diff --git a/config.toml b/config.toml
index de29cfd..cf002cd 100644
--- a/config.toml
+++ b/config.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [ai]
-provider = "minimax"
-model = "MiniMax-M2.5"
+provider = "deepseek"
+model = "deepseek-chat"
 temperature = 0.0
 max_tokens = 24000
 history_trunc_limit = 900000
@@ -9,6 +9,11 @@ system_prompt = ""
 [projects]
 paths = [
     "C:/projects/gencpp/gencpp_sloppy.toml",
+    "C:\\projects\\manual_slop\\tests\\artifacts\\temp_livecontextsim.toml",
+    "C:\\projects\\manual_slop\\tests\\artifacts\\temp_liveaisettingssim.toml",
+    "C:\\projects\\manual_slop\\tests\\artifacts\\temp_livetoolssim.toml",
+    "C:\\projects\\manual_slop\\tests\\artifacts\\temp_liveexecutionsim.toml",
+    "C:\\projects\\manual_slop\\tests\\artifacts\\temp_project.toml",
 ]
 active = "C:/projects/gencpp/gencpp_sloppy.toml"
 
@@ -16,6 +21,7 @@ active = "C:/projects/gencpp/gencpp_sloppy.toml"
 separate_message_panel = false
 separate_response_panel = false
 separate_tool_calls_panel = false
+bg_shader_enabled = true
 
 [gui.show_windows]
 "Context Hub" = true
@@ -28,12 +34,12 @@ separate_tool_calls_panel = false
 "Tier 4: QA" = true
 "Discussion Hub" = true
 "Operations Hub" = true
-Message = true
-Response = true
-"Tool Calls" = true
+Message = false
+Response = false
+"Tool Calls" = false
 Theme = true
 "Log Management" = true
-Diagnostics = true
+Diagnostics = false
 
 [theme]
 palette = "DPG Default"
diff --git a/scripts/test_font_config.py b/scripts/test_font_config.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..665ea40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/test_font_config.py
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+
+from imgui_bundle import imgui, hello_imgui
+
+def test_font_config():
+    config = imgui.ImFontConfig()
+    config.oversample_h = 3
+    config.oversample_v = 3
+    print(f"Oversample H: {config.oversample_h}")
+    print(f"Oversample V: {config.oversample_v}")
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    test_font_config()
diff --git a/src/app_controller.py b/src/app_controller.py
index d7324b1..1eaae58 100644
--- a/src/app_controller.py
+++ b/src/app_controller.py
@@ -324,7 +324,8 @@ class AppController:
    'manual_approve': 'ui_manual_approve',
    'inject_file_path': '_inject_file_path',
    'inject_mode': '_inject_mode',
-   'show_inject_modal': '_show_inject_modal'
+   'show_inject_modal': '_show_inject_modal',
+   'bg_shader_enabled': 'bg_shader_enabled'
   }
   self._gettable_fields = dict(self._settable_fields)
   self._gettable_fields.update({
@@ -346,7 +347,8 @@ class AppController:
     '_inject_file_path': '_inject_file_path',
     '_inject_mode': '_inject_mode',
     '_inject_preview': '_inject_preview',
-    '_show_inject_modal': '_show_inject_modal'
+    '_show_inject_modal': '_show_inject_modal',
+    'bg_shader_enabled': 'bg_shader_enabled'
    })
   self.perf_monitor = performance_monitor.get_monitor()
   self._perf_profiling_enabled = False
@@ -783,6 +785,11 @@ class AppController:
   self.ui_summary_only = proj_meta.get("summary_only", False)
   self.ui_auto_add_history = disc_sec.get("auto_add", False)
   self.ui_global_system_prompt = self.config.get("ai", {}).get("system_prompt", "")
+  
+  gui_cfg = self.config.get("gui", {})
+  from src import bg_shader
+  bg_shader.get_bg().enabled = gui_cfg.get("bg_shader_enabled", False)
+  
   _default_windows = {
    "Context Hub": True,
    "Files & Media": True,
@@ -2077,12 +2084,15 @@ class AppController:
   }
   self.config["ai"]["system_prompt"] = self.ui_global_system_prompt
   self.config["projects"] = {"paths": self.project_paths, "active": self.active_project_path}
+  from src import bg_shader
   self.config["gui"] = {
    "show_windows": self.show_windows,
    "separate_message_panel": getattr(self, "ui_separate_message_panel", False),
    "separate_response_panel": getattr(self, "ui_separate_response_panel", False),
    "separate_tool_calls_panel": getattr(self, "ui_separate_tool_calls_panel", False),
+   "bg_shader_enabled": bg_shader.get_bg().enabled
   }
+  # Explicitly call theme save to ensure self.config is updated
   theme.save_to_config(self.config)
 
