diff --git a/sys/apps/Help.lua b/sys/apps/Help.lua
index 3702371..ba530c8 100644
--- a/sys/apps/Help.lua
+++ b/sys/apps/Help.lua
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 local Util  = require('opus.util')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
 local help   = _G.help
 
 UI:configure('Help', ...)
@@ -12,11 +11,11 @@ for _,topic in pairs(help.topics()) do
 end
 
 UI:addPage('main', UI.Page {
-	labelText = UI.Text {
+	UI.Text {
 		x = 3, y = 2,
 		value = 'Search',
 	},
-	filter = UI.TextEntry {
+	UI.TextEntry {
 		x = 10, y = 2, ex = -3,
 		limit = 32,
 	},
@@ -38,9 +37,7 @@ UI:addPage('main', UI.Page {
 
 		elseif event.type == 'grid_select' then
 			if self.grid:getSelected() then
-				local name = self.grid:getSelected().name
-
-				UI:setPage('topic', name)
+				UI:setPage('topic', self.grid:getSelected().name)
 			end
 
 		elseif event.type == 'text_change' then
@@ -57,6 +54,7 @@ UI:addPage('main', UI.Page {
 			self.grid:update()
 			self.grid:setIndex(1)
 			self.grid:draw()
+
 		else
 			return UI.Page.eventHandler(self, event)
 		end
@@ -64,13 +62,12 @@ UI:addPage('main', UI.Page {
 })
 
 UI:addPage('topic', UI.Page {
-	backgroundColor = colors.black,
+	backgroundColor = 'black',
 	titleBar = UI.TitleBar {
 		title = 'text',
 		event = 'back',
 	},
 	helpText = UI.TextArea {
-		backgroundColor = colors.black,
 		x = 2, ex = -1, y = 3, ey = -2,
 	},
 	accelerators = {
diff --git a/sys/apps/Lua.lua b/sys/apps/Lua.lua
index 7343b2d..44f2c78 100644
--- a/sys/apps/Lua.lua
+++ b/sys/apps/Lua.lua
@@ -58,14 +58,14 @@ local page = UI.Page {
 		},
 		[2] = UI.Tab {
 			tabTitle = 'Output',
-			backgroundColor = colors.black,
+			backgroundColor = 'black',
 			output = UI.Embedded {
 				y = 2,
 				maxScroll = 1000,
-				backgroundColor = colors.black,
+				backgroundColor = 'black',
 			},
 			draw = function(self)
-				self:write(1, 1, string.rep('\131', self.width), colors.black, UI.colors.primary)
+				self:write(1, 1, string.rep('\131', self.width), 'black', 'primary')
 				self:drawChildren()
 			end,
 		},
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ function page:eventHandler(event)
 		local sz = #value
 		local pos = self.prompt.entry.pos
 		self:setPrompt(autocomplete(sandboxEnv, value, self.prompt.entry.pos))
-		self.prompt:setPosition(pos + #value - sz)
+		self.prompt:setPosition(pos + #(self.prompt.value or '') - sz)
 		self.prompt:updateCursor()
 
 	elseif event.type == 'device' then
@@ -201,7 +201,6 @@ function page:eventHandler(event)
 			command = nil
 			self.grid:setValues(t)
 			self.grid:setIndex(1)
-			self.grid:adjustWidth()
 			self:draw()
 		end
 		return true
@@ -248,7 +247,6 @@ function page:setResult(result)
 	end
 	self.grid:setValues(t)
 	self.grid:setIndex(1)
-	self.grid:adjustWidth()
 	self:draw()
 end
 
diff --git a/sys/apps/Network.lua b/sys/apps/Network.lua
index a951b69..1f03fe4 100644
--- a/sys/apps/Network.lua
+++ b/sys/apps/Network.lua
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ local Socket = require('opus.socket')
 local UI     = require('opus.ui')
 local Util   = require('opus.util')
 
-local colors     = _G.colors
 local device     = _G.device
 local network    = _G.network
 local os         = _G.os
@@ -58,7 +57,7 @@ local page = UI.Page {
 		autospace = true,
 		getRowTextColor = function(self, row, selected)
 			if not row.active then
-				return colors.lightGray
+				return 'lightGray'
 			end
 			return UI.Grid.getRowTextColor(self, row, selected)
 		end,
diff --git a/sys/apps/Overview.lua b/sys/apps/Overview.lua
index 1cde020..b879fd0 100644
--- a/sys/apps/Overview.lua
+++ b/sys/apps/Overview.lua
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ local Tween    = require('opus.ui.tween')
 local UI       = require('opus.ui')
 local Util     = require('opus.util')
 
-local colors     = _G.colors
 local device     = _G.device
 local fs         = _G.fs
 local os         = _G.os
@@ -94,8 +93,8 @@ local page = UI.Page {
 	tabBar = UI.TabBar {
 		ey = -2,
 		width = 8,
-		selectedBackgroundColor = UI.colors.primary,
-		backgroundColor = UI.colors.tertiary,
+		selectedBackgroundColor = 'primary',
+		backgroundColor = 'tertiary',
 		layout = function(self)
 			self.height = nil
 			UI.TabBar.layout(self)
@@ -103,7 +102,7 @@ local page = UI.Page {
 	},
 	tray = UI.Window {
 		y = -1, width = 8,
-		backgroundColor = UI.colors.tertiary,
+		backgroundColor = 'tertiary',
 		newApp = UI.FlatButton {
 			x = 2,
 			text = '+', event = 'new',
@@ -150,7 +149,7 @@ local page = UI.Page {
 				text = 'Load', event = 'loadIcon', help = 'Load icon file',
 			},
 			image = UI.NftImage {
-				backgroundColor = colors.black,
+				backgroundColor = 'black',
 				y = 6, x = 2, height = 3, width = 8,
 			},
 		},
@@ -330,9 +329,9 @@ function page.container:setCategory(categoryName, animate)
 					text = program.title,
 					centered = false,
 					backgroundColor = self:getProperty('backgroundColor'),
-					backgroundFocusColor = colors.gray,
-					textColor = colors.white,
-					textFocusColor = colors.white,
+					backgroundFocusColor = 'gray',
+					textColor = 'white',
+					textFocusColor = 'white',
 					event = 'button',
 					app = program,
 				}
@@ -349,9 +348,9 @@ function page.container:setCategory(categoryName, animate)
 					y = 4,
 					text = title,
 					backgroundColor = self:getProperty('backgroundColor'),
-					backgroundFocusColor = colors.gray,
-					textColor = colors.white,
-					textFocusColor = colors.white,
+					backgroundFocusColor = 'gray',
+					textColor = 'white',
+					textFocusColor = 'white',
 					width = #title + 2,
 					event = 'button',
 					app = program,
@@ -590,7 +589,6 @@ function page.editor:eventHandler(event)
 
 	elseif event.type == 'focus_change' then
 		self.statusBar:setStatus(event.focused.help or '')
-		self.statusBar:draw()
 
