From 5d4a723a5f157c0ed38a348099a600d1d21c3c2b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: hachem <im@hachem.wtf>
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2026 12:49:46 +0200
Subject: feat: gils core utils and other shit

---
 Makefile          |   8 +-
 boot/boot.zig     |  21 ++-
 boot/idt.zig      |   2 +-
 boot/regs.zig     |   2 +-
 boot/sched.zig    |   2 +-
 bridge/bridge.zig |  35 +++--
 bridge/hosts.zig  |  83 +++++++++++-
 bridge/serial.zig |   4 +
 build.zig         |  32 ++---
 gils/cat.rv       |  10 ++
 gils/cp.rv        |  15 +++
 gils/ed.rv        | 190 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 gils/gils.rv      |  50 +++++++
 gils/head.rv      |  27 ++++
 gils/ls.rv        |  10 ++
 gils/mkdir.rv     |   5 +
 gils/mv.rv        |  14 ++
 gils/rm.rv        |   6 +
 gils/tail.rv      |  29 ++++
 gils/touch.rv     |   9 ++
 gils/tree.rv      |  35 +++++
 gils/wc.rv        |  22 +++
 kernel/console.rv | 111 ++++++++-------
 kernel/fs.rv      | 393 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-------------------------
 kernel/input.rv   |  34 ++---
 kernel/main.rv    |   2 +-
 kernel/proc.rv    |  75 ++++++-----
 kernel/seed.rv    |  13 ++
 kernel/shell.rv   | 281 +++++++++++++++-----------------------
 kernel/vfs.rv     |  38 ++----
 kernel/vmm.rv     |  14 +-
 revo              |   2 +-
 32 files changed, 1044 insertions(+), 530 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 gils/cat.rv
 create mode 100644 gils/cp.rv
 create mode 100644 gils/ed.rv
 create mode 100644 gils/gils.rv
 create mode 100644 gils/head.rv
 create mode 100644 gils/ls.rv
 create mode 100644 gils/mkdir.rv
 create mode 100644 gils/mv.rv
 create mode 100644 gils/rm.rv
 create mode 100644 gils/tail.rv
 create mode 100644 gils/touch.rv
 create mode 100644 gils/tree.rv
 create mode 100644 gils/wc.rv

diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 57a6554..5b44c0b 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@
 # make kernel    : just compile the kernel ELF
 # make clean     : remove build output (kernel, ISO, caches)
 # make distclean : also remove Limine's built host tool
+#
+# WARNING: DO NOT FUCK W/ THE \ DELIMETERS THEY ARE MADE TO BE PRETTY
+#          ON OUTPUT, NOT PRETTY IN CODE. IF YOU DONT LIKE IT, GO
+#          SHOKE ON A TIT
 
 ZIG  ?= zig
 QEMU ?= qemu-system-x86_64
@@ -22,9 +26,7 @@ kernel:
 limine/limine:
 	$(MAKE) -C limine
 
-# WARNING: DO NOT FUCK W/ THE \ DELIMETERS THEY ARE MADE TO BE PRETTY
-#          ON OUTPUT, NOT PRETTY IN CODE. IF YOU DONT LIKE IT, GO
-#          SHOKE ON A TIT
+
 iso: kernel limine/limine
 	rm -rf iso_root
 	mkdir -p iso_root/boot/limine iso_root/EFI/BOOT
diff --git a/boot/boot.zig b/boot/boot.zig
index fff8a6b..4918881 100644
--- a/boot/boot.zig
+++ b/boot/boot.zig
@@ -60,6 +60,9 @@ fn kPhysToVirt(p: u64) u64 {
 fn kAllocFrame() u64 {
     return pmm.alloc() orelse 0;
 }
+fn kAllocContig(n: u64) u64 {
+    return pmm.allocContig(@intCast(n)) orelse 0;
+}
 fn kCreateAddrspace() u64 {
     return vmm.createAddressSpace() orelse 0;
 }
@@ -91,7 +94,7 @@ fn kMemmapLen(i: u64) u64 {
 }
 
 fn kMemmapKind(i: u64) u64 {
-    return if (memmapEntry(i)) |e| @intFromEnum(e.type) else 0;
+    return if (memmapEntry(i)) |e| @backingInt(e.type) else 0;
 }
 
 fn kMemFree() u64 {
@@ -161,8 +164,23 @@ fn kTaskState(i: u64) u64 {
     return sched.taskState(i);
 }
 
+// limine doesnt fully enable SSE the only reason i need this
+// is because Zig 0.17 bullshit
+inline fn enableSse() void {
+    asm volatile (
+        \\ mov %%cr0, %%rax
+        \\ and $0xfffb, %%ax
+        \\ or  $0x2, %%ax
+        \\ mov %%rax, %%cr0
+        \\ mov %%cr4, %%rax
+        \\ or  $0x600, %%rax
+        \\ mov %%rax, %%cr4
+        ::: .{ .rax = true, .memory = true });
+}
+
 // entry(_start)
 export fn _start() callconv(.c) noreturn {
+    enableSse();
     serial.init();
     serial.write("if you see this, it means revel didn't shit the bed\r\n");
 
@@ -217,6 +235,7 @@ export fn _start() callconv(.c) noreturn {
         .disk_sectors = &kDiskSectors,
         .disk_read = &kDiskRead,
         .disk_write = &kDiskWrite,
+        .alloc_contig = &kAllocContig,
     };
 
     // hand the kernel heap + framebuffer + low level ops to revo and bring up the vm
diff --git a/boot/idt.zig b/boot/idt.zig
index 0ffd116..15e6588 100644
--- a/boot/idt.zig
+++ b/boot/idt.zig
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ const Idtr = packed struct {
     base: u64,
 };
 
-var idt = [_]Gate{@bitCast(@as(u128, 0))} ** 256;
+var idt: [256]Gate = @splat(@bitCast(@as(u128, 0)));
 var idtr: Idtr = undefined;
 
 const names = [_][]const u8{
diff --git a/boot/regs.zig b/boot/regs.zig
index 7b2bb88..3a30860 100644
--- a/boot/regs.zig
+++ b/boot/regs.zig
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ pub const Frame = extern struct {
     ss: u64,
 };
 
-// push/pop the 15 gprs in frames exact order 
+// push/pop the 15 gprs in frames exact order
 // (rax pushed first -> highest field, r15 last -> at rsp = &frame)
 pub const PUSH_GPRS =
     \\push %rax
diff --git a/boot/sched.zig b/boot/sched.zig
index 1842309..383b40d 100644
--- a/boot/sched.zig
+++ b/boot/sched.zig
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ pub fn taskMax() u64 {
 }
 pub fn taskState(i: u64) u64 {
     if (i >= MAX_TASKS) return 0;
-    return @intFromEnum(tasks[i].state);
+    return @backingInt(tasks[i].state);
 }
 
 var proc_exited_flag: bool = false;
diff --git a/bridge/bridge.zig b/bridge/bridge.zig
index 71f7023..87548eb 100644
--- a/bridge/bridge.zig
+++ b/bridge/bridge.zig
@@ -15,16 +15,25 @@ pub const KernelOps = hosts.KernelOps;
 // the vm outlives boot() now, so we juts make this hoe static
 var g_vm: ?*revo.VM = null;
 
-const init_program = @embedFile("k_font") ++ "\n" ++
-    @embedFile("k_console") ++ "\n" ++
-    @embedFile("k_vmm") ++ "\n" ++
-    @embedFile("k_fs") ++ "\n" ++
-    @embedFile("k_vfs") ++ "\n" ++
-    @embedFile("k_seed") ++ "\n" ++
-    @embedFile("k_proc") ++ "\n" ++
-    @embedFile("k_shell") ++ "\n" ++
-    @embedFile("k_input") ++ "\n" ++
-    @embedFile("k_main");
+// NOTE: ORDER MATTERS
+const init_program = blk: {
+    var s: []const u8 = @embedFile("k_font") ++ "\n" ++
+        @embedFile("k_console") ++ "\n" ++
+        @embedFile("k_vmm") ++ "\n" ++
+        @embedFile("k_fs") ++ "\n" ++
+        @embedFile("k_vfs") ++ "\n" ++
+        @embedFile("k_seed") ++ "\n";
+
+    // gils shit
+    const gils_embedded = .{ "gils", "ed" };
+    for (gils_embedded) |g| s = s ++ @embedFile("k_gils_" ++ g) ++ "\n";
+
+    s = s ++ @embedFile("k_proc") ++ "\n" ++
+        @embedFile("k_shell") ++ "\n" ++
+        @embedFile("k_input") ++ "\n" ++
+        @embedFile("k_main");
+    break :blk s;
+};
 
 pub fn boot(alloc: std.mem.Allocator, out: Sink, fb: ?Fb, ops: ?KernelOps) void {
     serial.setSink(out);
@@ -50,7 +59,7 @@ pub fn boot(alloc: std.mem.Allocator, out: Sink, fb: ?Fb, ops: ?KernelOps) void
     };
     out("bridge: revo VM up\r\n");
 
-    hosts.registerPrimitives(vm) catch {
+    hosts.passShitToRevo(vm) catch {
         out("bridge: registering primitives failed\r\n");
         return;
     };
@@ -64,7 +73,7 @@ pub fn boot(alloc: std.mem.Allocator, out: Sink, fb: ?Fb, ops: ?KernelOps) void
         .err => |failure| {
             out("bridge: compile error: ");
             var sw = serial.SinkWriter.init();
-            revo.lang.renderError(alloc, &sw.interface, .{ .name = "kernel", .text = init_program }, failure) catch {};
+            revo.lang.renderError(alloc, &sw.interface, .{ .name = "kernel", .text = init_program }, failure, .{}) catch {};
             out("\r\n");
             return;
         },
@@ -86,7 +95,7 @@ pub fn boot(alloc: std.mem.Allocator, out: Sink, fb: ?Fb, ops: ?KernelOps) void
         .err => |failure| {
             out("\r\nbridge: runtime error: ");
             var sw = serial.SinkWriter.init();
-            failure.render(alloc, &sw.interface, init_program) catch {};
+            failure.render(alloc, &sw.interface, init_program, false) catch {};
             out("\r\n");
         },
     }
diff --git a/bridge/hosts.zig b/bridge/hosts.zig
index e329316..51362dc 100644
--- a/bridge/hosts.zig
+++ b/bridge/hosts.zig
@@ -8,6 +8,22 @@ const Data = convert.Data;
 const argInt = convert.argInt;
 const emit = serial.emit;
 
+// gils shit
+const Script = struct { name: []const u8, src: []const u8 };
+const scripts = [_]Script{
+    .{ .name = "ls", .src = @embedFile("k_gils_ls") },
+    .{ .name = "tree", .src = @embedFile("k_gils_tree") },
+    .{ .name = "cat", .src = @embedFile("k_gils_cat") },
+    .{ .name = "rm", .src = @embedFile("k_gils_rm") },
+    .{ .name = "mkdir", .src = @embedFile("k_gils_mkdir") },
+    .{ .name = "touch", .src = @embedFile("k_gils_touch") },
+    .{ .name = "cp", .src = @embedFile("k_gils_cp") },
+    .{ .name = "mv", .src = @embedFile("k_gils_mv") },
+    .{ .name = "wc", .src = @embedFile("k_gils_wc") },
+    .{ .name = "head", .src = @embedFile("k_gils_head") },
+    .{ .name = "tail", .src = @embedFile("k_gils_tail") },
+};
+
 // the actual framebuffer, the data layout feels pretty self explanatory
 pub const Fb = struct {
     ptr: [*]u8,
@@ -50,6 +66,7 @@ pub const KernelOps = struct {
     disk_sectors: *const fn () u64,
     disk_read: *const fn (u64, u64) u64, // lba, phys buf -> 1 ok / 0 fail
     disk_write: *const fn (u64, u64) u64, // lba, phys buf -> 1 ok / 0 fail
+    alloc_contig: *const fn (u64) u64, // n contiguous pages -> phys base, 0 on fail
 };
 var g_kops: ?KernelOps = null;
 
