diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 2c3678b..728e302 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -6,10 +6,7 @@ reset:
 patch:
 	powershell "cp ./patches/process.h ./subprojects/libgit2-1.9.0/src/util/process.h"
 
-%.cpp : %.rl
-	ragel -o $@ $<
-
-build: lel_parser.cpp
+build:
 	meson compile -C builddir
 
 config:
diff --git a/backend.cpp b/backend.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8330a6a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+#include "backend.hpp"
+#include "shaders.hpp"
+#include "sound.hpp"
+#include "textures.hpp"
+
+namespace sfml {
+  guecs::SpriteTexture Backend::texture_get(const string& name) {
+    auto sp = textures::get(name);
+    return {sp.sprite, sp.texture};
+  }
+
+  Backend::Backend() {
+    sound::init();
+    shaders::init();
+    textures::init();
+  }
+
+  void Backend::sound_play(const string& name) {
+    sound::play(name);
+  }
+
+  void Backend::sound_stop(const string& name) {
+    sound::stop(name);
+  }
+
+  std::shared_ptr<sf::Shader> Backend::shader_get(const std::string& name) {
+    return shaders::get(name);
+  }
+
+  bool Backend::shader_updated() {
+    if(shaders::updated($shaders_version)) {
+      $shaders_version = shaders::version();
+      return true;
+    } else {
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  guecs::Theme Backend::theme() {
+    guecs::Theme theme {
+      .BLACK={1, 4, 2},
+      .DARK_DARK={9, 29, 16},
+      .DARK_MID={14, 50, 26},
+      .DARK_LIGHT={0, 109, 44},
+      .MID={63, 171, 92},
+      .LIGHT_DARK={161, 217, 155},
+      .LIGHT_MID={199, 233, 192},
+      .LIGHT_LIGHT={229, 245, 224},
+      .WHITE={255, 255, 255},
+      .TRANSPARENT = sf::Color::Transparent
+    };
+
+    theme.PADDING = 3;
+    theme.BORDER_PX = 1;
+    theme.TEXT_SIZE = 40;
+    theme.LABEL_SIZE = 40;
+    theme.FILL_COLOR = theme.DARK_DARK;
+    theme.TEXT_COLOR = theme.LIGHT_LIGHT;
+    theme.BG_COLOR = theme.MID;
+    theme.BORDER_COLOR = theme.LIGHT_DARK;
+    theme.BG_COLOR_DARK = theme.BLACK;
+    theme.FONT_FILE_NAME = "assets/text.ttf";
+
+    return theme;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/backend.hpp b/backend.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fed18f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#include "guecs/ui.hpp"
+
+namespace sfml {
+  using std::string;
+
+  class Backend : public guecs::Backend {
+    int $shaders_version = 0;
+
+  public:
+
+    Backend();
+    guecs::SpriteTexture texture_get(const string& name);
+    void sound_play(const string& name);
+    void sound_stop(const string& name);
+    std::shared_ptr<sf::Shader> shader_get(const std::string& name);
+    bool shader_updated();
+    guecs::Theme theme();
+  };
+}
diff --git a/color.hpp b/color.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 2998737..0000000
--- a/color.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-#include <SFML/Graphics/Color.hpp>
-
-namespace ColorValue {
-  const sf::Color BLACK{1, 4, 2};
-  const sf::Color DARK_DARK{9, 29, 16};
-  const sf::Color DARK_MID{14, 50, 26};
-  const sf::Color DARK_LIGHT{0, 109, 44};
-  const sf::Color MID{63, 171, 92};
-  const sf::Color LIGHT_DARK{161, 217, 155};
-  const sf::Color LIGHT_MID{199, 233, 192};
-  const sf::Color LIGHT_LIGHT{229, 245, 224};
-  const sf::Color WHITE{255, 255, 255};
-  const sf::Color TRANSPARENT = sf::Color::Transparent;
-}
diff --git a/constants.hpp b/constants.hpp
index cff894f..14e06e5 100644
--- a/constants.hpp
+++ b/constants.hpp
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include <string>
-#include "color.hpp"
 #include <array>
 
 constexpr const int SCREEN_WIDTH= 1920 / 2;
@@ -10,15 +9,6 @@ constexpr const int SCREEN_HEIGHT= 1080 / 2;
 constexpr const bool VSYNC=false;
 constexpr const int FRAME_LIMIT=60;
 
-constexpr const int GUECS_PADDING = 3;
-constexpr const int GUECS_BORDER_PX = 1;
-constexpr const int GUECS_FONT_SIZE = 40;
-const sf::Color GUECS_FILL_COLOR = ColorValue::DARK_DARK;
-const sf::Color GUECS_TEXT_COLOR = ColorValue::LIGHT_LIGHT;
-const sf::Color GUECS_BG_COLOR = ColorValue::BLACK;
-const sf::Color GUECS_BORDER_COLOR = ColorValue::MID;
-constexpr const char *FONT_FILE_NAME="assets/text.ttf";
-
 #ifdef NDEBUG
 constexpr const bool DEBUG_BUILD=false;
 #else
diff --git a/dbc.hpp b/dbc.hpp
index 87e4fb0..d090503 100644
--- a/dbc.hpp
+++ b/dbc.hpp
@@ -5,9 +5,10 @@
 #include <functional>
 #include <source_location>
 
-using std::string;
 
 namespace dbc {
+  using std::string;
+
   class Error {
     public:
       const string message;
diff --git a/game_engine.cpp b/game_engine.cpp
index 2dffd65..10f4563 100644
--- a/game_engine.cpp
+++ b/game_engine.cpp
@@ -12,8 +12,10 @@ const auto ERROR = fmt::emphasis::bold | fg(fmt::color::red);
 
 using namespace std;
 
-GameEngine::GameEngine(int hp) : starting_hp(hp) {
-  hit_points = max_hp();
+GameEngine::GameEngine(int hp, int max_hp) :
+  hit_points(hp), starting_hp(max_hp)
+{
+
 }
 
 int GameEngine::determine_damage(string &type) {
diff --git a/game_engine.hpp b/game_engine.hpp
index e0d5d5b..e88d2ab 100644
--- a/game_engine.hpp
+++ b/game_engine.hpp
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ class GameEngine : DeadSimpleFSM<GameState, GameEvent> {
   };
 
   public:
-  int starting_hp = 0;
   int hit_points = 0;
+  int starting_hp = 0;
   int hits_taken = 0;
   int rounds = 0;
   int deaths = 0;
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ class GameEngine : DeadSimpleFSM<GameState, GameEvent> {
   float hp_bonus = 1.0f;
   bool free_death = false;
 
-  GameEngine(int hp);
+  GameEngine(int hp, int max_hp);
 