  def _do_generate(self) -> tuple[str, Path, list[dict[str, Any]], str, str]:
diff --git a/src/bg_shader.py b/src/bg_shader.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2bd3df5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/bg_shader.py
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+# src/bg_shader.py
+import time
+import math
+from typing import Optional
+import numpy as np
+from imgui_bundle import imgui, nanovg as nvg, hello_imgui
+
+class BackgroundShader:
+ def __init__(self):
+  self.enabled = False
+  self.start_time = time.time()
+  self.ctx: Optional[nvg.Context] = None
+
+ def render(self, width: float, height: float):
+  if not self.enabled:
+   return
+
+  # In imgui-bundle, hello_imgui handles the background.
+  # We can use the background_draw_list to draw primitives.
+  # Since we don't have raw GLSL easily in Python without PyOpenGL,
+  # we'll use a "faux-shader" approach with NanoVG or DrawList gradients.
+  
+  t = time.time() - self.start_time
+  dl = imgui.get_background_draw_list()
+  
+  # Base deep sea color
+  dl.add_rect_filled(imgui.ImVec2(0, 0), imgui.ImVec2(width, height), imgui.get_color_u32(imgui.ImVec4(0.01, 0.07, 0.20, 1.0)))
+  
+  # Layer 1: Slow moving large blobs (FBM approximation)
+  for i in range(3):
+   phase = t * (0.1 + i * 0.05)
+   x = (math.sin(phase) * 0.5 + 0.5) * width
+   y = (math.cos(phase * 0.8) * 0.5 + 0.5) * height
+   radius = (0.4 + 0.2 * math.sin(t * 0.2)) * max(width, height)
+   
+   col = imgui.ImVec4(0.02, 0.26, 0.55, 0.3)
+   dl.add_circle_filled(imgui.ImVec2(x, y), radius, imgui.get_color_u32(col), num_segments=32)
+
+  # Layer 2: Shimmering caustics (Animated Lines)
+  num_lines = 15
+  for i in range(num_lines):
+   offset = (t * 20.0 + i * (width / num_lines)) % width
+   alpha = 0.1 * (1.0 + math.sin(t + i))
+   col = imgui.get_color_u32(imgui.ImVec4(0.08, 0.60, 0.88, alpha))
+   
+   p1 = imgui.ImVec2(offset, 0)
+   p2 = imgui.ImVec2(offset - 100, height)
+   dl.add_line(p1, p2, col, thickness=2.0)
+
+  # Vignette
+  center = imgui.ImVec2(width/2, height/2)
+  radius = max(width, height) * 0.8
+  # Draw multiple concentric circles for a soft vignette
+  for i in range(10):
+   r = radius + (i * 50)
+   alpha = (i / 10.0) * 0.5
+   dl.add_circle(center, r, imgui.get_color_u32(imgui.ImVec4(0, 0, 0, alpha)), num_segments=64, thickness=60.0)
+
+_bg: Optional[BackgroundShader] = None
+
+def get_bg():
+ global _bg
+ if _bg is None:
+  _bg = BackgroundShader()
+ return _bg
diff --git a/src/gui_2.py b/src/gui_2.py
index ddb158b..a039365 100644
--- a/src/gui_2.py
+++ b/src/gui_2.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from src import models
 from src import app_controller
 from src import mcp_client
 from src import markdown_helper
+from src import bg_shader
 import re
 
