diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 3337ffe..539be52 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -1,13 +1,12 @@
-FROM python:3.11-alpine
+FROM python:3.11-slim
 
 WORKDIR /app
 
-# Audio stack: ffmpeg for MP3 waveform + librosa, libsndfile for soundfile
-RUN apk add --no-cache \
+# ffmpeg for librosa audio decoding, libsndfile for soundfile
+RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
     ffmpeg \
-    ffmpeg-libs \
-    libsndfile && \
-    ln -sf /usr/lib/libsndfile.so.1 /usr/lib/libsndfile.so
+    libsndfile1 && \
+    rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
 
 COPY pyproject.toml .
 RUN pip install --no-cache-dir .
diff --git a/lightsync/frontend/app.js b/lightsync/frontend/app.js
index d51030d..3a1b4aa 100644
--- a/lightsync/frontend/app.js
+++ b/lightsync/frontend/app.js
@@ -1,16 +1,17 @@
-// LightSync frontend — Phase 02-03 browser-audio architecture
-// Browser <audio> element plays audio; server does beat detection via librosa
-// 10Hz position ticks sent to server; server sends beat notifications back
+// LightSync frontend — controller UI
+// Browser <audio> handles playback; server receives position ticks and sends beat events
 
 const WS_URL = `${location.protocol === 'https:' ? 'wss' : 'ws'}://${location.host}/ws`;
 
+// ── API helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
 async function apiPost(path, data) {
     const res = await fetch(path, {
         method: "POST",
         headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
         body: JSON.stringify(data),
     });
-    if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`POST ${path}: HTTP ${res.status}`);
+    if (!res.ok && res.status !== 204) throw new Error(`POST ${path}: HTTP ${res.status}`);
     return res.json();
 }
 
@@ -19,229 +20,138 @@ async function apiDelete(path) {
     if (!res.ok && res.status !== 204) throw new Error(`DELETE ${path}: HTTP ${res.status}`);
 }
 
-// --- Beat markers state ---
-let beatTimestamps = [];   // sorted list of beat times in seconds
-let audioDuration = 0;
-let currentFilePath = "";  // absolute server path for beat/waveform fetches
+// ── WebSocket ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-// --- WebSocket client ---
 class LightSyncClient {
-    constructor() {
-        this.ws = null;
-        this.reconnectDelay = 2000;
-        this._reconnectTimer = null;
-    }
+    constructor() { this.ws = null; this._timer = null; }
 
     connect() {
-        if (this._reconnectTimer) {
-            clearTimeout(this._reconnectTimer);
-            this._reconnectTimer = null;
-        }
-
         this.ws = new WebSocket(WS_URL);
 
         this.ws.onopen = () => {
-            document.getElementById("status-dot").className = "status-dot connected";
-            document.getElementById("status-text").textContent = "CONNECTED";
+            document.getElementById('status-dot')?.classList.add('connected');
+            document.getElementById('status-text').textContent = 'CONNECTED';
         };
 
         this.ws.onclose = () => {
-            document.getElementById("status-dot").className = "status-dot";
-            document.getElementById("status-text").textContent = "OFFLINE";
-            this._reconnectTimer = setTimeout(() => this.connect(), this.reconnectDelay);
+            document.getElementById('status-dot')?.classList.remove('connected');
+            document.getElementById('status-text').textContent = 'OFFLINE';
+            this._timer = setTimeout(() => this.connect(), 2000);
         };
 
         this.ws.onerror = () => {
-            document.getElementById("status-dot").className = "status-dot error";
+            document.getElementById('status-dot')?.classList.add('error');
         };
 
-        this.ws.onmessage = (event) => {
-            const msg = JSON.parse(event.data);
-            this.handleMessage(msg);
+        this.ws.onmessage = (e) => {
+            const msg = JSON.parse(e.data);
+            if (msg.type === 'beat') flashBeat();
         };
     }
 
-    handleMessage(msg) {
-        if (msg.type === 'beat') {
-            flashBeatIndicator();
-        } else {
-            console.debug('[ws]', msg);
-        }
-    }
-
     send(msg) {
-        if (this.ws?.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
+        if (this.ws?.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN)
             this.ws.send(JSON.stringify(msg));
-        }
     }
 }
 
-// --- Beat indicator flash ---
-function flashBeatIndicator() {
+const client = new LightSyncClient();
+client.connect();
+
+// ── Beat flash ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+function flashBeat() {
     const dot = document.getElementById('beat-indicator');
     if (!dot) return;
     dot.classList.add('beat-flash');
-    // Remove class after animation completes (200ms)
-    setTimeout(() => dot.classList.remove('beat-flash'), 200);
+    setTimeout(() => dot.classList.remove('beat-flash'), 180);
 }
 
