diff --git a/combat.cpp b/combat.cpp
index 419150b..62b6371 100644
--- a/combat.cpp
+++ b/combat.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,4 @@ namespace components {
 
     return my_dmg;
   }
-
-
 }
diff --git a/guecs.cpp b/guecs.cpp
index 1305a58..ea243a6 100644
--- a/guecs.cpp
+++ b/guecs.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,70 @@
 #include "guecs.hpp"
 
 namespace guecs {
+
+  void Textual::init(lel::Cell &cell, shared_ptr<sf::Font> font_ptr) {
+    dbc::check(font_ptr != nullptr, "you failed to initialize this WideText");
+    if(font == nullptr) font = font_ptr;
+    if(text == nullptr) text = make_shared<sf::Text>(*font, content, size);
+    text->setFillColor(color);
+
+    if(centered) {
+      auto bounds = text->getLocalBounds();
+      auto text_cell = lel::center(bounds.size.x, bounds.size.y, cell);
+      // this stupid / 2 is because SFML renders from baseline rather than from the claimed bounding box
+      text->setPosition({float(text_cell.x), float(text_cell.y) - text_cell.h / 2});
+    } else {
+      text->setPosition({float(cell.x + padding * 2), float(cell.y + padding * 2)});
+    }
+
+    text->setCharacterSize(size);
+  }
+
+  void Textual::update(std::wstring& new_content) {
+    content = new_content;
+    text->setString(content);
+  }
+
+
+  void Sprite::init(lel::Cell &cell) {
+    auto sprite_texture = textures::get(name);
+    texture = sprite_texture.texture;
+    sprite = make_shared<sf::Sprite>(*texture);
+
+    sprite->setPosition({
+        float(cell.x + padding),
+        float(cell.y + padding)});
+
+    auto bounds = sprite->getGlobalBounds();
+
+    sprite->setScale({
+        float(cell.w - padding * 2) / bounds.size.x,
+        float(cell.h - padding * 2) / bounds.size.y});
+  }
+
+  void Rectangle::init(lel::Cell& cell) {
+    sf::Vector2f size{float(cell.w) - padding * 2, float(cell.h) - padding * 2};
+    if(shape == nullptr) shape = make_shared<sf::RectangleShape>(size);
+    shape->setPosition({float(cell.x + padding), float(cell.y + padding)});
+    shape->setFillColor(color);
+    shape->setOutlineColor(border_color);
+    shape->setOutlineThickness(border_px);
+  }
+
+
+  void Meter::init(lel::Cell& cell) {
+    bar.init(cell);
+  }
+
+
+  void Background::init() {
+    sf::Vector2f size{float(w), float(h)};
+    if(shape == nullptr) shape = make_shared<sf::RectangleShape>(size);
+    shape->setPosition({float(x), float(y)});
+    shape->setFillColor(color);
+  }
+
+
   UI::UI() {
     $font = make_shared<sf::Font>(FONT_FILE_NAME);
   }
diff --git a/guecs.hpp b/guecs.hpp
index a0737c6..6947953 100644
--- a/guecs.hpp
+++ b/guecs.hpp
@@ -24,33 +24,11 @@ namespace guecs {
     shared_ptr<sf::Font> font = nullptr;
     shared_ptr<sf::Text> text = nullptr;
 
-    void init(lel::Cell &cell, shared_ptr<sf::Font> font_ptr) {
-      dbc::check(font_ptr != nullptr, "you failed to initialize this WideText");
-      if(font == nullptr) font = font_ptr;
-      if(text == nullptr) text = make_shared<sf::Text>(*font, content, size);
-      text->setFillColor(color);
-
-      if(centered) {
-        dbc::log("TEXTUAL IS CENTERED");
-        auto bounds = text->getLocalBounds();
-        auto text_cell = lel::center(bounds.size.x, bounds.size.y, cell);
-        // this stupid / 2 is because SFML renders from baseline rather than from the claimed bounding box
-        text->setPosition({float(text_cell.x), float(text_cell.y) - text_cell.h / 2});
-      } else {
-        text->setPosition({float(cell.x + padding * 2), float(cell.y + padding * 2)});
-      }
-
-      text->setCharacterSize(size);
-    }
-
-    void update(std::wstring& new_content) {
-      content = new_content;
-      text->setString(content);
-    }
+    void init(lel::Cell &cell, shared_ptr<sf::Font> font_ptr);
+    void update(std::wstring& new_content);
   };
 