   // FOUND BUG: I was accidentally copying this and shouldn't have been
   GameEngine(GameEngine &g) = delete;
diff --git a/guecs.cpp b/guecs.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 9ba642b..0000000
--- a/guecs.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,316 +0,0 @@
-#include "guecs.hpp"
-#include "shaders.hpp"
-#include "sound.hpp"
-#include "config.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);
-
-    sprite = make_shared<sf::Sprite>(
-        *sprite_texture.texture,
-        sprite_texture.sprite->getTextureRect());
-
-    sprite->setPosition({
-        float(cell.x + padding),
-        float(cell.y + padding)});
-
-    auto bounds = sprite->getLocalBounds();
-
-    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 Sound::play(bool hover) {
-    if(!hover) {
-      sound::play(on_click);
-    }
-  }
-
-  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);
-  }
-
-  void Effect::init(lel::Cell &cell) {
-    $shader_version = shaders::version();
-    $shader = shaders::get(name);
-    $shader->setUniform("u_resolution", sf::Vector2f({float(cell.w), float(cell.h)}));
-    $clock = std::make_shared<sf::Clock>();
-  }
-
-  void Effect::step() {
-    sf::Time cur_time = $clock->getElapsedTime();
-    float u_time = cur_time.asSeconds();
-
-    if(u_time < $u_time_end) {
-      $shader->setUniform("u_duration", duration);
-      $shader->setUniform("u_time_end", $u_time_end);
-      $shader->setUniform("u_time", u_time);
-    } else {
-      $active = false;
-    }
-  }
-
-  void Effect::run() {
-    $active = true;
-    sf::Time u_time = $clock->getElapsedTime();
-    $u_time_end = u_time.asSeconds() + duration;
-  }
-
-  shared_ptr<sf::Shader> Effect::checkout_ptr() {
-    if(shaders::updated($shader_version)) {
-      $shader = shaders::get(name);
-      $shader_version = shaders::version();
-    }
-
-    return $shader;
-  }
-
-  UI::UI() {
-    $font = make_shared<sf::Font>(Config::path_to(FONT_FILE_NAME));
-  }
-
-  void UI::position(int x, int y, int width, int height) {
-    $parser.position(x, y, width, height);
-  }
-
-  void UI::layout(std::string grid) {
-    $grid = grid;
-    bool good = $parser.parse($grid);
-    dbc::check(good, "LEL parsing failed.");
-
-    for(auto& [name, cell] : $parser.cells) {
-      auto ent = init_entity(name);
-      $world.set<lel::Cell>(ent, cell);
-    }
-  }
-
-  DinkyECS::Entity UI::init_entity(std::string name) {
-    auto entity = $world.entity();
-    // this lets you look up an entity by name
-    $name_ents.insert_or_assign(name, entity);
-    // this makes it easier to get the name during querying
-    $world.set<CellName>(entity, {name});
-    return entity;
-  }
-
-  DinkyECS::Entity UI::entity(std::string name) {
-    dbc::check($name_ents.contains(name),
-        fmt::format("GUECS entity {} does not exist. Forgot to init_entity?", name));
-    return $name_ents.at(name);
-  }
-
-  void UI::init() {
-    if($world.has_the<Background>()) {
-      auto& bg = $world.get_the<Background>();
-      bg.init();
-    }
-
-    $world.query<Background>([](auto, auto& bg) {
-        bg.init();
-    });
-
-    $world.query<lel::Cell, Rectangle>([](auto, auto& cell, auto& rect) {
-      rect.init(cell);
-    });
-
-    $world.query<lel::Cell, Effect>([](auto, auto& cell, auto& effect) {
-        effect.init(cell);
-    });
-
-    $world.query<Rectangle, Meter>([](auto, auto& bg, auto &) {
-        bg.shape->setFillColor(ColorValue::BLACK);
-    });
-
-    $world.query<lel::Cell, Meter>([](auto, auto &cell, auto& meter) {
-        meter.init(cell);
-    });
-
-    $world.query<lel::Cell, Textual>([this](auto, auto& cell, auto& text) {
-      text.init(cell, $font);
-    });
-
-    $world.query<lel::Cell, Label>([this](auto, auto& cell, auto& text) {
-      text.init(cell, $font);
-    });
-
-    $world.query<lel::Cell, Sprite>([&](auto, auto &cell, auto &sprite) {
-        sprite.init(cell);
-    });
-  }
-
-  void UI::debug_layout(sf::RenderWindow& window) {
-    $world.query<lel::Cell>([&](const auto, auto &cell) {
-        sf::RectangleShape rect{{float(cell.w), float(cell.h)}};
-        rect.setPosition({float(cell.x), float(cell.y)});
-        rect.setFillColor(sf::Color::Transparent);
-        rect.setOutlineColor(sf::Color::Red);
-        rect.setOutlineThickness(2.0f);
-        window.draw(rect);
-    });
-  }
-
-  void UI::render(sf::RenderWindow& window) {
-    if($world.has_the<Background>()) {
-      auto& bg = $world.get_the<Background>();
-      window.draw(*bg.shape);
-    }
-
-    $world.query<Effect>([&](auto, auto& shader) {
-      if(shader.$active) shader.step();
-    });
-
-    $world.query<Rectangle>([&](auto ent, auto& rect) {
-        render_helper(window, ent, true, rect.shape);
-    });
-
-    $world.query<lel::Cell, Meter>([&](auto ent, auto& cell, const auto &meter) {
-        int pad = meter.bar.padding * 2;
-        float level = std::clamp(meter.percent, 0.0f, 1.0f) * float(cell.w - pad);
-        // ZED: this 6 is a border width, make it a thing
-        meter.bar.shape->setSize({std::max(level, 0.0f), float(cell.h - pad)});
-        render_helper(window, ent, true, meter.bar.shape);
-    });
-
-    $world.query<Sprite>([&](auto ent, auto& sprite) {
-        render_helper(window, ent, false, sprite.sprite);
-    });
-
-    $world.query<Label>([&](auto ent, auto& text) {
-        render_helper(window, ent, false, text.text);
-    });
-
-    $world.query<Textual>([&](auto ent, auto& text) {
-        render_helper(window, ent, true, text.text);
-    });
-  }
-
-  bool UI::mouse(float x, float y, bool hover) {
-    int action_count = 0;
-
-    $world.query<lel::Cell, Clickable>([&](auto ent, auto& cell, auto &clicked) {
-      if((x >= cell.x && x <= cell.x + cell.w) &&
-          (y >= cell.y && y <= cell.y + cell.h))
-      {
-        do_if<Effect>(ent, [hover](auto& effect) {
-          effect.$shader->setUniform("hover", hover);
-          effect.run();
-        });
-
-        do_if<Sound>(ent, [hover](auto& sound) {
-            // here set that it played then only play once
-            sound.play(hover);
-        });
-
-        if(hover) return; // kinda gross
-
-        if(auto action_data = get_if<ActionData>(ent)) {
-          clicked.action(ent, action_data->data);
-        } else {
-          clicked.action(ent, {});
-        }
-
-        action_count++;
-      } else {
-        // via ORBLISHJ
-        // just reset the hover trigger for all that aren't hit
-        // then in the ^^ positive branch play it and set it played
-      }
-    });
-
-    return action_count > 0;
-  }
-
-  void UI::show_sprite(string region, string sprite_name) {
-    auto ent = entity(region);
-
-    if(has<Sprite>(ent)) {
-      auto& to_show = get<Sprite>(ent);
-      auto sprite_texture = textures::get(sprite_name);
-      to_show.sprite->setTexture(*sprite_texture.texture);
-    } else {
-      Sprite to_show{sprite_name};
-      auto& cell = cell_for(ent);
-      to_show.init(cell);
-      set<guecs::Sprite>(ent, to_show);
-    }
-  }
-
-  void UI::show_text(string region, wstring content) {
-    auto ent = entity(region);