-// --- Waveform + beat marker rendering ---
-let waveformPeaks = [];
+// ── 10Hz position tick loop ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-function drawWaveform(canvas, peaks, beats, duration) {
-    const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
-    const dpr = window.devicePixelRatio || 1;
-    const rect = canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
-    canvas.width = rect.width * dpr;
-    canvas.height = rect.height * dpr;
-    ctx.scale(dpr, dpr);
-
-    const w = rect.width;
-    const h = rect.height;
-    const mid = h / 2;
-
-    ctx.clearRect(0, 0, w, h);
-
-    // Draw waveform bars using --accent color
-    if (peaks.length > 0) {
-        const barWidth = w / peaks.length;
-        ctx.fillStyle = getComputedStyle(document.documentElement).getPropertyValue('--accent').trim() || '#0ff';
-        for (let i = 0; i < peaks.length; i++) {
-            const amp = peaks[i] * mid * 0.9;
-            const x = i * barWidth;
-            ctx.fillRect(x, mid - amp, Math.max(barWidth - 0.5, 0.5), amp * 2);
-        }
-    }
-
-    // Draw beat markers as thin vertical lines
-    if (beats.length > 0 && duration > 0) {
-        ctx.strokeStyle = 'rgba(255, 200, 0, 0.6)';
-        ctx.lineWidth = 1;
-        for (const t of beats) {
-            const x = (t / duration) * w;
-            ctx.beginPath();
-            ctx.moveTo(x, 0);
-            ctx.lineTo(x, h);
-            ctx.stroke();
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-async function loadWaveformAndBeats(filePath) {
-    try {
-        const encodedPath = encodeURIComponent(filePath);
-        const [waveRes, beatRes] = await Promise.allSettled([
-            fetch(`/api/audio/waveform?path=${encodedPath}&peaks=2000`),
-            fetch(`/api/audio/beats?path=${encodedPath}`),
-        ]);
-
-        if (waveRes.status === 'fulfilled' && waveRes.value.ok) {
-            const data = await waveRes.value.json();
-            waveformPeaks = data.peaks;
-        }
-
-        if (beatRes.status === 'fulfilled' && beatRes.value.ok) {
-            const data = await beatRes.value.json();
-            beatTimestamps = data.beats || [];
-            audioDuration = document.getElementById('player')?.duration || audioDuration;
-        }
-
-        redrawCanvas();
-    } catch (err) {
-        console.error('[waveform/beats]', err);
-    }
-}
-
-function redrawCanvas() {
-    const canvas = document.getElementById('waveform-canvas');
-    if (canvas) {
-        const audio = document.getElementById('player');
-        const dur = (audio && isFinite(audio.duration)) ? audio.duration : audioDuration;
-        drawWaveform(canvas, waveformPeaks, beatTimestamps, dur);
-    }
-}
-
-// --- 10Hz position tick loop ---
 let _tickInterval = null;
 
-function startTickLoop() {
+function startTicks() {
     if (_tickInterval) return;
     _tickInterval = setInterval(() => {
         const audio = document.getElementById('player');
-        if (audio && !audio.paused && !audio.ended) {
+        if (audio && !audio.paused && !audio.ended)
             client.send({ type: 'tick', position: audio.currentTime });
-        }
     }, 100);
 }
 
-function stopTickLoop() {
-    if (_tickInterval) {
-        clearInterval(_tickInterval);
-        _tickInterval = null;
-    }
+function stopTicks() {
+    clearInterval(_tickInterval);
+    _tickInterval = null;
 }
 
-// --- Audio element event wiring ---
-function wireAudioElement() {
+// ── Audio element ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+function fmt(s) {
+    if (!isFinite(s)) return '0:00';
+    const m = Math.floor(s / 60);
+    const sec = Math.floor(s % 60).toString().padStart(2, '0');
+    return `${m}:${sec}`;
+}
+
+function wireAudio() {
     const audio = document.getElementById('player');
+    const btn   = document.getElementById('btn-play');
+    const seek  = document.getElementById('seek-bar');
+    const cur   = document.getElementById('time-current');
+    const dur   = document.getElementById('time-duration');
     if (!audio) return;
 
-    // Also send ticks on native timeupdate (~4Hz) as a fallback bridge
+    // Play/Pause button
+    btn?.addEventListener('click', () => {
+        if (audio.paused) audio.play();
+        else audio.pause();
+    });
+
+    audio.addEventListener('play',  () => { btn.textContent = '⏸'; startTicks(); });
+    audio.addEventListener('pause', () => { btn.textContent = '▶'; stopTicks(); });
+    audio.addEventListener('ended', () => { btn.textContent = '▶'; stopTicks(); seek.value = 0; });
+
+    // Time display + seek bar sync
     audio.addEventListener('timeupdate', () => {
-        if (!audio.paused) {
-            client.send({ type: 'tick', position: audio.currentTime });
-            updateCursor(audio.currentTime, audio.duration);
+        if (!seek._dragging) {
+            const pct = audio.duration > 0 ? (audio.currentTime / audio.duration) * 100 : 0;
+            seek.value = pct;
         }
-    });
-
-    audio.addEventListener('play', () => {
-        client.send({ type: 'play', position: audio.currentTime });
-        startTickLoop();
-        document.getElementById('show-name').textContent = currentFilePath
-            ? currentFilePath.split('/').pop()
-            : '— playing —';
-    });
-
-    audio.addEventListener('pause', () => {
-        client.send({ type: 'pause', position: audio.currentTime });
-        stopTickLoop();
-    });
-
-    audio.addEventListener('ended', () => {
-        stopTickLoop();
-        client.send({ type: 'pause', position: audio.currentTime });
-    });
-
-    audio.addEventListener('seeked', () => {
-        client.send({ type: 'seek', position: audio.currentTime });
-        updateCursor(audio.currentTime, audio.duration);
+        cur.textContent = fmt(audio.currentTime);
+        client.send({ type: 'tick', position: audio.currentTime });
     });
 