 	elseif event.type == 'editIcon' then
 		local filename = '/tmp/editing.nft'
diff --git a/sys/apps/inspect.lua b/sys/apps/inspect.lua
index 0033525..35a9f5c 100644
--- a/sys/apps/inspect.lua
+++ b/sys/apps/inspect.lua
@@ -150,7 +150,6 @@ page = UI.Page {
 				})
 			end
 			self.tabs.properties.grid:setValues(t)
-			self.tabs.properties.grid:update()
 			self.tabs.properties.grid:draw()
 
 			t = { }
@@ -162,7 +161,6 @@ page = UI.Page {
 				end
 			end
 			self.tabs.methodsTab.grid:setValues(t)
-			self.tabs.methodsTab.grid:update()
 			self.tabs.methodsTab.grid:draw()
 
 		elseif event.type == 'edit_property' then
@@ -184,7 +182,7 @@ page = UI.Page {
 			}
 			self.ox = math.max(self.ox + sizing[event.ie.code][1], 1)
 			self.oy = math.max(self.oy + sizing[event.ie.code][2], 1)
-			UI.term.device.clear()
+			UI.term:clear()
 			self:resize()
 			self:draw()
 		end
diff --git a/sys/apps/system/alternate.lua b/sys/apps/system/alternate.lua
index 67c455d..e903074 100644
--- a/sys/apps/system/alternate.lua
+++ b/sys/apps/system/alternate.lua
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@ local Array  = require('opus.array')
 local Config = require('opus.config')
 local UI     = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors     = _G.colors
-
 local tab = UI.Tab {
 	tabTitle = 'Preferred',
 	description = 'Select preferred applications',
@@ -25,7 +23,7 @@ local tab = UI.Tab {
 		},
 		getRowTextColor = function(self, row)
 			if row == self.values[1] then
-				return colors.yellow
+				return 'yellow'
 			end
 			return UI.Grid.getRowTextColor(self, row)
 		end,
diff --git a/sys/apps/system/cloud.lua b/sys/apps/system/cloud.lua
index 171e507..d837f2e 100644
--- a/sys/apps/system/cloud.lua
+++ b/sys/apps/system/cloud.lua
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@ local Ansi   = require('opus.ansi')
 local Config = require('opus.config')
 local UI     = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 if _G.http.websocket then
 	local config = Config.load('cloud')
 
@@ -29,8 +27,8 @@ if _G.http.websocket then
 		},
 		labelText = UI.TextArea {
 			x = 2, ex = -2, y = 5, ey = -4,
-			textColor = colors.yellow,
-			backgroundColor = colors.black,
+			textColor = 'yellow',
+			backgroundColor = 'black',
 			marginLeft = 1, marginRight = 1, marginTop = 1,
 			value = string.format(
 [[Use a non-changing cloud key. Note that only a single computer can use this session at one time.
diff --git a/sys/apps/system/password.lua b/sys/apps/system/password.lua
index 4e5f0ce..8040c76 100644
--- a/sys/apps/system/password.lua
+++ b/sys/apps/system/password.lua
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@ local Security = require('opus.security')
 local SHA      = require('opus.crypto.sha2')
 local UI       = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors   = _G.colors
-
 return UI.Tab {
 	tabTitle = 'Password',
 	description = 'Wireless network password',
@@ -26,8 +24,8 @@ return UI.Tab {
 	},
 	info = UI.TextArea {
 		x = 2, ex = -2, y = 5, ey = -4,
-		backgroundColor = colors.black,
-		textColor = colors.yellow,
+		backgroundColor = 'black',
+		textColor = 'yellow',
 		inactive = true,
 		marginLeft = 1, marginRight = 1, marginTop = 1,
 		value = 'Add a password to enable other computers to connect to this one.',
diff --git a/sys/init/7.multishell.lua b/sys/init/7.multishell.lua
index 61a1c83..1f44a0d 100644
--- a/sys/init/7.multishell.lua
+++ b/sys/init/7.multishell.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+local Blit     = require('opus.ui.blit')
 local Config   = require('opus.config')
 local trace    = require('opus.trace')
 local Util     = require('opus.util')
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@ local config = {
 Config.load('multishell', config)
 
 local _colors = parentTerm.isColor() and config.color or config.standard
+local palette = parentTerm.isColor() and Blit.colorPalette or Blit.grayscalePalette
 
 local function redrawMenu()
 	if not tabsDirty then
@@ -205,17 +207,11 @@ end)
 kernel.hook('multishell_redraw', function()
 	tabsDirty = false
 
-	local function write(x, text, bg, fg)
-		parentTerm.setBackgroundColor(bg)
-		parentTerm.setTextColor(fg)
-		parentTerm.setCursorPos(x, 1)
-		parentTerm.write(text)
-	end
-
-	local bg = _colors.tabBarBackgroundColor
-	parentTerm.setBackgroundColor(bg)
-	parentTerm.setCursorPos(1, 1)
-	parentTerm.clearLine()
+	local blit = Blit(w, {
+		bg = _colors.tabBarBackgroundColor,
+		fg = _colors.textColor,
+		palette = palette,
+	})
 
 	local currentTab = kernel.getFocused()
 
@@ -252,21 +248,26 @@ kernel.hook('multishell_redraw', function()
 			tabX = tabX + tab.width
 			if tab ~= currentTab then
 				local textColor = tab.isDead and _colors.errorColor or _colors.textColor
-				write(tab.sx, tab.title:sub(1, tab.width - 1),
+				blit:write(tab.sx, tab.title:sub(1, tab.width - 1),
 					_colors.backgroundColor, textColor)
 			end
 		end
 	end
 
 	if currentTab then
-		write(currentTab.sx - 1,
-			' ' .. currentTab.title:sub(1, currentTab.width - 1) .. ' ',
-			_colors.focusBackgroundColor, _colors.focusTextColor)
+		if currentTab.sx then
+			blit:write(currentTab.sx - 1,
+				' ' .. currentTab.title:sub(1, currentTab.width - 1) .. ' ',
+				_colors.focusBackgroundColor, _colors.focusTextColor)
+		end
 		if not currentTab.noTerminate then
-			write(w, closeInd, _colors.backgroundColor, _colors.focusTextColor)
+			blit:write(w, closeInd, nil, _colors.focusTextColor)
 		end
 	end
 
+	parentTerm.setCursorPos(1, 1)
+	parentTerm.blit(blit.text, blit.fg, blit.bg)
+
 	if currentTab and currentTab.window then
 		currentTab.window.restoreCursor()
 	end
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/array.lua b/sys/modules/opus/array.lua
index dd5e8d9..6980a86 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/array.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/array.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+local Util = require('opus.util')
+
 local Array = { }
 
 function Array.filter(it, f)
@@ -19,4 +21,6 @@ function Array.removeByValue(t, e)
 	end
 end
 