   struct Label : public Textual {
-
     template<typename... Args>
     Label(Args... args) : Textual(args...)
     {
@@ -75,19 +53,7 @@ namespace guecs {
     std::shared_ptr<sf::Sprite> sprite = nullptr;
     std::shared_ptr<sf::Texture> texture = nullptr;
 
-    void init(lel::Cell &cell) {
-        auto sprite_texture = textures::get(name);
-        texture = sprite_texture.texture;
-        sprite = make_shared<sf::Sprite>(*texture);
-        sprite->setPosition({
-            float(cell.x + padding),
-            float(cell.y + padding)});
-
-        auto size = texture->getSize();
-        sprite->setScale({
-            float(cell.w - padding * 2) / size.x,
-            float(cell.h - padding * 2) / size.y});
-    }
+    void init(lel::Cell &cell);
   };
 
   struct Rectangle {
@@ -97,23 +63,14 @@ namespace guecs {
     int border_px = GUECS_BORDER_PX;
     shared_ptr<sf::RectangleShape> shape = nullptr;
 
-    void init(lel::Cell& cell) {
-      sf::Vector2f size{float(cell.w) - padding * 2, float(cell.h) - padding * 2};
-      if(shape == nullptr) shape = make_shared<sf::RectangleShape>(size);
-      shape->setPosition({float(cell.x + padding), float(cell.y + padding)});
-      shape->setFillColor(color);
-      shape->setOutlineColor(border_color);
-      shape->setOutlineThickness(border_px);
-    }
+    void init(lel::Cell& cell);
   };
 
   struct Meter {
     float percent = 1.0f;
     Rectangle bar;
 
-    void init(lel::Cell& cell) {
-      bar.init(cell);
-    }
+    void init(lel::Cell& cell);
   };
 
   struct ActionData {
@@ -130,7 +87,6 @@ namespace guecs {
     float w = 0.0f;
     float h = 0.0f;
     sf::Color color = GUECS_BG_COLOR;
-
     shared_ptr<sf::RectangleShape> shape = nullptr;
 
     Background(lel::Parser& parser, sf::Color bg_color=GUECS_BG_COLOR) :
@@ -143,12 +99,7 @@ namespace guecs {
 
     Background() {}
 
-    void init() {
-      sf::Vector2f size{float(w), float(h)};
-      if(shape == nullptr) shape = make_shared<sf::RectangleShape>(size);
-      shape->setPosition({float(x), float(y)});
-      shape->setFillColor(color);
-    }
+    void init();
   };
 
   class UI {
diff --git a/gui_fsm.cpp b/gui_fsm.cpp
index 5d49159..5557041 100644
--- a/gui_fsm.cpp
+++ b/gui_fsm.cpp
@@ -282,6 +282,11 @@ namespace gui {
           case KEY::O:
             autowalking = true;
             break;
+          case KEY::Equal:
+            $levels.spawn_enemy("KNIGHT");
+            $main_ui.update_level($level);
+            run_systems();
+            break;
           case KEY::L:
             event(Event::STAIRS_DOWN);
             break;
diff --git a/levelmanager.cpp b/levelmanager.cpp
index ded7ed3..92f57cc 100644
--- a/levelmanager.cpp
+++ b/levelmanager.cpp
@@ -51,6 +51,36 @@ shared_ptr<gui::BossFightUI> LevelManager::create_bossfight(shared_ptr<DinkyECS:
   return make_shared<gui::BossFightUI>(world, boss_id);
 }
 