 from pydantic import BaseModel
@@ -287,6 +288,12 @@ class App:
    imgui.end_menu()
 
  def _gui_func(self) -> None:
+  # Render background shader
+  bg = bg_shader.get_bg()
+  if bg.enabled:
+   ws = imgui.get_io().display_size
+   bg.render(ws.x, ws.y)
+   
   pushed_prior_tint = False
   if self.perf_profiling_enabled: self.perf_monitor.start_component("_gui_func")
   if self.is_viewing_prior_session:
@@ -2780,6 +2787,8 @@ def hello():
     for p in theme.get_palette_names():
      if imgui.selectable(p, p == cp)[0]:
       theme.apply(p)
+      self._flush_to_config()
+      models.save_config(self.config)
     imgui.end_combo()
 
    imgui.separator()
@@ -2815,7 +2824,33 @@ def hello():
    imgui.separator()
    imgui.text("UI Scale (DPI)")
    ch, scale = imgui.slider_float("##scale", theme.get_current_scale(), 0.5, 3.0, "%.2f")
-   if ch: theme.set_scale(scale)
+   if ch:
+    theme.set_scale(scale)
+    self._flush_to_config()
+    models.save_config(self.config)
+   
+   imgui.text("Panel Transparency")
+   ch_t, trans = imgui.slider_float("##trans", theme.get_transparency(), 0.1, 1.0, "%.2f")
+   if ch_t:
+    theme.set_transparency(trans)
+    self._flush_to_config()
+    models.save_config(self.config)
+    
+   imgui.text("Panel Item Transparency")
+   ch_ct, ctrans = imgui.slider_float("##ctrans", theme.get_child_transparency(), 0.1, 1.0, "%.2f")
+   if ch_ct:
+    theme.set_child_transparency(ctrans)
+    self._flush_to_config()
+    models.save_config(self.config)
+    
+   imgui.separator()
+   bg = bg_shader.get_bg()
+   ch_bg, bg.enabled = imgui.checkbox("Animated Background Shader", bg.enabled)
+   if ch_bg:
+    gui_cfg = self.config.setdefault("gui", {})
+    gui_cfg["bg_shader_enabled"] = bg.enabled
+    self._flush_to_config()
+    models.save_config(self.config)
   imgui.end()
   if self.perf_profiling_enabled: self.perf_monitor.end_component("_render_theme_panel")
 
@@ -2825,12 +2860,17 @@ def hello():
   if assets_dir.exists():
    hello_imgui.set_assets_folder(str(assets_dir.absolute()))
 
+  # Improved font rendering with oversampling
+  config = imgui.ImFontConfig()
+  config.oversample_h = 3
+  config.oversample_v = 3
+
   font_path, font_size = theme.get_font_loading_params()
   
   if font_path:
    # Just try loading it directly; hello_imgui will look in the assets folder
    try:
-    self.main_font = hello_imgui.load_font_ttf_with_font_awesome_icons(font_path, font_size)
+    self.main_font = hello_imgui.load_font_ttf_with_font_awesome_icons(font_path, font_size, config)
    except Exception as e:
     print(f"Failed to load main font {font_path}: {e}")
     self.main_font = None
@@ -2838,7 +2878,8 @@ def hello():
    self.main_font = None
 
   try:
-   self.mono_font = hello_imgui.load_font("fonts/MapleMono-Regular.ttf", font_size)
+   params = hello_imgui.FontLoadingParams(font_config=config)
+   self.mono_font = hello_imgui.load_font("fonts/MapleMono-Regular.ttf", font_size, params)
   except Exception as e:
    print(f"Failed to load mono font: {e}")
    self.mono_font = None
@@ -2862,7 +2903,13 @@ def hello():
    self.runner_params.app_window_params.window_title = "manual slop"
    self.runner_params.app_window_params.window_geometry.size = (1680, 1200)
    self.runner_params.imgui_window_params.enable_viewports = getattr(self, "ui_multi_viewport", False)
+   self.runner_params.imgui_window_params.remember_theme = True
+   self.runner_params.imgui_window_params.tweaked_theme = theme.get_tweaked_theme()
    self.runner_params.imgui_window_params.default_imgui_window_type = hello_imgui.DefaultImGuiWindowType.provide_full_screen_dock_space
+   
+   # Enforce DPI Awareness and User Scale
+   user_scale = theme.get_current_scale()
+   self.runner_params.dpi_aware_params.dpi_window_size_factor = user_scale
 