-
-    if(auto text = get_if<Textual>(ent)) {
-      text->text->setString(content);
-    } else {
-      auto &cell = cell_for(ent);
-      Textual to_set{content, 20};
-      to_set.init(cell, $font);
-      to_set.text->setFillColor(ColorValue::LIGHT_MID);
-      set<Textual>(ent, to_set);
-    }
-  }
-
-  void UI::show_label(string region, wstring content) {
-    auto ent = entity(region);
-
-    if(auto text = get_if<Label>(ent)) {
-      text->text->setString(content);
-    } else {
-      auto &cell = cell_for(ent);
-      Label to_set{content, 20};
-      to_set.init(cell, $font);
-      to_set.text->setFillColor(ColorValue::LIGHT_MID);
-      set<Label>(ent, to_set);
-    }
-  }
-
-  Clickable make_action(DinkyECS::World& target, Events::GUI event) {
-    return {[&, event](auto ent, auto data){
-      // remember that ent is passed in from the UI::mouse handler
-      target.send<Events::GUI>(event, ent, data);
-    }};
-  }
-
-}
diff --git a/guecs.hpp b/guecs.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 0e9d7e1..0000000
--- a/guecs.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,233 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-#include "color.hpp"
-#include "dinkyecs.hpp"
-#include "lel.hpp"
-#include <string>
-#include <memory>
-#include <SFML/Graphics.hpp>
-#include "textures.hpp"
-#include <functional>
-#include "events.hpp"
-#include "constants.hpp"
-#include <any>
-#include "shaders.hpp"
-
-namespace guecs {
-  using std::shared_ptr, std::make_shared, std::wstring, std::string;
-
-  struct Textual {
-    std::wstring content;
-    unsigned int size = GUECS_FONT_SIZE;
-    sf::Color color = GUECS_TEXT_COLOR;
-    int padding = GUECS_PADDING;
-    bool centered = false;
-    shared_ptr<sf::Font> font = nullptr;
-    shared_ptr<sf::Text> text = nullptr;
-
-    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...)
-    {
-      centered = true;
-    }
-
-    Label() {
-      centered = true;
-    };
-  };
-
-  struct Clickable {
-    /* This is actually called by UI::mouse and passed the entity ID of the
-     * button pressed so you can interact with it in the event handler.
-     */
-    std::function<void(DinkyECS::Entity ent, std::any data)> action;
-  };
-
-  struct Sprite {
-    std::string name;
-    int padding = GUECS_PADDING;
-    std::shared_ptr<sf::Sprite> sprite = nullptr;
-    std::shared_ptr<sf::Texture> texture = nullptr;
-
-    void init(lel::Cell &cell);
-  };
-
-  struct Rectangle {
-    int padding = GUECS_PADDING;
-    sf::Color color = GUECS_FILL_COLOR;
-    sf::Color border_color = GUECS_BORDER_COLOR;
-    int border_px = GUECS_BORDER_PX;
-    shared_ptr<sf::RectangleShape> shape = nullptr;
-
-    void init(lel::Cell& cell);
-  };
-
-  struct Meter {
-    float percent = 1.0f;
-    Rectangle bar{};
-
-    void init(lel::Cell& cell);
-  };
-
-  struct ActionData {
-    std::any data;
-  };
-
-  struct CellName {
-    std::string name;
-  };
-
-  struct Effect {
-    float duration = 0.1f;
-    std::string name{"ui_shader"};
-    float $u_time_end = 0.0;
-    bool $active = false;
-    std::shared_ptr<sf::Clock> $clock = nullptr;
-    std::shared_ptr<sf::Shader> $shader = nullptr;
-    int $shader_version = 0;
-
-    void init(lel::Cell &cell);
-    void run();
-    void step();
-    shared_ptr<sf::Shader> checkout_ptr();
-  };
-
-  struct Sound {
-    std::string on_click{"ui_click"};
-    void play(bool hover);
-  };
-
-  struct Background {
-    float x = 0.0f;
-    float y = 0.0f;
-    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) :
-      x(parser.grid_x),
-      y(parser.grid_y),
-      w(parser.grid_w),
-      h(parser.grid_h),
-      color(bg_color)
-    {}
-
-    Background() {}
-
-    void init();
-  };
-
-  class UI {
-    public:
-      DinkyECS::World $world;
-      std::unordered_map<std::string, DinkyECS::Entity> $name_ents;
-      shared_ptr<sf::Font> $font = nullptr;
-      lel::Parser $parser;
-      std::string $grid = "";
-
-      UI();
-
-      void position(int x, int y, int width, int height);
-      void layout(std::string grid);
-      DinkyECS::Entity init_entity(std::string name);
-      DinkyECS::Entity entity(std::string name);
-
-      inline lel::CellMap& cells() {
-        return $parser.cells;
-      }
-
-      inline DinkyECS::World& world() {
-        return $world;
-      }
-
-      void init();
-      void render(sf::RenderWindow& window);
-      bool mouse(float x, float y, bool hover);
-      void debug_layout(sf::RenderWindow& window);
-
-      template <typename Comp>
-      void set(DinkyECS::Entity ent, Comp val) {
-        $world.set<Comp>(ent, val);
-      }
-
-      template <typename Comp>
-      void set_init(DinkyECS::Entity ent, Comp val) {
-        dbc::check(has<lel::Cell>(ent),"WRONG! slot is missing its cell?!");
-        auto& cell = get<lel::Cell>(ent);
-        val.init(cell);
-        $world.set<Comp>(ent, val);
-      }
-
-      template <typename Comp>
-      void do_if(DinkyECS::Entity ent, std::function<void(Comp &)> cb) {
-        if($world.has<Comp>(ent)) {
-          cb($world.get<Comp>(ent));
-        }
-      }
-
-      lel::Cell& cell_for(DinkyECS::Entity ent) {
-        return $world.get<lel::Cell>(ent);
-      }
-
-      lel::Cell& cell_for(std::string name) {
-        DinkyECS::Entity ent = entity(name);
-        return $world.get<lel::Cell>(ent);
-      }
-
-      template <typename Comp>
-        Comp& get(DinkyECS::Entity entity) {
-          return $world.get<Comp>(entity);
-        }
-
-      template <typename Comp>
-        std::optional<Comp> get_if(DinkyECS::Entity entity) {
-          return $world.get_if<Comp>(entity);
-        }
-
-      template <typename Comp>
-        bool has(DinkyECS::Entity entity) {
-          return $world.has<Comp>(entity);
-        }
-
-      template <typename Comp>
-        void remove(DinkyECS::Entity ent) {
-          $world.remove<Comp>(ent);
-        }
-
-      template <typename Comp>
-      void close(string region) {
-        auto ent = entity(region);
-        remove<Comp>(ent);
-      }
-
-      template<typename T>
-      void render_helper(sf::RenderWindow& window, DinkyECS::Entity ent, bool is_shape, T& target) {
-        sf::Shader *shader_ptr = nullptr;
-
-        if($world.has<Effect>(ent)) {
-          auto& shader = $world.get<Effect>(ent);
-
-          if(shader.$active) {
-            auto ptr = shader.checkout_ptr();
-            ptr->setUniform("is_shape", is_shape);
-            // NOTE: this is needed because SFML doesn't handle shared_ptr
-            shader_ptr = ptr.get();
-          }
-        }
-
-        window.draw(*target, shader_ptr);
-      }
-
-      void show_sprite(string region, string sprite_name);
-      void show_text(string region, wstring content);
-      void show_label(string region, wstring content);
-  };
-
-  Clickable make_action(DinkyECS::World& target, Events::GUI event);
-
-}
diff --git a/gui.cpp b/gui.cpp
index 6dcc57e..8f51b4e 100644
--- a/gui.cpp
+++ b/gui.cpp
@@ -13,9 +13,12 @@
 #include <iostream>
 #include "sound.hpp"
 #include "shaders.hpp"
+#include "constants.hpp"
+#include "backend.hpp"
 