+DinkyECS::Entity LevelManager::spawn_enemy(std::string named) {
+  (void)named;
+  auto& level = current();
+
+  auto &config = level.world->get_the<GameConfig>();
+  auto entity_data = config.enemies[named];
+
+  WorldBuilder builder(*level.map, $components);
+
+  auto entity_id = builder.configure_entity_in_map(*level.world, entity_data, 0);
+
+  auto& entity_pos = level.world->get<Position>(entity_id);
+  auto player_pos = level.world->get<Position>(level.player);
+
+  for(matrix::box it{level.map->walls(),
+      player_pos.location.x, player_pos.location.y, 1}; it.next();)
+  {
+    if(level.map->can_move({it.x, it.y})) {
+      // this is where we move it closer to the player
+      entity_pos.location.x = it.x;
+      entity_pos.location.y = it.y;
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+
+  level.collision->insert(entity_pos.location, entity_id);
+
+  return entity_id;
+}
+
 size_t LevelManager::create_level(shared_ptr<DinkyECS::World> prev_world) {
   auto world = clone_load_world(prev_world);
   auto scaling = scale_level();
diff --git a/levelmanager.hpp b/levelmanager.hpp
index 09e7f05..a51faff 100644
--- a/levelmanager.hpp
+++ b/levelmanager.hpp
@@ -41,4 +41,6 @@ class LevelManager {
   size_t current_index() { return $current_level; }
   GameLevel &get(size_t index);
   LevelScaling scale_level();
+
+  DinkyECS::Entity spawn_enemy(std::string named);
 };
diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index debab18..f4a0bff 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -161,3 +161,14 @@ executable('zedcaster',
   link_args: link_args,
   override_options: exe_defaults,
   dependencies: dependencies)
+
+
+executable('arena',
+  sources + [
+    'tools/arena.cpp',
+    'tools/arena_ui.cpp',
+    'tools/arena_fsm.cpp' ],
+  cpp_args: cpp_args,
+  link_args: link_args,
+  override_options: exe_defaults,
+  dependencies: dependencies)
diff --git a/textures.cpp b/textures.cpp
index 354041c..198b24d 100644
--- a/textures.cpp
+++ b/textures.cpp
@@ -52,9 +52,18 @@ namespace textures {
   }
 
   SpriteTexture get(std::string name) {
+    dbc::check(initialized, "you forgot to call textures::init()");
     dbc::check(TMGR.sprite_textures.contains(name),
         fmt::format("!!!!! texture pack does not contain {} sprite", name));
-    return TMGR.sprite_textures.at(name);
+
+    auto result = TMGR.sprite_textures.at(name);
+
+    dbc::check(result.sprite != nullptr,
+        fmt::format("bad sprite from textures::get named {}", name));
+    dbc::check(result.texture != nullptr,
+        fmt::format("bad texture from textures::get named {}", name));
+
+    return result;
   }
 