@@ -337,7 +354,63 @@ fn hostDiskWrite(args: []const revo.Value, _: *revo.VM) anyerror!HostResult {
 }
 
 // pass shit to revo
-pub fn registerPrimitives(vm: *revo.VM) !void {
+fn hostAllocContig(args: []const revo.Value, _: *revo.VM) anyerror!HostResult {
+    const n = argInt(u64, args, 0) orelse return HostResult.other("alloc_contig: bad count");
+    return HostResult.data(Data.new.num(kops().alloc_contig(n)));
+}
+
+// pass shit to revo
+fn hostBlitStr(args: []const revo.Value, vm: *revo.VM) anyerror!HostResult {
+    const phys = argInt(u64, args, 0) orelse return HostResult.other("blit_str: bad addr");
+    const sid = args[1].asString() orelse return HostResult.other("blit_str: not a string");
+    const bytes = vm.stringValue(sid);
+    const dst: [*]u8 = @ptrFromInt(kops().phys_to_virt(phys));
+    @memcpy(dst[0..bytes.len], bytes);
+    return HostResult.data(Data.new.num(bytes.len));
+}
+
+// pass shit to revo
+fn hostPhysToStr(args: []const revo.Value, vm: *revo.VM) anyerror!HostResult {
+    const phys = argInt(u64, args, 0) orelse return HostResult.other("phys_to_str: bad addr");
+    const len = argInt(usize, args, 1) orelse return HostResult.other("phys_to_str: bad len");
+    const src: [*]const u8 = @ptrFromInt(kops().phys_to_virt(phys));
+    return HostResult.data(try vm.ownValueString(src[0..len]));
+}
+
+// pass shit to revo
+fn hostScriptCount(_: []const revo.Value, _: *revo.VM) anyerror!HostResult {
+    return HostResult.data(Data.new.num(scripts.len));
+}
+
+// pass shit to revo
+fn hostScriptName(args: []const revo.Value, vm: *revo.VM) anyerror!HostResult {
+    const i = argInt(usize, args, 0) orelse return HostResult.other("script_name: bad index");
+    if (i >= scripts.len) return HostResult.other("script_name: out of range");
+    return HostResult.data(try vm.ownValueString(scripts[i].name));
+}
+
+// pass shit to revo
+fn hostScriptSrc(args: []const revo.Value, vm: *revo.VM) anyerror!HostResult {
+    const i = argInt(usize, args, 0) orelse return HostResult.other("script_src: bad index");
+    if (i >= scripts.len) return HostResult.other("script_src: out of range");
+    return HostResult.data(try vm.ownValueString(scripts[i].src));
+}
+
+// pass shit to revo
+fn hostEvalScript(args: []const revo.Value, vm: *revo.VM) anyerror!HostResult {
+    const sid = args[0].asString() orelse return HostResult.other("eval_script: not a string");
+    const src = vm.stringValue(sid);
+    const res = revo.run.runModule(vm, "<script>", src, false) catch |e| {
+        return HostResult.data(try vm.ownValueString(@errorName(e)));
+    };
+    return switch (res) {
+        .ok => HostResult.data(Data.new.nil()),
+        .err => HostResult.data(try vm.ownValueString("script runtime error")),
+    };
+}
+
+// pass shit to revo
+pub fn passShitToRevo(vm: *revo.VM) !void {
     const define = revo.baselib.host.define;
     const T = revo.baselib.host.ParamType;
     try vm.registerGlobal("outb", try vm.installHost("outb", define(&[_]T{ .number, .number }, hostOutb)));
@@ -377,4 +450,12 @@ pub fn registerPrimitives(vm: *revo.VM) !void {
     try vm.registerGlobal("disk_sectors", try vm.installHost("disk_sectors", define(&[_]T{}, hostDiskSectors)));
     try vm.registerGlobal("disk_read", try vm.installHost("disk_read", define(&[_]T{ .number, .number }, hostDiskRead)));
     try vm.registerGlobal("disk_write", try vm.installHost("disk_write", define(&[_]T{ .number, .number }, hostDiskWrite)));
+
+    try vm.registerGlobal("eval_script", try vm.installHost("eval_script", define(&[_]T{.string}, hostEvalScript)));
+    try vm.registerGlobal("script_count", try vm.installHost("script_count", define(&[_]T{}, hostScriptCount)));
+    try vm.registerGlobal("script_name", try vm.installHost("script_name", define(&[_]T{.number}, hostScriptName)));
+    try vm.registerGlobal("script_src", try vm.installHost("script_src", define(&[_]T{.number}, hostScriptSrc)));
+    try vm.registerGlobal("alloc_contig", try vm.installHost("alloc_contig", define(&[_]T{.number}, hostAllocContig)));
+    try vm.registerGlobal("blit_str", try vm.installHost("blit_str", define(&[_]T{ .number, .string }, hostBlitStr)));
+    try vm.registerGlobal("phys_to_str", try vm.installHost("phys_to_str", define(&[_]T{ .number, .number }, hostPhysToStr)));
 }
diff --git a/bridge/serial.zig b/bridge/serial.zig
index ec0bdb9..f765efe 100644
--- a/bridge/serial.zig
+++ b/bridge/serial.zig
@@ -43,6 +43,10 @@ fn ioOperate(_: ?*anyopaque, operation: std.Io.Operation) std.Io.Cancelable!std.
         .file_read_streaming => .{ .file_read_streaming = error.InputOutput },
         .device_io_control => .{ .device_io_control = -1 },
         .net_receive => .{ .net_receive = .{ error.NetworkDown, 0 } },
+        // no networking on bare metal (yet)
+        .net_send => .{ .net_send = .{ null, 0 } },
+        .net_read => .{ .net_read = error.Unexpected },
+        .net_write => .{ .net_write = error.Unexpected },
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/build.zig b/build.zig
index 3575cf0..d55961f 100644
--- a/build.zig
+++ b/build.zig
@@ -1,16 +1,17 @@
 const std = @import("std");
 
+// the gils coreutils
+const gils_tools = .{ "gils", "ls", "tree", "cat", "rm", "mkdir", "touch", "cp", "mv", "wc", "head", "tail", "ed" };
+
 pub fn build(b: *std.Build) void {
-    // Default to ReleaseSafe because Debug pulls Zig's
-    // UBSan runtime and other sanitization, which needs
-    // f128/SSE ops, which i don't provide.
-    const optimize = b.option(std.builtin.OptimizeMode, "optimize", "optimize mode") orelse .ReleaseSafe;
-
-    // The kernel must NOT touch SSE/MMX/AVX until it has
-    // enabled them itself, so I strip those features and
-    // let the compiler use a soft-float ABI
-    // `code_model = .kernel` keeps relocations valid for
-    // the higher-half load address in boot/linker.ld.
+    // Default to ReleaseSafe because Debug pulls Zig's UBSan runtime and other
+    // sanitization, which needs f128/SSE ops, which i don't provide.
+    const optimize = b.option(std.builtin.OptimizeMode, "optimize", "optimize mode") orelse .safe;
+
+    // The kernel must NOT touch SSE/MMX/AVX until it has enabled them itself, so
+    // I strip those features and let the compiler use a soft-float ABI
+    // `code_model = .kernel` keeps relocations valid for the higher-half load
+    // address in boot/linker.ld.
     //
     // In other words. Going raw baby
     var query: std.Target.Query = .{
@@ -18,13 +19,11 @@ pub fn build(b: *std.Build) void {
         .os_tag = .freestanding,
         .abi = .none,
     };
+
     const Feature = std.Target.x86.Feature;
     query.cpu_features_sub.addFeature(@intFromEnum(Feature.mmx));
-    query.cpu_features_sub.addFeature(@intFromEnum(Feature.sse));
-    query.cpu_features_sub.addFeature(@intFromEnum(Feature.sse2));
     query.cpu_features_sub.addFeature(@intFromEnum(Feature.avx));
     query.cpu_features_sub.addFeature(@intFromEnum(Feature.avx2));
-    query.cpu_features_add.addFeature(@intFromEnum(Feature.soft_float));
 
     const target = b.resolveTargetQuery(query);
 
@@ -78,10 +77,13 @@ pub fn build(b: *std.Build) void {
         bridge_mod.addAnonymousImport(e[0], .{ .root_source_file = b.path(e[1]) });
     }
 
+    // load gils
+    inline for (gils_tools) |g| {
+        bridge_mod.addAnonymousImport("k_gils_" ++ g, .{ .root_source_file = b.path("gils/" ++ g ++ ".rv") });
+    }
+
     kernel.root_module.addImport("bridge", bridge_mod);
 