    # Detect Monitor Refresh Rate for capping
    fps_cap = 60.0
@@ -2879,11 +2926,13 @@ def hello():
    self.runner_params.fps_idling.fps_idle = fps_cap
 
    self.runner_params.imgui_window_params.show_menu_bar = True
+   self.runner_params.imgui_window_params.show_menu_view_themes = True
    self.runner_params.ini_folder_type = hello_imgui.IniFolderType.current_folder
    self.runner_params.ini_filename = "manualslop_layout.ini"
    self.runner_params.callbacks.show_gui = self._gui_func
    self.runner_params.callbacks.show_menus = self._show_menus
    self.runner_params.callbacks.load_additional_fonts = self._load_fonts
+   self.runner_params.callbacks.setup_imgui_style = theme.apply_current
    self.runner_params.callbacks.post_init = self._post_init
    self._fetch_models(self.current_provider)
    md_options = markdown_helper.get_renderer().options
diff --git a/src/theme_2.py b/src/theme_2.py
index 15706e3..91bc613 100644
--- a/src/theme_2.py
+++ b/src/theme_2.py
@@ -3,12 +3,13 @@
 Theming support for manual_slop GUI — imgui-bundle port.
 
 Replaces theme.py (DearPyGui-specific) with imgui-bundle equivalents.
-Palettes are applied via imgui.get_style().set_color_() calls.
+Palettes are applied via imgui.get_style().set_color_() calls or hello_imgui.apply_theme().
 Font loading uses hello_imgui.load_font().
 Scale uses imgui.get_style().font_scale_main.
 """
 
-from imgui_bundle import imgui
+from imgui_bundle import imgui, hello_imgui
+from typing import Any, Optional
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------ palettes
 
@@ -173,23 +174,68 @@ _PALETTES: dict[str, dict[int, tuple]] = {
   imgui.Col_.nav_cursor:           _c(166, 226,  46),
   imgui.Col_.modal_window_dim_bg:     _c( 10,  10,   8, 100),
  },
+ "Binks": {
+  imgui.Col_.text:                    _c(  0,   0,   0, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.text_disabled:           _c(153, 153, 153, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.window_bg:               _c(240, 240, 240, 240),
+  imgui.Col_.child_bg:                _c(  0,   0,   0,   0),
+  imgui.Col_.popup_bg:                _c(255, 255, 255, 240),
+  imgui.Col_.border:                  _c(  0,   0,   0,  99),
+  imgui.Col_.border_shadow:           _c(255, 255, 255,  25),
+  imgui.Col_.frame_bg:                _c(255, 255, 255, 240),
+  imgui.Col_.frame_bg_hovered:        _c( 66, 150, 250, 102),
+  imgui.Col_.frame_bg_active:         _c( 66, 150, 250, 171),
+  imgui.Col_.title_bg:                _c(245, 245, 245, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.title_bg_collapsed:      _c(255, 255, 255, 130),
+  imgui.Col_.title_bg_active:         _c(209, 209, 209, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.menu_bar_bg:             _c(219, 219, 219, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.scrollbar_bg:            _c(250, 250, 250, 135),
+  imgui.Col_.scrollbar_grab:          _c(176, 176, 176, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.scrollbar_grab_hovered:  _c(150, 150, 150, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.scrollbar_grab_active:   _c(125, 125, 125, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.check_mark:              _c( 66, 150, 250, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.slider_grab:             _c( 61, 133, 224, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.slider_grab_active:      _c( 66, 150, 250, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.button:                  _c( 66, 150, 250, 102),
+  imgui.Col_.button_hovered:          _c( 66, 150, 250, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.button_active:           _c( 15, 135, 250, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.header:                  _c( 66, 150, 250,  79),
+  imgui.Col_.header_hovered:          _c( 66, 150, 250, 204),
+  imgui.Col_.header_active:           _c( 66, 150, 250, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.separator:               _c(100, 100, 100, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.resize_grip:             _c(255, 255, 255, 127),
+  imgui.Col_.resize_grip_hovered:     _c( 66, 150, 250, 171),
+  imgui.Col_.resize_grip_active:      _c( 66, 150, 250, 242),
+  imgui.Col_.plot_lines:              _c( 99,  99,  99, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.plot_lines_hovered:      _c(255, 110,  89, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.plot_histogram:          _c(230, 178,   0, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.plot_histogram_hovered:  _c(255, 153,   0, 255),
+  imgui.Col_.text_selected_bg:        _c( 66, 150, 250,  89),
+  imgui.Col_.modal_window_dim_bg:     _c( 51,  51,  51,  89),
+ },
 }
 
