number from 1 to 256 for: " + definition.id;
+				return false;
+			}
+			definition.maxLength = static_cast<unsigned>(maxLengthValue->asNumber());
+		}
+	}
+
 	if (definition.type == ShaderParameterType::Enum)
 		return ParseParameterOptions(parameterJson, definition, manifestPath, error);
 
@@ -583,6 +704,7 @@ bool RuntimeHost::Initialize(std::string& error)
 			return false;
 		if (!ScanShaderPackages(error))
 			return false;
+		NormalizePersistentLayerIdsLocked();
 
 		for (LayerPersistentState& layer : mPersistentState.layers)
 		{
@@ -673,7 +795,8 @@ bool RuntimeHost::PollFileChanges(bool& registryChanged, bool& reloadRequested,
 				}
 				if (previous->second.shaderWriteTime != item.second.shaderWriteTime ||
 					previous->second.manifestWriteTime != item.second.manifestWriteTime ||
-					!TextureAssetsEqual(previous->second.textureAssets, item.second.textureAssets))
+					!TextureAssetsEqual(previous->second.textureAssets, item.second.textureAssets) ||
+					!FontAssetsEqual(previous->second.fontAssets, item.second.fontAssets))
 				{
 					registryChanged = true;
 					break;
@@ -694,7 +817,8 @@ bool RuntimeHost::PollFileChanges(bool& registryChanged, bool& reloadRequested,
 				if (previous->second.first != active->second.shaderWriteTime ||
 					previous->second.second != active->second.manifestWriteTime ||
 					(previousPackage != previousPackages.end() &&
-						!TextureAssetsEqual(previousPackage->second.textureAssets, active->second.textureAssets)))
+						(!TextureAssetsEqual(previousPackage->second.textureAssets, active->second.textureAssets) ||
+							!FontAssetsEqual(previousPackage->second.fontAssets, active->second.fontAssets))))
 				{
 					mReloadRequested = true;
 				}
@@ -1123,6 +1247,7 @@ std::vector<RuntimeRenderState> RuntimeHost::GetLayerRenderStates(unsigned outpu
 		state.outputHeight = outputHeight;
 		state.parameterDefinitions = shaderIt->second.parameters;
 		state.textureAssets = shaderIt->second.textureAssets;
+		state.fontAssets = shaderIt->second.fontAssets;
 		state.isTemporal = shaderIt->second.temporal.enabled;
 		state.temporalHistorySource = shaderIt->second.temporal.historySource;
 		state.requestedTemporalHistoryLength = shaderIt->second.temporal.requestedHistoryLength;
@@ -1427,6 +1552,7 @@ bool RuntimeHost::ParseShaderManifest(const std::filesystem::path& manifestPath,
 	shaderPackage.manifestWriteTime = std::filesystem::last_write_time(shaderPackage.manifestPath);
 
 	return ParseTextureAssets(manifestJson, shaderPackage, manifestPath, error) &&
+		ParseFontAssets(manifestJson, shaderPackage, manifestPath, error) &&
 		ParseTemporalSettings(manifestJson, shaderPackage, mConfig.maxTemporalHistoryFrames, manifestPath, error) &&
 		ParseParameterDefinitions(manifestJson, shaderPackage, manifestPath, error);
 }
@@ -1445,8 +1571,62 @@ void RuntimeHost::EnsureLayerDefaultsLocked(LayerPersistentState& layerState, co
 {
 	for (const ShaderParameterDefinition& definition : shaderPackage.parameters)
 	{
-		if (layerState.parameterValues.find(definition.id) == layerState.parameterValues.end())
+		auto valueIt = layerState.parameterValues.find(definition.id);
+		if (valueIt == layerState.parameterValues.end())
+		{
 			layerState.parameterValues[definition.id] = DefaultValueForDefinition(definition);
+			continue;
+		}
+
+		JsonValue valueJson;
+		bool shouldNormalize = true;
+		switch (definition.type)
+		{
+		case ShaderParameterType::Float:
+			if (valueIt->second.numberValues.empty())
+				shouldNormalize = false;
+			else
+				valueJson = JsonValue(valueIt->second.numberValues.front());
+			break;
+		case ShaderParameterType::Vec2:
+		case ShaderParameterType::Color:
+			valueJson = JsonValue::MakeArray();
+			for (double number : valueIt->second.numberValues)
+				valueJson.pushBack(JsonValue(number));
+			break;
+		case ShaderParameterType::Boolean:
+			valueJson = JsonValue(valueIt->second.booleanValue);
+			break;
+		case ShaderParameterType::Enum:
+			valueJson = JsonValue(valueIt->second.enumValue);
+			break;
+		case ShaderParameterType::Text:
+		{
+			const std::string textValue = !valueIt->second.textValue.empty()
+				? valueIt->second.textValue
+				: valueIt->second.enumValue;
+			if (textValue.empty())
+			{
+				valueIt->second = DefaultValueForDefinition(definition);
+				shouldNormalize = false;
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				valueJson = JsonValue(textValue);
+			}
+			break;
+		}
+		}
+
+		if (!shouldNormalize)
+			continue;
+
+		ShaderParameterValue normalizedValue;
+		std::string normalizeError;
+		if (NormalizeAndValidateValue(definition, valueJson, normalizedValue, normalizeError))
+			valueIt->second = normalizedValue;
+		else
+			valueIt->second = DefaultValueForDefinition(definition);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1469,15 +1649,31 @@ bool RuntimeHost::WriteTextFile(const std::filesystem::path& path, const std::st
 	std::error_code fsError;
 	std::filesystem::create_directories(path.parent_path(), fsError);
 
-	std::ofstream output(path, std::ios::binary);
+	const std::filesystem::path temporaryPath = path.string() + ".tmp";
+	std::ofstream output(temporaryPath, std::ios::binary | std::ios::trunc);
 	if (!output)
 	{
-		error = "Could not write file: " + path.string();
+		error = "Could not write file: " + temporaryPath.string();
 		return false;
 	}
 
 	output << contents;
-	return output.good();
+	output.close();
+	if (!output.good())
+	{
+		error = "Could not finish writing file: " + temporaryPath.string();
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	if (!MoveFileExA(temporaryPath.string().c_str(), path.string().c_str(), MOVEFILE_REPLACE_EXISTING | MOVEFILE_WRITE_THROUGH))
+	{
+		const DWORD lastError = GetLastError();
+		std::filesystem::remove(temporaryPath, fsError);
+		error = "Could not replace file: " + path.string() + " (Win32 error " + std::to_string(lastError) + ")";
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	return true;
 }
 
 bool RuntimeHost::ResolvePaths(std::string& error)
@@ -1621,6 +1817,7 @@ JsonValue RuntimeHost::SerializeLayerStackLocked() const
 			parameter.set("id", JsonValue(definition.id));
 			parameter.set("label", JsonValue(definition.label));
 			parameter.set("type", JsonValue(ShaderParameterTypeToString(definition.type)));
+			parameter.set("defaultValue", SerializeParameterValue(definition, DefaultValueForDefinition(definition)));
 
 			if (!definition.minNumbers.empty())
 			{
@@ -1655,6 +1852,12 @@ JsonValue RuntimeHost::SerializeLayerStackLocked() const
 				}
 				parameter.set("options", options);
 			}
+			if (definition.type == ShaderParameterType::Text)
+			{
+				parameter.set("maxLength", JsonValue(static_cast<double>(definition.maxLength)));
+				if (!definition.fontId.empty())
+					parameter.set("font", JsonValue(definition.fontId));
+			}
 
 			ShaderParameterValue value = DefaultValueForDefinition(definition);
 			auto valueIt = layer.parameterValues.find(definition.id);
@@ -1728,6 +1931,38 @@ bool RuntimeHost::DeserializeLayerStackLocked(const JsonValue& layersValue, std:
 	return true;
 }
 
+void RuntimeHost::NormalizePersistentLayerIdsLocked()
+{
+	std::set<std::string> usedIds;
+	uint64_t maxLayerNumber = mNextLayerId;
+
+	for (LayerPersistentState& layer : mPersistentState.layers)
+	{
+		uint64_t layerNumber = 0;
+		const bool hasReusableId = !layer.id.empty() &&
+			usedIds.find(layer.id) == usedIds.end() &&
+			TryParseLayerIdNumber(layer.id, layerNumber);
+
+		if (hasReusableId)
+		{
+			usedIds.insert(layer.id);
+			maxLayerNumber = std::max(maxLayerNumber, layerNumber);
+			continue;
+		}
+
+		do
+		{
+			++maxLayerNumber;
+			layer.id = "layer-" + std::to_string(maxLayerNumber);
+		}
+		while (usedIds.find(layer.id) != usedIds.end());
+
+		usedIds.insert(layer.id);
+	}
+
+	mNextLayerId = maxLayerNumber;
+}
+
 std::vector<std::string> RuntimeHost::GetStackPresetNamesLocked() const
 {
 	std::vector<std::string> presetNames;
@@ -1761,6 +1996,8 @@ JsonValue RuntimeHost::SerializeParameterValue(const ShaderParameterDefinition&
 		return JsonValue(value.booleanValue);
 	case ShaderParameterType::Enum:
 		return JsonValue(value.enumValue);
+	case ShaderParameterType::Text:
+		return JsonValue(value.textValue);
 	case ShaderParameterType::Float:
 		return JsonValue(value.numberValues.empty() ? 0.0 : value.numberValues.front());
 	case ShaderParameterType::Vec2:

apps/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing/RuntimeHost.h

@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ private:
 	JsonValue BuildStateValue() const;
 	JsonValue SerializeLayerStackLocked() const;
 	bool DeserializeLayerStackLocked(const JsonValue& layersValue, std::vector<LayerPersistentState>& layers, std::string& error);
+	void NormalizePersistentLayerIdsLocked();
 	std::vector<std::string> GetStackPresetNamesLocked() const;
 	std::string MakeSafePresetFileStem(const std::string& presetName) const;
 	JsonValue SerializeParameterValue(const ShaderParameterDefinition& definition, const ShaderParameterValue& value) const;

apps/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing/RuntimeParameterUtils.cpp

@@ -36,6 +36,21 @@ std::vector<double> JsonArrayToNumbers(const JsonValue& value)
 	}
 	return numbers;
 }
+
+std::string NormalizeTextValue(const std::string& text, unsigned maxLength)
+{
+	std::string normalized;
+	normalized.reserve(std::min<std::size_t>(text.size(), maxLength));
+	for (unsigned char ch : text)
+	{
+		if (ch < 32 || ch > 126)
+			continue;
+		if (normalized.size() >= maxLength)
+			break;
+		normalized.push_back(static_cast<char>(ch));
+	}
+	return normalized;
+}
 }
 
 std::string MakeSafePresetFileStem(const std::string& presetName)
@@ -82,6 +97,9 @@ ShaderParameterValue DefaultValueForDefinition(const ShaderParameterDefinition&
 	case ShaderParameterType::Enum:
 		value.enumValue = definition.defaultEnumValue;
 		break;
+	case ShaderParameterType::Text:
+		value.textValue = NormalizeTextValue(definition.defaultTextValue, definition.maxLength);
+		break;
 	}
 	return value;
 }
@@ -164,6 +182,14 @@ bool NormalizeAndValidateParameterValue(const ShaderParameterDefinition& definit
 		error = "Enum parameter '" + definition.id + "' received unsupported option '" + selectedValue + "'.";
 		return false;
 	}
+	case ShaderParameterType::Text:
+		if (!value.isString())
+		{
+			error = "Expected string value for text parameter '" + definition.id + "'.";
+			return false;
+		}
+		normalizedValue.textValue = NormalizeTextValue(value.asString(), definition.maxLength);
+		return true;
 	}
 
 	return false;

apps/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing/ShaderCompiler.cpp

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include "NativeHandles.h"
 