     audio.addEventListener('loadedmetadata', () => {
-        audioDuration = audio.duration;
-        redrawCanvas();
+        dur.textContent = fmt(audio.duration);
+        document.getElementById('show-name').textContent =
+            audio.src.split('/').pop() || '— playing —';
+    });
+
+    // Seek bar drag
+    seek.addEventListener('mousedown', () => { seek._dragging = true; });
+    seek.addEventListener('input', () => {
+        if (audio.duration > 0)
+            cur.textContent = fmt((seek.value / 100) * audio.duration);
+    });
+    seek.addEventListener('mouseup', () => {
+        seek._dragging = false;
+        if (audio.duration > 0) {
+            audio.currentTime = (seek.value / 100) * audio.duration;
+            client.send({ type: 'seek', position: audio.currentTime });
+        }
     });
 }
 
-function updateCursor(position, duration) {
-    const cursor = document.getElementById('playback-cursor');
-    const container = document.querySelector('.waveform-container');
-    if (cursor && container && duration > 0) {
-        const pct = (position / duration) * 100;
-        cursor.style.left = pct + '%';
-    }
-}
+// ── File list ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-// --- File selector ---
-async function refreshFileList(selectValue) {
+async function refreshFiles(selectPath) {
     const sel = document.getElementById('audio-select');
     if (!sel) return;
     try {
-        const res = await fetch('/api/audio/files');
-        if (!res.ok) return;
-        const { files } = await res.json();
-        const prev = selectValue ?? sel.value;
-        sel.innerHTML = '<option value="">&#8212; select file &#8212;</option>';
+        const { files } = await (await fetch('/api/audio/files')).json();
+        const prev = selectPath ?? sel.value;
+        sel.innerHTML = '<option value="">— select file —</option>';
         files.forEach(name => {
             const opt = document.createElement('option');
             opt.value = `/app/shows/${name}`;
@@ -249,12 +159,13 @@ async function refreshFileList(selectValue) {
             if (opt.value === prev) opt.selected = true;
             sel.appendChild(opt);
         });
-    } catch (e) {
-        console.error('[audio] file list error:', e);
-    }
+    } catch (e) { console.error('[files]', e); }
 }
 
-// --- Upload handler ---
+refreshFiles();
+
+// ── Upload ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
 document.getElementById('audio-upload')?.addEventListener('change', async (e) => {
     const file = e.target.files?.[0];
     if (!file) return;
@@ -262,133 +173,90 @@ document.getElementById('audio-upload')?.addEventListener('change', async (e) =>
     form.append('file', file);
     try {
         const res = await fetch('/api/audio/upload', { method: 'POST', body: form });
-        if (!res.ok) {
-            const err = await res.json();
-            console.error('[audio] upload failed:', err.detail);
-            return;
-        }
-        const { path, beats } = await res.json();
-        // Cache beat timestamps returned from upload response
-        if (beats && beats.beats) {
-            beatTimestamps = beats.beats;
-        }
-        // Options use /app/shows/filename as value — pass abs path to pre-select
-        await refreshFileList(path);
-        loadSelectedFile(path);
-    } catch (err) {
-        console.error('[audio] upload error:', err);
-    }
+        if (!res.ok) { console.error('[upload]', await res.json()); return; }
+        const { path } = await res.json();
+        await refreshFiles(path);
+        // Auto-select and load
+        const audio = document.getElementById('player');
+        if (audio) { audio.src = `/shows/${file.name}`; audio.load(); }
+    } catch (e) { console.error('[upload]', e); }
     e.target.value = '';
 });
 
-// --- Load button handler ---
-document.getElementById('btn-load')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
-    const sel = document.getElementById('audio-select');
+// ── Load selected ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+document.getElementById('btn-load')?.addEventListener('click', async () => {
+    const sel  = document.getElementById('audio-select');
     const path = sel?.value;
     if (!path) return;
-    // Convert /shows/filename to /app/shows/filename for absolute path
-    const absPath = path.startsWith('/app/') ? path : `/app${path}`;
-    loadSelectedFile(absPath);
+    const filename = path.split('/').pop();
+    const audio = document.getElementById('player');
+    if (audio) { audio.src = `/shows/${filename}`; audio.load(); }
+    // Trigger beat analysis in background
+    fetch(`/api/audio/beats?path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}`).catch(() => {});
 });
 