+Array.find = Util.find
+
 return Array
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/config.lua b/sys/modules/opus/config.lua
index 3518ba2..d41c1c7 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/config.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/config.lua
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 local Util = require('opus.util')
 
 local fs    = _G.fs
-local shell = _ENV.shell
 
 local Config = { }
 
@@ -25,23 +24,6 @@ function Config.load(fname, data)
 	return data
 end
 
-function Config.loadWithCheck(fname, data)
-	local filename = 'usr/config/' .. fname
-
-	if not fs.exists(filename) then
-		Config.load(fname, data)
-		print()
-		print('The configuration file has been created.')
-		print('The file name is: ' .. filename)
-		print()
-		_G.printError('Press enter to configure')
-		_G.read()
-		shell.run('edit ' .. filename)
-	end
-
-	return Config.load(fname, data)
-end
-
 function Config.update(fname, data)
 	local filename = 'usr/config/' .. fname
 	Util.writeTable(filename, data)
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/git.lua b/sys/modules/opus/git.lua
index a06cc70..c4a17d7 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/git.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/git.lua
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ function git.list(repository)
 
 	local function getContents()
 		local dataUrl = string.format(TREE_URL, user, repo, branch)
-		local contents, msg = Util.httpGet(dataUrl,TREE_HEADERS)
+		local contents, msg = Util.httpGet(dataUrl, TREE_HEADERS)
 		if not contents then
-			error(_sformat('Failed to download %s\n%s', dataUrl, msg), 2)
+			error(string.format('Failed to download %s\n%s', dataUrl, msg), 2)
 		else
 			return json.decode(contents)
 		end
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/terminal.lua b/sys/modules/opus/terminal.lua
index a64530a..7b04a42 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/terminal.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/terminal.lua
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ function Terminal.window(parent, sx, sy, w, h, isVisible)
 	local maxScroll = 100
 	local cx, cy = 1, 1
 	local blink = false
-	local bg, fg = parent.getBackgroundColor(), parent.getTextColor()
+	local _bg, _fg = parent.getBackgroundColor(), parent.getTextColor()
 
 	win.canvas = Canvas({
 		x       = sx,
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ function Terminal.window(parent, sx, sy, w, h, isVisible)
 		height  = h,
 		isColor = parent.isColor(),
 		offy    = 0,
+		bg      = _bg,
+		fg      = _fg,
 	})
 
 	local function update()
@@ -67,7 +69,7 @@ function Terminal.window(parent, sx, sy, w, h, isVisible)
 
 	function win.write(str)
 		str = tostring(str) or ''
-		win.canvas:write(cx, cy +  win.canvas.offy, str, bg, fg)
+		win.canvas:write(cx, cy +  win.canvas.offy, str, win.canvas.bg, win.canvas.fg)
 		win.setCursorPos(cx + #str, cy)
 		update()
 	end
@@ -83,7 +85,7 @@ function Terminal.window(parent, sx, sy, w, h, isVisible)
 		for i = #win.canvas.lines, win.canvas.height + 1, -1 do
 			win.canvas.lines[i] = nil
 		end
-		win.canvas:clear(bg, fg)
+		win.canvas:clear()
 		update()
 	end
 
@@ -93,7 +95,7 @@ function Terminal.window(parent, sx, sy, w, h, isVisible)
 	end
 
 	function win.clearLine()
-		win.canvas:clearLine(cy + win.canvas.offy, bg, fg)
+		win.canvas:clearLine(cy + win.canvas.offy)
 		win.setCursorPos(cx, cy)
 		update()
 	end
@@ -126,7 +128,7 @@ function Terminal.window(parent, sx, sy, w, h, isVisible)
 	win.isColour = win.isColor
 
 	function win.setTextColor(c)
-		fg = c
+		win.canvas.fg = c
 	end
 	win.setTextColour = win.setTextColor
 
@@ -146,7 +148,7 @@ function Terminal.window(parent, sx, sy, w, h, isVisible)
 	win.setPaletteColour = win.setPaletteColor
 
 	function win.setBackgroundColor(c)
-		bg = c
+		win.canvas.bg = c
 	end
 	win.setBackgroundColour = win.setBackgroundColor
 
@@ -160,7 +162,7 @@ function Terminal.window(parent, sx, sy, w, h, isVisible)
 			local lines = #win.canvas.lines
 			for i = 1, n do
 				win.canvas.lines[lines + i] = { }
-				win.canvas:clearLine(lines + i, bg, fg)
+				win.canvas:clearLine(lines + i)
 			end
 			while #win.canvas.lines > maxScroll do
 				table.remove(win.canvas.lines, 1)
@@ -172,12 +174,12 @@ function Terminal.window(parent, sx, sy, w, h, isVisible)
 	end
 
 	function win.getTextColor()
-		return fg
+		return win.canvas.fg
 	end
 	win.getTextColour = win.getTextColor
 
 	function win.getBackgroundColor()
-		return bg
+		return win.canvas.bg
 	end
 	win.getBackgroundColour = win.getBackgroundColor
 
@@ -201,7 +203,7 @@ function Terminal.window(parent, sx, sy, w, h, isVisible)
 	function win.restoreCursor()
 		if isVisible then
 			win.setCursorPos(cx, cy)
-			win.setTextColor(fg)
+			win.setTextColor(win.canvas.fg)
 			win.setCursorBlink(blink)
 		end
 	end
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui.lua
index a52f2b2..625128f 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui.lua
@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
 local Array      = require('opus.array')
 local Blit       = require('opus.ui.blit')
+local Canvas     = require('opus.ui.canvas')
 local class      = require('opus.class')
 local Event      = require('opus.event')
 local Input      = require('opus.input')
 local Transition = require('opus.ui.transition')
 local Util       = require('opus.util')
-local Canvas     = require('opus.ui.canvas')
 
 local _rep       = string.rep
-local _sub       = string.sub
 local colors     = _G.colors
 local device     = _G.device
 local fs         = _G.fs
@@ -191,11 +190,7 @@ function UI:configure(appName, ...)
 	end
 
 	if defaults.theme then
-		for k,v in pairs(defaults.theme) do
-			if self[k] and self[k].defaults then
-				Util.merge(self[k].defaults, v)
-			end
-		end
+		Util.deepMerge(self.theme, defaults.theme)
 	end
 end
 
@@ -217,6 +212,9 @@ function UI:generateTheme(filename)
 	local t = { }
 
 	local function getName(d)
+		if type(d) == 'string' then
+			return string.format("'%s'", d)
+		end
 		for c, n in pairs(colors) do
 			if n == d then
 				return 'colors.' .. c
@@ -434,7 +432,6 @@ UI.Window.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'Window',
 	x = 1,
 	y = 1,
-	-- z = 0, -- eventually...
 	offx = 0,
 	offy = 0,
 	cursorX = 1,
@@ -771,11 +768,8 @@ function UI.Window:centeredWrite(y, text, bg, fg)
 	if #text >= self.width then
 		self:write(1, y, text, bg, fg)
 	else
-		local space = math.floor((self.width-#text) / 2)
-		local filler = _rep(' ', space + 1)
-		local str = _sub(filler, 1, space) .. text
-		str = str .. _sub(filler, self.width - #str + 1)
-		self:write(1, y, str, bg, fg)
+		local x = math.floor((self.width-#text) / 2) + 1
+		self:write(x, y, text, bg, fg)
 	end
 end
 