 #include <fstream>
+#include <cctype>
 #include <regex>
 #include <sstream>
 #include <vector>
@@ -30,15 +31,29 @@ std::string SlangCBufferTypeForParameter(ShaderParameterType type)
 	case ShaderParameterType::Color: return "float4";
 	case ShaderParameterType::Boolean: return "bool";
 	case ShaderParameterType::Enum: return "int";
+	case ShaderParameterType::Text: return "";
 	}
 	return "float";
 }
 
+std::string CapitalizeIdentifier(const std::string& identifier)
+{
+	if (identifier.empty())
+		return identifier;
+	std::string text = identifier;
+	text[0] = static_cast<char>(std::toupper(static_cast<unsigned char>(text[0])));
+	return text;
+}
+
 std::string BuildParameterUniforms(const std::vector<ShaderParameterDefinition>& parameters)
 {
 	std::ostringstream source;
 	for (const ShaderParameterDefinition& definition : parameters)
+	{
+		if (definition.type == ShaderParameterType::Text)
+			continue;
 		source << "\t" << SlangCBufferTypeForParameter(definition.type) << " " << definition.id << ";\n";
+	}
 	return source.str();
 }
 
@@ -60,6 +75,44 @@ std::string BuildTextureSamplerDeclarations(const std::vector<ShaderTextureAsset
 	return source.str();
 }
 
+std::string BuildTextSamplerDeclarations(const std::vector<ShaderParameterDefinition>& parameters)
+{
+	std::ostringstream source;
+	for (const ShaderParameterDefinition& definition : parameters)
+	{
+		if (definition.type != ShaderParameterType::Text)
+			continue;
+		source << "Sampler2D<float4> " << definition.id << "Texture;\n";
+	}
+	if (source.tellp() > 0)
+		source << "\n";
+	return source.str();
+}
+
+std::string BuildTextHelpers(const std::vector<ShaderParameterDefinition>& parameters)
+{
+	std::ostringstream source;
+	for (const ShaderParameterDefinition& definition : parameters)
+	{
+		if (definition.type != ShaderParameterType::Text)
+			continue;
+		const std::string suffix = CapitalizeIdentifier(definition.id);
+		source
+			<< "float sample" << suffix << "(float2 uv)\n"
+			<< "{\n"
+			<< "\tif (uv.x < 0.0 || uv.x > 1.0 || uv.y < 0.0 || uv.y > 1.0)\n"
+			<< "\t\treturn 0.0;\n"
+			<< "\treturn " << definition.id << "Texture.Sample(uv).r;\n"
+			<< "}\n\n"
+			<< "float4 draw" << suffix << "(float2 uv, float4 fillColor)\n"
+			<< "{\n"
+			<< "\tfloat alpha = sample" << suffix << "(uv) * fillColor.a;\n"
+			<< "\treturn float4(fillColor.rgb * alpha, alpha);\n"
+			<< "}\n\n";
+	}
+	return source.str();
+}
+
 std::string BuildHistorySwitchCases(const std::string& samplerPrefix, unsigned historyLength)
 {
 	std::ostringstream source;
@@ -115,11 +168,14 @@ bool ShaderCompiler::BuildWrapperSlangSource(const ShaderPackage& shaderPackage,
 		return false;
 
 	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{PARAMETER_UNIFORMS}}", BuildParameterUniforms(shaderPackage.parameters));
-	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{SOURCE_HISTORY_SAMPLERS}}", BuildHistorySamplerDeclarations("gSourceHistory", mMaxTemporalHistoryFrames));
+	const unsigned historySamplerCount = shaderPackage.temporal.enabled ? mMaxTemporalHistoryFrames : 0;
-	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{TEMPORAL_HISTORY_SAMPLERS}}", BuildHistorySamplerDeclarations("gTemporalHistory", mMaxTemporalHistoryFrames));
+	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{SOURCE_HISTORY_SAMPLERS}}", BuildHistorySamplerDeclarations("gSourceHistory", historySamplerCount));
+	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{TEMPORAL_HISTORY_SAMPLERS}}", BuildHistorySamplerDeclarations("gTemporalHistory", historySamplerCount));
 	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{TEXTURE_SAMPLERS}}", BuildTextureSamplerDeclarations(shaderPackage.textureAssets));
-	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{SOURCE_HISTORY_SWITCH_CASES}}", BuildHistorySwitchCases("gSourceHistory", mMaxTemporalHistoryFrames));
+	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{TEXT_SAMPLERS}}", BuildTextSamplerDeclarations(shaderPackage.parameters));
-	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{TEMPORAL_HISTORY_SWITCH_CASES}}", BuildHistorySwitchCases("gTemporalHistory", mMaxTemporalHistoryFrames));
+	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{TEXT_HELPERS}}", BuildTextHelpers(shaderPackage.parameters));
+	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{SOURCE_HISTORY_SWITCH_CASES}}", BuildHistorySwitchCases("gSourceHistory", historySamplerCount));
+	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{TEMPORAL_HISTORY_SWITCH_CASES}}", BuildHistorySwitchCases("gTemporalHistory", historySamplerCount));
 	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{USER_SHADER_INCLUDE}}", shaderPackage.shaderPath.generic_string());
 	wrapperSource = ReplaceAll(wrapperSource, "{{ENTRY_POINT_CALL}}", shaderPackage.entryPoint + "(context)");
 	return true;

apps/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing/ShaderPackageRegistry.cpp

@@ -67,6 +67,11 @@ bool ParseShaderParameterType(const std::string& typeName, ShaderParameterType&
 		type = ShaderParameterType::Enum;
 		return true;
 	}
+	if (typeName == "text")
+	{
+		type = ShaderParameterType::Text;
+		return true;
+	}
 	return false;
 }
 
@@ -283,6 +288,49 @@ bool ParseTextureAssets(const JsonValue& manifestJson, ShaderPackage& shaderPack
 	return true;
 }
 
+bool ParseFontAssets(const JsonValue& manifestJson, ShaderPackage& shaderPackage, const std::filesystem::path& manifestPath, std::string& error)
+{
+	const JsonValue* fontsValue = nullptr;
+	if (!OptionalArrayField(manifestJson, "fonts", fontsValue, manifestPath, error))
+		return false;
+	if (!fontsValue)
+		return true;
+
+	for (const JsonValue& fontJson : fontsValue->asArray())
+	{
+		if (!fontJson.isObject())
+		{
+			error = "Shader font entry must be an object in: " + ManifestPathMessage(manifestPath);
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		std::string fontId;
+		std::string fontPath;
+		if (!RequireNonEmptyStringField(fontJson, "id", fontId, manifestPath, error) ||
+			!RequireNonEmptyStringField(fontJson, "path", fontPath, manifestPath, error))
+		{
+			error = "Shader font is missing required 'id' or 'path' in: " + ManifestPathMessage(manifestPath);
+			return false;
+		}
+		if (!ValidateShaderIdentifier(fontId, "fonts[].id", manifestPath, error))
+			return false;
+
+		ShaderFontAsset fontAsset;
+		fontAsset.id = fontId;
+		fontAsset.path = shaderPackage.directoryPath / fontPath;
+		if (!std::filesystem::exists(fontAsset.path))
+		{
+			error = "Shader font asset not found for package " + shaderPackage.id + ": " + fontAsset.path.string();
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		fontAsset.writeTime = std::filesystem::last_write_time(fontAsset.path);
+		shaderPackage.fontAssets.push_back(fontAsset);
+	}
+
+	return true;
+}
+
 bool ParseTemporalSettings(const JsonValue& manifestJson, ShaderPackage& shaderPackage, unsigned maxTemporalHistoryFrames, const std::filesystem::path& manifestPath, std::string& error)
 {
 	const JsonValue* temporalValue = nullptr;
@@ -365,6 +413,17 @@ bool ParseParameterDefault(const JsonValue& parameterJson, ShaderParameterDefini
 		return true;
 	}
 
+	if (definition.type == ShaderParameterType::Text)
+	{
+		if (!defaultValue->isString())
+		{
+			error = "Text parameter default must be a string for: " + definition.id;
+			return false;
+		}
+		definition.defaultTextValue = defaultValue->asString();
+		return true;
+	}
+
 	return NumberListFromJsonValue(*defaultValue, definition.defaultNumbers, "default", manifestPath, error);
 }
 
@@ -447,6 +506,30 @@ bool ParseParameterDefinition(const JsonValue& parameterJson, ShaderParameterDef
 		return false;
 	}
 
+	if (definition.type == ShaderParameterType::Text)
+	{
+		if (const JsonValue* fontValue = parameterJson.find("font"))
+		{
+			if (!fontValue->isString())
+			{
+				error = "Text parameter 'font' must be a string for: " + definition.id;
+				return false;
+			}
+			definition.fontId = fontValue->asString();
+			if (!definition.fontId.empty() && !ValidateShaderIdentifier(definition.fontId, "parameters[].font", manifestPath, error))
+				return false;
+		}
+		if (const JsonValue* maxLengthValue = parameterJson.find("maxLength"))
+		{
+			if (!maxLengthValue->isNumber() || maxLengthValue->asNumber() < 1.0 || maxLengthValue->asNumber() > 256.0)
+			{
+				error = "Text parameter 'maxLength' must be a number from 1 to 256 for: " + definition.id;
+				return false;
+			}
+			definition.maxLength = static_cast<unsigned>(maxLengthValue->asNumber());
+		}
+	}
+
 	if (definition.type == ShaderParameterType::Enum)
 		return ParseParameterOptions(parameterJson, definition, manifestPath, error);
 
@@ -544,6 +627,7 @@ bool ShaderPackageRegistry::ParseManifest(const std::filesystem::path& manifestP
 	shaderPackage.manifestWriteTime = std::filesystem::last_write_time(shaderPackage.manifestPath);
 
 	return ParseTextureAssets(manifestJson, shaderPackage, manifestPath, error) &&
+		ParseFontAssets(manifestJson, shaderPackage, manifestPath, error) &&
 		ParseTemporalSettings(manifestJson, shaderPackage, mMaxTemporalHistoryFrames, manifestPath, error) &&
 		ParseParameterDefinitions(manifestJson, shaderPackage, manifestPath, error);
 }

apps/LoopThroughWithOpenGLCompositing/ShaderTypes.h

@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ enum class ShaderParameterType
 	Vec2,
 	Color,
 	Boolean,
-	Enum
+	Enum,
+	Text
 };
 
 struct ShaderParameterOption
@@ -31,6 +32,9 @@ struct ShaderParameterDefinition
 	std::vector<double> stepNumbers;
 	bool defaultBoolean = false;
 	std::string defaultEnumValue;
+	std::string defaultTextValue;
+	std::string fontId;
+	unsigned maxLength = 64;
 	std::vector<ShaderParameterOption> enumOptions;
 };
 