-function loadSelectedFile(absPath) {
-    const audio = document.getElementById('player');
-    if (!audio) return;
+// ── Animation tiles ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-    // Derive the URL path from the absolute server path
-    // /app/shows/song.mp3 -> /shows/song.mp3
-    const urlPath = absPath.replace(/^\/app/, '');
-    audio.src = urlPath;
-    audio.load();
+let selectedAnim = 'beat_pulse';
 
-    currentFilePath = absPath;
-    document.getElementById('show-name').textContent = absPath.split('/').pop();
+document.getElementById('animation-grid')?.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
+    const tile = e.target.closest('.anim-tile');
+    if (!tile) return;
+    document.querySelectorAll('.anim-tile').forEach(t => t.classList.remove('active'));
+    tile.classList.add('active');
+    selectedAnim = tile.dataset.anim;
+    client.send({ type: 'select_animation', animation: selectedAnim });
+});
 
-    // Tell WebSocket which file is loaded for beat lookup
-    client.send({ type: 'load', path: absPath });
+// ── Devices ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-    // Fetch waveform + beat markers
-    loadWaveformAndBeats(absPath);
-}
-
-// --- Device management ---
 async function loadDevices() {
+    const list = document.getElementById('device-list');
     try {
-        const res = await fetch("/api/devices");
-        if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`HTTP ${res.status}`);
-        const devices = await res.json();
-        const list = document.getElementById("device-list");
-        if (devices.length === 0) {
-            list.innerHTML = '<span class="text-dim">no devices registered</span>';
+        const devices = await (await fetch('/api/devices')).json();
+        if (!devices.length) {
+            list.innerHTML = '<span class="text-dim">no devices</span>';
             return;
         }
-        list.innerHTML = devices.map(d =>
-            `<div class="device-row">
+        list.innerHTML = devices.map(d => `
+            <div class="device-row">
                 <div class="device-row-info">
-                    <span class="text-accent">${escapeHtml(d.name)}</span>
-                    <span class="text-dim">${escapeHtml(d.strip_type)} / ${d.led_count} LEDs / ${escapeHtml(d.ip)}:${d.port}</span>
+                    <span>${d.name}</span>
+                    <span class="text-dim" style="font-size:11px">${d.ip}:${d.port} &middot; ${d.led_count} LEDs</span>
                 </div>
-                <button class="device-remove" onclick="removeDevice('${d.id}')" title="Remove device">&times;</button>
-            </div>`
-        ).join("");
-    } catch (err) {
-        const list = document.getElementById("device-list");
-        list.innerHTML = `<span class="text-dim">error loading devices</span>`;
-        console.error("[devices]", err);
+                <button class="device-remove" data-id="${d.id}" title="Remove">&#215;</button>
+            </div>`).join('');
+        list.querySelectorAll('.device-remove').forEach(btn => {
+            btn.addEventListener('click', async () => {
+                await apiDelete(`/api/devices/${btn.dataset.id}`);
+                await loadDevices();
+            });
+        });
+    } catch (e) {
+        list.innerHTML = '<span class="text-dim">error loading devices</span>';
     }
 }
 
-async function removeDevice(id) {
-    try {
-        await apiDelete(`/api/devices/${id}`);
-        await loadDevices();
-    } catch (err) {
-        console.error("[devices] remove failed:", err);
-    }
-}
-window.removeDevice = removeDevice;
-
-function escapeHtml(str) {
-    const div = document.createElement("div");
-    div.appendChild(document.createTextNode(String(str)));
-    return div.innerHTML;
-}
-
-// --- Waveform click-to-seek ---
-document.querySelector('.waveform-container')?.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
-    const audio = document.getElementById('player');
-    if (!audio || !isFinite(audio.duration) || audio.duration <= 0) return;
-    const rect = e.currentTarget.getBoundingClientRect();
-    const pct = (e.clientX - rect.left) / rect.width;
-    audio.currentTime = pct * audio.duration;
-});
-
-// --- Resize redraws ---
-window.addEventListener('resize', redrawCanvas);
-
-// --- Init ---
-const client = new LightSyncClient();
-client.connect();
-wireAudioElement();
 loadDevices();
-refreshFileList();
 