-PALETTE_NAMES: list[str] = list(_PALETTES.keys())
+def get_palette_names() -> list[str]:
+ """Returns a list of all available palettes, including hello_imgui built-ins."""
+ names = list(_PALETTES.keys())
+ # Add hello_imgui themes
+ hi_themes = [name for name in dir(hello_imgui.ImGuiTheme_) if not name.startswith('_') and name != 'count']
+ # Filter out int methods that leaked into dir() if any
+ hi_themes = [n for n in hi_themes if not hasattr(int, n)]
+ names.extend(sorted(hi_themes))
+ return names
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------ state
 
-_current_palette: str = "ImGui Dark"
-_current_font_path: str = ""
+_current_palette: str = "10x Dark"
+_current_font_path: str = "fonts/Inter-Regular.ttf"
 _current_font_size: float = 16.0
 _current_scale: float = 1.0
-_custom_font: imgui.ImFont = None  # type: ignore
+_transparency: float = 1.0
+_child_transparency: float = 1.0
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------ public API
 
-def get_palette_names() -> list[str]:
- return list(_PALETTES.keys())
-
 def get_current_palette() -> str:
  return _current_palette
 
@@ -202,18 +248,49 @@ def get_current_font_size() -> float:
 def get_current_scale() -> float:
  return _current_scale
 
+def get_transparency() -> float:
+ return _transparency
+
+def set_transparency(val: float) -> None:
+ global _transparency
+ _transparency = val
+ apply(_current_palette)
+
+def get_child_transparency() -> float:
+ return _child_transparency
+
+def set_child_transparency(val: float) -> None:
+ global _child_transparency
+ _child_transparency = val
+ apply(_current_palette)
+
 def apply(palette_name: str) -> None:
  """
     Apply a named palette by setting all ImGui style colors and applying global professional styling.
-    Call this once per frame if you want dynamic switching, or once at startup.
-    In practice we call it once when the user picks a palette, and imgui retains the style.
     """
  global _current_palette
  _current_palette = palette_name
- colours = _PALETTES.get(palette_name, {})
- style = imgui.get_style()
+ 
+ # 1. Apply base colors
+ if palette_name in _PALETTES:
+  colours = _PALETTES[palette_name]
+  imgui.style_colors_dark()
+  style = imgui.get_style()
+  for col_enum, rgba in colours.items():
+   style.set_color_(col_enum, imgui.ImVec4(*rgba))
+ elif hasattr(hello_imgui.ImGuiTheme_, palette_name):
+  theme_enum = getattr(hello_imgui.ImGuiTheme_, palette_name)
+  hello_imgui.apply_theme(theme_enum)
+ else:
+  # Fallback to Nord Dark if requested but not found, otherwise ImGui Dark
+  if palette_name == "Nord Dark":
+   # This should not happen since it's in _PALETTES, but for safety
+   imgui.style_colors_dark()
+  else:
+   imgui.style_colors_dark()
 