@@ -1076,6 +1070,9 @@ function UI.Device:sync()
 
 	if self:getCursorBlink() then
 		self.device.setCursorPos(self.cursorX, self.cursorY)
+		if self.isColor then
+			self.device.setTextColor(colors.orange)
+		end
 		self.device.setCursorBlink(true)
 	end
 end
@@ -1117,6 +1114,11 @@ loadComponents()
 UI:loadTheme('usr/config/ui.theme')
 Util.merge(UI.Window.defaults, UI.theme.Window)
 Util.merge(UI.colors, UI.theme.colors)
-UI:setDefaultDevice(UI.Device({ device = term.current() }))
+UI:setDefaultDevice(UI.Device())
+
+for k,v in pairs(UI.colors) do
+	Canvas.colorPalette[k] = Canvas.colorPalette[v]
+	Canvas.grayscalePalette[k] = Canvas.grayscalePalette[v]
+end
 
 return UI
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/blit.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/blit.lua
index 8a2eca7..a9774d5 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/blit.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/blit.lua
@@ -1,16 +1,91 @@
-local class = require('opus.class')
-
 local colors = _G.colors
+local _rep   = string.rep
+local _sub   = string.sub
 
-local Blit = class()
+local Blit = { }
 
-function Blit:init(t, cs)
-    if type(t) == 'string' then
-        t = Blit.toblit(t, cs or { })
-    end
-    self.text = t.text
-    self.bg = t.bg
-    self.fg = t.fg
+Blit.colorPalette = { }
+Blit.grayscalePalette = { }
+
+for n = 1, 16 do
+	Blit.colorPalette[2 ^ (n - 1)]     = _sub("0123456789abcdef", n, n)
+	Blit.grayscalePalette[2 ^ (n - 1)] = _sub("088888878877787f", n, n)
+end
+
+-- default palette
+Blit.palette = Blit.colorPalette
+
+function Blit:init(t, args)
+	if args then
+		for k,v in pairs(args) do
+			self[k] = v
+		end
+	end
+
+	if type(t) == 'string' then
+		-- create a blit from a string
+		self.text, self.bg, self.fg = Blit.toblit(t, args or { })
+
+	elseif type(t) == 'number' then
+		-- create a fixed width blit
+		self.width = t
+		self.text = _rep(' ', self.width)
+		self.bg = _rep(self.palette[args.bg], self.width)
+		self.fg = _rep(self.palette[args.fg], self.width)
+
+	else
+		self.text = t.text
+		self.bg = t.bg
+		self.fg = t.fg
+	end
+end
+
+function Blit:write(x, text, bg, fg)
+	self:insert(x, text,
+		bg and _rep(self.palette[bg], #text),
+		fg and _rep(self.palette[fg], #text))
+end
+
+function Blit:insert(x, text, bg, fg)
+	if x <= self.width then
+		local width = #text
+		local tx, tex
+
+		if x < 1 then
+			tx = 2 - x
+			width = width + x - 1
+			x = 1
+		end
+
+		if x + width - 1 > self.width then
+			tex = self.width - x + (tx or 1)
+			width = tex - (tx or 1) + 1
+		end
+
+		if width > 0 then
+			local function replace(sstr, rstr)
+				if tx or tex then
+					rstr = _sub(rstr, tx or 1, tex)
+				end
+				if x == 1 and width == self.width then
+					return rstr
+				elseif x == 1 then
+					return rstr .. _sub(sstr, x + width)
+				elseif x + width > self.width then
+					return _sub(sstr, 1, x - 1) .. rstr
+				end
+				return _sub(sstr, 1, x - 1) .. rstr .. _sub(sstr, x + width)
+			end
+
+			self.text = replace(self.text, text)
+			if fg then
+				self.fg = replace(self.fg, fg)
+			end
+			if bg then
+				self.bg = replace(self.bg, bg)
+			end
+		end
+	end
 end
 
 function Blit:sub(s, e)
@@ -22,7 +97,6 @@ function Blit:sub(s, e)
 end
 
 function Blit:wrap(max)
-	local index = 1
 	local lines = { }
 	local data = self
 
@@ -31,7 +105,7 @@ function Blit:wrap(max)
 			table.insert(lines, data)
 			break
 		elseif data.text:sub(max+1, max+1) == ' ' then
-			table.insert(lines, data:sub(index, max))
+			table.insert(lines, data:sub(1, max))
 			data = data:sub(max + 2)
 		else
 			local x = data.text:sub(1, max)
@@ -56,18 +130,20 @@ function Blit.toblit(str, cs)
 
 	if not cs.cbg then
 		-- reset colors
-		cs.rbg = cs.palette[cs.bg or colors.black]
-		cs.rfg = cs.palette[cs.fg or colors.white]
+		cs.rbg = cs.bg or colors.black
+		cs.rfg = cs.fg or colors.white
 		-- current colors
 		cs.cbg = cs.rbg
 		cs.cfg = cs.rfg
+
+		cs.palette = cs.palette or Blit.palette
 	end
 
 	str = str:gsub('(.-)\027%[([%d;]+)m',
 		function(k, seq)
 			text = text .. k
-			bg = bg .. string.rep(cs.cbg, #k)
-			fg = fg .. string.rep(cs.cfg, #k)
+			bg = bg .. string.rep(cs.palette[cs.cbg], #k)
+			fg = fg .. string.rep(cs.palette[cs.cfg], #k)
 			for color in string.gmatch(seq, "%d+") do
 				color = tonumber(color)
 				if color == 0 then
@@ -75,20 +151,24 @@ function Blit.toblit(str, cs)
 					cs.cfg = cs.rfg
 					cs.cbg = cs.rbg
 				elseif color > 20 then
-					cs.cbg = string.sub("0123456789abcdef", color - 21, color - 21)
+					cs.cbg = 2 ^ (color - 21)
 				else
-					cs.cfg = string.sub("0123456789abcdef", color, color)
+					cs.cfg = 2 ^ (color - 1)
 				end
 			end
 			return k
 		end)
 
 	local k = str:sub(#text + 1)
-	return {
-		text = text .. k,
-		bg = bg .. string.rep(cs.cbg, #k),
-		fg = fg .. string.rep(cs.cfg, #k),
-	}
+	return text .. k,
+		bg .. string.rep(cs.palette[cs.cbg], #k),
+		fg .. string.rep(cs.palette[cs.cfg], #k)
 end
 
-return Blit
+return setmetatable(Blit, {
+	__call = function(_, ...)
+		local obj = setmetatable({ }, { __index = Blit })
+		obj:init(...)
+		return obj
+	end
+})
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/canvas.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/canvas.lua
index 5f13c7f..3003981 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/canvas.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/canvas.lua
@@ -9,16 +9,21 @@ local colors = _G.colors
 
 local Canvas = class()
 
-Canvas.colorPalette = { }
-Canvas.darkPalette = { }
-Canvas.grayscalePalette = { }
-
-for n = 1, 16 do
-	Canvas.colorPalette[2 ^ (n - 1)]     = _sub("0123456789abcdef", n, n)
-	Canvas.grayscalePalette[2 ^ (n - 1)] = _sub("088888878877787f", n, n)
-	Canvas.darkPalette[2 ^ (n - 1)]      = _sub("8777777f77fff77f", n, n)
+local function genPalette(map)
+	local t = { }
+	local rcolors = Util.transpose(colors)
+	for n = 1, 16 do
+		local pow = 2 ^ (n - 1)
+		local ch = _sub(map, n, n)
+		t[pow] = ch
+		t[rcolors[pow]] = ch
+	end
+	return t
 end
 