@@ -39,6 +43,7 @@ struct ShaderParameterValue
 	std::vector<double> numberValues;
 	bool booleanValue = false;
 	std::string enumValue;
+	std::string textValue;
 };
 
 enum class TemporalHistorySource
@@ -63,6 +68,13 @@ struct ShaderTextureAsset
 	std::filesystem::file_time_type writeTime;
 };
 
+struct ShaderFontAsset
+{
+	std::string id;
+	std::filesystem::path path;
+	std::filesystem::file_time_type writeTime;
+};
+
 struct ShaderPackage
 {
 	std::string id;
@@ -75,6 +87,7 @@ struct ShaderPackage
 	std::filesystem::path manifestPath;
 	std::vector<ShaderParameterDefinition> parameters;
 	std::vector<ShaderTextureAsset> textureAssets;
+	std::vector<ShaderFontAsset> fontAssets;
 	TemporalSettings temporal;
 	std::filesystem::file_time_type shaderWriteTime;
 	std::filesystem::file_time_type manifestWriteTime;
@@ -87,6 +100,7 @@ struct RuntimeRenderState
 	std::vector<ShaderParameterDefinition> parameterDefinitions;
 	std::map<std::string, ShaderParameterValue> parameterValues;
 	std::vector<ShaderTextureAsset> textureAssets;
+	std::vector<ShaderFontAsset> fontAssets;
 	double timeSeconds = 0.0;
 	double frameCount = 0.0;
 	double mixAmount = 1.0;

runtime/README.md

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ Generated files:
 - `shader_cache/active_shader_wrapper.slang`: generated Slang wrapper for the active shader/layer.
 - `shader_cache/active_shader.raw.frag`: raw GLSL emitted by `slangc`.
 - `shader_cache/active_shader.frag`: patched GLSL consumed by the OpenGL path.
-- `runtime_state.json`: persisted layer stack and parameter values.
+- `runtime_state.json`: autosaved latest layer stack, layer order, bypass state, shader assignments, and parameter values. The host reloads this file on startup.
 - `stack_presets/*.json`: user-saved layer stack presets.
 
 Git policy:

runtime/templates/shader_wrapper.slang.in

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ cbuffer GlobalParams
 
 Sampler2D<float4> gVideoInput;
 {{SOURCE_HISTORY_SAMPLERS}}{{TEMPORAL_HISTORY_SAMPLERS}}{{TEXTURE_SAMPLERS}}
+{{TEXT_SAMPLERS}}
 float4 sampleVideo(float2 tc)
 {
 	return gVideoInput.Sample(tc);
@@ -67,6 +68,7 @@ float4 sampleTemporalHistory(int framesAgo, float2 tc)
 	}
 }
 
+{{TEXT_HELPERS}}
 #include "{{USER_SHADER_INCLUDE}}"
 
 [shader("fragment")]

shaders/balatro-swirl/shader.json

@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+{
+  "id": "balatro-swirl",
+  "name": "Balatro Swirl",
+  "description": "Animated painterly swirl background. Original by localthunk (https://www.playbalatro.com), adapted from https://www.shadertoy.com/view/XXtBRr.",
+  "category": "Generative",
+  "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
+  "parameters": [
+    {
+      "id": "spinRotation",
+      "label": "Spin Rotation",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": -2.0,
+      "min": -8.0,
+      "max": 8.0,
+      "step": 0.05
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "spinSpeed",
+      "label": "Spin Speed",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 7.0,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 20.0,
+      "step": 0.1
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "spinAmount",
+      "label": "Spin Amount",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.25,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 1.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "spinEase",
+      "label": "Spin Ease",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 1.0,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 3.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "pixelFilter",
+      "label": "Pixel Filter",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 745.0,
+      "min": 120.0,
+      "max": 1600.0,
+      "step": 1.0
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "contrast",
+      "label": "Contrast",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 3.5,
+      "min": 0.5,
+      "max": 8.0,
+      "step": 0.05
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "lighting",
+      "label": "Lighting",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.4,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 1.5,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "offset",
+      "label": "Offset",
+      "type": "vec2",
+      "default": [0.0, 0.0],
+      "min": [-1.0, -1.0],
+      "max": [1.0, 1.0],
+      "step": [0.001, 0.001]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "colour1",
+      "label": "Colour 1",
+      "type": "color",
+      "default": [0.871, 0.267, 0.231, 1.0]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "colour2",
+      "label": "Colour 2",
+      "type": "color",
+      "default": [0.0, 0.42, 0.706, 1.0]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "colour3",
+      "label": "Colour 3",
+      "type": "color",
+      "default": [0.086, 0.137, 0.145, 1.0]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "isRotate",
+      "label": "Rotate Field",
+      "type": "bool",
+      "default": false
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "sourceMix",
+      "label": "Source Mix",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.0,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 1.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    }
+  ]
+}

shaders/balatro-swirl/shader.slang

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+float4 balatroSwirl(float2 screenSize, float2 screenCoords, float time)
+{
+	const float pi = 3.14159265359;
+	float safePixelFilter = max(pixelFilter, 1.0);
+	float safeScreenLength = max(length(screenSize), 1.0);
+	float pixelSize = safeScreenLength / safePixelFilter;
+	float2 uv = (floor(screenCoords * (1.0 / pixelSize)) * pixelSize - 0.5 * screenSize) / safeScreenLength - offset;
+	float uvLength = length(uv);
+
+	float speed = spinRotation * spinEase * 0.2;
+	if (isRotate)
+		speed = time * speed;
+	speed += 302.2;
+
+	float newPixelAngle = atan2(uv.y, uv.x) + speed - spinEase * 20.0 * (spinAmount * uvLength + (1.0 - spinAmount));
+	float2 mid = (screenSize / safeScreenLength) * 0.5;
+	uv = float2(uvLength * cos(newPixelAngle) + mid.x, uvLength * sin(newPixelAngle) + mid.y) - mid;
+
+	uv *= 30.0;
+	speed = time * spinSpeed;
+	float2 uv2 = float2(uv.x + uv.y, uv.x + uv.y);
+
+	for (int i = 0; i < 5; ++i)
+	{
+		uv2 += float2(sin(max(uv.x, uv.y)), sin(max(uv.x, uv.y))) + uv;
+		uv += 0.5 * float2(cos(5.1123314 + 0.353 * uv2.y + speed * 0.131121), sin(uv2.x - 0.113 * speed));
+		float warp = cos(uv.x + uv.y) - sin(uv.x * 0.711 - uv.y);
+		uv -= float2(warp, warp);
+	}
+
+	float contrastMod = 0.25 * contrast + 0.5 * spinAmount + 1.2;
+	float paintRes = min(2.0, max(0.0, length(uv) * 0.035 * contrastMod));
+	float c1p = max(0.0, 1.0 - contrastMod * abs(1.0 - paintRes));
+	float c2p = max(0.0, 1.0 - contrastMod * abs(paintRes));
+	float c3p = 1.0 - min(1.0, c1p + c2p);
+	float light = (lighting - 0.2) * max(c1p * 5.0 - 4.0, 0.0) + lighting * max(c2p * 5.0 - 4.0, 0.0);
+
+	float safeContrast = max(contrast, 0.001);
+	float4 base = (0.3 / safeContrast) * colour1;
+	float4 paint = colour1 * c1p + colour2 * c2p + float4(c3p * colour3.rgb, c3p * colour1.a);
+	return base + (1.0 - 0.3 / safeContrast) * paint + float4(light, light, light, light);
+}
+
+float4 shadeVideo(ShaderContext context)
+{
+	float2 screenSize = max(context.outputResolution, float2(1.0, 1.0));
+	float4 swirl = balatroSwirl(screenSize, context.uv * screenSize, context.time);
+	return saturate(lerp(swirl, context.sourceColor, sourceMix));
+}

shaders/black-and-white/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "black-and-white",
   "name": "Black and White",
   "description": "A minimal monochrome shader that converts the decoded video input to grayscale.",
-  "category": "Built-in",
+  "category": "Color",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "parameters": []
 }

shaders/composition-guides/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "composition-guides",
   "name": "Composition Guides",
   "description": "Overlays rule-of-thirds guides and a center crosshair for camera alignment and framing.",
-  "category": "Utility",
+  "category": "Scopes & Guides",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "parameters": [
     {

shaders/dvd-bounce/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "dvd-bounce",
   "name": "DVD Bounce",
   "description": "A transparent bouncing DVD logo sprite that changes color on each screen hit.",
-  "category": "Built-in",
+  "category": "Generative",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "textures": [
     {

shaders/ether/shader.json

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+{
+  "id": "ether",
+  "name": "Ether",
+  "description": "Raymarched ether field. Original by nimitz 2014 (twitter: @stormoid), adapted from https://www.shadertoy.com/view/MsjSW3.",
+  "category": "Generative",
+  "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
+  "parameters": [
+    {
+      "id": "speed",
+      "label": "Speed",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 1.0,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 4.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "depth",
+      "label": "Depth",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 2.5,
+      "min": 0.2,
+      "max": 8.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "density",
+      "label": "Density",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.7,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 2.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "brightness",
+      "label": "Brightness",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 1.0,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 3.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "contrast",
+      "label": "Contrast",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 1.0,
+      "min": 0.25,
+      "max": 3.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "offset",
+      "label": "Offset",
+      "type": "vec2",
+      "default": [0.9, 0.5],
+      "min": [0.0, 0.0],
+      "max": [2.0, 2.0],
+      "step": [0.001, 0.001]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "baseColor",
+      "label": "Base Color",
+      "type": "color",
+      "default": [0.1, 0.3, 0.4, 1.0]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "energyColor",
+      "label": "Energy Color",
+      "type": "color",
+      "default": [1.0, 0.5, 0.6, 1.0]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "sourceMix",
+      "label": "Source Mix",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.0,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 1.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    }
+  ]
+}