   sf::Image load_image(std::string filename) {
diff --git a/tools/arena.cpp b/tools/arena.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..40eb826
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/arena.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+#include "arena_fsm.hpp"
+#include "textures.hpp"
+#include "sound.hpp"
+#include "ai.hpp"
+#include "animation.hpp"
+#include <iostream>
+
+int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
+  try {
+    dbc::check(argc == 2, "USAGE: arena enemy_name");
+    std::string enemy_name{argv[1]};
+
+    textures::init();
+    sound::init();
+    ai::init("assets/ai.json");
+    animation::init();
+
+    sound::mute(false);
+    sound::play("ambient_1", true);
+
+    arena::FSM main(enemy_name);
+
+    main.event(arena::Event::STARTED);
+
+    while(main.active()) {
+      main.render();
+
+      // ZED: need to sort out how to deal with this in the FSM
+      if(main.in_state(arena::State::IDLE)) {
+        main.event(arena::Event::TICK);
+      }
+
+      main.keyboard_mouse();
+
+      main.handle_world_events();
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+  } catch(const std::system_error& e) {
+    std::cout << "WARNING: On OSX you'll get this error on shutdown.\n";
+    std::cout << "Caught system_error with code "
+                 "[" << e.code() << "] meaning "
+                 "[" << e.what() << "]\n";
+  }
+}
diff --git a/tools/arena_fsm.cpp b/tools/arena_fsm.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..90c8ecf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/arena_fsm.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+#include "gui_fsm.hpp"
+#include <iostream>
+#include <chrono>
+#include <numeric>
+#include <functional>
+#include "components.hpp"
+#include <numbers>
+#include "systems.hpp"
+#include "events.hpp"
+#include "sound.hpp"
+#include <fmt/xchar.h>
+#include "arena_fsm.hpp"
+
+namespace arena {
+  using namespace components;
+
+  FSM::FSM(std::string enemy_name) :
+    $enemy_name(enemy_name),
+    $window(sf::VideoMode({SCREEN_WIDTH, SCREEN_HEIGHT}), "Arena Battle Tester"),
+    $font{FONT_FILE_NAME}
+    {
+    }
+
+  void FSM::event(Event ev) {
+    switch($state) {
+      FSM_STATE(State, START, ev);
+      FSM_STATE(State, IDLE, ev);
+      FSM_STATE(State, END, ev);
+    }
+  }
+
+  void FSM::START(Event ) {
+    run_systems();
+    $level = $level_mgr.current();
+
+    auto entity_id = $level_mgr.spawn_enemy($enemy_name);
+
+    $arena_ui = make_shared<ArenaUI>($level.world, entity_id);
+    $arena_ui->init();
+    state(State::IDLE);
+  }
+
+  void FSM::END(Event ev) {
+    dbc::log(fmt::format("END: received event after done: {}", int(ev)));
+  }
+
+  void FSM::IDLE(Event ev) {
+    using enum Event;
+
+    switch(ev) {
+      case QUIT:
+        $window.close();
+        state(State::END);
+        return; // done
+      case CLOSE:
+        dbc::log("Nothing to close.");
+        break;
+      case TICK:
+        // do nothing
+        break;
+      case ATTACK:
+        dbc::log("ATTACK!");
+        break;
+      default:
+        dbc::sentinel("unhandled event in IDLE");
+    }
+  }
+
+  void FSM::keyboard_mouse() {
+    while(const auto ev = $window.pollEvent()) {
+      if(ev->is<sf::Event::Closed>()) {
+        event(Event::QUIT);
+      }
+
+      if(const auto* mouse = ev->getIf<sf::Event::MouseButtonPressed>()) {
+        if(mouse->button == sf::Mouse::Button::Left) {
+          sf::Vector2f pos = $window.mapPixelToCoords(mouse->position);
+          (void)pos;
+        }
+      }
+
+      if(const auto* key = ev->getIf<sf::Event::KeyPressed>()) {
+        using KEY = sf::Keyboard::Scan;
+
+        switch(key->scancode) {
+          case KEY::Escape:
+            event(Event::CLOSE);
+            break;
+          case KEY::Space:
+            event(Event::ATTACK);
+            break;
+          default:
+            break; // ignored