 using std::string, std::vector;
 
+
 GUI::GUI(int timer_seconds, const std::wstring &g) :
   $timer_seconds(timer_seconds),
   $goal(g),
@@ -34,7 +37,7 @@ GUI::GUI(int timer_seconds, const std::wstring &g) :
      "[_|_|*%(300,100)clock|_|_]"
      "[hp_bar]");
 
-  $gui.world().set_the<Background>({$gui.$parser, {0,0,0,0}});
+  $gui.set<Background>($gui.MAIN, {$gui.$parser, {0,0,0,0}});
 
   for(auto& [name, cell] : $gui.cells()) {
     auto ent = $gui.entity(name);
@@ -54,17 +57,17 @@ GUI::GUI(int timer_seconds, const std::wstring &g) :
 
   auto clock = $gui.entity("clock");
   auto& clock_rect = $gui.get<Rectangle>(clock);
-  clock_rect.color = ColorValue::BLACK;
+  clock_rect.color = THEME.BLACK;
   $gui.set<Label>(clock, {L"00:00:00", 60});
 
   auto goal = $gui.entity("goal");
   std::wstring msg = fmt::format(L"Complete '{}' in:", $goal);
   auto& goal_rect = $gui.get<Rectangle>(goal);
-  goal_rect.color = ColorValue::BLACK;
+  goal_rect.color = THEME.BLACK;
   $gui.set<Label>(goal, {msg, 30});
 
   $hp_bar = $gui.entity("hp_bar");
-  $gui.set<Meter>($hp_bar, {1.0f, {10, ColorValue::LIGHT_DARK}});
+  $gui.set<Meter>($hp_bar, {});
 
   $gui.init();
 }
diff --git a/gui.hpp b/gui.hpp
index 28fa846..f047c07 100644
--- a/gui.hpp
+++ b/gui.hpp
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 #include <string>
 #include "game_engine.hpp"
-#include "guecs.hpp"
+#include <guecs/ui.hpp>
 
 using std::string;
 
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ class GUI {
   sf::RenderWindow $window;
   guecs::UI $gui;
   std::wstring $status;
-  DinkyECS::Entity $log;
-  DinkyECS::Entity $hp_bar;
+  guecs::Entity $log;
+  guecs::Entity $hp_bar;
   bool $hit_error = false;
   std::chrono::time_point<std::chrono::system_clock> $timer_end;
 