+Canvas.colorPalette     = genPalette('0123456789abcdef')
+Canvas.grayscalePalette = genPalette('088888878877787f')
+
 --[[
 	A canvas can have more lines than canvas.height in order to scroll
 
@@ -119,19 +124,12 @@ function Canvas:copy()
 end
 
 function Canvas:addLayer(layer)
-	local canvas = Canvas({
-		x       = layer.x,
-		y       = layer.y,
-		width   = layer.width,
-		height  = layer.height,
-		isColor = self.isColor,
-	})
-	canvas.parent = self
+	layer.parent = self
 	if not self.children then
 		self.children = { }
 	end
-	table.insert(self.children, canvas)
-	return canvas
+	table.insert(self.children, 1, layer)
+	return layer
 end
 
 function Canvas:removeLayer()
@@ -177,54 +175,42 @@ end
 function Canvas:blit(x, y, text, bg, fg)
 	if y > 0 and y <= #self.lines and x <= self.width then
 		local width = #text
+		local tx, tex
 
-		-- fix ffs
 		if x < 1 then
-			text = _sub(text, 2 - x)
-			if bg then
-				bg = _sub(bg, 2 - x)
-			end
-			if fg then
-				fg = _sub(fg, 2 - x)
-			end
+			tx = 2 - x
 			width = width + x - 1
 			x = 1
 		end
 
 		if x + width - 1 > self.width then
-			text = _sub(text, 1, self.width - x + 1)
-			if bg then
-				bg = _sub(bg, 1, self.width - x + 1)
-			end
-			if fg then
-				fg = _sub(fg, 1, self.width - x + 1)
-			end
-			width = #text
+			tex = self.width - x + (tx or 1)
+			width = tex - (tx or 1) + 1
 		end
 
 		if width > 0 then
-
-			local function replace(sstr, pos, rstr)
-				if pos == 1 and width == self.width then
-					return rstr
-				elseif pos == 1 then
-					return rstr .. _sub(sstr, pos+width)
-				elseif pos + width > self.width then
-					return _sub(sstr, 1, pos-1) .. rstr
+			local function replace(sstr, rstr)
+				if tx or tex then
+					rstr = _sub(rstr, tx or 1, tex)
 				end
-				return _sub(sstr, 1, pos-1) .. rstr .. _sub(sstr, pos+width)
+				if x == 1 and width == self.width then
+					return rstr
+				elseif x == 1 then
+					return rstr .. _sub(sstr, x + width)
+				elseif x + width > self.width then
+					return _sub(sstr, 1, x - 1) .. rstr
+				end
+				return _sub(sstr, 1, x - 1) .. rstr .. _sub(sstr, x + width)
 			end
 
 			local line = self.lines[y]
-			if line then
-				line.dirty = true
-				line.text = replace(line.text, x, text, width)
-				if fg then
-					line.fg = replace(line.fg, x, fg, width)
-				end
-				if bg then
-					line.bg = replace(line.bg, x, bg, width)
-				end
+			line.dirty = true
+			line.text = replace(line.text, text)
+			if fg then
+				line.fg = replace(line.fg, fg)
+			end
+			if bg then
+				line.bg = replace(line.bg, bg)
 			end
 		end
 	end
@@ -383,9 +369,6 @@ function Canvas:__renderLayers(device, offset, doubleBuffer)
 end
 
 function Canvas:__blitRect(device, src, tgt, doubleBuffer)
-	src = src or { x = 1, y = 1, ex = self.ex - self.x + 1, ey = self.ey - self.y + 1 }
-	tgt = tgt or self
-
 	-- for visualizing updates on the screen
 	--[[
 	if Canvas.__visualize or self.visualize then
@@ -426,16 +409,4 @@ function Canvas:__blitRect(device, src, tgt, doubleBuffer)
 	end
 end
 
-if not ({ ... })[1] then
-	local UI = require('opus.ui')
-
-	UI:setPage(UI.Page {
-		button = UI.Button {
-			x = 5, y = 5,
-			text = 'abc'
-		}
-	})
-	UI:start()
-end
-
 return Canvas
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Button.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Button.lua
index a2c5bd8..426d3e0 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Button.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Button.lua
@@ -2,17 +2,15 @@ local class = require('opus.class')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 local Util  = require('opus.util')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.Button = class(UI.Window)
 UI.Button.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'Button',
 	text = 'button',
-	backgroundColor = colors.lightGray,
-	backgroundFocusColor = colors.gray,
-	textFocusColor = colors.white,
-	textInactiveColor = colors.gray,
-	textColor = colors.black,
+	backgroundColor = 'lightGray',
+	backgroundFocusColor = 'gray',
+	textFocusColor = 'white',
+	textInactiveColor = 'gray',
+	textColor = 'black',
 	centered = true,
 	height = 1,
 	focusIndicator = ' ',
@@ -73,7 +71,7 @@ function UI.Button.example()
 		},
 		button2 = UI.Button {
 			x = 2, y = 4,
-			backgroundColor = colors.green,
+			backgroundColor = 'green',
 			event = 'custom_event',
 		},
 		button3 = UI.Button {
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Checkbox.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Checkbox.lua
index 0eb48e0..0322ad6 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Checkbox.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Checkbox.lua
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 local class = require('opus.class')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.Checkbox = class(UI.Window)
 UI.Checkbox.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'Checkbox',
@@ -11,9 +9,9 @@ UI.Checkbox.defaults = {
 	leftMarker = UI.extChars and '\124' or '[',
 	rightMarker = UI.extChars and '\124' or ']',
 	value = false,
-	textColor = colors.white,
-	backgroundColor = colors.black,
-	backgroundFocusColor = colors.lightGray,
+	textColor = 'white',
+	backgroundColor = 'black',
+	backgroundFocusColor = 'lightGray',
 	height = 1,
 	width = 3,
 	accelerators = {
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Dialog.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Dialog.lua
index 0a41ae9..b2d1639 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Dialog.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Dialog.lua
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 local class  = require('opus.class')
 local UI     = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.Dialog = class(UI.SlideOut)
 UI.Dialog.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'Dialog',
@@ -33,7 +31,7 @@ function UI.Dialog.example()
 			cancelEvent = 'slide_hide',
 			text = UI.Text {
 				x = 5, y = 1, width = 20,
-				textColor = colors.gray,
+				textColor = 'gray',
 			},
 			textEntry = UI.TextEntry {
 				formKey = 'level',
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/DropMenu.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/DropMenu.lua
index d7fc52a..8e59a91 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/DropMenu.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/DropMenu.lua
@@ -2,12 +2,10 @@ local class = require('opus.class')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 local Util  = require('opus.util')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.DropMenu = class(UI.MenuBar)
 UI.DropMenu.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'DropMenu',
-	backgroundColor = colors.white,
+	backgroundColor = 'white',
 	buttonClass = 'DropMenuItem',
 }
 function UI.DropMenu:layout()
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/DropMenuItem.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/DropMenuItem.lua
index 47ced08..e1f2dd8 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/DropMenuItem.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/DropMenuItem.lua
@@ -1,16 +1,14 @@
 local class = require('opus.class')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.DropMenuItem = class(UI.Button)
 UI.DropMenuItem.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'DropMenuItem',
-	textColor = colors.black,
-	backgroundColor = colors.white,
-	textFocusColor = colors.white,
-	textInactiveColor = colors.lightGray,
-	backgroundFocusColor = colors.lightGray,
+	textColor = 'black',
+	backgroundColor = 'white',
+	textFocusColor = 'white',
+	textInactiveColor = 'lightGray',
+	backgroundFocusColor = 'lightGray',
 }
 function UI.DropMenuItem:eventHandler(event)
 	if event.type == 'button_activate' then
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Embedded.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Embedded.lua
index 96fb3ec..f7996ce 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Embedded.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Embedded.lua
@@ -3,13 +3,11 @@ local Event    = require('opus.event')
 local Terminal = require('opus.terminal')
 local UI       = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.Embedded = class(UI.Window)
 UI.Embedded.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'Embedded',
-	backgroundColor = colors.black,
-	textColor = colors.white,
+	backgroundColor = 'black',
+	textColor = 'white',
 	maxScroll = 100,
 	accelerators = {
 		up = 'scroll_up',
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/FlatButton.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/FlatButton.lua
index 222b001..c9a5ad0 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/FlatButton.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/FlatButton.lua
@@ -1,13 +1,11 @@
 local class = require('opus.class')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.FlatButton = class(UI.Button)
 UI.FlatButton.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'FlatButton',
-	textColor = colors.black,
-	textFocusColor = colors.white,
+	textColor = 'black',
+	textFocusColor = 'white',
 	noPadding = true,
 }
 function UI.FlatButton:setParent()
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Form.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Form.lua
index bda9850..92a39a7 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Form.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Form.lua
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@ local class = require('opus.class')
 local Sound = require('opus.sound')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.Form = class(UI.Window)
 UI.Form.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'Form',
@@ -68,7 +66,7 @@ function UI.Form:createForm()
 				table.insert(self.children, UI.Text {
 					x = self.margin,
 					y = child.y,
-					textColor = colors.black,
+					textColor = 'black',
 					width = #child.formLabel,
 					value = child.formLabel,
 				})
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Grid.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Grid.lua
index 313bb67..80189f5 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Grid.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Grid.lua
@@ -2,10 +2,8 @@ local class = require('opus.class')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 local Util  = require('opus.util')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
 local os     = _G.os
 local _rep   = string.rep
-local _sub   = string.sub
 