-document.getElementById("add-device-form").addEventListener("submit", async (e) => {
+document.getElementById('add-device-form')?.addEventListener('submit', async (e) => {
     e.preventDefault();
     const form = e.target;
     const data = {
-        name: form.elements["name"].value.trim(),
+        name: form.elements['name'].value.trim(),
         strip_type: form.strip_type.value,
         led_count: parseInt(form.led_count.value, 10),
         ip: form.ip.value.trim(),
         port: parseInt(form.port.value, 10),
     };
     try {
-        await apiPost("/api/devices", data);
+        await apiPost('/api/devices', data);
         form.reset();
-        form.port.value = "21324";
         await loadDevices();
-    } catch (err) {
-        console.error("[devices] add failed:", err);
-    }
+    } catch (e) { console.error('[device]', e); }
 });
+
+// ── Init ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+wireAudio();
diff --git a/lightsync/frontend/index.html b/lightsync/frontend/index.html
index 57829d1..d5e601f 100644
--- a/lightsync/frontend/index.html
+++ b/lightsync/frontend/index.html
@@ -1,13 +1,10 @@
 <!DOCTYPE html>
-<html lang="en">
+<html lang="de">
 <head>
     <meta charset="UTF-8">
     <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
     <title>LIGHTSYNC</title>
     <link rel="stylesheet" href="/style.css">
-    <!-- JetBrains Mono via Google Fonts -->
-    <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
-    <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=JetBrains+Mono:wght@400;600&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">
 </head>
 <body>
     <div class="app-shell">
@@ -16,20 +13,23 @@
             <span class="header-title">&#9632; LIGHTSYNC</span>
             <div class="status-dot" id="status-dot"></div>
             <span id="status-text" class="text-dim">OFFLINE</span>
-            <span id="show-name" class="text-dim">&#8212; no show loaded &#8212;</span>
-            <div id="beat-indicator" class="beat-indicator" title="Beat pulse"></div>
+            <span class="header-sep">|</span>
+            <span id="show-name" class="text-dim">&#8212; no file loaded &#8212;</span>
+            <div style="flex:1"></div>
+            <div id="beat-indicator" class="beat-indicator" title="Beat"></div>
+            <span id="beat-label" class="text-dim beat-label">BEAT</span>
         </header>
 
         <aside class="sidebar">
-            <div class="panel" id="devices-panel" style="flex: 0 0 auto;">
+            <div class="panel" style="flex: 1; min-height: 0;">
                 <div class="panel-header">DEVICES</div>
                 <div class="panel-content" id="device-list">
                     <span class="text-dim">loading...</span>
                 </div>
                 <details class="device-manage-section">
-                    <summary>&#9881; MANAGE DEVICES</summary>
+                    <summary>&#9881; MANAGE</summary>
                     <form id="add-device-form" class="device-form">
-                        <input type="text" name="name" placeholder="Device name" required>
+                        <input type="text" name="name" placeholder="Name" required>
                         <select name="strip_type" required>
                             <option value="sk6812">SK6812</option>
                             <option value="ws2801">WS2801</option>
@@ -38,47 +38,71 @@
                         <input type="number" name="led_count" placeholder="LED count" min="1" max="1000" required>
                         <input type="text" name="ip" placeholder="IP address" required>
                         <input type="number" name="port" placeholder="Port" min="1" max="65535" value="21324" required>
-                        <button type="submit">+ ADD DEVICE</button>
+                        <button type="submit">+ ADD</button>
                     </form>
                 </details>
             </div>
-            <div class="panel" id="animations-panel" style="flex: 1; min-height: 0;">
-                <div class="panel-header">ANIMATIONS</div>
-                <div class="panel-content">
-                    <select id="animation-select" class="animation-select-input">
-                        <option value="beat_pulse">Beat Pulse</option>
-                        <option value="strobe">Strobe</option>
-                        <option value="color_wave">Color Wave</option>
-                        <option value="rainbow">Rainbow</option>
-                    </select>
-                </div>
-            </div>
         </aside>
 
         <main class="main-area">
-            <div class="panel" id="timeline-panel" style="flex: 1; display: flex; flex-direction: column;">
-                <div class="panel-header">TIMELINE</div>
-                <div class="waveform-container" style="flex: 1; position: relative; min-height: 100px;">
-                    <canvas id="waveform-canvas" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;"></canvas>
-                    <div id="playback-cursor" class="playback-cursor"></div>
-                </div>
+            <div class="section-header">ANIMATIONS</div>
+            <div class="animation-list" id="animation-grid">
+                <button class="anim-tile active" data-anim="beat_pulse">
+                    <span class="anim-cursor">&gt;</span>
+                    <span class="anim-name">BEAT_PULSE</span>
+                    <span class="anim-desc">flash on every beat</span>
+                </button>
+                <button class="anim-tile" data-anim="strobe">
+                    <span class="anim-cursor">&gt;</span>
+                    <span class="anim-name">STROBE</span>
+                    <span class="anim-desc">rapid flash burst</span>
+                </button>
+                <button class="anim-tile" data-anim="color_wave">
+                    <span class="anim-cursor">&gt;</span>
+                    <span class="anim-name">COLOR_WAVE</span>
+                    <span class="anim-desc">rolling color sweep</span>
+                </button>
+                <button class="anim-tile" data-anim="rainbow">
+                    <span class="anim-cursor">&gt;</span>
+                    <span class="anim-name">RAINBOW</span>
+                    <span class="anim-desc">cycling hue rotation</span>
+                </button>
+                <button class="anim-tile" data-anim="fire">
+                    <span class="anim-cursor">&gt;</span>
+                    <span class="anim-name">FIRE</span>
+                    <span class="anim-desc">warm flickering flames</span>
+                </button>
+                <button class="anim-tile" data-anim="chase">
+                    <span class="anim-cursor">&gt;</span>
+                    <span class="anim-name">CHASE</span>
+                    <span class="anim-desc">single pixel chase</span>
+                </button>
             </div>
         </main>
 