diff --git a/lel.cpp b/lel.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index e2579fd..0000000
--- a/lel.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,117 +0,0 @@
-#include "lel.hpp"
-#include <fmt/core.h>
-#include "dbc.hpp"
-#include <numeric>
-
-#include "lel_parser.cpp"
-
-namespace lel {
-
-  Parser::Parser(int x, int y, int width, int height) :
-    grid_x(x),
-    grid_y(y),
-    grid_w(width),
-    grid_h(height),
-    cur(0, 0)
-  {
-  }
-
-  Parser::Parser() : cur(0, 0) { }
-
-  void Parser::position(int x, int y, int width, int height) {
-    grid_x = x;
-    grid_y = y;
-    grid_w = width;
-    grid_h = height;
-  }
-
-  void Parser::id(std::string name) {
-    if(name != "_") {
-      dbc::check(!cells.contains(name),
-          fmt::format("duplicate cell name {}", name));
-      cells.insert_or_assign(name, cur);
-    }
-
-    cur = {cur.col + 1, cur.row};
-    auto& row = grid.back();
-    row.push_back(name);
-  }
-
-  void Parser::finalize() {
-    size_t rows = grid.size();
-    int cell_height = grid_h / rows;
-
-    for(auto& row : grid) {
-      size_t columns = row.size();
-      int cell_width = grid_w / columns;
-      dbc::check(cell_width > 0, "invalid cell width calc");
-      dbc::check(cell_height > 0, "invalid cell height calc");
-
-      for(auto& name : row) {
-        if(name == "_") continue;
-        auto& cell = cells.at(name);
-
-        // ZED: getting a bit hairy but this should work
-        if(cell.percent) {
-          // when percent mode we have to take unset to 100%
-          if(cell.max_w == 0) cell.max_w = 100;
-          if(cell.max_h == 0) cell.max_h = 100;
-          cell.max_w *= cell_width * 0.01;
-          cell.max_h *= cell_height * 0.01;
-        } else {
-          if(cell.max_w == 0) cell.max_w = cell_width;
-          if(cell.max_h == 0) cell.max_h = cell_height;
-        }
-
-        cell.w = cell.expand ? std::min(cell.max_w, grid_w) : std::min(cell_width, cell.max_w);
-        cell.h = cell.expand ? std::min(cell.max_h, grid_h) : std::min(cell_height, cell.max_h);
-
-        dbc::check(cell.h > 0, fmt::format("invalid height cell {}", name));
-        dbc::check(cell.w > 0, fmt::format("invalid width cell {}", name));
-
-        cell.x = grid_x + (cell.col * cell_width);
-        cell.y = grid_y + (cell.row * cell_height);
-
-        // keep the midpoint since it is used a lot
-        cell.mid_x = std::midpoint(cell.x, cell.x + cell.w);
-        cell.mid_y = std::midpoint(cell.y, cell.y + cell.h);
-
-        // perform alignments
-        if(cell.right) cell.x += cell_width - cell.w;
-        if(cell.bottom) cell.y += cell_height - cell.h;
-        if(cell.center) {
-          cell.x = cell.mid_x - cell.w / 2;
-          cell.y = cell.mid_y - cell.h / 2;
-        }
-      }
-    }
-  }
-
-  void Parser::reset() {
-    cur = {0, 0};
-    grid.clear();
-    cells.clear();
-  }
-
-  std::optional<std::string> Parser::hit(int x, int y) {
-    for(auto& [name, cell] : cells) {
-      if((x >= cell.x && x <= cell.x + cell.w) &&
-          (y >= cell.y && y <= cell.y + cell.h)) {
-        return name;
-      }
-    }
-
-    return std::nullopt;
-  }
-
-  Cell center(int width, int height, Cell &parent) {
-    Cell copy = parent;
-
-    copy.x = parent.mid_x - width / 2;
-    copy.y = parent.mid_y - height / 2;
-    copy.w = width;
-    copy.h = height;
-
-    return copy;
-  }
-}
diff --git a/lel.hpp b/lel.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 136fcce..0000000
--- a/lel.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,57 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-#include <string>
-#include <unordered_map>
-#include <functional>
-#include <optional>
-#include <vector>
-#include "dbc.hpp"
-
-namespace lel {
-
-  struct Cell {
-    int x = 0;
-    int y = 0;
-    int w = 0;
-    int h = 0;
-    int mid_x = 0;
-    int mid_y = 0;
-    int max_w = 0;
-    int max_h = 0;
-    int col = 0;
-    int row = 0;
-    bool right = false;
-    bool bottom = false;
-    bool expand = false;
-    bool center = false;
-    bool percent = false;
-
-    Cell(int col, int row) : col(col), row(row) {}
-    Cell() {}
-  };
-
-  using Row = std::vector<std::string>;
-  using CellMap = std::unordered_map<std::string, Cell>;
-
-  struct Parser {
-    int grid_x = 0;
-    int grid_y = 0;
-    int grid_w = 0;
-    int grid_h = 0;
-    Cell cur;
-    std::vector<Row> grid;
-    CellMap cells;
-
-    Parser(int x, int y, int width, int height);
-    Parser();
-
-    void position(int x, int y, int width, int height);
-    void id(std::string name);
-    void reset();
-    bool parse(std::string input);
-    void finalize();
-    std::optional<std::string> hit(int x, int y);
-  };
-
-
-  Cell center(int width, int height, Cell &parent);
-}
diff --git a/lel_parser.cpp b/lel_parser.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 3abc243..0000000
--- a/lel_parser.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,263 +0,0 @@
-
-#line 1 "lel_parser.rl"
-/***** !!!!!! THIS IS INCLUDED BY lel.cpp DO NOT PUT IN BUILD!!!!!! ******/
-
-#include "lel.hpp"
-#include <fmt/core.h>
-#include <iostream>
-
-namespace lel {
-
-
-#line 42 "lel_parser.rl"
-
-
-
-#line 12 "lel_parser.cpp"
-static const char _Parser_actions[] = {
-	0, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 
-	4, 1, 5, 1, 6, 1, 9, 1, 
-	10, 1, 11, 1, 12, 1, 13, 2, 
-	0, 7, 2, 0, 8, 2, 4, 1, 
-	2, 4, 5
-};
-
-static const char _Parser_key_offsets[] = {
-	0, 0, 4, 20, 33, 35, 39, 41, 
-	44, 56, 61
-};
-
-static const char _Parser_trans_keys[] = {
-	32, 91, 9, 13, 32, 37, 40, 42, 
-	46, 61, 94, 95, 9, 13, 60, 62, 
-	65, 90, 97, 122, 37, 40, 42, 46, 
-	61, 94, 95, 60, 62, 65, 90, 97, 
-	122, 48, 57, 41, 44, 48, 57, 48, 
-	57, 41, 48, 57, 32, 93, 95, 124, 
-	9, 13, 48, 57, 65, 90, 97, 122, 
-	32, 93, 124, 9, 13, 32, 91, 9, 
-	13, 0
-};
-
-static const char _Parser_single_lengths[] = {
-	0, 2, 8, 7, 0, 2, 0, 1, 
-	4, 3, 2
-};
-
-static const char _Parser_range_lengths[] = {
-	0, 1, 4, 3, 1, 1, 1, 1, 
-	4, 1, 1
-};
-
-static const char _Parser_index_offsets[] = {
-	0, 0, 4, 17, 28, 30, 34, 36, 
-	39, 48, 53
-};
-
-static const char _Parser_indicies[] = {
-	0, 2, 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 
-	7, 9, 7, 10, 3, 8, 10, 10, 
-	1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 7, 10, 
-	8, 10, 10, 1, 11, 1, 12, 13, 
-	14, 1, 15, 1, 16, 17, 1, 18, 
-	20, 19, 21, 18, 19, 19, 19, 1, 
-	22, 23, 24, 22, 1, 25, 2, 25, 
-	1, 0
-};
-
-static const char _Parser_trans_targs[] = {