shaders/ether/shader.slang

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+float2x2 rotation2(float angle)
+{
+	float c = cos(angle);
+	float s = sin(angle);
+	return float2x2(c, -s, s, c);
+}
+
+float etherMap(float3 p, float time)
+{
+	p.xz = mul(rotation2(time * 0.4), p.xz);
+	p.xy = mul(rotation2(time * 0.3), p.xy);
+
+	float3 q = p * 2.0 + time;
+	float wave = sin(q.x + sin(q.z + sin(q.y))) * 0.5;
+	return length(p + float3(sin(time * 0.7), sin(time * 0.7), sin(time * 0.7))) * log(length(p) + 1.0) + wave - 1.0;
+}
+
+float4 shadeVideo(ShaderContext context)
+{
+	float2 resolution = max(context.outputResolution, float2(1.0, 1.0));
+	float2 fragCoord = context.uv * resolution;
+	float2 p = fragCoord / resolution.y - offset;
+	float time = context.time * speed;
+
+	float3 color = float3(0.0, 0.0, 0.0);
+	float d = depth;
+
+	for (int i = 0; i <= 5; ++i)
+	{
+		float3 rayPosition = float3(0.0, 0.0, 5.0) + normalize(float3(p, -1.0)) * d;
+		float rz = etherMap(rayPosition, time);
+		float f = clamp((rz - etherMap(rayPosition + float3(0.1, 0.1, 0.1), time)) * 0.5, -0.1, 1.0);
+		float3 light = baseColor.rgb + energyColor.rgb * 5.0 * f;
+		color = color * light + smoothstep(2.5, 0.0, rz) * density * light;
+		d += min(rz, 1.0);
+	}
+
+	color = pow(max(color * brightness, float3(0.0, 0.0, 0.0)), float3(1.0 / max(contrast, 0.001)));
+	return saturate(lerp(float4(color, 1.0), context.sourceColor, sourceMix));
+}

shaders/false-color/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "false-color",
   "name": "False Color",
   "description": "Maps luminance ranges to exposure-assist colors for camera and shader debugging.",
-  "category": "Utility",
+  "category": "Color",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "parameters": [
     {

shaders/gaussian-blur/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "gaussian-blur",
   "name": "Gaussian Blur",
   "description": "Applies a simple Gaussian-style blur to the decoded video input.",
-  "category": "Built-in",
+  "category": "Transform",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "parameters": [
     {

shaders/greenscreen-key/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "greenscreen-key",
   "name": "Greenscreen Key",
   "description": "Keys out a green screen background and outputs transparent alpha for compositing.",
-  "category": "Built-in",
+  "category": "Keying",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "parameters": [
     {

shaders/lift-gamma-gain/shader.json

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+{
+  "id": "lift-gamma-gain",
+  "name": "Lift Gamma Gain",
+  "description": "Basic color grading controls for shadows, midtones, highlights, and overall RGB offset.",
+  "category": "Color",
+  "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
+  "parameters": [
+    {
+      "id": "lift",
+      "label": "Lift",
+      "type": "color",
+      "default": [0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 1.0]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "gamma",
+      "label": "Gamma",
+      "type": "color",
+      "default": [0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 1.0]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "gain",
+      "label": "Gain",
+      "type": "color",
+      "default": [0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 1.0]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "offset",
+      "label": "Offset",
+      "type": "color",
+      "default": [0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 1.0]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "strength",
+      "label": "Strength",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 1.0,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 1.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    }
+  ]
+}

shaders/lift-gamma-gain/shader.slang

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+float3 applyLiftGammaGainOffset(float3 color)
+{
+	float3 liftAdjust = (lift.rgb - 0.5) * 0.5;
+	float3 offsetAdjust = (offset.rgb - 0.5) * 0.5;
+	float3 gammaAdjust = exp2((gamma.rgb - 0.5) * 2.0);
+	float3 gainAdjust = exp2((gain.rgb - 0.5) * 2.0);
+
+	float3 lifted = color + liftAdjust;
+	float3 gained = lifted * gainAdjust;
+	float3 corrected = pow(saturate(gained), 1.0 / max(gammaAdjust, float3(0.001)));
+	return corrected + offsetAdjust;
+}
+
+float4 shadeVideo(ShaderContext context)
+{
+	float4 source = context.sourceColor;
+	float3 graded = applyLiftGammaGainOffset(source.rgb);
+	source.rgb = lerp(source.rgb, graded, strength);
+	return saturate(source);
+}

shaders/pixelate/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "pixelate",
   "name": "Pixelate",
   "description": "Reduces the effective X and Y pixel count independently to create a low-resolution blocky image.",
-  "category": "Utility",
+  "category": "Transform",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "parameters": [
     {

shaders/safe-area-guides/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "safe-area-guides",
   "name": "Safe Area Guides",
   "description": "Overlays broadcast action/title safe guides plus optional center marks and aspect matte.",
-  "category": "Utility",
+  "category": "Scopes & Guides",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "parameters": [
     { "id": "showActionSafe", "label": "Action Safe", "type": "bool", "default": true },

shaders/singularity/shader.json

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+{
+  "id": "singularity",
+  "name": "Singularity",
+  "description": "Whirling blackhole and accretion disk. Original by XorDev, adapted from https://www.shadertoy.com/view/3csSWB.",
+  "category": "Generative",
+  "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
+  "parameters": [
+    {
+      "id": "speed",
+      "label": "Speed",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 1.0,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 4.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "scale",
+      "label": "Scale",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.7,
+      "min": 0.25,
+      "max": 1.5,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "strength",
+      "label": "Gravity",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 1.0,
+      "min": 0.1,
+      "max": 3.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "ringRadius",
+      "label": "Ring Radius",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.7,
+      "min": 0.2,
+      "max": 1.4,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "tightness",
+      "label": "Tightness",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 1.35,
+      "min": 0.5,
+      "max": 3.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "brightness",
+      "label": "Brightness",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 1.0,
+      "min": 0.1,
+      "max": 4.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "colorShift",
+      "label": "Color Shift",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 1.0,
+      "min": -2.0,
+      "max": 2.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "center",
+      "label": "Center",
+      "type": "vec2",
+      "default": [0.0, 0.0],
+      "min": [-1.0, -1.0],
+      "max": [1.0, 1.0],
+      "step": [0.001, 0.001]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "sourceMix",
+      "label": "Source Mix",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.0,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 1.0,
+      "step": 0.01
+    }
+  ]
+}

shaders/singularity/shader.slang

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+float2 singularitySpiral(float2 c, float time, float iterator)
+{
+	float radiusSq = max(dot(c, c), 0.0001);
+	float angle = 0.5 * log(radiusSq) + time * iterator;
+	return float2(
+		c.x * cos(angle + 0.0) + c.y * cos(angle + 11.0),
+		c.x * cos(angle + 33.0) + c.y * cos(angle + 0.0)) / max(iterator, 0.001);
+}
+
+float4 shadeVideo(ShaderContext context)
+{
+	float2 resolution = max(context.outputResolution, float2(1.0, 1.0));
+	float2 fragCoord = context.uv * resolution;
+	float safeScale = max(scale, 0.001);
+	float safeRingRadius = max(ringRadius, 0.001);
+	float safeTightness = max(tightness, 0.001);
+	float time = context.time * speed;
+
+	float2 p = (fragCoord + fragCoord - resolution) / resolution.y / safeScale;
+	p -= center;
+
+	float iterator = 0.2;
+	float2 diagonal = float2(-1.0, 1.0);
+	float2 blackholeCenter = p - iterator * diagonal;
+	float gravity = iterator * strength / max(dot(blackholeCenter, blackholeCenter), 0.0001);
+	float2 skew = diagonal / (0.1 + gravity);
+
+	float2 c = float2(p.x + p.y, p.x * skew.x + p.y * skew.y);
+	float2 v = singularitySpiral(c, time, iterator);
+	float2 waves = float2(0.0001, 0.0001);
+
+	for (; iterator < 9.0; iterator += 1.0)
+	{
+		waves += 1.0 + sin(v);
+		v += 0.7 * sin(v.yx * iterator + time) / iterator + 0.5;
+	}
+
+	float diskRadius = length(sin(v / 0.3) * 0.4 + c * float2(2.0, 4.0));
+	float disk = 2.0 + diskRadius * diskRadius * (0.25 * safeTightness) - diskRadius;
+	float centerDarkness = 0.5 + 1.0 / max(dot(c, c), 0.0001);
+	float rim = 0.025 + abs(length(p) - safeRingRadius) * safeTightness;
+	float4 redBlueGradient = exp(c.x * float4(0.6, -0.4, -1.0, 0.0) * colorShift);
+	float4 waveColor = waves.xyyx;
+
+	float4 color = 1.0 - exp(-redBlueGradient / max(waveColor, float4(0.0001, 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.0001)) / disk / centerDarkness / rim * brightness);
+	color.a = 1.0;
+	return saturate(lerp(color, context.sourceColor, sourceMix));
+}

shaders/studio-color/shader.json

@@ -1,50 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "id": "studio-color",
-  "name": "Studio Color",
-  "description": "A built-in sample shader package that demonstrates the runtime parameter contract.",
-  "category": "Built-in",
-  "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
-  "parameters": [
-    {
-      "id": "brightness",
-      "label": "Brightness",
-      "type": "float",
-      "default": 1.0,
-      "min": 0.0,
-      "max": 2.0,
-      "step": 0.01
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "offset",
-      "label": "Offset",
-      "type": "vec2",
-      "default": [0.0, 0.0],
-      "min": [-0.2, -0.2],
-      "max": [0.2, 0.2],
-      "step": [0.001, 0.001]
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "tint",
-      "label": "Tint",
-      "type": "color",
-      "default": [1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0]
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "invert",
-      "label": "Invert",
-      "type": "bool",
-      "default": false
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "mode",
-      "label": "Mode",
-      "type": "enum",
-      "default": "normal",
-      "options": [
-        { "value": "normal", "label": "Normal" },
-        { "value": "luma", "label": "Luma" },
-        { "value": "posterize", "label": "Posterize" }
-      ]
-    }
-  ]
-}

shaders/studio-color/shader.slang

@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-float4 shadeVideo(ShaderContext context)
-{
-	float2 uv = clamp(context.uv + offset, float2(0.0, 0.0), float2(1.0, 1.0));
-	float4 color = sampleVideo(uv);
-
-	color.rgb *= brightness;
-	color *= tint;
-
-	if (invert)
-		color.rgb = 1.0 - color.rgb;
-
-	if (mode == 1)
-	{
-		float luma = dot(color.rgb, float3(0.2126, 0.7152, 0.0722));
-		color.rgb = float3(luma, luma, luma);
-	}
-	else if (mode == 2)
-	{
-		color.rgb = floor(color.rgb * 4.0) / 4.0;
-	}
-
-	return saturate(color);
-}

shaders/temporal-ghost-trail/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "temporal-ghost-trail",
   "name": "Temporal Ghost Trail",
   "description": "Blends older pre-layer input frames into the current layer input for a soft temporal trail.",
-  "category": "Built-in",
+  "category": "Temporal",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "temporal": {
     "enabled": true,

shaders/temporal-low-fps/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "temporal-low-fps",
   "name": "Temporal Low FPS",
   "description": "Holds older source frames to create a deliberate choppy playback look.",
-  "category": "Built-in",
+  "category": "Temporal",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "temporal": {
     "enabled": true,