-    // each ring 3 program compiles to its own freestanding elf, embedded under
-    // user_<name>. boot copies them to frames and the shells `run <name>` loads one
     inline for (.{ "hexview", "calc", "primes", "save" }) |prog| {
         const cc = b.addSystemCommand(&.{
             "zig",                  "cc",
diff --git a/gils/cat.rv b/gils/cat.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1cca54b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/cat.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+# meow
+
+const context = env.ctx
+const parsed = arg_name(context.rest, 0)
+if parsed.name:len() == 0 do puts("usage: cat <path>\n") end
+else do
+  const path = abspath(parsed.name)
+  if vfs_owns(path) do vfs_cat(path) end
+  else do fs:cat(path) end
+end
diff --git a/gils/cp.rv b/gils/cp.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5988e54
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/cp.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# copy a file not cyberpunk
+# HAAAAAANNNNKKKK
+
+const context = env.ctx
+if context.argv:len() < 3 do puts("usage: cp <source> <destination>\n") end
+else do
+  const source = abspath(context.argv[1])
+  const destination = abspath(context.argv[2])
+  const size = fs:size(source)
+  if size < 0 do puts("cp: #{source}: no such file\n") end
+  else do
+    const contents = if size > 0 fs:read_bytes(source, 0, size) else ""
+    if fs:store(destination, contents) == 1 do puts("#{source} -> #{destination}\n") end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/gils/ed.rv b/gils/ed.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..00ff50a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/ed.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,190 @@
+# simple ass modal ass line ass editor
+
+fn list_insert(items, index, value) do
+  let result = {}
+  for position in 0..index do result:push(items[position]) end
+  result:push(value)
+  for position in index..items:len() do result:push(items[position]) end
+  return result
+end
+
+fn list_delete(items, low, high) do
+  let result = {}
+  for position in 0..items:len() do if (position < low or position > high) result:push(items[position]) end
+  return result
+end
+
+fn ed_is_digit(character) do
+  const code = character:ascii()
+  return code >= 48 and code <= 57
+end
+
+# parse one address at index
+fn ed_addr(state, line, index) do
+  if index >= line:len() return { value = -1, next = index }
+  if line[index] == "." return { value = state.dot, next = index + 1 }
+  if line[index] == "$" return { value = state.lines:len() - 1, next = index + 1 }
+  if ed_is_digit(line[index]) do
+    let number = 0
+    let scan = index
+    while (scan < line:len() and ed_is_digit(line[scan])) do number = number * 10 + (line[scan]:ascii() - 48) scan += 1 end
+    return { value = number - 1, next = scan }
+  end
+  return { value = -1, next = index }
+end
+
+# split a command line into low, high and command
+fn ed_parse(state, line) do
+  let index = 0
+  let low = -1
+  let high = -1
+  if (line:len() > 0 and (line[0] == "," or line[0] == "%")) do
+    low = 0
+    high = state.lines:len() - 1
+    index = 1
+  end
+  else do
+    const first_addr = ed_addr(state, line, 0)
+    if first_addr.value >= 0 do low = first_addr.value index = first_addr.next end
+    if (index < line:len() and line[index] == ",") do
+      index += 1
+      const second_addr = ed_addr(state, line, index)
+      if second_addr.value >= 0 do high = second_addr.value index = second_addr.next end
+      else do high = state.lines:len() - 1 end
+    end
+  end
+  if low < 0 do low = state.dot end
+  if high < 0 do high = low end
+  const command = if index < line:len() line[index..] else ""
+  return { low = low, high = high, command = command }
+end
+
+fn ed_print(state, low, high, numbered) do
+  let index = low
+  while index <= high do
+    if (index >= 0 and index < state.lines:len()) do
+      if numbered do puts("#{index + 1}\t#{state.lines[index]}\n") end
+      else do puts("#{state.lines[index]}\n") end
+    end
+    index += 1
+  end
+  if (high >= 0 and high < state.lines:len()) do state.dot = high end
+end
+
+fn ed_goto(state, low) do
+  if state.lines:len() == 0 do puts("?\n") return :nil end
+  let target = low
+  if target < 0 do target = 0 end
+  if target >= state.lines:len() do target = state.lines:len() - 1 end
+  state.dot = target
+  puts("#{state.lines[target]}\n")
+end
+
+fn ed_begin_input(state, position) do
+  let clamped = position
+  if clamped < 0 do clamped = 0 end
+  if clamped > state.lines:len() do clamped = state.lines:len() end
+  state.input = :true
+  state.insert_at = clamped
+end
+
+fn ed_delete(state, low, high) do
+  state.lines = list_delete(state.lines, low, high)
+  state.dirty = :true
+  let new_dot = low
+  if new_dot >= state.lines:len() do new_dot = state.lines:len() - 1 end
+  if new_dot < 0 do new_dot = 0 end
+  state.dot = new_dot
+end
+
+fn ed_change(state, low, high) do
+  ed_delete(state, low, high)
+  ed_begin_input(state, low)
+end
+
+fn ed_join(items) do
+  let result = ""
+  for index in 0..items:len() do result = result ~ items[index] ~ "\n" end
+  return result
+end
+
+fn ed_write(state, command) do
+  let path = state.path
+  if command:len() > 1 do
+    const filename = command[1..]:trim()
+    if filename:len() > 0 do path = abspath(filename) end
+  end
+  if path:len() == 0 do puts("?\n") return :nil end
+  const contents = ed_join(state.lines)
+  fs:store(path, contents)
+  state.path = path
+  state.dirty = :false
+  puts("#{contents:len()}\n")
+end
+
+fn ed_quit(state) do
+  state.active = :false
+  puts("% ")
+end
+
+global ed_state = { active = :false, input = :false, path = "", lines = {}, dot = 0, insert_at = 0, dirty = :false }
+
+fn gils_ed(context) do
+  ed_state.active = :true
+  ed_state.input = :false
+  ed_state.dirty = :false
+  ed_state.lines = {}
+  ed_state.path = if context.argv:len() > 1 abspath(context.argv[1]) else ""
+  if ed_state.path:len() > 0 do
+    const size = fs:size(ed_state.path)
+    if size > 0 do
+      const contents = fs:read_bytes(ed_state.path, 0, size)
+      const raw_lines = contents:split("\n")
+      for index in 0..raw_lines:len() do
+        if (index < raw_lines:len() - 1 or raw_lines[index]:len() > 0) do ed_state.lines:push(raw_lines[index]) end
+      end
+      puts("#{size}\n")
+    end
+    else do puts("#{ed_state.path}: new file\n") end
+  end
+  ed_state.dot = if ed_state.lines:len() > 0 ed_state.lines:len() - 1 else 0
+  return :hold
+end
+
+fn gils_ed_feed(line) do
+  const state = ed_state
+  if state.input do
+    if line == "." do state.input = :false end
+    else do
+      state.lines = list_insert(state.lines, state.insert_at, line)
+      state.insert_at += 1
+      state.dot = state.insert_at - 1
+      state.dirty = :true
+    end
+    return :nil
+  end
+  if line:len() == 0 do
+    if state.lines:len() == 0 do puts("?\n") return :nil end
+    if state.dot < state.lines:len() - 1 do state.dot += 1 end
+    puts("#{state.lines[state.dot]}\n")
+    return :nil
+  end
+  const parsed = ed_parse(state, line)
+  const command_char = if parsed.command:len() > 0 parsed.command[0] else ""
+  match command_char
+    | "p" => ed_print(state, parsed.low, parsed.high, :false)
+    | "n" => ed_print(state, parsed.low, parsed.high, :true)
+    | "a" => ed_begin_input(state, parsed.low + 1)
+    | "i" => ed_begin_input(state, parsed.low)
+    | "c" => ed_change(state, parsed.low, parsed.high)
+    | "d" => ed_delete(state, parsed.low, parsed.high)
+    | "w" => ed_write(state, parsed.command)
+    | "q" => ed_quit(state)
+    | "=" => puts("#{state.dot + 1}\n")
+    | "" => ed_goto(state, parsed.low)
+    | _ => puts("?\n")
+end
+
+fn gils_ed_active() ed_state.active
+
+register("ed [path]", "gils", "the standard editor (a i d p w q)", gils_ed)
diff --git a/gils/gils.rv b/gils/gils.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a61cc5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/gils.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# gils: better than Gnu utILS
+global commands = {}
+
+fn register(usage, group, help, handler) do
+  const name = usage:split(" ")[0]
+  commands:push({ name = name, usage = usage, group = group, help = help, handler = handler })
+end
+
+fn lookup(name) do
+  for index in 0..commands:len() do
+    if commands[index].name == name return commands[index]
+  end
+  return :nil
+end
+
+fn make_ctx(line, argv) do
+  const name = argv[0]
+  let rest = ""
+  const cut = name:len() + 1
+  if line:len() > cut do rest = line[cut..] end
+  return { line = line, argv = argv, rest = rest }
+end
+
+# scripts read their args off env.ctx, stashed here before eval
+global env = { ctx = :nil }
+
+# working dir + path resolver, shared by every gils tool and the shell. lives
+# here so its declared before anything that uses it gets concatenated
+global wd = { path = "/" }
+
+global abspath = fn(arg) do
+  if arg:len() == 0 return wd.path
+  let path = arg
+  if arg[0] != "/" do
+    if wd.path == "/" do path = "/#{arg}" end
+    else do path = "#{wd.path}/#{arg}" end
+  end
+  while (path:len() > 1 and path[path:len() - 1] == "/") do path = path[0..(path:len() - 1)] end
+  return path
+end
+
+fn run_script(name, ctx) do
+  const path = "/bin/#{name}.rv"
+  const size = fs:size(path)
+  if size < 0 return :false
+  env.ctx = ctx
+  const error_msg = eval_script(fs:read_bytes(path, 0, size))
+  if error_msg != :nil do puts("#{name}: #{error_msg}\n") end
+  return :true
+end
diff --git a/gils/head.rv b/gils/head.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..edfd096
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/head.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+# gimme some head lung
+
+fn file_lines(path) do
+  const size = fs:size(path)
+  if size < 0 return :nil
+  const contents = if size > 0 fs:read_bytes(path, 0, size) else ""
+  const raw_lines = contents:split("\n")
+  let result = {}
+  for index in 0..raw_lines:len() do
+    if (index < raw_lines:len() - 1 or raw_lines[index]:len() > 0) result:push(raw_lines[index])
+  end
+  return result
+end
+
+const context = env.ctx
+if context.argv:len() < 2 do puts("usage: head [n] <path>\n") end
+else do
+  let limit = 10
+  let path_arg = context.argv[1]
+  if (context.argv:len() >= 3 and parse_pid(context.argv[1]) >= 0) do limit = parse_pid(context.argv[1]) path_arg = context.argv[2] end
+  const lines = file_lines(abspath(path_arg))
+  if lines == :nil do puts("head: no such file\n") end
+  else do
+    let index = 0
+    while (index < lines:len() and index < limit) do puts("#{lines[index]}\n") index += 1 end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/gils/ls.rv b/gils/ls.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f7b9cf7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/ls.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+# list a directory
+
+const context = env.ctx
+const target = if context.argv:len() > 1 abspath(context.argv[1]) else wd.path
+if vfs_owns(target) do vfs_ls(target) end
+else do
+  const count = fs:ls(target)
+  if target == "/" do puts("  proc/\n") end
+  else if count == 0 do puts("  (empty)\n") end
+end
diff --git a/gils/mkdir.rv b/gils/mkdir.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb630d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/mkdir.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+# make a directory
+
+const context = env.ctx
+if context.argv:len() < 2 do puts("usage: mkdir <path>\n") end
+else do fs:mkdir(abspath(context.argv[1])) end
diff --git a/gils/mv.rv b/gils/mv.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..95d9a40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/mv.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# move or rename a file
+
+const context = env.ctx
+if context.argv:len() < 3 do puts("usage: mv <source> <destination>\n") end
+else do
+  const source = abspath(context.argv[1])
+  const destination = abspath(context.argv[2])
+  const size = fs:size(source)
+  if size < 0 do puts("mv: #{source}: no such file\n") end
+  else do
+    const contents = if size > 0 fs:read_bytes(source, 0, size) else ""
+    if fs:store(destination, contents) == 1 do fs:unlink(source) puts("#{source} -> #{destination}\n") end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/gils/rm.rv b/gils/rm.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..92e21c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/rm.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+# delete a file or an empty directory
+
+const context = env.ctx
+const parsed = arg_name(context.rest, 0)
+if parsed.name:len() == 0 do puts("usage: rm <path>\n") end
+else do fs:rm(abspath(parsed.name)) end
diff --git a/gils/tail.rv b/gils/tail.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9cd5647
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/tail.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+# my tail is 16 inches long
+# and its between my legs
+
+fn file_lines(path) do
+  const size = fs:size(path)
+  if size < 0 return :nil
+  const contents = if size > 0 fs:read_bytes(path, 0, size) else ""
+  const raw_lines = contents:split("\n")
+  let result = {}
+  for index in 0..raw_lines:len() do
+    if (index < raw_lines:len() - 1 or raw_lines[index]:len() > 0) result:push(raw_lines[index])
+  end
+  return result
+end
+
+const context = env.ctx
+if context.argv:len() < 2 do puts("usage: tail [n] <path>\n") end
+else do
+  let limit = 10
+  let path_arg = context.argv[1]
+  if (context.argv:len() >= 3 and parse_pid(context.argv[1]) >= 0) do limit = parse_pid(context.argv[1]) path_arg = context.argv[2] end
+  const lines = file_lines(abspath(path_arg))
+  if lines == :nil do puts("tail: no such file\n") end
+  else do
+    let start = lines:len() - limit
+    if start < 0 do start = 0 end
+    for index in start..lines:len() do puts("#{lines[index]}\n") end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/gils/touch.rv b/gils/touch.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2dd0d8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/touch.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# dont touch my nono square
+
+const context = env.ctx
+if context.argv:len() < 2 do puts("usage: touch <path>\n") end
+else do
+  const path = abspath(context.argv[1])
+  if fs:is_dir(path) do puts("touch: #{path}: is a directory\n") end
+  else if fs:size(path) < 0 do fs:store(path, "") end
+end
diff --git a/gils/tree.rv b/gils/tree.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b052adb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/tree.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+# recursive directory listing.
+
+fn tree_walk(path, prefix) do
+  const items = fs:entries(path)
+  if items == :nil return :nil
+  for index in 0..items:len() do
+    const entry = items[index]
+    const last = index == items:len() - 1
+    let branch = "|-- "
+    if last do branch = "`-- " end # font doesnt support fancy ascii symbols
+    const slash = if entry.type == 2 "/" else ""
+    puts("#{prefix}#{branch}#{entry.name}#{slash}\n")
+    if entry.type == 2 do
+      const child = if path == "/" "/#{entry.name}" else "#{path}/#{entry.name}"
+      let indent = "|   "
+      if last do indent = "    " end
+      tree_walk(child, prefix ~ indent)
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+const context = env.ctx
+const target = if context.argv:len() > 1 abspath(context.argv[1]) else wd.path
+if (vfs_owns(target) and target != "/") do puts("tree: #{target}: virtual dir\n") end
+else if (target != "/" and fs:is_dir(target) == :false) do puts("tree: #{target}: not a directory\n") end
+else do
+  puts("#{target}\n")
+  tree_walk(target, "")
+  # /proc is the one thing not on disk so tack it on at root
+  if target == "/" do
+    puts("`-- proc/\n")
+    puts("    |-- uptime\n")
+    puts("    `-- meminfo\n")
+  end
+end
diff --git a/gils/wc.rv b/gils/wc.rv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f8be3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gils/wc.rv
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+# word count
+
+const context = env.ctx
+if context.argv:len() < 2 do puts("usage: wc <path>\n") end
+else do
+  const path = abspath(context.argv[1])
+  const size = fs:size(path)
+  if size < 0 do puts("wc: #{path}: no such file\n") end
+  else do
+    const contents = if size > 0 fs:read_bytes(path, 0, size) else ""
+    let line_count = 0
+    let word_count = 0
+    let in_word = :false
+    for index in 0..contents:len() do
+      const character = contents[index]
+      if character == "\n" do line_count += 1 end
+      if (character == " " or character == "\n" or character == "\t") do in_word = :false end
+      else if in_word == :false do word_count += 1 in_word = :true end
+    end
+    puts("  #{line_count}  #{word_count}  #{size}  #{context.argv[1]}\n")
+  end
+end
diff --git a/kernel/console.rv b/kernel/console.rv
index 65fe03c..7948a74 100644
--- a/kernel/console.rv
+++ b/kernel/console.rv
@@ -1,79 +1,76 @@
-const FW = 8  # glyph width in pixels
-const FH = 16 # glyph height in pixels (8x16 vga bitmap font)
-const FG = 0xd0d0d0
-const CON_BG = 0x101018
-const CUR = 0x50fa7b
+const FONT_WIDTH = 8   # glyph width in pixels
+const FONT_HEIGHT = 16 # glyph height in pixels (8x16 vga bitmap font)
+const FG_COLOR = 0xd0d0d0
+const BG_COLOR = 0x101018
+const CURSOR_COLOR = 0x50fa7b
 