-	1, 0, 2, 2, 3, 4, 3, 3, 
-	3, 3, 8, 5, 3, 6, 5, 7, 
-	3, 7, 9, 8, 10, 2, 9, 10, 
-	2, 10
-};
-
-static const char _Parser_trans_actions[] = {
-	0, 0, 3, 0, 17, 0, 13, 5, 
-	11, 15, 21, 19, 23, 23, 0, 19, 
-	26, 0, 7, 0, 32, 29, 0, 9, 
-	1, 0
-};
-
-static const int Parser_start = 1;
-static const int Parser_first_final = 10;
-static const int Parser_error = 0;
-
-static const int Parser_en_main = 1;
-
-
-#line 45 "lel_parser.rl"
-
-bool Parser::parse(std::string input) {
-  reset();
-  int cs = 0;
-  const char *start = nullptr;
-  const char *begin = input.data();
-  const char *p = input.data();
-  const char *pe = p + input.size();
-  std::string tk;
-
-  
-#line 93 "lel_parser.cpp"
-	{
-	cs = Parser_start;
-	}
-
-#line 56 "lel_parser.rl"
-  
-#line 96 "lel_parser.cpp"
-	{
-	int _klen;
-	unsigned int _trans;
-	const char *_acts;
-	unsigned int _nacts;
-	const char *_keys;
-
-	if ( p == pe )
-		goto _test_eof;
-	if ( cs == 0 )
-		goto _out;
-_resume:
-	_keys = _Parser_trans_keys + _Parser_key_offsets[cs];
-	_trans = _Parser_index_offsets[cs];
-
-	_klen = _Parser_single_lengths[cs];
-	if ( _klen > 0 ) {
-		const char *_lower = _keys;
-		const char *_mid;
-		const char *_upper = _keys + _klen - 1;
-		while (1) {
-			if ( _upper < _lower )
-				break;
-
-			_mid = _lower + ((_upper-_lower) >> 1);
-			if ( (*p) < *_mid )
-				_upper = _mid - 1;
-			else if ( (*p) > *_mid )
-				_lower = _mid + 1;
-			else {
-				_trans += (unsigned int)(_mid - _keys);
-				goto _match;
-			}
-		}
-		_keys += _klen;
-		_trans += _klen;
-	}
-
-	_klen = _Parser_range_lengths[cs];
-	if ( _klen > 0 ) {
-		const char *_lower = _keys;
-		const char *_mid;
-		const char *_upper = _keys + (_klen<<1) - 2;
-		while (1) {
-			if ( _upper < _lower )
-				break;
-
-			_mid = _lower + (((_upper-_lower) >> 1) & ~1);
-			if ( (*p) < _mid[0] )
-				_upper = _mid - 2;
-			else if ( (*p) > _mid[1] )
-				_lower = _mid + 2;
-			else {
-				_trans += (unsigned int)((_mid - _keys)>>1);
-				goto _match;
-			}
-		}
-		_trans += _klen;
-	}
-
-_match:
-	_trans = _Parser_indicies[_trans];
-	cs = _Parser_trans_targs[_trans];
-
-	if ( _Parser_trans_actions[_trans] == 0 )
-		goto _again;
-
-	_acts = _Parser_actions + _Parser_trans_actions[_trans];
-	_nacts = (unsigned int) *_acts++;
-	while ( _nacts-- > 0 )
-	{
-		switch ( *_acts++ )
-		{
-	case 0:
-#line 13 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{tk = input.substr(start - begin, p - start); }
-	break;
-	case 1:
-#line 15 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{}
-	break;
-	case 2:
-#line 16 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{ grid.push_back(Row()); }
-	break;
-	case 3:
-#line 17 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{ cur.bottom = (*p) == '.'; }
-	break;
-	case 4:
-#line 18 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{ id(input.substr(start - begin, p - start)); }
-	break;
-	case 5:
-#line 19 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{ cur.col = 0; cur.row++; }
-	break;
-	case 6:
-#line 20 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{ cur.right = (*p) == '>'; }
-	break;
-	case 7:
-#line 21 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{cur.max_w = std::stoi(tk); }
-	break;
-	case 8:
-#line 22 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{ cur.max_h = std::stoi(tk); }
-	break;
-	case 9:
-#line 23 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{ cur.expand = true; }
-	break;
-	case 10:
-#line 24 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{ cur.center = true; }
-	break;
-	case 11:
-#line 25 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{ cur.percent = true; }
-	break;
-	case 12:
-#line 35 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{ start = p; }
-	break;
-	case 13:
-#line 38 "lel_parser.rl"
-	{start = p;}
-	break;
-#line 211 "lel_parser.cpp"
-		}
-	}
-
-_again:
-	if ( cs == 0 )
-		goto _out;
-	if ( ++p != pe )
-		goto _resume;
-	_test_eof: {}
-	_out: {}
-	}
-
-#line 57 "lel_parser.rl"
-
-  bool good = pe - p == 0;
-  if(good) {
-    finalize();
-  } else {
-    dbc::log("error at:");
-    std::cout << p;
-  }
-  return good;
-}
-
-}
diff --git a/lel_parser.rl b/lel_parser.rl
deleted file mode 100644
index 5368ac2..0000000
--- a/lel_parser.rl
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,68 +0,0 @@
-/***** !!!!!! THIS IS INCLUDED BY lel.cpp DO NOT PUT IN BUILD!!!!!! ******/
-
-#include "lel.hpp"
-#include <fmt/core.h>
-#include <iostream>
-
-namespace lel {
-
-%%{
-  machine Parser;
-  alphtype char;
-
-  action token {tk = input.substr(start - begin, fpc - start); }
-
-  action col {}
-  action ltab { grid.push_back(Row()); }
-  action valign { cur.bottom = fc == '.'; }
-  action id { id(input.substr(start - begin, fpc - start)); }
-  action row { cur.col = 0; cur.row++; }
-  action align { cur.right = fc == '>'; }
-  action setwidth {cur.max_w = std::stoi(tk); }
-  action setheight { cur.max_h = std::stoi(tk); }
-  action expand { cur.expand = true; }
-  action center { cur.center = true; }
-  action percent { cur.percent = true; }
-
-  col = "|" $col;
-  ltab = "[" $ltab;
-  rtab = "]" $row;
-  valign = ("^" | ".") $valign;
-  expand = "*" $expand;
-  center = "=" $center;
-  percent = "%" $percent;
-  halign = ("<" | ">") $align;
-  number =  digit+ >{ start = fpc; } %token;
-  setw = ("(" number %setwidth ("," number %setheight)? ")") ;
-  modifiers = (percent | center | expand | valign | halign | setw);
-  id = modifiers* ((alpha | '_')+ :>> (alnum | '_')*) >{start = fpc;} %id;
-  row = space* ltab space* id space* (col space* id space*)* space* rtab space*;
-
-  main := row+;
-}%%
-
-%% write data;
-
-bool Parser::parse(std::string input) {
-  reset();
-  int cs = 0;
-  const char *start = nullptr;
-  const char *begin = input.data();
-  const char *p = input.data();
-  const char *pe = p + input.size();
-  std::string tk;
-
-  %% write init;
-  %% write exec;
-
-  bool good = pe - p == 0;
-  if(good) {
-    finalize();
-  } else {
-    dbc::log("error at:");
-    std::cout << p;
-  }
-  return good;
-}
-
-}
diff --git a/main.cpp b/main.cpp
index 231374e..0b9095b 100644
--- a/main.cpp
+++ b/main.cpp
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+#include "backend.hpp"
+#include "guecs/sfml/components.hpp"
 #include "builder.hpp"
 #include "gui.hpp"
 #include "config.hpp"
@@ -12,9 +14,11 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
   int opt = 0;
   int timer_seconds = 60 * 60;
+  int start_hp = 100;
+  int max_hp = 100;
   std::wstring goal{L"No Goal"};
 