shaders/text-overlay/fonts/OFL.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+Copyright 2011 The Roboto Project Authors (https://github.com/googlefonts/roboto-classic)
+
+This Font Software is licensed under the SIL Open Font License, Version 1.1.
+This license is copied below, and is also available with a FAQ at:
+https://openfontlicense.org
+
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------
+SIL OPEN FONT LICENSE Version 1.1 - 26 February 2007
+-----------------------------------------------------------
+
+PREAMBLE
+The goals of the Open Font License (OFL) are to stimulate worldwide
+development of collaborative font projects, to support the font creation
+efforts of academic and linguistic communities, and to provide a free and
+open framework in which fonts may be shared and improved in partnership
+with others.
+
+The OFL allows the licensed fonts to be used, studied, modified and
+redistributed freely as long as they are not sold by themselves. The
+fonts, including any derivative works, can be bundled, embedded, 
+redistributed and/or sold with any software provided that any reserved
+names are not used by derivative works. The fonts and derivatives,
+however, cannot be released under any other type of license. The
+requirement for fonts to remain under this license does not apply
+to any document created using the fonts or their derivatives.
+
+DEFINITIONS
+"Font Software" refers to the set of files released by the Copyright
+Holder(s) under this license and clearly marked as such. This may
+include source files, build scripts and documentation.
+
+"Reserved Font Name" refers to any names specified as such after the
+copyright statement(s).
+
+"Original Version" refers to the collection of Font Software components as
+distributed by the Copyright Holder(s).
+
+"Modified Version" refers to any derivative made by adding to, deleting,
+or substituting -- in part or in whole -- any of the components of the
+Original Version, by changing formats or by porting the Font Software to a
+new environment.
+
+"Author" refers to any designer, engineer, programmer, technical
+writer or other person who contributed to the Font Software.
+
+PERMISSION & CONDITIONS
+Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining
+a copy of the Font Software, to use, study, copy, merge, embed, modify,
+redistribute, and sell modified and unmodified copies of the Font
+Software, subject to the following conditions:
+
+1) Neither the Font Software nor any of its individual components,
+in Original or Modified Versions, may be sold by itself.
+
+2) Original or Modified Versions of the Font Software may be bundled,
+redistributed and/or sold with any software, provided that each copy
+contains the above copyright notice and this license. These can be
+included either as stand-alone text files, human-readable headers or
+in the appropriate machine-readable metadata fields within text or
+binary files as long as those fields can be easily viewed by the user.
+
+3) No Modified Version of the Font Software may use the Reserved Font
+Name(s) unless explicit written permission is granted by the corresponding
+Copyright Holder. This restriction only applies to the primary font name as
+presented to the users.
+
+4) The name(s) of the Copyright Holder(s) or the Author(s) of the Font
+Software shall not be used to promote, endorse or advertise any
+Modified Version, except to acknowledge the contribution(s) of the
+Copyright Holder(s) and the Author(s) or with their explicit written
+permission.
+
+5) The Font Software, modified or unmodified, in part or in whole,
+must be distributed entirely under this license, and must not be
+distributed under any other license. The requirement for fonts to
+remain under this license does not apply to any document created
+using the Font Software.
+
+TERMINATION
+This license becomes null and void if any of the above conditions are
+not met.
+
+DISCLAIMER
+THE FONT SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
+EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTIES OF
+MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT
+OF COPYRIGHT, PATENT, TRADEMARK, OR OTHER RIGHT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
+COPYRIGHT HOLDER BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY,
+INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
+DAMAGES, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING
+FROM, OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE FONT SOFTWARE OR FROM
+OTHER DEALINGS IN THE FONT SOFTWARE.

shaders/text-overlay/shader.json

@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+{
+  "id": "text-overlay",
+  "name": "Text Overlay",
+  "description": "Single-line live text overlay using the runtime text SDF helper functions.",
+  "category": "Scopes & Guides",
+  "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
+  "fonts": [
+    {
+      "id": "roboto",
+      "path": "fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf"
+    }
+  ],
+  "parameters": [
+    {
+      "id": "titleText",
+      "label": "Text",
+      "type": "text",
+      "default": "VIDEO SHADER",
+      "font": "roboto",
+      "maxLength": 64
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "position",
+      "label": "Position",
+      "type": "vec2",
+      "default": [0.08, 0.12],
+      "min": [0.0, 0.0],
+      "max": [1.0, 1.0],
+      "step": [0.001, 0.001]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "scale",
+      "label": "Scale",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.42,
+      "min": 0.1,
+      "max": 1.5,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "fillColor",
+      "label": "Fill",
+      "type": "color",
+      "default": [1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "outlineColor",
+      "label": "Outline",
+      "type": "color",
+      "default": [0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.8]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "outlineWidth",
+      "label": "Outline Width",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.12,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 0.5,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "softness",
+      "label": "Softness",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.04,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 0.3,
+      "step": 0.01
+    }
+  ]
+}

shaders/text-overlay/shader.slang

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+float alphaOver(float baseAlpha, float overAlpha)
+{
+	return overAlpha + baseAlpha * (1.0 - overAlpha);
+}
+
+float4 compositeOver(float4 baseColor, float4 overColor)
+{
+	float outAlpha = alphaOver(baseColor.a, overColor.a);
+	float3 outRgb = overColor.rgb + baseColor.rgb * (1.0 - overColor.a);
+	return float4(outRgb, outAlpha);
+}
+
+float4 shadeVideo(ShaderContext context)
+{
+	float2 resolution = max(context.outputResolution, float2(1.0, 1.0));
+	float aspect = resolution.x / resolution.y;
+	float2 textSize = float2(0.72 * scale, 0.09 * scale * aspect);
+	float2 safeTextSize = max(textSize, float2(0.0001, 0.0001));
+	float2 textUv = (context.uv - position) / safeTextSize;
+	bool insideTextRect = textUv.x >= 0.0 && textUv.x <= 1.0 && textUv.y >= 0.0 && textUv.y <= 1.0;
+
+	float mask = insideTextRect ? sampleTitleText(textUv) : 0.0;
+	float edge = 0.02;
+	float aa = max(fwidth(mask) * 1.5, 0.002);
+	float fill = smoothstep(edge - aa, edge + aa, mask);
+	float shadowRadius = min((outlineWidth + softness) * 0.025, 0.018);
+	float shadow = 0.0;
+	if (shadowRadius > 0.0001)
+	{
+		shadow = max(shadow, sampleTitleText(textUv + float2(shadowRadius, shadowRadius)));
+		shadow = max(shadow, sampleTitleText(textUv + float2(-shadowRadius, shadowRadius)));
+		shadow = max(shadow, sampleTitleText(textUv + float2(shadowRadius, -shadowRadius)));
+		shadow = max(shadow, sampleTitleText(textUv + float2(-shadowRadius, -shadowRadius)));
+	}
+	shadow = smoothstep(edge - aa, edge + aa, shadow) * (0.35 + softness);
+	float outlineAlpha = saturate(shadow * (1.0 - fill)) * outlineColor.a;
+	float fillAlpha = fill * fillColor.a;
+	float textAlpha = max(fillAlpha, outlineAlpha);
+	if (textAlpha <= 0.0001)
+		return context.sourceColor;
+
+	float4 base = context.sourceColor;
+	float4 outlineLayer = float4(outlineColor.rgb * outlineAlpha, outlineAlpha);
+	float4 fillLayer = float4(fillColor.rgb * fillAlpha, fillAlpha);
+	return saturate(compositeOver(compositeOver(base, outlineLayer), fillLayer));
+}

shaders/vhs/shader.json

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 {
   "id": "vhs",
   "name": "VHS",
-  "description": "VHS with wiggle, smear, and YIQ-style color separation inspired by the Godot shader reference.",
+  "description": "VHS with wiggle, smear, and YIQ-style color separation inspired by nostalgic analog references.",
-  "category": "Built-in",
+  "category": "Glitch",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "parameters": [
     {
@@ -95,6 +95,24 @@
       "max": 0.2,
       "step": 0.005
     },
+    {
+      "id": "staticAmount",
+      "label": "Analog Static",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.045,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 0.25,
+      "step": 0.005
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "staticLines",
+      "label": "Static Lines",
+      "type": "float",
+      "default": 0.65,
+      "min": 0.0,
+      "max": 1.5,
+      "step": 0.01
+    },
     {
       "id": "noiseSize",
       "label": "Noise Size",

shaders/vhs/shader.slang

@@ -44,6 +44,13 @@ float noiseHash(float2 p)
 	return frac(sin(dot(p, float2(127.1, 311.7))) * 43758.5453123);
 }
 
+// Gold Noise (c)2015 dcerisano@standard3d.com, adapted for Slang.
+float goldNoise(float2 xy, float seed)
+{
+	const float phi = 1.61803398874989484820459;
+	return frac(tan(distance(xy * phi, xy) * seed) * xy.x);
+}
+
 float grainScalar(float2 uv)
 {
 	return frac(sin(dot(uv, float2(12.9898, 78.233))) * 43758.5453);
@@ -63,6 +70,56 @@ float3 animatedChromaGrain(float2 uv, float time, float2 outputResolution, float
 	return float3(r, g, b) * 2.0 - 1.0;
 }
 
+float valueNoise2(float2 p)
+{
+	float2 cell = floor(p);
+	float2 f = frac(p);
+	float2 u = f * f * (3.0 - 2.0 * f);
+
+	float a = noiseHash(cell);
+	float b = noiseHash(cell + float2(1.0, 0.0));
+	float c = noiseHash(cell + float2(0.0, 1.0));
+	float d = noiseHash(cell + float2(1.0, 1.0));
+
+	return lerp(lerp(a, b, u.x), lerp(c, d, u.x), u.y);
+}
+
+float tapeLineNoise(float2 uv, float time, float2 outputResolution)
+{
+	float y = floor(uv.y * outputResolution.y);
+	float slowLine = valueNoise2(float2(y * 0.021, floor(time * 10.0)));
+	float fastLine = noiseHash(float2(y * 1.73, floor(time * 59.94)));
+	float line = (slowLine * 0.7 + fastLine * 0.3) * 2.0 - 1.0;
+
+	float band = sin(uv.y * outputResolution.y * 0.42 + time * 36.0);
+	return line * (0.65 + 0.35 * band);
+}
+
+float3 analogStatic(float2 uv, float time, float2 outputResolution)
+{
+	float2 safeResolution = max(outputResolution, float2(1.0, 1.0));
+	float2 pixel = floor(uv * safeResolution / max(noiseSize, 0.25));
+	float frame = floor(time * 59.94);
+	float seed = frac(time);
+
+	float2 goldPixel = pixel + float2(0.37, 0.61) + frame;
+	float snowA = goldNoise(goldPixel, seed + 0.1);
+	float snowB = goldNoise(goldPixel * float2(0.37, 2.11) + float2(19.0, 41.0), seed + 0.2);
+	float snowC = goldNoise(goldPixel * float2(1.73, 0.81) + float2(53.0, 7.0), seed + 0.3);
+	float snow = (snowA * 0.72 + snowB * 0.28) * 2.0 - 1.0;
+
+	float lineNoise = tapeLineNoise(uv, time, safeResolution);
+	float dropoutSeed = goldNoise(float2(floor(uv.y * safeResolution.y * 0.25) + 1.0, frame + 2.0), seed + 0.4);
+	float dropout = smoothstep(0.965, 1.0, dropoutSeed);
+	float fleck = smoothstep(0.988, 1.0, snowA) - smoothstep(0.0, 0.012, snowC);
+
+	float scan = sin(uv.y * safeResolution.y * 3.14159265);
+	float scanMask = 0.55 + 0.45 * scan * scan;
+	float lumaNoise = snow * 0.55 + lineNoise * staticLines * 0.45 + fleck * 0.7 + dropout * lineNoise * 1.2;
+
+	return float3(lumaNoise * scanMask, lumaNoise * 0.42, lumaNoise * 0.72);
+}
+
 float3 softBloom(float2 uv, float2 outputResolution, float radius)
 {
 	float2 pixel = 1.0 / max(outputResolution, float2(1.0, 1.0));
@@ -164,6 +221,11 @@ float4 shadeVideo(ShaderContext context)
 	color.rg = lerp(color.rg, float2(color.r, color.g) + speckle.xy * noiseAmount * 0.2 * chunkiness, 0.35);
 	color.b = lerp(color.b, color.b + speckle.z * noiseAmount * 0.28 * chunkiness, 0.5);
 