 local function safeValue(v)
 	local t = type(v)
@@ -23,18 +21,7 @@ function Writer:init(element, y)
 end
 
 function Writer:write(s, width, align, bg, fg)
-	local len = #tostring(s or '')
-	if len > width then
-		s = _sub(s, 1, width)
-	end
-	local padding = len < width and _rep(' ', width - len)
-	if padding then
-		if align == 'right' then
-			s = padding .. s
-		else
-			s = s .. padding
-		end
-	end
+	s = Util.widthify(s, width, align)
 	self.element:write(self.x, self.y, s, bg, fg)
 	self.x = self.x + width
 end
@@ -56,16 +43,16 @@ UI.Grid.defaults = {
 	disableHeader = false,
 	headerHeight = 1,
 	marginRight = 0,
-	textColor = colors.white,
-	textSelectedColor = colors.white,
-	backgroundColor = colors.black,
-	backgroundSelectedColor = colors.gray,
-	headerBackgroundColor = UI.colors.primary,
-	headerTextColor = colors.white,
-	headerSortColor = colors.yellow,
-	unfocusedTextSelectedColor = colors.white,
-	unfocusedBackgroundSelectedColor = colors.gray,
-	focusIndicator = UI.extChars and '\183' or '>',
+	textColor = 'white',
+	textSelectedColor = 'white',
+	backgroundColor = 'black',
+	backgroundSelectedColor = 'gray',
+	headerBackgroundColor = 'primary',
+	headerTextColor = 'white',
+	headerSortColor = 'yellow',
+	unfocusedTextSelectedColor = 'white',
+	unfocusedBackgroundSelectedColor = 'gray',
+	focusIndicator = UI.extChars and '\26' or '>',
 	sortIndicator = ' ',
 	inverseSortIndicator = UI.extChars and '\24' or '^',
 	values = { },
@@ -522,7 +509,7 @@ function UI.Grid.example()
 			values = values,
 			columns = {
 				{ heading = 'key', key = 'key', width = 6,  },
-				{ heading = 'value', key = 'value', textColor = colors.yellow },
+				{ heading = 'value', key = 'value', textColor = 'yellow' },
 			},
 		},
 		autospace = UI.Grid {
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/MenuBar.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/MenuBar.lua
index 190a550..7ddf97b 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/MenuBar.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/MenuBar.lua
@@ -1,15 +1,13 @@
 local class = require('opus.class')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.MenuBar = class(UI.Window)
 UI.MenuBar.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'MenuBar',
 	buttons = { },
 	height = 1,
-	backgroundColor = UI.colors.secondary,
-	textColor = colors.black,
+	backgroundColor = 'secondary',
+	textColor = 'black',
 	spacing = 2,
 	lastx = 1,
 	buttonClass = 'MenuItem',
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/MenuItem.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/MenuItem.lua
index e84b328..26bcf91 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/MenuItem.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/MenuItem.lua
@@ -5,5 +5,5 @@ UI.MenuItem = class(UI.FlatButton)
 UI.MenuItem.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'MenuItem',
 	noPadding = false,
-	textInactiveColor = colors.gray,
+	textInactiveColor = 'gray',
 }
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/MiniSlideOut.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/MiniSlideOut.lua
index a9e226c..4d68a0e 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/MiniSlideOut.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/MiniSlideOut.lua
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ UI.MiniSlideOut = class(UI.SlideOut)
 UI.MiniSlideOut.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'MiniSlideOut',
     noFill = true,
-    backgroundColor = UI.colors.primary,
+    backgroundColor = 'primary',
     height = 1,
 }
 function UI.MiniSlideOut:postInit()
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Notification.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Notification.lua
index f3b0d85..2d52872 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Notification.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Notification.lua
@@ -4,36 +4,34 @@ local Sound = require('opus.sound')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 local Util  = require('opus.util')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.Notification = class(UI.Window)
 UI.Notification.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'Notification',
-	backgroundColor = colors.gray,
+	backgroundColor = 'gray',
 	closeInd = UI.extChars and '\215' or '*',
 	height = 3,
 	timeout = 3,
 	anchor = 'bottom',
 }
-function UI.Notification:draw()
+function UI.Notification.draw()
 end
 