-  while((opt = getopt(argc, argv, "t:c:g:")) != -1) {
+  while((opt = getopt(argc, argv, "ht:c:g:H:M:")) != -1) {
     switch(opt) {
       case 't':
         timer_seconds = atoi(optarg) * 60;
@@ -23,18 +27,27 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
       case 'c':
         Config::set_base_dir(optarg);
         break;
-      case 'g':
-        std::wstring_convert<std::codecvt_utf8_utf16<wchar_t>> converter;
-        goal = converter.from_bytes(optarg);
+      case 'g': {
+          std::wstring_convert<std::codecvt_utf8_utf16<wchar_t>> converter;
+          goal = converter.from_bytes(optarg);
+        } break;
+      case 'H': {
+          start_hp = std::atoi(optarg);
+        } break;
+      case 'M': {
+          max_hp = std::atoi(optarg);
+        } break;
+      case 'h':
+        fmt::println("USAGE: ttpit [-t time] [-c config_dir] [-g goal] [-H hp] [-M max_hp]");
+        return 0;
         break;
     }
   }
 
-  sound::init();
-  shaders::init();
-  textures::init();
+  sfml::Backend backend;
+  guecs::init(&backend);
 
-  GameEngine game{100};
+  GameEngine game{start_hp, max_hp};
   GUI gui(timer_seconds, goal);
   auto builder = Builder(gui, game);
 
diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index ea7e8b0..cae5e77 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # clang might need _LIBCPP_ENABLE_CXX26_REMOVED_CODECVT
 
 project('turings-tarpit', 'cpp',
-  version: '0.1.0',
+  version: '0.2.0',
   default_options: [
     'cpp_std=c++20',
     'cpp_args=-D_GLIBCXX_DEBUG=1 -D_GLIBCXX_DEBUG_PEDANTIC=1',
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ sfml_network = dependency('sfml_network')
 sfml_system = dependency('sfml_system')
 sfml_window = dependency('sfml_window',
   default_options: ['default_library=shared'])
+lel_guecs = dependency('lel_guecs')
 
 cmake = import('cmake')
 opts = cmake.subproject_options()
@@ -89,23 +90,22 @@ dependencies += [
   flac, ogg, vorbis, vorbisfile, vorbisenc,
   sfml_audio, sfml_graphics,
   sfml_network, sfml_system,
-  sfml_window, libgit2package, efsw
+  sfml_window, libgit2package, efsw, lel_guecs
 ]
 
 sources = [
     'builder.cpp',
     'config.cpp',
-    'dbc.cpp',
     'game_engine.cpp',
-    'guecs.cpp',
     'gui.cpp',
-    'lel.cpp',
     'matrix.cpp',
     'rand.cpp',
     'shaders.cpp',
     'sound.cpp',
+    'dbc.cpp',
     'textures.cpp',
     'watcher.cpp',
+    'backend.cpp',
 ]
 
 executable('ttpit', sources + [
@@ -119,7 +119,6 @@ executable('ttpit', sources + [
 executable('runtests', sources + [
   'tests/game_engine.cpp',
   'tests/fsm.cpp',
-  'tests/dbc.cpp',
   ],
   cpp_args: cpp_args,
   link_args: link_args,
diff --git a/shaders.cpp b/shaders.cpp
index 6ff8d2b..25ae16e 100644
--- a/shaders.cpp
+++ b/shaders.cpp
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-#include "shaders.hpp"
-#include <SFML/Graphics/Image.hpp>
+#include "guecs/sfml/shaders.hpp"
+#include "guecs/sfml/config.hpp"
 #include "dbc.hpp"
+#include <SFML/Graphics/Image.hpp>
 #include <fmt/core.h>
-#include "config.hpp"
 #include <memory>
 
 namespace shaders {
@@ -18,10 +18,8 @@ namespace shaders {
 
   bool load_shader(std::string name, nlohmann::json& settings) {
     std::string file_name = settings["file_name"];
-
     auto ptr = std::make_shared<sf::Shader>();
-    bool good = ptr->loadFromFile(Config::path_to(file_name),
-        sf::Shader::Type::Fragment);
+    bool good = ptr->loadFromFile(file_name, sf::Shader::Type::Fragment);
 
     if(good) {
       configure_shader_defaults(ptr);
diff --git a/shaders.hpp b/shaders.hpp
index 51565b2..33791d9 100644
--- a/shaders.hpp
+++ b/shaders.hpp
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 #include <SFML/Graphics.hpp>
 #include <unordered_map>
 #include <memory>
-#include "matrix.hpp"
 #include <nlohmann/json.hpp>
 
 namespace shaders {
diff --git a/sound.cpp b/sound.cpp
index 94966f8..783b724 100644
--- a/sound.cpp
+++ b/sound.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-#include "sound.hpp"
+#include "guecs/sfml/sound.hpp"
+#include "guecs/sfml/config.hpp"
 #include "dbc.hpp"
 #include <fmt/core.h>
-#include "config.hpp"
 
 namespace sound {
   static SoundManager SMGR;
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ namespace sound {
 
   void init() {
     if(!initialized) {
-      Config assets("./assets/config.json");
+      Config assets("assets/config.json");
 
       for(auto& el : assets["sounds"].items()) {
         load(el.key(), el.value());
@@ -38,11 +38,10 @@ namespace sound {
   }
 
   void load(const std::string& name, const std::string& sound_path) {
-    dbc::check(fs::exists(Config::path_to(sound_path)),
-        fmt::format("sound file {} does not exist", sound_path));
+    dbc::check(fs::exists(sound_path), fmt::format("sound file {} does not exist", sound_path));
 
     // create the buffer and keep in the buffer map
-    auto buffer = make_shared<sf::SoundBuffer>(Config::path_to(sound_path));
+    auto buffer = make_shared<sf::SoundBuffer>(sound_path);
 