-        <footer class="transport-bar" id="transport-panel">
-            <!-- Hidden native audio element — browser handles playback -->
+        <footer class="transport-bar">
             <audio id="player" style="display:none;"></audio>
 
-            <div class="transport-file">
-                <label class="transport-btn" title="Upload MP3/WAV/FLAC/OGG from your computer" style="cursor:pointer;">
-                    + UPLOAD
-                    <input type="file" id="audio-upload" accept=".mp3,.wav,.flac,.ogg" style="display:none;">
-                </label>
-                <select id="audio-select" class="audio-path-input">
-                    <option value="">&#8212; no files yet, upload first &#8212;</option>
-                </select>
-                <button id="btn-load" class="transport-btn" title="Load selected file">LOAD</button>
-            </div>
+            <button id="btn-play" class="transport-btn transport-playpause" title="Play/Pause">&#9654;</button>
+
+            <span id="time-current" class="transport-time">0:00</span>
+            <span class="text-dim">/</span>
+            <span id="time-duration" class="transport-time">0:00</span>
+
+            <input type="range" id="seek-bar" min="0" max="100" value="0" step="0.1" class="seek-slider">
+
+            <div class="transport-sep"></div>
+
+            <label class="transport-btn" title="Upload MP3/WAV/FLAC/OGG" style="cursor:pointer;">
+                + UPLOAD
+                <input type="file" id="audio-upload" accept=".mp3,.wav,.flac,.ogg" style="display:none;">
+            </label>
+
+            <select id="audio-select" class="transport-file-select">
+                <option value="">&#8212; no files &#8212;</option>
+            </select>
+
+            <button id="btn-load" class="transport-btn" title="Load selected file">LOAD</button>
         </footer>
 
     </div>
diff --git a/lightsync/frontend/style.css b/lightsync/frontend/style.css
index 0538885..f810c55 100644
--- a/lightsync/frontend/style.css
+++ b/lightsync/frontend/style.css
@@ -8,10 +8,8 @@
     --text-primary:  #cccccc;
     --text-dim:      #555555;
     --text-accent:   var(--accent);
-    --text-warning:  #ff6600;
     --font-mono:     'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira Code', 'Consolas', monospace;
     --font-size:     13px;
-    --panel-gap:     1px;
 }
 
 *, *::before, *::after {
@@ -30,75 +28,145 @@ body {
     overflow: hidden;
 }
 
-/* DAW layout — header / (sidebar + main) / transport */
+/* Layout: header / (sidebar + main) / transport */
 .app-shell {
     display: grid;
-    grid-template-rows: 40px 1fr 48px;
-    grid-template-columns: 280px 1fr;
+    grid-template-rows: 36px 1fr 52px;
+    grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr;
     grid-template-areas:
         "header    header"
         "sidebar   main"
         "transport transport";
     height: 100vh;
-    gap: var(--panel-gap);
+    gap: 1px;
+    background: #111;
 }
 
+/* ── Header ─────────────────────────────────── */
 .header {
     grid-area: header;
     background: var(--bg-panel-dark);
     border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
     display: flex;
     align-items: center;
-    padding: 0 16px;
-    gap: 16px;
+    padding: 0 12px;
+    gap: 10px;
 }
 
 .header-title {
     color: var(--text-accent);
-    font-size: 16px;
+    font-size: 14px;
     font-weight: 600;
     letter-spacing: 0.15em;
-    text-transform: uppercase;
 }
 
+.header-sep {
+    color: var(--border-dim);
+}
+
+.status-dot {
+    width: 7px;
+    height: 7px;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    background: var(--text-dim);
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+.status-dot.connected { background: #00ff88; }
+.status-dot.error     { background: #ff3333; }
+
+.beat-indicator {
+    width: 9px;
+    height: 9px;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    background: var(--text-dim);
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+    transition: background 0.05s;
+}
+.beat-indicator.beat-flash {
+    background: #ffcc00;
+    box-shadow: 0 0 10px #ffcc00;
+}
+.beat-label {
+    font-size: 10px;
+    letter-spacing: 0.12em;
+}
+
+/* ── Sidebar ─────────────────────────────────── */
 .sidebar {
     grid-area: sidebar;
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
+    background: var(--bg-panel);
     border-right: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
     overflow: hidden;
-    gap: var(--panel-gap);
 }
 
 .panel {
-    border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
-    background: var(--bg-panel);
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
     overflow: hidden;
+    flex: 1;
+    min-height: 0;
 }
 