-global con = {
-  col = 0, row = 0, scale = 1, shown = :false, cur_x = 0, cur_y = 0, blink = 0,
+global console = {
+  column = 0, row = 0, scale = 1, shown = :false, cursor_x = 0, cursor_y = 0, blink = 0,
 
   # cell size in pixels at the current zoom
-  cell_w = fn(self) FW * self.scale,
-  cell_h = fn(self) FH * self.scale,
-  cols = fn(self) fb_width() / self:cell_w(),
-  rows = fn(self) fb_height() / self:cell_h(),
+  cell_width = fn(self) FONT_WIDTH * self.scale,
+  cell_height = fn(self) FONT_HEIGHT * self.scale,
+  columns = fn(self) fb_width() / self:cell_width(),
+  rows = fn(self) fb_height() / self:cell_height(),
 
-  draw_glyph = fn(self, col, row, ch) do
-    const x0 = col * self:cell_w()
-    const y0 = row * self:cell_h()
-    fill_rect(x0, y0, self:cell_w(), self:cell_h(), CON_BG) # clear the cell
-    const code = ch:ascii()
+  draw_glyph = fn(self, column, row, character) do
+    const origin_x = column * self:cell_width()
+    const origin_y = row * self:cell_height()
+    fill_rect(origin_x, origin_y, self:cell_width(), self:cell_height(), BG_COLOR) # clear the cell
+    const code = character:ascii()
     if code < 32 return :nil
     if code > 127 return :nil
     const glyph = FONT[code - 32]
-    for fy in 0..FH do
-      const bits = glyph[fy]
-      for fx in 0..FW do
-        if (bits shr fx) band 1 == 1 fill_rect(x0 + fx * self.scale, y0 + fy * self.scale, self.scale, self.scale, FG)
+    for glyph_row in 0..FONT_HEIGHT do
+      const bits = glyph[glyph_row]
+      for glyph_col in 0..FONT_WIDTH do
+        if (bits shr glyph_col) band 1 == 1 fill_rect(origin_x + glyph_col * self.scale, origin_y + glyph_row * self.scale, self.scale, self.scale, FG_COLOR)
       end
     end
   end,
 
   newline = fn(self) do
-    self.col = 0
+    self.column = 0
     self.row += 1
     if self.row >= self:rows() do
-      fb_scroll(self:cell_h(), CON_BG)
+      fb_scroll(self:cell_height(), BG_COLOR)
       self.row = self:rows() - 1
     end
   end,
 
   # we dont do shift/cntrl, thats a job for future me lmao
   # NOTE: future me kinda delt with it, i was mad drunk
-  putc = fn(self, ch) do
-    const code = ch:ascii()
+  putc = fn(self, character) do
+    const code = character:ascii()
     if code == 10 do self:newline() return :nil end # \n
-    if code == 13 do self.col = 0 return :nil end   # \r
-    if code == 8 do                                 # backspace: move left
-      if self.col > 0 self.col -= 1
+    if code == 13 do self.column = 0 return :nil end # \r
+    if code == 8 do                                  # backspace: move left
+      if self.column > 0 self.column -= 1
       return :nil
     end
     if code < 32 return :nil
-    self:draw_glyph(self.col, self.row, ch)
-    self.col += 1
-    if self.col >= self:cols() self:newline()
+    self:draw_glyph(self.column, self.row, character)
+    self.column += 1
+    if self.column >= self:columns() self:newline()
   end,
 
   clear = fn(self) do
-    fill_rect(0, 0, fb_width(), fb_height(), CON_BG)
-    self.col = 0
+    fill_rect(0, 0, fb_width(), fb_height(), BG_COLOR)
+    self.column = 0
     self.row = 0
   end,
 
-  # the cursor is an overlay block. its cleared before any drawing and shown after,
-  # so it never sits under a glyph, cur_x/cur_y remember where it was actually drawn
-  # so we always clear the right cell even after the head moved (backspace and shit)
   cursor_clear = fn(self) do
     if self.shown do
-      fill_rect(self.cur_x * self:cell_w(), self.cur_y * self:cell_h(), self:cell_w(), self:cell_h(), CON_BG)
+      fill_rect(self.cursor_x * self:cell_width(), self.cursor_y * self:cell_height(), self:cell_width(), self:cell_height(), BG_COLOR)
       self.shown = :false
     end
   end,
 
   cursor_show = fn(self) do
-    self.cur_x = self.col
-    self.cur_y = self.row
-    fill_rect(self.cur_x * self:cell_w(), self.cur_y * self:cell_h(), self:cell_w(), self:cell_h(), CUR)
+    self.cursor_x = self.column
+    self.cursor_y = self.row
+    fill_rect(self.cursor_x * self:cell_width(), self.cursor_y * self:cell_height(), self:cell_width(), self:cell_height(), CURSOR_COLOR)
     self.shown = :true
   end,
 
@@ -84,36 +81,36 @@ global con = {
   end,
 }
 
-fn puts(str) serial_puts(str)
+global puts = fn(text) serial_puts(text)
 
 global flush_console = fn() do
-  con:cursor_clear()
-  con:drain()
-  con.blink = 0
-  con:cursor_show()
+  console:cursor_clear()
+  console:drain()
+  console.blink = 0
+  console:cursor_show()
 end
 
 global on_tick = fn(ticks) do
   let byte = serial_next()
   if byte >= 0 do
-    con:cursor_clear()
-    con:putc(string.of_ascii(byte))
-    con:drain()
-    con.blink = 0
-    con:cursor_show()
+    console:cursor_clear()
+    console:putc(string.of_ascii(byte))
+    console:drain()
+    console.blink = 0
+    console:cursor_show()
     return :nil
   end
   if proc_exited() do
-    con:cursor_clear()
+    console:cursor_clear()
     puts("% ")
-    con:drain()
-    con.blink = 0
-    con:cursor_show()
+    console:drain()
+    console.blink = 0
+    console:cursor_show()
     return :nil
   end
-  con.blink += 1
-  if con.blink >= 50 do
-    con.blink = 0
-    if con.shown con:cursor_clear() else con:cursor_show()
+  console.blink += 1
+  if console.blink >= 50 do
+    console.blink = 0
+    if console.shown console:cursor_clear() else console:cursor_show()
   end
 end
diff --git a/kernel/fs.rv b/kernel/fs.rv
index c045950..6229fd5 100644
--- a/kernel/fs.rv
+++ b/kernel/fs.rv
@@ -20,39 +20,39 @@ const T_FILE = 1
 const T_DIR = 2
 
 fn split_path(path) do
-  const raw = path:split("/")
+  const raw_parts = path:split("/")
   let parts = {}
-  for i in 0..raw:len() do
-    if raw[i]:len() > 0 parts:push(raw[i])
+  for index in 0..raw_parts:len() do
+    if raw_parts[index]:len() > 0 parts:push(raw_parts[index])
   end
   return parts
 end
 
-# buf is a scratch sector for superblocks/dirs/data, fat is a separate scratch so
-# fat lookups dont trample a dir block were mid edit.
+# scratch is a spare sector for superblocks/dirs/data, fat is a separate scratch
+# so fat lookups dont trample a dir block were mid edit.
 global fs = {
-  buf = 0, fat = 0, ready = :false, total = 0, root = 0,
+  scratch = 0, fat = 0, ready = :false, total = 0, root = 0,
 
   fat_get = fn(self, block) do
     disk_read(FAT_LBA + (block shr 8), self.fat)
     mem_read(self.fat + (block band 255) * 2, 2)
   end,
 
-  fat_set = fn(self, block, val) do
-    const lba = FAT_LBA + (block shr 8)
-    disk_read(lba, self.fat)
-    mem_write(self.fat + (block band 255) * 2, val, 2)
-    disk_write(lba, self.fat)
+  fat_set = fn(self, block, value) do
+    const sector = FAT_LBA + (block shr 8)
+    disk_read(sector, self.fat)
+    mem_write(self.fat + (block band 255) * 2, value, 2)
+    disk_write(sector, self.fat)
   end,
 
   fat_alloc = fn(self) do
     let block = DATA_LBA
     while block < self.total do
       disk_read(FAT_LBA + (block shr 8), self.fat)
-      let off = block band 255
-      while (off < 256 and block < self.total) do
-        if mem_read(self.fat + off * 2, 2) == 0 return block
-        off += 1
+      let offset = block band 255
+      while (offset < 256 and block < self.total) do
+        if mem_read(self.fat + offset * 2, 2) == 0 return block
+        offset += 1
         block += 1
       end
     end
@@ -62,9 +62,9 @@ global fs = {
   free_chain = fn(self, first) do
     let block = first
     while (block != 0 and block != END) do
-      const nxt = self:fat_get(block)
+      const next_block = self:fat_get(block)
       self:fat_set(block, 0)
-      block = nxt
+      block = next_block
     end
   end,
 
@@ -74,33 +74,33 @@ global fs = {
   # +2 first block
   # +4 size
   # +8 name bytes
-  ent_name = fn(self, eoff) do
-    const len = mem_read(self.buf + eoff + 1, 1)
-    let out = ""
-    for k in 0..len do out = out ~ string.of_ascii(mem_read(self.buf + eoff + 8 + k, 1)) end
-    out
+  ent_name = fn(self, entry_offset) do
+    const name_length = mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset + 1, 1)
+    let result = ""
+    for index in 0..name_length do result = result ~ string.of_ascii(mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset + 8 + index, 1)) end
+    result
   end,
 