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  void FSM::draw_gui() {
+    if($arena_ui != nullptr) {
+      $arena_ui->render($window);
+    }
+  }
+
+  void FSM::render() {
+    $window.clear();
+    draw_gui();
+    $window.display();
+  }
+
+  void FSM::run_systems() {
+  }
+
+  bool FSM::active() {
+    return !in_state(State::END);
+  }
+
+  void FSM::handle_world_events() {
+  }
+}
diff --git a/tools/arena_fsm.hpp b/tools/arena_fsm.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9cce3e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/arena_fsm.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+#pragma once
+#include "constants.hpp"
+#include "stats.hpp"
+#include "levelmanager.hpp"
+#include "fsm.hpp"
+#include "main_ui.hpp"
+#include "combat_ui.hpp"
+#include "status_ui.hpp"
+#include "arena_ui.hpp"
+#include "map_view.hpp"
+#include "mini_map.hpp"
+
+namespace arena {
+  enum class State {
+    START,
+    IDLE,
+    END
+  };
+
+  enum class Event {
+    STARTED=0,
+    TICK=1,
+    CLOSE = 7,
+    ATTACK = 10,
+    QUIT = 14
+  };
+
+  class FSM : public DeadSimpleFSM<State, Event> {
+    public:
+      std::string $enemy_name;
+      sf::RenderWindow $window;
+      sf::Font $font;
+      LevelManager $level_mgr;
+      GameLevel $level;
+      shared_ptr<arena::ArenaUI> $arena_ui = nullptr;
+
+      FSM(std::string enemy_name);
+
+      void event(Event ev);
+      void START(Event );
+      void IDLE(Event ev);
+      void END(Event ev);
+
+      void try_move(int dir, bool strafe);
+      void keyboard_mouse();
+      void draw_gui();
+      void render();
+      bool active();
+      void run_systems();
+      void handle_world_events();
+  };
+}
diff --git a/tools/arena_ui.cpp b/tools/arena_ui.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d38a6ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/arena_ui.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+#include "arena_ui.hpp"
+#include "easings.hpp"
+#include "sound.hpp"
+#include <fmt/xchar.h>
+
+namespace arena {
+  using namespace guecs;
+
+  ArenaUI::ArenaUI(shared_ptr<DinkyECS::World> world, DinkyECS::Entity entity_id)
+    : $world(world),
+      $entity_id(entity_id),
+      $config(world->get_the<components::GameConfig>())
+  {
+    $status.position(0, 0, BOSS_VIEW_X, SCREEN_HEIGHT);
+    $status.layout(
+        "[main_status]"
+        "[(150)status_3|(150)status_4]"
+        "[(150)status_5|(150)status_6]"
+        "[(150)status_7|(150)status_8]");
+
+    $overlay.position(BOSS_VIEW_X, BOSS_VIEW_Y,
+        BOSS_VIEW_WIDTH, BOSS_VIEW_HEIGHT);
+
+    $overlay.layout("[_|=*%(200)enemy|_|_]");
+
+    $sounds = $world->get<components::Sound>($entity_id);
+    $combat = $world->get<components::Combat>($entity_id);
+    $sprite_config = $world->get<components::Sprite>($entity_id);
+  }
+
+  void ArenaUI::configure_sprite() {
+    $animation = $world->get<components::Animation>($entity_id);
+    $animation.frame_width = $sprite_config.width;
+
+    auto enemy_id = $overlay.entity("enemy");
+    auto& enemy_image = $overlay.get<Sprite>(enemy_id);
+
+    sf::IntRect frame_rect{{0,0},{$sprite_config.width, $sprite_config.height}};
+    enemy_image.sprite->setTextureRect(frame_rect);
+  }
+
+  void ArenaUI::configure_background() {
+    if($world->has<components::BossFight>($entity_id)) {
+      auto& boss = $world->get<components::BossFight>($entity_id);
+
+      $entity_background = textures::get(boss.background);
+      $entity_background.sprite->setPosition({BOSS_VIEW_X, BOSS_VIEW_Y});
+      $status.world().set_the<Background>({$status.$parser});
+
+      $entity_has_stage = true;
+
+      if(boss.stage) {
+        $entity_stage = textures::get(*boss.stage);
+      } else {
+        $entity_stage = textures::get("devils_fingers_background");
+      }
+
+      $entity_stage.sprite->setPosition({BOSS_VIEW_X, BOSS_VIEW_Y});
+    } else {