 .panel-header {
     background: var(--bg-panel-dark);
     border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
-    padding: 6px 12px;
-    font-size: 11px;
-    letter-spacing: 0.12em;
+    padding: 5px 10px;
+    font-size: 10px;
+    letter-spacing: 0.14em;
     color: var(--text-accent);
     text-transform: uppercase;
     flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+
+.panel-content {
+    flex: 1;
+    padding: 8px 10px;
+    overflow-y: auto;
+    min-height: 0;
+}
+
+::-webkit-scrollbar { width: 3px; }
+::-webkit-scrollbar-track { background: transparent; }
+::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background: var(--border-dim); }
+
+.device-row {
     display: flex;
     align-items: center;
     justify-content: space-between;
+    padding: 5px 0;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid #111;
+    gap: 6px;
+}
+.device-row:last-child { border-bottom: none; }
+
+.device-row-info {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 1px;
+    min-width: 0;
+    font-size: 12px;
 }
 
-/* Device manage section — collapsible via <details> */
+.device-remove {
+    background: none;
+    border: none;
+    color: var(--text-dim);
+    font-size: 14px;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    padding: 0 2px;
+    line-height: 1;
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+.device-remove:hover { color: #ff3333; border: none; }
+
 .device-manage-section {
     border-top: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
+    flex-shrink: 0;
 }
-
 .device-manage-section > summary {
-    padding: 5px 12px;
+    padding: 5px 10px;
     font-size: 10px;
     letter-spacing: 0.1em;
     text-transform: uppercase;
@@ -107,98 +175,167 @@ body {
     user-select: none;
     list-style: none;
 }
-
 .device-manage-section > summary::-webkit-details-marker { display: none; }
+.device-manage-section > summary::before { content: "▶ "; font-size: 8px; }
+.device-manage-section[open] > summary { color: var(--text-accent); }
+.device-manage-section[open] > summary::before { content: "▼ "; }
 
-.device-manage-section > summary::before {
-    content: "▶ ";
-    font-size: 8px;
+.device-form {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 4px;
+    padding: 8px 10px;
+}
+.device-form button[type="submit"] {
+    margin-top: 2px;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+    letter-spacing: 0.08em;
 }
 
-.device-manage-section[open] > summary {
-    color: var(--text-accent);
-}
-
-.device-manage-section[open] > summary::before {
-    content: "▼ ";
-}
-
-.device-manage-section > summary:hover {
-    color: var(--text-accent);
-}
-
-.panel-content {
-    flex: 1;
-    padding: 8px 12px;
-    overflow-y: auto;
-    min-height: 0;
-}
-
-/* Scrollbar — terminal feel */
-::-webkit-scrollbar { width: 4px; }
-::-webkit-scrollbar-track { background: var(--bg-primary); }
-::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background: var(--border-dim); }
-
+/* ── Main area — Animation grid ─────────────── */
 .main-area {
     grid-area: main;
-    background: var(--bg-panel-dark);
-    border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
+    background: var(--bg-primary);
     display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    justify-content: center;
-    color: var(--text-dim);
-    font-size: 14px;
-    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    overflow: hidden;
 }
 
+.section-header {
+    padding: 5px 14px;
+    font-size: 10px;
+    letter-spacing: 0.14em;
+    color: var(--text-accent);
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+    background: var(--bg-panel-dark);
+    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+
+.animation-list {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    overflow-y: auto;
+    flex: 1;
+}
+
+.anim-tile {
+    background: transparent;
+    border: none;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid #111;
+    color: var(--text-dim);
+    font-family: var(--font-mono);
+    font-size: var(--font-size);
+    cursor: pointer;
+    padding: 8px 14px;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: baseline;
+    gap: 10px;
+    text-align: left;
+}
+
+.anim-tile:hover {
+    background: #0d0d0d;
+    color: var(--text-primary);
+}
+
+.anim-tile.active {
+    background: #0a1a1a;
+    color: var(--accent);
+}
+
+.anim-cursor {
+    color: transparent;
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+    font-size: 12px;
+}
+
+.anim-tile.active .anim-cursor {
+    color: var(--accent);
+}
+
+.anim-name {
+    font-size: 12px;
+    letter-spacing: 0.06em;
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+
+.anim-desc {
+    font-size: 11px;
+    color: var(--text-dim);
+}
+
+/* ── Transport bar ───────────────────────────── */
 .transport-bar {
     grid-area: transport;
     background: var(--bg-panel-dark);
     border-top: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
     display: flex;
     align-items: center;
-    padding: 0 16px;
-    color: var(--text-dim);
-    font-size: 12px;
-    letter-spacing: 0.08em;
+    gap: 8px;
+    padding: 0 12px;
 }
 
-/* Status dot */
-.status-dot {
-    width: 8px;
-    height: 8px;
-    border-radius: 50%;
-    background: var(--text-dim);
+.transport-btn {
+    background: var(--bg-panel);
+    color: var(--accent);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
+    padding: 5px 10px;
+    font-family: var(--font-mono);
+    font-size: 12px;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+    text-align: center;
+}
+.transport-btn:hover {
+    background: var(--accent);
+    color: var(--bg-primary);
+    border-color: var(--accent);
+}
+
+.transport-playpause {
+    min-width: 38px;
+    font-size: 14px;
+}
+
+.transport-time {
+    font-size: 12px;
+    font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+    color: var(--text-primary);
     flex-shrink: 0;
 }
-.status-dot.connected { background: #00ff88; }
-.status-dot.error     { background: #ff3333; }
 