-  ent_write = fn(self, eoff, type, name, first, size) do
-    mem_write(self.buf + eoff, type, 1)
-    mem_write(self.buf + eoff + 1, name:len(), 1)
-    mem_write(self.buf + eoff + 2, first, 2)
-    mem_write(self.buf + eoff + 4, size, 4)
-    for k in 0..name:len() do mem_write(self.buf + eoff + 8 + k, name[k]:ascii(), 1) end
+  ent_write = fn(self, entry_offset, type, name, first, size) do
+    mem_write(self.scratch + entry_offset, type, 1)
+    mem_write(self.scratch + entry_offset + 1, name:len(), 1)
+    mem_write(self.scratch + entry_offset + 2, first, 2)
+    mem_write(self.scratch + entry_offset + 4, size, 4)
+    for index in 0..name:len() do mem_write(self.scratch + entry_offset + 8 + index, name[index]:ascii(), 1) end
   end,
 
   dir_lookup = fn(self, dir_first, name) do
     let block = dir_first
     while (block != 0 and block != END) do
-      const nxt = self:fat_get(block)
-      disk_read(block, self.buf)
+      const next_block = self:fat_get(block)
+      disk_read(block, self.scratch)
       for slot in 0..ENTS do
-        const eoff = slot * 32
-        if mem_read(self.buf + eoff, 1) != 0 and self:ent_name(eoff) == name do
-          return { type = mem_read(self.buf + eoff, 1), first = mem_read(self.buf + eoff + 2, 2), size = mem_read(self.buf + eoff + 4, 4) }
+        const entry_offset = slot * 32
+        if mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset, 1) != 0 and self:ent_name(entry_offset) == name do
+          return { type = mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset, 1), first = mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset + 2, 2), size = mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset + 4, 4) }
         end
       end
-      block = nxt
+      block = next_block
     end
     return :nil
   end,
@@ -110,62 +110,62 @@ global fs = {
   dir_set = fn(self, dir_first, name, type, first, size) do
     let block = dir_first
     let found_block = 0
-    let found_off = 0
+    let found_offset = 0
     let free_block = 0
-    let free_off = -1
+    let free_offset = -1
     let last_block = dir_first
     while (block != 0 and block != END) do
       last_block = block
-      const nxt = self:fat_get(block)
-      disk_read(block, self.buf)
+      const next_block = self:fat_get(block)
+      disk_read(block, self.scratch)
       for slot in 0..ENTS do
-        const eoff = slot * 32
-        if mem_read(self.buf + eoff, 1) == 0 do
-          if free_off < 0 do free_block = block free_off = eoff end
+        const entry_offset = slot * 32
+        if mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset, 1) == 0 do
+          if free_offset < 0 do free_block = block free_offset = entry_offset end
         end
         else do
-          if self:ent_name(eoff) == name do found_block = block found_off = eoff end
+          if self:ent_name(entry_offset) == name do found_block = block found_offset = entry_offset end
         end
       end
-      block = nxt
+      block = next_block
     end
 
     let target_block = 0
-    let target_off = 0
-    if found_block != 0 do target_block = found_block target_off = found_off end
-    else if free_off >= 0 do target_block = free_block target_off = free_off end
+    let target_offset = 0
+    if found_block != 0 do target_block = found_block target_offset = found_offset end
+    else if free_offset >= 0 do target_block = free_block target_offset = free_offset end
     else do
-      const nb = self:fat_alloc()
-      if nb == 0 return :false
-      self:fat_set(nb, END)
-      self:fat_set(last_block, nb)
-      mem_zero(self.buf, BLOCK)
-      disk_write(nb, self.buf)
-      target_block = nb
-      target_off = 0
+      const new_block = self:fat_alloc()
+      if new_block == 0 return :false
+      self:fat_set(new_block, END)
+      self:fat_set(last_block, new_block)
+      mem_zero(self.scratch, BLOCK)
+      disk_write(new_block, self.scratch)
+      target_block = new_block
+      target_offset = 0
     end
 
-    disk_read(target_block, self.buf)
-    self:ent_write(target_off, type, name, first, size)
-    disk_write(target_block, self.buf)
+    disk_read(target_block, self.scratch)
+    self:ent_write(target_offset, type, name, first, size)
+    disk_write(target_block, self.scratch)
     return :true
   end,
 
   dir_clear = fn(self, dir_first, name) do
     let block = dir_first
     while (block != 0 and block != END) do
-      const nxt = self:fat_get(block)
-      disk_read(block, self.buf)
+      const next_block = self:fat_get(block)
+      disk_read(block, self.scratch)
       for slot in 0..ENTS do
-        const eoff = slot * 32
-        if mem_read(self.buf + eoff, 1) != 0 and self:ent_name(eoff) == name do
-          const info = { type = mem_read(self.buf + eoff, 1), first = mem_read(self.buf + eoff + 2, 2) }
-          mem_write(self.buf + eoff, 0, 1)
-          disk_write(block, self.buf)
+        const entry_offset = slot * 32
+        if mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset, 1) != 0 and self:ent_name(entry_offset) == name do
+          const info = { type = mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset, 1), first = mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset + 2, 2) }
+          mem_write(self.scratch + entry_offset, 0, 1)
+          disk_write(block, self.scratch)
           return info
         end
       end
-      block = nxt
+      block = next_block
     end
     return :nil
   end,
@@ -173,50 +173,50 @@ global fs = {
   dir_empty = fn(self, dir_first) do
     let block = dir_first
     while (block != 0 and block != END) do
-      const nxt = self:fat_get(block)
-      disk_read(block, self.buf)
+      const next_block = self:fat_get(block)
+      disk_read(block, self.scratch)
       for slot in 0..ENTS do
-        if mem_read(self.buf + slot * 32, 1) != 0 return :false
+        if mem_read(self.scratch + slot * 32, 1) != 0 return :false
       end
-      block = nxt
+      block = next_block
     end
     return :true
   end,
 
   resolve = fn(self, path) do
     const parts = split_path(path)
-    let cur = self.root
-    let ent = { type = T_DIR, first = self.root, size = 0 }
-    for i in 0..parts:len() do
-      if ent.type != T_DIR return :nil
-      const found = self:dir_lookup(cur, parts[i])
+    let current = self.root
+    let entry = { type = T_DIR, first = self.root, size = 0 }
+    for index in 0..parts:len() do
+      if entry.type != T_DIR return :nil
+      const found = self:dir_lookup(current, parts[index])
       if found == :nil return :nil
-      ent = found
-      cur = found.first
+      entry = found
+      current = found.first
     end
-    return ent
+    return entry
   end,
 
   resolve_parent = fn(self, path) do
     const parts = split_path(path)
     if parts:len() == 0 return :nil
-    let pdir = self.root
-    for i in 0..(parts:len() - 1) do
-      const found = self:dir_lookup(pdir, parts[i])
+    let parent_dir = self.root
+    for index in 0..(parts:len() - 1) do
+      const found = self:dir_lookup(parent_dir, parts[index])
       if found == :nil or found.type != T_DIR return :nil
-      pdir = found.first
+      parent_dir = found.first
     end
-    return { dir = pdir, name = parts[parts:len() - 1] }
+    return { dir = parent_dir, name = parts[parts:len() - 1] }
   end,
 
   mount = fn(self) do
-    self.buf = frame_alloc()
+    self.scratch = frame_alloc()
     self.fat = frame_alloc()
     self.total = disk_sectors()
     if self.total == 0 do self.ready = :false return :nil end
-    disk_read(SB_LBA, self.buf)
-    if mem_read(self.buf, 4) == MAGIC do
-      self.root = mem_read(self.buf + 8, 2)
+    disk_read(SB_LBA, self.scratch)
+    if mem_read(self.scratch, 4) == MAGIC do
+      self.root = mem_read(self.scratch + 8, 2)
       self.ready = :true
     end
     else do self.ready = :false end
@@ -230,68 +230,68 @@ global fs = {
 
   format = fn(self) do
     if disk_sectors() == 0 do puts("mkfs: no disk\n") return :nil end
-    mem_zero(self.buf, BLOCK)
-    for s in 0..FAT_SECTORS do disk_write(FAT_LBA + s, self.buf) end
+    mem_zero(self.scratch, BLOCK)
+    for sector in 0..FAT_SECTORS do disk_write(FAT_LBA + sector, self.scratch) end
     const root = self:fat_alloc()
     self:fat_set(root, END)
-    mem_zero(self.buf, BLOCK)
-    disk_write(root, self.buf)
+    mem_zero(self.scratch, BLOCK)
+    disk_write(root, self.scratch)
     self.root = root
-    mem_zero(self.buf, BLOCK)
-    mem_write(self.buf, MAGIC, 4)
-    mem_write(self.buf + 4, self.total, 4)
-    mem_write(self.buf + 8, root, 2)
-    disk_write(SB_LBA, self.buf)
+    mem_zero(self.scratch, BLOCK)
+    mem_write(self.scratch, MAGIC, 4)
+    mem_write(self.scratch + 4, self.total, 4)
+    mem_write(self.scratch + 8, root, 2)
+    disk_write(SB_LBA, self.scratch)
     self.ready = :true
     puts("formatted #{self.total} sectors, #{(self.total shr 1)} KiB\n")
   end,
 
   mkdir = fn(self, path) do
     if self:ensure() == :false return :nil
-    const pp = self:resolve_parent(path)
-    if pp == :nil do puts("mkdir: #{path}: bad path\n") return :nil end
-    if pp.name:len() > NAME_MAX do puts("name too long (max #{NAME_MAX})\n") return :nil end
-    if self:dir_lookup(pp.dir, pp.name) != :nil do puts("mkdir: #{pp.name}: already exists\n") return :nil end
-    const nb = self:fat_alloc()
-    if nb == 0 do puts("disk full\n") return :nil end
-    self:fat_set(nb, END)
-    mem_zero(self.buf, BLOCK)
-    disk_write(nb, self.buf)
-    self:dir_set(pp.dir, pp.name, T_DIR, nb, 0)
+    const parent = self:resolve_parent(path)
+    if parent == :nil do puts("mkdir: #{path}: bad path\n") return :nil end
+    if parent.name:len() > NAME_MAX do puts("name too long (max #{NAME_MAX})\n") return :nil end
+    if self:dir_lookup(parent.dir, parent.name) != :nil do puts("mkdir: #{parent.name}: already exists\n") return :nil end
+    const new_block = self:fat_alloc()
+    if new_block == 0 do puts("disk full\n") return :nil end
+    self:fat_set(new_block, END)
+    mem_zero(self.scratch, BLOCK)
+    disk_write(new_block, self.scratch)
+    self:dir_set(parent.dir, parent.name, T_DIR, new_block, 0)
   end,
 
   store = fn(self, path, text) do
     if self:ensure() == :false return 0
-    const pp = self:resolve_parent(path)
-    if pp == :nil do puts("#{path}: bad path\n") return 0 end
-    if pp.name:len() > NAME_MAX do puts("name too long (max #{NAME_MAX})\n") return 0 end
-    const existing = self:dir_lookup(pp.dir, pp.name)
+    const parent = self:resolve_parent(path)
+    if parent == :nil do puts("#{path}: bad path\n") return 0 end
+    if parent.name:len() > NAME_MAX do puts("name too long (max #{NAME_MAX})\n") return 0 end
+    const existing = self:dir_lookup(parent.dir, parent.name)
     if existing != :nil do
-      if existing.type == T_DIR do puts("#{pp.name}: is a directory\n") return 0 end
+      if existing.type == T_DIR do puts("#{parent.name}: is a directory\n") return 0 end
       self:free_chain(existing.first)
     end
 
     const size = text:len()
     let first = 0
-    let prev = 0
+    let previous = 0
     let written = 0
     while written < size do
       const block = self:fat_alloc()
       if block == 0 do puts("disk full\n") return 0 end
       self:fat_set(block, END)
       if first == 0 do first = block end
-      else do self:fat_set(prev, block) end
-      mem_zero(self.buf, BLOCK)
-      let k = 0
-      while (k < BLOCK and written < size) do
-        mem_write(self.buf + k, text[written]:ascii(), 1)
-        k += 1
-        written += 1
-      end
-      disk_write(block, self.buf)
-      prev = block
+      else do self:fat_set(previous, block) end
+      mem_zero(self.scratch, BLOCK)
+      # blit a whole block of the string at once, per byte was O(n^2) and choked
+      # the second files got into the kilobytes
+      let chunk = size - written
+      if chunk > BLOCK do chunk = BLOCK end
+      blit_str(self.scratch, text[written..(written + chunk)])
+      disk_write(block, self.scratch)
+      written += chunk
+      previous = block
     end
-    self:dir_set(pp.dir, pp.name, T_FILE, first, size)
+    self:dir_set(parent.dir, parent.name, T_FILE, first, size)
     return 1
   end,
 