+      $entity_has_stage = false;
+      $entity_background = textures::get("devils_fingers_background");
+      $entity_background.sprite->setPosition({BOSS_VIEW_X, BOSS_VIEW_Y});
+      $status.world().set_the<Background>({$status.$parser});
+    }
+  }
+
+  void ArenaUI::configure_gui() {
+    for(auto& [name, cell] : $status.cells()) {
+      auto button = $status.entity(name);
+      $status.set<Rectangle>(button, {});
+      $status.set<Clickable>(button, {
+          [this, name](auto, auto){
+            dbc::log(fmt::format("STATUS: {}", name));
+          }
+      });
+      if(name == "main_status") {
+        $status.set<Textual>(button, {fmt::format(L"HP: {}", $combat.hp)});
+      } else {
+        $status.set<Label>(button, {L"Attack"});
+      }
+    }
+    $status.init();
+
+    for(auto& [name, cell] : $overlay.cells()) {
+      auto region = $overlay.entity(name);
+      $overlay.set<Clickable>(region, {
+          [this, name](auto, auto){
+            dbc::log(fmt::format("OVERLAY: {}", name));
+          }
+      });
+
+      if(name == "enemy") {
+        $overlay.set<Sprite>(region, {$sprite_config.name, 20});
+      }
+    }
+
+    $overlay.init();
+
+    configure_sprite();
+  }
+
+  void ArenaUI::init() {
+    // background must come first
+    configure_background();
+    configure_gui();
+  }
+
+  void ArenaUI::render(sf::RenderWindow& window) {
+    window.draw(*$entity_background.sprite);
+
+    if($entity_has_stage) {
+      window.draw(*$entity_stage.sprite);
+    }
+
+    $status.render(window);
+    $overlay.render(window);
+  }
+
+  bool ArenaUI::mouse(float x, float y) {
+    if($status.mouse(x, y)) {
+      dbc::log("STATUS button pressed");
+    }
+
+    if($overlay.mouse(x, y)) {
+      $animation.play();
+      sound::play("Sword_Hit_1");
+      $entity_hit = !$entity_hit;
+      $combat.hp--;
+    }
+
+    return false;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/tools/arena_ui.hpp b/tools/arena_ui.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fabd241
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/arena_ui.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+#pragma once
+#include <SFML/Graphics/RenderWindow.hpp>
+#include <SFML/Graphics/Font.hpp>
+#include "guecs.hpp"
+#include "textures.hpp"
+#include "components.hpp"
+#include <SFML/System/Clock.hpp>
+
+// aspect ratio of art is 3/2 so 1.5
+// possible sizes:  900/600; 1620/1080; 1800/1200
+// To calculate it do short side * 1.5 so 1080 * 1.5 == 1620
+//
+// Side panel = 300/1080
+
+namespace arena {
+  using std::string, std::shared_ptr;
+
+  class ArenaUI {
+    public:
+      sf::Clock $clock;
+      bool $entity_hit = false;
+      sf::Vector2f $entity_pos;
+      components::Combat $combat;
+      components::Sprite $sprite_config;
+      components::Sound $sounds;
+      components::Animation $animation;
+      guecs::UI $status;
+      guecs::UI $overlay;
+      textures::SpriteTexture $entity_background;
+      bool $entity_has_stage = false;
+      textures::SpriteTexture $entity_stage;
+      std::shared_ptr<DinkyECS::World> $world = nullptr;
+      DinkyECS::Entity $entity_id;
+      components::GameConfig& $config;
+
+      ArenaUI(shared_ptr<DinkyECS::World> world, DinkyECS::Entity entity_id);
+
+      void init();
+      void render(sf::RenderWindow& window);
+      bool mouse(float x, float y);
+      void configure_sprite();
+      void configure_background();
+      void configure_gui();
+  };
+}
diff --git a/worldbuilder.cpp b/worldbuilder.cpp
index ae121b3..b461d5f 100644
--- a/worldbuilder.cpp
+++ b/worldbuilder.cpp
@@ -253,6 +253,7 @@ void WorldBuilder::place_entities(DinkyECS::World &world) {
   } else {
     auto player_data = config.enemies["PLAYER_TILE"];
     auto player_ent = configure_entity_in_map(world, player_data, 0);
+
     // configure player in the world
     Player player{player_ent};
     world.set_the<Player>(player);