-/* Text helpers */
-.text-dim    { color: var(--text-dim); }
-.text-accent { color: var(--text-accent); }
-
-/* Device list rows */
-.device-row {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    justify-content: space-between;
-    padding: 6px 0;
-    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--bg-panel-dark);
-    gap: 8px;
-}
-.device-row:last-child {
-    border-bottom: none;
+.seek-slider {
+    flex: 1;
+    min-width: 60px;
+    accent-color: var(--accent);
+    cursor: pointer;
+    height: 3px;
 }
 
-.device-row-info {
-    display: flex;
-    flex-direction: column;
-    gap: 2px;
-    min-width: 0;
+.transport-sep {
+    width: 1px;
+    height: 20px;
+    background: var(--border-dim);
+    flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 
-/* Form elements */
+.transport-file-select {
+    background: var(--bg-panel);
+    color: var(--text-primary);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
+    font-family: var(--font-mono);
+    font-size: 12px;
+    padding: 4px 6px;
+    max-width: 200px;
+    min-width: 100px;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    flex-shrink: 1;
+}
+
+/* Form base */
 input, select, button {
     background: var(--bg-panel);
     border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
@@ -207,165 +344,13 @@ input, select, button {
     font-size: var(--font-size);
     padding: 4px 8px;
     outline: none;
+    border-radius: 0;
 }
-
 button:hover {
     border-color: var(--border-bright);
     color: var(--text-accent);
     cursor: pointer;
 }
 
-/* Device form */
-.device-form {
-    display: flex;
-    flex-direction: column;
-    gap: 4px;
-    padding: 8px 12px;
-    border-top: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
-}
-
-.device-form button[type="submit"] {
-    margin-top: 4px;
-    text-transform: uppercase;
-    letter-spacing: 0.08em;
-}
-
-/* Device remove button */
-.device-remove {
-    background: none;
-    border: none;
-    color: var(--text-dim);
-    font-family: var(--font-mono);
-    font-size: 16px;
-    cursor: pointer;
-    padding: 0 4px;
-    line-height: 1;
-    flex-shrink: 0;
-}
-
-.device-remove:hover {
-    color: #ff3333;
-    border: none;
-}
-
-/* Transport controls */
-.transport-controls {
-    display: flex;
-    gap: 4px;
-    align-items: center;
-}
-
-.transport-btn {
-    background: var(--bg-panel);
-    color: var(--accent);
-    border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
-    padding: 4px 10px;
-    font-family: var(--font-mono);
-    font-size: 0.85rem;
-    cursor: pointer;
-    min-width: 36px;
-    text-align: center;
-}
-
-.transport-btn:hover {
-    background: var(--accent);
-    color: var(--bg-primary);
-    border-color: var(--accent);
-}
-
-.transport-time {
-    font-family: var(--font-mono);
-    font-size: 0.85rem;
-    white-space: nowrap;
-    min-width: 120px;
-}
-
-.transport-seek {
-    flex: 1;
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-}
-
-.seek-slider {
-    width: 100%;
-    accent-color: var(--accent);
-    cursor: pointer;
-}
-
-.transport-file {
-    display: flex;
-    gap: 4px;
-    align-items: center;
-}
-
-.audio-path-input {
-    background: var(--bg-primary);
-    color: var(--text-primary);
-    border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
-    padding: 4px 8px;
-    font-family: var(--font-mono);
-    font-size: 0.8rem;
-    width: 200px;
-}
-
-.audio-path-input:focus {
-    border-color: var(--accent);
-    outline: none;
-}
-
-/* Transport bar layout override */
-.transport-bar {
-    gap: 12px;
-    padding: 6px 12px;
-}
-
-/* Waveform */
-.waveform-container {
-    background: var(--bg-primary);
-    border: none;
-    overflow: hidden;
-}
-
-.playback-cursor {
-    position: absolute;
-    top: 0;
-    left: 0;
-    width: 2px;
-    height: 100%;
-    background: var(--accent);
-    pointer-events: none;
-    transition: left 0.1s linear;
-    z-index: 10;
-}
-
-/* Beat indicator in header */
-.beat-indicator {
-    width: 10px;
-    height: 10px;
-    border-radius: 50%;
-    background: var(--text-dim);
-    flex-shrink: 0;
-    transition: background 0.05s ease;
-}
-
-.beat-indicator.beat-flash {
-    background: #ffcc00;
-    box-shadow: 0 0 8px #ffcc00;
-}
-
-/* Animation selector */
-.animation-select-input {
-    background: var(--bg-primary);
-    color: var(--text-primary);
-    border: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
-    padding: 4px 8px;
-    font-family: var(--font-mono);
-    font-size: var(--font-size);
-    width: 100%;
-    cursor: pointer;
-}
-
-.animation-select-input:focus {
-    border-color: var(--border-bright);
-    outline: none;
-}
+.text-dim    { color: var(--text-dim); }
+.text-accent { color: var(--text-accent); }