@@ -300,102 +300,131 @@ global fs = {
   end,
 
   size = fn(self, path) do
-    const ent = self:resolve(path)
-    if ent == :nil or ent.type == T_DIR return -1
-    return ent.size
+    const entry = self:resolve(path)
+    if entry == :nil or entry.type == T_DIR return -1
+    return entry.size
   end,
 
-  read_bytes = fn(self, path, offset, len) do
-    const ent = self:resolve(path)
-    if ent == :nil or ent.type == T_DIR return ""
-    let block = ent.first
-    let stop = offset + len
-    if stop > ent.size do stop = ent.size end
-    let pos = 0
-    let out = ""
-    while (block != 0 and block != END and pos < stop) do
-      const nxt = self:fat_get(block)
-      if (pos + BLOCK > offset and pos < stop) do
-        disk_read(block, self.buf)
-        let k = 0
-        while (k < BLOCK) do
-          const abs = pos + k
-          if (abs >= offset and abs < stop) do out = out ~ string.of_ascii(mem_read(self.buf + k, 1)) end
-          k += 1
-        end
+  read_bytes = fn(self, path, offset, length) do
+    const entry = self:resolve(path)
+    if entry == :nil or entry.type == T_DIR return ""
+    let block = entry.first
+    let stop = offset + length
+    if stop > entry.size do stop = entry.size end
+    let position = 0
+    let result = ""
+    while (block != 0 and block != END and position < stop) do
+      const next_block = self:fat_get(block)
+      if (position + BLOCK > offset and position < stop) do
+        disk_read(block, self.scratch)
+        # pull this blocks slice in one go, per byte concat was O(n^2)
+        let from = 0
+        if offset > position do from = offset - position end
+        let to = BLOCK
+        if stop - position < BLOCK do to = stop - position end
+        result = result ~ phys_to_str(self.scratch + from, to - from)
       end
-      pos += BLOCK
-      block = nxt
+      position += BLOCK
+      block = next_block
     end
-    return out
+    return result
   end,
 
   cat = fn(self, path) do
     if self:ensure() == :false return :nil
-    const ent = self:resolve(path)
-    if ent == :nil do puts("cat: #{path}: no such file\n") return :nil end
-    if ent.type == T_DIR do puts("cat: #{path}: is a directory\n") return :nil end
-    let block = ent.first
-    let remaining = ent.size
-    let out = ""
+    const entry = self:resolve(path)
+    if entry == :nil do puts("cat: #{path}: no such file\n") return :nil end
+    if entry.type == T_DIR do puts("cat: #{path}: is a directory\n") return :nil end
+    let block = entry.first
+    let remaining = entry.size
+    let result = ""
     while (block != 0 and block != END and remaining > 0) do
-      const nxt = self:fat_get(block)
-      disk_read(block, self.buf)
+      const next_block = self:fat_get(block)
+      disk_read(block, self.scratch)
       const chunk = if remaining > BLOCK BLOCK else remaining
-      for k in 0..chunk do out = out ~ string.of_ascii(mem_read(self.buf + k, 1)) end
+      for index in 0..chunk do result = result ~ string.of_ascii(mem_read(self.scratch + index, 1)) end
       remaining -= chunk
-      block = nxt
+      block = next_block
     end
-    puts(out)
+    puts(result)
     puts("\n")
   end,
 
   ls = fn(self, path) do
     if self:ensure() == :false return -1
-    const ent = self:resolve(path)
-    if ent == :nil do puts("ls: #{path}: no such file\n") return -1 end
-    if ent.type != T_DIR do puts("  #{path}  #{ent.size} bytes\n") return -1 end
+    const entry = self:resolve(path)
+    if entry == :nil do puts("ls: #{path}: no such file\n") return -1 end
+    if entry.type != T_DIR do puts("  #{path}  #{entry.size} bytes\n") return -1 end
     let count = 0
-    let block = ent.first
+    let block = entry.first
     while (block != 0 and block != END) do
-      const nxt = self:fat_get(block)
-      disk_read(block, self.buf)
+      const next_block = self:fat_get(block)
+      disk_read(block, self.scratch)
       for slot in 0..ENTS do
-        const eoff = slot * 32
-        const t = mem_read(self.buf + eoff, 1)
-        if t != 0 do
-          const nm = self:ent_name(eoff)
-          if t == T_DIR do puts("  #{nm}/\n") end
-          else do puts("  #{nm}  #{mem_read(self.buf + eoff + 4, 4)} bytes\n") end
+        const entry_offset = slot * 32
+        const entry_type = mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset, 1)
+        if entry_type != 0 do
+          const name = self:ent_name(entry_offset)
+          if entry_type == T_DIR do puts("  #{name}/\n") end
+          else do puts("  #{name}  #{mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset + 4, 4)} bytes\n") end
           count += 1
         end
       end
-      block = nxt
+      block = next_block
     end
     return count
   end,
 
   rm = fn(self, path) do
     if self:ensure() == :false return :nil
-    const pp = self:resolve_parent(path)
-    if pp == :nil do puts("rm: #{path}: no such file\n") return :nil end
-    const ent = self:dir_lookup(pp.dir, pp.name)
-    if ent == :nil do puts("rm: #{path}: no such file\n") return :nil end
-    if ent.type == T_DIR and self:dir_empty(ent.first) == :false do
-      puts("rm: #{pp.name}: directory not empty\n")
+    const parent = self:resolve_parent(path)
+    if parent == :nil do puts("rm: #{path}: no such file\n") return :nil end
+    const entry = self:dir_lookup(parent.dir, parent.name)
+    if entry == :nil do puts("rm: #{path}: no such file\n") return :nil end
+    if entry.type == T_DIR and self:dir_empty(entry.first) == :false do
+      puts("rm: #{parent.name}: directory not empty\n")
       return :nil
     end
-    self:free_chain(ent.first)
-    self:dir_clear(pp.dir, pp.name)
-    puts("removed #{pp.name}\n")
+    self:free_chain(entry.first)
+    self:dir_clear(parent.dir, parent.name)
+    puts("removed #{parent.name}\n")
   end,
 
   is_dir = fn(self, path) do
-    const ent = self:resolve(path)
-    return ent != :nil and ent.type == T_DIR
+    const entry = self:resolve(path)
+    return entry != :nil and entry.type == T_DIR
+  end,
+
+  entries = fn(self, path) do
+    const entry = self:resolve(path)
+    if entry == :nil or entry.type != T_DIR return :nil
+    let result = {}
+    let block = entry.first
+    while (block != 0 and block != END) do
+      const next_block = self:fat_get(block)
+      disk_read(block, self.scratch)
+      for slot in 0..ENTS do
+        const entry_offset = slot * 32
+        const entry_type = mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset, 1)
+        if entry_type != 0 result:push({ name = self:ent_name(entry_offset), type = entry_type, size = mem_read(self.scratch + entry_offset + 4, 4) })
+      end
+      block = next_block
+    end
+    return result
+  end,
+
+  unlink = fn(self, path) do
+    const parent = self:resolve_parent(path)
+    if parent == :nil return :false
+    const entry = self:dir_lookup(parent.dir, parent.name)
+    if entry == :nil return :false
+    if (entry.type == T_DIR and self:dir_empty(entry.first) == :false) return :false
+    self:free_chain(entry.first)
+    self:dir_clear(parent.dir, parent.name)
+    return :true
   end,
 }
 
 global fs_store = fn(name, text) fs:store(name, text)
 global fs_size = fn(name) fs:size(name)
-global fs_read_bytes = fn(name, offset, len) fs:read_bytes(name, offset, len)
+global fs_read_bytes = fn(name, offset, length) fs:read_bytes(name, offset, length)
diff --git a/kernel/input.rv b/kernel/input.rv
index 7e0d156..26ce545 100644
--- a/kernel/input.rv
+++ b/kernel/input.rv
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # keyboard scancode table
 # ts is not a good way to write a driver lmao
 
-const KBD       = "  1234567890-=  qwertyuiop[]  asdfghjkl;'` \\zxcvbnm,./    "
-const KBD_SHIFT = "  !@#$%^&*()_+  QWERTYUIOP{}  ASDFGHJKL:\"~ |ZXCVBNM<>?    "
+const KEYMAP       = "  1234567890-=  qwertyuiop[]  asdfghjkl;'` \\zxcvbnm,./    "
+const KEYMAP_SHIFT = "  !@#$%^&*()_+  QWERTYUIOP{}  ASDFGHJKL:\"~ |ZXCVBNM<>?    "
 
 # 8259 pic
 fn pic_remap() do
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ end
 
 # she stroke my keys till i handle
 # no fr this is just a key stroke handler
-global shell = { line = "", shift = :false, ext = :false }
+global shell = { line = "", shift = :false, extended = :false }
 
 fn decode_key(code) do
   if code == 0x2a or code == 0x36 do shell.shift = :true  return :nil end # shift down
@@ -34,16 +34,16 @@ fn decode_key(code) do
   if code == 28 return "\n"             # enter
   if code == 14 return "\x08"           # backspace
   if code < 2 return :nil
-  if code >= KBD:len() return :nil
-  const ch = if shell.shift KBD_SHIFT[code] else KBD[code]
-  if ch == " " and code != 0x39 return :nil # blank cells = modifiers/unmapped
-  ch
+  if code >= KEYMAP:len() return :nil
+  const character = if shell.shift KEYMAP_SHIFT[code] else KEYMAP[code]
+  if character == " " and code != 0x39 return :nil # blank cells = modifiers/unmapped
+  character
 end
 
 global on_key = fn(code) do
-  if code == 0xe0 do shell.ext = :true return :nil end
-  if shell.ext do
-    shell.ext = :false
+  if code == 0xe0 do shell.extended = :true return :nil end
+  if shell.extended do
+    shell.extended = :false
     let final = 0
     if code == 0x48 do final = 65 end      # up
     else if code == 0x50 do final = 66 end # down
@@ -56,14 +56,14 @@ global on_key = fn(code) do
     end
     return :nil
   end
-  const ch = decode_key(code)
-  if ch == :nil return :nil
-  if stdin_deliver(ch:ascii()) return :nil
-  if ch == "\n" do puts("\n") run(shell.line) shell.line = "" return :nil end
-  if ch == "\x08" do
+  const character = decode_key(code)
+  if character == :nil return :nil
+  if stdin_deliver(character:ascii()) return :nil
+  if character == "\n" do puts("\n") run(shell.line) shell.line = "" return :nil end
+  if character == "\x08" do
     if shell.line:len() > 0 do shell.line = shell.line:sub(0, shell.line:len() - 1) puts("\x08 \x08") end
     return :nil
   end
-  shell.line ~= ch
-  puts(ch)
+  shell.line ~= character
+  puts(character)
 end
diff --git a/kernel/main.rv b/kernel/main.rv
index 4a6fb58..568d695 100644
--- a/kernel/main.rv
+++ b/kernel/main.rv
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ pit_init()
 pic_unmask(0) # pit      (irq0) -> cursor blink / uptime
 pic_unmask(1) # keyboard (irq1)
 