     // set it on the sound and keep in the sound map
     auto sound = make_shared<sf::Sound>(*buffer);
diff --git a/tests/dbc.cpp b/tests/dbc.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index fa45b86..0000000
--- a/tests/dbc.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,39 +0,0 @@
-#include <catch2/catch_test_macros.hpp>
-#include "dbc.hpp"
-
-using namespace dbc;
-
-TEST_CASE("basic feature tests", "[utils]") {
-  log("Logging a message.");
-
-  try {
-    sentinel("This shouldn't happen.");
-  } catch(SentinelError) {
-    log("Sentinel happened.");
-  }
-
-  pre("confirm positive cases work", 1 == 1);
-  pre("confirm positive lambda", [&]{ return 1 == 1;});
-  post("confirm positive post", 1 == 1);
-  post("confirm postitive post with lamdba", [&]{ return 1 == 1;});
-
-  check(1 == 1, "one equals 1");
-
-  try {
-    check(1 == 2, "this should fail");
-  } catch(CheckError err) {
-    log("check fail worked");
-  }
-
-  try {
-    pre("failing pre", 1 == 3);
-  } catch(PreCondError err) {
-    log("pre fail worked");
-  }
-
-  try {
-    post("failing post", 1 == 4);
-  } catch(PostCondError err) {
-    log("post faile worked");
-  }
-}
diff --git a/tests/game_engine.cpp b/tests/game_engine.cpp
index 320cbf0..3d8ade4 100644
--- a/tests/game_engine.cpp
+++ b/tests/game_engine.cpp
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ using namespace fmt;
 
 TEST_CASE("game engine death cycle", "[game_engine]") {
   // test fails on purpose right now
-  GameEngine game{4};
+  GameEngine game{4, 4};
 
   for(int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
     game.event(GameEvent::BUILD_START);
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ TEST_CASE("game engine death cycle", "[game_engine]") {
 }
 
 TEST_CASE("game can do success build", "[game_engine]") {
-  GameEngine game{10};
+  GameEngine game{10, 10};
 
   // test fails on purpose right now
   for(int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
diff --git a/textures.cpp b/textures.cpp
index de7c581..27b46b5 100644
--- a/textures.cpp
+++ b/textures.cpp
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
+#include "dbc.hpp"
 #include "textures.hpp"
+#include "config.hpp"
 #include <SFML/Graphics/Image.hpp>
-#include "dbc.hpp"
 #include <fmt/core.h>
-#include "config.hpp"
 #include <memory>
 
 namespace textures {
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ namespace textures {
     Config assets("assets/config.json");
 
     for(auto& [name, settings] : assets["sprites"].items()) {
-      auto texture = make_shared<sf::Texture>(Config::path_to(settings["path"]));
+      auto texture = make_shared<sf::Texture>(settings["path"]);
 
       texture->setSmooth(assets["graphics"]["smooth_textures"]);
       auto sprite = make_shared<sf::Sprite>(*texture);
@@ -24,32 +24,18 @@ namespace textures {
       int height = settings["frame_height"];
       sprite->setTextureRect({{0,0}, {width, height}});
 
-      TMGR.sprite_textures.try_emplace(name, name, sprite, texture);
-    }
-  }
-
-  void load_tiles() {
-    Config assets("assets/tiles.json");
-    auto &tiles = assets.json();
-
-    for(auto &el : tiles.items()) {
-      auto &config = el.value();
-      TMGR.surfaces.emplace_back(load_image(config["texture"]));
-      wchar_t tid = config["display"];
-      int surface_i = TMGR.surfaces.size() - 1;
-      TMGR.char_to_texture[tid] = surface_i;
+      TMGR.sprite_textures.try_emplace(name, sprite, texture);
     }
   }
 
   void init() {
     if(!initialized) {
-      load_tiles();
       load_sprites();
       initialized = true;
     }
   }
 
-  SpriteTexture get(std::string name) {
+  SpriteTexture get(const 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));
@@ -64,25 +50,10 @@ namespace textures {
     return result;
   }
 
-  sf::Image load_image(std::string filename) {
+  sf::Image load_image(const std::string& filename) {
     sf::Image texture;
-    bool good = texture.loadFromFile(Config::path_to(filename));
+    bool good = texture.loadFromFile(filename);
     dbc::check(good, fmt::format("failed to load {}", filename));
     return texture;
   }
-
-  const uint32_t* get_surface(size_t num) {
-    return (const uint32_t *)TMGR.surfaces[num].getPixelsPtr();
-  }
-
-  matrix::Matrix convert_char_to_texture(matrix::Matrix &tile_ids) {
-    auto result = matrix::make(matrix::width(tile_ids), matrix::height(tile_ids));
-
-    for(matrix::each_cell it(tile_ids); it.next();) {
-      wchar_t tid = tile_ids[it.y][it.x];
-      result[it.y][it.x] = TMGR.char_to_texture.at(tid);
-    }
-
-    return result;
-  }
 };
diff --git a/textures.hpp b/textures.hpp
index 1fe3d96..7be99f2 100644
--- a/textures.hpp
+++ b/textures.hpp
@@ -5,12 +5,10 @@
 #include <SFML/Graphics.hpp>
 #include <unordered_map>
 #include <memory>
-#include "matrix.hpp"
 
 namespace textures {
 
   struct SpriteTexture {
-    std::string name;
     std::shared_ptr<sf::Sprite> sprite = nullptr;
     std::shared_ptr<sf::Texture> texture = nullptr;
   };
@@ -23,11 +21,7 @@ namespace textures {
 
   void init();
 
-  SpriteTexture get(std::string name);
+  SpriteTexture get(const std::string& name);
 
-  sf::Image load_image(std::string filename);
-
-  const uint32_t* get_surface(size_t num);
-
-  matrix::Matrix convert_char_to_texture(matrix::Matrix &from);
+  sf::Image load_image(const std::string& filename);
 }
diff --git a/wraps/lel-guecs.wrap b/wraps/lel-guecs.wrap
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e5b58d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wraps/lel-guecs.wrap
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+[wrap-git]
+directory=lel-guecs-0.2.0
+url=https://git.learnjsthehardway.com/learn-code-the-hard-way/lel-guecs.git
+revision=HEAD
+depth=1
+method=meson
+
+[provide]
+lel_guecs = lel_guecs_dep
diff --git a/wraps/sfml.wrap b/wraps/sfml.wrap
index 577ed1e..cf9cf25 100644
--- a/wraps/sfml.wrap
+++ b/wraps/sfml.wrap
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 [wrap-git]
-directory=SFML-3.0.0
+directory=SFML-3.0.1
 url=https://github.com/SFML/SFML.git
-revision=3.0.0
+revision=3.0.1
 depth=1
 method=cmake