- # Subtle Rounding Professional Theme
+ # 2. Apply our "Subtle Rounding" professional tweaks on top of ANY theme
+ style = imgui.get_style()
  style.window_rounding = 6.0
  style.child_rounding = 4.0
  style.frame_rounding = 4.0
@@ -225,6 +302,17 @@ def apply(palette_name: str) -> None:
  style.frame_border_size = 1.0
  style.popup_border_size = 1.0
  
+ # Apply transparency to WindowBg
+ win_bg = style.color_(imgui.Col_.window_bg)
+ win_bg.w = _transparency
+ style.set_color_(imgui.Col_.window_bg, win_bg)
+ 
+ # Apply child/frame transparency
+ for col_idx in [imgui.Col_.child_bg, imgui.Col_.frame_bg, imgui.Col_.popup_bg]:
+  c = style.color_(col_idx)
+  c.w = _child_transparency
+  style.set_color_(col_idx, c)
+ 
  # Spacing & Padding
  style.window_padding = imgui.ImVec2(8.0, 8.0)
  style.frame_padding = imgui.ImVec2(8.0, 4.0)
@@ -237,16 +325,6 @@ def apply(palette_name: str) -> None:
  style.anti_aliased_fill = True
  style.anti_aliased_lines_use_tex = True
 
- if not colours:
-  # Reset to imgui dark defaults
-  imgui.style_colors_dark()
-  return
-
- # Start from dark defaults so unlisted keys have sensible values
- imgui.style_colors_dark()
- for col_enum, rgba in colours.items():
-  style.set_color_(col_enum, imgui.ImVec4(*rgba))
-
 def set_scale(factor: float) -> None:
  """Set the global font/UI scale factor."""
  global _current_scale
@@ -261,17 +339,22 @@ def save_to_config(config: dict) -> None:
  config["theme"]["font_path"] = _current_font_path
  config["theme"]["font_size"] = _current_font_size
  config["theme"]["scale"] = _current_scale
+ config["theme"]["transparency"] = _transparency
+ config["theme"]["child_transparency"] = _child_transparency
 
 def load_from_config(config: dict) -> None:
- """Read [theme] from config and apply palette + scale. Font is handled separately at startup."""
- global _current_font_path, _current_font_size, _current_scale, _current_palette
+ """Read [theme] from config. Font is handled separately at startup."""
+ global _current_font_path, _current_font_size, _current_scale, _current_palette, _transparency, _child_transparency
  t = config.get("theme", {})
- _current_palette = t.get("palette", "ImGui Dark")
+ _current_palette = t.get("palette", "10x Dark")
+ if _current_palette in ("", "DPG Default"):
+  _current_palette = "10x Dark"
+  
  _current_font_path = t.get("font_path", "fonts/Inter-Regular.ttf")
  _current_font_size = float(t.get("font_size", 16.0))
  _current_scale = float(t.get("scale", 1.0))
- # Don't apply here — imgui context may not exist yet.
- # Call apply_current() after imgui is initialised.
+ _transparency = float(t.get("transparency", 1.0))
+ _child_transparency = float(t.get("child_transparency", 1.0))
 
 def apply_current() -> None:
  """Apply the loaded palette and scale. Call after imgui context exists."""
@@ -281,3 +364,15 @@ def apply_current() -> None:
 def get_font_loading_params() -> tuple[str, float]:
  """Return (font_path, font_size) for use during hello_imgui font loading callback."""
  return _current_font_path, _current_font_size
+
+def get_tweaked_theme() -> hello_imgui.ImGuiTweakedTheme:
+ """Returns an ImGuiTweakedTheme object reflecting the current state."""
+ tt = hello_imgui.ImGuiTweakedTheme()
+ if hasattr(hello_imgui.ImGuiTheme_, _current_palette):
+  tt.theme = getattr(hello_imgui.ImGuiTheme_, _current_palette)
+ else:
+  tt.theme = hello_imgui.ImGuiTheme_.imgui_colors_dark
+ 
+ # Sync tweaks
+ tt.tweaks.rounding = 6.0
+ return tt