-cmd_clear()
+wipe()
 dump_memmap()
 
 fs:mount()
diff --git a/kernel/proc.rv b/kernel/proc.rv
index 2f8bb2f..5019fa8 100644
--- a/kernel/proc.rv
+++ b/kernel/proc.rv
@@ -10,56 +10,71 @@ fn load_elf(base, arg) do
     return :nil
   end
   const entry = mem_read(base + 24, 8)
-  const phoff = mem_read(base + 32, 8)
-  const phnum = mem_read(base + 56, 2)
-  const phentsize = mem_read(base + 54, 2)
+  const program_header_offset = mem_read(base + 32, 8)
+  const program_header_count = mem_read(base + 56, 2)
+  const program_header_size = mem_read(base + 54, 2)
   const space = as_create()
-  for i in 0..phnum do
-    const phdr = base + phoff + i * phentsize
-    if mem_read(phdr, 4) == PT_LOAD do
-      const offset = mem_read(phdr + 8, 8)
-      const vaddr = mem_read(phdr + 16, 8)
-      const filesz = mem_read(phdr + 32, 8)
-      const memsz = mem_read(phdr + 40, 8)
-      let seg_off = 0
-      while seg_off < memsz do
+  for index in 0..program_header_count do
+    const header = base + program_header_offset + index * program_header_size
+    if mem_read(header, 4) == PT_LOAD do
+      const file_offset = mem_read(header + 8, 8)
+      const virtual_address = mem_read(header + 16, 8)
+      const file_size = mem_read(header + 32, 8)
+      const memory_size = mem_read(header + 40, 8)
+      let segment_offset = 0
+      while segment_offset < memory_size do
         const frame = frame_alloc()
         mem_zero(frame, 4096)
-        if seg_off < filesz do
-          const left = filesz - seg_off
-          mem_copy(frame, base + offset + seg_off, if left > 4096 4096 else left)
+        if segment_offset < file_size do
+          const remaining = file_size - segment_offset
+          mem_copy(frame, base + file_offset + segment_offset, if remaining > 4096 4096 else remaining)
         end
-        as_map(space, vaddr + seg_off, frame, PAGE_FLAGS)
-        seg_off = seg_off + 4096
+        as_map(space, virtual_address + segment_offset, frame, PAGE_FLAGS)
+        segment_offset = segment_offset + 4096
       end
     end
   end
   const stack_top = 0x7fff0000
-  for p in 0..4 do as_map(space, stack_top - (p + 1) * 4096, frame_alloc(), PAGE_FLAGS) end
+  for page in 0..4 do as_map(space, stack_top - (page + 1) * 4096, frame_alloc(), PAGE_FLAGS) end
   let arg_ptr = 0
   const arg_len = arg:len()
   if arg_len > 0 do
-    const argframe = frame_alloc()
-    mem_zero(argframe, 4096)
-    for k in 0..arg_len do mem_write(argframe + k, arg[k]:ascii(), 1) end
-    as_map(space, ARG_VADDR, argframe, PAGE_FLAGS)
+    const arg_frame = frame_alloc()
+    mem_zero(arg_frame, 4096)
+    for index in 0..arg_len do mem_write(arg_frame + index, arg[index]:ascii(), 1) end
+    as_map(space, ARG_VADDR, arg_frame, PAGE_FLAGS)
     arg_ptr = ARG_VADDR
   end
   proc_run(space, entry, stack_top, arg_ptr, arg_len)
 end
 
+# one reused contiguous buffer to stage an elf image read off the disk, since
+# load_elf wants a flat base to mem_read from and a file lands in scattered frames
+# its a weird arch but wtv
+global loader = { scratch = 0 }
+const SCRATCH_PAGES = 64
+
+fn load_file_elf(path, arg) do
+  const size = fs:size(path)
+  if size < 0 do puts("#{path}: not found\n") return :false end
+  if size > SCRATCH_PAGES * 4096 do puts("#{path}: too big to load\n") return :false end
+  if loader.scratch == 0 do loader.scratch = alloc_contig(SCRATCH_PAGES) end
+  if loader.scratch == 0 do puts("no memory for elf load\n") return :false end
+  blit_str(loader.scratch, fs:read_bytes(path, 0, size))
+  load_elf(loader.scratch, arg)
+  return :true
+end
+
 fn run_prog(name, arg) do
-  let n = name
-  if n:starts_with?("/bin/") n = n[5..]
-  for i in 0..prog_count() do
-    if prog_name(i) == n do load_elf(prog_phys(i), arg) return :true end
-  end
-  puts("no such program: #{name}\n")
-  return :false
+  let bare_name = name
+  if bare_name:starts_with?("/bin/") bare_name = bare_name[5..]
+  const path = "/bin/#{bare_name}"
+  if fs:size(path) < 0 return :false
+  return load_file_elf(path, arg)
 end
 
 fn list_progs() do
   puts("programs:")
-  for i in 0..prog_count() do puts(" #{prog_name(i)}") end
+  for index in 0..prog_count() do puts(" #{prog_name(index)}") end
   puts("\n")
 end
diff --git a/kernel/seed.rv b/kernel/seed.rv
index 8c0d9b7..ad3f4e9 100644
--- a/kernel/seed.rv
+++ b/kernel/seed.rv
@@ -1,4 +1,15 @@
 # js dw about this ok?
+
+fn seed_bin() do
+  fs:mkdir("/bin")
+  for index in 0..prog_count() do
+    fs:store("/bin/#{prog_name(index)}", phys_to_str(prog_phys(index), prog_size(index)))
+  end
+  for index in 0..script_count() do
+    fs:store("/bin/#{script_name(index)}.rv", script_src(index))
+  end
+end
+
 fn seed_fs() do
   fs:mkdir("/usr")
   fs:mkdir("/etc")
@@ -7,4 +18,6 @@ fn seed_fs() do
   fs:store("/etc/motd", "welcome to revel")
   fs:store("/home/balls.txt", "its lowk insane how big my balls are")
   fs:store("/home/i have big balls.txt", "dude my balls are actually massive")
+
+  seed_bin()
 end
diff --git a/kernel/shell.rv b/kernel/shell.rv
index 40930c5..5d0a1c2 100644
--- a/kernel/shell.rv
+++ b/kernel/shell.rv
@@ -1,190 +1,117 @@
-# this is just a simple prompt to test that shit is working
+# i eventually want the shell to be a standalone program and shit
 
-fn pad(s, width) do
-  let out = s
-  while out:len() < width do out = out ~ " " end
-  return out
+fn pad(text, width) do
+  let result = text
+  while result:len() < width do result = result ~ " " end
+  return result
 end
 
-fn help_row(cmd, desc) puts("    #{pad(cmd, 20)}#{desc}\n")
-
-fn cmd_help() do
-  puts("\n  shell\n")
-  help_row("help", "show this")
-  help_row("clear", "wipe the screen")
-  help_row("time", "utc clock")
-  help_row("mem", "free / total ram")
-  help_row("uptime", "seconds since boot")
-  help_row("ps", "running processes")
-  help_row("zoom in|out", "scale the font")
-  help_row("echo <text>", "print it back")
-  puts("\n  files\n")
-  help_row("ls [path]", "list a directory")
-  help_row("cd <path>", "change directory")
-  help_row("pwd", "print working dir")
-  help_row("mkdir <path>", "make a directory")
-  help_row("cat <path>", "print a file")
-  help_row("edit <path>", "line editor, . to save")
-  help_row("write <path> <text>", "create or overwrite")
-  help_row("rm <path>", "delete a file or empty dir")
-  help_row("mkfs", "format the disk")
-  puts("\n  programs\n")
-  help_row("run", "list programs")
-  help_row("run <name>", "")
+fn help_row(label, description) puts("    #{pad(label, 20)}#{description}\n")
+
+fn help_group(title, group_name) do
+  puts("\n  #{title}\n")
+  for index in 0..commands:len() do
+    if commands[index].group == group_name do help_row(commands[index].usage, commands[index].help) end
+  end
+end
+
+fn cmd_help(context) do
+  help_group("shell", "shell")
+  help_group("gils (builtin)", "gils")
+  # the rest of gils, and the programs, are real files in /bin now
+  const items = fs:entries("/bin")
+  if items != :nil do
+    puts("\n  gils (/bin scripts)\n")
+    for index in 0..items:len() do
+      const name = items[index].name
+      if (name:len() > 3 and name[(name:len() - 3)..] == ".rv") do help_row(name[0..(name:len() - 3)], "") end
+    end
+    puts("\n  programs (/bin)\n")
+    for index in 0..items:len() do
+      const name = items[index].name
+      if (name:len() <= 3 or name[(name:len() - 3)..] != ".rv") do help_row(name, "") end
+    end
+  end
   puts("\n")
 end
 
 fn welcome() do
-  let fsline = "no filesystem"
-  if fs.ready do fsline = "revelfs mounted" end
+  let fs_status = "no filesystem"
+  if fs.ready do fs_status = "revelfs mounted" end
   puts("\n")
   puts("   kernel written in revo - by an alcoholic\n")
-  puts("   #{(mem_total() shr 20)} MiB ram | #{fsline} | #{prog_count()} programs\n")
+  puts("   #{(mem_total() shr 20)} MiB ram | #{fs_status} | #{prog_count()} programs\n")
   puts("   type help to see what it does\n\n% ")
 end
 
-fn arg_name(line, start) do
+# global so /bin scripts can call it from a nested eval fiber
+global arg_name = fn(line, start) do
   let quoted = :false
   let begin = start
   if (begin < line:len() and line[begin] == "\"") do begin += 1 quoted = :true end
-  let i = begin
+  let index = begin
   if quoted do
-    while (i < line:len() and line[i] != "\"") do i += 1 end
+    while (index < line:len() and line[index] != "\"") do index += 1 end
   end
   else do
-    while (i < line:len() and line[i] != " ") do i += 1 end
+    while (index < line:len() and line[index] != " ") do index += 1 end
   end
-  const name = line[begin..i]
-  let rest = i
+  const name = line[begin..index]
+  let rest = index
   if (quoted and rest < line:len()) do rest += 1 end
   if (rest < line:len() and line[rest] == " ") do rest += 1 end
   { name = name, rest = rest }
 end
 
-global wd = { path = "/" }
-
-global editor = { active = :false, path = "", buf = "" }
-
-fn editor_start(path) do
-  editor.active = :true
-  editor.path = path
-  editor.buf = ""
-  const sz = fs:size(path)
-  if sz > 0 do
-    editor.buf = fs:read_bytes(path, 0, sz)
-    puts(editor.buf)
-  end
-  puts("-- editing #{path}, a single . on a line saves and exits --\n")
-end
-
-fn editor_line(line) do
-  if line == "." do
-    fs:store(editor.path, editor.buf)
-    editor.active = :false
-    puts("saved #{editor.path} (#{editor.buf:len()} bytes)\n% ")
-  end
-  else do editor.buf = editor.buf ~ line ~ "\n" end
-end
-
-fn cmd_edit(line) do
-  const a = arg_name(line, 5)
-  if a.name:len() == 0 do puts("usage: edit <path>\n% ") return :nil end
-  editor_start(abspath(a.name))
-end
-
-fn abspath(arg) do
-  if arg:len() == 0 return wd.path
-  let p = arg
-  if arg[0] != "/" do
-    if wd.path == "/" do p = "/#{arg}" end
-    else do p = "#{wd.path}/#{arg}" end
-  end
-  while (p:len() > 1 and p[p:len() - 1] == "/") do p = p[0..(p:len() - 1)] end
-  return p
-end
-
 fn parent_of(path) do
   if path == "/" return "/"
-  let i = path:len() - 1
-  while (i > 0 and path[i] != "/") do i -= 1 end
-  if i == 0 return "/"
-  return path[0..i]
+  let index = path:len() - 1
+  while (index > 0 and path[index] != "/") do index -= 1 end
+  if index == 0 return "/"
+  return path[0..index]
 end
 
-fn cmd_cd(words) do
-  const arg = if words:len() > 1 words[1] else "/"
+fn cmd_cd(context) do
+  const arg = if context.argv:len() > 1 context.argv[1] else "/"
   const target = if arg == ".." parent_of(wd.path) else abspath(arg)
   if target == "/proc" or target == "/bin" or fs:is_dir(target) do wd.path = target end
   else do puts("cd: #{arg}: not a directory\n") end
 end
 