-function UI.Notification:enable()
+function UI.Notification.enable()
 end
 
 function UI.Notification:error(value, timeout)
-	self.backgroundColor = colors.red
+	self.backgroundColor = 'red'
 	Sound.play('entity.villager.no', .5)
 	self:display(value, timeout)
 end
 
 function UI.Notification:info(value, timeout)
-	self.backgroundColor = colors.lightGray
+	self.backgroundColor = 'lightGray'
 	self:display(value, timeout)
 end
 
 function UI.Notification:success(value, timeout)
-	self.backgroundColor = colors.green
+	self.backgroundColor = 'green'
 	self:display(value, timeout)
 end
 
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Page.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Page.lua
index 7e746ad..9daed63 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Page.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Page.lua
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@ local class  = require('opus.class')
 local UI     = require('opus.ui')
 local Util   = require('opus.util')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.Page = class(UI.Window)
 UI.Page.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'Page',
@@ -16,8 +14,8 @@ UI.Page.defaults = {
 		up = 'focus_prev',
 		scroll_up = 'focus_prev',
 	},
-	backgroundColor = UI.colors.primary,
-	textColor = colors.white,
+	backgroundColor = 'primary',
+	textColor = 'white',
 }
 function UI.Page:postInit()
 	self.parent = self.parent or UI.term
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/ProgressBar.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/ProgressBar.lua
index 969e115..c769449 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/ProgressBar.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/ProgressBar.lua
@@ -1,35 +1,28 @@
 local class = require('opus.class')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.ProgressBar = class(UI.Window)
 UI.ProgressBar.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'ProgressBar',
-	backgroundColor = colors.gray,
+	backgroundColor = 'gray',
 	height = 1,
-	progressColor = colors.lime,
+	progressColor = 'lime',
 	progressChar = UI.extChars and '\153' or ' ',
 	fillChar = ' ',
-	fillColor = colors.gray,
-	textColor = colors.green,
+	fillColor = 'gray',
+	textColor = 'green',
 	value = 0,
 }
 function UI.ProgressBar:draw()
 	local width = math.ceil(self.value / 100 * self.width)
 
-	local filler = string.rep(self.fillChar, self.width)
-	local progress = string.rep(self.progressChar, width)
-
-	for i = 1, self.height do
-		self:write(1, i, filler, nil, self.fillColor)
-		self:write(1, i, progress, self.progressColor)
-	end
+	self:fillArea(width + 1, 1, self.width - width, self.height, self.fillChar, nil, self.fillColor)
+	self:fillArea(1, 1, width, self.height, self.progressChar, self.progressColor)
 end
 
 function UI.ProgressBar.example()
 	return UI.ProgressBar {
-		x = 2, ex = -2, y = 2,
+		x = 2, ex = -2, y = 2, height = 2,
 		focus = function() end,
 		enable = function(self)
 			require('opus.event').onInterval(.25, function()
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Question.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Question.lua
index f15f151..3be0d52 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Question.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Question.lua
@@ -15,13 +15,13 @@ function UI.Question:postInit()
     self.yes_button = UI.Button {
         x = x,
         text = 'Yes',
-        backgroundColor = UI.colors.primary,
+        backgroundColor = 'primary',
         event = 'question_yes',
     }
     self.no_button = UI.Button {
         x = x + 5,
         text = 'No',
-        backgroundColor = UI.colors.primary,
+        backgroundColor = 'primary',
         event = 'question_no',
     }
 end
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/SlideOut.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/SlideOut.lua
index a087d3c..efafd68 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/SlideOut.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/SlideOut.lua
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ end
 
 function UI.SlideOut:draw()
 	if not self.noFill then
-		self:fillArea(1, 1, self.width, self.height, string.rep('\127', self.width), colors.black, colors.gray)
+		self:fillArea(1, 1, self.width, self.height, string.rep('\127', self.width), 'black', 'gray')
 	end
 	self:drawChildren()
 end
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Slider.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Slider.lua
index e040cc8..620877e 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Slider.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/Slider.lua
@@ -2,17 +2,15 @@ local class  = require('opus.class')
 local UI     = require('opus.ui')
 local Util   = require('opus.util')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.Slider = class(UI.Window)
 UI.Slider.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'Slider',
 	height = 1,
 	barChar = UI.extChars and '\140' or '-',
-	barColor = colors.gray,
+	barColor = 'gray',
 	sliderChar = UI.extChars and '\143' or '\124',
-	sliderColor = colors.blue,
-	sliderFocusColor = colors.lightBlue,
+	sliderColor = 'blue',
+	sliderFocusColor = 'lightBlue',
 	leftBorder = UI.extChars and '\141' or '\124',
 	rightBorder = UI.extChars and '\142' or '\124',
 	value = 0,
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/StatusBar.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/StatusBar.lua
index ecd5f4b..1b2d2e0 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/StatusBar.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/StatusBar.lua
@@ -3,13 +3,11 @@ local Event = require('opus.event')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 local Util  = require('opus.util')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.StatusBar = class(UI.Window)
 UI.StatusBar.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'StatusBar',
-	backgroundColor = colors.lightGray,
-	textColor = colors.gray,
+	backgroundColor = 'lightGray',
+	textColor = 'gray',
 	height = 1,
 	ey = -1,
 }
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TabBar.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TabBar.lua
index f79563d..eb81b3a 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TabBar.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TabBar.lua
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@ UI.TabBar = class(UI.MenuBar)
 UI.TabBar.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'TabBar',
 	buttonClass = 'TabBarMenuItem',
-	backgroundColor = colors.black,
-	selectedBackgroundColor = UI.colors.primary,
-	unselectedBackgroundColor = UI.colors.tertiary,
+	backgroundColor = 'black',
+	selectedBackgroundColor = 'primary',
+	unselectedBackgroundColor = 'tertiary',
 }
 function UI.TabBar:enable()
 	UI.MenuBar.enable(self)
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TabBarMenuItem.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TabBarMenuItem.lua
index 2d22a02..0ade0b0 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TabBarMenuItem.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TabBarMenuItem.lua
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ UI.TabBarMenuItem = class(UI.Button)
 UI.TabBarMenuItem.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'TabBarMenuItem',
 	event = 'tab_select',
-	textInactiveColor = colors.lightGray,
+	textInactiveColor = 'lightGray',
 }
 function UI.TabBarMenuItem:draw()
 	if self.selected then
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TextArea.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TextArea.lua
index aeaf756..3b821c7 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TextArea.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TextArea.lua
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ function UI.TextArea:setText(text)
 	self:draw()
 end
 
-function UI.TextArea:focus()
+function UI.TextArea.focus()
 	-- allow keyboard scrolling
 end
 