+	float3 staticNoise = analogStatic(context.uv, context.time, context.outputResolution);
+	float staticMask = lerp(0.45, 1.15, 1.0 - saturate(luma));
+	color += staticNoise * staticAmount * staticMask;
+	color = lerp(color, color + float3(staticNoise.r * 0.22, staticNoise.g * 0.08, -staticNoise.b * 0.08), saturate(staticAmount * 2.0));
+
 	float3 grayscale = float3(luma, luma, luma);
 	color = lerp(color, grayscale, fadeAmount * 0.18);
 	color = color * (1.0 - fadeAmount * 0.08) + float3(0.055, 0.055, 0.065) * fadeAmount;

shaders/video-cube/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "video-cube",
   "name": "Video Cube",
   "description": "Maps the live video onto the faces of a rotating cube in screen space.",
-  "category": "Built-in",
+  "category": "Transform",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "parameters": [
     {

shaders/video-transform/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "video-transform",
   "name": "Video Transform",
   "description": "Zooms, pans, and rotates the video by remapping output pixels back into source UV space.",
-  "category": "Utility",
+  "category": "Transform",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "parameters": [
     {

shaders/waveform-overlay/shader.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "waveform-overlay",
   "name": "Waveform Overlay",
   "description": "Draws a lightweight luma waveform overlay along the bottom of the video.",
-  "category": "Utility",
+  "category": "Scopes & Guides",
   "entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
   "textures": [
     {

tests/RuntimeParameterUtilsTests.cpp

@@ -100,6 +100,26 @@ void TestEnumAndDefaults()
 	error.clear();
 	Expect(!NormalizeAndValidateParameterValue(definition, JsonValue("other"), value, error), "enum rejects unknown options");
 }
+
+void TestTextNormalization()
+{
+	ShaderParameterDefinition definition;
+	definition.id = "titleText";
+	definition.type = ShaderParameterType::Text;
+	definition.defaultTextValue = "DEFAULT";
+	definition.maxLength = 6;
+
+	ShaderParameterValue defaultValue = DefaultValueForDefinition(definition);
+	Expect(defaultValue.textValue == "DEFAUL", "text default is clamped to max length");
+
+	ShaderParameterValue value;
+	std::string error;
+	Expect(NormalizeAndValidateParameterValue(definition, JsonValue("ABC\tDEF\x01GHI"), value, error), "text accepts string values");
+	Expect(value.textValue == "ABCDEF", "text drops non-printable characters and clamps length");
+
+	error.clear();
+	Expect(!NormalizeAndValidateParameterValue(definition, JsonValue(12.0), value, error), "text rejects non-string values");
+}
 }
 
 int main()
@@ -108,6 +128,7 @@ int main()
 	TestFloatNormalization();
 	TestVectorNormalization();
 	TestEnumAndDefaults();
+	TestTextNormalization();
 
 	if (gFailures != 0)
 	{

tests/ShaderPackageRegistryTests.cpp

@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ void TestValidManifest()
 {
 	const std::filesystem::path root = MakeTestRoot();
 	WriteFile(root / "look" / "mask.png", "not a real png, but enough for existence checks");
+	WriteFile(root / "look" / "Inter.ttf", "not a real font, but enough for existence checks");
 	WriteShaderPackage(root, "look", R"({
 		"id": "look-01",
 		"name": "Look 01",
@@ -54,9 +55,11 @@ void TestValidManifest()
 		"category": "Tests",
 		"entryPoint": "shadeVideo",
 		"textures": [{ "id": "maskTex", "path": "mask.png" }],
+		"fonts": [{ "id": "inter", "path": "Inter.ttf" }],
 		"temporal": { "enabled": true, "historySource": "source", "historyLength": 8 },
 		"parameters": [
 			{ "id": "gain", "label": "Gain", "type": "float", "default": 0.5, "min": 0, "max": 1 },
+			{ "id": "titleText", "label": "Title", "type": "text", "default": "LIVE", "font": "inter", "maxLength": 32 },
 			{ "id": "mode", "label": "Mode", "type": "enum", "default": "soft", "options": [
 				{ "value": "soft", "label": "Soft" },
 				{ "value": "hard", "label": "Hard" }
@@ -70,8 +73,29 @@ void TestValidManifest()
 	Expect(registry.ParseManifest(root / "look" / "shader.json", package, error), "valid manifest parses");
 	Expect(package.id == "look-01", "manifest id is preserved");
 	Expect(package.textureAssets.size() == 1 && package.textureAssets[0].id == "maskTex", "texture assets parse");
+	Expect(package.fontAssets.size() == 1 && package.fontAssets[0].id == "inter", "font assets parse");
 	Expect(package.temporal.enabled && package.temporal.effectiveHistoryLength == 4, "temporal history is capped");
-	Expect(package.parameters.size() == 2, "parameters parse");
+	Expect(package.parameters.size() == 3, "parameters parse");
+	Expect(package.parameters[1].type == ShaderParameterType::Text && package.parameters[1].defaultTextValue == "LIVE", "text parameter parses");
+
+	std::filesystem::remove_all(root);
+}
+
+void TestMissingFontAsset()
+{
+	const std::filesystem::path root = MakeTestRoot();
+	WriteShaderPackage(root, "bad-font", R"({
+		"id": "bad-font",
+		"name": "Bad Font",
+		"fonts": [{ "id": "missingFont", "path": "missing.ttf" }],
+		"parameters": []
+	})");
+
+	ShaderPackageRegistry registry(4);
+	ShaderPackage package;
+	std::string error;
+	Expect(!registry.ParseManifest(root / "bad-font" / "shader.json", package, error), "missing font asset is rejected");
+	Expect(error.find("font asset not found") != std::string::npos, "missing font error is clear");
 
 	std::filesystem::remove_all(root);
 }
@@ -115,6 +139,7 @@ void TestDuplicateScan()
 int main()
 {
 	TestValidManifest();
+	TestMissingFontAsset();
 	TestInvalidManifest();
 	TestDuplicateScan();
 

ui/package-lock.json

@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
       "name": "video-shader-control-ui",
       "version": "0.1.0",
       "dependencies": {
+        "@uiw/color-convert": "^2.10.1",
+        "@uiw/react-color-wheel": "^2.10.1",
         "lucide-react": "^0.511.0",
         "react": "^18.3.1",
         "react-dom": "^18.3.1"
@@ -251,6 +253,16 @@
         "@babel/core": "^7.0.0-0"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/@babel/runtime": {
+      "version": "7.29.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@babel/runtime/-/runtime-7.29.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-JiDShH45zKHWyGe4ZNVRrCjBz8Nh9TMmZG1kh4QTK8hCBTWBi8Da+i7s1fJw7/lYpM4ccepSNfqzZ/QvABBi5g==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "peer": true,
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=6.9.0"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/@babel/template": {
       "version": "7.28.6",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@babel/template/-/template-7.28.6.tgz",
@@ -1188,6 +1200,50 @@
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT"
     },
+    "node_modules/@uiw/color-convert": {
+      "version": "2.10.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@uiw/color-convert/-/color-convert-2.10.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-/Z3YfBiX+SErRM59yQH88Id+Xy/k10nnkfTuqhX6RB2yYUcG57DoFqb6FudhiQ5fwzKvKf1k4xq9lfT1UTFUKQ==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://jaywcjlove.github.io/#/sponsor"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@babel/runtime": ">=7.19.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@uiw/react-color-wheel": {
+      "version": "2.10.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@uiw/react-color-wheel/-/react-color-wheel-2.10.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-LnO7CAsfSDfOSUFUeedNycVtx+ODpkGgcgxAT4QindU2BplTcl3mxQJxC1SIszq9zFdGK+1nXhG8N8ZmgvmVYw==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@uiw/color-convert": "2.10.1",
+        "@uiw/react-drag-event-interactive": "2.10.1"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://jaywcjlove.github.io/#/sponsor"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@babel/runtime": ">=7.19.0",
+        "react": ">=16.9.0",
+        "react-dom": ">=16.9.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@uiw/react-drag-event-interactive": {
+      "version": "2.10.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@uiw/react-drag-event-interactive/-/react-drag-event-interactive-2.10.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-eArtX/XdSrg5aQs8CV0vne9vChybw2GkNZCP9H68zjBBzucuYgjURqKBJ/+3jid06YpRZ5zz/YTnAlySqOt0Ag==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://jaywcjlove.github.io/#/sponsor"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@babel/runtime": ">=7.19.0",
+        "react": ">=16.9.0",
+        "react-dom": ">=16.9.0"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/@vitejs/plugin-react": {
       "version": "4.7.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@vitejs/plugin-react/-/plugin-react-4.7.0.tgz",

ui/package.json

@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
     "preview": "vite preview"
   },
   "dependencies": {
+    "@uiw/color-convert": "^2.10.1",
+    "@uiw/react-color-wheel": "^2.10.1",
     "lucide-react": "^0.511.0",
     "react": "^18.3.1",
     "react-dom": "^18.3.1"

ui/src/App.jsx

@@ -47,8 +47,11 @@ function App() {
     return (
       <main className="layout">
         <section className="panel">
-          <h2>Loading</h2>
+          <h3>Loading</h3>
           <p className="muted">Waiting for control state from the native host.</p>
+          <div className="progress-track" aria-hidden="true">
+            <div className="progress-bar is-indeterminate" />
+          </div>
         </section>
       </main>
     );
@@ -58,7 +61,7 @@ function App() {
     <main className="layout">
       <header className="app-header">
         <div>
-          <h1>Video Shader Toys</h1>
+          <h2>Video Shader Toys</h2>
           <p className="muted">Live shader stack, DeckLink status, and runtime controls.</p>
         </div>
         <div className={`status-pill${runtime.compileSucceeded ? " status-pill--ready" : " status-pill--error"}`}>
@@ -66,6 +69,27 @@ function App() {
         </div>
       </header>
 