-fn cmd_pwd() puts("#{wd.path}\n")
-
-fn cmd_ls(words) do
-  const target = if words:len() > 1 abspath(words[1]) else wd.path
-  if vfs_owns(target) do vfs_ls(target) return :nil end
-  const n = fs:ls(target)
-  # the virtual mounts arent real dir entries, overlay them on the root listing
-  if target == "/" do puts("  bin/\n  proc/\n") end
-  else if n == 0 do puts("  (empty)\n") end
-end
-
-fn cmd_mkdir(words) do
-  if words:len() < 2 do puts("usage: mkdir <name>\n") return :nil end
-  fs:mkdir(abspath(words[1]))
-end
-
-fn cmd_write(line) do
-  const a = arg_name(line, 6)
-  if a.name:len() == 0 do puts("usage: write <name> <text>\n") return :nil end
-  fs:write(abspath(a.name), line[a.rest..])
-end
-
-fn cmd_cat(line) do
-  const a = arg_name(line, 4)
-  if a.name:len() == 0 do puts("usage: cat <name>\n") return :nil end
-  const p = abspath(a.name)
-  if vfs_owns(p) do vfs_cat(p) return :nil end
-  fs:cat(p)
-end
+fn cmd_pwd(context) puts("#{wd.path}\n")
 
-fn cmd_rm(line) do
-  const a = arg_name(line, 3)
-  if a.name:len() == 0 do puts("usage: rm <name>\n") return :nil end
-  fs:rm(abspath(a.name))
-end
+fn wipe() console:clear()
+fn cmd_clear(context) wipe()
 
 fn zoom_by(delta) do
-  let scale = con.scale + delta
+  let scale = console.scale + delta
   if scale < 1 do scale = 1 end
   if scale > 6 do scale = 6 end
-  con.scale = scale
-  cmd_clear()
+  console.scale = scale
+  wipe()
   puts("zoom #{scale}x\n")
 end
 
-fn cmd_zoom(words) do
-  const dir = if words:len() > 1 words[1] else ""
-  if dir == "in" do zoom_by(1) end
-  else if dir == "out" do zoom_by(-1) end
+fn cmd_zoom(context) do
+  const direction = if context.argv:len() > 1 context.argv[1] else ""
+  if direction == "in" do zoom_by(1) end
+  else if direction == "out" do zoom_by(-1) end
   else do puts("usage: zoom in | zoom out\n") end
 end
 
-fn cmd_clear() con:clear()
-
 fn bcd(byte) (byte shr 4) * 10 + (byte band 15)
-fn rtc(reg) do
-  outb(0x70, reg)
+fn rtc(cmos_reg) do
+  outb(0x70, cmos_reg)
   inb(0x71)
 end
-fn cmd_time() puts("utc #{bcd(rtc(4))}:#{bcd(rtc(2))}:#{bcd(rtc(0))}\n")
+fn cmd_time(context) puts("utc #{bcd(rtc(4))}:#{bcd(rtc(2))}:#{bcd(rtc(0))}\n")
 
 # 0x prefixed 16 digit hex
-fn hex(n) do
+fn hex(value) do
   const digits = "0123456789abcdef"
-  let out = ""
-  for i in 0..16 do out = out ~ digits[(n shr ((15 - i) * 4)) band 15] end
-  "0x#{out}"
+  let result = ""
+  for index in 0..16 do result = result ~ digits[(value shr ((15 - index) * 4)) band 15] end
+  "0x#{result}"
 end
 
 fn mem_type_name(kind) do
@@ -202,49 +129,55 @@ end
 # the boot memory map dump
 fn dump_memmap() do
   puts("memory map:\n")
-  for i in 0..memmap_count() do
-    puts("  #{hex(memmap_base(i))} len=#{hex(memmap_len(i))} type=#{mem_type_name(memmap_kind(i))}\n")
+  for index in 0..memmap_count() do
+    puts("  #{hex(memmap_base(index))} len=#{hex(memmap_len(index))} type=#{mem_type_name(memmap_kind(index))}\n")
   end
   puts("usable: #{(mem_total() shr 20)} MiB, free: #{(mem_free() shr 20)} MiB\n")
 end
 
-fn cmd_mem() puts("#{(mem_free() shr 20)} MiB free / #{(mem_total() shr 20)} MiB usable\n")
-fn cmd_uptime() puts("#{math.floor(uptime() / 100)}s (#{uptime()} ticks)\n")
-fn cmd_ps() puts("#{proc_count()} process(es) running\n")
+fn cmd_mem(context) puts("#{(mem_free() shr 20)} MiB free / #{(mem_total() shr 20)} MiB usable\n")
+fn cmd_uptime(context) puts("#{math.floor(uptime() / 100)}s (#{uptime()} ticks)\n")
+fn cmd_ps(context) puts("#{proc_count()} process(es) running\n")
+fn cmd_echo(context) do if context.line:len() > 5 puts("#{context.line[5..]}\n") else puts("\n") end
+fn cmd_mkfs(context) fs:format()
+
+fn cmd_run(context) do
+  if context.argv:len() <= 1 do list_progs() return :nil end
+  const parsed = arg_name(context.rest, 0)
+  if run_prog(parsed.name, context.rest[parsed.rest..]) == :true return :hold
+  puts("no such program: #{parsed.name}\n")
+  return :nil
+end
 
 fn run(line) do
-  if editor.active do editor_line(line) return :nil end
+  # the fact that the shell needs to interface directly with ed isnt, very nice
+  if gils_ed_active() do gils_ed_feed(line) return :nil end
   if line:trim():len() == 0 do puts("% ") return :nil end
-  const words = line:split(" ")
-  const cmd = words[0]
-  if cmd == "edit" do cmd_edit(line) return :nil end
-  if cmd == "run" do
-    if words:len() <= 1 do list_progs() puts("% ") return :nil end
-    const prog = words[1]
-    # everything after "run <prog> " is the programs argument string
-    const start = 4 + prog:len() + 1
-    const arg = if line:len() > start line[start..] else ""
-    if run_prog(prog, arg) == :true return :nil
-    puts("% ")
+  const argv = line:split(" ")
+  const context = make_ctx(line, argv)
+  const command = lookup(argv[0])
+  if command != :nil do
+    # :hold means the command took over (modal editor / launched a program) so
+    # we dont draw a fresh prompt, otherwise we do
+    const result = command.handler(context)
+    if result != :hold do puts("% ") end
     return :nil
   end
-  match cmd
-    | "help" => cmd_help()
-    | "clear" => cmd_clear()
-    | "time" => cmd_time()
-    | "mem" => cmd_mem()
-    | "uptime" => cmd_uptime()
-    | "ps" => cmd_ps()
-    | "zoom" => cmd_zoom(words)
-    | "mkfs" => fs:format()
-    | "ls" => cmd_ls(words)
-    | "cat" => cmd_cat(line)
-    | "write" => cmd_write(line)
-    | "rm" => cmd_rm(line)
-    | "mkdir" => cmd_mkdir(words)
-    | "cd" => cmd_cd(words)
-    | "pwd" => cmd_pwd()
-    | "echo" => if line:len() > 5 puts("#{line[5..]}\n") else puts("\n")
-    | _ => puts("unknown command: #{cmd}\n")
-  puts("% ")
-end
+
+  if run_script(argv[0], context) == :true do puts("% ") return :nil end
+  if run_prog(argv[0], context.rest) == :true return :nil
+  puts("#{argv[0]}: command not found\n% ")
+end
+
+register("help", "shell", "show this", cmd_help)
+register("clear", "shell", "wipe the screen", cmd_clear)
+register("time", "shell", "utc clock", cmd_time)
+register("mem", "shell", "free / total ram", cmd_mem)
+register("uptime", "shell", "seconds since boot", cmd_uptime)
+register("ps", "shell", "running processes", cmd_ps)
+register("zoom in|out", "shell", "scale the font", cmd_zoom)
+register("echo <text>", "shell", "print it back", cmd_echo)
+register("mkfs", "shell", "format the disk", cmd_mkfs)
+register("cd <path>", "gils", "change directory", cmd_cd)
+register("pwd", "gils", "print working dir", cmd_pwd)
+register("run [name] [arg]", "shell", "run a program explicitly", cmd_run)
diff --git a/kernel/vfs.rv b/kernel/vfs.rv
index 5d2d1de..22c399e 100644
--- a/kernel/vfs.rv
+++ b/kernel/vfs.rv
@@ -3,37 +3,33 @@
 
 const TASK_STATES = { "free", "ready", "dead", "blocked" }
 
-fn vfs_owns(path) do
+global vfs_owns = fn(path) do
   if path == "/proc" or path:starts_with?("/proc/") return :true
-  if path == "/bin" or path:starts_with?("/bin/") return :true
   return :false
 end
 
-fn parse_pid(s) do
-  if s:len() == 0 return -1
-  let n = 0
-  for i in 0..s:len() do
-    const c = s[i]:ascii()
-    if c < 48 or c > 57 return -1
-    n = n * 10 + (c - 48)
+global parse_pid = fn(text) do
+  if text:len() == 0 return -1
+  let number = 0
+  for index in 0..text:len() do
+    const code = text[index]:ascii()
+    if code < 48 or code > 57 return -1
+    number = number * 10 + (code - 48)
   end
-  return n
+  return number
 end
 
-fn vfs_ls(path) do
+global vfs_ls = fn(path) do
   if path == "/proc" do
     puts("  uptime\n  meminfo\n")
-    for i in 0..task_max() do
-      if task_state(i) != 0 puts("  #{i}\n")
+    for pid in 0..task_max() do
+      if task_state(pid) != 0 puts("  #{pid}\n")
     end
   end
-  else if path == "/bin" do
-    for i in 0..prog_count() do puts("  #{prog_name(i)}\n") end
-  end
   else do puts("ls: #{path}: no such directory\n") end
 end
 
-fn vfs_cat(path) do
+global vfs_cat = fn(path) do
   if path == "/proc/uptime" do puts("#{math.floor(uptime() / 100)}s\n") return :nil end
   if path == "/proc/meminfo" do puts("#{(mem_free() shr 20)} MiB free / #{(mem_total() shr 20)} MiB total\n") return :nil end
   if path:starts_with?("/proc/") do
@@ -45,13 +41,5 @@ fn vfs_cat(path) do
     puts("cat: #{path}: no such file\n")
     return :nil
   end
-  if path:starts_with?("/bin/") do
-    const nm = path[5..]
-    for i in 0..prog_count() do
-      if prog_name(i) == nm do puts("#{nm}: elf program, #{prog_size(i)} bytes\n") return :nil end
-    end
-    puts("cat: #{path}: no such file\n")
-    return :nil
-  end
   puts("cat: #{path}: no such file\n")
 end
diff --git a/kernel/vmm.rv b/kernel/vmm.rv
index a4c0eea..0de5f33 100644
--- a/kernel/vmm.rv
+++ b/kernel/vmm.rv
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # everything here only writes small entries we construct, so its f64 safe
 const PTE_ADDR = 0x000FFFFFFFFFF000
 
-fn pte_idx(virt, level) (virt shr (12 + 9 * level)) band 0x1ff
+fn pte_index(virtual_address, level) (virtual_address shr (12 + 9 * level)) band 0x1ff
 
 fn next_table(table, index) do
   const slot = table + index * 8
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@ fn next_table(table, index) do
   frame
 end
 
-fn as_map(pml4, virt, phys, flags) do
-  const pdpt = next_table(pml4, pte_idx(virt, 3))
-  const pd = next_table(pdpt, pte_idx(virt, 2))
-  const pt = next_table(pd, pte_idx(virt, 1))
-  mem_write(pt + pte_idx(virt, 0) * 8, (phys band PTE_ADDR) bor flags bor 1, 8)
-  invlpg(virt)
+fn as_map(pml4, virtual_address, physical_address, flags) do
+  const pdpt = next_table(pml4, pte_index(virtual_address, 3))
+  const pd = next_table(pdpt, pte_index(virtual_address, 2))
+  const pt = next_table(pd, pte_index(virtual_address, 1))
+  mem_write(pt + pte_index(virtual_address, 0) * 8, (physical_address band PTE_ADDR) bor flags bor 1, 8)
+  invlpg(virtual_address)
 end
diff --git a/revo b/revo
index 8b0b88a..c3d5ede 160000
--- a/revo
+++ b/revo
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit 8b0b88a34b4ae803e8b68bedd1574300d011891f
+Subproject commit c3d5ede438c8b8e32ddd692a0e2e337665a2b63f
-- 
cgit v1.3