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ function UI.TextArea:draw()
 end
 
 function UI.TextArea.example()
+	local Ansi = require('opus.ansi')
 	return UI.Window {
 		backgroundColor = 2048,
 		t1 = UI.TextArea {
@@ -33,14 +34,16 @@ function UI.TextArea.example()
 		},
 		t2 = UI.TextArea {
 			y = 5,
-			value = [[1
+			backgroundColor = 'green',
+			value = string.format([[now %%is the %stime %sfor%s all good men to come to the aid of their country.
+1
 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
-8]]
+8]], Ansi.yellow, Ansi.onred, Ansi.reset),
 		}
 	}
 end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TextEntry.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TextEntry.lua
index 0af4499..9fd61a5 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TextEntry.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TextEntry.lua
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ local entry = require('opus.entry')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 local Util  = require('opus.util')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
 local _rep   = string.rep
 
 local function transform(directive)
@@ -21,11 +20,11 @@ UI.TextEntry.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'TextEntry',
 	shadowText = '',
 	focused = false,
-	textColor = colors.white,
-	shadowTextColor = colors.gray,
-	markBackgroundColor = colors.gray,
-	backgroundColor = colors.black, -- colors.lightGray,
-	backgroundFocusColor = colors.black, --lightGray,
+	textColor = 'white',
+	shadowTextColor = 'gray',
+	markBackgroundColor = 'gray',
+	backgroundColor = 'black',
+	backgroundFocusColor = 'black',
 	height = 1,
 	limit = 6,
 	cursorBlink = true,
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TitleBar.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TitleBar.lua
index fa3d1e4..743103a 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TitleBar.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/TitleBar.lua
@@ -1,39 +1,6 @@
 local class = require('opus.class')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-local _rep   = string.rep
-local _sub   = string.sub
-
--- For manipulating text in a fixed width string
-local SB = class()
-function SB:init(width)
-	self.width = width
-	self.buf = _rep(' ', width)
-end
-function SB:insert(x, str, width)
-	if x < 1 then
-		x = self.width + x + 1
-	end
-	width = width or #str
-	if x + width - 1 > self.width then
-		width = self.width - x
-	end
-	if width > 0 then
-		self.buf = _sub(self.buf, 1, x - 1) .. _sub(str, 1, width) .. _sub(self.buf, x + width)
-	end
-end
-function SB:fill(x, ch, width)
-	width = width or self.width - x + 1
-	self:insert(x, _rep(ch, width))
-end
-function SB:center(str)
-	self:insert(math.max(1, math.ceil((self.width - #str + 1) / 2)), str)
-end
-function SB:get()
-	return self.buf
-end
-
 UI.TitleBar = class(UI.Window)
 UI.TitleBar.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'TitleBar',
@@ -43,15 +10,11 @@ UI.TitleBar.defaults = {
 	closeInd = UI.extChars and '\215' or '*',
 }
 function UI.TitleBar:draw()
-	local sb = SB(self.width)
-	sb:fill(2, self.frameChar, sb.width - 3)
-	sb:center(string.format(' %s ', self.title))
+	self:fillArea(2, 1, self.width - 2, 1, self.frameChar)
+	self:centeredWrite(1, string.format(' %s ', self.title))
 	if self.previousPage or self.event then
-		sb:insert(-1, self.closeInd)
-	else
-		sb:insert(-2, self.frameChar)
+		self:write(self.width - 1, 1, ' ' .. self.closeInd)
 	end
-	self:write(1, 1, sb:get())
 end
 
 function UI.TitleBar:eventHandler(event)
@@ -78,7 +41,7 @@ function UI.TitleBar:eventHandler(event)
 				self.parent:reposition(self.parent.x, self.anchor.oy + event.dy, self.width, self.anchor.h - d)
 			end
 
-		else --if self.moveable then
+		elseif self.moveable then
 			local d = event.dy
 			if self.anchor.oy + d > 0 and self.anchor.oy + d <= self.parent.parent.height then
 				self.parent:move(self.anchor.ox + event.dx, self.anchor.oy + event.dy)
@@ -91,9 +54,9 @@ function UI.TitleBar.example()
 	return UI.Window {
 		win1 = UI.Window {
 			x = 9, y = 2, ex = -7, ey = -3,
-			backgroundColor = colors.green,
+			backgroundColor = 'green',
 			titleBar = UI.TitleBar {
-				title = 'test',  moveable = true,
+				title = 'A really, really, really long title',  moveable = true,
 			},
 			button1 = UI.Button {
 				x = 2, y = 3,
@@ -105,9 +68,10 @@ function UI.TitleBar.example()
 		},
 		win2 = UI.Window {
 			x = 7, y = 3, ex = -9, ey = -2,
-			backgroundColor = colors.orange,
+			backgroundColor = 'orange',
 			titleBar = UI.TitleBar {
 				title = 'test', moveable = true,
+				event = 'none',
 			},
 			button1 = UI.Button {
 				x = 2, y = 3,
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/VerticalMeter.lua b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/VerticalMeter.lua
index 3c11cea..8129990 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/VerticalMeter.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/ui/components/VerticalMeter.lua
@@ -1,13 +1,11 @@
 local class = require('opus.class')
 local UI    = require('opus.ui')
 
-local colors = _G.colors
-
 UI.VerticalMeter = class(UI.Window)
 UI.VerticalMeter.defaults = {
 	UIElement = 'VerticalMeter',
-	backgroundColor = colors.gray,
-	meterColor = colors.lime,
+	backgroundColor = 'gray',
+	meterColor = 'lime',
 	width = 1,
 	value = 0,
 }
@@ -30,4 +28,4 @@ function UI.VerticalMeter.example()
 			return UI.VerticalMeter.enable(self)
 		end
 	}
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end
diff --git a/sys/modules/opus/util.lua b/sys/modules/opus/util.lua
index 545b738..8cd7286 100644
--- a/sys/modules/opus/util.lua
+++ b/sys/modules/opus/util.lua
@@ -669,42 +669,8 @@ function Util.trimr(s)
 end
 -- end http://snippets.luacode.org/?p=snippets/trim_whitespace_from_string_76
 
--- word wrapping based on:
--- https://www.rosettacode.org/wiki/Word_wrap#Lua and
--- http://lua-users.org/wiki/StringRecipes
-local function paragraphwrap(text, linewidth, res)
-	linewidth = linewidth or 75
-	local spaceleft = linewidth
-	local line = { }
-
-	for word in text:gmatch("%S+") do
-		local len = #word + 1
-
-		--if colorMode then
-		--  word:gsub('()@([@%d])', function(pos, c) len = len - 2 end)
-		--end
-
-		if len > spaceleft then
-			table.insert(res, table.concat(line, ' '))
-			line = { word }
-			spaceleft = linewidth - len - 1
-		else
-			table.insert(line, word)
-			spaceleft = spaceleft - len
-		end
-	end
-
-	table.insert(res, table.concat(line, ' '))
-	return table.concat(res, '\n')
-end
--- end word wrapping
-
---[[
-	-- better wrapping - needs further testing before replacing the current wrapping
-	functions
-local function wrap(text, max)
+local function wrap(text, max, lines)
 	local index = 1
-	local lines = { }
 	repeat
 		if #text <= max then
 			table.insert(lines, text)
@@ -722,14 +688,12 @@ local function wrap(text, max)
 	until not text or #text == 0
 	return lines
 end
-]]
 
 function Util.wordWrap(str, limit)
-	local longLines = Util.split(str)
 	local lines = { }
 
-	for _,line in ipairs(longLines) do
-		paragraphwrap(line, limit, lines)
+	for _,line in ipairs(Util.split(str)) do
+		wrap(line, limit, lines)
 	end
 
 	return lines