+      <section className="panel app-summary" aria-label="Runtime summary">
+        <dl className="summary-grid">
+          <div className="summary-item">
+            <dt>Shaders</dt>
+            <dd>{shaders.length}</dd>
+          </div>
+          <div className="summary-item">
+            <dt>Layers</dt>
+            <dd>{layers.length}</dd>
+          </div>
+          <div className="summary-item">
+            <dt>Signal</dt>
+            <dd>{video.hasSignal ? "Present" : "Missing"}</dd>
+          </div>
+          <div className="summary-item">
+            <dt>Render</dt>
+            <dd>{Number(performance.renderMs ?? 0).toFixed(2)} ms</dd>
+          </div>
+        </dl>
+      </section>
+
       <section className="dashboard-grid">
         <StatusPanels app={app} performance={performance} runtime={runtime} video={video} />
         <StackPresetToolbar

ui/src/components/KvList.jsx

@@ -1,18 +1,12 @@
-export function KvList({ values }) {
+export function KvList({ values, variant = "cards" }) {
   return (
-    <dl className="kv">
+    <dl className={variant === "rows" ? "kv-rows" : "definition-grid compact"}>
       {values.map(([key, value]) => (
-        <FragmentRow key={key} label={key} value={value} />
+        <div className={variant === "rows" ? "kv-row" : "definition-card"} key={key}>
+          <dt>{key}</dt>
+          <dd>{value}</dd>
+        </div>
       ))}
     </dl>
   );
 }
-
-function FragmentRow({ label, value }) {
-  return (
-    <>
-      <dt>{label}</dt>
-      <dd>{value}</dd>
-    </>
-  );
-}

ui/src/components/LayerCard.jsx

@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ import { GripVertical, Trash2 } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { postJson } from "../api/controlApi";
 import { ParameterField } from "./ParameterField";
-import { ShaderPicker } from "./ShaderPicker";
 
 export function LayerCard({
   layer,
@@ -19,6 +18,8 @@ export function LayerCard({
   onRemove,
   onLayerParameterChange,
 }) {
+  const selectedShader = shaders.find((shader) => shader.id === layer.shaderId);
+
   return (
     <div
       className={`layer-card${expanded ? " layer-card--expanded" : ""}${isDragging ? " layer-card--dragging" : ""}${isDropTarget ? " layer-card--drop-target" : ""}`}
@@ -90,20 +91,6 @@ export function LayerCard({
 
       {expanded ? (
         <div className="layer-card__body">
-          <div className="layer-card__field">
-            <ShaderPicker
-              id={`shader-${layer.id}`}
-              shaders={shaders}
-              value={layer.shaderId}
-              onChange={(shaderId) =>
-                postJson("/api/layers/set-shader", {
-                  layerId: layer.id,
-                  shaderId,
-                })
-              }
-            />
-          </div>
-
           {layer.temporal?.enabled ? (
             <div className="layer-card__field">
               <label>Temporal</label>
@@ -118,6 +105,13 @@ export function LayerCard({
             </div>
           )}
 
+          {selectedShader?.description ? (
+            <div className="shader-description">
+              <div className="shader-description__meta">{selectedShader.category || "Shader"}</div>
+              <p>{selectedShader.description}</p>
+            </div>
+          ) : null}
+
           <div className="layer-card__subheader">
             <h3>Parameters</h3>
             <button

ui/src/components/LayerStack.jsx

@@ -83,8 +83,10 @@ export function LayerStack({
   return (
     <section className="panel">
       <div className="panel__header">
-        <h2>Layers</h2>
+        <div>
-        <p className="muted">Drag layers to reorder them. Each layer processes the output of the one above it.</p>
+          <h3>Layers</h3>
+          <p className="muted">Drag layers to reorder them. Each layer processes the output of the one above it.</p>
+        </div>
       </div>
 
       <div className="layer-stack">

ui/src/components/ParameterField.jsx

@@ -1,9 +1,15 @@
-import { Copy } from "lucide-react";
+import Wheel from "@uiw/react-color-wheel";
+import { hsvaToRgba, rgbaToHsva } from "@uiw/color-convert";
+import { Copy, RotateCcw } from "lucide-react";
 
 import { useThrottledParameterValue } from "../hooks/useThrottledParameterValue";
 import { ParameterValueDisplay } from "./ParameterValueDisplay";
 
-function ParameterHeader({ layer, parameter }) {
+function valuesMatch(left, right) {
+  return JSON.stringify(left) === JSON.stringify(right);
+}
+
+function ParameterHeader({ layer, parameter, onReset, resetDisabled }) {
   const layerKey = layer.shaderId || layer.shaderName || layer.id;
   const oscRoute = `/VideoShaderToys/${layerKey}/${parameter.id}`;
 
@@ -26,6 +32,16 @@ function ParameterHeader({ layer, parameter }) {
         <span>{oscRoute}</span>
         <Copy size={13} strokeWidth={1.75} aria-hidden="true" />
       </button>
+      <button
+        type="button"
+        className="parameter__reset"
+        title={`Reset ${parameter.label}`}
+        aria-label={`Reset ${parameter.label}`}
+        disabled={resetDisabled}
+        onClick={onReset}
+      >
+        <RotateCcw size={13} strokeWidth={1.9} aria-hidden="true" />
+      </button>
     </div>
   );
 }
@@ -48,13 +64,26 @@ function colorValueToHex(value) {
   return `#${colorComponentToHex(values[0])}${colorComponentToHex(values[1])}${colorComponentToHex(values[2])}`;
 }
 
-function hexToColorValue(hex, alpha) {
+function colorValueToHsva(value) {
-  const sanitized = /^#[0-9a-fA-F]{6}$/.test(hex) ? hex.slice(1) : "000000";
+  const values = [...(value ?? [])];
+  while (values.length < 4) {
+    values.push(values.length === 3 ? 1 : 0);
+  }
+  return rgbaToHsva({
+    r: Math.round(clamp01(values[0]) * 255),
+    g: Math.round(clamp01(values[1]) * 255),
+    b: Math.round(clamp01(values[2]) * 255),
+    a: clamp01(values[3]),
+  });
+}
+
+function hsvaToColorValue(hsva, alpha) {
+  const rgba = hsvaToRgba({ ...hsva, a: clamp01(alpha ?? hsva.a ?? 1) });
   return [
-    parseInt(sanitized.slice(0, 2), 16) / 255,
+    clamp01(rgba.r / 255),
-    parseInt(sanitized.slice(2, 4), 16) / 255,
+    clamp01(rgba.g / 255),
-    parseInt(sanitized.slice(4, 6), 16) / 255,
+    clamp01(rgba.b / 255),
-    clamp01(alpha ?? 1),
+    clamp01(alpha ?? rgba.a ?? 1),
   ];
 }
 
@@ -69,7 +98,21 @@ export function ParameterField({ layer, parameter, onParameterChange }) {
     sendValue,
   } = useThrottledParameterValue(parameter, onParameterChange);
 
-  const header = <ParameterHeader layer={layer} parameter={parameter} />;
+  const defaultValue = parameter.defaultValue;
+  const resetDisabled = defaultValue === undefined || valuesMatch(draftValue, defaultValue);
+  const resetParameter = () => {
+    if (defaultValue !== undefined) {
+      sendValue(defaultValue);
+    }
+  };
+  const header = (
+    <ParameterHeader
+      layer={layer}
+      parameter={parameter}
+      resetDisabled={resetDisabled}
+      onReset={resetParameter}
+    />
+  );
 
   if (parameter.type === "float") {
     return (
@@ -151,14 +194,21 @@ export function ParameterField({ layer, parameter, onParameterChange }) {
     return (
       <section className="parameter">
         {header}
-        <div className="parameter__color-row">
+        <div className="parameter__wheel-row">
-          <input
+          <div
-            type="color"
+            className="parameter__wheel"
-            value={colorValueToHex(values)}
+            onPointerDown={beginInteraction}
-            onFocus={beginInteraction}
+            onPointerUp={endInteraction}
-            onChange={(event) => sendValue(hexToColorValue(event.target.value, values[3]))}
+            onPointerCancel={endInteraction}
             onBlur={endInteraction}
-          />
+          >
+            <Wheel
+              color={colorValueToHsva(values)}
+              width={132}
+              height={132}
+              onChange={(color) => scheduleSendValue(hsvaToColorValue(color.hsva, values[3]))}
+            />
+          </div>
           <label className="parameter__alpha">
             <span>Alpha</span>
             <input
@@ -176,6 +226,7 @@ export function ParameterField({ layer, parameter, onParameterChange }) {
               onBlur={endInteraction}
             />
           </label>
+          <div className="parameter__swatch" style={{ background: colorValueToHex(values) }} aria-hidden="true" />
         </div>
         <ParameterValueDisplay parameterType={parameter.type} value={appliedValue} pending={isPending} />
       </section>
@@ -222,5 +273,23 @@ export function ParameterField({ layer, parameter, onParameterChange }) {
     );
   }
 
+  if (parameter.type === "text") {
+    return (
+      <section className="parameter">
+        {header}
+        <input
+          type="text"
+          maxLength={parameter.maxLength ?? 64}
+          placeholder={parameter.defaultValue ? `Default: ${parameter.defaultValue}` : ""}
+          value={draftValue ?? ""}
+          onFocus={beginInteraction}
+          onChange={(event) => sendValue(event.target.value)}
+          onBlur={endInteraction}
+        />
+        <ParameterValueDisplay parameterType={parameter.type} value={appliedValue} pending={isPending} />
+      </section>
+    );
+  }
+
   return null;
 }

ui/src/components/ShaderPicker.jsx

@@ -12,6 +12,26 @@ function matchesShader(shader, query) {
     .some((value) => value.toLowerCase().includes(normalizedQuery));
 }
 
+function shaderSummary(shader) {
+  if (!shader) {
+    return "Search available shaders";
+  }
+
+  return shader.description || "No description";
+}
+
+function ShaderOptionContent({ shader }) {
+  return (
+    <>
+      <span className="shader-picker__option-head">
+        <span className="shader-picker__name">{shader.name}</span>
+        {shader.category ? <span className="shader-picker__category">{shader.category}</span> : null}
+      </span>
+      <span className="shader-picker__meta">{shaderSummary(shader)}</span>
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
 export function ShaderPicker({ id, label = "Shader", shaders, value, onChange }) {
   const [query, setQuery] = useState("");
   const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
@@ -38,12 +58,13 @@ export function ShaderPicker({ id, label = "Shader", shaders, value, onChange })
         onClick={() => setOpen((current) => !current)}
       >
         <span>
-          <span className="shader-picker__name">{selectedShader?.name ?? "Choose shader"}</span>
+          <span className="shader-picker__option-head">
-          <span className="shader-picker__meta">
+            <span className="shader-picker__name">{selectedShader?.name ?? "Choose shader"}</span>
-            {selectedShader
+            {selectedShader?.category ? (
-              ? `${selectedShader.category ? `${selectedShader.category} / ` : ""}${selectedShader.id}`
+              <span className="shader-picker__category">{selectedShader.category}</span>
-              : "Search available shaders"}
+            ) : null}
           </span>
+          <span className="shader-picker__meta">{shaderSummary(selectedShader)}</span>
         </span>
         <ChevronDown size={16} strokeWidth={1.75} aria-hidden="true" />
       </button>
@@ -76,11 +97,7 @@ export function ShaderPicker({ id, label = "Shader", shaders, value, onChange })
                     setQuery("");
                   }}
                 >
-                  <span className="shader-picker__name">{shader.name}</span>
+                  <ShaderOptionContent shader={shader} />
-                  <span className="shader-picker__meta">
-                    {shader.category ? `${shader.category} / ` : ""}
-                    {shader.id}
-                  </span>
                 </button>
               ))
             ) : (

ui/src/components/StackPresetToolbar.jsx

@@ -11,73 +11,73 @@ export function StackPresetToolbar({
     <div className="panel stack-panel">
       <div className="panel__header stack-panel__header">
         <div>
-          <h2>Stack Presets</h2>
+          <h3>Stack presets</h3>
           <p className="muted">Save or recall the current layer chain.</p>
         </div>
         <button type="button" className="stack-panel__reload" onClick={() => postJson("/api/reload", {})}>
-          Reload Shader
+          Reload shader
         </button>
       </div>
 
       <div className="stack-panel__grid">
-      <div className="toolbar__group">
+        <div className="toolbar__group">
-        <label htmlFor="preset-name">Save Stack</label>
+          <label htmlFor="preset-name">Save stack</label>
-        <div className="toolbar__inline">
+          <div className="toolbar__inline">
-          <input
+            <input
-            id="preset-name"
+              id="preset-name"
-            type="text"
+              type="text"
-            placeholder="Preset name"
+              placeholder="Preset name"
-            value={presetName}
+              value={presetName}
-            onChange={(event) => onPresetNameChange(event.target.value)}
+              onChange={(event) => onPresetNameChange(event.target.value)}
-          />
+            />
-          <button
+            <button
-            type="button"
+              type="button"
-            disabled={!presetName.trim()}
+              disabled={!presetName.trim()}
-            onClick={() => {
+              onClick={() => {
-              const trimmedName = presetName.trim();
+                const trimmedName = presetName.trim();
-              if (!trimmedName) {
+                if (!trimmedName) {
-                return;
+                  return;
-              }
+                }
-              postJson("/api/stack-presets/save", { presetName: trimmedName });
+                postJson("/api/stack-presets/save", { presetName: trimmedName });
-              onSelectedPresetNameChange(
+                onSelectedPresetNameChange(
-                trimmedName.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, "-").replace(/^-+|-+$/g, ""),
+                  trimmedName.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, "-").replace(/^-+|-+$/g, ""),
-              );
+                );
-            }}
+              }}
-          >
+            >
-            Save
+              Save
-          </button>
+            </button>
+          </div>
         </div>
-      </div>
 
-      <div className="toolbar__group">
+        <div className="toolbar__group">
-        <label htmlFor="preset-select">Recall Stack</label>
+          <label htmlFor="preset-select">Recall stack</label>
-        <div className="toolbar__inline">
+          <div className="toolbar__inline">
-          <select
+            <select
-            id="preset-select"
+              id="preset-select"
-            value={selectedPresetName}
+              value={selectedPresetName}
-            onChange={(event) => onSelectedPresetNameChange(event.target.value)}
+              onChange={(event) => onSelectedPresetNameChange(event.target.value)}
-          >
+            >
-            {stackPresets.length === 0 ? <option value="">No presets</option> : null}
+              {stackPresets.length === 0 ? <option value="">No presets</option> : null}
-            {stackPresets.map((preset) => (
+              {stackPresets.map((preset) => (
-              <option key={preset} value={preset}>
+                <option key={preset} value={preset}>
-                {preset}
+                  {preset}
-              </option>
+                </option>
-            ))}
+              ))}
-          </select>
+            </select>
-          <button
+            <button
-            type="button"
+              type="button"
-            disabled={!selectedPresetName}
+              disabled={!selectedPresetName}
-            onClick={() => {
+              onClick={() => {
-              if (selectedPresetName) {
+                if (selectedPresetName) {
-                postJson("/api/stack-presets/load", { presetName: selectedPresetName });
+                  postJson("/api/stack-presets/load", { presetName: selectedPresetName });
-              }
+                }
-            }}
+              }}
-          >
+            >
-            Recall
+              Recall
-          </button>
+            </button>
+          </div>
         </div>
       </div>
-      </div>
     </div>
   );
 }

ui/src/components/StatusPanels.jsx

@@ -5,40 +5,66 @@ function formatNumber(value, digits = 3) {
 }
 
 export function StatusPanels({ app, performance, runtime, video }) {
+  const budgetUsedPercent = Math.max(0, Math.min(100, Number(performance.budgetUsedPercent) || 0));
+
   return (
     <>
-      <div className="panel panel--runtime">
+      <div className="panel panel--telemetry">
-        <h2>Runtime</h2>
+        <div className="telemetry-header">
-        <KvList
+          <h3>Status</h3>
-          values={[
+          <div className="status-badges" aria-label="Current status">
-            ["Layer Count", `${runtime.layerCount || 0}`],
+            <span className={`mini-status${runtime.compileSucceeded ? " mini-status--ready" : " mini-status--error"}`}>
-            ["Auto Reload", app.autoReload ? "On" : "Off"],
+              {runtime.compileSucceeded ? "Ready" : "Error"}
-            ["Temporal Cap", `${app.maxTemporalHistoryFrames ?? 0}`],
+            </span>
-            ["Control URL", `http://127.0.0.1:${app.serverPort}`],
+            <span className={`mini-status${video.hasSignal ? " mini-status--ready" : " mini-status--error"}`}>
-            ["Compile Status", runtime.compileSucceeded ? "Ready" : "Error"],
+              {video.hasSignal ? "Signal" : "No signal"}
-            ["Render Time", `${formatNumber(performance.renderMs, 2)} ms`],
+            </span>
-            ["Smoothed Time", `${formatNumber(performance.smoothedRenderMs, 2)} ms`],
+          </div>
-            ["Frame Budget", `${formatNumber(performance.frameBudgetMs, 2)} ms`],
+        </div>
-            ["Budget Used", `${formatNumber(performance.budgetUsedPercent, 1)}%`],
-          ]}
-        />
-      </div>
 
-      <div className="panel panel--video">
+        <div className="telemetry-sections">
-        <h2>Video</h2>
+          <section className="telemetry-section" aria-labelledby="runtime-status-heading">
-        <KvList
+            <h4 id="runtime-status-heading">Runtime</h4>
-          values={[
+            <KvList
-            ["Signal", video.hasSignal ? "Present" : "Missing"],
+              variant="rows"
-            ["Input Mode", video.modeName || "Unknown"],
+              values={[
-            ["Input Resolution", `${video.width || 0} x ${video.height || 0}`],
+                ["Layers", `${runtime.layerCount || 0}`],
-            ["Output Mode", `${app.outputVideoFormat || "Unknown"}${app.outputFrameRate ? ` ${app.outputFrameRate}` : ""}`],
+                ["Auto reload", app.autoReload ? "On" : "Off"],
-          ]}
+                ["Temporal cap", `${app.maxTemporalHistoryFrames ?? 0}`],
-        />
+                ["Control URL", `127.0.0.1:${app.serverPort}`],
+                ["Render", `${formatNumber(performance.renderMs, 2)} ms`],
+                ["Smoothed", `${formatNumber(performance.smoothedRenderMs, 2)} ms`],
+                ["Frame budget", `${formatNumber(performance.frameBudgetMs, 2)} ms`],
+              ]}
+            />
+            <div className="meter-row">
+              <span>Budget used</span>
+              <div className="progress-track" aria-hidden="true">
+                <div className="progress-bar" style={{ width: `${budgetUsedPercent}%` }} />
+              </div>
+              <strong>{formatNumber(performance.budgetUsedPercent, 1)}%</strong>
+            </div>
+          </section>
+
+          <section className="telemetry-section" aria-labelledby="video-status-heading">
+            <h4 id="video-status-heading">Video</h4>
+            <KvList
+              variant="rows"
+              values={[
+                ["Input mode", video.modeName || "Unknown"],
+                ["Input size", `${video.width || 0} x ${video.height || 0}`],
+                ["Output", `${app.outputVideoFormat || "Unknown"}${app.outputFrameRate ? ` ${app.outputFrameRate}` : ""}`],
+              ]}
+            />
+          </section>
+        </div>
       </div>
 
       <div className="panel panel--compiler">
-        <h2>Compiler</h2>
+        <h3>Compiler</h3>
-        <pre>{runtime.compileMessage || "No compiler output."}</pre>
+        <pre className="log-panel" aria-live="polite">
+          {runtime.compileMessage || "No compiler output."}
+        </pre>
       </div>
     </>
   );

ui/src/hooks/useThrottledParameterValue.js

@@ -5,33 +5,34 @@ function valuesMatch(left, right) {
 }
 
 export function useThrottledParameterValue(parameter, onParameterChange) {
-  const [draftValue, setDraftValue] = useState(parameter.value);
+  const currentValue = parameter.value === undefined ? parameter.defaultValue : parameter.value;
-  const [appliedValue, setAppliedValue] = useState(parameter.value);
+  const [draftValue, setDraftValue] = useState(currentValue);
+  const [appliedValue, setAppliedValue] = useState(currentValue);
   const pendingTimeoutRef = useRef(null);
-  const latestDraftRef = useRef(parameter.value);
+  const latestDraftRef = useRef(currentValue);
   const lastSentAtRef = useRef(0);
   const isInteractingRef = useRef(false);
   const isDirtyRef = useRef(false);
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    setDraftValue(parameter.value);
+    setDraftValue(currentValue);
-    setAppliedValue(parameter.value);
+    setAppliedValue(currentValue);
-    latestDraftRef.current = parameter.value;
+    latestDraftRef.current = currentValue;
     lastSentAtRef.current = 0;
     isInteractingRef.current = false;
     isDirtyRef.current = false;
   }, [parameter.id]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    setAppliedValue(parameter.value);
+    setAppliedValue(currentValue);
     latestDraftRef.current = draftValue;
-    if (isDirtyRef.current && valuesMatch(parameter.value, latestDraftRef.current)) {
+    if (isDirtyRef.current && valuesMatch(currentValue, latestDraftRef.current)) {
       isDirtyRef.current = false;
     }
     if (!isInteractingRef.current && !isDirtyRef.current) {
-      setDraftValue(parameter.value);
+      setDraftValue(currentValue);
     }
-  }, [draftValue, parameter.value]);
+  }, [draftValue, currentValue]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     return () => {